“Run,” he said and Ra didn’t have to be told twice. Ra was out of the building before he heard the building groaning as Kal pulled out the metal pole. Then Ra heard the horrible sound and the screaming as Kal swung the pole around the room and toppled every support. The building came crashing down and after a few moments he saw his little brother walking angrily from the rubble. He had never seen Kal this angry in his life. Not even when he thought Ra had killed their father. This was something completely different. Kal wasn’t just angry. The look on his face told him that his little brother had given up trying to save Elyssa from herself. If Kal got the chance he really would kill her, and worst of all, Kal would enjoy it.
Chapter 19
Bree sat tied to yet another pole but in a different building. This pole was made of rock and much larger. She felt it’s cold, hard surface with her hands and could swear it was marble. The total darkness of the room didn’t frighten Bree, she was far beyond being scared of the dark. The woman sitting in the dark, somewhere in this pitch black room, was far more terrifying than anything Bree’s imagination could make up.
Bree could hear Elyssa tapping on something and every once in a while Bree caught the sound of shoes pacing. Elyssa was nervous. As terrifying as this woman was, Bree would never show fear nor weakness to her. Bree was too proud. Elyssa might be winning in her fight with Kal but she would never win a battle of willpower against Bree.
“Something tells me your pale minions weren’t even a speed bump,” Bree said confidently in the direction of the tapping. Bree heard the sound of rushing air then felt Elyssa’s warm breath on her ear as she spoke softly.
“Just a diversion sweetheart. My plan is moving along perfectly,” Elyssa whispered then Bree heard another rush of air and something metal fall, far in the distance.
“Are you afraid I’ll recognize this place or something?!” Bree shouted. She heard another rush of air and felt Elyssa’s warm breath on her other ear.
“Nope, just building anticipation for the big surprise,” Elyssa said and Bree could hear the smile on her face.
“Well I’m bored,” Bree said with a whine. However, she wasn’t bored. Something seemed wrong. Something about Elyssa’s motives seemed off. Why all the production? There was more to it than revenge or a desire for power.
“I’ll entertain you soon enough,” Elyssa said from somewhere across the large room.
Bree could hear Elyssa’s voice echoing. This room was large and empty. She had assumed it was another basement but maybe it wasn’t.
“The baby is getting hungry. How long until you bring us some food? And she’s really pushing on my bladder. Is there a bathroom around here?” Maybe this would push Elyssa to show her surprise early.
“You know what?” Elyssa asked. She was still on the other side of the room. “You sure do complain a lot. Maybe I don’t want to get pregnant. It sounds miserable.”
“So you’ve thought about it?” Bree asked. Her first attempt had failed. Maybe this would get a rise out of Elyssa.
“I’ve even tried. Just not in the cards for me,” Elyssa said. Bree could hear her fiddling with something metal still. What the hell was she doing?
“Maybe the universe doesn’t want you passing on the crazy,” Bree taunted. This might do it. Elyssa couldn’t help but banter with her. Bree wasn’t sure why but it seemed like Elyssa enjoyed trading barbs.
Bree heard more rushing wind and cringed as she waited for Elyssa’s voice to come from somewhere near her. This time Bree could almost feel the heat coming from Elyssa’s face. She had to be only an inch from the tip of Bree’s nose. Elyssa waited a second then spoke.
“It’s not the universe. It’s your greedy husband. He took that from me too,” Elyssa said and Bree realized Elyssa really believed this.
“How?” Bree asked. This one was more out of curiosity than to get a rise from Elyssa but it accomplished both.
“Kal was a powerful little son of a bitch. Even when he was only a few hundred years old. But, then again, that’s the reason I’m having such a hard time killing the bastard,” Elyssa explained. She started to walk away, not even bothering to cover her footsteps this time.
“What does that have…” Bree started but Elyssa shouted over her.
“Shut up and let me finish!” Elyssa said with more agitation than Bree had expected. Bree had hit a nerve. She realized this might be the real reason behind what was going on now. Sure Kal had, in Elyssa’s mind, slighted her many times over the years but this…this sounded like the spark which ignited her hatred.
