Neeman’s favorite move was a complex maneuver where he would attack, then feint to the right, spin, and knock down his foe from behind; and Mason saw it coming. So when Neeman feinted to the right, Mason did the same. Instead of attacking, he spun around to face Neeman, who was ready to attack. As Neeman struck out, Mason countered by hitting hard, knocking Neeman off his feet. Mason took the advantage and hit him again. Then picked Neeman up over his head and threw him across the arena. Neeman hit the opposite wall with a crack. Plaster rained down as part of the wall gave way. And that was it for the fight.
Neeman lay unconscious. Mason stood breathing hard, while the other trackers ran to Neeman’s aid. They stared at Mason. But Mason stood, head held high, daring them to come at him again. Like a pack of dogs, once their alpha was down, no one else attacked.
Guilt stirred in Mason’s gut for having used his strength, but he’d had no choice. His blood was hot in his veins, and he felt the burn of his skin. He was glad they were all a good forty feet away, because had they been nearer, they would’ve felt it as well.
Blinking, Mason breathed deeply, using the techniques Neeman taught him. It was several minutes before his temperature cooled and the rage tapered off. He stretched his arms and walked in a circle. The glint of something shiny caught his eye. It was a small knife. Mason’s heart thudded. It must have fallen off Neeman when Mason threw him. The trackers were busy with Neeman, so Mason crossed over and picked it up, pushing it into his boot.
Neeman sprang to his feet a moment later, his eyes alight for danger. He located Mason and relaxed his stance. Neeman sent everyone out¸ assuring them he was uninjured.
“I’ve never seen a human like you before, but I’m sure you get that a lot,” said Neeman. “There’s something you haven’t told me about yourself. I won’t pry, it isn’t my place. But I will say this. The Vampire lord you are going to guard is someone whom I respect, and care about. Guard well and do your duty. Don’t let your rage or your emotions take over. Guard with your life, or you and I will meet again, under very unfavorable circumstances, I am afraid.”
Mason nodded.
Neeman turned to leave, then stopped. He stood for a moment, then bowed to Mason. Mason’s brows furrowed. A Vampire or vampyr showing a sign of respect to a human was unheard of. Mason bowed in return.
“You’d be a worthy vampyr. I pray someday your new master may see that as well, and do you the great honor,” he said in a strange voice. “You will be a great strength to your new owner.”
It would never happen. “Thank you.”
Once before, someone had tried to turn him, but it hadn’t worked then, and it wouldn’t work now. It didn’t matter anyway though, because Mason had formulated his plan. When he was delivered to the Vampire lord, he would wait until they were alone. And then, when Garon was most vulnerable, Mason would strike. He would kill the Vampire lord and make a run for it. Mason prayed that in doing so, he wouldn’t have to kill too many of the trackers. He liked them, especially Neeman. Besides it would bring pain to the female Vampire lord Danika, Neeman’s mate. And as much as he didn’t want to be anyone’s slave, Mason didn’t want to cause her pain, either.
“Bathe and prepare,” said Neeman. “We go to your lord when we rise.”
* * * *
The atmosphere in the SUV was tense. They left the naval base and headed south. The driver sped as if he couldn’t get rid of Mason quickly enough.
All around, closed businesses were mixed with open establishments. So many stores and businesses had gone under after the outbreak. It wasn’t uncommon to have a boarded-up building right next to a freshly painted one. The closed ones stood like vacant memorials to their dead owners.
Mason pulled at the collar of his dress shirt, and turned the slave collar underneath. Then he rubbed his palms on his designer pants. He felt like a showpiece. He preferred comfortable to formal. He shifted in the tight-fitted clothing trying to get comfortable.
After ten minutes, they drove into a nicer area. They passed an abandoned college, a golf course and a beautiful brick library. The car pulled off the main street and down a winding residential boulevard. The road was wide with an island in the middle, lined by trees and flowers. The houses were large estates set back from the road, each one surrounded by fenced grounds. Mason figured that when Vampires took over, most of them secured the nicest areas for themselves. However, many of them probably lived as millionaires before the outbreak. Following the road, they ended up at a metal gate. The driver lowered his widow and pushed a button at the entrance.
