“They’d never touch her. In fact, they’d give their lives to protect her.”
Andrus laughed. “Not if I drain them to the point where their hunger overshadows their loyalty toward you.”
Fury engulfed Niccolo’s mind. He stepped toward the fence, reaching for Andrus.
“Uh-oh,” Andrus snorted. “You’re angry and aren’t thinking straight. Remember, you can still save them all if you bring me Reyna.”
“Do I look like a fool, Andrus? You’ll kill the queen, and we’ll die anyway.”
Andrus shrugged. “But you’ll have saved Helena.”
“I’ll be dead. You’ll have no reason to let her go. Gods only know what you’ll do to her. After all, didn’t you just say you like to hurt babies?”
Andrus growled. “Don’t be vile, Niccolo. That’s even beneath a bloodsucker like you. But I’ll forgive you—I’m in a gracious mood today—I’ll give you a chance to take Helena somewhere safe before I take Reyna’s head.”
Niccolo did the mental math. This was not a simple choice. If Niccolo somehow managed to hand Reyna over to the Demilords and they killed her, any vampire with her blood—which was likely the entire population—would perish. On the bright side, that population would include Obscuros. With them gone, hundreds of thousands of innocent human lives would be spared.
If he brought Reyna to Andrus, he could also save Helena. He could sift her away somewhere safe—his island in Greece. He’d show her where his treasures and money were hidden. There was enough wealth for her to buy a new identity and stay hidden away from Andrus for the rest of her life. Perhaps, after Niccolo was dead, her heart might heal and she’d find love again. She could be happy.
But as much as he loved her and wanted the Obscuros dead, could he bare the guilt of letting so many good vampires die? There were many who had not asked for their fate, and yet, they accepted it and choose to fight for good.
No. He could not make this choice for so many. He would not play gods. There had to be another way. He needed to buy time.
Niccolo nodded. “I will bring you Reyna, but I need a week to get her here.”
Andrus shook his head. “So you can gather your forces, attempt another rescue, and save Helena? Not happening.”
“Reyna is powerful. I cannot force her to come. It will be a question of persuasion, and with her, this is very difficult. I need time.”
Andrus turned his back to Niccolo. He began strolling casually away through the woods. “I want her here before sunrise tomorrow. If you don’t show, Helena will become food. And your men…toasted leeches.”
It was almost midnight in California. He had about seven hours to figure this out.
***
A loud commotion from the top of the stairs woke Helena. The clank of metal and then the unmistakable sound of muffled screams echoed down the stairwell into the basement library. The door flew open and a body tumbled down towards her. Then another and another. She stared with disbelief as she recognized one face in the tangled mess of arms and legs covered in black leather.
Viktor. “Oh my God!” She jumped forward to the heap of bodies spilling onto the floor from the stairwell.
She tugged at an arm on the top of the heap and slid the giant man to the side. His long black shaggy hair covered his face. She rolled the next man off the top of the heap and kept rolling him. It was Sentin! The next was Viktor. They were all unconscious.
She gently slapped Viktor’s cheek. “Can you hear me? Wake up Viktor. Are you okay?”
Suddenly, Viktor’s bright blue eyes slammed open. With vampire speed he was up with his back against a bookshelf in a defensive posture. His face softened immediately when he recognized Helena.
He rushed to her. “You are alive!”
Viktor’s eyes locked on Sentin and the other man. He rushed over to check them. “They’ll be okay,” he said. “We were hit from behind. We’re lucky they didn’t take our heads.”
Viktor swept up the stairs and returned to her side in the blink of an eye. “The door is warded. I cannot pass.”
Helena began to babble hysterically. She told Viktor about her conversation with Cimil, including her instructions to read the story, which she hadn’t done. He listened carefully then finally responded, “Did she indicate how you must die?”
Helena stepped back. Nice to see you care, buddy. “No. Are you going to kill me?”
Thankfully, Viktor looked horrified by the thought. “Niccolo is like a brother to me. I would give my life to save him or his mate.”
His words touched her. “Cimil was pretty clear I have to die.”
Viktor paused for a moment. “Cimil is crazy and manipulative. We should question everything she’s told you. Show me the book.”
She walked to the desk in the middle of the library where the text was set out. Helena picked up the thick, leather bound pages. It was as light as a feather despite its size. Her fingers instantly began to tingle.
She dropped it onto the desk and looked at Viktor.
Viktor studied it for a moment before deciding to open the cover. “It says it’s written by the Oracle of Delphi.”
Helena vaguely remembered the stories of the Oracle from history class, but nothing about any books.
She watched as Viktor thumbed the page. “There! Did you see that?”
The words on the pages faded one at a time, and were replaced by new ones every few seconds. “Holy crap! What is that?” Helena sputtered.
“The legends are true,” Viktor whispered. “They say the book tells the future. As the future changes, so do the words.”
Helena stared at the book in silence.
“What page did Cimil instruct you to read?” Viktor asked.
She didn’t want to answer his question. She didn’t want to know the future. What if she found her worst fears written on the pages? “I can’t remember.”
Viktor gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Helena, don't be afraid. I'll do everything in my power to turn the tides in your favor. As you can see, the future is not unalterable.”
