My heart juddered at his words. Wolfe was going to be banished. Tonight.
Erik went on, “And don’t mention a fucking thing about the slayers showing up at the wedding. Or the fact Montana and Callie left with them. We don't need the headache that will cause.” I spied him rubbing the cross on his left palm and I silently mimicked the action, wanting to feel closer to him for one brief second.
“I've got your back.” Fabian nodded firmly and Erik's expression softened.
“Well, that's the only good thing that's come from all this. I think you're acting more like your old self.”
Fabian's eyes filled with light. “I have been a royal ass for more than a century.”
“More like five centuries,” Erik muttered as they headed out of sight and their voices faded away.
“They're leaving the castle,” Julius announced. “But it sounds like they're going to broadcast the banishing, so we can tune in.”
“I can't believe Fabian's building a statue of me,” Callie breathed, her eyes flaring with emotion.
“Not just one,” I pointed out and Callie threw me a grin, suddenly bursting into laughter. I couldn't help but join in and Magnar glared at us with daggers in his eyes.
Callie reined in her giggles, immediately looking regretful. “It's a little funny.”
“It is,” Julius agreed. “Especially because if Fabian comes hounding after you with that doe-eyed expression, I'll use you as a distraction to take his head off.”
Callie punched him so hard, his head wheeled sideways.
“Sorry!” she gasped immediately.
Julius rubbed his cheek, frowning deeply. “On second thought, I'm growing tired of that mark binding you to a parasite, Callie. At least Montana means it when she says she loves a vam-” he stalled and my heart free-fell in my chest.
Asshole!
“What?” Callie gasped, glaring at him as if she couldn't accept what he'd just implied.
My eyes burned, my throat closed up.
Callie's gaze turned on me. “Say it's not true.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. And I didn't want to lie anymore. I didn't want to deny something that was so deep in my blood, it was as much a part of me as my family.
“I love him,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I love Erik and I won't apologise for it.” I got to my feet as Callie remained in shell-shocked silence.
“The mark-” she started again and I shook my head to stop her, snatching my shirt and trousers from the closest cabinet and tugging them on.
“I loved him before that,” I revealed.
“No.” Callie got to her feet and Magnar drifted toward her like a dark shadow. The three of them stared at me and Julius gave me an apologetic frown.
“Look, it's not all bad-” Julius started.
“Not all bad?” Callie snapped at him. “What do you mean it's not all bad? She loves a vampire. A Belvedere! A rapist!”
“Erik is not a rapist,” I snarled, anger burning a pit into my chest. “He's a good person.”
“He's a parasite,” Magnar spat and I backed up, their combined fury suddenly frightening me. I'd been a part of their group just seconds ago, but now I felt like an outsider. Unable to claim a home with the slayers or the vampires.
“You're confused,” Callie begged, seeming desperate for that to be true.
A tear slid down my cheek, burning a trail all the way to my chin. “I'm not. You don't know him, Callie. You don't know any of them. They're not all good, I know that. But they're not all like the Biters. I love Erik and he loves me back. It just happened, and I'm afraid you'll hate me for it, but I can't stop myself. And I can't sit here and let you all call him a monster, because he isn't.”
Silence stretched on. Julius took a step toward me but I lifted a hand to warn him off. The disgust in Magnar's eyes and the pity in Callie's was too much to bear.
I turned and ran away, moving at a fierce pace through the museum and darting into a dark stairwell. I started climbing, running faster until I was panting. The stairs seemed endless, circling higher and higher and higher until finally, I stepped into a circular room. My breaths came in ragged pants as I moved into the space.
A crescent of windows looked out at the water ahead and to the right, New York City glittered like starlight.
I gasped, moving toward the view, momentarily distracted by the impossibly beautiful sight. I must have been in the crown of the statue, so far up it was dizzying.
I pressed my palm to the cool pane, surprised it was still intact. How many years had this statue stood here? I wondered what it had meant to people once...
