Kindred (Kindred, Book 1)

by Nicola Claire

  “No, you just want me to be your lap dog, to do what you say when you say. To not have a mind of my own, to not stand up to you, to not be independent. You want me in my place, right where you friggin' put me!” And OK, so my voice might have risen a little at the end there, but still, it was a pretty good speech, as far as speeches go.

  Michel didn't seem to think so though, his eyes glowed their amethyst and violet swirls and he stilled, locking me with his gaze.

  Then I was standing in his, now magenta coloured chamber, the warmth of his touch on my arms and side fading, my head a little giddy, looking in the face of a very angry, very unhappy vampire, but I had no idea how I had got there.

  “Did you just glaze me?”

  “No.” It was barely a whisper.

  “Then how did we get here?”

  “I carried you.”

  “You went that fast?”

  “Yes.”

  I had to admit I was impressed with that. I've seen Michel move in a blur, I've seen him look like he just appeared out of thin air, but I had never seen him move an object with such speed. I hadn't thought it was possible. I mean, he would have had to get out of his seat, grab me from mine, cross the bar to the private door, open it, get down the hall, open the chamber, close the door, and stand me there. In a split fraction of a split second.

  “That's wicked!” I couldn't help it, it just was.

  His lips quirked, just a bit at the edges, but I saw.

  He let a big breath out - so did I, but I tried to hide it - and his eyes started to dim from their impossible glow that had lit up the darkened room. He flicked his hands and the lights came on, softly on the tables beside the bed, giving the area a more natural sheen from that of purple.

  His hand ran through his hair, I was starting to like that motion and he looked straight at me. “Why do you make me feel emotions I have never felt before?”

  “Emotions? Like what?”

  “Regret. Guilt.” A pause. “Heartache.”

  “You can be better than what you are, Michel. You don't have to be an Amicus.”

  The understanding of what I had said poured off him, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly opened in a look of shock, his face slightly shattered. He recovered himself and turned toward the bed to sit.

  “I am what I am, Lucinda.”

  I came to sit next to him, taking his hand in mine this time. “I don't believe that. I believe you could be so much more.”

  He leaned his head against my shoulder, I could feel his breath against my skin through the thin sleeve of my top. “How is it you have such faith in me, when I do not?”

  I didn't know how to answer that, I just knew he could be better than this. The knowledge came from somewhere deep within, maybe the part of me that is all Nosferatin, the part of me that wants to lead him towards the light.

  I squeezed his hand. “I just do.”

  We sat like that for a moment, just welcoming the warmth of the person next to us, not daring to break the contact. After some time, I took a breath in and said, “I won't be your puppet, Michel. When the Bond has been fully established, I'm going back to my apartment, back to work, to my friends, please don't stop me.”

  He didn't move for a moment, then finally when he pulled away and reached up to stroke my face with the backs of his fingers, looking at every curve, every ridge and line, he said, “I have always enjoyed a challenge, my dear, I just never knew you would be my greatest.”

  Right back at ya buddy.

  We spent the rest of the night in his chambers, talking, cuddling and when the sun rose the next day, I felt whole. I knew the Bond had been completed, I felt connected to Michel like I had never been before. I could tell where he was and although I couldn't read his mind or even his emotions, like he can mine, I felt like I knew instantly what he was feeling, his moods; happy, sad, concerned, angry. It was an intrinsic knowledge that simply thrummed through my veins telling me my kindred vampire was safe.

  I wanted to be near him, but I also knew I was able to walk away, safe in the knowledge of his existence through the Bond. I took the opportunity to return to my apartment, demonstrating my determination to lead a separate life. The actual moment of turning my back on him, as he lay on the bed resting and taking that first step towards the door of his chamber, was the hardest thing I had ever done. Although the Bond was happy for us to part, it was also making it very obvious that I'd be happier if I stayed. Just as well I'm stubborn.

  I'd only been in my apartment about five minutes, managing a quick change and throwing some washing in the machine in the bathroom, when Nero appeared. I'd just walked back to the kitchen to switch the coffee machine on, and there he was.

