Black Dagger Brotherhood - Dawn

8/14/2019 Black Dagger Brotherhood - Dawn

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One

Goddamnit!Dawnsvoiceechoedthroughthealley.Shedbrushedagainstthepointy

cornerofadumpster.Thesameone.Again.Sheliftedherhandandinspectedthe

damage,butitdidntseemtohavetornopentheskin.Shewasheadedtothecafshe

visitedevery

night.

It

was

her

sort

of

bar.

The

folks

that

came

there

were

the

ifyou

dont

fwithmeIdontfwithyoutypes.Finewithher.Shewasnttheoneyouwerelooking

forwhenyouneededashouldertocryonorafriendwhoyoucouldspendthewhole

nightonthephonewith.Shecouldnthandleinjustice,though.Whenpeoplewere

treatedunfairlyorshesawsomeonegetrobbed,shewasalwaystheonewhodidNOT

lookaway,insteadofpretendingtheclosedupshopacrossthestreetwassointeresting.

Thosepeoplewereasguiltyastherobber,ortherapistorsomeotherpsychogoingall

JacktheRipperonaninnocentvictim.Itwasthereasonshehadtakenboxingclasses.She

radiatedaggression,althoughsheintentionallymadeitso.Shedidntlikepeople

approachingher.

She

crossed

the

street

and

pushed

open

the

door

to

ashabby

looking

bar.ThesepartsofCaldwelldidnthavethosefancyrestaurantsandlittlecutediners.

Copswerenowheretobeseeneither.Itdidntmatter.Shecouldhandleherselfnomatter

whathappened.

Dawn,therestaurantsowner,Sam,grumbledtoheringreeting.Dawnnoddedin

response.Sheloosenedthestrapsonherleatherjacketandtoaseatatthebar.Vodka,

straight,please,Dawnsaidasshefoldedherhandsonthebar.Samputdowntheglass

hepulledoutofthecabinetbehindhimandpouredalong/tallGreyGoose.Whileshe

took

a

sip

of

her

drink

a

boy

came

in.

He

was

barely

a

man,

the

boy

didnt

even

have

hair

onhisface.Buthecouldcomeherelegally,shesawit,itwasinhiseyes.Amaturity

somehownotfittingcomparedtohisbody.Hemadenoeyecontactwithanybody.He

justparkedittwoseatsfromherandsheheardhimaskforaCorona.Hekepthiseyes

downthewholetime.Dawnforcedherselftolookaway,shewasntinterestedinhim.

Whyshouldshe?Hewasjustasmallboy.Shedrankandstaredintothedistance.She

watchedSamdryhisglassesandunpacknewbottlesofliquor,andputtingthemonthe

shelvesbehindhim.Inthecornerofhereyeshesawtheboytakeoffhisbrownjacketand

revealasimplewhiteshirtunderneathit.Youcouldseethemuscleshedidnthave.His

shoeswereworndownandshecouldseethesolesweregoingtofalloffanytime.He

didntseemtocare.Somethingpeculiarabouthimmadeherstopandstare.Hehad

markingsonhisneck.Circlesandtriangularshapes,allinneatlinesaroundhisthroat

andtheyseemedtogodowntohisback.Andtheywerevaguelyfamiliartoher.She

couldntquiteplaceit.Wherehadsheseenthisbefore?Acoupleofminuteswentby

wheresherakedherbrain.Shewentrigidwhenrecognitionslammedintoher.Itwasthe

dream.Sheknewthesemarkingsfromadreamshehadeverysinglenight.Everynightfor

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thelast4yearsshedreamtaboutawall.Awallfullofthemarkingstheboyishmanhad

onhisneck.Theywerentmeaninglessfigures.Theywereletters.Althoughshecouldnt

makeouttheindividualwordsorevenrecognizeanythingspecificatall,sheknewit.She

neededtotalktotheboyandheneededhelp.Itwaslikeshedknownallalong.When

she

realized

he

needed

help,

she

also

knew

she

was

the

one

who

had

to

provide

it.

Whoa.

Hitthepauzebuttonhere.Whathadhappenedtoherallofasudden?Shedidnteven

knowtheguy.Whatthehellwashappening?Whywasshesoobsessedwithaboywhod

justcometositnexttoher,hadsometatsinunusualplaces,anddidnothingbutordera

beer?Shemustbelosinghermind.Butsomethinghadflaredupinher,aprotective

instinctnotentirelyunfamiliar.Whenshedfeltthiswayitwaswhenanoldladygot

robbedbysomeidiotdudewhowasstupidenoughtodoitinfrontofher.Hehadtodo

withouthisfrontteethafterthat.Dawnfeltthatwaynow,onlyitwasasifsomeonehad

butamagnifyingglassoverherandwastryingtoburnherwithit.Theinstinctivefeeling

waswhatmadeherreachouttotheboy.

Hi,Dawnsaidinherfriendliesttone.Theboylookedup.Hehadpiercinggreyeyes.

Theystunnedherforamoment,butsheforcedherselftogetittogetherandsmileto

him.Thosepeepersofhimwidenedforamoment,butheresponded.

Hi,hesaid.Helookedawayfromhereyesandstaredattheground.Oh,fuckit,Dawn

thought,shecouldtalktohimwhenshefuckingwantedto.

Whatsyourname?sheaskedwhenhelookedbackather.

Eric.Ah,

so

he

wasnt

very

talkative.

Nicetattoosyouvegotthere.Dawnnoddedathisneck.Wheredidyougetthem?

Er,nowhere,wastheresponse.

RightTheartworkisextraordinary.Iwouldntwantanyoneelsetoknoweither.Dawn

turnedherbodytotheright,soshewasfacinghim.

Imnotkidding.Theyvealwaysbeenthere,asfarasIknow.Ericshifteduncomfortably

inhisbarstool.

Youknow,Dawnsaid.Irecognizethemfromsomewhere.

Youdo?Ericsfaceturnedfromconfusionintosurprisetocuriosity.Ihaveneverseen

anythinglikeitbefore.

Well,Ihave.Shethoughtoftellinghimthetruth,butthenmadeuphermind.Ina

book.Ericlaughedsoftlyandnervouslybutquietedwhenhesawshewasdeadserious.

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Whatisitabout?Ericasked.

Dawnsighed.

Really?IwishIknewmoreaboutthis,hesaidwhenshesfinishedherimpossiblestory.

Hewasangledtowardher,notshyanymore.Thatwaswhatshehadbeenlookingfor.She

didntneedhimholdingback.Shedalwaysheldeveryoneatadistance,tryingtoscare

themoff,becauseshewantedtobealone.Withthisboy,shewantedtobeletin,andshe

wasrelievedithappenedsoeasily.Theprotectiveinstinct,inthemeantime,wasroaring

insideofher.Hereyeswerescanningtheroom,lookingforanypossiblethreatagainst

them.Itwasinsane,andsheknewit.Suddenlyshejumpedupandlandedherfeetonthe

floor.

Ihave

an

idea.

As

soon

as

Dawn

spoke

the

words

she

regretted

them.

The

thought

that

hadjustpoppedintoherheadwastheonlyleadtheyhad.Shehadnttoldanyoneabout

herdreams,andhadntputmuchthoughintoit.Ericsbrowspulledtogetherandhe

stareddownatherhesitantly.Sheknewshewasactinglikea impulsive12yearoldchild,

butitdidntmatter.Theadrenalinerushedthroughheratthediscovery.Sheknew

exactlywheretheyneededtogo.

Listen,Ericsaid.Idontevenknowyourn...

ItsDawn.

No,itsnot.Its1a.m.

No,myname.ItsDawn.

Imstillnotsure,Ericseyeslefthersandherstaredathisfeetagain.

Comeon.Nothingwillhappentoyou,Dawnheldoutherhand,andsmiled

reassuringly.Sheletthesmilewaverwhensherealizedshedbecomeatotalsissyoverthe

lasthour.Herhandstayedwhereitwas,though,becausesheneededhimtocomewith

her.Youhaventgotanywheretogo,haveyou?

No,Idont.ItsjustbutDawncuthimoff.

Doyouwanttoknowwhatthemarkingsmean,ornot?Takeitorleaveit.Iwontbite.

