Betrayal: The Unforgiven Read online

  Tristan had never seen anything but black or red within the eyes of a vampire. He wasn’t sure how or why Elric’s eyes were different. The greenish tint was power like none he had ever seen. Maybe Elric had learned to harness the anger inside him. He’d learned to control his demon. Though there was no sense of hostility within him, that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

  The Elders respected Elric. As they watched their leader lean back in his chair feet propped up, ankles crossed on the table as if he hadn't a care in the world, they gave a short bow.

  A musty scent wafted into Tristan’s nostrils as he took a seat at the oval-shaped table. He admired the shine of the cherry-stained wood. It was an older piece from the 18th century, beautiful, and the only thing in the room that didn’t fit in.

  Gerard sat next to Tristan while the other vampires stared. These were the seven elders of the Northwest Territory. Gray hair, tall slender frames and angry eyes made them look like decrepit old fools. Hatred filled their guts. It was obvious their animosity was directed toward him.

  According to Gerard, the Elders ranged from eight hundred to over one-thousand years old. At over four-hundred, and quite inexperienced in their world, Tristan was the youngest to become a member of their council. This bothered them and he understood why. If he’d had a choice, he'd have declined Elric’s invitation to be an elder and poured all his efforts into finding the cure he so desperately wanted. But whatever Elric desired, he got. No questions asked. No arguments about it.

  The meeting began with the same eerie chant. "Blessed be Darkness."

  Charlotte, the silver-haired woman in a black pant-suit, stood, knuckles pressed hard against the table. “First order of business is to elect one of us to manage funds for the Northwest’s blood bank. Due to Roget's promotion to oversee the collective in France, the position is open. Reserves need collected immediately. As I have dealt with our American banks before, I nominate myself for this job.”

  Everyone acknowledged her with a silent nod. Elric gave his approval with a short wave of his hand and then patted his open mouth as he yawned. That was settled. Charlotte was now in charge of sustenance distribution and research for the new synthetic blood about to go into production.

  “There’s no one else suited better for this job, Charlotte.” Roget, who sat on her right, caught her attention. The short stocky man gave a short nod. “But if we are to continue research on the brand, there must be a hike in blood rates.”

  “I agree.” She glanced at everyone around the table. “Humans aren’t donating like they used to. Without this rise in price, it’d be at least another two years until the synthetic blood is perfected. Not to mention it’ll be another year for it to go on the market. Is everyone in agreement?”

  The elders looked at Elric. Leaned back in his chair, hands clasped in front of him, and gaze on the ceiling, he looked about as excited as a man in a jail cell. “Yes. I approve the increase in price. Let’s just keep this meeting going, shall we?”

  Elric’s ho-hum attitude amused Tristan. To think that the leader of all vampires had such a relaxed uninterested temperament. Though nobody knew his real age, they’d all assumed by his power that he was over a thousand years old. If that was true, he’d probably heard the same issues over and again. No wonder he was bored.

  Tristan’s hands burned. He looked down, expecting to see flames licking his skin, but there was nothing there. Pain spread up his arms. His legs. His face. He balled his fists, jaw clenched to keep his cry muffled.

  An image of Anna danced in his mind. Fire engulfed her body. Tears streamed her face as she reached for him, lost, frightened, as she screamed in agony.

  He shut his eyes. What was this? A premonition? Other makers had seen the futures of their disciples, but he’d never experienced it before, let alone suffer such unimaginable pain.

  He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly through his mouth. The disturbing vision calmed. The pain left his body, and then he opened his eyes.

  Many weeks he'd fought the longing for Anna’s touch. Fear had kept him at a distance, afraid he'd lose himself to his darkness. It was best he stay away, at least until they found the key to unlocking humanity. It wouldn’t be long until they discovered the answer. Then they would be free to walk down the beach at sunrise, just as they’d dreamed they’d do once they were cured.

  Anna would have to be patient a little longer. When their night turned day, he'd do everything in his power to give her a life she deserved. If that life meant they’d remain vampires, then he'd find a way to make her happy.

