Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1)

by Betty Shreffler

  Kayci’s fear skyrocketed. She had to do something, or she would die. She focused on the flicker of energy lingering at her core. It twisted and turned, seeming to swell into a larger mass in response to her will to survive. She drew from that energy and repeated the same spell as before. It came out as barely more than a whisper. She could hear the dry hoarseness of her voice as she said it.

  She placed both hands on the biceps of the vampire. As soon as he realized what was happening, he growled and released the fist-tight grip on her hair. He immediately stepped away from the touch of her hands, removing the pressure of his weight against her body. Kayci saw the badly burned vampire dart toward the black sedan and jump into it just before she collapsed onto the cement floor.

  Chapter 16

  The woman was drenched in sweat. Blood had soaked the bed sheets around her. She cradled the baby in her arms. Their eyes met, and the woman smiled a loving smile. A smile only a mother can have for her newborn child. She wiped the brow of the baby and kissed her on the forehead.

  “I will always love you. I will always be with you.” She whispered the words softly under her breath. The baby lay quietly in her comforting arms, undisturbed by the activities around her.

  “Thorne, take her from me. I must finish the spell before I breathe my last breath.”

  The tall, slender man reached down, using his large hands to gently fold the baby into his arms. He watched as the candle flames rose. An unseen wind swept through the room, blowing the flames higher and wilder. The wind circled them all and settled above the child like a cloud. It hovered momentarily while the woman spoke an old language known to her family for generations. As the woman finished her last word, the indiscernible cloud swept into the child. A small cough came from the child’s mouth.

  The man looked back at his wife, the woman who had just bore his child. She lay quietly on the bed. Her arms crossed her sides. Her hands gently held her own swollen belly. Her expression peaceful. The man looked down at the small creature in his arms. He would do anything to keep her safe.

  Kayci awoke to agonizing pain throughout her body. She coughed repeatedly until she felt her muscles contract and the air filling her lungs. Her limbs were heavy and awkward to move. Her muscles throbbed from head to toe. She slowly lifted her upper body up until she was sitting with her head between her knees. She saw the dry blood on her clothes and on the cement floor of the parking garage. She had clearly been left to suffer.

  As she sat there waiting for her body to accept movement, she saw a figure out of the corner of her eye. She tilted her head in the direction of the stranger. He quickly strode toward her. He was tall and lean with light-brown hair and appeared to be in his early forties. He wore a long navy-blue jacket that contrasted with his pale skin. Kayci feared it was another vampire but was too exhausted to run. She had no energy and barely whispered any words before he leaned down in front of her, inches from her face.

  “I apologize that I could not get here sooner. You were more difficult to find than I expected.”

  Kayci was confused. Everything was still hazy. The man spoke like he knew her, only confusing her further. Before she could answer him, he scooped an arm under hers and across her back. He gently lifted her off the ground. At least the man wasn’t trying to harm her. She rested the weight of her body against him.

  She muttered between shallow breaths, “Did Adrian send you?”

  “Save your energy. We need to get you away from here.”

  Kayci didn’t argue. She let the man assist her to her car. She stumbled as she tried to retrieve her key from her pocket. She struggled to move any body part. As she pulled the keys out, she dropped them on the ground. The man leaned her against her car and retrieved the keys.

  “You’re going to need medical attention. I think you have a concussion.” The man opened the passenger door and gently helped Kayci into the passenger seat.

  “I don’t need a…hospital. I’ll heal. I just need…to sleep,” she told him.

  The man watched her carefully as she settled herself into the seat. He made his way around the vehicle to the driver side. Once inside, he turned the key. Before driving off, he looked at Kayci drifting off to sleep. Dry blood covered her upper body and clothes. Her hair was tousled and wet with a mixture of blood and sweat. Remnants of a bite remained on her neck. He was sure she had a concussion and possible broken ribs. He was pleasantly surprised to hear her say she would heal, but that moment of pride was quickly vanquished by the sight of her. She looked as though she’d been in a horrible accident. He disregarded the rush of anger spreading over him. He needed to stay focused.

