Valkyrie Divided (Pyralis Book 2)

by Brandy L. Cunningham

  My gaze riveted on his face, and my body stilled. “But then, what, Valkyrian?”

  His green gaze shifted to my face and he closed his eyes. “Viren and Villart have both gone M.I.A. I haven’t been able to track or find either of them, nor have the Gargoyles.”

  Anger welled inside me. My fist slammed down on the oak slab we called a table and I watched as a crack moved up it, splitting the thick slab in two. Rafael moved back instinctively, but Valkyrian remained. “And you just now think to tell us?”

  “I never thought the council would be foolish enough to stand against her, the most formidable, and unpredictable one among us.” Valkyrian hung his head.

  “The council is a bunch of uptight, demented old fools, Valkyrian, even you know that! They think they make the decisions, but they are all idiots!”

  Rafael turned to me then, and in his eyes, I saw something I didn’t like. “What is it, old man?”

  Rafael looked down, refusing to meet my eyes. “It’s something that Desmond said. When he was our captive. During one of our sessions of questioning, he kept muttering a name, and I thought he had found out about Valkyrie’s origins, but now, I wonder if…”

  I’d had enough beating around the bush. I felt the crimson feathers erupting on my shoulders as I struggled to hold my anger in check. “What old man? Just fucking say it!”

  Rafael lifted his eyes to mine then, and they were red rimmed and worried. “He spoke of Ian Vangrough, and of the corruption of all. Perhaps, we’ve all made a dire mistake believing he was killed all those centuries ago. And if he’s alive, then Airi will not be far behind. She will not have lost her lust for vengeance against him, and she will not rest until the last line of Vangrough is wiped from this planet.”

  My mind stilled. If there was nowhere safe here for my Valkyrie, I would take her to another place. Stalking from the tent, I shouted over my shoulder, “I’m going to find Valkyrie. Are you with me or not?”

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  My wrists were bound by the thick metal shackles, and I stood in front of the pathetic excuse for an Ancient Vampire while he fumbled with the fly of his pants. His thin, pale hands fumbled several times, as they shook, and he kept glancing uneasily up at me. The expressions of fear and excitement in his dark beady little eyes made me come close to gagging, but he was a means to an end. He thought he was about to live out all his dark fantasies with me, but I doubted the old pervert could even get hard. It was difficult not to snicker at him, and his attempts to free what I was sure was a puny excuse for a penis from his uncooperative clothes.

  It was interesting, that the appearance and demeanor of this Vampire repelled me, yet the sickly sweet scent that floated from his veins and out his pores called to me in such intensity it nearly brought me to my knees. I had killed my own kind before, drank their blood for survival, even just to satisfy the carnal cravings in me but never had I tasted the lifeblood of an Ancient. I knew that however pathetic he might seem now, this man had been one of the very first humans to be bitten and become Vampire. He was older than some civilizations, and I felt the anticipation of his potency sink into me, driving me nearly mad.

  As I watched him, I waited for the most opportune moment to pounce. He had nearly succeeded in freeing his tiny dick, when I decided I’d had enough. I felt the thrill travel down my spine as my two halves divided, and the shadow of myself moved behind him. With my hands shackled, I watched in fascination as she opened her mouth, and sunk her fangs into his shoulder, reaper wings hovering over her. Immediately, the frail Vampire sank to his knees, his eyes beseeching me.

  “How…” he whispered the words brokenly as his blood began leaving his body. I stepped forward, bent down, and whispered against his ear. “You should never have underestimated me. The only thing primitive about me is my yearning for blood.” With that, I sunk my fangs down into his throat, we removed every drop of his rich, aged blood.

  Long after my body was sated, and my energy stores were beginning to return, Desmond stirred in the cell. I had already unlocked and opened the cell door, so he stumbled out like a drunken human, his brown eyes darting this way and that.

  Looking down at the body lying on the floor, he lifted a brow at me and asked, “What happened here?”

  I glanced down at the crumpled body and shrugged. “He pissed me off.” Stepping toward Desmond, I was surprised to see how much he once again resembled the man I had loved. The first man I had ever loved.

