Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1)

by Betty Shreffler

  Eva smiled a proud smile. “I’m sure you can understand then why we wanted to meet you. You’re the first of your kind.” The vampires focused on her with intent stares.

  “I don’t understand it fully myself,” Kayci admitted.

  “Of course.”

  Eva elegantly stood up and gently waved her hand at the vampires. “I’d like to speak with her alone.”

  The vampires in the room reacted differently. The largest one seemed the most annoyed, yet they compliantly left the room. Adrian obviously didn’t want to go with them but clearly didn’t have a choice, as the large vampire nearly dragged him out. Kayci looked back at Eva. She was staring into the fire. She seemed fixated on it, then broke away, bringing her attention back to Kayci.

  “Your mother was a very powerful witch.”

  “You knew my mother?!”

  “I did. I knew your father too.”

  Kayci was speechless for a moment. This was not what she had expected at all.

  “What happened to them?” she asked desperately.

  “Your father was a rebellious soul—he was also my brother. We used to oversee the Covenant together until he met your mother. After he met her, he lost interest in his duties and spent all his time making your mother fall in love with him. She didn’t accept him at first. Witches and vampires have always coexisted, but never joined together. Eventually over time though, she did fall in love with him. He always was the charming type.” Eva smiled.

  Kayci listened quietly and attentively while trying to hide the shock of their familial relation.

  “Your mother had heard of witches who had tried to temporarily bind a vampire’s curse in an attempt to create a child. Every attempt ended badly for both the vampire and the human involved. Your mother though, being a witch, felt that the spell might work on herself. She was foolishly in love and powerful enough to try it. She did come from an extended line of witches dating back nearly as old as I am.”

  Kayci imagined that was long ago.

  Eva stared at Kayci, studying her. Kayci noted her glazed stare. Did she see her brother’s eyes looking back at her?

  “Your mother was right. She had been powerful enough. Her spell worked, and she became pregnant with you. When the Covenant found out what my brother and your mother had done, they considered it an abomination. Something like that had never been done before, and it frightened witches and vampires alike. The Covenant planned to kill them both, but they escaped. I believe your mother performed a masking spell. They disappeared without a trace, nowhere to be found. Not the best vampire hunters or any witch’s tracing spell could find them. I heard from my brother nine months later. He had sent me a letter.” Eva appeared thoughtful, as if remembering what the letter said word for word.

  “Your mother didn’t expect that you would be so powerful so young. Carrying you had drained her. My brother had watched her waste away to nearly nothing. When she gave birth to you, she did one last spell before she died. She cast a masking spell on you. You were invisible to all of us. However, the spell she cast on herself and my brother died with her. You were no longer safe with him. He had given you up for adoption to humans. He knew it was the only way you would be safe. I never knew your name, or where you were, or if you had even survived. As for my brother, I never heard from him again.” Eva sounded forlorn.

  “Now you see, being born from two creatures so powerful is why many would want you killed. You scare them. Anything that threatens their existence scares them.”

  “Eva, I didn’t even know I was part vampire until a few days ago when I reacted to a talisman meant to ward off vampires. This is as much of a shock to me as it is to the Covenant. I assure you I am not a threat of any kind, nor do I wish to make my identity known to any species.”

  Eva moved in closer to Kayci. Her voice lowered.

  “My darling niece, I may be a vampire, but I’m not cruel. I have no intention of hurting you. I helped your father and mother escape.”

  The shock washed over Kayci. “You did?”

  “I may be loyal to our vampire laws, but I don’t see you as a threat to our existence. Not all vampires are like me though. When we become vampires, we ultimately become more emotional, powerful versions of ourselves. If we’re evil as humans, then we’re evil as vampires. The same goes for those of us who were compassionate humans.”

  Kayci looked at her aunt, her vampire aunt. She suddenly noticed how beautiful she was, as well as their similarities. They shared long, dark hair and milky skin. They were about the same height. Her aunt was much thinner than she was though, but still had similar curves. She wondered if she resembled her father at all.

