by Sarra Cannon
“You’re such a puny, weak human. I don’t know how you bested my sister.”
“Your sister was slow and clumsy.” Abby taunted. She had seen the woman fight before and she wanted her to be angry. Anger had a way of making a person careless, making them lose their concentration, and she smiled with satisfaction when Ursula howled again and attacked.
The vampires were cheering and screaming but Abigail paid no attention to them. She swung and parried and thrust her sword as the two women moved around the arena. Their blades clashed repeatedly and Ursula gave an inarticulate bellow of rage and pain when Abby’s blade slipped past hers and sliced across her midsection.
She clapped her hand over her stomach and stared at the blood slipping through her fingers before raising her gaze to Abby. “You bitch! I’ll kill you, I swear it!”
“You’ll be seeing your sister soon.” Abby said coldly. “Tell her I said hello, would you?”
Ursula hesitated and Abby attacked her, swinging her sword in a short and powerful arc. Ursula raised her sword and blocked it before swinging her fist at Abby. Abigail ducked and charged forward. She grabbed Ursula’s wrist, twisting brutally until the woman screamed and the sword dropped from her numb fingers, and then thrust her sword into Ursula’s stomach.
The larger woman made a soft grunt of disbelief and stared at the sword protruding from her belly. She blinked rapidly and stared at Abby as blood began to drizzle from her mouth. There was another loud crack of thunder and the skies opened. Cold rain fell in sheets, drenching both her and Ursula and washing away the blood from her sword when she pulled it free from the woman’s flesh.
Ursula dropped to her knees and reached toward Abby with one groping hand. The anger had left her face, leaving only a weary look of fear and resignation, and Abby reached out and took her hand. She was suddenly horrified by what she had done and she dropped her sword and crouched in front of Ursula.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered as the woman stared at her with dark eyes.
“See my sister…soon.” Ursula gasped in a soft moan as more blood trickled from her mouth. She collapsed on to her back and Abby, still holding her hand, wiped the rainwater from the woman’s face.
“Yes.” She said softly. “You will see her soon.”
“Good.” Ursula wheezed. “Tired.”
“I know.” Abby whispered. “Close your eyes, Ursula.”
The big woman nodded and let her eyelids shut. Her breathing was growing shallow and Abby continued to stroke her face until she took one final shuddering breath and died.
Feeling tired and sick to her stomach, Abby picked up her sword and stood. She turned to face Darius. “Are you happy, Lord Darius?” She shouted above the wind and the thunder. “Was it a good enough show for you?”
He laughed and fear flooded through her when three of his men appeared beside Val and Faren. They urged them to their feet and prodded them with their swords to move into the arena.
“Send their slaves with them.” Darius demanded. “I do not need them either.”
Sara and Sienna were pushed into place behind them and the four of them were herded quickly into the middle of the arena. Val put his arm around Abby and squeezed her tightly as Darius and Tavien stood in front of them.
Darius stared at the arena of vampires as the wind whipped his long, wet hair around his face. “My friends!” He shouted. “This vampire says he is the Lord Joven. I welcomed him into my home, offered him a soft bed, warm women, and a chance to take part in the games. Was that not generous of me?”
The vampires nodded, a few of them shouting out ‘yes’, as Darius turned to Val. “I know who you really are, Valkyn, son of Maridus.”
Val’s arm tightened around Abigail’s waist as Faren sighed loudly. “Well, fuck. We’re all dead.”
“What I did not understand was what happened to the real Joven and why you took his place.” Darius said loudly. The wind was rising and the thunder was almost continuous now. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the arena in stark relief.
“However, that mystery was solved last night.” Darius turned to the vampires standing guard at the wooden doors. “Bring them out.”
The doors opened and Abby gasped softly when Jaxen, Michael, Neil, Maria and Evan entered the arena. Fear trickled through her as they joined her and the others.
“Evan, where is Wesley?” She asked urgently.
