The Vampire Gift 4: Darkness Rising

by E. M. Knight

  The Elite vampire looks at Tudor blankly. “You disturb me for this?”

  “It’s clear she’s lying!” Tudor begins, affronted. “She’s obviously of the Wyvern coven, left behind to spy on us—”

  “The only thing clear, here,” the Elite vampire says, “—is that you’ve let Carter’s paranoia get to your head. Look at her! Look at her clothes. They are the same as all our villagers.”

  “With so many of them killed in the fight, she could have easily stolen them.”

  “Then look at her eyes, you fool, look at her face! She has told you the truth. She is ours, through and through. She bears all the telltale signs of a Haven human.”

  “But—”

  “You have my thanks for bringing her here. But that is all. Return to your spot, Tudor. I want no further interruptions.”

  The vampire sulks off. For a second, I’m struck by how distinctly human his body language is.

  “Before I have a chance to contemplate it further,” the Elite vampire says, speaking in a low voice, soft and urgent. “I know who you are,” he says. “You’re Phillip’s ward.” He glances back at the small group of vampires he just left. “It’s not safe for you here. Any connected with the Soren brothers, or the Queen, are under threat.”

  “Under threat?” I wonder. “Why?”

  “No time to explain it fully. Just know that there’s been a revolt. Spearheaded by two of the Royal Court, Deanna and Carter.”

  “Carter!” I gasp. “He saw me, just hours ago.”

  “He’s long gone now,” the vampire says. “The Haven is splitting into factions. There are those who committed to Deanna and Carter. And there are the rest of us.” He motions to his gathering. “The others want to feed on the villagers. We’ve come here to ensure they do not. At least, not before the Queen is revived.”

  “Revived? What happened to her?”

  “You don’t know?”

  I shake my head.

  “She was stabbed by a demon and fell into a coma. Those who side with Deanna and Carter claim we can move on without her. The others—us—respect everything she’s done.”

  I shake my head. This is too much. “Where are the other vampires?”

  “Outside,” he says. “They’ve rejected Phillip’s command and returned above ground. There’s not many of them, but they do contain some influential figures.” He grimaces. “Things aren’t looking good for the prosperity of The Haven. The coven is splintering at the seams.”

  “A woman told me you’re talking about the Hunt,” I say.

  “Yes,” he nods. “Whether or not a vampire is on the Queen’s side, or on those who’ve rebelled, all vampires need to feed. We’ve come to make sure the rebels don’t simply feast on all the villagers. But we require blood ourselves.” He meets my eyes in a meaningful gaze. “You’ll require blood. You know it.”

  I shiver. I was hoping to put off acknowledging that ghastly truth for as long as possible.

  “And now the choice turns to you,” he says.

  I frown. “Choice? What choice?”

  “With us, here. Or with the rebels. We’re still part of the same coven. We are not tearing each other’s throats out—yet.

  “If you want to leave, none of us will stop you. You can join those who’ve sided with Carter and Deanna. But for your own sake, I suggest sticking down here. We’re not the most ardent supporters of the Queen. Lord knows she’s played her part in our ruin. But she is the best shot we’ve got at restoring our lives.”

  The way this creature is speaking to me… so dignified, so intelligent, so clearly genuine… makes me reconsider, yet again, all that I know of vampires.

  Of course, a lifetime of prejudice will not be erased in a day. The beings here are responsible for countless horrors inflicted on my former clan: The clan of humans.

  But they’re also not tearing into them as if they were merely food.

  “If you’re on the human’s side,” I say. “Then I stand with you.”

  Not to mention my all-encompassing hatred toward Carter.

  The vampire chuckles. “You won’t believe how many of us had the same moral illusions when we were first turned,” he says. “The fondness you feel for humans will fade as you fall deeper under your own vampiric thrall. That is to say—no vampire can ever be on a human’s side. Not ever. But you have my respect. You will not be forced to do anything against your will.”

