by A K Michaels
© 2015 by A K Michaels All Rights Reserved
This book, or any portion thereof, including cover art, may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission by the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
AUTHOR’S NOTE
AVA RECOMMENDS
OTHER WORKS
As the light waned, she didn’t bother to switch on the lights of her motorbike. Her enhanced eyesight allowing her to see perfectly well in the dim light. A gift from her father’s heritage, and one she used perfectly when on a mission. She needed all the help she could get, and as she sped along the deserted highway she allowed herself a small smile at her latest result.
The man she’d been tasked to take out now lay dead, and she had not one ounce of regret. He was a lowlife who abused the weak and vulnerable, newly turned female Vamps. Making a fortune by whoring them out while all he paid them was the minimum amount of blood necessary to keep them alive. Scum. That’s what he was and this new world was a better place without him in it.
As she sped along she yawned, tired after her earlier “exertions” and she planned on stopping in a few hours, the place she intended to rest already scoped out on the journey to her assignment. A long arduous trip with many dangers, ones she’d faced time and again over the past few years. With civilization falling apart when she was a child, there were very few places that still had any sort of lawmen. Some did, but they were so rare that she was always prepared to handle any situation. The sight of her seemed to bring the worst out in men. Men who could be anything from a Wolf to a Fallen Angel, with every species in between. Apart from Witches.
No, the only other Witch she’d ever come across was Seth. Her protector, her mentor, and her savior. Without him she knew she’d be dead, along with all the other Witches that’d been hunted to near extinction. The reason eluded both her and Seth. Rumors abounded about the vicious hunting down of anyone even part Witch, like her, but no solid reason could she find for the horror that happened so many years ago.
Shaking her head to clear it from morbid thoughts, she upped her speed, her body a little sore after her celebration earlier. Once again she did what she kept saying she wouldn’t after a kill: sought out a man to fulfill a need deep inside her. She could still smell him on her skin but refused to clean herself until she reached home. A ritual that happened most times she went on a mission.
Cursing aloud she shouted, “Fuck!” as she put on a burst of speed, the power between her legs taking her mind off her lapse. She’d deal with the consequences soon enough. For now, she had to concentrate and ensure she got home in one piece.
Racing around a bend in the road, leaning expertly over to the side, she slowed, a few abandoned buildings up ahead alerting her to possible danger. Using her mother’s input to her DNA, she cast a spell outwards, seeking any threat ahead. As her spell dashed forward, she kept her eyes peeled, moving far slower than she would’ve liked. A red tinge started to brighten and grow over three separate areas, all of which were great vantage points for an ambush.
“Can I once, just once, get home without having to kick some dumb fuck’s ass?” she asked aloud as her bike stopped in the middle of the street. It was far safer to stop and take them out than try and get past and be thrown from her bike. She loved that bike, hand built from scratch, she and Seth foraging for the parts for many months. It ran on a hybrid engine that used the sun to partially charge it so she didn’t use up too much fuel. At night she was forced to use gas and that was a precious commodity nowadays. So there was no way in hell she was going to take a chance that her beloved bike would get damaged.
She got off, kicking down the stand as she wound a hand over her shoulder, double checking that her katana was freely available, and popping the safety stud that held it securely in the long leather sheath which ran diagonally across her back. Removing her helmet, she placed it on the handlebar then walked forward.
“Okay, I know you’re there so come on out and we can get this over with.” Shouting as she scanned the area with her Wolf eyes. “I’ve got a home to get to and you assholes are holding me up.”
Hearing a laugh from her left, her head spun in that direction, a large bear of a man sauntered out. A dirty, unkempt beard covered his face, so all she saw clearly were his eyes. Eyes that were not in the least friendly, and held the red tinge of a hungry Vampire. She sighed before addressing the obvious leader. “I know you’re not on your own so why not call out your little friends and we can get this party started?”
“Party? Hey, guys, we’ve got a livewire here.” The man guffawed, bending over for a moment as laughter erupted. “So you want to party with us, little lady?”
She shook her head sadly as two other men appeared, staring at her with lust and hunger on their faces. “You misunderstood my definition of party, big guy. Let me explain. This can go one of two ways. You and your men,” her arm arced around to take in the other two standing in the shadows, “can leave me in peace and let me pass. Or, and looking at you I’m guessing this is the way it’ll play out, I kill you all. Simple.”
The main man stood straighter, showing off his bulk as he stepped closer. “You’re goin’ to kill us? All three of us? You’re aware that we’re Vampires, aren’t you? But just what the fuck are you? I can’t quite make up my mind.”
“Yes, yes, and none of your damn business,” she snapped out, waiting to see who’d make the first move. The large one, the leader, flicked a finger at one of the others still in the shadows.