  ***

  Adrian leaned against the railing of Kayci’s porch. When she didn’t respond to his knock on the door, he had given her cell phone a call. After getting her voice mail and then no call back, he started to worry. He assured himself he was just tense from the lack of success with his scouting mission tonight and decided to stop lingering and head home. As he stepped off the porch, again avoiding eye contact with the talisman, he heard a car approaching. He looked up to see Kayci’s car enter her driveway with a different driver. His body tensed.

  Adrian recognized the vampire that exited the vehicle. He watched in disbelief as he went to the passenger side, opened the door, and took out Kayci’s heavily battered and bloodied body. Adrian reached the car within seconds. Even with Thorne’s help, Kayci was barely holding herself up. Adrian’s rage was so blinding he didn’t even react to the fact that Thorne was alive and standing next to him. He instead lifted and cradled Kayci in his arms.

  “What happened?” Adrian growled.

  It didn’t take long for Thorne to read the expression of concern on Adrian’s face and realize why he was there. Pride and trepidation filled him.

  “She was attacked by a vampire, likely more than one. I’m unaware of the details. I got there afterwards and found her in this condition.”

  Adrian, still livid, turned toward the house with Kayci in his arms. Thorne followed closely behind.

  “She has a talisman on the front door. Destruction spell,” Adrian warned.

  “Another entrance?” Thorne asked.

  “No, only entrance, and verbena at every window. No vampire can enter without her permission.”

  “Of course,” Thorne replied, fascinated to learn she had skills from both her mother and himself. A slight smile formed across his face.

  Kayci stirred. “I can…remove the charm,” she muttered. “Just help me…up the steps.”

  Adrian eased Kayci down into a standing position after carrying her up the steps. She hobbled to the door while Adrian and Thorne remained at a safe distance. It was apparent any and all movements were painful for her. Adrian’s chest tightened.

  Kayci wobbled and then leaned against the door. As she reached above her head, she moaned. Her left hand instantly went to her side, as if to stop the piercing pain coming from her ribs. Her fingers just barely reached the charm. She pulled it off the nail with what little energy she had. As her arm dropped to her side, the charm fell from her hand, hitting the floor with a soft ting against the cement, yet remained intact.

  Adrian kicked the talisman away before he caught Kayci’s collapsing body in his arms. He scooped her up, then carried her through the threshold. The memory of the last time he’d had to do this was still fresh and stirred the reverberating anger inside of him. As he made his way toward the stairs, he glanced back to see Thorne closing the door behind them, locking it, and then checking their surroundings from the living room window. He clearly did not intend to follow. As Adrian carefully carried Kayci up the stairs, he remembered Vladimir’s vision. It suddenly clicked. Thorne was the vision. He was the old vampire Vladimir and the Covenant feared would soon arrive, and Kayci was the unknown mystery.

  Thorne remained downstairs to give Kayci privacy. He looked around her comfortable home. The first floor layout had a decent-sized living room that had two archways. One led to a kitchen, t
he stairway, and a half bathroom. The other archway led to a smaller room that Kayci had turned into a small office and storage space.

  He could clearly see she enjoyed a simple and earthy style. Her suede couch and chair were a matching brown, with a beautifully quilted blanket lying across the top of the couch. Her coffee table and end table were made of solid wood with intricate designs carved into the legs. Candles scattered the rooms, providing her home with a soothing fragrance. Her television was small, but her bookshelf was large and overflowing with books. A few picture frames and wildlife paintings hung on her light-green walls.

  Thorne saw a family photo of Kayci and her adopted parents sitting on the entryway stand. He held it in his hands. He studied the faces in the photo surrounding Kayci. He was thankful for the couple who had taken such care in raising his daughter. He set the photo down and walked to her bookshelf. He gathered something of interest and settled into the living room chair. He had a brief awkward feeling of being an invader in a stranger’s home, and then settled himself. Everything would feel foreign to him for a while.

