The Devil's Fool: A Paranormal Vampire Romance Novel (Devil Series Book 1)

by Raven Steele

  I remained with him for several hours, as still and quiet as he, and when I felt the sun rising in Wildemoor, I fought against the tugging sensation. I didn’t want to wake up. It felt right to be with him.

  But then I remembered I was due at the Academy.

  I turned to Lucien one last time and lifted my hand to his face. When my fingers grazed his skin, his head snapped in my direction just as I disappeared. I sat up, my eyes opened wide, and glanced down at my hand. It was tingling where I’d touched him.

  Chapter 38

  Before school started, I stopped in the Deific to return the laptop to Charlie, but he wasn’t in his office.

  I headed toward Sarah’s desk. “Hey, do you know where Charlie is?”

  She placed her hand over the telephone’s mouthpiece. “He’s training on the second floor.”

  “Great, thanks. Oh and by the way, I love your shoes.”

  She smiled, wiggling her pink high heels that were sticking out from beneath her desk, then returned her attention to the telephone in her hand.

  Sarah didn't know the Deific's whole truth. Like everyone else in the building, she thought they only sought out individuals on the FBI's most wanted list or any other people who threatened mankind. She probably would die if she knew how often they were actually hunting monsters. Sometimes I was tempted to tell her, but her life was so normal. I didn't want to cast a shadow on that.

  Downstairs, there were only a handful of people scattered throughout the gym-like room, all of them in the middle of a full workout. I spotted Charlie on a blue mat in the corner, sparring with a man I recognized from one of the cubicles upstairs. Charlie glanced over at me and waved. He said something to his partner and then jogged over.

  “How’s it going?” he asked, wiping sweat from his brow with a small towel.

  “Good. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to give this back to you.” I handed him the briefcase.

  “Set it over there.” He motioned to the wall nearby. “We can discuss it later, but first I want to know if you’ve ever learned to fight.”

  “Like punching and kicking?”

  He smiled and nodded.

  I swallowed. “Without using magic?”

  “Especially without using magic.”

  “Not once.”

  “I think it’s time you learned. In our line of work, one needs to hone all of their skills. We could practice before work.”

  “Really? I’d like that.” I’d always wanted to learn to fight. My gaze drifted to the weapons on the wall, specifically to the crossbow.

  Charlie noticed. “Kelley told me you’re pretty good with the crossbow.”

  “Samira gave me one to train with at Blutel.”

  “That was smart of her.” Charlie stretched his hands high and twisted his torso. “I’m going to be sore tomorrow. What do you say we start training when I get back in a week?”

  “Are you going on vacation?”

  “I wish. It’s work related. We discovered the vampire at the bar has been making a bunch of phone calls to someone in Ireland. I’m going to check it out with a few others.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Here are our team leaders now. I don’t think you’ve met them.”

  I turned around. Walking toward us was a tall, well-built man with long blond, almost white hair and hazel eyes. Next to him moved a slightly shorter African American woman with a high forehead and long dark hair. She was extremely beautiful, but the closer they walked, the more I realized something was wrong. I took a step back and then another, my heartbeat racing. These two were not regular humans; they were vampires.

  I was about to warn Charlie when I stumbled backwards over a weight bench.

  As I fell, the vampires’ eyes widened, and they glanced at each other. Charlie and the male vampire reached to help me up, but I accepted only Charlie’s hand. The female watched it all with a small smile, arms crossed at her chest.

  “Are you okay, Eve?” Charlie asked.

  “She recognizes us for what we are,” the male vampire said. “Don’t worry, miss. We won’t hurt you.”

  I quickly recovered and stood. “I’m fine. I was just startled is all.”

  “I guess I should’ve warned you first,” Charlie realized, laughing awkwardly. “Eve, this is Michael and Alana, our team leaders. They’re our best undercover agents. Alana and Michael, this is Eve. She recently joined us about a month ago.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Michael said. “We didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I wasn’t scared. Just surprised to see vampires in a place like this.”

  “Judgmental much?” Alana asked, her voice smooth yet condescending.

  “Be kind to Eve,” Charlie said. “She hasn’t had good experiences with vampires in the past.”

  “And we haven’t had good experiences with witches. That’s what you are, right?” Alana asked.

  “Enough,” Charlie said. “We’re all here for the same reason. Let’s not forget that.”

  “You’re right,” Michael agreed. “We will do our best.”

  Alana huffed loudly. “This has been fun, but we need to leave in a few hours.”

  “Right,” Charlie said. “I better get ready. I have to take care of a few things before I go.”

  “Wait,” I said. “I need to talk to you about what I found.”

  Charlie began to walk backward toward the door. “Bring the laptop up. I’ll have some time in about an hour.”

  As soon as Charlie disappeared, Michael said, “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot, but you must know we won’t hurt you or anyone here.”

  “How did you come to know of the Deific?” I asked, or rather, more like demanded.

  “Henry invited me, and I said yes.”

  “Why?”

