The Blood Covenant

by Emily Bex

  “A dream-walker? They make movies about them now? Fucker sounds right up my alley. Wonder where he hangs out? Might be able to recruit him.” He grinned as he teased her.

  “I never thought of it in that way, but yes, he is like a dream-walker. Only, when he kills you in your dream, it’s not a dream, he can actually kill you. You can't kill people in their dreams, can you?”

  “Well, I am warrior. My gift is dream-walking. What do you think?”

  Kate stood still and processed this information. He sent her such beautiful dreams. The thought that he could send bad dreams never occurred to her. The thought that he could enter into someone’s dreams and do them harm never entered her mind. He was so protective of her, shielded her from so much, and sometimes, what he revealed was unexpected.

  “I...I never thought about you sending bad dreams. But yes, why would a warrior need a skill to only send pleasant dreams.”

  Shivers ran up her spine at the realization he could turn someone’s life into a living nightmare, and a skill that brought her only love and comfort could mean death for someone else.

  Shade felt her fear and saw her physically shiver. “Bel, I am vampire. I am warrior. I cannot hide all that is within me from you forever, but I will admit I have shielded you. I am a dealer of death, but also of peace and protection, as is Luca. Does that make you frightened of me?”

  She went to him and slipped her arms around his waist. “I’m never afraid of you. I know you shield me. I’ve always been aware of that, and there’s even a part of me that chooses to be shielded. But I know who you are, and I know what you do. I watched you destroy Sabine in front of me, so trust me when I say, I’m aware of the power you possess. I’m in love with your warrior spirit, even when I sometimes turn a blind eye to what’s going on. It was the warrior and the darkness that drew me to you in the first place. So never concern yourself that I’ll pull away from you. That will never happen.”

  Relaxing as he heard her words, he knew she was still his sweet bel without fear of him or his beast. “I love you. I love how you love me, and my beast.”

  “Yes, and how come you aren't jealous of the beast? He loves me, you know.”

  Smiling, he laid his head on top of hers. “I am the beast, he is the darkness that I hide from you, and I like that you lure him, bring him forth, tame him…because that lets me come back to you, always.”

  “Lover, I’ve known that from the beginning. That’s why I never had a fear of him. We have an understanding, this beast and me.”

  He chuckled softly, pulling her into an embrace, crushing her to his chest. “You see me like no other. Now go, let Luca and I get this wrapped up and I will join you upstairs. I can already feel the pull of my death slumber. Wait for me in our bed.”

  She turned to leave him, casting one last look over her shoulder, as he and Luca focused on unloading this cache of weapons and she was already wrapping herself in denial about this room and its contents.

  52

  Yesterday, Kate was eating everything is sight, and today, she felt like she had no appetite at all. She wondered if she was coming down with a flu bug. She was feeling a little tired, but she chalked that up to the fact she hadn’t slept well. Shade would be in the Dead House again tonight, so she thought this would be a good time to check on the progress of the California house. The designers had informed her that almost all the deliveries had been made, and they had started furniture placement.

  She headed for Luca’s suite and tapped lightly on his door.

  Luca put down his pallet and paint brush and opened the door to her.

  “In the mood for a trip?”

  “What do you have in mind, my lady?”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The whole ‘my lady’ thing was getting old real fast. “I was thinking you could take me to the California house, so I can check on things there.”

  “Of course, my lady. Give me a few minutes to change, and to get the coordinates from master.”

  “The coordinates?”

  “It’s like directions. It will allow me to teleport there directly. I haven’t been to the California house before.”

  Kate shrugged. “Okay, well, do whatever it is you do. I’m going to get my notebook and grab a jacket. I’ll meet you back here.”

  She headed back up the stairs when a momentary wave of dizziness hit her. She paused briefly, steadied herself on the railing and then continued up the stairs, sending Shade a message about her plans.

  “Lover, I’m going to have Luca take me to the California house. The designers are almost finished, so I need to check on their progress.”

