by Raven Steele
He opened the door. I didn't try to stop him, as he walked toward the mansion.
I stared after him trying to wrap my head around everything he just told me. But I couldn't. It was just too much. I was here now and knew what had to be done. There was no changing it, no matter who he was.
I growled and lowered my head to the steering wheel, gripping it tightly until it snapped. I felt like screaming and shouting and tossing the car into the night.
Sitting up straight, I counted to five to clear my head. Just go with the plan. If everything went well, then this would all be over, and I would be firmly on the path to redeeming myself.
I exited the car, refusing to think about anything Victor had said. Maybe it was a lie, I told myself, trying hard to believe it, but I had seen the pain in his eyes. There was no faking it.
I caught up to him just as he turned the knob of the front door and opened it wide. There were no guards this time to stop us. I proceeded straight toward the living room where I assumed I would find Bastian. Before I entered, I took hold of Victor’s arm, avoiding eye contact. I couldn’t look at him right now.
When I opened the door, Bastian stood, along with dozens of other vampires, as if they’d been waiting for us. There were more vampires than I'd ever seen before. Jade was there too. She stood apart from them, but watching me too, her expression sad. No humans were present.
I met the steady gaze of everyone in the room, wanting them to see the fire in my eyes. They needed to feel the ancient power inside me should they try to challenge me.
"I'm glad you returned, Aris," Bastian said and stepped toward me. "I wondered if you would after that unfortunate accident last night with your friend."
I shoved Victor forward hard enough that he fell to his knees. "I found your monster. You were right about him. He's plotted against you from the day you arrived."
"That's how snakes are. They strike at your feet, then hide in a hole, as if they did nothing wrong." Bastian kicked Victor in the stomach with such force, Victor’s body lifted into the air several feet before crashing back down. "You will suffer death for betraying the Principes Noctis. It will not be pleasant either. Mercy is not given to those who betray us."
Victor pushed up onto all fours, his head lowered. He lifted it slowly and looked at Bastian. "Bring it, you piece of shit."
Bastian moved as if to kick him again, but I darted in front of him. "I will be the one to kill him. I've wanted to do this since I first learned to talk. You want me to join you? Then give me this."
Bastian glanced at Victor over my shoulder and straightened his suit jacket. "As you wish."
He walked to a black curio cabinet and opened a drawer. From within it, he withdrew a long dagger with a carved wooden handle that depicted twisted vines with sharp thorns. The oak color of the wood had a pink hue to it as if someone had attempted to scrub blood from it but hadn't been successful.
He handed it to me. "Use this. It's made of ancient fae silver and will hurt more."
I curled my fingers around the sculptured handle. It felt heavy in my grip despite its size.
"Stand," I commanded Victor.
He slowly rose to his feet and looked me directly in the eyes. There was no fear, only sorrow. I stepped toward him, the blade at my hip fixed in his direction. The crowd of vampires began to chant:
"By the night, die tonight. By the night, die tonight."
Over and over, they said the words, their voices growing louder. They slowly stepped into a circle around us. Victor showed no fear as I closed the distance between us. I raised the blade, trying to keep it from shaking. I had wanted this, hadn’t I? For years, I'd dreamt of killing him, but now that the moment was finally here, I found myself hesitating.
His face was calm, like the sea at sunset. No ripples. No swells to give away his thoughts.
The vampire’s words, chanting over and over, unnerved me, and I almost stepped back, but Victor whispered, "Do it, son."
I searched his eyes, my breathing quickening. I glanced back at Bastian wondering what would happen if I just grabbed Victor and sped out of there, but Bastian stepped into the circle just then, closing it off, as if he’d read my mind. I swung back around and lifted my blade higher. I sucked in air through my teeth. It must be done.
I plunged the knife into Victor’s left shoulder and quickly withdrew, only to shove it inside of his gut just as fast. His eyes widened, and jaw clenched tight as he tried not to cry out. I pulled out the knife again, and stabbed him several more times all over his body in an uncontrollable rage. His blood spattered my face and misted the air.
It didn’t take long for his body to collapse to the floor. I had been so focused, that I missed the light when it left his eyes. I had wanted to catch that last glimpse of life to convey through my own eyes that everything would be okay. But, instead, he died believing it was the end.
I looked up to the ceiling and threw out a monstrous roar. Bastian came up behind me. I whirled on him, the knife pointed his direction. "I will drag his body through the streets so that everyone may know what happens when they cross the Principes Noctis."
A deliberate smile slid up his face. "It is acceptable."
I pocked the knife behind my back and bent down to grab Victor by the back of his collar. I dragged his body from the room and out the front door. It was going to be a long walk, but I was prepared to make it. This was the beginning of my penance for all my wrongdoings, my walk of shame only I knew about. To everyone else, however, I was the hero.
