Chapter 39

“Priority one is getting Elijah out. Elijah is the signal. Once he and Dani are out of the building safely, you all come in,” Chris says. We’re huddled in the living room, and for the last several hours, we’ve been devising a plan as we drove through the night. Now we’re nearly there, and the all-nighter we spent planning doesn’t feel like nearly enough preparation.

“And what about you? Am I supposed to just leave you behind?” I demand. His slight head tilt of agreement tells me everything I need to know. “Absolutely not! I’m not fucking leaving you alone to fight them. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”

“Someone has to fight them off,” Todd interjects smoothly, telling me the hard truths that I know but don’t want to hear. “And, Dani, it can’t be you. You staying there creates more danger for Chris than if you leave. He’ll risk his life, and everybody else’s to make sure that you’re safe.”

“And if this is all a trap? Then what?” I snap.

Cade responds this time. “Oh, I think we can all agree that this is a trap. I don’t mean any offense, but it is so obviously a trap. Oliver has nothing left to lose now, so he’s going to ensure his victory, no matter the cost. We have to be prepared for anything.”

Chris’ fingers are interlocked with mine, and I squeeze his hand tightly. I’ve been a mess these last few hours, and Chris has been the only thing keeping me calm enough to listen to anybody. With each discussion of the horrific outcomes of every possible scenario, I get more and more terrified, and even after hours of planning, we are still left with nothing but the broad sketches of a plan and hope for a lot of luck.

Cade’s right. This is a trap, and Chris and I will be walking right into it. And he’ll do it for me because I asked him to. He could die because I begged him to help me save Elijah. I shudder at the thought. I can’t imagine losing Elijah. But Chris… Tears well in my eyes, and my stomach lurches violently at the thought. I shove it away as much as I can, because I can’t think like that or I’ll fall apart. I need to be strong for Elijah and Chris.

Another thought hits me: I can’t fall apart because I know how much Chris will worry about me if I do. He needs to focus on the battle to come. I can’t be a distraction for him, either because I’m having a meltdown or because I’m in the fray when I need to be out. He won’t be able to fight to the best of his ability if I’m getting in the way, or he’s having to make sure that nothing happens to me. I know that. Todd’s right. I blink quickly, trying to push back my tears, and put on a mask of false confidence.

“Kitten, you okay?” Chris whispers in my ear.

I give his hand another squeeze and give him the best answer I have. “I will be, once this is over. We will win.” I can’t think about the alternative.

Chris kisses my cheek. “Damn right, we will.”

Todd clears his throat, drawing our attention back to him. “So, the plan is simple. Things will change depending on unknown variables, but to put it plainly, you two will enter the venue alone and find Elijah as quickly as possible; if he’s alive, Dani, get to him and get him out of there. Chris will take care of holding off Oliver and Amanda.” My expression must have been fairly transparent because Todd holds my gaze. “Chris can handle himself, don’t worry. I’ve seen him fight five of Balor’s minions at once and live to tell the tale. Once he knows you’re out safely, he’ll be able to focus on what needs to be done. But if Elijah is found dead, Dani, you must leave immediately. Don’t linger. We can’t move in to help Chris until we see you exiting the building. So you have to leave no matter how much you want to stay. Do you understand that?”

“I do,” I answer quietly.

“Do you still have that leather jacket? The one that was like three sizes too big on you?” Scarlett asks me.

“Yeah, I packed it. Why?” I raise an eyebrow at her.

“Wear it. We are going to arm you with anything we can. We’re not going to send you in there completely defenseless.” Her eyes flick down to my seemingly bare neck. “And your necklace?”

I pull out the cross tucked underneath my shirt collar and show it to her. “Got it,” I say listlessly, darting my eyes over her shoulder to look at Chris, who is watching me intensely, before turning back to Scarlett.

“Don’t be afraid to use it. I imagine Oliver will gun for you, while Amanda faces off with Chris. Use anything to your advantage, don’t let him get too close, and do not look him in the eyes.” Scarlett points to her eyes with two fingers.

I nod. “Okay, so find Elijah, get him out, then you all go in and end this. Easy enough,” I say, barely containing a sigh of irritation. I feel powerless to help in a way I never have before.

“We’ll be hiding far outside the perimeter, just in case they have anybody on guard to alert them that we’re there. I’m assuming they’ll have Oliver’s friends outside watching the venue. So if we see them, we’ll take them out once we get a visual of you walking out with Elijah. We got this,” Benji says with a confident grin.

“And that’s that,” Todd concludes. “We’ll be there in about an hour, so everybody go get some rest. We need to be sharp and keep our wits about us tonight. If we’re not careful, this will get messy and fast.”

