Blood Runs Through the Heart Read online

  Raven’s voice rang out again. “Show your face. Who threatens us from the dark?” The flames faded, and darkness engulfed the last speck of light. She took a step just as a blast of air slammed into her body, tumbling her over. Her skin rippled like the water of a stream as the invisible force surged pass.

  The chilled wind engulfed Brandy Lee. Blonde hair lifted. Her left shoulder took a hit, causing her upper body to twist with her legs holding sturdy. The skin on her upper arm split open as three long tears of blood poured from the wound. She fell to one knee in a daze. The touch of an arm wrapping around her waist, lifting her with the strength of a thousand men and catching her by surprise. As she got carried through the corridors with lightning speed, a blur of lights streamed through her eyes. She caught a glimpse of Raven’s face, which was filled with determination and concentration as they traveled. With a thump, her body slammed onto the bed. A wild shake of the head, and she started the change. The chest pushed out and widened by two folds as her face began to extend into the shape of an animal. Breaths sped up. She growled. Anger filled her eyes.

  Raven placed two hands on both shoulders of the half-woman, half-wolf. Eyes met, and Raven whispered. “Take a breath. You’re safe; I promise. We’re in my room.” Breaths slowed. Body shapes returned to human form. Raven watched in awe at the beauty.

  “What the fuck was that?” Brandy Lee asked with a lost breath.

  “I don’t know. It was old magic. Only the elders can make themselves invisible to others.” Raven examined the torn jacket. “Let me help you.” Pulling Brandy Lee to a sitting position, Raven laid Brandy Lee’s head against her chest. A quick removal of the chauffeur’s jacket and then the blood-stained white shirt. Brandy Lee remained in her bra. The red liquid dripped down her left arm, steadily flowing. Raven curbed her appetite for the sweetness and her urge to seduce the sexy blonde. “I will not lie. What I am about to do will hurt. I need you to trust me.”

  Wrapping one arm around the back of the head, she pulled Brandy Lee closer. Breathing was difficult from the crushing grip and the closeness to the beautiful woman. With a place of a hand, she covered the three deep slices as warm liquid washed over her fingers. Raven tilted her head back. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head until only white shined in the dim light. Her eyelids fluttered. An arm grasped at Raven’s bicep with a deep animalist scream following as the separated skin started to pull together.

  The wails of misery only stopped when the last edge of the cuts connected. Tense muscles relaxed, and Brandy Lee was lowered to the bed, exhausted. The magic performed on her drained all her energy. She couldn’t lift her arm, while her head felt as if a thousand pounds were laying atop on it. Helplessness overwhelmed her. Her eyes blinked as she fought against the unknown feelings.

  “Let’s sit you up slowly.” The comforting voice spoke.

  Wobbling before gaining her balance, Brandy Lee coughed a few times to relieve the desert that settled in her throat. “Thank you.” Her fingers ran over the disappearing scar. “How did you do that?”

  “It is part of my gift given to me from the Empress of Vampires. We receive a gift when we graduate from college. We all did. My gift was the power of healing myself and others. You are given a gift as well from the head wolf, or whatever you call the top dog. Are you not?”

  Rolled eyes followed a puff of air. Brandy Lee urgently stood off the bed. “That was rude.” She bumped pass Raven but stopped in her tracks as a hand grabbed her forearm. A pull and she was twisted back towards Raven.

  “I am sorry. That was insensitive. Please forgive me. I have never been around such a beautiful beast.” Raven’s eyes rolled over the bare stomach and perfect breasts like water over the falls. Muscles so tight they took your breath away. Breasts so firm that one’s eyes would be a loss. Lips so full, a kiss absorbed. “Your body is exquisite.”

  A sudden heat arose from deep inside Brandy Lee’s belly. The realization that she stood in black slacks and a lace bra overwhelmed her. She grabbed her shirt, tossing it around her shoulders as she rushed to button up.

  Raven’s eyes watched with intensity.

  “I need to inform Lady Rochelle what happened to me. Things are not right. If they would attack me, I can imagine what attempts will be against her.” Brandy Lee buttoned the last button.

