A Vampire's Dominion

by Vanessa Fewings

  The Stone Masters Vampire Series

  A Vampire’s Dominion

  BOOK III

  V.M.K. Fewings

  Copyright 2013. V.M.K. Fewings

  The Stone Masters Vampire Series

  A Vampire’s Rise (Book I)

  A Vampire’s Reckoning (Book II)

  A Vampire’s Dominion (Book III)

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  For Brad

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  About the Author

  Prologue

  LIKE ALL NIGHTMARES, I wanted out.

  Naked and barefoot, I sprinted along the uneven rain soaked pathway, my mouth dry and thirsting, terror constricting my throat and threatening to choke me. I tasted freedom as though for the first time.

  Remembering nothing.

  A cold salty sea mist hit my nostrils and I shook my head trying to repel nature’s sting. Night wrapped her arms around me as I fled past the grey crumbling wall, bolting left under an ivy-covered archway, descending faster still down slippery stone steps.

  Don’t look back.

  Taking two at a time, I landed on the grassy bank and ran onward, following the sound of crashing waves.

  I struggled to recall this place and how I’d gotten here, my memories seemingly just out of reach and my rambling thoughts making no sense and threatening to sabotage my focus.

  There was no time to question.

  My gut insisted someone was closing in and dread shot up my spine forcing me to run faster. Rustling dead leaves swirled around my feet causing me to stumble. Quickly, I found my footing again. I crunched over a pebbled beach toward the vast ocean crashing six-foot waves onto a dappled-grey shoreline and rolling them into foam. The force with which I hit the icy water shoved my shoulders back and snatched my breath.

  This was no dream.

  Descending further, spiraling into the darkest depths, the ocean buffered against me and with outstretched arms I thrashed blindly to stay afloat, braving to glance back.

  The towering rogue wave broke over my head, dragging me lower and delivering me into the path of a riptide that snatched me further into the blackness, sucking me into the swirling undercurrent and forcing seawater down my throat.

  Drowning me . . .

  Surrendering to the infinite darkness, I passed out.

  Unsure of how much time had passed, my eyes opened to a blanket of white cloud revealing pockets of stars and a glimpse of the thumbnail moon, only for it to soon shy away. The night chilled my bones causing me to shiver and pebbles scratched my back.

  Turning awkwardly, there was that same castle rising out of the granite, an intimidating symbol of supremacy conveying the gut wrenching realization.

  I’d not made it.

  A grinding pain in my right shoulder blade; I cradled my arm with the sudden awareness I’d dislocated it.

  With mixed feelings that I failed to understand, I took in that dark silhouetted castle looming large on the horizon, trying to recall why it instilled such trepidation. My mind scrambled to piece together memories of having wandered along its sprawling corridors, losing hours within its age-old library, reading my way through its infinite collection of well-worn books, each one pulled from the antique mahogany shelves. With nothing but quiet for company.

  More curious still was a faint recollection of whiling away endless days in there, waiting until sunset so I could return to the highest tower once more and paint my beloved nightscapes.

  Daylight, that part of my life I’d long given up, exchanging her burning mortal kiss to become night’s lover, surrendering to that endless promise of eternity.

  As only a vampire can.

  With an unsteady hand I stroked my clean shaven jaw and ran my fingers up and over the rest of my body, relieved to find that other than my arm there were no other injuries. Using my good arm, I staggered to my feet trying to distance myself from the waves spraying foam.

  Across the shoreline Penzance lit up the night skyline, the sleepy town still, quiet, and desolate.

  I turned and there, standing serenely staring back at me with dark brown eyes, was a tall young priest.

  “Jadeon?” The stranger stepped closer.

  I went to give an answer but had none to give and considered diving back in to get away from the one whom I assumed had been chasing me. He reflected an easy confidence that went beyond his thirty years. He still hadn’t blinked.

  Trying to judge if I could trust him, I struggled to hold onto the faintest memories that dissipated like cruel whispers clashing with each other, tightening my throat.

  “You’ve hurt your arm,” he said. “Let me help you.”

  Ignoring the pain, refusing to reveal any weakness I asked, “Who are you?”

  “Father Jacob Roch.” His fingers worked their way down each button of his long, brown coat and he slipped it off. “Here you are.”

  Cautiously I accepted his coat from him and pulled the left arm through, wrapping it over the shoulder of the right, unable to lift it.

  He made a gesture to help.

  “I’m fine.” Though clearly I wasn’t.

  “You’re adjusting, even now.”

  “To what?”

