The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series

by Emily Bex

  Changing from his leathers, he throws on some sweats and heads down to his office, so he can upload those pictures of the rogue’s tattoos from his cell phone.

  The downstairs is quiet again and it looks like Luca has retreated back to his suite. He enters his office, plops down in the chair in front of his desk and starts uploading the files. The images are much easier to see on the large monitor and provide him with much greater detail. He scrolls through the pictures and chooses one of the clearer images to text to Alec.

  Shade leans in close to the screen to try to get a better idea of what the hell he is looking at. It is a symbol of some sort. Both vampires had it in the same place on their back, a clear indication of an allegiance to a coven or master. He doesn’t know everything in this fucking vampire world, but he has been here long enough to notice some things and he has never seen this tattoo anywhere in his travels. It looks like a goat’s head of some sort. Working the photo properties on his computer, he turns the image 180 degrees, then 90 degrees. Having no luck with that, he zooms in on the picture and takes a harder look, rolling this image around in his head, trying to think of some connection.

  Shade is invested in figuring this out. He knows this is probably not going to be the last time they see this symbol, and the sooner he figures this out, the better for all of them. He knows Alec will put this on the back burner, and unless something else happens with this rogue coven, it will slip from his memory. But, for Shade, this is top priority. So, what the hell was their purpose and who the hell are they.

  Shade hears Luca step up behind him, leaning over his shoulder, staring at the same images on the screen.

  Luca points at the screen and outlines the shape of the tattoo with his extended finger, “That is the sign for Aries.”

  “What the hell do you mean Aries, Luca? Explain. Do you know what this means or have seen this before?”

  Luca responds, “The object in the middle is a ram’s head, the astrological sign of Aries. I have never seen this tattoo on a vampire before, but I recognize the astrological sign. The other symbols on each side of the ram’s head look to me as if they are shuriken blades...tribal.”

  Shade rolls this around in his head, “So, would you assume this could mean a coven, perhaps named Aries, perhaps the name of the master? They are loyal warriors to this symbol, si?”

  “I would say yes, master. That is how it appears, though I have never heard of an Aries coven.”

  Shade thinks this over, “Nor I, Luca. No coven or master named Aries that I know of. It could be a new coven. It could be some upstarts who broke away from their master. Or punk rogues banding together. Either way, not good for us.” Shade flips off the monitor and wheels his chair around. “Now tell me what happened to Kate.”

  Luca looks confused, “I’m not sure, master. She stumbled a few times when we got to California. I thought, initially, it was just the teleport, but the effects of teleporting a mortal dissipate in minutes. She said she was tired, and she looked pale to me. Other than that, I’m afraid I know nothing.”

  Shade’s emotions are jangled, something is wrong with bel, and something is up with these rogue vampires. He hasn’t fed, and he cannot go to her now if she is not feeling well and he is over agitated. There is nothing he hates more than feeling things are out of his control.

  He returns to the bunker with Luca where they finish unpacking and storing the weapons, at least gaining the satisfaction of getting this one project complete when he feels the call of sunrise. Returning to their bedroom, bel sleeps soundly. She looks like she has hardly moved from the position he left her in. He slips from his sweats and climbs in bed bedside her as he hears the soft whir of the electronic blinds. He pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her softly as he is pulled into his death slumber.

  When he wakes at sunset, he fully expects to find her side of the bed empty, but she sleeps beside him still. He sits up, turning on the bedside lamp, and looks at her closely, her skin deathly pale. He gently shakes her awake.

  “Kate, you do not look well, are you feeling sick still?”

  “I feel so tired, lover. I slept for twelve hours, and I feel like I could sleep twelve more. Just let me sleep. Maybe I have the flu? If I am not better soon, I will call for an appointment. I am sure it is nothing. You are so busy in D.C. now, you are pulled there so often, and I know you have a lot on your mind, and I don't want to burden you with this stuff.”

