Ashes of Nightfall

By Lee Larsen

Ashes of Nightfall is the fourth book in the Falling Night Series by Lee Larsen.

Tragic outcomes and heartache have become too familiar for Elizabeth Scott as of late. After rescuing dozens of Bloodlines from their Verdorben captors, she encountered an unexpected turn, which has set her and the other clans down a dangerous path. While the road ahead is clouded with uncertainty and peril, the clans will need to work together if they want to survive Alastair and the tainted ones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Larsen
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9780988470163

Lee Larsen

Lee Larsen currently possesses a B.A. from the University of Nevada, and lives in Las Vegas, NV with his wife and four children.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

How many other Auserwhalt do you have here? The tall blond haired Verdorben asked me from near the front of the plane. He was standing near one of the pilots, who had been talking to him quietly for the last minute or so. The pilot was short, chubby, and had a middle eastern appearance to him.

There are no more here. I replied. Just me and Tobias. I nodded at Tobias, who was sitting across from me and next to Aurelia. This jet was configured much differently than the other one that Isaac had chartered for us a few days before. The front two rows faced each other, with two seats on either side of the walking aisle, creating a small space that seated eight. Vincent was sitting on the other side of the aisle from me, facing the same way as I was. That man had said few words since slipping that bracelet on me during the fighting in the parking lot.

And those other bloodlines who fought us back there. I recognized some but not all as coming from Silas and Priscilla’s compound. The tall man, who Aurelia had earlier introduced as her husband Reuben, continued speaking. Where did the other one come from, the short one who was a skilled fighter?

His name was Haysom. I said, noticing my eyes watering again at the mention of the man. He was the last man alive from the Romany Gypsy clan. I don’t know exactly where he was from, but we met him in Nevada, just before Silas and Priscilla killed the rest of his clan. The pain and guilt from killing the man… from killing a friend… was consuming me. To the point that I felt overwhelmed.

And where are Silas and Priscilla? Reuben asked.

They are dead. I replied, staring coldly back at Reuben. I didn’t have a choice but to answer the man. With the bracelet on my wrist, I was compelled after being ordered by Aurelia, but I would not give him the satisfaction of thinking my will was broken. While I was still screaming on the inside, I tried not to let my utter desperation manifest to him.

This one has spunk doesn’t she darling? Reuben turned to face Aurelia, smiling just enough to show his white teeth. While his face looked tough and hardened, the blue eyes and strong chin made him otherwise mildly attractive. Had he not been an evil demon who had taken me prisoner that is.

Yes. Yes, she does. Aurelia did not seem as amused as Reuben by the defiant expression in my eyes as she spoke. She was also attractive, despite being even more evil. Bethy my pet, you will need to learn proper manners. You do not look at other members of the chosen so. For now, I will allow your insolence, but when we land back in our homeland, I will torture the fight out of you.

Before I had a chance to say anything to the obnoxious woman, Reuben cut in again. Who killed Silas and Priscilla? He asked. Was it you?

No. I responded. It was other bloodline members who came with me to free the others under Silas and Priscilla’s iron thumb.

And where are the new Auserwhalt? Reuben asked.

We only found one of them. I replied. "I am unsure where the other one is, but the one we know was turned went north with other bloodlines.

Where exactly did they go to the north? Reuben seemed annoyed with my vague answer.

I don’t remember the exact city, but they were headed to Florida, in the United States. I answered, being careful not to mention that their final destination was Idaho. If I didn’t choose my words carefully, I would end up betraying everyone, and give away the location of all our friends and family.

How many bloodlines were with him? He asked.

I don’t know exactly, but I believe about twenty. A few of the women may have been bloodlines as well, but I knew between ours and the others who had recently joined that number was accurate to the best of my knowledge.

How many bloodlines does that leave here at the mansion, besides the dozen or so that we just killed? Reuben pressed. He took a few steps closer to me this time as he spoke, his eyes looked suspicious of everything I told him for some reason. At the same time, there seemed to be a hint of… was it fear I saw there? If I didn’t know better, I would say something had made this man afraid.

There are only about a dozen or so left at the mansion, as we freed the rest of them and turned them loose.

And how skilled are they? Reuben asked. The ones still nearby that is.

Some are skilled at many things. I replied carefully.

