The Silver Cross - The Path Of A Monster (Book One)

Chapter Twelve - The Silver Cross

Cain sat down on his bed, his head in his hands as his kneels shook uncontrollably, his fingers deep in his hair. He couldn't help it, he couldn't just stand around and wait, every minute threatened Jack's life, the blood loss potentially significant, deadly. He stood up, ready to leave, to face the consequences for releasing him, not batting an eyelid at the repercussions of such a choice.

"Cain, no, you can't go out there yet, they'll be watching you," Nicola whispered as she stepped in his way.

"He's my brother, I can't... I can't sit idly by while he drains of his own blood, suffering out there. It should be me, Nicola, I should be the one suffering, the monster was after me, it wanted to kill me."

There wasn't a word uttered between them, nothing Nicola could say to make it right. The blood she had given Jack was enough to turn him, to help him survive but the plan wasn't fool proof, far from it. Watched by the council, they'd have to plan their next move, and hope it wasn't too late for Jack, that blood could save him from death.

Nicola nodded plainly, grabbing her coat and a hat, she tied her hair back, using the hat to hide its colour as she headed for the door. Cain tapped her shoulder, looking at her with apologetic, almost sympathetic eyes. If they were caught together, they could be shamed or worse.

She turned to face him, hugging him lovingly as if it were potentially the last time, if Katie was there, they'd have both told her how much they loved her, cared about her but she was protected, hidden in case trouble came for them but there was little time to wait, the sun was soon set to rise, with Jack slowly burning to death, turning into nothing more than ashes.

Neither of them could get out of the door quick enough, both of them quietly hurried down the stairs and out of block of flats, understanding the need for discretion, in case they were captured, caught and killed along with their brother but Jack was worth the price of insubordination, as his brother, his friend and his hunting partner.

With less suspicion surrounding her, less eyes watching her, Nicola carefully stepped out into the shadows, looking around briefly. A couple of drunk hunters walked past, cheering about Jack's execution, so drunk they could barely walk, let alone register what was happening. Cain followed her, keeping an eye on her and on their surroundings. The hunter within him sung loudly, alive and cunning, it allowed him to see what others couldn't see.

"Anything?" Nicola asked softly.

"No, nothing. I can't sense a vampire either," Cain started, stopping the thought in its tracks. It was too early to determine that, Jack was probably too far from him to be sensed or he was still a young vampire and therefore hadn't developed a scent yet.

Nicole clung onto his arm like they were just lovers on a night out but Cain's eyes were focused on finding where they left his brother to die, hoping no one would come for him, that they'd just leave him to his fate. Cain kept focusing, his eyes caught by the glint of silver chains. He ran over to them, finding them locked... empty, no sign of Jack at all. How had he escaped? Silver would have weakened him, stopped him using his strength to break free from what bound him.

"Jack?" he whispered as he picked up the chains.

"Cain," Nicola whispered in a soft, painful tone.

"What is it?" he asked as he walked towards her. "What?" he repeated as he followed her eyes, glancing at the rags stained with blood, the knife sat upon the steaming ashes that covered the ground. He shook his head repeated, "this isn't him," he snapped as he dug through the ashes, his hands catching something silver within it.

"Stop," she whispered tearfully.

He dug through the ashes like his life depended on it, stopped in his tracks by something hard and cold. Shaking his head again, he gently picked it up, brushing the ashes off it to reveal the beautiful silver cross Jack once cherished.

"No... no!" Cain screamed as he punched the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.