by Ben Alderson
“My father leads an army by enforcing a mission to rid the world of evil, but he’s a hypocrite. By doing this, he kills innocents. I saw children in Hillcrest, and I know he’ll kill them too if he senses even the subtlest trace of magic in them.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Now is probably not the right time to tell him that the first chance I get, I will kill his father.
“He believes all supernaturals are evil, but…” Will shakes his head, his gaze pinned on the ground. “I’m not so sure anymore.”
“No one—not even supernaturals—is born evil. It’s the choices we make that determine our legacy. I’m sorry this is hard for you, and it’s an awful situation, but soon, there will come a time when you must choose your path. Will you follow in your father’s footsteps or will you carve your own destiny?”
Will is quiet for a long time as he considers my words, and I don’t rush him, for I’m in a similar situation. The moment I lost my parents, I derailed. I submitted to the darkest desires every vampire faces, and my indulgence cost many their lives. I’m not too stubborn to admit I’m mainly the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. If I lose even a single loved one to the hunters… I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t know what darkness I’ll inhabit in the name of vengeance, but I’m certain it will be rash and bloody and raw.
“How do we truly know if someone is evil?” he asks.
“By judging their actions, not by our assumptions,” I say confidently.
“That would mean waiting until it’s too late. Judging later means they’ve already committed an evil act.”
“It does,” I say, nodding. “But we haven’t the magic to foresee devastation before it occurs. I suppose we should be grateful for that. We don’t have to make assumptions here. We’ve seen this before, during the witch trials. On the basis of simply believing certain people were witches, the accused were forced to endure horrific tests. Those who weren’t immediately hung or burned at the stake were offered to prove their innocence. Stones were tied to their feet, and they were dropped into the deepest depths of the sea. If they freed themselves, they were witches and burned for their crimes. If they could not free themselves, they were human, but sadly, they drowned. Tell me, Will, who is the monster in these situations? Is it the men who tortured these people for being labeled as different? Or is it the women who died for fear-driven propaganda?”
“Can it really be that simple?” he asks.
“Sometimes, it can be. Thankfully, we’re in a time when it truly is that simple. Look around you. You’re surrounded by a pack of wolves. Two born-vampires are within an arm’s reach of your throat. A witch, who’s now run off to repay the promise he was forced to make in order to free me from your people’s grasp, has more power than you can imagine and he uses that magic to keep us safe. We’re not your enemy, Will.”
“These are the same creatures who killed dozens of humans during the full moon. Their leader, who watches us even now, threatened to kill me not that long ago. Your brother watches me with disdain, and I can see, if only you’d let him, he would gladly end my life. How can you say you’re not my enemy?” he counters.
I exhale slowly. “You’re right. The wolves made a regretful decision that led them too close to humans during their most savage of moments. The alpha should have known better. He should have kept them away, and those humans should be alive today. But it’s in their nature to be predators, and I can’t fault them for what they did. But I can praise them for the many other moons they succumbed to and did not kill, for that takes more strength than you could ever hope to experience.”
“You’re no different, I suppose,” he says, meeting my gaze. His eyes are tired, his skin ashen, and I wonder how long it’s been since he’s had a good meal and a good night’s rest.
“I’m not,” I say slowly. “I’ve allowed myself to become the very monster that your people hunt, but believe me when I say that Hillcrest is not full of beasts. We’re… gentle monsters.” I chuckle.
“Your treaty really works?” he asks.
I nod. “It does. Sometimes, mistakes are made, and there is a hefty cost. But everyone, even humans and hunters, make mistakes. It’s what we do afterwards that defines us.”
“My mother was killed in front of me by a vampire,” he whispers. He speaks so softly I wonder if he even spoke at all.
“I’m sorry, Will. Really, I am.”
“Do you ever wonder about the families of the people you’ve killed?” he asks.
I clench my jaw shut and close my eyes before speaking. I keep them closed as I answer his question. “They haunt me every day.”
He doesn’t respond right away. I feel him inch closer to me. His legs brush against mine before his hand is placed firmly on my back. He rubs away the pain that engulfs me as I relive every horrible kill. Finally, after the reel of faces has looped in my mind ten times over, I open my eyes, turn my head, and find him only a breath away.
“Your regret is what makes you worthy of saving,” he whispers.
His gaze lands on my lips, and I follow suit. His breath is hot on my skin, and I breathe each of his exhales. His musky scent smells like the earth and the sea. His hand at my back softens, and I lean into him. The world around us silences. No longer are we surrounded by wolves or my brother, who I’m sure is groaning miserably at the sight of his baby sister.
There is only Will and me and the moment our lips brush.
I close my eyes and open my mouth to him. He tastes like magic and honey. I reach around and tangle my fingers in the short, tight curls of his afro. I tug gently on the ends, urging him to deepen his kiss, to open his mouth further to me, and he obliges. The moment his tongue swipes mine, the silence of the world is broken by the loud bangs and screams that pierce such a beautifully perfect moment.
We pull away, breathless, and my senses slowly return.
Shouting.
Gunshots.