  He lays his head softly on top of hers, “Bel, I am worried about you. You are not yourself, you do not look well and perhaps you are right, perhaps you should see a doctor, but I think it may be wise to call Rissa. You can’t see a mortal doctor. Your DNA has been altered. All your blood work will be different. Rissa was mortal once and may be able to guide you in that area. Rissa will, perhaps, know of a doctor who can handle mortals in transition.”

  “Yes, I will call her. That sounds like a good idea. Could you have Theresa bring me more hot tea and some dry toast? I still don't feel like I can eat anything, but I know I need to drink something.”

  “Of course, mi amore. I want you to feel better, so whatever you need, tell me, I will have it for you.”

  “Gi, my lady needs some hot tea, some toast.”

  Letting his fingers play with her hair, he lays next to her. “I am sure Rissa will have an answer, she must have had to go to a doctor at some point before becoming immortal, or at least will know of a doctor who specializes in such. She may be able to guide you better, being a woman… I don’t know.”

  Kate lies quietly as she feels his fingers in her hair...softly caressing...so relaxing. She loves being curled up next to him. She listens to his voice, so soothing, so comforting. So tired, so tired, lover.

  Gi knocks at the door, and Shade tells him to enter. As Gi lays the tray down on the side table, he excuses himself and closes the door behind him. Reaching over for the tea, Shade holds it tenderly to bel’s lips and lifts her gently.

  “Please drink down the tea, take a few sips please, it will put something in your stomach and help you sleep more deeply.”

  Kate feels so thirsty, so dehydrated. She tips the cup to her lips and downs the entire cup, and then picks up the toast and takes a few bites. Gi has brought a glass of water on the tray, and she picks that up and swallows it down as well. She drops back down on the pillow and curls up next to him.

  “Better…”

  She can feel the heaviness in her eyes, and in her body, before she even finishes the sentence as she turns to lie against him, she feels herself drift away.

  ***

  Shade watches as she downs the tea and then guzzles the water, he is concerned. Her inconsistent appetite troubles him. Something is not right with her. Lying there, his mind goes over things. She got sick out of nowhere, she was not exposed to anyone who had the flu, and even if she had, she should have been able to easily fight that off with the immunity his blood gives to her. His blood would make her strong and immune to mortal disease.

  Her sleeping patterns are off schedule, and she feels exhausted. He keeps going over the last few nights of events and it only confuses him more. There is nothing she has been exposed to. What the fuck is wrong? She is definitely calling Rissa when she wakes, and he is going to be in on this call. He wants Rissa’s input, perhaps even Alec's if Rissa has no clue. Looking down, he sees she is asleep. He wants to feed, but she is too weak. He will make a quick trip to the Dead House tonight, make sure the warriors have their assignments and are on the streets.

  “Ti amo, mi amore...ti amo.”

  ***

  He dresses in leathers and leaves the room, stopping in to let Luca know he’s out, and to call him home if anything changes with Kate.

  53

  Kate wakes before him, but she knows he will be waking soon. She slept for hours, again! She quietly slips out of bed so as not to disturb him, and takes a quick shower, thinking it will revive her. She still feels tired but thinks maybe she can eat something now
. She gets dressed and tiptoes out of the room, and down the stairs heading for the kitchen where she will see what Reynaldo can fix for her.

  As she reaches the foot of the stairs and enters the living room, both Reynaldo and Theresa are frantically running about, gathering up all the red roses Shade leaves for her all over the house. Only the roses are no longer red, they have all turned black. Both Reynaldo and Theresa look up at her with startled expressions, clearly not expecting to see her.

  “What is wrong? What happened to all the roses?”

  Reynaldo seems caught off-guard and reluctant to answer, as he and Theresa exchange glances.

  "I'm not sure, my lady, perhaps you should ask master."

  Kate is perplexed by his response. “What? If you know the answer, please tell me? Does Shade know?”

  As she is addressing them, she hears footsteps behind her and turns to find Luca. He has over-heard the conversation and is looking at the black roses Theresa and Reynaldo have gathered and has a concerned look on his face.

