Blood Rite Saga, Season One Box Set

by Dylan Keefer

  Madi stepped away from the group as soon as Larent started speaking. She knew what he was going to say. She had listened to a few of his previous speeches, and it had all been fairly generic. Memory control; which was the same as mind control. Mind control had to do with the present and changing someone’s desire. Memory control had to do with the past and changing someone’s will. Larent believed that memory control could be used in helping cure dementia and other mind debilitating diseases. Madi knew what it could be used for, and what form it had already taken. Compulsion.

  She stepped out into the hallway and found the attendant in charge of the coat room. He looked up at her as if surprised to see her.

  “I just have the shawl there,” She pointed behind him.

  “Leaving so soon?” Madi kept her composure as she turned around to see Dr. Boyle standing behind her.

  “Yes, sir,” she laughed. “I keep forgetting that I'm a student, too. I have so much work that I have to do, and I don't want to get behind.”

  Lie. Lie. Such a lie. She hoped that Dr. Boyle wouldn't call her out on the fact that she was never behind and even then, she was a twenty-four-year old about to graduate with a double major in Information Technology and Sociology, plus a Master's in History. In anyone's eyes, she was brilliant. Still, not everyone knew much about her beyond the degrees.

  “Always good to know that the world is in good hands with you. You're going to be at the forefront of a lot of change.” He held up his finger. “By the way, speaking of being there, where were you for most of the night? I saw you come in, and then, you disappeared.”

  I was hiding in your office under your desk. You almost kicked me. Remember? Madi cleared her throat. “Felt a little sick, and so the lady's room became my habitat for a while. Sorry.”

  “Feeling better now?” He said with a squint of the eye. She nodded and grabbed the shawl from the attendant. “I do. Thank you. I will see you soon. Okay?”

  She offered a smile and walked away hoping that she didn't come off too rushed. The last thing she needed was Dr. Boyle finding out that she was on to him.

  The night air greeted her with kindness as she walked down the drive of the massive home in Cambridge. Pulling her shawl tightly around her neck and shoulders, she moved briskly down the sidewalks and through the streets as she calculated how much time it would take to catch the 'T'. Having stayed longer than what she expected made her a little anxious. She wasn't sure why, but the night felt a little eerie, and it wasn't because she had spent a majority of the night trying not to act suspicious. Thankfully, she wasn't the only one rushing to get on board in time. As she got into the station, a man was running in himself.

  “Trying to catch the Green line, huh?” He laughed as he jogged next to her.

  “Yeah. Not really wearing the right outfit for it though,” she said. They both spotted the train as it was about to close its doors and sprinted inside just in time.

  Madi fell into the seat and extended her legs in a very unladylike position. She didn't care and, besides the man, there were only a few other people on the route. They didn't seem to care either.

  “Glad to see I wasn't the only one rushing,” the man said. “You coming from a party?”

  “Something like that, but a lot less fun.”

  He smiled. “I get that. I was actually out with some friends at Brick and Mortar when I got called in to work at the last minute. A project has gotten out of hand.”

  She nodded. “Gotta do what you gotta do.”

  Madi closed her eyes for a moment and leaned her head back. She had several stops, and she had memorized them without a problem. Spending her high school and college years in New England had been challenging to get used to. Her dad had been Irish, and when he divorced her mother, she had come back to where her ancestors were from in Massachusetts while she had stayed with him in Ireland. She loved him but didn't love what he became after her mother had left. It didn't take long for the decision to be made that she would go to live with her mother.

  The culture shock had been an issue at first. Of course, everyone loved her and her Irish accent, but she had to get used to a different way of life and a different world. That was what drove her into learning more about the land that she was now calling home. She became a lover of history and drank up every bit of knowledge that she could. While other kids her age went to parties and dances, she went to lectures and museums. And it was because of her love for history that she found out exactly who she was.

  Madi opened her eyes. He was still there. In fact, he was the only one still there. She looked around the train and sat up straight.