  “What were their names?” Kayci asked softly.

  Eva smiled. She seemed pleased. “You mother’s name was Katriana. Your father’s name is Thorne.”

  Even his name sounded powerful. She wished she had met him. She wished she would have been raised into this life rather than it hitting her smack in the face at this point in her life.

  “So what happens now?” Kayci asked.

  Eva’s expression softened. She sat in the chair she occupied earlier, staring into the fire.

  “I have lived for countless centuries. I’ve experienced everything I wanted to experience. I don’t want to live forever. I want to know what’s beyond this world.”

  Kayci remembered the Dawning. That was what her aunt wanted.

  Eva stopped staring at the fire and smiled at Kayci. “Nevertheless, I think it’s important for you to know that once I’m gone, you would be in line to be the next leader of the Covenant. It’s your birthright.”

  Kayci was speechless for a moment. She couldn’t be serious!

  “Eva, I’m not even a full vampire. How could I lead a group of vampires and decide what happens amongst all the rest?”

  “You need to embrace your true nature and leave behind your human life. You already have vampire blood in you. If you were to die now, you would come back as a full vampire. You have that choice, unlike so many of us…” The last few words trailed off with Eva’s thoughts. Her eyes drifted toward the fire, once again lost in her memories.

  “What about the rest of the Covenant? Do they want me killed?”

  Eva glanced toward the large wooden doors and then back at Kayci, her expression serious.

  “Once I tell them that you are indisputably my niece, they won’t have a choice. They’ll have to accept you.”

  Kayci nodded. She wasn’t sure why that was so, but she believed her aunt. She sounded certain in her declaration.

  “I think it’s time we ask them all to return.”

  The thought of all those vampires coming back in the room made Kayci want to bolt. There were several of them, all hundreds of years old and very powerful. She wasn’t sure how the next several minutes would play out, but she hoped she survived them. Eva walked to the double wooden doors and opened one. She spoke softly to a vampire outside the door. Moments later all the vampires Kayci saw earlier came back into the room, even the one that had lingered over Adrian.

  Each eyed her closely. Vladimir still seemed as calm and polite as he did earlier. Adrian seemed to have reached his limit of patience. His brooding glare and hunched shoulders clearly expressed his tension. The large vampire that hovered over Adrian before followed him closely, elevating Kayci’s nerves. Adrian appeared as uncomfortable with it as she was.

  The dark-haired vampire and the red-haired vampire both sat in the same seats as before, expressions unreadable. The vampire with long, blond hair stood near Vladimir. With them standing side by side, Kayci noticed that the female and Vladimir were twins.

  With the Covenant vampires’ entrance, Kayci chose to stand by the fireplace, feeling less vulnerable there than in the chair.

  “I’d like to introduce you to each of the Covenant members, Kayci.” Eva seemed to be telling the Covenant members as well.

  “You’ve already met Vladimir.”

  Vladimir nodded at Kayci polite
ly.

  “The woman standing next to him is his sister, Natalia.”

  Kayci took notice of her unwavering glare.

  “The gentleman behind Adrian is Florence.”

  He too watched her suspiciously.

  “The gentleman sitting to my left is Orrick, and this lovely woman”—Eva motioned her hand to her right—”is Beatrice.”

  Beatrice was the only one to smile at her.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet the first half-breed vampire.”

  Kayci smiled at Beatrice. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

  “How long have you known that you’re a half-breed?” Florence nearly growled.

  Kayci confidently met his gaze. “Four days,” she replied, her tone perhaps a little too sharp.

  “So this is all very new to you then?” Beatrice asked politely.

  “Very new. It’s been a whirlwind,” Kayci admitted.

  “How long have you known Adrian?” Orrick spoke up.

  Kayci couldn’t tell if his tone was cold or if he always sounded that way. She noticed while looking at him how dark his eyes were. He seemed to be looking right through her, reading her very thoughts. She shivered before instinctively looking away from his eyes.

  “Almost a week.”

