Blood Betrayed

by Gabrielle Bisset

  Vasilije sat down in a leather chair next to his desk, unhappy that the news from Ramiel and Thane wasn't good. "I can assume from Sion's question that you're no closer to the answers we need?"

  Both males shook their heads. "No. And unless we get a break, we may not be any help at all," Thane said in a voice that showed his disgust for their lack of progress.

  "I thought we had something earlier, but it's all just fucking riddles on top of more riddles," Ramiel said as he leaned back in his chair. "How the hell are we supposed to know what those ancient ones meant?"

  As they all sat silently thinking about Ramiel's question, Dante entered the room looking like he'd just awoken. Or maybe that was how he intended to look, Vasilije thought.

  "What are we talking about?"

  "Nice of you to join us," Vasilije said, hoping the young vampire sensed the irritation in his tone. Lately, it seemed the youngest Son was absent far too often.

  "Sorry, guys. It's a bitch being a clyten. When your bodies tell you it's time to sleep, mine's telling me to wake up. You try to get used to being a vampire who can walk in the sun."

  "I'm quite impressed that we have one of you among our ranks," Terek said as he extended his hand to shake Dante's. "Unique talents occasionally take time to become part of us."

  Dante took a seat next to him and put his feet up on Vasilije's desk. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Now what are we talking about? Saint hasn't gotten himself staked, has he?"

  "No. We're talking about the progress we're making on the prophecy," Sasa answered before Vasilije could.

  "Nothing yet? You two aren't relying on those dusty old papers only, are you? It's the twenty-first century."

  "Any time you want to leave behind your walks in the sun and join us downstairs, smartass, you're welcome to come. But it's not like you can just Google 'ancient vampire prophecies' and it all comes up on the screen," Ramiel said, allowing the group to see the full extent of his frustration.

  Dante turned in his seat to face Ramiel and with a nod of his head said, "Chill, dude. I was just asking. You don't have to get all bent out of shape."

  Ramiel was out of his seat at the words "chill dude" and in front of Dante looking like he was ready to release some of his pent up anger all over the young vampire's face. "You keep this frat boy attitude up and the only thing that's going to get bent the fuck out of shape is you. I don't care what kind of special talent you have or why the Order wants you here."

  Terek placed a hand on Dante's shoulder as he moved to confront Ramiel. Dante seemed to quickly understand fighting with the largest Son would be a mistake. Silently, Vasilije wondered if it would be such a bad idea to show Dante his place, but Ramiel definitely shouldn't be the one to do it. A vampire that big and legendary for his violent streak could easily do serious damage to the only one of them who was useful in the daylight.

  "Sorry. I meant no harm."

  Ramiel scowled and nodded as he turned away from Dante. "I'm out. I need to feed and this place is starting to drive me crazy. Be back later."

  They all watched him leave, understanding how he felt. The monastery was home to Vasilije, but he knew even Sasa felt trapped there sometimes.

  "He'll be okay," Thane said quietly. "Ramiel is one of those who needs to blow off steam more often than the rest of us."

  "Has there been any progress? Maybe I can help. I'm considered rather logical," Sion said in his stiff manner that made him seem almost robotic at times.

  "I wish logic would help. These ancient texts seem to have no rhyme or reason to them. If anything, they seem to be the opposite of logical."

  Sion smiled the way he did whenever someone claimed something lacked logic, as if such statements amused him. "I can't imagine the ancient Greeks were so illogical as to put prophecies in writing that made no sense. Let me examine them and perhaps I can see reason where you two can't. Anything is better than spending my time dismantling and reassembling Vasilije's appliances."

  Vasilije looked toward Sasa, who scowled and shook her head, as she clearly sensed how he felt about Sion's tinkering with everything electrical after finding the dishwasher in pieces the day before.

  "The rinse cycle seems to be supercharged now," Sasa said with a smile as Sion and Thane left.

  "Fantastic," Vasilije muttered. "Don't encourage him. Next, he'll be taking apart the car."

  Winking, Sasa smiled. "Yes, love."

