A lump pushed at the insides of my throat as the woman approached, reaching for me and skating her fingers up my arm. “Hello, I'm Nirell,” she whispered and the scent of her blood sailed to me, making my head spin.
“Erik,” I croaked.
“Come, I'll give you some privacy,” she said, taking my hand.
Fabian grinned from ear to ear as I followed Nirell past the fire into a large tent. She turned to me and my mouth parted in surprise as she pressed her body against mine, pulling that lovely dark hair from her neck. “Drink, Warrior. Take whatever you need. We owe your brother our lives and his family is ours too.”
The flare in her eyes made my throat tighten even more. She was willing and seemed delighted by the prospect of giving me her blood, which was more than I ever could have hoped for. I could see why Fabian had chosen to stay here.
I dipped my head, brushing my fangs over her neck and she laced her arms around me as I lost myself to the intoxicating smell sailing from her veins. I eased my fangs into her and she moaned in pleasure as if this actually aroused her.
An amused laugh rolled from my throat. I couldn't believe my luck at finding this place. I drank deeply, chasing away the hungry monster inside me. When I'd taken more than enough, I pulled back and she gave me a lustful look. My brows raised as I was half tempted to take her up on the offer I could see shining in her eyes. But my brother and I had much to catch up on. And family was more important than me getting carried away right now.
“Thank you.” I took her hand, kissing the back of it and revelling in the warmth of her skin.
“You're most welcome. Anything you need, Night Warrior. It's yours.” She grinned at me and I chewed on my lower lip as I considered her.
“Perhaps I'll take you up on that offer later.” I turned and exited the tent, seeking out Fabian by the fire.
I spotted him in the arms of a woman who was so breathtaking to behold, she practically outshone the fire beside her. Her ebony hair was braided down her back and her body was lithe. Her face was a picture of beauty, her lips full and her eyes large. She gazed at my brother as if he held her whole world in his palms and I frowned as I drew closer. Fabian was staring at her, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. I'd never seen him look at a woman like that and it made me want to laugh with joy.
“This is Chickoa,” Fabian announced as he spotted me approaching. He suddenly seemed anxious as the girl turned toward me, taking me in with her rich, earthy eyes.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Fabian's told me so much about you.” She moved forward and slung her arms around me in a hug. I stilled in her hold, unused to such affection from humans.
I slowly folded my arms around her as Fabian gave me an encouraging nod.
“It's a pleasure to meet you too.”
“Will you stay for the wedding?” Chickoa leaned back and my brow creased with confusion.
“What wedding?” My eyes fell on Fabian as he ran a hand down the back of his neck.
“Mine and Fabian's of course!” Chickoa giggled, glancing over at my brother with so much love in her eyes the air was alive with it.
A slow smile crept onto my face as I surveyed Fabian. “Of course I'll stay. I wouldn't miss it for the world.”
Fabian jerked his head at me. “Come, Brother. We have much to catch up on.” He gestured to a tent on the other side of the fire and I followed him toward it.
“Yes, it appears we do,” I laughed as Fabian dropped his arm around my shoulders, guiding me into the tent.
I took in the space filled with furs and wooden furniture. It reminded me of the home I'd grown up in and a warmth spread through my chest as I sat on a chair.
Fabian poured me a tankard of some amber nectar which smelled distinctly sweet. He passed it to me before sitting opposite me with a wide grin. “They make this from maize and fruit. It's strong as hell.”
I sipped it, enjoying the delightful taste on my tongue followed by the sharp bite of alcohol.
“So you're getting married?” I asked, snorting my amusement.
“I am,” he said with no such mirth. “Erik, I love her. So fucking much, words can't begin to express it. Though I've tried. I write her poems every day.” He reached for a sheath of paper on the table which had scribbles all over it.
I took the page, eyeing the words on it as my mind adjusted to the new language. My mouth hooked up at the corner. “Her bosom is as full as the moon?”
Fabian snatched the page away. “Yes well...it's not finished yet.”
