Daughters of Dracula (The Stoker Sisters #1) (21 page)

“Oh, but you have, dear boy. Your love for that sweet Sadie is more than evident in your eyes. And it is that love for her that will have you killed if you don’t wise up and realize what she truly is.
Just another vampire out to get blood.
Just another blood sucker out to dominate the world.”

An eerie chill ran up Sadie’s spine, visibly shaking her.

“Yes, the pure innocence she portrays is a magnificent cover.
A pleasant diversion from all the obvious vampires who so wantonly display their ferociousness.”

In a second he was standing inches from Sadie, filling her with fear and dread. Never had she been in the presence of someone so evil and filled with hatred. “You’re mistaken, sir. I…”

His chest rumbled with what resembled a laugh, but it was deep and black, completely lacking humor. “Don’t waste your time stating your case for me, my sweet. Keegan’s naiveté, or perhaps it is his adolescent ardor, may have allowed him to be won over with the game you play, but I’ve been around too long to be deceived by the likes of you.”

Tears came to Sadie’s eyes at the accusation.

“Vampire history shows the wars that are constantly being waged between those who kill for a meal and those who do not.” At this he looked deeply into Sadie’s eyes. “Once you kill, you can’t go back.”

“I wouldn’t let that happen,” Keegan said.

Though Keegan’s voice was the epitome of calm, Sadie saw the murder in his eyes as he approached
Skars
. With lightning speed he was at
Skars
’ back, his hand raised and prepared to stake the old vampire.

Without even putting any effort into the motion,
Skars
grabbed Keegan by the throat and raised him high in the air. “I thought you were better than that.”

Skars
flung him into the air, sending Keegan flying like a ragdoll until he landed on the ground with a thud.

This threw the band of hunters into
a frenzy
. Seeing their leader manhandled in such a fashion, they sped to
Skars
wielding weapons and shouting cries of war far into the darkened night.

Ashwin
took part in the battle as did Alexis. Her hunger for blood seemed endless as she killed one hunter after another. The young men who’d been recruited to save the world from vampires had little chance against the immense power she displayed.

Sadie felt obliged to do her part, if only to ensure Keegan didn’t get hurt again. He’d not yet risen from his fall and she feared for him. While she managed to send a few hunters running for their lives, she refrained from overpowering them to the point of death. As dire as the situation became, she refused to find herself guilty of having taken a human life.

Before long, vampires and hunters mingled, danced the macabre choreography of death and growled with pain and victory.

But the melee wasn’t enough to keep Sadie from noticing
Ashwin’s
diverging alliance. He made several attempts on
Skars
then turned his attention to a few hunters before trying again to kill
Skars
.

When all was said and done, many hunters lay lifeless in the little park of
Summerlin
. Sadie did a quick head count and was happy to see that many had survived, though surely badly wounded.

As for herself and Alexis, their arms had a few scratches and Alexis now sported a neat bruise on her shoulder.

“Congratulations, little sister,” Alexis said. “You put up quite a fight when your heart is truly in it.”

“Battles such as this serve no purpose. This is your doing…” She turned around, searching for
Skars
in order to point the finger of blame at him. But the park had only the bodies of the dead to show. “Where did he go?”

“
Ashwin
?”
Alexis called out as she scanned the perimeters of the park

Sadie turned to stare at her sister. “Great. Now they’ve both disappeared.”

Epilogue

The dim light was intermittently obscured by an eerie shadow that played against the wall of the large library. Responsible for the constantly shifting shadow was one pacing form, eager and anxious in his every movement.

“I hadn’t anticipated the distraction these two immortal sisters would be.”

“They are, indeed, lovely, are they not?” Sitting behind the large mahogany desk, the younger man sipped his scotch.

“I’m impressed, I must admit. Not only are they lovely, but they come from the revered bloodline of
Dracule
himself. It’s not every day I have the opportunity to get so close to vampire royalty. How is it that you managed to find them?”

“I once knew Delilah, tutor and partial guardian of the girls when they were young. She has always been a strong influence on them and her protective arm has never failed to be very far from her charges. When I learned she’d moved to the quaint, little beach town, I knew Sadie and Alexis wouldn’t be too far.”

“I’m impressed. You work well. Does she know you're here?”

A throaty chuckle filled the dark room.
“Of course not.
I’ve been keeping a distant eye on her, ensuring I’m aware of her every move without arousing any suspicion on her part.”

