by Anthology
Werewolves were selected by the vampires not because of their ability to change into gruesome creatures when the full moon cycled around, but for their height and strength. They were hardly ever in their grotesque man-wolf forms. Like Elementals, they were prisoners. They’d been caught as humans and infected with the werewolf curse as leverage. If they guarded the nurseries and kept them secret, after five years, the guards would be given the cure and sent on their way. The newly cured werewolves would be watched, and if any one of them tried to reveal their secret, they and every member of their family would be killed.
“We don’t have time for this,” Dooley scolded. “None of the werewolves are staying, so those of you left behind will be on your own.”
“No one is staying behind!” Gerard insisted, and the group of Elementals behind him resumed shouting in agreement. “If we slay the vampires while they sleep, there won’t be anyone to hunt us down, so you have nothing to fear!”
Caedric flexed his arms against the two men holding him. “The other vampires will retaliate! There’s a reason no one has ever escaped the nurseries. None who have tried have survived!”
“Any attempts at escape in the past have failed because someone stayed behind. Coming with us is the only way we can ensure everyone’s safety. Don’t be stubborn!”
Caedric shook his head. “You’ll get everyone killed.”
Aideen barely heard her father’s words over the crowd. But his lower tones caused the room to drop to a hush, save for two infants crying. He shrugged his arms free from Baldwin and Welch.
Seeing Gerard more sedate, Dooley nodded to Marlon and Shep, who released the elder.
“Just this argument alone is going to get us disciplined. Rasheed already fed from a few people last night and we’re lucky it wasn’t one of you.” Caedric pointed to Marlon, Shep and Gerard. “Who else knew?”
“I did.”
All eyes in the room turned toward Jack.
His postured stiffened under the scrutiny. “I only overheard their initial conversation, but I was able to use my magic to keep Rasheed from learning anything.”
“Master Rasheed fed from you and you knew?” Caedric’s glare intensified and, if her father’s earth abilities had been free, the building would have come down on their heads.
Aideen gulped at the granite glinting in her father’s gray gaze.
“How do you know he didn’t just hide what he learned from your blood?”
“I don’t, sir, but—”
Caedric shook his fist at Gerard. “You’ve put us all in danger just by starting this damned rebellion.” He paced, running his fingers through his red hair. “I’m staying. And those of you who are staying with me with be under my protection. I will go before Rasheed and tell him what happened and take full responsibility.”
Aideen gasped and rushed forward. “No, Papa Caedric! They’re sure to kill you!”
“That’s a chance I’ll have to take, little girl.” Judging by the sorrow that softened his warm gray eyes, Caedric knew he was as good as dead.
“That’s suicide!” Gerard stood nose to nose with Caedric. “And you’ll get everyone killed with your misplaced heroics.”
“If any one of us dies, it will be on your head, not mine.” Caedric narrowed his eyes. “Refusing to go with you might be our only saving grace, and maybe they’ll spare me for taking such a stand. But make no mistake, Gerard…this is all on you.”
The two elders glowered at each other, fists clenched in a silent duel. Gerard was the first to break eye contact. He marched toward the passage to the sleeping chambers. “Those of you with us…we’re leaving now!”
Some of the Elementals standing behind Caedric exchanged worried glances and scampered after Gerard. Caedric leveled his stone gaze at Aideen’s siblings, who shrank under his silent warning. Aideen quaffed.
A bustle of people scattered about the room, either weeping over their unknown futures or rushing to get what little belongings they had.
Aideen faced Jack, her heart racing.
“Are you with me?”
She nodded. “I’m with you—whether you leave or stay.”
He cupped her face with his palms. “I want no one else. If it’s going to be just us, we have to go.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere.” Caedric stood behind him, hands on his hips and brow furrowed.
Jack’s determined yet love-filled eyes locked with Aideen’s. “I’m sorry, Caedric, but she’s not staying.”
“She is my daughter and there is no way I’m letting her—”
“I love her!” Jack whirled to face the elder, keeping Aideen behind him. “I’m not leaving her here to be tortured or live as a captive anymore.”