Several vampires followed behind me, including Bastian, his head held high. With Victor gone, he would have complete control of the city, and he knew it. All of Victor's men would fall in line behind him or face death. I suspect Bastian's “utopian” view of the city would be an opinion only he shared.
I felt for the humans of the city. They would have to suffer a little longer, but, in time, all would be made right. Specific pieces had to be put in place first. I glanced over my shoulder at the witch who had been ordered to tag along. She sensed my gaze and looked up at me, her eyes sad. If Victor was right, she was as much a prisoner as I was. I would have to find a way to remove whatever it was Bastian held over her, then maybe she could fight with me.
When I arrived at the center of Pigtown, I dropped Victor’s body and looked around. Vampires and humans alike had come out onto the streets and balconies of apartments. They gathered from all over to see what the commotion was about. Some were already waiting for us as if they had been notified of our arrival.
In a loud voice, I shouted, "It’s a new world! The Principes Noctis are here to stay. Humans can work with us or against us. Only one action will ensure their survival. Darkness is upon the city. Embrace it or die."
Vampires cheered and pumped their fists into the air. I searched the crowd, hearing their excitement but unable to feel it. This may be the Principes Noctis’ season, but after winter, spring will come, and I will be there to let the light in.
I picked up Victor’s body and continued to drag him, heading toward the docks. The crowd behind me grew bigger, vampires cheering and chanting their praises. Bastian appeared beside me, Jade a few steps behind. "That was a bold move you did, announcing our claim on the city so publicly."
I stared straight ahead. "Isn't that what you want?"
"We don't tend to be so dramatic about it, but I surprisingly enjoyed the flare."
"I will be leaving the city for a short time," I said, readjusting my grip on Victor's collar. His body had not begun to harden. That was a good sign.
"I would prefer you to stay and help with this transition. Humans look up to you. With your presence in the city, they will not fear us as much. You have taken down the great Victor."
"I won't be gone long."
"And might I inquire as to where you will be going?"
"I'm going nowhere and everywhere. I've not seen the world, but it’s time."
A wave of displeasure rolled off him, but he kept his cool
, knowing he couldn't push me right now. I still had something he wanted.
"When you return, I trust you will share your knowledge of the Ames de la Terra. If we could unlock some of their secrets, it would help the Principes Noctis immensely."
"Perhaps," I said not wanting to give him what he wanted. He didn't say anything else until we reached the docks, the sounds of a celebration following behind us.
"It's important you know your place, Aris," Bastian said. "I will give you your time this once, but then you must prove your loyalty."
"I think I proved myself tonight.” I picked up Victor, his blood still flowed, covering my already bloodstained arms. This was also a good thing.
“Let's make one thing clear." I looked at him as I lifted Victor's body high above my head. The hordes of vampires shouted their approval. "I may have chosen your side, but I am not with you in the sense that you think I am. I answer to me. It is you who must prove yourself."
With that, I tossed Victor’s body far into the sea. Water splashed up all around him, and he floated a few seconds before his body began to sink.
"I will return soon," I said, staring out across the dark waters. "When I do, we will work together. Share information."
My eyes darted to his, a worm dangling from a hook.
"Then return swiftly, for there is much to discuss." He turned around and grinned big for all the vampires to see. He lifted his arms into the air as if he were the one to take down Victor. Their cheers erupted into a fevered pitch, electrically charging the air with their power. I would not want to be a human in this city tonight. I hoped they had enough sense to stay indoors. One day soon, I could help them, but not now.
"Stay a little longer, Aris," Bastian yelled over his shoulder. "We must celebrate!"
I regarded the unruly pack of monsters. I didn’t belong with them, and yet, I didn’t belong among humans, either. "Another time, perhaps.”
"Yes, and soon. You have brought us great honor tonight.” Bastian quieted the assembly and gave some stupid speech meant to remind them of their noble birthright or something. I stopped listening three words into it.
While he spoke, I stared into the waters at the exact spot where the inky stillness had swallowed Victor. I finally had my revenge on the man I had hated my whole life. I expected this moment to feel more satisfying, but I had never felt so empty. Revenge was far from sweet. It was bitter, hollow and exhausting.
Maybe that was because I hadn’t just killed my enemy, I had brutally stabbed my father and tossed him into the ocean to die.
Now to save him.
Chapter 38
I slipped away from Bastian and the other vampires and dropped below the dock. I took off my jacket and shirt, before diving into the freezing water.
I swam quickly darting through the waters as if a shark. When I’d first concocted my plan, I worried how my night vision would react underwater, but it was just as good. The bay floor was carpeted in green seaweed broken up by the occasional island of rocks. It was quiet down here, and I surprisingly found it peaceful. Peace was something I could use more of. If I had more time, I’d stay here for a while.
