"Aria is missing," the commander said. My chest tightened. Aria was his daughter and one of my closest friends. She and I turned in the same month, we grew up together, we survived the hunger together and she doesn't deserve torture. "We will have vengeance," the commander yelled above the shocked din traveling through the meeting hall. "My daughter will be rescued, and those who took her will pay. The youngest Van Helsing came of age last week. Hunter will soon tell her what she is and once he does, we will be waiting. If they take ours, we'll take their, starting with the youngest Van Helsing."
A cheered roared through the warriors. Until now, our warriors could only defend, by order of my father, the king. Aria was a step too far. Now, the war would really kick off, and I was in the middle. I was prepared to get my friend back end this war. Maybe, once it was over, my father would allow me to date Chloe.
The commander revealed his plan. Alpha unit, the one I served in, would stalk Hunter Van Helsing. The day he took his youngest out hunting us, we would strike, snatching away the rookie vampire murderer. The young hunter would be thrown into our prison, where we would hold her until Hunter Van Helsing agreed to swap her life for Arias. Hunter's young wouldn’t return as human, we would make them one of us. The insatiable hunger a newly turned vampire faced would drive them to insanity without support from a coven. Hunter Van Helsing's youngest child would kill him, taking the vampire murderer's leader away and giving us an inning to take out the others. Hunter's young would face death for the crime of killing a human which I thought was unfair, but we couldn’t have rogue vampires running around killing humans, so there would be little choice. At least we would offer them a quick death, not the long, drawn out torture the vampire murderers would give our kind.
It would happen Saturday. For the rest of the week, Alpha Unit would train. I guess meeting Chloe again this week was off.
Chapter 5 - Chloe
My father insisted on meeting at seven in the busiest Irish bar in town. I have to say, my curiosity spiked, not least because my father was meeting me in a bar renowned for cheap alcohol and he didn’t drink. I pushed open the door to Murphy's bar. A rush of heat, noise and the stench of sweaty, drunken men smacked me in the face.
"Chloe." My dad stood waving his hand above the throngs of people packed into Murphy's like sardines. He sat around a circular table, filled with men and boys my age. My heart sank. He was setting me up, this whole thing was to find me a date from his dubious mates' kids. Oversize jackets from the military surplus store hung over the back of their chairs. Two hung from the back of my dad's chair. I squeezed my way through the crowd of people. My dad grabbed my hand, yanking me the last few feet toward his table, forcing me into a seat around his overcrowded table. Large glasses of soft drinks filled the table.
None of them had alcohol, so why did they insist on meeting in town on a Saturday night? And what's up with that, anyway? How many young men don't drink?
I could understand one or two not drinking but none of them had alcoholic drinks, even Ryan Waites, who I knew drank like a fish, sipped a large glass of cola and ice.
They all sat quietly, gazing at my dad like he was their supreme leader, waiting for him to speak.
He cleared his throat and grabbed my hand. "Chloe," he yelled over the roar of drunken men and women, "I should have told you this years ago, but I wanted to protect you from the truth. You are special."
My eyes rolled. He might be on the soft drinks now, but I was certain he wasn’t sober. He wasn't slurring his words but who brought their daughter out on a Saturday evening to tell them they're special?
"You have told me, Dad," I sighed, "You tell me every day, every training session, every exam I pass."
"I mean you are destined for greatness."
"Yeah, as a doctor, Dad. I'm destined to be a great doctor," I frowned, leaning closer to him, trying to examine his pupils. They appear normal.
"No, Chloe, as a soldier and a great leader in the force against darkness."
He had lost his mind, he's suffering a mental break. We studied this in college last month, how to spot the signs of someone not coping, delusions is one of most telling symptoms but all his friends were joining in, nodding their heads, sipping their cola, their wide eyes fixed on me. They couldn’t all be suffering a mental breakdown, this had to be some stupid pre-hunt game.
"You're talking insane," I muttered.
"You're a vampire hunter, Chloe."
"I'm going home is what I am," I snapped. Whatever he was playing that night, I wasn’t into it. The whole town thought he was crazy. I had always defended him and now he was dragging me into his stupid games and kept me away from Lilith. I stood to leave, he gripped my hand. He was strong, stronger than I remembered, I tried to shrug him off, but his grip held fast.