  “Come on. Let’s go back to the chambers and talk to leaders.” Raven grabbed Brandy Lee’s hand, and with a pull, they both stepped toward the door.

  4

  Old Ones

  Pouring herself a glass of blood followed by a glass of wine for her sister, Lana longed for wine; although, alcohol does not affect vampires. Oh, she missed the buzz. Lana sat and motioned for her sister to join her. “Something is not sitting right in our community.” Lana started the conversation.

  “I can feel it amongst my Pack.” Rochelle took a long draw off her glass. “How are you holding up?”

  “Just tired.” Lana responded.

  “You don’t get tired. So, what is wrong?”

  “Okay, I am worried. Raven overheard a conversation between two vampires. They’re talking about an uprising. She told me a few minutes before you arrived. It doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “Hmmm? Doesn’t sound good.” Rochelle answered before she stood up and walked over to the glass door. It was the time of the night that was the darkness. She could feel movement in every corner of the city. Her Pack was active tonight with howling lingering in the distance. Her eyes scanned the horizon before lowering down to a pathway that led out toward the lake. “Lana. Come here.” Rochelle pointed toward an old oak tree; the roots emerging from the ground like crooked fingers. The branches reached down to scoop up anything in the path. Behind the aged bark stood a shadowy figure looking up toward them. A deep black hole replaced a face, while red eyes glowed in the darkness. Lana focused downward with intensity. The hooded creature was mentally blocking her from reading her thoughts. Old Magic. An Elder.

  Suddenly, using arms and legs, the creature climbed halfway up the tree before coming to a stop. Its head cocked side to side. With a sudden scurry, the creature pulled itself to the alternate side of the tree. Tilting its head to the left and then slowly to the right, the red eyes peered from the hallows. They grew bright but then dimmed with the rhythm of a heartbeat.

  The change went without notice until a snarl rumbled in the night. Lana glanced to the right, finding Rochelle had changed into wolf form. White fur with black specks glowed in the night. Massive muscles curved into perfect shape. Her body leaned back on her hind legs, ready to pounce. The upper lip curled upward, and saliva glistened off her canine teeth. A growl rattled from her. Rochelle's shoulders met Lana’s shoulder in a vast presence. Turning her head for a glance that only lasted seconds, her eyes widened. With a push, she launched off the balcony.

  “Noooo!” Lana’s scream fell on empty ears. Her face distorted with anger. Her fangs grew out, and fingernails turned to daggers. She leaped into the night using her superpowers. Lana landed on a branch just as Rochelle pounced at the creature.

  A raging force of wind swirled the old oak encasing the elder’s body. Her body contorted to black smoke, starting at the feet and engulfing the body until only a black mist swirled in the air. Rochelle hit the tree as her body absorbed the floating mixture. A cold chill froze the warm blood that ran through her veins. The breath pushed from her lungs with such force that the night spun in front of her. Consequently, she fell to the ground.

  The ground shook as Lana landed on two feet beside her fallen sister. She laid still on her side, her eyes closed. A tongue dangled out between a parted mouth. Lana squatted down next to her, noticing how the stomach raised with each breath. “Rochelle,” Lana placed a hand on her sister’s head, stroking the fur. “Open your eyes.”

  Her heavy eyelids fluttering, Rochelle snapped her powerful jaw. She bit into air. Another bite and teeth crunched into one another. Two more quick ones as she shook her head. When a hand touched her, she leaped up and snapped down towards the touch.

  “Damnit, Rochelle. If you bite me, I’ll kick your ass, Bitch.” Lana stretched out her fingers in an examination. Rochelle had the strength to sever her hand in one chomp.

  Rochelle wobbled sideways before shaking the cobwebs loose. After finding her footing, her eyes lowered, followed by her head. She took a few steps, rubbing her nose into her sister’s hand. “I’m sorry.” Her thoughts read by Lana. Rochelle sat back on her behind.

  Lana rubbed her head. “That was a dumb ass move. I’ve told you how powerful our elders are and the old magic they carry. You’re lucky that you didn’t die.” Lana touched her sister’s face.

