Red Knight Box Set (Books 1,2,3): Contemporary Vampire Romance

by L. C White

  I arch over, pressing my hands down on the desk. I’m not looking at her purposely. She knows when to leave me alone. She knows full well when I’m too pissed-off to talk. She’s the same I guess. When there’s an angry build-up of stress in the room because she’s having a shit day, I don’t bother with the whole cheer-up routine. I leave her well alone.

  “Are you going to make the call?” Guess I was wrong, she’s still fuckin here. “Do you want me to do it?” she asks.

  I slap my hands down on the wood, making my cell phone bounce a foot high, and fall to the floor.

  This is not what I signed up for. I’ve worked my ass off for The Order. Never had a thank you, or been told I’m doing a great job. They told me what to do. They made unachievable demands of blood distribution and supply. I’ve stripped Executives of their position, because The Order thought they were no longer worthy for the role. In other words, they didn’t brown nose enough. I’ve kept things on this side of the ocean organised, and never has our kind been thrown into the limelight. Initially, I did it all for Liz and Daniel. Then I got myself stuck here. I must have lost my mind at some point along the way, because I hate The Order. Shit, the whole goddamn vampire community hate them.

  I peer up to see Sara’s face. Like always she has this resilience to my anger. Basically, she doesn’t give a shit, and will stand her ground every time. That’s one of the things I love about her. She’s loyal, sharp, committed to every task, and she’s the damn sexiest thing on earth.

  “You shouldn’t even have to think twice about what to do here, Nathan,” she says. “We have both watched Daniel grow up. We’ve been to every shit birthday party. We’ve protected him, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt, even if it kills us.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?”

  “Then why are you in here, and not out there explaining that to Adrien and Liz?”

  “Because it’s been my damn job for so long. It’s my responsibility to hide what we are from the human population.” I straighten up, running my hands down my face. “I go, there’s no coming back. There will be a bloodbath on the streets if I leave this post.”

  “Oh god, then choose the bloodbath then!” Her hair falls behind her shoulders as she shakes her head, pissed-off with me. “What do you know about Daniel and Maeve? We know where Laurie is, and as long as neither of them are near him, then we can work with that.”

  I move around the desk, and perch on the edge as she glares impatiently at me. I do have information. I always have information. It gives me the upper hand when the shit hits the fan.

  “Two days ago, a girl was questioned by immigration control on the French boarder, trying to get back into the UK with no passport. I have several Sang on the payroll there.”

  “Maeve?” Her brow rises.

  “Yeah.”

  “And they let her go?”

  “I give orders to look out for her and Daniel, not to take prisoners.”

  “Well, where the hell is she now?”

  “I’m having her every movement traced. I should hear back within the next two hours.”

  “What do we do then? Adrien and Liz aren’t going to stick around here much longer. And I don’t blame them.”

  I push myself up from the desk. I’m done with this place. Done with this job. I’m done allowing my position to come before my friends.

  “Pack your bags Sara,” I say, watching an unruly smile appear on her lips. “Looks like we’re going back to the old routine of things. Fuck over first, questions later.”

  Sara’s eager heels clop out of my office and I follow.

  Dom and Ben come through the front door, as Liz makes everyone in the room know she’s pissed-off, by dropping her suitcase on the floor.

  Adrien walks through the door panel, carrying his bag. He stands next to Liz. This is so awkward. We should be in close ranks, but we’ve become distant, like we don’t know each other anymore.

  “What’s going on?” Ben eyes up Adrien.

  “They’re leaving,” I call over. “Going to put things right, the wrong way.”

  Adrien drops his bag, and that lost love we had for each other, returns. I smirk as he stands glaring at me. If he wants to try and kick my ass, then I’ll go with that. It might do us both some good. I miss hating him.

  “I’m going to find my son, and that’s not going to happen stuck in this damn building. You parading around on the phone, is clearly not getting results!”

  Ben and Dom take a step forward, ready to jump in if necessary. But I’ve matured a little since our last heated conflict, and his reaction I now find funny. So funny, I’m trying not to laugh out.

  “We are coming with you,” I say in a deep sigh.

