Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) (18 page)

“Your energy is stronger than before. Your scent is a strange mix of human, vampire, and something else I can’t put my finger on. It’s intriguing. Your demeanor has become more expressive as well as appealing. I don’t think it’s as easy for you to hide what you’re feeling anymore, is it?”

Kayci stared back at Adrian’s beautiful bright-gold eyes. Even with his eyes now changed, she still recognized the lust behind his stare. There was no denying she felt the same way. She wanted Adrian to kiss her. Every sensor in her body exploded with desire. Before she could make sense of what was happening, his lips pressed against hers. His hand caressed her neck, and his fingers folded into her hair. Every way he caressed her made her body respond as though fireworks were going off in that area. She eagerly returned the kiss, matching her tongue against his. She nearly pounced on top of him as she leaned more to his side of the couch, enveloping herself in his arms. Kayci reveled in his embrace as his hands began roaming her backside. She found herself once again flicking her tongue across his fangs, enjoying the quick tickle of pain and pleasure it caused.

Adrian let out a low guttural growl when Kayci’s moaning reached his ears. Her heavy breathing and warming body elevated his arousal. He reached between her legs and delighted in the warmth and wetness developing there. As she moaned beneath his touch, he moved his kisses from her lips to her cheek to her neck. Her intense and rapid heartbeat expanded the vein below his fangs. He licked at the vein, wanting immensely to thrust his teeth into it and taste the very sweetness she had to offer.

Among her heated and blinding arousal, Kayci thought she felt a tiny prick of pain on her neck. When she opened her eyes, she witnessed Adrian rapidly pulling away from her. She sat on the couch, confused, breathing heavily. She could see that Adrian was just as aroused as she was. She touched the side of her neck. Only a tiny smear of blood showed on her finger. She looked back at Adrian, who appeared miserable and in pain as he desperately tried to control himself.

Adrian’s
fangs slowly disappeared. His eyes gradually transitioned back to their normal green color.
As he became composed, he stepped closer to Kayci.

“I want you to know you’re beautiful, Kayci, and you feel incredible in my arms. Too good, honestly.”

Kayci’s cheeks grew warm.

“The issue is that I’m a vampire, and the more aroused I am, the more difficult it becomes to control that side of me. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t think you’ll hurt me, Adrian, and I’m not even sure that you can.”

She turned her neck toward him so he could see there was no remnant of a bite mark. She had already healed.

“I truly appreciate your self-control though. Perhaps we can continue to work on it.”

She flashed him a smile meant to be mischievous and enticing.

The tension in his body lessened. She was flirting with him! She wasn’t scared or angry. He reached out his hand, hoping she would take it.

“I want to show you something.”

Kayci held Adrian’s hand as he led her up a metal stairwell that wound its way up to the rooftop. As they reached the top, she immediately noticed the plethora of bright shining stars scattered amid the black sky. It was gorgeous, and it had been a while since she had seen a sky this decorated. She looked at Adrian inquisitively.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what we’re doing up here.”

Kayci grinned.

“I brought you up here for what we vampires call the Dawning. We’re early, so we’ll have time to talk before other vampires arrive.”

Adrian unraveled the small throw blanket he had carried tucked in his right arm and set it down on the rooftop. They laid on it and cuddled closely against one another as they stared up at the sky.

“What is the Dawning?”

Adrian ran his fingers along her arm, enjoying the warmth of her skin. He smiled to himself when she asked about the Dawning.

“Unfortunately, our vampirism keeps us living in the dark, unable to enjoy the sun, but we can still get close. Vampires come here just before the sunrise. We stay as long as we can before we feel the temperature change in the air. Before the sunrise breaks the horizon, we leave. Not all of us though. Some stay.”

“They stay for the sunrise?” Kayci asked.

“Yes. The sun destroys the demon curse within us. Our bodies turn to ash.”

“Why would they want to stay and be killed?”

“Vampires that want to end the curse and see the sun again embrace the Dawning.”

“What’s after?” Kayci asked softly.

Adrian continued to watch the sky.

“No one knows.”

Adrian felt Kayci stir in his arms. He sensed her antsiness.

“Why’d you bring me here?”

