Page 192 of The Vampire's Bride

Valaric grips my upper arm and jerks me back from the fast-approaching wave. Wrapping his arms and wings around my form, he spins me away, shielding me from the paralyzing energy.

Together, we collapse to the ground. My head is spinning from the sudden drop, but I force myself to focus. Prince Raine’s wide eyes meet mine from across the way, and I realize that all the Vampires are conscious, but unable to move.

Carefully shifting my body, I turn in Valaric’s arms to face him. Panic filled eyes meet mine as he whispers through the bond.“Don’t move.”

Barely lifting my head, I look over his shoulder, scanning the room for the mage. His back is turned to us. Ice floods my veins when I see the wooden stake in his left hand. With the Vampires all paralyzed by his dark magic, he could easily kill anyone he wants.

“All this could have been avoided.” He glances around the room. “The Order wanted to work with you. To forge an alliance to conquer the seven realms. But you refused.” He kneels beside one of the Vampires, dragging the sharp tip of the wooden stakeacross his chest. “So nice of all of you to gather in one place this evening. It makes my job that much easier.”

He presses the tip of the stake directly over the Vampire’s heart threateningly. “I wish you could talk so I could hear you beg for your lives.” He pulls the stake away and then turns to the king. “I’d especially love to hear your king plead for me to spare his. But make no mistake. None of you will leave here alive.”

Panic spirals through me. He’ll kill them all this night.

Pressed close to him, I can feel Valaric’s heart pounding in the cage of his chest against mine. His wings twitch slightly as he struggles to move, fear surging across our bond.

Worried eyes stare deep into mine as I brush trembling fingers over his cheek. I won’t let him be killed.“I’ve got to do something,”I whisper through the bond.

“No!”The word arcs through me like lightning.

I glance over his shoulder to see the mage walking toward the King and Prince Raine. He means to kill them first and then start on the others.

Cautiously, I pull the enchanted blade from the hidden pocket of my dress. If I time it right, I can rush the mage and attack him. Worry trickles down my spine. But if I fail, I’m dead.

Staring deep in Valaric’s eyes, I speak through the bond. “I can do this. I know I can.”

His heart pounds against mine as if echoing my fear. Desperately, he struggles to tighten his weakened grip around my form.“No! Do not do this!”His eyes dart to the column beside us.“You can slip away. He won’t notice you if you are quiet. Leave, Juliet. Save yourself. I beg of you. Please. Eben is outside somewhere. Find him and run.”

“I won’t leave you to die.”

Swallowing down my panic, I carefully toe off my shoes as I track the mage, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Valaric’s grip tightens weakly around me, his muscles straining as he fights against the spell that holds him down. In my mind, his voice is a broken whisper.“Please, Juliet. Don’t do this. You must hide. Save yourself.”

Tears sting my eyes, my heart breaking at his plea. I lower my forehead to his, our breath mingling as I close my eyes. “I love you more than life,”I speak in his mind.“But I have to do this. I won’t let you die.”

Fear coils tight in my chest as the mage stalks toward Prince Raine. I can’t wait any longer.

My muscles tense in nervous anticipation and my heart pounds so loud I hear nothing over the deafening rush of blood in my ears. Taking a deep and steadying breath, I roll away from Valaric and jump to my feet.

Valaric’s hand barely brushes my leg as he tries to hold me back, and a devastated roar echoes in my head. “No!”

Energy surges through my veins as I charge toward the mage with my blade in hand. He spins at the last second, avoiding my knife as I slam into him, knocking him off balance and sending him sprawling, the stake and his staff both flying from his hands.

As we fall to the ground, I lose the grip on my knife, sending it sliding across the stone floor.

I scramble to retrieve my blade, but he wraps his hand around my ankle, jerking me back. The air escapes my lungs in a forceful rush as I crash back to the ground. Gasping for breath, I kick blindly behind me until I hit something solid. He howls in pain and releases his hold.

Lunging forward again, I manage to grab my knife. The hulking mass of his body is over me in seconds, and pain rips up my spine as I twist onto my back. Using all of my strength, I jab the blade into his chest.

Sharp pain tears through my left side as his claws pierce my flesh, and I open my mouth in a silent scream. Blood drips fromhis mouth, his obsidian eyes burning with rage as he bares his fangs, speaking the words of a spell as he struggles to breathe.

Dark energy rushes through my body. A vile and suffocating force that claws its way into my chest through my veins. Panic twists deep within. “What are you doing to me?”

Agony spreads through me like wildfire, searing my insides.

His gaze is locked on mine, full of wrath as he draws in a rattling breath. “The Blood Reaver’s Curse.”

Fear grips me in an iron vise. I’ve heard of this dark enchantment. A final act of vengeance that will end in my death.

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