The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: Progeny

by Jessica MacIntyre

  PROGENY

  The vampires of soldiers cove

  Book 4

  Jessica macintyre

  Acknowledgements

  Once again I feel the need to state that a book is a communal effort. It comes from the mind and heart of the writer, but without her team to help, guide, scrutinize and steer, it just wouldn’t be the same. Also, once again, I must state that any mistakes you find in here were probably pointed out to me by these people, and I alone overlooked them.

  I want to thank Denise Hunter, Tiffany Samson and Tryphena MacDonald who once again took time out from their very busy lives to read and scrutinize my book. You do it well, and most importantly, you do it for free, or perhaps for booze, and I love you for it!

  I also want to once again acknowledge my brilliant cover artist, Jenny Laatch. I was a real pain in the rear this time because I just couldn’t seem to settle on the blurb, among other things, but once again Jenny jumped into my twisted writer’s brain and pulled out the book cover of my dreams. Thank you Jenny!

  And thank you to you, the readers, for sticking with this series. This is book four! The fifth and final book will come next year and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to anyone who’s stuck with me through Rachel’s journey. It means a lot. So, until next time, enjoy!

  Dedication

  This book is lovingly dedicated to the Bert to my Ernie, the Shuster to my Wayne, and the Dorothy to my Sophia. My best friend of over thirty years (and hetero life mate) Tiffany Samson.

  Friendship, especially a long standing one, is all about priorities. No matter how busy life has gotten over the years we have always made time for one another, and have been there through the most important moments of each other’s lives. No matter what is happening I know I can always pick up the phone and call my best friend in the whole world and she will try to help me fix it.

  If I could grant everyone in the world one wish, it would be to have a friend just like Tiffany. You’re one of a kind girl, and I couldn’t love you more if you were actually my own sister, and in a lot of ways you truly are.

  This one’s for you…

  Prologue

  Secrets. The world was full of them. Some more easily figured out than others. In the many centuries he’d been alive the vampire had accumulated so many he had lost count. Then again, does anyone – vampire or human – count their secrets? Probably not, he guessed. If there was a way to make your conscience ache that would most likely be it. He wasn’t sure how much of a conscience he even had left but a piece of it, one he was sure was tiny and withered, nagged at him right now as he packed his bags, preparing for his journey across the water to the new world.

  He hated leaving what he held most dear behind, but it couldn’t be helped. His conscience might bother him in the times to come when hard decisions would have to be made, but in the end it would all be worth it. He would be much more haunted by leaving this deed undone, as opposed to doing it.

  It was time to go. His companion was meeting him at the airport, a place he’d never been. Propelling bodies through the sky at hundreds of miles per hour still seemed peculiar to him, even though he’d had a long time to get used to the idea. The humans, the ones born after the advent of flight, seemed to view flying as something almost as natural as breathing.

  His hands shook. Truth be told he was nervous. It seemed silly for someone of his age, especially given all of the things he’d faced. A little airplane ride should be a piece of cake.

  The taxi came much too quickly for his liking. He’d hoped to stall just a little bit longer, but today the service was unusually prompt.

  “Where to?” the driver asked.

  He took a deep breath. This has to work. It just has to, he thought. “Edinburg airport.”

  “Right,” the driver said, and pulled into traffic. The old vampire took one last look out the rear window and watched his home getting smaller and smaller in the background. A pang of anxiety rang through his chest. Not knowing if or when he’d see the place he’d lived all his life again was a strange feeling. After a time he turned back, forcing himself to look past the driver to the street coming at him through the windshield. He made a decision to look forward and only forward from that moment on. Looking back would only distract him from what he had to do.

  After a time they came to a secluded stretch of road. “Pull over here,” he said.

  The driver raised his eyebrows in question as he observed him in the rear-view mirror. “Still another few miles to go,” he said.

  Just for once why can’t they do what they’re told without a million questions? “I’m going to walk the rest of the way. I need a drink.”

  The cab driver smiled. “Well there’s a bar in the airport. Certainly none right here. You won’t be getting that drink ‘till I get you to where you’re going.”

  “I said to pull over. That’s my business not yours.”

  Now the driver looked irritated, not that it mattered. In a minute he’d have no earthly worries or cares. What a gift to give someone. Too bad they never seemed to fully appreciate it. “Suit yourself.”

  The driver slammed on the brakes and the vampire flew forward a little bit from the inertia, almost hitting his head on the back of the passenger seat. This would have annoyed most people, but he just laughed, amused. “Thank you,” was all he said before reaching over and snapping the poor unsuspecting man’s neck.

  With a soft flick he released his fangs and pierced the tender skin covering the jugular just as quickly as he was able. He wanted a few swallows before the heart stopped beating. The blood was good. Not as good as if he’d hunted the man down for it, terrorizing him in the process, but good enough. He was on the clock here after all. The next time he hunted would be in a foreign land.

  The vampire sucked and swallowed over and over until the man was depleted of every last drop. “Thank you,” he said to the corpse, and reached over him to pull on the trunk latch. There was a popping sound and he exited the car, stretching as he did and patting his stomach, relishing the hearty breakfast he’d just had.

