by Shuler, Tara
Betrayal
Blood Haze: Book Three
By Tara Shuler
http://www.TaraShuler.com
Read all about the Blood Haze series, download free photos, stories, character bios, and more at:
http://www.BloodHaze.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, names, and situations are purely fictional. Any resemblance to any real persons, events, or locations is not intended.
This work is (c) Copyright 2011, Tara Shuler. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be reproduced or distributed without written consent from the author.
Smashwords Edition
Chapter One – Portal
It had been a rough few months. I’d gone from being an awkward seventeen-year-old trying desperately to fit into human society, to a powerful vampire with a very large target on her back in no time flat.
My boyfriend, Kai, as well as my friends Max, Alexi, and Liam, and I had barely made it through our last encounter alive. If not for my use of a latent ability I hadn’t even known I had, the wraiths chasing us probably would have either captured or killed us all.
To tell the truth, I was growing tired of being pursued. In the last few months, everyone I loved had been put in danger multiple times because of me.
Max, a vampire hunter, had given up his entire life to protect me. He left his father, who later went missing, to come rescue me from captivity. Then the hunters turned on him, and nearly killed him. I had promised him we’d find his father, if he was still alive, and bring him home safely. Of course, I hadn’t expected life to become so crazy so fast.
Alexi had hit me like a ton of bricks. When I first met him, I thought he was the biggest adversary I would ever face. Little did I know, he would soon become one of my closest allies. My father had betrothed me to him when I was born, and Alexi’s father had seen visions of me as I was growing up. Through his father’s descriptions of those visions, Alexi had fallen in love with me long before we ever met.
By then, I had already fallen in love with Kai… and Max. Alexi’s heart was caught in the crossfire, and it was tearing him apart. Still, he was committed to making me happy, whatever the cost. He stood on the sidelines and watched, waiting and hoping for the day when I might feel the same way for him as he did for me.
Alexi turned away from his father, Barnabas, and brother, Liam, when he was only fifteen, because Barnabas wanted to bring me into the Council. Barnabas had seen my powerful abilities in his visions, and he knew they would be invaluable. But Alexi didn’t want that for me. He knew the things the Council would force me to do, and he knew it would destroy me.
Liam, had also become a trusted ally. Though he’d been loyal to his father, Liam and I developed a friendship. He had kidnapped me on behalf of his father and the Council, and I had saved his life. Since that day, Liam had tried to make up for what he perceived to be a serious mistake. He’d helped me train my abilities, and he protected me when no one else could.
My mother, my brother, Will, and my human friend, Jamie, were all hidden in another compound. I hadn’t talked to them in weeks, and I missed them terribly. But I couldn’t put them at risk. They were safer in seclusion – away from me.
We had barely escaped the encounter with the wraiths unscathed, taking a helicopter to a nearby Council compound. I was exhausted. We really needed to be refueling the helicopter and getting as far away as possible, but Alexi insisted I get some rest. I was hardly in a position to argue.
I woke up early the next morning, and for just a moment, I forgot we were in such peril. The moment was fleeting, and soon I was overwhelmed by a feeling of dread. I went downstairs and located the dining room, hoping to find something to eat. I noticed Liam sitting at the head of the table, reading a newspaper and drinking coffee.
“Morning, Liam,” I said, attempting to sit down in the chair to his left.
The chair I was trying to lower myself into slid a few inches to the side, and I almost landed on my butt. I scowled at Liam. His mouth was twisted into a wry grin. Liam had telekinesis – he could move things with his mind.
“Funny,” I grumbled.
“I’m sorry,” he said, obviously suppressing laughter.
I moved the chair back and once again attempted to sit down. Again, the chair slid away. This time, Liam released an audible snicker.
“Damn it, Liam!” I growled, smacking him lightly on the shoulder. “Quit it!”
“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized, still fighting to keep from laughing at me. “Won’t happen again.”
“It better not…” I mumbled.
This time, I pulled the chair over and held onto it while I attempted to sit down. The chair squeaked across the wooden floor, pulling my hand with it. I lurched backward, but with my hand on the back of the chair, I just fell into the seat.
This time, Liam howled with laughter.
“Well, you made it into the chair this time!” he screeched, tears rolling down his cheeks.
“I hate you,” I mumbled, pulling the chair toward the table.
Liam scrunched his mouth up, trying desperately to choke back the laughter. I sighed loudly and crossed my arms, pouting and slumping back in my chair.
“Aww, come on,” he said, suddenly contrite. “I was just playing.”
“I know,” I acknowledged. “I guess I’m just not in the mood.”
Liam folded his newspaper and placed it on the table. He laced his fingers together and placed his arms on the table, leaning toward me seriously.
“Did you mean what you said last night?” he asked.
“About what?”
“About taking the fight to Dmitri,” he clarified.
“Oh, that. Yes, I meant it. I’m tired of running. I can’t take it anymore, Liam. This needs to end.”
