Magnar peered over the bannister then jumped down after me. The floorboards rattled as he hit the ground a few feet away and I rolled upright, drawing Fury reluctantly.
“Don’t make me use it,” I breathed, hoping that the smallest sliver of the man I loved could hear me.
Magnar laughed as he advanced on me again.
“I’ll use it to carve your pretty head from your shoulders then give it to my love as a gift,” he growled and the look in his eye told me he meant it. A shiver raced down my spine as fear consumed me. I was no match for him and I knew it.
I could still hear Montana struggling with Erik above me and the distant sounds of the others fighting the Biters reached me too. But right here it was just me and him. Except it wasn’t him at all. And I wasn’t sure if it was worse if I let him kill me or if I ended up killing him.
I shook my head as I backed up, refusing to face the idea that there was no way out of this but death. I just needed to get away from him. If I could lead him towards the warring vampires then maybe I could escape him.
Magnar leapt at me and I ducked beneath his arm, driving Fury’s hilt into the side of his head.
He stumbled back a step and I swept my leg beneath his, knocking him to the ground. I slammed my foot into his side to slow him down then ran for it.
I clambered up the spiralling staircase as quickly as I could manage, my heart thundering in time with my footsteps as my bare feet hit the carpet.
Magnar’s hand closed around my ankle and he yanked me backwards so that I crashed into the stairs. He flipped me over so that he could drive his fist into my face and light exploded before my eyes at the impact.
I kicked out at him, swearing as I tried to fight him off. I flinched away from another punch and the wooden step shattered beside my head.
My heart lurched desperately as I was forced to use Fury on him.
I swept the blade across his arm, making sure I didn’t cut too deeply, just enough to force him off of me.
Magnar lunged back to avoid the blade for the second time and I managed to get my foot between us, kicking him squarely in the chest and sending him crashing back down the stairs.
I scrambled to my feet, forcing myself to ignore the horrible sound of his body slamming into the floorboards at the bottom of the staircase as I scrambled to the top of the stairs once more.
I spotted Erik holding Montana against a wall half way along the corridor. He was slamming his fist into her stomach again and again as she cried out for him to stop.
“Get off of her!” I yelled as I sprinted towards him, Fury in hand. I knew I couldn’t kill him but I’d do whatever else it took to incapacitate him.
Erik turned to look at me and his nostrils flared as his eyes lit with hunger. My heart leapt in panic as he lifted Montana into the air and launched her away from us, all the way to the far end of the corridor. She hit the ground hard as Erik sprang towards me.
I stumbled to a halt, glancing over my shoulder to see if I should try and lead him away. Magnar smirked at me as he made it to the top of the staircase and fear rolled through me.
I pressed my back to the wall as the two of them closed in on me, holding Fury before me as my arm trembled.
I turned to look at Erik as Magnar caught my wrist with a feral laugh. He slammed my arm back against the wall and held Fury out of the way as Erik closed in on us.
“Are you hungry, Brother?” Magnar asked.
“Always,” Erik replied.
My heart pounded desperately as I tried to wrestle my way out of Magnar’s grip. How could he be doing this to me? He was offering me up like a sacrifice to the creature who’d killed his own father.
Magnar laughed, grabbing my hair and wrenching my head to one side to bare my throat for Erik.
A whimper of fear escaped me.
The vampire hissed at me excitedly as he lunged for my neck and I screamed as his fangs sliced into my skin. The pain of his bite was blinding as his venom flooded into my veins.
Erik moaned in pleasure as he pressed his cold body against mine, pinning me to the wall as my blood flowed into his mouth. Magnar released me without so much as a final glance in my direction as he turned to chase my sister.
My vision darkened for a moment as the pain of Erik’s bite claimed my senses again but I gritted my teeth against it as I pooled all of my energy to fight it off.
Erik Belvedere was not going to kill me.
