Age of Vampires- The Complete Series

by Caroline Peckham

  One of the female stylists gasped, covering her mouth in horror.

  “What happened to your mother?” Clarice asked gently and I bristled at the false pity in her tone.

  “She got ill so your people came and took her to the blood bank. You didn’t even let her die with her family around her.”

  There was a ringing silence as the vampires looked between each other uncomfortably. I could see they didn’t like to be faced with the reality of how their food was reared and dark hatred washed through my veins. Clarice reached towards me in some mockery of a comforting gesture and I glared at her with enough intensity to set her alight.

  “I’m so sorry.” She released a sigh filled with regret and my anger hardened to stone in my gut.

  “Some bullshit apology won’t bring her back. I guess you’re sorry about murdering my father too? And about kidnapping my sister? Just not quite sorry enough to stop your brothers from raping us,” I spat. Inside, my heart was breaking with grief as I laid out everything the vampires had done to my family but I refused to let it show. If I allowed even a sliver of my anger to thaw then I knew I’d descend into a sobbing wreck. And I couldn’t do that. Montana needed me. I had to be strong for her.

  Clarice seemed like she wanted to say something else but perhaps she realised how pointless it would have been. Instead she shook her head in defeat and glanced at Jacob. “We don’t have to cut your hair. I’m sure we can do something exquisite with it as it is.”

  I looked between the two of them, searching for a lie but it seemed like I’d actually won this battle so I moved back to the stool and sat down.

  One of the female vampires scurried away and returned with another stool for Clarice. We sat side by side in silence as the stylists got to work.

  Jacob dried my hair with a strange machine which blew hot air at me and I had to fight hard to sit still throughout the process. As much as I wanted to argue against this pampering session, it wasn’t doing me any harm and I needed to make sure I wasn’t bound in chains for the wedding. They had to believe I was giving up. If the price of that was being poked and prodded for a few hours then I could tolerate it.

  “I’ve had an idea, master,” Jacob said as he switched off the machine and ran his fingers through my dry hair.

  “Oh?” Clarice asked.

  “What if we embraced her nature rather than trying to hide it. The marks on her skin won’t be easily covered anyway and it could be very symbolic. We could tell the world that you have a true slayer within your power. I can style her hair in a way inspired by her warrior roots. Her makeup too.” He gazed at Clarice with a weird amount of trepidation as she considered the idea. He seemed way too keen to please her for it to be natural.

  “What do you think, Callie?” she asked me. “Shall we make you look like a warrior queen?”

  I raised an eyebrow at her, surprised that she was asking my opinion at all. “Better that than a vampire whore I suppose.”

  Clarice laughed as if I’d been joking and Jacob got to work. He twisted the hair on the left side of my head into intricate braids and as I watched him I was suddenly reminded of the way Magnar’s mother had worn her hair in his dream.

  He left the rest of my hair free but styled it into loose curls which tumbled down my back to the base of my spine.

  When he was done, one of the females moved in front of me and began painting my face. I had to grit my teeth to force myself to endure her cold touch on my skin and I released a relieved breath when she finally stepped away.

  I stared at the girl who looked back at me from the mirror in fascination. It was still me but I looked... fierce. My lips had been painted a dark red and they appeared even fuller than usual. She’d outlined my eyes in deep black shadows and painted something on my lashes with made them seem longer. My cheekbones were more pronounced too and she’d deepened the warm colour of my skin.

  “You look captivating,” Clarice said proudly as she looked at me. I noticed her hair and makeup had been finished as well and I had to wonder why she’d bothered. Her face was beyond alluring without her needing to add to it. If anything the touch of makeup dampened her beauty a little.

  “Am I finished?” I asked, turning away from the mirror dismissively. I didn’t want her to know how much I liked what they’d done to me. I looked like a warrior. I just hoped I’d get the chance to prove that I was one.

  “Just the dress. I’ve had several sent over for you to choose from.” She ushered me to my feet and led me across the room into a huge walk-in closet.

