"Drink!” Constantine demanded.
"No, I can't."
Constantine snatched the cup from my hands, and Dracul grabbed me by the neck, forcing my head back. Constantine pressed the chalice to my mouth, and I felt the warmth of the contents as they made contact with my lips. I clamped my jaws shut tight, refusing to drink.
"Drink! Now!” Constantine tried to pry my mouth open, but I wouldn't give in. “Or do I need to have a visit with your lover boy?"
As I opened my mouth to remark, he forced the cup back against my lips and the mixture slid into my mouth. I wanted to swallow—in a bad way—but I turned my head and spit instead. As Constantine tried for a second time, he was roughly pulled away and thrown out of the circle.
Ryan had managed to free himself somehow. His eyes glowed, and low feral growls escaped from between his lips.
Constantine backed up and circled Ryan—both intent on destroying the other.
Ryan attacked and quickly flipped Constantine to his back. Too busy with their freaky chanting, none of the other
Liliacs
seemed to feel the need to get involved, except Dracul. He approached from behind with a dagger in his hand.
"No!” I screamed, jumping on his back, hoping to delay him, but I was nothing more than an unfortunate fly that happened to land in the wrong place at the wrong time. He reached behind and peeled me off his back, flinging me aside like a rag doll.
Before I could pick myself up and go after him, he had reached Ryan. I watched horror struck as he sliced into Ryan's gut and ripped the blade across in one swift motion. Ryan crumpled to the ground on top of Constantine.
Dracul raised the dagger to have another go at Ryan.
"No!” I screamed.
I am
Vânetor.
I will not allow this to happen. I am
Vanator.
A burst of energy crashed through me like a dam had broken and released a powerful flow of knowledge. And then it all became so clear to me. I knew what I had to do.
I inhaled and drew all the energy into my center. My body shook from the sheer power coursing through me. I threw out my arms, releasing a ball of energy toward Dracul. It slammed into him, knocking him flat on the ground next to his master.
He didn't get back up.
In awe of my own power and what I had just done, I could only stare as Constantine scooted out from under Ryan and came toward me in a slow motion daze. As if a switch had been flipped, all the chanting ceased. The cavernous room screamed with silence.
Fear and admiration sparkled from Constantine's eyes as he stood in front of me. “Be with me, Cheyenne. Not because I force you, but because you want to. I see the battle raging inside you. We would be great together. I could show you such things as you have never imagined. I would never put you in the cage of domestication like the
Panteres
have done. You'll be free to be the predator nature intended.” He bent down and retrieved the chalice that had fallen during all the excitement and peered inside. “Ah, there is just enough left to complete the ceremony,
bonding
us for eternity.” He extended the chalice to me.
"No! I cannot. I will not. I'm not like you. I don't
want
to be like you."
A film of rage glazed his eyes and a sudden chill wrapped around me, even though his stare scalded my skin. “I will not let you go.” He seized my arms—his fingers digging into my flexed muscles.
"And I will not let you keep me."
Fear no longer ruled me. I now had the answers. I knew what I had to do. No longer was I trapped in a fog of uncertainty. Cool and confident, I brought my hands between our bodies and placed them on his chest. Once again I centered my power.
"Fill the dark void in my soul,” I said in a clear and loud voice.
My pendant vibrated and my mark tingled. Constantine's hands shook as he tried to maintain his grasp. His mouth dropped open and he stiffened. He understood what I intended to do, and he was defenseless against my power.
I zoomed all my energy into his heart, the keeper of his black soul. My fingers tingled as the flow of power entered his body and surrounded his beating organ. Shutting my eyes, I controlled the stream like the most technical of instruments. I began to extract his essence—his soul.
An onslaught of memories—his memories—smashed into me at once, taking me by surprise. I gasped, not prepared for the intense pain of his emotions and abuse.
I cried out, unable to comprehend the atrocities of what I witnessed in my mind's eye—floggings, severed limbs, medieval looking torture devices I had never seen being applied over and over.
So much blood, so much pain. I moaned and squeezed my eyes tighter. No.
