The Captive Series 1-5

by Erica Stevens

  "I don't know," he answered honestly.

  "Are you going to return to the palace?"

  He stopped walking as he turned back toward her. "I will not be able to return, Arianna."

  Her hands clenched upon her legs as she stared at him in wide-eyed disbelief. "It is your family, your heritage."

  He was immobile; his jaw locked as he watched the woods behind her. Then, ever so slowly, his gaze came back to her.

  "You are my family now," he said forcefully. "And I will make sure you stay safe."

  "Braith," she breathed.

  He was back before her in a heartbeat; his hand entwined in her hair and his mouth was supple yet firm against hers. Her toes curled as his kiss sent waves of heat and yearning crashing through her body. She trembled as she hugged him.

  She lost herself to his incredible touch, scent, and feel. His presence was overwhelming, yet so blissfully soothing. His hands were caressing as they slid over her, pushing aside her clothes to brush over her skin.

  Aria's trembling increased as she was inundated with swirling emotions. Her mind and body spun as he pushed her onto the coat. His hard body pressed against hers as he came down on top of her.

  Aria clutched at him, needing something solid in this spiraling, out of control world. The muscles in his arms shook as he enveloped her. She could feel his fangs against her mouth as his excitement grew.

  Her fingers entwined in his hair. She held him closer as she fought back the tears of love and joy burning her eyes. His fingers brushed against her cheeks as he pulled back from her.

  "Arianna—"

  "I love you," she whispered; her fingers skimmed over his extended fangs.

  His eyes sparked, and hunger blazed within his gaze. His lips pressed against hers again, but the driving hunger had left his kiss to become a gentleness that left her breathless. She stroked him as she guided his head toward what he desired most right now—her blood.

  His mouth skimmed over her skin before he bit down. Aria's hands clenched on his arms; a low moan escaped her as she felt his tantalizing pull of her blood.

  She closed her eyes to savor the delightful feel of him feeding on her and taking nutrition from her body. She drifted in the bliss rushing over her, consuming her within its cocoon of happiness and awe.

  When he pulled back from her, his lips were warm against her skin. She was half asleep, drifting in a world of bliss and happiness when he offered her his wrist to allow her to feed on him and take nourishment and joy from his body also.

  Aria's gaze darted over the buildings as Braith led her down the broken streets of the town. It was an unfortunate town; that much was evident by the rundown buildings and overly thin animals lurking in the shadows.

  Braith kept a firm hold of her hand as he led her forward. From behind some of the windows, she saw people peering out at them, but no one came forth, and the curtains were quickly dropped back into place when she glanced their way.

  "What town is this?" she inquired.

  Braith shook his head. "I don't know."

  He led her down another street, this one containing stores. A few people were moving about in this area, hurrying from one place to another without stopping to talk to each other. They seemed terrified and beaten by whatever events life had thrown at them. They were the saddest, most heart-wrenching people she’d ever seen.

  "Braith..." He pulled her closer against him as his stride quickened a little more. "These people..."

  "Broken."

  Aria shuddered at the word, but it was the most appropriate way to describe the lost souls wandering the streets. They turned another corner and hurried forward as they slipped passed houses even more worn down by time and poverty.

  A lump of distress clogged her throat. The towns closer to the palace fared much better than this forgotten wasteland. Here, they seemed to have nothing. There, though they were poor, there were more opportunities for employment, and more money was tossed around by the wealthy residents within the palace towns.

  She fought back tears as a young boy darted out of an alleyway. His clothes were no more than rags, the cloth encircling his feet where his shoes, and he was so dirty she couldn't discern the color of his hair.

  Braith tugged her back when she took a step toward the child, feeling as if she had to do something, but having no idea what she was supposed to do. The boy stopped to stare at her; his eyes gleamed as he took her in.

  "Keep moving, Arianna," Braith urged tensely.

  "There has to be something—"

  "They are not human."

