Blood Runs Through the Heart Read online

  Brandy Lee stood there, glaring at the three. “And the other lady that you captured?” One eyebrow raised in question.

  “You’ll see her soon,” Nichole answered the question with annoyance. Magically, an oversized copper key appeared. Nichole sauntered over to the steel door. The key slipped into the lock, and with a turn, a loud clang rang out. Nichole stared at her. “Can I expect trouble out of you?”

  Brandy Lee lowered her eyes. “No, Beta Nichole. I know my place.”

  “Good.” With a hard pull, the rusted metal door slid across the floor. The two wolves stood.

  Brandy Lee stepped from her cell, and the brown wolves flanked her. She turned her head to glance at Agatha, who stood at her bars, watching. She was an older woman with long gray hair. Her brown eyes circled in wrinkles, gleaming at the sight of Brandy Lee. She smiled with a nod before a slow turn retreated her back into the cell.

  A nudge at her lower leg pushed Brandy Lee forward. As they walked, she took notice of the tall stone walls. The castle’s architect was magnificent. They entered a large room with two old-fashioned tubs, constructed of white marble with cast iron legs sitting in the middle of the floor. Steam swirled above the water with the aroma of lavender lingering in the air. Brandy Lee stopped in her tracks. Another nudge came from behind. Her eyes dropped to the sound of a snarl from one wolf. Teeth clenched. Brandy Lee took it as a warning and started to undress.

  The warmth covered her body as she lowered into the tub. Two guards circled the tub before finding a resting place on the ground. Brandy Lee started to wash. She stopped when the door to the room opened, and two more wolves entered. Following them was Nichole and Raven in shackles.

  “Raven.” Brandy Lee pushed herself from the water, but a quick leap from a wolf and a sturdy snap of her jaws had Brandy Lee falling back. The water from the tub splashed out, wetting the wolf. She snapped again in the air and lowered down, shaking her head from side to side, causing a water spray. A growled released in frustration.

  “Brandy Lee, stay put,” Nichole yelled from across the room. She turned her head towards Raven, whose anger was apparent by the tight jawline. “I will undo these shackles. You’ll get into the tub and bathe. When the two of you finish, we’ll go to Alpha Victoria. If you try anything, and I mean any little thing, my four friends will rip your limbs from your body. Then and only then will they tear your head off, which will end your suffering. Do you understand?”

  Raven's eyes stared straight ahead, but her head nodded. Once freed, Raven undressed and lowered into the water. Face to face in the tub, the lines in Raven’s face relaxed.

  “Are you okay? Have they hurt you?” Brandy Lee asked.

  “No. I’m fine. And you?” Raven responded.

  “I’m okay. Do as they ask. We’ll see Alpha soon.” Brandy Lee turned her head from one side of the room to the other. The four wolves laid around them at the four points of a compass. She noticed Nichole had left the room. “Wash yourself. They’re watching us.” Brandy Lee said. Both ladies picked up the wash clothes.

  “Are you ready to see the Alpha?” Raven asked.

  “I think so. A little scared.” Brandy Lee whispered.

  “You’ll do fine. Remember to breathe.” Raven responded.

  The four lying wolves stood. The two small ones turned and walked into separate corners of the room. They soon returned with gym bags. Dropping them on the hard tile, the smallest one growled. Dress!

  “She just told us to get dressed.” Raven stood. Her eyes met Brandy Lee. “Come on. And yes, I can still hear a wolf’s thoughts.” Raven said in an octave lower than a whisper to avoid her words from being heard.

  The two women dressed in khaki pants and tee-shirts, slipping new sneakers over their feet. It felt good to have clean clothes. The fresh smell of lavender lingered over their skin and hair. Bodies so close, like a magnet they embraced and fell into a passionate kiss. The four wolves closed at the four corners. One paw over the other, they inched closer to the couple. A growl emerged. A door slammed open, stopping the wolves a mere moment away from pouncing. Their kiss broke, and they twisted around to find Nichole standing close.

  “Enough. Let’s go!” Nichole spun on her heels. That dress so tight that it left no room for a misstep. Brandy Lee and Raven fell into the step with her, and the four wolves followed. As paws tipped over the stone, the four wolves changed into young girls. They appeared in their early twenties and fresh out of college. Everyone fell into a march. “If you’re wondering why they changed? You can’t be in your wolf form unless the Alpha is in hers.”

