Shift - 02

by M. R. Merrick

  “Your brazen disrespect for our lord is deplorable. I will end you!”

  Swirls of black filled the cave, and the tornados of power hit the ground, raging towards us. Salvatore raised his hand and the smoke dissipated, revealing a dozen pureblood vampires. More hissing came as a swarm of Visceratti slipped into the room. They slithered throughout the cave until we were surrounded. The only thing stopping them from ripping me apart was Salvatore’s magic.

  “Not yet, my children.” He glided towards me, leaving the demons roaring in frustration. “After I kill each of your friends, I’m going to unleash my children, but you will not die. No, I have a fate much worse for you. The vampires will turn you. You shall become one of my children.” Salvatore smiled. “I have the power to grant you that curse, and so shall it be.” He enunciated each word perfectly. “Once you’re turned, you’ll spend eternity as the Visceratti’s plaything, and my personal servant. But first, you will suffer.”

  His energy plowed through me and something moved inside my body. Salvatore poured his magic into my soul and a beast roared from within. Blades of power cut me internally and I keeled over on my hands and knees. I could feel my stomach expanding as it filled with blood, and more claws tore apart my innards.

  I tried to scream, but I gagged, coughing furiously and holding my stomach as though that could ease my pain. A gush of fluid filled my throat and I dry heaved until a torrent of blood and black fluid flowed from my mouth. Panic surged as my lungs begged for air. Another claw tore through my chest and I collapsed to my hands and knees. A second wave came up my throat, and this time there was no blood, only the thick black fluid that spilled onto the ground.

  My mouth burned as the liquid dripped from my lips. I could feel the skin around my mouth blistering as though I’d just ejected acid. My back arched as another set of claws ripped through my insides, this time tearing through my body and splitting the skin. I tried to get to my feet as black spots dotted my vision. I was going to pass out. I tried to fight it, but it was too strong. Darkness clutched me and pulled me down, but just as everything faded around me, the power stopped.

  My chest wheezed as I sucked in waves of oxygen. Dust from the floor flooded into my lungs, and I coughed and choked, gasping for clean air. I rolled onto my back and coughed out grains of dirt and sand. Tears filled my eyes as the grains scratched my throat, but it only forced me into another fit of coughing.

  Salvatore stood above me, his hand out and power coursing through his veins. I could see the anger in his eyes, but he wasn’t moving. He was frozen in time, magic stuck roaring inside him unable to be released.

  The tapping of shoes against the stone floor resonated off the walls around me. I rolled onto my side to find shiny black shoes with silver buckles.

  I gasped for air, the burning in my throat searing with agony, as though I’d just torn open a battery and poured it into my mouth. My eyes followed the boots upwards, past dark pants, a waist length leather coat, and a tight white t-shirt. I looked into the black eyes of Drake Sellowind, the other half of the Dark Brothers, and all the air I’d just inhaled escaped me in a single gasp.

  “You do find yourself in the strangest predicaments, don’t you? Challenging the power of Ithreal’s soul piece, really? I thought even you’d be smarter than that.” His voice was higher than Darius’, but the tone was cool and even. He sounded both surprised and amused. “Get up.”

  I struggled to push myself up and the motion forced me to cough up thick, bloody mucus, lined with streams of black. I grimaced and came to my knees, using them to push myself the rest of the way. They wobbled and I fell back against the wall for support. Blood ran in a steady flow down my body. My entire torso was covered in gashes that seared with pain.

  “You’ve gone to so much trouble for a single blade. You wouldn’t be trying to destroy the ring, now would you? Because that would be foolish.”

  I didn’t respond. I was using all my energy to keep myself from collapsing.

  Drake watched me and a smile crossed his lips. “Salvatore and that vampire did a number on you. Let’s see what we can do about that.” He extended his hand and I wanted to move. I wanted to fight back, but I didn’t have the energy. I flinched as his magic poured over me, and in moments, my pain was gone. The black dots that threatened to swallow me disappeared, and the wounds on my body vanished. I didn’t feel the cuts close or the pain fade, it was just…gone.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  Drake laughed. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I need you alive, Chase. You’re part of this now; you made sure of that. I can’t have you dying and ruining my plan.”

