Chapter Nine ~Serenity~

A gentle whisper of a breeze brushed pass me, a hint of salt water among the fresh lake air. It was stronger here, the scent of the sea, and it became stronger the farther east one traveled. I stood there among the cliffs waiting for the right moment. This long engagement was reaching its conclusion, coming to the definite end that it was fated for. I had spent my time trying to alter destiny since we first arrived in Tentusa but there was no changing fate, and I could accept that now staring out over the Lamus Channel. This was our point of entry.

The Tentusa Valley, birthplace of the twin goddesses as it was often called when I was younger, was an interesting place. A strange perplexing piece of low lying land nestled against the Rouron lake at its north, the water flowing in from the Lamus Channel all the way from the Driapus Sea. One of four great bodies of water in the mortal planes. On the west side of the valley steep rolling hills of lemon grass perfect for animal herders, to the south gentle slopes creating a number of farming villages, and finally the borders reaching far off to the east where the grassy hills formed into the jagged unforgiving cliffs I had found myself on.

I knew this place. I had watched it change from century to century. The hills became more rounded, the cliffs more ridged, and the lake expanded farther north than before, but there was one thing that always remained true. This place was special and that was why it would be first to fall in our renewed campaign of conquest. The Vampire Nation would rise from this spot and splinter outward infecting every corner of this plane, and once there was no more hope left I would march the army to the gates of heaven. That was my purpose, the only purpose I had left in this life.

It was hard to keep that goal in the forefront of my mind when the past wandered in, the sweet memories of my childhood kept creeping back. I had felt the pull of my home the second we entered the valley, but with Cret's question about my past I found my recollection of those times far more vivid than I cared to confess.

A distant distorted memory of standing on these very cliffs as a child made its way to the surface. Taking a deep breath I drew in the smell of the far off ocean and closed my eyes remembering that moment and the child I once was.

Large fluffy white sails reflected the late afternoon sun as they traveled down the channel. Warriors clad in tight garments of blues and blacks stood off in the distance near watchtowers, a large symbol painted on their chest plates and sewn into their clothing. It was a symbol of honor and pride, the mark of the Opsona. Any enemy seeing that looping p knew the horrors that waited for them. Vigilant keepers of sacred lands and secrets, they stood watch here at the water entrance to the valley, protection for the people that traveled the long distance to worship at the marble temple of the valley.

That day I was at my father's side to greet the travelers who came for the big feast, a celebration in honor of the Peace Goddess that protected this province. It was a grand week long festival with dancing, music, and foods from all over the world. So many different people had gathered to pay tribute to the goddess, others came to perform rituals during this most holy time. Those warm summer days were brilliant and then four days later my village was destroyed.

I opened my eyes to the darkening night. There would be no more happy memories here, by morning there would be nothing left but a crying land tainted with blood. I could see the armies ships approaching, their large white sails dancing against the growing winds, their color of purity a lie. Inside those ships were things—nightmares that knew nothing of mercy only the depraved joys of torture and death.

A low growl of thunder rumbled in the distance. Tonight would be the last time this storm came and tried to cleanse this land. There would be no washing away what I was about unleash.

My father would be so disappointed, but he was dead and that was another lifetime. A life that Cret was pulling into my present to distract me. I couldn't let that happen. I had made my choice and it was Vondorian. Him and I were fated, I saw that now as the head ship passed below. There would be no stepping back from this edge, not anymore.

Drawing in one last breath of that sweet salt air I stepped off the cliff. The world rushed upward around me, the sense of falling overtaking any of my worried doubts. Air whistled against my ears and raven strands followed behind, a raw powerful energy rose in my gut as I descended upon the ships. Those second thoughts that had been stewing in my mind were left behind as I sailed downward away from my past and into the burdenless future.

Hard wood stopped my descent and forced my body down onto one knee, I had landed on the lead ship ready to drive my fate. Paused calm held for a moment as I gave my choices one last lingering consideration before the world came crashing back forcing me into my new beginning.

Sounds of interested parties started to fill the deck as Vamdari made their way toward me, weapons at the ready. It seemed word had gotten out about the Vamdari life I had taken and these men were ready to have their revenge. There was no fear in my veins despite the current situation I had just landed in. Instead I was filled with the thrilling edge of battle. Insanity spurring my actions to fight instead of flee as more Vamdari crowded the deck of the ship.

I rested there bent on one knee, head down, waiting for the right moment. Whispers of questions spread through the growing crowd bringing a smirk to my face. They knew it was me. Thoughts ranging from confusion to anger over the Vamdari I killed filled their heads.

No weakness, I reminded myself as my mortal emotion of guilt threatened to take me over.

“You no longer have a place here,” an annoying female voice announced from out of the crowd. “Leave before I give the order to kill.”