  He went to answer but stopped himself as though unsure. Rubbing my forehead I tried to find the answers and not be influenced by the man who I had no reason to trust.

  Far off lightening lit up the night sky, and a few seconds later came the crack of thunder.

  The sound of footfalls signaled someone fast approaching. Over the ridge a young man appeared and skidded to a stop when he saw us.

  “Steady, Alex.” Jacob gestured for him not to come any further.

  Alex’s expression was one of horror and I tried to decipher whether it was disgust or hate. Lost in a fog of thoughts I tried to recall how I kn
ew him.

  “Let’s go inside,” Jacob said.

  The rhythm of the ocean sounded like it was now inside my head and my legs weakened. My feet gave way.

  My mind blurred, threatening to slide off. “Who am I?” My face struck the pebbles.

  “That’s what we’re going to find out.” Jacob’s voice grew distant.

  Chapter 1

  IT WASN’T SO MUCH that I’d woken up inside a coffin that was alarming, it was the fact it was locked shut and I had no idea how long I’d been sealed inside.

  I was still wearing Jacob’s coat and hoped to find the opportunity to return it. And then suffocate him with it.

  At least the fresh scented velvet lining hinted I was the casket’s first guest and I knew better than to punch my fist through the walnut lid. With an upward jolt I broke the locks and peered out, relieved I hadn’t been buried.

  There was a wave of regret for not taking my chance to escape when I’d had it. I climbed out into a prison cell, the gate shut and secured with an oversized padlock.

  Well-worn rusty shackles lay discarded on the floor, revealing this chamber dated back centuries. More disturbing was its musty odor omitting a peculiar familiarity. The only relief was seeing my shoulder was back in its socket.

  I struggled to get my bearings.

  And remember.

  Halfway up the brickwork of the far wall someone had scribed in scratchy handwriting ‘Find Dominatio.’ And they’d used blood. I backed away from it and peered out through the bars and down a long black corridor.

  Jacob stepped out of the darkness, and his iridescent irises locked on me. “How are you feeling?”

  My answer was merely to gesture into the cell.

  His brow furrowed. “Let me know when you’re ready to talk.”

  “I’m ready now.”

  He tapped his pockets as though trying to find something, the key perhaps. “Ah.”

  I reached into his mind but if he was thinking, I couldn’t hear it.

  “How long have I been in here?” I asked.

  “A few hours.”

  I peered down the passageway wondering if that was the way out.

  “We were concerned for your safety,” he said. “You were thrashing around quite a bit.”

  “Well I’m fine now.”

  He seemed to notice the bloody words ‘Find Dominatio,’ and his careful face changed as though judging what I’d made of it.

  “Hard to miss.” I answered his unspoken question.

  My mind reached out beyond these dank walls and I sensed it was midmorning. I cursed the fact I was trapped in here until nightfall.

  Jacob stepped back into focus. “You’re the proverbial Gordian’s Knot, I’m afraid.”

  I waited for him to continue, hoping for some clue that might lead me back to remembering.

  “You consider me an intricate problem?” I asked. “Care to elaborate?”

  “Gordian’s Knot, the phrase based on the legend of king of Phrygia. He tied a knot meant to be incapable of being untied. Alexander the Great swept in dramatically—”

  “Arrogantly, and sliced through the knot with his sword, thus establishing him as sovereign. I know what Gordian’s Knot is, I just can’t remember—”

  “Your name.”

  I hated this moment, hated him with his never ending psychological torture of vagueness.

  “Perhaps this will help?” He stepped closer. “Stonehenge, you were there last night.”

  “I don’t . . .” A wave of frustration.

  The only thing preventing me from having a go at the lock was that damned daylight. His lips curled sympathetically and I had a sneaking suspicion he’d read my mind.

  “Enlighten me,” I said.

  “Now more than ever you’ll need your friends.”

  “Any of them here?” It was worth a chance.

  “You can trust me.”

  I went to question his strange idea of hospitality, but knew better.

  “Last night everything changed,” said Jacob.

  “How?” I resisted the urge to yell, ‘fucking tell me.’

  He dismissed my last question with a wave of his slender arm and his long fingers brushed through the air.

  “What was I doing on the beach?” I asked.

  “Minutes after it happened, you ran.” He slipped both his hands into the pockets of his cassock. “It’s probably better if you remember naturally.”

  “And how long do you think that might take?”

  “You must believe me when I say you’re safe here.”

  I glanced back at the coffin to make a point.

  “With the return of your memory,” said Jacob, “new challenges will arise. I want you to prepare yourself for that.”

