Christian's Hunt Read online

  “Never had the honor of meeting the guy, yet.” Josh chuckled. “But I hear he’s the—”

  “Thank God. If you don’t like Samson, you won’t like Darien, either. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She whispered in a harsh tone as she watched the door. It was quiet now. “He and the other vampires treat me like a princess locked in a tower and I hate it.”

  “Because you are. Night, Addy. Love you.”

  “Night, Josh. Love you more.” Addison hung up and dialed Darien’s cell.

  “Hey, Mistress.” Darien laughed when he answered the phone, the music in the background making it hard to understand him. It sounded like he was in a bar. “Having a nightmare? Need Daddy to put you to bed?”

  She brushed off the flirting. “Where are you?” She stalked toward the walk-in wardrobe.

  “Hunting.”

  “In town?” The doors to the closet were ajar, so she shoved them open.

  “Yeah.”

  “Who’s hunting downstairs then? I assumed you—”

  “Hunting?” Cutting her off, Darien’s voice got clearer as if he stepped outside. “Someone’s hunting in the manor?”

  “Yeah,” Addison whispered now, as she peeked inside the dark wardrobe. She didn’t turn on the light for the sake of attracting attention. “I can hear—”

  She slid inside the closet and shut the doors. Cautious, she made as little noise as she could. The doors locked, emitting a soft click.

  She continued, “—people shouting and racing around.”

  A servant begged for her life in the hall, her shrieks like nails on a chalkboard.

  Addison tried to block it out. “It’s not vampires, it’s—”

  “Okay, remain calm—”

  “Oh my god.” She placed her hand over her mouth as she shuddered. “It’s vampire hunters. I know it.” Addison blubbered, her fear showing in her voice. “I’m scared. Please, tell me you’re getting home quickly.”

  “Calm down. Where are you?”

  “In my closet.” She opened a drawer and fetched a pair of leggings. She talked as she put them on. “I’m hiding like you told me to. I’m not a hunter, Darien. I can’t—”

  “Good. I’ll be home soon.” Darien hung up.

  Addison fisted her phone as she checked around the roomy closet. She stashed in between her cleavage because she lacked a better pocket. Snatching Christian’s dress shirt, she threw it on. She didn’t stop to button it.

  Parting the suits hanging on the wall, she wiggled between them. The trigger was on this side. She stepped backward to hunt for it. Instead of bumping into the wall, she crashed into a man.

  As she touched him, she felt the influence of Monroe’s medallion that repelled vampires. It gripped her heart as a profound pain radiated through her body and made her knees buckle.

  He wrapped his arms around her, binding her to his chest and not letting her fall. The bulletproof vest he wore was like a bar between them. This was not a casual call. Dressed as a soldier, he prepared for war.

  Zak laughed as he whispered in her ear, “Hey there, sexy girl.” He smelled of fresh blood and was covered in it. Why she didn’t detect it sooner, she wasn’t certain. She could kick herself for bathing in perfume an hour ago and cranking up those mood-enhancing air fresheners. “Why are you in the Master’s bedroom?”

  Addison opened her mouth to shout, but he encircled her lips with his palm and made her walk out of the wardrobe.

  “I’ll let you explain it later. We have to get out of here. The Elites are on their way back to the manor.” He was stronger than her, six-five, and with the body of a seasoned warrior. He must have found her via the tracker.

  In the light, she saw him better. His metallic mesh bodysuit cradled his frame like a second skin. It deflected minor nicks from blades, and it was harder for vampires to bite him. He wore a helmet and face mask but pushed the mask up to his nose to free his mouth.

  She tasted the blood on his gloves, and it repulsed her. This blood was from her brethren he’d killed tonight.

  He nudged her toward the exit. His lips tickled her ear. “Are you coming with me peacefully?”

  Addison nodded. Her breaths came out rapid, and her nostrils flared as she attempted to breathe through her nose.

  “Okay.” Zak removed his hand from her mouth and seized her hand instead. “Let’s go.” He jerked hard and made her stumble. Retrieving an ax from a holder on his back, he carried it in his free hand. Once he gripped the handle, the metal gleamed, the weapon enchanted by magic.

