by Linda Howard
Watching, waiting, her fear began to fade. Intense fear wasn’t going to do her any good at all, and gradually she began to feel the rightness about attacking tonight. They couldn’t wait, couldn’t run and hide. The monsters had to be stopped, and if she was a walking basket case she’d do Luca more harm than good. She knew what to do: light in the eyes, blind the vampire, then stab it in the heart. If they were still kicking after that, she’d hit them with the pepper spray, then stab them some more. It was a decent enough plan. If she was lucky, she could wallow in fear after the fact.
They hadn’t been watching long when what looked like a family left by way of the front door. A man, a woman, a teenage boy, and a girl ran in a tight knot, as if they were afraid to be separated even by inches. Their clothes were rumpled, the men’s faces unshaved, every head of hair unstyled and unkempt. They sprinted, as if they couldn’t get away from the house fast enough. The woman tripped and the man, her husband perhaps, caught and righted her without even slowing down, dragging her along for a moment.
“They look human,” Chloe whispered. It was hard to be sure, since judging by the few vampires she’d seen, most of them could easily pass as human.
“They are,” Luca responded.
“What are they doing here?”
“Unwilling blood donors, I suspect,” Luca said.
“And they’re escaping through the front door? Why are the vampires just letting them go?”
“They’re not.” Luca nodded toward a corner of the house, and Chloe saw a tall, thin man—vampire, she was certain—watching the family. When the foursome was a short distance away, the watcher began to follow.
“Are the vampires just playing with them?” Chloe whispered. “Is this some kind of sick game?” Let the prisoners think they can escape, then hunt them down and … she didn’t want to know what would happen next.
“Maybe.” Luca narrowed his eyes. “Maybe not. There’s some kind of magic around the humans, a kind of protective field. Maybe that’s what let them get free. The magic won’t last long, though; it’s already wavering a bit.”
She couldn’t see anything like that, but she took Luca at his word.
“I suspect when the magic fades the rebel who’s following will move in and kill them all. Quickly, if they’re lucky.” He was very matter of fact about it, but then again, he’d seen a lot of death in his years, all kinds of death: natural and unnatural, expected and unexpected, quick and not so quick.
Chloe’s heartbeat raced again, her mouth went dry. She knew there was a lot to be done here tonight; she realized the importance of what was to come in that big house. But to just leave the foursome to the vampires was wrong. She couldn’t accept their deaths the way Luca did. “Shouldn’t we do something?” Everyone in the little family had looked so scared, especially the young girl, and Chloe knew those poor people didn’t have a chance against even that lone vampire.
Luca turned his head to look at her. It was new and exciting and scary, the way he caught her eyes and held them, the expression in his. Between the bonding, the intensity of their time together, the love she was beginning to feel … just looking at him was an experience like no other.
“Stay,” he said, and before she could argue with him, he was gone. He moved so fast he was a blur in the night, beside her one moment, gone the next. It was hard to tell, but she got the distinct impression of flight. Because she couldn’t focus on Luca, she looked instead at the vampire who’d begun to trail the escaping family. He was unaware that he wasn’t alone until it was too late.
Luca didn’t tear off the vampire’s head, not this time. The sword was a silent weapon. With a movement so fast she couldn’t follow each and every stroke, Luca swung that gleaming blade and separated the vampire’s head from the body.
Chloe closed her eyes, and a voice that had been absent whispered in her ear. That voice was clearer, more distinct than it had ever been. She went still, recognizing the Warrior from her dreams. “Your vampire saved the humans.”
“He’s on our side,” Chloe mentally responded. In her mind’s eye, the Warrior began to take shape in the lightning-pierced mist, a woman with strong, clean features and a long, thick braid.
“Perhaps I will not kill him, then. Perhaps.” After a pause the Warrior—Indi-something, Chloe remembered—said, “It’s time, Chloe. Bring me in. Open your heart and ask for my help and I will be there. Call me to you.”
