The Keeper's Vow

by B. F. Simone

  Katie pulled the gun out of her holster. She cocked it. The metallic screeched and echoed. Chills slid down her back. It was like the very first time she’d shot a gun. Tristan told her then that there was no going back.

  “Ready.”

  Mercedes nodded and opened the door slowly. There were a rush of footsteps above them. People screamed and single shots fired off from different parts of the house. Voices shouted commands to go left then right. It was chaotic. Mercedes signaled to her. “Watch my back.” They left the room and Mercedes held out her gun ready to shoot anyone in her path. They walked down the long hallway but it ended. They would have to go upstairs and find another way back down. Katie steadied her hands. They circled back and found a staircase.

  Wood creaked, cement and brick crumbled as it fell from the wall. Every noise made Katie grip her gun. She tried to steady her breathing. Dust from the debris started to fill the hallway. It thickened as they climbed a staircase.

  Mercedes fired off two shots, and two bodies dropped. She saw the tops of their heads. Or maybe not. Maybe she’d imagined that. It was a little foggy and dark. Katie did all but scream as Mercedes pulled her into a room.

  “Did you see it?”

  Katie didn’t see anything. It was hazy and she was too busy watching that last body snap back as it fell. Katie swallowed.

  More shots fired off and more footsteps changed directions. What had Franco and Johnny done? Set off a bomb?

  “Down the next hallway looked like a staircase. There are still some bodies up here. Maybe two I can’t tell exactly from all the smoke.”

  Mercedes led her out of the room and they made their way down a foggy hallway. With every step Katie checked their back. When they passed a room, Katie double checked for any sign of life. Mercedes stopped at the end of the hall. There was a big gap from where they were to the next hallway. Furniture pieces and wood littered the floor. This must have been where Franco and Johnny set of the explosion. Light from the outside poured in. They were near the entrance hallway.

  In front, Mercedes cleared it and they started to cross. Katie saw a man out of the corner of her eyes. He was in the doorway and lifting his gun right at Mercedes back.

  Katie put three bullets in his chest. One right after the other. The fourth shot came from Mercedes and it flew right through his head. His blonde hair snapped back with his head as he hit the ground.

  He didn’t move. Of course he didn’t move. He was dead.

  Mercedes grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway. Katie gripped the gun. She was supposed to feel like a murderer, to feel like she’d stolen something that belonged to someone else. She didn’t feel anything. Only the ache in her side as she got closer and closer to Tristan.

  Mercedes stopped quick and pointed her gun into a room with an open door. She lowered her gun and sighed. “You’ve caused quite the mess.” Mercedes waved Katie into the room.

  Franco was in there checking one of the windows. “We got most of them. Johnny set up a few traps outside and lured them out. I smell a lot of blood down that staircase, Mer.”

  “We’re almost done. Just one big man left,” Mercedes said, checking the hallway.

  “He’s one of the old ones. He’ll pick us off before we get through the door—that’s not even the worst of our problems. The second floor might cave in at any moment. The explosion hit two beams.”

  On cue, the house groaned. They all looked up. Franco picked up a chair and smashed it through the window. “We need to get out. Now.”

  Mercedes looked from the window to Katie. Katie shook her head. She wasn’t going to leave without Tristan. She wasn’t going to leave him trapped under a house with a crazy man. The house creaked as wood began to snap. Mercedes moved to grab her hands, but Katie ran out of the room as the hallway started to collapse. Mercedes screamed her name, but Katie didn’t stop until she was at the bottom of the staircase. She pulled at the door at the bottom. The house cracked more. The second floor was threatening to fall right on her head. She pulled at the door, but the frame that held it together was crushing it closed.

  Katie flung her self at it but it didn’t move. The walls started to crack and snap. She pulled out her gun and shot the rest of her round into the middle of the door. She flung her body against the hole ridden door and flew through just as a tub crashed down where she was standing. Katie backed up as the house collapsed into the hallway. Dust pushed past her as the last of the doorway crumbled.

