Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) (26 page)

Kayci felt a flicker of warmth escape from her core. She smiled, only to have it fade as the aching memory of Elise’s vicious kidnapping plagued her thoughts.

“I’m worried about my friend Elise. A vampire named Danika is hell-bent on killing me and now has my best friend as a hostage. I don’t know what she plans on doing to her. I’m scared for her life. I want to do something. I feel helpless sitting here.”

“Danika, you say? Can you describe what this vampire looks like?”

“Yeah. Beautiful, tall, curly black hair, bronze skin, exotic looking, and psychotic. She’s tried to kill me twice now. She’s using me as leverage to get Adrian to stop hunting her.”

“Ah yes, I know the vampire, Danika Panetierre. The Covenant had a run-in with her once before. She is an example of the rogue vampires I spoke about earlier. She went into hiding after the Covenant declared her a danger to our existence. Kayci, I think there is something you should know about Danika and Adrian.”

Kayci’s eyebrows lowered in concern. “What about them?”

“Adrian and Danika were once lovers. Danika sired Adrian. She turned Adrian into a vampire,” Thorne added when Kayci gave him a puzzled look. “The only reason the Covenant did not kill Adrian when we found out was because he saved Vladimir’s life. Danika’s coven had Vladimir trapped and was about to kill him. Adrian fought against his own coven to save Vladimir. Adrian and Danika were already split apart. Saving Vladimir irrevocably ended their bond. The Covenant chose to let him live as long as he vowed to help us when we were in need of his skills. He helped the Covenant hunt for Danika when she went into hiding. Knowing what he is capable of, I don’t believe he tried very hard to find her. She must have recently returned to Naples. I imagine when she did return, she wasn’t pleased to find that Adrian cares for another.”

Kayci felt sick to her stomach. Her head lowered, and her voice was soft.

“Sounds like it’s more than using me as leverage.” Kayci recalled what Adrian had told her about his past. “It explains a few other things as well.”

She heaved a sigh, then looked back at Thorne. “Why didn’t he tell me this?”

“No man wants to tell the woman he cares for about the woman he once loved, especially if the man is trying to forget her.”

Kayci leaned her head into her hand and exhaled.

Thorne could sense the tornado within her disseminate.

“You mentioned Adrian’s vampire-hunting skills were valuable to the Covenant. Do vampires have other skills, like how Adrian’s a vampire hunter?”

Thorne delighted in her curiosity with their kind. A distraction clearly needed, as it aided in lessening her sorrow over her friend’s dire situation.

“Yes, some vampires have additional skills beyond the normal vampire skills. Not all though. It seems as though certain humans may have had dormant skills before they were vampires. Once they went through the transition, those skills were no longer dormant. Each member of the Covenant has these additional skills. It gives us an advantage that we need to govern vampires.”

“What are the skills of the vampires in the Covenant?”

“Vladimir and Natalia can sense danger and misfortune before it happens. Orrick can read your deepest thoughts. Florence has incredible strength. Beatrice can manipulate emotions through her voice. She tends to only use it to calm others. My beautiful sister, Eva, well, she can bend your will. She can’t make you do things you wouldn’t normally do. However, if the thought is somewhere in there, she can bring it to the forefront of your mind and push that particular thought to become what you want.”

“That’s incredible. I’m sure that has come in handy many times for her.”

Thorne nodded. “Oh yes, she is quite acquainted with her skills.”

Thorne adjusted in his chair, his gaze far off, as if deep in his memories.

“What is your skill?”

His attention shifted back to Kayci.

“I can sense what others are feeling emotionally. It has been quite advantageous for me in many instances.”

Kayci couldn’t help but smile. “No wonder you have the reputation for being charming.”

Thorne smiled as well. “That’s why I frustrated your mother. She could never hide from me how she really felt.”

Kayci inhaled a deep breath, thinking of her mother and her skills.

“Thorne, how much do you know of my mother’s skills and the Craft?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Maybe I’m not as helpless as I think. Maybe I can help Elise from here.”