With the conclusion of the world’s shittiest pep talk, I feel Chris tugging on my hand. “Come on, kitten. You need some rest,” he says, standing up and pulling me to a stand with him.

I give everyone a weak smile over my shoulder as Chris guides me towards the bedroom.

Chris and I enter the room, and Chris shuts the door behind us before sitting down on the bed and dragging his hand over his face. When he looks back up at me, concern etches lines into his face. “I’m so worried about you, baby.”

I walk over to him and place my hands on his shoulders. “Everything will be fine, just like you said. Don’t you dare start panicking on me now.”

He frowns. “Well, I worry about you. I don’t like walking you into a situation where I may not be able to keep you safe.” He grits his teeth and shoves his hand through his hair. I wait for him to speak. Finally, after a long pause, he continues. “At the first sign of anything going wrong, I don’t care what it is, I’m getting you out of there. I know that’s not easy to hear. But you’re my first priority, kitten. I will do everything I can to save Elijah, I swear to you, but I can not—I will not— let anything happen to you.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

I bend down and kiss his cheek gently. “I know,” I whisper against his skin, loving the feel of him shuddering at my touch. “I understand I’m asking a lot of you. Of all of you. But I love you so much for trying. And I have to believe that we’ll all walk out of this alive. We can win. We have to.” My finger trails lightly across his skin, and desire pulls low in my stomach. I haven’t gone this long without him inside me in over a week, and it’s killing me.

Chris grips my hips and inhales deeply. “You’re so fucking brave. Every single day, you surprise me.” He stops, staring down at his pants before groaning softly. “I know this might be a bad time, but baby, I need you.”

“God, I thought you’d never ask,” I say, desperately stripping off my clothes.

Chris rips his shirt and pants off in one swift movement then stands and grabs my bare ass, dragging me into him for a passionate kiss. My lips part for him as his tongue finds mine, his hand moving down my body so that his fingers brush against my slick core.

I moan into our kiss as he slides his finger down my slit, passing over my swollen clit.

“Always so wet for me, little kitten,” he groans, moving his fingers to my sensitive bud and swirling them in a circular motion.

My hips rock towards him at the drugging strokes, and I’m almost tempted to just let him control this situation, but I need to touch him right now. I’m whimpering at the incredible sensation of his fingers on me when I fist his hard length and slowly stroke it.

His precum is already gathering at the tip of his cock. I run a finger through it, swirling it around the head of his cock, lubricating him better so I can pump him more quickly. He twitches in my hand as my palm slides over his smooth tip.

Chris moans something against my lips. The sound is music to my ears. God, I want more of it. I catch his bottom lip between my teeth, nipping sharply, and the resulting moan is even louder.

“Fuck, I wish we had more time. I want to take my time with you, wring every single drop of pleasure out of your sexy little body. But you need to rest, kitten,” Chris groans.

“I know. I don’t care, though. Just fuck me. Please, baby, I need you inside me so bad. I need to feel you and not all of this fear I’ve got bottled up inside me,” I whine as he kisses slowly down my jaw.

“How can I say no when you’re begging so sweetly, baby?” Chris growls, pulling away from me slightly. “Now lay on the bed and let me see that beautiful, wet pussy.”

I back onto the bed, sliding across the covers, my eyes never leaving his as I lean back and spread my knees wide, exposing myself to him. A choked noise escapes him when I slide my hand over my stomach and into my slick heat, swirling two fingers over my aching clit.

Chris watches me with hooded eyes that radiate pure and intense love. His gaze is locked on my pussy as I pass my fingers over my clit again and again, my body writhing and tensing, broken moans emerging from my mouth as I get closer and closer to my release. Finally, he snaps, snarling, “Only I get to make that pussy come.”

In the blink of an eye, he’s in the bed, pinning both of my hands above my head. He hovers over me, holding my gaze while he reaches down, rubbing my clit with such vigor that I’m writhing and bucking my hips in seconds.

“My pussy,” he growls. He pushes my hands down harder into the pillow with a loud grunt. “My body.” He slips two fingers inside of me, angling them to rub along my G spot with each powerful thrust. “My sanguise.” He snarls, his thumb flicking over my clit as he drives his fingers into me over and over again.

Desire overwhelms me, sparking through my blood with every pass of his thumb over my clit, every intense push of his fingers into me. I’m going to explode any second. I’m crying out his name, meeting every thrust of his fingers with my hips. God, I’m so close. My cries grow sharp, my body tightening, when Chris slips his fingers out of me and rests his hand along my rib cage. I buck my hips in desperation. I need to come. “Why did you stop?” I cry.

