The Blood Will Run (20 page)

Orion stared at Mercy. “You my dear should reconsider your stand in life and join our clan. Just imagine what we could accomplish if we had a Witchittin witch as powerful as you in our clan.”

Demeetrie spoke, “Mercy has not perfected her powers as of yet. She is no use to you.”

Orion nodded and averted his gaze to Chace. “I am quite impressed with your abilities. You have made me extremely proud. You, my boy, are the very first half-breed vampire, sunvamp who has ever existed. I am quite pleased with myself that I did not kill you when you were born. You continue to amaze me as you battle with the light and darkness inside of you.”

Chace stared at Orion. “Half-breed?”

“Yes, I am guessing that Zio Sandino and Demeetrie have not explained the situation to you.” Orion raised a curious brow in Demeetries’ direction.

Demeetrie stared at Orion angrily. “You have not come this far to reveal the hidden secrets of the past and create drama. Get on with the manner of business at hand. What punishment has the clan decided on?”

Vamprinceton walked out of the church door pulling Vanstrauss along with him. Vanstrauss had a thick metal shackle wrapped around his neck with a long chain attached to it.

Orion smiled as he rested his gaze on Vanstrauss. “My dear Artemis will be quite eager to torture you.”

“Demeetrie please,” Vanstrauss begged. “I will do whatever you ask of me. Just don’t let them take me away.”

“I am sorry Vanstrauss, but Devin is family and I cannot risk losing him,” Demeetrie said.

Orion stared at Demeetrie. “Very wise choice my friend. But I am afraid that a punishment will be handed down to the meddler who interfered in clan business.”

“I am fully aware of that Orion. Tell me what the punishment is?”

Orion shifted his gaze to Devin. “You are to be exiled to Hellsgrave.”

Devin nodded.

“You are in agreement?” Orion asked.

“I have been warned by Demeetrie about the cost of meddling in the clans’ affairs,” Devin said.

“And you will go peacefully?” Vamprincessa asked.

“Yes,” Devin answered.

“Orion this does not concern you in the least bit?”

Vamprincessa asked.

“No, if I know one thing about Demeetrie, it is that he prepares for the worst. He is honest and loyal. You have no reason to question him. Trickery is not one of his strong suits,” Orion said.

“So be it,” Vamprincessa said. “But there is one more matter to discuss. The witch will also join Devin in Hellsgrave.”

“Orion, what is the meaning behind this?” Demeetrie asked.

“We have information that the witch helped Devin trap the shadow in the damnation box,” Orion said.

“Why does it matter? There is no need to explain. We have decided the punishment and the punishment will be respected or there will be much bloodshed,”

Vamprinceton said.

Everyone was silent for a few minutes before Demeetrie spoke, “So be it.”

Vamprincessa nodded and waved her hand in the air. Devin and Mercy vanished.

“As always friend, it has been a pleasure doing business with you,” Orion said and walked away.

Vamprincessa stared at each one of them wickedly before she followed Orion.

Vamprinceton smiled and followed them as he dragged Vanstrauss along with him.

Alivia looked up just as the wind, lightning and thunder began to fade. She watched as the moon once again lit up the night sky.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“
W
o
w
,
”
Tucker said. “This has been one hell of night.”

“You can say that again,” Erica said.

“Now what?” Alivia asked.

“Now we gather up Lawson and hope he knows the exact location to the door of the realm,” Demeetrie said.

“I already know where it is,” Alivia said.

Demeetrie stared at her questioningly.

“It’s where the road ends and the fog lingers,” Alivia said.

“How do you know where the realm is located?” Devin asked.

“Lawson told me,” Alivia said.

“Okay so, let’s go,” Erica said.

“I’ll take Alivia and Chace. Tucker you bring Erica and Demeetrie,” Jules said.

“I will meet you all there. I have to go get Danzanelli and bring him to the realm door. Dahlia will want him there when she comes through.” Demeetrie said.

Everyone nodded and headed to their assigned vehicles.

As Jules was driving up the hill minutes later to the end of the world road, she stared at Alivia and Chace in the back seat.

“You know I was a little concerned about the two of you getting married. But from what I’ve seen in the past couple of days, life is just too short. If you guys want to get married, you have my blessing,” Jules said.

“Relax Jules, we were talking about marriage. We haven’t even been officially engaged yet,” Alivia said.

Chace hit himself in the forehead. “That’s right how stupid of me to forget something so damn important.”

Jules laughed.

“Pull over,” Chace said.

Jules did as he asked.

Chace stared at Alivia. “Don’t you go through that realm until I get there, Okay?”

Alivia nodded.

Chace got out of the car and disappeared.

Jules started back up the hill. “Alivia, always remember that I love you no matter what you say or do, okay?”

She nodded.