“I agree,” Liam said. “But Alexi doesn’t.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I sighed.
“He’s just worried about you,” Liam told me.
“I understand that,” I lamented. “But we can’t keep running forever.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, sister,” Liam agreed. “I support you one hundred percent. But I don’t know how we’re going to convince Alexi.”
“What about Kai and Max?” I asked. “What do they think?”
“They usually go along with whatever Alexi wants these days,” he answered with a shrug.
“So it’s basically two against three right now, huh?” I queried.
“Looks that way,” he said.
“Well, considering you, Alexi and me are the Elders, and Kai and Max aren’t, we could argue that their votes don’t count,” I suggested. “Then it would be two against one.”
Liam raised one eyebrow at me.
“That’s not like you,” he stated. “To leave Kai and Max out like that.”
“I don’t even know me, anymore,” I said honestly. “All I know is this. I want to go back to having a normal life, again. The sooner, the better.”
Liam frowned sadly.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Alice,” he said somberly. “You’re an Elder, now. We don’t lead normal lives. We can’t. We have the weight of protecting our entire species on our shoulders.”
“I don’t understand,” I moaned. “Why is this even happening to me? Why couldn’t I be born normal? If I didn’t have all these abilities, no one would care anything about me and I could just live my life oblivious to all this.”
“Is that what you really want?” he asked seriously.
I hung my head.
“No,” I admitted. “In a way, I do. But I also know that I
can do a lot of good for a lot of people.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you’re in this position,” Liam said.
“What position?” Alexi said, breezing into the room and sliding into a chair across the table from me.
“We were discussing her new position as Elder,” Liam responded.
“I see,” Alexi returned. “And how do you feel about it, Alice?”
“I was telling Liam that while I miss having a normal life, I know I can do a lot of good as an Elder,” I told him.
“Hmm,” Alexi muttered. “Are you sure about that?”
“I can’t explain it,” I admitted. “I just feel like maybe it won’t be so bad being an Elder. It’s just a feeling I have.”
“There is something I have to tell you about that,” Alexi said.
“About what?” I asked.
“Alexi, are you sure now is the right time?” Liam interjected.
“Now is as good a time as any,” Alexi argued.
“Just tell me,” I groaned.
“Father made one thing very clear over the last few years,” Alexi explained. “He said if anything happened to him, you were to take his place.”
“Me?” I gasped. “Why me? Shouldn’t it be one of his sons? You or Liam?”
“You are stronger than either one of us,” Liam reminded me.
“Not yet, I’m not,” I shot back. “You two have a lot more control over your abilities than I do. And I don’t even know anything about being an Elder.”
“That may be true,” Alexi said. “But Liam and I can teach you everything you need to know.”
“Why should you have to teach me anything?” I demanded. “If you already know it all, it should be one of you.”
“You do not understand,” Alexi told me. “Father knew all along that you were meant to lead us. He saw it. You are the only one who can.”
“This can’t be happening,” I said. “I’m just a normal girl. I’m not meant to lead. Until recently, I didn’t even know I had any abilities or anything. I’m a mess!”
“Alice,” Liam said firmly. “You are anything but normal. You can do this. Father had absolute faith in you. And… Alexi and I do, too.”
“Why hasn’t anyone thought to mention any of this before?” I grumbled.
“There are a lot of things you do not know, because it is not the right time,” Alexi said.
“So everyone keeps telling me,” I mumbled.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” Alexi said. “But you know Liam and I are here to help you. We are behind you all the way.”
I sighed. This was all too much to deal with. I gritted my teeth and prepared to ask the question I knew I needed to ask, but I wanted more than anything to just hide from.
“So what do I need to do?” I finally asked.
“Do not worry about it for now,” Alexi said. “Right now we need to get moving. Dmitri will probably look here, first. It is just a matter of time.”
“I’m tired of running, Alexi,” I pointed out.
“But we cannot take him on here,” Alexi said quickly. “We need time to prepare. I suggest going to a remote location and training, first.”
“How about Grandfather’s compound?” Liam suggested.
“Do you think he would let us go there?” Alexi asked.
“Wouldn’t hurt to ask,” Liam responded. “His compound would, by far, be the best choice because of the Force.”
“The Force?” I questioned. “Like from Star Wars?”
Alexi and Liam both laughed.
“Our grandfather built a compound in a secret location,” Alexi explained. “The only way to get there is to teleport. There is a force field around it that keeps anything and everything from getting in or out.”
“Can you get Hillary to come help?” Liam said.
“Of course,” Alexi replied, as though the answer was obvious.
“Oh, that’s right,” Liam remembered.
“What’s right?” I asked curiously.
“Nothing,” Alexi said quickly. “It is not important.”
“Alexi, why don’t you contact Grandfather and inform him of Father’s passing? Ask him if we can go there to train,” Liam suggested.
“I will do so at once,” Alexi agreed, and he left the room.
