Eternal War Rising to the South: The Beynok Vampire Series (11 page)

“Please let me explain when we get to the compound. I’d rather talk in private.”

“Fine, let’s talk about a different subject. Where do vampires get the financing for a Hummer, and what should I expect from this compound? Is it underground? Is it an abandoned house you call home? You have to give me something.” He looked displeased and uncomfortable with my tone, but I didn’t care. He needed to give me some kind of answers, and he knew it.

“Vampires make money from the human economy. We own many successful businesses in their world. We also hold a lot of shares in a few of the most powerful banks. You, on the other hand, have a benefactor. A very old and wise vampire funded the search for you and will help in funding the war.”

“Benefactor? I have a vampire benefactor? Why?”

“Because of who and what you represent, Anya. You may meet him some day. He has requested to stay anonymous. I haven’t even met him face to face. Without his funding, I would have never been able to travel all over the world to look you for all of these years.”

“This is crazy. Everything you’re saying is crazy. My questions are never answered. They all end with another question. I’m sick of it. Why does the full truth scare you so much? I should jump out of this Hummer and run away from all this as fast as I can.” I heard the locks to the Hummer click.

“It’s fucking childproof, Princess.” Both Corbin and Serenity giggled in the front.

I kicked the back of the driver seat. “You need to stop calling me Princess and pick another name.” I turned back to Sorin. “You’ve ruined my life. I can’t go home. I’m more confused than ever, and now I have a crazed vampire out to kill me.”

“Out of what little you know about the war and your life, would you truly choose to go back home? Would you want to go back to the lies and the misperception of life? Would you choose to live without me?” He pulled himself as far away from me as he could. His arms were crossed, and he was glaring at me with angry black eyes.

“Not fair, Sorin. I’m not answering any of your questions until every one of my questions is answered.” I knew my answer would be no to all of his questions, especially the last one. I could never willingly choose to live in the same world without him again. “Can you explain what the compound is?”

“Sure, you’ll like it.” That was his answer, and the tone he used was cold.
What an asshole.

“Why are you being like this? It’s a simple question, Sorin. I thought you would help me understand. Are you ever going to help me?”

“Yes.” He replied in a colder tone than before. He lunged into my personal space so quickly I didn’t have time to react. His eyes were black. This was not an appropriate time for lovemaking. What was he thinking? I opened myself up to him. A mixed concoction of desire, anger, and hunger for blood pulsed out of him.

“Sorin, control yourself.” I was breathing heavily out of shock.

He placed his lips on mine so hard I could feel my teeth breaking the inside of my lips. I didn’t struggle. Matter of fact, I didn’t even move, not one bit. Sorin pulled away just far enough to remove his lips from mine. He slid his tongue along the inside of my lips licking up a touch of my blood. He closed his eyes and released a sigh of satisfaction. Sorin managed to attract the attention of the two up front. His lids opened, revealing crystal amethyst eyes. I slapped him so hard I broke the skin on his lower cheek. His head hit the back of the seat hard from the heat of my blow. “Next time, it won’t be open-handed,” I said.

“I’m sorry. I’m not quite used to how delicate you are, and when I’m angry I lose control—control over everything, especially the lust and need I have for you. You need to understand, vampires associate lust and sex with feeding. It’s a natural instinct. I almost have it under control. It would be best if I don’t go so long between feedings now that I’m around you.” He wasn’t even looking at me as he spoke.

“So you’re saying you have to have sex every time you feed? I don’t think so. That shit isn’t going to fly.”

“No, Anya. We can feed when we are hungry without sex. But when vampires have sex with the one they want to be bonded to, the desire to feed and mark is there as well.” He sighed, still not looking at me. “Feeding off one another during sex causes vampires to bond with one another. It’s my natural instinct to want to be bonded to you.” He paused and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Well, just remember, I’m not a vampire. I’m a Beynok.”

Both of our bodies tensed, and we didn’t look at one another for the rest of the ride. I could sense his embarrassment and his apologies, but really, come on. I wasn’t sure if I could contain my attitude or mouth for that matter, just in hopes of not being bitten by my boyfriend, if that’s what he was.

It was silent for the rest of the trip. The compound was south of New Mexico, near a city called Carlsbad, and that was the only detail I was privy to since the compound was such a big secret. The drive seemed never ending. The tension in the air was thick and uncomfortable. It made it hard for me to breathe, but I didn’t dare open the window and bring attention to myself. I wanted to sink deep into my seat so no one could see me. I was angry at Sorin and embarrassed Corbin and Serenity had witnessed our quarrel.