  “I’m fine. That damn thing freaked me out. I felt danger, and I knew you felt it too. Can you help me back into your room? Whatever ghostly magic ran through my veins has made me weak.”

  “Do me a favor and change back to your human form. You’re lighter to carry.”

  She took a step back with her face reaching towards the moon. A howl echoed, and all the hard muscles turned into soft curves. Her fur shortened into the signature long hair. Her arms withdrew, and she stood on two legs. A shake of the head and the gorgeous Rochelle stood in the moonlight.

  The young ladies pushed through the door as Lana landed on the balcony with Rochelle in her arms. Surging past Raven, Brandy Lee scooped up Lady Rochelle in her arms. She carried her across the room and lowered her to a chair. “What happened to you?”

  “Don’t worry about me.” Rochelle sniffed. “You have bled.”

  “Yes, my Lady; I got attacked.”

  “Rochelle,” Lana's voice interrupted. The sisters’ eyes connected. The black pupils spoke to each other without words. “That smell-”

  “What smell?” Raven aske
d.

  Two sets of eyes pierced through Brandy Lee as quickening heartbeats filling the room. Years have passed since Rochelle and Lana felt fear. Lana laid her hand on Rochelle’s shoulder, and Rochelle brought up her hand, giving it a soft squeeze.

  “Brandy Lee,” They both pronounced her name. “Your blood is of royalty. I think we have found the reason behind the uprising.”

  5

  The Talk

  All four women sat around a large wooden table. The younger ones sat while the two sisters whispered amongst themselves. A few nods of the head and hand gestures gave nothing away to the two girls about the conversation. A final whisper of words and the sisters both turned to face Raven and Brandy Lee.

  Queen Lana drew in a deep breath with closed eyes. “We need to talk,” Lana spoke. Her eyes opened. “I need the two of you to sit back and listen to Rochelle and me.” Lana placed both arms on the table and intertwined her fingers. Slightly leaning forward, she began the story.

  “Many years ago, vampires and she-wolves ruled when the world was new. The she-wolves was born first, and the vampires came years later. There were many battles for control of the land. Many died. Too many died.”

  “My Queen, we studied all this in college.” Raven announced.

  “That is true, but there are parts not taught to our students which only leaders know. So, allow me to finish. We all take on the human form until college graduation. As you also know, all the councils and leaders are present on graduation day. Humans, vampires, and she-wolves come together on that day to add to their families. Even as a leader, I don’t know who a vampire is. Rochelle does not know who will join her pack. We take your blood before the ceremony, and a drop gets placed on the Ancient Paper of Reveal. If the paper remains white, you are human. Red represents the blood; so, if it turns red, you are a vampire. Although, you are a she-wolf if your paper is blue. This process is done in private with only one person from each race at the blood’s reading.” Lana sat back in the chair, allowing the revealed information to sink in with the two women.

  “So, we carry the DNA of our race from birth?” Brandy Lee asked.

  “Yes, you are born as one of the races, but it remains suppressed in the human form until the day you graduate. That is why you learn the history of all—The House, The Pack, and Human Race.” Lana explained.

  Rochelle leaned forward toward Raven and Brandy Lee. The two women sat on the edge of their chairs, waiting for the story to continue. Rochelle started. “There are holes in the story of why your blood smells of royalty. What we have come up with is this. The royalty blood running through your veins got revealed at the Ancient Paper ceremony. Any she-wolf or vampire in the room would have smelt the blood. Royalty blood is unique, and only the highest council can detect it.” Rochelle waved her hand between her and Lana before pointing at Raven. “That is why Raven isn’t noticing the unique aroma coming from Brandy Lee’s blood.”

  Her hands twisted around each other in a nervous habit. Brandy Lee bit at her lower lip. Rochelle reached over and grabbed the young girl's hands, stopping the twirling. A calmness spread throughout her body from the one-touch. “How could I be of the Royal Family? They’ve been extinct for thousands of years. It makes no sense.” Brandy Lee’s words escaped with uncertainty.

