23. Callie

We hurried towards the exit and Montana reached out to grasp the door handle. I caught her arm as the sound of Julius and Magnar’s voices reached me from outside.

“Hang on,” I whispered as I tilted my head to listen in.

Montana’s eyes widened as she realised what I was doing, and she pressed her ear to the wooden door to try and hear them too.

“-shouldn’t have to let this opportunity pass us by,” Julius said irritably.

“I know we shouldn’t,” Magnar replied. “But it’s not exactly our place to make that deal. The twins will feel like we are bargaining with their lives, it makes it seem as though we think we own them.”

“Better to be owned by us than the Belvederes,” Julius replied dismissively, and Magnar snorted a laugh.

“I’d wager being owned by a worm would be preferable to that.”

“And anyway, just because we agree to such a thing, it wouldn’t tie the twins to anything. Like you say, we don’t own them, so any deal we made would be irrelevant. I could just as easily promise them the sky if they beat us. It doesn’t make it mine to give.”

“You have a point,” Magnar said, and I could sense that he was tempted to give in.

I almost pushed the door open so that I could reiterate my opinion on being used as a bargaining chip, but if they hadn’t heard me the first time then I doubted they’d listen now. And if I interrupted them, they’d only be more careful not to be overheard again. It wouldn’t stop them having this conversation.

“But on the off chance they won, I’d be placing Callie in danger.”

“Pfft,” Julius scoffed. “Two Belvederes beating us? They spent ten years running and hiding from us because they knew our strength was superior. We’re more than a match for them.”

“And it’s unlikely we will ever be given an opportunity like this again where we will only be asked to face two of them. Once they’re dead, Miles and Clarice will be easy prey,” Magnar said, a hint of excitement in his tone.

“So we’re agreed?” Julius asked.

“What are they saying?” Montana hissed, and I flinched at the loudness of her voice as my heightened hearing adjusted.

“They’re going to take Erik up on his offer,” I said, biting my lip.

I wasn’t sure what we could possibly do to convince them not to fight but before I could ask Montana if she had any ideas, she pushed the door wide and stormed out.

Julius and Magnar stood on the far side of the statue, and they looked up at us guiltily as we moved towards them.

“So our opinions just mean nothing to you then?” Montana growled as she closed in on them and I hurried to match her pace.

“We were only talking over our options,” Julius replied defensively. “No need to throw a tantrum, damsel.”

“Don’t talk to her like that,” I said angrily, glaring at him. “She’s not a child so don’t patronise her. This whole issue is about me and my sister, so you have no right to choose for us.”

“It’s not about you,” Magnar replied, folding his arms. “Not for us anyway. We’ve spent our whole lives waiting for a chance to take these parasites down – we sacrificed the time we could have had living out our years surrounded by our clans and family, and now they’re offering us the perfect opportunity.”

“Maybe that’s why Idun bound you to Fabian,” Julius piped up before I could respond. “If those marks on your hands make them stupid enough to risk their lives for you, then why shouldn’t we take advantage of it?”

“And have you really thought about that?” Montana asked. “Have you considered how difficult it will be for us to see them hurt? Callie begged you to spare Fabian’s life because of what she feared would happen to her if he died. Or don’t you care about that anymore?”

Magnar shifted uncomfortably, his gaze sweeping over me before he answered. “Of course I care about that. But after last night, I believe that tie isn’t as strong as we’d feared. Closing yourself off from it didn’t hurt you; it freed you. And I think killing him will make that freedom permanent.”

“You can’t know that!” Montana protested. She turned to me for backup as my mind swam over what he was saying, and I wondered if it could be true. “You said you thought you’d die if Fabian died, surely you still feel that?”

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted.

A deep pain sliced into my heart as I considered the idea of the world without Fabian in it, and I was struck with the urge to drop to my knees and beg Magnar not to hurt him. But as I remembered how I’d felt in the slayer’s arms last night, I hesitated. I couldn’t trust myself when this bond to my enemy was intact, but when I’d been free of it, I’d finally felt like myself again.

