by Skyla Madi
“Tay, What are you doing?” I cried, my tears tasting salty on my lips.
He shrugged. “Hank promised me immortality.”
Immortality? Tay wanted to be a vampire? He hated vampires.
“Don’t do this,” I begged, leaning forward. “Being a vampire is horrible. It’s not what you want, Tay, please.”
“Enough!” Hank boomed, suddenly appearing an inch from my face. I shot backwards, pressing myself so hard against the armchair I was almost certain I was going to go through it.
“I’m not going kill you.” Hank murmured in a deep voice.
Tay stepped forward to protest, but Hank silenced him with his hand. “No, that would be too easy for you. I’m going to do something much worse.”
The quick end I’d hoped for burnt out and was replaced by a sick feeling that grew heavier in my stomach.
“I’m going to turn you into a vampire, no interferences this time, and you will live under my rule alongside Tay.”
No. No, no, no, no. Anything but that!
“I’m nothing to you,” I sobbed, unable to see through my blurry vision. “I can’t possibly hurt you. Hank, please, I’m weak, I’m pathetic, just let me go. Please,
I flinched as his cool finger traced my chin and along my jaw. “Dear stepdaughter, you are everything to me. How can I earn a reputation as a ruthless ruler if I had, in fact, let a teenage girl go free? Not just any teenage girl, but Ruby Moore—a goddess—and the daughter of my human love—the teenage girl who disrespected me by throwing away such a precious gift. That doesn’t look good on me now, does it?”
I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth, trying hard to stop myself from crying.
Hank pushed off the armchair, joining Tay in a pace around the lounge room.
“Keep an eye on her,” Hank said, pulling a cell phone out of his pocket and leaving the room.
I leaned forward in my chair again, desperately trying to get through to Tay.
“Why are you doing this?”
He turned to me, placing his hands on his hips. “I already told you wh— ”
I shook my head. “No, why’d you decide to do this? You hate vampires. You hated me.”
“Don’t take it personally. You were just a pawn in my plan. Mr Aleksandrov needed you under the protection of the school. Apparently, there’s something ‘special’ about you.” He spat on the floor. “My plan was almost ruined when Aleksandrov made Eli your guardian angel instead of me, but I managed to work around that. I made a deal with Hank. He has tasted your blood and he’s convinced there’s something different about you, something he can use. So If I gave him you, he would make me immortal. I convinced Eli the cabin wasn’t safe and agreed to play far guard so the vampires could take down Eli, but when you intervened, I had to kill them all to avoid suspicion.” He clenched his jaw. “And the notes, I did that, too. It was all too easy. Eli was too wrapped up in you to even realize what was going on with me.”
I sat, listening to him talk as I fitted all the pieces of the puzzle together.
“Oh, and in-between all of that I also convinced Mr Aleksandrov to take no action concerning the cabin attack by playing it down. Increasing the school’s protection would foil my plan.” He sauntered over to me before lowering himself to eye-level. He tapped his chin. “Hmmm, there’s something else I’m forgetting, oh, right. I also killed Cloud.”
My brows furrowed as my chest welled with too many emotions to pinpoint. “No, Cloud’s death was an accident.”
He rolled his eyes at me, as if I was the idiot. “If it looked like a murder, the school would be in a lock down for days. I made it look like an accident. Suddenly, everyone was out mourning the loss, too busy to pay attention to who was walking around the dorms. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get a spare key from the lobby in your building while the dorm lady is busy.”
I couldn’t believe it. Since the beginning I was all a part of Tay’s selfish plan to become immortal. I knew Tay was screwed in the head, but I didn’t know he was this screwed. How’d I not pick up on it earlier? I was such an idiot. A shiver shook my spine as Hank strolled back into the room.
“Everyone else is meeting us at the dairy. We need to move her now. The angels will be here soon, they were spotted on the highway not far from here.”
I closed my eyes and thought of Eli, hoping I’d be able to feel him. Sadly, he was only a picture in my head. There was no scent or emotions that usually came with our bond. I needed him now... every second that passed was a second closer to my death.