I thought of Erik out in the city somewhere, on his way to banish Wolfe. I wished I could be there. Stand by his side and punish the man who'd hurt me and my family so deeply. But I had faith he'd make it as torturous for him as possible. And perhaps if it led to Valentina being caught, it would be worthwhile keeping him alive a while longer. But if I ever got the chance to kill him again, I’d damn-well take it.
I took a deep breath as my heart rate finally settled.
I'm caught between two powerful enemies in an ancient war. And I love people on both sides.
I'd already chosen my sister over Erik, but the idea of living like this with Callie glaring at me every time Erik's name was mentioned was unthinkable. I didn't want to have to choose. I loved them both dearly. But it was an impossible dream to think they could ever get along. Even tolerate one another.
Time ticked by and I wondered how soon I'd have to shamefully return downstairs and accept the berating I was going to get. I just wanted to hide from the world awhile. Drink in the silence and the beating of my own heart which told me I was right in loving Erik. That I shouldn't doubt myself, even if everyone else did.
“Montana?” Callie said gently from behind me, not using my nickname for once. Which meant things really weren't good between us.
I didn't turn to face her as more tears tracked down my cheeks. “I just need some time alone, Callie. I know you can't ever understand this.”
Silence fell, but I sensed she was moving closer even though her footfalls were entirely quiet.
“I just...I don't understand,” she whispered. “We hate the vampires. They've controlled us our whole lives. Are you sure it's not-”
“It's not the mark,” I spoke over her, my voice surprisingly firm.
“Okay,” she breathed and a trickle of pain ran through my veins. I couldn't stand the idea that things were somehow broken between us. We were two halves of one whole. I wasn't ready to lose that. “Can you try to explain?” she asked.
She moved to my side and I forced myself to look at her, finding her dressed in her almost-dry clothes. Her eyes were filled with longing, not the anger I'd expected. My shoulders sagged a little as I gazed down at the moonlit river stretching away ahead of us. “I don't think anything I ever do will convince you. But Erik didn't even know the conditions we lived in-”
“And you believed that?” she balked and my heart shattered once more.
“Yes,” I whispered. “And I'm not saying that makes it okay. All I know is that the vampires are people. They have hearts. And some of them care.”
I could see Callie shaking her head in the corner of my eye and I resigned myself to the fact that this was pointless.
She placed a warm hand on my arm. “It doesn't change what they've done. They locked humans up, they sent old people to the blood bank, they sent Mom-”
“I know,” I choked, shutting my eyes as I tried to will away the ache in my heart. “I know, Callie. But Erik didn’t realise what it was like in the Realms. And I know he should have done more to make sure things were better. But he made mistakes. And he's trying to make up for some of his wrong-doings now.”
“He'd never do enough,” she snarled and I pulled my arm away from her, feeling a chasm opening up between us.
I was falling, drowning, losing everyone I loved all at once. And I didn't know how to fix it.<
br />
“But...” Callie whispered and hope speared a path through my body. I turned to her with desperation in my gaze. She took a deep breath. “I know you. And I can tell you haven't been brainwashed. Julius told me what Nightmare said about Erik. That it...trusts him.” She seemed to struggle to say the words. “But it doesn't matter what the blade says, it's you I trust. And if you think Erik is trying to change...” She hung her head, the battle inside her evident on her face. “Then maybe he is.”
It was something. Not much, but at least she was accepting the possibility that Erik was more than just a bloodsucker.
“He’s a good person,” I whispered.
“He killed Magnar and Julius's father,” Callie hissed, her upper lip curling back.
“I know.” I nodded, a frown creasing my brow. “I know that.” I didn't have much else I could say. Erik had told me that things hadn't happened quite how Julius has explained, but I didn't know what his story was. Or if it even mattered. If the Elioson's father had died because of Erik, what could really make that right? I certainly wouldn't forgive Wolfe for taking our dad from us. So I could never expect them to forgive Erik.
Emotions warred inside me. I didn't have a good enough explanation for loving Erik. I supposed that was what love was though. Blind...confounding...inexplicable. It just was. And I was certain I'd never shake myself of it.
