The Blood Will Run (7 page)

☼

Are you sure that it is Vanstrauss that is trying to cross over
? Devin asked.

Yes. It’s Vanstrauss and he’s already managed to cross over into another realm.
Lawson replied.

What realm is he in now?
Chace asked.

In the spiritual realm of angels,
Lawson answered.

Chace thought for a moment.
How did Vanstrauss get there?

Through one of the hidden doors,
replied Lawson.

Chace drew in a deep breath and asked.
What doors are you talking about, Lawson?

The angels speak of a stairway that begins in heaven and rests on the physical realm. This stairway has many doors leading to the spiritual realms in between. Evony the witch took Vanstrauss out through the door of Hellsgrave. Now, that Vanstrauss knows about the stairway and doors, he is looking for the door that leads to the physical realm.

Chace shook his head.
You’re certain about all of this, Lawson?

Yes, the angels have been talking and they fear what will happen if he finds the door to the physical realm.

What does all of this have to do with Alivia being in danger
?

Devin asked.

Alivia is the keeper of the Shayvan.

What is a Shayvan?
Chace asked.

The Shayvan is the guardian of the door to the physical world. Alivia has no idea that the ring she wears, the one with the blue moonstone in black ebony, is the Shayvan. The power of the ring will be awaken if the door to the physical world is at risk. But what worries me is that Vanstrauss knows Alivia is the guardian. He killed our mother by using one of his followers because she was the Guardian.

Wait, I thought that Jack Parkinson killed you and your mother
, Chace asked.

He did, but Jack Parkinson was Vanstrauss’ follower. Now, Vanstrauss plans to kill Alivia.

Chace was worried.

We’ll find a way to protect your sister Lawson, don’t worry,

Devin said.

Chace knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

Thank you both. There’s one more thing, maybe it will help.

The angels here they talk about a powerful immortal that only walks in the sun. They called

him a sunvamp.

This sunvamp is the key to stopping Vanstrauss.

Chace stared at Devin who was silent.

He now understood the reason Lawson stayed caught between the physical and spiritual realm. He was here to warn Alivia and keep her safe.

Chace couldn’t believe it. It was just his luck to fall hopelessly in love with a Shayvan. Alivia was a guardian.

Now, what was he going to do? Could he tell her what he was? What Devin was? And what she was? Would she freak out and run away?

Would she still love him the same?

“Damn, I can’t believe this,” Chace said.

“Be quiet Chace, you’ll wake up Alivia. How are we going to explain that we’re sitting outside of her window? She’ll think we’re stalkers or something.”

“What are we going to do Devin?”

“We’re going to sit Alivia down and explain everything.”

“What if she doesn’t feel the same about me after that?”

“Come on Chace, really? You’re worried about whether or not she’ll still love you? You’re not the least bit concerned that she might be killed by Vanstrauss?”

“
Of course I am. It makes it kind of hard to protect her if she hates me, though.”

“I’m going to see if Mercy knows anything about

Vanstrauss that could help us,” Devin said and sped off through the woods.

Chace stayed in the tree outside of Alivias’ window. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched Alivia sleep. Her long slender curves outlined her beautiful body under her blanket. Her hair was resting on her pillow and shimmered in the morning light. He sighed and listened to her breathing as she took even breaths. He tried to swallow the fear, but it was next to impossible. He couldn’t help but worry about what she would think or do when he had to explain what she was and what he and Devin were. He played out different scenarios in his head, but they all ended up with her hating him. He decided that he had no choice. He had to tell her no matter what and keep her safe. He would just break the news gently and start from the very beginning.

CHAPTER SEVEN

D
evin
waited outside the Witchittin Shop for Mercy. Minutes later, Mercy pulled up in her car and stopped beside the sidewalk in front of the shop.

She got out and popped the trunk. She pulled out a few bags, slammed down the hood and walked to where he was standing leaning up against the brick wall. 

“Hey stranger,” she said as she unlocked the door to the shop.

“Good morning, Mercy.”

“What brings you to the shop so early?” she asked as she walked around the counter to stand behind it.

“I’m here because I need your help.”

Devin explained everything starting from Lawson to Vanstrauss. When he finished, Mercy had an expression of surprise on her face.

“You’re a sunvamp?” Mercy asked.

