by Dale Mayer
Vampire in Chaos continues the Family Blood Ties saga.
Tessa’s life has dropped into chaos. Her father is missing, Goran is unconscious and showing no signs of healing, her mother has taken several steps off the deep end, and David, well, she’ll deal with him when she sees him – if she can find him.
Cody isn’t sure what happened to the supposedly successful conclusion to the blood farm madness, but he’s back in hell and damn it, Tessa is once again leading the charge.
Jared is on the run, again. With no one else he can trust but Tessa’s friends and family, he searches them out, determined to help them solve this war – whether he is welcome or not.
With everyone in distress or missing, Tessa struggles to find answers and create some kind of order amongst the chaos – before their attackers strike again.
Book in this series:
Vampire in Denial – FREE
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance
Vampire in Conflict
Vampire in Chaos
Vampire in Crisis
Family Blood Ties 3in1
Sian’s Solution – A Family Blood Ties Short Story
Vampire in Chaos
Book #7 of Family Blood
Dale Mayer
Valley Publishing
Copyright © 2015
License Note
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidences either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-928122-32-6
EPUB Edition
Praise for Dale Mayer
I love to read Dale Mayer’s books… keeps me guessing…. I am getting good though trying to figure out who did it…. I am on my fourth book….
…Review left on Vampire in Deceit, book 4 of Family Blood Ties
Dale Mayer’s work is always outstanding and Haunted by Death is no exception.
…Review from Haunted by Death, book 2 of the By Death Series
This is a GREAT series that you don’t want to miss out on!
…Review from Broken Protocols Series
This is my favorite author I enjoy all her books and I can’t wait for more… her books are easy to get into and I love the storyline
…Review from Dangerous Designs, book 1 of the Design Series
Dale Mayer is a gifted writer who now has me hooked as a new fan. She characters are complex and she shares her knowledge of energy work clearly and simply. Makes for fascinating reading…
…Review from Rare Find, book 6 of Psychic Visions Series
Don’t underestimated Dale Mayer. Combination of JD Robb and Heather Graham. Paranormal suspense………
…Review left on Maddy’s Floor, book 3 of the Psychic Visions Series
Wow! I read a lot, and I can honestly say that there a few books that I have read that I will remember for years. This is one of those books. Thank you Dale for giving me the gift of this magnificent story. It was both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.
…Review left on Skin, book 1 of Broken and yet…Healing Series
Touched by Death is an outstanding novel by Dale Mayer. Unlike her usual novels that contain paranormal activity, this novel is sheer malevolent actions from ordinary humans.
…Review left on Touched by Death, book 1 of By Death Series
Dale’s books are spellbinding in more ways than one. She has a unique way with words. Her characters are fun and funny and loving. I love the way the story flows. Her characters all have personality. She takes you from suspense to love, then fear love and eternal love.
…Review left on Second Chances, book 1 of Second Chances… at Love Series
Table of Contents
Cover
About the Book
Title Page
Copyright Page
Praise for Dale Mayer
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Author’s Note
About the Author
Also by Dale Mayer
Prologue
In Vampire in Conflict we let off with this chapter…
Tessa sat beside her father as he drove toward the hospital. Cody was in the back seat. She’d been sending texts back and forth between David and Motre and getting them to connect. And to let everyone like Sian know what they were doing and why.
By the time she was done, they were at the hospital. Her father pulled into the underground parking space and stopped the car. The place appeared deserted, but she didn’t know or care anymore. As far as she was concerned, this place could burn to the ground.
She’d had enough. Sian hadn’t had any luck tracking down Seth, either. And that just sent fear racing down Tessa’s spine. She just knew that once he left the country, the chances were very slim that she’d get her brother back. She didn’t know if getting him back now would be any different, but to have him go so far away would be terrible. Who knew what these guys would do to him…no. She swore it wasn’t going to happen.
That David had taken off on his own was something else she planned to rip him a new one for. He hadn’t contacted their father or even Cody to go with him. Like crazy. And stupid. And freaking nuts. She loved both her brothers, but she didn’t love what either of them were doing.
Or her mother. In fact, she was pretty disenchanted with all of her family right about now. Except her father, and wasn’t that a switch?
They aren’t all bad. It’s just a tough time. Cody said in a gentle tone. Give them some space and understanding. Seth isn’t responsible, and neither is Rhia. It’s a tough time. Hang in there, Tessa. You’re tired and hurting emotionally.
She closed her eyes, loving the way his voice wormed through her heart. It felt so good. It filled the cold empty places inside and made her feel not so alone.
