Chapter 43
Lock
“You’re gonna love it there,” Sam chattered excitedly from the backseat.
She was in the back with Joseph, which wasn’t where I wanted her, but she wouldn’t listen when I told her she should sit in the front. She claimed that Seraphim’s long legs would be cramped back there as if I gave a shit about him being comfortable. There was a reason I’d rented a more compact sedan, and it wasn’t the gas mileage. It would have been preferable for him to go with Ryan and Ruth, but Sam and the fairy had to stay close, unfortunately.
“We’ll get you some carne asada fries,” she went on. “They’re fucking bomb, but we have to go to this little spot near my old job.”
My fingers tapped on the steering wheel as I drove. The trip back to the airport felt like it was taking longer than when we drove to Fern Springs and I was past antsy. Cars weren’t my ideal mode of travel to begin with. On top of that, it felt like there was raw power in my veins and I couldn’t stop thinking about running a lap around the state.
There was a rest stop in the distance, so I sped up and took a sharp right. It looked like this place was never serviced and considering the barren state of this area, I wasn’t surprised. It was quiet, though, which meant I didn’t have to kill anyone. I could’ve used a pick-me-up, but I wasn’t too upset over it.
“What are we doing?” Sam asked.
“Humans need bathrooms and leg breaks.”
“I’m fine,” Joseph replied unhelpfully.
“I’m being generous. Believe me, you don’t want the alternative.”
“Okay, I guess.”
As I watched him head into the building, I wondered if he needed a demonstration to show him what I was capable of. He remained wary of Seraphim, likely because of his prior encounter with him. I’d been mostly kind to him when I first came to Alabama after his sister died and I worried he didn’t fear me enough. It wouldn’t do for him to think I was less formidable.
My door opened and Sam latched onto my wrist, tugging me out. When I was standing, she clasped her hands behind my neck and rose on her toes to kiss me. I leaned back against the car and stroked down her spine, marveling at the way energy was able to pass between us like our veins were somehow connected.
“I love this,” I said.
“Aw, you’re turning soft.”
Gripping her hair tight enough to make her hiss, I tilted her head back. “I am not turning soft. You are my only weakness, Belladonna. Should this hobgoblin, as you call her, threaten everyone on this planet and propose a trade, I’d douse the world in gasoline and light a match.”
“Then we’d have nothing to eat,” I pointed out.
“I’d rather perish together than be separated from you. Have I not made this clear?”
“Yeah, but I had a shitty childhood. I need constant affirmations.”
Humming thoughtfully, I leaned down to kiss her forehead. Following that, I pressed my lips to her cheekbones, then her nose, and chin. She giggled as I continued on her neck, behind her ear, and anywhere else I could reach.
“You have gone soft,” she teased.
“We killed over half of your childhood town, Belladonna. If that’s part of being soft, perhaps it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everyone at the tower still thinks you’re the stuff of nightmares.”
“I am the stuff of nightmares.”
“Right. Of course.”
“I’ll show you right now. Get in the back.”
“No. We’re not fucking on the seat Joseph and I will be sitting on for the rest of the drive.”
“It’s only another hour.”
“Considering the way you make my magic go haywire, especially now that we’ve reached our final form, I’m gonna say no. The car will definitely explode.”
“How about on the plane? We can join the mile high club.”
“That’s an even worse idea.”
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“What did you say before? ‘That’s the idea, darling,’” she drawled, making a mockery of my accent.
“I’m taking you to Italy soon.”
“What if we got married there?”
Gripping her chin between two fingers, I couldn’t help but smile. “Would you want to do that?”
“It would be amazing. Plus, it’s where you’re from and I love the idea of that. What do you think?”
“All I care about is the bride, but I think it’s a wonderful idea, darling.”
Her smile was mesmerizing. My phone chiming drew my attention away from her.
“If this is another…” I trailed off after clicking on the link Seraphim had sent. That cursed song had now become a trigger for my urge to kill things.
“He’s still Rick Rolling you?” Sam laughed.
“Is that what this is called?”
“To be fair, you started this little war.”
“No, he started it when he killed my progeny in Seattle. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t do anything murder-y.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Taking off, I followed the sound of his muffled laughter. I leapt onto the roof of the building and dropped over the other side. Before he could react, I snapped his neck, taking comfort in the thud of his body hitting the ground. I’d beaten him three times now. Even if he’d let me the first time in order to fuck with me and Sam’s relationship, I still counted it as a win. He was just lucky I wasn’t allowed to actually kill him.
Sam made a pained sound and I rushed back to her, taking her face between my hands.
“What is it?”
She rubbed her neck and narrowed her eyes. “You killed him.”
“You felt it?”
“Yeah. I think I’m becoming more attuned to him as we strengthen the connection.”
The idea of that made me want to go back and stake him. What did that one bitch say about things that don’t bring you joy?
“You’re angry with me,” I guessed.
“No,” she sighed. “He’ll be up in, like, ten minutes. Let’s just avoid doing that in the future.”
“I’ll do my best. He did deserve it, though.”
“This is one of those things that’s subjective, baby.”
Suddenly, it began to rain heavily. Water poured from the sky, soaking us within seconds. Sam laughed, tipping her head back and spinning in a circle. I would have joined her, but when I looked up, the sky was clear.
“Sam…”
“What is it?”
“We need to go.” As I looked further, I saw that the rain stopped just past the building and didn’t reach further than fifty feet in either direction. “Now. I’ll get Seraphim. You get Joseph.”
