Erik stood there, holding her head between his hands. With a roar of anger, he tore it from her shoulders with impossible ease. Blood splattered over him and the Biters released me in an instant, cowering beneath him.
“Wait!” a male cried, but Erik caught him by the collar, plunging his hand into his chest and ripping out his heart. He grabbed the next one, tearing out her throat and dropping her body beside me. The final Biter fled and Erik gazed after him as he darted out of the door into the rain.
I stared up at his snarling expression, shock keeping me frozen on the floor.
He leant down, dragging me up by the hand and checking me over. When he spotted the bite marks, his eyes turned to deepest shade. Pain sizzled through the wounds, but I tried not to focus on it even though it burned like hell.
I turned to find Paige and my heart crumpled as I spotted her broken body on the floor, her lifeless eyes glazed over.
A sob caught in my throat and Erik pressed a hand to my back.
“Valentina let them in,” I gasped as my thoughts realigned. “She’s one of them.”
He searched the crowd behind us with a snarl and I spotted Valentina using Nightmare to kill guard after guard.
“Traitor,” Erik growled, keeping my hand in his as he stormed toward her.
Valentina gasped as she spotted him, forcing her way between the guards to get away.
A bellow filled my ears and I was knocked sideways as Julius collided with us, trying to drag me away. He aimed his sword at Erik to keep him back and I screamed in fright, catching his arm as I tried to stop him advancing.
“You promised,” I hissed at Julius,
“I'm keeping my promise, now let's go.”
“Not happening,” Erik snarled, stepping menacingly toward him. His eyes swung to me momentarily. “You invited him here?”
“I had to,” I breathed with an apology in my eyes.
Erik snarled, advancing on Julius. “You're not taking her. I'll kill you first.”
He lunged forward and Julius swung Menace in a deadly arc.
“No!” I screamed as Erik darted aside, missing the blow by inches. I leapt onto Julius's back as he swung Menace again, aiming for Erik's arm to keep him at bay.
“Stop!” I cried, pulling back on Julius’s neck.
He wheeled around, trying to shake me off, but I clamped my hands over his eyes so he couldn’t see.
Erik gazed at me in alarm then bared his fangs at Julius.
“Don’t you dare!” I shouted at Erik.
Julius grabbed my legs, pulling sharply so I fell backwards and hit the floor. I kicked the back of his knees and he buckled as he swung the sword at Erik again. “It's self defence!” he shouted, but I was sure he wouldn't hesitate to kill Erik if he got too close.
Clarice dove over Erik’s head like an angel of death, colliding with Julius and taking him to the floor beside me. She straddled him, grasping his neck as he flailed, trying to turn Menace toward her. I rolled onto my knees as Clarice’s nails dug into his throat.
“Don't hurt him!” I begged, throwing myself across Julius’s chest. Erik stepped on Julius’s wrist and he groaned in pain, releasing Menace from his grip. Erik kicked it away from him and snarled at Julius, looking ready to rip him apart.
“Clarice, please don’t kill him,” I begged as Julius’s heavy breaths fluttered my hair. She gazed down at me in dismay then looked to Erik for directions.
Julius took their hesitation as a gift, shoving Clarice back and rolling away. He was on his feet in seconds, dragging me against him like a shield. “Sword,” he commanded and Erik released a noise like a feral animal.
“You're dead,” he growled.
“Not before she is,” Julius bluffed and I hoped Erik distrusted him enough to believe him.
Erik glanced at Clarice, his jaw ticking angrily. He kicked the sword to Julius and he snatched it up.
“Go,” I hissed at Julius, prising his fingers from my neck.
“I won't leave y-”
“GO!” I shoved him and Clarice darted forward, forcing him to run. She chased after him and they sprinted out onto the rain-swept street.
“We need to get out of here,” Erik demanded, still seething as he gazed after Julius and his sister.
“Not without Callie,” I insisted.
A heated trickle ran down my neck and I lifted a hand to the blood there, wincing from the pain.
