Rylee Adamson: Shadowed Threads Part 13

aLike a f.u.c.king Tracker,a he shouted back. aYou do what you must, you keep your oaths, you save the G.o.dd.a.m.n world. Stop whining. This is your life, learn to f.u.c.king deal with it.a Was he right?

Yes, f.u.c.k it all to h.e.l.l and back, Jack was right. At least about dealing with my life, and probably about the rest too.

But at that moment, I just couldnat handle more s.h.i.+t about the prophecies. I had to worry about saving my a.s.s, Jack, Pamela, and OaShea. Kill a Child Empress and escape a nest of vampires.

Yeah, I was kind of tied up.

aLater, Jack. Can we talk about this later?a He threw his cane at me, and I dodged it easily. aYou donat f.u.c.king know if there will even be a f.u.c.king later.a I blew out a sharp breath of air. aIf the prophecies are right, there will be a later and we can talk about it then.a With a mutter of some choice expletives, he lay back down on the rough bed. He couldnat really argue with my logic and we both knew it. If he was right, I would have a later. If he was wrong, well, wead find out soon enough.

I leaned against the far wall, watched Jack slip in and out of sleep, knew that I should probably sit with him, hold his hand. But I couldnat because he would start in on me again.

Why do the prophecies scare you so bad? The words werenat from Blaz, or any other person. They were my own thoughts, scrambling through my head.

Yeah, good f.u.c.king question.

More than anything, I wanted to believe I had control over my own life, that fate wasnat forcing me into situations. Manipulating me. f.u.c.k, I hated that more than anything else, and thatas what the prophecies felt like, a complete and utter s.h.i.+t-hole of a manipulation.

The day waned, or I a.s.sumed it did. I was thirsty, hungry and tired. I didnat dare close my eyes, and I could do nothing about the other two issues. I wondered about Pamela and OaShea. Please, G.o.ds, let them get out of here. I Tracked Pamela, but she wasnat far away, certainly not as far away as I would have liked. d.a.m.n, they were still down here. My guts clenched. I had to believe OaShea would protect her. Had to.

Late in the day, I knew that they, the guards, pets, whatever the h.e.l.l they were, would be coming for me soon. Bringing me out for an audience with the Child Empress. My last stand.

When the footsteps echoed to me down the hallway, I went to the door. I tucked the short sword into one of my sheaths and shoved it so that the handle was hidden by my jacket.

The door was flung open and I stepped back, letting them take me. At least this way I would be right in the presence of the Child Empress. This way I had a chance to kill her.

I looked over my shoulder. aI canat be the one the prophecies speak of, Jack. I know I canat be.a He lifted his eyes to mine. aYou donat know that.a But I did know that. Because I knew there was no way to fill any prophecies when I was dead.

CHAPTER 21.

WHAT HIS MATE was thinking, he had no idea. But now he had to find a way to get her, the witch child, and himself out of this nest of blood and death. His nose was filled with it, the scent of rotting death, new death, blood and pain. The smells made his nose twitch and his skin crawl. The witch child clung to him, fear rolling off her in waves. He didnat like the fact that she had a hand on him, but he allowed it. She was a part of their pack, after all.

aShouldnat we go back for Rylee?a The child whispered, her voice right in his ear. He couldnat answer her, so he just shook his head. His mate would find a way out; they just had to meet her wherever it was she ended up. They wandered for hours, avoiding those that looked for them, hiding where they had to, never fighting.

He took a deep breath and caught the smell of food, fresh cooking meat. Moving in that direction, he took deep breaths, drawing in the scents all around him, searching for anymore of the blood drinkers. His lips curled back as he walked, just thinking about them. The one that had bitten his mate was bad, but these ones, they were worse. They were mad, a sickness infecting their minds a and they werenat even true blood drinkers, they were like shadows that darted around trying to be something they werenat.

aDo you smell that?a He just trotted along, towing her with him toward the food. They rounded a corner and a large cooking area opened up. She ran forward and grabbed a pot off the stove, shoveling food into her mouth, then grabbing another pot and putting it on the floor for him. They ate in silence, but at the sounds of footsteps in the hallway, he nudged her away. They hid behind a large table, working their way around until they could peer around it without being seen.

The footsteps drew close and the blood drinkeras shadows came in line with the doorway. There was a glimpse of auburn hair, but more than that, the scent of his mate. The scent of where he belonged.

