by J. J. Bonds
“I’ll do it.” He begins to protest, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “I’ll finish it.”
He reluctantly hands me the matches. I crouch by the pyre with my arms wrapped around my knees and say a silent prayer for Damian, hoping he’ll find peace in death. Once that is done, I strike a match and drop it onto the pile. Even as I do this, a solitary tear escapes from the corner of my eye and slides down my cheek. I wipe the traitorous tear away with the back of my hand and growl with fury. No one says a word.
The fire catches quickly and the smell of burning flesh is upon us. Thick gray smoke funnels into the sky, a signal of Damian’s death.
“He’ll come now. Somewhere out there Luka is watching. Waiting.” I pause looking at both Nik and Blaine. “This is what he wanted. You should go now.”
“And leave you out here alone? Are you out of your mind?” Nik asks raising his voice. He’s upset at my suggestion. It’s counter to his protective nature and I know this is an argument I’ll never win. Not with him anyway. “Forget it, Katia. It’s not happening. You need us. Your odds are much better with our help.”
I turn to Blaine. “You’re under no obligation to stay. You’re free to go. Neither of us will stop you.” I may not like him, but that doesn’t mean I can condemn him to death. I have no idea what we’re up against with Luka. If he stays, it has to be his choice.
“I’m sorry,” he says turning to Nik. “I never wanted any part of this.” Without another word he disappears into the forest. I can’t really blame him. In his shoes, I might do the same thing.
I walk over to where my crossbow lies and pick it up. “If you insist on staying, at least stay out of sight. I doubt we’ll have an advantage, but let’s try. I think he’ll be expecting me to be alone.”
Nik nods his agreement and hands me another weapon from the duffel bag, a gun, which I tuck into the back of my jeans. We’re heavily armed, but I’m not sure how much good it will do us.
“Ready to die?” he asks grimly.
“Every day.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
We wait for hours. Unlike Damian, Luka does not respond quickly to our lure. I’m positive he’ll want to confirm the kill personally to ensure that Damian’s little murder spree has really been stopped, but still he doesn’t come. I grow restless and begin to pace the clearing.
I haven’t seen or heard Nik for a while. I briefly wonder if he’s abandoned me, although in my heart I know he would never do that. He’s probably playing it safe. It’s better for both of us if I’m unaware of his location. If I can’t be certain of his presence then it’s unlikely that Luka will be aware of him either.
I’m all but ready to call it a night when a disturbing chill overtakes me and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. The hunter is near. Luka is near. Knowing what I know now about the Nexus, I don’t doubt my instincts for a second. I focus all of my senses on locating him. I want to know exactly from which direction he’s approaching. I am determined to be prepared. I close my eyes and concentrate, straining my ears for any sign of movement.
He’s coming from the south. He approaches slowly with caution. As he gets closer to the clearing, he deviates from his path. He’s hoping for the element of surprise, but it’s not going to happen. He’s stealthy and makes very little sound, but it doesn’t matter. I’m locked on him now.
I raise my crossbow and train it on the area of the tree line where I expect him to appear. My aim is dead on. He emerges from the forest to find my bow pointed at his chest. My accuracy gives him pause. It gives me a boost of confidence. I doubt he expected such precision from me. Obviously he’s unaware that I’ve spent the last year recreating myself. I am no longer that silly girl who worried about getting into the best parties and having the hottest clothes.
His bite left a lasting mark that he’ll never be able to understand. I promised myself that I’d never be that soft, weak girl again. I promised myself that I’d always be prepared for whatever life threw at me. I wouldn’t just be a survivor; I’d be a fighter.
“Kate.”
“Luka.”
He bows melodramatically and pulls his hood back revealing his face to me for the first time. I’m floored by how normal he looks. In a perfect world he’d look every bit the grotesque monster that he is, but as I know, the world is far from perfect.