  There were six white dresses hanging in a line along the far wall. I eyed the swathes of chiffon, silk and lace with my arms folded, but my gaze caught on the one at the far right of the room. It was simpler than the others; thin straps held a tight bodice of intricate lace which spilled to the floor and gathered into a long train.

  “Do any of them stand out?” Clarice asked as she watched me. “Is one of them the one?”

  “Why would I care what my wedding dress looks like when I have absolutely no desire to marry the groom?” I deadpanned.

  Clarice sighed like she found my continued objections tiring and crossed the room to grab the dress I’d been eyeing.

  She laid it over a chaise lounge and passed me a box tied with a cream ribbon. I ripped it open and pulled out a handful of sheer lace. It took me a moment to realise that it was underwear and I tossed it back into the box before dropping it on the floor.

  “No way,” I snapped.

  Clarice’s gaze hardened and she shot towards me, spinning me around and shoving me down onto the chaise lounge. My heart leapt with surprise and I reached for my gifts to defend myself as she leant over me. “I’m not going to keep arguing with you on this. Do you think I make a habit of dressing people?” she hissed. “I’m trying to help you adjust to what’s going on here but let me make myself clear: you are going to wear this outfit. If I have to force it onto you I will do it.”

  I longed to punch her too-beautiful face but I ground my teeth as I drove the violent urges away from me. She was right. I didn’t have a choice and I had to play along to make sure they didn’t shackle me. Wearing a dress and some stupid underwear didn’t mean anything. I still wouldn’t be marrying a bloodsucker.

  “Fine,” I spat and she withdrew from my personal space.

  I threw the robe off of me and pulled on the white underwear. It took me several minutes to figure out how to fix the suspenders in place but I refused to ask Clarice for help. Finally, I stepped into the dress and she fastened it for me. It fit like it had been made just for me, clinging to my curves and hugging my body before sweeping out into a train which pooled around my feet.

  “Why does this fit me so well?” I asked suspiciously.

  “Well.” She coughed awkwardly. “We measured you while you were sleeping.”

  “When I was unconscious you mean.”

  She made a non-committal noise and handed me a pair of shoes. They were white, inlaid with lace which matched the dress and had stiletto heels which were about three inches long. I opened my mouth to protest, wondering if I stood a chance of walking in them but I stopped myself. Those heels could easily be transformed into a weapon if I needed one.

  I slid the shoes onto my feet and was pleased to find that my gifts allowed me to walk in them easily.

  Another knock came at the door and Clarice shot away from me. She returned holding a small black box and held it out to me with a smile.

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “A gift from Fabian. I told you he wasn’t all bad.”

  I rolled my eyes as I took it and flipped the lid open. A small card sat on top of a little black bag. The card was filled with swirling blue writing and I lifted it out, shoving it towards Clarice.

  “I can’t read that.”

  “You can’t read?” she asked in surprise.

  “Maybe you should put schools in the Realms if you expect me to be educated. But that wouldn’t really tie in with keep
ing us ignorant would it? The dumber the humans are the easier it is to control us, right?”

  “I thought you did have schools in your Realm...”

  I gave her a flat look. If that was true then it didn’t make it any better. It just meant that she cared so little about the way her food was reared that she’d never even bothered to ask about it.

  She cast her eyes down to the card and read it aloud for me. “Beautiful Callie, I hope you will receive this with joy and that it helps to convince you of my intentions. I promise that after tonight when I take you to my bed... The rest of it really doesn’t matter,” she said clearing her throat. “Why don’t you see what the gift is?”

  I opened the little bag and tipped the contents into my hand. I couldn’t help the smile that came to my face as I spotted my mother’s wedding ring hanging from my father’s chain. I lifted it up and noticed an addition to it; hanging beside the ring was a diamond the size of a grape. I unclasped the chain and pulled the diamond off of it, tossing it back into the box.