  “What do I have to do with you raising Ithreal?”

  Drake’s eyes watched me. He stared at me a moment before shaking his head. “All in good time, child.”

  I pushed off the wall and looked around the cave. “Where are Riley and Darius?”

  “They are preoccupied.”

  “First you guys attack me, now you’re saving me? What is it that you want?”

  “The same thing we’ve wanted this entire time. The ring.”

  “Darius told me that unless I gave it to you, you couldn’t take it. You know I won’t give it up, so if you can’t kill me, you don’t get it,” I said, and I tried to sound confident, but I was exhausted. My wounds had been healed, but my energy hadn’t been restored. I’d overused my elements again.

  “I’m very different from my brother. Darius lacks certain, finesse, if you will. Had he come, he would have made you watch as he killed all your friends. Then he’d throw you back to your dimension with a force you could not begin to fathom.”

  “He sounds like Salvatore,” I said.

  “He should; they have the same father. As do I, I suppose.”

  “Isn’t Ithreal the father of all the demons?”

  “My, you are not as bright as I’d hoped.” He sighed. “Every creature was created by a god. There are only seven gods left, but there were many who contributed to life on these worlds. The fact that you lump so many of those creatures under Ithreal’s banner is…distasteful.”

  “I’m not exactly educated in the history of the dimensions,” I said spitefully.

  “You are ill informed of our past. I cannot hold that against you. Drake and I have been around for all of it, and as such, we’ve been privy to the…evolution of the dimensions.”

  “How old are you?”

  Drake smiled but otherwise ignored the question. “I’m going to make you an offer, Chase. It will come only once, so think hard on your decision.” He walked towards Rayna and ran a single pale hand over her cheek. “Beautiful thing, isn’t she?”

  “What’s the deal?” I asked impatiently.

  “You will give me the ring and I will take the dagger,” he said plainly.

  “That doesn’t sound like much of a deal.”

  “Well, if you consider what I’m offering in return, I’d say it’s quite fair.” Drake’s dark eyes turned back to me. “In exchange, I’ll return you and each of your friends back to your dimension. Safely, I might add.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “Look at your friends, Chase.” Drake moved in front of Marcus and looked up at his massive form. “This one projects an image of strength, but he is terrified and angry. The woman he loves is dead, and you blame him for it. Tessa Williams was the love of his life, and because you tried to be the hero, she died.” He walked up to Tiki and Willy. “These two are pathetic excuses for Underworlders. Filthy half-breeds at best, but they are willing to die for you. And they probably will. A most admirable loyalty.” Drake took a few more steps and stopped in front of Rayna. “And this one. She’s the key that started it all. She loves you unconditionally. That emotion is your kind’s downfall. It has become your greatest weakness.” Drake ran another finger over her face. “But how do you feel?” he asked. “That is the question.” Drake turned back and walked towards me. “Do you care so little for your friends? For Rayna? Can
you truly refuse me and leave their fate in Salvatore’s hands? That’s what will happen to them. I’ll release them to Salvatore and he can do what he wishes to them. Give them to the Visceratti, make them vampires, whatever he chooses. You can stop all their pain before it starts, Chase. You have the power to grant them that.”

  I looked over at my friends. They were frozen in their struggle against the Visceratti’s magic. Guilt tugged at me as I met each of their faces. I wasn’t losing anyone else.

  “Okay,” I said.

  “It is agreed, then?” Drake extended a single white hand.

  “How do I know you’ll hold up your end of the deal?”

  “I could tell you I’m a man of honor and although I may seem brutal, I follow certain…codes of ethics, but you wouldn’t believe that. I could give you my word, but that too, means very little to you. To be honest, Chase, you don’t know I’ll hold up my end, but when you consider the alternative, I think you’ll see I’m doing you a small courtesy in exchange for your cooperation.”

