“Cian!” Amaliya cried out, racing toward him.
Bianca rolled to her feet and caught Amaliya before she could reach Cian. Sharp teeth flashing, Bianca grinned. “Still attached to my wayward son, are we?” Bianca crushed Amaliya against her, fingers tangled in Amaliya's hair, drawing her head back and bearing her throat, holding her hostage. “Now, now, we must rid you of that bad habit. ”
Amaliya was vaguely aware of the two vampires and the coyote circling them, seeking a moment to attack again. Bianca's glowing eyes tracked the beings waiting to pounce. Amaliya felt The Summoner’s power still pressing against her, trying to ensnare her.
“You and I will bring this world to its knees,” Bianca promised.
“I'd rather die. ” Amaliya spat, then drove the dagger she had hidden in her hand into the chest of the girl.
Bianca gasped, releasing Amaliya.
Amaliya smiled triumphantly. “Told you I would kill you again. ” She waited for the vampire to fall, so she could slice off her head. A silver dagger through the heart would incapacitate her.
But Bianca didn’t fall. Staring down at the silver dagger protruding from her heart, Bianca frowned. “When will you ever learn?” Taking hold of the hilt, the girl dragged the dagger free.
“No!” Rachon gasped.
Amaliya gaped in horror when Bianca tossed away the dagger.
It was then that Pete stood up from behind a mausoleum and took aim at Bianca's head. Amaliya gasped as Pete's finger started to press the trigger.
A shadow abruptly unfurled from a nearby headstone and struck Pete from behind. The gun fell from his grasp before Pete tumbled over, a cry of agony issuing from his lips. The dark shape slid over his body then rose up to the height of a person. As though she was shrugging off a cloak, Etzli stepped out of the darkness and stood before them.
“Stop playing games and do what we planned,” Etzli said sharply to Bianca.
With a smile, Bianca answered, “I think you're correct. ”
Then all the graves opened and the world was filled with death.
* * *
Samantha knelt beside the small broken form at the base of a tree. Face down in the dry leaves, Innocente's body was still, silent, and empty. Samantha could feel that the essence of the woman was now gone, leaving only a shell.
“Oh, no,” she whispered.
The male ghost hovered over Samantha. “It's all going to be all right. ”
Tears in her eyes, Samantha vehemently shook her head. “No, it’s not. This is not all right. ”
“Don't argue with your elders,” Innocente's voice chided her.
Startled, Samantha whipped around and fell on her butt. Innocente was standing behind her. Like the other ghost, she was luminescent, standing out sharply in the darkness.
“Innocente!” Samantha gasped.
“Samantha, you need to help Amaliya,” Innocente said firmly.
“How?” Samantha gaped at the apparition of the woman with both relief and sadness.
“You’re joined together. Her blood made you what you are. You can reach out to her and help her. ”
“I don't understand. ”
“Your magic will help her understand her own,” Innocente insisted. Her form was growing hazy, but her voice was clear. “Amaliya cannot fight The Summoner by herself. She needs you!”
“But he's dead!”
“No, he's still among you. Just in a different form. Amaliya needs you, Samantha. ” Innocente bent over to rest her hand on Samantha's head. “You can do it. ”