Pretty When She Destroys (31 page)

A black Navigator waited on the driveway, Gregorio holding open the back door. The Summoner waited for the sword to slip inside, then followed. A quick gesture from Bianca’s hand indicated that Amaliya was to sit next to The Summoner. She slid inside just as Etzli climbed into the front seat.

In eerie silence, Amaliya watched the big house slide out of view as the SUV turned out the front gates and drove toward their destination.

Grabbing his coat out of the hall closet, Jeff bumped into Eduardo when he took a step back to shut the door. The coyote was as quiet as ever. Jeff started, not having heard him approach.

Tilting his head, Eduardo regarded Jeff with the eyes of a coyote, not a man. “I heard you and Alexia talking,” Eduardo said after a long, unnerving moment of silence between them.

“Yeah?” Jeff shrugged on his coat.

“And I saw you talking to Cian,” Eduardo continued. His teeth were sharp behind his lips.

“Okay. Your point?” Jeff fought to maintain a calm exterior.

“Stay out of my business.”

“Your business?”

The cabal was scattered through the house and the front drive as they rushed about in preparation. Cian was gone, having departed to hunt for blood in the neighborhood. The vampire had promised to catch up with them on the road.

Eduardo smirked, leaning his beefy shoulder against the wall. “Yeah. My business. And yes, our friends are too far away to stop me if I decide to rip out your throat.”

“Why would you do that?” Jeff slung his winter scarf about his threatened throat.

Chuckling, Eduardo wagged his head. “Don’t play innocent, Jeff. We’re old friends. I know when you’re trying to bullshit your way out of something.”

“Really? Well, I know you well enough to know you’re worried about the fact I figured out your secret.”

“You don’t know anything.” Eduardo said gruffly, his look predatory.

“Then why are you worried?”

“You have no idea what it’s like to be two-natured. The needs I struggle with.” Eduardo shrugged his shoulders, flexing his muscles.

“Yeah, I don’t. But you know the rules of the city. Cian’s rules and my rules. No killing. And you’ve killed close to twenty women this year.”

“There’s no proof of that. The cops haven’t found anything – not even bodies – and neither have you.”

“I haven’t started to look yet,” Jeff answered. His hands plunged into his coat and he found his pockets empty. He was unarmed, yet he met Eduardo’s gaze steadily. There was nothing he could do about his accelerated heartbeat, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to back down in his own house. Sadly, he realized that Aimee’s wards were not going to work against Eduardo. All the cabal members had their name engraved into the wards that protected their homes. Jeff maybe should have changed that fact when it had come to Eduardo, but he hadn’t wanted to believe the worst of his college buddy.

“I’m helping you tonight. I’m going to go fuck this asshole up and save the fuckin’ world. That has to count for something.”

“So I should just look the other way as you kill Amaliya lookalikes?”

Eduardo snarled. “Amaliya just looks like the girls I like to play with.”

“You mean kill.”

“I like to play with my food, okay?” Eduardo gave another dismissive shrug, but from the way his head was tilted Jeff suspected he was listening to keep track of the cabal.

“That’s sick, Eduardo. You do realize that?”

“If Amaliya would come play with me, maybe that would take the edge off my needs.” Eduardo didn’t seem aware of how ridiculous his words actually were, for he wore a completely sincere expression.

“You want Cian to let you fuck his girlfriend and do who knows to her what so you won’t kill in his city?” Jeff shook his head in disbelief.

“I’m helping to
save
her.”

“Right,” Jeff intoned sarcastically. “Well, Eduardo, this is what’s going to happen. You’re going to help us tonight then stop killing.”

Laughing, Eduardo drew closer to Jeff, his face increasingly feral. “Yeah, sure. What’s in it for me? Maybe I should step back and watch the world go to hell so I can kill whenever I want to.”

“You and I both know that weres are going to be stuck in their animal form
forever
once the abyss takes the world. Some might like that, but I don’t think you will.”

“What?” Eduardo flinched. “No one told me that!”

