Token Vampire (Token Huntress Book 2) (27 page)

I
waited with boredom. I continuously scanned over the area in search of Chase. The night passed over and the sun began to creep up. I felt like I would soon be a cooked vampire, if I had to hang in this cage directly under it. The other vampires began sighing and getting agitated, as well. A lot of them asked if they could return to the shadows of their Coven. So, this open meeting place was not where they stayed at. Dylan wouldn’t allow it. He wanted his numbers to be impressive and strong. I closed my mind, bored and restless. I even considered resting for a while. I closed my eyes still listening to the movement below me.

             
“Esmore,”
Chases voice interjected in my mind. My eyes fluttered open. I could finally, sense him around.
“Are you okay?”

              “They think I am human,”
I mused to him. I knew he would find humor in that.
“I am unscathed. They have me in a cage. You will see it when you get closer. The one in charge here, from what I can see is Dylan. He has a presence about him, which would suggest to me that he is old.”

             
It wasn’t only Chase’s presence I could feel, but Cesar’s four sons and the members of his elite group were behind him. They stayed further back. I was surprised to see that they had all come for me, but this was more than likely Cesar’s direct order. They stayed far back, so the other vampires could not detect them. If Chase did want to reclaim his Coven, then bringing in another Coven’s force would only start a war.

              The vampires began to snarl and run at Chase, but Dylan called them back. Slowly Chase crept out of the trees mist, and overlooked their numbers, his fangs already bared. His leather jacket flicked back in the breeze, as his shirtless chest was poised in a show of dominance.

              “Welcome, finally. After four hundred and sixteen years, we finally meet Chase. No more running away,” Dylan snapped as he walked amongst the vampires and towards Chase. It had been that long since Chase killed their past leader. I recalled the story he had told me. He was still human then. He killed the previous coven leader, to release his mother from his cruel and abusive grasp. He was unsuspecting of the consequence after that.

              “I don’t know you, but you pissed me off!” Chase snarled. “You dare take my familiar as some kind of bait?!” I had never seen Chase so savage. It was a show between the two leaders; the rightful one and the temporary one.

              “I only wanted to coax you out, so I can kill you and take my place. I fought alongside our leader, the one you killed in his sleep. How embarrassing for you to reside and have a weak human as a familiar,” he laughed.

              “I have come back to claim this Coven,” Chase said, surprising me. I thought he would want to kill them all. I thought that was how he would manage peace from his past. This coven had destroyed his mother’s and his human life. “You will either bow to me Dylan, or I will kill you. Your greatest mistake was ever thinking that the familiar to match me, was weak.” Chase locked his beautiful gray eyes on me. “Esmore, dear, let us not toy with them anymore. Come down from there.”

              Dylan snarled savagely. The other vampires did the same, like a pack of sabers responded to one another.

              “Well it can’t be helped then,” I said. I stood and slammed my foot hard into the bottom of the cage, and snapped the chains that I suspended from, in half from the impact. I kicked out the door and jumped over the group of vampires. I flipped in the air and landed on my feet to crouch at Chase’s side. Vampires dispersed from beneath the cage that once kept me in. The copper smashed to pieces against the ground, and fire flickered everywhere. I flicked my golden hair over my face and looked up at them through the purple haze of my Hunter eyes. I smiled, displaying my fangs.

              “And you said you didn’t like theatrics,” Chase teased. I stood up as his equal beside him. ‘Trickery’, ‘abomination’, ‘what is it?’, the vampires began to whisper. Dylan looked around at his vampires who already began to come unbound. This army could be led right, but only if they had the right leader. This Dylan, was not a leader.

              “I am two hundred years older than you, boy!” Dylan snapped. He showcased his staunch self.

              “With that extra two hundred years, you have learnt nothing about being a leader,” Chase sneered. “I ask you again, you either die or you follow me. No others involved, after all I don’t want to kill my members. Those who oppose me however, step forward now. I will kill you too.”

