by S. J. Wright
THE VAMPIRE’S CONSORT
Undead in Brown County #5
By S.J. Wright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, or events is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.
Copyright © 2014 by Stephanie J. Wright, Read & Wright Publishing LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
EPILOGUE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
PROLOGUE
Summer 2013
From the road, there wasn’t much to see--only the gravel driveway that gently curved up towards where the house used to stand. The things she could see--the pasture fence, the trees--they looked like forlorn sentries guarding an empty castle. Where the driveway met the road, the steel gate had come loose from one of its hinges and was lying half on the ground, the battered steel sinking into the wet overgrown weeds.
Sarah scuffed the toe of one of her hiking boots against the gravel edging the road. She wasn’t sure why she had wanted to come there. Alex had understood why, but he didn’t try to explain it. He was waiting for her back at the cabin.
There was no way for her to tell if the supernatural perimeter was still active. There were no vampires or werewolves around--at least none that she could see. What she didn’t know was there were four sets of eyes on her at that moment, watching from a discreet distance. She didn’t sense them at all. But she was only human. Alex would have been able to catch their scent, but he was ten miles away waiting for her return.
The wolves were motionless against the backdrop of green summer leaves. Each of them was a different color. One gray. One black. One brown. And the largest of them was golden, with chocolate-colored eyes that were fifty times as sharp as a human’s. The golden one lowered his massive head to inhale more of Sarah’s scent. They were standing in a grove of trees on a hill a half-mile from the entrance of the abandoned Woodhaven Inn property. The corn plants in the field before them stood resolutely, only waving slightly in the warm breeze.
Sarah dug both hands down into the fleece pockets of her old jacket and sighed. Life had changed so damned fast. It seemed like only a few days ago, she had been changing sheets and cooking for guests of the Woodhaven Inn. Her father had put decades into building up the family’s country inn. Now it was gone.
Actually, it had been nearly a year and a half since Sarah had run from the events unfolding on her family’s property. Now she was planning on leaving her hometown and putting down roots somewhere else. It seemed unnatural to her.
Perhaps it was time to spread her wings. To break away from old beliefs and antiquated ideas about who she was supposed to be. Her father was gone. The Inn was destroyed. Her sister, Katie was doing time in a Brazilian vampire rehab program. Yeah. Sarah’s life had definitely not turned out as she had hoped. What she had gained, though, was simply irreplaceable.
Michael.
Just the thought of him sent tiny tremors through her limbs. Sarah’s body came alive when she thought of his seductive icy gaze and thick black hair. How had it come about? Despite all the obstacles they had encountered along the way,, they had managed to hold onto each other.
This time, it was different. The love Sarah and Michael had for two little girls has changed their lives. But, they were not ordinary little girls. Each of them possessed amazing paranormal abilities, the depth of which had yet to be discovered. What Sarah and Michael knew without a doubt was that these precious girls had to be protected. Even if it meant that Sarah and Michael had to part ways in order to assure the safety of the girls. Even if Sarah’s heart crumbled into dust on an isolated country road in southern Indiana. But, she was not one who would easily give up on those she loved. She knew she had to make an enormous sacrifice.
The wolves’ collective gaze followed her closely as she got back into the truck and drove off toward the small artist-colony town of Nashville. The golden one turned to his brothers and sister before glancing back once more. One by one, each of them turned and faded into the shadows. Sarah drove the truck over a hill and disappeared.
Chapter 1
“You’re being unreasonable.”
The two figures standing on the porch of the weathered log cabin were different in many ways, and the tension between them was strained and palpable. He was a man with a past—a dangerous one. She was older and had been his mentor once.
Teddy hadn’t seen Michael in many months. She found it was easy to identify the physical changes he’d undergone since he’d transformed from vampire to human. His skin was, once gain, a warm hue and he had grown a beard and mustache. He didn’t move in quite the same unconsciously graceful way characteristic of the undead. As for the psychological changes, only Sarah could take credit for the foreign ambience of happiness that seemed to surround the man.
Man, she thought. How strange.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and continued in a hurried tone. “Michael, the vampires in this region need a leader. You were supposed to be that leader. Sam and Anne were to be on the council, but now one will have to take the throne. This is not about ambition; it’s about securing proper leadership for North America. We have to try to maintain some control, Michael. The rogues are getting out of control and the mess in Indiana has drawn far more attention than we could have imagined.”
“What do you mean?”
“The ATF opened an investigation into the explosions at the farm.”
His dark eyebrows rose in concerned surprise.
“Shit. When did this happen?” he asked.
“A week ago. My connections at the federal level managed to shut it down, but then Homeland Security got involved. I need help, Michael. Sam and Anne can do their part. You know we don’t have any other shifters like them.”
