Aaron's Revenge (15 page)

Sliding her fingers into his hair, she arched her back, wanting him to take more. She could not get enough.

Rolling on top of her, Dragan kissed her hard on the mouth, pressing his hips until she spread her legs wide to accommodate him. She could feel him hard and pulsating through the fabric of her skirt. Sliding a hand down her thigh, he moaned into her mouth. “What is it with you and not wearing underwear?”

Laughing softly, she caught his eyes, winking. “Just want to be ready for you at all times.”

Dragan thrust his finger inside her, watching the play of emotions cross her face.

Reaching between them, Amira unzipped his pants with an urgency she could not hide.

“
Come inside me, Dragan, please.”

Pushing her skirt high around her waist, he thrust hard up inside her. He would never get enough. Rising above her, he stopped his movement.

“
I love you, Amira.”

Amira pulled his shoulders down to her, wrapping her arms around them, as she whispered in his ear, “I love you more than life itself, Dragan.”

Moments later, they both cried out their release in unison.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Adara stared at the manor as it spread out before her in complete darkness. Behind her, the hundred in her army gnashed their teeth and mumbled incoherently. They were starving and ready for battle.

“
Easy, my pets. The lambs will be ready for slaughter soon. Then you can have your fill.”

Chanting, she felt the familiar separation within her body as her spirit rose, up and out, flying through the air, melting inside the walls. Invisible, she took her time searching for the one she wanted, entering every door unseen until finally she connected to his now human energy vibrating in the air.

Standing over the bed, she watched as he held tightly to another who lay in his arms. A snarl quickly replaced the smile. Female. Hate enveloped her. So, this was the one who caused all of this disruption to her world. Staring down at the form on the bed, Adara could hear the extra heartbeat deep within her body. It was but days old, but still a threat.

Flying back to her vessel, she smacked her lips at the thought of how much she would enjoy sucking the last breath from the fragile human bitch’s lungs and that of her unborn child, all the while staring into Dragan’s eyes as she did so. Then she would take his life after turning him. Granted, by doing so, she would have to face the consequences of killing before harvest time—but she would happily take whatever punishment came. Revenge would be sweet indeed just having them all dead.

Back inside the manor, James pressed his head against his bedroom door, intently listening for anything that would tell him that the intruder was still in the house. Glancing at Shadow, he watched as the hair started to lie back down on the wolf’s neck.

Easing the door open, he could not prevent the large canine from bolting through the opening as he raced through the house, sniffing the air like a rabid animal.

Running down the stairwell, he reached Daphne’s room within seconds, only to have the door flung open before he could knock. He took a step back. Standing in front of him was not his new lover but a stunning beauty.

“
James, what is it?”

“
Daphne?”

Cursing under her breath, Daphne chuckled. “Ugly, aren’t I?”

“
How—”

“
We will discuss that later, James!”

“
Something spooked Shadow and when I opened the door, he took off to Dragan’s suite.”

“
So soon? I was hoping we would have more time.” Grabbing James’s arm, she pulled him down the hallway towards the kitchen. “What do you have for weapons?”

“
I have a gun and that is about it.”

“
That will have to do. Go find it. I will try to get you to Amira’s cottage. There you will be safe.”

Standing tall, James glared at Daphne. “I will not leave you here.”

Reaching out a hand, she touched the old face. She appreciated that he wanted to protect her so stoically. However, her love was just as strong towards him. “I do not want to lose you. We still have many years together. Trust me on this one.”

It took a lot of convincing, but finally James agreed to return to his room as Daphne ran towards Dragan’s. She knew before she even reached his suite that he was not there. She could smell the blood. Switching on the light, her eyes surveyed the room carefully. There was some blood loss, but not enough to cause worry. Fear didn’t strike her heart until she realized that Amira was also gone. Running in the direction of Aaron’s room, she hoped that Amira was with Dragan.

Aaron met her halfway. He was wearing the cloak she had sealed.

