The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series

by Emily Bex

  ***

  Shade watches him as he walks away, sliding the card in his pocket. He hopes he comes to see him. Shade thinks he can mold him into something. Not a warrior, his frame is far too delicate for that, but perhaps something useful to the Medici coven.

  ***

  Kate watches this exchange between the young boy and Shade before he leads them though the crowd and back outside. The valet rushes to bring the Lamborghini around, and they climb back into the car. It is about 4:00 a.m., and if they hurry, they can get out of San Francisco before the commuter traffic picks up. Shade heads back across the Golden Gate, hitting the highway and flooring the gas pedal as he drives back to Napa.

  “Shade, I can’t get him out of my head. That young boy, he seemed too young to even be in that club. May I ask who he is to you?”

  “Si, mi amore. He is a lost boy. I don’t know his full story, but I know he has no master, no coven. He lives on the streets, he must fend for himself. He hangs out at the club, selling himself. Sexual favors in exchange for money.”

  Kate is watching his profile as he speaks, and is taken back by what he says, “You…had sex with him?”

  “No, not sex, but I fed from him. He is young, and I thought his blood would be strong. His blood…it did not have the energy I expected from a young vamp, but there was something…different that made me return. Not sure. But I never had sex with him. I would always pay him handsomely, much more than the fee he asked for. Hoping he could get himself off the streets.”

  Kate looks out the window at the landscape flying past them as Shade has the Lamborghini flying full out.

  “Can you help him?”

  “That is up to him, bel rosso. I gave him my card. If he wants help, if he is looking for a way out, and he contacts me, then si, I will help him.”

  She lays her hand on top of his as it rests on the gear shift. “I hope he calls you.”

  ***

  He looks over at her as he feels the pain in her heart, her worry over the young boy. He takes hold of her hand and lifts it to his lips. His gentle bel rosso, so innocent in his world of darkness.

  31

  As they walk through the California house, Kate carries a notebook and pen, along with a tape measure and her cell phone so she can take photos of each room as the two of them take a final tour. They wander from room to room, Kate making notes as they discuss flooring options, wall textures, furniture, window treatments and the like. He is enjoying this time with her, she is happy, and he loves her enthusiasm and the ideas she has for furnishing this home.

  She is his, and that thought keeps occurring to him over and over as he watches her eyes light up each time a new idea occurs to her. Standing inside the library, the shelves still hold a lot of old books. Kate will add to the collection of titles here, but he likes the look of the old books and wants to keep them on the shelves.

  Luciano knocks before entering. "Excuse me, Master Shade, but there is a young man by the name of Cory to see you." Shade notes Luciano’s tone of utter disgust speaking the name.

  "Cory? Did he say his purpose here?"

  “No, master, but he gave me this.”

  Watching as Luciano waves Shade’s business card about, Shade remembers the young vampire from the club last night. Shade gives out specific personal calling cards bearing his name and contact information, so all his staff are alerted that these guests come to him by his own invitation.

  "Send him in, Luciano." He looks to Kate. "Bel, apparently Cory is the young man from the club. Good thing there are a few odd pieces of furniture to at least sit on. Would you mind joining me?"

  ***

  Kate’s face lights up with recognition, “I'm so glad he contacted you. I hope you can help him, and yes please, I would love to stay with you.”

  "Well, I am hoping you can help me interview him and get some information out of him. He is no warrior, so let’s see what his story is and see if we can find a place for him within the coven. He may not be of a mind to join us, but I hope he is willing and ready to change his lifestyle."

  ***

  As Luciano walks in, he presents the young man and Shade signals for Luciano to bring them some refreshments. Shade approaches the young boy. He looks to be maybe eighteen or nineteen in mortal years. He takes in his small frame, and realizes in this well-lit room, the boy looks even thinner, and more delicate than he did in the darkened club. As they shake hands, his face reminds Shade of someone, but he’ll be damned if he can think of whom it might be, and it makes no difference, not likely they ever met beyond the club.

