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AGE OF VAMPIRES #4

CAROLINE PECKHAM

SUSANNE VALENTI

Wrathful Mortals

AgeofVampires#4

Copyright©2024CarolinePeckham&SusanneValenti

Themoralrightoftheauthorshavebeenasserted Withoutinanywaylimitingtheauthors',CarolinePeckhamandSusanneValenti's,andthepublisher'sexclusiverightsundercopyright,anyuseofthispublicationto“train” generativeartificialintelligence(AI)technologiestogenerateanyworks/images/text/videosisexpresslyprohibited TheauthorsreserveallrightstolicenseusesofthisworkforgenerativeAItraininganddevelopmentofmachinelearninglanguagemodels

InteriorFormatting&DesignbyWildEleganceFormatting MapDesignbyFredKroner ArtworkbyStellaColorado Allrightsreserved.

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopyingorotherwise,withoutthepriorpermissionofthecopyright owner

WrathfulMortals/CarolinePeckham&SusanneValenti–2nded

This book is dedicated to all those who find themselves fighting a war within their own hearts. Torn in two directions, unsure of where their feet belong You will find your way between the balance of night and day, moon and sun Between the shadows and the light is where you belong

Awarriorbornbutmonstermade, Changesfatesofsoulsenslaved. Twinsofsunandmoonwillrise, Whenonehaslivedathousandlives. Acircleofgoldshalljointwosouls, Andadebtpaidrightswrongsofold. Inaholymountaintheearthwillheal, Thenthedeadshalllive,andthecursewillkeel.

1000YEARSAGO

MyfamilyandImadecampinthewoodsclosetothebattlegrounds.ThelandsofAtbringerwouldbenourishedbyblood fordecadestocome Bloodspilledbymyhand Myteeth

Miles satbeside Fabianona logas theyspoke inlow murmurs, butIkeptawayfromthem, mybackto the circle we'd formedunderthewaningmoon

Claricemovedtomyside,takingmyhandinhers.“Wehadtokillthemortheywouldhavekilledus.”

“Every war is the same,” I said darkly. “Who is it we're fighting for? I don't see worthy creatures sitting here. I see monstersmadebyawrathfulgod.”

“We are your family,” she urged,squeezingmyfingers.“Ilove youandour brothers more thananything.We can'tletthe slayerswin”

“Maybetheyshouldwin,”Imuttered.“DidyouseewhatIbecametoday?”

Claricerestedherheadonmyshoulderandhergoldenlockscascadeddownmyarm,herclosenessbringingsomemeasure ofpeacetomysoul.Ihadgonesolongwithoutcontact,andhertouchwasabalmagainstmyskin,evenifthetwoofuswereas cold as ice. We were cleanat least after we'd washed the blood fromour bodies inanicyriver. We were immune to the freezingwater,andithauntedmethatIwouldneverfeelthewarmthofsummer,northebiteoffrostagain.

“You'reagoodman,Erik,”Claricepromised,andIreleasedadrylaugh.

“Good?Howcanyouthinkthat?IamavesselforAndvaritofillwithblood”

“Ifwe'rehispawns,perhapsit'snotourfault,”shemurmured,anoteofhopegildinghervoice.

“Manymenbeforeushaveblamedthegodsfortheirmisgivings Thatdoesnotmakethemright Westillhavefreewill”I toyedwiththebladeinmyhand.Onestrike,deepandtrue,wouldendmyplagueonthisworld.Buttheafterlifewouldbring me no peace. What I had done would leave a permanent stainonmyruinous soul and I would payfor it if I ever stepped beyonddeath Remaininghere inthis bodydidn'tseemlike a better alternative though AndatleastifIwas inthe depths of Náströndbeingpunishedformycrimes,Icouldnolongerkillinnocentpeople.

Clarice gripped the hiltofmyblade, prisingitfrommyfingers “Do notdo somethingfoolish Ilove you, brother You mustn’tgiveup.”

Anachegrewinmyheart “Icannotremainlikethis,Clarice Ithoughtperhapschangingtheslayerwarriorintooneofus wastheanswer.Buthereweare,stillinourcursedforms.Ithaschangednothing,andIhavecursedanothersoul.”

“Thatslayer mayhave destroyed the lastofthe clans bynow,” Fabiancalled. “Itcould have changed everything. Ifthe slayersarealldead,therewillbenoonelefttohuntorpersecuteus”

Ididn'tturntohim,growingirritatedbyhislackofguilt.

“Yourprioritiesareallwrong,Fabian,”Isnarled,gazingatthedirtbymyfeet

“Mypriorityiskeepingusalive.Theslayersweremadetokillus.Iftheyaregone,wearefree.” Irosesharply,turningtohim,andMilescaughtFabian'sarm,tryingtokeephimbackasafiercetensioncrackledbetween us

“And how longdo youthinkthe gods will keep things that way? Theycanmake slayers at their whim. If theywant us challenged,we will bechallenged”MyshoulderstensedasFabianbaredhisfangs “Thenwewillkillthemtoo,”Fabiangrowled,steppingcloser.

“Stopfighting,”Milesgroaned,givinguponholdingFabianback “Ijustwanttogohome” “Toyourbandoffuckingmindlessfollowers?”Ispatathim.“You'reallgivingintothecurse,everyoneofyou.”Irounded onClarice and she gave me a guiltylookas Ipointed ather. “Youdraw mento youlike moths to a flame, promisingthem eternity in your arms if only they can entertain you long enough And Miles, you offer out the curse like it's a gift to be bestoweduponthoseyoudeemworthy.Youareallbuildinganarmyofcreaturesjustlikeus,andforwhat?Foreveryoneofus youmake,anotherslayerwillbeborn Thegodswillnotletuswin Theydonotwantustoprevail” “Idisagree.” Fabianfolded his arms, his furyseemingto have dissipated a fraction. “Perhaps this is a giftmore thana curse Perhapstheydowantustoprosper”

“Youweretherewhentheykilledourfamilies!”Iroared,losingcontrolofmyemotions.“Youweptatyoursisters’deaths. Yousawwhattheydidtoourmothersandfathers.Thiswasnogift;itisourpunishmentfortheircrime.Anditiseternal.” Fabianstalkedaroundtheedgeofthesmall clearing,infuriatedbymytone “Perhapsthegodshavechangedtheir minds Perhapstheyaretakingpityonusnow.Wewonthatbattle.Theycouldhaveintervenediftheydidn'twantustosucceed.” IthoughtofAndvariandhowhe'dgivenmethestrengthtowin,urgingmeonwitheverydeathIclaimed Fabianwasright inonesense;Andvariwasn'tdonewithusyet.Butpity?Iwasn'tenoughofafooltobelievethat.

“Andvaridoesn'twantusdead,hewantsustormented,”Igrowled.

“Andvari?”Fabianhissed.“DoesthegreatAndvarispeaktoyou,brother,becausehehasneveronceansweredme.” Miles'sbrowsrose.“Doeshe?”heaskedmehopefully.

“Yes,”Isighed “Hehasspokentomemanytimes”

“And?”Clariceasked,takingmyhandagainandgivingmeadesperatelook.

“He'slying!”Fabianbellowed,liftingalogfromthegroundandthrowingitintothetrees Withatremendouscrash,another treewasuprootedbythecollisionandsmashedtotheforestfloor.

“Iamnotlying,”Isnarled,mymusclesflexing.

IfFabianwantedafight,I'dhappilygivehimone.IhadtoomuchenergytoexpendandI'drevelintakingitoutonhim. “Youwentinsane inthatcave.Itoldyounottogo.” Fabianroundedonme once more,his eyes narrowingsharply.“My brotherwentinthere,butamadmanhaswalkedout”

“You'rejustenviousbecauseAndvarichosehimandnotyou,”Milesbitathimthenturnedhisgazetome.“Ibelieveyou, Erik WhatdidAndvarisaytoyou?”

Ishookmyhead,pullingawayfromClarice'shold.“Justmoreriddlesandlaughter.Hewishestotauntus,that'sall.”

Silence reigned and Miles fell into a darkreverie, gazinginto the trees withtotal dejection. Fabianstalked around the camp,evidentlystillhankeringforafight,butifwewentthere,Iwouldonlyregretitintheend

Ipickedupmybladeandheadedintotheforest,needingtogetaway.ClaricecalledaftermebutIignoredher,movinginto theshadowswheremysoulbelonged

WhenI'dmovedfarenoughfromtheothers,usingmyenhancedspeedtoraceawayintotheheartoftheancientwoodland,I tookaseatbeneathabirchtreeandweighedthebladeinmypalm

Iwas no coward, butfacinganeternityinNáströnd still frightened me. I’d be tornapartbythe beasts thatlurked inthe underworld,feastingonmyfleshforalloftime.ItwasnolessthanIdeserved,anddeathwassoveryeasytoseize…

Irestedthetipofmyweaponagainstmychest,andmyheartgrewheavyasifitlongedforthepierceofthebladetoendits suffering.Onedeepstabanditwouldbedone.EitherIwouldbecomenothing,orthegodswouldstealawaymysoul,weighit intheirpalmsanddecidemyfateintheafterlife Consideringwhattheyhadofferedmeinlife,IhadnodoubtIwouldfacefar worseindeath.

Igazedupatthecanopy,glimpsingthecanvasofstarsabove “I'vetriedtorightyourwrongs,Mother Father SometimesI despise you. Butmostofall Iwishto forgive you. To putthe paininmyheartto restfor whatyouhave caused.” The starspangledskyseemedtowatchwithbatedbreath,whisperingaboutwhetherIwouldgothroughwithkillingmyself.

“I'mdone,”Iwhispered Tome ToAndvari Tomyfamily “Iwillnotbeabaneuponthisworldanylonger” Ipushedthebladehard,butnopaincame.SoItookthehiltinbothhandsanddroveitinward,thoughstillnocrackofribs followed Myskinwasirontomostmen,butthatshouldn'thavestopped me

Andvari'schucklinglaughterfilledtheair.“Iwouldneverletyoutakethispath,ErikLarsen.”

Igroundmyteeth,furysproutinginmychestandgrowingdeeproots.

“Letmedie,”Isnarled.

“Deathis easy,”Andvari purredfrombetweenthetrees.“Iwill seeyousuffer ineverywaythis worldhas togive.And

thenperhapsIwillletyoudieandtastethepainofthenetherworld-ifyoudonotbreakthecursefirst,thatis.”

“ThenIshallwalkintoacampofslayersandtheywillendmeinstead.”

Andvari'spresenceshiftedaroundme,andtheleavesstirredatmyfeet Icouldalmostsensehimkneelingbeforeme,thena warmhandrestedonmyknee.“Idisliketheslayers,Draugr.TheyareIdun’screation,madetothwartme.Iwillgiftyouwhat youneedtofightthem”

“ThenIamjustyour puppet,” Isaid, the words more for me thanhim. Iwas trapped here livingthis life until Andvari decidedotherwise Andthattruthtastedbitteronmytongue

Droppingthebladeintomylap,Irestedmyheadbackagainstthetree.“Whatdoyouwantfrommeandmyfamily?”

Andvariseemedtosigh.Icouldfeelitinthewaythetreesbowedtothewindandtheleavesswirledinthegust.“Itistime thevampiresrosetopower Tellyourbrothersandsistertosireasmanyhumansastheycan Buildanarmy,Erik Achallenge iscomingtoyoulikenoneyouhaveeverfacedbefore.Yourfamilycanonlybesavedifyourisetomeetit.”

Ifelthispresencewaningandlurchedforward,certainhewasabouttoleave “Theywillnotbelieveme Youmustspeak tothemyourself.”

Andvarilaughed “Iwillspeaktotheminsongsandpoemsandsonnets Iwillspeaktotheminthearcoftherisingsunand theshadowofthecrescentmoon.”

“Youmakenosense,”Igrowled.

“Imakeperfectsense ThemeaningisthatIamalwayshere Iamalwayswatching” “Thenspeakwiththem!”Ibarked.

Theairshudderedbeforemyeyesandasmallstreambubbledandsteamedjustafewfeetfromme Irose,movingtoward itatacautiouspace.ThewaterstilledandIgazedintoitasamanseemedtoswimupfromitsshallowdepths.Andvarirose fromthewaterlikeareflectionsteppingfrompolishedglass.Hewasinhisownform,justashe'dbeenthedayhe'dcursedus. Hiseyeswereasblackastarandhisskinnear-translucent.Hishairwasacoarsetangleofbrownlocksakintoweeds,andhis darkrobeswereperfectlydry,movingabouthimlikethelappingofawave.

“Leadtheway,”hewhisperedwithacruelsmile

Turningmybackonhimfeltdangerous,butIwasalreadysnaredinhisclaws.Hecouldendmeaseasilyashecouldsave me

I guided himback to my family, finding themall gathered on the fallen log with sullen expressions. Stepping aside, I allowed Andvari to move pastme, myskinpricklingwithtension. His feetwere bare and hardlytouched the ground as he movedtowardthem,andeventhegrassseemedtoturnhisway,enrapturedbyhispower. Mybrothersandsistershrankbeforehim,theirstrengthnothingincomparisontothisdeity. Whenhespoke,hiswordswerefluidandsoft “Satonbyaruler,polishedbyamaid WhatamI?”

ClariceglancedatMiles,andhetentativelyslidanarmaroundhershoulders.

“Athrone?”Fabianguessed,gettingtohisfeet,hiseyeswidewithawe Andvarilaughed,openinghisarms.“Yes.Anditistimeyoutakeit,friends.” Myhandscurledupintofistsasmyfamilyfellunderhisspell,noddingtheiragreement. “How?”Milesasked,hisgazeglitteringwithhope

“Thereisalandfarfromhere,notyetclaimedbykingsorqueens.Itistimeyougothere.Thenyoumustwaituntiltheday ofreckoningarrives Andwhenitdoes youmayseize power Butdonotsquander the time youhave Make your monsters Breatheimmortallifeintoeverydeservingsoulyoucanfind.”

