Blood Rose (Blood Books Book 1) (14 page)

I closed my eyes as the water cascaded down. I had woken before the alarm alerted me that it was three in the afternoon. I hadn’t been up this early since I had transitioned. The sun would soon set, and though I always welcomed night, today, I feared it. I knew my vampire housemates felt the same terror as they hurried down the halls, preparing for, what I could only assume to be, the battle of our lifetime.

We had stayed awake well into the morning hours, devising our plan, informing Amicia that we had no other choice. The Rogues were coming, and we couldn’t stop them. We couldn’t run from them. All we could do was fight.

Jasik immediately disapproved of my plan. I hadn’t assumed anything less when I laid it all out for them. Though, I hadn’t expected the others to side with me—especially not Malik, Jasik’s overly loyal brother. An even bigger shock came from support from Lillie.

I rubbed the back of my neck between my hands, massaging away the kinks that had formed overnight. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths. I was exhausted—mentally and physically. The magic I had used earlier drained me, and I didn’t have enough time to refuel. I hoped a few dozen blood bags after my shower would do the trick.

The bathroom door opened, and I heard Jasik’s voice.

“Should I wait for you?”

“Yeah, I’m getting out now,” I said.

We walked in silence into the dining hall. The empty halls were eerily quiet. There were no service providers, so we helped ourselves to the stock of blood in the walk-in refrigerator. Our supply seemed dangerously low. I assumed I wasn’t the only vampire hoping blood would give me the strength I needed to survive the coming hours. Jasik and I drained a dozen bags each within minutes. I still felt hungry, and he urged me to drink more.

“You’re weak from your spellcasting. You must refuel, Avah,” he said.

“Our supply is dwindling. We’ll need the rest for… for after.” I looked at the ground, nervously picking at my nails. I didn’t know why I was so scared. Something else was haunting me. In the pit of my stomach, something felt
wrong
. I knew Rogues were out there, probably closer than we realized, but something else had been nagging at me ever since I had told the Hunters of my plan.

It felt like something else was out there, watching, waiting, buying time. I couldn’t shake the feeling.

“I’m okay. Really,” I said, flashing a fake smile. “Let’s just get ready.” I closed the door to the refrigerator and walked toward the basement. I took the steps two at a time and walked into the training quarters. The other Hunters were already there, busily strapping on weapons.

We all dressed identically. I supposed it marked us as Hunters. Though we were scantily dressed, it didn’t feel as such. When adorned with weapons, one couldn’t help but feel powerful, strong, covered.

I could have worn anything, and I found it ironic that I was drawn to wear the outfit I chose. I had begged Jasik to give me another option when he first tossed these clothes at me. Now, they felt empowering. While wearing this outfit, I faced my biggest threat: me.

“Let me help you with this,” Jasik said, holding the scabbard. I slipped my arms through. It fit snugly, tighter than before. I wondered if Jasik made alterations after my last… encounter with it.

“Thanks,” I said, smiling.

I opened the cabinet containing various scabbards and strap-on sheaths, pulling several out. I slipped one onto each leg, tightening the straps so they fit snugly around my thighs. The black fabric seemed to disappear against my spandex shorts.

I slid an ankle sheath over my black tennis shoes and secured a small blade. I grabbed two daggers and put them into my hip sheaths. Briefly, I wondered if I was overdoing it. I glanced at Lillie, who had just finished strapping a katana on her back. She looked up as I counted her blades, and when our eyes met, we shared a small, knowing smile.

The katana on her back glistened in the light, and I found myself missing my old weapon. It had broken in the vampire fight, and I hadn’t had time to get it repaired before I changed. I knew I’d never see it again, and I found that oddly discomforting.

I shook the feeling away by walking to the wall of weapons. My baby sat there. Clean, untouched since it last violated me and my trust. I imagined Jasik spending countless hours cleaning it down here while I slept. The thought made me smile.

I grasped the handle of the seax with my hand and pulled it from its spot on the wall. I took a few steps to the side so I could watch myself in the wall of mirrors.

This was it. This was my test.

