Reign

by Alaska Angelini

  “Hey, now.”

  “No. You can stay here until this passes.” My head shook and I turned back to her. “I will clear the humans out and between you, your members, and Niko, you should be fine there until I call. And I will call. I cannot promise that you or any of your people will live past that day. I may not even live, but if any of us stand a chance, we have to try. All I’m asking is for your support during, and your backing afterwards. I am not asking you or your people to fight. I just want you all to witness the fall of a king, and the rise of another. A new beginning for us all.”

  “You are bonded with him, yes? I feel him in you. And I have heard rumors.”

  “I am. I will not kill him, but I will contain him to where he will never be found or free He will be as good as dead to our kind. I promise you that.”

  The woman turned to look at her fellow members. The four besides herself that remained were strong, but not like I had hoped. Dammit, I had so much work to do to rebuild our kind. My blood—Aetas’ blood—would solve that over time.

  “Aetas has gone too far. He wishes for our deaths, but I will not give it to him. We will go and we will stand with you.”

  “Thank you.” I glanced around the room to the humans holding their bows, daggers, and guns at their sides. Simultaneously, their hands all rose to rest their weapons at the hollow point behind their chin. Panic flared in their eyes while they held steady. “My gift to you and your city.”

  BANG!

  The unison of explosions, tears of skin, and cries, rang through the room and a wave of bodies fell to the ground. The energy of the vampires spiked in an array of different emotions and some even jumped away from the dead humans that lay at their feet. Before I let them adjust, we were in an all too familiar room. One almost identical to where we’d just been. Austin’s underground. My city.

  “Your Highness.” Mistress Price spun and took in the surroundings. “Your powers are great. More than I have ever seen. To bring us all here. At once …” She swallowed hard, meeting my eyes. “I am honored you chose me. We will not let you down.”

  “I count on it. Let your people go to their rooms and rest. Our time is running out.”

  Although I spoke, I tested the air for humans. They weren’t here. Not underground anyway.

  I let my power stretch out, guarding the city. Before I could turn, an all too familiar power mingled with my own. I turned in fear, rushing to Tessa and Hunter. He had his arm around her, practically holding her up. Pain laced her face as I tore her from his side.

  “Let me see.” My hand settled on her stomach and I cursed as I felt heat flooding out through the material of her sweater.

  “I’m not sure how much longer I can hold him off. I’m trying, but …”

  Sweat beaded her skin and I pushed my own powers into her core. She seized, her knees buckling as she clawed into my suit’s jacket. “He’s trying to locate you. To bring you back. He’s getting closer.”

  “He will take me.” Her voice struggled as she barely got the words out. “You must not stop getting everyone together.”

  My head shook and I met Hunter’s pained eyes. He was clutching to his stomach as well.

  “Marko, we lose if you stop now. Move your hand.”

  “No.”

  A loud cry burst from her lips and all I could do was try to guard her as best as I could. But it wasn’t working. Not enough to stop the pain.

  “Hunter, come.” I made it to the nearest table, laying Tessa down while keeping my palm securely in place. He barely made it to my side before I locked on his wrist with my free hand. “Help me. Use every ounce of your abilities to locate Aetas’ power and try pushing it away. Aetas’,” I stressed. “Not mine or Tessa’s. You have to know the difference. Feel.”

  He lowered, just to the side of my hand. I let go of his wrist, watching his lids close as he focused.

  “I feel three. I know Tessa’s, but … the other two are so closely matched.”

  My jaw tightened. “Weigh them against your own powers. The one closest to yours will be Aetas’. You hold his blood, not mine. Pay attention to the way it pulls you. Do you feel it?”

  Sobs left Tessa as her head shook through the fire and tugging that was no doubt twisting inside of her.

  “I think I know which one is his. There’s so close though.”

  “You have to know for sure,” I snapped. “If you push mine away, she’s gone. He will have her.”

  “Fuck! Don’t yell at me. I’m trying.”

