Blood Rights (PULSE Vampire Series #7) (PULSE Series)

by Kailin Gow

  “Jaegar, what are you doing?” Kalina followed him, her whole body aching with the exertion as he dragged her swiftly across the throne room floor and out into the courtyard. “Jaegar, we can’t just leave. What about all these Carriers? We can’t leave them.”

  Jaegar’s face was whiter than ash – he looked, for the first time that Kalina had ever seen, absolutely terrified. “She could drain all of them dry and it wouldn’t have the same effect as her draining you.”

  “That shouldn’t matter – we can’t let her near them. We have to save them, Jaegar, they’re just kids. They’re in danger! She’ll kill them all – I’ve already seen her drain one of them dry. A girl who couldn’t have been older than thirteen. Just like that, Jaegar! We can’t risk…”

  “Do you have any idea how many more children will die if she gets her hands on you?” Jaegar shouted. “Those kids – that’s just the beginning. I know it’s hard, Kalina – it’s awful – but listen to me: you cannot let her drink from you. Even if it means sacrificing those Carriers – because I swear to you if she gets her fangs into you those Carriers will be a fraction of the children she slaughters.”

  “I don’t understand, Jaegar!” Kalina cried. “Who is this woman – who is Nereti? Why are you so scared of her…?”

  “If she gets to drink your blood, Kalina – if she drains you dry – she’ll be truly invincible. Even against the rubies. I’ve read her works, Kalina – the Great Doctor who prophesied all of this also prophesized her: the one who can counteract all the good effects of Life’s Blood. Nothing will be able to destroy her. And then she’ll drink the world dry…”

  With that, he hoisted Kalina into the air, wrapping his arms tightly around her torso. “Once I get you safe I’ll come back for them, I promise. I won’t let them die…”

  “But every second we’re gone she’s draining more of them…” Kalina cried out. “And every chance we give you of getting clear of her is another life we’ve saved.” Jaegar closed his eyes, feeling the weight of his words sink into them both. “It’s disgusting, Kalina – believe me, I know. I know it’s not easy to bear. But right now we have to make the logical choice. We need to sacrifice the few for the many.”

  “The few for the many – Jaegar, these are children!”

  “So are the children back at Rutherford. So are the children all over – children she’ll slaughter by the thousands.”

  Kalina gave a slight whimper, but she slackened her body, feeling herself encircled by Jaegar’s protective grasp. She knew he was right – she could feel the power of his urgency. Right now, she had to get as far away from Nereti as possible. She’d already felt that strange connection between them – when Nereti was nearby, she was powerless, hypnotized by Nereti’s strength. Unable to run, unable to fight. Like a deer in the headlights.

  “I’ll protect the Carriers better if I don’t have to save you,” whispered Jaegar.

  “But I don’t understand,” said Kalina softly. “Who is she? This woman, this person, this Nereti…why is she different from any other vampire?”

  “Nereti,” said Jaegar, “is the oldest vampire ever recorded – and the longest-surviving. The one whom no stake or sunbeam ever slew. The most vicious and bloodthirsty of all the vampires of the world. Beautiful, she was – but also cruel. She found that her bloodlust was so strong not even humans could satisfy it – she took to drinking other vampires…once considered the greatest pollution a vampire could enact…in order to satiate her thirst – and to solidify her power, to put fear into the hearts of the rest of the vampires. So many legends have sprung up around her. You think vampires like Vlad Dracul were brutal? Well, let me tell you Kalina – Nereti is worse and older than all of these. She has sired thousands of vampires, all of whom – like Molotov- regard her as their queen. Legend has it that she was so crazed for power that she hunted down any vampire that refused to swear allegiance to her and drain them all. Before she was put to sleep, she brought terror not only to Egypt, but to the whole world, decimating the greatest vampire clans in Europe, Asia, and Africa…”

  “But why my blood, Jaegar? What’s so special about my blood that will make her immortal?”