I yanked my fangs free from the blonde twin’s throat, her face vaguely familiar as she looked up at me in horror.
“Sorry about this, but you need to fuck off.” She slashed a blade across my side and fire surged through the wound.
I staggered back, clutching the injury and she rushed past me in a burst of speed. I tried to catch her legs, but she danced away, fleeing toward the dark haired twin who was battling my companions. Valentina stepped through a door across the hall, her face contorting with rage as she spotted the blood leaking through my fingers.
“Idiot,” she snapped and I bowed my head in shame for displeasing her.
Magnar bounded to her side, taking her hand. “Not to worry, my sweet, we're winning.” He gestured to the fight behind us and Valentina scoured the scene, not seeming any less angry.
“Then what are you waiting for? Finish them.” She shoved Magnar away and he snarled as he ran to join the fight.
Valentina drifted toward me, lifting my hand away from the wound with a frown. I looked into her eyes, hoping to find an ounce of pity there. Or for her full lips to part and tell me how hurt she was too see me like this.
After a beat of silence, she struck me across the face and pushed me toward the fight. “Pull yourself together! End them. Bring me those girls' heads!” She pointed at the brunette and the blonde and their names edged into my mind as if I knew them. Callie...Montana.
I ran forward, filled with the need to please Valentina. I'd do just as she asked. I wouldn't rest until I'd appeased her no matter how much pain I was in.
The girls moved deeper into the fight, glancing over their shoulders at me. I followed them as they fled toward my sister and Clarice's gaze met mine, her brows drawing together. I knew she was my kin, but it didn't matter. If Valentina wanted every member of my family dead, I'd happily offer it to her. No tie was as strong as my love for her.
I shouldered aside some of the Biters, forging a path in the direction of the twins. Clarice punched her fist into the heart of one of my allies, moving to meet Montana and Callie as dust cascaded around her.
I bared my fangs, forcing bodies out of my way as I made a direct line for them, spotting more of my family behind her. The sweetness of Callie’s blood in my mouth drove me on as I succumbed to the thirst, letting it take over. I wanted more of it, all of it. I’d drain her dry before I was finished with her and present her empty body to my love.
Magnar crashed into Fabian beside me and the two of them wrestled tooth and nail to get the upper hand.
Fabian caught my eye just before I landed a hard blow to his face. He fell beneath us and Magnar and I stood shoulder to shoulder as we prepared to end him.
“Do your worst,” Fabian snarled at Magnar. “I'm ready for you.”
Magnar barked a laugh as he leaned down and I bared my fangs, preparing to help him.
“Get back!” Someone swiped a sword above Fabian so we were forced to retreat a step.
Danielle grabbed Fabian's arm and yanked him away from us, wielding her blade to keep us at bay. The Biters pressed against our backs as we prepared to take on the group.
Montana met my gaze, her eyes begging. “Erik please.”
I didn't know how she knew me and I didn't care. I regarded her as I advanced, tilting my head as I took in her wide eyes. Something blazed in her expression. Something that looked a lot like love. But why would this vampire girl love me? Rage crept up my spine at the mere idea of it. My heart belonged to Valentina. And this bitch couldn't have it.
I lurched forward to
grab her, but Clarice pushed her away, planting a sharp kick into my injured side. Miles braced Clarice, tugging her away from me.
I buckled forward in pain, clasping the wound and sucking air in through my teeth.
Magnar moved to attack them with a feral snarl parting his lips.
Julius swung through the crowd of Biters and dust burst around us. “Magnar!” He shot toward his brother, taking his arm. Magnar planted a hit to his chest that sent him crashing into the wall. Two Biters fell on Julius but he battled through them in seconds, casting them to ash. He hurried to join Clarice and the others, gazing back at Magnar with a heavy sadness in his eyes.
“Run!” Clarice commanded, pushing Montana and Callie into a sprint. Julius and Warren ran after them and I snarled through my teeth as I tried to fight away the pain in my side to follow.
