Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series)

11



BRADEN





As they pulled up to a darkened building, Braden was on alert. Every cell in his body rang with alarm. He stayed at Liz’s side, ready to protect her.

I never should have brought her here. She’s in danger because of me.

He tried convincing Riley to let her stay behind at the motel, arguing she wasn’t a part of this. Even insisting he didn’t violate their deal. But, the creature that was once his brother laughed off his concerns. Forcing them both into the car, Riley made it clear leaving Liz behind wasn’t an option. Braden hoped like hell he didn’t sign her death warrant.

How did he find us?

Riley insisted that no harm would come to Liz, that he only wanted to show her the wonders of Vancouver at night. The draugr’s interest in her was unnerving, always studying her movements and standing too close. If Riley harmed one hair on her head, Braden wouldn’t think twice before killing him. Playing it cool, he bided his time until he had a chance.

Braden knew if he attacked Riley, Strix would tear Liz apart. As a human, she had no way of fighting back. He hoped the draugar would keep them alive for a while, at least until he could find a way for Liz to escape.

As he surveyed the front of the dilapidated structure, an ironic sign announced their arrival at Sunnydale Rest Home. The front windows were boarded up. A neon green poster heralding its permanent closure was taped to the glass front door.

On the surface, an abandoned nursing home seemed like a strange place for vampires to nest. But it had an invisible quality as it sat back from the road with its overgrown shrubbery and sunken roof. No one ever looked for life at a place that was originally meant for the sick and dying.

Riley gestured them in through the double doors like he was the maître d’ of a grand hotel instead of a butcher. His mischievous smile made Braden sick.

Forever eighteen, Riley hadn’t aged a day, but he was no longer his brother. As far Braden was concerned, his favored family member died a long time ago. A demon now possessed his brother’s skin. No different than the ones who slaughtered the little village in Eire where his descendants came from. They may drive cars now instead of traveling by ship, but they still raped and pillaged their way around, murdering and taking whatever they desired.

Although there were eerie similarities in the way Riley moved and his tone of voice, Braden refused to buy the lie that his brother’s soul remained in the vampire before him.

Braden remembered how it felt to ride on Riley’s shoulders when he was just a little kid. He idolized him and was proud of the fact that out of his cousins, Braden was the only one to have an older brother.

From the time of their creation, fate-partners had one son. Boys were born in groups. Even though Braden was too young to understand why the elders whispered about the oddness of Brigid and Lachlan having two sons, he just considered them lucky. It wasn’t until he was older that he considered how difficult it must have been for Riley to grow up alone without cousins his age to lean on.

It would have been hell for me to not have Torin around.

Braden mourned with his mother when she believed her husband and oldest son passed away. Riley had just turned eighteen; he hadn’t even completed the change. His death came as a shock to them all. Between the severing of her bond with Lachlan and losing a child, his mother never recovered from the trauma. The lively spirit Brigid was known for curled up inside her and dwindled like a slow ember until it was gone.

The elders weren’t sure where Lachlan traveled to; just that he brought Riley with him when he planned on buying Brigid a vacation home for Christmas. His father was impulsive like that; as soon as a spark of an idea took hold, Lachlan would run off with whatever inspiration popped in his head. After chasing a few leads, they reasoned the two of them died in a fire or were encountered by slayers. With what they were, it wasn’t possible to go to the authorities for help.

It wasn’t until he was ten and Riley crept in his dorm room that Braden put the pieces together. Riley must have gone through the final phase of the change and fed on a human. Becoming a monster, Lachlan must have fought to stop him, but Riley killed him.

Taking everything from us…

Liz’s heart rate was high as she stepped into the room beside him. The girl was terrified and he didn’t blame her. He needed just one moment. One moment for the two draugar to turn their backs on him. Once she was okay, he would deal with Riley.

Braden thought of Ruby growing sicker back home. He wondered if there really was a cure. Riley claimed there was, but now he knew it was like everything else, a ploy to get him to come.

