Chapter 31
Caspian’s Watchful Eye
December 22,
My estranged family has been keeping me busy the past few days. I worry about Sophia, the girl I once called a sister. I can only hope her relationship with that boy–Nathanial–does not end like mine and Ashley’s did. I almost blew my cover the night of his attack. If Isaac had not shown up when he did, I would have been forced to help Alexander defeat the rogue Cerberus. I continue to log my mission in my journal. It was difficult to stand back and watch Sophia and her mate get attacked by the Cerberus. I wanted to warn her that he was in the area and that there are more heading their way. I sense them.
My ability to sense others of supernatural force would be very helpful to my family in the coming weeks and months. Constance’s gift of premonitions will help as well, but only if she has contact with something or someone involved. She has no control over what she sees. Another problem I have learned is that the leader of the Cerberus cult has the ability to block mental abilities of others. This is something he can use to his advantage, and he may have blocked all mental abilities in the area. There is no way of knowing.
When I left my family thirty years ago, I swore I would protect them and I have succeeded–at least until now. I am helpless when it comes to Sophia’s dealings with this mortal, although she has always been emotionally stronger than I was back when I was with Ashley. I still worry about her. I need to trust that the family learned from my mistakes. I felt a slight moment of relief when I was watching Sophia tonight. Nathanial is now aware of what Sophia and the family is, and this alone protects all of them. I should have been honest with Ashley, but I cannot concern myself with that at the moment.
It is the new vampire Danika, I must worry about. She is trouble and quickly headed down the wrong path. I will do everything in my power to keep my family safe, even if it means destroying their newest member. I have been watching the Cerberus approach her, attempting to draw her to them. It is difficult to watch, as I know her actions will affect the family I care about. I fight the urge to shake some sense into that young head of hers. I have no other choice but to join the cult undercover. I can’t go back to my family, not after what I did, they deserve better than me and I still must atone for my mistakes. Leaving them was the greatest punishment I could ever receive. Now I must remain at a distance if I want to help them. They almost have her convinced to join them, to live as a vampire was created to live. I have watched as they taunt her with the feel of a fresh kill and the taste of blood as it pumps warm and juicy right out of its artery. They are after my family, and she is leading them directly to them. My family? I guess they always will be.
I need to be more careful. I have become sloppy and am sure a few members have seen me creeping around recently. They must not know I am here. I will go to the underground vampire club and offer myself. This will give me insider knowledge and keep me away from the family. Tomorrow I, Caspian Pierce, will become a member of the Cerberus cult in order to protect the ones that once protected me.
I finish my journal log for the night and place it in the safe in my hotel room. I have heard about Club VC before. There is one is Boston, and this is where I will find the Cerberus. I remember when I made some vampire friends up north, they used to party there. I recall their explanations about Club VC and what I overheard from the cult members. VC is an underground vampire club, run by the Cerberus cult. I recall it being compared to Studio 54 from the early 1970’s. Humans have been persuaded to work there. From my understanding, the cult searches for humans that are lost, runaways and the homeless, and then they use the power of compulsion to have them agree to become living blood banks. I will need to see the extent of this myself, so I try to find something funky to wear tonight. Locking up, I decide to take a quick pass through the woods by the house occupied by those I am trying to protect.
I watch from high in a tree as they all run by. In the distance, I can see two wolves. I thought they were extinct in the area, yet I get a supernatural feeling from them. That gives me one more thing for me to look into. The family stops and turns around to head back home. Some things never change, for Isaac is still in the lead. I notice Danika is a fair bit slower than the rest. As I watch her, the alarms within me begin to go off. I search the woods, sensing the Cerberus nearing. As I prepare to warn my family, I notice Danika winding off the path. I quietly follow her to where she meets the same vampire she has been talking to at school. I still need to figure out how he’s able to survive in the sun, without a day crystal. Thanks to technology these days, I have equipment set up all over so I can watch my family during the day on my computer.
I watch the vampire pressure Danika: “You told us you would come and party with us after your formal.”
“I know, but my sister’s boyfriend was attacked that night by some cult member,” she naively replies, not knowing he is a member of the cult and is all too aware of the attack.
“That is horrible. Why don’t you come tonight?” he tempts in a snarky tone.
“I will soon, but my family has lots of holiday plans. Soon; I promise.”
I make note of the sincerity of her voice.
I am realizing she really isn’t aware of whom she is getting involved with. I sense the family heading back to the area. They must have noticed her missing. The cult vampire takes off quickly.
“There you are, Danika. We’ve been worried about you. What happened?” Constance asks as she approaches.
“Sorry. I was just exploring the woods a little. I thought I was close enough to home that the wolves would not come near,” she answers, trying to hide her plans.
“You cannot be out here like this by yourself. You are not skilled enough if another vampire attacks, and we know they are around now,” Elijah reasons.
“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I will be more careful from now on.”
The family heads back to the house, and I move on my way to Boston. I need to go to the club and offer myself to the cult... It is the best way to protect my family.
Immortal Embrace Page 31