Spellcaster series #3: The Adept

Survival

HEIDI

Just as he was about to repeat the ritual, a Vampire dagger pointed at Lord Voltaire's throat. He glanced at his side where a pale arm extended from.

"Move and you die."

"Victoria," he muttered in disappointment and surprise.

Lord Voltaire released me and backed away slowly. Vicky moved in front of me, still holding the dagger at him.

"Do not do this, Victoria."

Tears streamed down her face. "I can't let you kill her."

"Going against the wishes of your King is treason."

"You asked me to raise her like she's one of us," Vicky retorted. "I won't stand by and watch you take her life."

Lord Voltaire sighed and raised his hands. "I care for her just as much. But this is much bigger than a friendship. I'm protecting the three realms, Victoria!"

She held her gaze and dagger. She shook her head, "I won't let you do it."

Disappointment filled his tone. "I love you, Victoria. But I need to do this for the the survival of the three realms."

He exposed his claws and swiped at Vicky. She ducked in time and ran her body into him. As she landed on top of him, she raised her dagger to stab him. He resisted her hands with his, their eyes locked in wordless communication.

Lord Voltaire, being quicker and stronger, used her weight against her and countered the pin. They rolled and he pinned her onto the ground. He held her wrists as she attempted to pierce his torso with her dagger.

"You cannot win me, Victoria," he spoke calmly. Vicky gritted her teeth. "I taught you all that you know."

"Heidi!" Vicky yelled to me instead, "Run!"

Lord Voltaire managed to shove her hands away and the dagger slid into the shadows of the factory, somewhere between the heavy machines. At the other end, Tristan got up and lifted his wand. But before he could cast a spell, Lord Voltaire's eyes widened and threw his hands to his throat. He was gasping for air.

"Voltaire?" Vicky turned to me, "Heidi, stop it, you're hurting him!"

I stared at her and shook my head. "That's not me."

A black mass swooped down and tackled Vicky across the factory. They crashed onto the heavy machines, breaking and bending every piece of metal and plastic. Renee pulled out her dagger and Vicky countered with a kick to the hand. Lord Voltaire continued to choke as he fell to his knees.

"I could feel your dark energy a mile a way, Vampire," Rose said as she balled her fist at him.

She walked through the door, her red hair flowing behind her. I had never seen anyone get the better of the Vampire King the way she did.

"Let him go," I croaked. My throat was sore.

Rose raised an eyebrow as her golden eyes landed on me. "You. You went off the radar. I couldn't detect your aura this whole time."

I frowned. Tristan was silently moving behind her to get a precise angle.

"How'd you do it?" She narrowed her eyes, taunting yet curious.

"Arsonion Oblivion!" Tristan cried and shot out an orb of fire towards her.

As it reached her in an instant, the orb dissipated as it entered her anti-magic shield. Seeing this, Tristan leapt from behind the shelves where he crashed into earlier and booted Rose from where she stood. She fell but caught herself as she rolled to the side. Vicky and Renee fought in utter chaos in the corner of the factory while we stood with Lord Voltaire in the middle, facing the Necromancer.