Chapter 32
Nikolai was silent as he followed Tyrell through the dark winding tunnel. He masked his presence extremely well, and was usually quite confident in his abilities. But when Tyrell told him about Ramirez, he worried such an ancient, master vampire might still be able to find him. Still, the minerals controlled Ramirez, so even he was vulnerable.
As for the minerals affecting Nikolai, he was taking what could be a deadly risk. Tyrell apparently was no longer affected, given he had a lifemate. Free feeling, real emotions, may in fact be the key to such minerals not being able to work. Unattached males on the verge of turning would have very little chance against such power.
Nikolai still had his emotion and he began to wonder if that fact alone would protect him more than his new founded power. Over the last few years, Nikolai spent much of his time studying and practicing spells which would have been denied to him, given much of the content was based upon darker power. While some hunters knew spells, rarely did they delve too deep into the wizarding world, as such power was known to have negative consequences. But Nikolai was drawn to such power, finally discovering what seemed to be a natural talent. And he knew the only way to take his revenge on the Albino would be to master enough spells to counter whatever defenses the man had.
You are prepared? Tyrell's voice was now in his head. Nikolai resented the fact they had to exchange blood, but it was the only way to have a private connection.
Just worry about yourself, vampire.
Tyrell laughed in his mind. You are powerful, Nikolai. Even I will admit such a thing. But your ego may be your undoing.
Oh? And you should be my mentor in such things?
Or learn from my mistakes.
Nikolai was surprised Tyrell would admit such a thing. In fact, what vampire would concede he made any mistake? As they neared the meeting room, he studied Tyrell. He was extremely tall and his skin a pasty white. His eyes were now black as midnight when the vampire turned to glance back at looked back at Nikolai. Tyrell gave every bit of appearance of a vampire, but his actions did not match. Was it because of his former control from the minerals? Or the female who claimed to be his lifemate?
What is it? snapped Tyrell as Nikolai continued to stare at him.
Nothing, he replied shaking his head. Let's do this.
Tyrell gave him a curt nod and turned down another corridor dimly lit by torches. It widened and Nikolai was genuinely surprised to see an enormous room within this underground cave. The ceiling was most likely twenty feet high, the walls made of smooth stone. Various shorter walls of rock were scattered throughout, making Nikolai anxious with how many areas vampires may be hiding in the darkness.
Someone began to clap their hands and Nikolai turned to see-
The Albino.
The man was just like all the other guardians Nikolai remembered in his nightmare of a childhood. The Albino's eerie eyes were looking right at him as he continued to sarcastically clap with a smirk on his face. "So the lost boy finally returns to me."
Nikolai clenched his jaw. "Lost? Only by your definition. And now that Tyrell has kept his word, I shall finally have the revenge I seek."
The Albino frowned and looked at Tyrell. "Kept his word?"
Tyrell softly laughed. "Why, to help him find you of course." He gave Nikolai a mocking smile. "It was how I easily lured him here."
Nikolai forced himself to stiffen in his stance, acting like he was suddenly shocked by Tyrell's words. But what if Tyrell really intended to return him to the Albino? What if this alliance was a lie?
Easy Nikolai, Tyrell spoke in his mind. I will not betray you if you do not betray me.
I should have just taken you down when I had the chance, the hunter shot back.
Do what we agreed, and I will let you try.
Nikolai kept his face passive. He focused on the Albino. "Tell me Guardian, how far have you fallen into disgrace with the descendants of the wizarding world? I am surprised you are still even alive after failing in your only purpose to guard the captive Carpathian children trapped in time."
Anger swept through the Albino's eyes. "You will soon learn that your time in captivity was by far better than what awaits. And those children? They will end up wishing they had never been taken out of that cave."
Nikolai narrowed his eyes. "I would face the dawn before I ever allowed you near any of the children again. I am no longer a small boy, but a full-fledged Carpathian male. Whoever threatens anyone under my protection will face swift justice." Before the Albino could react, Nikolai was instantly in front of him. The young hunter's right hand wrapped around the Guardian's neck and with his enormous strength, Nikolai lifted him off his feet.
Gasping for air, the Albino clawed helplessly at Nikolai's fingers as they tightened around his throat. Tyrell leaned casually against the wall, watching as the man began to die a painful death.
"You will let go of him!"
Tyrell turned his head to see Sergio emerge from one of the other darkened corridors.
"Now!"
Nikolai, said Tyrell in his mind, the wizard is using the power of the minerals. Drop him.
Nikolai bared his fangs at the Albino, ignoring Tyrell. Just a few minutes more…
You will not make it out alive if you kill him now. Remember what we must do.
It took every ounce of control within Nikolai to finally drop the Albino. As the man lie gasping for air on the cave floor, Nikolai slowly turned obediently toward Sergio.
The wizard looked with disgust at the Albino who continued to cough and struggle to regain his breath. "How many times have I told you to never let your guard down?" he snapped angrily.
Nikolai had his eyes on the necklace the wizard wore. It was round and glowing, a sign the minerals were somehow being used with its power. Nikolai had not felt a thing, causing Tyrell to signal him to act out his part. He was somewhat relived that his emotion protected him, but without sensing when and how much power the minerals were being used, Nikolai would have a challenge in knowing how to act.
I will tell you.
This made Nikolai suspicious. How could Tyrell feel the minerals but not him? Maybe the vampire was actually under the control and just using him to escape.
