“I think they were so deeply under her spell that the idea of refusal wouldn’t have occurred to them.”
“And the others?” I asked, wondering if I really wanted to know.
“The brothers. Fabian the Snake, Miles the False God and Erik,” he spat the final name with venom. “Killer of a Thousand Souls.”
I stared at him with wide eyes, waiting for him to continue.
“Fabian created the Familiars. He found a way for the vampires to thread a piece of their soul into the hearts and minds of unwitting creatures. They would become their eyes and ears. Sunlight didn’t hurt them so they could spy on us even when we believed we were safe.
It caused devastation. The vampires would appear when we least expected them, always knowing our plans and lying in wait. We even executed some of our own, wrongly believing they had betrayed us before one of the prophets figured out what Fabian had done. We believed the colonies of bats that swarmed above our camps at night only came for the insects drawn close by the light of our fires. By the time we realised what he’d done, many souls were already lost.”
My mind whirled with the idea of the slayers having to come to terms with the fact that they had wrongly sacrificed some of their own because of the vampires’ cunning. It made me wonder if the Realms weren’t as bad as I’d thought. At least they didn’t kill us anymore. They made us give them blood but our lives held value to them now. It sounded as though it hadn’t always been that way.
“Miles was a different kind of monster,” Magnar continued. “He set himself up as a god, offering eternal life to any who proved their devotion to him. People built temples in his honour and showered him with gifts in the hopes that he would grant them immortality. But of course eternal life comes with a price which must be paid in blood.
Once he had changed those poor souls into vampires, he cut them loose claiming to want them to enjoy the freedom of eternity. But they craved blood above all else. Often they would return to their home towns in hopes of seeing their families only to be overwhelmed by their thirst. It would seem that most of those who are newly sired have little control over the bloodlust that drives them. They would lose control, killing those they loved and anyone else unlucky enough to cross their paths in their desperate need to satiate their desire for blood.” Magnar fell quiet and I shifted closer to him, my thigh brushing against his as I tried to offer him some comfort from the terrible memories.
The silence stretched and I could tell he didn’t want to speak of the final brother but I needed to know.
“And... the last brother?” I asked tentatively.
“Erik,” Magnar growled. “If I do one thing with my time on this earth then it shall be to remove him from it.”
“What did he do?” I asked, my voice almost a whisper.
“Many things. Countless atrocities. It was he who killed my father in the Battle of Atbringer. The clans were almost destroyed that day. He killed hundreds of us with his army of monsters.
Unlike his siblings, Erik has always been more particular about those he sires. He seeks out the greatest warriors, the most ruthless politicians, only the best of the best for his army. The Belvederes were the only creatures to leave that battlefield with their lives. Although my father returned to us as well. But he was no longer alive. That monster had turned him into one of them, hoping to corrupt his soul and use him for his own vile purposes.
My father had enough of himself left to return and tell us what had happened to him. He bid farewell to my mother and brother and begged me to end his suffering. That evil creature killed my father once and then forced me to do it a second time. I was seventeen.
I can still see him kneeling before me, begging me to lead the clans to victory against the Revenants. He gave me his blade, Venom, so that I could take his life and release his soul to the protection of our ancestors.”
“I’m so sorry Magnar,” I whispered, laying my hand on his arm, my fingertips brushing the slayer mark upon his skin.
He turned to look me in the eye and my heart stumbled uncertainly.
“It was foreseen that I would end that family. I may be nine hundred years late, but I intend to fulfil my destiny.”
His gaze held such intensity that I struggled to hold it.
“So what do you suggest we do about the Elite who’s tracking us now?” I asked, breaking eye contact with him as my heart beat out of rhythm.
“We need to create a diversion and lay a trap.”
I smiled at the idea of playing the vampires at their own game and nodded encouragingly.
“Tell me what to do.”
I was eternally relieved when we left the vampire bar behind, taking the carriage further into the city. I never wanted to go near that place again and I no longer gazed out of the window with any kind of joy. A dejected feeling was descending on me as I eyed the vampires going about their lives.
Growing up in the Realm had at least impressed upon me the importance of my blood. It wasn't much, but humans had held value there. Here, the Realms were ignored. Our blood was harvested for vampires to drink. We were the odd meal in their day and held no impact on any other part of it. It had always felt degrading, but now it was worse than that. Like we were barely a blip on their radar. And questions started to rise in me again about this whole royal ritual thing.
I glanced at Erik who was watching me with a scrutinising expression. “Why aren't I a vampire yet, Erik? You say it’s a curse, but that’s what you want us for isn't it? So why do it like this? With courting and formalities. I don't understand.”
Erik's throat bobbed as he thought on my question. “There is a reason, Rebel. But we don't speak of it until after the choosing ceremony.”
My lips pursed tightly. “Just tell me.”
“No,” he said simply, his eyes growing harder. “Don't ask me again.” I expected him to turn away, but he didn't. Instead, his gaze drilled into mine as if he was trying to make me submit. But I looked back with equal ferocity, refusing to budge.