Chris has a smirk on his face as he lowers his head to my breast and takes my nipple into his mouth, flicking his tongue quickly over the pebbled bud.

This is torture. I’m so overcome with desire, so desperate for him. I need him inside me. I need him to let me come. “Please, baby, please just fuck me and let me come,” I moan, pushing against the hand he has bracketed over my wrists.

I don’t budge as he tsks against my nipple, sending vibrations pulsing through it from the sound, before sucking on it and then pulling at it gently with his teeth. “Whose pussy is this?” Chris asks after he releases my nipple with a pop that makes me whimper.

“Yours,” I whisper.

“Sorry, kitten. I couldn’t quite hear you.” He bites my nipple, this time harder.

I inhale sharply at the sting of his teeth on the sensitive flesh. “Yours! This pussy is yours, Chris,” I shriek, knowing the entire bus can hear me and not giving a single shit about it.

“Mine.” He lunges upwards, bracing his free hand to the side of my head on the pillow, and enters me hard and fast.

I gasp at the feeling of him filling me so fully, so suddenly. I tilt my head back, crying towards the ceiling, feeling him push as deeply as he can go. “No matter what happens tonight, remember this, kitten. You’re mine.” He thrusts his hips slowly inside of me, and I feel my orgasm building again. “You’re mine until this world burns to ash, my beautiful sanguise.”

“And your cock is mine, only mine, for all of eternity. So fuck me like you mean it, baby, and let me come,” I order through clenched teeth and ragged breaths.

“Fuck, I love you so much,” he groans, dropping his mouth to mine and parting my lips, devouring me. His hands race across my body, feeling every inch of me. My hair, my face, my body.

I need to feel him, too. I’m just as hungry for the feel of his skin under my fingers as he is for mine. My hands run through his hair, trace across his face, and dig into his back. “I love you,” I moan into each ravenous kiss. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” My chants are a chorus as he trails kisses over my jawline and down my neck, quickening his pace and pounding into me. I feel his canines scrape over my neck, feel his tongue lick out against the skin there, and I know what I want, what he needs. “Baby, feed so that you can be stronger. I need you strong tonight.”

Chris licks my throat again, then his fangs pierce my flesh, and I grunt at his bite. I drag my hands down his back, digging my fingernails into his flesh and wrapping my legs high around his waist so I can rock against him better, and chase my release as the pain subsides and overwhelming pleasure takes its place. He moans against my bleeding neck as I dig deeper into his back, each draw he takes of my blood bringing me closer to the edge.

My orgasm rips through me, and I cry out his name, grinding my hips against him as he moves inside of me, groaning against my neck. My hands fall back to the bed, and Chris interlocks his fingers with my own.

My legs shake as my orgasm courses through my body, my core spasming around his length with each forceful thrust.

He lifts his head from my neck and brings his lips to mine. I welcome the metallic taste of my blood on his tongue, licking it from him as he kisses me deeply before drawing back slightly. He slows his pace as he whimpers against my lips. “Dani, don’t you dare fucking get hurt tonight. I-”

I cut him off. “Shh, nothing is going to happen. I’m gonna be okay, everything’s gonna go perfect just like we planned. I’m right here, baby,” I breathe against his mouth.

He moans softly and kisses me again as he starts pounding into me with so much passion I can feel my pussy starting to spasm again. Bringing our interlocked hands over my head, he ruthlessly claims me, driving into me until we both climax together, our moans loud in the room as we experience every ounce of this bliss together. He is mine, and I am his. Forever, my sanguis.

This will not be our last night together. I won’t let it happen, and I’ll kill Oliver myself if he tries to take Chris from me. I’ll kill anyone who even threatens my love. He’s my heart. My home. My lover, handed to me by fate and the universe. Even after the world burns and crumbles beneath our feet, I will still be his. Nothing will ever stop me from getting to him.

* * *

Chris and I stand in front of Ocean Street Music Hall, holding hands as we stare at the doors before us. The rest of the band dropped us off just a few feet from the venue, and we waited until they drove away, out of the eyesight of whoever might be waiting for us outside and inside, before approaching. We know our plan. We know the objective. Get to Elijah, and I will take him to safety. I’ve come to terms with my role in our plot, but I seriously hope Elijah can walk even a little bit, or our escape may be less than graceful.

“You ready, little kitten?” Chris asks. Our heartbeats are beating in sync, a wild rhythm in our chests. This is it—the end of this nightmare. Oliver and Amanda have to die tonight.