“Delilah has always been far too sympathetic to the plight of humans. I’ve never understood her obsession with minimizing the effect vampires had on society. While her attempts were slight and barely noticeable in Europe, she’s become a nuisance and a liability.”

“Inconvenient.”

“Exactly.”

“Of course her desire to protect the Stokers runs deeper than that. As the last human relations of
Dracule
, the sisters have a rather unattractive fate awaiting them. Just as
Dracule
was destroyed, many are out to tear them apart. I feel certain Delilah is prepared to do everything within her power to keep that from happening. You know, he was not the legendary figure so many have made him out to be. Bram Stoker exaggerated and took great liberties with
Dracule’s
life and his effects on Europe. Not enough was said about his gentle soul and the grand romantic he truly was. The truth is that he was more human than any vampire has ever been, and he transmitted his beliefs and ways to Delilah, rendering her a very humane vampire.”

“I assume that’s why she found herself at Stoker Manor; to protect the young girls.”

“Yes, and she did a fine job of it.”

“But not fine enough.”
 

Chilling laughter filled the room and echoed against the books that lined the walls. The pacing man clapped his hands in triumph.

“As worldly and experienced as Delilah is, she neglected to take into consideration just how easily the young Stoker girls would fall for my charm.”

“Surprising, considering your reputation.”

“I beg your pardon.” Mock anger furrowed his brow as he sipped from his glass. “I’ll have you know that my reputation is that of a gentleman.”

“Young innocents might mistake you for a gentleman, but I’ve no doubt many realize the rake you truly are.”

“Ah, and the role does please me, I must confess.”

“Lord
Ashwin
…”
 
The name and title hung in the air as the men grinned.

“What can I say? I’ve always had a penchant for the high life,”
Ashwin
admitted.

“Well, you’ve certainly used your talent to perfection with the Stokers. I’m pleased.
Very pleased.
Vlad
Dracule
died a martyr, a symbol to all vampires that they can be a vampire and still retain their humanity. I’ve decimated all the blood descendants of
Dracule
. The remaining ones are under my control except for the sisters. With descendants of
Dracule
on my side, I will truly be a force to be reckoned with. And one of them is already showing promising signs of becoming a strong and ruthless
Strigoi
. What more could I ask for?”

“Her only hindrance now is that pure-hearted little sister of hers. Sadie is relentless in her attempts to keep Alexis as human as possible.”

“She’s a thorn in my side.”

“But she can be dealt with easily enough. Leave her to me. I have a seductive way with Alexis and a puritan and genteel manner with Sadie. I worked them against one another well in Dorset and I will do the same now. They will be completely oblivious to what is truly happening to them.”

“Don’t get too cocky.”

“I’m not cocky. I’m confident. Alexis will lose all sympathy for the human race, of that I can assure you.”

He stopped pacing and set his knuckles on the desk to look at
Ashwin
. “I know you love her… Sadie.
 
It is evident in the way you move around her, in your manner of speaking. Allowing your emotions to get in the way could be your end.”

“I’ll not deny the affection I have for both girls.” His eyes turned to the window and gazed far into the distance. “The conglomeration of both girls would be the woman of my dreams, the woman to spend my life with. Sadie needs to learn to be more seductive, more alluring, while Alexis is lacking restraint and discretion. But neither of them will keep me from doing what I must do.”

“I need their cooperation.”

“I’m quite aware of that,
Skars
.” His voice was suddenly hard. “I’m not a juvenile like Keegan, letting emotions get in the way of what needs to be done. My love for them will not keep me from my task. You should know me well enough to know that.”

“I’m relying on you.”

“But you have a trump card to play. If all else fails…”

A deep and contented growl shook the walls. “Yes. And I admit I look forward to playing it. There is something satisfying about dangling a prisoner in front of his beloved.”

“Sadie will not take Keegan’s imprisonment lightly.”

Skars
turned to him with venom in his eyes. “And that’s exactly what I’m counting on; the pure vampire goddess out to save the life and soul of her adolescent lover who happens to be a hunter. How fitting. She will willingly join me…and then Delilah will soon follow.”

“I must admit your plan to turn him into a
Strigoi
is a stroke of genius. It will no doubt have Sadie rushing out to save him in no time.”

“You have to admire her guts and determination. For such a naïve girl she has willpower beyond many.”
Skars
turned to grin at
Ashwin
. “But I will break her of that, just as I did with you, dear boy. I’m patient. I can wait another hundred years to rid her of this love of humans and all that is good.”

**********

The Stoker Sisters Series continues in

Book 2

Angels and Hunters

February 2011

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