Thorne leaned forward in the chair, clearly interested in what she had to say.

“Do you know if the person has to be here if I do a protection spell for them?”

“I don’t believe so. If my memory is serving me correctly, you only need something that belongs to them and a photo of them. I also know your spell will be stronger if you don’t do it alone. Perhaps Rosemary can help you? Do you feel well enough to travel?”

Kayci’s adrenaline began to flow from the anticipation of helping Elise. She quickly rose from the couch to grab a sweater she had of Elise’s.

“Yes, absolutely,” she responded as she headed for the stairs.

Chapter 18

“You came to the right place, my dear. Don’t worry about how late it is.”

Rosemary welcomed Kayci and Thorne inside and closed the shop door behind them.

“I’m surprised you heard us knocking on the door of your shop, but I’m glad you did. I don’t think we have much time.”

Kayci could hear the anxiety in her own voice.

“I was laying in bed reading, when I heard the knocking below. It’s no bother.”

Kayci and Thorne followed Rosemary into the back room that Kayci had become quite accustomed to. As they entered the room, the usual fragrances filled Kayci’s nostrils. Some of her tension eased with each breath.

“Kayci, my dear, light the white candle. That is the one we’ll need.”

Kayci did as instructed while Rosemary gathered a large bowl with a deep cavity and placed it on the center of the table. Rosemary tilted the burning white candle so the wax dripped into the bottom of the bowl.

“Do you have something of Elise’s and a photo of her?”

Kayci began to hand the sweater and photo to Rosemary, but Rosemary stopped her.

“You must do the rest. Place the white candle into the warm wax so it holds it firmly. I’ll gather the water.”

Kayci pressed the white candle into the heated wax at the base of the bowl and waited for further instruction. Rosemary brought the teakettle full of water over to the table.

“Place the sweater and photo into the bowl.”

Kayci did as instructed.

“Now pour this water into the bowl, and fill it until the water meets the top of the candle.”

Kayci took the kettle from Rosemary and poured the water into the large bowl.

“Make sure the sweater is soaked.”

Kayci pushed the sweater into the water, ensuring every part of it was saturated. The photo floated to the top as the water level rose. It was a picture of her and Elise celebrating the last St. Patrick’s Day.

Thorne watched the photo rise. He could feel Kayci’s fear as she stared at the photo. He gently placed a hand on her arm to reassure her.

“Now light the wick, close your eyes, and picture Elise in your mind. Picture her wrapped in a cloak of protection. Now place your hands around the bowl, and repeat after me.”

Kayci could feel Rosemary’s hands cover her own. A spark of energy ignited when their hands touched. She thought about Elise and pictured the image of her clearly in her mind. She tried to picture her surrounded by a force of protection.

“
Serva te ab ea quae nocere velint
. Protect thee from those that wish to harm her,” Rosemary said aloud.

Kayci repeated the words and continued to picture the protective cloak around Elise. She felt the warmth inside of her growing. It coiled into a ball and pulsed each time she repeated the chant.

Thorne observed the wick of the white candle burn fiercely. As soon as it hit the water, the flame went out, and the water drained from the bowl as if it had a hole at the bottom, but no water escaped. The water simply evaporated with abnormal speed.

Rosemary stopped saying the chant and lifted her hands. Kayci felt the release of energy and opened her eyes in response. She slowly removed her own hands from the bowl as the last of the water disappeared.

“Did it work?” Kayci asked anxiously.

“Yes, but it will only last a few hours”

Thorne looked at them both. “Hopefully, it’s enough.”

***

“This is the building.”

Adrian’s eyes were golden and his fangs visible. The odor of Danika’s coven vampires overwhelmed his senses.

“They were wounded yet foolishly came right to their hideout.”

Adrian peered up at the high-rise building.

“Knowing her, it will have a balcony and a view.”

Vladimir raised his head and looked in the same direction as Adrian.

“After you,” he told him.

Adrian landed quietly on the roof, glancing back as Vladimir landed behind him.

“The balcony is the best way in. She won’t be expecting us.”

“Which one?” Vladimir asked.

