Last Vamp Standing (14 page)

“I don’t know, it just is.” Truth be told, Ariana didn’t know why she was so hard pressed for answers. Maybe because if she rationalized his traits, his family, his heritage, she could rationalize her feelings toward him. “I guess I’d feel a whole lot better about what happened between us earlier if I knew you weren’t”—she fingered through the pages of the book beside her—“a Werepanther or something.”

“You can rest assured I’m not a Werepanther or any other kind of shifter.” His lips quirked, but before she could remark how kissable they were, the smile was gone. “With me, what you see is what you get.”

She looked at him then, from the chiseled arch of his cheekbones to the rugged squareness of his jaw, to the warrior-like breadth of his shoulders. The black shirt and matching leather she’d chosen fit him perfectly . . . too perfectly, if Ariana’s raging hormones had anything to say about it. The outline of his washboard abs twitched beneath the light fabric of his shirt, and the leather of his pants bulged over his lap. Not that she’d been staring or anything.

A flare of boldness surged through her veins. “I like what I see.”

Without thinking, without a single rational thought in her head, Ariana pushed herself forward until she was on all fours. She crawled between his legs. He didn’t move.

“What are you doing?” His eyes flamed with rabid hunger.

She focused on those lips. Remembered how they felt against hers, velvety soft and deliciously sweet. Just like every other time that they were together, Ariana’s mind seemed to seize. “I’m not sure, but if you want me to stop, tell me now.”

Moving slowly, she rose up and caught his mouth. A wave of heat licked through her body, setting her skin aflame. His tongue slipped between her lips and roamed her mouth, soft at first, then needier. Hungrier.

As Ariana’s mouth moved against him, she realized he wasn’t moving at all. His arms didn’t wrap around her. His knees didn’t part to allow her body to fill the gap between them. He was bone still, his arms resting over his knees, his hands clasped in front of him, just like he was when she was on the floor.

He didn’t want this.

But when she pulled back, Dante advanced, catching the back of her head with his hand. He tilted her head to the side, deepening the kiss, fanning the flames of the hunger building inside her.

Like a light switch flipping, something changed. Her side began to ache, a low knotting feeling that spread across her stomach, taking her out of the moment. She pulled back, putting a hand to the cramp.

“You all right?” Dante asked, the gold in his eyes swirling faster than she’d ever seen.

The cramp in her side began to spasm, twitching and pulsing against her hand. “I don’t think so.”

They were about to get company. Ariana couldn’t explain how she knew it. Like every other working of Black Moon, the place seemed to live within her. She could feel its walls weakening. Could almost hear the sound of Seekers’ hooves pounding through the forest.

Seekers.

“Come on.” She stood in a rush, dragging Dante off his feet behind her. “Black Moon’s barrier has been broken by someone who’s been here before. It’s called out the Seekers. Your friends must be here early.”

“What the hell are Seekers?”

“They’re our guards, our protectors.” She dug through the pile of books on the desk and came up with one she knew well. “There’s a picture of one right there.” She pointed to the cover, to a picture of a centaur—body of a man, hindquarters of a horse.

“You have centaurs guarding your haven?”

“Of course.” With a hand pressed to her side, Ariana high-stepped over piles of books. She’d have one hell of a mess to clean up later, but there were more important things to think about at the moment. She grabbed the paper with details about Savage and shoved it into her pocket. “Every haven needs an army.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Savage is on the move and nearing the forest surrounding Black Moon. Vamps without a haven are lost causes and should consider every minute of life their last.”

W
ATCHER
A
RCHIVE, UPDATE

T
HE NIGHT WAS
black as pitch, but Ariana, along with the rest of the vamps meeting up in the forest, could see clear as day.

Seekers lined up behind them, forming a line in front of Black Moon—their last line of defense in case something went haywire. Their bare chests reflected rogue streams of moonlight, and their legs disappeared into shadow. They pawed at the ground with heavy hooves.