I closed my eyes and twirled the blade in my hand, focusing on the grooves of the handle and how they skidded across the sensitive skin on my palm. My body moved as twirled the weapon, my hair whipping around as I spun. It moved beautifully with me. The blade matched my rhythmic thrusts, twists, and turns, and as I spun the weapon up and brought it down toward me, it slid into its sheath. My arm fell to my side, and I opened my eyes. The other vampires were watching me, and as they nodded in approval, Jasik simply smiled. In that moment, I knew everything would be okay. I knew the Rogues were out there, I knew we would soon go into battle, but most importantly, I knew we would win.

We walked upstairs in silence. Silence was something I was beginning to get used to while living in this house. There never seemed to be the right words.

The vampires of the house were piled in the foyer, waiting for their next command. Amicia stood at the top of the stairs, her guards on each side of her. The floor cleared as we walked into the room, the vampires parting like the Red Sea. They looked nervous, frightened.

The Hunters and I made our way to the front door and turned around to face them. I didn’t know what to say, and I wasn’t sure anyone else did either. I licked my lips and cleared my throat. All eyes fell to me.

“I know you’re all scared,” I began, unsure of what to say next. I looked up at Jasik, hands shaking. Sure, public speaking wasn’t my forte, but this was getting pathetic. How was I to lead them into battle when I didn’t even have the strength to make a simple speech? Jasik grabbed onto my hand, sliding his fingers between mine, and squeezed. He smiled at me and nodded, urging me to go on. We didn’t have much time now. The sun was already setting.

“I know you’re all scared, and honestly, I was, too. When I came here, I was terrified. Everything I thought I knew had been taken from me. My world shattered in a matter of minutes. And then I came here, and I met all of you. I was still scared, but at some point,” I looked at the ground, shaking my head, “and I don’t even know when,” I looked up, meeting the gaze of a small blonde who looked no older than fifteen, “my fear was replaced with something I had longed for. I finally found my place here, with all of you. I don’t understand much about being a vampire, and I don’t know why I’m here, why I survived the change, or why I’m different, but I do know one thing…”

I paused. I lowered my jaw as my fangs lowered. I tapped into The Power within me and felt it radiate off me in waves. The vampires surrounding me gasped and stepped backward.

“No one threatens my family and lives.” There was an anger, a power, a ferocity to my voice—one I had never heard. I threw my head back and bellowed. My arms out beside me, I pulled at The Power nestled deep within me. The Power was strong and yielding. As it blasted from me, the house shook from roof to foundation.

I heard the rumble of footsteps outside. The Rogues were coming for us. My display of power wasn’t enough to make them change their minds—a mistake they’d only make once.

I met the gazes of the other Hunters. With glowing irises that seemed to burn into mine, with elongated fangs and hands clutching blades, they were ready to fight—and die—for this coven, just as I was.

I turned back to Amicia’s guards and said, “Keep her safe.” They nodded, clutched her arm, and began pulling her toward the basement.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she grabbed onto my hand and said, “It has been an honor knowing you, Avah. You will make one hell of a leader some day.” She smiled, and then she was gone, her vampire guards following closely behind her as they escorted her to safety. I had learned of the hidden rooms in the basement long before we needed an escape plan. The secret tunnels were only an added benefit.

“Take your places,” I said, and the vampires broke into groups, leaving the foyer.

The Hunters before me took a step back, lining up. In unison, they lifted their right hands and placed them across their chests, their clutched fists resting against their hearts. I didn’t fully understand the meaning behind the action, but I was honored they had bestowed it upon me. I mirrored their actions before turning to walk out the front door.

“Avah,” Jasik said, grasping my wrist and pulling me to him. I fell against him, our lips meeting as if that were their natural resting place. His hand clutched the back of my neck, pushing me harder against him. The embrace was passionate but short-lived, because almost as soon as it began, he pulled away and whispered, “Be careful.”

I nodded and walked out the front door. The Hunters followed suit. I didn’t look back until I reached the gate that surrounded our property. The gate served as the spell’s barrier, and once we stepped beyond its borders, we were no longer protected by my magic. I looked behind me and to my right, where Jasik stood. Jeremiah stood behind him and to his right. I looked behind me and to my left, where Malik stood. Lillie stood behind him and to his right.

The Rogues approached, standing only yards from the gate’s door. I faced them. They walked with a sly arrogance, like they knew they’d win this war. I smiled on the inside, because I knew they were wrong.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remembered,” a man said as he stepped forward. I remembered him from the night they attacked the ball. Sticks cracked underfoot. Briefly, he was distracted.

