Death of Night
Page 30
"Now," Damien said, his eyes flashing excitedly. "I think you have prolonged this whole ordeal long enough. Let's get this over with, hmmm, Ms. Simon?"
I looked up at him from my position on the floor. He licked his lips. I narrowed my eyes at him.
Laughing softly, he bent down to say, "If you don't make this hard for me, I'll let Mr. Knightley go."
I replied, "You won't let him go."
"No, I won't. Just thought I'd try and reassure you," he said, amused as hell. He stood up straight and added loudly, "Hear that, Mr. Knightley? You're never getting out of that box. And your darling Flora is going to be mine. Enjoy spending forever in there." As he crouched back down to me, he murmured, "Immortality is brilliant."
"You bastard," I whispered heatedly.
Damien growled and kicked me so I rolled onto my back. He put a leg on either side of my waist, staring down at me. The ominous smile was back. Leaning over, he picked up the arm Camille and Rhiannon had bitten into. His tongue licked over the scabbing wound, and then grazed his fangs over it. He bit down, and I gasped.
Tipping my head back, I saw the room upside down. My eyes roved around, searching for something to help me. The candlesticks on the tables were too high and too far away, but there was a heavy kerosene lamp within reach, if I really stretched my arm out.
Damien's mouth released my arm, making me focus on him again. Eyes pure black, he moaned and licked the corner of his mouth. He crawled up my body, placing his hands on either side of my head. His long hair brushed my face as he dipped down to draw a wet line along my neck with his tongue.
"Hey, I'm—I'm going to promise you something, Damien," I panted.
He raised his face up and looked me dead in the eye. "Yes?" he purred.
"If you make me a vampire, the first thing I'm going to do is—" I gasped for a breath "—kill you."
Damien's teeth teased my neck. He chuckled against my skin. "I look forward to it…Dahlia." He said it barely over a whisper, intimate and chilling.
When he bit down, I cried out. I pulled the musty air deep into my lungs to scream, but couldn't muster the energy to go through with it. All I could do was reached out with my arm, patting around for the kerosene lamp. It was my only hope right now. Damien's jaws were working faster and faster, sucking my blood and making satisfied sounds.
My hand hit the metal base of the lamp. My fingers flew upwards, feeling for the handle. When I had a good grip on it, Damien let my neck go, and I froze.
"How does it feel to be dying, Dahlia?" he murmured with a smile. His teeth were red with my blood. When I didn't answer, he laughed, high-pitched and joyous, and drove his fangs back into my neck to finish the job.
Yelling as fiercely as I could, I swung the lamp with all my strength. It crashed onto Damien's head, the glass bursting open, spilling kerosene all over his face and clothes. He shrieked, mouth opening and releasing me. He stood quickly, hands trying to wipe the liquid off his face, out of his eyes, but only succeeded in spreading it. I scrambled away from him, standing as I went, lightheaded from the blood loss, but thankfully thinking clearly. I grabbed a candle from one of the tables. Walking up to him, I touched the flame to the kerosene.
"How does it feel to be dying, Damien?" I whispered as the fire burst out, covering his body in flames.
Damien screamed and didn't stop. The flames licked every inch of him, burning through his skin and muscle. He spun in circles, dropped to the floor, rolled around in an attempt to put himself out. The fire abruptly exploded outwards, spilling onto the floor and onto the tables, little piles of flames blazing orange, yellow, and blue.
I collapsed on my knees, looking out at the scattered piles of burning ash. I breathed a laugh. "Immortality is brilliant," I echoed Damien.
* * *
Drops of blood were splattering against the stone flooring. I put my hand on my neck, feeling, not a neat set of bite marks, but a messy wound. Damien had bitten me deep. That asshole really was trying to kill me.
The coffin was still sitting in the center of the room, untouched, an inanimate object.
Callum.
I crept on my hands and knees toward the wooden box, moving around the small, fiery remnants of Damien as fast as I could. When I reached the table, my hands were black from the ash and the knees of my jeans were ripped. I curled my fingers around the edge of the table and hoisted myself up.
