Blood Promise

by Danielle Rose

  Amicia scoffed. “You can’t be serious, Avah! Do you think you’re the first to try? You certainly won’t be the first to fail. What will it take to make you realize that you are not one of them anymore! I will not have you chasing fantasies and endangering both my coven and my Hunters.”

  “These are the same witches who helped us save you!” I shouted, unable to control my anger anymore. In truth, those witches were dead, but she didn’t care. She didn’t understand.

  She winced, the walls she built to protect her emotions finally faltering, and I smiled inside. Could the way in, the way for her to see our truth, be through her emotions?

  “Yes, finally, show some emotions! You’ve been walking around like a zombie on a power trip since you returned.” I knew I overstepped, but I didn’t care. I was only saying what everyone else was thinking.

  Her hand reached forward and made contact with my cheek before I even realized she struck me. My jaw dropped as I inhaled sharply. Instinctively, my hand moved to shield my cheek, the skin stinging. The Hunters tensed beside me, and I prayed to the gods and goddesses that Sebastian wouldn’t do something reckless. I loved that he was protective of me; it made our relationship feel familial, and I desperately needed that. But he was often brash, lashing out at anyone and anything objecting his view. Usually, I was okay with this, but I seriously needed Sebastian to get along with the other vampires—so he could stay.

  “Do not ever speak to me like that again. Understand? And choose your words wisely, Avah, for they may be your last.”

  I narrowed my eyes, anger boiling in the pit of my gut, threatening to spill over. I swallowed the lump in my throat and opted for the very thing I hoped Sebastian wouldn’t do. “Do not ever strike me again, Amicia. Do you understand? And choose your words wisely.” I was brazen, foolish, but had she really expected something more? Boldness was a common trait for beings at the top of the food chain.

  She gasped. “You are uncontrollable! I cannot—no, I will not—have you in this house any longer. You have no respect for authority, and your carelessness is causing too many issues. I hereby expel you from this house, Avah Taylor.”

  I gasped. Banished from not one but two covens in just over a month? I was on a dangerous winning streak…

  Jasik stepped forward, and I tore my eyes away from Amicia’s dagger-like gaze. Pulling a folded paper from the duffel bag that hung from his shoulder, he set the document on the desk beside Amicia and back-stepped to my side. The move was effortless, controlled, and sincere. With his jaw clenched, he grasped my hand, his thumb rubbing infinity signs against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

  Grabbing the paper, Amicia opened the document and read, her jaw dropping in a gasp as her eyes scanned the page.

  I looked up at Jasik, arching an eyebrow, but he shook his head, silencing me.

  Amicia cleared her throat, and all eyes were on her. “This is signed by each of you,” she stated matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, Milady.”

  She shook her head. “You cannot be serious, Jasik. Malik? You want this, too?”

  I glanced at Malik. He nodded once but expressed no emotions.

  Both Lillie and Jeremiah stood tall, strong by Malik’s side. Sebastian met my gaze and shrugged. Apparently, he, too, was out of the loop.

  “You had this prepared beforehand. Did you plan to give me this?” Amicia asked.

  “We anticipated your refusal, Milady,” Jasik said.

  “Jasik, I know you have feelings for the girl. You’ve known her for but a month’s time. You and I have been together for centuries. I am your sire.” Her voice softened as she spoke, as if the words pained her. “Malik? What of you? What of this?” She waved the paper in the air before his eyes.

  “Yes, Milady, it was been but a month, yet Avah has become something so much more than just a housemate. She is family, and we will not separate what little family we have,” Malik said.

  “Lillie? Jeremiah? You feel the same?”

  They nodded in unison, but neither spoke.

  I swallowed hard as I realized what was happening.

  “And where will you go?” Amicia asked.

  “For now, Europe,” Jasik said

  “And once you’ve finished this? Where will you go then?” she asked.

  Jasik’s eyes glossed over as he contemplated her question. Finally, he shrugged. “Where we go doesn’t matter. What matters is that we stay together. We’re family—Malik, Lillie, Jeremiah, Avah, and Sebastian. And family stays together.”

