Darling Fiend: Dark Blood Clan, page 24
Distracted, Evaine lost her footing, twisting her ankle and ramming her shoulder into the stone. A switch activated with a click and dropped spikes from the ceiling. She barely rolled out of the way as they slammed into the ground with a loud clatter that echoed through the catacombs.
As she climbed to her feet and dusted off, images of more gore bombarded her.
She limped, moving as fast as possible.
This tunnel was significantly smaller than the last, her shoulders brushing the walls as it twisted and turned, growing darker as she went. Her keen eyes had no issue seeing in the dark, but it was still unnerving and claustrophobic as she hunched down to clear the ceiling.
Evaine cursed as her foot settled on a small switch, a soft click echoing, the whirling of a lock signaling there was incoming. A pair of Inmortui barreled down the passage, reeking of old blood and death, their growls and shrieks making her skin crawl as she widened her stance and prepared to take them on. Her eyes narrowed as she crouched and gripped her dagger, holding her stance despite the urge to run. Her ankle throbbed as she waited for them to be almost on top of her before she leaped and landed on the other side.
Their confusion gave her enough time to grip one around the shoulders, jerking her back and burying the dagger in her eye. Evaine tossed the lifeless body before squaring off with the second. It closed the small distance between them in a flash, swiping for her arm, but she was quick enough to evade him. He kept coming, causing her to back up a few paces and find her balance, snapping jaws, crazy black eyes, and relentless pursuit rattling her more than she wanted to admit.
The stench of old flesh and body odor choked her, but she shook it off, shoving her dagger into her belt and pulling out a small throwing knife. She let it rip, her aim true as it punctured his eye with a squish that brought him to his knees before he toppled over like a doll, face first in the dirt.
She didn’t waste time retrieving her knife but sprinted along the tunnel, pumping her arms as she tested her new abilities. Since she’d had Ansel’s blood, her body felt invincible, her reflexes sharp, and her Memoria the strongest it’d been. It awakened something that wasn’t there before, wiring her up and making her better, faster, and stronger.
That’s the least he could do, considering he sent me into these fucking catacombs to die.
Evaine caught a glimpse of gore. They were things that made nightmares real; blood flowing, bones breaking, and eyeballs squelching as they were pried out of their sockets. It bombarded her from all sides and was a pretty clear sign of what was coming.
And then she heard the groans and howls.
It still might not be enough.
Evaine slowed as she rounded the corner and found herself at the edge of another open catacomb. This one seemed unique. Bones lined the walls, forming the shape of the insignia on her chest. Empty sockets stared from the skulls that created the M and A.
A small pool of water sat in one corner and a few large boulders in another. Ten Inmortui shot from behind them, coming straight for her at a speed she wasn’t expecting. These seemed eager to find a meal as they sprinted at her.
Numb fingers gripped the knives from her belt and whipped them across the space with both hands. Again, they found their target. The blades felt right in her grip, and she wasted no time loading up another pair and taking out two more.
Four down, she only had seconds to try again before they would be too close. She fumbled as she pulled two more and was barely able to send them sailing, wet squelches as the tips found homes in meaty eyeballs and brain matter.
Evaine yanked the dagger from her belt before the next monster rammed into her at top speed. His heavy, burly body shoved her back a few feet, his claws digging in, blood spilling down her shredded biceps before she could find footing and shove him off.
She hesitated a tick, then drove the dagger home.
The last three lurched at her in tandem, gripping each arm as one went for her waist.
Her back hit the ground with a thud that knocked her wind out, and she fought to get the dagger out of her belt.
Claws tore and teeth ripped, blood spraying her face, dripping into her eyes.
And for the first time, she thought she might actually die, her body trembling, her hands numbing.
Another cool jolt of adrenaline gave her the strength she needed to wrestle her hand free and grab the dagger.
Pain radiated from every limb as the blade found a home in the monster’s skull as he made a meal of her collarbone.
