Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy

by Nicole Grane

  He turned the knob and slowly opened the door. He moved through the doorway, his hand still holding the knob tightly.

  “I’ll find you . . .” I called after him, “ . . . if not now, in another life. We’ll be together again.”

  He hung his head.

  “Marcus . . .”

  He turned around. There was sadness and an indescribable fear that hung heavy in his eyes.

  I tried to stand taller. With each passing moment, new life breathed into my broken body. “I love you,” I repeated.

  He appeared in front of me an instant later, taking me up in his arms. I ignored the pain of it. His lips collided with mine, not bothering to take care of the blood that still lingered on them.

  I could feel the instant spark that had always connected us. I pulled him closer, kissing him desperately, as if this would be the very last time our lips would touch; the very last time we might hold each other. He shared my desire and I suspected my fears as well—

  Too soon he pulled back; his soft brown eyes looked adoringly into mine. A smile once again touched his eyes. I breathed in deeply, taking in his scent, burning it into my memory for all time.

  He brought my lips to his once more, kissing them one last time before he turned and left the room—taking my heart with him.

  Chapter 32: Sacrifices

  “Excuse me Miss; I knocked . . .” Richard was standing beside me.

  “Hum?” I didn’t turn to look at him. I was staring out the window, watching Marcus mount his horse.

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine, Miss. Try not to worry.” By now, Richard had become pretty good at assessing my feelings, especially where Marcus was concerned.

  “You are a sight Miss. Can I call a doctor for you?”

  “There isn’t time.” My response was almost mechanical. I was so engrossed in watching Marcus; I couldn’t afford to pry my attention away from him for even a moment. My eyes drank in every detail. For all I knew, this might be the last time I saw him.

  Raymose waved enthusiastically from a top his horse—the fool—he was excited to go. After the “little tussle” with Damen, he was more eager than ever to get his fangs into him. He bowed dramatically, turned his horse and dug in. He was out of sight in a matter of seconds.

  Marcus stared long toward the window, his eyes locking with mine. He looked so solemn. I wanted to reach out to him and hold him, to tell him he didn’t have to go, but I knew he’d never shirk his duty. Honestly, I didn’t want him to. It was one of the qualities I admired most about him. It always had been, even when I was the other Phoebe. He nodded once, then turned his horse and cantered off.

  My heart fell as panic engulfed me. His mind wasn’t focused. He was worried . . . about me! I saw it in his eyes.

  “He’s in trouble Richard.” I stared after Marcus, gripping the windowsill, watching breathlessly as he disappeared into the trees.

  “Yes, Miss.”

  “You saw it too?” I turned to Richard. He didn’t need to answer; it was written all over his face.

  It was just like last time . . . I’d had a feeling he’d needed me . . . only this time, I wasn’t going after him. This time I’d promised I’d go wherever Richard took me.

  “I don’t wish to rush you, Miss, but time is of the essence. I have a change of clothing for you in the armoire.” Richard spoke hurriedly as he ushered me across the room. I opened the door and saw an outfit that did not belong to me.

  “It’s yours, Miss. At least it was . . . once upon a time.” He smiled.

  “I don’t understand?”

  “It’s made of leather Miss. It should help withstand any teeth that may try to penetrate it.”

  I gave him a confused look.

  “You did promise to go only where I lead you . . . It just so happens we’re going in the same direction Mr. Marcus has gone.” A wry smile claimed him. “Should we happen to meet up with him . . .”

  I threw my arms around Richard and kissed his cheek repeatedly.

  “Yes, Miss, don’t thank me yet,” Richard warned. “You must understand that I am only one. I can only keep so many off you. You will have to look out for yourself.”

  “Of course Richard, thank you.” I collected myself as best I could, wiping the tears from my face.

  “Considering your present condition . . .” Richard began, “I’m not sure it’s a wise idea.”

  “I’m fine Richard!” I forced my body to stand straight. If Richard had the nerve to take me into battle, then I was going to stand tall for him. I’d crumple into a heap and die later. Marcus needed me.

