Fangs of Fate (Untish #1)

Chapter 44

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

TATE

I sat on a couch outside under the stars. Loud music from the pub sounded from behind. Apparently, death only made these dokimoses crave blood and sex. The former I’d had my fill on. I couldn’t bring myself to partake in the live feeds like the rest of the vampires, but the bartender had brought me a pitcher of blood and I’d downed it and then got a refill.

“Slow down or you’ll throw it up,” Vala’s voice was soft as she approached.

“What, you don’t feel like joining in a live feed?”I asked as I looked across the courtyard. Several couples engaged in intimate feeding with their vessels perched on chairs or chaises. Two vampires were partaking from one male vessel as he lay on a couch offering his wrist to each of them. They drank deeply, red dripping from the sides of their mouths. Moans filled the air.

“Oh, I’m like you. I prefer to drink the drained stuff. Live feeding is just not my cup of tea.” She laughed, but it fell flat. I hadn’t forgotten about her lies, her betrayal. She sat down next to me.

“You don’t strike me as the type to be shy.”

“Well, not with those I want to be intimate with, I just don’t like the blood haze clouding my judgment from a live feed. Let’s just say I’ve quenched more than just my physical thirst from a vessel before and the feeling afterwards when I sobered up…” she shivered. “Let’s just say it’s just not me.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you for today.”

“For what? I, as you pointed out, didn’t do anything.” I toed the table in front of me.

“No, but you tried and that’s more than most do.”

“Vala, what’s going on?” I was sick of the code and everyone speaking in hushed tones. Tired of them acting like I was stupid and like they could just nudge me this way and that.

“Soon, you’ll find out soon. I promise.” She sighed as she leaned forward, cradling her midsection with her folded arms.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

Before she could respond, Aether entered the courtyard and made his way to the podium. “Everyone, please pause for a moment.” He cleared his voice before surveying the room. To my surprise, the dokimoses disengaged from their feedings and turned their attention to him. Respect, these recruits respected him. Impressive.

“We suffered a large loss last night. The transmission I just received from HQ is that our Eastern Outpost was also attacked, and they no longer deem it safe for us to continue our journey there. We are to reroute to the Southern Outpost and leave first thing in the morning. At dawn.” He paused. “Be prepared to hike and be ready for anything. It’s likely we will have to fight again. We will not be taking the circuit. However, cutting through the forest will be more direct, so it should only take two days to make it to the SO.” He took a moment and surveyed the crowd. His eyes landed on me. I could have sworn the air behind him was darkening slightly and thickening. “Thank you for your bravery and continued cooperation.” His eyes didn’t leave mine. Not for several moments until cheers erupted from the crowd and Aether left the stage, striding straight for us.

Vala nodded and then reached for my hand. “Come with us.” Her eyes pleaded with me.

“No.” I didn’t trust them. For all I knew they were behind the attack, or the reason for the attack.

“You want answers? Come with us.” She extended her hand in invitation as she stood, facing me and waiting to see what I’d do.

Damn my curiosity.

I took her hand and stood following her and Aether as they left the courtyard. They walked out past the village building to the outskirts where a large fire was burning. Too bright considering the kindling was that of the corpses of the fallen. Piles of bodies we’d recovered from the forest were gathered near the fire, waiting to be burned. Puddles of black goo dotted the field and reeked an awful odor. I noted that Vala and Aether just dodged the piles and stepped over them without another thought.

Jared stood by the fire, tossing another corpse into the flames. He spotted us and motioned for us to continue out further past the fire into a ring on the ground composed of rocks and sticks in the sand.

Aether and Vala followed him, stepping inside the circle. I hesitated. The stench from the black goo was nearly unbearable. My nerves were sensitive, senses heightened. Perhaps nearly dying did that to a person.

Pop! I jumped at the sound of the fire crackling as it absorbed the most recent corpse. I was tired of being scared. I stepped into the circle. All eyes landed on me.

“Well, start talking.” I motioned with my hand before crossing my arms. I may be out here, and they may know I’m curious, but it was time for them to spill their guts—not me.

Aether flat-out ignored me and turned his attention to Jared. “Is it warded?”

“Naturally. No one will be able to hear what we say, but visuals are still open,” Jared responded.

“Tate, has some, uh, questions,” Vala started, looking between Aether and Jared.

“Damn right I do. Let’s start with, what were those things ?”

“We don’t really know,” Aether responded. “We call them seethings, but it’s just a term as we don’t have the genetic workup yet determined. We’re still trying to learn how they were made.”

“What do you mean how? Isn’t Arithi responsible for them?” I was done with their bullshit. They all exchanged a look.

