Eternity

by Tmonique Stephens

  “Do not worry. This is not a possession. You will never know we are here, but we will all love him, through you.” She merged and Stella’s soul felt lighter than it had ever been. Stella turned to the woman waiting.

  “Do not ask me who I am. That knowledge will come soon enough.”

  “But—”

  “If we delay any longer Roman will suffer. He needs you. Only together can you defeat Alamut.”

  “Who.”

  “The animal you know as Daniel.”

  “But—”

  “Have no fear, child. Soon, you and I will meet again.” She stroked Stella’s hair and placed a kiss on her forehead. “A final word,” she whispered in her ear. “Don’t stop until he’s in pieces.”

  Stella’s eyebrows drew together.

  “Quarter him,” she said, and faded away.

  Her eyes snapped open. Once again, the woods surrounded her. Pain pierced every inch of her body as bones straightened and torn flesh healed. After what had to be forever, Stella climbed to her feet, ready to fight.

  At the rim of the pit, Roman stared down. Spikes protruded out of the left side of the beast’s abdomen and chest. Though motionless, he wasn’t surprised when a single eye rotated and stared at him from the pit. As they studied each other, Alamut grabbed the spike. With a fierce yank and a wet sucking sound, he pulled the pole from his chest.

  Roman walked deeper into the woods. He didn’t need to see Alamut free himself from the pit. He counted on it.

  Stella. Her name squeezed his heart.

  Where you go, I go. He meant every word.

  “Soon,” he mumbled. He wouldn’t wait for the next version of Elyssian to appear. After Stella, no one could compare. Alamut first, then he’d find a way to join her. There had to be a way.

  Roman heard the crunch of heavy footsteps rushing toward him. He pushed away thoughts of Stella and, at the last minute, brought his sword up. With a swift turn and slice, he severed Alamut’s claw from his arm. The beast screamed and bright blood poured from the stump.

  He dodged Alamut’s remaining claw, then hammered an uppercut into the soft flat underside of his chin. Alamut staggered, but didn’t go down. He shook his head and bellowed again.

  Blade whistling through the air, he brought the fight to Alamut. Parrying the sword with Alamut’s beefy arm, they traded blows. Though Roman connected, slicing in Alamut’s flesh each time, his arm healed almost instantly after the each injury. To end this battle he had to inflict more damage.

  Roman got in close. With a single thrust, he pierced Alamut’s sternum. He blocked a blow from his stubbed arm, and rammed the blade deeper, trying to shove it into his maniacal heart.

  A fist to Roman’s temple rocked his head to the side. Stars danced in front of his eyes, the grip on his sword the only thing keeping him upright. By centimeters, he ducked the next one and jerked the blade free. He couldn’t take another blow like that again.

  Darting through the trees, the crunch of leaves behind him told him Alamut was close on his heels. Good, this may be his final chance to end this.

  When he reached a small clearing, he stopped and waited for Alamut to appear.

  He didn’t.

  Everything went silent. Nature paused and held its collective breath.

  Roman scanned the dark. Battle instincts screamed for him to move. Instead, he readied for the attack that was sure to come. An image of Reign wormed to the forefront of his mind. His twins solemn stare and worried demeanor always frayed his nerves. Now, after twenty centuries, he understood the burden of leadership.

  A leader couldn’t lead men where he didn’t dare go. Being the ‘keeper’ of a brother, lover, friend, wife, family, meant you carried all their burdens, to the grave and beyond. Somehow, he failed Daniel. And he failed Reign. He couldn’t bring his twin back, but he could end the terror Daniel had become. If he could stop this, change directions, rewrite the ending to this horror story and his life. He would.

  But Fate—that fucking bitch—wouldn’t be denied.

  “Do I remind you of someone, Roman? An innocent little boy who lost his father? Who you opened your home to?” His voice echoed in the woods.

  Yes to all. Roman took a steadying breath and prepared himself for war.

  “I should’ve let you stay in that orphanage and rot, but you were pathetic. Helpless. I pitied you then and I pity you now.”

  A twig broke behind him. He spun just as Alamut charged.