I watched as his own family withheld the needed nourishment until he entered a full
bloodlust
, refusing to allow him to do anything about it, and then being forced to watch cruel acts ... until he broke. Acts that would make the worst horror movies seem like a joke.
And he was just a child.
Tears flowed down my face. He was a creature of someone else's making. He hadn't started out evil. My heart cried out for his suffering. For his lost childhood. For all his pain.
I opened my eyes and stared into the near blank eyes of Constantine. I couldn't finish it. No, I didn't have the right to decide his fate. Who was I to judge him? Life had dealt him more blows than any person should ever have to deal with. Never had he been shown love or compassion. Maybe if I'd been treated the same, I would have followed in his footsteps. He didn't have a choice. Just like I didn't have a choice. It was all so unfair.
Guilt over my inability to accept my own position in the
clice
made me nauseous. How selfish of me to have been given a special gift and then want to deny it, while he had no option but to follow the evil ways of his ancestors. I may not have any say about my ability or what I am, but my
clice
didn't torture me and expect me to carry on a horrific tradition. And my parents loved me.
When I dropped my hands from his chest, the energy flow ceased and snapped back toward me, momentarily leaving me stunned. I swayed from side to side. A dirty, foul presence crowded my psyche. Ugliness now rested alongside my own soul—his memories, his pain, his life.
Constantine stared at me in confusion, eyes wide with shock. “Why ... did you spare me?"
Several
Liliacs
rushed toward me and seized my arms, but I didn't care. All I could focus on was the horror he'd had to endure. No one should have to go through what he had.
A tear trickled its way down my cheek. “I couldn't. I saw everything.” I lowered my voice and stared deep into his eyes. “I know."
Hurt and humiliation glazed his eyes, turning him into the tortured little boy he once was. “You sacrifice your own freedom because you feel sympathy for
me
? You could've been done with me. Our bargain would've been no more ... but you didn't."
"No."
He raised his hands before him, turning his palms up. “Why?"
"Underneath all the horrors I witnessed, I saw the good in you. You weren't always evil. I know what you went through. I experienced your pain. You were made to be the creature you are now. And I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve it. It wasn't your fault. But you have a choice now, and I have faith you can change.
You
are not bad. What you've done is bad."
Again, confusion played across his features. “You'll still stay with me and honor the bargain? Become my
lifemate
?"
"To save Ryan, yes.” I looked down at Ryan who remained crumpled in a heap next to the motionless Dracul. My heart squeezed. He needed me. I had to go to him. My glance settled back on Constantine, allowing him to see into my soul—to read my feelings. He studied my face, flicking his eyes back and forth. I held nothing back. I needed him to understand.
His eyes widened with realization, then darkened with pain so deep it hurt to watch. “You really do love him."
"Yes."
His expression fell and he exhaled, his shoulders slumping. He turned his body away from me. “Then go to him.” His head dipped to his chest. “Release her. It's time we leave here."
"My Lord?” one of the
Liliacs
questioned.
He turned back around, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. “You heard me. We leave,” Constantine ordered.
The
Liliacs
freed my arms. I stepped forward, closing the space between me and Constantine. I stared deep into his questioning eyes. His heart thumped loudly in his chest. I clasped his cold hands, bringing them up between our bodies. “You are not bad.” I didn't break eye contact, letting him know I cared and saw what lie beneath his evil trappings.
A single tear slid down his face. “Ah, little
Vanator
. Don't you know I would have given you the world? I may need your blood ... but it is you I
want
.” He sighed, a soul-wrenching sound. “It can never be though. Not as long as you love another."
"You know I'll come looking for you if things remain as they are,” I threatened, my voice hitching from his unexpected words. Words that drove a stake into my heart. He continued to stare deep into my eyes. To my surprise, I realized he is capable of love after all.
He stepped closer. “I know. We both must do what we are destined for. Farewell, little
Vanator
.” He ran his finger down the side of my face, then morphed into a bat and circled my head.
The other
Liliacs
followed suit. Hundreds of bats flew out at once.
I had a feeling our paths would cross again someday. But for now, Ryan needed me.
Dizzy and still disoriented, I stumbled to Ryan and knelt by his side. His eyes opened and a smile spread across his face.