Helena looked up, up, up into his deep blue eyes glowing with determination and sincerity. She finally understood why Niccolo cared for Viktor like a brother. He was a good man. Or vampire—whatever.
“Five-hundred and two.”
Viktor flipped to the page.
They both gasped at the same time.
“Helena, don’t even think about,” Viktor barked. “I’d rather face the fires of hell than do that.”
Helena looked at her watch. Twelve o’one in the morning. So ironic. I met Niccolo three months ago today.
“But Cimil said I have to die to save him! And look at the goddamned book, Viktor! Look at it! You can and you will.”
Chapter 19
Niccolo rang the red call button at the front gate of the Demilord compound—Camp Fucktard—and groaned as the sun hit his back. It would drain what little energy he’d managed to gain from the small sips of blood he’d kept down.
A deep voice answered over the speaker box. “Wait there.”
“Before I turn to ash, if you don’t mind.”
The sun fully emerged over the horizon just as Andrus appeared a moment later with a large sword strapped to his back.
“Where is Reyna?” he barked through the wrought-iron gate.
Niccolo crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll take you to her once Helena and my men call me from somewhere safe.”
Andrus raised his dark brow. “Nice try, Vampire. How do I know you really have your queen and won’t double cross me?”
Niccolo reached into his pocket, punched the speaker button on his cell phone, and then held it out for Andrus.
Reyna’s voice roared through the phone, “Niccolo! I can hear you. Untie me immediately! You worthless pile of dog—”
“As you can hear,” Niccolo said coldly, “she’s ready and waiting for you.”
Reyna continued to scream obscenities as Andrus paused, thinking it over.
>
“Three hundred years, right? That’s how long you’ve waited for your revenge,” Niccolo urged Andrus.
“Sift her here,” Andrus demanded.
“She’s bound with silver chains; I cannot. You’ll have to go to her.”
Andrus eyes narrowed. “Where?”
“Somewhere in Europe. I’ll sift you there,” Niccolo responded.
“I understood vampires could only sift a few miles at a time.”
Niccolo smiled with a cocky grin. “What can I say? I’m awesome.”
Andrus cocked one brow, turned his back, and pulled out his cell. “Let them go.” He paused and listened. “Then just open the hidden door so they can sift away with the girl.” Andrus hit the face of the phone and shoved it deep in his black leather pants before he turned to Niccolo. “It will be a moment.”
“How were your men able to capture them so easily?” Niccolo asked.
Andrus shrugged. “What can I say? I’m awesome.”
Niccolo laughed. “Come, come now. I’ll be dead within the hour. What’s a little sharing among friends?” In truth, if he survived this, it might be useful information.
Andrus paused for a moment, still standing out of arms reach on the other side of the gate. “Let’s just say the gods gave us more than just their blood.”
“Divine weapons?”
Andrus shrugged again. “Something like that. We were created for the sole purpose of taking out vampires. Got to have some tools.”
“I sometimes wonder,” Niccolo said with regret, “what we could have accomplished if we’d worked together.”
“You're partially to blame for my life being taken.”
“I’m quite certain I am not responsible for your situation in any way.”
“Where did you go, Niccolo?” he drawled, scathing. “You disappeared off the face of the planet, and without you leading the army, everything fell apart; the Obscuros began multiplying like cockroaches. Humans would have ended up enslaved if the gods hadn’t stepped in and created us.”
Niccolo debated telling Andrus the truth. Would it change anything? Would it change his desire to take Andrus’ head? No. Andrus had used Helena’s life as a bargaining chip for the queen. Andrus wanted to kill Reyna and end all vampires, even those who lived according to the Pact and served a crucial purpose in this world—culling the evil human population. Yes, perhaps a bit of the truth is what this man needed.
“My absence was involuntary.”
Andrus snarled. “What do you mean?”
“Divine intervention is what I mean.”
“I don’t believe you,” Andrus growled.
“Ask Cimil yourself.” Niccolo crossed his arms. “It’s also clear the Demilords can’t handle the job alone. The world needs good vampires.”
Andrus laughed. “Can’t handle it? I think we can.”
“Really? When I was taken by Cimil, the planet was in fairly decent shape. I returned to an Obscuro…” oh, what’s that phrase Sentin likes? Ah! “Cluster fuck. Makes me wonder. Whose side are you really on?”
Andrus growled. “My side. We gave up killing Obscuros. It was futile. We’d kill one, three more would pop up—like fucking immortal Whac-A-Mole.”
Niccolo’s phone rang. He looked at the number. Viktor. “Are you with Helena?”
There was a pause. “She is here,” Viktor sounded distraught.
Niccolo stared directly at Andrus as he spoke to Viktor. “Are you on your way to the safe house? I don’t want those bastards to find her.”
“Yeah, but there’s something I gotta tell you,” Viktor said.
Niccolo nodded. “I will call you very shortly, Viktor.” He hit end. Unfortunately, whatever Viktor had to say needed to wait. Right now, everything hung in the balance.