  Gerard elbowed him. He glanced around the table. All eyes were on him, glaring as they awaited a response. Elric had offered for him to take Charlotte's place as overseer of the northwest gatherings. Tristan wanted nothing to do with it. But how could he decline what their leader wanted? He needed to blend in just a little while longer.

  He cleared his throat. "I humbly accept the position."

  "Congratulations, lad," Gerard whispered. "The gatherings pretty much run themselves. But I’ll teach you what you need to know tomorrow night."

  "I would appreciate it," Tristan replied.

  Javon, a bald lanky man with lazy eyes stood. As head of security for their region, he kept vampires safe from humans, and humans safe from vampires who enjoyed hunting humans for food, some for sport. Under his management, very few humans had died by hand, or fangs, of a vampire. Javon took pride in his record.

  Javon gave a short grunt. "These illegal food camps are growing out of control. They’re spreading rapidly from country to country, popularized by young, rogue vampires. We must do something before this becomes an epidemic."

  “Food camps?” A deep chuckle rolled past Elric’s lips. "So, that’s what the young ones are calling them these days."

  "Celebration of Flesh, Sir," Raphael said. The tall, dark-skinned man swiveled in his chair to face Elric. His muscles bulged beneath his black T-shirt as he held his hands together near his mouth. The man looked intimidating with blue mist that swirled from his eyes. "Humans gather in massive numbers. They let our kind feast on their blood."

  Javon gave a short nod. “We have dealt with two camps in Oregon and one in Washington so far. But, there are so many more.”

  Elric put his feet on the floor then leaned forward in his black leather chair. "I don't see harm in drinking from a willing human as long as they're not turned."

  "But they are being turned," Tomas chimed in. Tomas was much thinner than the rest of the Elders, like a skeleton with a thin layer of skin. Tristan had shaken his hand when they first met, and even then his appearance unnerved him. "Our population has increased exponentially in the past year due to these camps. We cannot afford to let this continue or we may find ourselves without our lifeline."

  Elric rested his elbow on the arm of the chair. He curled his forefinger against his lips. The fire in his eyes danced from blue to green then back to blue. Mesmerized, Tristan couldn’t look away.

  "What do you suggest we do?" Elric shrugged. "Shall we sentence our young ones to death? Should we offer them a long, torturous punishment in a prison cell? Maybe a slap on the hand with a warning will suffice." His gaze turned to Tristan’s. "How about we let the new Elder rise and give us his take on this...problem."

  Tristan didn't want any part in determining the punishment of young, unruly vampires. All he wanted was go home to the lab—to Anna. The sadness in her heart was prominent. Sorrow he'd instilled. It was a strong sensation that dug a hole in his chest. Now the premonition—he had to go home to make sure she was all right.

  Tristan rose. All eyes on him, he cleared his throat. "If humans are willingly giving blood, why stop them? It is their life and our livelihood."

  "Do you understand what the consequences would be?” Javon scoffed. “If everyone turned, we would starve. Really, Elric. Do you think it was wise to make this pitiful, old-tongue'd newcomer an Elder? He doesn't understand our ways or the problems we face. He doesn't belong h
ere. I say we—"

  Tristan slammed his hands on the table. The crack reverberated through the room and shut Javon’s mouth. Tristan hadn’t meant to startle the lot of elders, but he wasn’t about to be bullied or bad-mouthed by anyone.

  "I do not condone the turning. But who is to say these rogue vampires understand their actions? If we allow these camps to continue, then govern them. Teach the young. Post rules. Make them understand the consequences of their actions. If any human undergoes turning, then punish them with their maker."

  Elric sat up straight and laughed. "See, my friends. Our newcomer is a born leader. He fears nothing of you. He’s untainted by the spoils of our world. For the first time in a hundreds of years, I’m pleased.” He leaned back with a wide-spread grin. “I have decided—Tristan will be my successor."