  “Yes well, you’ll need to clean up as much of the blood as you can. We’ll be surrounded by an army of vampires as well, so it won’t do us any good to have you bleeding now would it?”

  “I’ll clean up every drop,” I assured.

  He frowned at my enthusiasm “There are some boots for you as well. I believe you are the same size?”

  I picked the boots up, turning them slightly. They were in impeccable condition. I didn’t know how they could have possibly stood the test of time.

  “I’ll have your sword fastened to your saddle. Rain is waiting at the south entrance as we speak; I’ll meet you downstairs shortly.” He moved to leave the room.

  “Richard,” I called out after him.

  “Yes, Miss?”

  I stared at him for a moment, biting my lip. “Do you think he’ll be alright?”

  “I truly hope so, Miss.” He shut the door quietly behind him.

  I went to the bathroom and washed my body off as fast as I could. I bandaged every scrape I had, regardless of its severity.

  The outfit Richard had provided for me was the same I’d worn in my dreams. I recognized it now. The pants were made of blackened leather, fairly snug, like the top—although surprisingly modest looking and light weight. The boots, a perfect fit, came just below the knee and very stylish, even by today’s standards. I looked at myself in a mirror. The old Phoebe smiled back at me. I was glad she was with me now. I’d need her strength tonight. “I can do this,” I told the both of us.

  I moved down the stairs as quickly as I could. Richard was pacing anxiously in the entry.

  “Well, Richard?” I asked as I turned around for him to inspect me.

  “You are a vision, Miss. I was right; a perfect fit.” He smiled, obviously pleased with himself.

  “Thank you, Richard, for everything.” I hugged him once again. I didn’t know if it would be the last opportunity I had, and I wanted to make the most of it.

  “The pleasure has been mine, Miss. Shall we?” He motioned to the door.

  I took a deep breath and followed him to the horses that were saddled and ready.

  I rubbed Rain’s neck before I got on. His eyes were red tonight . . .

  “Richard, I’ve always meant to ask Marcus, but Rain’s eyes—”

  “Red? Yes I know. He’s immortal as well,” Richard said casually as he got onto his snowy white steed.

  “But how?” I knew he was from the first time I’d rode him. He could sense a werewolf from far off. His speed was unlike any other horse I’d seen—he was faster than Marcus even! But to hear it out loud seemed more fanciful than Marcus admitting he was an actual vampire.

  “It was an experiment. Luther infected him after Phoebe’s death to see what would happen. Rain was such a part of her; he wanted to keep him alive forever. You see Luther had given Rain as a gift to Phoebe when she was very young. Mr. Marcus has kept him ever since her death, forbidding to part with him.”

  “Then, he’s a sort of vampire too?” I asked, not fully comprehending what I was being told.

  “In a way. He drinks blood as well as water. He’s a fairly normal horse with just a few exceptions,” Richard explained.

  “The others?” I motioned to the barn.

  “They all are. Their speed is a great asset when hunting the wolves.”

  I climbed onto Rain and adjusted myself in the saddle. I looked over
at Richard, a question popping to mind.

  “Richard . . . does it bother you that Marcus is a Moon Hunter?”

  He regarded me carefully. “Lord Ashworth has served your father his whole existence. It’s all he knows. His life has been about revenge against those who stole his family from him. Aidric, Damen, it doesn’t matter who it was. Until they’re dead, he will know no peace.”

  “You didn’t really answer my question, Richard.”

  He smiled a crooked smile. “I do not fault him for hunting down those who brutally killed his family, Miss.” His expression was sincere. “Now remember, there will be werewolves as well as vampires. I will do my best to protect you, but you must be ready to fight whoever attacks you. That may include your father.” He raised his eyebrows slightly.

  Luther. I nodded my head in understanding. The thought of having to fight my own father left a sickening feeling in my stomach.

  “And who will you be fighting Richard?” I regarded him carefully. Just what side would he take?

  “I will be fighting anything that tries to harm you Miss.” He bowed his head.

