The Bride He Hates-Chapter 30: Fear Of Losing You
They reached the rogue nest location after midday on the second day. It was a cave carved into a hillside in deep forest, exactly where Victor’s intelligence had reported. The area around the caves had animal carcasses drained of blood and scattered human bones.
Azrael stopped his forces outside the caves’ sensory range and gathered them for one final briefing.
"Victor’s intelligence was accurate. According to the intelligence, there are at least a dozen rogues here. They’re feral which makes them unpredictable but also easier to manipulate."
He outlined the attack strategy to them. Adrian would take half the force to the rear entrance of the cave. They’d wait for Azrael’s signal, then attack from behind while Azrael would lead the main attack from the front. The rogues would be caught between two forces, unable to escape and defense properly.
"They aren’t political enemies to be negotiated with or strategic rivals to be outmanoeuvred." Azrael continued. "They’re rabid animals that happen to be vampires. Just kill them. No prisoners, and no mercy."
He turned to Lyanna, and his expression showed concern he couldn’t hide.
"You’ll stay here with two guards, Adam and Mina. If anything goes wrong, you must run south towards the Valdris border. There’s a human territory about three miles in that direction. Don’t be heroic, don’t try to fight, just run and be safe."
Lyanna wanted to insist she could help, that her training with Adrian had prepared her for this. But the look on Azrael’s face told her that arguing was pointless.
"Understand?" Azrael asked, waiting for her acknowledgement.
"I understand." Lyanna replied.
Then suddenly he came closer to her and cupped her cheeks.
"Stay safe." He whispered.
Before she could respond, he was gone with Adrian and the forces following them.
Waiting was psychological torture. Lyanna stood with Adam and Mina at the safe position. It was close enough to see the cave entrance but far enough that they wouldn’t be caught in the fight.
Time was passing. Lyanna strained to hear anything from the caves, but there was only silence. Then, finally, noise erupted from the caves. She heard screams and shrieks that made her skin crawl.
"It has started." Mina said.
More sounds came from the caves. She could hear roars of rage, could feel the scent of blood in the air. They kept waiting. Each second felt like an hour.
Then Lyanna heard movement in the forest to their left, something huge moving in the underbrush.
"Did you hear..."
Before she could finish her question, Adam’s head was cut from his body in a second. His body fell on the ground, and before Lyanna could even scream, Mina was also dead. Her throat was torn out before she could even defend herself.
Lyanna’s training with Adrian kicked in immediately. She started running, when the vampire that had killed her guards came in front of her.
"Human." He hissed. "The queen, and that too alone. What a gift."
Lyanna held the dagger at her belt, Adrian had insisted she should carry, and stood in a defensive position immediately. The rogue vampire laughed.
"Oh, the queen has a toothpick. How adorable. Did the pretty queen think a little knife would save her from me?"
He lunged at her. The rogue was fast, but he was also feral. His lunge was straightforward, exactly like a mindless predator he was.
Lyanna shifted left and raised her dagger, at the position where his momentum would carry him, where his neck would be in the half-second it took to complete the lunge.
Her blade struck the rogue’s shoulder instead of his throat. It wasn’t a killing blow, but it was enough to make him stumble and hiss in pain.
Lyanna rolled away, scrambling to her feet. The rogue recovered instantly, looking at her with renewed fury.
"You cut me." He snarled. "A little human queen cut me?? Now I’m going to make you suffer before I drain you dry."
He attacked again. He was faster and more focused this time. Lyanna tried to dodge but wasn’t quick enough. His claws dug into her arm, tearing through her clothes and skin.
She struck back immediately despite the pain. Her dagger cut his forearm, but it wasn’t enough. They circled each other like a predator and its prey. The vampire was toying with her now. He could have killed her already if he wanted to. He, instead, was enjoying the hunt.
Lyanna backed toward the trees, trying to put obstacles between them, trying to buy time. But for what? The guards were dead. Azrael and Adrian were in the caves.
No one was coming to save her. She was alone with a vampire that wanted to kill her, armed with nothing but a dagger and a few weeks of training that clearly weren’t enough.
The rogue lunged at her again. Lyanna tried to dodge but something massive slammed into the rogue from the side, sending him flying into a tree with force.
Lyanna saw that Azrael was suddenly standing where the rogue had been, covered in blood. He looked at Lyanna, scanning her for injuries, noticing the claw marks on her arm and the way she was holding her dagger with trembling hands.
"Are you hurt?"
"I’m..."
The rogue recovered, and charged at Azrael in a rage. Azrael didn’t even turn. He just reached back and caught him by the throat mid-lunge.
"You touched my wife."
The rogue struggled in his grip, clawing at his arm, trying to break free. But Azrael’s hand tightened even more.
"No one touches what’s mine."
Then Azrael tore the rogue’s head from his body and his body fell on the ground. Azrael immediately grabbed Lyanna from her shoulders.
"How badly are you injured? Can you walk? Did he bite you?" He asked with concern.
"Just scratches." Lyanna replied in a shaking voice. "Adam and Mina are dead. He..."
"I know." Azrael’s jaw was tight with fury. "Are you sure you’re alright?"
Lyanna nodded and Azrael pulled her into his arms. His one hand cradled her head, holding her so tightly it almost hurt. She felt him shaking with rage, fear, and with something she couldn’t name.
"I almost lost you." He whispered into her hair. "I left you with guards, thought you’d be safe, but I almost lost you."
