Free Lord of Capra by Jaylee Davis Page B

saw Drake’s blade slice through the overcome abomination’s
neck.
     
    * * * *
     
    Moments earlier,
Drake found himself in a dimly lit room. It was the only reference he could
apply to the space. The walls, if you could call them that, looked smooth
grayish blue at times. Random streams of color rippled across them, much like
an aurora borealis event. It took him a few seconds to survey the contents—an
empty alcove on one wall and a smooth oval-shaped black container resting on a
raised platform. His mind insisted on referencing it as a coffin. Ridiculous.
    He glanced about,
searching for anything that might indicate an opening or doorway. No luck
finding one, he called, “Evana?” Silence was the only answer he heard. Then,
suddenly realizing how stupid he was being, he tried again. “Nemesis?” After no
response, he shouted, “Nemesis! Where is Evana? Answer me!”
    “Be calm, Harrison
Drake. I am watching over her.”
    The authoritative
voice came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It was definitely
feminine, but sounded emotionless and cold, almost computer-like.
    “Where is she?” He
tried his best to keep from sounding too harsh.
    “On Earth.”
    Drake fumed,
letting anger overcome good manners. “Nemesis, I want to see her. Now! Is she
all right? Can you tell me—”
    “You are a
demanding mate,” Nemesis
observed, matter-of-fact.
    The wall beyond the
oval container coalesced into a view screen of sorts. He was able to see Evana
facing what he assumed was an abomination. It wasn’t as grotesque a figure as
the creatures they’d fought earlier. In fact, it looked more like the movie
vampires he’d watched as a child.
    “Can you hear what
they’re saying?”
    “I can.” No further offer of
information was forthcoming.
    “Of course you can,”
he grumbled to the empty room.
    Drake watched the
silent movie unfold. He couldn’t breathe until Evana held a dagger to the
throat of what he decided was a vampire. When Evana tossed its head toward the
water, Drake sensed a change come over Nemesis. Just for an instant, she seemed
to pause. No colors moved along the walls. The low thrumming sound that he was
only vaguely aware of ceased. The very next instant turned everything to utter
chaos. He saw another vampire emerge from the water, grab Evana and bite her.
After she broke from his grasp, the screen became a wild blur of activity. She
eluded him and raced away with the vampire close behind.
    Intent on watching
the screen, Drake scarcely noticed the sword hilt forming in his right hand.
    “Slice through its
neck the instant you arrive,” Nemesis instructed. “Or she will die.”
    Drake activated the
weapon before the room vanished around him.

Chapter Eleven
     
    He was at Evana’s
side before the abomination’s body hit the ground. She was alive, breathing but
still bleeding. No longer in her vampire form, she seemed so very vulnerable.
He scooped her into his arms, and not knowing what else to do, he decided to
call out to Nemesis. Before he could utter the words, he vanished once again,
this time with Evana cradled against him.
    After appearing in
the same room as before, Drake carried Evana toward the container, thinking he
might lay her on top. At his approach it slid open, revealing a cushioned bed
upon which he placed her limp body. He ignored his mind’s coffin association.
She moaned in pain and gradually came back to consciousness. Anxious, he
watched her take in her surroundings before her pain-filled gaze fixed on him.
She gave him a weak smile and tried to sit.
    “My shoulder.” She
gasped and fell back onto the bed.
    “Pilot, you must
drink,” Nemesis said.
    “Yes.” Evana looked
toward him.
    “You can have all
my blood if that’s what you need,” Drake offered without a single hesitation.
    “No, not your
blood,” she assured him, shaking her head. “In the alcove, there’s a goblet. I
need to drink the elixir.”
    Drake looked at the
alcove, and sure