Creeping forward, he moved to the door, watching them take her away from him again.

With a low growl, he flicked his head from the witch child to his mate.

aWeall get her back, OaShea,a she said, her eyes fierce with a fire that surprised him after head felt her fear for so long. aIall kill them all if I have to.a He gave a soft woof. Perhaps the witch child was a better fit than head first thought.

Stepping into the hallway, they turned and once more followed where his mate led.

My handlers walked me to the intersection and took a left, trotted me down a set of stairs, and then took another hallway to the left. I was very well-behaved, said nothing, and didnat try to get away. I kept track of where they were taking me, memorizing the turns so I could make my way back to Jack.

a.s.suming I was in one piece after this audience and could make my way back.

The hallway dipped down on a slope, running water trickling along in a miniature river on each side of it. Wall sconces were lit with pitch-covered torches, the droplets of fire and pitch hissing as they fell into the water.

We pa.s.sed a kitchen and, out the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of golden eyes and black fur. Something in me eased, knowing that they hadnat caught OaShea. And if they hadnat caught him, they hadnat caught Pamela.

Better and better.

My handlers didnat speak, and I didnat try to engage them. Wasnat sure I wanted to. What would I say? Had any good blood lately? So whatas it like being a slave to a psycho?

No, none of that would help me, and for once I managed to keep my d.a.m.n mouth shut.

We dipped lower and lower, and more water trickled along the side of the hallway. f.u.c.k, what would happen if Pamela pulled a power stunt like shead shown Blaz? She could sink this entire place.

A chill swept along my spine. Yeah, that would be a last ditch effort, used only if we had to.

One more corner and the hallway opened up into a gilded ballroom Iad seen before, in Farisa memory, the first one head shown me.

They let me go and shoved me forward. Around the room stood an array of vampires, some I recognized from Farisa memory, though their clothes were far more moderna"not so much lace this time around. I dusted off the front of my jacket.

aSo, whereas the snot-nosed brat that runs this s.h.i.+t hole?a I lifted an eyebrow. aOr is it past her bedtime?a The general reaction was not one of outrage, but of fear. They pulled back, as if by stepping away from me they wouldnat get caught in any backlash.

I laughed. aOh please, are you f.u.c.king serious? Youare scared of a kid?a A stately vampire, the Old One Iad seen in Farisa memory, the seer of the vampires, stepped forward, dressed in the same thing as before. A long grey silk dress that brushed the floor, her bright white hair braided back from her face. Hazel eyes sharpened as she moved toward me.

aYou mock what you know not.a aI mock everything, Yoda. Get used to it.a Her brows snapped low over her eyes, and I glared back. My guts were clenched into a knot the size of both my fists, sweat trickled down my back and chest, though it was cool in these lower levels. My heart was leaping about inside my chest. Terrified? Yeah, I f.u.c.king well was, because for the first time I couldnat see a way out of a situation. Not even with OaShea and Pamela at my back.

The Old One stared at me, a slow smile ghosting over her lips. aWhoever binds the Tracker to them will be able to seek out the last of the Blood. Those are my words, this is my vision, this is what those who wish to rule must accomplish. Of course, you would have to be the Tracker who holds the Blood of the Lost.a aReally, did you have to f.u.c.king well remind them?a I growled, feeling the room tense around us.

Her grin widened. aYes, I did. Because I am not sure you can be bound to anyone, Tracker, Immune.a aGood point.a I had to fight to keep from stepping away from her. Every instinct I had screamed at me to fight, run, do something. aAnything else youad like to add?a aYou are afraid.a I arched an eyebrow at her. aWell done, Lady Obvious. You want a f.u.c.king medal?a She banged her cane on the floor, reminding me of Jack. aYou, you will either destroy us or save us. Not this Child Empress, the one who has stepped forward, the one theya a"she made a sweeping gesture with her canea" afear.a aYou would have Faris lead you?a She gave the slightest incline of her head. aHe is not of the pure blood, but that is better. He is rash, but he is young yet. This Child Empress is barely fanged. An infant unable to control herself or the memories her parents foisted on her.a A murmur rolled around the room and a chime sounded.

aThe Child comes.a The Old One pointed at the dais that rose up out of the floor, a pet.i.te figure on the chair, covered in a gold, gauzy material.

