by Nicki Ruth
∞∞∞
Davina followed the threads to the crimson lights that were flickering, writhing, and dimming. She arrived at a scene of total chaos. Blood and bodies were strewn about the street, uniformed soldiers and civilians were screaming and running everywhere. Dark, shadowy beings were ripping skin from bone, disappearing just as fast as they appeared.
A fire burned in one of the glass buildings before her, the heat searing her skin. Her attention was drawn to a hysterical little girl in an alley, and Davina ran over to her. She tried to soothe the child, but the girl’s cries grew louder. Davina grabbed her and ran from the alley, hoping to find a safe place.
One of the uniformed men was trying to direct fleeing civilians to no avail. Davina rushed to the officer and deposited the girl in his arms.
Above the awful sounds of terror around her, Davina shouted, “Please take her to safety. I don't know where her parents are!”
The officer protested but she rushed off in the opposite direction of those trying to escape.
She sensed Alexios nearby. Certainly, he had come to take her back to the safety of their rooms; not even the Tuwrin necklace she wore could mask her from him. But she needed to put an end to this horror. Another stabbing pain assailed her, and she faltered. Just then, a bulcrag appeared from a cloud of dark mist before her. She hissed and dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding its sharp talons. It disappeared, and Davina wasted no time sprinting away, not waiting to see whether it would reappear or follow.
Up ahead, more uniformed men battled other vampires dressed in black—the mercenaries. She made her way carefully toward the fighting, creeping among the shadows of the city’s large buildings. She ducked behind a pillar as someone came flying toward her, crashing onto the paved street, dead.
Look around you, the husky voice sounded again in her head. We should destroy these weak souls, driven by their loathsome fears. Their weakness is an affront to us. Let us devour them, build an altar on their bone and ash, and feed their blood to the planet.
Davina shook her head to clear the voice’s echoes.
The voice chuckled. You cannot ignore me. Before the end of this day, you will call upon me, and I shall answer you. Until then.
Davina shivered at the ominous prophecy. She hoped never to call on the darkness within her, afraid that what she had seen tonight would pale in comparison with what the stirring power within her could unleash.
Chapter 33
Davina called out to a mercenary as he was about to strike one of the uniformed men. “Hey, you there!”
She raised her hand and made a fist. His body jerked and convulsed, his heart stuttering in his chest, suddenly choked of blood. His body fell limp to the ground. Those nearby who saw what she had done charged at her. She raised both her hands this time, calling the blood from their bodies. Red streams emerged from mouths, eyes, ears, and noses, floating and swirling like ribbons around her hands. She yanked her hands downwards and the vampires tumbled to the ground, blood still trickling from their orifices. The fighting around her stopped, everyone frozen by what they had witnessed.
Why do you fight your brothers? Davina projected into their minds. Drop your weapons and leave this place.
They wasted no time, fleeing toward other parts of the city. She breathed a sigh of relief. She had never attempted to speak to so many at once, but her gifts had grown.
“Th . . .Thank you,” a small voice whispered from behind a vehicle.
Davina looked closer and saw a young woman crouched low to the ground. Davina knelt beside her. “Are you all right? Can you tell me what happened?”
The woman stared at her then burst into tears, throwing herself into Davina’s arms. Between her uncontrollable sobs, Davina managed to learn that a large, dark cloud had appeared over the city, from which shadowy beings emerged and began their rampage. The young woman had lost her mate, who had tried to protect her. Images of Davina’s own mother flashed through mind, and she vowed to make things right.
“Who are you?” the woman asked. “I’ve never seen a gift like that.”
“I am Davina, daughter of Princess Tiamat of House Zharim and returned Queen of Damurios,” she said.
The woman’s jaw dropped as Davina smoothed the hair from the woman’s face. She would claim her heritage and lead. And to do that, she must protect her people and end the scourge that had terrorized them for ages.