  He looked past me. “I was a good person when I was a human, thanks to a great family who taught me strong morals and a respect for life. When I was turned into a vampire over a hundred years ago, I hated myself. I didn’t know how to control the insatiable hunger, but I didn’t want to hurt humans, either. I became a raving lunatic, shouting things on the streets, behaving irrationally. My mind fought my body, and it caused me to go mad. Luckily, Henry found me and helped me through it. I owe him my life.”

  “And what about you?” I asked Alana.

  “I’m here for him.” She motioned her head toward Michael.

  “Your turn, Eve. How do you know about the Deific?” he asked.

  “Charlie found me and taught me about this place.”

  “But why you?” Alana asked.

  I touched my light hair, thinking how different I probably looked from my former self. They may not know me, but every supernatural I had ever encountered had at least heard of my parents.

  I inhaled a deep breath and on my exhale confessed something I thought I’d never say again. “I am the daughter of Erik and Sable Segur.”

  They looked at each other and appeared to be communicating silently.

  Alana turned to me. “We heard she died.”

  I smiled, arms outstretched. “Standing right here.”

  “That explains a lot,” Michael said. “But you are the last person I thought would ever come here.”

  “You hung around a rough crowd,” Alana said.

  “A lot has changed. I’ve changed.”

  “Then welcome to the Deific,” Michael said. “You will be a useful ally.”

  “I hope you’re ready,” Alana said in a mocking tone.

  “Ready for what?”

  “Ready to fight the evil you once so lovingly embraced.”

  Michael turned abruptly to Alana. “Have you so easily forgotten your own sinister past?”

  Alana glared.

  “It’s fine,” I said. “She’s right. I need to be ready, and I’m working hard to make sure my past stays where it belongs.”

  “Just like the rest of us, right, Alana?” he asked.

  Alana forced a smile. “Of course.”

  I didn’
t stick around to chat with Alana and Michael. Their motives seemed innocent enough, but I still couldn’t accept that vampires would choose a life inside the Deific trying to stop evil. Ignore it, sure, but actually try to stop it? Accepting Henry as both a vampire and the founder of the Deific was hard enough, but…

  I shook my head and leaned against the elevator.

  What was wrong with me? Lucien had stopped me from using my abilities against others, not once but twice. And I’m sure Samira didn’t stay behind a desk all day managing depressed supernaturals. She seemed far too badass for that. Clearly vampires could be actively good.

  My head ached at all these new thoughts. Along with my world, my whole mindset was changing. Lines were no longer clear but blurred. How would I know whom to trust?

  I waited in my apartment until an hour had passed. When I returned, Charlie was in his office on a telephone call. He motioned me inside and indicated that I should sit down. I sat in my usual chair and placed the black briefcase on my lap.

  Charlie said goodbye to whomever he was speaking with and then hung up the phone. “So tell me about what you found.”

  I withdrew the photocopy of Lucien from my pocket and unfolded it. “This is him,” I said, handing it over. “The vampire who saved me. The one I visit in my dreams.”

  “You said visit?” Charlie asked and took the photo from me.

  “A few times now. I go to sleep and wake in Skystead. That’s where he’s at.”

  He studied the photo and frowned. “How strange that it would be him out of all others.”

  “Why?”

  He looked up. “Out of all the supernatural beings in our world, he’s remained a mystery. We’ve sent in multiple people, even vampires, to try and find something about him, but he refuses to speak with anyone. We watched him for a long time to determine whether he was a threat, but he did very little. It’s as if he’s stuck in a private bubble, unaware of the rest of the world.”

  “So he’s not dangerous?”

  “Not in the sense you mean. We have no record of him deliberately harming others, but he has fought every single person we sent in. One he almost killed. It’s as if he will not allow himself to be freed from whatever inner torment he’s putting himself through.”

  I considered this. “Do you think that’s why I’m drawn to him?”

  Charlie shrugged. “Could be. Maybe you’ve had similar life experiences.”

  “It’s more than that. I feel at peace when I’m with him. It’s almost as if—” I tried to find the words. He was like my Eden. His presence was as calming and soothing as the warm sandy beaches and the gentle rolling waves.

  When I didn’t finish the sentence, Charlie asked, “Didn’t you say you felt a connection with Boaz, too?”

  I flinched at the sound of his name. “Yes, but it was the complete opposite. That connection was a violent one, obsessed only with power. With him, I was in a constant state of hate and anger. I craved the power as if it were a drug.”

  “Interesting. Everything has its opposite, including people. Maybe you found Boaz’s.”

  “Charlie,” I began, nervous to reveal the real motive behind my visit. “I was wondering if you could use your gift, maybe find out something about him?”

  He shook his head. “Don’t you think I’ve tried? We want to know about him as much as you do. We’ve had many psychics try to read him, but somehow he has blocked us.”

  “So if you can’t see anything about him, what about me? Could you try to see my future? See what would happen if I meet him?”

  Charlie looked doubtful. “A person should not know their future. I only use my gift if absolutely necessary.”

  “Isn’t this necessary? You want to find out something about him, and I know I’m going to meet him eventually. I don’t want to know all of my future, just a year or so ahead and just my future with Lucien, if there is to be one.”

  Charlie’s lips twisted, and he looked away.