Much.Hetookherhandhesitantly.

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Two

Inhere?!Ericalmostshouted.TheywereinfrontofaclubindowntownCaldwell.Ithad

beenquiteawalk,buttotallyworthit.Shewasabsolutelysurenow.Clubsingeneralleft

hercold,buttheonetimeshedbeenhereshedhadagoodtime.ZeroSumwastopofthe

foodchainintheCaldwell.HighclasshookersandcocainewereSOPinZeroSum.She

didntknowtheReverend,butshedheardofhim.Theymadetheirwaythroughtheline

in30minutes,andsheresentedeverysecondofit.Shehatedlines.Thebouncerinfront

didntwanttoletEricin,butnoddedwhenshesawDawnputtingahandonhisshoulder.

EriccringedwhenshesawthemenaceonDawnsface.Theyneededin,andtheropewas

putasideforthem.Thegenpopsectionoftheclubwashadredlightseverywhere.The

dancefloor

was

amixture

of

young

women

in

skirts

so

short

they

almost

werent

there,

andmenwhoweredancingasiftherereallywasnothingthere.Itwasnotwhatshewas

lookingfor.Shescannedtheplacefurther,butsawnosignofwhatshewaslookingfor.

Hereyessearchedtheplacefromtoptobottom,butshesawnothing.

Imnotsosureaboutthisanymore,sheheardEricyellinherear.Shehelduponehand

tosilencehimandfocusedonthewaterfallthatseparatedthegenpopsectionfromthe

V.I.P.zone.Ithadtobehere.Shesseenitbefore.Goddamnittohell,sheknewitwas

here.ShewalkeduptotheV.I.Psectionandstoodbeforetherope.Asshetookapeek

inside,she

saw

what

she

was

looking

for.

Above

the

bar

were

the

some

of

the

markings

Erichadaroundhisthroat.

Doyouhaveastamp?thehugemanthatstoodbytheropesaid,makingherlookaway

fromthebar.Dawnscrutinizedtheman,lookingupanddownhishugemuscularbody,

bitmostlytohiseyes.Heseemedtoosmarttobelieveanythingshecouldthinkof.

Wellberightback,shemouthed,assumingheunderstood.Sheturnedaroundand

grabbedEricshand.

Whatdoyouthinkyouredoing?Ericalmostscreamedinherear,hisimpatience

seepingthrough.Themusicwassolouditwashardtomakeouthisvoiceabovethebeat.

Sheignoredhimandstartedfortheexit,herleatherjacketmadeiteasiertopushthe

hornycrowdaside.Afteralotofelbowingshewasattheentrance.Ericwantedtowalk

out,butshegrabbedhimbythearmandforcedhimtostop.Whenacrowdoffour

walkedthroughtherope,freshlystamped,shemadehermove.Shewalkeduptothelast

inlineandrammedthelastmansshoulder.Hestaggeredback,butshecaughthim.

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Ohmygod,Imsosorry!Areyoualright?Dawnmadeashowofgrabbinghishandand

hugginghim.

Hey,baby,youcanbumpintomeanytime.Heshowedarowofstraight,sparkling

whiteteethandwalkedon.Hetriedtosmackherass,butshedodgedtheattackby

steppingsubtly

to

the

side.

Dawn

pressed

the

backs

of

her

hands

against

each

other

and

thentothebackofEricshand.ShewatchedasEricinspectedhisrighthandandsmiled.

Goodthinking!Ineverwouldhavethoughtofthat,Ericpattedhershoulderandsmiled.

Letshopethisworks.

TogethertheywalkedbacktotheV.I.P.sectionandDawnsmiledpolitelyassheheldup

herrighthandandthebouncerscannedit.Thestampwasasmallcirclewithaneyein

themiddle.DawnsmiledwiderasthebounceraskedEricforhisstampandputtherope

aside.The

bouncer

shone

his

light

on

Erics

hand,

but

nothing

was

revealed.

The

ink

driedtoofast.Dawnfeltherheartskipabeatandthengetjumpstartedintoanirregular

rhythm.

Er,heswithme,shestammered,tookhishandandpulledhimthroughtheopening

beforethebouncercouldsayanything.Dawntookadeepbreathwhenshedidnthear

anyprotesteruptingbehindher.TheywalkedrightuptothebarandDawnpointedto

themarkingsabovetheshelves.

ThisiswhereIveseenthembefore,shesaid,andshelookedbackatEricsneck.CanI

seethem?

Eric

put

down

the

collar

of

his

coat,

and

showed

her

the

markings.

Someareidenticaltotheonesonthewall,Ericsaid.

Remarkable,Dawnwhispered,almosttoherself.Themusicwasabitsofterinhere,but

toolesssotohearthepersonbehindher.WhenDawnfeltahandonhershouldershe

reactedinstinctively.Shegrabbedthethumbandtriedtotwistittothewayitwouldnot

normallygo.Shehadntexpectedanyresistanceandwascaughtoffguard.Beforeshe

knewitshewasontheground.Shetriedtogetup,butadarkshapesatdownonher

stomach.Ashereyesadjustedshesawitwasawoman.Afuckingwomanhadputher

downon

the

ground?

The

woman

was

abouncer,

she

saw

it

by

the

way

she

was

dressed.

Itwastheleathertheotherbouncerswerewearing,andtheyhadmadenoefforttomake

itmorefeminineforher.

Yourecomingwithme,shesaid,inavoicedeepforawomans.Herhairwascropped

shortandhereyeswereasoullessgrey,notthegreythoseofEricwere,butitwasthe

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colorofconcrete.Ortheendofagunbarrel.ShewomansteppedoffDawnsstomach,

andDawnsprangup,readyforafightthistime.

Arewe

alittle

fierce

there,

female?

The

dyke

stared

up

at

her

coolly.

Dawn

was

wearing

blackleatherbootswithhighwoodenheels,soshehadaninchorsoonthewoman.Ms.

DykegrabbedDawnandEricsarmsandledthemtoadoorwhereshepushedinthe

code.Theywerethrownroughlyintoaroomthatlookedmorelikeitwasusedfor

interrogationthenasanoffice.Thewallswerebareandasgreyastheemptysoulofthe

bitchwhodflooredher.Inthebackwallwasfilledentirelybydrawers.

So,thebouncersaidasshesatdownandpointedatthetwoseatsinfrontofthe

aluminumdeskandthenatthem.Whatareyoudoinginmyclub?Ericsteppedforward

andsatdown.Dawnstayedwhereshewasandsaidnothing.Imundertheimpression

thatyoure

not

planning

on

saying

anything,

so

Ill

do

some

talking.

Dawn

folded

her

armsacrosshischestandleanedagainstthewall.MynameisXhex.WhenDawn

snorted,Xhexgaveherathreateninglook.Mybosswouldverymuchliketoknowwhat

thefuckyouaredoinginmyclub,andwhyyoutwowerestaringatthemarksintheOld

Languageabovethebarfor.Ifyourenotgoingtotalk,missy,Illmakeyou.Dawn

snortedagain.Asifthatdykewasevergoingtomakehertalk.Shewas,however,very

interestedinthefactthiswomanknewwhatthemarkswereabout.

Icandothingstoyoubeyondyourimagination,girl.AndImnodyke.

Okaaaay.ThatmadeDawnletpauseforasecond.Shecouldhearherjawfalldownasshe

lookedatthewoman.Thedooropened,andDawntookherformerpositionagainstthe

wall,armscrossedoverherchest.Anabsolutelyhugemanwalkedin.Hewassexand

menaceandpower,regardlessofthecaneinhishand.Dawnhadthoughtthewords

beforeshecouldstopthetrainofthought.Hewashot.HespoketoXhex.

Igotyourmessage.Theglymeraareapainintheass.IdematerializedassoonasIheard.

Whatinthenameofgodweretheydoinghere,staringatmynameintheOldLanguage.I

wanttoknowwhatthefuckisgoingon,Xhex,rightnow.Wemayneedtowarnthe

Brothersabout

this.

No

one

knows

what

sort

of

trouble

those

two

could

give

us.

Did

you

seethemarkingsontheboysthroat?Wevealreadybeenthroughthisshitonce.