  Hoisting the driver over his shoulder he made his way to the back of the car, grabbing his suitcase. Then, he transferred the body itself to the trunk and threw his suitcase in the backseat. Sliding behind the steering wheel he realized he felt a whole lot better about things. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. Adjusting the rear-view mirror to meet his face he gave himself a cold, hard smile. Sometimes all one needed was a full stomach to put things into perspective.

  He parked the car casually and strolled to the large entrance door of the airport and wheeled his suitcase past gift shops and magazine stands. Up ahead his companion waved to him, signalling him over. “I have your ticket,” he said, handing him a piece of paper.

  He stared at it for a moment. Nova Scotia it said. Literally translated in Gaelic it meant: New Scotland.

  “New Scotland,” he said to himself.

  His companion put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His new friend had been so helpful he almost felt guilty about the lies he’d told… almost. The kindness in his voice was something not often given between vampires, not in Scotland at least. He’d spent a decent amount of time gaining the man’s confidence, which wasn’t easy because this vampire was the oldest he’d ever met. Usually the very old could sniff out insincerity as easily as blood on the wind. Perhaps what he’d come in search of and not found had blinded him somehow. “You’ll like it,” he reassured him. “You’re doing the right thing.”

  He sighed. “I hope you’re right.”

  “Oh sure. You’ve been living in the past too long. Trust me, I know. Time to take a step forward. You
might be surprised at the things you’ll find.”

  He said nothing in response, simply smiled and nodded as they made their way to check in. I hope I won’t be that surprised, he thought. I hope to find exactly what I’m looking for.

  Chapter One

  Ryan stretched his tiny hand outward, Gavin urging him on quietly toward the little spotted doe. His face was awash with excitement and nervousness as the animal took a few steps closer. Silently he edged forth and lifted his hand slightly higher, his little fingers tentatively touching the graceful creature at first, then, seeing that she wasn’t going anywhere, laying his palm flat against her nose and rubbing very gently in a small circular motion.

  “Daddy,” he whispered, exhilaration reverberating through his little body. “She likes me.”

  Gavin smiled back at him, almost as happy and excited as the four year old. “She does, buddy. She’s letting you pet her. I bet none of your friends have ever gotten this close to a deer before.”

  Ryan’s chest puffed out with pride. So did mine. “Animals really like me,” he grinned.

  “They sure do,” Gavin said, giving me a quick wink. Ryan never took his eyes off his new friend. Gavin, of course, was the one keeping the animal calm, communicating with her to stay still while the shaggy brown haired, dark eyed boy caressed her, now with both little hands. I took a quick shot with my camera before continuing to enjoy the moment.

  The three of us stood there for a good five minutes while the deer allowed him to pet her, rubbing her nose into the palms of his hands as he smiled silently from ear to ear. After a time the animal backed up slightly and bowed her head as if to say good-bye. “I think she has to go now,” I whispered.

  “Aww. Ok. Bye-bye,” he called as the little deer glided off on her slender legs, her tail disappearing through the low hanging evergreen boughs.

  For any other four year old, or adult for that matter, this would have been a once in a lifetime experience. Not for Ryan. Gavin routinely took him walking through the woods and whatever wild animal they stumbled across, Gavin would convince it to let Ryan spend a few moments communing with him.

  “We need to get back to the house. I have to get dinner started,” I said.

  “What’s for dinner Mommy?”

  Mommy. It still surprised me how much I loved that title. This robust, energetic little person with his long brown hair and deep dark eyes had only been with me four years, but my life before him was, in a way, hard to even remember. I fell into ‘mommy mode’ so easily that it felt like I’d always been there.

  “Pizza,” I said.

  “Yay!” Ryan shouted, running ahead a few steps, picking up rocks and humming to himself happily. He was a good little boy. Loud and messy, as most little boys are, but I wouldn’t have changed him for the world.

  “He’ll sleep well tonight,” Gavin said grabbing my hand as we made our way back to the house. “We’ve been out here for three hours.”

  “Yeah, your mother should have an easy time with him.”

  Gavin snatched me hard around the waist and roughly drew me up against him. “But you won’t have an easy time with me,” he said with a playful growl.

  A chill ran through my core. After five years of marriage he could still bring me to my knees. “God, if only I could take you up on that.”

  “What?”

  “I’m afraid I’m fertile right now. We just can’t go there.”

  A look of disappointment crossed Gavin’s face. “Well, that’s lousy timing.”

  “I’m sorry. But we’ll still have a happy anniversary though. I’ll make it up to you in other ways,” I winked.

  “Mrs. MacDonald Do watch yourself,” he snarled, giving me a nip on the collar bone.

  “Pardon me but I think you mean, Landry. There was no name change, remember?” Gavin smiled and rolled his eyes at the same time as if to say, ‘always the feminist’. This earned him a smack, which might have been playfully too hard as he landed against the double door of our new stainless steel fridge.

  A while later I sat Ryan down at the kitchen table with his cut up piece of pizza. “Aren’t you eating Mommy?”

