Red Awakening: (Red Knight #2) (26 page)

Nathan

I’m walking back to the house. It’s around another three mile away, but I’m in no rush to get there. My heads in bits, and I’m considering going back to France. I’m beginning to understand that it’s me who needs Liz, and not the other way around. There is nothing I can do for her now. Her safety, Daniel’s safety, is in the hands of Adrien, and all I see is everything he’s doing wrong by them. I’ve been made to feel like I’m sticking my nose where it’s not wanted.

The lights inside the house come into sight. The front door opens. Sara walks toward my slow reluctant approach. I stop as she folds her arms across her chest in front of me. My view falls down onto my boots. I don’t sleep, but I’m so exhausted with all this shit.

Sara’s fingers run up my neck. She’s forcing me to look at her.

“I understand,” she says. “I don’t blame you for wanting out.”

“Shit, Sara. You…” I stop talking. Telling her to come with me is no use. She’s duty-bound to Mr Prick.

If we were ever to make this more. He’ll always be there. She’s too loyal to him, and I won’t spend an eternity at his beck and call.

I take her hand in mine and pull it down. “You need to stay away from me.”

“What’s with you?” She whips her hand away from my grip. “Make your mind up. Do you want me?” she snaps. “Or do you still think you can get Liz back!”

“Yes, I fucking want you. I always want you,” I anger. “But let’s face it Sara, you’re so far up Knight’s ass, it’s like you breathe for him.”

Her hand swoops up to strike me across the face. It doesn’t hurt. That’s the advantage of being a vampire; her aggressive touch is nothing but a tickle. Her action however, has a real sting to it.

“Get your shit together, Nathan. You’re still like a whining human.” She tiptoes to get closer to my face, and her raging eyes are kind of turning me on. “You’re just as bad as Adrien, throwing out your dummy. God, Daniel is more mature than the pair of you!” 

I can’t help it. I don’t think I have ever laughed spontaneously since being turned. But her losing it, has me chuckling. She pushes me in the chest, annoyed.

“It’s not funny… You think love is funny!”

I stop laughing. My face has frozen. She has totally mind-fucked me. I like her. I like her a lot. But love, that’s completely different.

She’s standing before me with her eyes closed in shame. I know the look on her face. It’s the same embarrassed look, Liz has seen in me.

She waves her hand out. “Forget I said that.”

She goes to turn, but I hold onto her arm to stop her. “I can’t forget,” I say.

I stare down to her, and she up at me. If my heart ran on warm blood, then I know it would be beating for her. Is this feeling love between vampire and vampire? It’s a strong feeling which is unexplainable. Right now I don’t want to hurt her, or drive her away.

“You think I want Liz back?” I ask.

“I said, forget it.”

Again, I have to grab her arm to stop her escape, this time firmer. I yank her back to me. I need to get this off my chest.

“I need to be here for Liz, in the same way you need to be here to serve that dick,” I nearly yell. “Things change Sara.”

“You mean, because we fucked, you’re all confused,” she says in a shitty tone. “Goddamn new bloods.”

“What, you want me to declare my undying love to you,” I yell. “Bitchy Sara demands it.”

“Fuck you!”

“Yeah,” I growl.

I grab the back of her neck and kiss her hard. I’m dominating her. She needs dominating. My fingers squeeze beneath her hair as I move her back, my eyes burning down at her.

I hear the front door open, and over Sara’s shoulder I see Liz watching… smiling. I should be shocked and happy to see her up, and out of those chains. But Sara is my priority right now.

I press my head down onto hers. “We will resume this later. But let me make one thing clear, I don’t want Liz back… I want you.”

I look back to the house to see Liz has gone. The timing is not great, but I need to see her, to find out if she’s back for real. I kiss Sara. A slow soft kiss that says she means something to me.

“Come on.” I lead her back to the house.

                                                         ***

Dom sits with Liz on the couch. She’s finally holding Daniel. It’s the perfect picture, her smiling down at her son in her arms.