“I wanted you to know we have a choice.”

“You wanted me to know the choice you’ve made. To live as a vampire.”

“Yes. I’ve chosen to be in this world as a vampire for 149 years. To be honest, I’m fond of being a vampire. I promise you not everything about vampirism is as you’ve experienced. There’s so much more.”

Kayci pushed herself more closely into his arms as he caressed her side. She really wanted to believe him.

“Adrian, what makes a vampire want to embrace the Dawning?”

“Being a vampire means living with the demon’s curse. The demon’s curse keeps us alive. Part of the curse is to be immortal. When you become a vampire, you stay the age that you were when you died as a human. We don’t age. We never get to feel the sun on our faces. We can’t have children, and being a vampire means having to feed on blood to survive. It can be a lonely life for some.

“We aren’t easy to kill, either, because we heal so quickly. The only way a vampire can die is to either embrace the Dawning, be forced into the sun, burned, beheaded, starved, or drained of blood. Not all humans can handle the transformation, and not all vampires want to live forever. Some want to know what is beyond this world.”

“It sounds like the curse is punishment. To be banished to the night for eternity, stuck at the age you died as a human, having to feed on blood to survive.”

“Some vampires do feel that way. They think it was part of the demon’s plan to punish the man that broke their arrangement, but the demon didn’t realize his blood would cause others to turn into vampires.”

“How is it that I came to exist if vampires can’t have children?”

“I have heard of a myth that vampires have tried working with witches to bind the demon’s curse, temporarily giving them the opportunity to have children. I’ve never heard of it actually working though, until I met you.”

“I’m worried that the Covenant will find out about me and want to kill me.”

Adrian stopped rubbing Kayci’s arm. He kissed her forehead before looking down at her and receiving her full attention. “It’s important for you to know this, and it’s important for you to know I only found out today.”

Kayci’s chest immediately tightened. She sat up on her elbow and stared at Adrian intently.

“The Covenant knows you exist.”

A knot developed in her throat. It felt like her chest was swollen with a soccer-size ball inside. Her throat became dry.

“Danika saw your eyes when you fought one another and told the Covenant that I have been hiding a half-breed vampire. Tomorrow I’ll be questioned by the Covenant and will also have the chance to explain to them that you’re not a threat.”

Kayci reached up and touched the moldavite stone to her fingers, hoping it would protect her, as Rosemary said it would. She stared outward in a daze.

“What if they don’t see things from your point of view?”

Adrian took her hand away from the stone and kissed it. Kayci returned her gaze to Adrian.

“I will do everything I can to protect you. I promise you.”

“What if they want to kill you?”

Adrian smiled at her. “They won’t. I’m too much of an asset to them.”

Kayci heard the others coming. She was surprised she could hear them over her deafening heartbeat.

Adrian glanced in their direction and then back at Kayci. He brought his hand up to her cheek and caressed it before pulling her in for a kiss. He felt her body melt under his lips. He pulled away from her and then leaned back in for another quick, gentle kiss.

“It’s time.”

Adrian took her hand in his. They both stood up, facing the direction the sun would rise. Kayci watched as a large group of vampires spread out on the rooftop, some standing alone, others in pairs. They all looked toward the east, where the sunrise was soon to come. All had their heads raised into the breeze, quietly watching the sky. The sounds had gone from chatter to complete silence.

Kayci watched as the stars above disappeared one by one, followed by the lightening of the sky from a charcoal gray to a light gray. Slowly, strips of faint blue started to peek through the clouds. A yellowish-white tint highlighted the horizon. She noticed the tiny variation in the air. It had become warmer and dryer. The cool moist breeze was fading. Adrian gently tugged at her hand, letting her know it was time to go. She turned to follow.

Kayci stopped in her tracks, frozen by the sight in front of her. She had become so mesmerized by the changing sky she hadn’t noticed the vampires had made their way across the rooftop. The sight in front of her mesmerized her. The vampires leapt off the rooftop, coasting into the shadow cast by the building. Their dark silhouettes drifted into the wind like a condor soaring through the sky. The buildings with their gray glass windows, still empty of employees, were a silent witness to the scene. She laughed to herself at how humans were so oblivious to the world around them.

