Blood Rider
Chapter 10

Another mad vampire. Lee wondered what pearls of wisdom this one had. She was surprised when it was Lucien who picked her up in a hummer, with four slim caretakers or ‘honor escort’. The vehicle was impressive, but then what running vehicle wasn’t? They were museum artifacts of a time long passed. Yet those with enough power could make them work, in different ways, often seeing it as a mark of status. For vampires, it was more amusement and nostalgia. The trip was longer than it likely was because Lucian kept trying to engage in conversation, which usually rambled into something else entirely and there was no way she could know what he was talking about.

“We’re being followed,” Lucian said, for the fifth time. He had made her look the first few times and even scan with her aura the third. Now it was just irksome. “They’re out there watching us.”

“Who?” she asked, hoping faintly she could at least be amused by his delusions.

“The Council, of course. You know they steal people for their experiments.”

“I work for the Council,” she said blandly. Although if the horde was the product of one of their wizards trying out a new spell she wondered how long she could willingly work with such an association.

He stared over at her for a moment, suddenly looking lucid and startled. With his utterly pale gray eyes, he never seemed to be really alert, but he could look sly, like a mischievous child. “That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. It shouldn’t have happened that way. The audacity of the Council taking you.”

“Not so bad actually, since they took me from an insane asylum.”

He grinned. “Really? Don’t worry ’bout it, dove. People think I’m crazy all the time. They’re all fools, begotten by fools.”

“I don’t think I’m crazy,” she snapped.

“Crazy is as crazy does. Crazy is in your essence and it will come out somehow. Do you hear voices?”

“I will choke you,” she said calmly.

“Is that what your rider tells you to do?” he mocked.

She glared at him. So much for that secret. He wanted her to be angry, she suspected. To rile her up for some reason. She leaned forward, studying him openly and intently. “You know I want to bleed you dry. You’re sane enough to sense the pressure of my essence. What I wonder is why you would let me? What punishment do you think you deserve?”

He pulled back from her, looking so painfully torn. Tears brimmed in his eyes. Christian looked about ready to choke Lee as well and the tension within the vehicle heightened almost painfully. The bump of auras so much more tangible within a confined space.

She sighed and looked away.

He was blissfully silent after that, aside from him mumbling to himself, which sounded suspiciously like he was having multiple conversations. She rather hoped she didn’t sound like that. Lucien made her uncomfortable for that very fact. As far as she could tell, things were not real unless someone else verified them to be. And when wizards were involved, sometimes not even then. Lee had no way of determining if Charlie was real in any sense or some mad delusion of hers.

-That is extremely insulting.-

But there it is.

-If I had hands I would bitch slap some sense into you.-

I assure you, it is far too late for that.

They drove through the Vampire Quarter, near the outskirts until they arrived at a nondescript brick building. Different from others because she could feel the pulse of power within it, see the guards in the shadows and on the roof. This building was well protected, and so it would be since they guarded the head of their line, an ancient. They had to keep him safe, if he died war would erupt to find a replacement, the region would be vulnerable to any Master wishing to make a claim. Lee imagined it would be easy to crumble the power structure with Lucien being the next link down in the area. Crazed or not, better to have him and his Sire than the chaos of a Clan war.

-Poor Eric has his hands full babysitting the crazies.-

Question is, crazy like us or just plain loony. I don’t understand what they mean by uncontrollable. Not mad like a bleeder, but may be consumed by bloodlust? Obviously, they expect him to be lucid enough to be able to shed some light on the horde.

-Maybe just crazy reclusive.-

We wish that was the only sort of crazy we were looking at here.

They stepped out and Lucien linked her arm with his, smiling vacantly. “Lord Jakin will be pleased to see you. He was born in Constantinople you know, in the year 1001. People thought the world was going to end right before his birth as well, in 1000. But the world doesn’t end on even numbers or by the calendar of man does it?”

“As it turned out, no.”

“His mother was influential with Empress Zoe, who was known as the emperor maker.”

“How the mighty have fallen,” she said politely, having no idea what place or time he referenced, except that it was dead and gone. Never much liked pre-Creation history lessons. Vampires did place a great deal of importance on their lineage though.

“She publicly married a Saxon for obvious trade benefits, although there were more strategic benefits for linking the two distinct vampire clans.”