“So what was that about?” I asked Liam quietly after Alexi departed.
“What was what about?” Liam asked innocently.
“You know what I’m talking about. The thing about Hillary?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Liam, come on. You said ‘Oh, that’s right.’ What did that mean, and why was Alexi so dismissive?”
“It’s really not important.”
“Then just tell me.”
Liam sighed in exasperation.
“Fine, but don’t tell Alexi I told you.”
“I won’t say a word.”
“Hillary’s been in love with him for several years. Alexi never had any interest in her, and she’s bitter.”
“So they never dated or anything?”
“No. Alexi’s always been fully committed to you.”
“Seriously? So… he’s never dated anyone?”
“Never. He’s been in love with you since we were kids. Every time Father had a vision of you, Alexi would just sit and listen in awe. It never occurred to Alexi to date anyone else.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. That’s pretty intense.”
“Yeah, and of course Hillary thought he was crazy. She was hoping she could at least get him to spend some time with her, but he refused. She’s still in love with him, and she won’t accept that he loves you.”
“So that’s why she was so cold to me when I met her.”
“Yes, that would be why.”
“I feel bad for her.”
“So do I, but Alexi’s made his choice. Although, I don’t suppose it’s really a choice. It’s just how he feels, and he can’t control that.”
“I feel bad for Alexi, too.”
“You’re referring to the fact that you’re in love with someone else?”
“Of course.”
“Alexi understands. He’s not happy about it, but he knew he couldn’t expect you to be single forever. He was certainly hoping for that, but he didn’t expect it. After all, you weren’t brought up hearing about visions of him the way he was with you.”
“I know, but I just feel terrible for him. And I do care about him. I just can’t give him what he wants from me, and it makes me feel awful.”
“Don’t stress yourself out over it. You have enough to worry about.”
Just then, Max strolled into the room.
“There you are,” Max said to me. “Kai and I have been looking for you.”
“What’s up?” I asked Max.
“We were just hoping to spend some time with you this morning,” Max answered. “And to find out what we’re going to do.”
“Have a seat,” I told him.
“She’s in here!” Max shouted out the door, and then he took a seat across the table from me.
Momentarily, Kai walked through the door. His whole face lit up the moment he saw me, and he bent down and kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him. Liam cleared his throat.
“I’m going to go see if Alexi’s found anything out,” Liam said, and he made a hasty departure.
Kai sat down in Liam’s abandoned chair and took my hands in his. His eyes were full of worry.
“So what are we going to do?” Kai wanted to know.
“Alexi’s calling his grandfather,” I explained. “Apparently his compound is hidden in some secret location, and we can only get there by teleporting.”
“So is that Hillary chick coming?” Max asked.
“Probably,” I replied. “I guess Alexi will contact her after he gets permission for us to go to his grandfather’s compound.”
“I don’t like her,” Kai grumbled. “I saw the way she
looked at you before.”
“Yes, but she did get me out of Dmitri’s cage,” I reminded him.
“Yeah, but why’d she look at you that way?” Kai asked.
“Long story. It’s not important,” I said. “What’s important is figuring out what we’re going to do about Dmitri.”
Just then, Liam reentered the room.
“From the looks of it, we’re headed to Grandfather’s compound,” Liam said confidently. “I was listening in on the conversation, and it sounded like Grandfather was actually looking forward to it.”
“So when do we leave?” I asked.
“As soon as possible, of course,” Liam answered. “Whenever Hillary can get a portal opened for us. Thankfully, she’s already at the compound. There will be plenty of Elders there to help her open the portal.”
A moment later, Alexi breezed into the room.
“It is time to go,” Alexi said, holding one arm out toward me. “I have already given our regards to Thaddeus and his people for their hospitality.”
We all headed into the large open area in the foyer and stood a few feet away from the front doors, waiting for Hillary to open the portal. Several moments passed, but nothing happened.
“When is she going to open the portal?” I asked.
“Any moment now,” Alexi said.
At that moment, a shiver raced down my spine. I heard the familiar whispery swirling sound of wraiths chattering.
“Wraiths!” I gasped, grabbing Alexi’s arm with one hand.
“What? Are you sure?” Alexi asked.
“I hear them!” I hissed. “Outside the doors!”
“Get away from the doors!” Alexi shouted, and we all moved quickly across the room, turning to face the doors.
“Where is the damned portal?” Max growled.
“Give her time!” Liam snapped. “She has to gather a group to help her!”
The doors flew open, and a group of wraiths began to swarm into the building. They moved as one giant mass, and I had no way to ascertain exactly how many there were.
Once again, I felt my body began to quiver, and then it began to shake violently. My teeth rattled, and the familiar red haze began to spread over my vision. Outside, I heard thunder rumbling, and lighting streaked across the sky and flooded the room with shockingly brilliant light. The sky darkened, and I could see a mass of black clouds begin to spin as I brought down a funnel to take the wraiths away.
