I stared around in awe as I realised this was what the world had been like before the Final War. Before the vampires.
A woman came jogging towards me, her hair loose and golden like the rays of the sun. “I know, I know,” she called as she approached, a smile dancing on her lips. “I’m late again. But I promise I’ll make it up to you!”
Her gaze was on someone right behind me and I turned to see who she was talking to.
“Dad?” I asked in surprise as my eyes landed on him. He was younger than the man who lay dying in the barn. His hair was thicker and darker, less lines marked his skin.
The huge smile he had plastered across his face slipped as his gaze moved from the woman to me. “Callie?”
I spun back to look at the woman again, suddenly realising who she was. My mom stood before me, her features clearer than they ever were in my own memories. I reached out to touch her but she dissolved before my eyes, swirling away alongside everything else that surrounded us.
I quickly turned back to my dad, wondering what the hell was happening. He was the only thing that remained with me as everything else disappeared. Slowly, he began to change: lines formed beside his eyes and his hair thinned too. It started to turn silver at the sides, far more grey appearing than was there in real life. I wondered if that was how he saw himself.
“What is this?” I asked in confusion.
“I was just visiting the best parts of my life,” he replied, lifting a hand to my cheek. His touch felt as solid and real as if he were truly standing before me. A tear slid down my skin.
“Does it hurt?” I asked. “Are you in pain?”
“No, my love. I only wish Montana were here too.” At his words, the scene around us changed and shivered until we were standing in our old apartment in the Realm. Montana stood between us. Her eyes were full of more life than I remembered and her smile was wider than it had often been. I realised I was seeing her the way that he did. I’d always noticed the sadness in her eyes but he’d always seen the light. Perhaps my life under the rule of the vampires had left me damaged in some way if even my memories held a touch of misery.
Though Montana had joined us, it wasn’t the same. She smiled and blinked and looked almost normal but it wasn’t really her. This was Dad’s dream and we were the only ones who were really here. He just wanted Montana with us.
“Are you really here Callie? Is it truly you?” he asked as he frowned at me. “Something tells me it’s really you standing there.”
“It is me. Do you remember what happened?” I stepped closer and took his hand. It felt so firm and real in my own, I could have sworn we were truly together.
“Are we free?” A smile lit his face as he thought back on it. “Did you come and rescue your old Dad?”
“I did but...” My gaze travelled to Montana, I didn’t know how much he knew about what had happened to her.
“The vampires took her somewhere else,” he said and I could hear the pain of being separated from her in his voice. “The one who held me said someone called Count Erik took her and that he wants you too. You have to keep away from that-”
My dad stumbled forward and sank to his knees as the dream world around us flickered in and out of focus. Montana fizzled out of existence and I moved to grasp his arm as we were left in darkness.
“Callie?” He frowned up at me in confusion as I helped to pull him back to his feet.
“I’m still here,” I assured him. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with you for as long as you need me.”
Dad ran a hand over his face and the darkness around us began to lift until we found ourselves standing in a park filled with lush green grass. Dad looked at something over my shoulder and I turned to find Mom and Montana lying on a red and white chequered blanket. The sun warmed my skin and birdsong filled the air.
This wasn’t a memory. Montana and I had never been to a place like that. And our mom had died long before we’d grown up. I looked down and found myself wearing a thin blue dress with daisies around the hem. It was perfect for the rolling heat that surrounded us but I’d never worn anything like it in real life. I guessed this was how Dad wished our lives had been. Lazy days in the sunshine with all of us together.
Dad moved to sit beside Mom and she took his hand, gazing at him lovingly.
“Sit down Callie,” Montana pleaded. “You’re blocking the sun.”
I noticed the shadow I was casting over all of them and smiled as I sat too. This was too weird. But it was too good to miss out on. Tears prickled in the backs of my eyes as I gazed around at my family. I wished this was real. I wanted it more desperately than I’d ever wanted anything in my life.
They all made small talk and joked together and I just watched, basking in the glorious almost-reality.
“Have you forgotten why you’re here?” Dad asked me suddenly and I looked up at him in confusion. For a moment I couldn’t work out why he wanted to ruin such a perfect moment. And then I couldn’t remember why I had come at all. There was something dark waiting for me outside of this perfect illusion. Something I didn’t want to face. It was so tempting to lose myself in the dream. To let it become mine as well as Dad’s and just soak it in for as long as it lasted.
I glanced at Montana but instead of laughing in the sunshine, I found her terrified and struggling against the hold of a man whose face was obscured in shadow. I tried to reach for her but found her further away than she’d been a moment ago.
Each time I tried to close the distance between us, it grew instead.
“You need to get to her,” Dad said urgently and I turned back to him. Mom and the picnic blanket were gone. The park was no longer bathed in sunshine but a full moon had risen into the dark sky.
“But I don’t know how. I need to get to the Belvederes. Wolfe said they’re in New York but I don’t know where that is!” The enormity of the task before me was enough to drown me. I didn’t even know where to begin.