Dawnwasdumbfounded.Hey,Dawninterrupted,FYI,werestillhere.Whereareyour

manners?Canyoupleaseexplainwhatthehellisgoingon?Wewereletinbyyour

bouncers,andnothingwaswronguntilyourlesbianfriendsatonme!Dawnpantedin

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rage.Shehadntnoticedsheduncrossedherarmsandtheywereatherside,balledinto

fists.

Xhexandtheguywhowasobviouslyherbossturnedtheirheadstostareather.

What?she

said,

aggressively.

Thedykesbosswasinfrontofherinaflash.Hegrabbedherbythethroatandputher

againstthewall,hishipboneinherstomach.Whothefuckareyou,andwhatthehell

areyoudoinghere?Dawnglaredatthemanandrealizedhehadpupleeyes.Theywere

contacts,shethought.Thoseamethystpeepersofhisglaredbackather,asiftheywere

boringintohersoul.Shestruggledagainsthishold,butcouldntmoveaninch.Hisgrip

aroundherneckwassotightshehadtroublebreathing.

Get.Your.Hands.Off.Me.,shegrowled.Heloosenedhisholdalittle,buthedidntmove

away

or

let

her

move,

except

to

talk.

Answerme,female.Hisdeepvoiceresonatedthroughherhead.Shehadtocomply.

Therewassomethinginthewayisvoicecommandedher.Sheopenedhermouthand

startedspeakingwithoutanactualcommandtodoso.

MynamesDawnRichardson.IcamewithErictoseethemarkingonthewallinthe

V.I.P.roombecauseErichassomeofthemonhisneck.Ivebeenherebefore,awhile

back,andsuddenlyIremembered.

How

do

you

know

the

Old

Language?

the

man

demanded.

TheoldWhat?

TheOldLanguage,theoneyoujustspoke,hesaidthroughhisteeth.Dontplaygames

withmehere,Dawn.Youdontwanttoknowwhathappenedtopeoplewhohavetested

mypatienceinthepast.

Seriously,youneedyourselfgetchecked.TheonlylanguageIspeakisEnglish.Iknow

nothingofanyOldLanguage,neverheardofituntilIheardyourXhexspeakthem.

Thelooming

shadow

purple

eyes

casted

on

her

face

had

her

glancing

away

to

Xhex,

who

wasleaningbackagainstherchair,comfortablyateasewiththesituation.Itmustbe

businessasusualforher.

Rehv,shesaid,maybeyoushouldletthefemalego.Idontfeelanyinsincerity.Besides,

shesnogoodtousdead.

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Rehvlethergo.Shetriednottoshowhowrelievedshereallywashedgottenoffofher.

HewalkedovertoXhexandstoodbesideher.DawnlookedovertoEricandsawhisface

haddrainedofallcolor.Shetriedtomakeherfacelookreassuring,buthisreactiontold

heritwasnthelping.Whatshouldshedo?Shedgottenthemintothismess,andshewas

going

to

get

them

out.

Howaboutyouletusgo?Wevedonenothingwrong,exceptstareatsomestupid

writingaboveabar.Howcanyouknowwerenotjustabunchofidiotstryingtoget

attention?

TheemptysmileXhexgavehermadeherwanttosmashsomethingtopieces.Thefaceof

herbosswasunmoving,andunchanged.Thegrimexpressionseemedtobehisconstant

companion.Thedoorswungopen.TwoguystomatchthesizeofXhexsbosscame

bargingthroughtodoor.Dawntookastepback,andsheheardEricgaspaudibly.One

had

blond

and

one

had

black

hair.

Their

expressions

matched

their

bosss.

Wecameassoonasweheard.WegotanotherODinthegenpopsection.Theothers

arecleaningtheshitup.Willthosesnortingfuckerseverlearn?theonewiththeblond

hairsaid.

Dawn,Eric,theseareTrezandiAm.MynameisRehvenge,Iownthisclub,theboss

saidinhisdeepvoice.Heturnedtothebouncers.Haveyoubeenupdated?Whenthey

nodded,helookedbackatEric.Wewouldliketoseewhatyouvegotonyourneck,boy.

Thereissomethingthereweareinterestedin.DawnwatchedEricseyesalmostpopout

oftheir

sockets.

He

didnt

seem

to

be

able

to

speak.

The

panic

in

his

eyes

when

he

looked

atDawnmadeherwanttojumpatRehvenge.Notabletothinkofanotherwayout,she

nodded.Ericputthecollarofhiscoatdownabit,soRehvengecouldseehisneck.

Wereindeepshit,Rehvengesaidafteramoment.Herosetohisfullheightagain.She

sawhepalmedhiscane.ThissayshestheastruxnohstrumofsomeonenamedSehrena.

Thatsagirlsname.Andawarriors,too.Thatsimpossible.Theyhavetobetakentothe

king.AndthatonewhounderstandstheOldLanguagehastobedealtwith,Rehvenge

lookedatXhexandthenathishelpers.Female,howoldareyou?

Dawnwas

getting

angrier

by

the

minute.

He

kept

calling

her

female

and

talked

about

themlikeshewasntevenintheroom.Sherepressedtheurgetoyellathim,andgofor

histhroat.Insteadsheglaredinhisdirection.

Doyouwanttodothisthehardway?Xhexsvoicewaslow,softanddeadly.

Im24.

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AtthatRehvengewalkedinherdirectionandgrabbedherbytheshoulders.Beforeshe

knewwhathewasdoing,shefelthisnoseatthesideofherneck,goinggentlyupand

down.Shecouldhearhiminhaling.Anotherunfamiliarneedroseupinher.Shewanted

tobitehim.Hard.Takehimdownonthefloor.Anothersecondlatershefelthim

releasing

her.

To

her

embarrassment

she

noticed

her

head

had

fallen

back,

and

she

tried

nottomakeittooobviousshehadtroublebreathing.Sheshouldhavegivenhimapunch

inthefaceforwhathedjustdone.Insteadshecouldntmoveamuscle.Shejuststood

there.Staringathim.ShecouldfeelEricseyesonher.Hewasstillinhischairbythe

desk,buthewasreadytomakearunforit.Shefeltextremelyguiltyabouthowshed

luredhimwithher.

Itscomingfast.Icansmellit.Itsalloverher.WehavetotakethemtotheBrotherhood.

ASAP.

For

a

moment

nobody

said

anything.

Then

everyone

started

talking

at

once.

Xhex

stood

upfromherchair.ThatwasIT.Dawnsnapped.

Sheshriekedinfury.Whatthefuckingoingon?Wecomeintothisclub,gettakento

theback,asifforabeating,andthenwegettalkedaboutasifwerenoteventhere,and

nowyouaredecidingwhenweregoingtogetdeported?Someoneexplaintomewhatin

thenameofallthatsholyisgoingon,orIamwalkingoutofherethisveryminute!

Trez,theblondone,spoke.Whoisgoingtobetheonethattellsher?Imnotgoingtobe

theonewhogetspunchedbythefemale.Theotherguardsaidnothing.Rehvenge

clearedhis

throat.

Maybeweshouldgetthemaccommodatedfirst.Illgivethehistorylesson.

Three

Dawnwasawestruckanddumbfoundedandtotallydisoriented.Whathadhappenedand

whytoher?Shedbeenbroughttothishugeblackroomwithabedaslargeasa

swimmingpoolandsatinsheets.SheandEricweredumpedhereandweretoldtowaita

moment.Ten

minutes

later

Rehvenge

had

walked

in

and

after

putting

Dawn

down

on

the

groundandaskingherifshewouldpleasestoptryingtoshovehisnoseintohisbrainhed

beguntalking.Hetalkedforanhourstraight.Atfirst,shedidntbelieveonewordhesaid.

Afterthatshebeganrecognizingthingshedtoldthem.Abouthowshewasalways

hungrybutdidntgainanyweight,howshewasaggressiveallthetimeandpissedoff.He

alsosaidthatwhatshefeltwasnormalforamale,butnotforafemaleoftheirspecies.It

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allbecamecleartoher,andshehadtoacceptherfate.SheandEricwerepretransition

vampires.Itexplainedthedreamsandtheweirdbehavior.Shejustcouldntwrapher

headaroundit.Itwastoomuch.EriclostconsciousnesswhenRehvengehadshownthem

hisfangs.WhenEricwasout,Dawnhadtouchedthemandfoundthemsurprisingly

attractive.

