Order (Blood Moon Covenant)

by R L Medina

  She quickly recovered and bowed. I fought the urge to roll my eyes in irritation. If she was waking me up, it better be worth it.

  “There’s been an incident, Queen. A witch. Drained.”

  I sucked in a breath. “When? Where?”

  Riley flinched. “In the back alley of Coral Street. She was just now discovered when someone tried a tracking spell to find her. She’s been missing all day.”

  I flung the door open wider, not caring that I stood there barefoot and in my nightgown.

  “Drained you said? Was she turned?”

  Her eyes averted from my disheveled form. “No, but it looks like she was… compelled.”

  Only the higher-class vampires could use compulsion. Fane.

  My jaw clenched. “A royal? Did you catch them?”

  “Carly, I told you not to wake her. The queen needs her rest.” Kohl’s voice cut in sharply.

  He strode down the hall with a thunderous expression. The witch—Carly—flinched at his approach.

  “Yes, but I thought she would want to know.”

  Kohl glared at her and swiveled toward me, his eyes dipping down and quickly snapping back to my face.

  Flushing, I folded my arms across my chest to achieve at least some decency. Even with the robe on, it was hard to hide the girls.

  “Did you catch the vampire?” I still sounded groggy.

  “No. But I have a search party ready.”

  “That’s not necessary. I can handle this.”

  Kohl’s eyebrow shot up. His silent warning made me smile. How did he expect me to go back to sleep now?

  “Who was it? Who made it through our ward and snuck out?”

  The girl shuffled her feet and stared at the carpet. I looked to Kohl.

  “Julia. She’s been gone since morning. Never made it back to the coven.”

  Morning? What was she doing outside the coven all day? I glanced back at the blonde witch who continued staring at the ground. Why wake me up to tell me if she wasn’t going to give us more answers?

  “Let me get dressed, then we’ll go.”

  “This can wait until morning, My Queen.”

  I turned and threw Kohl a look over my shoulder. “I can’t sleep, anyway. Might as well take care of this now.”

  “I am more than capable of handling it—”

  “I’m coming, Kohl.”

  With that, I shut my door and went to my closet. Questions raced in my mind as I pulled on some black leggings and boots along with a bra and dark T-shirt. Not my most ‘queenly’ outfit, but it was comfortable and easy to move in.

  Going after one of my witches was a break of the agreement. Anger boiled inside me. Why now, after all these years, were the vampires deciding to do this? Did they think to attack while we were vulnerable? My fists clenched. They picked the wrong queen to mess with.

  I threw open the door to find Kohl waiting and the witch girl gone.

  “I want you to reset the wards again and make sure no one else leaves tonight.”

  “And the wolf?”

  Right. I’d forgotten about him. “Have a sleeping spell ready in case he wakes up while I’m gone. Post another guard at his door too… just in case.”

  Kohl frowned at me.

  “What?”

  “I’m not letting you go out alone, Kenzie.”

  I sighed. “Then come with me if you want, but there’s no more time to waste. How many people for the search party?”

  “Two. Counting us, four.”

  “Leave them here. You and I can handle this alone. You have a tracking spell started?”

  He lifted his hand to show me the faded black mark on his palm—the spell already taking form.

  I smiled at him. “Always ready aren’t you, Kohl?”

  He returned the smile. “Of course.”

  I took his offered arm and headed for the stairs. His long strides met mine and I appreciated his support. Kohl was a good guy. I didn’t know what I would do if I’d lost him too. He was my pillar and rock. An anchor to my past and compass to my future.

  His eyes found mine, making me turn away.

  If we were supposed to be together, wouldn’t there be something there? A pull or a tug? Or was I being totally stupid and naïve about it?

  Pushing away the thoughts, I focused on the task at hand. Would we find other witches drained? Was this because I hadn’t listened to Fane or answered their stupid letter?

  Irritation welled inside me. I had enough on my plate with the curse and Diego. Now I had to worry about ancient enemies testing me?

