She followed his finger to a building about four hundred feet away. She could just barely make out the form of someone standing in the doorway of a small shack. He was half hidden amongst the shifting sand, and blinding light. Though it was difficult to discern the figure completely, she knew instantly that Ashby was right, it was Braith.
Her fingers twitched, she pulled the bow from her back and propped it on the floor before her. It would be tricky to get a clear shot with so many below, but she was going to do her best to take out as many as possible. Braith may not want her down there, but he hadn't said anything about her taking position right here.
She watched as more figures crept forward. Gideon had said that they were drawn by the presence of anyone in the desert sands, they did not discriminate, they were hungry and they didn't care how many were awaiting them or how powerful they were. The promise of blood was a strong motivator to these lost, ravenous souls.
"Do you think we can get on the roof?" she inquired.
"Do you want to see me dismembered?"
Aria chuckled as she shook her head. "I don't think he's quite as volatile as you make him sound."
"No Aria, he is. The only thing that might keep him sane if something were to happen to you is the fact that you have not done everything necessary to completely form the link. But don't doubt for a minute that he is capable of far more vicious and brutal acts than anything you've ever seen. I've come to realize that he is capable of anything when it comes to you, maybe even beating his father. I know what I would do if Melinda were threatened."
Aria swallowed heavily as she fought the blush trying to work its way up her neck and through her face. It didn't sit well that he knew such an intimate detail of their lives. "But your link with Melinda is complete."
"Yes, and that does make some difference, I think. How much of one I don't know. No one does."
There was something about Ashby's tone of voice, something secretive and fevered about his bright green eyes that caused a deep feeling of unease to form in her stomach. A shout from outside drew her attention, her hand constricted around the bow. The fresh cuts on her hands ached but they were not deep or overly painful. She drew an arrow from its quiver, knocking it against the bow without a sound.
The creatures were closer now, blending with the environment. They moved as swiftly as the dust particles dancing through the air. Her eyes found Braith, her heart beat against her ribs with loud thumps she was certain everyone could hear. William stood behind him, his hair far too noticeable for her liking.
The attack was faster than she had expected it to be. She didn't think the creatures had much use for logic, at least not anymore, but she hadn't expected this suicidal rush into the town. It was as if they didn't care, as if they welcomed the thought of death as much as the promise of blood.
Braith tried to coordinate the attack but she wasn't sure he could coordinate anything against these mindless creatures. How could he plan against something that had lost the ability to reason, something with no sense of self-preservation? But somehow Braith did it as she watched the vampires, along with some humans, split and flow in different directions, effectively encircling and trapping the creatures between the buildings. She was well aware that Braith was at the center of the attack, even through the shifting conditions she could see the blood that coated him, the speed with which he moved, the deadly precision with which he carried out the death of these things.
She knew he took no pleasure in the killing, or at least she tried to tell herself that because at the moment she wasn't so certain. The ease with which it was done, the brutality of it all was mind numbing. She was so focused upon Braith that it took awhile for her to realize that though the group had encircled the creatures, Braith was the only one fighting.
"What are they doing?" She spun away from the window, determined to get to him. Ashby stepped abruptly in front of her. Gone was the good natured vampire she knew, instead he was a massive hulk of annoyance as he effectively blocked her way. "Move!"
"No."
For a moment she was speechless, then her mouth snapped shut and she glowered at him as her fingers curled around her bow. "They're not helping him!"
"I know."
"I have to!"
"No."
Aria's nostrils flared, she was fuming as she pushed against him. He was like an impenetrable wall and he didn't even have the decency to pretend her shove affected him. "So help me Ashby if you don't get out of my way I'll shoot you!"
"No." If he said no to her one more time she really was going to shoot him. "Braith suspected this might happen."
Her anger deflated instantly. "What?"
"They have to see if he's strong enough to lead. This is a test and he needs to pass it."
"There's too many of them, he needs my help!"
