“What do you know?” I whispered.
“Enough,” she breathed, stepping closer so she could talk into my ear again. “I know that I have many regrets. Being sired is one of them. And if there are slayers being born again, I want to help them.”
Nightmare buzzed angrily on my thigh, urging me to hurry.
Doubt trickled through me. I didn’t know if I could trust her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, figuring it was best to play dumb.
She pursed her lips, eyeing my right arm as if she wished to check it once more. “Maybe I’m wrong but…” She shook her head, seeming confused and I took the opportunity to leave.
I hurried across the room, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Valentina wasn’t watching me. She floated toward the bar seeming deep in thought. Taking a breath and angling my thoughts back on the task at hand, I moved toward the door Fabian had exited through.
When I was sure no one was watching I slipped through it.
A dark hallway lined with doors greeted me. I listened, trying to work out which room Fabian occupied. Moving as quietly as I could along the emerald green carpet, the sound of voices finally reached me.
Creeping closer, I approached the door I was sure Fabian was behind, my palms growing slick.
What if he caught me here?
I willed the fear away, stepping up to the door and pressing my ear to it.
“-if anyone realises I’m involved in this I’m in deep shit,” Fabian snarled. “I must end this tonight. Promise me it will be handled quietly.”
“It will, your highness, I assure you,” Miguel answered, his voice quavering.
“Then pull yourself together!” Fabian snapped and the sound of a smack rang through the air.
Hide. Nightmare's voice flared in my mind.
Certain I should obey, I darted toward the nearest door and turned the handle. It swung open into a pitch black room and I fled inside, pushing it closed with a quiet click.
I rested my ear to the door, willing my heartbeat to slow as Fabian's voice carried into the corridor. “I want him dealt with before the night is out. I won’t have him causing us any more issues.”
My breath was choked from my lungs. He must have been talking about Erik.
I clung to the wood, desperate to hear them leaving but they moved as silently as the wind. I couldn’t believe how close I’d come to being caught. Without Nightmare, I would have been.
Their voices sounded further down the hallway and I relaxed a fraction, pressing my forehead to the door.
Nightmare cooled and started to hum with a different kind of energy. I wondered what it meant, but had no idea how to decipher the strange feelings it gave off.
When I'd waited several minutes, I gripped the door handle and opened it. Stepping into the corridor, I was suddenly crushed face-first to the opposite wall.
Cold hands held my wrists behind my back and I cried out, terrified Fabian had caught me. My captor flipped me around and I came face to face with Erik.
Anger and relief tangled inside me.
“You bastard.” I thumped his chest. “You scared the hell out of me.”
He grinned darkly then stepped forward, pressing me to the wall again. I sucked in a breath as he pushed a knee between my thighs to hold me in place.
“What are you doing?” I gasped.
“I came to find my rebel. She’s been missing from the party.” He laughed lightly and I wondered what the hell had gotten into him.
Nightmare seemed to sing as loud as my heart.
“Why are you down here?” he asked, leaning into my personal space even further. His whole face was shrouded in shadow so all I could see was the wolfish glint in his eyes. A bitter scent on his breath reached me and I tried to work out what it was.
“Fabian,” I whispered, then my thoughts sharply realigned. “I overheard him. I think he wants to hurt you, Erik.” My lungs crushed, barely allowing in a sliver of air.
Though I couldn’t see his expression well in the dark hallway, I could tell he wasn't distressed. “That's not news to me. Can we talk about something else?”
I knotted my hands in his shirt, finding his jacket now removed. Why was he so damn calm? “No, tonight Erik. I think he's planning something tonight.”
He blinked slowly, still not seeming particularly concerned. “Thank you for telling me,” he murmured, lowering his head so my breaths warmed the tiny space between us.
My heart juddered and thumped.
He lifted a hand, skating his thumb across my cheekbone. “By the gods...why are you so captivating? It’s driving me crazy.”
“Erik, what are you playing at?” I demanded, half tempted to shove him again, but the other half of me wanting him this close. Even Nightmare seemed to want that.
Damn horny blade.
“I’m just wondering how long it's going to take for you to ask me,” Erik said in a rumbling tone.
“Ask you what?” I hissed, trying to keep up my angry pretence, but my body was telling a different story. A waterfall of desire was flowing through me, pooling in my stomach.
“For the kiss you want,” he remarked.
I ground my teeth, annoyed by his usual arrogant behaviour. “I don't want a kiss.”
“Is that so? Then why are you quivering like a leaf right now, Rebel?” He moved his mouth to my neck and brushed a path to my ear.
“Please,” I begged but I wasn't sure if I was begging him to stop or continue.
His teeth ran over the shell of my ear and a moan escaped my lips, betraying me.
“Say it,” Erik commanded, crushing me to the wall.
Nightmare thrummed like a living thing, begging me to comply with him. And I broke. My resolve crumbled to dust and I went slack in his arms.
“Kiss me,” I breathed and his mouth claimed mine. The strong flavour of his last drink rolled over my tongue.
His hands snared my waist as he lifted me, tangling my legs around him and pushing me to the wall.
