by Susan Harris
“Melanie, hear my voice, listen to me.”
When Melanie continued to scream, Caitlyn said in a very stern voice, “Melanie.”
A whimper escaped the young vampire’s lips, but she stilled.
“Open your eyes.”
Melanie’s eyes snapped wide at the command. Realizing she was naked, she yelped and pulled the blanket to cover herself. Caitlyn patted her knee under the blanket.
“Are you alright?”
Melanie swallowed hard as Donnie sat at the edge of the bed. “Ya, I think so. They haven’t been that vivid before.”
“Before?” Donnie said with a raised eyebrow. “How long have you been having these nightmares?”
Having the good grace to look sheepish, Melanie looked at her fingernails. “A while.”
“And you did not say a word?”
Melanie glanced at Donnie then back at Caitlyn. “You guys have your own things to deal with. Adding my PTSD to the mix isn’t going to help.”
If Donnie could have kicked himself, he sure as hell would have. Melanie was suffering in silence and didn’t want to disturb them with her own night terrors. They’d let her down, big time.
Caitlyn brushed Melanie’s hair from her face. “No matter what is going on, you can always come to us. You should not have to deal with this by yourself.”
“I didn’t want to burden ye.”
Wiping a tear from Melanie’s face, Caitlyn replied with a sigh. “You will never be a burden. We did not expect this. You took to your second life as if you were born to be undead. Out of all of us, you seemed in the most control, we did not see this coming.”
Melanie pulled the blanket to her chin. “I hid it pretty well, huh?”
“Yes, you did. But, we need to find out why now? And you need to talk to someone about it. You never did tell anyone what happened that night.”
Melanie’s eyes flashed red. “What’s to tell? I was kidnapped, stabbed, touched …I mean, I died and then I didn’t stay that way. There’s not much to tell.”
Donnie growled at the implications in Melanie’s words. “He touched you?”
“Not in the way you’re thinking, doofus. Donnelly just implied that he would. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”
Her eyes darted to Caitlyn, and Donnie sighed. They’d made a mess of this. Instead of looking after Melanie, they were consumed with their own problems. That stopped now.
“OMG, I can’t believe you’ve seen me naked!” Even now, Melanie was trying to diffuse the situation.
Donnie gave her a big grin. “Ricky’s gonna be so jealous.”
Caitlyn chuckled and got up. “I think we could all do with some hot chocolate. None of us will sleep any more today. Shall we watch a movie before Donnie and I head off to the fights?”
Caitlyn strode out without waiting for an answer, as Donnie tossed Melanie a tee, turning away from her. “Haven’t you two got more interesting things to do than babysit me? I’m solid now.”
He let loose a strangled laugh. “Interesting no…stupid, probably.”
“What’s going on?”
“Not right now. I’ll tell you later.”
“Tell me now, distract me.” Melanie pursed her lips.
He put his head in his hands. “I asked Caitlyn if she would be happier if we had kids.”
Silence greeted him, causing Donnie to groan as Melanie slapped the back of his head.
“You idiot! And you said it like that, right? Didn’t give her a hint or nothing, just blurted out about kids.”
“Yeah, yeah I know. I blew it.”
“Dude, you didn’t just blow it, you freakin’ nuked it!”
He stood, holding out his hand to help her off her bed. “I know. I just don’t know how to reach her.”
“Caitlyn’s entire undead life has been dedicated to avenging her family’s murder. Job done. What will she do now, when she is free to do as she wants? You guys have been together all of five minutes, and there you are dropping the kid bomb into the mix. I thought you were smarter than that?”
“Obviously not.”
She patted his cheek, her eyes still full of horror. “Grovel. That’s all that you can do. Besides, the fact she hasn’t ripped you a new one is a good sign. Just learn to use that brain of yours before you activate your mouth.”
He tugged her into him, engulfing her into a hug, even as the little vampire began to cry again. He said nothing, simply held her until the tears had run dry and anchored her to the present. Caitlyn came to stand in the doorway, holding his gaze as he mouthed I’m sorry over the top of Melanie’s head.