When he toppled, she set her sights on the female tearing bloody ribbons into her stomach. The tip slipped in like slicing through butter and turned the lights out, a painful howl dying in her throat as she fell.
Madness hazed the last one’s eyes, hunger driving him.
As he lurched forward, she jammed the dagger up through his chin into his brain, his reeking body collapsing on top of her like a ton of bricks.
Evaine shoved him off, panting through the pain.
Her wounds burned, blood flowing freely from her shoulder, biceps, and ribboned stomach.
A soft click and whirl made her tired body tense, her brain screaming to get the fuck up as it forced her to unsteady feet. She gripped her dagger in one hand, the other wrapped around her shredded stomach as she held her breath, waiting for the next round of Inmortui clambering through the open door.
Instead, Julien strolled through with a smug smile, his blond hair framing his angelically devilish face as he closed the distance and scooped her into his arms just before her legs gave out.
“You did so well, Ma Petite. Very well.”
Her head lolled against his solid chest as cool lips brushed the side of her filthy bloody face.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Is Jacob okay?” It was all she cared about. Not the blood trailing along the cavern floor behind them or the wounds flowing freely, making her head feel woozy.
“Let’s get those wounds healed, hmm?”
“Is he okay?” Her words were desperate, body tense, head spinning.
Julien’s eyes flicked around as he carried her to the door. “Oui, Ma Petite. He is alive but did not fare as well as you.”
“But he’ll be okay, right?” The room was spinning, her eyes rolling, the familiar icy burn of blood loss chattering her teeth as she trembled uncontrollably.
“He needs some time to heal, like you. Let’s take care of your wounds, and then you may see him.”
He’s alive.
That was all she needed to hear before she let the sweet pull of unconsciousness overtake her.
The light burned as forced her eyes open, barely slits.
Skye sat at her bedside crooning the tune Jacob played for her and smiled sweetly, her tiny hand waving. “Hi there, sleepyhead. Tati will be happy to see you awake.”
“How long was I asleep?” Evaine shifted, pain radiating from her midsection.
“Just a couple of hours. Most of your wounds have healed. Tati gave you blood to help speed up the process. But that wound on your stomach was nasty. It will take a little longer.”
“Where’s Jay?”
With a tilt of her head, black eyes flicked toward the bed to the left of hers. “He’s still unconscious.”
“Is he gonna be okay?” The needle in her arm pulled as she shifted to the edge of the mattress, and she yanked it out with a loud hiss.
Skye popped to her feet. “You should stay in bed.”
“I’m fine. I want to see him.” An impatient growl vibrated her tender chest before she pushed to her feet and gripped the bed as a wave of dizziness hit her.
“You’re not that fine,” Skye huffed, worry etching her smooth face. “At least let me help, Evie.” A firm hand gripped Evaine’s arm as she walked her to Jacob’s bed.
His face was so pale her breath hitched. “What happened?”
“He has a severe laceration on his liver and lost a lot of blood, but we’ve been giving him Ansel’s, so it should heal quickly.”
“Why isn’t he awake?”
“They put him out so his body can focus on healing. He’s okay, I promise,” Skye purred. “Now, come sit down before you fall.”
Satisfied, Evaine let Skye lead her back to her bed, immediately feeling better when she was tucked between the covers.
“Tati is coming to see you.”
“He is?” Evaine’s heart fluttered, coolness flushing her cheeks, a hand absently running through her red curls.
“You look perfect.” Skye smiled all teeth. “I’ll come visit you later.”
A couple of steps took her to Jacob’s bedside; she kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear before patting his arm and skipping past Julien when he came through the door. “Hi, Tati.”
“Good evening, Mon Fille,” he said before turning his attention to Evaine, eyes sparkling as he settled into the chair. “How are you feeling, Ma Petite?”
“Better. Good.”
He gripped her hand, kissing her knuckles. “That is a relief.”