She

and

Eric

had

gotten

a

little

time

to

talk,

before

Rehvenge

had

come

out

andtoldthemthestoryandwheretheydgoatsundownthenextday.Dawnhadtold

Erichowincrediblysorryshewasthishadallhappenedtohimandthatshedgetthem

outofhere,nomatterwhathappened.Theweirdthingwas,Ericdidntevenseemangry

orupset.Hewasveryreasonableandsaidthathedknownwhattheyweregetting

themselvesinto.ButhewantedanswersasmuchasDawnwantedout.Shefeltobligated

toprotectEricatallcosts.ShelikedRehvenge,forsomereason.Hewashertypeofguy,

whodobviouslylivedahardlife.Asmuchasshewantedout,however,shewantedto

facewhatwascomingheadon,ifwhatRehvhadtoldherwastrue.WhenRehvengehad

leftsheandEricdidntspeakforalongtime.DawnfiguredErichadnodoubtrecognized

hisownbehavioralpatternsinwhattheReverend,asRehvengewasalsoknowninthe

Caldwelldrugbusiness,hadtoldhim.Nowtheywereacrosstheimmenseroomfrom

eachother,andawholelotofsilencebetweenthem.Notthatsheparticularlycared

aboutthequiet,butshewaswonderingwhatwasgoingthroughhishead.

Doyoubelievethem?heaskedsuddenlyfromthevelvetblackchaiselongue.Dawn

frowned.

Idontknowexactly,butIwouldverymuchliketo,Dawnsaidaftersometime.Idalso

like

to

know

what

is

going

to

happen

tomorrow

night.

I

want

to

meet

so

called

king

of

theirs,andtellhimalittleofwhatIthinkofthisall.Kickhisass,ifnecessary.Ifthisisall

true,thenIwonderwhyIhaventknownbefore,andhadtofindthisoutallonmyown.

Unexplainabledreamsthatkeeprepeatingareveryannoying.

Four

Riseandshine!adarkfemalevoicebarkedthroughtheroom.Theintrusivesoundmade

herwanttopullthepillowshewaslyingonoverherhead.Insteadsheopenedhereyes

slowlyandlookedatthedoor.Xhexsblackshapewasstandinginthedoorway.Wellgo

injustaminute.Iwantyoutodressandcomeoutafter.Thedoorshutagain.Dawn

lookedaroundandsawEricwassittinguponhissofa.Hesobviouslyfallenasleepduring

theday.Heyawnedandstretched.Therewasntmuchtodressbecauseshedonly

undonehershoesandtakenoffherjacket.Shethrewtheultrasoftblacksatinsheetsoff

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ofher,andgrabbedherboots.Whenshewalkedovertoherleatherjacket,theheels

madeatickingnoiseagainsttheblackmarblefloor.ShecouldfeelEricseyesonher.

Areyoucoming?shesaidassheturnedaroundtofacehim.Whensheremainedsilent

andstaredathimquestioninglyheseemedtocollecthimself.Heshookhishead,nodded

toher,

and

rose

to

his

feet.

Dawn

opened

the

door

and

walked

out

into

the

hall.

Xhex

was

nowheretobefound,soDawndecidedtojustwalkbacktotheclub.Ericwasright

behindher.Sheopenedthedoorthatsaidmezzaninefloorandassoonasthedoor

creakedopen,thetooloudmusicdronedouteveryothernoise.Shewalkedoutintothe

clubandsawXhexstandingunderneaththeexitsignontheothersideofthedance

floor.ShegrabbedEricshandandtheymaneuveredbetweenthesweatybodies.The

protectiveinstinctwasstillwithher,shenoticed.WhentheyreachedthedoorXhex

pusheditopenandletthemgofirst.TherewasablackEscaladeinthealleybesidethe

club.Thedoorclosedandthemuffledpurringofthecarbecameaudible.Thewindows

wereas

dark

as

the

night

outside.

Xhex

opened

the

rear

door,

and

motioned

they

go

in.

DawnletEricgofirst.Theinteriorhadblack,softleather,andDawnclosedthedoor

behindher.

Dawn,wasit,right?amalevoicesoundedfrombehindthewheel.WhenDawnseyes

metthoseofthedriverinthemirrorshehadtosuppresstheurgetoshrinkback.The

manhadlongblackhairanddiamondeyessofierceitfeltasiftheycouldgetinsideher

head.Inthedimlightitwasntreallyvisiblebutshecouldseehehadatattooonhisleft

temple.TheintelligenceinhiseyeswassomethingthatDawnhadneverseenbefore,but

could

be

compared

to

Rehvenges.

Dawn

swallowed.

Yes.SheglancedovertoEric,whoseemedpermanentlypetrified.

Well,ImVishous.Rehvcalledme,saidyouwereinhisclub,lookingathisnameinthe

OldLanguageabovethebarintheV.I.P.section.AndthatXhexhadpossiblyfoundher

matchwhenshetriedtotakeyoutwotothebackforquestioning.Wrath,ourking,would

verymuchliketoseeyourmarkings,Eric.

Ericstillwasntinanyconditiontotalk,soDawnspoke.Rehvengesaidthemarkings

wereintheOldLanguagesayinghestheasthruxnohstrumofafemalewarriornamed

Sehrena,whichisthemostunusualnameIveeverheardof.Vishousfrownedand

strokedhishairback,leavingnodoubtaboutthetattoo.Dawndidntknowwhatitwas

withthesemen,butitwasobvioushewasavampire.Andahotone,too.Vishous

stompedthepedalandshotoutofthealley.Whyhewassoreckless,shehadnoidea.

TherehasneverbeenafemalewarriorthatIknowof.AndIknowalot.Inthewhole

historyoftheBrotherhood,notevenintheOldCountryhastherebeenafemalewarrior.

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12/37

Maybeitsjustamalewithagirlyname,orafemalewhoisntawarrior,butneeds

protectionfromanastruxnohstrum.WhyitsonhisneckthatshesaBrother,Ihaveno

idea.Couldntbeatypo.

WhatistheBrotherhoodandwhatdotheydo?Dawnhadheardthenamesomany

timesbefore,

spoken

by

Rehvenge,

by

Xhex

and

by

the

Moors,

Trez

and

iAm.

TheBlackDaggerBrotherhoodprotectsthevampireracefromtheLesseningSociety,

whosesolepurposeistodestroyit.ItallbeginswiththeScribeVirginandtheOmega.

TheScribeVirginisthemotheroftherace,andtheOmegaishercounterpart.The

Omegarecruitsonlyhumans,becausetheyreasteadysourceofaggression.Theybecome

undead.Theirhairisdrainedofallcolorandtheirheartsarekeptinajaraftertheyare

transformedintoslayers.TheBrotherhoodfightstheslayers.Werebredtofightthe

lessers,whichiswhattheyarecalled.Eric,thatboy,hasmarkingsonhisnecksaying

there

is

a

Brother

he

needs

to

protect.

Shes

a

female,

it

seems.

Maybe,youshouldrenameyourclub,then?

Itsnotaclub,female,thisisseriousbusiness.Ifwewerenttheretoprotectit,we

wouldvebeenextinctagesago.

Ashedroveon,thelandscapewassuddenlyfuzzy.Whichwasfunny,becauseshewasnt

exhaustedinanyway.

Outoftheblueafencewasrightinfrontofthecar.Dawnrepressedtheshockby

rammingher

heels

together.

She

apparently

didnt

hide

it

very

well,

because

Vishous

eyes

flashedtoherintherearviewmirror.Vishousnoddedatthecameraandthefenceslid

openjustenoughtoletthemthrough.Immediatelytheywereconfrontedwithanother

setofsteelbars,whichslidopen,too.AndVishoussteeredthecarontoalongdarkdrive.