Anxiety, it seemed, was felt by everyone.

Ariana tightened her coat around her neck and scanned the tree line. Vampires from ReVamp had arrived by way of Darkly Meadow, backpacks slung over their shoulders, duffels at their sides, steam escaping their mouths.

It was sad that Black Moon couldn’t offer them something more. Although her haven had the room to house the vamps in need, it wouldn’t be long before their presence would distract the elders on site. And once that happened, their barrier would weaken and Savage would find them.

The vamps would be no better off than they were now.

Dante stepped beside her, peering through the dark. Two silhouettes emerged before them, separating from the rest.

“Ruan and Slade,” Dante said, stepping forward to greet them.

Ariana felt oddly cold without Dante at her side. The wind was harsh, biting at her face and hands. The night seemed darker, too, and more menacing than it had a few moments before. Maybe that’s because she felt safer when Dante was beside her. Like she could face whatever waited for her in the night as long as he was at her side. She hadn’t even realized when that tiny dependency had happened.

Once Dante was out of earshot, Ariana’s Primus approached. “We’ve got Seekers monitoring every ridge. The Watchers won’t be interfering with our business tonight.”

“Thank the Ever After for that.”

“I sent word to Pike. If they’re even spotted in the area, there won’t be many of them left come morning. After what they did to you, I’m not taking chances.” He gripped her shoulder in a cold, steely grip. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

If it was up to Ariana, she never wanted to see another Watcher again. Well, she corrected, there was one Watcher she wouldn’t mind speaking with. If he was different from the others, with long, red locks and dark, freckled skin, maybe there were others like him. Others who didn’t have stringy white hair and chalky-white skin.

Despite Ariana’s efforts to put the whole Watcher ordeal behind her, what Pike had said to Dante stuck with her.

The marking is within you . . 
.

Did he have a marking like the one on her forearm? She certainly didn’t see one when she was jumpstarting his nerves back to life, though she didn’t get to explore every inch of his body. At least not how she longed to.

Would Echo recognize Dante as a Watcher if he met him? Is that what he was? A Watcher? The descendant of a fallen angel? Where was Echo anyway?

“We’re going to invite these two front-runners inside and see what they have to say,” her Primus whispered. “I’m assuming the rugged one is Slade, the Crimson Council member, and the one with the calculating gleam in his eye is Ruan. If things go south, if any of these vamps get out of line, break for the haven and lock it down. Understand?”

Ariana nodded as her Primus pushed forward into the center of one of her old projecting pits. The four vamps met in the middle. Not wanting to let one smidgeon of information slip to the wayside, Ariana followed, but she stopped a few feet short of their position. She could feel the nerves on the air. Could see their breath escaping as steam, coming out in shallow pants.

“As a newly transitioned elder, I’ve come to plea for protection.” Ruan’s shoulder-tipping hair shone gold, even in the dark. “And as you can see . . .” He spread his arms to the group of vamps lining up behind him. “ . . . I plea for protection on behalf of the remaining vamps in Crimson Bay. As far as we know, we’re all that’s left.”

Her Primus folded his arms and pushed out a heavy sigh. “As a newly transitioned elder, you are welcome to stay within our walls. You will be just as protected as your elder brothers and sisters.” His voice was deep, booming through the crisp night air. “But your friends will have to return to Crimson Bay.”

“They’ve got nowhere else to go,” the other vamp interrupted.

Simple deduction told Ariana that the beast of a vamp was Slade. Her Primus had been right. She eyed him carefully, knowing he was Savage’s brother. Did they look alike? With the same strong bone structure and massively broad shoulders? She hoped she never met Savage to find out.

“I was appointed as a member of the Crimson Council by Hiram, San Francisco’s Primus, shortly before Savage killed him. I am the last standing member of the council. As such, I request a meeting to negotiate the housing of these havenless vamps.”