∞∞∞
Amelagar licked his fangs and chuckled as he watched the burning city from the roof of a skyscraper. Look at them, running around like bugs to be squashed. Eventually, he would purge most of them from the planet. Once he had his blood inheritance, he would control their gifts and bonds, transforming each to his will.
Their screams reminded him of his recent masterpiece at Zlow’s. He relished the fear and terror that had rippled through Damurios at the massacre. Those who were old enough knew that he had returned.
It wasn't that he particularly enjoyed the kills . . . Well, who was he fooling? Of course, he did!
So many had ridiculed and shunned him in the past for wanting to create a superior vampire race. Now, all he wanted them to feel was fear. Vampires were creatures of the night, givers and takers of life, to be feared and revered. They were not weak, peace-abiding leeches corralled by the agents of the empire. Soon, all would understand his intention: to restore the people of Damurios to their former glory, to rule—not to be ruled by foreign councils and edicts.
One of his mercenaries appeared beside him. “Sir, there are reports a lone female is eliminating soldiers from Khantihar Square. Forty now lost, sir.”
Amelagar rolled his eyes. Useless, all of them! But wait . . . had he finally flushed her out? “Did you say a lone female? Bring her to me, unharmed.”
The soldier hesitated. “No one had been able to get close to her, sir. She can pull the blood from their bodies!”
What? Was she already the Zharoil’s host? The insufferable brat! Amelagar snarled in frustration, snapping the mercenary’s neck and throwing his body off the side of the building. This was something he needed to see for himself.
Just then Sandar appeared next to him.
“What do you want?” Amelagar snapped.
Sandar’s robes billowed in the gusty winds that slammed into the sides of the towering structure. “Why have you attacked Tairos?” he asked.
Amelagar looked toward the heavens and drew a calming breath. Sandar still held on to the ridiculous notion that he had compassion left. But the young, foolish Amelagar was gone, and although he did have some fondness left for Sandar, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw him off the side of the building as well. He would mourn after.
“Sandar, are all the preparations for the transference ceremony completed?” Amelagar asked smoothly. “You seem to have a lot of free time to be looking over my shoulder.”
“Yes, they are finished. Have you found the girl?”
“Why, yes, I believe I just did. Ergo, my answer to your first question.” Amelagar smiled and turned to Sandar, who was frowning. “You always disapprove of my methods,” Amelagar scoffed. “I grew tired of waiting. I knew my sireling would reveal himself if I baited him a little. Still no sign of him, but Tiamat’s daughter is down there somewhere. Care to join me in retrieving her?”
Sandar glared at Amelagar then said tersely, “No. I'll await you back at the temple,” and he disappeared.
Amelagar chuckled, excitement rolling through him.
∞∞∞
Davina carefully made her way down another street where the fighting continued. She appreciated the look of fear in the eyes of both the mercenaries and the uniformed officers of Tairos as she approached. Most ran from her when they witnessed how quickly she could disable a vampire by manipulating their body and blood. It caught them off guard, especially as no vampire should be able to harness their gifts during the Dāmming. No one dared get close to her. They relied on weapons that emitted balls of electricity, but she easily evaded
those with her enhanced speed.
Those who dared engaged her with sword-like weapons sheathed with electric energy. Davina was not familiar with the weapons of this age, but she knew enough to stay out of their range. All fell before her, and she grew stronger, more confident, the more she used her gifts. She yearned to see her enemies’ blood spill, and at the same time, she was struggling to keep that desire in check.
A piercing scream captured her attention. “Stop. Move no further!” A mercenary dressed in black held a terrified, young man, who appeared to be no older than a teenager, by the neck. “Move and I will tear his head off his shoulders!”
She sensed the fear from both, but Davina was in no mood for mercy. “Release the boy and I will spare your life.”
The mercenary bared his fangs. “Stand down now!”
Davina gave him a toothy smile. “Surely, you’ve realized by now you are powerless against me. The Dāmming has taken your gifts.” Davina stepped forward, one foot in front of the other. “Release the boy.”
