Toil And Trouble Page 21

  Bella didn’t even pause. “I do.” At her words, a circle of blue light surrounded her and Rand.

  “What is that?” I asked.

  “The magic seal,” Sinjin answered. “Binding the battle pact, ensuring neither side will attempt to break the battle bond. It is also a failsafe to ensure neither side…cheats.”

  Hmm, well that was good to know. I returned my attention to the imge of Rand and Bella before me. Rand’s jaw tightened but he was quick to mask any anger.

  “Very well. We shall meet you and your legion at Culloden.” As he turned to face his army, the sag of his shoulders revealed his weary resignation. Did he really think Bella would retreat from our declaration of war? I couldn’t imagine she would but who could say what went on in Rand’s head. I had no clue as to what the warlock was thinking, or planning. But, in that one moment of seeing him address his army, I felt incredible pride. Pride to know him and love him. Pride that he was so noble and honorable.

  My adoring thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sounds of hollering. At first the sound seemed to be distant but the more I listened, the more the yelling surrounded us, almost as though it was coming from the trees. Rand’s face wore an expression of shock, no, anger. I rubbed the amber amulet around my neck and I prayed. Without knowing who or what I should pray to, I closed my eyes and prayed we would survive and that Bella’s forces would not be victorious.

  “Bloody bitch,” Sinjin seethed, yanking me behind one of the freestanding boulders. He placed himself in front of me and stood, bracing himself as if for an attack.

  “What’s…?” I started.

  “Bella has ambushed us,” he said matter-of-factly, and no sooner had he announced it, when Bella’s soldiers emerged from the trees like ants defending their hole.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered, frozen with fear. “How?” The magic of the battle pact should have ensured that Bella not pull a fast one, right? Wasn’t that what Sinjin had just said? Regardless, somehow Bella had broken it.

  Our soldiers scattered. Some ran for cover in the trees while others hid behind the stones that stood among the cairns. In the frenzy of surprise and shock, I could think of nothing but Rand…praying he was prepared for whatever Bella was dishing out.

  I scanned the horizon and I couldn’t help my gaze as it transferred past Rand to the sight of fifty or so weres descending on the battle scene, led by Grimsley. And true to his word, his wolves attacked Bella’s soldiers and I couldn’t help but smile. But, smiling wasn’t going to help me kill Ryder and that’s what I intended to do.

  “I can’t fight if I’m wedged between you and a rock,” I yelled, pushing against Sinjin.

  “Stay where you are!” he hissed and pressed me against the rock.

  I glanced to my right where hundreds of our legion met Bella’s, the sounds of screams, clanking of metal and bursting of magic interrupted the otherwise still night. Good thing we had a spell on the place so no humans could overhear or see what was really going on. To my left was empty forest—just the skeletal outline of trees. At the sound of hollering, I glanced forward and noticed three of Bella’s legion descending on Sinjin and me. Based on their auras, none of them were vamps. Maybe two weres and a witch? I couldn’t be sure—they were moving too fast.

  “Crouch down!” Sinjin yelled and I did as I was told, leaning against the rock. “Dragos!” he screamed to the vampire who stood about thirty feet away. The younger vampire nodded and materialized directly beside Sinjin.

  Our attackers were momentarily stunned by the appearance of Dragos but to their credit, did not allow their surprise to betray them. The two weres dropped to their knees, while their clothes shredded and fell off. Their muscles rippled as their skin turned into fur. Dragos leapt on one of them and managed to wrestle him to the ground, descending on him like a rabid dog. He ripped into the wolf’s throat with his fangs and reared up his head, fur and flesh hanging from his mouth. The wolf was very dead and lying on the ground, his blood moistening the earth.

  The other wolf attacked Dragos from behind, knocking him onto the ground. He rolled over and I was unable to see what happened next since Sinjin suddenly appeared before me, taunting the last of the dreadful trio.

  “Come, demon,” Sinjin seethed.

  Demon? I’d never seen a demon before, though I knew they existed. I curiously observed the creature which appeared as human as I, yet there was something very primitive and bestial in him. His eyes and skin glowed a crimson flush. When he opened his mouth, teeth that had previously seemed human tapered into sharp points until it looked like the mouth of a shark.