  They left the bedroom and what greeted them in the hall made her shudder. A few vampires lay dead, as the hunters passed through the rooms and scrounged for loot. They beheaded the vampires, blood covering the tile and making it slick. It squished under her bare feet.

  “Time to go, boys. Gather at the main staircase. First floor,” Zak spoke into his headset. The hunters followed him to the next floor, Zak determined to escape with his prize. His jaw was stiff and he fisted his ax.

  Zak paused on the staircase, a few hunters gathered on the landing. They wore hunting gear like Zak’s and were unrecognizable.

  “Did you take out any Elites?” Zak held Addison’s hand as he spoke to his men.

  “Just one. Vincent Craig,” Lyons shouted over the railing of the stairs from the floor above. He trotted down the stairs as he made his way toward them. When he reached them, they walked to the first floor together.

  “Do we know where the other Elites are?” Zak motioned for Addison to sit on an adjacent bench.

  “Jones says he lost the Elites, but said they left town and are headed home,” Lyons explained. “That was ten minutes ago. Takes half an hour to get back to the manor from there.”

  “Damn. We need to get moving.” Shaking his head, Zak addressed Addison. “Give me your cell.” He motioned for her phone. “I need to know where he is.”

  Instead of complying, she was defiant and ignored him. Addison bowed her head and wrapped a piece of her hair around her finger.

  “Give me your fucking phone!” Zak’s fury exploded. His nose scrunched, and he held his ax in front of his nose as if he would strike her. “Now!”

  Addison jumped and struck her head on the wall as she recoiled. Her hand shook as she reached into her top and fetched her cell. She held it out with quivering fingers.

  “Thank you.” Zak snatched it. He snooped through her phone. “Ah, here it is! Let’s send the old guy a message.”

  Addison crossed her legs, bouncing them as she folded her arms. She wanted to yell, attack the hunters, or run away, but all she did was submit. She studied a BB-sized red light on a concealed camera hiding high overhead. It was her hope vampires were watching.

  Zak typed, but she didn’t see what. He snickered as he read Darien’s reply. “‘I’m almost here’.”

  He set the phone on a nearby table and commanded his hunters. “Time to go guys. Darien’s the Master’s best hunter, and he’s got a band of Elites with him.” Zak made a shooing motion toward his men, talking in a hushed voice. “Go!”

  They dispersed, but Addison remained in her chair. Zak grasped her hand and yanked her to her feet. “Come on.” He palmed her mouth, tugged her forward, and forced her to run with him.

  Addison bawled, her worry over Darien’s safety overwhelming her thoughts. When Zak heard her muffled sobs, he held his hand tighter on her mouth and hugged her to his breast.

  He advanced toward the hall, an exit a few doors down. A crash came from the foyer, making Addison jump and Zak halt. She struggled in his arms, her tears falling faster as she struggled to flee.

  He withdrew his ax, the sight of it halting her struggle. Her eyes crossed as she examined the glowing blade. He didn’t have to hold her tight now, Addison concentrating on the weapon.

  It was silent for a few minutes. Zak pushed a button on the headset in his ear. “What happened up?”

  No one responded.

  “Guys?” Again, no answer from his men. “Fu
ck.”

  He plucked a pen-sized object out of his pocket and ripped off the cap with his teeth.

  Addison panicked. “What is—”

  He stabbed her in the arm with a needle. Liquid flowed into her vein, its effect immediate.

  *

  Her body went limp and she became dead weight. Monroe put his ax back in its holder and adjusted her in his arms.

  Lyons responded over the headset. “Get out of there, Monroe. Elites are here.”

  “Fuck,” Monroe whispered as he lowered her to the ground. He hid her behind a sofa by a window and covered her with the drapery.

  He needed to secure a path before he escaped. Addison was a handicap in a fight, so he’d have to leave her and run back after he assassinated the obstruction near them.

  Clutching his ax, Monroe moved into the hall. His feet struck the dead body of his hunter, but he didn’t linger on it. With his back against the wall, he peered down the hall and saw a vampire hunter peeking out from a doorframe.

