Dark War Chronicles Box Set One

by A. L. Kessler

  “I need some fresh air.” She muttered and stood. Using the walls and counting steps, Tegan found her way to the front door and stepped outside. She shook at the thought of how these last few weeks had gone. Reliving the past, finding her mate, losing her mate, and ending back up with the Father. The pain in her chest increased and she forced tears back. What the hell was wrong with her? It wasn’t like her to lose control of her emotions, Lucius had taught her better.

  Her phone rang, making her jump. She pulled it out and slid her finger up on the screen to answer the call. “Hello?”

  “Tegan?”

  The male voice was barely familiar to her. A Keeper of an Original Vampire. It had been over a hundred years since she had heard it. “Ayden? Why are you calling me? Why haven’t you been answering my e-mails?”

  “I’ve been busy, but I have a problem, and I’m hoping you and your master can help.” He sounded panicky and his voice was low. “I know your brother has wakened, maybe he can help us out too.”

  Tegan forced herself to focus on the problem at hand. “What’s up?”

  “We need to move Nuala to America, we need protection. There have been many lesser vampires around her crypt and I can’t handle them all.”

  Fuck. “Have the Circle members been there yet?”

  “No they haven’t been bothering us, but I can only imagine that is why these vampires are snooping around. What the hell is going on?”

  She didn’t know if Lucius and Zaaren wanted everyone to know, but as a Keeper Ayden should know what he was facing. “The Father has awakened. I think they are trying to take out the Originals so that he can’t be put back in his grave.” Bile rose in her throat.

  “That’s not possible.” His disbelief sounded in his voice.

  “Yes it is, I’ve seen him with my own eyes. Ayden, you need to be careful. Is there anyone there that can help you protect the crypt until Lucius can make arrangements?”

  Silence for a few moments and she wanted to scream at him to answer her. She never thought the Circle would get close to an Original, they were all very well hidden. Even if the best hiding place was in sight. “I think I have some friends who can help. You have my number on your phone now, so please call me when Lucius has made arrangements. Make it quick, though, I want her moved as soon as possible.”

  She didn’t know what Ayden’s story was with his mistress, but it sounded like love in his voice for her. Now was not the time to ask. “Of course.” It was her duty to start making arrangements for the Originals now that Zaaren was awake. No one had answered her e-mails, and over the years addresses and phone numbers changed. But she knew Ayden was closer with the other Keepers, so through him, she would be able to get to the others. “Please tell the others to update me. I know they don’t trust me...”

  “I know, but we have no choice right now. Thank you Tegan.”

  The line went dead in her hand and she cursed. From inside she heard everyone yelling.

  “Three...two...one...Happy New Years!”

  “Yeah, happy New Year’s indeed. We’re all going to hell in a hand basket.”

  Lucius leaned against the bar. New Year’s Eve, and The Disappearing Act was empty. Part of it was the holiday, no one came here to celebrate, most of them were out taking advantage of specials the other bars offered. Part of it was that he was running the bar, not Tegan, not Mae, and not Kass. He was glad that the cat was up to going out, it meant that she’d be up for work again soon. With Zaaren awake they needed to move quicker to get things in place before the other Originals woke.

  The bell on the door rang and Lucius looked up. A smile curved his lips as a man walked in, one he only knew briefly and from Mae’s descriptions. The salt and pepper hair was new, but the man’s gray eyes were still crisp and clean. “Welcome to the Disappearing Act.” Not many detectives wandered into this bar, they got more private supernatural workers for patrons, like Mae.

  “I’m looking for someone, I received word she may still work here.” He pulled out a photo and handed it to Lucius.

  Lucius took it and studied the picture. Kassity, with her red hair. A fairly recent picture too. If Lucius had to guess it was after the demon attack but before the Queen of Fae’s attack. “That’s Kassity, she was one of my employees.”

  “Was?” The detective prompted.

