“What’s going on? Make a decision about what?” Rikkon asks.
I turn my attention to the front of the van. I don’t want anyone else to know about my Nightingale blood, not even Cheryl and most definitely not Vaughn. It could be dangerous for them to know.
Aurora follows my line of vision, and perhaps guessing my thoughts, she raises her hand and recites a spell in a foreign language. A ball of energy whooshes from her palm, creating a glowing wall between us and the front that vanishes after a second.
“You can speak freely now. They won’t hear a word.”
“Cool trick,” Rikkon says. “But what’s up with all the secrecy?”
“I know about our heritage,” I say, getting straight to the point.
Rikkon’s eyebrows furrow, matching the confused glint in his eyes. “What’s to know?”
“Cut the crap, Rik. We’re descendants from the Nightingales, and you used a spell to make me forget. Just confess it already.”
He opens and shuts his mouth like a fish out of water. Then, he says, “Who in the world are the Nightingales? Vivi, you’re not making any sense.”
“Oh crap,” Aurora says.
“What?”
“Remember the photo you showed me? Rikkon was also wearing the same bracelet with the enchanted charms. I don’t think he knows anything.”
I wriggle my fingers together, feeling stupid for not coming to that conclusion. “Isn’t there a spell that can bring our memories back?”
“Maybe. But I have to ask—”
The van stops suddenly, sending us forward hard. I hit my head against the panel behind Cheryl’s seat.
“What the hell!” Aurora leans forward, sticking her head between Vaughn and Cheryl. The magical barrier glows, and then it dissolves with a ripple. “Why did we stop?”
“Uh, do you see that?” Vaughn replies.
I have to push Aurora to the side a little to peer out of the car since the back of the van doesn’t have windows. A massive wall of gray fog is blocking the road. “Shit, where did that come from?”
“Out of nowhere. It’s not even that cold today. Is that fog normal?”
A dark shape emerges from the fog. I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman, for the stranger is wearing a dark, hooded robe, which is keeping their features concealed.
“Who is that?” I ask.
“Shit! A mercenary mage,” Aurora replies. “Vaughn, get us out of here now!”
Vaughn puts the car in reverse, but when he presses the gas pedal, the van won’t move. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
“It sounds like the wheels are spinning over mud,” Rikkon pipes up.
“There was no mud before,” Cheryl replies.
The mage disappears, but the fog continues to creep forward. It’s almost upon us. It will swallow the van in the next minute.
“Everyone, out of the car!” Aurora jumps to the side to open the sliding door. But when she does, gray mist enters the vehicle, drifting in too fast.
My head becomes fuzzy, and my body seems to be moving at a sluggish pace.
“What’s happening?” I ask, seeing double of everything.
“Magical fog.” Aurora coughs. “Trap.” She collapses out of view.
The fog has taken over the inside of the van completely.
“Rikkon!”
“I’m here.” He hugs me. “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to—”
His hold slackens, and then he’s leaning against me, dead weight. I fight the effects of the fog for as long as I can, but my eyelids are too heavy. I close my eyes, and then nothing.
38
Vivienne
I feel like I’m swimming in a void when rough shaking wakes me up.
“Vivienne, get up!” someone urges me.
Blinking, I try to get rid of the fogginess in my sight. It’s hard to see in the dimness. Finally, Aurora’s frantic face sharpens in front of me.
I sit up, rubbing my eyes. “What happened?”
“We were drugged.”
Next to me, Rikkon groans and then sits up. “Why is it so dark?”
“Because it’s nightfall already.” Aurora begins to take items out of her bag, fighting through the trembling of her hands.
Cheryl turns on her seat to glance at us. “How is everyone?”
“Groggy but okay,” I say.
“Vaughn, get the engine running. We need to go back to Bloodstone at once,” Aurora commands.
“Why? Let’s just go home,” Rikkon argues.
There’s a distinct clicking noise when Vaughn turns the key, but the van won’t start.
“Shit!” he curses. “I think the battery is kaput.”
Oh, man, this is bad.
