Replacement

by Wojciech Cram

  anywhere in the world. And yet all I wanted was for him to be here by my side, not to save me, not even to protect me. Just his presence would be enough so that I could feel him

  in my final moments. Because I was going to die tonight, I had no doubts about it. I was too weak to stop it, and I hated myself for it. I'm sorry, I sent through the link, wondering

  if Ash even would get the message.

  When I didn't reply to his question, the vampire took my silence as answer enough, stepping that last step between us, and grabbing a fistful of my hair.

  I shrieked as pain blossomed across my scalp, and my sight became even more shrouded in darkness. A sharp pain was beginning to pound at the back of my skull, and my entire

  body felt sore and achy, as if I was covered in millions of tiny weights. Everything felt heavy, and I found it extremely difficult to move my limbs.

  My head was yanked back to expose my throat, the blood pumping through my arteries. The vampire's eyes shone in anticipation of what the sweet taste of my blood could offer. I

  struggled desperately against his grip, as he leaned in closer, his fangs fully extended. I raked my nails along his hands, but it did no use. All my efforts would fail.

  In one last wild attempt at freedom, before I'd pass out, I lashed out with hands, legs and head, thrashing about so that he couldn't get a clear line on my jugular. The vamp

  growled in frustration, but didn't let go; he actually tightened his hold, smashing me back against the wall to stop my thrashing.

  The wind was knocked out of me as I collided against the hard, brick surface, the pain in my body increasing considerably. Stars twinkled in front of my eyes, but not the kind that I

  found so beautiful. They were the kind that warned me the darkness was coming, and that if I gave in to them, I wouldn't wake to see the light again.

  A new zeal for life filled me, fighting against the drug and the pain. I needed to live: I wanted to live. I needed to see Ash, to reunite with him. I pushed my fists out, knocking them

  into the vamp's face in a sort of punch, before clawing and scratching at his face again. All it got me was a backhand across my own face, leaving my ears ringing from the impact.

  A warm bead of blood trickled down my face, leaving a red track.

  Still, I didn't relent in my attack, using all of my remaining energy to try and struggle my way free, although I had very little left. The vampire's eyes turned dangerously red, or

  perhaps that was just my mind playing tricks on me, but either way, I spotted my next target.

  I aimed my thumbs to those angry, hungry eyes, clawing at them, and jamming my fingers into them with all my might. They squelched against my fingertips, and I had to resist

  the urge to vomit. My tactic worked, as the vampire screamed a horrible scream, holding his palms against his face. I hoped he'd go blind. He deserved it.

  I was dropped to the floor, landing hard on the concrete, jolting my bones. The pain from the fall mixed into the searing migraine, the sore joints and muscles, the dizziness and

  nausea, to create an entire symphony of agony. I wouldn't be able to hold onto to consciousness much longer, I was already starting to slip. The world was becoming fuzzy,

  everything sounded distant, as if coming from very, very far away. My thoughts were beginning to grind to a halt, everything consumed by pain and discomfort and misery.

  I didn't even register as the vampire came back, looming over me, lit up against the backdrop of the sky, his eyes a gory mess, leant over to whisper in my ear, "You're going to

  pay for that." I didn't register as he savagely ripped into my neck, causing me to spasm on the ground, and my blood to go spilling down my neck, pooling beneath me. It wasn't

  that it didn't hurt, because it did. I was just too out of it to care.

  The entire time I hugged onto the silver chord, imagining that it was radiating warmth into me, whilst I lay on the cold alley floor, alone in a completely foreign city. But as I slipped

  further and further into the darkness, my grip became looser, gradually slipping further from my grip, and then my reach. "No," I moaned softly as I reached for it again.

  leave me, I called to it, as it danced out of my reach.

  But then the vampire was gone, replaced by a new figure. I didn't have the energy to feel dread, or to see who the new figure was. Was it help, or a new danger? Who knew?