“Kal was about three or four hundred. I was…much older.” Elyssa laughed. “We were helping some humans win a war. Both sides had vampires. This was long before anyone had heard the name Kal. Ra, on the other hand, was an icon. The side which had his support had a terrifying general. That is why the opposing side offered me something I couldn’t refuse.”
“What…?” Bree tried to ask.
“I said SHUT THE HELL UP!” Elyssa shouted. Now Bree was certain. This was what started it all. No question. This is what had made Elyssa snap.
“To answer the question you so rudely interrupted me with. They offered me my own kingdom…well, more than a kingdom. Elyssa, queen of the world. The condition was, I had to defeat my brothers. Kal was such a follower back then. He did everything Ra asked. Mother and father would have surrendered if Kal and Ra were my captives. I would have had it all but, of course, Kal happened.”
This time Bree didn’t interrupt. As much fun as it was to ruffle Elyssa’s feathers, she was walking a thin line. One more push and Elyssa might actually kill her. Besides, Bree needed to hear this story. Something in it might just give her the edge she had been looking for.
“Anyway. I defeated Ra. It was glorious. One on one combat and I…ME…the little sister beat my big brother Ra. It was… My victory was short lived. I underestimated Kal. Taunted him. Flitted around him like he was standing still. The bastard just waited for me to make a mistake. He didn’t even change. He sat there in human form, letting me slice at his weak flesh. He was bleeding so I went in for the debilitating blow. I wasn’t going to kill him. He was my baby brother. He was not so kind with his strike. You heard me right. His ONE strike.” She could hear the agitation and frustration building in Elyssa’s voice.
“I went in to stab him in the chest, not the heart, just puncture a lung and keep him from fighting. He knew I was coming and swung with all his might.” Elyssa was silent for a few moments and for a second Bree thought she heard crying. Then Elyssa’s voice was loud and angry once more. “HE FUCKING CUT ME IN HALF! Right through my abdomen. One swift, powerful strike and I could no longer have children. The doctors spent days trying to sew me back together. A vampires should not survive that but, somehow, I did.” Again Elyssa was silent but Bree didn’t hear crying, instead she heard a low growl.
“That was when I knew what I had to do. My little brother was a monster. I cozied up to him and played the supportive big sister as long as I could stand it until I finally figured out how to defeat him. I couldn’t fight him. That was clear. He could outmatch anyone. No, I had to hit him where it really hurt. The humans he adored. Make them hate him. Make them think he was a murderer. Kal would either run or submit to spending decades in their prison. Either way I would have taken what he loved from him. Taken his future like he did mine.” Elyssa’s voice changed like flipping a switch. One second she was hateful and cruel and the next she was joyful and happy. “Then I stumbled upon you. Either someone up there loves me or just plain hates Kal. It was perfect.” Elyssa was done with her story and Bree had the urge to push it. Something about her motives still seemed a little off. Her story was horrible but something about the way she told it made it seem more like an excuse than a reason. She was upset about it, but like her previous story, it seemed forced. It was almost like she was trying to convince herself as well as Bree. Then Bree had an idea. A way to test her theory.
“Let me see if I got t
his straight,” Bree started.
“I’d watch my tongue if I was you,” Elyssa warned.
“You attacked Kal. Cut him, taunted him and tried to stab him in the chest. Then…” Bree paused and waited to give her sarcastic remark more effect.
“Shut up Bree,” Elyssa said angrily
“You got angry when he fought back?” Bree asked.
“I said SHUT UP Bree!” Elyssa yelled but she was still across the room. This story was horrible and true but it wasn’t why Elyssa was doing this.
“Why did you wait so long? Why now? Are you sure you want to kill Kal?” Bree asked.
Bree heard the rush of wind and braced herself for what she thought was coming but Elyssa was more forceful than she had anticipated. Elyssa’s hands wrapped around Bree’s neck and squeezed. Soon Bree was feeling light headed as she gasped for air that would not come.
“You have no idea what you are talking about,” Elyssa said through gritted teeth as she strangled Bree.
