A Hunt Among Vampires (The Angel Series)

by M. Cheykota

  “I am not a rogue!” Christien blurts out angrily.

  “Am I to take your word for it?” Jolene snaps back.

  “Look Jolene!” I interrupt their argument. They both look at me, anger building up between them. “You can’t just come here and accuse Christien of being a rogue vampire. You have no proof and it is not your decision to make anyway. You have delivered your message from the Council. Now it is time for you to leave.”

  “And who do you think you are?”

  “She is not your concern.” Christien replies heatedly.

  Jolene watches me move closer to Christien as the Governors begin to surround us. The tension level is rising when I feel a cool electrical wash of Christien’s power spread outward, making my skin tingle. The Governors pause in mid step and stare at Christien in surprise.

  Jolene asks in an alarmed tone. “What are you doing?”

  “You have no right to provoke me and mine! We have done nothing to warrant this threatening behavior.” Christien stares directly at Jolene.

  “You should not be able to manipulate this many Governors.” Jolene states nervously.

  “You have no idea what I can do.” Christien snarls warningly.

  They stare at each other for minutes before Christien releases his hold on the Governors.

  “We will return to the Council with your request.” She motions to the Governors and they all move away, disappearing into the tree line. Jolene gets into her car and drives away.

  Chapter 2

  Christien sighs in exhaustion. “They are gone. I apologize for taking so long to get here. I left as soon as Roman told me what was happening.”

  “I’m just glad you got here when you did.” I walk up and kiss him softly in greeting.

  “We should go inside and … talk. Or, perhaps we can do something else?” He hints in a whisper with a devious grin on his face.

  “There won’t be anything else happening until we talk about what we are going to do about this Vampire Council issue.” I joke half-heartedly.

  We walk inside the house and join Kayle in the living room. After everyone is sitting comfortably, Christien, Kayle, and I begin discussing the events of the evening and decide on what to do over the next several weeks.

  Kayle crosses his legs in the seat across from us. “Did you find out any more information from Hassan’s vampires tonight, Christien?”

  Christien settles his arm on my shoulder, relaxing. “I was able to read some of their minds and I found out that the attack last week was staged by Demetri and Jacques to give Hassan time to escape without detection. If they were able to capture Jessica in the process, they were going to deliver her to Hassan before joining him wherever he may be. Unfortunately, none of the vampires left in the building know where Hassan went. It would be safe to assume that he left sometime that afternoon, after my escape from the warehouse, to somewhere in Europe. Apparently, he has met with the Vampire Council already and they have sent an envoy to bring me back or possibly have me terminated.”

  “How much time do you have before you are scheduled to appear before the Council?” Kayle asks.

  “I have managed to gain up to six weeks before I have to appear. Tyler’s fledgling status gives me a legitimate and legal reason, under their own laws, not to answer their summons immediately. For now, I will need to finish the blood oaths of Hassan’s vampires. Their additions will strengthen my own get and allow me to prepare for Hassan’s next attack.”

  I raise my head that I am resting on Christien’s shoulder. “Do you think he is going to try to attack us again?”

  Christien rubs my shoulder soothingly. “He will not attack us anytime soon, but we must stay vigilant. We cannot allow our guard to drop for even a moment in regards to Hassan. He is a powerful vampire with a cruel disposition. I have my reasons for wanting him dead, but many others would consider him a formidable challenge in power alone. I strongly believe he is not here in America anymore, but I cannot be entirely sure.”

  “I do not believe he is here either. Our best trackers would have found some trail by now if he were.” Kayle agrees.

  “Tell me about what happened tonight with the Vampire Council’s representative, Jolene, before I arrived.” Christien turns his focus on me.

  I give Christien the details of Jolene’s visit from the Vampire Council. Christien reassures me that I did the right thing by not allowing Kayle to invite her inside.

  “Why is it so important that she not be allowed inside? I know about the vampire needing permission to enter, but she is part of the Vampire Council? The Vampire Council is the law, right? She wouldn’t be able to do anything to us would she?” I ask, showing my ignorance.

  My lack of knowledge of vampires and their politics really sucks.

  “The Vampire Council was founded by old vampires a very, long time ago. The law that the Council works under is often bended to their will since they are the ones that create and enforce the laws we abide by today. There are properties inside a vampire’s blood that binds all vampires to the Vampire Council through their tête de ligne de sang. The instinct to obey all of the Council members and their representatives is profound. All têtes de lignes de sang, or heads of bloodlines, must swear their allegiance to the Council or die. Therefore, all of the fledglings, underlings and masters under blood oath to them, automatically have to obey the Vampire Council. If a tête de ligne chooses not to swear their allegiance by blood, the Council hunts and destroys their entire ligne de sang, their bloodline. A Council member could blood oath those vampires, integrating them into their own get, after killing their tête de ligne, if they choose to. This is the only way the Vampire Council can remain our ruling body. They have very old and highly skilled assassins, called Governors, which work for them, carrying out their judgments. You saw many of them outside. You should consider them the Vampire Council’s police officers. A tête de ligne de sang is responsible for all vampires in their ligne de sang. It is the responsibility of the tête de ligne de sang to maintain control of their subordinates. If they allow their vampires to break the law, the council punishes the tête de ligne in order to keep the rest of the vampires in line. For Hassan to go to the Council and claim that I am a rogue vampire, he has in effect, requested that the Vampire Council send assassins to kill me. As tête de ligne, he has every right to ask the Council’s assistance in terminating me. At the same time, he is announcing to all other têtes de lignes de sang that he is no longer strong enough to control his ligne de sang. Masters from all around the world will start to challenge him. Now that we have killed Demetri and Jacques and I have taken over most, if not all, of his remaining vampires, he has no chance of defending himself from their attacks unless he aligns himself with another strong vampire.”

