Darkness Is Rising

by C. M. Sipes

  “Marius has sent them.”

  Vittoria’s mouth fell open as she slowly looked back on the scene. It was broad daylight and yet the devourers were shifted and ripping the villagers to shreds. Blood began to pool in the dirt as twenty-some werewolves descended on the village.

  “Why?”

  Aerona looked at Vittoria, her lips downturned in a frown. “Destroy as much of your food supply as possible. We know that one of your coven houses resides not far from here. If we can eliminate as many villages as possible, the better.”

  “You risk exposure!” Vittoria growled angrily, eyes blazing red.

  “You do not think I know that?!” Aerona yelled back, her body rippling as her eyes changed to yellow. “You believe that I am fine watching women and children be torn to shreds?”

  “You stand here and do nothing!” Vittoria growled angrily. Her red eyes ripped from Aerona’s and looked at the village. The wolves were growling, their tails flicking in delight at their feast. “Marcella was right.”

  Aerona merely looked at Vittoria, her eyebrows raised in silent inquiry.

  “War is the only way to keep this from happening.”

  “Vittoria—”

  “We refuse to allow our mad vampires to destroy villages and risk exposure. Your Alpha has willingly sent his own mad devourers into villages to destroy our food supply. He risks exposing us all, Aerona!” Vittoria’s voice steadily rose and she could feel her rage beginning to bubble over the surface. “I will meet your kind on the battlefield, and I shall rip them limb from limb.”

  Aerona’s eyes widened as Vittoria began to move closer to her, red eyes deepening in color.

  “I shall watch their blood pool at my feet, and I shall remove Marius’ heart from his chest and smear his blood on my face in victory.” Vittoria turned then, her feet pushing her into the woods, racing back toward the Kingdom of Hungary and her coven.

  Aerona stood rooted to the spot on the edge of the tree line, her eyes slowly moving to look to the decimated village. Bodies, limbs ripped from them, lay scattered across the ground as blood pooled and flowed through the dirt. Her company of werewolves cheered as they moved through the village, checking to make sure no one was left alive. The devourers continued to feast, growls falling from their mouths, their snouts bloody as the sticky red liquid dripped from their maws. Aerona heavily sighed and examined the scene as a dreaded feeling took root in her stomach.

  “You look positively bored,” Marcella commented with a smirk as she came to stand next to Vittoria.

  They were currently at Emperor Sigismund’s ball, where all the Hungarian court was in attendance, as well as noble houses from other kingdoms. Sigismund’s daughter Elisabeth was present, as well as her husband Albert and her young daughter Anne. A feast and great pomp and circumstance had been prepared for Sigismund’s return to Hungary to visit his daughter and son-in-law.

  “That would be because I am positively bored,” Vittoria replied with a grumble.

  They stood in silence for a moment before Marcella spoke.

  “Were you successful?”

  “Successful in what?”

  “Speaking with Aerona,” Marcella replied easily, a smirk on her lips as she felt Vittoria’s eyes bore into the side of her head. “I had no one follow you. I knew you took off and I correctly assumed that you went to meet with Aerona.”

  “I was not…successful.” Vittoria scowled. “I was going to wait until after tonight before I spoiled your fun.”

  Marcella looked at Vittoria curiously. “Why would you spoil my fun?”

  Vittoria sighed heavily before she described the incident at the village. She watched as Marcella’s features darkened, her eyes flashing dangerously and her body vibrating so violently that the forms of bats flickered. Vittoria grabbed her maker’s arm and squeezed—hard—drawing blood and grounding Marcella.

  “Be calm, Marcella. We are in the presence of mortals,” Vittoria whispered quickly as her maker gathered herself.

  “He willingly allowed them to partake in such carnage?” asked Marcella, seeking confirmation. When Vittoria nodded, Marcella let out a shaky breath. “What of Aerona?”

  “She stood by and watched it happen. She did nothing.”

  “Her hands are tied tightly, Vittoria. Do not be so cruel to your friend.”

  “I am surprised to hear you say that, Marcella.”

  “I do not…despise…Aerona.”

