by G. K. DeRosa
“We kill all the vampires we find except for Maks and Franek. I owe him one.”
“Okay and once we kill them all, what are you going to do about Maks?” he asked again.
“I need to talk to him,” interjected Celeste.
“You do? About what?”
“It’s personal, Marco. Can’t you just help us tie him up or something?”
“You think some rope is going to hold a vampire? And what – you girls are going to question him like on some cop show?”
“Don’t worry about what we’re going to do,” said Aunt Maddie. “We just need you to help us capture him. I’ll take care of the rest.” A wicked smile crossed her face as she pulled out a small black pouch from her backpack. She opened it and held up a hypodermic needle filled with a light yellow liquid.
“Vervain?” he asked.
“Exactly.”
Celeste had never seen vervain before, but had heard about its debilitating effects on vampires. She was very curious to see it in action, and slightly encouraged by the knowledge that her aunt did seem to have some sort of a plan.
“Let’s go. Franek just texted me the address. We can hop on the number 9 tram and be there in no time.”
After a short walk from the tram stop, Celeste, Marco, and Aunt Maddie found themselves in an apparently shady part of town. Nearly all of the houses looked abandoned, and even the ones that had lights on looked like they should have been left years ago. Peeling paint, cracks in the walls, and graffiti covered the homes’ exteriors. Across the street from the shabby row of houses were two tall gray Soviet- era apartment buildings. They reminded Celeste of the projects she had accidentally walked through when she was visiting New York City. She tried to shake off the chill that tore through her body as they neared the designated address.
Aunt Maddie signaled for Celeste and Marco to stay put while she went in for a closer look. She stealthily walked around the decrepit house until she found a window that wasn’t covered with a wooden board. After making a full circle of the property, she returned to the others. Her eyes twinkled with excitement as she recounted what she had seen. “There are five of them including Maks and Franek. That means it will be four against three, which are pretty good odds for us. We’ll split up to make sure Maks doesn’t escape this time. I’ll go in through the front, Celeste you take the window on the left side, and Marco you come in through the back door.”
Celeste and Marco both nodded eagerly. Celeste was very anxious for this all to be over. The trio broke up and each took their assigned entryway. Aunt Maddie was to go in first, so Celeste waited nervously for the sound of a door busting open. As she waited, the ominous sensation in her stomach grew alerting her of the supernaturals nearby. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a boot making contact with splintering wood, which was her cue to attack. Celeste used the hilt of her sword to shatter the window, and being careful not to cut herself, she climbed through it into the chaos that had already erupted inside.
Celeste tried to visualize the photo she had seen of Maks as she searched the dark interior. She noticed that Aunt Maddie had one vampire pinned against the wall with her stake, ready to strike, and Marco was chasing another up the stairs. Celeste recognized the scraggly blonde hair of Franek, the informant, casually smoking a cigarette in the corner. He seemed to be amused by the antics, but he neither joined in the fray nor took off.
A blonde female vampire with her fangs extended hurtled forward as Celeste took in the scene. Celeste threw a punch and made a direct connection with her attackers’ nose. The vampire shrieked something unintelligible, then lunged at her again. This time Celeste had her sword ready and she swung on her, but the fiend was quick. She ducked out of the way before Celeste’s sword could make contact and picked up an old rusty pipe from the rubbish on the ground. She used the pipe as a shield to deflect Celeste’s advances. But the rusty metal was no match for Celeste’s gleaming sword, and after a few swings, the pipe snapped in half. Celeste knew it was her chance. She instantly drove her sword into the vampire’s heart before she had time to find another weapon.
As Celeste scanned the room for her aunt, someone grabbed her from behind. The vampire had his arm around her neck, and Celeste gasped for air as his grip tightened. “Why are you following me, Guardian?” he hissed in her ear with a thick Russian accent.
Celeste didn’t bother answering, instead she threw all of her body weight forward, tucking in her chin, and then flipping her assailant over her head. He landed with a smack on the cold cement floor. She flung her body on top of his, hoping to pin him down with her weight, but he was much too strong. He arched his back and kicked his legs up and was back on his feet before Celeste could even move. Bending down, she pulled the dagger out of her boot and nicked him on the arm as she sprung up. He spun at her, his canines extended, and let out a terrible growl as he trapped her in a corner. “You are really pissing me off, girl. I’m not in the habit of killing guardians, but I may make an exception for you,” he roared menacingly.
“No!” yelled Aunt Maddie as she ran across the room. A sparkle of recognition crossed Maks’ dark eyes as he twisted around toward the voice. Celeste took advantage of his momentary distraction to leap on top of him. Both of their bodies hit the ground hard, but at least she had a soft body in between her and the floor. Aunt Maddie whipped out the vervain shot, and before he had a chance to knock Celeste off of him again, she plunged it into his chest.
Maks screamed and struggled as the poisonous yellow liquid surged through his veins. Celeste felt like she was riding one of those mechanical bulls as he bucked and kicked, but she never let go until he finally became still.
“Did you kill him?” asked Marco, rushing down the stairs. He had a small cut across his cheek, and his stylish black button-down shirt was torn to shreds.