“Can’t we call someone?” I pull my phone out but feel an invisible punch to my chest when a black screen greets me. I press the On button, getting nothing. “My phone is dead.”
“Mine too,” Cheryl says.
“And mine,” Vaughn adds.
“Okay, guys, it’s clear we’re not getting any help. Let’s think fast,” Aurora pipes up.
“Why would anyone want to strand us here?” Rikkon asks.
I grab his hand in mine, squeezing it tight. “I’ve made some powerful enemies, Rik. Nasty Bluebloods, and they’re coming for me.”
His eyes widen, but then he surprises me when he turns to Aurora. “Do you have any weapons in your purse that I can borrow?”
She hands him a small dagger. “Here. Do you know how to use this?”
“Stick them with the pointy end?” He smirks.
“Shh!” Cheryl commands. “Something is coming.”
Aurora and I trade a glance.
My chest constricts. “Jacques?”
“Or Boone. Either one, we’re in a bad spot,” she replies. “I don’t have another blade for you, but here, take this.” She gives me a glass vial. “It’s vampire’s bane. If a bloodsucker gets close enough to you, shove it down their throat.”
I take her offering, trying to ignore how my stomach is spiraling out of control or how my throat muscles are getting tighter and tighter. I feel the familiar cloak of panic drape over my shoulders, attempting to bury me under its weight. But allowing the emotion to overwhelm me can be deadly tonight.
“I count at least five vampires approaching, but some might be staying out of my reach,” Cheryl says, and then she adds, “We’re not far from Bloodstone. Aurora and I can hold them off while Vivi, Vaughn, and Rikkon make a break for the institute.”
“I’m not going to run away,” Rikkon protests. “I can help you hold them off while Vivi and Vaughn escape.”
Cheryl arches her eyebrows. “I think—”
“No!” I cut her off. “Rikkon has to come with me.”
I lock gazes with Aurora, hoping she understands my decision. If my blood has power that vampires can use for nefarious reasons, so does my brother’s.
“I agree with Vivi. You need to stay with your sister and protect her,” she tells Rikkon.
“Okay. Better if I don’t have to babysit anyone,” Cheryl adds. “You need to go now before they surround us. Ready?”
Aurora turns to me. “You can do this. Run as fast as you can and don’t look back.”
My eyes burn, but I refuse to cry. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. I’m a witch, remember? I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Thanks for worrying about me too,” Cheryl complains.
“Shut up. I am worried.”
“Fuck! I have visual. Go! Go!” She gets out of the car, and a second later, I hear a distinct wolf snarl.
The side door is already open, so Rikkon and I jump out and meet Vaughn at the back of the car. I make the mistake of looking toward the forest, and when I see the red glow of a few vampires’ eyes, my muscles freeze.
“Come on!” Rikkon grabs my hand and pulls me in the opposite direction.
We run as fast as we can, but we’re still close enough to hear when the fight commences.
My friends are risking their lives to give us a chance to escape, and I feel unworthy of their sacrifice. I should have given myself up and saved them instead. What kind of selfish person am I?
“We need to stay on the main road,” Rikkon warns Vaughn.
Chill licks the back of my neck. We’re being pursued. Does that mean my friends are gone? Tears are turning my vision blurry, and a sob gets lodged in my throat. The sudden glare of headlights illuminates the road. The car is coming around the curve too fast.
“Vaughn! Watch out.”
Tires screech, and the sound of burned rubber fills my nose. Then comes the impact, and Vaughn flies to the side.
“Fuck!” Rikkon screams.
The driver gets out of the car. “I didn’t see him. He came out of nowhere.”
We ignore him, going straight to check on Vaughn. He’s trying to get up, but there’s a big gash on his thigh now.
“Come on. We have to go,” Rikkon urges.
“He needs medical attention,” the man says. “I’m not going to jail—”
A yell. Then the gurgling sound of someone drowning in their own blood.
A vampire took the stranger down, ripping his throat open. Another one is coming from the right. The white-blond hair, the fiery red in his demented eyes. Boone. A cold numbness rushes over my body. That’s it. He’s going to kill me.