“Isthattheanswertoyourprophecy?”Ihissed,steppingforwardsoAndvarihadtoacknowledgeme “Doyouthinkitis?”Andvari'spitchblackirisesdraggedoverme. Ishookmyhead,havingnoanswer.

“WhatisitItoldyouofthesunandmoon?”hewhispered,driftingcloser Iswallowedthe hardlumpgrowinginmythroat.Ididn'twanttovoice thatanswer.Ifearedhow mybrothers andsister wouldtakeit ButAndvari'ssmilingfaceturnedintoagrimace,andIknewIhadnochoice Idrewupthememoriesofmytime inthedarkcaveandrepeatedwhatI'dlearned.

“Wecanbirthchildrenwithhumans Twinsperhaps ”Iglancedupattheskyandthestarsdimmed,liketheydidnotdare toshinetoobrightinAndvari’spresence.

“Isthattheanswer?”Clariceaskedexcitedly,hereyesbrighterthantheyhadbeeninyears.

Andvarismiledaroundatusall “Youhavemuchtodo Beginwiththenearesttown Sireasmanyasyoucanandheadto thelastoftheslayerclans.FinishthebattlebeforeIduncancreateanotherarmy.Buyyourselvestimestorise.”

Hopereareditsheadinmychest

“They'restillalive?”FabianaskedandAndvarinodded.

Withthat,leavescoileduparoundthegod,swirlinginavortexuntil hewascompletelyconcealed.Whenthewinddied, theyfelllimponthegroundandAndvariwasgone.

Uncertaintyburnedthroughmeasmyfamilybeganspeakingexcitedly.IfearedwithallmyheartwhatAndvarihadsaid.He

hadtrickedmeonthebattlefield,andIwassurethiswasanotherofhisgames.Thelookinmyfamily'seyestoldmeI'dnever convincethemofthat.

Siringhumanswasadangerousthing Ididn'twanttobestowthiscurseonanyone,butperhapsIneededalliesbeyondmy familynow.Peoplewhocouldhelpusfigureoutthisriddle.Menandwomenwithknowledgeofthegods.Andatleastwhen thecursewasbroken,theywouldbefreeofittoo

TherewasonethingI'dneverdo,however.AndImadeasteelypromisetomyselfthatI'dneverbearachildwithahuman. IwouldnotbefooledbyAndvariagain,butfromthewaymybrothersandsisterwerespeakingexcitedly,Isensedtheywould notbesoeasilyswayedfromthispath.

Thestormcontinuedtopummelusaswefledfromthecathedral,leavingErikandtheotherroyalsfarbehindalongwiththe shatteredpiecesofmyheart.

Juliustookthelead,headingdownadarkenedalleyandhurriedlyliftingupacircularmanholecoveratthecentreofit MagnargrabbedCallie'sarm.“Yougofirst,”hecommandedasifhewasafraidshemightturnbackandsomethingabout hishardtonesetthehairsrisingalongmyarms.

IexpectedCallietobitebackathim,butshedidn’thesitate,quicklydescendingtheladderintothedark MypulsetickedfasterasIhalted,watchingasMagnarfollowedher,thenJuliusturnedtomeexpectantly.

Iglancedover myshoulder,gazingbackatthe rain-sweptstreet,shiveringas the coldcreptintomybones Mywedding dresswasheavy,soddenandfilthy,atrainofwhiteturningblackatmyfeet.Bloodtainteditspurecolourwitharedtingefrom thosevampireswhohadnotmetapermanentend

Thebitemarksonmyskinweresore,butthevenomhadbeenwashedoutbytherain,leavingatrailofsilvermarringmy flesh.Butnothingstungdeeperthanleavingmyprisonbehind,theshameofthatsomethingIcouldneverputwordsto.

Erikinvadedmymindandthecrossonmyleftpalmburnedwithanintensitythatbeggedmetogobacktohim Torunand neverstoprunninguntilIwasbackinhisarms.

“Comeon,”Juliusurged,movingtowardmewithathreatinhisstance

Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat,forcingmylegstomovemeinthedirectionofthedrain.Therewasnogoingback.

“Youbelongwithus,”Juliusmurmured,reachingouttosqueezemyhand,hisskinburninghotincomparisontomine Ididn'tanswer,unsureifthatwastrue.MyheartcravedErikinawaythatmademybodyache.ButI'dmademychoice. AndI'dchosenfamily.Iwouldalwayschoosefamily.

Withasharpbreath,Iloweredmyselfontotheladder withintheholeandJulius's hugeformcastashadow over meas I descendedintothethickdarkness.

AsIprisedmynumbfingersfromtherungs,Callie'sarmswrappedaroundme Ileanedintoherembrace,utterlyrelieved tobeproperlyreunitedatlast.Withmysister’sheartbeatingsolidlyintimewithmine,IknewI'dmadetherightdecision.She neededme,andIneededherjustasmuch.Weweren’tmeanttowalkinthisworldwithoutoneanother.

Theheavythunkofthemanholecoverslidingintoplacesounded,thenJulius'sbootsthumpedagainsttheladder. “Areyouokay?”Calliewhispered.

“Yes,”Ireplied,eventhoughitwasn'ttrue “Areyou?”

“No,”sheanswered,releasingme.

ThebrightlightonJulius'scellphonesuddenlyblindedmeandIliftedahandtoshieldmyeyes

Callie floated toward the ladder, anxious lines formingonher brow. Witha burstofenergy, she started climbingit, her movementsdesperateassheracedforthesurface.

“Whatthe fuckare youdoing?” Julius snatched her waist, rippingher offofitas she tried to claw his fingers fromher

dress.

“Callie,”Ireachedforher,anxietytearingthroughmychest.

“Ihavetogoback,”shegroaned,thenthumpedherforeheadwiththeheelofherpalm “No,shit Idon't Elder,helpme,” shepleaded,reachingforMagnarwithadesperatelookinhereyes.

“Youwillfollowus,”Magnarrepliedinthatforbiddingtoneagain,hiseyesasdarkasthetunnelsurroundingus CallieimmediatelyfellstillinJulius'sarms,noddingfirmly,andIfrowned,lookingbetweenthem.

“What’sgoingon?Whydidyoucallhimthat?”Iaskedmysister

“I’llexplaineverythingsoon,”Calliesaid,herexpressiontaut.“Wejustneedtogetoutofhere.”

Inodded,butmyownfeetstartedguidingmebacktotheladderandasIgazeddownatthecrossonmypalm,Iwassureit wasmybondtoErikdrivingmymovements Iforciblyshookoffthefeelingandre-joinedmysister,takingherhandandeyeing theXonherpalm.

“It'sthis Thisiswhat'stryingtodriveyoubacktoFabian,”Isaiddarkly

Thisstrangebondmusthavebeenthereasonshe'dthrownherselfinfrontoftheroyalbrothertosavehimfromdeathtoo. Hereyesshimmeredasshenodded “IsthishowErik'sbeencontrollingyou?”sheaskedinhorror AlumplodgedinmythroatandJuliusraisedaneyebrowatme,theirscrutinymakingmychesttighten. Ihesitated,notwantingtoliebutnotwantingtoadmitthetrutheither.Becausethetruthwasaterriblething. “It'smakingyouwanttogobacktohim,isn'tit?”Callieasked “Yeah...itis,”Iadmitted,stayingwithinthelinesofthetruth. But that's not the only thing making me want to go back. “Ihatethemevenmorenowforthis They'reinourheads,”Calliegrowledandrageglowedinhereyes Idropped mygaze, knowingIcouldn'tbe honestbecause itmightjustcostme everythingwithCallie. She despised the vampires,andshehadeveryrightto.Hell,Idespisedmostofthemtoo.Butnotallofthem.AndIwassurroundedbythelast peopleintheworldwhocouldeverbeswayedtoseeanygoodinthem.

Partofmewanteditalltohavebeensometwistedmanipulation,somespellErikhadcastonme,becausethenIknewI’d have a hope ofbeingfree ofitintime Buta deeper partofme didn’twantthatatall,because itmeantthatall those secret momentsErikandIhadshared,theoneswhichhadlitafireinmeandmademefeel thingsI’dneverthoughtpossible,were liesmadetoshatter

“Yeah,”Imuttered,hatingmyselfforkeepingthetruthfrommytwin,buthowcouldIexplaintoCalliethatthismarkonly solidified mylove for Erik? That I'd cared for himlongbefore the wedding, that I liked the wildness that came out inme aroundhim.

Calliesighed,seemingtotakecomfortinoursharedpredicament.“Oncewe’refarawayfromthem,we’llfigureouthow tobreakthesebonds Thenwe’llneverhavetothinkofthemagainuntilwe’redrivingabladeintotheirhearts”

Inoddedvaguely. I’m so fucked.

JuliusstrodeafterMagnardownthetunnelandIfollowedalongwithCallie,grapplingwiththeconflictinsideme “Howdidyougettothecity?”Iasked,wantingtodistractmyselffrommythoughts.Wehadsomuchtosaytoeachother, butIcouldn'tbringmyselftomentiondadjustyet.ThemomentIdid,myheartwasgoingtofractureandthepainwouldspill outuntilitwasallIcouldfeel

Calliestartedrecountingherstoryfromthemomentshe'dlefttheRealmtowhenshe'dtakenthetraintoNewYorkCityand poisonedthebloodsupply,enrapturingmewitheverypieceofthejourney

Whenshe told me abouttakingthe slayers' vow, myheartthundered violentlyinmychest. She was bound byMagnar’s commands Butworsethanthat,shehadsworntokilltheBelvederes TokillErik

WhenCallieaskedaboutmytimeinthecity,Itriedtokeepitbrief.Ididn'tmentionhalfofwhatIshouldhaveaboutmy timewiththeroyals.Ijustcouldn'tbeartoseeherexpressionwhenItoldherhow Ireallyfelt.ThatIdidn'twantthemdead likeIusedto Thatsomeofthemweren'tallbad ShewouldthinkIwasbrainwashed,orworse,loseherfaithinmeentirely AndshewasallIhad.Icouldn’trisklosingheraftereverythingwe’dbeenthroughtoreunite.

Wewalkedonuntil thesubjectofDadhungtooheavilybetweenus toavoid ItookCallie's handandarippleofenergy flowedbetweenus.

“Youwerewithhim whenhedied,”Iwhispered,painlacingmytone Ididn'tneedtomentionwhoIwastalkingabout Sheknew.

“Yes,”shesaidonaraggedbreath.“AndIknowitsoundsinsane,butlikeIsaid,IcanDreamWalk.Ididitwithhimjust before ”

Inodded,myeyespricklingasIwaitedforhertocontinue.

“IsawMomtoo Theylookedhappy Ithinkmaybeitwasrealinsomeway Ithinkthey'reouttheresomewhere,together” Asolidlumpformedinmythroat,butItookaninchofcomfortfromherwords.PerhapsMomandDadweretogetherinan afterlife,waitingforustojointhemsomeday.“Ireallyhopeso.”

JuliusledustotheruinsandIwasrelievedtoleavethedanktunnelsbehindasweresurfacedaboveground.Itwasthethickof night,themoonpeeringthroughthecloudsabovelikeawatchfulcreaturelurkinginthesky.

Wecameupnearacrumbledoldplaygroundwhereachild'sswingwasmovingbackandforthinthebreeze Ishudderedat theeeriesight,followingJulius'sbroadformashedrewMenacefromitssheath.

“Everyone use your blades to feel for Familiars,” he commanded as Magnar released one ofthe large swords fromhis back.

Iraised Nightmare, tryingto do as he said and Callie eyed it withlonging The blade remained quiet, and Ihoped that meantweweresafe.

“Here.”MagnarturnedtoCallie,passingherhisotherglitteringsword.He'dtakenitbackaftertheirconflictoverFabian, andI’dwonderedifhedidn'ttrustherafterwhatshe'ddone

“Stayclose,”hemurmuredtoher,apitoflonginginhisgaze.Iglancedbetweenthetwoofthem,sensingsomethingmuch stronger betweenthemthanjust friendship Their eyes were constantlydrawnto one another, gazes lingeringtoo long, and unspokenwordsthickeningtheairinthespacethatpartedthem.

AsMagnarwalkedonwithJulius,IraisedaneyebrowatCallie

Sherolledhereyes,knowingexactlywhatIwassuggesting.We'dalwaysbeenabletocommunicatethroughlooksalone. Clearlyshe andMagnar were a thing.Andthatmade her situationa whole lotworse dependingonhow importantthatthing wastoher ShewastiedtoFabian;avampirewhoIhadnotrustforwhatsoever Anyonewouldhavebeenbetterthanhim

Raindropsspeckledmycheeksaswewalked,buttheragingstormhaddieddownenoughthatitdidn'tobscureour view anymore

Julius wavedus intoanalleybetweentwocrumblingrows ofbuildings andwehadtojogtokeepupwithhis ferocious pace.

Hedidn'tslowforafewhours,andIwassurewe'dlong-sincepassedouroldhideoutatthebelltower.

Whenhefinallydroppedhisspeedalittle,Ihurrieduptohim,runningmythumbover Nightmare'shilt.Iwonderedhow longwe’dbesafefor Erikmayhaveletmego,butsurelytheotherroyalswouldsendFamiliarsafterussoon “Wherearewegoing?”Iasked.

“Asfaraspossible,”Juliussaid “I'mnottakinganychances Therainwillkeepourscentdampened,sowe'lluseittoour advantagewhilewecan.”

MagnarglancedbackatCallieandIfollowedhisgaze.Shelookedsosmallallofasudden,likesomethinghadbrokenthe strengthwhichI'dseeninherjusthoursago.Shehuggedherarmsaroundherself,hergoldenhairdulledbytherainandsome ofthecoal-blackmakeuparoundhereyessmudgeddownhercheeks.

Ourdressesweresoddenanditwastakingeverythingwehadtokeepthecoldout Walkingatthispacewastheonlything stoppingmefromsuccumbingtoit.Iwonderedifshefeltthesamebecauseshedidn’tseemtobeshiveringasbadlyasIwas.