  I stared at him for a long moment before grabbing his hand and giving it a firm shake. “You have a deal.”

  Drake released my hand and turned his up, opening his palm.

  I stared into the pale, smooth flesh, turning the ring on my finger in hesitation.

  “Come now, child,” he said.

  I slid the ring off and dropped it in his palm.

  “Thank you for making this easy.”

  He reached towards the dagger and his magic tore it from the golden light. The double-edged blade floated towards him until his fingers wrapped around the leather grip.

  “Now my friends,” I said.

  Drake’s dark gaze met mine and he smiled. “You are an impatient one,” he said. “I always keep my word, Chase. Always.” He snapped his fingers and the cave vanished.

  Darkness swallowed me and I spun out of control. The force of teleporting from one world to the next crushed my body. Bright colors swirled around me and I was forced to close my eyes. Searing pain covered me as the portal squeezed the air from my lungs. I tried to scream, but there was no air to let it out. The swirling colors faded as the portal opened beneath me, growing wider until the condo appeared below. I moved at an incredible speed as the wood floor of the library came into view, and there wasn’t time to brace myself.

  Chapter 30

  The collision winded me and I coughed, rolling over and trying to catch my breath. The air tasted sweet as I pulled it into my lungs, and my body relaxed against the floor. The black portal above me swirled and spit out body after body. Once everyone had hit the floor, the black mass wavered and consumed itself. Moans and groans came from everyone as they struggled to their feet.

  “Chase!” Rayna ran towards me. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around me before I could stand, and it felt amazing. Everyone had made it home in one piece. This time.

  “Brilliant plan. You nearly got us all killed.” Vincent scowled and came to his feet. “And you were going to kill me for that dagger!” He stormed towards me, but Marcus’ massive form stepped in front of him.

  “Don’t test me, hunter.” Vincent’s gaze crucified Marcus.

  “I think we’ve had enough fighting for one day.”

  Vincent and Marcus locked eyes for a moment before Vincent backed away. “You better watch yourself, Mr. Williams. The Dark Brothers are going to be the least of your worries now.” Vincent turned, and in a blur, vanished from the room. The condo door slammed shut and the walls rattled from the impact.

  Everyone gathered in front of me looking tattered and defeated.

  “I’m sorry…I lost the ring,” I said, dropping my eyes to the floor. “I didn't know what else to do.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Willy said.

  “We tried, Chase Williams. That is what is important,” Tiki added.

  I looked up to Marcus and still he held a neutral expression. “We never should’ve gone there. We’re lucky nobody got killed.”

  “I know.”

  A loud beeping burst through the library and Willy looked to the black box vibrating the table. “Uh-oh. I need to go.”

  I nodded and extended a hand to Willy. “Thanks for your help. You did really great.”

  He smiled and a new wave of confidence beamed from his eyes. “Glad to be part of the team.” He gave my hand a shake and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I’d heard him stutter.

  Willy said his goodbyes to everyone and left. Tiki followed after him and went to his room, leaving just the three of us in the library.

  “Chase–”

  “Please don’t, Marcus. I don’t need a lecture right now.”

  “Rayna, can you give us a minute?”

  “Sure.” She looked at me and slipped out of the library.

  “I don’t want to lecture you, but we never should’ve been there. You should have listened to Tiki and me.”

  I wanted to argue. To defend my decision, but I knew he was right.

  “But I understand why you did it,” Marcus added.

  I looked up and met his gaze. “You do?”

  “You’ve got a great deal on your shoulders, son. It wasn’t long ago you lost the person most dear to you. Your father’s trying to force an apocalypse, and you’re fighting an uphill battle against me and everyone else to stop it. The only person that’s supported you entirely is Rayna, a girl whom you’ve only known a few months.”

  “You’re not making me feel better.”

  Marcus smiled. “What I’m saying is, I’m proud of you. When everything and everyone is against you, you stay strong and push forward until you succeed.”

  “Is this what you call success? I’m covered in blood and scars, I nearly got everyone killed, and I lost the only advantage we had.”

