I caught her by the throat, my nose wrinkling as her rancid breath floated over me. I prised the gun from her hand, turning it back on her and pressing it to her heart with a snarl.
“No- no!” she begged, trying to fight me off. But she was just a lesser. I was an Elite and I had the upper hand.
I pulled the trigger. Click. Dina winced, then tried to snatch it from my hand. I pulled it again and she exploded into dust as the final bullet burst free and found her heart.
I whipped around to find Clarice, trembling from the deaths I'd just delivered. She was facing the final Biter, darting away from him with cat-like grace.
I ran to help her, grabbing Nightmare on the way and tossing the gun in preference of my blade. Clarice kicked the male squarely in the chest and he stumbled back toward me, wheeling around at the last second and finding his death waiting for him. Nightmare sunk deep into his chest, sighing its happiness. Embers scattered around me and I ran through them to Clarice.
She clutched my arm. “Are you alright?”
I nodded, glancing back at the locked door keeping us here. “We need to get to the others.”
The door suddenly wrenched open and I stiffened, readying for another attack. I spotted Danielle there, her golden hair billowing around her shoulders. “Come on!” she called urgently. “We need you.”
Clarice and I sped toward the door and I smiled my thanks as I flew out into the courtyard. My heart plummeted at the sight before me.
A battle had broken out around the helicopter. Fabian was fighting Kingston with his bare hands, shouting his anger to the night sky.
Warren and Miles were ahead of them, battling several soldiers. I hunted the space beyond them, desperate to locate my twin. With a pang of relief, I spotted Callie and Julius sprinting away from the barracks, their skin lined with bright red blood.
I ran forward with Clarice and Danielle, preparing to join the fight.
As we closed in on Fabian, his eyes locked on his sister. “Get in the helicopter!”
Kingston punched him in the jaw and started laughing. “We didn't charge it, sire,” he mocked. “You're not going anywhere.”
Clarice dove forward, grabbing the back of Kingston's collar before he could attack Fabian again, digging her fangs into his throat. Blood poured and he wailed his pain as the two Belvederes tackled him together.
Two more soldiers came at me and my attention was forced away from them as I fell into a fierce fight for my life. Fear pounded through my veins.
Without the helicopter, we couldn't escape.
Which only left us with one option: we had to kill them all.
I stood guard outside Valentina’s chambers alongside Erik and I thumbed Venom’s hilt idly as the time dragged on. I’d found my blades in one of the rooms upstairs but their presence had been dark and brooding ever since. It was almost as if they were angry with me but I couldn’t imagine why. I supposed the amount of vampires surrounding us was causing them some grief. But these were Valentina’s loyal followers and if she desired their company then I wouldn’t be tempted to deliver their deaths by some old hunks of metal.
Erik stood as still as a statue as he stared off along the corridor to my right. I glanced at him from time to time but he never looked my way. His attention was focused on any threats that might come and try to harm our love. His hearing was superior to mine so I was content to trust in his assessment that all was clear for now.
The wounds from the lashes Valentina had delivered us had completely left his flesh and he’d washed the blood away, leaving no mark of her justice on his skin. He now wore a fresh black suit which mirrored my own. I felt more than strange in the fitted garment but if my love wanted me to wear it then I would voice no complaints. Blood stained my white shirt in places: I healed slower than Erik and though the worst of the injuries had left me, I was still bruised and bloody from the punishment. I didn’t mind though. I deserved this pain for failing her. I probably deserved more than that.
“Magnar!” Valentina cried out suddenly from within her quarters and my heart lurched desperately at the panic in her tone.
I turned instantly, raising Venom before me as I threw the door wide and stepped into the darkened space while Erik tensed behind me, assessing the room for threats.
I blinked into the darkness as I drew closer to the enormous bed and Valentina flicked on a lamp, illuminating the space.