  There is no response for a few seconds as they all gawp at me, wondering if they heard me right.

  “I’m tracking Maeve now,” I say. “I still have status to all vampire, so you’re going to need my help. Besides, I don’t even think Adrien can fight his way out of a paper bag anymore.”

  Liz and Adrien are still confused. They seem to forget I care about that kid too.

  “Great,” Dom claps his hands together, like the excitable dick he always has been. “Where we going?”

  I slide my hand into my pocket and pull out a set of keys. I tilt my head at Adrien, and toss them. He catches and holds them up, frowning.

  “The Mill?” he asks.

  “Yeah, I couldn’t face selling it. Remember Liz, the cha-cha-slide,” I wink at her.

  She smiles, but it quickly fades away to that worry again. I knew and loved her human side, and I’ve watched her grow into this wonderful caring, but strong being. Now I’ve got this awful wrenching feeling, that if something happens to Daniel, it will tear even her vampire heart apart. This has gone on for too long now. The hiding. The fear of the past rearing its ugly head. It needs to be put to an end. And if that means sacrificing everything I know, my existence, then so be it. I died the night I was turned, and attacked Liz. So I have no qualms, dying again.

  Chapter 28: Mill of Memories

  Liz

  The streets are dark and quiet, as Adrien and I follow the convoy in our hired Range Rover. It’s misty, with a frost like dreamscape, and my mind begins to spiral into the past. My view falls on the coffee shop I used to work at, Aroma, and my lungs fill up with disappointment. The outside is completely different. There are no tables and chairs, and no neon coffee cup sign. Aroma no longer exists. Of all the things to turn it into, whoever owns it now, chose to turn it into a frigging pound store called, Quick Quid.

  We drive by The Mill and turn down the backstreet, to park our cars off road. I watch Nathan step out of his silver Audi, adjusting his trousers, and I smile a little as sleet falls from the sky. I remember Nathan and slutty Sara. I remember being brushed-off so he could have his wicked human way with her. Never did I think back then, they were made for each other. But I was so wrong. They may bicker and call each other all the names under the sun, but it is their kind of true love.

  I release a sigh as I turn to Adrien. I’ve felt his eyes on the side of my face since we stopped the car.

  “Ready?” he asks, with a hint of apprehension in his tone.

  I offer him a slight hopeless grin then step out into the night.

  Dom and Ben follow Nathan and Sara to the backdoor, as Adrien’s fingers run down my forearm, to take my hand in his. Just as Adrien pulls out the keys for the back entrance, a loud crash occurs to our right, down an alley. Both Adrien and I go on the defensive, when the sound of a muffled male cry and shuffling, loudens.

  Adrien takes the lead and walks fearlessly down the dark alley. I follow him with caution, witnessing how brave my lover is. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for us. No sacrifices he wouldn’t make. Now we’ve been thrown into the unknown, my love for him has never been so strong. I know he will do anything and everything to find Daniel.

  Adrien stops and I look over his shoulder into the dark corner. Nathan and Ben are
now also on alert, standing at the end of the narrow passage, to prevent whoever is here from escaping.

  Shit, there’s a Sang curled over the body of a frightened tramp. I’ve never seen this sort of thing since I’ve been turned. The Sang is almost wasting away: filthy, trembling, and desperate to feed.

  “Jimmy!”

  Adrien charges over, and drags him off the petrified man that cowers on the ground. He thrusts Jimmy up against the wall so his feet dangle. Holy shit, he’s a real mess. I remember meeting him the night I met the coven. He was a really sweet, hardworking, Devotee, who served drinks here. Now he looks like a month old corpse: grey, so bony, his fangs yellow, and fingernails broken and dirty. He sobs and shakes as Adrien takes pity, lowering him to the floor.

  “You,” Adrien snaps at the tramp. “You want to live then run, now.”

  The middle aged dishevelled tramp, swiftly jumps up and runs by Nathan, gasping.

  “What the fuck do you think you are doing!” Nathan barks, grabbing Jimmy’s collar.

  “Go easy,” Adrien says to Nathan.

