I shook my head, trying to breathe through the press of his fingers. “Noth-ing,” I choked out.
He released me, covering his face and wailing in horror. He didn't seem in any physical pain. I had no idea what was happening to him.
I stole a glance at Cass, but she was passed out, blood dripping from her wrists to the floor. My heart raced, labouring to pump the remainder of my blood around my body.
Sakura was still with me, swinging back and forth, trying to reach her feet. It was no use, she could barely touch her knees.
Ravenos started crying. I wasn't sure at first, but there he was, sobbing on the muddy floor whilst we swung above him like animals rigged up for the slaughter.
“What's wrong with him?” Sakura hissed and I shook my head, having no answer.
A snarling and snapping of teeth made my insides constrict. I tried to understand what I was seeing in my upside down world as a flash of ebony fur moved through the cave. The beast launched at Ravenos and I realised what it was with a jolt of disbelief. A black wolf, tearing at Ravenos's neck. The V didn't have a chance to scream as the wolf snapped its jaws violently and he fell still, red blood seeping across the ground.
I almost screamed, but clamped my lips together, not wanting to draw the Vs back to us. The wolf rounded on us and I tried to lift my head out of its reach.
It was no good. The animal was huge and no doubt it could jump as high as the rope holding me in place.
The wolf paused before me, gazing into my eyes with a tilt of its head, then padded toward Cass, opening its deadly jaws.
I thrust an arm in her direction, trying to stop the animal from hurting her.
The wolf easily dodged my feeble attempt, snapping at me. It darted back toward Cass and I flapped my arms, desperate to keep it away from her.
Before I could make any more pathetic attempts at saving my friend, the wolf licked the side of her face, cleaning the blood that was dribbling down her cheek from her neck.
“What the-” Sakura started, pausing mid-sentence as Cass woke up; she came nose to nose with the animal and screamed to high heaven.
“No!” I hissed, trying to quiet her.
The wolf sprang into the air before her, making her writhe in her bonds, trying to keep clear of its sharp claws. With a loud clap, its teeth locked around the rope and broke it in two. Cass slammed into the wet earth, swinging her legs around as she tried to right herself. She scrambled to her feet, backing away from the wolf, but it bowed its head, stepping away from her to show it wasn't a threat.
“Cass,” I hissed to get her attention.
She stumbled dizzily towards me, bent down and took a knife from her boot.
She reached up, and slashed the rope holding me in place. I smacked into the ground, my hands sinking an inch into the mud.
“Ow,” I mouthed, finding my way to my feet whilst Cass cut Sakura free.
When I found my balance – still shaky from blood loss - I spotted the wolf hovering in the cave entrance. It padded back and forth as if it were waiting for us and I tentatively took a step closer. Moving to Ravenos's body, I bent down, extracting my stake from the back of his waistband.
The wolf made a whining noise and my hackles rose. “What does it want?” I whispered to the other girls, adjusting the stake in my hand.
“Looks like it wants to help,” Sakura said, moving toward the animal.
I threw out an arm, halting her. “Are you crazy? It just ripped off that Vampire's head.”
The wolf moved toward us and I backed into Sakura, my heart flipping over in my chest. Slowly, the animal pressed its head into Sakura's hand and she smiled.
“See,” she said, following it from the cave.
The sound of footsteps pounded from deep inside the cave system. Without a word, Cass and I broke into a sprint, grabbing our discarded packs, cloaks and stakes on the way out.
As we darted out of the cave, Cass grabbed my arm, dragging me sideways toward a boulder where we ducked down behind it. Sakura was already there, pressing her back to the rock. The wolf howled and we all flinched from the noise as it darted off into the forest, disappearing into the thick mist. A group of Vampires followed it into the trees and we held our breaths whilst they passed.
“Everyone saw that, right?” Cass whispered and we nodded, wide-eyed.
“What kind of wolf was that?” I asked in astonishment.