“Good to see you back, Liz,” Sara says as she makes her way into the kitchen.

“Thanks Sara.”

Liz smiles at me. She looks well considering. Much paler, but she’s looking strong in herself. I want to march to her and give her a big squeeze, but I hang back, telling myself,
one step at a time
.

“Well look at you two,” I say, warmly.

“I’m going to grab a bag,” Dom stands up. “Want one Liz?”

Liz rolls her eyes. “No Dom… I can’t stomach another.”

“Fair enough.” Dom goes through to the kitchen.

Liz walks up to me and hugs me with her spare arm. She’s lost weight, and she’s cool to the touch. She feels different.

“Thank you,” she says as she moves back a step.

“Does Adrien know you’re out?”

“Yes.” She nods her head down in disappointment. “Anyway… you and Sara?” she smirks, changing the subject from her troubled marital status.

“Good to see that the whole world turning upside down, hasn’t destroyed your nosiness.”

“Well, it’s nice to see something positive coming out of this.” She swaps Daniel onto her other side. “So, are you going to spill the beans; how long have you two been seeing each other?” 

“No, it’s none of your business,” I say, firm. “Anyway, how are you; you don’t feel like your heads going to spin off or anything?”

She sniggers. “No… I feel strangely great.”

“Yeah, you kind of suit the ashen look,” I joke, watching Daniel tugging the top of her charcoal sweater.

“Yeah, very funny.”

“Where is he anyhow?” I ask, referring to Adrien.

“He had a call, and had to go out.”

“Convenient.” I shake my head.

“He’s finding this hard… I am.”

“You have a reason to, Liz,” I say. “He doesn’t.”

Headlights beam through the room. I quickly walk to the window and tweak the net curtain, to see Adrien running up to the house. He bursts through the door like a madman. He marches up to Daniel, and pulls the protective pendant over his head. I take an angry step then stop, watching as he takes Daniel away from Liz. The first time he has held his son since birth. He holds the pendant out to her.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap.

“Put this on Elizabeth,” he orders, ignoring me.

“What for?” Liz yells.

“I said, what is going on!” I grip his shoulder.

He glares at me. “We need to get out of here.”

I release his shoulder as Sara, Ben, and Dom enter. They all stand before the door, watching Adrien freaking out.

“Adrien, what’s wrong?” Sara asks.

“We need to leave. Here Sara, I need you to take Daniel.” Sara hurries over and takes Daniel into her arms. “Go wherever… don’t tell me. I’ll find you when this is over,” he orders.

“No,” Liz calls out, wanting her son back.

“Put the damn pendant on, Elizabeth!” he shouts.

That’s the last straw. I’ve had enough. He needs to start fucking talking. I grip his shirt and yank his face to mine, clenching my jaw to prevent myself going full on vamp.

“Get your hands off me. You don’t belong here, and you’re lucky your head is still on your shoulders.” He grabs me back, his eyes thin and blackening.

Ben and Dom have to force us apart. Ben stands in front of Adrien, patting his chest. He utters something, then Adrien walks away. He arches over with his hands against the fire surround. We all wait as he just stands there, grunting.

“Please Elizabeth, put the pendant on,” he appeals as he turns to her. “Selene is near, and it’s not the child she wants. Elizabeth, it’s you, always has been.”

“How the hell do you know that?” I yell. “Is this some plan to get Liz away from your son? Get your own kid killed. Wash your hands of him!”

He goes to leap at me, and it takes both Dom and Ben to hold him back.

“Adrien,” Liz screams. “Just tell the truth!”

“Gwen has been trying to find us,” he says. “She’s with the Vigore council. She wanted to know if the child had been born, so performed a summoning spell. In it she was warned of Selene’s plan. Selene wants you because she thinks you’re some sort of powerful vessel.”

Sara take’s Daniel into the kitchen as things get more heated and disturbing.

“Who is Gwen?” I ask.

