by Kailin Gow
Molotov seemed otherwise occupied. Nereti had grabbed him and pushed his face close to hers, her fangs sharp and just inches away from his neck. This was the first time Kalina had ever seen Molotov looking anything but confident, powerful. Instead, he looked completely submissive – even subservient. The look on his face was a combination of terror and adoration: he loved this Nereti, he worshipped her, he’d do anything for her.
Is this my maker? Kalina looked on in shock. Is she the one whose blood I share? The idea filled her with terror.
And if the terrifying, awe-inspiring look upon Nereti’s face was anything to go by, she was a much bigger threat than Molotov was. Her voice was spine-chilling; Kalina felt her whole body shake with revulsion as she tried to tiptoe out of sight before Nereti finished speaking to Molotov. “More!” she cried again. “You disturb my sleep, awaken my hunger, with only a few precious drops of Life’s Blood. Fool! Don’t you know that I need more than that? One girl is not enough…”
That was all Kalina needed to hear. She needed to make a run for it – now, before Molotov noticed she was gone. Maker or not, Nereti was dangerous – deadly – and she didn’t look like she’d take particularly to vampire wine. Panting with exhaustion, Kalina ran out of the main throne chamber and into the courtyard, propelling herself along against the walls. She felt weak, dizzy – the blood loss had taken its toll on her strength. She had to get into the sun, into the open air – where she had an advantage over Molotov. Even with Life’s Blood in him he’d be weaker in the sun than she was. She’d be able to fly – to find her bearings from the air…
And then she smelled it. The sticky, intoxicating scent that she recognized so well – magnified a hundredfold. The smell of Life’s Blood in the air. Kalina looked down at her wound in shock, but to her surprise it had already closed up, the blood vanished from her arm. But then where was the smell coming from? She looked up, and her mouth fell open at what she saw.
In the periphery of her vision there appeared what must have been twenty or thirty young girls – some of them barely older than fifteen – walking towards her. They looked dazed, disoriented – they were walking like sleepwalkers, swaying slightly, their eyes empty and devoid of understanding. They were flanked by a few burly vampire men, who were leading them forward like shepherds prodding sheep onwards to the slaughter. And the smell was overpowering.
Kalina understood. These were Life’s Blood Carriers – the youngest generation. Her heart sank. They weren’t in Rutherford after all. Molotov had tricked them once again. The Carriers had been here all along, here in the depths of Egypt, in Molotov’s hidden and most secret fortress – being prepared for the sacrifice. For Nereti’s insatiable hunger. Molotov was waiting to use them all to awaken that diabolical creature.
Kalina wanted to run, but she knew that she could not. Molotov had made sure of that. Leaving now would be leaving these girls – these innocent children – to die, to be slaughtered by Nereti and Molotov. She had to get them out. She had to save them. The urgency of what she had to do filled her with rage and terror. He’s a monster. She had always known this, but somehow seeing this group of children before her drove the point home, filled Kalina with righteous fury. I have to save them. I have to save them all – no matter what.
But there was only one way to do this, Kalina knew. She would have to fight them off.
Chapter 15
Justin! Kalina felt her heart leap into her throat, the pounding of her fear echoing throughout her whole body as she scanned the sky, hoping in vain to catch a glimpse of one of the vampires she knew and loved. Max! She shut her eyes, trying to harness her telepathy, hoping against hope she’d be able to connect with at least one of them. Get back from Rutherford right away – the Carriers aren’t there. I’ve found them. They’ve been trapped in Molotov’s palace the whole time. We’re somewhere in Egypt – I’m not sure where. And there’s this girl…this woman…called Nereti – this vampire that Molotov’s trying to revive with Life’s Blood. Hurry!