“Tate,” Aether sighed. “We believe President Dale is creating them.”

“What?” Did they really think I was that gullible?

“Why do you think Fletcher was working with us?”

“How dare you bring him up. He’s dead because of you!” I stepped forward and dug my finger into Aether’s chest. Rage, pure and deep, began to seep everywhere. I had every right to be angry, but my emotions were dominating, taking over my nervous system. I began to shake with their force. This emotional energy was something I’d never experienced before.

“Aether, maybe we should—” Vala started.

“Aether?” I interrupted. “Let’s start there. You lied about your name. Why should I believe you’re not lying now? That you didn’t spread these same lies to Fletch?”

“We never lied to Fletch. He knew exactly who we are and what our purpose is. A purpose that he believed in,” Aether spoke, grabbing my hand gently in his. My skin burned from his touch.

“No. You don’t get to invoke Fletch as a means to get me to trust you.” I yanked my hand back, immediately mourning the absence of his touch. Every nerve ending was heightened, hell everything felt heightened. Perhaps he was using magic on me again?

“It’s not magic,” Aether spoke.

Had I voiced my thoughts out loud? I truly was unraveling. I cupped my head in my hands. Those creatures, seethings, as Mardi—no, Aether—referred to them, had infiltrated the Glenn. Fletch would have fought them, apparently had been doing so. But his involvement led to his death…it was too much.

I uncovered my face and locked eyes with Aether who was still just a foot away.

Remorse. Pain. Mine.

Emotions began to overwhelm me.

“Stop it!” I shouted, shielding my ears. The movement only amplified what I heard. Aether’s breaths, warm and heavy. Vala’s sharp inhale. Jared grinding his teeth. Too much.

“It’s too much.”

“Later. This can wait,” Aether spoke, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Clear out.”

“Aether, this can’t wait,” Jared challenged.

“Enough. She’s overstimulated. This is a sensitive time for her.”

“I don’t give a damn. We’ve all risked a lot for her and it’s time we have an honest conversation. We’ve all been through a lot.”

Aether turned, back to me and squared off with Jared.

“Jared, this isn’t helping anyone,” Vala tried to soothe the situation. A situation I didn’t understand in the least.

“He’s acting as if he’s—” Jared’s voice trailed off, sniffing in my direction. “You bastard.” His eyes flared with anger; jaw set in challenge.

“Stop,” Aether’s tone held a deadly calm.

“It’s against our laws. Our code. She’s changing . How dare you?—”

Aether’s fist split Jared’s lips. Blood sprayed as Jared stumbled back.

“You’re dead!” Jared flung himself at Aether before halting, as if the air itself prevented him from getting any closer.

“Enough!” Vala shouted, stepping between the two. “Enough.” She leveled a look at Jared and then turned pleading eyes to Aether.

Aether’s chest heaved and then the charge to the air dissipated, releasing Jared.

I could still feel the energy in the air. It called to me, tingling, even as Aether’s shoulders released some tension, slumping slightly.

“Aether, we need to know what she told HQ about us. Why else would they attack their own transport?” Jared spoke, his eyes landing on mine, distrust shown in them.

Was he seriously accusing me of causing the attack?

“Later.”

“That’s it, later?” Jared waved his hands, still covered in his blood.

“Yes,” Aether spoke, heading for the circle’s edge. “She’s pulsing with unleashed energy. We should wait to do this.”

They were speaking of me. Of my energy?

My heart rate was quickening as my emotional energy began to double; now anger and sadness coursed through my veins, mixed with righteous indignation.

“I did nothing. I said nothing. If you’re looking to blame someone, blame your precious Arithi,” I spat the words at Jared.

He took a step toward me, eyes wild.

“That’s close enough,” Aether intercepted him.

His scent of ash and pine became all-consuming—all I could think of, see, and feel. I could feel my blood flowing, pulling in his direction, if that were even possible.

“How did they know we were in the circuit, Aether?” Jared pointed to me.

“She said she didn’t say anything.” Were my ears failing me? It sounded like Aether was defending me.

“She can speak for herself.” I stepped past Aether, approaching Jared. “I swear, I said nothing to them about Aether, Arithi, or your group. Honestly, I knew little to nothing.” I huffed, blowing out too hot air. “I know little to nothing.”

Sweat dripped down my forehead. Jared sneered at me. From here I could see the fine lines tightening at his eyes, the disgust pulling at his mouth, the vein bulging at his neck. He didn’t believe me.

My chest shook as I struggled to control my breaths. After everything I’d been through, I was having to prove myself—to him? To this male who lied to me and pretended to be my friend just the night before?

