Angels and Hunters (Stoker Sisters 2) Read online

  A stabbing pain gripped Sadie. Knowing she’d let him get away this night angered her all the more. Though her parents were a distant memory, the emptiness left by their sudden and violent death still left her aching.

  “The eternal nemesis to Dracule, and the leader of the Strigois, Skars killed not only your parents, but all the occupants and many of the workers of Stoker Manor before setting it aflame.”

  “Keegan’s parents,” the girls said in unison.

  Sadie had been reluctant to believe Keegan’s telling of the story. Dr. Franz had blamed the fire on a vampire. “All this time, we always believed the hunters were responsible for the fire, for all the deaths.”

  Raging more than she thought herself capable of, Sadie took a few steps back and began pacing as her heart pumped each beat in anger. She caught a glimpse of Alexis and knew that she, too, was disturbed by this latest revelation.

  She knew her sister was increasingly drawn to the Strigoi leader. Perhaps learning of his part in the death of their parents would finally set her straight. But in the very moment that hope crossed her mind, she saw Alexis’ gaze turn to the wounded that lay about them, her tongue coming out to moisten her lips. Her eyes narrowed in hunger as she rounded her shoulders and prepared to find a meal.

  “The wounded have begun to stir,” Sadie said with a touch of surprise. “I’d thought them all beyond help, all on the verge of death. How is it that so many of them are now regaining consciousness?”

  A self-satisfied smile came to Delilah’s lips as she left the support of the tree and came to Sadie’s side. “I gave them a few drops of my blood.”

  Confused by her action and the results, Sadie turned to her. “Your blood? And how is it that…?”

  “The healing capacity of vampire blood can be quite powerful.”

  “I had no idea,” Sadie said softly. Though now a vampire for over a hundred years, there was still so much she didn’t know. Her choice to lead a life away from other vampires, to lead a life as close to human as possible had kept her innocent of some vampire ways.

  The murmurings around them increased and a few of the men were rising, many now walking away.

  “Why?” Alexis spat. Her fists were clenched in anger and her eyes like venom. “They’re leaving. We’re to simply let them walk away… to come hunt us down again?”

  Sadie and Delilah turned to her.

  “I’ve spent the last hours fighting off these hunters, men who are out to kill me, to destroy me. I succeeded in maiming many if not all of them and you now want to heal them? They're out here hunting us down, trying their best to kill us. Shouldn’t we be doing everything possible to kill them before they succeed?”

  “Only Strigois kill, Alexis. Your purpose here is not to kill.” Delilah held Alexis’ defiant gaze, staring at her, almost staring into her. When Alexis tried to turn away, Delilah stepped in front of her, taking a stance just inches away from her. “Not all vampires become monsters. We don’t all turn to the dark side. If anything many of us try to steer clear of the dreadful rendering Bram Stoker conjured up so many years ago. He painted Dracule as a villain; the devil himself. But we do have a choice.”

  She put her hand to Alexis’ shoulder. “You have a choice… to be good or to be bad. Float on the wings of an angel or crawl to the lowest depths of humanity. Do you not want to be an angel… one who helps humanity, as Dracule wished? And as for the hunters… you know what they do.”

  While she’d always remained on the side of good vampires, and her love of humanity was fierce, Sadie couldn’t understand Delilah’s argument. “But these hunters tried to kill us. They’re only purpose is to hunt us down and rid the world of us.”

  Delilah looked at them, her love for her charges evident in her eyes. “I can’t deny the hatred mankind has for vampires. Then again you can’t deny how many vampires have brought that hatred upon themselves.” She looked at Sadie. “It is unfortunate that the actions of a few monsters like Skars and his Strigois make it difficult for all vampires to survive in society.”

  Alexis turned away again, fidgeting in the way she was apt to do when in an uncomfortable situation.

  “I would hate to see you add to that awful reputation.” Delilah directed her words to the back of Alexis’ head. “There is so much hatred already. We must do what we can to help humans against the Strigois. We must fight the power of the Strigois.”

  “That makes us like the hunters… human vampire hunters,” Sadie said. “We’re like Keegan.”