              Dylan snorted and spat on the ground. “You are not taking this Coven after all these years. I can’t wait to behead you and take that pretty little familiar of yours.”

              Chase snarled and ran for Dylan. The two collided with vampire speed, slamming into one another. Neither used their weapons. I waited on the outskirts with anticipation. Though, I would not let it show. I stared down all the other vampires who fidgeted or wanted to get involved with the fight. I would be their opponent. This was Chase’s fight. No matter how much I wanted to help him, I had done my part to lead him here. Dylan became sluggish. Chase was hitting him strong in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. I hovered over Chase and Dylan, realizing the effect that Chase was playing on him. While he fought Dylan, he was also overpowering his mind with the sense of drainage and sluggish behavior.

              I was impressed by Chase’s ability to concentrate on using his gift which was so consuming, as well as fight at the same time. Chase knocked Dylan to the ground. Dylan rolled across the ground and other vampires snarled at him to get up. I could see already as I looked around, a lot of the Coven members looked amongst one another, uncertain of the outcome. A Coven needed a strong leader, how they survived all these years, I did not know, especially a group this big.

              Tythian was suddenly by my side. “We have a problem,” he said. The coven’s vampires gasped and began yelling ‘treachery’. “Oppollo’s group is not far from here. Fier’s information was either wrong or misguiding. Cesar had only recently scoped out this group, had they made an advancement that he was unsuspecting of? But, Cesar wanted this group taken out. I have scanned over the numbers and it appears Oppollo is not amongst them. Cesar would want us to act now and counterattack them while they are on the move.” Tythian dropped my Barnette bow and sword at my feet. A large black hole consumed him from beneath as he teleported. They still hid, waiting for Chase to complete his task and take ownership. They waited for this battle to be over, in case they were required, before they started the next one. Chase would not fail.

              Chase backhanded Dylan across the face. Dylan charged him with part of the copper from the cage. Other vampires began to get closer, to encircle Chase. I would not move unless one of them attacked. They all steadily watched the fight and me, now understanding that I was not the weak human they thought they dragged here.

              Dylan speared the pole towards Chase. Chase grabbed it and elbowed Dylan in the face, and knocked him off his feet. With one swift movement, Chase wrapped the pole around his fingers and caught it steadily. He plunged it directly into Dylan’s chest. His shocked expression did not leave as his form went brown and he began to decompose. Chase reefed the pole out and flicked the pole around his back and in front of him, in matter of precaution if anyone else attacked. From the tips of the pole, blood spluttered across those who stood closest.

              There was stillness in the air. This was Chase’s victory. We waited to see if any other’s opposed. The vampires looked at one another in silence. Slowly, Clarissa stepped forward and looked over Dylan’s corpse. Chase was wary of her movement as he pointed the pole at her in challenge. She dipped her knee and bowed to Chase. Slowly one by one, others did the same, until the hundreds of vampires in front of Chase pledged their allegiance to him.

              “We have waited for you,” Clarissa said, still looking at the ground. “If your strength can restore our Coven, then we accept you. We have lost a considerable amount of members in recent years. I cannot say all are welcoming, since you had abandoned us once,” she said. She no longer diverted her eyes and looked at Chase with sincerity. Spungee, who bowed beside her looked between her and Chase, unable to stop fidgeting. “But we need that strength.”

              “So, you will do as I say. And if I am not here for any matter, for as long as I live and rein, you are to listen and to protect my familiar,” Chase said loudly so all could hear.

              “We apologize for the conduct and way we treated you,” Clarissa said to me. Their attitude against both me and Chase had changed so quickly. So this was the ability of a Coven leader’s word.

              “Esmore!” Yolo whispered, not far behind me. The vampires could sense him, but none raised their heads to argue with the outsider’s presence. I quickly strapped my sheath to my back. It was now time for my fight; with the brothers that I was compared equal to, and to the Elite team that followed under my command. Cesar wanted us to dispose of this group and with the thrill and excitement of the fight; I would not ignore the chance to prove myself, not as a Huntress but my growth and strength as a vampire.

