“She fell asleep and slid onto me,” Julius blurted as if I was accusing him of something.
“Right, and your point being?” I asked with a frown.
Montana released a snort of laughter and I turned to her in confusion.
“They still hate each other apparently,” Montana said lightly. “But Clarice saved Julius's life so...”
“So nothing.” Julius shoved Clarice off of him and she bolted upright, baring her fangs as if she feared she was under attack.
“And I still hate her I'll have you know.” Julius pointed at Montana.
Clarice rose to her feet, blinking groggily as she backed away from him. “That would be so much more convincing if you didn't have a raging hard-on right now.”
Julius frantically dropped his eyes to his pants then scowled darkly as Clarice's laughter rang through the air.
I glanced between the two of them with a frown. The slayer and my sister? That was hardly plausible.
Miles jumped up behind me, shoving his weight down on my shoulders. I threw him off, tussling with him as I grabbed him in a headlock.
“Good to have you back, little brother,” Miles taunted.
My mouth hooked up at the side. “You're only one month older than me.”
“That's all it takes to be the boss.” Miles thumped my arm, clearly wanting to continue our play fight.
The door sounded in the hallway and I turned as Magnar appeared. I folded my arms, unsure of how he was going to act toward me now we were reunited with our group. He gave me a nod as Callie scampered through the door behind him with a piece of straw sticking out of her hair. She didn't seem aware of it as she followed Magnar into the living room to join us.
Montana started gesturing to her, pointing at her head.
Callie turned scarlet as she located the piece of straw and clenched it in her hand.
“Subtle,” Julius said with a bark of laughter.
“Where's Fabian?” Callie asked quickly, her cheeks turning pink as she tried to deflect attention from herself.
Magnar's posture tensed.
“Sleeping upstairs,” Clarice answered, leaning her weight back against a dresser that was full of china ornaments.
“I think we should all be here. We need to make a plan,” Montana urged as she dropped onto the couch.
“I'll fetch him-” Clarice started but Fabian and Chickoa strolled into the room at that moment, a fierce tension passing between them, suggesting they'd just had a fight.
As Fabian spotted Magnar, his face turned sour and he strode purposefully past him to the other side of the room.
“I'll leave you to talk,” Chickoa said.
“You're welcome to stay,” I offered. “The curse involves every vampire in the world.”
She gave me a thoughtful glance then shrugged, pressing her back to a wall and folding her arms.
Callie perched on the arm of the couch next to Montana and rested a hand on her shoulder.
“Can we all just address the elephant in the room first?” Fabian asked, glancing between Magnar and I. “We're all dying to hear about your time with Valentina. Which one of you did she screw first?”
“Fabian,” I snarled in warning.
“Shut your fucking mouth.” Magnar squared his shoulders.
Fabian's eyes dragged down Magnar and I knew he was his real target. “I just think Callie deserves to know if she's going to be catching anything from you.”
“Can you stop being an asshole for one second?” Callie's upper lip peeled back.
“He can't, it's in his blood,” Chickoa chipped in and I could tell this conversation was going to escalate fast if I didn't stop it.
“Valentina didn't touch either of them. Much...” Montana said awkwardly and I offered her an apologetic frown.
“We have more important things to discuss,” I pressed, shifting closer to Magnar. “We'd rather not go into the details of our time with Valentina.”
“And if anyone has a problem with that I will gladly give you an answer with my fists,” Magnar growled.
Everyone's eyes slid between the two of us.
Fabian stared at me in horror. “Don't tell me you're actually friends with the slayer now, Erik.”
I shared a glance with Magnar, unsure what the hell we were now.
“Just drop it, Fabian,” Montana said with a sigh. “Who cares if they're friends now? That's a good thing, isn't it?”
“I didn't say friends,” Magnar muttered under his breath.
“Neither did I,” I said, equally quiet. But I couldn't deny we were something.
“Fine.” Fabian threw his hands up in defeat. “Let's just get to that fucking mountain then because the sooner we break the curse, the sooner we can all go home and part ways with the slayers.”
“How are we going to find it?” Miles pitched in and I was glad to move on from the subject of Valentina at last. “Helgafell isn't a solid place. It can appear anywhere in the world.”
“Great, let's hope it shows up in Chickoa's backyard then.” Julius grinned and his brother released a breath of laughter.
“We can find it with this,” Callie announced, lifting her hand to show us the gods' ring.
Montana nodded keenly. “It showed us the way before. We just have to touch it together.”
“Ooh I like the sound of that...touching...together,” Julius chuckled and I shook my head at him.
“You're such a pig,” Clarice sighed then turned to the twins. “Do it.” She eyed them hopefully.
Montana and Callie shared a glance then Callie slid it from her finger and held it between them. Montana brushed her fingers over it and their expressions immediately fell blank. Their eyes glazed and I stepped closer, anxiety pulling at my insides.
Miles took hold of my arm to keep me back and I gazed at my wife, grinding my teeth together as I waited for her to return to me.
After a few more tense seconds, the two of them jolted, blinking hard as they regained their senses.
“Well?” I asked hopefully.
Montana smiled up at me and a bright light grew inside my chest. “We have to head further south.”
