Fatal Bite (EDITING)

(24) A Downhill Slide

Chapter 24

A Downhill Slide

~

 “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” ― Mahatma Gandhi, All Men are Brothers: Autobiographical Reflections

Caellum pulled open the door and was greeted by Solon, who was slumped against the back wall. He looked up slowly, coughing violently as Caellum rushed to his side. He looked weak, battered and bruised, however, his eyes were alight with rage.

"What are you doing here?" Solon hissed though a cough. "Where is Amy?" 

Caellum tried to calm the Elder, but it was no use. The old vampire was frantically trying to haul himself to his feet. 

"Is she safe?" Solon continued in a growl. "What are you doing here?! You're meant to be protecting her!"

"I came to save you!" Caellum said defending himself. 

"NO!" Solon cried in anguish. "AMY IS THE ONE THEY WANT!" 

"What? Wait. Why?" Caellum asked, feeling and sounding confused. 

"She has the knowledge, goddammit! And now Erik has her, you foolish, foolish boy!" 

Caellum paled and looked down his hands shamefully. "We've got to save her," he mumbled. 

Solon shook his head. "No," he answered. 

"WHAT?!" Caellum shouted. "WE HAVE TO!" 

"She's safe until they have her sister as well."

"Amy doesn't have a sister."

Solon smiled. "Aah, but that is where you are wrong. She does in fact have a sister, but she was a stillborn."

Caellum looked confused. "But then she's dead?"

Solon shook his head. "She was saved and raised by another woman."

"Who's her sister then? Do I know her?"

"Hannah."

Caellum's jaw dropped. "You can't ... you can't be serious! They hate each other!"

 Simon nodded gravely, making his way to the door. "They're going to have to learn to get along if they both want to survive."

Caellum shook his head, dazed by the revelation.

People were going to die. It was only a matte  of time, but he was going to make sure Amy wasn't one of them.

~

Hannah and Lucien thundered through the woods, pulling open the school doors and making their way stealthily inside. They darted down the corridors, weaving in and out of the students who were still milling cautiously in the corridors. Lucien glanced over at Hannah, who was frowning with concentration as she tried to keep up with his pace. He had tried to remain impartial to her, but she was just so cute that it was difficult for him not to be drawn in by her good looks and forgiving nature. Hannah felt his gaze on her and looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. 

"Is there something wrong?" she asked. 

Lucien shook his head quickly, glancing away as they continued running further down the corridor. They came to a an abrupt holt when they saw Solon and Caellum emerging from a room. Making their way towards them, they both bowed slightly in Solon's presence. 

"Where does your alliance lie?" Solon whispered, his voice hoarse and raspy.

Hannah looked from Lucien to Solon and then to Caellum.

"Whichever side can save the most of us."

Solon nodded, looking to Lucien. "And you?"

"The side who can avenge Harriet's memory."

"Welcome aboard then," Solon said, holding out his hand for them both to shake. "Hannah, we need you to help free Amy. You are the key to our survival now."

"I know. Amy and I have the power to defeat our parents, but I doubt Amy will be able to."

"Amy's stronger than you think!" Caellum snapped, shooting daggers at Hannah.

"Caellum, calm down. Hannah has a point, she has never known what it's like to have parents, so she's not going to want kill them," Simon said, placing a warning hand on the young vampire's shoulder.

Nodding, Hannah looked up at Caellum, who looked at her sadly.

"Where's Robert?" she breathed.

Lucien winced. Of course she was still in love with Robert - he didn't stand a chance with her. He knew that deep down, but he didn't want to accept it. She reminded him so much of Harriet. Caellum raised his eyebrows at his brother, noticing the way he was staring at Hannah.

Lucien quickly looked away, clearing his throat. "So what's the plan?" he asked, still not daring to look Caellum in the eyes. 

"I'm not working with him," Caellum growled. "He betrayed us," he muttered, pointing at Lucien. 

"Not by choice," Lucien replied, pleading with Solon. 

"Caellum ..." Simon warned.

"NO!" he spat. "I'd rather die than work with that traitor!" 

"Then, it is probable that you will die, if you don't cooperate. You are not as powerful on your own."

"I'd rather die," Caellum repeated, stalking away - his hands clenched into fists. 

"He's always been a bit hot headed," Solon muttered.

Lucien looked down at his feet, his head hanging in shame. He had messed up badly with his brother - he knew that.

"Come," Solon ordered, "we must find Caleb and Violet."