Part 4 (1/2)
”Damon, darling.” Eva saw him approach in the dim alley, only steps away from the building sheltering her newest creation. ”You never really complained when I drank from you. I seem to remember your kisses heating me like flaming coals on a winter's night.”
”That was before you left me for your next conquest.”
”I've always loved my creations. You're no different.”
”All your creations? The hundreds of poor, helpless humans you transformed to satisfy your bloodthirsty needs?”
From the darkness, Eva felt the approach of more vampires set to destroy her. She laughed. ”Think you can stop me, little Damon? Oh, and I see you finally met Raife. Now there is a lover I can never forget.”
Raife, with a new lover at his side, never looked more tantalizing. Being in love suited him. Eva's eyes slid over the form of his witch-vampire. ”I see you brought her along. You know, she is a part of me, too.”
”Threaten my mate and you'll suffer long before death grants you release.” Raife's eyes glowed with anger.
Eva wanted him. She really had felt something for the English pirate all those centuries ago. ”You are a bunch of fools to try and take down your maker. Do you honestly think I'd let it happen?”
”I'd like to see you try and stop us from destroying you.” Raife's mate appeared s.p.u.n.ky and courageous, but not all that intelligent.
”Oh, I don't have to stop you,” Eva said with a smile.
She called to her loyal servants. Eva wasn't as unprepared as they had likely expected.
The sound of flapping wings filled the dark alleyway as a flock of crows descended. They soared through the air, landed on the cobblestone street, perched along the iron fire escapes that clung to the sides of the brick buildings. Even more glared down from the top of the rooftops. The black birds s.h.i.+fted shape. Soon, vampires of every race and background lined the alley behind the gloating Eva. An army of faithful vampires to do her battles.
Yvette's courage wavered.
Eva obviously enjoyed the moment. ”Feeling so sure of yourselves now, my pets?”
Facing this army of servants, Yvette knew they would be lucky if they got out of this with their heads.
”I think we can even the score a bit,” quipped a voice.
An Italian vampire, along with more vampires Yvette had never met, came up behind her and Raife. A red-haired woman dressed in a trench coat brandished a large, deadly looking machete. Another Italian smirked as he stood with his attractive mate, who had dressed like a gypsy with velvet scarves. But the large blond vampire with the air of sophistication and dominance, the one who had spoken, made Yvette s.h.i.+ver. He stepped through the street like he owned the town, closely followed by a large gray wolf.
”Lucius, you just don't know when you are beat, do you? Can't you see the odds are against you and your friends?”
”I never play the odds.” The wolf at the vampire's side growled when he lifted his silver-tipped walking stick to polish the end. He seemed completely unconcerned of the vampires closing in around them. ”If you don't call off your little batboys, I can guarantee they'll never see the moon rise again.”
”My pets protect their mistress, just as your pet stands by you.”
Yvette reached into her bag, formulating a plan.
”What are you doing?” Raife asked her in a whisper.
”Just stay inside the circle.” She pulled out a large container of salt and flicked up the spout. ”I can't stop them all, but I can make things a bit more in our favor.”
Stepping around the group of friendly vampires, she enclosed them in a circle of salt.
”I can't protect your blond friend and the wolf from my spell,” she said in a hushed voice to Raife as she reached into her bag for two gla.s.s vials.
”I don't think any spell will affect Lucius. What are you going to do?”
”As I said, just stay inside the circle.”
Eva paid no attention to Yvette, obviously dismissing her powers. But after Yvette's recent and powerful s.e.xual gratification, her magic had grown strong. She murmured her plea to the G.o.ddesses, especially her patroness Bast, for the strength to overcome her foes.
Feeling the answer to her prayers as her body began to glow, she raised her arm holding the vials and tossed them outside the circle.
They hit the pavement, the blue gla.s.s shattering upon contact, and the contents bursting into the air in a smoky cloud.
”Do you really think you ca--”
The cloud cut Eva's words short. It built into a storming presence, becoming larger and larger over the alley, rising into the air above the gathered vampires.
”Just don't move out of the circle,” Yvette said to Raife and his friends as they watched in awe.
Then, the storm broke. But it did not rain water droplets. Eva's vampire army began to transform. They screamed and doubled over in pain as their bodies morphed and s.h.i.+fted.
”d.a.m.n you, witch!” Eva yelled. She retreated into the h.o.a.rd of her vampires, now mewling, shrinking, and taking on the characteristics of cats.
They s.h.i.+fted even smaller, becoming a disorganized giant litter of kittens.
Eva ran. Lucius transformed into a great golden owl and flew in pursuit. His mate, however, affected by the spell, transformed into a kitten as well.
Raife turned to Yvette with a questioning look.
”The blond and Eva must be very powerful to avoid the spell. But the others weren't so fortunate.”
”How long will the spell last?” asked the redhead holding the machete.
”A few hours.” Yvette gazed out at the alley, moving with cute little fur b.a.l.l.s. ”But the vampires who are older won't be affected so long.”
”Can we move now?” asked the Italian.
”Yes, we can go out of the circle now.”