Blood Mercy Read online

  Order of Terminus:

  Blood Mercy

  By

  Olivia Starke

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Blood Mercy

  Copyright© 2010 Olivia Starke

  ISBN: 978-1-60088-517-4

  Cover Artist: Tuesday Dube’

  Editor: Stephanie Parent

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Cobblestone Press, LLC

  www.cobblestone-press.com

  Dedication

  To my mom for always fostering my imagination.

  Chapter One

  “Fuck this.”

  Her Source had said the abandoned warehouse was home to two Dissenters, feral vampires who threatened to expose the existence of vampires. As a Hunter in the Order of Terminus, it was Valerie McIntyre’s job to destroy Dissenters and evidence of their activities. Two bad guys were no problem for Valerie—she had highly honed fighting skills.

  Now five rather rabid-looking vampires had her cornered and concerned, one of whom was her usually reliable Source.

  “Come on now, Sam, what is this?” Valerie asked as her back came up against the dusty brick wall. Her hands out at her sides, she tried to reason with her Source.

  “I got me some better friends, Val. That’s all, nothin’ personal to ya,” Sam said before drawing his lips back over sharp, extended canines. A low hiss escaped his throat, and the other four joined in. Reflexively, Valerie growled, baring her own sharp canines in a threat as the group closed in.

  “Fuck me,” Valerie muttered as she worked the situation over in her mind. Before she’d been changed she’d served in the Army infantry during Desert Storm. Of course she’d never seen real combat because of the fact she had a vagina, but she knew a thing or two about tight spots. Five large, male, feral vampires against her five foot ten toned physique couldn’t be too bad of odds.

  Right?

  A menacing growl escaped her throat as she sized up each of her opponents. All looked to be street thugs, though at one time they could’ve been accountants or the local mailman. They were the suspected culprits behind several vicious murders of humans in the area. And they had another murder planned for that evening—but Valerie had no intentions of being a helpless victim.

  Fight to the death; it was what vampires did. The virus coursing within her blood demanded life, and it would drive her to battle until the bitter end. Valerie’s inherent nature expected the same.

  “Okay, you Dissenter S.O.B.s, let’s play.”

  Sam gave her a snarling smile just as a male flanking him lunged.

  * * * * *

  Remann decided to take a detour to the old warehouse he’d added to his collection of commercial investments. It was just after one in the morning, but vampires didn’t sleep, and he had nothing else planned for the evening. The old building was in an area of downtown Houston, Texas, that the city hoped to bring back to life. Remann and his brother Aiden often invested in such places and turned them into nightclubs. This was a solo venture, as he hadn’t spoken with his twin in nearly a year.

  Remann’s cell phone began to buzz. Glancing down, he saw that it was Aiden. His brother’s calls came weekly now, but Remann couldn’t bring himself to speak to him. Remann had lost his heart to a woman who’d chosen Aiden instead of himself. It was a hard blow to both his heart and his ego. He’d always had a collection of women, particularly Feeders—humans who’d offer their blood to him in exchange for a tidy monetary compensation.

  Aiden, on the other hand, had kept to himself for the most part. And now he had Kate. A bitter taste in his throat had Remann swallowing hard. After parking outside a small side door, he hopped out of his Mercedes SUV, cringing at the oppressive humidity of the May evening. He twirled the key between his fingers, but before he could slip it into the lock, he realized the door had been jimmied open. Frowning, he closed his eyes and listened. A muffled snarl drifted to him from somewhere inside the warehouse. Remann tensed.

  “Damn it,” he said as he pushed the door open.

  * * * * *

  The male’s large frame came toward her in a flash of speed. Valerie whipped out the long steel spike she had tucked in her waistband. She shot out a leg, tripping the vampire as he sidestepped her weapon. She grabbed the male’s shirt and plunged the spike into the beast’s heart. Valerie jerked the weapon back as the vampire dropped before her. Sucking in hard breaths, she eyed the four remaining Dissenters, who now seemed undecided after her rapid takedown of their cohort.

  She wiped the spike against the leg of her jeans as she gave the group her most malevolent smile. Cocking her head, she began twirling the deadly weapon nimbly in her hand.

  “Well?”

  The Dissenters looked amongst themselves as Valerie steadied her breathing, centering herself. In the movies bad guys always go after the hero one by one.

  Of course, this was real life.

  All four vampires rushed forward.

  “Excuse the interruption, but you are trespassing on private property.”

  The Dissenters threw on the brakes and whirled as a unit at the deep male voice. Valerie’s head snapped up, and she was rather startled by the man who stood across the dingy room. Her vampiric senses told her he was a fellow vampire, and a tall one at that. Broad shouldered and muscular beneath tan slacks and a tailored white shirt, he was rolling up his sleeves over large, sinewy forearms as he casually strode toward them. Valerie held her breath.

  “Do tell me that the four of you were not about to attack that woman. I find that highly distasteful.”

  The vampire beamed a broad white smile, and Valerie watched as his canines lengthened.