“The thing is, Callie...I don't know who Erik was a thousand years ago. Hell, I don't know who he was one year ago. But I know who he is today. He's brave and kind and loyal. He loves his family more than anything, he'd do whatever he could to keep them safe. Just like we would. And he cares for me in a way that makes me feel alive. I never thought I'd feel something like that. I didn't think romantic love was ever going to be a part of my future. And one month ago, I would have died before I let myself feel that way for a vampire. But I never realised before...you don't get to choose who your heart gives itself to.” I turned to her, finding her mouth parted as if she understood entirely what I was saying.
“The choice is made for you,” she whispered, quickly wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Magnar?” I asked gently and she nodded, sniffing.
“You're so strong.” I took her hand. “You'll break this bond to Fabian. You'll overcome that slayer mark, too. I know you will. Then you can be together.”
She nodded again, but seemed unsure. “Eventually I'll break out of these binds, then we'll see...”
I glanced back out at the city with an unyielding weight pressing down on me. “Eventually having the one you love is better than never having them.”
“Oh Monty.” Her arms encircled me and she squeezed me tight. I clutched her, relief filling me that she wasn't mad. That in some way, she understood. Even if she couldn’t ever accept it.
“We'll figure it out,” she said and I smiled at her words. Dad had often said them to us when we were feeling at our lowest. We'll figure it out, girls. Whatever it takes.
Someone cleared their throat and we parted, finding Julius standing in the doorway dressed in nothing but his jeans. “The banishing ceremony is about to begin.” He waved his phone at us. “But if you want to finish up your bonding session with a pillow fight first...I'll wait.”
His light tone made me grin and I felt the weight lifting from me a fraction. At least two out of the three slayers were willing to overlook my attachment to one of their enemies. But I didn't think the third was going to be so forgiving...
“How about I have a fist fight with a big ugly slayer instead?” Callie offered with a dark smile.
“Ugly? Okay, I'll go fetch Magnar,” he laughed as he turned back into the stairwell and we hurried to follow him downstairs.
We soon arrived back in the museum and closed in on the fire. Magnar was dressed, dishing out pasta for us in bowls.
He passed one to Callie and Julius, then held one out for me. I took hold of the edge of it but he didn't let go. His dark gaze scorched right through to my bones. “A word of advice, Montana...you will be a lot less upset when I kill Erik Belvedere if you try to get over him now.”
I glowered at him as heat raced under my skin and I released the bowl.
“Keep it. I'm not hungry anyway.” I turned my back on him, dropping down beside Julius.
Regret filled me as my stomach growled unhappily. But I wasn't going to be belittled by him. He had no right to tell me what to do with my heart.
Callie gave Magnar a look as if to say, what are you playing at? and Magnar promptly moved to my side, placing the bowl at my feet. I didn't reach for it.
Magnar sighed and I felt he was sharing another look with Callie. He crouched down beside me, awkwardly patting my arm. “It’s best to move on.”
I glared at him, so angry that he was still pushing the issue. “I love him,” I said steadily. “Would you kill Callie if she was turned? Would you stop loving her just because she was a vampire?”
Magnar's mouth parted and he glanced at Callie who turned scarlet at my words. “That would never happen.”
“But if it did,” I pushed and his jaw ticked with his discomfort at the question. “Would you hurt her?
“Of course he would,” Callie stepped in. “Because if I was one of them I'd tell him to end my pointless existence anyway.”
I ground my teeth, but suddenly Magnar didn't look so sure. He cleared his throat, moving to sit beside her with a bleak expression.
“It's starting,” Julius said, seeming happy to interrupt the tense conversation. He planted himself between the four of us, holding the phone out so we could see the broadcast.
I gasped as I recognised the same courtyard I'd been presented in on my first day in New York. The camera was angled down over the sloped seating area which was filled with vampires. On the other side of the courtyard was the podium where two thrones sat side by side. Erik and Fabian were sitting on them in regal black uniforms, facing the crowd.