  “You despise the wolves.”

  “For good reason, apparently,” Marcella muttered. “The point is, Vittoria, that Aerona is next in line as Alpha. If she would go against Marius now, when he has drawn all the support of his wolves, she would never be able to rule because they would not follow her and would replace her with someone else. She cannot go against Marius in any way because it would appear as if she is favoring the vampires over her own kind. Therefore, she must do as she is told, no matter how much she despises it.”

  Vittoria sighed. “Perhaps I was too harsh with her. I was not thinking clearly.”

  “Do try to enjoy the party, Vittoria. Have some fun. After all, the next few days will solely be war preparations.”

  “I thought tonight was to be war preparations as well,” Vittoria replied with a smirk.

  Marcella returned the smile in kind. “Indeed it is. I must steal Vlad away to discuss our next move. Come and find me after you have mingled some.” Marcella swiftly departed, leaving Vittoria standing alone among a sea of mortals.

  She swirled her wine in her goblet before taking a swig and moving through the party. She stopped and spoke with a few prominent nobles, discussing the current events as well as the amazing architectural design of the Buda Castle. She forced herself to mingle, even though she was sure she would rather fight a horde of bloodlusters than continue to mix with nobles who possessed a God complex.

  She managed to sneak away from the crowd, her eyes scanning the hallway as she moved and sniffed out Marcella.

  “Your Majesty,” Vittoria said in greeting as she quickly bowed before Elisabeth who had just rounded the corner. She had seen her enter the hallway and immediately dipped into a curtsey, knowing Marcella would have her head if she did not act her part.

  “Vittoria,” Elisabeth said in greeting, a smile painted on her face. “What are you doing out here by yourself? You should be in enjoying the party.”

  “I seem to have lost sight of my mother,” Vittoria lied easily. She had conditioned herself into calling Marcella “mother” as they consistently needed a cover when dealing with important nobles.

  It wasn’t a complete lie. Marcella had been a mother to her in many ways, including giving her new life.

  “Marcella always seems to have a way of disappearing,” Elisabeth said with a chuckle.

  “How are your husband and daughter? I was pleased when I heard the news you had given birth.”

  “They are both well. Albert is mingling with my father and Anne is with her attendants, no doubt sound asleep.”

  Vittoria gave a soft smile. “I am glad you are happy.” She quickly noticed the frown that flickered across Elisabeth’s face. “You are not?”

  “I am…” Elisabeth trailed off. “My husband is just difficult, and he was not entirely pleased when Anne was born.”

  “Ah,” Vittoria replied simply. “He wished for a son, of course.”

  “Indeed.”

  “You are young, and I am sure you shall bear many sons for him.”

  Elisabeth fidgeted.

  “Something else is clearly troubling you, come,” Vittoria said with a smile as she gently took Elisabeth’s arm and guided her to a nearby room, already knowing it was empty. “We can talk privately here.” She gently shut the door as Elisabeth took a seat on one of the benches.

  “I do not enjoy being with Albert,” Elisabeth breathed out in a rush, a hand coming up to cover her mouth in shock as her wide eyes looked at Vittoria.

  Vittoria grinned and let out a laugh, only settling
down when Elisabeth glared at her. “I apologize. Your expression though was quite amusing.”

  “It is not funny,” Elisabeth said before giving a shy smile.

  “So, you do not enjoy being with your husband. From what I have heard this is not unusual.”

  Elisabeth sighed. “It is tiresome…painful…and quick.”

  Vittoria bit her lip to hide her amusement, but failed. Elisabeth merely rolled her eyes.

  “Just wait until your mother marries you off,” Elisabeth said with a haughty sigh.

  “My mother would do no such thing,” Vittoria replied easily.

  “I am sure Marcella is out there right now attempting to find a suitable match for you.”

  “Very doubtful, Elisabeth.”

  “Why is that?” Elisabeth asked with a grin as she looked at Vittoria.

  “Because my mother would have to find someone who is suitable for my…tastes.” Vittoria grinned as Elisabeth looked at her in confusion, before slow realization appeared on her features.

