Splintered Nights

by Veronica Del Rosa

  A werewolf used my back as a springboard, an action I did remember. I wished I knew which jackass had done it so I could properly thank them—with a smack to the face. And it seemed someone, likely Cole, had the video edited since we didn’t witness the vampire chewing on my neck.

  And then there were no more opponents left. Black ash swirled around me and the pack, a faint look of distaste on my face as I glanced down at the blood and gore coating me. The video ended.

  “Still think she was bragging?” Cole asked with a faint grin.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next evening, Cole stood before his pack, his stance relaxed and an easy grin stretching his lips. I stayed off to the side, keeping myself apart from the wolves.

  “We hit the nest tonight,” Cole said.

  Fifteen men and women filled the foyer, staring at him, their eagerness permeating the air. No one shied away from the thought of killing vampires. Myself, I would’ve preferred to leave them to it. Instead, Cole felt it would help the werewolves accept my presence easier.

  Doug glared at me and I gave him a huge grin. If his attitude towards me was an indication of how the pack felt, they hated me. And I didn’t care. Only a few more weeks until I disappeared for good. All I needed to do was kill Maxwell, and from the sounds of things, it wouldn’t be difficult to arrange a meeting with him.

  “Stay by me,” whispered Eban, one of Cole’s pack. He slid closer to me, though he took care not to touch me. “I’ll keep you safe.”

  I covered my mouth, coughing to hide my laugh. Where was this urge to save me from the evils of the world when I’d needed it? Was Eban hoping to get in good with Cole by protecting his future, squishy mate? Guess he hadn’t gotten the memo that I no longer needed a big strong man to rescue me.

  Cole patiently waited while I disrupted his meeting, the others all busy looking at everything except me.

  “Thanks,” I murmured to Eban once I had my “coughing” under control. No sense in hurting his feelings. One werewolf who actively hated me was enough. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Halvar and two of his hunters will be here in about ten minutes. We’re all going together so we don’t tip off the vampires. Does anyone have any questions?” Cole glanced around. A few people shifted, but no one raised any objections. He nodded in satisfaction. “Good. We’ll split into our usual groups and change forms when we arrive. Pearle’s riding with me.”

  His decree didn’t surprise me. Of course I’d go with him. I glanced around for Jacy, wondering if she’d remained behind like last time, and found her hovering in the doorway leading to the left wing of the house. Hands tightly clenched together, worry painting lines on her face, I realized she wasn’t coming. She had the air of someone being left behind, the one who fretted over those going into battle.

  I slipped away from the main group, unconcerned with Cole’s instructions. Werewolves at my back wouldn’t change my fighting style, since I couldn’t rely on them to always be there. I’d survive with or without them.

  With a soft smile, I touched Jacy’s arm, indicating I wanted her to follow me. She did so without hesitation. Maybe it was best she wasn’t coming. Blood, guts, and gore didn’t suit her inherent sweetness.

  “You’re staying here?” I asked once we reached the lounge and I dropped onto the spindly chair. After days of mistreatment from me, I knew it would hold my weight.

  Jacy paced, wringing her hands. “Yes. I can’t go. This is important to Cole and if I mess up . . . God, I’m so pathetic. I want his respect, but instead I’m cowering at home.”

  “Hey.” I jumped up and grabbed her hands. “You’re not pathetic. Not everyone is cut out for this shit. I wish I could stay here with you and let the gung-ho idiots deal with the nest. I’m tired of the deaths. Tired of looking over my shoulder. Tired of not trusting anyone else.”

  Ah shit, I hadn’t meant to confess that. Releasing her hands, I whirled, putting distance between us. Spending time with the pack was making me soft, lowering my resistance. I couldn’t leave soon enough. “Then stay here. Don’t go.”

  I snort-laughed. “I can’t. Cole needs me by his side to show the others I’m ‘worthy.’ I’ll go, kill a few vampires, and pretend it was great fun. You gonna prepare another feast for the mighty warriors?”

