The Soul of a Vampire #3

by Rachel E Rice

  I glanced his way and listened and realized how weak I had been to go along with Samantha. When I woke from my nightmare of my own making, I had lost every semblance of myself and my soul.

  As we drove back through the town, and back to Seattle it was quiet in the car except for listening to the satellite radio. It was tuned in to a talk show. Someone was ranting about the area being infested by werewolves and possibly vampires. The radio host ranted about his suspicions, and a caller shouted that he was indeed crazy, and that there was no such thing. This went on for two hours into the trip until I turned off the radio.

  Fifteen minutes into Seattle, Robert’s phone rang.

  “They’re here, Robbie.”

  “Whose here?” His eyes flashed to me.

  “Aare and Samantha. They showed up on the cameras.”

  “Ann, take refuge in that room I built for you, and don’t come out until I get there. Go now.” Robert shouted to Ann.

  “What’s wrong, Robert?” I question after seeing his eyes change colors. They went from golden brown to red.

  “I have to get out of this car. Meet me at my house as soon as possible.” Robert stopped the car and jumped out with the motor still running. When I looked he was racing into a wooded area as his clothes dropped behind him. He changed as he was running. I got behind the wheel and drove fast up the highway to his compound.

  When I arrived at the gate it was already open. Something or someone had torn the lock and thrown the hardware away. That had to be Aare’s doing. I smelled Robert, he had made it back before I arrived. I headed through the gate in my SUV and up to his front door. He had been there maybe five minutes before I reached his house.

  Jumping out of the car, I rushed to the door and found it open. I called out Robert’s name and then Ann. Then I saw them walk from around the stairs and meet me in the foyer. Ann had a desperate look, and when she saw me it changed to relief as Robert held her around her shoulders.

  “They were here, Sebastian. Both of them.” Ann sound out of breath. “At first they tried breaking into the house but neither one could come in. When I ran to the basement with the bobcat trailing behind me to get into our bunker, a small colorful bird came flying into the window. I didn’t know she could change like that,” Ann said looking at me.

  “Who?” I questioned.

  “Samantha,” Robert said.

  “I thought I was safe and she flew through the house, and the bird was headed to the front door to open it I suppose, but when the bobcat saw her he chased her. She tried to change and he was pawing at her, and when she lit on the floor to change into herself, the bobcat snatched her from the air, and I saw feathers everywhere. She was screaming for it to let her go and that’s when I realized it was Samantha,” Ann said, her eyes looking pass me as if she was in shock.

  Sinking down in the nearest chair, I put my hand to my mouth in relief. It was the first time I smiled in a hundred years. I didn’t dare hope that my troubles were over, but they were almost. I didn’t have the moral courage to want to mourn for her. I wanted her dead and now I had one less person to deal with and I felt free.

  She was the only one who knew the depths of my depravity besides me. Zoey knew only parts of it. If I could live another thousand years I couldn’t clean up my life, but now I have a chance to try.

  “When Aare heard Samantha scream he tried to get in here, but Robbie said that he had to be invited into the house and I wasn’t about to do that. It didn’t work for Samantha and she found a way around it,” Ann said.

  Turning and bounding for the door I stopped and said, “I have to find Zoey and Ryan and try to stop Aare. He’s on a murder revenge and he will destroy anything and everything that gets near him. I have to get to Alaska quickly.”

  “Do you need help?” Robert said.

  “You’ve done enough. I can’t ask anymore of you. Stay with Ann she looks like she’s been through enough.”

  Robert asked out of courtesy, but he didn’t really want to leave Ann again. As they said their goodbyes at the door, the bobcat came wandering from behind a sofa.

  “He’s shy and a little scared of a vampire. But birds, he was born to hunt birds.” I turned and smiled at it. It was still a young animal but when he’s grown and a shifter there will be few things he will be afraid of even if he’s small.

  I called and had Jack get my jet ready to fly out to Alaska to get to Terry and Lauren’s place quickly.

  Hoping that Aare wouldn’t arrive there before me, I called Terry to warn her.

