Braith waited, watching for awhile to make sure there weren't others out there. They could not take the chance of one of them escaping and returning to the palace, if it wasn't for the swampland he wouldn't engage them at all. When he was certain that it was only these seven men, he nodded to Jack and waved his hand toward the last place he had seen Gideon and Ashby.
They simultaneously burst free of the woods. Braith seized hold of the first guardsman and took him down before he was able to make a sound. He had a brief glimpse of wide, terrified eyes before he smashed his fist into the guardsmen's chest. Bone gave way beneath the tremendous blow, crumpling as easily as paper beneath the force of his fist. His hand wrapped around the heart and he ripped it free.
Braith launched to his feet, Gideon and Jack were encircling one of the last two guards, but the other one had turned and bolted into the woods. He raced after him, pouring on the speed as the guard ran toward the area where he had left Aria. The vampire ran faster as he sensed his impending demise. Concern for Aria drove Braith to levels of speed he'd never achieved before.
They came around a turn in the woods; Braith was honing in on the guard as a path opened up before them. Aria was standing there, her bow raised. The guard was stunned; he hesitated for a brief moment. Aria didn't. She released the arrow with deadly accuracy. It was only the small sidestep of the guard at the last minute that saved him from a killing blow to the heart. It drove into his shoulder, knocking him back a step.
The guard lurched forward, his hands curved as he dove at her. Braith surged forward and seized hold of the back of his shirt. He ripped the guard back, all sense of reason vanished as he drove his fangs deep into the guard's neck. The man bucked, a gurgled sound of surprise escaped him as he clawed at Braith over the back of his head. Disgust filled him as the man's life pumped into him.
This was not the way he liked to kill. This was not the way any of them liked to kill, very few of them allowed another vampire to feed from them. It walked a fine line between remaining completely in control, and becoming something unspeakable. But his desperate need to protect her had driven him to this.
He pulled away from the vampire, grabbed hold of his head and snapped his neck with a sharp, jerking motion. The guard crumpled before him, weakened by loss of blood and the severe injury but not yet dead. Braith seized hold of the arrow, ripped it from his shoulder and drove it deep into his heart. He remained kneeling over for him for a moment, struggling with the influx of vampire blood in his system and what he had just done. His actions had been bad enough, but he had just carried them out in front of her.
Slowly, guardedly, he lifted his head to look at her. He knew what he was, knew what he was capable of, especially when it came to her. He had tried to keep the worst of it hidden from her but it was too late now. Now, she could see it all, had seen it all.
She stared at him, her bow hung limply at her side. He had expected censure and disgust in her eyes, instead there was simply shock. Seeming to sense his need for her to accept him, even like this, at his most evil, her expression changed and the bow slid from her fingers.
Falling to her knees before him, she attempted to remove his sins by wiping the blood from his mouth. "It's ok." Her hands clasped hold of his cheeks, her forehead pressed against his as she comforted him. "It's ok."
Then, to his utter amazement she was kissing him, softly, tenderly, and with a love that humbled him. She'd seen the worst of him, she'd seen him do something atrocious and she still loved him. A groan escaped him as he drew her closer. He buried his face in the hollow of her shoulder as his love for her swelled and grew within him. He rocked her as the delightfully sweet scent of her blood washed over him and soothed his mind and body in a way that only she could.
Her hands were in his hair as she maneuvered his mouth against her neck. He didn't know how but she knew that he needed something else, that he needed reassurance from her that he wasn't a monster. His lips skimmed back, his fangs lengthened as they fairly vibrated with anticipation. She jerked slightly as his teeth penetrated her supple skin but then she relaxed and melded against him. Her blood filled him, replacing the foul taste of the guard's blood on his tongue.
The taste of her was enough to help wash away his transgression. He released his bite and licked the remaining drops of blood from her neck. "Arianna," he groaned. She pressed her cheek against his, her lips just barely brushing against his skin. "So sweet…"
The sounds of approaching feet silenced his following words. He kissed her cheek far too briefly before rising swiftly, and lifting her smoothly up with him. Her eyes were questioning but she threw back her shoulders and thrust out her chin as she picked up her bow and turned to face the oncoming vampires. If things were different, she would have made a magnificent queen, a superb leader and champion for her people. He was proud to have her at his side and always would be.
Jack rounded the corner first, skidding to a halt as he spotted the two of them. Then his gaze locked on the ruined body of the guard, his eyes widened, his jaw dropped. "What did you do Braith?"
"What needed to be done."
Jack gaped at him, he turned to Aria who stared unwaveringly back at him as she took a step closer to Braith's side. She didn't fully understand what had just transpired, the true nature of the transgression he had just committed, but she looked about ready to shoot an arrow straight into his brother's heart if it became necessary. Her fingers twitched on her bow as Gideon, Ashby, and Xavier appeared.
"Help me get this out of the way." His voice was detached, he felt a small recoil from Aria when he referred to the dead guard as a 'this', but he had to keep himself disconnected from this mess.