Thanks.
I’m angry, she whispered shamefully. That this nightmare isn’t over. I want it to be over. I want to go out on Friday night with you and your friends and be normal teenagers for a change.
You might want to be a normal teenager. I’m past that stage, thank you. But his voice was both humorous and wry.
True. She smiled and teased, You’re like really old. Almost your father’s age.
He laughed at that, and she felt infinitely better as his joy lifted her own spirits.
I’m worried about Seth and Mom, she said. I can’t believe Jewel and Ian are once again in trouble. It’s always been those two.
Yes, and I wonder if that is why they’ve been singled out now, Cody said. Maybe the scientists want to see the end results. Or maybe they want to move onto the next stage of their testing – whatever that is.
God help us all if that’s the case. She shuddered. Also,
I don’t understand what’s happening in the human world with Jared finding four bodies today. He has no one left now.
And that made her sad. She had so much in comparison.
He didn’t go back to the home, did he? Cody said. Surely he’s too smart for that?
He has nowhere else to go. She frowned. Maybe a friend’s house? But how can he? He’s expected to be at the home. If he doesn’t show up there, they will put out an alarm about him missing. I imagine there is a curfew and possibly some kind of bed check at night.
I always imagine it to be one step away from prison.
She laughed. I don’t think it’s that bad. Her laughter died and she started texting again. I’m going to ask him where he is. If nothing else, he can bunk at our house. The thing is empty and there is lots of room. I should have made the offer earlier.
There was silence. She turned to stare at him. Then got it. She gasped. Surely you’re not jealous?
He grinned. Honey, when it comes to other men, I’m never going to be happy to have them sleep under the same roof as you.
Ha, she motioned outside the car. See where we are? The only one getting sleep this night will be Jared.
The gloominess in the underground lot surrounded them as Tessa walked to the entrance with Cody and her father. “Are we going downstairs after David or upstairs to help Motre and Ian?”
“Downstairs after David,” her father said immediately. “Then the four of us will go and get Ian and Jewel. Then home. We’re not here to fight a battle. Just retrieve a few friends that haven’t been able to leave on their own.”
Tessa hoped it would be that easy.
It won’t be, Cody said with a groan. It never is.
He walked over to the big door and pulled it open. “Are you ready?”
Serus walked through first. Tessa next. Cody slipped in behind them. The three of them stared at the staircase that seemed to go on forever. And damn if Serus didn’t look up, then down over the railing, then with a wicked grin at Tessa and Cody, he said, “See you at the bottom.”
And he dropped over the side.
“What the…” Cody said as he raced to look down. Tessa was already there. She grinned. “He’s taken the fastest way.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” Cody said. “I’m not jumping over that edge.”
She laughed. “Okay.” She jumped to the center of the landing and then down a flight of stairs to the center of the next landing. And repeated it. Again and again.
Cody raced behind her, swearing and crying foul. She laughed and for the first time all day she felt good – in fact, she felt great.
She dropped down several more flights of stairs and realized her father hadn’t called up to them. He was long gone. She leaned over the railing and waited for Cody to catch up. There was no visible end to the stairwell. Just blackness.
And her stomach sank. There was no bottom. Her dad had jumped.
But he was a glider. Not a flier.
“Dad?”
No answer.
Her father was gone.
“Dad!”
The cry echoed around and around.
Nothing.
Chapter 1
Tessa stared down the stairwell in horror. Endless darkness stared back. She stretched further out, balancing precariously on the railing, and called frantically one last time, “Dad?”
“Easy, Tessa.” Strong arms grabbed her by the waist, tugging her back against a warm chest. “He’ll be fine.”
She closed her eyes briefly. “Hope so.” She rotated in Cody’s arms to stare up at him. “We have to find him.”
“And we will.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But not by repeating his mistake.”
Typical. She smirked. “Right. Then race you to the bottom!”
She bolted sideways, laughing down the next flight of stairs. The laughter might not have been appropriate, but it was her way of coping with the fear. She – they – had been through so much. If something had happened to her father…that would be more than she could stand. He was larger than life. He had always seemed indestructible.
Unfortunately, she had proof than no vamp was safe forever. Not even ancients like her father.
She wished he’d waited for her, for them. But he’d always been so in control. So powerful and capable. A take-charge kind of guy.
That didn’t mean he was infallible.
She poured her energy into getting down the stairs as fast as she could go. There was a serious silence the deeper they went. She couldn’t bear the thought that something might have happened to him. She rounded another flight of stairs, her heart pounding as the tension inside threatened to choke her.