Instead this creature looks like a Grecian god with his olive skin, broad shoulders, and wavy blonde hair. He smiles seductively, and I see that he also has a dimple in his chin. Although muscular, he moves gracefully like a cat. I ignore all of these deceptive features and focus on his beady red eyes. They truly are the window to his soul. In them I see the sickness that warps his brain and pollutes everything it touches.
“I’ve waited so long for this moment!”
“For what? Your death? Happy to oblige,” I reply derisively, keeping the crossbow pointed at his chest. With every step he takes, I adjust my aim. I have no interest in anything he has to say, but I am compelled to let him come closer in order to improve my odds of a direct hit. If I allow him too much distance, he’ll have time to dodge my shot.
“Don’t be like that. You’ll ruin my mood.”
“As if I care,” I explode angrily. “You’re a deranged psychopath!”
He goes on as though I haven’t even spoken. His words are silky and far too intimate for my comfort level. He repulses me.
“From the first time I saw you at the clinic, I knew that I had to have you.”
I stiffen at his words. The clinic? He sees the tension in my body, and it pleases him. He revels in it, squealing with delight. He rubs his hands together excitedly. Apparently, he’s just getting warmed up.
“I’ve got your attention now, haven’t I?”
He’s taunting me. I should shoot him now regardless of the distance. I put pressure on the trigger, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I have to know first.
“Tell me about the clinic.”
“It would be my pleasure.” He’s circling me now. Probably hoping for a distraction. I hold my aim. “It’s some of my most imaginative work. You’re really going to like this.”
“Tell. Me. Now.”
“Youth! Always in a hurry.” He shakes his head in disdain. “Don’t rush me, Darling. I want to savor this moment.” I abhor his use of endearing terms, but keep my mouth shut. It’s evident he enjoys the sound of his own voice. Nothing I say is going to make him pick up the pace.
“I used to go to the clinic occasionally to get a quick hit. It was an easy way to score blood and sometimes drugs. It was also a good place to find the kind of prey no one would miss. Junkies, homeless, runaways.” His twisted smile tells me that he feels no remorse for any of his actions. “The staff was so accommodating. There they were, all those volunteers just wanting to make a difference.”
I swallow my panic. I cannot let him manipulate me. This is not a dream. Whatever happens here tonight will have real consequences. I have to be strong.
“There was this one team of doctors, a husband and wife, who were especially trusting. When they worked I could always score big. I learned their schedule and then one day, much to my surprise, they brought their daughter to the clinic. They probably thought it was a great experience for her. You know the kind. See how the other half lives? Give back to the community?”
I don’t want to hear any more of this. I have a terrible feeling I know how this story ends and it’s going to break my heart. And yet, I still can’t shoot him. I have to face this, face him.
“Yes. I think you do know, don’t you Kate? Do you remember that day? Do you remember me?”
I wrack my brain but come up empty. There were always so many people at the clinic. How could I possibly remember them all? I shake my head, not trusting my voice.
“I didn’t have to wait long after that. The next time the Drs. Osborne worked the closing shift, I knew it was time. Time to pluck you from your ordinary life and deliver you to greatness. You a
re my destiny, Kate.”
“You’re lying,” I stammer. “My parents died in an electrical fire.”
“After I drained their bodies.”
I don’t want to believe it. My parents died because of me? Because this lunatic thought I was his destiny? I don’t want it to be true. I don’t want to feel responsible, but even as I stare into his unstable eyes, it’s there. The truth is that he killed my parents. All the pain, all the grief I felt over their deaths comes flooding back with the force of a tidal wave. My knees go weak and I feel my grip on the crossbow slip.
“They were just too naive,” he says shaking his head in mock sorrow. “They had already locked up for the night and set the alarm, but I convinced them to let me in. Told them I was in desperate need of medical attention. I was covered in blood. They couldn’t turn me away. I could tell by the looks on their faces that they knew something wasn’t right, but still they opened the door. Killing them was easy. They didn’t put up much of a fight. When I was finished, I torched the place.” He talks about their deaths nonchalantly, the way others discuss sports or politics. It’s almost more than I can stand.
