by Ann Cory
There’s always a choice…even if the options are deadly.
Rook Vasser hunts with the fate of his vampire clan riding on his shoulders. Without the clan’s stolen moonstone, an all-out war and his leader’s death are inevitable. Acting on a tip, he heads deep into the Blood Mountains, confident the stone is within his grasp. He doesn’t expect to find it hanging around the neck of a beautiful mortal—or that it will be nearly impossible to get it away from her.
Ember Chalane came to the mountains to recharge her critically low healing powers. The lovely stone she finds lying in the grass is more than a shiny trinket. She discovers it restores and enhances her empathic ability, flooding her body with fresh life force she’s unwilling to give up—not even to the dark, sexy vampire who wants it back.
Rook tries everything to get his hands on the stone, including seduction…only to learn that not only does it protect her from his bite, without it she becomes dangerously sick. With time running out, Rook faces the darkest of choices—save his falling clan, or save the woman for whom he’s fallen.
Warning: This title contains some naughty bits! A bit of Alpha male attitude, a bit of explicit sex with a hot vampire, and a bit of a bite!
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520
Macon GA 31201
Mortal Compass
Copyright © 2009 by Ann Cory
ISBN: 978-1-60504-639-6
Edited by Heidi Moore
Cover by Natalie Winters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: August 2009
www.samhainpublishing.com
Mortal Compass
Ann Cory
Dedication
For vampire fans everywhere
Chapter One
For days Rook Vasser watched his leader Faolan waste away to mere bones, his withered skin paler than its normal ashen shade. It pained him to see a man of great power reduced to a weakened state where those who’d once admired him now looked on in pity. The sudden change in loyalties disturbed him. They’d be nothing without Faolan. Hell, he’d be nothing, and that knowledge had helped temper his rage. Though it hadn’t always been that way.
Many times he’d been lured into battle, wanting nothing more than to rip his rivals in two and adorn the forest floor with their carnage. But he’d resisted.
Under Faolan’s rule, the Ravyn Myst clan remained peaceful—sworn against spilling blood unless provoked. Before, Rook had honored those vows. Recent events were about to change that.
There’d been talk by head members of the clans to merge into one unit with current leaders battling for top rank. And to complicate matters, the number of rogue vampires had tripled—rebellious independents hell-bent on breaking traditions, bleeding innocents dry and waging war among clans. They’d targeted the Ravyn Mysts at first word of the leader’s poor health. Only one thing could create such a domino effect of chaos. The loss of the sacred moonstone. Not only was the stone tied to Faolan’s well-being, but it was the key to balance among the vampires. The moonstone served another incentive. Hold it and they hold the power to unlock otherworld secrets.
Rook sensed the restlessness of his brothers, and while they questioned the path the Ravyn Mysts would take, he stayed busy formulating a plan. He’d be damned if he’d stand by and watch all that Faolan had built crumble into nothingness. His leader deserved to finish his reign and name a new leader when warranted.
He would see to it. He also needed to prepare for the worst.
The problem lay in tracking down the moonstone. He had an idea of its whereabouts. If correct, he’d find it within the Blood Mountains in the heart of the Amazon. But without proof he’d cause more harm than good. Time was precious.
He hoped to receive the confirmation he’d been waiting on tonight.
With swift strides, he moved through the manor toward the common room. Cadoc—one of the few he trusted—stepped into his view and nodded.
“I have news. I was just on my way to find you. How’s Faolan?”
“Worse than yesterday,” he said, unable to cloak the strain in his voice.
Cadoc bowed his head and sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“You said you had news,” Rook prompted, wanting to move away from the glum subject. “I take it you confronted our coven sister, Lucretia?”
“Yes.” A wry smile followed. “Your instincts are dead on. It seems she didn’t care for Faolan meddling in her personal affairs. She took the moonstone and handed it off to the only one she’d trust to destroy it.”
Slade. Adrenaline rushed his veins. “Excellent. It gives me a starting point.”
“The Blood Mountains?”
He checked that no one else had heard and nodded.
Cadoc frowned. “You know the rogues will have their spies out.”
“I know.”
“Do you want company? Someone to watch your back?”
Rook appreciated the gesture but knew Cadoc well enough. He couldn’t afford distractions. “I need to do this on my own. If I fail, I want to know there’s still someone here I can trust.”
“You’ve never failed at anything.” His friend’s disappointment was apparent, but brief.
“Let’s hope I don’t start now.” He winked and patted Cadoc’s shoulder. “Keep an eye on the clan for me while I’m gone.”
“Of course, and an eye on Faolan too,” he added. “Safe journey.”
“Always.”
Satisfied with the news, Rook continued outside and stood at the cliff’s edge. Turbulent waves crashed below, mimicking the rage that battered his gut. He meant to find and destroy the one who held the moonstone, and restore balance to the clan. Failure wasn’t an option. At this point, neither was his promise to uphold peace. Blood would be shed.