“Not if you’re going to kill Luca. No. Promise me—”
Luca returned as suddenly as he’d left, and the image of the Warrior faded away. “They’re safe for now,” he said as he knelt beside her. “Anyone else I can kill for you?”
Nevada was at peace for the first time in a very long while. She held her fate entirely in her own hands. The shield she’d built around herself remained strong as she closed her eyes and projected her spirit to Emily. The vampires hadn’t lied. Her family was away from the house that had been their prison for so long, they were running toward safety. They didn’t realize that they were running away from her, too, or that their escape would end in her death.
Her spirit floated alongside her family, falling into step with Emily, who immediately became aware of her presence. With a little work, Nevada thought, Emily could become a very powerful witch, but she hoped with everything she had that her little sister never knew what she knew, that she never learned about secret languages, musty volumes filled with spells, and hidden abilities that had the power to change her life.
“When will you meet us? I mean, really meet us?” Emily asked without slowing down. “Where?”
“Who are you talking to?” their father asked.
“Nevada,” Emily said breathlessly. “She’s here, and not here, and I can see her but … I don’t know how to explain.”
“I love you all,” Nevada said. “Keep running, don’t stop until daylight. No place is safe tonight, not even home.”
“Where are we supposed to go?” Emily asked. This time, she wasn’t interrupted by another family member.
“Away from here. Anywhere that’s away from here.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“Something bad is about to start.” Nevada wanted to believe that the vampires would forget all about her family, but she knew all she could give them was a head start. After that, it was up to them.
“They’re everywhere, Emily. The vampires are everywhere. Tell the others, and stay safe, and … I love you.”
“Where are you? Where can we meet—”
Nevada dropped back into her body, back in the room where the vampires kept her body even when her spirit roamed free. She didn’t want to lie to Emily, but she couldn’t very well tell her the truth either. Sorin and the vampire queen were watching closely. Did they realize what she could do, that she’d been spying on them for weeks now?
It didn’t matter, not tonight.
“I suspect somehow you have discovered that I’ve held up my end of the bargain,” Regina said, ice and displeasure in her voice. “Now it’s time for you to deliver on your promise. Break the spell that keeps humans protected in their homes.”
Nevada wanted her family to be much farther away before she gave the queen what she demanded. “Not just yet,” she said calmly. Knowing she was going to die had removed her fear. She was in control, as much as was possible.
In the past few days, she’d called on every ounce of magic she could muster. She’d even cast a net, of sorts, asking for help—demanding help—calling, in every way she could think of, on any and all who would fight the vampires with her … or else after she was gone. She didn’t know if the spell had worked, she couldn’t know if anyone at all would show up to try to stop the end of their world, but she had tried. She’d insisted that the time was now, the vampires had to be stopped now. Other than that, all she could do was wait.
Considering her luck, she’d probably just doomed a few good guys who might’ve been susceptible to her magic. A cop or two, a few firemen d
rawn here not knowing why … a soldier, maybe. Those who’d been born to serve and protect might’ve been affected by her spell. Unless there were a whole helluva lot of them, she wouldn’t be the only one to die tonight.
She looked at Sorin, who’d been tormentor, captor, and on occasion the only friend she’d known since being kidnapped. Why did she see so much more in him? Was it a syndrome of some sort? Did she see more in him because she’d needed to have hope in order to survive this long? Whatever the reason, she did almost like him, sometimes.
“You’ve done a lot of bad things, but you’re not like her,” she said, speaking to him as if Regina was no longer in the room, or else was of no consequence. She was actually doing her best to piss off the queen, so maybe in a fit of anger the death she delivered would be a quick one. Nevada didn’t dare hope for much better than that, not anymore. “You’re more than a soulless fiend. Somewhere deep inside you, you’re so much more than what you’ve let yourself become. You don’t see it, but I do.”
He didn’t answer, but the expression on his face made it clear he wasn’t moved by her observations.
