Indulge (17 page)

I didn’t even give the body another look before running to the injured vampire girl. “Get out of here!” I ordered.

I turned back to the fight and saw that Bennett had taken a member of The Dark too. Just a few more and the fight would be more even. I didn’t know what I had done to the first one, but somehow using my power to kill him didn’t consume my energy like it had when I was in the lighthouse. In fact, I felt even more powerful. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I didn’t have time to figure it out.

With two of The Dark lifeless on the ballroom floor, it only further empowered the ones who remained. Their shrieks stabbed through the air like daggers of sound.

Bennett and I teamed up, heading to take down another beast. This time, thought, we weren’t quick enough; it threw the limp body of a vampire across the room like a rag doll. Even though I hadn’t recognized them, my heart still ached and my taste for revenge grew greater.

A clang of metal followed by a mighty bellow drew my attention. It was Renek, in the middle of a circle of The Dark. Blood covered his face and his armor was slashed viciously, but still he fought on. Not the slightest hint of fear was on his face.

I froze for a single moment taking in the scene again, scanning the bodies and battles just like Eli had taught me. I needed to learn my enemy, understand them so I could predict their moves. A significant difference became instantly apparent. The Dark fought in packs like rabid wolves, but the vampires and Blood Guard did not. They were beating us by sheer numbers, and singling us out.

Bennett and I weren’t enough. I needed to think of a way to unite us all. I breathed deep and focused my will as I weaved a fiery ribbon of rage, power and courage. I hadn’t used this power of emotion since coming to Naos and I wasn’t sure if anyone would understand, but I had to try. As soon as they connected with it they would be empowered, or at least I hoped they would.

Bennett was struck in the face, and he fell backwards, sliding across the room. Racing now, I finished the ribbon as I watched him lift himself. Blood poured from his mouth. I held onto the ribbon, wrapping its invisible power around me like a shield, and ran to him.

“Are you okay?”

He shook me off. “I’m fine. He’s just going to be sorry he did that.” He readied his stance to leap toward the beast, but I held him back. Bennett looked at my hand around his arm, clearly surprised by my effortless strength.

“Watch this!” Heat burned anew within me as I ripped the ribbon into a dozen pieces and blasted them through the room. Glinting ghost-like and with sheer power, the pieces rocketed to every vampire and Blood Guard in the ballroom.

I watched as each one simultaneously closed their eyes. A second later they opened them and a sparkle of my power twinkled within. I could feel each of them, connected to me like tendrils.

Bennett’s body beside me stood taller and I slapped him on the back. “Come on!”

Everyone followed my advance as we charged at the confused members of The Dark. We leapt onto our enemies, ignoring their shrieks and tore at their throats. No longer were they fighting for their lives, but for everyone’s.

As the last beast was vanquished, an eerie calm fell over the ballroom. The moans of the injured and dying filled my ears, but I couldn’t stop here. This was not the end.

I looked toward Renek, our eyes locking. He knew what had to be done and nodded. I knew I could count on him to get everyone out to safety and secure the area.

Breaking my connection and allowing the ribbon to fade, I ran from the ballroom. I still needed to find my parents. With any luck, I wasn’t too late.

“What was that thing you did?” Bennett called after me.

I didn’t have time to explain it to him. All I could do was run and fight.

Bennett followed behind me without a word and we took down enemies as we headed for the throne room. It was a symbol of power in the Château. The members of The Dark would most definitely be headed there. That’s what they wanted most of all, and I couldn’t imagine another place in all of Naos where they would think to find it other than to take the thrones from the King and Queen.

A member of The Dark flew up behind Bennett, catching him by surprise. I turned back to look at him. I wanted to stop and help, but I didn’t want to take any longer finding my parents.

He saw the struggle in my eyes and smiled. Bennett spun inside the beast’s grasp and drew his body low to the floor, only to pop back up and latch onto the monster’s throat. Moments later he slammed the lifeless beast to the floor.

“Told you it might save someone’s life,” Bennett said as he ran to my side. I couldn’t help but smile. The Snake had turned out to be an incredible move after all.