  “Luca, do you know what this means? Why the roses turned black?”

  Luca also looks reluctant to answer, but she gives him a pleading look. “Please don't leave me in the dark, there are already enough things going on in this house of which I have so little knowledge. If you know something, please tell me!”

  Luca sighs, "My lady, when red roses turn black it is a sign of foreboding."

  “A foreboding? A foreboding of what, Luca?”

  "That I can't tell you, my lady."

  “You can't tell me, or won't tell me, Luca?”

  "My lady, I am not withholding anything from you. The roses turn black as a warning, but they do not reveal what the warning is about, or who the warning is for."

  Kate feels a flash of panic, “Is it Shade? Is he in danger? Will he know the answer? Should I wake him up now? Is the warning imminent? I mean is it something that is supposed to happen now, or in the future?”

  ***

  Luca runs his hand through his hair, Fuck! She is firing questions at me just like she does with master. How does he calm her down? “My lady, whatever it is could not be imminent for I do not feel any danger, and master continues to sleep, so please, relax, and master and I will deal with it as soon as he rises. I assure you, you are in no danger."

  Kate is not appeased, “But he could be in danger! What if the warning is for him? Or you? What then?”

  "My lady, you understand, in our culture, we are always prepared to face adversaries. It is why we train for a lifetime as warriors. We will deal with whatever confronts us."

  She sighs and just looks at him with exasperation. “Well, now you sound like Shade.”

  He smiles slightly and bows his head. "Well, then, I will take that as a compliment, my lady. Now head off to the kitchen with Reynaldo, and he will fix you something to eat, and this will all be dealt with in due time."

  ***

  Shade wakes from his death slumber, realizing he has slept deeper than normal. Rolling over gently, arm outstretched to gather bel in his arms, he finds the bed is empty. Sitting straight up like a bullet, his senses not in tune yet, fear rolls through him that something has happened to her.

  “Bel! Bel!”

  Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he hones in and finds she is within the house but fear and concern are taking over her mind. Fuck! What in the hell happened now? Rushing to the bedroom door, he stops short as he notices he is still nude and returns to the bedroom, opening his armoire and dresser drawers, flinging things over his shoulder. Where the hell is my shit?

  Screw this, he needs to get to bel. Grabbing a sheet off the bed, he ties it around his waist, and heads down the stairs like lightening has just struck his ass. He can feel his hair flying behind him, tangled from sleep. Feeling bel in the kitchen, he charges in like a bull in a china shop to find her sitting at the bar talking to Reynaldo. A buffet fit for a queen has been spread before her and she is eating like a starved woman. What the hell is wrong with her? One day she can’t eat, and now she is starving again? Definitely need to get on the horn with Rissa. Something is not right! Standing there, arms crossed over his chest, he leans against the arched doorway and observes her, getting a feel for her, and she is upset about… Flowers?

  ***

  Reynaldo has fixed steak and eggs. Kate usually has a cup of yogurt or a bagel. He has laid out toast, juice, and coffee, and she is eating everything. She hears a flurry of activity behind her as Shade comes crashing into the room, and then pauses in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, wearing a sheet, as he looks at her with... What? Concern? Confusion? She looks at him, his hair tousled, clearly nude under that sheet.

  “Was the bedroom on fire, lover?”

  “Well, no, but it looks like a tornado went through it. So, I see you are hungry again? I like to see you eating, although I prefer you drink from the source of your strength.”

  Walking up behind her, he wraps his arms around her, snuggling into her neck and kissing it softly. “So, what are you doing up so early without me? Have a sexy hot lover on the side?”

  She giggles as he nuzzles into her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “First of all, I woke up starving. And second of all, there is no lover as hot or sexy as you, so that would be a complete waste of my time. But, it was the weirdest thing, when I came downstairs, Reynaldo and Theresa were gathering all the roses to throw them away, they had all turned black. Luca said it was a foreboding? I was freaked out, but he said not to worry, that you and he would deal with it. Has this happened before? Do you know what it means?”