Teddy rubbed nervously at her left wrist. Michael noticed the gesture and his clear blue eyes narrowed. Teddy was very rarely nervous about anything. She was known for being a paragon of self-control and had been since he’d first met her nearly two centuries earlier.
“I don’t like it, Teddy.”
“I’m sure you don’t. But, we’re in a difficult position right now. Our survival may be on the line.”
He sighed. “Why don’t you take the crown?”
She met his eyes with a withered look. “You know why. I’ve worn a crown before. I’ve done my duty. Once I get one of the girls firmly in place and the Council secure, I intend to retire permanently. I’m sick of the backbiting and wars. I’ll be a quiet, mild-mannered old woman living in a cottage on the coast of Wales.”
Michael nearly laughed out loud. “Doubtful.”
“In any case, the girls need to come with me.”
He didn’t like the idea of the gi
rls being shoved back into the political structure of a barely-contained vampire power play.
“Will they be safe, Teddy? Can you guaranty their safety?”
“I will do everything in my power to protect them.”
Usually, Teddy’s word was gold. But, what if her protection wasn’t enough?
“Nevertheless, you’re worried,” Michael said.
“Yes. The council has fractured into opposing groups. Nathaniel Croft and his cohorts are trying to convince everyone that the crown belongs with him. If I expose his crimes, it will implicate Charlie.”
The memories of his time as a vampire were sometimes a little vague. His human brain didn’t have the same capacity anymore. But, he did remember Victoria, one of the few vampires in the world that he truly trusted, telling him about Nathaniel Croft and the massacre that had occurred in 1996 and left the entire vampire race reeling.
Nathaniel Croft was an ambitious Scottish vampire who had managed to get a seat on the council because he had many powerful human friends and vampires valued the inside information he occasionally provided. He emigrated from Edinburgh to the states in 1912 and been turned into a vampire as soon as he had reached Ellis Island. He claimed he did not know his creator.
In the fall of 1996, members of a small crime gang, led by convicted bank robber Tom Dawson, made an attempt on his life. In retaliation, Croft and his vampire underlings descended upon the Dawson family compound and massacred everyone there.
“The Dawson family,” Michael recalled. “Vic told me. Charlie was involved in those murders?”
“No, but he covered for Nathaniel and ended up bribing a Boston police chief to get them to close the case before it was made public. Now that official is threatening to reveal everything they found at the murder scene. Croft and his group will place the blame squarely on Charlie. They’ll make an example of him before the whole council.”
“And they’ll execute him without hearing his side of the story.”
“It’s possible. Croft has a great deal of influence these days.”
Michael shook his dark head. Waves of frustration flowed over him.
“It’s a hell of a mess, Teddy. What’s going on with the Arizona camp?”
Teddy’s eyebrows set in a firm disapproving line as soon as the words Arizona camp left his lips. It wasn’t a very pleasant topic of conversation, even on the best of days. Lumped together with the possibility of the girls leaving, Michael instantly regretted asking her about it.
Ten years ago, the vampire council had opened a detention camp about eighty miles east of Phoenix. Its original purpose was to incarcerate dangerous vampires who recklessly killed humans. Vampire nature being what it is, investigating every human death was rather pointless. What concerned the council were the rogues. When one of the undead let his or her lust for blood completely overrule all propriety and necessary secrecy, they were deemed a rogue. Keeping the secret of vampire existence was considered a golden rule. If a bloodthirsty newly-turned vampire killed three or more humans within a limited time and did not bother to cover their tracks, he or she could legally be detained at the Arizona camp.
The force of nature that held the supernatural creatures inside the detention camp was a mystery to many. Only a handful of humans knew the secret of the invisible force field that could keep vampires and other supernatural beings from entering or leaving designated areas.
“We sent a new rogue in there last month. He killed off all but three of the others. Mr. Bennett’s alcohol consumption is getting out of hand. Charlie went out there to check on the situation two weeks ago. He found Mr. Bennett in a deplorable condition. This can’t continue. If we can’t find Jackson and get him to help us, we’re going to have to go in and terminate the whole operation. Croft has repeatedly brought up the fact that Katie wasn’t sent there. He has been telling the council that my recommendation for the clinic in Brazil shows favoritism. They’re listening to him.”
“You can’t seriously be thinking of bringing in Jackson. He can’t be trusted. Besides, Victoria told me he hasn’t been seen anywhere. Tracking him down in a nationwide hunt would cost manpower that you don’t have.”
Michael’s memory gaps included a lot of what had happened when he first met Jackson Bennett. The young Native American had been brought to Woodhaven Inn by one of Michael’s greatest enemies. After attempting to rape Sarah, Bennett was not only allowed to stay,but he began developing a relationship with her. Michael knew the connection between Jackson and Sarah was based on similar family backgrounds, but it had put a wedge between him and Sarah that he hated to remember. Ultimately, she had remained faithful to Michael, if you disregarded a few kisses and embraces.