  “No, Daddy and I are going out for dinner. It’s our anniversary, remember?”

  “Oh yeah.” His eyes grew sad and a twinge of motherly guilt washed over me. “I don’t like it when you don’t read me my story.”

  “Grandma will be here to read you your story tonight, honey.” I ruffled his unkempt hair. It was almost to his shoulders now. We had given him perhaps two haircuts in his whole life, mostly because when we did he howled like someone was murdering him. “I’ll be here tomorrow night to read to you. It’s just for tonight.”

  “Ok.” His little hand rested on his cheek after that and he ate in subdued silence. Just then Gavin made his way into the kitchen, looking completely edible in his black jeans and white fitted tee shirt.

  “Why the long face?” he said to Ryan. No answer.

  “He’s sad because we’re going away for the night.”

  Gavin crouched beside him. “Oh. Is that all? Don’t be sad little monkey. I’ll bring you back a present.”

  “Gavin!” I wasn’t keen on Ryan becoming one of those kids who always wants to know what you’ve brought him every time he sees you again, but Gavin just couldn’t help himself. Whenever we left the house without him, Dad came back armed with a gift or a treat. Ryan’s face lit up and he continued eating with a smile after that.

  “Just something small, Mommy,” he said, planting a kiss on my cheek.

  “Fine,” I said throwing my hands up. “You know I can’t say no to either one of you.”

  “Rawr, I’m counting on it.”

  “Give it up,” I laughed as I finished putting the clean dishes away.

  Just then there was a knock at the door. Gavin’s mother entered without waiting for a response. Our door, like everyone else’s in Soldiers Cove, was always open. The knock was more of a formality. Ryan sprung up from the chair and ran to his grandmother, hugging her tightly.

  “How’s my favorite grandson?” she asked.

  “Good,” he chimed in his little sing-song way.

  “Go take out Candy Land so we can play.” Ryan didn’t have to be told twice. He scurried into the living room, grabbing the box off the shelf and began to set it up. Gavin took the car keys off the wall and kissed his mother on the cheek.

  “Thanks for coming, Mom. I know you don’t like to be away for too long.” It had been five years since the loss of Holly’s husband and progeny, Daniel. The break of the blood bond was truly heartbreaking for all of us to watch. She was still frail, but now, finally, making steady progress.

  “It’s no problem. I like spending time with him. It helps me forget.” She ran her hands through her hair as her eyes grew sad for a moment. Then, steadying herself she said, “You two better get going. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  I hugged her. “Thank you Margie,” I said.

  “No trouble.”

  We said our goodbyes to Ryan, who was in a much better mood now. He was still a bit sad but happy to be playing his game with Grandma, so we headed out. I wondered if every parent had so much guilt leaving their kids behind for a night out. Most of them assume they’ll have an opportunity to watch their children grow up and live happy, full lives. We knew better. Not only was Ryan perhaps not going to grow into a regular life, but he was going to turn into something else, with no memory of either one of us.

  We were about half way to Sydney when Gavin spoke up. “I’m sure Duncan will have some answers when he gets back.”

  Duncan had made a trip to Scotland to get in touch with some very old vampires. He had no knowledge of whether or not a satyr child could be turned into a vampire if it was done before the child’s transformation, but if anyone out there had the answer, Duncan was as determined as we were to find it. So far all of our searching had been fruitless. It seemed the older a vampire got the more reclusive they became. These other vampires
lived in seclusion as much as Duncan did, and so there was no guarantee he’d even be able to locate them. They were off the grid as far as the world was concerned.

  “I hope you’re right.” A light spring rain had begun to fall and Gavin turned on the windshield wipers. I stared at them in a trancelike state as my mind emptied. It felt good. I worried about my son day and night and the only time I slept was when exhaustion completely took over. That was about every four or five days. Gavin and I both had our own laptops and spent ninety nine percent of our time researching, ordering old books and trying to get in touch with anyone we thought could give us some answers.

  I don’t know if it was the soothing back and forth of the wipers or the strength of his thoughts but just then an image invaded my mind that wasn’t my own. The appearance of a smiling Gavin holding a newborn baby, with myself and Ryan sitting next to him.

  My first instinct was to yell at him. We’d had this conversation and had come to the same conclusion. Our search for solutions had to be number one. A new baby was something we weren’t in a position to even consider, time wise or emotionally.

  I shook my head. “You know we can’t do that right now.”

  Gavin shot me a guilty look. “I’m sorry. I just lost my head for a moment.”

  “It’s ok,” I said, drifting back into the silence.

  After a few moments Gavin spoke again. “But maybe it’s not such a bad idea, Rachel. I think Ryan needs a sibling.”

  My impulse to yell returned and this time I was unable to keep it down where it belonged. “And how are we supposed to keep devoting all the time we have been to finding a way to stop his transformation if we have a baby to look after? I know he’s only four but time is running out.”

  Gavin’s voice hardened into a defensive tone. “Rachel, we’ll find the answer, you know we will.”

  “There’s no guarantee of that. If Duncan comes back empty handed I’m not sure where we’ll turn next. Another child would take away precious time and opportunities that might save him.”