Kalina ducked behind a pillar, watching as the Life’s Blood Carriers were herded into the main courtyard. She hoped the vampire guards couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. The Life’s Blood Carriers were moving slowly, their eyes glazed over, their expressions dazed – they’d all been glamored. But she could sense their fear, a fear that was struggling to get out, to override the power of the glamour – their terror was palpable. Anger rose up in Kalina. Why, these were just children – some as young as eleven or twelve! How dare Molotov…how dare Nereti…
“Filthy monsters,” Kalina whispered to herself. She felt a surge of maternal protectiveness towards these children, all these little girls with whom her blood had bonded. She knew then that she would have to protect them, have to risk her life to bring them to safety – or die in the attempt.
And then, to Kalina’s immense relief, she heard a voice in her ear – the telepathic bond making her feel safe at last. Kalina. It was Octavius’ voice – not the high-pitched, cruel voice of Octavius on Life’s Blood, but the loving, warm voice she knew so well. Just hearing it made her tremble and feel weak at the knees – his voice always had such a powerful effect on her. It made her remember just how much she loved him. This time he sounded strong, in control. Secure. She knew from just those three syllables that it wasn’t Life’s Blood Octavius this time. The man whose voice made her dizzy with desire was all Octavius.
Octavius – can you hear me? Kalina felt all her longing, all her yearning leave her body, transmitted through telepathy to Octavius. We’re somewhere in Egypt, I’m guessing near Giza. Not sure where. Molotov let it slip that we’re in the true burial ground of the Egyptian Kings, but I can’t see anything for miles. Just sand.
The Kingdom of the Dead. Octavius’ voice sounded confident. I had guessed that’s where you’d be. I’d heard stories – you’re not far from where I am.
I thought you were in Rutherford. Kalina was overjoyed. Octavius – close by! Her whole body ached with her need from him. It was so like Octavius, she thought gratefully – he always knew just where to find her, just how to come when she called. Getting the Life’s Blood Carriers.
I let Molotov think I was there, Octavius said. I figured he’d be arrogant enough to think that I’d fall for that trick. But I knew there wasn’t anyone there. I’d had my men from my Beverly Hills estate comb every inch of that town and the only vamps were a few low-level flunkies Molotov had sent to terrorize the townspeople and make a distraction. Not the kind of high-end vamps he’d send to guard something as important as a Carrier. I guessed he’d be in Egypt right away, but I couldn’t go immediately. I had to recover from the effects of Life’s Blood, or else I’d be a bigger danger to the Carriers than Molotov.
You remember? Kalina ducked behind another pillar to avoid being seen by the vampires. Everything that happened to you, I mean…the Life’s Blood. About Alice-Suzanne. About being affected.
Don’t worry, I remember everything. Kalina – I’m so sorry. I had to go into isolation in order to fight the effects – I washed up ashore in California and returned to Beverly Hills and ordered my men to chain me up, to imprison me so I couldn’t get out and hurt anybody until I was cured. Luckily your mother had the foresight to guess that’s what I would do – she had faith in me. She turned up at my mansion and gave me some of her blood. Her love for you was enough to cure me – although of course it didn’t turn me human. She heard him laugh softly. In the old days, we believed that Life’s Blood could do only one of two things – it could turn you human, or it could make you insane. Now I’ve learned that it’s much more complicated than that. There are many ways Life’s Blood can act – just as there are many types of love.
Like with Jaegar… Kalina cut in before she could stop herself. Her blood had, she knew, turned Jaegar human temporarily – but he had inexplicably turned back into a vampire.
Octavius was silent on the other end. Right, he said, after a pregnant pause. Of course. Kalina, can you h
old out a few moments longer? I’m getting close to you. I’m not too far now. I’ll be able to help fight the vampires off, to save the Carriers.
Are you alone? Kalina couldn’t help asking. Is Jaegar with you? She ached for him, too – but her memory of their last conversation clouded her desire. As far as she knew Jaegar had left her to die, vanished with Stuart – he could even have turned Stuart into a vampire again by now…
I didn’t meet up with him, said Octavius, somewhat stiffly. I couldn’t find him, I’m afraid. Max and Justin are looking for him now – once they realized the Carriers weren’t in Rutherford, and they staked the few remaining vamps that had been terrorizing the place, they turned back around and headed straight to look for Jaegar…
Hold on…Kalina cut Octavius off, as she spied Molotov exiting the courtyard. He didn’t seem too concerned with Kalina at the moment – instead, he was staring with lascivious eyes at one of the Life’s Blood girls, the first in line.
