The air became thick with tension.
Vallus pulled his gaze away from Nadine and settled them on Ramsey. “I’m always up for a little fun. But, Marcos, I don’t know about the trusting part. Do you trust me, Ramsey?”
Did he trust Vallus? The other vampire had never given him a reason not to be trusted.
Vallus was the only vampire who could show up in his kitchen and not get torn to shreds on sight. He was also one of the very few that he trusted to have unfettered access to New Orleans. Vallus wouldn’t feed from anyone in his city. In all the years he’d known Vallus, he’d been nothing but a friend. A trusted friend. “I do, old friend. Please forgive me. I’m protective over my family.”
Vallus leaned lazily against the doorframe. “You always have been, and I would be the same if I was fortunate enough to have a family to look after.” His eyes slid back to Nadine. It wasn’t hunger in them but … lust. Ramsey moved to block Vallus’s line of vision. “She’s a child.”
One side of Vallus’s mouth lifted into a smirk. “Just because you say it doesn’t make it so.”
Ramsey squinted, tracking Vallus through the slits of his eyes and curling his fists.
“We believe that Angelina had one of her new fledglings kidnap Dani,” Marcos said, strategically changing the subject.
That got Vallus’s attention. “You believe? That sounds like something that Angelina would call to gloat about.”
“She did.” Ramsey rammed his fingers through his hair. “She called to tell me what happened and that she might help to bring her home safely.”
Vallus snorted. “Well, isn’t she all of a sudden the helpful person?”
“Yeah, so unlike Angelina.”
“I have a lock on Dani’s GPS,” Nadine said, her voice sounding drunk. The effects of enthrallment were still in her system. It would take another ten minutes for her to totally snap out of it. She pushed her phone across the counter to Ramsey. “She’s in Antarctica. They have six months of night there. I’ve already checked. They’re in the middle of that cycle now.”
It figured that Angelina would have a lair there. She hated to sleep. She didn’t like how vulnerable it made her feel. Ramsey looked at the image on the screen again. The red dot hadn’t moved. Ramsey tossed the phone across the room, and Vallus caught it. He viewed the phone then tossed it back. “So when do you leave?”
Ramsey strode to the front door. “Now.”
Vallus followed him. “Do we have a plan or are we going in with our metaphorical guns blazing?”
“I’ll handle Angelina and whoever else is with her. You get Dani and take her to safety. Don’t worry about me.” Ramsey stood on the front porch and turned to Vallus. “If Angelina gets past me, don’t trust her. Don’t let her touch you with anything. Knowing her she’s stocked up with supernatural artifacts.”
Vallus lifted an eyebrow. “You’re acting like I don’t know your wife.”
“Ex-wife.” Ramsey jumped into the air and rode the currents to Antarctica.
****
Dani had been waiting for sleep to claim the vampires. If they were anything like Ramsey, fifteen minutes before the sun rose they would start getting sluggish. In the short time they’d spent together, she’d learned to time the sunrise to his mood. Ramsey would be lying in bed next to her one minute and the next he was slowly rising and almost in a zombie-state telling her that he had to “go to ground”.
Either these vampires didn’t need to sleep when the sun rose, or the sun didn’t rise wherever they’d taken her. Thinking of the latter made bile rise in the back of her throat. Where in the world was she? All she knew was that Alex had flown her to some place cold. She could’ve been anywhere from Siberia to Alaska and any point in between.
Another vampire had rocketed down the tunnel, joining Alex and Angelina. Angelina seemed to like him better—just a little—than Alex. Angelina called him Antonio. Dani had to give it to her. Angelina sure did like the names that started with As.
Dani watched the vampires, waiting for any signs that they would sleep soon. They fought, fucked and drank each other’s blood. Sluggish they were not. They seemed to enjoy having her in the room while they tore at each other like wild beasts. Dani had pushed herself into the furthest corner and hid her face between her knees, trying her best to block out the noise and smell. That’s when she’d noticed the hard object sticking from under her bra. She’d forgotten all about her phone. If only they would concentrate on tearing each other apart rather than gleefully watching her and her discomfort at being trapped in a room while a full-blown sexapade was in progress.
