Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) (2 page)

He turned around, and with those bright-green eyes he looked right at her, through her, intensifying her previous sensation.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“It was worth it.”

Kayci noticed the broken skin on Adrian’s right hand had healed. She couldn’t hide her fascination. Trying not to stare, Kayci smiled at him before making her way to her front door. She glanced back one last time as she turned the key. Adrian was gone. The disappointment returned.

***

Adrian moved farther into the shadows, making sure he was concealed. The darkness welcomed him in like a familiar friend, enveloping his figure into the folds of the night. He leaned against a tree and watched as the lights of Kayci’s home flicked on and her silhouette drifted into what he assumed was her bedroom. He decided to linger for a while just in case the young, precarious vampire decided to return for the meal Adrian had ruined. Save for the fact that Kayci had been injured, he couldn’t help but be pleased that the young vampire had given him an opportunity to meet her. He wouldn’t have done it on his own, and the vampire left him no choice but to reveal himself. He hadn’t been completely honest when he’d told her he was in the area. He was closer than he wanted to admit and for a reason he wanted to admit even less. Her.

Adrian had seen Kayci in a bar several weeks ago. Unbeknownst to her, she was in a common hunting place for several vampires, and he wasn’t the only one that had noticed her that night. She had come in with another female friend, both dressed to surely attract the opposite sex. Dead or undead, he’d have to be blind not to have noticed them. Kayci had worn a blue dress that fit her small, muscular frame perfectly. It made him appreciate women’s modern-day trends. It hugged her curves in all the right places and contrasted nicely with her long chocolate hair and peach-colored skin. An energy reverberated off her that drew him in and threatened to ignite a long-forgotten dormant flame inside him.

He’d watched her, ensuring no other predators approached her. He’d studied her and sensed a spirit within her kindred to his own.

That night he’d developed an unsatisfied curiosity that he couldn’t squash no matter how much he tried to bury it. It had led him to get too close too often, and then tonight he’d been foolish enough to stick around and reveal what he was. Her reaction caught him off guard. She didn’t scream and run or treat him like a monster. She even accepted what he was fairly quickly after a short bout of denial. She had more strength mentally, physically, and emotionally than he’d expected. He was even impressed with the vitality she’d displayed in her fight with the young vampire.

Ah yes, the precarious vampire. He did need to end his lingering and hunt down that disaster of a creature. He had a job to do not only for the Covenant, but to make sure the fledgling didn’t come back for Kayci either. Freshly turned vampires were popping up all over town in recent weeks. Undoubtedly the work of Danika Panetierre. The one vampire senseless and crazy enough to challenge the Covenant. Something he once admired about her, until he learned what a heartless, soulless, vile creature she was.

Adrian returned to where the vampire attacked Kayci once he saw her bedroom light go off. Lying on the pavement was her pocketknife covered in blood, and a pool of more blood, now soaking into the pavement, slowly becoming part of it. He picked up the pocketknife and held it up to his nose. His fangs extracted as the scent of rich metallic blood filled his nostrils. He had the vampire’s scent locked in. Adrian wiped the blood on the nearby grass and clicked the blade closed before pocketing it.

Adrian dashed through the wooded swampland, following the trail of the wounded vampire. Kayci had cut him deep, and it would take him a while to heal. After a couple miles of tracking the fledgling’s scent, Adrian came upon him feeding on a deer beneath the brightly lit moonlight. He slowed his pace and hid in the shadows. A twig snapped nearby, and Adrian cursed himself for not being aware of another vampire presence. A second fledgling struck out at Adrian, fangs bared. Adrian unclipped the pocketknife and swiped it across the fledgling’s neck, spilling blood heavily across the forest floor. His body burst into ashes.

