Fate of the Blood Moon's Path Read online

  “I could have, yes. But then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet this young lady again.” He was now eyeing her, smiling.

  “I’m far from a lady you old piece of…”

  “Enough! This is ridiculous and a waste of time.” I said to him.

  “Are you sure about that?” Akuma asked. “He wants you to join us.”

  “Join you, wow…” I said.

  “Well?”

  “Where is your King?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

  “Not here obviously.” He answered.

  “Are you always going to be the one who does his grunt work Akuma? Or do you plan on actually having a life at some point?” I asked, “And by the way, he’s a coward.”

  “This is my life…you know I don’t have to answer to you! What is your answer?” He yelled.

  “Don’t wake the dead Akuma.” I said and paused. “Why would the King have out a warrant for my death if he wanted me to join his side?” I asked.

  “Angel, why must you make this so complicated and difficult. You’re turning a simple thing into something complicated.” He grinned.

  “It’s not a simple thing Akuma. Why would I go against my people, whom have been loyal to me, and I to them, all these years past? Why would I even think about betraying them? I’m not like you.”

  “Why did you kill my family?” Scarlet screamed.

  I turned to her, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were dead set on Akuma. Her eyes had no life to them. I heard her anger inside like a swarm of bee’s trying to protect their honey. Akuma laughed, and it was loud. The rest of the Vampyres started to laugh as well, which made Scarlet that much more angry. I realized then that this was the stupidest thing that I have ever gotten myself into and I clearly wasn’t thinking straight. All because I saved a girl from burning to death and agreeing to bring her with me on my little quest.

  Bringing her here was a big mistake. Taking her along with me was a mistake. Why have I done this? Was all I could think right now. It was me, I was alone in all of this.

  The next few minutes seemed like they went in slow motion. I grabbed Scarlet’s arm literally picking her up and throwing her aside. She hit a large monument with a thud. I could tell it had made her disoriented.

  I stood in front of her with my swords drawn. I stood in fighting stance waiting for the attack. Akuma stood back and let his men walk slowly towards me. One by one they came. The sounds of slashing and ripping flesh was all I heard in those few minutes. I was focused on Scarlet behind me, listening to her breathing and listening to the thoughts of those who were around us. I would not let this girl die. Not this way.

  I realized some of these men weren’t Vampyres. They were human. I had known that the Vampyres were getting the humans to work for them. But at what price? To destroy their lives? What about their lives? And their families? What was it the Vampyres got out of this? I didn’t understand it.

  It didn’t sink in enough for me to actually care. This was their choice. I killed and I protected. That’s what I’m doing, as I have always done. I saw Scarlet with wide eyes behind me watching my every move. Watching the blood splatter across the grounds and the near by stones.

  “Come on!” I yelled. And more came at me. With a sword in each hand, I swiped the two that came at me, their throats slit and laying on the ground choking on their own blood.

  “Well done!” I heard Akuma scream at me, and then he ran. He ran right for me. All he had was a small dagger in his hand. I dropped both of my swords and ran at him. I ran towards a tall stone that was close by. I used it to propel, and launched myself towards him. I grabbed the dagger from his hand before he knew it had happened.

  “You’re a coward.” I whispered in his ear as the knife stabbed him in his stomach shifting it upwards into his ribs. He looked at me with wide eyes, but smiling.

  “And you aren’t?” He sighed.

  I took out the knife and pushed him and I stepped backwards.

  “We’ll meet again.” He said limping off towards the darkness at the other end of the cemetery.

  “I certainly hope so.” I yelled to him.

  I turned to see Scarlet wide eyed like a little child looking at me with frightened eyes.

  “Ridiculous!” I screamed. “I should have let you go after him so you’d be dead along with the rest of them. That’s what you wanted right?”

  “Angel…” She started.

  “No! I don’t want your excuses. You’re insane! Life is so much more than vengeance. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that you’re immortal, and you will have an eternity to go after him.” I picked up my swords and cleaned them off and returned them to hiding under my jacket.

  “I’m sorry, I got caught up in the moment.” She stood up brushing herself off.

  “Sorry doesn’t cut it this time Scarlet. Why can’t you just listen and do what you’re told?! There is no such thing as ‘getting caught in the moment.’ I should have never came here, and I should have never brought you with me…I don’t know what I was thinking.” I screamed at her.

  “Do you want to punish me now?” She raised her voice at me steeping towards me. She was getting a little sassy with me. It was almost laughable. But, I wasn’t laughing.

  “You, alone, with your thoughts and memories should be punishment enough.” I walked away from her.

  “Angel! Don’t walk away from me! Don’t ignore me.”

  “You don’t want to talk to me right now Scarlet.” I said to her.

  “Yes I do!”

  “Why can’t you just listen to me? Do what you’re told? I said to stay calm, and you go off like a maniac. I should’ve let you go after him, Scarlet! I don’t know why I just didn’t leave you in London in that alley way with those burning rogues.” I continued to walk away from her.

  “Then why didn’t you?” She started after me with tears running down her face.

