Chapter 48
Gerard
Nothing compared to the minutes before you charged into battle, we stood three rows deep. Yannick and Aurora flanked my sides, behind Kellan, Preston and Stark buzzed with anticipation. To their rear the Saxons and Erebus, to their right Bastian and Eric. The vampires rotating their shoulders, with fingers flexing ready to grip swords. Echo had entered the Fae realm to scout out our destination and he lay in wait for our arrival. We all knew what was coming, it had been decided, nothing left breathing. Most of our nest mates roamed around the tree line excited to see us charge into the unknown, others sad they wouldn't be joining. Echo had forwarded on great Intel but it was a guessing game as to how close we were teleporting into the strong hold. This was a blitz attack and if I could, I'd land right on top of our enemies.
Kellan placed his hand on Preston's should extending his teleportation field, we were charging as one. The air shimmered and we knew this was it. The ground rumbled as we strode forward gaining speed with every step, racing to our fate, almost instantly we crashed down upon the Fae strong hold at full speed. My arm tensed and extended as I brought my sword down upon a female Fairy in my path, not even bone hindered my stroke. Aurora and Yannick spun and danced as they slashed through body after body, their armour painted with the blood of our foe, this was what they'd been created for. Echo appeared to my right slashing through a Earth Fairy Century barrelling towards me and pointing to my rear, before I could turn in pursuit, the Viking roared and raced off after a fleeing Rahni Jay. The trees bent at my will as I summoned the water around me, buildings tumbled, the earth split as my blood cried out for battle, they wanted a war, we were going to show them what death looked like, nothing survived. The Saxon decimated the Fae attempting to scramble for freedom, screams could be heard gargling out as throat after throat was ripped and each fairy drained of their life force. Erebus was ever vigilant of the Bert's, but he was using most of his power to block any attempt by the Fae to shimmer out of the ensuing battle, the horror on their faces excited us as they summoned up their energy and nothing. Bastian herded any stragglers towards Kellan and Preston and I was happy with the improvement of Preston's sword skills, maybe there was hope for the old guy. What made me even happier was Kellan keeping a close eye on our Fairy just in case, he may be new to our bonding, but he was ours and we would protect him with our lives.
The numbers fell quickly but what we needed to do was find the green eyed fairy Sookie had seen in her vision, I left nothing standing in my wake, everything as far as the eye could see held water and this meant it bowed to my will. The heavily vegetated forest laid destroyed as we pulled every fairy from their hiding holes. Our feet trudged through the bloods soaked earth as Aurora and Yannick set alight to anything within their wing span, the roar of victory howled from the Saxons as Eric walk through the battle field with Rahni Jay's head hanging from his clenched fist.
Then like a mirage await our arrival, a doorway appeared in the hillside at the edge of the forest, calling to us. Erebus became agitated. This was not the work of the Fae, white plumes of smoke leaked from around the frame and as soon as the scent hit Aurora and Yannick they became enraged. Stark, Kellan and I knew the hell we were about to walk into and what this could mean Aurora and Yannick.
"She wouldn't" whispered Erebus as he backed away from the door.
"Who wouldn't what?" asked Bastian as he backed up dragging Eric and the Saxons in the same direction.
Aite, growled Aurora and Yannick in unison.
"She's the goddess of mischief, delusion, ruin and folly and if that's not enough, SURPRISE. She's Yannick half-sister" muttered Kellan.
He knew more than most, he had dealt with the demi god before and knew of how she revelled in the death and downfall of her play things. The green eyed fairy was playing a very dangerous game, calling Aite. Her fee for services rendered was always heavier then the prize most of the time, the smell of the opium grew stronger and a decision had to be made, retreat or march into the mad house.
"This ends now, you know our Fairy will be behind that door." growled Aurora.
"I do, but I also know the mind games Aite plays and are you willing to risk anyone from our nest?"
Aurora looked over at the Viking, Bastian, Echo and the Saxon's. This was not a battle we could guarantee they'd come out the other side of, we could protect your body but Aite twisted the mind and no amount of our blood could return what she'd taken. Without looking back Aurora ordered Erebus to return to the compound with Bastian, Eric, Echo and the Saxons.
"Like hell you're sending me home like a human with its tail between its legs" roared Eric.
"This is like nothing you've ever encountered, she'll twist your love of Sookie and the twins, and you'll relive your human life fears tenfold, possibly get lost in the delusion. She feeds on twisting everything you hold closest."
