Chapter 9

The warehouse was filled with close to forty stern faces. Some familiar, some foreign. All assembled for the same cause: to reclaim the throne. Tori wondered if Derek’s words had sparked an unlikely alliance. Had he promised them freedom or power? When she looked at Derek, she saw determination. Yes, he wanted to avenge his mother, but what else did he want?

“I thought we had a battle plan, and now you’re telling us your plan is to turn yourself in? I don’t understand. I thought we were here to destroy the Council.” It was Jess who spoke. She had long black hair that was streaked in crimson. She carried herself with such confidence, shoulders back, chest out and fierce gray eyes that refused to look down.

Her brother, Jake, nodded. “I’m not afraid to fight. Bryce, that’s why I’m here. Fuck—that’s why we’re all here.” The room broke into nods and voices echoing what Jake had said.

Bryce placed both hands in the air to quiet them down. “Aye. I’m glad to hear that, for fight ye will. We had a change in our strategy. That’s all. As ye all have been informed, the mate of the wolf that sought to take Tori before the Council, Jade, killed herself. Whit ye dinnae know, for we just discovered it about an hour ago, is that she had a twin. An identical twin. She’s nae a wolf. She’s fully human, and we have taken her prisoner. Ironically she could be our golden ticket.”

The room broke into conversation again. Tori could hear them all buzzing in disbelief. Like Bryce, they doubted the plan would work. The negative energy played on her nerves. She felt raw, like she had to scratch at an itch that lingered deep beneath her skin.

“Enough!” she yelled, but it wasn’t her voice that quieted the Clan—it was the planks of wood that seemed to unhinge themselves from the ceiling and slam to the center of the floor. The vampires were able to jump out of the way in time, but the thud of the wood making contact with the concrete caused them to double check that they were still standing.

“I know it sounds like a risk, but we have to take a risk if we are to succeed,” Tori spoke, newly fueled by the fire of having a room of people pay attention to what she had to say.

“I heard Bryce’s mate had powers, but I didn’t know how great her powers were.” A voice with a light Italian accent shouted from the back of the warehouse. The room turned to see a disheveled looking vampire with long, brown wavy hair. He had a neat beard and was in a long coat. He was comfortably perched up high on a pile of broken beams. He jumped gracefully to the floor and stepped toward Bryce and Tori. The crowd moved to make way for him as if Moses had parted the Red Sea.

The vampire took Tori’s hand and kissed the back of it. He bowed low, but his gaze rolled up to meet hers. His eyes were chestnut and emanated warmth. Tori felt taken aback by his formal gesture. “You must be the lovely Victoria.”

“Tori is fine.”

“Tori, this is Vincenzo,” Derek said, looking like he had a million other things he would rather be doing other than introductions.

“Enzo is fine.” He winked at Tori as he straightened himself up. He was about twenty years older than Bryce in human years, but still devilishly attractive, despite his tattered clothing. Tori had to remind herself that Bryce was the oldest creature in the room.

Enzo held out his hand to Bryce, who accepted and gave a solid shake. “I, for one, like this plan. If the Council expects to see Jade, then Jasmine is the perfect decoy. The vampires of London have taken a back seat as the Council’s strength. The twins, Eadgar and Eadric, were put in their place when Dante returned as a hybrid. They haven’t trained their newborns the way you remember it, Bryce. The real problem is the wolves. They answer to Dante. They follow his command. So you see, we need to remove their leader. You cut off the head of their Alpha, they turn to puppies… nowhere to turn. Then it will be a fight amongst themselves to lead the pack. Free from answering to the rule of the vampires, they’ll be itching to return to the old ways.”

The room was quiet. Then Bryce looked at Tori. “We’re going to have to break into hunting parties.”

“I’ll take Dante,” Erin said, like it was as simple as saying she’d do the dishes tonight.

“No,” Derek interjected. “We’ll take Dante.” Erin offered him a smile and took his hand in hers.

