The Blood Will Run (14 page)

Detective Fleager said. He had a stricken look on his face.

“Okay then, the rest of us will have to pair off in twos’ and do some searching of our own. We don’t have that much time so we must do our best to find him.” Devins’ face lit up with excitement.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

M
ercy
and Erica left after they said their goodbyes’.

Each of them exchanged cell phone numbers before Detective Fleager said his goodbyes and walked out of the Cafe.

Lawson grabbed Jules and practically dragged her out of the Cafe with him.

“It would mean a great deal to me if you partnered up with me,” Devin said to Demeetrie.

Alivia stood suddenly. “I’d like to go with Demeetrie if you don’t mind Devin.”

Devin eyed Alivia suspiciously.

“I’d rather partner up with Chace if you don’t mind, Bella,” Demeetrie said.

Alivia nodded.

Chace waited for Devin and Demeetrie to walk out of the Cafe before he grabbed Alivias’ arm.

“It’s driving me wild not being able to touch you, babe.” Chace pulled her to his chest and brushed his lips against her ear.

Alivia closed her eyes.

“I love you so much. Let me go with you so that I can make sure that you’re safe” Chace whispered in her ear.

“Chace, please don’t make this any harder than it already is,” Alivia said softly.

Chace lifted her face to meet his and she opened her eyes. “Do you know how you can tell how much I love you?” Chace whispered.

Alivia shook her head.

Chace leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “You can tell by the way that I kiss you,” he whispered.

Alivia didn't move.

“It causes your heart to race,” Chace said softly.

Alivia drew in deep breath.

“It creates fluttering butterflies in your stomach when we touch tenderly.”

Chace brushed his lips over her neck.

“It has the power to melt away all your fears and make the world invisible.” Chace caressed her back softly with his finger and brought his lips back to hers.

Alivia brought her hand up to the back of his neck and pressed her body against his.

“My lips,” Chace whispered, “are a perfect fit to yours.” Chace brushed his lips against her neck. “Your body was perfectly shaped just for me. It was as if you were sent from the heavens to make me the luckiest guy on earth,” He whispered in her ear. “Your lips are so soft and sweet and they are all I will ever need just to feel connected to you.” Chace brought his lips back to hers and searched for her tongue.

Alivia began to drift. She drifted until the Cafe slipped away and no one other than Chace existed. All she could feel was his gentle loving touch.

“I’ll love you for eternity,” Chace whispered.

All she could hear was his beautiful voice. All she wanted, all she ever needed was just to be with him like this forever.

“Marry me, my beautiful angel, be my wife.” Chace said softly in her ear. “I promise to love you and keep you in my heart forever,”

“I’ll always love you with all my heart and soul.” Alivia whispered. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Please don’t cry babe.” Chace wiped away her tears with his thumb.

“This is one of the happiest moments of our lives.”

“I’m crying because I am happy,” Alivia said.

He kissed her lovingly. “You are the only thing that matters in my life. If I ever lost you I’d go crazy.”

“You’ll never lose me and I’ll never lose you, I promise. Besides the fates are on our side.”

Alivia smiled and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

He picked her up off her feet and swung her around. When he lowered her down onto the floor, he gazed into her eyes. He knew that she would be his forever.

Demeetrie appeared at the door. “Sorry to interrupt such a momentous occasion but we need to begin searching for Vanstrauss.” He smiled and then continued, “My congratulations to you both on your engagement.”

“Engagement?” Devin asked.

Chace was beaming. “Yes brother, Alivia has agreed to marry me.”

Devin clenched his jaw. “Well then, I guess I should congratulate the both of you. May the two of you be happy and fulfilled for the rest of eternity.” Devin was about to walk away but then he changed his mind. “Oh right, but then again, how will eternity work out for the two of you? Will you change Alivia into a vampire? Or will you wait until she withers away from old age and bury her alongside her mother in the family burial plot?”

Demeetrie looked at Devin, then at Chace. Then he smiled at Alivia and said, “Unfortunately there is no time to discuss this matter any further. We will have plenty of time to talk about the future later. As for now we have more pressing matters to attend to.”

Devin bit down on his lower lip and went to wait outside.

“Bella, please permit me to accompany the boy Chace on this search.”

Alivia nodded and kissed Chace. Chace whispered in her ear, “You make sure you keep yourself safe.”

☼

Devin shot Alivia a scorching glare when she slid into the passenger seat of his car.

“What the hell are you thinking marrying him?”

Devin started the car and sped down the street like a crazy person.

“Devin, it doesn’t matter to me what Chace owns or what he has done in the past. I love him.”

“Man, you can’t see it can you? Chace is not who you think he is,” Devin said, his voice was full of anger.

“Okay that’s enough. Let’s get one thing straight. Whatever happens I am the one who made the decision. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong. Leave it alone. I don’t want to hear another bad thing coming out of your mouth about your brother ever again. You got that?” Alivia was so angry she wanted to slap him.

“I’m just trying to spare you the heartache.” Devin spoke in a low voice.

“Don’t concern yourself over my heartache. Concentrate on the fact that the only thing you’re doing for me right now is giving me a damn headache. It’s enough of your bullshit talk about Chace. Not another word, is that understood?” Alivia said in harsh voice.

Devin clenched his jaw and stared out the windshield at the road. He didn’t utter another word.

Alivias’ cell phone began to vibrate in the back pocket of her jeans.

After she pulled it out, she flipped it open.

“Hello.”

“It’s Erica, put me on speaker phone.”

Alivia did as she asked.

“Okay so we’re across the street from the Mary of Sorrow church and we’re quite certain that Vanstrauss is inside.”

“How do you know he’s inside?” Alivia asked.

“Mercy snuck up to the window and saw him standing at the altar.”

