by J. C. Diem
“Undoubtedly,” Loki agreed. “Some more so than others.” He spared a look at the deceased woman and saw no signs of betrayal on her face. She’d accepted her fate and had trusted that her husband had known what was best for her and her children. For just a moment, he wished he could have known what love like that was like. Then he gave himself a mental shake. If epic love existed, it wasn’t for the likes of him. It was doubtful that he would ever find his equal. Especially now that he was planning on conquering all known worlds. Loneliness was something he was well acquainted with and it wasn’t going to leave him anytime soon. “Come,” he said. “We have many more houses to search.”
Dutifully following him, the pretend warriors prodded their captive outside and added him to the growing number of prisoners. They moved from house to house, increasing their quota of slaves. When they had twenty humans, a Grimgorg warrior escorted them to one of the portals that had been set up in the area.
Taking a break, Loki felt himself being watched and saw a dog slinking off into the shadows. Its curly white fur had been clipped close to its body in most places. A topknot on its head and balls around its feet and tail made it look ridiculous. It sent him a glower over its shoulder and he was wracked with a shiver of dread at the malice in its beady eyes. The animal displayed far too much intelligence for such a strange looking thing. He was tempted to blast it with magic, but it was gone before he could lift his sword.
When dawn arrived, he was exhausted from expending so much magic. He’d used various types of illusions to corral fleeing humans. Unlike the faeries, he couldn’t siphon power from his allies. Food and rest were the only things that would enable him to recharge.
He left the Grimgorg unit to their task and headed back to the center of the city. He found an apartment building that looked better than most and rode the elevator to the top floor. The inhabitants of the penthouse had fled, leaving their doors standing wide open. Using his magic to lock them, he glanced around. The color scheme was bland, but the furniture and artwork were pleasant enough.
Sauntering into the kitchen, he searched the cupboards and fridge and gathered a meal together. He didn’t know how to use any of the appliances and made a mental note to get one of the humans to show him how. For now, he settled on bottled spring water.
Taking a seat on the brown leather couch, he figured out how to switch the television on and grinned when he saw himself on display. Raising his glass, he toasted himself. “Here’s to a bright and happy future. May my reign of terror be long and satisfying.” He took a sip of the cold, refreshing water and settled down to eat.
Chapter Twenty-Two
~~~ Alpha World ~~~
A BRIEF FLARE OF ALARM was Loki’s only warning that danger was imminent, then a bright light streaked towards the living room window. He realized it was a missile and went into action. Using a burst of magic, he scooped Bianca into his arms and sprinted for the bathroom. He slammed the door shut and bolstered it with a shield to keep them both safe.
Her arms came around his neck and she buried her head against his chest as a barrage of noise assaulted her ears. He ran a hand up and down her back soothingly while she tried to contain her shaking. If he’d been even an instant slower, she would have surely died this time. His shields automatically flared into being whenever he was in danger, but they didn’t extend to her.
Bianca’s ears rang from the blast and she couldn’t seem to stop herself from shivering. The man she should have feared above all others held her against him protectively. Loki’s hands were gentle as he rubbed her back. She tilted her head back to see murderous rage emanating from his brilliant blue eyes. “How did they know to aim the missile here?” she asked in a tremulous voice.
“I suspect the old man I ousted is responsible,” he said tersely. “I knew I should have killed him.” He muttered that last bit, but she stiffened slightly as she heard him. Instead of stepping back in horror, she held him even more tightly.
“Humans can be vindictive,” she said lamely. She didn’t know what else to say. Nothing was going to quell his anger. Revenge was the only thing that would calm him down again.
“So can I,” he replied. Setting her aside, he opened the door to see the apartment was in ruins. He delved into his precious store of magic to douse the flames before they could spread. Glass crunched beneath his boots as he crossed to the shattered window. He cloaked himself in shadow, then leaned out through the opening. He spied human soldiers in an armored truck on the street far below. They seemed to be debating about whether to shoot another missile at the condo. “Wait here,” he instructed Bianca as he released his illusion and headed for the door.
