Amongst the Fallen

by Devin Lee Carlson

  “Yes, but I would have said no.” Ariane looked down at her hands and cringed when Eric mumbled under his breath that she wasn’t worth the fight. No idea how to respond, she followed him outside. “We’ll see you in a few days then.” Arms wrapped around her torso, she watched him leave. The ability to fall out of love with someone so easily troubled her, but then she had to ask herself if love was ever a factor. Thoughts turned to Sabree and warmth filled her entire being. Is this love?

  A few days ago, when she returned to the ranch, Sabree wasted little time, already in her face about cloning their ghoulish blood. How quickly he brushed off the Mexico incident, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened between them. Sabree must be desperate for attention to live in the same house as his nemesis—her brother.

  Without missing a beat, he also reminded her that they needed to hold a blood drive to ration his meals. Business over, he then grabbed her hand to give her a tour of his newly decorated room. It reminded her of the Property Brothers during their reveal. The highlight of the tour happened when he kissed her hand and admitted how much he missed her. Ariane wanted to do a happy dance but suppressed her joy, wary of the way her brother watched over them. Sabree would have to earn their trust. Somehow, in her heart, he had already earned hers.

  The last time she saw him in Mexico, he looked worse than a zombie. After he drank Brian’s blood, Sabree returned to his gorgeous self—a handsome prince in her eyes. Her brother, however, starred in a Greek tragedy. After she learned of Maria’s death, Ariane could tell her guilt-ridden brother punished himself to make amends. She encouraged him to feed. Unlike him, she had fed on IV blood bags Jesse brought home while she stayed at his condo. Her hunger had increased ever since she ran out of the anti-vamp serum. Off it, she, along with Brian, had to donate blood for Sabree’s reserve.

  Two days later and a dozen IV bags donated in total, Ariane and Brian said their goodbyes to Sabree. They flew to Seattle and met Eric at the airport where he had picked them up in a rental full of hiking gear. Playing nice-nice with her ex curdled her stomach. After the hiking party set out for Harts Pass in the North Cascades National Park, days passed by without incident.

  3 3 3

  To set our pace, Eric stretched the hike over four days because of the high altitude and heavy packs. Since Maria’s death, I never fed, refusing to harm another soul. The hunger wore me down. My sister’s athleticism also slacked off because she wasn’t drinking any blood either. Being off the anti-vamp serum should’ve helped her some. For most of the trek, I pilfered a few pints from the local cattle, no longer an option the higher we climbed.

  To expedite this trip, I loaned Eric my credit card to cover the costs and also wrote him a personal check of fifty-thousand dollars for his time. At this rate, I’d be penniless by next year.

  The final trek to the designated campsite at the foot of Mt. Joker was long and arduous. Droplets of sweat trickled down my forehead while Eric dropped his pack and pulled out the tent. The late spring sun had dropped behind the mountain over an hour ago. Twilight promised a cloudless night.

  Exhausted, we set up camp without exchanging a word. Afterward, I refused to listen to Ariane’s advice about getting a good night’s sleep before we went after the third drive.

  “Who hikes at midnight?” she asked.

  “Me and Eric, so zip it.” Too worn out to join us, my sister was worried about staying behind. Her gaze fixated on the summit, I asked, “Are you all right?”

  “Fine.” She leaned over to squeeze my hand and pulled away when a familiar mist appeared. Our hiking woes miraculously disappeared.

  Reacting to her smile, I waved Sabree over. “Fang offered to help.”

  He glanced around until his gaze rested on Ariane. “I wouldn’t dream of missing the grand finale.”

  Tossing a tent pole aside, Eric advanced on Sabree with an ice ax in hand.

  “Easy, he’s on team Colton,” I said, blocking his attack. “Sabree, Ariane’s too tired to go on. Can you keep her company while we make the climb?” I had to believe his being here would ensure her safety.

  Eric lowered his ax, his eyes locked on my sister. “Thought you’d climb the summit with me. But if you’re not up for it, I’d feel better if you weren’t alone. But why him? So help me if you harm a hair—”

  “I’d love to stay.” Sabree glanced at Eric and bowed. “No harm will befall the lady.”

