Crimson Night

Chapter Twenty-Six

I was in the center, so it took a while for the vampires to reach me. I tugged on the chain that I held in my hand, the one that I stole from the vampire-born in the last battle I was in. Maya was growling next to me, her claws out. She looked like a half-transformed wolf, with the claws, teeth and eyes. Angelina whispered something into her ear and she nodded. What were those two talking about? I tried to get into Angelina’s mind, but she knew I was there and she was thinking only about the battle.

I could Cecily battling her way through the crowd, making her way to me. I didn't have to read her mind to know that she was after me, I could just feel it. I decided to meet her half way and weaved my way through the wolves. As Cecily was about to snap a wolf’s neck, I threw my chain out, wrapping it around her arm and yanking her to me.

“I would say sorry.” I said as I released her. “But I knew you are coming to kill me.”

“How could you side with the wolves? Charles was ready to give you everything, Lana.”

“The wolves are battling for their lives, Cecily, while the vampires are simply killing.”

“If you look at it that way, then you were never loyal to the vampires.”

“In all honesty, I don't think I ever was.” She lunged at me and I whipped the chain across her stomach.

“I liked you, Lana, but that won't stop me from killing you. Maybe I should have let Erik kill you, would have saved me the trouble now.” She sighed. “How well would you do without that mind power of yours right now?”

“Let’s see.” She lunged at me again, and she grabbed my arm and yanked me to the ground. I turned out of the way just as her boot missed my face. I flicked the chain and it wrapped around her legs, taking her to the ground with me. She flicked her wrist and a knife imbedded itself into my arm. I ripped it out and dodged just as she threw another one at me. I jumped up and delivered a kick to her stomach, throwing her back a few feet. She jumped at me and I sliced her chest with the knife she threw at me. Her fist connected with my face and I heard a crack, but I wasn’t going to give up. I slammed the knife into the base at her neck. She screamed, and stumbled back. I launched myself at her, my knees balancing on her hips and I ripped her head off, spreading blood all over me.

I felt bad, killing Cecily hurt, but I had not choice.

I was so focused on Cecily that I didn't realize that Maya was going for me until my face hit the ground. She dug her claws into my back. I flung the chain behind me and ripped forward, making her flip over me.

“Maya?” I gasped. “What are you doing?”

“Lana, you're unnatural, you should have never become a vampire. I realize that now, I forced Cecily’s hand to make you, when Erik should have killed you. Besides, I made a deal with Angelina to kill you. She will stay with Grayson and you will not hurt my brother, not more than you already have. Charles has done everything for you, he has dropped everything for you and that has not been enough for you.”

“I thought you had changed…”

“I did, I am not thinking about me now, but everyone else.” And she lunged. I didn't want to kill Maya, not now. I had already killed Cecily and I was not ready to kill Maya.

I dodged every one of her blows, narrowly missing her sharp claws, but I couldn’t hit her back, not now.

“Fight back!” She growled.

“No, Maya I will not hurt you. Not now!” I blocked one of her swipes that had been aimed at my face with my arm, and she sliced it open to the bone. I ground my teeth and jumped back from her. “Please, Maya stop this!”

“No!” She got her teeth into my other arm and I had no choice but to kick her away. My other arm was healing, but not fast enough. She went for me again, but out of nowhere a large cat, maybe a leopard, jumped in the way and attacked Maya. “What the hell!” She yelled, backing up. I could pick up a familiar feeling from the cat’s mind, and suddenly I knew who it was. She tilted her head to the side, telling me to go.

“Don't kill her, please.” I begged. “Thank you…thank you so much.” I needed blood in me and I didn't even want to know why she was there. I ran away from the two of them and grabbed the first vampire I saw and drained them dry. I stretched my muscles; now that I was full and completely healed, I could get back into the battle.

I picked the first vampire I saw and wrapped the chain around their neck, and ripped their head off, splattering blood everywhere. I continued killing, without a second thought because I knew if I thought about it, it would tear me up inside. I had never been completely loyal to the vampires, especially since I used to hunt them, but I had vampires who were my friends, I was a vampire.

“Lana.” Someone whispered into my ear, causing me to freeze. I turned to see Cain, staring at me. His hair was drenched in blood and his shirt was ripped in plenty of places.

“Are you going to try and kill me too?” I huffed.

“No, never. But…someone else is going to come for you, Lana.”

“I killed Cecily.” I said, looking away from him.

“I know, I saw. But Cecily was never your biggest concern.”

“Then who?”

“Let’s just say the vampires know where you stand now, and there will be no forgiveness, especially from the higher ups. Anninka volunteered to take you out, but there is someone else who finds it necessary for him to kill you.”

“You don't mean…”

“Yes, I'm talking about Charles. He thinks that it his obligation to take you out now…”

“I thought he loved me.”

“I do.” Charles said, from behind me. “I love you like I love no one else, more than I have loved anyone else. But, Lana, you chose you side and I have to stay with mine.” Cain bowed his head and then disappeared into the battle.

“So you are going to kill me?” I asked, turning to face him.

“I have no other choice.”

“You do! You are the king!”

“He will die before you.” He said, looking away from me.

“Who?”

“Your wolf, he will die before you. Remember that…you chose the one who will die while you will live on. Well, you would have lived on. Lana, I love you but I have to end you.”