  “Yes, I’ll start the preparations tonight. Cole wants the other alphas as well as some of the vampire hunters to join us, so I’ll be busy.” Jacy either didn’t catch my sarcasm or chose to ignore it. Her gaze on the ground, she murmured, “Guess it’s a good thing I’m not going. Someone needs to stay here to feed everyone.”

  I racked my brain for something insightful and uplifting to say. Nothing came to mind. I was no optimist, and for once, I felt the lack.

  Instead, I walked back to her and gave her a hug. I couldn’t stand seeing her upset and years of friendship trumped my lingering sense of hurt. After a hesitant moment, Jacy hugged me back and the hurt melted away. I couldn’t remain upset at her.

  “Okay, enough sappy stuff,” I said as I pulled back, my tone uncharacteristically soft. “I’ll see you later.”

  I left the room, aware we’d reached a turning point in our relationship. No more lies or evasions. Jacy understood the world better than I’d assumed and I didn’t need to protect her from the monsters in the night.

  “Hey, Alpha’s Mate. Going to wow us with your prowess tonight?” Lex popped out from the bathroom to my left, and by sheer willpower I didn’t screech like a small child. Disappointment flickered in his eyes. He’d done it on purpose. Ass.

  “What are you doing here? Figured you wouldn’t want to get your fingers dirty.” I raked him from head to toe, amazed he wore something as utilitarian as dark blue sweatpants and a matching hoodie. His hair was still perfectly styled, though, and I wanted to mess it up.

  “Some of us other alphas are taking part in the hunt. I haven’t had a nest in my territory in four years. Seems the vampires have a liking for this city.” Lex inhaled deeply, a sly, knowing look in his eyes. “Would you know something about it, Alpha’s Mate?”

  I stalked past him, my shoulder bumping his, and I immediately regretted my action. It was like smacking into a cement wall. Clamping my lips together so I wouldn’t whimper in pain, I kept moving. His low chuckle trailed after me and I checked the urge to flip him off. No sense in alienating one of Cole’s allies, even if he was a jerk.

  Noise from the jubilant werewolves covered my re-entry into the foyer, though I didn’t slip past Cole’s notice. His nostrils flared and his eyes locked onto me. I subtly shook my head. He wasn’t my knight in shining armour and he didn’t need to rescue me.

  A loud pounding at the front door yanked his attention away from me. Cole nodded to the werewolf closest to the door to open it. Halvar sauntered across the threshold, his face arranged in a glowering scowl. The two hunters behind him didn’t appear any happier. Didn’t like working with werewolves? An odd stance to take since they wanted the alliance. Or was it the case of the lesser evil?

  “Pearle, good to see you again,” Halvar said, his scowl lessening. I smiled to hide my confusion. I didn’t realize we’d become friends. Or was he playing politics? Be nice to the human who might have sway over Cole? Poor guy was barking up the wrong tree if he thought that.

  “Hey, glad you could join.” And that’s why I hated small talk. I sounded like an idiot. Glad you could make it to the massacre. Don’t get too much blood on your clothes. Have fun, toodles!

  The two men with him nudged each other, sharing some kind of silent communication, and their attention landed squarely on me. Was Halvar telling tales about me?

  “Everyone’s here, so we’ll head out. We have an hour until sundown. Anyone have any questions?” Cole scanned the room and when no one spoke, he gestured at the door. “Then let’s go. Daylight’s burning.”

  I headed out with Cole, since he’d stated I was with him, plus I didn’t feel like enduring uncomfortable silence with an unkno
wn werewolf when I could enjoy it with one I did know. The drive to the latest nest took fifteen minutes and I remained quiet.

  We pulled into the long driveway and parked on the grass, trees obscuring the house. The others followed suit, leaving the exit unblocked. Anyone driving by would assume party time, with the number of cars crowding around.

  Hopping out, I landed softly on the ground and closed the door. I winced at the loud thud, though it wouldn’t alert the house’s occupants. Rumours of their death-like slumber were true. Few could remain awake during daylight hours. Once I’d stumbled across a vampire’s lair during the day and he’d scared the shit out of me until I’d realized he was helpless. And then I’d staked him. Morality aside, I’d known he would have hunted me down once the sun had set.

