Back to reality, I think, following him out of the room and joining in with the others. Not long after, we leave the lair in small groups, disguised so no civilians, humans, should see us and wonder what the hell we’re up to. We’re easily mistaken for goths in the long black cloaks we’re wearing.
Finally outside the city, we meet up again, not only with Vladimir’s group, but others too. I spot Morgenstiern leading a large body. Everybody looks so... I don’t know, prepared and solemn. I was afraid everybody would be scared. That would have affected everyone. I’m never going to underestimate the power of a self-assured leader again.
Morgenstiern nods to me, a small acknowledgement, before we continue. I walk alongside him and Vladimir. The way they act is different from how I’ve seen them before. It reminds me a little of the masks they put up for the ball-thing I had to attend right after waking up to realise I’d been kidnapped. I shove the memories of the mentors being murdered aside. Though I’ve distanced myself from it, I still don’t need that shit right now.
The foliage proves to be my greatest enemy while we march on, heading out to some god-forsaken place mortals are unlikely to go to. The damned cloak snags in every branch and I sigh, ripping it loose, not caring about the tears. Hadn’t it been for the need for disguise, I would have tossed it aside already.
A few minutes later I’m tempted to ask Vladimir how far it is till we’re there, but hold my silence. Being perceived as a whiny, impatient child wouldn’t impress anyone.
Ruthven was the one being challenged, so according to some ancient rule, he gets to choose the place. Of course that gives him the opportunity to launch an unexpected attack on us while we approach. Vladimir and the rest of the vampire lords don’t think that’s what he’s planning. Vampire honour again. I hope they’re right, but still keep my guard up while moving through the thick forest secluding the site where the massacre is going to take place.
It’s not paranoia when people really are out to get you.
We’re the last ones to arrive. Ardealan, Terboven and Voltaire plus covens are here already. The first thing I do when we stop is to shed the cloak, leaving it by a random tree. I don’t plan to fetch it again. Before I can tell Vladimir to remove the silly thing he’s wearing, he’s already deep in conversation with Ardealan, who looks like he has important news.
I glance behind me to see the vampires who marched with us find their places among the other covens. We have a freaking army. I've never seen so many vampires in one place.
“He’s close.”
The sudden sound of Vladimir’s voice starts me. I look over my shoulder. He comes over, looking like... I don’t know. I’ve never seen him like this before. “Who?” I ask, following his gaze across the valley the two sides have gathered around.
On the other side, I can see what must be Ruthven’s men, doing exactly what our side’s doing. Preparing to fight. To kill.
“He,” Vladimir repeats, and for one moment I’m sure he’s about to barge down there and rip whoever he’s talking about to pieces. “Ruthven,” he explains when I still don’t get it. There’s anger in his voice. Justified, that.
Hearing that bastard’s name is enough. My eyes wander around the ant-sized vampires scurrying around on the others side, searching for someone black-haired and nasty. Just thinking about him makes my blood boil - and not surprisingly, I notice my fangs growing slightly. The beast lies ready.
“He won’t be fighting,” I hear Vladimir mutter. His hands are balled up into tight fists, staring intently at some oblivious vamp. “But I’ll get him.”
“It’s not gonna be like last time,” I assure him, understanding what he’s afraid of.
“No,” he agrees heatedly. Though confused about his behaviour - when was the last time he showed anger or emotion at all? - I choose not to ask about it. He told me they didn't get Ruthven last time - of course he's worried Ruthven will manage to slip away again.
The noise makes a crescendo, and I turn to see a group of Ruthven's soldiers start the march down their side of the valley. There's a lurch inside my guts, fear taking its seat in me again. It's starting already?
Apparently so, I understand, as the first wave of our people also go down towards the field intended for the slaughter. We have five hours until the sun rises. By eight this morning, one way or another, we will see an end to this. If I had been religious, maybe I would have prayed. I notice people around muttering, glancing up towards the sky. However, I've seen too much to believe in anything. Once down there, the only one who can save you, is yourself. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes... well, it's obvious. Sometimes you die.
"And so it begins," I mutter, watching as the first attackers run towards the enemy at inhuman speed. My frown deepens when noticing a familiar blond head amongst them. I completely forgot about Nath, being too immersed in my own thought and fears. Had I been a better and more supportive sire, I would have sat down to chat with him before leaving the camp, a pep-talk of sorts, assure him everything was going to be alright. Lie a little.
Too late for that now.
Suddenly realising what group of fighters he's leaving with, I freeze and then look around for Edouard. Spotting him, I stride up and interrupt the stressed conversation he's having with some scout. I know the way I'm acting is far from mature, but at the moment the only thought in my head is Nath and his safety.
"Didn't we agree Nathaniel was to be kept to the back, where'd he be safer?" I ask angrily, almost accusingly, thinking Edouard would rather have him in action. Nath is good, but not that good.
"I applied him to the fourth group, the last defence," he answers, and quickly ends the chat with the other vampire: "I'll be there right away. Hold her."