Ryder. Her scent pushed the falter of my mortal far back to a place I couldn't find. Thrill of challenge pulsed in my veins and Vondorian's blood filled me with the brutality I needed. Lifting my head I focused my scarlet hungry gaze on Ryder, her small figure easy to pick out among the others that towered over us both.

She took a step back when my eyes fixed on her, and all the whispers hushed, replaced by an edgy tension as I stood. Raven strands of my hair tracked with the wind sweeping across my vision for a second, but my stare never wavered. The faint smell of Cret's honeyed-clove scent still hung on my body, filling me with an urge to kill that twitched in my fingertips as I looked at Ryder. The fear hidden in her expression made the need to draw blood even stronger.

Her and I had battled before, many times. She had seen those moments when I lost control and raged like an animal, and yet this was the first time Ryder had looked upon me with fear. It was addicting. Her reaction making my heart beats more rapid and thunderous in my chest. I was suddenly very glad I didn't kill her last night, delighted that one of her men jumped in front of my blow. If he wasn't already dead I would thank him for saving Ryder and giving me this moment.

"Stand down, Ryder. I'm the general of this army. That hasn't changed," I commanded.

"You killed one of your own, you no longer have a rank!" she yelled back. Her statement getting a few weak cheers from the crowd.

I dragged my gaze across the masses and silence replaced the defiant cheers, these men were still under my control. They might never respect me like they did Ryder but they feared me, and that would do. They regarded me as their leader because they feared what I or Master may do to them, but it didn't leave me untouchable. I still had to pay for taking a Vamdari's life or a rebellion would not be far off.

Taking a step forward I drew my sword, a sharp inhale rushed over the crowd before I tossed it aside disarming myself. Suspense hung heavy over the deck as I drew my dagger and struck it down into the wood. There was nothing threatening about me now but my nature. Even disarmed it appeared I put these men at discomfort because they continued to inch back trying to put distance between me and them.

"It was your man I killed Ryder, take your blood." I offered with a grin allowing one of my fangs to peek over my lower lip.

"It's your life the law demands."

"And yet it's only my blood you shall get," I corrected her. "Take your strike or fall in line."

Puffing out her chest she hesitantly approached, stopping a foot away to add. "You killed a Vamdari. You must pay with your life."

A roar exploded from the crowd as she rushed me, a dagger at the ready. Ryder always had a swift lengthy grace to her movements but tonight I could see the quiver in her hand as she approached, swiping for my neck she went for the sure strike. Loss of blood so quickly through any major artery rendered a vampire stunned, giving enough time to complete the kill. How pathetic of her. I took a simple step back to avoid and then stilled Ryder's wrist. The cheers and expressions of excitement from the others halted.

I didn't give her the chance to make another move, I twisted Ryder's wrist down to my midsection and held her hand there with the blade's tip pressing against my corset. Worry creased her gaze as Ryder tried to jerk from my grasp, my free hand gripped her hair and stilled her rebellion.

“Your man went against orders. Disloyalty will not be tolerated.” It was a lie but no one would question me, not with Master Vondorian's support.

This was to be a reminder to not only Ryder but to the all the onlookers. I would not have rebels in my ranks. This was my army and no one else was going to lead it.

Squeezing her wrist I thrust her hand and weapon forward until it pierced my gut. The sharp blade breaking flesh and dripping my blood onto the deck of the ship. The crowd was hushed once again as I forced the weapon to its hilt into my unflinching body, pain coursed through me adding a nice bite that pushed to the edge of battle ready ecstasy.

"You have my blood, my debt is paid. Now fall in line." I growled, tossing Ryder back so she fell on the deck as I turned and addressed the others. "Death is the consequence for disloyalty. Any of my orders not followed will be regarded as treason against Lord Vondorian and our nation. I will not hesitate to kill each and every traitor that crosses my path."

Plum gazes jumped between me and the fallen Ryder. The pain that licked at my stomach did nothing but encourage more violence as I waited to see who would run to Ryder's aid. The first to disobey would be slaughtered. I was ready to kill but no one came. Their gazes drifted away from the commotion and I knew things had returned to normal. I was in charge and they wouldn't question it anymore.

“Lower the sails and prepare to make landfall. Anchor the ships two miles down from the city.” I gave my orders and the ship jumped to life.

Gazing down at Ryder I met her steely stare that iced over her fear. We didn't have to say a word between us to know the other was speaking a threat. This ordeal was far from over, but one day maybe soon, I would kill her. That would be the only thing to end this rivalry.

The look between us broke and Ryder jumped to her feet grabbing the first person that walked pass, "bring the general her armor." The mockery unmistakable in her tone.

Yes, very soon I would kill her.