5 Darkness Falls

by Christin Lovell

  “She’s giving birth to a vampire, someone who is stronger than her, someone who requires more than her vampeen body can give. Humans with vampires are still giving birth to a human who will eventually turn into a vampeen. They don’t require as much; they’re not as taxing on the body.” He frowned. “Okay, think of it this way. Even though humans are sixty-percent water, they can kill themselves by drinking too much of it.”

  When I didn’t respond, he continued. “Actually, consider this. Humans have white blood cells in their system present at all times, but too many white blood cells can actually cause disease. Lexi had vampire DNA inside her, but the spike in its presence induced something similar to toxic shock syndrome for humans. Sometimes she may vomit and is extremely fatigued and overwhelmed by the sudden increase in vampire cells in her system. Humans don’t experience this because no vampire DNA is introduced to them; it’s built within their baby to be unleashed over a predetermined timeline.”

  That made sense to me. It didn’t sit well with me, but it was comprehendible. I sighed, sitting forward against the table. “We were so careful, Dad.”

  “At some point, you’re going to have to accept that the Maker will always find a way, even when you don’t give him one.”

  My chest constricted; my gut twisted as I thought about all Lexi had endured and all that my mom had gone through. “I’m worried about her.”

  “We’ll get through this. Your mother and I promise to be there every step of the way.” He rested a hand on my shoulder.

  I looked long and hard at my father. He’d been there through everything, even when I was an awful twerp in the midst of my rebellion. I didn’t doubt him. He’d proven his loyalty to me. I knew time would never weaken our bond.

  And soon, I’d be doing the same for my own child.

  Chapter 11

  Lexi

  One month later…

  “Damn it!” I huffed, slamming down the headset. I stared at the monitor in dismay.

  We’d been endlessly searching every tower across the world, every satellite on and above the Earth for any signals, any sign of Cecilia and her team. Kellan told me though - refusing to share his source - that she didn’t talk to her teams in the field. She sent them out and remained blind while they were on their missions.

  I rubbed the swell of my stomach. I was no longer able to hide my pregnancy from vamps, if not by the extra heartbeat, then by my protruding belly. Humans still did a double take, unable to decide if I was fat or pregnant, especially since all my pants were now skin-tight, even the stretchy ones.

  The baby fluttered within my belly. Dr. H said it was normal for me to feel the baby’s movements early considering I was carrying a vampire, who is much stronger than a human baby.

  “Sorry, dear.” Jack closed down the panel of readings, signaling it was time for a break.

  “Thanks, Jack. Thanks, Frank.” Frank had been the primary tech guy assigned to my team’s mission by the vamp army.

  I picked up my cell and made the call.

  “Yeah?” Jarrod answered.

  “Pull out. Be back in twenty-four.”

  He hesitated before delivering a frustrated, “Got it.”

  I rolled my chair away from the desk that was pressed against a wall of monitors and screens. Each one displayed something different: from charts and graphs to security feeds and street cams.

  I adjusted my black leggings as I stood, pulling them up at the waist and immediately tugged on my teal tank dress. I’d reverted to plus size fashions, wearing a one-inch thick belt around the smaller part of my waist, trying to minimize my middle, especially since the material clung tightly to my bulging belly and hips.

  I sighed. At least my feet weren’t swollen…much. Thankfully, they still fit into my silver ballet flats, which went so perfectly with this outfit.

  I scuttled out of the office and nearly ran into Laurence. “Sorry. I guess I’m a bit distracted.”

  His face turned down, slightly thoughtful. “Are you certain you can handle this, Alexa? We don’t mind stepping in.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but this is my problem, not yours. Plus, you’re already lending me your resources.”

  He pressed his lips together, their pale pink color nearly blending into the fairness of his complexion. “Do let us know if you change your mind.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  He nodded, moving on to the conference room where Auggy and Felipe already sat with a few other vamps.

  Drexel popped his head out of an office across the way. “You ready, Baby Cakes?”

  “I guess.”

