passed between me and Ethan then—a connection, an understanding.
“You’re magnificent,” he breathed right before Whitfield let out an almighty roar.
“Eliza!” he cried, speeding to the body at Ethan’s feet and pulling her into his arms. His dark eyes lacerated me. “You killed her. Her blood is all over you.”
I’d never heard two more gut curdling sentences in all my life. I guessed having a vampire who was hundreds of years old focusing all his rage on you would do that.
Ethan grabbed my arm and pulled me several feet away from Whitfield before placing himself in front of me.
Whitfield stared at him like he was an idiot. “You defend the one who betrayed you? Have you no self-respect?”
“I have plenty. You’ve lost this round, Jeremy. Walk away,” Ethan said, his voice sharp.
“I will do nothing of the sort,” Whitfield retorted, swinging his sword at Ethan, and we backed away farther.
It was only now that I had a chance to look around and see the carnage. During the time I’d been fighting Eliza, many vampires and slayers were killed. The evidence of their deaths coated the ground in a sea of blood and lifeless bodies. As quickly as I could, I scanned those still standing, ticking off each person I lay my eyes on and making sure all my friends were okay.
Seeing that Whitfield was gunning for us, Rita galloped over, flashing her white light on him. He noticed her coming though and managed to glide out of the way before the light could hit him.
“Ah, is this the witch who flooded my lovely home?” Whitfield asked.
Rita stood before him, a little cocky. “Yeah, what of it?”
Whitfield’s eyes passed over her, travelling to Noreen, Gabriel, and Alvie, before focusing on Rita again. The moment his eyes locked on Noreen, I saw them light up in recognition like he somehow sensed she was Rita’s mother.
“What of it?” he repeated back at her with a bite to his words. “Well, now let me see. I do believe I have torn men limb from limb for lesser crimes.”
Rita’s cocky stance grew wary. She levelled her palms out in front of her, preparing for an attack. “Just try it and see what happens,” she goaded, unable to help herself.
Whitfield looked her up and down, a calculating gleam in his eyes. “Perhaps I’ll spare your limbs and simply obliterate your heart.”
Rita stared at him in confusion, but before she could react Whitfield used his vampire speed to vanish. When he reappeared he was standing directly behind Noreen. In a flash of movement, he raised his sword and plunged it right through her chest.
For a moment, time stood still.
Noreen fell to the ground with a throaty gasp, blood pouring from the wound as Whitfield pulled his sword out of her and thrust it back in a second time. Gabriel and Alvie stared at Noreen’s prone body in confusion. Whitfield approached them so fast, leaving Noreen on the ground bleeding, that they barely even registered his presence.
Nobody moved a muscle; each of us was in too much shock. Whitfield’s cold stare met mine as he growled, “She destroyed my house, so I killed her mother. Wait and see what I’ll do to you for murdering my daughter.”
Then in a flash of vampire speed, he and the rest of the vampires left standing were gone. Disappearing as though they’d never even been here at all.
“Mum …” The word tumbled brokenly from Rita’s mouth. I felt her despair deep in my gut. She rushed to Noreen’s side, taking her into her arms, blood going everywhere. Tears spilled from my eyes because I knew there was no saving her.
I ran to Rita, throwing myself onto the ground beside her.
“I…love…you,” Noreen gasped, her final words coming out ragged and weak.
“It’s fine. You’re going to be fine,” Rita said, preparing to mutter a healing spell.
Noreen placed her hand on hers, stilling her. “Too late,” she croaked. “Remember I’ll always be there…in your heart. Never forget.”
Noreen’s death came fast. I practically saw the life leave her body between one second and the next. There was no time for Rita to save her like she saved Finn in the church. Her eyes remained open, but they were unmoving, and moments later I knew she was truly gone. Rita clutched her desperately, big, heaving sobs wracking her body. Alvie was on the other side of Noreen, loudly bawling. She’d been just as much of a mother to him as she’d been to Rita.