“I don’t buy it.” Jared glared at me. “You expect me to believe that you’re really that naive to not have known about us? To believe you are just another vampirical girl, a victim to the seethings, lied to by all you love? And to think, Arithi believes we need you.” His nostrils flared.

I struggled to stay composed.

Death. Anger. Patience.

Aether’s hands cupped my shoulders, swallowing them whole. It was idly comforting.

I took a deep breath. “Who is ‘we’ exactly? Are you an enemy Vamp who’s attacking the Glenn? Are you behind the attack on the Eastern Outpost?”

Jared stepped closer before yet again being halted mid-step, the air suspending him. I could feel the charge surrounding me, the manipulation of molecules, and a foreign energy I couldn’t place.

“Wow.” Jared scoffed and shook his head. “Arithi thinks you will be an asset, thinks you’re important, worth risking our lives. You know what I think?” He looked past me to Aether. “I think you’re just another pretty face with nothing in your—” His words were cut off as he began to choke, desperately clawing at the air around him.

“Aether. Stop it,” Vala commanded, but it was in vain. Jared just continued to claw at the air.

Aether released my shoulders and took a step back as he ran his hands through his hair. He was unphased by Jared’s gurgling and the red pallor his skin began to take.

My veins were pulsing, I could feel power building. The old shifting itch more intense than ever. I couldn’t shift now—I couldn’t reveal that card. That required trust I didn’t have.

“Aether, look at her,” Vala said, eyes wide and wholly focused on me.

I looked down, following Vala’s queue, and could see my arms glowing. Shining with untapped power. Perhaps I could shift, perhaps I could kill. I was not stupid. I was not useless. And I was not powerless.

Yes, this felt right. I stepped closer to Jared. I could feel the charge surrounding him, feel the air manipulating his every breath. I reached out and caressed it, moving it with my sheer will. To my shock, the air responded. It released its grip on Jared, and he dropped to his knees, panting like a dog.

Power.

“Understand one thing, Jared,” I spoke, the confidence in my tone foreign to me, “I did not expose you in the least. Furthermore, as for the suggested stupidity on my part, how would you fair if everyone in your life lied to you? How am I supposed to offer you answers when no one will offer me honesty?” I let my anger get the better of me. I lifted my wrapped forearm. Light began to pour from under the bandage. “Do you really think I’d set myself up to be attacked by things I didn’t even know existed eight hours ago?”

Jared didn’t respond. He just stared at me, shock and disbelief filling his eyes.

I liked the way this power tasted. Sweet. “Answer my damn questions or I’ll start asking elsewhere.”

Energy began crackling through my veins, my vision becoming encompassed by a pink halo. The air around me began to swirl, lifting Vala’s braids and Jared’s shirt. I began to shake, any control I toted over my own physicality was slipping.

“Aether,” there was a warning in Vala’s voice.

The dome in which we stood swirled, the dirt was being picked up by the wind, whipping around and spattering in my face. The rocks began to shake, the sticks lifted and joined the cyclone now spinning around us.

Control.

I could sense air pressing around me, blanketing my senses. Calming.

“What do you want to know?” Vala was approaching me like I was a skittish kitten. It was purely infuriating.

“How about you start with Fletch’s involvement. What did he have to do with your group?” I raised my brows. My breaths were becoming rapid as my anger intensified. The pink halo now a lens I could see out of—coloring the world around me. The wind increased and Jared’s shirt began to rip from his body, his eyes squinted to keep the debris out.

“Tate,” Aether spoke my name slowly, quietly like it was a prayer. He began to stroke my shoulders, slow massaging circles, easing the tension.

I blinked. Vala’s face looked scared. Like I was the monster. Control, I could control whatever this was. I closed my eyes.

Breathe. This is yours.

The wind began to slow, the rocks dropped and plummeted to the ground. Inhales, exhales, the distant popping of the fire. I grounded myself, one sense at a time. Warmth from the body behind mine, soft soothing circles being drawn on my back. I opened my eyes. The wind had stopped. Vala’s braids were no longer floating, but now laid still in a tangled mess. Jared’s shirt was half torn, dirt clinging to the blood dripping from his mouth.

“Tell me about Fletch,” I commanded, each breath a challenge to force through my lips. Exhaustion was gnawing at me.

“He has been working with us, and for security purposes, just consider ‘us’ a rogue group.” Vala cleared her throat, looking past me to Aether who was still massaging my shoulders. His breath was warm against my neck. “We are not representative of any Vamp. We keep the peace and ensure justice. We are keepers of balance. Fletcher believed in our cause, was a member of our group, and upon the discovery of nature’s laws being violated by the seething’s creation, he took measures to help.”

Fletch was a member of their group.