  Deep breaths were leaving me as I forced myself to calm. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Just … focus. Weigh them against your own again.”

  Seconds stretched out for what seemed like eternity. I could feel Hunter’s aura changing with time. Out of nowhere, a shockwave of heat scorched up my arm. Black eyes stared down at Hunter’s connection and his face was flushed through his surge. Tessa screamed in agony only for it to die out midway. Her head rolled to the side and with her unconsciousness … Aetas’ powers grew. But not enough to take her. Our leader’s attack on our mate left a hunger in Hunter. I could feel it growing as he did what he meant for—fight.

  Chapter 35

  Aetas

  “No. No!”

  I pushed from my knees, swaying as I stood. My shoulder connected with the wall and my glare landed on Domnius, one of the older vampires who was new to my member’s circle.

  “You said it would work. You said I could bring her back. I’ve tried seven times so far! Every time, she doesn’t come.”

  Fast steps took him closer to the door. I could smell his fear as it perfumed the room thickly.

  “King Delacroix, it should have. The powers on the other side must have prevented it. I don’t understand. You’re the most powerful vampire alive. Right?”

  “Of course I am you fool! You deceived me. You lied to me.”

  “No. I swear I did not.” Faster he stumbled back. My pace was swift as I matched his steps. I lunged as he spun for the door, pinning him with my body against the barrier.

  “I don’t like manipulators. Did you use me to become a member? Did you feed me false information for status?”

  “No, please! You felt her. You were so close, I heard you say it.”

  “You heard nothing,” I yelled, spinning him to face me. “If I didn’t need you, I’d kill you right now. As it is, you may still have information I need. Do you? What are you hiding up there in that mind of yours?”

  My eyes tried to search his but he wouldn’t meet my gaze. With my other arm, I gripped his chin, squeezing for his attention.

  “Look at me. Show me your secrets. Perhaps if you show me yours, I will let you in on one of mine.”

  “Your Highness, I beg of you.”

  “Begging is for the weak. Look at me!”

  My grip became crushing. Domnius thrashed as his face turned a deep shade of red. Just when I knew he couldn’t take anymore, his eyes shot up. My trap was immediate. I plunged into his mind, shredding through his memories like a tissue paper. Murder, rape, all the pettiness I expected was there. It wasn’t until I got to his developing gifts that I let time play out. What happened with Tessa was what he had said. I was doing it right, so then why couldn’t I bring her to me? Yes, Marko and Hunter had a role in preventing me, but I should have been stronger than the three of them combined. I should have had no problems bringing her back.

  “Show me,” I growled under my breath. “Show me how to get to her.”

  The repeat of the memories had me searching other routes to take. When I was still left without answers, I let his body drop to the floor. Coughing filled the room as I turned and began to pace again.

  “We will try again. This time it will not fail!”

  “She …” Again, he coughed violently. “She is not your mate anymore. The challenges almost make the task impossible. It works only on bonded and creations. You have neither.”

  I stopped, turning my head to look over my shoulder. “Can you guarantee tha
t it works?”

  “Well … yes,” he said, standing. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t. That’s what it’s for. It is the easiest thing and usually the first we learn when we bond.”

  “What if a person was so strong that their blood protected their creation or mate against them? That it guarded them just as well as it did its source?”

  His eyebrows drew in. “Well, there’s bound to be a way. But.”

  A smile tugged at my mouth. “I’m ready to let you in on my secret now.”

  My skin rippled and I could feel my body morph to my true self. Immediately hatred gushed through my veins. With it, a roar tore from my lips. Domnius’ hand shot to his chest to cover his heart while his head shook.

  “Aetas. You were dead. We saw you.”

  “You saw what I wanted you to see. Fools. All of you.”

  “Yes,” he whispered. “We are that.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I stepped forward as he cast his stare toward the ground.

  “Nothing.” He stole a glance up, edging back at such a slow pace that I knew he didn’t think I was aware of his need to flee. “You bonded the king, and you created the Prince. Which is it that you wish to bring back?”