I looked around carefully, taking in the vast, pink room and making sure there was nothing amiss. There was no sign of any intruders and my attention was quickly snared by the immeasurable beauty of Valentina’s face. The ruby hanging from her choker almost seemed to throb with light for a moment and my gaze shifted to it as my desire for Valentina sharpened. She was all I could think about. All I cared about in this world.
Erik stayed by the open door, guarding it.
“What is it my love?” I asked her as I drew nearer, my heart pounding with fear for whatever had upset her. It wasn’t right for her to be upset.
She looked up at me, pushing the covers from her body and revealing a pink slip which did little to cover her up. My throat bobbed with desire as I gazed upon her and I ached with the need to move closer.
“I had a nightmare,” she breathed and I could tell it had upset her. It wasn’t right. I wished I could take away the fear that simmered in her eyes. How dare a nightmare disturb her sleep? If nightmares could die then I’d gladly kill it.
“Tell me how I can make it better,” I begged, moving closer so that I gripped the wooden beam at the foot of the bed. I hated that I was helpless to defend her from the terror that she’d felt.
Her eyes sparkled and she shifted so that she was on her knees and my gaze dropped over her body in that tiny nightdress.
“Come closer,” she breathed in a low voice. “I know what will make me feel better.”
My heart pounded as I moved around the bed, closing in on her.
She reached for me, catching the fabric of my white shirt in her fist as she pulled me down. Her mouth met mine and my whole body came alive with energy. She was everything. My whole world. All I lived for. And in that moment she desired me just as I longed for her.
She kissed me greedily, possessively and I bowed to her demands as my soul danced for joy.
She pushed me back an inch and I stared into her earthy brown eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” I breathed. Though it didn’t seem like that word was enough to describe the perfection of her face.
A satisfied smile pulled at her mouth. “Leave your swords by the bed.”
My heart pounded and I quickly dropped my swords and kicked my shoes off too. I shrugged out of the black jacket which finished my suit and her eyes lit hungrily as she watched it fall to the floor. I moved onto the mattress, kneeling up beside her. I caught her in my arms, dragging her against me as her lips moulded to mine once more.
My hands slid over her body and she tore at my shirt, ripping it away so that she could explore the curves of my muscles. I groaned with yearning for this perfect woman, wondering how she could desire someone as undeserving as me.
I moved my mouth from hers to run kisses along her throat and she moaned as she tilted her head back, offering me easier access to her flesh. My mouth brushed against the choker she still wore and a flood of power raced across my skin, deepening my lust and making me want her even more. I needed her. I had to have her.
“Don’t just stand there staring, Erik,” Valentina murmured. “Come and join us.”
The sound of the door snapping shut drew my attention for a moment and I glanced up as Erik moved onto the bed too. Of course I wasn’t enough for her alone. I could never expect to be all that she desired. But between the two of us I hoped that we would be able to satisfy her.
Erik claimed her mouth as I continued to kiss her neck and her hand fisted in my hair as she drew me lower. My mouth dropped below her collar bone and she released her grip on my hair so that she could rip Erik’s shirt off too.
“I love you too,” I added and she pushed me back an inch so that she could look at me.
Her palm rested right above my heart and she held her other hand on Erik’s chest in much the same way as we both gazed at her, waiting for her to allow us to continue.
“Say that again,” she demanded.
“I love you,” I said at the same moment as Erik and her eyes lit with a burning satisfaction.
“Show me how much,” she commanded, pulling the pink slip from her body and throwing it aside.
I stared at the curves of her naked flesh, desire rocking through my soul so that I was frozen in inaction for a moment.
Erik shifted towards her first and I moved quickly to join him as we pushed her back down onto the bed.
My mouth found hers and my hand slid along the length of her body, the perfection of her silky skin lighting every inch of me with a desperate need.
Erik’s fingers brushed against mine as his hand moved over her breast and she moaned hungrily, desperate for us to sate this need in her.
She broke our kiss and I watched as she turned to take Erik’s lips hostage instead. I could see the pleasure he was giving her and it drove me on to do more.