I mean at fighting. Reuben continued. You obviously are gifted with speed, and I surmise that Tobias here must be a seeker, or else you wouldn’t have sensed us coming. What I can’t understand is why if you sensed two of us you would have mistaken us for your allies. Is there another Auserwhalt besides Tobias helping you? Is it Jareth?

Yes, some of them are very good at fighting, and there is another Verdorben, but not Jareth.

Well, who is it then, another newly made one? If so, how do you know them? Reuben asked.

Yes, there is another newer made Auserwhalt. He is traveling with the one who was changed after Silas and Priscilla were killed. I know him because we are related. I tried not to give up too much information, but what came out was compelled.

Oh, this is interesting. Aurelia cut in. Tell me my pet. Is he your cousin or brother or what?

No. I tried not to hold back, but the words just flowed out. He is my father.

Well, that is not something you see every day now, is it? Reuben replied, before turning back towards the pilot. Get ready to leave first, before we finish fueling up. I want this bird on the runway so that we can leave at a moment’s notice.

But sir, we would have to disconnect the fuel truck first to move the plane. The pilot, who had some type of a German sounding accent replied loudly. I found it strange that he had a German accent when he didn’t appear German, but Europe did have a lot of immigrants.

Well then disconnect it and get us ready to fly. Reuben said harshly. It is a truck for lights sake, position the plane for take-off on the runway, then hook the bloody fuel truck back in and keep fueling. Reuben turned towards Vincent again. Vincent, while we get more information, I want you to watch for anyone approaching. If you see more than one car approaching the airport, let us know so we can leave.

Yes, my Lord. Vincent replied as he quickly rose to his feet and walked to the open door on the side of the plane.

My dear, she said that there are only a dozen or so. Aurelia seemed frustrated by something Reuben had said. I think with their help we can take them. She gestured at Tobias and me.

Perhaps we could. Reuben replied. But we have captured Tobias, who also happens to be a seeker. Do you know what your brother would do to me, if he knew we got a seeker killed, just because we were too foolish to get re-enforcements?

Oh, it would not be pretty. Aurelia paused, appearing deep in thought. You are probably right.

We can always refuel in Florida instead of New York, if we have to leave in a hurry. Reuben continued. The plane began to move, driving around in a big half circle so that it was facing the long runway again. I would rather come back in larger numbers to keep the odds on our side. The way those twelve and these two decimated our blood guards, I want to make sure we don’t have any more problems.

Lord Reuben, someone is coming. Vincent said suddenly from the front door, not turning to look at us. "There are three larger vehicles approaching quickly from the south. They are all moving at a high rate of speed and appear together. They will be here in less than half a minute.

Well, look at that. Aurelia said, smiling widely. Bethy and Toby’s friends want to save them. Too bad we will have to disappoint them.

Take off now! Reuben almost shouted at the pilot before turning back to Aurelia. I’m not taking any chances.

The plane began moving quickly as it accelerated up the runway. When Vincent had first mentioned the other vehicles, I had a flash of hope that maybe these evil tainted ones would stay and fight. The thought of being used against my own family again was disturbing, but I knew my only chance of escaping would be if Luke, Isaac and the others got here before they left with us. The plane was accelerating quickly, and I could feel the front end begin to lift off the ground. As the jet pulled off the runway, any hope I had of being rescued was gone. I wanted to scream, or cry, or attack these horrible monsters. But, instead, I was powerless to do anything. I tried my best to keep my emotions in check, unable to stop the tears that were flowing down my cheeks, as we soared high into the sky. All my hope of being freed was left behind, on the ground in Brazil.

***

Leuken Bennett pushed harder on the gas as he came speeding out of the curving part of the highway into another straightaway. On the left side of his car was a lush green forest, but on the right side was all farmlands. He didn’t bother looking at the various crops, because he was too busy driving as fast as he could to get to Elizabeth. After Isaac mentioned she was likely at the small airport north of the compound, and that she had hung up on him quickly, Luke had been worried sick. He had tried calling her several times himself, but the call kept on going to voicemail. Isaac had sent him the coordinates for the small airport he thought she might have been at, but it had already been fifteen minutes since she hung up on Isaac.

Isaac had explained to Luke that he had called the airport they had used to fly into Brazil two days before, and the man there confirmed that no other planes had touched down since their jet had left that morning. The next incoming flight wasn’t due to land for a couple more hours. After learning this, Isaac had searched for other airfields large enough to land a private Jet, and the one Luke was almost to had been by far the closest to the mansion. Isaac would probably beat him there, but Luke wasn’t going to chance Liz’s life on that.