  And tripped the hidden wire. In mid-stride, the beast stopped and his eyes swiveled up. Sharp wooden stakes rained from the trees. He flashed between them, but he couldn’t outpace them all. Spikes pierced his neck, back and shoulders, but still he kept going. Balanced precariously overhead, a huge log swung free and gathered speed. Racing on all fours, mouth open wide, Alamut leaped for him.

  The log barreled into his ribs with a sickening crunch and smashed him into a boulder.

  This battle wasn’t over. Roman gripped his sword tighter. The silent woods witnessed Roman dodge the log as momentum made it swing back and closed the distance between the man he once trusted. Thoughts of why crowded his mind. He needed answers, but he couldn’t risk keeping Alamut alive to get them. Before he regenerated, he had to die.

  Roman stopped in front of the motionless body. For a second, he paused and searched for a remnant of the boy he loved. In the mangled mess, there wasn’t any.

  He mourned his loss and raised his sword.

  Alamut snatched the stake embedded in his neck and stabbed the sharp spike into Roman’s thigh.

  “Aagrh!”

  Claws dug into his side and chest. Alamut climbed up his body, using the stake as leverage until he towered over him. His jaws unhinged and clamped down onto Roman’s shoulder, ripping into him. White-hot pain burned away all thought except the need to survive.

  The beast shook him violently, flinging him around. He thrust the blade back into Alamut’s abdomen and dragged it sideways.

  Alamut tossed him in the air.

  He used the last of his energy to twist, avoid the trees and land in the bushes. He tried to move, but Alamut’s jagged teeth had shredded every muscle in his shoulder, chest and back on the left side of his body. Broken ribs poked through his chest making him pant in brilliant burst of pain. His arm dangled from its socket, but he was still in better condition than Alamut.

  Slumped to the ground a few yards away, Alamut’s crushed bones made his form odd. Blood ran freely from his many wounds and organs peeking through the hand pressed to his gut.

  “Let’s make a bet on who will heal faster? You or I?” Alamut grunted.

  Roman doubted it would be him. Never had he suffered this much damage in so short a time. Tunnel vision started setting in. His limbs twitched with sluggish energy as he tried to will his body into an upright position and finish his enemy. He didn’t budge, but watched Alamut leverage his tail and push himself up.

  Patting the ground around him, he searched for his sword. Yards away he spotted the blade. Alamut took a shaky step toward him. Roman tried to move. His body stubbornly refused. As Alamut’s steps became more certain, Roman’s heart slowed. After two thousand years, his death finally approached. Though he didn’t know how he would die, he suspected Alamut knew exactly how to end it.

  Death.

  Welcome, come on in, he snorted and coughed up blood.

  The need to live died with Stella, but he wouldn’t lay here like a lamb to slaughter. He would die with his sword in his hand. Peeking from the underbrush, his sword rested. Concentrating, he inched himself toward his goal. He wouldn’t reach it in time, but the effort was almost as good as the deed.

  The thud of Alamut’s footsteps shook the ground beneath him. He glanced over his shoulder. The gap between them had narrowed. His lips split into a grin and Alamut gave a bark that almost sounded like a laugh. Soon it would all be over. He turned back to continue his final quest but . . . the sword was gone.

  Alamut let out a blood-c
urdling scream. Roman flipped over to see his tail violently thrashing a few feet away.

  “Forgot about me, Daniel?”

  Her voice washed over him, sending all his senses into hyper-drive.

  “Stella?”

  “I’m here, baby.”

  Alamut blocked his view of her. He shifted to the right. She was filthy and disheveled. The lace nightie was Swiss-cheesed with holes in some dangerous areas, however she was gloriously alive.

  I’ll find out later. He rolled onto his stomach, crawled over to a tree and slammed his shoulder back into place. Nauseating pain rolled through his gut. Next, the ribs. He forced the one catching air back underneath the skin and muscles. Surgery on oneself is highly not recommended.

  Sweat streamed into his eyes. He shoved the pain to the back of his mind, braced himself against the tree and climbed to his feet. His vision went gray, but he didn’t dare close his eyes while Stella welded his sword.

