“You are indeed regal looking this evening,” Drake said as joined me in the garden. I had chosen a long burgundy-colored dress with a plunging neckline and flared sleeves while he was dashing, dressed in dark gray, his hair slicked back and his face freshly shaven.
“You smell and look delicious.” I purred as I lifted myself up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Drake grinned broadly, his fangs gleaming brilliantly in the moonlight.
“Ready for all of this?” he asked.
“I am and then I just want to move forward,” I answered.
Before we could discuss anything further, the garden suddenly became a hub of activity as vampires and fledglings alike took their places in a semi circle. I was pleased to see how in such a short time we had all come together in a common goal of survival.
Marie and Lizette joined me at my side. They were lovely in matching red, flowing shifts. Marie’s face beamed with love and pride as she took Lizette’s hand into her own and brought it to her lips in a very public display of affection.
The air was warm and the moon lent its silver glow to the proceedings. I stepped forward and raised my hand, silencing the crowd that was milling around us.
“We have all survived a great trial and come out stronger and more resilient as a Clan.” I called out, trying to sound more in control than I actually felt. “None of us know what the future will hold but we must keep open hearts and minds as we move forward in this modern world where humans and vampires must coexist.” I felt Drake’s large hand on the small of my back, it was the reassurance I needed to get through the next part of my speech.
“As you are all aware, the Ancient Ones, our elders and conscience for thousands of years have had to make a decision as to the future of how the Vampire Code is enforced and how the rule of this Clan will continue.” I had to stop and catch my breath as I felt my throat close with emotion and bloody tears began to well up in my eyes, clouding my vision.
“For now,” I began again slowly and with purpose, “the wisdom of the Ancients will remain and we shall be ruled by a Queen once again.”
A loud murmur began as individuals started to debate the sense of this decision and I knew many would not and did not approve even though they would live within the Code as the Ancients demanded.
“However—” A hush came over the crowd as I continued to speak. “However, your new Queen and head of the Clans will not be me.”
A look of confusion and admittedly some relief came over the faces of many in the crowd. Both, Marie and Lizette turned to look at me. They both had tears in their eyes.
“This is nonsense,” Marie said angrily. “They can’t hold one mistake in all your years as Queen against you!”
I raised my hand again to try and quiet the crowd. I looked over and smiled at Marie, placing a finger to my lips. “Just listen,” I whispered. “Please, listen and promise to adhere to what the Ancients have requested. They see more than I or you will ever know.”
“There comes a time when definite change is needed,” I said, the confidence returning to my voice as I spoke. “The Ancients, in their wisdom have seen this. It started with Andrew, who although he was only your Vampire King for a brief time, he started the Clans on their journey into the modern world. That shall be continued with the enthusiasm and energy of another from his line.”
Stunned silence.
“You all served me well and I beg the same for your new Queen and her consort as they have the blessings of the Ancients.”
I watched as the realization of what I was saying was dawning on Marie and Lizette. Marie walked forward and grabbed my hands in shock. “Are you certain? Are you sure this is what they have asked of me? I am still a fledgling here among you.” A look of sheer panic overtook Marie as she looked frantically from me to Lizette.
“You are strong little one, “ Drake said to her. “We will all be here for you.”
“As I said before, the Ancients know and see what we cannot. I agree with their decision and I will be here to guide you through. You will make a wonderful new Queen and I know Andrew would be very proud of you. You have a combination of modern-world experience and the knowledge of the old-world code and ethics. You are fearless and I know the Clan sees that after your actions in these last months. You accomplished what I could not.” A bloody tear ran down my cheek as the look of fear faded from Marie’s face and look of determination replaced it.
Turning back to the murmuring crowd, I took Marie’s hand and raised it high into the air, introducing the Clan to their new Queen.
“Marie Saint Martin,” I said strongly. “You are the chosen one to continue the Ancient bloodline and rule within the Vampire Code. The Ancients have blessed you and your consort Lizette and charge you with continued protection of the Clan. I pass the crown to you. Do you accept this responsibility?”