“When can I get out of this bed?”
Rather than answering, he asked, “Did you take your I.V. out?”
She fisted her hand, the burn of the wound all but gone as she mumbled, “Yes.”
“Let’s get that back in, and then we can discuss you getting on your feet.” Julien rounded the bed, grabbing the dangling needle in one hand and hers in the other.
“You’re gonna do it?” she asked.
A devilish smirk hitched his thin lips. “Do you want me to call the nurse instead?”
“No.”
“Okay, then be still.” Grabbing the tourniquet from the side table, he wrapped it around her arm, his cool fingers tickling the inside of her bicep as he tied it off. Elongated fingers tapped at the top of her hand until the veins rose to attention, and he slipped the needle in on the first go. “Leave it in, hmm?”
“Okay,” she agreed as he snapped the elastic off and tossed it back on the nightstand.
“It will help you heal faster. Another couple hours, and you should be fine.”
“How is Jacob?” she asked, despite Skye’s update.
“He will be fine, Pet. But it was touch and go for a few hours. A wound like that is hard because of blood loss.”
“And the others?”
Julien’s shoulders were tight as he settled into the chair. “Not everyone fared as well. We lost three fledglings. Kevin was impaled on spikes in the pit, gnawed on by the Inmortui until Baldric put him out of his misery.”
“Oh, no.” A frown tugged at her lips. “What are those things?”
“They are humans that did not transform correctly. They became mindless, killing machines with an unquenchable thirst.”
“And they keep them locked in the catacombs to use as weapons? That’s disgusting.”
“That is Ansel’s prerogative, Ma Petite. He believes the trials strengthen our clan.”
“Do you agree?”
“Survival of the fittest is the way of nature, is it not?”
“You didn’t answer my questions.”
“Would you like to know about the ones we lost or discuss the philosophy of our leader?”
Her eyes narrowed to slits, brows bunching. “Tell me more about them.”
A smug smirk pulled at his thin lips. “We also lost Karen and Carmen to the Inmortui, torn limb from limb.”
“Their cannibals?” Her face reflected the disgust that ran rampant inside her.
“They are still part human, Pet. They consume blood and crave flesh.”
“Zombies? They’re fucking zombies?”
“If you say so.”
“That’s crazy. How can you just let Ansel do that?”
“He is our leader, Ma Petite. For the time.”
“And what does that mean?”
His cornflower eyes shimmered as he leaned in and whispered, “We have an eternity, and everything changes.”
“That sounds like bullshit.” Evaine snapped.
“Perhaps. We will see.” His tone was smooth and unruffled as he pushed to his feet. “I have to attend a Consul meeting, and I want you resting until I am finished; then, I will come to get you. Understood?”
Evaine nodded, laying back as he tucked the covers around her.
“That’s my good girl.” His soft hand brushed over her mess of hair, sending chills along her bare arms.
Her attachment to him was growing leaps and bounds.
It was a full day before Jacob awoke, and Evaine stayed at his side the whole time.
The nurse assured her he would recover, but nonetheless, she worried until he finally opened his eyes and mumbled, “Hey, Kitten.”
“Hey yourself!” Her hand gripped his. “You scared the shit out of me, Jay.”
“You’re not the only one. I think I may’ve met God.” He chuckled and then winced as he shifted.
“And was she awesome?”
“She was an it — a thing. Something I couldn’t even describe to you if I wanted to.”
Evaine shrugged. “You were probably dreaming, and they were pumping you full of Ansel’s blood, so who knows what that did to you?”
“Great. I’m not sure how I feel about being marinated in that guy’s essence.”
“I’m just happy you’re alive at this point. I’ll take it as a win.”
A groan rattled his chest when he shifted.
“That wound’s still tender, huh?”
“A little bit.”
“You need to take it easy,” Evaine tucked the blanket around him.
“Did I miss the Jubilee?”