I leant back in my seat, staring at him in awe. “I never thought I'd see the day you would settle down, Fabian.”
“I know it's not ideal. But she says she wants to be with me forever. So I think she wants to be like us,” he said with a bright light in his gaze. “I have plans to turn her one day soon.”
I frowned, eyeing him. “Do you think she wants that? Brother, this curse is not to be handed out like a gift.”
“It is a gift.” He reached across the space between us, gripping my hand. “Or it can be. Look at this place, Erik. We have everything we could ever want here. People who adore us, who willingly give their blood-”
I raised a hand to stop him. “I do not want to feed on blood for the rest of eternity. I want what they have. Warm flesh, a beating heart.”
“It isn't all bad,” he pressed and I sipped on my drink to stop this from descending into an argument.
“I have news,” I changed the subject. “Though I fear how you might react to it.”
He sat forward in his seat, his brows knitting together. “What is it?”
“A slayer came to me last night,” I revealed and Fabian's eyes widened.
“Did you kill them?” he asked hopefully.
“No...she wanted to make a deal with me. She is Magnar Elioson's betrothed. Though it seems the great Earl has not been treating his woman with any respect. He beats her and he refuses to marry her even though it was foreseen by a prophet.”
Fabian released a breath through his nose. “That doesn't surprise me. But what deal did she wish to make? Surely we cannot trust a slayer.”
“That's what I thought at first. But...she changed my mind when she laid her life in my hands. She has promised to kill both Magnar and his brother and bring me evidence of their deaths.”
Fabian's mouth parted and hope flickered in his eyes. “Do you really believe she'll do it?”
“I think she will try,” I admitted. “But there is every chance she will fail. Though her powers should give her an advantage. She wields storms.”
He took a long swig of his drink as he absorbed that news then his eyes scraped over me thoughtfully. “How did she convince you to trust her?”
“She...” I cleared my throat, not sure if I wanted to tell him. But he was my brother and we'd never kept things from each other before. “She gave me her body. She laid down her weapon and took her clothes off.”
“You fucked a slayer?!” Fabian blurted.
I pushed a hand into my hair with a shrug.
“Don't shrug,” he said, pointing at me. “I want every detail.”
“You're not angry?” I asked.
“Why would I be angry with you for bedding Magnar's betrothed?” He started laughing and I couldn't help but join in. “Details, Erik, for the love of the gods. You must tell me everything.”
I swigged from my tankard, finishing the contents. “Alright, but I will need more drink first.”
Fabian beamed, getting to his feet. “That, I can do.”
Hunger was building at the base of my throat and I was glad of the horrid smoke to drown out the delicious scent sailing from Julius's veins. Clarice kept glancing at his neck as we sped through the trees side by side.
We shared a look and I shook my head. She nodded, dragging her gaze away from Julius as we ran on. I was glad no more needed to be said. I wasn't going to touch Julius no matter how thirsty I became and I knew Clarice would keep her word too. I just prayed we cou
ld still take on Valentina in our weakened state. We still had our guns. So maybe we would only need one well-aimed shot to take her out.
We followed the edge of the field and the storm eased off a fraction as we closed in on Valentina. I could sense the way her power wielded the air and my mouth parted in surprise as we ran into a bubble of safety that must have surrounded her.
“There,” Julius whispered, grabbing my arm to stop me.
Clarice halted, becoming as still as a statue as she leant around a large tree and gazed out into the field beyond.
The wind gently fluttered my hair and the snowflakes danced steadily in the pocket of calm around us. Behind us, the storm still raged, tearing at the trees and causing an immense blizzard to blow across the land.
Julius's mouth hooked up into a dark smile as he raised Vicious and moved close to Clarice's side.
I held my handgun aloft as I joined them, peering around the huge tree and spotting Valentina out in the field in a navy jumpsuit, her arms raised toward the sky. Behind her I spotted the wall of the army base where five of her Biters were gathered. They were Elite, the strongest of her followers and my heart clenched at the sight.