“I said stay away!” the mercenary screamed. His hostage screamed, too, when claws sank deeper into his neck.
The fighting around them had come to a standstill. Everyone waited to see what would happen. Davina stopped and looked at the terrified boy whose neck was bleeding badly.
“Don't worry,” she said. “I won't let them hurt you.” As she spoke, she sent out a small, soothing wave of encouragement across the thin thread that linked him to her. She had easily found him among the millions she was connected to, his crimson light beating strong. He had much to live for. His eyes rounded in their sockets as he felt her. He closed his eyes and reopened them with renewed courage.
It was only then that Davina raised her hand. The mercenary screamed in agony, claws ripping into the boy’s throat. Her vision darkened with rage. Those nearby scrambled away when they felt her unleash the full magnitude of her power.
The mercenary’s body convulsed and twisted, his screams as terrible as the smell of his burning flesh. Blood boiled from his eyes and mouth, steaming. His skin glowed orange and red, betraying the inferno that ravaged his insides. Davina smiled to herself, satisfied as the man’s charred, smoking body fell to the ground. Her vision cleared, and she searched out another to burn. Her mouth watered. Her dominion over blood and flames excited her, enlivened her. She grinned. All would know her and quake with fear.
A small groan snapped her back from the darkness that was encircling her, threatening to sweep her away. The young man had fallen to the side, gripping his neck and gasping. She was needed. She hurried to help him, and he stared at her with a mixture of confusion and relief.
“Don't worry, you’ll be alright.”
The damage to his neck was not as severe as it looked. She placed her hands over it, mending the veins, flesh, and skin. He grimaced in discomfort, but soon the repairs were done and he was able to sit up with her help. He gaped in amazement, his hands clutching at his newly healed neck. Davina smiled, hopeful that he would survive the horrors of the day.
“You h . . . healed me. How?”
“I told you I wouldn't let them harm you. Now, you should leave this place. Do you have family or friends nearby?” Davina looked around the now deserted street. Apparently, no one wanted to take the chance of confronting her.
“No, the beasts killed them. I . . . I wasn't able to save them,” he whispered with downcast eyes.
Davina sensed the sadness and shame within him, and it made her heartache. She empathized with his loss. “You did your best. That is all you could have done,” she said squeezing his shoulder.
He shook his head as he tried to stand.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“I’m Elfond.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Elfond. There is a garrison of Tairos officers two streets away. You will be safe there.”
“I can come with you,” he offered hopefully. “I can help you.”
Davina smiled back. “No. You cannot come with me. I need to go on my own.”
“But she shouldn't go alone, not when she has those willing to help her,” a voice said from behind.
Davina sighed and turned around to face Alexios. He looked like a phantom dressed in all black, armed for battle and covered in blood—apparently he’d already had his own skirmish. His eyes blazed. Elfond gasped and stepped closer to her.
Alexios glowered. “I thought we had an understanding, Davina? I thought we were in this together, but you ran off on your own.”
Davina squared her shoulders. “We do. I did tell you to meet me when you devised a plan.”
This elicited a scowl from Alexios. His gaze flicked to the carnage that littered the street. “Hmm. Maybe you can go it alone after all,” he quipped.
Davina gave a nonchalant shrug, but deep down she didn’t want Alexios to know the razor-thin edge that separated her from her ever-increasing desire for destruction that licked hungrily at her heels.
Alexios raised an eyebrow as he watched her. “There are rumors that a long lost Damurian queen is fighting for her people, one so powerful she summons Damu blood.”
Elfond sucked in a breath. She looked at the young man, his eyes shining as he blushed. She had resolved to protect her people. Hadn’t the voices cried out for her to help them? Those cries reverberated across the threads that tethered her to them. It was no coincidence she was stronger, her gifts formidable despite the Dāmming.
