Bloody Brilliance, page 13
We sped west, the trees blurring into a wall of green. My fingers tapped impatiently on the door handle. The world was shattering, and every minute we wasted felt like another fissure cracking open.
When we reached the clearing, my breath caught. Ramon, Clarissa, and Muggs lounged in the grass, chatting casually. Clarissa braided blades of grass while Muggs whistled a merry tune.
I leapt from the SUV. “What the fuck?” My voice lashed out like a whip. “The world is coming apart at the seams and you’re all sitting on your asses?”
Ramon raised an eyebrow. “Bonsoir, ma chérie! Lovely night, non?”
“Lovely?” I gestured wildly at the sky. It rippled with unnatural streaks of violet and gold, undoubtedly because of Adam’s magic forcing two places into one. “Have you gone blind? We’re on the verge of apocalypse and you’re braiding fucking grass?”
Clarissa sighed. “We’ve been through this before, Mercy. Another year, another end of days.” She tilted her face up, letting the fractured sunlight wash over her skin. “Might as well enjoy the view.”
I dug my nails into my palms, fighting the urge to slap that peaceful look off her face. She was my newest progeny—before the horde of younglings Oblivion and I had together. She’d only been through one apocalypse averting adventure with me. She was an amateur. She had to save the world at least three times before she could pretend to know what she was talking about.
Ramon stood, brushing dirt from his jeans. “Mercy’s right. We can’t sit idle.” He clasped my shoulder. “But the wolves left, and you did not respond to your texts!”
I checked my phone. Yeah, I’d missed a bunch of messages. So much for vibrate. Come to find out, a phone vibrating in your pocket doesn’t do much to get your attention when baby vampires are clawing at your face, space is warping around you, and chaos dragons are gloating about their world-ending aspirations.
I ran a hand through my hair, shaking off the lingering adrenaline. “Yeah, well, my bad. Was a little preoccupied with the whole almost dying again thing.”
Ramon gave me a knowing look. He’d pulled my ass out of too many fires over the decades.
“Anyway,” I went on, “doesn’t matter now. Oblivion’s made his move. He’s turned those baby vamps into horcruxes.”
“Into what now?” Muggs asked, scratching his head.
“Horcruxes. You know, from Harry Potter.” Blank stares all around. I threw up my hands. “Don’t any of you read?”
Ramon cleared his throat. “I prefer biographies myself.”
“Whatever. The point is, Oblivion split his essence into the younglings when he turned them, so now we can’t just kill them. We’ve gotta figure out how to take him down without hurting them.”
I looked to Clarissa, who was back to braiding daisies or some shit. “You get all that, newbie? This is end of the world 101 stuff. Starts out fun but gets real depressing real fast. So drop the flower crown and get your head in the game.”
She rolled her eyes at me. Some progeny she was turning out to be. Didn’t have an ounce of respect for her maker. But I guess that’s what I get for turning her just so I could save her freaking life.
Oh well. I’d straighten her out eventually. For now, we had bigger fish—or dragons—to fry. An ancient primordial force of darkness being one of them.
I nodded to Ladinas. “You said something earlier about asking Caladbolg to destroy himself. Seems like our best bet at this point.”
Ladinas inclined his head. “If Caladbolg ceases to exist, so does Oblivion.”
“Right. They’re two sides of the same coin.” I started pacing, thinking it through. “Only problem is, what if old Cal isn’t in a self-sacrificing mood? He will not be exactly forthright about how to kill Oblivion if it means killing him, too.”
Ramon crossed his arms. “Yes, but if we just kill Caladbolg, same result, non?”
“Maybe.” I wasn’t convinced. “But it’s not right. Caladbolg is good. I’m not going to just murder him. Maybe it would be for the greater good, but that’s shitty ethics.”
“Right,” Sebastian added. “Utilitarianism doesn’t justify being an asshole.”
“Depends,” Donnie added. “I mean, technically, that’s the whole point of utilitarianism. But I get it. Big assholes don’t serve the greater good forever. Eventually, they shit on everything.”