  “Si, mi amore. I am sending Luca coordinates now. Be careful, bel rosso. This is the first time you have traveled without me, ti amo.”

  Kate grabbed her notebook and the file that held the photos of the furniture pieces as well as the fabric and paint swatches, pulled on a heavy jacket and returned downstairs to find Luca waiting.

  “Just hold on around my shoulders, my lady. And close your eyes. If you aren’t used to teleporting, closing your eyes will help with the dizziness.”

  Great, she was already feeling dizzy. She made a mental note to drink lots of water when they got to California. She was probably just dehydrated. She stepped up to Luca and held on as he slipped one arm around her waist, and before she could even process her next thought, they were in transit. The rush of cold air felt good, clearing her head. Within a matter of minutes, Luca landed them softly in the living room of the California house and released her. As she stepped back from him, she staggered slightly, and he reached out to steady her.

  “That is normal, my lady. Most mortals feel dizzy after teleporting. It will pass.”

  She looked around the living room. The spacious room looked even larger furnished than it did when it was empty. The room was decorated in neutral ivory. The tall floor to ceiling windows opened the space, and the added mirrors and lighting only seemed to open it even more. It was a beautiful room, but very formal as dictated by the rooms architecture. She liked what she saw and it surpassed her imagination, but she still preferred the less formal space in Virginia.

  Kate headed through the formal dining room and into the well-appointed, thoroughly modern kitchen. She opened the fridge, taking out bottled water and chugged it down, tossing the bottle in the re-cycle bin, and grabbing another bottle from the fridge to sip on as they toured the house.

  Luciano appeared from nowhere, and he and Luca exchanged greetings.

  “My lady, is everything all right? I was not notified of your plans to travel here.”

  “Everything’s fine. I hope I’m not upsetting your schedule, but this was a spur of the moment decision. Shade was going to be busy all night, and the designers said the house was almost done. Please, don’t let me interrupt. I’m fine here, and I have Luca.”

  Luciano nodded. “Then if you require nothing further, my lady, I’ll take my leave.”

  Kate completed her inspection of the formal dining room, the library, and the less formal family room, before heading into the space that had been designed for Luca. “These are your California digs. What do you think, Luca?”

  Luca looks stunned. “My digs? These are my rooms?”

  “Yes, well, I wasn’t sure how much we’d use this house, how often we’d come here, so I went ahead and furnished these rooms for you.”

  The rooms had the same masculine feel as the Virginia house, but the space was larger, and she had included a fully equipped art studio. Luca felt overwhelmed. He never had his own private space before, and now he had two.

  “My lady, I love the rooms, but this was not necessary. I can stay anywhere.”

  “Luca, Shade told me to spend money, so I’m spending money. Enjoy it. Now come on, let’s go upstairs and check all the bedrooms we’ll never use.”

  Luca chuckled as he followed her up the wide curved staircase. She paused midway up, and he noticed her clutching the banister rail.

 
; “My lady, are you all right?”

  Kate put her hand to her forehead and took a few deep breaths before continuing up the stairs. “It’s nothing. Just a wave of dizziness, I’m fine.”

  “Did you eat today, my lady? Reynaldo said you didn’t stop by the kitchen this evening.”

  “No, I didn’t. I’m sure that’s it. We should only be here another hour or so, and I can get something when we can get home.”

  Kate completed the inspection of all the upstairs bedrooms, each with a fireplace, sitting room, and private bath, saving the massive master suite for last. She had made a few notes of things she wanted changed, and a few pieces she wanted to add, including some art installations, and then she let Luca know she was ready to return. Luca noticed she looked paler than when they started this tour of the house and he’d be glad to get her back home.

  “My lady, if you don’t object, I am going to carry you for the teleport home.” He didn’t wait for her response but scooped her up and took them both back to Virginia, setting her down in the hallway at the foot of the stairs.

  “Thank you, Luca, I was feeling really tired. I think I’m going upstairs and rest.”

