She nods in agreement, even though there’s a small frown on her beautiful face. That’s happening more and more lately and I don’t like it. We need this done with so there can be more smiles in our lives.
“I understand. Now, come here.” I obey and wrap my arms around her waist as she pulls me in close. I inhale her scent and smile. I’ll never get tired of her touch. We kiss lightly and then she brushes a few strands of hair from my eyes. “I love you Rayne.”
“I love you too. Now, get going okay,” I say as I pat her soft round ass.
“That’s not going to make me want to leave,” she whispers, even though everyone in here can still probably hear.
I laugh. “We’ll finish that later then. For now, we have work to do.”
“If we must. Let’s go vamp lady.” Selene waves Zara towards her indifferently and much like a noble would a servant.
Playing along, Zara gives her a sarcastic bow with one arm across her chest. “As you wish priestess.” Then, we lock eyes and she winks at me, mischievously.
There was something in that look that made me shiver. She’s up to something alright.
“Anubis,” I call out. Not too loud though, knowing he wouldn’t be too far away. He comes back into the room and gives me a look that says that as an Alpha he’s not used to people beckoning him.
“What is it Rayne?” he asks, slightly amused with himself it seems for coming so swiftly.
“Would you like to take a walk with me through the forest? I’d like you to meet someone.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
We walk for fifteen minutes before we find a nice clearing. In that time, I get Anubis to tell me about his mate.
“She was stunning. She could walk into a crowd and change the entire mood on a bad day, but she also had a mouth, which got her into a lot of trouble at times. The first time I met her she told me off actually. I think that’s what made me desire her even more.” He laughs a laugh full of happiness and I’m glad that I got him to open up.
“I was running late for a business meeting and I walked through the doors of the office so quickly that I didn’t even hold the door for her while she was walking out. Her hands were full of bags and I guess when the door hit her she dropped them. Well, she left those bags right there, stomped to me as I was getting on the elevator, pulled me by my suit jacket back out of the elevator and gave me a piece of her mind. I ended up picking up all her bags, carrying them, and walking her to the car. Then, she told me that I owed her dinner for all the trouble that I put her through.” His voice is full of so much love that it almost brings me to tears.
“Can you believe it? I ended up being over twenty minutes late for the meeting and losing that client, but it didn’t matter. After that, I couldn’t get the girl off my mind.” When Anubis talked about her, his entire aura shifted. That woman was his soul mate, no doubt.
“How did you know?” I ask. “How did you know that she was the one?”
Anubis stops and looks me square in the eyes until I am forced by his Alpha nature added with the pull of the moon to look away. “The first time we kissed, there was an explosion. It was like every fiber of me had been destroyed then reborn. It’s not the same for everyone, but that’s how it was for me. There was no doubt.”
I consider his words and smile. “I know that it may not feel like it, hell it may never feel like this, but I think you’re lucky Anubis.”
He looks at me to continue.
“Even though she was taken from you and it was so unfair, I think that you are so lucky that you had a chance to meet someone who loved you so completely,” I tell him honestly.
Anubis freezes and considers my words, then does something completely unexpected. He pulls me into a fierce embrace. I return it happily. Then, he finally lets me go.
“Thank you Rayne. Thank you for helping me remember.”
I reply by putting one hand on his shoulder and squeezing gently. Then, we reach the spot where I’m going to call on Diana.
It takes me about five minutes for me to clear my head enough to reach for my power to call on her. Then, about two minutes for her to respond. The air shifts and becomes colder. I hear her voice swirling all around me like a surround sound system before she appears.
“Child, are you well?” Diana’s melodic voice fills my ears.
“I am Diana, but I need your advice,” I tell her as she blooms into existence.
