by E E Everly
“Are we negotiating, Anya?” Korbinian squints across the space. “Are you tired of the verbal treaties your vampires seem to forget? You’ve benefited from our arrangement long enough. You owe me, remember?”
Verbal treaties? Benefits? Does Killian know what Korbinian’s rambling on about?
“You’re weak, old man. We have you outnumbered and outmatched in strength. You have nothing left to bargain with.”
Korbinian scoffs. “I’d weigh your actions carefully, vampire. If anything happens to me, my men in the trees will fire their liquid silver rounds. Your vampires will be incapacitated within moments.”
“Do you think your threats frighten me? Do you think to intimidate me? I’ve put up with your senile ways for far too long. You can’t have Sasha, and I’m taking the amulet.” Anya snaps her fingers.
Nothing happens at first, and then bodies thunk from the trees, with their bent rifles falling beside them. Hungry-looking vampires land on the ground, wiping blood from their mouths.
“I’d say that takes care of your threat.” Anya seems pleased with herself.
Korbinian roars, frustration cutting into his features. “Give me Sasha, and I will get you all the storm sprite blood you could want. I will be forever indebted to you.”
My blood runs cold. Killian stiffens, understanding what Korbinian implies. The seed demons can world jump to Belyven and nab storm sprites for the vampires. Closed gates between worlds don’t do anything to keep out demons. Kidnappings have been a constant fear for our people. Sadly, supernaturals craving our blood have taken storm sprites before. Magical protection on our planet has helped tremendously, but there are ways to counter magic.
Anya sputters, as if the idea of drinking our blood is preposterous, but I have a feeling she craves me as much as Seth does. As much as my vampire does. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Anya sidesteps Korbinian’s offer, but that doesn’t convince me of her loyalty. “You’re not getting your power back.”
“Come now, Anya. I know what you want. With my teleportation power, you’d have an all-access pass to the fae world and all the tasty supernatural elixir you could want. But it’s my power.” Spit flies from Korbinian’s mouth. “Not meant for vampires. If it is returned, I’m sure we can come to a permanent arrangement. I’ll bring the storm sprites to you, no conditions, no limits.”
Killian turns to Anya. “You can’t consider this. Anya, please tell me you aren’t considering this.”
“Absolutely not.” Anya is vehement about her claim. Everything about her stance and her tone asserts her honesty.
My gut doesn’t buy it.
“Korbinian”—Anya holds out her hand—“give me the amulet or my vampires will kill you all.”
Korbinian holds the precious jewel out toward me instead. “Come, child. Take the amulet in your hands, and give me my power back.”
I push away from the tree, coming to a crouch. I could end all this. But despite Anya’s plans to use the amulet to trap the demons, I want it to save Killian.
I don’t care about the rest of them. I am so fed up with demons and vampires.
Killian leaves the vampire entourage and helps me up. I attempt to put my foot down, but my ankle twinges. Most definitely sprained. I balance on my other foot and take a steadying breath.
“Don’t do it,” Killian whispers.
I don’t intend to help Korbinian. He doesn’t know why I want the amulet. Neither does Anya. So if I take the amulet, Korbinian will think he’s getting what he wants.
It’s too easy.
I should have figured this out before when Killian and I were alone with Korbinian in the room.
Anya’s face narrows. “My patience is at an end, Korbinian. I hesitate to destroy you because I promised Sasha we’d free her father.”
“And I promised Sasha I’d leave her father if she returns my power. I say everyone gets what they want.”
Anya snarls. “You will not have your powers back.”
“What’s one more demon with his powers returned, Anya? I will be no threat to you.” Korbinian follows my shaky progress. “Sasha is weakening more by the second. If her strength fails, you will burn.”
“I got this,” I say, even as I lean heavily on Killian. I summon my strength, wave him off, and limp toward Korbinian, wincing as I go. “I’ll do it.”
“What?” Killian and Anya ask.
I hobble past them, ignoring their astonishment. I’m only three feet from Korbinian’s men. “I’ll give you your powers back if you promise to stay out of Belyven and leave my mother and her people alone.”
