“They may both live,” Tavish declared.
The humans were wrapped well in furs Tavish had brought. They would remain unconscious for some time; he didn’t want them to freeze to death. Ursus stood guard. She nosed the female and pulled her under her. The male she left off to the side. Tavish took notice.
“You don’t like the male?” he asked.
He was going to hurt her.
Tavish nodded. Ursus hated any male who would harm a female. Over the years, Ursus had stopped eating human female flesh or anything female. Because Tavish had turned her, she would never have a cub of her own. Ursus had developed a soft spot for women and children. She made do with what she found. Tavish and his men continued their search. Periodically, more humans were brought to Ursus to guard.
Finally, Tavish became aware of a vampire not from his coven. The vampire was with a human female who was sobbing. The female was naked, shivering on a thick fur. She was on her knees before the unclothed vampire, her teeth clicking together in fear or cold, Tavish was uncertain. Tavish assessed her quickly. The female was of childbearing years. High breasts, rounded hips, dark-haired. Beautiful. A fine new asset to his coven.
“You will please me,” the vampire warned the female.
“Not tonight,” Tavish said.
The startled vampire spun, but it was too late. With lightning speed, Tavish was before the other vampire. Tavish slammed a sharp piece of ice through the vampire’s heart. With a fast slice the chest was opened. Tavish stuck his hand into the vampire and pulled his heart out. Before the vampire hit the ground Tavish had stomped on the heart with a hard booted heel until it was a mass of goo. He then shoved the sharp ice through the dead vampire’s brain. By removing his heart he had killed the vampire. By destroying his brain, another vampire wouldn’t be able to see what his last images were.
The female, who was on her knees, fainted when the fallen vampire turned ghastly red, then black before her. His body shriveled slowly. Within hours he would turn to dust. The female was wrapped well against the cold and thrown over Ryker’s shoulder. Tavish would decide who he would give her to. Every human in his coven, male or female needed a vampire to call their own to make them feel safe. She would be taught simply uttering her master’s name would bring him to her. A security blanket in the unknown.
Fifteen vampires in total were slain that night. None of which were Remo. Tavish was annoyed but gratified with the five humans they had captured. One male, one young child and three females, one of which was pregnant. He would have to settle for getting Remo on another night. Tavish once more sent Ursus on a mission to find the vampire. Tavish knew this wouldn’t be finished until Remo was dead.
The humans were secured, checked for clear breathing. Tavish added another wrap to the child, the nude female and the pregnant female. The vampires took to the skies for their long flight home.
Chapter 7
“Jarrod?” Mercy whispered.
She was outside enjoying the fresh air. Tavish didn’t restrict her to staying inside. He encouraged her to wander and exercise. Living in an ice cavern had been so confining. Out in the open she could run if she chose. Other humans taught her exercises where she could fling her arms and move her legs without restrictions. Most importantly she could laugh out loud. Tavish had taken great pains to make her laugh. When she did and covered her mouth he pulled her hands free and held them. She’d had no choice but to laugh freely until her sides almost split. It had been wonderful.
Tavish wanted her to find an activity she would enjoy. Something that would make her happy. Mercy took full advantage of her newfound freedom. She had noticed the discreet looks from vampires and breeder males, but they left her alone, she was Tavish’s. He was never far away and he had informed her that his hearing was acute. If she called him from anywhere on the site he would hear her. And if he had to be away she was to call Caine or Laken, who were attentive and sweet to a fault.
The forty vampires in Tavish’s coven each had their own story to tell and Mercy loved to listen to all of them. Ryker had been a Viking warrior. Mercy had no idea what Viking berserker was and Ryker had regaled her with hair-raising, nail-biting stories she found fascinating. Caine was a doctor. He had been a healer for five thousand years and Mercy felt safe with him. Laken was almost as old as Tavish; the idea was mind boggling. A few of the vampires were roguish. Rhett was an insatiable flirt who Mercy tried to keep her distance from. He didn’t scare her; it was Tanya who made a fuss when Mercy went near him.