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy,” Jules said.

When they reached the top of the hill, Jules parked alongside Tuckers’ moms’ minivan at the side of the road.

Alivia got out of the car and walked to stand on the edge of the cliff surrounded by tall trees. It was amazing how the fog could just fade and reappear again, she thought.

“Where’s Chace?” Erica asked, once she was standing beside her.

“I’m not sure, but he did say to wait for him,” Alivia said.

Erica hugged herself. “This part of the woods is creepy. It really feels like this spot is the end of the world. There seems to be nothing beyond this cliff, it just seems to end. It gives me the chills.”

“It’s only the fog that makes it creepy.”

Erica grabbed her arm. “You know that you’re my best friend right?” Erica asked.

Alivia smiled. “Yes, I know.”

“You know that I would never do anything to hurt you right?”

“Yes, not intentionally anyway.” Alivia looked at her strangely. “What’s up with all the questions Erica?”

“It’s just that I’m real anal when it comes to our friendship. I want you to be happy, but ever since you met Chace, you’ve had a really bad stroke of luck. You’re constantly getting hurt.” Erica stared at her with a saddened expression.  “I don’t want to lose my best friend in the whole wide world because of some freak accident.”

“Erica, I’m fine. And for your information, I have been hurting myself since I was little.”

“I know but it has gotten much worse. I’m afraid the worst it gets, that I will…well…that I will lose you for good.”

Alivia hugged her. “I love you Erica. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. Besides, Chace won’t let me ever leave him. So really you have nothing to worry about.”

Erica nodded as she stepped back.

Alivia walked over to the right side where the fog was thicker, leaned over the edge and glanced down the jagged cliff.

“Alivia,” Chace was behind her. She turned to look at him and slipped on one of the loose stones. Chace had her in his arms in an instant.

She smiled. “You saved me. You’re my hero.”

Chace stared at her in disbelief. “I just don’t know how you manage to keep getting into accidents.” He kissed her on the nose gently. He lowered her a few feet from the edge onto the ground.

He bent down on one knee and pulled out a small black jewelry box. “Alivia Marks, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

She smiled.

“Yes,” she said.

Chace opened the box and Alivia gasped. The diamond was huge.

“I have had this ring for centuries. I had it custom made for the woman I would marry someday.” Chace wiggled the ring out of its place and slipped it on her finger. "Imagine that, it’s a perfect fit," Chace said and smiled.

When he stood up, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Erica practically pulled her off him. “I’m so happy for you.” She was crying.

Then Jules grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “I’m only happy if you’re happy,” she said.

Alivia nodded. “I’m happy.”

“I would like to congratulate the happy couple once again,” Demeetrie said.

Demeetrie hugged Alivia and whispered.

“I am afraid it is time for you to make your journey.”

Alivia nodded. She glanced at Chace and moved toward the edge of the cliff. “I love you,” she said over her shoulder.

☼

Chace tried to stop Alivia, but she leaped through the fog before he had the chance. Seconds later, her body appeared on the ground at the edge of the cliff.

Chace stood over her.

“Do not move her,” Demeetrie said and grabbed his arm.

Chace raised his brow questioningly.

“Her spirit has left her physical body. If she cannot find the physical body where she left it, she may never return.” Demeetrie turned to Erica. “Have you brought what I asked you to bring?”

Erica nodded, walked to where they were standing and handed Demeetrie a small jar.

Demeetrie opened the jar and sprinkled ash over Alivias’ body.

“What is that?” Chace asked.

“It’s the ash from the sacred oak tree. It will help protect her body from other spirits that try to enter her physical body.”

Erica went to kneel down beside Alivia. She pressed her two fingers against her neck. “She has a strong pulse.”

“Alivia is not dead. She is unconscious,” Demeetrie said.

Chace stared at the ring on her left hand. He should have stopped her. Devin didn’t deserve to be rescued. Devin did nothing to protect her when she was lying at the side of the road in the woods near death. He should have taken her and sped off with her to a place where no one would have found them. He shook his head and moved closer to the edge of the cliff. He brushed his hand over the fog. The fog parted and the door to the spiritual realm was right in front of him. Chace tried to push his hand through the opening but he couldn’t.

Jules was beside him in an instant. “I can hear her.”

“Hear who?” Chace asked, giving her a sideways glance.

“Alivia,” Jules said.

Demeetrie moved closer to them. “Try talking to her.”

Jules nodded. “
Alivia can you hear me
?”

YES
…

“Did you find the door that leads to Hellsgrave
?” Jules asked.

Yes, but there is a huge disfigured creature guarding the door. He told me to turn back.

Jules repeated every word that Alivia said.

“Tell her to use the jar that I gave to her,” Demeetrie said.

“
Demeetrie says to use the jar he gave you
,” Jules said.

