Tears forced their way into my eyes. Damn it—when had I become so weak? Never. There was no point in feeling sorry for myself, but at the same time, I’d never been in such a shitty situation before. I’d lived on the streets for four years, but even so, I’d managed to take care of myself.
My mind was in despair. I tried really, really hard to remember someone from my past, anything, even small glimpses of my previous life, but with no results. There was nothing, only an obscure void inside my mind.
Two hours later, I had enough strength to leave the mouldy town house. I decided to climb the fire escape to the top of the building and then walked along the rooftop. This way, I could see everything that was happening on the streets. It had been easy to break into and find the fire escape; no one had ever bothered me up here. I was alone, so damn alone all the time.
The temperature dropped slightly in the night and it finally stopped raining. I found a spot near the stairs with an old mattress that someone had left behind. It was the only dry place around the building, so I decided to rest there. Five minutes later, the rain began pouring once again, but at least I was dry. As a half-breed I really didn’t need that much sleep, but I was so exhausted then, and I closed my eyes.
Tristan’s pay had only given me enough to survive. Renting an apartment was way too expensive, and without any kind of paperwork, it was close to impossible. In the very beginning of my existence as a half-vampire, I managed to get a short-term job on the black market. My boss had used me. I was getting paid at the time, so I didn’t care how hard I needed to work for it. Besides, I didn’t speak Ukrainian, and no one in that line of work understood English.
After a year, I’d become fed up working for minimal pay. I wanted a proper job, or at least some sort of education. That had been an option, too, but I needed an address, an identity. No one wanted to deal with a homeless half-breed. It had quickly become the story of my new life.
More tears flowed down my face, but I quickly wiped them away. I had always played the hard-as-steel Jaymin, never showing my emotions, and now I couldn’t find my way back to the “old me.”
Tristan had shut that door for me. Tracking convicts and killing them had taught me resilience, and it had given me other valuable skills, but I couldn’t do it any longer. Once he decided to get someone else involved, I was done. I couldn’t rely on getting paid for it anymore. Now the High Council was on to me. I was even more fucked than I realised.
My stomach was growling very loudly at that point. I didn’t know how, but eventually, I drifted off to sleep. The werewolf’s victims haunted me in my dreams. I fought with them; I shouted that it wasn’t my fault, but they wouldn’t listen.
Sometime later, I was awakened by the noise from the traffic below. It was humid again, and I was used to waking up stinking like a pig by now, especially during a heat wave. I dreamed of a hot shower, but first I had to get something to eat. My head was spinning a little, and I knew it was from the lack of food. There were no more tears—I was done with it. After surviving for so long, I couldn’t just give up.
As I made my way down to the streets and started walking towards the north, of course, people stared. I was used to it by now. I probably had blood stains all over my clothes, and Ukrainians tended to be extremely nosy. Around eight o’clock in the morning it was already twenty-five degrees, so I had to prepare myself for a scorching hot day. I walked for about a mile, then killed a few hours trying to find something to eat in the bins, but other homeless humans had already beat me to it.
Around midday, the King’s Bar opened, and I hid inside, escaping the heat. There weren’t many people there, and as soon as I showed up, the barman gave me a sharp look. I didn’t look particularly appealing, but he couldn’t just throw me out without a reason. This place always stunk of blood. A lot of supernaturals hung around here, but it was too early for any of them to be there now.
I headed straight to the bathroom. Luckily, I would be able to wash myself and change my clothes. I only owned two pair of jeans and a few T-shirts. I only showered when I had some cash on me. My other top stunk of burnt fish. I’d visited the local market a few times last week, so maybe the fabric soaked in the smell. Either way, after I left the restroom, I looked more like a human girl.