  He closed the distance between us in a few quick strides. “Let’s go. You’ve got a GED test to ace.”

  “Hopefully.” He cut his eyes at me. “Uh, yes. I have a test to ace?” I lifted a single brow.

  “That’s more like it.” He smiled, escorting me to the car.

  ***

  Mel smiled, leaping through the doors of the local high school.

  Drexel leaned against the front of the SUV. He immediately straightened at the sight of us coming towards him. “Well?” He tilted his head, waiting expectantly for our response.

  “We passed!” I laughed, my heart soaring. “We don’t know our scores, but both of us definitely passed.”

  “Congratulations, Baby Cakes. And you too, Blondie.” He smirked, knowing his pet name for Mel really irritated her.

  She stuck her tongue out at him.

  I shrieked as she whisked past me at vamp speed and circled the car.

  She stopped and threw her arms in the air. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Screw you high school! I’m done with you!” She flicked an obscene gesture towards the building.

  I shook my head in dismay. “Um, Drex, we don’t know her. Let’s go.”

  “Aren’t you excited? I mean, holy sugarplums, Lex. Our entire high school career is over…done…finite. We never have to step back inside those doors again. No more petty drama, no more classrooms, no more social segregation.” She was smiling wide, her eyes alight with joy.

  I gave her a smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes because I was clouded with regret. I was never big on high school, but I was fully aware of all I’d given up to be a vampeen, and now all I’d given up to be a teen mother. I was done. There was no going back. It’s not like I could take my GED, and then decide I wanted the prom memory and the cap and gown experience and suddenly re-enroll. This was final.

  In many ways, it was the last thing left of my childhood. I was an adult in every way now: house, car, bills, a career, an army to lead, a baby… and finally, I’d completed school, at least at the primary level. I had nothing left, not even my parents, to give me that youthful edge. The only had one advantage over the vamps: my age.

  “Let’s go celebrate.” Mel looped her arm around mine and dragged me towards the SUV. She discarded me at the front passenger door before moving to the back.

  I climbed in and buckled up.

  “You okay?” Drexel’s voice was low, discreet.

  I gave a small shake of my head, acknowledging that I was okay for the moment.

  “O.M.G. Lex. I can’t believe we’re really done. Ugh. It only felt like forever. How do people go all twelve years and then on to college? Borrriiing! I mean, if you want to be a lawyer or doctor, okay, I get it, but why do I have to go to college to be an elementary school teacher when I already aced well beyond that? It’s a really twisted system if you think about it.

  “I mean, when has anyone ever used algebra or geometry in real life? Unless you want to be an engineer - which would require too much school for my sanity - you’re not going to use it. Scientists use advanced chemical compounds and research compositions, but again, most people aren’t going to do that.”

  She finally took a breath, but continued right after. “I mean, how sad is it to go to college for four years only to come out making less than your part-time high school job? I wanted to go to fashion school, which is a complete crock. When I ca
me out, I’d either have to intern for next to nothing or for free or find a major wad of cash to start my own line. It’s either you have it or you don’t. School won’t change your fashion sense. I guess maybe a business course or two couldn’t hurt, but that’s just a class, not an entire degree. I mean, who needs college level math, English and social studies for a single course education?”

  I saw her gaze out the window from the side mirror. She grew pensive. “I mean, you’re doing it Lex. You’ve surpassed us all with a sophomore level education. What does that say about the school system?”

  “I think it’s about more than studying through high school. It’s about learning and experiencing things: it’s about life. Then, you graduate at an age when you should have reached a certain level of maturity. And college is about more than learning a single subject. Most people want to be well-rounded in case their plan A falls through. Not everyone can secure jobs in their field of study. If they hadn’t taken those math courses, they wouldn’t have a shot at being a bookkeeper. If they hadn’t studied college level English, they couldn’t secure a position as a copy editor.” I shrugged. “I see where you’re coming from, but I also see the point in all the extra fluff. It’s about ensuring more opportunities for yourself rather than being pigeon-holed.”