A single blood tear rolled down Aurora's cheek as she looked the Viking straight in the eyes, bring home the gravity of what we were walking into. The mind was a fragile thing, Aite's gift could twist even a true immortals mind temporarily and we could be a danger to each other and ourselves. Ever the warrior, Eric passed his prize of Rahni Jay's head to Bastian and strode forward to stand face to face with Aurora. No words were spoken as he grasped her hand and tuned the pair towards the door.
"Preston, I'm sorry but I can't risk you being an energy source for Aite. Please do a sweep of the battlefield before returning with Bastian, the two of you are to keep our nest safe until we return."
I was proud of my mates as they took my orders and respected my authority as Alpha male, the six of us stood and watched them clear the battlefield before teleporting to safety.
"If Aite physically attacks, I'll end her life before she gets a hand on any of us"
I nodded to Kellan, agreeing but we all tuned to Yannick waiting. He turned to Aurora cupping her cheek, looking deep into her eyes before bushing her hair back, bending down and kissing her tenderly. The moment he broke away looking towards the door we knew it was time to enter the asylum. I was the first to the door and there for all to see was a plaque readying mausoleum, Aite loved the theatrics. I twisted the knob and we all filed in to the pitch black. Despite my courage, I felt a cold chill shoot up my spine. Normally I felt excitement when I hunted, but this was something else. I reached back pulling Aurora close, wrapping my arm around her waist, giving me a flood of reassuring intimacy and strength, the tug of the Viking's hand Aurora was refusing to release also gave me hope, with no moonlight or air the death dealers and Kellan couldn't summon fire to give us light. Fathomless black stretched around use and we had no sense of the size of the room or even of what stood directly in front of us. The eerie blindness started to leave me disoriented and I found myself stumbling even as I attempted to stand still. What I didn't expect was for the Viking to take the lead.
"There is a room beyond this one. Well-sealed, it appears," he murmured.
Without his guidance, I would have been completely lost. I turned towards the sound of his voice as Aurora's body fell from my grasp, the only landmark I had was his voice and our bonds pull. The scent of the smoke, rich and cloying, sent my head spinning. I groped for anything, my heart dropped to my toes when I felt only air. Panic gripped me and I took one step, then another and my boot collided into solid stone, I shot out my hand to feel nothing but the smooth, cool surface of my tomb. I bit down to swallow my fear, what was wrong with me. I swallowed more of the sweet smoke and felt my heart thud even faster, I was losing my way. Like a light to my soul I felt Aurora push into my mind. "Don't go stumbling about", as her hand settled on my waist.
"Eric has found the door, just move as I direct you with my hands"
She propelled me forward and I happily put all my trust in my mate and the Viking to get me out of this nightmare, I couldn't register any usual odours to help with our location. Instead, that thick heavy smoke filled my senses and burnt my eyes, but thankfully I could finally see the door because curling fingers of smoke slithered out from minuscule cracks. Pressing tight against Aurora, I felt our other mates stumble forward grabbing onto each other, as the Viking attend to the door. I hated how I felt, blindness and weak. Surrounded by the dark, I listened for the creak and groan of hinges, but to my surprise the door swung open without a sound. A golden glow spilled out and my fingers strayed down to my sword ready for anything that my charge upon us. Now accustomed to the light, I saw my mates by the side of the door scanning the area and the Viking with an amused smile playing on his face.
"So next you go off charging into the dark and insisting the vampires stay behind, remember we thrive in that shit."
The smirk was quickly wiped from his face as we all took in Aurora's shacking body, her fists clenched so tight blood slowly dripped to the floor, my gaze followed hers and there in the chamber sat a coffin. An elaborate resting place carved of oak and inlaid with rich, gleaming gold. My stomach heaved as I scanned our surrounding, looking upon the velvet in jewel tones hanging about the walls, rich bright carpets bearing intricate oriental patterns covering the floor. This wasn't a cold crypt or mad house, this was Valliant's bed chamber, frozen in time. Before us was the scene of the day he died and us placing the empty coffin inside, closing the doors never to be opened again. I almost wanted to run my fingertips along the velvet covered walls as I had done so may time in my past. Two other doorways led off to the right giving the sensation that we could travel deeper into the maze, but the figure strolling around the back of the room watching Aurora and I had us locked in place.
"Please don't tell me that's who I think it is" asked the Viking.
We all nodded as we watched our brother, lover, friend and confidant walking back and forth. He was as beautiful as I remember, the same crystal green eyes as Aurora's studied us. But where her cherry chocolate hair was thick and danced about with rich curls. Valliant's hung straight down his back with a small braid at the crow of his head, I watched as his muscular frame move within the leather pants and silk rode that dressed his body. He was perfection, every muscle perfectly toned and ready to pounce.
"You said he was dead, like dead dead." said the Viking as he become uneasy with our situation.