“None of that matters. We need to talk about Vanstrauss and find a way to stop him from getting through to the physical realm.”

“I can’t help you.” Mercy held her hands out in front of her and a blast of light took to the air and headed straight toward Devin.

He stepped back, but the strangest thing happened. The blast of light stopped and faded just inches in front of him.

Mercy tried again and failed once more.

Devin looked puzzled. “I don’t understand what is happening here. Are you trying to kill me?”

“My family has hunted the sunvamps for centuries. To their knowledge, there was only one in existence. How are you a sunvamp? How is this even possible?”

“We were cloaked long ago. But none of that matters. Come on Mercy, you can’t honestly believe after all this time that I’m a threat to you,” Devin said.

“I have to admit that so far you’ve been pretty harmless. But there must be a reason my ancestors’ hunted sunvamps.”

Devin shrugged.

Mercy grabbed an old large book from under the counter and opened it.

She read aloud,

“
I have only encountered one sunvamp in my ninety-three years of life. The sunvamp was unstoppable. No spell or any form of magic affected this abomination. I had to summon the Witchittin council. After endless hours of discussion, the council decided to consult the Oracle of

Greece. I, Mother English
risked my life to travel through the forbidden lands cloaked as a maiden. Upon my return, I told the council about my findings. The oracle foretold, ‘To lure the darkened shadow within one must seek purity. A powerful immortal shall rise and the path to darkness shall alter. The truly desired is not for the taking for destiny was fated long ago. The path chosen will determine whether darkness will triumph over light
.”

Mercy closed the book. “The council insisted the prophecy was referring to a man named Demeetrie. He was the only sunvamp found using a tracking spell. Then once Demeetrie was hunted and staked with the hollow cross, my ancestors said peace was restored once again.”

“Who wrote that?” Devin asked.

“My ancestor Martha English, she was a witch who belonged to the counsel and was responsible for driving the hollow cross into Demeetries’ chest.”

Devins’ tone was hard, “Demeetrie De Luca, one of my ancestors?”

“Yes,” Mercy said and slid the book back under the counter.

“Where have you hidden him?” Devin stepped closer to Mercy.“I’m sorry Devin but I can’t tell you. I’m afraid of what my ancestors would do to me if I revealed the location.”

“Why stake Demeetrie with the hollow cross? Was he a threat to anyone?”

“I believe he was staked because he was too powerful. The Witchittin council and the clan created by Orion feared what that kind of power could do. They were afraid he would wipe out the entire coven of witches and vampires.”

“Mercy, you know I would never hurt you right? You tried to zap me and still I did nothing. I owe you for allowing me to walk in the moonlight. Please, I need you to trust me.”

Mercy drew in a deep breath. “Say I believe you. What then?”

“I need to find a way to stop Vanstrauss. Alivias’ life depends on it. Besides, Chace will never forgive me if something happens to her.”

“Is Chace a sunvamp too?”

“No, Chace is a vampire.”

“How can that be? You’re identical twins with the exception of your eye color.”

“I can’t get into it right now Mercy. We need to concentrate on saving Alivia.”

Mercy nodded. “Fine, let me do some research on

Vanstrauss and I’ll call you if I find something.”

“Thank you, Mercy. I guess yet once again, I will owe you.”

“Okay, get out of here now and let me work.”

Devin obeyed and left feeling hopeful.

☼

Sunlight filtered down through the trees in the woods as Alivia made her way to the cemetery. Birds were singing in the branches all around and Alivia stopped to listen. It was a beautiful day. Today, she felt warm inside. Today, she wasn’t full of sadness. She knew Chaces’ love for her was the reason she was seeing the world and all its beauty. She hugged herself and continued through the woods as she smiled.

As she passed the Tarantino ruins, she stopped suddenly.

She was not alone. The distinctive sound of twigs cracked in the woods. When she turned to see who or what was behind her, her cell phone went off and she jumped.

She pulled out the phone from her back pocket and read the text message from Chace.

meet me @ my place in an hour?

Alivia wrote,
sure is everything ok?

Her phone went off again;
yes, need 2 talk 2 u.

About what?
Alivia wrote.

Chace wrote back,
tell u when u get here…

Alivia was too preoccupied reading the text messages that she didn’t notice the husky figure sneak up behind her.

Before she realized it, someone grabbed her and covered her nose and mouth with a damp cloth. She struggled to break free but the attacker was much stronger.