“It’ll be one on the east, facing the ocean.”

Adrian walked to the east edge of the building and closed his eyes. Adrian lifted his chin and sniffed, trying to locate the scent of the vampires they had been tracking. Adrian looked back toward Vladimir and pointed north.

“Let’s check the balconies going north from here.”

Adrian and Vladimir leapt off the roof and landed on two balconies next to one another. Their footfalls barely made a sound. They each searched inside the glass doors and checked for vampire activity. Neither one saw what they were looking for. Adrian stepped onto the railing of the balcony and used it as leverage to leap to the next balcony. He heard Vladimir take to the roof again above him. When Adrian landed onto the next balcony, the familiar scent overwhelmed him. They were here. Adrian moved to the edge of the balcony out of sight and signaled to Vladimir.

Vladimir leapt from the balcony he stood on and landed on the balcony of Danika’s suite. He went to Adrian’s side. Adrian motioned for them to enter. They slipped inside the slightly open balcony door and pushed aside the windblown drapes.

A young dark-haired male and a fair-haired female were on the couch, making out, while a third dark-skinned vampire stood near the bar, filling a wineglass with the blood of his latest victim. The dark-skinned vampire noticed them immediately, but the two vampires making out took longer to realize Adrian and Vladimir had entered the living room. The dark-skinned one eyed them suspiciously but hadn’t decided if they were a threat yet.

“What’s your business here, fellas?” he asked. “Looking for someone?”

Adrian sized up the situation now that the two vampires that were making out were attentive and standing up. Without saying a word, Adrian and Vladimir nodded to one another and then moved across the room like lightning striking. Adrian beheaded the dark-haired male vampire before he could react. Blood spilled onto the floor, staining the plush tan carpet. Vladimir jumped over the bar and kicked the dark-skinned vampire in the chest. He slammed into the wall behind him. The wineglass slipped from his hand, spilling all over the carpet as he fell to the floor. The fair-haired female tried to run, but Adrian grabbed her from behind. She barely got a screech out of her mouth before Adrian beheaded her.

Adrian looked back toward Vladimir, eyes a bright gold. Vladimir had finished off the dark-skinned vampire and now stood drinking blood from the wineglass he’d refilled. His gold eyes reflected under the pendant lights hanging above the bar. Adrian smirked at Vladimir. Vladimir shrugged his shoulders.

“We’ve made enough of a ruckus. They’ll be more coming. Might as well refresh myself before they arrive.”

“I’d prefer not to wait for them to come to us.” Adrian headed toward the hallway off the living room. Vladimir set the wineglass down and followed.

Two more male vampires rushed down the hall once they saw Adrian and Vladimir. Adrian spun, increasing his force, and kicked the taller one in the gut. He buckled over and gritted his teeth.

Vladimir rushed at the other and punched him in the jaw. The vampire tried to catch himself from falling by grabbing at the wall, but with nothing to hold on to, he fell backward.

Adrian snapped the vampire’s neck that had buckled over from his kick as Vladimir beheaded the vampire he had socked.

“How many more do you think there are?” Vladimir asked.

“Not sure. So far these have all been fledgling vampires. She keeps the stronger vampires closer to her, and I’m sure there’s more out on the town that could come back at any time.”

“I’d like to not be here when that happens.”

“Then we better get moving,” Adrian insisted.

They continued down the hall, listening for any signs of Elise or other vampires.

***

Elise’s head and body drooped in the chair she was tied to. She had been there for several hours now and suffered through multiple bites from Danika and the other vampires. She felt weak, exhausted, and dehydrated. Every bite wound throbbed with pain. Dry blood covered her skin and stained her clothes. Her hope of surviving dwindled. The massive ball of fear in her gut swelled each time Danika stalked into the room to question her about Kayci.

This time Elise didn’t whimper or sob. She was too exhausted, and it only fueled Danika’s cruelty.

“You’re awfully quiet,
blondie
,” Danika taunted.

Four vampires followed Danika into the room. Elise raised her head weakly to look at Danika and the others.

