The Dragon's Vamp [Other Kin Book 2]

by Salo, C A

  “We are here for Alston. Step aside unless you want to be destroyed.”

  Mari smiled with no mirth, her arms crossing over her chest. “Just who do you think you’re speaking to, fish?”

  “Fish, fish—you insolent woman…”

  “Silence!” Mari thundered letting her dragon self show for a moment. “I am guardian here. This is my land, my territory, and you seek to invade what belongs to me?” Her gaze narrowed when a male Selkie came to the surface speaking softly. Turning her ear, she listened and smiled. “Turn back now if you want to live. Fight for your dark master and you will die.” She interrupted them, meeting the Isonade’s gaze as he turned back.

  “You are the guardian?”

  Mari grinned. “Surprise, asshole.”

  * * * *

  Rhys quick-stepped as fast as he could with his security legion behind him, rushing to the seashore. He could see the residual light of energy discharges and heard the booms that followed. He’d sounded the alarm the moment he’d reached his manor, and Alston’s first wave of fighters was heading toward Mari. Skidding to a halt, sand flew as his gaze spotted Mari. She had her swords drawn as she fended off a harpy and a fairy, her hand lifting to shove a passel of water Other Kin back with a swell of water. “Air support, you’re needed!” he yelled as a dozen flying Other Kin soared over his head to assist Mari.

  “She’s too far out, we can’t get to her,” Drake Roven said as he stopped by Rhys.

  “I can,” Kalana said. “And I’ll make sure she hasn’t been injured.”

  Rhys breathed easier when Kalana flew into the fray right to Mari’s side, as the others battled the Other Kin who had been attacking her when he’d arrived.

  Rhys stood by Drake and their land warriors as all water and winged Other Kin went to the line Mari had drawn. When Rhys heard her giving orders of setting a perimeter, his gaze went to the warriors as they followed her word. His stare didn’t waiver from her as she came toward them. He breathed easier when she stopped in front of him, her wings going back. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah a few minor scrapes. They started retreating, probably because you guys showed up and their numbers are low. They’re tiring out. I set up a perimeter both undersea and above with normal shift changes. Surprisingly, it’s an Isonade leading them and he had no idea who I was.”

  “But you showed him real fast didn’t you, baby.” Rhys grinned as he drew her into his arms. “Let’s get you fed and put to bed.”

  * * * *

  Rhys smiled as he brushed a strand of her hair off her shoulder, its red highlights shining with the firelight of her sanctuary. She refused to go inland, saying she wanted to stay close to the battlefield. She flew them back up here to rest. His cock twitched as the satiny curl wound around his finger. He leaned over kissing her lips lightly.

  “You know, you’ll be useless unless you get some sleep. I, on the other hand, can stay up for days.”

  “I know, I just…”

  “You want to protect me. I know, Rhys, and I understand. Now cuddle up to me, please, and wrap those strong arms around me.”

  Laying down he did as she requested, spooning her. He kissed the side of her neck. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Mari yawned before inching back just a bit to sit snuggly against his strength.

  * * * *

  Rhys jolted awake listening for what woke him. He turned as Mari twitched against him slightly. “Mari, you’re having a nightmare.” Lowering his hand to wake her he looked up sharply when someone grabbed it.

  “Don’t wake her yet,” Darina said. “Her father’s telling her how to defeat the darkness. Give her this for me.”

  Rhys glanced down after she disappeared to see a black rock the size of a baseball with markings etched around it, in his hand.

  * * * *

  Mari’s gaze narrowed as she stared at the battle taking place over the ocean.

  “What’s on your brain?” Rhys asked as he stepped up.

  “Something’s not right. Why hasn’t he appeared yet? He sent his minions in to fight, yet leaves them unprotected against us. There’s not one Other Kin out there fighting for him that I couldn’t destroy in a heartbeat if I chose to, and yet he’s absent.”

  “Think he’s testing us to see how strong we are?”

  “No, he knows how strong Alston’s forces are from the first battle. He wouldn’t risk it again…”

  “Then it’s a decoy,” Drake Roven interrupted.

  Mari glanced his way. “Yes, but for what?”

  “Is he after something or someone besides you, Mari?” Kalana asked.

