Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire)

by Amber Kallyn

  “My duty. I heard about the dead wolf, and the two Rogues you arrested. It’s my territory. I’m taking them in to be tried.”

  Shane leaned against the side of his desk. “You can’t have them. I already called into the Council--”

  “Yes. I know.” Jordan rose with a lazy grace. He smiled, flashing his fangs. “The Council turned those two over to me.”

  “Damn it, Jordan. What do you think you’re doing?” Shane brushed his hands through his hair as he turned and moved to his seat. “These are my... whatever you want to call them. They know something about the murders tonight. I need whatever information they have.”

  MacDougal’s eyes softened, the red receding to thin bands and allowing the normal deep blue to show. “I am sorry for, as you probably see it, butting in. But something is in the air. Something strange that whispers to me in a language I cannot understand.” He leaned over the desk. “Let’s face it. I will be able to get the information from them you need. You won’t.”

  As much as Shane wanted to argue with that statement, he couldn’t. “Only because you’ll torture them.”

  Jordan shrugged. “If you wish to call it that.”

  Shane grumbled, “You know damn well that’s what it’s called.”

  “That’s neither here nor there. I have my ways. And in the eyes of the Council, they’re perfectly acceptable. Leave it at that.”

  “Blood-sucking barbarian,” Shane muttered.

  Jordan laughed. “It’s good to see you too, old friend.”

  The man walked out, heading in the direction of the holding cells. Shane didn’t bother to get up. Jordan would retrieve the vampires and be gone before any of the deputies could work up the courage to interfere with the territory’s Master vampire.

  Shane sat at his desk the next two hours, filling out double sets of paperwork--one for the state which refused to officially admit they believed in the paranormal, the other for the Council, who made the laws for magical beings.

  It was tedious, but his job.

  He was just finishing up when a soft knock came at his open doorway. Shane glanced up, took a deep breath and laid his pen down. “Come in.”

  Niki strode inside, glancing around the sparsely decorated room. “Nice place.”

  “Serves its purpose.” His gut churned. Might as well get it over with. “They’re not here.”

  Her eyes widened. “Where are they?”

  He leaned back and pointed to one of his visitor’s chairs. Niki sniffed, turning her back, but not before he caught sight of her fists clenched at her sides.

  “I had a visit from Jordan MacDougal, the local Master.”

  Her back stiffened and she shot him a red-rimmed glance. “He took the two vampires?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you let him?”

  Anger flared. “It wasn’t my choice. When the Council tells me to release one Arcaine to another, that’s what I do.”

  Her eyes were wary. “I’m sure.”

  “Will you sit down already?”

  “No.”

  “Fine.” He sighed. “Look, I’m not going to apologize. I don’t even know why you wanted to talk to them.” He watched her closely. “They claimed to be friends of yours.”

  Her lips curled. “Not of mine.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what your business is here? I can help.”

  She wavered, he could tell. But then her walls slammed back between them. “I need to go.”

  Niki swept out of his office with unnatural speed. He jumped to his feet and raced after her, catching up just outside the station. “When you’re ready to tell me, you know where I’ll be.”

  She walked away.

  Shane stood still for a long moment, biting back the urge to chase after her. Then he wondered why he hadn’t told the Council, or Jordan, about her. And why she hadn’t asked if he had.

  ***

  Niki studied the comings and goings of the local hospital. Glaring lights lit the white building against the night. It stretched out long and narrow, three stories tall. There wasn’t much activity, not in such a small town.

  If one wanted to find vampires, this was the place. The only hospital in Moss Creek meant the only blood bank.

  The key was avoiding anyone from the local clan and instead, coming across someone who acted like he didn’t fit in. Finding Thomas would be better, but power-hungry Masters like him never ran their own errands. Their time was too important.

  Which was why she was shocked when a man strode out of the hospital doors, power crackling around him like whips slicing through the air.

  Not Thomas, but definitely a Master.