"It's true," Ryan Waites told me, nodding his head. They all appeared to believe my father's delusion. I wasn’t sure what was in their cola, but it was more than sugar and syrup. "Vampires exist and you were born to lead the rebellion against them. You're a Van Helsing, Chloe."
"Yes, Ryan," I sighed, "I know my name."
How could I forget when the kids at school drummed it into me over and over? My infamous surname became the source of much fun for everyone, but me, as soon as we were old enough to read comics and watch vampire movies. My dad having Hunter as his first name didn't help.
"You're all high, you all need medical attention. I am going home, please let go of me."
My dad tightened his grip.
"The kid is talking sense, Chloe Van Helsing," a man called Graham said.
"Yeah, course he is, vampires exist, and they're hunted by fifty-year-old men, with beer guts, called Graham."
Graham pulled on his oversize combat jacket, scowling at me, his arms wrapped around his pudgy belly.
"You're all hilarious," I said, "You've amused me, now I'm leaving. Good luck with your vampire hunt."
I peeled my father's fingers from my wrist and stormed toward the exit. I couldn't believe they ruined my Saturday evening to play a stupid vampire game. With my father racing after me, I escaped into the alley Murphy's dominated. A group of drunken, middle-aged men shoved past us to get into the Irish bar. Heart pounding with rage, I stormed through the streets, my dad, Graham and the other men chased after me, chatting loud enough for onlookers to overhear.
"Club X is where they were all at last night," Ryan said, "It's where I picked up the chick vamp."
"This is some kind of sick pulling game?" I spun on my heel, my temper flared, "You've taken me out to hunt for fuck buddies?"
My father blanched, shaking his head, "Please, Chloe at least let me show you what I mean."
"There," Ryan pointed to a quiet Salsa bar, "the place is crawling with them."
A few men and women lingered in the window, talking, drinking normal human beverages and behaving like sane human beings.
"One drink, Chloe," my dad pleaded, "If you still refuse to believe I will let you go home and we'll never speak of this again."
"And no more training? No more martial arts?" I crossed my arms, pouting at him.
He nodded and glanced at the bar. It was only the bar on the dead-end street I dragged us down in my fit of rage. The hordes of people celebrating Saturday filled the other end of town. I didn't remember walking down this street. It was as if something supernatural compelled me to walk that way, the opposite way from where I lived.
"Fine," I relented. "One drink and then I'm going home, and we will never train again."
Delusions shouldn't be encouraged. It was against best medical practice, but if it meant I never needed to step into a gym again, it would be worth it. I followed the men inside. Our eyes met the second the door swung open.
Lilith. She leaned against the bar, dressed all in black, her mouth hanging open, as shocked to see me there I was to see her.
"There's one," my dad pointed to Lilith, "You feel it, don't you?"
My eyes locked with Lilith's icy blue on
es. My stomach flipped, I felt something, all right, but it was the opposite of what my dad meant.
"I..."
"There's another," Dad pointed to a man stood behind Lilith, his eyes a strange, pale gray, his skin as white and creamy as Lilith's. Everyone in the bar had pale eyes and pale skin.
"We need to leave, Chloe," Dad snapped. "Now!"
He grabbed my hand, dragging to the exit. I kept my eyes on Lilith, peering at her over my shoulder. She and the pale-eyed men with her rushed after us, cornering us in the alley.
"Princess Lilith," my dad hissed.
Princess? Princess of what? How does he know her name? Why is she here? Two men closed in on me, pushing me further into the alley, blocking my view of Lilith. My heart pounded, my pulse thudded in my ears. My head whipped around, my eyes searching for an exit. My limbs trembled. All around me men fought. My dad threw himself at Lilith, she met him fist for fist. The two men stalking me inched closer. I flew into autopilot, raising my hands in defense, widening my stance. The training my dad gave me took over. As they went for me, throwing punch after punch at me, I ducked, bowed, twisted and hit out, never allowing them to land a blow. Ryan fought as well. Graham did as well, despite his age and wobbling beer gut but the men weren't focused on them, they wanted me. As they slipped from my dad's men’s blows, they homed in on me like the two men fighting me. Lilith moved back in the alley, my dad closing in on her. In his hand, he aimed a lump of pointed wood at Lilith's chest. The chest I snuggled into last week, sleeping soundly. She tripped, her arms flailing as she fell backward.
