by Holly Vane
“Would the ruling families please take up position on the dance floor.” Holly saw Dominic grab the punch from Caleb and take a mouthful. He kissed her lightly before walking off into the crowd that had taken up the fringe of the wooden floor.
“Stay with Caleb.” Legion told her before following. Music blared into life and through the gaps between heads Holly saw Dominic walk up to a beautiful blonde that waited on the dance floor, wearing a black dress that clung to her like a second skin.
“It’s tradition for the members of the ruling families to have the first dance.” Caleb said coming up behind her. As they started to glide across the floor in elegant swirls Holly felt tears prick her eyes.
“Holly. It doesn’t mean anything.” She shrugged off his arm and slapped away her tears. She knew it meant nothing but the happy smile that was permanently etched on the blonde’s face burned a hole in Holly, and Dominic wasn’t exactly looking bored.
All her fears came to life on that dance floor and it was more than she could handle. Breaking away from Caleb she bolted past the stage and through a door that luckily lead outside.
The cold air blasted her and coming to a stop Holly crumpled on to the earth and sobbed uncontrollably.
“Love will do that to you.” The voice came out of nowhere and Holly found herself looking at shiny black loafers. She looked up through water blurred eyes and saw fiery embers gazing back down at her
“Hello Holly.”
5
He offered out his hand and Holly contemplated taking it just for a second. She felt so lost and her emotions were swinging all over the place, for a brief second Holly thought about throwing it all away and taking a chance that would probably be her last.
Common sense prevailed however and ignoring him she got to her feet, it took everything she had and Holly felt exhausted and heartsick to the point where she didn’t want any of it anymore. She had had enough.
“How do you know my name?” She asked taking a few steps back.
“Everyone knows it.” He replied simply. “You have set our world alight.” Holly snorted sarcastically, all she wanted was just to disappear. The river was visible from where they stood and bare trees stood sentinel on the bank. Holly hadn’t realized how far away she had ran, but the lights of the ballroom glittered through the dark like distant stars.
Holly knew she should be scared, but she wasn’t, quite frankly she just didn’t possess the energy to be frightened.
He was looking at her in way she couldn’t read, it was somewhere between amusement and pity. “Most don’t understand the Prince of hell falling for you, but my question is what made you fall for him?” Holly shot him a glare of pure anger.
“His big smile.” She retorted sarcastically. “Who the hell are you?” His amusement faded and now he just plain stared at her.
“Dominic hasn’t told you?” He made an irritated noise. “Doesn’t surprise me, I’ve always been his dirty little secret.” A darkness passed over his perfect chiselled face.
“Whatever.” She muttered turning away. Holly had come out here to escape, not to listen to cryptic musings from a mysterious stranger, plus the fascination she had with him freaked her out.
“I know about your precious cargo.” Holly stopped dead in her tracks. They were well and truly screwed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She said facing him. He gave her a tsk tsk.
“I can hear its heartbeat.” Holly couldn’t stop the surprise from breaking out on her features. Immortals had good hearing but it wasn’t that good.
“How…?” He smirked and the motion lit up his face, she found herself falling under his spell again.
“I’m a Vampire Holly, you’d be surprised how good our hearing is.” She gave an unsure laugh.
“Vampires don’t exist.”
“You know better than that. You’re eyes have been opened, don’t be so close minded.”
“Then why aren’t you trying to eat me?” She asked more to buy her brain time to deal with the news, then to know the answer. The whole thing was ridiculous.
“I’d like to think I’m a little bit more civilized than that. And it could have something to do with your heart.” Holly cocked her head at him. “It hasn’t skipped a beat all the time we’ve been talking. Usually hearts speed up just at my presence. You don’t fear me, do you?”
“Should I?” Holly countered.
“Probably not.” He admitted. “It’s Dominic you should be scared of. You see regardless of what you may think Holly. I don’t have a thing on him; Dominic is as cold and heartless as his father. He is Evil itself. And you can try and tell yourself that this will have a happy ending, but since I like you I’m going to tell you this. It won’t. He will be your undoing.” His words left her cold.
“Holly!” Dominic shouting her name distracted them, and they both turned to see him making his way over.
“Remember what I said. He doesn’t love you; he’s not capable of it. Not the way you are.” He came closer and she could feel his breath on her face. “Leave him while you can, or you’ll suffer more than you have to.” Their eyes locked and in that moment Holly believed every word he said, then he took off, walking briskly past Dominic who glanced at him with hard eyes when they passed.
“What the hell are you doing? Running off like that? Are you crazy?” His voice was tight and barely controlled.
“I just needed some air.” She answered still reeling from what the Vampire had told her. Dominic stared at her like she had lost her mind, he followed her eyes that watched the stranger and his hands curled into fists.
“Do you know what he is?”
“Yes.” Holly said simply, starting to move back to the ballroom.
“He could have killed you in a second. I told you not to stray and what do you do as soon as my back’s turned! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Holly’s temper flared and she rounded on him.
“You left me!” He rolled his eyes.
“Not this shit again. Holly I had to.”
“Where’ve you been all day?” She saw the tension leave his body and he sighed.