  “The only one he wants to kill is me—well, beside my mother and father—because we’re the only one’s standing in his way to take this land.”

  “No, you’re not, not anymore, Mari.”

  Mari met her wide eyes. “It’s pointless. If he goes after Livi then he still has to deal with me and he knows the chance at waking my father. No,” she said shaking her head. “I don’t think he’d risk going after her, it wouldn’t make any sense.”

  “But it would. If he takes Livi out, and you, then he’s reached his goal by killing the two things that mean the most to your parents and Alston. Without either of you, and with your father sleeping, Alston is defenseless against him and his attacks.”

  “Livi’s tucked up safe inside Roven Manor, which is far into Alston lands. I haven’t even sensed him near, never mind breaching our protection shields.”

  “Like you said, Mari, something isn’t right, and I don’t trust him not to go after my daughter.”

  “If you want to leave the front lines, I understand, but I’m tuned in with Livi, I’ll know if something happens. Just like if and when he comes close to Alston.”

  Kalana shook her head. “No, I’ll stay where I’m needed. Besides, our Alpha, Evan, and his mate Sofia are with her at all times.”

  Mari leaned over hugging her friend. “You let me know if you want to leave. You know I’d never let anything happen to Livi, but if your head’s not in the battle then I’d rather see you with her than the possibility of injury to you because you’re worried about her.”

  “If it becomes an issue then I’ll pull myself out.”

  Mari nodded, glancing over at Rhys before she headed to the ocean, her wings expanding as she joined in the fight. Calling her lines back, Mari shifted halfway. Opening her mouth she let out a roar, the strength of it shoving the air attackers back and rolling through the sky. Lifting her hands she created a huge wave then released it, ridding the waters of the attackers down there. Turning, she headed back to land. This was really starting to piss her off; they were just attacking to attack, not caring if they succeeded or not.

  “What was that about?” Rhys asked as she landed in front of the tent that had been erected for ops.

  “They’re pissing me off with these little skirmishes.”

  Rhys grinned as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “The second wave is arriving. How about we head back to the manor, get something to eat, get into a hot bath, let me love you until we both can barely move so that way we’re up to snuff should anything come about?”

  “Barely huh?” Mari smiled. “Sounds good to me vamp boy.”

  “Boy? Damn, honey, I thought by now you would’ve noticed I’m a man.”

  Mari chuckled as she wrapped her arm around his waist. “Oh I have, baby, I have.”

  * * * *

  Mari couldn’t shake the niggling feeling at the back of her mind that said something was close to happening. She’d always trusted her instincts in everything, that’s why she’d lived so long with barely any issues. Glancing down, a soft smile lined her lips as she watched Rhys sleep. She knew they weren’t due back at the ops tent until later on this afternoon, but she couldn’t shake that she needed to be up there now. Silently sliding out from under the covers, Mari tossed her leather pants and t-shirt on before quietly grabbing her armor and weapons and scooting out the door w
ithout a twitch from her mate.

  Buckling her chest armor as she headed for the front door, she hadn’t seen him until he spoke.

  “Where are you headed before the sun’s even broke through?” Hoag asked.

  Mari glanced over as he stepped out of the shadows. “To check on the front lines. My gut is uneasy.”

  “Where’s Lord Rhys?”

  “Asleep.”

  “Don’t you think you should tell him before taking off?”

  “He needs his rest,” Mari narrowed her eyes. “Why do you hate me so much?”

  “I don’t hate you; I just don’t trust you, my lady.”

  Mari smiled. “Well in that case, piss off then and stay on alert. Something’s coming, I can feel it.”

  “Then shouldn’t we sound the alarm?”

  “No, nothing’s made itself known yet. I’m not calling out the security forces until I know when and where the threat is.” Slapping her belly armor, she met his gaze. “Just keep those vamp senses tuned in and alert.” Stepping toward the door she stopped, turning to meet his gaze. “Hoag, stay by Rhys, don’t let him out of your sight. Will you do that for me?” she asked softly.

  “Of course, my lady,” he answered, bowing from his waist.