  “I don’t know the details,” said Jaegar, “but I do know this well: whatever you’re made of, Kalina – whatever makes your blood special, it’s the same strength that gave her her power once upon a time. If she gets that in her – it will restore her to her former strength, and then some…right now our only advantage is her relative weakness…”

  “Jaegar, we’ll have to go back, to save those girls…”

  Jaegar pulled her closer, and she could feel his tongue flick against her earlobes as they talked, sending her wild. Jaegar’s touch always drove her crazy, even in moments of incredible danger. Especially in moments of incredible danger. “Kalina, my love,” he whispered, “as much as I want to save you, my priority right now is getting you out of there. If she gets hold of you at all, if she sinks her teeth into you, she won’t stop until she’s drained every last drop. And then I’ll lose you – and we’ll lose all hope of ever stopping vampires like her…”

  “But what you said back when you were fighting Molotov…” Kalina faltered.

  “You know I didn’t mean it…” Jaegar’s face contorted with pain. “I was crazed with Life’s Blood – you know I love you…”

  “Not that,” Kalina said quickly, not wanting to think about all those things Jaegar had said. “The other thing you said. About me being immortal. Was that real?”

  “Yes,” said Jaegar. “I do believe you are the one from the prophecy.”

  “Doesn’t that mean even if she drains me, I’m safe?”

  Jaegar shook his head. “No,” he said. “The kind of immortality I believe you have is similar to vampire immortality. You can’t be killed as a result of natural causes, but you can still die – as we can. When it’s vampire against vampire, all bets are off. And I know Nereti has killed immortals before.”

  As Jaegar leaned in, Kalina saw a strange expression in his eyes. She recognized the desire she knew so well, but also another kind of hunger: a strange hunger that made his eyes glow red. She felt a flicker of fear, but it quickly flamed out. Jaegar was holding her gently, lovingly. She could feel his body tense with the effort of his yearning: he wanted her, she knew. Badly. She tensed up as she could feel his desire for her flame through their bodies, tearing through them like a forest fire. He was struggling against the Life’s Blood, she knew. Even now. Even here. He was fighting his desire to consume her with every ounce of his being, and she too felt the fire of her longing burning within her. She needed to get him off Life’s Blood before it was too late.

  “Please, Jaegar,” she whispered. “I know what you’re doing. I know what you need. You’re fighting for control, aren’t you? Please – I don’t want to see you suffer. Just take some of my blood, just a bit…”

  She needed him to take her. She wanted him. And if Jaegar was still under the influence, she needed to get her blood into him as quickly as possible.

  His eyes flew open. “Now? But I can’t turn now – it might turn me human, and that’s dangerous. For me – for you – for the Life’s Blood Carriers back there…”

  “But you’re struggling, Jaegar, I can see it. What happens if you become infected when you’re out there with Nereti – you’ll drain the Carriers, or worse – bring me back to her? What if Life’s Blood takes over again?”

  “It won’t,” said Jaegar sharply, “I’m in control now. I can control it.”

  “But what if you can’t.” Her wide, chocolate eyes stared at him. She knew she’d have to convince him. “Jaegar, believe me – as much as I’ve tried to give the others a chance, as much as I’ve tried with Stuart, you’re the one I’m drawn to. You’re the one I need. You know that so well. I love you, Jaegar, for everything you are – and for everything you could be. Human or vampire.”

  They flew onto the balcony of a beautiful seaside palace. The moon wa
s reflected in the dark waters of the village. Alexandria, thought Kalina – the storied city of Queen Cleopatra herself.

  Jaegar fumbled with the key, turning it quickly in the lock as he pushed them both into a sumptuously furnished bedroom with panoramic views of the sea. Drawing the shutters closed, he pushed her up against the marble fireplace, kissing her passionately. He was fumbling with her shirt, his mouth tight against hers. Kalina wrapped her lithe arm around his neck, pulling him close to her, nibbling lightly at his ears until he moaned.

  “I can’t concentrate with you like this…” Jaegar was saying.

  “Where are we? In this delicious privacy.” Kalina began nibbling at his stomach, lightly flicking his hip-bone with her tongue. “Does this belong to you?”

  “To a friend of mine,” groaned Jaegar, trying to concentrate as she teased him with her lips. “He lets me use this place whenever I’m in town.” And with that, he picked her up and threw her onto an enormous bed in the center of the opulent room, with intricately carved posters and colorful silk canopies. Untying the ties on the canopies, he plunged them into intoxicating darkness as light fluttering pistachio silk surrounded them on all sides.