  Delilah smiled. “In a way, trying to keep the peace in the vampire world requires us to fight against Strigois, sometimes enlisting the help of vampire hunters. I know of Keegan Knowles, the famous immortal vampire hunter.”

  Sadie blushed and hoped Delilah didn’t notice. Alexis turned and looked up, suddenly very interested in hearing what Delilah had to say about the handsome young man…the very man whom both sisters loved against their better judgment.

  “He is one of the best vampire hunters in the world today and many Strigois know of him… even fear him. Immortality was bestowed upon him because of his great abilities and his determination. Skars must favor him…he sent him after me. Keegan is so adept at killing vampires, so wise and crafty in his approach, even I knew to stay away. But alas… I know Skars, and he has your Keegan. Your vampire hunter has lost favor in Skars’ eyes and had been captured by him.”

  Sadie and while Alexis stared at her with disbelief.

  “Why?” Sadie asked. “What does he intend to do with him?”

  Delilah looked from one girl to the other, hesitating before she finally spoke. “Kill him.”

  Chapter 2

  It took a moment for Keegan’s eyes to adjust to the darkness. Still, he could barely focus on anything that would tell him where he was. A thin trail of light cut across the floor that was dusty and bare.

  The air was damp. He could smell it. Despite day-old stubble, he could feel it on his cheeks. He’d initially thought he was in a basement, but perhaps he’d been brought to a cave.

  The pain in his stiff shoulders caused him to strain against the rope that bound his wrists at his back. How long had he been sitting there? He’d dozed off for a while, but the chill of the night and soreness in his back had brought him back.

  With his awakening came the memory of the conversation he’d had with Skars, if one could call any verbal exchange with such a monster a conversation. After he’d been shoved into the back of a van and his hands tightly bound, he’d faced the most violent and heartless of all vampires.

  Skars’ eyes had held a gleam of pleasure as he’d enjoyed every moment of tormenting Keegan with the fate that awaited him.

  “What a handsome young hunter you make, Keegan,” Skars had said. His hand had held Keegan’s chin up, his thumb fingering his unshaven skin. “It’s no wonder you’ve managed to have both Stoker sisters so enamored with you.”

  The van seemed to be moving perilously fast, throwing Keegan off balance with every turn. Though he was clearly at a disadvantage, he refused himself the luxury of feeling vulnerable. Even with his hands tied back and his body weak from hours of fighting, he spat in Skars hand and pulled away from his touch.

  A deep and sinister rumble echoed in the vehicle and crawled slowly across Keegan’s shoulders as Skars snickered. “Worry not, dear boy. You're really not my type.”

  “I’ve known you long enough to know that when it comes to blood, any human can be your type.”

  “How positively astute.” Skars clapped his hands together and sat back to eye Keegan. “I’m flattered. But judging by how you’ve been having your way with sweet Sadie and tawdry Alexis, I would think that any human or vampire could be your type as well.”

  “They’re vampires. It’s my life’s duty to hunt them down and kill them, just as I’ve killed so many before them, just as I’ve killed for you.”

  “Spoken like a young man who lusts so desperately for their…”

  Keegan spat again, h
is saliva reaching Skars’ shoes.

  Skars shook his head and grinned. “The truth pains you, does it not? Falling in love with not one, but two vampires. They’re both quite lovely and I can’t say that I blame you.” He came closer, his eyes glaring intently into Keegan’s. “If you were to become a vampire, you could have them, be with them, love them without guilt or remorse. You could share in their livelihoods.”

  “Never.”

  “Or better yet, as a Strigoi you could reign over them.”

  Keegan’s heart pounded and his fists clenched. He fought to control his breathing, determined to hide his growing fear from Skars. He’d seen thousands of vampires over the centuries and he’d slain his share of Strigois as well. But Skars’ reputation was well known. He brought a degree of cruelty to his victims that made many vampires cringe.

  “If I were to become as you are, who would then take a stand and protect you from your enemies, enemies that seem to increase in number with every passing year?”