  “Oh,” Elisabeth squeaked, a light pink blush coating her cheeks.

  “You blush.” Vittoria looked at her with amusement. “Why?”

  “It is just that…well—it is wrong and condemned by the Church.”

  “Yet here you sit, still blushing,” Vittoria replied, her voice dipping an octave lower as she approached Elisabeth.

  The young woman stuttered, her face flushing and chest heaving as Vittoria took a seat next to her on the bench.

  “It…is rather exciting, I admit,” Elisabeth whispered as Vittoria leaned closer and they began to share the air.

  “Indeed,” Vittoria replied, her voice soft.

  Elisabeth’s breath hitched as Vittoria’s hand pulled her closer. Their bodies pressed together as Vittoria’s hand gently traced down Elisabeth’s side.

  “Would you like some excitement, Elisabeth?” Vittoria asked softly as she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Elisabeth’s exposed neck.

  Marcella strode down the hallway with Vlad at her side. They had just finished discussing their next move. Vlad II Dracul had only become a vampire just a few years ago, just months before the birth of his third born son, Vlad III, and after his induction into the Order of the Dragon. Marcella had seen potential in the Duke and had offered him immortality, which he had readily accepted. She had one of her council members turn him and remain in Wallachia to teach him. Soon, when his sons would come of age, they too would join her kind in immortality, as was agreed.

  “Where is your heir?” Vlad asked with a thick Transylvanian accent, his ears listening for any sound of Vittoria.

  “Do not bother with listening for her, Vlad. You will not hear—” Marcella stopped, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips before muttering, “Vittoria da Verona.”

  Vlad’s eyebrows creased in confusion before he heard the sound. Surprise flickered across his features. “I believe your heir is…busy.”

  “So it would seem,” Marcella said before continuing down the hallway. She moved to the door, not even bothering to knock before opening it and raising a questioning eyebrow.

  She knew they were finished with their fun before she had even opened the door, but it was always amusing to catch the look of utter surprise and horror on the girl’s face while Vittoria smirked in triumph. However, this time, Marcella’s amusement disappeared and her jaw dropped when she realized just whom Vittoria had her fun with.

  “Your Majesty,” Marcella said quickly before dipping in a curtsey. She would have laughed at the expression of sheer horror on Elisabeth’s face if she were not so shocked.

  “Your Majesty,” Vlad added quickly before bowing. “Do not worry, we shall not say a word.”

  “Thank you,” Elisabeth managed to reply. She quickly stood, straightening her dress and glancing to Vittoria. She offered a small giddy smile before quickly rushing past Marcella and Vlad, her cheeks bright red.

  Vittoria sat back on the bench, a cocky grin on her face as she took a swig from her wine goblet.

  “When I told you to have fun, I did not mean fun with Elisabeth,” Marcella hissed as she shut the door.

  Vittoria merely chuckled. “I was terribly bored and Elisabeth is an attractive woman.”

  “Vittoria,” Marcella sighed.

  “Relax, mother, it is fine,” Vittoria assured before she looked at Vlad and gave him a curt nod. “I hear that congratulations are in order on the birth of your third son.”

  “Indeed, Your Majesty,” Vlad said with a soft smile.

  “I am sure he will make a fine addition to our blood, just as you have these last few years.”

  “I am still but a fledging, Your Majesty. I hope, though, that I can be of great service to you in your war.”

  “I have no doubt that you will be,” Vittoria replied easily before draining her wine glass. “So, what have you two decided?”

  “The coven in Wallachia has already been alerted, of course. They are beginning their war preparations as we speak. I am able to offer you six hundred mortal soldiers, and two hundred vampires,” Vlad explained.

  “We are including mortal soldiers?” Vittoria asked, her eyes conveying her confusion as she looked at Marcella.

  “We thought that if we could…sacrifice some mortals on the front-lines, it would be easier to defeat the wolves.”

  “You decided this because of the devourers,” Vittoria said in realization. “They will be distracted by the smell of human blood and be too distracted to fully attack our own forces.”

