—
Two dead and one injured out of four. Vidar looked down at his bloody arm and frowned as he flexed his tingling hand. Next to him, Luca remained unharmed. The two fallen were laid along the narrow cave next to their killers.
Green light shone over the cave, emanating from worms in a trench along either side of the natural pathway. A sickeningly strange combination of flowers and unwashed bodies filled the cave air, as if someone used heavy perfume to cover the need for a bath. Steadying his breath, he motioned Luca to continue.
Without hesitation, the man surged forward, sword held high. The passageway opened up into a large cavern. Luca lifted his hand. Vidar crept forward and stopped. Inside the sparse room, Magda crouched alone in the center of a circle. Her back was to them, but Vidar recognized the pristine white of her gown—strange in such a dirty home. He could see her bare feet firmly planted.
Luca moved forward, stealthily placing his feet on the ground. Vidar joined him, circling the sorceress in the opposite direction. She stiffened. The knights stopped. Luca pulled a knife from his waist and threw it at the woman. Magda screeched, surging to her feet. As she stood, the sorceress revealed the front of her gown. The white was stained crimson, as were the woman’s face and hands. She caught the knife’s hilt with lightning speed, spinning it around in her hand before launching it back at Luca. The knife embedded in his shoulder and he stumbled back.
Magda screeched again, the sound high and long, baring four perfect fangs amidst her teeth. When she looked at him, her eyes shifted color, filling with eerie golden threads. Her hands spread out to her sides, as if daring him to try. Vidar grabbed his knife and threw. Instead of waiting for it to hit its target, he charged the queen while her attention was focused on catching the blade. As the knife landed against her palm, she turned. Vidar thrust his sword. His blade missed, slicing through her dark hair. He saw Luca stand, the man’s arm limp.
There was an odd grace to the way Magda fought, as if she had no fear of death or pain. It was very unlike the brute style of the Caniba. She leapt and spun, landing with ease on her bare feet only to twirl in the opposite direction. Vidar tried to chase after her, but she was too fast, dodging his best swings. No human he’d ever seen could move like that.
Luca growled, jerking the knife from his shoulder to throw at the woman as she sped past. It hit her arm, but she kept going. She jumped, screeching as she sprang off the cave wall before landing behind Luca. Grabbing Luca’s head, she bit into his neck with a vicious rip. Vidar ran. Luca dropped to the ground, unmoving.
Magda flew at him, bloody mouth wide open. With inhuman strength, she flung him across the room. When she came at him again, he lifted his sword and embedded it in her stomach. Even stabbed, she didn’t stop. Vidar grabbed her throat, holding her fangs back seconds before they sank into his flesh. They rolled over the stone floor. As his back hit, the sword blade slid up her stomach. Her strength waned. Vidar grabbed the hilt and jerked. Her eyes widened as it hit her heart. She stopped moving. Then, as if she’d never been there, her body turned to ash, which rained down on top of him. The sorceress was dead.
Coughing, he grabbed his arm and struggled to his feet. He reached for his neck, feeling the sticky blood where her teeth had scraped. He could barely lift his sword as he stumbled toward the entrance. If he didn’t get out of there soon, he’d be dead too.
—
I’ll kill him!
Karre pushed up from the fur rug on the ground, ready to storm out of the encampment tent and back over the borderlands. She knew the way now. It was imprinted in her head. At least the insistent screaming of the Caniba’s pain had left her mind. As she made her way to the door, she skidded to a stop. Vidar was there, lying on the bed. He looked bloodied and bruised.
“Vidar!” She hurried to him, all anger replaced by the sight of him. He didn’t move, as his chest rose in shallow breaths. How long had she been out? What happened? She remembered being shot with the handheld medical unit. Were they attacked? She briefly felt his forehead, noting the intense heat. Frowning, she hurried for the tent flap. Seeing Oskar next to several riders, she beckoned the man over.
Oskar ordered the riders to go and they took off in different directions.
“What’s happened?” Karre demanded. “Another attack?”
Oskar grinned. It was a look she’d never seen on the man. “I sent word to the castles. Magda is dead. Vidar has done it. You have done it, my lady.” Those who heard the knight began to cheer in excitement. The wave washed over the entire encampment. “Her spell is broken. The prisoner in the tent has calmed. He had no idea where he is or what happened to him. It is the same for those in Magda’s camp. They don’t know who they are. Vidar crawled out of the queen’s cave and they simply laid down their arms. Magda’s spell is broken. I’ve even sent word to have Fredrick released. Synna will be very happy to have him home.”
Karre stood in shock before turning to look at the tent. “Where is Lance? Vidar needs help. He needs—”
“Lance is on his way. Vidar will live. Go, be with him. I’ll send the medic as soon as he arrives.” Oskar turned, shouting in victory to again make a wave of sound over the encampment as others joined him.
Karre went back to the tent and to Vidar’s side. She brushed the hair back from his forehead. “I can’t believe you drugged me to face her alone.”
“I wasn’t alone,” he mumbled, not opening his eyes. “I had three good men with me who gave their lives for the fight.”
She let loose a long breath to hear his voice, even if it was hoarse. Frowning, she saw punctures at his neck and gently turned his head to the side. “Who bit you?”
“Magda tried.” This time he did open his eyes, weakly reaching to grab her hand and pull it from his jaw. “She was very strong. She kept fighting even after I ran her through. I have never seen anything like it. Then, she just stopped.”
“Did she stop after you stabbed her in the heart?” Karre rested her palm against his chest, feeling his heart beat.