I moved my mouth to her throat again, my shoulder pressing against Erik’s as we drew closer to her.
“You’re mine,” Valentina sighed hungrily. “All mine.”
“Yes,” I growled.
“Only yours,” Erik agreed fiercely.
Valentina’s hand slid between us and she started pulling at my belt, wanting more of me. I groaned desperately as I shifted back an inch, loosening it myself as she switched her attention to removing Erik’s pants as well.
A heavy knock sounded at the door and I stilled, glancing over my shoulder with a frown.
“I’m busy!” Valentina snapped angrily.
I moved my attention back to her as I noted the frustration in her tone. She needed us to fulfil this desire and we couldn’t stop now. I couldn’t bear to disappoint her again.
The knock came more urgently and a snarl of anger escaped my throat.
“I’m sorry my lady but you need to hear this now!” a female voice called from outside.
Valentina sighed heavily. “Come in,” she agreed irritably.
I pulled back as the redheaded vampire drew closer. Her eyes lit with surprise as she took in the three of us tangled together on the huge bed but she didn’t comment on it.
“Don’t stop,” Valentina commanded and I quickly turned my attention back to running kisses along her flesh as Erik did the same beside me.
“We’ve ah...” the vampire cleared her throat uncomfortably before continuing. “We’ve had a call from a military base in the south. The other Belvederes and the twins arrived there a few hours ago. Our people tried to apprehend them themselves but it hasn’t gone well. If we don’t hurry, it sounds as if they’ll depart again soon. I thought you should know. We don’t want to lose them this time...”
Valentina snarled with frustration as she shoved me and Erik back.
I shifted off of the bed, buckling my belt again in disappointment as the redhead’s eyes dripped over me.
“We’ll finish this later, my pets,” Valentina promised, trailing her fingers over my chest as she passed me by. Her touch grazed over the wounds I’d received from the lashing she’d given me earlier and the tingle of pain and pleasure danced across my skin intoxicatingly.
Erik sighed unhappily as he realigned his pants too and he caught my eye in a moment of mutual disappointment. We’d make up for this later. In the meantime my love needed my swords more than my body.
I grabbed the heavy weapons and strapped them over my back, leaving my chest bare as I eyed the shredded scraps of my shirt on the floor.
Valentina dressed quickly in a deep blue jumpsuit which hugged her figure.
She marched from the room and we hurried to follow, walking side by side behind her like shadows.
“What’s the fastest way to get to that base?” Valentina snapped as the redhead fell into step beside her.
“We have a jet ready to go. The general I spoke to said that the Belvederes were trying to charge their helicopter and they hadn’t even started yet. We should have plenty of time to reach them before they get away.”
“Good,” Valentina snarled. “That should give you boys a chance to make up for disappointing me earlier. I want those twins’ heads.”
“I will bring you them, my love,” I swore.
“Not if I manage it first,” Erik growled fiercely.
“I shall cut through all of your enemies and make them rue the day they ever dared turn against the one true queen,” I growled.
“Well I shall-”
“Enough,” Valentina snapped. “Actions speak louder than words. I want heads not promises.”
I gritted my teeth as I nodded. I would gladly deliver what she needed from me and then we could get back to what we’d just started. Erik smiled at me excitedly and I was sure his thoughts were in line with my own. We would do anything to satisfy our queen. And we’d start by killing those twins.
I rammed Nightmare into the chest of a soldier, cutting a path through my enemies with terror filling my body. Someone stumbled into me from behind and I turned, finding Danielle and Clarice there as two Elite advanced on them.
I joined ranks with them, pressing my shoulder to Clarice's as the male and female approached, abandoning the guns in their hands as they ran out of bullets.