“I’m ready.” I squeeze his hand. I’m not ready. Not even a little bit. I have no idea what’s waiting for us behind those doors. But I don’t have the luxury of hesitation. I need to get Elijah to safety. He would do the same for me, and even if he wouldn’t, it’s the right thing to do for my best friend. I’m running on pure adrenaline.

Right before we open the doors, Chris turns to face me. “Promise me you won’t do anything that will get you hurt. If you need to run away, run. Don’t wait for me or Elijah or anybody. Just run. Please, please promise me you can do that.” He wraps his free hand around the back of my neck, eyes staring deep into mine.

“I promise. Can you promise the same?”

“If it comes to that, I’ll grab you and run. But I will protect you first. Always.”

“No! We’re both walking out of here with Elijah. Don’t start with that self-sacrifice shit. Promise me you’ll do the same.” I’m nearly crying, begging him to admit that he won’t endanger himself.

Chris kisses me softly. “I won’t make a promise I can’t keep to you. I love you so much, sanguise.”

“Then I take it back. I take my promise back.” My lip trembles, and he caresses my cheek.

“No take-backs, my brave little kitten.” He smirks at me, but it’s somber and lacking his usual amusement. “We’ll get out. All three of us. Okay?”

“Okay,” I whimper, fisting his tee shirt in my hand. “I love you.”

Chris kisses me again quickly. When he raises his head out of the embrace, he’s all business, his attention on the closed doors in front of us. “Stay behind me. Stay close. Don’t look anyone, except me, in the eye. You remember where all the stakes are in your jacket?”

I nod.

“Then let’s get this over with,” he grumbles, opening one of the doors slowly and peeking inside. It’s pitch black beyond the threshold, not even the streetlamps around us illuminating the inside of the building. It’s also dead silent in a way that feels horrifying and unnatural. Without looking at me, he says. “I know you can’t see in the dark, but I can. Just follow close and keep hold of me, okay?”

I tighten my grip on his hand. My heart feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest. “Okay, puppy.”

Chris’ lips thin, and then we walk into the abyss.

I’m following behind him, clutching his hand in a death grip. We’ve just entered the entryway when the door slams shut behind us, the sound loud and final. I jump, my heart leaping into my throat. I feel a tug on my hand, and Chris’ body partially shifts. He doesn’t say anything—just keeps walking us forward into the inky blackness in front of us where the heart of the venue, the stage, should be.

The closer we get to the center of the venue, though, the more a thick, pungent smell fills my nostrils. I gag slightly, the scent overwhelming and absolutely rank. “Chris, what is that smell?” I whisper as softly as I can.

I don’t hear Chris stop, but I run into his back when he does. I feel his arms wrap around my waist, and he lifts me into his arms. “Bodies. There are decaying bodies everywhere. You were about to step into a pile of entrails.” I hear him sniff next to my head. “This place reeks of death.”

I rest my hands against his chest and look around blindly, wishing I wasn’t blind while also being unbelievably grateful I can’t see this carnage. I’m scanning the darkness when I feel something wet drip onto my forehead and then trails down towards my nose. Bringing my hand to my forehead, I swipe at the warm, slick, slightly sticky liquid and know exactly what it is. Blood. There’s blood dripping from somewhere above me. I clamp my other hand over my mouth, trying to overcome the nausea roiling through me.

I don’t need the confirmation, but Chris whispers to me, “It’s blood. It’s literally everywhere. Dani, I need you to run if I don’t see Elijah soon.”

“No! That’s not the plan!” I try to keep my voice low, but anger starts to take root inside of me. We made a plan, and I’m sticking to it. I am glad that I don’t have to see what this place looks like because my determination and commitment may falter in light of the blood and body parts. I’ve never been so grateful for my poor human vision as I am right now.

“We’re dead center now.” Chris set me down carefully. “Baby, I see Elijah, but don’t-”

“Where?” I interrupt in a whispered shout.

The lights flicked on, so sudden and bright that they immediately blind me as much as the darkness did. I cup my hand over my eyes, squinting, and wish I couldn’t see any of this. Dead bodies and dismembered limbs are strewn as far as I can see. On the pit floor, the stage, scattered across the top of the bar. The floor is crimson with blood, pools of it covering every inch of the ground. Near the stage, I catch a glimpse of Elijah. I don’t even realize how slick the floor is beneath my shoes until I go to take a step towards him and slip. Chris catches me before I can fall and holds me up, pressed into his body.

“Don’t go anywhere near Eli. Not yet,” Chris murmurs into my ear. “He’s alive. I can hear his heart beating; it’s slow but there.”