Her hair bounced as she shook her head. “No, tomorrow at sunset is the Venari and then the Vestis celebration.”
“I guess that’s good, right?”
Before Evaine could agree, the nurse strolled in, her youthful face lighting up as she realized Jacob was awake.
“Finally!” She threw her hands up and was at his side in a blink, checking his forehead and pulse.
He frowned as she pulled his eyelids up and examined his eyes. “It was a close call for you, son. You’re lucky you were here. Ansel’s blood was the only thing that saved you.”
Evaine swallowed the lump in her throat, gripping his hand tighter as his eyes flicked in her direction.
“I feel pretty good.” His tone was less than convincing.
“Don’t even think about getting out of this bed, boy. I will strap your ass down if I have to. You need your rest.”
Her bedside manner needed work, but Evaine wasn’t going to tell her that as she flicked at the blood bag hanging on the pole.
As if she could hear Evaine’s thoughts, she narrowed her eyes. “You should let him rest.”
The sharpness of her gaze made Evaine squeeze his hand as she nodded, “I’ll come back in a couple hours, okay?” before kissing his forehead.
“You’re just gonna leave me here with her?” he mumbled and earned a glare from the nurse.
“Her has a name, son. It’s Christine. I’m the one who saved your ass.”
“Sorry. It’s nice to meet you,” he mumbled.
The nurse pegged him with a doubtful look as Evaine said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be back in no time.”
“Fine.” His eyes fluttered shut, prominent circles swallowing them in blackness.
She felt guilty leaving him alone, but something had been eating at her since she woke in her hospital bed — revenge. It was becoming harder and harder to ignore the gnawing need. She’d come close to dying, maybe not as close as Jacob, but close enough that she knew the one thing she regretted in all this. That Tristan would still walk the earth once she was gone.
And that’s not acceptable.
It was time for her and Julien to settle this once and for all. She was tired of waiting for him to get on board and was ready to take things into her own hands.
This time, I’m not taking no for an answer!
When she found him in the library, she stomped across the marble floor, her squeaking chucks giving her away. He glanced up from his book, his darkened gaze capturing her mid-step, and her heart skipped a beat.
“What is it you are up to, Ma Petite?” His tone held a rough edge, but there was adoration in there as well, a smile curling his thin lips as she closed the distance.
“Jacob is finally awake,” she purred.
“I was aware, Pet, but I appreciate the update, nonetheless.” Reaching for her hand with long, ringed fingers, he pulled her into his lap. “Especially when wrapped in such an enticing package.”
Her face flushed cool as she straddled his legs, tucking her knees between him and the chair, her body lining up perfectly against his as she straightened her black and purple plaid mini skirt.
Julien’s eyes flicked to where their bodies met, his pupils eating the blue to wholly black, tone dropping to that sexy predatory grate that came with his arousal. “Why do you look like you are up to no good, Evie?”
“Me? Why would you say that?” Sugary sweetness dripped off her innocent proclamation as she shifted her hips and caused him to growl low in his throat, loving the effect her closeness had on one of the most powerful creatures in the world. She was quickly learning to use it to her advantage, though doubted it would get her what she wanted now. It didn’t hurt to soften him up a little before she pushed her luck.
“I know you pretty well, Ma Petite. Tell me what you want, and perhaps I will give it to you.”
Evaine cupped his face, brushing her lips over his, then kissed him thoroughly before trailing them down his neck, nimble fingers pulling his shirt aside as her tongue darted out to follow the line of his collarbone.
His massive hand gripped her hip, nails digging into the tender meat, ringed fingers twining into her hair and pulling at the roots until her eyes watered.
“Mm.” The pain made her insides clench, her thighs moisten.
“Out with it,” Julien growled; fangs extended as he licked his thin lips.
“Tomorrow is the Jubilee.” Already a little breathless.
He side-eyed her with that dark, predatory gaze that said he was exerting control to keep from pouncing.
