The Hunted by Heather McAlendin Page B

with her arms outstretched. “Take my hands, Silver. I know what you want to do. Let’s try.”
    We stood together, joined hand to hand almost as lovers but with much more purpose. I closed my eyes as I sought out to join the mind of the Ancient Queen Akita. Marie’s breathing changed from smooth to rapid and shallow as she concentrated on the task at hand. Very slowly, an image began to form. It was seemingly only a shadow within a fine mist but I could feel that both Marie and I were touching the same consciousness.
    I felt a more solid presence emerging in my mind. It was beloved Queen Akita and the scent of her enveloped me like an embrace. The Ancient Queen’s voice was thin sounding, almost frail.
    I am here my love. I know what it is you seek but I am uncertain as to whether I can help you. Set is very powerful and very old. His mind is not whole and he has no moral code. Even for a vampire he is particularly brutal. I know you are empty with Andrew gone and the Clan is losing itself. You are right to return to your people. Trust your instincts and use Set’s weakness against him. You have more support within the Clan than you realize, my love. I am tired and must continue my rest. You are never far from my heart. Trust yourself and those with you now. I love you now and always.
    With that, she was gone. Marie and I stood close and were clenching onto one another’s hands. My heart and mind were empty and a desperate loneliness overtook me.
    “Don’t be sad, Silver,” Marie said softy as she reached up with one tiny hand and stroked my cheek. “I don’t think I have ever felt such love between women before; such a bond.”
    “Love is love no matter whose heart it fills, Marie. Now what do I do?”
    Marie looked thoughtfully at me and smiled. A brilliant smile that gave me a glimmer of hope in the darkness of all my doubts. “Do what she asked of you. You were Queen for hundreds of years for a reason, Silver. Take back your power and own it. It will be the last thing that Set will ever expect.”
    “She is right you know.” Drake interrupted in a sleepy voice. “He will send scouts out to search for us, not expecting us to return to him. Marie and I can shield your mind, Silver. We can help you do this. I feel partially responsible so I want to help, if you will accept my help that is.”
    A sudden sense of calm and purpose washed over me. I knew what I needed to do and if I had to die to put all these wrongs right, then so be it.
    “Alright then,” I said brightly. “Let’s do this and of course I accept your help, Drake. We all need each other’s talents right now. I did not reign over the Vampire Clans for well over two hundred years for nothing. I did learn a thing or two in that time and I did personally design that compound.”
    Drake jumped to his feet and rushed to my side, lifting me off my feet in a strong embrace. He placed me back on the floor softly, smiled at me, and then turned to Marie. “Shall we do this? We have to get our Queen back to her rightful place and rid the world of the pestilence Set has placed upon it. He must not survive. I will be glad once I can toss his bones into the flames of hell and scatter his ashes to the wind!”

Chapter Thirteen
    I should have realized the travel back was easy, too easy in fact. The three of us came upon the compound like bandits in the night. The entire trip was uneventful and we specifically went above ground to face whomever Set sent to try and block our way.
    Neither Drake nor Marie gave any indication as to what hid in the dense trees ahead of us. Perhaps because they were so focused on Set himself that they failed to detect a band of his minions hiding in the dark for us.
    In a blink of an eye, a dozen fledgling vampires strode toward us, coming out of every corner and shadow with dazzling speed.
    “Shit!” I exclaimed, barely having time to jump out of the way of clenched hands and gnashing fangs. Drake exploded like a vampire