  “Didn’t you know that Kassity was killed some years ago? Shot in front of a government building.” Lucius raised a brow. “After she spent time in a government facility dedicated to helping shifters.” He said it as if it was common knowledge.

  The detective’s eyes widened a bit and Lucius heard the man’s heartbeat speed up. Ah humans...

  Lucius shrugged. “So I can’t help you. Why are you looking for her?”

  “That’s police business and is classified.”

  “You have a case involved in hunting down a dead woman. Some case.”

  “It’s considered a missing persons since her true family opened up the case a few years ago. It is also connected to another case involving a paranormal investigator.” He handed Lucius another picture.

  Mae. “You’d have to come back and ask the bartenders. I’m only covering for them tonight.” Lucius pushed away from the bar. “And if you intend on searching my bar, I know the laws.”

  The detective bristled. “Of course.”

  Something didn’t sit right. The detective was either lying or going behind someone’s back. Lucius couldn’t put his finger on it, but the detective gave a nod of his head and left.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “So he thinks that it’s the Circle?” Zaaren asked.

  Tegan nodded. She’d been over the phone call with Ayden several times. “Yes, he does. He feels like he’s in enough danger to call on our aid and since you were the first to wake, it’s my job as your so-called Keeper to help the others.” She looked to Lucius. “Which is where you come in, since you’re actually my master.”

  “Well, Kassity is healed enough for her and Jaxon to go and help Ayden get him and Nuala here.”

  “We can use my mausoleum to hide her.” Zaaren pitched in.

  Tegan rubbed her eyes, cursing the blindfold. “You want to send Kassity into foreign land? An untamed panther?”

  “If Jaxon is with her, she’ll be fine, besides, there’s trouble stirring with her in the territory.” Lucius sighed. “I need her out of sight for a little bit.”

  Well, wasn’t that great? Tegan sighed. “If you want to send Kass, fine. Maybe Jaxon has connections over there?”

  “Possibly, I’ll make sure to ask him.”

  Zaaren laughed. “The Father has no idea what he’s facing. The other Originals will be waking soon, all of us.”

  “Don’t get cocky, brother.” She snapped. “He has the backing of the Circle now, he didn’t have that last time because they feared the Originals. They all think you are weaker when you wake up. If they manage to find and kill the Keepers, than you are all screwed.”

  “Sister of mine, they will never locate all the Keepers. Not to mention they are not all bound to their assigned Original.”

  “And if killed, they cannot feed the blood-starved Original.” Tegan snapped back.

  “Which is why having you is an advantage.” Zaaren’s voice remained even and she lashed out.

  Satisfaction filled her when her fist met with his jaw. She tried again, but Lucius pulled her back. “I am not food.” She growled. “Maybe you should actually ask me.”

  “Sister of mine, I love you and you know that, but that is exactly what the curse did, turn you into food for vampires.”

  She ripped her arm away from Lucius and turned to leave. “I delivered my fucking message, you two can finish making plans without me. Preferably a backup plan where I don’t bleed should be added.”

  Lucius watched Tegan storm out of the room. He’d never seen her physically lash out when blindfolded. “I never agreed to use her like that.”

  “It’s what she was made for, Luci
us, and it’s time that you start understanding that.” Zaaren growled. “Your job was to prepare her for the waking of the Originals.”

  “No, my job was to protect her.” Lucius snapped back. “You had me bind her for that reason.” Lucius shook his head. “She’s been through too much these weeks and despite the fact that I agree Kaden needed to leave, it is affecting her.”

  Zaaren nodded and leaned against the wall. “I agree with that. I need to kill the demon.”

  “No, that’s not going to help either. She’s still angry at you.” Lucius growled. “A trap that you never told me about.”

  “Because I knew you would not agree.” Zaaren shrugged. “She needed to learn her lesson.”