  A warm, familiar hand brushed a stray piece of hair from my cheek, smearing blood along my skin as he does. I vaguely send a silent apology to Jade for ruining the masterpiece

  that was my hair. It's no doubt ruined.

  "Oh goddess, Mare. What have you gotten yourself into this time?" The voice filled me with warmth, like honey running through me. It was so familiar and inspired such joy that it

  could only be a hallucination, created by all of the blood loss, and intoxication. Because it couldn't be him, it couldn't be Ash, my soul mate, here to rescue me after all.

  I felt myself being lifted, the cold, hard surface, being replaced by a much cosier, much warmer one. I wanted to look up so badly, to meet the golden eyes I knew would be there,

  even if they were only a hallucination. I needed it like a fish needs water, like a sunflower needs the sun. But even as the need grew, I felt my eyelids droop, becoming too heavy

  to keep open.

  I saw her lying on the cold, hard ground, covered in blood. She was still the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen, the most beautiful creature I'll ever see. Rivulets of scarlet red

  blood flowed freely down her head, her body, her neck, so much of it that it merged together, making it impossible to tell where each drop originated. The red stood in stark

  contrast to her pale skin, too pale, vampire pale, instead of its usual tanned hue.

  And above her, bent down to drink the sweet canal of blood was another vampire. He was so engrossed in his meal that he didn't even realise I was there. My vision turned to a red

  haze, as anger so hot and scorching, rose up inside me. How dare anyone lay a hand on my MaryLynette?

  After that everything was a rush. The vampire jumped up ready to fight, my hand flashed out, gripping hold of my stake, and then I was driving it through his heart, and he fell to

  the ground, and then I fell to the ground on my knees.

  When I'd pictured our reunion in my head, this was not how I'd imagined it. MaryLynette was supposed to be proud of me, and I was supposed to wrap her in a hug so tight and

  never want to let go. But now all I felt was terror.

  There was so much blood, so much that it was hard to tell how bad her injuries actually were. There was a large gash on her face, but they tended to bleed a lot anyway. Her neck

  was what was most concerning. The vampire hadn't been gentle; instead he'd savagely ripped open the flesh. The pain had to be unbearable.

  I'd never felt so scared, or so useless as I did in that moment. I had no idea whether she would live or die, and it was torture. Nothing had ever felt so painful in all of the years I'd

  been on this planet. The girl before me could barely be recognised as the girl I'd met in Briar Creek six months ago, but here eyes were still her eyes. They were a snapping clear

  blue, brighter than the star filled sky. But all to soon they were closing.

  I scooped her up in my arms, careful not to jostle her about too much. I didn't want to cause her anymore pain that she was already in. Still, a slight moan escaped her mouth, as

  she buried her head in my chest.

  Panic ceased me as I saw her eyes beginning to droop shut. What if she never opened them again? How could I live without seeing those eyes again? The answer was simple: I

  couldn't.

  "No, don't shut your eyes, MaryLynette. Please, for me," I said, trying my hardest to sound gentle, instead of the desperate man I was. She either didn't hear me or was too out of

  it to care, because she closed them anyway, as if th
e weight of them was too much to bear.

  "Please, open your eyes, Mare. Please, for me. I love you so much, but you need to open your eyes right now," I begged, my voice cracking halfway through. I absently noted the

  wetness caused by the tears that were running down my cheeks. But even I could tell that she was already unconscious, out of my reach. Her head lolled onto my chest, her dark

  hair tickling my chin and cheek.

  I took a deep breath, inhaling her scent, committing it to memory. Her hair was beginning to come loose from a remarkably intricate style. None of that mattered. Only getting her

  to safety, getting her to the circle where the witches could help her, mattered.

  Drawing her in close to my body, hoping my own body heat would be enough to keep her warm, I began to make my way out of the alley.