“Stay here,” Caedric pleaded. “You know the vampires won’t let everyone just walk away…especially you. You are their prized possession! The only male cusper they have!”
“I cannot stay here and I won’t leave her behind.”
“I want to go with him!” Aideen clutched Jack’s tensed biceps as she peered around his tall frame.
“No, Aideen.” Caedric reached forward, but Jack seized his wrist. “Let go, son. Dooley!”
Jack shoved Caedric into the advancing werewolf guard, whirled around to sweep Aideen into his arms and ran down the hall, painfully clutching her against him. He stumbled to a halt and Aideen’s stomach flipped, fearing he might drop her.
Radcliffe blocked their door to freedom. “Jack, be reasonable.” The werewolf guard held his arms out, filling the space.
Dooley and her father closed in behind them.
“I should have a choice!” she demanded of her father.
“Not if it means you’re putting your life in danger!” Caedric marched up and grabbed Jack’s arm. “Let her go, son, or stay here.”
Jack tried to shove past her father and Dooley…then a flurry of confusion sent Aideen reeling. Radcliffe jumped into the mix, grabbing Jack by the shoulders as Dooley struggled to pull Aideen from Jack’s arms. She fisted Jack’s shirt, hanging on with every ounce of strength she had. Just as Jack spun from Dooley’s grip and lunged for her, Papa Caedric clobbered Jack’s head and he went limp in her arms. Radcliffe encircled her waist and Dooley tugged at Jack’s unconscious form…and the ripping of his shirt joined her wails as they tore her beloved out of her reach.
“Get him out of here!” Caedric commanded. “If he wants to go, take him to Gerard.” Her father turned to Radcliffe.
Aideen yanked repeatedly against Rad’s iron grip, her skin chafing. The man was an intolerable beast.
“Are you staying?” Caedric asked.
Radcliffe shook his head.
“I understand. Get her secured. I’ll have someone come to her door and watch her. Now go!”
“Papa Caedric, don’t do this! I love him!” Aideen bawled at her father’s retreating figure as Radcliffe dragged her down the hall.
1
Underground Nursery beneath Brecon, Wales - Late Autumn, 1769 (ten years later)
Aideen clutched her sons to her sides, trying to cover their ears as she turned their faces away from the burning pyre. The last of Steven’s screams poured from the roaring flames and echoed off the vast, craggy walls of the caves.
“Do not keep them from seeing this!” Rasheed pointed a rigid finger at Aideen, his glowing vampire eyes piercing her across the play yard.
“They’re just children!” She whimpered through her clenched teeth.
“This is the lesson you all should have learned years ago!” Rasheed glared at Aideen’s nursery mates, huddled against the masonry walls bordering the smooth stone floor of the courtyard. “I spared everyone from watching Caedric burn, thinking his cries of agony would be lesson enough. And yet Steven had rebellion in his heart.”
The vampire pointed back to the father of Aideen’s two youngest children. Steven’s charred, slouching body continued to blaze, chained to the stake on the pile of wood where the vampire had made an example of him.<
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“Be thankful I saved you from his fate or you would be burning with him. When will you ungrateful wretches understand you jeopardize us all—Vamsyrians and Elementals—by leaving?” Rasheed pinched his nose and closed his eyes, seeming to make a great effort at keeping his anger in check. Taking a deep breath, he regarded the group, his beady black gaze darting from one face to another. “It is only by sheer luck or miracle the Vamsyrian king doesn’t yet know about our efforts. Must I continually remind you?” He pointed to Cara. “What is your one purpose?”
She wiped the tears from her face and cleared her throat. “To save both of our races, sir.”
Rasheed pointed to Baldwin. “How will you do that?”
“By producing a spirit Elemental, sir,” he rasped, grief pulling his mouth into a frown.
“And why do we need a spirit Elemental?” The vampire pointed to Aideen.