Danielle darted forward to intercept a group of Biters to my left and as I straightened to attack her, Miles and Fabian closed ranks to hold me off.
“Leave them!” Clarice called. “Come on!”
Fabian ignored her, racing to meet Magnar and punching him squarely in the face. Magnar bellowed his fury, snatching Fabian by the neck and tossing him further down the corridor. He skidded across the shiny floor and I smashed my foot into Miles, sending him tumbling after Fabian.
Warren halted behind the rest of the group, turning back for my brother. “Miles – run!” he demanded.
He and Fabian sprang to their feet, glaring at us.
“Erik, listen to me,” Miles begged. “You're under Valentina's control.”
My upper lip peeled back as I stalked toward him. “I love her. And I'll do anything she asks.”
“Oh for fuck's sake,” Fabian groaned. “This is the gods' doing!”
“It is my heart's doing!” I shouted, rushing forward and snatching Fabian's shirt in my fist.
He started punching my face, enunciating every word he spoke with each blow, “The. Gods. Are. Fucking. With. You.”
“NO!” I threw him to the ground, falling onto him as I struggled to keep him in place.
“This is what they've done to me too,” he begged, lifting his palm to show me a shining silver cross there. I frowned as he caught my hand, turning it over to reveal a similar mark.
I didn't know what it was and I didn't care. I smashed my forehead into Fabian's and his head hit the floor beneath him. He groaned woozily and I smiled.
Miles was struggling to escape from Magnar's swinging fists but Warren crashed into the slayer, sending him stumbling sideways and tripping over Fabian's legs.
Miles and Warren came at me together, hauling me off of Fabian and dragging my arms behind my back.
A swarm of Biters fell on them and they had to release me as too many of my allies surrounded us. They fought ferociously, knocking down my people with heavy blows of their fists. I hurried forward as the Biters fell back, determined to finish them.
Warren and Miles shared a look then ran to catch the others with Fabian in tow.
Magnar and I took chase, tearing after them down the dark hallway. My throat tightened and the ache in my side burned. I'd have my revenge for Valentina. I'd do as she willed and seek her forgiveness for my failure so far. I longed for her loving caress, her soothing kisses and the brush of her fangs against my skin.
Magnar threw a glance my way as he ran beside me. “Valentina will reward me greatly when I end her enemies.”
“Not if I do it first.” I forced my shoulder into him, making him stumble. He darted back to meet me, ramming his elbow into my ribs.
“Bastard!” he bit at me. “Valentina love me the most.”
“Liar.” I shoved him again. “I'm the one she wants.”
Our distraction gave the group time to gain ground on us and I swore between my teeth, quickening my stride and outpacing Magnar.
The lights flickered on overhead and I blinked as my eyesight readjusted to the brightness. The back-up generator had kicked in and that meant we were fucked if our enemies reached the elevator at the end of the corridor.
I quickened my pace but our targets fled into it and the doors started shutting. I shouted out in anger, my gaze locking with Montana's as she stared back at me in horror.
The gap in the doors grew narrower and narrower but I was going to make it through if it killed me.
The doors shut and I collided with them, hitting the ground and spewing curses. Magnar darted past me toward the stairwell with raucous laughter tearing from his throat.
I glowered, righting myself and sprinting after him, determined to beat him. If anyone was going to make Valentina proud today, it would damn-well be me.
I slammed through the door to the stairwell, ripping the door off of its hinges as I went and throwing it down behind me to block the stairs and slow Erik further.
Nothing was going to stop me from killing these enemies first. Each of them stood against me and my love and I would present their heads to her rather than allow them to live another moment with foul intentions towards her.
“Asshole!” Erik snarled as he clambered over the door behind me and I laughed as I took the stairs two at a time, leaping higher and higher.
Valentina would be so pleased when I did this. I hoped she knew I’d do anything for her. Everything. I just wanted to prove my love. I needed her to understand the depths of my feelings.
