The Blood Heiress

Cataclysm

Adella

Pain held me in its grip. Searing, burning, blinding pain. At some previous point in my life, I thought I knew what pain was. That assumption had been so wrong. Utterly wrong. I was largely incapacitated by raw agony now, burning from the inside out.

I struggled to be able to stand up straight. Think straight. Think much at all. I thought I could hear my phone ringing. Over and over and over. The ringtone taunting me. Pushing through the anguish, I stumbled to my feet. The burning pit in my stomach forced me to double over. I fought to keep my footing. Bent over, I hobbled quickly away from the spot where I woke up. Searching for my purse as I went, I could still hear the accursed ring. I had had it with me, in my hands. It was possible the ringing was real...the pain in my head flared up and my vision flashed white.

I came to back on the ground. The flames burning me from the inside out again. My purse was still nowhere nearby. The ringing had stopped. I gave up on my searching. I didn't have the energy or time to look, not if I wanted to get out of here. My purse with its phone would have been such an easy solution. But there had to be other possible ways to get to get myself out of this. I just had to push past this pain. At least I knew where I was even, if I didn't know how I got here. A great sense of urgency was propelling me into the shadows and I indulged it.

There weren't many people in the park in the middle of the night, but there were a few. I couldn't see them but I could hear them. No they weren't singing nor were they shouting. I knew that there were people here not by their voices but by their footsteps, their breaths, their heartbeats. The mundane cadance morphed into a siren appealing to me with its alluring song. I fought the almost overpowering desire now to skulk in the darkness and seek them out. No idea for what reason but it felt wrong, felt...dangerous.

I had moved myself off the lawn a ways from where I had started and paused to catch my breath and get my bearings. Moving in the direction with the least amount of...noises, had brought me closer to the amusement park, now closed.

The pain was coming now in waves and was no longer constant. The further I moved from thunderous beating the less constant it became. I needed a place to hide. To think now that I reasonably could.

The amusement park seemed like the answer. It would be a good place to hide out and work through what was going on without having to fight myself to stay away from whoever might cross my path.

Gingerly, I pulled myself over the chain in my path. Crumpled in my strange hunched posture, I gained easy entry to that which the chain had attempted to make off limits. The darkened amusement park devoid of humanity yawned in front of me. My sudden burst of confidence dissolved and I chose to sit in the ticket booth. Grateful that it was a protected place to hide so close to the entrance. I just needed some time to think, some quiet to think in. Then everything would be alright.

The fire inside had dampened to a dull roar now. With that immediate pain quieted further and demanding less of my attention, other parts of my body could now demand that I pay heed. My mouth in particular was sore. I felt like I had lost some of my front teeth. Gingerly, I felt for them. They were still firmly in place. Why is it so painful?

My fingers felt over the neighboring teeth getting warmer in their journey for the source of the pain. I winced as they touched over my canines. My very elongnated canines. Fangs? I have fangs? I tried to wiggle them. Then pry them off. Get them out and away from me. Whose idea of a cruel joke was putting fangs on an unconcious girl? I gave up when I realized they were solidly affixed.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up From the corners of my eyes, I peered into the shadows around me. The eery feeling of being watched persisted and I slumped more in my seat.

Something about the angle or maybe the feeling of the chair made a memory tease across my mind's eye. A smirk, laughter, a kiss. Cass? Why Cassian? Where was he? I tried to push further to before the empty darkness and waking up in the park. I couldn't get much. It was hazy at best. A bar. Cass. Cass's bar. The crimson drink. My molten core flared up at the thought of that drink. I wondered how long ago that was. None of this made any sense. Did he do this to me? Was the drink in fact drugged as Verity thought?

My whole body jumped with the unexpected sound of footsteps approaching behind me. There were thankfully, still far but getting nearer.

With a stealth I didn't know that I posessed, I crawled out of the booth and moved in the opposite direction. Noiselessly, perfectly. I had to keep them away. I wasn't sure why entirely.

I knew that I didn't want anyone seeing me like this. In my dirty formalwear, hair askew, makeup ruined, fangs...right I had fangs now. Definitely did not want anyone to see me with fangs. But there was so much more to it. I...didn't trust myself.

The footsteps grew softer as I moved further away, into the ride area. I looked for somewhere to hide myself. The need to hide was overriding everything. Every good sense I had was gone. There was only the need to hide, a close second to the need to seek out the footsteps, the breathing, the heartbeats.

I ran my tongue over my teeth and cut it on the tip of one of the fangs. Their clean razor sharp edges easily sliced me. These were definitely not prop fangs. Could they possibly be real? The taste of blood sent the fire inside into a frenzy. Flames fanning out, consuming my organs and reaching out into my extremeties. I dropped to the ground in agony.

The skeleton of the wooden coaster Cass and I had ridden not that long ago loomed above me, backlit against the sky. I metered my breathing and focused on the memories of riding it with Cass. Of our wonderful day together. I needed to take control away from the pain.

