“Do you.” She gave him a warning through her narrowed stare.
He exhaled. “You’re Anastasia.” He leaned his back against the wall with his right foot raised against it. “I guess you two know each other.”
He smelled insanely delicious and suddenly, she had a hard time concentrating on the conversation.
“Who’s the medication for?” he asked Hallie.
She glared at the bottle in her hand. “A friend.”
“A human?”
She stuffed the bottle in her pocket.
Pushing herself back into the chat, Anastasia spoke. “You like asking a lot of questions.”
“I haven’t seen any other Deamhan in the city besides the ones I stay with,” he replied. “I thought most of our kind left.”
“Stay with? There’re more in Minneapolis?”
“Yeah. You and Lucius couldn’t get rid of all of us.”
There wasn’t anything else she wanted to say to the Lugat. He still looked edible, but a Ramanga like herself didn’t eat other Deamhan. It was impossible.
“This is pretty exciting.” He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket. He scribbled down his number and handed it to Hallie. “We can help each other.”
She took it. “You should go.” She stared at it as if he had given her a sacred text.
“Yes, you should.” Anastasia snarled.
Unmoved, he inhaled again. “In all the years I never thought I’d run into the famous Ramanga, Anastasia. I’ve heard stories about how you’ve killed a lot of Deamhan in the last year alone.”
“Please, go.” Hallie pleaded with him.
Enlai’s facial expression immediately turned sour at her request. “You know that the vampires here want us all dead. We shouldn’t fight each other. We—”
Anastasia couldn’t contain her thirst any longer. She grabbed onto his collar and lifted him off the ground. In Deamhan speed she dragged him behind the store, away from prying eyes. Hallie quickly followed.
“Stop it!” She tried to pull her back as Enlai also fought against the attack.
However, Anastasia ignored their requests. She slammed him against the side of the building and her fangs extended. Hallie grabbed a thin piece of wood and raised it in the air.
“Stop!” she screamed again, swinging it. It collided against Anastasia’s back, making her lose her grip.
Enlai moved back in shock.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Hallie said to him.
He took off, in a blur, disappearing from their view.
“What’s wrong with you?!” she screamed at Anastasia who straightened her clothing.
“He’s a Deamhan.” Her eyes reverted back to normal.
“So? You can’t just go around killing people.”
No, this is Amenirdis’ blood. It has to be. Nothing and no one had this much control over her since the early years when she roamed around the English countryside with her sire. Like many Deamhan, the lack of trust for her kind remained embedded deep into her core.
Anastasia stared at Enlai’s cigarette, still smoldering on the ground. “If he’s staying with other Deamhan, he will tell them.” She turned her head in the direction he disappeared to. “That won’t be good.”
“Not everyone is out to get you. You’re paranoid, you know that? You’re also crazy and psychotic.”
She tuned into her thoughts, picking up Hallie’s rage and anger. The young Deamhan wondered what it was like to live as long as she did, not trusting anyone. “Think whatever you want about me, but the fact is you’re not safe out here by yourself.”
“You know what? Save it. I can look after myself,” she barked at her. “I’m not the young girl you tried to kill on the first night you saw me. Just leave me alone.” She prepared to go back to Blind Bluff Manor when Anastasia interjected in an attempt to quench the rising tension.
“I’m tired of hearing you talk.” Hallie huffed.
“Don’t let your desire to meet new people overlook your need to be safe. You can’t trust anyone.”
“And apparently I can’t trust you either.”
Before Anastasia had a chance to speak again, Hallie took off as fast as her legs could carry her back to Blind Bluff Manor.
1
DECEPTION. DEAMHAN CHRONCILES #3
CHAPTER SEVEN
Little by little, Kenneth felt the feeling returning to his arms. The sensation tingled upward, toward his neck and then down again to his midsection, ending at his feet. The pillow’s soft fabric tugged against the back of his head while the cold sheets snuggled around his ankles.
A sliver of light peeked through the blinds that covered the windows. It became the only telltale sign that morning arrived. He didn’t remember when he managed to finally close his eyes and drift off to sleep the previous night, especially since his meeting with Ruby remained on his mind.
After leaving the wooded area, he and Johanna had driven back to the Brotherhood Chapter. She tried to assure him that they all had the same goal in mind—the destruction of all Deamhan. However, he didn’t feel comfortable, nor did he care. As part of the deal, Ruby demanded the Dark Curse tablet he had in his possession, which made his stomach curl. Not to mention she could invade his thoughts easier than any Deamhan could. For now he swallowed his discontent, reminding himself that to see his dream into fruition, he needed supernatural muscle.
He felt Johanna’s body snuggled against him. Her breasts settled against his side and her left arm draped over his stomach. Careful not to disturb her, he moved his body to the right and looked over the edge of the bed for his laptop. Once he found it, he moved her arm, sat up in bed, and placed it on his chest. Like every morning since he made the Chapter location his home, he searched his emails, looking for updates on Veronica’s well-being back at the San Diego Headquarters.