His kiss was rough and demanding, turning me into a ragdoll in his arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck then clawed at his hair. The rougher he was, the more I bit back, the more I took out my anger on him for the way I felt towards him. For allowing this and revelling in every second. For caring about him at all.
I finally found my strength and pushed his shoulders, knocking my head back against the wall as I broke apart from him.
Erik's jaw hardened as he gazed at me.
“Why?” I demanded.
He dropped me to the floor, stepping away. He started marching back in the direction of the party and I hurried after him, seething. “Erik,” I snapped.
He kept walking, opening the door into the ballroom and pushing me through it. Eyes turned to us and I straightened my dress as the temperature in my cheeks skyrocketed. I had guilt written all over my face and from the looks people gave us, they knew exactly what we'd been doing.
I glanced up at Erik, wondering if this had been his intention.
Remembering the real problem at hand, I searched for Fabian in the room but couldn't spot him. Erik guided me back to the seating area and Paige smiled dreamily at me as she sipped on her drink.
“Hey, where have you been?” Her eyes scraped over my hair then narrowed. “And what have you been doing?” She gave me a knowing look and my blush increased as Erik barked a laugh and walked away.
“Nothing,” I insisted, snatching my own drink from the table. I noticed Fabian's associates had vacated the seating area and Miles and Warren had taken their chairs.
“Where's Brianna?” I asked and Paige pointed into the crowd. She was dancing with her arms in the air, grinding her hips against a male vampire.
“Oh shit,” I breathed. “What's she doing?”
“I dunno. I think it's these drinks...that make you feel all swimmy.” Paige smiled lazily and I quickly put my drink back on the table.
I spotted Erik making a beeline
for Brianna through the crowd, roughly pushing people aside before snatching her arm.
“Hey!” she shouted at him, but he didn't let go even when she clawed at his arms.
He guided her toward the sofas and planted her down in a seat, looking furious.
Luke stumbled out of the crowd with a bemused look and Clarice came bounding after him.
“Just rest for a minute,” she urged, pushing him toward the sofas.
“Miles,” Erik snapped and his brother looked up. “The humans are getting drunk.”
Alcohol. It was suddenly so obvious. Some of the boys in the Realm had made the stuff from potatoes. They'd always had a glazed look about them after drinking it. Maybe that was why Erik had been acting so weird too.
“So what? They're having fun,” Miles said with a shrug.
Erik's jaw ticked as he turned to me, seeming to assess if I was affected like the others.
“I'm fine,” I answered his probing look. “I didn't even finish my drink. Unlike you.” I pointed to it on the table and he smirked.
“Are you accusing me of being drunk?” he asked.
“It would explain a few things,” I replied with a raised eyebrow and his smile grew wider.
His eyes whipped to Paige. “What about you?”
“I only had one,” she insisted.
Erik shifted his gaze to Brianna and Luke on the sofa, now leaning against one another for support. “Right, they can take my car back to the castle.”
“Oh leave them be,” Miles complained, throwing an arm over Warren’s shoulders.
“No, Erik's right,” Clarice bit at him. “They can't stay here like this. People are beginning to stare.”
Erik leant down, pulling Brianna to her feet and Luke stood, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Can you walk straight?” Erik asked them.
Luke nodded and Brianna hiccoughed.
“Follow me,” Erik ordered, turning on his heel.
I caught his hand as he passed me. “Erik, I'm worried about what Fabian said.”
He glanced down at our fingers, suddenly intertwining his with mine. “Would you like to go home with them?” Mischief sparkled in his gaze.
It felt like he was offering much more than that. I thought of his mouth on mine, of how my body had reacted to his touch. Oh hell.
Nightmare whispered encouragements in my head and I found myself nodding.
“Okay, let's go.” I glanced at Paige. “Do you want to come?”
“Stay!” Miles called from behind us, patting his seat. “Come on Paige, we'll have fun without these bores.”
She broke a small smile, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “I'll stay,” she said to me, squeezing my hand.
I nodded, giving her a wave as I headed after Luke and Brianna. Erik snatched his jacket from the back of a chair on the way, folding it over his arm. He took the lead, moving at a steady pace as we guided the others downstairs.
We soon arrived in the entrance hall and exited onto the street. The temperature had plummeted, causing me to shiver in the frosty air. Thankfully, the protestors had moved on and a guard was removing the cordon on the other side of the street.
A car was waiting for us and as Luke and Brianna drifted towards it, Erik took my arm. “I'm sorry about earlier.”
My throat constricted. Were we really having this conversation now?
“It's fine, really,” I said, though I knew it wasn't enough of an answer. It didn't go anywhere near the feelings that were swelling inside me, threatening to spill over.
“It's not.” He held me tighter, stopping me from following the others. His iron eyes turned to liquid silver. I shivered harder and he quickly put his coat around my shoulders. He gripped its lapels, keeping me trapped in his gaze. As the car door closed behind Luke and Brianna, we were suddenly alone, bathed in the golden light of the porch. The sound of the engine starting filled my ears.
