The Brethren Of Tavish [Vampire Coven Book 1]

by C. L. Scholey

  Another image battered her of a woman led away and left alone, sobbing, down a long frozen ice hallway. Her arms were lifted in a pleading gesture. Most of her furs were taken from her. But the image continued and the perception of someone simply walking away impaled her soul with the cruelty. The women had been her cousins. Mercy’s heart grew cold. Tavish wouldn’t kill women of childbearing years. Whose horrific memories were these? Jarrod had been the last one Tavish sucked from.

  Oh no.

  Jarrod had killed them. He had murdered his own cousins. They had pleaded with him and he had taken their lives because of her father’s teachings. He would never change. Jarrod would kill her, too. Mercy drifted into unconsciousness with Tavish at her ear now whispering it would be okay. She wasn’t to fear. But she did. Her cousin was a cold-blooded murderer.

  Chapter 9

  Tavish was furious as hell. He had been so busy sending Jarrod frightening images he hadn’t taken the time to search Jarrod’s memories. Tavish knew there was cell memory in the blood of those he sucked from and he would catch glimpses, but to have those images of the terrified women’s last moments was infuriating. Then to transmit them to Mercy was inexcusable.

  The second they had slipped from his mind he had been consumed by disbelief. Both scenarios had played out before he could stop them; they had flashed so fast. Why had they come so fast? Because Mercy had tasted Jarrod’s blood. It was the only explanation, they were connected by blood. Tavish was astounded, in all of his years this had never happened. Cell memory heightened by mixed blood with a human? Tavish searched his memory. Did humans experience memories after a transfusion? He would have to ask Caine if he had heard of it.

  Normally his mind picked up a person’s more worrisome memories first. It was like a warning—a vampire security system in case a thought of turning someone came to mind. It showed vamps a glimpse into who their victims really were. The word ‘victim’ was a hard pill to swallow when he thought it. Were cows victims? Sheep, chickens, eggs? It made it easier to kill when the memories spilled with human blood as most people had some recollection or malicious thought in their mind that would be construed as atrocious. The vampire’s guilt was lessened.

  Mercy’s worst memory was of touching herself. That had been her biggest crime. Her innocence was captivating, her blood more flavorful than any sustenance. It was why vampires yearned for a virgin’s blood but not normally their death. The sweeter the thought, the more pleasant the taste. A virgin was always flavored with a hint of their unknown sexual longing when they reached of age, a want or desire that teased. Their minds were already open to temptation when they matured.

  That was why vampires never bled a child. A panicked moment of beheading a friend’s doll by accident when removing dolly clothes, wasn’t malicious intent. An image of wetting the bed in shame was something even a vampire would soothe and not harm over. It was exciting to feed when thoughts of murder or rape or treason filled a person’s thoughts. The emotions heightened the taste. Or thoughts of lust. It sharpened the feeding frenzy. A human’s version of champagne and sex or eating strawberries and whipped cream from each other’s mouths. Sex and food seemed to go hand in hand.

  Tavish listened to the sound of Mercy’s heart beating. He hadn’t taken much blood from her. She wouldn’t need Caine’s drink. The amount had been little more than a day’s menstruation cycle. Since she wasn’t menstruating her blood would be normal by morning. Tavish pulled her closer. The urge to kill Jarrod was overwhelming, but he knew the man would be helpless for a few days. Tavish wanted to know how Mercy felt before he gave Jarrod’s miserable hide to his Anivamps. There would be nothing merciful in his release. They could hunt and kill the bastard like the dirty dog he was.

  Morning would be soon enough to put the sick prick in chains. Tavish would dump him across the fence after first light. This would be one hunt he would enjoy hearing screams of terror.

  Morning found Tavish pacing his room. The anger he had felt towards Jarrod had been so great he had slipped from Mercy in the night to throw the man into chains in a small box-like structure. The wood was impossible for a mere human to break from, but Tavish found certain satisfaction in chaining the bastard. Jarrod had barely moved when flung over Tavish’s shoulder.

  “What will you do?” Mercy whispered from the bed.

  “Kill him.”

  Mercy began sobbing. “Why would he? It was so cruel. They looked so scared.”