She appears before me in an aqua dress, cut short in the front and long in the back, one strap draped over her right shoulder, glowing and fierce. Her silky blonde hair flows in a non-existent wind. Her beauty is otherworldly from her impossibly light blue eyes to her model-like height made possible by her perfectly toned legs. Behind me, I hear Anubis’s breath catch. Diana hears it too and tilts her head towards Anubis. I turn and watch as he is unable to hold her gaze the same way I wasn’t able to. Diana’s eyes twinkle with curiosity.
“Who is your handsome wolf?” Diana asks me, still eyeing Anubis, flirtatiously.
“Diana, this is Anubis. He has allied with me to take down the man known as Namen Young. Namen not only killed my family but his as well. Not only that, but it seems that Namen may be over two hundred years old. They call him the soul stealer and he’s more powerful than I imagined.”
“The witch is a taker of souls? Do you know what he hopes to accomplish?”
“He wants to take over our country and then force humans to take drugs that will alter their DNA to make them supernatural. If they refuse, they’ll be enslaved. There’s going to be war Diana if this happens, not only in our country but supernaturals will either have to come out of the woodwork everywhere else, or humans will go after them,” I explain. Then, it dawns on me. That’s his entire plan. “He wants to move swiftly taking over here, but he wants the rest of the world in chaos, so that he will be in the best position for control. It’s a gamble. He’s forcing the hands of everyone in the whole world. If supernaturals in other countries win he wins, but if they don’t, he can offer them sanctuary, he’ll own them, even if they hate him.”
Anubis grunts at this perspective and I know I’m right.
“I have never heard of this man. But if what you say is true, then, the repercussions of this will be dire. Is he behind the lamia as well?” Diana asks, although I’m sure she’s already guessed.
“Yes. Selene is going to try to shut the gate down that he’s using.”
“With blood magic? Kaede did not teach her such things.”
“We have more help. She’s showing her how to do it now.”
“Who is this person Rayne?” Diana asks suspiciously.
“Her name is Zara Drake… She’s a vampire,” I hesitate in saying, remembering what Zara said about the Immortals, but stop abruptly when I see the fury in Diana’s eyes.
“Surely, you are mistaken, that vampire wouldn’t dare come near one of mine. Take me to her at once,” Diana demands coldly.
I hesitate and exchange glances with Anubis. He doesn’t know that Zara is familiar with the Immortals or that Zara has something against them.
“Um, well,” I start.
“Now!” Diana erupts. I stumble back a few paces. The rage is burning off of her like a furnace and I wonder just what it is about this vampire that could bring out such fury. Not only that, but I do not want to see a battle between them. Especially not when I need us to be strong and intact.
She won’t fight me Rayne, it’s alright. Zara tells me through our mind-link. There’s a sense of danger in her thoughts as well as excitement and I don’t know if I like it.
How did you know what was going on? I ask, not understanding the power or limits to this link.
Your thoughts called to me. Is all she says, then, there’s silence that I understand as her closing the bond. I’ll have to learn how to do that quickly.
Together, we walk back to where Selene is working with Zara. There’s tenseness in Anubis’s step and the silence is super awkward.
&nb
sp; Finally, Anubis speaks up, “I respect the fact that you are here, but please remember that this is my home and I need you to respect that as well.” There’s a warning in his words as well as a request. I wonder if it will fall on deaf ears.
“Don’t make threats towards me mortal. I will do as I please. However, I will do my best to take into account that you are helping Rayne.”
Anubis growls under his breath. His eyes glow a goldish-yellow as he turns to face Diana. She inclines her head towards him in the same way one would look at an unruly child. I start to reach for Anubis’ arm, but I don’t want it bitten off, so I decide to let them settle this.
“This is my territory old one. I don’t care about your power, longevity, or position. You will not disrespect me on my lands.” There is ice in every single syllable and his defiance sends chills down my spine.
Diana studies Anubis for a few seconds before tilting her head back in laughter. “Rayne has picked a fine ally. There is fire inside of your wolf’s blood. But, make no mistake, with or without the guidance of the full moon, I could end you here. However, you are correct. I am a guest on your lands and my manners have escaped me. I will do my best to keep your land from tasting any blood tonight.”