The realization began to quiet every other thought. If what she said was true, then Fletch wasn’t used by Arithi, he worked with her to fulfill his own cause. My nerve endings began to cool, the intensity releasing slowly.

“And the seethings?” I questioned.

“It’s our belief President Dale is creating them,” Vala spoke, stepping in front of Jared and looking into my eyes. Earnest.

The warm sensation around me further caressed my skin.

Incredible. Comfort . Pride.

“What was Fletch searching for?” I asked, my power further dissipating.

“Fletcher volunteered to locate information on the creation of the seethings. Things like how much dark magic was being projected, what organic matter was being used as a starting point, and the criteria for those things’ creation. He wanted what we all want. To stop President Dale.” Vala’s chest was heaving, relief began to show as the tightness in her face faded and her eyes returned to their comforting brown tone. The friend I thought I’d had.

I stood there processing. It did sound like Fletch. He always had his own moral code and he often spoke of nature’s balance. He instilled it in me.

I closed my eyes. “Why? Why would anyone create those things, those ‘seethings’ as you call them?” I couldn’t fathom creating something that evil.

“We believe President Dale intends on starting another great war. I think these are supposed to be his soldiers, his weapons,” Aether answered, his voice calm and hot on my neck. My skin pebbled in response to the gentle tickle of his breath. It wasn’t lost on me that his hands still held my shoulders. And the air was thick around me like a security blanket.

“And how do I know you didn’t create them? Huh? How do I know you didn’t trick Fletch into helping?”

“You know,” Aether whispered in my ear.

In my heart, I did know. I knew Fletch, trusted him. My skin began to brighten, arms lighting up as a peace settled into the core of my being.

“Shine bright from your heart, only it knows the truth! ”

Fletch’s last words now guided me. He was a good male. One who believed in valuing all life forms. One who supported my way of life, of feeding. He was in many ways a pacifist and often the first voice to condemn violence. If what Vala said about her group was true, then Fletch was—by his own standards—a member.

I nodded at Vala.

My vision cleared and the glow again faded as a steady welcome buzz began to hum through my body. I was hungry, suddenly, very hungry. What was wrong with me?

“Tate, you need to get back to camp and feed. Vala,” Aether commanded, releasing my shoulders. He stepped away, the airy assuagement following him.

“Right.” She nodded at him and reached for my hand.

I hesitated. Every movement suddenly felt too much. Weak, I felt weak. Gone was the heady power I’d felt moments before. In its place was a twinge of pain followed by the purest form of exhaustion. I’d only experienced this once before, and that was when I was transitioning into a vampire nearly five years before.

“Jared, get a message to Arithi that either President Dale let the seethings in the tunnels or that he doesn’t have control over them. This could be posturing to support a declaration or war.” Aether’s words struck terror in my heart and snapped my attention from Vala’s extended hand.

Images assaulted my mind. Those things attacking my fellow vampires in the forest, the one looming over me, smiling. I could see them being set free on the Glenn, attacking any and all in their path. Injuring the vamplings. Breaking through the veil, devouring the human realm. This is why Fletch believed as he did. Dark magic was evil and destructive.

This is why Fletch gave his life. Tears began to collect in my eyes. I could still see him sitting on the couch, wine bottle in his hand, laughing. The relaxed way he was that night when he let all decorum fall. Happy. That was how I’d remember him, the way he was in life and not in death.

He hadn’t failed me, I’d failed him. I should’ve been more aware, listened more. I was gone veil side too much. But wasn’t that what he encouraged? For me to spend time outside the veil? To pursue justice? I may not have been there for him when he tried to tell me the truth, but I would not let his final words be in vain. My heart did know the truth. Fletch was a good male and had good values. If he thought this cause was worth dying for, then so would I.

I took Vala’s hand and stepped forward, limping from the throbbing in my left leg.

“I’ll send it. But Aether, we need to get back. Leadership is approaching,” Jared voiced, nodding past the fire. He cut me a glare and wiped the bloodied dirt from his mouth, spitting some on the ground. “Tate, try not to look so sick.”

He definitely didn’t like me.

Two village duxes were approaching the fire. They’d soon be close enough to see us huddled together.

“Disperse. Prepare for departure. Plan is the same,” Aether ordered.

Vala tentatively led me toward the fire. Jared immediately headed for the woods.

We walked to the perimeter of the circle where Vala kicked several stones and sticks to break the pattern—a pattern that had somehow returned even after my breezy outburst.

I raised a questioning brow.

“Can’t give all our secrets away.” She winked at me.

Aether strode confidently toward the approaching duxes, his back straight and posture non-threatening. Ever the wolf in sheep’s clothing.