  She was trapped. There was no way out. The only way left was where Tristan and Eshmael waited.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  A laugh drifted down the dark hallway. “Are you going to keep us waiting?” It was the same voice. It was Eshmael. He faintly sounded like Larry.

  Katie unsheathed one of her knives. Tristan always taught her to keep one hidden.

  Run.

  Katie gripped her knife. No. She wasn’t going to run. Not this time. She stopped at the end of the hallway. He was behind this door. What if she opened it and Eshmael just shot her dead?

  What did it matter now? She couldn’t turn back even if she wanted to.

  She opened the door. She had to adjust her eyes to the light. Her knees buckled when she saw Tristan. His shirt was torn to pieces, his face and chest was bruised and bloody and his wrist were held up and against a wall by chains. They were raw.

  He wouldn’t look at her.

  “Hello,” the voice said.

  Katie flicked her eyes across the room. He was sitting in a chair on the far side smiling at her. He looked so much like Larry, except he was more handsome. He had gray eyes like her and Larry, they studied her.

  “I knew you’d come,” he laughed. “This is so perfect. Much better than my original plan.” Eshmael's face was more angular and his eyelashes made his eyes dark. She’d seen this face before. Somewhere. “Why don’t you take a seat. I was just going to tell Tristan about my plan for tonight.”

  Katie didn’t move. She gripped her knife.

  “Put that down.” It was a command.

  Katie didn’t move. Tristan always told her never to make the first move. In a fight where you’re out matched, look for weaknesses, don’t rush.

  The back of Katie’s head split open with pain and she fell to her knees. Someone stepped on the hand that held her knife, she let it go. She was being pulled up by her hair. She grabbed the other knife hiding around her ankle and stabbed her attacker in the stomach and pulled up.

  She was let go immediately and turned to face her attacker. She knew him. His eyes widened as he fell to the ground. Blood poured from his stomach. Katie couldn’t catch her breath. This time she felt something. He was dying. Right before her. He was fighting for life. His body jerked and his breath quickened in sharp intakes. He was one of the body guards at Larry’s club. He was the guy that had carried her to Larry’s office. He was Yellow-hair.

  He reached for her. Katie moved back. What—what did he want?

  His breaths stopped, but he never stopped looking at her. She’d killed him. His blood was still warm on her hands. She wiped her hands on her jeans.

  “Idiot. No one told him I needed his help. Now he’s useless to me.” Eshmael rolled his eyes. A man bled out on his floor and he just rolled his eyes. “It was hard enough finding him. Lawrence, surprisingly, has a loyal following. It will be hell finding a replacement.”

  “He was a spy,” Katie said, staring at his open eyes.

  “Lawrence thought so.” Eshmael waved at her again. “Please, sit. Have something to drink you must be tired.”

  Katie turned to Tristan, but he still wouldn’t look at her.

  “Fine. Stand. Die of thirst. Just don’t ever say I’m inhospitable.”

  Katie’s head throbbed.

  “You know. I never wanted you. I never knew you existed.” He watched Katie. “I hired Daren, Tristan’s old lead commander, to lure Tristan back into the City so I could get closer to him. I really do have Daren to thank for this—t
urn of events.

  “He noticed you. Thought if he took you, Tristan would follow. He was right, but the invalid never realized that Tristan was stronger than him.” Eshmael stood up form his chair. “Are you sure you don’t want a drink? I’ve got this really nice bottle of scotch. My brother’s favorite.”

  Katie looked back at Yellow-hair. She couldn’t stop staring. She did that to him. It was too easy. The knife slid in with no resistance.

  She choked back vomit.

  “—I thought it was peculiar that Tristan had saved you. Maybe it was a coincidence that he was near by? I don’t believe in coincidences, Katie.” Ice clinked and clanked against a small glass.