It was Regina who responded. “Sorin, since you’re such good friends with the little witch, perhaps I’ll let you have her before the night is done. A gift, for all your tireless service. Once Nevada does as she’s told, she’s all yours.”
“Indie tried to come through,” Chloe whispered as she and Luca crept closer to the big, well-lit house.
He stopped, looked at her, and realized with startling sharpness that though he had no choice in the matter, she didn’t belong here. It was far too dangerous for her to be here, but then the world itself was dangerous tonight. He knew that, but he couldn’t stop himself. The attack had to come now.
“Indie?” he asked, though he knew damn well who she meant.
“Indi-something, the Warrior. I didn’t let her.”
For the second time in just a few days, Chloe Fallon had succeeded in rendering him speechless with shock. The first time was when she’d remembered him, the second time was now. He opened his mouth, closed it, then tried again. “You didn’t let her?”
“First she has to promise me she won’t kill you. If she won’t promise, she can stay where she is,” Chloe said stubbornly.
He fumbled for words. He, who for two thousand years had dominated his world, couldn’t think what to say to this human woman. “Sweetheart … other warriors will come through. She isn’t the only one. Are you going to protect me from all of them?” The idea of anyone protecting him from anything was … flabbergasting.
“Maybe.”
“We need her help. We need all the warriors who can come through.”
“I won’t let her kill you.” She was as yielding as stone on that point.
“Do you really think you can stop her?”
“She’s mine, right?”
If only it were that simple. “She’s yours until she’s flesh in this world, and then she’s here to kill vampires.”
“Vampire rebels,” Chloe corrected. “You’re one of the good guys.”
“And she’s supposed to make this distinction, how?”
“Maybe the vampires trying to stop the rebels could wear uniforms, or an identifying armband.” She gave him a shoulder bump to show him she was joking.
“Great idea,” he said drily. “So far, we’ll need exactly one.”
In theory, the Council was interested in keeping the order as it had been for thousands of years, but none of the Council members were soldiers. Maybe in the past they had been, but now they were politicians. Some of them might go into hiding until this all shook out, a few might pound their fists in indignation, but they wouldn’t fight. Luca had called half a dozen potential soldiers asking for assistance, and none of them had arrived. Some were physically far away, that was true, but others could’ve been here by now. They weren’t. He couldn’t stop a revolution on his own, but for Chloe’s sake he had to try. Her world was worth saving, and if the rebels succeeded that world would be destroyed.
He sighed. “Did you forget that, if she comes through, you’re in the clear? They’ll stop hunting you?”
She gave him a sad, sweet little smile. “No,” she said quietly. “I didn’t forget.” She seemed to catch herself, as if she knew she’d given too much away. “Besides, in the clear? Who are we kidding? I’m a tasty human smack dab in the middle of a vampire nest. Indie or no Indie, I don’t think the rebels are going to offer me a get-out-of-hell-free card any time soon.”
She tried to make light, to joke when there was nothing to joke about, but there was a world of meaning in her eyes. They were too connected for him to miss even the most subtle nuances—not that Chloe had ever been particularly subtle.
For a moment he wondered how he’d gotten himself into this untenable position, but then he looked at Chloe. He’d denied emotion for so many years he almost hadn’t recognized it when it had slammed into him with the force of a hurricane. There was no logical reason for him to care for her, no reason for him to risk his very existence for a human who’d be dead in a few years no matter what he did tonight. But love wasn’t logical. Love was messy and inexplicable and even unavoidable. He was here for her; he was here for love.
That thought had barely formed when he felt the burst of energy behind them that signaled a vampire’s arrival. He whirled, thrusting Chloe behind him as he lifted the shotgun barrel. Chloe stepped from behind him, moving up to stand by his side, sword in one hand and flashlight in the other. The expression on her face was as fierce as any warrior’s.
