20. Natalia

The soundof Oradea's voice shouting with a sense of urgency awakens me. I sit up in bed, my mind racing with fear that something has happened. I dress quickly and race downstairs, seeing no one. I grab the gear that Oradea had ready for me days ago. Natalia, help me. Oradea's plea spurs my actions. I don the dual chest vest over my long shirt and pull on a jacket, grab one of the guns, check the magazine and tuck it into the back of my pants before strapping on a belt to holster the long sword and pocketing a star. Oradea's instruction and techniques play over and over in my mind as I walk out the door, inhaling deeply, hoping that at least my sense of smell has heightened since being turned. A pungent smell wafts under my nostrils; the putrid stench can only be one thing. Mangy shifter bastards. Those who protect the rogues and want to take our power.

I close my eyes, letting all of my senses take my lead, my lungs filling with the scent of shifters and of danger and of Oradea somewhere near. I stay close to the hedges, making my way down the long drive, staying out of the light of the moon and under the canopy of the bushes and overhead trees as I make my way through the night so as not to be seen. The guards are on alert, both manning their station as though nothing is amiss, yet the smell of danger is everywhere in the air.

I make my way behind them, toward the wrought iron gate, waiting for them to look the other way as I sneak through the gate. When I'm out on the road and have put a little distance between me, the guards, and the house, I inhale again, hoping to catch the scent of the shifters' trail.

An evil laugh behind me causes my blood to go cold as memories of the brutal attack flash through my mind. My legs don't move, my body frozen by fear and the realization that I've walked into the rogue vampire's trap. Lucas laughs as he hovers in my face. "They thought they could beat me, thought I would forget their betrayal, thought I would let you live after what they have done?" he growls so fiercely that a cold dread snakes down the length of my spine. "I will deliver you with a stake to the heart, and then your brothers will regret the day they ever agreed to conspire against me. What will Oradea think when his little plaything is no longer alive?"

A trap, and I've managed to walk right into the middle of it. I've left the security of Oradea's protection and have no other recourse but to face the beast alone. I will die at the hands of this monster, perishing at his feet while he drives a stake through my heart as penance for my brothers' loyalties and where they lie. No matter that the vampire in front of me caused it himself. "My brothers will hunt you down with Oradea, and they will send you back to the fiery pits of hell where you belong, bastard! I've done nothing to you, absolutely nothing, yet you use my life as a pawn to make the others regret a betrayal."

He laughs, that maniacally high and evil laugh that sends shivers down my spine.

"Why do I think there's so much more to this that I don't understand? Do your best? I am nothing, not trained and certainly don't have the skills capable to fight a warrior such as yourself. If you think killing me will make you a big man among your enemies, do it, but only cowards kill those weaker than themselves. Strength is in taking on and besting something stronger than yourself. Then, and only then, will they talk about your strength. Kill me—I'm nothing. A few tears will be shed, and they will hunt you for a lifetime. Sounds smart to me."

Lucas flies through the air in a rage. "Shut up," he growls. "You know nothing, stupid girl. Everything was taken from us! Everything! We will have our revenge. We will right the injustice that was done to the vampires. You think you are a vampire? You are nothing! You will learn some parlor tricks. Maybe your life essence is blood, but your soul is not pure. You are not worthy to be one of us; just a shell of a life who wants to be someone you are not. We rule the earth with fear, devour anyone in our way. We do not sit across the table from corporate members of the board-room making deals with the same humans who slayed and burnt us years ago. The world Descallia and Lucianna create is not one that we accept, nor will ever be a part of!"

Yellow eyes appear in the forest, all around me, circling out as far as I can see. Surrounded by a pack of bloodthirsty wolves who want me dead just like Lucas. Fear bubbles from the pit of my stomach, causing my heart to race with unprecedented speed. I close my eyes and can only hope that he hears and knows that it is spoken with the truest of hearts. I love you, Oradea. Someday, I believe we will be together again. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday destiny will shine her light on us and grant my wish. A growl that I don't know I have in me bubbles from deep within. "Do your best, vampire!"

Lucas growls, and I feel my savior before I see him. Branches crunching beneath the undergrowth cause me to turn and for Lucas to look that way. The bright red fury in Oradea's eyes blazes. "Bad enough that you betray everyone who ever cared about you for all these years, especially Overmaster Descallia. He trusted you, his right-hand man, and you stabbed him in the back!" Oradea growls.

Lucas flies toward him but stops abruptly, just inches from his face. "I should have staked the cocksucker in the heart when I had the chance, numerous chances, instead of listening to Isala and her constant planning. Too many opportunities missed while waiting for the perfect time for everything. No more. Now, I say what goes!"

Oradea growls. "Who made you king of the rogues? What did you do to win that place?" Lucas's eyes flash. "I earned it, groveling by Descallia's side all these years, doing his bidding, as he systematically tried to make us who we aren't. Now, he will lose it all. He will stay alive long enough to see his precious kingdom crumble and see me take my rightful place, and then the bastard will see his demise in front of all the underworld who want it that way."

The shifters move toward us, little by little, inch by inch until their intent is clear.