Page 39 of To Kill a Vampire
That day feels so far in the past I almost don’t remember the girl who stood on the cliff, afraid of what might lie in the water below. But he’s the same. He’s the same mystic who always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. We’re starting a revolution together. Because he believed in me and because I trusted him. My chest warms at the memory.
Just as I begin to get lost in Asher’s eyes and the only sound is the continuous and pleased chewing from Luca, Gabriel pushes out his chair and kneels in the dirt as if tying his shoe.
The greasy sausage slips from Luca’s fingers as she stares down at Gabriel in confusion. His red brows arch high; his smile is so wide I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much happiness before.
“Luca Raske, I think I loved you from the moment we met.”
“Gabriel, what the hell are you doing?” Luca’s head tilts as she studies the hybrid at her feet.
“You were fearless. Like an Amazon Goddess. I remember thinking something so perfect could never come from this cursed world. But you did. I want to be there for the rest of your life to remind you how incredible you are.” A smile bites across her lips as her eyes begin to water, and I can’t stop myself from gripping Asher’s hand beneath the table. “Say you’ll marry me, Luca.”
My chest rises and falls, my body coiling with energy as I wait for my friend’s response. I sneak a glance to Asher and realize he’s staring at me. A look of wonder fills his face, and he squeezes my hand just lightly before smiling.
I never thought I’d find love like this. I thought I’d be content but not … not this. I never thought my government would allow me to be this happy. I’ve learned that no one is responsible for your happiness but you.
“When?” is all she manages to say with a shaky breath as she nods repeatedly.
“Right now.”
“Now?” she echoes in a confused voice.
“Asher said he’d marry us. Right now. Tonight.”
Asher’s attention snaps to Gabriel, his smile falling away and replaced with a look of alarm.
“Wait, I never said I’d marry you guys.”
Gabriel and Luca’s happiness doesn’t slip away as they look at him. Gabriel opens his mouth, his straight white teeth displaying his excitement, but I’ll never know what he was about to say.
A shriek scratches through the night like a war call crawling through the darkness.
The sound is high pitched, angry, and monstrous. I know exactly what it is the moment I hear it.
I scramble through the forest, limbs snapping at my flesh, my heels stumbling through the leaves until I’m back at the Infinity witch’s house. With fumbling hands, I shove my bedroom door open so hard it snaps in two right down the middle, and I barrel through it without a second thought. Leaping over the bed, I snatch up the Crimson Sword, and in less than a second I’m tearing across the land to the cliff.
In the peaceful and clear night, the waves of the Emerald Ocean rock gently and leisurely as they pull the ominous ships closer to our shore.
Asher runs up to my side, his eyes widening as he takes in the sight of the countless ships. Another shriek sounds through the night from one of the veil down below.
“Wake the others. Hide them.”
“They’re strong, Fallon. They won’t hide.”
My fingers tighten on the hilt of the sword, my jaw clamping shut at the sound of his words.
“Then make sure they’re ready.”
* * *
I had forgotten the height of the veil. Their long and towering bodies like disfigured skeletons clawing up the shores.
On the first ship, I see her. As the others disperse, rallying up our land and ready to face their deaths, President Docile stands immobile. She stares up into the night, her dark veil blowing in the strong wind, her sights set on me as if she can sense me among the chaos.
In one swift movement I kick off my heels, the dry dirt clinging to my feet as I jump without fear. Nothing but adrenaline courses through my body as I free fall from the cliff. The wind whips at my hair, snapping it across my face for only a matter of seconds before I land gracefully on the rock below. My feet welcome the cool stone as I make my way toward her.
In a quick sweep, I assess the people around me. Determination lines their features, clinging to the useless mortal weapons as they storm up the coast.
They’re all mortal. Fighting a war they know nothing about.