Dani used her knees to block her phone. She didn’t dare take it from her bra, but if she maneuvered just right she could see the top.
Twenty-five percent battery life left. And one bar.
Dani pulled her lip into her mouth to stop herself from screaming. She blinked back her tears.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
She waited for Angelina to ask her what she was doing or tell her to “watch the fun”, as she’d done a few times already. But the moaning continued. Dani kept her head down. Her heart slammed against her chest. Her entire body shook. She couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or her nerves.
I have to get out of here.
Dani took a chance and lifted her head, watching the melee through her lashes. Fortunately, they were engrossed in the sex acts they performed. Angelina had her dress gathered at her waist as Antonio pumped furiously into her. Alex straddled her neck and fucked her face.
Dani had to work fast. She was freezing to death, and it was just a matter of time before they wanted to add a fourth to their trio.
Dani slid her phone from her bra, keeping it close to her knees. She opened the internet and typed in “pizza”. Even with one bar all the pizza places near her would pop up and she would be able to find out what city she was in.
She waited.
And waited.
Then finally the result popped up. One.
“No pizza restaurants in a 100-mile radius of your location.”
Don’t scream. Don’t scream.
Dani’s hands trembled as she opened her contacts and typed a message to the one person who could save her.
Please help me. Angelina and Alex have me. I don’t know where I am.
She hit send, hoping the message would get to Ramsey, praying that he would be able to figure a way to get to her even though she hadn’t given him anything useful to help to locate her.
Something torpedoed down the ice tunnel followed by a crash.
Oh, no! Another vampire?
She couldn’t handle three, and four was certain death.
Ramsey.
“Safe” was the only word that pulsated through her brain.
Ramsey collected himself and stood to his full height and glared at her, raking his eyes across her. Although she’d recognized him instantly, he was different, his features distorted. His canines hung from his mouth. The fine points made divots in his bottom lip. He looked terrifying.
And she couldn’t have asked for a better savior.
After confirming she was okay his gaze slid to the threesome. Their ménage halted. A second passed as they and Ramsey glared at each other. A second later all hell broke loose.
The fight was a blur, they moved so fast, and Dani could barely track them. There was a kick here, a punch there. It was three against one, but Ramsey was too fast for them. Dani had never seen anything like it. She’d seen Ramsey fight the two vampires in New Orleans, but this fight was different.
He was unstoppable.
Dangerous.
Feral.
Ramsey slashed across Antonio’s chest using nails that resembled claws, leaving deep gashes in his wake. When Alex ran at him, Ramsey caught him with his sharp teeth. Alex flailed like a chew toy caught between a dog’s teeth. When Angelina screamed and ran at him, her arms outstretched to gouge at his eyes, Ramsey dropped Alex and grabbed her. He flung her, sending her sai
ling across the room in a blur of chiffon and diamonds.
Angelina bounced off the wall, and instead of going back into the fight she ran to a brown chest and flung open the top. The fight among Ramsey, Alex, and Antonio raged on while Angelina rummaged through her chest, pulling out different items and tossing them to the side.
Angelina then pulled out a brown stick with a metal tip.
A spear?
Why would she think a spear would hurt Ramsey? He was a fighting machine.
Angelina called out Antonio’s name and tossed him the weapon. Antonio caught it and lunged at Ramsey. Ramsey deflected that attempt and the next. They didn’t stand a chance.
Then Antonio’s aim met his mark, stabbing Ramsey in the shoulder. Ramsey startled, then stepped back on unsteady feet. An evil smirk stretched across Antonio’s face as he went in for another stab. “This is for Nicoli!” This time he hit Ramsey in the stomach. Ramsey doubled over and cried out. Antonio went in for the kill, spearing Ramsey in the head.
All the air left Dani’s lungs at once.
They’re going to kill Ramsey.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Ramsey!” Dani scrambled to her feet. She had to help him, even if it killed her.
Ramsey pulled the spear from his head and twirled it like a baton. With a wicked smile he turned to Dani. Blood poured from his ear, but there were no extra holes. At least that was a good sign.
Antonio turned in surprise to Angelina. “He has the spear! What should I do?”
