Chapter 42

Despite the fact that John was a vampire, the small amount of colour on his skin drained from his body. When he saw his father Blackclaw fall, he fled the fight. He'd vanished like a thief in the night. He'd fled the dead and decaying, leaving only dust in his wake. John didn't want to be a part of their fate. Some would call him a coward.
He had only a few hours before been celebrating a victory with his father. A victory that they had now lost.
Even though the sun was shining brightly, John shivered. He didn't feel mundane things like warmth and cold because he was a vampire. Today, however, was different. Today he had lost the man who had raised him. His paternal father. They had travelled the world together for over 500 years, and now he was gone. The witch was blamed by John. He then blamed Divina, her family, and her friends.
Everything was fine until Blackclaw learned of the prophecy, and now he and the witch are both dead.
Divina would pay, as would those she cared about. John would make certain that she suffered as much as he did.
John wished it was just a nightmare he could play out until he awoke, and the world returned to normal. But it was a stupid idea. He didn't know what to do without his father. He'd always done what his father asked. His un-dead life centered on his father. He would seek vengeance now that he was dead.
John paced the old lodge, which was deep in the forest and far from the small town. It had a rustic feel to it, but it was also modern. It was a safe house that Blackclaw had constructed centuries before. It would now serve as his command post. He planned to rebuild his father's army.
Divina wouldn’t know what had hit her. John smiled, as he remembered that Divina had not seen him. He could befriend the girl. After all his father had always told him to keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
He took out his phone. John dialed a phone number.
"Hello?" said the female.
"Joanna, your father has died." John informed the lady.
"At long last, he got what he deserved." His sister's words instilled in him rage. She'd never understood their father as well as he did. She'd never forgiven him for making her a vampire. Joanna had always desired her own family. But Blackclaw had taken that from her.
"He was murdered by Divina, a dream walker witch." "The girl who will fulfil the prophecy."
"Look, John." I couldn't care less about the prophecy. If father is no longer alive, he brought it on himself." Joanna screamed.
John hung up the phone and punched a hole in the wooden wall. His hand was cut open, but it healed quickly. Joanna was not going to be of any assistance. She'd made it abundantly clear. He didn’t need her anyway.
A few seconds later his phone buzzed.
“John forget about father. Move on and live your own life. Or you may find yourself in the same situation. Joanna.”
John didn’t reply to the text message. How could he move on? He needed to revenge their father even if Joanna didn’t care.
John sent out a slew of messages to people who owed him a favor. The majority of his father's army had died or fled. He'd make a new, stronger one. He would usurp his father's throne as vampire king and subjugate the Lycans to his will.
***
Vanir padded along the forest floor, with no particular destination in mind. He was cursed to take on the form of a wolf, but that didn't bother him. He welcomed the predator within himself. Blackclaw had kidnapped his daughters. His heart was heavy with the guilt of their deaths. He gave the wolf complete command. He didn't have anything left to live for. There is nothing to fight for. When his daughters died, he died inside as well. He had exacted his vengeance on their deaths. There was no one or nothing left for him now. He'd spend the rest of his days roaming the world as a rogue wolf.
His human side was numb and emotionless. He knew it was his decisions that had resulted in the tragedy of his daughters. He felt he lacked the right to move on and find happiness.
***
Divina looked down at her mother's shattered body. Her heart ached when she saw Amy's broken neck. Her brain and body were in pain. She looked at her father, who was crying uncontrollably.
"We'll find out who did it and make them pay." Aiden stated emphatically, and Divina agreed.
Divina was pleased with herself for successfully completing the task of tracking Amy's body. She had a lot to learn about being a witch, and with her mentor gone, she wasn't sure how she'd survive. She was, however, strong and determined to obtain justice for her mother, and she would devote all of her energy to that end. The nauseating pain from her mother’s death had knocked on and walked right in. Stealing her breath and all rational thoughts.
Slowly Divina bent down and rested her left hand on her mother’s forehead. “EES NIHTIW EHT DNIM ESOHT TSAL STNEMOM” Divina uttered the words and closed her eyes.
Divina saw her mothers last moments. Felt her panic and desire to get to the compound and join the fight to save her daughter when as fast as lightening something shot out of the trees and dashed straight towards her. Amy did not stand a chance with the speed that the man was going. Divina saw his face and gasped pulling her hand free and shooting to her feet. She was going to slice him in two.
“Byrd.” She muttered then let out an angered scream that echoed around the forest. Aiden placed his hand on Divina’s shoulder and spoke. “We must rest. Both of us have been through a great ordeal. When we are rested, we will find Byrd and he will pay.”
Divina didn’t want to go home to the empty house where her mother no longer would stand and cook her a meal. Or ask her personal questions that Divina tried to avoid. She wanted to hunt down Byrd and send him to hell where he belonged.