Andrei
Silverwitch Bay
Fourteen minutes ago, Nikolai had told me he would be here in fifteen minutes. Algebrus, Symon and I, along with forty other pack members laid flat on our stomachs on the terrace of the pack house, waiting for him to come to our rescue.
We had been up here since the last hour and it had been the most excruciating hour of my life. It had been an ambush, they came out of nowhere. Most probably with the help of witches because our patrol wolves hadn’t seen anyone until they were already inside.
The entire Silverwitch Bay population, which consisted of about a hundred people, had come to the docks to help us as we awaited the arrival of the ships from Kingdom Prajini.
We were wildly outnumbered when we realised that the enemies had encroached our pack. I knew that engaging in a fight would be the death of everyone so we had to seek shelter, gather our ammunition, strategize and then fight. And since we knew our land the best, we took the shortest and safest route to the pack house. Despite that, I saw twenty of my friends die and thirty of my friends barely escape near-death situations before reaching and securing the pack house.
We had already emptied our store of bullets by shooting any wolf that came in range. But they quickly figured out that coming closer would only lead to their death so they resorted to staying out of range and taunting us by raiding our houses in front of us. I am simply thankful that all the kids had been sent here, to the pack house earlier in the day and were being babysat by the older wolves. Both of the were the vulnerable groups and would not have survived it otherwise.
In the next minute I saw a thick blur of armour run past the dense trees near the shoreline and in the next three minutes, every single one of the enemy wolves were dead. Every single pack member on the terrace could only gawk in shock at what just happened. Each and every vampire moved with agility and strength underneath the heavy metal. All of them moved with such coordination, such precise moves and fierce strength that watching them fight felt like it was a part of rehearsed show. Sure, there were thousands of armoured vampires in comparison to a mere one thousand wolves from Mystic Lupus, but I had to give credit when it was due.
And in the next minute, all of them arranged themselves in rows and I saw a figure walk past them towards the pack house.
Mikhail.
Fucking hell. Who the hell were these people? How did Nikolai and Mikhail pull this off?
I stood up and the rest of the pack followed.
When he came closer, I noticed his dejected expression. Something was clearly very wrong.. I hope Avalyn is alright. I opened the pack link that I had shut tight a while ago to be able to concentrate on the situation at hand.
That’s when I realised that a link was missing.
Someone in our family was dead.
Javier.
My heart dropped. What the fuck happened? How the fuck did it happen? Javier was one of the strongest vampire walk this earth. How did anyone manage to even kill him? And be should have been at Voda? How could this even happen?
I jumped off the terrace and ran towards my brother. “What exactly happened?”
He shook his head in dejection. “He died saving Luna.”
My breath got caught in my throat. “And Avalyn?” I hope be managed to save her.
“She’s alive.”
“But?” I pressed, sensing it.
“Not doing good.” He replied, his jaw clenching. “Nikolai is taking her home, he has something in mind.”
I’m sure he does. He always has a plan.
“Who are they?” I motioned towards possibly the largest and the best army I have ever seen.
“All ten thousand of the Neos Army.” He replied. “They’re from the Slave Island of the Kingdom Ovzdusia. They foll-”
I’ve heard about them and know exactly know who they are and what they can do. I’ve heard stories about them and that they were to be sold for the first time in this century. This was Ovzdusia’s longest, most intensive and possibly the most profitable project. He was going to sell one warrior for thousands of dollars. They were born to be made into fighting machines, they were taught how to become warriors with no weaknesses, to follow every command of their owner and die for them if command so.
And to see them in real life… “I know who they are.” … was mesmerising. They knew how to shed blood like it was art. One that I would definitely learn. And teach the entire army of Soare-Luna too.
“Well, they belong to Nikolai now. They are a part of Soare-Luna’s army.” Mikhail sounded smug.
“Damn.” I replied. Trust Nikolai to pull something off like this. “Y’all just flipped the odds to our favour, brother. Let’s get ready to win the war.”
He nodded. “Nikolai has already given the orders. I’m to take half of the army to Alvar and Imporia and you’re to take the other half to Wintercrown and Red Moon.”
With a jerk of his head, a warrior stepped besides him, “this is Ratmir, the General of Neos Army.” Ratmir bowed before he took out a pouch and began handing all of us the stones that would protect us from black magic. “He’s the best, take him with you.”
I nodded, putting the stone in my pocket. “How do you plan on travelling to the city?”
“We’re taking the planes and helicopters, the rest will come in cars and on foot.” He said and I nodded, “We will be travelling by road and on foot too.”
“Go save some lives,” he clasped my hand.
“Go take some lives.” I nodded and then we said together, “Zaschitit’ Korolya. Zaschitit’ Korolevu. Sem’ya prezhde vsego!” Protect the King. Protect the Queen. Family above all.