I rubbed my brow. “Okay, enough ethics bullshit. The point is, I will not betray Caladbolg like that. But at the very least, he’ll know if there’s anything we can do. Think about it. I brought both of these dragons to our world. They united in a pocket dimension and hitched a ride on me.”
My earpiece buzzed, Ladinas glancing at me as he clearly heard it too. “Mel, what’s up?” I asked.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Mel’s voice came through, “But I’ve been listening to everything. What if Adam intentionally messes it all up?”
I froze, exchanging a look with Ladinas. “What do you mean?”
“The dragons escaped their prison by binding themselves to you,” Mel explained. “What if Adam can bind them again and throw them back?”
It was risky, but clever. “It could work,” I said slowly. “Pocket dimensions are how the Fae imprison things. But both dragons would need to go together.”
“Then that’s our play,” Sebastian said decisively. “We get Oblivion and Caladbolg together, have Adam create a prison dimension and toss them in.”
I bit my lip. “Maybe. But if any part of Caladbolg remains on Earth... I’m talking to Caladbolg first. If we’re going to do this, he has to be on board with it. And we have to be sure it will work.”
Sebastian grabbed my arm, his expression serious. “And if he says no? Then what?”
I met his gaze steadily. “Then we try Mel’s idea anyway. Because it’s still the best shot we have.”
Sebastian searched my eyes for a moment, then nodded. We both knew the stakes. If Caladbolg rejected the plan, we’d be taking a massive gamble. But the risk might be worth it if we could end Oblivion for good.
“Here’s as good a place as any,” I said. “A stake to the chest, and I’ll go have words with Caladbolg.”
“Can’t you just talk to him through your blade?” Ladinas asked. “Is this really necessary?”
I held Caladbolg in front of my face. “Hey you. Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
I shrugged. “He doesn’t talk like this. I don’t know why. He doesn’t seem to have the strength to manifest like Oblivion did. Probably because it’s easier to cook up a little chaos in my spirit than virtue.”
Ramon chuckled. “That’s true for all of us. You know, ma chérie, I could always stake you so you and the dragon boy can talk. For old time’s sake.”
I barked out a laugh despite the circumstances. “Yeah, well, usually I was the one staking your ass back in the day. Sending you to time-out in hell and all.”
Ramon chuckled. “Too true, too true. Well then, allow me to return the favor this time.” He made a theatrical stabbing motion that made me snort.
I looked around at the group. “Sebastian? Have a stake you can toss Ramon, here?”
Sebastian reached to the back of his waistband and retrieved a wooden stake. How the hell he’d had that back there, while sitting all that time, was a mystery I wasn’t eager to solve. But Sebastian was nothing if not resourceful. He tossed the stake to Ramon.
I laid down on the ground. “Give me ten minutes, tops. We can’t afford more than that.”
Ramon knelt down beside me, stake at the ready. “You’re sure about this, chérie?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “Just do it.”
Without another word, Ramon plunged the stake into my chest. The pain was excruciating, but I gritted my teeth and focused on my breathing.
Everything faded to black—you know, the usual when you basically die. It was just another weekend for me. But then I found myself sitting on a bar stool. The same one I sat on when I’d met Caladbolg in heaven before.
He was still mixing drinks. “So tell me, buddy. Are you really in heaven all the time, or do you only come here when I do?”
Caladbolg smirked. “We’re connected, Mercy. What do you think?”
I cleared my throat. “Well, make me something strong, because we have a lot to talk about.”
Caladbolg made me another glass of blood, just as he’d done before. “I know why you’re here. As you said, we are connected. You want to know if I’d be willing to sacrifice myself in order to eliminate my brother.”
I shrugged. “Or if you would be willing to bind yourself to him again and let us put the two of you in another dimension, you know, like a prison. Sorry I don’t have more pleasant ideas, but Oblivion has to be stopped.”
