Red Knight Box Set (Books 1,2,3): Contemporary Vampire Romance

by L. C White

  Chapter 15: Sibling & Sinister

  Daniel

  She’s not Maeve, but she’ll do. I don’t even know this chicks name and I’ve got my tongue down her throat. She’s easy, and easy is what I need. It’s been four weeks since Maeve, and I need that fantasy back. I’ve shut myself off, and this girl is her in my mind’s eye.

  I’ve brought her outside of the rock venue, Opium. We’re behind the wheelie bins, out of sight. It didn’t take much to convince her that fucking me was a great idea. All it took was a few slick words, and she fell for my American accent. She bat her fake lashes at me, fingered her long blonde hair extensions suggestively, and opened her slutty legs.

  She pulls away, grabs my collar, and shoves me up against the wet red brick. I’m trying real hard to picture Maeve. But as she giggles, grabbing my cock in her hand, a hatred burns me up. I can’t fuckin do this. I’m wasted, tired, and I’m losing my damn mind.

  “Hey.” I hold the girls shoulders, pushing her back.

  “Shush, captain America. Enjoy this.” Her lips hover over me.

  “Hey, stop!” I snap.

  She hushes me again, giggling. That’s it. I’m done. I grab her shoulders firmer and hold her away from me.

  “Sorry, I’m just not feeling it,” I say.

  She staggers back a step. Her eyes flash at me in shock, like she’s never been blown off before. I pull up my zipper and shrug my shoulders, only to find her hand swinging toward my face. I grab her wrist before contact is made. It’s a part of what I’m becoming. I can see things in slow-motion occasionally. My reactions razor sharp.

  “You bastard,” she yells, yanking her arm free.

  She trots backward, scowling, then heads back inside the noisy bar.

  I slam my shoulders back on the wall, brushing my hands down my face. I’ve been staying in a dank hotel, here in the city of London, for the last three weeks. For two of those, I didn’t venture out, other than for food and beer. This is what I saved money for, my escape, and the only good thing about it, is I’m away from the coven.

  I’ve made plans. I know they’ll be searching for me. I know Nathan probably has all his little vampires on lookout. Wouldn’t surprise me if Liz and Adrien are here too. But right now I can’t just fly out of here. I’m waiting on a fake passport and ID, from some drug dealer I was introduced to at Opium. Adrien and Nathan will have all airports on watch, so I can’t use my real name, or any of my past pseudonyms. I’ve had to think this through, and it was a hard decision. It was either a gun to my head, or to go into hiding. I guess I’m weak, because I couldn’t see myself pulling the trigger.

  With my hands in my jean pockets, and my shoulders hunched forward, I head back to the hotel on Cross Street, as icy fine rain starts to fall. I can’t wait to get out of this country. My plan is to find somewhere to settle out in the sticks. Maybe with some trees I can punch down when the anger gets to me. If I’m alone, I’ll have to control it. No one telling me what to do. No distractions.

  I turn down the dark street. It’s three a.m, and all the townhouses are in the dark, apart from the hotel I’m staying at. It’s a real dive. Basic. There’s a bed, small television set, and a sink. Also there are some real shady characters who actually live there permanently, so I fit right in.

  As I make my way beneath an orange dull streetlight, I notice three dark figures fucking around with my bike. I knew leaving her covered and chained up outside would be a mistake.

  My heartbeat rises to hit that borderline rage level as I start to run toward them. One hooded head pops up from the huddle and spots me. He warns his douchebag partners in crime, and they all set off into a sprint down the street. Flitting would be a great quality to have right now, but I’m having to do it the hard way.

  Each time my feet hit the wet tarmac, I’m inflicted by pain: the pounding head, the fury, and the bloodlust. I should stop. I should just drop it. But I can’t. I want to cause some damage. It’s now a compulsion.

  The thieves split up. Two of them continue down the long street, and one turns left. Wheezing out, I choose the easy option. Like a lion picking off the most vulnerable pray.