  “Now we’re really alone,” he said, leaning in and tormenting her with quick, savage kisses. “So, you really want to choose me after all, do you?”

  Kalina nodded. She knew she had to say it to get the Life’s Blood out of Jaegar as quickly as possible – but her body, her heart was responding as if her feelings were deeper than that. Stronger. She knew she meant the words she spoke, deep down.

  His eyes beamed with delight.

  “You’ve always been there for me, Jaegar,” Kalina said. Her heart ached with the weight of her words – her fear for the Carriers and for the Life’s Blood in Jaegar mingled with the adrenaline of being so close to his semi-naked body. “I can’t imagine ever being without you.”

  “I can’t imagine that either,” said Jaegar. “You’re my whole world – my whole reason for being. Do you know that?”

  “Jaegar, I…”

  “I know you love Stuart, Octavius. That you care for them, too. Of course you do – we’re a family, all of us. But not like this. This desire. This love – it’s what gives me the strength to fight the Life’s Blood…”

  “Jaegar!” cried Kalina, in ecstasy. “Please – I can’t wait any longer. Take me now.”

  He kissed her fluttering eyelids. “Close your eyes,” he said, his voice low and loving. She couldn’t wait any longer – both for safety’s sake and for the calling of her own body. She had to get her blood into him as soon as possible. She let her eyes shut, enjoying the feeling of his tongue and lips along her collarbone and the smell of his skin.

  Jaegar laughed softly and she felt something silky tickling her wrists. “What are you doing?”

  Jaegar was tying her wrists with the cords from the canopy. “If I turn,” he said, “I’ll go human – and we don’t know whether your bloodlust will kick in. Every now and then you get fangs. I’m just trying to keep myself safe. I want you so much – and I don’t want to hurt you, or you to hurt me.”

  He continued kissing her, tying her wrists to the bedposts. “Damn, you’re gorgeous,” he said, his voice ragged with wanting. “I can spend whole days with you in here, making love to you right here like this. If only…”

  He trailed off and Kalina opened her eyes just in time to catch a glimpse of Jaegar, fully dressed again, closing the canopy bed again.

  “What are you doing…” she cried, but with her wrists tied like this she could only struggle in vain. “?Where are you going?”

  “Duty calls, Kalina,” said Jaegar sadly. “I need to go back, my darling. To Molotov and the Carriers. And I know you’ll insist on coming with me – whatever the risk. So I had to make sure that didn’t happen. Don’t worry – the servants will guard you until I return.”

  Kalina’s face flushed with anger and frustrated desire. “Jaegar, you can’t do this!”

  “We need to keep you safe, Kalina,” said Jaegar. “Even if it means tearing myself away from your arms.”

  Before Kalina could protest, Jaegar was out the door, leaving her sputtering with rage.

  Chapter 17

  “Hey!” Kalina called out, furious with Jaegar – as well as with herself. How could you be so stupid? She chastised herself. She’d wanted to get the Life’s Blood out of Jaegar – but he’d been playing her the whole time, wanting to get her settled so that he could go back and save the Carriers. But Kalina couldn’t kick the fear that his Life’s Blood hunger would kick in just at the most inconvenient time – making Jaegar a bigger liability than an asset. She’d have to go back and keep an eye on him – she couldn’t leave him along with Nereti or the Carriers. But these ropes…

  “Hey, someone help me!” Kalina cried again. Jaegar had said there would be servants – she hoped one of them could hear her. She gritted her teeth, trying to cut through the ropes with her fangs, but it was to no avail. These cords were made of some special material. “I’m stuck…”

  The sound of footsteps filled her with relief. Someone had heard her! Someone was coming! But as the door opened, Kalina caught her breath with a sudden jolt of embarrassment. How was she going to explain her rather indelicate condition to the servants? But when the curtains of the canopy parted, Kalina’s shock was strong enough to drive all thoughts of shame out of her mind.

