Authors: M. R. Merrick
He threw the knife back towards me and he was too fast. It cut through the air and slid into my shoulder. I screamed as the metal tore through flesh and cut into my muscles. The blade stopped as the handle hit my body and the tip of it poked out the other side.
“Your brazen disrespect for our lord is deplorable. I will end you!”
Swirls of black filled the cave, and the tornados of power hit the ground, raging towards us. Salvatore raised his hand and the smoke dissipated, revealing a dozen pureblood vampires. More hissing came as a swarm of Visceratti slipped into the room. They slithered throughout the cave until we were surrounded. The only thing stopping them from ripping me apart was Salvatore’s magic.
“Not yet, my children.” He glided towards me, leaving the demons roaring in frustration. “After I kill each of your friends, I’m going to unleash my children, but you will not die. No, I have a fate much worse for you. The vampires will turn you. You shall become one of my children.” Salvatore smiled. “I have the power to grant you that curse, and so shall it be.” He enunciated each word perfectly. “Once you’re turned, you’ll spend eternity as the Visceratti’s plaything, and my personal servant. But first, you will suffer.”
His energy plowed through me and something moved inside my body.
Salvatore poured his magic into my soul and a beast roared from within. Blades of power cut me internally and I keeled over on my hands and knees. I could feel my stomach expanding as it filled with blood, and more claws tore apart my innards.
I tried to scream, but I gagged, coughing furiously and holding my stomach as though that could ease my pain. A gush of fluid filled my throat and I dry heaved until a torrent of blood and black fluid flowed from my mouth. Panic surged as my lungs begged for air. Another claw tore through my chest and I collapsed to my hands and knees. A second wave came up my throat, and this time there was no blood, only the thick black fluid that spilled onto the ground.
My mouth burned as the liquid dripped from my lips. I could feel the skin around my mouth blistering as though I’d just ejected acid. My back arched as another set of claws ripped through my insides, this time tearing through my body and splitting the skin. I tried to get to my feet as black spots dotted my vision. I was going to pass out. I tried to fight it, but it was too strong. Darkness clutched me and pulled me down, but just as everything faded around me, the power stopped.
My chest wheezed as I sucked in waves of oxygen. Dust from the floor flooded into my lungs, and I coughed and choked, gasping for clean air. I rolled onto my back and coughed out grains of dirt and sand. Tears filled my eyes as the grains scratched my throat, but it only forced me into another fit of coughing.
Salvatore stood above me, his hand out and power coursing through his veins. I could see the anger in his eyes, but he wasn’t moving. He was frozen in time, magic stuck roaring inside him unable to be released.
The tapping of shoes against the stone floor resonated off the walls around me. I rolled onto my side to find shiny black shoes with silver buckles.
I gasped for air, the burning in my throat searing with agony, as though I’d just torn open a battery and poured it into my mouth. My eyes followed the boots upwards, past dark pants, a waist length leather coat, and a tight white t-shirt. I looked into the black eyes of Drake Sellowind, the other half of the Dark Brothers, and all the air I’d just inhaled escaped me in a single gasp.
“You do find yourself in the strangest predicaments, don’t you? Challenging the power of Ithreal’s soul piece, really? I thought even you’d be smarter than that.” His voice was higher than Darius’, but the tone was cool and even. He sounded both surprised and amused. “Get up.”
I struggled to push myself up and the motion forced me to cough up thick, bloody mucus, lined with streams of black. I grimaced and came to my knees, using them to push myself the rest of the way. They wobbled and I fell back against the wall for support. Blood ran in a steady flow down my body. My entire torso was covered in gashes that seared with pain.
“You’ve gone to so much trouble for a single blade. You wouldn’t be trying to destroy the ring, now would you? Because that would be foolish.”
I didn’t respond. I was using all my energy to keep myself from collapsing.
Drake watched me and a smile crossed his lips. “Salvatore and that vampire did a number on you. Let’s see what we can do about that.” He extended his hand and I wanted to move. I wanted to fight back, but I didn’t have the energy. I flinched as his magic poured over me, and in moments, my pain was gone. The black dots that threatened to swallow me disappeared, and the wounds on my body vanished. I didn’t feel the cuts close or the pain fade, it was just…gone.
“Why are you doing this?”
Drake laughed. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I need you alive, Chase. You’re part of this now; you made sure of that. I can’t have you dying and ruining my plan.”
“What do I have to do with you raising Ithreal?”
Drake’s eyes watched me. He stared at me a moment before shaking his head. “All in good time, child.”
I pushed off the wall and looked around the cave. “Where are Riley and Darius?”
“They are preoccupied.”
“First you guys attack me, now you’re saving me? What is it that you want?”
“The same thing we’ve wanted this entire time. The ring.”
“Darius told me that unless I gave it to you, you couldn’t take it. You know I won’t give it up, so if you can’t kill me, you don’t get it,” I said, and I tried to sound confident, but I was exhausted. My wounds had been healed, but my energy hadn’t been restored. I’d overused my elements again.
“I’m very different from my brother. Darius lacks certain, finesse, if you will. Had he come, he would have made you watch as he killed all your friends. Then he’d throw you back to your dimension with a force you could not begin to fathom.”
“He sounds like Salvatore,” I said.
“He should; they have the same father. As do I, I suppose.”
“Isn’t Ithreal the father of all the demons?”
“My, you are not as bright as I’d hoped.” He sighed. “Every creature was created by a god. There are only seven gods left, but there were many who contributed to life on these worlds. The fact that you lump so many of those creatures under Ithreal’s banner is…distasteful.”
“I’m not exactly educated in the history of the dimensions,” I said spitefully.