I raised a hand to the ring, wishing I could put it on now, but I’d promised Magnar I’d use it as sparingly as possible. He was certain the gods would be searching for such a powerful item and if they realised I had it, it could put us all in danger.

“You see,” Julius said triumphantly to Montana. “Even she knows it. And I get that you’re obsessed with Erik of your own free will, but you can hardly expect us to forget what he is. To forget what he’s done to our family, just because you think he’s dreamy.”

My sister looked at me like I’d just stabbed her in the back, and I dropped my eyes guiltily.

“Of course I don’t expect you to forget what happened to your father,” she said to the slayers. “And you know I understand that pain too. But what if there’s a better way? The prophecy-”

“The prophecy is nothing more than a riddle designed to drive us all insane,” Magnar growled.

“It’s not. Callie, tell them what we saw when we touched the ring.” She looked at me pleadingly, and I nodded. I may have been unsure about the best way to deal with my bond to Fabian, but I knew how much it would hurt Montana if anything happened to Erik. I owed it to her to try and convince the slayers to look more closely at the prophecy.

“We had a vision,” I said. “Of the holy mountain. Mount Alma-”

“Alma? That means soul,” Magnar replied, and I was glad that they were listening at least.

“Callie and I were bound together as one soul when we saw it,” Montana said eagerly. “And that line in the prophecy talks about a circle of gold joining two souls as well.”

The brothers glanced at each other, and I could tell they were unnerved by that statement.

“Nightmare said it was time for us to rise when we were made into princesses. When Callie took the vow, she said she was given the memories of a thousand slayers. We’re the twins of sun and moon. We know about the holy mountain. So if the ‘monster made’ part is about me becoming a vampire then we only have to figure out what the debt to be paid is and-”

“And what?” Magnar boomed, and I could see anger simmering in his gaze. “You want to become one of them? You’re willing to risk your soul and undergo that unholy transformation? All because you hope you’ve figured this out?”

“No,” she breathed, fear lacing her voice. “I don’t. But if that was the only way…”

“You can’t,” I said quickly. “You can’t do that Monty, promise me you’ll never become one of them.”

“But if it’s our chance to break the curse,” she whispered. “Then-”

“I don’t care,” I growled. “I’m not losing you just so that you can help the bloodsuckers.”

“But it wouldn’t just help the vampires,” she protested. “It would help the humans too. They could be free-”

“Only if you’re right and it works,” Julius said. “In which case great; you’ll be human again, you can come to your senses about that parasite and dump him for me. But if you’re wrong-”

“If you’re wrong, your sister’s vow will demand she kills you as it demands we destroy them,” Magnar growled. “You will be mortal enemies, driven to destroy each other.”

My mouth fell open and I stared at him in horror for even suggesting such a thing. “I’d never do that.”

“It’s a good thing you won’t be faced with that choice then,” he said. “Because there’s no way I will let it happen. Our people spent centuries trying to solve that prophecy to no avail.” He turned his gaze on Montana. “I won’t allow you to damn yourself based on some guesswork which you have no way of proving is true.”

Montana seemed unsure for a moment then nodded. “It’s not like I want to be one of them. The thought alone horrifies me,” she said. “I only want to figure this out.”

“We can keep trying,” I said. “So long as we have time to do it.” I raised an eyebrow at Magnar and he sighed in defeat.

“Fine. Tell the parasite we won’t take his deal.”

Julius opened his mouth to object then closed it again slowly. He shrugged one huge shoulder and pulled the cellphone from his pocket.

He hit a few buttons and a ringing filled the air.

“Have you made up your mind?” Erik’s voice came through the speaker.

“The twins say no and it’s up to them. We don’t own them. They don’t want the two of you anywhere near them,” Julius replied dismissively.

