"Huh."
Something had caught her attention, and Noah shone the light on the stone shield covering the figure. It bore a coat of arms, emblazoned with lions and snakes.
Holly shoved hard against the lid. It wouldn't budge, so she dropped the sword and put her back into it. Stone scraped against stone, and she took a step back.
Noah trained the flashlight on the exposed gap.
"Oh, freakin' hell." His heart stopped. This was the last thing he expected to see.
There was no body in the coffin. But the interior walls were lined with hundreds of photographs, some in frames. Dark earth covered the floor of the stone coffin.
Noah pushed the lid a little further for a clearer view.
"Well I'll be damned!" he said, horrified. His gut wretched to see the faces of so many, young and old, male and female.
"Do you think they're all dead?" asked Holly.
Noah looked from one face to the next. "Yes, I think so. I think this is how he gets his kicks. Killing them must turn Micah on, as well as nourish him."
"Sicko," said Holly. She reached in and pulled out an old black and white photo. "Well I know one face he ain't gonna enjoy ever again."
Holly slipped the photograph into the same pocket as she'd put the ring.
Noah rummaged in the bag and pulled out the silver goblet and a couple of old wooden crucifixes he had brought from home. He dropped them inside the coffin. "That should slow him down," he said. He also retrieved the dagger and secured it inside his belt. He was about to push the lid back when they heard a grinding that echoed through the entire mausoleum. It could only be the door at the entrance being forced open by inhuman strength.
"Shit," whispered Holly. "Do you think it's him?"
Noah nodded and pointed to the sword by Holly's feet. She knelt down and picked it up.
Noah looked all around, but there just wasn't any place to hide for either of them. He was just thinking this when Holly raised the sword high over her head and spread her legs, ready to attack Micah.
"He is coming," she said in a voice that was not her own. "Prepare to die, you mother fucker."
16
The Vampire Micah
She could see everything. The markings on the tablets and tombs were as clear as if it were broad daylight. There was no way that fucker was coming down those narrow stairs without her seeing him.
Holly adjusted her stance and ushered Noah to stand way back. If this were to be her gruesome end, she planned to go out swinging. Her heart raced, beating against her ribs as if it knew this was the end.
And then she stumbled forward. A change had come over her. Her blood felt thin and cold, and her beating heart suddenly became still, as if it had died already. And her hands. She noted with horror the sunken black veins that still held onto the sword.
Holly shuddered. She didn't need an instruction manual to tell her what this meant. Another part of her human self had died. She was becoming wholly undead. If she didn't kill Micah now, it would be all over for her anyway. She would lose her mind and her love for Noah.
"Are you okay?" whispered Noah behind her.
She nodded. Whatever happened, she had to protect Noah. Holly took a deep breath and resumed her killing stance.
Slowly, a step at a time, someone was coming. Holly took a step forward, ready to meet whatever was coming down those stairs. Then she took another. And another. She was close enough to strike now. She saw a pair of shoes. Then dark pants legs.
"MacMillan! What the...!" she said, as quietly as she could.
"Hello, Holly," he said. MacMillan didn't bother to whisper.
She kept the sword high, not trusting her own eyes. After all, Micah could shift as well as Noah. Maybe this wasn't MacMillan after all.
"How did you break free?" she continued, keeping her sword high.
Before answering, MacMillan stepped down to the bottom step. "The master released me."
There was an odd look on his face; and she knew at once what it meant. Once again, MacMillan was in thrall.
She heard a strange hiss behind her, and startled, Holly turned. But it was too late. Before either she or Noah had time to react, a giant cobra slid out from the mouth of an effigy, just inches from where Noah stood. She wondered if the giant cobra was real or some bizarre illusion? Had Micah shifted, or was this another crazy vampire mind control thing?
Its mouth opened in a snarling hiss, revealing a pair of vile fangs as long as her fingers that looked hungry to bite. Yet, it did not strike. Instead, a dense mist filled the grand vault, seemingly rising up out of the floor, and Holly couldn't see a damned thing. She kept the sword high and inched a little closer.