Seconds later, everything faded.

☼

Hours passed and still there was no sign of Alivia.

“I should’ve stayed with her. Maybe something bad happened.”

Chace was worried.

What the hell was he thinking coming home to take a shower? He should’ve stayed outside her window in the tree, he thought. If something happened to her because of him, he would never forgive himself.

“Maybe she got held up doing something at the Cafe,” Devin said.

“I already called Jules hours ago. Jules said that Alivia left this morning at eleven thirty.”

“She’ll be here Chace. Stop worrying. Maybe she just made a pit-stop at one of her friends’ houses.”

“I spoke with Erica when I went to the Cafe earlier. She didn’t see Alivia at all today.” Chace stared at Devin in disbelief. Did Devin think he was some sort of an idiot?

Chace breathed in deeply. “Come on Devin man, help me out here. It’s late and I’m starting to believe that something terrible happened to her. Can’t you just use your telekinetic ability and get in touch with

Lawson.”

“I’m not really sure if it’ll work or not Chace.”

“Damn it Devin, at least try. This would be a good time for you to prove that you care. We’re talking about Alivia here Devin. I know you have feelings for her. Do something.”

Chace ran his fingers through his hair as he started to pace back and forth.

Devin nodded.

Chace watched as Devin closed his eyes.

Minutes later, Devin opened them and shook his head. “I’m sorry Chace. I can’t connect with Lawson.”

“Now, I’m worried. Where the hell can she be?”

“All right, calm down. Let’s approach this situation rationally.

Mercy could do a tracking spell right?”

Chace stared at his brother, “Good thinking Devin.”

But, before Devin could say another word, Chace sped out of the room.

CHAPTER EIGHT

A
livia
opened her eyes. She sat up.
What the
… she thought as she glanced around. Then she remembered that someone in the woods had grabbed her from behind. She slid back against the iron frame of the bed, suddenly terrified.  She cradled her arms around her knees and noticed the shackles around her wrists. She followed the long chains that were connected to the metal hooks attached to the wall behind her. A chill ran up her spine.

A door slammed shut in the distance and then another. She heard the footsteps as they approached the room closer and closer, step by step.

Frightened, Alivia squeezed her eyes shut.

She held her breath as the door opened.

“Sweet, you’re awake, I was wondering when you were going to come to. You’ve been sleeping for a while. It’s been somewhat boring for me so far. But now gorgeous, let the good times roll.” 

Alivia opened her eyes. She recognized the voice. It belonged to Miles.

“Miles, what are you doing? Unchain me right now.”

“Do you know how hard it’s been watching you walk the streets day after day?”

Miles laughed and walked closer to the bed. For a moment, Alivia tensed, unsure of what she should expect from him. He bent down and glared at her. Her stomached turned when she looked into his eyes. Anger and hatred now replaced the sweet warmth that he used to have for her.

A stiff line formed around his mouth. It tightened deeper. “If it wasn’t for those annoying vampires, I would have taken you days ago.”

She was certain that Miles was going crazy. He needed to get psychological help, especially if he believed that there were vampires. She glanced around the room. She needed to find a way to escape. She didn’t know what Miles was capable of doing to her.

Miles grinned wickedly. “Ah, I see that they haven’t told you what they are.”

Alivia glanced around the room again.

A thick sheet of wood was covering the window.

She appeared to be in some sort of log cabin. She rested her gaze on the open door.

“Well really,” Miles said, following her gaze. “You can search all you want sweetheart, but you’ll never leave this cabin alive.”

He laughed and knelt down beside the bed. “Let me shed some light on the subject of your newly found friends, shall we. That guy that you’ve grown so attached to, he’s a vampire and so is his brother, Devin.”

Miles must have realized from the expression on her face that she didn’t believe him because he suddenly snickered.

“Well, I guess you don’t believe in such things, but allow me to bring you in on a little secret that we immortals have been keeping from you.”

Alivia shook her head in disbelief.

“Chace and Devin are vampires, but here’s what’s so great about all of this, I’m a werewolf. You see this ring on my finger. It stops me from shifting on a full moon.”

Miles used his thumb to twirl the ring around his index finger.

“Unfortunately for you sweetheart, the downside to this is that since I’ve been wearing this ring practically twenty-four-seven, once I take it off, I’m able to shift without a full moon.”

