The Dragon's Vamp(26)

Growling, Mari surged forward as Livi screamed for Sofia, her female Alpha and aunt. Mari’s dragon eyes pinpointed Livi inside the large foyer of Roven Manor, the darkness standing over a body as Livi discharged energy balls, her body wracked with sobs. I’m coming, Livi! She said through mind-link as Alpha Evan Roven ran into the foyer, attacking the darkness. Mari winced as he was tossed back, hitting the wall. He got up and was tossed back again. With blood covering his chest, he slumped by the wall this time.

Mari roared crashing through the open front door as the darkness went for Livi. “Get away from her!” Tackling him, she dragged him through the walls and out the other side of the manor tossing him to the ground. Landing on her feet her chest heaved as he rose, the black mists swirling around him as he transformed into a man.

“We meet again, Mariwen.” His voice was crackly and deep as though he’d smoked one too many cigarettes.

“I thought we’d taken care of this a long time ago, Olipisies.”

“Ah well that was before your father decided to make Olivia Roven the next guardian and you took a mate. I was going to sit back and wait for him to awaken, but well, I changed my mind. Good job by the way, hiding her from me for all these years.”

“I do my best,” she replied sarcastically. “Now why don’t you just scurry back to the hole you crawled out of?”

His chuckle sounded like fingernails scraping along a chalkboard. “Why don’t you step down and let me kill the little brat? She’s nothing to you.”

“And then what, sit still as you slice my throat? I think you know that’s not going to happen.”

“You’ve always been a black sheep, not listening to the ancients and doing what you want. Why not now? Kill your vamp and come with me, I’ll make you my Queen.”

Mari laughed. “Queen of what, a dank dark cave that you like to hide in, because every time you come to the surface you get your ass kicked? No thanks, I’ll keep my sexy vamp and make plenty of babies to take over kicking your ass for me when I’m gone.”

“Bitch. Just like your whore of a mother,” he snarled.

Mari’s laughter stopped on a dime as she narrowed her eyes. “How quickly you change your tone when you don’t get what you want, Olipisies. You can say whatever you want about me, but you will not disrespect my mother, because you’re a frigging psychopath,” she growled.

Mari jumped, twirling in the air when he came at her, unsheathing one of her swords. She swung it down nicking his shoulder, his cry of pain loud as she landed on her feet. “It’s a flesh wound you baby!” she taunted as he came at her again, missing his hit as she somersaulted backwards.

“I know what you’re doing you miserable bitch,” he seethed. “You’re getting me away from the house.”

Mari glanced at everyone who had gathered behind Roven Manor, Rhys included. “It doesn’t matter because you won’t be going back there.” She’d already linked with Livi and knew security forces had moved her out of the vicinity and the elder council was on their way to assist her in the battle.

“You’re a cocky bitch.”

“Yeah, kinda take after my daddy that way.” She grinned, stepping back. Her hands flew up and called forth her shield as he sent lightning-like discharges at her. Mari groaned, her feet sliding back from the force of the hit. Shoving her shoulder into the shield she held it strong and secure. He knew he couldn’t beat her physically, so he changed tactics and was coming at her with his powers now. She knew he would resort to his powers but had hoped to wear him down a bit more beforehand. Unfurling her wings she brought them down, the pressure keeping her where she wanted to be. Glancing up she noticed Rhys taking off and then she heard her mother’s voice. “I sent him to the front lines to assist Galen and get him away from Olipisies, you don’t need that extra worry.”

“Thanks, mom,” she grunted, shoving her shield aside. Mari brought her hands together, held them up and opened them palm out as she pointed them toward Olipisies. The wind rose in a tunnel formation straight at him. The force of her wind had Olipisies stepping back. Breaking it off, she quickly took the advantage and punched, knocking him in the head with her fist. He sailed through the air toward the trees and into the forest. Turning, she met Drake Roven’s gaze. “Do not follow. It will be too dangerous for you.”

“What about you, Mari? You need back up,” Drake argued.

“You’re not strong enough. Go to your daughter, she needs you!” Stepping off, she flew along the ground quickly and met Olipisies as he landed and rolled along the forest floor, his body changing into black mist. Her chest heaved as she glanced around. He had the knowledge of changing his form to any elemental item he wanted. His black arts, practices, and stolen powers from those he’d killed would be used this day.