Page 21 of Red (Everdark Tales #1)

Chopper begins to lower to the ground, and I know this is the end. I only hope they will continue to let us go together. Since I’m so valuable to them, they can’t kill Alex because we would die together. Either way, it doesn’t seem to be their goal since everyone, though captured, is still alive from our side. At least, that’s something to call a victory.

I almost accept my fate, clinging to him as tears cascade down my face. But all of a sudden, a noise of flapping wings cuts the air. A sound so powerful, it reminds me of a thunderstorm.

The helicopter turns sharply to face North, and I see the terrified looks on soldiers’ faces on the ground, who are no longer focused on us.

No fucking way!

My breath catches in my throat as I follow the source with my own eyes.

A massive flying serpentine creature soars over the lake, its colossal wings stretched wide, catching the starlight and casting shadows on the water's surface. The ground trembles with each beat that is as terrifying as it is majestic.

Alex pulls me closer to his chest and covers my ears before an insanely loud screeching roar bounces off the lake. I’m not even exaggerating when I say I’m convinced it echoes all the way to Canada.

“You never mentioned you have a dragon!”

“It’s a Leviathan. The oldest being of this earth and my dear friend,” he replies with a nod to it.

The air is charged with a fiery energy, and even from a distance separating us, I can feel the heat radiating from the serpent’s breath.

Just a moment later, I watch the torrents of fire spitting from its powerful jaws—a wrathful response to those who dared to threaten us. The flames dance on the sky, before the helicopter explodes, and its pieces fall to the ground.

The Leviathan flies over the entire clearing, breathing fire down on every soldier, leaving no survivors on the enemy side. Its reptile eyes are flaring with an otherworldly luminosity, scales glistening in the moonlight, long and spiky tail curling behind.

I’m left spellbound, unable to tear my eyes away. But just as rapid as it first arrived, it now disappears flying into the night.

It takes me a moment to grasp that we won. My eyes then snap to Alex, who’s watching me already. In a rush of emotions, he takes me in his arms, but I wince in pain, just now realizing how bad it is. “Shit, it hurts so much.”

Sliding his hands under my bloody hoodie, he gently examines my ribcage. “They are most certainly broken. I’m so sorry, baby. I can’t heal the internal damage. But Farah will help you.”

We locate her in the crowd. She’s untangled from the net by now, thankfully in one piece, and Alex calls out for her.

Farah approaches hurriedly with a smile on her face. “Julia, it’s wonderful to see you.”

I try to smile back to her, yet only a grimace shows up on my face.

“Oh, you poor thing, let me see.” She places her palms on my ribs on either side and the ache goes away instantly. She then touches Alex’s chest and the bullets get ejected from his flesh before dropping to the ground. Next, she hugs him, and turns back to me. “I’m so glad he has you now. He’s been very lonely.”

“Me, too.” I instinctively grab his hand and link our fingers together. Then, I remind myself that my stepdad was captured. “Greg!”

Alex rushes with me to the squad car wreck. And there he is, unconscious, but unharmed. I hope he was out the entire time.

I keep sobbing. “This is all my fault.”

“Julia, you can’t put that on yourself.” Alex frees him from the handcuffs around his wrists and removes the gag from his mouth.

“How can I be sure it won’t happen again?”

“Not after the massacre that occurred here. With both Nancy and Dean gone, there’s no one left with any personal vendetta.” He calms me.

“I’ll put a protection spell around the house. And keep an eye out for them,” Farrah offers as she walks toward us to make sure Greg doesn’t have any internal damage.

“I appreciate it.” It’s a huge relief. Yet, it’s still not enough to ease my mind completely. “Is there a spell that can erase his memory?”

“A spell? No. Vampires can compel humans to forget, however,” she says. “Penny and Katia are working on the neighbors as we speak.”

“I don’t want him to remember a thing. In fact, I want him to forget about me entirely. Can it be done?” I ask, which Farah confirms. “And same goes for my mother. She deserves to find peace. Everything that has happened to her, I want erased. Including any memory of me.”

“Baby, are you sure? It’s irreversible,” Alex interjects, his eyes full of concern.

