Eternal Reign (Age of Vampires Book 1)

by Caroline Peckham

  The carriage hit a rock, making it bounce wildly and I lost my grip on the bars. I fell back, slamming onto the wooden floor hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs.

  The chains restraining my wrists made it difficult to regain my balance as the vehicle careered over the uneven ground. The driver whipped the horses mercilessly and they whinnied in pain and protest as they galloped on.

  I finally made it to my hands and knees and managed to claw my way back up to grab the bars over the window again.

  We crested a hill and the length of the grass made it impossible to see what had happened to Magnar and the remaining three vampires.

  The carriage thundered on and I clung to the freezing metal bars, straining my eyes in a vain effort to spot the slayer.

  I bit my lip as I waited, my heart pounding anxiously for any sign that he was alright.

  The horses snorted with fatigue and the carriage began to slow despite the continued hiss of the whip.

  “Faster!” Eve barked.

  “They aren’t built for speed,” a male voice replied defensively. “The carriage is too heavy: If we keep at them like this they might collapse!”

  The horses grunted and snorted in further protest as if backing up his point and the carriage slowed a little more.

  The Elite cursed them but it made no difference to our speed.

  I clung to the bars as desperation made my heartbeat thunder in my ears.

  Where are you Magnar?

  My eyes prickled with unexpected tears and a thick sob broke free of my throat. He wasn’t coming. And if he wasn’t coming then that could only mean one thing.

  Pain blossomed through my chest and my grip on the bars turned brittle as tears filled my eyes.

  I realised I had let myself care about someone aside from my family. And now he was gone too.

  When Erik left me in my room, I started packing a bag with warm clothes. I didn't have any food, but I could go a few days without it. My stomach was hardened from years of rations and once I was out of the city, I'd search the ruins for nourishment. Callie had found supplies that way, so I could too. I drew strength from my sister, picturing her fierce eyes and determined expression.

  I'm coming Callie. I'll find you.

  The river I'd crossed over into New York was well-guarded, that much I remembered from my arrival. But I'd seen a glimpse of trees from the skyscraper bar in the opposite direction. That was where I'd head.

  I hurried to the shutters and tried to open them. Failing, I headed to the closet and took out one of the high heels surely designed to cripple a woman’s feet. Heading back to the window, I pushed the thin heel into the gap in the shutters and wrenched it sideways. They groaned then something snapped and they swung wide.

  With a soaring feeling in my chest, I tugged them open to reveal the window. It was just a single pane with no handle. I sighed, figuring I should have known that would be the case.

  Gazing down at the dark grounds, I spotted the stone steps leading toward the woods. No guards were in sight, but that didn't mean much. There were probably a handful of them crawling around the castle, but I just had to hope I could sneak past them.

  I headed to the door, turning the handle and finding it locked. Refusing to give up, I dropped to my knees and gazed through the keyhole. It was blocked by the key, but at least it was close. Heading to the dresser, I took out a thin makeup brush and a piece of paper from a notepad. I moved back to the door and pushed the page under the lip of the door into the corridor.

  My breathing grew ragged as I stuck the handle of the brush into the keyhole. Slowly, I eased the key out and it hit the paper with a faint tap.

  I eased the page back under the door, bringing the key with it. Victory snatched my heart as I grabbed it and pressed my ear to the door, listening for sounds of movements. It was probably pointless considering the vampires were as silent as the wind, but I had to try.

  After several seconds, I stood, pulling the bag onto my back and sliding the key into the lock. Achingly slowly, I twisted it until a soft click sounded, sending a quake through me. With a shaking hand, I took hold of the handle and eased it down until the door opened.

  Pulling it wide, I glanced into the hallway to check it was clear.

  Empty.

  A shaky breath passed my lips as I crept into the corridor, a pair of boots in my hand as I moved silently in socks across the floorboards. I reached the staircase, moving down it at a steady pace, trying to battle the urge in me to run.

  When I'd made it into the dark hall, I turned in the direction of the entranceway. I hurried toward it but as I approached, voices caught my ear and I shrank quickly into the shadows of an alcove.

  My stomach clenched tightly as I waited.

  “Count Erik has retired to his room,” a male voice said.

  “He won't mind if I go to him,” Valentina's voice sounded in reply and I stiffened, pressing myself harder against the wall.

  “I'm sorry my lady, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow.”

  Valentina tutted. “Nonsense!” Her voice was nearer and I forced myself further into the corner as she swept past my hiding place with the guard in tow.

  “Please, my lady, I have to ask that you respect the Count's wishes!” he cried, jogging after her and trying to catch her arm.

  She quickened her pace, disappearing in the direction of the stairwell and I seized my advantage.

  Stepping out of the darkness, I glanced into the entrance hall, finding it empty with the door wide open. The night air beckoned and I fled toward it, arriving on the steps and racing down them toward the trees.

