Morgan Rice: Betrayed

On the other hand, she had no idea where else in Manhattan to look for him. The Cloisters was the best lead she had. She felt certain that his fellow coven members would know exactly where he went and would point her in the right direction. It was the logical first place to stop.

Then again, she felt a pit in her stomach at the idea of seeing Sera again. She felt such anger towards her, she didn’t know how she’d react when they met again – and she didn’t trust herself to contain her feelings. Furthermore, Caitlin didn’t exactly receive a warm welcome the last time she came to the Cloisters, and she suspected that Caleb’s people would be even more furious at her presence this time. Maybe they’d even be outright hostile.

It was a chance she had to take, she decided, as she flew in, diving low, and landed on the huge outer terrace overlooking the Hudson.

She walked through the medieval garden and headed right for the doors, before which stood several dozen vampire soldiers, all at attention.

She hadn’t remembered seeing so many vampires standing guard the last time she’d been here. The coven must be on high alert.

One soldier stepped forward, holding a long spear, and stopped her, deadly serious.

“State your name, coven, and intention,” he said.

She could see how tense all the soldiers were behind him.

“My name is Caitlin, I am of the Pollepel coven, and I’m here to see Caleb.”

The soldier stared her down for another second, then said firmly: “Wait here.”

He turned on his heel, hurried through the large door and slammed it behind him.

Caitlin stood there, waiting in the tense silence. Soon, the door opened again, and two more soldiers walked out.

“Follow us,” one of them said, turning.

Caitlin followed, through the door, and heard it slam behind her.

Caitlin followed the two quickly-marching soldiers down the long, stone corridor, and through an inner courtyard. As they went, she saw dozens of vampires everywhere, openly roaming, all seeming to be in a state of agitation.

They led her down another corridor, then to the base of a staircase, and Caitlin could hear someone wailing in the distance, her cries echoing off the ceilings. The guards stopped at the foot of the steps.

“That way,” one of them said, looking straight ahead.

“Where am I going?” she asked.

Was Caleb down there? she wondered. Why hadn’t he come out to greet me?

The two guards stared, ignoring her. Clearly they had told her all they were willing to.

Caitlin walked down the ancient stone staircase, heading into the darkness, dimly lit by torches. As she did, the cries grew louder.

Caitlin turned the corner and found herself in a large, stone chamber, deep and narrow, with high, arched ceilings. This somber room was filled with sarcophagi – large, intricately carved sarcophagi of all shapes and sizes, spread throughout the room. Otherwise, it was bare and empty.

Save for one person. Rather, one vampire.

Sera.

She saw her kneeling on the hard stone floor, by herself, in the middle of the room, her cries filling the chamber.

Before Caitlin could even enter, Sera wheeled, her long red hair flying in every direction, and her face distorted with tears and devastation.

“It’s your fault!” she screamed, jumping to her feet, pointing at Caitlin. “It’s because of you this happened.”

So, it seemed that Caitlin would have to face her fear head-on. Sera. It was time for the two of them to have it out. Caitlin felt her own rage welling within her, barely tempered by Sera’s tears.

Before she could respond, Sera shrieked again.

“They’ve captured my Caleb! And it’s all because of you!”

Caitlin’s heart sank at her words. She felt her world spinning, and she was so caught off guard, she barely remembered what she’d been ready to say to Sera. She was at a loss for words.

Captured . That could only mean one thing. They would certainly kill him.

Sera took several steps towards her, now only feet away. She stared with an intense hatred, her sadness morphing into rage.

“Why couldn’t you have just left him alone?” Sera demanded. “You are the one that started all this mess. Because of you, now they have the Sword. Because of you, Caleb had to risk his life to try to get it back. Look where it got him. I hope you’re happy.”

“It was you who came to our island to get him,” Caitlin spat back. “It was you who dragged him into all this. Why couldn’t you just let him be? You couldn’t, could you? You couldn’t stand to see him happy with anybody else. It’s your fault as much as mine,” Caitlin yelled, equally irate.

Sera was trembling with rage.

“I brought him back to be with me , his loyal wife. And to be with his child.”

“You are not his wife anymore,” Caitlin said. “And I know about your child. He died hundreds of years ago. You are full of lies.”

“My son is alive!” Sera shrieked. “Don’t you ever say that!”

Caitlin suddenly realized that Sera was out of touch with reality, crushed by grief. It had molded her. She saw how pathetic she was, and suddenly, despite herself, she felt pity for her. Her anger softened.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Caitlin said softly.

She could see that Sera had not expected that. Her features suddenly softened. She sat down on the floor, Indian style, and lowered her head into her hands, sobbing.

“Caleb, my Caleb,” she sobbed, “how could they have taken you?”

Caitlin could see how much Sera truly cared for Caleb. It was heartbreaking, in its own way. No matter how delusional was she was, at least her feelings for Caleb were genuine. That gave them something in common.

Caitlin sat down beside her, reached out, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Sera,” Caitlin said, “we have to find Caleb before it’s too late. There is no time to lose. Tell me, where is he?”

“The Blacktide Coven,” Sera said. “They’ve caught him. Their entire army. We’d never get him back. My entire coven is afraid to go. No one will even try. It’s hopeless. We’re too outmanned.”

The Blacktide Coven, Caitlin thought. That meant City Hall. She knew where to go. She stood.

“Well, I don’t need their help,” Caitlin said, fearlessly. “I’ll go myself.”

Sera looked at her, snapping out of it, eyes opened wide in surprise.

“Are you joking? You’d be slaughtered,” she said. “It would be a suicide mission.”

“Then so be it,” Caitlin replied. “At least I wouldn’t sit here like a coward.”

Caitlin turned and headed for the stairwell.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, “Wait,” Sera said.

Caitlin turned, and Sera looked into her eyes for several seconds in the thick, tense silence.

“You do care for him, don’t you?” Sera asked.

Caitlin just stared back.

“Yes, I can see that you do.”

Sera continued to stare, then slowly nodded, coming to a decision.

“Very well, then,” she said. “I’ll go with you.”

Caitlin was shocked. “What?”

“We’ll go together,” Sera said. “Two stand a better chance than one. Not that I care if you die. But I don’t want to see Caleb hurt.”

Caitlin stared back. This was the last thing she had expected, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it would be wise to have backup. After all, this was about Caleb, not about her.

“Fine,” she said.

Sera suddenly turned, and crossed the room. She stood before a small sarcophagus, just big enough to hold a child, and she crossed herself before it. She prayed, bowing her head until it touched it.