For my friend,
Fiona.
You'll be so greatly missed.
Chapter 13: When It Rains
~
"I want to come," Anna demanded firmly. "I refuse to stay behind."
I watched feeling a little guilty as I slid my dagger into place. Padraig shook his head, his hands on her shoulders. "No. I can't do my job if I'm worried about keeping you safe."
Even Atanas cringed. Anna's face contorted into one of fury and she shoved Padraig away from her. His expression darkened too and I wondered if we were about to witness one of their famous fights.
"So I'm just a burden to you? A toy you have to keep safe?" she snapped.
We didn't have time for this and Padraig looked like he was going to blow.
"You don't know how to fight, Anna. You're safer here," I said gently, nearly flinching as her gaze flicked to me.
She growled out her anger before spinning back to Padraig. With venom in her voice, she bowed low, her eyes never leaving her maker's face. "Very well, master. I'll sit and wait here like a good little pet."
"Don't be like that," Padraig sighed.
Anna huffed and sat on the couch, arms folded and eyes trained on the window. I could feel Atanas' need to leave but he remained quiet by the door.
"Just go," Anna muttered, folding her arms.
Another sigh and Padraig picked up his jacket, walking toward where we waited by the door.
"Make sure the door is locked," he murmured and Anna nodded glumly.
I felt a little bad but it was too dangerous for her out there. Maybe it would have been best if she'd stayed back home with Kincaid and the others though I'd never say that for fear of incurring her wrath.
Closing the door gently behind the two men, I waited until I heard the click of the lock.
"She'll forgive you," I said, patting Padraig's arm.
He relaxed a little as we took the stairs down, Atanas trailing behind. "I hope so."
She would. I knew she would. If she could forgive him for turning her, she'd forgive him for this. Everything he did, he did for her. None of us would be able to forgive ourselves if she got hurt on our watch.
I slid my hand into Atanas', needing to feel his strength. He smiled and tugged me into his side. You wouldn't think we were going hunting for a ravenous vampire with the way we acted as we left the hotel. Padraig even stopped to joke with the receptionist.
"Going out again tonight!" the man shouted over.
Padraig grinned, motioning to Atanas and I. "I'm showing my friends around."
"In the dark? I hope you've been keeping an eye on the news. . ."
If only he knew just how closely we'd been keeping an eye on the goings on here. We were far more dangerous than the vampire making headlines, I wanted to say. Instead I gave the human man a friendly smile and he shrugged a shoulder.
"Enjoy yourselves."
It was difficult not to snort. I wished were just here to see the sights and take in the culture of Rome. Perhaps once this was all over, Atanas and I could come back and he could show me the city he'd once called home. As if hearing my thoughts, he kissed my cheek. He'd been so quiet this evening and I could sense the tension he felt through the bond.
"Titus gave you a place to meet?" Padraig asked as we stepped out into the cool night air.
I frowned, realising we'd never exactly discussed that with Titus last night. I'd been so eager to leave. While he'd promised that he hadn't aligned himself with Airell, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was his dislike for Leyla that made. Either way, he didn't trust us and I didn't trust him.
"He didn't have to," Atanas replied, making my frown deepen. "He had a vampire waiting for us at the alley. We'll go there."
Shrugging, that made sense enough to me. Atanas lead the way, his hand still in mine. I felt the cold brush of the short sword he kept hidden beneath his long jacket. We were set on catching a vampire tonight. Only Padraig carried no weapon and I was interested to know if he was a fighter.
Making our way closer to the centre of the city, the air was filled with the scent of fear. The police were out in force tonight, armed men and women patrolling the streets with grim faces. They watched us warily and I tugged my leather jacket into place so the place at my hip was definitely hidden.
Hopefully they would cause us no bother. Getting mixed up with human law enforcement was really the last thing we needed.
"They're expecting something tonight," I murmured quietly, the sight of guns making me twitchy.
Atanas guided us through the quieter streets, doing his best to avoid the police. "Nothing happened last night, it's put them in edge. We're going to have to be more careful than usual."
"That's an understatement. Those small boxes they're wearing, they're cameras. And they've now got footage of us." Padraig seemed less than pleased by this turn of events. "We can't have us appearing too much if they watch it back, it'll cause suspicions."
