Lord of Shadows book 2: Bloodlines

by Jaeger Mitchells

  "It does, my Lord," Marek interrupted again. "This is exactly why. They knew we'd come up with something, so why not send a smaller part of the army to remove the trap?"

  "And this is usual behavior? We haven't seen anything like it during your attacks on Zharevo."

  "No, because those were small scale battles. They sent a thousand or two or three at once with no real power behind it. But this is something else, Lord Ivan. This is an army that was raised to wage war, not play around."

  "In that case, we'll give them war. How far is the second group behind? What do you think, Marek?"

  "No more than an hour, maybe even much less. They wouldn't want to lose ten thousand soldiers without a damn good reason, and no high-ranking cleric would sacrifice themselves just like that."

  "Alright. I have an idea of how to proceed, but it will cost us much more than I was originally planning to pay. Katya? Have your witches finish with preparations and retreat to Rasnov."

  "Will do, Ivan. My group will need about an hour to finish everything. Do we have enough time?" she asked.

  "We do. In case they get too close, I'll stop their progress for a while. But now it's time for everyone to take up their position and pray to whichever god they serve. If you don't serve any, then-- do whatever you think will give you the moral edge. Dismissed."

  All but Freya scurried off to do whatever they still had to. The turn of events was something I wished hadn't happened, but there was nothing we could do except battle them and wait for the second group to catch up. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, would die on our side, but it couldn't be helped. Then something started gnawing at the back of my mind.

  "Freya?"

  "Yes, Ivan? What is it?"

  "Can we raise the dead? Not the way I do, using shadows to move them, but really raise them. Having a hundred up at once really puts a strain on me, while if we had a way to give them a second life if only temporarily, it could greatly help with the outcome."

  "Sure there is," she replied questioningly. "But they won't be able to differentiate between friend or foe and will keep on attacking until they die unless the one that raised them is powerful enough to keep a leash on them. They won't feel pain and will be basically braindead. Is that what you need?"

  "No, but I need something that could turn the tide on our enemies. So tell me, how do we do it?"

  "We can't. But there is someone who can, and she's standing right over there," Freya said, pointing her finger behind me. I turned around only to see Selene standing there.

  "Huh? You can raise the dead?"

  Selene shrugged. She seemed indifferent about it as if it was common.

  "I can, but in that state, I can't do anything else but control them. With all this newfound power, I could do a hundred maybe? I don't know. So someone will have to keep watch over me at all times."

  "I see. Do you need to have visual contact with the raised dead?" I asked, coming immediately up with a solution.

  "No. I feel them through the ground. As long as they carry their light crystals, I'll be able to differentiate the enemy."

  "Good, good. You'll go down to the catacombs and hide there. I'll put up shadows so no one can see or feel you, even if they were to pass right by. In that case, you'll be closer to the earth as well, no?"

  "Are earth and stone the same to you?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

  "Yeah, why?"

  "I can't feel through such layers of stone, Ivan!"

  "Alright, then. Hide with Gamayun in her workshop. We'll close it up, and I'll hide the entrance. Sounds better?"

  She shrugged and looked up as if thinking about the whole process.

  "Ohh, there they go," she chuckled.

  "Huh? Who? Are they there already?"

  "No, the prisoners. They just started killing them. Say, do you want me to use their bodies as well?"

  "You can?"

  She nodded.

  "And I got just the idea of how to use them best. You'll love it."

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  A sea of lights appeared on the horizon only hours before dawn as we stood atop the largest rooftop of Castle Bran. Freya, Tierney, Katya, Hana, and me. Selene was already hidden and closed up with Gamayun who had donned a silly looking outfit, but it radiated massive power. I was sure Selene would be safest with her in any case.

  The enemy army made their way through the forest toward the two castles. There wasn't much we could do but watch and wait until they were in position. The five hundred defenders that had come over from Rasnov stood atop the walls armed with bows and crossbows. There weren't enough arrows or bolts to go around for everyone, so I'd limited the number of defenders by half.