Bree felt victorious as she became dizzy. She had been right. As horrible as Elyssa’s story had been. It wasn’t the whole truth. There was more to this. The desire to take over the world, even Kal robbing her of the ability to have children, they were good excuses but that’s all they were. She didn’t actually hate Kal. Then Bree blacked out.
When Elyssa saw Bree’s eyes roll up into the back of her head and felt Bree’s body go limp she panicked. “Oh shit! What did you make me do?!”
Elyssa shook Bree’s limp body but she wouldn’t respond.
“NO! NO! NO! This can’t be happening!” she shouted.
Elyssa pinched Bree’s nose then breathed into her mouth. Afterward she pushed lightly on Bree’s chest. She might have already killed her, if she hadn’t, she wasn’t about to break the woman’s ribs. Elyssa went back to giving Bree mouth to mouth. She wasn’t sure how much force it would take to break this fragile creatures weak bones.
Soon Bree started to cough and Elyssa backed away. Bree opened her eyes but still couldn’t see anything. She had nearly been choked to death but, strangely, she felt like she had won. She had found a flaw in Elyssa’s story. Bree now knew just how far she needed to push Elyssa to make her snap as well. Perhaps she could use that later when she found out the real reason Elyssa was doing this.
“I told you not to push me,” Elyssa said guiltily.
“If you wanted a kiss all you had to do was ask,” Bree laughed then started coughing, her voice was hoarse but she ignored the pain. Her satisfaction was worth it.
Elyssa didn’t say a word. Bree heard her continue with whatever she was doing with the metal parts but Elyssa was done talking. Bree had struck a nerve and Elyssa was not about to admit to whatever it was she harbored deep inside.
Chapter 20
Kal thrust the door to his apartment open and stormed inside. Ra followed his brother and shook his head. He was worried. Kal had never been like this. Elyssa was really getting to him. Ra carefully closed the apartment door then made his way to the couch and sat down.
Kal paced and couldn’t find a comfortable position for his hands. First they were on his hips then he crossed his arms. Finally he grabbed his face and it looked like he was going to let out another roar but he didn’t.
“Calm down, Kal,” Ra said.
“Quit telling me to calm down!” Kal shouted.
“You’re doing exactly what she wants,” Ra explained.
“Maybe it’s what I want!” Kal shouted in return then decided to put his hands in his pockets while he paced back and forth.
“No, it’s not. You want Bree back,” Ra reasoned.
“Of course I want Bree back,” Kal said more quietly.
“This is not the way to accomplish that,” Ra said. He put his arms up on the back of the couch. Soon Kal plopped down beside him. Ra put one arm around his brother pulled him in and patted him on the chest with his free hand. “There’s my brother,” he joked.
Kal let a smile slip out then shot back to his feet and paced once more.
“We’re not winning, Ra,” Kal said.
“No, we’re not,” Ra agreed.
“We’re so far behind her. She has this all planned out. Contingencies for contingencies. She’s kicking our ass,” Kal said with exasperation.
“Yep,” Ra agreed.
“I’m just telling you things you already know,” Kal said as he stopped and looked at his brother.
“Yep,” Ra answered.
“Then help me,” Kal begged. The desperation in his eyes saddened Ra. Bree really was Kal’s world. Elyssa had picked the one thing Kal could not live without.
“As soon as you calm down. You remember what dad always used to tell us?” Ra asked.
“An angry man makes stupid decisions,” Kal admitted then plopped back down on the couch. He took a deep breath then stared at the wall. “What do we do?”
“That saying works just as well when it’s a woman,” Ra said with a smirk.
Kal stared at his brother in disbelief.
“You’re a genius,” Kal stated.
“No. I am just a better strategist than you are. Always was. You are more the rush in and see what happens type.” Ra laughed then got up and headed to the fridge. He pulled out a bottle of wine then grabbed two glasses and returned to the living room. He held up the glasses and lifted his eyebrows. Kal nodded so Ra poured them both a glass then handed one to his brother. He sat down and sipped his wine.
“How do we make her mad? We need her to be the one making mistakes,” Kal pondered.