Moments later all the dark figures in the sky were gone. Kayci could feel the heat of the sunrise on her back. It brought her attention back to her surroundings. She looked around her. Adrian was gone too, but there was still one vampire on the rooftop. As the sun rose and the horizon turned from a yellow-white tint to bursts of yellow orange, Kayci continued to stare as the vampire spread out his arms and embraced the sun before him. Within seconds of the sun appearing above the horizon, the vampire burst into flames. Kayci’s chest tightened as she heard the vampire let out one shrill scream. She couldn’t bring herself to look away. She would be a part of his passing, since no one else could.

In front of her near the edge of the rooftop was now a pile of ash. The breeze swept through and gently lifted the ashes into the air. Some flecks flew in her direction. She raised her arm to block the ashes from getting into her eyes. She sunk down onto the rooftop, overwhelmed. She sat there alone, silent and still, while the sun continued to rise.

Chapter 11

White linen curtains caught in the cool night breeze, swaying through the balcony doors of Danika’s suite. She pulled away from Reece’s neck, arching her back as she straddled his naked body. Blood smeared her lips and fangs. Bite marks were healing all over his chest, arms, and abdomen. Reece aggressively grabbed Danika from her backside and flipped her over, pressing his weight against her slender frame. He bit down hard, breaking the flesh just above her breast. He eagerly lapped the blood that poured out from the open wound.

Moments later Danika gripped a clump of his hair in her fist and pulled his head away from her breast. She had decided he’d enjoyed enough of her. She pushed him onto his back and leaned one lengthy leg over his legs as she sat up on her elbow and looked down at his obvious satisfaction.

“You’re an adequate lover, Reece. Arguably the best vampire I’ve ever created.”

Reece reached over and pulled Danika closer to him before offering her a rough and passionate kiss. Danika gave into the kiss for a moment and then intentionally pulled away.

“Don’t
try to make me soft,” she said with a growl.

Reece smirked at her and then laid his arm behind his head in a relaxed position.

“Have you received the intel you were hoping for?” Reece asked.

Danika smirked, revealing her shiny white fangs. She ran her nails across Reece’s chest, following the pattern of her fingers with her eyes.

“Indeed I have,” she answered with obvious pleasure.

She continued to twirl her nail in shapes around Reece’s chest while dreaming of her plans.

“Eva has begun participating in the Dawning. Her participation is infrequent. Nonetheless, she goes
alone
. The rumor is that Eva is growing weary of being the Covenant leader. There are whispers among the Covenant of who would take her place. There is one member of the Covenant who would like to see a change in leadership sooner rather than later. Even if removing Eva is for their own selfish desires, it still gets me one step closer to taking down the Covenant. Then I would have a lesser problem of either killing or working with my new partner. They do have similar ideals—that vampires have lived in submission for long enough,” she declared, discontented. “Perhaps their skills could turn out to be valuable. We shall
see
.” Danika shifted her legs to the edge of the bed and reached for a black sheer negligee.

“Have you found an adequate building yet?” Danika inquired.

Reece leaned up on his elbow, watching Danika dress. “Yes. As a matter of fact, we have. Max and his team are working on acquiring the equipment we’ll need for the
reunion
.” Reece smirked.

The left side of Danika’s mouth raised into a half smile. “Excellent. I’ll continue to work with my new partner on Eva’s demise.”

***

Kayci leaned back in the hot bath water, delighting in how the silky water glided across her skin. She closed her eyes and let the steam loosen the deepest parts of her muscles. After soaking for several minutes, she opened her eyes, dried her hands on the nearby towel, then reached for the book she had rented from Rosemary.

Kayci skimmed through random sections of the book. She was impressed with the amount of knowledge the book offered on the anatomy and physiology of vampires. It concerned her though how this information may have been collected. She shuddered. Kayci shook the gruesome thoughts from her mind and returned to the first page and tentatively read an excerpt written by one of the authors;

Vampyrs are indeed alive. They have heartbeats just as humans do. They are not dead, but undead. Brought back to life through some sort of soul rebirth. The demon they refer to as Nybbas (also may be known as Nibhaz, Nebahaz, and potentially Nabu by other cultures during Assyrian and Babylonian culture). The demon Nybbas had many powers, and when combined with a mortal man’s body and soul during death, those powers caused the creation of what I now know to be the Vampyr (blood monster). The Vampyr requires human blood in order to survive. He feeds mercilessly and seems to have no remorse for his actions.

