Fear filled Kayci’s eyes. Dread rested heavily on her shoulders.
“Not to worry,” Thorne assured. “I’ll ensure Elise returns to her home safely. From there, I’ll visit Adrian and offer my assistance to him in any way that I can. I would hope that once he finds Danika, the Covenant will help in dispatching her entire coven.”
Elise rubbed along her arm, offering comfort.
Thorne diverted their attention by switching the subject.
“Elise, my dear,” Thorne continued once he had her attention. “How long have you been a friend to Kayci, and what is it that you do for a living?”
His diversion had worked. Elise brightened with a smile. Kayci leaned back on the couch, seeming more relaxed.
“We’ve been friends since second grade. We’ve been inseparable since third grade. We drove our teachers nuts because they couldn’t keep us apart and we were always up to something.”
Elise and Kayci grinned from the memories.
“I got a degree in journalism and write for the local newspaper. My dream is to write for a magazine and travel to where the stories are.”
“She’s a great writer,” Kayci told him.
“I believe it,” Thorne replied with his usual charming smile.
“And what is it that you do for a living, Kayci?”
“I’m a personal trainer. I have a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science and physical education. I get paid well to tell people how to eat and manage their workout programs,” she explained when his brows furrowed.
“I was pretty athletic in high school, ran track, played soccer, and worked out a lot. I’ve always had a lot of pent-up energy that needed expelled. Athletic activities have always kept it in check. Making a career out of physical activity was a perfect fit for me.”
“She received an athletic scholarship to college,” Elise boasted.
Kayci chuckled at Elise’s mom-like bragging.
Thorne smiled proudly. “That is impressive. It wasn’t long ago that women were deprived of such opportunities. Your aunt Eva quite enjoyed the second wave of feminism that spread in the 1960s,” Thorne shared with a humorous tone. “She and your mother would no doubt be proud of the accomplishments you ladies have done.”
“What was Katriana like?”
Kayci noticed the sparkle return to Thorne’s eyes when he thought of her mother. It warmed her heart, seeing him react like that.
“She was kind, intelligent, feisty,” Thorne stated with a chuckle. “She trusted no one, and she was powerful. So very powerful and strong.”
“Sounds just like you, Kayc.”
Kayci noticed the similarities in their personality as well. “I wish I could have known her.”
“She would have adored you.”
Kayci smiled at Thorne’s loving statement.
“Do I have any other relatives?” Kayci asked. “Did Katriana have siblings, parents, aunts or uncles?”
Thorne seemed deep in thought, as if remembering old information he hadn’t thought about in many years.
“She had three brothers: Aleksandr, Dmitri, and Grigori. She and her family were immigrants to this country. Unfortunately, due to poor living conditions and illness, she lost her father and two brothers at a young age. Her mother remarried and raised her and Aleksandr here in the United States. Aleksandr did not embrace the Craft and ended up leaving the family as soon as he reached adulthood.
“Your mother was heavily doted upon by your grandmother because Katriana so eagerly embraced her Craft and quickly gained skills beyond your grandmother’s own talents. Katriana had put forth great effort to study necromancy so that she and your grandmother could communicate with her father and brothers. I imagine that may have led to some of Aleksandr’s fear of the Craft.
“Even as an adult Katriana, did not seek out her brother Aleksandr. She resented his choice to leave the family and not be a part of their lives. I did locate him once, hoping that if I found him, your mother may want to rekindle their familial relationship. However, she did not fancy my idea. Now if my calculations are correct, your uncle would be around sixty-three years old.”
“Did he have children? Is my grandmother still alive?” Kayci asked eagerly.
“No, Aleksandr did not have children when I found him. However, that was three decades ago. Your grandmother had passed before I met Katriana. You may have extended family in Russia under the surname Gavrikov.”
“It’s wonderful to finally know some of my family history and background. My adopted parents didn’t know anything about where I came from and always felt bad that they didn’t have information to share with me. What about your side of the family?”
“It’s more difficult to explain the family tree on my side of the family. Eva and I of course are the only remaining members. We grew up during the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Our family—our parents, our brother, and two sisters—were merchants that ran a profitable trade business. Our father died of natural causes. Our mother and youngest sister passed away in an accidental fire that took place during a civil war. Eva and our middle sister, Eilina, escaped the fire. Our brother died in battle alongside me.
“Eva and I, being the eldest, managed to elevate our societal status from merchants to business owners. We helped arrange a respectable marriage for our younger sister, Eilina. During Eva’s and my travels through Mesopotamia, we came across a strange yet sophisticated man named Ramin that took an immediate liking to your poised and independent aunt. She too found him mysterious and fascinating. Due to their growing relationship, we established a profitable trade deal with his village. After several visits to this man’s home, he offered your aunt riches beyond her imagining if she took his hand in marriage. Your aunt, being the independent woman that she is, dabbled with the idea of marrying this man but ultimately turned him down. She expected him to be angry, but instead the man promised that she would change her mind one day.