  His brown hair hung over his face and fell about his shoulders, and I acted without realizing what I was doing. Reaching out a hand, I brushed a strand away from his beautiful brown eyes, but when I was about to retract my hand, Desmond’s cool fingers wrapped around my wrist, holding it there. His eyes never left mine as he slowly turned his face and pressed a kiss to my palm.

  “I know you don’t trust me Val, and I know I’ve made terrible mistakes…done terrible things…but my love for you has never been false. I’ve always loved you, since the beginning.”

  The moment between us stretched as we stared at one another, and perhaps a new understanding dawned. I knew I had been in love with him long ago, the kind of love you share with your first, but now, that love had left and there was only the feeling of want. I wanted to see the good in him again, I wanted to trust him. As I funneled through my feelings, I watched his eyes flash white and I knew our moment was gone. Desmond fell to all fours, but this time, I had a present for him.

  When the animal-like beast had completed his morph and none of the man seemed to remain, I glared down at him as he growled at me, hunched and ready for attack. Shoving the body of the dead Vampire toward him, I said, “A peace offering. Enjoy.”

  The Beast assessed me for only a second before he ripped into the thin skin of Sebastian’s stomach, tearing out his liver and swallowing it in one gulp. When he began yanking the entrails out, sucking them down like linked sausages, I took it as my queue to exit. Using the keys the dead Vampire had graciously provided, I unlocked the door, and disappeared down the dark corridor, leaving Desmond the beast to find his own way.

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  25

  Final Standoff

  Revitalized, my energy levels surged to unparalleled heights with the blood of an Ancient Vampire flowing through my own veins. Moving stealthily down the corridors and hallways that led to the auditorium-like room my other half had shown me earlier, I kept to the shadows, unsure what I might find. When I arrived, the large gathering room was empty. Papers lay on the tables haphazardly, and I scanned every available inch of the place. There were paths leading out, so I inhaled deeply, and followed the strongest scent.

  Thoughts of killing these Ancients caressed my mind, planting dark seedy thoughts there. I no longer cared who they were, how old they were, or what they represented. They had crossed a line with me, and now they would pay. My heart hiccupped when I thought of killing two particular Vampires, but they too had betrayed me, and I was sick and fucking tired of being a pawn, of being used and stabbed in the back. The scent of animal and sulfur floated to me just as I inched open the door leading from the far side of the large auditorium, and I spared a glance over my shoulder.

  Desmond-the beast-was hunkered down across the space, watching me with his glowing white orbs. I took a moment to study his body language. His tail was wagging side to side slowly, his erect pointed ears perked forward, and his tongue was lolling from one side of his mouth. I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my lips. Perhaps we had reached a truce, after all. Whispering quietly, I said, “How about we kill some stuffy old Vampires?” his lips pulled back into a snarl, but to me it almost reflected a smile. “But Viren and Villart are mine.”

  Ignoring the growl he gave me in reply, I continued into the hallway, the air was full of scents here. Doors opened off this corridor, and I knew inside of them were the Ancients, sleeping. I sought the smell of the two other Vampires who had accompanied Viren to my cell first. I hadn’t appreciated the looks of censure
and disgust they had cast my way, so like Sebastian, they were first on my list. When I found his room, I allowed my soul to divide, shuddering a little as I felt the other side of me leave my body. She shadowed me, hovering over me as we descended into the room. Passing a mirror on the wall, I glanced into it, and paused. I looked at my reflection, and at the reflection of the shadowy half of my soul.

  Her reflection had the wings of a Reaper, but mine did not. I called her back to me, merging once again, and I watched in the mirror as the shadow of the Reaper rose over me. Now I understood. This other side of myself was the part of me that was the Reaper. Many things clicked into place with this new knowledge. She stepped once again from within me, her wing caressing me as she passed. Shaking off my hesitation, I stepped up to the small bed where the Vampire lay. Looking down at his pale face while my shadow hovered across him, I smiled. “You have been judged, and the Reaper has come to collect.”