“Well. You usually make her mad. Especially when she can’t get under your skin. But when she sees you getting angry. Like toppling a building?” Ra raised one eyebrow and gave his brother a condescending look.
“Ok. I lost my temper. She had it coming,” Kal replied guiltily.
“That’s the part you’re not getting. You didn’t hurt her at all. You just hurt all those vampires. They were cannon fodder. She didn’t care one bit about them. Your anger only proved that she could make you squirm.” Ra took another sip and Kal downed his whole glass.
“So help me do this better. I need Bree back,” Kal begged.
“To start with. Slow down. You’re even drinking your wine like you have somewhere you need to be. Take your time. She’s had centuries to scheme. This may not be her original plan but she has a huge head start.” Ra took another sip and grinned at his brother.
“Ok,” Kal said and leaned forward. He put his elbows on his knees and both hands on the wine glass. Ra saw what was coming and didn’t even bother to warn his brother. He could see Kal’s rage bubbling up as he fumed then…the glass in Kal’s hands shattered.
Ra just laughed as Kal stared at his bloody hands.
“You going to clean that up?” Ra asked.
“Yes, mom,” Kal whined.
“Hey. I told you once before. I will not have my sister-in-law yelling at me because I let you trash the place.” The grin on Ra’s face eased Kal’s mood.
“So what do we do?” Kal asked as he rushed to the kitchen to wash the blood from his hands. He gingerly picked the glass shards out then realized how ridiculous it was. He shifted into gargoyle form and the shards all shot out into the sink.
“There you go. Start thinking about what you are doing. Don’t just react,” Ra coached from the couch. He poured himself some more wine then sat back and took another sip.
“So what do we do oh great and wise general Ra?” Kal teased.
“First you get a broom and clean up this mess. Then you get a rag and wipe up the blood and wine from your wife’s lovely solid, wood floors. Then we plan,” Ra stated with a self-satisfied grin. “You’re just damn lucky you didn’t hit the couch. I’d have to disown you when she got home just to save my own skin.”
This time Kal laughed.
“She would hurt me wouldn’t she?” Kal asked as he swept up the last of the glass from the floor then headed to the bathroom to grab a rag.
“Thi
s time we find out where Elyssa is keeping her and we don’t go rushing in,” Ra said, took another sip then, as Kal walked out of the bathroom, he gave Kal a condescending, yet silly look. “Like I wanted to do last time.”
Kal stopped and returned the silly look.
“Yes, general,” Kal teased.
“There are three buildings left on our list. Another factory,” Ra started.
“To similar and too easy to predict,” Kal replied as he wiped up the remains of the mess.
“An abandoned sewage treatment plant,” Ra offered.
“Nah, too smelly for El,” Kal replied then headed back to the bathroom with the ruined rag.
“And, oh this one is perfect, a church in the middle of a renovation,” Ra said and grinned at Kal as he walked out of the bathroom.
Kal’s face brightened.
“That is perfect!” Kal exclaimed. “Plenty of room. No one would even wonder if people came in and out. And I bet the windows are all boarded up.”
“So first we…” Ra started but Kal rushed to the door.
“What are we waiting for?” Kal asked with a silly grin.
“You’re pulling my leg,” Ra sighed.
“Ok. You got me. What do we really do?” Kal asked and made his way back to the couch.”
“You might not be such a bad student after all,” Ra said then waited for Kal to sit. As soon as Kal was within reach he grabbed Kal around the neck and rubbed his knuckles on his head. “Little brother.”
Chapter 21
Bree woke and, although she felt like it was night, the room was lit up like a stage. Construction lamps were all over the huge, empty space. Bree stared up at the high ceilings and understood the echo she had heard before. She was in an old church, and a very expensively decorated one, at that. The marble pillar she was tied to was not the only one in the large, open room. She tilted her head. Beside her and behind her she counted eight columns in total, leading up to a pulpit with more marble décor.
Bree returned her gaze forward and saw Elyssa standing beside a large, metal machine. It looked like some kind of canon but different. What the hell was Elyssa planning this time?
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