She forced a slow breath through her flared nostrils and steadied her rising temper. “To overthrow the king so he will no longer terrorize the Vamsyrians with his tyrannical rule.” She couldn’t keep the venom from her voice. “Sir,” she added as an afterthought.
Rasheed grinned and sauntered toward her. “What a thorough answer, little Aideen. Such a studious pupil.” His voice matched her sarcasm. “And what role do Vamsyrians play in all this?”
With the stench of Steven’s burning flesh lingering in the air, she loathed giving the expected response.
“Come now, my child,” the vampire coaxed with mock sympathy. “You know what we Vamsyrians mean to all of you. I want to hear you say it.” He smiled at Aron, her eldest son.
As he reached for the boy’s face, Aideen pulled him out of the vampire’s touch. “You are our saviors and protectors,” she answered to bring his attention back to her. “In overthrowing the Vamsyrian king, you will free us.”
The vampire’s grin widened. “And?”
She had hoped that would be the end of it, but obviously Rasheed enjoyed seeing her squirm. “Our valiant sacrifices make us heroes to our own race and we will be hailed for eternity, thereby making us as immortal as the Vamsyrians…sir.” She struggled to keep her disobedient thoughts to herself, not wishing to give Rasheed another body to burn.
Very wise of you to keep your tongue. The vampire’s thoughts slithered through her mind like a cluster of worms burrowing through the earth. We wouldn’t want your children to lose both parents today, would we?
He swept his eyes over Aideen’s nursery mates, almost as if waiting for anyone else to add their comments. No one dared to say a word. Nodding, Rasheed exited the courtyard. As soon as he, the headmaster and nanny disappeared from their presence, the tension lifted. Aideen and many of the other Elementals collapsed into tears, hugging their children.
Aideen’s nightmares had plagued her for months after hearing the cries of Papa Caedric when he died. How long would her children’s nightmares last after watching their father burn? She crouched beside her boys and engulfed them in her arms.
Caedric had been right. The vampires had punished him for allowing the others to escape. However, his life spared everyone else from punishment. The vampires were impressed with his bravery at accepting full responsibility for Jack’s escape. At least Caedric died knowing he had saved lives. Of course, in hind sight, she realized the vampires wouldn’t risk killing the only Elementals they had left after the rebellion. Caedric’s sacrifice meant nothing.
Morgen shivered under her left arm, hiding his face in her bosom. He was only five years old. How would the poor darling survive? Aideen burst into new tears as Quinton, her seven year old, stroked the chestnut hair of his little brother while he knelt beside her under her right arm.
“Such a sweet soul you are, Quinn.” She brushed his golden-brown hair aside and kissed his brow.
And standing before her, anger and tears in his ice-blue eyes, was her eldest and bravest son…Aron. He swiped at the raven curl on his forehead and crossed his arms. Every time she looked into Aron’s eyes she saw Jack...her beloved Jack. Was he still alive?
Aron opened his mouth, but Aideen shook her head. She glanced to the tunnel where Rasheed and the other vampires had exited, then turned a warning glance to her son. “I know what you would say, my love,” she whispered. “Save it for the daylight.”
His bottom lip trembled and jaw muscles twitched, but he shrugged and hugged his midsection. Aideen lifted Morgen into her arms when she stood. She nodded to Aron, who returned the nod and put his arm around his half-brother, Quinton. They both shuffled close as she headed toward the sleeping rooms.
“I don’t want to go to our chamber, Mama.” Quinton clutched her skirts.
“I’m so glad you said that, my sweet,” she whispered. “I was hoping the three of you would keep me company today. There is room enough for all. I don’t think I will be able to sleep without my brave boys at my side.”
“We’ll protect you, Mama.” Quinton’s chest puffed out, displaying his newfound courage.
“I knew I could count on you, Quinn.” She pulled her middle son to her hip and glanced over her shoulder at Aron. The corner of his mouth turned up in a half-smile.
Aideen led the children to her sleeping chamber to get them ready for bed. Dawn was approaching.