  “Please, Charlie. We’ll both get what we want.”

  He narrowed his eyes and sighed. “Very well. Give me your hands.”

  I placed my palms in Charlie’s. He held them and looked into my eyes before he closed his own tightly. The deep wrinkles in his forehead gathered together in concentration, and soon his eyes began to move back and forth behind his eyelids.

  Several minutes passed. His expression changed many times from anger to sadness and even an occasional smile broke on his face. Finally, he dropped my hands and opened his eyes, which glistened with tears. I waited patiently for him to speak. He leaned back in his chair.

  After a moment, he spoke. “Four years ago I married the most amazing woman I had ever met.”

  "Moira," I said.

  He nodded. “She was my match in every way, and I was never happier than when I was with her. But together we experienced more pain and sorrow than any couple should have to endure. A lot of lives were ruined because of our union. I used to wonder if it was worth it.” He looked up at me. “But I never wonder now. It was worth it, and I would do it all over again if given the chance.”

  “Then you think I should see him?” I asked, hopeful.

  “That’s not what I’m saying at all. The pain and misery I just witnessed was ten times greater than anything I’ve had to endure. If you meet Lucien, he will try to kill you, and he will break your heart. The path this choice will put you on will nearly destroy you and those close to you. Lives will be lost.”

  My heart sank, and I lowered my gaze.

  “But,” Charlie continued, taking my hands again, “the love between you two is remarkable. It’s pure, kind and unselfish. I’ve never seen anything like it. You will experience happiness with him that will make you extremely powerful. Together you will do a lot of good and also save a lot of lives.”

  “So what do I do?”

  “Only you can decide that.”

  I sighed. “I was hoping this would be easy.”

  Charlie smiled. “It’s not meant to be easy. True happiness and pure, unselfish love is only meant for those who are willing to sacrifice all that they have for it. You will taste bitterness before you taste joy.”

  Chapter 39

  Charlie had been gone for seven days. I’d been looking forward to his return ever since he told me he would teach me to fight. It was exciting to think I could use something other than magic to defend myself, and I was glad when Dr. Skinner had agreed.

  “It’s important you know how to fight,” he told me a few days ago. “Magic should only be used as a last resort.”

  I liked meeting with Dr. Skinner. During our last few visits, I’d begun to use my abilities again, starting with small things like moving objects. He taught me how to use my experiences at the Academy to call upon my abilities. It was hard to choose just one, as I had so many.

  The process of using this new kind of magic worked just like he said it would. Instead of beginning in my toes, however, the power was first felt in my chest, a warming sensation that spread to the rest of my body. The room became brighter, images sharper, smells sweeter—the exact opposite of dark magic. What I was experiencing, Dr. Skinner had explained, was the magic of beauty.

  But what I loved the most about this magic was that it reminded me of Madelyn. I remember she had tried to teach me something similar but, looking back, I could see she struggled because she had to constantly counter my parents’ teachings. In the end, I think she gave up trying to teach me all about what she called white magic, and instead just taught me how to be a good person.

  It was during my time with Dr. Skinner that I decided to tell him about Lucien and what Charlie had told me about my future. Dr. Skinner was concerned but not so much for me. His concern was for Lucien.

  “I don’t care who or what you are,” he said. “One should not live like that. Based on the feelings you have when you’re around him, I’d say you were meant for each other.”

  My heart leapt unexpectedly.

  “But that do
esn’t mean you should be together,” he added quickly. “Lucien can only be saved if he chooses to be. Just because you feel a connection doesn’t mean he will too. You must proceed with caution. That means no more visiting him in whatever dream-like trance you’re putting yourself in.”

  I began to protest, but Dr. Skinner raised his hand. “At least until you make a decision. You need to choose freely without any distractions.”

  I agreed, but that was three days ago and now, as I sat on the gray couch in my apartment, flipping through mindless TV channels, I thought of Lucien and wondered what he was doing.

  I’d gone back to see him a few times while Charlie was gone. Lucien never did much. He was always looking into the distance, but I was never sure at what. And during all this time, he’d only fed twice, and each time he seemed to know his victim.

  On my last visit, I’d followed him while he dragged a dead body into an alleyway where he opened a rusted manhole and dropped the body inside. Afterwards, he’d leaned against a brick wall of a warehouse doubled over in pain. His suffering had been difficult to watch.

  I glanced down at the time on my cell phone. Almost eleven o’clock in the morning. Charlie was returning today, but he wouldn’t be back at the Deific until one. I had enough time for a quick nap.

  Sleep came easily. I expected to materialize in whatever place Lucien slept at for the day, but instead I appeared in a dark, rundown bar that reeked of grease and beer. A few people sat separately from each other, heads down while they held their drinks protectively. No one spoke, each of them too wrapped up in their own problems to care about anyone else’s.

  I couldn’t see Lucien anywhere but knew he had to be close. Maybe a nearby basement?

  When the door to the bar opened, letting in a blast of cold air, I stepped through it before it closed. The sun’s morning light was just beginning to touch the sky, pushing back much of night’s darkness. I loved this time of day. It was a reminder that no matter how bleak my work seemed, dawn would always come.