Chapter 33
"Stop this. Now!"hissed Tyrell as he glared at Sergio.
The wizard laughed. "You defeated ten vampires! Do not tell me this young hunter actually frightens you."
Tyrell dodged yet another oncoming attack, dissolving into mist and Nikolai ended up swiping at nothing more than air. The hunter growled and whirled around to find Tyrell emerge behind him. Before Nikolai could react again, the dark ancient struck hard, knocking him to the ground.
Tyrell backed away, hoping for the blow managed to knock something into place within Nikolai's mind. But the young hunter's red eyes only glared at him. As Nikolai slowly got to his feet, Tyrell growled at Sergio. "Is this what you want? I lure him here only to have you control him and try to kill me?"
Sergio laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ah, but I must be assured that you, an ancient will obey me without hesitancy."
"You have the minerals. I feel their power. What choice do I have?"
"Ah, but this is a hunter, not some meaningless vampire. One that is related to the Prince himself. Tell me, as a great ancient, does this not hold some value? Why would you even hesitate to kill him?"
Tyrell now realized this was the test Ramirez mentioned. That somehow, the wizard would ensure there was no doubt left. And Nikolai now provided that opportunity as any vampire would relish the chance to murder a hunter, especially this one.
Black mist swirled and Ramirez appeared. You have no choice, old friend. Why should you wait? Murder him so we can form a plan to overtake the wizard. This is a distraction, nothing more. We both know you are vampire.
Although Tyrell kept his face expressionless, his real emotion was an unexpected surprise. Ramirez's words fueled something within him. Why did this matter so much to him? Yes, he had hoped the boy would assist in his plan but now that it failed, killing him was the only way to prove there was no doubt to the wizard that he was a vampire. Something made the wizard suspect otherwise, so why spare Nikolai's life?
As Nikolai prepared to launch himself again, Tyrell felt unsure of himself. Memories of past dishonorable acts flooded his mind, making him question everything that happened up until now. The memories…so real. Something happened to make him turn. A betrayal like no other.
Marina.
He not only protected her, Tyrell trusted her. Ramirez had tried to warn him that Marina was misleading him. She wanted Tyrell to seek vengeance on behalf of her parents. And when he refused…
Watch out!
Ramirez's warning was too late as Nikolai slammed into Tyrell. Knocked off balance, Tyrell felt blinding pain as Nikolai's hands turned into claws and raked his shirt, ripping it open. The young hunter was about to punch into his Tyrell's chest, and he barely had time to block Nikolai's fist with his own hand. As he fought to gain control, Tyrell heard Ramirez laugh in his mind.
You are by far stronger than this mere fledgling hunter, Tyrell. Why do you hesitate? We both know of your crimes. You are a full fledged vampire! Kill him and be done with this.
Tyrell closed his eyes for a brief moment as he held Nikolai back. There was no going back. Even Arianna for all the good she was, could not undo his past which blackened his soul. He began to take control, prepared to flip Nikolai over and punch through his chest. He was vampire and nothing could change it…
Tyrell?
He froze at Arianne's voice in his mind. He could feel her in his mind, but there was no pain. Whatever the SongMaker had done, it had eased a path of connection.
Tyrell? Please…I feel something is wrong. Can you hear me? Answer me, please!
Nikolai hissed, distracting him from answering. The young hunter was once more gaining strength, pushing Tyrell back against a stone wall. And then Tyrell felt Nickolai's claws digging into his chest, a searing pain burning like none he'd felt before.
Tyrell!
Arianna's cry sent him over the edge and he kicked Nikolai's feet out from under him. The young hunter fell to the ground and Tyrell was on top of him in an instant.
Ramirez laughed in his mind. Finish him!
Tyrell held Nikolai to the ground. Arianna, do you hear me?
Yes! Do you feel any pain from my touch?
No…feel me…strengthen me.
I-I don't know how?
Just feel me. Tyrell struggled for control of himself. He was close to killing Nikolai and he had to think of a way to stop. Did it matter? Given his black sins of the past that were in his mind?
Tyrell, whispered Arianna, I can read your thoughts. You are not vampire.
I am, Arianna. Nothing can save my black soul.
Her voice became firm and angry. I can! I am your lifemate!
I cannot even say the words to complete the ritual. I deserve this. I should allow Nikolai to kill me.
No! You promised me. Please…I cannot live without you. You must try, she begged him. Please, find a way to bring Ramirez back to the SongMaker. Do it for us.
Tyrell drew a deep breath. Only for you.
"Well?" demanded Sergio, "what are you waiting for?" He nodded at other vampires, including Ramirez which began to close in, forming a circle around them.
Tyrell realized the wizard was prepared to have them attack if he did not kill Nikolai. He thought quickly, developing a strategy he hoped would work. Holding down Nikolai with one hand wrapped around his throat, Tyrell took his other hand and raked his claws down the hunter's shirt. It wasn't enough to draw blood, but it would serve his purpose. Tyrell laughed low and looked up at Sergio as Nikolai continued to struggle.
"I am an ancient," Tyrell said in a low voice. "You may have control of my emotion, but not my mind. I feel the power of the minerals and can barely hold myself back from killing him because of you." He clenched his jaw, making the best grimace he could so as to look like he was barely resisting. "So if you are this unintelligent, I have no choice." He suddenly felt the power of the minerals lessen, indicating the wizard was pulling back.
