“Elder?!” I cried as I sprinted through the storm. The rain saturated me, plastering my hair to my scalp and my wedding dress to my body.
The clash of steel drew me further into the darkness and I raced towards it, wanting to get away from Fabian and the strange pull I felt towards him. I should have plunged Tempest into his chest. Why the hell had I left him breathing?
I ran on, following the sounds of battle as I heard Magnar release a battle cry.
“Callie!” Fabian roared behind me and I upped my pace. I needed to get away from him and I absolutely wasn’t slowing down in the hopes that he might catch me and take me away from here.
I tightened my grip on Tempest, absorbing its hatred for the Belvederes as I increased my speed. It urged me onwards and I made it around the corner of the building.
I staggered backwards as Magnar crashed into the ground in front of me. No not Magnar; Julius. They were so alike in their battle leathers that I’d mistaken him for his brother. He tumbled over and over before pushing himself upright and raising his sword.
“Julius?” I gasped. “Have you seen-”
“Not right now, beautiful,” he grunted as he sprinted back into battle and I spotted Clarice racing to meet him.
I wanted to help him but the two of them were like a force of nature. They collided with enough impact to rattle the ground beneath my feet and I was sure I would only get in his way if I tried to assist him.
I looked around wildly. Julius should have had Montana with him but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Montana?” I called, frantically searching the shadows.
There was no answer. The rain slammed down so violently that it was hard to see anything more than a few meters away but I was sure if she was near she would have answered my call.
Panic started to build in my chest and my heartbeat thundered in my ears. I had to find her. We couldn’t have gone through all of this for nothing. If I couldn’t get her away from here now then Erik Belvedere would take her to his bed and force her to have his demon children.
I turned back towards the cathedral and started running even faster than before. My stiletto shoes weren’t made for sprinting but with the use of my gifts I managed it.
“There you are!” Fabian caught up with me and I raised Tempest, keeping him back.
“Please stop chasing me,” I begged. I knew I should be plunging the blade into his chest but my muscles wouldn’t obey the command.
“I can’t.” He stared at me like I held the world in the palm of my hand.
“Try harder,” I growled because this wasn’t fair, I was trying as hard as I could to keep on hating him but when he looked at me like that it chipped away at my resolve.
He stepped closer, the tip of my blade touching his chest right above his heart as he held his arms wide.
“If you don’t want me then you might as well kill me,” he breathed, his voice barely carrying over the storm. “My life is yours, Callie. I don’t know why but it’s true. I can’t bear to be without you.”
I gritted my teeth as the part of me who had been born to end the vampires battled against the part which lit with joy at his words. I wanted to drop my sword and rip his clothes from his body and... stab him stab him stab him!
I screamed as I pressed Tempest forward and a line of blood stained his white shirt. He didn’t move to stop me but I couldn’t force my arm to continue.
We stared at each other, neither of us understanding what we were now. Neither of us able to move away.
A huge roar made me turn my head half a second before Magnar collided with Fabian, knocking him away from me and sending the two of them crashing into the mud.
Venom was strapped across his back and he fought Fabian with his bare hands. Magnar’s fist slammed into his face and I winced as the impact was followed by a horrible snapping sound.
Fabian struggled beneath him and I almost wanted to step in and help him. I shook my head angrily. I didn’t want to help Fabian, I wanted to help Magnar.
As I hesitated, Fabian managed to get his legs between them and he kicked Magnar off of him. He rolled aside and I ran forwards to offer him my hand. He ignored me as he charged at Fabian again and my heart tumbled over.
I wanted to join the fight but I didn’t think I could trust myself to help. What if my involvement caused Magnar’s death? Or Fabian’s? I wasn’t sure I could bear that either.
“There she is!” a female voice cried.
I turned at the sound of excited shouts behind me and found Valentina pointing me out. She gave me a dazzling smile and my eyes widened in horror as a horde of vampires swarmed towards me, salivating like I was a freshly baked pie.
