“You should kill me.” Marcus stained to tell him. Luce watched the whole thing. It was heart breaking. They had used this male’s family, made them killers to defend themselves and tried to kill the male when they no longer needed him. She felt sick and watched as Alex turned to Steven, “call the choppers to come to the compound, we’re going back.” He turned away and spoke to her, “Luce baby, get me Arturo on coms.” Luce patched in Arturo to her com’s, “Arturo I have Alex for you.” She patched him through. “Alex.” She heard Arturo say. “Arturo, I have found Marcus, he is here with his family, it seems we have another enemy, Marcus was a ruse. They tried to use his family and tried to kill him. He needs assistance.” Arturo swore. “Alex get everyone back here as soon as possible.” Arturo told him. “On our way.” Alex told him and cut coms. “Luce did you get that?” “Yes Alex. I will see you soon.” She told him and cut off.

  Alex turned back to address Marcus and his family. “The grave outside. Can you explain that?” Eve stepped forward. “It took us days to get here, Dad was weak, I could carry him a lot of the way and could only move when well enough, and mother is human and can only move at that pace, unless we helped her. Dad fed as we killed day walkers who were stupid enough to follow us thinking we were vulnerable, on the journey it helped but didn’t fix the problem and once we got here and they followed us, I had no choice but to kill them all. They thought we’d be easy targets without Dad protecting us, they had ….. plans for us. I would not allow that to happen, Dad was too ill to defend us again. It was vital they did not report our position.” She told him. He turned to his people. “We’re all leaving. Four of you make up a stretcher and get Marcus out ready for pick up. We’re done here.” “You will not hurt him.” Serenity told him taking a step towards him, the two girls moving to her side. “No.” He told her. “We won’t, but we might just save his life.”

  Several nights later, James stood to the side of the Cocktail party waiting to see if he will be needed. It was turning out to be some party and they were prepared for war. Lies and deceit were coming to an end tonight. There was no challenge from Marcus to up hold and Clavius the European Court King, visiting with Arturo knew this. A challengers party still arrived and confronted Arturo. As the crowd gave way to revile Clavius it was clear that those present had underestimated their power here and not expected this turn of events. The actual Marcus, saved from a poison attempt by these very people stepped forward and was acknowledged by Clavius. James smiled. The fight was be on soon. He edged forward. Several people moved before him and suddenly his mind stopped. Behind Marcus in a protective stance stood a woman.

  Beautiful and radiant, her power hummed to him ……

  CHAPTER ONE

  Day 3 of the new House Arturo Task Force.

  The male came at her hard. She’d expected he would go all out and wasn’t disappointed. Their movements a blur to the humans. She deflected the punch to her face with her arm, she felt the impact, it was hard enough to damage fragile bone, only hers wasn’t fragile and struck out with her foot catching him in the shin, his leg buckled under the force of it and he staggered back and swung at her again with this left. She ducked and it sailed over her head. She closed her fist and hit him centre mass. He grunted, winded and took the hit going for her head again with his right. Eve leaned back away from him, the blow missing her and brought her leg up and using his forward momentum pushed off his body to flip backward and away, catching his chin with her follow through boot with a clunk, sending him flying away from her. He staggered back and stopped. She turned to face him quickly, stood and held her ground. Ready for another attack. “Fuck Eve, you hit like a girl.” He told her grimacing rubbing at his chest, giving the impression of breathing deeply and waved a placating hand at her. “Don’t take it easy on me ok. Death sounds good to me right now, less painful.”

  Eve stared at her fight partner. “Why do you persist on acting like a human? Stop whinging. I did not kill you be happy.” James grinned widely and rubbed his chin this time. “You hit harder than Arturo and what’s with the gymnastics?” Eve shrugged. She relaxed her stance. They had observers and she turned to face them trying not to growl at them. Others of the teams were watching the match. She drew their attention. She was a curiosity and it annoyed her. She turned back to her opponent, her partner and raised her hand in a ‘come on’ gesture. “Again, you need to be faster.” She told him taking up her position again. “Or you will get us both killed.”

  ***

  Reaching the rec table she sat down. Blood and death. That is what her life had been since coming to this new world. Eve grabbed another bottle of water off the table, opened it and drank deeply. She liked this corner of the recreation area it gave her full view of the warehouse and the training going on. The humans were impressive. Tables were dotted about this corner with chairs around them. It was the only break area in the place and had been carved out of the naked space. A small kitchen area with several fridges behind her and several beverage machines, it provided all they needed. At the other end were toilets and showers along with lockers. She had barely broken a sweat working with James and wondered not for the first time, what it would take for her to be exhausted physically. Not since the last war on her home ground had she felt the least bit really tired. She had been younger then. It was clear that it would take more than three hours of training. Eve looked around at the teams still working out. So much had happened in the last six months of her life. She had had a happy life in the old country. She knew her place within it. Accepted her role. She worked with her father protecting their interests working with the family, defeating those that challenged and kept the status quo. Her father a Lord in his own right with born children was envied by many. She had been spoilt, dotted on, cossetted and given privileges as a child but learnt quickly loyalty had to be earned.

