Her skin almost seemed to shimmer with a translucent sheen which was so pale it made her seem like moonlight given flesh. Her eyes were brighter, wider and yet somehow the exact same shade they’d always been. Her lips were fuller, redder. She was beyond beautiful.
And yet... she was still the same. Still my sister. My other half.
“Hi,” she replied.
My face fell into a wide smile and I launched myself at her as tears sprung from my eyes. A surprised laugh left her lips just before she caught me. Her body felt unnaturally solid and too cold as I wrapped my arms around her but it was still her. I knew it, deep in my soul. I could feel it as we were reunited. We belonged together. My heart ached for her when she wasn’t with me and I only felt whole again when we were holding each other like this. And that hadn’t changed. It was exactly the same. We still fit together. Two pieces of the same puzzle. We completed each other.
“I love you, Monty,” I breathed, wishing I'd said it more often because when she’d died it was all I could think. That I hadn’t told her enough even though she already knew. She should hear it more.
“I love you, Callie,” she whispered back even though we were well aware that everyone else in this room could hear us easily.
But it felt like we were alone for a moment. United against the world. I didn’t care if we weren’t supposed to love each other now. No power on heaven or Earth could stop me from feeling like this.
I stepped back reluctantly and looked at her more closely. She wasn’t that different really. It was almost like I’d always looked at her in a dim light before but now she stood in full focus.
“I just realised something,” I said excitedly. “I’m the oldest now!”
“No way,” she replied with a frown. “Eighteen minutes, Callie - it makes all the difference!”
I grinned at the phrase she’d thrown at me all throughout our childhood.
“You stopped ageing two days ago little sister,” I countered with a smirk. “So now I’m in charge.”
“No! Tell her she’s being insane, Erik.” Montana turned to look at him expectantly and I followed her gaze, finding him staring at us with the strangest look on his face. Like he didn’t quite know what to make of our exchange.
“Well, technically...” he began and Montana glared daggers at him.
“Ha!” I said triumphantly.
Montana pursed her lips and Erik shrugged at her apologetically.
“This is nice and cosy and all,” Julius said as he moved to take a seat on the couch. “But before we all start swapping friendship bracelets and coming up with an awesome name for our new gang - my vote goes to ‘Julimacalana and the vampire scum’ - how about we figure out what the hell we’re going to do now.”
“He’s right,” I agreed. “The sooner we figure out the rest of the prophecy and end this curse, the better.”
“Okay,” Montana said enthusiastically. “Well I think at this point all we really need to figure out is how to get to the mountain and what debt needs to be paid.”
“We’ve have an idea about that,” Erik added, giving me a pointed look. “When Andvari first cursed us it was because our families had stolen his treasure. They gave all of it back. Every piece but one which they couldn’t find. A ring.”
I glanced down at the ring on my hand and spun it on my finger. The longer I wore it the better I was getting at wielding its power. I was already shielding the whole of this cottage from the gods without even giving it much thought.
“I told you they’d be searching for it,” Magnar said heavily and I pursed my lips.
“Well they can’t find it, can they? It’s hidden from them.” I shrugged defensively. I didn’t want to stop using the ring. I didn’t want to give the gods the opportunity to find me again and learn what they thought about me using its power. And I certainly didn’t want to feel my bond to Fabian again.
“Which would explain why they’d need it to be returned by someone who walks the Earth. The holy mountain is a place between the living and the afterlife; if we return it to them there then maybe the debt will be paid,” Erik said.
“Or we just end up giving them the only thing we can use against them for no reason at all,” I countered.
“Callie’s right,” Magnar said, moving towards me. “We shouldn’t return it to them unless we are sure it’s what the prophecy refers to. Without it we will all be placed under their mercy once more and I don’t want to risk that unless we’re certain.”
Montana sighed and dropped down onto the white couch. “So how can we be certain?” she asked.
No one had an answer to that and we all fell into silence.
Erik’s phone rang and he answered it quickly. “Yes. She’s fine.” His eyes flicked to me and I bristled as I realised he was talking about me. “No. No, I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. I...” There was a long pause and I strained to hear whoever was on the other end of the line but he was too far away.
Montana caught my eye and mouthed ‘Fabian’.
My scowl deepened.
“Look, we only just got here but I’m sure she’ll give it to her in a moment... No... I said no. Hold on.” Erik glanced at us apologetically and headed outside.
“Do I even want to know?” I asked.
“He’s a little obsessed,” Montana said with half a smile. She pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to me. “I promised I’d give you that.”
I glanced at Magnar before flipping it open and found him frowning as he stood with his arms folded.
“I’m hungry,” Julius announced loudly. “Come Brother, you look famished. Have you been working up an appetite in my absence?” He slapped a hand on Magnar’s arm and guided him across the room to the kitchen.
I glanced down at the long letter in Fabian’s elaborate cursive. At a push I could read my own name written on the top line but the rest was indecipherable.
“I can’t read that,” I said, holding it out for Montana.
She hesitated as she took it. “He asked me not to read it,” she explained. “He said it was just for you.”
