Fate of the Blood Moon's Path (19 page)

“I can’t believe that. No one believed that I would change. Or any of us. We all have a Vampyre parent, and look at us.”

“That’s because we have the Werewolf gene that makes us humane.” She smiled.

“Whatever it is…” I hesitated.

She cut me off, “After everything that you have been through in your life, hunting them down and killing them. You can’t sit there and tell me that he’s different. He’s a Vampyre. That won’t change. He’ll never be anything more than that.”

“Rayna…” I started. “You saw what I showed you, his past. Doing what he had to do to survive.”

“Eventually the bloodlust will take over and there won’t be anymore control.”

“I know that all too well Rayna. And I’m going to say it again, he’s different from the rest.”

“Just answer me this Angel, are you sure you know what you’re doing?” She was looking at me fiercely.

“Yes. I think I do.”

“Then I am here for you. I can’t say that I’m agreeing with what you are doing, but I’m your friend, and your mine. I trust you, and know that you have a reason for everything.”

“Even if I can’t figure out the reason?” I asked her.

“Even if you can’t figure out the reason for the action, yes.” She smiled.

“This is our secret right?” I asked her.

“Shouldn’t someone else know, just in case…”

“No!” I turned to her. “No one else can know. Please.”

“Fine. It’s safe with me, but the second anything bad happens, that has anything to do with the Vampyres, I swear I will burn that place down.”

“Rayna…” I sighed.

“What about Kane?” She asked me out of nowhere.

“What about him?” I asked. I haven’t seen Kane in almost two hundred years now since Scotland.

“What’s he going to think when he finds out you’re with a Vampyre?”

“He won’t find out…and it doesn’t matter. We had a nice time together when we were together, but it’s been so long he’s probably forgotten about me.”

“I doubt that Angel. You’re not exactly easy to forget.” She grinned at me.

“Whatever.” I smiled back.

She started laughing, “But you didn’t just deny that you weren’t with Draven.”

The both if us stood up and started walking back up the shoreline to the village. The lake was a little rough, and the waves were crashing into the rocks.

“You can’t run from it.” She said.

“From what?”

“From everything.”

“I’m not running Rayna, I’m just…dealing.”

“Death dealing.” She got a little dark on me. I didn’t respond back to her or even look over at her. I just kept my pace with her and kept moving forward.

I’d forgotten about the hoodie that I was wearing that reeked of Vampyre. I quickly took it off and rolled it into a ball in my hand holding to it tight focusing on pushing away the energy from the previous owner. It worked. Not one person from the village looked my way or sniffed it out.

“Angel, this came for you.” My father handed me an envelope. Rayna sat next to my father on the front porch swing.

“Who’s it from?” Rayna shot me a glance as she sat on the railing. I didn’t answer, I just opened the letter and read it.

My Dearest Angel,

By the time you get this letter, I shall already be on my way to New York and your village. I had a dream and in it I was told that I had to come and be there with you. So I am on my way. We shall see each other soon. Until then, take care.

SCARLET

“Well?” My father asked.

“Scarlet’s coming.” I responded after reading it. Rayna shot me a quick questioning look, and mine to her was twice the warning.

“When?” My father asked.

“Soon. I guess she’s already on her way here. I’m sensing soon.”

“Well, I’m off.” Rayna said. “I’ve got to meet up with Micah.” She stood up, “I will see you both later.”

“Absolutely.” I said. My father nodded to her.

My father stood up slowly, “You’re a beautiful girl Angel, inside and out. And you have to believe that no matter what, there is a reason for everything and your purpose shall be known.” He kissed my forehead.

“Thanks.” I said in the a form of a question. “What does that even mean?”

He laughed slightly. “You’ll figure it out my miracle child, I’ll always love you.” He put his arms around me and squeezed tight.

“You too dad.” I responded holding on to him tightly back. I didn’t know what was going on with him right now, but it almost scared me.

Angel.

16.

If You Surrender.

1646.

“Be not afraid of shadows.”