Ahead of him to the right, he could see airplane lights rising into the sky, about half a mile away. The dark color of the plane made it difficult to see in the dwindling light of sunset, but the lights were unmistakable. Luke pushed harder on the accelerator pedal, but it was already pressed as far down as it would go. He knew if he pressed any harder, he might break off the pedal through the floor of the SUV, so he tried to control his emotions. Isaac had only said that there were other Verdorben at this airport, and that Liz had sounded worried before hanging up.

Please be there Liz. He said out loud to himself as possible fears about his wife’s fate flooded his mind. What if she had been killed? He thought to himself. And now her murderers are getting away! He tried to remind himself that she would have had other bloodlines with her, giving her a better chance of being able to survive. Tobias had also been with her, so that would have given them a fighting chance.

As Luke approached the airstrip, he could not see any planes on the long runway. The dark colored jet he had seen take off mere seconds before had already disappeared into the clouds as well. In the parking lot on the right side of the road, Luke saw two trucks and several darker colored SUVs. He recognized one of them as the truck that Isaac had been driving, and two of the SUVs looked similar to the one his wife had been driving. Slamming on the breaks, he pulled quickly into the parking lot and drove up to the last spot closest to the building. He had barely come to a stop as he slammed the car into park and jumped from the still running vehicle.

He had noticed several bodies strewn throughout the parking lot as he pulled in, so he surveyed the carnage behind him briefly. There were a lot of people down on the ground, and most of them were missing their heads. None of them looked female, but he noticed more than half of them were all clad in the same gray clothing. A few were in casual clothes as well, but they appeared Brazilian. These were likely the ones who would have been traveling with Liz.

Why would she have come here? He thought as he confirmed none of the bodies looked like hers.

A small office building was attached to the front of the medium sized air hangar, so Luke ran to the front door of that structure. As he pulled it open, he saw Isaac and almost a dozen other bloodlines. They were running back in through an open door that led to the larger hangar structure and the open runway behind it. All of the Brazilian ones ran past Luke, back out to the parking lot, as Isaac approached him slowly. His uncle had a look of utter shock and disbelief on his face.

Luke, I am so sorry. Isaac began. I think they took her, but I didn’t check all the bodies in the parking lot yet. He put a hand sympathetically on Luke’s shoulder as he spoke.

Luke suddenly noticed that there was a small desk on the far-left side of the room, with a middle-aged man seated behind the counter. His dress was normal, but the man was sitting strangely still, with only a blank expression on his face.

You. Luke said, pointing to the man. Did you see who got on that plane? He walked closer as he spoke.

What plane? The man answered almost robotically, as if he was on drugs or in some kind of a trance. I haven’t seen any planes today.

I watched it leave your runway as we were pulling into your parking lot. Isaac said curtly, eyeing the man suspiciously. Why are you lying to us?

I haven’t seen any planes today sir. The man repeated the lie, still appearing half out of it.

Luke turned to look at Isaac, confused by the man’s strange behavior. It must be compulsion from the other tainted ones. Isaac said as he stepped closer to the man, extending an arm so he could gently rest a hand on his shoulder. The man looked at Isaac, but his blank expression remained unphased at first.

After a couple of seconds though, the man seemed to tense momentarily, as Isaac’s grip seemed to tighten on the man’s shoulder. The man suddenly looked normal, a confused expression returning to his face as he pulled away from Isaac, eyeing him warily.

Who are you? The man asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. What do you want?

My name is Isaac. Luke’s uncle explained. Your mind was put in a trance by the other people who just came through here. I helped to heal you, but your memory of the last few minutes will be foggy.

A trance…? The man still eyed Isaac warily but rubbed his forehead thoughtfully as he considered what Isaac had said. I would say you sound crazy, but my mind does feel a bit off. Did they drug me or something?

Yes, but the effects will wear off quickly since I gave you an antidote. There is no long-term damage done. Luke was unsure why Isaac lied at first, but then he realized he was just trying to dumb down and simplify what had happened, so that the man would be more relaxed and cooperative.

Well, whatever you gave me, thank you. The man added, looking around the room again as he got his bearings. Who did this to me?

