Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) (29 page)

Chapter 23

Eva gazed out the window at the bright city lights that used to charm her. Now they created a reminder of a world that she no longer wanted to be a part of or thought she belonged to. It saddened her that her brother and niece were entering her life at a time when she had already decided to embrace the Dawning. It wouldn’t be long now. She nearly yearned to feel the sun on her face. In spite of this, work still had to be done. She needed to lay a path for Kayci to follow and ensure her acceptance among the Covenant members. She knew Vladimir and Beatrice would welcome her. However, Natalia, Orrick, and Florence would be a challenge.

Eva turned away from the window as the other Covenant members entered the conference room they had used several times during their stay in Naples. The Covenant members sat in their usual chairs around the dark wooden table. A small fire crackled in the fireplace inside the wall behind them.

As Eva took her seat, she made eye contact with the members, gauging their moods, then addressed them as one. Her posture confident and regal, as was customary of her nature.

“I’ve called this meeting to share important information with each of you, as well as to propose new orders for the Covenant.”

“We’re listening,” Florence taunted while eyeing her with a cryptic stare.

“The important information is that my brother, Thorne, is alive and has come out of hiding.”

Everyone but Florence reacted with gasps of surprise.

“He has made it very clear he has come for one reason, and that is to protect his daughter. I believe it would be in the Covenant’s best interest to not regard Thorne or his daughter as enemies or to waste our valuable energy on destroying them, but to instead regard them as allies. The incessant number of rebellions and rogue covens is becoming increasingly dangerous to our existence. The rising number of missing humans that Danika alone has caused has led to increased police investigations and media hysteria. In an effort to regain control and eliminate public threat, I propose that we utilize every asset at our disposal. I propose that we offer Kayci Pierce a seat on the Covenant. Having her abilities aligned with our goals would be a significant advantage for us.”

“I’ve listened to you rattle on for the last few minutes about how you want to spare your brother and niece. I may have been willing to agree to your nonsense, but offering this creature a seat on the Covenant is absurd!” Florence seethed between gritted teeth.

“I agree with Florence,” Orrick stated. “You’re suggesting we make exceptions for your family because they are
your
family.”

Eva narrowed her eyes at Orrick. “You believe you would not ask for the same consideration if it were your family? I remember how distraught you were to have lost your family after being turned. I recall it was
I
who gave you new purpose for your immortal life after you had spent nearly a century wandering alone and detached from the world around you. After knowing the pain and loss of losing your family, you still wish to destroy mine?”

Orrick remained silent, clearly considering her statement.

“The young woman could be a valuable asset,” Beatrice suggested. “If she has a portion of her mother’s skills, then we could utilize her power to locate and dispatch several problematic covens. That doesn’t even take into consideration how she could help with persecuting Danika.”

“What about the fact that she is a half-breed?” Natalia asked. “We’re all full-blood vampires, are we not?”

“I’ve taken this into consideration,” Eva responded. “I believe she will transform on her own, and if not, I believe she could be persuaded to turn.”

“At that point she would be a vampire sorceress?” Vladimir asked indifferently.

Eva nodded, knowing how that sounded to some of them. “Do you understand why I would want her to be an ally and not an enemy? Killing her could prove to be troublesome. Her support is growing, and I must admit I too do not wish to see her harmed.”

The Covenant vampires eyed one another, waiting for the next to speak up.

“I see no valuable reason to kill the girl,” Vladimir stated frankly. “I agree that she could be a valuable asset.”

Beatrice began to speak but was interrupted by Florence.

“I can come to terms with not killing the half-breed, but I
do not
concede to having her as a member of
this
Covenant! She is far too young and unpredictable. We do not know where her loyalties lie. If she is anything like her father, then she can’t be trusted.”

Eva’s composure transitioned, becoming tense. Florence’s comment insulted her brother’s longstanding integrity and loyalty to the Covenant. She wasn’t going to let his comments go undefended.

“Watch your tongue, Florence. Thorne was a member and leader of the Covenant four hundred years before you became a member. My brother kept the Lunar Peace Treaty intact for two millenniums. He saved my life and yours. His loyalty was insurmountable. As was his character. Perhaps my brother’s suggestion of your desire to overthrow him was correct? Perhaps my trust is misplaced in certain members of this Covenant.”

Florence’s lip raised. He let out a snarl. “I’ve had enough of your preposterous accusations and fatuous ideas. Do what you will with the half-breed, Eva. Just know, she is not welcome as a member of this Covenant. Not as long as I’m alive.” Florence rose quickly and stormed toward the large wooden doors. The hinges splintered as he slammed one of the doors behind him.