The heavy wooden table which had sat in our old apartment materialised beside him and Dad laid a big piece of paper over it. I bent closer to see it and recognised the battered map he’d scavenged from the ruins when we were children. He’d spent some time trying to teach us about the states and cities from the world before the Final War but it had never meant much to me. Our world was confined to the Realm and anything beyond that had been impossible to imagine until recently.
“We’re here, in northern Washington.” Dad pointed at a place on the left of the map. “If Montana is being held in New York then you’re going to have to cross the whole country. It’s not a short trip.” He traced his finger all the way over to the right-hand side of the map and tapped on a spot near the coast.
“How long will it take?” I asked. If Montana could just hold out for a few more days then maybe we could get her out...
“On foot? Weeks. Months actually. Too long. But if the vampires already have her there then there must be another route available. Over the years I’ve heard them talking about supply trains coming from the east once or twice. That might be your best bet.”
“What’s a train?” I asked in confusion, the term was vaguely familiar to me but I couldn’t remember what he’d told me about them.
The ground beneath my feet started to vibrate and a deep rumbling echoed all around us. Wooden tracks appeared beside us, marking a trail through the darkness.
“The tracks will lead you to them,” Dad said.
The noise continued to grow as something huge closed in on us. I turned as a gust of wind pulled at my hair and found myself looking at a monstrous metal vehicle as it sped towards me. The train shot past us, sending my long hair flying as it raced by. Carriage after carriage loaded with all kinds of things from people to stacks of lumber to vehicles. I stared after it with my mouth hanging open. My dad’s stories had never been able to explain things like that. The images my brain had conjured were not in any way like the reality.
Before I could think of anything to
say in response to what I’d just seen, a roar started in the sky and I twisted to look up as a gigantic metal bird soared overhead. I blinked rapidly, realising this was an aeroplane.
“The other option would be to fly,” Dad explained as he stepped closer to me. “But it would be a lot harder to find a way to board a plane secretly than a train.”
“What if I can’t do it?” I breathed, uttering my deepest fear. What if there was no way I could free Montana from the Belvederes? I may have had Magnar on my side but we were still only two people. And they were the leaders of this new and fucked up world. A thousand vampires could be standing between us and them.
“I believe in you Callie. The two of you are two halves of one whole. I know you’ll find your way back to each other.” He smiled at me encouragingly but I still wasn’t convinced.
Everything around us flickered in and out of focus and suddenly my dad disappeared too.
My heart leapt in panic and I twisted around, trying to locate him in the darkness. He appeared again behind me and sank down to sit on a soft, brown armchair.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave you soon, Little Sun,” he sighed and I could tell he was struggling to form the words.
“Not yet,” I begged as I ran towards him and grabbed his hand. “Please stay with me a bit longer.” The rising tide of grief was growing closer but I pushed it back, wanting to enjoy what time I had left with him.
“I wish I could. I wish that I’d gotten us out of the Realm before now. I wish I could have given you girls a real life. A free life. I wish... so many things. More than I ever got to give you. Most of all I just want you to be together. Free and happy. Promise me you’ll find happiness.”
“How can I be happy without you?” Pain was constricting my chest and my grip on his fingers began to feel like it was the only thing keeping him there at all.
“You will be. I know you can be. Take this.” He removed Mom’s wedding ring from the chain around his neck and handed it to me. “Your mom wanted you girls to have it but as there were two of you I never knew which one of you to give it to. Then I just got used to wearing it. Maybe you can take turns once you get back to Montana.” He smiled knowingly; the two of us had never been able to share well as children and ‘take turns’ had become Dad’s catchphrase as he was constantly reminding us. The thought that I’d never hear him say it again nearly tore me in two.
“I’ll find her Dad. I promise,” I said, knowing he needed to hear it.
He let out a deep sigh and our surroundings began to shimmer unsteadily. When they solidified again, he’d moved away from me and the chair was gone. My hand closed on nothing where his fingers had just been. My Mom reappeared standing further away still, a serene smile on her face.
Someone took my hand and I found Montana standing beside me, smiling bravely. It still wasn’t truly her though.
Dad walked away from us, pulling Mom close and pressing a kiss to her lips. I wanted to follow him but a gulf of space had opened up between us and I was forced to remain where I was or fall into the ravine.
“I love you girls.” Dad said sadly as he turned to face us one last time. “Never forget it.”
I tried to reach for him, to cry out and beg him to stay with me but everything faded away. The last thing that remained was the golden ring in my fist, its imprint forcing its way onto my palm as I gripped it tightly but then that faded too. And I was left alone.
Magnar was shaking me as I came back to my own body and a sob escaped my lips as I woke in his arms.
“I’m so sorry Callie,” he breathed.
I pushed myself upright and buried myself against his chest as tears poured from my eyes in a steady torrent. I didn’t need to hear why he was sorry. I already knew. Pain flourished through my chest more sharply than I’d ever felt it before and he held me tightly as sobs racked my body and the grief came crashing in.
My Dad was gone.
Pick him. Nightmare purred its agreement with Erik’s offer for the millionth time. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Nightmare hadn’t shut up about it since. Who knew why the blade seemed to trust Erik, but maybe it was worth putting my faith in. It hadn’t led me astray before...