Caitlyn gave him a strained smile before she went back the way she had come, leaving him with the feeling that he had stepped back and fallen off the cliff.
Erika
“Are you absolutely off your rocker? You almost got killed two nights ago and now you want to take your damaged body and subject it to more trauma? You’re immortal, not invincible.”
Ever stood in her dressing room at the arena, hands on her hips, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, looking very much like the warrior queen Erika knew and loved. She waved a hand in the air, dismissing Ever’s concerns as she stretched out her tired limbs. Truth be told, she ached. While most of her wounds had healed, Erika tried to deny the way her legs trembled as she stood. Or the way her stomach revolted as she moved. Even her head pounded like a drum. It was as if she was experiencing the world’s worst hangover without drinking a drop.
“I could order you, you know.”
At Ever’s words, Erika snarled, jumping to her feet and wincing as her bones groaned. “You could. Ever my friend would never dare to order me to do something. But Ever my queen, she’s just the bitch to do it. So, are you Ever or are you my queen?”
Erika bowed, sweeping her hand out to the side. It was Ever’s turn to growl.
“We are friends, Erika. I don’t want to see you hurt. Stop this foolish errand that Freya has set you on.”
“In case you have forgotten, I was bred to fight. I was forged on the sands of Valhalla and the blood of the battlefield. I have looked upon the faces of soldiers at their death and felt nothing. I was beaten by warriors for being small until I learned to use it against them. This, fighting, is what I am good at. If it brings us closer to finding Odin’s place of sleep, then I will gladly take a beating for the cause, like the good little soldier I am.”
Ever rubbed her forehead and Erika went back to stretching. “There is just no talking to you, is there?”
Erika shrugged. “Nope. Besides, now that you have all your memories back, you should remember we had this conversation many times before. Do you recall what happened when I turned ten and Danae wanted to make an example of me on my birthday?”
“You almost died then, too. Of course, I remember.” Ever closed her eyes.
Erika thought back to that day on the sun-drenched sands of Valhalla.
“There is just no talking to you, is there?”
Ever stood beside her while Erika waited to face the challenge that had been set down upon her. Grinning up at her best friend and future queen, Erika removed her sandals, the grains of silky sand sliding between her toes. She had dressed simply in a loose pair of pants and cropped top, exposing ab muscles that should not be so defined on a child of her age.
Danae, five years her senior, hated the fact that Ever had chosen Erika to be her general, the one who would lead the Valkyrie army into war at their queen’s command. Danae thought that she would be chosen. Her brute strength and capabilities meant that she was the one who most assumed would hold the coveted rank, not some petite girl of unknown origin.
Danae came out of the trees accompanied by Freya, and Erika felt Ever bristle beside her.
“We could stop this now. Simply go off and enjoy your birthday. I’m sure, if we call loud enough, we could try and convince Heimdall to send us to Midgard, and we can walk among the humans. We can have ice cream and soda and perhaps watch a movie. Don’t do t
his, Erika.”
Erika turned to face Ever and with a wink said, “You know I never back down from a challenge. Danae needs to respect me, if she is to follow my lead.”
Strange words to come from a ten-year-old, yet Erika had not been a child since her mother dumped her on the shores of Valhalla and left Freya to rid the girl of any fond childhood memories. Even now, Erika struggled to remember exactly what her mother looked like, what she smelled like, or even the sound of her voice.
Freya patted Danae on the shoulder before beckoning Erika closer. Danae tried to give Erika a menacing grin, but she ignored her. When Erika stopped shy of Freya, the goddess turned to her. “Are you sure you wish to do this?”
“I am.”
“Then so be it. Fight until one of you submits or is knocked out. If I deem it necessary to end the match, for fear one of you may be damaged beyond repair, I will end it. My word is to be obeyed. Do you both understand?”
“I do.” They replied in unison.
“Weapons or none?”
“Give the little girl a weapon. Make it a fair fight.” Danae taunted Erika, but she was having none of it.
