Token Vampire (Token Huntress Book 2)

by Kia Carrington-Russell

  “Where are we?” I demanded. I was not settled that I was now so far away from Dillian and Julia. I could not protect them from here.

  “We can now talk in private. Don’t waste my time, what do you want?” Tythian demanded. He crossed his arms and stared into my eyes intensely.

  “I need you to take us back to the Guild. I need to make sure Dillian and Julia are somewhere else, safe.”

  “Are you daft and don’t recall that your old Guild had been over swept by sabers?” Tythian studied me for a moment. “Unless of course that isn’t the destination you have in mind. Being a Hunter Guild, you surely would have a human camp nearby. How utterly predictable.”

  “Can you do it or not?” I put bluntly.

  “Firstly, let me be the one to explain to you the predicament you have yourself in. You are worrying and fleecing about your hunter friends, but have you considered where your familiar might be on the scale?”

  “Chase is fine,” I said, not understanding his hidden question.

  “Chase is not fine where you are and within the coven. I took you there in the mere moment, because we were safe there against the blastings and sabers. But let me assure you, that under those tunnels, he is not safe.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be?” I understood that I was missing something of great importance, and felt that it was something of vampire logic that I didn’t understand.

  “Chase has told you himself once I am sure; about his mother and the vampire who was leader to his coven. The very vampire Chase killed. The smell lingers on Chase. To become a coven leader, you must kill the current one. Other vampires can smell Chase’s stench from a mile away. His smell is different to that of our own covens; whether Chase took the leadership of his role or not, he is a threat in our own coven. He is by far, considered an enemy. The fact that his stench still lingers, encounters the issue that his coven is still alive. So he has vampires at his disposable. Granted in Chase’s situation, they are hunting him to kill him; but this is coven law. Cesar has allowed him into the tunnels for protection, for a short time, but others will lash out and try to kill him. Chase won’t leave your side, which is what endangers him. He has indefinitely risked his own life, as any familiar would.”

  I stood there for a moment, enjoying the cool sweeping wind over my face. Chase hadn’t mentioned any of this to me, how was I to know? “Well then, if you can teleport Dillian, Julia, Chase, my mother and I away; he will no longer be in risk.”

  “Whether your mother wants to go or not, is not of your choosing. I can however, teleport you to your Guild, but I have my conditions.”

  “What are they,” I hurried, already conscious of the time away we had spent.

  “Firstly, you are to come back to me, you are obliged to help me kill Fier. This is already a promise made between us. Secondly, for this next favor you ask of me, I want you to kill a vampire within the coven for me.”

  I looked at him for a moment, before I felt the creeping of a smile dance across the corner of my mouth. He wanted me to kill one of the vampires within that coven? I never thought that would be his request.

  “Why do you want this vampire killed?” I asked, not needing any real reason to want and be able to kill it. It, that vampire being what I am. I let the confusion subside. Killing vampires was what I loved and did best.

  “He is one of the older vampires within the coven. He challenges Cesar a lot. Cesar simply won’t kill him. But I think it’s time for him to go. Myself, and Cesar’s fellow three sons have agreed. You, Esmore, will be the one to do the dirty work.”

  “I feel like there is something you are leaving out,” I felt the hint of a lingering ambition amongst it.

  “Does it really matter? That is your option, you either take my agreement or not. His name is Thomas. He has black hair and is short. He is fast with no gift apparent. Be wary, he is old and strong. He might be a struggle for you, in your current weakened state.”

  “Careful, your tone might indicate that you actually care for my wellbeing. When do you want me to do it?” I asked.

  “At the meeting where you will be introduced to the rest of the coven, which I believe will start in any minute. You are not a part of this coven, so be careful. We get very protective of our own.”

  “You want me to do it, in front of the roomful of coven members?”

  “It’s all politics, little vampire, and sometimes a spectacle has to be made. But don’t worry; you will be safe as Cesar’s only blood and born child. You are more protected than any one of us. Shall we?” Tythian offered his hand out to me, to teleport back. With that simple agreement and discussion, our bargain had been made.