  He was tall, well built beneath a dark, pin-striped suit. Blonde hair, cut semi-short, framed a strong, almost regal, face. And his blue eyes blazed as he sensed her.

  His power struck out, hitting Niki even at the distance she’d kept from the building. Heat rubbed along her skin, a caress of prickling pain. She’d never met anyone so powerful before.

  Another guy came out and ran into the Master, almost tumbling to the ground. “Hey,” the man complained.

  Here. Why did he have to be here of all places?

  “Get the car, Max,” the Master replied. His gaze pinned Niki in the shadows.

  She was screwed.

  Max hurried away, lugging a large satchel. The Master didn’t seem to move, but suddenly he was only inches away.

  “Hello.” His voice was soft and seductive as he looked her over appreciatively.

  “No, thanks,” she responded to his blatant invitation.

  “Really?” One dark blond eyebrow rose and his lips twitched as he tried to contain a grin. “I don’t recall asking you anything. Yet.” The Scottish burr in his voice captured her attention.

  She struggled to meet his gaze as his power pushed past her barriers and swept inside. Sure, she should look away, maybe even curtsy in his damn presence, but she didn’t play their politics.

  He held out a large, smooth hand. “Shall we do this here, or at my place?”

  Niki struggled against the magic trying to control her. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m not your clan, so don’t try ordering me around.”

  His hand fell to his side and the grin disappeared, replaced with a hardness that seemed more natural than his flirting. “Yet, you do seem to be in my territory. Uninvited.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t be here long.” His power became rougher, more insistent she do as he commanded.

  “Stubborn, huh? The hard way then.” He waved his hand and the air behind her stirred.

  Niki turned to face the threat, when he whispered a soft, “Sorry.”

  Something crashed against the back of her head. Her vision grew dark and she couldn’t defend herself as his power surged.

  ***

  Niki woke with a start. She kept still, sensing her surroundings. The tight bindings on her arms and legs pinned her to a cold, metal chair. Nearby people talked, voices muffled through thick walls. The air smelled damp, and of old dust.

  “Ah, the stubborn one is awake.” The Master’s voice echoed in the room.

  She opened her eyes and looked around the cavernous hall. Stone walls caused sound to distort and echo. On either side of her, rows of wooden benches spread out. She faced a raised dais, holding only an opulent, red-velvet draped throne.

  The Master stepped from the shadows and slowly made his way to the throne. Behind him, two hulking men followed. Stripped to the waist other than leather straps crossing their chests, the men wore tawny pants of some sort of animal hide. Long, golden-white hair flowed freely down to both men’s waists. The twin giants took their places on either side of the throne and glared at her.

  The Master settled in the throne, staring as if waiting for her to say something. She swallowed, hiding the trembling in her hands by virtue of being so tightly trussed up. He wasn’t just a Master, but the territorial King. No wonder he had so much power. Still, she shouldn’t have allowed her
self to be captured so easily.

  And now she was on trial. Her heart pounded loud enough she was certain everyone for miles could hear it’s galloping pace.

  By law, this vampire could order her executed. She could be dead by morning, her family left unavenged and in limbo, never knowing the peace they should have.

  Niki bit her tongue, fangs sinking into the tender flesh. The pain and blood cleared her head. She pushed the frightened, tiny voice down into a dark well, and slammed a lid on it. She would not leave this world without vengeance.

  Lifting her chin, she stared down the King.

  The man pointed to each side. “My guards, Brandon and Eric.”

  She looked at the towering vampires and the expanse of bare, muscular flesh. The taste of her own blood spurred her on. “How do you tell them apart?”

  The King waved. As one, the men moved, reaching back and drawing blades--the guy on the left held a claymore, while the one on the right hefted a double bladed axe.

  The King smiled fiercely. “Easily.”

  She realized they were still playing the game of politics. She could almost feel cold steel already pressing against her throat.

  Behind her, a door clicked opened, slammed closed. Boot steps came up the aisle and stopped behind her. The air whispered and Niki smelled the sheriff’s unique scent of musk and man.