Cassian. He was my last memory, hazy yes, but still there. What had happened? Did he really do this? Was I wrong about him? Could he do this to me?

I rolled to face the way I came and brought my legs under me to test standing again. That is when I saw him. The man with the black hooded cloak. Or rather men. I tried to steady my sight.

Was I imagining three of them? What is going on? A part of me had convinced my self that the crazy hooded guy in my bedroom had just been a nightmare. One of the many I had had since moving into the mansion. But now here he was with his triplets and I knew for certain, no matter how much I wished it to be otherwise, this was real.

A fourth appeared to my right grinning just the same as the other three. They came out of the shadows with their twisted grins. I couldn't see the top parts of their face but I could see their glowing, red eyes peering out of the shadow their hood cast over it. Fear gripped me and rendered me useless.

They were closing in on me. I stilled my breathing, I wasn't ready to give up just yet. I got to my feet and straightened up as best I could. The air crackled with tension. It felt electric, my hair stood on end. On instinct I raised my hands in front of me, not sure where I was going with the gesture. I would not stop their sinister intentions by simply a hand gesture. But something from the core of me, where the flames emnated from, willed it. So, I gave it a try.

"Stop!" I yelled and held them up. I felt the energy in the surrounding air discharge. I cautiously watched the four of them. Their advance had halted. No, that wasn't correct. They were still struggling to move forward but could not. I felt their energy pushing back against me but I sent it right back, holding them at bay. I let a smile break out on my face. Finally, something had gone right.

My hands began to shake under the strain. The cloaked men began to inch forward. A dawning realization of my predicament hit me then. Now what? I felt my energy waning, I couldn't just stand here forever. I needed an exit strategy, some way to fight back. I wondered what else I could do. Think Adella.

I was outnumbered and tiring quickly. I decided to run for it. But where? I eyed the immediate area around me. Nothing stood out as a safe bet. Maybe back to the park? Would these men attack me with others around me?

I had very few other options so I dropped my hands and took off back the way I had come. The darkened landscape whisked by me in a blur. Dizziness claimed me shortly. I halted and my stomach lurched at the sudden stop. The dust swirled all around me and then settled. Looking around me, I realized I had misjudged the correct direction. Instead of moving towards the park. I had ended up going the opposite direction and was now by the game booths. It had only taken me a few seconds to get here. How I managed that?

Maybe this was a good thing though. Maybe I had lost them. A strong wind whisked past me, then another and another. My hair broke free of the pins and flew into my face. I felt their eyes on me. The fourth came straight at me and the other three from every other side. Exhaustion came over me and inside the flames dued back to a smoldering ember. I swayed unsteadily on my feet. The four of them pressed in around me, containing me within their dangerous circle.

"Heir of Russo. You have been tried and found undeserving." the one in front of me spoke his own fangs visible.

"You are not fit enough to partake." The one at my left took over.

"Not worthy enough to contribute." The one at my right now.

"Not righteous enough to rule." The one behind hissed in my ear, his fangs dragging over my skin. I whirled to find him with a silver dagger raised ready to plunge into my chest.

Summoning the last of my strength I ducked down, kicking his legs out from under him. I screamed as his dagger fell piercing my side.

I was so wrong. Everything wasn't going to be alright.

---

Evander's Perspective

Working together from different angles we had concluded her location at the park rather quickly. It was an admirable pairing, however now that the collaboration had borne fruit we were both struggling to keep the fighting to a minimum.

There was no indication she was in danger other than she hadn't answered her phone once. But my senses were on high alert regardless. I had a singular deep-rooted feeling in my gut that she needed help. I pushed my foot down on the accelerator a little more as the park was less than a block away.

The moment we hit the parking lot, I threw the car in park and took off leaving Moretti to catch up at his own pace. I was startled at how empty and quiet it was. Usually, there were some signs of human life up and about no matter the hour. I wandered the grass quickly covering ground. Using her scent to guide me I came upon her landing spot by the pond. At that very same moment her screams carried and spread across the park. Then they cut abruptly. She was in trouble, just as I had feared.

The monster in me rose to the surface and I let it out. In a howl of fury, I fled to her. The next instant I was standing in front of her prone form. Offered up as a substitute, I found myself fighting off unexpectedly familiar cloaked figures.

The Collective? I thought they had been ended two centuries ago. There was not a single second to hesitate. I could smell her precious blood leaking out from her onto the pavement underneath. She had been injured. They had injured her.

I smiled at the four of them. My fangs bared. The first came at me weilding a bloodied dagger. Perfect, he will pay first. I relieved him of it, dodging as he ran past into another on the other side of me. I then threw it at his back, aiming for his heart. The blade met its mark and he disappeared in a poof of smoke. The dagger and a necklace he had been hild dropped to the ground with a clatter. Troubling.

Traditionally, the Collective was not comprised by vampires. They were historically anti-vampire. Another point to contemplate later.