A camera moved and a voice came over the intercom, “Welcome to the Coven House, what can I help you with?”
“Siad, it’s Rod, Neeman, and Ian. We have the Vampire lord’s new minion, as requested,” he answered.
“Hang on,” came the reply.
There was silence for a minute, then a creak as the gates opened and swung inward. The car crept forward up the drive toward a formidable, ancient-looking mansion. More than a half dozen guards stood outside the house: Two by the entrance, two down on the driveway, and another two walking the perimeter of the grounds. Rod pulled up and stopped in front of the two standing on the drive.
Rod, Neeman, and Ian got out. Mason sat and watched as they exchanged warm welcomes. He assumed they had trained together at some point. After a minute, Neeman motioned for him to get out. All eyes were on him, inspecting him in his suit. He let them look, refusing the impulse to pull at his collar again.
Two held automatic rifles, and the other four wore guns in a shoulder holster. He imagined those would be just the beginning of the arsenal of weapons they all carried. Mason broke their gazes and took in the grounds, wondering how many guards Lord Garon had brought with him altogether.
Finally a guard said, “Let’s get him inside. He is awaited.” Ian, Neeman, and Mason walked into the house. Rod remained outside talking to the other guards.
Good. That meant when it was time, Mason wouldn’t have to deal with him as well.
The entrance hall was grand, with a wide staircase heading up to a landing that wrapped around the entire second floor. Sounds of a dinner party came from a side room.
Neeman looked at the closed door and walked toward it. As he was about to turn the handle, footsteps rushed down the staircase behind them.
A young vampyr came toward them. He had light brown, stylish hair slicked back the way Mason had tried, but failed to do. He was lean and lanky, but had a graceful manner about him. His pale blue eyes didn’t miss a thing, shining with an inner glow. His boyish handsome face was familiar to Mason, making him wonder if the vampyr had come to the auction house.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. We have a few things going on tonight. This way, please.” He smiled, his short fangs ever present.
Neeman nodded and the young vampyr walked up the stairs. He led them down a small hallway to the first door, pushed it open, and they stepped inside. It was a simple room, but expensive. The bed was large enough even for him; covered in a blue silk comforter and more pillows than Mason had seen in the last twenty years. A low dark dresser stood below a picture window. A bathroom on the opposite wall shone brightly with sconces hanging above a dark wood-framed mirror.
“How are you, Mason?” the vampyr asked, pulling Mason from his inspection.
Mason turned and again was struck by the sense that he’d met the young vampyr before. Having made a point to avoid them in the last hundred years, he couldn’t imagine where he would’ve seen him before.
The vampyr stood for a moment, then ran his fingers through his hair and cleared his throat. “My lord will be up momentarily. A coven celebration has just started in the dining hall. I’ll go and deliver the news of your arrival. Please wait here. Neeman, if you’d wait outside.” He stared at Mason for a moment longer, opening his mouth and then closing it again. He nodded to both of them in turn and left.
Mason crossed to the window and looked out acr
oss the expansive, lush green grounds. On the other side of the grounds was a large garage, as well as some sort of dormitory. Humans sat on a couch or milled about. Metal fencing surrounded the edge of the property, and beyond that stood a thicket of trees, a perfect place to make his escape.
He inhaled deeply, trying to clear his head for what was coming in the next few minutes. Getting out the gate in a vehicle would be too difficult, but on foot, through the woods, he’d be able to find a vamp’s car and get out of town much easier. It might also be possible that he could find a boat if he could make it down to the lake behind the estate.
He was calculating the distance to the fence and trees when he heard voices in the hallway. He couldn’t distinguish anything they were saying, but his adrenaline kicked in. His blood began to pound in his ears. Turning toward the window, he pressed the palms of his hands into the warm wood. He tried to focus his energy as he steadied himself for what was coming.