"No...." I screamed, kicking the men fighting me into a wall and running toward her. I love her, I need her.
Chapter 6 - Lilith
Chloe, my Chloe, was Chloe Van Helsing, daughter of the worst vampire murderer who ever walked on Earth. My Chloe, the woman I love. Her wide brown eyes locked on me, she shook her head. If I had a heart, it would have shattered.
"It's on," my unit leader snapped as Chloe and the vampire killers raced to the door. It — he meant our plan. The one where we take Chloe, torture her as they tortured Aria. We’d turn her and use the maddening hunger she suffers against her. We'd wind her up and let her go, waiting in safety as she takes out Hunter Van Helsing for us. Then we will kill her. I couldn’t let it happen. We were bonded. I knew it the second I realized she was a Van Helsing. Without Chloe, my life would never be complete. If a vampire bonds with someone, only death can break the bond. They will forever crave the other like they crave blood.
"Princess Lilith," Hunter Van Helsing rounded on me. I wasn’t trained enough. I wasn’t ready to fight Hunter. My unit leader was supposed to take him on, instead, he raced after glory, gunning right for Chloe. He was our best fighter, and he aimed his aggression at my woman.
"Sir," I reasoned, stepping back, hands raised. "Chloe is..."
"How do you know my daughter's name?" He yanked a wooden stake from inside his jacket. My legs tingled. In front of me, Chloe skillfully held her own against two of our best fighters. Has my lover been a vampire killer all along? Her fighting says yes, the way she snuggled into me, so soft and willing, says no. Distracted by Chloe, I lost my footing. Hunter pounced on my mistake, throwing himself, stake first toward my falling body.
I closed my eyes, preparing to die… again.
Something heavy landed on me. Thick, warm liquid seeped through my clothes, coating my skin. The scent of blood filled the air. Chloe's blood, I'd recognize her scent anywhere. Hunter wailed, an animalistic, anguished wail. I opened my eyes. Chloe lay over me, a wide, wooden stake protruded from her chest, her eyes fluttered.
"Lily," she breathed, raising a shaking, blood covered hand to stroke my ice-cold cheek. My chest ached.
"Chloe, my baby, what did I do?" Hunter fell to his knees, his skin as white as mine, tears soaked his cheeks. Chloe's heart rate slowed, the blood pumping from the gaping wound in her chest slowed. The wail from Hunter escalated. Chloe's limp arm dropped to her side.
"Sir," I choked back a sob, "her heart still beats, but it is weak, she needs urgent medical care."
Around them, men and vampires fought, oblivious to our suffering. The two vampires Chloe fought lay unconscious in a heap behind a dumpster.
"Sir," I tried again to snap Hunter Van Helsing out of his stupor. "Chloe is fading, she needs help. Where is the nearest hospital?"
"Three.... three miles," he sighed.
Her heart stopped. Her beautiful lips turned blue. We'll never make it in time. I can help, but Hunter will kill me. If I didn't help her, I would die anyway, languishing in grief until my ancient body gives out. I sliced a long, pointed nail across my wrist.
"Get away from her!" Hunter yelled diving for Chloe's lifeless body. I only have a few seconds to help her. Once her brain is dead, she is gone and no one or nothing could bring her back to us. I squeezed my bleeding wrist over Chloe's lips. Blood trickled into her mouth, some of it her own from the last time I fed. Hunter sank to his haunches, covering his face. The cacophony of punching and bellowing behind us waned to a light, breathless din. The color drained from Chloe's skin. She licked her lips, raising her arms to bring my wrist to her mouth, suckling like she last ate a month ago. The hunger would kick in, maddening and burning. She'd eat anything and anyone to end her misery. I must get her away from Hunter and his men. I can't let my unit get hold of her. No matter how much Hunter deserved to pay for his crimes against us, I refused to let them use Chloe as a weapon. Chloe would never forgive herself. Once the hunger ended, I would have her back but not if my unit got her first. I snatched my wrist from her suckling wrist. Hunter stood, blocking my exit, behind him my unit backed off, outnumbered now that Chloe took out two of our best. Chloe growled in my arms, sniffing the air, smelling blood, human blood. I remember the feeling well. The hunger would consume her until she fed, or it ran its course. Until she feeds, she was not strong, not stronger than I was.