“The kind I like having on our side.” Sakura stood, looking out toward the trees. “This whole place is screwed up. Maybe the animals have been messed with too.”
I scrubbed my eyes, trying to process what had just happened, but my mind was still in a daze from the blood I'd lost.
Sakura's legs wobbled beneath her. “We should find somewhere to rest. I'm not going into that forest until this fog lifts.”
“Agreed.” Cass stood, rubbing the bite marks on her neck. She gazed back in the direction we'd come.
“What?” I breathed.
“We should go back for Ravenos's blood. To heal.”
Sakura placed her hands on her hips. “I'm not going back there. Only half the Vs followed that wolf. Which means there's a pack of Vampires still sniffing around that cave.”
Cass sighed and I gave her a comforting look, regretting not having taken advantage of the V's blood back in the cave.
“I don't know if I'm glad I stuck with you guys or not,” Sakura muttered, wrapping strips of her dress around the bites on her wrists.
“Well, you're still alive, aren't you?” I said.
She broke a smile, the first I'd ever seen her break, showing she had dimples. “I think that's because there's something special about you, Selena.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” I huffed.
“That V had some kind of breakdown after drinking from you. If that's not special, I don't know what is.”
I pursed my lips, having no retort to give her. She was right after all. Ravenos had acted strangely, but I couldn't figure out what exactly my blood had done to him. “Other Vs have bitten me. None have reacted like that before.”
Cass looked awkward as if she didn't want to side with Sakura over me, but clearly felt the same way.
“None of them had that much blood though, right?” Sakura folded her arms, gazing at me like I was a puzzle to be solved.
“No,” I murmured, checking my map to try and get firmly off of this subject. “Let's look for somewhere to regroup, get some rest.” I glanced toward the dark forest, still thick with mist. With the way I was feeling, I could have slumped down in a bush and fallen asleep right there and then.
“We could move up the mountain a bit,” Sakura suggested, gazing up the steep hill that led away from the cave, back in the direction we'd come. “I reckon most of the Vs will stick around the forest, waiting for girls to pass through. It's the only way to the checkpoint.”
It was as decent a plan as any, so we followed Sakura up the hill, forcing our way through the brambles and low bushes that lined the mountainside.
After a few hours, we found a fairly level patch of ground, sheltered from the wind by an overhang of rock. We made camp beneath it, making the damp ground as comfortable as possible using our cloaks as blankets. Our meal consisted of berries and nothing more. We started a small fire to keep warm, praying it didn't draw any unwanted attention, but desperate to dry out our damp clothes. It was worth the risk; the freezing air combined with our wet attire was a dangerous combination.
Huddling close under the rock, we took turns taking watch. Cass went first, and Sakura and I snuggled together for warmth as we tried to get some rest. It wasn't easy, considering what we'd just been through. And I knew Vampires awaited me in my dreams. But better those than the real ones who were waiting for us out in the woods.
Varick
Midnight arrived.
I'd watched on in horror as Ravenos had fed on Selena, trying to force myself not to run out onto the island to save her. My palms itched with it. My body physi
cally hurt. But if I interfered with the games on camera, I was screwed.
I had to hope Selena could survive this on her own. And thanks to some rogue wolf, she had. I was certain the Helsings had a hand in that beast. Probably a new creation to keep things interesting. I guessed Ignus was involved. He was always enthusiastic about bringing new elements to the games. But one that actually helped the girls was surprising. That wasn't his style. Perhaps it was an experiment gone wrong.
Knowing she was safe for now, tucked up high on the mountain where the Vs weren't bothering to venture, I made good on my deal and went to Mercy's room. The polar night made tracking time difficult, but the grandfather clock in the entrance hall told me it was time.
I dreaded to know what she wanted from me. But the sooner I got it over with, the better.
I knocked on her door, and when she didn't answer, pushed inside.
Mercy was tangled under the sheets with someone who she quickly kicked out of the bed. I waited with folded arms as the guy Mercy had been straddling down in the auditorium appeared. He scrambled for his clothes, holding them up to cover his modesty and charging from the room like he was on fire. Perks of being a Vampire.