Her eyes flitted towards him, her arm moved with lightning speed, retrieving her katana. Brandishing the long blade in front of her as the smaller Vampire sped towards her. She tracked his movements, knowing a nanosecond in advance his intentions. She stood calmly, waiting until he was within reach, then weaved her sword in an impossibly fast arc towards him.
The razor sharp blade relieved the Vamp of his head, quickly, cleanly, and with ease. His body collapsed to the ground with a soft thud, his dark blood seeping into the hard-packed earth beneath him. She didn’t give his body a second glance as she took up a defensive stance, her knees bending and her sword now before her, held in both hands as she smirked at the leader.
“What the fuck?” he cursed, motioning again at the other Vampire to attack.
This one was faster but she was ready, her blade slashing through the air to slice across his thigh as she spun around to miss his grasping fingers. The sword passed all the way through, causing him to fall onto his other knee. Her blade glinted in the moonlight as she quickly slashed down fiercely, decapitating him in an instant. Pulling her blade free before she eyed the larger man, seeing his fury seething inside.
“What are you?” he ground out between clenched teeth.
“Again, none of your business.” She grinned at him, her eyes flashing with anger. “You’ve missed the most important question. Not what I am, but who I am.”
He didn’t respond other than to roar as he flashed towards her. She stepped forward, away from the two dead bodies and waited. As he drew nearer she dashed to the side impossibly fast, twirling her blade above her head as she went. A hiss of anger from the Vampire as she sliced downwards and into the back of his knee.
She gave him credit. He didn’t slow down, only cursing loudly as he whirled around to come after her again. Once more she danced out of his reach, her blade inflicting even more damage as he tried to get his hands on her. Not happening.
“I’ll fucking rip you apart and drink you dry!” His rage clear in the roar as he stumbled up onto his feet.
“Nope.” She shook her head.
This time she wove out of his grasp, bringing her blade backwards, the tip of her blade sinking in and piercing his lower back, severing the spine and causing his large body to collapse. Not a death blow. He was a Vampire and if left alone the wound would heal, but she wasn’t leaving him alive to hunt her down. Stepping over him she flicked her hair over her shoulder as he stared at her.
“Who are you?” he finally asked.
Staring down at him totally emotionless she answered. “If you’d asked that first then maybe, just maybe, you and your men might’ve survived this little dance. Me? I’m The Black Rose.” She winked at him before raising her blade to end him. Seeing the recognition in his eyes a second before she tore his head from his body. “Another one bites the dust,” she sang as she wiped her blade on his clothes before returning it to its sheath.
“Maybe I can get on my way now,” she said aloud, looking at the corpses as if they were nothing but a nuisance in her path. Calmly walking back to her bike she pulled her helmet back on, swinging a leg over and settling on her seat. “Hope there’s no more assholes around,” she mumbled as she started it up, weaving around the bodies, then revving hard and streaking off into the darkness.
As the miles fell away, her heart rate picked up at the thought of seeing Seth when she finally arrived home the next day. She knew she’d have to tell him about the guy she’d had sex with, and also knew he wouldn’t be happy. Again. Her skin tingled, heating up as she thought of the road the consequences of her actions would take.
Shaking her head, Rose focused on the deserted tarmac ahead. It wouldn’t be long until she came to the small town she’d scoped out and decided to stop at on her return. Rose wouldn’t go into the town to rest. Too dangerous. However, she’d seen a small farm just on the outskirts and the house appeared almost whole. That’s where she was planning on resting. If sleep came that was.
Trying to sleep in a world where Supernatural beings roamed free wasn’t easy. She needed some rest, even a little, before she could carry on. If she didn’t, she’d probably crash and burn very soon. The days of routinely flying in planes were long gone, a distant memory to her. Only the elite now had access to those. Or the military. Neither of which she was friendly with.
At least she had her bike. Most people were using horses, walking, or using the waterways to get around. There were still little pockets where nothing seemed to have changed. Other than the huge walls now built around them to keep everyone else out. Well, almost everyone. She’d managed to infiltrate a few when sent on a mission to kill someone.
The High Council paid her handsomely for her services, especially when they were needed in a place that others found impregnable. Seth had taught her well. Too well. Her services were in high demand but she was fussy when it came to assignments. Only taking on the ones where she felt justified in taking a life.
Unfortunately, in this war-torn world there were far too many of those. Hence she was kept busy. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if her mother would approve of how she put her talents to use. Probably not. Her vague memories were of a woman who worshiped the Goddess and used her powers only to help others. Sadness engulfed Rose as she powered down her bike, nearing her resting place. “I’m sorry, Mom,” she whispered as she stopped, letting her powers loose once again to check the farmhouse to make sure it was safe.
Her spell showed the building was empty so she approached slowly, her senses still on high alert just in case. Seeing, hearing, and feeling no threat, she parked as close to the back door as possible before heading inside. The place had been ransacked, as were most buildings, so she dismissed the mess and found an old, dirty, and worn throw and returned to place it over her bike.
