Page 51 of Fangs and Family
‘Your man? Nina, whatever’s happened, it must be bad for Adam to activate his beacon, and definitely supernatural in origin. You saw Adam fight; if he’s in trouble, how do you expect to help?’ The worry in my friend’s voice was unmistakable, but I had already decided. I didn’t know if my brother was still alive, but right now, I knew Adam needed me. I would not sit on my arse when I knew he was in danger.
‘I have to help him, Sara. He’s doing this for me, I… What if he needs my blood? I can’t leave him if he needs me. I just can’t.’ I was crying on the phone. There’s nothing like a few days of solitude and worry to focus a person’s feelings.
‘I’ll call you back when I return. I’m sorry, Sara. We both know you wouldn’t sit back and wait if Leszek’s life were at stake,’ I said, pulling myself back together, and I heard my friend sigh on the other side of the line.
‘I knew you would say that, but… I had to try. I’ll be there shortly,’ she said. Sara’s steadfast friendship and willingness to assist me warmed my heart.
‘No, I’m taking Adam’s bike; the trail’s too narrow for a car. Besides, Leszek will be there, and no one will touch me if your husband has my back. Love you, Bestie, now wish me luck.’
I disconnected the call after Sara’s tearful farewell and grabbed the keys before heading toward the lift with Lorelai on my heels. When I turned to say goodbye, ancient eyes looked at me from the housekeeper’s face, the knowledge of aeons shining out.
‘I’m going to bring him back,’ I said.
‘I know. Remember, you are his heart, and Adam would never willingly hurt you.’
I wasn’t sure what she meant by this, so I nodded, bending and kissing the kikimora’s cheek, breathing in the cosy scent of a warm fireplace and drying herbs. Lorelai looked startled by my gesture. Her beak clacked, and she backed off slightly. Somehow, it helped to calm my nerves to know I had just surprised an ancient spirit.
There you go, Nina, fake it till you make it. I thought, bracing myself for the upcoming challenge.
Chapter 18
The trees and undergrowth blurred into one while I marvelled at the nimble Japanese machine as I swept through the twists and turns of the bumpy road. Despite riding toward unknown danger, I was enjoying the speed. I knew once everything was calmer, I’d be asking Adam to let me use his bike again because it handled like a dream.
When Lorelai told me Adam had a motorcycle, for some reason, I expected an old, custom Harley he’d use to pose on to pick up women, not the ultra-fast, high-tech machine that stuck to the road like glue. It felt like I was riding a cloud as it glided over the uneven road, the speed and the wind making it more exhilarating than anything I’d ever ridden. It was a shame when I had to slow down as the destination drew closer, making sure to keep my eyes open for anything out of place. The satellite picture had shown nothing but a small clearing and a single small cabin that would struggle to be more than a storage room for hunters.
There was only one reason for Adam to be out here: Pawel.Had my quick-witted vampire found Pawel’s hideout and gotten hurt when he saw him?
I came as close to the location as possible, cutting the engine and coasting to a thicket near the clearing’s entrance, sneaking the rest of the way until I could peer from behind the overgrowth. There were people in the distance. Their voices, fuelled by anger, were loud and discordant. There were also muffled screams of pain, and I felt fear firmly gripping my chest, but I had to see, so I shuffled forward for a better view.
The scene unfolding before my eyes when my head cleared the bushes had me biting back curses and desperately trying to convince myself not to run out there screaming bloody murder. There were five people in total, two standing guard, staring outward, looking for suspicious activity, whilst another leaned in, whispering to a sentry before slipping into the cabin. The last pair were why I was frantically trying not to scream out in anguish.
I recognised Adam instantly. He was kneeling on the ground, his forehead pressed to the earth, and his wings stretched out on either side of his body. The reason I was struggling to stifle my screams was the other figure. That man casually strolled back and forth, each step placed with languid precision onto Adam’s wings, and the sound of creaking bones tore something in my chest each time I heard it.
Adam didn’t even flinch. The heavy boots caused appalling damage, but my vampire didn’t even lift his head. I could hardly imagine the state Adam must have been in to not react, but as I looked closer, I noticed the deep wounds on his back, both old and new, turning the skin of his back into so much ground meat.
He was untied, and yet Adam didn’t resist when his tormentor took a bloody knife and nonchalantly trailed the sharp edge over the bloody wounds. I couldn’t believe I was looking at the same man who effortlessly took out three vampires as Adam stayed precisely where he was, just like a statue you’d expect to find in an old temple.
Is he too injured to escape? Or is there something else that’s keeping him in place? A spell, maybe?I thought, noticing movement in the cabin doorway. The whisperer from earlier emerged, joining Adam’s tormentor and kicking dirt at the kneeling vampire. Still no reaction. The situation was so bizarre, and suddenly, I realised what I was seeing. Adam looked like a catatonic patient that I’d cared for a few years ago. Locked in his mind and unable to do anything, stuck in whatever pose someone placed them in.
‘Stand up, Adam. C’mon, why doesn’t the self-styled Master of Tricity get up and show me what he can do? ’ Mr Whisperer said, but again, there was no response. Instead, the doors to the lodge opened, and the vampire who haunted my nightmares walked out.
‘Stop messing around; I don’t want him too damaged. Adam won’t move until I allow him. I’m impressed that he managed to pretend acceptance of his place, only to alert his Seethe. At least the boy has courage, unlike the rest of my pathetic spawn,’ Sapieha sneered before inclining his head toward the other man. ‘You can play with him a little longer until he learns his place, but make sure to clean him up afterwards. I want him ready for my bed tonight.’
The one with the knife threw his head back and laughed, showing long, sharp fangs. ‘Of course, Master. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your little bird.’
I’d had enough. Leszek still wasn’t here, and looking at the cruel face of the knife-wielding vampire, I knew it wouldn’t be long till he started slicing up Adam. I retreated to the bike and started its engine.
It was a ride-or-die moment, and I hoped I could buy my man enough time for the horned cavalry to arrive and save the day. I only hoped Sapieha still needed me alive because I sure as hell wouldn’t win this match. This entire idea was a risky bet, but as I couldn’t do anything for Pawel, I’d be damned if I didn’t do something to save Adam.No one will die today.I promised myself, spinning the tyres on the gravel road.
I gunned the throttle, the bike leaping from the forest and right between the two sentinels. With a grunt, I leaned over, nearly dropping the motorcycle as I planted my foot and spun in a circle, spraying dirt and stones into their faces. I didn’t wait for their reaction. Straightening up and lifting my foot, I rolled the throttle and shot forward, the front wheel threatening to lift off the ground.
Just as I neared the vampire with the knife, I grabbed the front brake, the handlebars hitting my chest as the bike dipped. I leaned over, feeling the rear wheel lift and swing around, crashing into my target’s body and knocking him over. I struggled with control as the wheel hit the ground, but once I had the bike upright again, I reached out my hand, looking down at my vampire.
‘Get on the bike,’ I commanded, my hopes rising as Adam looked up. I saw the desperation in his eyes when his muscles tensed, attempting to move, but he remained frozen in place. The only change was the tension that caused blackened blood to gush from a wound in his neck.
The two sentinel vampires launched themselves at me, but Sapieha’s voice rang out as he raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks.
‘Nina, how very nice to see you again, my sweet morsel. Adam won’t get up. He is mine, and I’m afraid that even you can’t make him disobey my order, but I’m not cruel. Please join us. You can stay with him as long as you want. He thought his feelings for you would protect his mind, but, as you can see, they didn’t. It is time for him to learn love is a mirage for fools,’ he smirked, and I saw Adam tense, his eyes crimson with rage.