  “I… I’ve not fed in weeks,” Jimmy splutters. “It’s so good to see you again boss,” he says to Adrien.

  “Jimmy, why haven’t you fed?” Adrien asks.

  “The blood is… is for those who are in the Voax only,” he stutters. “I tried to buy a supply, but they were going to charge me over three-k for a box, unless I joined them. I couldn’t,” he weeps down to the ground. “I’m fucking tempted now though.”

  Adrien grips Jimmy’s shoulder, supportively. “Don’t succumb to Laurie’s demands… Nathan.” Adrien gestures his head to the cars.

  Nathan opens the boot of his Audi, and takes out a box containing our personal rations. I don’t think any of us are bothered for losing a few bags, not if it saves poor Jimmy, or stops the potential murder of a human.

  “There is enough here to keep you going for a week, Jimmy.” Adrien hands him the box. “Try to ration it, and stay out of sight.”

  “This is happening all over the city boss,” Jimmy says. “It was on the news yesterday. A friend of mine had no choice. They put the girl’s death down to a fucking animal attack!” Jimmy squeals.

  Nathan stomps up and down through the puddles, angrily.

  “Don’t worry about anyone else, Jimmy.” Adrien gestures his head for him to leave. “Get gone, stay out of sight, and for Christ sake, have a bath.”

  Jimmy shuffles quickly down the backstreet, almost bowing in gratitude.

  “That is it!” Nathan stresses. “It’s all gone fucked up now. I’m going to kill Laurie!” He punches the air.

  “We all want to kill him.” Adrien juggles the keys in his hand. “But right now we need to keep our heads, and figure out a way of solving this.”

  ***

  The toes of my boots remain fixed on the edge of the dancefloor, as the others move toward the bar full of old dirty mouldy glasses. It’s like the place has been stuck in time, from the last night it was open.

  My eyes elevate onto the crystal chandeliers, hanging level with the second floor. The main area Adrien used to entertain his Executive, and vampire colleagues. I smile as human emotions fill me, noticing one of the dance poles still erected from my hen party. The thought of Mum, Cate, and my college friends cloud my vampire senses. I almost feel human again.

  Sara sees me lost to the past and comes to my side, smiling. She runs her hand over my shoulder.

  “It’s hard isn’t it?” she says.

  “It’s not hard. It’s impossible to let go. I thought everything would remain the same. I haven’t aged a day, and everything else has. Now I’m back here, I want to see my mum. Crazy as she was, right now I need her.”

  “It’s what we are. Stuck wallowing endlessly. That’s why I never returned home.” Her hand slips away from my back. “I bet there’s a couple of bottles of wine in the fridge. They’ve probably aged well by now.”

  “Maybe later. I’m just going to take a look around.”

  “Okay.”

  She walks back toward the bar as I move to the double doors that lead to the stairs, noting Adrien’s soft eyes following me.

  ***

  I take in a long breath as I sit down in the booth I was introduced to the coven for the first time. The only light up here is coming from the downstairs bar area, but I can still imagine it all. The long blue lit bar, and all the exotic liquors lined on the mirrored glass shelving behind. The brushed stainless steel rail I gripped for support, when my eyes landed on my sex god. The doors Nathan burst through when he was trying to win me back, only to receive a punch in the nose from a bouncer. Fuck, I was so happy. I remember the butterflies fluttering inside my stomach, just sitting here with Adrien. How sexually connected we were, even back then. We’ve come so far and changed so much.

  I close my eyes for a second, praying we can get through this mess. Praying for what we had to return.

  “I remember how innocent and sexy you were that night.”

  I open my eyes to see Adrien standing in front of the table. Okay, so he’s not in a designer suit, his hair is rather messy, and he’s unshaven today. But he’s still the most perfect handsome being to me.

  He shuffles between the table and seat to sit down beside me. He blows out and rubs his fingers over his stubble, looking up with a groan.

  “This building is where it all started for me,” he says, slinking his arm around my back to pull me against his chest. “When I understood exactly what I wanted… You.”

  I fiddle with the middle button on his shirt, smiling. “When I was going to vomit on you?”

