SWNOVELS Chapter 17 ~ On The Wagon
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Chapter 17: On the Wagon
Stopped not far from the middle of nowhere, we had our last break surrounded by sparse trees and the flickering glow from a beat-up petrol station.
I groaned as I stretched my legs after hours cramped in the backseat of the car, bending down to touch my toes before stretching my arms above my head to work out every kink. I made sure my hair was safely tucked away under my hood when I straightened up again, unable to help but scan the empty road for any sign we’d been followed.
The fort was only a few hours away and Titus assured us it was the best place to go; away from human and vampire eyes alike. From there, someone would take Anna home and we would make our plans to travel to where my blood had pointed to on the map.
Soon this would all be over, hopefully with Gideon alive and well.
Rubbing my forehead, I looked around once more, studying every moving branch and growing shadow. I was being too paranoid, but I couldn’t help it; especially with so many cameras pointing every which way that would certainly catch sight of my trademark silver eyes no matter how much I tried to keep my head down.
In the day since we’d escaped, I’d become an overnight sensation. There wasn’t a newspaper or TV channel in the world that hadn’t shown my face. All might end well with Gideon, but what would we do about that?
I sighed as I watched the sun finally dip below the horizon, the only amount of light our kind could stand without burning.
Everything was such a mess. And I couldn’t help but believe it was all my fault.
“Do you want anything,” Atanas asked gently, appearing at my side with concern etched in his expression.
I hummed, closing my eyes in thought. “Vodka...and I need a cigarette.”
“I can get you cigarettes but I won’t get you vodka.”
“Why?” I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes. After all we’d been through in the last week, I definitely deserved a drink.
Atanas pulled me into his arms, smoothing out my frown with a touch. “You’re on the wagon, remember? With exceptions.”
“Sounds like a crappy wagon,” I muttered, turning my face away from him.
My words only brought another laugh from him. He’d learnt to deal with my dry humour by now.
“I guess just cigarettes is fine,” I relented, lifting my head to peer up at him. He was normally so strict about my smoking and drinking habits, despite the fact neither could kill me. Which meant his leniency was probably brought on by worry with how I going to cope with whatever lay ahead.
Gripping one hip hard enough I was sure it would bruise, his lips came crashing down on mine. I kissed him back, fingers curling into his jacket. It was the only way for him to voice his concerns without words when we had so many around us who could overhear. And Gods forbid anyone witness Atanas show soft affection. Not that I needed it. Gentle words meant little to me in place of this.
A low growl from my mate brought a grin to my lips. Reluctantly, he pulled back and twisted my shoulders to face the car. “Keep your back to the cameras.”
Thankfully, he couldn’t see the way I silently mimicked his order. The crunch of gravel told me he and Titus were heading into the garage. Anna and Padraig were still in the car, leaving me alone with a sullen Ren who stood with arms folded and eyes trained on the road like a good little soldier.
Unable to help myself, I leaned over the car and tapped on the boot a few times. Shuffling from inside and a furious grunt let me know Seth was still alive and well. His voice was too muffled to make out any words but I was certain I could safely place my bets on him cursing me out.
The fort we were heading to had secure cells where we could safely leave him while we dealt with Airell. Titus would have some of his vampires work with ours to hold the fort and look after our prisoner, now he’d proven we could trust him. I wondered if that meant he was on our side now or if he would still call himself neutral.
He’d taken part in our strategising, chipping in with what he knew of the land while Padraig used his phone to show us maps of the area Airell was hiding. . .as far as we knew. My maker had used magic to mess with us before and I wouldn’t put it past him to somehow interfere with my poor attempt at a spell.
“Not too far to go now, buddy,” I said to the boot, patting it again to another round of kicking and thumping about. “Try to keep it down.”
“Must you antagonise him,” Ren muttered over his shoulder.
I shrugged. “Nothing else to do and he won’t be getting out any time soon. You should try it, it might make you less serious and you don’t want to end up like your master-“
“You are not smoking in my car!” Titus called over, tossing a packet of cigarettes and lighter to me with a stern expression. “So smoke now.”
