Stormwind (The Storm Chronicles Book 3)

by Skye Knizley

  RAVEN LOOKED UP TO SEE Evangelina standing at the edge of the room, her leather catsuit and boots smeared with blood but otherwise intact. She was posing with a self-satisfied grin on her too-perfect face. It was a look Raven wanted to punch.

  “Very funny, Lina,” she said. “How are you still alive?”

  “Surprised? I heard what you and your little friend said,” Evangelina replied. “But I’m not offended. On the contrary, you are quite right. I am not much of a fighter and was almost killed. But I am an expert at diplomacy. When I told the alpha I could deliver a day walking Childe of Strohm in exchange for my life, well, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

  Raven snorted. “You’re going to deliver us? You couldn’t deliver a pizza, Lina.”

  Evangelina clucked her tongue. “That isn’t very nice coming from you, half-breed. Perhaps you should start feeding like you should. You would see that I’d brought along some new friends.”

  As she spoke, several of the pack’s largest warriors walked into view, their yellow eyes glowing with barely contained bloodlust.

  “The pack’s hopefuls are just itching for a chance to fight you…though I think the battle may be quite short if you haven’t fed,” Evangelina continued. “Perhaps the little turncoat would bare her throat for you like she did for your brother so many times?”

  “Shut up, Lina,” Aspen said. “I only did what Xavier made me do and you know it. Why don’t you come down here so I can kick your skinny little ass?”

  “Oh, Ravenel!” Evangelina giggled. “Little purple-hair has gotten so feisty under your tutelage. I look forward to beating that out of her when I make her my personal footstool. She can replace my Karina.”

  Raven shook her head. “That’s never going to happen, Evangelina.”

  Evangelina stepped forward and smiled even wider. “I don’t think you’ll have much to say about it, Ravenel. The pack is going to skin you and eat your flesh at a feast in my honor.”

  “In honor to you? An Embraced?” Raven asked. “Yeah, right. Do they know you used to be human before my brother’s brunette phase?”

  “I am as much a vampire as Lady Tempeste,” Evangelina replied.

  “In your sweetest dreams, Lina. You’re nothing but a jumped up bitch with bad hair and cheap clothes from an S&M catalog,” Raven said.

  “How dare you?” Evangelina replied, shaking with fury.

  Raven’s eyes narrowed and turned bright green. “How dare you, Embraced? What about avenging Karina? What about your vow? Surrender now, join my fight and I swear you will not be killed without a trial.”

  Evangelina threw back her head and laughed.

  “I think you’ve overestimated your chances of survival, Ravenel, and Karina was just a familiar. Nothing more than a portable feeding machine. I understand that, now.”

  Raven shrugged. “I think you’re an egotistical sheep with the brains to match.”

  With speed born of anger and the Sanguinarch blood that flowed through her veins Raven drew, knocked and fired an arrow in an instant. The shaft penetrated Evangelina’s heart and she exploded into flame and ash in mid laugh.

  Raven fired four more arrows and watched in disbelief as the arrows hit the lycans’ broad chests and exploded like so many matchsticks.

  “Okay I think we could be in trouble,” Raven said, drawing her knife.

  Aspen drew her own knife and cut her arm. “You think? Are you going to feed now or not?”

  “Will you stop asking that?” Raven growled.

  “Depends on if you’re going to stop being stupid,” Aspen replied. “What part of vampire don’t you understand?”

  “I’m a dhampyr not a vampire, Aspen. I don’t have to feed,” Raven said. “And don’t call me stupid.”

  Aspen’s response was cut off by the group of lycans jumping into the pit, claws and fangs bared. Raven threw her knife at the closest one; the blade punched through its skull and it collapsed. She then grabbed a double-ended staff off the wall and stood back to back with Aspen, using the blades from the staff to keep the lycans at a distance. The lack of silver tips, however, was just annoying them and they continued to advance, their claws snaking out to leave welts in both women.

  “We’re going to get ripped to pieces, Ray!” Aspen said, pushing one of the lycans away with a spell.

  “Stop being so negative!” Raven replied, spinning a kick at another lycan and giving them some breathing room.