“What jar?” Chace asked.

“Mercy had sleeping gas trapped inside a jar and I gave it to Alivia before she left,” Demeetrie said.

I used it, but nothings’ happening.

“Tell her to get back here before something goes wrong,” Chace said.

Demeetrie stared at Chace. “Don’t you dare do that. Tell her it is a good time to use the crystal.”

“
Alivia, Demeetrie says to use the crystal,”
Jules said.

Minutes passed and Jules said nothing.

“Well did it work?” Chace asked.

“
Alivia are you there? Did the crystal work
?”

Chace stared at Jules and waited.

Jules shook her head. “I’m sorry Chace she’s not answering.”

Chace glared at Demeetrie. “Okay, what the hell did you give her?”

“It’s a cloaking crystal. She can travel through

Hellsgrave unnoticed,” Demeetrie said.

“Then why can’t Jules hear her?”

Demeetrie rested his hand on his shoulder. “The cloaking crystal protects her. Its magic will shield her from anyone or anything being able to see her.”

Chace nodded.

☼

Alivia searched through several torture cells before she found the one Devin was in.

She remembered the story when Dahlia explained the torture that she and Danzanelli suffered through, but that was nothing compared to what Devin was going through. She stood in front of Devins' cell and couldn't believe her eyes.

Several dark shadows with glowing yellow eyes were circling around Devin with a machine in their hands. Devin was lying on the cell floor sprawled out, screaming. His wrists and feet were being restricted with shackles and chains. The machines, which resembled mini lawn mowers, were chopping away at his limbs. Each blade cut threw his limbs and chopped him into tiny shreds. When the process was complete, Devin became his physical self once more and it started all over again.

Alivia continued her search. Mercy had to be close by. She floated down the narrow dark hall of the prison and glanced into each cell. Dahlia was in a cell about ten cells down from Devins’. Dahlia was hanging from chains as the wolves ate away at her face, hands and feet. Each time they grew back, they ate them again.

She kept going. Finally, at the end of the dimly lit hall, she saw Mercy. Mercy was sitting on the ground in the middle of eight large grotesque snakes. Each snake took turns biting different spots on her body. Green acidic venom lit up inside her veins and began to burn through to the outer layers of her skin. Mercy was screaming and Alivia couldn't take it anymore.

She turned away and searched for the keys to the cells. She made her way down another narrow hall. That’s when she spotted the giant black pig sitting at a table. She looked above its head a saw the keys hanging on a hook on the stone-wall. Then a large green pig walked toward the black pig on its hind legs. Alivia stuck out her leg and tripped the green pig just as it walked past the black pig. The green pig fell hard. Within seconds, the pig hopped up onto its hind legs. He glared at the black pig and launched himself at him. Alivia rushed past the both of them as they rolled around the ground hitting one another. She reached for the keys and lifted them off the hook as quietly as possible. Once she had the keys in her hand, she floated back toward the direction she had come from.

She unlocked the cell that held Mercy first. She waited for Mercys’ body to come back to normal. “Hold onto me and don’t let go,” she whispered in her ear once she released her.

Together they quietly walked down the hall to Dahlias’ cell. Alivia unlocked the cell and stepped inside. She undid the chains from around Dahlias’ wrists and legs and Dahlia fell to the floor. The sound of Dahlia falling to the floor was so loud that Alivia thought for sure one of the pig guards had heard. Again she waited for Dahlias’ face, hands and feet to take shape.

“Grab onto me and don’t let go. If you do those pigs will see you.” Alivia said to Dahlia.

Dahlia nodded.

The three of them rushed to Devins’ cell. Once they were inside Alivia went to whisper in his ear. “It’s Alivia, Devin. I’m going to get the shackles and chains off you. Devin listen to me once I take the chains off make sure you grab onto me. I am holding a crystal that makes me invisible. Do you understand?”

Devin nodded.

Alivia undid the shackles and chains and waited for Devin to get up. Once he was his normal self again and standing, Alivia reached for his hand and held it.

“Don’t let go, no matter what happens,” she whispered.

Dahlia had Alivias’ other hand and Mercy jumped onto her back. Together they walked down the hall slowly.

“Stop,” Devin whispered. “That cell right there is where they’re torturing the sunvamps.”

“Are you sure?” she whispered.

“Yes, I heard the pig guards talking,” Devin said.

“Okay, I’ll let them out, but after this Devin we’re leaving, deal.”

“Deal,” he said.

Alivia released the four sunvamps while still holding onto Devin, Dahlia and Mercy. Once they had their full bodies back, she explained to them to hold on and not to let go no matter what. They agreed. Two of them grabbed a hold of each of her shoulders and walked backwards. The other two sunvamps linked their arm through hers from behind.