Ashby shook his head. "No, he needs to concentrate and you will be nothing but a distraction to him right now. He can do this Aria, you know it and I know it. You need to stay here. Why do you think he left me in charge of you instead of William? He knew your brother wouldn't be able to stop you, please don't make me force you to stay."
She didn't know which feeling was worse, the anger or the terror. Braith had suspected this, he'd set her up, the three of them had plotted against her and unless she really did injure Ashby, she wasn't getting past him. Though she would hurt him if Braith required help, and there was a definite possibility she would shoot her brother when this was over. He had it coming anyway; he'd been tormenting her since he could talk. Rushing out there, being reckless and not trusting Braith could put them all in even more danger. She could get them all killed.
"Damn him!" she snapped as she spun back to the fight. "And damn you!"
She thought she heard Ashby mutter, "Too late," but she became so focused on the fighting again that she couldn't be sure, and she wasn't in the mood to push it.
Her stomach twisted as the bow fell limply back to her side. There was no need for it now. Her interference would not be appreciated. She slipped the bow onto her back and replaced the arrow. She couldn't stand the spectacle of the bloodbath anymore but she couldn't turn away, not until it was over and she was certain Braith was safe.
Death, those creatures welcomed death. The realization left Aria hollow and shaken. These were not the king's soldiers; these were lost, starving souls. Souls, she reminded herself, that had done something to warrant such a fate. The reminder did little good. There was so much blood and rage that she was frightened she might be sick.
She leaned forward as two of them launched at Braith. Her breath was frozen in her chest as he fell back, struggling beneath the weight of one of them. She barely had time to blink before he grabbed hold of the back of its neck and ripped it off of himself. No matter how much she yearned to turn away, every ounce of her was focused upon Braith.
Ashby's hand suddenly slid around her mouth. She jumped; a startled cry escaped her as he pulled her firmly against his chest. A finger appeared in front of her face, held up before her as he pulled her back a few steps and maneuvered her into a side room. Aria caught only a brief glimpse of pale dirty feet appearing at the top of the steps before Ashby slid the door silently closed.
- CHAPTER 8 -
Ashby released her as he strode across the room. Broken pieces of furniture were stacked in the corner, buried beneath years of dust and sand. Dismay filled her as her gaze drifted down. Their shoes left footprints in the sand; no matter how silent they were there was no hiding.
"Ashby." He turned to her, placing a finger against his lips as his eyes narrowed into a glare. Impatience filled her as she pointed angrily at their feet and then the trail of prints they had left behind. Apparently being banished to a tree house for the past hundred years had dulled Ashby's senses as it took him a few seconds to understand what she was trying to convey. His mouth dropped at the same time the knob began to rattle.
Aria lurched forward, thrusting her weight against the door as it started to creak o
pen. It slammed back closed. There was a hushed moment of silence and then excited grunts and squeals began to issue from the other side. Ashby was instantly beside her, his body weight shoved against the door as the creatures began to push and pound eagerly upon it. Between the two of them one was easy to take care of, Ashby could do it himself, but judging by the sounds, and the force with which they pushed against the door, there were at least three out there.
Her fingers itched for her bow as a crack appeared at the top of the door. It was old, it would not hold against the force of these creatures. Aria's gaze fell to the pile in the corner, but even if they stacked it against the door it would do little good. Then, she spotted the window.
"Stay here."
"What!?" he gasped, struggling to keep the door closed when she released it suddenly. "Aria! Arianna!"
She didn't hesitate as she raced across the room, grasped hold of the windowsill and plunged onto the porch roof. It creaked beneath her weight, and for a moment she hesitated, uncertain if the old wood would support her. It wouldn't do either of them any good if the thing collapsed beneath her. It groaned again but held steady beneath her weight. Using her arms, she was able to maintain her balance on the steep pitch of the roof as she hurried to the back of the house.
She heard something beneath her and looked down to find two more creatures following her movements, eagerly jumping up and down as they waited for her to fall.
