Love and Bloodlust: The Sacred Objects

by Melinda Clark

  It took her almost twenty minutes to get from her apartment to Rose and Caleb's, walking up to their floor, and straight in the unlocked front door. Rose and Caleb sat at the small square kitchen table playing cards and turned to face their intruder unalarmed, which took Avery aback. Vampires couldn't enter without an invitation after all. Rose had her blonde hair down and curled, which was a lot more of a softer look than the usual slicked ponytail. Caleb's dark hair was in sharp contrast to his the red five o'clock shadow, which was an enigma as usual to everyone.

  They both were dressed as if they were ready to go out. Avery had always thought that the two of them should date, but Rose and Caleb had a sibling-type relationship, nothing more. So she knew by walking into their place unannounced that she wouldn't be interrupting anything she shouldn't have to see. "I need help."

  Rose stood to acknowledge her, "You wanna talk about Kyrie?"

  "No, not emotional help."

  Rose narrowed her blue eyes at Avery, "Does this have to do with..."

  "Yeah."

  Rose threw her cards down on the table. "I'm all in."

  She looked to Caleb, who put his hand down as well. "What are we dealing with?" He looked Avery up and down, then winked at her flirtatiously.

  Avery ignored his attempt at flattery and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket, slamming it on the table with her palm. "Vampires. A shit load of them. Their clan is settled down here," she pointed to her drawn-out map.

  Caleb sat back and listened intently, putting one foot on the table and his hand under his chin, stroking his prickled face. Avery continued her tirade, though not too impressed with his cocky demeanor.

  "I have a suspicion that there's a witch involved. No one else could possibly do the ritual effectively."

  Caleb cocked his head, "Ritual?"

  Rose jumped in to explain. "Vampires wanna be indestructible. Obviously not good for our line of business."

  Avery looked between her two friends and changed her tone. "I don’t know when it’s going down, but to be on the safe side, we should take care of them tonight."

  "And I'm just hearing about this now?!" Caleb yelled.

  "Yeah," Rose jeered.

  Avery ignored Rose’s taunting and waited for Caleb’s answer, “So?”

  He crossed his arms and sighed, obviously pissed by being left out of the loop previous to this. "What am I gonna say? No?"

  Avery smiled. Talon was right. She still had her friends, and she shouldn't take them or their help for granted. They were gonna do this mission the right way: together. And she would make sure that these two made it back.

  “I’ll get the other slayers together,” Rose affirmed.

  Caleb cocked his eyebrow, “What exactly is the grand-master plan?”

  The wheels in Avery’s head were turning as she slowly settled into the vengeful state of mind. She wanted to obliterate everything they had.

  "If we're going out, we go with a bang."

  CHAPTER 7

  Talon had been staking out the manor for over two hours, unable to tear his thoughts away from a certain woman. He tried to will the courage to tell her how he felt, and then kiss her until she melted into his arms, but he knew he could never do such a thing. She kept her walls up, more so now than before, and he doubted a 'thing' like him could ever make her lower them. He wanted to show Avery that he wasn't like other vampires and that to him, she wasn't like other humans. There were qualities in her that he thought couldn't be compiled in one person alone. He didn't believe the lies she fed him to keep him away. He especially didn't believe what she had said to him before he left her apartment earlier. Being in her presence alone made him feel more worthy of better things, including redemption.

  With his cat-like night vision, Talon picked up movement and became very still. The large iron gates opened for a couple of black, tinted SUVs that turned off toward the north. Talon gave them a head start before following in pursuit.

  The clouds dissipated and allowed the earth a view of the full moon. Talon had almost caught up to the SUV’s when a dark shadow blocked him. Talon could feel the age and strength of this vampire that rippled through the air in waves. He was taken back when he realized that this energy was familiar.

  "Eric."

  "So it's you trying to ruin my fun," the black-clad vampire grimaced and started to approach him.

  “And the name is Gunner, nowadays.”