              Chase came to my side. “I won’t be long,” he whispered and pushed back part of my fringe.

              “I know. This is my fight now,” I said and kissed him on the lips. “I don’t know why you changed your mind about your decision in leading this Coven, but I support it. I won’t be long. I too have a strong team behind me.” Chase bit my lip and merged his tongue with mine. His hot breath pulled away as I began to run and follow Yolo. Chase had to confirm the obedience of his Coven. He had to reinforce that power. I now had my own challenge ahead of me. I accepted the ideal of letting myself go and allowing this darkness to consume me. I was a vampire and wanted to dance amongst my equals and what was claimed to be my brothers.

I
followed Yolo. The others had run ahead. I let the urge and atmosphere of battle sweep over me, like I had the first time I was amongst this Elite team of vampires. Only now, I had another three members- Tythian, Yolo, and Balzar, who had not yet seen me fight. I had to prove to them that I was not a form of weakness in this group. My blood and ears pounded with every step I took on the hard and dead ground. My breathing was near nonexistent. I was excited to accept this blood lust that so easily consumed me.

              The foliage around us cleared and we broke away from the trees. I could see the others run into the distance in front of me. I propelled myself to catch up, so I wouldn’t miss out on the excitement. Within the large open space was a field of enemy vampires. Their numbers would have peaked to near eighty. The sun broke through the trees on the other side of the field. The color rose to a red, the same color to soon stain this battlefield. Some rode horses and already were alert of the ambush. We swarmed over the hills. Balzar was first to reach them, but in good challenge, I couldn’t let him have the first kill. I aimed my bow at the same vampire he targeted. I shot him directly in the chest before Balzar could slice his sword through him. With little hesitation, Balzar moved onto the next one.

              Connor stopped and placed his hands in front of him. Within seconds, twenty of the vampires in front of him dropped, and began to scream. My group poured around Connor with lightning speed, slicing and killing through the vampires that Connor controlled. I ran past Connor with a wicked smile. I unsheathed my sword, thrilled for the first vampire that attacked me. I slit my sword across their throat. She clutched at it, in reflex. I pierced my sword into her calf to completely drop her. Balzar plunged his sword into her chest and claimed my kill with a smile.

              He spun to intersect the vampire who attacked him from behind. He cut him across the chest who was unaffected by the pain, and clashed his own weapon against Balzar’s. The suns red rays amongst the trees in the distance began to flicker with shadows. More vampires came out. Their numbers grew. We did not anticipate these numbers and had to be wary that this might have been an ambush. Fier might have purposefully misinformed Tythian. Still, the vampires of Cesar’s coven expressed such glee. Even Tythian was enjoying himself.

              I jumped over my own comrade to intersect a vampire who was trying to sneak up from behind. I jumped on its shoulders and scraped my sword against his. I balanced on his shoulders for a moment, before I jumped and flicked his sword away. I shot my arrow at his chest, but missed as he dodged it. He ripped the arrow out from his shoulder.

              He snarled at me, his fangs dripped with saliva. He charged me and tried to cut across my stomach. I jumped back and shot another arrow that he dodged. Shaz approached him from behind, her smile wicked. I took the vampires attention and lunged at him. I scraped my sword against him in a matter of strength. I could share the kill with her. She aimed her blade for his chest from behind.

              A large gust of wind blew between us and my hair blocked my sight. Once my blonde hair cleared I opened my eyes wide. Shaz stood there for a moment her mouth and eyes wide. Her stomach had been slit open and her insides began to pool out. The thick wind that tore between us held a tension. Suddenly, Shaz was lifted from the ground, from something I could not see. Her heart was ripped out from her chest and instantly she decomposed into the ground. I flicked away the sword of the vampire I fought. There is an enemy I cannot see. I pierced the vampire’s chest in front of me in rage. I wanted to step closer towards the enemy who killed her. The vampire before me dropped and began to decompose. I could feel heaviness in the air. I could sense that I was being preyed on. Someone watched me greedily. I snarled into the direction.