  "Vasilije, how's our boy Saint handling his new home?" Dante asked.

  "Giving Solenne a hard time. He hasn't had any vampire blood since he's been there."

  "None? Still doing the human thing?"

  Terek answered the young vampire's question. "Our friend just needs some time. Saint is dealing with something only Vasilije can understand. To know that someone intends at any moment to end your life isn't easy."

  Vasilije thought back to the vision of Tatiana's seething hatred as she tortured Sasa and then tried to stake him.

  "And Saint must deal with his past everyday, a past I doubt any of us really know," Terek continued. "For everything each of us has done, only Saint has been shunned."

  Dante dropped his feet from the desk and sat up in his chair. "What did he do? Stake someone?"

  Vasilije wrestled for a moment over how much to tell Dante, sure Saint wouldn't appreciate him knowing of his criminal past. The fact was, though, that Dante was part of the Sons of Navarus as much as Saint was and deserved to know who he was working side-by-side with.

  "I don't know everything about his shunning, but I know he was convicted of dishonoring the sire-vampire relationship."

  Dante looked at Terek and then back at Vasilije. "For going with humans?"

  "No, that began after his time away from our world. That I do know. I knew him in his first years as a vampire and he didn't do the human thing then."

  "Then what did he do to get shunned? Christ, you basically have to be public enemy number one to be shunned."

  Vasilije knew no more than he'd said, even though he'd asked Teagan right after it had happened. Saint's own brother could only say he'd done something to dishonor the sire-vampire relationship.

  "I would assume, then, that it had to do with his relationship with one he'd sired?" Terek said.

  "That would make sense. Not one of his vampires has come to his defense, have they?" Dante asked.

  Shaking his head, Vasilije said, "No. Not yet."

  Each night that passed with no word from any of Saint's vampires made Vasilije wonder if any would ever answer his call. Their refusal—or was it disinterest?—spoke volumes about his relationship with those he'd brought into their world.

  "Saint's a lot like his sire. Kir never felt much for those he turned. It wasn't who he was. But Saint's not Kir. He's more emotional, so it's odd that he isn't close to any of his vampires," Vasilije remarked.

  "Not even the ones he sired before being shunned?" Dante asked.

  "Saint didn't sire until after his time out of our world."

  All four sat quietly until Dante asked what had more than once occurred to Vasilije.

  "I don't mean to be an asshole, but why was he made a Son? You've got hundreds of loyal vampires, Terek has even more who would walk through fire for him, among his other talents. Ramiel and Thane are important because of the prophecy. Sion has a brain like a computer and vampires who help when called. I can walk by day, and Nico is one of the oldest vampires not in the Order. All of us have something we bring to the table, but Saint brings nothing. He's a criminal whose vampires couldn't care if he's dusted. Why was he called by the elders in the Order?"

  Vasilije looked over at Terek and saw in his eyes he'd wondered the same thing. Saint was an incredible fighter and even though they'd had their share of differences, he was one of the few in their world he'd want by him in a battle. But others seemed to possess far greater gifts and they weren't chosen to be one of the Sons.

  "The Order chooses those of us they believe can protect them and our world best,"
Terek said. "While we may not recognize Saint's worth, the Order has and as one of us, we owe him our allegiance."

  "I didn't mean anything like that. It just seems that whatever Saint is that made the Order want him..." Dante let his sentence remain unfinished.

  "Sometimes what makes someone special can't be seen on the outside, Dante," Sasa said. "Unless I told you I was an empath, you'd probably never know. Maybe it's the same for Saint."

  Dante nodded and smiled. "You're right. I was just being stupid."

  Standing up, he turned to leave. "I think I'll go grab a bite to eat before I find Sion. We've both got our vampires coming tonight."

  Terek waited for Dante to leave and said to Vasilije, "I know what you're thinking, but he's young. And just as with Saint, the Order wouldn't have chosen him if he didn't show promise."

  "What he has is the ability to walk in daylight. Other than that gift, impressive as it may be, I'm unsure he has even the common abilities Saint possesses. Being a clyten and having some loyal vampires may be all Dante has."