“If it was a fair fight, Danae, you wouldn’t have tattled to Freya and would have just faced me on the battle field. But sure, my blades are thirsty. They might as well feast on your blood.”
Danae growled, reaching for the axe that Rebekah handed to her. Erika held out her hand and felt Ever press Erika’s own sword into her hand. It was a handy blade that split in two in battle. Rotating her wrist, Erika drew a line in the sand and closed her eyes.
Danae lunged for her, but Erika was quicker off the mark, side stepping the blow so that Danae’s ax cut only the sand at her feet. Erika continued to keep her eyes closed, despite Ever’s shouts to open her eyes.
Erika had to show Danae that she could beat her, even with her eyes closed. Danae came at her again, and Erika dropped to the sand, pressing the hilt so that the blades split apart. As Danae stumbled over her, Erika held the blades out to the side, the sharp edges angled so as not to injure Danae too gravely.
The brutish Valkyrie crashed to the ground with a howl and Freya let out a sigh, obviously hoping her star pupil could best Erika. Yet she had not.
Freya clapped her hands once to signal the end of the fight, having seen enough. When Erika cast her attention in Ever’s direction, an angry Danae lifted her axe and lashed out.
Erika ducked on instinct, yet Danae managed to clip her across the head with the wooden handle of the ax. Ears ringing, Erika sank to the ground, nausea rolling her stomach. A second later, she got back up.
Danae dropped the ax when she realized the gravity of her actions. Legs wavering, Erika launched at Danae, her fists punching until a strong arm pulled her off her fellow Valkyrie.
Freya deposited Erika into the sand and pulled Danae up by the neck.
“And that is why you will never be general. You cannot take defeat. Erika could have hurt you far worse. Now get out of my sight before I teach you a lesson in restraint.”
Danae scrambled away from the beach. Erika spat out her blood on the sand, her ears still ringing. In the height of her slight confusion, Erika almost thought she heard Freya mutter, “Like father, like daughter” as she strode away without even acknowledging her own daughter.
When Erika opened her eyes, Ever had taken a seat in front of her, legs crossed and hands resting in her lap. Erika grinned. “I was a badass, even back then.”
Ever burst out laughing. “Oh, how I have missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
Before Ever could respond, Erika leaned in, cupped Ever’s cheek, and pressed her lips to Ever’s. For a brief moment, Erika thought Ever would kiss her back. That Ever would respond in a way that Erika had dreamed of, but her best friend pulled back. Ever’s look of pure dismay sent Erika’s heart into tatters.
She bolted to her feet, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment. She tried to scramble from the room as fast as inhumanly possible, yet Ever barred her way.
“Hey, what was that?”
“That was a kiss, Ever. Perhaps I should have a word with your boyband since he’s not doing it right.”
“But you kissed me? Why?”
“Because I’m in love with you, stupid!” Erika yelled, her voice carrying over the silence.
Ever clasped a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening, and Erika could almost taste her best friend’s revulsion. Refusing to let Ever see her cry, Erika turned away to face the door, tears pricking her eyes.
“You aren’t in love with me, Erika. You love me. There’s a difference.”
Erika spun around and got right up in Ever’s face, jamming a finger into her chest. “Thank you for telling me how I feel, Ever. Damn, it must be a goddamn family trait, along with dissing and dismissing me. I’m not surprised Loki beat you to it, though. Who’d have thought that the manslut could refuse anyone? Well fuck you, Ever. Go fuck off!”
Going into a fight angry was never a good idea, but Erika bulldozed her way out the door, ignoring Ever’s pleas to wait. Erika didn’t even bother stripping and simply waited for her music to play. She jumped over the edge of the balcony and landed in a crouch as Felix announced who and what she was.
“And, introducing her opponent, I give you the infamous vampire slayer of Paris, forged in the depths of The Catacombs by the very first of his kind. She comes to us with something to prove, but can she take out our reigning queen of the ring?”
Cheers erupted around the arena, like hounds baying for blood. Meek Mills’, “I’m A Boss” pounded from the speakers. Erika did a double take at the young girl of about seventeen sauntering down to the ring with Chester Birmingham, the creepy head of the Cork vampires, at her side.