  “You said he was a follower.”

  “Yes.”

  “He cannot be allowed to live. It would put every female here in danger including you.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “Can’t you make him stop being what he is?”

  “He’s a resister. If I could spare his life for you I would try. But a man like that would crush little Perrin simply for being female.” He would crush you.

  Tavish cupped her chin. He wanted to ask her to please not hate him. He couldn’t risk her life; he would rather have her hatred than her death. Her beautiful tear-streaked face was ashen. The sight enraged Tavish. When he stormed from the room, it was to the sound of her heartbroken sobbing. Jarrod was the last of her family, she had no other. Tavish had no choice. He realized even with the horrible images implanted in Jarrod’s mind he might still kill. His victims were the innocent. Tavish was responsible for his most vulnerable humans above all else. Tavish hadn’t the heart to tell Mercy it was suspect one or both women had been pregnant.

  Laken was standing guard at the small box-like structure. It hadn’t been used in over one hundred and fifty years. It had become overgrown with foliage. Tavish could hear Jarrod’s screams before he landed in front of Laken. Laken looked grim.

  “If he’s to remain in there with the memories you’ve given him, I suggest a gag. He’s scaring the shit out of everyone,” Laken said.

  “It won’t be necessary. He won’t be staying. The women who we thought were accidently killed were murdered by him. After some question asking it comes to my attention they may have been pregnant. It’s treason in the worst way. After I leave, make certain the other vampires are aware. This is going to terrify the humans but it must be done. It’s law. He didn’t just take four lives. He took the lives of any other offspring those women could have had and the lives of any offspring their children could have.”

  Laken looked appalled, he nodded. Tavish yanked open the door. Jarrod spilled out. His eyes were wild and bloodshot, as though he had just woken from a terrible nightmare…it was about to get worse. Tavish motioned Laken to unlock his chains. Tavish then hauled the man to his feet where he stumbled. Tavish could feel how weak he was.

  “We’re going for a ride,” Tavish said with a snarl.

  “Where?” Jarrod asked.

  His face was almost as white as his cousins had been when Tavish had left her. Thankfully there was no resemblance between the two. Tavish didn’t bother to answer. He grabbed Jarrod by an arm and took to the sky. Even though it was early morning the humans were piling out of the coven home. Their hands shielded their eyes as they looked up. Jarrod was struggling weakly and screaming. His legs kicked but his one hand clung to Tavish’s belt.

  Out and over the fence they went. Jarrod was wild-eyed as he dangled over the Anivamps area. He clung desperately to Tavish. He was crying he would obey; he would do anything for him. Beneath was jungle until they came to a clearing. It was where Tavish fed his beasts. Jarrod was hanging tighter onto Tavish, sobbing hysterically for mercy.

  “Did those women you murdered beg for their lives?” Tavish snarled.

  “I’ve killed no one, I’ve killed no one,” Jarrod cried out.

  “The woman you pushed over the gorge. The other left frozen and alone,” Tavish snapped.

  Druid was the first to make an appearance beneath them and Jarrod screamed. His screams brought the other creatures.

  “No, no. It wasn’t me, I swear, it was David. He was mine and Mercy’s cousin. David killed them. He said we s
hould, but I couldn’t. I told him no, but he wouldn’t listen. David said they were pregnant, it was treason. It was Dante’s law. Treason is punishable by death, I had no choice then. Don’t you see? Yes I was with him. I couldn’t do it, but I didn’t stop him. David said they would suffer less. We were wrong, I know that now,” Jarrod sobbed.

  Tavish also knew his type would say anything to save his miserable hide. Every pregnant woman in his coven was at risk while Jarrod thought of himself as a martyr. It was how he was raised. Laws and lessons taught from birth. Tavish thought that was the biggest tragedy.

  “You did nothing but watch family die? Four innocent lives?” Tavish wanted to drop him.

  “It’s what I was taught; it was treason,” Jarrod whimpered. “Remo was furious. He killed David and told me to mate with Ashley, the woman you found me with.”

