Queen of My Immortal Heart

Chapter 18: Saved

Valtar and Ara returned home just before dawn. They had not wanted to leave the airport until they received word from the jet that had flown out to find their daughter, but they had ran into a strong storm and had had to land until it passed. Jim had begged them to return home because they had no place for them to sleep that would be protected from the sun. He would call them that night at sundown to report. They had crawled into bed just in time before their death sleep overtook them. Once the sun went down, Valtar sucked in his first breath and shot out of bed. “My dear, what is wrong?” Ara asked, sitting up and watching her husband frantically pull on his silk black sleep pants and robe. “Something has happened. I don’t know what yet, but something.” Valtar said quickly and rushed out the door. Ara got up and padded to the bathroom. She was concerned for her precious daughter too, but this was ridiculous. Valtar had practically turned into a mad man. They needed to keep their cool if they wanted to get Nicoleta back safe. Ara showered, brushed her teeth, and dressed. She went downstairs to check on her husband and found him pacing the floor in the library. He had dressed in black suit pants and a blue silk button down. “Good evening, Gandmir.” she greeted their bodyguard who was standing at the door. “How long has he been like that?” She asked. “Evening, you’re Highness. His majesty has been like that ever since he got a call from Jim.” Gandmir said quietly. “Darling, what did Jim have to say?” Ara asked as she entered the room and took a seat in one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk. “The plane just took off for Bosnia about twenty minutes ago. It took longer than they thought for the weather to clear. No one has seen or heard from her or Luke yet.” he replied. “We will soon, my dear. We must have faith that they will be alright.” Ara said calmly. “THEY ARE DEEP IN CAST OUT TERRITORY!” Valtar shouted, slamming his fist on the desk. Gandmir jumped and stepped into the hall. It amazed him greatly that Ara didn’t even flinch. She always seemed cool and collected. Only her beautiful green eyes showed the turmoil she felt inside. “Yes, they are, Valtar. However, there is also a pack of werewolves and a demon headquarters there as well, if you’ll remember. They will find them.” Ara replied simply, her voice calm. “One can only hope,” Valtar muttered under his breath, his voice cracking slightly. He sat down heavy in his big leather chair and put his head in his hands. “Otherwise, our daughter is doomed.” “Hush now, Valtar Morganthe!” Ara snapped. “That is no way to talk. Our daughter will be just fine. You forget that she does have Luke with her and he will not allow anything to happen to her.” Valtar looked at his wife. She had never taken that tone with him before. This was wearing on her nerves just as much as it was on his. She was just thinking of the positives instead of the what-couldhappen. She was so wise and cool headed instead of quick to react and hot headed like he was. Thank God Nicoleta took after her and not him. “You’re right, my love. I apologize. It’s just that this whole situation is nerve racking.” Valtar said more calmly. “I know it is, my dear. You just have to have faith that our Nicoleta will come home safely. It’s all we can do at this time.” Ara said, standing and walking to his side. “Yes, my dear. You are right.” Valtar said and kissed her hand. “Gandmir, please bring the car around. We wish to return to the airport to see what Jim has found out.” Valtar said quietly. “Of course, your majesty.” Gandmir said, bowing at the waist and turning to go do as he was told. “Be strong, my love. Everything will be alright. I’m sure, wherever they are, Luke is keeping our daughter safe from harm.” Ara said softly. “Yes, my love, I’m sure he is. Luke was always a good boy and I’m sure he is a great man, like his father. Poor Ulrik left on board the jet last night to go find them. He is worried as well. Plus, with the wolf pack there, he will have allies in helping him search. With any luck, they will find them before the Cast Outs alert Lucard and they find them.” Valtar explained. “I’m sure Ulrik and the wolves will, Valtar. Come, let us get to the airport and check on Jim. Poor man must be exhausted.” Ara said and looped her arm through her husband’s. “Yes. Jim is a good man though and he is willing to help us out any way he can.” Valtar replied, escorting her out of the library and out to the car. As Valtar helped his wife into the back seat and climbed in after her, he couldn’t help but get that dreadful chill up his spine again. Something was definitely wrong. --------------------------------------------------

