Revenge in Vein, The Complete Series

by Jennifer Blackstream

  Oh how he’d loved her. She’d been his world. He could still feel those emotions when he heard that song, still feel the love that had put those words in his mind. The fact that she remembered it, that she was singing it to him now . . .

  He turned away from Saule and stumbled to the alter. Falling to his knees, he put his hands against the lowest stones. The cool surface of the rock was a soothing balm against the fevered heat of his hands. With trembling fingers, he began to tug at the rocks.

  “I remember listening to you sing to me,” Saule said softly. “You had such a beautiful voice.”

  The stone finally gave way and Aldric fell back on his heels holding the weight in his lap. Holding his breath, he blinked his tears away, staring down at the dirt crusted surface of the rock.

  “I watched you build this alter. I remember how proud you were, how proud I was of you.”

  Saule stepped up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. The touch of her delicate fingers made him tremble all the more as he stared down at the rock in his lap. It might have been his imagination, but he was almost certain he could see a spot of red. A few drops of blood commemorating the last time he was at this alter.

  “I don’t need to ask you why you turned away from me. I already know. You think I didn’t see you, that I didn’t notice you, but you are wrong. I saw--”

  The world seemed to tilt on its axis as Aldric spun around on his knees. He dropped the rock, his arms shooting out for the goddess who stood behind him--oblivious to his pain. He grabbed hold of her robes, jerking her to her knees before grasping her neck in his hands. Saule’s eyes widened with shock as he pushed her back to the ground, straddling her waist. Tears fell from his eyes as he stared down at her, drowning in his own painful memories.

  “You see nothing,” he choked. His arms shook as he tightened his grip around her throat, feeling her breath fluttering against his hands. “You looked down and saw me build your precious alter, you heard my song of praise to you, but did you see what happened next? Did you?”

  He looked back at the alter without taking his hands from Saule’s neck. The goddess began to claw at his hands, trying to get enough air to breathe. He barely felt her nails biting into his fingers, barely heard her struggling. He was seeing himself in the past. He watched as the memory of himself took the ceremonial knife from his pouch and drew it across his wrist. He’d poured his blood over the stones, screaming at the sun goddess to take his blood, since that was obviously what she wanted from his people.

  It had been the blood he spilled that had called the vampire to him. It had been a miracle that she had chosen to save him, to give him eternal life instead of draining him and leaving him to die on his cursed alter. The tears burned like acid as they dripped down his face. If only that vampire would return again.

  “You only see what you want to see,” he whispered. “You ignore anything that does not fit with what you want. You never really saw me.”

  Suddenly something crashed into him. Aldric grunted with pain as his body rocketed away from Saule, his hands torn from their desperate grip on her throat. Rolling over and over through the grass, he stopped only when his body collided with the trunk of a tree.

  He lie there, dazed. The thick emotions threatening to strangle him hung in his throat and his tears blurred his vision. How could she be so ignorant? How could there be so much that she didn’t see? He closed his eyes, lost in his own pain and memories.

  “You fool!”

  A booming voice tore through the trees and birds and other creatures chattered in terror as they raced away. Aldric blinked and stared toward the source of the voice.

  Saule’s human form lie motionless on the ground. Dark bruises around her throat announced her death, or rather, her spirit’s return to Sky Mountain. Aldric blinked as he realized her chariot and horses had vanished, no doubt returned to their mistress.

  “She was in mortal form--I almost had her! You killed her--why?”

  Aldric frowned as a dark shaped loomed over him. As he struggled to make sense of what his eyes were seeing, a sick feeling of foreboding began to rise inside him.

  Giant black gargoyle-like wings . . . a thick sinewy tail . . . a sharp pointed face with narrow eyes and razor sharp teeth . . .

  “Chernobog,” he whispered.

  “My name will be the last--” Chernobog paused, his eyes narrowing even further. “Aldric?”

  The sound of his name on the black god’s lips sent a violent shiver down Aldric’s spine. He scrambled to his knees, his heart pounding so hard he was certain it would shatter his bones and tear through the muscles of his chest. Despite his intentions to seek out the dark deity, being in his presence shook Aldric to his very core.

  “Yes,” he said hoarsely. “I am Aldric.”

  “You are the vampire who has sworn vengeance on the sun goddess, Saule?”

  “I am.”

  Chernobog tilted his head, his reptilian eyes boring into Aldric. The sound of his breath was so deep it hurt Aldric’s teeth to hear it.

  “You are human.”

  Aldric clenched his hands into fists. “Saule cursed me back to human form to stop me from getting my revenge,” he ground out, his hatred returning just enough to take the edge off his terror.

  Chernobog frowned. “You are a fool. You haven’t really killed her, you merely destroyed her temporary mortal form. Her spirit is even now returning to Sky Mountain where she will re-materialize as good as new.” He shook his large head, the monstrous form sending another wave of fear through Aldric. “It is so rare for her to take a human form, and it takes me so long to get to her. She was here, at dusk, in the woods with enough darkness for me to manifest in. You have robbed me of an opportunity I may not have again for centuries.”

