A Life Lost
- Esmerelda -
November 12, 2012
I tucked the stake from my hand into my back pocket with the others, and watched as the door opened and two guys walked in. They sneered showing their fangs, making my heart stop. I was glad I didn’t recognize them. That would make it easier.
This was it. Ian jumped from the right, surprising one of them with his speed, and the black wolf, who I guessed must be his Spirit Wolf, jumped with him as if they were the same creature in their actions. If it weren’t a vicious scene, it would have been an incredible thing to see—a man and his wolf acting as one.
Bry stepped in front of the second crossbreed who stood staring at the blood that poured out from his friend’s slashed neck. I wanted to laugh at Nicholas’s mistake, sending in thirsty bloodsuckers. Bry lunged and shoved his stake deep into the vampire’s chest without thinking twice.
Ailaina squealed and covered her face with her hands. Everything happened so fast, but it was as if I watched it in slow motion.
“Es, turn away.” Jarak wrapped his arm around me, turning my head, but I pushed his hand away.
“No, I have to see. If I have to fight, then I need to watch.” I didn’t want to be the weak one. I knew what I needed to do. If I was going to get through this, then I needed help doing it. A Tranquility spell was the only thing I could think of with my mind racing.
I closed my eyes and focused.
Peace within, let there be found, for I need to help all around.
A surge of tingling energy blasted from my head all the way down my legs. I took a deep breath trying to relax my muscles. All of the anxiety and nervousness I experienced before disappeared. My mind was clear, and I was able to concentrate on what happened around me. It didn’t make it easier to watch, but at least I could handle and accept the deaths.
I watched as Ian grabbed the same long machete from earlier and sliced their heads off. I cringed, but forced the vomit to stay down. I reminded myself that they were the undead of the world. So truly, we weren’t really killing them, but it didn’t keep my heart from dropping into my stomach. The warmth from my spell took over and erased the fear.
“Hey Princess—now would be a good time to make those spirits before he sends more in after us,” Ian called from across the room carrying the headless body, placing it on the other one, and throwing the head in a separate pile. I gagged at the sight.
The bile in my throat burned, and I looked away before I couldn’t control myself, realizing my spell was barely helping me in this situation and wearing off fast.
Closing my eyes once again, I pulled all the energy from everyone’s spirits. My own spirit pushed against me like the opposite side of a magnet. It was hard to pull enough energy from everyone without draining them. It was as if I carried them all physically, and the weight was almost unbearable.
I concentrated on the spirit energy, bringing it to the earthly surface, opening my eyes in time to see the spirits materialize out of the air.
Ian stopped in mid-stride near the bodies. “I can’t believe it, she did it.”
“You doubted her?” Bry defended me as he walked past Ian, looking his spirit double up and down, nodding. “Wow, that’s incredible.”
I smiled at his praise while I focused on the spirits, using a spell to make them to go outside and distract the vampires.
Jarak lowered his voice as we watched them walk outside. “Ready?”
I nodded. I wasn’t, but I wouldn’t say it aloud. I needed to be strong. Ailaina came over and took my hand. “We can get through this. I’ve seen this before, like déjà vu.”
I squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to go outside, you should stay here.”
“And what? Stay in here like a coward, I don’t think so. You’re stuck with me.”
I should have known that would be her response. I smiled at her for what it was worth. She was the closest thing I had to a sister. I couldn’t lose her, or worse, watch her turn into a vampire. I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
I scanned the room. Bry nodded as I looked his way as if he knew what I thought. I looked back at her. “I’m sorry, I love you.”
I raised my other hand, with my palm facing her, and put her into an unconscious sleep, like the one Victor did to me on the plane as we flew to Spain. Her eyes shut, and she slumped down. Bry caught her right before she hit the floor. She was going to yell, scream and hate me when she woke from her coma state, but it would be worth saving her life. I couldn’t fight with her outside, knowing she could be in trouble.
Bry carried her upstairs to the bed so she’d be out of sight and came back down.
“You did a good thing Princess,” Ian said as he rummaged around in his bag.
Loud screams and thuds filled the once peaceful mountain air. “I think it’s time.” My body went numb with apprehension.