  I didn't breathe until I slipped between the boughs and darkness enveloped me. Tugging on my boots, I listened hard for approaching footsteps but only the sound of small animals reached my ears.

  Taking a steady breath, I carved a path across the fallen leaves which cracked under my feet.

  The moon was hidden tonight, giving me the extra cover I needed to remain concealed. Perhaps fate was on my side. Maybe I'd keep getting lucky until I made it out of the city.

  Every sound was heightened in my ears. Every snapping twig and rustle of leaves made me run faster.

  Soon, I made it to the wall. It stretched above me nearly twenty feet, but there were gaps between the large white bricks in places. Not any near the ground though...

  My heart swelled as I spotted a fallen tree resting against it a few hundred yards away.

  Luck’s on my side. I’m going to get out of here!

  I hurried toward it, my breaths fogging before me in the freezing air. The tree almost reached the top of the wall. I prayed I could make the climb. Maybe a more sensible girl wouldn’t even attempt it. But I wasn't just any girl. I was a Ford. And the Ford family had hearts of steel which wouldn't be kept chained.

  I braced myself on the trunk, finding a foothold and starting my ascent. Placing my hands on the rough knots of the bark, I began climbing.

  As I made it halfway, a scuffle caught my ear followed by heated voices.

  “Hey – what are you doing out here?” a man demanded and for a moment I feared I'd been spotted.

  I froze, clinging to the bark and pressing my cheek to the cold wood.

  “I'm here for you,” another man answered in a rasping tone.

  “No – hey. Get back!”

  They came into view and I spotted a vampire with dark red hair wielding his sword at the edge of the tree-line. A shadowy figure followed him, lazily swinging a blade in his hand.

  The red-haired vampire slashed out with his sword, but the other was quicker, darting around him and slicing the vampire's throat open.

  Horror drowned me. I pressed a hand to my mouth as the blood poured and the red-head hit the ground, clutching his neck. His attacker stepped forward, his body concealed by an ebony robe, but I could tell he was a frightening size. He took hold of the vampire’s scruff and dragged him back into the trees, stabbing him over and over as he went, everywhere but
his heart.

  I shut my eyes, willing my pounding pulse to slow down.

  What if that vampire catches me?

  As they disappeared into the trees, I forced my legs to move and started climbing once more. I couldn’t focus on what I’d just witnessed. I just had to get out of here.

  I moved as fast as I could and was soon forcing my way through a tangle of branches which were crushed against the wall.

  I gazed up at the final five feet of bricks I needed to scale, desperately searching for a handhold. I spotted one above my head and carefully rose to my feet, balancing precariously on the trunk. My heart stammered as I leant forward, my fingers flexing as I tried to reach it. My hands locked into it and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Gazing up, I set my sights on the top of the wall.

  I am Montana Ford and I am strong enough to escape this prison.

  I found a foothold and pushed with all my might, finding another small crevice for my hands. I dug my nails in as the stone crumbled, holding on tight. One foot at a time, I rose until finally I grasped the top of the wall. My arms ached as I heaved myself onto it then flattened myself to the stone, gazing over the edge.

  A sheer drop glared back at me and my heart forced its way into my throat.

  I gathered my wits, looking up and down the wall, searching for a way down. Not too far ahead was a tall structure below me on the street. It was a couple of meters from the wall and about a third of its height, but it was better than nothing.

  My palms were slick as I dragged myself along, finally arriving before the structure. Now I was closer, I could see it was just a wooden shelter with an old metal sign beside it.

  The street beyond it was dark, but across the road were large houses with lights on behind the windows.

  I drank in a breath of cold air and willed myself to stand. I couldn't make the jump from my knees so I had to move fast to ensure no one spotted me. Bending low, I gathered all the strength I had and threw myself toward the wooden roof. I plummeted through the air, my legs wheeling and kicking as I fell.

  I slammed into it with a loud bang and gasped in agony. My knees were torn open on the rough wood and pain ricocheted through my hands. I released a groan as I crawled to the edge and lowered myself down.

  I landed in some bushes and my arms were scratched as thorns found my skin through my clothes. I heaved myself out of them to a patch of grass between the shrubs and the wall, crouching out of sight.

  My jeans were torn at the knees revealing broken skin from my fall. Hissing between my teeth, I dropped my pack and opened it, taking out a t-shirt. I ripped it in two, wrapping it tightly over the wounds, praying it would be enough to stem the blood-flow.

  With a steadying breath, I tugged on my pack and rose to my feet, keeping within the shadow of the wall. I orientated myself and quickened my pace to a jog, thinking of my family and nothing else.

  Keep going, Montana. Just keep moving.

  A faint masculine roar reached my ears and I gripped the bar tightly as I blinked away the unshed tears. I heaved myself higher, willing it not to be my imagination as the sound drew closer.

