Pain ripped through my chest, throwing me from the Master’s hollow aura. As I blinked, the whiteness faded from my vision, the streamer-filled ceiling came into view. I lay flat on my back, my own dagger embedded in my chest. A thick trail of silver bled from the wound. Ebonine lay next to me, contorted, gasping.
Somehow she’d managed to grab my own dagger and use it against me. The metal burned inside my flesh. I clenched my teeth, trying to block the pain from my mind.
I’d come this far. It was time to finish this. Get up! I told myself.
There was a throaty click behind me. I scanned the room and took in three Skadhavar.
I didn’t have much time. Soon they would jump into the fray to defend their Master. I clenched my teeth and took hold of the dagger buried deep in my chest. I let out a cry of pain as the blade grazed against bone.
A low chuckle beside me. “Oh, Re’em! So close. If only I’d gone for the other side. I’d have had your heart out in minutes. Quite the delicacy.” She sat up slowly, like a crumpled crow.
I got to my feet, the dagger still in my chest, my hand clutching the blood-soaked handle.
“But I see this worked out even better!” She smirked. “Look, your silver’s just waiting for me to drink it.”
Pain throbbed in my chest, down my arm. I couldn’t fight her like this. I needed to get the dagger out of my chest. We were eye to eye. Less than five feet from each other. Both waiting to see who would move first.
A twitch flickered across her face. She lunged at me. I brought an arm up, deflecting her blow. Her sticky flesh made contact with mine, her fingers wrapping around my arm.
I let out a scream as I tore the dagger from my chest with a sticky pop. A spray of silver filled the air, splattering her face. I thrust the dagger toward her. She caught my wrist. Silver dripped from the blade, down my arm, trickling across her fingers.
Her eyes grew wide and she licked her lips. Her aura surged with bloodlust.
For merely a moment, her strength faltered. But a moment was all I needed. As her arm gave way, I steered the dagger toward her chest, aiming at her heart. There was a juicy thud as it met tension. Her eyes bulged—in shock or pain, I couldn’t say.
The room filled with screams. Mine. Hers. Theirs. The Skadhavar roared and screeched.
A keening sound erupted through the room, high pitched and deafening. The veil around me rippled and bucked wildly as the Master fell backward, my blade still embedded in her heart. She began to grow smaller, thinner, deflating in front of my eyes. Her wet sticky skin turned to dull black leather. “No!” she screamed. “Noooo!”
There was a cacophony of cries around me as each Skadhavar fell to the floor, shriveling like their Master, black slime pooling beneath them.
“No!” Ebonine cried. “My army!”
The energy in the room was changing; the hollowness lifting as each creature fell. I threw my aura out, feeling further. In the cool, dark night there was a hubbub of auric activity. Lit up. Alarmed. But it was the same outside as it was in here. The dark nothingness was subsiding. They were dying.
I took in the dying beasts. All down, writhing in pain as their wasted bodies dissolved. I approached the one nearest me. It was practically skin and bone. But it wasn’t dying like the other beings had when I’d freed them. There wasn’t the same bubbling mass. Beneath the slime, a figure emerged. A man, with a vivid, healthy aura.
His eyes opened and he looked up at me. “You saved me!”
Had I? Had I really saved him? Or was he about to turn to dust?
He threw his arms around me. He felt strong, his aura pulsing with love and joy. He was healthy. Alive. “I don’t know how long I’ve been in there. Tens of years. I lost count some time ago.”
He released me from his arms and looked into my eyes again, the blue of them growing brighter with every breath. “I will spend my life serving you.”
“Oh no,” I managed. “That’s okay.”
I looked around the room at the others who, like him, were getting up. Their faces were full of emotion.
Ebonine lay on the floor, motionless, her hands on the handle of the dagger. Was she dead? Was it over? Her head lolled in my direction, and her eyes clocked me. A wry smile crept across her lips. She let out a raucous scream as she ripped the dagger from her chest. In a flash she was off the floor and standing, the blade still in her hand, dripping with blood the color of pewter.