  "Since clytens are rare in our world, that may be all he needs. With guidance, he can be as great as others of his kind."

  "Or he may remain reckless. Have you ever met a clyten vampire older than a century, Terek?"

  Shaking his head, he answered, "No, but how many former monk vampires do you meet?"

  Vasilije smiled broadly. Terek was certainly one-of-a-kind. "I can't say I've ever met any other than you."

  Terek's green eyes seemed to sparkle at the comment. "And vampire empaths?"

  "I get the point, but just who do you plan to guide him? Are you volunteering for the job? He needs someone to make him into that great vampire you mentioned."

  "Perhaps that's my role in the Sons. Only Nico and Ramiel are older, but Nico isn't around and Ramiel's busy at the moment. Plus, he definitely lacks the patience necessary to tutor a young vampire like Dante."

  That was certain. Their first lesson would likely be their only lesson, ending with Dante in pieces.

  Vasilije turned back to take Sasa's hand in his. For as patient and wise as Terek was, Vasilije didn't envy his challenge of guiding a young vampire like Dante. He'd seen his fair share of his own vampires through their impetuous early years and thankfully now that he had Sasa, those times were over.

  "I hope you're up to it, friend."

  Chapter Six

  Saint stared out into the moonless night, disgusted by Vasilije's visit. He was used to the sideways glances and snide comments about his preferences from his fellow vampires, but from the other Sons? Of anyone, he thought at least they'd see past his habit.

  Who the fuck are they to pass judgment? And who are they to stick me in this fucking house with her to babysit me?

  Anger bubbled up inside him at Solenne's part in this. Like a fool, he'd let the very beginnings of trust begin to grow for her. And now the proof of who she truly was couldn't be more obvious.

  His jailer.

  "Fuck that," he muttered and stormed out of his room, determined to show them all who he truly was. If she planned to stop him, she better hope Ramiel was nearby because he wasn't going to be held prisoner in this place anymore.

  Saint found the rest of the house deserted as he made his way to the front door. A twinge of disappointment flickered inside him as he looked back to see no sight of Solenne before he headed out into the night. It would've felt good to blow off some steam before he left.

  The cool night air sent a shiver up his spine. How long had it been since he'd searched for blood for himself? Alina. And that had been back in Romania. Well, it was time he got back to acting like a vampire instead of Vasilije and Solenne's too easily caged pet.

  Inhaling deeply, he enjoyed the earthy smell of the countryside, but it wasn't long before the memories associated with that sweet fragrance—memories of Teagan, of Solenne, of times he thought would never end—reared up in his mind.

  This place was pure torture. When he'd left all those years ago, he'd sworn to himself he'd never return. Now, here he was, Teagan gone, and the woman who'd torn them apart dictating his every movement.

  Saint saw the golden light of a candle in the window of an inn up ahead. Like a beacon guiding him to what he craved, it offered the building's invitation to stop and enjoy the night, and he willingly accepted. As he entered, his eyes scanned left and right across the main room, and in seconds he'd found what he desired.

  She sat alone at a table near the large, open hearth fireplace, and in the dim light he saw her expression was one of innocence and what looked like sadness. Her lips turned downward, pushing her perfect mouth into a frown. She looked like she might be waiting for someone as she glanced timidly around the room.

  As he walked toward her, Saint examined her more closely, finding the rest of her as pleasing as her pouting mouth. Blonde, petite, and blessed with curves exactly where a woman should possess them, she'd be precisely what he needed tonight.

  Lost in thought and staring at the empty seat across the table from her, she didn't hear him approach. For a moment, he reconsidered what he was about to do, noting her sad expression, but Saint put the thought out of his head. They'd cheer each other up.

  "Are you alone?"

  The woman looked up, her soft blue eyes full of surprise for just a second before they became just as sad as her expression. "Yes," she admitted quietly before lowering her eyes again.