  “Did you see the body? Julia, I mean.” I winced at my harshness.

  Kohl tensed. “Yes. We brought her back to the coven so she can be buried.”

  “Did it look she’d been compelled?”

  He opened his mouth and hesitated. “Possibly. It’s possible too that she was… willing.”

  I snorted. “Willing? To get sucked and drained by a vamp?”

  My words echoed in the hall, the edge in my tone surprising me. Since when did I become so cold and crass? Mel would never have spoken like that. My chest tightened. Mel would never have let a vampire attack one of our witches in the first place.

  Kohl’s eyes stared straight ahead. “I’ve heard some find the experience… pleasurable.”

  I shuddered. “Which part? The bite or the blood drinking?”

  He turned his head toward me, his nearness sending a shiver of awareness through me.

  “Maybe she asked to be turned.”

  I frowned. “Maybe, but she’s not turned. She’s dead. And I’m pretty sure she didn’t ask for that. If she was compelled, we’re going to have some problems.”

  He grunted. “What else is new?”

  My lips twitched as I fought the urge to smile. Kohl was the Robin to my Batman, and I loved how well we worked together. How well we knew each other. I didn’t have that with anyone else.

  We stopped at the front door and instructed the others to reset the wards and stay in the coven. Maybe after hearing about the draining, the horny little witches would listen to me now.

  You imagined him too…

  I pushed that thought far from my mind. It was a dream—nightmare—and I refused to feel guilty about something I had no control over.

  Moonlight bathed the street in its silvery glow. Warm, thick air swirled around me, carrying the smoky scent of campfire and lemony, sweet magnolias. It was still weird being in the city and not seeing any lights except our flashlight. No streetlights, headlights, or lights from the restaurants and shops that lined the squares.

  Ghost town came to mind, but it wasn’t. Not really. Unless we were the ghosts. My nose scrunched at the thought. If I didn’t solve the curse, all of us would eventually be gone.

  “You’re quiet. Tired?” Kohl’s voice broke through my thoughts.

  I turned to meet his worried gaze. “I’m fine. Just thinking… about how things used to be.”

  He gave me a sad smile. “It’s easier if you don’t. Don’t try to remember.”

  An ache grew inside me. I knew why he was saying it, but it felt wrong to forget. If roles were reversed, my parents and sisters wouldn’t have forgotten me.

  “I don’t like this.” Kohl’s voice echoed in the alley.

  “Yeah well wandering dark creepy alleys at night isn’t my idea of fun either.”

  His lips pursed. “You should have let me come alone.”

  I waved away his concern. “I needed the distraction, Kohl. After Diego’s little demonstration and that alpha who wants to kill one of our witches.”

  Kohl’s face hardened. “Diego needs to be taught a lesson.”

  A snort escaped me. “Sorry. It’s just… Diego Garcia.” I shook my head. “How in the hell did someone like him get put in charge? Wasn’t he like a drug pusher back in school?”

  “How should I know? I was too busy trying to pass all my AP classes. Doing everything my parents expected. Everything to get into college.” His vo
ice turned bitter.

  I sobered at the memory. Kohl worked harder than anyone I’d ever known, and he would have done amazing things. If the world hadn’t gone to hell. Now he was stuck as my sidekick. Did it bother him? It had to bother him.

  It bothered me.

  I was supposed to have college, a time to be me on my own and immerse myself with the human culture though I’d always known eventually I would end up as a right hand to Mel. I would have obligations to fulfill for my queen, but I never expected to be queen. To take her place. It was so wrong.

  “What if I can’t stop the curse, Kohl? What if this is really the end of… everything?”

  His eyes stared straight ahead, his emotions masked from me.

  “Then we should enjoy the little time we have left. If we’re going to be gone anyway, we might as well try to find some happiness here and now, right? Take risks now before it’s too late.”

  I rubbed my arms. The fervent look in his eyes unnerved me. I didn’t want to hear what was coming next. For him, I knew what that risk he was referring to meant. Me—us.