Then he recognized the new arrivals and said “Hold,” thrusting out a stilling hand so Chloe wouldn’t strike, or turn on the light that would instantly alert the rebels; that was, if Jonas hadn’t already alerted them.
Isaac and Duncan stepped forward; both were wearing wide smiles, both were armed, much as he was, and ready to fight. Luca breathed a sigh of relief. His army was pitifully small, but he and Chloe wouldn’t be fighting alone tonight after all.
Sorin understood Regina’s offer. After Nevada broke the spell, when she was no longer necessary to them, he’d be expected to screw and then drain her.
The thought made him sick to his stomach.
How could he do either of those things when she reminded him so much of the daughter he’d left behind when he’d been turned? The red hair, the pale skin, the delicacy of her bones and her face—and her scent. Most of all, her scent.
One human female, against a necessary revolution. One woman, against future aeons of existence lived at the top of the order. He shouldn’t even be questioning the order. He could kill her quickly; it would be a kindness. But he couldn’t do what Regina wanted.
Nevada turned her head to look at him; her gaze caught and held his. She was inferior and breakable, but her recently discovered magic was very powerful. In many ways Nevada’s appearance of inferiority was deceptive. If he allowed her to live, what might she do? Her life wouldn’t go on as it had been before he’d taken her. No one’s life would go on as it had before.
He could kill her, he could keep her, or he could defy Regina and let her go. There was only one acceptable choice, for a soldier in this war that had just begun. And only one for a man who’d once been a father.
“Now,” Regina commanded, her gaze pinned to Nevada’s. “I’ve kept my part of the bargain, now you keep yours.”
Nevada took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and broke the vial she held. A sliver of glass cut her finger, and the smell of blood filled the air. The magic bubble that had surrounded her fell, dissipated as if it had gone to dust. Like blowing snow, it drifted around the witch who’d created it. For a moment it was as if she wore the remnants of her spell, sparkling and pretty. Then it was gone.
When her work was done he could almost see Nevada’s power fade away, as if all she’d done tonight had drained her.
Regina took a cell phone from a pocket in her long gown and placed a call. She said one word. “Now.” And
a moment later, she smiled. One of her soldiers, somewhere in the world, had just entered a human’s home uninvited.
Satisfied, Regina looked at Sorin. “Kill her.” She flicked an unconcerned glance to Nevada. “By the way, your family is being followed. As soon as I give the word, they’ll all be dinner to a very hungry soldier who understands that those who displease me should suffer the worst sort of punishment.” With that parting shot she left the room, leaving Sorin alone with Nevada and his orders.
Nevada didn’t try to run, didn’t cower or cry. If anything, she looked even more determined. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to save my family, after you kill me.”
“Why should I?”
Finally, tears filled Nevada’s eyes. Not for herself, but for those she loved. “Because you’re not like them, you’re not like her.”
“I am exactly like her.”
“No, you’re not!” Desperation and anger colored her voice, and her cheeks. She blushed bright pink, her eyes sparkled hot with helpless rage. “You could’ve hurt me a thousand times, but you didn’t. I suspect even when you kill me, you won’t do it the way she wants. You’re not cruel.”
Angered, uncomfortable, Sorin loomed over her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve killed thousands in my years as a vampire, I’ve been cruel and violent and hungry to the point of pain. I’ve left a trail of blood wherever I’ve gone. Humans mean nothing to me; you mean nothing.”
All she did was stare up at him, resolute.
He was close enough to grab her, close enough to do what had to be done, but … he didn’t. What the hell was wrong with him? She reached out and touched him. Her hand settled gently on his cheek and rested there, where Phillip Stargel had patted him. Her fingers moved, gently. “Remember,” she whispered. “Remember what it was like to be human, to love, to do anything to protect your family the way I’ve tried to protect mine.”
And he did, in a rush of almost forgotten emotion that nearly dropped him to his knees.
“I’m ready to die, Sorin,” Nevada said. “I’ve accepted that. But my family … save them. It’s my dying wish. You owe me that much.”