Adrian used a nearby cypress tree as leverage and sprung himself through the air. His boots hit the back of Kayci’s attacker, knocking him to the ground with an exasperated thud. Adrian gripped the fledgling’s head and tilted it to the side, exposing his neck. Adrian extracted his fangs, sinking them deep into the fledgling’s neck. The vampire thrashed and tried to fight back, but Adrian’s strength couldn’t be matched. Moments later Adrian dragged the heavily drained corpse to a cypress pond and watched as the fledgling’s body sunk just beneath the water. Adrian departed the moment he saw a couple alligator tails make their way toward the vampire’s body.

As Adrian arrived back in town, he took his time walking the streets to his favorite bar, Blue Moon. He wanted to enjoy the cool breeze of the night and distract himself from the task he had just been obligated to complete. As he passed strange faces beginning their night of barhopping, he couldn’t help but wonder who those fledglings were before Danika woke them from their deaths only to be hunted down and slaughtered. He hoped one day she would be held accountable for her carelessness.

Adrian couldn’t help but notice the joy on the faces of those strangers either. Especially the couples who strolled hand in hand, smiling and talking. It brought his thoughts back to Kayci. He hoped she was faring better than when he’d left her. He tried not to think about her attractive smile and the magnetic energy he felt when he was near her. He chastised himself for even having the foolish thought of seeing her again.

As he turned the corner onto Crossway Avenue, his mood became somber. As he came to the entrance of Blue Moon, he slipped in, barely noticed. The familiar scents of the bar—a mixture of alcohol, blood, and sexual desire—overwhelmed him. He hadn’t realized just how comforting the aroma of the bar had become until he felt himself relax. Upon scanning the bar, he quickly sensed the presence of others. He wasn’t the only predator in the place tonight. Adrian acknowledged them with indifference, then sauntered onto the dance floor, disappearing among the crowd.

***

Kayci pulled her comforter up to her chest. The shower, two aspirins, and three glasses of water had done her good. Her concussion had lessoned, as she expected it would. Her wounds always healed quickly, much quicker than others. Something she did her best to conceal from people. At a young age she learned it wasn’t normal how quickly she healed, and that was only one odd attribute among the several she possessed. Even her adopted parents had developed plans to cover for her when she injured herself. After a broken ankle healed before her next doctor visit, her parents knew she was special. The doctor gave her “condition” a name and said she was lucky to have such a “condition.” She’d often had to lie at school and say injuries were minor so her coaches, friends, and classmates didn’t think she was strange. Those lies and cover-ups continued through adolescence and into adulthood. Now that she worked as a physical trainer, injuries were a rarity, accept for tonight.

Kayci lay there for a moment, replaying the events of her evening. Unfortunately, none of it had been a dream, but now thinking more clearly, she couldn’t stop dwelling on Adrian. He obviously wasn’t a sinister monster like the one who’d assaulted her. She wondered how many vampires actually existed, and how many were like Adrian, and how many were like the one that attacked her. Her solace in the night dimmed. The thought of having to be more careful caused a frown to develop. She didn’t like that reality at all.

Kayci didn’t have much time to dwell on it. It wasn’t long before she felt the overwhelming pressure of sleep. Her muscles twitched as her mind drifted into quiet darkness, leaving her body to catch up.

Kayci stared up at his mesmerizing green eyes. They spoke to her, and she struggled to understand what they were saying. When his lips pressed against hers, all thoughts disappeared. A fire she didn’t know she had rose inside of her. The heat of his kiss and the yearning between her legs took her to an unfamiliar place. When his lips pulled away, she felt the pain of her desire. She wanted him.

He stared at her with no words spoken, but now she could read what was behind those dangerous eyes. He wanted her too. She didn’t feel fear when his fangs extracted. When his lips touched her neck and she felt the prick of his fangs piercing her flesh, a rush of heat flowed through her so intense it was invigorating.

Kayci’s muscles twitched, and her eyes sprung open. She grabbed her cell phone and quickly turned off the alarm. The sun blazed through the window, nearly blinding her. Even with the sudden stimulations to her senses, she didn’t forget the dream. It lingered like an awkward conversation. She was embarrassed by the way her body had responded to her dream of Adrian. She lay there for a moment, bringing her fingers to her lips. She could almost still feel the touch of his lips on hers. She rolled her eyes at her own irritating femininity, then flipped her comforter away from herself in frustration. It was time to forget ridiculous dreams and get moving for the day.