Catching them easily, I gave Ren a look but he only mumbled to himself and walked around to the other side of the car.
Titus couldn’t have timed that better. He leaned next to me while I pulled out a cigarette, my body relaxing almost immediately after the first draw. The burn was of comfort, settling the butterflies in my stomach as I went through the familiar routine. I let the breath out in a puff of white and tried not to react to having the other ancient vampire watching me as if I was an anomaly.
Where was Atanas?
“This has been fun hasn’t it?” A smile stretched his lips as he looked around, talking as if we’d just had a lovely tourist jaunt through Italy and weren’t currently on the run from human police.
Brushing ash from my jacket, I took a slow step to put more space between us. “The whole world wants to hunt me down. I’m not exactly enjoying myself.”
“At least you haven’t had to drive the entire time,” Ren put in, fiddling with the keys in his hands as he took a swig of the coffee Titus had brought him.
Padraig wound down the window, green eyes glittering with mirth. “We wouldn’t have made it this far if she was the one driving.”
I tossed a glare his way. Had Atanas told him about my driving skills or lack there of? With a huff I stubbed out what was left of the cigarette and slid back into the car, ignoring the expression on Titus’ face as I flicked the butt into a puddle.
The sooner we got moving again, the sooner we could all get out of each others hair. A car-full of grumpy vampires wouldn’t last long before one of us snapped.
Anna sat sullenly with her chin on her hand and eyes trained on something out the window. She barely acknowledged my presence. I understood how she felt being forced to go home. For a long time, I felt helpless too, but she wouldn’t always feel that way. She’d find her purpose again. It just wasn’t here, amongst warriors and talk of battle tactics. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d be much use here either.
Before I could try and extend some words of comfort, the doors swung open and the men filed in. Anna was squished once more in the middle seat with Padraig on one side and Atanas on the other while I half perched on his lap. Not that he complained.
“And here we go again.” Ren started up the car with a heavy sigh, and I did my best to rest comfortably against the door to watch the dark fly by.
***
The distant sound of rolling waves piqued my interest as the car stuttered with the effort it took to climb the hill. From the way Ren appeared more relaxed, I imagined we were nearly there now.
Thank fuck.
The entrance to the fort was guarded by vine covered statues of two curvaceous women, one which was missing the hand while the other half her face. Roman numerals were carved at their feet but we passed so quickly I didn’t get the chance to read them. The dirt road had on odd hue of red that dusted up under the wheels, hiding the building from view at first.
It wasn’t until we pulled to a stop that I got a good glimpse.
Two stories high with a slated angled roof and windows with cracks of light glinting through to show wild bushes that entangled most of the surroundings, it proved to have stood well the test of time.
Atanas shoved himself forward to get a better view, his lips parting as he breathed out, “Montedoro...it’s still standing?”
“Mostly,” Titus replied dryly. “It’s been spelled of course, to keep the humans at bay. All they see is a few mounds of grass and crumpled ruins. They found some pottery a decade or so ago, nearly went wild. We won’t be able to hide this place for much longer I think...”
The look of sorrow that passed over my mate’s features tugged at my heart. As if sensing my sudden distress, he looked back at me. “This is one of the oldest forts ever built, from before Rome could have even imagined the empire it would amass. I’m glad I get to show you, Libertas Mea. This was once a good home of mine.”
His home. I tried to picture it as he might have seen it; bustling with the comings and goings of soldiers, the clanking of swords and armour, and animals in the surrounding fields. But all I could see was how close this place was to falling apart and truly becoming no more than fragments of wall and mounds of earth.
Much to everyone’s relief, we tumbled out of the car and finally had a breath of fresh night air.
The creak of hinges echoed threw the night, the huge double doors swinging open to bash against crumbling walls. Kincaid was as stern faced as ever as he stepped out, the huge leather wrapped handle of his claymore peeking over his shoulder.