“Well, it’s the truth. You’ll be in your were form all the time. An animal. And you know how demons and vampires treat weres. You’ll end up some vampire’s lap dog. Do you really think you’re going to make it out of this on top?” Jeff skewered Eduardo with his most forceful stare.

Eduardo sniffed at Jeff. “You’re telling the truth?”

“This is how it’s going to go down. We save the world. You stop killing.”

“I could just kill you.”

“And that solves what? You don’t think Cian won’t find you and kill you even if the world goes to hell tonight? You think he’ll forgive you for not helping him save Amaliya?”

Shifting on his feet anxiously, Eduardo finally looked away from Jeff.

“What makes you think you are in control of your life right now? How do you know that the wards Aimee set up in this house won’t fry your ass the second you sink your teeth into me? This is
my
house.” Jeff stepped closer to the coyote. “My house. My rules. My wards.”

Eduardo’s jaw flexed, his throat moving as he swallowed angry words.

“Are you with us? Or not?”

Eduardo nodded curtly, stepping back.

“Right. This conversation is done.” Jeff strode past the coyote toward the front door just as Cassandra walked through the dining room with bags of weapons, Aimee hot on her heels.

Jeff motioned toward the door with his head. “We roll now.”

Eduardo stalked out of the house. If he had been in his were form, he would have had his tail between his legs.

“What’s that all about?” Cassandra asked.

“Nothing. It’s taken care of,” Jeff assured her, and hoped it was true. Looking toward the kitchen, Jeff shouted, “Sam!”

Samantha finished pouring extra food for Beatrice, then picked up the annoyed cat to press kisses to the top of her head. Even if she died tonight, she’d find a way to have her cat taken care of from beyond the grave.

“Love you, snookum,” she said.

The cat endured it all, one eye on the food.

Setting Beatrice on the kitchen floor, Samantha grabbed her big Betsey Johnson purse and ran through the house as Jeff called her name yet again. The rest of the cabal was already packed into Benchley’s passenger van. The engine was running and Benchley couldn’t keep his hand off the horn.

“Sam!”

“I’m here!”

She ran past her boyfriend onto the front porch, then down the walkway to the drive. The air was freezing and damp. She had wanted to wear something dramatic for the epic final battle, but ended up grabbing whatever was first in her drawers and closet, which was jeans, cowboy boots, a long sleeved t-shirt, and her leather coat. Jeff’s reassuring footfalls revealed he was close behind her.

As soon as she and Jeff clambered into the van, Benchley punched his foot down on the pedal and the vehicle roared downhill to the opening gates. Samantha flopped onto the middle bench between Jeff and Alexia. The tech girl was busy on her smart phone. Behind them were Cassandra, Baptiste, and a very sulky Eduardo. Samantha wondered what was up with the coyote, but didn’t bother to ask.

Aimee sat in the front seat with a map on her lap. The magical glow emanating from the paper was comforting as was the tiny red dot that was making its way toward San Antonio. It gave Samantha the impression things were looking up for their ragtag cabal. Nestling her hand in Jeff’s palm, she glanced at her fiancée. He looked more imposing and tough than she’d ever seen him before, yet the sweetness was still there. Heart swelling with love for him, she laid her head against his shoulder.

“We’ll be okay,” Jeff said quietly.

“Of course.” She tilted her head to give him an encouraging smile.

Benchley shoved a CD into the old battered player in the dashboard, blasting
We Are the Champions
by the epic rock band Queen.

“Really?” Aimee said, glancing at Benchley and arching an eyebrow.

Benchley’s response was to start singing.

Alexia enthusiastically chimed in though her eyes never left the glowing screen, then surprisingly Jeff joined in, too.
Samantha glanced over her shoulder at Cassandra’s somber face. The dhamphir’s lips were moving along with Freddie Mercury. Baptiste’s deep baritone was added in the next verse. Aimee raised her hand in a fist, singing in a lovely soprano voice.

