The Eternal Series
Book 1
An Eternal Family
Stein Willard
@ 2020
© Stein Willard 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the express permission of the author or publisher.
Please note that piracy of copyrighted materials is illegal and violates the rights of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Editor: DEPE
Editor: JLF
Cover Design: DEPE
BACK OF THE BOOK
Tahlia, the Vampire Queen, and her Clan of Royal vampires are back.
With the babies now a few months older, the new parents are juggling careers, family life and the ever-growing threat of Copernicus, whilst trying to make sense of the little-known origins of their offspring.
Their search for the truth takes them through the dense and mysterious jungle of the Peruvian Amazon and in the process, reveals some hidden depths within some of our favourite Royals that they, themselves, weren’t even aware existed.
DEDICATION
It was thanks to my Guardian series books that I’ve met most of you. Fast-forward thirteen years later and I’m lucky to still count many of you amongst my loyal readers. I know I say it with every book, but it doesn’t make it less true when I say ‘thank you’ for your support and loyalty. Over the years, I’ve built some personal relationships with some of you, followed the birth and growth of kids and grandkids, and I treasure having been part of that.
To Nancy G, the first person who ever reached out to me after reading the post of my first chapter of A Guardian’s Touch, we’re entering a whole new world with this series and I’m excited to know you’re still by my side. Thanks, Nanc!
Special thanks to Theresa A. for coming up with the title for this series. We were chatting and playing around with names for a follow-up series almost four years ago and you made a suggestion. I liked it and look where we are now!
To all my readers out there, thank you always for your feedback and constructive criticism, guys. I want each and every book I write to be worthy of your time and I pray I’ll never cheat you guys out of that. I’m still struggling with my English, but thanks to you I’m getting better.
First from the bottom up, I also want to thank my editor, the person who makes sense of my crazy ramblings. I’ll always be in your debt, JLF. Thank you for the time, patience and support. It’s much appreciated!
PROLOGUE
Celtic Ireland - 800 AD
It felt different.
Was she ever going to get used to feeling so inadequate? How did humans survive being so vulnerable? They were like leaves; easily bruised and even easier to crumple.
“How do you feel?”
She lifted her head from where she was seated, her eyes wide as emotions and sensations coursed through this foreign vessel that was going to be her body for the foreseeable future. Or should she say futures? Her gaze fell on the man who stood a few feet away. He looked like she felt, delicate. The sorcerer was old, very old. She could smell the passage of centuries on him. His white flowing beard almost blended in with his robes. The man was tall once, but time had settled on his shoulders, hunkering them. His eyes, a deep blue, were sharp as they studied him.
“Incomplete.” She almost jumped at the sound of her own voice. It sounded odd to her ears, hollow and deep. She never had a voice before. Made her wonder had she had a choice, if she would’ve picked it.
The druid smiled, his teeth startlingly white for one so ancient. “Humans grow into their bodies from infancy and learn to appreciate them. You, unfortunately, have skipped that stage.” He pulled on his beard, letting the ashen tresses glide through his gnarled fingers. “It is not a bad body. You could have done worse.” He spun around in a flurry of robes. “There is still a lot to accomplish before the night is over.” He threw an anxious look over his shoulder at her. “And before our visitor arrives.”
“Will this body be strong enough to defend us?”
The man nodded as he began to page through a tome. “Yes.”
“Then we need not fear this ‘visitor’,” she noted. Even as they spoke, she could feel the power beginning to surge through her new body.
“We should. She is NOT to be trifled with. Take everything you need and go.” The old man pointed to the door. “Do not try to contact me. I will find you, if I need you. Now go!”
Not used to taking orders from such a feeble being, she felt her ire rise. Was this what her new life was going to be about? Being the lapdog of some sorcerer?
“Please, leave now or all this will have been in vain. She shouldn’t find you here.” This time the man sounded alarmed. That spurred her into action. This man was too arrogant to fear anything. But he was terrified of this being. Maybe that should be her first human lesson. When other humans are scared, she should follow suit.
“Take care of the crystal.” She made her way to the exit of the cave. “If something were to happen to them, I will come for you.”
But she didn’t go far. Instead, she hid amongst the boulders that obscured the entrance to the cave. She needed to see this being that evoked such terror in the Druid at the mere mention of her name. She didn’t have to wait long.
The air quivered, as if in anticipation. The difference was subtle, but difficult to ignore. Whoever was on their way, held immense power; even over the elements.
Suddenly, she was there.
Her approach was not visible to the human eye, but her presence was overwhelming. The urge to run was strong, but she knew that leaving her hiding place at that moment, would mean definite failure and death.
Too much was riding on the success of this mission.
She materialized outside the cave, tall and motionless. In her stillness, she appeared even more frightening. The wind tugged playfully at her raven locks, the only thing that was moving about her. Then the visitor turned, and eyes as dark as the deepest pits in hell pierced the shadows where she was hiding. The old man’s spells had better work, otherwise that fearsome woman was going to end her existence right here.