“You took your time.”
“Yes well, you’re not famous like I am. Had to avoid the paparazzi and take quiet roads,” I replied lightly, grinning wide when he rolled his eyes and bit back whatever retort he had on his lips.
Atanas patted the boot. “We couldn’t drive too fast with our luggage rattling about and kicking up a fuss every time we took a turn. Make sure it’s put somewhere secure.”
Kincaid bowed his head but his lips were turned down in confusion. I followed him around the back of the car, wanting to see his face when he saw what we had in the boot. Ren flipped it open for us, stepping back so Kincaid could peer inside.
Seth was red faced and furious, spitting out words that were muffled by the gag drawn tight around his mouth. Now I got a god look, I understood why he’d been extra unhappy. It can’t have been comfortable travelling in a confined space with his wrists tied to his ankles like a pig ready for roasting.
At my questioning look, Ren shrugged. “It’s how I was taught to tie up animals on the farm where I grew up.”
His excuse was met with an amused snort from Kincaid. Between he and Ren, they managed to get him out of the boot but being outside only seemed to make Seth even more restless. He swung his head, wild eyes locking with mine and for a split second, I got the strangest sense he wanted my attention, that he was trying to say something of importance...
“He wants me to leave now.” Anna gripped my arm, drawing my attention to her. Wide brown eyes looked pleasingly up at me but there was nothing I could do, and we both knew it. “I know I don’t have my magic anymore but I had such a bad feeling, Shylah. My skin prickles, like when you know someone is standing right behind you...”
“Nothing good can come of this, even if we win. When we win,” I reiterated when she paled considerably. “We won’t come out of this unscathed. But you’ll be safe back home with Una and Zena, you and Lachlan can remind them both to lighten up.”
Anna blinked, then scrunched her nose. “We really need to practice your bedside manner, my friend.”
I laughed and squeezed her shoulder. No doubt, Anna still had much to teach me about how to be a friend. I was still learning. Heaving her shoulders, she turned to watch Padraig put her bags in the now empty boot. She frowned when he made no move to put in his own.
It didn’t take her long to figure out his intentions. Her dark curls whipped around as she turned and stormed in his direction, hands raised as if to conjure some spell before they dropped uselessly to her sides. The remembrance of her lost powers drained away her anger, leaving resignation in sagging shoulders.
“I know you understand, Anna,” he murmured, looking down at her as she pressed her forehead against his chest.
Her voice was muffled against his shirt as she replied, “I still don’t like it. You keep promising not to leave me behind and then...just don’t leave me waiting too long. I want to go home to Cala-phort. I miss the sea. I miss quiet days. I miss spending weeks abroad seeking rare treasures like we used to.”
Turning slowly away, I decided to give the couple privacy. Between Atanas and I, we’d uprooted them both from everything they’d known. Forced them to choose sides and risk their lives when they’d been happy before all this. Yet I’d gained so much, and that made me feel all the more guilty.
Trudging towards the stone steps, I was pleased to see Atanas waiting for me at the doors. He spoke quietly to his reconvened council who were too deep in conversation to think to move inside just yet. Nadia offered me a half smile but I was distracted by the rumble of a car engine starting. I turned just in time to watch my friend be driven off without even saying goodbye. Padraig watched it drive down the road with a grim face.
I let out a soft sigh, reminding myself she would be taken care of at home. Una had a soft spot for her. I wished I could have been safe at home, with my cat and my books, instead of in this mess.
“Your Majesty,” Nadia greeted, full lips twitching as I cringed. “Zena asked me to tell you that next time you decide to go viral, allow her to pick out your wardrobe. Black does little for your complexion.”
“Ha ha, very funny. I’m sure the next time I go viral it’ll be under the headline ‘Vampire kind outed!’ and nobody will care what I’m wearing.”
Not a muscle on the Russian vampiress’ face moved as she assessed whether I was joking or not. Not that I even knew.