Korbinian’s smile is dressed in lies. “I swear I won’t enter Belyven. When I have my powers back, I’ll wash my hands of Astra. She’ll be off limits.”
“No,” Killian says. “Sasha, don’t give in.”
I’m going to, because I don’t care. Rationally, I know I can deal with my mother’s problems later. I’m not worried for Belyven, only Killian. “Korbinian’s right. I can’t hold the storm. We have to end this now.”
The vampires move forward. Korbinian’s men tighten around their demon master and take aim at the vampires.
“We can take them, Sasha,” Anya says.
Something in Korbinian’s eyes return to hope, and not the hope of the demon receiving his powers. The expression has to be from Henrik. Though he says he would be honorable and keep the demon inside himself, he would be relieved to be free.
I hold out my trembling hand toward my demon daddy. “As soon as your power returns, you leave the body. Do you understand?”
Korbinian does a quick, mocking bow. “Yes. Thank you, Sasha. And you will be free of your curse as promised.”
“Sasha…” Killian warns.
“No one has to die today.” I cringe, remembering the bodies from the trees. “No one else. No one attacks. Do I make myself clear?”
Anya nods, once. Korbinian bobs his head several times. The entire group doesn’t relax though.
Someone will die. The tension declares it, despite my demands. It won’t be my vampire, or me, if I can help it.
Korbinian steps forward, still protected by his men, but he extends the hand holding the amulet. “That’s a girl. I knew you’d see it my way.”
Like a streak of lightning, Killian dives between Korbinian and me and rolls to a stop five feet away, clutching the amulet safely.
I didn’t expect Killian to be the wild card, but it’s accomplished my aim.
Korbinian’s face turns purple.
Killian beckons me with a head tilt, more than smug that taking the amulet was so simple. “Come on, Sa—” He lurches. His back arches, and the hand holding the amulet shakes. Killian vibrates as if a current rakes through him. A wretched howl courses through locked teeth before he drops to his knees.
The amulet tumbles from his grasp. A vampire blurs forward and grabs it.
Vampires and demons gape in captivation as shimmering black energy emerges from Killian’s scapulas.
Korbinian grabs me from behind, but I’m too stunned, too worried for my vampire, to struggle.
As Killian falls to all fours, the energy takes shape. Wings fan out behind him, stunning and terrifying at the same time. They are like mine in size, nearly concealing Killian as he quakes.
“What have you done?” Korbinian squeezes me in outrage.
My sense returns with Korbinian’s hoarse wail, and I fight his hold. “Killian!” I’m quick to connect the dots. Somehow Killian took Korbinian’s demon wings when he touched the amulet. I have no idea how the transfer was possible. The other demon powers could have entered Killian too. I’m fearful of the effect they could have on his undead body.
Anya’s eyes widen. “The key is her blood!”
Her words sink in fast. My touch does not power the amulet. My mother was wrong. My blood powers the amulet. Killian has my blood in his body.
Oh no. Thirsty vampires salivate as heads swivel in my direction. I just multiplied in popularity.
<
br /> Before anyone reacts, Anya plows through the demon horde protecting their master and shoves the heel of her hand into Korbinian’s face. His neck jerks backward as he loses grip on me.
The crunch of his vertebrae is deafening.
I gasp in horror as my human father crumples. “Anya!”
He’s dead. Henrik’s dead! Lead drops into my stomach. My father, the man I will never know, is dead. I try to console myself—he’s free of Korbinian, who should be a bodiless spirit now.
Anya will pay.
All promises on Anya’s end are apparently off too.
After dispatching the demons on both sides of Korbinian, Anya grabs me by the collar and yanks me with her. The demons jump into action, but before they can pull their triggers, the vamps have the demons by their throats.
“Little storm sprite”—Anya’s fangs flash with her words—“it’s a blood link to the amulet. Killian drank your blood recently, didn’t he, so he unleashed the power.”
I struggle, but Anya won’t let go. I twist enough in her grip to face her. Her eyes are black. She’s deadly.
And thirsty.
