Princesses of the Night (Royal Blood Book 1)

by Tich Brewster

  For the first time, Tanya was going to share her dreams. If her cousin laughed at her, so be it. Holding them in was consuming too much of her energy. “Before we ever left the mansion, I dreamed that we were here.”

  “Okay.”

  “In my dream, we stayed at this exact hotel and went to that club. I mean, it was that precise club. Same layout, same tables, and same people.” Would her cousin believe her or just think she was making this up?

  Tanya drew in a deep breath. Voicing her dreams for the first time was nerve wracking. Dannika shifted so her body now faced Tanya’s. Picking up Tanya’s hand, Dannika rubbed circles on the back trying to sooth her.

  “When we arrived at La Dinastia tonight, I was completely freaked out. I mean, we were out to have a good time, right? So, I made a point to distract myself from the weird coincidence.” Freaked out was not a strong enough phrase to describe her emotions. She’d felt a mixture of fear, anxiety, wonder, and anger, but fear dominated all other emotions.

  “Well, that explains your weirdness today.”

  “Yeah. I just couldn’t shake it. When I stepped foot into this suite and saw that it was the exact same one from my dream, I got nauseous. It just seemed so surreal. Then we ended up at that club, and it was like ice water in my veins.” It seemed all of Tanya’s dreams were visions of things to come.

  “Wow,” was all Dannika said.

  “But I believe that we’re about to meet some of our family because in that dream we met one of them. It’s after we leave here. We meet her during breakfast.” The words flowed from her lips. She explained the dream in vivid detail. They were going to meet Earadessa, and she would protect them from the vampire that wanted to kill them.

  Relief washed over her when Dannika passed no judgement but sat, eagerly listening. Tanya also divulged the dream she’d had about Lazarith’s departure. How he’d told her there would be other vampires who would want them dead.

  “Oh my gosh. Tay, what you’re describing is…well, its visions of the future. That’s um…um…” Frustrated, Dannika squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Precognition?” Precognition was something Tanya had just finished researching for her Comp class. A paper that never got turned in because of her new life as a vampire.

  “Yes.” Dannika stood up in the bed. She didn’t appear to be excited to hear Tanya had dreams about the future. Rather, she looked frightened. “Holy crap. Do you realize what this means?”

  “What?”

  “We have an enemy out there.” Dannika began to lower herself back down onto the bed. Burying her face in her trembling hands. “I’m scared, Tay.” A faint sob left her.

  “I know. Me too.” Why did life have to be so hard? “But it’s going to be okay. If my dreams are real then Earadessa is here to help us.”

  “I get that.” Dread and fear forced Dannika to slump. “How will we know who to trust? There are no promises that this Earadessa will be with us for long. We’re not ready to deal with enemies. At least, I’m not.”

  The dream flashed through her mind like a picture book. There was one part that stuck out to her. It wasn’t just Earadessa who saved them in her dream, it was Dannika. “Honey, if my dreams are some sort of precognition, then I think you should know that you have a major part to play in Earadessa defeating the evil vampire.”

  Snot collected on the tip of Dannika’s nose, and she used the sleeve of her shirt to wipe it clean. “What?” She leaned forward on her hands, her face inches from Tanya’s. “Tell me what you mean.”

  “Dannie, it was Earadessa who protected us, but in my dream, it was you.” She paused for a moment. “You heard his thoughts and alerted her of his evil desires.”

  Like a switch had been flipped, Dannika ceased crying. Now, calm and collected, she bounced on her hands and knees. “Oh my goodness, that is the best news in the world.” Leaning over, she gave Tanya a one arm hug. “I can read minds?” she squealed.

  “Well, that’s only assuming my dreams are actually precognitions and not just my imagination running rampant.” One thing bugged her. Her dream about Dannika’s attack. If she was seeing the future, then wouldn’t that have already happened?

  What she had to say next was the hardest for her to get out. She didn’t want to upset her cousin, but she couldn’t hold back. If she was to believe that precognition was her power, then she needed to know.