A scream caught my ear that sent a wave of horror through me. I pushed past Erik, not caring what lay ahead as I searched for her.
Callie was close. And she was in trouble.
Magnar dropped me and I wasn’t sure if it was because of Idun’s will or his desire to kill Fabian. The rest of the vampires nearby had fled, leaving a ring of space surrounding us. I surveyed the area carefully, watching out for any other vampires who might try to move against us but they’d all headed to the far end of the cathedral.
Fabian stood at the other end of the aisle, his gaze flitting between me and Magnar as if he couldn’t decide which one of us to fix his attention on. Tension spiralled in the space which divided us, thick with the promise of violence.
I tore my eyes away from him, scouring the panicking crowd for any sign of Montana but I couldn’t spot her amongst them. Fear gripped me; I’d come so far to rescue her, I couldn’t fail her now.
“I need to get to my sister,” I breathed as Magnar raised his swords, ready for battle.
“Julius is getting her,” he replied confidently. “We’ll meet them outside once I’m finished here.”
Relief flooded me and I nodded, looking around once more in case I could spot them heading for an exit. Julius had gotten her away from the Belvederes once already; I was sure he could do it again.
I stepped aside as Magnar moved towards Fabian and my heart pounded with fear for both of them. I tried to force the concern I felt for Fabian out of my skull but it wouldn’t budge. It was like a seed that had burrowed under my skin and wouldn’t leave. It had taken root and had no intention of releasing me.
But perhaps his death would free me. If I could only force myself to stand back and watch then maybe Magnar would break the chain which bound me to my enemy. The thought alone sent terror racing through me and I reminded myself of all the reasons I had to hate him.
Fabian’s eyes fell on me and he raised a hand, beckoning me towards him. He’d removed his jacket and pushed up the sleeves of his white shirt in preparation for his fight with Magnar. My gaze was drawn to his biceps and I closed my eyes before any more unwelcome thoughts found their way in.
“I swore I’d always protect you, Callie,” Fabian called and I opened my eyes again at the sound of his voice. “Come here, please.”
I took a step in his direction then forced myself to stop, shaking my head in a firm refusal. “Get out of my head!”
I looked to Magnar so that I could remind myself of who I truly was. He was my kin, my anchor. I’d sworn an oath to stand by his side and I had no intention of abandoning him. His brows were pinched together in confusion as he watched me struggling against the urge to join Fabian.
“What have you done to her?” Magnar growled, returning his attention to the royal vampire before us.
“She is my wife,” Fabian hissed as he stooped to retrieve a silver sword from the ground beside the uniform of a dead guard. “And she loves me.”
Magnar’s gaze flickered back to me for a moment before returning to Fabian. “She is a slayer,” he replied angrily. “She was born to destroy you; she could never love you.”
I opened my mouth to agree with him but something stopped me.
Magnar lifted Venom higher, pointing it at Fabian’s chest before tossing Tempest to me. I caught the heavy blade automatically, surprise flooding me as its presence swept through me.
Hello Dream Walker. Shall we dance?
The blade’s energy was darker and more forbidding than Fury’s but it hungered for the blood of the vampires in just the same way.
“Come Callie, let’s show this creature just how much you love him,” Magnar growled as he began to advance on my husband.
I hesitated for a moment and Fabian’s gaze met mine, his eyes full of longing. But his feelings couldn’t be any more real than my own. We’d been placed under some spell of the gods and I refused to let them drive my fate anymore.
I gritted my teeth and pushed my consciousness towards Tempest’s thirst for blood. I could trust the blade to guide me back to the path I’d chosen even if I wasn’t sure if I could trust myself.
I called on my gifts and my ancestors’ memories rose in me. They knew all about Fabian; he’d killed many of them and some of them had seen weaknesses in his fighting skill before their end came. I could use that knowledge against him. And my rage at their deaths helped to remind me of what he truly was. With Magnar by my side we were sure to succeed where they’d failed.
Magnar released a cry as he charged into battle and I mimicked him, holding Tempest high as I followed.