Hunter pulled out a second stake.
"Take it back, you monster, bring my daughter back."
"I'm trying, sir, I'm trying."
I grabbed Chloe's wrist, readying myself to sprint through the alley, past Hunter and his men and to where? If I take her to town, she will get worse. The scent of human blood in the air, the drumming of their hearts beating all around her will drive her crazy. My father was my only option. I needed to get Chloe somewhere quiet and I can call him.
I shoved Hunter aside, his eyes locked on Chloe. He didn't respond. We belted past her men, running faster than any of them could hope to. I raced through side streets, running away from the sights and scents of humanity. We came to a halt in a small, quiet park.
"I'm so hungry," Chloe whined. "So, so hungry."
"It will be okay," I reached for my cell phone. "Daddy, I need you."
Chapter 7 - Lilith
Chloe groaned, clutching her stomach. She rolled on the wet ground, sweat covering her forehead. I would’ve given anything to take her pain for her, but it was impossible. It was part of the virus coursing through her veins, causing her skin to blister and burn under the sun, stopping her heart and lungs but granting her everlasting life.
My father's Range Rover pulled up.
"Oh, Lily, what have you done?"
"Please, please help us," I begged.
"Your unit leader has issued a warrant for your arrest. You turned a human."
He scowled down at Chloe's vulnerable form.
"I didn't, not really. She died in battle. I brought her back and they would turn her, anyway. They want to use her against Hunter Van Helsing.”
"She's the Van Helsing child?"
"We're in love. I bonded with her, Daddy."
His eyes narrowed. He shook his head, slowly.
"Get her in the car."
She fought against me, pleading for human blood as I bundled her into the car.
"I'm taking you to some," I promised her, mopping the sweat from her brow. I needed to end the war, reunite Chloe with Hunter,
save my life and save Chloe's, but first I needed to help her through the hunger.
"Blood," she drooled as we pulled up outside my house in the private, gated community my coven lived in. All covens live shielded away from humanity. We must, to protect ourselves from the vampire killers among them. Vampire killers like Chloe's dad. My mother rushed to the door, helping us from the car.
"The police have been here looking for you, Lily," my mother said.
"Which ones?" I asked.
"Vampire."
At least Hunter didn't involve the human police. Vampires don't last long in human prisons.
"Okay."
"They said you have Chloe Van Helsing."
"Yes."
She glanced at the back of the car. Chloe clawed at the window, her once dark chocolate eyes a pale, glittering gold. My blood dripped from her milk-white fangs, her hair stuck to her head. Her own blood saturated her ripped shirt. She was more animal than a vampire or a human.
"Lily," my mother grinned, "you are a genius."
"I... What?"
My mother helped us drag Chloe inside. We locked her in the bathroom until we could take her to one of our cells. She didn’t have the strength to smash through the reinforced windows, she wouldn’t until she fed. We all huddled in my living room, my father studiously ignoring his phone. King of our coven or not, he had to obey the law. Running off to save his felonious daughter is not what a good, law-abiding King should do.
"Alpha Unit caught a human. Lily, I want you to talk to him. He's a boy named Ryan, he was ranting and raving about Chloe. He cares deeply for her. Use Chloe and your bond with her to reach him, convince him to release Aria and we may end this war with no more bloodshed."
"But how can I talk to him? Special Ops have him and they want to arrest me."
My mother laid out her hastily thought up plan. We could use the love between me and my coven, Chloe and the vampire murderers and me and Chloe to end the war without bloodshed. Chloe and I would mediate between the two sides. My mother was convinced once the vampire murderers understood us and our ways, they wouldn’t thirst for our bloody deaths. That's all vampires wanted. We wanted to live side by side in peace. But first, we needed to convince our lawmakers and military not to punish me for turning Chloe, a feat my mother thought we’d achieve easily, as long as they understood what Chloe becoming one of us could do for our war efforts.
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