She cursed and looked around. The others were gone. Three, she killed three. There should have been two others. Her breathing hitched as this was the most dangerous part in the game she played. If she played mouse, she would be dead. She slid quietly from behind the dumpster and started toward the front of the alley toward the street. Venus heard a shuffling to her right. She threw her body down into a roll, hand still clenching the slim stake as she looked over her shoulder. Everything was moving in slow motion it seemed. Her hand came up with the stake, preparing herself to shove it through this one's heart. The Talmidim launched himself at her. When he crashed into her, everything sped back up and she screamed as his fangs ripped through her throat. The stake tumbled from her hand. The other Talmidim slunk out of the shadows, sneering and baring his fangs. He knelt down on her other side, lifting her dainty wrist and plunged his fangs into her as well. She screamed again, thrashing about on the cold damp pavement. She struggled in vain to call the stake back to her hand. The pain clouded her mind, though. She cried out in despair. A whisper of movement caught Venus’ attention before she started to drift away from blood loss. Someone, or something was circling them too fast for her to see. The shadow figure darted forward and the Vampyre at her throat disintegrated into ash. The other Vampyre raised his head from her wrist and snarled into the darkness.
“I see you,” he snarled, his fangs dripping with Venus' blood.
A figure stepped forward into the dim light. He was Mashiach, she thought with relief. In his hand he clutched a silver stake and was smiling pleasantly at the Talmidim. One second he was standing there and the next second he was standing behind the Talmidim sliding the sharp point through his back to the heart.
“Do you see me now?” he snarled at the ashes that fell to the alleyway.
Venus struggled to a sitting position, blood still running in a stream from her throat. Her hand darted to her throat, trying to press the torn skin together but all she felt was a gushing stream of heat.
“Hey don't move,” her tall handsome savior murmured quietly.
His hand cupped the back of her head and he lowered her back to the ground. He bit down on his own wrist and held it to her lips.
She lapped like a kitten unsure if its affects would be any different than ingesting Riken’s. His blood pulled her to him immediately and filled her with the knowledge that he was of her bloodline. She guessed he was of the Rex Deus, his coloring and facial features were much like Riken's. The strength of the blood coursed through her and she found herself taking harder pulls, her tongue flicking back and forth across his skin. It tasted warm and coated her throat, it was sweet and tangy and the warmth grew and spread throughout her body. The man groaned softly, his eyes that were gazing intently into her face slowly fluttered down. When she no longer felt the pain of her torn throat and wrists, she lifted her head. She eyes were heavy and her entire body sluggish in response. The stranger lifted her into his arms with ease, cradling her head against his chest. Venus breathed in his scent, something comforting, relaxing, vaguely familiar and then she drifted off.
Drake paced the dark room lit only by a sliver of moonlight that shone through the wall of windows. He was angry with himself for bringing her here. This was his sanctuary. No one had ever been here before, not even Riken. His duty to his prince dictated that he call Riken and tell him he found her. Drake would do so...eventually and make sure to leave out the details about her nearly dying of course. God, she was beautiful he thought as he watched her sleep on his sofa. And she was also Riken's, he reminded himself. Drake had been dispatched by Riken to find her and bring her back to his estate. Drake had not been told that she had gone after the Talmidim as a huntress. It shocked and impressed him. It didn’t take him long to find her. The Angel was right, she was a beacon of light. Her power billowing out even as the Talmidim were draining the life from her. He had been perched on the top of a building as he watched her off those three Vampyre before she got herself caught. It was a rookie mistake and she had been extremely lucky he was there. What would make her go after the Talmidim? She was a treasure to the bloodline, a Queen. Drake was surprised Riken didn't have her tethered to his bed. The thought sent a surprising twinge of jealousy through him which he shook off. A soft moan that stirred his blood escaped Venus' parted lips and he glided over to her. Her eyes slowly opened taking in the room and then finally meeting his.
“Where am I?” she asked softly.
Drake swallowed hard as he came closer to her. “You're at my place,” he said while lifting her chin to examine her newly healed throat.
He already knew it was healed and really just wanted an excuse for touching her again. To finish his examination, he lifted her wrist and ran his thumb smoothly across the unblemished skin.
“What's your name?” she asked her innocent eyes making his heart flutter as fast as a hummingbird's wings.
“Drake,” he told her in a deep voice.
While it was not his given name, it was one he had used for the last two hundred years. When Riken was born, he had given up his royal name and his hold on the throne of the Rex Deus. Knowing his brother would be a better fit for the role of a prince, Drake had chosen to become a hunter, a hired hand by his bloodline to police the Talmidim. Drake wasn't even sure Riken knew who he truly was and it was going to stay that way.
“Thank you for saving me,” Venus said, tearing his thoughts back to the present.
He bowed low. He wished she knew how much that meant he respected her. He bowed to no one, not even Riken.
“You were doing quite well until the end of course,” Drake said with a touch of amusement in his voice. Venus smiled and shook her head.
“When I couldn't find those last two, I knew I was in trouble.”