“I don't understand what you want,” I whispered, my breath fogging before me. “You’re so hot and cold. Sometimes...I’m afraid you’re using me.”
His eyes burned with more light than I’d ever seen. “Montana, I-”
BOOM.
Fire flared. I hit the concrete and pain exploded through the back of my head.
All I could see was black hair as the weight of someone crushed me down.
Erik. He was forcing me onto the stone floor and a roar of noise told me something terrible had happened.
I pushed my head out from beneath him and ash sailed down over my face. Smoke billowed into the sky and I caught sight of the car reduced to a burning husk.
My ears rang so hard, it swallowed every other sound but the thumping of my heart.
Erik was saying something, but I couldn't hear him as I tried to decipher the movements of his lips.
He cupped my cheek and I felt blood trickling down the side of my neck. Erik held the wound I couldn't feel, his shirt sleeve turning red.
His face swam in and out of focus as Nightmare thrummed against my thigh. Just before the darkness claimed me, it spoke words in my head I didn't understand.
A warrior born but monster made, changes fates of souls enslaved.
“Wait here. I’ll deal with the Elite,” Magnar commanded as I tried to follow him out of the control room.
“But-”
“I’ll fight better if I don’t have to worry about you. You should find a way to free those humans from the coffins.” He gazed into my eyes and my resolve wavered. He was right. I would only get in the way and I might even get him killed if he had to try and protect me.
“Okay,” I answered in defeat. He turned away but I caught his hand and pulled him to me. “But promise me you’re coming back.”
His mouth quirked up at the side. “I’m coming back.” He placed his palm against my cheek for an impossibly brief moment then turned and left me alone, closing the door between us.
My chest ached as he headed into danger but there was nothing I could do about it. I had to trust in his strength and believe his promise.
He’ll come back to me.
I moved to look at the screen which showed the warehouse where Magnar stalked towards the exit, swords in hand. I bit my lip anxiously as he approached the door the vampires were trying to break through. I didn’t know if I wanted to watch but I didn’t think I could tear my gaze away either.
As the bolts securing the door gave way, I realised I couldn’t watch those monsters trying to hurt him while I hid away in here. I pressed my eyes closed. He was born to take down the creatures of the night and I could only trust in his ability to do just that.
I opened my eyes and turned my attention to the screen which showed my dad hanging forward, slumped in his restraints. At first I thought he’d passed out but then he lifted his head, seeming to look right at me through the camera. It only lasted a second but my resolve hardened as I gazed into his eyes. I was going to get him out alongside everyone else stuck in this hell hole.
I searched the screen for some sign of the General but I couldn’t see him. It took me several seconds before I spotted him striding down a long corridor. It was impossible for me to tell where he was heading but I had the immovable feeling that it was straight towards us.
My heart fluttered like a bird in a cage as I watching him moving too swiftly for it to be natural. Though I was afraid of all vampires, the General awakened a special kind of terror in me. This was the man who had taken everything from me as if it were nothing. His teeth had pierced my father’s skin. He was responsible for whatever had happened to my sister. I longed to end his immortal life more than anything else. I wanted his presence struck from this world and his soul banished to the deepest pits of hell where it belonged.
Fury sang in my palm, wishing the same fate on him. The blade ached to feel the final beat of his black heart and curse him into death.
Take your vow sun child and we can end them all.
I blinked in surprise as the voice swirled throug
h my mind from the blade. I hadn’t given the vow any more thought since Magnar had told me about it. Though the idea of having the strength to take on General Wolfe was seriously tempting, I still didn’t want to relinquish my freedom in exchange for that power.
The sound of swords colliding reached me from beyond the door and my gaze snapped straight back to the screen showing the warehouse. Magnar was locked in battle with three of the Elite at the farthest end of the room. It was hard for me to make out much of what was happening between the four tiny figures on the screen and I nervously chewed the inside of my cheek.
He threw one of the vampires away from him and she collided heavily with a coffin, reminding me of the task he’d set.
I forced my gaze away from the screens and started to scour the room for some way to release the humans.
On the opposite wall to the screens were various things connected with power cables and several switches and levers.
I moved towards it and flicked the closest switch. The light above my head instantly went out and I cursed myself as I fumbled my hand along the wall to find the switch again and turn it back on.
I decided to leave the other switches for now and grabbed a handset instead. It stayed connected to the wall via a cord and I frowned at the buttons which covered it. The numbers one to nine ran in sequence, waiting expectantly for me to do something.
I stared at it for several seconds then pressed number one. I glanced hopefully over my shoulder at the screen showing the coffins but nothing happened.
“Hello?” The handset was talking to me. I stared at it mutely, wondering what I should do. “Hello?”
“Yes?” I held it at arm’s length and frowned at it in utter confusion.
“We had a report that you were having some trouble over there? Did you still want us to send a team?” the tinny voice asked.
I moved the handset a little closer to my ear so that I could hear it better. Somehow, I seemed to be talking to a vampire somewhere else. I realised the thing must have been a phone and my hand trembled as I tried to figure out what to say.
“Um no... false alarm,” I replied a beat too late for it to come off naturally.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 41
