“Mortal wounds do not bother the vampires for long unless they are inflicted by a slayer blade. Go on.”
“The woman apologised to him for ruining his plans and he was angry that they had. I missed some of what passed between them but I think he mentioned a trap being ruined. She told him that it was unavoidable because his brother needed him to return to the west. She told him that Fabian’s plan was finally coming together and that they’d have to unite their strength if they hoped to succeed. He didn’t seem entirely convinced by her claims but the three of them turned and ran west faster than I’ve ever seen a person move. They were gone before I even stepped out of my hiding place. Then the blade led me to you.”
“I knew it,” I growled. Miles had been meaning to face us on that mountain. The fact that he’d abandoned his ambush could only mean that something bigger was happening. And if he planned to meet with one of his brothers then I would do whatever it took to meet him there too.
I was half tempted to drag Julius from his bed and leave right away but there wasn’t much point. The storm still raged outside and the horses needed their rest as badly as we did.
I began pacing the room as I tried to figure out what all of this meant. As far as I knew, the Revenants hadn’t been together in years. They spread themselves far and wide to hide their hunting habits from the humans and split the attention of the slayers. If they were meeting up then it must have been for something big. I would have to return to the clans and tell them of this.
The sound of fabric hitting the floor drew my attention back to Elissa and I stilled as I found her standing naked in the centre of the room.
She’d clearly been serious about me ruining her for her future husband. I hesitated for half a moment before closing the distance between us. It would have been rude to refuse her and I could do with the distraction from my swirling thoughts.
Fury burned hotter than I’d ever felt it as we finally drew close to the train station. I could feel the vampires as we closed in on them, the blade warning me each time a group of guards drew near. We changed our path multiple times as we travelled through the forest to avoid discovery.
It seemed like too much security to me. As far as I knew, no one had ever successfully escaped the Realm before. And even if they had, a human would pose no threat to the vampires. So the only reason for their patrols which made sense was that they were expecting us. I guessed after burning down the blood bank this was the next logical place for us to come. We’d destroyed a batch of blood while we were there and Wolfe had killed the humans they’d been using to harvest it. I could only imagine that this supply train was desperately important to the bloodsuckers now. And I couldn’t wait to ruin it for them.
The sun was concealed behind dark rain clouds and thick shadows filled the space between the trees but the woodland was beginning to thin, letting more light in up ahead.
Magnar pulled the horses to a halt and I sighed as he slid from the stallion’s back. This was it. We couldn’t get any closer with the horses in tow. It was time to set them free.
I dismounted too, letting Magnar catch me for the last time.
Though I hadn’t spent long with the beautiful creatures, parting from them filled me with sadness. They’d become a part of our little group. The four of us had travelled for miles and spent hours in each others’ company. Sending them off to face the unknown left a pit of sorrow in my gut. Where would they go? What would they do now that the whole world was open to them?
The mare moved towards me, leaning low as I stroked her nose affectionately. She nuzzled me, her deep eyes almost seeming sad too. Like she knew this was goodbye.
Magnar removed the packs from her back then took the reins off of them. They watched us calmly, waiting while we prepared to set them free.
“So this is it?” I asked and Magnar nodded.
“There’s no way to bring them Callie. We need to do the rest of this on foot.”
I knew my sorrow was a little over the top but I couldn’t help it. The horses had been better friends to me than most of the humans I’d known in the Realm. And once we walked away from them I knew we’d never see them again.
“Run fast and stay free,” I whispered as I stroked them both one final time.
I stepped back and Magnar placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me away. We headed on between the trees and I glanced back as the sound of their hoof beats drew my attention. The stallion took the lead as he trotted away and the mare whinnied as she hurried after him. I could have sworn they understood that they were free and were happy about it.
I brushed a single tear from my cheek as I turned back to face the trail.
“You have a kind heart,” Magnar murmured.
“Is that a good thing, Elder?” Instead of growing used to that word replacing his name, I was finding it more infuriating each time it happened.
“Perhaps not for you when it makes you feel this way. But you will always experience the truest form of the world. You are prone to love and kindness. I just hope becoming a slayer doesn’t steal that from you,” he replied.
“Why would it?” I asked.
“We live a hard life. We are ruthless when we need to be and fierce in the pursuit of our goals. Sometimes such things grind away the goodness within you. I have lost more than I ever could have imagined in my hunt for the Belvederes. It has corrupted the good in me... Sometimes I doubt the path I chose,” he admitted.
“I know that you’ve lost more than I could ever comprehend,” I replied slowly. “But you are good, Elder. You saved me when I didn’t even want to be rescued. You’ve protected me despite the fact that I’m practically a walking target for the vampires to aim at. Hell, you even offered a psychopathic vampire a fair fight after you disarmed her. I’ve never met anyone who would do a fraction of what you’ve done for a stranger. I’m not sure I’ve met many people who would go so far even for someone they loved. It’s just not what people do. At least not anymore. Without you I’d be lost now; chained to a monster who wants to marry me and force me to have demon children with him. Because of you, I know we’ll save my sister from that fate too.”
