But, I love you more (Vampire Series - Book 3)

Chapter 16

Eloisa woke up to the sound of an explosion, immediately rolling out of bed and grabbing her wards and her cardigan. Emily was up right behind her, lacing up her boots quickly before going for her weapons. She looked up at Eloisa with eyes filled with worry, grabbing her arm.

"Be careful, witch. I mean it. Not this lifetime," she warned. Eloisa held her face, resting their heads together. The anxiety was twisting in her stomach at the thought of whatever was behind the boom.

"Your memories are back, the clock is ticking," she told Emily softly. "It's always within the year. Something always happens within the year."

"Listen to me!" Emily said firmly. "I'll come back. You won't, Metztli. If you die- that's it. Just one more go around, okay? Next life, when the war is over, we'll figure something out."

"You said that during the French Revolution, and then the next life you were dying of tuberculosis by the time I found you, so it was one more after that," Eloisa's voice was shaking. She couldn't keep doing this. "How many 'one more life's are there going to be, Tozi? How many more times- how many more times do I have to bury you?"

"If I have to die a thousand more times to be with you I will. I'm not fucking losing you and that's final," Eloisa let out a small sob at the thought. Emily had already died a thousand times, each one a fresh wound on Eloisa's heart. "I'd rather have you."

"Okay," she sighed. She knew there was nothing she could say to change Emily's mind. "One more life. Let's go. Please try not to die. I've only had three days with you."

"Still beats the record," Emily gave her a grim smile. "It's going to be okay," Eloisa didn't respond, just heading downstairs. Persephone and the coven were already down there with a handful of other people, some fighting off hunters and others frantically trying to put out the fire in the lobby. Vic and Andy were trading blows in the fountain, and Emily spared a brief thought about the fact that Vic always somehow found herself in the most dramatic situations. "I've got the hunters, you get this fire out!" She yelled at Eloisa before rushing forward and jumping into the fray.

"I mean it Emily Rose Hayes don't you dare fucking die on me!" Eloisa shouted after her before running over to where the bulk of the flames were. She pressed her hand to the ground and found the main water line under them, tapping into it and quickly drawing it upwards. The ground ruptured, and she directed the geyser at the flames. The building shook, and Eloisa looked around for the source. The explosion had taken out some of the main support columns, and she could see the ceiling starting to fracture. "PERSEPHONE!" She screamed, rushing over and frantically trying to cast to support it. "THE BITCH IS COMING DOWN I NEED SOME HELP!" They were already running over, and they threw something on the ground. They came over getting in her space mimicking what she was doing. They started casting in Spanish and the weight became manageable. Eloisa listened to the spell before joining in, the barrier pushing up until the building was back in place.

Emily and the coven appeared, starting to chant. The support beams moved back into place, super heating so they could be reformed and welded. Eloise and Persephone breathed a sigh of relief, before the air caught in Eloisa's throat. There was a hunter lunging at Emily's back, sword drawn. No, I can't do this again.

"Go, I can hold this," Persephone said, reassuringly. Eloisa was running before they even finished, heart in her throat. There was a roar as Kit slammed into the hunter, both of them tumbling away. Eloisa threw up a shielding spell, cursing when they tore through. Iron bolts.

"Abomination!" A man screamed, snarling at Emily.

"Ironblood!" She shouted back, holding her hands out. Eloisa felt the surge of magic around her right before the lightning crackled out of her, Allen barely managing to duck out of the way.