Jack eyed him from head to toe and then back again. Gideon's eyebrows were in his hair as he looked back and forth between Braith and the dead guard. Interestingly, Xavier was watching Aria. His eyes were latched on the fresh bite marks on her neck and the single drop of blood that quivered on her skin. Braith brushed it away, fighting against a rising wave of anger as he glared at Xavier in warning. Xavier didn't back down from Braith as he continued to assess her from top to bottom.
One of these days, preferably today, Braith was going to find out exactly what it was that Xavier was trying to figure out about her, or what it was that he thought he already knew.
"Give me a hand Jack," he commanded gruffly.
Jack looked discomforted as he grasped hold of the guard's arms. He didn't offer any protest as he helped Braith carry him into the woods. "Are you ok?" Jack inquired.
"Fine," he replied brusquely.
"Braith this isn't good, this isn't the way things are done. You know that, it's a sign of loss of control."
Braith dropped the feet. "I am fine Jack."
Jack's gaze darted toward the path they had left behind. "Aria…"
"You'll leave her out of this."
Jack swallowed heavily. "What did she see?"
"All of it."
Braith didn't wait to hear what else his brother had to say, he turned and made his way back to the others. Aria stood with her shoulders back as she warily watched Xavier, Ashby and Gideon. Braith stepped between them. She looked up at him, seeming not to focus on him for a moment before a small smile curved her full lips.
"Let your father know it's safe."
She nodded before taking off down the path, the bow bouncing against her back as she ran.
- CHAPTER 18 -
Aria stood in the shadows, a lump in her throat as she slipped deeper into the hollows of the cave. Braith spoke with a commanding, self assured tone to the group that would soon become an army. The cave was unnervingly silent considering the amount of bodies it now housed as they listened raptly to him. He laid out his plans, speaking of his new government with such passion that it brought tears to her eyes.
Gideon had said that the king had a way of making people believe him, Braith seemed to have inherited that charismatic ability too as he roused the crowd, garnering cheers from them as
well as devoted agreement for the cause. He encouraged and excited his army in preparation for the coming war.
She refused to look at Jack. She could feel his eyes from across the cave as she slid further into the tunnel behind her. She was proud of Braith, so proud in fact that she could barely breathe through the emotion rippling through her. That same pride was at war with the feeling of being trapped that she constantly felt now.
She turned away, needing some time to herself. She moved carefully through the dark cave, navigating the turns with ease. She started to run faster and faster, pounding through the dark tunnels as she was consumed with the need to be free.
Her lungs were burning and her legs were tired but she continued to run toward the promise of fresh air. She burst free, nearly falling to the ground as she inhaled heaping gulps of air. She made it to a tree, collapsing against its trunk as she slid silently to the ground.
She drew her knees against her chest and hugged them. Shadows from the tree limbs played over the ground, the crickets chirruped and the frogs called to each other. What were usually soothing sounds, now offered her nothing.
She saw the figures emerging from the cave before they stepped into the moonlight. Having spent her entire life with them she'd know Daniels's assured gate and William's slight swagger anywhere. She also recognized the sadness that rounded both their shoulders in much the same way. They sat on each side of her and leaned against the tree.
"They really admire him," Daniel said after a period of silence.
"They do," she agreed.
"Jack spoke with us," William told her.
"I figured he would."
William's hand wrapped around hers, he squeezed it briefly before releasing her. "I understand where Jack is coming from. The vampire race, even if we are finally all united, is far different from ours, but you're a strong person Aria, they may accept you."
"Do you honestly believe that?"
He started to respond and then shook his head. She knew he wanted to make her feel better, wanted to give her flowery promises, maybe even wanted to believe them himself, but he wouldn't lie to her. "No."
"I didn't think so."
"I was on board with this. I thought it was better if you were separated anyway." Daniel squeezed her shoulder as she glared at him. "You're seventeen years old Aria, you've never been a child, but you're young and he's… Well he's far more advanced than you, he's a vampire and your worlds are so completely different that I saw only grief in your future. I thought it would be best if you returned to a more normal life, with people your own age and your own kind. I thought it would be best for the two of you."
"And now?" William prodded before Aria could.
"And now I don't think there's any chance that what Jack proposes will work out. Even he is somehow unable to track you through your blood, Braith is not going to let you go, not unless you ask him to, and even then I don't think it will be a good situation. It was bad enough when you first escaped the palace, you were lost and heartbroken. The two of you are closer now, your bond has grown and strengthened. I've never seen anything like it. If Jack is right then you know the choice you have to make, the one that you've already made. But if Jack is wrong it's going to be bad Aria, very bad, and you know that."
"What would you do?" she whispered, shaken by his words.
He shook his head, his hand slipped inside his shirt as he pulled something free. "I don't know. That's the kicker of it all, I don't know. But I know you, and I know that in the end you'll make the right choice, but only you will be able to make it. I'll miss you if you choose to leave, and I'll stand by you if you choose to stay."
"Thank you."
He grinned at her, flashing a smile that was so endearingly similar to what she remembered of their mother's. "For saying aloud the same things you already knew?"