  The one bad thing about the whole situation was the distance between castles. Sure, I could see Rasnov from here, and maybe even throw my spear that far, but that didn't mean the rest could. I had no way of utilizing both defenses, but an army of ten thousand people could 'easily' storm both, especially with such firepower.

  I sighed and pushed my thoughts away. There was nothing else we could do but wait until they were in position and attack. The traps were set, and the people in place.

  "Hana, Katya. Don't forget," I whispered. "The same goes as during the battle at Zharevo. Your lives are more important than the soldiers. Use them as shields, sacrifice them to gain the upper hand or to flee. Don't die, and that's a goddamn order you will follow to the letter."

  "I don't think we have the luxury to die just yet, as the bigger wave is close behind. Look," she replied, pointing at the horizon for the second time. Indeed, a second, much larger sea of crystals appeared as vague dots in the distance as the vanguard was almost in shooting distance. Aiden commanded the defenses at Bran, while Petrov did the same at Rasnov, so I didn't have to manage everything by myself.

  "Yeah, I see. The bastards will pay with their lives tonight. Especially for feigning a vanguard and then pulled the main force up just behind them," I growled readying my spear. It shuddered as if thirsting for blood. Yes, blood. I would massacre them all and paint the land with their insides to a masterpiece. "Freya, do you feel Nosferatu in the vicinity?"

  She shook her head, then turned east as if feeling out for something.

  "No. Something else is there, but it isn't him. And before you ask, no, I don't know what it is. It isn't strong enough. But let me tell you this though. Unless another godhood shows up, I won't interfere."

  "You what?" Hana spat and turned to Freya.

  "It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't. After all, there's someone who we answer to, and they don't let us interfere with mere mortals as they'd call you. True, you can live for a thousand years, but you can still die. I, on the other hand, can't die."

  "So, if you see one of us dying, you won't save us? Not even Ivan?" Hana demanded.

  "No, not even him. But the ceremony which was used to bind us, I would respect it and follow him into the afterlife. Though it wouldn't be that easy to die, but still."

  "Bullshit! You're full of it! You'd give up immortality for a mere 'mortal' as you just said?"

  "Believe what you will, but it is as it is. Unless godhood appears, or someone very close like Nos, I can't interfere. Only creatures that can cause calamities if they wish to be, can the target of my power. The same goes for Belobog."

  "Speaking of which," I said interrupting the two. "If that Captain is one of his, could he show up theoretically?"

  "He could, but he most likely won't. He's one proud bastard."

  "I see. At least some good news there. Whatever. It's almost time, ladies."

  "What now? We just go down and kill them?" Katya asked, somewhat timidly. Her eyes looked haunted, and her hands trembled.

  "Come here," I whispered and offered her my hand. She took it a bit too willingly, but it was only reasonable in such a situation. "Come, all of you," I added, spreading my arms. Tierney and Hana joined me while Freya stood where she was. Our eyes met for a moment, but I could see defian
ce in them. She wasn't going to act like them. It was beneath her, or at least that's what I thought.

  "Good luck, Ivan," Hana whispered and kissed me passionately. All I could do was kiss her back and squeeze her frail-looking body. Katya was next. We did the same, and she moved to the side after which Tierney put her legs around me and squeezed while digging her nails in. I didn't reprimand her but instead gave her what she wanted and needed: the same thing she did to me.

  "Be safe and watch each other's backs. Also, don't get drunk on power. We might have become much stronger, but it's mostly because of the items. Keep that in mind."

  "Don't worry. We'll defend Castle Bran as ordered and take on any ranked officials. Boris and his pack will defend the other castle," Katya replied and got in quickly for another hug.

  "Yes, he will," I replied, hugging her back. "Anyway, stick to the plan as discussed. We'll need to hold out no matter what, so do your best. But again, I order you not to get reckless and die."

  "Yes, boss," Tierney chuckled and blew me a kiss as she unfurled her wings. "Ladies, it's time to do our thing. Leave Ivan to do his or we'll be late to the party."