“Well if you don’t then I’ll have no idea what it says, so do you think he’d rather I don’t read it at all or have you do it for me? Because I honestly don’t care much either way.”
Montana gave me a long look and I narrowed my eyes at her, knowing I’d said something that she didn’t like.
“What?” I asked.
“I just feel a bit bad for him that’s all. He didn’t ask for that mark any more than you did.”
“Not true,” I countered. “He wanted me for a wife but I didn’t want him for a husband. And surely he would have wanted to love his wife, right? He even told me as much himself; he’s glad Idun did this to us. So if it’s making him miserable then that’s on him. It’s the least he deserves.”
Montana nodded and looked down at the paper for several seconds before shaking her head.
“I can’t read that either,” she admitted as she failed to interpret Fabian’s handwriting. “We’ll have to ask Erik.”
“Okay then.” I stood up, taking the letter with me as I headed for the door but Erik opened it before I could get there.
“Sorry about that, he’s being... never mind. Did I miss anything?” he asked as he noticed me lurking in front of him.
“Can you read this?” I asked, shoving it under his nose.
He took it from me, scanning the paper briefly before pushing it back at me. “Hell no. That’s not meant for me anyway. Why don’t you just read it yourself?”
I scowled at him, waiting for the penny to drop but it didn’t so I spelled it out for him. “Because I can’t read, which you can take the credit for if you like as you didn’t think providing us with schools was important. So you owe me, wouldn’t you say?”
“For fuck's sake.” He held his hand out for the letter and I gave it to him with a smirk. “For my dearest wife, Callie.” He cleared his throat awkwardly and I glanced over my sho
ulder to see Magnar frowning at us from the kitchen.
“Would you rather I just throw it away?” I asked him before Erik could continue. I didn’t really care what Fabian had to say to me and it certainly didn’t interest me enough to let it upset Magnar.
“Let’s hear it, Brother,” Julius answered before he could, his face set with amusement. “That parasite has walked the Earth for over a thousand years, he must know many things we could never hope to learn. Maybe It’ll teach us a thing or two about how to win a woman’s heart.”
“Go on then,” Magnar agreed, his expression softening in response to his brother’s joke. “Let’s hear it.”
“He meant this for you alone,” Erik said in a low voice and I could tell he was reluctant to read it aloud to everyone.
“Even if I could read it myself do you really think I wouldn’t tell them what it says anyway?” I countered.
“Alright,” he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face like he was regretting this already. “For my dearest wife, Callie, I hope you know how deeply sorry I am for any hurt that I have caused you. I understand why you felt you had to rip my head off but the fact that I am still alive can only be a testament to your true feelings for me.” Erik raised his eyes from the letter and I waved a hand for him to continue whilst trying not to let Fabian’s assumption annoy me. I hadn’t left him alive because of my true feelings; it had been because of my false feelings.
“I only want the chance to explain to you why I did what I did and to try and make it right. I can’t bear to think of you in pain. It kills me. It tears me apart and burns the pieces. It eats me alive and spits me back out... there are a lot of these, can I skip over them?” Erik asked.
“Sure,” I agreed as Montana drifted closer to me, clearly having changed her mind about this being a breach of privacy and enjoying the show.
“I would take any punishment you would dish out to me. You can beat me, whip me, chain me and have your way with me in any way you desire so that I might right what is broken between us - for the love of the gods,” Erik muttered before continuing. “I have written you a poem so that you can understand the depths of my feelings for you. Do I have to read the poem?” he asked, clearly not wanting to.
“Yes!” Julius and Montana said at the same time and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. If I ignored the fact that Fabian was one of the most dangerous creatures in existence and his obsession with me could be deadly for the people I cared about then I might actually be able to find this a little funny.
“I take no responsibility for this,” Erik added before reading it out.
“Your eyes are so bright.
I think about them every night.
Your golden hair shines, just like sunlight.
I’m always worrying if you’re alright.
Your skin is as soft as a chick’s feather.
I will love you forever and ever.
You look amazing whatever the weather.
I won’t stop loving you, not now, never.
Your mouth is the subject of my desire.
Each moment my love for you grows higher.
You make my loins burn with a raging fire.
If I said I could leave you I’d be a liar.
Truly, my Callie, you have no flaws.
You smell like sunflowers and apple sauce.
So this is my promise: I'll always be yours.
I'll win you from Magnar’s big meaty paws.”
Julius started laughing first and Magnar cracked a second later. I tried to fight against it for Erik’s sake but honestly, it was fucking hilarious.
“I look amazing whatever the weather?” I raised an eyebrow and I could see Erik fighting against the impulse to join in as Montana started laughing too. I actually kinda admired his loyalty to his brother as he managed to school his expression.
“I’m sure it sounded romantic in his head,” Erik said, trying to salvage whatever remained of his brother’s reputation. “He hasn’t had a lot of practice with being in love.”
“Let’s hear the rest of it,” Magnar demanded, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I need to know how hard I’m going to have to fight to keep you, Callie.”