Naked, the survivors bolted for the door, their clumsy bodies not yet used to their true forms.
Ebonine threw her head back and laughed into the air. Her skin began to change; the dull black leather started to flake off of her limbs and her laughing face, revealing a clear, pale complexion. Her body, no longer a mass of sinewy vines, was now lean and strong. She looked human. Her laughter subsided and she threw me a look full of triumph. “I may have lost some of my creatures tonight, Re’em, but I have gained so much. Thank you for the blood transfusion!”
Transfusion?
The dagger.
The dagger, laced with my blood, that had met her heart.
I screamed in frustration. Tears drilled into my eyes. I had been so close to defeating her.
But not close enough. Somehow I’d made it all worse.
I sprinted toward her before I knew what I intended to do. I only knew I needed to stop her. I couldn’t let her leave. Not now. Not like this. She’d got what she’d wanted. Now she looked human there was no telling what she could do.
A flash of shining gray light flickered through my eyes. In an instant, a searing pain filled my heart. A heaviness. All of the pain I’d ever felt. All at once. I could hear cruel laughter in my ears. Again, another flash of pewter.
Hey Casper!
You’re the Abominable Snowman!
Your dad left because of you!
Pentacle’s White Walker!
A scream flew from my mouth. My eyes stung with the heat of impending tears. Sadness invaded my gut, filling me with dread. Cementing my soul.
“So how do you like it, Re’em?” Ebonine sang. “Getting a taste of your own medicine?” She laughed. “So nice of you to share your gifts with me.” She bent down to retrieve her black cloak and casually wrapped it around herself. “Now I really must be going.”
“No!” I screamed, flinging my aura toward her. But hers moved quicker.
Another flash of pewter.
Kill yourself!
Freakshow!
Your mom wishes she never had you!
By the time I was off the floor, she was gone. I swore, getting to my feet. I ran from the room and into the night.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The scene outside the auditorium was even more chaotic than the one I’d just experienced. Police lights flashed red and blue, reflecting off the bare skin of the survivors. Puddles of black slime dotted the ground. Teens stood huddled in groups, wrapped in blankets, blank-faced in shock. On the edge of the hubbub, the FBI agents stood with Sheriff Jim. Jeffries and Peters looked on, shaking their heads at the melee. What the hell would they make of all this?
But my focus was on Ebonine. Where had she gone? I threw my aura outward. I needed to find her.
On the border of the forest I could feel her, her deep purple aura restored, more vibrant than ever. Around her, a few dots of nothingness remained. I clenched my teeth in frustration. After everything we’d done, some Skadhavar had survived. If they wanted, they could turn more beings. Rebuild their army. This wasn’t over.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself to run. I was fast. I’d been running track for years. If anyone could catch her, it was me. Maybe I’d get a chance to smash that record after all.
A strong hand caught my wrist. I turned with a scowl and met Sunder’s concerned gaze.
He shook his head. “Leave it, Bianca.”
�
�But she got away!” I spat, shaking my arm free. “There are still Skadhavar with her! We need to stop them! Before she sends them to infect others!”
“Bianca—”
“You don’t understand, Sunder!” I yelled, my jaw tight with anger. “I’ve done something terrible! She’s got my blood in her veins!
Sunder stared at me, his eyes growing wide with concern. He nodded in understanding.
“She’s stronger than ever! And it’s all my fault!” I struggled to hold back the tears burning behind my eyes.
Sunder placed his hands on my shoulders. “Bianca. You have done so much good tonight. Do you not see all of the beings you have freed?” He placed a hand on my face. “You’ve not given them a peaceful death, you have given their lives back.”
I looked around me: Young and old, of this world and others. Whole families were huddled together, unlocked from their prisons inside the beasts.
A familiar face stood out in the crowd. An old man of about seventy stood with my mom, a blanket around his shoulders, black slime smeared across his face. Old Coutts, the wily farmer. Another being I’d help free from the Skadhavar.