  I can smell his fear and hear his panic as I gain on him, quickly. I smirk, he chose the wrong route. He chose a narrow backstreet that has nothing but a brick wall at the very end. He turns to me, pulling out a flick-blade. I stop only feet away as he steps side to side with his arms out. He thinks he can stop me. The skinny scruffy smack-head, really believes he has a chance.

  I click my neck and gesture him over. I feel right at home, like I want to do this every night, take on punks like this.

  He goes to move forward but stops. He’s seen my eyes. My Dhampir eyes. I laugh out loudly, looking up to the sky with my arms out, breathing in the freedom and rain.

  My feet spring meters in the air. I grab his wet hoody, planting my boots into his chest. I’m not going to drink his diseased blood. But I’ll rip out his damn throat. He pleads with me, spitting and spluttering. His fear is almost electric, and it feeds me.

  “Well-well-well,” a male voice calls at my back, clapping his hands.

  My jaw tightens as I turn my head to see the figure of a tall stocky man, strolling down the backstreet. He’s not afraid of me, he’s a Sang. The expensive fabric of his suit brushing as he walks, and the squeak of his leather shoes, tells me he’s an Executive Sang.

  “You really should finish him off, Daniel,” he says. “Word gets out there’s a Dhampir in the city, then that’s not good for you.”

  He comes closer and the light catches his face for a second. I feel like I know this Sang.

  I tighten my grip on my squirming victim, watching another join the Sang’s side. Now this vampire I do know. The red head Dom was screwing up in Scotland.

  “Now Daniel, what do you plan to do with him?” she says, but her mouth doesn’t move. “I have a few ideas.”

  I quickly unlock my fingers, realising her voice is in my damn head. Realising how low I’ve sunk. Oh fuck. Who the hell is she?

  I back away from the guy I was just about to murder, shaking my head with a nausea riding up my throat.

  “You know who I am. Use your power, Daniel,” her voice echoes in my mind.

  I bring my hands up to my temples and squeeze. The male Sang stands over the snivelling thief. I squint right at him. I do fuckin know him. I’ve seen a photo of him in Adrien’s stuff. He’s supposed to be dead.

  “Yes, that’s right Daniel.” This time she speaks with her mouth. “Laurie Carmichael, our keeper.”

  Laurie grabs the panic-stricken man by his hoody, and pulls his face up to him. First he smiles, then he flits, sinking in his teeth to rip out his throat. Blood spurts from the guy’s neck as Laurie tosses his body on the floor like trash.

  “What the fuck…. What the fuck!” I yell, moving back.

  “Oh pipe down,” Laurie says. “I did you a favour.” He uses his jacket sleeve to wipe blood and flesh off his face.

  “You’re dead!”

  “No I’m not.” He pulls a cloth handkerchief from his pocket, and rubs his bloody hands on it. “I’ve been on a very long vacation, being a good Father.” He gives the red head a creepy grin.

  I try to remember her name, but can’t pluck it out of my damn skull.

  “Lillian,” she answers my thoughts.

  “Meet your sister, Daniel,” Laurie says.

  No fuckin way this is happening. Oh god, she’s my sister? She’s what I am. It’s not possible.

  “Lillian here was rescued the night Selene’s dream went up in smoke,” Laurie says. “You see Daniel, to create those like you and Lillian here, was my dream also. Selene and I worked on it for years. Of course she kept me in the loop. She knew one day I would be needed, and I think this is that day. To welcome you to the Voax. To ease you into leading a new order.”

  I glare at Lillian. Liz, my mother, must be her mother also. This is so fucked-up. How the hell was she born? Who’s her father? Why d
id none of us know about this?

  Lillian stares back as though she has my answers, but is holding them back for herself. This gives her the upper hand, the power over me. This stops me killing her.

  I turn my attention to Laurie. I’ve heard all about how he betrayed the coven. How he nearly murdered Liz. I can’t stand here with that knowledge. I can’t listen to his bullshit. I curl my fingers into my hands so hard they crack. I tilt my torso forward as the frustration swells up in me. I could kill him, make him pay for what he did, right now where he stands.

  I take a run at him with my fist out, and with a smile he welcomes my attack. He’s so quick and strong. He has my hand in his, squeezing and crunching my knuckles until I grimace. My body angles sideways, my muscles trying to get free. His black Sang eyes widen at me, and through his twisted smile his fangs grow.