“Yes, I want them to be safe and happy.”

Leaning his head against mine, he whispers, “That’s why you’re the one.”

I smile through the tears.

“I’ll take care of it with the girls,” Farah tells us. “You should leave now before he gains his full consciousness back.”

Alex finds my bag in the battleground. “Are you ready?”

I only nod before he helps me onto his back, and rushes North. It’s only a brief moment until we reach our destination.

My heartbeat quickens and a gasp escapes my parted lips as I’m transfixed by the celestial spectacle of the Northern Lights dancing across the heavens right above us. The vibrant hues of emerald and purple ripple across the darkness, seeming to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.

With me still on his back, he jumps high up, saying, “Touch it.”

Of course I realize I couldn’t possibly touch it, but I do as told. I stretch my hand out, as if to reach for it, and suddenly, we are upside down, gently falling to the ground.

I land on top of him before I raise and gawk at the image in front of me.

Holy shit!

There’s no moon, stars, or even sun, but the aurora borealis extends over the entire dome of sky, providing enough illumination to brighten my field of vision.

Surrounded by mountains, pine forest, and river, a huge gothic castle stands uphill, with a little village on the outskirts.

My breath catches in my throat. “This is impossible.”

“Welcome to the monsterland!” Edwin says after he lands next to us, together with his boys.

A woman immediately runs into his arms, who I take is Clara. Then, she hugs her sons, one after the other. “I was so worried for you!”

“It was pretty badass.” Tristan grins.

“I almost fucking died!” Maddox adds.

“Language!” Clara smacks the back of his head before doing the same to Tristan. “What is with you two?!” She next turns toward me. “Hi! It’s so good to have another full-human woman here. These wolves are driving me mad!”

She is much taller and slimmer than me, but with an hourglass figure. Her skin is a rich, deep shade of ebony, complimented by a big, friendly smile, warm, expressive eyes, and dark hair left in a natural afro.

I welcome her back, introducing myself, as if she wouldn’t know who I am already. And I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends.

“I hope to see you two later for dinner!” She winks at both me and Alex before they all head out toward the buildings.

I return to being charmed by the weird sky.

“Older vampires are able to walk in the sun, but this way all of them can roam freely. You’ll get used to this.” Alex explains. “We have a lot of artificial lights for plants and some animals. But we go hunting outside. You can always pass the veil to get some sunlight if needed. Though, it’s extremely dangerous as hunters are always on the lookout for us.”

“I’m a redhead, I burn in the sun. Seriously, it’s worse than being a vampire.” I joke, making him laugh. “I love it here.”

“I hoped you would.” His clawed fingers tangle into my hair as he leans in for the kiss. “You have no idea how glad I am to have you here.”

“Show me then.”

He takes my hand, leading me to his home, I presume. Curious about this little world, I try to remember every detail.

“How do you have electricity?”

“Well, magic and ancient technology that’s entirely free. Everything on this planet is, but humans prefer to control the masses. Money is their greatest invention.”

“Technology… umm, like, from the aliens?”

He shakes his head with amusement. “That is what science calls them. In the Scriptures, on the other hand, they are referred to as the fallen angels. But to us, they are our gods.”

And that’s from where I recognize the name Marduk—an ancient Mesopotamian god.

I think my subconscious already knows, but my brain hasn’t fully caught up yet when I ask, “Who lives there?” I point at the castle.

“My family and myself. You see, I’m kind of royalty around here.”

Nancy wasn’t lying about that then.

“Alex, who are you, really?”

“The Hebrew Bible accurately depicts some historical events. Of course, it’s written through the lens of a man-made propaganda. But there once was a Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar II, who was, indeed, the first werewolf. And he happens to be my great, great grandfather.”

I stare at him without blinking and I don’t believe I’m even currently breathing. “So you’re not just some ordinary wolf?”

“Did you seriously think I would drag you into the cave and keep you there forever?”

“You did drag me into the cave.” I remind him. “And you fucked me in there.”

He hums. “Well, now I’m going to fuck you in my castle, my queen.”