-William Shakespeare

His laughter echoed throughout the cemetery, ricocheting from stone to stone. His eyes an angry shade of red, that glowed with a fierce hatred as he watched Scarlet with great anticipation.

“Well?” I asked him.

“Frankly, I’m shocked that you actually came and brought us this baggage. If you just hand her over to us, we’ll all be on our way.”

“Why in Scotland?” I asked.

“We were heading here for other business anyways so…you know how that goes…”

“What makes you think I’m going to just hand her over to you?” I asked.

Scarlet tried to push past me, but I was stronger and my arm in front of her wouldn’t allow her to leave the spot she was in.

“Learn to control your pet.” Akuma laughed, everyone else laughed with him.

“What is it you want Akuma?” I asked loudly and annoyed. I was getting very irritated by his hesitance.

“Join us Angel.” He stopped smiling and asked seriously. “Join us and let us have the girl. We’ll let you live of course.”

“You can’t be serious.” I suggested.

“I am very serious. I wouldn’t go through all of this trouble if I wasn’t serious.”

“You couldn’t have just asked me this while we were in the forest that night last week?” I asked him stepping forward. He, too, took a step forward.

“I could have, yes. But then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet this young lady again.” He was now eyeing her, smiling.

“I’m far from a lady you old piece of…”

“Enough! This is ridiculous and a waste of time.” I said to him.

“Are you sure about that?” Akuma asked. “He wants you to join us.”

“Join you, wow…” I said.

“Well?”

“Where is your King?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

“Not here obviously.” He answered.

“Are you always going to be the one who does his grunt work Akuma? Or do you plan on actually having a life at some point?” I asked, “And by the way, he’s a coward.”

“This is my life…you know I don’t have to answer to you! What is your answer?” He yelled.

“Don’t wake the dead Akuma.” I said and paused. “Why would the King have out a warrant for my death if he wanted me to join his side?” I asked.

“Angel, why must you make this so complicated and difficult. You’re turning a simple thing into something complicated.” He grinned.

“It’s not a simple thing Akuma. Why would I go against my people, whom have been loyal to me, and I to them, all these years past? Why would I even think about betraying them? I’m not like you.”

“Why did you kill my family?” Scarlet screamed.

I turned to her, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were dead set on Akuma. Her eyes had no life to them. I heard her anger inside like a swarm of bee’s trying to protect their honey. Akuma laughed, and it was loud. The rest of the Vampyres started to laugh as well, which made Scarlet that much more angry. I realized then that this was the stupidest thing that I have ever gotten myself into and I clearly wasn’t thinking straight. All because I saved a girl from burning to death and agreeing to bring her with me on my little quest.

Bringing her here was a big mistake. Taking her along with me was a mistake.
Why have I done this?
Was all I could think right now. It was me, I was alone in all of this.

The next few minutes seemed like they went in slow motion. I grabbed Scarlet’s arm literally picking her up and throwing her aside. She hit a large monument with a thud. I could tell it had made her disoriented.

I stood in front of her with my swords drawn. I stood in fighting stance waiting for the attack. Akuma stood back and let his men walk slowly towards me. One by one they came. The sounds of slashing and ripping flesh was all I heard in those few minutes. I was focused on Scarlet behind me, listening to her breathing and listening to the thoughts of those who were around us. I would not let this girl die. Not this way.

I realized some of these men weren’t Vampyres. They were human. I had known that the Vampyres were getting the humans to work for them. But at what price? To destroy their lives? What about their lives? And their families? What was it the Vampyres got out of this? I didn’t understand it.

It didn’t sink in enough for me to actually care. This was their choice. I killed and I protected. That’s what I’m doing, as I have always done. I saw Scarlet with wide eyes behind me watching my every move. Watching the blood splatter across the grounds and the near by stones.

“Come on!” I yelled. And more came at me. With a sword in each hand, I swiped the two that came at me, their throats slit and laying on the ground choking on their own blood.

“Well done!” I heard Akuma scream at me, and then he ran. He ran right for me. All he had was a small dagger in his hand. I dropped both of my swords and ran at him. I ran towards a tall stone that was close by. I used it to propel, and launched myself towards him. I grabbed the dagger from his hand before he knew it had happened.

