by Tish Thawer
Blood of a Red Rose
by
Tish Thawer
* * * * *
Blood of a Red Rose
ISBN: 978-0-9849886-9-3
Published by Amber Leaf Publishing
Copyright 2011-2012 by Tish Thawer
All rights reserved
www.amberleafpublishing.com
www.tishthawer.com
Cover design by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and Photography
Free stock photo of woman courtesy of Marcus Ranum/ranum.com
Edited by Kara Malinczak
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any use of name brands herein is done so under the Fair Use Act.
Licensing Note: This Nook eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One: Changed
Chapter Two: Search
Chapter Three: Spy
Chapter Four: Ruse
Chapter Five: Possibility
Chapter Six: Recruiting
Chapter Seven: Alive
Chapter Eight: Success
Chapter Nine: Trigger
Chapter Ten: It was Over
Chapter Eleven: Make This Work
Chapter Twelve: Falling Apart
Chapter Thirteen: Merry Little Men
Chapter Fourteen: Shocked
Chapter Fifteen: Private
Chapter Sixteen: In Trouble
Chapter Seventeen: Biting
Chapter Eighteen: Speeding
Chapter Nineteen: New Prisoner
Chapter Twenty: Meeting
Chapter Twenty-One: Anger Issues
Chapter Twenty-Two: Panic at the Disco
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Voices
Chapter Twenty-Four: Perfectly Perfect
Chapter Twenty-Five: Reactions
Chapter Twenty-Six: Confession
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Rules
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Rose
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Puzzle
Chapter Thirty: Bombshells
Chapter Thirty-One: Questions and Confessions
Chapter Thirty-Two: Explain
Chapter Thirty-Three: Blood Bond
Chapter Thirty-Four: Revelation
Chapter Thirty-Five: Decision
Acknowledgements
To my wonderful family whose support means the world to me: I love you.
To Cortney, my friend and confidant: thank you for always listening to my ideas, shooting down the crappy ones, and shaking your pom-poms for the good ones.
To my amazing cover artist and friend, Regina Rasmussen Wamba: thank you for all you do, and for sharing my need for perfection.
To my fantastic editor Kara Malinczak: thanks for being tough! *wink*
* * * * *
PROLOGUE
Our New Life
(Rose)
By the time we reached The Rising Pit, my eyes were dry. I literally couldn't cry anymore. Just a few hours ago, everything had been so perfect. My dad had broken up with that demon bitch, I had finally gained back my freedom, and we were going to go buy me a new car the following day.
But in a flash, everything had changed. I found out my mom had been murdered by a demon who was after my father, because apparently he was a demon, too. And not only was I a demon as well, but now...I was also a murderer.
I hadn't thought twice about killing Meredith when Christian told me to do it. Not only had I wanted revenge for my mother, but also I had to keep her from telling Christian that I was a demon.
I had no idea how I knew it, but when Meredith had admitted to killing my mom, I felt the rage inside of me rise to the point where something physically changed within me. It was like I felt my DNA shifting. So when she told me that my father and I were demons, I knew she was telling the truth. I also knew she was telling the truth about Christian's clan wanting to kill me if they found out.
I wasn't sure how I was going to keep this secret, but then again, I had always been able to keep my thoughts hidden. My God, that was it! After learning about the effects of Meredith's blood on Terrance and how it kept his thoughts protected and fuzzy, it all made sense. No wonder I never had a problem hiding my thoughts from Evie...it was because of my demon blood.
"Rose? Are you going to be okay?" Christian's question startled me out of my inner turmoil. With everything racing around in my head, all I could do was nod in response.
"I know what happened is something that's going to take some time to process. But you have to realize, you didn't have a choice. She killed your mom and could have hurt you or your dad. She infected Terrance and there was no way I could let her threaten anyone else in my family. Killing her was the right thing to do."
He shifted in his seat and took both of my hands in his. "We need to get you inside and tell Evie everything that happened, but first I need to ask you a question. You know you can no longer go back to your old life, right? I'm sorry, but I won't let you be placed in a situation where you could be taken from me. I love you and I never want to live without you." He swallowed hard and cupped my cheek in his palm. "I will soon become the new Sire, and when I am I want you to be my consort. If you agree, I'm sure Evie will let you stay here with us from now on. We can start our new life together right away."
Oh my God. This was what I had been dreaming of for so long, but how was this going to work? I was a demon and Christian wanted me to become his consort. It was going to kill me to have to tell him I couldn't become a vampire anymore...that I could never be his consort.
I was so scared and I knew I would never be able to go home again. Staying with the clan seemed like the best way to stay protected. They could bite and use their sedative on anyone who came looking for me. It was the obvious choice, even if it wasn't for the same reasons as Christian thought. "Yes. I would love to stay with you and the clan. Thank you, Christian. You are truly saving my life."