  “Sarah is a lucky girl Richard. I hope she knows that.” A rare shade of blush colored his cheeks. “And so is Lord Ashworth, Miss; although I suspect he knows this.”

  Now it was my turn to blush.

  Richard cleared his throat. “Mr. Marcus will be furious when he sees you. He’ll want to protect you. You must hold your own. He can’t afford to let his guard down. There will be too many of them to count.”

  “I understand Richard; I won’t be a burden.”

  I followed Richard in silence. The air was cool and misty. A low fog had already settled in. It would be another dreary day that approached . . . if we lived to see it.

  We rode quickly through the woods. This was a trail I’d not been on before. The trees didn’t grow so close together here. It was easy for the moon to stretch her light all the way to the forest floor. It had dropped slightly, but it was full none-the-less. The sky was eerie tonight. Some might say it was a perfect night for werewolves . . .

  Aside from our horses’ hooves moving across the ground, all had been quiet—except for now—a low roar rose above the silence.

  The horses’ ears twitched as they moved swiftly through the trees. They didn’t need direction. They led us to a steep embankment where they stopped abruptly, rearing up on their hind legs. They neighed loudly, hot air escaping their nostrils. I held onto the reins as I peered over the edge with caution. I could almost feel the heat from the torches burning below us. Their bright glow lit the horror we were about to intrude upon.

  There had to be hundreds and hundreds of them! It looked like a scene from a movie, a medieval battlefield: men on horseback with torches and swords, slaying one another. Only these men were fighting werewolves, and they weren’t men themselves—they were vampires.

  The once low roar from below that carried lightly through the night was growing louder. The growling and snarling and high pitched yelping echoed around us.

  “Miss?”

  I let out a breath of air I didn’t know I was holding. “Richard, my name is Phoebe. If we’re going down there . . .” the words caught in my throat, “ . . . it’s time you called me Phoebe.”

  “Yes, Miss Phoebe.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and smiled in spite of myself.

  A soft glow was coming from the east. Dawn was approaching. My eyes searched tirelessly for Marcus, desperate for a glimpse of him. I had to see that he was all right. My eyes settled on an unexpected sight: Luther. I recognized him at once.

  He looked at me in disbelief—as if his eyes were playing tricks on him. His stare was penetrating. Even from this distance, his eyes were the bluest I’d ever beheld. He was extremely handsome sitting tall on his horse. He looked almost regal, like a king. His figure was broad and muscular. His face, that looked so stern when we first locked eyes, was softer now. I couldn’t help but smile as I bowed my head instinctively.

  His mouth dropped open a little. There was no question now—I was real to him.

  I slipped off Rain’s back and gave him a little nudge. “Go on boy . . . run.” He stood there, staring at me. I could swear he thought I was crazy. “Go on Rain . . . save yourself!” I smacked him hard on the rear. He neighed loudly and bolted back toward the castle. I stared after him, wishing I were riding away with him . . .

  “Ready Miss?” Richard gave me one last questioning look before he slid down the embankment. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and stepped off—

  I didn’t have time to assess my surroundings. Richard pushed me aside as he collided violently with one of the wolves. I was surrounded in a matter of seconds. I gripped my sword tightly, swinging it at the closest one to me, surprising myself as I struck him down with one blow. I spun around, just as a large brown wolf jumped up and over me, to tear at the throat of another—it was Richard!

  He didn’t seem as scary looking as the rest of them. His fur looked softer. Not ratty like the others. He was extremely large, more so than the ones he fought. I was glad he was on my side. Marcus was wise to leave me with him. He fought ferociously, protecting me from any threat.

  But even Richard had his limitations. He’d been right. We were inundated in a matter of minutes. I kept close behind him, holding my sword at the ready, following him into the chaos. I slashed my way through the wolves, killing as many as I could. They were truly vile. I couldn’t imagine I would ever be like them. They were grotesquely huge. Their razor sharp teeth snapping at anything they could grab onto. Their piercing yellow eyes were haunting—I killed them without hesitation.