"It's a mimic, Aite takes the body of an offering and wipes it clean, Like a child wipes away a mistake on a blackboard, no face, no soul, no nothing. We are probably looking at one of the Earth Fairies given by the green eyed devil where chasing, she takes a lot of souls as payment for her help. The problem we have is her gift is so precise, he believes he is Valliant, he has his thoughts, dreams and desires and in this place, right now, it really is Valliant we are looking at." Shared Kellan as he watched Aurora carefully.
"Excellent, if he's Valliant, then he'll be on our side" asked Eric, looking a little hopeful.
"It is him, but he'll have orders or a thought implanted and at this moment we don't know what that is" replied Kellan.
"Well fuck this, six of us, one of him" spat Eric as he lifted his sword and strode toward Valliant.
Aurora lunged forward striking the Viking throwing him into the wall. Stark raced after her grabbing at her arm but she spun, lancing his arm with her sword backing away toward Valliant, who's musical voice was calling her name. My muscles tensed and my brain couldn't believe what I was seeing, she'd cut the Angel, of all of us Stark was the last we'd expect Aurora to lift a finger against. Yannick and I made eye contact and we knew the time for action was now, I hated it but we had to split up. Kellan and Stark would stay behind with Aurora and do all they could to protect our mate from herself and we'd go after the Fairy.
We circled around the room toward the doors, while closely watching Aurora and Valliant study each other, Valliant's face elated to be looking upon his sister, but Aurora's face held pain and devastation. My heart leapt into my throat as we reached the doors and Valliant whispered my name, I have never felt so vulnerable in my whole existence, walking away from the only two people I have ever loved. We stopped several strides into the new room, there before us was Aite and The green eyed Fairy. The second Aite spotted Yannick horror crossed her face.
"Please, I didn't know, if he had told me it was you brother I never would have accepted his offering"
"Lies, you stand in front of me and tell me you had no idea, when next door Aurora is being tormented by her dead brother"
"I swear it's the truth, I create the stage but the players create their own demise. I would no sooner torture our father than I would the daughter of Posiedon, but once it beings only the players can stop it."
Aite went to lower to her knees, beginning forgiveness, when the crack of a whip rang out and our Fairy stepped forward.
"I have paid your price, you will do as promised and protect me."
"And who the Fuck are you and why the Fuck are you trying to take what's mine?" spat the Viking
"Who am I, how dare you address me you unholy abominations. I am Oberon, King of the Earth Fae and I am only taking what is mine, Fintan promised me his first born female and upon his death Niall hid the half bred from me."
This enraged the Viking and he charged forward, two white bolts of energy shot from the Fae's hands striking my chest, Yannick stumbled forward as ropes snakes from the floor binding his feet in place, Aite whispered her apology once more before vanishing from the room. With a roar he slashed his blade on the bindings spinning around, as his hair whipped about him like a cape, his eyes glowing with rage.
"Go" I ordered as the Viking's body stuck the bare floor with a crunch and his head following with a bang.
Yannick shimmered from the room on the hunt of his sister as I reached down grabbing the Viking and placing him back on his feet. He growled turning towards the Fairy blurring before my eyes, as he jumping mid-stride at the Fairy who sent a second stream of brilliant white light towards his body. I smirked triumphantly as the Fairy stagger from the impact of the Vikings strike, but he took only two steps back before regaining his balance. In that instant, I saw the uneven match between the Fae and Viking, he must have been very old, but the Viking didn't stand alone and it didn't matter how old this Fairy was, he was no match for me. I pulled my dagger from it sheath, eyeing my prey as I released the blade watching it fly true and slice into the Fae's chest. The force drove him back, slamming the back of his legs against a cage on the floor. I could only think of what horrors await the guest of that device. The Fairy wrapped his hand around the blades handle in an attempt to remove it as he screamed out in paid, the iron giving the distraction the Viking needed. The screams continued as Eric latched onto the fairy driving his fangs deep, I watched on as the Viking grew in strength with every mouth full of blood and our enemy took his last breaths. The Viking ripped my blade from the Faes chest using it to hack his prize from the fairies body. The look of victory was magnificent as he wiped the blade on his pants handing it back to me. I gave him a nod as we turned back towards the door and our other problem, but my body crumbled with excruciating pain, Eric gripped my waist racing us forward as we stumbled into my nightmare. Before us stood, Aurora and Valiant in a tight embrace staring into each other eyes, their faces stained with blood tears and Valliant's hand gripping the hilt of Aurora's sword which was impaled through both their bodies. The mimics form blurred as Aurora head fell back and our Valliant vanished as Aurora's lifeless body lay against a faceless fairy.