  “He must have known that we would defeat his vampires when they were sent to attack us.” Kayle voices his thoughts aloud.

  “Why would he sacrifice his vampires? That doesn’t make any sense.” I ask the question Kayle hints at.

  “Hassan has most likely found someone in Europe to ally with. He is also hiding behind the Council since he is unable to eliminate me himself.” Christien suggests, slightly amused.

  “So, we need to find out where Hassan is and who he has allied himself with now?” I summarize suggestively.

  “Yes. That is why I have been asking Kayle to rest and regain his strength.”

  Kayle perks up. “Yes master?”

  Christien rolls his eyes at Kayle. “I would like you to meet up with Phedora in Paris and find Hassan. Since his power base began there, I imagine that is where he will return. After you find him, I want you to follow him and tell me whom to which he has allied himself. The moment you have that information, contact me and I will join you in Paris.” Christien demands.

  “Of course.” Kayle eagerly agrees.

  “Who is Phedora?” I ask, puzzled.

  “Phedora is my second in second in command, or deuxième, of my small territory in France.” Chr
istien responds.

  “I thought Kayle is your second?” I question while looking at Kayle.

  “I am his second in command. As I am here with Christien, his vampires report to me. In Paris, Phedora is my equivalent.” Kayle clarifies for me.

  “Okay, so she’s Christien’s second over his get in France, just like you are the second over his get here. If you both are in the room, which of you would be in charge? Who would the vampires listen to?” I look at them for clarification.

  Kayle begins to speak, but Christien interrupts him. “Kayle is my deuxième, overall. Phedora would be my third. Since she reports directly to me, my vampires in France answer to her, which is why I consider her my deuxième. Why do you need to understand the hierarchy of my vampires?”

  “I am only trying to understand who reports to whom. When we go to France, I just want to be clear…”

  “You… are not going to Paris. Kayle and I will be going to France. You are going nowhere near the Vampire Council!” Christien says sternly.

  “I’m going! We are not arguing about this. Hassan tried to kill me and he’s responsible for killing my parents. I can take care of myself. If you don’t want me to go with you, I’ll go by myself. I am not asking for your permission, Christien.” I jump up and Christien is right beside me before I can move away.

  “I should know by now that you would never do as I ask in order to keep you safe.” He hugs me, trying to calm me down.

  “You should know by now that I don’t take orders from anyone. Maybe you should try asking me before putting your foot down, making demands.” I mumble, hating the fact that his hug feels so good.

  “Is it too late to ask you to stay here where you can be safe and protected by my get?” He asks sweetly.

  “Yes.”

  “Will you at least tell me what you plan to do before you take off and do it?” Christien asks hopefully.

  “Since you asked so nicely, I’ll think about it.” I tell him sweetly.

  Kayle stands up drawing our attention. “If there is nothing else to discuss, I will contact Phedora and let her know that I am on my way.”

  “Come and talk to me before you leave.” Christien orders Kayle as he telepathically calls Tyler into the room.

  Tyler walks into the room and stands in front of Christien. “Yes master?”

  “I need you to focus very hard on mastering your blood thirst. I may not get to spend as much time with you, teaching you how to control your thirst as I should, but I will assure you that you will not be alone. I do not think it would be wise for you to keep your position at the blood bank right now. It would be dangerous for you to be around that much blood, risking vampires’ exposure to the human world if you ever lost control of your blood thirst.”

  Tyler sighs in disappointment. “I understand.”

  Christien smiles regretfully. “For now, I would like you to return to your quarters downstairs and gather your strength. If we are away from each other for a lengthy amount of time, you will need it. Feed deeply and often. If I am not around, the other masters here will sense your need and come to your aid.”

  “Yes, master.” Tyler replies and walks downstairs.

  Kayle heads towards the kitchen as Christien takes my hand and leads me upstairs.

  We enter his bedroom, but when he moves to kiss me, I back away quickly.

  “Is something wrong, ma chatte petite?” Christien eyes me curiously.

  “Why do you make your vampires do that?” I ask angrily.

  “Make them do what?”

  “Why do you force everyone to call you master?”

  “I force none of my vampires to call me master, Jessica. It is only a way to show their respect for me. I do tell all my vampires that it is not necessary, but they choose to call me master.” Christien replies defensively.

