Bad Blood: Bad Duology Book One

by Colt, Shyla

  “I realize. I-I’m sorry, Rain.”

  “What’s done is done. Now we move forward.” Lav sighed, exhausted. “We have one more day until the ceremony. Let them come.”

  “You’re changing your tune?” Silver leaned back, pursing her lips.

  Lavina scowled. “What do you want me to do? Continue to behave like a stubborn child. I know I’ve lost.”

  “It’s not a game.” Silver glowered.

  “I know that as well as everyone else here, Silver.”

  Silver and Lavina’s gazes lock. The air in the room grew thin. Lav flashed forward a blur. Silver leapt into the air, turning seamlessly into a bat. Keeta’s jaw dropped. “You can shift.”

  The bat flew over to her and changed. “A little present from my maker.” Silver grinned cheekily.

  “We cannot afford to fight amongst ourselves,” Cyprian growled.

  “Perhaps, we could all benefit from a friendly spar?” Crewe suggested.

  “I think it’s necessary.” Cian pushed away from the couch and stood. The others followed, heading for the exit.

  “This has yet to be resolved,” Reagan said.

  Cyprian paused by the front door. “You will contact them, and the chips will fall where they may.”

  Unsure who to follow, Keeta remained with Rainer, who still looked shaken. Walking across the room, she sat down beside her on the gray couch. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “That’s okay.” Keeta took her hand. “We all are, sweetie.”

  “The things I see are a nightmare played out on the back of my lids, and it all shifts so fast, I’ve no way of knowing which is the truth.”

  “The future isn’t set. Trying to be the keeper of multiple varied outcomes is madness.”

  “That’s my role. It’s my job. My skill is what I bring to the table in this family. If I don’t have that …” Rainer trembled like a petrified bunny.

  “Rainer. You’re the glue that binds everyone together. You’re the heart. A vital organ the body can’t live without. Don’t let the shadows sell you lies.”

  “The shadows?” Rainer’s eyes widened.

  “The darkest pieces of us that lead to doubt, loathing, and self-flagellation. Their sole purpose is to deceive. So, we can never trust a word they speak. You’re more than your ability to know the future. When we got here, you were the first welcoming face I’d seen it what felt like ages. You treated Crewe and I like old friends, and eased the path between all of us without even trying. It takes a talented person to do that with us temperamental supernatural beings.”

  She nodded her head, and Keeta felt a kernel of worry began to sprout. Had she gotten worse since they’d arrived? Move, help her stabilize higher up on the to-do list.

  “You can’t save everyone, you know?”

  “What?” Keeta blinked. Did I just hear her correctly?

  “It's important that you realize that. You can’t save everyone.”

  “Why did you just tell me that?” Fear settled in, tightening her chest, and making it harder to breathe.

  “I don’t know.” Rainer shook her head. “I never do.” Her tone smacked of agony that made Keeta want to weep.

  Smoothing down the skirt of her white sundress with bright yellow sunflowers, Rainer stood. “I need to go send out the messages. I’ll see you out there.”

  Keeta watched the girl go. With one foot in the present and another elsewhere, she was a strange mix of fascinating and sad. Did she just warn me about future casualties? Chilled, she made her way outside. The temperature had plunged further, and the sky was overcast and gloomy. As if Mother Nature knew what would soon come to pass.

  Pulling her gray cardigan closer to her body, she observed the vampires. Cyprian uprooted a tree without breaking a sweat and flung it at Silver who turned into a black crow and easily dodged the missile. Her jaw dropped. Even for a vampire, that was incredibly strong.

  “It is.” She smirked. Crewe’s mind was never far from her own. “Strength is his talent. I don’t need to tell you what Silver’s is. Shifting is rare.” Crewe dodged Lavina easily. “She’s fast. But her anger guides her instead of her brain. When she learns to control that, she’ll be truly dangerous.”

  A flash of bright purple drew her attention to where Reagan unleashed a blast of power toward Cian, who spun and disappeared. Keeta took a step down the front porch, narrowing her gaze as she swept the area. Reagan grunted.