My dour mood was getting the best of me. Motioning towards the door, I left it up to her whether or not she wanted to stick around and entered Montedoro.
Just as it did when I’d stepped into the Colosseum, stepping over the dusty threshold gave me a sense of stepping back in time. And just like before, I felt that itch of familiarity that told me Atanas had been here before; I’d have known that even if he hadn’t confirmed it in the car. Maybe I was becoming more intune with my mate.
Each footstep bounced around the narrow hallway as I trailed my fingers along the inside wall, tracing every bump and crack of plaster and faded paint. The past resonated, hummed and vibrated all around us. Even the yawning cracks in the timber that held up the roof would have a rich history to tell.
Did Titus not look after any of his homes? Or was he clutching at memories leaving everything as untouched as possible...
“Come, I’ll show where we’ve made our headquarters.” Gripping my arm, Nadia led me away from my admiration of the entryway.
I followed her deeper into the dimly lit fort. There was something eerie about this place, as if its walls held everything it had seen in the centuries it had stood here. The candles and sconces burned something floral, sending slow moving wisps of smoke across our path. But it didn’t quite cover the scent of mould that lingered in dark corners.
“Have you heard from Tash,” I asked Nadia as she led me through numerous, maze-like halls she seemed familiar with.
“She’s forgiven me.” Sharp eyes cut my way with a grimace. “We all saw your face on the news, the chaos that’s close to unravelling around us. I think she realises how serious it all is now and that we don’t have the luxury of not playing our part. Many leaders have banned their vampires from hunting freely until it all blows over, but rogues do as they like. We’re worried more countries are going to start to notice what’s been happening under their nose all along, that they’ll piece together that mysterious deaths with wounds they couldn’t identify in the past, are similar to the wounds on the bodies here.”
She paused at another set of double doors where the murmur of many voices could be heard. Leaning in, she lowered her voice, “Even if we win, I fear we may be too late to remain in the shadows much longer. Unless we find a story to weave that’ll put the mortals off our scent. It’s reasons like these we place vampires in high positions amongst humans after all.”
I blinked at her. “We do?”
I’d never heard of such a thing but now it had been said, it made sense. We needed someone to cover up messes left by rogues and feral vampires like the Fallen. There was no way we’d managed to keep our existence secret on just luck alone.
She seemed surprised at my obliviousness.
“In Russia at least. Several of my vampires hold positions in government, the police-force, working alongside morgues and the like. Ties with witches are good too, they can wipe memories with simple charms and spells. Social media and videos however are a little trickier.”
“You’re saying I’m fucked either way?”
Nadia broke her stoicism with a husky chuckle, her accent thick and alluring as she surmised, “I doubt Atanas will allow your particular issue to go unsolved.”
That was true. Perhaps Kincaid knew a way of fixing things. He’d mentioned the cleanup crew after all, some sort of organisation he was a part off that got rid of messes made by things that went bump in the night. Nadia had made a good point too. If we didn’t have vampires involved in government, perhaps it was time we did.
All thoughts faltered as Nadia and I stepped inside what looked to be an old dining hall. Faded coloured murals on the wall that might have once made the room welcoming made me feel rather melancholy. Faces of Roman gods or characters from fables had smudged features that contorted into long frowns and blank stares. Even the large table that took up more space than necessary looked like it had seen better days as it creaked and jolted beneath laptops and maps being opened and spread across the surface.
Atanas and Titus stood at the head, somehow having made it here first. It was then I realised Nadia had been attempting to show me around.
Ren noticed me first, stood at his master’s side with a look of importance. Others crammed themselves into every available chair and stool, eyes locked on the council that stood around Atanas. I recognised most of them as I made my way to my mate; vampires who’d pledged themselves to Atanas, and myself too I guessed. A fair number were unknown to me though, and from the way they watched me as warily as I did them, I supposed they came because Titus had asked them too. Hopefully their loyalty to him was enough to stretch to our new alliance.