“Ah.”

“It means he was an heir to a European Clan and then later, much later, to Canada.”

“Seems he is losing a bit of land there somewhere,” she remarked, since Canada didn’t exist and Middle Canada was perhaps one-eighth of the size.

“He has been distracted these last few centuries. But be assured he is the only vampire of his age and lineage in all the northern lands. Besides, human borders are not the same thing at all.”

“I’ll be suitably impressed by this when I meet him.”

Vampires blurred around them until several stood at the door. They knew of her arrival but didn’t look as though they approved of her presence. She smiled at their discomfort as Lucien escorted her into the building. The main floor was an open loft style. There was a functional kitchen at the far end but the rest looked like three studies smoothed together. It was clearly designed to accept a dozen guests and have them socialize at ease in the plush leather chairs. She looked around slowly. “Is his receiving area upstairs?”

“No, second level is for the live-in guards. The Elite.”

“Huh.” She scanned the room again. Functional, but not lived in. “Where is this Lord Master of yours then?” Lucien had earned himself a comfy prison and she was beginning to wonder why their mad Lord Master didn’t warrant that. In fact, she was beginning to wonder why she trusted Clan, in the middle of their Quarter and led by a lunatic. Perhaps it was because Lucien claimed to know her or the violent reaction Charlie had to him. As far as reasons went it was pretty stupid. Eric, at least, she had some history with. She should have insisted he come.

-We will kill him.-

All in due time.

Lucian nodded to a door to the left. “He is held downstairs.”

It was the tone, less than the statement, which implied he was restrained downstairs. As in, always downstairs. She had suspected as much when they said ‘uncontrolled’. If it were some sort of temporary madness, affliction or bloodlust, even if he was reasonable enough to talk to he would be constrained most of the time for his own good. Vampires may be free of physical ailments because of their riders, but riders couldn’t heal mental wounds, or psychological problems, or not all of them at least and so it was not unheard of for some ancients to have to be restrained. And, actually, to have to get long, long-term therapy. Poor, poor bastard. Which is why one should never admit to being crazy.

“Ah.” Lee slipped her arm free of him. “You have him locked up then? Exactly how often do you let him out?”

“As I recall, been about two centuries, give or take a few years.”

“That would drive anyone mad.”

“He has been treated as best he can be in this situation.”

This coming from a recovering bleeder, who by all evidence was pampered.

“Why?” she asked to determine exactly what sort of mental condition she was looking at with the ancient. A bit of depression with suicidal tendencies, or a manic she could deal with but a psychotic or sociopath was out of her league.

He cocked his head. “You would know if you were Clan. As it should have been. Jakin feels the call. As only a true blood can. One that hasn’t been heard or felt in a very long time.”

“Like he has the calling to be a priest? Or… a nun?”

“Not that sort of calling,” he snapped. Clearly not amused.

Lee was beginning to get a bit antsy. Why would Clan vampires, in particular, Eric and Lucien, push her to talk to their Lord Master? Was there no sane ancient that had the answers she needed? They had both been willing, in their own way, to let her meet with someone more powerful and capable to answer the questions she had. Why? Could they not get the vital information she needed and pass it along? “And just how can this man, so mad he must be imprisoned for two centuries, be able to answer any questions about these rogue vampires?”

She took a few steps back towards the door only to find herself facing four vampires. The Elite were born and bred warriors, trained to defend the Lord Master. It took five hundred years of service to even qualify to train as Elite. And the men before her; calm, stoic, like chiselled marble were damn gorgeous. Each had long ebony hair, whether it was hanging loose or braided. All had pale blue eyes; very determined eyes. They vibrated with an intense energy that spoke of age, yet Charlie was not being driven to respond to them.

-If you ask, maybe they will bite you. Or spank you.-

Lee’s entire essence shivered away from them, knowing they were a threat and were beyond her in strength. For the first time in a very long time, her aura of power receded, secured around her and away from theirs.

Not the sort I would play with, Charlie.

Lucian leaned towards her, pale eyes flashing with a silver sheen of mischievousness or madness. “I recall you asked about what you call riders. Is that not so? And who would know more than a born vampire?”

She eyed the Elite warriors up, her hand resting on Sunshine. Fighting her way out would be dramatic, but quite likely fatal. She wished she just had a glimmer of a clue about what the hell they wanted.