“I agree with Florence, Eva,” Natalia added. “Your judgment is clouded by your affection for the girl. She is still a possible threat and needs to be monitored.”

“I’m still not convinced she should be allowed to live,” Orrick stated. “It won’t be long until her existence is known. We should decide on how that should be handled, or eliminate the problem before it begins.”

Eva hid her growing impatience and frustration. She instead held her composure.

“We shall meet again tomorrow, once you all have had time to consider my proposal.”

Natalia and Orrick stood, nodded their farewell, and then departed.

Vladimir and Beatrice remained seated. Each of them waited until the others were no longer within hearing distance. After the elevator sounded their descent, they spoke freely.

“Eva, I believe you’re right about a necessary change for the Covenant. I fear loyalties are shifting,” Vladimir shared.

“There’s an obvious split between us. Now more than ever,” Beatrice added.

“I’m concerned that the others’ resistance to change is detrimental to our reign,” Eva said, resting her chin on her clasped fingers.

“This is true,” Vladimir agreed.

“What of your sister?” Eva asked him.

“She’s become withdrawn. I find her confiding in Florence and Orrick more than myself.”

Eva studied them, believing in their devotion. “I must ask a great favor from the both of you if the Covenant is to survive what’s to come.”

Vladimir and Beatrice looked at one another and then back at Eva.

“Of course,” Beatrice accepted.

“How can we help?” Vladimir asked.

Chapter 24

Elise uncorked a fresh bottle of wine she and Kayci had gone to the liquor store to get. She poured the wine into a glass for each of them.

“Well, if I have to avoid you until Danika is caught, then we might as well make the best of tonight.”

Elise raised her glass toward Kayci’s. “To new love and crazy vampire bitches not getting in the way!”

Kayci let out a laugh as she tapped her glass against Elise’s. They both took a long swallow and then let out a giggle.

Elise set her glass down and pointed to a page in the leather-bound journal. “How about this one?!” she asked, excited. “Can you make it rain!”

“Let’s find out.”

Kayci rummaged through a small brown bag from Rosemary’s shop, with several bundles of herbs with white labels on them, until she found the herb she was looking for.

“Let’s go outside. If it does work, I don’t want everything to get wet. Grab a lighter…” Kayci started to tell Elise and then realized she would be able to light the herbs on her own. “Never mind. I won’t need it.” She winked at Elise.

They both walked out onto the porch with the journal and dried fern. Elise set the journal on the railing. Kayci stepped in front of the journal and held the fern outstretched in her palm. She concentrated on the energy at her core. She quickly felt it come alive. The warmth immediately spread up through her chest, down her arm, and into her hand. An amber color appeared. Soon after, a pulse of heat escaped her hand, sparking the herbs and then igniting them. Tiny flames filled her hand and surrounded the herbs. Little puffs of smoke lifted into the air as the dried fern burned.

Elise was awestruck. She stared at the tiny flames with a childlike sparkle in her eye. “That’s incredible,” she muttered.

Kayci smiled at what she assumed was the same expression she had when she first performed the spell. Kayci’s attention shifted back to the journal. She read the incantation below. “Waters from the sky find me now. Descend from the clouds upon this place.
Aquae de caelo invenient me nunc. Descende de nubibus super locum istum
.”

As the last of the herbs burned, Kayci lifted her hand into the air and let the remaining flakes drift into the wind. Kayci stopped willing her energy into her hand and let the tiny flames extinguish. Elise stuck her hands out into the air and waited. Moments later, Kayci saw a sprinkle hit Elise’s hand, and then another. It wasn’t long before infrequent droplets turned to rain.

“That’s freaking amazing!” Elise squealed as she let the rain fall onto her hands.

“Yeah…it is.”

She watched the raindrops hit the porch railing, steps, and flowers around the porch. She looked up toward the streetlight, mesmerized by the stream of light shining down through the rain. It caused every drop of rain that traveled through the stream of light to gleam and sparkle. For some reason it reminded her of her mother. She smiled as she watched the glimmering rain. She realized how content she felt. How happy she was in this moment. Perhaps a half-breed sorceress really was who she was meant to be.

Kayci’s shoulders tightened, and her body went rigid. She sensed the presence of a vampire. She peered through the rain into the darkness. As soon as she recognized Adrian, her shoulders dropped and her body eased off its defensive stance. Adrian dashed to the porch with vampire speed, avoiding the rain around the porch. He looked at the scene in front of him.