A sudden look of peace came over Marie as she tightly held Lizette’s hand and they walked forward to face the Clan together. “I accept and I make the blood oath to rule according to the Vampire Code,” she replied.
As was required by ceremony, I unsheathed my ceremonial dagger and dragged its razor sharp blade across my wrist. A thin line of blood appeared as I lifted my wrist to Marie to present myself as a supplicant. She bent forward and suckled briefly as a sign that my Ancient blood and the blood of all those Queens before me was now hers.
I stepped back and made room for Marie and Lizette to move forward in my place. “I humbly remove myself as leader of the Clan and promise to support and adhere to your rule, Queen Marie Saint Martin.”
A loud thunder of applause came from the crowd and although their acceptance of her surprised me, I also knew that what the Ancients wanted, the majority would support. It was now up to Marie to prove or disprove her strength as leader of the Clans.
The celebrations went on deep into the night. I watched in fascination as Marie found herself surrounded by Ancients and fledglings alike. She seemed enthralled with it all but I knew, as she had with everything else, her strength and perceptiveness would shine through. She was what the Clan needed to bring them into the twenty-first century.
Drake was silent through most of it all until he moved in close behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me close to him. We stood like that for a while before he kissed the back of my neck and turned me to face him.
“Don’t be sad. There is a whole world to discover. We have been drawn to each together again for a purpose,” he said.
I looked up, searching Drake’s dark eyes, and smiled at the reflection of love I saw there. Never had I thought a former priest and Vampire Queen would mate as one.
“No more being hunted and no more the huntress.” I sighed.
“You confronted your destiny and lived to tell the tale,” Drake said. “Marie will need you. I need you.”
The sun was beginning to rise in the east, creating a perfect palette of orange, pink, and blue. Once again, Drake took my hand and we walked back into the shadows. The battle was over. For now.
About the Author:
Heather McAlendin is a multi published author/photographer living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Information about Heather and her work can be found on her website:
http://mcalendin.com.
Killer Queen
by Heather McAlendin
eBook ISBN: 9781770650022
Print ISBN: 9781770650107
Price: $ 5.95
Vampire Thriller
Novel of 30,313 words
A modern vampire thriller brimming with lust, betrayal, greed and vengeance.
Silver Devries is a five hundred year old Vampire Queen who, out of betrayal and vengeance, becomes a Vampire Hunter. She must search for a rogue female vampire who threatens the very existence of the vampire clans. Silver’s greatest allies become those who should fear her the most…mortals. Fear, hope and unexpected love are the ties that bind vampire and human together as they fight to save both of their worlds from imminent
destruction.
Also from Eternal Press:
The Vampire Queen
by Jodie Pierce
eBook ISBN: 9781615723614
Print ISBN: 9781615723621
Paranormal Vampire
Novella of 24,994 words
A young woman awakes to find out not only is she an important Countess but she is also the very first or ‘Ancient One’ as she is called by her subjects. Her memories of being a vampire or anyone are gone so she must relearn everything (from spells to flying) from the people around her, but can they be trusted?
She learns her main objective as the old Countess was purifying the vampire race and wishes to continue with that work.
The ‘Others’, powerful and evil vampires, attempt to use her memory loss to their advantage. They had been trying to entice her to their side for centuries. Struggling to remember her past, battling the ‘Others’ and coping with her new life keep the Countess busy throughout this spellbinding and thrilling novel. Will she succeed in her goals or will the ‘Others’ win her over to their side this time around?
Also from Eternal Press:
The Woman in Crimson
by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
eBook ISBN: 9781615721979
Print ISBN: 9781615721986
Romance Horror Vampire
Novel of 96,494 words
Sometimes love lasts forever…but maybe it shouldn’t. Willowwind, a beautiful Civil War era bed and breakfast, is run by a loving couple, Adrian and Caroline Stone, but it’s also haunted by a long-dead Civil War era vampiress, Lilith, who believes the man, Adrian, is her reincarnated soldier/lover and will do anything to have him, body-heart-and soul, for her own again, no matter how many she must kill. But Adrian’s wife, Caroline, along with the help of the ghost of her dead father, will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Table of Contents
Start
The Hunted Page 10