Chapter 12: The Set Up

ANDREI

Andrei doesn’t sleep, but he does rest next to Willow while she does. When it is her turn to keep watch, he sits with her. They don’t talk much, partly because she doesn’t want to wake the guys, but also because she doesn’t want their voices to carry.

Just before dawn, Rueben and Victor crawl out of their sleeping bags and stretch. Willow and Andrei have already packed up their sleeping bags and attached them to their backpacks. She tosses the guys some water bottles and a pack of beef jerky.

Then they tidy up the area, making sure to leave no trace behind, storing the trash in one of the backpacks to dispose of later.

Without a word, they resume their journey toward the castle and the old vamps. Around noon, they are within a mile of the crumbling structure. They pause, and Andrei uses a stick to sketch a picture of the castle in the dirt.

He includes the cliff on the back side and the front entrance. “They’re probably underground, in the old dungeon area of the keep. The top is brittle and collapsing in some places, but the main floor and the dungeon should still be strong.

“They hold meetings in the big room off the entrance. It’s surprisingly well-kept, or at least it was the last time I lived here. I handed the castle over to these vamps about three hundred years ago.

“They needed a safe place to gather and direct the vampire covens, much like a wolf council would. But I agree with Boris. I think they’ve outlived their usefulness,” Andrei grumbles.

“I should’ve retired them a hundred years ago, instead of clinging to the past and its history.”

“It’s not entirely your fault. I’m sure they were useful for many generations. It’s just now, with your brother as the vampire king, that vamps are starting to think they’re at the top of the food chain and everyone else needs to be wiped out,” Willow responds.

She stares at his drawing. “So, there’s only one way in?”

“There’s another way, but it caved in years ago and I never fixed it. I doubt they did either. It was on the cliff side and hard to reach. Plus, it was dangerous—the path there is very narrow, and the ocean is right below. Vampires wouldn’t care about a fall, but others would probably die from the fall or at least be seriously injured and likely swept out to sea by the strong current,” Andrei explains.

Willow nods in understanding, then looks up at Victor and Rueben. “Okay, we need to find a sturdy tree somewhere over here, near the cliff. I plan to lead the vamps through the trees here.”

She draws in the dirt as well. “And make them think they have me cornered with no escape. Let’s set up the net and pulley. I want to capture at least one. Then I need the three of you to find a good vantage point to watch this happen. I need to lure those suckers out and get them to chase me.”

She kicks dirt over the drawings. “When do you think they’ll wake up?”

“As old as they are, they might not even be asleep. They’ll know we’re here if we get too close. We need to stay at least two hundred feet away from the castle. Maybe more,” Andrei answers.

“We won’t get close until it’s time. We’ll stay far enough away,” she grins. “Okay. Let’s do this!”

She leads the guys in the direction she wants. Soon, they find a small clearing that looks just like in her vision. “This is it. Set the net here,” she directs Victor and Reuben. “We can use leaves and branches to cover it,” she says to Andrei.

Before long, the trap is set and she is satisfied. They retreat to a location where the guys can keep watch. It is getting dark, but she is waiting for the moon. She wants it to be higher, brighter. It gives her more strength.

Her connection to the Goddess is always stronger with a brighter moon. Ever since her mother and brother had harnessed moon magic, even Willow could use some of it. Not long after it gets dark, she decides to make her move.

“Stay here. I’ll mind-link when I need you to come in,” she says as she stands up.

“Wait.” Andrei stands too. “I’m going with you. They’ll sense my aura before they sense yours. They’ll know it’s me. They might be respectful and just talk. We don’t know for sure.”

She looks up into his almost white eyes. “Seriously? You doubt me?” She sighs. “Andrei, I told you they know about you. The Goddess showed me. I wanted you to stay safe.”

“I am the former vampire king, Willow. Don’t underestimate me,” he says roughly.

“Whatever, dude. Just don’t come crying to me if you get yourself in trouble,” she grumbles and stalks off, with Andrei hot on her heels.

As they approach the castle, they feel the power emanating from the three vamps inside. They are equally sure the vamps feel theirs, especially Andrei’s, as he is projecting his. Willow walks alongside him, making herself appear weaker.

They hear growling and a commotion near the entrance. Then, three very handsome men appear. Age doesn’t show on them. They look young and virile. But they are very angry.

“Andrei!” one shouts. “You dare approach us with this mutt?”

“Demitri, this is the princess of the wolf king, and we came with questions.” He stops short, and Willow stops beside him. They can see the three very clearly in the large entrance.

“We don’t care who she is! She’s a mutt! Why would you pollute our presence with such a vile creature?” another one speaks out.

“I think you need to control yourselves, my old friends. We didn’t come here in anger. We came for answers.”

“You came because this bitch wants to protect her alpha king and her race. You’re letting yourself be swayed by a pretty face and a wolf. Tsk tsk, Andrei. Your father would be so disappointed,” one of them says.

“My father was an original. I am his first son. The first he changed and created. But I never practiced the degradation of taking souls like all of you. I’ve kept myself pure and have been given the sun back. Ever think that you are the ones in the wrong?” Andrei shouts back.

A Vamp darts forward, blowing into a tiny pipe. Andrei suddenly clutches his chest, collapsing to the ground. His eyes are wide open, yet frozen, paralyzed. The three vamps turn their attention to Willow.

“Now that we have him, we have no use for you!” they begin to advance on her.

Willow bolts, just as the vision had predicted. She quickly mind-links her team, instructing them to extract Andrei and call for the chopper.

They need to be as near to the castle as the chopper can manage.

With the three vamps hot on her heels, she runs like her life depends on it—because it does.