  Again, I stepped between the two, worried Eric might take a swing at Sabree’s skull. “Otherwise, you will earn a one-way ticket into the portal.” My gaze fell on Sabree and I noticed how his jaw clenched at the lethal threat. Good thing, because I meant it.

  Eric grabbed the gear and tossed me a pack. “Best get a move on.” He gave Ariane a hug only to push away when she didn’t return his affection.

  She stared past her ex to Sabree. Before I left, my hand sought hers.

  “Watch out for Wayde,” she said. “He could still show up. Don’t turn your back on Eric either.”

  “Don’t worry, Sis.” She closed her eyes when I pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. “Sure you don’t mind the watchdog?”

  Ariane giggled. “Not a problem. Actually, I feel safer with him here. Remember, we’re his meal tickets.”

  My deadpan glare warned Sabree to behave or else. I waved again at Ariane and marched double time to catch up with Eric.

  “Be careful,” she called after us. “I hope they know what they’re doing. Who climbs in the dark?”

  An hour later, above me, Eric popped his head over the top of the ravine and peered back down the rock face. I glanced skyward and squeezed my eyes shut to calm the hunger. The unrelenting thirst for blood had sapped my concentration as I scaled the precipice, focusing instead on his racing pulse. The labored breaths fell silent as he extended across the flat rock, securing himself to help me up.

  “The worst is over,” Eric said as he pulled me over the edge.

  “Bout time,” I growled. This ascent would have been an easy sprint had I listened to Sabree and fed first. I perched my tired ass on the nearest boulder to catch my breath, popping a handful of gummy bears into my mouth. Sugar, no matter how much I scoffed down, did little to boost my energy. My gaze scanned the rocky outcrop for the cairn. Something seemed out of place. “Where is it?”

  Gulping chugs replaced bold chuckles after Eric slugged down half his canteen. He wiped his brow. “This isn't the summit; it's a false summit. We have to climb that ridge over there,” he said, pointing at a small peak. “That’s the summit.”

  “Seriously? Are you kidding? Climb another summit?” Come here, caveboy. Let me quench my thirst. My thought was just that, nothing but a pointless stupid threat adrift in my mind. I pulled off my pack and squatted on my haunches to make my point clear. “I have to feed before I climb another freaking mountain.” Not a brilliant thing to admit to, since Eric was the only human within miles.

  Point taken, Eric flinched. “Ranger Roy hid the drive inside a metal flask under the cairn on top of Joker—up there. What happened to your super-sonic speed or ability to defy gravity?”

  Sabree happened. Should’ve fed so I could have showed off my newfound climbing ability. Look, Eric, no gravity. I commented on the obvious instead. “No one on this godforsaken mountain to refuel on except you. Remember, I’m one of the good guys. Besides, Maria was my last—” My words broke off, pained by the mournful memory.

  “Too bad Ariane was exhausted. She would have made a better hiking partner than you. You’re useless.” He became quiet. “Watch my back. I'll go alone.”

  “Aye, I’ll stand guard and be on the lookout for Wayde.” I also planned to keep a keen eye out for Sabree in case he double-crossed us.

  A half hour later, Eric signaled that he secured the drive. I kept glancing to the left to make sure no one approached from the opposite side. From beyond the mountain, along the horizon, a twinkling star caught my eye. Ignored it instead and focused on Eric’s d
escent, amazed by his dexterity. Minutes later, I stole another glance at the star that had tripled in size and brightness. It swept the ground with a search beam.

  Bugger, that’s no star. A helicopter. Wayde’s most likely. I yelled at Eric to hurry. The descent across the boulders slowed him down, so I ran to the edge of the summit. “Toss me the drive.” I waved at the light. “A helicopter’s approaching from the north!”

  The sky ignited behind me. A bright spotlight blinded me while dust and scree pelted my back. Caught in the draft of a second helicopter, the metal flask sailed beyond my reach. A surge of adrenaline triumphed over hunger and gravity. I jumped twenty feet into the air to retrieve it and landed in a crouched position. I stuffed it into my pouch.

  Someone sitting shotgun fired a warning shot. Bathed in its spotlight, I stood rigid, staring at the beam. My eyes pooled red brought on by the increased pressure. My body shook until anger surfaced. “Not this time, you bastards!” I tore off my shirt, let it drop around my waist, and lunged into a full gallop toward the cliff, zigzagging to avoid the spotlight. My black wings erupted as I leapt off the cliff and shot into the portal.