  There he was . . . Marcus! I sighed in relief. He was alive!

  A sharp blow to the side knocked me a good twenty feet from where I’d been standing. I shook my head, trying to orient myself. I didn’t know how, but somehow I’d managed to hold onto my sword. I looked around; I couldn’t see Richard anywhere.

  “Who are you?” A voice hissed.

  I stood up slowly, my sword extended between me and a vampire. My hand shook under its weight. “What does it matter?” I breathed, “I’m helping you.” My eyes narrowed as I watched him step slowly toward me.

  He was a little smaller than Marcus. His hair was blonde and kept short above the ears. His eyes were red—darker somehow than Marcus's or Raymose’s ever were—and they were fixed on me.

  I took a step back from him. I could hear my heart beat over the roars around me. I was terrified, and by the look on his face, he knew it.

  “You’re human!” he hissed sharply, a sound of disgust coming off his tongue. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. “I can smell your blood . . .” His eyes popped open. “It’s not possible!” His lips peeled back, baring his teeth.

  I jumped back, my sword raised higher now.

  His head jerked around like a snake trying to decide where to strike. I gripped my sword tighter. Sweat began to drip from my forehead as he circled around me. I moved with him, joining in on the deadly dance.

  “You’re a . . . werewolf!” He snarled, the sound almost feral.

  “NO!” I shook my head.

  “You lie! I can smell you.” He looked at me as if I were something dangerous and should to be killed instantly.

  “Do not touch her, Javen!”

  “Raymose,” the vampire spoke with such venom, the words nearly spat from his mouth. “She’s human . . . and wolf! She should not be alive!” he hissed.

  “She’s Luther’s daughter and is therefore protected!” Raymose announced as he asserted himself between us, extending his sword. “You will not touch her.”

  “She is not Luther’s daughter,” The vampire hissed. “I watched her die!” His words were cold and unfeeling. Something about them struck me.

  “I’m warning you Javen. She is not to be harmed.” Raymose’s tone was deadly. I shivered at the fierceness of it.

  “It’s treachery to protect her!” Javen sn
arled, inching closer to us.

  “It’s treacherous not to!” Raymose roared. “She is your sister!”

  The words echoed through my head. My mouth hung open as I stared at Javen in disbelief. “I have a brother?” I gasped. I hadn’t remembered that . . . why?

  “You are not my sister,” he hissed. “My sister was no werewolf!”

  I didn’t know what to say. I stood there, speechless. I had a brother?

  “She is your sister,” Raymose growled. “And you will protect her as such!”

  “No! She’s nothing more than a rabid dog,” he spat, staring angrily into my eyes.

  Raymose hissed protectively. “You think you can get past me, boy?” Raymose’s words were sharp, yet taunting.

  Javen’s eyes narrowed, deliberating his next move. By the look on his face, I could tell he’d been waiting for this moment for a very, very, long time. He grinned.

  “Raymose.” I reached out and gripped his arm tightly—he held me back behind him. Javen took a step closer, his teeth clenched.

  “Please, I’m only trying to help you,” I begged.

  Javen ignored my pleas, focusing only on Raymose. His smile was sinister. “Luther will have your head for this . . . and I’ll have hers.”

  Raymose pushed me back abruptly, just as Javen lunged for him. I landed several yards away. I scooted back, cowering on the ground as the two vampires fought viciously over me. Their bodies collided into one another with the force of giant boulders. Raymose, who always managed to keep Javen a safe distance from me, was clearly the better fighter.

  I was so focused on their fight, that I didn’t notice Damen until he’d grabbed my arm and yanked me off the ground violently. He had his arms around my waist and had thrown me over his shoulder before I could protest.

  “Put me down!” I screamed

  “Are you crazy? You’ll be killed.” He growled under his breath as he ran with great speed through the chaos. “Javen wants your blood more than anyone.”

  “What do you care?” I shouted over my shoulder. I tried to hit him with the back of the sword, as I kicked my legs, trying to free myself.