A Monster's Birth: A Gritty Urban Fantasy Novel (Rouen Chronicles Book 6)

by Raven Steele

  I dusted the two legless vampires first and pivoted just in time to remove the head of another. I somersaulted away from one, only to come up and stab at the heart of a vampire who was mid-leap in front of me, claws extended. I continued this dance around the great space, killing and stabbing all those who came near me. Victor’s betrayal fueled my rage.

  Someone screamed.

  I whirled around just as a pack of vampires tore the limbs from the female vampire, the mother of them all. If any lived tonight, they would come to regret their actions, but they were too uncontrollable right now, devoid of any rational thoughts. The smell of fresh blood only made it worse.

  Swinging my blade wildly around, I attempted to get to the male vampire before the newbies finished him off too, but there were too many to cut through in time. By my quick calculation, at least half had risen. The rest of the humans probably hadn’t survived the transformation.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the wolf on the balcony. Four vampires were slowly stalking him up the steps. He trotted back as far as he could until pressed against the damaged office wall, then he sprinted forward. At the edge of the broken balcony, he leaped high into the air heading straight for the window. I wasn't sure he would clear it, but he managed to crash through, sending glass raining down upon the vampires.

  That would have to be my exit too.

  A vampire tackled me from behind and slammed me to the ground. As I fell, I locked eyes with the vampire I had rescued just before his head was torn from his body. His body began to melt, a mess of fat and fluids.

  With one hand, I shoved several vampires away who were attempting to get at me, and with my other, I swished my sword back and forth like a madman, just trying to create space until I could get to my feet. I risked a quick glance upward. The window was further than I’d like, but I had to try.

  I squatted low and pushed off the ground, just as a vampire lunged at me. I sailed through the air toward the broken window. I’m not going to make it!

  I reached out as far as my arms could stretch. I smacked the wall, my fingers just barely catching the lip of the windowsill. Two vampires leaped toward my feet, nearly snagging them, but I pushed up, launching myself through the window. The landing was less than pretty. It didn’t help that my foot was still torn open from that damned wolf.

  Not wasting a second, I limped into the shadows where I could survey the area. I half expected the Physician to attack me again, but he was nowhere in sight. Only one thing left to do.

  I hurried to a close-by hangar where I had spotted some gasoline earlier. I kicked down the door with my good leg and retrieved two large gas cans. The sounds of hungry vampires echoed out the broken window. I had to hurry. I had no way of knowing how long the witch would keep the door magically locked.

  It didn’t take long to dump the fuel all around the hangar. Vamps scraped furiously at the metal door where I had placed the empty gas cans. Lighting a match, I dropped the flame. The earth in front of me ignited and burned brightly all around the building. It took a few minutes for the flames to lick up the wooden boards between the metal sheeting. It wasn't the best place to kill vampires with all the metal, but I would stand guard all night if I had to, to make sure none survived.

  But when it was finished, I would finally do what I’ve always wanted—kill Victor.

  Chapter 33

  The building burned to the ground much quicker than I expected. Vampires screamed from within, while several managed to make it out the high window. They were ashes before they had a chance to unleash themselves upon the world.

  Scorching flames burned as hot as my rage. I should never have listened to Victor’s lies. I knew the kind of monster he was, but I had hoped for something more. I was a fool.

  Along with my fury, came a growing hunger that wrapped itself around my stomach and squeezed tight. The ache crept up to my throat until it felt so dry I thought I would cough dust. I looked around the airstrip, feeling the heat of the flames at my back.

  I needed blood, and I needed it now.

  Confident no vampires had escaped the burning building, I super sped away with only one thing on my mind: blood. I tried to tell myself I could wait. I had gone ten days without it before. Samira said I should be fine, but that was before I had unlocked Elizabeth’s DNA within me.