That is what I was hoping you could help us out with. The people who drugged you also kidnapped some friends of ours, and we need to find out where they went. Isaac explained.

Seriously? The man asked incredulously. I recognized a couple of them, as they were just here about a week ago too. The men in all gray stood out like a sore thumb as well.

Yes. Isaac continued. Those people are part of a European crime syndicate. They have been hunting our friends for quite some time. I need you to focus please and tell me the last thing you remember.

Well, I remember them landing. The man began, and then paused thoughtfully again. This time they had a lot more of the men in gray. Probably twice as many, and there was a girl. A pretty blonde-haired girl. She was short compared to the long-haired blond man. The other guy, the only other one not in gray, he looked middle eastern or maybe Spanish or something. He was very tan.

That is useful information, thank you. Isaac said. What is the last thing they did that you can remember?

Well, I remember them going outside in a hurry after they landed. The man continued. It seemed like at first, they were relaxed, but then got amped up when some more cars pulled into the parking lot. Next thing I knew, they went outside in a hurry, and I heard a bunch of metal clanging from outside. When I went to look out the window, it was crazy. Several people were fighting with swords, and they were hacking each other to pieces. Next thing I remember was the blond man coming back in, with a pretty younger girl, another middle-aged man, and only one of the guys in gray. Blond guy started talking to me, and that is when I blacked out. I don’t remember him slipping me anything, but obviously he must have, because the next thing I knew you were standing here. The man shrugged as he finished talking.

Do you know where the flight was heading? Isaac asked.

The man didn’t reply at first but began typing quickly in his computer. It was a few seconds later before he spoke. That’s odd. I don’t show any outgoing manifest or trip information.

What about incoming? Luke asked, trying to keep the desperation he was feeling out of his voice. They took Liz! His mind was shouting on the inside.

I do show the flight information incoming was from New York, in the United States. Twenty-seven passengers were on board, plus the two pilots. The only name listed on the manifest however was Vincent Bloodguard. Does that sound familiar?

Luke knew it was probably futile, but he decided he wanted to check the parking lot for himself, just in case he had missed Liz. He made his way back outside, while Isaac continued talking to the air strip employee. As he exited the glass doors, he ran towards where the nearest bodies lay on the ground. Most of the beheaded corpses were dressed in all gray, but there were a handful that were not in the closest group. He didn’t recognize any of the faces, until he got to the last one, which lay a few feet off from the rest of the group.

The short body next to the head should have given away who it was, but it wasn’t until Luke looked into Haysom’s cold lifeless eyes that he recognized his fellow bloodline had been killed with the Brazilians they had freed. It bothered Luke that the man was dead, as he had seemed overly protective of Liz for whatever reason. He probably died trying to protect her. Luke thought to himself. Luke quickly walked towards where the other bodies were, but all of them were clad in gray. There was no sign of Liz anywhere. Isaac stepped out of the building as Luke was walking back towards it. His expression seemed determined.

Isaac. We have to go after her. There must be some way to find them and free her. Luke could tell he sounded somewhat frantic, but he didn’t care.

We will Luke. Isaac reassured him, placing one hand on his shoulder as he pulled his phone out. They came from a small airport in upstate New York, so our best chance is to get on a Jet quickly and try to backtrace where they came from. They didn’t have time to fuel up completely, so they will likely need to stop somewhere between here and New York City. We might be able to beat them back to wherever in Europe they came from. I will call Alonzo to get us another jet as soon as possible. Let’s hope enough of these bloodlines are willing to help so that we can have a fighting chance.

CHAPTER I

We had been flying for at least a few hours, even though it felt like much longer than that. I was seated by the window, looking out into the darkness. Below the plane, I could barely make out the haziness of the clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see. Had it not been for the moon being almost directly overhead, I probably wouldn’t have been able to see anything. Tobias was seated across from me, with Aurelia, Vincent and Reuben on the other side of the Aisle next to us. The sole remaining blood guard, which is what they called the bloodline hunters that were dressed in all gray, was seated in the aisle two rows back from us. That man had not said a word since we had been on the plane.

Tobias was eyeing me warily, occasionally glancing at the other group. They had made me order Tobias not to hurt anyone else on the plane, and to do whatever Aurelia or Reuben told him to do. I hadn’t ordered him not to talk, so he was probably just being quiet to avoid more restrictions. A part of me felt bad for Tobias. He had managed to avoid these other tainted ones for decades before we came along. Now he was trapped along with me. I couldn’t think of any scenario where we would be able to escape, unless we could survive long enough for the clans to assemble and come after us.