For years, Riley’s command that he appear before him hung over Braden’s head. The vampire wanted him to suffer, to pay a cost for being born. He always expected Riley to deliver him a sudden death. Now that he was here, he realized it wouldn’t be that simple. No easy trade like his former brother assured – Braden’s appearance for the lycanthropy cure.

Once inside the rundown lobby, a mixture of urine and decay struck his nostrils. Some of it was old, from the time the place was used as a nursing facility. Most of it, however, was fresh and assaulting.

People were being brought here to die. Many of whom didn’t live long enough to make it past this room. The walls and flooring were soiled with their bodily liquids.

He could hear Liz’s quick intake of breath. She wrinkled her nose as she glanced around the limited lighting in a vague attempt to see. Braden knew if she understood the full horror of what they were walking into, she wouldn’t be wearing the fake smile. She would bolt. If she did, he would have to react quickly.

Riley smirked at Liz. Licking his lips, his dark gaze followed the length of her body. “You do have fine taste brother, she smells amazing.”

“Don’t even consider it,” he warned.

With a bemused grin, Riley continued staring. “I won’t hurt her, unless she wants me to.”

Braden’s fists clenched at his sides. He imagined tearing Riley’s black heart out. As far as he knew, none of the elders had fought a vampire before. But from the legends he grew up hearing, they were deadly beings responsible for slaughtering entire fishing villages in Northern Europe and pockets of Central America. Places remote and easily forgotten.

From the time Riley first appeared, Braden imagined the vampire would kill him – a tradeoff to keep his family safe. It was a sacrifice that as a small boy he couldn’t see another alternative to. The pledge was made so long ago, that Braden hadn’t realized that by waiting until he had gone through the change, he had the ability to fight back.

Maybe his strength was nothing compared to theirs, but he would sure as hell try. If he could destroy the nest, he could be free from them forever. He just needed to get Liz out first.





12



LIZ





Liz always loved vampire movies. From the time she was old enough to discover the mysterious sensation of fear mixed with seduction, she had become an ardent fan. When she discovered the undead were even more aloof and sexy in books, she became a vast reader of their juicy fiction. Books like Thirst, The Morganville Vampires, and The Vampire Diaries lined her shelves. Now, as she walked into the lair of the real thing, any remaining romantic appeal from her years of fandom disintegrated.

Braden stayed at her side, his warm hand held tight to her wrist. Normally she avoided his touch, because the electricity of his skin against hers was too intense, but tonight he steadied her nerves. It helped he could see in the dark, keeping her from walking into misplaced furniture or plummeting through a decayed hole in the floor.

On television, vampires dwelled in mansions or high rise suites; their years of life affording them the luxury of amassed antiques and powerful savings bonds. But this wasn’t make believe on some sound stage. The nest she was entering was far from glamorous.

How long will they squat here before moving on?

The place stunk. Its odor was thick which made it hard to breathe. The closest thing Liz could compare it to was the house she used to make calls at when she helped her Aunt Bev deliver Avon products.

Liz tried avoiding Kimberley’s stop because the sixty-year-old liked more than cosmetics, she liked cats. She was a hoarder. Her house was overrun with more than seventy of the things. Every surface was soiled and she knew many of the felines were ill. The place smelled so putrid that she and her Aunt would need to shower and wash their clothes as soon as they returned home.

The dark building was like that. It smelled of animal infestation and waste. Just breathing through your mouth allowed you to taste the dankness of the air. Covering her mouth, she tried barring the scent.

A red glow came from a doorway at the end of the hallway. She smelled something new, different.

…Kerosene?

Strix disappeared into the blackness of one of the stairwells, but Riley stayed a few feet ahead. He was leading them to the large room. Although she was thankful she could see, the sudden lighting unsettled her. There would be draugar there, waiting.

Braden leaned in, forgoing his usual attempt at distance. “You’re doing okay,” he whispered. “Just do your best to remain calm and stay by my side.”

“No worries there,” Liz nodded. The last thing she would do was meander off.

She wondered why they were whispering, the others would be able to them hear anyway. She wanted to ask him what was going on, why he had planned on sending her home alone. But now wasn’t the time – once they were alone, he better be straight with her.