  T he old dust lingered over my nose, as it swamped Tythian’s and my sudden appearance, in front of the door. I hunched over slightly and gasped at the heavy feeling in my stomach. Tythian smiled, aware that I had not yet become accustom to his gift. We were no longer beneath the shadowed moon and cloudy night. I opened the door, and inhaled the familiar scent of Dillian, Julia and Chase. Both Chase and Yolo looked up surprised, and as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn’t.

  There was some form of game positioned between them. Chase held a piece in the air, before placing it down slowly; still looking at me as if he weren’t doing anything and stating, “Checkmate,” to Yolo.

  “Are you seriously playing a game right now?” I asked. Dillian exhaled exhausted. He seemed to be more comfortable now, than when I had left.

  “They started playing almost as soon as you vanished,” Dillian said. He rubbed his head tiredly. “They’ve been using vampire speed the whole time, this is their twelfth game.”

  “Yolo here, lost twelve times,” Chase said with an accomplished smile.

  “Please, you totally cheated,” Yolo debated. Tythian cut in shortly. He had a lot to say, more so then the Tythian I knew, who had only watched and said very little when Whitney was around; or should I say, when she was alive. Perhaps it was as Chase had said- Whitney had calmed Tythian, and made him into a better vampire. But now that hope of salvation was gone.

  “Yolo, truly? Have you not organized Cesar’s familiar before the meeting?” Tythian asked.

  “Cesar is bringing her, himself. Connor will be with me as well, to watch over them,” Yolo dismissed. With impeccable timing, my mother’s faint footsteps appeared outside our door. My mother, Cesar, Balzar, and Connor, crept from the shadows of the hallway. They all stood beside Tythian now, outside the door. Balzar looked at the wall unimpressed by our gathering. Connor reminded me much of Tythian as he silently watched and emitted a certain respect towards Tythian, which was returned.

  “Ahh my daughter,” Cesar said in his rough accent. “You don’t play very nice do you, and by the looks of you, you still haven’t drunk anything. I give you credit, for having the restraint of not eating your friends. In your state, it must feel like you haven’t eaten for weeks.” I gulped hard at his happy go lucky nature. I did feel like I was starving, but would never admit it. My cruel direct eye contact must have indicated so. “Such a blazing gaze, I wouldn’t expect anything but, from my own child.”

  “I’m not your child,” I hissed and crossed my arms.

  “Well now, what would you say if I had a treat for you, perhaps a certain two weapons you are certainly fond of ey?” Cesar said with a teasing smile. I looked at Mum in caution, before approaching.

  “You have my Barnett bow and sword?” I asked.

  “Perhaps. It comes in handy when one of your sons can teleport anywhere, doesn’t it? But before we get to the presents, you have to come meet the coven. But only you, Tythian and Balzar are welcome. Your mother, familiar and friends, will be protected by Connor and Yolo.”

  “I am not leaving her side,” Chase said. He had crept up from behind, and stood by my side, defensively. I know you can handle yourself, but this is unfamiliar ground, and you are weak. Chase spoke to me internally.

  I was on unfamiliar ground the day we met. But as my bargain
with Tythian involves this meeting, I must go alone. You know I can handle myself. I patted his arm lightly. I don’t trust the other two, so protect my mother, Dillian and Julia. I doubt I can relay the whole meeting with you, and updates of what is happening, during it all. That was because, although I didn’t want to admit it to anyone, I felt weak and that walking alone, was very exhausting. So this is what it felt like, to be a vampire who had not fed for days or weeks. We had starved so many vampires, in torture techniques, within the Guild. I now understood why so many had turned delirious and into a saber, after only a month. But I wasn’t so weak, I considered myself still as Huntress, not vampire.