Caladbolg leaned against the bar, his eyes solemn. “I understand the gravity of the situation. Oblivion is a danger to everything and everyone.” He paused, taking a sip of his own drink. “But sacrificing myself is not the answer. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
I frowned. “What mistake are you talking about?”
“The mistake of believing that I could handle the darkness alone,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “I thought I could keep Oblivion in check, that I could control him. But I was wrong. And it cost me everything. It cost you everything.”
I tilted my head. “You didn’t bite those people.”
Caladbolg sighed. “But I couldn’t stop him from making you do it.”
I cleared my throat. “Because I was being a little bitch. I was feeling sorry for myself about Ladinas and Alice getting together.”
“You had a right to feel what you were feeling,” Caladbolg said. “You may be a vampire, but you’re entitled to your human emotions as much as anyone. To expect you to suck it up and accept what happened wouldn’t be fair. You had to go through it to get past it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, usually when a relationship ends, getting over it doesn’t involve mass murder.”
Caladbolg extended his finger. “And you wouldn’t have lost control like that if I’d been able to keep Oblivion in check. Nothing that happened was your fault, Mercy. You are entitled to experience heartbreak as much as anyone.”
I chuckled. “Funny way to put it, you know, since there’s a piece of wood stuck in my heart at this very moment.”
Caladbolg chuckled a little at my joke. “Your idea with the pocket dimension isn’t bad. However, I think I have an idea that might improve your chances of success.”
I shrugged. “I’m all ears.”
“Anything my brother can do with his essence, I can do as well. I must divide myself even as he has done. A part of me will remain with you. But a greater part will arrest as much of what remains of Oblivion and take it to this prison dimension you speak of.”
I tilted my head. “So you’ll still be a part of me?”
Caladbolg nodded. “I will. But my brother mustn’t know it. Even a small part, if it remains in this world, can grow into full strength over time. He will gladly send the bulk of his essence into the pocket dimension if he thinks it will imprison me there and put me out of your reach.”
“But you’ll leave your strongest part with me?” I asked.
“Which should be enough to defeat the smaller part of Oblivion that he leaves behind. But I will not be able to stay with you. You must find where he has housed what remains of his spirit so that I can overwhelm him there, and dominate him the way he controlled the two of us when we were both bound to you.”
I bit my lip. “So, we’re going to horcrux the shit out of the horcrux. Got it.”
“In a manner of speaking,” Caladbolg said.
“Well, if he’s leaving a small part behind, knowing it will grow more powerful eventually, won’t he try to be discreet? How are we going to find him?”
Caladbolg laughed. “Because I know exactly where he is. He’s in the wolves. All of them.”
“Wait,” I said. “He split himself up into all the younglings and the wolves?”
“Yes,” Caladbolg said. “But if you put me into the alpha...”
“Then you can overpower his influence over the alpha... and with the alpha’s power, the whole pack. But we’re dealing with a bunch of packs. How do we know who the alpha is?”
“The packs are working in concert. There is an alpha of alphas. He shouldn’t be difficult to find. But we mustn’t do that until we’ve sent the greater part of his spirit into the pocket dimension with me.”
“And that’s inside the younglings?” I asked.
“Not at present,” Caladbolg said. “When they spoke his name, he manifested in the flesh. Just as he did with you. He can influence the younglings just the same, but he can only act of his own volition this way. Speak my name, and I will manifest enough of myself to convince my brother it is my full being. It will not take long before he realizes I’ve divided myself and left a portion with you. Adam must act to send us away before he knows what’s happening.”
I nodded. “Then, after that, I find the alpha. And I do what? Stab him with you?”
Caladbolg nodded. “Say my name. I’ll form into a lesser blade. Use it on the alpha and I’ll release myself into the wolf. Then, I’ll make sure Oblivion doesn’t gain control again.”
Chapter 20
I gasped awake, the sharp pain in my sternum lingering. Three faces hovered over me—Ladinas with his stern brow furrowed, Ramon’s dark eyes full of concern, and Sebastian… Sebastian with his damn charming half-smile.