Ever since they had moved to this new location two months ago, the regular routines and nursery business seemed peculiar in subtle ways. Perhaps living under a city had a different influence on the daily comings and goings. And the werewolf guards selected for this location were especially contrary to the type of people recruited for the task. Though they were still large in stature, there was a dark edge to each of them.
“Mama?” Aron touched her shoulder, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“I’m well.” She caressed his cheek. “Get the boys into bed. I’ll be right there.”
Aron did as she requested while Aideen slipped behind her dressing screen and changed into her nightdress. She plaited her long, auburn hair then climbed into bed between her boys—Morgen and Quinton under her right arm; Aron on her left. He laid on his back, staring at the ceiling with his arms crossed. It wasn’t long before Quinton and Morgen’s uneasy breathing settled into the steady rhythm of sleep’s repose. Morgen sucked his thumb intermittently as he dozed.
She glanced left. Aron’s intense blue eyes studied the nooks and crannies of the earth above.
“When I grow up,” her brave little earth mage vowed, “I’m going to make this cave come down and bury those vampires in their crypt.”
She couldn’t blame him for his anger…nor could she bring herself to correct him.
Aron’s eyes glassed with unshed tears. “Do you think he’s still alive?”
She wrapped her arm around him and kissed the top of his rich black curls. “I’m certain of it.”
“Then why hasn’t he come for us?” His voice cracked.
Aideen pressed her fingertips to his forehead and forced him to gaze to her. “The vampires moved the nursery, son. He might still be looking for us. Don’t give up hope. I haven’t.”
He nodded and finally buried his face in her neck and let his tears flow. She hugged her son tight and let her own tears fall into his raven locks.
We must get out of here, and I can no longer wait for Jack.
* * *
Jack glared at the iron door sealing the vampires’ crypt. Extending his hands, he concentrated his air powers to force out any heat gathered in the metal, and simultaneously used his water powers to constrict the physical matter in the absence of heat. Blue-yellow swirls of light and sparkles flowed toward the door, intermingling and smoking over the surface. The metal groaned and creaked as crystalline patterns spider-webbed from the edges, across the dark façade, gradually spreading inward toward the center of the door.
“As many times as I’ve seen you do that, it never ceases to amaze me.” His brother Brian’s smile gleamed in the light of the torch he held high.
Jack smirked, took one step forwar
d and smashed his foot through the iron door. The once-solid metal barrier shattered into a thousand pieces, tinkling across the marble tiles into the crypt.
Brian used his torch to light the two iron sconces just inside the entrance. “I’ll ask about Aideen while you finish them off.”
Jack shook his head and frowned. “Don’t waste your time. I already inquired.” He unsheathed his silver-plated short sword. “They don’t know her.” Disappointment weighted his words. “I’ll meet you and the others upstairs.” Jack stepped into the crypt.
Brian nodded and stomped up the stone staircase.
Jack whirled to face the three sarcophagi in the center of the small underground chamber. With a hefty shove from his heel, he pushed the stone lid off the first coffin, which thunked to the floor and cracked the tiles. He snarled at the sleeping vampire. Grabbing the monster by the lapels, he dragged him face down from his stone sarcophagus, enough for his head to hang over the ledge.
With his foot on the vampire’s shoulder blades, Jack aimed the edge of his weapon between the lumps of two vertebrae, raised his sword high and, in one swift stroke, brought the blade down and sliced through the Vamsyrian’s neck with a clean cut. The head tumbled across the marble tiles and the body slumped back into the sarcophagus. He pivoted to the next stone coffin, thrust the other lid aside and separated the nanny’s head from her shoulders. He then stalked to the final coffin and finished off the headmaster.
“Let’s go, Frost!” Brian shouted down the stairwell. “We’re ready for the razing.”
Jack clenched his jaw and gave one last glance at the headless corpses before he trotted up the stairs to the ground level and joined the others. At least thirty Elementals of varying ages huddled around each other several yards from the compound. Jack and the other members of his grove swarmed about the buildings, positioning themselves to begin the destruction.