  “Let’s get this over with,” I said. My mother watched me wearily as we crossed paths, and she entered the room. It felt as if we were both looking at the ghost of one another, a former of our glory. We weren’t sure, who we were looking at anymore. So much had changed in that time, that I thought her dead. I never believed it, but this discovery and everything else, wasn’t what I had anticipated.

  “That’s the spirit,” Cesar cheerily said. “C’mon.” Silently, Tythian and Balzar took separate sides to me, while we were led by Cesar. I stayed silent, unsure of what to expect. We walked for five minutes, silently, down the narrow rocky tunnel. Often, there were gaps which would allow people or vampires to slip through, and sometimes I saw the flicker of candles, which indicated that there were other tunnels further in. This was a huge network. Every step made my ears feel as if they were pounding and my throat were even dryer. Balzar, with his hands on the back of his head, continuously looked down at me. When I made eye contact, he only smiled, with the lingering knowledge of knowing that I was parched. Was there an obvious physical state which stated so? Did I look as drained as I felt? It only urged me to put a stronger facade on. No one could know that right now, I felt weak. I heard scuttling noises and people talking. Not people, vampires. I highly doubted that normal humans could live down here. The air was too thick and heavy to breathe. But for a coven, this was for perfect hiding. I imagine the reason why Balzar was here, instead of the other two sons, was because around the Hunters he was the obvious vampire who had least control. I wonder what Yolo might have been like, before he gained his gift and was able to suppress his thirst.

  Within mere footsteps of walking around the corner, the vampires silenced. It was dead silent. I was overwhelmed at the sight of their numbers, but stayed silent and didn’t allow anyone to see my shock while I summarized their numbers. Rows of them lined and straightened. Some lounged on the sides of the rocky wall, with their head tilted up so they could inspect me closely. All eyes were on me, hundreds of pairs of eyes. When I thought coven, I didn’t think of such great numbers. This was close to the numbers and army that Fier had within his council; and the coven vampires were far less restrained than the council members. Some were well dressed and groomed, and others looked like they hadn’t left the tunnels for centuries. I had to get Dillian and Julia out of here, they were bait here.

  “What is the meaning of this Cesar?” A short man, who looked to be in his forties, stepped forward. “The coven has been restless the past few hours. We can smell Hunters in here, but are given no explanation. Above all else we can smell another Coven leader in here, he reeks.”

  Small snarls purred from the vampires, at the offense of my familiar. He certainly attracted a lot of attention. “Above all, you bring a human to our attention,” the man continued.

  Cesar looked at Tythian with a gleam in his eye. “I told you they would think of her as human at first,” he shook his head with excitement.

  “Cesar, don’t toy,” the irritable, short man continued. A few murmurs began through the vampires. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Listen here, wee little Thomas,” Cesar began. I shaped the vampire up whom was called Thomas. So this is who Tythian wanted me to kill. I side glanced Tythian, who watched his fellow vampires. “Maybe if you stopped asking so many questions, and theatrically speaking your claims, you might be given some answers. And perhaps, it might be in your best interest to step down right now, because you’re getting on my nerves.”

  Cesar’s threat was definite. With a moment of thought, Thomas simply crossed his arms behind his head and stayed silent. His stare most certainly directed on only me. I watched as the other vampires looked at me differently. Some curious, others obviously struggled to stay within the room, tempted to attack. They thought me their next meal. A small smile crept at my lips, I dare them to attack me, I would love so much to spill their blood on this rocky ground. I was humored to see, that no matter how exhausted, my love of killing vampires quickly replaced that thirst.

  “Everyone I would like to introduce you to my only biological daughter. She is not human. She is part hunter, and part vampire,” Cesar let the words linger in the air. Many of the vampires whispered amongst one another.

  “That is hog wash Cesar, there is nothing of her that would claim either true.” The woman with short black hair at her roots and a deep purple mixing with the tips of her hair, beside Thomas, projected. They reminded me of one another, perhaps siblings.

  “Are you calling me a liar, Lydia?” Cesar’s leadership was certain, and she quickly dipped her head in apology.