"Then why is he leaving with the first wave?"
"What?" Edouard exclaims and looks to the horde. Just as we glance down at the field, the two parts clash; hundred vampires lunging at each other, aiming to kill. My throat closes up, knowing Nathaniel is down there somewhere.
I hear Edouard give an irritated sigh. "He must have snuck in, I did not allow him to join them. You must excuse me now," he finishes, disappearing after the scout. For a moment I wonder why he's going into the forest, away from the battle, but the worry about my idiot fledgling extinguishes every other thought.
What is he thinking, throwing himself into battle like this? He'll get himself killed at this rate. He's skilled, but I'm sure he hasn't managed to get used to being a vampire.
Even when Vladimir calls for me I'm unable to stop worrying. I approach him and Morgenstiern, forcing my eyes off from the field just as the second wave of soldiers spills down into the valley. Nathaniel can take care of himself and I'm going down soon. I'm sure I can keep an eye on him while not getting killed.
"I am sure you will succeed," Morgenstiern says, nodding to Vladimir. "I wish you good luck, in this life and the next," he adds, thoughtfully sending Vlad a look I don't understand. Even more confusing, he places a hand on Vladimir's shoulder, for a moment tightening his grip, an awfully friendly gesture from a vampire lord.
"It has been a pleasure to know you," Vladimir finishes, and Morgenstiern nods, releasing his grip on Vladimir. My confusion makes me forget about Nath for a moment.
The look I send them is quizzical. As usual with their kind, I get no answer. "Best of luck, lady Romanova," Morgenstiern tells me before he walks over to the vampires waiting for him to join them.
"Thanks," I mumble, still frowning. "You too."
Call it a sixth sense, feminine intuition - whatever - I was certain there was something off about the way they spoke, and wondered if they knew something I didn't. The way they had parted, it seemed like a goodbye.
"Tatiana, there has been a change of plans," Vladimir states.
Five minutes later he still refuses to give out the details. A selection of vampires has been held back from the battlefield without explanation while the rest left. While I'd like to know what is going on - and so would the rest of us too, I presume - by now I've learnt my lesson. Asking will get me nowhere.
We're a strange assembly. Vlad, me, Ekaterina, Gregor, Thaddeus and some others I don't know. One of them is called X, but my back was turned when I heard his name, so I don't know which one it is.
We were told to wait. Edouard would be back soon, and then we'd maybe get some info. So, we wait, silently wondering what the hell is going on, trying to block out the noise from the valley.
Vladimir is silently gazing down at the carnage, waiting impatiently. I have to admit he's looking quite iconic in that silly outfit. Dressed to kill, quite literally. I wouldn't have liked being an enemy vampire going up against him.
Moments after I was informed about whatever is going to happen, Morgenstiern left with his group. We watched in awe as he transformed completely, turning into the bat-like creature and swept down over the battling horde like a huge shadow, heading for the other side of the valley where the remnants of Ruthven's army still stood waiting for their moment to attack. They peppered him with arrows of course, but he didn't seem injured when he landed amongst them, impaling the first and best vampire on his claws. I had to look away.
Gregor paces restlessly behind us, armed to the fangs, eyes darting everywhere. No wonder - he's not the only one about to lose it. The rest of us just cope differently, staring into space while pretending not to hear the screams of the dying.
The wind bears a heavy scent of blood. Inside me, the beast purrs at the abundance of food soaking the ground. I close my eyes and hold my breath for a moment, trying to clear my mind. When we go in, I need to be focused unless I want to end up dead at the sword of an enemy.
This is definitely worse than anything I've ever seen. I thought it was bad when the slayers' camp was attacked. This has got to be a thousand times worse. All I can say, is I don't look forward to go down in that hell hole.
Sensing our distress, Vladimir turns to us with a frown. Somehow, it would have been easier being down there. You don't notice the gore when you're preoccupied keeping yourself alive. He's about to say something when we all sense someone else approaching. Humans.
Recognising a specific scent, I wake up from my apathetic state and stride over to Vladimir, where I can see the whole battlefield, and look to where the wind is blowing from. The others exchange confused and worried glances, mumbling in worry, words I cannot make out.
"What are they doing here?" I hear Vladimir ask. I remain silent, gazing down in disbelief. I don't understand this, Zach said they weren't coming. This wasn't their fight.
Suddenly, several vampires on both sides seem to just drop dead. The arrows poking out of their bodies are telltale evidence of a third part joining the fight. My blood freezes. The small group of slayers approaching the battle have chosen their own side, killing without care for who they slaughter. What matters to them is killing vampires.
Zachary is the first to emerge from the surrounding forest, handling a blade and a gun, taking the closest vampire - one of ours - completely by surprise. Seeing the vampire clutch the fatal wound delivered to his neck, and then collapse as the blood spills out of his body, I remember how I left the maps telling our exact location, in the care of someone bent on killing my kind.
