“I want them all dead!” Nicu shouted fiercely as his brothers and other Dark Shadows warriors met the necros and their versi head on in battle. Vampires from other clans had begun to swarm the Olaru homestead to aid in protecting the Royal family. Nicu sliced his broadsword through another versi as he stormed towards Xalak. His fangs descended as rage consumed him.

They dare bring this war to our home?

Two bodies crashed into him causing his steps to falter for a second. He straightened his stance as he grabbed one by the throat, plunging his sword into the belly of the dead puppet slicing it from navel to sternum. He whipped out his short dagger from his waist, severing the head from the body. The other versi jumped on his back, wrapping its forearm around Nicu’s neck. He quickly threw the body over his head, slashing his sword swiftly taking the head before the body even hit the ground.

He growled again, glaring at Xalak who smirked at him as he watched Nicu make his way to him. Nadira’s human, Cooper, continued to float in the air, controlled by Xalak.

Shit!

A piercing scream filled the air, gaining Nicu’s attention. He scanned the battlefield, noting his brothers and other Dark Shadow members were handling the versi. He knew his father would call in reinforcements from neighboring cities, noticing even more vampires had joined in the fight. However, one small figure with twin swords slashing her way with flawless precision caught his eye.

Nadira.

What. The. Fuck?

She made her way to him, avoiding his glare. “Is there something you forgot to mention to me, little sister?” Nicu growled, as five versi surrounded them. This forced them into a defensive stance, back to back, and he didn’t like it. She shouldn’t be fighting.

Who in the hell trained her?

She was a healer, and his responsibility to protect. Their father would have his balls for this and he would have the balls of whoever trained Nadira.

“Maybe,” she answered. “You can yell at me later! I have to get to Cooper.”

The versi attacked and he found himself impressed with his little sister’s fighting skills. He tried to keep pride from showing on his face. He took on three while she quickly handled the other two. He glanced around and saw that the vampires had handled almost all of the versi. The surrounding yard was filled with the unmoving bodies of the versi. Vampires continued making their way around the grounds, decapitating the last of the versi, ensuring that they remained dead and useless to the necromancers.

“Xalak, you have signed your death warrant for coming here!” Nicu said, stalking towards the necromancer.

“Hand over my betrothed and we will leave,” Xalak said, pulling his hood off his head, staring at Nadira.

“Not a chance in hell,” he growled around his fangs, stopping one hundred feet away from the necromancer prince.

“There is no stopping us, we grow stronger every day,” Xalak said with a deadly look in his eye. “This was just a taste of what we can bring.”

“You may be able to control a few more dead puppets now but you’ll never beat the entire vampire nation,” Nicu said, clenching his fists.

“Do you want to save your precious human, my dear?” Xalak addressed Nadira. He waved his right hand, causing Cooper to float forward. A moan escaped the unconscious human. Nadira stepped forward but Nicu blocked her with a hand.

“Move, Nicu,” she hissed, fighting against his hold. He didn’t take his eyes off Xalak or his necromancers. He could feel a non-threatening presence at his side.

“They are all defeated, my Prince.” Gadiel’s deep voice murmured to the left of Nicu.

“Looks like all of your puppets are dead,” Nicu said, cocking an eyebrow. He pushed Nadira behind him. His brothers and warriors surrounded them now, waiting for his cue. Nadira tried to struggle but someone behind him secured her. “Let’s see if you are strong enough to defeat me in hand to hand combat?” Nicu taunted Xalak, hoping he took the challenge. Nicu itched to rip his throat out.

“We will defeat you,” Xalak looked around at the vampires. “Today was just the beginning. Do you really think—” he gasped, turning his eyes downward to look at his chest.

A silver dagger was now embedded into his chest while a dark shadowy outline quickly spread around the dagger. Nicu turned to find Nadira standing at his side with her arm still extended.

“Now,” Nicu growled, commanding his vampires to attack the necromancers. Nadira’s human crashed to the ground as the other necros pulled Xalak away. A blinding light flashed for a second then disappeared, revealing that the necromancers had vanished, escaping through a magical portal in an instant.

“Cooper!” Nadira exclaimed, rushing towards the battered human. A sob escaped her as she turned his body over, cradling him to her chest. “No!” her grief stricken moan tugged at Nicu’s cold distant heart.

“Get him to the infirmary!” Nicu commanded, hating to see his sister in such agony. Gadiel and Teague tried to take the human from Nadira. In her despair, she hissed at them, bearing her fangs, protecting him.

“Let us help him, Naddy,” Teague said gently, kneeling down next to her. Tears slid down her face as she looked down at her mate. She ran her fingers down the side of the human’s face before looking back up at them. Her crimson eyes, held a pain that Nicu would kill a thousand rogue vampires to erase. She quickly nodded her head before placing a kiss on the human’s forehead.

* * *

“He’s not going to make it, my child,” Nadira’s mother said softly. Nadira gazed down at Cooper’s pale form. She had not left his side since they brought him into the infirmary last night.

Adrian and Toma led the cleanup of all of the versi bodies, burning them to ash. The necromancers attacking the family’s private estate had her father and Nicu working throughout the night, arranging a massive hunt for Xalak and his necros. Vampire leaders from all over the world had begun arriving to the city.

“He’ll be okay,” Nadira whispered, grabbing onto Cooper’s hand. “He has to. I can’t live without him.” Tears blurred her sight, as they fell down her face.

“Then turn him.” Her mother’s voice was cold and sharp, causing Nadira to pause.

She glanced at her mother who knelt down at her side, her face softening. “Mom?”

“He is your mate, turning him will save him,” the queen said, with a pleading look in her eyes.

“But what if he hates what he will become?” Nadira asked, looking at Cooper who seemed to grow paler by the minute. “What if he hates me?”

“We will deal with it if he does,” her mother said, grabbing her hands. “But I refuse to let you wither away and die because your mate dies.” The queen’s voice was stronger as she looked at Nadira.

Nadira got up from her chair and sat next to Cooper, brushing his hair away from his face. They had cleaned him up as best as they could. Bruises, cuts, and bite marks lined his pale body.

“I’ll do it,” she whispered. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. She would take the chance. Her life would have no purpose without him. Even though they had not bonded, her heart had already grown attached to him. Her mother rushed away, clearing out the few attendants from the medical room.

“Do you need me to help you?” her mother asked standing by the door.

“No, I know what to do. I’ve done this before.” She looked over to her mother. “Don’t let anyone in the room.” Her mother nodded and quickly walked out of the door, shutting it behind her. Nadira walked over to the door and flipped the lock, securing the room.