  "Yeah, why don't you go already. We need to have a tactical meeting," Hana teased pushing me off Katya. I couldn't help but laugh with them. I shot Freya one last glance, trusting her to protect us from anything holy or unholy and turned around. It was the hardest thing I had to do up to that point, to leave them to their own devices. But I had to trust in their power and prowess, or we would have no chance at this.

  "Good luck," I heard myself say as I sped up into the sky. "I'm counting on you."

  The cleric army stopped a mile short and stood there motionless. A group of what looked like scouts ran to the front and spoke to the man in charge. If I remembered correctly, he was the official the mayor talked to back at Orsova. How interesting that the Captain sent him ahead, even though he was the one with thirty thousand soldiers under him.

  The group of five men started moving quicker than anything I'd ever seen. It wasn't at the speed at which we Vampyres could move, but it wasn't much less either. Even worse, they had a bad smell to them that was attacking my nerves. They most likely had a single purpose, but which one?

  Deciding I didn't want to wait and find out, I drew on shadows just ahead of where they were running and summoned a circular blade. Being still dark outside, the five didn't even notice as I threw it their way. Just as the blade sliced through them, all five runners exploded into a blaze of fire that rocked the clearing.

  "What the fuck are those?" I cursed and turned back to Bran once I noticed more of them. I needed to warn them to kill the bastards at any costs! "Aiden!" I shouted on approach. "Those runners just now, take them out from afar! They're fucking zealots that just exploded!"

  "So that's what caused it? And yes, my Lord, we will take care of them," he replied, notching an arrow from behind his back. "We've got the gate and walls covered."

  "Good! Keep it that way!" I ordered and turned back toward the enemy formation. More runners started appearing, first another five, then three groups and counting. There was nothing I could do but sweep down and attack them, but the moment I was about to make contact with the first group of five, more than a hundred rushed forth and spread out wide. Some ran ahead while others intentionally lagged behind. The wicked creatures were playing it smart, but not if I could help it. Using whatever shadow I could muster, I formed them into tendrils that struck out all over the place, killing them in a single hit.

  "Good job!" I could hear Dracul whisper in my mind. "Be careful, there's a lot more where those came from. I can feel them."

  "So can I!" I replied while summoning my spear. This was the best way to cover as much ground as possible. An ice storm appeared just ahead in the densest group of runners. Massive explosions reverberated through the clearing showering me with blood, gore, and soil. I could feel Katya straining herself to cast as many of them as possible, but she wasn't succeeding very well. The toll on her body was too great using such spells without letting her body recover.

  Using my spear and Telekinesis, I sent it flying and aiming at anything that ran. Bethrezen's spear pierced flesh and bone with as much ease as my claws and teeth did from up close. More explosions and more dead littered the area. However, my guts sank into the pit of my stomach when I felt the soil tremble from behind. Rock debris peppered the enemy formation from overhead.

  I snapped my head around and felt utterly defeated when the gate, and at least ten feet of the wall beside it, crumbled. Dead defenders littered the ground while wounded men and women cried from the rubble or atop the battlements. The battle was only a couple of minutes in, and it was already going wrong.

  "Attack!" the man in charge ordered followed by a massive light attack both on me and on the walls. More stone shattered or smelted from the intense heat.

  "No, no, no!" I screamed, rushing headlong into the oncoming storm. My spear sang ahead of me impaling whatever it passed through. Darkness rose from beneath their feet, cutting at their ankles and their knees. It swallowed everyone as I poured everything to create that black maelstrom.

  "Aim at the center!" the clergyman ordered as he threw two large crystals of light at my spell and unleashed a wave of holy light unlike any I'd seen up until now.

  "No! Fuck you and your crystals!" I growled and tackled the man just as two groups of raised dead flanked the enemy formation and started devouring the living. With each bite, the disease spread and turned more of the attackers into a raging collective of death. They didn't feel anything, they didn't fear anyone, not even death. Good. At least their progress would be halted for the time being, though I had no delusions for the outcome. Our three hundred raised dead would quickly be turned to minced meat.