  “You could knock first.”

  “I was unable to reach you.” He took a step towards me and stopped dead, his head cocked slightly to the side, his gaze intent.

  “You have Bonded.” He sounded, what? Disappointed?

  “How can you tell?”

  “Your glow.”

  “I have a glow?” This sounded familiar. I quickly glanced down at my body. Nope. No glow. “I can't see it.”

  “You will learn to recognise the glow of a Bonded Nosferatin in time.”

  “So, I only glow to another Nosferatin?”

  “Yes.” Good to know.

  “What does it look like?”

  “Bright.”

  “How bright?”

  “Supernova.” He smiled ruefully then.

  I have a supernova glow. Figures.

  “Do you glow?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “How can I see it?”

  “Concentrate on my aura. Look past my physical form, you will see a haze around me, look closely at that. Do not be distracted.”

  I tried, but it was hard. He was dressed in black again today, I have a thing for black. His linen trousers were down to just above his ankles, dark manly bare feet at the bottom, the trousers hugged his hips and thighs lovingly and didn't have a crease in them. How can he manage to keep linen wrinkle free? His top was a T-Shirt today, unlike the loose cotton shirts he had worn in the past, this black T-Shirt showed off every muscle, every line, every - well, I think you get the picture. Concentrating on a hazy blur around the sides of him was damn near impossible.

  “I can't see it. How bright is it?”

  “Not as bright as yours.”

  “Why?”

  He smiled, a sexy smile as if to say, I'll tell you, but you'll have to come a little closer. I almost did. Damn, what did this man do to me?

  “The brightness of a Bond glow is in direct relation to the connection you share with your kindred vampyre, but not just the mental connection of joining, it manifests the emotional or,” a pause, “sexual, connection between the vampyre and Nosferatin. My relationship with Nafrini is platonic love. She is like a sister to me. Our Bond glow is pale.”

  Oh. So, my glow was telling every other Nosferatin that I was doing the dirty with my kindred vampire. I felt a blush rise up my cheeks and started biting my bottom lip.

  Nero just smiled more widely.

  OK then. “Why haven't I seen you for a couple of days?” Change of topic time.

  “You were with your vampyre. I cannot intrude at those times. Dream Walking does not allow for such an intrusion.”

  “But, you came when we were together fighting in Sydney.”

  “You were fighting. Not Bonding.”

  Oh. Another blush.

  “So, what's on the agenda for training today? I'm guessing that's why you're here.” Still trying for a change of topic here!

  Nero came and sat himself down at the dining room table, his favourite spot. I guess it allowed him to see from into the bathroom off the kitchen, through the open plan area of the kitchen, dining and lounge and even a bit into the bedroom. It was probably chosen with care. I started making a coffee, training could wait.

  “You are maturing in four days.” Four days? Had the time really passed that quickly? “
There is little I can teach you in the time left to us that would be of use. Your fighting skills are good, they will have to suffice, perhaps when you reach Egypt we can train further, but for today we talk.”

  “Talk?” I asked suspiciously.

  “You must have questions about who you are, what you can do?”

  Oh yeah, I had questions all right. I finished making my coffee and grabbed a muesli bar from the pantry, then slipped into a chair at the dining table next to Nero. I could feel his warmth from the small space that separated us. Man Dream Walking didn't dull a thing for another Nosferatin did it?

  I was pretty sure that I had my head around where Nosferatins came from, how we had broken away from the Nosferatu and then how we had come back again, so I didn't want to waste the time hashing over that for now. What I really needed help with was my powers and what to expect when I came into the rest of them on the night of my birthday, at the actual time of my birth.

  “I have received two of my powers already.”

  Nero's eyebrows rose. “That is impressive, Kiwi. I have not heard of another Nosferatin come into more than one before they turn 25.” Michel had said the same thing.

  “I can obviously Dream Walk, but when I did it twice in one night I was out cold for a week. Why was that?”