June 5th, 1871—Data collected from Patient 1:

Became a Vampyr at age 22.

Has lived 14 years as a Vampyr.

Was turned into a Vampyr by another older Vampyr. He will not share her name. Declares that he is immortal.

Declares that transformation into a Vampyr can only take place if the human dies after their blood has come in contact with Vampyr blood or that they have consumed Vampyr blood before dying.

June 8th, 1871: It has been three days since Patient 1 has been provided any blood. He has hunger pains in his lower abdomen. He is irritable and quickly becoming uncooperative.

June 12th, 1871: It has now been one week since Patient 1 has been provided any blood. Patient 1 no longer speaks to me. His eyes have transitioned to a solid gold color. Before, his eyes were blue. Fangs have extracted where his maxillary canines were. He attacks the cell as I approach. Dark circles are forming under his eyes. Patient 1 struggles with sleep.

June 19th, 1871: It has now been two weeks since Patient 1 has been provided any blood. Patient 1 transitions between short bouts of sleep, manic pacing, and frequent attacks to the cell door. I have had to reinforce the cell door with three chains and padlocks. Patient 1 has lost signs of human intelligence, problem solving, and an ability to properly communicate. Patient 1 is becoming animalistic.

June 21st, 1871: Patient 1 was provided 8 oz. of human blood. Only after two hours of consumption, Patient 1 has already shown signs of his humanity returning. He speaks clearly and shows signs of problem solving and intelligence. Patient 1 describes his drink of blood as revitalizing.

June 23rd, 1871: Patient 1 is deceased. Means of death ~ sun exposure. Vampyrs cannot sustain life while in the sun. The sun is their weakness.

June 24th, 1871: I have kept 24 oz. of Patient 1 blood. I struggle with the desire to consume the blood and turn myself into a Vampyr. The research from my point of view would be substantial.

June 31st, 1871: Vampyr blood is like a disease. It spreads and uses the host body to transform the host into a new species. My body has undergone drastic changes. I can go longer periods of time without sleep and can sleep less hours. I have become significantly stronger. As a man I was able to lift 120 lbs. Now as a Vampyr I can easily lift over 500 lbs. I am faster and can run as quickly as a horse.

I can see in great detail. Colors are brighter, causing details to be seen more easily. Certain colors are attractants and more visibly stimulating, such as red, orange, and yellow. (I have not yet discovered why this is so.)

I can leap to great heights. It takes great energy but can be done. My hearing is more acute. Voices and sounds are louder and at times uncomfortable. My sense of smell has increased. I can smell blood from a great distance.

My body no longer requires that I defecate or urinate, nor do I secrete fluids of any sort. I no longer cry, vomit, or sneeze. Conceiving children is no longer possible, not without the capability of excreting semen.

I require the consumption of blood frequently. The blood I consume appears to regenerate my body and give it life. Without it I am weaker and feel as though I am decaying. Animal blood sustains the body but does not revitalize like human blood. Certain animals are not favorable, such as reptiles, bats, or birds. Cats are very wary of me. They are quick to scatter when I approach.

My emotions are elevated and similar to when I was a boy in puberty. My appearance has changed. My eyes have transitioned to a bright golden hue. This feature allows me to see in the darkness with ease. The transition can be controlled by maintaining a calm disposition. Most times this is difficult due to elevated emotions and heightened senses.

During my transition, my maxillary canines grew longer and sharper into fangs similar to a predatory mammal. These fangs can now retract and extract depending on my control and my hunger. However, there have been several instances that my fangs extract beyond my control.

Living as a Vampyr is a combination between having human sophistication and characteristics combined with animalistic needs. This is not much different than the human. The primary difference between a human and a Vampyr is that the human life revolves around reproduction and improvement, while the Vampyr’s survival requires sustainability.

