Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  “As you can tell, the alpha of this pack has changed.”

  “If you continue to read the treaty, my lord, you will find that the change of alpha makes no difference. To maintain the peace and the alliance with my Clan, the current alpha must send one of his daughters to my king as a sign of good faith and loyalty.”

  Arsenio cursed as he found the stipulation within the contract.

  “By not complying you will be breaking the agreement,” Falcon added.

  He honestly could not care less if the Silveira Pack complied. There were plenty of shifter packs his Clan could align with. Though, he knew the Silveria could not risk losing the vampire’s support. War was a constant factor in the shape-shifting realm. Peace was fragile and the only reason the Silveria maintained their territory was because they had vampires with superior strength and speed backing them.

  “You think I will not honor this pact?” Arsenio demanded, his yellow eyes alight with anger.

  “I meant no disrespect, but your reluctance is plain to see.”

  “Did you expect me to gladly give one of my daughters to your insane king?” he snapped.

  Falcon sighed. He knew females were precious within shifter society. They were rare and needed to replenish their numbers lost during war. It was because of that fact Hadrian had agreed to the treaty hundreds of years ago. He knew that if he were given a female as a ward, the shifters would never do anything to endanger her life.

  “My lord,” a woman said, hesitantly taking a step forward. Her head was bowed, her eyes downcast. She had been the only female permitted within the meeting. She was the alpha’s first wife, the most honored female within the pack. “Permission to speak?”

  The alpha roughly grunted.

  Her gaze remained on the floor as she came to a stop beside the throne. “May I make a suggestion?” Arsenio waved his hand, encouraging her to continue. “You have been wondering what to do with Eva, perhaps you can send her.”

  Falcon did not possess the ability to read minds, but he could feel the tension in the room ease. He watched as disgust twisted the alpha’s lips at the mention of the female’s name, then thoughtfulness sternly set his features before decision brought a spark of light into his eyes.

  Falcon mentally recited the names of the alpha’s daughters. Eva was not one of them. Unless, she is a bastard, he thought.

  “Thank you, Luisa.”

  The woman nodded and retreated back to where she had stood.

  “I believe we can work something out, knight,” Arsenio said, turning his attention back to Falcon. “That is, if you think your king is willing to compromise for a time.”

  “What is your proposal?”

  “I have many bastard daughters, one of which is a half-breed.”

  Falcon’s eyes narrowed. Half-breeds were shunned within shifter society, the lowest of the low, often times killed when born, if they managed to survive the birth. Hadrian had told him to expect this tactic. Though Falcon viewed this as an insult to his clan and his king, Hadrian insisted he accept a half-breed.

  “The contract is specific.”

  Arsenio insisted, “I fully intend to honor the treaty, but you hardly expect me to hand over one of my most prized possessions to a crazed vampire, king or not?”

  Falcon swallowed blood again as he waited for the alpha to explain.

  “Upon your arrival you said your clan will be celebrating your majesty’s return in three months. My proposal is this; I give you my half-breed daughter into your care until the celebration. If no harm comes to the girl, I will arrange for one of my purebred legitimate daughters to be sent to your clan. Think of the half-breed as a placeholder.”

  “What will happen to the girl when the other is sent?”

  The alpha gave a lazy shrug.

  Fury burned in his eyes as he gave a tight, accepting nod. He was no fool. He knew exactly what the shifter was implying. The alpha fully expected Hadrian to harm the girl. Was he merely testing Hadrian’s sanity and did he hope his king would kill her?

  Falcon took in sharp, rapid breaths, desperately trying to maintain his control. Not only was this an insult to his king and his clan, but also down right disturbing. Falcon’s gut twisted as he realized how little the alpha cared for his half-breed daughter. In Arsenio’s eyes, he was offering this girl as a potential sacrifice.

  “You little bitch!”

  Eva did not flinch, she did not blink, nor did her head snap to the side when she was delivered a solid backhanded slap. After living within her father’s pack for ten years, she had grown accustom to being hit.

  “You did this,” Teresa screeched.