“May I ask you a question my Queen?” he said his curiosity winning out over etiquette.
She nodded, her eyebrows lifted, her lips still curved into a smile.
“Why do you hunt the Talmidim?”
She averted her eyes from his, focusing on the city lights that shone through the windows. She got up from the sofa in a graceful move and went to the nearest floor to ceiling window. She wrapped her arms around herself and was silent for a few more seconds. Drake waited patiently as she arranged her thoughts.
“All my life, I have been used in one way or another. This new life, one as a Mashiach...I couldn't see any other role for me other than once again being used for someone else's end game. That is why I decided that I don't want to be turned. I don't want to just be used to carry a child. I guess in a way, I don't want to be Queen, I don't want to be Mashiach, I just want to be me.”
She turned back to Drake and his fluttering heart nearly stopped dead in his chest. They were so similar, he thought as his heart constricted and he fought to not clutch his chest. He ached to let her know that he knew what she felt, that she wasn't alone.
“I guess that doesn't make any sense,” she laughed.
Drake moved so fast that he knew she didn't see him move. She gasped when he cupped her chin and tilted it up so that she looked in his eyes.
“It makes more sense than you could ever imagine,” he said his voice gravelly.
He fought the pull to lower his head and claim her lips, so instead he ran his thumb along her carotid in a feather-like sweep.
“You are the bravest female I have ever met,” he said that light amusement creeping into his tone again. His words made her eyes light up like Christmas morning.
“I am the best hunter our bloodline has Venus. Riken will not want you to remain going after these Talmidim but if you stay with me, learn what I can teach you...Riken may be satisfied that I will protect you.”
“You would do that for me?” she asked, her voice quivering slightly.
Drake swallowed hard and nodded. She truly looked at him then, the look that went soul deep between Vampyres and he froze unsure if she could sense the truth about him. He had buried his power field so deep, he couldn't even feel
it any more, surely she couldn't. The moment passed quickly enough and she pulled away from his touch.
“Awesome,” she said delighted, bouncing lightly on her toes. “I can't wait to kick some ass!”
Drake chuckled at her brazen words and waved a finger at her. “I have to clear all this with Riken first,” he warned her.
She sighed, flopping back on the couch pushing her lip out in an adorable little pout that he had to laugh again at. Jeesh, he thought. He hadn't laughed so much in...he paused to think back…forever.
9
“Tell me about yourself Venus…where have you been hiding all these years?” Drake asked as he stirred the chicken in the skillet, the aroma of a mixture of onions and peppers filling his loft. He loved the fact that he was cooking for her, sustaining her body. He glanced over his shoulder at her sitting at his table. Her legs were crossed and the skirt she had on rode up high. He turned his attention back to the food and awaited her response.
“Definitely not been hiding,” she said in a sad voice. “I was born and raised in Montana. I guess I’ve been waiting…just waiting for something good to happen in my life.”
Drake felt a twinge in his chest, of longing. He felt her sadness and it was a knife in his heart. He wondered what had made her heart so heavy but didn’t want to know at the same time. He didn’t want to think about the fact that if he wouldn’t have relinquished his birthright, perhaps they would have found her much sooner. He decided to steer her clear of that line of questioning. It was an obvious sore spot and though he wanted the knowledge, he wanted her to be happy even more.
“What do you like to do for fun?” he asked looking over his shoulder again.
She had changed her position and had her legs pulled up to her chest in a ball. Yes, he was glad he changed the subject. A slow smile spread across her face.
“I love to listen to music, write poetry, dream,” she chuckled. “I miss the mountains. Whenever I had a bad day, I would escape to the mountains. Climb, walk, run through the trees. Listen to the woods talk. And the water, it was so peaceful. I would look out over the lake and not see the end of it and just feel myself melt into it.”
Venus had her eyes closed, remembering and Drake was mesmerized. Her words painted a picture and he wanted to be in that picture too. Angry chicken sizzling brought him back to reality and he poured some water into the skillet.
“I had a place like that too,” he said softly. “It’s been so long since I have felt that peace that you speak of.”
His hand was frozen on the spatula sticking out of the skillet, his eyes far away.
“Tell me about it,” Venus urged.
“It was the season after I was turned and I stumbled upon this secret place when I was chest deep in bodies. You see, there has always been fighting amongst the bloodlines Venus. Always. We know nothing else besides blood and carnage. I was so young and bloodthirsty. I was no better than a Talmidim myself, except I thirsted for the blood of my enemies. I was a killer, a heartless killer. This was wartime, a battle between the Rex Deus and the Descendants of Cain. I had killed so many that day and my soul...it needed a break I think. I felt the dark prince close by but instead of battling him, I turned like a coward and ran. I ran through the dark woods for miles until it emptied into the most beautiful field of wheat.” Drake paused for a moment to look at Venus. “The field was the color of your hair,” he murmured deep in thought. “I stayed hidden in that field for what seemed like an eternity. The blue sky turning to black and then to blue many times over and still I stayed because that was my peace.”
Venus had gotten up from the stool and stood silently at his back. She laid both hands on his back and he gasped at what that little touch did to him.