“I don’t know.” He said grimly. “They took him last night and I have not seen him since.”
“Are you looking for your dark-skinned friend?” Darius asked. “Shall I call him?”
Without waiting for their reply he shouted Wesley’s name. Abby and Evan gave matching groans of dismay when Wesley strode into the arena.
“Oh Wesley.” Abby whispered.
Wesley grinned at her and Evan cursed violently at the sight of his long fangs. “Hello, Abigail.”
“Your friend has been quite helpful to us.” Darius said cheerfully. “Once we turned him, he told us everything we needed to know about your pathetic little rescue attempt.”
He turned and studied Michael intently. “Is this man really worth it? I know for sure that these two are not.” He glanced dismissively at Neil and Maria.
Darius sighed and glanced at Tavien. “Humans, they are ridiculous, are they not?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I can understand why they would want to rescue their friends, they are too tender-hearted for their own good, but why on earth would vampires align themselves with the humans?”
He gave Jaxen a look of false sorrow. “Jaxen, my old friend, I am most disappointed in you.”
“You are not my friend.” Jaxen said steadily.
“That hurts me. You have spent many months living in my home, taking your fill of my slaves, and this is how you repay me?”
Darius stepped closer and Abigail raised the sword she still held as Val pulled his free from his belt. Darius rolled his eyes. “Please, do you believe that either of you have a chance against us?”
“You do not have that many men.” Val said softly.
Darius chuckled with amusement. “I suppose that is true, and most of them are on a hunting trip, but you forget who our audience is.”
He stared at the crowd. “This vampire – this imposter – has made an alliance with the humans. What do you think of that? Does he deserve our mercy?”
The crowd screamed angrily, and a few of the vampires in the lower stands actually leaped over the stone wall and began to close in around them. Darius stopped them with a wave of his hand. “All in good time, my friends.”
“Jaxen, come to me.” He encouraged.
“Don’t, Jaxen!” Abigail said sharply.
“He has no choice.” Darius replied.
“Jaxen.” Abby whispered.
“It will be alright.” He smiled at her and moved jerkily to Darius. He stood in front of the larger man, his fine white hair sticking to his head as the rain poured down, and folded his arms behind his back.
“Why would you betray me, Jaxen?” Darius asked with genuine puzzlement.
“The humans are not ours to control, Darius.” Jaxen replied. “All creatures deserve freedom, deserve the right to live their life without being—”
“Boring.” Darius sighed. His hands snaked out and Sienna and Sara both screamed shrilly when he ripped Jaxen’s head from his body. The old man’s body crumpled to the ground as blood poured from the stump of his neck.
“I never really liked him anyway.” Darius grinned at Tavien before dropping Jaxen’s head. His body and head exploded and the blood and ash was immediately washed away by the hard rain.
“You son of a bitch!” Abby cried. She leaped forward and growled angrily when Val’s arm snapped around her waist and pulled her back.
“Let go of me!” She shouted.
“Be still!” Val hissed into her ear and she slumped against him as Wesley stepped forward. He reached out, ignoring Val’s growl, and
stroked Abby’s cheek.
“I was wrong to fear it, Abigail.” His eyes were a golden brown now and they glowed with a hellish light. “It is,” he paused, “beautiful. This is a gift.”
Evan, the freckles standing out on his face in pale relief, shoved Wesley away from Abby and glared at the larger man. “Don’t touch her, you fucking leech!”
With a snarl of rage, Wesley yanked Evan into his embrace and yanked his head back.
“Wesley! Don’t—”
He lowered his head and sunk his fangs into Evan’s neck. Darius laughed and clapped his hands delightedly as the big man tore Evan’s throat open and lapped at the blood like a dog.
“No.” Abigail whispered. She stared in horror at Wesley. “What have you done?”
Wesley dropped Evan’s body and licked the blood from his lips. There was more blood smeared across his cheeks and chin and he wiped at it with his hand before licking the blood from his palm. “It is a gift, Abigail.”