  I feel his chest jiggle a laugh. “Precisely the moment.”

  “Did you always think this moment would come?”

  “With Daniel… Yes,” his tone twangs in upset.

  I blink slowly, lifting my head to look right into his desolation. My heart is aching, and I’ve lost all my courage. Adrien tucks my messy hair behind my ear, then comes to rest his hand over my cheek. I close my eyes and brush my skin against his fingertips.

  “I didn’t,” I choke up, with a tear forming in my eye. “I remember everything so clearly. Everything being so normal. His first steps. His first words. His need to have the same story read to him every night.”

  He snorts out a slight laugh. “Yes, The Adventures of Sir Lancelot. He was able to read that entire book himself, by the age of three.”

  We both go silent for an anxious moment, reminiscing. I lower my head, wondering if he’s in danger. I feel so fucking useless. It’s like he’s flown the nest in a blaze of glory. He’s heading right into hell, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

  Adrien pushes up my chin. His eyes are extremely cross with me. I’ve always found this fierce expression of his, super-hot. But now, it doesn’t make me feel a thing.

  “We’ve been through hell and high water for Daniel. And I would do it all over again. He was happy. You were happy. And I was the proudest, luckiest, vampire, to be given a chance at that.” He angles down and pecks my lips with a brief affectionate kiss. “I’ll fight to get that back. Even if it means my death, Elizabeth.”

  I shake my head at the hellish thought of losing him too. I won’t be able to exist, he knows that. So no, I won’t allow him to even consider it.

  “You dare leave me,” I utter.

  “I’m not going to. But you need to please stop bottling this shit up, so you’re all entangled in it. It’s effecting the way you think.” His hands press against my cheeks, firm. “We are going to find Daniel. We are going to make Laurie pay. Then we can go anywhere you want.” I inhale deep; his commanding tender words calm me. “I love you Elizabeth, and I want you to fight. Can you do that for me?”

  “You know I will.”

  “Then stop being so damn pessimistic.”

  His hand guides me down to lie back against his chest. His fingers softly work down my strands from root to tip. This is a moment of peace. Like we’re both dead-centre in
the eye of a storm. A dark storm that’s hungry, and waiting to sweep us both away into the unknown.

  I close my eyes, thankful for this quiet moment with Adrien, and the storm hits.

  “Liz, Adrien,” Ben yells through the door. “We have a location on Maeve.”

  My body bolts up from the booth. I go to jog to the doors, only for Adrien to pull me back. I frown at him, wondering why the hell he’s stopping me.

  His brow arches sternly. “Are you really ready for this?”

  “Of course I am,” I snap.

  “Then calm down, because you’re not going to get far, attacking the poor girl.”

  “I’m not going to attack her.”

  He looks at me, dubiously. “We will deal with this calmly. There will come a time to fight, and this isn’t it.”

  I bite down on my lips. “Adrien, I’m fine.” I charge toward the doors, leaving Adrien behind.

  Nathan paces behind the bar from one end to the other on his cell phone, as the rest of the coven watch and listen intently. When his view finds me he stops, and hums in response down the receiver. I’m so wired. I’ve never felt so ready to let loose my Sang. He’s clearly not speaking because I’m here. He thinks if I pick up any details from the call, I’ll be flitting through the doors. And he’s right to think that.

  I’ve lost all my damn patience, and now he’s turned his back on me, I’m more than pissed-off. I march by Dom, Ben, and Sara, and make my way behind the bar. But I’m too late, he’s hung-up.

  “Elizabeth,” Adrien calls over in a warning tone.

  I’m not going to listen to him. We don’t have time to play good vampire here, using his calm methods.

  “Liz,” Nathan stares a warning down at me. “Back away. You’re over-vamping yourself.” He coolly strolls passed me to leave the bar area.

  “Well, where is she?” I yell in impatience.

  “She’s waiting for a train at Kings Cross station.” Nathan glances down at his gold Rolex wristwatch. “Leaves at eight-thirty. One hours’ time.”

  I rush out from behind the bar and stride across the dancefloor, only to see Adrien flit to the doors to block my exit.