“We’ll take the twins, Eadgar and Eadric,” Kyle offered. Liv nodded and stood up, smiling meekly. Tori looked at her sympathetically. Damn Bryce for filling their heads with horror stories about how ruthless Eadgar and Eadric were, she thought. “I’m sure Kane will help us,” Liv added. Tori nodded. After all, this was war and she couldn’t protect them forever… even though she wanted to.

A woman stepped forward. “My name is Belinda.” The girl spoke with an Icelandic accent. “Although my father died mortal, while alive he was a professor of genealogy. He knew I was a vampire and traced our mortal ancestors back and found a direct lineage to Eadgar and Eadric. They had a human sister, you see. I am so ashamed that blood shared by members of my family, no matter how distant, could cause such destruction. I would like to volunteer to fight them. I must see them perish with my own eyes and bring honor back to my family that they have ruined.”

Tori studied the girl. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-five when she was turned. She was small in stature, with platinum blonde hair that hung in soft waves to her hips. Her blue eyes shone like sapphires against her milky white complexion.

“What are your skills?” Tori asked before Bryce could.

Belinda smiled knowingly, then did a back flip that was so spell binding it caused everyone to stop and watch. Memorized by her beautiful air contortion, the vampires watched as she landed on Vincenzo’s back—a blade that was previously concealed was drawn and held to his neck.

“Yeah. I’d say she’s hired.” Enzo said with amusement.

“You move so quickly.” Tori remarked.

“I grew up in the circus,” Belinda explained. “You learn tricks that are impressive for a mortal. Couple that knowledge with vampire agility and—”

“And you have a lethal weapon concealed in a pretty package.” Enzo interrupted. “Nicely done. But have you fought any of the ancients?”

“No, but I have killed several of Dante’s wolves.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Enzo threw Belinda a wink, but she chose to ignore him. Moving instead to Erin. Tori noticed she had whispered something to her, but Tori was too focused on her new realization, she chose not to listen.

“That leaves us with Averill.” Tori looked up at Bryce.

“That leaves me with Averill,” Bryce corrected her. Tori wanted to argue, but his eyes shone back with determination. “Everyone in that room will be counting on ye to use yer powers to help them. Ye could be the one that sways a fight.” She nodded.

Bryce turned back to the room full of vampires. “The rest of ye will be divided into smaller hunting groups. Corbin will lead the group that goes after the wolves. Ye need to hold them off so they dinnae aide Dante should he call them for help. Enzo.” Bryce turned to the vampire who stood straight and tall as he waited for his orders. “Ye'll lead the other group. Killing vampires will be a last resort. Try to persuade them that the rebellion has begun, and it doesnae have to be the world they have been shackled to.”

“What if they don’t listen?”

“This is war. Tell them they fight wi’ us, or they meet the sun when this is over.” Tori couldn’t look at Bryce. Instead she looked at Erin, who seemed pleased with his words.

“Tomorrow night ye’ll prepare the best ye can. I’ll turn myself in at midnight the following evening. Yer to get in to position by then. After that, we’ll see how well we play our hand.”

When everyone was dismissed, Erin stole a private moment with Tori to fill her in on her plan. “I want to see the twins. I need to see their fighting strategy to know what we’re up against. Bryce is over a century out of practice. Belinda said she would meet me there. Would you care to join us?”

Tori did want to go. “Bryce would never allow it.”

“Just tell him you’re going to hunt and I’m your back up.”

“He won’t let me out of his sight. And what makes you think Derek will allow you to wander off?”

Erin rolled her eyes. “Tori, there’s an inner temptress in you somewhere. Promise him a blow job and let’s go.”

****

Belinda had been watching Eadgar and Eadric for months and although the brash manner in which they ripped humans apart was legendary, Tori had a morbid desire to see it in the flesh. She needed to know just how bad the worst-case scenario could be. She didn’t want to be caught unawares and that wasn’t something Bryce could ever understand. He wanted to protect her, but she needed to see. Knowing the truth was the best way to protect her. It would sharpen her senses.