“As what happens every so often in civilizations, the Assyrian king changed hands, and our civilization went through changes. Trade was hindered by war over land and civil unrest with our surrounding neighbors. Ramin, who knew the struggles we were having with our business, sent a messenger to our home and once again offered his hand in marriage to Eva. Eva worried about our future and, with her desire to maintain our societal status, agreed to marry Ramin.
“Ramin, exceptionally pleased with her decision, arranged an extravagant wedding. In that time, our wedding activities lasted for a week. Eva thought it strange that all the wedding activities were done in the evening rather than day, but accepted it as a part of Ramin’s culture. By the end of the week, Eva was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to get back to calm and quiet and to find her new purpose amongst Ramin’s strange world. I managed to take a job working for the king and utilized my trade experience to manage the trade of iron.
“Shortly after Eva’s wedding, she became increasingly reclusive. My visits with her were always at night, as was custom to our prior meetings with Ramin. She too had developed a new and strange demeanor about her. It wasn’t long until Eva, emotionally distraught, confessed to resenting Ramin and missing her old freedoms. She also confessed to me that Ramin wasn’t what he seemed and that he was a vile creature of the night and had turned her into the same creature as him. I wasn’t sure if Eva had gone mad, but regardless, I wasn’t going to leave her with a man she despised and who was obviously not caring for her appropriately. Unable to legally remove Eva from Ramin’s home, I planned to take her North to the new lands that the king had acquired. During our attempted escape, Ramin discovered our plans. I had only known him to be a strange but sophisticated man, but his true nature was revealed that night. I saw what he was, a vampire.
“Ramin attacked me with intentions of killing me. While distracted, Eva slit his throat. When his body turned to ash, we learned the second way a vampire could be killed. Eva had already learned she could never again go into the sun, or she too would be killed. Ramin’s coven vowed
their loyalty and service to Eva, now the woman of the house. Only a couple members of Ramin’s coven attempted to kill Eva, which she quickly dispatched. During Ramin’s attack, I had been wounded. Eva feared my inevitable death, and in her grief, she had a moment of weakness and turned me to be just like her, immortal.
“After coming to terms with my new condition, we again took our places as wealthy trade merchants in the North. We were now leaders of our own coven. As kingdoms rose and fell, we aligned ourselves with the strongest societies and continued this process for centuries. Being vampires made us difficult to kill, and when we were concerned that our nocturnal identity was becoming threatened, we moved or went into hiding. Eilina carried on our family bloodline for about two centuries until it diminished amongst the Babylonians, disease, and war. You, Eva, and I are all that remain from the Salvitto family.”
“Wow.” The word escaped Elise’s mouth as she withdrew her folded hand from her chin. “Just wow. I don’t even know what else to say. It blows my mind.”
“Obviously you didn’t hold it against Eva that she turned you, since you both ran the Covenant together?” Kayci asked.
“You’re right. I did not hold it against her. I knew she was scared to live without me and scared of what would become of her in that time. Women needed men in that era, unlike now. I wish she would have discussed it with me before making her decision, but I was nearly on my deathbed. My only lasting upset about becoming a vampire was that I could not have children. I had always wanted to marry and have children.”
“And Katriana made that happen for you.”
Thorne nodded with that same joyous sparkle in his eyes. Kayci understood now why Thorne adored Katriana so much.
“Unfortunately, I was fated to not have the family I always wanted. I lost both of you shortly after having been blessed with you.” Thorne’s eyes filled with sorrow.
Kayci pushed away the tears that were rising.
“What about Victor?” Kayci asked, trying to change the subject. “When did Eva meet him?”
Thorne seemed to appreciate the change of subject as well. “Eva met Victor sometime after we became the Covenant leaders, around 300 BC. We were recruiting new members due to half the Covenant members having been killed in battles with rogue vampires or having embraced the Dawning. The remaining Covenant members handed the leadership over to her and I willingly, then they scattered across the world, back into hiding. I know one of the three, Hadratha, embraced the Dawning in the fourteen hundreds. Malek and Shang could still be alive, but I don’t imagine that they are.
“Eva met Victor during the empire of Alexander the Great. Victor was a musician who played the lyre quite well. We were at theater one evening when Eva first heard him play. We of course knew he too was a vampire. We sensed it instantly. Eva insisted that we go to the next three theaters to hear him play. We, of course, attended every theater. I watched my sister fall for a vampire she hadn’t even spoken to yet. After the last theater, she approached him and fawned over his musical skills and voice. He assumed we were partners and was pleased to hear that we were brother and sister.
“Eva and Victor began spending much of their time together, and not long after she enlisted him as a member of the Covenant. I too became fond of him and even considered him to be a brother after knowing him for nearly a year. Eva’s relationship with Hahn undoubtedly led to Victor’s death. I did become angry with her after Victor’s death because I sorely missed him. However many quarrels my sister and I have had, they never last. Eva and I have always had an enduring and formidable bond.”
“Eva told me she helped you and Katriana escape from the Covenant. What happened?”
“Once I saw how the Covenant members reacted to the news of Katriana being with child, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they came against us. Eva was concerned as well. She did not want to lose leadership of the Covenant. Being Covenant leader was a perfect fit for her, as you would say. She tried her best to persuade all of the Covenant members that we could conceal the child’s existence from all vampires, but not all of the Covenant members believed we could.