Anubis huffs and stalks ahead of us, clearly unhappy. He’ll probably let me have it later for bringing her here.
When we reach the front of the main house, Zara and Selene are already outside waiting. Selene gives me a look of confusion and then looks at Diana. Diana gives her a nod in acknowledgement, then, turns her deadly gaze upon Zara. Zara pretends not to even notice as she turns her back towards Diana and sets her weapon down. It’s as if not only does she not respect her, Zara doesn’t even see Diana as a threat. I can’t tell if she’s a fool or if that makes her that much more dangerous. I guess only time will tell.
“What is your game vampire?” Diana asks, her voice sounding like poison. I step away from her and join the rest of the group in the huddle they’ve formed as we watch the next events unfold, unsure of what will transpire.
“I have no dark motives Diana. Actually, I’ve known Rayne for a long time. I’ve come to see her through her battle and I will do her no harm,” Zara says smoothly. There’s an undercurrent of rage there too. I can feel it through our bond.
Diana looks at me quickly before turning away. They stare each other down, an unspoken conversation flowing between them.
Then, Zara warns, “You will not turn her against me with your lies. We are blood-linked now and she will feel the truth of my words when it is time. I will get what’s mine, even if I have to wait one hundred more years.”
“What have you done Rayne?” Diana asks me.
“She’s done nothing!” Zara snaps, her aura threatening to blow me over. I wonder if it’s just because of our link. “The question is what have you done? You, with so much power, but what have you to show for it? I am the one who pushed Rayne into more of her power and I did it in one night. Were you just playing games with her in your world? Do you even believe in their kind anymore?”
Diana almost attacks, her weight shifting as she changes her stance, but something in Zara’s face calls her to hesitate.
Zara continues pretending not to notice, “When the time comes, I will make my move, but until then, rest assured, you have nothing to fear. My duty now is to her, the one who was marked. You will help her Diana. This entire world depends on it.” With that, Zara turns her back on Diana once more and goes silently back into the house while saying. “When you are finished here Selene, I will be waiting.”
Then, the air shifts again and Diana is in front of me, grabbing me harshly and pulling me back into her world.
◊◊◊
Vertigo takes over as I’m not prepared for the speed at which I’m brought here. I fall to the ground on all fours and almost puke, but Diana is hastily grabbing me by my arm and pulling me back up to her. I’m not nearly as tall as her six foot frame, so she forces me to look up at her as she squeezes my cheeks much more painfully than necessary, especially since I still have no clue what’s going on.
“What…the hell Diana?” I sputter, still trying to keep my food down.
“She is dangerous! That vampire, you cannot trust her. She doesn’t want to help you. She just wants to use you to get to me Rayne. She seeks to ruin us,” Diana wails angrily, her British-like accent even more pronounced. I’ve never seen her lose her composure before now. It’s unnerving watching her pace back and forth full of rage and hate.
“I don’t understand Diana. She’s told me nothing and you’re not telling me anything either. What’s going on? I need to know exactly why I can’t trust her.”
“What you need to know is what I wish to tell you.”
“Fuck that. That doesn’t fly with me. I’m not a child that you can just keep in the dark and expect to behave. You should know me better than that.”
Then, her icy blue eyes turn on me, the power behind them piercing me to my core. My tattoo reacts to her as if telling me that nothing good will come of this. She attempts to raid my thoughts after knocking me to the ground with a blow that I never saw coming. I try to push up from the ground, but she puts her foot on my back with the force of a ton of bricks and holds me in place. My own anger builds up inside at the invasion of my thoughts like an overflowing tub. Finally, she lets me up, seemingly satisfied.