I stood with a drink in my hand, keeping my distance from the surrounding vampires in the ballroom. The other humans were caught in conversation with many of the Elite, but I avoided every eye that came my way.
Erik had just given me the option I needed but it still left me with one problem. The mark.
Miles would tell Erik if I betrayed him. So I had to tell him first. Frustratingly, Erik was currently surrounded by vampires. Every time he seemed to break away and I shifted toward him, someone else would snare his attention.
Anxiety seized me. I needed to discuss this now before I was forced to choose a Count in front of the whole crowd.
Music started up and the guests parted to make a dance floor at the centre of the room. Clarice pulled Frank into a slow dance as the soft strumming of a string instrument trilled through the air. Fabian approached Paige, offering her his arm and she quickly joined him in a dance. Miles and Erik started searching the crowd and I knew there was only one person they were looking for. Me.
This is my chance!
I made a path for Erik, placing my drink on a waiter’s tray. Miles approached faster, gripping my wrist and pulling me onto the dance floor.
Goddammit.
I watched as Erik stood at the edge of the crowd, looking like he was about to walk out here and take me from Miles' arms.
Please do.
Miles pulled me against him and I rested one hand on the shoulder of his dark green jacket, having no choice but to comply.
He tugged me closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “All set for today?”
I considered telling him the truth, but I couldn't risk him talking to Erik before I did. So I beamed and nodded. “Of course.”
“We're gonna make a great couple. I'll move you into an apartment that overlooks the Brooklyn bridge. You can have anything you want Montana, you just have to name it.”
“And in return you want children?” I said through gritted teeth.
He cleared his throat as he led me faster around the dance floor. “Yeah...but it's the only thing I'll ask of you, I promise.”
I shook my head in anger. “I don’t want to.”
“I know,” Miles said in a low tone, moving his mouth to my ear. “I don't want this either, but it's the only way. And the kids are worth it, I promise you’ll love them.”
“The only way for what?” I whispered, ignoring his final comment. I wouldn’t be having children with him. Ever.
He shook his head, his sparkling blue eyes dimming. “Not here, Montana. I'll tell you after the ceremony.”
I was about to push him for answers when Erik snared my waist, cutting into the dance. Miles bowed his head to him, but he looked annoyed as he backed up into the crowd and folded his arms.
Erik guided me along, his eyes pinned somewhere over my head as we moved. I tried not to falter, but didn't really care what the crowd thought of my dancing abilities.
“So?” Erik breathed. “You've made your choice?”
“You told me to pick someone else,” I said in a whisper, unsure how much I should say, but Fabian looked engrossed in a conversation with Paige.
“And now I'm telling you otherwise, Rebel. Keep up.” His mouth lifted in a smirk and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
I gathered my courage, wishing we could have had a more private place for me to reveal the truth. But I’d run out of time.
“Your sister’s on her way here, are you excited to see her?” Erik asked, throwing me off balance.
Callie...what if Erik refused my deal when I told him about the mark? What would keep her safe then?
“I want to change the deal,” I blurted.
Erik hitched up an eyebrow. “Again?”
“Yes, again. Callie doesn't come here. She goes free with Dad.”<
br />
Erik pressed his tongue into his cheek as he avoided my eye. “We'll talk about it after the ceremony. Besides, don't you want to see her?”
“Of course I do but...we're still prisoners here, Erik. It might look freer, but it's just another way of being a captive.” And I can’t risk her getting caught up in this.
My eyes strayed to the children who were beginning to dance and integrate with the crowd.
Erik followed my gaze, tugging me closer. “You're not a prisoner, Rebel. Once this is over, you can move elsewhere. In the city or to the country, wherever you prefer.”
“I just got a very similar offer from your brother,” I said dryly.
“I've already told you I won't hold you to that deal. Children was never the plan for me,” Erik said, though his eyes flickered with something I couldn't decipher.
The song was coming to an end and I started to fear what would happen if I didn’t tell Erik the truth right now. “Erik, promise me you’ll set Callie free, no matter what happens.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?” Erik stopped dancing, holding me firmly by the waist.
“Promise me,” I begged, clutching his lapels.
He skated his thumb across my cheek, his voice lowering. “Just tell me what’s wrong.”
I reached for my right arm, my fingers brushing the place the mark was hidden. “Erik, I-”
“Master, a word please!” General Wolfe burst through the crowd, his hair disheveled as he marched toward us straight across the dance floor. He awkwardly clutched his back as he moved, his expression stretched with discomfort.
“Wolfe, what the hell are you doing here?” Erik demanded, releasing me as he took in the fiendish General.
Nightmare flared with hunger as if it longed to drive itself into the heart of the beast before us. My heart beat harder as I searched the space beyond Wolfe, suddenly terrified I might see Callie there. But there was no sign of her.
“I got the first flight back – I lost my phone. It's very important I talk with you.” Wolfe bowed low and I noticed many of the vampires behind him were beginning to mutter.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 46