“It’s not really meant to be funny,” Erik said tersely but no one was listening and he shook his head as he returned his attention to the letter. “I love you more than I could ever put into words, please end my torment. I need you. I crave you. I want to take you in my arms and feel your full lips against mine once more. I want to feel them on my neck, my chest, my... You know what? If you want to find out what the rest of this says then I suggest you just screw him because it’s really fucking detailed and I don’t wanna keep reading it.” Erik held the letter out for me and I took it with a smile before he turned and headed back outside.
I pressed my lips together as firmly as I could until he was gone then Montana caught my eye and I lost it. We all burst into laughter once more and I could have sworn I heard Erik chuckling outside too.
I'd found a small tribe near the northeastern coast and remained in the mountain range close by. They called me the Night Walker. Their children were told stories about me. They lived in fear of my name; the creature in human form who came at midnight to take blood from their people.
I'd attempted the same tactic we'd employed in our previous village, but these humans weren't so easily tricked. However, the arrangement had worked for me in the end once they'd started leaving out sacrifices for me to feed on. Those who broke the law in their town were tied to a stake and left for me to devour. Though I never killed the victims, my bites were painful enough to strike fear in the hearts of the townsfolk.
I was lonely again. And so bored. The world was a blur, the days merging with the nights while I hid inside a large cave I'd found at the foot of the mountain range. I kept the company of bears and wolves. I'd even once tried to sate my hunger on one of their kills. But it was pointless. Only human blood could quench the curse's desire. So I remained there, living for the day that Magnar and his people would succumb to old age and pass out of this world forever.
It had only been a few years and I was already tired of waiting. The rumours of my existence had spread to a few of the closest villages. It wouldn't be long before I'd have to leave this place behind. It was too risky to stay if word of my hideout reached the ears of the slayers.
I'd probably already lingered too long. Despite the less-than-ideal situation it was better to have a constant blood supply than to uproot myself again in search of another town. I was at my most vulnerable when I was on the move. The slayers could sight me, or I could stumble across one of their camps. I knew they'd moved north in the hopes of finding us in the territories where the nights were longer. I'd heard the townsfolk speak of a fierce group of warriors living close to the sea a few miles south of here. They would head this way eventually. And I would be forced to run.
A storm was rolling in across the sky as I sat at the edge of my cave, waiting for the downpour to arrive. The air crackled with expectant energy, but the rain never came. Instead, a fork of lightning hit the ground in the forest to my right. I watched as it hit the same spot over and over, a frown creasing my forehead.
I'd never seen a storm act so strangely. Apart from...
My gut clenched as I rose to my feet. When the slayers had been blessed by the gods, one of them had wielded the weather with immense strength. But if she was close, surely that meant the others were too?
I growled my frustration. I hadn't had a good feed for over a week. I'd heard whispers of a thief being laid out for me this very night. But if I fled now, I'd miss my chance for blood. The sun was not yet set, though it was close. The storm clouds gave me the reprieve I needed to run in the final hour of daylight. I flexed my muscles, making my decision.
I'd head into the town and take the blood I needed before I made my escape. It didn't matter if the disturbance caught the ears of the slayers. If they were this close already, they had no doubt heard the
warnings of my proximity. Leaving without feeding was dangerous. I didn't know how far I'd have to go before I discovered another suitable place to take up residence. So I would drink fast then run.
Damn those slayers. We don't even kill anymore, why can't they leave us be?
I started running toward the town, my boots pounding across the ground. As I met the tree line and darted between two thick trunks, the rain was unleashed from the clouds. A torrent drenched me in seconds, but as I moved deeper into the dark wood, I was relieved from it by the thick canopy above.
The scent of a dampened fire hit my nostrils and I urged my legs faster, tearing toward the village.
Get blood. Get out. Run for your life.
I burst out of the trees, arriving at the edge of the village. Men and women were hurrying into their stone houses to escape the downpour. A child stood by the fire as smoke sailed from its doused embers. He was jumping in puddles, laughing as the water splashed up his legs.
I stalked closer, searching for another victim and the boy's eyes found mine, widening in fear.
“Night Walker!” he yelled in his native tongue and I cursed as a panic broke out around him. Those who hadn't made it to their houses turned at the voice, finding me standing at the edge of their home.
My eyes locked on a man as he raised an axe from his belt. “Get back, demon!” he cried, shoving a woman toward the boy by the fire. She gathered him into his arms, running for shelter.
I let the man come to me, spotting several more gathering behind him with their weapons raised.
“I will not kill you,” I told them, like I always did.
“Devil beast!” the man shouted, running toward me with a battle cry.
I sighed, wishing I'd been able to sneak someone away rather than cause this much of a stir. But the slayers had forced my hand again. If I didn't get blood now, I was in trouble.
I tensed as the man approached, knocking the axe from his hand with ease before dragging him close to me by the scruff of his neck. His kinsmen backed off as I dug my fangs into his throat, drinking deeply.
Screams cleaved through the air as his friends and family watched me drink from him. A woman slashed at me with a knife, but I knocked her to the ground, lifting the man from his feet as I took the blood I so desperately craved.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 114