BloodStone: Ice (Book 1)(Completed)

Chapter 9

Quintus was silent as he drove across the long interstate. Ella hadn't said a word since she'd hung up the phone. She stared blankly out of the car window. He knew her thoughts were on the dead hunter. It had only taken seconds to call up the knowledge of the young man she had so recently finished training. He had been an exceptional fighter for one of his age. She had been quite proud of him. The idea that the young man had been tortured, probably for information about her, was very disturbing. The master had been going straight after her. It was a good thing she had gone after him so quickly. Who knew what would have happened if he had had more time.

He had been keeping up his steady stream of information with Titus since his twin had left. He had gone into New Orleans to speak with the bishop there who would know who they were and would be able to provide everything they would need. Titus would provide for him as always. There was no need for both of them to feed. It was a simple process, but one they tried to do a seldom as they had to. The church liked to keep its secrets too, and the knowledge of their existence was tightly held.

Titus too had been pleased with the teasing way Quintus had managed to frustrate Ella. They had both decided she needed something a little more pleasant in her life. They at least had had enjoyable childhoods. The added burden of her recently returned childhood memories and knowledge of what she was could seriously damage her mental state, and they still had to determine how their paths intersected. And they did. There could be no doubt of it.

"I wondered about the spiders." She said softly to the window. He looked over at her. Her face was a blank mask. "There were so many. The kinds you don't normally find in the swamp. The snakes are always expected, but he had a couple of regular rattlesnakes. Those are never that far in the swamp. Too wet for them. It was just so well coordinated. Tailored just for me. There only so much anti-venom you can use at once. He knew what I had weaknesses for too. I hate spiders. They always slow me down. I couldn't figure out why there were so many."

"You believe he tortured that hunter for information about you." She just nodded. Refusing to turn her head. Refusing to look at anything other than her own reflection in the darkened window. "He was the most ancient vampire of them all Ella. He did not survive without being wholly evil. You did the world a great justice in destroying him."

"Knowing that doesn't make it any better," she whispered. "I could have stopped him a long time ago. I knew he was coming. I gave him time to get here. I gave him time to gather that information. I've given them all time." There were tears in her voice. Quintus felt Titus' stillness. His silent question.

"You knew where he was before he got here?" She nodded.

"I know where they all are. All five that remain."

"There are six that remain Ella."

"No. There are six stones to collect, but only five masters remain to be destroyed. One stone is stored. I just have to go get it. I knew the other stones were slowly making their way in my direction. The ones you had."

"How long have you known?"

"Always. I've never gone after them though, because eventually they come to me. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes it takes years. I've killed five of them now. There was one stone in the church already. I don't really know who killed that one. But they've been coming after me for so long it seems like it's all I ever do. I just wish it would end. I'm so tired of it all." She closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Do you know how to get to the morgue?" He nodded. She leaned back and slowed her breathing. "Let me know when we get there."