  Aldric turned to stare at the body on the ground that had so recently been Saule’s temporary mortal form. Soon it would fade away, returning to its elements and being reabsorbed into the earth. His stomach rolled at the gruesome sight, disturbed at how he’d managed to kill her without even being aware of it. Even more disturbing was how empty he felt now. Shouldn’t there be some sense of satisfaction? Some small measure of peace?

  “I did not intend to kill her,” he said, almost to himself. “My temper got the better of me.” He shook his head. “Her ignorance--”

  “Is limitless, is it not?”

  Aldric returned his gaze to Chernobog and was surprised to find a man standing where the god’s grotesque visage had been only moments ago. The god now stood before him with a human body, clothed in a simple black tunic with a belt of dark snakeskin. His flesh held a grey pallor that made him look not unlike a vampire and his eyes were the sharp beady blackness that Aldric had come to associate with the Queen of the Unseelie. All in all, his human form was less frightening than his true form, but unsettling nonetheless.

  “I expected more from you, Aldric. I have heard your name often in these past few centuries. I had high hopes that you would mange to follow through on all the threats you’ve made.”

  Still unable to believe he was actually speaking to the god of darkness, Aldric stared at the humanized deity before him. His mind whirled a mile a minute, swimming with ideas and possibilities. This was it. This was the moment he’d hoped for, had planned for. Standing before him was the one person who may be able to truly help him get his revenge on the sun goddess.

  “In order to make good on my threats,” Aldric said hoarsely, “I would need the help of someone much stronger than myself.” He cleared his throat and shoved himself up off the ground. Anticipation sizzled along his nerves. He stood before Chernobog, desperately trying to keep his knees from shaking. “One such as yourself.”

  Chernobog raised his eyebrows. “You ruined a perfect opportunity for me to get Saule in my clutches and now you are asking for my help?”

  Aldric nodded once.

  “I traveled halfway around the world because I sensed the sun goddess had taken a mortal form. I had hoped to find
her in time to trap her, but instead I found you shaking her dead body by the throat. You have already robbed me of an opportunity to get Saule in my power, why should I unite myself with you now?”

  “Because I can offer you another chance.”

  Chernobog smiled a wide toothy grin. “Indeed?”

  Aldric nodded, growing bolder with every second that passed without the dark god killing him.

  “I have a plan to get Saule to return to earth. Her daughter Valkyrine--”

  “I already know about Valkyrine’s transformation into a vieschtitsa,” Chernobog interrupted. “As intriguing as it is to have one of Saule’s daughters remaining on earth after dark, a vieschtitsa is a world apart from a meita. Valkyrine has claws and wings of fire now, she is a force to be reckoned with. I have been watching her, waiting for the opportune moment.”

  “The opportune moment will be tonight,” Aldric said firmly. “I have a plan that will bring Saule running to her daughter’s home. She will have to take a mortal form to come to earth, and at night she will have no power.”

  “Yes, I am aware of the rules that bind the sun goddess,” Chernobog said dryly. “I am also aware that Valkyrine is quite angry with her mother. I do not think she will be calling for Saule this night.”

  “Her fear will call for her mother. Saule will be able to sense her daughter’s distress if it is strong enough.”

  “Valkyrine is a vieschtitsa. She fears very little, how may I ask do you plan to frighten her enough to get her to call out for her estranged mother?”

  “I have two moras who have sworn oaths of loyalty to me,” Aldric answered triumphantly.

  Chernobog’s eyes widened. “Moras? You command two of the creatures who inspire nightmares?”

  He tilted his head, looking at Aldric with renewed interest lighting his eyes. “You never cease to surprise me, Aldric. Even I do not command the mora.” Suddenly, understanding seemed to dawn on him. “The two vampires that Valkyrine turned into moras. They were your vampires.”

  Aldric nodded. “And now they are my moras. And they are also Valkyrine’s company. They are in the perfect position to aid us in our plan.”

  The god of darkness smiled, rubbing a hand over his chin. “The moras have agreed to this?”

  “I will speak with them tonight.”

  “Very well. Speak with your moras. Call to me when the trap is set and I will arrive. I will be waiting.” The god paused. “Would you like me to transport you back to the forest by Valkyrine’s little hut? I do not think Saule will be returning for you and it is quite a long walk from Lithuania.”

  Aldric hesitated. Despite the excitement buzzing in his veins, and the burning of his need for vengeance, he could not forget the stories he’d heard of Chernobog. To travel with him was to enter his dark world. It would be entirely up to the god whether or not Aldric ever returned to earth. He could easily abandon Aldric in the darkness, lost and wandering until he died of starvation.

  Aldric nodded, shoving his fears away. This was what he’d lived for. It was now or never.