  Chapter Sixteen-Sebastian

  “Terry. It’s Sebastian. I have wonderful news. Samantha is dead,” I said. Even I could hear the excitement in my voice. Terry began laughing and shouting to Lauren. Her voice bubbling with laughter. “Guess what, Samantha is dead. The evil witch is dead.” I could hear her dancing and jumping up and down.

  “Did you kill her? Good for you.” Her voice sang, but she didn’t wait for me to reply. “You should have done it years ago. Think of all the misery that bitch has caused all of us. I guess you will be able to marry Zoey now? You know she needs you, Sebastian. Even if she says she never wants to see you again, she loves you.” She didn’t stop to catch her breath as she tried to reassure me.

  I wouldn’t spoil Terry’s celebration by telling her that I wasn’t the one to kill Samantha. I didn’t know if I had the heart to kill her. I loved her once. More than I cared to tell anyone. Not even her. But that was a long time ago and it’s finally over and I’m free.

  “Terry, we have to worry about Aare.”

  “Oh. I had forgot about that fiend. I hope you have a plan to kill him? We will never be safe. He hates me and Lauren. Just let us know and I’m all in.”

  “That’s what I needed to tell you. He’s still alive and maybe coming for Zoey as we’re speaking. Take precaution and you and Lauren try to keep her hidden until I reach there.”

  “But she and Ryan have gone back to his island. I tried to call you but you had your phone turned off.” I reached for my phone, and there it was a call from Terry and a text message telling me where Zoey and Ryan had gone. I couldn’t talk anymore and I don’t remember what happened next after saying goodbye to Terry.

  Driving and driving not knowing how I reached my destination because my mind was blank. I didn’t recall anything Terry had said to me except the directions to Ryan’s island. I had gotten to a road where there were signs that pointed to a marina. I turned off drove a mile and came to a stop.

  Looking out over the blue water, I saw the island. I would have to swim if I had any chance of reaching there quick. I was too weak to vault over to the other side and I had no boat, and the marina was closed. I jumped into the water and swam and then I pulled myself up to the river bank. Standing I looked around for any signs of Aare. For some reason I thought he hadn’t reached there yet.

  Trudging up the sandy hill I looked down and watched at the house. The front of that Victorian house faced the Pacific Ocean. Then to my right I spotted two figures walking hand and hand on the beach.

  I hurried because I panicked after seeing Zoey and Ryan together. Had she given up on me so soon? Then my legs slowed, they became heavy. I found it difficult to slog through the sand and I tried to jump over the sand dunes and that didn’t work.

  Realizing that my motions were slow, it became clear that I had been going non- stop and not eating. I had to get some food. There was a forest to my back where I could find something to feed on. But first I had to warn Zoey and Ryan about Aare and give Zoey the good news about Samantha. With Samantha gone, she and I could be together. But I had forgotten one crucial thing—until I met Aare and defeated him, we would forever be on the run. Aare still had a pack of werewolves loyal to him.

  As I neared them, I saw that they had stopped and Zoey turned to face him. She kissed him on the lips and then she stood and put her head back laughing.

  Zoey had a way when she was happy. She would step back and look at me and then run to me
and hug me when she was a child. But I had never seen her this happy ever. Her face lit up as she’s talking to Ryan.

  They were playing in the surf and he was trying to pull her into the water. And she ran from him and he chased after her. We were never like that with each other since she became grown. And it was all my fault. Why didn’t I do something with Aare and Samantha sooner?

  I stood back watching with jealousy and regret. Then I saw another figure standing behind Ryan and Ryan jerked around and took Zoey’s hand and brought her to him.

  “Hello, Zoey,” Aare said. I watched in shock at a distance as my strength was failing and I was unable to stop Aare.

  “What is it, Zoey? Who is this person? How did you get on my island?” Ryan questioned.

  “Do I need to tell him or are you going to tell him, Zoey?” Aare said. He held out his hand to her. “Come to me. I won’t hurt you.”

  Zoey’s eyes opened wide, as she looked to her left and then to her right, her head shifting side to side nervously expecting to see Samantha. I wanted to shout for Ryan to run and leave Zoey. Aare wouldn’t hurt her at least not yet. But Ryan wasn’t the type to run and Aare would kill him. Ryan would put up a fight but nevertheless he didn’t have a chance.