So many strangers left my fingers fluttering at my side, a shock of nervous energy as my back tingled with awareness. My steps quickened, drawing yet more attention and I made sure my sleeves covered my hands in case my instincts got the best of me and I lit up like a fairy light. I might trust these vampires to fight beside me, but I wouldn’t trust them with the knowledge of what I was.
Especially as this would have been a perfect moment for Airell to execute his own Order 66.
Wipe them out, all of them.
My mate looked up as I approached, one dark brow arched as I smirked at my own joke with the Star Wars theme tune playing in my head.
“We think we know what Airell might be doing, and where.”
That wiped the laughter from my expression. I stopped short at the corner of the table, wondering if my sharp inhale of breath was audible. My reaction was silly. Finding Airell was the entire point and yet I thought it might take longer. That maybe we’d have time to clean up the mess Seth? Had created with the humans, or for me to rest long enough that I’d stop feeling like my skin was crawling.
“What?”
Reaching out for my hand, he tugged me closer, keeping his voice low. “You were right before, it appears he might be looking for Leyla.”
“What makes you say that?”
Dark eyes were on me but he seemed to stare right through me. A shiver went up my spine and I squeezed his hand, relaxing when that touch brought him back. He straightened up, clearing his throat to shake away whatever memory he’d gotten lost in.
“She used to tell stories about a monster, or a demon, that had been locked away in a series caves by some of the oldest magic in the world. Some nights she’d wake up screaming from nightmares...” he trailed off, cringing away from me as if I was bothered that he had a past with my ancestor. Maybe I was, maybe it was the way I’d stiffened that caused his reaction.
“She was haunted by the idea that those caves were her final resting place, a witch had prophecised it; The moon will fall into the darkened tomb. Or something to that effect.”
His words were followed by a breeze from one of the broken windows, the gust causing flames of candles to flutter violently, and shadows to dance across the walls. Releasing Atanas’ hand to rub my goosepebbled arms, I glanced at the equally freaked out faces of vampires around us.
“But she never told you where these caves were, right?”
“No.” He shook his head then motioned to Nadia. “But we sent people to check the location your spell picked up on the map and it was clear Airell had been there but they left quickly-“
“Gideon?” I interrupted, leaning over the table. “Was he there?”
Nadia gave me a sad smile. “There was no sign of him, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t alive. Airell might find his powers useful enough to keep close at all times.”
That didn’t make me feel any better at all. I’d seen first hand the tactics Airell would employ to keep something he deemed ‘useful’ in line.
“Airell plots and moves carefully but he’s allowed himself to slip up, either because he realised we were onto him or-“.
“Or the bastard got a lead,” Titus finished.
My mate’s jaw ticked as he glared at his friend. I tried not to laugh, touching his arm to take his ire away from one of our few allies. “I’m sorry, we keep interrupting. Go on.”
“I believe he’s figured out which caves she may have been speaking about. If there’s one place she might yet be, that’s where I’d look too. He and his followers are being tracked heading towards the Carpathian mountains-“
“Hold up,” I interrupted, trying not to burst into perhaps hysterical laughter. “Carpathian Mountains...as in Transylvania, Dracula, I vant to suck your blood?”
“Who do you think turned Dracula?” Titus deadpanned.
I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was being serious or not when his expression remained unmoving. Even Kincaid cracked a small smile.
Atanas was unimpressed though, and shook his head in disapproval. “Now is not the time for jokes. We must find Airell before he finds whatever it is he’s searching for. And Leyla must remain wherever the hell she’s been for the last millennia.”
His fist hit the table so hard it jolted across the floor. Nobody dared to breathe, not even me, as our leader lost his carefully crafted composure.
I’d always thought he still felt something for Leyla, a longing to be in her presence again; the woman who’d given him immortality and left her entire kingdom for him. Sure, he’d spoken of her in anger before, never like this however. Never for all to see.
But there was something else too. Another emotion nearly hidden by the fire in his eyes.
Fear.