I am enlisting the help of my dearest friend, Doctor Harold Cummins, to continue the research on the species, Vampyr. He has agreed to help me study my condition and assist with provisions that require daylight to accomplish.

Doctor Edward Allis

Kayci’s toes had turned to raisins. The water had gone cold. She had been so captivated by the book she had lost track of time. She set the book aside. No wonder Rosemary said the authors had firsthand experience. One of the authors had turned himself into a vampire. She wondered if Edward Allis was still a living vampire. If so, he’d be just a little younger than Adrian but would probably look older, since he was a successful doctor. She imagined a doctor being older, but maybe not. She laughed at her frivolous thoughts as she wrapped the towel around herself. She could simply ask Adrian. He’d know. He was from that time.

Kayci grabbed the book and set it on her nightstand as she walked into her bedroom. She was putting on comfortable clothes to relax in, when the doorbell rang. She jumped in surprise. She grabbed her moldavite necklace and quickly put it around her neck. Her guard went up as she walked down the stairs and headed toward the front door. She wasn’t sure who to expect. She quickly looked out the window before opening the door to an attractive blond-haired guy. Mentally she was prepared for him to be a regular guy
or
a vampire
,
considering the late hour. She opened the door and stayed back far enough to be out of arm’s reach.

“How can I help you?” she asked cautiously.

The blond-haired mystery man smiled and tried to extend his hand out to her, as if to shake her hand. His hand couldn’t pass the threshold. Her suspicion was confirmed.

“I do apologize. Vampires can’t enter unless invited,” she said casually.

“Clever dievča.” He spoke with a slight Slavic accent. She didn’t understand the last word he said, but she caught the clever part. She couldn’t help but smile a little.

“What are you here for? Did Danika send you?” she asked irritably.

The vampire’s eyebrows turned downward in puzzlement. Danika hadn’t sent him.

“What are you here for?” Kayci asked again.

The attractive blond vampire straightened his back and comfortably placed his hands together in front of him. “You’ve been officially invited to meet with the Covenant. I suggest you come willingly.” The last few words sounded like a threat, yet he said it politely.

“And if I choose not to come with you?”

The vampire smiled, baring the tips of his pearly white fangs. “You can’t hide inside this house forever. To come on your own volition is better than arriving by force.”

It startled Kayci how elegant and courteous the vampire represented himself. Perhaps she needed to take him seriously.

“How do I know you won’t hurt me once I come outside?”

“You don’t,” he replied casually.

“Can I at least change my clothes?”

The vampire nodded his head, gesturing his consent.

Kayci returned to her bedroom and gathered a comfortable outfit to wear. She didn’t know if she would to need to defend herself, so flexibility was priority. She tucked her knife into her boot and then reluctantly made her way back downstairs. The vampire showed no irritation with the time it took her to get ready. He smiled at her politely and waited for her to step outside. Kayci picked up her wallet, phone, and house key, then slowly walked out her front door, unsure of what would happen next. Relief swept over her when all the vampire did was gesture toward the silver vehicle parked in front of her house.

He motioned for her to walk ahead of him. Kayci couldn’t help glancing back at him a couple times to ensure he had no plans to attack her. As they neared the car, he quickly moved ahead of her so he could hold the rear passenger car door open. She couldn’t help smiling. He was at least a gentleman. He seemed to have no intentions of hurting her. She stepped into the vehicle, with the blond vampire following behind, taking the seat next to her. He said nothing, but nodded for the chauffeur to drive. As the car pulled forward, a knot developed in her stomach. She hoped he wasn’t taking her to her death.

The vampire adjusted his suit jacket. He didn’t look at Kayci as he spoke.“What’s your name?” He asked with his distinct accent.

Kayci watched him stare forward. Finally, he turned his gaze toward her when she didn’t respond. His stunning light-blue eyes stared at her expectantly.

She stared back. “My name is Kayci.”

“You’re quite brave, Kayci.”

“Thank you…” She indicated she wanted to say his name but that he hadn’t told her it yet.

“Vladimir. My name is Vladimir.”

“I don’t know how this works, because I am new to the vampire world, but I’m curious…”