  Saint sat down in the chair meant for some neglectful lover and smiled at the sweet face across from him. Who had left this beautiful creature all alone in this country inn? Some young man too stupid to understand her worth or too greedy to accept what she offered, preferring to seek out more erotic tastes before settling down with her? A married lover unable to escape the confines of a cold marriage bed? Whichever it was, their misfortune would be his pleasure tonight.

  "What's your name?"

  She looked up at him and a tiny smile crept onto her lips. "Janelle. What's yours?"

  "Sai... Declan. Nice to meet you, Janelle. What fool has left you alone here tonight?"

  "No one," she said, dropping her gaze.

  Saint lifted her chin with his forefinger and saw blue eyes staring innocently up at him. She was exquisite, like a doll, and his body reacted to the sweetness he felt from her.

  "He's a fool and you shouldn't be sad he stayed away. Any man that would leave a beautiful woman alone on this night deserves to lose her."

  A broad smile came across her face. "It's okay. He was all wrong for me anyway. Married men never leave their wives, do they?"

  "Rarely. But now that you're free from him, you can join me for dinner."

  "I wonder how smart it is to have dinner with a strange man who doesn't seem to know his name. Or is it that you too belong to another and are lying about your name, Sai...Declan?"

  Her teasing tone was charming, and without hesitation, he explained, "My name is Declan, but I have a nickname some use. Saint. I'd prefer you call me Declan, though."

  "Are you Irish, Declan? You don't sound it, but with a name like that, I'd definitely guess Irish."

  It had been years since he'd thought of himself as anything but vampire. "No, not Irish. I assume you're French with a name like Janelle?" he teased.

  Nodding, she chuckled. "Yes, I am."

  An hour later, after a very satisfying meal and equally enjoyable company, Saint was ready for what he'd broken out of Solenne's home for. But he didn't want Janelle hypnotized. He wanted her just like she was.

  "Let's leave. It's a beautiful night for a walk."

  Janelle seemed to consider the reality that it was dangerous to go walking at night with someone she'd met just an hour earlier, and Saint prepared with disappointment to speak the words that would guarantee her agreement. He was happy to see her finally nod her head and smile her agreement.

  They walked along the quiet country road, and Saint listened as Janelle talked about living on a farm nearby and her desperate desire to find a life more exc
iting far away from there. Each moment he spent with her made him wish he wasn't who he was. If only he was the benign stranger she believed him to be. If only he could be the man to whisk her away from the sleepy French countryside to give her that life she longed for.

  But that man no longer existed. He had, though. He'd even made a pledge to another beautiful French girl to show her all the wonders the world had to offer. And he would have moved heaven and hell to give her everything her heart desired.

  "Do you ever dream about being someone else, Declan?"

  If ever there was a loaded question.

  Saint stopped next to a lamppost and turned Janelle to face him. In the pale light, he saw her look of surprise when he opened his mouth and slowly lowered his fangs.

  "You have no idea how often."

  She remained silent, but her gaze never strayed from his fangs. Finally, she looked up into his eyes and asked, "Are you going to kill me?"

  Saint shook his head. "No."

  "Is this why you approached me at the inn?"

  "Yes." This was only partially true. He'd wanted to fuck her as much as he'd wanted her blood, but even more he'd wanted company.

  "So the stories about vampires are real. They drink human blood, but they don't kill?"

  He was probably the last one who should be acting like a spokesman for all vampires, but he nodded and explained, "Yes, we're real. Most vampires drink the blood of other vampires, actually. And the killing thing varies."

  "You don't drink human's blood?"

  "I do, but most vampires prefer the blood of our own."

  "Why do you drink from humans?"

  Explaining that could take hours.

  Janelle wrinkled her nose. "I guess if I tried to run you could catch me?"

  "I could, but I won't. If you want to leave, I'll walk you home. It's dangerous for a woman to walk alone in the dark."

  Smiling sweetly, she said, "Declan, you're not what I'd expect from a vampire."

  "Maybe if I had a cape? I don't change into a bat either, though."

  His attempt at humor was met with a tiny laugh, and Janelle's eyes scanned his face. "What's it like?"