  “Like I said, I did not touch your clothes,” Eva repeated, trying to remain calm. Her eyes flickered to the guards that stood outside the open door. Being the treasured first daughter of the alpha meant Teresa was never left unguarded. If Eva so much as got close enough to breathe on her, she would be dragged from the room to the courtyard and beaten before all.

  “Liar! You ruined my clothes.”

  Eva rolled her eyes. Teresa had numerous younger siblings who enjoyed playing pranks and, unfortunately for Eva, she was usually blamed and punished for what those little brats did. This time, they took immense pleasure in shredding a few of Teresa’s shirts.

  “Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me.” Teresa slapped her again.

  Eva took in a deep breath, a scathing retort ready on her lips. Her words lodged in her throat as she was yanked back by her long braid.

  “What is this all about?” Luisa asked.

  “The abomination ruined my clothes,” Teresa answered, her brown, gold-flecked eyes narrowed.

  Luisa wrapped Eva’s hair about her fist and pulled hard, bringing her to her knees. Eva refused to satisfy her half sister and stepmother with her pain. She gritted her teeth and ignored the tears that stung her eyes.

  “She is nothing but a jealous, filthy half-breed,” Luisa said. “And this is where you belong, on your knees, at my feet.”

  Eva’s temper was rising to dangerous heights. She glanced over her shoulder at the guards. Their numbers had doubled with Luisa’s presence. Eva swallowed a curse. Just once she would like to return their abuse.

  Teresa’s lips curled with a wicked smile.

  “I have come with news for you girls,” Luisa announced.

  “Happy news?” Teresa asked.

  Luisa nodded and said, “We will no longer have to suffer her presence.”

  Teresa happily clapped as excitement flushed her cheeks. Luisa released her hold on Eva’s hair, only to deliver a forceful shove to her shoulder, knocking her flat on the floor. Eva quickly came to her feet, straightened her spine and squared her shoulders.

  “So, it worked? Our plan?”

  “Yes, my daughter.”

  Eva frowned, confusion and anger fought for control of her mind as she watched the women exchange knowing glances.

  Luisa took in a breath and turned to her. “Have you heard about our recent visitor?”

  Eva did not answer, though she had heard whispers of a vampire who had arrived that morning. The pack had been shocked he could walk in sunlight, but they had been more frightened as to his reason for coming at all. The Black Knights were guardians of the vampire nobility, their clans located across the ocean in Europe. Everyone wanted to know why one had come to their small village deep within the Amazon.

  “He came to claim one of the alpha’s daughters.”

  The air in Eva’s lungs turned to ice, though she kept all emotion from her eyes. She would not let them see her worry or fear.

  What had her father done?

  “You are obviously ignorant of pack politics and the alliance we have with the Validus Clan of vampires. Allow me to explain. Alpha Juan, our current alpha’s grandfather, made a pact with these vampires and, to show trust, they agreed the alpha would place one of his daughters within the vampire’s home to live as a ward. However, the vampire king, Hadrian Lucretius, went insane and
exiled himself. Alpha Juan never fulfilled his obligation of providing one of his female offspring. Now, the vampire king has returned.”

  “And he wants a ward,” Teresa added, her voice ringing with satisfaction.

  Eva’s fingers curled into shaking fists. Luisa did not need to finish. She knew she was going to be the “ward,” the gift given to placate the vampire king or, judging by the evil glint in these women’s eyes, the sacrifice.

  “Naturally, our alpha would not give one of his purebred legitimate daughters to a crazed vampire. So, you will go.” Luisa smiled. “I was a young girl when Hadrian first came to our village. He was only a noble in the Validus Clan then. He was a fierce warrior and helped Alpha Juan defeat his enemies.” Her smile grew wider. “The vampire was a true beast, laying waste to villages, ripping the throats out of his victims in battle, feeding freely. His hunger for blood was matched only by his hunger for sex, taking more than one female to bed every night.”

  Teresa studied Eva from head to toe. “No doubt he will use your body. You will be all that is low in this world: a half-breed bastard, bleeder, and vampire’s whore. He’ll mount you good and I bet you’ll pray for death before he is done with you.”