They held her in the Right Wing medical ward on B4. Per Kenneth’s request, the lead doctor kept her in a medically induced coma until he returned. She hadn’t recovered fully from being attacked months ago and for her own safety (and to keep an eye on her) he managed to take her away from the Deamhan who lived at Blind Bluff Manor. He made sure she remained where she belonged.
The Brotherhood Headquarters in San Diego was the only safe place for researchers. The towering structure was immense and heavily protected. Two of the floors rested above ground and the remaining five were located underground. Each floor had a specific purpose and often, that purpose changed to accommodate the times.
The first floor held the entrance, heavily guarded by mercenaries who played an integral part of the organization. They were the muscle—humans trained to show no sign of fear when it came to dealing with Deamhan. These brave souls risked their lives to keep the building safe from anyone or anything trying to get in. The second floor housed the offices where researchers worked day and night, gathering information and inputting them into The Brotherhood’s database.
Below ground, the second floor, also known as B2, held the Archives. This area, also heavily guarded, stored the most valuable and historic treasures. Only individuals with special clearance were allowed to go in. Anything from journals, centuries old, valuables, and other knickknacks were recorded and stored in metal cabinets, glass cases, and wooden boxes. It was also the place where they kept the piece of the Dark Curse until it was stolen right from under their noses.
Floors B3 through B5 had two wings; Right and Left. The Right Wing held captured Deamhan, confined in small cells with concrete floors and thick metal bars. Researchers deemed traitors were kept in the Left Wing called ‘The Containment Facility.’ B4’s Left Wing mercenaries were trained and taught how to kill, capture, or survive Deamhan attacks. Like the Archives, B5 was also an off-limits location. On this floor, doctors who were hired to work for The Brotherhood for their entire career, conducted experiments. Kenneth remembered Mr. Austin frequenting the floor often and overhearing conversations between him and other researchers about how much progress they
made in their Frankenstein experiments.
He didn’t understand exactly why The Brotherhood conducted tests on Deamhan. While it was normal in the past, when they didn’t know any better, now they had all the information they needed to know. Deamhan had cruel tendencies. They sired humans indiscriminately in order to swell their ranks. They killed without notice and never gave it a second thought, especially if they deemed their victims to be weaker than them.
Kenneth heard footsteps pacing back and forth from the hallway. The mercenaries assigned to his jurisdiction were already at work. After checking his emails, he opened a folder on his desktop, containing images copied from journals written by Veronica’s mother. Each image was placed in numerical order by significance.
We arrived in Minneapolis late Sunday evening. A snow storm hit just last week and the state received 15 inches of the fluffy stuff. This is my first time being here and I have to say, I’m enjoying it. I can’t say the same for the cold weather.
Although I’m happy that my orders are to remain in this wonderful city, I wonder if my assignment is an assignment at all. I’m supposed to research and follow Kei, a Lugat. He is a fairly young Deamhan, somewhere around 100. I was told that the last researcher assigned to him got too close and his body was never found. The Region Leader, my husband, Samuel, doesn’t want me to take this job, but I promised him that I wouldn’t make the same mistake. Plus, our family could stay together. Veronica is only eight and although she’s too young to understand what’s going on, he insisted on raising her in the organization.
Journals kept by researchers detailed the ins and outs of their assignments. Considered important and classified, they helped the members to understand and catalogue Deamhan and the environments they infected. But her mother’s entries read more like a diary. Still he wondered why The Brotherhood allowed their researchers to bring their children into such chaos? Why did they assign Veronica’s mother to research Kei? Why did they not assign anyone to research Lucius? Most importantly, why didn’t they pack up and leave the city when Deamhan killed his own parents?
To our surprise the Ancient Deamhan, Lucius, appeared outside our Chapter. Of course we’re all scared. Peter wanted to barricade ourselves in the building. Samuel ordered us to arm ourselves. Nathan and I appeared to be the only researchers who took Lucius’ appearance as an open invitation to peace.
Nathan went outside and chatted with the Deamhan. After a few minutes he left and Nathan told us that Lucius wanted to be the first Deamhan to greet us in the city. He has declared a Decretum so that we shall all remain unharmed, as long as we don’t interfere in Deamhan affairs.
Kenneth thought he knew everything about his parents’ stay in the city before their death. They had important roles in starting the Minneapolis Chapter, which provided a pathway for researchers to come to the city.
I don’t want to admit it, but I think I’ve fallen for Lucius.
Against Samuel’s wishes, I met the Deamhan at his home. I expected a large acropolis of some sort. Maybe because we were taught that Deamhan lived in large sanctuaries with countless occupants including minions. But that wasn’t what I saw. His home was just a split-level house with a small stream that ran on the edge of the large back yard. When I walked in, they greeted me; however, their introductions felt orchestrated. I saw the fear of Lucius in their eyes. But when I looked into his, I felt protected. I can’t say the same for Kei. He remained distant.
Lucius brought me to a small bedroom with only one chair. I sat and listened while he told me the story of his life...
The rumors about Veronica’s mother and Lucius proved to be true. At the same time, her mother also knew the dangers of falling for a Deamhan who held such a high position in the city. What bothered Kenneth the most was how easily she went head over heels for him.
I waited for Lucius at our agreed meeting place. He was late and I started to wonder if something bad happened to him. A few hours later, I thought I saw him but instead it was Kei.
