Redemption (22 page)

The door to their suite opened and closed before a young, pale man stood before them.

“You need a little sun, Liam? You look white as a sheet.” The two men laughed while Liam stood rolling his newly darkened eyes at them.

“It’s done. Lily is dead. What is the next step?” Liam walked to stand before the two men.

“Debir, why don’t you get the boy a drink and we will fill him in.”

Debir stroked his fingers through his messy locks before reaching for a pint of crimson liquid. He poured it into a crystal goblet and handed it to Liam.

“It’s the best way to drink if the source is unavailable.” Debir smiled wickedly as he passed the goblet to Liam.

Liam took a long, languid drink. The blood saturated his tongue before rejuvenating each and every fiber of his being.

“It’s been a little longer than we expected. Where have you been?”

“I wasn’t able to get a hold of the Anarcori before I left, so I had to use human means of transportation. Between not slaughtering every human in my path and staying out of sight, it took longer than I expected.” Liam sunk into a nearby chair and relaxed his head back.

“It’s all well. We still have a while before we can begin. Right, Filipp?”

Filipp stood tall, his dark eyes piercing Liam’s. “Absolutely, Debir. We have much to teach you, young Liam. Our years of searching for the perfect vessel to take down our enemy are at an end. Liam will join us now in his rightful place as an Ahbmonite elder. We will restore the vampire line and destroy every single entity the Manchester Group has ever touched.”

Filipp lifted his shirt sleeve to gaze upon his birthright. His thumb circled the circular mark of black flames realizing that for the first time in decades, he would soon be rid of all things Manchester, including the small piece of metal and wires that was embedded at the base of his neck.

Belfast, Ireland 1973

Lily lowered her camera to take in the view of the man who was her father, her mentor, and most importantly, her best friend.

“That one is going in the foyer. I’ll find one of those printing shops that will make it the size of a poster that you would see outside of the cinema,” she laughed, as she moved her thumb against the small wheel to wind the film.

“No one wants to see my ugly mug as soon as they walk in the door.” Martin jumped off the rock he was standing on to lead Lily over to a nearby bench.

“I do.” She smiled softly at him before looking back down at her camera.

“So, is photography your new obsession? No more chemistry and physics lessons?” Martin raised a thick, dark brow in her direction.

“I don’t know. I like it. I know the powers that be and all the higher ups at Manchester want me to continue being the head of Research and Development here, but I’m getting an itch to move on. Aren’t you?”

Martin took Lily’s camera from her lap and set it down beside her. He slid his hand into hers before bringing it to his lips. “You know I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, my girl. I just have a feeling that we should stay put.”

Lily’s grasp tightened around his hand. “No, not yet.”

Martin turned to her and cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He brought his lips down to her forehead to lay down a gentle kiss. “It’s time to begin.”

Abe North:
Agent for the Manchester Group, a fallen angel working his way up the ranks. Is known as a shadow walker – an angel who can transport beings to any spot in the universe with a single touch. Has the ability to see events that have occurred in a space like playing back a movie on a screen. Had a committed relationship with Becca Swift and is still very much in love with her.

The Ahbmonites:
A race of humans whose blood has a special connection with vampires. They were used as feeders for vampires. With each feeding they gained vampiric traits. When they became too powerful, they were either turned or killed.

Bradford and Marian Holt:
Ian’s parents who have incredible influence in American politics and government.

Debir and Filipp:
Two male vampires working for The Manchester Group. Used Liam to get rid of Lily so they could have the upper hand and begin their crusade to destroy The Manchester Group.

Gideon:
A demon with the powers of possession and foresight. Has been obsessed with Rebecca Swift since she was a child.

Ian Holt:
Twenty-nine year old son of the senator of Massachusetts, Bradford Holt and Marian Holt. Obtained his Masters degree in Piano Performance from The Boston Conservatory and is a professional concert pianist.

Jefferson:
The human caretaker of Leatherby Manor. His family has worked for either Martin or Lily for decades.

Liam Caldwell:
Last surviving member of the Ahbmonites. Stalked Lily from Las Vegas to Boston, then from Iceland to England, under the direction of Gideon and guidance of Debir and Filipp.

Lily Edwards:
Only female vampire in known existence. Born December 31st, 1879. Married Ryan Edwards Spring 1905. Sired by Martin Leatherby in the Spring of 1905. She adopted the daughter of Anne Swift, Becca, when Becca was eight years old. Among her several degrees, she holds a Masters in Chemistry, and has been a member of The Manchester Group since the 1920’s. Among other abilities, she is able to absorb heat.

Lior:
Martin’s sire. A born member of the Ahbmonite race.

Marla Palmeri:
Deputy Director of the F.B.I. Becca’s direct supervisor.

Martin Leatherby:
Lily’s sire and father figure.

Mr. Manchester:
The president and founder of The Manchester Group.

Nathaniel Archer:
To be revealed in “Revisited”.

Peter:
An Archangel. Messenger between the Big Guy and The Manchester Group.

Rebecca “Becca” Swift:
Thirty-one year old adopted daughter of Lily. Special Agent with the FBI in Portland, Oregon. Had a committed relationship with Abe North.

Renee:
Lily’s best friend in Iceland. She owns the local tavern.

Ryan Edwards:
An Angel of Death. Born October 2nd, 1879 and died Spring of 1927. Married Lily Edwards in Spring 1905. Adopted his sister’s son, Denning, in 1916.

Sam Fleming:
Head of The Manchester Group’s Boston branch. A fallen angel working to repair his status in the heavenly ranks. Among his angel powers he also has the ability to heal human ailments.

Boston, Massachusetts:
Lily’s birthplace and where she has kept a home for several decades. One of several locations that house a branch of The Manchester Group.

Portland, Oregon:
Where Becca is stationed with the FBI.

Reading, England:
Location of Leatherby Manor.

Seltjarnarnes, Iceland:
The small town where Lily has a cabin that she escapes to every year. Home of Renee.

An Anarcori:
A red orb incased in a gold box which when activated, can transport a group of people from one place to another.

Tersuline Lock:
A lock used to contain humans and other beings. If touched, causes boils to form all over the skin with eventual debilitating pain as the skin heals.