IturnedtojoinherbutMagnarbeatmetoit,droppinghisvoiceashespoketoher HereyeswarmedasshelookedupathimandIleftthemtoit,sensingtheywantedamomentalone.Thoughperhapsithurt justalittlethatshehadlookedtohiminsteadofme.

Juliusthrewmeadarksmile “So,thatmarkonyourpalmmustbecausingyoualotoftrouble” Iscowledathisjibing.“Yep.”

“IwillcutoutErikBelvedere'sheartsoyoucanberidofthiscruelbondthen”Julius'seyesglitteredwithmirth Ifrowneddarklyandwhispered,“Don'tsayanythingtoCallie.”

“Onyourheadbeit,”hemurmuredthenpickeduphispaceagain “Idonotwanttobearoundwhenthetruthcomesout” Ihurriedtokeeppace.“Itwon't.”

“Sure,”hesaidairily,haltingatanintersectionbeforetakingaleftturn. IgrittedmyteethasNightmarepouredheatintomyveins “Don’tbeanasshole”

“Don’tgoaskingtheimpossibleofme,”hewarnedandIblewoutabreathofamusement.

“SeriouslyJulius WhatIsaidtoyouaboutthevampires,let’skeepitbetweenusokay?”

“I’mnotone to stir the pot. And I’mdefinitelynotone to stir thatparticular pot. Your sister won’tforgive youfor your newfoundsympathywiththebloodsuckers,asIwouldnotforgiveMagnar ButIamstillbankingonmeun-brainwashingyou beforeitevencomesclosetocomingoutanyway.Sodon’tworry,damsel,I’llsaveyouonceagain.”

“I’mnotbrainwashed,Julius.Trustme,IwishIwas,”Isaidheavily.

“A brainwashed person wouldn’t know they were brainwashed,” he pointed out and I scowled up at him “Fine,” he conceded.“SayIbelieveyou,thenyoureallyareindeepershitthanIthought.”

“Thanksforthepeptalk,”Imuttered He frowned, his armbrushingmine as he moved closer, and the heatradiatingfromhis skinmade me wantto wrap the wholethingaroundmelikeadamnscarf.“Iwillprotectyouinanywayyouneedprotecting.It’swhatwedoforourkind.” “Idon’tneedprotecting,”Iinsisted.

“Iknow youcanlookafter yourself, IsimplymeanIwill also watchover you. Ihave your back– so longas youdon’t

betrayuslikeaskeevylittlestormwitch.”

Ismiledatthatassessment.“I’mfullyanti-stormwitchandwillgladlyhelpyouturnhertodust.”

“Good”Heshotmeagrin

Isighed,glancingbackattheotherstomakesuretheystillweren'tlistening.“Weneedtotalkabouttheprophecy-” He held up a hand to haltme thenwaved his armina sharp signal to Magnar Takingmywrist, he dragged me into the nearestdilapidatedbuilding.

“Don'tyoulistentoyourblade?”JuliushissedasMagnarandCalliespedintotheruinedbuildingoppositeus IglanceddownatNightmare,realisingitwashummingfranticallyagainstmypalm.

Juliuspressedhisfingertohislips,forcingmeagainstadampwall.Therushoflargewingssoundedoverhead,followed byasoftcry,settingmyheartpounding

Familiar, Nightmarewhispered.

Juliustookhisbowfromhisshoulder,edgingbeneathaholeinthehalf-collapsedceiling Heplacedanarrowagainstthe string,gazingupatitintentlyandreleasingameasuredbreath.Heletthearrowfly,thedeadlyweaponshootingskywardata ferociousspeedandIcaughtsightoftheeaglejustbeforeitburstintodust

IletoutabreathasNightmarefellquietagain,andJuliusgavemeanintenselook.“WhenNightmareconnectswithyou,it istryingtotellyousomething.Payattention.”

Ibitintomylip,feelingberated “Okay,”Imuttered Myshoulders started shudderingfromthe cold. Since we’d stopped moving, the tinypiece ofwarmthI'd held onto from walkinghadabandonedme

Juliusstrodetowardmewithafrown,shruggingoutofhisdarkjacketandhandingittome.“Takeit,noquestions.Idon’t feelthecoldlikeyoudo.”

Ipulleditonandtheheatedsleeveswereablessingagainstmyfrozenskin.“That'sthesecondtimeyou'vegivenmeyour clothes,”Isaid,recallingthecloakhe’dgivenmeonce.

Hismouthpulledupatthecorner “Yes,ifIcontinuetodoso,perhapsyou'llhavemenakedoneday” “Julius,”Magnargrowledasheduckedhisheadthroughthedoorway.“Stopflirtingandstartwalking.”

IshotJuliusatauntingsmileatbeingtoldoffbeforesteppingoutontothequietstreet Callieeyedmyjacketwithaglimmer ofinterestandmygazefelltoherbareshoulders.Nogoosebumpslinedherskin.Ithitmethatshewasaslayernow andthe coldobviouslydidn'tbotherherinthewayitdidme.

As Iwalked amongthe group, Ifelt suddenlyadrift, like Ino longer reallyfit in. Theywere united bytheir vow, their blood,theircause.AndIheldasecretinmyheartwhichwentagainstallofthat.OnewhichIwouldmore-than-likelyhaveto taketothegrave AssumingJuliusdidn'tspillitfirst

ThreemorehourspassedandIcouldsensedawnwasclosebythepalingofthesky MyfeetachedasJuliusfinallyguidedus towardatallbuildingwithabalconyjuttingfromthesideofit.Onehalfofthestructurehadfallendown,buttherestseemed fairlyintact,anditwouldcertainlygiveussomeshelter

“We'llstophere.It'sthehighestbuildingaround,sowe'llbeabletokeepalookout,”Juliusannounced.

My hair was plastered to my cheeks, and I was exhausted right through to my bones. None of the others looked as bedraggledas Ifelt,andIguessedthatwas another slayer gift.Iwas sotired,Ialmostwantedtotakemyvow justsothatI couldfeelalittlelesslikethewalkingdead.

WemovedinsideandItookinthefrostybutfairlydryspacebeforeus Acoldwinddrilledthroughaholeinonewalland Juliusmovedpastit,headingupastonestairway.

Wefollowed,risingfourlevelsandfindingourselvesinamuchmoreappealingroomwithfloorboardsandevensomeold furnituredottedaroundthespace.Magnarstrodetotheoppositewall,pushingadooropenandrevealingthebalconybeyondit. “Good.Thiswilldo.Twoofuscankeepwatchandtwoofuscanfetchsupplies.”

Ididn'tliketheideaofremaininghereinthecold.ThesoonerIfoundsomedryclothes,thebetter.Juliusseemedtobeon thesamelineofthoughtashescrutinisedme.“MeandMontanawill go.Sheneedstogetoutofthoseclothes.AndI’mvery experiencedinhelpingwomenoutoftheirattire”

“HoweverwouldIcopewithoutyou,Julius?”Iaskeddryly.

“Youwouldn’t,damsel”Hesmirked

“I’mprettysureyoupromisedtostopcallingmethat,”Iaccused.

“PrettysureIdon’trecallthat.”Heshruggedandtheassholewonasmileoutofme.Damnhim.

Magnar pursed his lips, lookingto Callie who had stepped out onto the balcony, not seemingbothered bythe gust that whippedherdressaroundherlegs.Henoddedtous,grabbingawoodenchairandbreakingitashestartedtobuildafire.His expressionwasachinglysad,andIwonderedifthisburdenonCallieweighedheavilyonhimtoo

“I’llbebacksoon,”Icalledtoher.“I’llbringyousomewarmclothes.” Shedidn'tseemtohear,losttoher ownthoughtsasshestaredoutacrosstheruins.Myheartbrokefor her asIfollowed Julius back into the stairway, fearing how deeply this bond with Fabian was affecting her It felt like things had changed betweenusinwaysIcouldn’tevenfathomtoo.We’dbothgoneonourownjourneysandnow wewerestandingonopposite sidesofariftthatIdidn’tknowhowtocross ButIwasdeterminedtofindawaytodoso We'll be alright, Callie. We'll figure out a way to fix everything. Then it will be us against the world again.

Theremainsofthecrumbling,concretebalconyjuttedoutbeforeme ItsleftsidehadbeenblastedawayintheFinalWar,but therightsideremainedintact,thoughtherailingthathadonceringedithadbrokenawayalmostentirely.

Therainhadfinallystopped,andacoolbreezeblewinwiththedawn Thesunwasjustabouttoriseandthoughithadn’t crestedthehorizonyet,theskywasbeginningtolightentoapaleblueinthedistance.Abovemyhead,Icouldstillseethelast stars glimmering. Iwondered ifValentina planned onlettingthe sunshine over the citytodayor ifshe’d draw inthe clouds againonceitcameup

Themere thoughtofher senta spike offurious anger throughme.She’dbetrayedher people,soldme outtoFabian,and now itseemedas thoughshe’dbetrayedtheroyals too Whatwas sheplanning?Whatwas her motivation?Surelyitwas all drivinghertowardssomething,butforthelifeofme,Icouldn’tfigureoutwhat.

Inthedistance,beyondthesprawlingruins,Icouldjustmakeouttheriverwhichledontothesea Mylipspartedasyet anotherofmydad’sstoriesfinallycametolifebeforemyeyes.Iwishedhecouldseemenow,lookingoutatthewaterhe’d always promised to show me. Ihoped thatwherever he was, he knew thatI’d finallybegunto see the world, justlike he’d wantedmeto ThoughIdoubtedthistangledmessIfoundmyselfinwasthedreamhe’dhadinmind

Iloweredmyselftositonthecoldfloorandhungmylegsbetweenthelastoftherustedrailings,lookingdownatthedrop belowmyhighheels Myrightshoewascoveredinbloodandmud,thewhitelaceruinedbeyondallchanceofrecovery But strangely,myleftshoewasstillfairlyclean.Afewspotsofbloodstoodoutacrossthetoe,butthatwasit.Itremindedmeof oneofDad’sstoriesaboutthegirlwho’dlosthershoeandfoundaprince

Ihadaroyallookingformetoo,promisingmetheworldandhappilyeverafter.Literally.Seeingasheplannedonkilling meandbringingmebackfromthedeadsoIcouldstaybyhissidefortherestoftime.Inreality,itwaslessofafairytaleand moreofanightmare

ItouchedthecrownwhichstillsatuponmyheadandwonderedifCinderellahadeverfeltthatitsweightwastoomuch.I pulleditoffandtwisteditbetweenmyfingers,frowningatthediamondswhichshonedimlyinthelight Whatastrangethingto giveme.I’dbeennothingmorethanabugbeneaththeirshoemywholelife,butnow theywantedtopretendIwassomething special.Placeacrownonmyheadandcallmeaprincessjusttodisguisetheuglinessoftheirtrueintentions.

Idroppedthecrownbesideme,turningawayfromitsoIdidn’thavetokeepthinkingaboutit.

Leaningforward,Igazeddownatthedropbelowmyfeet.WewerefourfloorsupbutIwasn’tafraid;mygiftswouldallow metosurvivethatfall Itwasstrangetothinkthatmakingasinglepromisehadgrantedmesuchpower I’dgonefromahelpless girl,destinedtolivemylifeunderthevampires’rule,toawarriorcapableofendingthem.Ifonlyitreallyweresosimple.

The breeze swept around me again, pulling at my hair and raising goosebumps along my bare arms Despite my gifts helpingmeresistthecold,thesoddendressandlowtemperaturewerebeginningtotaketheirtollonmeandIshiveredalittle. ThedresswasruinedbutIhadnothingtoreplaceit.Itwastornandfilthy.Abeautifulthingdestroyed.

Iheldmylefthandinfrontofmeandtracedthestaronthebackofitwithmyfingertips.Onehalfofmysoulwasboundto

Magnar.Iturnedmyhandoverandtracedthecrossonmypalm.TheotherhalfwasboundtoFabian.Sowheredidthatleave me?

Stuck between two mortal enemies while waiting for them to destroy me

I was tied to so many rules and commands that I could barely count themanymore. This formof freedomwasn’t very liberatingandIwasstartingtothinkthatmyescapefromtheRealmhadonlylockedmeinadifferentkindofcage Werewe destinedtodancetothetuneofthegodsforever?Wereoursoulsourstoown,orourlivesourstolive?

IwasunabletobewiththemanIknewIwantedinthedepthsofmysoul,unabletosomuchasspeakhisnamealoud And evenifwecouldhavebeentogether,hecouldcontrolmewithasinglecommand.Iwaspowerlesswithhim.Evertheunderdog inagamewhichshouldhavebeenplayedfromequalpositions.

MythoughtsdriftedtoFabianandasurgeoflongingracedthroughmewhichIknewwasn’ttrulymyown Butthatdidn’t stoptheacheIfelt,thedesirewhichstirredmyblood,thememoryofhismouthagainstmine.IgrittedmyteethasIrejectedit.I hatedhisdarkeyeswhichweresodeepthatIcouldgetlostinthem rightbeforeIcutthemoutofhisface Thethoughtofhis stupid,perfectsmilemademeacheforFurywithadesperateneed.IhadnoideawheremybladewasnowandImisseditlike alostlimb,certainitwouldhavehelpedremindmeofmyownmind Withoutit,IwascaughtbetweenwantingtokissFabian andkillhimwhileunsureifIreallywantedeither.

ThiswasallIdun’sfault.WhathadIdonetodeservesuchacursefromher?

Malicious bitch

Iftherewasawaytokillagoddess,thenI’dbesorelytemptedtofindouthow.

Iwantedtoscreammyrageattheruinsbeforeme,butaswewereontherunandtryingtoevadethenoticeoftheFamiliars thathuntedus,Iguessedthatwasn’tthebestidea.Isettledforgrabbingalumpofbrokenmasonryfromthewallbesidemeand hurlingitoutintotheruinsinstead.Ithrewitwithallmystrengthandwatchedasitsoaredawayfromme,muchfurtherthanI wouldhavebeenabletosenditbeforetakingmyvow.ItclatteredintotherubbleandIreachedforanother,launchingitafter thefirsttoseeifitwouldgoanyfurther.