  He looks the way Tudor went. “You are part of the Incolam, now. You belong with them. But you will find no fast friends there. Not under current circumstances.”

  He seems to lose himself in thought.

  Then he declares, “You will stay with me. I will take you under my wing. You’ll have my full protection—however much that’s worth. If you want to return to Phillip, you may. Though the Captain Commander will doubtless be too busy to devote much time to you. No, your best bet if you want to prosper, is to remain here.”

  He holds out his hand. “My name is Felix. I am not the strongest of the Elite. But I am the oldest. My creation predates that of our Queen’s by almost two hundred years. So if you wanted a mentor, or a guide—you’re in luck.”

  I take his outstretched hand and shake it. A sense of wonder comes over me. A mentor? A vampiric teacher?

  I would have never thought to find myself before a vampire so civilized.

  “It’s proper to give your own name, when introduced,” he reminds me.

  “Oh!” I say. “I’m sorry. I’m Cassandra.”

  “I know,” he says with a little wink. “I know all the humans. But it’s good to meet you formally, Cassandra. Now that you have crossed to our side, I will show you: vampires are much more complex than the villagers are led to believe.

  “It may offer small comfort now, but I want you to know that it grieved me deeply that so many of them were lost. I will tell you more of our relationship with them, if you are inclined to listen. It is both darker and lighter than you thought.”

  Someone from the group calls his name.

  “Ah,” he says. “It is by far time to rejoin the others. Let me do the talking. It is one thing I am good at. You should know that it’s very unusual, and highly looked down upon, for the Incolam to mingle with the Elite. But with a bit of charm, and some luck,” he smiles reassuringly, “I don’t anticipate that to be a problem.”

  I look at Felix in wonder before I take his hand and am led into the group.

  Kindness, from a vampire?

  Who would have ever thought?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  JAMES

  ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE HAVEN

  I crouch low behind the trunk of a huge redwood, watching the opening of the cave like a hunting lion.

  She is in there. I can feel her.

  Victoria.

  If the woman thought she could hide here forever she is a fool. If she only needed a few days on the other hand…

  I glance up at the dark night sky. Heavy clouds hide the stars. Too bad it’s not raining. After my experience with Father in the desert, I’ve developed a deep fondness for the rain.

  The cave is hidden deep in the bowels of a circular valley. The land slopes up and out all around me. We’re past the boundary of The Haven, yet still far, far away from civilization in this spot in the woods.

  Maybe I’m being too harsh a judge. All things considered, this is a spectacular hiding place. One way in and one way out. That means there is only one entrance for Victoria to watch. And the way the land slopes, she would be able to sense—and then see—any vampire approaching her hideout well in advance and make the appropriate escape.

  Too bad for her I am still cloaked.

  I’ve been in this spot for maybe an hour. I’m still considering just what the hell to do with her. Obviously, she has to pay for the murder of one of the Nocturna Animalia.

  Yet, had Victoria not killed Wanda, I would have never been able to find her. It was only because of those horrid flashing images that came to my
mind when Wanda died that I could find this location. And the thick rock surrounding the cave prevents Victoria’s vampiric presence from telegraphing too far out. It was only when I reached the bottom of the valley that I first felt her and became certain she was inside.

  The plane is ready at the airfield. April is waiting where I left her, and—

  The sound of movement in the bush makes me whip around. From the foliage emerges a very subdued, but still-determined, April.

  I curse loudly. I’d been so focused on the damn cave that I completely failed to notice her approach.

  My anger flares.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss at her. There’s no point for subtlety, or for staying quiet. I may be cloaked, but April is not… and no matter how weak the girl is, Victoria would have already sensed her proximity long ago.

  She sensed it, yet hasn’t emerged. Interesting. Maybe it’s because she knows there’s nothing to fear from one so weak.

  April flinches inadvertently at my rebuke but continues on. She doesn’t stop, or answer, until she’s within arm’s reach.

  I cannot take such disrespect for very long. There will be hell to pay for her, after this venture with Victoria is done.