  Tavish remembered coming across them both and the woman was telling Jarrod they must. Tavish had thought she was trying to get him to run. Jarrod had told her it was death. Ursus was right—he was going to hurt her. If Tavish hadn’t shown up, more than likely Jarrod would have killed the young frightened female. Remo was a fool for not watching them closer. Tavish snarled. Remo had committed treason as well in his ignorance.

  Tavish was repulsed when he looked at the sniveling man he held by the throat. Tavish was holding a coward of the worst kind. He wouldn’t kill before but he would watch it being done. Now there was no one to kill for him. Jarrod thought of himself as a martyr. He was a danger to Tavish’s home. Every female and child was at risk. This was the type of human who would thrust a dagger in your back. He couldn’t breed his females with this filth and if Jarrod couldn’t breed and he had no idea what loyalty was, he was useless. Except to the eager four beneath him.

  “What is treason punishable by?” Tavish raged.

  “Death,” Jarrod cried out. “You see, I had no choice.”

  “Murdering pregnant women is treason, Jarrod. My coven, my rules.”

  “Nooo.”

  Tavish dropped him.

  Jarrod screamed as he fell the twenty feet. His body bounced when he hit the ground. It wasn’t enough to kill him. Druid reached him first and sunk his teeth over his head. Lovel grabbed a leg. Tavish flew off, listening to the man’s screams.

  * * * *

  Dinner amidst the humans was subdued later that night. Every one of them had heard Jarrod’s screams. All of them had cringed with the horror of his fate. There was almost no talking, no happy chatter. Just a small sea of sad, pale frightened faces. These were the first humans of Tavish’s to experience his wrath in a very long time. It brought it home how powerful the vampires were in comparison. The humans had always known, but now they had been shown. Tavish’s laws were not to be broken.

  Each of the twenty breeder men was sullen. They knew what Jarrod had done. They knew he had to pay, yet there was an undertone. Each man knew if a woman committed a heinous crime and was of breeding years she wouldn’t be put to death. They had suddenly become well aware of the box and the chains and for which they stood. There was no escape in death, or life. Neither sex knew what punishment would be worse. It was apparent food for thought was high on the menu.

  Mercy had refused to eat. She was in Tavish’s room crying. She hadn’t spoken to him all day. Tavish only made an appearance at dinner to assess the damage. No one smiled at him, none of the women flirted with any of the vampires. The children were coaxed to eat while the adults themselves found the food unappetizing. The atmosphere reeked of fear. There wasn’t a single calm heartbeat to be heard within the fluttering mass.

  Looking about the room, Tavish came to a conclusion. From now on any human found would be bled and searched for memories before they would be allowed near his coven. If they had committed a treasonous act they would be quietly turned over to the Anivamps or dispatched by the vampire who caught them. Tavish knew it was harsh, but he wouldn’t take this chance again. A single human had caused terrible unrest.

  When Tavish gazed at his prized breeder table he could see Kia curled around one of her chosen. She was ashen. Ryker looked pissed. It was apparent the women, who had sought safety in the arms of his vampires, were now looking to the human men to console them. Unfortunately the human men were at a loss, as they too found shelter with the vamps on occasion. Tavish knew this wasn’t good. A life of fear would be a sad state for them all. Continuous low morale for an entire coven could mean death. Tavish would be damned if he would let it go back to the way it had been in the beginning.

  A hush fell across the room when Mercy appeared. Her white face was void of tears. She moved slowly towards Tavish. He could hear her heartbeat. It was neither fast nor slow. When she stood before him she reached for his hand. From the corner of his eye Tavish saw Ursus. She remained hidden from the human’s view.

  What the hell?

  Mercy gazed up at him for a moment before she moved into his arms. Tavish was hard pressed not to crush her to him. Instead, he very gently ran his hands down her hair and over her back. Mercy pulled from him and turned. Her back pressed against Tavish. Only Tavish would be aware her body trembled.

  “My cousin’s mind was poisoned to bad ideas, hurtful ideas,” Mercy said, her voice cracked. She swallowed hard and Tavish knew she was thinking of her father and what he had meant to her—and that he would kill her if he was here. And still, Tavish knew she loved her father. His law was all he had known. Yet he had allowed Mercy to live. Perhaps not all laws are meant to be cut and dry. The humans leaned in closer to hear her. “You have all been given glimpses of vampire memories.”