“
What is it?”

“
They are gone. We need to find them quickly before it is too late.”

Aaron frowned. “Have you seen Chavali?”

“
Forget about her, Aaron. She has chosen her path.”

“
What do you mean?”

“
Come, Aaron, I do not have time to explain.”

Running outside, both Aaron and Daphne halted in their tracks.

“
Thank you, Creator.”

Aaron watched as Daphne ran to a small group who were already standing outside the door. There had to be at least thirty in all shapes and sizes and they quickly surrounded her, speaking to her earnestly.

Moments later, Daphne rushed back to his side. “Dragan and Amira were taken into the woods by Chavali. Find them and bring them back to the manor. We are going to fight Adara’s army and hold her off to give you time. Keely feels we should stay together as a group.”

“
Adara’s here?”

Pointing towards the lake and the line of trees, she nodded. “They are waiting for complete darkness to attack. Adara will not sense you as long as you have the cloak on. Hurry, Aaron!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Aaron lifted the hood of the cloak over his head as he sped to the woods, looking back only once when he reached the tree line. Daphne’s group had already disappeared into the night. Taking a deep breath, with fear stabbing at his heart for the two he loved, he raced through the underbrush. It did not take him long to pick up their scent.

Reaching a clearing in the woods, he saw them. Amira was kneeling on the floor, as Chavali held a knife to her neck. Dragan, with hands raised, was speaking softly to Chavali in an obvious attempt to calm her. Chavali’s eyes were wild and unfocused. Aaron realized that she was on the precipice of insanity.

“
Please, Chavali, you don’t want to do this.”

“
Oh, yes I do.” Spit flew from her mouth. “She is the reason for this. Why can’t you see what she has done? Her very existence has ruined everything.”

Dragan caught the movement behind her. Relief enveloped him, realizing it was Aaron.

“
Let’s go back to the manor and talk about this. We can sort this all out.”

“
After she dies.”

Dragan took a step closer. She pressed the knife harder; he froze when blood started to seep from the cut.

Aaron’s fury erupted at the scent of Amira’s blood. The cloak squeezed tightly, not allowing him to move freely until he released the anger.

“
Kill me instead, Chavali. I am the one you are angry with.” Aaron stepped into the circle. Startled, Chavali spun, pulling Amira with her. She was starting to feel trapped.

“
I wondered how long it would take you to get here, Aaron. But I knew that you would come to save your girlfriend.”

“
Let her go, Chavali. I thought we had a connection, you and I.”

“
Oh, please. I only used you, Aaron, to get what I wanted. Now I have it.”

Confused, Aaron started to speak as a deep roar came from far off and all heads turned in the direction of the sound. The tornado-like noise was tearing towards them.

Smiling, Chavali nodded. “Adara is coming. You think I want revenge? Adara wants it more than I.” Moments later, Adara came into view. Racing towards them, she stopped short, as if hitting an invisible wall.

“
You cannot enter this space, Adara. Daphne cast a spell.”

Staring at Dragan, Adara smiled sweetly. “You can have the girl, my dear. It is him that I want.”

A flash of lightning lit up the forest, striking Adara in the back and knocking her down. Daphne’s distraction gave Aaron time to snatch Amira away from Chavali’s hold, who in turn stumbled, losing her balance. The young vampire fell into Dragan’s arms, pushing him out of the protective circle. Seconds later, both Adara and Dragan were gone. Laughing maniacally, Chavali ran into the woods.

The remaining three stood stunned.

“
Aaron, take Amira to the cottage—do not leave under any circumstances, do you understand me? The coven and I must find Adara and Dragan.”

“
Daphne!” Aaron desperately called out to the old woman but could not finish what he was going to say.

Understanding, she nodded sadly. “I know, child. I will do my best.”

Without hesitation, he lifted Amira up into his arms as she protested, rushing to the cottage while Daphne headed back towards the manor.