Magnar didn’t reply but he touched a hand to my shoulder and the darkness in his gaze lifted a little. It was enough to make my heart soar and I smiled at his back as I continued to follow him towards the train station. We still had a long way to go but with Fury reassuring me, I wasn’t worried about being discovered. At least not yet.
We crouched low in the long grass at the top of a sweeping valley. Far below us, the train was waiting at the station. It lay poised like a snake, its white paintwork glimmering faintly in the dim sunlight which made it through the clouds.
Vampires stood guard around it, watching the area closely. They held heavy machine guns and eyed the shadows with suspicion, making sure no one approached.
Halfway along the platform, huge grey boxes were being loaded onto the train.
I tugged at the collar of my dress uncomfortably. We’d found a store leftover from before the Final War on our way here and had raided it for clothes suiting my disguise as one of the Elite. The grey dress and knee-length boots looked like the kind of thing I’d seen them wearing when they’d visited our Realm. I’d found a long, red coat to wear over it and though it wasn’t quite like the robes a lot of them wore I was confident that I would pass for one of them.
My porcelain features were more than enough to disguise me anyway. All I had to do was act like I knew exactly what I was doing and walk straight into the thick of them. And if for any reason it didn’t work I knew they wanted me alive. So at least I should get the opportunity to escape.
“I think we need to figure out a way to get you into one of those boxes, Elder,” I said as the vampires continued to load the train. There was no other way onto the sleek vehicle that I could see and we needed to get Magnar inside somehow. Hopefully once he was onboard I could just stroll on. I’d have to figure out a way to release him from the box once the train was
moving.
“I believe you’re right,” Magnar agreed though he didn’t sound too thrilled about the idea.
“Let’s hope they’re big enough,” I teased and he rolled his eyes at me.
“I’m sure I’ll fit somehow. The more pressing issue is going to be getting down to them unnoticed.”
I nodded, watching yet another patrol of vampires marching across the valley, swords and guns ready to take out anyone who approached.
“What if we caused a distraction?” I suggested. “Set a fire like we did before?”
“We don’t want them to suspect anything. We need to do this without them noticing us at all,” Magnar replied, shaking his head.
I bit my lip, running my thumb over Fury’s hilt. The blade was beside itself with so many vampires close, urging me into action. It hungered for their deaths and was clearly disappointed with me for holding back.
“Well, I could be the distraction. I can just walk down there, turn all eyes to me and make a fuss about them not doing their jobs properly. While they’re looking at me you can find a way in,” I suggested.
“Are you ready to walk into that vipers’ pit?” he asked softly and I got the strangest sense that he didn’t want me to go.
“Are you worried about me, Elder?” I asked, turning to look at him.
“I’m responsible for you,” he replied dismissively, not looking at me. He’d barely laid eyes on me since Idun had bestowed this gift on my features and I could tell he hated it.
“Well I’m a big girl. I’m sure I can manage.” I gripped Fury briefly in my pocket to steal some courage from it. “I’ll see you down there.” I rose to my feet and Magnar caught my hand as if he was going to stop me from leaving.
“Be careful,” he warned, his eyes finding mine.
I gave him a faint smile. “When am I not?”
I pulled out of his grip and began walking purposefully down into the valley. It was only a few moments before the vampires spotted me, some of them raising their guns.
“Who’s there?” a male shouted as he pointed a rifle at my face.
“Finally, one of you sees me,” I replied, throwing as much disdain into my voice as I could. I just had to front this out and hopefully they wouldn’t realise what I really was. “It took you long enough.”
The lesser vampires glanced between each other nervously as I closed in on them.
“I’m sorry mistress, you should have been spotted sooner-”
“Yes. I should have,” I growled. “I shouldn’t have been able to get within five miles of this place without being discovered and yet here I am.”
I made it to the foot of the valley and paused before them. The four guards shifted nervously under my scrutiny and my lip curled back in distaste.
“I’m going to inspect the rest of this operation and I hope for your sakes I don’t find any more failures.”
“Of course, mistress. I’ll send extra patrols into the forest now and I’ll show you anything you wish to inspect.” The male vampire waved his companions away and they darted up the hill. I hoped Magnar had moved on already but I couldn't risk looking back to check. If they discovered him then this whole plan would fall apart. My gut swirled with concern for the slayer. He might have been unstoppable in battle but there wasn’t much he could do against an assault rifle.
“Lead the way,” I snapped as the vampire hesitated. He hurried to comply and set a fast pace towards the train station.
I focused on keeping my steps silent as I walked. The vampires’ boots made no sound as they passed over the ground and I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. My gifts guided me on swift feet and I swept through the grass with ease.
He mounted the platform and I followed him up, pausing to survey the train.