  “You’re not ready, Daniel,” he says. “My daughter, makes for a sweet feed.” He thrusts me backward.

  My eyes flick from Lillian and back onto him. Laurie is her father. She allows him to feed from her. Holy fucking shit.

  “Adrien is going to kill you,” I growl.

  He sniggers at me. “How is he? I miss the old days.”

  Again I fly toward him, but only get with in an arms-reach. Lillian has her hand pressed against my chest. Her red eyes flickering up at me.

  “Why?” I ask her. “What was all that about with Dom? You’ve been spying, what the fuck for?”

  “I wanted to see my mother… and you.” She sighs casually. “Before we go to work.”

  “Work at what?” I snap, slapping her hand off me.

  “Things are now rolling,” Laurie says. “The order ceases to exist. It’s time for you to lead, Daniel. Dhampir child, your era is here.”

  “No way will I work for you!”

  “On the contrary, I serve you, so do the Voax,” he says. “You’re transforming Daniel, and you can’t stop it. You will feed soon enough.”

  “Fuck you!”

  I try to storm by Lillian, but she blocks me. I have to warn the coven. I have to make sure Maeve is safe. I should have never left them. My fuckin selfish need to escape this life, has only brought me closer to the dark I’m running from.

  “You need to come with us,” Laurie says. “You have much to see and learn.”

  “Why me?” I yell. “Why not her?” I sneer down at Lillian. “She’s Dhampir!”

  “She’s not the first born, and as much as I’d love to see my daughter up there shining, you are the most powerful,” he says. “You will feed us, and lead us.”

  I’m visibly shaking with a mixture of disgust, anger, and disappointment. I should have ended my existence, and blown my damn brains out.

  “Lillian, show him,” Laurie says.

  Lillian pulls an iPhone out from her inside jacket pocket. She makes a call and holds the phone before her face.

  “It’s time,” she says to the screen.

  She moves to my side and holds out the screen. I frown down to see a jerky video image of Maeve’s apartment building. Whoever has hold of that phone, is making their way to the door. Fuck!

  “Stop!” My heart explodes. “You lay one fuckin hand on her!”

  “Okay,” Lillian says to the screen.

  Breathless, I watch the camera back away. I can’t believe they’re watching her. I turn to Lillian. She sees my rage and backs up to stand beside Laurie.

  “You want your pretty little muse to live a full and happy life,” Laurie says. “You come with us. You take your role. Any mistakes you make will have very serious consequences for all those you care about.”

  I shake my head down, realising I have no choice.

  Lillian slips her hand into my jean pocket, seductively, and takes out my cell phone.

  “You won’t need this anymore.” She drops my phone on the ground, and stamps her thick heel down on it.

  “Now, you ready?” Laurie asks.

  I bite down so hard I can taste my own blood. He’s given me no option. I don’t trust he’ll keep his word about Maeve. He wants me to go dark side, and will use any means possible to get me there. I’m fucked whatever I do.

  Chapter 16: Anarchy

  Maeve

  I walk around the flat I’m to view to a young couple this unusual bright autumn day. Holding the file containing the paperwork, I stroll around the empty new build, inspecting each room. I’m fifteen minutes early, and the silence is doing no good for my frazzled brainwaves.

  I thought I’d done relatively well, getting Daniel Knight out of my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my private moments where I feel like I’m spontaneously combusting, but I’ve rode each tear-jerking wave out. I’ve destroyed every single drawing I’ve created, and I’ve swore to myself, to never pick up a pencil or paintbrush again. But now, as the heels of my knee-boots clop across the bare floorboards, he’s swarmed around my fragile heart once more, digging in like barbed wire.

  I’ve no more tears to shed over him. Now I seem to be at a curious stage. I wonder where he is; whether he’s still even in this country. I’m intrigued by the world I was opened up to, because now it seems nothing but a distant dream.