  “You’re just rebelling, like a hormonal teenager,” Amicia said, her voice full of scorn.

  “No, Milady. It’s just time to move on. You may cast out Avah, but we shall leave on our own terms. It’s time.” Jasik smiled softly.

  I bit my lower lip in a sad attempt to hide my emotions. I was sure this was an uncommon declaration of love and support, and it meant more to me than they would ever know.

  “So be it,” Amicia said as she turned on her heel, walked around the desk, and sat in her chair.

  “Thank you, Milady,” Jasik said as he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “Leave me,” Amicia said, waving her hand dismissively.

  One by one, Sebastian and the Hunters left the room.

  As I grasped the door to close it behind me, I said, “This was never my intention, Amicia.”

  Her eyes met mine. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Avah.”

  I nodded, looking away.

  As I pulled the door shut, she added, “Because they don’t deserve to die.”

  The door latched, and I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. The Hunters had already gathered in the foyer as I took the steps two at a time. My heart sank as my eyes flickered to the lingering vampires. I recognized them all, but I didn’t truly know anyone other than the Hunters. Still, it pained me to think I might never see them again. I wouldn’t walk the halls with them. I wouldn’t eat breakfast in the dining hall. I wouldn’t scour the library for a new book. I so badly wanted this to be my home.

  But I had to accept that it never would be—not if the Hunters weren’t there.

  And I suppose that’s why the Hunters willingly walked away from the place they’d lived for centuries.

  My home would be wherever they were, whether that be in the remote forests of Washington State or the warm beaches of some island off the Atlantic Ocean. My home was with them, and their home was with me. We understood each other, protected and defended each other, and, most importantly, loved each other.

  And they loved me enough to choose me over the vampires of their coven. I could only hope I’d one day display such devotion, too.

  We walked past the wrought-iron gate that enclosed the house in a protective barrier, and I slowed. Closing my eyes, I blessed the crystals, rejuvenating them, strengthening their hold on the magic that encased the manor. With the Hunters gone, the house was vulnerable. I was sure Amicia was already making plans for Hunters to take our places, but even so, I would never forgive myself if the house was attacked during our absence. And so, I spelled the barrier once more, praying it would be enough to shield them from danger.

  Jasik wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him. His fingertips lightly touched the skin Amicia struck. “I’m sorry, my love,” he whispered.

  It pained him to see me hurt, and I was sure he was torn between defending me and abiding by his morals and vampire law.

  I smiled. “Don’t be.” I pressed my lips against his.

  “Let’s go, lovebirds,” Lillie said. “Sun.”

  We pulled away and glanced at the sky. We had just enough time to get to the airport, check in, and get seated before takeoff. I glanced back once more, finding a lone silhouette watching us. My heart ached for her, but she had left us with no choice.

  My grandmother wasn’t just a Rogue vampire. She was a Rogue vampire with the power and knowledge of an elder witch. When I changed, The Power they’d given me lingered in dea
th. To this day, it was still within me. Could a witch, who’s had decades to perfect her skill, to hone her magic, hold onto her power in death, too? Would that make her an even stronger Rogue vampire? I wasn’t sure how it’d affect her transition, but I did know one thing.

  Someone needed to stop her.

  I WIGGLED IN the cushioned seat, enjoying the feel of the soft leather against my skin. The jet looked like your typical aircraft—just minus coach. There were four rows of seats, with two seats to a row. Each seat was separated by the four or five foot pathway that led to either the pilot, the mini bar, or the en suite bathroom at the back of the plane. I had never flown first class, but I was sure this was so much better. There weren’t any bothersome flight attendants, crying babies, or fighting for the armrest. A girl could get used to this VIP treatment.

  Jasik and I sat in the front row, and I looked back at the others. Malik sat beside Jeremiah and Lillie beside Sebastian. With the last row empty, we had tossed our bags on the chairs. The other Hunters and Sebastian had already begun to doze off. The sun would rise within the hour, and we would be on our way to England.

