Fuck!
At this rate I would end up chaining the girl to me, just so the madness wouldn’t consume me, for each time this happened I was losing my fucking cool. I was losing the ability to keep my shit together and make decisions. Gods, but how any King functioned enough to rule when they had found the Queen they loved, was beyond me because right now, well I was making a piss poor fucking job of it!
“Explain!” I snapped on a growl.
“I took her to the office like you ordered and had my personal guard take post outside the fucking door, little good it did, seeing as not one survived and my office was fucking ripped apart!” Dariush growled angrily with fisted hands that no doubt wanted to punch me bloody from my rough treatment of him. I would have welcomed the fight had I not had more important shit to do, like finding my woman!
“Show me!” I barked the demand, one that became an oxymoron considering I was taking long, angry strides towards my brother’s office, leaving him to catch up. I rounded a corner and the smell of death wafted up my nostrils and for once, it wasn’t the welcome scent of my realm. No, all it meant this time, was that my greatest loss came with a smell, one named failure.
“Do you believe this was the work of the witch?” my brother asked, making my lip curl at the mention of the bitch, one that should have died by my hands long ago. But then, looking around the broken hallway, and I wasn’t so sure. The pale stone walls were marred by a lightning bolt of cracks that were still crumbling due to our heavy footsteps coming closer. The bodies of the guards were long gone due to their vessels turning to ash upon their deaths, but seeing their remains now floating on pools of water was surprising.
I bent down on one knee and took a closer look, leaving the sight of the broken office beyond and instead focusing on these strange puddles. Each patch of water was surrounding an island of melting shards of ice, ice that seemed to have come from nowhere. Now I was quickly asking myself where I had seen this same evidence before and not long ago at that. It was déjà vu all over again, for once more I was looking for anything that may lead to signs of who took my girl. Which was suddenly when it came to me and a low and dangerous growl rumbled from my chest.
“What is it?” Dariush asked given my vicious response.
“I have seen this before,” I told him as I stormed inside the office to find even more evidence to suggest my theory was correct. The section of the wall behind the splintered desk had been split open enough to create an opening to the outside. Again, my boots kicked up water and crunched what was left of chunks of ice as I walked further inside the room.
“Where the fuck did all this water and ice come from?” my brother asked, not yet knowing what I did. I turned to him and growled only one word,
“Cockatrice…” This was quickly followed by,
“…I will fucking kill him this time!”
The memory of seeing the way he looked at Amelia flashed in my mind like a shower of salt in a wound he had slashed open by taking her. This of course came after remembering the same evidence I had found by the Arachne, the Spider Queen’s forest. Meaning it didn’t take me long to discover the culprits of this kidnapping.
Now, what their end game was still remained to be discovered, for I was hoping ransom for their souls was the only thing on their minds. But as soon as this thought entered my mind I knew that these noble idiots wouldn’t have hurt and scared Amelia for their own gain. For I wasn’t foolish enough to ignore the strongest of the three had developed feelings for my girl. No, this time it wasn’t only about Trice’s soul but instead, it was more about his heart.
But then again, I suppose seeing my treatment of her, collared like a pet and in my cruel grasp, it wasn’t a stretch for him to believe he was saving her from me. Fuck! But either path I took with the girl had only ended up working against me. For in my stubborn belief that by treating her this way was for her own good, I had underestimated the consequences from the other side. At the very least the only comfort I could hold onto was that she would remain unharmed and protected until I could get her back, something I was on my way to doing right now!
But right now, it was time I did something I never had before…it was time to use the Eye of Crimson for the first time. Being its keeper since its beginning I thought I knew what to expect, for I had been granted the power to ask of it what I wanted to see. However, I was soon to learn that despite having no interest in being shown the future, the Eye was to have other ideas.
Now, moments later, I found myself standing at the edge of the pool of water. But with it being a sight that only a little time ago I had my girl naked and in my arms, meant that it was proving difficult to think straight.
“Where are you, my little Šemšā?” I said aloud, looking up at the ceiling and closing my eyes as if I could still feel her presence. I swear that I was starting to believe we were cursed or something, for I already knew our love had in the beginning been a forbidden one. But to keep losing her this way was a torture that was becoming a regular occurrence. Like some bullshit test the Fates were putting us through, believing that we hadn’t yet endured enough!
I opened my eyes with a frown and with a mere thought shed my demonic armour, stepping forward from the mist of black particles; A dark essence of power that would sink into the shadows and follow me like an invisible cloud until I called for it back. Then once naked and free of the weight, I dove into the pool, taking the barest of moments to relish the feel of the water caressing my bare skin and cooling my rage. Seconds later my eyes opened, and I sent a wave of power surging forward. It called out silently to the Crimson Eye and in doing so revealed the underwater entrance where it was kept hidden. A glow started to illuminate the darkness just as the archway appeared, rising from the floor like a flickering ghost.