“So you want me to talk to your Sire and have a chat about riders?”

Lucian stepped back quickly looking pensive. “He can fix you.”

“You cannot see the Master armed. Please remove your weapons,” Gorgeous Elite number one said. His hair hung loose and majestic. She expected him to toss it back like a mane.

“Any reason you Elite don’t have any woman? You sexist or something?” she asked. Most groups were sexist these days. Vampires being so old school they brought sexism back in style.

Two remained stoic, one scowled but one smirked. The smirk said, “Actually, the Lord Master’s Elite are served by males whereas his Consort will be of her chosen female Elite. An unmated male is unpredictable around strong females. Lustful or violent.”

She raised a brow. Sounded as volatile as she was around aged vampires. Probably wouldn’t be a good idea for an Elite female to be attacked all the time by her boss.

The fellow with braided hair and a perpetual frown said, “Please remove your weapons.” Polite. Firm.

The scene was beginning to give her an itch. That itch of instinct that said ‘run away screaming while you still can, stupid.’

“I have decided I don’t need to speak with him,” Lee said. “This is all Clan business. I have another lead to follow and I’ll work with Eric and a wizard friend on it. You’re free to handle these rogues as you please. And my curiosity can be satisfied at a more convenient time.”

She saw a flicker of amusement in gorgeous locks eyes. It was brief, but she was certain it had been there. Enough for her to suspect these rogues were not their top priority. Maybe they had granted her an audience with their Sire, not because of some peculiar new threat but because it served their Master in some way.

-Crap. I think what they are thinking here is ‘checkmate’.-

What I’m thinking is you’re right. Never trust a goddamned bleeder. Who knows why the hell he dragged us here but it wasn’t for what he said that’s for fucking sure.

“Remove your weapons, dhampir,” the first repeated.

She slowly unbuckled her scabbard and let it drop. “I’m no dhampir.”

Lee wasn’t even sure the myth of the dhampir was real. She’d never seen one. Vampires couldn’t have children and so producing one with a human, a half-blood and daywalker was in the realm of myth, even among their kind. Yet if the raving rogue had been right, then her father was a vampire. Lee shivered, never thinking about what the possible consequences of that meant. Yet, she was no daywalker. Frankly, it was confusing. Either she was a child of a vampire father and a mixed breed. Or she was an accidentally turned who wasn’t quite turned right. People should get their stories right.

Lucien laughed. “Of course you’re not. While it is true your mother was human, she was a witch. While I was a werewolf before my turning and turned by a true born it was entirely different.”

“And the knives,” the Elite said, but Lucien’s words seemed to sink into her so deeply she barely heard it.

“What does it matter what you were before you were turned? Did you know my mother?” Lee asked, her voice a hoarse whisper.

-Kill him. Rip his throat out.-

Lee trembled slightly as rage uncurled within her, heating her skin. -They have trapped us, Lee. Tricked us by your curiosity. But him, most of all, lies with his vacant eyes.-

For a moment he looked confused and his eyes flicked over the room as though just realizing where he was.

She took a swift step towards him, feeling the whirl of power around her as she was surrounded by the Elite and heard the smooth sound of metal being drawn. “Did you know my mother? Do you know me?” she hissed out.

“You’re my daughter,” he said as if it were the most obvious statement in the world.

“You fucking liar,” she roared, pouncing on him. She saw a brief flash of surprise on his features as she knocked him to the ground, pulling a knife from her thigh sheath and pressing it to his neck. She was going to pierce him in the jugular and watch him bleed right before she was knocked off him. One of the Elite picked her up and slammed her back into the ground. Two others pinned her. Still all she could think about was getting to Lucien, even as she watched him sit up and stare at her with wide eyes. Startled, but not surprised.

One of the Elite jerked her face to meet his, brought his face close and said, “Calm the fuck down, dhampir. I don’t care what you think of Lucien. Only what he has said about you. So you will see the Lord Master, whether you want to or not. Understood?”

She felt his aura press her down, until she could not move, other than a shuddering shake that didn’t accomplish much of anything. Lee was well aware he had the skill to shove her mind into submission, yet chose not to. Quite surprising, since when able a vampire would rely on the skill to stun the weaker. Still her rage seemed to dissipate, leaving her stunned and numb.