I’ve never been so scared in my life. The way he looked at me-as if I was nothing to him. He said he only came with a message and that I needed to listen.
Lucius had plans for Deamhan—plans that Kei didn’t agree with. I had no idea what he meant when he mentioned ‘Pure Ones’ and when he realized that, he grew agitated. He said as a researcher I should know who they are. He proceeded to call me inexperienced, a wild and stupid human. He said that Lucius talked about how important the Dark Curse was and they had to find the tablet. Kei believes that his sire wants Revelation to happen.
He went on, calling Lucius stupid for believing that releasing the Pure Ones was the best thing to do. He also said if his sire freed them, it would mean the end for humans, vampires, and Deamhan.
The end of our world as we knew it. For the first time, I sensed his fear.
This wasn’t the homicidal maniac he learned about when Mr. Austin ordered him to go to Minneapolis and bring back Veronica. Kei did have his fair share of brutality but what Lucius accomplished in releasing Amenirdis overshadowed that. All Deamhan knew the consequences. Now that The Queen of Limbo roamed free, no one was safe, not even The Brotherhood, but in order to get rid of the Deamhan filth once and for all, he had to release them. It was the only way he could kill them all in one huge blow and end all Deamhan on the face of the planet.
He heard his laptop ring, signaling that he had new email. Johanna stirred next to him and her eyes opened slowly.
“What was that?” She yawned.
Ignoring her, he closed the journal files and opened the email. It was sent from the Head Master of The Brotherhood—Marcel Alvaro.
She stretched and pushed back the thick covers, revealing her nakedness. She snaked her hand up his chest and to his chin. “You know how to make a girl have fun.”
He rolled his eyes. There wasn’t any time for morning sex or any kind of foreplay. He read the email carefully. “The Head Master wants a conference call with us. Soon.” He closed his laptop.
“About what?”
“What do you think?” He placed the laptop on the floor. “He’s probably going to close the Chapter again.”
“He wouldn’t do that.” She kissed the side of his face.
“No, he would.” He jerked his head to avoid another sloppy kiss. “That’s exactly what I’d do.” He climbed out of bed and stretched his arms over his head. Looking back, he saw her staring at his bare ass.
“Come on over here. Let me slap it.”
He walked to his closet. “I don’t have time for this.”
“You need to relax.” She got up out of bed. “Didn’t they just reinstate the Chapter? Why would they close it down now?”
He rummaged through his closet. “He suspects something.”
“The only researchers who know about the Dorvo Coven are standing in this room right now. Those mindless mercenaries out there,” —she pointed to the door— “they don’t know anything. So what makes you think the Head Master has any idea what we’re doing?”
He yanked a white shirt and dark slacks from their hangers. “Because he’s the Head Master. Are you that stupid?” He slammed the closet door shut. “That old fucker knows everything and if he doesn’t know, he’ll found out sooner or later.”
“By the time he finds out, he’ll be in no position to do anything about it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Now, let’s go back to bed.”
While her mind focused on sex, Kenneth remained steadfast as to what they faced in the near future. He pushed her aside and tossed his clothing on the bed. “The Dark Curse has been one of The Brotherhood’s best-kept secrets. Only our superiors knew about it. Alvaro knows even more. He knew what Lucius and Selene planned to do before they did it. He knew about the deal Mr. Austin made with Kei. He knew Nathan’s father stole the piece from The Archives decades ago. So, Johanna, Alvaro isn’t some idiot sitting on his throne. He isn’t the Head Master because of his good looks. He’s a smart man who doesn’t take betr
ayal lightly.”
“He’ll have no choice but to stand back and allow what we’re doing to happen,” she replied. “Deamhan have both pieces of the Dark Curse, they have Maris’ blood, and they know how to read the writing on those tablets. They can release the other seven at any time. He wouldn’t allow that to happen, regardless how he feels about the Dorvo Coven.”
“They don’t have both pieces of the Dark Curse.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“They don’t have any pieces. Nathan Tiernan only has a piece.”
“Well, who has the other one?”
He swallowed hard. “I do.”
Quickly, she spun him around to face her. “When were you going to tell me that you had it?” Her eyes filled with discontent and rage.
“Now you know.” He turned back around.
“So, that’s what Ruby was talking about. She knew you had it.”
“She only found out because she invaded my mind. That won’t happen again.”
“Where is it?”
“Safe, for now. Soon enough Alvaro will find out that I have it.” He raised his shirt to his chest. “If he hasn’t figured it out already.” He faced her again, modeling his shirt. “I need a new one. This is tight on me.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “Why are we waiting? Why not just get Ruby to gather her coven and storm Nathan’s place?”
“Amenirdis, you twit,” he replied. “No one knows where she is and what she’ll do if we harm Maris.”
“We don’t know if Maris is there.”
“And now you understand part of the dilemma.”
She thought. “What else is there?”
He gave her a weak smile and maneuvered around her and back to the closet. “Get dressed. You have work to do.”
“Me?”
“Ruby’s going to drag her feet and she needs help, from you, to pull her along.”
Deception (Deamhan Chronicles Book 3) Page 7