Tay escorted me out the front door, my hands pinned behind my back. He pushed me along the driveway before forcing me into a black sedan. Hank drove and Tay sat in the back seat with me. I made note of every telegraph pole and house we passed. I hadn’t lived here too long, but in the short span of time I did, I walked these streets a lot. It was comforting to know that we were indeed heading for the abandoned dairy farm. Aunt Jen’s house was already on the outskirts of Bridgewater, any further and you hit farmland. The dairy farm was the only building nearby that was vacant. Tay and Hank didn’t want to risk being out in the open—or being heard.
***
We rolled to an abrupt stop and a searing pain spread over my scalp as I was yanked out of the car by my hair. The energy I had before my encounter with Darren was gone. I searched deep inside for a second wind, praying and hoping it was there...
I couldn’t feel it.
At Death’s Door
Soon the dairy barn filled to the brim with vampires. I counted at least twelve. It was strange seeing vampires in such large groups. They were generally solo creatures—or so I was told. They lived alone, hunted alone and fought a lot when in groups of more than three. They all eyed me like I was a delicious meal. Each and every one of them stared at the thin piece of cloth tied around my arm. A vampire can smell human blood through anything.
“Positions. Now!” Hank growled. He knew he had to get them outside before a fight broke out and I was treated like an apple pull apart.
Shortly after, I was alone in the dairy, and there were no sounds—not even the chirping of a cricket or the squeak of a mouse. I closed my eyes and was jolted by the sudden sound of a thumping heart. I could see Eli in my mind as clear as day and I could feel him as if he were standing right next to me. I opened my eyes, my morale instantly boosted. Eli would destroy all of these vampires one by one.
I didn’t know exactly how far away he was, but he was definitely coming. I waited in anticipation. If my hands were free I would have bitten my nails down to the skin. I had no way of telling him there were over a dozen vampires waiting for him, but I was certain he could handle it.
The silence that accompanied the next few minutes was agonizing, but nothing compared to the stress of hearing some cars pull up. It was the guardian angels—Eli had brought back up. I strained my ears, listening for any movement, any sounds.
Nothing.
Minutes passed and still no noise. I was starting to think maybe I was alone at the old abandoned dairy farm until a loud shout echoed through the building. Soon all I could hear was fighting, the grunts and shouts surrounded me from all angles. My courage was faltering with every second I sat tied up, defenseless and pathetic.
I pulled hard on the rope, accomplishing nothing. It might be slightly rotted, but it was still strong. A large bang echoed through the building as someone was thrown against the tin wall. The entire building rattled and wavered, it was too old. I don't know how much it could take before crumbling down on top of me. I pulled on the rope again, nothing. My chest grew tight and my breathing deepened, heat burning at my core. Oh great, this was not a good time to have a panic attack. Again, I tried to break free from the rope—nothing. My eyesight started narrowing. I felt like the walls were closing in around me. I needed to get outside. My movements became frantic as I wriggled and pulled and shook the rope. Thankfully, I managed to stretch the rope and pull my hands free. I didn’t have time to nu
rse the rope burn. Instead, I jumped to my feet and ran for my life.
I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I needed to get outside. Almost immediately I found an exit. I ran to it before coming to a complete stop. I wanted to run, to help, but I couldn’t move my legs. Right in front of my eyes, guardian angels were fighting vampires. My vision started growing darker and I took in deep gulps of air in an attempt to shake the panic attack.
“Come on.” I urged myself. “This is your fault.”
I gritted my teeth and dove through the rusted doorway. I ran around, dodging and weaving, trying to find Eli. I desperately scanned my surroundings looking for him. A loud snarl sounded behind me and I snapped around. The world went slomo as Eli, ever so swiftly, staked a vampire taller than him. The vampire melted into a pile of dust. Looking at him now, my ribcage no longer squeezed my lungs. I could breathe better—I could think more clearly.
