Chapter 24: The Death Bringer

WILLOW

We are positioned behind the dragons, watching as they unleash fire from their bellies onto the approaching vampires. The vampires sprint across the field in a state of chaos. The bodies of these newly created vampires ignite instantly, yet they continue to rush forward.

They illuminate the field and the smell is horrendous! The wolves begin to advance from behind the dragons as their fire power starts to dwindle. I lead the charge.

With my swords in hand, I confront the oncoming vampires fearlessly. My sword blades are severing heads from bodies. My team and I work diligently, cutting down every vampire in our path.

I have just finished thrusting my blade into a vampire when a loud roar echoes through the night. I look up and see the red eyes of a very angry man. He lunges at me, but I turn into smoke, and he passes right through me.

I reform behind him. “Gustav, I presume?” I say as he spins around to locate me.

He growls. “You have no idea who you’re messing with, little girl.” His voice is deep.

I chuckle. “No, it’s you who doesn’t know who you’re messing with. I am Willow, daughter of Alpha Kaiser and the great warrior wolf Lyric. I am the bringer of death. I am a shadow wolf and you’ve just stepped into my shadows. Prepare to die tonight, vampire. Your days of decay are over. I will release you into the winds.”

I lift my sword and aim the tip at his heart. Then, enveloping us both in smoke, I reach out my hand and summon his heart. It leaps from his chest into my fist as I close it around it and crush it.

He stands there with his mouth agape and then disintegrates into dust.

“Too easy,” I remark as I dust my hands together. Then I turn to the battle and see that there are many wounded wolves, but none dead.

The vampires are fleeing toward the trees. Some of the wolves are giving chase, but the vampires are old ones, and too quick. They vanish into the night.

“Did anyone see if King Mihai was among them?” I shout.

“No, princess. He wasn’t here. Just Gustav, and I have no idea where he went,” Rueben replies.

“I took care of him.” I step forward as the wolves return, shifting back and seeking out clothing.

“Alpha Silas, how many injured?” I ask as I see him emerge from the infirmary.

“About sixteen. A few bites that need to be cleaned well and a few broken limbs, but nothing major.”

I nod, and Eros comes alongside me. “I think we killed about fifty vampires. I’d say another thirty ran away. They were the older vampires. They know how to disappear quickly in order to survive.”

“They may have survived tonight, but I plan to make sure they never survive the next battle we meet them in.” I take a deep breath.

“I’ll report this to Boris. I need him to keep the teams in place at the other two packs. They may still attempt to take them. They will regroup and create new vampires soon. Perhaps in a few days. You’ll need to go back to your team. I don’t think they’ll try here anytime soon, but I’ll keep my guys here for the rest of the week.”

“Where will you go?” Eros asks me.

“I’m going back home. I need to speak to my family and talk to my mate. I need Lira to help me with something that might save Andrei.”

“You learned something about his condition while you were here?” Eros is curious.

“No, I learned something new about me. I won’t say anything yet. But I may have an idea to bring Andrei back. He’ll be stronger and more powerful. He will be someone the vampires won’t expect coming.” I grin.

“Little one, you never cease to amaze me. Or your family. You truly are a blessing.” He hugs me tightly.

“Let’s get this mess cleaned up. I need some sleep and need to debrief my brother.”

We spend the evening ensuring every trace of the vampires is gone. We take torches and pour gas on the mounds to burn them further. The wounded are cared for, and the fires are tended to until dawn.

We feel pretty sure there will be no further attacks on this pack for a while. The dragons circle overhead and survey the lands and never spot anything.

I call Boris to assure him we are safe and that Eros is headed back to the pack he has been assigned. I tell him I am coming home and to expect me soon. He says he’ll send the chopper for me, so I don’t need to take one of the trucks.

I speak to Alpha Silas and go to visit the wounded that still need some attention. Then I seek out Thorn. He is seated next to Jenna, sharing a lunch.

“I’m leaving in about thirty minutes.” Thorn stands in greeting.

I tell him to sit and pull a chair beside them. “I’m going to come right out and just say it.”

I look into his brown eyes. “Your talents are wasted here. I know you are an excellent beta. No question about that. I do feel, however, that you could do so much better as a shadow wolf. You have everything we look for.

“I am offering you a placement in our training program at the Royal Pack. I would be your instructor. I would teach you everything I know. We would refine your talents, and you’d join the elite squad and be able to help other packs and the supernaturals.

“I’ll be gone, but I’m leaving my team for a while longer. Think on it. Talk it over with your alpha. If you want to join, be on the truck with my team when they leave.” I smile and extend my hand.

He takes it and shakes it. “Thank you, Willow. I will think about it.”

I then look at Jenna. “Do not hesitate to call me if the vampires come back! I can be here at a moment’s notice. Or have Eros and the dragons back here.”

She grins. “Didn’t you see how fast they turned tail and ran out of here? I don’t think they’ll be here anytime soon. But I’ll be sure to call.”

“I’m the Death Bringer. Always have been.” I grin and then rise as I hear the chopper coming in for a landing.