  "Cory, good to see you, I am glad you made the decision to come see me. You remember Katherine, my mate. Please take a seat. You will have to excuse the condition of the house. We are in the middle of decorating."

  ***

  Kate watches the young boy enter. He looks almost frail, like a mortal would look if they had not been eating. Is that his problem? He doesn't feed enough? Or he lets others feed from him too often? He is probably only ten years younger than she is, but he draws out all her maternal instincts.

  "Cory. I'm so glad you took Shade up on his offer. Can I get you anything?”

  ***

  Cory shifts his weight from foot to foot. He has been invited to the home of other vamps before, for feeding and sex. He knows how to play that role. But he is not used to someone asking him if he wants anything. That is new.

  "Thank you, Miss. I am hungry. A sandwich is good. But I don’t want you to go to any trouble. I can pay with my blood."

  Cory looks at Shade, he is so strong, and when Shade feeds from him, something happens inside of him that never happens when all the others feed. He feels different and he likes how it feels.

  Shade shakes his head, “There is no need to pay, Cory. Our hospitality has no strings attached.” Shade is confused by his request for a sandwich. Is he not a vamp?

  Cory takes a seat, flipping his long black hair back, and looks around the huge room.

  ***

  Kate looks at Shade as she addresses Cory, "A sandwich? No trouble at all. But you can eat a sandwich?"

  ***

  Cory keeps his eyes on Shade’s face as she asks if he can eat a sandwich. He supposes now is the best time to bust out the truth of what he is. Shade will either pitch him head first through the front door, or let him explain, but it won’t be the first time he’s been rejected by the vampire community.

  "I eat human grub, but I also drink blood. I’m a half-breed, half human and half vampire." Standing up, ready to be tossed, he watches them both stare at each other. "Did you hear me?"

  ***

  Shade is processing the information. He knew half-breeds existed, but he had never met one before. Half-breed? What the fuck? He eats mortal food and he lets immortals feed from him? What in the fuck did I just drop my ass into?

  As Cory stands to leave, Shade stands up as well and holds up his hand, wanting him to know there is no judgment here, nor animosity, just down-right fucking shock.

  "Cory, sit down. No harm to you here, you are safe. I can feel your edginess, which tells me you have done this before, revealed yourself and it did not go over well. I think Kate and I are just a bit taken aback. It is not something I have ever encountered, but I am curious."

  Luciano returns, bringing in a bottle of Midnight and sets it down, awaiting Shade’s instructions.

  Not wanting to reveal anything to Luciano in front of Cory, he asks him to open the wine, and to please close the door when he leaves.

  "So, Cory, do you wish for some Midnight? Midnight is a specific mixture of blood and alcohol made strictly for vampires."

  “Whiskey if you have it. Never had Midnight and not sure I want it."

  Shade responds in a calm but firm voice, "You will have a glass of wine, no whiskey. And bel, would you mind pouring for us, and see whatever you can scrounge up in the kitchen for Cory to eat. Do you mind?"

  ***

  "Of course, let me see what we have. I'll b
e right back."

  Kate hurries to the kitchen and makes him two sandwiches, one turkey and one ham, loading generous amounts of meat on both sandwiches, lots of mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato. She finds some potato salad in the fridge and puts a large scoop on the plate, grabs a fork and a napkin and hurries back to the living room. There is a whole bag of chocolate chip cookies on the counter and she grabs those and tucks them under her arm. No telling when he last ate.

  ***

  "So, let’s begin at the beginning Cory. While bel is out of the room, tell me some of your history. How is it you became a half-breed? And what in the hell are you doing selling yourself at a club? I advise you not to lie to me. It will mean your immediate dismissal from my presence. I am harsh Cory, but fair. Be honest and I will see where I can help you, lie to me and we are done. I live by a code and I do not tolerate lying or cheating of any sort. Are we clear?"

  ***

  Cory nods his head yes just as his mate comes back in and lays a buffet of food in front of him. He just stares at her. Picking up a sandwich, he inhales it, not even sure what it is, but it is good. Picking up the other sandwich, he looks up at Shade and sees the seriousness in his face.