  “Dream Walking is perhaps the most powerful of Nosferatin powers, it is a power only a few of us possess. I know of only one other, for instance, who has this power right now, until I met you. It requires a large amount of our essence, our life force or our Vita Vis. We can easily handle one Dream Walk per night, but any more and it diminishes our Vita Vis too greatly. You are lucky to have woken again. Your vampyre must have stayed close to your side throughout, giving you some of his power to heal. Without that proximity, you may not have woken at all.”

  Michel was there when I woke, by my bed, holding my hand. His head was even resting against my side. I hadn't even considered that he may not have left my side at all throughout, it didn't seem possible at the time. Now I wasn't so sure.

  “How does he give me some of his powers?”

  “His proximity alone would allow for the exchange. It is an intrinsic part of a joining, but is not limited to after the joining ceremony is complete. If a vampyre and their kindred Nosferatin have connected on a most intimately basic level beforehand, it is possible to use the power of both for a necessary task. Be it healing, protection warding, or enhancing strength and the like.”

  “Protection warding?”

  “To ward a property or a person. A protection ward can be carried out by a vampyre or Nosferatin to a certain extent, but to significantly boost that ward, a sharing of powers is needed. Although the sharing is intrinsic, a kindred vampyre or Nosferatin can intentionally choose to use the power from a sharing for enhancement, should it be for the benefit of both. However doing this intentionally before they have joined, creates an even stronger connection, one that does not allow the other party to pull out of the joining so easily. There should always be a choice to join.”

  I felt the chair and ground go out from under me, the realisation of what Nero was saying hitting so hard. Michel had warded my apartment before, I knew this, I knew it was possible and I didn't have a problem with it, he was keeping me safe in a way that I found acceptable. But he had also warded the holiday home in Taupo and to such an extent that he was adamant that Max could not find us. Yet, when I challenged him on how that was possible, he refused to tell me. Now I knew why. He didn't want me to know he had crossed the line, using my powers to boost the ward and thereby making it damn near impossible for me to refuse to join.

  Was anything I felt for Michel even real?

  “Are you all right, Kiwi?” Nero was leaning forward and looking intently in my face, his hand was on my now shaking shoulders, his thumb gently rubbing where it lay.

  I took a moment to steady my heart rate, calm my breathing, allowed myself to just concentrate on his touch. After a few seconds I felt the world right itself, but hell, my head hurt. So did my heart.

  “I'm fine.” It was quiet, a little shaky, I have no doubt he didn't believe me. He didn't remove his hand, just continued to rest it there, so warm and calm and safe.

  “Will you tell me?” His voice was soft and low, like he didn't want to frighten me.

  I just shook my head. Another thing for me and Michel to battle in private. This was not Nero's to fight.

  When I didn't answer he sat back, removing his hand, but the warmth it had created remained.

  “Your ability to recover from two Dream Walks in one night will improve after your powers arrive and as time passes. To start with, two Walks in one night will probably only make you sleep for, let's say, three days, not seven and that may become less as time goes by. However, it is not something I would recommend you attempt unless absolutely necessary, the risk to your safety when you sleep is obviously great, even with your kindred vampyre nearby.”

  Well, that made sense and besides, I couldn't think of another occasion that would necessitate me to do a double Dream Walk in one night. I certainly hoped not anyway. I couldn't think of anything else I needed to know about Dream Walking, I thought we'd covered it enough for now. That just left my other nifty early power.

  “My other power is glazing vampires.”

  I'd realised it was a pretty cool power when I first used it, I had never heard of it ever happening before, vampires just don't get glazed, but I was sure Nero would have known all about it and would offer up some wisdom. Some tips, maybe tell me about how many there actually were like me out there, glazing up a storm.

  “You can do what?”

  I guess I was wrong.

  “Glaze vampires. I made a vampire who had been commanded by his master to detain me and not allow me to sleep, let me sleep, so I could Dream Walk.”