“Dad?” Still no answer. She gritted her teeth, drew in more energy, and jumped again. This time Cody landed in front of her, his hand reaching out to slow her progress. She fell against him as she hit the brakes. “What’s the matter?”
“We’re at the bottom.”
“Really?” She looked around at the empty concrete space. “Oh thank heavens.” Her father wasn’t lying in a broken heap anywhere. That meant he had to be fine.
“Wher—”
“Shh.” Cody placed his finger against her lips and leaned forward to whisper into her ear. “I hear something.”
She gasped and spun around. It’s probably Dad.
With her head cocked, she strained to hear what Cody had heard. She couldn’t hear anything. She raised her eyebrow at Cody. What is it? What did you hear?
I’m not sure. He slipped around behind her and placed his hand on the wall. There’s no door here, is there?
Tessa walked closer, shifting her vision to open both her vampire and human eyes. She shook her head. I can’t see any energy on the wall.
He turned in frustration to stare at the circular stairway they’d descended. Can you take a look at where we’ve been? Are we following any tracks? Energy trails?
She studied the wall at this level. No, nothing. Cody was at her heels, waiting, watching her. She turned slightly to look from a different angle. And stopped. She grabbed his hand and motioned to the wall. There is a door here.
He looked at her as if to make sure. At her nod, he walked closer, his hands slipping across the old surface, looking for the break in the wall.
To the left, she said. Yes, right there, as his fingers found the crack. She could see the door shape surrounded in light. And part of the energy in that doorway had come from her father. And…she couldn’t be sure, but maybe David as well.
Dad is behind here.
Are you sure? Cody looked over at her, his gaze searching.
Tessa nodded and walked over and kicked the wall where there was a shimmering ball of energy. Cody jumped back as the wall slid inward silently.
What kind of doors are these that they open like this? So quietly.
Old technology. The energy is very young, but the wall is very old.
He shot her a questioning look as she moved past him. Don’t ask, she said.
She slipped into the space behind the open door. There were no lights shining, but she could see the energy blazing a trail. The corridor ahead was empty and gloomy. Cody moved ahead and led the way.
Careful, she said.
Of course, he murmured, in a deeper tone than he’d used so far. It sent warm tingles down to her toes. If she hadn’t been so worried about her dad, she’d be tempted to take advantage of the situation. Cody turned and shot her a look, his steps slowing.
No! She grabbed his shoulder and turned him forward. Dad comes first.
First? I like that. He grinned and grabbed her hand. Let’s find your father then.
But they hadn’t made it much further when she heard sounds off to the side. Cody froze, his arm instinctively tucking her behind him.
She snorted at that.
Shhh, he whispered. Someone is coming.
*
Rhia curled up into big wingback chair. Her head pounded and her stomach ached. Something she hadn’t expe
cted. Or experienced before. Her thoughts were so confused. Tessa. Seth. Cody. David. There was so much going on in there. Orders. Instructions of some kind.
She buried her head in her hands, the pounding building to the point that she wanted to bang her own head into the ground. She groaned.
“Easy, Rhia,” Sian said. “Take it easy.”
Rhia’s eyes fluttered open, and she gazed into her old friend’s face. At least it looked to be Sian. She blinked several times, but it was hard to focus. Everything was blurry. She could barely discern her features. “Sian?”
“Yes.” A warm hand brushed the hair back from Rhia’s forehead. For the first time, she noticed her forehead was damp, her throat struggling to swallow, the tissues dry and empty of saliva. She choked.
“Easy. Here.” Sian held up a glass to her lips. After the initial dryness, Rhia drank with a vengeance.
“Drink it slowly.”
Rhia couldn’t. She gulped greedily. When the glass was empty, she collapsed backward on the couch. “Thank you.”
“Are you feeling better?”
Rhia groaned and closed her eyes. “I’m not sure. Everything is mixed up. I can’t make any sense of it.”
There was an odd silence.
Rhia’s eyes shot open. “What? What don’t I know?”
She caught the merest whisper of a grimace before Sian managed to school her features.
“Sian?”
With a heavy sigh, Sian said, “I think you’ve been drugged – again.”
“Oh no.” It took her a moment to digest the news. “How? Why?”
Sian shrugged. “We don’t know yet.”
“How did you find out?”
There was that same ugly pause. Rhia studied her best friend’s features, cold fear edging out her confusion. “Sian, What did I do?”
“When we found you, you had chained Tessa up to a bed and were trying to arrange her passage out of the country.” Sian paused then added quietly, “You were also trying to inject her with drugs.”