Tavish had vampires from all eras. He had a man who had served under Caesar and claimed to have made love to Cleopatra. A warrior from one of the crusades came from medieval times. Mercy loved their tales and it helped when Tavish took her to their time with his memories. She thought nothing could surprise her anymore. She was wrong.
It had been a huge surprise coming across Jarrod. He looked smaller without all the fur coverings but there he stood, only feet from her. She gaped at him with her mouth open. Jarrod wore the standard loincloth all the human men in Tavish’s coven wore. It appeared Tavish had chosen Jarrod as a breeder. Jarrod was big, not as big as Tavish but close enough. Tavish was more muscular whereas Jarrod’s extra pounds made him look beefy. Jarrod had dark chestnut hair that reached his shoulders; his natural highlights caught the sunrays. His dark brown eyes flashed with disapproval. He looked furious. His powerful arms were crossed over his large bare chest.
“Nudity is an act of treason.” His words came out in a hiss through his barred teeth.
Mercy felt her face burn with embarrassment. The encampment was full of scantily dressed humans and she had gotten used to the arrangement until she had all but forgotten about it. The coven was situated in a warm environment in a country Tavish said was at one time named South America. Even then, only a small portion of the country closest to the equator was unaffected by the ice age that Tavish told her ravaged the earth.
She was wearing a light blue teddy. The garment was standard issue to all women of breeding age. The bottom fastens remained closed. Tavish was in no hurry to breed her he had told her. She thought he just liked the way the silky fabric clung to her tits and ass. Jarrod obviously didn’t share Tavish’s appreciation. Mercy had always thought Jarrod was a handsome man—except right now. The open, vile disgust on his face made him look ugly.
“Do you think I have a choice? Do you?” she replied with some anger.
“You should have fought harder,” he snapped.
“Against a vampire? Look at you. You’re more than twice my size. You’re almost nude. Why didn’t you fight harder?”
He at least had the decency to blush. “I will not breed. I’m still clean. Can you say the same? Have you lain with the beast? You disgrace your father. Traitor.”
Mercy screamed when Jarrod was suddenly smashed against the side of the large brick home Tavish had created. The house was all one level and housed everyone. Off the main hall were dozens of hallways leading to over a hundred rooms. Each vampire had his own room. Humans were placed accordingly.
“You were not here when my first warning was issued, and so you will be allowed to live—this time,” Tavish hissed through his long fangs. His white eyes were glowing. Tavish was in the air, Jarrod dangling helplessly with a forearm against his throat. “No male is allowed near my female without my permission. Do you understand?” He growled and gave Jarrod a hard shake. Mercy heard his teeth click together.
Jarrod looked terrified. “Yes.”
“All females in my coven are to be treated with the utmost respect and gentleness. You will not use your strength or negative words with any, or punishment is severe and swift,” Tavish continued. “You may have been chosen as a breeder, but your life is worth nothing compared to a human breeder female.”
Wide-eyed, Jarrod nodded his agreement, having little choice. Mercy had come to realize the value at which Tavish placed on human female life. Even female children were prized higher than his breeding males. Mercy
understood his reasoning when Tavish had explained one male could impregnate twenty or more women. But the more females, the more life would be created.
Tavish slowly settled the man onto his bare feet. For just a fleeting moment, Jarrod turned his face and scowled. Mercy was shocked. It seemed Jarrod was also a resister. It made sense to her seeing as Jarrod was her cousin. Perhaps it was the way of their blood line. Once released, Jarrod took off like a rabbit, shaking with fear and embarrassment. Mercy felt a pang of remorse. Jarrod was a proud man, a good hunter. He had been reduced to nothing more than a breeding vessel. She was then struck with a brighter thought.
Mercy went to Tavish. “Were there others from my ice cave?” she asked excitedly. “More of my family?”
“No, I’m sorry. There had been two other women, but I was told they both met with unfortunate accidents.”
“Were they killed by the vampires?”
“No,” Tavish said, his look brooding. “One fell down a gorge. She slipped. The other wandered off. By the time they found her, she had frozen to death. From what the others say, it wasn’t suicide. Just unfortunate accidents.”
“Oh, how awful,” Mercy said, she could feel her eyes fill with tears. “At least I have Jarrod. Please let us talk. He’s angry and afraid. Maybe I can help him.”