Before getting off her bed, she touched the back of her head and was pleased that it felt only slightly tender to her touch. She had no remnants of a headache either. She eagerly grabbed her cell phone and tapped the picture of her friend Elise. Her phone immediately dialed. When Elise answered, Kayci reminded her of their much-needed bonding over breakfast.

Chapter 2

Kayci sat at the table, holding her hot chocolate in between her hands. The morning had turned into a rainy one. She stared out the window of the restaurant and watched the raindrops trickle against the glass. People walking by held their umbrellas up high or pulled their jackets over their heads. Kayci wasn’t really paying attention to those people though. Her mind was elsewhere. Elise stopped in between bites and took notice of Kayci’s pensive expression.

“What has you so thoughtful?”

Kayci snickered. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“I was attacked last night while doing my nightly run.” Kayci made sure to leave out the fangs part of it. “A really handsome stranger fought off my attacker, and honestly, he saved my life.”

“What?! Are you serious?!”

“Yes, unfortunately, I am. I even stabbed the guy two times before he slammed my head against the pavement and knocked me out.”

Elise’s bright coffee-bean eyes widened. Her ivory curls swung forward as her fork clashed on the plate. “Did you call the police?”

Kayci tilted her head and tried to give a proper explanation of why she hadn’t called them. “No, actually. I wasn’t thinking about that. I had a concussion and didn’t feel well. All I wanted to do was get home. The guy that helped me, his name is Adrian. He helped me get to my house safely and then left.”

“He didn’t call the police either?!”

Kayci wondered if vampires even had cell phones.

“No, I think he was more concerned with my safety.”

“You should call today and make a report. How badly did you wound him? Do you think he made it very far?”

Kayci had asked herself that same question. “Honestly, I don’t know. I thought I had wounded him pretty badly, but he took off into the woods. Maybe he didn’t make it through the night in the swamp. At least I kind of hope he didn’t.”

“I hope he didn’t. Who knows what his plans were. He could have been a serial killer or rapist. Thankfully, the Adrian guy showed up.”

“I’m extremely thankful he interfered, or I may not be here right now.”

“I can’t believe it. That’s so scary. I’m also kind of surprised that the guy got the best of you…you know what I mean?”

Kayci knew exactly what Elise meant. Kayci wasn’t weak, by any means. She was unusually strong for a female—actually, unusually strong for any person. She always had been, and her vigorous workouts were the only thing that helped relieve the pent-up energy she carried around.

She wanted so badly to tell Elise about the fangs. Elise was the one person she told everything to. They had been best friends since they were kids, but she didn’t think it was the right time to dump the news of
hey, vampires are real
on her at a breakfast diner. Maybe she could find a more subtle way to bring it up later.

“He ambushed me and got the upper hand, is all.”

Elise didn’t look convinced. “Tell me about this hot guy that saved you. That sounds interesting.” Elise’s expression became playful.

Kayci smiled, then her cheeks warmed.

“You’re totally blushing! Oh my gosh, you like him!”

“What! No! I mean, it doesn’t matter. I don’t even know his full name. I didn’t get his number. Realistically, I’ll probably never see him again.” And there was that familiar flutter of disappointment.

“But you want to. Don’t try to hide it. I can tell by your rambling. I know you too well.” Elise had a proud smile, as if she’d won a debate.

“Okay, okay, I wouldn’t mind it if I saw him again. He
was
charming, funny, and
really
good looking.”
And equipped with two deadly fangs.

“I bet you’ll see him again. It’s fate. I know it.” Elise sounded so sure.

“Is it now? Got some new psychic abilities I don’t know about?”

Elise chuckled. “Maybe.”

“You’re so full of shit.” Kayci threw her napkin at her. They both broke into laughter like they were teenagers again.