  “Do you know your parents?” Natalia asked.

  Kayci noticed once Natalia asked the question, the others looked at Eva, who showed no emotion on her face, and then back to Kayci.

  “No, I don’t. I was adopted by human parents.”

  The group seemed disappointed with her answer. The majority of their expressions transitioned from anticipative gazes to scorn.

  “What vampire abilities do you have?” Florence asked between gritted teeth. He and Natalia seemed the most displeased.

  “All my life I’ve been faster and stronger than others. I can heal quickly. My eyes turn golden just as yours do. My senses and emotions are heightened. Otherwise, I do not know. You’re the first vampires I’ve had the chance to talk with besides Adrian. I don’t have enough knowledge yet to compare my skills to others. From what I do know, I seem to be equivalent to an average vampire. The only difference is that I can withstand being in the sun because I have enough human blood in my system.”

  Kayci felt like a criminal in an interrogation. Their questions were as invasive as Rosemary trying to discover why she reacted to the talisman.

  “Have you ever had to drink human blood?” Vladimir asked politely.

  “No, I haven’t. Although lately I’ve noticed unusual hunger pains. I believe I’m beginning to crave blood.” Kayci intentionally left out the charmed moldavite stone and her change since wearing it.

  “Sounds like the best of both worlds,” Beatrice said with a kind smile.

  Kayci frowned. “I’m not sure yet. So far being a half-breed has brought me nothing but problems.”

  “You being a half-breed is going to bring us problems,” Orrick announced to her and the Covenant members. “Danika is still out there and now carries the knowledge that a witch was successful at binding the vampire’s curse. She could create chaos amongst vampires just with that knowledge.”

  “Settle, Orrick,” Eva replied firmly.

  She slowly rose from her chair and stood, confident and resolute. She looked out at the Covenant vampires and calmly addressed them.

  “While discussing the background of our young half-breed vampire, I was able to confirm that she is indeed my niece.”

  Several gasps escaped the vampires around the room, including Adrian. Kayci’s own eyes widened. She hadn’t expected her aunt to be so frank or to share that fact so soon.

  Her fingers dug into her palms. Her chin raised. She awaited the others’ reactions.

  Orrick spoke first. He rose out of his chair.

  “Niece or not, she is an abomination, Eva! She can’t be allowed to live! We must adhere to our laws. No exceptions!”

  Adrian stepped closer to him, clearly ready to defend Kayci if need be. Florence immediately grabbed Adrian’s arm, keeping him from doing so. For the first time, Kayci saw Eva move quickly. She blocked Orrick’s path toward Kayci and brought herself within reach of him.

  “She is my niece!” Eva’s voice was not raised but unmistakably forceful. “Any harm that comes to her will be punishable by me!”

  Orrick quickly realized the level of severity in Eva’s threat and sat back in his chair. Kayci saw Adrian grin and then look serious again.

  “You only fear what she is because you fear that she may be more powerful or that she could change our undisturbed existence. I can assure you that even if she is more powerful, we have much to gain from her joining us.”

  Adrian instantly thought of Danika’s intentions of taking over the Covenant.

  “She isn’t one of us,” Florence said fiercely between extracted fangs.

  Eva’s head whipped in Florence’s direction, her eyes wide. She spoke through gritted teeth. “She is born from my brother’s blood. She is one of us.” Eva’s tone was threatening.

  The redheaded vampire began speaking, her voice tranquil and melodic. Everyone seemed to instantly calm when she spoke.

  “Let’s not make any hasty decisions. It’s clear the young woman isn’t a threat to us now.”

  Eva moved away from Kayci and took her seat again. Her eyes began transitioning back to their normal color as she sat down. Once seated, she exhibited her usual calm composure.

  Kayci caught Vladimir smiling at her. She was relieved to see he wasn’t against her. However, Natalia looked at her with narrowed eyes. Her body language indicated she wanted to attack. Kayci’s adrenaline rose in reaction. She was ready to defend herself.