  “I’ve never heard you correct anyone.”

  “I would constantly be correcting them. There is nothing wrong with them showing me respect. I am their master.” Christien shrugs.

  “I know. It just seems so demeaning.” I concede to the argument.

  “I apologize if you find it offensive.” Christien kisses me deeply. He pulls back and looks down into my eyes. “Is our disagreement over? Is it time for makeup sex now?” A wide grin spreads across his face.

  “I guess so, but this conversation isn’t over.” I smile suggestively after rolling my eyes.

  Christien moves his power through my body, instantly arousing me. He walks me backwards to the bed, guiding me gently on my back. He removes his shirt, pants, and shoes quickly then rejoins me on the bed. I wrap my arms around his waist, sliding my hands up and down his back as he kisses me. The kisses become deeper and more passionate. My body arches into his as he pulls my shirt over my head. His mouth covers my nipples, soaking my bra. His teeth brush against the fabric when I feel his hand gliding between my legs. He somehow manages to unbutton and unzip the pants I am wearing while I am distracted by his erotic teasing. My legs wrap around his waist pulling him closer. I can feel his powerful erection against my core. We both moan together in our excitement. He untangles my legs, pulling off my pants rapidly, taking my panties with them. His underwear is gone a second later. Within a heartbeat, he is riding me hard. I can barely catch my breath. Grabbing my arms, he positions them over my head and holds them there with one arm as he pounds into me even harder. I scream out my ecstasy. Christien leans over my body and plunges his fangs into my left breast. I can feel my body spasm hard from his intrusion. Christien’s orgasm rocks through me, intensifying my own. He groans and sucks my breast harder. His rhythm is erratic, but he is still rocking my body against his. My legs and body begin to ache from such a long, intense release.

  Christien finally releases my breast and roars in satisfaction. While he kisses me deeply, I can taste my blood on his lips and tongue. He lets go of my arms and falls onto his back with his eyes closed. I climb on top of him, guiding his sensitive manhood back inside of me. Christien grabs my hips and opens his eyes. I fall into the deep green sea that are his eyes and rock my hips slowly. I am extremely wet from both our fluids. He slides in and out of me with hardly any resistance. Even though there is little resistance, I feel every inch of him inside me. The wide tip of his manhood repeatedly brushes my cervix. The rhythm of our rocking greedily speeds up. Christien groans and thrusts his hips against me, forcing him deeper inside. Our pulses are pounding in rhythm. We release our building passion together, shouting and moaning. Collapsing on top of Christien, I rest my head on his chest. His arms engulf me, squeezing me tightly.

  I fall asleep on top of him, completely sated. Christien plays with my hair for a while, watching me sleep before he finally succumbs to his own exhaustion.

  * * *

  Uncertain of how long I have been sleeping, I wake when I hear voices around me. Opening my eyes slowly, I see Kayle and Roman standing next to the bed. Christien’s hand is running up and down my back absentmindedly.

  “What’s going on? What are you guys doing in here?”

  Roman replies first. “Kayle and I are about to leave for Europe in a few hours and we needed to talk to Christien about the plans regarding Hassan.”

  “You are going with Kayle?” I slide off Christien’s chest to lie beside him, carefully staying underneath the covers.

  “Kayle and I will be on the same plane. I am going to go to my father’s pack in Italy to gather what information I can on Hassan using their contacts. Kayle is going to Paris to meet up with Phedora.” Roman replies.

  “Oh, okay. Has there been any new information on Hassan?” I become more alert the more I listen.

  “There has been no news on Hassan.” Christien replies for them.

  “If there is nothing else to discuss, I would like to go pack and get some rest before I leave for France.” Kayle directs his statement towards Christien.

  “Good luck on your search.” Christien dismisses Kayle.

  Kayle bows slightly then leaves the
room.

  “I’d better get going too.” Roman bends and kisses me on my temple. “I will meet you in France. Call me if you need me for anything.”

  “I will. Please be careful.” I tell him sincerely.

  “Take care of her Christien. If anything happens to her, I will make you truly regret it.” Roman threatens him.

  “I will guard her with all my resources and my undead life. She will be safe with me.” Christien replies making solid eye contact with Roman.

  Roman nods in satisfaction and waves as he leaves the room, closing the door gently behind him.

  “You really need to give me some warning when you want to have impromptu meetings while I am in bed with you Christien.” I scold him, slightly embarrassed.

  “You are beautiful. There is no reason for you to be embarrassed, ma chatte petite. I did make sure you were properly covered before allowing them to enter the bedroom.” He replies confidently.

  “Thanks, but you could have simply awakened me.”

  “You were snoring so peacefully.” He teases playfully. “I did not want to wake you. You will need your strength.”

  “Humph. I bet. Maybe you didn’t want me to know that Roman was leaving with Kayle.” My eyes narrow accusingly.

  “Do you really believe Roman would leave without telling you?” Christien asks, defusing my rising temper.

  “I guess not.” I admit while snuggling closer, closing my eyes.

  He kisses me gently before we fall back asleep.

  Chapter 3