I blink, my vision blurry, as I turn away from Will.
Hunters.
I see them as they approach, weapons drawn, eyes on us. They’ve witnessed our intimate exchange, and I know there is no way this beautiful moment won’t end in bloodshed.
Chapter Eighteen
George
I make my way to the only place I’ve ever seen the supreme: the vampire club. I’m assuming she’s there, waiting for me.
Night blankets Hillcrest. It’s so dark even the gleaming stars seem to hide behind the night veil. Street lamps create orange pools across the cobbled side streets and a harsh wind rushes down the narrow lanes, kissing my neck and leaving my skin stinging. Perhaps I am underdressed for the fight I am walking into. But then again, the mixture of anger and sadness within me seems to warm my limbs and ready them for anything.
I really need a release of these retched emotions.
To battle the cold, I conjure fire to dance across my hands. The moment the orange and red tongues spring to life, I feel its comfort spread all across me.
Careful, you might be seen.
I snort. “I welcome anyone who wants to stop me, Abraxon. I am not scared.”
Up ahead, I see the club. From the outside, it looks unused and quiet. But as I step closer, the front door swings open to the familiar face of the supreme’s bodyguard. Stepping aside to let me enter, he doesn’t say anything to me. As a warning, I keep the flames dancing across my hands.
As the door clicks shut and the scrap of the lock is fixed into place, I look up and notice the many differences compared to the last time I visited. Bright and florescent, all the lights are on. There are no windows. The club is no more than an oversized prison room that doesn’t allow anyone to look in or out. The only window I remember is the one in the supreme’s office. Maybe that’s how she saw me coming just before sending her guard to let me in.
Countless vampires stand around, hardly a space between one another. Tables and chairs have been removed, allowing more room for the ungodly number of creatures to stand
around. And what makes it worse is every crimson eye is on me.
I see the trepidation, the distrust in many glares. I don’t blame them. I walked into their sanctuary with fire at my fingertips and a storm of emotions in my heart.
Abraxon laughs. Imagine how they would react if they knew about me.
“Master Alcott.” The supreme’s voice slices across the hushed whispers of the vampires. It sounds as if she comes from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. “How glad I am that you decided to join us.”
I will the wind to carry my voice higher and louder, “Tell me what I need to do so I can leave.”
The sea of bodies separates, allowing the supreme to stroll across the floor toward me.
Her hair, the shiny color of midnight, is up, revealing her delicate milky neck. Her dress-suit is replaced by a more casual pair of trousers, brown boots, and a hugging, long-sleeved black top.
“I would offer you a drink, but we have far too much to do.”
She extends a hand, nails painted deep ruby red, and waits for me to take it. I do, only letting go of the flames the moment before I touch her. It is impossible not to notice the flicker of panic that creases the side of her eyes. We shake hands.
“I trust that once I am done here, my debt is paid in full,” I say.
The supreme drops my hand and spins on her heel. “Why don’t we take this conversation into my office. I wouldn’t want anyone to listen in.”
I want to object and tell her that the vampires will hear whatever we say no matter where we go, but for some reason, Abraxon stunts my voice. All I am left to do is follow her through the club, down the path made by vampires and up the floating stairs to her office.
Looking over the rail at this height, I notice just how many vampires are in the club. I thought there was a lot when I was down there with them, but up here, I am surprised yet again.
“Save for a few, every vampire in Hillcrest stands below you,” the supreme says from her doorway before ushering me inside. “I was serious when I said I need your help to protect them.”
I follow her in. “I walked through town, and I didn’t see a single hunter. Forgive me, but the threat you say is coming seems to be nonexistent.”
“Oh, they will come,” another voice says from behind me.
I didn’t notice the third body in the room when I first entered the supreme’s office. I spin around as the speaker closes the door behind me. I recognize her instantly. Unlike the movies, it doesn’t take minutes of thinking to put her face to a place. I see her now as I had before, strapped to the chair in Mother’s basement. I remember her face at the door as I helped her escape, using the darkness to restrain Mother.
“Kim, meet Master Alcott… Again.”
Kim crosses her arms over her chest and leans on a leg. Her features are full of disdain for me. Having her so close to the supreme, I can see just how similar they both are. Same dark hair, sharp chins, and high cheek bones.
“You see, George, Kim has been missing for several days, and when she finally turned up at my club and revealed to me what happened, well, I must say I am extremely surprised. Care to tell me what transpired?”
I can’t take my eyes off her. “Kim, I am so sorry for what she did to you. You should never have been taken by her.”
Kim is silent. I plea with my eyes, but she refuses to speak.
“You freed her from your mother’s wrath,” the supreme says. “I’m interested as to why she took Kim in the first place.”
“I had no hand in that decision,” I say quickly.
“But you do have a hand in other vampires your family has taken. Isn’t that true?”
Her question stumps me. I choke on my reply.
She is baiting you.
“As I said, I had nothing to do with it or any others.”
The supreme leans against her desk, crossing her ankles. “And your magic, pray tell, what was the dark shadow you seemed to control during Kim’s escape? Dark magic? What Kim told me seems… strange.”