“I thought you may have done this.” Adrian pointed to the rain. “Impressive.” His smile held approval. “I assume you met with Rosemary?”

“I did meet with her yesterday. I didn’t have a chance to tell you about it. You were right though. I am a witch. Actually, I’m a sorceress, according to Rosemary.”

“You didn’t tell me you were a sorceress, and what is that exactly?” Elise asked.

“It means I’m able to do more than most witches can. I can manipulate the elements, cast powerful spells, necromancy, alchemy, and much more that
I
still need to learn about. My mother was a sorceress.”

“Her mother was a substantially
powerful
sorceress,” Adrian told Elise.

“Did you know her?”

“Unfortunately no, I did not. I knew of her though. She developed quite the reputation after she helped remove Lycan venom from Kayci’s aunt.”

“That’s who Thorne was referring to?!”

Adrian chuckled at Kayci’s surprised tone. “Yes, I’m sure it was.”

“How did she get bit by a werewolf?” Kayci asked.

“The story I was told is that Eva had a partner, Victor. He was a member of the Covenant. Eva had been in a relationship with Victor for centuries. They were inseparable. Until she met Hahn, a werewolf. I’ve been told that Eva had a secret relationship with Hahn for several years without the Covenant’s knowledge. However, she chose to remain loyal to the Covenant and her duties and chose Victor over Hahn. Apparently Hahn didn’t take it well that Eva ended their relationship. Animosity soon grew between Hahn’s clan and the Covenant. Thankfully, no wars broke out.

“It wasn’t long after Eva and Hahn’s split that Eva and Thorne needed the help of Hahn’s clan to find and hunt down a group of feral vampires living in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. After bribes of gold and more land, the clan agreed to help. The feral vampires were found, and during the battle, Hahn took the opportunity to attack Victor. Eva got in the way, trying to save him, and was bitten by Hahn. Thorne killed Hahn on the spot. Victor died as well. Eva survived because your mother was able to pull the werewolf venom from her body.”

Kayci shook her head in disbelief and fascination.

“How do you know all of this?”

“Vladimir,” Adrian answered simply.

“Of course.”

“Who’s Vladimir?”

“A member of the Covenant. Quite the gentleman. You’d like him, Elise.”

“Only if he’s as nice of a vampire as Adrian is.”

“He is,” Adrian assured her. “He helped me find you.”

Elise smiled before eyeing Kayci and Adrian knowingly. She grabbed the leather journal and headed to the front door.

“I’ll give you two some privacy. I’m going to give Greg a call.” She disappeared inside the house.

Adrian looked at Kayci staring up at him with affection in her eyes. Seeing that spiked his already rising energy. Adrian responded with a charming smile and then kissed her gently on the lips. He took her hand in his as he leaned against the railing next to her.

“I’m relieved to see you’re both feeling better.”

“We are, thanks to you, Vladimir, and Thorne.”

“Where is Thorne?”

Adrian had sensed when he arrived that Thorne wasn’t at the house.

“Not sure. I assume he went out to feed.”

Adrian was relieved when Kayci didn’t cringe from the word
feed
, like she used to. She was obviously becoming acclimated to vampires and their needs. Adrian’s hunger rose when the memory of feeding from her crept into his mind. He instinctively lifted her hand to his lips. He kissed her gently on the back of the hand. His energy climbed when she bit her lip and looked at him seductively.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“I’m pleased to hear you do. So what is it that I’m thinking?” The fiend inside him wanted to hear her say it.

“How much you’d like a repeat of the other night.”

Adrian’s smile widened. His fangs dipped below his top lip.

“You’re right.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against Kayci’s.

She enthusiastically responded by flicking her tongue across his fangs. She giggled from the tantalizing feeling that swept through her. She immediately felt both of their energies rise and then merge. She basked in the familiar humming sensation. Kayci stopped their kiss before they became too immersed in their intimacy. Adrian grumbled as she pulled away.

“I wish we were alone.”

“Is she staying all night?” Adrian asked with a breathy tone.

Kayci grinned at Adrian’s eagerness. “I think she is staying for a while since we agreed not to see each other until Danika is gone. I think she wants to spend as much time together as we can. She does have to work tomorrow though, so she won’t be able to stay too late. She’s planning on asking Thorne to take her home later.”

Kayci watched Adrian’s face conform to the first frown she’d ever seen. She laughed heartily.

“I’m glad I can amuse you.”

“I’m sorry. Your expression is adorable.”