  The vampires sitting above me in the carriage began cursing and two of them leapt down, swords raised defensively just as Magnar crested the hill.

  My heart swelled as I spotted him, the terror that had been threatening to crush me crumbling to dust as I laid eyes on his face.

  He was sprinting after us, a battle-cry tearing from his lips filled with a terrifying promise.

  Relief flooded me and my knees almost buckled with the weight of it. He’s alright. And he’s not going to let them take me without a fight. The thought set something fluttering through my veins like wildfire. I wasn’t alone.

  Magnar ran with both of his swords held ready on either side of him, the dim moonlight managing to highlight the crimson blood of the fallen vampires which coated them.

  The two lesser vampires leapt forward to intercept him but he cut through them like they were nothing but flies, sending their remains spiralling into the air behind him before continuing his pursuit of the carriage. He released another roar of rage and a shiver raced down my spine.

  He was magnificent. A legend brought to life right before my eyes.

  The Elite snapped a command and the final four lesser vampires jumped from the carriage to take him on.

  For a moment, Magnar’s gaze caught mine and I could see a golden fire swirling within his eyes.

  The carriage veered right and I fought to maintain my hold on the bars as I lost sight of the slayer.

  The Elite whipped the horses back into a gallop and they whinnied in protest as they struggled to haul the carriage on.

  “Move you great beasts!” Eve screeched as she tried to force them to up their pace.

  A heavy wooden thump sounded and the carriage suddenly lurched forward before crashing into the ground. My grasp was ripped free of the bar and I was thrown around the confined space as the carriage tumbled over the uneven ground before slamming to a halt. I crashed down onto what had been the roof moments before and winced at the pain that blossomed across the side of my head.

  The sound of galloping hooves moved away at speed.

  Something wet trickled down my forehead and I lifted my bound hands to investigate it. Blood stained my fingertips and I winced again as the movement sent more pain resounding through my skull.

  I crawled forward, finding the barred window and peering out to see what had happened. We’d made it back into the woods before crashing in a small clearing. Moonlight shone down on the open space but the shadows between the trees were deepest black.

  “Your friends are dead and it was easily done,” Magnar mocked as he strode towards the destroyed carriage. “Do you think you might give me more of a challenge?”

  Now that he was closer, I could see blood seeping from wounds across his body but if they bothered him, he showed no sign of it.

  “Where did you come from slayer?” Eve hissed as she moved into view. She stopped a few feet from Magnar and her rigid posture reeked of fear.

  “I slept long and deep, waiting for this moment,” he rumbled. “And in that time you parasites forgot about my kind. You grew fat and lazy on the presumption that we were gone. I have torn through nineteen of your lackeys without breaking a sweat. In my time even lesser vampires were well trained in swordplay and could pose some challenge. Is it too much to presume you might make this any harder for me?” He took a step to his right, swinging his blades in a lazy challenge and she followed his lead, circling clockwise to maintain the distance between them.

  “Those fools were nothing compared to me,” she replied. “My kind will sing songs about the last slayer and how he couldn’t even save his little whore before I ended him.”

  Magnar’s gaze slipped to me for a moment and my grip on the bar tightened. I didn’t want my presence to distract him. The Elite noticed his attention and laughed.

  “Once I have cut off all of your limbs, I will slit her throat and drink her dry before your eyes while you watch. The last thing you will ever see will be her death. And your final act on this earth will be failing to save her.” She smiled widely, taunting him as she adjusted her grip on her sword.

  “Perhaps.” Magnar shrugged one huge shoulder. “Or perhaps I will cleave your head from your neck and burn your body. All but your heart which I shall leave beating so that you can exist as a decapitated skull for the rest of time.” He smiled wolfishly at her and I could see a savageness in his eyes.

  I could barely breathe as the tension increased and they continued to circle each other slowly, neither making the first move.

  Finally, the Elite cracked. She let out a shriek as she leapt forward, swinging her sword straight for Magnar’s throat. He deflected the blade with one of his own and brought the other around sharply, slicing into her abdomen and spilling blood.

  She hissed like a feral beast and quickly spun aside so his second blade swept through empty air
instead of finding flesh.

  She aimed a thrust at his back but he twisted, raising Tempest to take the blow from her sword. The metal flashed angrily where they met and I could see his arm straining against the power of her strike. Before she could remove her weapon, he swung Venom around, trapping her blade between both of his.

  Eve snarled as she fought to reclaim her blade and Magnar kicked out, catching her in the stomach and sending her flying. She managed to twist and land on her feet but she lost her hold on her weapon and it flew through the air to disappear into the trees.

  Her eyes darted about wildly and Magnar spun his blades in his grasp as he advanced on her.

  “Brave of you slayer, to come for my life with two blades in hand while I hold none,” she spat angrily.