The two women spoke not a word as they flitted quietly through the streets. They kept their heads lowered, but their eyes remained watchful. A quick ride on the Underground and they were at their destination: London Bridge.

The girls stepped into the street when a car crossed their path. The tinted window rolled down and Belinda’s blue eyes met Tori’s gaze. “Get in back.”

As soon as the doors were shut, Belinda started driving again keeping up with traffic to blend in with the cars about to cross the bridge. “There.” Belinda pointed to the part of the bridge where the architecture swelled out to allow pedestrians to walk, stop, and take in the view.

Eadgar and Eadric were easy to spot. Their skin gleamed like alabaster beneath the moonlight. They stood at the end of the bridge over the railway their eyes set on the water rushing beneath the bridge. Watching these creatures, Tori felt her skin prickle with gooseflesh. These vampires were sadists and being this close to them, she suddenly second guessed her earlier determination.

The car moved slowly in line with the others and then jerked to a halt just as one of the twins turned around to take in the vehicles before him.

“Why have we stopped?” Erin asked, her eyes locked on the twin who now faced them. Tori was glad for the tinted windows, still she felt as though she were standing naked before them.

“The bridge is being raised. A boat is passing,” Belinda explained.

“At this time?” Tori questioned.

Belinda turned to face the women. “At all times. It’s perfectly normal. Don’t fret.” Erin had her eyes locked on the twin. “That’s Eadgar. If it’s possible he’s the more twisted of the two. There’s no art to his feed. The seduction that makes our kind so unique is lost to them. They might as well be cannibals. They don’t just drain flesh, they feast, tearing necks open for the thrill. I suppose when you’ve been killing for as long as they have, it means nothing to them anymore. But the vulgarity in which they treat their victims is beyond reasoning.”

Eadgar had sauntered over to a vehicle about ten feet from theirs. He knocked on the window and conversed with the driver. He must have glamoured her, for the next moment he had opened the back door and sat inside.

“What’s he playing at?” Erin asked, mumbling more to herself than to the others. A spray of blood stained the back window answering Erin’s question. The car had been carefully selected for no vehicle was behind it. In the darkness it could have been any liquid on the window. By the time the car was in an area where the blood would be identified, it would have driven far away from the scene of the crime.

“It’s like a fucking drive-thru,” Belinda noted. “The bridge is lowering. We’ll be moving soon.” As if on cue, the door to the victim’s car opened and Eadgar stepped out, but he wasn’t alone. He had a young girl with him, no more than sixteen. Tori felt her body turn rigid.

“I suppose she’s for Eadric?” Tori asked, her words slightly shaky. She was no hypocrite. She had drained more humans dry than she cared to admit, but she was not one for torture and to die at an age when one has barely begun to live makes the crime that much more heinous. As she had predicted, Eadgar presented the teenager to Eadric who gave a toothy grin as his gaze drank in the girl’s small features. It made Tori sick to watch. But that’s all she could do—watch.

The car moved forward and Tori twisted her neck to see the fate of the young girl who looked paralyzed in shock as Eadric was saying something to her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her, then just as suddenly, grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her inside the tower of the bridge. Eadgar followed.

“He’s taken her inside the bridge—why?”

“The brothers are known for raping virgins before they feed on them,” Belinda fixed her eyes on the road ahead, but the disgust was tangible in her voice.

“Oh hell no!” Erin made to jump out of the car, but it was locked. “Let me out Belinda. They want to feed, fine. But rape is where I can’t sit by and watch.”

“If I let either of you out Bryce and Derek will have my head.” Belinda started driving faster, the image of the tower becoming smaller in Tori’s eyes. “Besides, it’s only a human life. It’s not worth the risk.”

“Belinda, we were once all humans—and Erin is a human.” She continued to drive, showing not the slightest twitch from Tori’s words. “You know I have powers,” Tori pursued. “You’ve seen them. If the three of us go up there, I can hold off one of them. That leaves the two of you to tackle the other.”