"That's quite enough!" said a deep voice through the swirling fog. "Unless you want me to snap this filthy shifter's neck like a twig, I suggest you stay where you are."
Holly stopped in her tracks.
The mists surrounded her, swallowed her, cut her off from everything else. It was as if she was in another world. She couldn't see or hear Noah, didn't know where she was any more. Then they parted before her. And there he was at last. Not a giant cobra, but a man. The vampire Micah had blond hair and the face of an attractive man in his thirties. There was nothing remotely Christopher Lee about him. And unlike Noah, when Micah transformed, he was fully clothed. She would even go so far as to call him handsome, except for his eyes, which were brutally cold. Odd. She didn't feel sick anymore.
Micah's long fingers were sunk into Noah's shoulder, and he held Noah's dagger to his throat. Noah's face was contorted in pain. Despite his strength he was powerless in Micah's grasp. How in God's name could Micah have moved so fast?
"You let him go!" she said.
"I hardly think you're in any position to make demands," said Micah. "I would have cut his throat already, but I'd rather enjoy seeing him watch you die first. What? Did you think I was just going to walk under that sword you've been flashing about ever since you arrived in town? And you've hardly been discreet. You were loud enough in that graveyard to wake the dead. Tsk tsk! Give me some credit at least."
He glanced into the stone coffin that was still half open. "Oh, and crucifixes, too. How quaint. At least the silver goblet was inspired. I shall have to pay a visit to Mamaw's shop when I'm done. She's stupid enough, but she might actually be dangerous without knowing it. I'll tell her Sue says hi. Right before I rip out her decrepit throat. They can console each other in Hell."
Holly grasped the sword tightly.
"No, no you fucker," said Holly. She twirled the sword over her head. "You ain't going anywhere. This is where you die."
"Ah. I see the woman has gotten a little more spunk since we last met." He licked his lips slowly.
Holly's gut flipped.
"MacMillan. Bring her to me. I might have a little fun with her first before I finish the job I started."
MacMillan took a step forward behind her, and Holly turned the sword on him.
"Don't step any closer or I'll kill you," she threatened. "Come on, MacMillan. This isn't you. You're under his spell. You have to fight it. For the love of God, please!"
Holly knew her words were futile, but MacMillan did pause, if only to look to his master for further instructions. He was for the vampire now. She turned the sword back toward Micah.
Micah yanked Noah's head clean back, and she saw blood where the blade had pierced his skin.
"Give him your sword, or this animal dies now. His blood will be on your hands."
If Holly resisted, Noah would die as surely as if she'd cut his throat herself. If she surrendered, there was still the chance he could escape. She lowered the sword and offered it to MacMillan. He snatched it out of her hand.
"Now there's a good girl. See how easy that was?" His voice hardened again. "Bring her here."
MacMillan grabbed her roughly by the arm and pushed her back to where the vampire stood. Micah took her hand, and kicked Noah to the ground. "Keep that sword on him while I have a little
fun," he commanded. MacMillan did as he was told.
Micah pulled Holly so close, she could smell his foul breath while he gazed on her appraisingly.
"I like it when they have a bit of fight. And you're very beautiful. Perhaps not as beautiful as Sue, but you'll do. I might not kill you outright. I would enjoy an eternity of nights with you by my side." He licked his lips then slowly ran his tongue from her chin to her forehead. "You deserve to die an agonizing death for what you did to my dear Sue! You will suffer for an eternity for your actions, and I'll be right by your side, enjoying it."
"I'd rather spend eternity in Hell," she spat, and kneed him in the balls.
Micah didn't double over, but her defiance clearly amused him.
"I see I am going to have to teach you your place, first."
Micah forced Holly to her knees which hurt like crazy as she hit the rough, stone ground. While she was bent over, she ripped the talisman from her neck, which sliced her skin, and popped the cork. But if she had to die to save Noah, so be it. She quickly downed the liquid contents. It tasted like shit. She felt woozy at once. Hopefully it would not be long.