“No, this will just knock him out for a bit. When he comes to he’ll be much easier to manage,” she explained.
“Nicely done,” said Franek, finally emerging from his dark corner. “You’ll handle things from here?”
“Yes. You won’t be seeing Maks again anytime soon,” Aunt Maddie said as she stared at the still figure on the floor next to her.
“Fine then. Our business is done. I hope I won’t be seeing anymore guardians around here anytime soon either,” said Franek as he slipped out the door.
“That guy gives me the creeps,” said Celeste with a shudder. She wondered if the CI knew that her aunt didn’t intend on killing Maks for sure. She didn’t think he would like it one bit.
“Is the house secure?” asked Aunt Maddie, who was back to business. She was eyeing the dilapidated old home suspiciously.
“Yeah, we got them all,” said Marco with a pleased grin.
“Good. Now we wait until he wakes up, and then you can talk to him Celeste.”
“Can’t wait,” she said sarcastically. The three of them were standing over Maks’ body, each lost in their own thoughts.
“That blonde vampire, you killed her right, Celeste?” asked Aunt Maddie abruptly.
“Yeah, why?”
“I think that was the girl that Maks and I had seen all those years ago. The one we tried to save from the vampire. The one who started all of this. I thought she had been killed that night, but obviously not,” she said, shaking her head.
***
Alek tapped his foot impatiently as he waited outside of the Queen’s chambers. There weren’t many people in the world that Alek would wait for, but Elsbetta, the Queen of the Fae, happened to be one. It had cost him a lot to come see her. He wasn’t only risking his pride: leaving the safety of his home to seek her assistance was a huge gamble, but he was running out of options.
“The Queen will see you now,” said a cute young fairy with a hot pink bob as she opened the doors to her chambers. Alek rose and followed her through the narrow hallway, which was covered in bright green moss and wild flowers that grew unrestricted. The corridor opened into a cavernous room filled with lush greene
ry and a small, lively pond with crystal clear water. The Queen was seated in the middle of the room in a golden throne intertwined with ivy, and she looked as beautiful as ever.
“My, my Aleksander, it has been quite a long time since I laid eyes upon you. What may I ask has brought you here today?” The Queen’s voice was as smooth as silk, every syllable she spoke was like listening to a heavenly melody.
“I have come to seek your counsel, radiant one,” replied Alek reverently. “I know that Fabian came to you in the past about a certain resurrection spell.” He paused to clear his throat. “I am seeking to re-enact the same one, but I have encountered some difficulties.” The two imposing guards on either side of the Queen brandished their broadswords and eyed the intruder cautiously.
“That is a very powerful spell that you speak of, young man. I do not involve myself in the dark arts,” she replied as she gently caressed a newly blossomed magenta rose and tucked it into her snow-white hair.
“I am aware of that, but I was hoping you could perhaps shed some light on an article that is used in the spell. I believe it is the cause of my problems.”
“What is it?” she asked, her eyes alive with curiosity.
“This,” he said, holding out the legendary Albsurori ring.
The young fairy who had escorted him in took it from his hand and brought it to the Queen. She examined it carefully, and with a delighted smirk turned her head up to Alek. “I see you have found what all believed to be lost.”
“I have my Queen, but either its mythical power was only a fairytale or there is something very wrong with it,” he said.
“There is nothing wrong with the ring,” she replied as she rolled it between her fingers. “It is only the possessor.”
Had it been anyone else to insult him in this manner, Alek would have killed the person on the spot. Instead, he took a deep breath and asked sweetly, “Whatever do you mean?”
“Aleksander, I will speak to you now not as a Queen, but as the woman who raised you when you were just a boy. This ring was crafted by the Albsurori, a very powerful coven of good witches. Thus, in order for its magic to work, the person who wears it must be pure of heart.”
A rush of anger surged through Alek at her words, and he clenched his jaw to keep from exploding with rage.
“I truly am sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but it was just as I had explained to Fabian when he sought my counsel in the past. He had hoped to use your blood to resurrect Lilliana Constantin, but it was not pure.”
“And my vampire half brothers’ blood is?” he asked, outraged. The two burly guards advanced toward him, but he backed down, reining in his temper.
“Remember they were not always vampires. They were created from the love of their devoted parents. Their vampirism was a curse set upon them.”
Alek had heard enough about his perfect half brothers and their pure blood. He had longed for the day that he could take his revenge, and that day was now.
As if the Queen had heard his thoughts she said, “Keep in mind that the ring is not a necessary element in the resurrection spell, in that its magnifying power is not what is essential. The spell simply calls for a personal item of the deceased, and that is what you have.”
“Yes, but what if I am not strong enough for the spell? I needed that ring to enhance my power. Fabian was a greater sorcerer than I am,” he admitted bitterly.
“You are mistaken, dear boy. Now go, I am tired of this conversation,” she said with a dismissing wave. The two muscular guards moved forward, but Alek turned and took his leave without the armed escort.
***
Stellan’s hologram appeared in the middle of the living room, as Roman and Nico were fully engrossed in a sparring session. Nico jumped back as Stellan’s ghostly form materialized right between them. “I have news. Come to my house right away,” he said, and as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone.