Aghostlymansionappearedinfrontofthemandsodidalittlebuildingnexttoit.The

hugevampiredroveintoadarkhole.Suddenlylightsflickedon,andDawnsawan

immensegarage.VishousparkedinaspacenexttoabeautifulPorscheandaGTO.The

doorsunlockedandDawnlookedatEricbeforeslidingout.Shejusthadtostopandlook

atthePorsche.Itwasgorgeous.Herhandwenttothecarinvoluntaryandshegrippedit

withthe

other

to

try

and

stop

it

from

touching

it.

The

owner

wouldnt

appreciate

that,

shethought.

Goahead,avoicesaidbehindher.

Shespunaroundonherheels,fistshighandreadytofight.Ahuge,obviously,vampire

malewasstandingcasuallybehindher.Hewasmaybe65andhehadahugescaronhis

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13/37

face.Hiseyeswereasyellowasthesunandsoviciousitalmostmadeherstaggeringback.

Hisskulltrimmadehimlooklikeacriminal,andthewayhestoodasstillasastatue

madehimterrifyingtobehold.

Youdontwanttofightme,female.Sothinktwiceaboutyournextmove,hesaid,still

unmoving.The

car

is

mine.

You

can

touch

it.

Dawnrelaxedherhandsandstraightenedoutofhercrouch.Shesaidnothing.Shefelt

likehedidntneedherto.Whichmadeherfeelquitecontent,forsomereason.Her

instinctsaidthismanwasokay,buthisfacemadeherdoubtthatfeeling.Shelistenedto

herbodyandturnedaroundagainshowinghimherback.Forsomestupidreasonhim

behindhermadeherfeelprotected,notthreatened.Sheletherfingerstouchthehoodof

thecar.Justlightlyatfirstandthensheletherhandtracetheshapeofthecar.Theonly

noticedtherewereotherpeoplewatchingherwhensomeoneclearedhisthroatbehind

her.

She

spun

around

again,

only

to

see

Vishous

palming

a

hand

rolled

and

Eric

just

flat

outstaringather.Thescarredmanwasstillinthesameposition,watchingher.She

lookedintohiseyesandsawsomething,butshecouldntquiteplaceit.Wasit

recognition?

Areyoucoming?VishoussaidfrombehindScarface.Helookedatherasheputthe

handrolledbetweenhislipsandlititwithagoldenlighter.DawnandEricfollowedhim

ashemarchedforthedooratthebackofthegarage.Dawnlookedoverhershoulderto

seeScarfacestilllookingather.Intheexactsameposition,onlyhedturnedaround.With

thatsamelook.

Thefoyerwasbeyondbelief.Itwasmarbleandflowersandgrandnessandpainted

ceilingsand awholelotofohhs andaahs.

nowwhatthefuckwassoimportantthatyouhadtodragmeawayfrommyshellan?a

deepboomingvoiceechoedthroughthefoyer.Animmenseman,biggerthana

bodybuilderappearedatthetopofthestairs.Atjoltofelectricityhummedthroughher,

andDawnfeltherselfgetslammeddownononeknee,buttherewasnopain.Andthen

sheblackedout.

Five

Dawnsheadwaskillingher.Andregainingconsciousnesswasnthelpingthepain.She

felttoocomfortabletobeonamarblefloor.Andwarm.Shewasinabed,sherealized.

Dawnopenedhereyesandsawnothing.Heroomshewasinwaspitchblack.Shetookin

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14/37

adeepbreathandtriedtositup,butcouldnt.Shewasjusttootired.Acandleflaredon

thenightstandandtheroomwaslitbyasoftlight.Sheturnedherheadtoseeabig,dark

shapeonthechairnexttoherhead.Itwasthescarredvampire.

Youshouldtryandstaydown,female,hesaid.Hisfacewasdarkandfullofanemotion

thatcould

only

be

described

as

hate.

My

name

is

Zsadist,

and

Ill

be

here

ifyou

need

anything.

Dawntriedtospeakbutshethroatwassodryshecouldonlymakearaspingnoise.

Zsadistgotupandwalkedovertosomethingatthefootofthebed.Hecamebackwitha

glassofwaterinhishand.Helookedatitasifhedidntknowwhattodowithit,butthen

camecloser.Dawnthoughthewasgoingtothrowitinherface,butheputtheglass

gentlytoherlips. Ittookhertwowholeminutestodrinkitdown.Shewassurprisedby

howZsadisthandledher.Thelookonhisfaceandthewayheacteddidnotseemright

together.

He

put

the

glass

down

and

parked

it

in

his

seat

again.

Dawn

turned

her

face

to

seehimstaringather.

Whathappened?Dawnwhispered.Itwastheloudestshewascapableof.

Inthefoyer,whenyousawWrathatthetopofthestairs,youfelldownontooneknee

andsaidintheOldLanguagetheoathawarriorhastotakebeforehebecomesaBrother.

Yousaidyouwouldgiveyoulifetoprotectthekingandtherace.Thenyoucollapsedand

youwereunconscious.Thefemalesundressedyouandputyouinthisbed.Iofferedto

watchoveryou.Hecrossedankleathiskneeandsaggedalittlebitinhischair.He

rubbedhis

skull

trim

and

continued

studying

her

face

with

that

same

expression

of

revulsion.Maybeitwasthewayhealwayslooked.Itmadethescaronhisfacemore

noticeable.Dawnwasdumbfounded.Allsherememberedwaspassingout.Whathad

happened?

Why?Dawnbreathed.

Thedooropened.Anothermancamein.Hewasasbigastherest,butheworeawhite

robe.HishairwasasmulticoloredasDawns.Shegasped.

Why?Idontknow,female.AllIknowisthatthereissomethingfamiliaraboutyou.

Phury,myprecioustwin,agrees.Zsadistlookedatthemanwhosatattheedgeofthe

bed.

IndeedIdo,brothermine.MynameisPhury.Howareyoufeeling?Wewerevery

worriedaboutyou,hesaidwiththekindestvoiceimaginable.Itwassounlikehis

brother.

14


15/37

IfeellikeIvedrunk3bottlesofscotch,Dawnwhispered,butlouderthanbefore.ButI

thinkImalrightagain.Shetriedtositup,butcouldntsucceedonherown.Phuryshot

quicklytohisfeettohelpher.Zsadistsatunmovingnow.Whenapileofpillowswere

keepingheruprightshelookedaroundtheroom.

Tellme,

Phury

said

after

hed

fetched

himself

achair

and

sat

in

it.

Have

you

ever

called

yourselfSehrena?

Dawnfrowned.No,why?IsntthatthesamenamethatsonEricsneck?

Itis,butwehaveneverheardofafemalewarriorbefore.Whatdoyourememberabout

whathappenedinthefoyer?

DawnlookedatZsadist,whowasstillstudyingherface.Thegrandchairsheandhis

brothersatinsuitedthemperfectly.Icantrememberanythingmuch.TheonlythingI

canrecall

before

Iwoke

up

here

was

seeing

your

king

and

falling

down

onto

one

knee.

Phuryspokeaftersometime.TheBrothersandthekingwanttohaveyoudoanancestor

regression.Itstoseewhatlineyoudescendfrom,becauseinyouroathyouidentified

yourselfasSehrena.Itshouldbepainless.Phurysmiledawarmsmile,butbehindthat

wasconcern.Dawnswallowedlouderthanshewouldhaveliked.Itwashoweverobvious

thatshewasntinanypositiontochoosewhathappened.Shelookedaroundforher

switchblade,butthenrememberedithadbeentakenfromher.

Dawnclearedherthroattosaysomething,butthedooropenedandVishousandanother

mancame

in.

God,

how

much

of

them

were

there?

Vishous

hair

was

in

front

of

his

face

andthemanhewaswithhadaRedSoxcapon.

Sehrena,Vishoussaid,hiseyesboringintohers.IwantyoutomeetButch.Heswith

theBrotherhoodtoo.ThemanwiththeRedSoxcapnoddedtoher.

MynameisntSehrena,Dawnsnapped.

So,thisisher?themannamedButchsaid.

Yup,theresnoreasontoassumesheslyingaboutanything,Phurysaid.

So,Vishoussaid,assoonasyourereadyfortheancestorregressionwellknowwhere

youcamefrom.

Itsmostlypainless,Butchsmirked.Dawnwasntconvinced.Butshewasntafraidof

pain.Shewascuriousagain.Andtheprotectiveinstinctflaredagain.

