by M. K. ROZE
Everything started to spin. I fell into his arms and cried. “I can’t believe that this is all in my hands. I’m scared, Mihnea. I don’t want to die.”
He kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry, love. Indeed I am. I wish I could have stopped this from happening many moons ago.”
“I know. I know you did.” I grabbed his face and started to kiss him then stopped. “If I turn, will I remember what Malign did?”
“No, he compelled your soul to think that it was one of your people who created Latore.”
“This is crazy. There must be another way. I have to remember what that bastard did.”
Mihnea cupped my face. “Viata, I believe when you become a goddess, you will find a way to remember.”
“Will I be stronger than Malign?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. If I decide to become one of you, I will remember somehow and kill him.”
Mihnea smiled.
The wind started to pick up.
Mihnea stood me up and pushed me behind him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“They’re here.”
“Who?” I replied, looking everywhere.
Mihnea kicked sand over the copper shield, looked up into the dark sky and pointed. “Them.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
IMMORTAL DEATH
My muscles locked into place as I watched Latore and Savina, with three other males fly over us.
Mihnea wrapped his wings around me and let out a loud roar, showing his glistening fangs.
I looked away because I didn’t like to see him like that.
When they flew down onto the beach, their wings were all black, except for Latore’s.
“Why are his wings red?” I kept my eyes on Latore’s every move. He was flawless, but when he looked at me, his beauty changed into pure evil.
“As I said earlier, he’s the first vampire.”
I had never seen the other three figures before. “Are they vampires too?” I whispered.
“Yes, and I’m afraid I’m outnumbered, for Latore is much stronger than I. This would be a great time to make up your mind.”
“If I said yes, wouldn’t that take some time?”
“Usually it would, but being that you were immortal at one time, you would turn immediately.”
I shook my head. “No way, I need more time. Where are Sorin and Dragos?”
Mihnea turned to me. “They will be here momentarily.”
“How do you know they’re coming?”
“Telepathy, love.” He picked me up. “I’m sorry to have to do this.”
My eyes widened. “Do what?”
“Hold your breath,” he said, and then tossed me at least fifty feet out into the water.
I plunged into the ocean, swam to the surface, gasped for air and wiped the water out of my eyes. “Mihnea!”
Seconds later, clawed feet latched on to my arms and lifted me. I looked up and saw that it was Sorin. Off to my side were Dragos and three others I didn’t know, one female and two males.
“You will be fine,” Sorin said. He flew me to the beach, released me from his talons, and flew back up to fight one of Latore’s men.
“Mihnea!” I screamed, but he wasn’t anywhere.
Out of nowhere, a beautiful young woman with red hair and blue eyes was in front of me. “Stay here,” she said and ran as fast as lightning, kicking the sand up behind her and slammed her body into Savina, making her spin into the air.
Savina landed on the ground. “Is that the best you have?”
The unknown woman’s eyes turned red. She flew at Savina and smashed her so hard that she disappeared into the sand.
A growl came from the woods.
I looked up and Moarte, the leopard was high up in a tree. He leaped from it with Mihnea following behind him.
“No way.” I stumbled backward.
Mihnea walked over to me with Moarte on his side.
“Your friends with the leopard?”
“Yes.”
Moarte came up to me and rubbed against my arm.
I ran my fingers down his back as he walked past me. “Did you carry me back to the Inn when I passed out?”
Moarte nodded.
I stepped back and looked at Mihnea. “He can understand me too?”
“Yes, he’s not your normal leopard.”
“I can see that. Why did you leave me here?”
“I had to hide the Sicuro.”
“What? You had it the entire time?”
Mihnea nodded.
Sorin flew down and stood next to Mihnea, followed by Dragos on Sorin’s side.
“Son,” Sorin said, “I’m much more powerful. Take Viata and go.”
“No, Father, I must end them all.”
I turned to Mihnea. “Why is your father stronger?”
“Because he has killed more people than me.” He looked at Sorin. “Isn’t that right, Father?”
Sorin gave a half smile and nodded once, almost like he was proud.
Dragos looked away.
Savina, Latore, and the others flew down, standing ten feet in front of us. The unknown males were in their twenties. They were all medium built and over six feet tall. One of them was African American with gorgeous blue eyes, and the other two had short brown hair with a smug look.
Latore faced Mihnea in a standoff. “You know we will win, so just give me the Sicuro and Divinity now.”
“What is a Sicuro? And why do you keep calling me Divinity?”
I couldn’t let them know I knew the truth.
Latore looked at Mihnea. “I see you didn’t tell your precious lover who she once was.”
“Mihnea, what is he talking about?” I asked.
Mihnea turned to me. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re much weaker than I expected. Now give me what I ask for,” Latore demanded.
Mihnea stepped forward. “I will do no such thing.”
Latore snarled, showing his fangs. “Mihnea, don’t be absurd. The moment you turn her, she will remember and kill us all.”
“Remember what?” I shouted.
Mihnea looked at me and turned back to Latore. “I don’t care. You won’t touch her.”
Latore hissed again. “Oh, I will. And this time I will make sure that her soul won’t escape.”
Moarte’s eyes turned red as he walked closer to Latore, growling.