“And blow our cover.” Belinda reminded them. “I agreed to show you, but I cannot risk your lives.” There was a bloodcurdling scream in the distance. From the tower of the bridge, no human would be able to hear, but Belinda and Tori did.

Tori looked at Erin and gestured to her seat belt. Once clicked, Tori flicked her wrist, turning the vehicle so that it faced the opposite direction. Cars honked, as the vehicle swerved dangerously around them. Belinda cursed but regained control of the wheel. “Are you crazy?”

“She’s determined. They’re alone and distracted with their prey. Why can’t we take them out? We may never have an opportunity like this again. They’re never alone,” Erin added her words fueled with adrenaline as her slayer side kicked into high gear.

Belinda pulled the car over and looked at the tower intently. Then shook her head in resignation. “Fine. But I’m going to scale the wall from the outside where the cars can’t see me. I’m quick. When I lure the brothers out, you can rescue your stupid damsel in distress. If I get in danger, I can always jump into the water. The fall won’t kill me.”

“What if the twins jump in after you?” Tori asked, needing to know every detail of the plan before it unfolded.

“Erin has her crossbow. Take the shot. But under no conditions are you to go in, until you see me at the top. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” The women spoke in unison.

Belinda was like a spider as she crept up the stones of the tower. Her body moving in ways that only a true contortionist could. “She’s almost there,” Erin said as she tightened her grip on the handle of the crossbow. The women had pressed themselves against the shadowed wall of the tower, concealed in darkness, but still giving them a clear view. Belinda swung one leg over and then the other. Once safely at the top she gave a wave to the women below and disappeared amid the shadows.

“What do you hear?” Erin asked Tori who closed her eyes in response to tune out the world around her and focus on what was transpiring above. The girl from the car was begging, and the twins were laughing. Tori winced as she envisioned the horrible things they were doing to her in that dark tower. But there was another sound, one she wasn’t prepared for. The sound of snarls and praise directed at the twins.

“Oh my God.” Tori felt lightheaded as the realization struck her.

“What is it? What do you hear?”

“They’re not alone… I think…” Tori strained her ears to be sure. “I think Dante is with them.”

“Fuck! We need to warn Belinda before she goes in there.”

But there would be no warning, for the next thing Tori felt was a strong hand close over her mouth. Her eyes saw the same thing had happened to Erin. It didn’t matter how hard Tori tried to kick and writhe, her captor held her tight as he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her away from the twins and Dante. She knew it was Bryce. Even in his abruptness, his touch was familiar. She should have used her powers to stop him, but as her gaze saw the new shadows fighting high on the top of lookout bridge, Tori knew she hadn’t saved a girl from rape, or heroically taken out the two biggest threats to The Blood Clan. She had sentenced Belinda to her doom.

In the distance, a figure leaped up in the air doing a beautiful backwards flip. It was the same flip Belinda had demonstrated earlier, but before she could land on her enemy’s back his arms stretched out and locked on her head, ripping it from her shoulders. Instead of landing in a graceful balance, the limp body dropped to the floor. The attacker stood to full height and the head that remained in his hands was tossed carelessly over the bridge. It was impossible to decipher which one of the twins had killed her from this distance. As the head fell in a dizzying spin toward the water, Tori could see the long platinum blonde locks whipping about in the chaotic winds before they plunged into the dark liquid to their final resting place.

The highlanders carried the women swiftly through the streets of London. In the distance a long low howl broke through the night, like a ghost that they could not outrun forever.

****

When Tori thought they had just about run straight across London, Bryce stopped and lowered her to the ground. She felt dizzy from being carried over his shoulder with nothing to look at but the ground whipping by for miles as he ran at lighting speed. She looked around, but Derek and Erin were nowhere to be found. No doubt Derek had taken Erin somewhere to yell at her, just as he had days before in the airport.