“Enough!” I scream. He’s sadistic. He’s relishing every minute of this.
“I watched you for days after the funeral. Did you feel my presence?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer and rushes on. His excitement is mounting. Luka’s working himself into a psychotic frenzy. He practically dances in front of me, his body humming with energy. “I was right outside your window. Your grief was powerful. It was like a drug. I could hardly wait to take you. I knew you were special.”
The idea of him watching me, stalking me, makes my skin crawl. I tighten my grip on the bow. I will not let him break me.
“Imagine my dismay when I smelled your blood flowing freely that night! I was so angry with you at first.” He balls his fists, rage taking over now as he remembers that night. His body continues to vibrate, but it’s no longer the result of excitement. “Slashing your wrists and spoiling what should have been mine. I’d been dreaming about the taste of your blood for weeks. I had plans for you!” Spittle sprays from his hateful mouth, as Luka shakes his fist at me.
He’s getting closer. He’s almost in range. I just have to keep him talking. I am sickened by the filth that spews from his vile lips, but it’s the only way. I remind myself that there is nothing I can do to change the past, but I can damn sure make certain he doesn’t do this again. I will kill Luka if it’s the last thing I do.
He talks about the most painful days of my life as if they are inconsequential. It makes me angry and cuts me to the core, but I have to be strong. I have to lure him closer.
“Yeah, I can see how my pain was a real inconvenience for you.”
“No matter, despite those unsightly little scars, you’re still perfect in my mind. It’s just lucky I was there to save you.”
This is the first point on which we agree. If it weren’t for him, I’d likely be dead right now. In retrospect, I would change everything if I could. I would take back that terrible act and face my grief like an adult. I never should have allowed it to overtake me that way. My parents would never have wanted that. They would have been devastated by my actions.
“You, Kate, are my greatest achievement in this existence. Your transfiguration was beautiful. Like a caterpillar who awakens a butterfly. And, what you did when you woke again! The havoc you wreaked and the panache with which you killed! That I couldn’t have planned better myself. I do wish you’d been more selective in choosing your fare though. Criminals? Street thugs? I’d wanted better for you.” He reaches toward me longingly but holds his position. “My Kate….”
Luka was watching the whole time? Of course he was. While I was left on the streets trying to figure out what the hell was happening to me, he was waiting in the wings for an opportunity to swoop in and save me. He was probably beside himself with joy as I bled the city’s indigent population. I hate him more than words can express, more than I would have thought possible even. Just a few more yards, and I’ll have justice, I promise myself.
“It must have really pissed you off then when Aldo snatched me right out from under you, huh?”
“You can’t begin to imagine my rage when you disappeared!” he snarls. “I let you out of my sight for one evening, and you were whisked away. I’d almost given up on finding you when that boy began digging into your past. Without him, I might not have found you. I never imagined you rising to such heights socially,” he sneers. “Nevertheless, here we are now. Together again.” Luka stops pacing and squares up to face me. He pulls himself up to his full height in a weak attempt to look as regal as possible. He’s mistaken if he thinks I’d ever choose him over Aldo.
“We will never be together. I will kill you before this night is over,” I promise gravely.
He goes still at my words. This is not the reception he was expecting, and he’s not pleased to discover that I have no interest in being reunited. “After all I’ve done for you, this is what I get in return?”
“All you’ve done for me? You’re a murdering bastard! You didn’t do any of this for me. You did it for yourself. You did it because you’re a sick, crazy psychopath and you enjoy it.”
I take a step toward him, but he flits away. I wonder if he’s armed. He shows little fear, but seems to understand the right amount of distance to keep between his body and my crossbow. I must be careful not to underestimate him. Despite his delusions of grandeur, his desire for self-preservation remains.