“Okay we’re on our way,” Alivia said and Devin nodded.

“Alivia there’s horrible screams coming from inside. It sounds like whatever is going on in there isn’t good.”

“Did you let Chace and Demeetrie know?” Alivia asked.

“Yep, they’ll be here any second.”

“Okay, wait for us. We’re a few minutes away.”

Alivia shut her phone and shoved it back into her pocket.

“What do you think Vanstrauss is up to?” Alivia asked Devin.

“Oh, I have your permission to speak now do I?” Devin said sarcastically.

“Come on Devin, stop acting so damn childish.”

Devins’ grin was wicked. “Oh, so now I’m childish too?”

“Come on Devin, let’s just call it a truce.” Alivia held out her hand. “Friends again?”

Devin stared at her hand for a second. Then he lifted his eyes to meet her gaze. He melted. How could he stay angry with her?

She was so beautiful. Everything about her astounded him. One minute, she could be a pouncing wild cat ready to attack. And then the next second, she was as affectionate as a helpless kitten.

Devin nodded, “Ok truce.” He shook her hand and felt the energy flow through him again.

Before they reached the corner of Main and Ford, Devin turned off the headlights. He pulled out his cell phone and texted Fleager their whereabouts.

Devin spotted Chace standing on the right side of the church in front of the bushes. Devin and Alivia opened the door to the car. Neither one of them closed their doors behind them.

They crept across the lawn to where Chace was standing with Mercy, Erica and Demeetrie.

Devin looked at Chace. “So what’s the plan?”

“Demeetrie, Devin and I will go inside first and see what Vanstrauss is doing in there. Mercy, you follow behind us and hide until we need you to perform the spell. Alivia and Erica, you both stay out here. No matter what happens inside there you don’t come in, is that understood?” Chace said eyeing Alivia.

Alivia and Erica nodded.

Chace led the way to the other side of the church.

☼

Alivia stared at Erica. “We have come all this way. It wouldn’t hurt just to follow behind them and hide out of sight.”

“I agree, I want to know what’s going on inside too.” Erica grinned.

Alivia and Erica ran quietly across the lawn to the other side of the church. The door was slightly open. She pushed open the door just enough for them to pass through it.

When they stepped inside, her and Erica crept down and hid behind the middle row of benches. Alivia popped her head up slowly. Vanstrauss had a girl lying on the altar and he was performing some sort of ritual.

Alivia glanced around.

There were many lit candles scattered around the church but she still couldn’t see Chace anywhere. She rested her gaze on Fleager. His body was lying sprawled out on the stairs leading up to the altar. He wasn’t moving. He was lying in a pool of his own blood.

Erica lifted her head to take a better look. When she saw the dagger in Vanstrausss’ hand, she gasped and bent back down quickly. Erica elbowed Alivia. The second Erica elbowed her it was hard enough to cause Alivia to lose her balance. Alivia fell back and hit her head on the bench behind her.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are, my little chickadee.” Vanstrauss sang.

Alivia and Erica froze.

“I know your scent, my chickadee. It would be less painful for you if you would just show yourself. It saves me from having to play that annoying cat chase the mouse game.” Vanstrauss laughed wickedly.

Alivia stood up suddenly. Erica grabbed her arm and pulled. But Alivia resisted her and held a forceful hand on Ericas’ back to make her stay down.

“I’m glad to see you still have that courage that I admire so very much,” Vanstrauss said waving his hand for Alivia to come stand beside him.

Alivia walked slowly along the row until she reached the aisle. That’s when she saw Chace peek his head out from behind the first row bench. He did not look happy.

Alivia took her time walking to the altar.

“I like you, chickadee. I have not met many humans that possess the kind of courage that you have.” Vanstrauss grinned wickedly.

The girl on the altar stared at Alivia. It was apparent that she was frightened. Alivia skimmed over her body quickly. She had heavy chains wrapped around her body and wasn’t able to move. She was wearing just her bra and panties. There was a strange symbol written in her blood on her stomach.

“Ah yes, that symbol represents the ultimate sacrifice of a virgin to Lucifer,” Vanstrauss said.

Vanstrauss eyed Alivia curiously. “What is it about you that has got me so intrigued?” Vanstrauss stepped a little closer. “You’re somehow unique in your little human form. It’s actually quite disturbing really.” Vanstrauss traced his long sharp nail over her cheek. “You are a virgin. How very interesting,” Vanstrauss said and grinned.

“What is it with you and virgins?” Alivia asked.

“Virgins grant me power from my God.” Vanstrauss leaned over the girl and began carving into her skin, tracing the outline of the symbol.

The girl screamed out in agonizing pain.

Alivia grabbed his hand and moved it slowly away from the girl.

Vanstrauss dropped the dagger and stared at her.

“What the hell was that surge of energy?” He asked looking puzzled.

“What surge of energy?” Alivia asked.

“When you grabbed me just now, I felt a shock wave surge through my body.”

The man was clearly nuts. All those years being tortured in Hellsgrave had clearly messed up his mind.

Vanstrauss grabbed her by the neck and began to squeeze. “What the hell are you?” he shouted.

Alivia struggled to break free, but the more she struggled the higher Vanstrauss lifted her in the air.

Chace grabbed Vanstrauss from behind. “I am going to rip you to shreds,” Chace said angrily as he showed his fangs.

“No Chace, we need him,” Devin said and grabbed Vanstrausss’ hand. Devin dug his nails deep into Vanstrausss’ hand until he had a solid grip, then pulled his hand off Alivias’ neck. Alivia fell to the floor gasping for air.

Devin let go of Vanstrausss’ hand. Chace clenched his fist and hit Vanstrauss in the jaw. “You ever touch her again and I’ll kill you.”