I felt the Hummer slow down. “We’re here.” Corbin announced with excitement. I guess he wanted to get out of the damn Hummer as much as I did.

I reached for the door handle, thinking Corbin was about to stop, and felt Sorin’s grip on my arm. He said, “Wait, Anya. We’ve arrived on the property. Wait until we are inside the gates.” I turned to him, and it was the first time we had looked into each other’s eyes since the forceful kiss he had placed on my lips. Regret was written all over his face, but I was still determined to give him the silent treatment. I didn’t want him thinking I was his personal blood bank.

For another twenty minutes, we drove on a one-lane road. At first, the thin tall trees were sparse on both sides of the road, but then they grew very thick, like a dense forest. When the Hummer stopped, I peered past the windshield and saw a three-story high intimidating iron and stone gate.

It opened, revealing a road much like the one we were on. We drove for about two miles before the road started to widen and the trees started to thin out. In the light of a full moon, I saw a huge mansion, four stories tall. The roofline dipped and pointed into many angles and heights, making it difficult to determine in which era the mansion had been built. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I see the compound isn’t a bunch of tents pulled together.” I said sarcastically.

“Shit no, Princess. We live pretty damn well. We have other compounds throughout the states just like this one.” Corbin winked at me and slid out of the Hummer.

Before I could open my door, Sorin was there opening it for me. “Don’t be intimidated,” he said. “It’s only stone and mortar.” Sorin took my hand before I could protest. “And don’t worry. You’ll soon have the answers you want.”

I slid my swords down my back with one hand because Sorin refused to let go of the other. I followed as he led me up the cascading stairs to the fifteen-foot, arched, double doors. This time, when I walked up into the unknown domain, I didn’t open myself. I had learned a valuable lesson in Salvuswy, and I knew I had a way to go before I mastered my gift of sense.

Corbin and Serenity opened one of the doors, and Sorin squeezed my hand as we walked in behind them. The foyer was colossal with four sets of stairs leading up in different directions to the second floor. Then from the second floor another four sets of stairs led to the third floor, and so on. I stood in the middle of the foyer and looked straight up. My eyes followed waves of stairs until I reached the ceiling. There was no ceiling. I mean, the whole foyer’s ceiling was nothing but glass. It was night, so I could see the full moon high above. It was amazing.

A strange, whispering voice rang in my ears. “It’s a stunning view isn’t it?”

My eye fell upon a man that looked just like Gallagher, but his demeanor was different. My instincts took over, and I leapt in the air and drew my swords before my feet hit the floor a foot away from the questionable male. My swords angled in a V with his neck as the centerpiece. My new friends surely didn’t set me up for capture, did they?

He said, “My, my, the swords are beautiful. This is such a privilege. I didn’t think I was going to have the honor of such a close view of them so soon after meeting you.” His eyes were a wicked dark gray. He was not Gallagher, but he looked exactly like him. “I guess we weren’t properly introduced, were we?” He backed out of the V of my swords, and I slid them back into their sheaths slowly and on guard.

I became aware that no one had moved to stop me from attacking this look-alike Gallagher. Maybe this vampire didn’t need protecting. Sorin’s face was blank, as were Corbin’s and Serenity’s. They all stood like statues, facing my direction, watching for the next move.

“Let me introduce myself, my dear. I’m Galloway, the controller of this mansion and the vampires in it. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He spoke effortlessly with charisma and carried an old Irish accent in his whispering voice. Up close, his eyes were slightly kinder than Gallagher’s, but still fierce. He was wearing a modern tailored blue suit.

I dropped my guard, “Thank you for having me.” Now was not the time to sound like a well-mannered woman because I wasn’t one. “I wasn’t told you would resemble Gallagher. A warning would have been appreciated.” I shot a dagger eye towards Sorin.

“I really don’t have to say it because it’s obvious, but Gallagher and I are twins. We were both turned …” He paused. “Well, let’s just say many centuries ago. By now, I’m sure you can see we hold different views on the war.” He spoke softly, slightly louder than a whisper. “I understand your initial reaction to my appearance, and I would expect nothing less from you since you were not properly briefed.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Something about him willed me to be polite. I wasn’t going to fight it, frankly, because it didn’t happen often. “I’m exhausted, and I know the others are as well. A place to sleep would be greatly appreciated.” I wanted to get some sleep, eat, and take a shower … in that order.

“Of course, Princess, Sorin can show you your room. Most of the others residing here have already retreated to their rooms for the day. I was expecting you, so I waited up. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.” I hoped his show of hospitality wasn’t an act since it sounded like I was in a mansion full of vampires.