ThethirdbrickIgrabbedhadasharpedgewhichjabbedintomyfinger IhissedinpainasbloodbloomedandIdroppedit besideme,quicklysuckingonmyfinger,scowlingatthejaggedrockbeforewonderingifitcouldbeexactlywhatIneeded.

IpickeditupagainandhelditabovemyleftpalmasIglaredatthecrosswhichboundmetoFabian IfIcouldn’tfightoff thedesiretobewithhimwhileitmarkedmyflesh,thenmaybeIcouldcutitcleanoutofmeinstead.

ItookadeepbreathasItouchedthesharpedgetomyskinandpsychedmyselfupforwhatIwasabouttodo.Itwasgoing tohurtlikehell,butifIwaslucky,it’dpayoff.

I can’t do it. I can’t do it. Maybe I should just go back and find Fabian? If I hurry I could be kissing him within a matter of - just fucking do it!

Ipressed downand painflared throughmypalmjustas a hand landed over mine, draggingthe brickoutofmygrasp. I blinkedupatMagnarinsurpriseashesatbesideme,turningthepieceofjaggedmasonryoverinhishands

“Thatwon’twork,”hesaidquietly,hisdarkpresencesettlingaroundmelikeawaveofshadowshadfollowedhimtomy side.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, that could make this better but I was at a loss for words I knew the sacrificeshe’dmadetoendtheBelvederesandI’dthrownmyselfinthewayofhimfulfillingthatdestiny,ruiningthechance he’dbeenwaitingonforathousandyears Howcouldheevenlookatmeafterthat?Howcouldhebeartositdownbesideme afterI’dsabotagedhisshotatvengeanceafterhe’dgivensomuchinpursuitofit?

The inchof space betweenus was like anuncrossable abyss It was filled withpain, and loss, and so manyunspoken wordsthatIhadnoideahowtobridgeit.

“I’msorry,”IbreathedbecauseitwastheonlythingIcouldsaythatwasentirelythetruth.ItwastheonethingIcouldstand behindandknowIwasfeelingformyselfwithoutanyinputfromdeities,orvowsorcurses

“For whichpartofit?” Magnar rotated his armbackand launched the rockoutinto the ruins. Itlanded so muchfurther awaythanminehadthatIcouldbarelyevenheartheclatterasithittheground

Ichancedalookatthestrongslopeofhisbrowandthebreath-takingruggednessofhisfeatures,nowcastinevenharsher linesthanbefore,liketheworldjustkeptheapingweightuponhisshouldersanditwasallhecoulddotocarrythatburden

“Allofit.Everythingthat’shappenedsincemydaddied.Probablymostofwhathappenedbeforethentoo.Ican’thelpbut feellikeallI’vedonesincewemetismakeyourlifemoredifficult,”Isaid,myguttwistingwiththosewordsasIthoughtover allhe’dlostandhowmuchofitcamebacktome

“That’snottrue,”hereplied,hisvoicelacedwithgritwhichchafedagainstmysoul.

Ididn’tbothertocontradicthim,butIdidn’tknowwhatelsehewantedmetosay Icrossedmyankles,lookingdownatthe dropagainasIreleasedaheavybreath.

“Ineed to understand whattheydid to you.” Magnar reached over and tookmyhand, turningitso he could inspect the silvercrossonmyskin.Myheartstutteredatthefeelofhisroughpalmagainstmine,thememoryofthosehandsandwhatthey werecapableofsilencinganyprotestImighthavehad.Therewasnocaressinhistouchashetiltedmywristtoseethemark

moreclearly,soIdunallowedit,butthefeelingofhishandonminestillsentshiversracingacrossmyskin,theacheoflonging sinkingdeepinsidemychestwhereIwrappedituptightandrefusedtoletitgo.

“I’veneverseenthisbefore,”hemurmured,hisholdtight,theangerhefeltclearineverypieceofhismuscularbody “Itoldyou;itwasIdun.Sheboundmetoyourenemybecauseshe’scruel anditamusedhertodoit.Sheknew youwere there,sheknewwhatwe whatwemighthave ”Iswallowedthicklyandforcedmyselftogoonbecausewehadn’tvoiced whatwemighthavebeenbecomingtooneanotherandthisdidn’tfeellikethemomenttotryanddefineit.“Shemademelook rightatyoubeforeI ”ThememoryofFabian’slipsagainstminemademeshudder indisgustandachewithdesireinequal measures.Itwasn’tfair.Whyplantthosefeelingsintome?Itwaslikeshewantedmetogotohimnow,toabandonMagnarand takeupwiththosehehunted.Itdidn’tmakeanysense.I’dsworntohelpher endthevampires andMagnar was her devoted warrior,sowhydothistome?Tous?

“SoshelaidclaimtoyourbodyinthesamewaysheheldmewhenValentinabetrayedus?”heaskedandIcouldhearthe reliefinhistoneashemadethatassessment

Inodded,wantingtoleaveitatthat.Topretendthatshe’dtakenmylimbshostageandusedthemwithoutmypermission. Butitwassomuchworsethanthatandhedeservedtoknow

“Atfirst,thatwasallitwas.Butonceweweremarried,oncethismarkappeared,itwaslikeI...”Mybraverystutteredout andIbitmylip,afraidtotellhimthewholetruth,afraidtoadmitthewholetruthtomyselftoo.

“Likeyouwhat?”heprompted,hiseyesliftingfrommyhandtomyface,hisexpressionguardedlikehecouldalreadytellit wasworsethanhewantedtobelieve.

Itookadeepbreath,forcingmyselftotellhimthewholetruth OratleastasmuchofitasIunderstood

“LikeIwant tobewithhim.Tobeinhisarmsandgiveeverypartofmyselftohim.Iwanttofeelhismouthonmine,Iwant himtopinmedownand-”Islappedahandovermymouthtostopthefoulwordsfrompouringout.“Shit,”Icursed,recoiling fromthose words, and tighteningmyhold onhis hand. Icould see himwithdrawing, see the walls goingup withinhis dark gaze.

“ButIknow thatIdon’treally,” Iadded quicklyas Ifeltthe tensionbuildinginMagnar’s posture Idropped myeyes I couldn’tbeartolookathimandseewhatmyconfessionwasdoingtohim.“All Itrulywantistohunthimdownandcuthis fuckingheartout Iwanthimtoburnforalltheterriblethingshe’sdone butwhenIsawyoustandingoverhim,abouttofinish him...”Ishookmyhead,unabletorationalisewhatI’ddone.

“Ishouldhavekilledhim.Perhapshisdeathistheonlywayyou’llbefreeofhim,”Magnarspat.

“Maybe,” I agreed, althoughthe idea of a world without Fabianinit still filled me withdread. “But inthat moment, I feared for his life like itwas worthmore thanmyown. Ifeltcertainthathis deathwould breaksomethinginme whichI’d nevergetback”

ThesilencestretchedbetweenusandIfinallydaredtoturnandlookathimagain.

Hisbrowwasfurrowedwithconcernandheseemedlostinthoughtashegazedoutovertheruins Asthesuncontinuedto rise,therichbronzecolourofhisskinappearedtodrinkinthelight,likehewasbornofitandmadeforitalone.Thesightof himlikethatmademyheartratefinallysettle.

Withhimclosetome,Ididn’tfeellikeIwassecondguessingmyselfanymore Fabianpaledintoinsignificance This was real. He wasreal.

ButterfliesdancedinmystomachasIcontinuedtostareathimandhisgazeslowlyslidtomeetmine Aninfernoragedin hisgoldeneyes,blazinghungrilyashedrankmeinjustasIdidhim.

“Anddidyoumeanwhatyousaidtomebeforeweleft?”heaskedcarefully,likehewasn’treallysureifhewantedtohear myresponse.

“Yes,” Ibreathed. The answer was easyas Ilooked into his eyes and the fractured parts ofmysoul knitted themselves togetherjustforthechancetobewithhim

Thewindblusteredaroundusandmyhairsweptacrossmyface.Magnarcaughtitandpusheditbehindmyear,hishand cuppingmycheek Ileanedintohistouch,wishingIcoulddomoreasIfeltIdun’swillurgingmetomoveaway

IfoughtagainstherasIlookedintohiseyesandhisthumbbrushedacrossmylips.Myskinburnedbeneathhistouchand desirebuiltinme,sweepingfromthepitofmystomachrightdowntothetipsofmytoes IwantedhimunlikeI’deverwanted anything. He was the mostdesperate desire ofmyheartand the greatestlongingofmyflesh, butitwas as thoughthe whole worldwasworkingagainstus.

His armgrew tense as Idunpushed againsthimtoo and his hand slid frommyface as he was forced to pull away His fingertipsskimmedapatterndownmyneckandmythroatbobbedasIfoughttostaystill.Hemanagedtotracealineovermy collarbone,finallytouchingtheskinabovemypoundingheartforhalfasecondbeforehedroppedhishand

“You’reeverythingI’veeverwanted,Callie,”hesaid,hisvoiceroughwithlonging.“I’lldowhateverittakestofreeyou ofthiscurseandthenI’mgoingtoclaimyouformyown.Novampirebastardwilltakeyoufrommeandnogoddesswillstand inthewayofthat.”

Iopenedmylefthandinmylapandfrownedatthe silver markonmyskin.Ihatedit.Itfeltlike the touchofa monster,

branded onto me like Iwas his belonging. Itkilled me thatMontana had the same bind to ErikBelvedere. Thatshe was as trapped by himas I was by Fabian. What right did those monsters have to try and claimus for their own? Like we were possessionsinsteadofpeople Asifourownwantsandfeelingswereirrelevant

My hate for the vampires burned hot in my blood. What was it with immortal beings believing themselves to be so superior?Ourlivesmayhavebeenshorterbuttheyheldsomuchmoremeaningbecauseofthat Eachbreathcouldbeourlast Eachmomentcouldchangeourfates.AndI’dbedamnedifIwasgoingtoletthemtakewhatlittletimeIhadonthisEarthand mouldittotheirdesires Mylifewouldbemyownagain,nomatterwhatIhadtosacrificetoclaimit

Magnarranhisfingeroverthecrossonmypalmanditburnedangrilyinresponse.Isnatchedmyhandaway,formingafist aspainflaredinmyblood.IsqueezedsotightlythatIcouldfeelmynailscuttingintomyskinandatrickleofblooddripped ontothewhitedress

“Ijustdon’tunderstandwhyIdunwantstofuckwithuslikethis,”Imuttered.“Whyshe’sdoingthistous...we’vedevoted ourlivestohercause Whywouldshebesocrueltothosewhoaretryingtohelpher?”

“IhavebeenaskingthatquestioneversinceshetiedmetoValentina.Idon’tunderstandwhyshechoosestopunishhermost loyal followers She claims to be testing my devotion, but I have never wavered frommy path Allowing me some small measureofhappinesswouldnotmeanthatI’dabandonmyhuntfortheBelvederes.Ifshecanseeintomysoulassheclaimsto, thenshewouldknowthatthatisthetruth.SoIhavenoanswerforyou.”

IturnedoverhisresponseinmymindasIlookedbacktowardsthehorizonandthesunspilledovertheedgeoftheriverin thedistance.Iwatcheditforseveralachinglybeautifulmomentsbeforethecloudsbegantobuildintheskyanditwashidden fromview

Valentina.IgroundmyjawasIthoughtofthatbitchandallshe’ddone.

She’dgonebeyondturningherbackontheslayersandbecomingtheirmortal enemy;shewasleadingtheBiters.Atleast the Belvederes were making some attemptto protecthumans fromtheir kind. The Realms mighthave stolenour freedomso theycouldtakeourblood,butatleastourliveswerefairlysafeunderthatsystem.IfValentinaandherfollowersgottheirway, humanswouldbehunted Preytomonsterswhofaroutmatchedthem

“WouldyouhatemeifIkilledyourfiancée?”Iasked,givingMagnarhalfasmile. Helaughedasheleanedback,restinghisweightontohiselbows “Areyoujealous,Callie?” Iscoffed.“Ofthatbitch?ThoughIguesssheisverybeautiful,ifyou’reintothatkindofthing.”

“She’savampire,”hereplied,hisfeatureswrittenwithdisgustandIcouldn’thelpbutsmirkatthat.

“Shewasbeautifulbeforeshewasavampire,”Ireplied,rememberingthegirlhe’dshownmeinhisdreamandwondering ifthere had ever beena pointwhenhe’d desired his unionwithher atall. Had theybeentogether? Should their storyhave endedathousandyearsagowithadozenslayerbabiesandahappilyeverafter?

“Shepales toinsignificancebesideyou.Andinanycase,Imanagedtoavoidmarryingmybetrothedfor over athousand years,”hereplied “Youmarriedyourswithintheday PerhapsIhavemorereasonforconcernthanyoudo”

Isnorted withamusement. “Ihad no choice aboutthat. And Idid tryto fightituntil Idunforced myhand. Istabbed him prettygood–fuckeduphiswholefaceandruinedhiseye.ThoughI’lladmitmyattempttostranglehimwasapoorchoice.”

Magnarreleasedalowgroan “Youattemptedtostrangleacreaturewhoiswithoutneedtodrawbreath?”

“WellIhadveryfewweaponsavailabletomesoitseemedlikeadecentenoughplanatthetime.Sufficetosay,itdidn’t work”

“Andyetaftertryingsohardtodosoyourself,youwouldn’tlet me killyourhusband.”Thewayhesaidthefinalwordsent ashiveroffearalongmyspine Iglanceddownatmyhandandpulledtheweddingringfrommyfinger,glaringatitasItriedto denythepartofmethatwishedtokeepiton.

“No,”Iagreed.Iwasn’treallysurewhatelseIcouldsaytothat.Ididn’tunderstanditmyself,sohowcouldIexpecthim to?

