by F. J. Gale
Luke heaved a heavy sigh and returned to his seat.
“I have led many battles and I have won many wars. Under my leadership Eternus was the most respected and revered army in existence. I know what I'm doing. And, I know Silas better than anyone. We all want the same thing. And we are all very different. Vampires, witches, slayers. But our differences, the breadth of experience and knowledge between us are what make us strong. It is what has Silas so worried. It was why he tried to inspire dissent among us. If I am going to lead this war, we must be one and you must all be able to fall in line.”
“You know where my loyalties lie,” Alna said.
“It’s been too long since I’ve seen some action,” Jax added with a broad grin.
Mathias smiled at the two of them. His eyes fell on Luke. He could see he was distressed by his sister’s abrupt resignation.
“We’re brothers,” he said.
Mathias eyed Valta. They studied one another. And then Valta smiled and patted him firmly on the shoulder. “I’m with you to the end.”
Lastly, Mathias looked to Jenna.
“It’s my raison d’être. I’m in this as long as it takes.”
“Okay, so this is how it’s going to play out. Jax will go with Legion and Valta to Eternus’ base of operations. He will oversee the vaccination of all soldiers with the antidote. This is a precaution should we fail to stop the release of another shipment of Liquid Death. Valta, I need you and Luke to prepare your soldiers for battle. They've been in retirement for years. I need you to ready them.”
Valta nodded.
“We need to annihilate the threat of Liquid Death on the rest of the vampire populace. If Silas strikes against the humans, they'll release it and all will be lost. This cannot come to pass.”
“How do you propose we stop it?” Luke asked.
“I'll enlist General Clark’s cooperation.”
Luke was stupefied, but he remained silent. Now was not the time to resurrect the past.
“Arthur was in close proximity to Jenna. He drew blood. He will be able to track her. She will travel with me so that Immortalia are not led to Eternus’ base of operations. We cannot risk their interference while we're preparing for battle.”
“Agreed,” Valta said.
“We can use it to our advantage. Distract Silas from committing any more atrocities and angering the government,” Jenna pointed out.
“Precisely,” Mathias said. He turned to Alna. “I need your help to guard against the daylight. Are you up to it?”
“Sure, I’ll bring the darkness.”
Valta turned to Luke. “We should leave soon if we’re to get to the base before sunrise.”
“Keep me posted,” Mathias said.
Valta nodded. “Let’s do this.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Mathias zipped up his jacket and strode towards the front door. The house was quiet. Jenna was out cross-country jogging in the forest beyond the house. Alna had gone along as her bodyguard and some company. He’d stayed behind. There was too much weighing on his mind. He needed time alone.
He reached for the doorknob, but stopped abruptly as he sensed a presence.
“Alna.”
He turned around to see her approaching him. She wasn’t wearing her heels anymore so she floated towards him with an easy grace. She still held her cloak closed tightly.
“How’s she healing?”
“She’s almost up to full speed. Just held back by a dull ache now.”
“Thanks for watching her back.”
“I don’t mind babysitting your girlfriend.”
“Stop!” he said, dismissively.
A brief silence enveloped them for a few uncomfortable minutes. Alna finally broke it. “Where are you going?”
“Out. I won’t be long.”
She gazed into his eyes, concentrated, then looked away defeated. “You’re blocking me.”
“I may still have a few tricks left from the old days. I told you not to read me, but I knew you wouldn’t listen. I took precautions.”
“Fair enough.”
“Keep an eye on her while I’m gone. She’s still healing.”
“I can help speed up the process if you like.”
“Thank you. And if you sense anything suspicious, contact me immediately.”
“You’re worried about Tanya, aren’t you?”
“She’s driven solely by her passions. She’s a vengeful person. It is a concern,” he admitted.
“I can’t use heavy magic. It’ll be like firing off a flare gun. It would lead Silas right to us. So, no protection spells, unfortunately.”
“I understand. I’m probably just being paranoid.”
“You tend to get overprotective when you’re in love with a woman.”
Mathias threw her a don’t go there look. She decided to give him a break for once. Besides, it was still uncomfortable discussing the women in his life, even after all the time that had passed since they’d been together.
She started to leave and inadvertently lost her grip on her cloak and it flew open slightly. She quickly wrapped it around herself again, but it was too late. She felt that familiar sudden rush of cold air. And then he stood before her.
“Show me,” he said, glowering down at her.
She hesitated, but slowly opened her cape.
His ice-cold hands traced over her stomach, following the tangle of black veins visible beneath her skin. She flinched slightly but let him continue.
“What is this?” he asked softly.
“My magic is fading. I can’t hold back the change anymore.”
He pulled back, disturbed by her explanation. He ran his fingers through his hair, distressed. “You’ve managed it for centuries. Why is it wearing now?”
“Because, I’m…tired.”
Mathias understood exactly what she was telling him.
“Immortality isn’t the gift many think it is,“ he said. “It’s…lonely. Isolating. The only thing that makes it easier is companionship.”