Now that I’ve seen the bloody massacre around me, I can finally focus on Elijah. The minute I do, my eyes fill with tears, and I instantly want to vomit. Elijah’s arms are nailed to a large wooden board placed in front of the stage, his legs dangling beneath him. His head is dropped against his chest, no sign of consciousness whatsoever. He’s covered in dried blood, and minor bite marks line his neck, arms, stomach, and legs. I’m pretty sure he’s actively bleeding since there’s blood dripping down his bare foot onto the floor.

“Elijah!” I scream. He doesn’t even flinch. I don’t think he has much time left if he is actually alive. I have to get to him. Almost unconsciously, my foot lifts, but I force it back to the ground. I promised Chris I would listen to him. If we want to leave here alive, I have to listen, and I can’t make rash decisions.

My gaze is still fixed on Elijah when Chris spins us around to face a familiar giggle. I hold Chris’ more tightly as Amanda saunters towards us, staring at me with alarming intensity. I keep my eyes trained on her throat, refusing to look into her eyes.

“Hey, pretty baby,” she coos. “I missed you so much. I’ve thought about you every single day.” She stalks towards us.

“Let Elijah go, then we can talk,” Chris responds, a snarl lacing the words. If you didn’t know him, he’d almost sound calm. Almost.

Amanda laughs, high and childlike. “No, silly. We want everyone here for the party. Don’t you like what we’ve done with the place?”

“You’re fucking sick! You’re a freak!” I shriek at her.

Chris’ gaze finds mine briefly, a quick look basically telling me to shut the hell up. I clamp my lips shut, shoving down the angry words trying to spill out of me.

Amanda sneers. “I’ll rip your tongue out with my teeth for speaking to me that way.” She’s circling us, wearing a too-wide grin that displays all of her teeth. “Balor sends his regards, by the way—he was sad he couldn’t see the show. I’ll make sure to get him a party gift, though. He told me how much he loved your eyes, so I’m going to make sure he gets them. I think they’ll go so nicely on his mantle.”

“Cut the shit, Amanda. Where is Oliver? Too pussy to show his face now? Gotta bring out his whore to face me first?” Chris says with a mocking smirk, before murmuring to me. “Remember the plan, kitten.”

I squeeze his hand in response.

“Oh, don’t worry. He wants to play with you, too.” Amanda flicks her hand, her sharp talons forming before our eyes. “He’s going to make you bleed for the things you’ve said to me, because he loves me! The only whore I see is the selfish bitch next to you.” Amanda giggles shrilly. “You’ll see how much he loves me, pretty baby. He told me I can watch as he steals the light from your eyes.”

“He loves you so much he snuck away from your crazy ass and came crawling to Dani, begging her to take him back,” Chris retorts. “He’ll never love you. He uses you. You’re just an unlovable, ugly, psycho bitch with some mildly interesting holes that he can fuck until he gets Dani back. Which is never going to happen, in case you were wondering.”

I’m still watching Amanda, but my brow furrows in disbelief. What the fuck is he doing?

Chris tugs his hand from mine and cocks his head, an arrogant sneer that looks like an expression Oliver might make sitting on his face.

If Amanda had a mortal blood flow, her face would be beet red. “UGLY? I will fucking tear apart your face! He’s mine! MINE MINE MINE!” she shrieks. Her face is scrunched, her hands balled in fury, and if I wasn’t so fucking terrified, I would think it was funny how much this beautiful woman looks like she’s having a five-year-old temper tantrum.

Amanda lunges at Chris, and he pushes me back, meeting her halfway.

“Stop,” a powerful voice commands from behind me, making me jump at how unexpected it is.

I spin around and see Oliver up on the stage. Gore drips from his mouth as he smiles down at me, eyes as red as the blood staining his mouth.

“Come to me, pet,” he says in a husky voice.

“No! You disgust me.” I scowl and fold my arms across my chest. “I’m not getting anywhere near you, you fucking asshole.”

“Then allow me to yank on your leash,” he growls, shooting shadows from his outstretched fingers. The darkness wraps around my throat and squeezes, cutting off my air supply.

I gasp just as I feel the shadows tug against me, sending me flying into the air. Over the bodies and blood, over Elijah’s crucified body, and right into Oliver’s arms. This is not part of the plan.

Oliver grabs me by the arms and forces me to look down at Chris. Pure terror is written across Chris’ features—my sanguis. I love you. Stick to the plan, I mouth at him.

“I want you to watch your sanguis die, my love,” Oliver growls against my ear.