My jaw dropped. Stunned, I looked him over. His shirt was ripped across the front and blood smeared his belly. Other than that, he looked fine.
"Hi, Sparkie. You look like you've seen a ghost."
"How? But I saw Dracul..."
Ryan chuckled. “I moved out of the way just in time. His dagger barely caught me."
I glanced back at Dracul's still motionless body, then turned back toward Ryan. “But then why didn't you get up? You just..."
He touched the back of his head and brought his hand out in front. Blood covered his fingers. “I got a pretty good knock in the head when I fell back."
"Oh.” I didn't know if I wanted to kiss him or smack him. He had me so worried. Deciding on the kiss, I bent down and pressed my lips to his. When I raised my head back up, his jaw slackened and his eyes widened. “Looks like you're the one who's seen the ghost."
A sharp pain bit into my back. I glanced down. The tip of a knife protruded from my chest. My white dress turned a dark red before my eyes. An ear-piercing screech sounded, bouncing off the walls of the cave. For a moment I couldn't comprehend what had happened or why I could no longer breathe normally. Then the tip went away and another sharp pain sliced into me. A bat flew into my view, then disappeared behind me. I heard a gurgling sound and a moan. Out of nowhere, Constantine now stood next to me, his eyes wide with horror as he stared at me. He wiped the blood from his mouth and dropped to his knees. What was he doing back here? I fell forward onto Ryan, my eyes slowly closing on their own.
A scream rumbled deep in Ryan's chest, then I heard no more.
Delicious warmth seeped into my body. I was so cold. So very cold. I snuggled closer to the source. Pain. I moaned. Sticky wetness covered me. Uncomfortable. Yucky. I sniffed. The sweet scent of something yummy tickled my nose. Mmm.
"Cheyenne?"
Ryan? My eyelids flickered open. A distorted version of a face loomed above me. I blinked to clear the image. I blinked again. As my vision became clearer, I recognized Ryan. I was safely nestled in his strong arms. But a tear flowed down his beautiful face. Why was he so sad? I reached up and caught the tear with my finger. The crystal drop glistened on the tip. So strange. Why did I feel cold? And why did it hurt to breathe? Or move? And why was Constantine hovering over me?
"Cheyenne, you've been hurt and have lost too much blood. You must feed,” Ryan said in such a soft voice I wasn't sure if it was real or a dream. “Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Huh?” At the moment, I wasn't sure about anything. Everything around me was fuzzy.
"Focus, Cheyenne. This is very important and we don't have much time. You need help
now
. You need blood. And it must come from a vampire."
He seemed so serious. “Uh huh."
"That leaves me."
"No, that leaves
us
,” Constantine argued.
"That's not an option.” Ryan's voice held a hint of a threat.
What was going on? Why were they fighting?
"Cheyenne?” Ryan shook me.
"Huh?"
"I need to tell you something. You need to listen to what I'm saying. Okay?"
"Uh huh."
"Once you take my blood, you'll be forever
bonded
to
me
. I've had your blood, so if you choose to take mine, we will be linked forever—mind and soul. You will have my memories, feel my pain, and much more. Make your choice. I will not force it on you. You must decide.” Ryan's hand trembled as he stroked my hair away from my face. “You don't have much time."
"Cheyenne, listen to him. You have to have blood,” Constantine urged.
I couldn't keep my eyes open no matter how hard I tried. So heavy. They fluttered shut and I felt myself fading ... fading...
"Cheyenne! Choose!” Ryan's voice boomed into my head.
I just wanted to sleep. So cold. I didn't even hurt anymore.
"Choose!"
I cracked one eye open and whispered, “I choose you. It's always been you..."
I thought I heard a gasp coming from the side where Constantine knelt.
Something warm and wet dripped onto my lips. It tasted so sweet. My tongue darted out for more. I wanted more. So good. I turned my head side to side searching for the source. More found its way into my mouth. I reached out and grabbed the first solid thing I could find and brought it to my mouth. Eagerly I drank more. My body warmed and I sighed in contentment. Tingles centered around two areas of my back. So strange.