I felt exposed despite our quiet passage. It would only take one set of inquiring eyes to spot us and if they did the Belvederes would be quick to respond.
“That’s our destination,” Julius murmured as he pointed up ahead. I followed the line of his arm and spotted a giant green statue in the distance, highlighted by the moon. I hadn’t expected it to be so big and I couldn’t even begin to imagine how such a thing had been created.
A sense of unease twisted my gut and I tightened my grip on Tempest. It was almost as if something was drawing closer but every time I felt near to telling what it was, the knowledge slipped away from me.
“Elder,” I said quietly, unable to ignore the prickling in my gut any longer. “Something feels... wrong.”
Magnar stilled and pulled the oar across his lap before reaching over his shoulder to grasp Venom. His brow furrowed with confusion and suddenly his head snapped up to scour the sky.
“Shit,” Julius cursed as he drew his bow and aimed at something above our heads.
I held my breath as a huge shadow swept across the stars and Julius loosed his arrow. The owl shrieked, shifting to try and avoid the blow but it exploded into dust as the arrow hit its heart.
A dark shape tumbled towards us and I shoved Montana aside at the last moment as a black stone slammed into the wooden seat where she’d been a second ago.
I picked it up and the urge to vomit washed over me as I felt the dark power within it and I passed it to Magnar.
“That’s pretty damn clever, I’ve never seen someone cloak a Familiar with one of these before,” Julius cursed as he frowned at the rune stone. “And it damn well worked too. Whoever was linked to that bird knows exactly where we are now.”
“Do you think it was Fabian?” Montana asked with concern.
I ignored the thrill I felt at the sound of his name and stared out across the water intently.
“There’s no sign of anyone coming for us,” I said slowly.
“Then we should get out of here before they do.” Magnar dipped his oar back into the water and we began to move quickly again.
Tempest was growing warmer in my palm and I looked about, trying to figure out if it was just the city full of vampires which angered it or some closer threat.
The water stirred unnaturally around us and a prickling sensation crawled up my spine. I listened hard for any sounds of approach, but the world was achingly quiet. Even the wind had fallen still.
Something thumped against the base of the boat and my heart lurched into my throat.
I grabbed the wooden seat as I looked to the others in alarm.
Magnar and Julius stopped rowing, drawing their blades as they searched for the threat too.
I gazed into the black water that surrounded us, hoping I was imagining the dark shape moving beneath the surface.
I pointed towards it, a tremor of fear bleeding through me as I didn’t dare to speak. Montana leaned closer to me as she looked out into the river, her face pale in the moonlight.
I released a shaky breath which spiralled from my lips in a cloud of vapour as the eerie silence pressed closer.
A heavy bang juddered through the boat as something collided with the base of it. My heart leapt in fright as I grabbed Montana’s hand and reached for my gifts.
The boat rocked wildly as Tempest burned hot in my palm and I tried to remain upright in the tiny vessel.
Adrenaline coursed through my limbs as I fought to keep my balance and Montana whimpered in fear.
“Shit,” Magnar cursed.
“Hold on tight!” Julius directed.
The boat shuddered violently again. I looked to Magnar and Julius as my heart thundered in my ears.
"What should we-" A scream ripped from my throat as we were thrown into the air.
I tumbled backwards, falling from the boat with panic consuming me as I clung to Montana. We hit the icy water and the breath was knocked from my lungs in a torrent of bubbles.
I flailed desperately, drawing on my ancestors’ knowledge of swimming until I managed to start kicking for the surface, dragging Montana and Tempest with me.
My head breached the water and I sucked down a lungful of air as I pulled Montana up beside me. She started coughing and I stared about wildly as Tempest burned, urging me to fight. Vampires were drawing close but I couldn’t see them anywhere-
A cold hand clamped around my ankle and dragged me back beneath the surface. Terror raced through my bones as fingernails bit into my skin. I released my grip on Montana as I was submerged once more.