“Did you just come here to talk? Because I’ve heard it all before,” I said, hoping to divert his curiosity from the world behind us.

He laughed loudly, gripping his stomach in a dramatic showcase. I rolled my eyes.

“My offer still stands. Your life for their lives. It only seems fair.” He flashed a wide smile. He was confident I’d give up my life for my family. In a way, he was right. I would die for them, but I’d take the Rogues with me.

“You know that’s not going to happen,” I said.

“I thought you might say that,” he replied, and with the snap of his fingertips, his army of Rogues fled from the shadows and raced toward our gate.

I reached back, yanked my seax from its sheath, and twirled the weapon in the palm of my hand.

“Leave him for me,” I ordered, and in a dash, we left the safety of the barrier to end this.

I watched Jeremiah’s shield go up around the manor as an added extra precaution. The night we planned today’s defense, he had told me he’d die before he’d let his shield fall. I only hoped that would never be the case.

I brought my blade down on a Rogue, slicing through his neck. His head fell to the ground beside his body. I brought my blade up again, slicing through another’s torso. He fell to the ground. They surrounded us. It was five against what seemed to be a hundred. Their numbers rolled down the hills toward us, with no end in sight.

I fought my way toward the leader, killing Rogues as I passed. The first step in hunting was to determine the leader. The next step was to eliminate that threat. As I made my way toward him, my mind began to clear. I focused on only him—and the thought of my blade slicing open his neck.

I skidded to a stop as two Rogues hauled toward me. With the flick of my wrist, I sheathed my seax and quickly took my two daggers in hand. When they were only feet before me, I jumped into a high backflip. They passed below me but not before my daggers slid into their eye sockets. I landed on my feet, pulling my seax and slicing it forward. They dropped to their knees, dead. I re-sheathed my daggers and scoured the ground for the leader. I knew he couldn’t be far. As more Rogues approached, I knew I didn’t have much time.

I scanned the crowd, sidestepping a Rogue. I twirled my seax and slid it behind me. She cried out and fell to her knees. I brought my arm back up, pulling the seax from her gut. She was dead before her limp body hit the ground. My eyes found Jasik. He and Malik were cornered. Malik’s gift as a seer made it difficult to defeat him, but I could tell Jasik was relying on his ability to heal. Pain flashed across his face as the Rogues attacking him landed a hit.

Rogues were savage creatures. They relied on their hands and strength to fight, not weapons. Stupidly, I had thought weapons would be our advantage, but I couldn’t imagine the power of their fists. From across the field, I heard Jasik’s jaw break when a Rogue’s fist landed its hit.

I reached his side in seconds, slamming my foot against the back of the Rogue’s calf. He fell to the ground. I wrapped my arm around his head and twisted. His neck snapped, and I drove my blade into his skull. I killed the final Rogues that cornered him and dropped to Jasik’s aid.

“Are you okay?” I said. In a quick twist, he realigned his jaw, and it began to heal.

He nodded and stood.

I quickly searched the ground. We had killed a few dozen Rogues, but we had barely made a dent in the number of our attackers. I brought my blade down, beheading a girl who stupidly jumped in front of me, and made eye contact with Lillie.

Lillie, plan B.

I couldn’t call out. I couldn’t elaborate. I could only hope she was reading my mind at that moment. I knew Jasik wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t go to him. He had hoped we could end this ourselves, but I was growing tired. I was weakening, and so were they. We needed to be realistic. We needed our coven. Calling upon them came with unavoidable consequences, because we knew they wouldn’t all make it.

When I explained my plan to Jasik, he had told me there would be no way Amicia would agree to it, but as soon as I explained how my magic could help them, he was more hopeful. When we brought the plan to Amicia, we hadn’t expected her immediate approval.

“We have a plan,” I had said. “We’re going to ask the vampires of this house to fight for it, but a piece of me will be with each of them. I’ll bless their weapons and bind my power to each of them with runes. That will give them the strength they need to make the kills, and if they stay in groups, they should be fine. We shouldn’t lose many.”

“All right,” she had said, and I was sure my jaw hit the floor.

“Really?” I had said. “You’re okay with it?”