“Did he hurt youwhile he held you?” Magnar asked, his voice droppingto a low growl whichreminded me just how deadlyhecouldbewhenhewantedtobe

“No,”Irepliedonabreath.“Iprobablydidmoreharmtothem;theywerejusttryingtoconvincemetogoalongwiththe wedding Theyseemed to reallybelieve itcould have helped thembreaktheir curse And Ican’thelp butwonder ifthey wererightaboutit,shouldn’tIbewillingtomakethatsacrifice?Forthegoodofallthehumans?”Iaskedbitterly.

Thatquestionhadbeengnawingatmeeventhougheverypartofmybeingrebelledagainstthethoughtofit.Ihatedtheidea rightdownto the marrow ofmybones, butwouldn’ta better personagree to it? Wouldn’ta better persondo anythingthey couldtoendthisandsavetherestofmykind?

Iheldtheweddingringoutinfrontofme,intendingtodropitintotheruinsbutIcouldn’tforcemyselftoreleaseit,Idun’s twistedmagickeepingitlockedbetweenmyfingers.

“I cannot believe the answer to the curse lies in whoring yourself out to a monster and carrying his demon children,” Magnargrowled.

IturnedtolookathimagainasIreturnedtheringtomyfinger.

“Fabianisn’tamonster,”IsnappedbeforeIcouldslammymouthshut.

Magnar’sgazedroppedtomyweddingringandsomethingdarkandterrifyingflaredinhiseyes.Hepushedhimselftohis feetandstrodeawayfrommewithoutanotherword

“Elder?”Icalled,mythroatthickeningasthatdamntitleleftmylipsinsteadofhisname.Ishovedmyselftomyfeetand tookastepafterhim,needinghimtohelpmewiththis,hatingthatIcouldn’tsimplyswitchoffthislinktoFabianandbedone withit.

“Don’tfollowme,”Magnargrowledwithoutturningbackandhiscommandhitmelikeapunchtothegut,myfeetstumbling toahaltagainstmywishes.

Itriedtofightagainstthecommandandmanagedtotakethreestepsafterhim,myfeetfeelingliketheywereweigheddown withleadwhileIcursedhimoutforusingthatbullshitpoweragainstmeagain Iattemptedtoliftmyfootforthefourthtimebut itwasimpossible.

Mylungs feltlike theymightburstfromthe pressure ofthe force whichworked againstme Istaggered backand a sob escapedmylipsasIdroppeddowntotheflooroncemore.

TearsfellfrommyeyesandIhuggedmykneestomychestasthecoldwindwhippedaroundme Ishiveredasitbattered againstme,easilypushingthroughthethinmaterialofmydressandchillingmetomycore.

The sunclimbed higher inthe skybeyond the clouds butIwas trapped where Iwas, unable to move backinside while Magnar’scommandimmobilisedme He’dgoneinthereandIcouldn’tfollow Rainbeganto fall ina persistent drizzle, slowlysoakingme and mixingwiththe tears onmycheeks. I was so fucking stupid Inever shouldhavegivenmyselftothevow,never shouldhavegottenmyselfmixedupwiththedeals betweengods andmortals.NowIwastrappedinthemidstoftheirgames,apawntobeusedandmanipulated.AndtherewasnothingIcould dotoescapethem.

Igrew colder butIstill didn’tmove.Icouldn’t.Andtheknowledgethatmybodyhadonceagainbeensnatchedfrommy controlsentanice-coldfearpoundingthroughme.ButtherewasnothingIcoulddoaboutit.AllIcoulddowaswait.

1000YEARSAGO

Thestormragedonaroundusandstill noneofusmovedasthegoddess'snew powerssurgedthroughour veins.Itwasas thougheveryremainingmemberoftheclanswasfrozenbythegriefofmyfather’sdeath Eachman,womanandchilddown tothestableboyI’dbroughtbackfrommytravelswereutterlystillaswemournedandIdunpouredherstrengthintous.

Icouldfeeleverythinglikeitwasthefirsttimemybodyhadexperiencedit

Everyinchofmyskinwasmoresensitive,everysoundmoredefined.Evenmyeyesightgrewsharper.

MygazefellonVenomwhichwasstillgraspedinmyhandandInoticedmyringfingerstraighteningbeforemyeyes.I’d brokenitasachildandithadn’tsetright,butnowthedullacheIalwaysfeltfromitinthecoldwasgone.

Strengthsurgedthroughmymuscles likeatideuntil IfeltcertainthatIcouldripamanintwowithmybarehands ifthe notiontookme

Thelandgrewdarkerasthestormbuiltandmymother’ssobsfinallycametoanend.Itseemedtheskywasmourningour father’spassageasmuchaswewereandwhateverstrangegiftswehadbeengiveninthefaceofhisdeathpaledattheweight ofhisloss.

Iforcedmyselftoriseasahugeflashoflightninglituptheheavens,strengthsaturatingmylimbslikeneverbefore.

Inthedistance,beyondtherowoftentsacrosstheplain,farfurtherthanIshouldhavebeenabletosee,Inoticedafigure approaching.

Ihadnever seentheGoldenWhorefor myself,butIknew her assoonasmygazelandedonher Nobeautysuchashers couldbenaturalamongtheworldofmortals.Shestolethebreathfrommylungsatasingleglance,herunnervinglybrightgaze pinningmeinplacewiththepower ofher stolenimmortality Shewasamonster dressedasanenchantress;atrappoisedto stealtheheartsofallwholookeduponhersothatshemightsinkherteethintothemwhiletheystillbeatwithwantforher.

Venomhissedhernamelikeacurseinmyear. Clarice Iheldthebladelooselyinmyrighthandassheadvancedacrossthe plain,mybloodpumpingwithadeepandviolenthatredwhichbeggedtoseeherend

Juliussteppedtomyside,holdinghisownbladeatthereadyandImovedtoretrieveTempestfromwhereI’dleftitthrust intheground ThoughIhadusedallofmystrengthtodrivethebladeintothedirtonlyhoursbefore,removingitwasaseasyas breathingwithmynewlygiftedmuscles.ThepowerofthegoddessroamedrampantlythroughmylimbsandasIlookedatthe monster who stole towards us across the openplain, Iknew whatpurpose this power was meantfor Idunhad gifted us the strengthweneededtomatcheventheworstoftheirkindinbattle.Tobestthem.

Ibegantomovebetweenthetents,makingabeelinefortheplacewhereI’dspottedtheimmortalharlot.I’dlostsightofher without the lightningto illuminate the plainbut I could feel her movingcloser throughthe shadows, a creature of darkness huntinginhernaturalhabitat.

Iswungthe two blades inlazycircles as Iadvanced, gettinga feel for the waytheymoved as Iwielded thematonce,

feelingarightnessinthatwhichsangwithinmybones.Myfather’sswordwouldbeminenow tooandeverydropoftainted bloodIspilledwithitwouldbeinhomagetohismemory.

“Doyouthinkthey’veallcome?”Juliusaskeddarklyashemovedatmyside Icouldtellhisthirstforvengeancewasas powerfulasmyownandIcouldn’thelpbutdrawfurtherstrengthfromhiscompany.

“Ihopeso,”Igrowled,theneedfordeathlikeanacheinmysoul

Thepowerofthegoddessflowedthroughmyveinslikelava,heatingmetomycoredespitethefactthatIstrodeshirtless throughthepoundingrain SomethingtoldmeIwouldneversufferthefullbiteofwinteragain Wemadeitbeyondthetentsandstoodattheedgeoftheplain,waitingforthemonsterstostrike,knowingtheyskulkedout thereintheshadows.

“Showyourselves!”Ibellowed “Youfourbeastsofthenightwhoplaywithlivesandsoulslikethey’reworthless Come andletusseeyourunnaturalfaces!”

The night grew deeper as I felt the gods pressingclose, their eyes glued to our actions as theywaited for the battle to commence.Wewerejustpiecesontheirgameboardsasalways,butthistime,Iwasmorethanwillingtoplay.

SomeonemovedbehindmeandIturnedmyheadas Valentinasteppedforwardtotakeapositiononmyleft As Icaught sightofher eyes, Icould see the power ofthe stormswirlingwithinthem, lightningflickeringinher pupils, a static charge liftingherdarkhair.Itseemedthegodshadincludedherwhenthey’dbestowedtheseenhancementstoourgifts.Thepowerof theClanofStormsragedwithinherunlikeeverbefore,andIcouldalmosttastetheoncomingstormasIinhaled

Sheraisedherarmsandelectricityhummedintheairassheharnessedthefuryofthestorm.Lightningflashedblindingly acrossthecloudsandfourfigureswereilluminatedonthefarsideoftheplain,theirporcelainfeaturesetchedwithuncertainty astheyassessedus.

Theycouldsee ittoo,this new power inus,andtheyhesitatedtomeetitlike the cowards Ihadlongknownthemtobe. Theyhidfromdeathafter all,fromthepromiseofendless days inthehalls ofValhalla.Onlyacowardwouldacceptsucha fate.

MygazefellonErikattheleftofthegroupandmylipcurledbackinaferalsnarl,thedesireforhisdeathabrutalachein mychest.IslowlyliftedVenom,pointingthebladeathisheartandsendinghimasilentpromise.Iwouldbehisend.Nomatter thecost

“Isthisallthatremainsofthegreatraceofslayers?”Fabiancalled,hisvoicelacedwithamusementashebegantodraw closer,hisstepsfullofswaggeranddrippingbravado.

OurmothermovedtostandonJulius’sotherside,fourslayerstofacefourvampires.

Behindus,thoseremainingmembersoftheclansgatheredtoo.Eventhosewhohadnobusinessfightingstoodwithus;old warriorswhosewarringdayswerelongpassedwaitedshouldertoshoulderwithchildrenwhowerebarelystrongenoughto wieldablade.Mothersstoodwiththeirbabesinonearmandaweaponintheother.EvenElissaandAelfricjoinedourranks, clutchingbladestheyhadnoideahowtousewhileglaringatthevampireswithalltherageofseasonedwarriors

Thetotalwaslikelylessthantwohundred,afractionofournumbersfromjustdaysago.Butthegoddesshadblessedthem allandwestoodagainstourenemies,strongerthaneverbefore.Ididn’tliketheirchancesatvictory.

BeyondtheRevenants,Icouldmakeoutamovingshadowfilledwiththeirfoulcreations AsI’dexpected,they’dwasted notimeinsiringmorevampiresandIfeltapangofpityforwhatevertownhadfallenpreytotheircurse.

Iturnedtomeetmybrother’sgazeandfoundrawpowerbrimmingthroughhimtoo Thegodshadbeengenerouswiththeir gifts,spreadingthemamongstmypeopleandgivingusthechancetomeetthevampiresonequalfooting.Iwouldbecertainnot tosquanderthem

“Iwillfollowyoutotheend,brother,”Juliusgrowled,liftinghisswordhigherinanticipationofmycommand.Thesewere mypeoplenow.Myfather’sdeathhadmademetheir Earl.Andtheywaitedonmycommandtoslaythesebeasts.ThefirstI wouldmake,butnotthelastifIhadanysayinthematter

“Forourfather,”IsaidfiercelyandMother’sgazehardenedasshenodded.“ForEarlMallion!”Ibellowedforallofour peopletohear

AresoundingbattlecrymetmyownandItookoffacrosstheplain,sprintingfasterthanI’deverrunbefore,thepowerof mymusclesastrangeandwonderousthing AgiftIwouldusewell

Thestormragedandtherainpoureduponusinanunyieldingcascadeoffreezingdroplets,butIdidn’tfeelthebitingcold the wayIshould have. Myveryskinseemed to be alive withenergy, creatingheatwhere there should have beennone and savingmefromsufferingbeneaththetorrentwhichValentinaencouragedtofallfromtheskies

The Revenants knew there was somethingdifferentaboutus andall four sets ofeyes were drawntome as Iledthe line againstthem

Fabianwasclosesttomeandhewasthefirsttobreakranksandruntoopposeus.

IsmiledbitterlyasIracedtomeethim,duckingbeneathhimasheleaptformythroat,themovementfareasierthanshould havebeenpossible.HespuntostareatmeinsurprisebutIwastednotimeandswungTempeststraightforhisneck.Hetwisted awayfrommebutIalreadyhadVenomwaitingtoblockhisretreat,aferalgrinpartingmylipsasIfoundmyselfmorethana

matchforthisheathen.

Fabianleaptasidebutnotbeforethebladecarvedalinealonghisforearm,spillinghisbrightredbloodandstainingthe dirtbetweenus Hehissedinpainasthewoundsizzledfromthemagicintheswordandtheairwastaintedbythestenchof burningflesh.

Ididn’tmissthelookofhorrifiedwonderthatfilledhiseyes Iguessednoonehadgottenthatclosetokillinghiminalong time.

IroaredasIpushedmyadvantageandhetriedtolungeatmeagain Hecaughtmyrightarminhisirongrip,hisinhuman fingerstighteninginanattempttobreakmybones.Beforehecoulddomorethanbruiseme,Iswungmyotherarmathisface, Venom’shiltstillgraspedinmyfist.

Myknucklesconnectedwithhisjawandhewasthrownoffofme,crashingintothemudsixfeetawayandskiddingthrough it. Whenhe regained his feet, he was covered fromhead to toe infilth, and brightred blood still dripped steadilyfromthe woundonhisarm

FabianbaredhisteethatmeandIbaredminerightbackasIbegantoadvance. “Whatareyou?”hehissedasheretreatedastep “Iamyourdeath,”Ireplied.

Ileaptforward,swingingbothofmybladesinaviciousarcdesignedtocleavehisheadfromhisneck.

Fabianthrewhimselfaside,barelyabreathpartinghimfromdeathbeforehespunawayfrommeandfledbacktowardshis kin.

Ibellowedachallengeandtookchase Mymotherandbrotherranbehindme,bladesreadyandwarriorcriesontheirlips asweracedafterthemonsterswhohadtakeneverythingfromus.

ThefourRevenantsgroupedtogetheracrosstheplain,staringatusinconfusionandwithmorethanahintoffear,seeming toacceptthatwewerenotwhatwehadbeen,thatwewerenowmorethanamatchforthem.