“Deal with it and finish him!” Angelina shrieked.
Not if I can help it.
Dani lurched forward to find her path blocked by Angelina. Angelina grabbed Dani’s shoulders, stabbing her nails through Dani’s skin. The sting of pain was paralyzing.
“Let me go! He needs me!”
Angelina’s hair was wild, her eyes red and intent. Her fangs hung from her mouth. “With you out of the way he’ll accept me by his side.”
Dani tried to wrestle away from her, but Angelina was an unmovable object. Angelina gave Dani one hard shake, and it felt as though her head would snap from her neck. The world seemed to spin. Angelina descended on her neck and latched on. Teeth pierced her skin, and Dani cried out. Dani struggled, pushing and kicking. Angelina wouldn’t release her.
Through eyes brimming with tears she watched Ramsey trying to reach her. He swung out. Antonio ducked just in time, and the spear made a noise as it cut through the air less than an inch above his head. When Ramsey started for her Antonio lunged at his feet and Alex jumped on his back and dug into his shoulder with clawed fingernails.
“Vallus!” Ramsey yelled out as blood spewed from wounds. Something was wrong. Ramsey moved sluggishly. He wasn’t the unstoppable fighting machine anymore.
Angelina’s loud slurping brought Dani back to her own problem. Dani cried out as she realized Angelina would drain her dry before Ramsey could help her.
Angelina pulled away from Dani. Blood covered her mouth. Angelina glared at Dani with wide-opened eyes. “What are you?”
Blood spurted down Dani’s neck and shoulder to coat the front of her shirt. She used her hands to apply pressure to the wound. She whimpered as blood pumped fiercely between her fingers. If she couldn’t find a way to stop it she would be dead within minutes.
Angelina wiped her mouth with her forearm. “I had a vision. It was so real!”
Dani staggered back. Dizziness overtook her. She couldn’t focus anymore. Unless there were now two Angelinas, Dani was in trouble. She could not pass out right now. She would be as good as dead.
Angelina grabbed her, clutching her tightly on her arm. “Come with me.”
“No,” Dani wanted to yell, but her voice came out strangled.
Angelina dragged Dani behind her. Dani tried to dig her heels into the ground, but Angelina pulled her like a doll toward the ice tunnel.
A person materialized in front of them.
Vallus.
He waved a finger in front of Angelina. “No, no, she’s not going anywhere with you.”
Angelina pushed Dani away and slammed into Vallus. Dani didn’t stick around for the second fight. She had to get away. There had to be help outside to save Ramsey. Dani stumbled to the tunnel, scrambling inside headfirst. She couldn’t get a grip on the smooth surface, and the blood gushing from her neck made everything slippery. Dani gained three feet before she slid back.
“No. No. No.” She scrambled forward again, trying to find her footing and gain traction. Vallus materialized in the tunnel in front of her.
How the hell does he do that?
“Grab hold of my leg, sweetheart.”
“I’ll figure this out.” She was almost out of breath trying to make her escape. “You go back to help Ramsey.”
“Not my directive. Ramsey wants me to get you to safety.”
She started to slide back again, but reached out and caught his leg.
“Good girl. Hold tight.”
She clasped her other hand around his ankle. “Ready.”
Vallus climbed up the tunnel. His fingers stabbed through the ice, as he clawed his way to freedom. Bits of ice flew past her head as he did. They moved with such speed that Dani couldn’t track how far they’d gotten. Before long Vallus pulled her completely out and helped her to stand in a foot of snow. Dani glanced around. No buildings. No civilization. Nothing but snow. The temperature immediately dropped. It became hard to open her eyes. Ice formed across her eyeballs. Her nose, throat, and lungs burned with each breath she took. The coldness claimed her like a heavy cloak.
Vallus went to her neck and licked her wound. When he finished he spit into the snow, making the white turn red. He scrunched his face and pushed his tongue from his mouth. “Gross.”
Her teeth chattered uncontrollably. “S-s-so I-i-i’ve been t-t-t-told.” She wrapped her shivering arms around herself.
“You’re going to freeze to death. I have to get you out of here.”
