Blooddrinker's Prophecy

by Anna Abner

  She nodded. “Anyway,” Desiree said, spinning away so fast, her red-streaked hair tangled around her shoulders, “I see they packed up some of their stuff, but most of it’s still here.”

  “Including some bad mojo,” Roz commented. She called her power, bringing a windstorm indoors, and said, “Cleanse.” Even though she couldn’t see it happening, she knew her eyes turned neon blue and her glossy black hair floated as if charged with static electricity.

  Immediately, the space felt lighter and safer. Roz let her magic dissipate, returning to normal.

  “Holy shit,” Desiree swore, her eyes round. “That was amazing. How did you do that? Are you some kind of hybrid? Half witch half fairy?”

  “Just a witch,” Roz assured. “But our magic is more powerful than we understand. With training and practice, I can probably teach you to do the same thing. I’ve never taught, but I’m willing to try.”

  Desiree laughed. “I’m down.”

  Together, they took the elevator down one floor.

  “The next three levels are executive offices,” Desiree explained. “Stuff like marketing, PR, accounting. You know, typical business teams. Nothing fancy to see.”

  Still, Roz wanted to cleanse each floor. She moved forward to do just that, when Graham beat her to it.

  “May I?” the timid young woman asked.

  Roz waved her forward.

  In the blink of an eye, Graham transformed from a mousy female into a witch goddess. Her eyes turned red, her words shot like lightening bolts from her mouth, and she levitated a good three inches off the floor.

  “Cleanse,” Graham said, and a powerful energy swept the offices, forcing out the toxic energy the former executives had left behind.

  “What the hell?” Desiree complained, half-teasing. “Can everyone but me lay the smack down?”

  For the first time ever, Roz smelled burnt fireworks after a spell and understood what Lukas had been talking about all summer.

  “Damn,” Roz said, impressed. “You’re not from Miami, are you Graham? Because if you are, all this could be yours.” The prophecy that had been nagging at her for weeks could all go away. She’d gladly hand over the master key.

  Graham’s power evaporated, and she dropped to the floor, a nondescript young woman again in jeans and a cap.

  “I’m from Vegas,” she said.

  “Well, you’re still incredibly powerful,” Roz said. “How could the Coven deny your application?”

  Graham simply shrugged.

  “They’re probably scared of her,” Desiree added.

  Roz nodded as it became clear in her mind. “You could make them all kneel. You had to be exiled before you figured that out.” She remembered Svetlana’s musings about withholding magical educations from any witches too big a threat to the circle. Graham would certainly fall into that category.

  “Don’t worry,” Roz assured, guiding them back into the elevator, “I’m not afraid of you. I want to see you find your full potential, even if you end up stronger than me.”

  “Who says she’s not already?” Desiree teased as they descended.

  On each floor, they stopped to cast cleansing spells. Executive offices, then six floors of VIP living quarters.

  “Each of the circle had their own floor,” Desiree explained. “Some chose to live off the property, but this was still theirs to use while they were here.”

  The circle had been spoiled. Crisp, modern styles accented with warm colors and lush textures. Stainless steel kitchens, marble tile, whirlpool tubs, and plush leather furniture stood out. Among the decadence were personal items, including toiletries in the bathrooms, clothing in the closets, and paperwork on desks.

  “I want all their private property packed up and shipped to their forwarding addresses,” Roz said, making her first request as high priestess. “I’m not a thief, and, though I don’t want them coming back here with any tricks up their sleeves, I don’t want to take their stuff.”

  “I’m on it,” Desiree declared, making a note in her cellphone.

  They cleansed each floor and moved progressively lower through the tower.

  “The next three levels were classrooms and training facilities,” Desiree told them. “Then two levels of large meeting spaces, and finally five floors of acolyte living quarters.”

  “Witches actually moved in?” Roz asked. She’d heard of witches living in the tower while studying and training, but never fully comprehended what it meant until she stood inside the door of a woman’s apartment and saw the family photos, open magazines, and discarded take-out cartons. People lived here.

