Volume 1.33: Let This Be A Warning

Type: Series

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: M

Characters:  Ava, Samuel, Luca and Andrew
Word Count: 1037

Glossary: 

Warning: language and some violence

Like broken mirrors

Ten million shards of glass and tears

But now we are 

Awake enough to shatter what we hate

Like broken mirrors

Reflections of an unfamiliar face

Broken Mirrors-Rise Against

Luca and Andrew were only gone for half an hour when April’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the caller ID. She was so tempted to ignore it when she saw it was Ethan. But she knew he wouldn’t take kindly to her duck and dive games.

With a weary sigh she pressed the “answer” button on the phone.

“I was starting to think you’re avoiding me,” Ethan drawled softly on his end of the line.

April ignored him; she wouldn’t engage him, no matter how tempted she was.

When he didn’t get the riled up response he’d hoped for, Ethan cut to the chase. “Time is up, April. My men will be there in a few minutes. Get the Star ready.”

April panicked, her mind scattered in a million directions as she tried to think of ways to stall him. But she’d run out of excuses, run out of ideas. She had nothing to hold him off with. But his men coming to the manor wasn’t an option. Especially now when she had no backup.

“Ethan, please. Just a few more days. I’m begging you,” April cried at last, angry flustered tears brimming in her eyes.

“I’m open to negotiation.” She could hear the smile in his voice and she fumed anew. She knew what he was getting at, and she wouldn’t go there. Once was enough.

“Are you still there?” Ethan continued. “I’ll be at the Inn, same room as the last time. 10:00 pm, April, don’t keep me waiting.”

“Go to hell!” April hissed.

“I’ll save you a seat when I get there. But right now, get the Star ready; my men will be there in a jiffy.”

Ethan cut the call before she could say anything.

For what seemed like forever, April just stood there, staring at the phone in her hand, wondering how they were going to get out of this mess.

“Is everything okay?” Willow pulled her attention away from the phone.

“No, nothing is okay, Ethan’s men are on their way-”She didn't get to explain, the front door caved in then, and all hell broke loose as they found themselves face to face with Ethan and his clan…

_______

Samuel was outside when Luca and Andrew emerged from the shadows; he was obviously on a watch of some sort, keeping an eye out for them.

In a few short strides they’d crossed the front yard. They immediately went into attack mode when they saw the rifle at his side. But Samuel raised his hand in a halfhearted gesture, surrendering to his fate.

Luca couldn’t hide his disappointment. He’d expected a fight of some sort. In fact he was looking forward to a little bit of resistance; it would have made their war all the more thrilling. But now, it looked like Samuel was giving up before the fight had even begun. There was no fun in that.

“I’m sorry for what Ava did. It was a terrible mistake-”Samuel began.

But Luca cut him off. “Bullshit!”

Before they could get into a pissing contest, Andrew threw the first punch. He wasn’t one for small talk. He didn’t give a shit about Samuel and his white flag. He’d come for revenge, he’d be damned if he’d leave the lair without Samuel’s head or Ava’s.

Seeing that the diplomatic approach wasn’t working Samuel tried to reach for the rifle, but Luca kicked it away from him as he climbed up the rickety steps in search of Ava.

She was ready for him with her gun with her when he walked in; she’d obviously heard the altercation outside.

“Take your best shot, and make sure you don’t miss,” Luca warned her.

Ava hesitated for just a fraction of a second when Andrew walked in, dragging a beat up Samuel with him.

That second was enough for Luca to leap at her and stun her to the ground.

Just as he was about sink his fangs in her neck he froze.  The second heartbeat was unexpected.

“You bitch!” He growled at her, reading her cold smile for what it was.

“Let’s see what everyone says when they find out you murdered a pregnant woman, go ahead and kill me. Do it!”

Her words, followed by her hearty laugh were his unraveling. He let out a long, enraged howl before he ripped her neck, small droplets of blood flying in every direction.

Ava’s chilling screams were not enough to stop Luca’s assault, and it took all of Andrew’s strength to subdue him. Even he had limits, it was an unspoken rule, they never hunted children and pregnant women, just like they never fed from the elderly.

Luca pushed Andrew away and got up from the ground. He approached Samuel.

“How does it feel?” He glared down at him. Samuel bowed his head shamefully, unable to meet his eyes.

“How does it feel, to know I can end both their lives right now?” Luca roared at him as he crouched to his level.

“Please I’m so sorry-”

“Enough, Luca. Let’s go,” Andrew tried to reason with him, but he wasn’t budging.

“How does it feel?” Luca yelled again as he kicked Samuel.

When he didn’t get the desired answer he dragged Ava from the floor and propped her up on a chair at the dining table where Samuel could see her. He reached for one of the knives on the table, and grabbed her right arm roughly, the same one she used to fire her gun. Ava tried to resist, but she was no match for him, he quickly stunned her into submission. Before any of them had figured out what was happening, he’d already chopped off her hand in one swift movement.

“No!” Samuel screamed right along with Ava as she stared at the gaping hole where her hand used to be, blood oozed out an alarming speed, dripping on the surface, making a mess all over the floor.

“Jesus, Luca!” Andrew growled before he left the room, he couldn’t watch the carnage.

“Let this be a warning to you and your hunters,” Luca threw Ava’s hand at Samuel. “I won’t be so merciful next time.”