The carriage came to a halt and I glanced toward the door as it opened. The driver bowed low, waiting for us to exit.
“Close the door,” Erik barked at him and a tremor rocked my heart.
The door snapped shut and terror crawled through my veins as Erik shifted closer to me. His eyes were two lakes of ice capable of turning my heart to frost.
“When we go upstairs, I need you to be obedient. The woman we're seeing will be able to help you with Fabian.”
My throat grew dry and I forced myself to nod. He turned away, but words slid from my mouth before I could stop them. “Have you released my father yet?”
The question hung in the air. His shoulders stiffened as he remained with his fingers on the door handle. “I'll deal with it.”
“So that's a no,” I snarled, heat charging my veins.
My hands curled into fists as I gazed at the back of his head.
“If you do well with Fabian tomorrow, I'll make it a priority.” He opened the door, descending quickly from the carriage so I couldn't ask any more questions.
He didn't offer me his hand this time. Whatever fragile bridges I thought we'd started building between us had been an illusion. And I reminded myself not to forget that.
I dropped down the steps, folding my arms as I took in the shadowy street and a tall apartment block ahead of us. I shivered as a bitter wind blew around me, hugging my chest to try and keep the cold out.
Erik remained silent as he strode up to a large doorway and jammed his finger on a button beside it.
“Yes?” a female voice answered.
“It's Erik,” he said and a buzzing noise sounded before the door opened. I guessed from the informal way he'd announced himself that he was on close terms with whoever waited inside.
I followed him into a stairwell before the door closed in my face. He barely threw me a glance before storming up the marble staircase at such a fierce pace, there was no way I could keep up.
I decided
not to chase him like an alley dog and continued climbing at my own speed.
As I ascended level after level, I was reminded of how much I despised him. With his stupid good looks and superhuman gifts.
I hope you fall and break your neck on these stairs, Count Erik.
I recalled how I'd reacted to his touch at the bar and ground my teeth, hating myself for it. I would not buy into his fake charm whenever he decided to switch it on. He was like the eye of a storm. You thought you were safe until the winds picked up again. And the winds were definitely picking up.
I finally caught up with him, panting as I joined him in the stairwell. He was leaning against a wall, eyeing his phone but clearly waiting for me.
When I reached him, his eyes dragged up to meet mine. “My time is valuable, stop wasting it.”
“I can't move as fast as you,” I snapped, my temper spilling over. How could he be angry with me? I'd done everything he'd wanted. So what was the deal?
“I noticed,” he snarled.
“What's your problem?” I demanded.
He sped forward in a blur of movement until he was right before me. “What did I tell you about the way you should speak to me?”
I gaped at him, completely baffled by his changing moods. He pushed right up into my personal space and I slammed a hand to his chest to keep him back. Not that I could really stop him. “But you can speak to me however you like?”
He prised my fingers away from his jacket, keeping my hand in a vice-like grip. “Yes, because I am your superior.”
My upper lip curled back. “What's this really about?” I whispered in a deadly voice. This wasn't about my tone. I'd been playing pretty nice all day.
His eyes roamed over my face. His jaw ticked with fury. “Nothing,” he snipped. “Just behave.”
I shook my head at him in dismay, stepping back to put some distance between us. My heart was thumping wildly out of tune. Why did he affect me so much?
Erik turned to the single door in the hall, rapping his knuckles sharply against it.
The door whipped open a moment later and a devastatingly beautiful woman came into view. The vampire was tall, willowy with golden brown hair that hung straight all the way down to her midriff. Her eyes were earthy and inviting and her skin was glimmeringly pale. But despite the allure of her face and her inviting aura, she felt like something... else. I had no idea why I was sure she was different, but something in my bones told me she was.
“Master.” She beamed at Erik. “It's so good to see you.” In a heartbeat, her gleaming arms were wrapped around his neck. Her face was so close to his, for a second I thought they might kiss. But Erik remained rigid throughout the entire display.
“Valentina,” Erik growled. “How are you?”
“Fantastic, Erik. Do come in.” She tugged him by the hand and it was only then that her eyes fell on me. Her mouth parted, puckering into a perfect O. “By the gods, Erik, you didn't tell me you were bringing one of them with you.”
I instantly disliked her, not that I'd had any plans of liking her.
Erik pulled his hand free from Valentina's grip, turning to me. “Come here,” he beckoned me like a dog and I swallowed every ounce of pride I had and moved to his side. His arm slid around my shoulders, but there was no warmth in it like there had been at the bar. I felt like a possession being flaunted in front of this vampire.
“My first human,” Erik announced as he guided me into a brightly lit hallway. “What do you think?”
He pushed me toward Valentina and she immediately reached out to me, running her fingers through my hair, breathing in my scent then plucking at my dress. “She's a little scrawny. Why did you choose this one?”
Counting to ten in my head, I tried to block out their conversation.