Benchley turned the music up, then pounded on the steering wheel as he sang.
Samantha giggled at the lunacy of it all. At last, she joined in, singing at the top of her lungs and slightly off key.

The van sped down the road toward Interstate 35 and the final battle.

Part Seven

The End of The World

Chapter 27

The Summoner’s cavalcade of black Navigators sped along I-35 toward State Highway 1604. The evening traffic was brisk and heavy on both sides of the interstate. The lights of the neighborhoods and business streamed past Amaliya’s window as lightning slithered in the dark clouds above. The heavy atmosphere outside was reflected within the SUV. Above their heads the rings glowed in the shape of the sword that would rent the veil and usher in the abyss.

“So, Etzli,” Amaliya said into the eerie silence.

“What?” The Aztec’s voice was clipped.

“Where’s your brother?”

“Dead. His usefulness ended when we used his blood for the portal.”

“You’re a real fuckin’ bitch.”

The sharp edges of Etzli’s profile were outlined by the flashing lights outside. Another emergency vehicle roared through the traffic on the way to yet another fire, accident, or crime.

“Don’t pretend you’re going to miss him.” Etzli’s dark eyes gleamed dangerously.

“I thought you two had a thing.”

“We did,” Etzli said. “Then The Summoner came to me.”

“So...you two?” Amaliya tilted her head to regard the silent form of Bianca beside her.

“Jealous?” The Summoner asked.

“No, no. The more the merrier I say.”

This comment drew an angry look from Etzli and a smirk from The Summoner.

“I noticed last night,” The Summoner said.

“Guess you weren’t invited,” Amaliya said to Etzli with a bright smile.

The Aztec woman pointedly glared out the passenger window.

Amaliya poked the driver, Gregorio. “Do you have a cigarette?”

As an answer, Gregorio pulled a pack out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Don’t smoke in the car,” Etzli ordered.

“It’s not like it’s going to give you lung cancer. Sheesh, chill out.”

Amaliya loved needling Etzli. It was very evident that the blood goddess was lower down on the totem pole than Amaliya and Amaliya had every intention of rubbing that fact in. Lighting her cigarette, she glanced out the window to see a family car whiz by, the back filled with kids. It sickened her to think of what would happen to them if The Summoner succeeded. The upcoming battle was for people like them. Amaliya wanted to survive, but wasn’t certain she would. Since she’d awakened, she’d been pondering everything she had learned about the powers at play. She had an idea of what she might be able to do to throw a wrench in The Summoner’s plans, but she’d have to wait for the perfect moment to strike.

The incandescence of the rings increased overhead. Amaliya puffed harder on her cigarette and ignored the trembling of her fingers. The magic around the sword writhed like snakes within the vehicle and she kept her own powers tightly wound inside of her. Using her necromancy would backfire since she was so closely bound to The Summoner. With him using both his powers and Bianca’s, it would be easy for him to snare Amaliya. It pissed her off that she had to abandon her death magic for this fight.

A light rain started to patter against the windshield. Ahead were signs announcing the 1604 exits. The area had three sharp loops and several flyovers that split off in various directions. 1604 encircled San Antonio and Interstate 35 was a major thoroughfare. The area was very busy due to holiday travelers and shoppers. All the cars sliding past the SUV were packed with people who had no idea that the sweet, innocent girl sitting next to Amaliya was possessed by one of the most evil creatures to ever walk the earth.

“It’s time,” Etzli said.

Gregorio rolled down his window, the cold wind blasting into the interior. Pulling out a pistol, he locked his grip on the steering wheel.

“What are you doing?” Amaliya demanded, surging forward.

The Summoner slammed her back into her seat, cracking her ribs from the force. Gasping in agony, Amaliya watched the next events in dismay.

Gregorio started to fire at the passing vehicles. Windows shattered, tires popped, and the cars began a crazed dance across the lanes as drivers panicked. Aiming at the oncoming traffic, Gregorio shot the gun multiple times. Chaos erupted on the other side of highway divider.