  Entering by an enormous door, Brandy Lee and Raven started the walk of a thousand steps towards the throne. The path lined with women holding torches. Raven's eyes moved from side to side, admiring the elegance in the room. A mixture of hair color, skin tones, sizes, and shapes were displayed with power and strength.

  Raven couldn’t help thinking she wished she was wearing her Fitbit. All these steps were lost from counting. She laughed out loud at her thoughts, causing Brandy Lee and Nichole to flip a stare her way. She smiled. “Sorry.” She whispered.

  Arriving a short distance from the massive throne, hands placed on their shoulders pushed them to kneel. Brandy Lee grunted, and Raven hissed at the demand to lower. They were kneeling in front of three large chairs made of stone. The armrest on each chair carved into wolf heads. The eyes made of ruby jewels gleamed in the light. Shadows danced on the walls as torches flickered. The atmosphere was intimating, demanding, and dominant.

  A thunderous noise ricocheted off the walls as the line women slammed the end of the torches to the ground. Straightening their backs with chins held high, their eagle eyes focused straight ahead. The side door opened.

  The first lady to enter wore a long black dress that flowed behind her. Her solid gray hair white as snow touched the floor. Her nails painted in the color of midnight. The dress pushed up at the toe as she stepped with elegance across the floor. She sat in the first chair to the left. Both hands came to a rest on top of the carved wolf’s head, her index finger rubbing between the wolf's eyes in long strokes. The eyes appeared to squint with pleasure.

  The second lady’s pace was much faster, and she was younger with spiked jet-black hair; a free spirit. A tight red short red dress painted her body like a canvas. When she took her seat at the first seat to the right, it hiked up so far, the crevice of her mound exposed for pleasure. A moment flashed, and she crossed her long legs, knee over knee. The sinful temptation tucked away.

  “All lower!” The unison order bellowed from the two women.

  Brandy Lee whispered. “Lower your eyes, Raven.”

  The room became silent as long clicking heels echoed off the hollow walls. Heel to toe repeated in long slow strides. Time froze. Breaths held.

  Voices commanded. “You may raise your eyes!”

  Brandy Lee and Raven lifted their chin in slow motion. Positioned in front of them was Alpha Victoria. A pure white cloth covered her body, a shoulder exposed. Her hair, the color of golden straw, rested mid-back. Her shoulders squared and a straight back; she sat with her ankles crossed. Unadulterated confidence radiated. She raked her nine-inch nail over her bottom lip, before leaning forward in her chair with both arms resting on the stone. She studied the two in front of her. The Alpha gave each the same admiration. Her head tilted from side to side: her eyes, the mixture of blue and gray, bore into their souls.

  “I’m Alpha Victoria.” She motioned right to the lady in black. “This is Delta Anne, and my third in command, the exquisite, Delta Monique.” Her other hand swayed towards the lady in red. “And you’re Brandy Lee. I received notice from Lady Rochelle that you were dead. How odd to see you alive in front of me. And very odd that you brought a vampire into our lair.” Victoria leaned back in a slouch. “Why are you here? Speak,” The order so powerful, Brandy Lee shivered.

  A clearing of her throat and Brandy Lee stumbled the words out. “I don’t know why the council heard that I was dead. That is not the case. But someone wants me dead. The vampires. They have put out an order to kill on me.”

  “A kill order? And yet one sits beside you?” Victoria asked.

  “It was . . .” Raven spoke only two words.

  “Were you told to speak? Quiet!” The words were ordered by Delta Anne. She sat on the edge of her seat. Raven lowered her eyes and clenched her fist.

  “She helped me through the forest. It is a group of rogue vampires that have made attempts on my life, not the vampire council. At least, we hope not.”

  With a deep breath, a finger ran over her bottom lip again. Her speech paused for a moment before continuing. “You have traveled here to get the council to stop a kill order? It seems a little extreme.” She said as she stood. The other two councilwomen stood up with her. Then, with swift movements, they descended towards them. “Stand, Brandy Lee.” The other two women stood in front of Raven, towering over her.

