Twisted

Chapter Twenty-Six :The Reckoning

Sariah rose from the bath she'd run for herself, steam rising around her naked body.   Wrapping a dark, luxurious towel about herself she moved to look in the mirror.   She was a bit paler than normal, but the face looking back at her in the mirror was content,  replete.   She had no clue of how many nights had passed in Gareth's arms, with his mouth upon hers, his exceptional lovemaking bringing her to new heights every time he touched her.   

He'd told her before he'd left her to hunt, to circle the island and check for intrusion that she was safe in this room, in this home.   Their home, he'd said, in that silky purr of his.    She smiled, picked up a brush and proceeded to work the tangles out of her wet hair.     The smell of lavender was strong from the oils she favored as she brushed.      Closing her eyes she recalled him, how he touched her as if starved for her, and Sariah shivered deliciously.   

Never had anyone kissed her like he had, all reckless abandon and passion.  It stirred in her flames she had never experienced before, and for the first time that fact didn't actually scare her.    As she stood there enraptured by her thoughts she felt a sudden and quick cramp, low in her belly.    Dropping the brush Sariah brought her hand to her abdomen, rubbed absently.   She must have pulled something getting out of the tub, she mused, pushing the nuisance pain from her mind.  

Moving back into the bedroom she swung open a walk in closet he had fully stocked with clothes in her size.  Selecting black jeans and a dark red hoodie she pulled the clothing on and frowned when the button wouldn't quite do up without a tug on the jeans.   Odd, she thought, she'd always been a size 8, no wavering one way or the other.   But then again she hadn't moved around as much as she was accustomed to, and he had been feeding her exceedingly well since she'd been brought here.   

Deciding she would find a book to read in the library Sariah stepped out into the hall, worked her way down to the large, inviting room.    Picking an old southern tale about war and romance she settled onto a chaise lounge, curled up, and lost herself in a book.   

Gareth was miles away, eyes searching the waning darkness.   He'd been told there had been a disturbance on the outlying island near to his compound, and he wanted to take no risk.   He'd known the moment Sariah had been impregnated, so connected he was to her, and he would have no threat to her in any way while she carried the baby he so desired.   Smiling  with a flash of his sharp fangs he wondered again at the connection he had to his child's mother.   A Mere human and she brought him to his knees.  He could never imagine his life without her, and he would die to prevent her from being taken from him.    

A sudden frown dropped his smile away as he saw the smoldering remains of a campfire, with a twist of mist swirling by it.    No one should have been here, nor would reaching this remote area be easy or worthwhile for anyone looking for a campsite.    Stark, cold terror filled his heart as with a leap Gareth took to the sky, streaking back towards the compound......

Sariah turned the pages of her book, absorbed in the tale, when suddenly a shrieking alarm filled the house, and she heard a terrific crash.   Dropping the novel to the floor she rose on shaking legs, hearing the sounds of fighting in the halls just outside.    Running to the door she locked it futilely, eyes scanning for anywhere to hide in this room of books.   Closing her eyes, she sent her vision out and saw the stunning blonde surrounded by chaos.    Smoking  remains of Gareth's soldiers caused her stomach to heave and she saw the hole blown in the wall to gain access.    She felt the bloodlust in the stunningly beautiful vampire, felt the rage and desire for revenge.     Shivering she tried to hide in the only place she could find in the library, slipping behind one of the more sturdy leather couches and crouching low upon the ground behind it. 

Instinctively she shuttered her vision, for, she suspected, the vampire could easily find her the same way she'd reached out.   She heard a clomping of boots and the door of the library crashed open.   A familiar voice called out and brought joy to her heart as Slade cried "Sariah!!!! where are you?"  

Tempted to stand up then, she stopped, remained quiet.    In her mind came Gareth's voice, full of worry, full of fury in warning to her.  "Do not move my love, do not make a sound.  He is as good as dead when she finds you.  I am almost there."

Brianna laughed as she walked into the library beside Slade.    Never a more chilling sound had Sariah heard.   It was filled with victory, with anticipation.     "Yes Sariah, do not move.   I'll find you anyway and will enjoy killing you in front of Him..." She said in a cruel, ice cold tone. 

Slade started with fury, "What!? But..." he said, his voice cut off suddenly and viciously.   Sariah tried not to scream as she heard the thump of a body falling to the floor, the sound of gurgling a nasty and vicious hint to how she'd killed him.  

"Don't worry Sariah, " Brianna purred, stepping over the lifeless body of the hapless bounty hunter she no longer had need for, "You will not die quickly.  I will need you to torture Gareth...."

Sickened Sariah stayed small, holding her breath, but knowing it was hopeless.  She knew her beating heart gave her away.      As Brianna walked closer to the couch she hid behind, slowly as a cat toys with a mouse, she laughed again, and then the wall of books near to the couch exploded into flying stone, paper and leather.

Gareth roared into the room, eyes blazing as they came upon the sleek blonde vampire.   "Brianna!!!" he raged, placing himself between where he knew Sariah huddled and the monster of his own making. 

Brianna screamed in fury, red eyes focused on his obsidian ones......Both vampires blistered in their anger,  he moved forward and they charged, eyes locked on one another.......