  “My lady…you did not eat.”

  “Maybe later.” Kate started up the stairs to the bedroom when he noticed her unsteadiness again and picked her up to carry her to her bed.

  “Luca, this is so unnecessary. I’m fine!”

  “Clearly, you are not fine, my lady. I’ll have Theresa bring you something to eat, and I am letting master know you are not well.” “Master, we are back from California, but I fear my lady is not well.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Luca! I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

  Luca laid her on the bed as Theresa entered with a tray of hot tea, juice, and toast. Kate was wondering how Theresa got the water to boil that fast for tea, when Shade appeared in their bedroom.

  “Kate!” Shade sat on the side of the bed, brushing the hair back from her face. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  She threw up her hands in exasperation. “Nothing’s wrong. I was feeling a little dizzy. I hadn’t eaten, and then we teleported to California. I feel tired. Maybe I’m coming down with the flu or something, but nothing to justify all this concern and attention.”

  Shade sent Luca and Theresa away and then returned his attention to Kate. “Eat and drink what is on the tray and I will get your gown for you, bel.”

  Kate sighed as she propped herself up against the massive headboard and sipped at the hot tea, watching Shade open and close2 drawer after drawer, searching for her nightgowns.

  “Bottom drawer, lover.”

  “Ah, si, mi amore.” He removed a long, soft white nightgown and carried it back to her bed, sitting down next to her.

  “Now tell me what happened, bel. What caused Luca such concern? I think you brush this off too lightly. Vampires do not get the flu.”

  “But I’m not vampire.”

  “Si, not yet vampire, but you feed from me, and because of that, you have certain immunities from mortal illness. Talk to me.”

  “Shade, there’s nothing much to share. Yesterday, I was starving. I think I ate everything in the kitchen. I’m sure Reynaldo had to go shopping after I finished. Then, today, I wanted nothing, so I didn’t eat. I didn’t sleep well, and I felt tired and a little dizzy. I probably shouldn’t have gone to California. I probably just overextended myself. That’s all.”

  Shade was watching her closely while she spoke. Her lily-white skin was even paler than usual. He made sure she finished the juice and toast then cleared away the tray, helping her undress and pull the soft gown over her head. He pulled back the covers and tucked her in, kissing her cheek.

  “Sleep, bel rosso. I will be here the rest of the night if you need anything. You are not to get up, understood?”

  Kate would argue that he was being over-protective, that they were all overreacting, but she felt a tiredness that was bone deep, and the pillow beneath her head, and the soft blankets he tucked around her shoulders were already drawing her into a deep sleep. She felt his tender kiss just as she drifted into sleep.

  Shade remained seated by her side until he was sure she was sleeping, not sure what to make of her illness. He’d keep a close eye on her over the next few days.

  Changing from his leathers, he threw on some sweats and headed down to his office, so he could download those pictures of the rogue’s tattoos from his cell phone.

  The downstairs was quiet again and it looked like Luca had retreated back to his suite. He entered his office, plopped down in his chair, in front of his desk that faced a large monitor, and started downloading the files. The images were much easier to see this large and provided him with much greater detail. He scrolled through the pictures and chose one of the clearer images to text to Alec.

  Shade leaned in close to the screen to try to get a better idea of what the hell he was looking at. It was a symbol of some sort. Both vampires had it in the same place on their back, a clear indication of an allegiance to a coven or master. He didn’t know everything in this fucking vampire world, but he’d been here long enough to notice some things and he’d never seen this tattoo anywhere in his travels. It looked like a goat’s head of some sort. Working the photo properties on his computer, he turned the image 180 degrees, then 90 degrees. Having no luck with that, he zoomed in on the picture and took a harder look, rolling this image around in his head, trying to think of some connection.

  Shade was invested in figuring this out. He knew this was probably not going to be the last time they saw this symbol, and the sooner he figured this out, the better for all of them. He knew Alec would put this on the back burner, and unless something else happened with this rogue coven, it would slip from his memory. But, for Shade, this was top priority. So, what the hell was their purpose and who the hell were they?