  “She will not survive past the month,” Luisa added with a shrug. “Now, go pack your meager belongings. You leave with the vampire tonight.”

  Eva was unable to breathe, her heart frantically slammed against her ribcage. She swayed and stumbled back, hitting the wall. Her vision blurred as her mind rebelled against the horrific news.

  She was to be given to a bloodthirsty, sex-crazed, mad vampire. Her father may as well have slit her throat himself. She had heard of Hadrian and shivered. Countless awful, bloody, gruesome tales were attached firmly to his name. Her father was truly offering her as a sacrifice.

  As a half-breed she was barren and unable to take animal form. She possessed no supernatural abilities, although, her senses were slightly better than a human’s and she could heal quicker. But she had the features of a shifter: dark hair, petite but lithe frame, and amber eyes. In the end, she meant nothing for she could produce no offspring. She had been shunned and reduced to the life of a slave amongst her father’s pack, looked upon only with disgust and hatred. God, how she missed living within human society, but those years seemed like a millennia ago. Now, she would be sent to her death.

  “Did you hear me?” Luisa demanded.

  Eva blinked, clearing her vision. “Y–yes,” Eva said, her voice cracking. Shock still rattled her system. She did not know if she should be more frightened or angry at this situation. But how she felt did not matter. She had no choice. She would go with the vampire willingly or not.

  Tilting her chin up in defiance, she decided she would not fight; she would gladly leave for this all meant one thing. She would be free of her father’s rule, free to live her life. And if the vampire was as rumors claimed, she would escape. She was small of frame, but she was not defenseless. Her uncle from her mother’s side had taught her the skills necessary for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and she had learned the art of Capoeira from watching the young males of the pack train and practice. She was also confident that if she did manage to get away from the vampires, she could make a life for herself. Her mother’s family had been from northern Europe and she could speak four different languages. Yes, she could escape and finally reclaim control of her life.

  “Well, get on with it.” Teresa grabbed Eva’s arm, pulled her forward and shoved her towards the door.

  Eva spun on her heel, her anger rising again. “Don’t touch me!” she snapped.

  Luisa’s lip curled over her teeth, bearing her slightly elongated fangs. “How dare you,” she growled before delivering a strong backhand. “You have not been handed over to the leeches yet, you still belong to this pack.”

  Eva stumbled back, her hand covering her cheek. Her eyes watered, her lip was already beginning to swell.

  “Guards,” Luisa barked. The four men filed into the room. “Hold her.”

  Eva dodged the first man’s hands, barely escaped the second’s, but was caught by the third. The guard snatched her wrists, twisting her arms, pulling her hands behind her back. She struggled, but it was no use, the guard held her firm.

  “I would think in ten years you would have learned your place,” Luisa said as she came forward. “Though I do not believe you will survive a month with the vampire, I do not want you to embarrass us. You will not bring shame to your pack with your disrespect and blatant disdain for your superiors.”

  “My pack?” Eva repeated, her voice laced with dark laughter. “I don’t belong to any pack. I am not an animal like you and your stuck-up bitch daught—”

  Another, even more violent blow landed and Eva bit back a scream. Tears slipped from her eyes, her cheek burned. Luisa’s ring had cut her, blood tickled down Eva’s face to drip off her cheek. She stiffened, bracing herself for another blow when Luisa raised her hand again.

  In a flurry of movement, Eva was wrenched away from the guard, spun about and shoved against the wall, pinned there behind a tall man dressed all in black.

  “What is going on here?” the stranger demanded.

  Though her vision was blurred from tears and pain, Eva watched Luisa drop her hand and straighten her shoulders. She gave a slight bow of her head as Teresa curtseyed.

  “Sir Kenwrec, my apologies. You should not have had to witness—”

  “Is this the girl?” he asked, his voice cold.

  “Yes, she is not cooperating. I was going to have her escorted to her room so that she may pack and be ready for your departure.”

  “Would that be before or after you beat her senseless?”