  "So you come to take care of me, Vampyre?" the clergyman hissed as he threw me off him. My fists connected with his temple and almost caved his skull in, but as they struck flesh, a wave of energy deflected them. He threw me off and kicked out in mid-air catching me in the ribs. A beam of light came from his empty hand and hit me right in the chest.

  "What's your rank, clergyman?" I growled as my spear came flying right to me, piercing anything on its way. I grinned at the tall man, showing him I was far from beaten. His bald head and tattooed face were set in a scowl. He was missing an ear but made up for it with three earrings sticking from the one still attached to his head. A thick, golden chain pendant hung around his neck, along with two rows of rings on either side of the chain.

  "I'm an ArchBishop, you fiend! The Pope himself sent me to eradicate your filthy existence from these holy lands!"

  "Hah! You invade my lands and call me filth? Fuck you and your holiness!" I cursed and threw myself at him from one side as the spear came in low from the other. He stepped over the weapon and backhanded me out of the air sending a wave of light into my face. I could feel my skin burn and start to boil, but it soon dissipated when darkness enveloped me.

  "You spout sin every time you open your mouth, you filthy creature," the ArchBishop shouted as he shot out two beams of light at nearby raised dead who were busy devouring an ordinary Bishop.

  "You may be right, but I don't go on crusades and attack people in their own homes!" I spat back and hurled the spear at him. It sliced into his left arm, forcing the crystal to drop into the muddy soil. Immediately I grabbed hold of it through my shadows and cracked it open. Tremendous energy was released right beneath his feet, sending the man flying into the mass of soldiers behind him.

  I turned to the man closest to me, a young, doe-eyed fellow and sank my teeth into his neck. I needed blood to recover my wounds. For a moment, I felt sorry for the young man, or boy, but then a cudgel struck the back of my head, and I pushed all those thoughts aside. Fuck them all! They were trespassing on my land!

  The thundering boom of a whip being struck in mid-air shook me awake as heads rolled and limbs dropped along with bodies. Tierney flashed right past me using her sword-whip to clear groups
of enemies as they threatened to swarm us.

  More ice explosions froze air in the nearby vicinity. It came from behind me. I looked around quickly only to see hundreds of the bastards storming Bran. The defenders were outnumbered but still held the high-ground as arrows and bolts rained down on them. Hana's blade flashed with every step she took, sending death and rot into the attacking crowd.

  "Shit, I forgot she could do that. The rust and rot thing," I whispered when a pair of hands grabbed me from behind and drove me into the dirt beneath their boots. I kicked out as my face collided with the ground and sent the ArchBishop to his back. Lying there, I shook my head and wiped at the muck, then wiped the mud off my nose and mouth.

  The spear flew in circles as I got up, protecting me from any wannabe attacker, including what looked like a Cardinal. The man was quite short for his kind as he stood there wielding a lance.

  "Care to spar with me, sir Vampyre?" he asked. The accent was nothing like I'd ever heard until now and sounded as if he was mocking me.

  "Get lost, Cardinal! I don't have time for--"

  The words died out in my mouth as the tip of his weapon first entered my belly and then exit through the back. Enraged, I rushed forward catching the man off guard and bashed his head in with my right fist, then clawed his left eye out before I sank my teeth into his thick neck. The man was pure muscle, so my fangs barely went in deep enough. Whatever blood I drained would have to suffice to heal my gut wound, I thought as I ripped the lance out through the back, then threw it at a Bishop who was ravaging a group of the raised dead.

  Something struck me from the side followed by two fists pummeling into my neck and the back of my head. I dropped like a sack of meat under the weight of the ArchBishop and his power. With each blow, light entered my skin, setting it on fire. I had no idea how he managed to imbue his fists with the cursed magic, but he needed to die, or I wouldn't even make it into round two.