A Vampire's Battle

by Raven Steele

  Mine and Mateo’s vanity spell began to fade and by the time we parked in front of Fire Ridge, we looked like ourselves again. We were met by Roma and other members of the Silver Claws who were outside eagerly waiting our arrival.

  Roma gasped when she saw Lynx and hurried over. “This is terrible. What the hell happened?”

  “Zane zapped her with some powerful shit,” Briar said as she exited the van, groaning.

  Roma looked her up and down, her gaze settling on her ripped and blood-stained t-shirt. “And what about you?”

  “Stabbed with a sword. Twice. Hurt like a mother.”

  Roma took in the rest of our ragged and bloody state. “Looks like you all got your asses kicked. I thought this was supposed to be an in-and-out thing.”

  “It was until we discovered Korin still has his magical abilities,” I said, staring at Roma pointedly. I didn’t mean for my voice to sound accusing, but I still mourned Teddy.

  Roma shook her head. “Impossible. Lynx and I performed that spell together. It worked. I felt it.”

  “You felt wrong.”

  “Hey, Samira,” Marge called from the other van. “Where do you want me to take these humans?”

  I’d nearly forgotten about those we had saved from Korin’s basement. “Take them to Blutel Estate and ask for Sersi. She’ll know what to do with them.”

  She nodded and pulled away.

  Mateo tugged on me gently. “Let’s go get cleaned up.”

  I cast Roma one last frustrated glare, before following after him. It wasn’t entirely Roma’s fault. We should’ve been sure Korin had lost his powers before we attacked him. I would, however, like to know what happened out in that cemetery. Powerful magic had been taken from all of us. Roma was right. The spell should’ve worked.

  We were almost to the kitchen when I heard Roma say behind us, “Take her upstairs. I know what can help.”

  I glanced back. Aris walked up the stairs, gently carrying Lynx. Roma turned on Briar who had walked in with her. “You all were stupid tonight. I’m surprised you’re not all dead.”

  Briar shoved a pointed finger toward her. “We thought Korin had lost his magic.”

  “It’s your fault for not being sure!” she countered, but then her expression softened. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. Lynx and I did everything right.”

  I lowered my gaze to the ground, swallowing down the suffocating feeling in my chest. Teddy was dead because we had underestimated Korin. So were many others, mostly those in Mateo’s coven, as well as those brave enough to fight against Korin from his own coven. And they had paid for that bravery with their lives.

  We’d gone in under the assumption that we’d cut off his power, but we were wrong.

  And now, we didn’t have much time before Korin was meeting with Dunolak. Now that he was aware we were out for his blood, he would build even greater defenses.

  We had to figure this out, and quickly, before more people died. Before Hydes were let loose upon the world, infected with Ebola.

  Mateo touched me lightly on the arm. “Come on.”

  Guilt and anguish crushed my chest, making it hard to breathe. I followed him into the house and downstairs to the bathroom. His expression was just as grief-stricken as mine.

  As soon as we walked into the bathroom and closed the door, Mateo inhaled a hitched breath and leaned over on the counter as if he had lost the last of his strength. “Oh, Samira. What have we done? How will we destroy him?”

  I wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning my head against his back, tears stinging my eyes. I had no words to comfort him. My heart ached as bad as his.

  Startling me, he spun around. His hands clasped the side of my face, drawing my attention to his fierce eyes.

  “We were reckless tonight.”

  I nodded, swallowing hard, unable to speak, his intense gaze locking me in place.

  “And yet, living in a world with Korin means that our very lives are on the line. Each and every day. Whether we are fighting him, or merely in his presence, he could turn us against each other, or set us ablaze.” His hand moved to the nape of my neck, tightly grasping the back of my hair, pulling my head up, his head bending down to brush his lips softly over mine. “And I have never, ever, been as frightened in my life as when he compelled you, Samira. He could have forced you to impale yourself with your sword. Or cut off your own head. I wanted to kill him in that moment more than any other moment in my life. You are weaker without the Kiss, my anima gemella, and that frightens me.”