We should be getting close to Florida. The pilot said two and a half hours about two hours ago. Reuben said casually to Aurelia. She was watching something on a tablet with headphones on.

What was that? Aurelia seemed slightly annoyed as she pulled her headphones up a little so she could hear him.

I said we should be getting close to the Airport in Florida. It is near the coast. Reuben added.

Okay. Aurelia replied. Can you ask the pilot please? I’m bored.

As you wish. Reuben replied, seeming unphased by the petulant woman’s whininess. He stood and slowly walked towards the front of the plane.

Aurelia set down her tablet and stood, before walking over and sitting down next to Tobias. At first, she didn’t speak, but looked at Tobias, as if she were studying a painting or something, rather than a person. Then, she reached over and gently grabbed his arm at the wrist, appearing to study the bracelet he was wearing. The bracelet that allowed me to control him.

You know, I probably should have taken the ring from Bethy before we boarded the plane. Aurelia said. But I didn’t want to take any risks that you might remove the bracelet during the transition. Once we are in my palace, I can ensure that the ring transfer happens without any attempted heroics.

Alastair is going to be happy to see you. Aurelia continued when Tobias didn’t speak. He searched years for you after you ran away you know?

I did not. Tobias replied. But I was very cautious just in case.

Yes, he was impressed with how you had somehow managed to convince one of the Chosen to think of you while being killed. That is the only thing that could explain how you were able to have the curse pass to you when he was killed. Tell me Toby, just where have you been hiding all these years? Aurelia asked.

Different places. Tobias replied. Most recently I have been in the United States, but I spent some time in Argentina before that. As Tobias spoke, I noticed his hand farthest from Aurelia was moving slowly behind his back. It almost looked like he was trying to pull something from his waistband or lower back.

What part of the United… Aurelia stopped mid-sentence as Tobias suddenly produced a glowing white terralium dagger from seemingly out of nowhere, slamming the dagger down hard at his own wrist.

As Tobias sliced through his own wrist, Aurelia reached out to grab his hand that was holding the dagger. Tobias moved quickly though, pulling back from her as she moved, before flashing the blade in a circular cutting motion back at her hand. Aurelia screamed, as several fingers on her hand were sliced clean off. Before they had even hit the ground, Tobias shouted at me while kicking his detached hand and bracelet towards me on the floor.

Take off your bracelet and run Liz! He screamed as he stood and kicked Aurelia in the face. Without hesitation he hurled himself at Vincent, who was standing and reaching to pull his own sword out.

I quickly removed the bracelet from my wrist, relieved as it unclasped easily now, and slid it in my pocket. Reaching down, I grabbed the bracelet from what was left of Tobias’ severed wrist and put that one in my other pocket. Vincent was wrestling with Tobias over the dagger and had a fresh cut on the back of one of his hands from the small blade.

Quickly Liz, you must escape. Tobias said as he stabbed Vincent in the leg. Pull the emergency hatch near the tail behind you. You will land in water. Swim to shore and keep moving till you escape.

Aurelia was over the shock of her fingers being sliced, and quickly grabbed Tobias from behind, gripping his arm holding the dagger with her good hand. You will pay for that! She nearly spat while holding Tobias. I stepped over and punched Aurelia as hard as I could in the face. Hoping she would let go of Tobias, but she didn’t.

Seriously Liz, go now! Tobias grunted as he struggled to get free from Aurelia. You must survive, if the light is to have any hope of defeating these monsters.

I saw Reuben emerge from the front of the plane near the cock pit, and he held a glowing Terralium blade in both hands. Vincent stepped back and drew the sword on his back as well, and I knew that I had to move quickly if I wanted any chance of surviving. I turned and ran towards the back of the plane, where the red handled emergency door was at.

The blood guard jumped up to stop me, but I pushed him square in the chest as he tried to draw his sword, knocking him back into the wall of the plane behind him. The red lever for the emergency hatch had a clear plastic cover over it, so I grabbed it and pulled as hard as I could, snapping the cover to access the lever. I pulled down hard on the lever, and the door on the side of the plane opened slightly. Turning, I saw Vincent stab Tobias through the chest, as Reuben pushed past him towards me.

Wind howled through