Clarice took a pistol from her hip and aimed it at Valentina. “Montana,” she whispered, deadly quiet. “Shoot at the same time. We're more likely to hit her heart with two bullets.”
Julius shifted into a fighting stance. “The second you shoot, I'm gonna run. If you miss, I'll finish her.”
I gritted my teeth, lining up the barrel of my gun with Valentina's heart. Fifty paces. That was all that parted us. And with my vampire abilities aiding me, I was sure I had a good chance of hitting her.
You can do this, Montana.
Don't miss.
“Ready?” Clarice mouthed and I nodded, placing my finger on the trigger.
I stared down the sight of the gun, adrenaline pounding through me.
“Now,” Clarice commanded and I fired.
The bullet unleashed from the barrel and my heart spiralled with hope.
Valentina screamed, hitting the ground in a pool of blood. But not ash.
“Fuck!” Julius sprinted out of the trees to end her with Vicious raised above his head.
Her eyes locked on her own sword in his grip and her face screwed up in fury. “You bastard!” she yelled.
Clarice and I sped after Julius as terror and glee tangled inside me. We were so close. One strike. That's all it would take.
I started firing my gun at her, but she swept the bullets away on a fierce gust of wind. I cursed as I moved faster.
Julius was closing in, his sword ready to finish her.
“You will give my darling weapon back to me, Julius Elioson!” she bellowed.
“Oh you’ll get it back, right in your dead heart!” he cried.
Lightning split the earth apart and the three of us were thrown to the ground. Fear danced under my skin as I immediately sprang upright but ten lightning bolts speared down from the sky at once. I weaved left and right to avoid them, digging deep for my energy. The lightning left sizzling blackened holes in the earth and I leapt over one before me, revenge burning in my veins as I locked my sights on Valentina. She was back on her feet, her arms raised and her expression furious.
The five Elite at the base were charging toward us and gunfire rattled through the air.
A bullet tore into my shoulder, knocking me sideways. I clutched the wound with a gasp, but kept running, eating up the space between me and Valentina with every stride.
The bullet had gone right through my body and I was relieved as the wound started to heal.
Clarice took another shot at Valentina, but her bullet was forced back toward her on a harsh gust of wind. Clarice rolled to avoid it, regaining her feet again as she charged to meet our enemy, holstering her gun and taking a knife from her hip instead.
Julius battled a fierce wind as Valentina held him off too, her eyes wild as she gazed at us. Her jumpsuit was ripped and the bloody holes in her chest were healing over fast.
The Elite arrived and I swung around to meet the first one as she aimed a gun at my chest. She pulled the trigger and I lurched aside in a blur of motion, darting to her right then throwing my full weight at her. We hit the ground and I wrestled the rifle from her grip, tossing it away from her.
She clawed at my face, my shoulders; she was like a wild cat, hissing and spitting. Her bright red hair was a stark contrast to the snow beneath her and I snatched a handful of it, yanking her head back to expose her throat. I dug my fangs into her neck and she shrieked, shoving me off her. I flew backwards onto the ground, my hand landing on the rifle. With a surge of adrenaline, I picked it up as she rose to her feet and stormed forwards.
I pulled the trigger and the bullet ripped right through her stomach. She wailed, stumbling backwards as she clutched the wound.
“Angelica!” a male voice called to her.
I gained my feet, angling the rifle at her chest, ready to finish her off. As I pulled the trigger, a weight crashed into me from behind and the bullet missed her by inches. A male held me down with his immense strength. I thrashed wildly as the tip of a knife pierced my back and terror lodge a lump in my throat.
Air rushed over me and the male's weight flew off of me. I rolled, finding Julius above me, the Elite decapitated by his sword. As he reached down to help me up, a harsh wind forced him on top of me and he crushed me into the snow.
“I can't get up,” he snarled.
The clouds flashed above us and I knew we were being held in place for Valentina's next lightning strike.