  “I sent my good girl Nicole out to test the waters. See exactly what your relationship was. I hear you’re very dramatic.” Eshmael smiled. “Yes, I know all about that. You see, I had fates follow you and Tristan. Everyone thinks they’re killers but really, they prefer to watch—for whatever reason, I don’t claim to understand the minds of the sick and twisted. Anyway, I thought, what if they’ve taken the vow. That would be an interesting thought. Why, that would mean she’s not a human girl. Walking around in the daylight? No, she’s not a shadow born either. She’s half. How did our sweet boy Tristan find himself a halfborn girl to fall in love with. How would they ever know the words to the Keeper’s Vow. Now, I had a crazy idea. Wild really. But I needed to test my new theory.”

  Eshmael sat back in his chair and drank a little scotch.

  “You talk too much,” Katie said. A numbness fell over her. “Your brother is on his way. Most likely right above us.”

  Eshmael stopped. “Then I guess I should just kill you both now and go along my merry way.” Eshmael frowned. “Don’t threaten me girl. My brother’s on the wrong side of town. He has a habit of showing up when it’s too late. I like to make sure of it.”

  Katie gritted her teeth. He’d been watching them? If he had been ahead of them this entire time how was she supposed to make it out of this room alive, let alone with Tristan? They were both going to die in this room.

  Eshmael cleared his throat. “Are you listening? Today’s youth—a bunch of selfish prats if you ask me.” He sat his scotch down on the table next to him and pulled a gun out of his jacket. “Listen, or I’ll shoot your friend.”

  Katie held up her hands. “Okay, Okay, you wanted to test your theory.”

  “Ah—yes, “Eshmael smiled, “The kidnapping. I wanted to see if Tristan would know you were in danger. And of course—he’s very predictable—he came running back. So now, I thought to myself, why this girl? Who, is this girl. I had a hunch. A few years ago I killed his father, and coincidentally my brother’s lover was there. But I told you, Katie. I don’t believe in coincidences.

  “Do you know why I want Tristan? Because he’s Ivan’s son. He has a power that I want. I didn’t get to take it from Ivan that night. His wife made sure of that by cutting off his head after I’d shot him—but he had a son. Now, don’t get me wrong I was delighted that I got the chance to kill your mother too, but what was she doing there? So far away from home. With Ivan? The only thing they have in common is Lawrence. I had to see you for myself. You were sitting in a little coffee shop. After I saw you, little girl, with your gray eyes and—your name—how do you say it, Tristan—Katalina. I knew. I knew you were his daughter.”

  Eshmael grinned again. “So this time. I decided I wanted both of you. Tristan made it easy. Whatever happened between you two, he came running down here with his tail between his legs following me around like I’m too daft to notice. I could have killed him days ago. But I didn’t. I took him because I knew you’d come running.”

  Eshmael stood up. “But you’re right I talk to much. My brother should be on his way back after he found out I fed him a false lead. We have maybe an hour or so. Let’s give him something to find, yes?”

  Eshmael moved towards her. The hair on her neck stood up. He was powerful. She didn’t have to fight him so feel that. It seeped from him. She grabbed her knife and gripped it. She’d fight him. No matter what. She’d decided that.

  Tristan spoke for the first time, “You’re wasting your time on her. Lawrence doesn’t care about her. If he did, he would have kept her the night he found us.”

  Eshmael frowned. “Maybe you’re right. He’s still in love with her mother. Holding on to the memory of her. This little girl is nothing but a piece of that memory. Like you are nothing but the memory of his beloved friend. Or maybe. Just maybe, like with you, he kept his distance so I’d never go after either of you. Alas, what I’m about to do to her now has little to do with him.”

  Katie backed up. The smile and pleasure that eased out of his voice gave her enough reason to be afraid. She thought once that he was a sociopath. Maybe she was right.

  “You see Tristan. I asked you earlier. What did she mean to you. You told me nothing. You lied to me. You’re like your father. He used to lie and tell my brother that he wasn’t evil spawn. That he wasn’t the demon he is. Your father was wrong. You said earlier that I took everything away from you. I want to show you that you’re wrong.”

  Tristan yanked against his chains. Katie gripped the knife. She wasn’t going to let this maniac touch her.

  He was quick. She sliced the air between them and kept him at bay.

  Eshmael laughed and backed up. It wasn’t over, but all she had to do was fight long enough for Larry to get here. She could do it.