Realising I'd been staring a little too much, I turned away from the group of three officers that were now looking at us too. I wondered what we looked like to them. Humans could sense there was something different about us, some deep primal instinct from times gone by that told them we were predators. And that they were prey. Humans were too used to being too of the food chain, most brushed the feeling off but a few found us too unsettling to be around.
Unfortunately, they seemed to have come to the same conclusion we had; the bodies were being dumped in high tourist areas. It was going to be more than difficult to stay out of sight. I looked up at the roofs, wondering if it'd be better to travel and hunt above ground. We'd have a better view and there'd be less chance of us being spotted.
When we reached the alley from last night, there was no sign anyone was here. The police tape had peeled away from one of the walls, the yellow plastic fluttering in the soft breeze.
Atanas yanked me quickly against the wall as a patrol walked past, human eyes scanning the dark. At least there were no lamps nearby so while we could see them clearly, they wouldn't be able to see us. Once they passed, we walked towards the dead end.
"Now what?" I muttered, the chime of a clock echoing around us.
It was still early in the evening, the sun having only set an hour or so ago. The moon was trying to glow through the heavy clouds and I could smell earthy water in the air. It was going to rain. That didn't bode well for us. It'd wash away scents.
Atanas leaned against the brick wall, looking every bit the supermodel with his messy dark hair and blue eyes that glowed in the dark.
"We wait," he said simply.
I sighed. Waiting meant exercising patience. Patience wasn't something I had in abundance.
***
"Bastard," I muttered, glaring at the end of the alley with my hands on my hips. An hour had slowly crawled past, the night sky now a midnight black and glittering with stars. "He's not coming is he?"
Atanas was grim faced and Padraig had long since given up counting the bricks on the wall.
"We can hunt without him," I said confidently, pushing away from the bin I'd been leaning against. It just meant we couldn't cover all the ground we needed to.
"We can. Then once we've done all we need to, and have Airell, we'll show Titus our strength," Atanas stated darkly.
I stared at him in disbelief. We weren't going to find a way to show him what happens to those that betray us now? "He broke his word!"
"I always keep my word, descendant of Leyla," a voice called from above.
Stiffening, I looked up. The edge of the roof had hidden their approach but there Titus stood with his warriors on either side. My jaw clenched.
"You're late," Atanas growled, stepping back to see them better.
Titus brushed dirt from his shoulder, the tunic he wore a glaring red. "I'm here now. It took me a while to gather my most trusted warriors."
"Does that mean there are some amongst your vampires that you don't trust." My words were smug and his eyes narrowed down at me.
I stepped back as he leapt off the edge of the roof, landing a foot in front of me. When he straightened up, I could see I'd pissed him off. Good. Now he knew how I felt.
"Do you trust all the vampires in your company?" he asked.
Atanas shifted, ready to move if Titus so much as took one more step towards me. Padraig moved too, but his attention was on the vampires still crowded on the roof with weapons glinting in the moonlight.
I tilted my chin up, holding his steel gaze. "No. I most definitely don't trust you."
"Probably wise," he whispered, the hint of a threat in his tone. "But for now, we're on the same side."
"Watch you words, Titus," Atanas warned, forcing himself between me and the older vampire.
I begrudgingly stepped back even though I was now itching for a fight. Titus held up his hands in surrender before motioning for his warriors to join him. A few lingered on the roof, crouched over and watching like gargoyles from so high above.
"What's your plan, King Atanas." Titus folded his arms, grey eyes holding that now irritating glitter of amusement. Like he believed everything was a game.
Allowing his power to filter through the air, winding around everyone near so they could sense that he was in charge here, Atanas raised his voice a little. "We stick to areas popular in the day but quiet at night. The vampire is not to be killed but brought somewhere for interrogation. Once we have all we need, we can decide what to do with them. I think we should hunt in pairs-"
"That leaves us unable to cover enough ground," I interrupted, eyeing the vampires before us.
Few felt older than I was but they held themselves well. They looked capable, confident. Surely none of them felt the need to travel with a buddy.
"Safety in numbers," Padraig murmured, a few others murmuring their agreement.
"Especially with the police and soldiers roaming around," Titus added.
My eyes widened a little. The army had gotten involved now too? This really was getting more and more dangerous for us by the second.
