Primal Kill (The Order of Vampires #5)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

T he witch offered the only shelter that could protect Adriel at the moment. Weak from injuries and the effort of blocking her mind from Cerberus, she frantically tried to reason her way past this nightmare, but there was no escaping his powers or the opportunity for escape in front of her.

Desperation mingled with panic as she looked at Juniper. “Can I trust you?” It was a foolish question that would only broker a false sense of security.

“Let’s not start on a lie. You don’t trust anyone.”

Directness was as close to honesty as they would come in a rush. A hurricane raged around them, lifting debris and whipping through the trees. The witch closed the distance, sheltering Adriel in the protection of her spell.

Something flashed in Juniper’s deep violet eyes. “Were you there, with the rest of the vampires, when they were torturing me?”

Adriel recalled many horrific days when the witch’s muffled screams penetrated the walls of Council Hall. She’d hoped to dull her pain, but interfering in council business was forbidden—especially for females. To this day, Adriel’s empathy for the witch haunted her with regret. No one deserved what The Order did to her.

But regrets never saved anyone. “I’m not a vampire,” she clarified. Vampires were lost souls, and Adriel had survived hell and back to save hers. “The correct term is immortal. And I was nearby but not a firsthand witness to the interrogations.”

“Immortal then,” Juniper corrected, rolling her eyes as if it were an insignificant detail. “Are you like them?”

“I can be cruel when crossed,” she confessed honestly. Witches were cunning creatures that distorted the laws of nature. They were not to be trusted, and therefore, Adriel needed to maintain some sense of upper hand.

“I won’t cross you as long as you don’t cross me. Let’s start there. I can escort you where you need to go and hold the protection spell as we travel.”

Adriel looked back at the rumbling woods, a fallen graveyard of trees layering the forest floor. Did she have a choice?

“Look, I’d rather not have a coven of vampires after me. Maybe we can protect each other. ”

“They’re not vampires.”

“Immortals. Whatever. They’re still pissed and scary as fuck. If one can find you, one can find me, so my goal is to ensure that never happens.” The branches overhead rattled and shook as the earth moaned and the wind howled through the trees. “He’s about to send another earthquake. We don’t have much time.”

She tugged at Adriel’s apron, plucking free the straight pins and tossing them onto the forest floor.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting rid of this.” The witch yanked her apron off and tossed it to the ground. “You’ll need modern clothes.”

“As we’re both empty-handed, I’d assume the time to undress is later.”

The trees creaked as another wave of earthquakes shook the world around them, but Adriel’s footing remained stable. “The apron will hold your scent. We’ll leave it here to throw him off.” She stepped back and grimaced. “You still look like you escaped the set of Little House on the Prairie , but whatever. We have to go. Do you have a safe place in mind?”

“I have nothing.”

In a wave of self-pity, she sensed the witch’s weariness. “How long can you hold the protection spell?”

“A while, but it will slow me down.”

“I’m afraid haste is a necessity.” Adriel bit into her wrist .

Juniper bolted back. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“You need to keep pace and keep your magick intact.” She stepped forward.

Juniper drew back. “No. Absolutely not. I’m not drinking your blood!”

“It will not change you. It will only make you stronger.” It would also help Adriel track her if they separated.

“I said no.”

Adriel’s arms crossed at her stubbornness. “Then you cannot come with me.”

The girl didn’t argue. But when her face pinched tight and she turned her head, Adriel caught the collar of her smock.

“Hey! Get off!”

“Those barbaric hypocrites.” Adriel released her, seeing all she needed to see in the shadows of a puncture wound on her neck. “Did they feed from you?”

Juniper’s jaw trembled, as did the forcefield around them. Cerberus was getting closer, and the witch’s foolish pride could cost them their lives.

“Do you want to die? If you’re coming with me, then open your mouth. The blood will give you strength and speed, which we need to make it out of here alive.” Adriel snatched her by the hair when she still hesitated and forced her mouth to her open wrist. “ Zippel hex, drink. ”

Juniper stiffened, and a sharp pain knifed through Adriel’s head. She released her immediately and gasped.

Glaring back at the witch, she snarled, “What are you?”

“I’m not someone who allows compulsion. Are we clear?”

“I was trying to help you!”

“Not without my consent.” She closed the distance. “Are you all right?”

“Don’t come any closer.” Adriel rubbed her temples, unsure what the witch had done to reject her compulsion. “Perhaps you’re stronger than I first assumed.”

“Gosh, I should have said that.” She rolled her eyes and glanced back at the fallen trees. “Can we go now? I should be able to keep the spell moving with us.”

“Should?”

“Pardon me, but I’ve never been in this situation before. I was once normal, with a normal freaking life before vampires fucked everything up.”

They were going to die. “Weren’t you raised by witches?”

“Yes, but… We were sort of living in the broom closet. My aunt harnessed my energy at times so I could watch her practice, but I rarely did spells on my own. The protection spell is the first thing we learn.”

They were doomed.

The trees creaked and bowed. “We’ll head north as far as we can get on foot. If you drop the spell, he’ll find us, and you’ll be as good as dead, so let’s hope this works.”

“Wait.” Juniper caught her arm. “I don’t know your name.”

She hesitated only a moment. “I’m Adriel Schrock, eldest of my line, matriarch of my family, and certain to suffer more cruelty than you can imagine if we do not leave this place now.”

Her hand moved from her wrist to close tightly about her hand. “I won’t let you die, Adriel. Let’s go.”