  Ryan stepped in front of Zoey. “Who are you?” his voice strong and demanding not knowing what he was up against.

  “It’s Aare, Sebastian’s brother,” Zoey said.

  “Where is Sebastian?” Aare said looking around. “I see he has turned you over to this mortal to protect you, and no one can protect you from me,” Aare said watching at Ryan but speaking to Zoey.

  “I can protect her from you,” I said to Aare and I raced over the dunes closer to where they stood, but spasms hit my stomach causing me to double over. My legs weakened with each step I took, and each step made my legs feel like they were encased in cement. I plodded along and then I stood facing Aare. Aare only laughed at the sight of me.

  “You are a joke,” he said. “I will enjoy this and then you’re next,” Aare said turning to Ryan.

  I fell to the sand and another pain sent waves of shock through every part of my body. “Run to the house and take her away, Ryan,” I yelled before Aare kicked me in my chest. That blow felt as if a boulder dropped on me from the sky. He was playing with me like a cat plays with a mouse before he kills it.

  Aare reached down and picked me up over his head and then flung me into a large sand dune. I lay there unable to move as sand filled my nostrils. Aare was a sadist and flinging me around would never satisfy him.

  He strode over to me and looked down and said, “After I break you into pieces, then I’ll set a bonfire out here and I will roast marshmallows from the ashes of your corpse.

  “Go now. Run for your lives!” I shouted to Ryan and Zoey as they stood watching as if they were glued to one spot. Ryan shook his head and grabbed Zoey’s hand and began running through the high grass and sand dunes. Zoey fell and looked back for me when she neared the porch. She saw me raise my feeble arm trying to deflect a blow to my chest.

  She heard the loud thud of Aare’s foot hitting my chest, and the loud swoosh from the sound my breath leaving me.

  My eyes fluttered. I raised my arm but it wasn’t enough to stop his powerful fist and I wasn’t strong enough to counteract his blow. It felt as if my arm would split, but when I looked down surprisingly there was only a large blue bruise.

  Then Ryan reached down for Zoey and placed her on the porch and I saw her run into the house but before Ryan stepped on the porch, but before then Aare picked me up and flung me, sending me flying and dropping at Ryan’s feet. I could barely defend myself and nothing more. He would soon wear me down and burn me in front of Zoey. I saw it coming and there was no way to stop what I knew to be inevitable.

  When Ryan turned, I lay there breathless looking up at him, and that’s when Aare reached me and brought his leg down to my chest with a loud thud. It was as if the ground shook and swallowed me up with it. I was buried under a mound of sand.

  I waited for more of the same when I heard Aare. “What are you going to do with that?”

  “It’s a stake, and I’m going to ram it into your heart,” Ryan said holding a large piece of wood with a point, and a hammer.

  “And what do you think I’m going to be doing when you are trying to kill me? You have been reading too many fiction books. Show me how you plan on doing this,” Aare said with the arrogance of an immortal. It was Aare being himself. Toying with his prey before he finished him off. I wanted to scream to Ryan to get out of there and protect Zoey, but I had no more strength left.

  I took a large breath and tried pulling myself out of the sand. I struggled to get to my feet and then I saw Ryan take Aare’s bait. He moved to him and as Aare stood looking at him laughing, Ryan positioned the stake to his heart and then as he reared back to plunge it into Aare, Aare grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  The pain Ryan felt showed on his face and it was undeniable. His face twisted and turned red and he dropped the stake and hammer near Aare’s feet.

  Aare took both of Ryan’s hands twisted them and they broke like twigs. And then he grabbed Ryan’s face, and Aare placed his hands on both sides of Ryan’s face and brought his face to meet his.

  “Do you think you ever had a chance to kill me?” Aare said to an astonished Ryan. “It’s not as easy as you thought. I bet you’ve never killed a vampire before. Have you?” he held Ryan’s face so hard he was squeezing his head until his eyes popped.