  After a couple of minutes, I could no longer think a rational thought to curb my hunger, so great was my rage. I leaped to the rooftops and scurried along them until I reached Pigtown. I looked over the edge of an old apartment complex and searched for the filth of the city. It didn't take me long.

  Two men disappeared into an alleyway. I jumped across to the next roof where I could watch them better. Drugs were exchanged. I wouldn't kill them. They hardly deserved it, but they did deserve jail time. Unfortunately, that wouldn't happen in the city, which meant I had to hand out my own punishments.

  I could watch the men no longer with their blood smelling both sweet and sour. I dropped from the rooftop and grew even more excited when their eyes widened in fear. I grabbed the nearest one and plunged my fangs into his neck, cringing at the initial salty taste of the sweat upon his flesh. But then his blood flowed into my mouth and hit my stomach. Pleasant pinpricks erupted over my entire body, and I moaned.

  His companion cried out and stumbled away. I better stop him before he brought any unwanted attention. I tossed the man hooked to my fangs aside and appeared in front of the other, just as he reached the alley entrance.

  "Please don't hurt me," he begged. A full bag of rhino dust dropped to the ground.

  Having remembered my earlier mistake of ingesting tainted blood, I asked, "Have you taken any of that tonight?"

  His gaze lowered to the ground, then returned to mine. "Are you a cop?"

  "Do I look like a cop?" I said as blood dripped from my chin.

  "I haven't taken anything," he blurted.

  "Good." I jerked his head to the side and pierced that precious vein in his neck.

  I drank quickly, the warm blood caressing my insides all gentle-like, yet at the same time, it strengthened my muscles giving me the power I would need to kill Victor. It even healed the deep wolf bite in my foot.

  A burning sensation stung my skin. The sun was coming.

  I let him go. He collapsed to the ground, his heartbeat racing. I was still hungry.

  Snarling, I turned on my heel and sought out shelter for the day. I couldn’t return to Ironwood, not with the way I was feeling. Besides, part of my anger was directed toward Roman. He should’ve known we couldn’t trust Victor. A voice, dark and foreign, whispered, “Maybe he was in on it, too.”

  I punched the side of a brick wall as hard as I could. It crumbled beneath the blow.

  The sky faded to a light gray, and a line of orange burned the horizon. I didn't have much time.

  I dropped into the nearest tunnel entrance and sprinted to the same dirty pipe I had stayed in on my first night back in the city. I hated to return here, especially knowing I had a comfortable coffin not far away, but that was the last place I wanted to go.

  Shame darkened my mood, as I squeezed into the pipe. I should go back, at least for Emma’s sake, but I couldn’t do it.

  Knowing Roman would most likely hear me, I said, “Tell Emma I’m okay.”

  I slept fitfully, often waking as I was unable to stop thinking about Victor's betrayal and of the deep hunger that accompanied my anger. As soon as I felt the sunset, I escaped the tunnel and walked back to Ironwood quietly. I wanted to change and shower before I was spotted. That was becoming a regular thing.

  When I reached Ironwood, I kept to the shadows and listened to Emma speaking to Rebecca in Command. I sensed Amy and Oz there too. They were all discussing Rebecca’s hunt for Hacksaw. She had searched night and day but had had no luck. The tone in her voice held bitterness. I had lost any of her help for my cause. She only wanted Hacksaw, and so like a dog with a bone, she would not give up. I understood and respected that.
>
  I was about to sneak across the street to shower when I heard two familiar voices. One of them shouldn't be in this place. Ever.

  My pulse racing, I shot down the tunnels. I was clenching my hands so tightly, they ached. I came to a stop in front of Roman and Victor. Roman frowned as if he sensed my aggression, but Victor's eyebrows lifted in surprise. He probably expected me to be dead.

  I didn't let either of them speak. I lunged for Victor ready to tear him apart, but Roman stepped in between us and shoved me aside. I crashed into a wall and fell onto all fours, forgetting how strong he could be.

  I snapped my head up. "Get out of my way."