“Do youfeel the thirstdrivingyouon?” Clarice cried, turningher gaze onthe newlysired vampires behind themas she huntedforawaytosaveherownneck “Goforwardandfeast!”

Thevampiresshriekedinexcitementandfloodedpasttheircreatorslikeatideofruination,thethirstturningthemintolittle morethanferalbeastsblindedbytheirneedforblood Theyracedtointerceptusandtheremainingmembersofthesevenclans thunderedtomeetthematmyback.

“These creatures need remindingthatthey’re alreadydead!” Iyelled and the replyingroar ofmykinjoined witha great crashofthunderasValentinacontinuedtowieldthestormwithhernewlyenhancedgifts.

TheRevenantsstoodbehindtheirarmyandwatchedasourforcescollided.Ididnosuchthing;nowarriorofminewould beaskedtosacrificethemselveswithoutmebytheirside Iledthechargefromthefront,carvingapaththroughthevampires withJuliusandourmotherbesideme.

We cut down more vampires than I could count and the dust from their demise mixed with the thick mud at our feet, cloggingtheairwiththestenchoftheirdeaths.

Again and again, I swung my blades but the fatigue I expected with such use of my energy never came. My muscles thrummedwithstrengthandthepromiseofdeathforallthosewhocameagainstme,thegiftsofthegoddesspumpingthrough mylimbspowerfully.

Astherestofmypeoplebattledagainstthenewvampires,myfamilyslicedapaththroughthemayhemtowardsthedemons whohadcausedit.

Iplunged Tempestinto the heartofa beautiful vampire clad inthe dress ofa noble and as she dissolved before me, the Revenantswererevealedbeyondhercascadingremains.

“This isn’tpossible,” Miles hissed as he glared atmyfamily, tryingto denywhatwe were now. Atrue matchfor their monstrosity

“Thegodshavelevelledthefield,”Juliusgrowled.“Areyouafraidtofindoutifyoucanmatchusnow?” “Why?” Erik breathed and I got the feeling his question was meant for one of the powerful deities who watched our exchange,butIansweredallthesame.

“Forthecurseyoubestowedonourfather NoEarloftheslayersshouldeverhavemetthefateyoudealthim Iwillrepay thatdebtinblood.”Iadvancedonthem,mygazefixedonErikashiseyesnarrowedinconfusion.

“YourfatherwastheslayerIturned?”heaskedasrealisationhithim.“Isavedhim;Isenthimbacktoyou-”

“YousentbackademonwearingtheskinofthemanIloved!”mymotheryelled,herbrokenheartmakinghervoicecrack withemotion,butheraxewassteadyinherhand.

“Youforced me to plunge a blade throughmyownfather’s heart,” Igrowled as Itookanother step Venomand Tempest hummedinanticipationasIclosedinonthemonsterswhohadstarteditall,theirdemandsfortheirdeathsthickinmymind.

“Youkilledhim?”ErikaskedandIdidn’tmissthehorrorthatflashedthroughhiseyes.Didhedaremournthelossofthe foulcreationhehadplacedinmyfather’sskin?

“You killedhim,”Icorrectedangrily.

ThethundercrackedaboveourheadsagainandIranathim,nolongerwillingtohearhisabhorrentvoice.Iwouldtakehis headfromhisbodyandpaytheblooddebtIwasowed.

Itookthreelongstridesandleaptforward,spinningintheairasIswungbothofmybladesforhishead

Erik’seyeswidenedashesawdeathcomingforhimandhissisterleaptforwardtoknockhimasidebeforeIcouldlandmy blow Venomslicedacrosshershoulderandshehowledinpainasbrightbloodspilledfromthewound EriksnappedoutofhismomentaryinactionandwrappedhisarmsaroundClarice,leapingawayfrommeandhaulingherto safety

MilesandFabiansteppedinfrontofhertoo,thethreefoulbrothersprotectingtheirmonstroussister.Ialmostlaughedatthe falsedisplayoflove.Acreaturesustainedbydeathcouldneverbecapableofsuchanemotion.

JuliusyelledashechargedatthemandIrantojoinhimwithVenomscreamingforvengeanceinmypalm

TheRevenantsbaredtheirteethlikebeastsastheysprintedtomeetus.

Julius tuckedhis headlow andbarrelledtowards themlike a humanbattering-ram His shoulder connectedwithMiles’s chestandasoundlikefallingrocksfilledtheair.Mileswasthrownbackwards,slammingintohissisterandsendingthemboth crashingintothemud

Fabianleaptonto Julius’s back, sinkinghis teethinto his shoulder witha feral viciousness. Mymother screamed as she aimedakickatFabian,dislodginghimbeforehecoulddrinkmybrother’sblood.

IonlyhadeyesforErikasIadvancedonhimsteadily,swingingmybladesinaclearchallenge Vengeancecalledmyname, drawingmecloser.

Heleaptatmebutbeforewecouldmeetinbattle,lightningstruckthegroundbetweenus

Thevampirefellbackandmyheartleaptwithsurprise.

Again,lightningforkedfromthesky,slammingintothegroundbetweenusanddrivingthedemonback.Thethirdforkarced towardstheotherRevenants,carvingaspacebetweenthemandmyfamily.

IlookedaroundandfoundValentinastridingtowardsus.Windbillowedaroundherandpulledherusuallyperfecthairinto amaelstromofherowncreation

Thevampireslookedbetweenthefourofusinundisguisedhorror,theireyesdriftingtotheslayerswhodrewclosebehind us AsIfollowedtheirgaze,Ifoundmykinclosingrankatmyback,thenewly-siredvampiresreducedtonothingbutpilesof clothesandashonthebattlefield.

OnlytheRevenantsremainedtofaceourhostofoverahundredslayersgiftedwiththenewstrengthofthegoddess. “IsthatfearIseeinyoureyes?”Icried.

Theslayersatmybackyelledtheirownchallenges,theairrumblingwithourcombinedrage.

TheRevenantsmovedtowardseachother,takingastepback,thenanother “Standandfaceus,cowards!”IroaredasIsawtheurgetofleeintheirexpression.

“Thisfightwillkeep,slayer,”FabianspatashishandclosedonClarice’swristandhepulledherfurtherback Thefourofthemexchangedabriefglancewhichheldtheweightofdestinyinit,thentheyturnedandfled.

IreleasedabattlecryasItookchase,mypeoplejoiningmeasweracedtohuntdownthemonsters,refusingtoletthem fleethisfate

Butdespitethenewpowerinmymuscles,theirpaceoutmatchedmyownandtheybegantoincreasethedistancebetween usintheirdesperatebidforfreedom

Ididn’trelent,myfeettearingapathacrossthesoddengroundasIbegantoputdistancebetweenmyselfandmypeople. OnlyJuliuskeptpacewithme,hishatredandthirstforrevengematchingmyown,butdespiteourefforts,wecouldn’tkeepup Thesealoomedahead,andweskiddedtoahaltaswefoundourselvesonthetopofacliffwhichlookeddownontothe roilingwaves.

IcursedasIrealisedwhattheyhaddone Thevampireshadtakenrefugebeneaththewaterwheretheyknewwecouldn’t follow.Fuckingcowards.

“We are the sons ofMallionElioson!” Iroaredintothe night,knowingtheywouldhear me where theyhidlike rats ina hole. “Your deaths await youat our hands!We will have vengeance for our father and we will hunt youto the ends ofthe Earth!”

“Youmayrunbutwewillfindyou!”Juliusbellowedinagreement.“Youareonlydelayingyourfate!”

J

uliusandIheadeddeeperintotheruinedcity,passingrowsofoldstoreswithfadednamesabovethedoorways Ahardware store,agasstation,evenanoldbridal shopwhichIscurriedpastataferociouspace.Ihadnointentionofexchangingmy currentweddingdressforanotherone IfIneversawoneofthoseflouncywhitegownsagain,I’ddiegoddamnhappy

Alarge buildingloomed up ahead witha shattered glass doorway. Several ofthe letters onthe wall above ithad fallen away,leavingB-yPlaz-Mall.

Ivaguelyrecalled the termmall frommydad's recounts ofthe pastand started sprintingtoward itwithhope liftingmy heart.

“Hey-waitup!”Juliuscalled,dragginghisattentionawayfromalingeriestorewindowandchasingafterme IslowedasIsteppedthroughthebrokendoorway,mydresstrailingovertheshardsofglass,makingaplinkingsoundas theyshifted Inside,wasanimpossiblypristinecorridorlinedwithrowsuponrowsofclothesstores Reliefebbedthroughme atescapingthepouringrain.AndnowIfinallyhadachancetogetoutofthisdamndresswhichwassowet,itweighedatonne, andtheskirtwascoatedingrime.

“Julius-look,”Igaspedashejoinedme Hismouthparted,hiseyestrailingfromstoretostore.“Bythegods,whatisthisplace?”

“It's a mall, a place people used to shop for stuff” Ijogged towards the nearest store withNightmare tight inmygrip, wrenchingthedooropenandfindinganexpanseofuntouchedclotheshangingonrailsallovertheplace.

MyheartliftedasItookitallin,thecoldsodeepinmyveinsthatIpracticallygroanedatthesightofendlesssweatersand cosyleggings.

“Shit,”Juliuscursed.“I’veneverseenamarketwithsomanyfinethings.”

He raced pastme into the menswear, tuggingoffhis shirtand tossingitto the floor before unbucklinghis pants He was downtohisunderwearinnotime,revealinghisdeepbronzeskinandthethickmusclesthatcladhisbodylikearmour.Thenhe droppedhisboxers,andIturnedawayfastbeforeIgotanunwantedeyeful ofhiscock,hisgleeful laughter reachingmeasI startedsearchingthroughthewomen’sclothes.

Severaloftheitemswerethinandsparkly,andtherewereabunchofdressesthatIsweptrightpast.Theywouldn'tbeany use againstthe cold so Iforged a pathto the backofthe roomwhere the sweaters were waitingfor me alongwitha whole rangeofmorepracticalitems.Igrabbedadark,long-sleevedshirtoffahangerandsmiledatitinrelief,certainitwouldkeep mewarm

IplaceditdownalongwithNightmarethenreachedbehindmybacktoundomydress,desperatetogetoutofthisthingand abandonitforever Myfingersfumbledagainstthetinybuttons,failingtofreemyselfandcausingmyhearttoriotinfrustration Thereweresomanyofthem.HowthehellwasIsupposedtogetoutofit?

Your husband was supposed to get you out of it, Montana

Myteethclenchedasthatthoughtpassedthroughmyheadandthemarkonmypalmsuddenlyblazedwithenergy,making

meyearnforEriksomuchitleftmebreathless.Ishutmyeyes,workingtoforceawaythesensation.

“Needahand?”Julius’svoicemademejump,andIopenedmyeyes,findinghimstridingtowardmeinapairofjeanswith anavyt-shirtgrippedinhishand Mygazeshiftedtohishugechestandthepackedmusclesofhistorso,heatcrawlingintomy cheeks.

“No,”Iblurted,andhecockedhisheadinamusement

“Howareyougoingtoescapefromyourfinalcagethen,damsel?”

“I’mnotadamsel,”Igrowled,sickofhimcallingmethat

“It’snotaweaknesstoaskforhelpwhenyouneedit,youknow,”hesaid.

IchewedtheinsideofmycheekandJuliuswenttoturnaway,butIswallowedmyprideandcalled,“Wait.”

Heglancedbackatme,tuckingthet-shirtintohiswaistbandasifhehadnointentionofputtingitonanytimesoon ThoughI wishedhewouldbecausehisabswereadistractionIdidn’tneedrightnow.

Hesaunteredovertome,allcockinessandIpursedmylipsathimbeforehemovedbehindmeandstartedonthebuttons “Comeonyoulittlebastards,”hehissed,failingtogetpurchaseonthem.

“What’stheproblem?Yourbigmanhands?”Itaunted

“They’veneverbeenaproblemforanythingbeforenow,”hesaidwithasmirkinhisvoice.

“Wereyoubornthisarrogantorisitanothercurseofthegods?”

Helaughed “Fuckit”Hegrippedthedressandrippeditcleandowntheback,sendingbuttonsscatteringeverywhere Icould breathe againas the tightbodice finallyreleased me and Iwas so relieved thatas Istepped outofthe rumpled materialandturnedtofaceJulius,IcompletelyforgotthatIwasn’twearingabraandIhadasee-throughpairoflacepanties on.

His gaze dropped to take in my nipples which were pointing right at himthanks to the cold. His throat bobbed and I snatchedasweateroffthenearesthanger,clutchingitagainstmybody.

“Turnaway,”Isnapped.

But instead of doingas I asked, he frowned, reachingout to toucha bite markabove myleft breast, scoringhis thumb arounditbeforehishandtrailedtomorebitemarksalongmyneck.“Therainhaswashedafairbitofthevenomout,butwe needtomakesureit’sallgoneortheywon’theal”

Theheatofhisfingersagainstmyice-coldskinmademepullaway,myheartthunderingasmymindturnedtoErik.

“I’llgofindsomewater,”hesaid,thenturned,thebroadmusclesofhisbackflexingasheheadedoutofthestore.

IpickedupNightmareandmovedtotheunderwearsectionwhereIpulledonapairofblackpantieswithasportsbra.I tuggedonapairofwarmleggingstoo,alongwithsocksandsomenew,thickbootsasIwaitedforJuliustogetback.

Itwasn’tlongbefore he returnedwitha few bottles ofwater,walkingover tome andgesturingfor me tolie downona benchintheshoearea.Ididsoandhekneltbesideme,twistingoffthecapofthewaterbottleandshiftingmyhairawaybefore tippingitover the bite marks The painwas sharp, butiteased dramaticallyas the lastofthe venomwas washed outand I releasedabreathofrelief,onlynowrealisinghowmuchthebiteshadbeenstinging.

Hegrabbedthe shirtoutofhis waistband,usingittodabatthe bites anddrythem,andIlookedupathis darkeyes,his browdrawnlowasheconcentrated

“Whyareyoutakingcareofme?”Iasked.“Webarelyknoweachother.”