  “Potshot, Cian.” Reaching out, Reagan grabbed the air. Cian appeared in his hold, grabbed his wrist, and dug his fingers into the nerves. Reagan cried out, releasing Cian’s arm, and a powerful blast of energy that clipped Cian before he could move out of the way. Stumbling to the side, Cian laughed.

  “That’s more like it.” He charged Reagan. A clap of thunder made her jerk. She glanced up at the clouds moving across the sky. A flying object caught her gaze. Cian flipped, landing on all fours.

  “Show off,” Reagan called.

  Cian winked. “Years of practice.”

  “Well come at me, old man. I’ll show you how the kids do it these days.” Reagan wiggled his fingers.

  “If you insist.” Cian embodied anarchy as he charged forward, mohawk waving like wheat in the wind, and a wicked grin slashed across his face. The ripped black jeans and Rancid shirt worn with suspenders completed the picture. Black combat boots pounded into the grass.

  Reagan threw a bolt of energy. It rebounded off a barrier, and Cian laughed. “Always so predictable.” Cian jerked as his body came to a stop.

  “Or not,” Reagan smirked.

  “Well done,” Cian remarked, congratulating his cunning.

  “I learned from the best.” Reagan waved his hand, releasing Cian.

  Her hands itched to hold a sword. There was no way in hell she’d stand on the sidelines while they fought her battle for her.

  “I think Keeta is growing restless. I’ll spar with you, love.”

  “When I think I couldn’t love you anymore, you go and prove me wrong.” She jogged down the stairs, proud to have a mate who understood she needed to be actively involved.

  * * *

  They answered Rainer’s call, coming in waves and clusters. Their magic encroached on the strong wards and spells woven into the property, surrounding areas, and Savannah itself. Her skin itched. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, she sought out solace on the front porch of the property. With the arrival of the Harmony Coven and the Coven of Night Shadows, the grand house seemed to be shrinking. Trailing her hand over the railing, she let the natural element absorb the excess energy and ground her.

  She took a seat in the large, white rocking chair positioned in the corner. Pushing off with her feet, she enjoyed the temporary peace. It all came down to tomorrow. They’d cast the spell under the full moon, and if Rainer’s behavior was a predictor, all hell would break loose. The seer had been distracted, absent-minded, and fearful. The concerned looks hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  “It’s the quiet before the storm.”

  The soft, slightly-accented voice brought her gaze to the petite, olive-skinned vampire from the Harmony Coven.

  “Yes,” Keeta said.

  “You feel the wards being broken strongly?” She tilted her dark head. Keeta hummed her agreement. They’d googled her like she was a Sasquatch who’d left the forest and came to have an intelligent conversation. It was disconcerting. The attention, kneeling, and questions she couldn’t truly answer. Like them, she was learning as she went.

  She gestured toward the land. “Once you’ve become attuned to them, you notice the difference when they’re agitated. The new energy pouring in is a lot to introduce to a small area at once.”

  Isadora leaned back, resting her elbows on the rail as she got comfortable. “Yes. We were impressed with the subtle nature of such powerful magic. It takes skill to weave it so seamlessly.”

  Keeta smiled. “They follow the ‘hide in plain sight’ method.”

&
nbsp; “It appears to be working for them.”

  “Are you okay?” Crewe asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  Isadora inhaled. “You speak to him in your head? Like we do?”

  Keeta blinked, shocked. Isadora chuckled.” I apologize. I have a talent for sensing these things.”

  “Yes. Tell me more about the Harmony Coven,” She steered the conversation away from herself.

  “We began as a collection of vampires who didn’t subscribe to what we’ve been taught. When you’re alive long enough, you learn things are never black and white. When it came to witches and vampires, things were growing increasingly gray. The less effect the sun has, the more we appear to lose our grip on reality. It became all too common to find another old one had succumbed to the madness. The logical answer was to find a witch and ask questions. It took time to cultivate a relationship with the right kind of magic workers, but once we did the note comparing began, and we bonded over our common interest and joined into a single coven.”

  Rocking back and forth, she digested the information. “That’s incredible. How long have you been together?”

