“Is there something wrong with the line?”
I wondered what line he was talking about and answered the only way I could. “Not that I know of. Thanks.” I quickly placed the handset back where I’d found it and hoped the vampire hadn’t noticed anything being off.
I gave the screens another sweeping glance but my dad hadn’t moved and it was too difficult to make out much that was going on with Magnar. He was still fighting though so he was still alive. I had to hold on to that much for now.
A few of the levers had signs beside them, labelling their uses and I cursed myself for my nearly non-existent literacy.
“Bee-oh, un-it... bi-oo unit?” I cursed again and begged my brain to cooperate as the letters almost seemed to dance around to avoid me reading them. “Bio unit!” Okay, next word. “Rel-ee-aa-ssss. Release!” I grinned at my find and quickly yanked the heavy lever down.
I looked up at the screen showing the warehouse and sighed in satisfaction as I spotted the coffins all sliding open. As I watched, my mood shifted from elated to terrified as one of the Elite started running in a blur of motion towards the room I was hiding in.
Magnar tried to cut him off but two more vampires leapt into his path, holding him back.
I stumbled away from the door, raising Fury as it burned in my palm. I was dead. I knew it. The vampire knew it. Hell, Fury even seemed to know it too. The blade felt sluggish in my grip, almost like it had already accepted our defeat.
The door was thrown wide and I gasped as I recognised General Wolfe. His cold eyes gleamed with triumph as he spotted me.
“Callie Ford. How I have hunted for you!” he hissed excitedly as he stalked towards me.
I balked as he said my name. “Why? What’s so special about me?”
If I kept him talking then I had the faint hope that Magnar might be able to get to me. Fury was urging me to attack and I shifted my grip on its hilt as I willed it to be quiet. I might have gotten lucky with a few lesser vampires but I wasn’t foolish enough to rate my chances against an Elite. Especially this Elite who might just have been the most evil, terrifying creature on the planet.
I swallowed a thick lump in my throat as I backed up, putting a small office chair between us. It was a pretty pathetic line of defence but I felt better with there being something to separate us.
“Nothing,” he spat. “You’re just a worthless human. You’re all just as irrelevant as the next. At least to me. But my master wants you for your blood.”
“My blood?” I recoiled. That was nothing new; we were just food to them. But why would some important vampire want my blood specifically?
“Yes.” He licked his lips and I caught sight of his fangs. A shudder ran down my spine.
“Your master?” I’d backed up as far as I could go and bumped against the wall.
“Erik Belvedere has something in mind for you and your sister. I’m going to take you to join her in New York.” He smiled at me like he wanted to eat me and my stomach swooped. But one thing he’d said gave me reason to hope. Montana was still alive and he was here to capture me not kill me. Not that I’d be going anywhere with him if I had any say in it.
“Erik Belvedere?” I asked, trying to feign ignorance but I remembered that name. The vampire who had murdered Magnar’s father and turned him into a vampire. Killer of a Thousand Souls. If Montana was with him then I had no idea how we would save her.
The General kicked the office chair aside as he continued his lazy advance. It spun away on rickety wheels before bumping into the desk and coming to a halt.
“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of you left for him to toy with when I’m finished. But I can have my fun with you first.” He leapt at me and I screamed as I tried to twist aside.
Fury blazed commands into my mind but I couldn’t react quickly enough to even try and use them. The General grabbed a fistful of my hair, wrenching my head back and exposing my throat. His other hand caught my wrist and he twisted viciously, forcing me to release my hold on Fury. My metal companion clattered to the ground, the sound filling me with dread. As the blade left me, the warmth of its presence fled too. I was hopelessly alone.
Wolfe forced me back, slamming me against the cold wall, his free hand splaying across my stomach as he pinned me in place. I was a fly caught by a spider, unable to do anything but watch as it came for me.
General Wolfe increased the pressure on my hair, forcing me to bare my neck to him. I gritted my teeth against the whimper of pain which tried to escape me. I wouldn’t let him see my fear. I’d never let him know he was hurting me.