  I sunk back into my seat, my eyes resting on Jasik. “So what will the pilots do?” I asked sleepily.

  “Hmm?” Jasik asked, his head rolling toward me so his eyes met mine.

  I yawned. I hadn’t realized I was so exhausted. “About the sun. I don’t think they can just close the blinds like we did.”

  “They’re human,” he replied.

  My eyes widened in surprise.

  “They know we’re…”

  “Shh. No, love. All they know is that we’re important people. Hence the private jet.”

  With my mind at ease, my eyes fluttered shut. My lids were heavy, and instead of fighting against them, I kept them shut.

  I smiled as I felt Jasik kiss my forehead. “How’d you manage this?” I asked, the term “important people” bouncing around my head.

  “You’ll understand once you’ve been around as long as Malik and I have.”

  “You’ve made friends,” I said matter-of-factly.

  “Exactly.”

  I supposed it made sense. I mean, they’d lived lifetimes. They seemed to have money, yet never worked. They lived in mansions and relished in this century’s amenities, like plumbing. The more time I spent with Jasik, the more sides of him I seemed to meet. Sometimes, he was just a vampire. Other times, he was a protector, a friend, and a lover. Now, I was meeting the hacker and the socialite. I wondered how many more sides he had…

  A BLACK TOWN car was stalled outside Heathrow Airport in London, England. I glanced at my reflection in the privacy windows. You’d never know I had just traveled across the world to get here. I slept the entire trip, only waking once we had landed. Thankfully, we’d anticipated our hunger and stocked blood bags, which we’d drained as soon as we were in the air. The others had barely spoken on the plane, and even though they’d never admit it, I was sure they were just as nervous as I was.

  The driver’s door to the town car opened, and a man stepped out. Walking around the car, he stalked toward me like a predator to prey. I tightened my grip on my duffel as my eyes trailed the length of his body. His frame was similar to Malik’s: tall and stocky. He stood maybe half-a-foot taller than me and gazed with piercing neon gold irises. He was a Hunter.

  Jasik offered his hand and a friendly nod, which the Hunter mimicked.

  “Jasik,” the man said, his voice otherworldly deep.

  “Ivor.”

  He exchanged similar greetings with the others until his eyes flickered to me.

  “I can see why you’ve opted for the quiet life, Jasik.”

  I arched an eyebrow, and his grin widened.

  “Miss Taylor, it’s an honor,” Ivor said, offering me his hand. I took it.

  “Likewise.”

  “Oh, I seriously doubt that,” he said, dropping my hand.

  Again, I arched an eyebrow, unsure of his game. “It’s not an honor to meet you?” I asked.

  “Not nearly as much as it is to meet you. You’re something of a celebrity. You see, Jasik, Malik, and I, we go way back. Haven’t seen the likes of them in centuries. Not since they crossed over to the dark side, that is.”

  “The dark side?” I asked.

  “The States,” Jasik said, his accent seemingly thickening since we’d stepped off the plane, and I chuckled.

  “Yeah, he and I ran these parts for years. Then he upped and moved, leaving us blokes in the dust. Didn’t hear from him until he called to tell me about a girl.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest, eying Jasik, whose cheeky grin matched Ivor’s.

  “You’re even more beautiful than he described,” Ivor said, giving me a wink.

  “Careful, Ivor,” Jasik said in a forced tone.

  I chuckled. “Well, thank you. You and I should talk sometime, Ivor. You seem to have the dirty deeds on these two. Jasik’s biased, and Malik’s not exactly an open book.”

  He barked out a hard laugh. “Yeah, that’s Malik. The quiet look, that was my trick, you know. He stole that from me.”

  Malik grumbled something incoherently, and I flashed him a wicked smile.

  “He certainly is the lady charmer back home.”

  He exhaled sharply. “You’ll never let this go, will you?” Malik asked. His angry tone didn’t fool me. There was the hint of a smile on his lips.

  “Not until death,” I said and winked.

  “Seems you may have the goods, not me,” Ivor said.

  “We’ll talk,” I replied with a grin.

  Ivor laughed.