“Not right now,” Tavish said. “Wait until he’s convinced his pecker won’t fall off if he uses it for something other than to piss from.”
“That may take awhile,” Mercy said and frowned. “He was a true follower of my father’s. Daddy’s word was law. Jarrod is thirty and has never been with a woman.”
“Has he been with a man?”
“Huh?” she asked astounded.
Tavish chuckled. “A man can’t get pregnant. Maybe your father’s law didn’t include male partners, if they were discreet.”
“But how would he… How would they? Where would they?” Mercy felt a blush heat her face. “Oh…Oh.”
“Don’t look so surprised, little cub. Men have always found ways to satisfy their needs and are very adept on how to do it, laws or no laws.”
Mercy leaned in close and motioned him lower so she could whisper in his ear. “Do men really do that? I mean to each other? There?”
Tavish smiled at her. “Yes. I have vampires who aren’t opposed to taking a man. Men on my compound who are not chosen to breed take other men. I don’t care if they satisfy their needs, as long as it’s not with chosen females. Some women aren’t opposed to the idea either.”
“Really?” she was fascinated. “Who would have thought our body parts had so many other uses. From one place alone I can pee, have sex and have a baby!”
Tavish roared with laughter. “Not exactly, little cub, but I understand your meaning.”
“I think a vagina is up inside because it’s a hidden treasure,” Mercy said marveling at the idea.
“Now that I agree with.”
“Will Jarrod be sitting at the mating table tonight?” Mercy asked. Though their reunion was less than stellar she was anxious to see family again.
“Yes. You may speak with him tonight, but if he starts any talk on forbidden areas, he will be reprimanded.”
The warning was stern. Mercy hoped her outspoken cousin would behave himself. A vampire’s wrath wouldn’t be pleasant. Besides, she didn’t want to hear talk of how she was being unfaithful or committing acts of treason. She liked joining with Tavish. She liked the way he shared his memories. Perhaps she could change Jarrod’s mind. Mercy thought if he had just one taste of a sexual encounter, he would be hooked. At least she hoped so. There was no doubt in her mind Tavish would kill him if Jarrod tried to stir up trouble. This was Tavish’s coven. No male human would disturb his utopia.
* * * *
Tavish stood watching Mercy as she conversed with Jarrod at the mating table. He had learned they were second cousins. Jarrod was speaking in a soft tone, obviously hoping his words were for Mercy alone. Tavish noted Tanya was hanging off his every word and smirking. The man could prove to be a trouble maker. A human female resister was easier to control but not always. Also, Tavish wouldn’t kill any female of breeding years no matter what. That would be the equivalent of killing numerous offspring she could have birthed. Jarrod was another matter entirely.
“You should have let your father end your life. You committed an act of treason,” Jarrod was whispering.
Laken shot Tavish a look, his eyebrows raised. Tavish glanced about as though he were clueless. He saw Jarrod look over at him. Tavish smiled at him, Jarrod smiled back.
“Just look at the evil bastard,” Jarrod said scathingly.
“Please, Jarrod, you need to stop,” Mercy was pleading. “Don’t say or do anything foolish. You are the last family I have.”
And that’s the only reason he still lives. Tavish was getting angrier by the second.
“I’m told you need to cut their hearts out,” Jarrod continued, oblivious of the danger he was in as more vampires tuned in to their conversation.
Tanya stopped smirking and grew pale, even she now looked frightened. Mercy looked angry.
“Tavish isn’t evil,” Mercy insisted making Tavish smile. “He feeds everyone and keeps us safe from other vampires. I’m sorry the others were cruel to you. But Tavish saved my life. You don’t seem opposed to stuffing your face with his food.”
Jarrod stopped chewing and went beet red. “You shouldn’t even be alive. If we can kill them you can redeem yourself. We can take over this place,” Jarrod whispered.
“And do what?” Mercy snapped angrily. “Other vampires would come. What do you suggest we do? Kill the children and babies here? Pregnant women? Clothe us all from head to toe in the sweltering heat for your vanity.”
“Treason, it’s all treason you speak,” he snapped and glared at her.