She was not disappointed. Almost at once, she had extreme nausea. Her stomach ached, and the pain spread up into her chest. It was as if her heart was being squeezed by a giant's hand. So this is what it feels like to die....
Micah grabbed her hand and wrenched open her fingers which were still clasped around the tiny bottle.
"But what is this?" he asked, retrieving the talisman. "More of Mamaw's voodoo, no doubt." He tossed it contemptuously to the ground and dragged Holly back to her feet.
"Enough of this foolishness. Time to become my bride."
Micah pushed her back against the stone coffin and grabbed her violently by the hair. In one swoop, his lips were upon her neck again, and his fangs pierced the scars he had left before. Holly cried out in agony. She felt her life's blood race to leave her, and her body grew weak and limp. She was dying, she knew it. Her eyes met Noah's in despair one last time.
But then Micah's fangs withdrew, and confused, he stumbled back. The poisoned shifter blood in her veins was now pulsing in his.
Holly, who had just enough life left to keep her wits, grabbed the silver goblet in the coffin. Ignoring the pain as it sizzled and blistered her skin, she tossed it across the room toward MacMillan.
"Catch!" she cried.
Instinctively, MacMillan dropped the sword to catch the goblet. The pain and sudden release from his master's hold took him by completely by surprise. He yelped, and he stumbled back into the wall, wringing his burned hands.
Even as the sword rattled on the stone floor of the vault, Noah made a dive for it. He came to his feet in a smooth motion and, raising the blade high in the air, he sliced off the reeling vampire's head in a single swoop. The torso collapsed in a blood-soaked heap, but then began to bubble and hiss.
Holly felt Noah's arms about her, and they both watched Micah's ghastly liquid remains seep into the cracks in the stone. Not even the clothes on his back remained. He was gone. It was over. And Noah at least was safe. Her eyelids fluttered, her vision swam, and everything faded around her. This, finally, was death.
17
Tomorrow
A black crow was pecking at her skin. She watched powerless as its cold, inky eye surveyed her body, choosing where to nip next. With each peck it ripped and tore at her skin, but she felt no pain.
The crow flew off.
A jackal came next and sniffed her carcass. It spied a raised piece of torn flesh, and it lowered its sharp teeth, tearing at the meat. It swallowed a huge piece of it, and content, moved off.
More animals came. But the bites didn't hurt her. Quite the reverse. As the dawn rose on a new day, she felt suddenly cleansed and at peace. They weren't eating her. They were stripping the evil and putting it back where it belonged.
"Come on, Holly, please my love. Wake up."
She opened her eyes. All was dark. Had she fainted? Her thoughts were swirling. She was in the vault. Micah is dead! Noah killed him. Oh God, is Noah okay? And where's MacMillan?
"I-I'm okay," she said, pushing herself up off the ground. Something felt different. "Shine your light on my hands."
Noah pointed the flashlight down, and Holly raised her hands to examine them. Her veins, which moments before had been sunken and black, now looked plump and human again. And she could definitely use a manicure. Her nails had taken quite a beating.
"Help me up, please."
Noah held under her arms and assisted her to her feet.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Surprisingly human. Almost." Not all the strength and vigor had left her. Perhaps she would recover completely in time. Or maybe she would always be a little bit vampy. Time would tell.
"Thank God."
"Your blood saved me. And you, Noah, how are you? Did he hurt you, injure you?"
"I'm fine," he said, rubbing his shoulder where Micah's fingers had dug into him. "As long as you are. I almost died when I saw you drink it," said Noah. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"You said it would kill a vampire. And I would rather have died than spend an eternity with that stinky breath." She shuddered. "And now I owe you one. Your blood saved me. At least, I hope it did! I hope this is permanent!"
Noah placed his hand gently on her cheek. "We saved each other."
"Aaaand, we're back to corny," she laughed.
The sudden scrape of stone made them both turn. MacMillan was leaning into the stone coffin, pushing the lid off all the way. It crashed to the ground and broke in two. Noah shone the flashlight into his eyes, and MacMillan raised his arm. "Hey, quit that. I'm me again. You don't have to worry."