  And she’d kicked them out.

  “Where did these people go?” Roz asked.

  “I don’t know,” Desiree answered. “Maybe hotels? Maybe back home?”

  “Make another note,” Roz said. “Find every person who was living here when I showed up. Ship their personal property wherever they want, and offer to pay for hotel rooms until the tower is ready to re-open.” The Coven had over a billion dollars in assets. It could afford to house a hundred or so young women in hotel rooms for a couple weeks.

  And it might go a long way in the good will department. No doubt, Roz had become bitch number one in a lot of Coven members’ minds. If she was ever going to turn things around, she needed her people to not only respect her, but trust her too.

  She turned on Desiree. “Can you handle that?”

  “Absolutely,” the other woman said. “I’d be happy to.”

  “Let’s get back to the first floor,” Roz said, sighing as she swiped her card for the elevator. “I’ve seen enough.”

  When Roz finally departed from the Coven tower with a manila envelope and a company laptop under her arm, Lukas was standing in the foyer.

  “Thank God,” he said when he saw her. “I was getting nervous. My calls were going straight to voicemail.”

  “Sorry,” Roz said, picking up the pace to hurry into his big, strong arms. “I turned it off for the come-to-Jesus meeting I just had with the receptionist, Tonya.” She smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Spending time apart only reminded her how much she needed him.

  “I couldn’t let you do this alone. I drove straight up from the cabin.” Clasping her free hand, he led her out into the sunshine. “So, how did it go?”

  “Not as bad as I thought,” Roz admitted. “Once the bitches left, like Heather Connelly and her circle, Tonya was actually very helpful. I don’t trust any of them, but we got started on a peaceful transition of power. Until I have it all figured out, though, I’m locking the whole thing up.”

  “Do you think any of those witches will be breaking into our bedroom tonight to make us think we’re pigeons?” he asked, only half kidding.

  “Maybe,” Roz shrugged. “We should probably sleep with weapons under our pillows, just to be safe.” She leaned up and kissed him appreciatively. “Does that mean you’re staying here tonight?”

  “You couldn’t tear me away.”

  #

  Tuesday morning, Maks rose before anyone else and ordered lots of coffee, eggs, and pastries, and then sent a mass text inviting the entire team. In the horde, being social meant sharing a blood donor or hunting human prey with another vampire you didn’t hate very much. But making friends in this new world was confusing and more than a little intimidating.

  “Thanks,” Lukas greeted, arriving with Roz. “I’m starving.”

  “Mmm,” Roz agreed, diving into a chocolate croissant. “Thanks.”

  Before they devoured everything edible, Maks poured coffee and made a plate for Violet and Jackson. He slipped into the dark bedroom and sat gently upon the edge of her bed.

  “Good morning,” he whispered. “I brought you breakfast.”

  Violet smiled sleepily and sat up, smoothing her hair down. “You’re so sweet. It smells divine.” She enjoyed a couple bites of eggs before swinging her legs off the bed and leaning her head on his shoulder.

  Maks stayed still, absorbing her
presence and not fighting the pleasure tickling along his nerve endings. He was happy. For the first time in a very long time.

  Roz knocked on the bedroom door. “Hey, guys,” she called. “Sorry, but I found something I want to show you.”

  Still in pajamas and sipping hot coffee, Violet followed Maks into the living room. Ali smiled hello before dropping onto the sofa. Across from her, the television was already on and paused on a newscaster’s dour expression. Roz pressed a button, and the man on screen came to life.

  “More tourists were reported missing last weekend,” the newscaster announced. “So far, there have been twice the number of missing persons as there was the same time last year. Local authorities are cracking down on gang activity and increasing the amount of plains clothes officers on the Strip.” There was more about staying vigilant and calling the police with information.

  “Sounds dire,” Maks said, crossing his arms. “But why am I to care about a few lost drunks and drug addicts?”