I couldn’t see anything in the pressing darkness as I was dragged further and further away from the promise of oxygen. Panic gripped me as I tried to kick my attacker off.
The vampire’s grip moved up my leg and his teeth sank into my thigh. I screamed in pain and rage as I stabbed Tempest through the water, letting it guide my hand as it carved a path towards him.
The blade must have found the vampire’s heart and the bloodsucker’s grip on me vanished. I kicked for the surface, desperate to satisfy the aching need in my lungs and find Montana again.
I had to battle the current as I swam and the silvery light of the stars egged me on. I was so close but still painfully far away.
I ground my teeth in determination and finally made it back to the surface.
Dark water surrounded me in every direction and I spun around, searching for any sign of my sister.
“Montana!” I screamed, not caring if every vampire in the vicinity heard me. She couldn’t swim and she had no gifts to help her fight off the freezing touch of the water.
“Callie!”
I turned at the sound of Julius’s voice and found him swimming towards me.
“Are you alright? Where’s Montana?” I asked desperately.
“Magnar has her. We have to get to shore; the water is full of-” He disappeared beneath the surface and I yelled as I started swimming after him.
I dove beneath the water, straining my eyes to try and see anything in the murky depths. Tempest urged me forward and I swam towards a glimmer of metal.
Strike true, the blade commanded and I swept it forward as a body lunged for me. I made out swathes of black hair just before Tempest met with the vampire’s heart.
A hand clamped onto my elbow and I yelled in fright, releasing bubbles before realising it was just Julius.
He guided me back to the surface and I followed him quickly.
“Come on!” he yelled as we met with the cold air again. My heart pounded violently at the fear of more creatures lurking beneath us. He began swimming away from me and I had no choice but to follow him and hope that Magnar and Montana had already made it to land.
Tempest growled warnings to me as I swam on and more vampires followed beneath my legs. My heart pounded with fear and I threw all of my effort into powering through the water and escaping them.
My knees finally collided with the riverbank and I scrambled upright, taking Julius’s hand as he hauled me away from the water.
I panted heavily as I spun around, searching for any sign of Magnar and my sister.
“Where are they?” I yelled as Julius raised his blade and the first of the vampires rose from the river.
I held Tempest before me as they came at us and a sound carried to me on the wind, spearing panic right through my heart. Montana was screaming and I had no idea where she was.
I flailed in the water, trying to remember anything Miles had taught me in the swimming pool. But this wasn't like that. It was freezing, dark and vampires were attempting to pull me under.
Fear coursed down my spine as I thrashed and kicked at the hands trying to seize me.
I stayed afloat for two more seconds before cold fingers took hold of my ankle and I was dragged beneath the surface. I sank towards its endless depths, taken from my sister, from the slayers, from any chance of ever seeing Erik again. Nails raked across my back and panic tore at my insides.
I will not die!
&n
bsp; I frantically tread water, trying to release Nightmare from my hip. As I snatched it free and swept my arm out in desperation, I knew I was done for. No matter how much it guided my movements, I couldn't hit my target.
No, I can't give up.
A glittering sword plunged through the water and the vampire met a brutal end. Arms seized me, strong powerful arms that could only belong to a slayer. I crashed through the surface, colliding with a solid chest as I drew in deep breath.
Magnar held me, his eyes fierce as he stabbed his sword into the gloomy water around us.
“I’ve got you, hold on,” he said and I looped my arms around his neck, thanking the stars he’d found me.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The moon watched our predicament from above, but clouds drew over its eye and a thick darkness stole my vision. I sucked in freezing breaths of air as Magnar pulled me along, the splash of his sword hitting the water seeming like the only noise in the world.
I turned left and right, hunting for Callie across the murky river, but it was too dark. The city lights were all I could see as Magnar hauled me towards them. I let him assist me, trying to move my numb limbs to help. We soon clawed our way up the riverbank and I coughed up water which had found its way to my lungs.