I made it to the top of the wooden staircase and slammed into a heavy door which barred my way forward. It shuddered on its hinges but didn’t give. I rammed into it again and again, cursing as the delay allowed Erik to catch up.
“Let’s do it together, Brother,” he said. “We can’t let her down.”
“No, we can’t,” I agreed. I may have wished to beat him to this but it was more important that Valentina was satisfied. I couldn’t bear the idea of disappointing her. It was unthinkable.
We ran at the door together and it finally gave way.
A huge metal contraption was rising from the roof, two massive blades rotating above it and lifting it into the sky. It was impossible and yet I was looking straight at it. I stared at it for a moment, my mind struggling to comprehend such a thing.
“We need to stop that helicopter!” Erik bellowed as he raced forward.
Callie stared out at me from within the belly of the metal beast and a snarl left my lips as I started sprinting towards her. My love wanted her head and I would do whatever it took to get it for her.
The strange contraption rose higher, lifting away from the roof at an accelerating speed. Everyone aboard that vessel needed to die. Valentina desired it. And my life held no meaning if I couldn’t fulfil her wishes.
Adrenaline pounded through my muscles as I charged towards it, but it rose too high for me to reach. I snarled angrily as it climbed above my head.
“Throw me!” Erik shouted as he shot towards me and I turned to him just as he leapt into the air.
I caught him and used his momentum to wrench him around and fling him up after the helicopter.
The people inside it screamed as he caught one of the metal beams which ran beneath it and the whole thing lurched sideways.
I backed up to get a better view and smirked as I spotted Callie dangling from the open door while Montana fought to drag her back in. With a bit of luck the two of them would fall back down to the roof and I could finish them for my love.
The helicopter was causing a raging vortex to swirl around me and my hair slashed about violently in the wind. The sound it made was a thunderous whooshing unlike anything I’d ever heard before, making it hard for me to pick out the screams of the people aboard it.
Erik was hanging from the metal beam by one hand and yanking on Callie’s leg with the other. Once he threw her down to the roof, I’d finish her with my bare hands. A wicked smile lit my face at the thought and my fingers curled in anticipation.
The helicopter spun in a tilting spiral around the rooftop as I stared on, rage simmering in my veins as I ached to join the fight.
Clarice was screaming at Erik to let them go but he held on, fighting to bring down the girl who had wronged our love.
Julius leaned out of the door with his sword raised and swiped it straight through Erik’s arm, severing the hand which held Callie. Fabian and Montana swiftly dragged her back inside and I swore at the missed opportunity.
Erik’s severed hand hit the roof beside me and Julius swung the sword straight for his head next. Erik was forced to release the helicopter or face his death and he crashed down on the roof with a sickening crunch.
“Julius!” I roared, running to the edge of the roof as the helicopter swerved away. “I’ll fucking kill you for this! We’re coming for all of you, you won’t get away with wronging Valentina. Your heads will be ours!”
The helicopter shot across the sky and I glared at it as Erik groaned beside me. His body was already healing the damage from the fall and I moved towards him, kicking his severed hand closer so that he could reattach it.
It took a few moments for him to realign his spine and get back to his feet. As soon as he was upright, I punched him.
“How could you let them get away?” I roared. “Valentina needs them dead and now they’re gone!”
“I know,” he breathed and I could tell it pained him to admit to our failure as much as it did me. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know how to express how sorry I am.”
“We have to tell her,” I said as I started heading back towards the stairwell. I hated to go to her knowing she’d be upset by our failures but we had no choice. She needed to know and I would take whatever punishment she deemed necessary.
“I’ve never felt such shame,” Erik muttered, hanging his head as he followed me inside.
“Where did you last see her?” I asked as we made our way back down the stairwell.
“She was overseeing the fight but I think she’s moved further into the castle now. I can smell her, come on.”
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 130