              “Retreat!” I heard Tythian bellow from the fight. I could feel the presence creep towards me. I cut my sword strong through the air and felt that it had made contact with that entity. But no wound appeared. There is someone there. A hand clutched around my throat and lifted my feet from the ground. I stabbed my sword into where I presumed to be their stomach. But again, my sword sliced through.

              “Interesting, you can sense me,” a man’s rough voice purred. The light mist of a man’s face and sturdy frame emerged. “So you are Cesar’s daughter?” He assessed me for a moment. I shot an arrow at him, which pierced straight through and into the distance. “I will have fun killing you and all his sons today.”

              The presence of death followed his words. The name came to my thoughts as if instinctually. “Oppolo,” I whispered. I could see the glimmer of a smile stretch wide. He was death. He was a Phantom. I felt the army of Chase’s Coven pour over the hill. That Balzar, Tythian and Connor ran for me as I was held mid-air. I was struck by one sudden realization and fear. He would kill us all. That fear sparked within me like an instant whirlpool of darkness. I would not let Chase die. I called upon that darkness that presented itself. I could sense Oppollo’s hand reach for my chest.

              My back shifted uncomfortably. I was consumed by the overpowering surge of more power. Two blades pierced through my back. In the corner of my eye I could see that they were not blades. Two great wings emerged. I had called upon the Descendant. I swirled with my wings cocooning me in protection. I had managed to flick him off and crouched to the ground. I still looked into the position where I thought Oppollo was. Maybe he cannot touch my wings, if he had lost his grip.

              “Ahh, the gift of the Descendant,” he purred with a crisp voice. “I knew the Huntress who originally had that gift. Her wings however were white. Have you affected yourself so much with the thirst of darkness, that you are being consumed by power?! You have one black and one white one. It seems to be a reflection of your former Huntress self and your now, vampire self.” I snarled at him, fully in control. I had to call upon this strength to protect the others.

He counterattacked physical attacks. I scanned my mind over his but found nothing, as if he was entirely non-existent. Chase’s coven fought alongside us and hacked through Oppollo’s vampires. But, those vampires were not the concern. Oppollo began to laugh.

              Balzar ran into our direction and threw a dagger at where Oppollo stood. So Balzar could sense him as well. I could sense Oppollo’s movements and made sure I was faster than his attack. I had to be faster. I lunged for Balzar, before Oppollo could kill him. I swept Balzar in my arms and enabled my wings to flex and offer their strength. We shot up from the ground and whistled into the clouds. I hadn’t known these wings would be so powerful.
My wings.

              “Holy shit!” Balzar said. He climbed up me awkwardly as he looked down.

              “Get everyone out of here, including Chase’s coven. I will deal with Oppollo for a time,” I said trying to pinpoint his location again.

              “You can’t” Balzar snapped.

              “I can!” I growled at the sibling rivalry. “I am the only one who can. Oppollo doesn’t know I am immortal. Without my heart, he cannot take it.”

              “But you can be beheaded!” He spat. I found Oppollo and plummeted to the ground. I lowered my wings to drop Balzar out of my grasp. He rolled against the ground until he had footing. I charged towards the location I sensed Oppollo. I swirled and allowed my feet to touch the ground, hoping that even the breeze from my powerful wings might affect him. But again, it went straight through him. How do you penetrate an enemy who cannot be attacked?

              Balzar retreated everyone and they began to scurry up the hills. Chase continued to break through the others; he was coming for me- but I could not let him face this enemy. I could, however, bait Oppollo. I skimmed the ground as my wings took flight again. I whooshed against the surface of the ground and aimed directly for Oppollo. I thought he would take the bait. He dove his hand straight into my chest. His hand was firmly grasped within my chest. His fingers squirmed within me searching aimlessly. I ignited all my strength into my wings and plunged for the sky. I felt the clouds around us disperse. I aimed with all my strength and might for the ocean. I gasped at the pain and suffering I endured. Even without a heart, the pain was excruciating. Such a wound sapped me of all my strength.

