The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(96)

Nikolai opened his eyes and watched the blur of vampires as they flashed through the woods, coming closer. He kept perfectly still, letting them come to him. Dead ahead, striding straight up the path was the one he wanted most of all. Gripping the hilt of his dagger and clenching his other hand into a fist until his knuckles cracked, Nikolai held steady. And waited.

Volkov strode forward with astounding confidence, arrogance, the tails of his black coat whipping behind him. Hundreds of vampires fell in line within the naked trees, branching out in staggering waves. Many of their mouths were bloody from recent feeding. The queen was arming her soldiers in the most lethal of ways. Volkov came closer within a few yards and stopped, a grin widening his face with menace.

"It seems we have good news."

Nikolai refused to answer, remaining frozen, as his beast crept forward, black claws pushing open the door, sharp teeth ready to rip throats.

"I'm surprised she survived." Volkov lifted his head, inhaled deeply with his eyes closed, then opened them, ice-cold gaze boring into his. "But she most certainly did. I can smell her. So sweet. I'll be so pleased to see her again. I wasn't quite finished with her yet."

"You will die before you step foot beyond me."

Volkov laughed, the chilling sound echoing into the boughs. "One vampire against an army." 

"I am not alone."

Volkov's gaze flicked over the perimeter, finding no one at Nikolai's back. Though hesitant, he spewed more filth, his voice low and grating. "This time, when I have her in my bed, I'll take more than her blood. I'll sate my hunger till she begs in pain and agony for me to stop. But I won't. You can die knowing I'll keep your red witch alive a very, very long time."

And that was it. Nikolai's monster broke through the cage. He charged. Volkov leapt forward on a snarl. In a swift maneuver, Nikolai bounded two steps up a tree, then dove on top of Volkov, embedding his dagger in his back with a satisfying crunch.

Volkov, pumped high with human blood, cried out and threw him off. He blurred several yards away trying to reach the dagger but to no avail. Nikolai smiled and sauntered closer, slow and steady. The army of Legionnaires circling. One helped Volkov and removed the bloody dagger.

Nikolai knew it wasn't a fatal blow, that it would heal swiftly with the amount of human blood he'd gorged on. His intention wasn't to kill. Not yet. He'd make good on his promise to his beloved. Volkov would know the meaning of pain before he drew his last breath. With less confidence in his step, Volkov sidled forward flanked by three vampires on either side.

An eerie howl erupted. Volkov and his men swiveled to look behind them. Another howl shattered the silent wood. Then another to the east. And another to the west. Dozens of pairs of golden eyes gleamed from the shadows. Snarls and snaps of teeth came from every direction.

"Did you forget why Silvane Forest is forbidden to vampires?" asked Nikolai, marching faster with determination.

"Those beasts are no match for us."

"We shall see about that." Nikolai blurred forward to capture his prey.

 …

Sienna wrenched her hands together, gasping when she heard the chorus of hart wolves echoing in the forest. The hartstone's beacon urged her to join the fray, but she had promised Nikolai. So she paced by the hearth, waiting for news. Praying.

She'd cleaned Riker's face and chest as best she could, soaking several towels with red. He'd not moved, but the gashes on his face and his chest seemed to be knitting together. She wasn't sure about his legs. They'd been crushed brutally by heaven knew what. But he seemed to be in a very deep sleep while Nikolai's blood healed from within.

When the door clicked open, it hadn't been long, but she sighed with relief, thinking Nikolai had returned already. But the sickening figure who stepped into the room rolled her stomach with nausea.

"Hello there, milady," said the ghastly Boris, grinning, canines extending long out of his mouth.

At once, she backed up, gripping the fire-iron behind her back. He circled in. She stepped away, putting the sofa between them. His expression was a mixture of wonder and wickedness as he perused her body from top to toe.

"Not sure how he fixed you." He sniffed the air like a dog, wrinkling his nose. "You're not a vampire. So that wasn't the trick."

She brandished the iron in front of her. "Stay back."

He laughed. A guttural, frightening sound that raised gooseflesh on her skin. In a flash, the iron flew across the room and clattered to the floor and Sienna was pressed to the wall with Boris's large hand wrapped around her throat. She gripped his wrist, digging her claws in, which had no effect. He dipped his head and leaned into her hair and inhaled.