  “I can’t just accept these dreams as easily as you are. There’s something that isn’t adding up.”

  Dannika furrowed her brows but said nothing.

  “I had a dream the night before we met Lazarith. I know that I wasn’t a vampire then, but if my imagination was wacked out then, then maybe that’s the case now.” Tanya felt foolish. Would her cousin hate her after she divulged that dream? Only one way to find out. “I dreamed that you had been attacked at the bookstore. Some crazy man, that I now realize was a vampire, tried to kill you in your office.”

  All color left Dannika. Mouth agape, she sat in complete stunned silence.

  Unnerved by her cousin’s reaction, she poked her thigh. “Dannie?”

  “Um…yeah, it wasn’t a wacked out dream.” Casting her eyes downward, Dannika twirled her thumbs. “I was attacked. I made Serienna promise not to tell until after Mark’s party.”

  Outraged, Tanya spoke in a harsh tone. “Why the hell would you do that?”

  Closing her eyes, Dannika whispered, “Because I wanted everyone to enjoy Halloween. I fully intended on telling you guys that night.”

  She could understand Dannika’s reasoning. If the shoes were reversed, she’d have done the same thing. It didn’t prevent her feelings from being hurt though. “I get it. For future reference, do not ever keep secrets from me.”

  “I promise.” The sheets rustled when Dannika moved. “So, does this mean you believe me and you’ve come in to your powers? You believe you have precognitions?”

  “Yes.” An earsplitting grin spread on Tanya’s face. “I guess this also means that congrats is in order. Looks like you’ll be receiving your vampire abilities tomorrow.”

  “I’m so excited, Tay.” Clapping her hands like a child, Dannika bounced on the bed, squealing in delight. “This means that between your visions and my mind reading, we’ll be able to at least help control the danger coming after us.”

  No kidding. With that combination, they’d always be one step ahead of their enemies. Handing Dannika a box of tissues, Tanya pointed to the clock. “It’s five o’clock. I need some shut eye.”

  Now that Dannika’s worries were put to rest, she laid back and was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Listening to her cousin’s slow, even breaths, Tanya closed her eyes and welcomed sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Rays of sunshine seeped through the curtains, disrupting Tanya’s blissful dream. The man invading her mind was the same one she’d envisioned while slumbering during her body’s awakening. This disturbance was unwelcome. She wanted back in the arms of Mr. Hotstuff.

  Grunting at the invasion, Tanya threw the covers off and cursed the early morning sun. How dare the morning light take her away from the one man who makes her toes curl with just one kiss. Peeking at the clock, she tossed the covers off. “May as well get this day started.” Dannika rolled over, still snoring. Lucky brat. If only it were her getting a few more minutes of shuteye.

  The spray from the shower helped wake her senses, but she’d definitely need a steaming cup of coffee to get going.

  Easing the door open to her bedroom, she was shocked to see Dannika sitting up in bed. “Hey, what are you doing up?”

  Holding her cell phone up, she pointed at the screen. “Oh, Mark texted to say hey.”

  “Oh. How is he?” Surely the boy isn’t stupid enough to spill his guts about our little secret.

  “Good, I guess.
All he wrote was Hey.” Setting her cell phone down on the nightstand, Dannika gathered her clothes and headed to the bathroom.

  A ping cut through the silence. Tanya rushed to her side of the bed and grabbed her cell off the nightstand. It was a text from Mark.

  Miss you. I have no idea what I’m doing at this godforsaken bookstore, but thank heavens I have Antonia.

  She chuckled. Leaving their bookstore to him may not have been the best move as far as the welfare of the store was concerned, but he was the only one they trusted enough to take over their business.

  You’ll do fine. Bump Antonia up to assistant, and let her help.

  It took a minute for him to respond.

  Already ahead of you.

  With Antonia in a place of authority, the bookstore should fare well.

  Waking the others wasn’t an easy feat. Yelling did nothing to make any of them budge. Tanya opened the curtain to let in the sunlight and laughed.