“There you go,” he was muttering, “you’ll make an excellent feast for my mistress, won’t you? So young, so fresh…”
Octavius, hurry Molotov is planning on feeding the Carriers’ Life’s Blood to this vampire, Nereti – this ancient Egyptian vampire he’s been protecting here. He’s planned this all along – he wants to resurrect her…
Nereti? So that’s what Molotov was planning all along! I’ll be there as soon as I can, my love. I promise, I won’t let you or anyone else get hurt. Remember, I love you. You mean the world to me. I won’t let you go that easily…
Octavius’ words warmed her heart. He always knew just what to say – he always knew just how to give her the strength she needed, to stand firm against the fear that threatened to swallow her up like an ink-black sea. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had to be prepared to fight.
Silently, moving cat-like on her nimble feet, Kalina followed Molotov and the young Carrier whom he had seized back into the main room. Nereti was sitting upright now, seated on an enormous golden throne carved into the shapes of all manner of fantastic animals, staring straight ahead. Although her body still looked frail and weak, her gaze was strong, dangerous. Kalina arched her back, ready to strike, to defend…
But she was too late. In an instant – an instant that flew by before Kalina could even take a step or a single breath – the Carrier gave a single yelp and then was dead upon the floor, her blood drained in a fraction of a second by Nereti’s superior power. Kalina recoiled, guilt and horror making her feel sick to her stomach. How had Nereti managed to act so quickly? Immediately the change was clear – Nereti’s skin was rosier, her body stronger, the emaciated frame filling out with soft flesh.
“I need more,” Nereti said, softly licking her blood-encrusted lips, “much more. Surely you will provide me with what I need, what I desire. These are not as strong as the first one you gave me – I can drain them more quickly. I need more than just one to regain my full strength.”
Molotov nodded and turned on his heel, going to fetch a second Carrier. Kalina glanced at Molotov, wondering if she should follow him, set upon him in the hall. But Nereti was weaker, frailer – she hadn’t yet fed enough to make her powerful. She was the better bet. She took hold of her ruby-encrusted stake and tiptoed behind Nereti, her hands shaking as she raised the stake, ready to strike, to destroy Nereti and transform her and all her wickedness into ash…
She was half a second too slow. In an instant, Nereti had swiveled about, catching Kalina by the throat, the grip of her hand like a steel vice closing around Kalina’s neck. Kalina choked, kicking the air in vain.
“Looks like the Fool has brought you back for seconds already,” she said, evidently unimpressed. “Doesn’t he know I like variety? Still, you’re an intriguing one…”
Kalina tried to aim a kick square into Nereti’s chest, but she couldn’t reach. Nereti laughed as she squeezed tighter, enjoying Kalina’s pain. “Funny,” she said, “that he chose one who resembles me…”
“Yes…” Kalina choked out, trying desperately to distract Nereti for a moment. “You are my maker.”
This stopped Nereti in her tracks. “What?” she asked sharply. “Me, your maker?” She laughed. “I’ve made so many in my time – I would have remembered you…and yet…” her brow furrowed. “That would mean you have my blood in you.”
“I’d rather like to keep it that way…” Kalina said.
“It’s considered filthy to drain another vampire,” said Nereti. “But right now, my bloodlust is so strong… And besides, I don’t care.”
“You’re not going to lay a hand on her!” A strong male voice echoed through the chamber, filling Kalina with relief. But as she turned, she saw in surprise that the voice did not belong to Octavius but to Jaegar, who was rushing towards Nereti, tackling her just long enough to unbalance Nereti’s grip. Kalina fell to the floor, scrambling out of Nereti’s reach.