He went over scenarios in his head, determined to keep calm until the right moment. The door opened and his mind already raced. He was ready. He concentrated on the tree line. When the door clicked closed a moment later, the scent that hit him almost knocked him to his knees.
* * * *
Danika excused herself from the Expectation Celebration when William came in to let her know that Mason had arrived.
It was a strange thing that had happened between her and William. They’d bonded slave to master, but he was now a fledgling vampyr, a newborn in need of support. There were no direct rules for this type of thing. It happened, but not often, so no laws had yet been enacted by the Council as to what should be done when it did. However, for the moment, William seemed pleased with the change, and Danika hadn’t yet had the chance to figure out what would be best.
The evening after the appellate court hearing, Danika had gone to William and his wound had healed. She’d awakened him enough to help him drink from her, but it hadn’t been just a little bit to continue the bonding process. He’d drunk from her hungrily, drawing from her until she had to stop him. When she’d in turn taken from him, she tasted the change in his blood. The human part of him was dying, and his blood was cooling. By the second night, he’d changed. His face had taken on a more refined quality. His jaw was stronger and his cheeks not quite so round. He’d sat on his bed studying her as she entered. She’d joined him on the edge of the bed.
“How are you feeling?” She watched his chocolate orbs, which burned with light from within.
“Better than I ever have. Is your blood causing that?”
“Yes.”
“Will it wear off, or is it part of the bonding?”
“It won’t wear off, but it’s not part of the bonding.” She wasn’t sure how to tell him. He smiled. His teeth were both brighter and straighter. And the gums above his incisors appeared swollen.
He studied her face and then nodded. “I’m becoming like you now, aren’t I?”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen, but you needed as much of my blood as I could give. I should have stopped you, but I was so afraid…” Danika looked at her hands. She hadn’t realized how fond of him she’d become until she’d almost lost him.
“I feel wonderful. I can see better, hear better and move better. The skin coloration will take some getting used to. What does this mean for us though? I can feel you inside me.”
“I’m not sure yet. The bonding is all but complete at this point. Even as a fledgling vampyr you would need a sponsor to take you in and raise you for the next couple of decades to help you transition into our world. I’ve never had a fledgling before, but as we’re already mostly bonded, I believe it might work. However, if you don’t, then I’d feel compelled to let you go, while offering you the protection of my Coven House until you find an outside place for yourself. Whatever you choose though, you will need a guide. The hunger hasn’t hit you yet, because you still have so much of my blood inside you, but in a few days, you won’t be able to control it without help. I let you make the decision.”
“I can feel you in my head.” He studied her. “Your concern, your trepidation. But I also know you won’t hurt me, and you’ll teach me what I need. I don’t want to go somewhere else.”
Danika smiled. The scent of lust swirled around them. That wasn’t something she needed. “All right then, I’ll sponsor you through your fledgling period. Which means I’ll take responsibility for your actions and receive the punishments on your behalf. It also means that you are subject to my commands and must obey me as you would have minded your human mother. Are you willing to do that?”
“Yes,” he said. “Does this mean that we won’t complete the bonding?”
“No. We’ve already bonded sufficiently to work together. However, you’ll no longer be a slave, but a vampyr. You’ll be my minion assistant, but you’ll be paid and unshackled. You may stay here, and will be allowed the freedoms of a vampyr. But we’ll talk more about what that entails later. For now, rest. The change takes a lot out of you. If you need anything, I’ll send word that you’re to be attended to, but only by the other Vampires, not by any of the slaves. All you need to do is lift the phone and Siad will answer and send someone up.”
When she’d awoken this evening his change had been complete: his coloring had paled, his eyes were now bright blue, his lips had darkened a few shades to a deep red. He appeared ten years older than two days before. The suit she’d bought him just weeks earlier now fit tighter at the shoulders and baggier at the waist. The slicked-back hairdo was both handsome and sophisticated. The biggest change was he no longer needing the huge ill-fitting glasses. He’d become quite handsome as a vampyr.