Luke awoke just as the sun was beginning to set. Nicole would not be up for another fifteen minutes or so. Luke slowly got out of bed and walked to the door. It was eerily gloomy and quiet outside. Luke sniffed the air, but all he smelled was the smoke that still hung in the air from the fire. He found his discarded jeans next to the door and shook them out before pulling them on. He stepped outside slowly, looking around as he went. He wished he had his sword with him, but he had left it behind in his haste to gather the pack and leave. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks that they had stayed behind to gather supplies before boarding their own plane. Loosing ten pack members at the same time would have been devastating. It was a very good thing they had stayed instead of insisting they accompany him or they would be dead right now. If it had not been for their passionate lovemaking session, he and Nicole could very well be dead right now too. The good Lord was watching all of them. Luke stepped completely out of the plane and walked around a little to stretch his tight muscles. He had gone out for early morning runs through the forest every day before bed and his body was not use to being sedentary. He would not leave Nicole, though. It would have to wait until he got her home safe. Then he would go on an extra-long run to make up for it. Good thing Nicole could run at vampire speed because that meant she could come with him. He smiled as a brief image of Nicole laughing and running beside him went through his mind. Luke’s ears perked up as he heard a rustle in the grass behind him on the bank. It was nearly dark now and there were no lights in the jungle. He turned quickly and saw a huge figure running into the water, but couldn't make out any features, as the late sun was setting behind him. He looked back at the plane where Nicole was still helplessly dead. He went to open the door, but felt something knock a hard blow to his head and he fell to the ground. Everything went black for a moment, pain exploding inside his head and he heard evil laughter. “We found them, boss,” one guy yelled out. “Well, the wolf anyway.” “Good work, Antoine.” a very familiar voice said. Lucard! Luke’s heart twisted in his chest. He had found them and by the sound of it, he had at least ten others with him. Luke struggled to sit up and shake his vision clear. “Tie the wolf down, boys. We need to find her Highness and don’t need him getting in our way.” Lucard ordered. Luke jumped back on his hands and kicked out with both feet, sending the one called Antoine flying back to the bank and into a tall tree. He fell with a soft thud to the ground, out cold. Luke jumped to his feet and grabbed a hold of another vampire by his neck and broke it in one quick motion. He roared in pain and fell to the ground. Luke turned and kicked out at another one that was flying toward him, breaking his ribs so hard, it pierced his heart and he disintegrated only inches from Luke's face. Luke whipped around as yet another flew at him, this one with a rope in his hands. Luke grabbed the robe and swung the vampire clear over the trees into the surrounding jungle. The other six stood around him, all looking for an opportunity to strike. All at once, they pounced on him together, fangs fully extended. Luke fell to the ground and three held him down while the other three bit his arm, neck, and thigh. Luke felt sharp stabs of pain as they sank their fangs deep into his flesh. He roared, but it didn’t faze them at all. Lucard laughed wickedly as he watched his minions bite into Luke and drain him. All of a sudden, the ground began to shake and the jungle rustled. Lucard and his minions looked around to see where is was coming from. Luke used the distraction to his advantage and swiftly leapt to his feet. He grabbed two of the stunned vamps by their hair and slammed them together so violently, their skulls cracked with a sickening crunch. They fell to the ground, limp and useless. The other four whipped around just in time to see their comrades’ fall into the water. They barred their fangs again and poised to attack, when a huge demon leapt from the tall trees and grabbed two up in his massive hands and swung them against a tree trunk, turning them to dust instantly. Four more demons emerged from the woods along with six wolves. Among them, Luke recognized the huge black one in front immediately. His father. How did he find them? The other three vampires quickly traced away, not wanting to face the new foes. “Cowards!” the big demon shouted into the air, as he slowly began to return to a more human form. Demons, while always looking somewhat human, grew much bigger when they phased into full demons. Their skin would glow bright red or green, depending on the type, their nails would extend into sharp, black claws, and their horns would extend and sharpen into deadly points, with deadly poisonous tips. The others did the same and Ulrik, having changed back to his human form, ran up to Luke. “Are you alright, son?” Ulrik asked, giving Luke the once over. “I’m fine now, thanks to you.” Luke replied. “Where’s Nicoleta?” Ulrik asked. Luke spun around to the plane. In all the fighting, they had moved closer to the bank than the plane. Everything looked quiet, but Luke knew better. Suddenly, the back of the plane began to shake and something hit a wall inside. “You b***h!” they heard Lucard yell from inside. “You’ll pay for that!” Luke took off for the plane, quickly wading through the water and yanked the door off by its hinges and threw it aside, his wolf form taking over. It was pitch black inside, but like all immortals, he could Luke felt sharp stabs of pain as they sank their fangs deep into his flesh. He roared, but it didn’t faze them at all. Lucard laughed wickedly as he watched his minions bite into Luke and drain him. All of a sudden, the ground began to shake and the jungle rustled. Lucard and his minions looked around to see where is was coming from. Luke used the distraction to his advantage and swiftly leapt to his feet. He grabbed two of the stunned vamps