  “You should,” Roz said angrily, “because they’re not.” She typed on her laptop and then handed it to him. “Scroll down.”

  She’d queued up a series of missing persons posters for a teacher, a single mother, a nurse, and a Fulbright’s scholar, among other seemingly decent people.

  “These are the missing tourists?” he queried.

  “Those are just the latest,” Roz corrected.

  Maks handed the laptop back. “I assume you have some sort of plan.”

  “Yes.” Roz closed the laptop and glanced at Ali. “The pits are itching for a hunt. It’s been a while since we got the team together and raided the horde. I say, we plan one tonight.”

  Maks straightened. “Fine by me. I could use a hard fight.”

  “Good,” Roz said, “because we’re meeting Connor, Lukas, and the pits at the cabin in three hours.”

  Maks’ eyes met Violet’s. “Fine. I’m ready now.”

  “Since I’m no good in a fight,” Violet said, giving him a tiny smile. “I’ll stay here with Jackson.”

  “Not alone.” Maks imagined the worst threats to her safety showing up the moment he turned his back.

  “You won’t need a witch for this, and Connor says he wants you to help keep the pits in line. I’m staying behind on protection detail,” Roz said.

  “Not interested,” Maks declared. He wouldn’t leave Violet. Wherever she went, he went. Period.

  “Leave it to you to make this difficult,” Roz grumbled.

  Violet perched on the arm of the sofa. “Maks, I thought you wanted to help people. Vampires, specifically.”

  “I’m not leaving you unprotected,” he swore.

  “I won’t be.” She nodded at Roz. “I’ll have the new leader of the Coven watching over me.”

  “You forget,” Maks countered, “she was ‘protecting’ you the day you were cursed. Pretty ineffectual, if you ask me.”

  “Be a coward if you choose,” Roz snapped, “but you don’t have to insult me in the process.”

  Maks snarled, “I am no coward.”

  Violet reached out and took his fisted right hand. “It’s okay. I want you to go. I want you to be a force for good. You can’t do that if you’re always worried about me.”

  The pits were dangerous. Connor needed help, no doubt about that. And he loathed leaving Violet, even for a night. But she was right, damn it. If he wanted to actually help infecteds, then he had to leave the safety of the hotel behind.

  It scared him, which pissed him off. He hated the acidic burn of fear in his belly. The best way to rid himself of the emotion was to stand up to what he feared.

  “Fine,” he said, holding Violet’s hand. “I’ll go with Ali if the witch stays behind.”

  The other ladies took Lukas away to get ready, he assumed, while Violet tugged him into their bedroom.

  “I’m glad you’re going,” she said, settling onto the mattress to finish her breakfast.

  “Why?” he asked, remaining by the door, but taking in every detail of her while he still could. He loved her sassy mouth and her amber eyes. Was it wrong to want to spar with her at least once more before leaving? “You like it when I play dress-up?”

  “I like camo,” she said, cracking a smile. “It’s very macho, though I liked your chinos and V-necks the best.”

  “You didn’t like me half naked and crawling after Sergei like his poodle?” Oh, too far.

  The amusement left her face. “There’s nothing I enjoyed about that experience. I hated seeing you demeaned and bullied while I was going through the same crap.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. Would he ever be able to say it enough?

  “I told you,” she said, returning to her breakfast. “I forgive you. We were both prisoners in different ways.” She swallowed a bite of cheese Danish. “I’m proud of you for wanting to help Connor. He needs you.”

  She’s the second person who’s told me that, he mused, thinking of the Oracle and her nonsensical proclamations. Did it matter than Maks wasn’t doing this for Connor? He was doing it for Ali, for Violet, and maybe a little for himself.

  Violet sipped her coffee thoughtfully. “What made you change your mind about helping?”

  It wasn’t a simple question to answer, so he sat beside her and slumped forward onto his knees. “I have a lot to make up for,” he confessed. “I don’t even know if it’s possible to create a kind and helpful horde, but Connor’s out here by himself trying his damnedest. I figure it can’t hurt to back him up.”