  Talon mimicked his movement, and they circled each other, like two figurines on a music box. "You're part of this clan?"

  Gunner smiled, "Leader, actually. Happened about forty years ago."

  "I’ve lived in the area for the last ten years. Why haven’t I come across you until now?" Talon sarcastically spat out.

  "That’s what lackeys are for. Speaking of which, you’ve killed quite a few of mine. Just what do you plan to achieve by stopping me? I thought I was your friend."

  "You were my friend, a very long time ago. I can’t let you run this town into the ground with your chaos…."

  Gunner stopped his circling, "You're not doing this for the greater good, are you? You're doing it for yourself, to impress the girl. But you know she'll never have you, because of what you are. All you've done."

  Talon played his poker face as the two began their dance once more. "You're one to talk."

  "She doesn't know, does she? How you murdered the whole Montgomery clan in your rage? Or how you killed your fiancé?"

  " Isabel was an accident. You know that. And the Montgomerys destroyed my family. They left evidence. Besides, I'm not that uncontrollable monster anymore."

  "Talon, you're more a fool now than you were when I sired you. You'll always be a monster. And you can never hide those things from him," Gunner pointed upward. "I hear he sees everything. I'm afraid you're going to hell with the rest of us. So why not make your time on Earth longer and let me finish what needs to be done."

  Gunner turned and started to walk away. Talon was instantly in front of him. Gunner smiled, showing his fangs this time. "It's your death."

  He took a few swings at Talon, but Talon had dodged them all. Gunner jumped back out of the way of one of Talon's kicks and smiled all-knowingly, "You know, you truly are a delusional fool. After all these years, you still haven’t pieced together who really killed your family."

  Talon's eyes narrowed as he fought his rage down. He couldn't win if he couldn't focus. He knew his opponent was trying to rile him up but…his family was murdered. Throats slit. He found the sword that did it. Was it just a coincidence that Eric had shown up that evening to comfort Talon and offer him a new found gift of immortality? A way to make sure he had all the time in the world and power to exact his revenge? No. Not slit ripped open. Like an animal. He had been too stupid to see it. His best friend had killed his family and then deceptively made him turn his rage on others. And for what? His entertainment?

  Talon fought harder, still unable to connect a blow or to receive one. They were too evenly matched. He found himself suddenly distracted by a smell he was well acquainted with and became fearful when he heard her heavy breathing grow louder in his ears. He turned for only a second when Gunner's blur of a fist connected with his chest and knocked him into a nearby tree. His impact on the trunk splintered it in half, sounding like a crack of lightning.

  Avery ran up to where Talon had fallen but stopped a couple feet away when she caught sight of the vampire he was fighting. Avery tensed up, staring at the monster. Her monster. She was positive that this was the vampire that had started the chain of destructive events in her life. But instead of exacting some sort of instant and triumphant revenge, she was frozen in place with the very horror she had felt when she was eight years old. She briefly looked at Talon who was crumpled on the ground, shattered wood from what used to be an old maple tree around him. This vampire was just as powerful as Talon, if not more than. How could she beat him herself?

  Gunner intriguingly gave Avery the once over.

&nbs
p; Avery snapped out of her fear and was disgusted. "What the hell are you looking at?"

  Gunner turned back to Talon with a laugh, "Now I understand why you follow this mortal around like a lost puppy. She's a firecracker! And she looks positively delicious. I will take great pleasure bathing in her blood."

  Talon pushed himself up off what was left of the tree and tried to ignore the throbbing in his back as he stood ready to attack, "You always were the romantic type."

  Suddenly, a young girl in a dark cloak appeared behind Gunner, holding a skull in her hand. "Master, we haven't the time."

  Gunner sighed, "We'll finish this at my place. I know you'll be there." He eyed Avery once more before the witch behind him placed her hand on his shoulder, and the two of them shimmered out of sight.

  Avery had a million things running through her head but concentrated her anger on the one person left with her. She walked over to Talon. "You were supposed to come get me! You said you would. Are you listening to me?"