She shook her head. “I-i’m s-s-s-safe n-now. G-g-go h-help R-r-r-ramsey.” Cold hurt. Everything hurt. She couldn’t stop the shivering. Her breaths came out in puffs of smoke.
Vallus peered down the hole as if he were thinking about doing as she requested. Then he shook his head. “Ramsey is a big boy. He can take care of himself. He’ll kill me if I leave you out here to die.”
She tried to rub her hands over her skin, but they were too stiff, frozen in place. She wanted to leave. God knew that she did, but Ramsey was down there with three psychopaths, and he hadn’t been winning. “I-I’ll b-be f-fine. I-I’ll g-g-o f-f-find h-h-h-help.” Her jaw began to lock.
The cold didn’t affect Vallus. He wasn’t breaking down like she was. She bent over and tried to make herself as small as possible to contain any heat she had left. The cold still got through, beating her into submission. She let out a small whimper.
“Look around, Dani. You’re in Antarctica. There’s nothing around for hundreds of miles.”
But she couldn’t look around. Her bones were frozen in place.
“R-R-Ramsey?” was all that she could get out.
Vallus watched her with a soft expression. He didn’t know if Ramsey was going to survive either. “He’s made his decision.”
****
Ramsey wanted to rush to Dani, to push Vallus away. But he only trusted one person to keep Dani safe, and it was Vallus. Ramsey tamped down the jealousy that someone was doing what he should’ve been doing—saving Dani—and focused on the problem at hand. Angelina.
Alex mumbled Dani’s name and leaped from Ramsey’s back to make a break for the tunnel. With one swift kick Ramsey dislodged Antonio from his ankles. He was in front of Alex, blocking his path. Alex was fast, but even with the stab wound burning his skin, Ramsey was faster.
Alex crouched low and bared his teeth. Ramsey grabbed a fistful of his hair and swung him to the side. Alex sailed through the air and hit the opposite wall with a crack and fell to the ground with a thud. If Ramsey had us
ed his dominant arm Alex would’ve penetrated the block of ice that made up the cavern walls. But as pain pulsated where the spear had penetrated his shoulder, Ramsey had no other choice but to rely on his left arm. The disabling pain was the thing that made his fight against Angelina and her fledglings a fair fight.
Angelina growled as she watched him from behind one of her chests. Dani’s blood coated her mouth and chin. Her eyes were wild and feral, a direct contrast to the expensive dress she had on. “You’re mine!”
“Is that why you have your fledglings trying to kill me?”
She blinked as if confused, then looked at Antonio, who approached Ramsey with a limping gait. Blood, both his and Ramsey’s, was splattered on Antonio and gushed from a neck wound.
Angelina straightened. Her features softened as she watched Antonio’s valiant attempt to approach Ramsey. “An-Antonio,” she said with concern lacing her voice.
“What about me?” Alex yelled. He turned over to crouch on his hands and knees.
Angelina whipped her head to glare at Alex and growled.
“Angelina, there is no way out of this,” Ramsey told her. “You’ve come after me and mine for the very last time.”
He advanced on her. Every hole in his body made him stagger in pain. It would’ve been nice if Angelina’s weapons were normal, like those of any other respectable psychopath, but the moment he’d glimpsed the spear he’d known that it wasn’t. Ramsey fought past the fire that seemed to grow with each movement he made. He couldn’t have Angelina on the loose. Dani would never be safe from her.
Antonio stepped into Ramsey’s path, looking just as bad as Ramsey felt. He swung wildly through the air with dirty claws. Ramsey dodged out of the way. Antonio stumbled forward into Ramsey’s reach. Ramsey thrust his claws in Antonio’s chest to the sounds of Antonio’s guttural screams. Ramsey twisted his hand, digging out skin and muscle. Antonio pawed at his arm, tearing at him. When Ramsey pulled his hand away, it was filled with pieces of Antonio. With one hard shake of his arm, he dislodged Antonio, who fell to the ground, landing in a sniveling heap. Ramsey flicked his hand, dropping what he held onto Antonio.
When a Vamp Falls (War of Blood and Bonds Book 1) Page 21