Scanning the murky area ahead, I searched for Victor. Hopefully, a current hadn't latched onto him yet. When my lungs began to burn from lack of oxygen, I resisted the urge to inhale, reminding myself that I didn't need to breathe. It was much easier to hold my breath when water wasn’t pressing against my mouth and nose.
I reached where I had dropped his body and examined the area, but didn’t spot him right away. Dirt and debris clouded the waters. I spanned out and circled wide eventually locating Victor’s body drifting toward shore. I hooked my arm under his armpit and chest, and power-swam us over a hundred yards until I was sure we were nowhere near the docks. I surfaced near a drainage pipe that led to Ironwood and dragged him to shore.
He looked a mess, stab wounds all over his chest cavity. Anyone who saw him right now would believe he was dead. Was that how I had looked?
As I drug him across the beach and toward the tunnel entrance, I thought about his transformation. I didn't doubt he would survive, especially knowing we shared the same blood now. I wasn't sure before but felt he had a better chance than others, simply because he had come out unscathed from injecting V proteins.
The hour was growing late. I picked up Victor and carried him into the tunnel. I had only ever seen one other transformation from human to vampire on the Bisou Islands. It had taken almost thirty-six hours for the man to rise. Roman had said it had taken me twenty-four. I suspected Victor would be the same. By then we would be in Louisiana, and I could have help. A rising could be tricky if one didn’t have the proper support.
When I entered Ironwood, Oz jogged over to me. "You did it. You actually did it!"
"Is the coffin ready?"
He nodded and followed me into my home. A second, simpler coffin had been filled mostly with dirt, leaving just enough space for Victor to lie in. I placed him inside, and with Oz's help, we buried him.
"This is so jacked up," Oz said, as he dropped a fistful of dirt over Victor's face. "And oddly satisfying."
Emma came into the room and leaned into me. She stared down at Victor's partially covered body. "He was kind to me."
Oz dumped another pile of dirt onto his face. “He almost killed me.”
“I think Victor wore many faces,” I said. “But in the end, the most important face showed itself.”
The sudden tightness in my throat made it impossible to swallow. I couldn’t think about how he was my father. Not now. Maybe not for a very long time.
“You’re doing the right thing.” Emma lifted on the tips of her toes and kissed me on the cheek. “I need to finish packing. Rebecca said the Ames de la Terra sent a private jet to transport everyone in the next couple of hours to Rouen. They sound like a good group of people. It will be a nice change.”
“Will you and Oz be okay getting us onto the plane?” This was the only part of the plan I hadn’t liked. There was no good way for me to travel during the day except by coffin. Another strange facet to our relationship.
“We’ll be fine,” Oz said, patting the dirt hard where Victor’s face once was. “This is one adventure Amy and I are looking forward to. I’ve always wanted to go to Rouen.”
“Don’t worry,” Emma added. “Just rest. You have a big day tomorrow with the funeral and all.” Her voice cracked, and her eyes teared.
“We all do.” I pulled her to me and hugged her tight. I wasn’t looking forward to Roman’s funeral, but it was just one more step on my path of redemption.
She let me go and briefly kissed me, giving my hands a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll see you soon.”
She and Oz left the room.
I stared unblinkingly at the coffin full of dirt, Victor buried inside. He might be hard to control as a newborn vampire. I wasn't looking forward to it. I hoped Samira had some tricks up her sleeve because I had to worry about managing myself. I closed the coffin lid.
After zipping up my suitcase, I placed it on top of Victor’s coffin so Oz would know to take it. There was only one other thing I needed to grab, but I planned on keeping it on me. It was too valuable.
I walked to the table near my bed and picked up the small vial. The cure. I didn’t plan on taking it, but it would serve as a reminder that I had been given special abilities to help other people. I needed to stop seeing them as a curse. Roman had taught me that.
It was cool to the touch as I shoved it into my pocket. I stepped to my own coffin, the lid open. Hopping inside, I thought of my first night upon returning to Ironwood. Killing Victor had been my only goal. I had become so obsessed that I had lost my way and hurt people in the process. It was time to make things right.
I reached up and pulled the lid down over me, trapping me in a dark cocoon. The time for heroes and monsters was over. The city needed something different. They needed a powerful vampire, one with the ferocity of a monster, but with the heart of a hero.
And so I shall rise.
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THE END
To continue reading Aris Crow’s story in the Rouen Chronicles Series, grab A Monster’s Fight on Amazon today!
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“I stopped fighting my inner monster. We’re on the same side now.”
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Aris is back, but he's not alone. His once greatest enemy fights alongside him to take down Coast City's biggest villain. But the city isn't how they remembered. Vampires have taken over, and Aris isn't powerful enough to defeat them. His only hope is to tap into the ancient powers coursing through his blood but doing so may have severe consequences. The monster buried inside him must be unleashed.
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"Non-stop action and intrigue as the good, the bad and the ugly battle and conspire. I read way into the night and did not put this down until the end." Amazon Customer ★★★★★
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