Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

Chapter 23 - Escape From Manna City

Chapter 23

HEADLIGHTS.

Vivienne knew Allison and Lady Maglania weren't far behind, but she didn't expect them to show up so soon. The two weren't alone. They came with a multitude of black cars behind them. A small army of guards emerged from the vehicles, all armed with guns. Vivienne imagined those guns weren't the type to stun.

"It looks as though your friend couldn't make good on her end of the deal," Maglania chuckled as she approached. She was wearing embroidered Chinese silk slippers, which seemed entirely inappropriate for a dirt path. Even so, every step she took seemed to echo across the valley.

About two dozen guns clicked into readiness. The men stood in a row, execution style, and pointed their weapons directly at Vivienne.

"Chairman Oslen," Maglania taunted. "It seems that finally you are at my mercy."

"Maglania," Blake called out as he immediately blocked Vivienne from the guns with his own body.

"No! Shut up!" Maglania snarled. "You killed my beloved. You killed my son: poor little Blake, poor orphan boy who never cared for anyone but himself. You're going to learn here today, the meaning of loss. The meaning of watching what you love most die in your arms."

Maglania reached into her purse and withdrew the gold chain Vivienne had given her. Vivienne squinted her eyes. Was Maglania holding two gold chains? Vivienne knew that one of the chains was the one she used to bond Calbert. Maglania had no idea that Vivienne still had the cameo necklace inside her jacket pocket.

"Wait!" Allison screamed as she wandered into the line of fire with her hands up. "You promised."

"Devon," Blake cleared his throat, and then continued in a softer tone. "Allison. Step down. The Princess is right. This doesn't concern you."

"I'm sorry, so very sorry," Allison whispered as she stepped back into the darkness. "Forgive me, Vivienne."

"Stand aside," Maglania spoke to Blake. She uttered the command as she held up the chains. "These bullets aren't meant for you. Not this time, Young Chairman."

Vivienne looked on in shock as Blake stepped back. Up until now, he had been standing between her and the gunmen. "Trust me," he whispered and gently dropped her shaking hands. Vivienne nodded and tried to stop shaking. Her knees felt as though they had turned to rubber. Blake's face was blank. Was he just going to let them kill her? Why not? Didn't he treat Wisteria's death as though it were as natural as squishing an ant?

Blake shoved his hands in his pockets and took three large steps away.

"If you kill her, you lose Tercel," Blake called out, as though he were making one last attempt at negotiation.

"No, you foolish boy. If I kill her, you lose Tercel," Maglania snapped. "I know about your dealings with Yagerin. I know what you lose. I know Aemon was your last source of Black Waters. And yes, I know, by killing her tonight, I'm handing this city to Charles Leung. You see, Blake. This city doesn't need you or Tercel. This city continues without you. Perhaps, before the end, we'll finally see you as you really are. Just a pauper. An orphan. Mortal. No one. Nothing. Kill her!"

Vivienne screamed as the gunshots came. She crouched down into a ball and placed her hands over her ears. Was she dead? Was this what being dead felt like? No, she could still feel the weight of the chain links of the cameo necklace between her cold, clammy fingers.

Vivienne opened her eyes and realized, finally, what it meant to be a vampire.

Blake had thrown himself over her when the gunshots started. Two giant velvety wings had exploded out of his back and wrapped themselves around her. The wool jacket he had been wearing was now in tatters. His fine porcelain skin was splattered with black blood. It oozed down his neck and onto his formerly spotless white shirt.