Page 71 of Fangs and Family
Sara Wilska, Soul Shepherd and force of nature, held her friend’s soul tethered to her body while looking at me with a rage that burned so hot I felt it would consume me.
‘Turn her!’ She commanded, but I shook my head.
‘She refused. Don’t you think I haven’t tried?’ I cried, my throat tight with grief.
‘I’m not asking, Adam. Turn her. Now! I won’t lose her. They can lock me behind those fucking Gates, but I won’t lose Nina to this madness.’
If I thought Sapieha’s psychic torture or torn wings were the pinnacle of agony, it faded into insignificance when compared to the all-consuming compulsion in Sara’s voice. Blinding bolts of power erupted from her body, flaring and shimmering behind her like giant wings.
I couldn’t avert my eyes, and I couldn’t deny her. The power that pulsed from Sara crashed into me in unrelenting waves, and I watched myself open a vein on my wrist and press it to Nina’s lips.
‘Stop, my love, don’t force this. Everything will be okay.’ Leszek’s sharp voice broke through, interrupting Sara’s command, and I pulled my wrist back.
I looked toward the stairs where, in his primal form, the Leshy walked toward us. His eyes locked on Sara’s as her fury scorched the air.
‘I won’t let her go. Even you can’t make me. I don’t fucking care about the politics involved. If Gedania has a problem with it, then tough shit, let them do their worst.’
The sheer defiance in Sara’s voice gave me a sliver of hope. If anyone could keep Nina in this world, it was her unyielding, steadfast friend.
‘No one is going to take her, my love. I told you it would be okay, and I wasn’t lying. Vampiric magic is already changing Nina’s body. Aren’t you surprised she lasted so long with her throat ripped open?’ He asked gently, and I saw Sara hesitate, uncertain and scared.
‘Adam?’ she asked, but I shook my head.
‘I tried, but she wouldn’t accept my blood. There’s only one other possibility.’ I pointed to the rapidly decomposing body next to us.
‘And… you let him?’ she asked, and this time, it was my anger that echoed through the car park.
‘I didn’t fucking let him! I was retrieving Nina’s brother when that bastard targeted the one place she would never abandon. I came as fast as I could, and I killed every vampire he commanded. He was my sire, for fuck’s sake, an ancient vampire able to squash me like a bug, but I did everything I could!’ I shouted, feeling the desperate need for someone to believe I hadn’t failed Nina.
‘You can’t hold on to her spirit, my Firefly. Vampires cannot awaken with their spirits intact. Let her go, and Nina will return to you in no time. Look, her body is already healing.’
Leszek’s gentle words and his hand on Sara’s shoulder told me he was determined to stop whatever his wife was doing, so I turned away, focusing on Nina. Knowing I hadn’t lost my love forever allowed me to concentrate on the changes happening to her body, but everything about this whole situation felt wrong.
‘I turned Pawel, but he won’t awaken till tomorrow. Why is Nina reacting differently? Is it something you’re doing, Sara, or is this because Sapieha was so old?’
I looked at Sara, but she shook her head. Her features went slack for several moments. She was using Seer magic, and I remained silent, afraid to even breathe. Finally, she shook her head, looking at me in disbelief.
‘You gave her an Athame?! The Obsidian Athame? Oh, Adam, you wonderful idiot,’ she exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she laughed.
‘I wanted her to feel safe,’ I retorted defensively, and then I felt it, a single, miraculous thump of Nina’s heart, then, moments later, another.
Sara’s power withdrew, the otherworldly glow diminishing as the portal over the sea slowly closed. She bent toward Nina, cradling her face in her hands.
‘C’mon, Biker Bitch, don’t make me wait,’ she whispered, kissing Nina’s forehead.
I didn’t know what was going on, but as long as Nina was alive, I couldn’t care less. I would forever serve the annoying Soul Shepherd for bringing her back to me. My wings wrapped protectively around my woman, nudging Sara aside.
‘Let her rest,’ I insisted, indulging my possessive instincts before Nina could wake up as I turned to Sara. ‘Please, can you tell me what you saw and what this means for her future?’
‘The athame you gave Nina was made of obsidian and aspen and blessed by the Coven. It appears Veronica has taken a liking to her and wanted to protect her from a certain winged lothario. Of course, I don’t think the Coven Mistress was expecting Nina to get her blood on it first. She effectively made an offering of human blood and vampire immortality with a blade blessed by fire, air, water and earth. Do you get it yet?’
Sara looked at my confused expression and rolled her eyes.
‘Don’t they teach you anything at Vampire High?’ As she laughed at her own joke, I tried to answer, angry at her flippancy, but she waved her hand, dismissing me.
‘Nina sacrificed Sapieha to the gods. When my girl goes big, she goes really big. I don’t know what that’ll mean for the future, maybe nothing, maybe she’ll get Sapieha’s powers. Who knows?’
A grumbling growl from Leszek made me turn in his direction.