The Navigator swung onto the shoulder of the road as the 1604 junction loomed ahead. Amaliya fought against The Summoner, but he was much stronger than she was and easily pinned her to the seat. He had the combined powers of both him and Bianca at his call.

The SUV veered onto the hard packed earth encapsulated by one of the loops of the highway. The rest of The Summoner’s vehicles swerved off the road and parked in a circle.

Gripping Amaliya’s arm tightly, The Summoner pulled her from the vehicle and into the freezing drizzle.

“Why are you shooting innocent people? Isn’t it enough that you’re going to destroy their world?” Amaliya cried out.

“Observe,” The Summoner said, sweeping Bianca’s arm out dramatically.

All lanes of the interstate were clogged with crashed vehicles. The entire area had been brought to a halt. People were rushing to rescue the accident victims, darting around the battered cars. One car was on fire and some men fought the flames in an attempt to rescue the people inside. Panicked screams sounded above the wild honking of the piled up traffic.

The Sword of Lucifer floated out of the vehicle and grew brighter in the presence of the despair, fear, and death.

Choking back a sob, Amaliya unexpectedly felt powerless in the face of such destruction. People were dying and she wasn’t sure any more if she could save them. The rings pulsed with radiant golden power and it spread out over The Summoner’s group creating a protective bubble.

“Trish,” Etzli called out. “It’s time.”

The woman with the masses of red curls stepped forward. Her maroon eyes flicked toward Amaliya, a sneer upon her lips.

“Don’t,” Amaliya begged, afraid of what came next.

The Summoner’s grip on her arm tightened to the point of crushing bone. The nearly complete Sword of Lucifer rotated above th
eir heads, then pointed its tip at Amaliya, freezing her place.

Trish cupped her hands, one over the other, then began to rotate them in opposite directions. The night breeze started to swirl about in front of her, the dead grass flattening into a circle. Moving her hands faster and faster, the elemagus called the winds. Above their heads, the storm clouds stretched downward, answering her call. The funnel formed with a terrifying roar. Only the power of the sword kept The Summoner and his people safe from the fury of the winds. The screams of the people clustered around the accident site was lost in the terrifying bluster of the tornado.

Amaliya watched in terror as the overpasses trembled under the onslaught. Cars hurled over the rail to the ground far below while the tornado continued to grow and consume the center of the junction of 1604. Concrete crumbled and disintegrated. Long haul trucks arched through the air like toy vehicles to crash onto the crowded interstate below, crushing onlookers and cars.

Fighting against the power holding her captive, Amaliya screamed at the elemagus to stop, but the redhead barely acknowledged her cries.

The young man named Stark stepped next to Amaliya and grinned. “Wow. Talk about 3D end of the world epics.”

Benchley drove on the shoulder half of the way to San Antonio, the van speeds far exceeding the posted limit. Aimee continued to track Galina’s progress as the van barreled down I-35.

Samantha observed the red illumination of the rear car lights through the windshield, wincing when they kept flashing as the drivers braked. The traffic was slowing the closer they got to San Antonio. Emergency vehicle sirens sounded in the distance and she caught sight of a few speeding along the frontage roads.

The van left New Braunfels behind and charged toward San Antonio. Away from the town lights, the night was more ominous. The steady growl of the road and the loud rush of the wind wasn’t very comforting.

“There’s a ton of fires in San Antonio,” Alexia said somberly, scrutinizing her smart phone screen. “A lot of gang violence. Domestic disturbances.”

“All good news on a holiday weekend,” Baptiste muttered.

Samantha knew the elemagus was in a bad mood after failing to reach Rachoń. One of his cousins had admitted to Baptiste that there was a possibility that Rachoń had entered an agreement with The Summoner to protect Louisiana. Baptiste had been furious, but had no way of confirming the rumor since Rachoń wouldn’t answer his calls. Samantha thought that fact pretty much confirmed there was a deal between Rachoń and The Summoner. Maybe Baptiste had come to the same conclusion.