  “Thought you might have fallen asleep,” he said. “Wasn't sure if I should wake you.”

  “I find the 'T' relaxing. I think few people do.”

  “I can imagine,” he said scooting forward in his seat. “It's not really safe; especially at night.”

  “So, I've been told. Glad I have someone here to protect me if things get crazy.”

  He laughed. “Well, I'll do my best. You might need to save me, you know.”

  She chuckled and started to look inside of her purse. The guy was still staring at her. She could sense it. She could also sense that he was lying about why he was on the train. He kept flexing his fingers nervously. His breathing was deep and fast. Then there was his wrist. Madi thought that she had gotten a glimpse of it when they were running, but now she was sure. The small insignia in black ink was of a crown over the word 'imperium'.

  “Do you have any hobbies outside of work?” She asked feigning curiosity.

  “Um—normal stuff, I guess. I love sports and socializing. I love bars.”

  “Maybe we should get a drink sometime?” She nodded to him. “What's your favorite? I'm guessing a Bloody Mary.”

  He laughed. “Do I really look like that type of guy?” She found what she was looking for; a pocket knife that she had never used but promised a friend that she would keep. She flipped open the blade and tried not to flinch as she slid her thumb across it. Then she brought her hand out and placed it on the chair beside her. The man's eyes narrowed. His jaw and nose started to twitch at the same time. A dark cloud started to form in his eyes as he stared at her hand.

  “It looks like I cut myself. Oops,” She smiled innocently. He sat back in his seat staring at her hand. “You look a little sick there. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” he waved her off. “I'm fine. Maybe it was something that I ate.”

  She leaned forward and held her hand out. “Or maybe, you can't stand the smell of my blood.” His eyes narrowed at her. “Your tattoo on your wrist says 'imperium' which is Latin for 'Dominion'. The Dominion brand their servants, and if you are one of the Fallen, then you've been sent here to kill me.”

  He growled lowly, “Dr. Boyle said you were smart.”

  “He should have done his research,” Madi stood up. “Such powerful vampires, but one thing they can't overcome is the blood of a Summoner. It's poison to Dominion vampires and those bound to them.”

  He stood up with her. His fists clenched and chest heaving.

  “I can still kill you without getting any blood on me. I'm not scared of you, witch.”

  Madi held her finger out. “You should be.”

  With a wave of her hand, a drop of her blood rose into the air. It kept its volume and shape as it levitated in front of her. She held it in the air in front of her as she slowly moved towards the door of the train. One move, and all she had to do was send it flying like a bullet into him. He would be stopped in his tracks for good.

  The train was slowing down as the voice over the speaker system announced the stop they were nearing. His eyes followed her. His body was ready to lunge and snap her neck. He could do it if he was quick enough. If.

  The train came to a complete stop and the doors opened. Madi's foot was in mid-air when he made his move. She let the blood bullet fly. He wasn't quicker, but he was still agile. It missed him by a mere hair. She felt her body soa
r through the air and slam into a column. A sharp crack vibrated through her body, and she screamed.

  “Volant!”

  She caught him as he lunged and flung him back into the train as the doors were closing. Madi used the pillars to get to her feet. Pain erupted through her body. Her ribs were definitely cracked. Her purse and all its contents were still in the train, but her hand patted her bra to make sure the paper was still there. It was. He would be along any moment. She needed to get top-side; pain or no pain.

  CHAPTER TWO

  They were finally surrounded by the lights of the city. Mei hadn't minded the darkness though. She never could have imagined how freeing it felt to ride with the wind in her hair surrounding her body as the sound of the bike became nothing but a distant noise. After the first initial wariness of Clayton's driving, she settled and relaxed the grip on his waist. Then she relaxed enough to put her head on his shoulder. It felt good, and for the moment, she pushed away the thoughts of Charlotte and Milo traveling far away from her. Her heart ached for her friends, but she knew that this was the right move, and Clayton was the right person to be traveling with right now. She needed to find out about who she was. Her visions were only getting her so far.