  Eva’s swollen lips twitched with a smile. She had never met a vampire before and all the stories she had heard painted them as evil, disgusting, loathsome creatures. But this Black Knight seemed to be a decent fellow. He had just saved her from another strike and, if history taught her anything, Luisa had been about to demand the guards take her in hand and “teach the half-breed a lesson”.

  “Sir, I—”

  “Enough. I have grown tired of this jungle and would very much like to be on my way.” Turning, he faced Eva. She tilted her head back to meet his hard, gray eyes. “I’m Sir Falcon Kenwrec.” He gave a swift bow and straightened. “I’ve no doubt you have been informed of my business here and know that you are to accompany me to my Clan’s lands and reside within our care as a ward to King Hadrian.” Eva slowly nodded, struck monetarily speechless by the knight’s ruggedly regal good looks. “I will escort you to your room so that you may collect your belongings. We will leave as soon as you are ready.”

  Eva opened her mouth to speak and winced. Her lip was bleeding and the coppery taste of blood made her stomach roll. She hated the sight and scent of blood, unlike her purebred relatives. She wiped at her face and mouth with the back of her hand, desperately trying to clean herself.

  “Here.”

  She took the handkerchief he offered, startled by his kindness. “Th–thank you.” Eva gently dabbed at her lip and cheek. “I know what you mean, about wanting to get out of here.” Luisa shifted behind the knight and Eva gave her a sharp glare, shooting daggers with her eyes. “I only have one other shirt and a night gown,” Eva shrugged, “nothing really worth taking with me.”

  He nodded. “Dense civilization is a few days boat ride from here, but I can arrange some time for us to shop in Rio de Janeiro while we wait for the jet to be readied.”

  “Shop?”

  “Yes, my king insisted that you be outfitted with a new wardrobe. He remembers shifter society well and knew you would have little.” In fact, Hadrian had warned him while on the phone a few moments ago that he may need to arrange medical care for the girl, not knowing in what condition she may be in. Falcon reigned in his anger and disgust. There was no telling how much abuse the girl had suffered under their care.

  “It is settled.” Turning back to the others, he said, “We leave now.�
�

  Chapter Two

  Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine

  Danger.

  A sudden chill rattled Eva’s bones as they entered the narrow pass, taking them deeper into the forbidden mountains. High, impossible to scale cliffs lined the road on either side. They seemed to rise endlessly into the gray frost of the angry clouds. The wind whipped flakes of ice and snow across the windshield of the Land Rover as it roared over the packed snow and hard rock.

  Danger.

  Eva shifted uncomfortably in her seat. A dark shadow had settled within her the moment they entered the mountains, an impression of menace. The feeling was growing steadily stronger as the vehicle charged through the unrelenting storm to its destination. Palatio Nocte, Palace of the Night, the lair of the mad king of the Validus Clan. The home of the beast amongst vampires, Hadrian Lucretius.

  The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood. They were being watched. No, they were being stalked. Her gaze frantically searched the road, but she could see nothing. The flurry of snow and shrieking wind limited her non-supernatural vision. Wolves howled in the distance and Eva shuddered.

  Glancing over to the Black Knight, he seemed to be at ease as he steadily drove them onward. They had finally broken free of the pass. Tall trees surrounded them now, with the occasional white-knuckle turn that hugged the edge of shear cliffs.

  Sensing her unease, Falcon said, “We are almost there.”

  She nodded in response. They had been driving for what seem like an eternity. Once off the plane, he ushered her to the car and they set off. Though she was not in any way looking forward to reaching their destination, she was anxious to be free of the confines of the vehicle.

  Peeking at the knight again, she gave an exasperated sigh as she once again thought of all the outrageous and purely evil stories she had been told of vampires. Thus far, Falcon, who insisted she use his given name, had proven all the rumors wrong. She did not doubt there were some bloodthirsty demons walking the earth with sharp fangs, but Falcon had been the embodiment of civility. His manners were impeccable, his speech was flawless and he was always polite. Then again, he may seem perfect compared to the animals of her father’s pack.