“Move!” I begged, trying to force him up.
A scream of defiance cleaved the air apart and Valentina yelled in response. The wind fell away and the lightning never came. I sighed my relief as Julius dragged me to my feet and I spotted Clarice closer to Valentina, swinging her knife as she battled the wind which kept her back. Valentina's hand was bloody and her fingers half severed. She couldn't focus on all of us at once. Every time she turned her attention from one of us, she gave another an advantage.
Gunfire pelted through the air and I slammed my palms to Julius's chest so he hit the ground out of harm's way. A bullet grazed my side and I snarled my fury, turning my own gun on the line of three Elite who held back to fire on us.
I started running at them, weaving left and right to avoid the bullets slicing through the air. I had to make every shot count.
I lifted the rifle, aiming at a male's heart. I took the shot and the male exploded into dust. His companions screamed in fright as a female's gun rang empty.
A fierce smile captured my lips as I aimed at her next. She darted to avoid the first bullet, but my second found her heart and she turned to ash before me. The final Elite started running, skirting around me in a wide arc as he tried to reach Valentina.
I planted my feet, following his movements with the barrel of my gun, biting deep into my lower lip.
I pulled the trigger but the gun barrel clicked and I sighed, tossing the weapon to the ground and taking chase instead.
The redhead, Angelica, was battling with Julius, the wound I'd given her nearly healed. He swung Vicious at her, but she moved with impossible speed, circling him like a rabid dog.
I kept my sights on my own target, powering my arms either side of me as I chased him down.
A heavy fog swirled around Valentina and Clarice, hiding them from view. The Elite I was following darted into it just before the fog swallowed me too as it expanded across the field. The mist became a raging blizzard and I halted, turning left and right as I tried to gather my bearings.
Julius's shouts carried to me on the wind, but they sounded from all around me, leaving me lost in the pressing snow.
The world was a swirl of white and my friends were cut off from me. I listened hard, desperately trying to locate Clarice or Julius as I raced forward through the dense fog.
A flash of red warned me of Angelica’s arrival. She sped from the snow like
a wild beast, her shirt ripped open and splattered with blood from the wound I'd given her. I brought up Nightmare as she dove forward, swinging it toward her.
She smacked my hand aside and landed a punch to my face. I staggered backwards as Nightmare dropped into the snow and I lost sight of it.
Angelica swung at me again with a feral snarl. I ducked the attack, lunging to uproot her, but she kicked me squarely in the jaw.
I was launched backwards into the snow, sinking deep into it as she jumped forward to straddle me. Her lip was curled back in anger as she started throwing her fists into my face.
I caught her wrist, twisting until I heard bone snap. She yelped and scratched her nails down my neck with her other hand. Fear lanced through me as I threw my knuckles into the half-healed wound on her stomach and she fell backwards in agony. I gained my feet, advancing on her, exposing my fangs.
She gazed up at me as blood leaked from the corner of her lips and started laughing. “The true queen is coming for me!”
I booted her in the face and she tumbled away as I prepared to finish her with my bare hands.
The fog shifted and swirled and Valentina stepped out of it with her eyes narrowed on me.
She slashed her hand through the air and sharpened hailstones pelted me. I covered my eyes as I was forced back by the torrent of razor sharp ice, my skin ripping under the onslaught.
The hailstones turned to wind and I was thrown through the air, tossed about in a vortex before smashing into the ground.
I tried to gain my feet but a stiletto heel dug into my spine and I groaned as it cut into my flesh. Valentina took hold of my hair, wrenching my head backwards so I looked up at her. She twisted her heel and I screamed as I battled to get up, but the raging wind still held me in place.
“Hello Montana,” she purred with a wicked grin. “It's time you paid the price for taking a crown that should have been mine.”
Fabian groaned in pleasure, his grip on me tightening as my heartbeat thundered out of control. They weren’t letting go. My head spun dizzyingly as the three of them continued to suck the blood from my veins and panic reared in my chest.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 141