15


16/37

WheresEric?

Hesfine,Vishoussaid.Itookcareofhim.HeswithJohninthePit,theoutbuilding.

Hesabitshakenfromwhenyoudidyourlittlethingdownstairs.Idontknowwhatsup

withthatguy.Itseemshegetsfrightenedbythesmallestfly.

Donttalkabouthimthatway.Igothimintothis,itsmyfault.

Ihaveneverseenanaggressivepretranslikeherinmywholelife.Imextremelycurious

towhattheregressionsays.Thehairitseemsimpossible,PhurywhisperedtoVishous.

Dawnglaredathim.

Shealsoseemstorecoverquickly,Zsadistsuddenlysaidfromhischair.Oratleast

ignorethepainsheisin.

itsimpressive,hisbrotheradded.

Welldotheregressionatsundowntonight,Vishoussaid.Untilthenitseemslikea

fineideatokeepWrathawayfromher.Everyonemurmuredhisapproval.

Now,canIseeEric?Dawndemandedfromthehordeintheroom.

Er,canyou?Butchsaid,pullinghiseyebrowsupinsurprise,sothattheywerentvisible

anymore.Thecappreventedit.

Ifsomeoneleadstheway,Dawnsaid.Shethrewoffthecovers,onlytosnatchthem

backand

pull

them

up

to

her

chin.

She

was

butt

naked.

Youhadaslightfever,Zsadistsaiddryly.Theeyesoftherestofthemenhadgottenbig,

asifshewasAphroditeherself.Idiots,Dawnthought.

Phurygotittogetherfirst,becausehegrabbedaropeandgaveittoher.

Givehersomeprivacyguys,hemotionedthemtoleavetheroom.Rhageiswaiting

outsideforyou.HeandMary,hisshellan,willtakeyoutothePit.Everyonefiledout,

withZsadistlookingoverhisshoulderather.Hiseyeswereyellow.

Six

Dawnputthesilkrobeonandfollowedthem.Inthehallweretwopeoplewaiting.One

wasawoman,andoneaman.OneofthoseBrothers,forsure.Thewomanseemed

average,themannotsomuch.Evenfromthebackyoucouldseethemusclesthroughhis

16


17/37

shirt,andhiswavy,unnaturallyblondhair.Whenthewoman,MaryDawnassumed,

lookedatherthemanturnedaround.Rhagewassostunninglybeautifulthatitalmost

hurthereyestolookathim.Everyfeaturewasperfect.Fromhisforeheadtohistoes,he

embodiedperfection.Dawnwasmomentarilystunnedbutthensherealizedshewasflat

out

staring,

and

she

got

it

together

again.

Followus,Dawn,Marysaidinalovelyvoice.Rhagesmiledatherandextendedhis

hand.Sheshookit,butwithoutlookinghimintheeyes.Theywerejusttoomuchforher

tohandle.ShefollowedMary,withhimonherheels.Shefeltmorecomfortablethatway.

Shewasleadthroughthehouse,andthentoatunnellitonlybylampsusedatamilitary

facility.Wasshegoingtoatorturechamber?

Marystoppedatasteeldoorattheendofthetunnel,andpushedinacode.Insideitwas

ascozyastherestofthehouse.Therewasgrandeureverywhere.Hereyessearchedthe

room

and

she

found

Eric

sitting

on

the

couch

with

a

glass

of

scotch

in

his

hand.

His

eyes

werebloodshot.Buthesmiledatherasiftowelcomeher.Hewasdefinitelydrunk.So,he

didntdrinkthatmuchnormally,Dawnfigured.ThebottlenexttohimwasntLavagulin,

itwasGreyGoose,heralltimefavorite.

Youcantakesome,ifyouwant.Butbecareful,thestuffisstrong,avoicesaidfrom

behindfourcomputerscreens.ItwasVishous.Dawnwasntatallintimidatedbythe

bottle.Shemadesureherropewassecurelywrappedaroundher,andleaptforward.She

pickedupthebottleandnotbotheringtograbaglass,sheputittoherlipsanddrank

downahalfinchbeforeputtingitbackwhereitstood.SheturnedaroundtoseeRhage

andButch

staring

at

her

in

awe.

But

this

time

they

werent

looking

at

her

body,

they

were

lookingforsignsshewasgoingtothrowup.

Shesureknowshowtodrink,Butchsaid,hiseyesstillbigwithwonder.Vishouslooked

up.

Iknow,hesaid.Ialreadysawwhatshewasgoingtodobeforeyoudid.

Whatkindofwomendidtheseguyshangwith?Dawnwondered.Shedidnthavelongto

dwellonthethought,though,becauseanothermancameinwiththelostbottleof

scotch.

Dawn,Ericsaid,meetJohnMatthew.

WhenJohnheardhisnamebeingcalledhiseyesshiftedoverandmethers.Anexplosion

notunlikeanuclearbombwentoffinDawnshead.Itwaschemistry.Pure,raw

chemistry.Thoseeyesofhiswerethemostbeautifulandsexualandmasculine,andfora

17


18/37

moment,thatwasalltherewas.Andthenthewholemoodintheroomchangedfrom

casualtointenseconcentrationonherandJohn.Apparentlyeverybodyintheroom

noticedherchangetoo,becausewhenshelookedaroundalleyeswereonher.Shewas

veryawareshewasstillinherbathrobeandwithabottleofvodkainherhand.Hed

lowered

his

own

bottle,

and

stared

at

her.

And

then

brave

little

Eric

continued.

So,Johnkeptmecompanywhenyouwereinbed.ThisisthemostamazingstuffIhave

everseen.

DawnkepthereyesonJohn,whowalkedovertothetableandputthebottledown.His

handsstartedmoving.

Nicetomeetyou,Dawn,hesignedinAmericanSignLanguage.Vishousstartedspeaking.ButDawndidnthearhim.Nicetomeetyoutoo,JohnMatthew,she

signed

back

to

him.

Heseemedmomentarilytakenabackbyherresponse,butcountered:WheredidyoulearnASL?Youregood.Youcanjusttalktome.Ihearperfectlyfine,thankyou.Oh,okay,then.IhungaroundachurchwhereanunwouldteachthekidsASL.AndI

pickeditup,DawnforcedhereyesawayfromhimandbacktoEric.Shesatwithout

permissioninoneoftheornatelycarvedchairs.

Wellleaveyoutwoalone,Rhagesaid.HetookMaryaroundthewaistandledherback

to

the

door.

Butch

and

Vishous

also

stood

up.

Wehaveworktodo,V,Butchsaidtohisroommate.John,Iwantyoutostayhere,in

casesomethinghappens.Fritzstockedfoodinthekitchen,maybeyouwantsome.He

andVleftthroughthedoorattheendoftheroom,andJohnwalkedintowhatseemed

tobethekitchenafternoddingtobothherandEric.

WhathappenedwhenIwasout?Dawnaskedwheneveryonehadfiledoutandshed

madesureeverythingwascovered.ShestillfeltJohnspresenceintheotherroom,and

triedtoignoreit.Shewasunsuccessful.

Notmuch,

really.

You

were

out

little

over

aday.

They

let

me

sit

here

and

John

kept

me

company.Theyrereallynice,asidefromthefactwevebeenheldhereagainstourwill.

Theywouldntletmeseeyou.ButIcrashedhere,andeveryonetalkedtome.Itslikea

hotelprison.Thereweregrapesonthetable,nexttohisglassofscotch.Hegrabbedone

andstartedthrowingitintotheair,astoemphasizehispoint.

18


19/37

Thatsgood.Dawncoveredherselfupfurtherandnestledintothechair.Erictalked

abouttheBrothers,whileshelistenedandmadecommentseverynowandagain.After

maybeahalfhourEricclosedhiseyesandfromthedrinksorfrompureexhaustion,she

couldnttell,hepassedout.Dawnletherheadfallbackanddozedofftoo.

Seven

Alittlewhilelatershewokeupagain.Somethingwasoff.ShelookedatEric,whostill

seemedtobeinadeepsleep.Hereyessearchedtheroom,andshenoticedwhatwas

different.JohnMatthewsatinthechairacrossfromher.Hehadthegracefulnessofa

king.Youcouldseehismusclesthroughhisshirt,hiswholebodythatofaprizefighter.