“Eli!” I called out to him.
His fierce green eyes flicked to my face, widening slightly. I forced my legs forward as he stalked toward me, looking more and more powerful with every step. His face was stern and I knew he was pissed at me.
“Ruby,” He grabbed me, pulling me into him. My face rested against his chest as held me momentarily. His arms gripped my shoulders, pushing me away and holding me at arm’s length.
“Are you okay?” he asked, searching my neck for vampire bites.
All I could do was nod. I couldn't bring myself to speak, I was too afraid. He turned me around and nudged me toward a black car. “Get in the car and lock the doors.”
I knew it didn’t matter. Anyone can smash glass and a vampire is strong enough to rip the door off a SUV. Nonetheless, I ran to the closest car and climbed into the backseat. I locked the doors. As I hid down low, my heart hammered against my ribcage.
My breathing slowed and despite my surroundings I felt safe. I knew Eli and the other guardian angels wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Their whole existence was based around protecting our kind—goddesses especially.
Smash!
Glass shattered across my face and I winced as a piece of glass sliced my forehead. A cold pair of hands reached into the car, grabbing me by the hair and pulling me out of the window. I screamed in pain as jagged teeth of glass still attached to the window dug into my thigh. As he pulled, the glass slid through my flesh with a burning pain and I screamed. He threw me on the ground and leant close, the stench of his bloody breath blew icily on my face. If it wasn't for the searing pain in my leg or the burning fear in my stomach, I would have vomited.
I looked up at him, immediately recognizing him as one of Hank’s old pals—Boothy—he was called when he was human, James Booth. Hank must have turned him. I began to cry, letting my head drop back onto the ground. Hank was cruel and selfish. Boothy had a beautiful wife and a new baby daughter—Brea, if I recalled correctly. It was upsetting seeing his once friendly face be contorted by ugly veins and deathly pale skin.
“Not so fast—” He stopped and stared at my leg. “That smell…What are you?”
I felt the sticky warmth of my blood pour out of my leg and leak against the unscathed flesh. He flicked his fangs out and he hovered over my leg. Boothy positioned one hand above my knee and one on my hip. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing for the scalding fire that came with being bitten. I didn’t try to fight him or run, I’d given up and I don’t think my leg could carry my weight. Every inch of my body—every fibre in my being—told me to fight, but my brain didn’t process the orders. My brain had accepted defeat.
The bite never came and after a little while, I opened my eyes again just as Hank kicked Boothy, sending him tumbling down the field. Like a cat, James found his footing almost immediately and growled. Hank roared back at him, fangs baring and venom spraying everywhere. Like the weaker lion does on the Discovery Channel, James Booth backed down.
“Go help the others!” Hank barked.
With a longing glance at my leg, Boothy disappeared and Hank yanked me to my feet. My thigh throbbed as the sticky blood ran down my calf and into my shoe.
“You aren’t going anywhere.”
I looked at him. New lines carved through his face as he fought the temptation of tasting my blood again.
“Let her go.”
The smooth, velvet tenor of Eli’s voice had taken a rough, dangerous edge. I urged all of my strength to my neck to help lift it so I could look at him.
“Mr De Luca.” You could hear the smile in Hank’s voice.
He let me go and I crashed to the ground, unable to keep myself up. Pulsating blackness filled my vision before submerging me beneath the darkness.
My vision brightened, bringing me back to the now. I watched as Hank and Eli were locked in battle, kicking and punching, dodging and weaving. I glanced around, vampire dust and angel bodies were strewn all over the ground. I dragged my stare over the field. I assumed we were winning. It was no longer one on one—three guardians stood off against one vampire, and others were two to one. I watched as two guardian angels tore the head off Boothy. As the head detached, I winced and bit my lip against a sob. Although he was a vampire and tried to eat me, I still felt tender-hearted. He used to be a kind, honest man, and Hank destroyed that. Hank took him from his family so he could help grow his numbers in order to rule the vampire underworld. Hank was scum.