Unclipping her holdall, she then tucked the worn blanket around her pride and joy as she uttered a spell to protect it while she rested. If anyone tried to take it, they were in for a nasty shock. She then returned to the house, tired and weary. An old, torn couch lay on its back so she set it upright before sitting down, grabbing a bottled water from her bag she drank it down then lay her aching body on the sofa. Her nose wrinkling at the dank smell oozing from the fabric. “Don’t think about it,” she told herself, pushing the thoughts of the origins of the smells far away.
Rose tossed and turned, sleep eluding her, so she sat back up. Placing her hands, palm up, on her knees she started one of Seth’s meditating lessons. One he told her he would use when on a mission for what he called special-ops and it was too dangerous to actually sleep. She could rest her mind and body without falling over into a slumber and he’d taught her well. It only took a few moments before her limbs relaxed, her muscles eased, her breathing slowed and her mind floated away.
She stayed in the same pose for two hours then slowly came to, shaking herself and sighing as she stood. It was around midnight and if she put her foot down, she’d reach home in less than four hours. Seth would still be in bed and she hated to wake him but knew she’d be compelled to do so. The urge to cleanse herself so great it burned deep inside her.
Seth was the only person who could help with that. Always had been and she guessed he always would. Nobody else knew her as he did, understood her actions, her thoughts, her body. She hated to disappoint him, hated herself for allowing her desires to take over, but each and every time her savior would forgive her. Forgive, cleanse and heal.
Rose’s movements were now rushed, her need to reach her sanctuary urging her on. “No other fucker better try and slow me down,” she hissed as she mounted her bike, starting it quickly and twisting the throttle back to speed off, dirt flying behind her as she charged towards the one person she knew she could depend on.
The only man she trusted, apart from her father, and the only man she’d ever cared about. Seth’s face filled her mind, so hard and cold, dangerous and deadly, until they entered his bedroom. That is where he changed, looking on her with love as she submitted to him willingly.
“Flower?” Seth’s sleepy voice broke the silence as she stood at his door. “I didn’t expect you home until tomorrow. Is everything okay?”
Rose’s heart sped up as he left his bed, a pair of pajama bottoms hanging low on his hips. “Yes. I just needed to get home.”
Seth stopped in front of her, her feet on the entrance but not inside the room. “Do you need to come in?” he asked in a knowing voice.
“Yes.” She nodded, as he held his hand out.
“I see.” He spoke softly as he led her to the middle of his large room, as he said one more word, “One.”
Rose dropped to her knees, her ass back on her heels, her head bowed and her hands loose on her thighs. “My beautiful flower, tell me, did your mission go as planned?”
“Yes,” Rose answered, her voice in this room nothing like it was elsewhere. Soft, low, obedient. “I met some Vamps on the way home but I dealt with them.”
“Were you injured? Do I need to check you out?” Seth asked as he placed a hand on top of her head.
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m fine. I just needed to . . .” her voice trailing off as a soft sob broke from her.
“It’s alright, Rose, I’m here.” Seth’s finger lifted her chin. “Look at me. Did you use another man? Is that what’s wrong?”
Rose closed her eyes, not bearing to see the disappoin
tment she knew would be in his. “I said, look at me.” Seth’s voice firm and full of power.
“Yes,” she sighed as she looked up at him. “I’m sorry.”
“We’ve spoken of this, many times, Rose.” Seth walked all around her, his fingers trailing over her as he went. “Did you try? Did you try and fight it?”
She thought of the man she’d sought out. Any man would’ve done, well, not any man, but a strong, powerful and deadly man. One she’d fuck but still be in total control of him and the sex they had. Her on top while she took advantage of him, using his body for the release she craved intensely.
“No,” she admitted as Seth stopped before her.
“Have you bathed?” he queried, his eyes locking with hers.
“No,” she again admitted, knowing how it upset him when she returned stinking of another man.
“What am I going to do with you, my fragile flower?” Seth sighed as she looked down at the floor.
The way he made her feel just like that, a fragile flower and not a hard as nails assassin, always made her knees weak. They trained every single day she was home, fighting, exercising hard and out there, outside of this room, she was tough as sin. But, here, within the confines of his room she let everything else fall away, becoming vulnerable with the only person she could.
“I’m sorry, Seth,” she mumbled an apology. One which she meant. She was sorry but she knew she would probably do the same thing again. Rose felt a tear run down the side of her face as she tried, again, to figure out why she behaved as she did.
“I know you are.” Seth’s voice was full of feeling. “But we’ve done this way too many times for you to not know there’ll be consequences, Rose. You know that, Flower, yet still you do it. What are you seeking, I wonder?”
“I don’t know,” Rose confessed as she felt his eyes boring into her.
“I think I do, but,” he paused as her eyes flew to his in question. “I think you need to find that out for yourself. In the meantime, strip and assume the position for your punishment.”