Rikkon jumps in front of me, pushing me back. “Go, Vivi. Go!”
Vaughn is hopping on one foot; he can’t run anymore. “Get help,” he says.
Blindly, I whirl around and enter the forest hugging the road. It’s the shortest way to the institute, but I have zero hope that I can make it there before Boone catches up with me. My only chance is to make it to the mausoleum’s entrance and pray the vampire zombie ghost is willing to help again.
My pulse is drumming away in my ears, muffling all other sounds. But I know I’m being hunted by Boone, and he’s getting close. I uncap the vial in my hand, turning just in time as he leaps on me with his mouth wide open and fangs ready to tear me to pieces.
Lucca
I head back to Bloodstone as soon as the sun sets, and it’s no surprise that I don’t go to my apartment. Instead, I veer straight to Vivienne’s because spending a day away from her was harder than I’d thought it would be. Not because of the hunger. I miss having her in my arms, the smell of her hair, the curve of her body pressed against mine.
In my long, immortal life, I’ve met countless females—humans and vampires alike—fucked plenty of them, but none ever stirred in me the passion, the desire to spend the rest of my life by their side. It’s the cruelest joke that I’d fall in love with a Nightingale descendant, the woman I’m cursed to kill.
It’s early in the evening, but I find the apartment empty. I know Manu, Ronan, and Saxon spent the day in our mansion when they realized I went to see my uncle. None of them wanted to be near me during my long-overdue confrontation. But Vivienne should be here.
On a hunch, I look for my necklace in her room. It’s nowhere to be found, and her phone is also missing. Son of a bitch. She must have gone to Ember Emporium during the day. If she finally got her brother back, there’s no reason for her to come back here. Even with the threat of Boone and Jacques going after her, she’d be smart to leave Salem and never return.
That would be the best outcome, and I should be happy that she’s gone. But my chest feels hollow, almost as if she took my heart with her. Dejected, I sit on her bed and pull her pillow to my face, taking a deep whiff of her scent that’s still fresh on the fabric. I never want to forget how she smells.
My phone rings. I glance at the screen, and when I see Manu’s name pop up, I ignore it. They’ll be here soon enough, grilling me. A second later, the ringtone resumes. I’m tempted to simply turn it off when I see it’s coming from an unfamiliar number. What if it’s Vivienne calling me?
“Lucca speaking.”
“Good evening, sir. Sorry to bother you. We caught a female trying to sneak in, and she claims she’s your friend.”
I stand, immediately on edge. “Who is it?”
“Cheryl Eriksson.”
Fear twists my stomach into impossible knots. She’d never come here without a solid reason.
“I know her. You can let her in.”
There’s a pause, and then the security guard replies, “She’s frantic, sir. I think she’s been attacked, and she’s not making any—hey!”
There’s a scuffle in the background, and then Cheryl’s voice pours through the phone. “Lucca, Vivi is in trouble.”
The heart I thought was missing from my chest strikes hard against my rib cage. I’m on overdrive, flying out of the apartment while keeping the phone glued to my ear.
“We were ambushed by Boone and his minions,” she continues. “I’m not sure if Vivi made it to somewhere safe or not. Aurora held the line while I came here for help.”
I end the call when I reach the front of the gates. Cheryl’s clothes are in tatters, and she has multiple scratches and bite marks on her body. She’s been through hell, but I don’t hesitate to grab her by the shoulders and shake her roughly.
“Where is she?”
“We were on Arlington Road, just before Widow’s Peak Bend. Vivi, her brother, and Vaughn were supposed to come here.”
And they never made it.
Vivienne
I shove the vampire’s bane vial down Boone’s mouth, cutting my hand on his sharp teeth. We fall together with him pinning me down, but he’s now choking on the poison. Propelled by adrenaline, I roll him off me, but I’m shaking so terribly that getting back on my feet fast enough seems impossible. On my hands and knees, I crawl until I find a tree to use as leverage. Boone is writhing on the ground, and when he rolls on his side, I see the hilt of a sword sticking out from the harness. I consider stealing that weapon for a hot second, but in the end, getting as far away as I can from Boone wins.