  The house wasn’t as creepy as the previous one, though it’d seen better days. Paint peeled off the siding and some windows were broken, but nothing sagged or looked rotted. I would’ve passed by without knowing this was another nest.

  Cole strode towards the front of the pack to face the men and women. Halvar gestured for his two hunters to follow as they stayed near the alpha. Lex jostled for arm space, his savage grin belying his glossy exterior. No other alpha joined us, though a few unfamiliar werewolves milled around the edges of the crowd.

  The sun dipped lower behind the trees, casting the world in sombre blues and greys and dimming my eyesight. I hated this time of day, when darkness stole over me, robbing me of perfect clarity. I tightened my grip on my knife and removed a stake from the loop on my belt. The minutes ticked by and I could sense the vampires waking up.

  Insects crawled over my body. If I looked, I’d find nothing, so I remained silent. I hated the sensation, but it was one hell of an early detection system.

  I adjusted my weight, turning my body to make me less of a target. My short hair exposed my neck, which was better than long strands blinding me if the wind picked up.

  Vampires were converging on this city because of me. Maybe if enough of them were slaughtered, Maxwell would get the hint and leave me the fuck alone. This was one more step towards my freedom.

  Shadows lengthened, inching towards me, and restlessness beat through my veins. The werewolves shifted from their human forms, eager for the fight. Still no vampires.

  I scanned the trees around us. Nothing out of the ordinary, just darkness and leaves. Nothing pinged on my radar. Why hide from us? The vampires enjoyed the fight and none of them had shied away before. Was this a different breed, ones who valued strategy over mindless battle? Any longer and the werewolves might storm the house.

  Cole held his hand up in the air. He cocked his head, his displeasure evident. I moved closer, straining to hear what he heard. My human ears picked up no sounds save the quiet breathing of the pack and leaves rustling in the gentle wind.

  “Cole?” I touched his arm.

  “Humans,” he murmured. “They have captives. If we burst inside, they’ll kill the humans, but if we don’t, then the humans become tonight’s meal and will still die.”

  Resignation washed over me. We had one option if we wanted to save the victims.

  “Stay here and keep everyone quiet. I’ll draw the vampires out.” Where had this insanity come from? I wasn’t a hero, and sacrificing myself for others sounded like a terrible plan. “Don’t let me die or I’ll be very pissed.”

  Cole opened his mouth, then snapped it shut when he saw the look on my face. Determination bolstered me even while fear gnawed at my gut. What was the true definition of courage—doing something in spite of a person’s fear? Yeah, I’d rather go back to my life as a coward with no worries for anyone else.

  Marching towards the house, I kept the knife front and center with the stake resting at my side. I wouldn’t go down without a hell of a fight.

  I slammed open the door, mildly surprised it wasn’t locked, and called out, “Hey, I heard Maxwell’s been looking for me. You flunkies belong to him?”

  Skittering echoed in the blackness of the foyer. The invisible insects on my skin reacted like they’d gotten a hit of speed. Ignoring them proved difficult. I usually faced one or two vampires at a time, so the sensation rarely bothered me. How many vampires hid inside the house?

  Darkness stretched out inky fingers towards me and I stepped back, unwilling to let the vampire touch me. Green eyes blinked at me, and he grinned, a ghastly stretching of his undead skin. Sharp fangs, dulled with wet blood, made me shiver. Would we find a human body in the house? Was it too late for his victim?

  “Hel-lo, Pearle,” he hissed. If he was aiming for cordial and nonthreatening, he’d missed the mark. “Maxwell misses you. He hasn’t been the same since you left.”

  “What does that mean? I’ve never met him before.” I gazed into the room, my eyes adjusting to the dimness, and picked out six more vampires. More remained hidden from me. I could feel them. A male cried out in terror from inside the house. I tensed. Could I rush past the front line without getting hurt?

  The vampire sniffed the air. “You smell like his property. Your blood would taste divine. Let me have a sip.”

  “What if you kill me? Won’t he be angry? We’ll skip having me as a snack.” More vampires appeared behind the chatty one. Up to eleven mesmerized monsters, all their unholy attention focused on me. “How long has Maxwell been searching for me? Doesn’t seem like he’s tried hard enough.”

