“Yes, Magnar and Erik,” I said hopefully. “Valentina has them, she's controlling them somehow.”
“Idun and Andvari are helping her,” Callie added urgently.
At the mention of the gods' names, Odin's face creased with anger. “Their feud has tarnished my beautiful world. It has gone on far longer than I imagined. I turned my eye from them a long time ago and now I have returned to find the land I left in their hands has fallen to ruin.”
“Will you help us then?” Miles asked, wringing his hands together. “Our brother's in trouble. The slayer is too.”
“Yes...trouble indeed,” Odin said gravely. He shut his single eye a moment and the shrubs in the fields rustled in an unnatural breeze. Odin's eye flew open and rage encompassed his features as his iris grew to a bright red glow. “My power, my gift has been greatly abused. Idun has grown far beyond the position I gave her and Andvari is allowing it. She has given away something that was not hers to give.” He bared his shining white teeth as he snarled and fear clutched my heart.
“So...will you help us?” I begged, an ache growing inside me at how much I needed him to do so.
“Please,” Callie pressed, her expression contorted with longing. “We need you.”
This god held the answer to our prayers. He could bring my husband back to me and Magnar back to Callie. The thought alone alone sent a wave of desperate hope flooding through me. When he didn't answer I rushed forward and took hold of his hand. His skin was burning hot and energy rippled from it like lava. Callie rushed forward too, gripping his other arm.
Odin placed his hand on top of my sister’s as he turned to her, the glow of his eye fading away to its original cool blue. “Yes, I will help. But you must swear on all that you are, that you will return the ring, Andvaranaut, to the holy mountain. That is where you will pay the final debt.”
Callie nodded, her expression taut as she thumbed the ring on her hand. “I promise.”
Odin pulled us closer with an almost sad smile as his gaze swung between us. “What is lost can always be found.”
I frowned, unsure of the meaning of his words as he swept a finger down each of our cheeks. “Your men will be freed from my power. It is done.” He turned away from us, his body seemingly swept away on the breeze.
The moonlight extinguished and we stood in a circle again, but this time it was the others who surrounded my sister and I. They gazed at us like we were more than just two girls who'd stumbled into their lives. It was as if we were gods ourselves.
Valentina slept for the rest of the flight back to the castle and when she woke her mood was sullen. She ignored us for the most part, commanding us to stay with her as she headed back to the castle. I followed silently, keeping my head low so that I didn’t offend her in any other way. I feared her dreams had troubled her but I didn’t dare to ask if my guess was right.
She gave orders for a legion of her Biters to head back to the base and track down the twins and shame washed over me as I realised she no longer trusted us with that task.
A platoon of Elite surrounded us as we moved along the corridors and I sneered at them as they eyed my warm flesh with interest. She may have encouraged her followers to feed from the vein but I wouldn’t be offering out my own blood to anyone but her unless she asked it of me.
Andrew glared at me at every opportunity, his hatred and desire for my blood clear in his gaze, but I ignored him. If he wished to try and bite me then he would quickly find out why the Belvederes had feared my wrath.
Valentina dismissed the rest of her guards as we reached the bedroom she’d claimed for her own, making them wait outside the door as she drew us in after her.
Erik glanced at me excitedly as we were left alone with her and I could tell that he was as hopeful as I was that she might take us to her bed.
She was yet to punish us as she’d promised though and I was sure we had that to come before we could hope to earn the pleasure of her body. But I would gladly take any measure of pain she dished out for a moment in her arms.
The call of her flesh was intoxicating and I almost groaned aloud just thinking about what we’d started here earlier. I only hoped that we hadn’t disappointed her too much. Perhaps she still wanted to pick up where we’d left off. This was a way I knew I could please her without fail. I’d do everything I could to make up for our failure to kill the twins.
A deep vibration rattled through the room and I drew Tempest into my grip as I looked for the source of the roiling power.
Idun stepped through a fissure in the air, the whole castle seeming to tremble as she slammed her bare foot down on the floor. Her naked flesh was dressed in a swarm of living snakes which writhed across her skin, hissing angrily.
Her face was a mask of rage as she advanced on Valentina and I took a step forward to defend my queen.
Idun’s power slammed into me, immobilising me and Erik as she kept her focus on my love.
“Where is it?” Idun demanded and in place of the liltingly sweet tone she usually used, her voice was like a thunderclap breaking across the sky.
Valentina dropped to the floor, pressing her forehead to the carpet by Idun’s bare feet as she bowed as low as physically possible.
“Forgive me,” Valentina begged. “I have failed you but I swear I’ll make it right. I’ve already sent a legion of my best fighters to track down the twins again. I am putting every effort into appeasing you and retrieving that ring-”
“And yet it is not enough,” Idun snarled and one of the snakes lunged forward, driving its fangs into Valentina’s arm. She screamed as the pain of its venom sliced through her and my heart leapt in panic as I strained against Idun’s hold on me.