“It was alive,” Kim says. “I know that much.”
“I do not need to answer any of this. I am here to help protect the vampires, and that is it. My debt is paid.”
“Yes,” the supreme purrs. “Your debt is paid, but your mother’s is owed to me. Once you successfully keep my vampires alive, you will bring me to your mother. I shall make sure that a different debt is paid… in full.”
Dead. Dead. Dead. That single word vibrates around my skull, overwhelming me. How do I tell them Mother is dead without revealing everything else that has happened?
Savi. The dark coven. Abraxon. Me. I can’t offer the supreme that much leverage.
The supreme opens her mouth to say something else as I battle my inner thoughts, but she falters. Her head snaps around to her window.
“They have arrived,” she says.
I follow her gaze and take steps closer to the window. Finally, I share in what she sees. A horde of bodies walk through the street beyond the club. Vans follow, only stopping to release a dozen or so more hunters into the street.
At the head of the group all is a man. He drags a baseball bat along the ground. Even from this distance, I can see it is chipped and stained brown from old blood. His followers stay close to his back, each carrying weapons in their rugged, scarred hands.
“There are too many of them.” The supreme’s voice is thick with tension. “What are they doing?”
She points to a small group of hunters who run into a closed shop. After kicking down the door, they disappear inside for barely a moment before dragging out three others by the hair.
Witches, Abraxon says, confirming what I already thought.
“Looks like they have found their first prey,” the supreme says.
I can’t focus on her words, not when three of my own kind are thrown onto the ground before the horde who proceed to jab their gun muzzles into their huddled-up bodies. The young one screams, a blood curdling sound that ignites my blood.
My feet move for the door, but the supreme’s sharp voice stops me, “You are not leaving this place.”
“And you are going to stop me?” I say, eyes filled with burning annoyance.
In a blink, the supreme has moved with a speed unmatched by any other vampire I’ve seen. She blocks the door. “That is precisely what I am going to do.”
I sense the power building in my veins. One breath and I could move her out of my way, but I have enough sense to listen.
Another voice sounds out from the street beyond. We all rush back to the window to see what’s going on. Elder Jane stands at the other end of the street, facing off the horde alone. Nightly wind pulls at her gray hair, billowing her shawl around her strong frame. Black shadows smoke off her skin, teasing the surrounding night. She showcases her power to the many who stand before her.
That is not her power, George. Abraxon fills my eyes with her aura, allowing me to see more into the street beyond than I could before. All at once, I notice the true difference of Elder Jane. Something I could not see before.
Her skin literally melts off in waves of black smoke. It’s as if she has stepped clean out of a raging fire. Even her eyes are full of dark light.
“What is happening to her?” I ask Abraxon.
“To whom?” the supreme interjects, one brow raised above her ruby eyes.
I snap my mouth closed, unable to find a response to her. Had I really spoken aloud rather than sharing it silently with my demon?
Careful, George.
“I need to help her,” I say.
“No.”
“But—”
“Master Alcott, the elder of your kind is strong enough to fend for herself. Or she’s simply stupid enough to put herself in the direct path of the hunters. She should be with her own kind, protecting them as I am with mine.”
I want to scream my frustration.
Both the leader of the hunters and Elder Jane are shouting at one another from a distance, but I can
not hear from inside. From the shiver of Kim’s ears, I am sure the vampires are having no issues hearing their argument.
Out the corner of my eye, I see another huddle of hunters move for the club. It is followed by shouts from downstairs. Harsh hands push at my back.
“Go!” the supreme screams, eyes wide. “Protect them.”
It’s time to meet them.
“If harm befalls any of my kind, I will hold you accountable,” the supreme threatens.
I turn at the top of the stairs, flanked by the two bodyguards, as the supreme and Kim remain behind in the office. The door is slammed shut, leaving me to the watching eyes of the many vampires below.
“You ready?” I ask Abraxon aloud, shivering as his cold reach wraps around me.
Instead of replying, the sudden explosion of energy lights me up from the inside, and the darkness of the club shivers.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I say.
The doors to the club bang three times before flying off the hinges. hunters run in, stake like daggers and guns held high. The vampires hiss in a large chorus, bending on knees to prepare for battle. And I, with a power that is fresh and strong, throw myself over the banister of the stairs and call upon the wind to keep me afloat as I rain shards of dark shadow down on the attackers.
Chapter Nineteen
Savi
Werewolves transition all around me, their skin tearing to allow for the plush fur coat that’s always hidden beneath. Mothers carrying infants run toward the safety of the woods. Will screams for his comrades to cease fire, but they ignore his order.
Chad’s no longer sitting behind us, silently eavesdropping during our intimate moment. Now, his hand is wrapped tightly around my arm, and he shouts for me to run. I could. In the blink of an eye, Chad and I could disappear, but that would mean leaving the wolves to fight our battle. Somehow, the hunters have tracked us here, and I know they won’t leave until they’ve captured me. I suspect Will is going to be labeled a traitor after what they saw. Why else would the hunters stare at him with such disdain?