“I told you this morning, I had some things to take care of. You think I like leaving you?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore.” A female voice called out his name and Holly saw the blonde from earlier waiting at the doorway. “Looks like your dance partner wants enough twirl.” She snapped. Dominic let out a heavy breath.
“Holly I don’t want to fight…”
“Tough. I’m sick of being lied to Dominic!” Her anger faded replaced with grief and the tears slid down her cheeks. “Why don’t you want him?” She whispered. He looked away from her.
“Because I don’t want to lose you.”
“Don’t give me that. You don’t believe in fate. We make our own destiny remember? You don’t believe in The Thrones premonition.” The Thrones were Angels gifted with seeing the future, they had foreseen Holly’s death during childbirth. That was why Caleb had left her, but the son they had seen had always been Dominic’s. “You like making them, but not having them is that it?”
“How can you say that?” He snarled at her. “I’ve always wanted…” He caught himself before he could finish.
“Then what is it Dom? I have to know!” For a second the moonlight illuminated his face as he turned to her, and she thought she glimpsed tears in his eyes, but they were gone as quickly as they had appeared.
“We should get back inside.” And just like that he had walled up again. Feeling frustrated and confused Holly barged past him and trudged back up to the ballroom. Thankfully the blonde had gone from the doorway; Holly wasn’t in the mood to deal with love sick puppies.
As she barged through the crowd her eyes locked onto Castillo’s, who was busy announcing something over the microphone. Holly really couldn’t control the tornado of emotion that stormed inside her and tore her head away. Ahead she saw the relieved faces of Legion and Caleb and de
bated going over to them, the door banged shut behind her as Dominic returned, his eyes pleaded with her to give in, but she refused to be a doormat anymore. Why couldn’t they see how important this was?
She caught sight of the Vampire standing on the opposite side of the room, and knowing what she was getting herself into Holly made a bee line for him, she couldn’t stomach any of them right now. The look of pleasant surprise on his face when she neared made her smile.
“Care to dance?” His eyes blazed bright and she saw them focus on something behind before taking her hand. He gestured to the stage and the music changed to a faster tempo. He whipped her away from him and for a minute Holly caught sight of Dominic being restrained by Legion, and couldn’t help think that it severed him right. The Vamp wheeled her back in and they started to move over the floor.
His footsteps were fast and masterful and she let him lead, His hands moved to the small of her back before he bent her over so low her curls draped the wooden floor. “You’re playing with fire.” He told her glancing over to the side where Dominic was tearing away from his brother with a murderous rage in his pitch black eyes.
“I’m used to it.” She sighed as he lifted her back to a vertical base. Caleb had only taught her a few steps but in the Vampire’s skilful hands Holly was whirled and spun till she was breathless. Their feisty tango caught the attention of just about everyone in the room and for the first time that night she was actually enjoying herself.
When the dance was over he actually bowed to her and the sound of applause reached her embarrassed ears. Another much slower tempo wailed out and couples took to the floor, she was all for skipping this one and collapsing into one of those comfy armchairs but he pulled her to him before she could react.
The Vampire’s hands moved like velvet down her body and Holly slapped them away. “You really are unaffected by me, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” She answered carefully. He mesmerized her but she didn’t feel an ounce of attraction towards him, he was more of a sweet irresistible puzzle that she yearned to solve. Her heart was already taken.
He swung her away then back into his chest. “But not enough to ditch the devil on your shoulder.”
“Sorry.”
He smiled widely. “Shame, you intrigue me.”
“May I have your attention please.” Castillo’s deep voice rose over the microphone again, and Holly involuntary tensed. “Would the Council members retire to chambers. Thank you.” Holly heard the Vampire sigh as he reluctantly stepped away from her.
“It has truly been a pleasure Holly Adams, I thought tonight would hold nothing but dull nonsense, thank you for making it otherwise.” He kissed the back of her hand.
“Holly if you wouldn’t mind attending…?” Castillo asked, the microphone made his booming voice echo around the room and once again every eye turned her way. She felt a tug on her hand and she looked at the Vampire to see him grinning like a loon. “This way.” He said and Holly let him lead her through the crowds of people. She glanced around to see where the others were but she couldn’t trace any of them and panic started to descend.
On hearing her heart accelerate he glanced back at her with a questioning look, but she avoided his gaze. Holly focused on her breathing and tried not to think about the council that was meeting to discuss not only mankind’s fate, but hers along with it. She had to fight for control as the power in her veins responded to the growing fear that swelled in her chest. Holly had gotten a good grasp of her supernatural powers that she had inherited from her witch ancestor, but when her emotions threatened to overtake her, control got tricky.
They followed the group of men to a carefully hidden door that was completely camouflaged in the white panelling. She traversed the curved staircase that opened up to a long red hallway. The meeting room itself was to the left and consisted of a large log fireplace a huge dark oak table and chairs. The walls were brown stone as was the floor and she had to lean on the Vampire to stop her stupid heels from slipping over the cobbles.