Riley paused. “You’re both safe as long as you behave and don’t interfere with anyone eating. I want you to meet Garrick.” There was just enough lighting to make out his features. Liz could see he was anxious, nervous even, but not in the way she would have first suspected. He looked like he wanted to impress them.

“Why would I believe you?” Braden growled.

Riley laughed, “Because if I wanted you and our little family dead, I would have done that years ago when I turned.”

“So you hold it over my head for eight years that you want me to give myself over to you, for what? So you can offer me a tour of this shit hole?” He held Liz slightly back, “I swear if anyone hurts her, I will kill you.”

Despite the limited lighting, Liz could see the facial features of both of them shifting. Under her touch, Braden stiffened, his body preparing for a fight. She couldn’t let things get out of control, not here and not with others like Riley around. Although she couldn’t see or hear them, the silent coldness screamed of their presence.

Tapping on Braden’s arm, she tried to get his attention, but he wouldn’t stop glaring at Riley.

“Let’s just find out what they want, and then we’ll go. Okay?” She ran her hand across his chest, for the first time she could feel the double beat working in perfect unison. He looked down at her, surprised with the sensation of her touch. “Okay?”

Braden shivered, his expression softening. He covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry I got you into this.”

Liz could feel Riley staring at them, entertained with their frailty. She didn’t give a damn what he thought, she just wanted him and Braden to keep from tearing each other’s heads off. The situation was out of control. Braden needed to get back home and let the elders figure out how to deal with this.

“Isn’t that sweet,” Riley said, clearly amused. Stepping closer, he ran his cold hand across Liz’s cheek.

Braden gave him a warning stare, “Back off.”

Riley didn’t budge. “I can see why you like her. She’s got so much control, but she’s ferocious under the surface, just ready to explode. Imagine what she could do if she was one of us?”

Liz batted Riley’s touch from her skin. “I’ll pass.”

“Well,” he whispered, “maybe I can change your mind.” Bending forward, he kissed her temple. His cold lips left behind an odd awareness on her skin. “After all, I hear no claims that you’re fated to my brother.”

“Thanks, but I love having a pulse too much for that. Let’s hurry this up.” Pulling away, she pretended his suggestion didn’t bother her. How could he tell she wasn’t bound to Braden? Lexie and Torin had and they were the same age. It was possible.

Accept Braden deserves someone amazing…someone sweet and lovable without baggage like me.

Feeling claustrophobic, Liz wanted to get Riley’s little show over so she could get back on a plane to the states. Only hours before she was disappointed they weren’t going to Ireland. Now she thought even Canada was too far away.

As far as the vampire’s invitation to turn her, Liz hoped he wasn’t serious. If so, he needed a reality check. She was no Bella Swann and Riley sure in hell was no Edward Cullen.

I’ll pass, thank you very much.

Riley’s eyebrows went up, “Right this way.”

Entering a large room, Liz swallowed the dry lump in her throat. As much as she could pretend she wasn’t scared, her beating heart and parched mouth showed otherwise.

The source of glowing red light came from five small heaters dotting the floor. Huddled around them were human forms. With tangled limbs, it was hard to tell where one draugr ended and another began. Some were dressed, others were not. Some stared at her with thick black eyes, others looked right through her as if she wasn’t even there.

It’s the dining room.

The realization made her stomach turn. A stack of chairs ran across the back wall, blocking the swinging doors that lead to a commercial kitchen. Three tables were shoved in front of the only outside exit. The picture windows were now blackened with thick paint.

A room that once allowed visiting families a place to share a meal was now home to a little more than twenty demons. Some of them looked human, like Riley, but most did not. They lacked a quality that was hard to define. What remained was chilling.

Unsettling were the piles of clothing, shoes, and accessories that littered the hardwood flooring. As she glanced around, it was clear the items were remnants of other lives. Scattered about were wallets, Blackberries, eyeglasses, little things that someone would have in their pocket, backpack, or tool chest.

How many victims stopped by here to check on the state of disrepairs and never came out?

