by Crymsyn Hart
Vampire in the Basement:
Book 2 of the Grigori
Crymsyn Hart
Published By Purple Sword Publications, LLC
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
VAMPIRE IN THE BASEMENT
BOOK 2 OF THE GRIGORI
Copyright © 2013 CRYMSYN HART
ISBN 978-1-61292-096-2
Cover Art Designed By Anastasia Rabiyah
Chapter One
He slammed his fist against the wall. “Fuck!” The whole wall shook from his outburst, and crumbs of plaster rained down from the ceiling.
“Don’t sweat it. We’ll get them next time.” Lori clapped him on the back.
Tris grumbled and ran a hand through his dark blond hair undoing the braid, trying to get the bits from his scalp. What really burned him was that his target had escaped him. Never, in all his history of being sent out on missions, did he miss his mark. Someone must have tipped them off. Or they were too damn lucky for their own good. God knows they aren’t that smart. All the times he had been hunting bloodsuckers, they were never that lucky. They had to have gotten a tip. Tris gritted his teeth and could hardly believe that anyone within their ranks would have betrayed them. What did it mean? Who was it?
The questions plagued him.
What was so special about the vampires they had been sent to hunt? They were the grunts of the Grigori, in the same ranks as ghouls and fetch demons. All they did was hunt and get things for the Grigori, mostly humans they wanted to have fun with. The more important tasks were assigned to the higher-level demons. Tris unclenched his fist and made his way to his room in the mansion he shared with the four other members of his squad: Horatio, Hemeil, Hesphital—the three H’s he jokingly called them—and then there was Lori. He and Tris were hunting partners. The H’s usually went together and were never very talkative.
Tris let the rage build inside of him and knew he needed an outlet for it. There was no use going back out on the hunt because the sun was cresting, chasing away the monsters. Instead, he willed himself to the basement and studied the variety of equipment there he could take out his frustrations on. Swords, axes, and knives of various sizes and uses lined one wall. Another was padded with a mat protecting the concrete wall. Another pad was spread on the floor where they would spar and wrestle, depending on what fighting style they were trying out. In another section of the enormous basement was workout equipment. Several punching bags hung from the ceiling, where they could beat against the bags. There were weapons he had no name for that came from Heaven that he knew how to use. Sometimes there were perks to being an angel, even if he was considered a Fallen one.
Would it be easier for him to take it all back and return to Heaven not knowing what he did now? It would be easier to live in ignorance because it would be so blissful, but even he could not turn back the clock or amend his decisions. Heaven was still open to him, but Tris could never return there and be happy. Regret is what humans called it, but to him there were no words for the emotion, so he chose not to dwell on it. In its place, Tris focused on his assignments, where he had never failed to obtain his target except for today.
He balled his fingers into a fist and punched the heavy suspended bag before him. It swung from the impact on the heavy chain, which groaned as it moved. The sound gave him little comfort. When it swung back to him, Tris pounded it again. This time the impact on the punching bag knocked the chain from the hook bolted into the ceiling so the heavy sack landed halfway across the room with its sawdust contents spewing onto the floor. Staring at the mess, Tris felt a little better, but it did not completely wipe away all his anger. With a wave of his hand, he willed the heavy bag to be repaired and restored to its place. One of the good things about his position was that particular ability to do pretty much whatever he wanted, but even he had limits to the power. He could not will himself to where the vampires were who got away. Sometimes things did not happen the way he desired, and right now he needed to kill something. Taking another swing at the punching bag, he focused his rage on it until night fell and he would have his chance one more to hunt his prey.
* * * *
Daniella huddled in the disappearing darkness of the alley. She lingered in the shadow of the large Dumpster she had hidden behind when the other four vampires she was with scattered. They had left her with no thought of her well-being or how she would survive the day. She was still new to her undead lifestyle. In the six months since she had been transformed, her life had been turned upside down, but there was nothing she could do to change it.
The warmth of the coming dawn pressed down upon her skin. Daniella pulled her hood lower over her head, hoping it would provide some cover from the day. Even through the thick material, she could feel the heat of the sun. Her skin began to itch, but she still had nowhere to go. The pair of hunters lingered around the warehouse, waiting. She caught a glimpse of them before the others had fled. They appeared to be giants at least seven feet tall, dressed all in black with overcoats that fell to their ankles. Their coats were cut up the sides to give them movement. The one closest to her had hair that was all different shades of blonde that reminded her of braided gold that hung to the middle of his back. The other had short, red hair. She could see nothing else of their appearance, but with her heightened senses she heard their hushed conversation.
“Where are they? We were told they were nesting in the warehouse,” the blond-haired one said to his companion.
