Page 104 of Into The Light

“Thorne,” I called, stopping him before he left. “Thank you. You’re a good friend.”

“Just don’t die and make me regret it.”

They all left the room and Emilia crawled into my arms. Even though my body weakened by the second, all the reason I needed to fight curled up at my side. I kissed her head and closed my eyes, knowing the risk was worth it... that she was worth it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Emilia

“I still don’t understand why we couldn’t take the helicopter all the way,” Mark grumbled and shifted in the saddle.

My horse ambled behind his, and I looked over to Aiden who fought the grimaces from pain the bumpy ride caused him.

“They are an ancient people who have no connection to society, Mark,” Thorne answered, the irritation sharpening his voice. It wasn’t the first time Mark had complained since the ride started a couple hours ago. “If we arrive to their hidden land in a helicopter, they will be terrified and turn us away. And Aiden is too weak to endure being dragged at light speed by one of us. Horses. It’s the only way to get him out here. Now stop complaining or go back.”

“Fine.” Mark sighed and turned his attention back to the untouched world stretched out in front of us.

They had night vision and navigated the dark with ease, but it made me anxious being out here in the dark, though staring up at the endless stars soothed my worry. It was like time had stopped here, and I admired the serenity surrounding us. Since we had left the small stable where we’d rented the horses, we hadn’t even seen a house or a farm. Though it was dark out, the nearly full moon illuminated the lands around us, and I could see the shadow of my horse as we trudged on.

But as beautiful as it was in the dark, I wanted to see this place in the light. I wanted to see the lush green grass and clear blue streams I could hear bubbling just beyond. Like a punch to the gut, the realization hit me that if I had to change into a vampire tonight that may never be possible again. It would leave me in an eternity of darkness, and I appreciated why Aiden wanted a life in the light so badly.

Looking over to him, I realized though that he would be worth a life in the dark. I could find all the light I’d ever need inside his eyes. The love between us could illuminate the blackest of nights, but deep down I hoped that we could find our way back into the light together.

“He’s getting worse,” Lothaire said, riding up beside me and keeping his voice low.

“I know,” I agreed. Aiden barely had the energy to talk now. It had taken all their connections and two days to get a possible location for the Picts. And it was speculation at best.

“I don’t want to lose my brother, Emilia. If things get worse, you’ll be the only one who can convince him to change. I need your word you won’t let him die. I can’t lose him again... he’s my only brother.”

His eyes both warned me and begged me all at once. After spending two days with him I felt more comfortable around him... around all of them. But there was a power about Lothaire that frightened me even when he didn’t intend it. He reminded me of a large grizzly bear. And not just the way he looked. Harmless to his cubs and family, caring even, but lethal to any who would threaten those he loved. I took his words, and warning, to heart.

“I love him, Lothaire and I won’t let him die. There is no future for me without him, so I will do whatever it takes to save him... and I will make my own sacrifice, if needed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He glanced over to Aiden, who had slumped over on his horse, struggling to stay on. “I wish he’d agreed to ride with me. His stupid pride.”

I arched a brow. “He’s got your stubborn streak as well it would seem.”

Lothaire snorted. “It would seem so. It runs in the family. I think Annella is the most stubborn of us all, though. The deadliest, too.”

I looked up to Annella and those words, and the ones Aiden had said about not wanting to meet her in a dark alley, still confounded me. The Annella I admired and felt connected to was full of giggles and smiles. An innocent looking beauty, there was nothing threatening or terrifying about her. Her miniscule size made it even harder for me to picture her tearing through groups of grown men and even powerful vampires. She must have felt my eyes on her because she turned in her saddle and flashed me her wide grin.

“Don’t let her looks fool you,” Lothaire said with a chuckle.

“What are you two talking about?” Thorne slowed his horse and pulled up on my other side. His icy blue eyes darted between the two of us. Even though he wasn’t Aiden’s actual brother, they could pass for them with ease. They shared the same strong jaw, light blue eyes, and impressive figure. His hair was lighter than Aiden’s, about the same dark sandy color as Lothaire’s, but the rest of their features were remarkably similar. So far, my initial thoughts wondering if all vampires were beautiful seemed to be true. Either that or Aiden just had an exceptionally attractive clan before he turned. Every one of them was striking and beautiful in their own way.

“We’re talking about Annella,” Lothaire said, “and how she could whoop any of us if she wanted.”

Thorne blew out a puff of air. “Can and has. I’ve stopped sparring with her... my pride can’t take having her set me on my arse again.” He laughed.

“Stop talking about me!” Annella called back and flashed a playful glare over her shoulder. Grizella, riding at her side, glanced back as well and shook her head.

Her beauty was otherworldly. I could see why Lothaire had been so taken with her in an instant. Raven black hair and green eyes gave her an exotic and intimidating appearance. Her porcelain skin practically glowed under the moonlight. When her gaze fell to Lothaire, her face softened, and her eyes flickered the same way mine did when I looked at Aiden. Four hundred years later and their love remained just as strong as ours. You could see it anytime they looked at each other.

Aiden groaned, and all eyes shot to him. He slumped even lower on his horse now. I clicked to mine and trotted over the few steps to ride up at his side.

“Hang in there, baby. We’re almost there.” I reached over and placed my hand on his leg, but he grimaced at my touch. Withdrawing my hand, I took a staying breath. Seeing him this way, in so much pain, felt like a knife ripping me apart in ways I never imagined possible. Being so close to him and unable to touch him and hold him only sharpened the edges of the blade. And it was my fault. If I hadn’t met him, he would still be safe. If I’d thrown away that card Mark had handed me, Aiden would still be living his life, not dying next to me, clinging to the hope that he could remain human.

“Stop,” Thorne said, pulling his horse to a halt.