  Eshmael locked eyes with her. “You’re a fighter I can tell. Your eyes tell me that you are ready to die right here. But you’ve got one weakness.” In one fluid movement he move toward her and pulled out his gun. It was pointed at Tristan’s head. “Drop your weapon.”

  “Don’t,” Tristan said.

  Eshmael pulled the trigger.

  Katie screamed and lunged at him. He grabbed her arm and spun her around.

  Tristan wasn’t dead. A bullet hole rested right above his head.

  “Drop your weapon or the next one goes between his eyes.” Eshmael’s breath was on her neck.

  Tristan’s eyes were on her. He shook his head. “Don’t, Katalina.”

  Katie dropped the knife.

  “Good girl—now turn around and look at me.” His hand was still squeezing her arm. “You’re very beautiful.”

  Katie’s insides squeezed and dropped. It was in his eyes. He was going to touch her.

  “Get away from her.” Tristan’s voice was hoarse, but she heard him fighting against his chains. “Just kill me. Leave her alone. Just kill me. You were right. I lied. Please.” He was sobbing.

  “If you move. I will put a bullet through his skull.” Eshmael whispered in her ear. Katie chocked back tears. She didn’t want Tristan to hear her cry. She tried to blank out her mind. While Eshmael let go of her arm and ran his free hand up her back. “I won’t make it hurt. You’ll enjoy it. Women say they enjoy me. But I do have to warn you,” his hand wrapped around her neck lightly, “what I do, really is a required taste.” He started to squeeze.

  Katie swallowed and his palm pressed against her throat. She grabbed his hand and pulled at it.

  “Remember what I told you. If you move I will put a bullet through his skull.”

  Katie’s hands shook. He added slightly more pressure and her body told her to pull at his hand. She fought herself.

  “Fight, Katalina. Damnit. Fight.” Tristan was thrashing against the wall.

  Eshmael kissed her cheek, then her forehead. Tears clouded her vision. A blackness seeped up her mind as she fought for every ounce of air.

  “You know. I’m not going to kill her. Just suffocate her, fuck her, and leave her for brain dead.” Eshmael tightened the grip around her neck cutting off all her air supply.

  Katie twisted. Her body forced her to fight. She scratched at Eshmael. He screamed and back handed her with the gun. Her head exploded into pain. She couldn’t breathe. The hysteria made her push through the pain to fight.

  A frenzy filled Eshmael’s ey
es and he hit her again. Something in his eyes flicked like flames—burning everything. Destroying everything.

  “KATALINA.”

  She tasted blood. Eshmael flexed, readying himself for another hit. Had he changed his mind? Was he going to beat her to death before she suffocated?

  He let go and Katie dropped to the ground coughing and choking on air. She hadn’t seen what made him let go.

  “You’re right on time brother. That’s a first.” Eshmael began to straighten out his jacket. He sniffed and wiped his red face.

  Katie turned her pulsing head and saw Larry. He faltered at her face. Did she look as bad as she felt? She could hardly blink without pain rushing through her entire head.

  “Let me explain, Brother. You see. I was going to do to her what you let our father do to my mother. Do you remember that day? How you only killed him after he’d taken her from me?”

  Larry was behind Katie. When had he moved there? “Are you all right?”

  Was he really asking her that?

  “Kill him, Lawrence. Kill him.” Tristan’s face was red and his voice was lethal. He was still pulling at the chain. The wall began to crack. His wrist were bleeding.

  “The boy’s right. If you don’t have plans to kill me, you should just let me finish what I started.”

  Larry pounced on his brother and squeezed his hands around his neck.

  “Just—like—you—used—to.” Eshmael choked out. Katie dragged herself over to Tristan. She touched the chains and they burned her hands. Iron.

  That’s how they kept him here. It was slowly draining him.

  “Katalina, don’t. Don’t. I can do it—your hands. Please, stop.” Tristan was begging her, but she couldn’t leave him here chained up like that. She needed a key. It was all locked. She rummaged the room and Larry started punching Eshmael. Katie searched the draws of Eshmael’s desk and found it.