  I nodded again, choking on my words. “I know.”

  He tightened his hold on my hair, twisting my head to the side to bare my neck to him. “I do not know what I would have done if you had died.” His lips pressed to the delicate skin of my neck. “I would have died without you. Ho bisogno di te. Sei la mia vita.” I need you. You are my life. “Senza di te la mia vita non ha senso.” Without you, my life has no meaning. “I need you, my love. To touch your skin, to taste your blood. To know you, as I once did.”

  He clasped my side, his teeth sinking into my neck as a low rumble of desperation escaped his mouth. “I could have lost you, my anima gemella, and I will never forget that.”

  He drew my blood into his mouth, and I moaned, leaning into him, pulling him to me. The taste of my blood on his tongue sparked his senses, shooting a charge of ecstasy through the bond. It lit up my brain and sent a fire through my chest, to my stomach, and in between my thighs.

  I pressed into him. “I need you, as you need me.”

  He swiveled me so that I was on the counter. My boots and socks hit the floor. Then he peeled off my blood-soaked shirt, raking his teeth and tongue down my chest. His teeth sunk in to the top of my chest, the curve of my breast, the ripples of my stomach. Blood drained down my skin from the bites and his tongue licked and suckled, taking my essence into him. His touch was like fire, the sensation of my blood being sucked into his mouth made lust and desire course through me. This man was my other half, my soul mate. From the minute I’d met him, I knew he belonged to me. And no matter who else tried to take advantage, I would always belong to him.

  “You killed Michael,” I said, ripping his own shirt off him and a burst of gratification and pride sizzled through our bond.

  “I have wanted to do that for so long.”

  “I love you for it.” I ripped his pants down his legs, and he tore off the rest of his clothes. Then he was on his knees before me, love and reverence and ultimate adoration in his eyes. His hands moved over my legs, his kisses burning into the skin of my stomach, as if I were a god and he, a devoted disciple. He worshiped not only my body, but my soul, with his touch, his emotions, the love in his eyes.

  “My anima gemella.” He whispered the words, awe in his voice. “You are my everything.”

  I arched my back, egging him on. I needed more, needed him inside me, needed to feel every inch of his skin on mine. His teeth raked my hips, then bit into the sensitive flesh by my thighs through my pants. Fervor and passion hit me, and I moaned, pressing myself into him.

  “Fuck me, Mateo. Take me like you once did. Show me how much you love to be inside of me. Consume me completely.”

  Faster than I could blink, he had me in the shower, a blast of water spraying down my back. It only took a moment for it to warm, but his lips heated me as they moved down my naked back. After yanking down my pants and panties in one swipe, he turned my back to him, sliding up inside me.

  “Yes, my love.” I arched into him, finally feeling complete again. His love was overflowing, filling into every cavity of my soul, pounding into my heart, pushing energy into my veins. Power roared through me with a force so strong it took my breath away. I choked on it, his love, his devotion, his dedication. It overcame every thought, burning through all the hate and anger and rage I once felt. I no longer needed anything, but those around me I loved.

  And in that moment, I knew he was right.

  With his love, I could conquer t
he Kiss.

  He was the light to the darkness of my soul. He would harness the power, devour the rage, control it.

  I needed the Kiss to destroy Korin, and the Kiss needed Mateo to master its influence over me.

  It wasn’t the absence of love in my life, but the fulfillment of it.

  Mateo’s love for me had been the answer all along.

  Power overwhelmed the room, threatening to burst us into flames. Only the water spraying down on us kept it in check. I allowed it to pour over my body as Mateo filled it, pounding into me, over and over. And then we both went over the edge, the magic burning and flowing through us, seeping into the walls, shaking the whole room.

  Mateo’s hand was on my face again, tilting it upwards. His lips were on mine in a passionate kiss, his thumb stroking my jaw, his tongue tasting and stroking, until slowly, slowly, it turned gentle. He pulled back, staring into my eyes, love and happiness shining through them, a smile on his face.