Hekneltback,pushingahandthroughhisdamphairandmussingitupashedidso “I'mnothingliketheparasitecompany you'vebeenkeepinglately.Ilookaftermyown.”Hestoodup,movingtofetchhimselfanothershirtandpullingitonatlast.

“They'rereallynotthatbad,”Imuttered,notintendingforhimtohear,butheimmediatelyresponded “Yestheyare.”

“Notallofthem.”

“Wrong,”hegrowled,fixingmeinhis gazeas hewalkedbacktome “Theyareall undead,blood-thirstycreeps Andif youthinkErikBelvederewouldn'tsuckyoudrythesecondhegotthechancethen-”

“Stopit,”Isnarled,grabbingthelong-sleeveblackshirt,andpullingiton AngerflowedthroughmeandtheXonmypalm prickled.“Hewouldneverhurtme.”

“Hewantstothough Hehadtofighttheurgetobiteyoueverymomenthewasaroundyou Howcouldyoustandit?” Iglaredathim,stridingcloser.“Justdropit,okay?Iknow Erik.He'snotlikethosetwistedbiters whoattackedus.Who leftthesemarksonme.”

Hepushedahandintohisdamplocksagainastheyfell intohiseyes “Look,I'mnottryingtoupsetyou,Montana Icare aboutyou.”

Ifrownedashereachedoutandbrushedhisfingersovermyarm “It'saslayerthing,Isuppose I'mlostwithoutmykind SoIfeelprotectiveoveryou.It'shardformetoacceptthatoneofmyownactuallyfeelssomethingforoneofthem.Especially ErikBelvedere.”

“Maybeallofthisistodowiththeprophecy,”Isuggestedwithaheavybreath,myheartbeatingharderasIlookedatthe silverXonmypalm.

“DidyouspeaktoAndvari?”Juliusasked,histonedarkening.

Inodded,ashudderrunningthroughmeatthememory.“HesaidI'mpartoftheprophecy.Halfofit.SoIguessCalliehasto betheotherhalf”

“Whatelsedidhesay?”heasked,ahungergrowinginhisgazeformyanswers.

“Nothing”Idroppedmyeyes as thedarkmemoryswallowedmeup “After hetorturedmeandErikfor awhile,hejust left.”

“Didthegodhurtyou,Montana?”hegrowled

“Notreally...it'shardtoexplain.”IwrappedmyarmsaroundmyselfandJuliustuggedmeintoahug,restinghischinonmy head.Hewasright,Ihadtoadmitit,evenifonlytomyself.Ustogetherfeltright.Likewewerebothpartofsomethingbigger andwewereboundtoittogether Itshouldn’thavefeltsonaturaltoseekcomfortinthearmsofamanwhowasstillpractically astrangertome,butitdid.AndafterallI’dbeenthrough,Icouldn’thelpbutstealamomentinthewarmcomfortofhisarms.

“We'llworkitout,”hemuttered

Iknew itmusthave beenhardfor Julius tounderstandmyfeelings for a vampire.Erikhadkilledhis father,andhell ifI didn’tknowthepainofsuchaloss ButifJulius’svowurgedhimtoendthecurse,maybethatwouldbeenoughforhimtoput hisrevengeasideoneday.

“ThankyouforkeepingyourwordnottohurtErikbackatthecathedral.”Ipulledoutofhisarmsandhegavemeaslanted grin “Iamnothingifnotamanofmyword.Butdon’teveraskthatofmeagain.”

Ifrownedathiswords,buttherewasnothingIcoulddotomakehimhateEriklessthanhedid

IpickedupNightmarefromwhereI’dleftitonthebench,thewarmmetalhummingingreeting.Butthatsofthumturnedto anabruptbuzz,almostlikeawarningblazingthroughmyflesh.Julius'sheadliftedjustbeforeabangsoundedbehindusandI swungaroundinalarm,raisingmybladedefensively.

Ahaggardvampirestoodbeyondthewindow withhisforeheadpressedtothepane.Heworeafinesuit,eventhoughthe restofhimlooked filthy Mygutclenched as he opened his mouthand drool slid downthe glass as he mouthed a word that lookedlike‘blood’.

“Rotter,”Ihissed

JuliuspulledMenacefromitssheathwhichhe’dstrappedtohiship,hiseyesnarrowing.

“Stayhere,”hebreathed,andIfrowned,mypulsethumpingbeneathmyskin. ThemomentJuliusreachedthedoor,thevampiredartedtowardhim,hiseyeswildwithhunger.

“Blood–thweetnectar–thegodthhaveanstheredmyprayers!”hecriedwithapronouncedlisptohistone.

Juliusshovedhimbackandhehitthefloor,skiddingoutacrossthecorridorfromtheforcetheslayerhadused

ThevampirescrambledupandIhurriedtowardJulius,eyingthevampire’sopenmouthinsurprise.Hehadnofangs,his gumsswollenandbloodywherethey'doncebeenasifhisbodycouldn'thealthewounds

Therotter’seyesturnedbetweenus,desperateandstarving,lookingsodespairingthatIalmostfeltsorryforhim.Butthen herolledtohiskneesandspedtowarduslikeananimal,histonguelollingasheclosedin.Juliuskickedhimsquarelyinthe face,butthevampirehungonthroughsheerdesperation,suckingonthetoeofhisbootandclingingtohisleg Igrimaced,backingupasJuliusshookhimoffandpointedMenaceathisheart.

Thevampireliftedhishead,droolslidingdownhischinasabitteracceptancefilledhim “Enditthen Killme Thithlife ithnotworthlivingwithoutblood.”Hebrokeasob,pressinghischesttothesword.

Pityspedthroughme,butJuliusstabbedhisswordforwardandcleavedthevampireapart,sendingdustplumingoutaround hisfeet.

“Julius,”Igasped.“Whatthehellhappenedtohim?”

“Banishment,”hesaiddarkly,his upper lipcurlingback “I’veseenitoncebefore Itseems vampires whobreakcertain lawsarede-fangedandcastoutofthecity.”

Itookashakybreath ThiswaswhatFabianhadwantedforWolfe Thiswouldbehispunishment Andinaway,itseemed almostworsethandeath.Withnobloodtofeedonoutintheruins,hewouldsurelystarveintoinsanity. Nightmarecooledinmypalm,seemingcontentafterthevampire'sdemise,butIfeltunsettledmorethananything “Come, let's gather supplies and head backto the others. It’s fuckingfreezingand Iwantto be sleepingbya warmfire beforemidday.”Julius’stonewaslightasifhehadn'tjustcutamanintwo.

Vampire,Icorrectedinternally Shit,IwasintroubleifIstartedpityingthem Buthe'dbeensohopeless,soemaciated I battled away the thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. The vampire had no doubt deserved his fate, his past almost certainlydirtiedwiththebloodofhumans justas all oftheir kindwere Ineededtogetsupplies andheadbacktomysister withanofferingofwarmclothesandasmuchfoodasIcouldcarry.Onedeadvampirewas not goingtodistractmefromthat. Calliewas relyingonme,andas Irememberedhow lostshe’dlookedwhenI’dleft,myhearthardened.Survival was what matterednow.

The sunrose higher inthe skybehind the clouds butitdid nothingto raise the temperature Iclutched myarms around my kneesandtriedtostopmyteethfromchatteringasyetanotherfreezingwindthrewice-coldsleetoverme.Ihuddledonthe balcony, againstthe wall withmyhead downas Ishivered, the anger Ifeltfadinginto a darkand furious thingwhichgrew moresolidwithinmychestwitheverypassingmoment.

Iwasnostrangertothecold.BackintheRealm,thewintershadalwaysbeenharshandwe’dneverbeenabletowarmthe entireapartment We’dspentmorenightsthanIcouldcounthuddledtogetherinthefrontroombeforethemeagreheater,using our combined bodyheatto ease our suffering. Dad had always takenthe spotfurthestfromthe warmthwhile Montana and I rotatedbetweenspendingthenightclosesttotheheaterorsandwichedinthecentre I’dalwayspreferredbeingsquashedinthe middle, thoughithad oftenled to wakingwitha crickinmyneck. ItmeantIgotto spend the nightcurled betweenthe two peopleIlovedmostintheworld WhatIwouldn’thavegiventofeelmydad’sarmswrappingaroundmenow

ThoughI’dspentmyfair share oftime combatingthe harshwinters inthe Realm,Iknew I’dnever experiencedanything likethis.Ifitwasn’tformyslayergiftslendingmestrengthandsomeresistancetotheelements,IwasfairlycertainIwould havesuccumbedtothemalready

“Callie?” Montana’s voice sounded as ifitwere far away, and Iblinked the freezingwater frommylashes as Ilooked towardsthedoorwhichledintothebuilding

“Monty?”Icalledinreturnbutthewindstolemyvoice,faintasitwaswhileweaknessclungtomylimbs.

MyteethclashedtogetheruncontrollablyandIspottedhersteppingthroughthedoorway,hereyeswideninginshockasshe noticedmehuddledbytherailings.

“What the hell are youdoingout here?” she gasped as she rantowards me, raisinganarmto shield her face fromthe hammeringrain She caught myhand and dragged me to myfeet thoughI stumbled a little withthe numbness inmylimbs “Comeinside!”

Herweddingdresswasgoneandshe’dreplaceditwithwarm,practicalclotheswhichmademyheartachewithlonging, thoughsomepartofmedoubtedanythingwouldeverbeabletohealmeofthisbone-deepfeelingofcold.

“Ic-can’t,”Istuttered.

Icouldn’tfeel myfeetand Iswayed unsteadilyinthe three inchheels. Iwanted to rip themoffbutIequallyneeded the smallmeasureofprotectiontheyofferedmyfeetfromtherain.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Comeinsidebeforeyoucatchyourdamndeathouthere”Montanafrownedatmeandyanked onmyarm,tryingtogetmemovingbutmyheelsdugindespitehowmuchIwantedtogowithher,thebondofMagnar’swords leashingmeinplacedespiteeveryeffortI’dmadetorefusethem

Montana’sdarkhairwasquicklybecomingdrenchedandherfreshclothesweresaturatedwithraindropsalready.

“M-Magnarmademest-stayhere.”Ishiveredharderasherfacescrunchedinconfusion.IcouldtellshehadnoideawhatI wastryingtosayandIdidn’tknowhowIwassupposedtoputitintowordswhenmylipswerenumbandIcouldbarelyform

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Väsyneen valitus.

Joko tuonetar tumma impi

Mua luoksesi viittoat,

Joko kerrot kutsua kalman, Mua matkahan joudutat?

Olen lähtöhön valmis oitis, Tule tuonetar, toivoni!

Elo tää on tyhjyyttä mulle, Sen jätin jo hyvästi.

Mä lemmen oikkujen orja

Olen kurja ja väsynyt.

Olen kuivalle hietikkomaalle

Nyt tielläni eksynyt.

On pienoset lähteen silmät, En niistä mä reipastu.

Join kerran keitahan vettä, Ja se juoma ei unhotu.

Nyt nuorena soisin kuolla

Ja vaipua unholaan.

Oi tuonetar tumma impi Tule omasi noutamaan!

Lumisateella.

Lumihiuteet hiljallensa

Alas maahan putoo, Walkovaipan luonnottaret

Kukkuloille kutoo.

Eheyttä, yhteyttä

Aatokseni kerää.

Lumikirkas rauhantunne

Rinnassani herää. —

Peittyy vuoren tumma rinta.

Notko tyynnä lepää.

Walkoisena viidakkokin

Silmihini sepää.

Mielen ristiriidat sitoo

Wiihdytyksen vyöhyt,

On kun oisi juhlan aatto, Suuri jouluyöhyt. —

Jättikuuset kukkulalla

Yksin eivät peity, Alle vaipan valkeaisen

Ei ne vaivu, heity.

Niinpä munkin henken' hehku

Läpi hiljaisuuden

Kohouupi kätköstänsä, Luopi taiston uuden.

Käyn helmaasi.

Oi terve mun metsäni taas

Sinä luminen, pehmeäpovi.

On valkoinen joka paas'

Lumen peitossa pienosin lovi.

Kas katsovat suopeesti nuo

Puut puhtahan verhonsa yli.

Lumikätköjä oksat luo,

On viittova metsäni syli.

Sinä kuusisto kätkielet

Runopoikaani kiehkurapäistä,

Hänen lauluja lauleskelet

Ja humiset kihloista, häistä.

Runopoikani kaunonen sa

Nyt paljahin rinnoin minä

Käyn helmaasi, johdata,

Ole ainian sulhoni sinä!

Matin iltalaulu.

Tuu, tuu huminoi

Kesä-illan henki.

Lip, lip laine soi

Meren lahtosenki..

Kas, kas rannalla

Punervat on rimmet.

Ai ai talossa, Kaunihit on immet.

Hei, hei soutelen

Sinne kesäilloin, Niin niin sydämen

Rauhaton on silloin.

Aitassa. Aittani seinät on kaunistettu

Pihlajan kukkaisilla.

Orret on täysiksi varustettu

Morsiusvaattehilla.

Katossa uudet palttinapaidat

Hohtavat valkoisina.

Liinoissa punaisen ruskeat raidat Kiiluvat kirjavina.

Apilat aittani ulkopuolla

Puhtahan tuoksun luopi. —

Kultani asuvi vaaralla tuolla, Kohta mun vihiltä tuopi.

Keväinen tarina.

Poikanen metsässä kuljeskeli, Paljon lintuja näki.

Rastahat kuusissa raksutteli, Kukkui kaihosa käki.

Yhdellä oksalla ruskeasiipi

Sirkkunen virttänsä veti,

Sen puun allepa ujosti hiipi

Kulkeva poikanen heti.

Pakeni sirkkunen latvahan asti, Arkana katseli sieltä.

Poikanen herkkä se hartaimmasti.

Haasteli toivonsa kieltä:

»Laulele lintunen, laulele yhä,

Kiertäös tään ahon puita, Mulle on laulusi kallis ja pyhä, Kallehin kaikkia muita.»

