Chapter 30 #3
My claws, however, rake through his thick fur and hide. I delight in the blood that spurts.
“First blood.” I arch my brow.
Fast as lightning, however, the shifter turns and attacks again, faster.
I pivot back.
The rhythm of the drums sounds in my head. I use them to guide my movements.
This time, the wolf’s claws skim my shoulder, pushing me back a step.
Frustrated, the wolf attacks me again, and again, but each time, I spin out of his path, allowing his momentum to carry him past me, while I rake him with my claws.
Soon, he is panting, weakened.
Now that things are more equal, I can fight back.
Except, the leader appears to have caught onto my game, and his green gaze has moved from me to the Betas behind me.
By the Void, I shall rip out his fangs.
My heart is in my mouth. I glance over my shoulder at Yara.
She is standing firmly in front of Ahm, but she is breathing fast. She is staring steadily at the giant wolf, who is poised to leap over me and devour her.
I don’t hesitate.
I feel fucking unhinged.
Every indignity and humiliation that I have suffered. Everything that I have lost. It surges through me in a tidal wave of hate and rage.
I am the feared Shadow Vampire King.
I have more blood staining my hands than anyone in this entire arena, apart from Maximinus.
I will not allow a single wolf to terrorize my family.
I shan’t allow any wolves to kill my people.
I tip my head back and scream with rage. My shadows beat like wings behind me.
Then I leap at the wolf, which cringes back in shock. He didn’t expect to become the prey.
My pheromones become a dominant fog that rolls across the arena.
The other wolves whine, dropping onto their fronts.
The leader crouches like he wishes that he could roll in submission, exposing his stomach.
Too fucking late.
I dive onto his back, frantic and feral.
I sink my fangs into the back of his neck, tearing out his fur and flesh in clumps. I spit out mouthfuls of blood because I don’t want any of this hellish creature’s blood inside me.
The wolf howls, shaking like he can dislodge me. But I wrap the chain of my shackles around his neck and pull.
I continue to savage the Shadow Wolf with my fangs, until he falls to his knees with blood puddling around him.
Finally, the leader collapses, and his shadows fade.
I pull my shackles away from the corpse, wiping the wolf’s vile blood from my crimson-stained lips.
Then I raise my hands. “Blood!”
Yara and Ahm start the chant, which is picked up by the vampires who remain alive, and it echoes around the arena, “Blood! Blood! Blood!”
Filled with new energy and hope, while the wolves cower away at the unexpected death of their leader, the vampires descend on the shifters.
I leap off the corpse, watching in pride, as the remaining wolves have their throats torn out.
I sweep my gaze over the vampires. Despite the bloody bodies strewn over the arena, over half have survived.
I smile at Yara and Ahm, who are unharmed.
I’ve done it.
“They’re safe, Laz.” Happiness, unexpected and overwhelming, floods me. “You’d be pleased with your bad brother. Not even a scratch on them.”
I nod at the exhausted and blood-splattered vampires, as they gather back into formation.
“Well done,” I praise. “You showed Draca Kingdom the strength of the Bloods.”
My lips twitch at the ragged cheer that rises, this time from my people, and the way that the vampires hug each other.
The dragons in the arena, however, have fallen into a stunned silence.
I turn to study them with amusement.
I guess that this evening didn’t go how they expected.
What a shame.
I hope that Maximinus didn’t bet too much on the outcome.
Aurelius is still standing, unmoving. His gaze is as frosty as it was before.
Daire appears tense, however, his wings flapping agitatedly.
I would have loved to have had Daire fighting at my side. He would have been magnificent now that I know just how deadly he is.
I have dreamed of Aurelius fighting with me, rather than against me, since I was a fledgling.
When I meet Freya’s gaze, she looks like she is holding back tears. She is gripping the back of Aurelius’ cloak like she is trying hard not to shake him.
“It was an honor to fight for my Emperors and Empress’ wedding celebration,” I say, loudly. “Take it as my gift to you.”
Aurelius flinches.
Maximinus appears amused. “How generous. But what made you think that the games are over?”
My stomach drops.
Maximinus gestures at Taran.
“Hope.” Taran strolls to a lever, which sticks out of the wall in front of the drums. To my surprise, Wraith rushes after him, attempting to grab for him, as if to stop him, but he pushes her back. He meets my gaze, giving a twisted smile. “I told you that it will break everyone, even you.”
Then he pulls the lever.
I tense.
For a moment, however, nothing happens.
Then a grinding sound rumbles above me.
Horrified, I glance up at the domed roof of the arena.
Suddenly, a pinprick of light starts to shine down like a giant version of the game that Taran uses to torment me in my cell.
But that’s impossible.
It’s nighttime.
Isn’t it?
Yet trapped underground, I only have Taran’s word on that.
Has he confused my senses enough to play this final trick?
“Stop,” I holler.
Because I know what he means to do, and it does break me.
I can’t…I just can’t lose like this…
The spearing spotlight of sunlight, when I’d thought myself safe at night, shines straight down on Yara and Ahm.
My twin’s nestmates, who are under my sworn protection, scream.
I know that the sound will haunt me forever.
Yara and Ahm burst into flames.
I howl in desperation, diving toward them.
I bat at the flames, trying to put them out with my hands.
Tears are streaming down my face, but I don’t feel them.
I don’t hear the jeers and laughter of the crowd.
I only hear the roar of the fire and the screams of my friends, as they burn.
My hands scorch and blacken.
I sink to my knees, refusing to look away, as Yara and Ahm die.
The sunlight never stops. It is relentless.
Then I hear that terrible grinding sound, and heaving with sobs, I raise my head.
The sun that blazes in bronze in the roof’s center like a monstrous eye is peeling back.
The sun is about to stream down over the entire arena and burn every vampire.
I force myself to look away from what remains of Yara and Ahm toward the vampires who have become my friends.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
I didn’t save them.
I failed.
My heart aches that our lives will end like this.
The dragons must have always intended to burn us all.
I am on my knees but not to Taran, Maximinus, or Aurelius.
Did Aurelius ever mean what he said to me? Did he believe me about Tarquin?
I wish that I knew for sure.
I am happy that Freya and Daire have been crowned. They will be safer here than in any kingdom that I could offer them.
They have each other.
After all, I was never meant to bond.
A monster — a villain — does not get a happy ending.
This is what I deserve.
What I have earned.
But my Omega and Blood Lover will have each other.
They can be happy.
I close my eyes, while I silently weep.
Then the eye opens, and the killing sunlight lights up the arena.
I shake, waiting for the burn.
All around me, I hear screams and the stench of burning flesh.
Yet I am covered by cool shadow.
Why am I not bursting into flames?
Slowly, I open my eyes.
Then I close them hurriedly against the brightness of the sunlight.
More cautiously, I open them again, squinting upwards.
I am covered by Aurelius’ golden dragon wing. His shadows are dripping over me like ash.
If he moves his wing away from me by the smallest amount, I will die.
Aurelius saved me.
But he let my people burn.
My heart is hammering in my chest. I curl more tightly around myself, holding my scorched hands against my chest.
The arena echoes with yelling and boos.
“Silence,” Aurelius roars. “This is your Emperor’s decision.
Lanlin Sin fought the best in the Imperial Games.
It is tradition that I may show mercy to the most impressive gladiator.
Well, Lanlin even killed the shifter who is known as Hakon, the Butcher of Edfu.
I would be interested to know who here could take on a Shadow Wolf while shackled?
Anyone willing to accept the challenge? So, Lanlin will return to finish his sentence in the Guild.
Then he will be given to me. From now on, no one hurts this Blood but me. ”