“Punish me,” I begged. “I faced the girl and let her escape me. I’m the one who deserves your wrath!”
“Yes,” Erik agreed desperately. “I let her live too. My selfish desire to stay with my love made me abandon my chance at finishing the twins. Set your vengeance on me!”
Idun turned to look at us, her eyes burning fiercely.
“Perhaps your pets have a point,” she growled. “Maybe their love for you is the problem here.”
Idun pointed a finger at me and a snake coiled along the length of her arm, its eyes seeming to glow red like the jewel which hung from Valentina’s throat.
My breath caught in my chest as my love for Valentina was stripped back, peeled out of my body and drained from my blood.
I stared at the vampire who had been selected for my bride as a dark hatred grew in me. I didn’t love her - I ached for her death more than anything in this world.
I raised Tempest higher and took a step towards Valentina as she stared up at me, her lips parted in horror.
“No,” she gasped. “I’ll do better, I’ll do anything! I-”
I swung my blade at her head with a bellow of rage and she rolled across the floor with a scream of terror.
My grip tightened on Tempest’s hilt and I advanced again, her death the only goal I desired.
“Please!” Valentina shrieked and Idun nodded.
“Enough,” the goddess breathed.
Idun’s snake turned away from me, slivering back up her arm and I stilled as my love for Valentina returned. I wasn’t sure what had happened and my gaze darted to the deity uncertainly.
“I can take them from you any time I please,” Idun breathed. She stepped towards me, trailing her fingers along my jaw and I was enraptured by the perfection of her face.
She slid her arms around me and her snakes writhed against my body as she moulded herself to me.
I was vaguely aware of Valentina staring at us from the floor and Erik locked in place behind me. Nothing in the world mattered but this beautiful being before me.
Idun gazed deep into my eyes for several long seconds before sighing. “I find I miss your insolent tongue,” she murmured. “I don’t know that I like you so compliant, my warrior.”
I frowned, unsure what she meant and she stepped away f
rom me as if she were disappointed.
“This is your last chance,” the goddess warned, pointing at Valentina. “Don’t let me down again.”
“I won’t,” Valentina swore, flattening herself to the floor once more. “I will bring you that ring.”
“You will,” Idun agreed firmly. She stepped back and the air swallowed her whole. Her power disappeared and a faint ringing filled my ears as I adjusted to the removal of her presence.
I hurried forward and offered Valentina my hand, pulling her upright as my heart thundered from her touch.
She looked up at me with rage flashing in her eyes and her fist connected with my jaw. Pain flared through my chin and I welcomed it, knowing I’d disappointed her.
I dropped my head in shame as the taste of blood filled my mouth.
“If the two of you let me down again, I’ll gut you both,” she snarled.
“Yes, my love,” I agreed.
“I will drive a blade into my stomach myself, my queen,” Erik added fervently.
Valentina looked towards him and I noticed some of the anger leaving her posture.
“Kneel,” Valentina snapped, pointing at a spot by the foot of the bed and I hurried to obey. “Stay there until I’m ready for you.”
Erik dropped down beside me and I glanced at him as his shoulder brushed against mine. The wounds on his chest had healed over but his torn shirt was still splattered with blood stains from his injuries. I took my sheath from my back and laid Tempest down beside me.
“The next time that little witch visits me in my dreams I’ll give her a nightmare of her own. I’m going to have a lot of fun with the two of you,” Valentina said as she crossed the room and stopped before a large mirror which hung from the wall. “Especially you, Magnar. Let’s see how much she enjoys spying on my memories then.”
My heart lifted as she singled me out and I smiled in anticipation while Erik pouted.
Valentina tilted her head as she surveyed us and slowly unbuttoned her jumpsuit, sliding it from her body as we watched her. Blood pounded in my veins and I ached to go to her but she’d commanded us to stay put and I refused to do even the slightest thing to displease her again.
She dropped her clothes to the floor and stepped out of them, standing before us in her black underwear and high heeled shoes.
“Do you want to kiss me?” she purred. “Touch me?”
“Yes,” I breathed and Erik nodded mutely, his eyes locked on her exposed flesh.
“Show me what you want to do to me. On each other.”
I glanced at Erik, disappointment stirring in my chest as I turned my attention to him instead of her, but if this was what she wanted then I was happy to do it. I ached to please her in any way possible and if she liked to watch the two of us together then I wouldn’t object to it.
Her necklace flared with power as she brushed a finger over it and I suddenly wondered why I’d been disappointed about this. I wanted Erik just as much as I wanted her.
I caught his neck in my grip and dragged him towards me as he fisted his hands in my hair, kissing me with an aching desperation.
His hands slid down my chest and I groaned as he headed lower. I shoved the tattered remains of his shirt off of him to gain access to more of his skin and Valentina’s laughter caught my ear.
“Wait,” she breathed and Erik pulled away from me just as his fingertips reached my navel.
My heart pounded as I turned towards my queen again and I smiled as I noted the lust in her eyes.