  Chapter 6

  Valkyrine’s laughter echoed through the forest. A fresh wave of arousal flowed through Anton’s spectral body as he flowed through the woods, going around the thick trunks even though he could pass through them. He and Kurt had only been moras for a short time and he still hadn’t quite wrapped his mind completely around his non-physical form. Plus, it just seemed more sporting this way.

  Kurt shouted in the distance and Anton laughed. From the surprised tone of that yell, Valkyrine had managed to sneak up on his brother yet again. It never ceased to amaze Anton how clever the little minx could be. After all, there were few creatures in the world who could get the drop on a mora.

  Lowering himself to the ground, Anton took a deep breath, releasing his spectral form and becoming flesh and blood once again. The prickling sensation of becoming solid sent a tickle over his flesh and he rolled his neck and shoulders as he readjusted. He stared into the trees, holding his breath as he listened for sounds of the vieschtitsa. If she’d just tagged his brother, she would likely stay to torment him for a while longer. If he moved quickly, he could sneak up on her while her attention was on Kurt.

  His gaze fell on a flash of red and he froze. Shock washed over him and he straightened his spine, staring into the distance.

  “Master?” he gasped.

  Aldric stood not thirty yards away, his long red hair still in its customary braid and his eyes still crackling with the anger that never seemed to truly leave him. He looked the same, except for the flush of the living that hung about his formerly pale countenance.

  Immediately taking on his spectral form, Anton flowed up to Aldric. A thousand questions whirled through his mind. Neither he nor Kurt had seen Aldric since losing consciousness in the Unseelie sithen. Neither Saule nor Valkyrine had spoken of his fate, save Valkyrine mentioning that Saule had taken him. The two brothers hadn’t known what sort of fate awaited Aldric at the sun goddess’ hands, but given her mood the last time they’d spoken with her, they had assumed the worst.

  Retaking his physical form, Anton knelt before Aldric. The passage of time did not lessen the severity of the oath he’d made. He was not a man to be forsworn.

  “We feared the worst, master. What has happened?”

  “There is no need to kneel,” Aldric said quietly. “Though it honors me that you still show me such loyalty.”

  Anton raised his face. “Master?”

  Aldric reached down and took Anton by the shoulders. Pulling the other man to his feet, the former vampire stared into Anton’s face, his gaze traveling over him as if checking to see that he was all right.

  “You look well,” Aldric said finally. He turned to stare off into the trees. “I heard Kurt laughing on my way here. It was a good sound.” He turned his attention back to Anton. “I have spoken with Bron and Vincentas. They told me of your transformation--about what Valkyrine did for Kurt.”

  “He is a new man,” Anton agreed, his heart swelling with happiness as he thought of his brother. “Valkyrine made good on her word, our souls have returned and Kurt is no longer possessed by Marketta’s cold memory.”

  “Valkyrine has been good for both of you.”

  A flash of worry clouded Anton’s happiness at the strange tone in Aldric’s voice. He stared hard at the former vampire. “We have not forgotten our oaths to you.”

  The ghost of a smile flickered over Aldric’s mouth before vanishing. “I have heard that you made oaths to Valkyrine. You are moras now as well. I assume you have continued to drink Valkyrine’s blood?”

  Anton paused, but only for a moment. Aldric knew about moras. Lying was pointless. He nodded.

  “Then you are in love with her.”

  There was a quiet resignation in Aldric’s voice, as well as the slight sagging of his shoulders. For a mora to drink the blood of his victim was to fall in love with that victim. Anton shook his head. Not that it mattered. The truth of the matter was that he had fallen in love with Valkyrine the moment she returned his brother’s soul.

  “Master--”

  “When I turned you and Kurt, I did so to save his life.” Aldric looked out through the forest, a sort of awe coming over his face. “But I could not do for him what Valkyrine did.” He turned back to Anton. “Know that I am happy for both of you. You served me faithfully for centuries. I would not think you any less honorable if you wished to be released from the oath you made to me so that you may truly be loyal only to Valkyrine.”

  Anton stared at Aldric, half disbelieving. Although he knew Aldric had always felt sorrow that he could not do more to help Kurt, empathizing as he did with a fellow man who had been ruined by a woman he loved, he was shocked that Aldric would so readily released them from their oath. Especially if he needed their help, as Anton suspected would have to be the case now that Aldric was human.

  “Forgive my impertinence, but your insistence on complete loyalty has been somewhat legendary. Wh
y are you now so concerned with making sure Kurt and I still wish to serve you?”

  A shadow passed over Aldric’s face. His mouth set in a grim line before he answered. “Because what I am about to ask of you will require not just your word, but your will. You must have no doubt, no hesitation. This is not a task I would demand, I can only ask.”

  Anton frowned, unease swelling up in his stomach. “Valkyrine said you were with her mother on Sky Mountain. I do not think Saule would like you near her daughter, and Lithuania is a far cry from this place. How did you get here, master?”