A few Ukrainian girls passed me on the way to the bar. They were giggling, talking about makeup and boys. For a moment, I imagined being one of them, free of all my problems and worries. I was daydreaming and not looking where I was going, then a split second later, I crashed into someone, hard. I lifted my head, seeing that it was another vampire. He was pure, ancient, maybe? I didn’t know how I could tell, but as soon as I met his eyes, I knew I was right. A strong jolt of electrical current shot through me.
“Watch where you’re going, hen?” He spoke in English, and he had the strongest Scottish accent I had ever heard.
He was damn handsome: tall, lean, with longish light-coloured hair and a muscular chest. He wore a white shirt that stretched across his massive form and revealed much of his ripped muscle beneath. I only had a glimpse, but that was enough for me to know that he was from a higher caste. And he smelled heavenly, too. Crap, this wasn’t what I was supposed to be focusing on. I was heading to the bar, hoping to get some food. He stared at me like I was a bag of dirt, so … he was an arsehole.
“Whatever, man,” I snapped, annoyed he’d talked to me like that, calling me that name, and I felt judged instantly. The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile, and the colour of his eyes intensified. We gazed at each other for a few more seconds, but then he broke eye contact and carried on walking.
His scent was overwhelming, clinging to me and penetrating my system. What the hell was wrong with me? Somehow, he’d pushed away the vile, dark energy that had been inside me.
I hurried back to the bar, not thinking much about the fact it was way too early for any vampire to be out in the daylight. I just wanted to flirt with someone who could feed me. Sometimes when I made an effort, I was convincing enough. This bar served a lot of lonely souls who craved attention.
Moments later I saw Pedro, the manager of the bar. He was standing by one of the tables and scanning the space. I’d been certain he was off today, and now his being here complicated things for me. Pedro knew how I operated, and he had kicked me out of here a few times before, so I knew I needed to bail.
Swearing my bad luck, I turned and headed downstairs, towards the long corridor where that arsehole vampire had just vanished. Someone once told me that there was another way out of here. I didn’t want to leave yet, but at the same time, I didn’t want to face Pedro; he enjoyed making my life difficult. The King’s Bar was the only place in Lviv that opened in the morning, and where most of the supernaturals were usually welcome.
Moments later I made a sharp turn to the right, and I could hear someone talking.
“We have been waiting for you, Lachlan. It’s been a long time,” said a deep voice, sending shivers racing down my spine. I moved closer to the wall, thinking I must have just stuck my nose into someone else’s business. This was just my luck.
“What do you want, Marcus?” another voice said. “I’m a busy man. I have no idea how you found out I was in the city.” I recognised the thick Scottish accent and the aura. He was the vampire I’d bumped into earlier on, the vampire who mocked me.
I didn’t think I was welcomed to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t make any rash moves, either. They could sense me, and I was still too weak to defend myself.
“The Elite Academy is missing one of its best students. You know of whom I’m speaking about?”
I leaned over, trying to see the supernatural who was talking. He was a mage with a strong aura. He had a thick beard and stocky features. He was powerful, I could sense it. What he said made me curious. He could only be talking about one academy: Saint Kilda in Bucharest. It was one of the most prestigious schools for vampires and other creatures in the world. Only the elite were taught there.
I back
ed away to my right, hiding behind a few large barrels. The handsome Scot was on the stairs, but I couldn’t really see him. There was another person there, too, standing further to the mage’s right. I could only see his profile, but I suspected he was supernatural, too.
“Is this why you summoned me here? To waste my time?” the vampire replied, using the same mocking tone of voice he had when he’d called me a hen. “We both know Casimir isn’t right for that place.” The mage’s features hardened. He obviously didn’t like his tone.
“We have our ways; we could easily change the minds of some of the board members,” another supernatural, the one who was standing to the right added. “Once we eliminate the female, the others will follow through.”
It was time for me to leave. I didn’t want to hear anymore—it was none of my business. The mages were much more powerful than vampires and extremely unpredictable. However, the Scot stepped closer, and if I moved, he could most likely sense me, so I was stuck.