As we ran, I prepared myself for what was to come. I could only imagine that the force inside the throne room would be much bigger than what was in the ballroom. They would probably have sent their best fighters there too, to ensure victory. That’s what I would do.

I was ready to fight. Ready to hear their shrieks rip through my head and to see the blood of my loved ones gleaming on the throne room floor.

Two guards, bigger than the members of The Dark in the ballroom and almost twice as thick, were posted at the doors to the throne room. I was right. This was definitely their target and I’ll be damned if I would let them capture it.

Roaring in unison, we hurtled for them, eyes locked ahead. We wanted them to think that, to be confident that they knew what we would do. When we saw them smile, knowing they would take us out, we quickened our pace and dove under them as they leaped toward us.

It took a few steps for them to slow their pace, realizing their swings had missed our heads. That was the chance we needed. Together we jumped on their backs. Bennett stabilized our weight, placing his hand on my back to balance us as I slammed my hands on top of the two guards’ heads.

My power beamed through them like it had the first beast and when I was sure it had done its damaged we snapped their necks, letting them crash onto the ornate rug on the floor. It was a hideous sight. I felt like a savage animal, yet a heroic heroine all at the same time. I would save my parents. I knew I would.

I was ready for a gruesome sight as Bennett shoved the throne room doors open. I was ready for the pain of seeing my parents lying dead from their attackers. Maybe preparing myself for the worst would make whatever was about to happen be more bearable. Or at least I hoped. As always, my life as a vampire, was never what it seemed and never gave me what I expected.

Five colossal members of The Dark shadowed the room from its dim candlelight. Their gray bodies pulsed with muscles as they turned to face us. There, dangling in the death-like grip of one of them, was my mother.

Blood was dripping down her dress and hitting the marble floor with a heart breaking echo. A painful rage was plastered on her flushed face.

The beast that held her turned his evil gaze onto me. His dark, wiry hair was soaked in sweat. A bone-chilling smile crossed each of their faces, but to their surprise I smiled right back.

“Let her go!” I growled. My voice grew deep and menacing. I could feel my vocal chords vibrate with the sound. I stepped forward defiantly and yanked my arm away as Bennett tried to hold me back.

The tallest of the beasts stepped aside to reveal my father hidden behind his meaty legs. He was lying on his side, a lifeless look in his eyes. I narrowed my vision to him and searched for signs of life. If he was dead, there would be no coming back from this. I would completely unleash the beast within me and tear every one of these monsters to pieces.

But for a fleeting moment my father seemed to focus his eyes on me, registering my presence - and then he gurgled. It was all the confirmation I needed. He was alive and I was going to make these beasts pay for what they did to him.

“It’s about time you arrived. I was thinking I would have to wait all night.”

My eyes flicked rapidly to the beast sitting on the throne. I hadn’t even noticed him sitting there. He filled my father’s massive throne completely. His long dark hair, hung in waves around him. I knew instantly this was their leader. He wasn’t bigger than the rest, but there was something in his eyes that the others did not have. His gray skin was marbled with shades of red, and black veins pulsed beneath his flesh. The anger I felt wasn’t enough to keep fear from coming. I could feel tiny cracks breaking inside me.

“What do you want?” I stepped forward again. Bennett didn’t follow me this time.

The leader of The Dark laughed deeply. It echoed throughout the room and sent shivers across my skin. “I want you, of course.” He smiled widely, flashing his rows of pointed fangs, blood dripping from his lip.

He flew to a stop in front me before I could even blink, causing me to fall backward in surprise. “Didn’t you know I was coming?” He walked casually, eyeing my mother as she dangled in the grasp of her captor. With a single pointed nail, he caressed her cheek.

What did he mean he was coming for me? This didn’t make any sense. I thought they wanted to gain territory, to control all regions and make vampires the dominating and fearful predators that they once were.

He saw the questioning look in my eyes and raised his bushy black eye brows. “Interesting. I suppose you have no idea who I am?” His words seemed to hiss in the air.

“You’re the leader of The Dark.”

“My name is Baal,” his voice boomed in irritation. Maybe they didn’t like being called The Dark? “Your lovely mother here was just telling me you didn’t exist. Weren’t you, darling?” He purred at her and I saw her recoil. She looked like she was going to puke.

