Chapter Ten ~Cret~

Nervous energy built in my chest as I made my way through the pitch-black tunnels, it was the best way to reenter the city without being discovered. Serenity made it clear I had to be undetected on my way to our secret meeting. The threat of being caught was too great for me to risk moving on the surface. Should either one of us be captured I was certain it would not end very pleasantly. I had no doubt that if I was the one to be captured Serenity would not hesitate to turn her back on me, but I had put my faith in her if only for this moment. The conviction in her eyes, the way she spoke about putting an end to her master, and even the motivation that fueled her actions all made sense, I should have been at complete ease with her intentions but I wasn't.

With the reluctant nag in the back of my mind keeping me on edge I put my trust into my warrior awareness should things progress in an unfavorable way, I would be foolish not keep my wits about me. The fact we were meeting in the temple offered some comfort about Serenity's intentions, there were far too many people seeking refuge within its walls for this to be a trap. Too many mortals for that small group of Vamdari to overpower, and in Vondorian's weakened state I doubted his mind control would be that effective. Everything was falling very neatly into place…I didn't trust it.

That was a lesson I had learned the hard way, never trust something so well planned or functional. Things always seemed to go wrong when conspiracy and secrets were involved. People turned on each other, unforeseen plots came to the surface, and only one person could end up on top. I might trust Serenity but I didn't trust this situation or the others in our game.

Stumbling through the maze of tunnels, I ran my hand along the wall, remembering vaguely where I was going from the escape the night before. It was so hard to tell direction down here in the pitch-black but I dare not light a torch. There was no telling where the earth had been worn away above me from all the damage the Vamdari had rained down on the valley, and I didn't want to draw any unwanted attention. Instead I settled on stumbling around in the dark, not that a light would help in this place.

What was carved under this valley was nothing short of a labyrinth, paths that twisted and turned in all different directions in and out of the valley. There could be four paths that led to the temple, while there were seven more that led into dead ends or weaved back through the confused maze of passages. The Fisargo knew what they were doing when they built this place. Used to navigate quickly through the valley and also for security these tunnels were treacherous, someone could spend a lifetime down here and still not reach their destination.

Last night it didn't seem as difficult, in fact Serenity navigated these passages with familiar ease. There were a few times she stopped and changed direction, but she still made her way through these tunnels with little trouble, no doubt drawing on some childhood memory of the place. I didn't have that advantage as I came to another fork in the path.

One tunnel branched to the right and another to left. It was the fifth time since I entered I had come to what I felt was the very same split. Maybe I was going in circles, but I couldn't be. Since I lacked knowledge of this place or how to make it back to the city using these ancient paths I relied on Serenity like I had before. Her scent was still lingering in these caverns, it was faint but enough that I could follow and it had been growing stronger the farther I went.

Lifting my nose to the right I was greeted with stale air and musty earth. Wrong way. Turning to the left I waited for a moment before drawing in the air, at first I smelled nothing but then it hit me. That sweet aroma of saged-lavender, so unique. It was this way.

I needed to hurry, midnight was closing in and I didn't want to keep my raven beauty waiting. Just the thought of seeing her again urged me to move faster, not once lingering over the thought of what I had been tasked with. Thinking about what was to come in the next few hours was too much, the guilt I felt in the temple when Magnus first greeted me returned every time I remembered the devastated city above. I would save the people I could, but even that did little to ease the shame of my failure. I would redeem myself though.

After I had finished here I would flee to the capital. It was a four-day journey from here, but if I cut through the ruins in the west, and traveled without stopping I could make it in two. Two would be better. Serenity had said she would return with the army to the vampire's home realm, but that didn't mean a few of her ranks wouldn't go rouge to avenge their fallen lord. I wanted to be ready if that was to happen.

Those foolish Vamdari would follow me all the way to hell to seek their justice. I would lead them instead to the Vrasum Capital and right into the path of an army of Opsona warriors. The idea had me delighted at my own cleverness, almost wishing the Vamdari Army had arrived so I could lead the mass of them to their death. I could end their campaign instead of just delay it.

My hand fell away from the wall again as the path split, another decision. To the left presented me with the sweet smell of lake air, if I wanted to turn back—run off to the capital and hide among the Opsona ranks, now would be that time. To the right Serenity's alluring fragrance taunted me. The duty to my contract told me to go left, it begged me to take the path to the lake and continue on to the capital, but if I did that Tentusa would be lost. If I went right I had a chance to end this all right now before any more people could suffer. The valley would be spared from any further destruction, but if I failed then the Opsona would be marching blindly into the wreckage. If they were coming at all.