Vidar nodded. “I saw the death in her eyes and then she turned to dust.”
“Vampire,” Karre said. “It makes complete sense. She must have come here through a fairy ring just like others. She used her blood to enslave the Caniba to her will. That is why they’ve gone crazy and can’t remember who they are now that her hold over them is broken. Her power was in her blood. When you killed her, you ended that power.”
“Vampire?”
Karre sighed thoughtfully. “I’ve only met a few on Plane 395, but they were in the Adult Pleasure Center VWH—that’s vampires, werewolves, humans. They were relatively harmless, but I’ve heard stories of other, darker creatures. They’re undead, supernatural beings, nearly impossible to kill and they survive by drinking the blood of the living. She could have been here for centuries, ruling the Caniba, asserting her hold over them, making them bring her live food offerings. It makes sense that she’s in the earth, too. That kind prefers to live in the ground.”
“They let our men pass to pick up our dead without a fight. They seemed more confused than anything.” Vidar tried to sit up, but she pressed on his chest to keep him down.
“Sir Vidar,” Lance interrupted, coming into the tent. Seeing Karre, he added, “My lady.”
Karre stepped away, hovering as Lance set to work mending Vidar’s wounds. When the man had finished and left, she stopped him from getting up by crawling on top of him and pinning him to the bed. “I’m not happy with your decision to drug me and cart me back here.”
“I did what I had to. I needed to know you were safe.” He ran his hands along her hips. Though still visible, his wounds no longer looked as bad as they had been.
“Oh, I’ll forgive you eventually, but you’re going to have to work for it.” She laughed as he quickly flung her onto her back.
“As you wish, my love,” he said before he kissed her. “As you wish.”
Epilogue
Because right now, in th
is moment…
Karre smiled in pride as she watched her husband being granted a lordship by the Starian king. He’d fought well and bravely and deserved the honor and the permanent bequeathment of Spearhead.
Battlewar Castle overflowed with those who’d come to celebrate Magda’s demise. The war was over, a thing not all of the Starians were prepared to accept. But with Magda’s hold over the Caniba gone, the enemy had lost their will to fight. It was more than could have been hoped for. They all knew how important and formidable the sorceress was, but no one had known what she was or that she’d come from another plane. With her death came peace and a whole race of warriors with no idea what to make of their lives without a battle.
“I’ve been authorized by the king to begin renegotiating bridal trade,” Lilith said, glancing across the low table at Karre. Jayne and an obviously pregnant Paige had joined them at the table. “With Director Tomes missing and some sort of disruption at the company, I think we can pretty much get anything we want.”
Karre hid her smile.
“Just make sure the women know what they’re getting themselves into,” Jayne said, subtly wiggling her fingers in her husband, Lord Ronen’s direction. Five young boys stood next to him. They were Jayne and Ronen’s adopted children.
“Impossibly stubborn men who no longer have a war so they turn their attentions to their wives.” Paige laughed, gently rubbing her stomach. “Not that I complain at Aidan’s attentions.”
“I might even open up trade with other dimensions, if anyone here has any requests or ideas,” Lilith added.
“I might have a few,” Karre answered, trying not to show her amusement. “More medic units, food synthesizers, massage booths, oh, and there is this great shoemaker on Plane 45 who makes wonderful boots. They fit the foot like a second skin. I always meant to do more shopping when I was there.”
“I’ll put it on my list,” Lilith drawled.
“Warriors without a war,” Jayne mused, standing. “Whatever will we do with them?”
“I’m going to go lie down,” Paige said, waving over Aidan to join her.
Karre turned her full attention forward, smiling at Vidar as he made his way toward her. The main hall faded away as she looked at him. Her breathing deepened and her heart quickened, just like the first time she saw him in this very castle. His eyes narrowed and firelight reflected off the yellow flecks that ringed his irises. Everything about him captured her senses.
“Well done, my sir.” She bit her lip and pressed her legs tightly together, trying to tame the sexual desire she felt for him. It was no use. She found her gaze going to the bulge between his thighs—strong, muscular thighs surrounded a thickening cock.
“Actually, that would be my lord,” he corrected. She took his hand and followed him as he led her through the hall. Once there, he swept her into his arms.
“You know, I’ve never slept with a lord before.” Karre kissed his neck.
“We’ll have to rectify that, my lady. After tonight, you will never sleep without a lord again.” And with that he whisked her down the hall.
The End
About the Author
Michelle M Pillow has always had an active imagination. Ever since she can remember, she’s had a strange fascination with anything supernatural—ghosts, magical powers and oh…vampires. What could be more alluring than being immortal, all-powerful and eternally beautiful? After discovering historical romance novels in high school, it was only natural that the supernatural and romance elements should someday meet in her wonderland of a brain. She’s glad they did, for their children have been pouring onto the computer screen ever since.
She is married (madly in love) and has a wonderful family.
Michelle would love to hear from you and tries to answer her emails in a timely fashion. That is, if the current hero will let her go long enough to check the computer.
Michelle welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Michelle M. Pillow
Call of the Lycan: Call of Temptation
Call of the Lycan: Call of the Sea
Call of the Lycan: Call of the Untamed
Divinity Warriors 1: Lilith Enraptured
Divinity Warriors 2: Fighting Lady Jayne
Divinity Warriors 3: Keeping Paige
Maiden and the Monster
Scorched Destiny
Taming Him
By Michelle M. Pillow & Mandy M. Roth
Date with Destiny
Pleasure Cruise
Pleasure Island
Red Light Specialists
Stop Dragon My Heart Around anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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Taking Karre Page 18