  She stood, but Alpha Victoria's power broadcasted in waves causing Brandy Lee to submit. “Fear. I smell fear on you.” Victoria nudged her face into Brandy Lee’s neck. She sniffed. Brandy Lee coward down. Victoria wrapped her arms around her waist and held her steady. She pushed the hair back from her neck, exposing the sleek curves. She licked from her collar bone up to the pulse of her neck. A small nibble and Victoria released a sexy growl. “You’re gorgeous.”

  With a leap, Raven was ready to tear Victoria apart. A force pushed her back in one sweep. Delta Monique and Delta Anne stood to watch over her. Their teeth were glistening and low growls emerging from deep inside of them. “Stay down or die!”

  Lips found Brandy Lee and took her into a deep kiss. Her hand grasped at her breast and palmed it. Brandy Lee melted into her.

  Raven
shook in anger to her core but held her spot. There were too many for her to kill, even though the death of the one clawing her girlfriend would satisfy enough.

  “Lady Rochelle got word to me about your blood. I am in doubt. The royal family has not been in reign for centuries, but I will appease and play along with the game. If you are not of royal blood, I expect repayment for my time.” She twisted the nipple in a gentle touch. Brandy Lee moaned. “Oh, you enjoyed that. Let me smell you.” Her teeth sunk into Brandy Lee’s neck. Blood filled her mouth. With wide eyes, she pulled back. “True, but not true. Taste,” She orders her second and third in command. The two Deltas licked from the puncture with longing.

  “She is not pure. I taste something.” Delta Anne stated.

  “Vampire. You have vampire blood.” Alpha Victoria spoke. “Take them out of here. Get this abnormality away.” Victoria turned and walked away.

  Brandy Lee took a step in a desperate maneuver with pleas filling her voice. “There’s no way that I have vampire blood. You taste the royalty. My reveal paper turned pure blue at my outing.”

  Sitting back on her throne, the Alpha was disturbed at the possibility. The thought of a living hybrid was uncharted waters. “You must die.” She waved her hand in dismissal. Delta Anne and Delta Monique stepped towards her. Raven jumped in front of Brandy Lee to protect her.

  “No, She must not. She is your royalty, and I will explain the mixture of blood.” The matured woman’s voice so deep and seductive it danced around the walls. The words stopped everyone in their place.

  “Empress Katherine, this is none of your concern. You can collect your vampire and leave us on our own.”

  “Oh, but it is Alpha Victoria. Brandy Lee is my daughter.”

  26

  Mother

  Radiating.

  She drew all eyes towards her as long legs floated her toward Alpha Victoria. Not the first meeting of the two, so the visit was not unusual. The two councils’ housing extends miles from each, often crossing paths since the treaty for peace got signed. Her curves, accented by the black pantsuit, clung to her body. The white shirt opened just above her belly button, revealing the soft space between her breasts. Her blonde hair bounced off her shoulders with each step. A black panther intensified her statue as the beautiful animal walked beside her with each stride — the beauty of nature.

  Reaching the throne and standing a few feet from Brandy Lee and Raven, she dipped her head regarding the Alpha and her Deltas. “Alpha Victoria, please. Let me explain.” Empress Katherine, the highest of vampire empire, stood and waited for permission to speak.

  “You have piqued my curiosity. Why did you call Brandy Lee your daughter? Please continue, but first,” Victoria looked around to place more emphasis on her next words. “Do you see any animals in my lair? Tell your companion to shape-shift or tell her to leave.” The powerful words flowed from her mouth.

  Katherine's eyes shifted to the majestic cat that stood with her. She ran her hand from the back of her neck to her back. A purr vibrated off the walls. “Kachina, I need you to shift.”

  Brandy Lee and Raven stood with jaws dropped since Katherine walked in the door. Raven in awe of the beauty of her leader. Her heart pounded against her rib cage as she stood frozen, a star-struck teenager. Brandy Lee remained in shock. She knew the words coming from Empress Katherine was a lie. Katherine couldn’t be a mother, especially her mother. Vampires could not have children, and the thought of the highest vampire being a she-wolf’s mother was ridiculous. The mere possibility circled inside her brain, causing her to be dizzy.