“You’re a fool,” Mercy said, not bothering to lower her voice. She rose from the table, not having eaten anything. She marched from the hall, her back ramrod straight and turned down the hallway towards Tavish’s room.
The entire main hall was quiet, no one else dared move. They were all frozen to their seats. Only Jarrod seemed not to notice. His face was screwed into a mask of fury and he looked ready to go after Mercy. Tavish approached him. Jarrod was startled when Tavish was before him in a matter of seconds.
“Making friends?” Tavish asked him.
Jarrod looked at the others. None were eating, talking, or moving. A few of the women were shaking. Kia was quietly sobbing. Tavish heard her whimper for Ryker under her breath. Tavish motioned for Ryker to come and get her before she ended up on the floor in a quivering mass. On their way out, Ryker scooped up Perrin, the other mothers and their children followed at his command as well as the pregnant females. They looked relieved to leave.
Jarrod slowly settled his gaze onto Tavish. His face had gone pale and he was obviously realizing too late Tavish and the others had heard every word he had said. Every vampire that remained had their eyes locked on him. Some were glowing white.
It was subtle, but Tavish saw Jarrod shudder. Tavish smiled. “Come take a walk with me, Jarrod.”
“No,” he whispered. There was a collective gasp from the remaining humans.
“Jarrod, do as he says,” Tate snapped urgently.
“I don’t want to,” Jarrod whispered, although Tavish thought his words were closer to a frightened, petulant whimper.
“My word here is law, Jarrod,” Tavish said quietly. He could have whispered the sentence and it still would have sounded like a canon blast in the room.
Jarrod rose to his feet. The two men were almost the same height. Tavish understood the look on Jarrod’s face. They would have been equally matched had Tavish been human. But Tavish wasn’t human; as far as he knew, he was the oldest living vampire on Earth. Other vampires respected his power. Jarrod was about to learn to.
Human and vampire left the quiet room. They walked outside into the dusk. Tavish took a deep breath. This was hi
s favorite time of the day. He chuckled at all the myths surrounding his kind. Tavish ate what he wanted occasionally, he even liked garlic. Although mostly the food was saved for his humans, he only tested certain new things. With his evolved taste buds, Tavish could detect poisonous foods. Food wouldn’t sustain him, though; he did need the blood above all else.
Tavish equally enjoyed strolling in the sun. His kind killed mostly at night under the cover of darkness in the early years. It didn’t mean they couldn’t walk in the sunshine, it just meant they weren’t stupid enough to kill in broad daylight. Perpetuating this myth, of sunlight being harmful to vampires, had been an effective way to cover any daytime blunder. Tavish had liked it best when humans stopped believing in vampires altogether and passed them off as myths and fairytales. Now it didn’t matter. Vampires ruled the world.
It had been an enlightening experience to humans in years gone past just how much their myths had aided in a vampire’s survival. With Lord Byron’s Fragment of a Novel in the early nineteenth century Tavish had shrugged the book off, thinking it interesting though inconsequential. Tavish had taken great delight in Bram Stoker’s Dracula story. Like some things, a fairy tale can be based on a modicum of truth. Then again, it set all the silly little myths in motion. Because Tavish was so old, the new theories were highly entertaining and amusing at the time.
A vampire wasn’t suddenly struck evil when he was turned. They still had the flesh of a human being. Galf had been quite handsome and Tavish had witnessed his father’s success with the ladies. Tavish still lived, laughed and loved. Killing your food wasn’t heartless. He considered himself a higher evolved species. If he were to cease to exist, his brethren would not die. His men would not be crippled. Tavish had given them the skills and memories to survive.
The pandemonium in the first years of the ice age aided Tavish’s endeavors. Flocking to churches had only corralled humans easier. Holy water was just wet. A stake through the heart killed, but only in aiding to remove the heart completely. Even a vampire needed a heart, which was irksome considering it only beat once occasionally to remind them at one time they were human. That was why they needed the blood. A vampire could no longer make their own. It still needed to flow through their veins, to push that one sporadic irritating beat harder and function their limbs and brains.
The Brethren Of Tavish [Vampire Coven Book 1] Page 10