  “Fine, we’ll just chew our way through them, I’m sure our teeth will kill werewolves,” Aspen said.

  Raven punched the approaching lycan in the throat and slashed it across the belly, dropping it temporarily out of the fight.

  “You’ve got a silver knife, you know. You could try fighting.”

  “I’m a witch, Ray. You know what witches use knives for? Athames and altar knives. And in a pinch to cut steak. Are you catching my drift? The lycan I killed was a fluke.”

  “Stop whining and pretend that one is a really hairy steak,” Raven replied.

  “You’re not helping, Ray,” Aspen said, slashing at the lycan on her side of the fight.

  Raven reached back and grabbed the lycan Aspen was fighting, yanking him away from the smaller witch so she could pin him to the floor with her staff.

  “I can’t teach you Escrima knife-fighting in the middle of a fight, Asp. This is what you get for going to Missouri.”

  “You’re going to bring this up again? Now?” Aspen asked, half turning toward Raven.

  “Just saying,” Raven replied.

  Aspen stabbed the pinned lycan through the eye with her knife, piercing its brain and killing it. She pulled the knife back and faced Raven.

  “I explained that was a misunderstanding, Ray. Are you going to hold it against me forever? I mean, you could have called and checked on me.”

  Raven stabbed at one of the wounded lycans and tried to herd the angry witch behind her. “I was trying to respect your space! I hate that psychic crap.”

  “I meant with a phone like normal friends…”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you wanted to be bothered. If I pin this guy can you stab it like you did the other?”

  Aspen didn’t reply. Raven kicked the injured lycan as hard as she could and looked over her shoulder. At first she didn’t understand what she was seeing. A blood-covered arm protruded from Aspen’s midsection and her mouth opened and closed silently, dribbling blood.

  The lycan behind her pulled his arm free, pushed Aspen aside like so much trash and howled, boasting to the others of his kill.

  Raven felt her stomach go cold and then the fire of her fury. Her anger built into a storm and her eyes turned to the fiery slits of a full blooded Sanguinarch vampire. She caught the lycan’s arms as he approached and squeezed, breaking bones beneath her fingers. The lycan whimpered in pain and tried to pull away; Raven didn’t let go. She bent the lycan’s arms back like they were paper, only letting go when they cracked and fell uselessly to the lycan’s side. She then grabbed his head and snapped his neck with a sickening wet pop that dropped him out of the fight. Less than a second had passed.

  She spun, her foot leading in a back heel kick that connected with the last lycan’s jaw and dislocated it. The kick was followed with a punch that splintered both the creature’s ribs and her own hand. With a snarl she pulled his still beating heart from his chest and crushed it under her boot. The lycan blinked in surprise and shifted to human, still standing.

  Raven pushed the body aside and moved toward Aspen, slowing only to kick the unconscious lycan’s head with all her strength like she was trying to score a goal at the far end of the soccer field.

  The lycan’s head shattered against the distant wall and Raven knelt beside Aspen. She removed her torn top and tried to use it to staunch the flow of blood, but could do nothing. The wound was too severe.

  “Aspen? Aspen can you hear me?” Raven asked softly.

  Aspen opened her eyes and looked up. “You vamped out.
”

  Raven nodded. “My familiar was hurt.”

  “I think I’m still hurt, Ray,” Aspen said, struggling to breathe. “I can’t feel my legs.”

  Raven stroked Aspen’s hair. “It’s going to be okay. You’re mine, you should heal.”

  “If I don’t bleed out first,” Aspen said. “You…should feed before I die.”

  “Shut up, Aspen! You’re not going to die and I’m not going to feed on you. Just breathe!” Raven said.

  “She’s going to die,” a voice rumbled from above. “Leave her body and you are free to go.”

  Raven looked up to see the lycan that had been following them throughout the crumbling temple.

  “Who the hell are you?” Raven asked.

  “My name is of no consequence. I am alpha female of the First Clan. You have killed the last of my sons, there will be no new alpha this generation,” the lycan replied.

  “Too bad for you. But if you think I am leaving Aspen here you’re sadly mistaken.”