“Alas, you are right. That child was meaningless. He pales in comparison to you, Kate. He didn’t have half your flair for the kill. You did us a favor by disposing of him now.” He looks pensively at the smoldering fire. “He would have just gotten in the way. Together, you and I, we will be great.”
It’s more than I can stand to hear him talk about Damian this way when he forced me to take another innocent life, something I swore I’d never do again. Damian might have been a monster in death, but he was innocent before Luka sank his fangs into him.
“The only thing you’re going to be great at is dying.” I pull the trigger knowing it’s going to be a miss. I’ve been watching Luka. He favors his right, and, as expected, this is the direction he goes. I move left to intercept him while firing off another shot. This one glances off his arm. The Annihilator is activated by the pressure of impact and tears a chunk of flesh from his bicep. I couldn’t be happier to see him bleed.
“You bitch!” He’s howling in pain, but it doesn’t slow him down much. He sends a string of curses in my direction.
“What’s wrong, Luka? Not quite ready to embrace your destiny?” I shout firing off a third shot. I miss again. He’s so damn fast.
Luka drops into a front roll, and when he comes up he’s brandishing a bowie knife. I have no idea where he pulled it from, and, before I can register the presence of the weapon, he throws it. The serrated blade hits me between the shoulder blades and is buried to the hilt in my flesh. The force of it sends me reeling. I scream in agony and drop the crossbow. Before I can pull the blade from my shoulder, Luka tackles me driving my back into the damp earth.
We struggle, both of us trying to get the upper hand. There’s a lot of cursing and grunting. My right arm isn’t much use with the knife impeding movement. The pain is intense, unlike anything I’ve felt before, but I refuse to surrender to the black clouds hovering on the periphery of my vision. I’m pinned to the ground. Luka hovers over me, foaming at the mouth, lips wet with saliva, his hands encircling my neck. I reach to the small of my back with my good arm and pull the gun from the waistband of my jeans. As his fingers attempt to crush my larynx, I bring the gun around and push it into his stomach. I fire off three shots before he releases me and leaps to safety.
I hadn’t thought to ask Nik about the ammunition in this weapon. While it’s undoubtedly something that will do damage to a vampire, I know my shots won’t be fatal. I should’ve put the gun to his head for optimal results. I l
ay in the grass flat on my back. I’ve got to get the knife out. I grab the hilt and brace myself. The pain is excruciating. It hurts just as much coming out as it did going in. My scream echoes through the clearing.
I toss the knife aside and sit up, gun in hand. As I seek to locate Luka, he descends upon me from above and delivers a perfectly timed kick to my gun-hand. The weapon goes sailing from my grasp and lands somewhere near the fallen tree. Damn it! I instinctively roll backward and tumble onto my feet, landing in a crouching position. If I have to tear him limb from limb, I will. He is not going to leave this clearing tonight.
“I see you’ve been busy,” he leers. Luka’s midsection is stained with blood from the bullets that ripped through his stomach. However, he seems to be feeling okay and isn’t letting the damage put a damper on his mood. The wounds are probably healing as he speaks. “But do you really think it’s going to make a difference? Do you really think you can defeat me?” He laughs maniacally, as if this is the funniest thing he’s heard in a while. His overconfidence feeds my determination.
“Come a little closer, and I’ll show you,” I challenge. “Unless you don’t think you can handle me?”
“I created you, Kate. I know every thought that passes through your silly little brain. You don’t stand a chance against me. You’re too weak!” Luka screams, raising his brows and fixing his eerie red eyes on me. As I watch, his pupils dilate, and I’m overcome by the same feeling of helplessness that saturates my dreams. “I control you, Kate. You will not lift another finger against me.”
I scoff at his suggestion, but realize I’m all but immobilized. I desperately try to launch myself from the ground to attack, but my movements are sluggish and imprecise. I feel as though a heavy veil has been dropped over me, smothering my freewill. I barely manage to stumble forward for all of my effort. I no longer doubt the validity of the studies on the Vampiric Nexus, as his wicked psyche invades my mind and takes control.