She fidgeted with her blouse, her mouth salivating more with every step closer to Mason’s new room.
“Neeman, the collar key.” She held out her hand when she reached him.
Neeman hesitated only a fraction of a second before dropping it into her palm.
She took a moment to compose herself. She wouldn’t let her hormones get the better of her. She’d go in, start the bonding and then leave. That was the plan. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. Mason stood facing the window, his massive frame almost blotting out the glass panes. The instant she closed the door, he whirled around to face her. He looked amazing in his suit. The vest cut so perfectly to his strong, V-like shape, substantial arms silhouetted by the shape of his taut shirt. His waist was trim, straight, and long, down to the powerful, muscular legs that she knew were underneath his relaxed pinstripe pants. His amber eyes were alight and intense, taking in every inch of her.
The warm air in the room made her head foggy. His scent permeated the air. He stared at her, confused.
“Hello, Mason.” She locked her gaze on his deep, beautiful eyes.
“It’s...you,” he managed.
She chuckled. “Were you expecting someone else?”
“I... There was a male Vampire lord. I assumed...”
“Ahh...” She took a couple of steps toward him. “You were expecting Lord Garon. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Lord Garon and I came to a sort of arrangement. He let you go, and in return I gave him something he wanted.” She took a seat on the bed.
“You didn’t disappoint me,” he said. She raised a questioning eyebrow. “What I mean to say is, I am glad it is you, and not he.”
“I’m sure you are. There aren’t many who I believe would be happy about an arrangement with Lord Garon.”
“But I don’t understand,” Mason continued. “You already have two slaves.”
“I purchased a guardian for another Vampire couple who is close to me, and I purchased William.”
“William?” Mason’s face hardened. “You mean Whitey. He was the vampyr who escorted us up here. You changed him.” Mason crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes.
“You called him Whitey, but his name is William. And yes, he has changed. He’s no longer a human. He is a fledgling vampyr. But
to say that I changed him would imply that I meant to do it. Whereas I did not. It was an accident.” She lifted her head, daring him to challenge her.
“I don’t understand.”
“William was with me at a court hearing. A rogue vamp aimed a gun at me. She fired. He pushed me out of the way and took the bullet. He needed my blood to survive, but took too much. I wanted to save him, not turn him.”
Mason’s posture relaxed and he uncrossed his arms. “He’s completely different now. Taller, thinner, his face, hair, eyes, everything about him is different.” Mason stared at her for a moment. “This was a few days ago, wasn’t it?”
“It was. It’s why I had to have you brought to me sooner than expected. I’m sorry you were unable to complete your training.”
“I was finished anyway.” He waved his hand and then stopped and crossed his arms over his chest again.
“Is that so?”
He clenched and unclenched his fists several times but kept his arms crossed. He had an obvious tension about him. He strained his thick neck against the collar. She didn’t like the collars. They were degrading and uncivilized. And Vampires were supposed to be civilized. Wrist or ankle bracelets were less effective at times, but she preferred them.
“Let me get that for you.” He retreated a step, bumping into the dresser as she neared him. She showed him the key. “The collar, I’m going to take it off.” She pointed.
He nodded and she started forward again.
Danika barely came up to his shoulder, and he was three times as wide across the chest as she was. The air around him was warmer the closer she got. His breathing had slowed, and he swallowed hard. From her position in front of him, he would have to kneel so she could reach his collar, and she didn’t want that. She looked around for a stool or chair to stand on, but there was nothing. She spotted the dresser behind him.
She pointed to it. “Please help me up, so I can reach.” Mason eyed the dresser and then her. He licked his lips and then turned, switching places with her, watching her with great intensity. He stepped close enough that their bodies touched. Danika’s breath caught in her throat at the nearness of him. His size, scent, and heat engulfed her.
Reign of the Vampires Page 11