“Callie,” I croaked, turning back to the river. A vampire surged from the waves, lunging for my ankles. Her hair was lank and dripping as she grabbed me, her fangs bared. A scream tore from my throat as I kicked out at her, but Magnar's blade found her first and she disintegrated into dust.
I scrambled to my feet, trembling as I searched for Julius and Callie. I went to call out, but Magnar clamped a hand over my mouth, tugging me away from the water's edge.
“Quiet, we're too close to the city.” He gazed over his shoulder at the closest skyscraper which loomed above us. Lights flickered on in some of the windows as Magnar led me back to the high wall which separated the bank from the city. I leant against it, squinting into the darkness, desperate to see a glimmer of blonde hair out in the water.
My heart thundered in my ears. “What if they're hurt? Or- or-”
Magnar shook his head, eyeing a star-shaped mark on the back of his hand. “Callie is alive, the mark of the vow would have faded otherwise. And I have no fear for my brother's life when dealing with lesser vampires like these. They must have washed up elsewhere.”
My body sagged with relief, but it didn't last long as more vampires poured from the water. Magnar moved to intercept them and I raised Nightmare, my resilience renewed.
No one's going to die today.
Magnar kicked a male in the chest, bringing him to the ground before driving his sword into his heart. A female raced toward me, a cruel smile on her lips. I raised Nightmare, terror pounding through me as Magnar was attacked by two more of them, stopping him from helping me.
“Valentina sends her love,” the vampire cooed, before diving at me.
As she collided with me, I brought Nightmare up with all my might. I stumbled to the ground as the blade sank deep into her flesh and ashes cascaded around me.
Bruised and frozen, I staggered upright. These were Biters. And Valentina must have been using them to hunt us down. I ground my teeth, anger flowing freely in my blood. I'd kill her. She was vile. Worse than any vampire I'd ever met. How could I ever have been fooled by her fake charm?
Magnar dispatched three more vampires before the onslaught stopped. I eyed the river and a shudder fled across my skin. Who knew how many more Biters lurked in its depths...
Magnar glanced over his shoulder toward the city. “We'll have to head toward the statue.”
“But what about the others?” I gasped, anxiety stretching through me.
“They know where to go. We’ll meet them there.”
I nodded, knowing it was our only option. But I hated the idea of parting from my sister again.
Magnar gave me an intense look. “They’re slayers. They’ll be fine.”
I sighed, figuring he was right. I’d seen what Callie was capable of; she was a force to be reckoned with. “Alright. Let's go.”
We sped up the beach, hugging the wall and remaining in its thick shadow as we sprinted alongside the river. I could just see the statue far out in the water ahead of us. But how on earth were we going to get to it without a boat?
The beach tapered to a thin point, leaving us stranded at the water's edge.
My heart stumbled as Magnar took a sharp right and we arrived in a damp stairway which led up to the city roads.
He paused on the steps and I could barely make out his features as he turned to me. “We have to get as close to the statue as possible before we swim again. The Biters could be anywhere along this stretch of water.”
“Swim?” I squeaked.
“You can hold onto me again, I won’t let any harm come to you,” he rumbled and I sighed, nodding firmly. Magnar had saved my life. And whatever anger I’d felt toward him before was thoroughly gone, its place taken by a fizzling warmth.
He gripped my shoulder. “We stick to the shadows. Any vampire who sees us dies, understand?”
I gritted my teeth as I shivered in the icy air. “Let's try not to be seen.”
“Agreed.” He turned and I followed him up the steps, praying Callie and Julius could find safe passage to the statue.
I started to doubt if leaving the ruins had been a good idea. But we didn't have any choice now. We had to continue and hope we made it to our destination unscathed.
We emerged on the road which was lit with the orange glow of street lights. It was late, but not late enough that the vampires might remain in their homes. This area of the city seemed quiet though. Traffic rumbled close by but there were no cars here. Not yet anyway.