She stared at him. He completely lost it. He was definitely taking something that was causing him to hallucinate. “What kind of drugs are you taking Miles?”

She blurted out.

Miles leaped up and grabbed her by the neck.

He pressed his hand hard against her throat. She stared into his eyes, startled by his reaction.

“You’ll die just as my sister did, painfully.” Miles exploded with rage as he squeezed her throat even harder. “Did you honestly think that I wouldn’t find out that your boyfriend Chace killed my only sister?”

In one quick movement, Alivia lifted her hands up and twisted the chains around his neck. Miles gasped as she tightened them around his throat. He let go of her throat and grabbed the chains. She lifted herself up onto her knees as he tried to pull the chains away from his neck. Then she stood to her feet, pulled him down on the bed, whipped around behind him, and flung herself back, pulling him down on top of her. Miles threw himself to one side and then to the other. He brought his hand back and grabbed her by the hair. In one swift movement, he flipped her over until she was lying on top of him. It took her a few seconds to realize that the chains weren’t around his neck anymore. That’s when he slid himself out from underneath her and jumped on top of her stomach. He grabbed her throat with both hands and squeezed her neck. She clawed at his hands, hoping that the pain she inflicted on him would encourage him to release her. But no amount of scratching, digging or clawing seemed to effect him. He was too enraged to even pay attention. Suddenly, she found it difficult to breathe.

☼

Chace sped to the Witchittin shop. He swung open the door and rushed inside.

“To what do I owe the honor of your presence sweet cheeks?”

Mercy giggled.

“I need you to do a tracking spell.”

Mercy raised her brow.

“Alivia might be in danger.”

Mercy nodded and waved her hand for Chace to follow as she headed to the back of the store.

She placed a map of Newgrave and Coven Creek side by side on the oak table.

Mercy put a red candle at the top of the table and a yellow candle at the bottom. She also put a green candle to the left and a white candle to the right. She lit all four candles in order, north, east, south, and then west. She unclasped the chain that hung around her neck. Then took the crystal ball attached to the chain and dipped it into the clear liquid potion. She held it over each of the four flames and began to chant in Latin.

She dangled the crystal ball over the Newgrave map. Within seconds a light appeared. “She’s at the old womans’ cabin in the woods, right next to the Whaling Bridge.”

Chace nodded, “Thanks I owe you one,” he said.

He opened the door and sped toward the woods.

☼

Devin heard Alivia choking as he sped through the cabin door.

He rushed to the back of the cabin and into the room. That’s when he spotted Miles.

“I should’ve known you were behind this,” Devin said.

Devin grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him hard against the cabin wall.  The blast of plaster and wood was deafening as Miles tore through to the other side.

Devin raced over to Alivia. He broke the shackles from around her wrists and released her.

“Breathe Alivia,” Devin said as she struggled to regain her breath. “Please Alivia breathe.”

For the first time in a long time, Devin didn’t know what to do. He searched into the window of her soul to see how close to death she was. The once beaming light of life was now weakened and beginning to fade.  He bit his razor sharp fangs into his wrist and held it to Alivias’ mouth.

“Drink,” he said.

Alivia passed out. Devin squeezed his blood into her mouth. Nothing happened.

”No,” he cried out and sat her up. He held onto her tightly rocking her in his arms. “Don’t you dare leave me, do you hear me?”

Devin pressed his lips to hers. He could feel the surge of energy coursing through his body. There was a sudden spark and then some sort of an electrical current ran from her lips to his. She snapped her eyes open, leaped out of his arms, and began to jump around as she desperately tried to breathe.

“Alivia, take deep breaths,” Devin said.

Alivia stopped. She fell to her knees. Devin tapped her in the middle of her back. He stepped back when she started to breathe steadily.

She stared at him. “Devin what are you doing here?” she asked in a strangled voice.

Devin didn’t get a chance to answer her. Chace was standing behind him and Devin could sense his anger.

Devin turned to face him.

“Do you know what actually pisses me off more than someone taking the woman I love hostage? My very own manipulative and conniving brother,” Chace said glaring at him. “You knew where Alivia was this entire time and yet you sent me on a wild goose chase,” Chace uttered in disbelief.

Devin was offended. “I promise you Chace that I only felt Alivias’ presence after you left. So instead of wasting valuable time and stopping by the shop to get you, I rushed straight here.”