  Artwork covered the walls, so stalking through the halls was challenging. It didn’t help there was a heavy twenty-by-eight-foot wooden frame at his back. It rattled when he brushed it.

  Addison’s phone rang in the foyer. Monroe stayed out of sight, taking refuge behind a chair in the hall. He heard the soft pop of a silenced gun followed by his hunter down the hall falling to the floor.

  The Master peeked out from the doorway where his hunter landed, Monroe cringing. Damn it. He was the last person he wanted to run into.

  He checked the place where he stashed Addison. His mind raced as he struggled to figure out an escape plot that included leaving with her.

  But Darien dashed his hopes when Monroe saw him peek out the door he’d left Addison. Armed with a pistol, Darien would take him out if he got a good shot.

  Monroe’s medallion only worked at close range. Another downside? When the vampires felt the medallion’s effect, they knew where he was. But he adjusted its powers at will, and right now he nulled them.

  A fight with the Master and Darien wasn’t an option. It was a death sentence. Together, this duo was bigger than he could handle, especially on their turf.

  After a few seconds of careful study, Monroe retreated. He’d rescue Addison another way. He needed her alone when the Master didn’t stand in his path. Monroe edged toward the open door near him.

  While the coast was clear, Monroe moved into an adjacent room. His war with the Master would arrive soon, but not now. Monroe wanted the day to be perfect. It had to be perfect.

  *

  Christian and Darien searched the rest of the mansion for hunters and Addison. Twenty minutes passed, and they hadn’t found her yet.

  A crash from downstairs halted Christian’s search on the third floor. He raced to the main staircase, a chuckle escaping his lips when he recognized who made the racket.

  Addison tried to climb the stairs but stumbled over a five-foot plant on the landing. She sat on the floor with her legs sprawled out in abnormal positions. Hunters either poisoned or sedated her, Christian not sure which.

  Christian descended the stairs and crouched next to her. “There you are, my lovely queen.” His smile brightened as Addison regarded him with drowsy eyes.

  The dried blood on her cheeks and mouth formed a handprint as if an assailant subdued her. Now that he drew close, he saw more handprints on her shoulders. She was restrained her but he saw no obvious wounds.

  “What did they give you?” He feared they poisoned her and his words were quick.

  She whimpered, her voice coming out babyish and whiney. “Christian…” She held her hands out to him. He took her in his arms and carried her to the bottom floor.

  “I’m here, my love.” Christian kept her close. “What did they give you?” he demanded, his question hissing from his lips. “You must tell me.”

  “It was...” She fisted his shirt as she blinked several times and attempted to wake. She held on with a solid grasp as if her life depended on it. “Monroe. He was—” She halted and drew a few deep breaths. “—trying to kidnap me. It’s a—” She struggled to concentrate, her eyes opening then closing as she fought sleep. “—sedative. Only a—sedative.”

  “I’ll have you checked out, nevertheless.” He kissed her crown then yelled up the stairs. “Darien!”

  Darien shouted from the next floor, “Coming!”

  “I thought—the hunters would kill Darien,” she whispered.

  “Darien would have endured without my aid.” He parked in an armchair and snuggled her. He clutched her hand and pecked her fingers. “I worried about you.” He flirted with her as he tapped her nose then ran a finger down her cheek. “I would run the length of the world and murder a million men to save you.”

  “Because I’m your sun, right, Christian?” A giggle escaped her lips as she nudged her head into his breast. She wore his shirt, which she often did.

  “Ah, yes.” Christian chuckled. He recited in an ancient tongue, the elegant words spewing from him with soft velvet charm. “My love for you fuels the sun, the light illuminating all that is beautiful.”

  His voice trailed as he spoke, Addison’s smile so admiring he sensed the heat emanating off her red cheeks.

  Chapter Four

  Vallore Manor: Villa Monte, Caron

  T he Vallores arrived in Caron and approached the manor. Christian drove and Darien sat in the passenger seat.