“You’re a coward.” I whispered in his ear as the knife stabbed him in his stomach shifting it upwards into his ribs. He looked at me with wide eyes, but smiling.

“And you aren’t?” He sighed.

I took out the knife and pushed him and I stepped backwards.

“We’ll meet again.” He said limping off towards the darkness at the other end of the cemetery.

“I certainly hope so.” I yelled to him.

I turned to see Scarlet wide eyed like a little child looking at me with frightened eyes.

“Ridiculous!” I screamed. “I should have let you go after him so you’d be dead along with the rest of them. That’s what you wanted right?”

“Angel…” She started.

“No! I don’t want your excuses. You’re insane! Life is so much more than vengeance. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that you’re immortal, and you will have an eternity to go after him.” I picked up my swords and cleaned them off and returned them to hiding under my jacket.

“I’m sorry, I got caught up in the moment.” She stood up brushing herself off.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it this time Scarlet. Why can’t you just listen and do what you’re told?! There is no such thing as ‘getting caught in the moment.’ I should have never came here, and I should have never brought you with me…I don’t know what I was thinking.” I screamed at her.

“Do you want to punish me now?” She raised her voice at me steeping towards me. She was getting a little sassy with me. It was almost laughable. But, I wasn’t laughing.

“You, alone, with your thoughts and memories should be punishment enough.” I walked away from her.

“Angel! Don’t walk away from me! Don’t ignore me.”

“You don’t want to talk to me right now Scarlet.” I said to her.

“Yes I do!”

“Why can’t you just listen to me? Do what you’re told? I said to stay calm, and you go off like a maniac. I should’ve let you go after him, Scarlet! I don’t know why I just didn’t leave you in London in that alley way with those burning rogues.” I continued to walk away from her.

“Then why didn’t you?” She started after me with tears running down her face.

“Because I didn’t.” I said, “Now why don’t you do something useful and help me drag all of these bodies so we can burn them. Even the human bodies.” I said.

“Humans?” She asked.

“Yea, you didn’t smell them?”

“No.”

“I can see you didn’t need any help.” A cheerful voice from the top of a very tall statuesque gravestone nearby. I looked up and saw Kane standing there looking down at us.

“How long have you been there?” I asked with irritation.

“I just got here.” He smiled jumping down with grace, landing on his feet perfectly. “So was I right?” He asked.

“Right about what?”

“About them wanting you to join them.”

“Yes.” I answered and kept dragging the bodies.

“Those are good swords, you should keep them.” He smiled pointing towards the pile of weapons that I had collected off the bodies.”

“I don’t want them, help yourself. This is the only one that I’m interested in.” I held up Akuma’s dagger, still covered in his blood.

“And whose is that?” Kane asked me. Scarlet stood silently listening to us, and looking between us with tears still in her eyes.

“Akuma’s.” I said.

“You’re joking.” Kane laughed. “Why is it covered with blood? Did he cut you?”

“No. I stabbed him with it.” I smiled showing my toothy grin.

“Amazing.” Kane laughed loudly.

Though I was more than furious with Scarlet right now, having Kane around brought my emotions into check, and a sort of happiness filled me. He was like a savior right now.

“What now?” Kane asked looking between Scarlet and I.

“Well, burn the bodies and leave Edinburgh. Get back to London I guess.” I said looking at him, brought my hand up as I did in the forest before we left to come here, and a fireball came out landing on the pile, igniting the bodies.

“Nice. You’re full of surprises.” He smirked at me.

“Yup.”

“Well, I can’t very well let you both head back to London by yourselves.” He said leaning against a stone crossing his arms with a cocky look on his face.

“And who said we needed you to come along. I have done fine my whole life on my own. I never needed someone to watch over me.”
“You’re stuck with me now Angel.” He laughed, “Besides, my work here is done. It is time to move on with my work. I haven’t been given any orders so I might as well go off on my own.”

“Whatever.” I sighed.

“What is your story Scarlet?” He asked her.