Fabian lunged beneath Venom and brought his own sword around so quickly that I was sure Magnar was about to lose an arm. The clash of steel rang out as he managed to block the blow just in time and the two of them fell into a ferocious battle.
Their swords met again and again before Magnar’s foot suddenly collided with Fabian’s chest. He was thrown backwards, skidding across the concrete floor on his polished shoes until he came to a halt right before me.
His eyes met mine and he lowered his sword a fraction just as I swung Tempest over my head at him with a cry of effort.
Aim true, Sun Child.
Fabian flinched back in surprise, barely parrying the blow before I spun aside and swung at him again.
My movements weren’t as fluid as they should have been as whatever it was that bound me to him fought against my actions. He blocked my blows and I was sure he could have countered them easily but he didn’t attempt to. His face was taut with barely contained emotion and I could tell he had no intention of harming me.
“Why?” he breathed but I had no answer to his question. I didn’t know why I couldn’t force myself to fight him with my full strength. And I didn’t know why I even wanted to. The warring halves of my soul confused me enough that my attacks grew sloppy.
I swung at him again and he caught my arm, using my own motion to spin me away from him as Magnar raced towards us. I fell against one of the pews, tumbling over it and falling to the other side.
I pushed myself upright, wincing as pain flared through my side. It was enough to realign my thoughts and my lip pulled back as I set my gaze on Fabian once more.
I will break this bond.
Magnar and Fabian moved away from me, their battle growing in intensity as neither of them could gain the upper hand.
I vaulted over the pew and ran towards them, my stiletto heels clicking on the stone floor as I raised Tempest again.
Magnar glanced up at me and Fabian slammed into him. He was thrown back, soaring through the air until he slammed into a huge stained glass window which shattered as he fell outside.
My heart leapt into my mouth and I released a scream of horror as I ran for the door.
I ploughed through the mass of bodies before me. Every time the Biters got close, they turned in a frenzy, trying to grab me. Erik crushed their necks, broke bones and flung them from my path with a frightening disregard for their lives.
I caught sight of Valentina up ahead and my eyes whipped to Nightmare in her grasp. My upper lip curled back as I took a step toward her. Erik sprinted past me, knocking the blade from her hand and grabbing hold of her throat.
“Mas-ter,” she begged. “Don’t hurt me.”
His grip slackened, but his eyes burned with murder. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t end you.”
I ducked down, grabbing Nightmare from the floor and calming a little as it purred in my hand. I pointed it at Valentina with an ache of revenge in my heart. She’d caused Paige’s death. She’d let those monsters in here and handed me to them, happy to see me die too.
“If only you’d try our ways,” Valentina said, glancing at me with the devil in her eyes. “Drink from her then you’ll see.”
A group of Biters descended on us and strong hands snatched my shoulders. I didn’t think, didn’t feel as I turned and slammed Nightmare between a vampire’s ribs. She dissolved into dust but another one fell onto me in seconds. I slashed out, delivering more deaths as Nightmare whispered encouragements in my mind.
Three more fell before I was overwhelmed and pulled around to face Erik. “Unhand the one true queen!” one of them demanded and Erik glared at him, squeezing Valentina’s throat tighter.
“Release my wife or I will kill all of you.”
My heart clenched at his words and the mark on my palm burned like a sunbeam was etched into my skin.
“Let her go,” a male vampire bit at him, taking hold of my wrist and bringing it to his mouth. His fangs brushed my skin and Erik’s eyes flared with fury. He threw Valentina to the floor, lunging toward me. The Biters intercepted him, but his strength was pure and wild. He ripped them to pieces as if they were nothing more than dolls then snatched me from the hands of the final beast. Before Erik could tear him to shreds, I turned and plunged Nightmare into his chest.
His wail died away as he collapsed into cinders. My heart staggered in my chest as I took a breath.
Erik turned to find Valentina but she was no longer on the floor where he’d left her.