“How?” I mumbled. “I stabbed her in the heart, but it didn’t kill her.”
“I think perhaps it did,” Sunder said, his face serious with thought. “When you struck her heart, you killed the beast in her. But before she could die completely, your blood revived her. She was able to heal herself and save the few beasts that hadn’t yet fallen.”
I looked down, disappointment heavy on my shoulders.
“You have done so much.” He stroked my face. “Try to understand that.” His eyes were full of affection. He dropped his hands and cleared his throat. “It will take time to get them back to their home realms, and of course the humans that have been missing will need to be returned to their families, which will be…emotional.”
As he spoke, I realized the survivors were looking at me. Pointing. Smiling. One by one, more of them stopped talking and looked towards me. Their faces were full of relief, disbelief, gratitude. I spotted the first man I had encountered smiling at me from the crowd. Slowly, he stooped his head and bowed to me. The others around him, followed suit until everyone, even the humans among the crowd were doing the same. Bowing—to me.
“Don’t you see?” Sunder said into my ear. “They adore you. They worship you.”
My heart thumped in my chest. The girl who had been picked on all throughout school was now being bowed to. Was I dreaming?
A slow rumble filled the crowd as applause erupted. First from the humans, then the other beings joined in, confused by this odd custom.
“Our queen!” came a call from the crowd.
“Your Majesty!” came another
“The Light Queen!”
I turned to Sunder. “Why are they saying that?”
Sunder let out a breath. “There is much I have to tell you, Bianca. But tonight has been long enough. Just know this: To them, you are the light that chased away the darkness. You are their queen.”
I didn’t want to be a queen. I didn’t want to be worshipped. Not like royalty. I didn’t want to be some poised figure, dripping with jewels, who sat on a throne and demanded people kneel at her feet. No. That’s not what I do.
A loud voice rang from the crowd. “All honor The Light Queen!”
Cheers erupted, louder this time, all around me, ringing in my ears.
I held up a hand and a hush fell across the group.
“Please,” I spoke clearly, surprised at the strength of my voice. “I am not a queen. I’m just a girl...a unicorn...whatever. I may have saved you from the darkness, but I’m not done yet. The dark witch Ebonine is still alive. I will not rest until she is dead. Then, and only then, will I be fit to be your queen.”
The applause roared again, even louder. As I turned to go, a small girl with pointed ears came to my side, her face smudged with black soot.
I knelt beside her. “Hey honey, do you have anyone with you?”
She nodded, pointing to two adults nearby. Then she muttered something too quiet to hear.
“Sorry? Can you say that again honey?”
Her tiny hot breath brushed my ear. “If we can’t call you queen yet, what is your name?”
“My name?”
She nodded furiously.
“My name is Bianca,” I said. “Bianca De Lumière.”
The little girl ran off to her parents who bent down to listen as she spoke.
“All hail!” called her father. “Bianca De Lumière!”
The cheers erupted again, and Sunder placed an arm around me and led me off towards the car.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
I rolled onto my side with a gasp, pain shooting from the wound in my chest. I reached for my phone on the nightstand. Beside it sat a diamante-encrusted tiara and sash. I picked up the sash and a small note fell out. It was written on my Hello Kitty stationery in Fae’s swirling handwriting.
Bee! You won prom queen!!! I came over but you were dead to the world. I know you probably don’t really care. Especially after last night but OMG!! YOU WON PROM QUEEN! I’m so proud of you Bee! XO Fae.
A smile crept across my face. I’d won prom queen? WTF? People had actually voted for me. Bianca, the freak. And this was before I saved the whole school from becoming monsters.
I remembered what Caleb had said.
Maybe this means people want good things for you.
Perhaps he was right. Perhaps I wasn’t the school freak after all.
“Morning!” said a voice from the couch in the living room.
I jumped.
“Sorry,” Sunder said with a chuckle. “Actually, it’s afternoon. Veronica is still asleep too. It was a long night.”