“Forgive me, Faolan. I’m about to let you down.”
A full moon illuminated the night. Its brilliance would light his way.
Rook glanced behind him at the only home he’d ever known, and then took to the sky.
He’d been tracking Slade’s scent for miles when the sweet essence of mortal blood overpowered it. Long had been the years since he last stepped foot in the Blood Mountains. Deemed a neutral zone, it had once been a place of great battle. And the dumping grounds for human bodies bled dry.
The climate of the rainforest had done little to mask the scent over the decades. Rook hadn’t expected it or he’d have nourished himself first. The scent dredged up memories he wished to forget. Strong will and determination had helped him overcome the uncontrollable cravings. He no longer required human blood.
Rook couldn’t deny that for a brief moment he’d weakened. Fortunately, no human dared go near the mountains. If any did, they’d be going to their grave.
The sooner he picked up Slade’s trail again, the better. The fate of Faolan and the Ravyn Mysts depended on it.
***
Ember Chalane removed her long-sleeve shirt and knotted it around her waist. Beads of sweat trickled down her chest, soaking the scalloped trim of her tank top. She’d never been to South America, or anywhere for that matter, and had decided to ma
ke it her first adventure. For months she’d prepared herself for the vacation of a lifetime—a quest for peace and to recharge her batteries, a time for personal reflection. Who wouldn’t want to experience the beauty of the Amazon?
The excitement had vanished within ten minutes of traipsing through the rainforest. Her lungs were ready to explode from the humidity. Temperatures had reached scorching levels even with scattered clouds shielding her from direct sunlight. Already drained from years of working as a healer, she’d hoped to be rejuvenated, not more fatigued than before.
But the word quit didn’t exist in her vocabulary. So, if that meant suffering mosquito bites, heatstroke, poisonous dart frogs and anything else nature wanted to throw her way, so be it.
She wondered if peace even existed.
Surrounded by noise, pollution and crowds of people with more issues than a newsstand, she didn’t have a hope in finding solace in her own home. As an empath, she soaked in the environment around her like a sponge. Bombarded with negative energy, she spent a considerable amount of time sick. And while her gift of healing worked wonders on others, she lacked the ability to do the same for herself.
Ember adjusted her backpack and trudged on. Insects buzzed nearby and a bird chattered from a cluster of trees. The thick, muggy air intensified the pungent odor of vegetation. Not a pleasant smell by her standards. Though she hadn’t expected the climate to be such a downer, the rainforest itself was a place of beauty with lush foliage and an enchanted ambiance.
She noticed a procession of mountains up ahead. Tall in stature, they helped her put things into perspective. The world was vast and she’d seen very little of it in her twenty-eight years. The fault lay with her alone. She’d put herself in a position where others counted on her. Not one to disappoint, she’d made sure to be accessible at all times. Until her body couldn’t take anymore and had demanded escape. But had she waited too long? Being surrounded by miles of solitude made her aware of how much time she’d wasted.
Feeling her shoe had come loose, Ember bent down to tie the laces tighter and she came across an object half-hidden in the grass. She finished tying her shoe and picked up the large oval object, turning it over and around between her fingers, its texture flawless and smooth to the touch. Iridescent white with a pale blue shimmer, she recognized it as a moonstone—a stone of balance. It also helped safeguard travelers and drew lovers to one another. Balance was something she’d always sought, and being on her first vacation the extra protection would be appreciated. As to the love part, she could dream. Ember had seen moonstones before, but this one’s beauty was unmatched.
She rummaged inside her pack for a piece of wire. Careful to not make a scratch, she coiled the wire around the stone and affixed it to the silver chain she wore around her neck. The stone lay cool along the cleft of her breasts.
Excited by the rare find, she continued on. Blades of grass tickled her calves. Though the heat seemed to intensify, she noticed strength had returned to her legs, her gait quickened. She’d covered more ground in the past five minutes than when she’d first started out. To her surprise she wasn’t winded, instead was able to take in full, deep breaths. Unexplainable energy surged through her with each step. What had changed?
The moonstone?
While she knew the stone helped bring balance, could it to such an extent?
I wonder?
Curious, Ember removed the necklace and set it on the grass. She walked away from it and closed her eyes, concentrating on even the slightest difference. Her energy depleted rapidly and her pulse slowed. She felt her lungs tighten and the strength in her legs diminish. If she weren’t mistaken, she was weaker than when she’d found the moonstone. The dramatic change made her uneasy.
Wood snapped from behind her, startling her out of her thoughts. She went back for the chain and placed it back around her neck. As the moonstone restored her power, Ember searched out the source of the sound. She hoped there weren’t any large animals following her, or worse—a viper ready to strike.
Behind a gathering of trees, lay a wolf on its side.
She approached with caution until she saw its leg caught in a trap. Dark streaks of crimson stood out from the snow-white fur. The animal raised its head and watched her with one green eye and one brown eye, almost human in its expression.