  3 3 3

  Brian and Eric climbed the steep rock face. When she could no longer see them, Ariane surrendered to small talk with Sabree while he fed more kindle onto the campfire. “Thanks for building up the fire. It’s chilly.”

  “Why doesn’t Brian nourish his body?”

  That was the last thing she expected Sabree to ask. She sat down beside him. “Ever since he killed Maria, guilt crushes his soul little by little.”

  “An unfortunate circumstance not entirely his fault. Abyss’s brutal attack knocked him from his senses. Natural urges took over. Feed or perish.”

  His eyes seemed to recall a sad memory that piqued her curiosity. “You showed amazing willpower after you were drained and found us in Mexico.”

  “Five millennia of practice, unlike Brian.” Sabree’s gaze lifted from the fire to lock onto her eyes. The purple hue reflected the firelight. “Abyss will be infected like me. I pray she’ll never discover the only remedy.”

  “Our blood.”

  “Ariane, please forgive me.” Sabree took her hand. “I overstepped Caderen law and now suffer the consequences. I regret that you and Brian must also suffer.”

  His words sounded sincere enough, yet she found it difficult to believe him. She glanced aside to change the subject. “I took your advice and stopped taking the serum. Ran out of it to be truthful. I’m not happy about it, but I had no choice. I wouldn’t have recommended you drinking my blood while tainted with the serum. It could diminish your abilities.”

  “What about the hunger?”

  “I ache all over. How does Brian handle it?” Even Jesse noticed her increased edginess.

  “Although he’s had months of practice, both of you are still young. Feeding is important, for blood makes you stronger and when you’re strong, you’ll gain experience at controlling the urges.”

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “Please, start with me. Drink.” Sabree tilted his head to expose his neck.

  No need to ask twice. She leaned closer, her eyeteeth lengthening to meet his sweet scent. Caramel was one of her favorite flavors. She would prefer to kiss him but nuzzled his neck instead. The hunger made her lose control. She bit into his flesh, worried she would be repulsed. Instead, a rich nectar like Brian’s blood rewarded her appetite. Ariane swallowed hard.

  Gentle hands pulled her away. “Not too much. You must learn control.”

  Ariane wiped her mouth. Mixed emotions and symptoms rushed her all at once. Wonder Woman came to mind. Empowered, completely satiated, and not the least bit embarrassed about drinking his blood, she leapt from her seat and flitted around him like a newly released butterfly. “I feel like a new woman. Watch me catch up to the guys.”

  “Is that what you want?” Sabree rose to stand beside her.

  By the sound of his husky voice and the sensual lavender eyes, it seemed Sabree shared the same romantic urges that raged inside her. “I’d rather stay here with you.”

  Sabree cupped her face and kissed her. His lips were tender yet firm. Her heart must be pounding against her chest, because she sensed two heartbeats from him.

  The thumping grew louder. Sabree pulled away and looked skyward.

  Overhead, two helicopters circled the mountain. “Wayde!” she cried. “Sabree, stop him. Don’t let that bastard get the red drive.”

  “What about my promise to protect you?”

  Gunfire echoed off the summit. “Screw that. Help Brian!”

  A fine mist enveloped Sabree where he stood. He faltered a little but completed the transformation. Ariane hopped in place to urge him onward. Did she drink too much of his blood?

  Seconds later, one of the helicopters flew toward the rock face and exploded on impact. The other one changed its trajectory and departed. “Sabree!” Ariane cried.

  She waited, counted the seconds. Sabree did not mist back. Fighting back tears, she gathered her gear, ready to climb the ravine.

  Rustling behind one of the tents stopped her. A figure slithered on the ground near the campfire. The creature reminded her of one of the White Sands nosophors. She recognized the female wraith because of the few jeweled piercings dotting her brows. Skin puckered where the rest had been. “Abyss.” Ariane hissed the immortal’s name. “You bitch. You dare show your face after you attacked my brother?”

  “Where is he? The bastard did this to me. The clan believes me diseased.”