She knew Bryce had been her hero, but right now she just resented him. Perhaps they would have had a chance if the men hadn’t carried them a way. Erin had her crossbow. One shot was all she needed and Belinda would still be here. Bryce’s word’s laced thick with his accent startled her back to reality. “This is nae exactly a holiday yer on, lass.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

He looked at her stunned. “Whit the hell is that supposed to mean? Victoria! Whit the feck were ye thinking?” Bryce grabbed her by the arms and began shaking her. Had she been human, she would have been terrified. “If ye were a man, I’d give ye a right thrashing.”

Tori pushed him back using more than just her strength. The force of her power causing him to stumble. “Is that really what stops you? The fact that I’m a woman?”

“Dinna forget yer place, lass. I almost drained ye dry the night we met.” Bryce had a finger in her face and fangs out. His eyes were glowing green with rage.

“Go ahead Bryce… is that what you want? Five hundred years old and you’re nothing more than brute strength.”

“Och!” He threw himself on the ground, grabbed a nearby rock and tossed it at a tree. Tori imagined he had pretended it was her head. “Ye know I’d never lay a finger on ye. But ye had me outta my mind. I was about to storm up to the Tower of London and see if ye had been taken captive.”

“I told you I was going for a walk with Erin,” Tori said through gritted teeth.

“Aye, and ye deliberately left out the part where ye were going to stake out demonic vampire siblings.”

“Bryce!”

“Of course it doesnae matter, right? Ye had to prove a point. Show me how independent ye are.”

“Bryce!”

“Whit?”

“I’m right here. I’m fine.”

“Aye. But can Belinda say the same thing?” he snarled. “Ye took a gamble tonight, and ye lost.”

His words stung her, as they were meant to. And she knew he was right, a vampire in their party had died. Tori could tell herself she had died for the cause, a chance at freedom. But she knew the truth. Belinda’s blood was on her hands. But the frustration in Bryce’s eyes made it clear, it wasn’t Tori’s hands he was worried about. He carried Belinda’s death, as he would any of the clan who did not make it out of this alive, on his hands.

Tori knelt down beside him. “I’m sorry I deceived you.” Her words came out in a whisper.

“We’re already living on borrowed time lass, there’s no need to add any more sand to the hourglass.”

His words were spoken soft, yet tender and they pulled at the final thread that was encasing Tori’s sanity. “It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault.” She flung her head into her hands, allowing the reality of her actions to sink in. “I had to see them. I had to know and now Belinda, beautiful Belinda is dead.”

“Aye, it’s all right, lass. It’s nae yer doing.”

“Of course it’s my doing! He ripped off her head, Bryce! Ripped it off like one would pluck an apple off of the branch of a tree. And then… just discarded her.” Her words trailed off. That final image of Belinda was engrained in her brain.

Bryce peeled away Tori’s hands, revealing cheeks stained with bloody tears. “Belinda was well over a hundred years old. She wasnae the kind to be easily duped by a newborn vampire and her slayer side kick.”

“But I used my powers—I forced her.”

“Forced her? Did ye hold Erin’s cross bow to her heart?”

“No, of course not. She wanted to drive away, and I turned the car around. We had no idea Dante was up there. I honestly thought with my powers, and the twins distracted by their prey they had taken, we’d stand a chance.”

“Then Belinda knew whit she was getting herself into. She had a personal vendetta against the twins and was feeling lucky, lass, but nae lucky enough. That’s whit I’ve been trying to explain to ye. To all of ye. This isna a game of chance. I dinna want any member of our clan to perish, but if the vision of her brutal death is whit finally makes you unnerstan whit we’re up against, then I’m thankful for her sacrifice. She dinnae die in vain, lass.”

“It feels like she did.”

Bryce wrapped his arms around her. “Oh, my bonny lassie.” He kissed the top of Tori’s head. “Her death may just be whit keeps ye motivated to stay alive.”