  “I figured we would get a hotel, and then get some rest. Maybe we could make a plan in the morning.” Clayton yelled to her while they were at a stoplight. She nodded and rested her chin on his shoulder.

  The air around them suddenly shifted as an object flew through the air in front of them and landed on the street with a thud. It was a woman. She was dressed in what used to be a full-length dress but was currently ripped in several places. The woman slowly struggled to her feet. Her eyes fixed on something to the other side of them. A gentleman slowly walked towards them. He was clearly hurt, though not as much as she. Mei felt Clayton stiffen.

  “Vampire.”

  Mei assumed that he meant the man. The girl was hunched over a little, but there was fire in her eyes as she whispered something under her breath. Mei could see the vampire about to charge, and she started to intervene when a loud thunder seemed to crack in her head.

  “Ahh!” She screamed clutched her head. Clayton turned.

  “Mei! What's wrong?”

  “Make it stop!”

  Clayton jumped off the bike and let it fall so he could catch her. Mei couldn't imagine this much pain and nausea flowing through her. He cradled her as they fell onto the street.

  “Mei!” He looked up. The vampire was down on his knees on the ground in the same agonizing pain that Mei had. The girl on the other hand had hands outstretched towards the vampire. Her hair waived violently in a hurricane-like wind that only seemed to surround her. Suddenly, the vampire began to move towards her like it was dragged by an invisible giant. Clayton watched as the girl stood still until the vampire was standing inches from her face. Both he and Mei still screamed in pain. The girl brought her finger to the vampire's lips, and in an instant, it was over.

  The pain was gone. Mei felt her body relax in relief as she struggled to catch her breath. Clayton looked down at her.

  “I'm okay.” She sat up and gulped back the lingering pain. “What happened?”

  Clayton shook his head as he looked at the girl in the street. The vampire who had attacked her was gone. The girl turned her eyes towards them as she suddenly realized she wasn’t alone. The engine sound from the bike was the only sound in the quiet of the night apart from distant traffic. Clayton reached for his pack and with lightning speed pulled out his crossbow.

  “Wait!” Mei called out. Clayton stopped but kept his eyes on the girl. She was slumped over and looked weak, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do whatever it was that she did again. Mei wrinkled her nose at an indiscernible smell. It made her want to cough and choke. “There’s something wrong.”

  The girl glared at them as both moved closer. Mei found that the smell grew stronger the closer she got to the girl. It made her throat feel like it was closing. She stopped, bent over and dry heaved. Clayton turned to her quickly and saw that Mei was struggling.

  Turning back to the girl, he raised his crossbow. “What did you do to her?”

  “You need to keep her away from my blood,” the girl said. “It will kill her.”

  “What are you? What did you do to that man?”

  The girl chuckled. “Wasn’t a man, and he isn’t anything anymore.” She winced as she tried to stand up straight. Her eyes stayed on Mei. “Do you know what she is?”

  “I do,” Clayton said. “What I don’t know is what you are?”

  He stared at her ripped and torn outfit. He couldn’t help but notice the red stain by her ribcage. She was seriously hurt. Her eyes were starting to roll around, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before she passed out.

  “Hey! Stay awake.”

  “She is Dominion.” Clayton watched as her body crumpled to the ground.

  “Clayton, what did she say? Dominion?”

  Clayton put down his crossbow. “I’m not sure, but I think we need to get some more answers from her, and we can’t leave her here.”

  “I can’t stand her blood. It is making me sick, and she said it could kill me.”

  He scratched his head and chewed on his lip simultaneously. Something about this girl screamed supernatural in a powerful way, and it would be nice to have someone on their side here to help them—if she did help them.

  “I can run,” Mei suggested. “You can carry her on your bike.”

  It seemed like the best idea, and the longer they stayed out in the open, the bigger the chance they were going to be exposed. Mei would be exposed.