Bianca watched as Loki appeared on the street below a few moments later. One blast from his sword flipped the armored truck onto its side. Men and women scattered as he laid waste to their unit. He didn’t kill them all, she noted. Only the ones who were unwise enough to attempt to shoot him died beneath his blade.
When he finished quelling their resistance, a dozen Grimgorg warriors and shamans appeared, along with an equal number of droids. Some of the soldiers were converted into clones and fled to the safety of buildings to avoid the sun. Others were collared to become slaves.
Feeling someone standing behind her, Bianca whirled around, but the room was empty. Loki opened the door a few seconds later wearing a grim expression. His eyes darted around as if he was searching for someone. She wondered if she’d been alone after all.
“Come,” he said. “We need to find somewhere less conspicuous to use for our accommodation.”
Her suitcase full of clothing had been destroyed along with the bedroom, so she didn’t have anything to carry this time. She followed him to the elevator and down to the street. He led her to a modest building that had been cleared of its occupants. The apartment he chose was on the third floor. It was far plainer than their previous accommodations, yet it was comfortable enough.
“Who was standing behind me?” Bianca asked as she turned the kettle on to boil water. There wasn’t an expensive coffee machine this time and she would have to use instant coffee.
Loki debated about telling her the truth, then decided she had a right to know. “It was Fate,” he said. He’d glanced up to check on Bianca during the short battle. His heart had stuttered in his chest when he had seen that she wasn’t alone. The leather clad female had stood behind her and the human hadn’t even known she’d had company. Not for the first time, he wondered what Fate wanted with his ward. He knew so little about her that he couldn’t fathom her reasons for why she’d insisted on him babysitting the human. Taking her presence as a warning, he’d headed straight back to the apartment.
Loki had mentioned Fate before, so hearing about her wasn’t a surprise. Bianca frowned and leaned against the counter. “What does she want with me?”
He shrugged and crossed his arms. “I do not know.”
“Is she going to kill me?” she asked in a small voice.
“Not if I can help it,” he said grimly.
“I’m doomed, aren’t I?” Bianca said in near despair. “One way or another, I’m not going to live for much longer.”
Her expression was so solemn and frightened that he crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “You don’t know that,” he chided her. “While I am here, you will remain safe.” Her eyes had turned green, reflecting her fear.
“You’ll be leaving as soon as you’ve collected enough soldiers to invade other worlds,” Bianca pointed out. “Then Fate will be free to do whatever it is that she has planned for me.”
She leaned against him, seeking comfort. For a moment, a promise to take her with him hovered on his lips before his reason returned. It would be lunacy to make a promise that he couldn’t keep. “I am sure she doesn’t have anything dire planned for you,” he said unconvincingly. He tried to push her away, but she clung to him for a moment longer. He didn’t want to admit it to himself, but he liked it that she no longer seemed to fear him. She
trusted him implicitly now. He was the only thing preventing her from becoming a clone or a slave. Her life was in his hands.
A heady feeling of power swept through him. He had to be careful not to crush her when his hands tightened on her fragile shoulders. Humans called him a god. At moments like this, he truly felt as though he was one. It wasn’t just her fate that rested in his hands. The destiny of every soul in the universe lay in his palms.
Wincing when Loki’s hands clamped down on her shoulders painfully, Bianca didn’t pull away. She’d known from the moment they’d met that he would be her doom. For some reason, she’d been thrust into his path. She suspected it was Fate who was responsible for this, even if Loki wouldn’t admit it. She was just an insignificant pawn in a game that was beyond her comprehension. There wasn’t going to be a happily ever after ending for her. This could only end in one way; with her death.
Chapter Twenty-Three
~~~ Violet’s World ~~~
NAT KNEW SHE WAS IN for a world of pain even before Sam teleported her to a small church. Several rows of pews were lined up neatly in front of an altar, with a wide path that led to the main door. Stained glass windows added an almost merry cast to the otherwise plain room.