“Since we’re on the topic of weird stuff happening, my nerdy coworkers were talking about rumors of people going missing in town and how the Blue Moon bar seems to be the common link between the missing persons. They even went as far to say that the Blue Moon is a local hangout for vampires to snatch their prey.”

Elise raised her hands and shaped them like claws and bared her teeth to impersonate her version of a vampire.

Kayci chuckled at how ridiculous Elise looked, but hid her unease at the word
vampire
.

“Seriously though, they’re a bunch of dorky comic book enthusiasts who wish that stuff was real, but you made me remember their conversation when you mentioned that psycho attacked you. What if there really is a serial killer out there and you were his attempted victim last night?”

“I
was
this guy’s attempted victim. He tried to kill me, and I’d be dead if it wasn’t for Adrian.”

“What if the two guys were working together? What if Adrian is the attacker’s accomplice and they were playing good guy, bad guy? Why else was this Adrian guy out at night in the swamp anyway?”

Kayci rolled her eyes. She felt a pinch of irritation from Elise speaking about Adrian the way she was.

“Okay, one minute you are rooting for Adrian, and now he is a serial killer too?”

Kayci realized the part about Adrian being a killer may actually be true. She grimaced at the thought.

“What do you expect? I write news articles for a living. I have a flare for the dramatic.”

“So how would you react if vampires
were real
?”

“That would make for one interesting story, but I would need evidence, or everyone would think I’m a crazy kook.”

Kayci pondered what it would be like to see Adrian again. She sighed irritably at the butterflies that fluttered.

“Maybe sometime we could go to the Blue Moon bar and see if the rumors are true?” Kayci nearly kicked herself for saying it. She knew she suggested it for the chance to see Adrian again.

Elise’s eyes sparkled. “Wouldn’t that get the guys at work going? Hey, fellas, I cracked the case on your missing persons and the vampires who are eating them.”

Kayci’s eyes widened at Elise’s remark. She instantly regretted making the suggestion.

“Okay, maybe it’s not a good idea to go there if there really is a psycho attacking people leaving the bar.”

“Maybe the guy you stabbed last night
is
the guy, and now no one is in danger anymore.”

Kayci twirled her spoon in her mug.

“
Maybe
.”

Elise looked Kayci over. She apparently noticed Kayci’s melancholy mood.

“Okay, we do need to go out. Seriously, you need to get out and have fun. You haven’t dated anyone in months. It would be good for you to dress up, go dancing, and meet someone. It would be good for both of us.”

Kayci licked her spoon and set it on the table, pondering Elise’s suggestion.

“Even if I have to drag you out, you’re going. We need to erase the sullen attitude you got going on over there, with booze and hot guys.”

“That’s your solution for everything, isn’t it?”

Elise grinned. “And you’re point?”

Kayci chuckled. “So when are you going to attempt to drag me out?”

“Why not tonight? It would be good to distract you from the horrible night you had last night.”

“Fine. I’m wearing jeans though. That last dress you picked out for me was too tight. Made me look like I was begging to get laid.”

“Why kid yourself? You were.”

Kayci rolled her eyes and bit back a smile.

“I’ll come over tonight, and we can get dressed together, then take a cab downtown.”

“That’ll work. I only have two clients today. I’ll be free around six.”

“Good, and I’ll help you pick out a cute pair of
tight
jeans.” Elise smirked.

Kayci set cash down on the table for her breakfast.

“Right! You’re going nowhere near my closet.”

***

Adrian took the flight of steps one at a time, in no rush to make it to the top floor, where his meeting with the Covenant would soon commence. The news he had to give them surely wouldn’t be accepted well. He had no doubt that Danika had returned to Naples. He had yet to make visual contact, but the evidence she left behind made it clear enough for him. New fledgling vampires were being made without consent of the Covenant, and these fledglings were gallivanting through town without any training on how to properly feed from humans. When Adrian read the news article warning club-goers to leave in pairs and report any unusual activity or persons, he knew it wouldn’t be long before he heard from the Covenant.