“She’s a beauty isn’t she?” the vampire said, following my gaze. “The finest bullet train ever created. She’ll make it to New York in just under twenty hours.” My heart leapt at the prospect. In less than a day, I’d be close enough to help my sister. Perhaps we really could make it in time to rescue her before the wedding.
“Why are you spouting facts instead of showing me the cargo?” I asked, lending some steel to my tone.
“Of course.” The vampire bowed his head and hurried along the platform. We moved between the lesser vampires and they all nodded respectfully as I passed. I kept my chin high and ignored them, my heart fluttering as the disguise continued to fool them.
When we reached the point where they were loading the cargo onto the train, I stilled. Another Elite was watching over the work, his eyes narrowing as he noticed our approach. He was tall with hazel hair cropped close to his scalp and his face was as alluring as all of his kind. Strangely, a scar cut through his eyebrow, continuing down over his cheek. I didn’t even know it was possible for their skin to scar.
“What are you doing here?” he asked without bothering to greet me.
“Isn’t that obvious?” I asked in response, hoping that it was, because I had no real answer if not.
“Count Fabian said we wouldn’t be needing any further assistance.” He glared at me like he was offended by my presence.
“I guess he changed his mind,” I replied lightly. “If you want to question his actions then be my guest but I doubt he’ll appreciate it.”
The Elite glowered at me then sighed. “Of course I won’t disturb his highness over something so minor. You may as well take over here; I need to check in with the patrols.”
“You might want to keep a closer eye on their work,” I said as he began to move away. “I made it into the valley before they spotted me. Who knows what the Count will make of that.”
The Elite hissed, baring his fangs in anger before speeding away so quickly that it set my coat fluttering around my ankles. I guessed some lesser vampires were about to be in a lot of trouble and I had to fight to keep the smile from my face.
A group of lessers were transporting the boxes onto the train but they kept their heads down as I turned my attention onto them.
I walked further along the station, moving around the heap of crates towards the back of the pile. I tried to spot Magnar in the shadows but there was no sign of him. Worry stirred beneath my skin but I ignored it. The male guard continued to follow me and I stopped suddenly, turning to glare at him.
“You’re dismissed,” I snapped.
He opened his mouth as if he might protest and I raised an eyebrow, hoping he wouldn’t push me.
“Of course, mistress,” he said, bowing his head. “You only need to call me if you require any further assistance.” He turned and headed away along the platform and I watched him until I was sure he wasn’t coming back. Relief seeped through me as I was finally left alone. They didn’t suspect me. Idun’s magic was working.
I eyed the lessers who were loading the train but they seemed keen to avoid my attention and were putting all of their effort into their work.
I let out a long breath and stepped between the crates. I reached out to lift the lid on one and found stacks of material within it. I frowned as I released it, moving on to check another crate. This one held coils of copper wire.
As I made my way to the far side of the platform, I found more and more items which I guessed had been gathered from the area, left over after the Final War. I supposed the vampires had uses for them but I began to wonder where the blood was. None of these crates were refrigerated. They must have been loading it somewhere else.
“Callie?”
I paused as I heard Magnar’s whisper and turned slowly, trying to spot him. A flutter of movement caught my eye and I made my way between the crates until I discovered him.
“You made it alright?” I asked, eyeing him for any sign of injury.
“Your arrival distracted them enough to let me slip by,” he confirmed.
“We need to get you into one of these crates,” I whispered.
“There’s some empty here,” he replied. “I’ve already stowed our things.”
He pushed the lid aside before vaulting into it. The space inside was just big enough for him to lay down with his legs curled to his chest. I smirked down at him as he forced himself into the uncomfortable position.
“I’ll get you out as soon as I can,” I promised.
“I’m sure you aren’t enjoying this at all,” he replied dryly.
“Absolutely not,” I agreed as I shoved the lid back into place, locking him within the crate.
I removed Fury from its concealed position in my pocket and carved a line into the side of the box so that I’d be able to locate him again on the train.
I replaced the blade as soon as I was done and headed back towards the front of the platform. The lesser vampires were working quickly and the stack of boxes were making fast progress onto the train.
“How much longer do you expect this to take?” I asked, throwing as much irritation into my tone as possible.
“We are well on track to finish within the hour, mistress,” replied a female with thick, curling hair. “Are you going to travel back to New York with the delivery?”
“Of course I am,” I replied, relieved that she seemed to expect this.
“Would you like me to show you to a suite on board?” She seemed eager to please me and I took the opportunity to use her.
“Yes, thank you.” Her eyes widened in surprise at the use of manners and I hurried to cover up the mistake. “Are you waiting for an invitation to proceed or just planning to stand here all day?”
“Sorry mistress, right this way.”
She turned and headed off along the platform, leading the way to a set of doors towards the front of the train. I glanced back at the crates of cargo which were still being loaded and hoped it would be easy to find my way back to them once I was onboard.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 56
