Chapter 8: Chapter Eight

Briar closed her eyes, savouring the feel of the wind on her face. This was her favourite part–flying. For a cold-blooded creature, Alaric was surprisingly warm and Briar found herself cuddling closer as they flew. A sound of Alarm and her eyes flew open. She saw one of the Vampires lose his balance and fall to the ground below. She felt her stomach drop as Alaric dove down followed by the others.

When they landed, Briar could sense something was deeply wrong. The vampire writhed on the floor, groaning. Alaric hastily went to him, sitting on the forest floor cradling his head. The vampire groaned, twisting in pain.

“What's happening to him?”she asked but everyone was too transfixed to answer.

She watched as those cursed veins began to appear on his face. His face began to wrinkle like he was ageing. He clawed at Alaric's clothing, desperation in his eyes and then after a few agonizing breaths, he went still, his eyes still open in terror. The vampire looked nothing more than a husk of its former self.Alaric closed the Vampire's eyes and kissed his forehead.

She felt a twinge of sympathy in her heart. These were creatures that were supposed to be immortal, untouchable. Now they'd been reduced to this. Creatures that killed her kind without mercy. And she was about to help them. Briar didn't know what kind of person that made her but she didn't care. She couldn't imagine Brooke going through what just happened. She had lost Brooke once. She wouldn't lose her again.

After they had buried Evander–Briar learned that was his name– they took to the skies again. Alaric was faster, flying so recklessly that Briar didn't even have time to catch her breath. The wind slapped her face and her hair got into her eyes and mouth. He was definitely in a bad mood. Thankfully,it didn't last long as they landed someplace in the forest.

“Split up. Search the Area. Azriel and Briar, you're with me.”Alaric said.

“Where are we?” Briar asked.

“We're near Kora's tomb and it's usually heavily guarded. Stay Alert.”

They crept through the woods, silently. Alaric and Azriel moved stealthily, their footsteps making no sound on the forest floor. Briar tried to mirror them as best she could but she was no vampire. She couldn't believe herself; a few days ago she was on the opposing side of this duo. Look at her now.

Screams rang out through the forest. They looked at each other.

“Witches?” Briar asked

“Most likely.” Was Azriel's answer. They ran in that direction and soon came to a clearing. In it was a building–Kora’s tomb, Briar presumed. It was surprisingly in good condition for a building that old. Kora's tomb had guards, about ten,guarding the entrance pointing spears in their direction. Four were already dead on the ground.

“Leave this place Vampire vermin.” Said one of the guards. Some of the vampires snickered.

“I'm going to whisper that in your ears when you're choking on your own blood.” said Kieran.

“We'll see.”

The guards shifted in unison, opening a path to the door. From it, came five hounds. Well at least they looked like hounds but larger, about six feet with black fur, long canines protruding from their mouths. They growled menacingly, snapping their jaws and looking ready to pounce.

“What the hell are those?!” Briar asked, her voice high with panic.

“Ravynwolf. Creatures made from magic to deal with the likes of you.”said another one of the guards.

Briar looked at Alaric and saw that his face had gone impossibly pale. Paler than usual. She swallowed.

“Briar, step back. Slowly.” He said not looking at her. Immediately she took a step back,wolves attacked.

Alaric was already moving. One moment he stood beside her, the next he blurred into motion.His hand snapped out, catching a wolf mid-leap by the throat. Bone cracked, hot blood spattered across his face. He didn’t even flinch.

The rest surged forward.

Kieran met them head-on, his body a blur of speed and violence. He ducked beneath a claw swipe, drove his dagger into a ribcage, and twisted until a sickening crunch echoed through the clearing.

But the wolves were relentless. For every one that fell, two more came.

A massive black wolf slammed into Alaric,throwing him to the ground.

Briar stumbled backward, the ground trembling beneath her feet. She had never felt so helpless in her life. An arrow whizzed past her face. She looked, shocked to see one of the guards shooting at her from behind a pillar. Another arrow grazed her arm. She went back to the cover of the trees watching the chaos.

When it was over, only the wind dared move. The ground was littered with bodies, the smell of iron heavy in the cold air.

Alaric turned to her, chest heaving, crimson veins still pulsing under his skin.

His body was soaked in blood so much that even his hair was drenched in it. He had a wild, hungry look in his eyes that scared her. Some of the vampires were feeding on the guards and wolves.

“Come Briar,” said Tobias, “It's time to perform the ritual.” He took her hand, leading her inside the tomb. It was dim, the only light coming from a few torches that lined the wall. Symbols covered every bit of stone and Briar could even make out some images.

They descended into the crypt beneath the tomb, the air thicker. Briar began to feel slightly claustrophobic.The heart of the tomb opened into a vast, circular chamber. At its center lay a stone altar. On getting closer, she could see the statue of a woman. Her hands were folded across her chest, her expression peaceful.

“Kora.” Azriel said.

Tobias led her to the statue and knelt. She did too. He brought out the moonstone and the ashes laying them on the ground. Dagger in hand, he sliced her palm deep. She winced. He placed her hand over the ashes and the moonstone droplets of blood spilling. Then he began the incantations, reading them from a worn out book. The moonstone began to glow red and Tobias' incantations became faster and more fervent.

A powerful force hit her and she dropped to her knees, heaving. She wasn't the only one. Alaric and the others were on the ground too, gasping for air. Then it stopped. Everywhere was still. Tobias stopped his incantations. A rip of clothing and she turned to see one of the Vampires tear off his clothing. No flickering red veins, no scars, just pale, pristine skin. She gasped. One by one, they checked. The curse was really broken. She looked at Alaric and the look he gave her then was enough to stop her heart.

Maybe it did. Because Briar wouldn't really remember this moment. All she felt was a sharp painful seize in her chest, blood pouring from her mouth. Time seemed to slow and all the voices were muffled, blood roaring in her ears. Someone held her, shaking her to keep her eyes open.

“Fuck…Briar…”

It felt like she was underwater and the surface was getting farther and farther away. That was the last thing she heard before everywhere went black.