"We can cross off places that have already had a body dump," the blond vampire that had taken us to Titus announced. "The same place has never been hit twice. I think it's part of the pattern."
I could agree with that much at least. But that still left us with an entire city full of historical and cultural importance to be next. Begrudgingly, I decided it maybe was best for use to at least remain close to each other should someone need help.
"Pairs it is then but I can go alone. With my magic, I should be okay. As long as we stay within range of each other, if one of us needs help we can get there fast," I suggested, confident I could handle myself.
Titus' vampires looked surprised at my open admmition of having magic. Even the Caesar himself couldn't hide his wide eyed stare. I ignored them, focussing on my mate.
I knew Atanas wanted to argue and I dared him to do just that. We fought without words, my head tilting up in defiance. I was a Queen, was he going to deny that in front of these vampires? We both knew I could handle myself.
Much to my surprise he nodded once. "If you need me, open the bond, call for me. I'll find you."
I didn't doubt that. Atanas was somehow more intune and understanding of our bond than I was. While I could sense emotions, he seemed to sometimes catch fragments of thoughts and images. If I got myself into trouble, he'd know as soon as I did.
"I trust you can organise yourselves?" Atanas asked, eyeing Titus and his warriors.
He looked almost offended and I smirked. I wasn't the only one getting digs in at him. Titus only had to glance at them for them to sort who would go with who. After discussing who would go where, Atanas making sure he was staking out the areas closest to where I'd be, we were ready.
While Titus was talking to his men, I watched Atanas lean in close to Padraig. His voice was so soft that I struggled to hear even though I stood right next to the pair.
"Make sure you watch Titus' every move. Do not let him out of your sight."
Padraig inclined his head then walked over to Titus, slapping him on the shoulder. He was grinning, no sign that anything was the matter.
"You and I together for an evening, Titus. Just like old times!" Padraig grinned.
Titus grinned too and clasped the Irish vampire's shoulder. "I look forward to hunting by your side again, friend."
I wondered if Titus had any suspicions at all about Padraig being the one to join him but if he did, he didn't show it. He seems genuinely happy to have Padraig by his side.
Atanas slid his hand into the back pocket of my jeans and spun me around to face him. He kissed me possessively for all to see and I kissed back. His fingers sunk into my hair and I couldn't help but nip his lip, lapping at the blood drawn by my fangs.
"Keep to the roofs," he murmured, forehead pressed against mine.
"I'll be fine. You'll be close by." Kissing him again, inhaling deeply of his scent, I let my armour fall into place.
When I stepped back, I was in hunting mode. I felt Atanas watch as I jumped onto the bin and scaled my way up the alley wall. Thankfully, a creaky old ladder ran up the side. I kept low, even as I leaped across Rome's rooftops until I reached the area I'd been assigned.
I stood tall only for a few seconds, long enough to catch all the scents on the breeze. There was nothing that caught my attention, no blood, sweat tinged with fear or smell of vampire. Sirens rang out in the distance, my eyes catching the flashing blue of a police car passing a few streets away.
Hunkering down, I prepared myself for a long wait. A couple walked past, pausing to take photos next to the old church. At least I thought it was a church, though it looked nothing like the ones back home.
The police were indeed accompanied by soldiers, their gate careful and wary. I flattened myself against the roof, watching their every mood. The static voices from their radios and they turned and left again. While tense, none of them had seemed overly concerned which meant the night was yet quiet. No sign of another body.
A roll of thunder in the distant brought with it the first few icy drops of rain. I tugged my hood up and muttered darkly, glad my hair was still short enough to easily tuck inside. Carefully getting to my feet, I started a small scout of the perimeter.
The rain had the last of the civilians hiding inside. It was eerily quiet despite the pitter patter of rain. Thinking I'd heard the scuffle of feet on cobbles, I paused, holding still.
A piercing scream broke the still night air. I spun around, lifting my nose to the breeze. Blood.
I moved quickly, skidding across the slates of the roof. Pushing my emotions through the bond for Atanas, I sped up when I felt a ripple of worry and answer in reply. He was coming. He'd be here soon.