  The sunlight did not stir Serienna. When the beams of light hit Makinzee, she rolled over and covered her head with her blanket. But what hit Tanya’s funny bone was Regina’s reaction. At the first rays of light, Regina gripped the spare pillow in both hands, pressed it firmly to her face, and growled at the disturbance.

  “Girls, it’s time to get up. We’re leaving in forty-five minutes.” No response. “If you want a shower, now’s the time.” Still nothing. “You’ll end up looking like the living dead.” Surely, that will get their attention.

  “I hate you.” The pillow muffled her voice. Tossing said pillow off the side of the bed, Regina rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m up. You happy?”

  Today was the day they would meet one of Lazarith’s family. Just the thought made Tanya both excited and nervous.

  Moving like a zombie, Regina stumbled across the room to retrieve her clothes from her suitcase. “I’ll make sure these two clowns get up after my shower.”

  “Sounds good.” Images of Jeremy haunted Tanya. She couldn’t shake the vision she’d had of him, his red irises boring into her. What did it mean? The man had no vampire attributes last night. Maybe it was a precognition. Whatever it was, she was ready to leave this town and continue driving south. “I’ll be brewing coffee and gathering our loose belongings.”

  “Coffee.” When Regina said coffee, it was long and drawn out, much like a zombie would say bra-a-ains. “What flavor?”

  “Chocolate Raspberry.” It was one of the things she’d picked up along the way and was a favorite amongst all of them.

  Several cups of coffee later, the girls were back on the road.

  Unable to contain herself, Dannika told everyone about Tanya’s dream, over animating the whole ordeal. Awestruck and mouths agape, the others said nothing. Bubbling with excitement, Dannika said, “I know.” Bouncing in her seat, she wore the biggest grin. “It’s great, right?”

  Licking her lips, Makinzee was the first to speak. “Wow, you finally have your power. That’s amazing.” Eyes downcast, she twiddled her thumbs. “Did you happen to see anything about me? Do you know when I’ll get mine?”

  “No, sweetie. I’m sorry.” The car in front of them slowed, and Tanya switched lanes. “Maybe I’ll have another vision and you’ll be in it. You never know.”

  Makinzee nodded but she carried a haunted expression.

  “Well, that’s not what I expected.” Serienna rested her arms on the back of the driver’s seat. “I didn’t know what to expect, exactly, but it definitely wasn’t visions and mind reading.”

  A sports car drove up next to them, and the guy in the passenger seat made an inappropriate gesture.

  “Real mature,” Serienna muttered. “Anyway, I’m glad that you two got those powers because I would go nuts if either of them were mine.”

  Makinzee stared out the window, a faraway look in her eyes. She was worried, just like Dannika had been last night. “Makinzee,” Tanya said. “I’m sure that your powers will manifest soon. Two of us have ours already, and Dannika will get hers in an hour or so. It’s just a matter of time.”

  They discussed Tanya’s dream, each one of them eager to meet Earadessa. They had loads of questions for her. Where Lazarith was from, how old he was, whether he had a wife and kids. That last part was something she would like to know. The man never mentioned having a wife. Then again, he’d been busy teaching them how to live in this new world.

  The discussion quickly went from Lazarith’s history to the rest of his family. What they look like, what powers they may have, whether they are more powerful than the girls were destined to be.

  Before long, the conversation turned to Mark. Just hearing his name pulled at Tanya’s heartstrings. Had they made a mistake by letting him in on their secret? Sure, he’d pretty much discovered it on his own when he overheard her talking to Regina, but would the vampire council understand. Was he now in danger?

  Sorrow was evident on Makinzee’s face, listening to them talk about their oldest friend. “Okay, we should change the subject. I can’t talk about him right now. I miss him too much.” Fanning her face to relieve the heat, she changed the subject. “What we need to do is find a Pancake House. I’m starving, and their strawberry-stuffed thingy ma-boppers are to die for.”

  “It’s just off the next exit.” Tanya glanced back at Makinzee in the rearview mirror, a grin in place. “I never mentioned which restaurant was in my vision.”