  “I made you what you are, Keegan,” Skars said. “Your very presence here today, in this time and space, is solely due to my keeping my word to you so long ago. I survived well before you came along and I’ll survive beyond your turning.”

  That was a part of his life Keegan rarely went back to think about. How Skars’ had captured Dr. Franz. How Keegan had bargained with Skars for his mentor’s life. The long and eternal years Keegan had hunted down Skars’ many enemies. Yes, his immortality was Skars’ doing, but his debt to the old vampire had long been paid.

  “I can bring you there, dear boy. The ultimate power of the strongest vampire. The ultimate hunger that is never sated.” That dark snicker filled the van once more. “I will bring you there, I promise.”

  I promise, I promise… the words now echoed in the darkness of the cave as Keegan sat helplessly awaiting his fate. The image of Skars’ grimace, determined and hateful, remained in his mind’s eye.

  He struggled against the rope again. He had to free himself before Skars returned, but the rope was tight and his strength drained.

  If Skars hadn’t yet turned him, there had to be a reason. Could the years Keegan faithfully protected him from his enemies have Skars debating whether turning him was the right thing to do after all?

  No, Keegan thought. Skars didn’t really have the capacity to think such things through. No doubt the years spent protecting him were viewed as an entitlement and not an act for which he needed to be grateful.

  The answer came to him then, so clearly, so undeniably, he couldn’t believe he did not think of it earlier. Skars couldn’t truly afford to lose Keegan as a protector, but he did have a strong desire to sink his teeth into the Stokers.

  Keegan grunted as he realized he was no more than live bait for the girls. He leaned back and closed his eyes, wondering how much Skars knew of his relationship to the Stoker sisters.

  His heart betrayed him as he went on to consider what this could mean for the girls, particularly Sadie. Yes, she was a vampire, but he’d seen enough of her to know how much she cared for him and how she loathed Skars.

  Though no longer for the same reasons, Keegan once again began to fight against the ropes that bound him. He wouldn’t allow Skars to use him to get to Sadie.

  While his eyes had adjusted to the dim light, he could still see nothing that could indicate where he was. He could make out the faint lines of furniture and to the right, he thought he glimpsed a ray of moonlight.

  He wasn’t in a cave at all, but a home; a large and lavish home.

  The door opened, cutting his breathing off as he anticipated the worse. A silent figure entered the room, a flickering candle in his hand. It wasn’t Skars that harbored behind the fluttering light of the candle, but that pansy that had turned the Stoker sisters.

  Keegan felt the blood in his veins turn cold at what was to come. But the pansy vampire who turned the sisters in Georgian England, seemed uninterested in harming him. He approached the large desk across from him and glanced at Keegan with curiosity.

  Lord Ashwin set his candle on the old and dust-covered desk. “Forgive Skars his lack of housekeeping skills. He’s not resided here in a while and he let most of the help go ages ago.” With a sweep of his handkerchief, he cleaned off a corner of the desk and sat down to stare at Keegan.

  The scant light of his candle threw shadows on the walls, exposing fine works of art, a wall lined with leather bound books and a pair of Louis XVI chaises. What Skars lacked in housekeeping skills he made up for with his taste for the finer things in life.

  Keegan couldn’t help but cock a surprised and impressed brow at Skars’ home.

  “Yes,” Ashwin said. “Skars old ties to his royal roots still cling to him. He never could go for the hovels and caverns some vampires choose to reside in.”

  Though he’d been told of Skars’ royal blood and fine lineage, Keegan had always doubted the validity of those stories. Nothing he’d ever seen in Skars’ stance or air had ever hinted at nobility of any kind.

  His gaze returned to Ashwin who simply stared at him. For a long moment, he returned the stare, anticipating his next move. The silence lingered and Keegan fought not to fidget under Ashwin’s steady gaze which passed from his face, down to his bare torso and over his shoulders and arms. Was he sizing him up? Assessing the possible strength he had?

  Unable to stand it any longer, Keegan said, “What are you staring at?”

  “You're a handsome young man,” Ashwin said. “Strong, well-sculpted, muscular, broad-shoulder and rugged in that way so many young women find attractive these days. Yet for all that appeal, I can’t fathom what the Stoker sisters see in you.”