Stepping into the octagon, the girl didn’t even flinch as the gate slammed shut and the crowd began to chant. With her hair pulled back off her face, Erika thought of how much she looked like Caitlyn and remembered that the vampire had also been remade by the monster of Paris. This girl was an obvious imitation of Caitlyn, right down to the almost black of her eyes, yet this girl’s heart still beat, because her face was flush.
Erika cracked the bones in her neck and grinned at her opponent. She could sense someone’s eyes on her and looked up to see Ever watching from a spot on the balcony.
The girl was talking to her, but Erika blocked out her words. The holler went up to go to war, and Erika did just that. She speared the girl, taking her to the ground in one move, trapping her in an arm lock, and then yanking back. The girl let out a scream of pain before pulling her knees to her chest and rolling out of it.
Erika crouched low, a snarl twisting her lips. The raven-haired girl crouched to face her.
“Damn you’re pretty. It’s almost going to be a shame to break your face,” Erika said, grinning as the girl flinched.
“Erika, I’m Kenzie… your team sent me to find you.”
Lost in the fight, Erika grabbed the girl, who got in a few kicks to Erika’s ribs. They each got in a punch or three, and a few hard kicks to the stomach. When the girl landed a hit to Erika’s still fragile knee, pain singed the bones. She lost the thin hold she had on her rage and decided not to play nice anymore. She was sick and tired of being every immortal’s punchbag. Her blood pulsed in her veins as she caught the girl by her neck and flung her against the wall of the cage.
The crowd around her cheered, and Erika held out her hands. Her opponent rose, and Erika applauded the girl’s resolve. She bounced on her feet and feigned to move to the right, but Erika saw the movement in her mind. As the girl came at her, Erika clotheslined her with such force, she was surprised that she didn’t decapitate the kid.
The girl hit the ground with a thud, and Erika dropped into a straddle. She put all of her anger, all of her embarrassment, and every bit of wavering strength that she had and laced into the girl. Erika felt bone shatter under the force of her punches, felt the blood splash against her face, and heard her name being sho
uted over and over again.
The girl had tears in her eyes as Erika coiled her fist to punch, but that did little to stop her. Erika slid off the girl and grappled her into a headlock, poised to snap her neck, bloodlust over taking her senses. The girl’s breathing was ragged–probably a few broken ribs–when Erika caught sight of Caitlyn clutching the mesh fence, anguish on her face.
“She’s my niece, Erika! Please don’t kill her!”
Caitlyn’s niece?
With a startled gasp, Erika dropped the girl, and Caitlyn rushed in to tend to her. Erika sank down to the ground, blood dripping from her hands. Oh gods, what had she nearly done? She had lost control and nearly killed a teammate’s family. She was a monster. She was just as bad as the ones she hunted and unworthy of the title of Valkyrie.
Donnie crouched down in front of her, and she jerked back.
“Hush, little Valkyrie. I’m not going to hurt you. We don’t hurt our own.”
Erika couldn’t stop her gaze from wandering over to the bloody body of the girl she’d almost killed. Seeing where her gaze went, Donnie simply said, “You didn’t know who she was. No worries.”
Ever stepped into the octagon at that moment, and Erika held her gaze for a few seconds before she willed herself away from the arena, away from anyone else before she could hurt them.
Erika flashed to nowhere specific, shuddering as she found herself in Loki’s loft. Standing in his living room, blood dripping on his Persian rug, Erika let out a sob that had Loki rushing from the kitchen. At the sight of her, he dropped the tumbler he was holding and came to her.
“Erika, where are you hurt? What happened?”
“It’s not my blood.”
Those eyes filled with galaxies held her gaze, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I should hope not. Come now, love, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Erika allowed herself to be steered toward the bathroom, stood dripping blood on the porcelain floor while Loki filled the giant bathtub. Erika barely moved as Loki stripped the bloodstained clothes from her and nudged her into the bathtub.