Inspecting the latch of the coffin, I realized Damien had been cautious and had added a padlock. I tugged, pulled, and slammed the lock against the wood, but that did nothing. I turned and looked around. I stopped breathing when I noticed that the fire was spreading. Two of the tables had caught fire, one crumbling into the doorway, spreading fire out into the hall, and the other one helping the flames climb up the wall toward the wooden ceiling.
I punched the padlock. "Damn it!"
I grabbed an abandoned candlestick, but dropped it the moment it touched my skin. The metal had conducted the heat of the fire. My hand was burned, raw and stinging, but I ignored it and searched for something else to use. I couldn't let Callum burn in that coffin. I'd die before I would let that happen.
My eyes traveled up the farthest wall. There was a tapestry hanging on a long metal rod. Running over to it, I yanked the tapestry down, bringing the pole down with it. I didn't bother taking the tapestry off and rushed back to the coffin. Fire was creeping around the legs of the table, threatening to touch the bottom of the coffin.
I slammed the rod into the padlocked latch again and again. It filled the room with metallic chinking sounds. I banged it so hard against the coffin that part of the wood splintered, but the padlock never gave.
The bottom of the coffin caught on fire. I was crying, my breath coming and going in sobs, tears streaming down my face as I smashed the rod into the side of the box. Flames had taken over the entire end now. I could feel the heat from where I stood. Smoke penetrated my lungs, and I coughed repeatedly. I hit the latch once more. There was a deafening crack as the entire latch fell off the side, padlock still intact. I dropped the rod immediately and pushed the lid of the coffin open.
There was an enormous silver cross hooked onto the top of the lid. I heard myself saying, "Oh, God. Oh, God," as I raised the top further. I let it fall back on the other side of the coffin, and the heavy weight of the cross made it break off at the hinges, crashing into the floor with a deafening noise. Flames devoured it like hungry animals.
Time seemed to stop as I peered down into the abyss of the coffin. All I could see were shadows and the faint glow of the fire at the foot. Then I saw two bright green orbs light up through the darkness and I knew - I knew it was him and he was alive.
"Dahlia," I heard him say.
I could hardly speak. My knees gave in and I crumpled to the floor.
My neck didn't hurt so badly now. Neither did my arm, thinking about it. The numbness and haziness were settling in from the blood loss. I was on my side, staring straight ahead. I couldn't help noticing that the fire was graceful as it danced around the legs of the table, vibrant as it moved, exposing different layers of colours.
The ground suddenly shrunk as I was lifted up. I shifted and looked up into Callum's face.
"We don't have much time," he said softly. "The fire's spreading."
I felt myself nod. He put a hand on the back of my head and pressed my face into his chest. He walked until we reached the door, which was covered in flames as tall as a grown man. Without hesitating a moment, he went right through them, heading into the hallway.
Through the circle of his arms, I looked down and saw the cuff of his pants had caught fire. "Callum," I said as loud as I could. "Callum, you're on fire."
"I know," was his calm response. "Hold on."
I had a moment of clear thinking and said, "Go to the room where we were before."
"What?" he asked, going from calm to shocked.
"Just do it," I said. "Hurry!"
Still holding me, he ran down the hall t
o the room. He ran right into it and into the pounding rain. I pushed myself out of his arms, and he let me, only because of his surprise. The raindrops effectively put out the fire on his pants, soaking the rest of his clothes in water, as well. I gave a small smile of satisfaction.
Callum looked at me with wide eyes. "You did this?" he asked.
I nodded, eyes blinking blearily. Callum grabbed my face in his hands and kissed me. I bunched my fingers around his wet shirt and leaned into him for support, lightheaded and dizzy.
"Glad to see you two made it," Liam's voice said bitterly from beside us.
Callum pulled away, laughing with relief, my face still in between his hands. His eyes scanned the group of wet vampires that had come up next to us. Liam, Raven, Lester, and Ophelia had all made it. There wasn't one bad guy in sight. There was some damage done to them, however. Ophelia had nasty slashes all along her arms and legs. Lester was bleeding heavily from his face. Raven had a haunted, distant look on her face, along with some blood. Liam was merely disheveled, and I felt bad for doubting his fighting skills.