“I know what you’re struggling to say. I met that person a long time ago. There could never be another. I made my peace with that a few lifetimes ago.”
She gazed at him sadly. Mathias looked away. She was talking about them.
“Back then I couldn’t handle what he turned you into,“ she said. “Vampires were the antithesis to everything I thought was right. I’m sorry for—”
He laid his hand on her shoulder and told her gently, “Alna, it’s okay. It was a dark time for us both. I was an animal for years after I was sired. It took me a long time to control the demon. Neither of us would be standing here if you hadn’t kicked me out.”
She stepped back from him. “I can’t let the change come.”
“I know. We’ll find another way to stop it.”
“There is no other way.”
“I don’t believe that. We’ll look harder.”
“Look harder? Don’t you think I've already tried everything? I’ve explored every avenue. There is no cure for this.”
“The Sorceress. I’m on my way to see her. I'll ask her to help you.”
“You’re going to see her? For what?”
“The Hunter’s curse.”
“It’s highly unlikely it can be reversed. The Sorceress doesn’t do retractions, Mathias. But that said; Jenna is pure. She may have a chance.”
“So do you.”
“No, I don’t. She won’t help me. Forget it.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Given the fact that she wants me dead, I’d say it’s a pretty safe assumption.”
Mathias was bewildered. What had she done that could warrant the wrath of the most powerful sorceress in existence?
She read his expression. “You know me. I don’t play by the rules.”
“You’ve upset the balance?”
She nodded. “Violated the laws of magic, crossed boundaries. The list goes on according to her and the covens. But more than that
, it’s about the vampire thing. It concerns them that I possess so much power given what lies within me. If the change comes they’re worried I’ll lose control and become a threat very difficult to take down.”
Mathias took her words in. “What can I do?” he asked, drawing her eyes to his.
She met his intense gaze. “Kill me.”
“What?”
“I need you to kill me.”
He shook his head vehemently. “I can’t do that, Alna.”
“It’s the only way. I cannot let the change come.”
He continued to shake his head as he backed away from her.
“You owe me!” she said, raising her voice.
“Owe you?”
“For protecting Legion. For many things.”
“This is different.”
“You’re a vampire. Act like one. You shouldn’t even have a conscience.”
“Don’t go there, Alna. I’m warning you.”
He took a deep breath to cool his temper. She had struck a nerve. He moved away and walked towards the front door. Before his hand could clasp the doorknob an invisible barrier blocked his path.
“Alna,” he warned. “Don’t!”
“I want you to promise me you will do it.”
“This is not the way to enlist my cooperation.”
“I beg to differ.”
He turned back to her. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“And what is that?”
“You’re trying to make me angry to awaken the demon.”
“Perhaps,” she said, her eyes narrowing menacingly.
Mathias scoffed. “The demon will not kill you anyway. You're not completely human. You would require a vampire’s execution.”
“I have a couple of weeks at the most. I don’t want to spend it arguing this out with you. Plus, the longer I wait and the closer the change gets, the more dangerous I will become. It's already become difficult to avoid black magic. I felt my resistance to it weakening when I held back Immortalia. Luke had to pull me out of it.”
“We’ll find another way.”
Alna shook her head. There is no other way. “If you won't do it, I'll go to Silas.”
“Then you would be a fool. Silas wants to use your power. He's always coveted it. You go to him and he'll vamp you.”
“I came to you because you're the only one I trust to do it. After everything that’s happened, I thought that you, of all people, would understand.”
“I don’t want you to die!” Before she knew what was happening he stood before her. He was so fast. “Do not make me do this, Alna!” he yelled, shaking her roughly.
“You must!” she yelled back, matching his volume.
She shot out her palm, preparing to strike him with her magic, but his reactions were faster. He pushed her back with such force that she flew across the room and into the wall.
“It’s still in you. Embrace it!” she continued.
Her words caught him off guard and she didn’t waste the opportunity. She thrust her hand at him.
A bolt of powerful blue light struck him, feeling like a five-hundred pound weight bearing down on him, forcing him to his knees.
“Kill me!” she yelled, approaching.
He shook his head. And as he attempted to get off his knees she struck him again.
“Do it!” she bellowed.
Mathias struggled against her assault to prevent the demon within from forcing its way to the surface. His concentration compromised his defense. He couldn’t stop her and maintain control at the same time, and she knew it.
“Stop!” Jenna’s voice came from behind them.
Alna’s irate glare snapped to hers.
Jenna instinctively brandished two hunting knives.
Alna raised her hands.
“Don’t! She’s human, Alna!” Mathias cried out.
Alna hesitated and eyed Jenna. Mathias’ plea had reached through the thick blackness that had enveloped her.
Mathias knew it was extremely unlikely that Jenna would be able to absorb her magic. The human body wasn’t made to withstand the powerful supernatural attack that Alna could deliver. She wasn’t just any witch. She held great power.
“Alna!” he pleaded.