I run and don’t look back. I break through the canopy of trees into the clearing of the old cemetery. The mausoleum is nothing but a dark shape in the gloom. Do I dare take the tunnel through the catacombs again? Without Boone on my heels, that doesn’t seem like the best choice. That ghost has nothing but bad intentions for me.
From the frying pan into the fire. Fuck!
A twig snaps nearby. My heart shoots upward, slamming at the base of my throat. I whirl around, trembling so terribly that I might be having a seizure. When a dark shape emerges from a cluster of trees with eyes glowing red, my legs threaten to give out from beneath me. The vampire’s bane is gone. I have no blade, nothing to use as a weapon.
The shape turns into a blur, and then I’m being crushed against a familiar chest—Lucca’s.
“You’re okay; you’re okay,” he mumbles against the top of my head.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
He eases back, looking into my eyes. “I’d move mountains, shake the very fabric of the universe to get to you.”
I lift my hand to touch his face, but I’ve forgotten the cut. Lucca’s nostrils flare, and his body goes rigid in an instant.
Oh no. The curse. The bloodlust.
I’m still stuck on that realization when Lucca sends me flying backward and turns to meet Boone, who came out of nowhere.
There’s a grunt of pain, and Lucca is bending over.
Then, Boone leans in to whisper in his ear, “I still have the vampire’s bane–forged sword, bitch.”
“No!” The scream comes from the pit of my stomach.
Boone pulls his weapon-yielding arm back, revealing the blade covered in blood. Lucca falls to his knees with his head hanging low while Boone grabs the sword with both hands and lifts it over his head, ready to deliver the final blow.
I’m too far, and I’ll never reach Boone in time before he strikes. He glances in my direction with a cruel smile slashed across his face.
“Don’t you dare look away. I want you to see when I remove your boyfriend’s head. Then, I’ll take
my time breaking every single bone in your body.”
With a cry, Lucca leaps from the ground. He punches Boone’s chest, but instead of striking the vampire down, he keeps him trapped with one hand while he reaches over and takes the sword away. Boone is not moving, and I don’t understand why until Lucca pulls his arm back and Boone falls to the ground. Something dark and oily is in Lucca’s hand now—Boone’s heart.
I don’t have time to rejoice in the asshole’s defeat. Lucca collapses in the next second, letting the bloody heart roll off his hand.
“Lucca!” I run to him on shaky legs, almost throwing myself at him when I’m near.
Even through the blurriness of my vision, I can see that Lucca’s life force is waning. His eyes are open, back to brown and glazed.
I pull him into my lap, clutching his shoulders. “Lucca, please don’t leave me.”
He looks at me and tries to reach my face, but he can only raise his arm halfway before it drops again. “I don’t want to leave you, darling. But if someone has to die tonight, it has to be me.”
“No! You can’t die. I won’t let you.”
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you, Vivi. I love you. More than you will ever know.”
His eyelids begin to close. His body is shutting down, going into hibernation, which means I will never see him again.
The curse. I have to break it.
I rub my bleeding hand over his lips, hoping to ignite the bloodlust again. Lucca’s eyes fly open, glowing red now. He grabs my wrist in a tight hold and bites. I don’t cry out even though it hurts. If there’s a chance that my blood can save him, I will give him everything. He takes one hard pull before he pushes me back, pinning me down to the ground. His fangs are now on my neck. There’s no soft kiss, no caress. He pierces my skin with a savage strength, and then he drinks until my world dims into darkness.
39
Vivienne
I was told not to get near the battlefield, that I shouldn’t assist in a war that had been fought for many generations. But I’m the heir to the House of Gael, and it’s my duty to help the Bluebloods who sacrificed their lives to save ours. I have my mother’s powers running through my veins, ready to be unleashed.
Dark Prince: A Vampire Paranormal Romance (Blueblood Vampires Book 1) Page 21