“Killian!” My heart gallops. How will I fight her off? Killian’s still on the ground, half hidden under his new wings. I should have run to him.
I push against Anya, fighting because I will not be her dinner, but I’m tired, and I’m scared. I have sunlight as an ally. The clouds want to part even as I work to hold them. I could let go. Let the sun have its day. But if Anya burns, they all burn.
Especially Killian.
He struggles to rise. His wings flex. My breath catches. A vampire with wings. A beautiful angel with demon wings. He could take to the air if he figures out how to control them and rain death on them all.
Do it, Killian. Take this gift.
Anya’s not paying him attention. She swallows her saliva. She’s too caught up in herself. She’s too intent on having the amulet’s powers—if there’s any power left. “Time for a treat.”
A fierce pinch stabs my neck, sharp and tearing. I groan, too paralyzed from shock to grasp my predicament.
Anya’s not gentle as her fangs slice into my neck. She means to drink fast. The frenzy will take her. She won’t be able to stop.
Nothing but fuzziness shapes my vision as her hot mouth gulps greedily. My vision blackens. I pray she has the sense to seal the wound when she’s done, or I’ll die. That’s all I think as I stare, as blackness becomes my reality.
No! I redirect my fight to hold on to the clouds and on to consciousness. Hold on. Hold them.
Anya’s a fool. Her greed will kill us all.
I’m a dead storm sprite. Any moment I’ll become stuck in a blaze of vampire fire because my storm will fail.
I pound on her. I scratch at her face and tear at her neck, anywhere my nails can dig into flesh.
I vaguely hear Killian bellow as my hearing enters a tunnel, and I wonder if the sun has already found him.
TWENTY-SIX
I scream. The wretchedness of it brings my focus back. I won’t black out, but I can’t fight anymore. I can’t move past the immobilizing pain.
Numbly I comprehend that Killian’s on his feet. His wings are glorious and frightening at the same time. His body swells as he thunders. “Release her, Anya!”
She rips her teeth from my neck. My gore drips down her chin and spews from her mouth. “Her blood is the key to controlling the amulet, Killian dear.”
Rivulets of blood stream down my chest as Anya clasps me by my hair. She shoves me into Seth’s arms and holds out her hand. Seth slaps the amulet into it.
“No!” Killian yells.
Anya sinks to her knees and flops backward with convulsions as she takes whatever power Killian didn’t absorb.
I had hoped, for our sake, no power was left to take.
Killian flashes forward, his wings propelling him. He kicks out with his foot to strike the amulet from Anya’s hand, but his foot passes through air.
Anya’s gone.
Killian whirls around, trying to determine where his sister went.
Prickly laughter reaches us from twenty feet away. “Killian, you’re too late.” Anya disappears and reappears on the other side of Killian.
He whips around to face her.
“The demon power of teleportation,” she says. “I never thought it could feel so good.”
Killian’s face falls. “You do want the power to enter Belyven.”
Forget Belyven! I can’t hold the storm! I’m more worried for my vampire than my own life, even as my strength fades, especially as sun breaks through at the field’s edge.
“I didn’t know how delicious Sasha really was.” Anya licks my blood from her lips. “I mean, her scent was tempting enough, but I couldn’t ever be certain of the allure until I finally tasted her for myself. How do you restrain yourself, Killian? Her blood is even more enticing than other storm sprites I’ve sampled.”
Seth breathes on my neck, reminding me of his vile presence, inhaling my scent as blood oozes from my wound with each heartbeat. I slam my hand over the punctures, trying to staunch the blood flow.
Killian’s eyes are on Seth and me as he addresses Anya. “Don’t think I will ever forgive you for drinking from Sasha.”
“Oh, come on, Killian!” Anya slides the amulet around her neck, with her bloody fingers. “Did you really think you’d be able to keep her safe or you’d be able to withstand her blood after so long?”
Killian rounds on his sister. “She is mine, Anya. You don’t mess with another vampire’s mate.”
His mate. I’m his mate. The label is so much more permanent than boyfriend. And animalistic, as if vampires are inhuman. I guess they categorize themselves in a different class. I haven’t necessarily heard of vampires marrying. But mate? He’s always been my vampire. I’ve always known this. I’m his. I’m glad Killian can admit I’m his storm sprite.