I swallowed thickly as I raised Tempest between us and reached for my gifts. Valentina laughed before turning and running in the opposite direction.
I had half a second to prepare myself before the hungry crowd fell on me.
Tempest burned with pleasure in my palms and I swung it in a wide arc. Blood flew, splattering my white dress and I hefted the blade again, ending three of them. More piled into their place, surrounding me as they tried to get close enough to bite. I screamed a challenge at the vampires who thirsted for my blood and I fought on.
I refused to let them have me. My blood was my own and I’d carve through them all before they would take it.
We circled the cathedral and I knew with every speeding footstep Erik took, we were getting closer to my sister. I clung to him as he carried me, willing him to fly like the wind and bring me to her.
An ear-splitting noise sounded from above and one of the spires toppled from the building, smashing into the ground before us. I gasped as Erik leapt over the crumbled mess with impossible agility.
My heart was in my throat as we rounded into a wide street and chaos spread out before us.
Magnar and Fabian were locked in a fierce battle, the rain pouring over them in a never-ending torrent as they clashed together. I couldn’t tell who was winning; they were too evenly matched, blocking every blow.
I hunted for Callie, my mouth dry as I climbed out of Erik’s arms. The rain was so thick I could hardly see a hundred paces ahead. A dark shadow loomed beyond the fight and the sound of snarls reached my ears, sending my gut spiralling.
A scream tore through the air and Clarice flew over our heads, smashing into the wall of the cathedral. She regained her feet in seconds and I spotted Julius approaching her at a terrifying pace.
“By the gods, you’ve got a fire in that undead body of yours,” Julius growled.
Erik stepped into his path, shoving me back a few paces. I stumbled, watching as Julius took him in with an assessing gaze, slowing to a halt.
“You’ve got a free pass today, parasite,” Julius spoke to him, offering me a nod.
“He’s mine!” Clarice rose to her feet, leaping over Erik and launching herself at Julius with nothing but her bare hands. They rolled away from us and Erik looked confused, seeming unsure if he should follow them.
“Callie!” I called, turning my attention back to finding her. I started running and Erik swore through his teeth as we closed in on Fabian and Magnar.
“Brother!” Erik called to him and both he and Magnar turned.
Magnar’s eyes burned as they locked on Erik and an endless moment hung between them, filled with a thousand years of hatred. Fabian collided with Magnar and the tension was broken.
A scream cut through the air and Erik’s head snapped toward the source of the cry.
My heart stalled as the shadow in the mist surged into view. At least twenty Biters surrounded Callie and it was clear she’d taken even more out before our arrival. She moved like a warrior, tearing through chests with a huge sword, scattering them to the rain. I didn’t know how it was possible that she was so strong. So fearless. I almost didn’t recognise her.
“Erik, help her!” I screamed, running forward with Nightmare raised.
He sped toward the Biters and threw a fist that sent a
female flying to the ground with a vile crack. Callie was fighting furiously, but she was nearly overwhelmed. She panted heavily and I could see she was tiring no matter how hard she fought it.
I battled my way through the Biters, wielding Nightmare and slashing at them as hard as I could. They were so intent on reaching Callie, that I managed to bury my blade in several of their chests before they knew what was happening.
As I broke through the circle, I leapt to my sister’s side. She gasped her joy as I pressed my back to hers, ramming Nightmare into the heart of the snarling vampire before me. Dust exploded around us and the wind and rain stole it away just as quickly. Callie grabbed a male’s arm, ramming the sword into his chest and half-spearing another female behind him too. With a surge of energy, I darted forward and pushed her further onto Callie’s blade. Her shriek was cut off as she turned to embers around us.
Erik got between us, keeping the Biters back as they tried to overwhelm us. Every one of them who got close met the wrath of his hands and teeth. There were so many of them. Every time one fell, another took their place. The rain gushed around our feet, washing away the remains of the dead and the onslaught slowed a fraction.