I kicked back forcing my body deeper until I was swimming under the arch and into the secret cavern beyond. Holding my breath for this length of time wasn’t really a problem. But for a human, then by the time they breached the surface they would be gasping for air with their lungs burning from the strain. The light above me that seemed to shimmer was one that was only fuelled by the presence of the Keeper of the Eye, as for anyone else only darkness would have met them.
I broke through the surface and took a breath before treading water long enough to take in my surroundings. Gods, but how long had it been since I had come down here? It wasn’t something I tended to do, for there was no reason to. The Crimson Eye was safe in its tomb, living out its days unused and beyond the reach of harm’s way.
Hell, but if it had been possible, I would have destroyed the damn thing and had done with it years ago! But then the endless storm that surrounded my tower most certainly came in handy, especially now when finding it as a safe place for my queen. A place I might add, being one she would soon find herself remaining in for the duration of Hell’s visit. At the very least until I could sort out the fucked-up shit going on with my race.
Again, chaining her back to my bed was a welcome reminder as I heaved myself out of the water and with a thought called for my trousers, so I wasn’t walking around the place naked. Once covered from the waist down, I then walked along the only space in this part of the cave that led to the Eye’s tomb. Passing the archway sent a shudder of power through me from the lingering residue I knew came from the Eye. It clung onto the only being that had stepped foot inside this place, drawn to my presence the closer I got.
The only other who knew of the Eye was my brother and in my moment of weakness I had granted him permission to use it, something he had turned down. This wasn’t surprising, as he knew the importance of keeping the future where it should always remain…unknown.
Hell, but I wasn’t even sure he could use it. But seeing as it had been granted to me, proclaiming me as its keeper, we had just always assumed that being brothers with the same blood running through our veins, then its use between us was a given. But as neither of us had ever used it before, then this fact was still unknown.
Like Dom for example, he would be easy to connect to, making me wonder if now was the time to do so? I knew that he must have been going out of his mind with worry, because as far as Amelia’s parents were concerned, it would have been as if we had dropped off the face of Earth’s realm. Which was precisely what had happened.
I mentally shook my head as I knew now was not the time, as it would only end up complicating matters. Fuck, but it had been bad enough that I had involved Asmodeus. Something I knew for certain would only manage to piss Dom off even more. It was a well-known fact that Dom and his father weren’t exactly on the best of terms and were known to clash heads more often than not, something that usually ended in the exchange of blows.
Let’s just say that in this case, butting horned heads was not just a metaphor.
The moment I stepped inside the tomb my breath was stolen from me. Again, this was from the strength of the power I could feel pulsating from the altar at the centre of the large open space. This also made my steps falter in the black sand that looked like charred remains of the very scorched, volcanic sands it first emerged from. Once, it had been a golden hue, the last time I had been here in fact, making me wonder what had happened for it to have turned its prison into the past of its rebirth?
Could it have something to do with the infected Tree of Souls?
I walked closer, purposely doing so slowly so as not to give into the temptation of its pull. It had been like this the last time, feeding from the life it felt in its presence and the future it presented, one desperate to tell. Like secrets spilled from the loose lips of a street rat in need of coin. London had been full of them at one time, and I remember most of my missions wouldn’t have been completed half as fast without them.
But then, as tempting as it was to give into its call, I resisted. This was achieved by being strong enough to hold out against the alluring possibilities it presented, despite my reasons for being here now. It was why I had been chosen to be its keeper, as its guardian. I had the strength to ignore its power.
Now, on the other hand as for Amelia, well, no force in Hell had the power to keep me away from her, for she was my beacon and my willing addiction. Hence why I was here now, doing what I vowed I never would. But then if I hadn’t only recently consumed her blood, then none of what I was about to do would have been possible.
I wouldn’t even be trying and would currently be out there now the same as I had done when first arriving in Hell. Searching for her in a near blind panic and tearing apart my realm to find her. Only this time I had three shifter brothers to contend with and if they were in their most powerful and combined form, then I had no fucking hope without this Eye.
They could have been anywhere by now!
So, with this in mind, I finally allowed it to draw my steps closer, coming to the end of holding back. I had no choice but to give in to its pull, feeding my need to reach out and touch it. I hated the weakness it caused me to face, and just to prove to myself that I could beat it, I snatched my hand back. At least now feeling somewhat satisfied enough that I could deny its controlling essence.
“Fuck, you’re a powerful fucking thing aren’t you?” I said aloud just to hear my own voice in this dark situation. It glowed brighter and more intense as if responding to me in its own way.
“Right, well let’s see if you can find what I am looking for…” I paused so I could concentrate on finding her blood inside me. I started feeling for the slightly foreign essence, one that in all my years as a Vampire, was a blood that had never affected me in the same way as others.
Hell, but it fucking sang in my body and lit up my insides! Because of this it wasn’t a surprise where it remained centred inside me. For naturally it was one I could find beating at my core and around the heart of my vessel. But because I wasn’t sure if being in my body was enough, I pulled it back, drawing it to my hand so when I bit into it, both my own and hers would make a connection with the Eye.