  Aria's mouth dropped as she spun toward him. "What?"

  "They are vampires."

  Unease shot through her as she took a step closer to him, pressing against his well-muscled body. Her heart hammered, her breath became labored as she wildly glanced around the decrepit streets. She hadn't known some vampires lived like this, and that some vamps had as little as she did within the forest. She'd thought they were all wealthy and all enjoyed the luxurious life the palace represented. But these vampires had so very little, and they were starving.

  And she appeared to be the only morsel of food around.

  "Are they going to come after us?" she asked.

  "Not if they would like to live," Braith replied.

  A chill crept down Aria's spine as he growled the words. He pulled her against him and wrapped his arm around her waist. When they turned another corner, the houses became sparser as the woods crept in on them again. Aria glanced over her shoulder, alarmed, and not at all surprised to see they had attracted a small following.

  "They're following us," she breathed in horror.

  "I know."

  She swallowed nervously as her heart thumped with renewed intensity. It was her they were coming for, but they would kill Braith to get at her.

  "It's why William couldn't come with us. I couldn't protect you both," he said. She managed a small nod as she bit nervously on her bottom lip. "They won't get anywhere near you, Arianna."

  "And you?" she whispered.

  He shot her a small, arrogant grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Impossible."

  Aria attempted to take solace in his answer, but there were even more of them back there now. She was grateful for the reassuring weight of the arrows on her back, but she wasn't sure she had enough in her quiver to make a dent in the growing population behind them.

  "Keep your eyes forward," Braith instructed.

  When she turned back around, her fingers twitched to grasp her bow. "What are we going to do?"

  They rounded another corner; the woods pressed closer to them. "You know that tree thing you can do?" Aria nodded. "Why don't you scurry on up there now?"

  "I'm not leaving you down here alone!" she protested.

  "I'll be fine, Arianna. You have to get up there."

  "Braith—"

  "Go, Arianna, now!"

  It was the harshest he'd spoken to her in a while, and it stunned her. Her heart leapt, and her mouth went dry as she glanced back at the growing crowd again. Braith was strong, but there were so many of them back there.

  "Go," he urged his voice a little kinder.

  Aria didn't refuse him as he nudged her forward. "I'll be fine Arianna, go."

  She grasped the first low branch she came across, threw her arms around the limb, swung her legs over, and maneuvered nimbly up the large oak. When she glanced back down at Braith, his head was tilted back as he watched her. She hesitated for a moment, loathe to leave him, but she required a better spot, and a better angle, if she was going to have any hope of taking any of the creatures out with her arrows.

  She climbed higher, searching for the branch she could use to attain the next tree. Finding the right one, she ran across the limb. She leapt into the air, feeling a brief moment of happiness as the air rushed up around her. Her legs kicked before she seized hold of the limb of the other tree. Her arms locked around it as she swung back into the leafy branches.

  Braith moved
swiftly across the ground beneath her, keeping his eyes straight as he walked. Aria glanced back as the crowd of fifteen hit the edge of the forest. She had to get the shaking of her hands under control if she was going to continue to make her way through the trees and not get killed. She darted across another limb, jumped quickly into another tree, and then another.

  Braith kept pace with her, but the others were gaining on them, and she needed to get a little further ahead. She moved smoothly, running and leaping until she found a notch in a tree that would be an excellent place to set up. Pulling an arrow free, she placed it into her bow. She loved the feeling of power that vibrated up the bow and into her hands. Braith studied her for a moment, shaking his head as he watched her.

  She didn't have time to fire the arrow as Braith suddenly launched forward, blurring with speed as he raced at their stalkers. Aria's mouth dropped as he grasped the first one and slammed him into the ground. She was astounded, momentarily dazed by his display of speed and overwhelming power.

  A muddled squeal escaped his victim, but it was short-lived as the victim's throat was crushed beneath the strength of his hand. Three others launched themselves at Braith.