  Shade heard Luca step up behind him, leaning over his shoulder, staring at the same images on the screen.

  Luca pointed at the screen and outlined the shape of the tattoo with his extended finger. “That’s the sign for Aries.”

  “What the hell do you mean Aries? Explain. Have you seen this before?”

  Luca responded, “The object in the middle is a ram’s head, the astrological sign of Aries. I’ve never seen this tattoo on a vampire before, but I recognize the astrological sign. The other symbols on each side of the ram’s head look to me as if they are shuriken blades...tribal.”

  Shade rolled this around in his head. “So, would you think this means a coven named Aries, or perhaps the name of the master? They are warriors loyal to this symbol, si?”

  “I’d say yes, master. That’s how it appears, though I’ve never heard of an Aries coven.”

  Shade thought this over. “Nor I. No coven or master named Aries that I know of. It could be a new coven. It could be some upstarts who broke away from their master. Or punk rogues banding together. Either way, not good for us.” Shade flipped off the monitor and wheeled his chair around. “Now tell me what happened to Kate.”

  Luca looked confused. “I’m not sure, master. She stumbled a few times when we got to California. I thought, initially, it was just the teleport, but the effects of teleporting a mortal dissipate in minutes. She said she was tired, and she looked pale to me. Other than that, I’m afraid I know nothing.”

  Shade’s emotions were jangled, something was wrong with bel, and something was up with these rogue vampires. He hadn’t fed, and he couldn’t go to her now if she wasn’t feeling well. There was nothing he hated more than feeling things were out of his control.

  He returned to the bunker with Luca where they finished unpacking and storing the weapons, at least gaining the satisfaction of getting this one project complete when he felt the call of sunrise. Returning to their bedroom, bel slept soundly. She looked like she had hardly moved from the position he’d left her in. He slipped from his sweats and climbed in bed bedside her. He heard the soft whir of the electronic blinds. H
e pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her softly as he was pulled into his death slumber.

  When he woke at sunset, he fully expected to find her side of the bed empty, but she slept beside him still. He sat up, turning on the bedside lamp, and looked at her closely, her skin deathly pale. He gently shook her awake.

  “Kate, you do not look well, are you feeling sick still?”

  Feeling him gently shake her awake, she felt groggy and it was hard to focus her thoughts. “I feel so tired. I slept for twelve hours, and I feel like I could sleep twelve more. Just let me sleep. Maybe I have the flu? If I’m not better soon, I’ll call for an appointment. I’m sure it’s nothing. You’re so busy in D.C. now, you’re pulled there so often, and I know you have a lot on your mind. I don't want to burden you with this stuff.”

  He lay his head softly on top of hers. “Bel, I am worried about you. You are not yourself, you do not look well and perhaps you are right, perhaps you should see a doctor, but I think it may be wise to call Rissa. You can’t see a mortal doctor. Your DNA has been altered. All your blood work will be different. Rissa was mortal once and may be able to guide you to a doctor who can handle mortals in transition.”

  “Yes, I’ll call her. That sounds like a good idea. Could you have Theresa bring me more hot tea and some dry toast? I still don't feel like I can eat anything, but I know I need to drink something.”

  “Of course, mi amore. Whatever you need, tell me, I will have it for you.” “Gi, my lady needs some hot tea, some toast.”

  His fingers played with her hair as he lay next to her. “I am sure Rissa will have an answer. She may be able to guide you better.”

  Kate lay quietly as she felt his fingers in her hair...softly caressing...so relaxing. She loved being curled up next to him. She listened to his voice, so soothing, so comforting, as she felt herself drifting back to sleep. Gi knocked at the door, and Shade told him to enter. Gi laid the tray down on the side table, he excused himself and closed the door behind him. Reaching over for the tea, Shade held it tenderly to bel’s lips and lifted her gently.