We headed toward the building, then stopped in our tracks. There was a figure standing in front of it, facing us. The woman, judging by what I could see, wore a long black cloak with the hood up. There was thin white smoke swirling around her feet like mist and even though she was standing in the downpour, she was completely dry.
“I’m going to assume you’re not here to join our friendship circle,” I remarked. “I didn’t buy enough bracelets anyway.”
Only her teeth were visible underneath the hood when she smiled. There were two sharp canines that lengthened as we watched. The rain stopped, making the world go quiet.
“The great Hemlock Giudice,” she said in a sultry voice, curtsying like a fucking psychopath. “And Samara Byrne. I’m Erla. Such a pleasure to meet such powerful mates.”
Fuck. I recognized the name immediately, not that I needed confirmation that this was one of Sibon’s bitches.
“And right there, you’ve identified the reason why you should leave us alone,” I noted. As if to emphasize my point, orange smoke seeped from Sam’s hands, enveloping them.
“Oh, look at you,” the woman crooned as if she were talking to a child. “A little baby vamp with little baby magic. I bet you think you have an advantage, don’t you?”
“Well,” Sam started, raising one of her hands and bringing her pale blue smoke into that one. “I’d say two is better than one, wouldn’t you?”
“No, I wouldn’t. Quality over quantity, as they say.”
“Water isn’t exactly that special. I can make it rain too.”
“Is that what you think you have there? Your ignorance alone leaves you at a disadvantage, kid. Look, I didn’t want to leave home, but your backstabbing Flame has messed everything up, so let’s make this quick, shall we?”
“I agree.”
Without another word, Sam pushed her magic forward, lighting the grass on fire. The flames advanced on our foe quickly, all while she made no move to protect herself. When they were close to touching her, water came up from the dirt, dousing the fire. The white and orange smoke met in the air, both of them dissipating when they touched.
“Come now. Surely you can make it hotter than that.”
Sam growled and sent ice toward her instead. It melted before it touched Erla, making the crazy bitch laugh.
“Control over water, child. Use your brain.”
“I don’t understand,” Sam grumbled.
“The dangerous thing about an Ark,” Erla began, stepping closer, “Is that you can combine abilities. Make new ones, of a sort. Ice plus fire becomes water. The right combination of heat, water, and air creates electricity, like those infamous little storms you were fashioning before. You, however, have no grasp on your abilities separately, let alone together. That’s why you’ll lose here.”
“I’m strong enough to beat you.”
“Maybe if your Flame wasn’t out of commission, you’d have a chance against me. Seraphim is quite dangerous, even on his own. Fortunately for me, he’ll be out long enough for me to take what I need.”
My lip curled in a snarl, then I choked. I attempted to draw in a breath, but my lungs were full of water. Putting a hand to my throat, I struggled against it, even though I knew there was nothing to be done. Sam grabbed my shoulders, her eyes frantic.
“Stop,” she pleaded. “Leave him alone.”
“Come with me and I’ll do just that.”
I shook my head, gripping her hand tightly. Even if Erla killed me, Sam had to let it happen. She couldn’t give herself up. I wouldn’t let her.
There was heat building in my body, making me grimace. Sam’s eyes were glowing, the amber more orange than ever. I drew in the smallest breath as the water inside of me evaporated.
A dainty clap came from a few feet away. “When your mate is threatened, you’re not entirely useless. That’s good to know.”
“I’m going to kill you,” Sam snarled, moving toward her. I wanted to stop her, but both magics were still battling inside of me, making me weak from lack of air.
Erla dropped her hood, revealing pale blonde hair that fell in curls past her shoulders. She had ice blue eyes and arguably plain features. Her smile was full of amusement, not an ounce of fear.
“Attack me then, child. It’ll only ensure that he dies before we leave here.”
“I’d be an idiot to assume you won’t kill him either way. I’ve seen enough movies.”
Erla laughed. “Movies. You are so young and na?ve. I have no need to kill your mate. Besides, with the power of a tethered vampire, you are more useful to my mistress. Why would I want to take that away?”
“Take me to Sibon, then. I’ll show her exactly what I’m capable of.”
“Sam,” I choked out, reaching for her.
She ignored me, so I struggled to stand, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her back. The energy between us woke and she funneled her own to me. I fought her, trying to stop it, but she was stronger when it came to her magic.
“You’ll come willingly?” Erla asked. She held out her hand expectantly.
Even though I tried to stop her, Sam took it. Erla cried out, trying to pull away, but couldn’t get free. Her skin sizzled and burned away alarmingly fast, reaching the bone within seconds. Sam released her, then kicked her in the stomach, sending her toward the building. She collided with the brick and the water in my lungs cleared.
“Fuck you,” Sam spat. “Unlike you, I bow to no one.”
“Fine,” Erla said, getting to her feet. “Let’s make it a choice.”
“You die. That’s the only option.”
A sound came from inside the building, then one of the windows shattered. Joseph came through it, landing in a heap on the grass. Sam rushed over to him, but was knocked backward by a second cloaked vampire. I tried to get to her, only to find my way blocked by Erla, who sent water down my throat.
“Lock!” Sam screamed.
No. I had to get there. Even as I thought it, my eyes became heavy. I was suffocating, unable to draw in a single breath.
Why had I chosen today to attack Seraphim? He would be awake soon. That was all I had to hold onto as I fell to the ground. With blurry vision, I watched Sam send a burst of orange toward the attackers, but I didn’t stay awake long enough to see the outcome.
She would win. Of course she would. Sam was my mate and she was the strongest person I knew. She would win.