  The Vampire’s eyes snapped open just as the shadowy figure of my Reaper side covered his face. His eyes went wide, and he tried to struggle, but it was too late. I watched as she pulled his soul from his body, and the two of them disappeared. Bending down, I sunk my canines into the soft skin of his throat, not wanting to waist even a drop of the heady blood. In the halls outside of the room, I heard the unmistakable sound of screaming and growls. Desmond was busy. Unfortunately, his ruckus would have awakened the others, and my element of surprise was now gone. The shadow returned to the room, and to my body. A shiver coursed down my spine, but I moved on quickly. I had work to do.

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  Something felt different about her. Our connection allowed me to feel her emotions, and I had become aware of a shift in her not long ago. What concerned me most was that this shift was not unlike the one I had felt when she’d gone down to Hell. I felt the darkness in her grow. I felt her anger and her appetite increase like never before. I also felt her energy levels rising to heights that felt dangerous. I didn’t know what the hell was happening with her, but it was driving me crazy to know something was obviously changing in her, and to not be able to be there. Glancing over my shoulder to where the Fiddler sat atop the back of a Gargoyle, I frowned.

  “How much farther is it? I think something is happening. We need to get there now.” My crimson wings beat the air, as my impatience grew.

  Rafael glanced my way, his pale blue eyes looking pained. “Something is indeed happening, my boy. Valkyrie is no longer a prisoner. Now she is the predator.”

  I didn’t know what he was talking about or how he could know this. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Closing his eyes for a moment, he sighed. “The Ancients are being wiped out…one by one. There are few out there powerful enough to do such a thing, and Valkyrie is one of them.”

  My wings beat a little faster. I had no qualms about some of the Ancients meeting their just desserts, but there were some there I knew were spies, allies to us who kept Rafael and the others informed of the foolish meddling of the old fools. I needed them to remain alive, and for Val’s sanity, so did she.

  Behind me, the Gargoyles and the Nephilim moved in closer, ahead of us, the fog was thick, and I had no idea where we were going. Only Rafael seemed aware of this secret hiding place. “Where the fuck is Valkyrian?”

  “He and Tamyra will meet us there. They have another means of travel. Do not fear my boy. She is not in too much danger.”

  I roared with laughter. “It’s not her I’m worried about, Rafael. You and I both know what she will think when she sees Viren there. She will assume the worse, and that is a death she will not be able to live with.”

  Rafael’s gaze met mine, and he nodded. He pointed a boney finger into the thick mists ahead of us. “We are coming upon the island now.”

  Looking down, my vision sharpened, and I saw what he referred to. The island rose from the water on sharp cliffs, and a stone castle perched atop. Fitting, I supposed, an ancient castle for an Ancient group of Vampires. Plummeting down, I landed silently atop the stone roof, searching for possible entrances as the others landed around me.

  Behind me, Rafael called to me. “The castle is a ruin. The home of the Ancients is below the castle. There are doorways hidden in the rock cliffs.” Just as he spoke, a high pitched scream rent the air. With a roar, I dove off the edge, searching for a way in.

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  Tamyra and I appeared in the chamber of Ancients to find ourselves amidst total chaos. Vampires ran to and fro, papers were littered everywhere, some floating upon the air, tables were thrown across the room, some broken, some not. Blood splattered across one wall, and claw marks carved another. Looking at one another, we both felt the desperation of the situation, and I hoped fervently that my sister had not lost control again. We hadn’t taken two steps forward when Viren hurtled down the hall toward us.

  “Thank god you’re here! This place is in a complete uproar. Your sister has murdered the four oldest Ancients, that damned Werebeast has taken out three more, and now the Ancients are turning on one another. Those who never believed in capturing her in the first place are at risk, and they are attacking the foolish idiots who refuse to give up this fight.”

  It took me a moment to gather my wits, but not Tamyra. She was magnificent. Moving into action without a hesitation, she ran from the room, shouting over her shoulder, “I’ll get the Werebeast, you two find Villart and get Valkyrie. If she’s gone dark, wait for Aeron!”

