Eternal War Rising to the South: The Beynok Vampire Series (20 page)

I was no longer a lonely Beynok. If Yuri could switch sides, could it be possible to convince other Beynoks to do the same?

Yuri looked over at Sorin and then back to me. “Do you remember when I told you I could smell Sorin in the field?” I nodded. “I knew, when Vladimir gave us his crazy version of why you left, it was a lie. I knew there was more to the story, more to what Sorin was, and if you needed me, I wanted to be there for you. When I smelled Sorin in the house a few nights ago, I decided I was going to follow his smell back to wherever you were.”

Sorin piped up. “I knew I was being followed a few hours into my journey. So let’s just say I picked up your boy here, and I would have been back a day or so sooner, but I had luggage I wasn’t expecting to have. He’s a little slower in travel than I am.”

I had to ask. “What crazy story did Vladimir give you guys?”

Yuri laughed. “He said Sorin was obsessed with you and had you under some kind of mind control. I knew Vladimir wasn’t telling the truth, or at least not the whole story.”

The three of us sat around the table chatting. I had to get Yuri up to speed on the underground cities, Galloway and his twin brother Gallagher, the prophecy, my swords, and my past with Sorin. Yuri was blown away. I could tell Sorin told him a little during their journey but left the good parts of the story for me to share.

Right then, I decided I had to survive this journey, not only for myself, but for others, so I could share my story during a time of peace and pass the belief of hope and love along to others of all species. Would I make a good leader? Would I remember Sorin during my next rise to the west? Would I hold true and fight against evil? How exactly would the blood bond Sorin and I now shared affect us? How much time did I have before my next fall?

I knew one day answers would come to all the questions, but I needed to focus on the upcoming evening. That night, I would be
placed on the throne for all to see
at the pavilion in Salvuscol, and yet another part of the prophecy would be fulfilled.

My time with Sorin, Galloway, and even Corbin and Serenity brought true light to my darkness. Living in their supernatural world made me realize the lies I was fed during my time among other Beynoks. The shock factor is now gone. When something is not what it seems, I’m no longer surprised. I absorb it and move on. I expect up to be down. I look at everything as false until it is proven true. I’ve learned to trust my senses and natural instincts more than I ever did. I wondered what the human world would become if the balance was broken and evil was no longer concealed from the human race. There would no longer be rules or boundaries. Evil beings would relish in feeding on humans, and they would eat what they pleased … go where they pleased. I couldn’t sit by and allow that to happen.

I waited with Sorin and Yuri for the evening’s event to come. I was to be placed on a throne for all to see, as my prophecy foretold. I could say I was nervous, but it wasn’t that. I had a feeling I can’t express in words. A feeling that maybe some kind of end was coming or even an answer to a question.

I took a chance and opened myself because I wanted a peek at what was waiting for me. The rush almost knocked me off my feet. I had to hold on to the back of the chair to keep my balance. Closing off my senses quickly in order to keep my composure, I looked around the holding room under the stage at the Salvuscol pavilion. The others were outside the door and walking the perimeter.

I wore my usual Beynok warrior outfit with my hooded leather jacket, adding a touch of vampire fashion to the ensemble. Of course, my swords were securely strapped to my back.

There was a knock at the door, and I opened it to find a shocked-looking Yuri outside, who said, “Anya, there are thousands of them everywhere.”

Confused I asked, “Them? Who?” I wasn’t thinking so clearly, and I didn’t need Yuri confusing me even more.

“Thousands of them … all types of species. It’s unbelievable. Never did I think I would ever see anything like this. I wouldn’t have thought it possible.” He paused and added, “We always thought all other species were inferior to us and to the humans, but they are just as intelligent and as organized as we are.”

“There’s nothing to fear. You’re just seeing what you thought was impossible…possible.” I tugged at his arm for a hug. I didn’t want any of our new companions sensing him nervous and thinking him weak.

Another knock and Sorin glided in with his even, muscular stride. He was coming back from receiving an update, and he stood by the door after he closed it. His look was not as steady as his stride. His black eyes revealed his desire to rip Yuri’s arms off. Without a word, Yuri released me from our hug and went to sit at the corner table like a scolded child.

Sorin said, “Anya, are you sure you want to do this? You don’t have to if you don’t want to. If you’re not ready, we’ll understand.” Sorin was by my side in a vampire second staring down at me with his amethyst, compassionate eyes. “I’m not ready to be without you again if something were to happen. I can take you to a place where neither world can touch us, to a world we could create together, to a world where neither of us will ever die.”

