Chapter 36: Rise of the Old King

WILLOW

As the sun sets, our band of warriors huddles together, ready to hear our plan of attack. I am to lead the charge toward the caves, with Eros and his dragon companions soaring above us. Tobias, Boris, and I are on the ground, with Andrei at my side until he can amplify his aura and summon the other vampires.

My main targets are Ivan and Josephina, while the rest of the warriors handle the others. Andrei’s task is to find Mihai before he vanishes, to draw him out into the open. It is going to be a battle of brothers.

The moonlight casts a faint shadow on the path leading through the underbrush toward the caves. As we approach, the scent of woodsmoke fills the air and the sounds of cries and whimpers echo from the camp. A cloud passes over the moon, plunging us into complete darkness.

A chill breeze sweeps across our group, sending shivers down our spines. The surrounding wildlife falls eerily silent. Many of our warriors transform into their wolf forms, with the Fae silently trailing behind them.

Tobias, Boris, Andrei, and I lead the way. With a battle cry, we charge into the vampire camp, catching most of them off guard. The camp is filled with the sound of growls.

Eros and his dragons rain fire down from the sky onto the vampires trying to escape from the caves. I watch as Boris transforms into his massive white wolf form and takes down a vampire. I shoot Andrei a wink and then transform into mist.

He stands tall and lets out a powerful growl that brings some vampires to their knees, fear flashing in their eyes. Suddenly, I spot Josephina and Ivan trying to fight their way through the chaos. They are determined to destroy anyone in their path.

I make my way toward them, shifting back into my human form. Their surprise is evident as I appear before them.

“Good evening,” I smirk. “I’m Willow. I heard you’ve been quite interested in me. Curious about how I took out your general without breaking a sweat?”

Josephina lunges at me, while Ivan tries to catch me in a headlock. I shift into smoke, laughing as they spin around in confusion. I reappear behind them, tapping them both on the shoulder with my sword.

“Here I am!”

Their frustration is palpable. Ivan tries to circle behind me while Josephina uses her speed to try and take me down. I toy with them, laughing all the while.

Ivan manages to scratch my arm, drawing blood. The scent of my blood sends Andrei’s beast into a frenzy. He tears through the vampires, trying to reach me.

“Oh, you shouldn’t have done that,” I warn. “The king is my mate, and you’ve just made him angry.”

“He’s not the king!” Josephina yells. “He should be dead!” she screams.

“Tut tut tut. He’s very much alive and it’s you and your sick brother who will be dead,” I retort.

Andrei is almost upon us, and I want him to call out Mihai. I turn toward Ivan and hold out my hand.

“Heart!” I command, and his heart appears in my hand, crumbling to dust just as his body does.

“NOOOOOO!” Josephina screams. “IVAN!” She lunges at me, but I drive my sword into her chest and twist.

“Bu bye,” I smirk as she crumbles to ash.

Andrei reaches me just as I turn toward him.

“Call him, my love. I’m going to save the innocents trapped inside,” I tell him, kissing his cheek before shifting into mist and heading into the cave.

Inside the cave, I can hear Andrei’s powerful voice and feel his aura. The vampires left inside are mostly new turns, trembling in fear of Andrei’s power. I spot Mihai trying to use some of them as a shield.

He is afraid to face his brother. I move toward the back of the cave, where I find a cage swinging from the ceiling. Inside is Saoirse, panicking as she hears the screams and growls outside.

I float into the cage with her and shift back into my human form. “Saoirse, be calm,” I tell her softly. “I came to help. I promised I’d come back.”

Her fear is palpable, but she slowly calms down as I free her from the cage. As we make our way out, two vampires charge at us. I push Saoirse into a crevice and draw my swords, quickly dispatching them.

Outside, Andrei stands tall and regal, facing Mihai.

“You are a disgrace!” Mihai snarls. “You refused to share the ability to walk in the sun and now you help these imbeciles kill off your own people?” He circles Andrei, who stands his ground.

“Our father was right! You are weak! A fraud! You are no king!” He spits.

Everyone has formed a circle around them, watching the confrontation. Saoirse grips my hand tightly as she too watches the man she sees as a monster in the center.

Andrei draws in a deep breath, his eyes glowing red as he stares at his brother.

“I never acknowledged him as a father or a master. He was merely my creator, and it was never a role I desired. Perhaps that’s why I was granted the sun. Have you ever considered that?

“Maybe it was my reward for refusing to violate anyone for the sake of bloodlust. Maybe it’s because I stayed true to the essence of the eternal life gift that the Goddess bestowed upon us, while you and he made a mockery of it.

“You turned our divine gift into something grotesque and tainted. That’s why the children perished. Why we can no longer bear them. Why you’ve become soulless creatures consumed by bloodlust.

“I’ve preserved my soul. The Goddess has gifted me a mate. What you have, or had, is nothing. It’s as fleeting as dust in the wind.”

“You can’t usurp my throne! I won’t allow it!” Mihai roars.