“Jaegar, you’re…”
“Back,” said Jaegar.
‘The Blood?”
“I think I’ve got it under control,” Jaegar said, “for now. Oh, my love – when I realized what had happened, what I’d done…”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
“Nice of you to join us!” Molotov’s voice cut in. “Now you can see firsthand the benefit of your scheme, Jaegar. What drinking Carrier blood can do to revitalize this ancient beauty…”
“Not if I can help it,” Jaegar snarled.
“That’s just it,” scoffed Molotov. “I don’t think you can.”
And with that, he flew towards Jaegar, ready to fight.
Chapter 16
Kalina stepped back, deftly avoiding the two colliding bodies that shot towards her – two rippling vampire torsos ready to strike one another, ready to fight. She looked up in wonder at the sight: Molotov and Jaegar were both master vampires, powerful with the ancient strength that comes only from centuries of living as a vampire, centuries of bloodlust. There was something beautiful, she thought, in the way that they moved, in the way that their sinews tensed, ready to turn one another to ash. She knew she should run, but something fixed her to the spot; she stared entranced at the fight that was about to occur: the fight that was going to save her or undo her.
In Jaegar’s eyes she could see the ruby-sheen of Life’s Blood – faded, now, but like a dying flame still glimmering in his ebony-dark stare. The Life’s Blood had weakened – it no longer infected his blood or his brain – but in his unmistakable arrogance, the cocksure look with which he fixed Molotov as he prepared to fight, Kalina could see traces of Life’s Blood power. It was making him cockier than usual, she thought.
“So,” Jaegar crowed, pretended to be thoroughly unimpressed as he and Molotov circled one another, their backs arching as they prepared to pounce. “Is this where you’ve been hiding all the Carriers this whole time? Awfully clever of you, I daresay. After all, nobody would have thought of looking here, would they? Everyone was too busy looking in Switzerland, in Mongolia, in Rutherford…we all thought this place was long-vanished centuries ago. But it looks like you knew better.”
“Only the very elite of vampires know the most ancient secrets,” Molotov said smoothly, his voice full of contempt. “I’m not surprised you were never initiated into the very ancient mysteries. After all, you’re a mere youth, a lieutenant at best, never a general…”
This got Jaegar’s hackles up. He looked like a panther, ready to tear out the heart of his enemy in recompense for this insult. “Well, why don’t you initiate me, then?” he said sarcastically. “Tell me, if you can, who this mysterious woman is…” He motioned at Nereti, who was slowly rising from her throne, still shaky on her feet. “That’s causing Kalina so much trouble. I must say, the resemblance is pretty striking. Another long-lost relative of Kal’s, is that it? Is her grandmother an ageless Carrier, too?”
Nereti was looking on, her eyes shining. She was evidently intrigued by the fight between Jaegar and Molotov – her gaze was fixed, fa
scinated. Almost aroused, Kalina thought – as if she found something pleasurable in the sight of two vampires fighting before her. Nereti was licking her lips salaciously – Kalina seemingly forgotten for the moment – as she walked slowly towards the two men, taking in the confrontation with a lascivious stare.
“How dare you!” This rose Molotov to easy anger. “How dare you insult Nereti like that, when she is the Queen among vampires, an Empress among…”
“Nereti?” Jaegar’s mouth fell open.
At the sound of her name, Nereti looked up sharply. Kalina took advantage of the distraction to pounce again, this time slicing clear through Nereti’s chest with the stake, a clear line from her collarbone to her navel.
A sudden, hot force sent Kalina reeling backwards. She looked up in shock. Nereti was not dead – had not turned to ash – but rather remained standing where she was, her expression blank and pitiless. Blood appeared at the sites of her wounds, but did not begin to pour. Rather it gleamed a cold metallic silver and calcified, her wounds closing up on the spot. Kalina looked up, shocked.
“Come on!” Before she knew it, Jaegar was by her side already, his grip tight upon her own. He yanked her arm violently, pulling her alongside him. “Run!”