  She fell upon him and kissed his shoulder through his shirt. “Just promise you’ll come back safe.”

  “Don’t I always?” he teased.

  #

  The cabin south of the city was exactly as Maks remembered it. The stuffed animal heads glaring at him from the walls, the vast expanses of unbroken desert, and Connor Beckett’s smug face. Not much had changed at all.

  “Team meeting in the kitchen,” Lukas told him.

  They all gathered around the large butcher-block island and, as Maks took a place in the far corner near the pantry door, he could still smell his blood ingrained in the wood. It hadn’t been so long ago that he’d come here looking for a safe port, but had been chained to the furniture instead.

  “Status update,” Connor announced, positioning himself at the head of the table. “Thanks to the pit vampires for joining us. This affects everyone.”

  “We don’t like being called that,” Kayla spoke up. “We have names.”

  “Besides,” Caleb said, “being buried alive isn’t what I want to think about every time you mention me.”

  “Oh, right.” Connor waved his arm to include all seven of them. “Introduce yourselves, then.”

  “I’m Caleb,” the hulking dark-haired man said.

  “Kayla,” she introduced, shaking her glossy black curls, and then touched her friend’s arm beside her. “This is Mercy. She’s still healing, but she wants to be here.”

  The ginger-haired man at the other end of the table lit a cigarette and sucked on it as if his life depended on it. “Daniel,” he said between puffs.

  Frosted tips scowled and said, “Anastasia.”

  The names and faces blended together, especially when the introductions continued around the table and everyone called out their name. Maks was last. When it was his turn to introduce himself, he merely waved them off.

  “You all know who I am. Now, where are we going?”

  “Okay,” Connor sighed, “since our benefactor Natasha’s untimely demise, Roz has been tracking satellite images, hacking government sites, compiling statistics, and generally trying to get shit done,” he said with some unrestrained hostility, “so we know that missing persons cases are up in the Vegas area in the last three months, and there’s a new offshoot of the horde calling themselves the Four Sons. It doesn’t seem to bother them that there are only three sons left—Ivan, Ilya, and their leader Sergei.”

  “Vampires aren’t very logical creatures,” Maks agreed. />
  Connor continued, “Maks told us about the mansion on Red Rock Road, which they abandoned. We also ran recon on the cave Maks and Sergei were squatting in, but it’s been cleared out. The last info we have is from the skeevy hotel they threw Violet out of. But they seem to prefer the privacy of the desert to the crowds in the city. So, we zeroed in on the abandoned mines along Highway I-95, and we think we have a place to start.” He opened a laptop, hit a couple buttons, and a map was projected onto the far wall. “It’s literally like finding a needle in a haystack going through all those satellite images, but I’ve seen people moving in and out of the area around this mine. Now, it could be an unusually active hiking club, it could be a different faction of the horde, or it could be the Four Sons.” He turned to the group and held up his hands in question. “You want to ride out there and find out?”

  “If I could finally kick a little ass,” Caleb said, “then I’m in.”

  “Alright.” Connor grabbed neatly folded piles of camo clothing from the pantry and dropped them onto the center of the table. “We go in silent and unseen. The last thing we need is to attract civilian attention.” He parceled out the gear. “Mercy will stay behind with Ali. Everyone else who wants to go is welcome.”

  Maks looked at Ali and frowned. “I think Ali should come.”

  Was it just him or were people constantly trying to keep him and Ali apart? Goddamnit, he’d finally found his little girl. He wanted to know her better.

  “No,” she said, “I’m not a fighter. I’m a closer.”

  “That’s exactly why you should come along,” Maks said. “We might need a closer.”

  Ali leaned across the table toward him. “Have you heard what I can do?”

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter if I understand the mechanics. All I need to know is you killed Oleksander the Destroyer. By yourself. That was supposed to be impossible. So, I say you’re joining me on all my vampire raids.”