Page 11 of The Vampire’s Mercy (Blood Melody #1)

CHAPTER EIGHT

PARIS

The world seemed to slow, my attack taking forever to land.

Here comes the end.

Here comes the end.

Here comes the—

The stakeblade hit his chest as if he were made of titanium. It broke apart in my hand, splinters of metal and wood stabbing into me, a violent rumble quaking in my bones.

I sprang back, hand on fire. Terror screamed in my chest, adrenaline and panic sloshing together.

I’m screwed.

The stake regenerated in its mystical pocket within me, giving a warm prod to let me know it was back. I called it back into my throbbing hand.

Silvanus faced me with a vacant expression. “Would you like to try again?”

How the hell did he survive that? I’d given him a serious killing strike.

He’s the king, you idiot!

Now would be a great time for the crystal blade to show up for a try.

“You vile elf!” Layla bellowed. “We’ll have your head for that!”

Silvanus’s gaze drilled into me again, his lips curled with amusement. “If only life was so simple.”

He wanted me to see it wouldn’t work. From the moment we met, he’d locked me into some stupid game in order to get his kicks. Mocking me, knowing my moves before I’d made them—at least, that’s what it felt like.

“Fuck you.” I backed away from him until the backs of my legs bumped the low wall.

He grabbed the top of the ladder and pushed. It broke away from the wall with a metallic wail, falling into the office building opposite, smashing through a panoramic window. Screams rang out from the street below.

In the name of Aidan, don’t let anyone be hurt.

“What comes next?” he asked. He bared his fangs, running his tongue over them.

Me not being on the receiving end of those things, for starters.

Going for broke, I spun and vaulted over the edge of the roof, turning myself to grab the ledge.

Elf skills blazing, I scrambled down the brick, using its rough texture and the stickiness oozing from my hands to stop me from sliding to my death.

“Our own tree sap, but cooler,” Pearl used to say.

Yeah, it was pretty awesome, and it oozed from my feet too. Another bonus to being an elf.

I jumped off the wall, clearing the last few feet, and landing in a crouch. Immediately, I tore off into the streets. I picked up speed, darting left and right, heading in an easterly direction.

My heart worked overtime, the rest of me running on adrenaline and praying the king didn’t tail me. I couldn’t hear anything other than the usual city sounds. No voices, no vampire snarls, nothing.

But just because my senses weren’t spiking, didn’t mean he wasn’t behind me or up on the rooftops tracking me.

I reached Bullpond Lane. The long street was lined with bars and restaurants in both directions open late on weekends.

It was full of tall glass buildings with colorful lights streaming into the sky, music and laughter ringing in my ears.

People passed me by, going about their Saturday night while I thought for a moment.

Directly opposite sat Bullpond Park, the energy of its oak trees calling to me, offering me a boost and shelter.

Great idea.

I hurried across the road, scaling the iron fence, seeing as the gates were locked, and dashed into the green space. There were lampposts casting a weak glow over the pathways cutting through the park. I avoided them, aiming for the darkness of the interior.

Still no signs of a chase.

I climbed into the branches of a tree, going as high as I could. My presence thickened its leaves, its branches bending inward to help hide me.

Rather than speak, I thanked it with a gentle pat on its bark.

Catching my breath, I attuned my senses to the park. Waiting, braced to fight, anxiety dragging claws across my soul.

What a disaster.

I should’ve known better. Things were never so easy. Life never laid down a clean path to skip along. At least for the likes of me. It was all about the trials, the uphill battles, the damn tribulations.

I’d allowed hope to lead me to complacency. If I died tonight, then—

Nope. None of that shit. I’d recalibrate, get out of the city, not give up. So, it wouldn’t be me who took out the king. But someone would. I could feel it deep within the core of my faith. Aidan wanted him gone from this world, and he’d entrusted his loyal creatures to get it done.

Yeah, maybe I’d train the next executioner to do it. Connect with a group somewhere else. This didn’t have to be the end, only a setback. If anything, I’d received more intel on Silvanus to use against him.

He could sense executioners; his seductive energy was off the scale; the Heart of All was heavily protected by…something; and his body was warm.

Oh, and he could fly.

If a stakeblade wouldn’t do the job, what about sunlight? Which meant kidnapping him and booting him out a door.

Man, I’d love to be the booter.

I’m sorry, Pearl.

Damn. I’d really wanted to change things tonight. For her. I’d been so sure, so determined to make my sister proud.

Yeah, she’d be so proud of me for getting hard over the vampire king. For even thinking for one second that he was handsome.

Fuck me. And fuck Silvanus. Now that I’d seen him in the flesh, I wanted to destroy every perfect piece of him. Tear him apart limb from limb, make him beg for mercy. Draw his death out, let him feel all the pain, give him the comeuppance he deserved.

And even that wouldn’t be enough.

The minutes ticked by uneventfully. I waited and waited, needing to be sure the coast was clear. Once I knew I was good to move, I’d head for home, chuck some things into a suitcase, and get the hell out of Oreflame.

A scanhawk arrived, circling the park. I froze as its scanner passed over the trees, its cawing making my stomach twist.

What if Silvanus sent it? Did he have the authority to use them?

I applied an extra layer of camouflage, holding my breath, not even blinking.

The robot bird cawed again, performing one more scan, then took off.

Thank Aidan.

I released a breath, rubbing at the knots in my chest.

What I wouldn’t give for a mistrock cig and huge slab of caramel shortbread. Unfortunately, my pack of cigs was missing, and this tree didn’t have a bakery.

After another stretch of time passed, I made the decision to tentatively climb out of the tree. Staying alert, poised to kill the moment anything lurking in the darkness sprang at me, I hurried across the park.

No vamps.

No Silvanus.

The sub-rail ran all night at the weekends, so I hurried down the steps of Bullpond Station, grabbing the first train back to Weatherby.

Thank Aidan for guiding me.

The train sped away, still no sign of a single vampire. I sank into the seat, the weight of the night pressing down on me again. The crush of failure, the regret a heavy boot on my head.

So much for being positive.

Tears spilled down my cheeks, hot with disappointment.

Dammit.

“Come on now,” I told myself. “Enough of this.”

It took a good ten minutes for the tears to stop.

“Caramel shortbread awaits.”

My broiling stomach wasn’t sure it could handle any food right now. Only a cig and a beer after I got away from this damn city.

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. I was a little chilly in this outfit, nipples at full attention. More than ready for my slippers and PJs.

Man, I hoped Hal was okay. Nothing connected us, right? Unless Silvanus picked up on something. Shit. Should I go back for him?

No. Home would be best. He’d head there, too.

He’s okay.

He’s okay.

He’s okay.

With plenty of haste after alighting the train, I stepped into an empty flat, my flowers kissing me hello.

“I love you too, sweeties,” I whispered, turning on the living room light.

Silvanus stood by the bookcase, holding Oliver the orchid.

Oh. Shit.