“Ex number one, ex number two, and the new guy,” I croaked. “What a way to wake up.”
Ladinas scowled, his gaze flickering between Sebastian and me. “You’re the new guy?”
Sebastian bit his lip, an endearing tell that he was nervous. “We’re just friends.”
Ramon let out a sharp laugh. “Yeah right. The chemistry between you two is explosive.”
Sebastian shook his head, sandy hair falling over his eyes. “Maybe so, but you don’t mix acids and bases. Or vampires and humans.” His voice softened. “That shit never works out. Besides, I have a wife out there, somewhere. I’ll find her one day.”
I felt a pang in my unbeating heart. He was right, of course. I hadn’t even really considered any feelings I had for the sentinel until now. Things had been too hectic, but I found myself suddenly... disappointed... that it couldn’t be. But then again, why was I in any rush? I’d stay young and hot forever. Sebastian would grow old someday. Eventually, if we got together, everyone would think I was with him for his money. His car aside, Sebastian didn’t have shit. I doubted his bank account had over four figures. Maybe only three. If he even had a bank account.
Sebastian didn’t have much. But he was intriguing...
Still, I’d gone after Ladinas when he still had feelings for Alice. So long as Sebastian believed his wife was out there and alive, trying to pursue the man was foolish. Vampire-human complications aside. I wasn’t about to put myself through that shit again.
If I fell for anyone else, ever again, he’d have to bend over backwards to prove that his world revolved around me. I would not be the backup, the second-choice, the girl anyone settled for. I deserved better than that.
But I’d be damned if I didn’t feel the pull towards him—as if he had his own kind of magic. I sighed, pushing myself up from the cold ground. We had more important things to deal with right now than my love life. Or lack thereof.
I cleared my throat, drawing the attention of the three men hovering over me.
“None of that shit is important,” I said firmly. “I have a plan, and I need you all to play along. Just trust me, alright? I can’t let anyone know for sure what’s going on.”
Ladinas narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed by my cryptic statement. “And why is that, Mercy? Why can’t you share this so-called plan with us?”
Before I could respond, Sebastian rose to his feet, having finished securing his sharpened silver blade back to his gauntlet.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said. “We know Oblivion divided himself and possessed multiple vampires. He could be inside any of you right now. Mercy can’t risk revealing the full plan because it might get back to Oblivion.”
Sebastian met my gaze, smiled a little, and nodded. “We’ll support you no matter what happens. Right, everyone?”
Ladinas scowled, but gave a curt nod. Ramon murmured his agreement as well.
Donnie snapped to attention and gave Sebastian a salute. “Aye aye, captain!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his antics. “So you’re a pirate now?”
“Psh, no way,” Donnie scoffed, dropping the salute. “Pirates are lame. Ninjas are where it’s at! They have real ultimate power!”
“Whatever you say,” I said with an amused shake of my head. “Muggs, teleport us back to Adam. We’re going to confront Oblivion head-on. Just get me close enough to Adam so I can let him know what I need him to do.”
Muggs rubbed his hands together eagerly, his blank eyes wide and glinting. Then he spun his staff overhead. “All aboard the Muggs express! Hold on tight!”
A swirling green vortex materialized in the air before us. Sebastian, Donnie, Ramon, Clarissa and I hopped inside. We tumbled out the other end directly into utter chaos.
Youngling vampires were everywhere, taunting and harassing the Redcaps surrounding Adam. I shoved my way through, making a beeline for the teenaged-looking boy. When I reached him, I grabbed his arm and pulled him close so I could whisper urgently in his ear.
“When the dragons unite, I need you to pop the dimensions apart and trap them in a pocket dimension—like a faerie prison. Can you do that?”
Adam met my gaze and gave a single nod. I knew I could count on him. Now we just had to get Oblivion to take the bait.
I broke away from Adam and strode back out into the open, my friends forming a protective barrier around me.
“Oblivion!” I shouted, my voice ringing out clearly. “Show yourself, you wily bastard!”