  Pushing aside leaves with the tip of her arrow, she aimed at one of the creatures clawing at Braith's back. The arrow released with a distinct twang. It flew straight through the air, striking its target in the back.

  The vampire fell off Braith, squealing as it clawed at its back, squirmed, and withered upon the ground. Five pairs of red eyes swung her way as she drew their attention to her location within the tree.

  She had no fear they would be able to get her out of the tree; they would have to catch her first. Her primary concern remained centered upon Braith. Aria quickly drew another arrow, notching it in the bow as she aimed at the next creature who zeroed in on Braith.

  She fired again, this time her arrow flew straight into the creature's heart. It wheeled back, howling as it fell to the ground and kicked savagely in its death throes. Four of the vampires fled back toward town. Three others became aroused by the scent of blood. Aria recoiled, nausea twisted through her as they fell on the one she killed with savage glee.

  Braith used their distraction to destroy two more of them, tearing their heads from their bodies before turning his attention to the three now feasting upon their friend. She didn't know what to do as he stalked toward them, bloodlust evident in the stiff set of his shoulders.

  Aria turned away, unable to watch as he attacked the creatures. She fought the urge to block her ears and flee through the trees to escape the atrocious sight.

  She did none of those things as she remained frozen within the tree, shaking with the distress clinging to her. A sharp tug on her foot caught her off guard and nearly ripped her from the tree. Scrambling for purchase, her fingers sought some grip on the limb.

  Her arm hooked over the branch, barely saving her from plummeting out of the tree. She panted for breath, but she managed to gather her wits enough to look down at what had nearly caused her freefall.

  A vampire stared back at her, its fangs extended, its eyes red with murderous intent. Aria's jaw almost hit the ground; she’d been so upset by the carnage before her that she missed this threat. It was foolish, stupid, and she was paying for it now as his hand grasped her boot.

  Aria swung her other arm up as she attempted to get into a better position in the tree. It jerked down on her again, knocking her newly acquired grasp off the limb. A small gasp of pain escaped as her bent arm took the brunt of the violent jerk.

  She kicked out, trying to knock the creature's grip free, but it refused to relinquish her as its hand slithered up to her ankle. It was surprisingly strong, even in its emaciated state. Or maybe it was starvation driving it to such levels of strength.

  Her arm ached; her armpit was rubbed raw. Her shoulder felt as if it were going to tear from its socket. She barely clung to the tree. She kicked out, trying to knock the creature free as it ripped on her again. A tortured cry escaped, a wrenching agony tore through her shoulder as a loud pop filled the air. She couldn't feel her arm as it released its hold on the limb.

  The creature was still holding onto her ankle as she free fell into the air for a few feet. Its grasp kept her in the tree, but it didn't keep her from slamming off another branch. Her back screamed in protest, and the wind was knocked out of her. She barely managed to get her good arm up to protect her head from the impact of the tree trunk.

  Twisting around, she shoved herself off the limb as the vampire scrambled to get a better hold on her by moving up her calf. She kicked out, catching the thing beneath its chin, and snapping its head back.

  It hissed and lunged at her as she hung upside down. She kicked out again, knocking it back further. With her good hand, she swung out, throwing the full force of her wrath behind the punch. Bone splintered, blood splattered over her as its nose shattered with a loud crack.

  The creature howled. It instinctively released her as it grasped its twisted nose. A startled cry escaped her as she freefell into nothing. She struggled to reclaim some hold upon the tree, but it was too late. She tried to keep herself straight, hoping to avoid as many of the branches as possible in her plummet, but they slapped and tore at her.

  She heard Braith shout her name, but she couldn't respond to him as she was batted and bounced rapidly back and forth. The branches mercifully gave way, and she plummeted toward the earth. Arms encircled her, sheltering her from hitting the ground as Braith took the impact of her body on himself. A cry of suffering escaped her as he embraced her against his chest.

  His hands pushed her tangled hair back from her as he tried to get a look at her. "Arianna," he whispered frantically. "Arianna?"