I approached the unfortunate bloodsucker revealed by the disappearance of his comrade and tore his head from his body in one motion. He too disappeared into ash. I whirled around adrenaline coursing now. Finding an empty battlefield, I cursed. The other two had moved to conceal themselves while I had dealt with the others.

These vampires were nothing more than fledglings. They knew their place. Their skill level was a little above a newly turned individual. Even with their training, they were little more than ants. The urge to end them so they could not report back fought with the desire to get her far away from here. I dropped down and picked up both the dagger and the necklace. From its silver chain dangled a pendent. Or rather a vial, containing a crimson liquid. It emitted a slight glow. I stowed them both in my pockets, not taking my eyes off the shadows.

The metallic smell of her blood curled up into my nostrils then, calling me to her. Deciding the matter for me. She was of far more pressing concern than a game of cat and mouse. The other two would have to wait. She needed me now.

Again, I cursed Benetto, Armand and Madeline for crippling her. Robbing her of a chance to survive. What had gone through their heads? Especially with the lengths they had gone through to secure her safety.

I turned her face up carefully, She was paler than normal. Her newly formed fangs caught in the lamplight. This was a development. I had a better idea now of the sequence of events that transpired tonight.

My fingers found her pulse and relief welled up but was soon pushed away by raw anger. How had Moretti been so foolish with her?

I tenderly picked her up, holding her securely to me making sure to not open the wound on her side any wider. Surverying the shadows once more, I knew at once the other two were still hiding in them, watching. I felt their weak stares fromt the depths of the darkness. Another time. I flashed my fangs in their direction. Then I readied myself to rush us home.

However, his voice stopped me.

"Santos!" He had taken long enough. And by the sounds of it, was quite winded from his journey. A smirk curled up the corner of my lips. Weakling In what world was he worthy of her?

"What do you think you are doing?" The threat in his voice fell on my deaf ears. It was hollow as far as I was concerned.

I turned to face him. He was still out of breath. Holding onto his knees. To be expected when he never left his bar. When he finally looked up at us. His eyes grew wide at the bloodied mess claiming a portion of her middle. The wound was a good sized gash into her stomach. They had missed their mark by a wide margin. Their incompetence a blessing in disguise.

"What did you do to her?" He raged.

I watched in disinterest at his all too predicatable response. His eyes turned red, his fangs extended. I held in a chuckle at his expense. He must have had a death wish. He knew better than to tempt me. We had settled that decades ago. Half breeds could never hold their own against a pureblood.

"I did nothing to her." My gaze raked him over. "I did however rescue her. I believe you have this all wrong bartender." My anger flaring I stared him down. My voice lowering to a threatening growl. "Let us call this for what it is. Get to the heart of the matter shall we. Why were you unprepared for her reaction to being fed blood?" My eyes narrowed watching him swallow nervously. "You are aware she has no idea what she is, aren't you?" He flinched. His defensive posture faded.

"You didn't hurt her?" His weakly asked.

That's better. I smirked at the swift change in him. The outright absurdity of his previously cocksure attitude.

"Absolutely not."

I watched him flinch at my words. Good let the bufoon stew on his mistake. I sniffed the air. The remaining cladestine vampires were now long gone. Nothing but a faint trace hanging in the air. They must have taken off when Moretti had arrived.

"What are you going to do with her?" His words held some heat to their edges, his confidence was growing.

But I did not miss the shadow of fear that entered his eyes before he could bury it. How quaint. His infatuation was honest. Time would tell if that made this mess easier to clean up or harder.

"What is it to you Moretti?"

"You know why it matters to me. Now answer me god damn It!"

"I find it interesting you care so deeply what happens to her."

"Yeah, why is that?"

"If you don't already know I will not be the one to ruin the surprise."

"What the hell does that even mean?" He yelled at me.

"For now, nothing." I kept my tone even and low. My fangs flashing in the scant light.

"Where are you taking her?" He just would not quit pressing the matter.

"Home. I will give her what she needs to heal quickly and she will make a full recovery." What about this situation was so hard to understand?

"You are going to take her home? To your house? Why wouldn't you just take her to her house?" She began to stir, softly moaning and whimpering.

"That is really none of your business. And you are wasting our precious time." I allowed my irritation to surface again.

"Let me take her. I can bring her home and make sure she heals alright. She is just an employee, right?" His pleading tone was pathetic. What could he possibly provide to her that was better than what I could?

"While that is quite the interesting proposal. Any other time I would love to witness how that would unfold for you. Alas, I must decline as I do want to see her survive this."

He had no idea the situation he found himself in, it was all too tempting. I wouldn't mind watching him cave in on himself again. But I had more pressing matters to attend to. I turned from him.

"Evander!" "we aren't done here, you can't just walk away with her." He shifted his feet readying himself for what would be a futile attempt to run at me.

"For once you are correct. I am going to run." He could try all he liked but he would never be a match for me. I threw him one last look and disappeared.