At the grunting of someone struggling, I leapt across to the next roof. My foot slipped on a loose tile, my body sliding down the side. I let the momentum push me, falling a little less then gracefully from the edge. The landing jolted through me, skin chafing on the ground. It was a slight sting. Easy to ignore.
But I was already too late.
A dark shadow had a limp woman pressed against the wall. Her pale eyes were open but unseeing, her arm hanging limp by her side. A growl of fury roared from my chest. There was no heartbeat.
Standing slowly, I unsheathed my dagger. The shape shifted but when the face turned into the light, I was frozen. A Cheshire grin spread across Seth's face and he stepped back from the wall, allowing the woman to collapse lifelessly to the ground.
Seth wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing red blood. He didn't seem to care.
"You slipped up tonight," I hissed, unmoving, waiting for Atanas to appear. Any minute now.
"I did," he agreed, nudging the body by his feet. "I should never her have kept her alive long enough to let her scream."
My anger burned bright and it took all of my reasoning to convince myself not to attack. I had to wait for help, to stall him until I was sure we could take him. I didn't understand why he was so calm. He didn't make a single move to run or defend himself as he slid his hands into his pockets.
"We're taking you in. You're going to tell us why you've done this, what Airell gets out of killing innocent humans." My voice didn't sound like my own. There was a sinister edge that frightened even me.
Seth laughed and shook his head, resignation in his expression. "No. You won't. You're flying out here all on your own, little bird. And Airell thought he'd done such a good job of clipping your wings."
It was eerie hearing him speak words I knew my maker had given him. For a moment it was Airell I saw standing in front of me and my heart skipped a fearful beat. I gripped my dagger tighter. My hands began to shimmer and I loved the look of surprise on his face.
"Even if I was alone, I could take you in. I'm not the frightened girl you played with anymore," I rebuffed, moving my weight onto the balls of my feet. He would not get away.
He considered me a moment and then sighed as if bored, tugging his hands from his pockets. I saw the shift in him as he readied himself for my attack. It infuriated me that I couldn't kill him, and that he was right. How could I take him back to the villa all alone? Knocking him out would only work for so long and then what? Drag him back through the streets?
My gaze flicked up, searching for help. Where the fuck was everyone?
That moment of distraction was all Seth needed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him spring forward. I ducked low, allowing his body to collide with mine. The force of it knocked the breath from me, my boots skidding across the alley.
Allowing his weight to push me back, I released my grip on him to swipe my blade across his stomach. He hissed angrily, fisting his hand in my hair. I twisted, bringing my arm up and over his elbow, dropping my weight. We both toppled to the ground and I rolled away quickly.
Blood was seeping into his dark shirt and I couldn't help but smirk when he placed a hand over the wound. While I couldn't kill him, I could certainly cause some injuries. Fury burned in his crystal eyes, his hand curling into claws. Pushing myself back to my feet, I held up my bloody blade.
"I've got plenty more tricks up my sleeve, Seth. I'll be nice and give you an offer you shouldn't refuse. Come with me, surrender, and you won't get hurt. Atanas might even decide to let you live after you tell us what we need to know," I offered, despite knowing there was no way Seth was getting out of this alive. He'd hurt me. Defiled me. Atanas wouldn't stand to let him live.
"You won't get anything from me. I've done my part," he grit out, his hand coming away from his wound, covered in dark red.
Just as we both readied ourselves to fight again, a bright torch lit up the dark and one word was shouted.
"Polizia!"
I froze at the sight of guns pointed at us, a group of police officers filling up the street. Scared and angry eyes flicked from the body of the dead woman to the dagger that glittered under the lights of torches, blood dripping from the blade. The blade that I was holding.
Seth smirked at me, raising his hands behind his head as the officers crept closer to us, shouting orders in Italian. I looked up, wondering if I could make it to the roof without being shot before glancing back at Seth. I couldn't leave him for them to take. They'd realise he wasn't human.
In a moment of snap decision making, I darted with all the speed I had. Grabbing Seth, I allowed my power to blast out and the energy knocked the humans out the way. I was slowed down having to drag Seth with me and just as I caught sight of Atanas' running down the street, a shot fired.
Seth managed to escape my grasp and I stumbled, hot blood bubbling up and past my lips. A searing agony burned through my veins, my knees hitting the ground. Then everything went dark.