I hadn't heard anything from the clans since my first contact with them. There was no telling if they were still gathering at the capital, or already marching toward the valley. Their lack of communication was more then just a little unsettling but I couldn't worry about that now. I needed to keep moving.

Serenity's scent whipped down from the right tunnel with a howl of air and my body moved in that direction without my mind's consent. It faltered to the call of my raven beauty's darkness, one that I was more then willing to submit to. There was no turning back now.

I didn't have to travel far before the path narrowed and the smell of the crypts beneath the temple overpowered Serenity's scent. Another few feet and a spot in the wall opened into another branch of the tunnel breaking off from the main passage, that was where the scent of death was coming from. This was the way into the temple but if I continued ahead I could make it right to the cellar of the manor. That might be better.

The thought of going alone, sneaking into the manor seemed a lot more promising. Serenity wouldn't have to dirty her hands or risk being found a traitor, even though she stated it was not treason since her actions would protect the overlord, I knew the rest of the Vamdari would not see it as such. Should they find out her role in all of this her life would be in just as much danger as my own, a thought which panicked me as I stared down the path that led to a new alterative.

No, I couldn’t do it. She was waiting for me in the temple and together we had a better chance of success.

Traveling toward the temple I ventured past the crypt and countless bodies that lie in their final rest. The odor of death so very strong it was a frightening reminder of how this night could end for me, when I came to the twisting stone steps that led upwards. I paused for a moment there, fighting the urge to turn to the glow in the Dressing Chamber just behind me. Rhea's body was still there, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her again. Not now after everything that had taken place. I wasn't worthy.

Placing my foot on the first step I braced myself for what waited ahead, my every sense teetering on the edge of sanity. Anticipation taking over as I took another step forward, that unmistakable ready itch of battle licking at my fingertips.

In the next moments I could be a hero not just to these people that were left in the valley, but to the Opsona as well. They would resent me for my accomplishments if I succeeded, but they would also honor me. I would finally have a place among them, or I would die trying. Either way I was coming out of this as a victor. Living I would be rewarded with what I had always wanted, in death I would be free of the coming conflicts that were fast approaching a decision.

The last few steps went by at a racing pace as I reached the top of the climb, Serenity's scent so strong here overpowered with that sage. I could feel her pull as a dark shape formed at the end of the twisted staircase, silhouetted by the dim light coming in from the open door. It was the shapely figure of a woman leaning against the wall waiting.

“Didn't think I was coming did you?" I laughed as I reached the top of the steps. All the fears I had over Serenity's intentions evaporated once I saw her standing there.

It was almost over.

Flashing a smile I was waiting for some kind of acknowledgement when my blood ran cold. The pungent stink of blood—fresh blood and death overtook the sage and my heart sank deep in my being.

It couldn't be, it wasn't possible. "Serenity?"

The figure of the woman didn't respond and the striking odor wafting in from the door grew even more intense forcing me to cover my face. It was too rich, this smell. I reached out for her only to grab an ice cold corpse, the body falling toward me I jumped back and through the open door. My feet hit something slick and I went down falling back with a harsh thud knocking my head against the hard floor, something wet soaked through my clothing and that awful smell assaulted me. It was dizzying.

It took me a moment to regain any form of my senses as I pushed myself to a stand, it was then I noticed the marble floor coated in stinky rivers of blood. What has she done?

Sadness dug a hole inside my chest and slowed every reaction, disbelief stilling in the moment as I scanned the main room of the temple. Its white awe inspiring appearance a scene of unspeakable carnage, bodies covered every inch of the floor. Some so pale there couldn't be a drop of blood left in them. Others were ripped apart like a wild animal had feasted, claw marks riddling their flesh. Men, women, and children were slaughtered and in this most holy place. Even my demon was repulsed by the sight. It was too much and I felt the tears of anger start to prickle in the corner of my eyes.

I spun in a circle trying to grasp the reality of it all when I heard her voice. "I did this all for you, Cret."

Adrenaline raced into my muscles bringing my demon to the surface with blinding rage building inside of me. Serenity would regret this moment, they all would. Turning in the direction of her voice I saw for the first time the Vamdari spread out along the perimeter of the main chamber, each one hidden in shadows where the dim light of fading candles could not reach them. Satisfied plum eyes looked on me as I directed my attention toward the couple standing near the altar of the goddess.

The woman I had put so much faith in, the one person I wanted more than anything in this world had betrayed me and now she was standing there in the arms of another. Vondorian's hands were wrapped around Serenity's waist as she stood staring at me with ice in her gaze. What I felt wasn't even rage anymore, it went beyond that weak description and threatened to rip my body apart with its intensity.

"Take him," Serenity ordered before I could lash out.