  Suddenly Briar was pounding on the door. “What the hell is going on in there? You’re going to shake the whole house to the ground.”

  I grinned, still staring into Mateo’s eyes. I called to her, “I told you we didn’t need toys.”

  There was a shocked silence, followed by a soft, “Oh.”

  Mateo pulled on my chin again, kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding his warm body next to mine, loving the way he felt in my arms. We stayed that way for several minutes, our breathing synchronized, slow and steady. He stroked the back of my hair, my arms, my side. Then we lathered up, washing each other off, our hair, skin, whole body, enjoying each other’s company, until the water turned lukewarm and it was time to leave. The sun would rise soon.

  He moved to turn it off, but I grasped his hand, stilling him. I didn’t ever want to let go.

  After we were finished, we made our way to the living room. Briar was laying down across the couch, her head resting in Angel’s lap while he stroked the hair away from her face. She tilted toward him, like a preening cat.

  He met my eyes, his gaze confident, as if showing her his simple caress was all it would take to make her happy. He touched only her hair, but she looked refreshed, even after everything that had happened.

  Detrand was there too, with Adelade. I assumed by his somber expression, he knew what had happened at Winter’s Cove.

  Just as we sat down near Detrand and Adelade, Briar’s phone buzzed within her pocket. She removed it and stared at the screen.

  “Luke.” She groaned and dropped the phone onto the floor, ignoring it. She glanced over at me. “I’m sorry about Teddy and the members of your coven you lost. I know how that feels.”

  Neither I nor Mateo answered.

  “Death is part of war,” Detrand said, his voice soft but firm. “When we choose to engage in it, we cannot pick and choose who lives and dies.”

  No one responded, except for Adelade who met his eyes, and something exchanged between them. The corner of her lips tilted down in a sad, silent frown.

  Roma descended the stairs, brushing her hands as if dusting off powder from them. Maybe she was.

  Briar sat up. “How’s Lynx?”

  “She’s awake with a nasty headache. Aris is talking to her.” She looked at each of us. “Someone want to tell me what happened?”

  I cleared my throat and slowly told her how we had easily snuck in and freed everyone without any opposition. Funny, now that I was recounting what had happened, I should’ve realized something was wrong. It had all been too simple, too easy.

  When I finished, Roma lowered into a chair. “Well, at least you destroyed Winter’s Cove.”

  “And Eddie and Marge got a good hit on Zane,” Briar added.

  “Except it wasn’t enough.” Roma scowled and looked away, her throat bobbing. “I’ve been asking around about Zane. He is an old vampire, older than Korin, and he’s been using magic for centuries. It’s become a part of him.”

  “Didn’t the Phoenix give him the powers?” Briar asked.

  Roma shook her head. “From what my sources say, he was born with it. He was already a powerful warlock before he was turned into a vampire. He’s one of a kind.” Her eyes met mine, fire blazing in them. “You’re going to need to be a lot stronger to kill him.”

  I shifted my weight, uncomfortable under her sharp gaze.

  “We all fought as hard as we could!” Briar snorted, one of her more angry sounds.

  “He doesn’t just have warlock magic,” I said. “It felt more like energy straight from hell.”

  Mateo nodded in agreement.

  “If you’re right, then you will all need to become stronger.” Roma’s eyes drifted upwards toward the stairs. “I don’t like it, but even I must admit that Lynx needs to get stronger.”

  “Lynx is fine, her magic kicked ass.” Briar sighed, rolling her eyes at Roma.

  This created a small argument between them as they discussed Lynx’s abilities, but I didn’t hear them. Detrand had caught my eye.

  I stilled, knowing his intense gaze on me meant something. His hand slowly reached up toward his pocket, and he patted it softly. I nodded, realizing we’d both come to the same conclusion. He gave me a nod in return.

  “There was one way we could’ve ensured our victory,” I said, interrupting Briar and Roma.

  Everyone turned to me, waiting for me to speak. Mateo squeezed my hand gently in a comforting gesture. I swallowed down the tightness in my throat. “It’s me. I could’ve been better.”