Once I knew it was where it needed to be, I released my fangs and bit down into my palm, letting it quickly fill with blood after cupping my fingers. It was only then that I reached out and took possession of the Eye, once and for all feeling its power.
“Show me the girl!” I commanded, and in a blinding flash of light it did as I demanded of it.
Only in doing so, it then showed me a lot more.
More than I ever wanted to see.
It showed me Amelia’s future and in doing so, it also showed me…
Her Death.
Chapter Three
Fates’ Claim
The second I saw the last image the Eye forced upon me I tore my hand free and staggered backwards, not stopping until my back hit the wall of the tomb. For the first time in my supernatural life I felt as though I couldn’t breathe! I even found my hand fisted at my bare chest, as I felt the pain of what I’d just seen as though the spear of destiny was no longer embedded in my spine but instead in my heart. It was as if my whole body was fighting against what the Eye had shown me.
My large frame shook, and my free hand had to steady myself against the wall for it felt as if my legs were soon to give out. The only feeling akin to this was when I felt Amelia’s death closer to calling for the reaper, and I had fucking prayed for her life to be saved. But in this, I didn’t find myself praying to any God, only cursing the name of one…
Janus, the God of time.
I don’t know how long it took me to compose myself, but the moment it happened was when anger started to replace the blind panic. I found my fingers curling and breaking through the rock as it cracked before crumbling in my hand. I turned quickly and punched the hand that had been at my chest into the wall, because it still wasn’t enough.
I needed to feel that destruction by my hands. I needed to crush the implanted thoughts out of my mind. I needed to eradicate the mental image of Amelia’s sacrifice from my very soul. Which was why, before I could stop myself, my furious steps took me towards the Eye and the next time I picked it up, it was only to throw the fucking thing against the wall. A hopeless prayer that the heart of fate shattered taking with it that of its unwanted foretold future. One that…
I. Was. Not. Going. To. Let. Happen!
“FUCK YOU!” I roared as it hurtled across the open space hitting into the wall and like my fist had done, creating a hole in the stone. The Eye however, remained untouched as it landed on the sand turning it golden the moment it touched it. I growled and dragged a hand through my hair in anger, nearly tearing a fist full of strands from my head.
“NO! No! No fucking way am I willing to accept that! Fuck the Fates…FUCK THE GODS!” I roared snarling back at the new source of my anguish. Then, when I had panted through the worst of my rage, without touching it again I used my powers to lift it and put it back on the altar with a snarl of disgust. This was fucking why I never had anything to do with the fucking Fates and had never once before been tempted to look at the fucking thing! Because they twisted truths and forged the path for others to take, like fucking puppet masters tugging on the strings of souls!
Well, I wasn’t like Dom! I wasn’t going to be drawn into that bullshit and give power to their divine intervention by believing in it! I was going to find my girl and do as I intended by keeping her safe. I would act as if I had not seen a thing, so as not giving her the chance to fulfil some fucking prophecy they had designed for her.
I would save my own fucking people and if that sacrifice had to be my own life, then so be it! But there was one thing I was absolutely certain of…
Amelia would live.
Which meant that she wasn’t going anywhere near Tartarus. And if anyone was going to sacrifice a piece of themselves it would be me. After all,
I had already lost a hand once, and granted if the image was anything to go by then what they would demand for saving my people was something I couldn’t give and ever walk away from.
Not when what they wanted sacrificed was none other than…
The beating heart of a true born Vampire.
***
Once I was free of the water, my impatience to be rid of the Eye’s pull was stifling and had me summoning my armour instantly, doing so with some hope the extra layer of power surrounding me would help. I cast a hand out behind me after leaving the pool to seal off the entrance to the tomb and at the same time angry strides took me across the bathroom. I reached the top of the staircase with only one destination in mind.
To find my heart’s keeper.
Which meant that after taking the last step, I launched myself up in the air and twisted my horns around so they pointed upwards. This was done to protect my body, covering it with my wings in a cocoon of demonic skin the second I burst through the obsidian crystal. Then the second I was through, my horns shifted back at the same time I uncurled my wingspan and cut through the air as quickly as possible, needing to get away.
I didn’t know how long it was until I found myself stopping enough to take a breath and holding myself suspended in the air. The sight of her sacrificing herself again clung to me like a fucking web of lies! I had thought the more distance I put between myself and the Eye then the better it would be. But the truth was the vision fucking haunted me! Like the ghost of a soul before death. I even found myself dropping a metre or two as my wings lowered in defeat.
“No…no, it won’t happen…it can’t…I won’t let it happen,” I muttered to myself before my head snapped up and my wings lifted with my surge of determination.
Roots Of Rage: A Vampire King Paranormal Romance (Transfusion Saga Book 9) Page 2