His job as a vampire hunter for the Covenant remained an ugly obligation he yearned to be rid of. Every vampire he executed made the hole inside of him deeper and pushed him further toward the monster he never wanted to be. Being a vampire brought out skills, abilities, and a darker side that he never experienced as a human. Vampires were quick to give in to self-indulgence as well as their unwavering insatiability. Not to mention that whatever personality a human had, intensified as a vampire, as did all senses and emotions. Humans who possessed bad habits or unscrupulous characteristics carried them into their vampirism, and Danika served as a perfect example. She was conniving, vicious, self-centered, gluttonous, and particularly hungry for power. The perfect combination to make one dangerous vampire. A vampire the Covenant desperately wanted to destroy.

Adrian stopped before the large wooden double doors. He heard their voices go silent. They knew he stood outside the door just as he knew all six of them were inside waiting for him to enter. Adrian pushed against the weight of the wooden door, and once the space opened wide enough for him to enter, he stepped into the room full of vampires he knew well.

“Adrian, what a pleasure it is to see you. Please join us,” Eva said courteously as she gestured to an empty high-back chair to the right of her. Adrian nodded and took the seat offered. He took a moment to read the mood of the vampires sitting around the large mahogany table.

Eva with her porcelain skin and raven-black hair sat poised as usual and completely unreadable. Eva’s age may have been frozen in time, but her features gave way to her ancient years. Her skin paler than the others. Her face more sunk in. Her hair and nails timeworn. Even still, she had a natural beauty that made her lovely to look at. She wore a long dress that crisscrossed her breasts and tied on the side, similar to a tunic. Her dark hair was tightly wound into a twist, a style she often donned.

Adrian looked around the table that sat the other five vampires—Orrick, Beatrice, Natalia, Florence, and Vladimir. Each had his or her own advantage as part of the Covenant. Florence was the muscle and the biggest vampire in the room. Several inches taller than Adrian, with shoulders broad enough to carry a barrel. Quick tempered and fiercely protective of the Covenant and their traditions. His accent was Germanic, as well as his features. His expression made him easier to read than Eva. He made a point not to hide his irritation or his suspicion of Adrian.

Next to him sat Orrick. Similar height as Adrian but with a smaller build and a warm glow to his skin. Orrick displayed a facial structure that most women would find attractive, with shoulder-length black hair pulled back from his face. His eyes, the color of onyx, always watched and studied, unearthing one’s deepest secrets. Adrian deliberately avoided his dark gaze. He preferred to keep his thoughts and emotions entirely to himself.

Vladimir and Natalia had similar features, with light hair and eyes set on faces with sharp jawlines and thin mouths. They were both tall and slender. Where Vladimir’s hair was shorter, Natalia’s hair was long and straight, lying just above her waist. Both were clever and cunning, knowing just where the Covenant needed to be and when to resolve any vampire troubles. They were known among their kind as the Messengers, an ability believed to belong only to twins.

Adrian considered Vladimir the only member of the Covenant he could call a friend. He had saved Vladimir’s life once and had gained favor with him and ultimately with the Covenant. In turn the Covenant decided to waive Adrian’s indiscretions with the contingency that Adrian agree to work for the Covenant when they were in need of his services. It was a substantial price to pay for the Covenant to allow him to live.

Vladimir nodded at Adrian in a kind, welcoming gesture, giving Adrian a silent indication that all was well with them.

Next to Vladimir sat Beatrice. A very small woman with fiery red hair, yet one of the calmest of the group. Known for her ability to calm others’ emotions. Her melodic soothing voice accentuated that ability. She often took the role of mediator among the Covenant’s quarrels. She smiled warmly at Adrian with rosy cheeks and bright, tiny eyes. He naturally smiled back.

The sound of Eva’s voice brought Adrian back to the point of their meeting.

“I’m sure you know why you were called to meet with us, Adrian.”