“Alright, let’s do this.” Ian picked up his machete and stakes, marching outside first with his wolf, never looking back. He had a lot of brass, I’d give him that. He seemed fearless, brave and something about that drew me to him. He made me feel like if I stayed with him, nothing would happen to me.
Bry followed him outside before me. Once I stepped down on the dirt, I looked around and was stunned. There were headless and bleeding bodies everywhere. Our spirit spells were attacking each vampire with vengeance. This made it easier to stake the vampires since they were distracted. I couldn’t believe how many there were. They were everywhere. There was obviously more than just the missing tourists. I tried to swallow, but my mouth was too dry. Nicholas was serious about killing me.
I searched around but didn’t see Nicholas. My heart caught in my throat as I spotted Meadow walking toward me. An evil grin spread across her face.
Oh no.
Please don’t make me be the one who kills her. Luna growled with a snarl, showing her fangs. Meadow did the same and lunged for us.
I could feel Luna brush past me with fiery strength. She and Meadow rolled on the ground together. Another blur sped past me, and Jarak dashed after it with Maztic. I stood alone, and watched the chaos unfold around me.
“Hello Esmerelda.” I knew that voice. It made my blood freeze. I turned slowly.
Everyone else was busy with their own fight. This one was unfortunately mine.
I raised my eyes for a split second toward the sky. “Why me?”
It was the same man Nicholas always sent after me. The airport, in Spain… A wicked grin showed his crooked teeth. “Nicholas sent me to get you.”
“No.” I scooted back, and tried to place more distance between us.
Focus, I need to focus.
“You would’ve been treated like a queen beside Nicholas.”
“Like my mom, Adonia? He took her away from my dad as a hostage.”
“He needed you. What was he supposed to do?” He sauntered toward me, down the hillside.
I looked over and saw Bry fall to the ground. My heart hurt for him. He was here fighting because of me. He came for me, and I didn’t have time make sure he was okay.
I glanced back at my attacker, not wanting my eyes to stray for too long. I could feel my throat tighten. The Tranquility spell wore off, but I couldn’t waste my magic on myself, I needed it to defend those I loved.
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll never find Adonia.”
“You're wrong. And when I do, we’ll resurrect the five witches.” Even though he wasn’t a vampire, I reached around to the stake I had tucked in my pocket, and grasped it tightly, but making sure to keep my hand hidden as we walked around in a wide circle, never turning my back to him.
His face blanched, but I didn’t waste time goading. I released the energy that built up inside of me. Lightening cracked across the sky, causing ear-deafening booms.
“That’s it? I thought you’d have more. Everyone thinks you’re so special. Prove it. Because even I can do better than that.”
I could feel the energy around me get heavy and thick with electricity. I tested the waters. I needed to see what elements he could and couldn’t control. It didn’t matter to me because I had all five on my side.
I stood still. He knew what I was capable of. I could see it in his eyes. “What’s the matter? Scared?”
He grinned. “No. I just think it’s funny that you think you can kill me.”
“Oh I will. And then Nicholas will have to fight me himself because all his precious creations will no longer be alive.”
I threw the stake in my hand straight at him. He moved to block it but wasn’t fast enough. It speared him in his side. He oozed with blood, but it wasn’t good enough. I knew he’d heal quickly, just as I had.
I didn’t pay enough attention because a wall of fire surrounded me. I summoned the water from the creek behind us and flooded the ground.
I needed to get closer to him, or I’d never get him down. It was now or never. I ran straight at him, taking both of us to mud. Each time I pushed out with my power, he withdrew. I reached for another stake behind my back and pressed it hard into his neck. That was for the poor girl who died on the cabin floor and all innocent people who turned into vampires. He pulled it out as if it was just an annoying splinter. A boisterous rumble of thunder filled the air with each new breath I took. The angrier I got, the louder the roaring explosions in the sky became.
He rolled me onto my back and I threw him off, using his own energy against him, restraining him against a tree. I was stronger than he was, I just needed to dig deep enough to find it. The energy around me sizzled with electricity, and the thunder crackled continuously.
