Page 22 of Blood Match

“You all know the situation,” I address them as we gather together. “Lucien’s crossed a line. This is not about witches – we’re protecting the peace, fragile as it is. If his attack succeeds, we’ll be facing a shitstorm.”

“You know you can count on us, Lord Drake.” I see nods of understanding and feel a sense of satisfaction. These are vampires I trust with my life, who’ve stood by me through centuries of conflict and change. Tonight, I’m asking them to potentially fight their own kind.

They’ll do it.

The courtyard is swathed in shadows that darken the cobblestones. I extend my arm, focusing on the darkness around me. The shadows begin to swirl and coalesce, forming an inky vortex at our feet.

“Remember,” I say as the shadows engulf us, “our priority is prevention. We stop Lucien’s attack before it can begin. If we can avoid bloodshed, all the better. But if it comes down to it…” I let the sentence hang, knowing they understand the implications.

We stand together as I summon the shadows closer, preparing to take us to our destination. The sensation of being enveloped by darkness is both familiar and disorienting. I swirl my hand, and the darkness snaps shut. For. a moment, there’s nothing; a sense of standing in a vacuum. And then, in an instant, we’re transported beyond the city limits and reassembled at the edge of the national park.

“The place we’re looking for is deep inside the forest,” says Marcus. “But we’ll need to proceed on foot rather than shadow travel because I’m not exactly sure where they are. We’ll have to listen for them until their scent leads us closer.”

I nod, stepping forward, and the others fall in behind. I prefer to travel through the shadows, but I have no trouble moving quickly and quietly regardless of how I get around.

The forest looms ahead, dense and foreboding. We move silently, wraithlike, each of us ready for action. It’s eerily quiet as we move through the trees, our attuned for any sign of Lucien’s group or the witch gathering.

About five minutes in, Marcus puts a hand on my arm and gives me a meaningful look. I pause, stiffening as the sound of voices floats in on the breeze.

Chanting.

The grove isn’t far now. I can feel the tension radiating from my team as we draw closer. The snap of a twig makes us all freeze, but it’s just a startled deer bounding away. Still, it’s a reminder of how precarious our situation is. One wrong move, one moment of carelessness, and everything could go to hell.

As we near the grove, I hold up a hand, signaling the team to stop. There’s something in the air – a faint scent overlays the sweet fragrance of blood I’ve learned to detect over the years. The gathering is close.

But where’s Lucien? I strain my senses, searching for any sign of his attack force. Nothing. The forest holds its breath as if waiting for the storm to break.

Then I hear it – a rustle of movement, too coordinated to be another animal. As one, we stop moving. I’m tense as I filter through the scents and sounds around us. And then something catches my attention. There’s something…something… I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel as if I’m being drawn forward.

Through the trees, I spot a glow and then catch sight of them. A circle of people clasping hands. They’re chanting. Oblivious to everything around them.

Oblivious to the danger.

And then chaos erupts around us as Lucien’s vampires descend upon the gathering. The air fills with screams and the crackle of magic as witches scatter, desperately trying to defend themselves. I bark orders to my men, commanding them to hold back the attacking vampires. We can’t let this bloodbath continue.

As I survey the unfolding scene, my eyes widen in surprise. The witches are more formidable than I’d anticipated. They’re not cowering victims – they’re fighting back with impressive force. Bolts of energy streak across the grove, felling vampires left and right. The scent of singed flesh mingles with the metallic tang of blood.

Through the chaos, I spot an older witch cornered by two of Lucien’s lackeys. She raises her hands, preparing to defend herself. Without hesitation, I sprint toward them, shouting instructions to my team as I move.

“Marcus! Take the east side! Jared, cover the retreat!”

The older woman’s power crackles through the air, a shimmering barrier materializing between her and her attackers. It’s an impressive display, but I can see the strain on her face. She won’t be able to hold out for long.

I’m almost there, ready to intervene when a flash of movement catches my eye. Another woman appears beside the older witch, placing a protective hand on her shoulder.

And just like that, the world stops spinning.

I freeze, transfixed by her presence. She’s tall and willowy, with hair like living flame cascading down her back. A midnight blue dress hugs her curves, the fabric shimmering with what I can only assume is woven magic. But it’s her eyes that hold me captive – green as spring leaves, flashing with defiance.

My body reacts viscerally to the sight of her, as if a jolt of electricity has set every nerve ending alight. My fangs ache, longing to extend, and a hunger unlike anything I’ve ever known claws at my insides. It’s not bloodlust – it’s something deeper, inexplicable.

The woman turns, sensing my gaze, and our eyes lock. She freezes, too, her lips parting in shock. Plump pink lips with the tiniest hint of a pout. Her skin is like porcelain, a touch of color on her high cheekbones. For a heartbeat, the battle around us fades away. There’s only her, only those insanely green eyes drilling into mine.

“Darick!” Marcus’s voice cuts through the haze, urgent and strained. “We need you!”

I hear him, but I can’t look away. Can’t move. Can’t breathe.

“Wait,” I manage to call back. “Wait…not now!”

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