  “Well then. Way to knock me off my soap box.” She harrumphed, crossing her arms over her chest. She wasn’t truly miffed but playing dramatically, as always.

  I chuckled. That’s my best friend in a nutshell. She meant well, had solid points, but was a tad too impulsive with her explanations, not thinking ahead.

  Drexel put the car in park in front of the restaurant. I saw several recognizable vehicles in the parking lot. It looked like everyone was already inside waiting.

  Mel was out of the car and yanking open my door before I could even unbuckle. She practically dragged me out of the SUV, wrapping an arm around me and pushing me towards the restaurant’s entrance.

  Drex held the door for us. Mel pushed past me, grabbing my hand on the way and pulling me along beside her. I knew my eyes flew open.

  The entire front of the steakhouse was a blur. Mel didn’t even stop at the hostess stand. She blazed a trail straight towards the back of the main floor where we found everyone sitting around the table waiting for us.

  The moment she released me, I teetered. Kellan took me in his arms the second Mel exclaimed, “I passed!”

  “You okay?” Kellan pushed my hair back.

  “Yeah. She’s just Mel-On-Wheels today.”

  “Good.” He captured my lips. His mouth was soft and graceful against mine.

  But something was wrong: different. His mind didn’t immediately open up to me. I pulled back, my features firmly turned down.

  I stared at him, trying to gauge where he was mentally. He was unreadable. For the first time, there was a clear distance between us.

  He moved his mouth near my ear. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

  I swallowed hard, trying to push past the flood of discomfort settling in my gut. My chest compressed slightly under the weight of possibilities…under the stress of my overactive mind already off on a whirlwind of conspiracies.

  He pulled me in front of him, facing the crowded table. Mel’s dad was busy congratulating her while Craig waited eagerly for his turn. Kellan’s parents sat beside Aunt Claire and Auggy, all watching me closely…too closely.

  I plastered a smile on my face that felt fake, even to me. The baby chose that moment to flip-flop about. Instinctively, I placed my hand on my lower stomach trying to calm the sensation. It wasn’t large enough to feel outside, but had enough power to let me know it was alive and kicking on the inside. The baby’s heartbeat quickened a few beats with the movement.

  Gabi and Jack angled their heads simultaneously, as if they were of one mind. Kai lifted a brow towards me. The tension visible around his lips told me he knew something was bothering me, but he respected me too much to bring it up in public.

  “Well?” Aunt Claire’s voice was high, anxious. “Don’t keep us in the dark.”

  My features finally relaxed. “I passed.”

  “Woohoo!” she screamed. “I knew you could do it!”

  Auggy flashed an annoyed look, but was quick to congratulate me along with everyone else.

  “Thanks.”

  Kellan pulled out a chair for me. I was just about to sit when my phone went off. My heart skipped a beat. Looking around, anyone it could be – or anyone it would be - was already here.

  I slowly backed away from the table and checked the screen. It was Jarrod. “What’s wrong?”

  “We’re under attack. The town’s people turned against us. We can’t back out now without exposing ourselves if you catch my drift.”

  I froze, my heart beating fast and hard, matching a nearly normal human pace. “I care about you; I don’t care about human theories or politics. Do what you have to do. Call me if you need back up, and I’ll have it there within the hour.”

  He hung up, but not before I heard shouting in the background. I didn’t understand the language, but easily picked up on the aggressiveness of their tones. If I had to guess, they were probably lurking around the hotel.

  I worried my bottom lip, fear coursing through me. Maybe some people could push away these thoughts. Maybe the president could read to children in a classroom while his nation was under attack, but I couldn’t pretend that nothing was wrong. I couldn’t let go of the fact that my soldiers were in danger.

  I turned back to the table, stopping short at the open stares. No one spoke; they were all listening.

  Serum rose in my throat. I swallowed hard, but it didn’t help. “My men may need your team’s help, Auggy.” I kept my tone as casual and robotic as possible. I slipped into my chair and set the phone on the table beside the rolled silverware.