She lowered her hand slowly. He watched as she crumpled to her knees. He struggled to his feet and by the time he reached her, she was sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her.
“Kill me, Mathias. Please, just kill me,” she choked out between sobs.
“All right,” he agreed sadly.
As he held her he looked up at Jenna. He nodded at her reassuringly. He watched her relax her fighting stance and lower her weapons with relief. A few moments passed before he pulled back and helped Alna to her feet.
“Just give me some time. I need to…prepare,” he told her softly.
She nodded.
Mathias headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Jenna called.
“I have an errand to run. I’ll be a couple of hours. When I get back we need to move immediately.”
Jenna threw him a questioning glance. Move immediately?
“I used heavy magic. Silas could have picked it up,” Alna explained.
“I see.”
“Are you okay to go?” Alna asked, seeing him walking a little unsteadily. She had been holding back when she’d struck him but her magic was still powerful.
“Fine,” he said irritably, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Jenna probed, “So, the two of you were involved?”
Alna raised an eyebrow. “You’re reading me?” She wondered how that was possible. There was no record of The Hunter having that ability.
“No, I don’t need to. I can see what’s right in front of me.”
“Another time, perhaps.”
“We have two hours,” Jenna pressed.
Alna took a seat on the couch while Jenna eased herself into the chair opposite.
“First thing is first. Give me your hands.”
Jenna hesitated.
“You have a difficult battle ahead of you. There's no more time to allow your wounds to heal naturally.”
Jenna held her hands out and Alna clasped them tightly. She closed her eyes and concentrated. After a few moments she pulled back.
Jenna hadn’t felt anything at all. What was that all about? Perhaps Alna’s magic was tapped out from her fight with Mathias. “Don’t you need to recite some sort of incantation?”
Alna chuckled. “I’m way beyond that. Stand up.”
Jenna complied. She was amazed that the familiar dull ache in her side had gone. She lifted her shirt. The stitches had disappeared! There was no scar, no sign that she had ever been wounded. Flabbergasted, she eyed Alna for answers.
“The marks on your neck remain. They may be needed,” she informed her. “His bite was gentle.”
“He wasn’t going for the kill,” Jenna said, her gaze boring into Alna’s. That’s all.
Seeing she was uncomfortable discussing whatever was going on between her and Mathias, Alna broke eye contact and dropped it for the time being.
Jenna relaxed and returned to her chair. She listened closely for the next ten minutes as Alna recalled the history between her and Mathias. She omitted the intimate aspects and concentrated on recounting it as chronologically as possible. It was difficult given the huge expanse of time. She discussed their magical studies, their life together and then the tragedy they were subjected to by Graven. Beyond that there wasn’t much to tell. Their paths had crossed only a handful of times since they’d parted a few centuries back.
“Wow,” Jenna uttered when Alna had finished.
“It’s all in the past. He’s taken quite a liking to you. I’ve never seen him like this. The demon is buried deep. I couldn’t force it to the surface. A few years back I wouldn’t have had any trouble.”
“But the demon is still there.”
“We all have darkness in us. It’s up to u
s whether we allow it free reign, or not.”
Jenna nodded in understanding. A few moments passed in silence.
“Where was he headed, anyway?” she asked suddenly.
Alna hesitated.
“Alna?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re a really bad liar.”
Alna knew her continued denial was pointless. “The Sorceress.”
Jenna shot to her feet. Unbelievable. She bolted for the door.
“He’s trying to help you!”
“It’s not his place!” Jenna yelled over her shoulder.
Before Alna could even raise her hand to summon the magic to stop her, Jenna was out the door. God, she was fast. Faster than any vampire? Interesting.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mathias had been running since he'd left the house. He could have walked the entire way. There was still time before the day broke. But running always helped to clear his head. There was a lot to take in: the war. Tanya walking out and the possible threat she now posed. He should have killed her, but Luke would never have accepted that. And he'd agreed to Alna's plea—how was he going to bring himself to destroy Alna? She had been the one constant in his centuries-long existence. Everything else around him had changed as the years wore on, but not her. Now he'd promised her and he had to deliver. Unless there was an alternative. He would find out soon enough. And if that wasn’t enough to keep him occupied, there was now this confusing situation with Jenna.
The place where he was headed wasn't located on their plane of existence. The portal to it was constantly moving. Only those who were touched by magic could locate it. Thankfully, he was one such being.
A sudden rush of warmth overtook him as he strode through the thick canopy of the forest. He stopped. Before him were two identical trees with a narrow path between. Identical trees! That wasn’t possible. He smiled because that meant that he had arrived. He took a deep breath and walked forward.
His was blinded by a bright golden light and, at the same time, felt a reassuring warmth envelope his entire being. He continued to walk, shielding his eyes from the painful light. He stopped when he felt the warmth subside. At the same time the blinding light faded as the place took tangible form.
A medieval throne room. Most of it was obscured by a thick white mist, a result of her magic. It was just one of the many ‘places’ she conjured for visitors. What visitors saw depended on them.