  I’ve researched the whole thing: Vampires, Dhampir, and what he referred to me as, a Muse. But it’s all just myths and legends. What I thought I felt about some past life, must have been down to the fact I was brainwashed. I really wanted to believe there was an explanation. I wanted to believe there was a reason. But the truth is, I was simply seduced by something dark, possibly even evil, and I only have myself to blame.

  The whole contract with the Knight’s fell through several weeks ago. My father refused to sell for them, said that their terms were unreasonable. Shortly after, the property was completely wiped off our database, and the Knight’s left Killiecrankie. I have no idea where they are. And now, I don’t care.

  I peer through the second story window, down to the path outside, watching as folk go about their daily routine. A black Audi pulls up into the reserved parking space on the street. This must be the clients I have to show around, Mr Smith and his partner. I watch for a moment as two twenty-something men climb out, heads down, and wearing shades. They march up to the door and I hurry down the stairs, listening to the door buzz.

  I inhale, smile and open, ready to greet them professionally.

  “Mr Smith and…” I hold out my hand, rather confused on how to refer to the dark haired man beside Mr Smith.

  He takes off his shades and barges passed me. Mr damn right rude, is what is name should be.

  Mr Smith smiles as he steps inside. He seems much more pleasant than his partner. He’s wearing a V-neck black t-shirt with a brown jacket, and has dark blonde wavy hair.

  “Maeve, I take it,” he holds out his hand.

  Wow, he has icy hands. Though, it is freezing temperatures today. Still it reminds me of meeting the Knight’s. I give myself a mental kick up the jacksie, telling myself to get a grip.

  “Right, if you would follow me.” I begin to climb the white painted staircase. “Now, the flat we’re viewing, does unfortunately, have a few teething problems. So let’s get them out of the way with. There’s a clause in the contract that says no decorating for the first twelve months of tenancy.” I run my hand across the cool wall. “The new plaster needs time to acclimatise and dry out.” I slip the file under my arm, and open up the door to the flat. “There’s an electrical issue with the alarm, which will be fixed in due course. And last of all, there is a shop below, that requires access once a week to the parking area at the back, for deliveries.” I allow both men inside, watching as they look around the open lounge and kitchen area. “But I’m sure you’ll agree that none of that impacts on this wonderful property, and reduced price.” I smile, giving myself a pat on the back. Dad would be proud I think.

  The guy who hasn’t said a word to me, closes the door to the flat, slowly. I let out a tiny awkward cough, as the viewing kind of falls flat. Come on Maeve, you can sell the s
hit out of this.

  Mr Smith watches as I make my way behind the kitchen worktop, running my hand over the brand new ceramic hob.

  “The kitchen has been fitted with all brand new appliances. And I’ve been told that the water pressure here is to die for.” I laugh, but my enthusiasm seems to have been wasted as both men just gawp at me.

  The really strange mute guy leans against the front door. This isn’t like any viewing I’ve done before. Why aren’t they having a good look around? There’s a fuckin bedroom and bathroom to check out.

  Mr Smith walks into the kitchen. “Can you show me how the oven works?”

  What the fuck. Does he want to live in the oven?

  I purse my lips sideward. Of course I have to show him, but I wasn’t expecting such a request, until they had fallen in love with the place.

  “Sure.” I turn my back and study the chest height built-in oven. “I presume it’s fan assisted,” I say, pulling down the stainless steel door.

  Suddenly, Mr Smith is standing right behind me. I’m startled, but try to hide it with a phony smile as he arches over to look inside. I nervously turn my attention to the grill, when his hand runs down the back of my white blouse. No way am I going to be touched like this. I gasp and move back a step, but the thigh of his leg stops me.

  “Show me how the oven works,” he orders in a menacing tone.

  My throat narrows and I can’t breathe. He’s got his hand pressed against my mid-back, in a bent over position. I grip the edge of the oven door, terrified.

  “Please can you let me out of the kitchen,” I ask, desperately hoping these people are still real clients, just weird, and will let me go.

  Mr Smith smirks, looking at the silent guy. The force of his hand gets heavier, and my head is nearly inside the oven. I draw in a massive breath to make a scream, but Mr Smith’s hand is over my mouth before I get the chance to release it.