  The King clapped once. “Let us begin, shall we.”

  She didn’t turn to look at the man behind her. She didn’t have to. She could feel his presence. It overwhelmed that of the Master, so much so the prickling against her skin disappeared.

  The King waved and Shane stepped to her side. It was all she could do not to look up at the man. Why was he even here? To accuse her? Had he turned her in to the King?

  She wouldn’t put it past either of them, Keeper and King, to decide to solve all their problems with her death.

  “I am Jordan MacDougal, King and Laird of this territory’s vampire clan. Shane here tells me you are Niki DeVeraux. How old are you?” His voice was soft, yet commanding.

  Definitely Scottish. And old. Very old. She could be a smartass... and get her head removed. Maybe that wasn’t the best idea.

  “A little over two hundred.”

  “From?”

  “Originally, New Orleans.”

  Jordan nodded and looked to Shane. “Do you think this Rogue is responsible for the murders?”

  She stiffened, fear making her cold. So cold.

  Shane shrugged. “I don’t know. Not the first ones--the shifter and his human woman. Niki was with me at the time of their deaths.”

  Jordan’s blue eyes widened and his gaze leapt to Niki. “Really? And I shall be your alibi for the third murder tonight.” Silence descended in the room. After long moments, he shook his head. “Why are you in my territory?”

  Niki took the time to figure out how much she wanted to say. “You have a Rogue.”

  Jordan chuckled. “Aye. I’m looking at one. Two more are guests in my dungeon.”

  She sneered. “No. Another. He’s the one behind the murders and will continue until I stop him. Those two you have are most likely working for him. If I’d been able to talk to them at the sheriff’s station, I would have the answers I need.”

  Jordan blinked. His head fell back as he laughed. The sound was full-bodied and loud in the hall. “I felt you and those other two. But no one else. If this vampire is truly here, why do I not sense him?”

  “Because he’s a Master, like you.”

  That shut him up. He scowled.

  She knew it was pushing, but couldn’t resist. “If I could just talk to those two idiots--”

  Jordan sneered. “I may share information with Shane, here, if I think he needs to know. But why would I tell you anything, Rogue?”

  She had no answer for that.

  “Why do you hunt this Master?”

  Niki shook her head.

  “Then we are at an impasse.” The King rubbed his temple. “I have a vampire killing people, and worse, shifters. There is a delicate balance between our kind and theirs, as you’ve probably seen.”

  “Yes.”

  “Here it has become much more tenuous.” He turned his penetrating gaze to Shane. “How do you see the state of the truce?”

  “Crumbling. My father says there have been louder rumbles than usual. You know already things have been heating up for a while, but what hasn’t been shared is that this isn’t the first dead shifter. There have been two others over the past few months--and we couldn’t tell how they died. There have also been reports of pack members going missing.”

  Jordan jumped to his feet, growling. “Why was I not told?”

  Shane stared him down. “It is not clan business.”

  The King’s fury filled the air. He visibly struggled before managing control. Niki breathed deep as the tension calmed.

  “You are correct. I apologize, Keeper.” Jordan slid back into his seat, sitting stiffly tall.

  Shane stepped forward. “You know me better than that.”

  Jordan shook his head. He held up a hand, and turned his back to them. His shoulders heaved as he took a few deep breaths. When he faced them, the red rimming his eyes was again a narrow band rather than a flood.

  “I do.” He sighed. “Do you need another apology?”

  Shane scowled. “No.”

  “Good. Now, explain to me why you didn’t tell me about this lovely little rogue in your office earlier. That is clan business, is it not?”

  Niki swung her glance to Shane, whose face was heating up. He met her gaze and shrugged. “It didn’t come up.”

  “Mmm, hmm.” Jordan looked from Niki to Shane and back.

  Shane broke the strained silence. “I would have come sooner about the murders, but you beat me to it.”