  The elders gasped in unison, all except for Gerard who belted out a hefty laugh. "Well, now. I didn't see that one coming."

  As the elders bantered, Tristan sat back in his chair, eyes wide and locked on Elric who stared back. How could this man make such a decision? How could he make him the heir to the entire collective when it'd only been a year since he'd realized the truth of his existence? More importantly, how would Anna react? They searched for humanity, not a permanent place within these dark walls.

  Elric grinned. His eyes turned black as soot, first time Tristan had seen them without angry hues. It was unnerving, and yet, comforting.

  'Darkness begins with you.' Elric’s voice was in his mind.

  Was the man a telepath? If he was, had he heard Tristan’s thoughts of becoming human? Maybe he even knew about the research he and Anna had done.

  "Enough!" Elric shouted. The room grew silent. "My decision is final. In the meantime, I will allocate a group to deal with these camps. So, if there are no other matters to discuss, then this meeting is adjourned."

  "We will speak more after the gathering tomorrow night," Charlotte said.

  Elric gave a short nod. "We’ll reconvene in a week's time. Blessed be Darkness."

  "Blessed be Darkness.”

  Chapter Three

  After a good ten minutes of rolling the scanner across Anna’s abdomen, Jack zoned in on the heartbeat. It was as if he or she didn’t want to be found, hiding away from the world like a vampire would. But the fetus couldn’t hide in the dark corner of the womb forever. Once he or she was discovered, there was no getting away.

  Anna stared in awe at the monitor. The tiny white glob in the center of the screen was her and Tristan’s child. It was surreal to think that two dark entities had reproduced. It shouldn’t be possible, but here was the proof inside her.

  Anna shuddered. “I can’t believe this is real.”

  “I can’t either, but there she is.”

  “She?”

  “It seems right to call this miracle child a she. I would’ve liked to have had a daughter.” Jack shrugged as he turned up the volume on the monitor. “She has a good strong heartbeat. That’s a good sign the little gal is more human than vampire.”

  His comment brought up a whole new set of questions. Would her child be born into the night or would she be human? Images of a little girl swinging alone in the dark went through Anna’s mind. Disheartening. The poor thing would have no friends to play with. There’d be nobody her age to talk to or laugh with. She’d be a sad, depressed child who was all alone in the world.

  Then what if she was born in the light? She couldn’t walk in the park during the day because of her parents. There would always be a separation. What was the point in being alive if she couldn’t share their same experiences? Why would she even have a baby when there was no life for her in darkness or in light?

  Anna wiped the cold fluid off her belly with a towel. "Well, I’m pregnant."

  “That you are.” He grinned as she swung her legs over the side of the table and hopped off. “I guess you’ll be bringing the little nocturnal one here then.”

  She grabbed her shirt from the chair in the corner of the room and put it on. "I haven't thought that far ahead."

  “You know. If word gets out, you’ll be the rock star of the vampire world. Could be dangerous."

  She stepped into her shoes. “No one else will know.”

  “But if they find out…when they find out, they’ll—”

  She pressed her finger to his lips. “I know, Jack."

  He grasped her hand and held it firmly in his. "Tristan will find out soon. The bastard," he muttered under his breath. “You’re starting to show. It’s slight, but there nonetheless.”

  “Well, I have a little more time.” She ran her hand over her belly. “I’ll figure something out when the time comes.”

  "All these months..." His eyes shimmered under the florescent light. “How have you hidden the fact that you're still...human-ish? I mean, you dye your hair and wear contacts, but you have a heartbeat. Now you have two."

  "I stay inside the house. I've barely spoken a word to anyone else in weeks. Plus, now Tristan’s scared to touch me. He doesn’t understand why this is happening. I don’t either."

  “You’re going to have to tell him eventually.”

  That was going to be a stressful day. “I’m not ready to do that yet.”

  Jack shook his head. "Well, I’m here for you. Anytime you need help, call me. Come over and stay if you like. You’re always welcome at my house.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Jack. For everything you’ve done for me.”