  Lana leaned back forward. “That is one of the holes we have to figure out. We’re all born to human women. That woman’s reproductive eggs will have the heritage trait the baby will receive. We know that all males are human, so they are not a factor. Only female babies become vampires or she-wolves. But there is another hole. The vampire that was in the room during the Ancient Reveal smelt the blood. And so, she must have reported it to the elders. The question is: why didn’t the she-wolf present at the time report it?”

  “It was an elder that attacked Brandy Lee earlier.” The intensity in Raven’s voice rang out.

  Lana looked over to her sister. “The same one that was watching us.”

  “Most definitely.” Rochelle acknowledged with a nod. The table got quiet for a moment with all women in thought. Rochelle continued. “So now we need to talk about what’s next. Brandy Lee, I am afraid that there has been a hit placed out on you. Yes, and I am afraid the kill order was from my House. The elders want you dead. They are most likely afraid that if you are royalty, the she-wolves will take the world over. The elders are doing this on their own or with council help, but not with mine. The kill order was kept from me because I am Rochelle’s sister. It seems as if I have lost control of my vampires.” The statement was hurtful, and the confession that she didn’t have control of her House was unnerving. The mere thought of any vampires going against her authority made her sick to her stomach.

  Lady Rochelle sat straight up. Pulling her phone out, she flipped through the web. “Shit! Where the hell are you?” She mumbled as she flipped through it again.

  “Sis?” Lana said but was cut off with a finger held up to her face.

  “Here it is.” She skimmed the article. “They found one of our council members dead on the night of Brandy Lee’s paper reveal and graduation, ruling it an accident. They found her in a river near the ceremony with a blood alcohol level ten times that of the legal limit. Her blood was frozen inside her veins. The news reported it was from the cold water in the river. I believe Lady Prim was the she-wolf at the ceremony, and an elder vampire attacked her. The same cold that chilled my blood earlier killed her.”

  Brandy Lee looked over at the phone. “That explains why the Pack doesn’t know about my blood. The news never got back to the council. Lady Prim died before she delivered it.”

  Lady Rochelle shook her head up and down in agreement. Queen Lana laid her head on her sister’s shoulder. Rochelle pressed her head onto Lana’s head. She opened her thoughts to her sister. It isn’t your fault. You are not responsible for a rogue vampire. Brandy Lee needs to get to my high council. Let’s tell her the way. Lana’s head moved up and down in agreement. Lady Rochelle grabbed both of Brandy Lee’s hands into hers. She inhaled before starting the last part of the talk. This next part was going to either save Brandy Lee or kill her. Either way, the future of the she-wolves was unknown.

  “We need to get you to the high council. The seniors are the only ones that will have the answer. You will have to travel to reach them.” Rochelle paused. Her eyes met the golden- brown ones before whispering to her. “You have to travel through The Dark Forrest.”

  Raven spoke louder than she expected. “No one has ever made it through there alive. You can’t seriously think she will go alone. My Queen, please stop this.” Raven didn’t know what had suddenly riled her up. The short time with the beautiful blonde had her insides mixed up.

  “I will go with her.” Rochelle announced.

  “No, my Lady. The Pack can’t afford for anything to happen to you. I will go alone.”

  “No. You will not. I will go with you.” The voice rang out from the right. Brandy Lee turned her head. Her eyes met the emerald greens that stared with conviction. “I only need my Queen’s permission.

  “You know what you ask?” Lana asked.

  Never turning her eyes away from Brandy Lee, Raven whispered, “I know, my Queen, but I must. I need to be with her.”

  Brandy Lee felt a flush rise from her neck into her cheeks. The intensity of Raven’s stare stripped her bare. The same flutter low in her belly returned. She lowered her eyes. A cough came from her left, and she lifted her eyes back up. Her leader’s words from before rang out in her head. Do not lower your eyes.

  “Raven, take Brandy Lee to your room, and keep her safe till the sun goes back down. We only have another hour of darkness. It is too late to leave. Bolt your door. Close your vents and windows. We don’t need an elder getting in. Rochelle can sleep in here with me. We’ll prepare for your travels tomorrow.” Queen Lana's words paused. “Our future is about to change.”