  Adrian had finished removing the bloody clothes off Kayci. He had run a warm soap-filled bath and placed her into it. Her ribs were evidently broken, by the severe bruising on her abdomen. The large bite marks that had ripped her skin and left gaping wounds were slowly closing and being replaced by newly regenerated skin. Adrian stopped tallying the injuries on her body in an effort to restrain his writhing anger. He gently tilted Kayci’s head back and poured water through her hair. It added to the water’s already reddening color.

  “Adrian.” Kayci said his name softly. Hearing the weakness in her voice only increased the rage boiling inside him. “They have Elise. You have to find them.”

  If Danika and her coven vampires had Elise, it wouldn’t be long before they killed her. If they hadn’t already.

  “I’ll find them. Kayci. I promise.” He only hoped Danika had a reason to keep Kayci’s friend alive…

  “Where did they attack you?”

  “The parking garage south of Piani’s on Fifth.” Her voice rasped. She continued slowly. “They were waiting for us, knew we’d be coming back to our cars. I killed one and fought another. The same one that attacked me with Danika. I was able to wound him, but they still got away with Elise. Why did they take her? What are they going to do to her, Adrian?” she asked, her voice rising. She fought back tears.

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”

  Adrian helped Kayci out of the bath and into warm, comfortable clothes. He cradled her once more and carried her to her bed. Before leaving her side, he kissed her gently, slipping his tongue in to meet hers. When she responded eagerly, it gave him relief that her energy was improving. He rubbed her cheek affectionately before pulling away.

  “I may not be back until tomorrow night. Get some rest. I’ll call you as soon as I find them.”

  He didn’t want to waste any more time. He knew Danika and her coven would torture Elise for play.

  Thorne heard footsteps on the stairs.

  “Will you be staying until I return?” Adrian asked as he walked into Kayci’s living room.

  Thorne set down the book he had been reading and gave his attention to Adrian.

  “I think it would be best if I did, don’t you? For her safety and mine.”

  Thorne studied Adrian, clearly tense with rage.

  “Adrian, do you know who did this to her?”

  “I don’t have time to explain everything tonight. The vampires that hurt Kayci also took her friend. She’s asked me to find her, and I need to make a move while there’s still time.”

  “I see. That’s very honorable of you.”

  Thorne studied Adrian, who stared right back. Thorne stood up, reaching his full height of six foot four, four inches above Adrian. Thorne stiffened.

  “I feel inclined to ask a favor of you myself.”

  Adrian stopped him before he continued. “I won’t be sharing your arrival with the Covenant. I’ll leave that up to you.”

  Thorne nodded, giving a half smile of approval. “I look forward to the next time we meet, Adrian.”

  Adrian nodded. “She still doesn’t know who you are. Break it to her gently.”

  Chapter 17

  Danika twirled Elise’s hair around her finger as Reece and Collin tied her down to a chair.

  “I can smell your fear. It’s pathetic! You humans are such fragile creatures.”

  Elise whimpered. She’d never been so terrified. Her adrenaline pumped so intensely she couldn’t think straight. She watched Danika circle her like she was prey.

  “Your half-breed friend is hurt pretty badly. Might be a while before she comes to save you. Lucky for us, really. It’ll give us more time to become”—Danika grabbed Elise firmly by the shoulders and leaned in closely to whisper in her ear—”more acquainted with one another.”

  Elise let out a small sob. A couple tears ran down her cheeks. She knew there was nothing she could say to make them release her, so she clamped her lips.

  Danika clicked her tongue. “Where are my manners?” She ran her fingers down Elise’s shoulder and arm. “A pretty thing like you would make quite the predator. You could always join us. Become immortal, never age, be forever beautiful. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? A little of my blood in you, a broken neck—you’d wake up good as new, even better actually.”