  The blade was too big for her, but with strength and speed he didn’t think she possessed, she executed all the skills he’d taught her yesterday—perfectly. It wouldn’t last, she couldn’t keep this up. Eventually, she would falter. He needed a weapon.

  Quickly, he scanned the area, and lying in the same location where his sword had rested was one of the spikes from the pit. She must’ve dragged it here.

  Her scream made him whip around. Alamut’s claw raked the side of her body from ribs to hip, shredding the nightie and her precious skin. She dropped to her knees in front of Alamut.

  The beast raised his hand, claws fanned out, ready to strike a killing blow.

  No!

  Adrenalin poured into his blood stream and gave him the last bit of energy. Roman picked up the spike and tucked it under his arm. In an instant, he closed the distance between him and Alamut, and skewered him from kidney to shoulder.

  “Stella, sword!” he commanded.

  Through Alamut’s tree trunk legs, she skated the blade. He snatched it from the ground just as Alamut turned.

  One swipe.

  His head separated from his body, tumbled to the ground and rolled in one direction. His body crashed in another.

  Completely drained, Roman collapsed to his knees. Before he could topple over, Stella caught him and guided him to a softer landing. So many questions needed answers, but she snatched his sword from his hand.

  Flat on his back, he watched Alamut’s headless body flip onto all fours and start crawling toward its missing head. Stella raced back into the fray and hacked off an arm that swiped at her. The body tipped over, yet the legs kept trying to find purchase in the dirt.

  Stella didn’t stop slicing and hacking until a torso and four detached limbs were all that was left. When she finally stopped and turned to him, blood splatter covered her arms and legs. Her black hair gleamed wetly.

  And her eyes glowed golden. She was an Amazon. Petite in packaging, but absolutely fierce in nature. Then her injured side healed before his startled eyes.

  The golden glow faded, a hurricane rolled through her stormy, gray eyes. Speechless, he reached for her. She and the sword came.

  “How are you here?” he asked as she cradled his head in her lap.

  “Shhh.” She kissed his lips. “It’s a strange story.”

  “Stranger than what we just fought?” He touched her healed skin. “And this?” Weary, his voice had started to fade.

  Stella laughed and shook her head. “No.” She paused and then nodded. “Well, maybe. How did you do that?”

  “What?”

  “One minute you were over there—” She pointed to the right. “—and the next you were here. I know you’re fast, but I didn’t see you move.”

  A twig snapped. Both their attention turned toward the sound. Stella eased his head to the ground and lifted his sword.

  “Help me up,” he ordered.

  She ignored him and quietly placed herself between him and what lurked in the woods.

  “Damn it, help me up,” Roman bit out, struggling to rise.

  “Shhh!” She waved at him. Sword clutched in both hands, she waited.

  Roman couldn’t believe this bloodthirsty creature was the same frightened woman he met a few short weeks ago.

  “Who’s there?” she demanded.

  A flashlight parted the darkness. “It’s me, Thane.” A few yards away, he rounded a tree.

  A sigh of relief escaped from Stella and she lowered the sword.

  “Hot. Damn,” someone said behind her.

  Stella spun. “Get away from him,” she snarled. Sword raised, she rushed over.

  “Stella, meet Avery. Avery, meet Stella,” Roman mumbled weakly.

  “Pleasure ma’am.” Eyes narrowed, a feral smile graced his face. He hauled Roman to a seated position.

  “You’re the guy from the diner?” She raised a questioning brow.

  “What gave me away? The burns or the graffiti?” He raked her nearly naked body with an appreciative eye. Then studied Roman.

  “You’ve never looked worse,” he said, probing his wounds. “But we all know you’ll survive.” He grabbed Roman’s good arm.

  Roman groaned, because he couldn’t summon the energy to cry out.

  “Can you stand?” Avery asked.

  “Don’t tell me we have to carry him.” Hands resting on his knees and breathing hard, E.J. stood next to her. Behind him, Quin brought up the rear.

  “No one is carrying me.” With Avery’s steady body bracing him, Roman stood. “Carry that.”

  All turned and watched the beast transform into Daniel, his limbs arrayed around him, twitching. The sword slipped from Stella hand and she swayed dangerously on her feet. Thane reached for her, but she dashed into Roman’s arms and buried her face in his chest.