Smoke instantly began to emanate from Nat and burning pain swept through her to her core. A shrill cry of fright came from the imp that Sam was carrying and he pointed at the smoking woman. Dozens of imps came running to see what the problem was.
Sam’s head whipped around and he met the vampire’s agonized eyes. Incredibly, she looked almost amused even though the pain had to be unbearable. “Uh, oh,” she had time to say. Then she burst into bright blue flames and was forcibly ejected from the consecrated ground.
Raising her hands to shield her eyes, Nat smashed through a stained-glass window and sailed over a fence. She hit the sidewalk and rolled onto the road, which mercifully helped to douse the flames. A cab screeched to a halt inches away from her head. The driver climbed out, saw her smoking body and shouted for help.
People gathered around, murmuring in horror, pity and confusion. They started back when an angel suddenly appeared beside the charred corpse. No celestial beings had been spotted in Manhattan since the demons had been defeated. They were surprised to see one in the city again.
Someone uttered a shrill scream when the corpse opened its eyes.
“I could have told you that was a bad idea,” Nat said to Sam. Her teeth had turned into wicked fangs from sheer agony. The bones of her hands were showing through her melted flesh. Thankfully, her leather suit was intact and hid the worst of her injuries. The crowd panicked and fled, running from the monster that should have been dead after being burned so horribly, but who was somehow still alive.
“I am so sorry,” Sam said as he crouched beside her. “I did not consider what would happen to you once I teleported you to holy ground.”
“That’s okay,” she said in resignation. “I’m sure Fate has a reason for putting me through that.” Too hurt to move, she knew it was going to take a long time for these wounds to heal.
Movement in a window on the second floor of a building across the street caught her attention. A teenager was filming them on her phone. They were conveniently directly beneath a streetlight so the footage would probably be nice and clear. That had to be part of Fate’s plan as well.
“I will take you back to the store,” Sam decided. While he could conjure up wings and teleport, he didn’t have the ability to heal her. Touching her lightly on the shoulder, he zapped them back to the place he thought of as home.
Everyone surged to their feet when the pair appeared. Elijah knelt on the carpet beside the badly burned vampire, but he was afraid to touch her. Not because she harbored evil, but because every inch of her skin appeared to have melted. The incredible beauty she’d once possessed was gone and only blackened flesh remained. Even her hair had melted away.
Violet and Lexi left their half-eaten meals and crowded around her. “I knew you’d get into some sort of trouble, but this is ridiculous,” Violet said. Nat sniggered, then winced at the stab of pain the movement brought.
“What the hell happened to you?” Lexi asked. If she hadn’t known how quirky Natalie was, she wouldn’t have believed she could laugh at a time like this.
Sam was wringing his hands in worry. “We saw an imp hiding in an alley and I teleported him to Elijah’s church,” he explained. “I also took Natalie with me.”
“You took an unholy vampire onto consecrated ground?” Leo said. Even Brie disapproved of his actions, judging by her frown.
“It wasn’t his fault,” Nat said. Her voice was a bare croak. “It was supposed to happen.”
“You think Fate meant for you to become so horribly wounded?” Nathan asked. By now, he shouldn’t have been surprised at the lengths Fate would go to in order for her warriors to succeed. This punishment seemed unusually cruel even for her.
“I’d believe it,” Lexi said darkly. “She must have a reason for it. We’ll figure out why eventually.”
“Can you heal her?” Violet said to her boyfriend.
Nat weakly lifted a hand in protest. “Something tells me it would be very bad if an angel tried to fix me.”
“Good cannot heal evil,” Elijah agreed, then gave her an apologetic look. “Not that I believe you are evil. I am simply referring to your vampirism.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said and closed her eyes in exhaustion. “I drink blood to survive. Of course that would seem evil to a priest.” Even though she didn’t kill her victims, feeding from them would never be acceptable in his eyes.