  She wrinkled her brow. “About … five years. We’d heard rumors about the spell and a mother. We always wanted to believe, but there was no sign of real proof or progress. Still, we kept our feelers out there, and made connections with like-minded people also hunting for an answer before the world went to hell.” She continued to lean against the railing, facing her. “I think we all know this is our last chance to make things right before it all comes down around us. Our ignorance and fighting amongst one another has led us here. We’ll have to work together in order to fix it.”

  She picked Isadora’s brain. “You realize there are others who don’t agree.”

  “Has that ever been a reason for bigotry and hatred to remain?”

  Keeta smiled. “No. No, it hasn’t.” Welcoming the reminder of why they were gathering, she sent the Italian born Isadora a grateful smile. They had to get this right.

  * * *

  Dreary, wet, and cold. Keeta hoped the conditions weren’t a sign of how the night would play out. Bundled in a raincoat, jeans, a long-sleeved black T-shirt, and matching boots, she followed behind Crewe, hitching her backpack higher. Stepping carefully, she focused on the upcoming spells as they hiked deeper into the woods. The Covens of Light, Elder Flames, and Liberty had trickled in, upping their numbers to nearly fifty able bodies. Names and faces blurred together as they introduced themselves.

  They would act as conduits for energy and the first line of defense. If she had the time, she would marvel at the rare vision of witches working with vampires. It gave them a glimpse of how life could be if they succeeded. Encouraged, she ignored the pins and needles running through her cold limbs. The oppressive feel of impending disaster weighed down on her shoulders. Lightning streaked across the sky followed by a loud boom of thunder. Wind howled. Reminded of the night their wards were breached in England, she quickened her pace.

  “We need to hurry. The others aren’t far behind,” Rainer stated.

  “How close?” Crewe asked.

  “Hard to say.”

  “We should run then,” Cyprian said.

  “Ready?” Crewe grabbed her around the waist.

  Nodding, she buried her face in his neck as he pushed off from the ground. The wind brushed against her fast. A fine mist of light rain coated her eyelashes and exposed face. Her heart galloped in her chest like a wild stallion eager to run free. She’d never get used to traveling like this. What would’ve taken an hour was covered in minutes. They landed in the clearing gently.

  She nuzzled his neck. “You’re getting better at this.”

  He grinned. “Practice makes perfect and all that.”

  She memorized the feel of their bodies pressed together before stepping back. The moon imbued her with its power, leaving her feeling floaty like she’d downed too much allergy medicine. She turned to the others, ignoring the icy rain that ran down her neck.

  “Let’s stick to the plan, form our circles, and get a cauldron set up over a fire.” They were going old school for this spell. Every detail would be followed with careful attention to detail. The vampires spread out, taking strategic positions around the area while the witches began to prep. Crewe would be the last line of defense; remaining just outside of the final circle she would cast. His nearness reassured her. Steadying her shaking hands, she watched as Cian and Reagan quickly erected a covering.

  “Anin, Ursa, if you’d be so kind as to help us light a fire.” The stocky, dark-haired Scot and his petite, dirty-blonde haired coven mate hurried over. Ursa lifted her hand, using her deep connection with water, to dry out the area in the fire pit marked by a ring of stones they took pains to etch powerful runes on. Keeta watched amazed as the water receded back into the ground.

  The wood kindling went from a dark brown wet mess to a dried out light brown with white marks.

  “Amazing.” Keeta smiled.

  “Aye.” Anin held up his hand. A spark shot free onto the wood scraps, and the fire crackled to life. Crouching, Anin continued to coax the fire to grow while they lifted the cauldron onto the metal tripod. Drying the pot out with a thought, she stood to her full height.

  “Once we properly draw the protective circles, we won’t be able to see or hear what goes on beyond. I’ll give everyone a few minutes.”

