Uncertainty Ahead

ANTHONY

It had been over a hundred years since I’d taken out so many turned vampires. There was a strange beauty in it. Not that I’d been longing for it.

I was born amidst a war. Fighting was all I knew. Even as a guard for the late vampire king, I’d seen my fair share of battles. But in the fifty years since the revolution, opportunities to cut through bodies, to feast on vampire blood, to truly let loose, were few and far between.

I thought I’d missed it. I thought I was thrilled about the idea of safeguarding the wayward Night siblings. But as I watched bodies drop around me, blood splatter, and heard the screams, I realized I hadn’t missed it. Not really.

When the night finally fell silent and the prince held Aya close, my thoughts drifted to the cabin in the woods and the self-centered princess waiting for me. I was never one for family. Even as a human.

My wife had been my father’s business associate’s daughter. She couldn’t stand the sight of me. We were married less than a year before I was turned.

No kids; we’d barely consummated the marriage. I spent more time in other women’s beds as my company of soldiers and I roamed the vast American plains. I did go back for her, though, years later, when I could control my thirst.

She’d remarried and seemed happy. I never went back after that. I just scanned the newspapers every decade, searching for her name.

When it finally appeared next to her husband’s, I felt a sense of relief. No, I wasn’t a family man. I was a soldier.

A guard. A violent, bloodthirsty vampire. And now a protector. No matter how fucking beautiful that little princess was, no matter how her big blue eyes bewitched me, how her pouty little mouth taunted me—she wasn’t for me.

I wasn’t for her. I pushed away the stirring in my groin as I turned to check on her. I could tell she was hurt; her blood scent hung in the air.

But it wasn’t much, and judging by the scowl on her ridiculously perfect face, she was more pissed about her ruined clothes than the scratch on her cheek. We’d taken out the last of the turned vampires who’d been lying in wait for us in Sarandë.

We’d been ambushed multiple times on our journey to Corfu, but the number of vampires in Sarandë was staggering. It seemed our plans, though likely unexpected, weren’t secret.

I’d recognized the emblems and scents of the Shahalia and Skotádi clans on several of the vampires who’d attacked us tonight. They were closing in, and we were barely slipping through.

As much as I hated to admit it, having Alexander with us was a huge advantage. The pureblood was ruthless, merciless, and incredibly powerful.

I’d been around purebloods for decades; I knew their strength, but I’d rarely seen them in action. That was usually my job. Watching him slice through bodies before I could even blink was downright humiliating.

But it got us through most of southern Europe without a hitch. Both Aya and Caroline, who were barely battle-ready a week ago, were now drenched in blood, snapping the last necks.

Alexander was gazing at the setting sun, his sword hanging loosely in his blood-soaked hand. It was too late to swim to Corfu.

“I know a place,” I announced, gesturing them into the dark streets. I hadn’t spent much time in Albania.

I always favored the icy tundras of the north over the scorching Mediterranean, but the Night family, descendants of the Roman Empire, had resided in Italy for centuries. So, I had my hideouts nearby.

Though I suspected this hideout would earn a disapproving frown from the princess, I almost smiled, picturing her cute nose scrunching in disgust.

We quickly plunged into the ocean, washing off the blood and masking our scents before racing back up. I led them swiftly through the town’s streets and out into the farmlands.

Behind us, I could hear the Skotádi clan members tidying up the battlefield. They ruled Greece and had attempted to invade Albania and North Macedonia several times.

They took it upon themselves to clean up any vampire skirmishes in the region. By the time I forced open the creaky wooden door of the stone shed nestled in the middle of a wheat field, the heat was almost unbearable.

Alexander grunted as he squeezed into the cramped space, pulling Aya into his arms and slumping against the cold stone wall. Caroline shot me a look that could kill before she followed them in.

I closed the door behind them, securing the lock. Inside, it was as dark as a moonless night, but we didn’t need light to see.

The coolness of the stones was a welcome relief. Above us, a small mezzanine blocked the harsh sun from hitting the shed’s iron roof directly.

I slid down the wall opposite Aya and Alexander, while Caroline remained standing. I watched as she deliberated over which wall was the cleanest.

I thought about reminding her that she’d been covered in blood less than half an hour ago and was still dripping wet, but decided against it when she chose the same wall as me, close enough for our shoulders to touch.

Alexander’s arms were wrapped tightly around Aya, pulling her back against his chest. She leaned into him, finding comfort in his embrace.

“There were more of them, hiding in the water and on Corfu,” Alexander murmured, his eyes meeting mine. “Did you see them?”

I hadn’t noticed the ones in the water; their scent had been masked from me. But I had seen the turned vampires on Corfu, ready to attack.

I nodded at him, my expression serious. “We won’t get through without a fight,” I replied.

Caroline shifted uncomfortably next to me. Her brother glanced at her, and I saw his muscles tense as he pulled Aya even closer.

“I’m not sure if we’ll make it through even with a fight,” he confessed, his face etched with worry.

Aya immediately frowned. “Caroline and I have improved our self-defense skills,” she retorted.

Caroline nodded in agreement, her face flushed with indignation. Alexander grunted, clearly unimpressed with their progress.

Before either of them could retaliate, I stepped in. “Vampires have been hunting you for weeks. Both of you. They know you’re trying to reach Corfu. This is their last chance to get you,” I warned.

“They won’t hold back. Every single vampire between us and the safety of Corfu Castle will die trying to stop us.”

“There are no laws to protect us,” Alexander reminded Caroline. “If they catch us, they can kill us or use us. No one can stop them. And if they just want to hurt us,” he trailed off, glancing down at Aya.

“They have all the leverage they need. I won’t risk that.”

“So, how do we get past?” Aya asked.

“We could mask our scent, swim up from Greece,” Caroline suggested.

Alexander shook his head. “No, the Mediterranean is swarming with turned vampires. They’ll be expecting that.”

Caroline shot him a glare before turning her piercing blue eyes to me. “You’re the military strategist; what’s your plan?”

Alexander smirked at me.

“You aren’t going to like this,” I warned Caroline.

Her eyebrows knitted together in frustration. “Do you have a plan, Anthony?” Aya asked.

I nodded at her. “Every single vampire will fight to the death for this opportunity. Caroline and Alexander are the main targets. But we smell like them,” I explained to Aya.

“We don’t smell,” Caroline snapped.

I couldn’t help but grin.

Alexander rolled his eyes.

“By now, word of you has definitely spread. Either from the Shahalias or your friend. It’s also likely that rumors of you from a hundred years ago haven’t faded yet, so you, as the prince’s weakness, are also a target. They’ll kill you to hurt him. Or at least try to use you as a hostage again.”

Alexander nodded in agreement.

Aya hissed. “They should have learned their lesson the first time.”

“So you’re the only one who’s not a target?” Caroline snapped at me.

I shrugged. “I can mask your scent on me, and I’m very good at being invisible,” I raised an eyebrow at her.

She looked like she wanted to tear my face off. I found her irritation amusing.

“So what, Anthony? How does that help us?” Aya asked.

I turned back to her. I pursed my lips. “The question, Aya, is are we willing to go all the way?”