“Thank you.”

Sorin took my hand and pulled me to the farthest stairway to the right. Corbin and Serenity followed close behind, and we walked up two flights of stairs. The stairs were covered with a red runner, lined in beautiful gold roping. All the way up, the wall proudly displayed portraits of both male and female vampires, and all appeared to be vintage.

Off the stairs was a wide open hallway, Sorin stopped in front of double doors, opened them, and gestured for me to go in. I did. He said goodnight to Corbin and Serenity, followed me inside, and shut the doors with him inside the bedroom. What did he think he was doing?

“Good night, Sorin. I’ll see you in the morning.” He was not staying in the same room with me.

“Anya, this is my room when I come here, and now it is yours, too.” He looked confused. “Are you still upset with me about what happened on the way here?”

“I’m upset about a lot of things right now. I’m confused, and I’d like to think you’re capable of understanding that.”

“I’ll sleep on the couch. You can have the bed. It’s too late to change the sleeping arrangements, but if you feel the same way in the morning, I’ll make sure we’re given two rooms.” He sounded disappointed and upset. I wasn’t sure if he was upset at himself, with me, or both. “Goodnight, Princess Anya.”

He took his jacket off and threw it over himself as he dropped onto an antique-looking couch. I was surprised it held his huge body as he plopped down on it, but that was that. I was in no mood for anything other than sleep.

“Goodnight,” I replied. I threw the covers back on the bed, plopped down myself, and sighed to show I was equally pissed off. As mad as I was, it was impossible for me not to notice how splendid the bed felt. The comforter was an even balance of heavy weight on my body. I contently confined myself in this strange situation as I fell deep into a much-needed sleep.

13 – Selfless

***Sorin***

Sleep did not seem to be an option for me. I couldn’t stop thinking about how confused and upset Anya was…she had every right to be. I showed up in her world and took her away from everything she knew. Even if her world was full of lies and hidden secrets that the elders and the writers wouldn’t dare share with her, it was still her world.

She can’t possibly know what she has gotten herself into. She knows nothing about my world or how dark I am inside…what type of monster I have turned into over these past years. I’ll never truly be able to let her in; my soul is woven with hatred and hunger she’ll never understand and shouldn’t. She is a saint compared to me, even with all the killing she has done. My blood is stale and unworthy. I am a demon inside. I want to hide the truth from her but it’s her fate to live with me in this darkness. I have selfishly searched for her for years to share with her what my world has become. Now I don’t know how close I should allow her to be with me. I have dug my own grave and I don’t want to bring her with me now. I want to protect her from this war…from me, but that is not possible.

I can’t escape her…she is here…I have to make it right for her. I’ll hide my truth from her until I can’t stand it anymore. When she looks into my eyes it’s as if she sees me. She sees who I am…who I was. She might feel something for me, but she has no idea what it is. I don’t want to let her down. I tell myself everything I have done has been for her and for the leader she will be come, but it’s been for me. I can’t let her get too close to me for fear of destroying everything everyone has worked so hard to accomplish just because of the selfish demon I have become. This war we are all in and worlds that will soon collide must come first and I know that deep down.

If she is going to stay with me in my world, I can at least try to fix the gap between the world she came from and this one. I need to go talk to that bastard Vladimir. I need to see if there is any chance the Beynoks will fight with me and my side against the other supernaturals that want to reveal themselves to the human world. Maybe, if he agrees, he can talk to the elders and writers and convince the Beynoks to see the war differently. We don’t need to fight against each other if we are fighting for the same thing. I can at least feel Vladimir out on what they intend to do about Anya now that she is no longer with them. They haven’t killed me yet, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to kill Anya just so she can rise again after a couple of years in hopes of her remembering nothing of this rise and especially of me.

Giving in to the mission I had just devised for myself, I slid my jacket on as I stood from the couch and pulled the hood up over my head. I had to steal one more glance of my sleeping warrior before I left her for who knows how long. I stood by the side of my bed looking down at her, taking in her curvy sculpted body under the comforter, the heavy slow movements of her breathing and the sound of her breath leaving her lips as she slept. I moved her long, dark strands of hair off her face so I could have a clearer view of her features. I had the details of her face etched in my memory, but looking at her now was so much better. The serious shape her eyebrows formed around her now shut green eyes, her heart shaped lips, her perfect small nose, and pale skin was all I craved to see after all these years and now I can’t believe I’m leaving her.

I left, securely shutting the door to my bedroom behind me knowing Anya was sleeping soundly in my bed without me. I’m leaving her to do something selfless for the first time since becoming the monster I am now.