  He had to be at least six foot four, Valerie decided as he came to a stop several feet from the group. He met her eyes, and Valerie’s mouth fell open. His right eye was a dark brown and the left a pale blue. Still beaming his open smile, he squared his shoulders and placed his hands on his hips.

  “May I be of service?”

  Though her life was hanging by a thread, a shiver of awareness rushed over her skin. He was all male, all powerful and commanding despite his relaxed air. Valerie swallowed, gripping her spike tighter.

  A growl issued from one of the Dissenters.

  “This is none of your business.”

  The stranger’s eyes never left her face as he answered.

  “I’m afraid you are wrong, my friend. I was born in an era of chivalry, and I simply cannot condone the abuse of a young woman.”

  His odd, intense gaze moved to the vampire who’d spoken. His smile began fading as he drew his lips back in a more open threat. His white teeth gleamed in the dull light created by the moonlight streaming through the dirty barred windows.

  “I sincerely hope you’ll understand.”

  Valerie’s heartbeat was ringing in her ears. The stale, humid air seemed to be closing tighter around her, and sweat streamed down between her breasts.

  Two of the feral vampires rushed the stranger. With little effort, he pitched them to the side like the bags of garbage they were. Wasting no time Valerie grabbed her Source, Sam, and before he could react she plunged the spike into his chest. Dropping him, she moved to a defensive position as the remaining Dissenter rushed her. A powerful arm came around the male’s throat, yanking him backward. Valerie jumped forward, thrusting her spike into the vampire’s heart. The two others, who had recovered from being to
ssed aside, were quick kills as well.

  The smell of vampire and blood mingled with the musty odor of the deserted building. Valerie eyed her champion warily.

  “My brother is a Hunter as well. My name is Remann.” The vampire bowed deeply before adjusting his shirt. Several buttons had popped off, leaving his broad, muscular chest exposed. The perfect amount of dark hair dusted over his dark olive skin.

  “I’m Valerie. I had things in control.” Valerie cringed inwardly at the abruptness in her voice. She was still amped over the fight, and the virility of the man before her put her further on edge.

  Remann laughed. It was a rich, throaty sound that bounced off the walls within the empty space.

  “I have no doubt about that,” he said. His odd eyes were twinkling, and Valerie felt her face flush.

  “Well, since you’re here, I guess I won’t burn the place down to cover my tracks,” she said, leaving a question in her voice.

  Still smiling, Remann cocked his head to the side.

  “I would rather you not, beautiful.”

  Flushing to an even deeper shade, Valerie made for the door.

  “Fine, I’ll be right back.” She let out a hard breath.

  Chapter Two

  Remann watched Valerie leave. His eyes feasted on her tight little bottom encased in fitted black jeans. Long legs carried her briskly out of the door. He shook his head as he ran his hands down his slacks. Dirt was smeared down the front of him, which he briefly acknowledged. The rumble of a truck engine had him walking to the door. An old brown beat-up Chevy truck backed up to the door, and a yellowed camper shell covered the bed.

  Remann couldn’t help but appreciate the way her high breasts bounced beneath the black t-shirt she wore as she stepped down from the cab of her truck. In the moonlight Valerie was truly a vision. Her light brown hair was pulled into a tight braid that fell over one shoulder, grazing the top of one of her glorious breasts. Her face was oval with large, soft brown eyes and full lips set into a firm line. A slight scar ran from just above her left eyebrow down her cheek. The slight imperfection added to her feminine intrigue.

  Heat spread through Remann’s veins and pooled in his cock. Needing a distraction, he moved forward to assist with the removal of the bodies.

  “This isn’t necessary,” Valerie said as she tried to wave him away.

  “It is the least I can do; please.”

  Valerie shrugged and let out another big sigh.

  * * * * *

  Remann shouldered the bodies with ease as Valerie struggled to drag her share to her truck. His scent filled her head, a strong, vampiric, spicy odor combined with his own unique male musk. It was heady, and though she was immune to the seductive vampire odor, she wasn’t immune to testosterone. She chided herself when she realized she was holding her breath.

  “What was that?” Remann asked.

  “Nothing.” Valerie ground her teeth together as her mood grew worse. She pulled out several jugs of bleach and a mop from the front seat.

  Remann stopped her.

  “Leave it. It’ll be taken care of later.”

  “It’s my job.” Valerie tilted her chin, unable to quite meet Remann’s mismatched eyes. He gave her a broad smile and crossed his muscular arms over his chest.

  “I insist. I would much rather take you somewhere.” Remann paused, and a strange fluttering sensation erupted from her gut. She shifted her feet.

  “I know a bar that serves all night.”

  “Is that right?” Valerie frowned. “A blood bar, I take it.”

  Unperturbed, he continued.

  “It’s actually a classy place much in line with my tastes.” His eyes grazed down her figure. Valerie stiffened.

  “It’s not a good idea.”

  “What could be wrong with inviting a beautiful young woman to have a drink?”

  Valerie snorted. Remann was smooth and had playboy written all over him.

  His pungent, musky scent was enveloping her.

  “What the hell,” she said, surprising herself. “Though if it’s anything like the blood bars I’ve seen elsewhere, you can forget it.”