  “Olivia?” Kalina’s mouth dropped open. She hadn’t thought she’d ever see Olivia again. The ditzy blonde who had once been Octavius’ lover, who had tended to her in Beverly Hills, was a distant memory, a thing of the past. But now she was staring down at Kalina with a look of fury in her baby-blue eyes. Before Kalina could say anything, she reached out and slapped Kalina’s face. Hard.

  “Oh no you don’t!” she cried, hitting Kalina furiously with the pillow. “Not again. First you steal Octavius from me, then you decide to go after Samson? That’s not fair – you think you can get your grubby little human hands all over…oh!” She squealed with surprise. “But you’ve got fangs now. Did Octavius turn you?” She glowered at Kalina, pouting as she let the pillow fall from her limp hands. “He always said he’d turn me but never did. I waited and waited…”

  “Samson…”

  “Only the love of my life! The handsomest, smartest, suavest…” She remembered Kalina. “Filthy, cheating, cad…”

  “Who’s Samson?” Kalina exclaimed.

  “What do you mean, who’s Samson? Don’t you even bother to learn their names, you filthy…”

  “I’m here with Jaegar…” Kalina said quickly, before Olivia started hitting her again. Olivia’s eyes widened with shock.

  “You’re not with Samson?” Olivia looked relieved. “I didn’t think you were his type. I know he’s got other girls – I know a human like me can’t expect to…but I didn’t think he’d go for a girl like you, anyway. I knew it! You’re too…”

  “Too what?” A male voice came up behind her, followed by its bearer: an impossibly handsome man with clear Semitic features, long chocolate-brown hair, and dark eyes. “Well, well, well…is this a present for me, Olivia?” He looked vaguely pleased. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “You really don’t know her?” Olivia chirped, stunned.

  “I’d like to…” He looked Kalina up and down, and she became acutely aware that she was wearing little more than lingerie and tied to his bedposts.

  “So, uh, I’m guessing you own this place, then?” said Kalina, blushing bright red. “Jaegar said that this place belonged to a friend…” A friend who doesn’t eat his friend’s guests…

  “Oh,” Samson looked vaguely disappointed. “You’re with Jaegar then.” He shrugged and laughed. “Oh well, more where that came from. I always preferred blondes, anyway.” He looked over at Olivia, who turned pink with pleasure.

  “Wait…” Olivia had just finished putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “Then you’re not with Octavius?” She looked altogeth
er too hopeful at this announcement, and Kalina wondered how devoted Olivia was to Samson after all.

  Kalina wasn’t sure how to explain her situation. “We’re…uh…flexible…” was all she could manage, but Samson wasn’t listening.

  “Why do you care, Olivia?” he asked, jealousy flaring up in his eyes. “You’re not still pining, are you? I thought the second I showed up to take you home, you figured maybe you could do better than that old stuffed shirt…”

  Olivia leaned in for a long and passionate kiss. “You know you’re the one I want, baby,” she trilled.

  Samson seemed to find this acceptable, and leaned in, his hands trailing up her shirt. They began devouring one another, pushing each other onto the bed, right onto Kalina’s feet.

  “Could you maybe untie me first…” Kalina asked in a small voice.

  Samson smiled. “Are you sure you want me to? I’m sure Jaegar wouldn’t mind if you entertained yourself in his absence, “he said.

  Kalina turned scarlet. “Jaegar’s gone to fight Molotov,” he said. “He doesn’t have time to be entertained – and neither do I. I need to go fight right now…”

  “Molotov,” this wiped the smile off Samson’s face. “Where?” He instantly began cutting through Kalina’s cords.

  “Near the pyramids somewhere – Kingdom of the Dead. Do you know where that is?”

  Samson’s fangs shot out from his mouth. “I do. I was with Octavius’ army when we fought a few rounds there. They wanted the Carriers – Octavius staged an offensive – this was after the Greystones left for California, we lost a lot of men that day. We all lost many friends that day. I won’t forget that palace as long as I live. The day we put the ancient one to sleep.”

  “Nereti.”

  “Yes, Nereti,” Samson looked concerned. “But how did you know?”

  “She’s awakened,” Kalina said quickly. “Molotov captured me, fed her some of my blood, and now she’s got her hands on some more Carriers.”