I swallowed. At the mention of my mother’s name, I felt a stab of guilt. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to her, to apologize or make things right between us. I sat down on the couch next to Sunder. “Sure was,” I said, hugging my arms around my chest. “Did you sleep?”
“A little. I kept watch, just to make sure you were safe.” His ice-blue eyes met mine, the affection in his actions clear.
“Sunder, you must be exhausted.”
He shook his head. “I don’t require much sleep anymore. Hungry?”
I was about to say no to be polite. But his question made me notice just how hungry I was. “Actually, yes.” I said. “Starving.”
“I thought you would be. Bacon and eggs?”
“Wait, you’re going to cook for me?”
“I am,” he said, getting to his feet.
I smiled as he walked into the kitchen. My aura bloomed with warmth.
The eggs were cooked to perfection, as was the bacon, salty and crisp; just the way I liked it. Where had Sunder learned to cook like this? “This is amazing,” I mumbled, mouth full.
Sunder chuckled as he brought the frying pan out from the kitchen, his eyebrows raised in a question.
I nodded and he slid more onto my plate. “I’m so hungry!”
“You’ll need to eat plenty over the next few days to restore your strength. How is it feeling?” he said, gesturing to the wound in my chest.
I swallowed. “It’s not too bad,” I lied.
He retrieved a glass vial from the kitchen bench. “Hyssop made this for you. Some kind of healing tincture.”
I undid the lid and strong notes of pine and eucalyptus filled my nose. “Wow, that’s strong.” I pulled my face away. I rolled up the sleeve of my shirt and tried to peel back the dressing.
“Here,” Sunder said, “let me help you.” He came to my side. “Um, it might be easier if you took this off.” He tugged the shirt fabric between his fingers.
I slipped the tank top over my head, feeling his gaze float over me. Bare skin, smooth belly, the gentle curve of my br
easts in my sports bra.
His hands met my skin, holding my shoulder gently as he pulled the dressing back. I felt his breath against my neck, smelled his scent; all woodsmoke and cookies. I wanted to run my lips against his cheek, brush my hand through his messy hair.
He let three drops of liquid fall onto the wound. My breath caught in my throat.
“Stinging sensation?”
“Sure is!” I laughed through gritted teeth. The sting gave way to a tingle as the tincture began to foam and hiss, sinking into the wound. I watched as the hissing and bubbling subsided. “What the…? Sunder! Look!” Where a stab wound had been only moments ago, only a faint pink line remained.
“Remarkable isn’t it?” He gazed up at me, a slight smile on his lips. “There are many more surprises to come now that you are a creature of the realm.”
“Cool,” I said, with a swallow, very aware of the curve of his lips and how close they were to mine. I longed to press my lips to his, feel his strong body against mine.
But what about Caleb?
Yes. Caleb. Where was Caleb? That sweet, handsome boy who had taken me to the prom, who had not recoiled in disgust when he’d seen me kill an evil beast/student.
But he wasn’t with me. I was with a man, a centaur, who made me feel electric.
“Bianca,” Sunder said, his blue eyes intense. “Last night…” He took a breath and dropped my gaze for a moment. “Last night you were incredible.”
“Oh, thanks,” I managed.
“I mean it. I know you were upset about how things turned out, but please realize, they could have gone much worse. You saved the town.”
“We all worked really hard—”
He reached out a hand and placed in on my cheek. “You are the most amazing being I’ve ever met.”
He leaned forward and kissed me. My whole body sparked with energy as the soft warmth of his lips met mine. I brought my hand to his neck and pulled him closer. My aura shuddered as his hands found the bare skin of my back. His vibrant blue stroked my white, caressing it tenderly. My whole body tingled. I could feel him, smell him, taste him. Our lips broke free for a moment and I let out a groan.
Bianca De Lumière : High Suspense Urban Fantasy Romance (The Re'em Prophecy Book 1) Page 24