  I went to ask what he meant but he’d gone and I was left staring at nothing. I slipped my hands through the bars and fiddled with the silver lock.

  Alex, the young man from the beach, appeared out of the shadows and leaned against the cell gate opposite. I let go of the lock.

  He was holding a blanket. “You really don’t know who I am, do you?” he said.

  “Alexander?”

  He sucked in his breath and then realized. “Bastard.”

  I ran my fingers through my matted hair. “I need to take a shower.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.” He slid the blanket between the bars and let it go.

  It fell at my feet. “I’m not planning on staying.”

  “Won’t be for long.”

  “Did I mess up?” I asked.

  “I did.”

  I wrapped my fingers around the bars. “Then why am I the one in here?”

  He flinched, uncomfortable with that question.

  “Well you’re forgiven.” I glanced at the lock. “Now let me out.”

  “Jadeon?” he asked, searching.

  “That’s my name?” On his reaction I asked, “That’s not my name?”

  “What do you think your name is?”

  “What . . . is . . . my . . . name?” I clenched my teeth.

  “William,” Alex said flatly.

  I hesitated and then said, “You just called me Jadeon?”

  “Your father’s name was William too.”

  “How do we know each other again?”

  “It’ll come back,” he said.

  “How long have we known each other?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “A while I take it,” I pressed.

  “Jacob thinks if—”

  “I remember naturally?”

  He shrugged. “He seems to know how to handle this.”

  “This being . . . ?”

  “Complicated.”

  I wanted to scream. “You were with me last night? When it happened?”

  His focus shot back to me.

  I feigned remembering and then said, “Stonehenge.”

  He leaned in closer.

  “We weren’t the only ones there?” I watched his reaction. “I messed up . . . it wasn’t your fault.”

  “What else do you remember?”

  I waited for him to weaken, hoping he’d start talking.

  He narrowed his gaze. “You don’t remember.”

  I reached through the bars and grabbed his throat, squeezing. Alex struggled, gurgling for breath, his fingers fighting to remove mine.

  Sashaying toward us was a young woman dressed in blue jeans and a man’s shirt, her raven hair tumbling over her slender shoulders and down her back; bewitching almond-shaped, turquoise eyes holding mine.

  She reached for Alex’s head and with a jolt, snapped his neck.

  Alex fell from my grip, crumpling into a heap, hissing in an effort to breathe, still alive but paralyzed.

  Yet the woman’s expression revealed nothing of the terrible act she’d just committed. The softest, longest eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly and her rouged lips pouted innocently.

  Speechless, I stepped back, wondering if she was about to use the same move o
n me. Seeing the unemotional expression of the strikingly attractive vixen, I was now actually relieved there was a locked gate between us. I felt terrible for Alex.

  She yanked at the silver lock. The gate was open and she was now inside, moving closer. My back met the wall and she leaned into my chest and nestled there, wrapping her arms around me, my own arms hesitating to embrace her.

  “I feel like I’ve been asleep,” she whispered.

  I resisted the urge to ease her off and glanced down to see if there was anything familiar about her. By the way she nuzzled into my chest she clearly knew me.

  “Who are you?” It came out wrong.

  Her expression of indignity quickly fell away. “Sunaria.”

  “And . . . who am I?”

  Her eyes danced with sadness. “Orpheus.”

  My shoulders dropped a little, relieved that finally someone was answering my questions.

  “I know a way out.” Her face lit up and she grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the cell.

  We both stepped over Alex’s body and headed off in silence.

  Struggling with whether I should trust her or not I followed her down the longest, darkest corridor, glancing back occasionally to check if we were being followed.

  “There’s a tunnel beneath the castle,” she said. “We can wait in there until sunset.”

  “How do you know?”

  On her face was written a kind of pain, as though remembering something. “It doesn’t feel like two hundred years . . .” Her eyes shone with tears. “Since the Stone Masters tortured me here.”

  “Who?”

  She rose up on her toes and kissed my cheek, pressing her soft full lips against me as though time had never wedged its way between us.

  “That’s what this place is,” she said. “Or was?” She looked confused.

  Not wanting to be locked up in that cell again or secured back inside that coffin, I picked up my pace. We quickly reached a stone wall and on seeing the dead-end I turned to head back the way we’d come. But Sunaria gripped my arm, insisting, motioning toward the brickwork. Realizing what she was suggesting, my fingers traced the irregularities along each brick, feeling for the one that might give.

  “You forgive me?” Her voice was soft, vulnerable even.

  “For what?” Something gave beneath my touch and stone scraped along the ground, opening up a gaping tunnel. A burst of cold air.