“It’s already mine. You can’t prevent it.”

With those words, Andrei’s beast lunges with a speed that’s invisible to the naked eye, plunging his fist into Mihai’s chest. He yanks out his lifeless heart and tosses it into a nearby fire. It sizzles and vanishes, just like Mihai.

A hush descends. The screams and growls cease. Nothing remains but a cool breeze sweeping through the camp and the moon emerging from behind the clouds.

“All hail KING ANDREI!” A voice shatters the silence.

I survey the scene. Wolves and vampires who survived raise their fists in tribute to me. My mate stands nearby, a proud smile gracing her face. My beast settles as I gaze at her.

A striking redhead stands beside her. As I approach, the girl clutches Willow’s hand tighter, attempting to pull her away from me.

“It’s okay,” I hear Willow reassure the girl. “He’s my mate. My husband, if you will.”

She offers the girl a gentle, comforting smile.

“But he’s…he’s like that monster,” the girl whispers in response.

“No, Saoirse. He’s nothing like that monster. He’s good and kind. He’s the rightful king. That monster can’t hurt anyone anymore. Andrei killed him. You’re safe. Trust me.” Willow wraps her arm around the girl.

I inch closer, aware of the girl’s wariness. “I’m sorry you had to endure this,” I tell her. “Can you explain why he left you human?” I’m intrigued.

She glances at Willow, fear etched on her face. I observe the Fae assisting with the cleanup and the wounded being tended to.

Eros’s mate, Lira, is treating the injuries of the Fae and wolves. Some of the newly turned sit on the ground, paralyzed by shock and fear. Afraid to move, fearing death.

Willow nods at the girl. I notice bite marks scattered across her arms and legs, but they seem to be healing well with minimal scarring.

She piques my interest. What is she? She smells human, but I detect…fire. There’s a scent of fire in her blood.

“I was born in Ireland. I don’t know who my parents are. I was raised in a Catholic orphanage. Nuns cared for me until I graduated from school. I went to college, then landed a job in a bank’s IT department in Dublin.

“The bank promoted me and transferred me to the Isle of Man, where I worked in the main bank, still in IT. I came here on vacation with some friends a couple of months ago, Margo and Peter. We worked together.

“We were at a club when a man and woman invited us to a party. Josephine and Ivan,” she recounts quietly.

“We didn’t know they were vampires. As soon as we arrived, they attacked us. Margo fell first, then Ivan took down Peter.

“I tried to fight back, but they knocked me out. When I regained consciousness, I saw Josephine draining Margo. Ivan was on Peter. I watched the life drain from their eyes. Then they slit their wrists and forced them to drink their blood. I was tied up and couldn’t move.”

Tears stream down her face. “Then…then that man.” She points to where Mihai last stood. “He enters the room. He…he pets me! Like a pet!”

She turns her soulful eyes to me. “He says I am beautiful. He says he needs a new mate because he is bored with his old one. Josephine starts arguing with him, then Ivan attacks me and bites me. I… I feel myself fading. I feel myself dying.

“But then, as that man feeds me his blood, I start vomiting. I throw up all his blood. He is livid! Then he shoves Ivan aside and bites me. But the same thing happens. I can’t accept his blood. I can’t!

“My body keeps healing me, and he can’t turn me, so he decides to keep me in that cage to feed his new turns. I don’t know why. I can’t tell you why.” She blinks at me. I’m as baffled as she is.

“Phoenix,” Willow murmurs. I look at her, then at the girl. I take in her fiery red hair, her scent that hints at fire coursing through her veins, the aura she radiates.

She’s petite, but there’s a formidable strength in her. I glance back at my mate and give her a slight nod. “Perhaps,” I murmur. “Though it’s been centuries since the last one.”

“There’s only one at a time. Always female, always subjected to trials before the healing can commence,” Willow explains.

Saoirse looks at Willow, confused.

“I don’t understand,” she admits.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, get some food in you, and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. I’ll explain what I think is happening tomorrow. Okay?” Willow wraps her arm around her shoulders.

“I could really use some food. And I’m dying for a bath,” the girl smiles.

I move closer to my mate, and the girl flinches, but I understand. “Would it help if I told you that I’m a professor at a college in England during the day? I teach history courses.” I offer her a grin.

Her green eyes widen, and she gives me a small smile. “You can walk in the sun?”

“I can. I’m the only one of my kind who can at the moment. See, I’m not as monstrous as that man.”

She just stares at me. Then, as if making a decision, she extends her hand to me. “Saoirse Connelly,” she introduces herself.

“Andrei Albescu.” I introduce myself with a modest nod.

Her face lights up with a broad grin. “I know that name. I own two of your books! It’s no surprise you grasp the history better than most scholars. You were part of it!”

She lets out a light-hearted giggle.

I respond with a chuckle of my own. “Indeed, I am.”

We continue our journey down the path, heading toward the pack and the tent that Lira has prepared for the injured.