  Shade creases his brow. That explains the strange feeling he got from her about the flowers. The roses turning black are a foreboding of things to come, but he is not sure of what. Perhaps it is related to the damn rogues he killed in town and his own turmoil about the Aries tattoo. Damn Luca and his big mouth, why the hell did he tell her this stuff? She doesn’t need to be worried. Sitting down on the stool beside her, he smiles at her and grabs a linen napkin, dabbing at the small crumbs on the side of her lips.

  “Mi amore, you need not worry, si? The roses are a foreboding of something stirring. I would predict it is the rogues I found the other night and that has all been settled, nothing else has happened. So, let me handle this, I have it well in hand, bel, well in hand. Now, seems as though I need to call the florist and restock. The house will not smell as sweet without your red roses. You seem to be feeling much better, and your appetite has definitely returned.”

  Kate leans her head on his shoulder, “See that is what Luca said, you sound alike. So, I'm not going to worry.”

  ***

  As she speaks the words, she can see Shade and Reynaldo exchange glances over her head. She knows it will do no good to question him further. He will share what he wants her to know, and protect her from the rest, and no amount of protest or questioning from her will change that. She decides to let this whole flower thing go.

  “Do you think we need to still call Rissa? I mean, I do feel better. I’m still a little tired, but that's normal, isn't it? After the flu?”

  ***

  Shade exchanges a silent communication with Reynaldo, they both know the foreboding pertains to future events, not past events, so he has no way of predicting what the flowers foretell. He prays it is not related to bel.

  “Well, I am glad you feel better.” Sliding his hand across the countertop, he lets his fingers slide over hers, playing with them softly. “I think we still should call Rissa, she may have a doctor, someone who deals with mortal/immortal illness. Alec is well connected, and I am sure he will have a source for us, and besides, I want you to see a doctor, and want you to have one on hand if we need them for anything else. If you get sick again, I want a resource.”

  Smiling and picking up her hand, he kisses her palm.

  “I’m sure there is no need for a doctor, I’m feeling much better, but I understand you wanting to have someone lined up for the future. So, let's just call
her.”

  “Kate, listen to me, please. There are specialists within our community who treat vampires. And even though you have not been turned, because you feed from me, your blood is now changed, your body is changed, and it will set off alarms if you go to a mortal doctor. I am sure Alec or Rissa will have someone who is vampire and well educated in medicine. So, let us plan to call her, si? I think we should put her on the speaker phone, so we can both talk to her at once.”

  Grabbing bel’s hand and helping her off the barstool, they head to Shade’s office to give them a little privacy as they make the call. He pulls up a second chair to his desk for her to sit next to him.

  “I think we should put Rissa on speakerphone, bel, that way both of us can hear her and voice our concerns. Si?”

  Kate pulls out her cell and dials her up. After a few rings, Rissa picks up the call.

  ***

  Rissa was just finishing sending out invoices for last month’s events when she hears her cell phone. Thinking it may be Alec, she grabs it quickly, but sees it is Kate. She sighs, annoyed. But Shade is working for Alec now, and he wants her to “get along”, so she will make the effort.

  “Kate, how are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

  Kate begins, not sure where to start, “Rissa, hi. I have you on speaker, I'm here with Shade, he thought it might be a good idea if we all talked about, uh, some things that have been going on.”

  Shade speaks up, “Hello, Rissa. Basically, we need some direction, so I asked Kate that we both be on the call.”

  Rissa responds, hearing strain in their voices, so she tries to make light of it.

  “What’s up? I will do whatever I can, of course. Alec and I are both always here if you need us.” Seriously, helping Kate is the last thing I want to do.

  Kate continues, “Rissa, it's nothing serious, but I have been sick, maybe just the flu or something? But, anyway, Shade thought I should call and tell you my symptoms, and also get the name of a doctor. He said I couldn't go to my regular doctor anymore, that I would need someone who specializes in transitional mortals.”