  The majestic cat extended her body before limbs and jaws contorted. Olive skin replaced the black fur. The face surrounding the onyx eyes became human. She straightened her back before coming up on two legs. A Native American Indian woman of grace held her ground solid. Her jet-black hair cascaded the back like a waterfall. The high cheekbones enhanced the thin line lips. She wore a breechclout and moccasins that wrapped her body up in tradition.

  “Thank you, Kachina.” She turned her attention back to Victoria and the court, but not before matching Brandy Lee, glare for glare. They have the same golden eyes. She held the gaze when she spoke the next few words. “She’s my daughter.”

  Her eyes shifted to Raven. Katherine cupped her face, the touch sending renewed electricity through Raven’s body. “My child of the tribe. You are beautiful.”

  Raven turned her face into the touch, her eyes closed. With a quick drop, Raven kneeled at the feet of her empress. Words failed Raven. She felt a single finger raise her by the chin to a stand. “Stand with me, Raven.” Raven slipped on the other side of Katherine, but her heart remained with Brandy Lee, who stood alone.

  “You have our attention, Katherine. Tell us. What validates this claim of yours?” Victoria sat on the edge of her chair, waiting for logic. Delta Anne and Delta Monique mirrored her in their cathedra.

  Katherine drew in a deep breath. A slight squint of her eyes, with wrinkles lifting around the edges, she looked at Brandy Lee without a falter. “While I was carrying Brandy Lee, a vampire attacked me. I should’ve died that night. You should’ve died.” Her stare focused on Brandy Lee as the words tumbled out. “I went into labor and gave birth to you in an alley. My body changing by the second, I had to do what was best. The vampire nicked your belly when she cut me with her claws.”

  Brandy Lee ran her finger over her stomach. The scar.

  “I left you at a firehouse, figuring the firemen would kill you if you changed. It was the hardest thing that I ever did. My insides died that day, but not from the vampire bite.” Katherine stepped closer to Brandy Lee. “Because I lost my baby girl.”

  Brandy Lee wiped at a single tear that fell on her cheek. Katherine wiped at her own.

  “I assume the wolf DNA that you carried in your body suppressed the vampire blood. I have watched you become a young, powerful woman. So,” Her words stopped. She turned and stepped towards Victoria. “She has a small amount of vampire blood running through her veins, but it’s she-wolf royalty blood that runs through her heart.”

  Victoria sat in thought for a moment before speaking. “So? Who is trying to kill your daughter, and why?”

  “Queen Lana informed me it was rogue vampires. They announced that Brandy Lee died while in the dark forest to reroute any attempts. It was a smart move because loose lips exposed the ones that wanted her dead. The possibility that a royal family member could turn back time, back to when war ravished the earth between our kind, scared them. We’ve taken care of them. Shall I say they have seen the light?”

  Victoria leaned over, whispering into Anne and Monique’s ear. The two women rose, leaving the room. They motioned Nichole to follow them. Victoria remained in her seat with a hard decision ahead of her. She didn’t doubt that Katherine was telling the truth, but the question was what to do. The council was not ready to handle a hybrid, and neither was the world. But, if Brandy Lee was born as a member of the royal family, that news needed to get addressed. She took in a breath before reveling her decision.

  “Brandy Lee will prove her heritage through two tests. If she is a royal family then, I, Alpha Victoria, will bow to our new leader. But, if not, you will be imprisoned for life.” The entire room acknowledged with small howls.

  Brandy Lee shuffled her feet in place. Test! What test? She opened her mouth to speak, but no words emerged. She was overwhelmed. Her biological mother, who tossed her away as a baby, stood nearby. Her blood carries vampire DNA, even though that is most likely the reason Raven healed. That was one of the better thoughts in her head. Now, she must pass a test. Brandy Lee sighed. Being of the royal family meant nothing to her. All she wanted was to be back in her small apartment with Raven. If she refused to take the test, she would always be on the run or kept a prisoner. She swallowed before the words formed in her mouth. Just as she uttered the first syllable, the side door opened. Anne, Monique, Nichole, and a fourth body walked into the room.

  Covered in a dark cloak that hid her identity, the strange woman got ushered to the center of the room. Forced to kneel, she sat quietly. Brandy Lee watched from a distance but turned her head when Alpha Victoria spoke. Delta Anne and Delta Monique flanked her once more.