I just couldnat stop myself. aWhat the f.u.c.k, no one told me it was a costume contest.a Again, the gasping murmur went around the room. But I wasnat sure if it was because I was being a foul-mouthed jerk or because additional company had just arrived.

Faris stepped into the room from a doorway across from me. Dressed in black from head to toe, his blond hair was slicked back and his blue eyes were icy with a rage that even I could see this far away from him. d.a.m.n, I had to give him props for his timing. His entrance was perfect and his outfit was the complete opposite of the Child Empressa. His eyes flicked over me and he gave me the barest of nods.

s.h.i.+t, maybe I would be getting out of this f.u.c.king mess. Maybe.

The Child Empress stood up, lifting her hands so the gold gauze floated around her. Faris strode forward and no one stopped him, which surprised the h.e.l.l out of me.

aI have bound the Tracker to me. I will find the Blood; your time on the throne is coming to an end.a The Child Empress didnat answer, except to flick her hand at Faris. A rush of power I could feel, even though it didnat affect me, coursed over the room, cras.h.i.+ng into the vampires, throwing even Faris to his knees. So this was why they were afraid. I was the only one left standing, the magic dividing around me like a stone in a river.

Sweet.

I smiled at the Child Empress. aYou killed my sister, you little b.i.t.c.h. Know what that means?a The power rush continued, pinning the vampires hard to the floor. I glanced at Faris who was staring at me, his words echoing to me. aDo not forget your oath.a The bite mark where head drawn my blood lit up, the nerves around it dancing a tango. Head invoked the bite, giving me the speed Iad need to battle this vampire whoad killed Berget, the vampire who would destroy the supernatural world for her own whims. Faris, for all his faultsa"and f.u.c.k he had a lot of thema"was right about this.

We couldnat let the Child Empress win.

I ran toward the dais. Three strides and I was there, glaring up at the gold-cloaked vampire, knowing that I had to do it quick. I jerked the short sword from the sheath, the blade catching the light. The Child Empress screamed, high-pitched and full of fear. Her power flowed over me, around me, but it couldnat save her.

aDo not remove her covering!a Faris shouted, his voice pitched with pain. s.h.i.+t, this little f.u.c.ker was really doing a number on her own people.

But what did her covering have to do with anything? Would it be like Medusa and her snakes, one look and Iad freeze into stone?

The Child Empress scooted away from me, but I followed easily, booting her in the gut and sending her sprawling over the dais and away from me. Tangled in her stupid gauzy material, she had to rip at it to get away from me. Still, her power strangled her own people, which made no sense. They would help her, wouldnat they?

I turned to look over my shoulder, saw the vampires waiting. But they werenat being held down anymore.

They waited for me to kill the Child Empress.

I was a f.u.c.king tool to them. Jaw clenching, I booted the Child again, flipped her over, the gauzy gold material finally tearing free and giving me my first glimpse at her.

Golden blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes, and a face that couldnat be stared up at me. Tears streaked her cheeks, and she held a hand out to me in supplication.

aRylee, please donat kill me.a Her voice was older, no longer child-like, but it was hers. The same face Iad seen as Iad walked between death and life. Berget was a vampire; that was what Iad felt when shead died. Not a true death, but one where she was called back as a blood sucker.

That was what she meant when shead told me death wasnat the end a .

My heart, mind and soul screamed that this couldnat be, it wasnat happening. I stumbled backward, tripped over the dais, and ended up sprawled on the floor in front of Faris.

Head known all along. Head told me not to remove the gauze. Head bitten me so I would have the speed to kill her. Head been the one to steal her in the first place.

Rage stole my incredulity. I lunged upward with Jackas sword, the tip catching him along the side of his head, slicing through the skin on his skull.

aYou do not understand, Rylee.a He held his hands out to me, as if I would give s.h.i.+t about his excuses.

aYou mother f.u.c.king b.a.s.t.a.r.d!a I didnat think, just swung, using the speed head given me with his bite against him. For the first time, Faris wasnat faster than me, and I pummeled him with my fists, my sword slicing into him again and again, though he tried to avoid me. On an equal footing, I was the better fighter, better trained. He was going to die.

