With each passing moment, the pattern on the map brightened up, moving towards a direction across it.
As Ryker said the final words of the incantation, the glowing energy started to dim and the pattern stopped at a particular location. Ryker's eyes flew open and he turned to smile at me who was peering down at where the pattern had stopped.
"As you can see, that's where they are," He said triumphantly, handing over the necklace to me. "The United States"
I studied the map seriously, murmuring to myself. "The Pacific Northwest region."
Straightening up, I requested "Can you narrow it down for us? We need more specifics."
"Of course," Ryker smiled, then hesitated. "But first, I'd like my payment."
Wordlessly, I produced a pen and checkbook from my jacket pocket. After scribbling an amount, I handed it over.
Ryker's face paled on seeing the amount.
"This is... this is too much, not that I'm complaining but I ..." He spluttered.
"Can you summon a portal for us?" I interrupted.
Ryker nodded eagerly. "Of course! Immediately!"
He hurried around the shop, humming a song as he gathered his things.
On returning to the table, he explained, "Since I'm creating a portal that will take you to the States, which is well over five thousand miles, it could take some time for you to arrive there"
"How long?" Uncle Dacianus asked
"An hour or more. It varies," Ryker shrugged. "I don't employ demonic powers, so the process is different."
"Portalling for an hour? Oh, great," Geta muttered. "It's going to be unpleasant. Long portal travel can sometimes even be fatal."
"Good thing you're vampires, then. Immortality has its perks," Ryker replied, winking at him.
Dacianus glanced between me and Geta. "Still beats flying."
"May I propose we do this early tomorrow morning?" Geta started to say "We've had an awfully long..."
"No" I cut in with a snap, "We've already wasted enough time." My jaw tightened. "Dawn's life is at stake. We go tonight."
There was no other objection.
Cassius had made it clear he wanted me to watch her suffer. I had expected him to call, to taunt me, or gloat about what he planned to do, but his silence since the kidnapping was the only indication that Dawn was still alive and that he was still scheming. If we moved quickly, we had a chance to intercept him before it was too late.
Geta's voice interrupted my thoughts. "I'll need blood," he said. "We'll all need blood to fuel our strength if we're to embark on such a journey."
He glanced at Ryker. "I suppose you can arrange that?"
Ryker hesitated for a moment. "It's quite late..."
But one look at Geta's face made him reconsider. "... I suppose I should be able to see to your needs. I happen to have the number of the madam of a brothel."
"All you have to do is direct them here. Pay them or something. The mind compulsion will take care of the rest," Dacianus added, turning to me.
"Geta is correct. We'll need to feed to boost our strength. Blood bags don't compare to feeding from the vein"
He placed an arm on my shoulder "I'm aware you're on some sort of diet, but even if it's just for tonight, I suggest you indulge as well."
I was quiet for a long moment, contemplating.
I hadn't fed directly from the vein since Rose's death.
While I was strong as I was, facing Cassius with anything less than my full strength was a risk I couldn't afford to take.
I couldn't tell what other demon-imbued abilities the vampire had under his sleeve, and I wasn't ready to underestimate him.
Finally, I nodded silently in agreement, and Ryker left to make the necessary arrangements.
As we waited, I felt my anger toward Cassius intensify.
Geta strode to stand beside me. "When we finally get the bastard scum, you're not planning on just imprisoning and leaving him to rot like the last one, are you?" He asked.
"No," I responded icily, my eyes giving away my fury. "I will have his head."
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DAWN.
I jolted awake with a splitting headache, the result of Cassius' brutal blow.
"Ow," I moaned in pain, my hand going to touch the soft spot where the blow had landed and wincing.
About a day ago, I was moaning in pleasure, and now, I was in pain.
Gingerly, I pushed myself up, resting my back against the wall while seriously willing the room to stop spinning.
Suddenly, Cassius' room door creaked open, and he stepped out.
My heart thumped with fear.
I had no idea of the time, but the darkness outside hinted at how late the hour was.
I let out a low groan, every muscle in my body heavy with exhaustion and pain.
Cassius loomed over me like an agent of darkness, his face expressionless. "Wakey wakey, your Highness" He sneered.
I cringed in fear as he reached out to ruffle my hair.