Roman and Nico were covered in sweat from their workout and looked at each other with blank expressions on their faces. “Couldn’t he just open up a portal for us to get there faster?” asked Nico.
“He must not want to expend the energy,” reasoned Roman, “which means he must have found something.” There was a sparkle in his bright blue eyes that had been gone for the past few weeks.
“Shall we drive or fly?” asked Nico, also visibly excited.
“Let’s fly. I’ve got some energy to burn,” answered Roman with a grin.
When the brothers arrived at Stellan’s, they found him in the library with a petite woman standing over his shoulder. She turned toward them, her violet eyes alive with anticipation.
“Oh good, you’re here,” said Stellan, standing and placing his hand on the small of the woman’s back. “Roman, Nico, I’d like to introduce you to Dalla.”
Nico extended his hand politely.
“I believe we’ve already met,” said Roman. “It was many years ago, but now that I see you in person, I am quite sure of it.”
Stellan looked flustered, but Dalla responded easily. “I am surprised you remember me,” she said. “You were a very little boy back then.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but we really don’t have time for lengthy re-introductions,” said Stellan. “Dalla has found the ring.”
The boys looked up at her in surprise.
“Stellan is giving me far too much credit. I couldn’t have done it without Marja, the head of our coven.”
“So where is it?” asked Roman impatiently.
“It was very odd,” she began. “It suddenly blipped into existence in the land of the Fae. I was able to lock onto its position before it disappeared again. My guess is a portal was being used. Right before it vanished again I was able to track it just outside of St. Petersburg.”
“That makes sense,” said Nico. “Fabian always liked hiding out in Russia. The cold, bitter weather matched his temperament.”
“Wait, let’s go back to the part about the Fae being involved,” said Roman. “I doubt the ring was traveling back and forth through portals by itself. Why would Alek go there?”
Stellan and Dalla exchanged worried glances. “We are not quite sure,” he responded.
“What are you not telling us?” asked Roman. He was tired of getting only part of the story.
Dalla squeezed Stellan’s hand, and turned toward the brothers. “Alek was raised by the Fae. His parents abandoned him, and the Queen took him under her wing when he was just a baby. He stayed with the fairies until the age of ten, when he was sent to Fabian.”
Roman and Nico exchanged confused glances.
“None of this makes any sense. Why would the fairies raise a strange child? And why would Fabian want anything to do with him?” asked Roman as he struggled to make sense of the odd story.
Stellan interjected, “Roman, unfortunately these are all questions that will have to be answered at a later time. What’s important now is that we find Alek and get the ring back before he disappears with it again.”
“Yes, Stellan is right. Exposing himself was a big risk, and I’m sure he is fully aware of that. Whatever he is planning must be happening soon,” said Dalla.
“So let’s go to St. Petersburg,” said Nico.
“We have to tell Celeste,” interjected Roman.
***
Celeste had been staring at the motionless body shackled to the ground for what seemed like forever. At first light, Marco had gone out to find some coffee, as the three of them had been up for the past twenty-four hours without sleep. Aunt Maddie was sitting in the corner of the living room next to the soot-filled fireplace. Her eyes had a vacant expression as she stared into nothingness. Celeste couldn’t imagine what she must be going through right now. If she had been in her aunt’s shoes, she was fairly certain she would have lost it by now. Celeste couldn’t fathom being forced to decide whether or not to kill the man she loved. Her thoughts flew to Roman; she wondered what he was doing and how he was feeling. This would all be so much e
asier if he were here with her now.
Suddenly, she felt the body stir beside her. Her eyes shot up and she saw the fingers of his left hand twitch. A slight groan escaped from his parted lips as he struggled against the restraints, and his eyes fluttered.
“Aunt Maddie! He’s waking up!” yelled Celeste. Her aunt ran to her side in a flash clenching a sharp stake in her hand.
Maks muttered a few incomprehensible words in Russian, and his dark eyes finally focused on the two women standing over him. “Matilda?” Her aunt stepped back, visibly affected by the familiar sound of his voice. “What are you doing here?” He tried to sit up, but the weight of the heavy chains made it difficult.
Celeste squirmed uncomfortably, feeling somehow like an intruder by listening in on their private moment. Still, she was too scared to move.
“I’ve been looking for you for a long time,” said Aunt Maddie as she crouched beside him. Her voice came out rough as she strained to keep her composure.
“You shouldn’t have,” he replied bitterly. “You shouldn’t have to see me like this.” He turned his head away from her, and the chains rattled against the cement floor.
Celeste was amazed by the softness in his voice. He was nothing like the violent vampire who had threatened her life a few hours ago, or the one she had chased through the streets when they had first arrived. The hard look in his eyes was gone, replaced by sadness and regret. She recognized the expression because she had seen it so often in Roman’s eyes.
“Maks, this is my niece Celeste,” she said as she helped him to a sitting position.
“That explains a lot,” he said with a grimace as he gingerly touched his bruised ribs. The vervain in his system was slowing the healing process, and he was in considerable pain from the earlier scuffle with Celeste.