“This one is particularly obedient,” Erik said and I had to bite down on a laugh. He knew as well as I did that was the last thing I was. It felt like a private joke between us, but I refused to let it shift the ice around my heart.
“You do realise you have to marry her if she chooses you at the ceremony?” Valentina's words punched me in the gut so fast, I wasn't remotely prepared.
Is this what Erik had been hiding? Did that mean he wanted me to marry Fabian?
“I realise that, thank you,” Erik responded curtly.
Repulsion filled me as Valentina strode ahead of us into another room and I glared at Erik.
He took my arm, dipping his head so his mouth was by my ear. “One word out of you and you'll regret it.” He pulled me along and I envisioned scratching his eyes out to sate my fury.
We arrived in a large living room filled with white furniture and a huge TV on the wall. Floor-length windows looked out toward a red-brick tower block framed by the cloudy sky.
Valentina appeared with two glasses in hand, both swimming with blood. I ground my teeth as the two of them dropped onto the pristine sofa and she passed Erik a glass. Valentina looked me up and down as if she was trying to work something out. Evidently, I was not invited to sit.
Erik placed his drink on a side table and didn't touch it again.
“I thought you were here about our line of work,” Valentina asked Erik.
“Later. I'd like you to help me with a little problem I'm having with my Courtier first.”
There was that word again. Courtier. Whatever it meant, I knew it referred to me.
“Oh?” she tittered, seeming delighted. “What kind of problem, master?”
Why did she keep calling him that? It was damn weird.
My skin tingled with anger and a pain grew on my right forearm. I rubbed at the spot, trying to find what the issue was but there seemed to be none.
“She doesn't know the first thing about men, Valentina. She's sheltered and repressed. I'd like you to loosen her up a bit.”
Humiliating. That's what this was. The feeling scurried over my body like hungry ants.
“Perhaps you're not ready for this kind of commitment,” Valentina said and lightning seemed to flash through her irises.
“That's an order, Valentina,” Erik snarled, his patience wearing thin.
She rose to her feet, rolling her eyes as she moved toward me with cat-like grace. As she took my chin in her palm, my skin rushed with a strange energy. The sky beyond the window darkened and a heavy presence seemed to fill the room.
What the..?
“Okay, let's see...” She tipped my head side to side and I fought the urge to jerk away from her. “Go and sit in Erik's lap,” she murmured, a sly grin forming on her full lips.
I glowered, tempted to disobey. But then I thought of Dad in the blood bank and what Erik had said about my 'behaviour'. What would he do if I didn't make an effort?
With an internal groan, I did as she said, moving in front of Erik. He opened his arms with a mocking expression and I lowered myself onto his lap, fighting all of my instincts.
“That's it,” Valentina encouraged. “Now show him how you adore him. Push your hands into his hair and gaze lovingly into his eyes.”
Yup, it was official. I was gonna throw up.
With my teeth grinding to dust in my mouth, I did as she said, reaching into Erik's hair. Soft as feathers, of course. Nothing like his steely gaze which was piercing and formidable. If this was supposed to be romantic, Valentina was deluded.
“Softly,” Valentina clipped and I realised my fingers were knotted tightly in Erik's hair like I was attempting to rip his head off. He lifted a brow, seeming amused by my efforts.
I shut my eyes as I battled myself into doing this. Softening my hands, I followed Valentina's instructions until my palms were cupped around Erik's cool cheeks.
“That's it, now kiss him. Gently mind, let's not get ahead of ourselves.”
My heart slammed into my ribcage. My hands dropped dramatically to my sides. I leant back, shaking my head wildly. Erik started laughing.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Valentina giving us a confused frown. “Is there a pro
blem?”
“She's shy,” Erik answered for me with a smirk.
If looks could kill, mine would have dismembered him by now.
“Alright.” Valentina seemed frustrated. “I'll turn away.”
As she whipped around, I figured we'd just pretend to kiss but Erik slammed his mouth against mine.
Hot acid poured down my spine. My stomach knotted into a tight ball and my heart combusted.
Erik's grip on my waist held me in place.
I could have leant back. Why wasn't I leaning back?
I yanked my head away and Erik grinned like the devil himself.
Bastard!
“Well it's a start,” Valentina said and I wondered when she'd stopped giving us privacy. “But you can't force chemistry into existence. I'm sorry Erik, she's not very good at this.”
Erik didn't look at her, instead pushing me from his lap so I stumbled to my feet. “She'll do just fine.”
“Can we talk in private now?” Valentina asked, seeming frustrated.
Rain started pattering against the window and a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.
“Valentina,” Erik snarled in a warning, but I wasn’t sure why.
She sighed and her eyes flashed to the window. The rain ebbed to a slow drizzle and the clouds seemed to brighten. If I hadn’t known it was crazy, I would almost have thought Valentina was responsible for the changing weather.
Eternal Reign (Age of Vampires Book 1) Page 18