“You are ill informed of our past. I cannot hold that against you. Drake and I have been around for all of it, and as such, we’ve been privy to the…evolution of the dimensions.”
“How old are you?”
Drake smiled but otherwise ignored the question. “I’m going to make you an offer, Chase. It will come only once, so think hard on your decision.” He walked towards Rayna and ran a single pale hand over her cheek. “Beautiful thing, isn’t she?”
“What’s the deal?” I asked impatiently.
“You will give me the ring and I will take the dagger,” he said plainly.
“That doesn’t sound like much of a deal.”
“Well, if you consider what I’m offering in return, I’d say it’s quite fair.” Drake’s dark eyes turned back to me. “In exchange, I’ll return you and each of your friends back to your dimension. Safely, I might add.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Look at your friends, Chase.” Drake moved in front of Marcus and looked up at his massive form. “This one projects an image of strength, but he is terrified and angry. The woman he loves is dead, and you blame him for it. Tessa Williams was the love of his life, and because you tried to be the hero, she died.” He walked up to Tiki and Willy. “These two are pathetic excuses for Underworlders. Filthy half-breeds at best, but they are willing to die for you. And they probably will. A most admirable loyalty.” Drake took a few more steps and stopped in front of Rayna. “And this one. She’s the key that started it all. She loves you unconditionally. That emotion is your kind’s downfall. It has become your greatest weakness.” Drake ran another finger over her face. “But how do you feel?” he asked. “That is the question.” Drake turned back and walked towards me. “Do you care so little for your friends? For Rayna? Can you truly refuse me and leave their fate in Salvatore’s hands? That’s what will happen to them. I’ll release them to Salvatore and he can do what he wishes to them. Give them to the Visceratti, make them vampires, whatever he chooses. You can stop all their pain before it starts, Chase. You have the power to grant them that.”
I looked over at my friends. They were frozen in their struggle against the Visceratti’s magic. Guilt tugged at me as I met each of their faces. I wasn’t losing anyone else.
“Okay,” I said.
“It is agreed, then?” Drake extended a single white hand.
“How do I know you’ll hold up your end of the deal?”
“I could tell you I’m a man of honor and although I may seem brutal, I follow certain…codes of ethics, but you wouldn’t believe that. I could give you my word, but that too, means very little to you. To be honest, Chase, you don’t know I’ll hold up my end, but when you consider the alternative, I think you’ll see I’m doing you a small courtesy in exchange for your cooperation.”
I stared at him for a long moment before grabbing his hand and giving it a firm shake. “You have a deal.”
Drake released my hand and turned his up, opening his palm.
I stared into the pale, smooth flesh, turning the ring on my finger in hesitation.
“Come now, child,” he said.
I slid the ring off and dropped it in his palm.
“Thank you for making this easy.”
He reached towards the dagger and his magic tore it from the golden light. The double-edged blade floated towards him until his fingers wrapped around the leather grip.
“Now my friends,” I said.
Drake’s dark gaze met mine and he smiled. “You are an impatient one,” he said. “I always keep my word, Chase. Always.” He snapped his fingers and the cave vanished.
Darkness swallowed me and I spun out of control. The force of teleporting from one world to the next crushed my body. Bright colors swirled around me and I was forced to close my eyes. Searing pain covered me as the portal squeezed the air from my lungs. I tried to scream, but there was no air to let it out. The swirling colors faded as the portal opened beneath me, growing wider until the condo appeared below. I moved at an incredible speed as the wood floor of the library came into view, and there wasn’t time to brace myself.
The collision winded me and I coughed, rolling over and trying to catch my breath. The air tasted sweet as I pulled it into my lungs, and my body relaxed against the floor. The black portal above me swirled and spit out body after body. Once everyone had hit the floor, the black mass wavered and consumed itself. Moans and groans came from everyone as they struggled to their feet.
“Chase!” Rayna ran towards me. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around me before I could stand, and it felt amazing. Everyone had made it home in one piece. This time.
“Brilliant plan. You nearly got us all killed.” Vincent scowled and came to his feet. “And you were going to kill
me
for that dagger!” He stormed towards me, but Marcus’ massive form stepped in front of him.
“Don’t test me, hunter.” Vincent’s gaze crucified Marcus.
“I think we’ve had enough fighting for one day.”
Vincent and Marcus locked eyes for a moment before Vincent backed away. “You better watch yourself, Mr. Williams. The Dark Brothers are going to be the least of your worries now.” Vincent turned, and in a blur, vanished from the room. The condo door slammed shut and the walls rattled from the impact.
Everyone gathered in front of me looking tattered and defeated.
“I’m sorry…I lost the ring,” I said, dropping my eyes to the floor. “I didn't know what else to do.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Willy said.
“We tried, Chase Williams. That is what is important,” Tiki added.
I looked up to Marcus and still he held a neutral expression. “We never should’ve gone there. We’re lucky nobody got killed.”
“I know.”
A loud beeping burst through the library and Willy looked to the black box vibrating the table. “Uh-oh. I need to go.”
I nodded and extended a hand to Willy. “Thanks for your help. You did really great.”
He smiled and a new wave of confidence beamed from his eyes. “Glad to be part of the team.” He gave my hand a shake and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I’d heard him stutter.
Willy said his goodbyes to everyone and left. Tiki followed after him and went to his room, leaving just the three of us in the library.
“Chase–”
“Please don’t, Marcus. I don’t need a lecture right now.”
“Rayna, can you give us a minute?”
“Sure.” She looked at me and slipped out of the library.
“I don’t want to lecture you, but we never should’ve been there. You should have listened to Tiki and me.”
I wanted to argue. To defend my decision, but I knew he was right.