Next to me laid a blood-stained stake. I forced my hand to slide across the ground. I managed to wrap my fingers around the shaft of the stake. I dug it in the ground, using it as support as I pushed myself onto my knees. Bringing the stake with me, I climbed to my feet and hobble over to Hank and Eli. Hank, stupidly on his part, wasn’t paying attention. He knew if he took his eye off Eli for a second, he was dead. I cocked my stake over my shoulder.
This is for my mother, me, James, and whoever else you have hurt. You will never hurt another living soul!
Eli’s eyes flicked over Hank’s shoulder, spotting me. With a very subtle nod he lunged forward, grabbing Hank by the shoulders and spinning him around to face me. Hank’s expression was priceless as his eyes fell onto my stake. Eli shoved him forward as I thrust the stake on a downward angle into his flesh. The stake pierced his flesh and Eli shoved him again, forcing the stake straight into Hank’s heart. Within seconds he evaporated into a white dust. My knees buckled and I braced for impact. Before I connected with the ground, Eli’s hands reached out and caught me. He drew me into his chest and lowered me softly to the ground. I smiled up at him, before I felt my face crumple and the tears began to flow. The chapter of my life ruled by Hank ruled was finally over.
“You did it Ruby. You did it,” Eli whispered in my ear, cradling me comfortingly.
I didn’t respond—I couldn’t. Death should not be celebrated, regardless of who or what has died. Hank was once a loving member of my family, someone who made my mum happy and had given us a better life. Although his soul was already dead, I killed his physical body and it still hurt me more than I thought it would.
I looked around us. It was over. The angels lit fires all around and burnt all of the remaining limbs that were ripped off the vampires. Hank was dead and the remaining vampires either fled, were a pile of dust or their limbs were burning in the flames.
“I need to rest,” I sobbed, barely recognizing my own voice.
Without a word, Eli signalled for a female angel to help carry me back to the car. She took me from Eli, helping me to my feet. I leaned heavily on her as she carried me over to a car and opening the back door.
“It’s not over yet,” yelled a voice.
I flinched. Tay. Strong arms snatched me from the female guardian and I jolted as he kicked her backwards.
“Tay?” Eli’s voice was unmistakable.
Tay spun me around, pressing my back against his chest. My head hung limply and it wasn’t until I felt a cold, hard metal press against my temple that I found the energy to lift it.
“Move and I’ll blow her brains out.” Tay growled.
>
I thought Tay was dead. I mean, I didn’t see him get killed, but I assumed he would have at least tried to help Hank. After all, he was supposed to make him a vampire. I was weak, I could barely stand. I’d lost too much blood tonight. I didn’t have time for this. I needed medical help as soon as possible.
I could see the guardians plotting in their heads as their eyes analyzed the situation. One wrong move and this whole rescue and the deaths of their fellow guardian angels would have been for nothing.
“Tay, what are you doing?” Eli asked.
His voice was confused and resentful all at once. I could tell by his tone that he was as shocked as I’d been when I ran into Tay earlier.
“I’m going to be immortal, but I need her to do it. I’m going to take her and get what I want from someone else.”
“She’s lost a lot of blood. No vampire is going to take her,” Sera informed him, stepping out from behind another guardian.
“She’s still a goddess. She still has the magic.” He countered.
My knees buckled under me, but I couldn’t fall. Tay was keeping me up with his arm.
“Stand up,” he snarled.
I tried. I tried to push all of my remaining energy into my legs, but there was no use. All I got was a twitch in my right calf.
“She’s lost a lot of blood. She’ll die before you get to another vampire,” Eli told him.
I glanced at him. His face was filled with concern and his fingers flexed at his sides. Every second that ticked by brought me closer to death. I couldn’t do anything, I was too weak to use my powers—not that I knew how to, anyway. Tay released me and I crumpled to the floor for the one-millionth time today.
“Then one of you is coming with me.” Tay ordered, pointing his gun at the group.
“No, no, no, take me,” I groaned. “This is all my fault.”