“Your mate? Oh, brother dear, I hope it hasn’t come to that. She’s a storm sprite. You are deluding yourself.”
Killian’s eyes flash. Behind his anger, the wishes for his sister soften him, only briefly. “I don’t know why I held on to such foolish hopes for you.”
“I don’t know why you have either.” Anya rolls her eyes as if she’s growing bored. “Seth, let’s go. Bring Sasha.”
“This isn’t over, Anya.” Worry passes over Killian’s features. I hope his concerns have turned to my obvious need for medical attention. Killian snaps his wings and turns to Seth. “Let go of Sasha. I will take her home.”
I shoulder Seth, but he jerks me against his chest. “I’m saving her for later. A special treat after a hard day’s work.”
Killian rises into the sky. I swear a vein pulsates along his temple. “Seth, I will fight you, and you will die. Release Sasha.”
“At last. Let’s fight, lover boy.” Seth throws me aside, and I skid across the wet grasses. Pebbles cut my forearms, creating more places for my precious blood to spill.
Killian dives on Seth and lays him into the ground, grinding up earth. He’s not even fazed as he rolls with Killian, throwing punches. Killian flies upward, dragging Seth.
Their strengths are too closely matched. Killian’s only advantage is his wings.
Anya whips forward and pulls me to my feet. Her hungry eyes and blood tipped fangs paint a scene of ghastliness. “Your boyfriend is strong. He just needs to remember to whom his loyalties reside. After Seth has his fun, we’ll take you somewhere safe.”
I kick at her but don’t come close as Anya holds me at arm’s length.
“Don’t worry, Sasha. I still need your blood to power the amulet once this bit leaves my system. Seth won’t touch you again. You are mine and only mine.”
Despite having Anya’s revolting mitts on me, my eyes are on Killian and Seth. This is worse than any human wrestling match I’ve seen on TV. Blood runs down Killian’s chin. Seth’s nose is crooked and gushing blood. They’re both limping slightly as they break apar
t, glaring at each other.
Killian flies back into the fray and grabs Seth’s arm. He swings Seth around and slams him into a tree, dislocating his shoulder. Seth growls as he stumbles back. As soon as he twists his dangling arm back into place, Killian’s on him again, throwing punches.
He’s unhinged.
They’re both completely vamped out. I’m doubtful that the two of them will walk away from this.
We’ll have to cart them away if they keep this up.
“Killian, stop.” I wring my hands, restraining the urge to blast Seth with a whirlwind that will most likely deplete my power. “Please.”
“That’s enough, Seth.” Anya nods, agreeing with me. “We’re done here. Leave him alone.”
Seth throws Killian, and he lands on his back, his wings winking out, neither of them paying Anya any heed. Seth is on Killian in an eye blink, but he doesn’t move. He doesn’t lift his arms to block when Seth pummels his face.
In fact, Killian’s head lolls to the side with every punch; he’s dazed and lifeless.
“He’s not moving!” Something’s wrong. His face is swollen with bruises. He’s slack. It’s as if his strength has left him.
I flash to when I saw Killian in the stairwell all those days ago. How am I supposed to tell if a vampire’s alive?
He doesn’t breathe. My vampire could be unconscious, but whether he is or not, his body should be healing.
It’s not.
Vampires are supposed to heal. It’s one of their supernatural powers.
Killian shouldn’t be limp with exhaustion; he hasn’t been stabbed with silver.
He’s not healing.
“Stop it. Stop it!” I writhe as Anya holds me. “You’re killing him!”
Killian turns his head toward me as Seth wraps his hands around my vampire’s neck and squeezes. This isn’t to teach Killian a lesson. This is a fight to the death.
My eyes catch Killian’s. They are the exquisite blue of his human eyes, not black. They’re also shimmering with peace, with knowing. He stares at me, begging me to understand. He mouths my name all while he is limp, all while Seth crushes his hands against Killian’s throat.
My vampire has no fangs.