She walked towards us, her hips swaying as she moved to stand in front of us. I gazed up at her, my heart swelling with love as I fought against the urge to touch her. I would wait for permission. I wouldn’t do anything wrong again.
“My pets,” she whispered, brushing her fingers along Erik’s jaw. “How I adore you.” She swept her fingers across my cheek before clutching my chin in her grasp.
Her fingernails bit into my skin and she inhaled deeply as I felt blood spilling from the wounds.
She increased the pressure on my jaw, tugging me up so that I stood before her while Erik remained on the floor.
Her hand slid from my chin, down my neck and over the curves of my muscles.
“I want you to beg for me,” she said as she lifted her eyes to meet mine. “Beg for me to bite you.”
“Please,” I said instantly.
“Not good enough.” She dropped her mouth to my neck and started to trail kisses over my skin.
Every inch of my flesh came alive with longing as she moved lower.
“Please,” I said more forcefully and she laughed.
“Help me to convince him, Erik,” she said as she pulled the vampire towards me too.
He started kissing my stomach as she pressed her lips to my chest and my desire for the two of them almost overwhelmed me.
“Bite me,” I begged, my voice rough with desperation.
“If you insist.”
I flinched as her teeth cut into my chest right above the tattoo which tied me to her and Erik’s fangs burrowed into the flesh above my hip.
The pain was overwhelming but it mixed with my desire for them in a way that intoxicated me.
I closed my eyes, tipping my head back as they sated their thirst on me and I was filled with satisfaction as they moaned in pleasure while they fed. They gripped me tightly, refusing to let me go as they drank deeply but I didn’t want them to go anywhere, I wanted them exactly where they were.
Valentina pulled back first and Erik quickly followed her lead.
She claimed my mouth with hers and the taste of my own blood washed over my tongue.
Her attention switched to Erik as she pulled him upright and my blood ran hot as I watched her kissing him.
Valentina placed a hand on each of our chests, sliding them lower as a wicked glint lit her eyes. She reached my waistband and paused, toying with me as she could see how desperately I wanted her to continue. She held Erik captured in the same teasing moment and he groaned, leaning towards her in the hopes that she’d carry on with her descent.
“I want you to take me first, Magnar,” she breathed as her gaze dropped over me. “I’ve waited so long to find out how this would feel and I can’t wait any longer.”
My heart pounded at her request and I smiled excitedly.
“But you won’t be left out Erik,” she promised him. “You’ll have your turn too.”
Her necklace blazed and I stared at it as she leaned closer, pushing her fingers lower, sliding them beneath my waistband. The ruby grew redder and redder, drawing all of my attention and I could feel Erik staring at it too.
With a sound like breaking glass, the ruby split in two. The light fled from it and the stone turned black as the severed pieces tumbled to the floor.
A faint whooshing filled my ears as images of a girl with hair the colour of sunlight filled my mind.
I was kissing her, holding her, making love to her. She was mine and I was hers. I remembered everything it had taken for us to find each other and everything that had tried to keep us apart.
“Callie,” I breathed and her name was the undoing of all that had been stolen from me. I remembered... I remembered it all.
My gaze slipped to Erik’s and I saw the same dawning comprehension in his eyes too.
I caught Valentina’s wrist in my hand and she looked up at me in surprise as I released a feral snarl filled with rage at all the things she’d forced me to do.
She inhaled sharply, snatching her other hand away from Erik as she reached up to touch the necklace and found the stone missing.
I twisted her arm in my grip and she screamed as the bone snapped. Erik slammed his fist into her face and she fell to the ground.
“How?” Valentina gasped as she stared up at the two of us in horror, seeing her death in our eyes.
I kicked her, sending her flying across the room into the huge mirror and it shattered around her, the broken pieces raining down on her skin and cutting her open.
<
br /> “Guards!” she screamed as we advanced on her again. “Help!”
Erik shot towards her, catching her hair and slamming her face into the wall so that blood spewed.
The door burst open behind us and I turned as twenty of her loyal Elite flooded into the room.
I dove forward, snatching Tempest from the ground and crying out as I swept it towards them.
A harsh wind battered me as Valentina seized control of the air in the room and Erik was knocked away from her.
He roared his rage at the Elite as they sprang forward to surround their queen and Valentina hid within their midst.
The two of us leapt at them and I swung Tempest through flesh and bone as I fought to kill the devil who had enslaved my body and stolen me from the woman I loved.
The wind slammed into me and I was knocked from my feet, rolling back towards Erik before the entrance to a grand bathroom.
“Kill them!” Valentina shrieked as she raced towards the door and the Elite cut us off from her. She disappeared beyond it and I cursed as I realised we’d missed our opportunity to end her.
I swung my blade again as the Elite pressed towards us and I managed to kill one of them, sending dust swirling between their ranks.
Erik slammed into me, knocking me out of the way as one of the Elite fired a rifle at us.
I cursed as I rolled over the tiled floor in the bathroom and came up on my knees, holding Tempest ready once more.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 147