She nodded.
He turned back to face the night, to face his brother. He could sense the wolf's location, could even hear the soft crunch of leaves beneath the pads of the wolf's paws. The wolf was running, deep into the brush, and he wanted William to follow him.
So he did.
He ran into the night, with Savannah close on his heels. He ran over the dank earth and into the dark woods. Over the fallen trees, over the land that had seen centuries of murder and pain. He ran past the old village. Past the river where he'd nearly drowned. He ran as fast as he could, following the wolf as it led him deeper and deeper into the night.
The trees began to thin, the brush to disappear. The glowing moon shone down upon him, illuminating the sloping land, and William realized where the wolf was leading him.
Death takes us back to the beginning.
The cliffs stood before him.
And there, in the clearing, with red eyes and barred fangs, the wolf waited.
He stopped, staring at the cliffs, at the wolf, and he remembered.
Henry, covered in blood, his body still upon the hard earth.
His father, his body slashed, his blood staining the stone steps.
And Geoffrey, aiming his father's sword straight at his heart. Laughing.
William reached back, and pulled his father's sword from the sheath he'd strapped to his back. The blade gleamed in the moonlight. William swore he could still see blood on the shining tip.
The wolf blinked, and in a flash, Geoffrey stood before him.
«Welcome home, brother.” His red stare drifted briefly over Savannah's tense body. “I see you brought me a nice treat to enjoy. And believe me, I will enjoy her … right after I kill you.»
William stepped forward, lifting the sword. “You're not going to touch her.»
Geoffrey lifted one dark brow. “Let me guess. You think you're going to stop me, to kill me.” He smiled and shook his head. “I do not think so. You couldn't kill me before. And you won't be able to kill me now.»
«Don't bet on it,” William growled.
Geoffrey laughed. “Come on, I'm your brother. Your blood. You can't kill me. You won't kill me.»
«You're not my brother.” William took another step forward. “My brother died on this cliff over nine hundred years ago. Henry was the only brother I ever had. You're nothing to me. You never were.»
Geoffrey's eyes flashed, and he attacked, launching his body not at William, but at Savannah. Geoffrey's hands shifted, becoming deadly claws. He reached for Savannah, his face a twisted mask of hate.
«No!” William swung the sword, catching his brother high in the shoulder.
Geoffrey screamed in pain, staggering back. Blood spilled down his arm.
Geoffrey glanced down at his wound, and he smiled, cradling his shoulder. “First blood is yours, brother.” He stepped back and ran toward the cliffs.
William swore and lunged after him. He saw Geoffrey bend down and scoop up an old pack. His brother's hand reached inside. He pulled out a gun.
«Now it's my turn,” Geoffrey screamed. He aimed the gun and pulled the trigger.
The bullet slammed into William's chest, knocking him back, forcing him to his knees.
No! Savannah's scream echoed in his mind.
His blood poured onto the ground and weakness swept through him. His father's sword slipped from his fingers.
Geoffrey laughed and looked at Savannah. “Before you die, you can watch me kill your woman.»
CHAPTER 16
I will never see another sunrise.
-Entry from the diary of Henry de Montfort,
December 27, 1068.
«No!” Savannah's heart stopped when the bullet hit William. She saw him stumble to his knees, saw the blade drop from his hand. “William! No!” She knew that too much blood loss could kill a vampire. She ran to him, frantic.
His shirt front was soaked with blood, the ground stained with it. She dropped to her knees beside him, cradling him in her arms. “William!»
His eyelids lifted slowly, his pain-filled gaze locked on her. “Savannah … I'm sorry.»
She felt the touch of death then. Felt the icy fingers on her skin. “No!” She pulled him against her, rocking him. “You're not going to die! I won't let you! You can't leave me!»
Geoffrey laughed softly. “How touching. How very touching.»
Savannah turned, shielding William with her body. She pushed her wrist against his mouth, carefully covering the move from Geoffrey's watchful stare. Drink, she ordered him. Drink! There was no way she was going to let William die.
«You're a sick bastard!” She snarled at Geoffrey, trying to keep his attention away from William.
Geoffrey's smile widened. His fangs gleamed. “I'm really going to enjoy killing you.»
She felt William's lips moving lightly against her, felt the sharp sting of pain as his teeth bit into her skin. She clenched her teeth, letting the pain wash through her.
She saw Geoffrey's gaze drift to William.
«Are you going to shoot me, too?” she asked derisively, pulling his attention back to her.
He frowned, glancing down at the gun. Then he tossed it over the cliff's edge. “No. For you, I'm going to use a more … personal touch.” Once again his fingers lengthened, became claws.
Savannah looked into his eyes. This was the man—no, the monster—who had killed Mark and Sharon. And shot William. She should have been afraid.
She had been, until that very moment. Now, she just felt … rage. She was going to kill him.
«Get up.»
William's mouth slid back, freeing her hand. Had he taken enough blood? Would he be able to survive?
«I said, get up!” Geoffrey screamed.
Savannah glanced down at William. His eyes were shut. His body still.
«Don't worry, he's still alive.” Geoffrey's lips twisted. “It takes a while for a vampire's blood to drain out. He'll live, at least long enough to see you die.»
William's lashes jerked.
«Come here!” His claws flashed out, stopping inches away from William's chest. “Or I'll rip his heart out right now!»
Savannah rose. She could see Guy's sword. It had fallen to the ground, just a few feet away. So close.
Geoffrey grabbed her, pulling her against his chest. “I've been waiting for this moment.»
«So have I,” Savannah whispered. She concentrated, focusing her energy as William had taught her.
One sharp claw moved slowly down her cheek, down the column of her throat. Down to the curve of her breast.
Revulsion swept through her.
«Do you see this, brother?” Geoffrey called out. “I've got her. And I can do anything I want to her…»