  "My mom was human, a vampire fed from her, knocked her up. She met him at a club, kind of like ‘Under the Coffin’, where humans go to hook up with the vamps. She said they hung together a few weeks before he took off. She never ran into him again after that. Didn’t know she was knocked up until after he was long gone. When I was born, I was small, weak. They weren’t sure I would even make it. She realized after a time that I was vampire too, or something like it. She had me in school, but I never fit in, got bullied. I kept running away, and eventually, I just lived on the streets. Been there ever since. No big deal, I can survive."

  Woofing down the sandwich, taking huge bites, he reaches for the cookies and rips open the bag, popping a whole cookie into his mouth, followed by another, and another.

  ***

  Kate pours a glass of Midnight for Shade and Cory. She takes Shade his glass, and then sets the glass in front of Cory.

  "Cory, I can fix you more if you're still hungry. Just let me know. And, excuse me for asking a personal question, but I am mortal myself, so I don't understand. Do you also... uh... feed?"

  ***

  "Yeah, I got fangs, I feed. What is that yellow stuff?" Taking the glass of wine, he downs it in one gulp. "Can I have some more of that Midnight?"

  Kate stifles a laugh, “Uh... the yellow stuff is potato salad. Try it. If you don't like it just leave it. And I'll get you more Midnight.” Kate takes his glass and refills it with Midnight. She gives Shade a "what have we gotten ourselves into" look.

  ***

  Shade watches him eat like he is starved and wonders where he goes to feed and if he must hunt, because he probably does not have access to feeders. As Kate gives him that look, he just nods and watches as Cory sips the Midnight, then gulps it down in one swallow.

  "Easy Cory, that shit will kick your ass. So, you have survived the label of half-breed on the streets, selling yourself and hunting. But your lifespan is limited if you keep that shit up. Tell me your skills, beyond vampire. What can you do? I’m assuming you can do just about anything other vampires can do in the general realm of things. But what can you offer me and my coven?"

  Cory picks at the potato salad, pushing it aside on his plate as he picks up the bag of cookies again and downs the wine in his glass.

  "I can feed your coven. I won’t rob you. I’d just ask for a steady salary. I can keep guard of your house here. I might be little, but I can handle myself good, I been hanging in the streets my whole life. You got something in mind?"

  Shade shakes his head, “No Cory, you will not be used as a feeder. I think you have been subjected to enough of that.”

  Kate steps a little closer to him, looking at his jacket. “Can I ask where you bought your leathers? That jacket... wow, I'd wear something like that myself. It looks like designer quality stuff. Did someone give it to you?”

  Cory sits up taller in the chair, "Nope, made it myself. I buy at the second-hand shops, stuff is cheap. I take them apart and put together my own designs from the different pieces. I stitch all the designs myself. My mom used to sew my clothes because we were poor, so I learned the basics from her. Taught myself more elaborate stuff. When I get enough money, I buy good leather and design things to wear. You would buy this?"

  "Oh my God, I would totally buy this!” Kate reaches out her hand to touch his jacket...."May I?"

  He nods yes, and she runs her hand over some of the seam work and stitching detail. "Shade, this looks as good as the hand-sewn leather I saw in Florence. The jacket is impeccably lined. If he had access to quality leather and other materials, there is no telling what he could make. Why don't you have him make leathers for your warriors? He could custom design pieces for them. And look at the detail on the pants, the reinforced padding in the knee area, like those guys who ride motor-cross. What do you think?”

  ***

  Shade sits with his hands steepled in front of his mouth, watching and listening. It isn’t a bad idea. The warriors usually purchase their leathers off the rack, paid for through the clothing allowance he provides.

  "I like the idea. The warriors just buy whatever is in the stores, but to have someone make their leathers specifically for them, custom designed to accommodate their specific weapons, I think they would prefer it. They like choosing their own things. I give them an allowance for such but having Cory on premises to measure and design custom warrior gear would be unique and help us tremendously. What do you think, Cory? Can you manage to design and fit them if I provide the tools and materials?”