  A chuckle left me. “So impatient to escape me. I don’t blame you.” I tapped into Marko’s blood, letting it once again take me over. My pulse was getting out of control being away from his form for too long. I was … slipping from thought, going back into his frame of mind. The need to have Tessa kept coming through. She was all I wanted and the fact that I couldn’t get her was driving me even madder. If I could just see her—touch her—choke the fucking life from her. Fuck!

  “We will go for Hunter, but I don’t want him. It will be a distraction. Marko has to be helping block me. When he turns his attention to Hunter, I get Tessa. Now, come forward so I can channel them through you.”

  The resistance was in every step Domnius took toward me.

  “What will you do with her, Your Highness? Do you have plans to hurt the queen? There is t-talk.”

  “Talk of what?”

  He hesitated as he got in position before me. “Of screams,” he said quietly. “From when she was here. People believe she ran away because you hurt her.”

  “The queen is my business. No one else’s. You don’t worry about my plans.”

  My palm slammed into his stomach as I cast my strength into him. The anger and experience left my powers exploding from me and going right for Tessa. The moment I caught her energy, I ripped back with everything I had. The resistance was immediate, leaving me enraged.

  I searched for Hunter’s blood within me and growled at how weak it was. I hadn’t fed from him since his change. It was a mistake I couldn’t change, but it made no difference. I let the essence filter through, throwing my powers toward nothingness—searching. It was like trying to find needle in a pitch black room. My energy pushed out, spreading as I grasped at the tiniest sensation. What felt like half an hour went by before I brushed against the tinge of something all too familiar.

  “Got you.”

  My mass drew in so fast that I felt the wavering in my core. With a punch of what I knew must have felt like a bag a bricks, I hit Hunter with everything I had. He was so unguarded that I felt the lock on him almost immediately. Instead of pulling back like I knew I could have, I squeezed, letting my heat burn into him so he would think I was trying.

  Whimpering echoed in the distance from Domnius, but I cared not of his wellbeing. I was focused on only one thing and I got it.

  “Marko … that’s it. Push me back. Fight me.”

  Blood trickled into my mouth as I bit into my lip at the sheer strength that clashed with mine. Just when I was sure his was peaked, I switched gears, jumping right back to Tessa. My internal hooks sunk in and with a force I wasn’t aware I process, desperation had me bringing her forward.

  Black smoke poured from Domnius’s mouth and I couldn’t stop my claws from embedding into his stomach at my excitement. “Come to me, baby. That’s it.” Harder I gripped, until I felt the warmth of his blood pooling over my hand. The fog rolled out onto the floor and I pushed him back as her unconscious body began to take shape.

  “Get out.” I waved blindly. “If one word of anything that happened in this room gets out, I’ll know immediately, and I will torture and kill you.”

  I didn’t even watch him leave. The door slammed closed, but I was already lowering to kneel in awe at her curled up body. She was wearing a black nightgown and she was paler than I liked. No doubt it was caused from the constant battle I’d waged trying to get her back.

  “Ma minette.” Damp curls were forming at her temple and I stroked them back, not able to stop myself from lowering to pull her in my arms. Seeing her face again was like having my heart back. I couldn’t catch my breath, yet I was more in love with her than ever. “I’ve missed you. God, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve gone through without you with me.”

  I pulled her higher in my arms as she began to stir. Her lids fluttered and she smiled, curling more into me. “Marko?”

  “That’s right. I’ve got you, and I’m never letting you go again.”

  Again her eyes opened. She blinked hard, trying to lift her head, but I held on tighter, keeping her against me.

  “Aetas?”

  “Marko,” I corrected through clenched teeth. “And you must feed. You’re not well. I want you better. I want us back to where we were. I’m dying to taste you. I’m so hungry for you.”

  Each breath left my cravings unbearable. I hadn’t fed since she’d left. I couldn’t bear to taint her blood within me. I needed it. I fucking … was dying. God, help me.

  “Take my blood.”

