CARTERS POV

I watched from the shadows of the forest as Leon paced back and forth inside the castle in front of me. He was obviously nervous about my next move as he yelled at some random vampires walking past him and threw up his hands in the air aggressively. I knew what that rage felt like inside. I knew what it felt like to feel so alone in this world that you would hurt yourself just to feel something other than anger. The sudden release of pain from a blade or a burn from a cigarette was a welcomed sensation from the insanity that consumed your every moment. I knew it wouldn't be long before Leon took that moment of release, and that was when I knew I had to attack. That was my only chance to get him when he was weak. It was the first step I had to take to ensure the end of this war with my brother. It was him or me. I wasn't afraid of my own death, but I was scared of becoming that monster again. I was scared of the darkness inside him and its power on me. I was afraid of Ebony seeing my true self again under the influence of that darkness.

I watched as Leon threw a table across the room and roared out with pure rage. He was clearly at the edge of insanity right now, and it was my only chance to take him down. I jumped up into the large oak tree growing just to my right and swung over to the branch hanging over a bunch of Leon's guards. They were joking about smashing the heads of my family, and I felt my anger grow inside me with every word.

"When I get a hold of that pretty boy son of his, I'm going to enjoy ripping his throat out." One laughed.

"I get that blonde douche." Another one laughed.

"Wait, isn't he dead already?" Another said, looking confused.

"Apparently not. Well, not until he meets me anyway."

"I get the pretty lady. She would look amazing chained to my bed. The things I would do to that body." He laughed smugly. "Fucken little whore."

I don't really remember what happened after I heard that sentence. All I know is that right now, I'm standing in a pool of vampire blood, picking bits of skin off my arm and picking out bone from my teeth. Ebony is right. This is really gross.

"They should be over here. I told them not to leave their post." I heard a voice approaching me and smiled to myself. I do miss hunting my enemies like prey. I felt like I was two hundred years old again. Those were the days.

"Where the hell are they?" The guard said, looking around.

"They got a better offer." I smiled in his face and snapped his neck with one movement. The sound of his bones breaking made me feel alive again. I quickly pounced on the other two guards and ripped them apart with ease. "Fuck me. This feels fantastic." I laughed, kicking a head out of my path and shaking off the bits of goo. "I'm going to miss this when I'm gone."

I kept repeating those words in my head. I've been around for four hundred years, and I still haven't done everything I want to do. I feel like my life has just begun. I thought I had everything I could ever want. I thought I was complete, and then she had to walk back into my life. The day I realized that Ebony Summers was back in my life was the day I realized my life had actually just begun. I knew she would be okay without me if it came to that. She is the strongest soul I have ever met, and I knew that someday she would move on and start a new life with someone else, and maybe that is a good thing. I can't give her children, and I know that someday she will resent that. She deserves the world, and if my end could give her that, I was honored to die. If I had to die tonight along with the darkness of my brother, then I had to accept that. If that is what it takes to defeat my brother tonight, then I would do it without hesitation. Ebony's safety is more important to me than my own life. I owe her that and nothing less.

I looked over at the castle once again and saw my chance. Leon was standing on a balcony, taking in big breaths of air as he dragged a blade along his arm. He tilted his head back as the release of pain from the blade edge took over his body. He was obviously intoxicated with relief as he closed his eyes and smiled slightly.

I looked to my right and saw Henry standing in the shadows, watching Leon. That means the army is in place, and I must prepare myself for the battle that might kill me, no matter what the outcome might be. I nodded at Henry as he stared at me. He bounced back and disappeared into the darkness once again.

I looked at Leon and watched as the blade ran along his cheek. The dark blood poured out from the wound and onto his chest, yet he was still smiling to himself. This was it. This is my chance.

I jumped over to the castle wall and began to scale it slowly, watching out for any guards or creatures that might be waiting in the shadows. I climbed up to the first window that was open and pulled myself in. I was on the second floor, and I knew that Leon must be at least four levels above me. I also knew he would be able to sense me, just like I can sense him. I looked around my new dark surroundings. This was definitely one of his servant's quarters. There was nothing in the room but a bed and a nightstand. That must mean that this floor of the castle was not occupied by Leon or any of his men. This was good.

