by M. K. ROZE
blood as many watched.”
I stepped back. “Bain, that’s horrible what happened to
you and your family, especially your mother. I’m so sorry.”
He ran his fingers through my hair. “Yes, it was, but I
wouldn’t change anything, even if I could turn back time.”
“Why?”
“The love I have for you is irreplaceable, and I don’t
want it to ever perish.”
His sweet words made my body tremble. I grabbed his
face, pulled him in, and kissed him passionately.
Bain stopped kissing me and pushed me behind him.
“What’s wrong?”
“They’re here.”
I looked all around me. “Who?”
“Latore, Savina, and others like them.”
I gasped. “Can they see us or is the potion still hiding us
from them?”
“Yes, but it’s about to wear off.”
“How did they find us?”
“They followed your scent.”
“What are we going to do?”
Bain looked at me with concern. “We’re going to fight.”
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y muscles locked into place when Latore,
Savina, and three other males flew over us. As
Bain let out a loud roar, his fangs ripped
through his gums, and he wrapped his wings around me.
As they flew down onto the beach, I wondered why
their wings were all black except for Latore’s.
“Why are his wings red?” I kept my eyes on Latore’s
every move. He was handsome, but when he looked at me
with pure evil, his flawless features made me sick to my
stomach.
“As I said earlier, he’s the first vampire.”
I had never seen the other three figures before. “Are
they vampires too?” I whispered.
“Yes, and I’m afraid I’m outnumbered, for Latore is
much stronger than I. This would be a great time to make up
your mind.”
“If I said yes, wouldn’t that take some time?”
“Usually it would, but being that you were immortal at
one time, you would turn immediately.”
I shook my head. “No way, I need more time. Where
are Sorin and Dragos?”
Bain turned to me. “They will be here momentarily.”
“How do you know?”
“Telepathy, love.” He picked me up. “I’m sorry to have
to do this.”
My eyes widened. “Do what?”
“Hold your breath.” He tossed me at least fifty feet out
into the water.
I plunged into the ocean, swam to the surface, gasped
for air, and wiped the water out of my eyes. “Bain!” I spit out
the salty sea and trod the water, fighting the powerful waves.
Seconds later, clawed feet latched on to my arms and
lifted me. I looked up at Sorin. Off to my side were Dragos
and three others I didn’t know—one female and two males.
“You will be fine,” Sorin said. He flew me to the beach,
released me from his talons, and flew back up to fight one of
Latore’s men.
“Bain!” I screamed, but he wasn’t anywhere.
Out of nowhere, a beautiful young woman my age with
black hair and blue eyes was in front of me. “Stay here.” She
vamp sped and slammed her body into Savina, making her
spin into the air.
Savina landed on the ground. “I love a challenge,” she
hissed, showing her fangs.
The unknown woman’s eyes turned red. She flew at
Savina and smashed her so hard, she disappeared into the
sand. A growl came from the woods. I looked up, and the
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leopard was high up in a tree. He leaped from it with Bain
following behind him.
“No way.” I stumbled backward.
Bain walked over to me with the leopard at his side.
“You’re friends with it?”
“I didn’t show you, but Paladin had Malakor come back
with me from your realm.”
“Why?” I asked while staring at it.
“Malakor is your protector. He’s been at your side since
your birth.”
I smiled. “No way.”
Malakor came up to me and rubbed his head against my
arm. I ran my fingers down his back as he walked past me.
“Did he carry me back to the inn when I passed out?”
Malakor nodded.
I stepped back and turned to Bain. “He can understand
me?”
“Yes. He’s not your normal leopard.”
“I can see that. Why did you leave me here?”
“I had to hide the Sicuro.”
Sorin flew down and stood next to Bain, followed by
Dragos on Sorin’s side.
“Son,” Sorin said, “I’m much more powerful. Take
Viata and go.”
“No, Father, I must end them all.”
“Why is your father stronger?”
“Because he has killed more people than me. Isn’t that
right, Father?”
Sorin gave him a half-smile and nodded once.
Dragos looked away—I’m assuming because he didn’t
kill as many.
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Savina, Latore, and the others flew down. They stood at
least ten feet in front of us. The unknown males seemed to
be in their early twenties. The Asian man had a medium build
with long black hair. His dark, wide eyes glanced at the tall
slim guy next to him, whose ashen face looked to be in pain
as he glared at me. Next to him was a black man with blue
eyes and a smug look. I wondered if he was a bodybuilder
before he was turned.
Latore faced Bain in a standoff. “You know we will win,
so just give me the Sicuro and Divinity now.”
Bain stepped forward. “I will do no such thing.”