Her gaze lingered a few moments longer, before she entered the cave. The newly made human sighed with relief. She was saved to live one more day—a day to pick a name for herself and begin her new life. She jumped into action, aiming to put as much distance as possible between her and the visitor.
Gellar was right; the woman was not one to be trifled with.
I
Iquitos, Peru – present day
The place reeked of violence and misery, which Syria thought was to be expected. San Esteban, also known as El Infierno or Hell, was rated as one of the most dangerous prisons in the world. The heavily armed guards were indicative of the kind of inmates housed here. Four pairs of footsteps rang loud in the empty hallway as the two visitors and the two guards made their way to the deepest, darkest place in the prison. At their request to meet with the most brutal of inmates, the prison governor had glanced at his guards first before he agreed. He, however, warned that this part of the prison was self-governed by the inmates and that his guards didn’t venture further than the gate. Food was left at assigned points to feed the prisoners, for the authorities didn’t want to put the lives of their staff in jeopardy. Syria paid little attention to the gawking inmates in the cells as they made their way down eerily quiet hallways towards Hell’s Pit, as that part of the prison was dubbed.
“They are unusually quiet,” one of the guards remarked
as he looked at the inmates, who were staring at them curiously through the bars on their cells.
“Well, they probably sense where we are heading and are feeling sorry for us,” Copernicus muttered in Spanish. The guard chuckled and held open a gate for them. The part they were entering now, housed no prisoners, but it had more guards hanging around. She also noted that they had bigger guns and wore more protection. It would seem that they’d arrived at Hell’s Pit. The guard asked them to wait for a moment as he walked over to speak to one of his colleagues. Syria could overhear them clearly. The other guard was not happy about them being here.
“Do you seriously think that these gringos will survive in there? What the hell was Medina thinking?”
“Look, it’s not our problem if they get themselves killed in there.”
The guard shook his head. “What do they want to do in there anyway? Do they think we’re not doing our job or what?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care, Vasquez. All you have to do, is open the door and let them in. They’ll knock if they want to be let out.”
“I tell you; this will not end well. Before the day is out, they’ll have us all on the news for having led two gringos to their deaths.”
Their guard sighed. “Stop bitching, Vasquez, and just do your job.” The guard came back to them. “I can’t go further, but I’ve spoken to Vasquez over there. He’ll let you in and let you out once you’re done.”
The gate leading to Hell’s Pit was painted red, which Syria found to be quite fitting. She waited patiently for the guard to disengage the numerous locks before she pushed Copernicus behind her. She hated him with every part of her being, but until she was ordered to do otherwise, she was going to keep him alive. She heard the guards snicker behind them when she stepped in front of Copernicus. The doors opened into a scene of surprising serenity. A large decrepit courtyard was filled with bare-chested men playing dominos. Some were sitting around smoking while others were playing a seven-a-side football match nearby. The area was well-lit by large spotlights which were installed on the ten-meter-high wall that surrounded Hell’s Pit. Wicked-looking barbed wire ran along the edge of the wall.
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
They were obviously not used to the door opening, nor seeing Westerners entering. Syria could hear Copernicus’ heart beating so loudly that not even the door slamming behind them could block it out. The coward! He was the one who wanted to come here, hiding behind her. The inmates were slowly moving towards them, some curious, but most of them seeing them as some kind of an opportunity towards a nefarious purpose. A large, bald guy pushed through the throng. His eyes had a predatory look in them as he approached. He towered over them, but Syria wasn’t bothered at all. He was huge, but he was still only human.
“Well, look at you two,” he drawled as he sized Syria up. “You must have a death wish coming in here, woman.” He grabbed his crotch. “The men in here are starving for a puta.”
Syria closed the distance between them until she stood toe to toe with the man. The other inmates whistled and cheered at her challenge. “Unfortunately for them, they won’t be getting lucky today.”
The man glared at her, disbelief, and a faint trace of admiration in his dark eyes. He smiled, showing off rotten teeth. “You’re right, because once I’m done with you, there won’t be anything left for them.” He slapped her hard. “Now, take off your clothes.”
Syria tasted her own blood in her mouth and sighed. At last! They’d been crisscrossing the continent for the past two months searching for someone who could give them information that would lead them to their final destination. Not once during all that time, had she had an opportunity to let out her frustration. Until now. And how she was going to enjoy this.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
The man guffawed, followed by the others. “Why? What are you going to do? Cry?”
She smiled just as her hand shot out and slapped him hard, making him stagger back a few steps. The courtyard fell silent. Baldy touched his mouth where a trickle of blood was seeping out from the corner. Syria felt her hunger stir, but she suppressed it hard. She hoped they would wrap things up quickly enough so she could go and feed. The man, knowing that he couldn’t back off after having issued the first challenge, stormed her and Syria nimbly sidestepped him, helping him on with a kick to the backside. That seemed to amuse the other inmates and they laughed.