"We need to go," Lester said, wiping blood from his brow. "The entire house is going to catch on fire."
Callum's hands slipped down my face and pulled me to him. "Let's go, then."
Lester, Raven, and Ophelia walked out the room, but Liam remained behind with Callum and me. His dark eyes fixed on me. "You alright, sunshine?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
Callum made a disparaging sound and said, "She's not fine."
Liam sent one hand into his hair, a nervous gesture. He looked up at Callum, and I closed my eyes. "What do we do—?"
"We need to get out of this house first," Callum cut him off. "Then we'll see."
"Okay," Liam said. "She doesn't look like she can make it out of here."
"I'll carry her. Let's go."
"I can carry her if you want, master," Liam offered.
"It's fine, Liam."
"But, master, you look—"
"Liam, this is not the time," Callum said harshly. "Go. Now."
He put his hands up. "Fine. I'm going, I'm going."
When Liam had disappeared around the corner of the door, Callum lifted me up in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck on autopilot, eyes still closed. He started running, movements smooth and lithe. I hardly noticed as he went up the multiple flights of stairs, darted through all of the rooms on the upper level, and ran out the front door. He stopped all of a sudden, and I cracked my eyes open.
The night sky was spread out above us, partially hidden by the tall tops of the trees. It had stopped raining, and it was just chilly damp air. I saw Liam and the rest of them waiting for us by the small road. Callum began walking toward them, but his eyes were now focused on my face.
"Remember that promise I made you?" he asked, lips curved slightly upwards.
"Which one?" I said slowly, a bit weary because of his expression.
"The one where I said I'd take you flying."
My mouth dropped open. "You don't mean you're going to fulfill that promise right now, do you?"
"That's exactly what I mean."
We had reached the group before I could respond. Liam turned to us, and said, "Ready?"
"Ready," Callum confirmed.
Liam grinned at me. "The first time is the worst."
"Thanks, Liam," I said flatly, "thanks."
He chuckled, and then crouched down, knees bent. Pushing upwards with his legs, he propelled himself up into the air. He flew into the night, over the trees, and we could hear him laughing as he went.
Lester and Raven went next, then Ophelia. Her dress flapped around her legs as she sped through the air. Callum dropped me gently, a hand still holding me up.
"It's easiest if you stand on my feet," he said.
I felt nauseous. But I managed to put one foot on top of each of his. "Okay, now what?" I asked.
"Put your arms around my waist," he replied.
I did, holding onto him as tightly as I could. My heart was pounding in my chest and my breathing was ragged. A soft laugh rumbled through his chest. He had probably noted how nervous I was. His own arms wrapped around me, bringing me close against his body. One cheek was pressed firmly against his chest.
"I won't let you fall," he said softly in my ear with a hint of laughter.
"I know."
His knees bent a little, and we were off. I gasped as we raised straight up off the gravel. The night air licked across my face and blew my hair out behind me. Glancing downwards, I saw the fire consuming Thanatos' house, orange and roaring. From up high, it looked pretty and unreal. Smoke twisted up from the crumbling walls and was blown away in the gusts of wind.
As we flew over the treetops, the house became smaller and smaller, until it became just a spot of orange in the distance. I looked out below, seeing the ghostly branches reaching for us, swaying in the wind. The storm clouds had cleared enough for the moon to peek out, and the silver light shone down, illuminating the trees beneath us.
This all felt strange and make-believe. I was light and free, safe and happy. I was vaguely aware that it might have been the injuries talking.
My stomach dropped as we started to descend. The edge of the forest became apparent, and I could see the gleam of two cars parked alongside the road. Once the tops of the trees cleared, and there was only the dirt road underneath us, Callum drifted down further. His feet touched the ground sooner than I had expected.
His arms lifted from around me, but I didn't make a move to let him go. I was having a hard time breathing. Exhilaration, shock, and exhaustion were settling in. I clung to Callum's chest, and despite everything that had happened tonight, he still smelled good. Focusing on that scent, I evened out my breathing and tried to gather myself.