  “So I’m guessing you’re our ride?” I asked.

  “That I am. I’m here to take you wherever you need to go. Coven orders,” he said, playfully saluting me. “Like I said, you’re somewhat of a celebrity in these parts.”

  “All the way, huh? You’ll be going with us, then?” I asked. My eyes met Jasik’s, and I hoped they conveyed my concern. It was going to be hard enough to get myself into the witch council. I wasn’t sure I had the authority to bring on even more vampires to the team.

  “Relax, lass. I have no intention of getting myself killed with the resta you chaps. Wherever you’re going, I’ll be waiting in the car. Once the screaming begins, you’ve got thirty seconds to get yourselves back to said car before it leaves. I have no intention of being burned by no witches.”

  “Sounds like you and Jasik had quite the talk.” I glanced at Jasik. “I thought we were keeping some things confidential?”

  “Don’t worry, love,” Jasik said as he placed a kiss on my lips. “Ivor’s a good friend. You can trust him.”

  I nodded, and Ivor opened the trunk, tossing our bags in before sliding into the SUV. Malik sat up front with Ivor, while Jasik, Sebastian, and I sat in the second row of seating and Lillie and Jeremiah sat behind us.

  Ivor effortlessly maneuvered through London’s nightlife traffic. Even though it was late for humans, the streets were packed. The air smelled of sex, sweat, and alcohol. I was drunk on the smell of it. As I watched intoxicated women stumble in their heels, I inhaled slowly, letting the smell of London wash over me. It didn’t smell like home. I was accustomed to the smell of the wild. I’d hidden my entire life—first in the remote woodlands of northern Wisconsin, then in the mountains of California, and now in the forests of Washington State. There, I could smell the ocean, hear the animals.

  I turned toward Jasik. Fascinated, I watched his features as we drove down the streets of London. England was his homeland, and I knew it’s been centuries since he’d returned home.

  “Missing home?” I asked quietly. Briefly, I’d wondered if home was the right word. Did he consider England to be his home? Or was his home in Washington State? Was his home with Amicia, the coven he’d left in order to stay with me?

  His face grew somber when he tore his eyes from the window.

  “This place… It’s nothing like the world I’d left behind. Nothing like home.”
<
br />   I reached for his hand, brushing my fingertips along his knuckles. He smiled and grasped my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  I settled back into my seat. London was exactly what I’d been expecting, yet was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Living on the west coast of America, everything was new: the buildings, the roads, everything. Here, everything was old. I was sure I could smell the chipping brick of the buildings. The streets were liberally sprinkled with sixteenth century buildings. The architecture was absolutely stunning. I sank back in my seat, wondering if I’d ever encountered anything so old. A smile formed as I thought about the vampires I’d been living with. These buildings had nothing on them.

  We came to a stop, the traffic light preventing us from reaching our destination any time soon. The crosswalk signaled, and a couple descended upon the street. They walked with linked arms, the woman resting slightly against the man. She laughed as he said something to her. I heard a distant call, and the couple glanced over their shoulders. The man spun around, walking backwards, but never unhinging himself from the woman, as he yelled something. My mind was on the woman who clung to his arm. As she turned to face forward, her eyes locked with mine. My heart sank. I hadn’t noticed the similarities—not until her chocolate brown eyes burned into mine.

  The woman looked just like my mother—so much so, for the slightest of seconds, I was sure it was her. I’d wondered if I was dreaming. Would I wake in my bed in Wisconsin? Would I be a child again, dreaming about vampires and war and blood? Would this life be nothing more than a figment of my imagination?

  For the briefest of moments, I clung to that idea.

  And then the woman looked away, and the light changed to green.

  She was gone, but the hope of her existence remained.

  I swallowed down the knot in my throat, shaking away the thought that my mother was still alive.

  She wasn’t. She was dead. Murdered. Everyone was gone.

  I closed my eyes, the memories from my childhood springing to life. In an instant, I was a child again, running through fields of wildflowers in northern Wisconsin. Mother and Father were sitting on a blanket where the field cleared.