Latore snarled and showed his fangs. “Bain, don’t be
absurd. The moment you turn her, she will remember, and
she will kill us all.”
Bain glanced at me and turned back to Latore. “I don’t
care. You won’t touch her.”
Latore hissed again. “Oh, I will. And this time, I will
make sure that her soul won’t escape the Sicuro.”
Malakor’s eyes turned red, and he crouched, ready to
pounce on Latore.
“Control your smelly feline,” Savina demanded as she
backed up.
Bain’s veins bulged from his neck, and his eyes turned
red as fire.
I looked up at a young woman with two men flying over
us. When they landed behind me, I peered over my shoulder
at their black wings and large talons, wondering who they
were. When they smiled at me, I gulped, turned back around,
and grabbed Bain’s hand.
“Who are they?”
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Bain ignored me and squeezed my hand as he kept his
eyes on Latore.
Latore chuckled. “Bain, you didn’t tell your sweet
Divinity that her children, Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario are
here fighting for her?”
I let go of Bain’s hand and looked back at them. They
didn’t look anything like Bain or me. I glared at Latore.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?” Latore replied with a grin.
&nbs
p; One of the young men stepped forward and hissed.
“Caius, not yet.” Sorin held Caius back.
Latore scowled at Caius. “You’re much too weak.”
“Be silent, or I’ll tear out your tongue,” Bain bellowed.
Latore’s jaw clenched. “You can try, but not until I rip
off your children’s heads and feed them to Divinity.”
I went to charge Latore, but Bain grabbed my hand and
yanked me back. “Shut up, or I will turn and end you,” I
shouted.
Latore stepped closer. “I see you still have the same evil
from centuries ago.” He smirked. “I like it. As for becoming
immortal again, you won’t dare.”
Bain let go of my hand and charged Latore. Malakor
jumped over Savina’s head and went to help Bain. When
Savina and the others flew at us, I dropped to the ground,
shielded my head, and watched as they flung each other into
the air. When they ripped off each other’s flesh, I grimaced
and turned away. Two males from Savina’s side looked
toward the sun and flew off.
“Kill them,” Dragos ordered.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario flew after them.
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Latore grabbed Bain and slammed him into the sand.
Malakor attacked Latore, biting him, freeing Bain.
“Stop, please stop!” I shouted.
Savina and the unknown male were in midair fighting
Dragos and Sorin.
Latore got out of Bain’s grip and flew at me, nearly
grabbing me with his clawed feet. Sorin came out of nowhere
and charged Latore, slamming him into the ground. When I
took off running, something locked its clawed feet around
my arms and took me out over the ocean. I looked up at
Sorin.
“Drop me, drop me now, and go help Bain, please!”
“I’m sorry, but I must protect you. I’m afraid he’s on his
own.”
“He’s your son.” I kicked, trying to break from his grip,
but he held me tightly.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario came back with the men’s
heads and tossed them at Savina.
“No!” Savina shouted and flew toward Ruxandra.
“What have you done?” Latore thundered. He flew at
Bain and slammed his body into his.
Malakor leaped on Latore, clawing at his face. Latore bit
a chunk out of Malakor’s thigh.
“Malakor, go!” Bain ordered.
Malakor got up and ran into the woods, limping. Caius
and Dario grabbed Savina, but she was much too strong and
got away.
“Father,” Ruxandra yelled, “what do you want us to
do?”
“Take your brothers and go! I will protect Viata.” Bain
gazed into my eyes.
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I looked away because I couldn’t believe I had kids who
were my age and who were vampires. It was weird, and it was
something I didn’t think I could ever get used to.
Latore had Bain by the neck. “Stay here and watch me
tear off your father’s head.”
Bain flipped around and bit a chunk out of Latore’s
neck.
“No, I won’t leave you!” Ruxandra shouted.
Bain spit his flesh out. “Go, Ruxandra! Go now!” Bain
commanded as he held Latore.
Ruxandra, Caius, and Dario started to fly away, but
Savina and the other male flew at them, fighting them. Bain
kicked Latore backward and flew up to them. He grabbed
Savina and the other male, releasing them.
“Go, go now!” Bain commanded. “The sun is about to
rise.”
Savina and the other male fought out of Bain’s grip.
Dragos grabbed them by their wings and flew them
straight into the ocean—the water erupting like a bomb went
off.
Tears filled my eyes because I couldn’t do anything but
watch our children fly away, looking back at us. I felt
worthless. I wished I could do something.
Flashes of lightning lit the atmosphere, followed by
booming thunder. The moon turned red, and a loud rumble
shook the sky, creating large waves that submerged my body
briefly.