Fabian’s voice sounded in reply and my heart leapt with excitement. “I want my wife back you fucking-”

“I’m dealing with this,” Erik snapped. “Are you too afraid to face us?” he asked, addressing the slayers again.

Magnar released a noise which sounded like the growl of a wild beast.

“Leave the twins out of it and I’ll gladly come for your head,” he snarled.

“No deal,” Erik replied icily. “They belong with us. The tables have turned; look who’s hiding in the shadows now.”

Fury lined Montana’s features at Erik’s words, a hint of betrayal in her eyes that was clearly cutting her deeply.

“The day I hide from a parasite like you will be a cold day in hell,” Julius growled, and I could feel the tension rising around me like a physical force as the vampires continued to goad the slayers.

“So tell us where you are if you’re not afraid,” Fabian hissed, and I had to fight against the thrill I felt at hearing his voice. I longed to rip the phone from Julius’s hand and just sit and listen to him talking for hours and hours… I shook my head aggressively to force the ridiculous idea back out of it.

“No,” I bit out before the slayers could say anything stupid.

“Callie?” Fabian breathed. “Are you alright? Have you been able to find enough food? Are you keeping warm en-”

“Don’t speak to her,” Magnar snarled, stepping towards the phone as if he wanted to punch Fabian through it.

Julius swung it out of his reach, waving him back.

“If you’ve laid a hand on my wife,” Fabian snarled. “I swear on all the gods that I will carve every organ from your body and-”

“He’s laid more than a hand on her,” Julius sniggered, and I glared at him in outrage. We hardly needed to make the vampires any angrier. What the hell was he playing at?

Fabian roared so loudly that I flinched in shock, “I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL-”

“Calm down, brother, they’re trying to antagonise you,” Erik snapped, and Fabian fell silent.

Julius started laughing and Magnar joined in. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch them or laugh too, and Montana was staring at them like they’d gone insane.

“If you won’t fight us like men then why not let the twins come to us?” Erik asked icily. “We can figure out the prophecy and the curse will end. Surely that would suit you too?”

“If you think we’d just hand them over to you then you really must be deranged,” Julius replied.

“I thought you said you don’t own them?” Erik reminded him. “Let them decide if that’s true.”

Montana looked at me with a frown like she was considering Erik’s words, but there was no way in hell I was going anywhere near Fabian again. The damn mark on my hand was tingling with excitement at the mere thought of it; if I actually got close to him, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep fighting it and if I ever gave in to his desires, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

“I would sooner die than spend one more minute in your company,” I spat, and Magnar gave me an approving look.

Montana sighed and I looked away from her as I realised I’d let her down. I hated being so divided with her over this, but I just couldn’t see the vampires as she could. Working with them wasn’t an option.

“Callie, please,” Fabian begged. “At least let me see that you’re alright!”

“What?” I asked in confusion. “How can you see me?”

“He means to turn the camera on,” Montana explained quietly.

“Please,” he asked again, and I could hear the desperation in his voice.

“Oh why the hell not?” Julius said with a dark smile. He slammed his thumb down on a button at the bottom of the screen as he pointed it towards me and Montana.

Suddenly I was looking back at an image of the two of us with the statue looming in the background. There was no mistaking where we were, and I wondered what the hell Julius was playing at. He must have known the Belvederes could find us now.

I glanced at him in confusion and he shrugged innocently as the picture of us shrank and Erik and Fabian appeared.

I stared at them in surprise, but Montana gasped in horror as she realised Julius had done it intentionally.

“You asshole!” she swore as she lunged for the phone, but Julius only laughed as he swung it around to face him and Magnar.

“See you at sunset, assholes,” Julius said before hitting another button and ending the call.

“You said you wouldn’t fight them!” Montana shouted angrily.

“No. We said we wouldn’t offer you as prizes. However, we made it clear that we have every intention of killing them.” Julius shrugged.

“But what about the prophecy?” she demanded.