  My eyes followed her perfectly molded body as she sped around tables, leaping over a fallen chair, her wild deep mahogany hair whipping around her, already beginning to lift with static. I took in a long deep breath to cool the arousal she ignited in me. Damn, that Witch was sexy as hell. A finger snapped in front of me, and with great effort, I dragged my eyes away from the woman of my fantasies, and focused on Viren’s amused face.

  “Are you with me now, old friend?”

  I shot him a disdainful look. “Oh go to hell.”

  He laughed good-naturedly. “I prefer to stay up here, thanks. Now, let’s go find Villart before that sister of yours does.”

  With a grin, I nodded at him. Viren and I had had quite the adventures in our youth, and I will admit, it felt good to fight at his side once more.

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  I felt their presence long before I caught sight of any of them. The flicker of the lights, the feeling of static electricity in the air was Tamyra’s signature, and I would know my brother’s scent from miles away. I wasn’t certain I was happy they had come, but I figured I would deal with it when the time came, unfortunately, I quickly became aware that their presence wasn’t the only new one to arrive. I paused, sniffing the air as I hovered over the prone body of my latest victim. I hadn’t smelled this scent in an incredibly long time.

  Hurt blossomed in my chest, and childhood memories threatened to overpower my emotions, but I clamped down on them all, shoving them into the wind where they could whither and burn for all I cared. Spinning about on my heel, I divided myself, allowing part of me to disappear into the shadows. I wasn’t sure yet if we were stronger together, or divided, but I figured I was about to find out. Following the scent of him, I stalked past Ancients who had begun fighting amongst themselves, to the far end of this underground sanctuary, where the scent of the ocean was stronger.

  A door stood ajar, swinging slowly on its hinges in the salty breeze, and I didn’t hesitate. Stepping through it, I was dimly aware of the Werebeast who followed from the shadows. My body moved forward and my mind stayed sharp, focused. I could not afford any distractions in this fight. Outside the door, the rock face of the cliff fell away sharply. I stepped to the edge, peering into the dark unlit sky and crashing waves. Below me, the island evened out slightly, and I saw him standing there on the rocky outcropping. Waves washed around him, spray haloing him.

  Dropping off the ledge, I unfurled my raven-like wings, and glided slowly toward him. Finally, the moment had come to face my executioner. In my m
ind, Desmond’s words haunted me. He had been influenced by Vangrough. Shoving them away, I didn’t care. He had allowed himself to be corrupted, and he had given Ian exactly what he needed. A powerful Vampire to use as a vessel. Landing softly a few feet from him, I looked him over, surprised at what I saw.

  This was not the Byron Walker I remembered. No, this Vampire looked tired, worn, and used. Dark circles, pale, pasty skin, and lifeless eyes are what I saw. His once deep black hair was now laced with gray, and even it seemed to have lost its luster. His body was thin, his hands skeletal, reminding me of the Corvo.

  His blue eyes bored into mine, and he spoke softly. “Now you see the price for playing with darkness, Valkyrie.”

  I lifted my chin a notch. “It’s not merely darkness you dabble in, Byron. You’ve allowed evil to plague you, use you.”

  Lifting a dark brow, he asked, “And we are so very different? You have been tainted by the seed of evil too. Like your ancestor, its sweet call is too much for you to deny.”

  I shook my head, but maintained eye contact. “I am not evil, I am only what I was created to be. The blood of my ancestors, the spell of a witch, and the execution have all seen to that, or have you forgotten?”

  For a fraction of a second, Byron’s eyes turned sad. “Do you think that was easy for me? Even with him influencing my actions, I couldn’t stand the thought of hurting my little girl. I fought with everything I had, but I was no match for his power.”

  Sadness passed into me, and for the slightest moment, my defenses lessened, my anger abated the tiniest bit, but then, Byron’s next words brought them all crashing back with new vehemence.

  “It turned out okay, though, didn’t it? Look at what you have become, Daughter. A weapon to lead them all. Powerful, untouchable, unpredictable. Would you really change your fate if you could? What a wonder you are…”