  ***

  Cory can’t believe his ears. He doesn’t want to act too excited in case Shade changes his mind.

  “Sure, no problem. I actually like doing it. And good tools and leather would make a difference. I can do better than this with the right shi... stuff. How much does that pay?”

  Shade stands up, towering over him. "Right now, let’s get one thing straight. If you accept, you belong to me, a member of the Medici coven. You become my responsibility and you will listen, Cory. I do not deal with street living, drugs, behavior unbecoming. That fucked up hell is now in your past the moment you say yes, so you better think long and hard. You agree to live in my coven, you live by Medici rules. You represent me, and I do not tolerate bullshit on any level. No cheating, lying, stealing, and you will never sell yourself for blood. I will draw up a contract with you, as I do my warriors, with salary and living accommodations. There is no negotiating on that. It is what it is. And it will be followed to the letter. If you comply, if you fit into my coven, you become Medici. You prove to me you are worthy of my coven, and life will only get better for you. I provide feeders for all, you no longer need to buy blood nor sell your damn body to anyone. I find out you do, your head leaves your body by my own hand, understood?"

  Listening to him bellow, Cory knows he means business, he is a master, and Medici is world renown for his power and wealth. Imagine him working for that bastard. Just dropped right in his lap. He knows he can do this, work hard, and earn his keep. He’ll have a place to call his own, food and feeders. Being clean and having a place he belongs.

  "I can be a good worker, Shade. I know the Medici name and legend. Who the hell doesn’t? Give me a chance. I won’t let you down. I’ll show you I can do it. I’m tired of living here. I’m tired of having no purpose but to survive. I have nothing here, I can’t trust anyone. I know already you will not take advantage of me. Thank you, I will sign and accept whatever your terms.”

  ***

  Shade knows his response is sincere. Nothing holds him here, and he is glad he made the right choice. Shade wants him to realize he expects work, just like his warriors.

  "Cory, it’s done then. The only thing you need to understand is I will need you in Florence, Italy at my family home. My warrior camp is there. I will
have Luciano teleport with you to the location, and I will have arrangements made there for living, salary, and a place for you to set up your shop. We will provide all the things you need to get started. My warriors are there, that is where I will need you, not in the States. If you agree, I need you to wrap up everything here in California. Do you have family or friends you need to say your farewells to?"

  ***

  Cory’s eyes are big as saucers. Italy? Fuck the luck!

  "My mom is alive, I only see her a couple times a year, so that’s no big thing. I know where she is. I just need to let her know I’m leaving the country, so she won’t think I’m dead or something. Do they speak English in Italy? I fucking don’t know Italian. But I want to go!"

  Shade throws back his head laughing. "I think you are going to fit right in with that pack of brothers over there. They speak English, some of them not so damn well. I will have Luca and Marcello keep an eye on you, help you through, show you around. Tonight, you sleep here. You no longer belong on the streets. Come sunset tomorrow, I will give you two nights to get yourself together. You come back here. Meet Luciano at 11:00 p.m. If you are not here, this never happened, and you never show your face here again. Understood?"

  Cory can’t believe what just happened. He is now employed by one of the most powerful masters in the world and he is going to live in Italy. This will fucking blow his mom’s mind when he tells her he is out of this damn place and going to Europe. Standing up, he feels odd, not knowing if he should shake his hand or hug him.

  "Understood, master. I will be here. Now can I have another glass of that Midnight?"

  ***

  Shade bellows, "No!" As Luciano enters, Shade tells him to show Cory his accommodations for the night. As they leave, Shade looks at Kate.

  "You are awfully quiet, bel."

  “Shade, I am so happy for him. So happy he is taking advantage of this opportunity to do something with his life. Thank you for seeing something in him. He is so young. All he needs is a break. All he's known is people taking advantage of him. He will need a strong hand. He will need friends in Italy, but also someone who is going to keep close tabs on him. Make him toe the line, teach him discipline and structure, and where better than a camp that trains warriors?”