They both joined him, and Noah shone the light inside. After a moment's search, MacMillan pulled four photographs out and stared at them sadly. There were tears in his eyes.
Holly opened her mouth to say something, but Noah rested his hand gently on her arm. He handed the flashlight to MacMillan and led Holly out of the burial vault.
It was only when they were back upstairs in the mausoleum that he spoke. "Remember, he has never had a chance to grieve the dead. Let's let him mourn his loved ones in peace."
Holly nodded and squeezed his hand. Together, they walked back through the cemetery and over to the Alfa. Who was this man beside her? She had never met someone so compassionate, strong and resourceful in her life. Not to mention sexy. And for a time, she had stolen a glimpse into his world. It was dark, mysterious and terrifying, but also packed with excitement and adventure. She smiled at that thought. She could happily live without knowing tonight's kind of excitement and adventure ever again.
She paused on the pavement, their path lit by the pale moon above. The cool night air felt wonderful on her skin. She had never felt so alive.
Suddenly, her heart was full of sorrow and uncertainty. Holly knew that once they climbed back into the Alfa it could be all over. She would return to her world. Noah would return to his. And it would break her heart to leave him.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Oh, not much. Just how dull and uninteresting the world looks beyond this valley. I guess I'm dreading tomorrow."
Noah pulled her close and lowered his face so that she could almost feel his lips brush hers. "What makes you think you're ever going to have to leave it? Do you want to stay?"
His eyes implored her, and she knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her whole body warmed, but it wasn't blood she was lusting for now.
"Very much," she said, leaning her forehead against his and thrusting hard against his hips. "But there's a little something I want from you first?"
He grinned. "It's not so little," he laughed.
"I know," she said. "I've seen it."
And then Holly jumped up into Noah's arms, and wrapping her legs around him, kissed him for all she was worth.
After a while, Noah peeled her off and planted her feet safe on the g
round. He looked around her up to the church.
"Not here, okay? Let's go back to my place. Heck, it's not as if we're gonna be pulled over."
She grinned. "Oh alright, but on the way, we have to drop into Mamaw's," said Holly, remembering the ring and the photograph. "But after that, lover, I'm all yours. Okay?"
"Okay!"
There was a tremendous crackling sound, like breaking timber. Holly and Noah separated and turned to face the church. Beyond the derelict building, firelight illuminated the night. Angry flames licked the walls of the mausoleum, the dry foliage around the building ignited and died.
“Oh God, MacMillan!” cried Holly.
She was about to run back to the building when Noah caught her arm. “No wait! He’s safe. Look, there he is, over there.” He pointed to a figure carrying a torch just a short distance away from the blazing inferno. “He got out.”
“Thank God for that,” said Holly. “Perhaps it’s for the best. McMillan’s put his demons to bed, now perhaps he can find some peace. I wouldn’t mind doing that myself. Can we go?”
“Yes, come on. Let me drive again – you look beat.”
Holly was glad for the suggestion. “Sure.”
They climbed into the car and after starting it, Noah made a U-turn.
Holly breathed a sigh of pure relief. It was over. In a little while, after some much needed rest, they could start their lives again. No more vampires, no more katanas, no more dead people. Just Holly and Noah, building a new life together.
“Oh hell.
“What?” asked Noah.
“You know we left the sword back there in the mausoleum?” said Holly.
“It doesn’t matter, really,” he replied.
“But you paid a small fortune for that.”
“Maybe. But let it go. I’ve no desire to go back into that hell-hole to recover it.”
Still, as they neared the end of the street, Holly looked back over her shoulder. The mausoleum was now engulfed in flames and would soon collapse. And then she started in surprise. For just a second, she would have sworn she saw a shadow moving at one of the windows, and the gleam of the katana's blade, but it was gone so quickly, and the fire was so dazzlingly bright that she dismissed this as a trick of her imagination.
Blood Curse (Misty Cedars - Vampire Edition) Page 12