Magnar took a left and we started jogging down the road. I eyed the windows above us as we moved past tower blocks, hoping no one was looking out.
The cross on my palm began to throb and a need grew in me that took over everything else. I slowed to a halt, thinking of Erik. If I was seen, someone would take me back to him...
“Montana,” Magnar growled and I shook my head hard, forcing the urge away. I hurried to his side, murmuring an apology as I kept pace with him again.
“It's that mark,” he muttered as we moved.
“Yes, but I can handle it,” I promised, curling my left hand into a tight fist.
My fingers were numb, but the faster we ran, the more my blood heated and battled out the cold.
The road soon opened up and a dock came into view ahead, crowded with boats. Huge white vessels sat on the water, bobbing gently on the waves. They were luxurious things with large sails, too big for us to even consider taking one.
Laughter reached my ears from the streets behind us and we quickened our pace, darting onto the closest jetty and ducking down.
Magnar took a slow breath, eyeing the water at the end of the pier. The boats around us were quiet and no lights shone from within them. I hoped that meant we were alone. I ran my thumb over Nightmare’s hilt, but it gave no further clue of our safety. It had been humming with energy ever since we’d entered the city’s streets.
“Okay, let’s move.” Magnar nodded toward the river and I followed him, creeping along in the shadows.
Nightmare vibrated a little harder and Magnar stilled. I nearly bumped into him, bracing myself on his back.
“What is it?” I breathed as fear tip-toed down my spine.
“Stay back,” Magnar commanded as a splash sounded ahead of us. He pushed me against the closest boat, shielding me with his body.
A rough laugh sounded from up ahead. “You’re coming with us, slayer. Give us the girl and we’ll make her death quick.”
I sucked in a breath, peering around Magnar’s huge form and spotting the imposing male vampire at the end of the pier, dripping wet and holding a large chain in his hand.
Magnar lifted his sword with a feral snarl. “The only thing I’ll be giving you is a ride on the wind when I t
urn you to dust.” He stepped forward to meet his opponent and suddenly something clicked together inside my head.
He’d said we’ll make her death quick.
A hand burst through the floorboards at my feet, grabbing my ankle and yanking so hard the pier broke beneath me.
I cried out and my heart soared upwards. I slashed Nightmare down to defend myself as I plunged into the freezing water and darkness stole my vision. I kicked wildly as arms surrounded me, hauling me along beneath the waves. Saltwater seared my nostrils as I swiped Nightmare along my attacker’s arms, but they didn’t let go.
Panic sped beneath my skin as my head broke the surface and I gulped down air, blinking to try and regain my senses.
I was deposited on a small sloping beach beneath the line of piers and terror consumed me as I took in the group of vampires standing there. They were all dripping wet and deathly pale, their fangs bared as they stared down at me with a desperate hunger in their eyes. It took me a beat longer to realise why they hadn’t attacked me yet.
Valentina stepped forward from the group, her plump lips pulling up in a dark smile. “Use her as bait for Magnar,” she commanded the Biters. “Then you can all have the blood you’re owed.”
A heavy scuffle sounded on the pier above us and I was sure more than one vampire was taking on Magnar now. His roars of defiance swiftly ended in the screams of dying Biters and my heart swelled at the noise.
I gritted my teeth as I pinned my gaze on Valentina, hatred coursing through me like lava. I rose to my feet, lifting Nightmare and baring my teeth right back at the group despite the fear snaking through my body.
Valentina released a tittering laugh, stepping forward and reaching for Nightmare. I cut it through the air in a vicious arc, but she snatched my wrist, squeezing tightly until pain lanced through the bone and I was forced to drop it. She bent down, taking it into her grip and I lurched forward to try and grab it from her. Strong hands caught me from behind, holding me back.
“How are we going to bring the slayer down here, Basil?” she asked the vampire holding me.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 88