Fatal Fascinations

Chapter 7: The Mercari

We walked back through the woods in silence.

However, it seemed the silence was only on the outside, as everyone looked like their thoughts were screaming inside their heads. Rose and Alex still hadn't let go of my hands, pulling me along the pathway as I grappled with the idea of being a Queen.

Why Queen? Why did I have to skip princess? I'd sure as hell rather be a princess who doesn't have any real duties than be a Queen who has to run an entire world of vampires.

I wasn't ready to take on that type of responsibility. Briefly, I wondered about abdicating my throne. Is that possible?

Luca walked steadily in front of me, while Caspian trailed behind. They acted like guards, on the look out for anything suspicious. Even the furry brown rabbit which hopped gently across the path. Poor thing. He didn't deserve that kind of end.

"Annalina," Luca attempted. Rose held up a hand.

"Not now. She needs to work through this on her own before she discusses it with anyone."

"Just let me ap-"

"No," Rose firmly told him.

Luca walked farther ahead. The lean muscles of his back were evident through his thin gray T-shirt. He must be freezing. I suddenly felt guilty about his warm leather jacket now wrapped around me.

Luca had insisted I wear it upon dousing the small fire with river water. The night air was incredibly stale and cold.

I didn't even get to ask more about their powers. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their abilities. I didn't get to ask most of my questions, which now seemed to apply to me.

Can I go through the Change? Can I turn into a vampire? Am I vampire or human right now?

My thoughts spun and I tried to make sense of the whole thing when I heard Luca's voice from up ahead.

"Ca-" he started, but was cut off.

Two large shadows loomed ahead, as massive as Caspian and as dark as the night. One held Luca by the throat, his talons ready to slice through the vein.

I tensed, grabbing the stake from Rose's hand. Behind me, Caspian cracked his neck.

"Stay back," he warned us, stalking towards the two vampires.

Three more shadows appeared from behind trees, this time closer to us.

"Since when has anyone ever listened to that advice?" Rose questioned, picking up several long sticks which had fallen across the path.

"Stake through the heart, right?" Alex murmured beside me.

I nodded.

"Mercari," Caspian's rough voice filled the night's silence. "This will not end well for you. You have been sent on a death mission. He knows you will only be nuisances to us."

The man holding Luca hostage cocked his head.

"I think you've overestimated your skills." His strong accent dripped over every syllable. Just to prove his point, the Mercari vampire slashed several nails across Luca's throat. Three small lines of blood welled.

Anger flared inside my stomach. I felt heat lick through my body and cold fear choke in the back of my throat.. Luca's jacket began to feel very hot. My bones were jittery and jumpy, ready to move. If he touches Luca like that one more time...