  The back door to the club was flung open, and I instantly took on a protective stance, angling Mare's body away from the intruder. I physically sagged in relief when I saw Jade's

  silvery blonde hair emerge from the club's flashing lights. Her face was frantic with worry; her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

  "Oh, thank god," she exclaimed, running towards us. "You found her, I looked everywhere." Upon seeing Mare's bloody and battered state, the tears in her eyes spilled, as she

  brought her hands up to her mouth in horror. "What happened? Oh, Ash, I'm so sorry, I never should have let her out of our sight."

  I nodded my head. If I weren't so scared for MaryLynette I may have been mad at my sisters for not taking care of my soul mate, for allowing her to get in such trouble, but as it

  was, I was far too focused on the girl in my arms.

  Her heartbeat was still there, but I couldn't help but notice that it seemed to be getting weaker with every beat. "She was attacked by some scum bag vampire. And, Jade, you need

  to call a taxi. Now!" I demanded, and she pulled out her phone, running to the front of the club at lightening speed.

  I had no idea where either Rowan or Kestrel were, Jade had been the one I'd called when I'd felt MaryLynette's fear through the link. I tried to shake out the memory of her

  petrified voice as she'd told me she loved me, and then her apology, because she knew that she was going to die. It had been the worst moment of my life, not knowing where she

  was, not being able to help her as I felt her fear coarse through my veins like it was my own. Then I'd called Jade, and she'd said that she hadn't seen MaryLynette for the best

  part of an hour. My only ray of hope had been when she'd told me they were in Vegas, and I knew I had a chance at saving her.

  I shoved my way through the crowds of dancers, who were oblivious to the crisis I was going through. I wasn't cautious in how I shoved them out of my path, leaving behind a

  string of angry protests. I was out of that place in a flash, back out into the open.

  Quinn was waiting for me at the curb, holding the back door of the taxi open. His face was a mask, hiding any surprise or sympathy he felt. I was glad. One of us needed to keep

  calm, and it definitely wasn't going to be me.

  I took the backseat, resting MaryLynette down so that her head rested in my lap. I stroked a few strands of stray hair back from her forehead, not knowing what else to do. All I

  knew, was that I needed to touch her, to make sure she was real and wouldn't disappear right before my eyes.

  I hadn't realised just how much I'd missed her until she'd come back to me. I couldn't let her go again this time. I could never let her go.

  I could hear Quinn giving directions to the driver from the front seat, cool and collected in a situation that he had no idea about. I'd have to thank him later. I saw him glance back

  at me, a few traces of worry slipping through his mask. In the two weeks we'd been hunting partners, he'd never seen me flustered, or anything but completely level headed. Sure I

  liked to joke around and sometimes didn't take our missions as seriously as I should, but he'd never seen this side of me. He'd never seen the Ash Redfern who was totally head

  over heels in love, and who was so scared of losing the girl he loved that he'd do anything for her. I could tell seeing me so panicked scared him.

  Just as the driver was about to pull onto the road, Jade flung one of the back doors open. I looked up at her wildeyed.

  "What are you doing?" I asked. Rowan and Kestrel were still nowhere in sight, and I wondered how long it'd take them to realise something was up. I was surprised Jade hadn't

  already sent them a message through their telepathy, but then I guess she had other more pressing matters on her mind.

  She gave me a haughty look, as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You can't expect me not to come with you. I love her just as much as you do." I seriously doubted that,

  but didn't say so. Every second that this cab was stationary, was a second Mare didn't have.

  "No, stay here. Get Rowan and Kestrel up to date, then meet us at Thierry's mansion." A small pout appeared on her face, a crease formed between her brows. I'd forgotten how

  stubborn my sister could be.

  "I'm not leaving," she said, stepping into the cab. Even if she could come, there wouldn't be enough room with Mare sprawled out across the backseat. I didn't dare move her, for

  fear of causing further injury. I could see these problems roll through Jade's head as she surveyed the car.

  I took opportunity of her momentary hesitation. "Jade, I know you care about her, and I know you're worried, but you need to stay here. Stay here for Mark, he needs you more

  than she does." It was possibly the only thing I could say that would make her go. Indecision warred across her features for a couple of moments, but in the end my reasoning won

  out. "Okay," she finally agreed, stepping back from the cab and slamming the door shut. "But you call me the instant something changes." I nodded my head, but didn't get to say

  anything else before we were speeding away.