With a spurt of energy, I sped forward to meet them and Danielle and Clarice ran with me, shouting their rage. We collided with them with the force of a speeding train and a punch to my temple made my world spin. I uprooted the female who'd landed the blow and she hit the ground with a pained oomph. I stamped on her leg, breaking bone beneath my heel, abandoning my human side and unleashing the animal within.
She slashed her nails down my calf, ripping my pants and cutting into flesh. With a scream, I aimed another kick into her side. I lifted Nightmare up, my arms trembling with exertion as I brought it down to meet her chest. She burst into ash and I spun around, finding Clarice holding the other Elite while Danielle drove her sword into his heart. Danielle whipped her blade aside as dust floated down between them.
The flow of soldiers had eased a fraction. The Belvederes were ruthless opponents and we were starting to gain the upper hand despite the numbers being against us.
A flash of blonde hair caught my attention as Danielle started running toward a huge tank on the other side of the courtyard. Dad had told me about those things from the Final War. I knew how destructive they could be. And the long barrel of the enormous gun was slowly swinging towards our helicopter. I gasped as I chased after her to help.
A soldier noticed her too, splitting off from a fight with Fabian in a blur of motion. I pushed myself to my limits as he ran after Danielle, his arms powering back and forth. The gun of the tank had almost rotated to face its target.
I was faster than the lesser and I urged my legs ever harder as I gained ground on him. With a gasp of triumph, I caught him by the back of his shirt, dragging him into my arms. I didn't hesitate to stab Nightmare into his chest, but I missed his heart.
He threw an elbow into my chin and I bit my tongue, cursing as I plunged Nightmare into him again.
Yes! the blade cried as the soldier scattered to the wind around me. I blinked as the ash clouded my vision for a moment.
Danielle climbed onto the tank, ripping the hatch open.
A gunshot sounded from behind us and she reared backwards, narrowly avoiding the rogue bullet. I ran forward and dove onto the huge machine, scaling it in seconds and thrusting an arm into the hatch. My hand landed on someone's head and I twisted sharply until I heard a loud crack. Danielle fell forward into the hole, finishing the soldier with her sword.
She glanced up at me, her eyes filled with relief. “That was close. If they take out that h
elicopter, we're screwed. Valentina will catch us if we can't get away from here quickly enough.”
I squeezed her arm, releasing a breath. “Then we have to break this thing.” I dropped down into the cockpit on top of the vampire's remains. I eyed the levers and buttons in front of me with a frown, trying to figure out the best way to destroy it.
“Wait - don't break it.” Danielle dropped into the small space, planting herself into another seat and gazing at a screen before us. She tapped something on it and it lit up, showing us the feed from a camera facing the battle.
“Look, it's got three shots loaded.” Danielle pointed to a number at the bottom of the screen and I realised what she was suggesting.
“You wanna fire this thing?” I asked in alarm, fearing that such a weapon could hurt our own people.
“Hell yeah I do!” She used a lever beside the screen and the view moved sideways across the battle. A clunking noise carried to us from outside and I realised the view we had was right down the cannon's barrel.
“There!” I pointed at a group of soldiers running to join the fight; they hadn't reached our friends yet. And if Danielle had anything to do with it, they weren't going to.
She moved the gun to face them then pressed a red circle at the bottom of the screen. The whole vehicle jolted as an explosion of fire burst from the cannon. I threw my hands to my ears, my hearing ringing. The shot took out the whole group in a blast that ripped the soldiers to pieces.
Shock sank into my bones.
The battle halted for a fraction of a second while everyone's eyes turned to the tank.
“Holy shit!” Fabian whooped, but the moment of victory was short-lived as four Elite sprinted toward us.
I gazed up at the open hatch above our heads. “Quick - close it!”
Danielle clambered up, using my shoulders to climb out.
“Hey – wait!” I called in a panic.
“Shoot them!” she demanded and I gazed at the screen, my hands fumbling as I worked the lever, angling the gun to face the Elite. As it locked on my target, I slammed my hand on the red button and a whooshing sound preceded an echoing boom.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 134