  Eve smiled at the memories. It was a happy life. Their keep was a place of safety. The people and families within it both human and other were joined. Her father had rejected the old ways and welcomed unity and peace. It held much laughter and joy as well as military precision. She recalled looking wistfully at the men at arms readying for battle as a youth and wanting to join them as a child. Her father had refused her request to train with his men. Told her to support her mother. She had been young and how she had hated that. She had been persistent, difficult and her mother had supported her wish. Under that kind of pressure her father had caved and very quickly realised he had been wrong to try and protect her from what their life was like. She’d saved his life and set the course of her own.

  And she was glad for it. Their time under their kidnappers had been hard, harsh, brutal and had nearly killed her father. They had tried to abuse them as females and she had ended that quickly, deadly. She had seen first-hand the other side of being a Vampire. People treated no better than cattle. Useable and disposable. She’d hated it. Hated them. Relationships with humans had not been allowed and death had followed so many. Even now, her father still recovered. They had tried to poison him. Eve felt her anger rise. Her power flood her system. She knew that he may never be the warrior he once was and it unsettled her. He was her rock. The way of her people had always been, you were either strong enough to keep your place and land or you were dead. Eve frowned, she was unsure for the first time if her father could hold off a challenge now. That would mean their keep would go to another Lord. His word law. And those under him, would owe allegiance and possibly their lives to them. Good or bad. That didn’t sit well with her. It was their home and no one else’s.

  James slumped into the chair next to her, drawing her from her thoughts and grabbed a bottle of water. “I hoped I’m not the cause of that power boost girl, cos right now, I could do with a breather.” He was a good male reflected Eve. She smiled. “You don’t breath remember.” He had a strong sense of humour, she liked it but it was odd for a Vampire and very human in his ways for a Vamp. She’d been relieved to see that here at least, people were treated equally, no matter their heritage. “We’re up next, you ready?” He asked her opening his bottle and taking a swig. Eve gave him a sharp nod. “Good we need to kick some butt and show um who’s boss.” Eve tried not to roll her eyes but it was extremely difficult.

  They spent the next six hours moving from team to team honing their skills as a partnership. Eve was very careful with the human warriors. Even with their battle armour they were susceptible to injuries. More than one cradled an injury, not giving quarter. It bothered her seeing this time and time again. It had been the same in her keep. She had worried for the men and woman who were human and took up arms. No matter how good they were they were still vulnerable if a Vamp got near enough. They needed something else to match the Vamps other than tricks, guns and skill. Eve already knew this. In reality, they had little better protection than her own people who were human. They were good, better than her own at home but still, they couldn’t take a Vamp punch and not go down. She had been working on something back home for her own human warriors for years and wondered if here would be a good place to test it? Eve picked up her phone and dialled.

  “Evangeline, born daughter of Marcus and my best dam friend, would it kill you to pick up the dam phone more often, I’ve been worried sick!” Said the voice at the other end on picking up the call. Eve smiled. She loved this girl. “Celeste how are you darling girl?” She asked smiling. “Don’t darling girl me. How am I? Well I feel a hell of a lot better having heard from you. That’s for sure.” Eve heard her take a deep breath. “Your sister and family ok?” “Yes, everything is fine but we will be staying here for a while. I will need our main project, if I send over the address can you get it to me?” There was quiet on the end of the phone. “Celeste?” Eve asked. “It can be sent over yes. You know it’s not finished right?” “Yes yes, I hope to do it here.” There was quiet again on the end of the line. “On your own?” Celeste asked her. There was a clear question in her voice. “Yes, I can’t ask you to up and leave.” She told her bluntly. It went quiet again. “Ok, send me the details and I’ll get it to you ASAP.” “Celeste you’re an angel.” Eve could hear her friend laughing. “I’m not sure your mother would agree with that.” “My mother loves you and you know it.” Eve could hear the sigh her friend made. “Yes, I know. I’ll be in touch ok.” “Good, take care.” Eve cut the call. She had known Celeste her entire life, she had been born in their keep and when her parents passed, Eve’s mother had taken her in. She was her best friend and would make sure she got what she needed, she always did. She missed her friend.

  ***

  2 Weeks Later.

  “Eve you have a delivery at the gate.” She’d picked up her phone seeing the ID for Luce their IT specialist. “Thanks Luce. Do they need me know or can I leave it till later?” “I’d suggest you get there now girl, the package came with someone who is not willing to leave it with anyone but you.” “Ok on my way.” Eve snapped her phone shut and threw on some clothes having just got back from training and headed towards the driveway. Pete came around the building and joined her. “I understand you have a package?” “Yeah.” “From a reliable safe source?” Eve nodded understanding his concern after the compound was attacked a few weeks earlier. “It should be from my friend. I’ve been waiting on it.” Pete nodded back and walked with her. On approaching the building Eve gradually heard voices, her Vamp hearing picking it up way before Pete ever would. She listened as she walked. Then stopped. Grinned widely and looked at Pete who had stopped too, curious that she had. He looked confused at her. “What?” He asked. Eve burst out laughing and started running for the security booth. Over her shoulder she told him, “Celeste she came too.” Pete looked more confused and she kept going knowing he’d catch up. Eventually.