Sergio crossed his arms over his chest. "Unintelligent," he echoed. "I am so unintelligent that I test to make sure you are what you say you are?"
"You have the nephew of the Prince. The possibilities of what we could do with him are endless."
"My spies tell me there is no close relationship between the two of them," huffed Sergio. "He disappeared for the last five years. He is useless to us."
"Mikhail is weak when it comes to Nikolai because he ordered his father's death. The Prince wants to desperately believe Nikolai will redeem him."
There was silence for a moment.
And then the wizard chuckled. "It looks to me as if this one is beyond weak. The minerals overtook him quite easily. His darkness must be spreading quickly which has also weakened his mind. Tell me, was he always this bad in battle?"
Tyrell clenched his jaw. The truth was Nikolai had by far more strength and power than he'd ever seen in a Carpathian still so young. But the minerals had indeed taken over not only Nikolai's emotion, but his mind. Was the sickness from Draven causing this?
"What young fledging can last against an ancient?" mocked Tyrell. "Did I not lure him here? Use him for your cause, wizard. Mikhail will want him returned. It is the perfect opportunity."
Sergio waved his hand and the Tyrell could feel the minerals somehow change. He eased back and then saw Nikolai's eyes turn to normal. The hunter shook his head in an effort to clear it, but the other vampires grabbed him in a blink of an eye. Nikolai fought them but was no match against an entire league of vampires.
"Weaken him," commanded Sergio.
And then Tyrell almost flinched as the vampires all bit into his flesh, their fangs drawing blood from his wrist, shoulder, neck, and chest. Nikolai began to yell in pain but to his credit, clamped down on the emotion, fighting to maintain control. But within moments, the hunter began to sink to the cave floor as his strength was drained.
"Enough!" snapped Sergio. "I need him alive." He glared at Ramirez who had only been watching the scene. The ancient glided forward and the other vampires immediately backed away. By this point, the hunter was unconscious and Ramirez carried him down a dark corridor out of sight.
"Where is he going?" demanded Tyrell.
Sergio laughed. "I have many deep tunnels and various types of cells that can easily imprison anyone as needed. I have never used the minerals on a hunter before and so he will need to be quarantined until I can experiment more with him. While he may end up being a prize, I will make use of him as needed."
Tyrell crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you propose with Mikhail? He will not be so easily lured here like his nephew." He made this an obvious statement, hoping to bait the wizard.
And it worked.
"You put an end to many Morrison labs in the United States." Tyrell shrugged in response and the wizard smiled. "Ah, but not the ones that matter the most. There are by far more secrets you never uncovered, despite your attempt at revenge. I have a very enticing bargaining chip in addition to the Prince's nephew."
Tyrell raised an eyebrow. "And you want what from him in return?"
"Females."
A chill went through Tyrell but he hid it and laughed. "Secret Morrison labs and the life of his nephew will still not be enough."
"Ah, but it will - you have only to deliver a small sample of a new serum to the Prince. He will quickly change his mind."
This threat did not sound hollow. What possible new serum had Morrison developed? Tyrell frowned. "So if I understand, you want me to go to the Prince, present your terms, and then bring back Carpathian females?"
Sergio waved his hand in a nonchalant gesture. "Human with special psychological gifts will do as well. I know there is a shortage, so I will not be picky."
"And do what with them?"
The smile Sergio gave him almost had Tyrell taking a step back. The wizard spoke in a low voice. "To make a new species….a more powerful species."
Tyrell absorbed that, a dark and foreboding feeling beginning to spread within him. "And how is this possible? Some way to trap more children in time as you manipulate them with the minerals? I would not say the previous attempt worked so well in your favor."
Sergio chuckled. "You ask far too many questions for your own good. Shall I remind you about who is in charge?" He gave a curt nod and more vampires began to emerge from various dark passages. Tyrell was taken aback that suddenly over fifty vampires were filling the room. He could not help baring his fangs in self-defense. He pulled himself back, focusing on Sergio. "I believe I know all too well who is in charge," Tyrell said in a low voice. It took everything in him to slowly bow his head.
"Excellent," the wizard replied with great satisfaction. "Then you are ready for a visit with the Prince of Carpathians to deliver my message."
It was time for Tyrell to play his card. "The Prince wants me dead. It is unwise to send me as I may not even be allowed close enough."
Sergio rolled his eyes. "The Prince wants every vampire dead. Given that you are an ancient with a far more cunning mind than some of these pathetic fledgling vampires, you are the obvious choice."
"Need I remind you that I killed a special female? Nikolai shared blood with me with his blind need to find the Albino. In doing so, I broke through his mind and learned the hunters had found her body. They know it was me and I am being actively hunted. Why not send Ramirez?"
How convenient, said Ramirez in his mind.
It will be if you play your part, answered Tyrell.
Ramirez scoffed out loud. "He is only trying to save himself. He is more cowardly than these other vampires."
Tyrell hissed in response. "I am far more valuable here. I can help build this army in strength."
"Let us not forget who is the older and more wise one," shot back Ramirez.
"Enough!" snapped Sergio. "Both of you will go."
Well played, old friend, whispered Ramirez.