  And she had, Lucius could feel it. But his sweet, smart-assed Tegan was now nothing but a ball of anger and bitterness. The only thing that would fix that was Kaden coming back and Zaaren disappearing. It was a shame that those were out of his control. “I need to make arrangements for Kassity and Jaxon to travel.”

  “Tricky, I’m sure since Kassity doesn’t exist to the human world.”

  It was true, but sending that cat away was necessary. When the detective had visited it was the only warning Lucius had that they were on Kassity’s trail again. “Yes, but I have my ways.”

  “I’m going to talk to my sister.”

  “No. Don’t, she does not need your influences right now and since she is my human, then what I say goes.” Lucius shook his head. “You gave away all rights to control her when I bound her and you left her to be tortured.”

  Zaaren shoved off the wall and went to grab Lucius’ throat. Lucius stepped to the side and grabbed Zaaren’s arm and twisted it behind his back. They both knew it was just a display of power, if they both called upon their abilities, the fight would be disastrous. “Do not attack me in my lands.”

  Zaaren ripped his arm away and bowed his head. “I have already forgotten how powerful you have become.”

  “Don’t, because I will do anything to protect my people and my territory.” He snarled.

  Markus came out of the basement where he kept the humans. None of them had died and there were a couple confirmed pregnant females. It looked like they would be adding some new babies soon. He looked up to see the Father standing in front of him. The vampire’s black eyes bore into him.

  “What?” Markus asked, trying to keep all sense of annoyance out of his voice.

  He crossed his arms. “Any news from Lucius? I’m sure Tegan has told him everything she’s overheard.”

  “No, but he is smarter than you think. He won’t do anything stupid like wage an attack on us. He’s going to bide his time and make sure he has enough people to back him first. We have the demons, both Cael and her brother are on our side now.”

  The Father frowned. “Tegan’s mate left her?”

  “By Lucius’ order, I believe. The last meeting I had with the demons he did not look thrilled to be there, but he will back his sister.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because she killed her mate for him. That is not something the demons take lightly.” Markus shrugged. “His absence will make Tegan more unpredictable, it’s just a matter of time until all hell breaks loose in Lucius’ territory.”

  “Then what?” The Father asked, snarling. “Your strategy does not make much sense.”

  “I sent a message with Zaaren and Tegan, to prepare for a visit from the Circle after the New Year. Once we have word that things are shaky in Lucius’ territory than we will visit. There will be reasons to take Lucius in under punishment, leaving the territory without a leader and free for the taking.”

  The Father thought about it. “And who do you have in the territory, Lucius is very wary of new people.”

  “It’s someone who he trusts and is already very close in his circle of trusted people.” Markus grinned. It was someone he’d planted in Lucius territory a while ago and his informant had provided all kinds of information. It was perfect.

  “I’m trusting you with this, Markus. You do realize that if you fail me, I will kill you.”

  He was very well aware of it, but to bring down Lucius would be worth anything. Even the Father wanted Lucius dead. Who would have thought the young fledgling would have grown to be so powerful over the centuries?

  “Sister of mine?”

  Zaaren’s voice came through her room and she growled and rolled over, ignoring him for her audio book.

  “Sister of mine?” He said again and sat on the edge of the bed.

  Tegan snarled. “Did you not understand that I don’t want to talk to you after I punched you?” She paused her audio book on her phone and pulled out her earbuds.

  “Do you not understand that you are neglecting all the duties that come with being bonded to Lucius and being a Blood Human?” He mocked her and it took all she had not the lash out at him again.

  “I have been nothing but loyal to Lucius.” She growled. “Get out of my room.”

  “You need to deal with what you are and your responsibilities.” Zaaren growled. “I raised you better—“

  She shot up and tore her blindfold off. “You didn’t raise me. You groomed me to be what you wanted. Lucius raised me, he got me out of my past and made me who I am today. Despite the curse, despite being the Father’s whore I am human.” Her heart pounded in her chest. She was done playing nice.

  “Sister of mine...” For a moment shame clouded his eyes.