  “Do you have any idea how valuable that is?” Clarice asked in surprise.

  “It’s not valuable to me at all. It’s a shiny rock; I can’t use it for anything and I don’t want it hanging beside my mother’s ring.” I hung the necklace around my neck and released a breath as its weight fell against my skin. Something about the ring seemed to give off a calming essence and my smile widened as I wrapped my fingers around it.

  Clarice shot away from me then sped back again, holding out a delicate silver bracelet. She threaded the diamond onto it and placed it on my wrist. “He’ll be offended if you don’t wear it.”

  I considered telling her that I didn’t give a shit about offending him but it wasn’t worth it. My complaints were falling on deaf ears anyway and if she hadn’t got the hint about what I thought of her and her family then there wasn’t much point in bringing it up again.

  “So what now?” I asked.

  “Now, you get married.” She smiled at me and grabbed my arm, threading it through hers as she led me out of the room. I followed her willingly. I was more than ready to leave this place and head towards my sister.

  I had no idea how Montana and I were going to get out of this mess but I was sure that we’d find a way once we were together again. I just had to make sure I didn’t end up married first.

  Two armed guards drove me to St Patrick’s Cathedral in the city. The vehicle I was in was a huge black SUV with metal bars on the front of it. Two cars drove ahead of us and two more behind. I guessed Erik wasn’t taking any chances on me being kidnapped again…

  I hadn’t seen him since he’d come to my room and now I suspected the next time I did would be at the altar. Would Callie be there when I arrived? The possibility set my heart pounding and my gut spinning. For all the world I wouldn’t have wanted to be reunited in this way, but I couldn’t deny I was desperate to see her face. To be sure she was okay.

  The SUV pulled up outside an enormous cathedral and I gazed out at the heavily guarded street, taped off by two cordons. A horde of angry rebels were held back by a line of armed vampires, holding placards with their spine-tingling demands written across them.

  We have the right to bite!

  They made me sick to look at so I returned my gaze to the gothic building which stretched up above me, tapering to three sharp points at the top of it. It looked ancient, the cream stone weathered and cracked, but besides that it was breathtaking.

  A group of photographers stood ready beside the arching entranceway. White petals were scattered across the street, dancing in a gentle breeze. The sky was the lightest it could be without breaking through the clouds and I suspected Valentina had a hand in it. I wondered if she was okay.

  My driver stepped out of the car and the photographers started clicking their cameras. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, taking a deep breath.

  You can do this.

  Nightmare was concealed deep under the folds of my dress, strapped to my thigh. I’d had to leave Valentina’s phone behind, having nowhere to put it. But Julius had the information. If he could be here today and get inside, he would.

  I feared how easy it would be for me to reach my blade, but it sang a soft tune against my leg, sending a wave of comfort through me.

  Time to rise, Moon Child.

  I wondered what it meant, but didn’t have a moment to concentrate as the driver pulled my door open. Flashes exploded from the cameras and I was half blinded as I exited the car, taking in the entourage awaiting me.

  The driver gestured for me to go ahead and I mustered my courage as I walked toward the cathedral.

  The rebels started jeering, calling out my name and begging for my blood.

  I shuddered, focusing my mind on the desperate situation I was in.

  Callie could be just beyond those huge wooden doors.

  If she’s here, I’m going to lose my mind.

  If she’s not, I’m going to have a heart attack.

  As I made my way up the steps with surprising grace on the heels, two guards pulled the doors wide.

  I stepped into an entrance-way and found my view blocked by a large red curtain.

  Two female vampires darted toward me wearing beautiful navy gowns. I eyed the white flowers in their hands as both of them took hold of my arms.

  “What are you doing?” I tried to pull free but they held on tight.

  “Just walking you down the aisle,” one of them said with a bright smile.

  I scowled back at her, not liking this. I wanted to do this on my own terms.

  “That won’t be necessary.” I yanked my arms back and they released me, sharing a look of unease.