He leant forward, his horrifyingly beautiful face closing in on mine as if he might kiss me. But it wasn’t desire for my body that heated his gaze, it was lust for my blood.
My heart thundered wildly as he shifted closer and panic tried to take hold of me. He released a deep growl in the back of his throat as he pressed his cold lips against the skin of my neck, inhaling deeply.
I recoiled, my stomach roiling with disgust as I tried to squirm out of his grasp but his unbreakable strength held me paralysed.
He inhaled again and ran his icy tongue along the length of my neck. Bile built in my mouth and I was pretty sure I was about to vomit on his polished boots.
He sighed, almost sounding disappointed, and moved back an inch. His dark eyes met mine and I swallowed back the bile as I let every ounce of hatred I felt for him boil in my gaze. His eyes glimmered with amusement like my anger pleased him.
“I may not be allowed to sample the goods yet,” he purred. “But I’m sure my master will share you with me once he’s finished.”
I stared into his eyes, wondering how on Earth I’d just escaped the call of his bloodlust. I could still see it swimming beneath the surface of his barely-maintained composure. He longed to taste my blood. But his fear of his master held him back. And if this monster was that afraid of Erik Belvedere then I knew without doubt that I had to escape before he delivered me to him.
Any creature horrifying enough to strike fear into General Wolfe’s dark heart had to be beyond evil.
And that’s who has Montana.
The blood drained from my face as I considered that. She was facing a worse fate than I’d imagined. I had to save her, no matter what it took.
He released my hair and shoved me towards the door with such force that I slammed down onto my knees.
Fury called to me from inches away and I lunged forward, reaching desperately for the blade.
General Wolf laughed as he kicked Fury away, sending it skittering out into the warehouse. A line of smoke rose from the toe of his boot, a burn from the blade marring the leather. “Tell me Callie, how did that slayer awaken your mark?”
I started crawling after Fury, my heart pounding as the General’s footsteps slowly followed. Magnar was still locked in battle with the two Elite at the far end of the room. The sound of clashing blades and cries of rage filled the cavernous space.
“Did you have to do something? Maybe he made you recite an ancient chant or do some savage dance to the moon? Or did he make you screw him?” he chuckled but there was no joy in the sound, only malice.
I was getting close to Fury again and the General kicked me in the stomach, sending me rolling away from it. I gasped as the air was forced from my lungs and pain blossomed through my body. I glared up at him as I scrambled back into a crouch. He was a cat playing with a mouse. But mice had teeth too and he’d find that out if I got the opportunity to show him.
“Fuck you,” I spat. I might not have been much of a slayer but the blood of my ancestors flowed through my veins and I refused to cower in fear before him.
The General smirked, his gaze drifting from me to look at the rows of coffins which now stood open. “You know, this batch of stock hasn’t been producing the best quality of blood lately. We’ve been meaning to have a clear out.” He strode towards the wall and reached over to open a panel filled with controls and switches.
I got to my f
eet shakily, my gaze flicking between the General and the door at the far end of the room. I knew it would be useless to try and run but adrenaline flooded my limbs, urging me to do just that.
General Wolfe hit several buttons on a keypad and turned to smile at me as he yanked on a big lever. He had dimples. How could something so cruel have such a beautiful face? But I could see through the visage to the darkness beneath it.
A mechanical whirring started up and I looked around at the room in confusion. Bright green fluid began to slide down the tubes which had been delivering the drips to the unconscious humans. I wheeled around, looking down into the coffin beside me where a middle-aged woman with greying hair lay sleeping. I stared in horror as the green fluid made contact with the woman’s blood and she began jerking violently.
A gasp of alarm escaped my lips and I raced around the coffin, yanking the drip from her arm before it could deliver any more poison. She didn’t stop fitting though and all around me, the humans contained in the boxes were jerking and flailing as the poison flooded into them.