“Come now, Horatio. The girl is literally kicking your butt,” one of them shouted, inciting more laughter. Syria turned to the man and smiled. She had found recently that she thoroughly enjoyed a good sense of humour.
“You’ve heard it, Horatio. I’m kicking your butt. Aren’t you going to do something about that?”
The man growled and stormed her again. Syria sneered at him as she grabbed him by the neck and flung him against the door they had just entered through. She despised bullies and Horatio was a textbook version of one. A man who used his size and mouth to intimidate, but lacked fighting skills. She wasn’t going to kill him. She would leave it to the inmates to first make his life hell and then decide how he was going to die. Horatio made a move to climb to his feet and she shook her head.
“I would stay down if I were you. You’re not doing yourself any favours by letting a woman beat the crap out of you.” She saw the impotent rage in his eyes as he glared at her. She was giving him a chance to end the humiliation and prayed he was smart enough to realize that. When he stayed down, she nodded. Good boy! The courtyard was silent again. She turned to Copernicus and found him looking at her with disapproval.
“You shouldn’t leave an enemy alive. They go and rebuild their armies and come gunning for you when you least expect it.”
“I know,” she said curtly. “Now, do you think we can get on with this?”
Copernicus stepped from behind her. “I’m looking for Cezar Pinche. He also goes by the name Chuey. I believe he is locked up here in Hell’s Pit.”
†
The shadows hid the figure as it moved closer to the gate. The two guards smoking and discussing the previous weekend’s soccer matches were not aware of the predator in their midst as it moved past them; close enough to slit their throats; had they been the target. With cold eyes, the shadow waited in the dark, its gaze fixed on the gate leading into the prison.
†
“Let’s try the other eye again.”
Jemima nodded and closed one eye. A sharp light pierced her pupil and she reminded herself not to blink. After a few seconds, the doctor switched off the light and smiled at her.
“I don’t see anything wrong. All the tests seem fine. What I’ll do, is wait for the blood work to come back and call you as soon as I have the results. In the meantime, I want you to relax and not fret over this.”
Easier said than done, Jemima thought as she slid off the cot. “I’ll try, Melissa. Thank you for making time for me.”
Melissa Fentry smiled. “I’ll always make time for you.” She pulled Jemima into a hug. “Give Aria a kiss from me.”
“I will.” She squeezed Melissa’s shoulder and left. The lab was bustling with activity as she stepped out of Melissa’s office. It was divided into a medical part and a research and development section. Under the leadership of the Royals many fledglings were pursuing traditional careers to fit into the suave, city dwelling vampire phenomenon. This had inspired the establishment of more vampire-run online universities, tech businesses and of course, the Human Consortium’s lab was a big favorite. Where else would they go to catch a glimpse their idol and leader, Tahlia, but here? At the Human Consortium headquarters these young vampires also got the opportunity to engage with humans and to learn from them how best to infiltrate human society. She nodded at a few of the scientists she knew, ignoring the wide-eyes stares of the young interns. She stepped into the private lift and pressed the code for the bunker. She had left Aria with Tahlia and was eager to get back to her family. The lift came to a stop and th
e doors slid open. She had barely stepped out when Tahlia materialized in front of her. Jemima blinked a few times, before she smiled. Tahlia looked agitated. To anyone, other than her, Tahlia appeared composed and unflappable as always, but Jemima knew her wife too well.
“Anything wrong, honey?”
Tahlia cocked her head. “You went to see a doctor.”
She tried to sidestep Tahlia. She had left Aria with Tahlia so she could slip away. The idea was to be back before Tahlia noticed her absence. She obviously hadn’t fooled the woman. Tahlia’s hand shot out and she pulled Jemima up against her body. “You can tell me yourself or I can find out myself.”
“I don’t think you’ll get past the doctor-patient-confidentiality clause,” she said calmly, even as her body hummed where it rested against Tahlia’s. The black eyes studied her intently.
“You want to bet on that?” Tahlia’s arm tightened around her middle. “Why did you go the doctor, Jemima? And I’ll know if you’re lying to me.”
Footsteps sounded and Tahlia reluctantly stepped away from Jemima. “This conversation is not over.” Jemima nodded. The newcomer came into view and Jemima’s face split into a wide smile at the sight of her daughters. Not sure whom to kiss first, she embraced Inger and kissed Aria’s rosy cheek.
“Hello, my darlings.”
“Hi, Mom,” Inger said as she handed an already stretching Aria to Jemima. She then approached her mother. “What happened?”
Tahlia sighed. “Ask your mother.”
“No, I asked you,” she said firmly. “She’ll probably tell me it’s nothing.”
Jemima exhaled noisily and planted a small kiss on Aria’s nose. “I went to see the doctor.”
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