Callie released a choked noise and I stole a glance at her as I rammed Nightmare into another nameless vampire. Her eyes were pinned on something behind me and she started running before I could stop her.
“No!” she cried, her voice laced with fear.
I spun to watch, my heart in my throat as Magnar’s golden blade sliced across Fabian’s arm and he lost his grip on his weapon. Fabian stumbled back, lifting a hand to stop Magnar advancing, snarling a warning.
Magnar smiled keenly, cornering him against the wall and slamming his blade into his stomach. My mind spun at the sight. I didn't like Fabian, but this was brutal.
“Erik!” I called as the final Biters ringed around him. Just three left. In less than a few seconds, Erik had reduced their bodies to dust. I panted, turning to find my sister as the icy rain cooled my body.
A cry of pain drew all of my attention and I turned and fled, racing away from my sister and Erik Belvedere. I was compelled by the mark on my palm, driving me toward my husband.
My heart clenched in panic as I flew towards Magnar and Fabian.
I saw the blood first and my pulse pounded violently as I sprinted closer. So much blood, too much blood.
Please be alright, please, please.
Fabian staggered backwards with a hand pressed to the huge wound on his stomach. Magnar swung Venom over his head, preparing to finish what he’d started.
Pain threatened to overwhelm me and I threw myself between them, raising Tempest to take the force of the blow.
Venom crashed against my blade so hard that my bones shook.
I stared up at Magnar in shock, unable to believe what I’d done. I’d jumped between a Belvedere and death. My arms started to tremble and Magnar pulled Venom back, staring down at me in wild confusion as he readied another blow.
“Please don’t,” I begged, catching his arm as he lifted his blade above Fabian’s heart. Tears fell from my eyes, mixing with the rain which continued to drench us.
“What the hell has he done to you?” Magnar demanded as he paused long enough to look into my eyes.
“It wasn’t him.” I held my left hand out and showed him the cross on my palm. “It was Idun. She doesn’t want me to love you.”
“And do you?” he asked, his eyes burning with an intense need to hear my answer.
My breath caught in my throat as I stared up at him. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as the goddess tried to seal my lips but I wouldn’t let her. Not this time.
“Yes. I love you.” It broke my heart to admit it because I knew I didn’t deserve it. I was offering him a fractured version of myself. I was tied to a monster he’d sworn to kill.
Magnar slowly lowered his sword. His eyes filled with a burning desire and he took a step towards me before halting again. Idun still wouldn’t let him move closer but I knew he wanted to.
Fabian released a groan filled with pain and Magnar’s gaze hardened. “Step aside, Callie. I have to do this.”
His command fell over me and I did as he said, despite the unwanted portion of my soul crying out in alarm as he raised Venom over Fabian’s heart.
A sob escaped my lips as I looked down at the vampire I wanted to hate. He was slumped against the wall, his skin even paler than usual. His white shirt was stained red and his hand pressed down on a wound which would have been more than enough to kill a mortal.
His eyes were on me and he reached towards me, brushing his fingers against the hem of my dress. “You shouldn’t have put yourself in danger for me.”
I wanted to pull him into my arms and take away his pain or maybe I wanted to end it myself... My grip tightened on Tempest but I couldn’t raise it. I was so confused, I didn’t know what I wanted anymore but as I looked down at the immortal monster with eyes so deep I could lose myself in them, I knew that his death would tear me in two.
“Magnar please,” I whispered, knowing I couldn’t stop him if he chose to act now. “If he dies I think a part of me will die too.”
Magnar released an angry growl but he stayed his blade for a moment though the tip of it touched Fabian’s skin.
“I propose a trade!” Clarice shouted suddenly and we turned to look at her. Julius was kneeling on the floor in front of her and she held a thin blade pressed to his throat. “My brother for yours.”
The silence around us was pregnant with expectation. Even the rain began to slow as the world held its breath for Magnar’s answer.
“Don’t do it, Magnar,” Julius called in response. “I took my vow, same as you, I’d give my life to end his and you know it.”