              “What is this trickery?!” Oppollo snapped. He was still attached to my chest. The clouds below us concealed the ocean that was there. He pulled out his hand and dropped through the blades. The ocean paled purple because of the redness of the sun. I heard the splash as he hit water. It wouldn’t be long until he resurfaced. My wings dipped weakly as the wound to my chest affected my strength. I could sense Oppollo had plummeted into the sea. I had to make sure everyone was okay. I dipped and staggered in the sky. I tried my hardest to get to them as best I could.

              I choked out blood. My chest could not recover from such a wound, without feasting. Finally, I could see the clearing. The vampires who we fought now dragged two behind them in silver nettings. My eyes opened wide as I realized that they had captured Tythian and Chase. My wings dipped again and I could no longer hold my strength. My wings no longer worked. I plummeted to the ground and prepared for the impact. I wasn’t even going in the right direction. I was unable to control my movement and listened to the whistle of the wind that cascaded me. I had to get to Chase. Wind plastered my skin as I dove for the ground that crept closer. I impacted hard into the ground and lost consciousness.

              Black. Alone. Dark.

              “Esmore!” Lincon’s voice reached me. My eyes slowly peeled open. I gasped shallowly. “Oh Darling, you’re alive. I knew you would be fun to follow, look at this epic battle. Although, you shattered your wings a bit,” I tried to stand, but was unable. I had landed face first into the ground. I lifted my head, barely able to. I looked into the distance where I knew Chase and Tythian had been dragged into. I squinted at the two figures that stood behind Lincon. Kora and Kasey. They concentrated on the outsiders.

              “No,” I parched. Connor, Balzar and Yolo were trying to break in. Connor tried to use his gift against them, but with no effect through their shield.  “Allies,” I whispered. They were the only words I could produce. Kora and Kasey gave me a side glance, before they dropped their shield. Connor swept me in his arms and snatched me from Lincon protectively. The army of Chase’s Coven stood behind them, their numbers depleted. Only six members of the Elite remained.

              “We have to go now! We have no chance against Oppollo,” Connor sneered. He heaped my broken wings. I hadn’t the strength to call them back into my skin. I felt as if I were dying. I had no energy and lacked concentration. I was fading in and out of consciousness.

              “Chase and Tythian,” I gasped, weakly. “Your brother.” My mouth was parched. I needed blood, I could not heal.

              “In good time, Esmore,” Balzar said. “This had Fier’s involvement, as well. We will get them back, but we must run for now. Look at the numbers around you, we cannot sacrifice them.”

              “This is only one battle of many,” Yolo said. The others looked behind them.

              “I can sense Oppollo in the distance,” Connor announced. “Everyone run! We stay in numbers!”

              “We do not listen to you!” Clarissa sneered, as she stepped in front of her Coven. “You are an enemy Coven to us. But,” she interjected, before she was attacked by Yolo and Balzar. Her eyes locked on mine. She snapped a small vile from her necklace. “The little miss, we listen to. Under the declaration of our Leader, we are at your disposal,” she said. She opened the vile which sent a shivering sweetness to my nose. It was only a small amount of blood, but I needed anything right now.

              She poured the small amount into my mouth; the taste of it hardly moistened my mouth. With the tiny amount of strength I now had, I pulled my wings back in. I was unable to escape the darkness that I began to doze back into. My wings created a scraping noise, as their shattered bones began to slowly become one with me again.

              “Esmore, you have used too much strength and lost too much blood,” Yolo began to explain. “You are going to go into a state of weakness and coma like status. We will restore you with blood, but for now, we must . . .” I outstretched my hand towards him. I felt the blood within my body begin to freeze, the voices of everyone around me silenced and began to deplete. The touch of Connor’s chest and arms that held me, vanished.