“Control your smelly mutt,” Savina demanded as she backed up.
Mihnea’s veins bulged from his neck, and his eyes turned red as fire, then something flew over us.
I looked up, and the young woman with two men flew down and stood behind us.
Curious, I glanced over my shoulder at their black wings and large talons.
They all smiled at me.
I gulped and turned back around, grabbing Mihnea’s hand. “I’m scared,” I said, in a whisper.
Mihnea squeezed my hand, keeping his eyes on Latore. “Don’t fear them. They’re here to protect you.”
Latore chuckled. “Mihnea, you didn’t tell your sweet Divinity that her children, Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario are here, fighting for her?”
“Liar!” I let go of Mihnea’s hand and looked back at them. They didn’t look anything like Mihnea or me.
One of the young men stepped forward and hissed.
“Caius, not yet,” Sorin said as he held him back from charging Latore.
“You’re much too weak,” Latore said, looking at Caius.
“Be silent, or I’ll tear out your tongue,” Mihnea bellowed.
Latore’s jaw clenched. “You can try, but not until I rip off your children’s heads and feed them to Divinity.”
I went to charge Latore, but Mihnea grabbed my hand and yanked me back. “Shut up, or I will turn and end you,” I shouted.
Latore stepped closer. “I see you still have the same evil from centuries ago.” He smirked. “I like it. As for becoming immortal again, you won’t dare.”
�
��What do you mean again?” I asked.
“I’m done playing games,” Mihnea shouted. He let go of my hand and charged Latore.
Moarte jumped over Savina’s head and went to help Mihnea.
Savina and the others flew at us.
I dropped to the ground, shielding my head, and watched as they all fought, flinging each other into the air. When they ripped off each other’s flesh, I looked away.
“Mihnea!” I yelled, pointing at the sun.
Two males from Savina’s side looked toward the sun and flew off.
“Kill them,” Dragos hollered.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario flew after them.
Latore grabbed Mihnea and slammed him into the sand.
Moarte attacked Latore, biting him, freeing Mihnea.
“Stop, please stop!” I shouted.
Savina and the unknown male were in midair fighting Dragos and Sorin.
Latore got out of Mihnea’s grip and flew at me, almost grabbing me with his clawed feet.
Sorin came out of nowhere and charged Latore, slamming him into the ground.
When I took off running, something locked its clawed feet around my arms and took me out over the ocean. I looked up, and it was Sorin. “Drop me, drop me now, and go help Mihnea, please.”
“I’m sorry, but I must protect you. I’m afraid he’s on his own.”
“He’s your son.” I kicked, trying to break from his grip, but he held me tightly.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario came back with the men’s heads and tossed them at Savina.
“No!” Savina shouted and charged Ruxandra.
“What have you done?” Latore thundered, and flew at Mihnea, slamming him into the ground.
Moarte charged Latore, clawing at his face.
Latore’s fangs ripped through his gums, and he bit a chunk out of Moarte’s thigh.
“Moarte, go!” Mihnea ordered.
Moarte got up and ran into the woods, limping.
Caius and Dario grabbed Savina, but she was much too strong and got away.
“Father,” Ruxandra yelled, “what do you want us to do?”
“Take your brothers and go,” Mihnea shouted. “I will protect Viata.” Mihnea looked at me with agony in his eyes.
I looked away because I couldn’t believe that I had kids who were vampires.
Latore had Mihnea by the neck. “Stay here and watch me tear off your father’s head.”
Mihnea’s eyes turned black, and he flipped around, biting Latore’s neck.
“No, I won’t leave you,” Ruxandra cried.
“Go, Ruxandra! Go now!” Mihnea ordered as he held Latore.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario started to fly away, but Savina and the other male flew at them, fighting them.
Mihnea let go of Latore, flew up and grabbed Savina and the other male, releasing them.
“Go, go now!” Mihnea commanded.
Savina and the other male fought out of Mihnea’s grip.
Dragos flew up, grabbed them, and flew them straight into the ocean.
Tears filled my eyes because I couldn’t do anything but watch our children fly away, looking back at us.
Flashes of lightning lit the atmosphere, followed by booming thunder. The moon turned red, and a loud rumble shook the sky, creating large waves that submerged my body briefly.
Sorin flew up higher, lifting me above the water.
I coughed up the salty sea, wiped the water from my eyes, and looked over at Mihnea, who was now in Latore’s grip.
“Let him go, and I will give myself to you.”
“No! Viata. Don’t you dare,” Mihnea shouted.
Latore kicked Mihnea, flipping him around like he was in a tornado.
My eyes narrowed on Mihnea as he was falling out of the sky. “Help him,” I pleaded.
I searched for Dragos to help, but he had the unknown males head and threw it into the water.
Savina snarled and charged Dragos.
I looked back at Mihnea lying on the beach convulsing. “Let me go! Please, I need to help him.”
“I can’t, I’m sorry,” Sorin said.
Latore landed on the ground, walked over to Mihnea, and kicked him with so much force that his limp body flew into the water.
“Mihnea!” My voice cracked as he lay floating face down with waves tossing him around. I looked up at Sorin. “Please let me go to him. He’s hurt.”