I regarded Mercy with contempt, but she smiled at me innocently like she was enjoying the fact I'd walked in on her. I knew her well enough to know this was planned.
I grimaced as she pulled on her flimsy robe, flaunting her naked body in front of me. A moment later, she approached me, swaying her hips. “You came.”
“You told me to,” I answered.
“Oh come on, Varick. Lighten up. What's the matter? Grey get her head eaten by a V?”
I kept my expression impassive.
“No? Oh well, I'm sure you're looking forward to having the task yourself.”
“It's not right to interfere with the games,” I snarled.
“Then why did you?” She placed a hand on my chest and I raised my eyes to the ceiling, suppressing a sigh. Her usual attempt at seduction was tiring. She knew I couldn't feel that way about her, even if I'd wanted to. Which I certainly didn't. But she seemed to like the challenge anyway. Pretty pointless in my opinion, but still she persisted.
“Why did you ask me here?” I demanded, my body tensing under her touch. The scent of her blood reached to me, the heat of it practically rolling over my tongue.
“Perhaps I just wanted the delight of your company.” She laughed at her own joke, turning away from me.
I suppressed the urge to march straight from her room. But I had to play along if I was going to survive.
“I have a little secret.”
“Another one?” I drawled.
“Yes, I like keeping secrets. Life's no fun without them.” She dropped down onto the bed, dramatically raising an arm over her head to rest on the pillow. “Want to know what it is?”
I shrugged.
“Oh do act like you care, Varick. It'd be so much more interesting.”
“Fine,” I snarled. “What's your secret?”
“I know why Ravenos reacted to Grey's blood.”
My ears pricked up. That was something worth knowing. I was deeply curious myself. I took a step forward. “You do?”
“Uhuh.” She waved a hand in the air. “Well, it's just a theory. But I'm quite sure.”
“What is it?” I growled and she patted the bed beside her.
“Come join me, won't you? It's awfully lonely over here.”
I sighed, moving to the bed and perching on the edge like a bird about to take flight.
Mercy's arms snaked around my waist and I fought the urge to push her off.
Play along, I reminded myself.
She leant up to my ear, whispering into it. The words she spoke made my blood run cold – if I had any warmth in my veins to cool.
“You're wrong,” I snarled, but her theory had a ring of truth to it I couldn't deny.
“You'll still kill her.”
I snapped around. “Why?”
“You broke the rules, Varick. There has to be consequences.” She slumped back onto the bed, writhing in the sheets so her naked body was nearly on show.
I grimaced, turning away.
“Drink from me.” She dropped her wrist into my lap. “Just a little. I want to know what it feels like.”
“No,” I said instantly. Drinking from a Helsing was about the most dangerous thing I could do besides walking directly into the morning sunrise. Abraham would have me killed. Probably tortured first. “Your father-”
“My father won't know a thing.” Her tone was harsh, like her mother's. She had all the authority of her family with a little insanity thrown in. “I told you, I like keeping secrets.”
She lifted her arm, holding her wrist to my mouth. It was about the most tempting situation I'd ever been in, bar the time I'd spent with Selena. Mercy was calm as could be, her body in the perfect state to be fed from. And the scent was simply intoxicating.
“Do it,” she urged and I did. I sunk my fangs into her wrist and she moaned like she was enjoying it. The blood was the best I'd ever tasted. I grabbed hold of her arm, keeping her in place, though she didn't fight me at all.
I hated the spell she had over me. The near blinding frenzy I was falling into. It would be impossible to stop. I couldn't. I bit deeper, taking more, more than I should have. More than she wanted me to. She started fighting, her skinny limbs kicking out at me. I was aware of her cursing my name, begging me to stop, but I couldn't. I was lost to the taste, the way my senses sprang to life and my heart beat harder than it had in years.