He didn’t seem happy at all, and I could see his expression. It was dark in here: only a dim bulb lightened the space and it was flashing, too.
“I don’t want to hear about it,” the vampire said. “You made a huge mistake reaching out to me.” Seconds later, he turned on his heel and started walking back up the stairs. I was trying to comprehend what had just happened, when the mage spoke again:
“He was always a fool. I thought his father’s reputation meant something, but we were wrong. Use your influences, Percy, and eliminate Dagmara. We can bribe the rest of them. The board has been strict with their selection process for far too many years. The boy won’t talk, he has too much to lose.”
“I’ll find a way to change his mind. He has a weakness—everyone does,” the other mage continued, and I was cursing myself for being stuck here now. “This task won’t be easy. We need to make it look like an accident. Two board members: one female and one male.”
“He’s a coward, but never mind, we will find another way,” Marcus, the mage, stated. “Casimir deserves his place in the academy, and he’ll get in once we eliminate the two.” His voice caused vibrations of energy inside my heart.
I could hear another voice coming from the other side. Someone was speaking in Ukrainian right above the stairs, and I tripped, panicking, then leaned too far back. Then I felt someone’s hand grasp my arm. How the hell did he get to me so quickly?
“Little half-breed, how long have you been standing here and listening in?” the mage asked, squeezing my arm so hard I thought he was going to break it. Panic lanced through me as I tried to gather my strength to push him off. There was no time and he hurled me across the corridor. Pain shattered through me when I crashed against the wall. Everything happened so fast, and stars danced in front of my eyes as my head slammed against the floor. My arm felt like it was broken in half, and even more pain exploded throughout my body. There was blood, and when I looked down, I discovered there was a blade shoved inside my ribcage.
“She heard us—kill her and clean up. The humans are coming, and we can’t afford to be seen.” I heard Marcus say, then there was darkness scattering across my vision, and pain. The other mage attacked me with his magic, throwing everything he had towards me. I was so done.
Chapter Three
A bit of hope.
I was disoriented, trying to deal with the overwhelming dizziness. The other mage was already walking towards me, and I didn’t even have time to react. The blade was in deep, and I felt hopeless. He moved towards me quickly, then lifted me above the ground, mumbling something to himself, and I screamed out in pain. Damn it. I should have walked away when I had the chance, and now this was going to be the end of me. I couldn’t bloody fight. I was too worn out after last night, and I could feel that damn blade scraping against my ribs.
“What are you, creature—vampire and something else?” he asked. He had his hand wrapped around my throat, and my legs were dangling above the floor. He was a fucking moron. Obviously, I wasn’t going to answer, because he was suffocating me. In that moment, I genuinely thought I was dying.
His eyes were dark brown and bloodshot. I stared at him, trying to inhale the last bits of oxygen and remain conscious. What little energy I had was gone, and the world around me began spinning. In that moment, I did the one thing I could think of—I kicked him between his legs.
After all, living on the streets had taught me a few things, and considering I had no will power, that worked. He howled in pain and then released me, grabbing his crotch. I crashed to the ground, thinking that this couldn’t have gone any worse. Pain exploded on my left side and I panted, crawling away. Split seconds later, someone was shouting something in Ukrainian. It was probably Pedro.
The mage was cursing me out, trying to use his magic to bind me to him. Someway, and I had no idea how, I managed to pull the blade from my ribs. Blood began pouring from the wound as I pressed my hand against it. I needed to get the hell out of here.
In the distance, I could see the other mage; he had his back turned to me, and it looked like he was talking to Pedro. Then they turned around. The other mage was still screaming in pain as I began walking in the opposite direction. My entire body felt like it was almost limbless, but I didn’t want to die in this pathetic basement. I dragged my feet, panting, and tried to ignore the dizziness.
The exit was so close, when Marcus began shouting at someone to stop me. Then smoke started filling the space. I felt delirious, my strength was diminishing with every passing second. He was creating fire, and when I glanced back, I saw Pedro lying in a pool of blood. He was dead.
