Chapter 295 - The Vampire's Servant

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Once we arrived we hung and turned on the lanterns. We set out food on the tables, a bowl of punch, some cups, plates, and flatware. Someone turned on some soft music and we waited on others to arrive.

I was a little surprised to see Maeve approach with Rosario. He was in his male glamour. We didn’t need to pretend as much anymore.

“Maeve, what are you doing here?” Victor asked. “I thought you were just sending your warriors to help with the fight.”

“I couldn’t let you fight this alone. I’m no leader if I don’t stand by my allies in battle for my people.” Maeve replied.

We started moving around and chatting with everyone. The warrior who was dressed up to look like Trent’s mate, gave me a hug. She told me it was from the Luna who was at home with her children and praying for our safety.

Marius and Lila came over and each hugged me. I was really starting to feel my nerves. I knew the hunters were probably already out there and preparing to attack, but we had to wait for the signal.

“You’re shaking, Echo, and you smell frightened.” Marius said.

“I’m trying to be calm, papa.” I told him.

“It will happen soon. I can already smell the forest scent getting faint as the hunters draw near. This battle shouldn’t last long. We have a mighty force that will annihilate them for their hubris.” He grinned wickedly.

“You’re so hot when you’re all battle ready like this, daddy.” Lila purred in his ear.

I giggled as he looked over with a heated expression. “I should probably leave you two alone for a few moments.”

Wandering away, I found Victor and Gray talking quietly near one of the tables. Just as I was about to talk to them, a howl went up in the forest. That was the signal.

All the lanterns were turned off. I waited for a moment before going back home, grabbing Emmalyn, and returning. She thanked me quickly before running out of the tent and into the forest.

Quickly, I also ran to the forest. There were screams, howls, snarls, and gunshots all over. A man appeared in front of me. He didn’t smell like anything and started aiming the gun he held.

I used my ability to travel behind him, then gripped his head and twisted it like Marius had taught me. There was a sickening crack and he fell to the ground. I picked up his gun and kept going.

Though I’d never used a gun, it seemed pretty simple. The first time I tried it, I didn’t do well and missed the man who was sneaking up behind Val. But the gunshot made Val turn and he set the man on fire.

Dropping the gun, I slipped away. I wasn’t going to try that again. I had no idea what I was doing, and it hurt my hand. There was a scream from above me and I looked up to see Sean drop a woman from a great height. She landed on her neck a few feet from me.

A man ran past me and stumbled. Within just a few moments, a werewolf jumped on him, rolled him over, and started tearing at him with its claws. All around there was the sound of fighting.

I sniffed the air, seeing if I could find Gray or Victor. I followed Victor’s scent to a very small clearing in the center of some tall trees. He was fighting a man who had a stake in one hand and a big knife in the other.

They regarded each other briefly before the man lunged at Victor with the stake raised high above his head. Victor moved fast and plunged his hand into the man’s chest. He pulled something out, held it in front of the man, and then dropped it on the ground.

As he did this, the man slowly fell to his knees, then slumped over. I smiled happily. I hoped it was going okay for Gray too and started to look around. That’s when I saw her.

Melissa. She was standing in the shadow of a tree on the other side of the clearing. Her hair was tied back and she was wearing some sort of dark outfit. In the moonlight I could make out tears in her eyes.

She held up a crossbow with a stake in it. I could see her aiming for Victor. I ran as fast as I could toward him. He was facing me so he couldn’t see her.

“This is for my father you bloodsucking fuck.” She growled.

When I reached Victor, I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side, just in time. The stake went past him. I saw Melissa smirk and disappear into the forest.

“Echo. What have you done?” Victor whispered and reached for me as I lost control of my legs.

The pain was unbearable. I looked up at him and he seemed like he was going to cry. Victor helped me to the ground.

Another howl went up. This one was sad and sorrowful. A few moments later, Gray appeared. He skidded to his knees next to me.

“We have to pull it out.” Victor said. “If she dies with a stake in her heart, she won’t come back.”

“I wasn’t ready for you to be a vampire, angel.” Gray murmured.

“Grayson! Get the stake out of her. I lose my strength if I touch it. I can’t save her. Only you can. Now, pull it out!” Victor shouted.

He gripped the stake in my chest. I wanted to talk to them, to tell them not to worry, but it hurt so much to breathe. I could only watch as Gray grip the stake and pull it from my chest.

“Give me your shirt.” Gray told Victor.

I watched Victor strip his shirt off and hand it over. Gray held it tightly over my chest. My vision blurred a little.

“I love you both very much.” I whispered.

“Everything’s going to be alright, Echo. We got the stake out. You’ll be a vampire when you wake up.” Gray said.

“I’ll teach you everything you need to know, princess. It will be okay. Then you can spend all night with me.” Victor murmured in a cracking voice.

I smiled and closed my eyes. Blood loss was very tiring. I sighed and let the feeling overtake me. There was nothing I could do to help them. The world faded away as I slipped into darkness.