I dust myself off and look her square in the eyes, them watering in the process. Part of it due to the pain of the violation and the other from standing up to her. “How can you expect me to trust you over her when you do things like that! If you want to know something all you have to do is ask me Diana. You don’t have to take my thoughts from me. That’s no better than a molester or a rapist taking what they want. I can’t fucking believe you right now! Where’s Lawrence? Maybe he’ll give me some answers,” I snap on her, fighting back angry tears. Then, I start to call out Lawrence’s name loudly, hoping that he’ll be around and can sort this out.
Diana looks at me in false apology, then in determination as she grabs my arm again. I try to pull away, but she won’t let me. She only releases me when I stop calling for him.
“I’m sorry Rayne. It is only a matter of time I suppose before she tells you her side of the story. Maybe it’s best that you hear me out first,” Diana says, looking uncharacteristically defeated.
I cross my arms and wait.
“Come. Let’s walk to the lake while I tell you this story.” I follow Diana hesitantly as we stroll to the place where I would often go for reflection. The place of peace.
I take off my shoes as we settle into our favorite spot and dip my feet into the cool water. I don’t look at Diana as I wait for her to speak.
After what seems like an eternity, Diana speaks, choosing her words carefully. “Child, we may be Immortal, but we are not infallible. We make poor choices and sometimes it’s much harder for someone as long lived as we to live with those choices. Somewhere along the way, we may have lost sight of what was important and gave up on your kind when you stopped believing in us. Because of that anger, we took it out on another. She was like you, but was incredibly gifted even before she had been unmade over two hundred years ago. I marked her myself, amazed at the promise she displayed. She once stopped an entire pack of wolves from massacring a village. We were proud of her. There was no one ever made stronger than her. Then, a certain vampire was ordered to assassinate her; she was becoming too dangerous for their liking. They fought, but the vampire couldn’t do it.”
Diana’s voice changes as if she’s watching the story unfold before her eyes.
“The vampire watched her from afar, studying her habits, seeking to gain knowledge on the best way to defeat a prodigy much like herself. I’m sure that vampire never truly imagined that she could meet someone who could truly best her and she became intrigued by the human. When our warrior touched blades with her, they fell in love. It was said that their souls sang to each other through their swords.”
> “They would play a dangerous game, fighting and letting each other go, never truly putting any malice into their battles. They finally saw the futility in trying to be enemies. Somehow, the vampire convinced her family that she’d be no threat to them as long as they kept their own in check. So, Zara volunteered to police her own so that our human would not have to worry about it. What your vampire didn’t know is that the other families had gotten permission to assassinate them both because together they had much more power than some of the rival vampire families combined.”
“She’s that powerful?” I ask quietly. Clearly, I have a long way to go in terms of strength if I ever hoped to be Zara’s or even this other woman’s equal.
“Yes. Zara’s own cousin Apollo begged us to take them in to let them live with the Immortals until things had blown over. We agreed, but we also warned them that if they chose to go back to their realm that we would not intervene in any of punishment if they were caught.”
“For ten years, they lived here together, happily. But then, the Dark Days came and a plague swept across Asia. The plague only affected the supernaturals and made them feral, unable to control their urges. They were like zombies, ferocious and deadly, but mindless killers. To this day, no one knows how the plague started, because one day, it just stopped. But, when that human heard about what was unfolding, she knew she had to help. It was her nature, too many humans had been slaughtered already and too many supernaturals had succumbed to the madness.”
That must have been horrible. How did such an event get covered up from history? I listen more intently now, completely enthralled in hearing this revelation.
“She and your vampire went there. They did their best to clean up the mess, but it was just too much. They had fought too many battles without stopping and a simple mistake cost the human dearly. The human became mortally wounded and something inside Zara exploded. That is the day that she came into her own gifts and became known as the Crimson Princess. It is said that she massacred every single supernatural in the area, whether affected by the plague or not. She was bathed in so much blood that there was no speck of her caramel skin showing. When it was all over, the vampire was forced to turn the human into one of her kind in order to save her life.”
The Unmaking (The Rayne Whitmore Series Book 1) Page 23
