Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 37 - Thanatia

I kept slipping in and out of consciousness. If I so much as stirred from waking, someone would deliver another blow to my head, and I'd be out of it again for god knows how long.

For some time, the only thing I saw when I opened my eyes was darkness. But I was sure I caught the scent of wet rock and algae. Next time I woke, I was sure I was being moved. I hated feeling so helpless, but the first time I woke up, I'd struggled, only to discover I was bound, the spirit-induced silver strapped tight to my body. I found myself hating that silver, hating Casimir for giving it to me, and hating myself for wearing it - ever.

Next time I woke up, I decided to pretend I was asleep. I needed to find out as much as I could about my captors, and their intentions with me. I could only come up with two explanations for the kidnapping. One, they had identified me as a big threat and wanted to turn me Strigoi. Two, I was bait for Casimir.

So when I woke, I remained absolutely still, keeping my breathing low and even. I could hear no noises around me, so I risked a peek.

I was in a modern room with dark, sleek decor. I was lying down level with a doorknob, so I was probably bound to a stretcher. The Strigoi didn't even want to carry me. They had no idea that the silver cut me off from the ghosts that made me so deadly to them.

The doorknob turned, and I instantly shut my eyes.

Two sets of footsteps sounded against the floor, but the door didn't close behind them.

'She's still out of it?' someone remarked. Male.

'Yeah. I hit her pretty hard last time.' This one was female.

'Should we wake her?'

'No. They'll be arriving soon.'

'Will we be present or should we stay here?'

'We'll stay here. We need to know when she wakes up - we don't want her eavesdropping.'

'What's it matter? She'll never make it back from here.'

'Still, we want her on our side when she's turned. Who knows what she'll turn into.'

There was a pause, and I felt their eyes lie heavily on me. I was seldom around Strigoi conversation, and it struck me yet again how normal they sounded, despite completely lacking a soul.

'Should we keep the door open? So we can hear the meeting?'

The female captor hesitated, but finally agreed.

It took some time though. Time passed very slowly, and I was tempted to take a nap, though I didn't, scared I'd miss the meeting. After what felt like an eternity, one of the captors was called out of the room.

When she returned, more footsteps had joined her. I could immediately identify one set of them. Heavy, long strides, and a woosh of air every time he swayed his arms. The albino.

But among the repulsive scent of the dead, I could identify a strong perfume; a cologne, to be exact.

'This is the one?' a man asked in a light, posh voice.

'Yes,' rumbled the giant albino.

'And she can create...ghosts, you say?'

'Yes. She killed everyone in the cave.'

'All of them?' the light voice asked, tone incredulous.

'Yes. She's their leader.'

The posh speaker laughed. 'No dhampir is the leader of the Moroi people.'