  “She is a kill of the First Clan. She is ours to do with as we please. Leave before I change my mind,” the lycan growled.

  “Are you deaf or just stupid?” Raven replied. “Aspen is no kill. She is mine and I am not leaving here without her.”

  “Then you will not leave here,” the creature replied.

  She jumped into the pit and approached. Raven squeezed Aspen’s hand and straightened, grabbing her bow on the way up. When she was standing she was somewhat disappointed her head didn’t rise further up the lycan’s chest. Frowning she looked up into the Alpha’s eyes and stroked the fire of her anger.

  “I am a Childe of Strohm, a Sanguinarch. Your Alpha’s equal in every way. Let me take Aspen and go in peace,” Raven said.

  “You insult my mate,” the Alpha snarled. “He is a God and you are weak.”

  “Not so weak I can’t kick your hairy ass, bitch,” Raven growled.

  The alpha roared in anger and attacked, clawing at Raven. The smaller, more agile woman blocked both attacks and kicked out with all her ebbing strength. The lycan flew across the room and hit the wall hard enough to leave an impact crater in the stone before falling to the ground.

  She was up in a heartbeat, charging Raven on all fours. The attack was so swift that the lycan hit her in the leg as she tried to dodge and she fell to the blood-slick floor. The lycan rebounded from the wall like a parkour champion and pounced. Raven had just enough time to raise her arms and catch the attacking lycan, her hands locking with the alpha’s.

  “You are pathetic, little dhampyr,” the lycan growled, pushing down.

  “Damn, what have you been eating, Purina?” Raven replied. “Get off me, dogbreath!”

  The alpha snapped at Raven’s face, her yellowed teeth closing less than an inch from the woman’s nose. Raven turned her head away and raised her knees until they were between her and the lycan. She heaved with all her strength and pushed the lycan off of her to slam back into the wall.

  The alpha shook herself while Raven crawled back to one knee, her wounds drooling blood.

  “Had enough?” Raven asked.

  “Not until I’ve tasted your flesh, dhampyr,” the alpha replied.

  “Suit yourself,” Raven said.

  Again the lycan charged. Raven remained where she was, head low. When the lycan was nearly on top of her she snatched up a spear and rammed it home deep into the alpha’s chest. The alpha screamed and her momentum carried her over Raven’s head to slam into the wall where she fell limp, still in lycan form. She began to rise, disturbing what remained of the wall. Blocks of stone and broken weapons fell on top of her, knocking her unconscious.

  Raven turned away from the unmoving lycan and hurried over to Aspen who was still clinging to life. She squeezed some blood from her wounded hand into Aspen’s slowly healing wound in hopes it would help and then picked up the smaller woman, cradling her to her chest.

  “Leave me,” Aspen gasped. “The bitch was right, I’m going to die.”

  “The hell you are,” Raven said. “Shut up and breathe.”

  “Ray…”

  Raven switched Aspen to her left arm and moved toward the ladder. “I said shut up. You’re using energy you need to heal.”

  “Stubborn…” Aspen whispered.

  Raven smiled. “Yes, you are.”

  THE CLIMB OUT OF THE pit and up the long tunnel was long. Raven fell several times, each time forcing herself back to her feet by sheer force of will. After the sixth fall she couldn’t stand anymore and began to crawl, dragging Aspen behind her inch by agonizing inch until they reached the top.

  Once in the entryway she leaned against the stone door and pulled Aspen into her arms to warm the girl after their climb. She could feel a pulse in Aspen’s neck, but it was weak. She didn’t have long.

  Raven set Aspen against the wall and began searching for something that would release the door. The center of the door was dished and she pushed, rubbed, put her hand and fist in every position she could think of inside the oddly shaped depression but nothing happened. The door remained locked tight, a half ton of solid stone.

  In desperation Raven began to beat on the stone with her fists, sending stone chips and blood flying until she couldn’t move her arms. With all her strength and fury she’d barely made a dent in the ancient stone.

  She leaned up against the door and cradled her broken and bleeding hands in her lap. She felt weak and tired; she just wanted to sleep for a month but if she dozed off she and Aspen would both die. There had to be a way out.