“That’s what she needs,” Lexi said. “We need to find her a donor so she can feed.”
“I’ll call Reynolds,” Violet said and reached for her phone. She retreated to the kitchen and spoke to him quietly before returning. “He’ll be here soon and he’s bringing his partner with him.” The runes she’d created wouldn’t stop a normal human from entering. It would just prevent them from being able to open the door. Gomez wouldn’t have any trouble getting inside as long as someone let her in.
Nat lay on the floor, afraid to move and cause herself more pain. Ten minutes or so passed before she heard a car pull up outside. Reynolds entered and froze when he saw her. “Violet told me you looked bad, but I didn’t expect you to be so...crispy.”
Unable to stop herself, Nat began to laugh. Sam and Leo joined her, earning disapproving looks from Sophia. Violet had to bite her lips to hold in her sniggers. She hadn’t liked Nat much when they’d first met, but the vampire had grown on her.
Gomez gave Reynolds a light shove to get him moving and stepped inside after him. When she saw the blackened lump that had once been a woman lying on the ground, she let out a string of curses in her native language. “How is she still alive?” she asked at last when she had herself under control. Short and curvy, her hair was a long mass of tangled black curls. In her late thirties, she was a few years older than her partner. She wore a rumpled skirt and matching jacket in a shade of plum that few women could have pulled off.
“I’m not technically alive at all,” Nat told her and grinned to reveal her fangs. “I’m a vampire.”
Gomez turned on Reynolds and gave him a flat stare. “You neglected to mention that detail,” she said with a scowl. “Is that why you brought me here? To become her food?”
“You know me too well, Angelica,” he said with a wink. “She needs human blood and I volunteered our services.”
Heaving a put-upon sigh, the female detective waved a hand at the prone monster. “Do you expect us to lie on the floor while you drain our blood, or what?”
Without moving her head, Nat shifted her gaze to Violet. “I like her,” she said. “She’s almost as snarky as you.”
“That’s rich coming from you, Rigor Mortis,” Violet said and rolled her eyes.
Sophia took charge before they could descend into an argument. “Nathan, please teleport Natalie to my bedroom.” She turn
ed to the two officers as he did as she asked. “Detectives, please follow me.”
Nat found herself lying on a bed and hissed in pain at being moved. Nathan sent her a sympathetic look, then left the room. If she hadn’t already been married and deeply in love, she would have allowed herself to stare at his butt for a bit longer as he walked away.
Sophia escorted the detectives to her room and waited outside, just in case she was needed. “How do you want to do this?” Gomez asked. Her tone sounded surly, but it was just to cover her fright.
“Come closer and look into my eyes,” Nat said in a mock seductive tone. It came out gravelly due to her badly burned throat.
With a scowl, Gomez crossed to the bed and sank down to her knees. The last thing she wanted to do was stare at the burned face of a monster, yet she obeyed anyway. Pure black eyes bored into hers. In seconds, she was caught and swayed forward to offer the vampire her neck.
Almost salivating in hunger, Nat didn’t have the strength to lift herself up. The detective sensed her need and bent until her flesh brushed against her withered mouth. Fangs pierced her throat and she didn’t feel any pain. After a few swallows, she knew she was no longer needed and stood up.
Reynolds saw his partner blink, then the dazed look left her dark brown eyes. “Did it hurt?” he asked.
“No,” Gomez replied. Her tone was slightly puzzled. “It wasn’t as unpleasant as I’d expected.”
“That’s good to know,” he said nervously and knelt beside the vampire. Natalie was already starting to look better. Her eyes were brighter and her skin looked a little less black. He allowed himself to be caught by her spell and a pleasant haze came over him. Putting a hand beside her head, he leaned down and waited for her to bite him. An almost sexual thrill went through him when her fangs sank into his flesh and she drank his blood. She took more from him than she had from his partner, but it wasn’t enough to leave him feeling weak. When she was done, he sat back on his haunches until his head cleared.