“We saw a desert,” Callie added.
“That's not much help, everything south of here is desert since the Final War,” Warren said with a frown.
“But beyond the desert there were swamps...palm trees,” Montana said, her brow creasing.
“That sounds like Florida,” Clarice breathed and I nodded, an idea striking me.
“That's where we landed when we first came to America,” I said. “Do you think the mountain is close to the village we lived in?”
“Sounds like another way Andvari would taunt us,” Fabian muttered. “If we'd been close all those years, he must have found it pretty amusing.”
“Maybe the ring will show us more when we're nearer?” Montana guessed.
“We definitely saw more this time,” Callie agreed.
“So we head south,” Magnar announced, lifting his chin and everyone nodded their agreement.
“We'll leave in a couple of days so everyone can recover,” I said, looking to Chickoa. “If you can put up with us a while longer?”
“Fine by me.” She shrugged. “If you guys break the curse you're always welcome here. Except you.” She glanced at Fabian and his shoulders slumped.
“Sounds good,” Julius said, rising to his feet. “Want to spar with me, Brother?” he gestured for them to head outside and I suspected he wanted to talk with Magnar alone.
“Yes, beating you to a pulp will make my day complete.” Magnar grinned as he followed Julius out of the house.
I dropped down into the seat beside Montana, taking her hand and running my thumb across the back of it.
A ping sounded and Chickoa took her phone from her pocket, her brows knitting together. “You said this Valentina woman has taken over the New Empire, right?”
“Yes...” I said tersely. “Why?”
“I just got a new
s update, there's a live broadcast going out from the capital.” She grabbed a remote from a table, turning the television on.
“You signed up for updates from the New Empire?” Fabian asked her, his brows raising.
“I like to keep an eye on what's going on in the country,” Chickoa muttered.
“Or keeping an eye on one of your rulers,” Fabian said with a mocking grin.
“Unlike you with your damn Familiars, I don't do spying. And if I did, the last person I'd seek out is you,” Chickoa growled.
“So why were my Familiars left alive if you were so pissed with me?” Fabian asked coolly.
“Because I find your obsession with me hilarious. I was happy for you to torment yourself.”
Callie chuckled and Fabian threw her a glare.
“It's starting, look.” Montana pointed to the TV as Valentina appeared on the screen.
I sat straighter in my seat as I glared at the woman who dared to call herself the queen of my empire. She was sitting on my goddamn throne, in my goddamn castle with my goddamn crown on her head. I ground my teeth and Montana clutched my hand tighter.
“Good evening, ladies and gentleman. The last few days have seen the empire as you know it overhauled and your rulers have fled like the cowards they are.”
“Bitch,” Montana hissed.
Valentina went on, “I have taken their place to guide you out of this dark time and lead you into a new world. With my powers controlling the weather, I am sure you will see fit to bow to my rule.”
“She's threatening our people,” Clarice growled and anger clutched my heart.
“As my first act as queen, I declare that the law against feeding from the vein is revoked. The Realms will be opened and the humans will be given the chance to run, while you, my loyal followers, will be given the opportunity to hunt them as nature intended. When our current supplies dwindle, the gates to the Realms will all be torn down. You will no longer be provided with bottled blood. If you wish to feed, you will have to earn it.” Valentina smiled widely and a shudder ran through me.
“That horrible bitch,” Callie spat.
Montana shook her head and I turned to her, finding her eyes glimmering. “The humans in the Realms will be weak, they're starved.”
“Not quite,” I said gently. “Their rations have been more than doubled in the last few weeks. They will have the energy to run at least.”
“But they can't outrun a horde of hungry vampires,” Montana breathed and a tear slid down her cheek. I wiped it away, wishing I could make this right. That I'd come to my senses quicker after the necklace had stopped working and ripped Valentina's withered heart out.
“I hope Valentina chokes on her next drink,” Callie breathed, her shoulders tense.
The cruel woman's voice dripped over us again. “Any vampire who rises against me will be executed. Their death will not be swift. Bow to my rule and you will all live in luxury. You will delight in the pleasure of the hunt and bathe in the glory of each drop of blood you take. The Counts and Countess will soon be brought to their deaths. And we will rise together in a new world as part of the Scarlet Empire!”
Applause rang out from her Biters off-screen and the broadcast ended. Chickoa switched the television off, turning to face us with a darkness in her eyes. “I want in. I'll come with you to help end this curse.”
I nodded. “Fine by me.”
Fabian remained unnaturally quiet and I was surprised he didn't object. He gazed at Chickoa with his brow furrowed and I could sense the weight of their past falling down on him.
“Everyone should get as much rest as possible,” Clarice said with a yawn as she headed out of the room toward the staircase.
“I need to talk to Magnar and Julius,” Callie said, following Clarice out of the room.
Montana leant against my shoulder with a sigh. “I hate her so much.”
I wrapped my arm around her back. “I know.” I placed a kiss to her forehead. “We'll bring her to her knees, don't you worry.”
“I need a drink.” Fabian rose to his feet, heading into the kitchen and Miles and Warren followed him.