The other shook his head. Daniella saw a flash of something metallic. Dread filled her, knowing it was some type of weapon, probably meant to take off her head or plunge directly into her heart. Either way, it would end her existence. Along with fire and the sun, those were the only ways of her destruction. At least that was what she was told. Sometimes she did not fully believe the others in her nest. When she inquired regarding various myths about vampires they laughed at her, and she never received a straight answer from the brood. The sun crept up faster on the horizon, slashing the remaining beauty of the night with gold and crimson. The heat was already burning through her clothes. Without a place to go, she was surely going to be found by the hunters, if not by the flames erupting from her body or the cries of pain she was stifling. Daniella bit her lip and huddled closer to the dying shadows.
“I wouldn’t worry about it, Tris. We can always come back tomorrow and try again. The orders were specific to take one of them alive.”
“They’re all better off dead,” Tris said, grumbling.
Daniella tore a chunk from the inside of her cheek to stop from crying out at the fire of dawn. No blood welled in her mouth because she had not fed in many days, but her hunger was not bothering her. Right now her fear of annihilation and discovery were at the forefront of her thoughts. She glanced around for a quick getaway into the warehouse where there was dark corners she could hide in, but she was trapped by the sun, abandoned by the others in her nest. She was all alone.
“Maybe, but you know our orders.”
The sun broke over the horizon, and a burst of agony seized her body. A strangled cry left her lips. It would be over soon. They would locate her, or the sun would fry her.
“Did you hear that?” one of them asked.
Daniella heard the shuffle of hard soles on gravel, but
before the hunters could reach her, she felt a light touch on her arm. Kneeling before her was a man dressed in a red shirt that was stretched across his broad chest. A tattoo of silver vines was etched into his cheek and wound down his neck and into his arms. A silver ring of the same design adorned his right middle finger. Her eyes widened, and she searched her memory for his name because she had only met him a couple of times when they went before her master. His ebony skin shone in the coming light. He flashed her a smile, showing her his white teeth. He placed his finger to his lips and extended his hand. She glanced in the direction she heard the hunters’ boots coming from and then back at him. He gestured for her to take his hand. It was her only hope, so she slid her hand into his. At that moment, the coolness of darkness descended over her. The burning agony the sun inflicted vanished. And then the darkness receded, and her world was filled with light once more enough so that she winced at the brightness until her eyes adjusted. When they finally did, Daniella was in a windowless room, but the weight of the dawn still pushed on her shoulders. The walls were painted a deep indigo. The carpet was golden, and the furniture was a mixture of modern and antiques. Daniella stood slowly and stared at the man before her. His name popped into her memory.
“Marlon.”
He gave her a half bow. “At your service.”
“Where am I? Why did you save me? I mean, thank you, but why not leave me for those...those hunters to find me?”
Marlon’s smile gave her some peace, but he lifted his hands up to stop her, warding off her questions. “First off, there is no need for thanks. Secondly, where you are doesn’t matter. Just know you’re safe. The sun won’t get you here nor will those hunters.” He waved his hand, and she felt a shift in the air. Marlon walked over to the table and uncorked the decanter that had appeared and filled a glass with its ruby contents. One whiff of the liquid, and she could tell it was blood. The potent aroma of the human vitae made her mouth water and her gums tingle with thirst. He held the glass out to her and smiled. The hunger shifted inside of Daniella, awakening from its slumber and overwhelming her as her teeth lengthened. It took all her willpower not to reach out, grab it from Marlon’s hand, and guzzle it down.
“I know you must be hungry. The sun did some damage to you. I apologize for not being there sooner, but I was just informed you needed retrieving. Come, drink up. Our master wishes to see you. I assume you want to be at your best when you do.”
Daniella eyed the glass a moment longer and licked her lips. She was parched and her throat scratchy. Her body did feel a little overcooked, and the blood would heal any wounds. Her thirst drove her onward, but she did not let it best her. She sipped at the blood instead of gulping it down. With each swallow, strength returned to her body. When she was done, she set the glass on the table and turned back to Marlon.
“Why does our master want to see me? I’m nothing special.” Daniella had only met the man who ruled over the vampire brood one time after she was awakened into the life of darkness. The meeting had been so brief, she did not remember what he looked like save that his power was burned into her memory along with his mark in her flesh. If he were to ever summon her, she would have to obey because the brand would get more painful the longer she delayed. If Marlon said their master wanted to see her, then she was not about to disobey.
“I don’t ask questions when it comes to the master’s orders. I do what I’m told. Now if you’re fed, let us see to your outfit.” Marlon rubbed his chin. He snapped his fingers and Daniella was dressed in black suede boots, a wine skirt with slits on both sides that came up to her knees, and a black top that was embroidered with small, gold butterflies. The butterflies reminded her somewhat of the brand of a dragonfly she bore over her hipbone.
A smile curled his lips. “I think you’re ready. Remember to do as he says, answer his questions, and you should be okay.”
“Should be?”
He shrugged. “I’m still learning his moods. I’m new to his minioncy. My last employer was rather tame compared to him. Go through the door, and he’ll be waiting.”