"You are my life Rose, and I'll gladly spend an eternity proving that to you." He leaned over and kissed me. It was soft, tender, and filled with emotion.
The pain in my heart left me feeling like I was the one with a poker through my chest. How could I live with the man I loved while planning to lie to him every single day?
I guess I was about to learn exactly how to break a vampire's heart...
* * * * *
Rose’s eyes close, and the darkness sets in,
How can I live with my lover as a friend?
* * * * *
CHAPTER ONE
Changed
(Rose)
Killing my dad's ex-girlfriend and living with Christian's vampire clan had been the best decision I'd ever made. I was able to spend my nights with the love of my life, and fill my days finishing my college courses online while they slept. I'd graduated on time and had now passed my twenty-first birthday. The only downfall...I really missed my dad.
"Rose, are you okay?" It wasn't Christian's question that startled me; it was, once again, the shock of how beautiful he was, and that I was a part of his everyday life now. My dreams had come true. He was my angel on earth.
My mouth started to water as my eyes scanned him from top to bottom. He was standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist. Fresh from the shower, his light blonde highlighted hair was wet, and his caramel eyes were sparkling with golden rays that could've been straight from the sun. He was so perfect, and damn did he have the most gorgeous body...one I'd become very familiar with over the past four
months. All things considered, I was a very lucky girl.
I pushed myself off our bed and wrapped my arms around him. "I was just thinking about everything that's happened. Terrance, Meredith, my dad. I...I just can't believe how much everything has changed."
He pulled out of my hug, kissed me on the lips, and then looked deep into my eyes. " I know, baby, but now you're living and working here full-time, and once I become the new Sire, I'll change you and then we'll truly be able to start planning our very long future together."
The smile I plastered on my face was the best I could do and I hoped Christian bought it, because inside, I knew that was something I could never let happen. I was part demon and my blood would infect him, just as Meredith's had infected Terrance. I couldn't do that to Christian. Besides, the clan already vowed to hunt and kill any demons in the area. Sucks to be me.
Over the past four months I hadn't stopped thinking about Meredith's revelation that Dad and I were both demons. It was the reason she had gone after my mom. She'd wanted my dad for herself. It was pretty obvious my dad didn't have a clue, and that was a problem. I had no idea how I was going to learn anything about our heritage since I'd killed the only demon I'd ever encountered.
So many hurdles that would make it impossible for me to become Christian's consort. Yet out of necessity to remain hidden and safe, I was still living here with the clan. Evie had put me to work here at the club, so I actually had a real job and wasn't just a burden to them. I'd always been really good with numbers, so now I was in charge of keeping the books. Not that books were even necessary, since they could easily bite and use their sedative to manipulate anyone who would question them, like the liquor board or the IRS. But it was actually easier and more in-line with the clan's morals to run this business on the up-and-up. I certainly wasn't complaining, I finally had a real job.
When I'd first arrived, Justin and Christian had set me straight about the vampire facts that Terrance had lied to me about. I'd learned vampires were actually really great people and nothing like how the history books or fables of old portrayed them. They only fed out of necessity, and always used the sedative that flowed from their fangs to make sure it never hurt their prey. All a vampire had to do was program their sedative to make their prey do and think whatever they wanted. So they always made it a pleasant experience, and then wiped their memories of the event. It's how vampires had been able to remain hidden from the world for centuries.
Almost a year ago, when I first found out vampires existed, I'd hoped to surprise Christian by going through the change and becoming a vampire like him so we could be together forever. But since Terrance was the one to tell me all about vampires and was unfortunately under Meredith's influence at the time, everything he told me had been a lie. There had been no way for him to make me a vampire as promised; that was something only a Sire could do. As I walked into the bathroom I called over my shoulder, "Do you have any idea when you'll become the new Sire?" Please let it be a long time.
"I'm not sure. My abilities are increasing but I think Evie wants to wait and see what other talents I develop before we do the Passing of Powers ritual. Honestly, I'm not even sure I'm really the one being triggered. It could all just be a big mistake."
Hope blossomed in my chest as I stared at myself in the foggy bathroom mirror. "What happens if it's not you?"
"I guess we just wait until someone else starts to show signs of being triggered."
Please let it not be him. The longer I had until a new Sire was triggered, the longer I had to figure out all this demon crap. One day very soon I was going to have to face my dad and get some answers. I didn't think he knew, but what if I was wrong and he'd known all along?
"I'm gonna hit the shower, but when I'm done...there's something I want to talk to you about."
* * * * *
CHAPTER TWO
Search
(Jeremy)
Today was the day I was going to find my little girl. I just knew it.
After her attack on Meredith, she and that boyfriend of hers, Christian, had gone into hiding. It hadn't taken me long to remember where he worked, but when I went to see the owner and asked if she'd seen them, the answer I'd gotten was, of course, no. I didn't believe her.