  She took a deep breath, wincing as her bruised body protested the movement. She took a moment to assess the damage done to her. Eventually, she was satisfied that, though she was wounded, she would heal eventually.

  "I'm okay," she told him, clenching her teeth as even that small movement caused tenderness to flare through her chest.

  "Look at me."

  Opening her eyes, she blinked in surprise, uncertain about the emotions that surged through her when she met his gaze. His much-loved eyes were intense, terrified, and a vivid shade of red.

  She didn't know what to make of this stark reminder of what he was, and what he was capable of doing, even if it was all because of her. His gaze searched her face, running rapidly over her, trying to reassure himself she was, in fact, all right.

  Then, his gaze rose to the tree, and the amount of rage radiating out of him shook her to the marrow of her bones. She didn't look at the creature in the tree. He may still be alive right now, but he was as good as dead.

  He bit into his wrist, holding his arm out to her as his blood trickled forth. "It will help you heal faster," he informed her.

  She hesitated, there had been enough blood today, but she couldn't refuse him. Not when every part of her hurt and not when he was looking at her with that pleading expression. She took his wrist and pressed it against her mouth.

  His sweet blood healed her as it seeped into her system, flowing through her bruised muscles and dislocated shoulder. When he seemed to think she'd had enough, he pulled his wrist away from her. His lips were soft upon her forehead as he released her.

  "Keep your eyes closed, Arianna," he instructed.

  "Braith," she whispered.

  "Just keep your eyes closed, it will be over quickly."

  She closed her eyes, unable to resist obeying him. She forced herself to remain calm as she tried, and failed, to block out the sounds of the ensuing slaughter.

  Chapter Eleven

  Arianna curled against his chest; her hand fisted in his shirt as she slept soundly within his grasp. Braith had hoped they would be at their destination by now, but the fight with the other vampires, and the tending of her wounds, put them behind schedule. Night had fallen again, and she was exhausted and beaten. His blood would help her to heal faster, but she
still moaned every once in a while, and her face scrunched in pain.

  Braith watched her as he moved; still awed that he could see her and surprised he hadn't found her beautiful at first. Yes, she was thinner than he liked, and he had always preferred fairer hair color and more refined beauty. But her features, though sharpened by her thinness, were alluring and innocent, yet they possessed a captivating strength of character.

  They certainly captivated him anyway. He couldn't take his eyes away from her full mouth, slightly pointed nose, and dark eyelashes as they curled against the scattered freckles on her cheeks. When she had been in the palace, out of the rays of the sun, those freckles had almost disappeared completely.

  She stirred, and her eyelids fluttered open. When her sapphire eyes met his, an impish smile curved her mouth, and she cuddled closer. That smile was rare, yet devastatingly beautiful.

  He knew she’d been upset and horrified by what she witnessed earlier, but she hadn't held it against him or blamed him for his dark nature. She hadn't turned away from him or turned him away.

  "We're almost there," he told her.

  She winced as her bad shoulder was jarred. Fury surged through him, but he buried it before she could see or sense it. She'd seen enough mayhem today without needing to see any more from him right now. She stared at the forest, her delicate forehead furrowed in confusion. It didn't look as if the woods were going to end, but they would soon.

  "I can walk," she murmured.

  "That's okay."

  When she turned back toward him, her dark eyebrows were drawn firmly together. "Your arms must be tired."

  "I'm fine, Arianna; you weigh as much as a feather."

  Displeasure flashed across her face. He bent over her to press a kiss on her nose, hoping to ease her irritation with him.

  "Are we going to be safe?" she asked.

  He wished he could tell her, yes, they would be. He longed to give her that much, but he couldn't. She had never known safety, never known a place to call home where she could feel secure, and one day he would give her that; but unfortunately, it wouldn't be today. It probably wouldn't be for a long time. Sadness crept into her eyes; she leaned her head against his chest.