“You were not a coward to run Drake,” she said softly.
“I was. I could have destroyed him then but I lost the thirst for blood and would have died myself. I was scared of death so I ran.”
She turned Drake’s massive frame to face her and he looked at her tenderly even though it was him who was pouring his heart out. She was the first person he had told this to, the only one that he would.
“I am glad you ran that day Drake,” she said with a soft teasing smile.
“Why my Queen?” he asked huskily.
“Because if you didn’t, then you may not have been there to save me in that alley. Everything happens for a reason Drake.”
The truth of her words hit him squarely in the chest and he knew right then he was lost to her. He would still fight his calling but by God, he loved her without even embracing his birthright. He swallowed hard and nodded reverently before turning his attention back to the chicken.
“Did you know who my parents were?” Venus asked, busily inspecting her fingernails.
Drake cocked his head to the side and regarded her for a moment.
“I knew your mother. Her name was Darless. She was royal blood, a few steps down the line of course. But she was beautiful. She had nearly white blonde hair, which is fairly uncommon among the bloodline. She was well-respected for her ability to lead others in battle. She was the head of our hunting division for quite some time. When she fell in love with Ash, she fell from grace.”
“That's my father?”
Drake nodded, remembering the warrior vaguely.
“Ash was a warrior from the Descendants of Cain. I believe he too was well-respected. Second lieutenant, if my memory serves me correctly. Anyone could see how madly in love they were with each other.”
“I never knew them or have any memory of them. What happened to them Drake?”
Drake’s eyebrows drew down as he knew the information she asked for would hurt her.
“It is against the Vampyre law to mix bloodlines. What your mother and father did was treason. If they were from another other bloodline, it might have been overlooked or not punished as severely. But our two bloodlines are the fiercest of enemies. We are born and bred to hate one another. So, what they did was unforgivable. They were sentenced to death.”
Venus nodded once as the knowledge that she had suspected was true.
“I am only eighteen. So this happened very recently in Vampyre years.”
Drake nodded, knowing where this was going.
“So, Arias carried out my father’s execution and Riken my mother’s?”
“Essentially yes Venus.”
“And now here you all are, fighting over me…an abomination. I am the fruit of which was deemed unlawful but here I stand, wanted by all of you beasts,” her anger was fueling her words, the hurt over the loss of her parents and what could have been a happy life.
“Venus,” Drake started.
“It’s true Drake. I am an abomination. I am what never should have been according to your laws. I think your Vampyre prophecy is full of shit or you all have your heads so far up your asses that you can no longer see the light.”
Venus turned with a huff and marched right out of the kitchen. Drake wanted to go comfort her right away, wrap his arms around her and take away this pain and hurt. But he knew she needed time…time to sort this information out in her head.
Venus emerged just before midnight. Her hunger outweighing her anger. She ate in silence as Drake flipped through the channels on the TV. When she was finished eating, Venus glided over to the couch and sprawled out next to Drake, her head resting lightly on his hip.
“I’m sorry I blew up at you Drake,” Venus said softly. “I’m not mad at you…just the unenlightened thought process of the Vampyre nation as a whole.”
“Perhaps that is reason enough for us all to want the prophecy to be true Venus. Perhaps you are our salvation and can lead us toward enlightenment.”
Venus closed her eyes at that notion as thoughts raced in and out of her mind. When she opened them again, Drake could tell her sour mood had lightened so he took a chance to lighten it some more.
“What type of music do you like?”
“All kinds really…if I am mad, I’ll listen
to hard music. Have you heard of Reester Noon?”
Drake shook his head and Venus smiled. “I don’t even know how old you are…I’m sure you don’t listen to anything I do. You are probably very old,” she laughed as if it were hilarious to her. “And you probably only listen to boring old classical music.”
Drake laughed too. He did listen to classical but he was varied.
“You’d be surprised my Queen,” he said in a low voice. “I will agree with you different moods call for different tastes in music. What do you listen to when you are calm or at peace?”
“Boring old classical,” Venus burst out laughing, doubling over.
Drake laughed and shook his head at her playful spirit. Everything about her was beautiful. They talked for hours that night and he learned all that he could about her in that little time.
“Tell me your story Drake…I want to know what makes you, you.” She said soberly.
He couldn’t tell her the truth. And that fact made him sad. He wanted to share everything with her…because she alone would never judge him. He knew that, he felt that in his bones. But for her safety, for her peace of mind he couldn’t tell her the truth. After a few minutes of silence, he turned his eyes to hers and smiled.
“My story is not exciting my Queen. Hundreds of years of boredom,” he laughed.
She had yet to smile, she just studied him. He’s hiding something, she thought. It was the tightness in his eyes, the rawness of his voice. Why was he lying to her? Here she was pouring her heart and soul to him, divulging things about herself that no one on this mortal plane knew. And how did he reward her…with silence. She was disappointed…a spark of a connection deeper than lust had bloomed and he had shut it off with a flick of a switch.
Revelations Coming (The Dark Truth Novel Series) Page 9