Adrien shrugs his way out of Ben and Dom’s grip.

“She’s a witch,” Liz says, pulling the pendant over her head.

“A witch?” I frown.

“Yes, a witch,” Adrien growls out. “Selene has been dabbling with the shadow arts behind The Orders back, unsanctioned. And now she’s here because she wants Elizabeth.”

Liz leans over the back of the sofa, her fingers clawing deep into the foam until it rips. I’m unsure whether she’s the normal kind of angry; or the awakening crazy bitch kind of angry. Adrien and I both step closer, concerned, only for her to stop us.

“No!” She breathes in and out. “I’m just…” She cracks her neck side to side. “Hungry.”

“I’ll get you a bag.” I hurry into the kitchen, glad to get away, even if it’s just for a few seconds.

Sara fastens Daniel into the car seat as I open the ice-compartment, and take out a bag. I turn to see her watching me.

“I’ll give this to Liz, then I’m coming with you,” I say.

“No, you need to stay,” she replies. “Adrien isn’t thinking straight, and Liz needs to be kept safe. She needs someone she knows.”

“I can’t let you go alone. What if something happens?”

“It won’t. Besides, Dom is coming with me.” She zips up the diaper bag.

“Well, that puts my mind at rest,” my eyes revolve.

“Look.” She makes her way around the wooden worktop, and comes to stand before me. “I know what I’m doing. I can protect myself, and Daniel.”

I fuckin hate this, being torn. I lie the palm of my hand on her cheek.

“You have my number.” She nods a yes. “If anything happens, even if it could be nothing, you call me, not Adrien. Okay?”

“Okay.” She angles up to peck my lips.

Nathan

Adrien is outside, stomping around with a bee up his ass, as Ben and I Flit through the house to check there is no evidence we’ve been here. I bend and lift the large polystyrene container, which holds enough blood for at least a week. As I straighten up and turn, I come face to face with Liz. She doesn’t say a thing, just stares, tipping her head side to side in a weird way. She’s close to me. Too close. And there is something really off with her. I take a small step back, bringing the container up into my arms.

“Liz.” I frown at her bizarre stance. “You hungry?”

“I need you to do something for me.”

“Sure, anything.”

“If I don’t make it through this…”

“Whoa, don’t you dare start with that negative shit, Liz.” I shake my head at her. “Course you’re going to get through this. You’re stronger than you think.”

“Listen,” she insists. “Adrien is going to need help. You can’t let him go to his dark place. It will hurt a lot of people, and I need him to look after our son.”

I plonk the box down onto the kitchen surface, and take hold of her elbows. I’m really pissed-off she’s acting like this. I came here to watch her back, and she’s giving up on me.

“Stop it. You’re being soft,” I say. “You’re one of us now, a freak of nature, and us freaks are tough and deal with anything thrown our way.” I run my hands up and down her biceps. “I’m here, and I won’t let anything happen to you… You have Adrien, too,” I add, begrudgingly.

She’s still gazing at me in a strange way, so I remove my hands, and create a gap between us.

“I’m not afraid, just aware,” her tone sounds all floaty. “I will do anything to keep Daniel safe, and I need to know you’ll be there if Adrien loses it.”

I bite down and nod. “Yeah Liz… but you will be around when this blows over.” I slide the box from the kitchen worktop, and walk out before I say something I’ll regret.

I place the container into the back of the truck, as Ben leads Liz out onto the porch. I watch as Adrien replaces the cap on a large empty petrol can.

“Adrien,” I call. “A word.”

He drops the can, rubs his hands together, and makes his way toward me. I look to make sure Liz is out of hearing range.

“I need to know exactly what Selene wants with Liz,” I say. “I need to know what is wrong with her, because she’s changed.” He rolls his goddamn eyes at me. “I’m serious,” I warn.

“You’re asking me to give you information on something I don’t know.”

“You know Selene. You’ve kissed her ass for decades, and done her dirty work,” I snarl at him.