I walked closer and reached out again, almost grasping him, but he grabbed my arms, causing me to lose focus and threw me backwards. I landed on my back, and the wind was knocked from my chest. I laid there trying to catch my breath. The sky echoed my rhythm and lightning danced in zipping patterns to the ground.
He loomed over me. “You’re not good enough.”
That’s what he thought.
I reached up, pushing him away, placing a protective shield around myself. In that same second, I knew something was different. I could feel it.
Luna.
My breathing became rapid as I sensed a shift in myself. My whole body tingled, and I reached for my magic, throwing Alex against another tree.
I cried out as a shudder ran through me, followed by sharp stinging. I bent over trying to catch my breath.
I. Can’t. Let. Alex. Go.
My mind yelled with each short gasp of air.
“You can’t hold on. You’re too weak,” he growled.
I jerked my head up, staring into his eyes. “I am not weak.”
“Luna, are you okay?”
I reached out to her in my mind, scared for her well-being.
“Meadow bit me, but I’ll be okay.”
That must be what I felt, the venom in Luna’s body after Meadow bit her. I blocked it out, knowing I couldn’t focus with that much pain, and trusting Luna that she’d be okay. I kept my hand held out, my palm facing my attacker.
He tried worming his way out of my magical hold, but it was no use. His face turned ashen as I whispered, out of breath. “Into the light, nothing can hide, mori, mori, mortem ad te aeternum.”
Die, die, death to you forever.
He disintegrated into a flash of light. Sparkles of blues and greens floated to the ground. I fell down on all fours. Jarak rushed up behind me at that same moment.
“Es!” His hand rested on the small of my back.
I nodded. “Where’s Luna, she’s been bitten.”
He helped me to stand up, “I haven’t seen her. Can you feel her?”
I reached out with my mind, but her presence was gone. “No.”
“Maztic!” Jarak called out.
Maztic materialized in front of us.
“Have you seen Luna? I can’t feel her.” I wanted to cry, what if something were truly wrong and I blocked her out?
Ian came running up the hill. “You need to come here, fast!” He ran back down toward the house.
We followed. Luna lay on the front porch, blood seeping from many bite marks on her body. Her once clean white and grey fur was red, matted with thick blood and pussy venom seeped from each bite. It bubbled, dripping onto the wooden deck, fizzing like acid and staining the porch with black evil corroded spots.
My eyes blurred, and I couldn’t see anything through my tear streaked vision. I dropped next to her. “Luna.” I reached my hand out to touch her but stopped short, afraid I would hurt her more. My breath became in short gasps as the tears fell. Rain broke free from the sky, Mother Nature mimicking my pain.
I looked up at Jarak. “What do I do? Tell me how to fix her!”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Ian jumped up on the porch along with his wolf. He hovered a hand over the full length of Luna. He ran inside and within seconds came back out carrying a knife and a bowl.
“Oh no, you are not cutting my wolf!” I started after him, but Jarak caught my arms and held me back.
“Give him a chance Es, we don’t have any other options.”
Ian narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ve gotta get the venom out. It’s like a rattlesnake bite, cut, suck and spit. Too much venom can kill a spirit wolf.”
I lowered my face down to Luna’s and ran my hand over her head. “It’ll be okay.”
A small whimper came from her, but I still couldn’t hear her in my mind.
Ian’s wolf came and nudged my arm. I leaned onto him and reached out, grasping his black fur.
Ian took the knife and held it out. “Could you do the honors? I have no magic.”
“Do what?”
“I need you to spell the knife to extract the poison as I cut. It’ll make it easier to get out.”
I nodded and reached my shaking hand over the blade. “Blessing be on the blade this day, that it takes the venom all away, healing energy I give to thee and keep it near, heal the one who I hold dear.” A tear slipped down my face, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand. I kept an eye on the blade, watching as it began to glow red as if it lay in a fire.
Ian moved Luna’s fur finding the first bite. He took the knife and sliced her skin. She didn’t even flinch. It worried me. Black venom boiled to the surface and expelled from her body. He did the same thing to all the bite marks then leaned in and sucked the horrid venom from her body, spitting it out as he went along each one. He might be a jerk, but in that moment, I held more respect for him than almost anyone.