I turned, peeking through the gap in the curtains behind the couch, finding night had fallen. I relaxed back into my seat with Montana, pulling her closer under my arm. I was more than happy to dwell in the company of her and my family for the rest of the evening.
The door to the farmhouse closed with a sharp snap and I looked up to see Callie crossing the grass to join us. My blood was still heated with the memory of her skin against mine and I couldn’t help but stare a little at this beautiful creature who had claimed me as her own.
Julius slammed into me as my attention wavered from our spar, his shoulder colliding with my ribs as he hurled me off of my feet and sent me crashing to the ground.
I tried to roll aside before he could maintain the upper hand but he landed on top of me, throwing a fist into my jaw and managing to pin my left arm beneath his knee.
I tried to buck him off of me but his hands wrapped around my throat and he smashed my head back down into the ground before tightening his grip to choke me.
“Yield, Brother,” he insisted with a triumphant grin.
I kicked my heels into the dirt and punched him with my free arm but he only grunted, absorbing the blows while keeping me pinned beneath him.
“Fine, I yield,” I hissed, barely able to get the words out beneath the pressure of his grip.
Julius released me at once, laughing in victory as he jumped to his feet and offered me his hand.
He hauled me upright and I found Callie smirking at my failure.
“I’ll never get over the satisfaction of watching you get beaten,” she teased.
“I was distracted,” I muttered, taking a step towards her with purpose.
“There are many distractions in battle,” Julius pointed out. “So I’ll have none of your excuses. Have you come to play with us, Callie?”
“Umm, no…” Callie’s eyes danced between me and my brother and she hesitated before going on.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I need to talk to you both about what I saw in Valentina’s dream.” She didn’t seem keen to continue and I drew closer to her, wondering what could be so bad that she was afraid to voice it. “It’s about what happened when she summoned Odin. I wanted to tell you in private, away from the others.”
“Is this about our mother?” Julius guessed, a frown deepening his brow.
“Yes,” Callie breathed. “When Valentina told your mother how she’d betrayed you and she knew that the prophecy foretelling your victory against the Belvederes could no longer come to pass, she called on Odin to help her protect you.”
“You already told me this,” Julius cut in. “You said she asked him to shield Magnar’s place of rest from Valentina so that she couldn’t find him when he woke. And that she got Odin to bind us into sleep for a thousand years instead of a hundred in the hopes that we would be able to claim victory now instead.”
Callie nodded but tears glimmered in her eyes as she looked between us.
“Odin would require a great sacrifice to interfere in the life of mortals like that,” I murmured, realising what detail she must have withheld.
“Valentina had your mother pinned down with her gifts,” Callie breathed. “She intended to kill her and use her blood to trick Erik into believing she had murdered the two of you in payment for her immortality. Your mother knew she was going to die but instead of fighting it, she demanded Odin’s protection for her sons. And she took her own blade to her throat in sacrifice.”
Silence reigned between us as the weight of that fact fell upon my brother and I. Julius shook his head as if he wanted to deny what she was saying but I could feel the truth of her words in my heart.
Our family was all our mother had ever cared about in this forsaken world. She had loved my father fiercely and his death had destroyed a major part of her soul. After his passing, she had lived and breathed
for the two of us.
Leaving her behind to rest in slumber had been as hard for me as driving that blade through my father’s heart.
I knew she would have had nothing left with us gone but she had been adamant that we do it. She craved vengeance for the death of my father above all else. When Valentina came to murder her, she had already sacrificed the last things she had to live for by laying us to rest. And it wasn’t at all hard to imagine her giving her own life to preserve ours.
“She loved you both so much,” Callie breathed.
“Before I slept, she begged me to take revenge for Father’s death,” Julius growled. “And yet now we find ourselves living amongst the very monsters who caused it.”
“No, Brother,” I said in refusal, the truth of my words as clear to me as the light of day. “Erik and his siblings were not behind our father’s fate. It’s the gods who owe us that debt.”
Julius’s eyes lit with fire as he moved to grab his sword from the grass where we’d left them while we sparred. He drew Menace from its sheath and held it before me, pointing out the glimmering rune which was newly emblazoned on the blade.
“Odin told us that these weapons can kill a god,” he snarled. “They were forged by the gods themselves and hold the power required to end the existence of a deity.”
I reached out and pressed my fingers against the rune. A deep power thrummed through my veins as it met with my skin and a new solution occurred to me.
“If it’s vengeance we seek then we know who owes us it,” I growled. “Idun and Andvari have toyed with our lives for far too long. I think it’s time we focused on our true enemies at last.”
I lay still in the soft bed with Callie in my arms as the rising sun claimed the sky outside. Her breaths came deeply and I trailed my fingers through her hair as she rested her head over my beating heart. I wondered if she was visiting anyone’s dreams. She seemed so peaceful that it was hard to imagine her consciousness could be fully engaged in someone else’s psyche but the gifts of her kind were subtle enough that it was entirely possible.
Her left hand rested on my stomach and I could just make out the silver cross on her palm which bound her to Fabian. I hadn’t exchanged any civil words with that particular Belvedere yet and I wasn’t entirely sure that I would. He hungered for this woman in my arms and I found it hard to think of anything else when I was presented with him.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 153
