Sempiternal (Devil may Cry Book 3)

Betrayal... or Something Like it

I woke with a start, clawing at my chest. My lungs burned and my head ached as I sat up rather too quickly.  A thrum of pain erupted behind my eyes, burning into a dull ache. I felt for the pendant around my neck, relieved as I found it tucked away in the collar of my shirt. I rubbed my forehead and squinted as I tried to figure out where I was. I lay in a strange bed, one that had obviously not used very often. I remembered coming to the tower to meet with Reggie... for something... I remembered all the way up to the point of having my head smashed by the butt of Reggie's soldier's gun.

I looked down at my wrists, free and unscathed. I hadn't been bound. I stood on shaky legs, holding onto the wall to support me. The wall's paint was a dull color of blue, which seemed to look grayish as I stared at it longer. The room itself wasn't very big either. The bed was a twin sized bed with an ugly color of tan blanket, and on the far wall was a cedar dresser that had three drawers. I stumbled over to it, opening the drawers up in search of a weapon. I found only male clothes and dust. With a snort, I shut the drawer and leaned against the dresser itself. I closed my eyes, concentrating heavily.

I reached through the blood bond, trying to catch a hint of Vergil. I sensed fear and desperation, tipped with anger and determination. He was looking for me. I delved a little deeper. I had done some research and learned that some blood bonds allowed those bonded to communicate telepathically with each other. That skill would definitely come in handy in these situations.

I furrowed my brow, and tried really hard to call his name in my head. But I was only rewarded with a massive thrum of pain adding to my migraine. With a furious huff, I tried the door handle. It popped open without resistance. It was unlocked. I poked my head out of the door, glancing up and down the corridor. It was empty and dark. The temperature was slightly warmer as I stepped into the hallway. My feet made no sound as I crept closely to the walls. The only sound I heard was the ringing in my ears caused by the blood pumping furiously throughout my veins.

I did not know where I was - my earlier visits to this tower had not taken me this far into the place, and it mostly ended with me, or someone else getting really hurt. But this time seemed really different. Weren't most girls, when attacked like that, raped? I wasn't - couldn't have been - for I felt no different and I was still fully clothed in my original hoodie and jeans. 

I stopped momentarily, listening for any sound to lead me in the right direction. Nothing. It was safe to assume that these walls were probably sound proofed. I sniffed with frustration, and froze. I sniffed again. That scent! That sweet, familiar scent. Blood! It smelled really fresh too. I followed my nose, my mouth watering. 

As I followed the smell up a large staircase, I stopped, listening to soft conversation not far from the door. They were the soldiers. Unfortunately, I had gotten there a little late and only heard a little bit about it.

"-- fell into a coma right away too. He said it was a dangerous task, but someone had to do it. Of course, the girl is safe and clear to leave whenever though. But why would he want to let that vampire go? Obviously her mate isn't going to be very happy. I don't want to fight a pissed off Nephilim."

"I dunno. But he told me to give her this envelope and have her take it with her. I don't know what it is... but I guess it is important if we have to wait for her to wake up and come get it."

"Think she will try to kill us?"

"I hope not. At least we have silver bullets to protect us."

"Ha! You can just throw a blood bag at her. That'll stop her."

"Fuck that. I'll throw you a her. And then I'll run in the opposite direction."

"Thanks for that, Fucktard."