  There were nods of agreement from everyone.

  “Without meaning to I was given glimpses of Jarrod’s. At first I thought his punishment was a bad thing, now I’m not so sure. Jarrod helped to kill two defenseless women who were supposed to be mothers. They died terrified and alone. It’s too bad the women didn’t have the protection of a vampire. Anywhere on this coven I can call Tavish and he will come. Maybe that would have kept me safe enough from Jarrod. We will never know. But walking into the sunshine or sleeping every night I would have been tormented with wondering what if? Would Jarrod come for me? When would Jarrod come for me? And when I conceive I would have been even more afraid and helpless, I’m grateful for Tavish’s protection and the safety of the coven. I’m afraid some ice dwellers wouldn’t be as open-minded, as we were unfortunately shown.”

  Again nods of agreement. A few sighed. Kia looked over at Ryker. Tavish knew of all the others, Kia would know Mercy spoke the truth.

  “If anyone has the right to be angry or afraid it’s me,” Mercy continued. “Tavish took the life of a relative. Jarrod took four.” Tavish heard her sorrow, her family had met with a tragic end, yet he felt her strength as her back straightened. “I think I’ll take my chances with Tavish.”

  Nods of agreement turned to talk of agreement. The humans reminded each other though they knew the Anivamps were there none had been given to them mercilessly. Another reminded those at the children’s table that little Perrin had gotten loose in the jungle and Lucile had kept her warm and safe until she was retrieved. Who knew? It could have been Druid who found her and turned her over to the great ape. Or Lovel, didn’t wolves have a soft spot for children? The Anivamps were there for the humans’ safety too. Tavish had explained that.

  Mercy broke from him and went to sit at the breeder table. With a shaky hand she drank water offered to her by Tate. She toyed with the food given her and her back continued to be ramrod straight but she acted with decorum. She wouldn’t raise a personal fuss and frighten the others’ well-being. Tavish marveled once more at how strong she was. But her look was thoughtful when she gazed over at him. Tavish saw determination in those beautiful gray eyes.

  Filled with relief, Tavish watched as his humans began eating and drinking. Thanks to Mercy he was no longer the vampire monster but once again their protector. At a soft sound Tavish turned to see Ursus lift a paw. She turned without the ot
her humans ever seeing her and left. Once again, Tavish wondered what had happened between human female and bear female.

  Chapter 10

  “You promised to tell me about the other humans here,” Mercy said.

  She and Tavish were picnicking under a huge tree. It had been days since Jarrod had died. No one spoke of him. It was like he had never existed. Mercy had been feeling melancholy about his death; she felt his death was justifiable but now other issues bombarded her. One was not just the quiet acceptance of Jarrod’s death, but the absolute issue of it never occurring. It was as though the humans conditioned themselves to absence. As Mercy had roamed the grounds, her veins ran cold. There was not one grave marker. There was nowhere to grieve. When a person died in their small ice dwelling they were put in a chosen ice cave. They remained frozen for all eternity. Their bodies never changing or decomposing. There was no such place in Tavish’s utopia.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Have you never loved one enough to bury them?”

  Tavish looked to be choosing his words carefully. “We will be here for thousands of years. The entire coven would be a burial ground.”

  Mercy thought about that. It made some sense. “Why not burn them?”

  “They are not given to the Anivamps alive, little cub. Only Jarrod and he was the first in well over a hundred years.”

  “You find a way to feed everything loyal.”

  “I created this place. It’s up to me to watch over everything living and vampire. The Anivamps are loyal, but how loyal would they remain if I starved them?”

  “Is there nothing else for them to eat?”

  “My men and I go out and bring back large game. Humans aren’t the only thing we hunt. It’s another reason the humans may not wander past the fence. Do you really think a steel fence would keep the Anivamps out of here? My Anivamps are loyal. The fence is up to protect the humans from the other animals set loose beyond the gate. That was why it was lucky Lucile had Perrin. She kept her safe from live wild animals by taking her high into the trees. The rumor is true; Druid found the child and took her to Lucile. Druid knows immediately when something or someone enters his domain.”