“But here you are!” He sounded almost amused and it both enraged and scared me. What could I possibly do to stop him?

“Yeah, here I am.” I tried to push away my fear by focusing on the sight of my parents. My father, whom I had longed for my whole life and only just found, and the mother I never knew, but instantly felt connected to. I didn’t want to let them down. No matter how afraid I was, I would do whatever it took. “If you’ve come here to claim Naos as yours, you can forget it. Go back to whatever cave you crawled out of.”

“Stupid girl. Tsk, tsk.” He waged a pointed nail at me. I bit my lip. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. “Do you really think I came here just to take your precious Naos? Had you not fled from Palace Noire I might have let this poor excuse for a city live a few years longer in peace.”

I looked toward my mother. Did she know what he was talking about? I needed to know his angle, what his plan was, if I were ever going to defeat him.

“Who am I kidding?” Baal propelled to my side again, but I held my ground this time. He pressed his sweaty face against mine. His rancid breath filled my nose as he whispered in my ear. “I have wanted to see this city burn for centuries. All these pathetic excuses for vampires, wasting their potential on a mythic Goddess! Where is she now?” He looked at me waiting for an answer I couldn’t give him. “Nothing to say?”

What could I say? I didn’t know much about Nyx, but somehow I knew she wouldn’t just materialize in a poof of stardust and save the day. I knew it would be up to us to save ourselves.

Baal walked steadily over to my mother, pulling something from his pocket and held it against her chest. She howled in pain and I ran for her, my instincts taking over my body. I wanted to kill him for hurting her, but what he said next stopped me dead in my tracks.

“What if I were to kill your mother?” he asked. “The special vampire who was blessed with the miracle -” he emphasized the word like it would make him vomit - “of a child. Wouldn’t you think Nyx would come down and protect her chosen followers?”

“Don’t listen to him, Claire!” Bennett shouted from behind me. I had forgotten he was there, but somehow his voice comforted me. I wished that Arrick was here too. He would know what to do.

“Enough of your stupid games, Baal. Let my parents go!”

Alarms crackled through my nerves and I immediately turned to face Bennett as a hooded figure clamped its claw-like hands around his neck. He shoved Bennett forward. Fear widened the whites of his eyes. I had to do something. I was losing this battle before it had even begun.

Several hooded figures entered the room, circling around me. The walls started to close in on me and I felt my mind spinning out of control.

“What do you want?” I screamed at the figures, frustration tearing at my voice.

One of them moved and I stopped, lowering my body, readying for their attack. But it didn’t come. Instead, the figure lifted their hood and my mouth fell open. It was Ana.

My body exploded in heat at the sight of her face. I ran for her, my mouth open and my fangs ready to pierce her neck. Revenge would finally be mine.

Just steps before I was within her reach she pulled a long, thick golden chain from within her cloak. It dangled from her fingers, swinging like a pendulum. Attached at the end was a cloudy black stone. The instant I locked eyes on it, my mind felt a crushing blow of pain and misery like it was a solid brick wall. My legs bolted in place on the marble floor as if I had taken on the form of a statue. I couldn’t move. My body got heavier and heavier. My mind screamed in agony. My heart burned in sorrow.

The sounds of Bennett’s screams were echoing in my mind. Somehow they seemed distant. Was I fading away or was he? Slowly all I could see was Ana’s face. There was something different about her. There was something missing. The question twirled around in my mind like a loose coin.

Then it came to me. I had pushed back my anger and my pain and I truly saw it. Her eyes were completely white. There was no emotion in her face. I knew Ana and if this were her, she would have wanted me dead, as much as I wanted her dead.

The realization broke the stone’s spell on me and I collapsed to the floor. Ana stared blankly at me. She hadn’t even flinched. Did she even know what was going on?

“What did you do to her?” I gasped.

“Nothing she didn’t deserve. Her orders were to bring you to me, but she got greedy just like the rest of them,” said Baal, his voice dripping in hate. “Now she’s much more obedient.” Baal stroked Ana’s bright blonde hair. She stayed motionless. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.