  “Because I didn’t.” I said, “Now why don’t you do something useful and help me drag all of these bodies so we can burn them. Even the human bodies.” I said.

  “Humans?” She asked.

  “Yea, you didn’t smell them?”

  “No.”

  “I can see you didn’t need any help.” A cheerful voice from the top of a very tall statuesque gravestone nearby. I looked up and saw Kane standing there looking down at us.

  “How long have you been there?” I asked with irritation.

  “I just got here.” He smiled jumping down with grace, landing on his feet perfectly. “So was I right?” He asked.

  “Right about what?”

  “About them wanting you to join them.”

  “Yes.” I answered and kept dragging the bodies.

  “Those are good swords, you should keep them.” He smiled pointing towards the pile of weapons that I had collected off the bodies.”

  “I don’t want them, help yourself. This is the only one that I’m interested in.” I held up Akuma’s dagger, still covered in his blood.

  “And whose is that?” Kane asked me. Scarlet stood silently listening to us, and looking between us with tears still in her eyes.

  “Akuma’s.” I said.

  “You’re joking.” Kane laughed. “Why is it covered with blood? Did he cut you?”

  “No. I stabbed him with it.” I smiled showing my toothy grin.

  “Amazing.” Kane laughed loudly.

  Though I was more than furious with Scarlet right now, having Kane around brought my emotions into check, and a sort of happiness filled me. He was like a savior right now.

  “What now?” Kane asked looking between Scarlet and I.

  “Well, burn the bodies and leave Edinburgh. Get back to London I guess.” I said looking at him, brought my hand up as I did in the forest before we left to come here, and a fireball came out landing on the pile, igniting the bodies.

  “Nice. You’re full of surprises.” He smirked at me.
>
  “Yup.”

  “Well, I can’t very well let you both head back to London by yourselves.” He said leaning against a stone crossing his arms with a cocky look on his face.

  “And who said we needed you to come along. I have done fine my whole life on my own. I never needed someone to watch over me.”

  “You’re stuck with me now Angel.” He laughed, “Besides, my work here is done. It is time to move on with my work. I haven’t been given any orders so I might as well go off on my own.”

  “Whatever.” I sighed.

  “What is your story Scarlet?” He asked her.

  “I have no story.” She replied.

  “I refuse to believe that. You’re not a very good liar.”

  “Why?”

  “Because everyone has a story.” He said watching the fire.

  I looked at him and saw the reflection of the flames in his eyes. He was a gorgeous man. And I now had to admit to myself that I felt something for him. The first man I’d fallen for, but I really couldn’t let it show.

  “My story is long and boring.” Scarlet said.

  “We’ve got a long trip to London Miss Scarlet.” He said.

  “I’d rather not talk Kane, it’ll only get me into trouble.” She said.

  “Come.” I said walking away from the torched bodies.

  “Where to?” Kane asked.

  “To get our horses from the blacksmith so we can leave.”

  “Why don’t you at least get one night of sleep and head out at first light?” He suggested.

  “Because I don’t want to waste time.”

  “Waste time? You’re immortal. You have an eternity of time.” He smiled.

  “Well, then we better get going. And if you’re going to come along with us, you’d better get a move on.”

  “Bossy.” He smirked.

  “Are you sure you want him to come with us? We just met him.” Scarlet asked.

  “I guess it doesn’t matter.” I said.

  “I think that you like him.” She smiled at me and then stopped talking. She was trying to hide her smile.

  “You sure you don’t have more peace keeping to do here?” I asked Kane.

  “I’m sure.” He laughed.

  “Oh.”

  Angel.

  17.

  Darkened Nights.

  Present Time.

  “When will you be back?” Micah asked Rayna, giving her a kiss.

  “As soon as we get her,” I laughed. “Wow Micah, we’re only going to be a few hours away.” He hated to be apart from Rayna.

  “How do you know where she’s going to be?” Micah asked me.

  “I just know.” I smiled pointing to my head. “Come on, let’s head out.” I said to Rayna.

  “Be careful.” My father yelled to me from his position on the front porch. He was scowling, and had this look in his eyes that I just couldn’t explain.

  “We will, see you later.” I said, but he didn’t say anything. He just simply nodded in response and went about his business reading the paper he had in his hands.

  “How long has it been since you have seen her?” Rayna asked, though she kind of already knew the answer.

  “A couple hundred years. Give or take.” I smiled.

  The last time I saw her was in London. It has been so long, I really don’t know what to expect this time around. A huge part of me was wondering if she had grown up at all. I really can’t remember what she looked like, or how she talked. I didn’t remember much of her mannerisms. Just that she was very innocent then and child-like. I do however, remember the little trip to the Greyfriars grave yard, and how well that hadn’t went.

  “How much further is it?” Rayna asked.

  “A few more miles maybe.”

  “I don’t understand why she didn’t just, I don’t know, rent a car, or something. Why walk?”

  “She was always one for walking I think.”

  “Well, well, well…” I heard in my head. I stopped and looked around seeing a dark figure standing at the top of the hill ahead of Rayna and I.

  “Scarlet.” I smiled.

  “Angel!” She said back excitedly.