“Varick!” she shouted, pummelling her fists against me. She was a Hunter through and through. I felt the blows, but the blood was making me strong. I pinned her down, driven nearly to madness with need. The need for every, last drop.
I thought of Selena. Of how Mercy's death would equal my own. How I wouldn't be there in two days time to greet Selena at the checkpoint.
And somehow, miraculously, I stopped.
“Bastard,” she breathed. Then she started laughing, delirious as she hugged her arm to her chest. “Now give me some of yours.”
I slit my thumb open, offering my arm back to her. She sucked my thumb – much more provocatively than was necessary – but I was a slave to my thoughts, new emotions rising in my chest that had been previously lost to hundreds of years of Vampirism.
Mercy released my hand, gasping her relief. “You could have killed me.” She sounded delighted, like she'd just returned from a trip to Disneyland.
I stood, facing her. The sight of her naked body suddenly seemed more inappropriate and I turned away, heading toward the door.
“Tomorrow! Come back tomorrow,” she instructed, giggling.
I grunted in confirmation, hurrying through the door and heading back to my room. My pace increased until I was flat out sprinting, panic rising in my chest.
I wrenched open the door, flicking a switch that projected the game onto one entire wall.
I found her in seconds. Selena had managed to fall asleep, which I was grateful for. She'd need to build up her strength for tomorrow. Especially considering how much blood Ravenos had taken from her. She might not be herself again for days.
I tugged at my hair, anxiety darting through me. I lay down on the large bed at the heart of my room. I never slept. I rarely used the room at all, only if I wanted an escape from the Helsings. When the games weren't running, my refuge was out on the island. I felt more myself out there. The rugged landscape reminded me of my life at sea, sailing between the northern lands. Those memories came to me now, tugging me down into them. I couldn't dream any longer, but I knew that if I could, I'd dream of those days. I'd dream of the sun and the azure sky, the flutter of white sails and the rush of the wind across my cheeks, peppered with the salty taste of the sea.
I was dragged back to the room by the sight of Selena. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully for once and that was a relief to me. Stress, that's what I was feeling. Mercy's blood had brought
back some of my more human qualities. But apparently only the agonising ones. Knowing Selena was out there alone, when I could so easily defend her, was driving me to insanity. The longer the night stretched on, the more I felt the presence of time. The way it dragged because, for once, I wanted it to pass.
Two more days on that island. Would she survive? Would she be there at that checkpoint on day three, shivering, grateful for the food? Perhaps even willing to spend a moment or two with me again? I shouldn't have wanted that, for her sake. I was the same as the Vs who hunted her daily. It could just as easily have been me out there, starving, desperate for a kill. And now I was bound by a promise to end her myself.
I pressed my fingers into my eyes, wishing to take away the guilt that was stabbing like knives into my heart. If I refused Mercy's order, I'd be sentenced to death. So either Selena died in the remainder of this round, or she died at my hand. And neither of those options seemed acceptable to me.
Selena
Waking up the next day was probably one of my worst experiences in the game so far.
The bites on my legs from the V I'd encountered down in the caves had become infected, turning a deep red around the jagged cuts. Coupled with those Ravenos had given me, and the overall blood loss, I was in a bad way.
“We need to move,” Cass said softly as I shivered uncontrollably at her feet.
Sakura was pacing anxiously in front of me.
“I c-can't,” I said through chattering teeth. Cass looked tired. She'd barely slept, leaving me to rest longer than I should have. She'd laid her cloak over me too which helped, despite it still being a little damp.
“Where's that damn wolf when we need him?” Sakura muttered, checking the clock on her watch for the hundredth time. We had just over a full day left to reach the checkpoint. There was no way I was going to make it.
“We'll have to build up the fire, to get Selena warm,” Cass decided, taking out her knife and moving to the dry roots that were crawling up the overhanging rock above my head.
“Are you kidding me?” Sakura snapped. “We don't have time. We need to go.”
V Games (The Vampire Games Trilogy Book 1) Page 18