Chapter Fourteen: Attacks
Midnight shivered as she looked on her unexpected visitors, feeling uneasy. What was wrong with her? Was Kai in trouble? A quick psychic probe told her the half vampire was fine, sleeping soundly. So why was she so uneasy? An invisible fist settled around her heart, and panic began tightening in her chest. Closing her eyes, trying to fight the irrational emotion, she immediately realized what was going on. Murder, she thought, and grief. What on earth…. A familiar psychic touch brushed against her mind. It was male, and human, familiar. Brandon.
"Where do you go, Dark Lady?"
"To the aid of one under my protection."
"A human? A male human?"
"Get over it, Alexander. I owe this human my protection, he's in danger, and you're wasting my precious time. I remind you that I'm older and far more powerful, you know." The vampiress crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"I am no fledgling, Midnight Vaperio."
"Nor am I." She hissed in anger. "Let me pass. He needs help."
"Very well. We will follow."
"That's your prerogative."
* * *
Brandon whirled around and screamed in fear. The knife came whistling toward him, and he knew he could not escape it. His eyes darted immediately to his attacker, and he gasped. "You!" The blade flashed, and Brandon cried out as a dark shadow inserted itself between him and the knife. A cry of pain shook him, and the silver glinted twice more before the being before him lashed out. "Lady?"
"You bitch!" The blade made a sick sucking noise as it slipped in and out from between her ribs.
"Fuck off, hell bastard, or you're dead!" She slammed a fist into the side of his head, and his temple depressed an inch.
"Wrong again, devil whore!" Midnight slammed Justin back against the table, twisted his wrist completely around, and slammed the knife into his abdomen. She twisted the weapon around, brought it up through his body to his chin, and pulled it out. Her clothes were splashed with blood, but she paid it no heed. She watched Justin fall to the floor, dead and lifeless. She spat on him.
"Was I so wrong? Oh!" She hit the floor on her knees, her palm pressing against her stomach. Brandon realized his goddess was bleeding badly, from the knife wounds to her torso. "Mmm… Alex…" Brandon put a hand to her shoulder, but jerked back as her snapped up, her eyes blood red, her fangs bared. She relaxed upon seeing who it was. "Hello, little one."
"My lady, you… you saved me."
"Of course I did. Ah!" She struggled to her feet. "You are under… my protection…" She staggered a few feet, then straightened. "Brandon, come with me. You are no longer safe here."
"Of course, my lady."
* * *
"Hello, princess." Brandon moaned, but didn't move. Midnight wondered if he was even going to survive this next encounter with her enemies. She prayed to Raksha and Ravanna that he did. "Been a long time."
"Fuck off." She was callously thrown into a wall, and her skull cracked against the stones. "Leave me… alone." The rogue laughed, slamming a fist into her stomach. She spit blood in his face, and his fury shone in his eyes.
"I'm going to enjoy breaking you." He straddled her hips, fingers curling around her throat and squeezing. Her vision dimmed, but then she could breathe again as Daimon swore, jumping to his feet. He lifted something off his back, threw it to the ground, and began hitting it. "Filthy human, disgusting mortal!" Brandon… Alex…
Suddenly, Daimon stood and ran as a streak of gold raced after him. Midnight heaved herself to her knees and crawled to the lifeless body of her mortal. He was alive, but barely. She couldn't heal this much damage. She didn't know how. Only the Dark Twins knew how to do this, them and the Smoke witches, neither of which were handy. Brandon's breath gurgled in his throat as he opened his eyes. "Lady." He whispered lovingly. Midnight began to cry.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I only meant to protect you."
"Shhh. No… no crying." He coughed, and she sobbed harder. He didn't deserve this, he was only a child. He was just a little boy, younger than Kai, so young. Lucian, Gabriel… where are you two? Instantly, a voice brushed her mind, gentle and sweet, whispering, Little sister? You have need of us?
Yes.
Then we will come. And out of the darkness, out of the mist and cold, came two predators, eyes black as jet, hair past their shoulders in dark horsetails. They were broad shouldered, tall, and powerful. They glided through the night, searching for her. Midnight.
Lucian… Gabriel. Brothers…help him.
Get away from him, and we shall. She put Brandon gently on the ground, and Lucian went to him, power radiating from within as he began the healing chant. Gabriel came to her, but Midnight shook her head. If he caught her brother's scent on her, Kai would feel vampiric jealousy. Males were not allowed to touch another male's lifemate unless absolutely necessary, and even then, the male didn't like it. Kai would take care of her. Lucian lifted Brandon, and vanished. Midnight knew he was taking the boy to Caryn. She sighed, relieved, and passed out in Gabriel's arms.