  There she was. Dressed in all black, tight clothing. Leather pants and a leather halter top. Her hair was still long and flowing around her neck. She was wearing high heeled boots that came over her pants and up to her knees. She had visible tattoos on her wrists. Her eyes were still the pale blue. From what I remember, she still was pretty much the same girl that I knew, minus the tight leather clothes.

  “You haven’t changed at all.” I said looking at her.

  “You have.” She smiled, “A lot.”

  “Nah.” I smiled. “What’s with the ink?” I gestured towards her tattoos.

  “And with yours?” She asked.

  “When you have an eternity to live, one tends to try out needless and creative things.” I said.

  “Agreed.”

  “Scarlet, this is Rayna.”

  “It’s a pleasure.” Scarlet extended her hand for her to shake, I noticed her chipped black nail polish.

  “And to you.”

  “I never really heard anything about you while Angel and I were in London. Then again, I never really heard anything about her life here in the states.” Scarlet gave me a sideways glance.

  “Yes, she’s always been full of secrets.” Rayna said looking over at me.

  “Hey! I’m standing right here. Wait till I’m not around if you’re going to talk about me.” We laughed.

  I stopped laughing. I had a sudden gasp of air and I didn’t know the reason behind it. I dropped to my knees feeling like I was dying. I felt so much pain in my heart. It went through me like a ghost trying to get my attention. I was crumpled up on the dirt floor in fetal position trying to overcome the pain I was feeling inside of me.

  “What is it?” Rayna came rushing towards me like flash of light.

  “I don’t know…” I gasped again for air.

  “Breathe.” Scarlet said. The next sound was a scream from me and then another gasp of air. I had air in my lungs finally. I was alive, but I couldn’t figure out why the sudden attack happened. There was nothing around. There was no one around. Nothing. Just us.

  “I’m fine.” I stood up. “Lets head back to the village.”

  “Ok.” Rayna said with hesitation, standing closer to me. I know she has a good heart, and she worries about me. I too am a worrier. So I let her stay close. I saw Scarlet behind me holding her dagger that was attached to her hip looking around, almost in a paranoid way.

  “I’ll be fine.” I repeated. Fine…

  “Why are there police all over the place?” Scarlet asked as we got closer to the village. We all stopped outside the woods watching to see what was going on.

  “Daddy.” I whispered and took off running.

  “What?” Scarlet asked. She and Rayna took off after me.

  “Move it…” I screamed. I started to push my way through the crowd.

  “Ma’am you’re not allowed in there.” An officer stopped me at the yellow tape.

  “The hell I’m not! This is my house!” I said through my teeth.

  “Fine.” He said lifting the tape. “You ladies stay back.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked the officer as I ducked under the tape.

  The officer Paul, who had been here before, about the bodies being found. “Angel, I’m so sorry. You’re father has been murdered.” He kept talking, but I didn’t hear. Everything went into a blur. I stood still, why hadn’t I seen it? The only way to kill a werewolf was when they stopped shifting. Did he stop shifting?” Why hadn’t I seen it? I had all these questions, and now I couldn’t get any answers.

  “Angel…?” Paul asked.

  “I’m fine.” I said. I looked up at him with my face stressed and in pain.

  “Where were you the last few hours?”

  “Obvious
ly not here.” I whispered.

  “Who would have done this? Did he have any enemies?”

  “I…um…I don’t know.” I sat down on the front porch step. “He didn’t have any enemies…” Except the Vampyres.

  “Angel, please, anything you can tell us would help us find out who did this.”

  “Officer. I need the body of my father left here with us please. None of us care how he died. He needs no people poking and prodding him to investigate. He has to go to the spirit world whole…We will have the ritual here on the grounds and throw his ashes to the wind.” I managed to get out with only a few cracks in my voice.

  “Because this is your land, and not the states, I will allow this. But I will be stopping by in the next few days to ask some more questions. Here’s my card. If you can think of anything that might help, please contact me. We will catch whoever did this.”

  ‘Yes. I will.” I meant that as I sure will catch who did this.

  “Angel, please leave this to the police.” He said.

  “I have no doubt in my mind that you won’t find who did this…”

  “And you will hand over whoever did this to the police right away.”

  “Sure.” I said standing and stuffing the card into my pocket. “How is it you came to be here?” I asked him curiously.

  “We got a call to the station that a murder was going to take place here at the village…so we got here and found this.”

  “Are you all almost finished yet?” I asked still being as strong as I could not showing the tears that wanted to come out, and ignoring his anonymous phone call tip. I’d remember that for later.

  “A few more minutes…”

  “Who called you here? And what was said?” I decided to not ignore it and pursue the questions.

  “Gunshots were heard from inside the house. No one saw anyone come or go…” He paused, “It was anonymous. Everyone was coming out of their homes when the gunshots were heard so close.”

  “I see.”

  “We’re done here people. Let’s leave this body to the people of the village. We’ll take all the evidence and pictures and see what we can come up with. We’ll be in touch.” He said.

  “Fine.” I said knowing fully that this place was going to be watched by the police now. Now with something else on the loose, we had to be extra careful.