Danika circled Elise. “Perhaps my earlier offer to be turned into a vampire doesn’t sound so bad,
now does it
?”

Elise’s adrenaline began pumping…this time, Danika planned on killing her.

“Just get it over with,” Elise demanded.

“It would be my pleasure,
honestly
, but I’m giving you one last chance to tell me what I want to know about your half-breed vampire friend, and I’ll give you the benefit of dying
quickly
.”

Elise pursed her lips. She was going to be killed anyway. She’d rather not die knowing she helped this monster.

“
Well then
, I guess you’ve made your choice.”

Danika reached toward Elise to grab her by the neck, only…she couldn’t touch her. She tried again. The same thing happened. Her hand couldn’t move any closer than a foot from Elise. Elise raised her head. Her gaping eyes watched Danika’s repeated attempt to seize her. Disbelief swept over her.

“What is this?! Reece, grab her!”

Reece reached toward Elise and hit the same invisible barrier. “I can’t.” He sounded confused and irritated.

Danika snarled. “It seems your friend has found herself a witch to help her.”

“It’s the half-breed herself,” Reece informed her between gritted teeth. “She burned my flesh with nothing but her fingertips.”

Danika’s eyes widened, her expression full of rage.

A splurge of hope exploded from Elise’s core. Kayci had put some kind of spell around her. They couldn’t touch her. Her instincts immediately kicked in, and she began screaming.

“Help! I’m in here! Someone help me!”

“There!” Vladimir pointed to a door at the end of the hall. “She’s in there.”

“Be prepared for anything,” Adrian cautioned as he led the way to the door the screams were coming from.

Adrian motioned for Vladimir to stay against the wall. Adrian opened the door and stayed hidden behind it, listening to the commotion inside. He heard Danika ask Able to check out the door.

Able leaned through the doorway and peered into the hallway. Vladimir was ready. Before Able could say anything, Vladimir yanked him into the hallway and slammed him against the wall. Able brought his arms up and threw off Vladimir’s fist-tight grip on his clothes. Able shoved Vladimir against the wall and swiftly leaned in to take a chunk out of Vladimir’s neck with his fangs. Before he had the chance, Adrian grabbed hold of Able by the neck and lifted him off his feet. Vladimir reached inside his sleeve, pulled a knife from a sheath on his forearm, and slit the vampire’s neck as Adrian held him steady. The vampire dropped to the floor in a puddle of blood.

“Definitely not a fledgling,” Vladimir said.

Adrian kicked the next vampire making his way through the doorway. The vampire fell back, giving room for Adrian and Vladimir to enter. Adrian sized up the situation. Three vampires, including Danika, and none of them fledglings. He recognized the scent of two of them instantly. Reece and another that were responsible for the attack on Kayci and Elise at the parking garage. He looked Elise over. Her misery was apparent. She had bite marks and blood covering every limb and was barely holding herself up in the chair.

“Adrian,” she murmured. “Please help me.”

“Always there to rescue the weak, aren’t you, Adrian?” Danika seethed.

“If you weren’t always trying to kill them, I wouldn’t have to, now would I?”

“We’re vampires, Adrian! It’s what we do. We’re all killers!”

“We don’t have to kill anyone. We’re not all like you, Danika. You do it for pleasure.” His tone condemned her.

“Is that why you’re so hot on this half-breed twit? Do you feel like she’s your savior? Your distraction from what you really are? A killer!”

“That’s what you tried to turn me into. That’s not who I am!” Adrian’s voice reverberated through the room. Every vampire tensed.

Reece came at Adrian from behind. The two others surrounded Vladimir before rushing in to attack him. Both thrashed and clawed at him as he tried to hold them off.

Reece wrapped his arms around Adrian, offering Danika the opportunity to attack him. Danika punched Adrian in the gut, then sliced his lip open when she clocked him in the mouth. Adrian’s eyes flashed their vampire gold, and his fangs extracted. His temper flared. He swiftly head-butted Reece, and as Reece dropped his arms, Adrian spun behind Danika and grabbed her by the throat.