“It is.” Darius agreed. “Unfortunately it is not one you will ever know. We’re not going to turn you, my pet. We’re going to keep you as human and use you in the games. First, we’ll kill your friends,” he glanced at Michael, “except for your beloved Michael, of course, he’s too valuable to simply kill. And then we’ll chain your master and let him slowly starve as he watches me feed from you.”
“You’re going to die tonight.” Val said tightly.
Darius laughed again. “My friend, there are so few of you and so many of us – you don’t stand a chance and you know it.”
He smiled at Abigail. “Take Wesley’s hand, my pet, and I will end your friends’ lives quickly and painlessly. Disobey me and you will watch them suffer.”
Abigail glanced at Val and his eyes widened in horror. “No! Do not, little dove! Do you hear me?”
“Shh, my love. It will be alright.” She kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Do not fight, Val. They will tear you apart.”
“Listen to your slave, Valkyn.” Darius advised. “I would prefer to watch you starve to death but I won’t hesitate to take your head if you insist on,” he paused and laughed, “making a scene.”
“Abigail…” Val muttered.
“Trust me, my love.” She breathed into his ear.
Holding her sword loosely in her left hand, she took a few hesitant steps forward. Wesley smiled and held out his hand and she took it, shuddering a little at his touch. His hand tightened around hers and his fangs lengthened. “Just one taste, Abby.” He whispered.
He yanked her forward and Abby began to cry as his eyes widened and he gave her a blank look of surprise.
“I’m so sorry, Wesley.” She whispered.
His gaze dropped to his chest. Abby had skewered him through the heart and he gave her another puzzled look before he burst apart in a shower of ash and blood. Abby wiped the hot blood from her face and backed away toward Val and the others. She was covered in ash and blood and she lifted her face to the sky and let the rain wash it clean.
“You stupid little bitch!” Darius snarled. “Your friends will die cursing your name!”
He motioned for the other vampires and, as they began to close in around them, Abigail and the others formed a tight circle.
“What the fuck do we do now?” Faren shouted as thunder, this one so close it shook the ground beneath their feet, boomed above them.
“We fight.” Michael said quietly.
“Right, of course.” Faren rolled his eyes before pulling the dagger from his belt. “Here, take this. You’re probably better with it than I am.”
Michael took it as a flash of lightning struck the ground only a few feet away from them.
“Bring them to me, now!” Darius suddenly shouted.
Before the vampires could attack, there was another bolt of lightning and a few of the vampires in the stands screamed as it struck the stands and sent vampires scattering.
The wind became a screaming, shrieking moan and everyone glanced around uneasily when the air began to crackle. The hair on Abigail’s arms was standing on end and there was a strange hum of electricity.
“What is happening?” Darius turned to Tavien. “What is—”
He cried out when there was a loud snap of electricity and the arena was lit up with a brilliant, golden light.
“Oh my God.” Abby breathed.
A small yellow orb was hovering behind them and, as they watched, it grew steadily larger. It hummed and crackled with power and Sienna gave a shout of fear when she was pulled off her feet. She was being dragged toward the glowing orb and Neil reached out and snagged her arm. He yanked her to her feet and held her against his firm body as Abby grabbed Val’s arm frantically.
“Val! It is our only chance!” She screamed at him.
He shook his head. “No, we cannot! We don’t know where it will go!”
“Anywhere is better than here!” Neil shouted. He held Sienna’s hand in his left and grabbed Maria’s in his right. Before they could stop him, he dragged them forward. They were caught in the light of the orb and there were screams of shocks from the vampires in the arena when they were sucked forward and disappeared.
“Michael! Take Sara and go!” Abby shouted.
Violet, her wings fluttering violently in the wind, zipped out from Sara’s hair and dived into Abby’s. She could feel the pixie clinging tightly to her scalp and she grabbed Michael’s arm and shook him.
“Go, Michael!”