  “Aye.” The King sat back. “A vampire killing a shifter. That could break the truce entirely. War...”

  Shane spoke up. “Maybe we should finish solving this problem first.” He waved at Niki.

  She fidgeted, uncomfortable at being talked over, as well as having someone else control her fate. Being referred to as a problem just pissed her off.

  “This has been a most interesting... turn of events.” Jordan waved to his guard, Eric. The giant lumbered to Niki’s side.

  She braced herself for whatever was coming. She’d put up all the fight she could, even strapped down to the damn chair.

  Eric withdrew a dagger from his belt and leaned in. As Niki yanked on the ties binding her wrists, the guard slipped the tip of the dagger between the metal and the rope, then sliced through it, releasing her arm.

  Stunned, she stopped wriggling as he cut the rest of the ropes.

  She stood, her insides shaking.

  Jordan’s gaze assessed her. “If Shane believes you not guilty, you may go. But I warn you, things are complicated here. You need to leave.”

  Now that she was free and not staring down her impending death, her tongue was hard to control. “I’m not leaving until I have killed the one I came for.”

  Jordan’s gaze narrowed. “You refuse the orders of a King?”

  “I told you before, I’m not your clan.” She barely stopped her knees from knocking together.

  “Then I tell you this. If any of your actions result in pushing this war closer, I shall hold you responsible. You have seven days to complete your business. After that, I will hunt you down myself.”

  She held her chin high. Inside, the shaking slowed. He was letting her stay? “Why?”

  Jordan blinked. “Shane will show you out.” He strode from the hall, his twin guards following like puppies.

  She turned to Shane, unable to stop the pleasure she felt from drinking in the sight. His hair was still free flowing, but this time the braid adorning his left temple was entwined with a dark blue chord of some kind. She couldn’t read the emotion blazing from his golden eyes.

  “You certainly have a way with finding trouble,” he said, but there was no
anger in his voice.

  “You spoke up for me.” It was still a strange idea.

  “I spoke the truth. Come.”

  She followed him from the judging hall, down more stone-lined passages, and finally through an enormous wooden door. Outside, her suspicions were confirmed. The place was a freaking castle, straight from the middle ages. Above, entwined branches from towering trees hid the sky over the whole place. Magic still sometimes managed to amaze her.

  A big black pick-up sat just outside. He headed for the passenger door, opened it, then turned to face her. “Need a ride?”

  Niki nibbled her lip at the question, debated about refusing, but she wasn’t quite sure where they were, or how far from town. The sun would be up soon. It wouldn’t kill her. But she’d rather not be out when the weakness hit. She slid into the seat. “Thank you.”

  They drove down a long, tree-lined drive before finally pulling out onto the highway. Shane didn’t speak as he drove, and she didn’t know what to say.

  Finally, the town appeared ahead. “Where are you staying?”

  “The Inn.”

  He grunted and turned into Moss Creek. At the Inn, he pulled into the parking lot. “Who is this man you’re here to kill?”

  Only then did she realize she’d admitted such a thing not just in front of the town sheriff. The man was also a Keeper. Damn, she was an idiot. “He’s another vampire.”

  “Yeah. I got that. But who is he to you?”

  Wisps of smoke rose from the gravel lot, swirling higher until they began to take human shapes.

  Niki blinked, but they didn’t go away. “He’s the one who killed my family.”

  Shane lifted her clenched fist from her thigh, rubbing it between his hands. “Is he your sire?”

  Though his warmth was creeping deep inside her, making her feel things she wanted to deny, she didn’t answer.

  Silence was answer enough.

  His grip tightened. “The Council will order your death if you destroy your sire.”

  She blinked at the wetness gathering in her eyes. “I don’t care, as long as he dies first.”

  Snatching her hand from his, she jumped from the truck. Niki didn’t look back as she headed around the wisps of the ghostly images of her dead family and to her room. She feared that if she saw the sympathy on Shane’s face that had colored his voice, her resolve might fray.