  She pulled stone chips out of her hands and wiped the blood off on her remaining shirt. She then wriggled over to Aspen and checked her pulse; it was almost gone and fading fast.

  Raven closed her eyes and sat back on her heels, tears running down her cheeks. She allowed herself to cry for a few minutes before shaking it off and leaning back over her friend.

  “You’re not dead yet,” she said. “I feel you. You’re not dead, you hear me you stubborn brat? You’re not dead, you stay with me, that’s an order!”

  She squeezed more blood from her hand into the wound and then wrapped both hands in pieces torn from her remaining shirt. When she was finished she turned and addressed the door again. She had just reared back to kick the door as hard as she could when it slid aside to reveal Rupert Levac standing in another tunnel. He was holding an old-fashioned flashlight and the red disk he’d collected from Diarmait’s dresser. On his face was the most surprised and confused look Raven had ever seen.

  Raven breathed a sigh of relief and almost fell into Levac’s arms, blood staining his coat.

  “I guess you missed me,” Levac said, hugging her.

  “Perfect timing as usual, Rupert,” Raven muttered. “Aspen’s dying. We have to get her to some help.”

  “You’re hurt too, Raven, your hands are broken and you’re covered in cuts,” Levac said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much blood.”

  “It’s nothing a blanket and some claret won’t cure,” Raven replied.

  Levac helped Raven to lay down on the ground and put his coat over her before handing her a blood pack.

  “It’s room temperature but it’s probably better than nothing.”

  Raven took the blood gratefully and bit into it, draining the contents before laying back.

  “Get Aspen, Rupe, please.”

  “I’m on it,” Levac said, turning away.

  “And, Rupe?” Raven asked.

  Levac looked back down. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for coming back.”

  Levac winked and ducked back into the tunnel to retrieve Aspen. He came out a moment later with the smaller woman cradled in his arms. He placed her next to Raven and pulled his coat over them both.

  “She doesn’t have much of a pulse, Ray,” he said quietly.

  Raven sat up and drained another pouch of blood from Levac’s pocket.

  “I know,” she said when she’d finished. “But I feel her. I’m not giving up y
et.”

  She stood and picked up Aspen’s limp body. “Which way is out?”

  “That way,” Levac said, pointing down the tunnel. “It leads straight to the basement of the Green Mill. They’ve got a whole selection of tunnels that go all over the place down here. I’ve been looking for you for three days, ever since Sanchez turned up dead with a 30 caliber in his brain.”

  “He turned out to be the killer’s informant within the department,” Raven said, walking along the tunnel. “I’m pretty sure Caito is involved somehow too, but neither is the one pulling the strings.”

  “Do you know who is? What happened down there?” Levac asked.

  “We were kidnapped. A bunch of ancient lycans were using us as practice dummies and they’re the ones doing the skinning,” Raven replied.

  “So we need to go down there and what, arrest them?”

  Raven snorted. “You can’t arrest corpses. I’m pretty sure all but the alpha female and male are dead. I left the alpha female under a pile of rocks; She’s probably free by now, but I haven’t seen her. She probably did the smart thing and decided to go lick her wounds. I have no clue where the alpha male might be, but I intend to find him when I get the chance.”

  “I’m sorry I missed it,” Levac said.

  Raven stopped and looked over her shoulder at Levac’s feet. “If you’d been there, who would have saved me?”

  She met Levac’s eyes for a before turning forward again. She looked down at Aspen as she walked and gently stroked her hair. She could still feel the girl’s presence and refused to believe she was gone. Not after all they’d been through together.

  They were nearing the end of the tunnel when she felt Levac slide something into her jeans at the small of her back. She knew the comforting weight when she felt it seat itself.

  “We may encounter some trouble on the way out and I thought you might want something a little more high tech than that longbow you’re rocking,” Levac said.

  “Trouble?” Raven asked.

  “Yeah, the club owners weren’t exactly thrilled I busted into the old tunnels,” Levac said.

  “Tough,” Raven replied. “I’m not here to thrill them. If there is a tunnel from the club to the lycan temple then these assholes know about it and probably know all about this stupid ritual.”