He held out a chair but a firm hand wrapped around her arm and guided her into the next one over. She looked up to see Dominic take the seat in between her and the Vampire. Legion sat on her other side, and he gave her a disapproving but sympathetic glance before turning away. Castillo stood at the head of the table in a white suit that was a sharp contrast to his ebony skin. He waited for everyone to take their seats before speaking. Dominic’s voice in her ear cancelled out Castillo’s.
“Enjoy that? Trust me princess you don’t want to play this game with me.” Holly felt flaming hot unbridled rage fill her. Of course she didn’t want this! All she wanted was for him to open up and stop fooling her around.
For a second her control slipped and Castillo’s voice trailed off as red flames devoured the potted topiary that stood in the corner.
“Holly!” Legion snapped and she shut her eyes trying to douse the boiling anger inside her.
“Sorry.” She said to the room meekly before training her eyes on the wooden surface of the table. The green leaves of the art work were left with black scorch marks and Castillo cleared his throat.
“As I was saying, the order been called because of the imminent threat Lucifer poses…”
“Threat my arse.” A fat bald man interrupted. “Kill the girl problem solved.” Holly lifted her head enough to glare at him; he totally ignored it and flicked off the ash of his cigar onto the table. His comment was met by faint murmurs of agreement but Legion rising to his feet quelled them.
“That is not an option. The girl is dear to me and mine and I personally will inflict the most gruelling torture ever devised, on any man who tires.” Silence reigned and she looked up at him with surprise. It was clear that some of the members were intimidated by him and they refused to meet his cold gaze.
“I second that.” Castillo said after a while, and Legion sat back down throwing a reassuring smile her way. “She is under Heaven’s wings and no harm will befall her.” Hearing his words made her unsure of his intentions. He had no problem letting Michael throw her off Cherry Falls High school roof, or murdering her parents, or even turning a blind eye to him massacring her town, yet all of a sudden she was to be protected?
“What else can we do?” An aging woman spoke. “Heavens numbers have greatly depleted and without Michael...” she trailed off and Holly felt their accusing stares rest on her, “a war with Lucifer is one we cannot win, not this time.”
Holly saw Dominic slump against the back of his chair and cast an I-told-you-so-look at his brother.
“I believe we can defeat him.” Legion said with conviction. “More than that I believe we can end this war once and for all.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” The Vampire that sat next to Dom asked with amusement.
“By killing him.” The room erupted into chaos. There were angry shouts and people jumped up from their chairs and started arguing amongst themselves. Holly saw Castillo try to regain order. After ten minutes the ruckus died down reluctantly.
“He is a blasphemer!” The man with the cigar spat at Legion. “Plotting against your own father…”
“He was never that.” Legion replied evenly.
“How could you ever hope to kill him?” The old woman asked him. “Not even Michael or Gabriel could do that.” The sudden mention of Holly’s biological father made her breath catch. She hadn’t even met him. Gabriel had died protecting her mother but it was still a touchy subject.
“The girl sitting next to me is much more than Lucifer’s salvation.” He motioned to her and Holly gave him a tense look. What was he doing? “She’s also his end.” Eyes examined her closely and she squirmed uncomfortably.
“We have heard of the things she has done, and defeating Michael is an achievement in itself.” The man with the dark hair who had offended Caleb said for the first time. “She has the power to kill Angels, but Lucifer is a lot more than that. And if she can do what you say then why do you nee
d us?”
“Because not even Holly would stand a chance against Lucifer’s entire army by herself. I have a plan but for it to work we need your help.” The room filled with voices and once again Castillo had to step in. This was the first Holly had heard about any of this and she thought he had gone stark raving mad. She couldn’t beat Lucifer. Caleb stood up from his seat to help Castillo regain order. Holly dared a glance at Dominic to find that he was already looking at her. Their eyes connected and Holly felt the longing for him that permanently lived in her, tug stronger than before.
His eyes were stormier than the roughest sea and he had an agonized look on his face. She knew the space between them was killing him but she wasn’t ready to forgive. She needed to be strong and not give in not matter how much she longed to feel his touch, lips and body on hers. Dominic was holding back and until he gave himself to her completely Holly wasn’t planning on backing down. Half of him wasn’t enough, not anymore.
She forced herself to look away and could almost feel the hurt that radiated off him. Castillo turned his head towards the closed door and seconds later Legion did the same.
“Shut up!” Castillo ordered in a tone that wasn’t messing around. The voices died instantly and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That was when the first scream reached Holly’s ears. The music had stopped playing upstairs and terrifying howls of torment replaced it.
“What In the world is going on…”Someone uttered with amazement. Castillo and Legion were already out the door. Dominic wasn’t far behind but when she made to get up Caleb’s firm hand on her shoulder held her back.
“No you don’t Holly.” His grim expression made it clear it wasn’t up for discussion and she slumped back in her seat. The room had emptied and they were the only two left downstairs. The silence was the worst thing, her Nephilim hearing was not as defined as Caleb’s so she watched his face but it was a mask.
The hand on her shoulder stiffened. “Caleb what is it?” The door rocked inwards flying right off its hinges and without hesitation Caleb raced forward. Holly caught sight of a man in the doorway. His face was scarred and half of his cropped dark hair was missing. He ducked Caleb’s fist and threw him backwards like he was nothing more than a ragdoll.