The Vamdari were on me. I didn't have time to defend as I was thrown to the ground and pinned against a cold corpse. My arms were restrained behind my back before I was brought to my knees, my demon growling and snarling at the vampires as they backed away from me. I would kill them all.

"It's over boy," Vondorian spoke for the first time as my eyes narrowed on him.

This was all his fault. He orchestrated this. From the very moment he spilled Fisargo blood, kidnapped Serenity and turned her into this thing. It was all him.

My chest burned with fury watching the way he held Serenity to him. I could tell he was weak by the way his weight pushed a little on her small frame. I didn't like him touching her despite what she had just done. Even with all the lives she just took I still regarded Serenity as mine, but that wouldn't save her from the punishment of my rage. I pulled against the restraints as Vondorian ran his other hand through Serenity's hair, taking his time to draw a few strands to his nose and inhaling. The bastard. I WILL kill you! The demon growled right on the edge of a murderous hysteria.

"Hand over the dagger child and we shall spare your life." Vondorian spoke again and I just snorted at him.

I didn't have a life any longer. My whole world had slowly been taken away and now this final blow. Fuck the world, fuck living I wanted to end it and take as many vampires as I could along the way.

"Cret, don't be stubborn, it will only cause more suffering I can assure you of that." Serenity's voice drew my attention to her fully for the first time. I wanted to snap my fangs in a show of protest but the sight of her stilled me.

Never had she looked more beautiful than in this moment, undeterred by the gore all around us she looked like a queen surveying her servants work and I wanted to bow, her scent commanding it.

Long flowing raven hair tumbled down into wavy curls that hugged her figure draped in a sheer amethyst dress. It formed to her body, highlighting every curve and detail before falling into weightless folds of fabric pooling on the only clean portion of floor in the whole temple. Cold harsh sapphires dripped from her ears and neck as Serenity stood there with a royal air about her. The sight so disturbing in all its otherworldly beauty.

Remaining silent I let the last lingering breath of defiance spur my actions, they would not get the dagger as long as I lived. I reflected that in my stare that fixed on Serenity, and she knew I was ready to fight.

Turning to her master she flashed him a look. A soft one placing her hand lovingly on his chest, it knotted my stomach to see Serenity express affection toward that bastard. Vondorian too offered a soft look at her and I felt the bile rise in my throat, whatever physical torment they could come up with, this was far worse. I had to look away before I ended up begging them to kill me.

The sound of heels clicking against the blood stained marble caught my attention but I still did not return my gaze to them. Let the both of them revel in their moment of victory, because they would get nothing from me.

That damn sweet sage, the new scent of torment rushed against me as a warm hand settled on the side of my face. Serenity directed my face to hers as she crouched before me, drawing me into those deep scarlet eyes I couldn't help but search for some kind of reason. Even though my demon's rage was taking over a part of me still wasn't convinced Serenity would do this, but her face read of deceit and brutality.

I shifted my gaze away not able to face the reality of what she was when I caught a of fleck of uncertainty in the scarlet. Those beautiful eyes held heartache, a sorrow so deep it rivaled my own. I knew in that moment this was not Serenity. These deeds that had been done weren't of her willing hand, not the woman I had found myself so in love with…Love?

“You will give us that dagger or I will tie your body to our banner and march you at the front of the army. You will watch as I burn every home on this insufferable plane.” Her words were cold and evil, but her eyes were screaming an apology. “And you will have to live with the fact that every life I take was one you could have saved. Just give me the dagger and we can forgo all of this trouble.”

I studied her for a moment, her words and expressions so conflicting. I didn't know which to believe, either way it didn't change my answer. "No."

I was firm on that topic because I knew she would not go through with her words, no matter what tone she used those eyes of hers were telling me all I needed to know. Even if she was serious, I could withstand a lot more suffering than she was willing to inflict, her will would falter long before mine.

Serenity leaned closer, a smirk creeping across her lips as she leaned toward my ear. I could feel her hands resting on my chest and it brought me back to that place we were just a few hours ago. Alone in that secret hideaway, I should have taken her offer if this was the way things were to end.

“Seeing you defeated by all the lives taken here. Watching as your spirit crushed under the weight of their lost souls makes us even.” Her words left me confused, but more the crack of her voice. She faltered for a second, but why?

Something brushed against my side, it was quick and I almost missed the feeling of the hand in the waist of my pants. I looked at her, questions creasing my face as she stood. Her gaze lingering a little on me before the confident smirk fell from her lips and turned into a plea, and I knew what she was going to do.

My heart froze for a second as my mind caught up and then hurled me forward into the most frantic terror as I watched her turn toward Vondorian.

She couldn't...I wouldn't let her!

"Ser—"