He turned his attention back to Andrus who seemed hell-bent on finishing is point. “As you can see, we found a much better solution to killing Obscuros...we’ll just kill your queen and watch your race dwindle to nothing. The vampires who remain, will be hunted. Ah, the smell of retirement grows near.” He took a stoic breath. “All right, then. I held up my end of the bargain, now take me to Reyna.”
The gate creaked open and Andrus stepped out. “No tricks, Niccolo. There is nowhere you or your men can hide from us. And don’t think we can’t get our hands on Helena again if we wish. We have friends in very high places.”
Niccolo swallowed his anger. “Are you certain you wish to do this? You are half vampire. This could end badly for you too if Reyna dies.”
Andrus stepped forward. “I’m willing to take the chance that my other half saves me.”
“So be it.” He grabbed Andrus by the shoulders. “Hang on.”
***
Andrus blinked and suddenly found himself in a long dark tunnel. A wave of dizziness struck him, and he stepped to the side, his feet landing in a shallow puddle.
A hand grabbed his shoulder to steady him. “The effect will wear off in a moment,” Niccolo said.
“Where the hell are we?” Andrus asked, sliding his sword from his back. The tunnel looked like a sewer, but the smell did not match. It was dank and moldy, but not overly offensive.
Niccolo turned and began walking. “Barcelona. These are ancient catacombs built by the Christians in the thirteen hundreds. The Obscuros used them for hiding during the daytime.” Niccolo continued marching at a fast clip. “They kept humans down here for food, too. I obviously put a stop to them some time ago.”
That explained the bones he’d just stepped over.
“Soon, the world won’t need to worry about such things.” Andrus’ nerves sizzled with anticipation.
After several minutes of trudging in the darkness Andrus barked, “Where the hell is she?” You better not be fucking with me, Vampire. If I don’t call my men within the hour, they’ll recapture your Helena.”
He wanted to brag about how he’d made certain Helena had a phone before she’d left the Demilord compound. Like the one she’d carried before, it had GPS.
“I have Reyna restrained with silver in a cell,” Niccolo answered dryly.
Andrus’ ears perked. He suddenly heard the faint sound of Reyna’s voice screaming to be untied. It was like nails on a chalkboard. He hated the sound of her voice. He’d had nightmares for centuries of it.
They marched on until Niccolo suddenly stopped and turned to Andrus. “This way.” Niccolo leaned into the stone wall of the tunnel. A doorway ground open. It led to a long, narrow passage. Reyna’s raging voice poured through the air. “Enjoy my friend.”
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Andrus growled.
Niccolo turned to leave the way they’d come. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend the last few moments of my long existence with the woman I love.”
“Is it that you really care for Helena, or is it simply the bond?”
Niccolo’s eyes flickered. “She is everything to me. I only wish I’d realized it sooner. It is my only regret.”
Life was full of regrets. Some things simply could not be helped.
“Niccolo! You fucking idiot! I can smell you. Get your ass in here and untie me, or I’ll have your head!” Reyna screamed.
“Good luck.” Niccolo was gone in the blink of an eye.
Andrus turned his head toward the sound of Reyna’s voice. This was it. The moment that would change the world.
The narrow passageway was dark and long, but there was a tiny flicker of light ahead. Sword drawn, his hand trembled with anticipation. He hadn’t seen Reyna since the night she’d shoved him in a steel box and shipped him off to Mexico to be transformed by the gods.
With each step, his heart thumped louder and harder. It was as if the vampire blood in his veins—her blood—was calling out to its maker. Thoughts of Helena suddenly entered his mind once again. When he’d met the spirited young woman, she was so desperate to “divorce” Niccolo and start her life over. She’d asked him how to break the bond with a vampire. Now he suddenly knew th
e answer to her question.
There’s only one way to rid yourself of a vampire…death—preferably the vampire’s.
He reached the end of the passageway. There was a narrow, steel-plated door. Light poured from a gap along the side with the hinges. He pushed. The door swung open and Andrus lunged into the small, dark chamber. Several candles were burning in the corner and there, in the middle of the room, was a small table and a chair.
Empty.
Andrus’ heart stopped as he spotted Reyna standing to his side. She grabbed him and threw him on to his back and pinned him to the floor.
Reyna straddled him, a wide, evil grin stretched across her face. “Hello, Andrus honey. You and I are going to have a long, long talk, and then I have a little revenge of my own to dish.”
***
Niccolo was surprised by how well his plan had worked. It actually seemed a little too easy. Initially, he’d debated whether or not to tell the queen about the Demilord’s plans to assassinate her. Reyna was known for being hotheaded and vengeful. But he figured if he could convince her to play this out his way, she could stop Andrus and save Helena and his men.
He slipped his phone from his pocket. “Yes,” Viktor answered.
“It’s over, my brother. My plan B went off without a hitch.”
It was one of the reasons Niccolo never lost—he thoroughly planned elaborate contingencies for multiple scenarios.
Viktor let out a long breath. “I knew you wouldn't let us down.”
“There is more,” Niccolo added. “The queen granted our freedom in exchange for delivering Andrus.”
What I do not know yet is my fate. Will I still end up in the queen’s dungeon as Cimil predicted?
Accidentally Married To...a Vampire? Page 21