“Our quarrel with them wouldn’t end if they stopped being immortal. They’re still the reason our people were wiped out. Erik still murdered our father,” Magnar replied coldly.

“So you didn’t even care what we said?” I asked. “You always planned on fighting them?”

Magnar glanced at his brother and shrugged. “I don’t know why that would surprise you.”

I stared at him in outright hostility, wondering what the fuck I was supposed to say in response to that.

“I can convince Erik to stay away,” Montana breathed. “I can go to him and keep him from coming. Or we can just leave here, get as far away as we can before they get here-”

“No chance, damsel. We aren’t running from them and you can’t swim so you’re stuck here too,” Julius said stubbornly.

Montana stared between the two slayers hopelessly, but it was obvious that their minds were made up.

“Callie?” she asked, looking to me for help.

I was torn, unsure what the best move was. I hated the idea of going anywhere near Fabian, but if we let this fight take place then one of us was going to end up with a broken heart. And despite all my misgivings about her and Erik, I couldn’t willingly put her through that.

“You’re sure you can trust him?” I asked, my heart beating faster as I considered doing the unthinkable.

“I swear it, Callie. You know I’d never risk you getting close to him if I wasn’t certain.”

I glanced at Magnar but he didn’t say anything, clearly not concerned about the fact that I was considering leaving with her. His arrogance made my jaw tick and pushed me to make a decision I hoped I wouldn’t regret.

“I’ll take you then. So long as he doesn’t let Fabian anywhere near me.”

“He won’t,” she promised, her eyes lighting with hope.

“Callie?” Magnar called, and my heart stuttered as I looked back up at him.

“I can’t let you fight them,” I began, but he cut me off.

“You must not wear your mother’s ring.”

“Why not?” I frowned at him in confusion as his command fell over me and I knew I wouldn’t be able to so much as raise a hand towards the ring.

But that was all he said to me. No pleas for me to stay with him. No begging me to reconsider. Did he even care that I was planning to leave him here while I headed towards our enemies? He hadn’t even asked if I was planning to come back.

Magnar glanced at Julius and they exchanged a knowing look but made no move to stop us from going. They didn’t even try and convince us to stay.

Anger and hurt prickled at me, but I refused to let him see it. I turned away from them, grabbing Montana’s arm and steering her towards the water.

“You’re actually agreeing?” she asked in surprise, and I let my anger fuel me as I reached for my gifts so I would be ready to swim across the river back to the city.

“Yes,” I growled. “Hold onto me and I’ll pull you across.”

I glanced back at Magnar and Julius, but they hadn’t moved. They both stood watching us with folded arms and barely concealed amusement on their faces like they thought something was hilarious.

I turned my back on them as Montana laced her arms around my neck and I crouched to dive in.

I took a deep breath and propelled myself forward but instead of diving into the water I crashed into something immovably solid and fell onto the floor with Montana on top of me.

Magnar and Julius started laughing behind us and I scowled at them as I scrambled back to my feet in confusion.

“You can’t leave remember, novice?” Magnar said.

I glanced at Montana in alarm as I realised he was right. The stupid vow which bound me to him stopped me from abandoning him or my cause. So if he wanted to stay on this island and wait for the Belvederes then that meant I was stuck here too. He’d stopped me from using the ring so I couldn’t block his power over me and without it, I was bound to his will all over again.

“You motherfucker!” I yelled at him, but before I could launch into a tirade about his behaviour and exactly what I thought of him, my gaze fell on my sister’s devastated expression. “I’m sorry, Monty,” I breathed as I realised this fight was going to happen whether we liked it or not. One of the men we loved was going to die.

Her face fell and she looked back out towards the city desperately, as though she was hoping she might see Erik standing on the distant bank so she could convince him to stay away.

I stormed back towards Magnar and Julius, half wanting to punch both of their stupid faces and half wanting to never look at either of them again.

“You know, sometimes, I really fucking hate both of you,” I growled.