  It dropped to the ground and a long red tail unfurled from its backside. Its back arched to accommodate a now bulbous rib cage. With incredible speed, it ran at Sinjin but the vampire did not back down. He met the demon with the force of a tidal wave, bowling the creature over, onto the ground.

  Sinjin pummeled the creature with such ferocity, it amazed me. But it didn’t even phase the demon which lashed out with its tail, on the end of which was a nasty barb. It caught Sinjin across his back, and I could see the blood gushing from the ragged wound. Sinjin winced at the pain but didn’t falter. Almost immediately the wound began mending, sowing itself together as if with invisible hands. Sinjin opened his mouth to reveal his fully extended fangs and ripped into the demon’s neck with a speed it never saw coming. And in that same critical moment, Sinjin wrapped his hands around the demon’s neck and snapped it.

  The lifeless demon carcass fell to the ground as I glanced back at Sinjin. He was eyeing Dragos and the were in combat. Sinjin approached them, grabbed a fistful of were-fur and threw the hapless wolf into a nearby tree. I winced when I heard the sound of the wolf’s back breaking as it wrapped around the tree. Dragos stood up and semi-bowed with a nod of thanks to Sinjin. He walked over to the suffering wolf, leant down and with his fangs, eviscerated the wolf’s carotid.

  My hands were shaking; I wasn’t prepared for this. My training with Sinjin had prepared me physically but not mentally nor emotionally. The horror of murder and death surrounded me—Underworld creatures tearing each other to raw flesh and bone. It was like watching the worst, goriest horror movie. But, the real horror was this wasn’t a movie.

  “Love,” Sinjin materialized before me and offered his hand. I remained crouched behind the rock and made no motion to accept it.

  “We must find better cover,” he continued.

  It suddenly dawned on me that I was a coward. As our legion battled around me, many were dying. It wasn’t right for Sinjin to protect me and it wasn’t right for me to want his protection. I came here to fight and that’s what I’d do.

  “Sinjin, I won’t go,” I started and stood up. “I’m here to fight.”

  He shook his head. “I will not allow it.”

  “Sinjin!” I screamed just as a vamp descended on him. Sinjin swiftly sidestepped the vamp throwing him to the ground and jumped on him.

  “Here!” I remembered the stake in the back of my pants and tossed it to him. Sinjin caught the stake and in one deft act, buried it to the hilt in the vampire’s chest. The vamp spontaneously turned into a pile of ash while a gentle breeze picked up his remains, littering them across the battlefield.

  “I’m ready,” I said and I meant it. “I’m ready to fight.”

  Sinjin shook his head. “I cannot…I will not lose you.”

  He didn’t wait for my response but grabbed my hand and elbowed his way through the throng of battling soldiers, pulling me close to his hard chest as he did so. I had no clue where he was headed as there didn’t seem anywhere to go. All around us creatures fought and fell. Sparks and the sounds of clanking metal permeated the night air.

  I glanced to my right and caught the image of Ryder with an axe in hand, sneaking up behind Rand who was holding his own against Bella. My heart plummeted as I screamed to alert Rand. But, I was too far away and in the sounds of battle, my scream blended into the myriad of screams and cries. I wiggled out
of Sinjin’s embrace and watched him survey the scene before him. Once he recognized Rand, Bella and Ryder, he realized I’d witnessed them to and in a split second, desperately tried to grab me. He lost his footing when I dodged him, my thoughts only of Rand. I ran like I’d never run before. I weaved through the battling legion, thinking of nothing more than shortening the distance separating me from the warlock.

  A were stepped before me and I shoved him out of the way, revealing Rand hurling energy orbs at Bella. Behind him, Ryder was about to swing the axe. And in that split second, I used all the vampire strength I’d absorbed from Sinjin’s blood and forced myself forward.

  fifteen

  “Rand!” I screamed although I was still too far away for him to hear me. Then I remembered I was a witch and could use my magic against the axe in Ryder’s hands. I envisioned the weapon sailing out of Ryder’s grip and landing helplessly on top of one of the cairns. I didn’t have the chance to see if my magic had complied, instead pushing myself to run faster, my legs ached with extreme speed. I rammed into Ryder, knocking us both over. The vampire threatened me with the expression of retribution in his eyes. His bald head reflected the moonlight and his ensemble was exactly as I remembered it—black biker boots, dark black jeans and a black tee-shirt. This one had a white skull on the front with a red rose clamped in its mouth. The bull nose-ring between Ryder’s nostrils was icing on the cake.