He lies, right, Charlie?

-I know what you know. I know we hate him. I know he deserves to die for what he did.-

What did he do?

-You expect me to remember what you cannot? Or tell you what you cannot hear? I will not do that to you.-

He leaned back slightly. Assessing her threat and with a nod to his companions, his comrades frisked her and took her other knives.

She stared at Lucien, mumbling to himself and seated in one of the leather chairs. “He’s not my father. He’s delusional,” she said flatly. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“I don’t care what you think, lass. But I can feel your blood line. I don’t doubt Lucien in some things. And your father was most definitely a vampire.” He stood up smoothly as the other warily released me. “Come, see the Lord Master. If you’re not the one you can leave Clan grounds and never see Lucien again.”

He held out a hand and she pulled herself to her feet. “Then let’s get this over with.”

They escorted her to the door, the one keeping her arm in a firm guiding hand. Another swept the door open with a small bow and gestured in. The stairs led into darkness, as would be expected from the most secure location within the building. Lee stopped at the first step, a shiver running down her spine. The Lord Master pulsed with energy far stronger than she had ever felt. She hesitated to step into that vortex. The Elite standing a few steps below glanced back, his eyes shining a deeper blue. “I’ll unlock the room and you will go inside. There you will remain until next nightfall. This last decade something has riled him up, but he has been well fed.”

“Oh good. So I’m not food then,” she whispered.

He chuckled, as she was nudged forward. “I wouldn’t say that. He is temperamental.”

Great.

Charlie remained silent but with each step she took she felt the rise of her vampiric instincts. An awareness of the energy currents they all created, and the deep rumble from the room below. At the bottom of the stairs was a small concrete room and a secure metal door. She could feel the deep pulse of energy vibrate through her, like the deep bass beats of loud music.

“Crap,” she said. That was about all there was to be said from the frustrated rage she felt from behind the door. Not the mad raving rage of the rogues they had found, but something deeper and more primal. Very aware and not pleased. So ancient her teeth ached with the vibrations from his aura. This vampire was aware of them. His aura was fully charged and spread out. Not at all shrouded or dampened.

They pressed her close to the door as they unlocked the bolts. They opened the just enough to gently push her forward and closed it behind her. She leaned against it, letting her vision adjust to the darkness until she could see the gleam of silver outlining the walls and the violet swirl of energy in the corner. Her eyes fixated on the flicking area of deep purple and black. Never before had she felt like prey. Her heart raced out of control and she froze.

If I am still and quiet, maybe it won’t see me. And that stupid thought was followed by, If I can see him, he can see me.

Her eyes darted around the room, which was looking far more like a cell. There were chains on the wall, with restraint cuffs. To her left was a bed, comfortable looking, but also the only furniture in the room. In the corner was a pile of books, randomly stacked. She looked again into the darkness which swirled with a magnetizing aura. Jakin was crouched down, his arms resting on his legs. She knew he was staring at her. She could feel the intensity of his focus, but could only see a shimmer of dark eyes. He stood up slowly and the darkness seemed to cling to his muscles. She was keenly aware his chest was bare, as the shadows slid across them. She licked her lips slowly. When she felt heat pool within her she trembled with it and little tugs of pleasure followed.

“Oh damn,” she said, knowing her reaction to his power was going to be hard to resist, especially when her nature dictated she didn’t. She had just a moment to feel a sliver of anger at the situation before he moved with elegant vampire speed, shoved her against the wall and pinned her by the neck. She didn’t think to move or resist, instinctively responding to a stronger predator than her by being still.

Now that his eyes were inches from hers she could see they were a dark purple. A beautiful, rich shade of smooth velvet. His canines were fully extended, yet he only exerted enough force on her neck to hold her in place. They remained frozen like this for a few long seconds, as his aura coiled around her. His canines receded slightly and she could feel some of the tension melt from his body. “You,” he said, his voice hoarse but there was a deep profound relief in the word. He no longer looked like he wanted to rip her throat out. “Finally.”