  Her fanning stopped and she met Tanya’s eyes in the mirror. “Oh snap, I picked the right one, didn’t I?”

  This was the confirmation Tanya needed to fully believe her dreams were precognitions. “Yes. Yes, you did.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Pulling into the parking lot, Tanya made sure to park toward the back of the building, away from windows and prying eyes. After her vision of the vampire that would show up this morning to kill them, she wanted to make sure they were out of sight.

  Pancake House was busy, nearly every table full. The waitress ushered them to a far corner booth and handed them menus.

  Dannika was mid-sentence when her back stiffened, and she leaned toward Tanya. “I have this feeling like someone is watching us.”

  Tanya raised a brow.

  “It’s not that creepy, horror-movie feeling but…” she paused. “I think there’s another vampire in here.” After she said the words Dannika’s face lit up with recognition.

  “And thus, your power has finally decided to manifest itself.” Tanya nudged her cousin with her shoulder. “I’m assuming since it’s not a bad feeling then you’re sensing Earadessa.”

  Tanya casually glanced around. The vision of her was so vivid, she’d be able to spot her in no time. Elderly couples, a few mothers with young children, and a burly man with a goatee but no sign of the one she sought. Wait, there was a young woman sitting on the other side of the restaurant with a menu up to her face. Tanya bit her lip in anticipation as she waited for the woman to lower the plastic.

  It was her. Earadessa. She picked up the slice of toast the waiter had just placed in front of her and nibbled on the end. The most adorable lace top adorned her body, showing off her luscious curves. A nude-colored leather skirt hugged her hips, revealing muscular calves.

  Spying Tanya, she dusted her mouth and stood. The graceful, sophisticated way she walked announced she was strong and proud. Her short, spiky hair gave her a pixie look without taking away the authority she possessed.

  Tanya instantly loved her. Once she reached their table, Tanya smiled up at her. “Hi. I’m Tanya, and these are my friends, my sisters.” Pointing at each one, she said, “Dannika, Regina, Makinzee, and Serienna.”

  Earadessa waved. “Hello.”

  Tanya gestured to an empty chair. “Would you like to join us, Earadessa?”

  “Um…” Appearing flabbergasted, she pulled ou
t the chair. “How did you know my name?” Eyeing each of them suspiciously, she sat down and awaited an answer. “I know that Lazarith has not been in contact with any of you since your last night with him at the mansion.”

  “You’re right,” Dannika said proudly and pointed at Tanya. “Tay saw you in a vision. A vision she had before we ever arrived in this town.”

  “What?” Earadessa sat across from Tanya, face alight and clearly impressed. “Wow. Lazarith knew that all of you would be powerful.” Peering into Tanya’s eyes, she searched their depths. “But to grow in power so soon? He’ll be pleased.”

  It didn’t take long for their food to arrive. Two waitresses carried their plates and placed them along the table. A large bowl of mixed fruit, strawberry crepes, blueberry waffles, strawberry banana pancakes, and a chicken fajita omelet.

  “There’ll be plenty of time to get to know one another.” Earadessa gestured toward the assortment of food. “For now, enjoy your breakfast.”

  Once the waitresses were out of earshot, Dannika leaned forward to whisper to Earadessa. “There’s something else you should know about Tay’s vision.”

  Crossing her legs and smoothing her skirt, Earadessa asked, “What’s that?”

  Looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, Dannika continued. “She saw another vampire. He approached us on our way out, and in her vision, I had read his mind. He wants us dead.” She licked her dry lips and Tanya noticed the slight tremble in her cousin’s bottom lip. “All of us.”

  “Very interesting.” Earadessa studied Tanya quizzically. “Well, we’re already one step ahead of him.” She motioned to the array of food. “Let’s not worry about him for now. Enjoy your food.”

  While they ate, Earadessa told them a little about her life and how Lazarith had awakened her when she was only eighteen years old. At the time, she was the advisor to the princess of the land.