  A giant grin filled out Addison’s lips as she held onto the back of Darien’s seat. Her fingers tightened around it, her breath deepening as the Caron manor came into view. She couldn’t wait to see her twin. The excitement overwhelmed her.

  When the car came to a stop, Addison was ready to escape. Christian noticed and thrust the shifter into “park” with more force than needed. His eyes ticked to the rearview mirror as he inquired on Addison in the backseat. He sat for a few moments and was reluctant to exit.

  “Hurry up and get out.” She patted the rear of Darien’s seat.

  “Hold your horses, Mistress,” Darien responded as he took out a carton of smokes from his jacket pocket. “Ain’t no rush.”

  She hopped forward and squeezed between the front seats. “Yes, there is. I want to see Josh. I haven’t seen him in—”

  Christian pulled the keys from the ignition. The music ceased. “I know, but first—”

  “First, I’m finding Josh.” She pecked Christian’s cheek then shook Darien’s knee. “Can you get out?”

  Darien chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his taut lips. He opened his door, exited the Porsche, and collapsed his seat.

  She climbed out and sprinted to a rear entrance to the manor. Placing her hands on her front thighs, she studied the familiar place. She was in Caron, the small country where she grew up and her first home as a vampire.

  Even though most of the vampires she had the best memories of were dead, being here made her feel warm and safe. It was like laying in the arms of her mentor, Nicolette. Addison wrapped her arms around herself and beamed with the image.

  She didn’t linger outdoors long and dashed inside to find Josh. She explored the endless hallway as she sought him out. A maid informed her he was repairing a few holes in a bedroom near the end of the hall in the west wing.

  Addison followed the maid’s directions, her mood brightening when she heard faint music from down the hallway. It was a cheesy love song, the kind overplayed on the radio and remains in your brain whether you want it to or not.

  She inched toward the open door. Inside, her brother painted a wall. His trousers sagged, and he yanked them up. His style was sloppy, his hair long and in his eyes.

  Addison snuck behind him. “Grr!” In a swift motion, she wrapped her arms around his waist and nipped his neck.

  It gave him a fright and Josh jumped. “God damn it, Addison! You scared the shit outta me!”

  “You should’ve seen your face!” Addison laughed as she wet her lips with her tongue. Josh rubbed the wound on his neck tha
t bled. “You looked like you would faint.”

  “Whatever.” Josh continued to dab at it. “I did not.”

  She put her hands up in surrender. “Okay. Okay. You didn’t.”

  “So, when did you get here?” Josh tossed his roller onto a tray and replaced the lid on the bucket of paint near it.

  “A few minutes ago.” She held out her arms, making eager come-hither gestures with her hands. “Come on, give me a hug. I missed you.”

  Instead of waiting for Josh, Addison embraced him. Even though he gave an annoyed grunt and stunk of weed, she ignored it.

  “Hey, quit it already.” Josh pushed her back and couldn’t suppress the smile peeking through. “Someone’s gonna see us.”

  “Who cares?” She stepped away and surveyed the smears of color on his forehead and chin. “You’re my brother, and I’ll hug you if I want.” She rubbed at the spots, but Josh shoved her hand aside.

  “Who cares?” He puffed. “Well, the Master for one.”

  “What?” Addison laughed and hit Josh’s shoulder. “Why would he care?”

  “‘Cause he hates me.” Crossing his arms, Josh narrowed his gaze. “Samson told me the Master’s gonna be fishing for an excuse to kick my ass, and I should watch out when he gets back.”

  Scoffing, Addison shook her head. “No.” She examined the walls, noting several white patches on the wall Josh hadn’t covered. “He doesn’t want to kick your ass. You’re being paranoid, he—”

  “I’m dead serious.” Josh tried to talk in a lower tone as he walked closer. “Samson said Master Vallore has his eye on me, and you and I both know it’s not ‘cause he wants to make me an Elite. He doesn’t want me anywhere near you. He doesn’t want anybody near you.”

  “That’s not true.” Addison sucked on her lips for a few seconds before she spoke further. “The Master wants me to have friends.”

  “He wants you to have his friends.”