“You are right, Tristan. Luca and I lost her, but we cannot focus on failure right now. We need to plan on how we are going to kill Simone and extract Sydney safely. You know our girl is not going to go down without a fight. She is strong.” Kade used the words 'our girl' trying to get the group focused on the task that needed to be done. They need to find her quickly and kill Simone. Sydney was no one’s but his and everyone knew it, but he was a leader and could not let them dwell on their defeat. No, he needed to get Sydney back safely into his arms. He did not live through centuries only to lose his chance with her, his one true love. “Tristan, take Luca’s cell phone and call your brother, Marcel. Let him know the situation has escalated, and that we need his pack’s assistance with backup at St. Louis cemetery immediately.”
As soon as the group arrived at St. Louis cemetery, Kade immediately stiffened, sensing Sydney’s presence. “I feel her. Her blood runs through my veins now, and I know she is here.”
“Kade, please forgive my question, but I sense no human or paranormal presence in the area. Are you certain she is here?” Etienne asked.
“Yes, I am sure. Do you forget? I have claimed her. I am certain that she is here. Perhaps they are underground? Quickly search the grounds. Stay in pairs,” Kade ordered.
“Underground? Here in New Orleans? Not likely, the water table is too high,” Etienne commented.
Kade was growing irritated with his questioning. “While that is true, Etienne, magic can easily manipulate the elements: air, fire, earth, and water. Asgear may have simply drained a space and replaced it with another element. It is even possible that he changed the state of the water from liquid to solid. Now, enough with the questions. We must find the entrance. I know she is here.”
A high, pitched howl emanated across the darkness, Tristan. Weaving through the tenebrous labyrinth of crypts, Kade and the others converged on a nondescript tomb that no one would give a second glance to compared to its ornamental counterparts. Sydney. Like Tristan, Kade could smell the sweet scent of her blood everywhere in the vicinity, as well the repugnant odors of Asgear and Simone.
“She’s here, but Asgear and Simone are also present. We must move with caution. Simone will be expecting us.” Kade was relying heavily on his friend to distract them so he could get to Sydney. “Tristan, you go in first and disable Asgear. We cannot be certain if he will conjure a thaumaturgical barrier like the one we experienced back in the warehouse, so make sure to cover the whole area. If Simone is in there, then it is likely that all vampires can pass. We won’t know for sure until we get in there.”
Tristan transformed back into his naked, male form extending his claws, planning to pry open the stone door. A chorus of wolves howled in the distance. “Ah, Marcel and the pack are here. They will come in behind us, and kill any of Simone’s vampires who try to escape.” Continuing to study the seams of the tomb, Tristan ran his claws up and down the hard, smooth stone. “Now, let’s see what is in this tomb. Open up for papa.”
Kade shot him an annoyed look. Wolves always think they are so damn smart. “Back off, Tristan,” he commanded. “Watch and learn, wolf,” he smiled unfolding his Smith & Wesson tactical knife. “Sometimes a vampire is well suited going old school, now is one of those times.” Plunging the edge of the knife far into the dusty, stone seam, he jerked the knife upward disengaging the primitive lock mechanism. The heavy, mason door creaked open as it revealed a limestone staircase. The tunnel was illuminated by candles that sat on small, wall shelves. Transforming back into his wolf, Tristan padded down the steps tilting his head back up toward Kade, awaiting his orders at the door at the bottom of the stairs.
A blood-curdling scream resonated throughout Kade’s mind, Sydney’s scream, Sydney’s blood. He kicked the door open, letting Tristan run first into the madness. Tristan narrowly escaped being clawed by several vampires converging toward him. Slipping between their legs, he targeted Asgear who was holding a chalice above Sydney, who appeared to be strapped to a table. Razor-sharp teeth shredded Asgear’s right shoulder and arm as Tristan pinned him to the cold floor. Tristan held him down, allowing Kade and the others to enter the chamber in order to get to Simone.
Scarlet body fluid sprayed the walls as Kade, Luca, and the other vampires tore into Simone’s fanged puppets. Kade locked eyes on Simone, roaring in abhorrence as he caught sight of Sydney, who was bound and bleeding. “You will die!” he spat at Simone as she ran at Tristan with a knife, trying to seek Asgear’s help. Fire ignited deep within Kade’s chest driving him to slash through a sea of vampires to get to his love.
As Kade reached Sydney, he sliced one of her wrists free. It was then he spied the enormous needle inside her belly. She lay bleeding on the table, her life’s essence spilling out onto the floor. “Sydney love, I’m here. Please don’t leave me.” Not responding to his words, Kade knew she was badly injured. He knew what he had to do. “Dammit, Sydney! I love you! You cannot leave me! Just hang on...I am going to pull the needle out. Stay with me.” He gently kissed her cool, pale lips and clutched the needle. Realizing the needle was jammed into the wooden table, Kade wrenched it out in one quick stroke, hoping to minimize the pain.
Sydney arched in agony, screaming uncontrollably as the pain slammed into her once again. Her eyes flew open, and she stared up at the cold, gray vaulted stone ceiling above her.
Kade licked the small hole sealing her wound. It wouldn’t stop the internal bleeding, but it might buy her time. Knowing he would need to give her blood for a full healing, he sought her permission. Kade whispered into her ear, “Sydney love, the needle is out, but you are bleeding internally. I can give you my blood, but you must understand you will be bound to me forever. I will not do it without your agreement. I love you as much as life itself. You have no idea how much I wanted to give of myself to you, but not like this.” He shook his head. This was all wrong, but she needed his blood to heal.
Sydney’s eyes fluttered as tears spilled over her cheeks. “Do it. I love you, Kade. I want to live,” she whimpered. “You know, that woman of yours from the eighteen hundreds? She’s a real bitch.” She cracked a small smile. “Now, I just need to sit up. The rope...cut the rope.”
As Kade pulled out his knife, a vampire smacked him clear across the room. Sydney shook her head from side to side. “No! No! No! This is not going down this way! Get me off this fucking table!” She screamed in frustration. Remembering her knife hidden away in her bra, she felt around with her free hand. Thank you, baby Jesus. Still there. Blood sprayed her face as she cut the rope and released herself from the table. Wolves and vampires bit and slashed each other as she gently let herself fall to the floor.
She looked over to see Dominique tearing the heart out of one of the vampires and silently cheered her on. Both Etienne and Xavier were also fighting, slashing though the crowd of vampires with wooden stakes. Ash started to cloud the room as one by one, they staked their foes.
Sydney was shocked to see Simone fighting Tristan against the far wall. She sliced his wolf with a knife as he bit tightly into her other arm. Sydney struggled to locate Asgear. Where was he? Tilting her head upward, Sydney spied the gleaming face of a sword on the altar. Pain shot throughout her entire body, as she stretched her arm up to reach it. Blindly fingering the altar, Sydney’s hand clasped around the hilt of the sword. She slowly descended her arm, clutching the cool blade flat against her chest.