“I respected Hiram as a great leader, and I respect your position as well,” her Primus said. “But we will not yield in this matter. If you wish to speak with me, we may do so in the privacy of my chamber inside Black Moon. Ruan may accompany you inside. But that is all.”

When Ariana’s Primus spun around without a response, Slade stepped forward, crossing over onto their side of the pit.

“I think you’ve lost your marbles, old man.” He spoke so low, it came out as a growl. “Savage will wipe every haven off the map. Don’t you know what he would give to have a haven full of elders to drain? He’s coming for Black Moon, you can’t deny it. With your haven full of elders and the vamps we bring, we might be able to make a stand against him.”

“If our destiny is to fall at Savage’s hands, so be it.” Her Primus stopped, keeping his back to the group. “Our end must be encountered on terms we are comfortable with.”

“There are benefits to having this group of vamps on your property.” Dante spoke up, drawing the Primus’s attention to him. “There are things you don’t know.”

The forest became eerily still. Ariana got the uncanny feeling it was the calm before the storm. She glanced over her shoulder. Seekers stood strong, ready in position. Vamps on the horizon were great in number, but they were huddled together, throwing off an anxious vibe. That’s not what had the hairs on Ariana’s arms standing on end . . . it was something else.

“Of what benefit do you speak?” Her Primus turned around to face the group once more. He never could turn down a good deal.

“Savage has bound death shades to him,” Dante said, forming a sort of blockade between Slade and Ruan and her Primus. “There are those in the group who have weapons to defeat him.”

“I’ve been informed.” Ariana’s Primus shot her a glare. The crumpled corner of her note peeked from the back pocket of his leathers. “And I’ve made the decision that our elders will be safer if we remain contained.”

“Eve, a woman in this group, can defeat Savage’s death shades.” Dante’s gaze landed on a petite mundane in the front row. She had golden skin, long blonde hair, and a wide stance like she could kick some serious ass.

Her Primus coughed out a laugh.

“She binds the light and the dark shades of elders, using the light to expend the dark. If Savage uses the death shades in his command to attack, he’ll be no match for her.” Dante paused. “You need them more than you want to admit.”

“Listen,” Ariana’s Primus said, stomping across the pit. “I have a haven full of elders who wield mawares that’d make your head spin. Together we can warp time, control the weather, astral-project, wield fire, and—”

“And those all mean nothing if Savage discovers you.”

“That’s right,” he seethed. “
If
he discovers us. Don’t you think the exodus your friends have traveled has garnered attention? He could be charging his way here as we speak! I think I’ll take my chances.” Her Primus stepped toe to toe with Ruan, whose emerald eyes blazed through the dark. “You will enter Black Moon and flesh out your maware within our walls.”

Seemed the bait wasn’t appetizing enough for Ariana’s Primus to allow Eve inside, with or without her abilities. But that didn’t mean his eye wasn’t still on the prize. They needed an elder to keep Black Moon’s barrier strong if he didn’t want Ariana going back into the elder black market.

“I’ll not enter without them.” Ruan fell back in line with the others, chin high. “No part without the whole.”

“And you?” her Primus asked Slade. “Do you still wish to call a private meeting? Or has our encounter answered your housing question?”

“Arrogant ass,” Slade growled, falling back.

As the Primus charged forward, looking like he was going to tear blood from Slade’s bone, the forest rumbled. Trees shook. Birds took flight, tweeting in irritation. Vamps hissed, spreading out as if they were steadying their feet for an earthquake. But the earthquake never came.

Her Primus disappeared behind Ariana as she stared at the thick fog rolling over the forest floor. It reached dark, smoky fingers up the trunks of the trees. As the fog thickened, growing into an impenetrable cloud, Dante raced to Ariana’s side.

“It’s Savage,” he breathed. “I’ve seen his death shades before. If you’ve ever thought about listening to any word I’ve said, listen to me now. Run to Black Moon and don’t look back.”

“Come with me” she blurted, fighting the urge to reach for Dante’s hand.

“I can’t. I have to stay and help them.”