Erik's voice suddenly boomed through the speaker. “Ladies and Gentleman of the New Empire, we come together today for two reasons. The first is to mourn the loss of so many after the events which took place at our wedding. The second is to send a reminder to the people of our city. Especially to those who rose against us. Who stood at the side of the traitor, Valentina Torbrook, and killed the wife of our brother, Miles. He is too upset today to attend this ceremony. But he sends his love to all of you and hopes you can give him the time he needs to mourn his bride. Countess Clarice is currently doing everything in her power to hunt down the Biters. To make our homes safe once more.”
Applause rang out and people started calling Erik's name. Even though Magnar wasn't close to me, I could almost feel him bristling.
As the crowd quietened, Erik continued, “Today, I bring before you a man who was my own sireling. A man who I believed was loyal to me, to our empire. But he betrayed you all when he viciously murdered my wife's father with his teeth and now I renounce him as mine.”
A collective gasp sounded from the crowd.
Erik waved his hand and the doors in the courtyard were flung open. Wolfe was escorted by two large guards who dragged him to the centre of the space. He was dressed in a suit and looked freshly-washed. Anger spilled through me as he turned his ice-blue gaze to the crowd. “We have the right to bite!” he cried and boos sounded in response.
Wolfe snarled, his eyes whipping across those seated in the front row. “You all want it. You all crave human blood from the vein. Surely you remember the delight of succumbing to your true nature?” He turned his eyes to Erik, raising a finger to point at him. “You have abandoned me. I served you loyally for six hundred and seventy eight years and this is how you repay me? You know as well as I do that humans are nothing. Insignificant beings who should be hunted like the animals they are. The true queen will lead us to that path!”
Erik rose from his throne, his upper lip peeled back. Fabian moved to stand beside him, pushing up his sleeves as if he was preparing for a fight.
<
br /> A trickle of fear slid into my veins as Erik leapt from the podium, landing before Wolfe and stalking toward him. The General slashed a hand at him, but Erik caught him by the throat and forced him to his knees. “You dare try to strike me?” he snarled.
Wolfe thrashed in his hold, but Erik was too strong, forcing him into submission.
“I will not bow to you any longer!” Wolfe shouted.
Erik raised a hand in a signal and Fabian jumped down beside them, taking something from inside his robes. A flash of silver caught my eye as Erik took the object from his brother.
Fabian grabbed hold of Wolfe, wheeling him around to face the crowd and pulling his mouth wide with his fingers. Wolfe struck out with both arms, but a sharp kick from Erik snapped one at the elbow. Erik took hold of his other arm and broke it with a vicious twist. Wolfe wailed his pain to the sky and his pain sparked a hungry energy in me.
I took in a slow breath, excited and terrified of what was about to happen. Wolfe was a monster. Less than a dirt. He'd murdered our father in cold blood and now he was paying the price.
The crowd cheered as Erik lifted the object in his hand and I realised he held a pair of pliers.
Callie leant forward with tears of anger in her eyes. “Give him hell,” she whispered.
“For dad,” I breathed and she nodded, taking my hand as she reached across Julius’s lap.
Erik tightened the pliers over Wolfe's left fang. A hushed silence hit my ears then he wrenched his arm backwards and blood poured. Wolfe cried out, trying to rear away from Erik as he lifted the pliers again.
“St-stop!” Wolfe begged through a mouthful of blood, but Fabian prised his mouth wide once more.
Erik angled the pliers toward his teeth, taking hold of his right fang. “You are cast out of this city. You are no longer a citizen of the New Empire.” He ripped the tooth from his mouth and held it aloft for the crowd to see.
Fabian shoved Wolfe to the ground, placing his boot on his chest. “No one will give this man sanctuary! If he is seen within the borders of our city, you have the right to kill him.”
A cheer rang in my ears as Fabian and Erik hauled Wolfe to his feet and threw him toward the door across the courtyard. As they followed him through it, Erik planted a punch in Wolfe's gut. I suspected he was going to get a hell of a lot more than that before they let him go. And my blood hungered for every ounce of justice they dealt him.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 91