  “Don’t even, Zaaren, do you even understand what you’re asking me to do when it comes to feeding the Originals? Do you know how many of them the Father shared me with? Their abilities? I know you were even at some of those ceremonies. I could feel you. I know what every vampire who has fed from me feels like.”

  He was silent, but he met her gaze.

  “That’s why the Keepers don’t trust me, because they feel that I know every secret of their assigned vampires. Lucius treats me as more than just a tool, he has never treated me as his whore, and all you could think of when you rescued me from the Father was hiding me.”

  “Hiding kept you safe.” He whispered. “I didn’t want you to end up with Markus.”

  “Yet you left me when he tortured me.” She shot back. “I’m done with hiding, I’m done with being used as a pawn in this stupid war.”

  “Zaaren, I told you to leave her alone.” Lucius’ voice broke their argument. He walked into the room. “Forgive me for not knocking, I wanted to come in and break up the fight.”

  Tegan bowed her head and went to put her blindfold back on. Lucius’ presence calmed some of her anger.

  “I wanted to remind her of what she was.” Zaaren stood and shook his head. “She is as stubborn as ever.”

  Lucius laughed. “She always has been. She knows exactly what she was and what she is now. Tegan, you said you were done hiding, explain.”

  She hesitated. It was something she’d said in the heat of anger. “The Father already knows who owns me, the Circle already knows what I am, the younger generations of vampires don’t know or don’t care what I am. You took something from the Father, me, and older vampires will understand that, but only if we show them what I am.” She held her breath and hoped it worked.

  Lucius sighed. “You are right. There is no point in hiding you when the Father has awakened.”

  Zaaren growled. “You aren’t considering—“

  “No, I’m not. I’m agreeing with her.” Lucius nodded. “It will still be used to remind you of where you came from, but no longer will you be blinded at meetings and no longer must you wear sunglasses. Those who understand the significance of it will know what it means to have taken something from the Father, those who are too young to know will hear the rumors. It will only strengthen the fear of us.”

  Tegan smiled. “I think that is fair.”

  “Lucius, you are only going to antagonize the Father more.” Zaaren snapped. “Showing Tegan off without any precautions will not work in our favor.”

  “A
nd hiding her will? Showing that we are scared of him will aid us how?” Lucius growled. “You are backing our territory and the Keepers will be located and in touch. The Originals will start to wake and the war will increase, but we stand a better chance. The more powerful we seem the more people will want to ally with us. Not against.”

  Tegan waited for her brother’s reaction. The room fell silent and she wanted to scream or yell to cut the tension.

  “This is your territory, you do it your way. But remember if it ever becomes my territory, even temporarily, things will change.” Zaaren said, his voice strangely calm.

  She heard his footsteps leave the room and she relaxed. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to start a fight. I just...”

  “It’s because Kaden left.” Lucius finished for her. “You will learn to control those emotions. I’m sorry the demons allied with the Circle. If it wasn’t for that or his obligation to his sister, he could have stayed.”

  She froze. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I see you are rash and careless without him now. Which is the whole reason we didn’t want you to mate. But I have also seen the strength in you when he was here.”

  Except Kaden was never coming back. Bile rose in her throat and she wanted to cry. Her demon would never be returning to her. “And since he’s not here?”

  “Then we teach you to channel those emotions towards something else. Coran will be continuing to teach you, something more than the sword. I have talked to Dani and she will teach you as well. There are things that as an ex-Hunter she can help you with that Coran can’t.”

  Tegan nodded. “Put the aggression towards something else, something I can use to protect myself.”

  “Exactly.” Lucius kissed her head.

  Tegan sighed. “When punishment is over, I want to go back to the bar.”

  “Of course. Mae needs to take some time off anyways.” He said easily then started to walk away. “I am truly sorry, Tegan, I do not like to see you this way.”

  Of course he didn’t, but he was part of the reason it happened. She laid back down and put her headphones in.