  This is the woman he met.

  “How was Daniel this . . . thing?” Thane gasped.

  “I thought he was missing, but dead, not the living dead, tooling around New York.” E.J imitated a zombie stroll.

  “I’m going to be sick.” Stella moaned.

  Roman raised her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “No. You’re not. You saved me. I don’t know how, but you did. You stopped a killer.”

  “She did that?” Avery asked and Roman nodded.

  A low whistle sounded from Quin. “A woman that knows how to handle a blade? Estoy en el amor.” He gave her a short bow, then unbuttoned his shirt and held it while she slipped into it.

  “How did you find me?” Roman asked, looking at his men. They all pointed at Quin.

  He shrugged his bare shoulders. “Your secret hideaway was never a secret. I always knew where you vacationed. I am my brother’s keeper.” Quin flattened his palm to his heart and bowed deeply.

  Stella helped Roman return the gesture.

  E.J. grabbed two of Daniel’s limbs. “I’m ready?” he said, holding the pieces.

  Thane walked up to the head. Daniel’s eyes popped open, causing him to jump back. “Jesus, he ain’t dead.”

  Roman sighed. “Fuck. I prayed he was.” His voice trailed at the end as gravity defeated his body and he rushed to kiss the ground. The last thing he heard was Stella scream his name.

  Roman’s eyes popped open. Fully alert and ready for war, he scanned his surroundings and realized he was in his bed at RockGate with a soft form nestled close. Relief washed over him. He remembered his slide into oblivion and Stella crying his name.

  But she was here, alive. He stroked her chin and she snuggled closer into his side.

  He watched her die, held her broken body, and saw the light fade from her eyes. They were both alive . . . and in bed. Gently, he kissed her until her lips parted and she moaned. Her arms twined around his neck. She slanted her mouth and kissed him with toe curling passion.

  “You were dead.” He slipped the words in when they paused for air.

  “Yes, I was.” She traced a finger down the slope of his nose and kissed the tip.

  First Daniel, now Stella. Thank you God . . .
but. His heart fisted in his chest. “Too many people are coming back from the dead,” he mumbled. It wasn’t natural. Not that his immortal state was natural but. . . . He dragged her into his chest and buried his head in her shoulder. “I don’t care why you’re alive, I’m just glad you are.”

  Stella kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, “Elyssian and the others brought me back.

  He pulled away and met her soft gaze.

  She smiled and nodded. “It’s incredible, but they did. They were waiting for me, all of them exactly as they were when you met them and a few you missed.”

  It sounded impossible, but in this life nothing was impossible. “W-what did they want?”

  She smiled and brushed her lips against his. “You. They all wanted you.”

  His mouth slid open.

  She took her hand and with a lift of his chin closed it for him. “They all loved you so much they wanted you to finally be happy. They gifted me their souls so I could stay with you.”

  He caressed her face, brushed her wayward tress behind her ear. Kissed her scar and her lips all the while wondering how that could possibly be true. “How?”

  She shrugged, “I don’t know. They’re a part of me now.” She patted her chest. “They gave me their essences. It’s all they had left, so they, and I could be with you.”

  “Are you. . . .” Immortal stuck in his throat.

  “I don’t know, maybe.” She shrugged again and cupped his face. Her gray eyes captured his. “If all we have is now I, will, take, it. Marry me.”

  He didn’t realize he’d stopped breathing until his lungs forced him to suck in a breath. He hugged her so tight she groaned, but didn’t complain.

  “Anywhere, anytime. Where you go—” he started.

  “I go,” she finished.

  EPILOGUE

  “No, not there. Over there!” Hector shouted at the men placing the ice sculpture. Stella didn’t want an ice sculpture, however what she wanted didn’t count. Once Hector discovered Roman’s proposal and her acceptance, the only thing he allowed Stella to do was pick out her dress. With only one week to go, she walked into Kleinfeld’s—with Hector carrying the black card—and walked out with the gown of her dreams. A strapless, drop waist, beaded, confection that made her look like a goddess. After a week of loving, she was ready to get married.