The vampires from Crimson Bay scattered. Fog came from every direction. It dropped from the trees and seeped up from the ground. As the vamps fell back toward Black Moon’s gate, they reached the ridge where Seekers stood, solid and commanding. When the vamps swarmed, breaking their line, the Seekers raised up, kicking their front legs, squealing and fighting the onslaught.

Her Primus must’ve hightailed out of the pit and over the first ridge when he first felt the rumbling; he’d gotten a head start on the rest. He was out of sight in seconds, the tail of his trench coat whipping around the corner of Black Moon’s back gate.

Still the fog continued, slithering over the ground. It seemed to break apart into dozens of fingers of smoke that danced over the earth, slinking right toward them.

“Go, Ariana,” Dante said, using his arm to block her from the pit that was being covered with haze. “There’s not much time. Savage will be close behind these things.”

Ariana didn’t understand. Was there really more than one death shade in the fog? Is that why it seemed to break apart and coil around itself as it slid over the earth? She’d never seen anything like it. If her heart wasn’t overflowing with fear, she might’ve stopped to see exactly how death shades traveled, how they overcame their prey, and how they were finally extinguished. Black Moon’s library didn’t have anything like this on record, she was sure of it.

But when a thin, swirling tendril of smoke swept over the pit and hissed in her direction, Ariana remembered
she
was the prey.

“Go!” Dante yelled over the sound echoing in her ears. “Now!”

This time she did what she was told.

She spun around, eyeing the distance to the gate. She was fast, one of the fastest in the haven if she thought about it, but she couldn’t cross the back edge of the forest and lawn, then slip into the haven before the death shades washed over her. They were too close and moving too fast.

Somewhere behind her, a vampire screamed. A heavy thud followed the shriek. Ariana didn’t dare look back. She ran fast, keeping her feet light. Mud sucked at her heels, dragging her down, slowing her pace. Another scream and another thud came from behind her. The vamps must’ve been dropping to the earth, their souls stolen by the death shades.

Despite the fear raging in her stomach, Ariana had the insane desire to stay behind. Maybe she could try to save some of the fallen vamps.

As she slowed, Dante urged her on. She didn’t fight him. His hand pressed into the small of her back, pushing her faster, guiding her over the last ridges of the forest before the smooth span of lawn.

Hissing from the death shades increased, covering the pounding sound of their footsteps. When she couldn’t squelch her curiosity any longer, Ariana glanced over her shoulder. Some vamps were running rampant, swerving around trees, while most were taking a stand, attempting to fight these creatures from the other side. Within seconds they were smothered in fog, disappearing from sight.

Something caught Ariana’s eye.

In the middle of the chaos, Ruan, Slade, a petite brunette vamp, and Eve, the blonde mundane, were holding hands. Death shades swirled around them, faster and faster, spinning into a tidal wave of shadows that peaked over their heads, threatening to crest over their circle any moment.

With one hand clutching some sort of amulet on her chest, Eve screamed. Radiant white light exploded from the amulet and snaked through the air, slicing through the death shades that had circled them.

They were staying behind to do something . . . to help. She should stay behind, too.

“Run, Ariana.” Dante pressed against her back, more forceful, more determined to keep her away from the tragedy unfolding before her eyes. “Keep your eyes forward. Don’t look, just run.”

But she couldn’t avert her gaze. Their circle held strong as vines of spinning light burst from the amulet and stretched through the forest. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen. Death shades hissed and spit, writhing over the forest floor, as if they knew their end was near.

With a deep whoosh that Ariana felt as a boom in her heart and a rumble in her feet, rays of light exploded through the forest.

Dante pulled Ariana against his chest as if he was the shield that could protect her from the blast. His arms covered her head and his body blocked her view of the light show that decimated the death shades. She huddled against him and pinched her eyes tight.

Like a bomb went off, the forest lit up day bright. And then, just as quickly as the light came, it was gone. Silence reigned.