Seconds later, the waves pushed me up. Sorin looked
down just as confused as I was, and he flew me up higher. I
coughed up the salty sea, wondering if it was a whale. I wiped
the water from my eyes and found Bain in Latore’s grip.
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“Let him go, and I will give myself to you. Please let him
go!” I begged.
“No, Viata! Don’t you dare!” Bain shouted.
Latore kicked Bain, spinning him around like he was in
a tornado, then Bain was struck by lightning.
My eyes narrowed on Bain. The lightning formed into a
hand and held him in midair for a few seconds then dropped
him.
What the hell is that? “Help him. Please help him,” I cried.
I searched for Dragos to help, but he had the unknown
male by the neck. He ripped his head off—blood squirting
everywhere, and he threw it into the water.
Savina charged Dragos into the woods.
I grimaced—never seeing that before and looked back
at Bain lying on the beach convulsing. “Let me go! Please, I
need to help him!”
“I can’t. I’m sorry,” Sorin said.
Latore landed on the ground, walked over to Bain, and
kicked him with so much force that his limp body flew into
the water.
“Bain!” My voice cracked as he lay floating face down
with waves tossing him around. I looked up at Sorin. “Please
let me go to him. He’s hurt.”
Sorin let out a gut-wrenching roar, then he looked down
at me, breathing heavily. His glossy red eyes faded to black.
“He fought for you.” He held back his tears. “I’m sorry,
Viata, but Bain wanted us to protect you.”
“But, but, he’s not dead.”
“It looks as though he is.”
“No,” I cried out, “no, he can’t be. He’s immortal.”
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At that moment, I felt as though someone sucked the
life right out of me.
Latore glided across the water, grabbed Bain by the hair,
and spit in his lifeless face.
“What a shame. Now you can’t watch as I rip your
lover’s neck apart like I did Kaylee and your old time shrink,
Dr. Wells.” Latore glanced up at me. “Remember that
wonderful day, Viata?” He turned and slammed Bain’s head
into the water.
Savina cackled. “Don’t forget about Liam—her secret
admirer, who will become one of us soon.”
I could feel my face burn. “I’m going to kill you,” I
bellowed, then looked up at Sorin. “Turn me, turn me now,”
I demanded.
Latore chuckled. “It’s a little too late for that now. Only
Bain—your true love was—able to turn you.”
“Sorin, is that true?”
He frowned. “I’m afraid so.”
Dragos flew to the side of Sorin. “We must go.”
Sorin glared at Latore. “I won’t leave my son here with
these filthy bloodsuckers. Take Viata somewhere sa
fe. I will
retrieve Bain and the Sicuro, then kill them all.”
“But, son, you will die.”
“I don’t care. Now take her,” he ordered.
“No, I’m staying here,” I cried.
“You must go.” Sorin handed me over to Dragos.
As Dragos reached out to grab me, I pushed his hands
away and dropped into the frigid water. When I reached the
surface, Savina was hovering over me, with Latore fighting
Dragos and Sorin above her.
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“Are you ready to die now?” Savina blew the mânca dust
in my face.
I inhaled it and choked. Savina grabbed me by one arm,
flew me over to the beach, and let go. I landed on my side
and screamed out in pain as I looked up at Sorin and Dragos
fighting Latore.
Savina slammed her foot on my face, holding me in
place. “Latore!” she called out.
Latore flew down and landed in front of me. “You
should have turned while you had the chance.”
I spit on his pants. “Screw you!”
His face turned ashen, and he kicked me in the gut. I
puked from the blow and screamed out in agony as I curled
into a ball. Dragos and Sorin charged them.
As they fought above my head, I rolled like a tire
through the sand, getting out of their way. When they flew
away from me, I jumped to my feet and staggered over to the
water.
I fought the waves until I stood in waist-deep water,
where Bain lay face down. I turned him over. “No! ”
When he didn’t respond, I placed my forehead against
his. “Bain, wake up now,” I cried.
A sudden bolt of electricity rushed from my head into
Bain’s. He began to convulse and gasped a long breath.
Latore looked up. “No!” he shouted, holding Dragos by
his throat.
The wind picked up, and lightning lit up the
atmosphere, followed by a loud growl. I looked up, and thick
black clouds formed into a man who looked like a demon
from Hell. His face looked like lava.
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He narrowed his red eyes on me, then looked up into
the sky. “Let the war begin, Brother,” he thundered in a deep
raspy tone.
Latore chuckled and lightning lit up the sky, followed by
louder than normal thunder. It struck the unknown man, and