Before Daniella could respond, Marlon disappeared. She heard the soft click of a door opening and glanced around the room. A door had opened that had not been there before. It was mahogany mixed with red and deep browns. Daniella checked the table again, thinking about taking another sip of blood, and found the decanter was gone. Without waiting any longer, she slipped through the door and into the other room, which was a library. The temperature in the room was frigid. The air seemed frozen when she walked forward. Daniella was surprised there was not a layer of frost on any of the furnishings or that the fire was roaring in the hearth. She saw an arm resting on the armrest of the black wingback chair before her. Daniella could not see the man or creature who sat in the chair, just the top of his head. He had short, dark brown hair and remained perfectly still. She sensed no life from her master, no heartbeat or the sound of taking in air. The closer she stepped to the chair, the more she shook with cold and fright.
“That’s close enough,” he said in a gruff voice. His arm came up and he waved his fingers at her, signaling her to stop.
Daniella froze and waited. “Sorry.”
He did not respond. Instead, the fire flickered and time ticked by. Her throat went dry, and the temperature took a toll on her body. Her teeth chattered, and her skin was drying out from the cold. Daniella dared not make a sound in case it angered her master.
“You are a remarkable creature. By now any of your kind would be on the ground begging for the pain to stop, but you barely feel a thing. They would be whining for blood to ease their agony.”
“Thank you.” She did not know how to respond.
Her master laughed. “Do you know why I sent for you?”
“N-no, Master.”
“You’re only a young vampire, not even a year old in this life. I was a little befuddled when Balthus asked to turn you. You’re not a rare flower among humanity. Mocha-colored skin and dark eyes. Medium build and average tits. However, I let him because it amused him, and he has been a loyal servant. You obey and that’s good, but today you perplexed me. Can you tell me what happened to you?”
She wracked her brain for what he might want. “I don’t know. We were going back to the warehouse for the day. The others had fed, but I wasn’t hungry. The nest must have picked up that something was off and vanished into the shadows. I can’t ride the shadows yet so I was stuck, and I sensed someone coming. I hid behind a Dumpster and waited for the sun. Then Marlon appeared and whisked me away.”
“And yet you managed to avoid detection from two highly trained vampire hunters. It even took Marlon extra time to find your whereabouts. How is that?”
She shook her head. The whole ordeal baffled her too. “I don’t know.”
“They should’ve sensed you right when they appeared, but you remained hidden for a few minutes. Those minutes were long enough for you to get away if you knew how to ride the shadows. Marlon, being my right hand, should have a lock on you at all times, even me, but you were invisible. I have my eye on you, Daniella. Clearly, you are not so ordinary.” He waved his hand again to dismiss her.
Daniella did not have to be told twice and slipped out of the room, grateful she had made it out alive. Her master’s questions went through her mind. Why wasn’t I detected? And what were the hunters looking for in the first place?
Chapter Two
Tris ran his finger over the silver blade and came away with a line of crimson. He sucked on the tip but did not register the pain because the wound was superficial. He would heal rather quickly. In the background, one of the H’s was cheering for a football game. Tris did not care for the sport, and his thoughts lingered on the beast that had gotten away from him. No matter how many times he had played it over in his mind, the only feasible explanation was that they had been tipped off. Why were their orders to bring the bloodsucker in alive? They were supposed to capture a female, and she had not been there. The whole tro
upe had not been there. Vampires usually nested in groups of five to ten, but no more. It was rare to find one alone, unless it was an old one and only oversaw the duties of a nest or were higher ranked for the Grigori it worked for. Mostly the Grigori promoted demons within their rank or other Grigori who had been manipulated and chose the dark path. He shivered at the thought and pushed the idea of his forsaken brothers from his mind. There was no use dredging up painful memories; instead he put his mind to the coming hunt. On this night, the vampires would not slip away from him.
“You ready to snag this one?” Lori clapped him on the back.
He grunted at the force behind it. “Tell me again why we’re not hunting this creature during the day? Then we could take out the whole nest.”
Lori set the silver manacles he carried on the table. The heavy clicking of the metal on the wood sent chills down Tris’s spine and stirred a few recollections he quickly squashed. His brother angel looked at him and readjusted his black shirt and straightened his cuffs, revealing a glimpse of one of his tattoos on his wrist.
“Orders. That’s all I know. We get ‘em, and we have to follow them. I’m just as stumped as you. I’d rather see them all eradicated, but this one seems to be important.”
Tris sighed and shook his head. One of the H’s shouted again because the team they routed for scored. He would never understand his superiors and most of the time he never questioned orders, but this time something was off about this whole mission. Horatio bounded out of the rec room with a smile on his face.
“High five, man.” Horatio held up his hand, waiting for Tris and Lori to slap it.
His partner hit it first and Horatio waited for Tris, who did not understand the elation he felt for the game, to slap his hand. He glanced at Lori, who raised his eyebrows at him, saying it was up to him. Tris relented and hit the other angel’s hand. Horatio smiled and slapped him on the back before heading into the kitchen.