He scowls, losing his cool. “Who’ve you been talking to?” he snaps. “Oh yes, Leanna and Gerrard, obsessing over me again. Let me tell you something about those two greedy assholes. They’ve been trying to bring me down since I took the role as Executive. They wanted a Vigore in charge…”

“Look,” I cut in. “I don’t give a shit about the council, or your past,” I keep my voice low. “Liz is all that matters right now, don’t you get that.”

He moves closer to eyeball me. “She is my wife. I will die to protect her. You want to know Selene’s big plan, well it’s tough, because your guess is as good as mine. But I can guarantee it’s beyond bad, and she won’t stop until she gets what she wants. So instead of wasting my time big man, get in the damn truck so we can get out of here.” He barges by me, slamming the truck door as he gets inside.

                                                         ***

We’ve been travelling on the same road for the last half-hour. Day is beginning to break as we move beneath the shade of the trees. Ben is in the front with Adrien, constantly checking the mirrors. And I’m in the back with Liz, who hasn’t took her eyes off the window. I watch her legs bobbing as she kneads her fingers together hard on her lap.

“How far?” I ask Adrien.

Without looking at me, he says, “Not far.”

Asshole. The more time I spend with this dick, the more I’m realising how useless he is.

Our destination is Vancouver Island. Mr Prick has colleagues there that owe him big time apparently. Another coven who disowned The Order, and went underground. Basically, Adrien threatened them. Told them he’d make a call and take away their freedom. Of course he was bluffing. Contacting The Order now, would get us all killed.

I watch Liz. Her hair is all ratty, her skin white, and now she looks sick. No movement. Not even a breath she takes. She’s hungry and we need to stop.

“Pull over,” I say.

“We keep moving,” Ben answers me.

“I said pull over.” I glare at the back of Adrien’s head.

Adrien peers in the rear-view mirror at Liz. “Elizabeth?” he queries.

She doesn’t answer. She remains like a lifeless waxwork, staring straight ahead.

Adrien pulls the truck up onto a verge before the trees. I reach out and prod Liz’s arm. She makes no response.

“Liz, look at me… Liz!”

Her head whips around to face me, her eyes flashing anger, pupils pulsing black. She’s not hungry. She’s lost to something dark. I don’t say a word as her view burns on me, like she wants to rip my throat out.

Adrien opens the door and holds a bag in front of her face. Her head turns to him slowly. Suddenly, she snatches the bag as she leaps out of the truck, growling.

“Shit,” Ben utters, thrusting open his door.

Liz tears the bag open so blood seeps through her hands. She tosses it into the woods as I quickly scramble around the truck to get to her. Adrien grabs her arms and shakes.

“What is wrong with you?” Adrien yells. “Elizabeth, you have to accept what is happening to you. Fighting it, will not work.”

Both Ben and I stand behind Liz as she thrusts Adrien back. He stands still, absorbing the force of her blow.

“Elizabeth, please, we have to keep moving,” he pleads.

She takes a step toward him, bringing up her hand to lie on his cheek. This is awkward, standing here watching her affectionately stroking his face.

“We should have never left,” she says. “Now our son is in danger.”

“What are you talking about?” he asks.

I move closer. If Daniel is in danger, then so is Sara. I fuckin knew I shouldn’t have left them.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

Liz slides her hand away from Adrien’s face, and a gust of wind knocks both Ben and I backward. She’s flitted into the dense woodland, out of sight.

My jaw pulses as I quickly give chase. She’s fast. Faster than the average vampire. Shit, I’ve never seen anything like her. She’s strong, powerful, and psychically connected to everything around her. Such a force, should be contained and feared.

My body propels forward, as I try to pick up on any vibrating residue she leaves behind. But all I’m getting is the sound of nature; the beat of bird wings, and water. I know where she’ll be. She said we should have never left, so she has to be back at the house.

I make it, and my eyes land on the car Sara left in. Anger messes up my speed and my flitting glitches. I fly through the air and fall, my body tumbling across the ground.