"He'll pay for this!" I growl in anger, drawing Claw with the intention of rushing down there.
"No," Vladimir exclaims and steps out in front of me. I collide with him. "No, Tatiana."
A large part of me wants to disobey, shove him aside and go down there to cleave the head off Zach's shoulders before he can do more harm. I also know I'm overreacting.
"We have something more important to do," Vladimir says, and I wonder how he can keep his voice so calm when I can sense he is absolutely furious.
"Sorry," I mumble, sheathing the sword, still simmering with anger. If both Zachary and I survive this ordeal I am going to hunt him to the edge of the world. Deceiving us like this is unforgivable. I'll have his head for this, I swear.
Deciding to keep track of the battle like Vladimir, I stand at the edge of the valley, still wishing I could have had the pleasure of meeting Zach. Watching the slayers keep a fairly safe distance to the vampires, using crossbows and guns mostly, I can't help but worry. Nath is down there, you idiots.
It should be a relief, knowing he is still alive. I would have known if he died, feeling the connection between fledgling and sire being cut. Still I can't help but think, that any moment now, I'll feel him being torn away.
Searching the crowd, I spot Ardealan, and briefly wonder how Morgenstiern is doing. He is the oldest vampire here, but what are his odds when vastly outnumbered like he was? There are no signs of life across the valley. I can't help but fear he's dead. It would be a great loss for Vladimir. Unlike the three other vampire lords, he shared our views on human life.
As for Ardealan, to his defence, he's a formidable fighter. Vladimir was right in protecting me against him when I spoke up against him during the ball. Even now I don't think I would stand a chance. He's released the beast, that much I can tell.
Seeing one of my trainees fight for his life, I realise he's losing and quickly avert my gaze elsewhere, wishing I could look away from the whole scene. Vladimir turns his back to the bloodbath, blocking my view, and I understand he's been looking at me for some time. "You don't have to watch," he says, really telling me to look away for my own good.
"I don't think just hearing it would make it any better," I mutter, still grateful he'd try to protect me. Unlike usual, maybe now I need some protection.
The slayers are retreating, heavily attacked by both vampire parties. If there is anything a vampire loyal to Ruthven would kill, slayers definitely come before other vampires. The traitors deserve it, I fume, and then feel my anger dissolve into nausea as several of them are mauled. They have little chance of survival in hand-to-hand combat with immortals.
How could Zachary bring humans into this fight? What was I thinking back when I wanted them to fight for us? They are being slaughtered.
When seeing Yelina emerge from the fighting horde, mostly unharmed with the exception of a few minor scrapes, I conclude that life isn't fear. Unlike what I thought, her anger does help her.
As they fall back to avoid damage, without knowing it moving upwards the hill in our direction, I tense, waiting.
Zachary is in the fleeing crowd, followed by some vampires. One of the three bloodsuckers decides to leave the slayer to the two others, and turn back to the battlefield. When the fastest of them catch up to Zach, it takes him little time to realise the time and amount of training lay down before you are allowed to so much as think about calling yourself a vampire slayer. As the vampire lies dying, I suddenly I realise I haven't seen Mikael at all. Hopefully that means he didn't come here.
Thoughts going back to Zach, I grasp my right gun, remembering the last words he said to me. Next time we met, one of us would die. I said it wouldn't be me. By now it looks like he's starting to realise what kind of situation he's brought himself into. The vampire behind him is gaining on him, ready to kill.
The realisation hits me; if I just concentrated and took my time, I could make a hit at this distance.
Readying the shot, taking careful aim, all too aware of the distance and my moving target, plus my lack of target practice, I take care to control my breathing. Total control, or I'll miss. Target, wind... In the corner of my eye I see Vladimir watch me, and halfway expect him to stop me from doing this. He doesn't. The next moment I pull the trigger.
Hearing the shot whizz past him, Zachary turns just in time to see his pursuer fall. My bullet took his head off. I ignore the stares of the others, only offering an explanation to Vladimir: "He's mine to kill."
"You took out one of ours; that man belonged to Ardealan's coven," he states, watching the remaining slayers scatter and go in a different direction as Zachary noticed our group and decided he didn't want to meet us. They have a good chance of getting away.
I remain silent, only putting the gun away again. One moment I was back, acting on slayer instincts, thinking that vampires were bad. I protected Zachary at the expense of one of ours, killed a sentient being, without thinking of the consequences. And vampires are monsters?
I inhale sharply. The cold that hits me is immense. Then the pain comes, I grasp my left side as if I was wounded. But nothing's wrong with me. Why does it hurt so much?
Vladimir stops me from falling when my knees buckle. I barely feel his presence; I'm down at the battlefield, sharing Nathaniel's view. The bond between sire and fledgling only conveys strong emotions. Nathaniel is in trouble, wounded.
I can't think straight, make sense of things. And suddenly something is removed from me, its place filling with a chill, like cold water spreading inside of me. I can't explain how, I just know it. Nath's dead.