  “We are our own harshest critics, but there’s more to it than what you see. You stood by Rayna while she relived a nightmare. And you went after her, alone, into a foreign world to save her. She’s alive because of you.”

  I shook my head and turned away. Marcus was trying to point out the silver lining, but there wasn’t one. Not right now.

  “You’re the one who convinced Rayna to go see Chief and learn to shift, saving her life again. Today you made a choice to destroy the ring, and when everyone told you it was too dangerous, you accepted that. You were willing to go alone.”

  “But everyone came with me and we all nearly died.”

  “But we didn’t. You did whatever you had to in order to keep everyone safe,” Marcus said. “I thought I was the one leading this crew and making the decisions, but today I learned that wasn’t the case. I found myself falling in line behind you. Following you into another world, not because I had to, or because I felt obligated, but because even if I don’t agree with your methods, I believe in you, just like they do.”

  I was at a loss for words. I nearly got everyone killed and he was proud of me? I knew I wanted to thank him, but part of me couldn’t believe I was hearing this.

  “You could’ve completed the trial in Theral and had the dagger. There’s a chance you might’ve even destroyed the ring before Drake arrived. All you had to do was sacrifice one person and this could’ve all been over.”

  “I would never hurt any of you!”

  “I know. For you, it wasn’t even a decision. Had anyone else been in your shoes–myself included–the outcome might’ve been very different.” Marcus stepped forward and extended his large midnight hand. “I’m proud of you, Chase, and I promise from this point forward, no more secrets. I want you to know that no matter what, I stand behind you. You can take my word on that.”

  A warm feeling filled me in that moment. I looked to Marcus not as a boy, or some kind of mentor, but as an equal. I took his hand in mine. “That means a lot to me. Thank you. And I’m sorry about earlier…I didn’t mean the things I said. I know you had a promise to keep.”

  “I appreciate your understanding,” Marcus said. “Had I not had a promise to upho
ld, I would never have let things happen like they did. But your mother was very…” Marcus trailed off.

  “Important to you,” I whispered. “I know.”

  Marcus nodded.

  “What about the Circle? You never told us what happened at the meeting.”

  “I’m not sure we’ve accomplished anything yet. Riddley Peterson has disappeared. Nobody has seen him since shortly after our meeting there. The elders suspect he is working with Riley, but I’m not convinced. As it stands right now, I’m still not sure who we can trust, but if I’m certain about anything, it’s that the council is feeling vulnerable right now.”

  “Let them. They deserve it. I’m still not working with them,” I snapped.

  “I know…”

  I sighed. “Sorry. It’s just not easy for me to put my trust in them.”

  “I understand, and I’m not asking you to. Right now we don’t know who we can trust. For right now, why don’t we try and get some rest? We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. Starting with the condo.”

  “Yeah…sorry about that, too.”

  Marcus smiled. “Goodnight, son,” he said, his massive form moving for the stairwell.

  “Night,” I said.

  I looked at the mess around me and guilt tugged at my insides. Books littered the floor, the table and desk had been turned upside down, and black soot still covered the walls. Marcus was right; we had a lot of work to do.

  My body ached as I came down the stairs. I was exhausted, but I needed a hot shower. We could deal with our next move in the morning. I took the last few steps and tried to quietly walk past everyone’s room, but as I passed Rayna’s, her door creaked open.

  “Sorry,” I said, wincing as my feet made the floorboards screech.

  Rayna had washed the blood and dirt from her face and tied her hair back in a ponytail. She stepped out of her room and came towards me, but before I could say anything, her hands slid around my neck and she pulled me down against her lips.

  Adrenaline surged through my body, forcing my heart to pound in my chest. I closed my eyes as our lips pressed together and slid my hands around her waist, pulling her against me. Her touch was soft and I could feel her magic simmering on the surface. It vibrated against me and brought my elements to life. All of them rose to the surface at once and intertwined with hers. Together, they danced as one, coursing from one body to the next.