  Remann clapped his hands together and beamed his dashing smile.

  “Plus, not too long—got to dispose of these guys before they start to ripen.” Valerie nodded her head toward her truck. “I’ll get my change of clothes.”

  “Wonderful. Pull your truck inside the building—we can take my vehicle.”

  For the most part blood bars were places where vampires could collect, enjoy themselves and the one thing they couldn’t live without, blood. Often the bars became the setting for stomach-turning orgies as blood lust combined with carnal lust. It was a pathetic display as far as Valerie was concerned.

  The place Remann had chosen wasn’t too bad. The waitresses could’ve used more clothing, but all in all, not bad. Valerie’s eyes roamed over the room with heavy red drapes decking the walls, and black leather lounges and sofas scattered about. It was a place where you’d see vampires congregating in the movies. Remann chose an out of the way spot in the corner with two leather-clad overstuffed chairs and a small round table. A waitress appeared, wearing a slinky red velvet dress and stiletto heels that left little to the imagination. Remann smiled briefly at the waitress, ordering a scotch. His eyes returned to Valerie, and she was impressed. Valerie herself had been unable to keep her eyes off the woman’s abundant cleavage.

  “And you, ma’am?” The waitress smiled sweetly, a human Feeder, Valerie realized.

  “Vodka.”

  Valerie’s eyes settled on a group of women Feeders collected around a vampire, there to offer their blood and whatever other services they could. Valerie frowned.

  “There are two types of women in the world,” she said, still watching the women. She could see Remann’s eyes on the group as well from her peripheral vision. “Those women there,” she nodded toward the group, “are dumb bitches.”

  Remann’s ever present smile faded just a bit as her eyes returned to him once more.

  “So my beautiful companion, you are certainly not one of those. What would that make you?”

  “Me? I’m just a bitch.”

  * * * * *

  Valerie had a low, throaty voice that was like fire over his skin. He sat back, accepting his drink from the waitress. Valerie took her drink, and Remann chuckled as she scowled at the woman’s back. She tossed the drink back, and it was gone within moments. Remann cocked his head.

  “You know what I hate most about being a vampire?” Valerie said as she studied the empty glass.

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s damned impossible to get drunk.” With a sigh, she placed the glass on the small table. She sat with a stiff spine as her gaze constantly surveyed her surroundings. Remann longed to pull her to him and massage her tight muscles and feel her soften beneath his hands. His cock hardened, and he growled low in his chest. Valerie caught the sound, and her eyes fixed on him. Her nostrils flared, and he saw her face flush. She wet her lips. Remann swallowed.

  “You do our kind a great service as a Hunter,” Remann said. Valerie blinked several times.

  “I don’t do it for our kind, believe it or not,” she said, her eyes darting over the group of human women once more.

  Remann nodded.

  “Understood.”

  He imagined Valerie must be a breathtaking sight as she turned herself over to raw desire. She held herself in control so much that tension vibrated from her. Remann wanted to take her away from it, wanted to see her under his control. His cock throbbed and his nostrils flared, picking up her distinctive feminine odor mixed with the spicy scent of a vampiress. She was aware of him, and he delighted as she flushed deeply.

  “May I ask what brought you to the Order of Terminus?”

  Valerie shifted and rubbed her hands over her thighs. She’d redressed in dark blue jeans and a black tank that gave a glimpse of the tops of her creamy breasts. He eyed the slim gold chain around her
neck with two gold bands as charms.

  “I was in the Army. It was the best choice for someone like me.” Valerie shrugged. Her gaze darted over his face before it drifted over the room again. They came back to his face, and then her gaze settled in her lap. Her hand came up, and her fingers toyed with the gold bands. It was certainly more than just physical awareness that made Valerie so uncomfortable, and Remann was truly sorry for that.

  “I see, my beautiful Valerie,” he said, giving her what he hoped was his most charming smile. He had yet to see her smile.

  “I should get going; thank you for the drink,” Valerie said, rising. Remann was quickly on his feet.

  “Please, just a few more minutes. I rather enjoy your company.”

  “No, I need to finish up before daylight.” Valerie was already making her way to the door. Remann’s shoulders slumped as he kept pace with her. Rejection wasn’t something he cared to get used to.

  Chapter Three

  Valerie had to escape. Something in the way Remann looked at her had her nearly crawling out of her skin. Or perhaps it was the way her body was responding to those heated looks. Either way, her mind told her to run even as her body was drawn to him. Mind over matter with no room for error—that was how she lived her life. She climbed into the passenger seat of Remann’s SUV, the odor of the leather seats and Remann’s potent, lingering scent wrapping around her. The ride to the blood bar had been difficult, but now her awareness was nearly unbearable as he climbed into the driver’s seat. He gave her his ever present smile and shifted the vehicle into gear. Her eyes fixed on his large hand, broad with long, strong fingers. Heat spread over Valerie’s skin.

  She’d had flings with vampires since her change—she wasn’t a nun. What was the big deal with Remann? She could take what she was sure he’d offer and walk away like the other times. No strings, and life would go on as usual. Right?