Page 11 of From Frost to Flame

“You’re coming with me?” He was unable to hide the relief in his voice.

“Always.” Castor smiled and rustled his hair. “Family sticks together.”

They made their way east through the darkened alleyways in silence. His ears were trained on Lex’s faint heartbeat and little else. The scent of blackberries and cinnamon he recognized from Lex’s clothes drifted on the wind. “His family is coming up behind us.”

Sure enough, moments later, Julian and Mora appeared. He’d never met them directly, but he recognized them from the nights he couldn’t help himself and peered in on Lex’s life using their bond. The trio was inseparable, judging by the visions. They were always dancing, drinking and, to Silas's consistent annoyance, cuddling in bed like long-term lovers. Vampire families had no boundaries, and some had sex with each other as the years rolled on. As far as he knew, Lex didn’t fool around with Julian or Mora, but Silas was skeptical. Logically, it made sense, since they only relied on each other for eternity, but it still made his skin prickle with discomfort when he pictured Lex sharing even a kiss with either of them.

“Oh, thank the stars we found him,” Julian said as the couple caught up to them. “Wait, Silas? Why do you have him?”

“And why is he bleeding?” Mora asked. Her eyes widened as she noticed his mangled wrist. “Lex, can you hear us?”

She reached for him and, on impulse, Silas stepped away from her. “I’m taking him with me. He needs me.”

“Please, you are the last thing he needs,” Julian scoffed. “You’re probably the reason he’s hurt. Hand him over.”

“I’d never do anything to harm him.” Silas was taken aback by the suggestion. “He’s in danger. He stays with me. End of discussion. You two should go home.”

“Who do you think you are?” Mora scowled. “You’re in Dionysus, not Orion. Your crown means nothing here. Give him back.”

“What Silas means to say is,” Castor explained, firmly shooting Silas a look, “things are complicated. So, maybe we could all calm down and talk this out.”

“It’s not complicated. If he’s in danger, we’ll handle it.” Julian stepped forward, backing Silas even closer into the wall. “He’s our responsibility, not yours.”

A sharp gust of unnatural wind roared up the alleyway, making them all fall quiet. Frost spread across the brick walls like water through fabric. Ice caked the windows, flowers, and terrace railings.

“What is that?” Mora asked, watching the ice travel to the rooftops.

“It’s her.” Silas gripped tighter onto Lex and turned to his family. “Both of you, get on Castor’s back. Now.”

A pitch-black cloud spawned from thin air at the edge of the alleyway. Blue flames expanded in the center into a large portal. Out of the smoke and fire emerged The Ravenous One like Aphrodite from seafoam. Her flowing gown was made of kinetic ink, and her long, jet-black hair undulated like silk drifting through the ocean. Her ashen skin amplified the endless black of her eyes. They were filled with charcoal waters that moved like windblown lakes in their sockets. Six black tendrils extended from her back. They twitched and curled in the air independently like octopus tentacles.

She locked eyes with Silas, and ice coated the ground beneath her feet.

“You.” Her pouty black lips curled into a snarl, and her words filled the air with static as she spoke. “How dare you?”

“Run!” Silas shifted and dashed through the shadowy labyrinth with Lex on his back. All the dark walls slowly turned white with frost. Terror gripped his heart and his lungs burned as he breathed in the rapidly cooling air. He looked over his shoulder and saw her in relentless pursuit. She flew, her inky dress and hair flowing behind her menacingly. Her tentacles flared out, making her look like a flying spider.

Distracted by her fierce glare, he crashed headfirst into a group of nymphs on the busy festival streets. The scratchy fabric of their long floral attire tangled on his face briefly before he barreled through.

There were grumbles about his rudeness, but they were instantly replaced with a cacophony of screams as The Ravenous One emerged from the shadows.

She extended her tentacles and gripped six unlucky nonhumans. In a flash, she electrocuted their bodies, crushed their bones, and ripped the corpses apart like paper dolls. Their bloody limbs were frozen by the time they hit the ground.

The music and celebratory cannons abruptly stopped and screams erupted. The relentless drumming feet of the stampede mimicked the erratic beat of Silas's heart. The smell of saltwater and blood grew stronger by the second as The Ravenous One tore through anyone who stood in her way.

With every creature she ripped apart, she grew taller. More tentacles sprang out of her back and their movements were even faster. Her body fed on fear and suffering, yet nothing quelled her hunger. Seeing her in action was a waking nightmare.

During her reign, The Ravenous One brought famine and frigid death. Her cruel ice left warriors frostbitten and fleeing at the sight of her. She feasted on the dying breaths of those who didn’t escape. She was gluttonous for pain and suffering, and it fueled her powers to greater heights.

Memories of bloodstained streets nipped at Silas's heels as he forced himself to ignore the cries for help all around him.

Faster. I have to run faster for Lex.

Invisible talons sank into his skull as The Ravenous One invaded his mind.

“Oh, my little wolf, you’re better than this.”

A piercing ring filled his ears. He winced as her mental claws raked over his mind.

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