I was shocked and said, “I don’t understand. Isn’t this one of the reasons you traveled the earth to find me? To bring peace and balance back to all species? And now you want to offer me lifetime of vacation?” A small chuckle slipped out, “If this was what you wanted, then you should have given me this option first before you gave me the option of war. But it’s too late for that now, Sorin. You know that.” He was breaking my heart and igniting the fire between my legs with the thoughts of what we could do together for a lifetime. He held me tight and nuzzled his nose in my hair, taking in my scent as though he would never have the opportunity to do it again. Closing my eyes, I nestled my face in his chest and placed my hand over his silent heart. I breathed him in so his lavender scent filled my nose and hoped the scent would last forever.

The sight of blood and swinging swords came at me beneath my closed eyelids. I opened my eyes and pushed Sorin away, pulling my swords and taking a fighting stance. Looking around, I saw no enemy, but Sorin and Yuri were staring at me and pulling their swords, too, in confusion.

Sorin stepped close, “What’s wrong, Anya? Did you feel something?” He stepped even closer pushing my swords toward the floor. “You know you have to keep your sense as closed off as possible in places like this.”

“Sorin … it wasn’t a sense of feeling. Or at least I don’t think it was. I don’t have Vladimir here to help decipher my gift anymore. I think it was the sense of sight.” I was taken back by what I was saying, as were the others. “As you know, I’ve had visions of my past, and Beynoks aren’t supposed to remember past rises. I’ve had visions of battles I have not yet fought and hope to not fight.” The vision of Sorin’s neck being sliced open flashed into my mind, and I blanked out looking at the tiled floor.

“She’s right. She needs a mentor to help guide, develop, and strengthen her gifts.” Yuri was out of the corner and no longer feeling scolded. “Anya, I can help you the best I can, but you know I only have the gift of smell. I do not have the experience of mastering two gifts to share with you.”

“My instinct told me to keep my visions and dreams a secret from Vladimir. At the time, I didn’t understand, but now I think I do. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for this; we have a party to go to.” I slid my swords back into their sheaths on my back. Yuri squeezed my shoulder, and out the door of safety we went.

Corbin and Serenity were waiting for us outside the door. They both looked a little nervous. Well, it turns out, I think we were all a little nervous. This was way different from a battle. We knew what to expect then. We have to fight to stay alive and kill everything that tries to kill us. None of us knew what to expect in the pavilion. We were going to a damn “show and tell,” whatever that would mean.

“Shit, Princess, if you want to F’n skip tonight, Serenity and I have no problem with that.” Corbin had a slight, nervy smile on his face and winked at me as we all walked down the corridor. “We’re ready for anything. Life since you came around has been pretty fuckin’ exciting, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Thanks, Corbin. I could say the same about you two.” He did know how to make me laugh.

“Where’s Galloway?” I hadn’t seen him for a few hours. Having him by my side would settle my nerves just a little.

“He’s with the Keepers.” Sorin gently lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it as we walked. “He wanted me to tell you to stand firm and show the courage he knows you have.”

“Keepers? I’ve never heard of them.”

“Well, the Keepers are a council made up of eleven beings of various species, and all are voted into office. They help create boundaries and enforce them. Right now the seats are nearly split with five on our side.”

“Princess, this shit is very simple. The Keepers make rules to keep creatures from fucking running around and eating anything they want, thus exposing the supernatural world. I wouldn’t want to be that asshole that eats someone’s small child or rips into someone’s family dog, but-”

Sorin said, “That’s quite enough, Corbin. We get the picture.” I saw him flash black eyes toward Corbin. “Honestly, Beynoks are the only thing holding Gallagher and beings that think as he does back from exposing themselves and living as they please, but the Beynoks won’t be able to prevent it much longer.” I stared at Sorin and said, “You know just as well as I do, or even better, that the battles Beynoks fight everyday have a real purpose.

Sorin stopped me with the raise of his hand as we reached a door and he said, “Imagine how strong the force would be if Beynoks would join with Galloway and the other Keepers…To be continued, Anya. You’re up, and I’m not sure how to support you in this simply because I don’t know what to expect for you.” He ran his hand through his already wild short hair. He must have picked that nervous habit up from Galloway.

“It’s okay,” I wanted to reassure him. “I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. I’ll be fine; we’ll be fine.” What was behind the door? I could hear stomping and loud talking vibrating from the walls all around. Small dust particles fell from the ceiling from the weight above. I also heard chanting or a song of some sort. The power of the beings in the great open space I was about to walk into forced its way into my body. There was one greater than all … it was Galloway. I could feel him inside my head, so I let him pry, opening a pathway for him. I felt determination, anger, and fear. Feeling Galloway near brought me strength that I needed at that moment. I thought,
Okay, should I be wearing a crown or a damn cape or something?