  “Fine. Let’s do it.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Mei closed her eyes and let the water run over her body. The caressing warmth felt good, and the steam opened her lungs. This wasn’t the welcome to Boston that she was hoping for. Clayton had gotten two rooms so that Mei wouldn’t be in the same room as the other girl. From what she could tell, the girl really needed a hospital, but they wouldn’t have access to her once she was admitted. Clayton didn’t seem to feel awkward about handling the girl. He had told Mei that he would take care of the girl while she cleaned up. She wondered what he was going to do. While she was tired from traveling, she was too curious to want to fall asleep.

  After drying off and putting on fresh clothes, she knocked on the door adjoining the two rooms. Clayton opened it and stepped into the room. Mei noticed that she couldn’t smell the blood anymore, and the shower in that room was running. She looked at him quizzically.

  “She’s awake. She’s awake and immediately walked into the shower. Didn’t say a word to me.” He said letting out a deep breath. “She had some cuts and bruises, but—they’re all healed.”

  “What do you mean?” Mei shook her head.

  “Her wounds are healed. She’s not a vampire. I would know. She is something supernatural though, and she could be dangerous to you. So, maybe you should keep your distance.”

  “She didn’t seem like she wanted to hurt us, and I can’t smell her blood anymore.”

  “Well, she’s still dangerous. I tossed anything that had her blood on it; including her dress. I think I’m going to grab a quick shower. Be careful.”

  “She—um—let you see her naked?” Clayton smiled shyly.

  “She threw it out once she got in the bathroom. I’m going to get a shower. Just be careful around her no matter how nice she seems. We still don’t know anything about her.”

  Mei walked into the room. She took a small sniff. Nope. No smell. She sat down in a chair with her head in her hands. The thought of blood made her realize that she was hungry. They had stopped early on in their trip, but that was hours ago. If they were going to stay for a while, she needed to find some place that would supply her.

  Mei look on the bed. It was a little disheveled, but a folded piece of paper stood out to her. Mei stood up and walked over to the paper. She reached out for the paper, but suddenly felt like she couldn’t
move forward. She frowned and reached out again.

  “You’re not going to be able to grab it.” Mei turned quickly to see their company walking into the room slowly with a towel wrapped around her. Her beautiful, long, red-hair hung straight down her back. She had a long, slender form and smooth skin. Freckles randomly sprinkled her face. Her eyes were kind and playful, with a hint of mischief kind of like Charlotte’s.

  “Who are you?”

  “My name is Madison,” the girl said staring at Mei. “You’re Dominion.”

  “I don’t know what that means,” Mei confessed. “You said that before.”

  The two girls stared at each other. Mei realized that this girl was just as wary of her. Mei offered a smile.

  “You told me your name. It would be rude to not share mine. My name is Mei. Mei Davenport.”

  “Davenport?” Madi smiled. “Interesting last name for someone who is Asian.”

  The door to the room opened, and Clayton stopped when he saw that Madi was just dressed in a towel. “Mei, you want to grab her some clothes?”

  Once she was dressed, the three of them sat down. Clayton had a knife on him, and Madi noticed it right away.

  “So, what happened out on the street there?” He asked bluntly. “Why was that vampire trying to kill you?”

  “That vampire was one of the Fallen who was sent to kill me because I’ve been trying to find out information about the Dominion and their location in this area.” She looked at Mei.

  “You’re one of them.”

  “How do you know?” Mei asked.

  “Because the smell of my blood wouldn’t have made you so sick otherwise,” Madi said. “I’m a Summoner, and a descendant of the original royal witches.”

  “I’ve heard of Summoners,” Clayton said. “You aren’t a full witch. You are able to summon on the power of different witches and sects, but the powers are not actually yours.”

  “A lot of witches call us ‘leeches’ and ‘whores’,” Madi sighed. “But because we can draw off the power of multiple witches, it makes us powerful, and when it comes to the Dominion, we are the only witches who can actually kill them.”