  “No, Samira,” Briar said. “You fought hard, even putting yourself in harm’s way.”

  I turned to Detrand. “Do you have it with you?”

  He reached into his breast pocket and removed the small vial of blood. He held it up for all to see. I wondered if he took it with him everywhere.

  I stared at it with both anxiety and assuredness. What if I was wrong?

  Mateo squeezed my hand again, confidence in his voice. “We can do this. Together.”

  I held out my hand. Detrand placed the vial in my palm, and I swore the blood leapt within the glass at my touch.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Briar looked at me, her face paling. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Had the Kiss been a part of me tonight, I could’ve overpowered Korin.”

  “No. Absolutely not,” Briar said. “I’ve really liked you lately. You’re way less deadpan and you even crack a joke here and there. Granted, they’re not as funny as mine, but still. I don’t want you going back to the way you were with that sliver of Hell inside of you.”

  “Tell me I’m wrong, Briar. Do you think I could’ve killed Korin tonight if I had been like I used to be?”

  “No doubt about it. Your fighting skills have gone way down, but I don’t care. There’s no point in killing Korin if you’re not going to be able to live your life to the fullest. You can’t do that with that shit inside of you. Lynx would agree with me.”

  “She has me now,” Mateo said, turning toward Briar, his eyes fierce. “We will control the Kiss, together. I will not lose her again, I swear to you.”

  Briar stared at him, not sure what to say.

  “The Kiss of Eternal Night was meant for Samira,” Detrand interjected. “It responds only to her, and she’s the only one who can wield it. She just has to learn to control it better.”

  “Sammie, please,” Briar begged, leaning forward. “Don’t do this. We’ll figure out another way.”

  “No.” I stood and Briar mirrored my movement, tears in her eyes. I reached out, taking her hand in mine. “Thank you, my dear friend, for everything you’ve done for me. I know you’re worried, but I’m ready now.” I glanced down at Mateo. “We’re ready.”

  Briar bit her lip, still uncertain, her eyes studying me. Mateo stood up, wrapping his arms around me, my back to his chest, looking at her. “Don’t worry, Briar. I never go back on my promises.”

  She shifted her gaze from me to him, noting the way he was holding me, the possessive
ness and strength in his touch. She nodded. “Just do it somewhere far away, just in case.”

  I nodded, and Mateo’s lips brushed my ear as he also agreed, making a shiver race down my spine. He tilted his head to speak directly into my ear, his voice dark and sensual. “Are you ready now?”

  “Almost. There’s one more important thing I must do first.”

  Chapter 29

  Mateo and I arrived at Cassandra’s mansion. Not a single light was on, not even in front of the house. Maybe she’d gone back to bed even though she had told us to come over, especially when I told her I would ingest the Kiss if she’d do me this one favor.

  Pushing open the front doors, we snuck in quietly and listened until we heard movement from the rear of the house. We followed the sounds of faint shuffling through the darkened halls.

  The soft noise took us to a part of the house I had never been in before. The place felt even colder and more sterile in the dark, as if we were walking through a hospital instead of a home.

  We reached two double doors. I thought about knocking, but a voice said, “Come in.”

  I turned the knob and stepped inside, Mateo close to me. A room bare of all furniture had been lit up by hundreds of candles spread all over the floor. An illuminated path guided me to the center of the floor, where a giant pentagram had been drawn onto the marble in what looked like blood. Goat’s blood by the smell of it.

  Three women sat around the circle. Winter, Maera, and Lilith, Lynx’s cousins. They sat cross-legged in white gowns with their heads bowed and chanting words I didn’t recognize. I was surprised to see them here doing something to help me. None of them acknowledged us.

  From the corner of the room, a voice said, “Hello, Samira. I was shocked to hear from you. I’m rarely shocked.”

  Cassandra moved toward me, stepping casually through the candles as if she had the placement of each one memorized. She also wore a long white gown. “Come to the center.”

  Her eyes shifted to Mateo. “But he must stay out of it.”