  “I didn’t do much.”

  “You trust me again. That’s more than I could ever ask for.”

  He followed her into the hallway and turned off the lights. As he closed the door behind them, he caught her gaze. “Let me get a sample of your blood.”

  “Why?”

  She followed him into the lab next door. Blinding fluorescent lights buzzed on. As Jack opened the top drawer of the desk along the far wall, she rolled up her sleeve.

  “You say your body is immune to most of the transformation.” He made his way to her with a packaged syringe and two test tubes in his hands. "I’d like to run a test to see if I can come up with my own theory.”

  “Sure.” She held out her arm.

  He tied the band tightly around her upper arm. He held the exposed needle before him then slid the needle in her vein. He drew two vials of crimson blood then placed a small cartoon-covered bandage over the wound.

  Anna snickered as she put on her jacket. His sense of humor was one of the reasons why she'd loved him so much. “It’s been a long time since I’ve smiled.”

  “I’m happy to be your comic relief.” He grinned as he wrote her name on the sealed vials.

  She paced the aisle near the door as he recorded the information in the log. It was strange to be with him again, like old times before they became involved. If she didn’t need to leave, she’d sit with him and talk about everything that had happened over the year they'd been apart.

  “Jack,” she said. He finished putting the samples inside the glass case. “I need to go.”

  She followed Jack's gaze to the clock. 1:45 a.m. Fear was prominent in his eyes as he looked at her, possibly the same question rolling around in her head. What would happen if she didn’t make it home by sunrise?

  “Spend the day at my house.” He palmed her back as he guided her into the hallway. “I finished the basement. I had thick beige carpet put in like you'd wanted.”

  “I appreciate the offer. But, I didn’t tell Tristan I was leaving or even mention I was coming to see you.”

  She shuddered. How might Tristan react if she wasn’t there when he got home? She’d have to think of something to tell him that didn’t have anything to do with Jack.

  “With all that’s on your plate right now, you can’t afford to be careless. If you aren’t immune to the sun—”

  “—I’ll be fine. If I leave now, I should make it home in time.”

  She strode to the parking garage beside Jack. The tap of her boots on concrete echoed around
her. She half-expected Tristan to be waiting for her in the dimly lit garage eyes red with anger. The chill in the air caught the warmth of her skin, and she shivered.

  “Are you sure you're going to be okay?” Jack opened the car door for her. “If you don’t think you can make it, I’m sure Tristan will understand why you stayed with me.”

  “Stop worrying.” She planted a gentle peck on his cheek. His eyes widened as she hugged his torso. He enveloped her in his arms and tightened his hold on her. It felt good to be held by someone who wasn’t hesitant to touch her.

  Jack palmed her cheek. “This pregnancy is a big deal. We should keep an eye on her development. I suggest you come in for another ultrasound in a few weeks.”

  “I will.” She sat inside the car and put the key in the ignition. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

  “Be safe.”

  She shut the door then shifted the car in gear. As she drove through the garage, she looked in the rear view mirror. Jack stood in the car lane watching her leave. He gave a short wave then headed for his car. He always knew how to make her feel better. All it took was his smile or laugh and everything seemed right in the world. Leaving him behind didn’t feel right.

  If it were any other circumstance, she would’ve stayed. Maybe she would’ve hung out with him longer than the day. He could’ve counseled her on the decision she was forced to make. Stay with Tristan and have this child? Run away? Or maybe she should get rid of the pregnancy and pretend this never happened.

  She palmed her belly. Didn’t matter what hardships were on the way. No way could she end this life inside her.

  Anna pushed the car over straight stretches, passing the few slower vehicles on the road. Even at this speed, it’d be near six when she pulled into the driveway. That was about the time Tristan came in. She was cutting it close.

  Twenty miles left to go and light began to shine through the thick trees. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she played a game of cat and mouse, staying within shadows, speeding through oncoming light. Out of the corner of her eye came the rays of sunshine, illuminating the ocean to her right. She dared not look for fear she’d go blind.