Daphne knew that there would only be one place that Adara would want the transition to take place. She would want the one place that would send a clear message to not only Dragan and Aaron, but even more important to the sons and daughters of light.

* * * * *

Dragan groaned. He remembered this feeling well. His body was weakened from loss of blood. Attempting to roll onto his side to lessen the pain, he quickly realized that he was shackled and chained. Opening his eyes, his gaze took in the familiar surroundings as despair caused him to cry out. The irony was not lost on him at her choice of a location.

“
You are correct, Dragan. This location was chosen on purpose.” Adara circled the altar, rubbing her hand against his skin as she did so. “Oh my. Even human, you are a beautiful being, as is your brother. A different space and time, you, Aaron, and I could have been great together.”

“
Never!”

Her laughter easily flowed from her. She was exactly where she wanted to be. Satanael would be pleased. “On a normal day, I would have an audience, as you well know, but time is of the essence, thanks to your witchy friends.”

Clutching Dragan’s hair, she yanked his head back, forcing him to look at her. He could see the hate for him within her eyes. “As I feed from you some more, I want you to think about this, Dragan Reynell. You will not walk out of this chapel alive, in human or vampire form. Not one living thing will be left breathing on the lands you call Echo Lake. From animal to fowl, human to witch—there will be no mercy. That will be my revenge.”

Dragan fought against the chains as her fangs, glistening in the candlelight, were bared. Dropping her head, she drove them deep into his neck, deliberately causing as much pain as she possibly could. Dragan screamed, feeling the venom once again enter his system. He felt sick, hearing her gulp, knowing that his blood was giving her sustenance, but for him a fate worse than death.

Sinking slowly into oblivion, he heard a growl and then a cry of pain as if from far off. Adara then pulled away from him, screaming in rage while a flash of white ripped at her with his fangs. Dragan turned his head, catching sight of two more figures standing in the doorway of the chapel. His vision blurred and the room spun out of control; he could not make them out. Shadow’s yelp of pain broke his heart, and then there was silence as Adara chased after the two.

Dragan knew he was dying and he did not have much time. He needed his brother by his side.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Aaron dodged quickly to the left, trying to find an opening to grab Amira as another plate flew with unnerving accuracy towards his head. She was out of control and he was at a loss as to what to do with her. Already, the kitchen was littered with over a dozen items she had whipped at him, with no sign of tiring or stopping.

“
Please, Amira—can you just calm down for a bloody minute so we can talk?”

“
I am done talking; let me out of here, Aaron.”

“
You heard Daphne. We need to stay here until she can send word.”

“
No! We need to help find Dragan,
your brother,
for God’s sake.”

Aaron inhaled, trying to catch his breath, grateful she had at least stopped long enough for them to converse.

“
I promise, if she doesn’t send word soon, we will…God, Amira—that hurts!”

A mug struck Aaron on the forehead; blood oozed down his face. He did not have time to react except to swipe at the excess flowing into his eyes before ducking again as a pan was on its way towards him.

Beyond feeling, Amira threw whatever was in arms’ reach at the only person she had access to. Her current problem was that she was almost out of items to throw but, thankfully, almost reaching her goal, the front door, she didn’t need too many more. Grabbing the handle, she dodged out, reaching the end of her walkway before she felt herself grabbed around the waist, thrown up high in the air before she was slung over his shoulder. Pummeling his back, she screamed even louder as he ran back into the kitchen before they were detected.

Dropping her unceremoniously to the floor, he pushed her shoulders up against the wall hard, silencing her scream with his mouth. Shocked, Amira froze as he continued to ravage her with his lips. Lifting his head, he was breathless as he looked down at her.

“
Are you finished now?”

She nodded her head. He slowly unlocked his fingers from her shoulders, taking a step back. She was going to have some major bruising there tomorrow.

Amira brought up her knee, driving it between his legs. Aaron dropped hard, clutching himself, as pain ripped through him. Groaning, he rolled onto the ground, not caring that shards of pottery were stabbing into his skin.