I drove the sword into his belly and his hands circled mine. His fingers gripped my wrists, twisting them backward, the crunch of my bones resonating all the way up my arms to my shoulders. I screamed and an answering roar scattered the vampires.

OaShea loped into the room, Pamela beside him, her eyes as fierce as his.

I had no choice but to let go of the sword, my hands no longer able to grip anything. I snapped a boot up, catching Faris in the jaw and sending him over backward with the blow.

aYou do not belong here.a Bergetas voice drew me back from the rage, but confusion replaced it. I wasnat so sure that was preferable.

I turned to see Berget facing OaShea and Pamela, but it was Pamela she seemed to be focused on.

Pamela glared back at Berget, so similar in coloring that they looked more like sisters than Berget and I did.

aIam not leaving until Rylee does,a Pamela said, lifting her hands, prepping a spell.

The Child Empress had sent Doran to kill Pamela. Berget was the Child Empress. Cl.u.s.terf.u.c.k didnat even come close to what was happening.

Cradling my arms, gritting my teeth with the jarring every step caused, I ran toward them. Berget lifted her hands, mimicking Pamela, and I knew the power that would flow would kill Pamela, felt it in my gut.

I had to get between them. I had to stop this now. Because if Berget killed Pamela a I wasnat sure I could forgive her for that.

aPamela, donat!a I shouted as I ran, sliding to a stop between them.

Bergetas power hit me, dispersed, and I turned to face her.

Her eyes were narrowed with a hatred I couldnat understand. aWhat the h.e.l.l are you doing? She canat replace me. Iam your sister. Not her.a Berget threw another roll of power at us and again it displaced around me.

aBerget,a I shook my head.

aMove, Rylee. It is my right to kill intruders. I rule this place.a OaShea growled, his lips sliding back over his fangs. I couldnat even lower my hands to touch him, it hurt too badly.

aIs this how itas going to be?a I stared at her, my brain and heart not able to put this together. Berget was a vampire, the Child Empress. Was there anything left of my little sister inside of her? Was what Iad seen as Iad hovered between death and life the real Berget? Was that why shead said Iad save her?

Her eyes widened, filling with tears, her lips trembling. aYou would choose her over me?a aNo. But I canat let you kill her. I canat let you kill either of them.a Berget turned her back. aYou need to leave. Take the ones you love more than me and leave.a That was a trip that, for once, I wasnat willing to take. af.u.c.k off, you spoiled little s.h.i.+t. Youare my sister, and Iave searched for you for the last ten years. But Iam f.u.c.king well betting you knew I was looking for you. Didnat you?a Her back was still to me, but she nodded. aI did.a aThen donat you give me that bulls.h.i.+t about me loving them more than you. I would have come for you, if Iad known you were here, alive.a Her shoulders slumped. G.o.ds, I wanted to hug her, hold her tight and be grateful she was alive a but already I could see that wasnat going to be possible.

And it f.u.c.king killed me.

Faris slowly rose to his feet, Jackas sword on the ground beside him. Pamela touched my elbow. Everything around us seemed on pause, waiting on Berget, waiting on her word.

aLetas go.a The Old One stopped us. aYou cannot leave. We are not done with you yet.a I glanced at Pamela and she flipped a hand at the Old One, pinning her against the wall.

ap.i.s.s off.a aFaris,a Berget barked. aYou are hereby exiled. I will not die at your hands, not by yours or those of any of your a pets.a I didnat turn around, just kept walking. f.u.c.k, f.u.c.kity, f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k. The pain in my wrists had nothing on what streaked through my battered heart. This couldnat be happening.

Focus on one thing at a time. Get Jack and get your crew the f.u.c.k out of here.

OaShea let out a growl as we reached the doorway, and I turned to see Faris behind us.

aIam coming with you,a he said, and I felt his power whip through me, my bones that head broken snapping back into place with a speed that left the pain just a memory. I flexed my hands.

aYou, youare the reason this is happening.a I glared at him.

aYou wonat get out of here alive without me. You think sheas really going to just let you go?a His hair was no longer perfectly slicked back, but disheveled from our fight.

I turned to look behind us. Bergetas back was to us as she lifted a hand, her fingers flas.h.i.+ng in a signal I didnat understand. But by the reaction of the vampires, Faris was right.

f.u.c.k it all to h.e.l.l and back, the vampire was right.

CHAPTER 22.