The Vaga by S. A. Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

protect me, to warn me.
    I move forward in the line, making sure to keep my voice down and my eyes focused straight ahead. ‘Why are you here?’
    I feel his body move closer to mine and his warm breath brushes my skin. ‘I told you I would see you again. I was hoping it would be under better circumstances, but I’m afraid that can’t be. You are in real danger, Elena. I have received word that the enemy is already here.’
    ‘What enemy? What are you talking about, Julian?’ I ask exasperated.
    Saying his name affects him, his aura projecting a desirable reaction that courses through me. He doesn’t respond right away. ‘They are called…the Vaga. Or as you would understand it in English, the Dark Sword.’
    Of course they are
, I think sarcastically, knowing that the language of the old ways is always a favourite among the archaic cults of the past. Although I’ve never heard that name before.
    Over the years I’ve researched countless religious, occultist, and mythological sites and books, educating myself on a world I wasn’t even aware of before, all in an attempt to know my enemy, and my own kind, better. Ama told me that my future would not only depend on my magic and skills, but that it would also depend on the knowledge I had at my disposal. I took her word for it.
    When I don’t respond he continues. ‘The Vaga are a group of supernatural creatures dating back to the time of the Ancients. They are led by an Immortal named Erebus—the God of darkness and shadow. Erebus has lived for eons and is the ultimate wielder of the dark arts. The creatures who obey him have unique skills that can be…hired or bought, so to speak.’
    A sharp laugh escapes me and I feel him tense up. ‘Sorry, but this sounds like a load of crap. Are you saying that the Vaga are like supernatural bounty hunters or something?’ I shake my head at the absurdity of it all.
    He moves very quickly, his lips almost touching my ear. ‘This is not a joke!’ he hisses. ‘These
things
practise the dark arts. They live for it, feeding off the suffering of others. They have been summoned to find you, Elena, and they do not show mercy.’
    His words pierce my armour like a heavy rain of bullets.
    ‘Do not take this lightly. The Vaga are here to kill you. I have received word that there is already one on your tail. What powers it possesses I do not know, as I’ve never encountered them myself, but the legends say that they will not give up the hunt until there has been blood spilled.’
    The hunt? Could that have been what was stalking us in the park?
    ‘How did they know I was alive?’ I whisper.
    ‘Apparently not every Dominus believed you were dead.’ Guilt lines his voice.
    Dominus—Latin for master or lord. I always knew that the Puritans must have some sort of hierarchical order to their organisation, but Julian confirming it makes me feel sick to my stomach. How many of them are there?
    ‘How do you know all this?’ I ask.
    ‘I remain in contact with
one
who is willing to help.’
    A Dominus choosing to help me? Nothing he said could have shocked me more. Why would they be helping me when all they’ve done is murder us for centuries? It doesn’t make any sense.
    ‘Why would a Dominus be helping me?’
    He hesitates before saying, ‘I have asked myself that many times over the years and I…I can’t answer that question.’
    Can’t or won’t
?
And what is that about years
? My suspicions are raised but a more pressing question comes out of my mouth. ‘Why are
you
helping me?’
    His energy softens, and with it his words. ‘I think you know why.’
    I bite my lip against the truth that radiates through me. I don’t want to admit it, but I know that I can’t keep hiding behind a wall of lies either. Taking a deep breath I finally let the words of truth flow through me.
    He is
the one
, the man I am destined to be with, the man who will be the father of my child.
    The lump in my throat grows until I find it hard to