WILLOW

As soon as the blades of the chopper touch down, I am greeted by my mother and father, both giving me a once over for injuries and then the tightest of hugs.

“Your team okay?” my father asks.

“Not a scratch on them,” I grin.

“Good, good. Hungry?” he says as we move toward the front doors.

“Starving!”

Mom hugs me into her side and laughs. “That’s my girl.”

As we enter, Boris is there with all my uncles. “So? How many did you kill?” he asks.

“Mostly, it was the newbies. The seasoned vamps hung back, like the cowards they are. Gustav, though, I took him out.”

I can’t help but grin. “Crushed his heart right in my hand.”

Oliva shudders. “You’re terrifying, my dear niece.”

Ridge wraps his arms around me. “I think she’s incredible. Just like her mother.” He plants a kiss on my temple.

“Did the vampire king show up?” Uncle Roman inquires.

I shake my head. “Sadly, no. I still want our teams to keep an eye on the other packs. They’re bound to regroup. They’ve got momentum on their side and they can’t afford to lose it.”

I scan the foyer. I need to talk to Demitri and Lira, but they are nowhere in sight. I turn to Boris. “I need to speak with Lira and Demitri.”

“Lira is…otherwise engaged at the moment. Demitri is at the hospital, helping Lira,” Boris replies.

“Well then, food it is! Then a shower. If you see them, could you let them know I’m looking for them? It’s important.”

“Come, my love. I had the cook prepare your favorite. Cheeseburger and French fries,” her mom beckons.

After a meal and a shower, I join Boris in his office. He is alone. He smiles as I flop into a chair across from him.

“So, are you going to spill?” He leans over his desk, resting his arms on the top.

“They were swarming from the trees. I can’t even estimate how many. The dragons were our first line of defense, then the wolves took over when the dragons ran out of fire.”

“You know how new turns are. Thirsty! No other thought but to get to blood. They have no control, no reasoning. A few of the wolves were injured, but nothing serious.”

“The older vamps bolted as soon as I killed Gustav. They disappeared so fast, you’d almost think they were never there.”

I look up into his eyes. “They’ll go out and make more, then unleash them on another pack soon. We both know it. I need to wake up Andrei! With his power, he can control them! Even the new turns. That’s what the king does! Mihai has no control. He never will. He’s just a title holder.”

“I understand your frustration, Willow. I really do. And both Demitri and Lira have been scouring any references they can find. But so far, nothing.”

“That’s why I came back. I have a new gift. It was revealed to me just before the battle. The night before, to be exact, but… I need to consult with the witches to confirm what I’m thinking will work.”

“A new gift that could save Andrei?” He watches the emotions play across my face.

“Let me talk to them first. Please. I need to know if I’m off base here.”

He nods. “He is your mate, sis. You do what you have to do to save him. In the meantime, Lira is with him right now. They’ve had to increase his blood intake. He’s been inactive, so his muscle tone is starting to deteriorate.”

He takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how long he can last in this state, to be honest. None of us do.”

I stand up, heading for the door. “I’m going to see him. I’ll catch up with you later.”

As I step outside, I shift into smoke and drift on the breeze through the pack to the cemetery. I float around, checking for any unusual scents. Not detecting any other than Lira’s, I shift back as I reach the door of the crypt and let myself in.

“Oh, Willow! It’s so good to see you!” Lira envelops me in a tight hug.

“Eros sends his love,” I tell her. “He went back to the pack he’s protecting and hopefully, everything will be fine in a few days.”

“I spoke to him this morning. He told me about the attack last night. I’ll leave you with Andrei, love. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear your voice.” She turns for the door.

“Lira, I need to speak to you and Demitri. It’s urgent. Let me be with Andrei and I’ll find you at the hospital.”

“Of course, my dear.” She gives a soft smile and then leaves.

I move closer to Andrei, taking his hand and squeezing it. I lean in and whisper in his ear, “I’m back.” I gently lift his eyelids to look into his eyes and smile. I kiss the tip of his nose. Then I follow the link to his mind so we can talk.

~“Hey. How are you holding up?”~

~“I’m hanging in there. Lira has been in several times a day. She told me this morning that the pack you were in was the target. Did you lose anyone?”~

~“No. The other team lost their entire first string. Quarterback included.”~

~

~“Quarterback?”~

~

~“It’s an American reference. They have a quarterback for football. Never mind.”~ I take a breath then continue, ~“I may have a way to wake your body up.”~

~“Darling, I hate to tell you but the moment I laid eyes on you my body was awake! I just can’t use it now,”~ he snarks.

~“Not what I meant, but good to know. No, I have a new gift from the Goddess. I believe I have it because of what’s happening to you. I’m headed to speak with Lira and Demitri now. If I’m right, we may have you up and about soon. So, rest and conserve your strength because we have some vampires to hunt.”~

~“As long as we do this hunting together, I’ll be happy to do this.”~

~

~“I’ll be back soon.”~

I close his eyes and move to the door. Looking over my shoulder at his prone form one last time, I let myself out, shift into smoke in the wind, and head to the hospital.