  Mari nodded before opening the door and took off at a run toward the ocean and the ops tent. Frowning, she wondered where in the hell Triton was. She’d called him three damn days ago and still no sign of the Sea God or his people. “I do not like this,” she muttered as she stepped up to the commander in charge of this wave’s fighters. “What’s happening?”

  “Lady Mari.” Galen Moilanin of the Lyken Roven clan smiled as he turned her way. “I didn’t think you were due back until this afternoon.”

  “Yeah, my gut’s twisting,” she said noticing the smile slide off his face.

  “I’m not the only one then. They’ve been pulling back their forces slightly all night, but steadily. There are barely any attackers out there by sea or air. I don’t like it. It’s like the calm before the hurricane.”

  Mari nodded as she walked toward the ocean’s edge. “Yeah I know what you mean.”

  * * * *

  Mari paced for about an hour before she sat down, grimacing as she held her stomach.

  “Lady, are you alright?” Galen asked as he knelt down by her side.

  “No,” she groaned, doubling over. “Call to arms, Galen.” Stumbling she made her way out of the ops tent to see hundreds of Other Kin flying in from the sea, and the sea’s surface turbulent with Other Kin coming in from below.

  “Holy shit!” Galen exclaimed.

  Mari listened to Galen place the call to arms over their portable radio before spreading her wings.

  “It could be a trap, don’t go. Wait for back up!” Galen called as she took to air.

  Mari ignored him as she charged into battle. The Alston line of defense was badly outnumbered by this new tactic and she wasn’t leaving them to fight this alone. Shifting partially, she called back her line and took a huge breath. She let it out, igniting it into a fireball the size of a bus. The screams of the Other Kin attackers died as she did it again, moving her head across the entire front line of their defense. The ones behind them stopped. Smoke streamed from her nostrils. “I am not playing with you mother fucker’s anymore! You want to attack then you will die!” Roaring, she lifted her hands, bringing any Other Kin attackers up from the sea, smashing them against the cliff rocks. She knew at that moment her roar had woken Rhys and he was on his way.

  Turning when tingles flew down from her head to her spine, her eyes widened as goose bumps appeared all over her body. Her body thumped as if a large heartbeat had taken place. Mari motioned to the Alston fighters to stay at the line of defense, and flew quickly to the ops tent to see Rhys and Drake Roven standing there. “The darkness is here! Call all fighters out! He’s broken the protection shield on the other side of town, he’s going after Livi!” Mari yelled as she flew by them. Her wings pushed down, surging her forward at exceptional speeds, and casted an invisibility cloak around her. Mind-linking with Livi, she warned her to get to safety now, but Livi was screaming; her words and thoughts jumbled from her fright.

  Growling, Mari surged forward as Livi screamed for Sofia, her female Alpha and aunt. Mari’s dragon eyes pinpointed Livi inside the large foyer of Roven Manor, the darkness standing over a body as Livi discharged energy balls, her body wracked with sobs. I’m coming, Livi! She said through mind-link as Alpha Evan Roven ran into the foyer, attacking the darkness. Mari winced as he was tossed back, hitting the wall. He got up and was tossed back again. With blood covering his chest, he slumped by the wall this time.

  Mari roared crashing through the open front door as the darkness went for Livi. “Get away from her!” Tackling him, she dragged him through the walls and out the other side of the manor tossing him to the ground. Landing on her feet her chest heaved as he rose, the black mists swirling around him as he transformed into a man.

  “We meet again, Mariwen.” His voice was crackly and deep as though he’d smoked one too many cigarettes.

  “I thought we’d taken care of this a long time ago, Olipisies.”

  “Ah well that was before your father decided to make Olivia Roven the next guardian and you took a mate. I was going to sit back and wait for him to awaken, but well, I changed my mind. Good job by the way, hiding her from me for all these years.”

  “I do my best,” she replied sarcastically. “Now why don’t you just scurry back to the hole you crawled out of?”

  His chuckle sounded like fingernails scraping along a chalkboard. “Why don’t you step down and let me kill the little brat? She’s nothing to you.”

  “And then what, sit still as you slice my throat? I think you know that’s not going to happen.”

  “You’ve always been a black sheep, not listening to the ancients and doing what you want. Why not now? Kill your vamp and come with me, I’ll make you my Queen.”