  “The last one didn’t go so easy,” the brunette muttered.

  “I’m good,” I confirmed, plastering a false smile on my lips. “I’m here to marry the man I love.” Hell, I wished that didn’t sound so much like the truth.

  The vampires swooned, their eyes rounding. They nodded, pointing toward the curtain and I pushed my shoulders back and lifted my chin. The girls pulled the curtains aside and an incredible room opened up before me. Arching pillars led all the way up to an impossibly high ceiling. A bright aisle led away from me between long rows of pews which were crammed full of beautifully dressed vampires.

  I blinked hard, my eyes tearing across the end of the aisle. Two women stood there in white dresses, their backs to me. Several guards stood around them with menacing stances. The girls were both blonde. And for a moment, my thoughts tumbled as I didn’t recognise which one was my sister.

  One of them glanced over her shoulder and I realised Paige was the girl on the left. So the one on the right was…

  My heart drummed in my ears. I strode up the aisle at a fierce pace, abandoning any etiquette as I marched along, hearing the click of heels hurrying after me. The surrounding audience rose from their seats, gasping and clapping as they spotted me.

  Callie turned.

  I ran.

  My heart screamed.

  My soul begged for its other half.

  I reached the end of the aisle with a thousand words on my lips.

  Callie’s bright blue eyes locked with mine and for a moment I was so taken aback by her appearance that I just stood there staring. Her face was striking, painted as well as mine. Her dress was so beautiful and enhanced the curves of her body. She looked different. And not just because of the makeup. She looked like a warrior, despite what they’d done to her. Her gaze flared with strength and even the muscles in her arms looked more defined.

  “Monty?” she gasped, her eyes widening and widening.

  I was dragged back into a moment from our past. Two young girls playing in the street of the Realm. We’d brought sugar-water to a dying honey bee. It had lapped it all up and flown away out of the Realm, toward the life we’d always dreamed about. “We saved him, Monty.”

  “Callie!” I closed the distance between us, flinging myself at her.

  She stumbled back on her heels and w
e hit the floor in a tumble of white silk and netting. A commotion broke out around us and hands dragged me off of her, pulling me to my feet. Callie was handled more roughly, forced upright and held away from me.

  “Get off of her,” I snarled, reaching forward and grabbing her hand. Her fingers intertwined with mine for the briefest moment before I was hauled back and planted five feet away between her and Paige.

  “Shh.”

  I turned to the woman holding me, finding Clarice there in a pale pink gown with a silver crown atop her head. She turned to face the crowd with a bright smile. “The girls are sisters!” she called out to them. “They’ve been apart for quite some time.”

  Applause rang out, followed by several comments about how cute we were.

  My stomach knotted as I gazed at Callie, trying to shake off Clarice’s iron grip.

  “Wait until after the ceremony,” Clarice whispered to me. “ Just hold on.”

  Anger flared through me and I turned back to my sister with an ache in my soul.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  “I will be when this whole room is turned to dust,” she said, loud enough for people to hear. A guard drew his sword, glaring at her with a threat in his eyes.

  Callie rolled her eyes and I smiled, delighted that she wasn’t hurt. Or broken. Or had lost any of the spark that had always lived in her. Her gaze trailed over me with pity. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner,” she whispered.

  I shook my head, sorrow burrowing into my heart. “I wish you hadn’t come at all.”

  She opened her mouth to reply, but the guard snarled at her, baring his fangs. “We’ll move you further apart if you don’t shut your mouths,” he said in an icy tone.

  Clarice waved a hand at him. “Oh stop being so melodramatic, Jeffrey. The girls are pleased to see each other that’s all.”

  He bowed his head, backing up a bit to give Callie some room. She didn’t seem remotely fazed by his threat and I had to admire her courage in the face of all this. At least I’d had some time to adjust to being in the company of so many vampires. She’d had barely a day and looked ready to take them all on.