  “I didn’t mean to offend Cesar, but understand where we are coming from,” she said in pardon.

  “I need proof,” Thomas pushed further. I could understand why Tythian wanted Thomas dead. He was irritating me as well, which only pushed my smile further. Debating and initiating a fight, was something I was well equipped for.

  “Perhaps your incompetence will be your undoing, are you stupid, deaf, or simply don’t wish to listen to your leader?” I said blaze’. “Step up little mouse, and perhaps you will understand your unimportance in this matter.”

  “What did you just say to me?!” Thomas roared. Lydia held him back, amongst a few others as he went to charge me. Never for a moment, did I lose eye contact with him.

  “Let me make one thing very clear, right now!” Cesar roared. “Everyone’s priority until the day I die- is to protect, Esmore. If anyone has any issues, or wishes to debate me on the matter, I will behead you instantly.”

  The threat lingered in the air. I liked this position that I was in and the restraint that Cesar had over all these vampires. I had just walked in, and yet not one of them could lay a finger on me; better yet, I could extend that immunity onto the rest of those I wanted to keep safe. With a smile, I walked towards Thomas. He was the one I knew I would receive a reaction from; which was good, because he was the one I had to now kill. I walked up to him, with such a smile, the corner of his eye twitched.

  “Or maybe, I am just a silly human,” I teased him. Lydia still held him back; her brown eyes darted back at Cesar, uncertain of the exchange. Thomas inhaled heavily, a fiery glaze burned in his eyes.

  “Esmore, don’t push him,” Cesar instructed, but not as strictly as he had on the vampires in front of us. I danced in fire here, tempting them all, and being so close to their hungry fangs. But the inner hunter in me couldn’t resist. Caution was in the past; here I could play with fire. “Inside our tunnels, contains her fellow hunter comrades, a male and a female. Her mother, who is my familiar,” Cesar let that statement linger. Everyone’s face’s burned with confusion. But Thomas’s raged even further.

  “I suppose, hearing your leader having a hunter for a familiar, must be a great deal of furious shock to you. You have nothing to say?” I pushed at Thomas, waiting for the final layer to break. I had to tempt him. He had to come at me.

  “Esmore,” Cesar growled. “And the other coven leader, is Esmore’s familiar. For the time being, he is welcome amongst these tunnels, until another solution is met.” My lips curved into a smile, snapping the last layer to Thomas’s control.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?! He could be in here to ambush his coven onto any of us, what kind of rash decision is that!” Thomas roared and pushed his sister aside.

  �
��Do not question me!” Cesar roared back. It was a stifling roar of demand. One that had many of his vampires cringe from the tone. Thomas panted harshly in rage. He only needed a little further to be pushed.

  “You know, recently I’ve discovered what it means to have a familiar,” I purred. “And I would do anything for him. So shut your filthy mouth, before I rip your jaw off its hinges, and plunge my hand so swimmingly around your heart; that my face will be the last and only thing you see in your dark afterlife.”

  Thomas roared in a frenzy and pushed back his sister to grab for my throat. He was fast, and his nails scraped past my throat, only narrowly missing a firm grip. My whole body thrived in excitement and burned with pain from my exhaustion. My eyes glazed a purple, and I knew my Hunter eyes were present, as well as my fangs that thirsted to drive into his neck, and rip out his throat. A lot of vampires gasped as they hid away from the fight, and my obvious Hunter eyes.

  I leapt at Thomas, grabbing his wrist and wrapping it around his back to break it. But he was fast and strong. With the same arm, he threw me back and leapt for me. I kicked him in the stomach, pushing him away, and lunging for him again. My muscles didn’t contract as quickly, and there was a moment of pause from my body as its tiredness tried to keep up with my next sought out ambition and movement. I was weak, and had exhausted myself already. The sensation of the Descendant knocked at my blood, but I knew I was too weak to call it forth. Instead I prepared myself for his pounce, ready to take a wound to trap him again. Would he dive for my heart, or try to behead me?