  Mari laughed. “Queen of what, a dank dark cave that you like to hide in, because every time you come to the surface you get your ass kicked? No thanks, I’ll keep my sexy vamp and make plenty of babies to take over kicking your ass for me when I’m gone.”

  “Bitch. Just like your whore of a mother,” he snarled.

  Mari’s laughter stopped on a dime as she narrowed her eyes. “How quickly you change your tone when you don’t get what you want, Olipisies. You can say whatever you want about me, but you will not disrespect my mother, because you’re a frigging psychopath,” she growled.

  Mari jumped, twirling in the air when he came at her, unsheathing one of her swords. She swung it down nicking his shoulder, his cry of pain loud as she landed on her feet. “It’s a flesh wound you baby!” she taunted as he came at her again, missing his hit as she somersaulted backwards.

  “I know what you’re doing you miserable bitch,” he seethed. “You’re getting me away from the house.”

  Mari glanced at everyone who had gathered behind Roven Manor, Rhys included. “It doesn’t matter because you won’t be going back there.” She’d already linked with Livi and knew security forces had moved her out of the vicinity and the elder council was on their way to assist her in the battle.

  “You’re a cocky bitch.”

  “Yeah, kinda take after my daddy that way.” She grinned, stepping back. Her hands flew up and called forth her shield as he sent lightning-like discharges at her. Mari groaned, her feet sliding back from the force of the hit. Shoving her shoulder into the shield she held it strong and secure. He knew he couldn’t beat her physically, so he changed tactics and was coming at her with his powers now. She knew he would resort to his powers but had hoped to wear him down a bit more beforehand. Unfurling her wings she brought them down, the pressure keeping her where she wanted to be. Glancing up she noticed Rhys taking off and then she heard her mother’s voice. “I sent him to the front lines to assist Galen and get him away from Olipisies, you don’t need that extra worry.�
��

  “Thanks, mom,” she grunted, shoving her shield aside. Mari brought her hands together, held them up and opened them palm out as she pointed them toward Olipisies. The wind rose in a tunnel formation straight at him. The force of her wind had Olipisies stepping back. Breaking it off, she quickly took the advantage and punched, knocking him in the head with her fist. He sailed through the air toward the trees and into the forest. Turning, she met Drake Roven’s gaze. “Do not follow. It will be too dangerous for you.”

  “What about you, Mari? You need back up,” Drake argued.

  “You’re not strong enough. Go to your daughter, she needs you!” Stepping off, she flew along the ground quickly and met Olipisies as he landed and rolled along the forest floor, his body changing into black mist. Her chest heaved as she glanced around. He had the knowledge of changing his form to any elemental item he wanted. His black arts, practices, and stolen powers from those he’d killed would be used this day.

  Relaxing her breathing, her lashes fluttered as she called in the land’s energies. Listening as a twig snapped, her eyes opened in the shape of her dragon eyes and saw him coming at her in wind form. He was a black cloud with the faces of those he’d killed screaming to get out. Her chest expanded as she breathed deeply, letting it out as fire. She kept up their deadly dance by following him when he tried to get away and stopping when he dissipated into nothingness.

  Mari knew he’d try anything to win, even backhanded dirty tricks from the last time they’d fought. She was glad her mother had the foresight to send Rhys from this area, for Olipisies would, in no uncertain terms, use Rhys and his safety against her to get what he wanted.

  Mari’s head tilted, her ears tuned into the woods around them, her gaze scanning the areas within sight. She caught a blue flash from her right peripheral vision and turned. Using her wings to create a wall of wind as the lightning bolt came at her, she took a deep breath and released her dragon’s fire as he ran and dived into a nearby lake. She sucked her fire back as it skidded along the water’s surface. Turing quickly, Mari jumped to a tree as Olipisies came up from the ground beneath. “Well that’s new. Who’d you steal that from?” Jumping, she somersaulted through the air landing on another branch as he came up after her. Jumping again, she turned heading toward the ground. Mari turned mid-air, sending fire balls up at him, smiling when he grunted in pain. Flapping her wings she shoved toward him and came up in a one-eighty. Thrusting her foot out, she kicked him, sending him flying into a cluster of trees, breaking several before he finally stopped, hunched against one.