Reaching the backside of the house she plunged into another broken window. She was in another room which had a broken shower. She gave little thought to her favorite contraption as she pulled the bow from her back. Knocking two arrows against it, she used the tip of one to nudge the door open. She was able to stick her head out enough to see that there were four of them down the hall, beating on the door, pushing and shoving and grunting eagerly as they jumped on top of each other in an attempt to be the first one in. They would turn on each other if given the chance.
She turned the bow sideways, she had no clear shot at any of their hearts, and with two arrows she was unlikely to hit the heart anyway. But at least she would impair two of them, and perhaps the scent of blood would help them turn on each other. Aria used her elbow to open the door the rest of the way. Four heads snapped toward her as she stepped into the hall, took aim and fired.
A squeal erupted from one of the creatures as it stumbled back, an arrow imbedded firmly in its throat. Another one was brought to its knees by the arrow in its shin. Blood spurted forth but the other two did not go after their fallen brethren like she'd hoped. Instead, they focused more intently upon her; their eager eyes were like glistening rubies, their fangs hung over their lower lips as one of them shoved aside the creature she'd shot in the neck.
Aria pulled two more arrows and fired them rapidly. One was caught in the upper arm, it didn't slow him even a little, the other arrow slammed uselessly into the wall. It quivered there for a moment, a trembling reminder of her error. Aria took a step back, needing to put more distance between them if she was going to get off another round. They raced at her as she fired. This time she hit them both, one was a deathblow that sent the creature scrambling back, howling in pain as it thrashed upon the floor. The other one was nicked in the ear, it didn't even recoil as it launched at her with clawed fingers and an eager hiss.
She barely had time to toss her bow aside and grab hold of her stake before it was upon her. She fell back, bouncing across the sand as they skidded into a wall. The breath was knocked from her, stars burst before her eyes as her head crashed against the wall. Struggling to remain conscious, she managed to get her hands up between them as the thing lurched forward. It snapped at her, just inches from her face. It was strong, far stronger than her, and she could already feel the weakening in her arms as it lunged at her again.
Her fingers scrambled over the stake as she tried to twist it into an angle that would be beneficial for her. It was nearly impossible as the thing clawed eagerly in its excitement and bloodlust. Adrenaline coursed forth; her survival instinct took hold of her, giving her a strength that enabled her to get the stake fully twisted around. The creature's lurching momentum drove it into the sharp weapon.
Its scream pierced her eardrums, blowing her hair back as it wailed in agony. She turned away, horror filling her as it began to convulse before finally falling away from her. She couldn't move, her back was pressed against the wall as her fingers curled into the thick sand.
As it went still, behind the revulsion and terror a strange sense of exhilaration flooded through her. She had just beaten a vampire in hand to hand combat. Granted it had been an emaciated, weakened vampire but she had still defeated it, and she was alive.
She pushed herself up on the wall as Ashby yanked the arrow from the throat of the other one she had shot and drove it into the creature's chest. He shoved the thing away and Aria was able to see that he had already dispatched the other one. Ashby's gaze latched onto her, his eyes were red, and blood marred his right cheek.
"You ok?"
Aria managed a small nod. "Yeah."
He wiped the blood from his face, shaking his head as he surveyed the damage around him. "Impressive, but let's not tell Braith about this."
A low laugh escaped her; she sat up straighter against the wall. She was about to agree when a growl from her left froze the words in her throat. "Too late."
The color drained from Ashby's face as he took a step back. The hair rose on the nape of her neck as she slowly turned toward the stairs. She could practically feel the fury radiating off of him as her eyes latched onto Braith's. He was imposing; his broad shoulders took up most of the stairwell. He was coated in blood. It stained his shirt and pants, streaked through his hair and was splattered across his face.