“Goddammit,” he snarled, taking my arm and tugging me close.
Biters circled around us and Erik rolled his shoulders, his fine clothes spattered with blood, warning them of the deaths he’d already delivered.
I knew I had to find Callie, but there was no way through the onslaught without fighting our way forward.
I readied Nightmare in my palm and Erik snarled a warning.
“Remember what she said,” a male growled to the group. “Detain the Count, but the girl is ours.”
As one, they surged toward us, immediately breaking me away from Erik. I slashed out with Nightmare, gasping as I managed to bury it in a female’s side. My heart lurched as she grabbed my hair, ripping my head back and throwing me to the ground. I rolled as she tried to leap onto me, crawling through the sea of legs and springing upright. Erik collided with me as four Biters took him on. I stumbled, grabbing onto his jacket to stay upright. With a shriek of anger, I slammed Nightmare into the face of a Biter holding his arm and he reared away, screaming as blood poured from his eye.
Erik tossed a female to the ground, caving in her head with a violent kick. His next victim was cleaved apart and left in a bloody heap. I started finishing them off, stabbing at their hearts and laying waste to their bodies as dust collected at our feet.
Erik finished the final two and I could barely watch as blood coated him from head to foot. He turned to me with a fervent look, striding forward and pointing over my shoulder.
Miles was on the ground, apprehended by several Biters trying to lock him in chains. Erik rolled up his sleeves, dragging me after him as he hounded towards his brother.
Valentina pushed through the Biters, pressing her six inch heel onto Miles’s spine. “Stay back or I’ll end him.” She pressed her foot down and Miles groaned. “I’m taking over the New Empire. You and your family need to yield or we’ll destroy you all.”
Out of nowhere, Warren appeared, swinging the huge stone font and smashing it into Valentina’s face. She hit the floor with blood pouring from her obliterated nose. The Biters looked to her in horror, but Warren was upon them in seconds, ripping off limbs as he dragged Miles upright.
Valentina gained her feet, glancing around in fright. She scowled and a storm flared in her eyes. Erik took a threatening stance, ready to take her on, but an almighty crash sounded and a blinding light sent us stumbling backwards.
The entire roof tore apart as lightning scored through it and sent a cascade of bricks plungin
g toward us.
Erik slammed into me and the breath was knocked from my lungs as I hit the floor and he fell over me. He grunted as the bricks crashed into his body and I held onto him, squeezing my eyes shut.
Screams rang through the air and another flare of lightning hit the benches across from us. A fire roared in its wake and Erik rolled, pulling me between two of the pews and shielding my body with his.
“We have to run,” he growled. “Hold on to me.”
I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck, praying Callie was okay. That she’d survived the collapsing roof and the rampant Biters.
Erik scooped me upright and started running, diving over pews and tearing toward the exit.
As we neared it, a well-dressed vampire stumbled into us. “Sire, are you okay!?” she yelled.
A piece of the roof fell onto her so hard that she was crushed in an instant. I gasped in horror, clinging to Erik as he leapt over the wreckage and darted out into the rain. I was immediately soaked as he kept running and the wind battered every inch of us.
Nightmare flared in my hand. Sun Child needs help.
“Stop!” I cried and Erik skidded to a halt, leaning back to look at me with raindrops clinging to his cheeks. “Callie,” I gasped as Nightmare sent a rush of energy through me. It could sense her around the next corner.
“That way!” I pointed and Erik resisted for half a second before following my command.
I raced towards the doors at the far end of the cathedral and wrenched them open as the roof began to fall in lumps around me. Torrential rain poured from the sky and slammed into me carried on a freezing wind. I took a step into it but a cold hand landed on my arm, spinning me around.
I flinched away from Fabian, raising Tempest a fraction higher but unable to convince myself to strike him.
“Don’t go after him,” he breathed, his hand gripping my waist. “Stay with me.”
For a moment, I longed to give in to his request. Heat flared along my skin beneath his touch. I shook my head, shoving him off of me before diving out into the rain.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 76