“No, Anya.” It was Galloway in my head. “Just be ready to protect yourself.”

“Galloway, should I be scared?” I didn’t think a full conversation was possible.

“A being like yourself? No.” And with that, his voice was gone.

The door before me opened to a view I didn’t expect…the massive, powerful Laceverto, Abadden. His body filled the doorway from frame to frame. My simple yellowish green eyes connected with his golden yellow eyes. His scales seemed to be a mix of colors, bouncing back and forth from dark grey to a dark, greenish color. He must have been having a hard time with his natural instinct to blend with his surroundings. A cool breeze swept over my face as he said, “Anya, we’ve been waiting for you.” He didn’t move.

“Great.” He still didn’t move. “Abadden, we’re all here for the same thing. We’ll never know what to expect until we let it happen. So let’s not delay this anymore.” Our eyes were locked.

“Abadden, you need to move,” Sorin said, and he was quickly shut down with a glance from Abadden. Then Abadden’s eyes were on mine again, and his smooth, deep voice was in my ear. “Anya, you need to believe what you’re about to see and feel the power from the beings and the strength they can bring you. You need to have faith in the four directions, and open yourself. Don’t be afraid.” He slowly pulled away from my ear and said, “I will always be by your side … in this rise and the ones to follow.”

I placed my hand on his chest and could feel the heat radiating from his body and the heart pounding beneath his soft smooth scales. I bowed my head towards Abadden and softly pushed his body aside. I squeezed Sorin’s hand and then let it go. As the release of Sorin’s hand slipped from mine, I could feel the holes that marked me as his tingle on my neck. Sorin was willing me back to him but I was too strong and the marks were too new. I continued my walk through the door my prophecy led me to…and to my throne.

It was as though I had stepped through a portal placing me back thousands of years. The structure of the pavilion looked as if it were built during Roman times. The pillars, stone work, and carved rock bleacher seating curved to form a large circle and stretched high up in the air. Nothing like it would be built in modern times. I took another step. I had no idea where I was to go, and there was no one leading me. I realized I was walking on sand. It wasn’t soft and plush but hard and gritty beneath each step I took. I looked back wanting to see the others, but mostly Abadden, for instruction. He waved his hand for me to continue. I walked far enough into the pavilion so that I could see all the way up in all directions. The thousands of beings sitting, standing, and conversing in the bleachers hadn’t realized I had walked out until just this moment.

Silence fell and all eyes were on me. Abadden took my left side and grabbed my shoulder while Sorin was at my right, and the others followed in behind us. At that moment, I realized how to describe my unfamiliar feeling. I had the rush of judgment come over me. What the hell was I doing there? My place was on the battlefield not at a show and tell to play nice with others.

Abadden guided me in to the center were a very large table sat, mirroring the round shape of the pavilion. When I say large, I mean about two hundred feet in diameter. I quickly counted ten beings and one empty chair. I recognized Galloway and Gallagher immediately. Then my eyes fell on Drago. I couldn’t believe it, but there was, “Would-be Handsome.” He was wearing a smile so big you would have thought a naked stripper had just jumped out of his birthday cake. I didn’t recognize any of the others.

I felt Abadden let go of my shoulder lean in to say, “Have faith in yourself, Anya,” and I watched him walk away to take his seat at the empty chair at the round table. I stood there with no idea where to go, what to do, or what to say. The beings in the stands were still quiet, and I could feel all eyes were on me.

A female vampire slowly stood from her chair at the table. Sorin leaned in and whispered in my ear, “That is Rosette.” She was tall and very thin with long, black hair that matched her eyes. Her face was porcelain, and she wore lipstick the color of blood. I thought she was beautiful in a scary way. Her lips parted and with a strong and fierce voice, she said, “Who amongst the Keepers recognizes this Beynok warrior to be the one the prophecy is written for? Stand in accordance.” Her voice echoed throughout the pavilion. She looked over at me and gave me a slow, hungry smile, revealing her left fang as it slid over her bottom lip.

Slowly all of the Keepers pushed back their chairs and came to a standing position with her. The spectators were all still strangely quiet and slowly bowed their heads.

Rosette gracefully started to make her way toward me. I looked over at Galloway and Abadden. Abadden nodded. His words came to me, “Have faith, open up, and trust in the four directions.”

I closed my eyes and opened my soul to my surroundings. I wrapped my hands around my swords and pulled them out forcing them into the sand to give me support before the emotions from my surrounding could fully take me to the ground. I could feel the power from my swords pulsing into my body as if they had a heartbeat of their own. Though I tried hard to stand, I felt my knees hit the rough sand.