“Several members did turn against us—Florence, Orrick, and Hasasha. Natalia teetered between acceptance and fear. At least I believe it was fear. In an attempt to regain control of the Covenant, Eva had to take action. The Covenant was beginning to suspect her of being more loyal to me than to the vampire laws and her role as Covenant leader. She pretended to be loyal to the Covenant, all the while helping me prepare our escape plans.
“The Covenant’s decision was to execute Katriana and in turn destroy the creature inside of her. Eva convinced the Covenant that Katriana and my child’s death would be punishment enough. Florence insisted on adding fifteen lashes to the punishment. Lashing is a common punishment still used to inflict serious pain on a vampire. It’s medieval but effective.
“Thanks to Eva, I knew that the Covenant planned to execute Katriana. Katriana, in an effort to protect us, cast a masking spell on us both. We took refuge with other witches and then friends that Eva and I had made throughout the years. Not wanting to endanger them any longer, Katriana and I took refuge in the mountains of Guiana Highlands of Venezuela. Due to its inaccessibility and unexplored territory, we were well hidden.
“The night that the Covenant came for Katriana and I, Eva mentally pushed my own thought to run. As soon as the thought came to the forefront of my mind, I knew it was time to leave. Eva had stayed with the Covenant the night prior and up to my arrest so that she wasn’t accused of helping us escape. I imagine Eva was still accused of helping us, but considering she remained Covenant leader, they must not have been able to provide evidence.”
“Who’s Hasasha?” Kayci asked, trying to mask her anger that the Covenant members wanted her and her mother killed.
“She was not present during your meeting with the Covenant?” Thorne asked, surprised.
“No.” Kayci shook her head.
“I assume then that she is no longer alive. Covenant members don’t resign. They tend to either embrace the Dawning or die in battle. Perhaps Eva killed her. Hasasha and Eva got along for a century or so until Hasasha began opposing Eva whenever she had the chance. Hasasha likely led the raid against me and likely lost her head for it.” Thorne smiled from what appeared to be internal gratification.
After a few moments of silence, Elise spoke up.
“I want to stay and ask questions all night long, but unfortunately, I can’t miss work again. Not when I’m trying so hard to get an excellent recommendation. Thorne, does the offer still stand to escort me home? I really would feel safer if you made sure other vampires aren’t around my house or in it.”
Thorne smiled genuinely. “Of course the offer still stands. Do you have a vehicle for us to utilize?”
“Actually, mine is still in the parking garage at Fifth Avenue. We would have to take Kayci’s car to get to mine. Then you could follow me in Kayci’s car to my house and then come back here in Kayci’s car. Is that all right?” Elise asked. “I don’t want to burden you.”
“It’s all right with me as long as Kayci doesn’t mind us using her vehicle.”
“Not at all,” Kayci replied cheerfully. “Are you still going to Adrian’s after Elise’s house? You can use my car to go there if you’d like to. I won’t need it anytime soon, and if I do, I can always call a cab.”
“I would like to visit Adrian after Elise is safely home, if that’s all right with you?” Thorne asked.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Just don’t scare him off, okay?” Kayci teased.
Thorne smiled endearingly. “You have nothing to fear. Adrian isn’t known to scare easily.”
“Good,” Kayci replied.
Chapter 25
Thorne gave his usual charming smile to the blond-haired vampire that worked the desk of the spa and fitness center on the fourteenth floor.
“Are you new to town?” she asked flirtatiously.
Thorne followed her down the ha
ll to the hidden elevator. “I’ve been here before. However, it’s been many years since my last visit.”
“Adrian an old friend?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Great. I hope you enjoy your stay. If you need anything while you’re here, let me know. My name is Elayna. I manage the desk four nights a week. Amber runs the desk the other three nights. She can also help with any questions you may have.”
Elayna pushed the only button displayed next to the elevator. Thorne heard the elevator make its way down the shaft. The doors swung open.
“Adrian’s suite is 1503. Go through the common room and down the hall. His door is on the right.”
Thorne noticed the extra sway the young vampire put into her hips as she paraded back down the hall. He smiled, amused.
As the elevator doors opened, he was surprised to see four vampires in the common room. They sat on the furniture in front of a large fireplace, listening to music turned down low while they chatted with one another. They acknowledged him and nodded their heads in greeting as he passed by.
He reached Adrian’s condo. The door opened before Thorne lifted his hand to knock.
“Glad you found the place okay,” Adrian said, motioning for him to enter.
“I like the level of security you’ve installed.”
Thorne entered, admired the furniture and architecture briefly before returning his attention to Adrian.
“Nicely decorated.”
“Thanks.”
“Has Kayci been here?”
Adrian smiled at Thorne’s father-like inquiry.
“She has. She liked the design and decoration as well,” Adrian quipped.
Thorne nodded, not quite smiling.
“What is it that I can help you with?” Adrian asked, wanting to get down to business.
“I’m hoping we can help one another.”
Adrian looked at Thorne with immediate interest. “How so?”
Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) Page 29