The General released a soft laugh as he stalked towards me.
I forgot about the pointlessness of it and fled. My boots pounded through the warehouse and I tried to ignore the dying humans all around me as their bodies fitted and fell still.
I raced towards Magnar and my approach made one of the Elite hesitate just long enough to give him an in. Tempest plunged through the vampire’s heart and the Elite fell apart like a million scattered grains of sand.
I’d almost made it to Magnar’s side when Wolfe caught me. He lifted me clean off of my feet and hurled me straight past Magnar and the last Elite. I crashed to the ground, pain tearing through my body as I tumbled over and over before slamming into the heavy metal door.
I coughed weakly as I tried to push myself upright and Magnar let out a roar of pure rage. “Callie!” he bellowed and I blinked up at him, trying to align my thoughts as my vision swam.
Before I could get up, Wolfe caught my arm and dragged me out into the corridor.
I lost sight of Magnar but I could still hear the clash of steel as the last Elite stopped him from following us.
The General raced down the corridor, dragging me behind him so quickly that I could only kick my heels against the floor in an attempt to stop him wrenching my arm from its socket.
As we approached the refrigerator where Magnar had spilled the human blood, I threw myself aside, twisting my arm in his grasp. I scrambled to my feet as he was forced to pause and he slapped me squarely across the face.
He yanked me into motion again and pain tore through my arm but I’d achieved my goal. My boots were coated in blood and my footsteps left a trail of it as he dragged me further into the building.
I only prayed Magnar would survive the Elite and be able to follow it. He was my last hope.
“-have any idea how close I was to turning her?” Erik's sharp voice made my head ache. And hell did it ache. My left shoulder hurt too; more of a slicing pinch than the throbbing in my brain. I didn't know which was worse.
I groaned, reaching out and finding soft sheets beneath me.
“Well thank the gods you didn't,” Miles' voice filled the air. “She still has to choose tomorrow.”
“Is that all you fucking care about?” Erik barked at him.
“Well she wouldn’t be much use to us if she wasn't human anymore, would she?” Miles retorted and my chest tightened as I realised Erik had actually considered turning me into a vampire. Were my injuries that bad? And why the hell was it important that I was still human anyway?
Probably just for their stupid ritual. They want me married to one of them first. Who knows why that’s necessary, but at least my heart is still beating.
“Shut up, Miles. Just leave him with her,” Clarice hissed and the sound of a door shutting sent another dagger through my skull.
I blinked, groggy as I took in the room. My room. I was back in the castle.
Erik paced toward me, his clothes covered in dust and stained with blood.
“What happened?” I murmured, my heartrate picking up as he dropped onto the bed and took my hand.
“Fabian,” he snarled. “He rigged my car. That should have been us in there.”
Panic spilled through me. “Luke...Brianna?”
“Dead,” he confirmed in a cold tone.
I sucked in a breath as that truth burrowed into my heart. I hadn't known them well but their loss still cut into me like a knife.
Oh hell...what if it had been us in that car?
My stomach roiled as nausea gripped me.
“Did you catch Fabian?” I asked, desperate to know he'd been dealt with. That he was no longer a threat.
Erik shook his head. “He has an alibi.”
“But you know it was him.” I reached for his hand. “I heard him.”
“No one will believe you,” Erik said in a low tone. “No one but me.”
“But you're as powerful as him, aren't you? Can't you do something about it?”
“I have no proof, Montana.” He squeezed my hand. “It's your word against his and he'll have a hundred Chancellors backing him to the bitter end. Besides...”
“What?” I questioned.
Erik frowned deeply. “It doesn’t make sense that he’d set a bomb to kill me. I’m immortal. It would take a lot more than that. It was either a failure by whoever he ordered to set it, or…”
“Or?” I pressed, my heart picking up.
He shook his head. “I don’t know...”
I wanted to push him for answers but my head throbbed again and pain bloomed along my left shoulder, distracting me.