Sorin let out a gut-wrenching roar, then looked down at me, breathing heavily. His glossy red eyes faded to black. “He fought for you,” he said, as he held back his tears. “I’m sorry, Viata.”
“But, but, he’s not dead.”
“It looks as though he is.”
“No,” I cried out. “No, he can’t be.”
At that moment, I felt as though someone sucked the life right out of me.
Latore glided across the water, grabbed Mihnea by the hair, and spit in his lifeless face.
“What a shame. Now you can’t watch me as I rip your lover’s neck apart like I did Kaylee and her sweet aunt.” Latore looked at me. “Remember that wonderful day, Viata?” He turned and slammed Mihnea’s head into the water.
I could feel my face burn. “I’m going to kill you,” I bellowed then looked up at Sorin. “Turn me, turn me now,” I demanded.
Latore chuckled. “It’s a little too late for that now. Only Mihnea was able to turn you.”
I looked up at Sorin again. “Is this true?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
Dragos flew to the side of Sorin. “We must go. The sun is about to rise.”
“I won’t leave my son here with these filthy bloodsuckers,” Sorin said, staring at Latore. “Take Viata somewhere safe. I will retrieve the Sicuro and kill them all.”
“But son, you will die.”
“I don’t care. Now take her.”
“No, I’m staying here,” I shouted.
“You must go,” Sorin said as he handed me over to Dragos.
As Dragos reached out to grab me, I pushed his hands away and dropped into the frigid water. When I reached the surface, I found Savina hovering over me, with Latore fighting Dragos and Sorin above her.
“Are you ready to die now?” Savina said and blew the Mânca dust in my face.
I inhaled it and choked on it.
Savina grabbed me by one arm, flew me over to the beach, and let go.
I landed on my side, screaming in pain. I looked up and saw that Latore, Sorin, and Dragos were clawing and biting each other.
Savina slammed her foot on my face, holding me down. “Latore!” she called out.
Latore flew down, landing in front of me. “You should have turned while you had the chance.”
“Screw you!”
His face turned ashen, and he kicked me in the gut.
I puked from the blow and screamed out in agony, curling into a ball.
Dragos and Sorin came charging at them.
As they fought above my head, I rolled like a tire through the sand, getting out of their way. When they flew away from me, I jumped to my feet and staggered over to the water.
Fighting the waves and now waist deep, Mihnea was still face down. I turned him over. “No!”
When he didn’t respond, I placed my forehead against his. “Remember who you once were,” I repeated until I believed it. “Mihnea, I grant you more power. Now get up!”
A sudden bolt of electricity rushed through my head and went into Mihnea’s. Seconds later, he began to convulse and gasped a long breath. His eyes shot open, and a yellow beam of light came from them, shooting straight up into the sky.
I turned away until the brightness was gone.
“That’s impossible,” Latore shouted.
The wind picked up, and lightning lit up the atmosphere, followed by a loud growl. I looked up and thick black clouds formed into a man, who looked like a demon from hell. His eyes were bright red, and his face was gray with charred skin that looked like stone. He narrowed his eyes on me then v
anished.
“Mihnea! Mihnea!” I kissed him all over his face and stopped abruptly. “Who was that?”
He stood up and cracked his neck. “That, love, was your uncle Malign.”
“How did you do that with your eyes?”
“You gave me more power.”
I shook my head. “What? No way. How?”
“As I said before, you’re a lot stronger than you think. I don’t know how, but you still have powers from when you were a goddess. This must be the reason you become so powerful when you ingest the Mânca.”
I shook my head in denial. “It was Malign who gave you those powers, not me.”
“Viata, I felt your energy. I know you felt it too.”
“Then why did Malign show up?”
“He knows he messed up.”
“Oh, my God. Can Latore and the others hear what we’re talking about?”
“Yes, but I don’t care anymore. Do you?”
I shook my head.
“Son,” Sorin shouted.
Mihnea turned to Latore standing on the beach, holding Sorin by his neck. “Latore, you’re mine,” he bellowed and charged through the water like a bull.
His wings ripped through his back, and he shot up into the air grabbing Latore by his head, freeing Sorin.
“You’re much stronger now,” Latore said, and chuckled as Mihnea locked his arms around his neck.
Savina hissed and flew toward Mihnea at high speed, but Dragos and Sorin grabbed her, holding her in place.
Mihnea’s laser-yellow eyes focused on Savina and burned her face.
Dragos and Sorin turned away as they held her.
Savina screamed, broke from their grip and flew up higher, holding her face as her skin melted away.
Dragos and Sorin came to my side.
“Stop!” Latore shouted.
Mihnea turned Latore around, facing him and snarled. “I will not stop until you’re all destroyed.” Mihnea bared his teeth and bit off a chunk of Latore’s neck.
Latore grabbed Mihnea’s throat. “Divinity has been kind to you, but you’re still weaker than I.” He flew at Mihnea, driving them both straight into the ground, vanishing. Seconds later, they shot back up like a volcano and landed in front of each other.
“You want more?” Mihnea bellowed, and flew at Latore, flying him backward, burning his face with his eyes.