Adrian snickered. “Adorable and vampire don’t go together.”

Kayci laughed even harder. She settled to give him a quick affectionate kiss.

As Adrian drew back from the kiss, he avoided the intimate thoughts consuming his mind by redirecting their conversation.

“How are you feeling about your discovery at Rosemary’s?”

Kayci tilted her head in thought.

“Surprisingly content.”

Adrian let out a breath and smiled.

“I feel as comfortable with the magic, as my vampire attributes made sense,” she explained. “Maybe it’s because I already went through the shock that vampires were real and I share characteristics with them. With you,” she corrected. “Finding out that I was capable of magic wasn’t as much of a shock, I suppose. And it helped that I feel better than I’ve ever felt. I feel…whole. Like I wasn’t completely myself before. Does that make sense?”

Adrian nodded. “It does. After I was turned, I lived among a vampire coven. Living with them gave me the protection I needed and offered me the convenience of learning from them. However, it also hindered me. I lacked independence as well as the opportunity to discover who I was as a vampire. It was after I left them that I learned how to truly appreciate my new life as I am. I wouldn’t go back to being human if I had the choice. I feel satisfied and more alive as a vampire than I did when I was human. Plus, I wouldn’t have met you had I not been turned.”

Kayci couldn’t help but smile. The comment was cheesy, but she still liked it. Her smile faded as she remembered what Thorne had told her about Danika being Adrian’s sire.

Kayci looked at Adrian with discomfort in her eyes. Adrian tensed his shoulders.

“Adrian, I know about you and Danika. Thorne told me she sired you.”

Adrian’s whole body went rigid. That was a conversation he knew would need to be discussed at some point, but he still wasn’t ready for it. It was a part of his past that he tried so hard to forget.

“He’s right,” Adrian replied uncomfortably. “She did turn me, and I don’t hate her for it. I was angry with her, but that passed over time. I do, however, resent her for other things she’s done. She’s a cruel, heartless vampire. Once I realized that, I left her coven.”

Kayci swallowed down the lump in her throat. Unfortunately, she wanted more clarification.

“The vampire you were lovers with. That was her, wasn’t it?” Kayci asked.

Adrian closed his eyes, sighed heavily, and then opened his eyes as he nodded. “Yes, it was her.”

As soon as the words came out, Adrian wished it wasn’t true. He had kept all of this from Kayci out of shame and regret. Now he feared that his secrets would drive a wedge between them. She had every right to be angry. It would be clear now that Danika had targeted her for more than just being leverage.

A rush of jealousy and disgust swept over Kayci. She shuddered from the thought of Danika and Adrian together. Yet she wasn’t sure she could hold it against him. It was in his past, and he clearly didn’t like talking about it. The only thing that made her angry was that he didn’t tell her that Danika wanted her killed for more than one reason. Although she wasn’t sure it would have made much of a difference… Hearing that they were once lovers probably wouldn’t have been any easier to accept than it was now.

“Kayci, please say something.” Adrian nearly growled.

She glanced over to see his golden eyes and stark face. She exhaled, trying to release her tornado of emotions.

“I hate that you loved her. I hate what she did to you. I’m angry that she is both the vampire that seduced you and sired you. I get why you didn’t tell me, Adrian. I get why you wouldn’t want me to know. I wish you would have told me sooner, but if I’m honest with myself, I’m not sure it would have mattered. Just thinking about the two of you. Her touching you, hurting you. I can’t stand the thought of it. It sickens me. She sickens me.” Kayci stood up from the railing and started to pace. “I can’t stand the thought of another woman having been loved by you. I can’t stand the thought of you with another woman…vampire. You know what I mean,” Kayci added irritably. “It frustrates me how much it bothers me.”

Adrian stopped leaning on the railing and came toward Kayci as he watched her pace.

“Why does it bother you so much?” he pressed. He wanted to hear her say it. He wanted to know she felt the same.

Kayci turned toward him. Frustration filled her face. “Because I’m falling in love with you.”

Kayci’s eyes widened as she realized what she had just said.

A wide smile of satisfaction spread across Adrian’s face. He didn’t give her time to think about what she’d said. He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply and more passionately than any kiss she had previously had with him. As the familiar humming rose and swirled, she let her emotions fade. She gave into his fervent, lasting kiss. Her wall seemed to melt away as he caressed her back and ran his fingers through her hair. His fangs tickled her tongue, warming her below. She pulled him closer as she purred with pleasure. He growled with need. She felt that need as he pressed it against her.