  “Kenzie, I—”

  “Witches. In my square?” a voice drawled, cutting Kohl off.

  Fane.

  My head snapped in the direction, eyes squinting to find the source. He remained in shadow. Beside me, Kohl leapt into action, chanting a defensive spell.

  “Your square?”

  He emerged from the darkness, Kohl’s flashlight revealing his pale face. Beautiful. Elegant. Arrogant. It was hard not to stare, but my good sense kicked in, reminding me of the monster that he was.

  “Fane.”

  His eyebrow lifted. “Prince Fane, please.”

  I scoffed.

  “You killed a witch.”

  He only smiled. “I thought that would catch your attention.”

  My anger lit at his coldness. Amusement sparked in his eyes. He was enjoying himself, the bastard.

  “I’m here to collect repayment.”

  His smile widened. “You? The queen for a low witch? Who comes if I kill you?”

  Kohl stepped in front of me, hands raised and ready. “Try it and see.”

  Fane’s eyes flicked to him. “Down boy, down. If it weren’t for your coven tattoo, I’d mistake you for a wolf. The queen’s fearless lapdog.”

  Kohl stiffened.

  Fane angled toward him. “Does she know? Does she know how badly you want her? You’d do anything wouldn’t you? To get into—”

  My hand shot forward, a burst of magic pushing him back. “Shut up. We’re not here to play games with you, Fane. I have better things to do.”

  He straightened his jacket and met my glare. “Better things like the spell? How is that going by the way? Have you found a way to save everyone yet?”

  Irritation flared inside me. Fane and his questions. If it weren’t for his brother and his retaliation, I’d shoot fire right up his ass.

  “Maybe we can help.”

  I scoffed. “You can’t help anyone.”

  His jaw hardened. “Perhaps I could if I had the right… motivation.”

  My lip curled. Everything was a game to him. He’d been a bastard before the fall and now…

  He was probably loving the new order of things.

  “You killed one of my witches.”

  “Well, I didn’t receive a response to my brother’s letter.” He stopped right before us, fangs gleaming in the flashlight. “I warned you he wasn’t the most patient prince.”

  “Are you saying he did this?” I frowned at him.

  “Did what?”

  Irritation flared within me. “Don’t test me, Fane. I’m not in the mood. Was it you? Did you compel her?”

  He smirked. “Send your lapdog away and I’ll tell you.”

  I shot him a cool look.

  Kohl’s face flushed with fury. “One more smart remark from you, Fane.”

  I could sense the magic curling in his palm, ready to be unleashed. Before he could shoot, I motioned him to the side.

  Fane watched us with that irritating smirk.

  “Go back to the main street, Kohl.”

  His eyes widened. “What? I’m not leaving you here alone with him.”

  “He has a name. And I promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” Fane drawled.

  “It’s fine, Kohl. I could snap his neck with a snap of my fingers.” I spoke louder for his benefit.

  “Catchy. You should use that slogan for your next royal campaign. That is if you’re still alive to campaign.”

  I rolled my eyes. Did the vampire have a retort for everything?

  “Kenzie, you can’t trust him.” Worry danced in Kohl’s eyes.

  “I know. But you can trust me. I can handle him. And you’ll be right around the corner if I need you.”

  “But…”

  “Go. Please, Kohl.”

  Fane snickered. “You heard your master. Run along.”

  Kohl’s head snapped to him. “If you so much as breathe in her direction…”

  Fane’s harsh laugh cut him off. “Be a good boy and maybe she’ll throw you a bone.”

  I touched Kohl’s shoulder and nodded in reassurance. He hesitated and fixed Fane with another deadly glare before stalking off.

  Before he’d even made it around the corner, Fane was by my side. Way too close for comfort.

  I fought the urge to shudder and turned to face him, taking a step back. “What do you want, Fane?”

  He smiled. “It’s not about what I want, Kenzie.”

  My eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to call me that.”