  Crewe turned and stepped beneath the covering. Winding her arms around his neck, she dove forward, tasting his lips. Their tongues slid together as she sampled his flavor. The succulent taste of his blood coated her mouth. He’d nicked himself with his fangs. Leveling up like Mario after he ate a mushroom in Super Mario Brothers, she moaned as his power raced through her veins. He’d fed well. His love filled her, chasing away the fear of failure and self-doubt. Panting as they parted, she rested her forehead against his.

  “Upon my last breath, I swear I will allow nothing to harm you.”

  She took a deep breath and forced herself to let him go. Her heart wept as they stepped apart.

  “Let’s cast the circle.” Storing her emotions away, she removed her raincoat, and shimmied out of her pack, placing it beside the fire. Unzipping the main compartment, she started to remove the orgonite pyramids. The resin structures had been handmade with a variety of things. The silver, white, and gold piece she held in her hand was crafted with fluorite, amethyst, and onyx, specifically for protection. Kneeling, she rested it on the edge of the perimeter and moved on to the next one.

  With the circle clearly defined, she admired her work. Firelight flickered off the colorful pyramids. Reaching into the backpack, she pulled out the blessed sea salt. Rolling the chunky pieces between her fingers, she reinforced the circle with a physical layer. A low-level hum began as the energy of the twenty people gathered in the space and began to build. Pleased with her work, she placed her elemental items, a clay pot crafted by Lav for earth, a copper bell for air, an ornate jade dragon for fire, and a large conch shell for water.

  Next, she removed her wand. The crystal quartz with black tourmaline and moonstone served as the perfect way to focus her energy. The bits of turquoise, onyx, and copper used to help decorate all worked together. It felt like she was holding a lightning rod. Standing straight, she began to cast the protection. Facing north, she held the wand up, envisioning a white thread as she moved to the east, connecting each point she drew out

  Facing east, she picked up the bell and rang it. “We honor and welcome the transitional winds.” The wind ruffled the thick hair she’d pulled back into a braid. Goosebumps rose on her flesh. “We call you and ask you to make our steps light as a feather and our voices powerful shouts of conviction and intent.” The bell swung back and forth, echoing into the night. Resting it back into its place, she moved clockwise to the south, carefully extending the vision of the white ribbon in her mind’s eye with her wand aiming true.

  Picking up the jade dragon, she ran her fingers over its smooth su
rface as she imagined the heat of fire, flowing through her body. “We honor and welcome the burning flame. We call and ask you to ignite the spark of life and energy behind our eyes. Enable us to destroy and create with white-hot power.” The fire jumped high, rising far above the cauldron before it shrank back down. The others gasped at the physical manifestation of her will. Returning the figure to its place of honor, she slowly turned clockwise to face west.

  The shell was smooth in her hand. Honing in on the falling rain, and the smell of the sea salt, she imagined the waves crashing into the shore. “We honor and welcome the tides. We call you and ask you wash away the doubts that cloud our minds and grant us motion and purpose. Our emotions are as powerful as our bodies.”

  Resting the shell onto the ground, she began her final rotation back north. Holding the clay pot in her hand, she felt the energy of the makeshift family who’d adopted her into their ranks as it rose up to comfort her and keep her shaking hand steady. She imagined them as an unmovable rock. A powerful, natural structure tested and weathered by the elements, but never destroyed. “We honor the earth. We call upon you and ask you to remind us of our strength and how far we’ve come. Just as you endure, let us grow and meet every obstacle that comes our way.”

  She walked to the center of the circle in front of the fire, picturing the white ribbon growing brighter.

  “Oh, God. I see it,” Rainer whispered. The translucent white stripe shimmered, iridescent and breathtaking. The powers that be were here and listening. Glancing at everyone in the circle, she envisioned their bodies filling with the powers of the elements.

  “With fire in our heart, air in our lungs, water in our veins, and earth beneath our toes, we come. Let this space strip us of all our pretenses and connect us with our deepest hidden parts and the world around us. We give thanks to the elements that stand guard against our enemies, the energies that thrum at our fingertips ready to be wielded, and the forces our eyes have been opened to.” Her hands rose into the air. “We dedicate this space to be the base where we project our power and intent. Lend us your protection.” She cried her request. The words seemed to echo in the night, bouncing around them.