“Don’t kid yourself brother. When this is all over, you and I will have a serious discussion about what really happened. Is that understood?”

Devin wondered if he should make a run for it. He knew what that wild blazed look in Chaces’ eyes meant. He watched Chace clench his jaw and thought for sure Chace was going to beat the crap out of him. But to his surprise, Chace did nothing.

Instead, Chace looked past Devin and fixed his gaze on Alivia, who was now sitting on the bed.

He sensed Chaces’ temper boil even higher when he noticed Devins’ blood on Alivias’ lips.

Then Chace drew in a few deep breaths. “Whatever possessed you to give her your blood?”

Before Devin could answer, Miles was on all four paws in the opening of the wall, growling and baring his teeth.

In that same moment, the moonstone ring slid off Alivias’ finger and a blinding light filled the room. Heaps of plaster and wooden planks fell down around them.

When the light finally disappeared, a white Panther as tall as the roof, with black speckles and big blue eyes stood in the path of the werewolf.

“Alivia are you okay?” Chace shouted.

“I’m fine,” answered Alivia.

The wolf snarled and showed his teeth. The panther let out a ferocious wild hissing sound and rendered its own razor sharp teeth. Miles growled with his mouth dripping saliva. He was as tall as the panther but much wider.

Devin eyed Chace who eyed him right back. Then Devin caught the distinctive aroma of blood in the air, but he wasn’t exactly sure where it was coming from.

There was no time to find out either because when Devin looked over, he saw that the wolf was already in a battling stance. The wolf lifted up his head, let out a deafening howl before he swung his paw, and hit the panther hard in the mouth. The panther launched himself at the wolf and hit him with its head in the chest. The wolf flew back and landed outside the cabin on all four paws. The two of them circled one another a few times before the wolf flung himself at the panther.

The panther lifted his paw and cracked him in the nose before the wolf even had a chance to get near him. Blood erupted from his nose. The wolf growled fiercely. The yellow of his eyes lit up with a hatred that was ready to kill. He launched himself toward the panther again with his claws spread out wide and long. The panther opened his mouth wide and grabbed a hold of the wolfs’ paw.

Then he bit down hard as he crushed the bones inside of his mouth. An awful howl shrieked from the wolfs’ throat.

He struggled to pull out his paw but the more he struggled, the harder the panther chomped down. The panther then lifted its claw and shoved its razor sharp nails into his eye. It twisted its claw further and further until it ripped the socket out of his eye. The wolf howled out in horror.

Within a matter of seconds, he brought his paw up and smashed the panther hard against its head. Then another blow from the wolf, this time he hit it in the side. Then there was another chain of hard blows, one right after the other, until the panther finally let go of his paw. The wolf limped back, licked his wounded paw and launched himself at the panther again, this time leaping into the air and landing on top of his back. He bit down hard into his neck and yanked as he ripped out a chunk of skin and fur. The wolf bit him again and tore out another chunk from his back.

The panther whipped back and forth in every which direction it could trying to get him off.  That’s when the wolf slipped off his back and flew against a tree. The tree split and splintered onto the ground as it crashed into another tree.

Chace sped out of the cabin and stood beside the injured panther. The wolf caught his bearings and headed at him again.

The panther leaped up and landed on the other side of the wolf.

The wolf whipped around and stared at the panther. Then he turned and stared at Chace and leaped on top of his chest. Chace fell to the ground, grabbed the wolf by the mouth, and began to stretch it open. The wolf managed to break free from his grip and bit Chace hard in the neck.

The panther was on top of the wolf before Devin could get there. The wolf lifted his paw and dug his razor sharp nails into Devins’ side just as he arrived next to Chace. When he let go, Devin fell onto the ground. With a blazing determination the panther wrapped its paw around the wolfs’ stomach, lifted him into the air and together they fell back.

As they scuffled around the woods, the trees exploded down around them. In an instant, Chace was back up on his feet and sped to help the panther. Devin followed.

The panther and the wolf stopped in a clearing in the woods and circled one another again. Chace didn’t hesitate, he leaped up onto the wolfs’ back while Devin sped to the back of the wolf and gripped its tail. He pulled as hard as he could while Chace jammed his hands into his wounded eye and began to rip his eye socket apart.