“What other option do we have besides Jackson? You want to send Sarah out there?” Teddy asked, exasperated.
“Hell, no. Besides, she would never agree.”
“If Jackson can’t be apprehended and brought around to our side, we’re going to have to destroy the whole camp, Michael.”
“Who is the new rogue?”
“He’s a refugee out of the Middle East. Possibly Turkish. He won’t speak to our interpreter. We picked him up in Miami two months ago after getting a warning call from our contact in Syria.”
Michael drew his fingers across his face with an aggravated groan. It was clear that Teddy needed someone with experience to help get these crises under control. He wished she hadn’t come to him with the whole mess. He’d willingly stepped away from problems like these so that he could enjoy a moderately normal life with Sarah and the girls.
Teddy gave him a sympathetic smile. “Look, I understand that you’re going to miss them but, I need their help right now. They can get into and out of places that no one else can. They can bring me back valuable intelligence that might help resolve all these problems.”
He turned and faced the woods to the north of the cabin. The woods were a little quieter than usual. Perhaps the birds and other peaceful creatures sensed the age and experience of the regal vampire standing on the porch. Michael could understand if they felt intimidated. They probably wanted only to curl up into their cozy nests, quietly waiting until the unusual creature had moved on.
Michael couldn’t settle down into this warm cabin and wait it out. If he could, he would gather Sarah in his arms and stretch out with her in front of the fireplace inside, eating popcorn and watching old movies with the girls. But, he knew there was no going back after this conversation with Teddy.
“Let me ask you something,” Teddy said softly.
“What?”
She hesitated for a beat and then said cautiously, “Would you consider the idea of being turned back into one of us?”
His gaze slid to the big window next to the front door. The curtains were still closed and the lamp hadn’t come on. Sarah was still asleep, but the girls would be awake and alert. They were probably listening from their second-story bedroom window.
“I don’t see how I could do that and keep Sarah. It wouldn’t work, Teddy.”
“You have already thought about it.” She noted the way his gaze slid away from her in a guilty gesture. “I can always read you, Michael.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “It was only a passing idea.”
She smiled gently. “You miss it?”
“Being undead?”
He caught himself returning the smile, although it came out as a bitter one. “Some of it; the speed and strength; the confidence of knowing I can keep those I love safe from danger.”
He leaned back against the outside cabin wall, the frame of one window pressing into the skin of his upper back.
“I thought we would be safe out here. I’d hoped the four of us could live a quiet life and not have to deal with any more vampire issues.”
Teddy had the indecency to laugh.
“I think I’ve told you more than once that running away from problems only makes them much larger. You became much more than a vampire over these few centuries, Michael. You h
ave the ability to lead and influence even the most stubborn of our kind. There’s no point in denying it. However, I do understand that peace is something to be cherished; especially, when that peace can be enjoyed with those we hold most dear.”
Leaning her head back, Teddy took a deep breath of the country air surrounding her.
“Sometimes I think our kind would be far more content without the ability to love others; especially humans.” She spoke the sentence with less than her usual degree of arrogance.
Michael wasn’t convinced. “Our existence would mean absolutely nothing if that were the case. The only thing that separates us from monsters is our ability to connect with humans.”
“You sound as if you still are one of us.”
“I am in some ways.”
A creaking board on the side porch stairs alerted them to the presence of another. It was Samantha, Michael’s adopted daughter. Her sister Anne stood slightly behind her. They both wore expressions of intense sadness. Anne’s eyes were brimming with tears, but only Teddy could see. Michael didn’t have the power of vampire vision anymore.
“You’re really going to take us away?” Sam asked.
Teddy smiled in her solemn way and nodded. “I wish I didn’t have to. I know you’ve been very happy here. I’m sorry, darlings.”
“When, Teddy?” Anne asked.
“Tomorrow. I thought I’d give you a chance to say goodbye properly.”
“I knew it couldn’t last. I hoped it might.”
There was resignation in Sam’s eyes as she looked at Michael and moved forward into his embrace slowly and wrapped her little arms around his waist. Anne disappeared into the deep shadows around the porch with a burst of speed.
Sam cast one harsh glance over her shoulder at Teddy. There was no warmth in that look. Teddy turned her head away from Sam before she could see the hurt in Teddy’s eyes. These girls meant more to her than anyone could ever guess. To know that they both might hate her for what she was about to do was a sobering thought. Of course, if they ever knew the full truth of how they had ended up as vampire orphans, Teddy knew the ramifications would be fatal.