  I had pulled myself up to where Aare stood and where he dropped Ryan. He looked down and saw me and Ryan, and then he left to go to the house. He wanted to make sure Zoey hadn’t found a way to get away from him, because he had no one left but her and he needed her to carry on and he would have an added bonus of my child.

  Ryan said to me with a hoarse feeble voice, “Do something. I’m dying. I can feel it. My legs are cold and they don’t work anymore.” I looked at him trying to understand just what he wanted from me, and he said, “I don’t want to be made a vampire. I want you to feed on me and then you will have the strength to stop him.”

  “I can’t do it,” I said.

  “Yes you can. Drain me and don’t leave me alive to become like you. I don’t want to be like you or your brother. Kill me.” And he handed me his arm and I looked at him and I saw how he was making a sacrifice so that Zoey and my baby could live.

  I stared at him. Ryan had offered me his soul. He offered me everything he had and I took it because I wanted to be with Zoey and my child.

  My fangs dislodged and I sank them into the vein in his arm, and I fed on his blood, but until I fed on that main vein in his neck which led to his heart, he would be like a zombie and Ryan didn’t want that and neither did I.

  Giving him an easy death didn’t make me feel better. He had given me his blood to save the woman I loved and the woman he loved, and because of that, I could never forget him. I stood looking down at him. I had taken everything from this good man and now his soul filled my body. I felt now as if I was human again.

  As I stood savoring my new strength, I heard Zoey scream. “Don’t, I’m pregnant.” I dashed into the house, and when I stood in front of Aare, he was holding Zoey, with his teeth extended and ready to sink into her neck.

  “Put her down. She’s mine,” I stated. He turned to me and smiled. And dropped her on her feet and she rushed away to the foyer. She stopped and looked at me and then she moved back until she disappeared. I hoped she was running and hiding the way I taught her.

  “She’s pregnant,” he said with a cold grey smile. His eyes shining. “But she won’t be for long. I’m doing you a favor. You can’t have her and a human baby. I guess when you were away she was playing house with that foolish mortal. The one who thinks it’s easy to walk up to a vampire and kill one just like that. He snapped his finger and scoffed.

  “You are a testament to how hard we are to kill. When I left you, you could barely move and look at you
now. What’s your secret?” Aare said with a smile.

  “I fed on human blood,” I said to him with a wink.

  “You are so sneaky. But then you were always. Do you know how long I searched for you in the castle to find your sleeping chambers?”

  “I can imagine.” I said coldly without expression.

  “All along you were pretending that you didn’t want to dine on humans, but when you had no choice and it came to him or you, you chose to kill him. Was it because of the baby? Will you eventually feast on it the way you did with the father?”

  “I didn’t kill him as much as he wanted to sacrifice himself for Zoey. And he’s not the father. I am.” Aare’s eyes hardened. His lips wrinkled with anger.

  “Then there will be two sacrifices,” he said. And Aare lunged at me gnashing and growling his hard fist balled to deal me a killing blow. I whirled around and grabbed him by his neck, looked into his bold and defiant eyes before I hit him in his chest and reached in and tore a hole through his chest. And he staggered backward. He glanced down and laughed.

  “Not bad, but you forgot one thing. You forgot to snatch out my heart.”

  “I didn’t forget. I wanted to leave that for last,” I said. I rushed into him and he hit me and it didn’t affect me. I didn’t move. I stood with my eyes fixed on him. “I don’t want to destroy you. I just want you to leave me and Zoey in peace.

  “You know I can never do that. What do I have anymore? The only one that understood me was Samantha.”

  “She didn’t understand you, she was using you,” I said to him. “You have many lifetimes to start over and be something else.”

  “You know I can’t do that. I’m not like you,” he whispered because his breath was fading him.

  “You can leave here. I won’t try to look for you. Take whatever money you need and start your own covenant far from here and promise to never bother Zoey and my child again,” I said.

  Aare looked at me. He knew he couldn’t defeat me then. “I’m going,” he said panting and staggering to the door. I wanted to believe him and I let him walk pass me on his slow trek to the door. With his hand on the doorknob he held on to it and then as quickly as I yelled, “No.”