  He stared off into the night. The moonlight had left them once again, in darkness. "Maybe they should just do the ritual."

  "What?"

  Talon turned to face her, his expression still blank. "It can only benefit me, so why not?"

  Avery raised her voice, "How can you even think about being that selfish? If the witch does that spell, people will die."

  "People already die."

  "If you don't change your mind about this, I will be forced to..."

  "Stop trying to be the hero all the time," he groaned. “You acted so tough talking to Gunner, but I heard the fear seeping through your words. You think he didn’t? He relished in it. I don’t mean that you shouldn't do the right thing, just that you should worry about yourself for once.”

  Avery looked as if she had been slapped. He cringed thinking he had made her feel that way. If he could just touch her and have his own little piece of heaven…Talon reached out to touch her cheek.

  "Don't," Avery slapped his hand away, obviously pissed. He wanted to make her see him. He brought his hand to touch her face again.

  "Don't touch me!" Avery grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder. His tender back relived pain as he hit the ground. He wasn't going to fight with her. He didn't want to hurt her. Avery straddled over him with a stake raised in her hands, ready to impale him. Her hand shook as she tightened her grip on the wooden spike. Her indecision angered him.

  "What are you waiting for? Finish me!"

  Avery chucked her weapon in anger and stomped away from him, trying to calm herself. Talon listened to her deep, but shaky breaths and softened his tone, "If I mean nothing to you, why don't you just kill me? I’m one of them."

  Avery stiffened and spoke with her back to him, her voice wavering. "You aren’t one of them," she fully turned to face him, with that vulnerable expression that he couldn't possibly stay mad at, and she whimpered, " I’m about to be in the messiest fight of my life, and I need your help. Help me?"

  Boy did she know how to jerk a man's emotions in the right direction. Or at least his. What else could he say to her plea, except yes? He slowly approached her. Avery closed her eyes, almost looking afraid of what he would say. He walked right past her.

  "Talon..." her small voice spoke his name.

  He turned around and came close to her ear. The smell that was only hers bombarded his senses, reminding him why he would do anything for her, "You don’t have to ask twice." He watched the corners of her mouth widen.

  CHAPTER 8

  Daedra placed the five sacred items; a gold pendant, a ruby ring, a tattered yellowing scroll, a skull-hilted sword, and Cain’s skull in the five points on the outer edge of the circle, mimicking the devil’s star. When the young witch closed her eyes, the black candles had lit themselves. Gunner watched intently, tilting his head with a menacing smile. "Finally," he breathed as he knew his enemies had arrived, hearing the front door of the manor burst open.

  Avery, Talon, Rose, and Caleb led the group of slayers into the old-world manor. Rose and Caleb made a break for the basement with Caleb's homemade explosive. The group of slayers behind them was armed to the teeth, Talon only needed a broad sword to end anyone who got in his way. The group advanced into the overwhelming mass of vampires that met them at the door, anticipating their arrival. Avery and Talon's job was to find where the ritual was being performed and stop it.

  Talon sniffed the air for Gunner's scent and nodded his head forward for Avery to follow his lead. They exited a side door and followed a trail that led them to the back of the estate, where a large courtyard and dead garden surrounded a dried-up stone fountain. The tiny flames of candles betrayed where the witch was doing her work, and as they approached her, two vampires rushed Talon. He pulled the blade out from the sling on his back and simultaneously cut their heads off.

  "Welcome to the party," Gunner greeted them.

  Avery pulled out her black sais and narrowed her eyes. Talon followed her gaze and knew she intended on going for Gunner, but he put his arm in front of her, "He's too strong for you. You stop the witch." This was the one time she needed to ditch her stubborn ways and back down if she wanted to leave here alive.

  To his surprise, Avery didn’t argue like she normally would. She seemed to be weighing her options. She whispered to him, “I was afraid of him before because I recognized him. Sixteen years ago, he was the one that….” Her voice trailed off, and she looked away from him.