  “I thought you might need my help,” she offers weakly. Everything about her is at odds. The meekness of her voice contrasts greatly with the defiance in her eyes.

  She’s obviously fighting the natural hierarchy that has been established between us. I want to laugh. Good luck with that.

  None have ever been able to break out of those bonds. They govern us as surely as gravity governs physical objects on earth.

  “Help,” I state flatly. “You thought to offer me your help.”

  “...yes,” she says. She keeps looking at her feet—but then her eyes flash to me, just for a second, and I see the truth of why she’d come.

  “You’re thirsty,” I say. “Dammit, April! I told you you would feed. And now you’ve given me away!”

  “I’m not the one who’s shouting,” she counters quickly.

  I scowl. “You were always rebellious, weren’t you? But I hoped you’d be smarter than to keep that up with me.” I rise to full height. “I am your master now, and if you go against me again, if you disobey a direct order again—”

  She points behind me. “Someone’s coming.”

  Again, I curse, and turn around. April’s right, of course. Victoria has just emerged from the cave.

  I don’t know if the rage that flares is directed at myself or at April. Yes, she’s given me away. But this is the second time in less than a minute that I’ve let another vampire catch me unaware.

  I’m simply not focused enough. That is a dangerous, dangerous thing.

  In a flash, I flatten myself against the tree, so that Victoria cannot see me.

  “Who’s there?” the vampire formerly of The Crypts calls.

  “She’s talking to you,” I hiss at April. “She cannot sense me. Answer her!”

  April hesitates. “What do you want me to say?”

  “Anything! I don’t care, just talk to her! Buy me some time.”

  It’s the least she can do after blundering her way here.

  “Answer me!” Victoria demands. “You’re too weak to be of The Haven. So who are you? How did you find me?”

  “Do I lie?” April asks in a frantic whisper.

  “No. Yes. It doesn’t matter!” Gods, I hate how she cannot do anything without my permission. Except, obviously, when I’m not close by. Then she’s prone to bouts of stupidity, like the one that brought her here.

  “You have to the count of three,” Victoria announces. “And then my hospitality will expire, and I will destroy you. One. Two...”

  “Oh, for the love of—”

  With a quick shove, I push April out into the clearing.

  Victoria gasps. “You!” she says. “But you’re… you’re not… you’re supposed to be...”

  “Still human?” April asks. She squares her shoulders. Her confidence has returned.

  Or maybe it never left. Maybe it’s just subdued around me.

  “How did you find me?” Victoria asks. “Who sent you?”

  “Nobody sent me,” April scoffs. “I came because of what you did to Wanda.”

  “Wanda?” Victoria sounds confused for a moment. “The other fledgling? But how could you know...”

  And then: “Of course! James. He’s here, isn’t he, somewhere, hiding. James!” She calls out. “James, I know it’s you. Show yourself, or another of your babies dies.”

  “Are you threatening me?” April asks, haughty and full of herself.

  “Stupid girl,” Victoria mutters. “I could rip your heart out before you can blink.”

  “James isn’t here,” April bluffs.

  “A shame,” Victoria says. “Because then, I have no use for you.”

  She flies at April.

  With a muted curse I throw myself in the way. I collide into Victoria just before she can reach the girl.

  We go tumbling to the ground.

  Victoria snarls. Her claws come out, and she extends her fangs. She tries to swipe at me, but I catch her wrist and hold it easily.

  “Funny,” I say, as she’s there on top of me. “This is the exact opposite of what I’d expect if we were in bed.”

  She roars in rage and redoubles her efforts. But somewhere along the way, she had weakened—considerably.

  Her strength is not even a hundredth of what it was when we met in The Crypts.

  So it’s all I can do to stop myself from laughing as I fend off the attacks. She tries to claw at my eyes. I deflect her hands. She surges down and tries to sink her teeth in my neck. I roll us easily over.

  Now she’s on the ground, below me. There I pin her by the arms.