  Natalia moved swiftly across the room, passing Vladimir and Orrick, and launched at Kayci. Kayci was within Natalia’s reach when Adrian swiftly leapt up and reached around Natalia’s side, punching his solid fist to her abdomen. The blow knocked her back several feet. She landed against a stand with a decorative vase sitting on it. The vase shattered into pieces across the floor. The wooden stand broke beneath her fall. Natalia stumbled to get up and was immediately apprehended by Adrian. He lifted her up, ready to deliver another blow. Florence approached Adrian from behind, fangs bared, ready to attack.

  “Stop!” Kayci erupted.

  Adrian and Florence looked back at Kayci. Each of the vampires watched her change. She struggled to control herself.

  “I don’t want you to turn against each other. You have no need to fear me. Deal with the real problem you have. This rogue vampire Danika is obviously a danger to your Covenant in many ways. Your focus should be on her and not what chaos rumors could create. I haven’t been a part of the vampire world long, but I’m intelligent enough to know that rumors are easily dispelled.” She looked directly at Orrick. “Rumors don’t bring down a thousand-year-old vampire government overnight.”

  Kayci stood straight. Her eyes were transitioning back to their dark-blue color. The vampires eased off their offensive and defensive stances. Adrian let go of Natalia. He was by Kayci’s side instantly.

  Kayci met the gaze of each vampire. Her eyes stopped on Florence to address him in particular. “I know I may only be half a vampire, but I belong with your kind. I never felt like I belonged among humans. For the first time in my life, I feel like myself, and I imagine that if my father was here, he’d say the same thing. I don’t want to cause any of you trouble, but I do want you to accept me. Eva is the only family I have.”

  Kayci looked out at the vampires, trying to read their expressions. They were at least considering the things she’d said. No one else’s body language indicated an imminent attack. Her tension eased.

  “I think our young half-breed has indulged us enough for tonight. Shall we let Adrian take her home?” Vladimir seemed to be asking the group as a whole.

  Vladimir, Kayci, Adrian, and Eva waited for the other vampires to respond. One by one each gave a gesture of approval.

  Chapter 12

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nbsp; Danika’s energy pulsed. Her urge to feed was quickly rising. She leaned forward in the sticky neon-green booth, skulking, as the pathetic humans ignorantly danced and rubbed on one another as deadly vampires walked among them. She hated having to hide what she was. It made her feel ashamed. Something she had to suffer through as a bastard child of a white master. After being sold to her father’s acquaintance out of guilt to his wife, she was bought at thirteen and forced to be the man’s concubine. From the very first beating, she vowed to do what it took to rise in society and have power and influence so she never had to hide her identity or be ashamed ever again.

  For more than a century and a half, she had followed the Covenant’s laws that hid vampires and their existence, but no longer would she and her coven members be oppressed by old, rigid vampires that couldn’t recognize the superiority of the vampire species. She refused to be a secret. She refused to wither away in the darkness while humans destroyed the world that vampires were forced to take minuscule blood servings from. She wanted to see humans bow down to her and offer themselves as what they were—food.

  A crooked venomous smile appeared on her face as she thought about running up the wall, flipping into the crowd, and extracting her fangs in full view of them. Perhaps she would do just that, or perhaps she would rip out the jugular of one of the pretty little females, in front of everyone. She licked her lips while scanning the crowd of club-goers. Who would become her stage meal tonight?

  Danika stood up from the ugly green sticky booth and stalked toward the dance floor. She eyed a pretty petite redhead dancing with two men. Watched them nearly drool over the girl’s small waist and tiny perky breasts. She was doing the girl a favor, honestly. The glimpses Danika received from the men’s thoughts were nothing short of vulgar. What they wanted to do to the girl was far worse than what Danika would do. Danika’s kiss of death would be swift and merciful.

  As Danika pushed through the first few sluggish drunks, one of her coven vampires approached, and she stopped abruptly, sensing his tension.

  “What is it, Max?” She nearly growled.

  “The Covenant let the half-breed vampire go, with Adrian,” he nervously added.