“You poor thing,” she soothed and crouched down. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.”
The wolf growled low from its belly, making her hesitate.
“Easy now.” Ember spoke softly, trying to put the animal at ease. “Let me help you.”
Its growl lessened and turned into a whimper.
She moved closer, satisfied it wouldn’t attack.
With her hands on either side of the contraption, she struggled to pry it open.
Anger gripped her. What kind of idiot set out traps in a rainforest? With all the dense foliage around anyone could’ve stepped in it. Hell, she could’ve stepped in it herself.
Her arms shook as she pulled the sides apart, muscles taut and burning.
The iron jaw gave just enough for the wolf to pull its leg out.
She released her grip and sucked in her breath as the trap clanged shut. If she ever came across the bastard who’d put it there, she’d give him a piece of her mind.
Venting session over, she turned her attention back to the wolf—furiously licking its wound. Having never attempted to heal an animal before, she wondered if it was even possible. Driven by the need to take away its pain, she decided to try.
“You trusted me before. Maybe you’ll trust me again?”
She rubbed her palms together to charge her energy and then pressed her hands firmly against its injured leg. The wolf growled but didn’t make a move to bite.
“I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
Ember breathed deeply. Using her empathic abilities, she focused the pain out from the animal and in through her body. She felt it flow through her veins, her bloodstream, and into the very fiber of her being. From there she visualized unblocking the negativity, breaking it up into tiny pieces and shifting the vibrations around the wound. Ribbons of black and gray swirled before her eyes, twining together until knotted. Pain gripped her leg as if it were caught in the trap.
Distorted images flooded her mind of half-human, half-animal experiences—mere fragments.
She reached down deep inside and pushed the negative energy out, replacing it with positive energy. In her mind’s eye she watched the knot loosen and disappear altogether. Streams of golden light followed, tunneling through her body and into the animal, healing the final remnants of pain.
Content, she forced her hands away and folded them in her lap.
“There you are. All better.”
The wolf scurried to its feet, eyes intent on her. She remained still, not wanting to pose a threat. It snarled and circled several times before bolting off.
Ember released her held breath. Even with the intensity of the healing, her energy remained charged. The only explanation that made sense was the moonstone.
She took out a bottle of water from her pack and sipped it slowly. The cool liquid quenched her thirst and gave her an added boost.
Her stomach grumbled and she considered taking a break, maybe munch a power bar and write in her journal, keep notes of how the moonstone affected her.
She wandered into a small clearing, the towering mountains closer and more prominent than she remembered.
Ember froze. A sensation of being watched sent prickles along the back of her neck. She scanned the area but didn’t see anyone. Perhaps the wolf wanted to keep an eye on her.
Shrugging away the paranoia, she took off her backpack, pulled out a blanket and sat down. Her feet tingled and ached. Two weeks on the treadmill hadn’t been near enough preparation.
Legs stretched out, she leaned back on her elbows, listening to the subtle sounds of the rainforest. As she started to unwind the sensation of being watched returned full force. She peered ahead an
d noticed a man staring straight at her.
Ember groaned. There went any attempt at peace. She sat up and grabbed her power bar.
Is a little privacy too much to ask for?
She tore the wrapper off and took a bite. The mix of rich dark chocolate and gooey caramel helped quell her appetite, but did little to ease her frustration.
Half-concealed by an overgrown leafy bush the man stood statue still, eyes trained on her like a predator. She wondered what he was thinking and how he saw her. Maybe he thought her an alien? Most of the time she felt like one, sheltered in her little world of siphoning pain and taking care of everyone but herself. Only those who sought her for personal healing thought her normal. And they were the ones who made her sick. Vampires she called them. They drained the joy right out of her life, sucked her of health and energy.
Ember chuckled to herself. When had she become so bitter? The heat must be getting to her. Or the fact a half-naked man watched her.
She tried to pretend he wasn’t there, but his steady gaze proved unnerving. Of course, there was nothing wrong with savoring him from afar. Her gaze favored the braided muscles of his shoulders and arms. He could probably lift her over his head one-handed.
The distance made it difficult to see his expression. She’d put it somewhere between a frown and deep in thought.
What does he want?
Did he plan to hurt her?
Frustrated, she called out, “Hello?”
When he didn’t respond, she decided she’d had enough and stood up.
“Excuse me, sir?” she hollered. “Are you going to stand there all day and be rude, or what?”
He uncrossed his arms and stepped out from the bush. All six foot of him. Pulse elevated, she couldn’t help but appreciate his muscle-bound form. A shirtless, tight-black-pants-wearing dream. As he approached she picked up dangerous vibrations. Her mind said run but her eyes begged to feast on his powerful physique. Though pale-skinned, it did nothing to diminish the hard lines of his body or the way his six-pack looked chiseled by hand.