  “There we go,” I say. “This is the position I’d expect if we were in bed.”

  And then I let go and leap off her, leaving her to stand on her own.

  As she picks herself up, I go to April. She stares at me, her eyes brimming with tears for whatever reason. I get close, and she shoves me back by the chest.

  “You monster!” she exclaims. “How could you—how could you do that to me?”

  She’s shaking. Her whole body is trembling.

  The reaction makes no sense.

  “You—you made me face her, alone! When she attacked I thought I was dead for sure!”

  I roll my eyes. “Quit being histrionic,” I snap. “I wouldn’t have let her hurt you. In fact, I didn’t.”

  April flings some more accusations at me, but I stop listening.

  Instead, I turn to Victoria.

  She’s glaring at me, also full of hatred.

  Ah, me and my women.

  “So what are you doing, James?” she asks, arms crossed under her breasts. “Who do you fashion yourself to be? Making all your fledglings. Concealing your vampiric strength. Coming after me—why?”

  “You know why,” I say softly. “You killed Wanda. The woman belonged to me.”

  Victoria scoffs. “She was newly made and borderline insane. And she was infected. What use could she have been to you?”

  “She was one of the Nocturna Animalia,” I state. “A crime against her is a crime against me.”

  “The Nocturna Animalia?” Victoria laughs. “What is that, your new cult?”

  “Close,” I say. “My new coven.”

  Victoria cuts off. She peers at me. “You’re actually serious, aren’t you?”

  “Of course,” I say simply. I approach her.

  She stiffens.

  “The only way to pay for death,” I say, circling her, “is to give your own life.” I run a finger along her exposed neck. “But it would be such a shame to lose you. We were allies once, if you recall. Our purposes aligned.”

  “That was a very long time ago,” she says.

  “Not so long,” I say. “Time is an illusion for all sentient beings, and most of all to us vampires.”

  �
��James!” April screams at me. “James, what are you doing?”

  I ignore her.

  “I’ll give you a choice,” I say, stopping in front of the pretty, tanned blonde. “One chance—a single shot at redemption.”

  “I can’t wait to hear it,” she deadpans.

  “Subject yourself to me. Swear your life to mine. I will hold it as your debt. In time, perhaps your crime can be repaid.”

  “Submit? Do you want me on my knees, too, master?” she mocks. “While I’m at it, maybe you’d also like for me to suck your—”

  “DO YOU THINK I JOKE?” I roar. I grab her by the throat and force her head up. “DO YOU THINK I WILL ALLOW MYSELF TO BE MADE A MOCKERY OF IN FRONT OF MY COVEN?”

  Crickets chirp as the sole member of my coven shuffles her feet.

  But, finally, I have Victoria’s proper attention. Her eyes go wide with genuine fright.

  Good. She knows I’m serious.

  I fling her to the ground. She falls on her side. It really astounds me how weak she’s become. All that talk of “borrowed” strength obviously had its merit.

  “I want you on your knees, yes,” I continue, calming my rage. “From there you will swear to me. Swear loyalty and fealty and I will show mercy and let you live. Otherwise, the crime you committed is unforgivable. The proper price must be paid.”

  “I didn’t kill her, you big-headed idiot,” she snarls angrily. “Why would I want her dead? She could have given me answers, and—”

  “Swear.” I cut her off. My voice becomes dangerously soft. “Swear, now. You will not be given another chance.”

  Victoria mutters something under her breath that I choose to ignore.

  She pushes herself up and sits on her haunches. “Fine, I swear,” she says. She eyes me. “Am I allowed to get up now?”

  “Not good enough,” I say. “You can do better.”

  “Dammit, James, we’re not in the Middle Ages! You’re not some fief lord! Whatever game you’re playing at, it’s out of date. We’re in the twenty-first century, hello, and people just don’t do these things these days!”

  “Who said anything about ‘people?’” I ask. “We are vampires. We’re not bound by time.”