"What do you want this time around?" I asked, frightened out of my mind.
He chuckled wickedly, his coal-black eyes gleaming in the faintly lit room.
"We're going on a little walk"
Roughly, he grabbed me by the arm, dragging me to my feet.
The room spun, my legs wobbly but I quickly maintained my balance before I received another hit to the face.
"I'm going to call your pretty boyfriend and tell him to come for you," he said "Then I'll make him watch as I take your life."
He smiled "It's quite a journey from your little town to here," Cassius remarked, his grip tightening on my arm. "Maybe I'll let Elizabeta entertain herself with you while we wait. A few bruises won't do any harm, right Elizabeta?"
Elizabeta who seemed to have emerged from the shadows, approached us.
"The sooner we get rid of her, the better," she spat "I see no reason you cannot just kill her now. But you're so intent on relishing the sight of him watching her die."
She released an exasperated sigh. "Not that I object entirely. I want Dragos to suffer too, but things could go wrong. He's the Alesul"
"And I am no ordinary vampire either" Cassius responded flashing her a reassuring smile. "Darling, nothing will go wrong"
Elizabeta bared her fangs and released an angry hiss. "This is someone who took down the Dark Order. You're aware they were the oldest and most powerful vampires in the community, right?"
Cassius nodded. "Of course"
"And he tore through them all in mere moments! You'd be foolish to think a few enhanced abilities would give you the upper hand." She said.
"The Dark Order didn't have her as leverage" he snapped, pushing me forward. " I do,"
Cassius redirected his gaze to me. "I have the one thing that is his weakness—her."
His claws grew out, digging into the tender skin of my arm, and I winced in pain.
When was the suffering going to end?
Elizabeta fell silent, and Cassius saw it as his clue to continue.
"We'll stick to the plan as discussed and everything should go on smoothly. This will not only serve as justice for our father and the members of the dark order but also as the elimination of a threat to our species" he explained, glaring at me again. "The Divine Purge"
Elizabeta glared at me hatefully. "You're so helpless now, so... mundane," she remarked, staring into my eyes "You managed to hold your own when I attacked you at the mansion. What changed? Why are you suddenly so defenseless?"
I glared back at her but refused to speak.
"I gave her a potion," Cassius replied. "something to suppress her powers."
"Ah, I see," she said, throwing on a cape and sweeping her brown hair into a tight knot. "So, her powers can be suppressed."
"It's because she's still new to them," he explained. "She doesn't have full access or control yet. Think of it like a newbie vampire, fumbling with compulsion or figuring out how to detect body chemicals."
"Whatever," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "We'd best be on our way now."
Cassius nodded and started to conjure another portal.
I felt another wave of terror wash over me. Where were they taking me again, and for how long was this going to go on?
My heart pounded with desperation, hoping and praying that Dragos would arrive in time to rescue me from the helpless situation.
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We appeared in a forest, and Cassius mercilessly dragged me through it.
I stumbled over roots and rocks, but he was so ruthless and kept pushing me to go forward.
"I can't wait to see the look on your Dragos' face when he realizes he can't save you," He spat.
I said nothing, too weak to reply. My stomach rumbled with hunger, my head pounded with exhaustion, and every step I took sent a jolt of pain through my already aching body.
But despite it all, I held myself together, determined not to give Cassius and Elizabeta the satisfaction of seeing me break down.
Finally, we reached a clearing in the forest, where a large cave stood.
I felt a tremor run through my hands. Every hurting nerve in my body screamed at me to turn back, but Cassius remained behind me.
"Move," he growled, shoving me to the entrance. I stumbled forward and into the dark cave.
The air was infused with the heavy smell of mildew, algae, and something more.
I stopped walking, my eyes straining to see through the darkness. Merely a second later, Elizabeta shoved me forward again.
"The next time I have to do that, you'll be missing a few fingers" she threatened.
"Not everyone has vampire sight, you know" I snapped back angrily.
Before Elizabeta could retort, Cassius pulled out a powerful torch and flashed it, illuminating the cave and I exhaled silently in relief.
We continued to walk until Cassius ordered us to stop. Quietly, I dropped to the cold ground, desperate to catch my breath.