Or maybe because of the Dāmming? Perhaps the bloodgifts, once scattered across the Damu people, were not lost to their bearers during the Dāmming but returned to the source—one who ruled the blood, who was connected to all of them, and who must now protect them in their vulnerability. Was this her mission? If so, she could not fail them.
“Yes, Alexios,” Davina said, all doubt and hesitation cast from her mind. “The Damurian queen has returned to her people. She stands before you.”
Alexios smiled then grew suddenly somber. He went to one knee and placed one hand on his chest. “My queen. I pledge myself to your service, for always.” He bowed his head, and she felt his conviction across the golden bond that connected her to him above all others.
Elfond followed, hesitantly kneeling before her as well on both his knees. “I pledge to serve you as well, my queen,” he said breathlessly.
Davina was moved by his oath, which she sensed was earnest. To the first subjects of her new queendom, Davin vowed, “And I promise to serve, protect, and honor you and all children of the blood—of my blood.”
∞∞∞
Alexios lifted his head. His heart swelled within his chest. His Davina, his queen, was glorious before him with blood dotting her cheeks. She looked sure and commanding, yet he knew her vulnerability. He had sensed her battle to suppress her bloodlust earlier, but not once did he sense any fear. He was proud of her. He couldn’t have asked for a better sovereign.
He rose from his knee and stepped toward her. “So, my queen, what is your first order?” Although he already knew the answer.
“We need to find your sire, if he is truly behind this,” she said. “There has been too much death in Tairos tonight.”
“If I know Amelagar, he will be nearby, watching the mayhem he orchestrated.” Alexios gaze panned across the street and upward along the glass and stone buildings on either side.
A frown deepened across Davina’s brow. “What about the innocents? Will they be safe?”
Alexios was heartened by her concern for the people of Tairos. It was a good quality for a monarch, one that inspired others to follow.
He nodded and looked at the street again. “The streets are almost cleared of civilians. Reinforcements arrived to help steer most indoors where they’ll be safe from the bulcrags. And there weren’t enough mercenaries for a prolonged battle.” He shook his head. “Which leads me to believe that this slaughter was simply a ploy to draw us out.”
“Well then, if he wants to find us, we should let him.” Davina snapped the Tu
wrin stone from her neck before Alexios could stop her.
All his years planning for a confrontation with his sire upended when Davina entered his life. She was determined to follow her own mind, but he would support and protect her regardless.
He sighed. It was his duty as the queen’s guardian, after all.
Chapter 34
Davina saw the shadow of gloom rolling toward her like an unwelcome abscess. She caught Alexios’ eye. He’s coming, she said into his mind.
He opened his mouth to say something, but she abruptly turned to Elfond. “I need you to do something for me, Elfond. Can you go to the garrison I mentioned and tell them to take the civilians farther away from here? I need your help to keep the people safe.” Davina touched his shoulder and the young man beamed and nodded. He would be safer elsewhere.
As she watched him go, Alexios stepped closer. “Davina, we should go somewhere else. The street is not the ideal place for a confrontation.”
Amelagar’s voice sounded in front of them. “Ah, don't leave on my account, not when I went through so much trouble to find you.” He sauntered down the street like he had no care in the world, one hand perched on his hip.
Davina hissed and bared her fangs. This man had killed her family and so many just to get to her, to steal something she never chose to have.
“You are truly despicable. Not only did you go against our sacred vows, abandoning your sired offspring, but you have killed so many of your own people. And my mother! All for what?”
Amelagar grinned. “You’re so much like her. So beautiful and defiant. Yes, I’ll admit I am despicable. I abandoned my sireling, and I have killed thousands over my long life. Believe it or not, it pained me to kill your mother, my own cousin. That is the one death I have regretted. But you survived, Davina. If I had known that, maybe I would not have had to kill so many.”
Amelagar stopped several feet from them, the street behind him supernaturally dark. He was dressed in all black, with silver and bronze chains and buckles crisscrossing his slender body. His collar was broad and large, reaching high off his shoulders. He smiled at her, and bile rose in Davina’s throat.