Helookedather.Shestaredback,hervisionnolongerhazy,butalertandreadyfor

anything.Hejustsatthere.Staringather.Shestaredrightbackathim.Hewasbeautiful,

butnot

in

the

hurts

my

eyes

to

look

at

you

perfect

way

Rhage

was.

His

stubble

and

his

untuckedshirtdidntmakehimlookuncivilized.Itmadehimlooksexy.Heatflaredupin

herbody,thewayithaddonewithRehvenge.Vampiresdidstrangethingstoher,butthis

timeitwastotallyvoluntary.Shelookeddownatherselfandsawthattherobeshewas

wearinghadslidoffhershouldersandwasrevealingalmosteverythingshehad.She

lookedfromherbodytoJohnandmadenoattempttocoveritup.ThelettersFUBAR

wereveryappropriaterightnow.Shewantedhim,tobitehim,tosuckhim,totake

everythinghehadtooffer.Righthere.Rightnow.Hiseyesshiftedfromherfacetothe

placeshedneglectedtocoverup.Hernippleshadgonehard,andwereshowingthrough

thesatin

of

her

robe.

She

felt

the

heavy

aching

need

to

have

him

inside

of

her.

He

stood

upsoquickthatifshedblinkedshewouldnthaveseenhimgetup.Hedidntcomeat

her,though.Hewalkedintooneofthebedrooms.Dawnstaredatthedoorframehed

walkedthrough.Whywashewalkingaway?Shedseenhisarousalthroughhisfancy

jeans.Hewasntunwilling.Dawngotupandfollowedhim.Thebedroomwasempty.She

heardtheshowerrunninginthebathroom,andwalkedovertothedoor.Sheknocked.

John?Areyouokay?

Thatwasstupid.Asifhecouldanswerher.Sheopenedthedoorandenteredthemarble

bathroom.Thehottubwasemptyandtowelswerefoldedupinaneatpile.Johnwasin

theshower,strokinganarousalthatfithisbody.Hisupperarmwasagainstthewalland

hisheadshovedagainstit.

Doyouneedhelpwiththat?Dawnasked.Whatwasshedoing?Wassheaskingaguy

thatheldhercaptiveifheneededhelpwiththeorgasmthatwasobviouslypoisedinhis

shaft? Sheturnedoffherthoughts.Theywerenthelping.Johnssexedupeyeslookedup

19


20/37

andmethers.Atinglingsensationstartedathercoreandemanatedthroughouther

body.Hestoppedwiththestroking.Heturnedofftheshowerandgrabbedatowel.He

wasstillrockhard.Hedidntlookinherdirectionashetoweled.Whenhewasdonehe

letthetowelfalltothegroundandturnedaroundandstalkedtowardher.Hegrabbed

her

by

her

neck

and

forced

her

to

the

wall

next

to

the

door.

Dawn

gasped

and

let

her

head

fallback,theheatragingthroughoutherbody.Johnsnosewenttoherneck,andhe

inhaleddeeply,asifhecouldsmellheremotions.Hepushedhiserectionagainsther

thighwhilehisnosewentupanddowntheveinatherneck.Dawnshandswenttohis

biceps,andshepulledhimcloser.Hishandswentroughlytotheknotinherrobe,and

Dawnlethimuntieit.Hewasntgentlewithherashewrenchedthethingoffher

shouldersandthrewittotheground.WhenDawnwasnakedbeforehimhegrabbedher

thighsandforcedherontothemarblecounter.Herthighspartedandheenteredher,

fillingherupentirelywithonesinglethrust.Anallconsumingorgasmmadeherscream

hisname,leavingherwithoutoxygenwhilehemadeherrideoutthepulses.Whenshe

camebackdownshegaspedandfranticallytriedtogetairintoherlungs.AndJohndidnt

stop.Heloweredhishead,hisfangsrakingovertheskinofherbreast.Shegroanedloudly

whenhetookallofhernippleinhismouth.

Dawn?Areyouokayinthere?Vsvoicesoundedcombinedwithaknockonthedoor.

Dawncursed,feelingJohndeflateinsideher.Heslippedout.Fuck,hesigned.Givemeaminute!Shelookedaroundbutherbathrobealreadyappearedinfrontofher

face.Oh,thankyou.

John,areyouintheretoo?Oops.Dawnundidthelockandthedoorswungopenbeforeshecouldgettothehandle.

Vishouswasstandingnexttothechairbythedoorinthebedroom.Rhagewasleaning

againstthewallbythebed.HeputaTootsiePopinhismouthandthrewawaythe

wrapper.ShelookedatJohn.Hehadwrappedhistowelaroundhiswaist,hisface

showingnoemotion.

Excellentplanguys,Rhagesaid,hisvoicesoundingmuffled.Dawn,weregoingtodo

anancestor

regression

on

you.

John,

you

and

Ineed

to

have

alittle

talk

about

that

little

situationwegotgoingon.Thorisnotgoingtolikethis.

20


21/37

Eight

Okay,sothatsit?Dawncrossedherarmsoverherchest.

Prettymuch.Itsnotgoingtobepleasant,Vishousputahandrolledbetweenhislips

andflipped

open

agold

lighter.

He

exhaled

and

continued.

Dont

worry,

we

did

the

same

thingtothecopacoupleofmonthsago.Wewerentsureatthetimewhetherhehad

enoughvampinhimtosurvivetheprocedure,butyouaregoingthroughthechangefor

sure,sothereaintnothinghappening,true?

Well,okaythen.Ifanythinghappens,Isweartoyou,Iwillhaveyourhead.Andthenits

notgonnamatterifyourethisbigassvampirewarriorornot.Keepthatinmind.

ThecornersofVsmouthpulledupinalittlesmile.Itllbealright,trustme.Weregonna

dothisinWrathsstudy,sofollowme.

Theywentoutintothehall,tothedoubledoorsthatwereatthetopofthestairs.Phury

alreadywaitingoutside,andRhagebehindherhadaTootsiePopalreadybetweenhis

thumbandforefinger.Weird,shethought.Whywouldsheneedalollipop?Witha

mentalshrugshewalkedthroughthedoorPhuryheldopenforher.InsidewereWrathin

hischairandBeth,thequeen,stoodbesidehim.Theirfacesweregrim,butexpectant.

Thiswasgoingtohurt.

Dawnwasputinthecentreoftheroom,herleftsidefacingWrathandthequeen.Rhage

tookhisplacebehindherandVishousinthefront.Heremovedhisgloveandrevealedhis

glowing,tattooed

palm.

Instinctively

shrinking

back,

Dawn

bumped

into

Rhage,

who

put

hishugebutperfecthandsonbothofhershoulders.

Youregonnaneedtorelaxforme,Dawn,Vsaid.Takeacoupleofdeepbreaths,no

needtorush.Youregoingtohavetotakeyourclothesoff.

Dawncomplied.Notgivingashit,DawnthrewherclothestothegroundandlookedatV,

whowasmodestenoughtoonlyhaveeyesforhers.

Shebreathedindeepandblewoutgently.Itworked.Herheartrateslowedandhermind

becamemore

quiet.

She

was

all

there

was.

Openyoureyesforme,Dawn,Vsvoicesoundedfaraway.Shehadntrealizedshed

closedhereyes.WhenliftedherlidsshesawVishousfacerightinfrontofher.His

diamondiriseswereglowing.Thepupilofthelefteyewasexpandingsowidethatthere

wasnowhiteleft. Dawnbegantostruggle,butRhageheldhertight,soshecouldnt

move.VsglowinghandliftedandthentheblackofVseyeseemedtoconsumeher

21


22/37

Sheheardthewind.Yes,itwasthewind.Aslowbreeze.Howsoothing.Inthedistancea

noisesounded.Whydidthatsoundbotherherwhileshewasenjoyingthesoundsofthe

wind?