There had been no time to repair Benchley’s back window, so the plastic attach
ed to it with duct tape flapped loudly in the wind as the van barreled along the asphalt. Cassandra kept checking out the windows searching for her father. The vampire had needed to feed to be at full strength. Cian had yet to make an appearance, but Samantha knew he’d show up. There was no way he wouldn’t fight to save Amaliya.

Eduardo was a dark cloud and Samantha was ignoring him. She didn’t like him anyway. She was still convinced that he was a serial killer. The way Jeff had been looking at his old friend all evening had her wondering if he may finally have found proof and believed it, too.

Closing her physical eyes, Samantha opened her other set to the world of ghosts. The Summoner had wiped out all the cemeteries around San Antonio, but Austin’s graveyards were heavily populated. Looking toward her home city, she saw the bright illumination of the apparitions. Roberto was gathering the specters into an army.

For months Samantha and Roberto had been cultivating a strong relationship with the sentient ghosts of the city. Though Roberto was an asshole, he’d actually done a very good job explaining to some very old, confused ghosts what was happening with The Summoner. Though Samantha could force the ghosts to obey, she’d rather they understood what they were getting into. Of course, the memory wisps would never understand since they weren’t sentient, but they, too, would come at her beckoning and fight.

“Everything okay?” Jeff asked, stroking her clammy fingers tenderly.

“Yeah, they’re on their way.” Samantha’s eyelids slid open and she smiled at Jeff. “I’m a bad ass, you know.”

Jeff kissed her gently. “I know.”

A sharp tearing sound startled Samantha and she whipped about in her seat to see Cian peeling back the plastic. He clung to the back of the van, his long hair whipping about his face. Cassandra helped him inside, then pressed the tape back into place.

“Hi,” Samantha said, waving to him.

Cian gave her a short nod, ignored Eduardo completely, hugged his daughter and kissed her cheek. Looking flush with life, the vampire shook out his windblown hair, leaned forward, and rested his hand on the back of Samantha’s seat. “How’s it going?”

“She’s a few miles ahead, but we’re gaining,” Aimee answered.

“Jeff, do you want to be infused?” Cian asked. He was all business, his hazel eyes hard as stone.

Jeff glanced at Samantha, obviously seeking her opinion.

“Do it,” Samantha said. “You need to be able to see everything that is going on.”

“Me, too.” Alexia cast a look over her shoulder at Cian. “That cool?”

“Absolutely.” Cian lightly ruffled her short hair, showing rare affection to the human.

Alexia grudgingly allowed it.

Benchley tossed a stainless steel coffee mug over his shoulder. Cian snatched it out of the air before it hit Samantha.

“Hey!”

“I knew he’d get it,” Benchley answered. “Hit me up with some of that blood, too.”

“Is that clean?” Alexia asked worriedly.

“Does it matter?” Cian unscrewed the top before slicing his wrist open with his thumbnail.

“I guess this isn’t the time to worry about being hygienic,” Cassandra said thoughtfully.

The sound of the thick vampire blood spilling into the canister grossed out Samantha. Trying to ignore it, she leaned forward to view the map with the tiny red drop sliding over its surface.

Jeff was the first to sip the blood.

“Take three drinks,” Cian instructed, raising his wrist to lick the wound closed.

Samantha deliberately looked away when Jeff drank. He handed the canister across Samantha’s lap to Alexia. As calmly as if she was swigging a soda, Alexia took three drinks.

“Yuck,” was all she said before leaning forward to give it to her brother.

“Like communion, huh?” Benchley joked, then swigged from the canister.

Samantha frowned. “So sacrilegious.”

The van swung onto the shoulder again, scooting around a thick gnarl of big rig trucks rushing along the interstate.

“Watch it, Shark Boy!”

“It’s slowing again,” Benchley responded, then thrust the canister toward Jeff. “Put the lid on. There’s some left. I don’t need it on my floor.”

Cassandra darted around Jeff, grabbed the canister, and gulped what was left. When she finished, Cian handed her the lid. Screwing it on, Cassandra returned to her seat.