Magnar’s gaze was locked on his brother and I could tell his vow was battling against what he knew was the right thing to do. Of course he wouldn’t give Julius’s life for Fabian’s but Idun wanted him to. I needed more than that though; I had to get as far from Fabian as possible. Whatever the goddess had done to me was growing stronger and I couldn’t bear to think about what that might mean for me. What it might make me do.
“Please Magnar,” I begged, his name falling from my lips as I forced my tongue to follow my commands instead of Idun’s. He stilled as he realised what I’d managed to do and his eyes glimmered with some deep emotion. “I don’t know what’s happened to me but I need to get away from here. Away from him. Please, just make the trade and take me away.”
My heart thumped painfully at the thought of leaving Fabian behind but I knew I had to do it. The closer I was to him the more I ached to be with him. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t me. And I just needed to get away from him to make sure that I wouldn’t give in.
“You would leave me for him?” Fabian asked quietly, his voice laced with raw pain.
I fought hard against the part of me which yearned to be his and spoke what I knew in my heart was the truth as I looked down into his dark eyes. “Yes. I belong with him.”
The heat in Magnar’s gaze burned a little brighter and his shoulders sagged as he pulled Venom back an inch.
My heart wouldn’t settle as I watched the madness unfold before me. Erik stood at my side, assessing the situation in stony silence.
“Trade!” Clarice commanded and Magnar stiffened, glaring at Clarice then turning his gaze to Erik.
A gust of wind ruffled my hair and Miles and Warren appeared beside us. “Sorry we’re late to the party,” Miles commented then his eyes fell on Fabian at Magnar’s feet. ”Oh…”
Erik didn’t reply, watching Fabian intently.
Magnar’s face contorted as he absorbed his odds. The slayers were outnumbered. And fear struck a chord in my heart at the idea of this descending into another fight.
Magnar turned his gaze to Julius. “Release him.”
I let out a breath of relief as Magnar took the trade. Maybe we could all still walk away from this with our lives.
&nb
sp; Clarice nodded, lifting her knife from Julius’s throat. Magnar kept his sword aimed at Fabian until Julius was at his side, then reluctantly lifted it. Callie pushed him back a few steps, keeping close to him.
The moment they moved, Clarice darted forward and dropped to her knees beside Fabian. She hugged him to her chest, but he seemed to have fallen unconscious, lying in an ever-growing pool of bright red blood.
Erik advanced, his shoulders squared as he stared Magnar down.
Magnar snarled in response, lifting his huge sword, seeming ready to fight Erik to the end. “Come and face me, monster. I will give you the slow and drawn out death you deserve for what you did to my father.”
“No- please!” Callie begged Magnar. “I have to get away.”
Erik strode toward him, rolling his shoulders for a fight, My heart soared into my throat and I raced into his path, planting a hand on his chest. “Stop! Let them go.”
Erik’s eyes slid down to mine and the darkness in them lifted a fraction. “I can’t. They’ll never stop hunting us. I have to finish this.” He took my arm to push me aside and fear tangled with my blood.
“No!” I yelled, pressing my full weight against him even though I knew it was pointless. If he insisted on this, I couldn’t stop him. But I wouldn’t let that happen. Tension pinched my brows together as I gazed up at him. “Please,” I whispered. “Let them go.”
I could hear Callie begging Magnar to go and he looked tempted to give in. If I was able to convince Erik to stay his hand, I could give them a chance to run.
Miles and Warren shared a glance, seeming willing to follow Erik's lead.
“Rebel...” Erik took hold of my chin, his expression conflicted. I took his hand, pressing my mark to his so a hungry energy flowed between us.
I glanced over my shoulder, spotting Callie, Magnar and Julius grouping closer together with their weapons raised.
“Monty?” Callie called. She wanted to run, but she wouldn't leave without me. I could see it in her eyes. And if I didn’t go with her, I might never see her again.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 77