I close my eyes, shaking off the buzz in my head. The first thing I see when I focus are Sara’s legs. I clamber up to my feet to see she is being held captive by Vincent.

I race forward as Adrien and Ben appear in my peripheral vision, but stop dead in my tracks when I hear Daniel cooing. Sara nods a warning look at me. I slowly turn around. Liz is standing before Selene, who is holding Daniel. There are new bloods lurking in the trees. Dom is tied up, battered and bruised, bleeding out, and barely conscious. Then I see Gerrard. The fucking traitor, standing with several other Vigore. I knew he was playing Leanna. I go to run at him.

“Stop!” Selene calls. “Or this little man will suffer the consequences.”

  I freeze on the spot, panting. I have to. I can’t let Daniel come to harm because I want to kill Gerrard. I look at Sara with anxious eyes.

“Selene, give me back my son,” Liz says.

“I will.” Selene peers down at an unfazed Daniel. “When I have said my peace.”

“Selene, you think long and hard about this. I will find a way to destroy you if you hurt my family,” Adrien cautions.

“You forget Adrien, you are mine and always will be,” Selene replies. “If I require anything, you provide it, which includes your Red.” Adrien strides forward, but Liz holds out her arm to stop him. “Now, can we have a family meeting without fighting,” Selene chirps, running her white finger over Daniel’s cheek.

“Does your father know you are doing this?” Adrien yells. “Going against everything The Order have created. What is your plan here Selene; to start a war?”

“I’m afraid it’s a lot less complicated than that my dear Adrien.”

Selene moves deeper into the shade of a tree, this is her downfall, daylight. But as I run each rescue plan through my head, each one results in a negative. While she has Daniel in her arms, there is nothing we can do.

“All I want is a family,” Selene says. “A powerhouse we all deserve. We have been hiding in the dark for too long now, and the ways of Lilith have been wiped out by a democracy my father thought good for our kind. He was wrong. The Order, the Nemuritori, all of it is killing off our kind.”

“You’re off your damn rocker, Selene,” Ben yells.

“Elizabeth… Adrien,” Selene says calmly. “I have no interest in your child. I have been searching a long time for you, Elizabeth. The Reds lost are many. But you, you are very special.”

Both Adrien and I move forward a step.

“You won’t touch her,” Adrien threatens.

I watch Liz. She’s so quiet and composed, her eyes on Daniel always.

“That is not your decision, Adrien.” Selene walks to the edge of the shade. “Her body has been blessed with fertility. She is chosen for greater things.”

“What the fuck for?” I yell.

“This child, this Dhampir, was a test for her,” Selene says. “She will provide a family for me.” She looks at Vincent and my cold blood fizzes. “Elizabeth’s eggs and Vincent’s seed, will create a better world for us all.”

Adrien flits toward Selene, but again Liz stops him. So I pick up the gauntlet, only to have Gerrard leap before me.

“Get out of my way,” I growl in his face.

“You’re playing for the wrong team.” He bends his knees with his arms out, ready to tackle me if I move.

“I said stop!” Selene’s chilling voice echoes loud.

A cry sounds in the air. It’s something I’ve not heard once from him, Daniel releasing a tiny whimper. Selene is squeezing him, hard.

“Okay,” I yell, backing off, begging with my hands. “I’ll stop.” She stares at me, loosening her hold on Daniel.

Liz bends over, her eyes black, snarling at Selene.

“Like I said, this is simple.” Selene wipes a tear from Daniel’s cheek.

“Please give me the child,” Adrien begs as the new bloods and Vigore begin to close the circle around us.

“In return for Elizabeth,” Selene says. “It’s a simple procedure. All I need are her eggs harvested.”

“Okay,” Liz says loud and clear.

I go to run, but Gerrard’s fat face is there. He grabs and spins me as I fight against his grip. I won’t allow this to happen. Not to my Liz.