by their hair and slammed them together so violently, their skulls cracked with a sickening crunch. They fell to the ground, limp and useless. The other four whipped around just in time to see their comrades’ fall into the water. They barred their fangs again and poised to attack, when a huge demon leapt from the tall trees and grabbed two up in his massive hands and swung them against a tree trunk, turning them to dust instantly. Four more demons emerged from the woods along with six wolves. Among them, Luke recognized the huge black one in front immediately. His father. How did he find them? The other three vampires quickly traced away, not wanting to face the new foes. “Cowards!” the big demon shouted into the air, as he slowly began to return to a more human form. Demons, while always looking somewhat human, grew much bigger when they phased into full demons. Their skin would glow bright red or green, depending on the type, their nails would extend into sharp, black claws, and their horns would extend and sharpen into deadly points, with deadly poisonous tips. The others did the same and Ulrik, having changed back to his human form, ran up to Luke. “Are you alright, son?” Ulrik asked, giving Luke the once over. “I’m fine now, thanks to you.” Luke replied. “Where’s Nicoleta?” Ulrik asked. Luke spun around to the plane. In all the fighting, they had moved closer to the bank than the plane. Everything looked quiet, but Luke knew better. Suddenly, the back of the plane began to shake and something hit a wall inside. “You b***h!” they heard Lucard yell from inside. “You’ll pay for that!” Luke took off for the plane, quickly wading through the water and yanked the door off by its hinges and threw it aside, his wolf form taking over. It was pitch black inside, but like all immortals, he could see clear as day. Inside, he saw Nicole floating up near the ceiling, hissing, and Lucard holding his neck. Blood was gushing out from a hole in the side. Nicole must have, literally, taken a bite out of him. “You taste awful!” Nicole said and spat blood at him. They both seemed not to notice that Luke had just opened the door. “I can’t wait to kill you. Your wolf took my son from me, now I will take your life!” Lucard shouted and charged at her. Nicole easily dodged his attack and landed on her feet on the bed. Luke noted that she was still naked. “Nice try, Lucard. Looks like you’re just as hot headed and slow as Mortimer was.” Nicole said with a small smile. Why was she goading him instead of running for safety? Lucard stood up and pulled out a dagger from a pouch on his hip. A closer look at the dagger told Luke it wasn’t just any dagger. It was the Immortal Silver Blade! The one weapon that could kill his precious Nicole, besides the sun and piercing her heart. Luke heard Nicole gasp as she saw the blade. She had believed it destroyed by Kalgan just as her parents had. “Time to die, Nicoleta!” Lucard shouted and charged at her with vampire speed. Nicole was caught off guard and Lucard knocked her to the floor. Lucard landed on top of her and pressed the blade to her throat. Luke charged in, roaring his fury. Lucard looked up and lashed out with a second blade he’d had up his sleeve. The blade sliced into Luke’s thigh, sending him face first to the floor. Luke writhed in pain, but rolled over just in time to see Lucard lift the Blade above his head. “Good-bye, you’re Majesty.” Lucard said wickedly. He laughed an evil, hate filled laugh and swung down with the Blade. “NO! “ Luke shouted and kicked out with his good leg. He hit Lucard’s arm just in time to make the Blade miss Nicole’s heart. Instead, it sank deep into her right shoulder. Nicole smell of burnt flesh filled the air as the silver burned her. Luke felt his heart twist in his chest as he heard the blade hit bone. Lucard turned to Luke and struck out with his other dagger again. This time, Ulrik roared and tore into the room and shoved Lucard up against the wall. He wrenched the blade from Lucard’s hand and sank it deep in his chest, turning him to a pile of dust instantly. Ulrik turned to Luke and sank down to his knees beside him, dropping the other dagger to the floor. “Luke, son, are you alright?” Ulrik asked. “I’m fine, Father. Check on Nicole. That bastard stabbed her with the Silver Blade.” Luke replied as he waved his father away and pushed himself up to sit up against the bed. Ulrik turned to Nicole and examined the Blade still embedded in her shoulder. It looked bad and she was losing blood quickly. “She’s in bad shape, son. I won’t even dare pull the Blade out. We need to get you two out of here and fast.” Ulrik said. A large demon came into the room, making it seem to shrink two sizes. “What happened here, Ulrik?” he asked. His voice held a slight accent, but Luke couldn't place it at this moment. Pain radiated up his leg. “Lucard stabbed the Queen and cut my son’s thigh, Gabriel. Can you trace them out of here?” Ulrik asked, looking up at the huge demon. “Of course.” Gabriel said. His voice was very deep and had an Italian accent, Luke finally figured out. This must be the famous Gabriel Rossi, Demon King of the Italian demons, he'd heard about. Gabriel scooped up Nicole’s tiny, lifeless form in his massive arms, careful of the Blade sticking out of her shoulder and disappeared. Two other demons entered the room. One bear hugged his father and disappeared. The other hugged Luke and everything went black.