I am an ancient, Nikolai and one who was exposed to the power of the minerals before I discovered my lifemate. Perhaps for that reason, I can still feel the minerals when they come alive, but they have no control over me.
Or you could be lying.
Tyrell gave the young hunter a look of annoyance. I know you do not trust me. So focus on the one thing we do share in common.
Revenge of course. Nikolai wanted the Albino dead. And capturing or killing the wizard would be an added bonus, one that reaffirmed his strength and power. He would show Mikhail and the SongMaker just how much he'd grown. And if necessary, he would be the one to take on the mantel of leadership.
Sergio turned his attention to Tyrell. "Ramirez said you needed one more night to recover which I questioned given how strong you seem. But I knew you would return for this," he said as he grasped the glowing medallion. When Tyrell hissed, Sergio laughed. "You might be able to last longer than those young vampires, but in the end, you cannot help yourself. And you are mine."
Tyrell narrowed his eyes. "Death will come to you one day, mortal. Your ego makes you believe you can control an army of vampires. It will be your undoing."
Sergio raised an eyebrow. "My ego? Ha! Spoken from the mouth of an ancient vampire who believes he is the strongest. My ten little vampires did not even put some doubt of that in your mind?"
Tyrell shrugged. "Only three lived…or did they?"
The wizard frowned. "In truth, they did not. But neither would have you if I hadn't called them off."
"A loss of ten vampires. Is this how you plan to continue to build your army?" mocked Tyrell.
"Ten is nothing. Despite Ramiro's incompetence, he does prove useful when it comes to easily finding them."
Nikolai could not help himself. "Yes, obviously you need quite a few given they do not last long against hunters."
Sergio slowly turned his head to look at him. "And just who are you?"
"I am quite certain you heard of me from your incompetent Albino."
The wizard's face looked surprised, before breaking into a smile. "Nikolai? The boy?"
"I am no boy, but a full fledged hunter. Come closer and I will show you."
Sergio laughed. "A hunter! How fascinating!"
By now, Ramiro had recovered and spoke in a low voice. "Yes, how fascinating. In fact, how ironic this boy suddenly appears before us."
Sergio's laughter subsided as he looked at Nikolai. "Indeed. Tell me, hunter, are you here to signal the Prince our whereabouts?"
"I want nothing to do with my Uncle. I am only here for my personal revenge."
"Uncle? Oh yes! Ramiro mentioned you came from the Prince's lineage…his brother, yes? Ah, but he was ill and went insane. Or so I heard." As Nikolai growled, the wizard appeared delighted. "So Tyrell lured you here for your revenge. You are unattached, yes? It must be so if this works on you!" Sergio held up the medallion which began to glow even brighter.
Close your eyes, Nikolai.
The young hunter scowled at Tyrell in his mind, but slowly obeyed.
"You are young enough perhaps you still have emotion. But it seems to still affect you." Sergio whispered something and the medallion stopped glowing.
Fall Nikolai, now!
Nikolai fell to the ground, pretending to be in sudden agony, but his voice suddenly became even more strained than he anticipated. "Stop!"
"What are you feeling?"
"Pain!" gasped Nikolai. "What is this?"
"Excellent!" He turned to Ramiro who was looking at him with doubtful eyes. "You see? Hunters still have a darkness inside them. My theory was correct that such darkness fights to emerge when exposed to the minerals. They have no control over it."
Tyrell, this is real!
Tyrell kept his face impassive but was shocked. You are truly in pain? When Nikolai did not answer and continued to writhe on the floor, Tyrell realized their plan had failed. Even though Nikolai had not even first felt the power of the minerals, he did feel the sudden withdrawal of its power. Sergio might be right; that the minerals somehow called to an unattached male's darkness. Once they latched on to that darkness, the minerals penetrated any honorable unattached young male even emotion. Only a lifemate could bring the balance needed.
Desperate, Tyrell reached out to the SongMaker and quickly conveyed the information.
Focus on your task, was the SongMaker's response.
Excuse me? asked Tyrell, unsure if he heard correctly. My task is to capture Ramirez. What of Nikolai?
Nikolai has his own path to follow. You must finish your journey to restore your honor.
And my honor means abandoning Nikolai?
I have a blood attachment to Nikolai as well. Look at him, Tyrell.
Tyrell glanced back at Nikolai and was astonished to find the young hunter had stopped moving. Sergio laughed and moved closer as the medallion around his neck began to glow once more. Nikolai seemed to groan and then slowly moved to his feet.
The young hunter's eyes were glowing red.
Nikolai?
Nikolai hissed and launched himself straight at Tyrell. The dark ancient barely had enough time to move out of the way. The young hunter attacked again, and Tyrell defended himself by slamming into Nikolai's chest, pushing him with all his might into a nearby rock wall. The young hunter fell to the ground, but immediately bared his fangs, ready to attack once more.
Nikolai! Stop this!
But the only response Tyrell received was Nikolai launching himself in the air, flying at full force toward him. The ancient moved away with blinding speed, and the young hunter smashed into another rock wall. Shaking his head, Tyrell knew Nikolai had far greater skills, which meant the young hunter was acting by the power of the minerals without any thought or logic. Tyrell reached out to the SongMaker once more.
He cannot respond? Did you know this would happen?
No, replied Armando. But everything happens for a reason, Tyrell.
Even if that means he will be killed?
There was a pause, before Armando spoke with regret in his voice.
Yes.