This was an intense chapter to write. I hope I did it justice. Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Jade followed Javier through a bunch of halls, finally leading outside in the middle of the junkyard. The moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting an ethereal glow over the scrap heap. Jade Valentine, a vampire of considerable age and power, stood with an enigmatic smile on her lips, her green eyes gleaming with amusement. And then there is the Magister constantly trying to prove through cruelty and fear that he was a stronger vampire than Jade.
They stood before Marcus, who was sitting on the back of a pickup truck with his leg hanging over his knee. He was playing on his phone, looking bored, when he looked up anger flared on his face.
"I sent for the human, not Valentine!" He growled to his underling, who looked unbothered by the magister's demeanor.
"Miss Valentine insisted she has a word with you. Says she has an offer for you." The magister chuckles, intrigued by what she has to offer him. It wouldn't matter anyway, she was still going to meet her end.
"So, Miss Valentine," the magistrate sneered, studying her with a mix of curiosity and disdain. "I'm intrigued by this offer you have for me. Since tonight will be your last night, I'll give you one final chance to plead your case."
Big mistake chief.
Jade's gaze met the Magister's with a hint of defiance, her voice steady and resolute. "I may be at your mercy, Marcus, but I am not the one who's going to be ended tonight. I have a proposition for you, Magister."
A smirk curled on the Magister's lips. "Oh? And what could a condemned woman possibly offer me?"
"A chance to fight for you to get back what is owed," Jade declared, her voice carrying a sense of purpose. "If you defeat a fighter of my choosing, you can end me and take whatever you desire. But if you lose, then Carolyn gets to end you."
His eyes narrowed, the proposition challenging his authority and his pride. He was accustomed to absolute power, and the notion of facing a challenger threatened his dominance. But a glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes as he entertained the thought.
"Very well, Valentine," the Magister finally responded, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I accept your challenge. But remember, your choice of fighter will not alter the outcome. You will still meet your true death."
Jade smirked at him. "We'll see about that." She knew their lives hung by a delicate thread, but this opportunity offered a slim chance at survival and justice.
"Very well," she replied, meeting the Magister's gaze unwaveringly. "I choose my progeny Carolyn Phoenix. Bring her outside, and let our fate be decided there." A flicker of surprise passed over the Magister's face, momentarily betraying his composure.
"Your choice is foolish, Valentine, there's no way that weak little thing is a match for me…" the Magister said with a mix of amusement and disdain. "But I will grant your wish."
With a wave of his hand, the Magister signaled the guards to prepare for the fight. Two guards grabbed both of Jade's arms, pulling her back amongst the crowd that was forming around them. Javier zipped away to grab the Norsemen and his human. As soon as they were bought to the center of the junkyard, they were detained by two vampires.
She had placed her life in the hands of her youngest daughter who she had taught everything she knew about combat. Jade knew Carrie was going to win. She had trained under Jade's watchful eye, honing her skills in the darkness, and now it was time to put her training to the test. Jade turned her head towards the doors that led underground, where she saw a vampire leading Carrie into the middle of the junkyard.
She looked indifferent to this situation, but Jade could tell she was terrified. She sent her daughter confidence and determination through their bond, where Carrie looked back at her mother figure and nodded.
I promise I'll make you proud, mistress.
Marcus removed his jacket and shirt. He raised his fist in the air making the crowd erupt into cheers as Marcus, a towering figure, stepped before Carrie. His voice boomed through the area, its echo reaching every corner. "Let the games begin!"
If she were alive, her heart would be racing as she faced her destiny head-on, knowing that her life rested on her prowess. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, anticipation thick in the air. The duel commenced, and Carrie fought for her life, her every move fueled by desperation and an unyielding will to survive.
As the two vampires faced off, Marcus lunged forward with lightning speed, his fangs bared and eyes burning with determination. But Carrie effortlessly sidestepped his attack, her movements fluid and graceful. She toyed with him, swaying like a phantom in the night, always staying one step ahead of his strikes.