  Eve came around the booth and stopped. “ …… don’t touch that I told you its personal don’t you listen or are you all muscle and no brains?” Eve suppressed a grin. Celeste had no problem dealing with Vamps she’d grown up with them. Her attention was snagged by Eve’s arrival and Celeste screamed and ran towards her throwing herself into her arms. “Thank god, I was beginning to lose my shit with macho man here.” Eve laughed harder and held her friend. “Girl you know how to piss off the boys.” Celeste wrinkled her nose, “it’s a gift,” and stood back as Pete came around the corner to join them. “Bloody hell Vamp speed is gonna kill me.” He mumbled. Celeste released Eve and turned to Pete. She frowned, “you can’t compete so don’t.” She told him matter factually. Eve suppressed a grin. Pete took another deep breath and didn’t look happy. Eve thought she’d better cut in. “Pete meet Celeste, my best friend from back home. She’s brought me a present.” “Yeah but muscles here want’s to finger my stuff and you know how I feel about that.” The men around them started to choke and sniff looking uncomfortable. Muscles or more accurately John, Arturo’s first, turned a shade of pink and stuttered. “I did not ask to finger anything lady.” He told her with a snarl.

  “O …. But you wanted to. Stop the snarling.” Celeste snapped at him. Johns face blanked out. “Doesn’t work on me.” She told him and turned back to Eve. “So, where we sleeping cos that flight was hard on a person.” Eve laughed again and threw an arm over her shoulders, drawing her in. “Pete would you asked Regin and Arturo if we could put up Celeste for a while or we can go to a hotel. Would it be ok if we go see Alice in the kitchens and get Celeste something to eat and drink while we wait?” “John?” Pete asked. They both looked at John expectantly. Eve noticed that Celeste narrowed her eyes at him. “Kitchens should be fine while I check.” “Great, let’s go.” Eve hugged her friend to her side and started for the house, then remembered the packages, “don’t open any boxes boys, Celeste can be a bitch, oh and I will need a work room if we are staying.” She called out to them over her shoulder as they marched up the drive. “Shit girl this place is a stately home,” Celeste told her, “more security here than Buck Palace.” Eve hugged her friend to her side. “Yeah for good reason, come on I’ll fill you in.”

  Alice handed Celeste her second milkshake when Eve’s mother came racing into the kitchen door. “Celeste child how wonderful to see you.” Eve’s mother Serenity came rushing over as Celeste got up from her chair, tried to curtsey and hugged her warmly. “It’s so good to have a bit of home with us. Your staying for a while yes?” Celeste pulled away, “not sure yet mother, we haven’t had the ok on where Celeste can stay.” Eve told her. Serenity looked from one to the other. “I’m sure that’s not going to be a problem.” The kitchen door opened and Pete walked in. “Ok all set, Celeste will be down the hall from you. Yellow room Alice and you can have one of the rooms out the back for your work room. Order what you need. Arturo is happy for you stay.” Celeste squealed and clapped her hands, “that’s great we have work to do.” She told them turning to Eve. “But not tonight, I’ve got training, so sleep and we’ll pick things up tomorrow ok.” Eve told her. Celeste nodded. “Sounds good to me. Ok where’s my room?”

  Celeste sat looking around her room. Eve and Serenity had escorted her to it and left her to get some sleep. Jet lag was a killer. Room didn’t describe it. It was as big as her apartment. Bedroom come sitting room, complete with antiques and a marble fire place and a bathroom and closet off that. It was luxurious. The carpet bouncy. The bed was a revelation. Hugh and comfy, best quality cotton, she had climbed on and tried it out. It would take four of her. It was tasteful too. Her home with Eve’s family had been very comfortable and lacked for nothing but this was just …….. rich. She was afraid something might break or be ruined. Celeste turned towards the door at the sound of a knock. “Come in.” The door opened and in stepped a Butler. “Good evening mam your luggage.” Celeste got up from her chair a bit stunned. “Thank you.” Celeste watched as two males came in with her bags and deposited them in the closet. “Should you need anything press for the kitchens on the telephone or you can pull the cord by the fireplace. Your boxes have been taken to the work room and will be ready for you.” Celeste was still getting over the Butler’s appearance when she registered what he’d told her. “That’s great thank you.” The Butler gave her a nod and followed the two males out. They had staff back home but a Butler? Ok that was going to take some getting used to. Stretching her back she realised just how tired she was. No way was she unpacking now she needed a shower and that bed was calling to her.

  ***

  Eve yawned and turned over to turn off the alarm. 9 Already? Just need a minute. Staring up at the ceiling. The fluted plaster work a master piece. Why had she blurted all that out to James last night? She didn’t spill, ever. Dam it, he’d be weird now. Annoyed with herself she threw off the covers and headed for the shower. Celeste would be waiting for her. Thank god she didn’t need much sleep so it was all good. She knew where the workrooms were located. It would be a good base for Celeste from which to work she mused while showering. Celeste being here had to be a positive move. It was good she had a piece of home with her. She had missed it. Ached in some way to go home. Go back to what they had. But that was gone now. The memories no longer a reality.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11