  My hand was shaking as I brought it to my other wrist. Adrenaline and the wear on my body was starting to take effect.

  Blood seeped over my claw and I tore down my skin another inch before lowering it to her lips. Tessa didn’t fight me as she stole a glance at my eyes and hesitantly separated her lips. Her blinking was fast. She was thinking, but what about, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t care as her suction pulled the very life from me. The release was magical. Everything I needed and more. All the pent up anger, all the fears and anxiety over her disappearance, gone in our moment.

  “Take as much as you need. Take it all,” I moaned. “Fuck, I don’t care. I’m yours. My heart. You break it, you mend it. I am nothing but broken pieces of a man lost to your love. Why must it be this way?”

  Harder she suck. My mouth opened and I took a big breath from the puncture of her fangs.

  “Yes. Like that.”

  As fast as she’d bitten, she withdrew, and tugged my hand further down, biting into the soft bend of my arm.

  “God.” I dragged the word out, pushing my fingers to her hair as I held her mouth to me. My cock was so hard. So unbelievably ready for her. I couldn’t think of anything passed the point of needing to be inside of her. To have her inside of me as I drank her in.

  French poured from my lips, leaving me as easily as the blood that filled her.

  “I’m going to show you how much you’ve been missing from me. We’re never going to be separated again. Come closer. Hold to me. I know you had to have ached for me like I did for you. Show me.”

  Tessa’s jaw locked and she tore my skin as her arm lifted and her hand clamped to my shoulder, pulling me down until I was curled around her. The scent of her skin had me closing my eyes and resting the side of my face on the top of her head. I could feel the slight lightheadedness but it added to the bliss I was floating in. For minutes she fed, rubbing her face over my arm numerous times before biting into me again at a different location.

  Before I knew it, I was lying on the floor with her still using my body as her personal buffet. Crimson stained her cheeks and chin, and her beauty as she finally faced me left me speechless for the first time in minutes.

  “Let me see you.”

  I blinked passed the spell,
trying to decipher what she meant.

  “Aetas. Please.”

  “Aetas. No,” I said shaking my head. “He’s dead, now.”

  Tessa lifted, moving in closer to my face. “He lives. I feel him in me. I want him. I want you,” she whispered. “Show me, Aetas. Show me your true self.”

  I stared into her eyes, mesmerized at the world that seemed to live inside of her depths. Yes, there was something calling me in. Calling me home. I loved it there, within her.

  The warmth of her hand heated my cool cheek and I moved into the touch, never breaking the contact of her lure. I didn’t want to. I couldn’t bear another minute outside of the peace she brought me. Had I been mad at her only minutes ago? Days ago, before she left? I couldn’t remember. I cared about nothing but right now.”

  “Come to me.” Her soft palm fitted against me, firmly, and I let Marko fade from me. Negativity crept in, but had no control over the love of my heart. “Stay like this. This is who I want to see from now on.”

  My lids grew heavy and each blink was harder than the next. I was … tired. Content now. No. I needed something. The longing. It was still there.

  Tessa broke from my eyes, nuzzling her face into mine. The slight irritation buzzing in the background had me battling with my mind on what I was supposed to be doing. I couldn’t quite remember.

  “You’re so weak.” Her breath tickled my ear, moving along my cheek as she grew closer to my mouth. “I think you should sleep. Perhaps you’d like me to help you relax?”

  “Sleep …” The word registered and my head jerked back. Awareness plowed into me like a cannon blast. “The last thing I want to do is sleep. I want you and I intend to have you right now.”

  Tessa stiffened, searching my face as I pushed to stand, pulling her with me.

  “Take this off. Let me see what’s mine.” I grabbed the straps of her nightgown to pull down when my eyes jerked to a stop at the reflection of my face in the mirror. The perfect, handsome, younger features were unfamiliar to me. The thinner nose, the smaller lips. I looked like a child in my eyes now. Early twenties yes, but a boy, not a man like the way Marko made me feel. That stranger wasn’t me. He wasn’t the real me.