  My stomach dropped at the sight of him and a scream sounded in the bottom of my stomach, never birthing itself on my lips. I felt like I couldn’t move, like I was planted in cement as the vampire approached and started to sniff the wind for my scent. His smile broadened and I forced myself to stand. Instantly, Sinjin was beside me—I could tell by the icy chill in the air. He took one step in front of me, covered me with his body and braced himself for an attack. But, Ryder made no motion to attack either of us, instead he continued staring at me and sniffing.

  Ryder laughed and it was the most disgusting, sneering snort I’d ever heard. “Jolie, I almost didn’t recanize you.”

  The sound of his voice grated against my nerves and I was reminded of the fact that I hated his diction almost as much as I hated him. I tried to sidestep Sinjin but he wouldn’t allow me past him. “Sinjin, this is my fight,” I seethed.

  Sinjin never broke his gaze from Ryder, but whispered to me. “I cannot…”.

  “If you really care for me, then let me do this.”

  Sinjin’s body suddenly went soft and he nodded in compliance as I turned my attention back to Ryder. He just stood there, without making any motion to attack us. I glanced back at Rand and found he was still in a heated exchange with Bella, although neither looked the worse for wear. Rand had no idea we were just behind him as the three of us were ensconced in a frame of trees, blocked by standing stones which separated us from the battlegrounds. Sinjin chose to act as sentry and barricaded the one section of our alcove which opened to the battlefield.

  “Did you get my note?” Ryder snarled. Over the cacophony of the battle, his words were nearly lost.

  “Yes,” I answered, my heart pounding against my chest. I stepped forward and was surprised Sinjin allowed me to do so.

  “You ready to give yerself to me or are you gonna put up another fight?” Ryder demanded.

  “No, I’m here to kill you.”

  Ryder threw his head back and laughed as if I’d just landed an awesome punch line. In fact, his stomach shook with the effort, his chest muscles bulging under his arms. I’d forgotten how tall and muscular he was—but not in an attractive way. No, he was menacing and hideous. I had to swallow my fear. I wouldn’t back down now; I couldn’t back down now.

  “And you?” Ryder asked, addressing Sinjin.

  Sinjin gritted his teeth but made no motion to approach either of us. “I am merely an observer.”

  I suddenly felt such an inordinate surge of gratitude toward Sinjin—that he was allowing me to do what I needed to, that he would not interfere. Naturally, my thoughts for Rand’s safety were beginning to obsess me and when I glanced over to see how he was faring with Bella, both of them were gone. Fear started winding up my legs but I had to face the fact that Ryder should be my biggest concern. Kill him then I could search for Rand.

  “Good, then you can watch me screw her,” Ryder said as the smile melted off his face and he approached me with an ugly leer. His eyes glowed red and his fangs had already elongated.

  Sinjin’s jaw tightened, his fangs fully extending beyond his lips while his hands fisted at his sides. He was panting with ire but held his ground. I could see his jaw twitching with the effort.

  I didn’t allow myself to react to Ryder’s comment as it wouldn’t do me any good. Now, more than ever before, I had to focus everything on my training. If I was to prevail over Ryder, I had to be able to sense him even when he disappeared into thin air. I had to be able to calculate his moves before he did.

  I started to walk toward him until we were about a body’s length apart and motioned to him to come to me. His eyes narrowed as he snarled and lunged at me, throwing his bodyweight into the attack. I easily sidestepped him, using the speed of Sinjin’s blood. Ryder nearly lost his balance but righted himself and turned around, an expression of stupidity and confusion on his face.

  “You been trainin’,” he said and offered me an ugly smile. I didn’t respond but watched him dematerialize and closed my eyes, knowing I would do better detecting him on the wind if I didn’t have my eyesight to distract me. I sensed a slight heaviness in the air just beside me so I fingered the stake in the back waistline of my stretch pants and pulled it out, stabbing the air just as Ryder materialized exactly where I’d expected. I missed his chest by only a fraction of an inch.

