Page 93 of Haunted Nightmares
They’ll kill humans, probably trolls or whatever else is hiding in these woods, but our ammunition will destroy vampires and though we’ve battled before, it was never like this. For all the wars I’ve been a part of, I cannot remember a time where we came armed and ready to wipe out our own kind.
Even the Species War didn’t start that way.
We were all on the same side until it became apparent we would lose. That’s when the civil war began.
It’s surreal to know it has come to this.
The second difference between this battle and any to come before it?
My goddamn fated mate is with me, a few paces ahead, armed to the teeth and ready to fight to the bloody end for her family, for our people, and forme.
Which is something I find uncomfortably arousing and deeply alarming.
My paranoia is at an all-time high and I’ve barely been able to keep Zenlothanai at bay but leaving my gentle breeze at home where she’d be safe wasn’t even an option. She might have fought me if I tried, so here she is, my precious mate marching into battle, a war she has no business being part of but is because of me.
At least I can keep an eye on her.
“Wraith,” Zephyr whispers as she points to her left, then barely quiets her giggle when my eyes land on Morgana’s head shoved on a rather crude piece of wood. She gives me a very satisfied smile, blows me a kiss, then keeps trekking through the troll’s camp as if it’s not littered with body parts and shite.
I truly love her with all of me.
A few more feet brings nothing but the battered tent the bulbous brick of leather stayed in, a few more of its belongings, but nothing of significance.
Until I hear Declan’s signal.
We quickly get into formation, Zephyr behind me, Ana and Nate flanking her, Archer at her back, and the rest of our team forming a semi-circular wall. With guns drawn and blades at the ready, we move toward them, the glint of light reflected off my friend’s machete.
As soon as we can, we make eye contact, using hand signals and facial expressions to relay any messages, Declan indicating there’s activity ahead.
I hear it.
Running, heavy breathing.
Someone or something is rushing through the forest toward us, racing fast enough to confirm it isn’t human, and just when we reach the tree line, a blur collides Benji and plows through him into Declan.
“Oh, thank gods,” Aries cries. “Hurry, please. Hurry!”
I move quickly toward the male, beaten and bruised, bleeding from various wounds but my mate flies past me and bodychecks everyone in her way.
“Zephyr, please.”
“It’s ok, sweetheart. You’re safe. We’ve got you.” She cups his face, trying to calm him despite the way her panic is rising. “Where’s Orion?”
Aries chin quivers as tears stream down his face. “They have him. And we have to hurry, please.”
Saving all of us time, I dig through his immediate memories, finding exactly where he came from and how to get there. I keep looking in order to try to get an idea of what we’re up against but my blood freezes in my veins when I see all Aries has witnessed.
“We have to move,” I grunt as I spin on my heel. “We have to go now. There isn’t much time.”
All three teams take off, following my lead, my gentle breeze right on my tail. Thankfully, we don’t have far to go but what awaits when we get there…
I catch Zephyr as she goes to storm past me, practically clotheslining my mate and holding her tight to my body.
“Let me go, you asshole! That’s my cousin!”
I lower my mouth to her ear, eyes fixed on the scene before us and what lies beyond it. “I know, my love, but if we act in haste, not only will we lose him, none of us will make it out of here.”
Dozens upon dozens of yellowish eyes stare at us from the darkness, an army of trolls and other creatures, judging by the varying silhouettes and heights. They form a wall similar to ours, an unintentional standoff in a manmade clearing, minimal protection save for the black of night.