  Nero was still, no emotion on his face and then just a twitch in the corner of his mouth, then another and then he was laughing. The most amazing, full bodied, throaty and rich laugh. The whole room felt wrapped in its brilliance.

  “You are phenomenal, my Kiwi. Truly phenomenal.”

  “So, I guess that's never happened before?”

  “Not to my knowledge.” And then he sobered. “I do not think this is a gift you should share with too many. It would not be safe. The vampyres would feel a little threatened I think.” He laughed again, then looked me in the eyes, his a swirl of cinnamon and copper. “You are amazing.”

  He stilled there a moment, then cleared his throat and looked away, as though he was uncomfortable with the comment, or the proximity to me, all of a sudden.

  I felt a little sad at that, I'm not sure why.

  “Well, that's it. They're my powers so far. I guess I'll come into more in a few days time.”

  “From present evidence, I do not doubt it, but I am afraid I could not tell what they will be. It is different for each of us. Most Nosferatin will feel them arrive, it is not a shock, just a little tingling sensation. Initially one or two, then over a period of months, the rest. They do not all arrive at once, only improved strength and speed are a certainty from day one, but what you will receive, I could not say. I can only assume it will be monumental, as far as you are concerned, Kiwi.”

  Well, that's great. I'll just have to be patient. Not exactly one of my best qualities. At least it will be a subdued affair, a slight tingling I can handle.

  “Is there any of your kindred's powers you wish to discuss?” Nero asked.

  I was pretty sure he was trying to sound me out on how powerful Michel had become, maybe to relay the information to Nafrini. Another joined master vampire coming into her territory would be of a concern, but I wasn't going to give too much away. I'm not stupid, I wouldn't put Michel, or me for that matter, in that position, but I was curious about how Michel's abilities to read my emotions could be handled. Him always getting the drop on me by instantly knowing what I was feeling was beginning to give him power over me. Power I didn't want to relinquish just yet
, if ever. If I could learn to hide my emotions, then so much the better. Maybe Nero knew how and besides, this power didn't seem like a strategic battle secret or anything.

  “Michel can read my emotions. Do you know how I can hide them from him?”

  “Why would you wish to hide them, Kiwi?”

  “He can always tell what I'm feeling, even if I don't want him to. And -” Yeah, and here's the thing. I had really hurt him with them once, used them like a weapon. The effect on him had been so strong, so devastating, it had broken my heart in two. I never wanted to do that again. “- I can hurt him with them. Throw them out at him. I don't want to do that.” I couldn't say again.

  The last had been said in a whisper, I'm not even sure how Nero had heard. But he took my hands in his and turned me to him.

  “It is a gift. Not all kindred vampyre will receive.”

  “A gift? It's a nightmare!” My voice was breaking as I said it.

  He reached up and brushed away a tear which had started down my cheek, his hands a little rough and hardened, a warrior's hands, but so warm and soft despite the small callouses there.

  “Far from it, Kiwi. This is the gift that will bring your kindred vampyre back towards the Light. How can he not be affected, changed, by what he now must feel?”

  Chapter 30

  Change

  Nero didn't stay long after that and when nightfall came Michel appeared at my door. I really wasn't sure how to face him. I was still so upset about the warding of the Taupo house and the fact that it would have had an effect on my choice to join with him. Not to mention him having had Rick glazed. How could I look him in the eyes? How could I spend the entire evening with him?

  Luckily, it wasn't necessary. He was distracted, an issue had arisen in Wellington that he had to attend, one of his line requiring his assistance. The thing with vampire families is, when a vampire is made by a master or chooses to be absorbed into a family line, they swear their allegiance by blood to that master, prepared to do anything he commands. What do they get in return? Safety, protection and the backing of a level one Sanguis Vitam master when needed. Half of Michel's business dealings were with his line, sorting out problems, keeping them in line and on occasion, like tonight, assisting them with his power and presence. It takes a lot of time and energy to be master of a line and Michel's had recently nearly doubled. He was busier than he had ever been before.