I'd thought about going to the police and asking them to get a search warrant, but since Meredith didn't press any charges and Rose was over eighteen, there really wasn't anything I could do except continue to look on my own. Besides, involving the police could be detrimental to us all since we'd covered up what had really happened that night.
I did find out from her college that she had completed her courses online and graduated on time, but they were unable to divulge any information as to where the computer's IP address was originating from without police involvement. Again, another dead end.
But today, I just had a feeling I was in for a lucky break. I had to take a trip back to Seela to go over some business accounts with my boss. After Meredith's recovery, I'd sold my home and moved to Masen to live with her. The decision wasn't easy, but it had been the best choice after my wife's death and Rose's attack on Meredith. I just couldn't stay in the home that carried all those horrible memories. It had been the place where I'd spent the happiest times of my life, but now it was just a constant reminder of everything I'd lost.
So I moved in with Meredith and we'd been blissfully happy for four months now. Her recovery had been almost miraculous according to the doctors. That type of injury usually would have been life-threatening, but Meredith barely had a scratch left on her, and she'd shocked all the therapists with how quickly she regained full mobility. She'd even gone back to work and so had I.
I was lucky enough to have moved my office to Masen, and instead of having to travel here every month or so, now I traveled back to Seela instead. Today was one of those days.
"Do you have everything?" Meredith bustled around the desk, gathering all the loose papers I had spread across it.
"Yes, honey. I have everything. I don't need those right now; they're for a different campaign." I was the Vice President of D&L Marketing and was headed to a meeting with my boss to go over my latest campaign proposal.
"Alright. I'll just stack them here then." She always made it a habit to keep my desk tidy for me. I wasn't sure if it was because she was just curious, or a neat freak who was still getting used to my presence in her life. I had tried to ask her about it once, and her response was, "Don't be silly. You're my destiny and I love having you here with me."
I was slowly starting to share her sentiment, but our relationship was something of a conundrum. I'd originally met Meredith when my wife, Loraine, was still alive, and the shock of how much the two looked alike had been intense: long blonde hair, a tall athletic body, and a killer smile. Then Loraine had died, and Meredith had really been there for me and we'd started dating.
I'd considered it a bit awkward to be dating a woman that reminded me of my dead wife, but at the time, it was exactly what I needed to help me deal with the pain. But when Rose found out, I was suddenly forced to look at the relationship in a whole new light. One that cast it as something that wasn't as bright and brilliant as I had made it out to be.
I tried to break it off with Meredith, but then the whole situation with Rose attacking her happened. Her choosing not to press charges, but instead protect my daughter and me, well, that made me fall for her all over again.
"Are you going back to look for Rose at that club again?" Meredith asked, rousing me out of my stroll down memory lane.
"I was thinking about it. The owner said she hadn't seen either one of them since that night, but I don't believe her. I might just sit outside in my car instead of going in. Maybe that way I'll see something they weren't expecting me to see." I wiggled my eyebrows at her in an attempt to relay how sneaky and brilliant I thought my plan was.
"Well, just be careful. And call me when you get there. At least if I'm talking to you on the phone, I won't be worrying that something ba
d is happening to you." She straightened my tie, then wound her hands around the back of my neck and pulled me into a passionate kiss. "I just got you back and I never want to lose you again."
The feeling of Meredith's lips on mine and the sensual feel of her curves pressed against me had the potential to make me very late. This woman intoxicated me and I was so grateful to have her in my life during this difficult time, so I had to force myself out the door and into the garage.
I waved goodbye from the car as I pulled out of the driveway. The trip to Seela from Masen took about two hours, so that would give me plenty of time to think over my plan for tonight. The business meeting was going to be a breeze, same old same old, but a stakeout was something new to me. I certainly hoped it would lead me to Rose because as happy as Meredith and I were, I missed my baby girl.
* * * * *
(Meredith)
As soon as Jeremy waved goodbye and started to drive away, I grabbed the phone and dailed. "Have you had anymore reports of Rose and her vampire at The Rising Pit? Are they still there?"
"Yes, ma'am. According to our people, they're still there. Rose is now working for Evangeline as her bookkeeper."
Our people. I liked the sound of that. I came from a long line of human/demon descendants, but until recently, I'd only associated with my own family. But after some searching, I'd begun to find more demons in the area. I'd discreetly organized a few meetings to pull the demon families together. It was tricky since we'd spent our entire lives in hiding, but it was slowing working and it was nice to finally connect with people like me–with demons like me.
When I'd met Jeremy, he didn't have a clue that he was a demon, and he still didn't. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell him or not. I was afraid if he found out the truth about me, let alone himself, he'd start to question everything about our relationship again. And that was something I couldn't permit. Not after finally getting everything I'd worked so hard for.