I walked over to the door and opened it slightly so I could see the corridor that led to the steps. It looked clear, and I had to take the chance. I ran as fast as I could towards the steps and up to the fourth floor. I knew he was close, and I could feel his rage building again. I stood outside the room, listening to Leon muttering to himself about betrayal and revenge. The insanity inside him was building again and building quickly.

"Boss? What are you doing here?" I turned to see a confused-looking Vinnie staring at me from a few doors down. "You can't be here, boss. I mean, you need to leave. If Leon sees you."

"That's why I'm here," I said calmly. "To talk to him," I still didn't trust Vinnie. He had been by my side for over one hundred years, and the rat bastard still betrayed me. I had to play it down, though, because one move from Vinnie could destroy everything.

"You don't understand, Carter. Leon is insane. Whatever is inside or controlling him right now is too powerful even for you." He honestly looked concerned as he spoke.

"I appreciate your great concern for me, Vincent, but I know what I'm doing. I do have one question for you, though." I raised my eyebrow at him.

"What?" He said nervously.

"Do I need to kill you, or are you going to walk away?"

He shook his head. "Boss, I'm not here to cause you any grief. I want to help. I want Leon dead as much as the rest of you. I've been here trying to figure out how we can stop this." He held up his hands in surrender. "I'm on your side, boss."

"Is that why you fucked my ex-wife?" I snapped at him.

"To be fair, she kind of seduced me. I was too busy trying not to get stabbed or something. She is crazy in the sack." He shot me a nervous smile.

"That's why I married her." Vinnie smiled back with pure relief at my answer. "If you are on my side Vincent then I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything, boss."

"Get Leon's guards out of here. I need to be with my brother without any distractions, but mark my words, boy, if you betray me again, I will destroy you very slowly. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, boss. Crystal clear. I'm on it." He nodded. "Oh, and boss man, be careful with him. He is not what he used to be."

"In what sense?"

"He seems to be becoming weaker on the outside but more psychotic on the inside," Vinnie said, looking concerned again. "He has basically lost his mind and is very unpredictable right now. Yesterday he threw a bed at me and then begged me for help. He is losing his damn mind."

I nodded. "That's why I'm here. We have both had enough. I'm here to help him."

"Then it's an honor to serve with you again, boss. I'll see you on the other side of this, yes?" He looked hopeful that our family would be okay and that everything would just go back to normal.

"I'll see you, Vincent." I smiled, opening the door and stepping inside to face my family's demons.

——
EBONY'S POV

"Henry." I cried out, running towards him, standing by the castle. I threw my arms around him and held him tightly.

"Hey, you. You made it." He hugged me back. "Are you okay?"

"Another one?" Ariel snapped in my head.

I ignored Ariel's words. "Yes, I'm fine. I was worried about you, though." I hugged him again.

"I'm fine. Are you ready for this?" He touched my face softly.

"No. Not at all." I looked down at the ground nervously.

"We will be here for you, kiddo. We are going to get through this together." Henry gave me a reassuring smile.

A flashback of my conversation with Carter suddenly entered my head, and I felt ill. "I can't kill him, Henry. I just can't do this." A tear fell from my eye as I thought about Carter. "I know I'm supposed to be brave, but I just can't, no matter how hard I try."

"I know, but Carter is strong, and hopefully, it will not come to that."

I took a big breath. I need to stay strong.

"Your highness," A guard approached Henry. "Mr. Morgan has just given us the signal to storm the castle. Do we proceed with the plan?"

Henry's eyes returned to mine. "We do as Carter instructed." He said calmly. "Everyone to their places."

"FINALLY!" Ariel yelled in my head.

My heart started to pound in my chest.

"Eb, don't worry. We got you." Jake said in my ear suddenly. "We will be right by your side." He took my hand in his. "You are not alone in this."

"Are you as terrified as I am?" Callan said, standing next to me.

"More," I whispered.

He sighed loudly. "We do this together, yes?"

"Always." I took his hand in mine.

"Everyone, on my word, we storm the castle," Henry yelled in front of us.

My whole body froze at his words.

"On the count of three," Henry yelled. "One... Two...THREE!"