  “Twenty-two years. A blink of an eye for the sire. He heard rumours of you a few years ago.” He swayed closer, his brilliant green eyes drilling into mine, like he wanted to hypnotize me. If he expected it to work, he had a shock in store.

  But then his words sunk in. “What? I would’ve been three years old.”

  The skittering turned nightmarish and I rubbed the knife hilt against my hip, hoping to get some semblance of relief. It didn’t work. Twenty-five pairs of eyes now stared at me. Didn’t Cole say nests had a max of fifteen vampires?

  I stumbled backwards. A trap.

  They wanted to overwhelm the werewolves and take away any chance of me resisting.

  “Holy fuck, why’s your nest twenty-five strong?” My voice would carry to the waiting pack. Halvar and his men wouldn’t hear me, but they wouldn’t charge in. As squishy humans, they’d wait until the werewolves decreased the numbers.

  “Hey, asshole, this is my territory you’re in,” Halvar boomed as he strode towards the house. I smacked the blade against my thigh. Then again, the human was obviously insane—he battled vampires for a living.

  “Hunter,” the leader said, flitting around me and out of the house. Six monsters followed him and I took several more steps sideways. I didn’t want them anywhere near me. “We’ll feast on you tonight. You’ll sate our hunger.”

  Halvar snorted and ran a blade against his wrist. A shallow cut, since barely any blood welled up, but the vampires reacted like he’d opened a juicy vein. “Bet not a single one of you gets close enough for a taste.”

  In one smooth and insanely fast move, Halvar removed a stake from his bandolier and flung it at a vampire attempting to sneak up on him. The creature screeched, clawing at the embedded wood. She fell to the ground, writhing and moaning. Lex appeared out of the trees like a vengeful wraith and chopped her head off.

  The other vampires stood frozen, hatred in their gazes, and then the battle raged around me. No one came close to me. The nest was meant to retrieve me, not harm me, which made me wonder why the others had tried to feed from me. Rival sires? More questions to add to the growing list.

  I darted into the house, confident no enemies waited for me. But just in case, my knife stayed ready. My eyes adjusted—finally—to the gloomy interior. Faint light streamed in through the front windows from the streetlamps, enough to let me walk without smashing into the wall.

  The phantom bugs calmed down. I still felt them scurrying across my skin, like moth wings brushing the soft skin of my inner wrists, instead of the previous army of spiders.

  Cursing my newfou
nd courage, I crept deeper, searching for any humans. Would I find bodies? I hoped to all that was holy I didn’t. Vampires left behind no corpses, which made me feel marginally better about killing them. I didn’t need dead humans piled atop the other nightmares I already had.

  Whimpering caught my attention, followed by a shush, and I stopped. More than one person, then. If I were a nasty vampire, where would I stash my prey? Basement.

  Come on, make some more noise. Wandering aimlessly would waste precious seconds. One of them had sounded hurt.

  “We’re gonna die here. Th-those monsters will kill us.” A young, female voice came out of the darkness and I took one step towards the sound. The insects exploded in a flurry of movement.

  Chapter Eighteen

  My matte-black combat knife didn’t reflect light, so I wasn’t worried the vampire would see any betraying shine. The stake remained by my side, an extension of my hand. All I needed was a moment and I’d have the wood entrenched in the monster’s rotting heart.

  “I’m here to help,” I whispered. “Are you hurt?”

  “Who’s there? Please, get me out of here.” Her voice wavered and ended on a frightened note. Oh, she was good. She would’ve fooled me if I weren’t suspicious. “Don’t let the monsters hurt me.”

  “I won’t.” I moved closer, not quite sure where the creature hid. Several closed doors gave her ample hiding spots. Could vampires project their voices? One problem at a time, damn it. “I can’t see you.”

  “It’s so dark. I don’t like the dark. Please save me.” Pitiful sniffling accompanied her words and I tilted my head, trying vainly to pinpoint her location. The crawling insects settled when I walked past two doors opposite each other—the worst game of hot and cold ever.

  “It’s okay,” I said, keeping my voice soothing and smooth. “It’s okay, I’ll get you.”