Liz noticed two males wedged between a laughing female just to the left of the doorway. None of them wore clothes. Viewing them felt strangely intrusive, like she was walking in on a private moment. They appeared agitated, but not because of Liz and Braden. With spines arched and teeth bared, they pulled on the female pinned between them. The eyes of the woman were as black as night. Hallow and gazing off to an unknown distance, Liz wondered if she even felt them fighting over her.

“Everyone, this is my brother and his companion. They aren’t to be touched.” A guttural hiss erupted from a few spots in the room, but Riley didn’t seem concerned.

Liz tucked herself under Braden’s arm, his warm body her only life line on reality. The way the creatures huddled together in filth and on the floor, reminded her of a National Geographic special. Their behavior was animalistic and base – lacking any humanity. Braden’s people in Erris were a family. There was no comparison.

Strix came in from behind, carrying a sack over his shoulder. If she saw him on the street, she would assume he was about to go do laundry, until she realized there was movement in the bag.

Nothing was as it appeared. The creatures could pass as human on the surface, but not if you truly watched them. Their actions were too quick; the way they tilted their heads and barred their teeth was wrong.

What was it like for Riley to become one?

Strix knelt on the floor closest to the kitchen door, holding his bag close to his body. Before he could get comfortable, one of female creatures growled at him until he inched further away. Liz couldn’t see well, but it appeared she may have been feeding. A dark spill stained the front of her shirt.

Rubbing his eyes, Strix looked tired. But, in a swift motion, he reached into his sack and pulled out a squirming rat. With his knees drawn to his chest, the draugr bit into the rodent. A dark spray shot out from the wound, its high pitched squeal quickly silenced.

Liz’s stomach lurched. Turning away, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to vanquish the image.

“I’m guessing you’re not up on fire codes?” Braden muttered sarcastically.

“What, the heaters?” Riley asked, “It’s the closest thing to the sun we have. We like to be kept warm without igniting into flames, and since we don’t exactly have electricity, we’ve found other ways to heat up.” With that, he gave Liz a suggestive grin.

She wasn’t sure if he was doing it intentionally, but Riley came across like an oversexed jerk. If he thought she was impressed, he clearly didn’t have much conversation with women before chewing on them.

How could they exist like this? Feeding on victims, and…rodents… while others copulated around them. They were animals.

Riley directed their attention to an alcove. A large banquet table fit flush into the space. On top of it was another one of the heaters and two vampires lounging across the surface as if it were a stage. A beautiful female with hair so blond it looked white, was curled on the lap of a powerful looking male.

Appearing in his mid-thirties, his hair was similar in color to Riley’s, but much longer. Pushing the woman from his lap, he stood grandly in black leather pants and a ruffled white top. If Liz passed him on the street, she would have thought he looked like a Walt Disney World cast member for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

“Welcome to our nest.” Hopping down, he took Liz’s hand into his own and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I’m Garrick. This is my female, Maze.” The fierce beauty at his side stared at Braden, but avoided Liz altogether. A quick tongue darted out from her lips as she surveyed his muscular physique.

God, she looks like she wants to swallow him whole.

Turning his attention on Braden, Garrick’s movements were sudden, and difficult for Liz to keep up with. The two matched each other in build and height. If they were to fight, it would be bad news.

Garrick glanced from Braden over to Riley. A slight interchange passed between them.

The older vampire was obviously the leader. She hoped their presence in his lair wasn’t a problem.

“So, the brother of Riley graces us with his presence. Of course, when he mentioned your arrival in our fair city, I insisted that you and your woman be given our most gracious hospitality.”

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary,” Braden replied. Standing firmly, Liz admired the ferocity of his stance.

The leader stared back, considering his words. “As you can imagine, we don’t have a lot of company unless they’re here for dinner,” Garrick smirked, impressed with his own humor. “I hope you won’t opt for the latter.”

If the suggestion wasn’t so revolting, Liz would have feigned a smile, but instead, she forced herself to look down at her feet. Garrick may appear more human than the beasts curled up on the floor, but he was still a monster and wanted it made known.

Liz planned on remembering that.