  “Indeed,” Marcella replied. “I believe it is the best course of action. Devourers have more brute strength than that of a normal werewolf. Their bloodlust is predictable.”

  “Are we to use bloodlusters in this fight?” Vittoria asked with a raised eyebrow. “We spend so much time killing them, I believe that they will not be so amicable about this.”

  “I am prepared to offer a…pardon.”

  Vittoria laughed. “Marcella, you would never offer a pardon. You and I both know that you will use this war to your advantage.”

  Marcella smiled. “Indeed. I plan to tell them, though, that I am offering a pardon. They will fight for us. If they die—excellent—if they live, then we shall deal with them easily enough. Either way, their numbers will be severely depleted.” Marcella spread her hands in gesture. “Do you see another option?”

  “Not at all. I actually happen to believe it is an excellent idea.” Vittoria turned to look at Vlad. “What of you, Vlad? What do you think of this idea?”

  “I have to admit, Your Majesties, it is an agreeable idea. The bloodlusters have been a thorn in your sides for centuries. This war will not only give you an opportunity to use them as a force, but also deplete their numbers.”

  “Then it is settled. Shall I go back to the coven and dispatch our fastest messengers to begin spreading the word?” Vittoria asked Marcella.

  Marcella merely nodded and Vittoria stood from her seat.

  “A pleasure seeing you again, Vlad,” said Vittoria as she sat her goblet down.

  “As well as you, Your Majesty,” Vlad replied as he dipped into a deep bow.

  Vittoria breezed by them both and made her way to the nearest balcony. Slipping out into the night would be the easiest way to leave. Her body fluttered with the shift as she leapt from the balcony and took flight. She soared over the city, flying the short distance to the coven house on the outskirts. Her swarm dove to the ground, shifting effortlessly back to herself as she landed behind the walls of the castle.

  “Demetri!” Vittoria yelled before looking to a nearby guard. “I need messengers dispatched immediately, ready the fastest ones that still remain.”

  “Your Majesty,” Demetri greeted, offering a quick bow. “How may I be of service?”

  “I have given the order for the remaining messengers to be readied. We will be sending out word of the war to the bloodlusters.”

  “Your Majesty?” Demetri asked confused.

  “Marcella
and I are officially pardoning any bloodluster who fights in the war against the werewolves,” Vittoria explained, watching as Demetri looked at her in surprise.

  Demetri began to speak, slowly, “Are you sure that is a wise decision?”

  “Are you questioning mine and Marcella’s decision, Demetri?” asked Vittoria, eyes flashing red as an eyebrow rose in challenge.

  Demetri swallowed. “Of course not, Your Majesty. I shall do as you commanded at once.”

  “Good. Report back to me when they have been sent off.”

  * * *

  “Are they upon us yet?” Marcella asked from her throne, directing the question to the messenger.

  Vittoria sat on her own obsidian throne, her eyes drifting over each of the council members as she awaited his answer. The wolves were to reach their grounds at any moment. They would exchange their formal declarations of war and commence battle the following evening.

  “They have just arrived on our border, Your Majesties,” the messenger replied, his bright green eyes flickering.

  “Then I believe it is time for us to discuss our terms,” Marcella replied as she stood from her throne and looked at Vittoria. “Are you ready?”

  “Indeed,” Vittoria replied as she stood from her seat and followed Marcella from the room.

  They moved through the castle, heading toward the courtyard in silence. Vittoria was anxious for the war. Days of preparation had been taking place, only furthering her anxiety. She knew that Marcella felt the same way. She could see it in the way she moved, her skin always rippling slightly in excitement of what was to come.

  “How are your dreams?” Marcella asked suddenly as they walked. They passed through the courtyard and out of the gates, not shifting to take flight yet.

  “Relatively peaceful as of late,” Vittoria replied.

  “That is good.” Marcella breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Do not speak so soon, Marcella. You and I both know that it could just be the calm before the storm.”

  Marcella looked at Vittoria, her gaze soft. “You have not experienced any of Lilith’s memories in some time.”

  “No,” Vittoria replied simply. “My dreams have merely been that of Samia.”