Sirkkunen huoleton soitti ja sanoi

»Taivahan lintu on vapaa.»

»Laulele minulle, poikanen anoi, »Taikka sun nuoleni tapaa.»

Lintunen vastasi: »Julmako oisit?

Rintani riemuja laulan.»

— »Minulle yksin laulaa voisit, Panenko tiellesi paulan?»

Taas soi laulelo kirkas ja soma

Sirkun tullessa alas. —

Pojalla nyt oli armas ja oma, Kun hän metsästä palas.

Heikin ansa. Pani Heikki ansojaan

Ahon rintehelle.

Veljet nauroi nauruaan

Heikin pyydykselle.

Ansoillansa juoksenteli

Kaiken kesää Heikki veli

Eikä saanut saalista.

Eikö saanut? Sai kun saikin

Immen ujon, soman,

Syksyllä hän sen jo naikin, Otti kullan oman.

Veljet tuumi harmissansa

Olipa se aimo ansa, Ja se Heikki veitikka.

Paimentytön laulu.

Sinipiikani salolla

Kera metsän impysien

Liikun lemmen leikkilöissä.

Tapiolan tanhuilla

Neitosill' on kultanauhat,

Lemmenpaulat laatuisimmat, Hattu hopeainen päässä, Yllä vihryt verkanuttu

Tapiolan urhot astuu.

Tääll' on tanssi, tääll' on soitto,

Tääll' on olo onnellisten.

Kisatessa kultakutrit

Häilyy oksien lomassa,

Sinisilmät säilehtiipi.

Täällä tarhassa ilojen

Minun, pienen paimenpiijan

On niin ehtosa eleä

Viijet viikot viherjäiset.

Kotiliedellä.

On olo niin hyvä ja herttainen

Sinijärvien paltahilla,

On kansa niin tuttu ja tasainen

Karun kankahan aukeemilla.

Suon laidassa töllit ja kaskensavut

Mun mieltäni kiinittää.

On olo niin hyvä ja herttainen

Kotilieteni lämpimässä.

Jos ulkona viima on vihainen,

On lauhkea tyyneys tässä.

Hion helmiksi luonteeni himmeät avut

Saan kuonasta kiiltävää.

On olo niin hyvä ja herttainen

Oman puolison armasteloissa.

Korukiiltoa mahti on mainehen,

Kun rinnan lempi on poissa,

Ja eipä myös pistä pilkan havut,

Kun on yksi, mi ymmärtää.

Yhteis-onni.

Hänen hienoja katsele kasvojaan

Ja vienoja, rikkaita kutrejaan

Ja otsaa ylvähintä.

Äly hällä on silmien kaunistus,

On hempeä poskeinsa puhtaus

Ja hymyssä viehkeintä.

Sä antaos hänelle kunniaa,

Elä halvoin aattehin luokseen saa

Pois pankosi matala mieli.

On tunteensa tuulonen raitista, Häll' aatteen holvi on avara,

Ja päilyvä pihtipieli.

Ole suuri, hän silloin rakastaa

Koko sielun nuorella hehkullaan

Sua elonsa toverina.

Ja onnenne kukkaistarhassa

On narsissia ja kieloja, Mitk' keinuvat hentoisina.

Ja aatteen vuorille taivaltain

Kas' käissä te käytte riemahtain,

Kun kukkulat vapaina hohtaa.

Tai taistoissa seisotte rinnakkain

Te kahden sitkaina, iloiten vain, Kun lujuus se voittohon johtaa.

Ja teillä on rinnoissa sopuisuus

Ja kodeissa kirkkaus, valoisuus

Ja mieli niin suopea, hyvä.

Soi teille sulosti kantelo,

Jok' on ollut tuhanten kaipio

Ikilemmen kantelo syvä.

Epätietoa.

Voi jälleen luokseni saapuvi. Nuo tuskan kyynelet kuumat.

Suru sortavi muinaset riemuni

Ja itku mun iloini huumat.

Mä luulin mure on paennut,

On sopuhun sointunut sielun.

Mut pirstaksi raukesi haaveilut.

Nään suurena vaivojen nielun.

Kiven painolla elämän kysymys

Mun rintaani ahdistaapi,

Ja varjona onneni sisällys

Mun luotani kaikkoaapi.

Ja yöni on pitkä ja pimeä.

Ja otsaani polte pohtaa. —

Voi, koskahan selviää elämä,

Ja tähtöset mullekin hohtaa.

Ollos suuri.

Kevät on ja tanssii kukkasilla

Kultasäteet auringon.

En mä kiiri ilon tanhuilla, Mulla mieli muuall' on.

Tai kun syksy syöstävätään siirtää, Kutoo keltakankaitaan.

Aatokseni kuviansa piirtää, Unelmoitsen yhä vaan.

Suuruus, pilviin nouseva ja ylväs

Sinuun aatos ailakoi.

Sinä jätti, ihmisaatten pylväs

Sua sielun' unelmoi,

Sua kaipaan, sua etsin koito.

Kerran mulle siinnä sä!

Vaiko majas' rakensit niin loitos

Ett' en sinne ennätä. —

Monethan ne pieniks täällä jäivät. —

Pelkään pienen elämää,

Arkimieli, arkiaatteen häivät

Kaiken suuren himmentää.

Suuruus, väistythän sä humun luota

Väistyt mainettakin maan.

Suuruutta ei ihmiselle tuota

Kulta-, laakerkruunutkaan.

Marmorpalatsiinkin harvoin kuljet

Timanttien välkkeesen

Sua lahjois' monet, heiltä suljet

Aartehesi kieltäen.

Suuruus, harvat tietoviisahatkaan

Vaippaasi saa koskettaa —

Polo ihminen, kuin uskallatkaan

Suurta konsaan tavoittaa. —

Mut mä tahdon, mull' on uskallusta

Elää suuruus-unelmaa. —

Tunnen sisässäni sarastusta, Mulle ääni kuiskuttaa:

Unelmoitse suuruutt' minuutesi,

Henkes' herkän heelmiä,

Taivaankaaren hohdett' tunteillesi

Suur' kuin taivas ollos sä!

Ongelmia.

Inehmoinen seisahtuu

Epätiedon tuulispäihin

Sekä itsekkyyden jäihin

Maat ja kansat uppoaa.

Henki, ydin uskosta

Dogmein alle haudatahan.

Harvoin lentoon lasketahan

Kipunaakaan totuutta.

Lait usein yksillen

Kaiken oikeuden jakaa, Muutpa taistelujen takaa

Saavat siitä murenen.

Yhteiskunta ylpeilee

Istuimilla maisen mahdin, Kenpä tarkoin taitaa tahdin

Vihdoin niille kiivennee.

Oi! Te suuret valtiaat

Oman edun haamu harmaa

Kaiken sovun jäytää, karmaa. Inha haamu surmatkaat!

Ei! Te ootte kuuroja,

Teill' on kirkko vaippananne.

Sotavoimin laumojanne

Teill' on halu hallita.

Sillä totuus mailmassa

On kuin kupla aallokossa.

Hetken väikkyy. Tuokiossa Näkyy siitä pirstoja.

Ystävyyttä ostat vaan,

Lempes' peittyy arkihuoliin, Tingit ihanteistas' puoliin,

Myyt ne vielä kokonaan.

Tahi ehkä himoinnet

Hengen mailla kuuluisuutta.

Saarnaat oppia sä uutta, Jota itse epäilet.

Ei! Sä tahdot tiellesi

Onnettaret hymyposket.

Juur' kun huntuansa kosket, Luotas' pois ne kaikkovi. —

Lienet herkkä. — Musertaa

Sua kaiken epätieto,

Kysyt: »Miks on elo mieto

Miks' on kurja koko maa.«

Ivan peikko ilkamoi:

Se on palkka ihmisturheen

Rintaan pisto mailmanmurheen, Tuntoon tuima tuskan koi.

Me tahdomme.

Me tahdomme voittoa totuuden,

Me tahdomme ihannemaata,

Ja vaikkapa määrä on kaukainen,

Me siit' emme luopua saata.

Kun loukot kaikki on valaistu,

Ja virtaavi raittiit tuulet,

Kun voimat kaikki on nostettu,

Ja sopua soivat huulet,

Kun kasvavi laihoja lakeita,

Ja tammet siimestä suovat,

Maa antavi runsaita lahjoja, Elononnea ihmiset juovat,

Niin silloin voitto on totuuden. —

Me siitä jo riemuitsemme,

Siks' tietä me jalojen aatteiden

Nyt työllämme aukaisemme.

Veljeyden aate.

Riennä sä sanoma voimalla riennä

Ihana sanoma veljeyden,

Sorretun surua, tuskia liennä, Henkiös lohtua lempeyden.

Missä on valta ja antimet suuret, Sieltä ne levitä ympäri maan,

Missä on kuihtua hyvehen juuret

Saata ne kukkana kukoistamaan.

Missä on uljasta tarmon työtä

Ohjaile mieliä toimivien,

Missä on unta ja velttojen yötä

Terästä ryhtiä ihmisien.

Nosta sä yksilöt yhteiskunta,

Satoja sulkuja aukaise.

Sulata rintojen jäätä ja lunta,

Maailma valloita, hallitse!

Rauhan tähtönen.

Veritahroja kantoi otsallaan

Tää onneton ihmissuku.

Veri virtasi vuolaana ruumiistaan

Ja suur' oli sotien luku.

Ken kipuja itki, se pilkattiin,

Ja raukaksi mainittihin,

Mut sotien sankarit taivaisiin

Ja kunniaan kutsuttihin.

Vaan kuink' oli musta ja toivoton

Tuo aseiden antama rauha.

Nous' usein taivahat ruskohon

Ja myrskyhyn ilma lauha.

Uus valkeus silloin pilkoitti

Kuin välkkyvä tähden lento,

Ja miljoonia se hurmasi

Tuo viesti niin outo ja vento.

Tuo sanoma rauhaa jalointa

Ja sopu suurinta vaati.

Sen maailman valtojen nähdäksi

Nyt mahtava keisari laati.

Ei ihme jos lämpesi herkimmät

Ja loistavin otsin huusi:

»Ylös uutehen uskoon ystävät,

Nyt koittavi aika uusi.» —

Mut salama tähtösen sammutti —

Taas maatamme pimeys peittää,

Sotajoukkoja ruhtinas vaativi,

Ja useat uskonsa heittää.

Mut ei nyt pelkohon vaivuta

Vaikk' kaikuis' asehen helke!

Vaikk' oisikin kentälle kuoltava

— On nähtynä rauhan välke.

Siis hyvästi tähtönen ihana,

Ja hyvästi unelma jalo!

Tule kerran leijonan voimalla

Ja syttäös ikuinen valo!

Rauhan unelma.

Miehet pukee sotahaarniskansa

Noutain vaatimusta valtojen,

Kimaltavan säilän huotrastansa

Ilmoihin he nostaa uhmaten

Tuoden tuhoa ja turmaa,

Sotain hävitystä, surmaa.

Mutta kertoohan tuo rakkauden

Laki elämästä jalosta,

Jot' ei maine sotaurhouden

Koskonkana voita, saavuta.

Sille raakuutta on murha

Sodan voitto halpa, turha.

Elo vast' on sotatanner suuri

Koko ihmisikä taistoa.

Ihmisrinta pyhin voiton muuri,

Ihanteilla vain se vallita!

Ihmisyyttä aina aja,

Niin oot jaloin valloittaja!

Rauhanlinna maassa kaunis oisi,

Sille miljoonien kiitokset

Kultapylvähiä tueks' loisi

Tekis' holvikaaret hopeiset.

— Mut tuo haave kuni sumu

Haihtuu, kun käy aseen humu. —

Suur' on ristiriita olojemme. —

Toive, lennä aikain taa,

Jolloin monet hurmetanteremme

Kukkain kattamina tuoksuaa,

Sotamaine sadun lailla

Unhoittuupi niillä mailla.

Miehet rautapuvun hylkeääpi

Terästellen aseet jalommat,

Silloin rauhanmarssit heläjääpi

Valon taistelua johtavat.

Silloin verta kammoo kansa

Miekka ruostuu tupessansa.

Itkuinen soitto.

Itke Wäinön viulu vieno

Ihmishengen hehkuvaiset

Tuliliekit tuskaisimmat.

Soi'os soitanto sorea,

Kaiuttele kaihokielin

Kipuvirret viljavimmat!

Itke Wäinön viulu vieno, Kylvä kyynelkarpaloita,

Loihtios sä itkulampi,

Jossa uisimme utuiset

Hettehessä hentokaiset

Niin ois' elo ehoisampi.

Itkusta me innon saaden

Kohoisimme kaihotulle,

Vihannalle valkamalle.

Silloin kantelo Kalevan

Riemuistakin rikkahana

Kajahtaisi korkealle.

Suomen miehen talvimietteitä

Mä Suomeni kesää jo vuottelin

Kun urvuista vihersi kujat, Ja viljelys laajeni korpihin

Ja työss' oli voimat lujat.

Mut juuri kun kevääseen uskoimme

Tuli armoton, hyytävä talvi.

Me vilusta väristen seisomme, Ja huojuvi uskomme valvi.

Olis tullunna tuho mun huoneeseen

Ja vaimoni, lapseni lyönyt.

Tai astunut kontio laitumeen

Ja karjasta parhaat syönyt.

Olis otsaani iskuja isketty,

Olis kipuja suotuna mulle,

Mut päivä ja kevät ois säästetty

Mun kallis Suomeni sulle.

Niin silloin kuolisin hymyillen, Mut Suomeni toukoonsa luottais'.

Valonkukkia, heelmiä aatteiden

Sen vapahat vainiot tuottais'.

Helmikuulla 1899.

Kevään keskellä.

Suomen virrat vuolahat ne

Jäitänsä vie meriin.

Sitkeästi kylmän valta

Pohjolasta erii.

Hurraten me aina ennen

Jäitä jättelimme,

Vaieten nyt seisoimme ja

Virtaan katselimme —