  Elise sobbed louder.

  “I didn’t think so. You’ll make much better prey anyway.”

  Danika forced Elise’s head to the side. Elise squealed as Danika brought her fangs down on her neck, violently puncturing her skin.

  Elise cried out. A burning sensation ran down her neck into her shoulder and arm. She squirmed and tried to pull away, but it only caused Danika to tighten her grip and suck harder. Elise sobbed heavily, tears pouring down her cheeks onto her chin and chest.

  “Please stop!” she begged in between sobs.

  Danika reeled her head back, blood staining her teeth and lips. She licked the blood clean off her mouth. Elise’s head fell forward as Danika released her. Her tears mingled with the blood dripping onto her clothes.

  “Fix her up. We don’t want her bleeding to death too soon.”

  ***

  Even through the phone, Vladimir could sense there was something wrong by the sound of Adrian’s voice.

  “I need your help,” Adrian told him.

  “What is it?”

  “An opportunity to catch Danika. She and her coven vampires attacked Kayci and her friend this evening. For some reason they left Kayci alive and took the girl. Danika is up to something. This girl must be part of it. I’ll be able to track them, thanks to Kayci killing one and wounding Reece. I won’t be able to do it alone though.”

  “Where shall I meet you?”

  “Fifth Avenue. South parking garage.”

  Adrian squatted over one of three blood stains. Kayci had fought hard. He recognized her scent in the blood that heavily covered the cement below. He stood up and moved to the next spot. The blood that saturated the cement came from the vampire that Kayci had killed. Adrian’s nostrils flared, and his fangs pinched his bottom lip. He had the scent locked in, as well as Reece’s.

  “You look like you’ve got something?” Vladimir asked as he quietly approached.

  Adrian stood up, his eyes a bright gold when he looked at Vladimir.

  “It’s her boy toy, Reece, and another I don’t recognize. They left their stench all over this place.”

  “Can you track them?”

  “Yes,” Adrian said confidently.

  “Good, I’ll let the others know.”

  “Not yet.” Adrian gently placed his hand on Vladimir to stop him. “Give me a little more time. The Covenant won’t care about whether or not this young woman survives.”

  Vladimir returned the phone to his pocket.

  “I can only give you a meager head start. Natalia can see the same things I can. I’ve had visions. It won�
��t be long before chaos erupts, and Danika is at the center of it. Whatever we do tonight to spoil her plans will be beneficial.”

  Adrian’s eyes had settled back to their green color.

  “Thank you, Vladimir. A head start is all I need. Follow me.”

  ***

  Kayci rolled over and grumbled from the pain. She reached down and touched her ribs gently. Her broken ribs were healing, but she still felt weak. She wasn’t sure how long it would take to fully recover. It made her feel helpless that she had to stay in bed while Adrian searched for Elise. The worry formed a massive knot in her stomach.

  As she lay there, she heard rustling downstairs. She remembered the vampire that had helped her. Adrian must’ve left him there to look after her. Kayci gently tossed the blanket off and slowly rolled sideways. She lifted her upper body up with her right arm and eventually rested her feet on the floor.

  As she walked down the steps, she could see the back of the vampire. He was tall and thin but not scrawny. She assumed his muscles were concealed by his elegant clothes. He had light-brown hair cut short, and wore navy trousers with a shirt tucked into them. His suit jacket had been folded nicely over the back of her chair. He was closing the curtains in the living room to protect himself from the sunlight that would come in the morning. There was something familiar about him, as if she’d met him before. Brief images flashed in her mind. A man holding a baby. A woman laying peacefully in a bed. A vision or memory?

  Kayci stopped and stared at him. He had the same powerful and regal presence that Eva had. His hair nearly matched her own hair color. Kayci stood motionless at the bottom of the steps, using the railing to hold her weight. She could clearly see his side profile now. The resemblance obvious.