  “You need to calm down. You’re out of control.”

  I scrambled to my feet, eyeing Victor behind him. I just had to get past Roman, and then I could kill him. "He tried to have me killed."

  "What the hell, kid?" Victor said. "I did not."

  I breathed heavily, my chest rising and falling. I picked each word carefully. "I went to the airport like you wanted, but the Physician was there waiting for me. Didn’t you say he was supposed to be with Bastian?”

  He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him. “You also said new vampires were going to rise later and that it would be easy to kill them while they rested, but they rose while I was there, all thirsty for my blood."

  He shook his head back-and-forth, his face pale. Damn, he was a good actor.

  “It can’t be true. The witch must've lied to me."

  "Your witch? She’s a real gem. She trapped me inside there with magic so I couldn’t get away. I barely survived!” He was still shaking his head in disbelief. “Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. You are a fucking liar and a monster!"

  I rushed him again, but Roman blocked me.

  "You're being manipulated," Roman said, his voice firm.

  "No, you're being manipulated. The signs are all there, but you’re blind in more ways than one.” I stared at him in disgust, really wishing he could see the expression on my face. The old Roman would never have spoken to Victor, let alone bring him into our home that we had kept secret for years.

  "You should've told me he was coming down here,” I said. “It's clear you've made your choice."

  I disappeared, running fast. Roman called my name several times, but I kept going until I could no longer hear his voice.

  I didn't return to Ironwood to see Emma. I just couldn't face her right now. Romans actions had cut deep into my core. How could he not see Victor for what he was?

  Rising in the center of Coast City, I looked around at the darkened streets. Only one streetlamp shined light through the dark; the others had been shot out. Garbage littered the gutters, and a couple of the signs had been tagged with graffiti. It wouldn’t be long before this part of the city became like Pigtown. No one was around to stop it from happening. There was the crippled police department, but by the time I got them special guns to fight vampires, it may be too late.

  This was Victor’s fault, I had no doubt. But did the Principes Noctis also play a role? I had to know. Time to confront my other enemy.

  Chapter 34

  I didn't bother knocking when I reached Bastian's mansion. A couple of guards tried to stop me, but I shoved them to the side, not in the mood to stand around and explain what I was doing there.

  I followed the sounds of voices into the living room, the same one I'd been in before. And just like before, several vampires were seated throughout. I cursed and tightened my jacket around me to hide the blood on my shirt. I should’ve taken the time to change before coming over here.

  Eyeing the crowd, I searched for the witch that never seemed to leave Bastian’s side, but she wasn’t there. Bastian was, however. He stood next to the piano while a human girl, she looked barely eighteen, played a beautiful song. His back was to me.

  At my approach, he turned around and smiled. "This is a nice surprise."

  Had the environment not been so formal, I would've demanded answers from him right then, but an argument like that felt too out of place.

  "We need to talk," I said.

  Annabelle, the pretty vampire I had met last time I was here, strolled over to me. "It's good to see you, Aris. Your presence always makes the room seem less dull."

  I ignored her, my focus entirely on Bastian. I needed answers.

  His gaze dropped to my bloodied shirt. He turned to her. "Could you give us a minute, Annabelle? I'm sure Aris would be happy to visit with you after we've spoken."

  She lowered her head in a slight bow, smiled politely, and walked away.

  "This way." He walked through an open door and onto a patio outside. It was as grand as the rest of the home with a gourmet kitchen and glass tables positioned upon a sandstone floor. Over his shoulder, he said, "I heard you destroyed the new vampire nest. Thank you."

  "Did you have anything to do with creating it?"

  "If you remember correctly, I'm the one who asked you to find and destroy it. We don't want new vampires in the city. They are too reckless. Did you happen to kill Victor too?"

  I shook my head. "Why would you think I would?"

  "I would think his crimes against this city would be more than enough motivation for you, and after you discovered the depth of his evil last night, you should be begging to spill his blood. He’s creating an unnecessary war.”