  His lips parted, feigning shock. “What do I get to call you? Darling? Gorgeous? Beautiful?”

  I bristled. “Queen is fine.”

  “No. I don’t think so.”

  “What? You don’t think so?”

  He nodded to the spot Kohl had been. “He gets to call you Kenzie. I want a special nickname for you too.”

  Heat rushed over me. What game was this vamp trying to play?

  “That’s twice you’ve broken the agreement. I want payment.”

  He circled me, long legs moving so gracefully I couldn’t help but notice them. Everything he did was part of the show. I hated him for it. The world was ending, and he was having the time of his life.

  “I mean it Fane. You will pay for what you did.”

  His head leaned toward me, all humor vanishing. My heart slammed against my ribs at his nearness. Blue eyes bore into me. I didn’t want to be pulled in, but damn it, I was. Summoning all my strength, I shielded myself, making my face neutral.

  A smug smile tugged at his lip. “Name your price.”

  “A life for a life.”

  My words reminded me of Elijah. Weren’t those the same ones he’d spoken to me? Was that what the world was now? Just a big cycle of death, revenge, and more death?

  “I’m not sure my brother would agree to those terms, but I’ll be sure to tell him.”

  “This isn’t a joke, Fane. You’re in breach of our agreement.”

  He chuckled. “I did warn you my brother wouldn’t be very happy with you ignoring him. If you want to discuss the terms of this so-called breach, then you’ll have to meet with him.”

  His words made me boil. It was all manipulation to make me do what they wanted. I fought the urge to use my magic on him.

  “I don’t have to do anything, Fane. I’m leaving.”

  “If you were going to go, you would have already gone, cariad.”

  I frowned. “What did you call me?”

  Ignoring my question, he straightened and backed away. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. I could breathe again.

  “Fane.”

  He closed his eyes and feigned a shudder. “As much as I love hearing my name on those beautiful lips, I have to remind you, it’s Prince. Prince Fane.”

  My face flamed. I glanced at the direction Kohl had gone. Could he hear us?

  Fane followed my gaze and chuckled darkly. “Please. Yo
u don’t care about him. Not like he cares for you.”

  How could he even know that?

  I whipped to him. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about us.”

  The smug smile was back. “I know you’ve been pouring over those dusty old books, hoping for answers. I know you wanted to escape Savannah and see the world, experience college. You never wanted to be queen, did you?”

  His words rattled me. I gaped at him, not knowing how to respond. How did he know? How? It was creepy. Unnerving. A vampire stalking me?

  “How did you get past the wards?” I blurted the question.

  “I have my ways.”

  My mind raced. Did I have a traitor in the coven? Was that how he’d gotten in? Was someone… actually sleeping with him? It wasn’t that big of a stretch. He was gorgeous and maybe for a weak, desperate witch that allure was too much to refuse.

  That was a problem.

  10

  Valeria

  I stood and waited as everyone gathered their packs and crowded around me. Their eyes were glued to me and my wolf could sense their wariness. Though they didn’t voice it, I could see the doubt written on their faces.

  My own doubt rolled inside me. Was I leading them to their deaths or to a worse fate? I cringed at the thought. What other option did we have but to go?

  Pushing away the questions, I faced them and squared my shoulders. “I know you don’t like this and trust me, I don’t like it either, but we have no choice. The witches won’t let us stay here and the barrier keeps us from going farther into the forest. The only place left is the city. Back to where we came from.”

  I paused and waited for complaints. Some shook their heads and scowled while others huddled together, eyes wide in distress.

  “We can stay in the clubhouse there. We don’t have to go into the houses.”

  “How do we know it’s safe there? That the humans won’t be there?” Jay interrupted.

  I frowned at him. “We’ll check it out first. Make sure it’s safe.”

  “There’s no one there. We came through it when we left the city.” Drew spoke up.

  Jay glared at him. “How can we trust you? It could be a trap.”

  I stepped between them. “There’s nowhere else to go. Like I said, we’ll check it out first before we make camp.”