  Keegan let out a light chuckle.

  “Particularly Sadie. In no way are you her type and yet, she seems truly enamored with you. There must be something I don’t see that has her so attracted to you.” His lips twitched, displaying the jealousy he felt.

  “Pansies were the rage during your reign of Stoker Manor, but women today want a man. It’s a wonder Sadie was ever attracted to you in the first place. I’m sure, were she to see you again today, she’d wonder the very same thing.”

  “And Alexis,” Ashwin countered. “She’s always had a hunger for the finer things in life, things you obviously could never give her. I suppose she’s just enjoying the sibling rivalry. She has always had that very competitive streak, you know?”

  “I’m not about to discuss them with you.”

  “What an honorable chap that makes you.” Ashwin slid off the desk and came to stand near Keegan. “But what really intrigues me is your attraction to them. The world renowned hunter falling in love with two vampires…it doesn’t make sense. While I certainly do understand their mesmerizing appeal – after all, I once succumbed to their endless charms – I thought you better than that.”

  “And I would have thought an innocent like Sadie would have been beneath you. Far too innocent for a Strigoi like you.”

  In an instant Ashwin’s fingers were clamped tightly around Keegan’s neck. His eyes open wide, Keegan fought to breathe.

  A satisfied smile crept across Ashwin’s face as he slowly loosened his grip. “As wonderful as it was playing with those two young sisters so long ago, nothing will change what I must now do. Despite my inability to understand her attraction to you, it is that attraction that I’ll now use to get her right where I need her to be. No doubt you know her kind and generous nature. No doubt you know how quickly she’ll come running to help you should she hear of the trouble you find yourself in.”

  He leaned in close, his eyes level with Keegan’s. “No doubt she’ll give her life to save you.”

  Keegan winced and knew immediately he’d been unable to hide it from Ashwin.

  “Oh,” Ashwin cooed. “The thought displeases you, does it not?”

  “I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance.”

  “If she wants to live, all she needs to do is drain you of your blood. He wants two Strigois
. Alexis won’t be a problem. She’s already shown her desire to follow Skars to the ends of the earth. She’s naturally incline toward the darkness, as Skars.”

  “And you’ll just allow him to kill Sadie… the woman you love?” It was all Keegan could do to control his anger. “And you wonder how Sadie could fall for me? How fatally mistaken she was to ever feel anything other than repulsion for you.”

  Ashwin’s jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed.

  “You may as well kill her with your own hands.”

  “How dare you, Hunter,” Ashwin spat as he lifted Keegan out of the chair with a chokehold to his neck. “You’ve no concept of the love I have for her. Were it not for the hold Skars has on me, I would never harm her.”

  “How noble of you,” Keegan choked out.

  “Skars held me prisoner, as he now holds you… he left me with little choice.”

  “There’s no excusing what you’re doing.” Struggling against the ropes and Ashwin’s hand, Keegan thrashed about, his anger growing to dangerous proportions. “It will kill Sadie to become a Strigoi. You are sending her to her grave.”

  The rising anger provoked by Ashwin’s action soon had Keegan breaking free of his bindings. With blinding rage, he rushed Ashwin and shoved him up against the wall. Strong, but thrown off guard, Ashwin turned to bite into Keegan, but Keegan’s furious fist made its way to the vampire’s jaw before he could even part his lips.

  While the blow would have easily broken the jaw of a mere mortal, Ashwin’s head barely whipped back before he brought his annoyed gaze back at Keegan.

  “You disappoint me, Hunter.” Ashwin gripped Keegan’s shoulders and effortlessly pushed him back, sending him pounding into the neighboring wall. “I would have thought you had more than that to offer.”

  The room reverberated with the force of the impact.

  Still riding on a wave of rage, Keegan turned to attack Ashwin once again, but, now on guard, the vampire easily sidestepped his assailant. Keegan overran his objective, but was quick to turn around and plunge into the back of Ashwin’s knees, sending him sprawling to the ground.