  “You got it, sweetie.” His tone was soft, consoling, and not full of the gruff edge it usually held.

  “Why don’t we order, Lex? Maybe some yummy in your tummy will make you and the baby feel better,” Mel suggested.

  I met her gaze. There was a keen knowledge in her eyes. She was far more perceptive than others gave her credit for…far more than she let on. I nodded. “That sounds good.”

  Chapter 12

  One week later…

  This was déjà vu. I sat at the head of the conference table, minus Drexel, and gazed out at all nine members of my extraction team. I was glad that all of them had returned safely, regardless of the bumps along the way.

  “What are your theories?” I looked specifically at Jarrod.

  “I have several.”

  “Let’s knock them out.” I grabbed my pen and pulled the legal pad closer to me.

  “They could have been using the ambush as a distraction so they could move.”

  I wrote the theory down beside the number one. “That’s a good one. Next.”

  “They were trying to drive us away before we could get to them, meaning we were a hell of a lot closer than we thought.”

  “Okay.” I continued to jot down his ideas, numbering them in the order he gave them.

  “The town’s people were merely acting on their own suspicions. They’re an extremely…sensitive melting pot of cultures down there – reminds me of New Orleans with its dark magic.”

  “That’s an interesting one. You did conceal your weapons in the street, right?” I glanced up at him across the way, lifting a single brow.

  His annoyance was palpable. “Of course.” His features were taut, forming hard lines of anger.

  I dropped my pen and sat up straight, crossing my arms over my chest. “Spit it out. You know I have an open-door policy.”

  His hands pounded on the table in front of him; his muscles flexed beneath his shirt. His eyes seemed to darken impossibly further. A storm was brewing within him.

  Everyone looked up, hearing the knock on the door. Kalel, Auggy and Kellan all walked in as if they had been invited to the meeting. They took the
remaining three seats around the table.

  I pressure around my lips intensified, forcing them together; I was trying to control my own upset. “Can I help you?” I didn’t withhold my sass.

  “We’re sitting in. It was our men backing you up,” Auggy said. He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, silently challenging me.

  “Your men never had to move in. My team handled it just fine, so don’t go there.”

  “Relax, babe. We’re just sitting in so you don’t have to relay anything. We’ll be quiet.” Kellan was trying to pacifying me, which didn’t sit well. He’d been distant lately, running his own agenda and never cross-referencing it with mine. There were too many nights that I was alone with Drex and Sanders while he was out. He was giving me too much time to think.

  This wasn’t the time or place to open fire on him. I stuffed my pain deep down inside to confront another time.

  “And you?” I met Kalel’s gaze.

  His lips curled up in the corners, their fullness creating a sexy lure. His eyes beaming with delight. “I’m good.” He winked.

  I sighed, shaking my head in dismay. “Alright, Jarrod. Please continue as if these…” I huffed. “Just continue.”

  My team gave them a once-over, analyzing them. It didn’t matter that I knew Auggy, Kalel and Kellan well. My team didn’t. They were black ops. They didn’t trust anyone outside their circle.

  Jarrod narrowed his eyes at Kellan, scrutinizing him. He’d obviously heard the endearment was able to piece together our association.

  Deeming them safe to hear this discussion, Jarrod faced me again. “I think we’re being played big time. She’s running us in circles, biding time. They have to be working on something; I just don’t know what. It’s been two months though, so it must be on a major scale. No small attack takes this level of coordination.”

  We’d come to the same conclusion, although I hated to admit it. I despised the notion of walking around on eggshells. “I agree. Jack and I came to that conclusion already. We don’t know what she’s planning. Until something comes to fruition, we’re just going to have to up the ante. No solo missions until Cecelia and Kalia are in custody. I’ll issue the order for all vampeen soldiers to pair up until further notice. If it’s possible to unite into groups of larger numbers, then I’ll push for that. We have safe houses across the world. I’ll notify each zone manager of the addresses in their area.