  It would have been nice to have someone just as worried as I was, but I knew I'd done the right thing making Jade stay. Mare would kill me if anything happened to Mark, and I

  wanted her to have the least amount of stress possible when she woke up.

  "Can't you go any faster?" I shouted at the driver, after only five minutes of driving. It was taking too long, and MaryLynette's heartbeat was still weakening.

  "I'm trying," the driver returned, but couldn't keep the irritation out of his voice. He glanced back in the rear view mirror, his eyes lingering on the bloody girl in my arms.

  "What happened to her, anyway?" He asked, although I was pretty sure that he was more concerned about the seats getting stained, than Mare's welfare. Quinn gave the driver a

  death glare. "Just drive," he snapped, making the driver flinch.

  "I don't care what you have to do, just get us to that mansion as fast as possible. Run every red light, break every speed limit, overtake every car. Just do it," I added from the

  backseat, my urgency no doubt scaring the driver even more. I just made out a hasty nod, before turning my attention back to my soul mate.

  I leant down, burying my face in her hair. "We'll be there soon," I whispered into her ear, only loud enough for the two of us. "I promise." Pressing my lips to her head in a kiss, I

  allowed myself to pray to whatever god or goddess was listening.

  "Please," I muttered, my voice muffled by MaryLynette's hair. Good, I didn't want anyone listening in, although with Quinn's vampire hearing, he probably heard every word. "I

  know I haven't really been a big believer, but please if you have a heart, and are as kind as everyone says you are, you'll let her be okay. I'll do anything you want, hell, I'll even

  go to church if that's what it takes. Winnie seems to think you're up there, Hecate, or Hellewise, or whoever else, so don't let me down. Deal?" I don't know what I was expecting, maybe a crack of lightening, or a rainbow, or for Mare to wake up,
but nothing happened. Nothing to indicate that my plea had been heard by anyone other than Quinn.

  Instead I decided to put my faith in someone I knew wouldn't let me down. "You're going to get through this," I whispered to MaryLynette, sitting back up to stroke the side of her

  face. "You're going to wake up so you can look at the stars, and kick me in the shins. You're going to be okay, you hear me? If not for me, do it for Mark. He's still a big old doofus

  that needs his big sister. And I know circle Daybreak are going to love you, so much that you'll probably steal my thunder. If having the chance to make me look bad isn't motivation, I don't know what is." I laughed because I knew that if she were awake, she'd roll her eyes and shake her head in exasperation.

  When we reached the mansion, the driver wanted to drop us off at the gates, but Quinn and I had been quick to tell him how stupid that idea was, and to drive us all the way. A

  quick call through to Thierry got the gates open, and the driver sped through.

  I was out of the cab and up the front steps before the car even stopped, leaving Quinn to sort out the money. I kicked the front door open, MaryLynette still in my arms, her hair a

  waterfall, spilling over my embrace. "Help!" I shouted, charging into the hallway.

  Tonight's events had happened so quickly that I was unsure whether word had gotten out to the others. "We need help," I shouted again, before running into the living space and

  setting Mare down on the sofa. Hopefully a soft surface would make her more comfortable. She groaned as she made contact with the settee, making my heart leap.

  "What the hell happened?" I turned my head slightly to see Rashel marching into the room, Hannah and David hot on her heels. They all looked shocked at the scene before them,

  which wasn't surprising. "She was attacked. She needs help now!" I wasted no time in replying, taking control of the situation.

  I faced Hannah and David; mustering together all the authority I could, attempting to keep calm. Mare needed me to be able to think clearly. "Go find Thea, or Winnie or Gillian, or

  whatever witch you can get your hands on, and tell them to bring whatever they need. I don't care if they're busy, get them to come quickly." Both Hannah and David leapt into