  I stared at him, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or not. "Your witch."

  "You mean Jade? What about her?"

  "Where is she?"

  He lengthened the sleeves on his wrist. “She's being detained right now. We have strong suspicions that she was feeding Victor sensitive information, information that was crippling the Principes Noctis.”

  "She was there last night. At least, I think it was her. When the new vampires rose, I became trapped inside by magic. I barely escaped with my life."

  "I’m sure it was her. She disappeared last night." He reached out and gently touched my arm. I shifted my weight uncomfortably.

  "I apologize for the role she played," he said. "We should've kept a better eye on her, but rest assured, she will pay for this slight against you, as will Victor. We take care of our own."

  The girl at the piano stopped playing and came to her feet. Bastian motioned her forward. "Aris, I’d like you to meet Bethany, the world’s most beautiful piano player."

  Her face turned a pleasing shade of pink. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  She reached her hand toward me in greeting, but when I looked down at it, all I could see was the blue vein on her wrist pumping with blood. I swallowed the growing saliva in my mouth.

  Bastian frowned. "When is the last time you’ve eaten? You look famished."

  And I felt famished. Hunger twisted and knotted my gut, even though I’d eaten last night.

  Without being prompted, the girl turned her palm up and lifted it toward my mouth. My fangs lengthened, and I sucked in a breath.

  "It's okay," he said. "She's offering herself to you of her own free will. Just drink a little. Dinner will be served soon, and you can have more."

  He didn't need to say more. I took hold of her arm and lowered my lips to her flesh. I gently punctured her skin and drank slowly. Her blood tasted like watermelon sweetened with sugar. I felt like I had barely begun when Bastian tapped me on the shoulder. I let her go and leaned back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

  She smiled at me shyly and returned to playing the piano without a word. For a moment, I wondered if she really did do that of her own free will. I hadn't considered it before because I was too focused on her blood. I rubbed the back of my neck and closed my eyes tight. I needed to fight the bloodlust harder, but it was difficult with anger fueling my hunger.

  "Come. Visit with us." Bastian took hold of my arm and guided me around the room. This time I wasn't quite so resistant. I needed to get my mind off Victor, and so I immersed myself in conversations with others. Anything to forget.

  In additi
on to vampires, I spoke with the half dozen humans in the room. They looked comfortable, and the vampires treated them as equals, not as food. If this is how vampires conducted themselves around humans, would it be so bad to have the species mix? I would love to live in a world where I didn't have to hide who I was.

  Annabelle approached me again and guided me to a chair, her arm linked through mine. It felt awkward to have another woman touch me, and I flexed my muscles in response. It was only Emma’s touch I craved.

  "Dinner is served," Bastian said and gestured toward doors that had just opened.

  My mouth salivated. I would return to Ironwood soon, but I couldn't resist the opportunity for more blood.

  I sat next to Annabelle and quickly ate the human food that tasted like dirt and tree bark. The others didn’t seem to share the same aversion to it as I. Maybe human food was an acquired taste. Or maybe I should’ve slowed down to enjoy it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the main course.

  When everyone finally finished, Bastian stood and announced the next meal. This time, it was a man and a woman accused of murder and two male child abusers. I counted everyone at the table. There were at least half of us from the night before. Which meant there was more food to go around. I practically giggled at the thought.

  I shook my head and tried to concentrate. Just eat. Take no pleasure in the killing.

  Bastian continued to speak. "For those who would like to question these human’s innocence, please come look over their paperwork. If any of you feel they deserve a second chance, you must speak up."

  This time, no one stood up to confirm the criminal’s guilt. I also remained seated, a growing fullness swelling within my throat. I shouldn’t be here, but I couldn’t bring myself to go anywhere else. I was too angry at Victor, and, if I was honest, hurt by Roman’s actions. It felt like he had chosen Victor over me.