  Talon knew what Avery was trying to say. Her parents. No wonder that had been the first time he saw the ‘deer in the headlights’ look from her. Eric, Gunner, must have played some part in Kyrie’s death as well.

  “I’ll get him for you,” he put his hand on her shoulder in affirmation. She gathered herself, twirled her sais, and ran toward her objective. Talon watched Gunner draw a sword of his own and instantly they were a blurred mass, flitting from one side of the courtyard to the other. As before, neither one was able to strike the other. Gunner’s sword locked with Talon's, "Aren't you worried about your little blood-bag?"

  "It's pretty sad that you’re trying to distract me," Talon scoffed.

  “You do that all on your own,” Gunner took a step back with his blade held diagonally across his body in a defensive position, compelled to continue the banter. "Honestly, what will your revenge do? You can't bring them back."

  "No, but killing you might make me feel a little better."

  In the center of the cobblestone court, Avery stopped behind the witch. Daedra was muttering something to herself, which couldn’t be a good thing as far as witches go. Avery had to stop this.

  "The vampires will remain as they belong. In the darkness, hunted by me."

  "Twit," Daedra turned toward Avery and dropped her cloak off her shoulders, exposing a black, leather bodice and pants. "You think I'm doing this for them?"

  Avery had only a moment for confusion before Daedra manifested two silver daggers and lunged toward her, their weapons connecting.

  Avery parried and knocked Daedra to the ground with a powerful roundhouse kick. The daggers were gone in a small poof of black smoke. She wasn’t getting up. This seemed too easy. Avery looked up for a moment into a blood-colored lunar eclipse. The conditions were right. She needed to keep the witch from completing the ritual.

  "Come on! Are you a witch or aren’t you?" Avery snorted, watching the pathetic woman moving about on the ground.

  An already bruised and bloodied Daedra reached over into her circle and grabbed the ring of Lilith, placing it on her finger. She muttered ‘Ascendo’ and instantly stood up as if a puppet on strings. Daedra turned her head eerily at Avery, her bruises and cuts healed over, eyes blackened, "I am a witch. And now you are about to find out how dangerous I can be."

  Avery charged Daedra with her sais gripped tightly, ready to make her final strike and finish this once and for all. Daedra held up her hand, and Avery’s body tensed and froze on the spot. Her weapons dropped, clanging on the cobblestone. Avery panicke
d, unable to move, let alone defend herself. She had never dealt with magick before, and she would be the first to admit that it scared her. For all she knew, if she could be frozen in place, she could be obliterated as well.

  Daedra wiggled the huge ruby ring on her finger, "It was never about the vampires. It was about the power." She swung her arm, and an invisible force sent Avery flying backward, skidding across the courtyard like a rag doll.

  Avery grunted as she hit the stone beneath her. She twitched and groaned, but couldn’t get up. The searing pain of her scraped up skin was too intense, and her body tried to send her into unconsciousness so she wouldn't have to deal with it. Any adrenaline left in her body that could have saved her the trouble of feeling the intensity was long gone. She struggled against the urge to close her eyes, trying to assess if anything was broken. She heard heels clicking, closer and closer. She could feel Daedra bend down next to her, the negative waves just rolling off of her skin and physically making Avery’s wounds sting more. How she wished she could spit in the witch’s face.

  " The demons I sent after her told me your sister didn't make a sound. They made quick work of her. I would have gutted her more slowly, enjoying her screams of agony. 'Avery! Help! Help me!’” Daedra mocked. The witch turned her over and pulled the silver cross from around Avery's neck, "So where is your god now?" The witch threw the symbol to the ground and left Avery in the dirt.

  Avery boiled over with anger. She tried to will her body to recover quicker. It seemed like forever, but she was finally able to push herself up onto her knees. She watched as Daedra walked toward the dueling vamps across the courtyard. “Talon… run,” she choked out. He must have heard her, because he looked straight at her, then quickly to the approaching witch.