  “You knew the rule and still stole his blood. What do you expect him to do about it?” She hoped Abyss had already concluded there was no help for her affliction. Ariane felt little pity for her. The scientist in her wanted to investigate the affliction in the same way she wanted to help Sabree. “We can’t help you.”

  “I know,” Abyss said. “I want him to take me into the portal, so I can die in peace.”

  “How about I kill you instead?” Feeling like Superwoman thanks to Sabree’s blood, Ariane reached for a tent stake and in a blind fury, she charged Abyss.

  The immortal misted, leaving Ariane sprawled on the ground. Abyss pounced on her back and sunk her teeth into her neck, tearing flesh. Unable to fend off her attacker, Ariane jabbed the stake into Abyss’s side. The immortal paid no mind to it. As Ariane’s strength weakened, her thoughts drifted to Sabree. He should have returned by now unless something tragic happened to him or Brian. A quick glance at the summit revealed someone repelling down the rock face.

  Eric would arrive too late.

  50

  BEAUTY OF THE DARK

  S afe inside the portal, I had no idea how far to fly to distance myself from the summit. If I exited too soon, I’d risk contact with Wayde’s men or worse yet, the helicopter blades. Time wasted away except every moment spent in the portal renewed my strength. The interstellar bodies pumped unending fuel into my system., However, every lingering moment brought me closer to peril. A spark off in the distance caught my eye. Danger had already made an unwelcomed appearance.

  On the horizon, a blinding missile streaked toward me. As it neared, the brightness paralyzed me as the light shrouded me in its radiance. The brilliance teemed with organisms swarming and whirling around me, bombarding inches within my wings every time they sped by. Voices tried to probe and assault my mind the same way the Caderen had abused me telepathically. Seconds later, the missile shot off into the distance as if the countless beings retreated to home base.

  Cherubs? Or something deadlier like the portal’s version of piranha. The tiny lightbulb-like luminaries the size of a fist left me stunned. Were these the creatures Turian had warned me about? I whirled around in place to scan the horizon. Something twinkled so slightly I almost missed seeing it. Then the blinding flash swarmed at me again.

  On the second flyby, raw energy pelted my legs, wings, and torso. The intent lethal, the stabbing pain reminded me of the biopsy needles. My stom
ach, or the energized version of one, flip-flopped when sparks flowed from the wounds they inflicted. What if my immortality didn’t hold weight inside the portal? I refused to hang around for the third attack, gamble on my life. I fumbled with the amulet. To avoid the helicopter, I dialed any symbol other than the direct return code. My fingers slipped.

  My body whirled, tumbling recklessly through the wormhole until it shot out of the portal and reappeared away from the cliff, hundreds of feet above a patch of Krumholtz trees. My wings flapped without catching air. The blood from the tiny wounds had healed. Flight inside the portal was difficult enough, but now Earth’s gravity tugged on my weight. I spread the wings outward, so I could glide gracefully to the ground. Inexperience prevailed. The chinook winds beat my wings back and knocked me into a tailspin. I plummeted silently into the darkness below.

  3 3 3

  The milky light of dawn woke me from a restorative sleep. My vision blurred as it scanned the puffy clouds overhead. When I tried to sit up, my hands shot up to cradle my skull instead, surrendering to a migraine. I rolled over onto the thick blanket of alpine Krumholtz. The dwarfed conifers had softened my fall, preventing a brutal plunge onto jagged boulders.

  Afraid to move, I squinted at the large naked bristlecone to the left. Perched on the weather-beaten tree, a raven screeched, disturbed by my intrusion into its territory. Again, I tried to sit upright, but the pain, along with the spinning world, forced me down.

  “Don’t move,” a voice cried from below. Mist billowed on a nearby branch.

  I blinked and rubbed my eyes. The mist materialized into quite the sight. With the grace of a jaguar, Sabree balanced himself on a thick branch. I tried to sit up again.

  “Disengage the amulet to rid yourself of those wings.”

  “Aye, that’s the ‘Houston we have a problem’ snafu.” I fumbled with the lever and let both arms drop, unwilling to position the dial to an unknown location. “My head hurts,” I muttered. “I’m seeing double, thanks to the thousands of wee cherubs attacking me last night. Not to mention my crash landing.”