Marcus growled in frustration, his anger fueling his attacks. He launched a flurry of punches, each one aimed at her flawless face, but she effortlessly evaded them with a mere tilt of her head. She didn't dare enjoy this, not wanting to get cocky and make a mistake.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins as he braced himself for the coming clash. He would not be toyed with by Carrie any longer. He grew tired of this nonsense.
And so, in the heart of the moonlit junkyard, the battle resumed. Marcus, fueled by the need to protect his honor, lunged at Carrie again, his fangs glinting menacingly. Carrie, emboldened by Jade's trust, met his assault head-on, her movements a reflection of the skills she had acquired under her mentor.
The clash between the two vampires was fierce, their movements swift and deadly. Each strike was met with a counter, and the air crackled with energy as their powers clashed. The moon bore witness to their struggle, its light casting eerie shadows.
The crowd was impressed by Carrie's fighting prowess, showing that she was indeed taught well by her maker. Jade watched the battle unfold, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction and pride. She had set the stage for a showdown between her protégé and the arrogant little shit. Marcus fought with all his might, but Carrie matched him blow for blow, displaying a tenacity that belied her age.
As the fight raged on, Marcus's confidence waned, replaced by unwavering rage and disdain. She had surpassed everyone's expectations, proving herself a worthy adversary. With each strike, Carrie grew stronger, fueled by the fire of determination burning within her. Every time Marcus would attack her, she'd be reminded of all the times he had hurt her and humiliated her. The memories and the feelings behind them were driving her.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Marcus came at her again, this time zipping around her, trying to take her off guard, but she saw this coming. Just as Marcus was about to grab her neck, Carrie spun around landing a powerful blow that sent Marcus crashing to the ground, sent a few feet away from her. The defeated vampire struggled to rise, his pride wounded and his body weakened. Carrie stood over him, her chest heaving, her fangs down and her eyes gleaming with triumph.
Marcus finally defeated, cast a resentful gaze at the two vampires standing before him. He realized that Jade's decision to involve Carrie was a calculated move, designed to teach him a lesson in humility and to elevate her protege's standing. It was a hard-earned victory for Carrie, one that would forever be etched in their dark world.
Marcus would not stay down and take this loss. In a rage, his fangs popped down, making him scream to the sky. Zipping over to Sookie, he roughly grabbed her by her hair making her scream in fear.
"Let me go!" She screeches. He was enraged, and unhinged; unhappy that a vamp younger than him defeated him…and his Carolyn of all people. He did the one thing he had left, use the Norsemen's human as leverage.
"CARRIE, YOU ARE MINE AND ONLY MINE! I will kill this blood bag!" Anger filled Jade, making her fangs drop down.
"FUCKING COWARD! YOU USE A HUMAN AS A SHIELD?! Have some fucking balls for a change!" He glares at Jade, pointing to her.
"You!" He growls. "This is all your fault! You stuck your nose in my business, took my Carrie, then burned my business down. You will pay for this, Valentine…Mark my words, you will pay!"
Marcus's eyes widened, his mouth falling open. Suddenly, His body started melting, and disintegrating into chunks. Sookie rubbed her head, falling into the puddle of blood that used to be the Magister. The yard was silent and stared on. No one seemed to have noticed Carrie who slipped behind the Magister as he was ranting and staked him. She stood there with a bloody stake in her hand, staring down at his remains with both relief and annoyance.
"God, that felt good. I've always wanted to shut his ass up." She says with a sigh.
Jade stepped forward, a proud smile gracing her face. "Well done, my child." she praised, her voice filled with approval. "Rise as a warrior, for tonight, you have proven yourself."
Carrie smiled at her mother, giving a bow. "Her majesty is most kind. Thank you." The moon continued to cast its ghostly light over the yard, the silent witness to the changing of the guard, as a new era of vampires emerged from the shadows.
Phew! That was a close one. Good on Carrie, right? Review!