  “Good try,” he said and snatched the stake from my grip, tossing it to the ground. I watched the stake bounce once and fall into the grass, completely useless.

  Before I knew it, Ryder leapt on top of me and his massive strength dropped me to the ground while I tried to roll out from underneath him. Despite my best attempts, he had me pinned. He laughed as he held me, each of his hands holding each of my arms and his thighs pinning mine to the dirt. I glanced up at Sinjin, to make sure he wasn’t going to break his role of sentry but he stayed true. He was going to let me fight this battle. I imagined the gamut of emotions running through his mind—he didn’t want to stand there immobile but restrained himself. He would allow me to claim this kill for myself. I never appreciated him more.

  I tried to thrust Ryder off me by using my hips but he just laughed and pushed his pelvis harder into mine, trying to draw my attention to the growing bulge in his pants. “We gonna have us an audience?” he asked, motioning to Sinjin.

  “I guess so,” I said, waiting for him to free up one of his hands. He’d have to unless his plan was just to pin me all night. When he moved his arm to cup my left breast, I managed to whack him on the temple with my fist. My hand ached once it came into contact with his head but he toppled over and instantly, I was on my feet.

  Not appearing to have been severely impacted by the blow, he stood up and studied me, his eyes narrowed. “You’ve been drinkin’ vampire blood.”

  I failed to respond but I didn’t have to. Ryder’s eyes moved to Sinjin who remained indifferently blocking our only exit.

  “Your blood,” Ryder said as he pointed to Sinjin. He laughed acidly, “You, a master vampire sharin’ blood with his stupid little whore.”

  Sinjin’s fangs descended, his eyes livid, glowing white. “Apologize to the lady,” he seethed.

  “I ain’t gonna do no such thing.”

  Sinjin made a motion to approach Ryder but I held my hand up to keep him back. “Sinjin,” I said, a warning in itself. Ryder was just provoking him. He had to know that.

  Ryder glared at Sinjin. “I’ll never call you master again,” he spat.

  “You will not live another night to call anyone master,” Sinjin answered icily.

  “An who’s gonna kill
me?” Ryder croaked. “This bitch?”

  “Yes,” I interrupted, bracing myself for his attack. I wasn’t as comfortable with my offense as I was with my defense so my plan was to let him make the first move. Then I’d take the asshole down. I only had one problem--my stake was still lying in the grass about five feet away and any motion I made for it would jeopardize my plan.

  “So, lemme get this right,” Ryder started, glancing between Sinjin and me. “You’re sharin’ your blood with ‘er in exchange for what?”

  “Stop stalling and treat Jolie as a worthy opponent,” Sinjin said in a monotone.

  “I ain’t stallin’,” Ryder yelled. “I’m tryin’ to understand how this slut was able to wrap a master vampire aroun’ her little finger.” He paused and then spat on the ground. “You ain’t a master vampire no more. You ain’t shit.”

  “Sinjin?” It was Rand’s voice. He shoved past Sinjin, pausing when he saw me. His hair was disheveled, sweat beading his brow. His shirt was torn, hanging open to reveal his incredibly muscular chest.

  “I have everything under control,” Sinjin said curtly.

  Ryder snickered derisively as I eyed the stake, wondering if I was quick enough to grab it. No, I couldn’t make my move just yet.

  “You come to watch me screw the bitch, too?” Ryder asked.

  Sinjin made no motion to allow Rand into the alcove, so Rand shoved him aside, slipping through a narrow breach in the trees. “What the bloody hell is going on?” Rand demanded, looking at me.

  “Jolie’s gonna murder me, didn’t you know?” Ryder asked facetiously.

  Rand’s expression went dark. “Jolie?”

  Ryder threw his head back and laughed again. “This is too good. You didn’t know the slut was Jolie?” His laugh echoed through the trees, momentarily interrupting the battle sounds. I wanted to kill him now more than ever before just to get him to shut the f up.

  Rand’s eyes went wide as he realized I wasn’t who I appeared to be. Surprise quickly gave way to anger. His eyes narrowed, his hands fisting and I swallowed hard. Before I could stop him, he surged toward Ryder, but Sinjin latched onto his shirt, drawing him back with a quick jerk.