“You hit your head on a step,” Erik said, his tone softening. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch you quick enough. If I hadn’t been drinking…” His face contorted with anger.
“It’s okay,” I said gently, reaching up and finding a large lump on the back of my head. “Where did the blood come from?” I asked, eyeing the red stains on his shirt.
“A piece of shrapnel hit your shoulder. I had a larger piece in my back. If I hadn't gotten in the way you...” He shook his head, the light in his eyes dimming.
I'd be dead.
A deep v formed between Erik’s eyes. “I had a vampire brought here who used to be a human doctor. She tended to your wounds.”
I nodded slowly, absorbing that information. “Are you hurt?” I breathed, my heart stammering at the thought.
Erik turned, tugging up the ripped remains of his shirt, showing me his untarnished skin. “I heal, unlike you.”
His eyes drifted to the blood on his shirt and he suddenly took it off completely, tossing it aside. When he looked back, his pupils had dilated. I spotted the faded scars marring his flesh and wondered how it was possible they were there if his body could heal itself.
“How did you get that?” I pointed to the crescent-shaped scar on his midriff.
He glanced down at it with a frown and my fingers tingled with the urge to touch the silvery mark. “A slayer. Their blades are designed to hurt us. They’re the only weapon which can leave a mark like this. It takes a lot longer to heal from a cut delivered by their blades.”
My heart pounded faster at the mention of the slayers. “Fabian told me about them. He said they’re all dead now?” I inquired, wondering how much more Erik might reveal.
He nodded. “We defeated them a long time ago. But there were a few who presented more of a challenge.”
I reached out, unable to help myself as I brushed the tips of my fingers over the scar on his stomach. His skin was silken and not quite as cold as I’d expected.
“Does it hurt?” I breathed, tracing the half-moon.
“Not anymore,” he said, his tone deep and rumbling. The feel of his cool skin started to have a strong effect on me and for the life of me I couldn’t pull my hand away.
“A slayer called Magnar Elioson gave me this. He was gifted by the gods. He called himself a ‘Blessed Crusader’.” His
nose wrinkled.
“The gods?” I shook my head, finding it difficult to believe.
“I know how it sounds, but trust me, I’ve dealt with the wrath of the gods my entire immortal life. They are the reason vampires exist at all.” He looked uncertain as to whether he should go on, but I didn’t want him to stop talking.
“And the slayers? Why do they exist?”
Erik chuckled darkly, winding his fingers around my wrist and holding my hand flush against his body. “To destroy us.”
My throat constricted until I couldn’t get out any more words. Quiet fell between us and Erik’s eyes drifted to the bloody shirt he’d discarded on the floor.
“Can you smell the blood?” I asked, unsure how I felt about that.
He nodded and a flash of guilt passed through his eyes. “Yes but...I'm not an animal.”
“But my injures make you hungry,” I said, conjuring a grim smile.
He gave me a bemused look then gazed down at the gown I was still dressed in. “Would you like to change? I can help you.”
I shook my head, remembering the blade concealed on my thigh. Shit, what would he think of me if he suspected I was a slayer? His sworn enemy? “I'll manage, thank you.”
“Let me help,” he urged, releasing my hand and reaching for the buttons.
“No,” I insisted. “I can do it.”
He gave in, looking vaguely hurt.
I pushed myself upright, hissing at the pain as I moved my shoulder. I found the sleeve of my left arm had been cut away to bandage the wound and I had to be grateful it wasn't the right. What if someone had seen the mark?
Erik took my wrist, helping me off of the bed. I rose on shaky legs and my head spun in circles. My vision darkened and I stumbled forward into Erik's strong arms.
He held me tight, resting his chin against my head. “This is my fault, please let me help you.”
“You didn't set the bomb,” I said dryly.
“No, but it was me Fabian was after and he would have taken you down with me.”
Shock unfolded inside me as I realised he was right. Fabian would have been more than happy to let me die in that car too.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 42