Several seconds later, I found the green door and pushed the exit bar as hard as I could. The bright sun blinded me, and I found myself outside in the yard.
It was bloody hot, but I knew I had to run if I wanted to live, even if my life wasn’t worth it. My legs began working before my brain could figure out what was going on. The mage was probably after me, I’d heard too much. The wound was quickly closing—being half-vampire had saved me. I kept running, not looking back.
Moments later, I found an old jacket near the dumpsters and slipped it on to hide my bloodied T-shirt. The dull pain in my chest slowed me down. The wound eventually healed for the most part, but it would take some time until I was at full strength. I was still only half-vampire, and I didn’t have a blood donor to speed up the healing process—this was not one of the perks.
Soon enough, I walked towards the busy street, blending into the crowd. A few times, I glanced behind me, wondering if the mage was still tracking me. My breathing was shallow, and I had to sit for a minute here and there, but I was too afraid to stop for any length of time.
Half an hour later, I found myself in the Jewish quarter near my friend Melody’s place. I always said that I would never bother her when I was in trouble, but right now everything was falling apart. She had a lot on her plate herself, but I was out of options. She was the only person I knew who spoke English, and the only other person I’d gotten to know in the city.
We’d met outside one of the fountains near her home. I had overheard her conversation with her keeper, they were speaking in English. Melody’s parents had died when she was very young, and she was brought up by a witch community. It had only taken me a few moments to figure out that she was a witch herself. She didn’t seem very happy about it, and when she’d been left alone by the fountain, I’d walked up to her. It had been something I’d never done before. I’d normally stayed away from other supernaturals, but that day, I felt so damn lonely and I’d just taken the risk.
It was a good decision and we instantly clicked. Maybe it was the fact we were both desperate to have some kind of connection with another being.
That had been two years ago. We couldn’t meet up too often, because Melody was studying and working at the same time to become a member of the coven. I wouldn’t beg and I wasn’t a thief, but I needed to eat, fuel my body with some energy. She lived in the Sykhivskyi district in an old town h
ouse with other witches. I wasn’t particularly welcome there, but she managed to convince them that I was a friend, not the enemy. They didn’t like vampires—they didn’t trust them.
Her coven was strict, and Melody wasn’t allowed to go out very often like most other teenagers.
Although it was healing on its own, the damn cut had been deep, and I had to tell her what I heard, get another perspective on the case. Besides, after the past shitty few days I’d had, I just needed to see a friendly face.
I kept thinking about the vampire I’d bumped into, the handsome yet arrogant blond who’d ignored me. He obviously had some sort of connection to the mages in the basement. My experience with male vampires was non-existent. I avoided them at all costs.
Well, maybe I’d been in a relationship before, but how was I supposed to know? I couldn’t remember a damn thing. So, that territory was closed off. I couldn’t risk getting involved with anyone.
It took me over an hour to get to the Sykhivskyi district, and I used the local bus. Sometimes they had conductors, but today I was lucky. My legs felt like they were slowly going to give out, so walking in this heat was out of the question. I knocked on the door to her house, and another witch from the kitchen let me in. The smell of freshly baked bread hit me, and my mouth started watering almost instantly.
“Jaymin, oh, my God—what happened to you?” My friend’s high-pitched voice startled me all of a sudden, then she wrapped me in a warm embrace. Melody liked fruity perfumes. She was dark haired and looked a lot like a Gypsy girl from the caravan site, but apparently her parents were from the United States, as was the whole coven of witches. “Is that blood?”
Moments later, she dragged me to the kitchen filled with a few Ukrainian witches. They were all staring at me, whispering amongst themselves. I was a little overwhelmed by all the different smells. My stomach rumbled so loudly that Melody must have heard it, because she quickly said:
Half Blood Rising: (Moonlight Academy Book 1) Page 2