His aura caressed along her, licking her skin with light flickers. She shivered as pleasure coursed through her, her body immediately reacting in anticipation. His hand eased on her neck, lightly outlining her jaw. Her breath caught and she felt a sizzle of awareness at the touch, but also a sizzle of anger. She wasn’t about to be the plaything of a Master vampire. Her teeth elongated and her aura pushed against him. He didn’t move away, just smiled a feral grin. She tried to slap away his arm and instead found her hand captured in his. He grabbed her other hand and pressed them into the wall above her, held in a vice grip by one hand. His other hand danced lightly across one breast, tightening the nipple. He pressed against her, touched his lips to hers in a soft caress. So light, tentative and teasing. As though he had the time and restraint to harness his passion. She jerked away, trying to rein in her response to him. He kissed up along her jaw, nipping her earlobe. When he nipped at her throat her body melted.

“I’m not here for this,” she whispered, needing to say something, but her essence quivered with desire.

“Mine,” he said and his teeth sank into her throat. His teeth were not extended enough for a feeding; just enough to pierce her skin and drive a spike of raw desire through her. The raging need that drove a vampire hit her hard and magnified by the pull of his power; a black hole of energy that drew her in.

Jakin released her hands in order grip her waist and pull her against him. He released her neck and briefly made burning eyes contact before he pulled her backwards. He turned and she hit the edge of his bed, falling backwards with him covering her.

She was beyond reasoning, just writhing in the sensation of him nipping her skin, suckling her nipples, stroking his tongue over her heated skin. His hand slid into her pants, delving and then stroking. She arched upward, needed more. Her pants were removed quickly, by one of them, or both of them. She reached down cupping his erection, outlining it with her hand, feeling it straining against his pants. She undid the ties until she could slide them down. She let out a moan of satisfaction as her hands glided over his ass, then around to take his erection into her hand. He made a low growling groan as she slid her hands down in one caress.

Jakin rose up, staring down at her with desire and hunger in his rich purple eyes. “Taste my blood,” he demanded.

“No,” she said, pulling him to her so she could kiss those brooding lips. He angled in to deepen it; his tongue darted in tasting and demanding. Her knees came up and her hands wove into his black hair; short, but full satiny wavy locks.

He pulled his lips way to say, “Yes.”

“No.” She ran her hands down his back and then raked upward with her nails.

He leaned inward, moving so he was cradled close to her. “You deny me?”

She felt the hardness of him nudge against her. So close to what she needed.

“And this need? Would you deny us this as well?”

“No.”

“Then say you need this,” he taunted, nuzzling her neck and licking the wound.

“I want you. Inside me. Now,” she said; maybe angry at the admission but not denying it. She couldn’t deny it. Her essence quickened with ripples of pleasure, her body flush with the contact and her mind screaming for more, for completion and satisfaction.

He penetrated with one swift thrust, causing her back to arch. Both of them were filled with the roaring need of their essence. His need was echoed back to her and feeling the force of it increased her desire. He thrust deep and hard, which is what she demanded and needed. She wrapped her legs around him and clutched her hands at his hips, pulling him closer.

“I want to hear you scream for me,” he said.

He kept his pace fast and deep and then his hand reached between them, stroking her to new heights.

“Come for me now, mate.”

Lee arched upwards, pleasure exploding in that moment of bliss as he thrust harder and harder. She screamed for him as she hit to her peak again and again. He stiffened when he reached his climax and sank his teeth into her shoulder, which arched her orgasm again. She soared through the release, with that sense of completeness only gained by most excellent and rigorous relations with one of her own kind. She had long denied herself the exquisite sensations of a vampire joining. Lee had to wonder, if she had bitten into him would it even have been better?

Jakin relaxed, breathing deeply. He kissed and flicked his tongue over the bite on her shoulder, numbing the slight pain she was beginning to feel.

Immediately after she was filled with a lazy euphoria of pure satisfaction. She hadn’t had a steady lover since Eric and that had been a mistake on her part. All needs had to be fulfilled and couldn’t be replaced by another, unless it was blood. It came to no surprise she had been so engulfed by it with such an ancient power. Perhaps Lucien and the Elite had been aware of this. In fact how could they not? Eric was very aware of her instant response to Master strength energy, even Lucien was, although the reaction had been different. She was far too satisfied to be angry, yet, especially when Jakin was murmuring in some guttural foreign language and kissed up her neck.

-You let him bite us.-

Lee was in loads of trouble now. Yet as Jakin began to gently stroke her body with explorative hands she had a hard time thinking about it.

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