A hand stroked the back of my head. "Dahlia?" Callum said with a worried lilt.
I stepped off the tops of his shoes and let him go. Goosebumps ran along my damp skin, the blowing wind creating a chilling layer. I hugged myself, squinted up at his face, and sighed, "Huh. Well…wow."
The darkness had turned everything into black and white and shades of gray, but Callum's eyes still reflected green. There were smudges of soot against the paleness of his skin. He reached out and cupped a hand on the side of my neck, where Damien had bitten me. He drew me back towards him, pressing against the wound to stop the bleeding. "Come on. We need to get you to the hospital," he said.
"I don't need a hospital," I protested as he led me towards the cars.
"It's either that or taking some of my blood," he stated, voice light.
"Oh, jeez," I grumbled. I'd taken some of Callum's blood out of desperation once, and though it had worked better than any medicine, I wouldn't do it again if I had a choice. "Hospital it is, then."
"I thought you'd say that," he said, amused. "Only a handful of vampires have blood that heals, and here I am, offering it to you, but you reject it because you're squeamish."
I had time to turn to him, mouth agape, and say, "I'm not squeamish," before we reached the others.
"I'm going to take Dahlia to the hospital," Callum said to them, coming to a stop. "Take a car back to the house. I'll be there before daybreak."
Lester nodded, and put a hand on Raven's back, directing her to the backseat of the car they had arrived in. Raven looked like she was in shock. I didn't blame her; she had just killed her sister.
Ophelia came close to me and patted my shoulder. "You were marvelous tonight." She smiled before opening the car door and sitting gingerly on the passenger's side. "I'll see you soon, my Dahlia."
Crossing his arms and leaning against his new car, the one belonging to the deceased Dario, Liam said, "I'll drive you to the hospital."
Callum rumbled, "Fine."
Liam grinned, and opened the door to the backseat. He made a formal sweeping gesture with his hand into the car. Callum climbed in first. Right as I put one foot on the floor of the car, Liam touched my arm. I looked up into his ser
ious face. "Try not to get blood on the upholstery, 'kay, sunshine?"
"I'll do my best," I said sourly.
He chuckled. "Okay."
I slid in gingerly, watching Liam shut the door behind me. He walked around the back of the car and got into the driver's seat.
"Where'd you get the Mercedes, Liam?" Callum asked warily from beside me.
Liam started the engine. Twisting in the seat to look at us, he said, "Dario." He mockingly did the sign of the cross. "May he rest in peace."
"There isn't any more space in the garage, Liam. You've already got five cars in there."
Face pouting like a child's, Liam replied, "But, master, a Mercedes. It's brand new, too. If I could just park it on the side—"
"He can park it outside my apartment," I offered, wanting Liam to shut up. "Since I don't have a car, no one would mind."
"Sunshine," Liam breathed, putting a hand on his heart. "That's the nicest thing you've ever done for me."
Callum shook his head. "Alright, then. It's settled."
I smiled knowingly at Liam. "But you have to let me drive it whenever I want."
I could see the unkind thoughts crossing his mind. He didn't like the idea at all, but if he wanted to keep the car, he was going to have to agree. "I'll need proof you can drive before I even let you touch the keys."
"I've got my driver's license at home."
"Fine, then," he mumbled, turning back to the front of the car. He put the car into Drive and pulled out onto the road.
I was tugging the seatbelt down when Callum covered my hand with his. "It's a long drive," he said. "We would fly there, but it is too obvious over the city."
Drawing me towards him, he gently placed my head in his lap. I put my legs up, so I was lying across the entire backseat. Callum face hovered above me, eyes on the side of my neck. His fingers touched the bite wound. "Dahlia, this doesn't look good."
"Well, it stopped hurting a while ago."
His eyes jerked up to mine. "That's not a good thing."
I broke eye contact and stared at the roof of the car. He was silent for a bit, then said softly, "Take my blood, Dahlia. Just a few drops until we get to the hospital."