"The jest's on me, I'm afraid." As they reached the manor, he bellowed, "Annika, call off the goddamn wraiths and let me in."
Emma stared up at the sky, seeing swirling red swaths of ragged cloth circling the house. Occasionally she spied a gaunt, skeletal face, but it would change to beauty if you met its eyes.
The price for their protection was hair from each of the Valkyrie within. The wraiths wove each lock into a massive braid, and when it grew long enough, they bent all living Valkyrie to their will for a time.
"Myst hasn't returned yet," someone called from the house. "But you know that, or else you'd both be naked and fornicating on the front lawn."
"The night's young. Give us time." To himself, he murmured, "And it was a field a mile away."
"Don't you have a tanning appointment to go to, vampire?"
Emma stiffened. Vampire? But his eyes weren't red. "Did you follow me?"
"No, I was awaiting Myst's return from shopping and sensed you trace into the woods."
A vampire waiting for Myst? He'd said she was his wife. She sucked in a breath. "You're the general, aren't you," she whispered. "The one Myst had to be pried from?"
She thought the corners of his lips quirked. "Is that what you heard?" At her solemn nod, he said, "It was mutual, I assure you." He glanced away down the drive, as if willing Myst to return, and said almost to himself, "How much lingerie can one female need...?"
Suddenly Annika was shrieking, running for her, vowing to kill him ever so slowly.
Amazingly, his body was still relaxed. "If you do not cease trying to take off my head, Annika, we will have words."
"What have you done to her?" she cried.
"Obviously, I clawed her, bloodied her, and burned her, and now, oddly, I offer her up to you."
"No, Annika," Emma said. "He found me. Don't kill him."
Through heavy-lidded eyes, Emma saw Myst returning then, dropping shopping bags full of lace - and leather - to run toward them in all her heart-stopping beauty. Gaze locked on Myst, the vampire finally tensed, and his heart sped up, beating loud like a drum.
Then Emma felt a very decisive yank as she went from his arms to Annika's.
"I was on fire," Emma told her. "I slew Demestriu."
"Of course, you did. Shhh, you are unwell."
When Myst reached them, she pressed a kiss on Emma's forehead.
"Myst, he found me," Emma said. "You shouldn't kill him."
"I'll try to refrain, my sweet," Myst answered in a wry tone. Curiously, no one raised a sword against this vampire.
The others gathered round until she was surrounded by her coven. When Annika stroked her face, Emma succumbed to the blackness.
Lachlain hauled himself to his feet, then sagged against the castle wall, still holding his sword out.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed so hard to have you tortured," Ivo said. "But I can't tell you how many nights have been gladdened by the thought of your skin cooked from your bones."
He was baiting Lachlain, stirring up the beast to render him thoughtless.
"I can't let you leave here alive. A Lykae after his mate..." Ivo tsked. "Annoyingly tenacious. You'd keep coming long after she's forgotten you. And she will forget you. I'll force her to take necks until you're a distant memory."
Trying to enrage him. Vampires always sought to trigger the beast.
"Now that I've found the key to turning demons, I can turn her fully as well. A true vampire - a true killer. She was made for it."
Stir the beast. Why not give him what he wanted?
Ivo smirked, so confident. "The first neck she takes will be my own."
Lachlain cast his sword at the henchman like a dagger, nailing him through the neck. Then, with a mindless roar, Lachlain charged Ivo. As he'd known it would, Ivo's sword shot out for a killing blow. Lachlain struck it down with his fist, sending it plunging into his own thigh. He left it wedged there, pleased, and let the beast free. The sounds of cracking, tearing... Through the haze, Lachlain saw Ivo's long, sadistic existence end with horror in his eyes.
Lachlain growled with satisfaction and dropped his body. He worked Ivo's sword free of his leg, and then his own sword from the remaining henchman's neck. "Video," he snarled.
The vampire clamped a hand to his neck, scrambling to a small computer in the adjoining chamber. When he handed up the video, Lachlain rewarded him with a quick death. Several more vampires had crowded at the opened door, but Lothaire, an enemy of old, was at the front and appeared to be blocking it, keeping them out. How long had he been there?
Lachlain could guess. Long enough to allow Lachlain to destroy Ivo. He asked Lothaire, "You know about her?"
A tight nod.
Lachlain narrowed his eyes. Lothaire couldn't take the throne, because he wasn't a blood heir. Lachlain knew of no one who could except for Kristoff - unless they went after Emma.
He bared his teeth at Lothaire. "Follow their fates if you follow their actions. I guard her ruthlessly."
Lothaire's lips subtly drew back from his fangs in answer.
No, Lothaire would never get Emma, so the Horde would surrender to the rebel king or descend into chaos.
Unless Kristoff had a sister.
Chapter 23
Lachlain needed to kill them all, but needed to get back to Emma more.
He escaped into the sun, never so glad to see a cloudless sky.
Emma knew the cost.
She'd wakened, having dreamed of people pouring blood down her throat, but she couldn't hold it down. First came blood in glasses, and then everyone started shoving gashed wrists to her lips. But she drank directly from no one, unwilling to risk more memories.