She laughed dryly as she rested her head against the trunk of the tree. "For standing by me no matter what. How did it all come to this?"
"You let yourself get caught and hauled into that palace," William informed her.
"Yeah that's exactly what I let happen," she retorted.
They sat together for a long time, silent as they listened to the familiar sounds of the forest. "No matter what happens Aria, something good will come of it."
"I hope so. He's coming."
"How do you…" William broke off the question. "Never mind."
"This is for you." She started as Daniel slid something into her hand. Her mouth parted as she gazed wonderingly at the beautiful drawing before her. Tears clogged her throat. She'd always known Daniel was a talented artist, a trait that he never had enough time for, but this was far beyond anything she could have imagined. She was curled within Braith's lap, her head on his chest as he rested his chin on her head to look at the book in his hand. The looks of love on their faces nearly caused her to sob aloud.
"I came across you by accident. I just saw you for a moment," Daniel added quickly when her face colored faintly. "It was then I realized that what's between you isn't something easily broken, it's not a passing fancy, it's not a rebellious moment, it's not even just love. It's something more, it's this." He pointed at their faces in the drawing. "It astounded me Aria; I can only hope that I find something like this one day."
"Daniel," she breathed, tears rolling down her face. "It's beautiful."
"No matter what you decide, I think you should have this."
She nodded as he ruffled her hair affectionately. William was staring at the sketch over her shoulder when Braith emerged from the cave. "Do you want me to take it?"
"Yes."
William took the drawing from her and slipped it into his shirt. "I'll keep it safe."
"I know."
They remained seated; their heads tilting back as Braith stopped before them. "It's not safe up here."
"We're fine. We know these woods better than most of the animals." He didn't seem at all appeased by her reassurance. He stared hard at each of her brothers obviously wanting them to leave, while she wanted them to stay right where they were. "How did it go?"
He locked his hands behind his back. "We're going to run a few scouting missions to the palace and back. I would like for you to go on one Daniel, so you can get a feel of the town and its dimensions in order to formulate a design."
"Of course," Daniel murmured in assent.
"When do you think we'll be ready to make a move on the palace?" William inquired.
"Hopefully within two weeks. I would prefer to move by the end of this week but I realize that's asking a lot. Jack, Saul, and Barnaby are going into the outer towns to gather the vampires Jack recruited there. We'll need them here before we can make any solid plans."
"I'd like to go on one of the scouting missions," Aria informed him.
He frowned at her, his fingers curled and uncurled at his sides. "Aria…"
"I've gone on plenty with Daniel and William before." A muscle jumped in his cheek as his jaw clenched. "I'll be fine, and I'm tired of feeling useless and confined. I have to do something useful."
"We'll keep her safe, even from herself," William nudged her playfully.
She rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. He wasn't helping. "No one will recognize me. I need to do this Braith."
The last thing she wanted was to fight with him, but she simply couldn't sit here for the next couple of weeks, being torn apart by her decision and feeling useless. She had to find something to do or she would go crazy.
"Fine," he relented, his shoulders slumping.
She didn't feel even a little good about the fact that she had gotten her way; she simply felt the gulf between them growing. It took everything she had not to cry as she bowed her head. She couldn't look at him anymore, it was too difficult.
- CHAPTER 19 -
Aria's head was down, her bow discreetly tucked away on her back and covered by the gray cloak. It billowed around her ankles, blowing back to allow the rain to wet the bottom of her pants. As much as she
hated the cloaks she was grateful for the cover it provided from the surprisingly chilly rain. She stood at the top of the hill, staring down at the town that rolled out from the hollows of the knoll.
It was beautiful, deadly, and far too close to the palace for her liking. A palace that she could see the gleaming top of as it rose out from behind another hill. Braith moved closer to her but now that they were amongst his people again, he had returned to trying to keep his distance from her. Saul and Calista came forward to speak with Braith before returning to the small group gathered within the tree line.
William and Daniel stood beside her, the hoods of their cloaks pulled up. Max was also wearing the cloak but the hood was tossed back. Rain trickled down his face and had plastered his fair hair down. He was still handsome, but she was acutely reminded of the fact that the boy she had grown up with was gone. He looked older, wiser than his young years. He was only a couple years older than her, but there were lines around his eyes and the corners of his pinched mouth. Seeming to sense her attention he turned to her and offered a small smile.
Braith stepped in front of her, drawing her attention away from Max. For a moment his hands fisted in impotence as he grappled with his urge to protest her decision. Her father wasn't happy about this either, but at least he was used to them going on such missions and more accustomed to watching his loved ones walk away.
"Make sure your hair stays covered." His frustration was obvious as his hand twitched toward her. Her hair was already tucked beneath the hood, but she adjusted it again to try and ease the tension she felt running high in him. It did little good. "If anything goes wrong…"
"I'll be fine. I'm fast, you know that."
"You're not faster than a vampire, and you have a habit of throwing yourself on the sword to protect others. You need to run if something goes wrong, and I mean it."