She pushed Sara forward, the woman gave a shriek of fear and tried to back away, but Michael took her hand firmly and with one last grim look at Abby, pulled her into the orb.
“Wha- what is going on?” Darius asked in a soft little mutter. The sight of the orb and the humans disappearing into it had seemed to completely disarm him and he backed away as the light washed over him.
“Tavien? What dark magic is this?” He whined.
There was no reply and he looked around in surprise. Tavien had fled to the far end of the arena and Darius turned back to the orb and stared into its depths.
“Faren, move!” Val suddenly roared.
Faren shook his head. “No way, count me out. I’m not going anywhere near that thing. I—”
He shouted in surprise when Val gave him a hard shove toward the orb. He was sucked into the orb’s light and he scrabbled madly for a moment before the orb lifted him off his feet and sucked him into its relentless glowing light. He disappeared and Abby took Val’s hand.
“Let’s go!” She shouted.
He cupped her face and pressed his mouth against her ear. “I love you, little dove.” He kissed her hard and shoved her toward the orb before turning and moving in a blur of speed to Darius.
He swung his sword and a small smile of satisfaction crossed his face when Darius’ head slid from his body and fell into the wet dirt. As the vampire’s body exploded, Abigail screamed his name. She had fallen on her stomach but was rising into the air as she was dragged into the orb. She stretched her arms out and screamed his name again as her hands reached for him.
He dropped his sword and dove for Abigail and the light, his hands stretching for hers. As her fingers closed around his wrists and gripped tightly, he closed his eyes and felt his body being flung forward. There was a stomach-dropping sensation of falling and a brief moment of pain before everything went black.
— —
“Val? Val, open your eyes.” Her soft voice dragged him from the dark and he opened his eyes and blinked blearily at her.
She was lying on top of him, her face only inches from his, and without speaking he kissed her firmly. She returned his kiss, her hands stroking his hair and face before she pulled back.
“I love you.” He said hoarsely. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She said immediately before kissing him again.
“I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment,” Faren’s voice drawled above them, “but maybe one of you could tell me what the fuck just happened.”
They
staggered to their feet and a look of fear crossed Abigail’s face as she reached into her hair. “Violet! Violet, where are you!”
The pixie appeared in front of her, hovering in the air, and grinned widely at her.
Abby breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. Don’t do that to me, little one.”
Violet landed on Val’s shoulder and kissed his cheek lightly before clinging to his dark hair.
“What the fuck just happened?” Faren suddenly shouted. “Where the fuck are we?”
Abigail looked around. They were in the middle of a forest and although it was dark, the moon was large and bright and provided enough light for her to see. “We’re on another world, Faren.”
“Oh great.” Faren raked his hand through his wet hair. “That’s just fucking great. How the hell do we get back?”
“We don’t.” Abby said simply.
She walked toward Maria and Neil and squeezed their hands. Sienna was clinging to Neil’s waist, and he kept one arm firmly around her. “Are you two alright?”
“Yes.” Maria shivered delicately. “Freezing but glad to be alive.”
“We’ll build a fire.” Abby said encouragingly. “It will be okay, Maria.”
She turned toward Michael and Sara. “Are either of you—”
She stuttered to a stop. Michael was sitting under a tree, his back resting against its rough bark, and staring at his hands.
“Michael? Where is Sara?” Abby glanced around wildly. “Sara! Sara, answer me!”
“She let go of my hand.” Michael said hoarsely. “We were being sucked into the orb and she let go of my hand. I tried to grab her again, I swear it, but she wasn’t there.”
“Oh no.” Abby moaned. She gave Val a frantic look. “We have to find her! She can’t be far. We need to start searching for her and—”
“We’ll find her, little dove.” Val said soothingly. “I promise you. But we need to—”
He suddenly stiffened and stared into the dark trees around them. “Someone is coming.”
The others scrambled to join them and they stared in the direction that Val was looking in.