She explained that this was a time of war, and in a war, casualties were unavoidable. I had prepared a solid defense—one that I was certain I’d have to use. Instead, I was sent away to do her magical bidding. Binding myself to their weapons was tricky. It would leave me vulnerable, but I was willing to risk my life for theirs.

Lillie killed the Rogue in front of her and then side-stepped another. She ran toward the gate and dove past the barrier. She jumped to her feet and turned back, blades ready. The Rogues who pursued her slammed into the barrier I had cast. She smiled, turned back toward the manor, and disappeared through the front door.

She was only gone for minutes before they all emerged. Every vampire in the house came to our aid. They wore loose-fitting clothes, clutched knives and swords that had been blessed with my magic, and screamed as they ran toward the group of Rogues impatiently awaiting them. I don’t know how I found the time to smile at their efforts, but I did.

“Remember to stay with your groups!” I called out. “Don’t separate—”

Something hit me from behind. My body fell limp as I flew through the air and slammed into a tree. My spine broke, and I fell to the ground. I began to heal, but the Rogues were already upon me. I wouldn’t heal fast enough, so I did the only thing I could do: I once again relied on my Pagan ancestry to save me.

“
Terra, Air, Ignis, Aqua, Spiritus,
I appeho. Sanabit. Sanabit. Sana me!”
I barely spoke above a whisper, but it was enough. The tingling effects of my magic swirled around my broken spine, strengthening its core as the vampire blood within me reformed bone.

A Rogue reached me before I had use of my limbs. He pulled me to my feet, holding me in the air by a hand around my neck. I choked on blood as he crushed bone beneath his grip.

Focus! You don’t need the breath to live.

“You should have taken option A, my sweet,” a voice said. I opened my eyes to find the Rogue leader before me, smiling, baring fangs.

“Avah!” Jasik yelled from across the field. I trailed my eyes across the wasteland of dead bodies and found him. He ran toward me, pushing past the Rogues that tried to stop him. I tried to reach out to him, but my spine hadn’t fully healed. I could feel it snapping back into place, and though I couldn’t speak, inside I screamed.

“Kill him,” their leader said, waving his arm dismissively. The Rogue released me, and I fell into the leader’s arms. My head rested against his neck. He lifted me slightly, allowing me a clear view of the chaos behind him. Jasik fought the Rogues around him, but his eyes never left mine.

“I have big plans for you and me, Avah. We’re going to rule
everything
,” he whispered.

My spine made one final crack, and with its alignment, I dug my nails into his scalp, yanked his head back, and tore through his neck. I viciously drained him until his skin sunk into bone. I tossed him aside and moved my head from side to side, cracking the joints.

I released a deafening growl, and the Rogues froze. Their eyes went from me to their dead leader and back to me again. I growled as they screamed for their lost brother. They dropped their victims where they stood and charged me. With the help of the vampires, the Rogues’ numbers were dwindling, but there were still a few dozen left.

I threw my hands to the sky and yelled, “
Incendia!
” I brought my hands back down as sparks flew from my fingertips. The Rogues combusted before me, and as more pursued me, the fire began to spread. I fell to my knees as my power drained my strength, but I refused to release the spell. I held on until I collapsed onto my side. As the final Rogues reached me, I found myself counting: one, two, three… Thirteen Rogues remained. I tried to laugh at the irony but fell short.

I smiled at Jasik, who was yelling my name and running to my aid. I knew he’d never reach me in time, but I wasn’t upset. I’d leave this new world the way I came into it: fighting.

Just as the first Rogue reached my side, he turned to ash. Another turned to ash. Soon, they all were lit by a spark and fell to their deaths. I squeezed my eyes shut as I was lifted from the ground, a searing pain soaring through me. I needed to feed, and I needed to feed
now
. My eyelids were heavy, and it took everything I had to keep them open.

I opened my eyes when the pain subsided, and I found Jasik staring back at me, jaw clenched, machete in hand. The other Hunters matched his stance. Slowly, my eyes moved from Jasik, to Malik, to Jeremiah, to Lillie, and to the remaining vampires of our coven. Confused, I swallowed hard and rolled my head over. My breath caught.

The world around me seemed to disappear as I stared at my savior. I ignored everything around me, because all I could see was a set of glowing violet irises staring back at me.