Aria was immobile, terrified by what she sensed inside of him. She knew he was wild and hot-tempered, but now he seemed utterly savage. His glasses were in place, but even behind the dark lenses she could see the shadowed hue of his crimson colored eyes. Xavier stood just behind him staring at her in amazement. Behind Xavier she could see William and then Gideon as he fought to shove his way past her brother.
It was the alarm on Gideon's features that drove her to her feet. Unfortunately, she forgot about the blow to her head and became somewhat dizzy as she rose. She took a staggering step before falling against the wall. Ashby retreated further as Braith came out of the stairwell. She didn't blame Ashby, she'd never been afraid of Braith before, was certain he would never harm her, but in this moment he was terrifying in his anger. That fury was not directed at her, but it was explosive and it was looking for a release.
Aria pushed herself off of the wall as Gideon reached Xavier. Gideon's eyes found hers as he rested his hand against Xavier's shoulder. Xavier wasn't moving though, he was too focused on the events unfolding in front of him.
"I'm fine Braith." His jaw clenched and unclenched, the red of his eyes deepened. Aria gulped as she held her hands up before her. "See, I'm fine."
"You're bleeding." The words were grated behind his clenched teeth.
She'd forgotten about the broken glass. "It's from the windows Braith. I didn't realize there was glass still in them."
It didn't seem to matter though as his head twisted toward Ashby. He was like a wolf stalking its prey. Ashby took another step back as Braith came further into the hall. He was only two feet away from her now, but the distance seemed far more immense and she was scared she wouldn't be able to cross it in order to reach him in time.
What was wrong with him?
She didn't know the answer to that but it seemed as if he was directing everything at Ashby. "You had one job, one thing to do." Ashby took another step back as Braith honed in on him. Panic filled her as she realized he was going to attack Ashby. It didn't matter that she was fine, that they had succeeded in killing four of them. "All you had to do was make sure she stayed safe."
Aria shoved off the wall. If Braith rushed Ashby, there would be no stopping him. Xavier had take
n a step into the hall to watch what was about to unfold. Gideon tried to get past him but Xavier thrust out his arm, blocking his approach. "I want to see what happens," he murmured.
Aria was confused by the vampire's words. Gideon looked as if he was going to protest but remained silent as he took a step away. William was ashen, he too tried to get past them but Xavier and Gideon blocked his attempt. Weren't they going to help her? At least help Ashby?
She didn't have time to contemplate the answer as Braith continued to prowl toward Ashby. Melinda! She barely knew Braith's younger sister, but she'd felt a bond with the proud, beautiful woman. If Ashby was destroyed, then Melinda would be also. Plus, she'd kind of grown attached to the cocky vampire who was currently backed into the corner at the end of the hall.
Scrambling forward, Aria threw herself in front of Braith, flinging her arms wide as she strained to get air into her suddenly constricted and panicked chest. "I'm fine!" she wheezed. "Look at me Braith. Look at me!" It seemed like forever before those red eyes shifted toward her. There was no softening in them though, no acknowledgement of her words. Without thinking, she ripped the bandages from her hands to reveal the shallow cuts that had only slightly bled. His eyes blazed even brighter as they latched onto the drops of blood glistening on her skin. Was he hungry? Was that the problem? No, this was something more. He was caught up in something, and for the first time ever she wasn't sure that she would be enough for him.
"Braith." It was a low plea, a desperate whisper. He grabbed hold of her arms as she reached for him. His body was rigid, his muscles locked but his grip was surprisingly gentle. She hoped for a moment that he had come to his senses, but then he was moving her out of the way.
"Braith, wait."
Aria strained in his grasp trying to get him to snap out of whatever had him ensnared. Her fingers shoved aside the sleeves of his shirt, she needed to feel his skin; she hoped the contact would bring him back to her but it didn't seem to be helping.
"Here," she breathed fervently. Grabbing hold of his hand she pressed it against her chest, over the spot where her heart beat. She had no idea what she was doing. "Here Braith, feel, I'm fine."