Dawn,canyouhearme?Afemalevoice.Vaguelyfamiliar.Dawnwasreluctanttoopen

hereyes,buthercuriositywasgreaterthanherneedtokeepthemclosed.Whatshesaw

wasblurry,andeverythingmovedupanddown.Therewasasilhouetteinfrontofher.A

blackhairedwoman.Beth,thequeen.Dawnrealizedthatitwasnthervisionthatwas

hazy,itwasherbodythatwasseizureingsoviolentlythatitwasalmostasifshewas

vibrating,andtherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.Shemanagedtoliftherheadand

sawthatRhagewasholdingheranklesandBethwasatherwrists.

Thisisperfectlynormal,Butchsvoicesoundedfaraway.Andthenshetastedthemost

deliciousflavor

in

her

mouth,

so

overwhelming

that

black

spots

started

to

appear

again.

Whentheshakingstoppedandsheregainedcontroloverbothherbodyandhermind,

shenoticedhowexhaustedshewas.Thelastthingsheheardwasavoicesaying:NO!,

andthenshefellintoadreamlesssleep.

Nine

Fuck!Zsadistwasseeingstars.Howcanyoubesosure,itcouldbePhurysjustaswell!

Vwastryingtobereasonable,asalways.Imneverwrong,andyouknowit.Andbesides,

Phurywasacelibate,untilhebecamethePrimale.Ikindofseetheresemblance,too.

ZwantedtobashinVishousskull,butinsteadhepunchedaholeinthewall.Allhegot

outofthatweredusty,stinging,bleedingknuckles.Hewasfuriousathimself.Howinthe

fuckdidthishappen.Zcursed.Hedonlybeenwiththreewhoresinhis200years.And

Bella.Butshewassostayingoutofthis.Ohmygod,NallaShehadabigsister.Great.Justperfect.SomeoneparkedhiminWrathssofa,becausehefeltthefuzzynessofthe

couchcaressinghisass.Whatwashegoingtodoaboutthis?Whatwashegoingtodo

whenBella

asked

him

whose

young

Dawn

was?

What

was

he

gonna

do

when

Nalla

asked

himwhyDawnwasnthisshellansdaughter,butonlyhis?WhatifDawndidntsurvive

hertransition?Hewasscrewed,andheknewit.Zsadistlookedaroundtheroom.Allthe

brotherswerethere,sayingabsolutelynothing,whichmadeeverythingworse.Dawnwas

outcoldonthefancyfloorofWrathsstudy.Ashelookedatherhewasovercomeby

someunknownemotion.SomethingshiftedinZashegazedatherformonthefloor.He

22


23/37

wasfeelingsomethinginhisgut.Wasitshame?No,itwasnt.Hefeltresponsiblefor

Dawn.Hell,hewasgonnataketheblameforeverything.Hiswholelifehehadbeen

runningawayfromthings,buthewasgoingtofacethisheadon.Hestoodup,and

walkedovertoDawn.Nooneseemedtosomuchasbreathe,justseeingwhathewas

going

to

do.

Theright

thing.

He

kneeled

besides

Dawns

sleeping

body,

and

picked

her

up

carefully.Henoticedherhairwasamixtureofbrownandblonde,almostthesameas

colorashisandPhuryswas. Shewasmadeofglass,thefinest,mostexquisiteglass.His

daughter.

Ten

Dawncameawakewithastart.Shewasuprightinherbed,readyforafight.Butthere

wasnobodythere.Itwasjustherinthepinkroom.Shewentovertothebathroomand

washedher

face

without

turning

on

the

light.

She

used

the

toilet,

and

when

she

came

backoutshesawtheclotheshangingonaknobnexttothedoor.Shegrabbedthemand

theboxofshoesunderneathitandwentovertoherroom.Sheturnedonthebedside

lamp,onlytoturnitoffagainbecausethelightstungsobadfromthesoftglowofthe

lamp.Sheturneditonagainbutmoreprepared.Afteralotofmoistureandblinking,her

eyesadjusted.Shelookeddownandsawwhattheservanthadbroughther.Aflowingred

gownwithmatchingredshoes.Withnoalternativestochoosefromsheputonthegown,

butwithherbootsinsteadoftheshoes.Shetuckedtheknifeshefoundinadrawerand

putitinherleftboot.Noonewouldseesheworethemanyway,becausethegownwasso

long.Her

back

was

showing,

and

her

breasts

were

obvious

in

the

elegant

design.

She

walkeddownstairsinadazeandfollowedhernosetowardsthedelicioussmellscoming

fromthekitchen.Shewasstarving.Whenshewalkedaroundthecornerofthedining

roomandlookedaround,shewastotallyflabbergasted.Abeautifulwoman,obviouslya

vampireandtheBrotherZsadistweresittingatabigtable.Zsscarwaslitbyacandle,

whichmadehimlookscarierthanusual.Thegorgeousvampirewomanstoodup,andZ

followedherexample.

Please,Dawn,haveaseat.MyhellrenandIwouldverymuchliketohavedinnerwith

you.

Notbeingabletosayaword,Dawnsatdownatthetable,acrossfromBellaandZsadistat

herleftside.Aservantcameinandputawholechickenonthetable.Shelooked

questioninglyatZsadistbutitwashisshellanwhospoke.

MynameisBella.ImZsadistsshellan,andIreallywantedtomeetyou.

23


24/37

Dawndidntunderstandonebitwhyshewantedtomeether.NicetomeetyouBella,

Dawnsaid.Isawyouattheregression.IhaventheardofwhoselineImdescended

though.

WhenshelookedatZsadist,helookedaway.Shameandguiltshowedashefacedaway

fromher.

Shock

rippled

though

Dawn

as

realization

slammed

into

her.

She

was

Zs

daughter?Excuseme?Hello!Howthehelldidthishappen?Apparentlyshespokethe

wordsoutloud,becauseBellasaid:

Iknowhowyoufeel.ZandIdidntexpectthiseither.Wejustgotayoung,andwehad

noideatherewasanotherone.

IIIdontknowwhattosay.IguessIcouldveseenthiscoming.

NowitwasZsadiststurntobeshocked.Bellalookedatherwithunbelievingeyes.

Howso?Zasked.

Well,lookatus.Thehair,beingcrankyasfuckmostofthetime,theaggressiveness.I

mean,IhaventseenanyonequitelikeZsadist,justasIhaveneverseenanyonelikeme.

ThatswhyIvealwaysbeenalone.Imnotapologizingformybirthandyoushouldntfeel

guiltyforputtingmehere.

AlittlesmileshowedatthecornersofZsmouth,andjustlikethat,theheavyatmosphere

wasgone.

Imreally

all

right,

Dawn

said

to

both

her

new

father

and

his

wife.

Or

shellan,

as

they

seemedtocallthem.Immyownwoman.Ifyouwantnothingtodowithme,thanthats

justfine.Ivelivedmostofmylifewithoutparents,orotherpeopleforthatmatter.Dawn

lookedatBella,andsmiled.Idontwanttocomebetweenyouandyourhusbandoryour

daughter.VtoldmeaboutNalla.Ibetshesjustasbeautifulasyouare

NowDawnwasoverthefirstshockofdiscoveringwhoherfatherwas,sherealizedshe

wasactuallyokaywiththesituation.ShedidntneedanythingfromZ.Shewas24,forgod

sakes.Whowasshetodestroyalittlefamilyoverthefactthatdaddyhadanotherchild?

Wereso

glad

that

youre

taking

this

so

lightly,

Dawn.

Im

terribly

sorry

about

all

this.

Bellaputherhandonherhellrensarm,whichwascoveredintattoos.

Ishouldbetheoneapologizing.ZlookedDawndirectlyintheeye,andhisstarewas

gentle.Ihaveneverdonetherightthingeverbefore,untilBellacamealong.AndNalla

aswell.Wecouldspendsometimetogetherinthefuture.Maybetakeawalksometime.

24


25/37

Thatdbegreat,dad.Zmadeaface.

TherestofthemealsheenjoyedtalkingwithmostlyBellaaboutthebeautifulhouse,the

othershellans,NallaandhowWrathhadbecomeking.Whensheshutterscamedownfor

theday,BellaandZsadistreturnedtotheirrooms,butDawndidntfeellikesleepingyet.

Shewandered

through

the

big

house

and

stopped

at

the

library.

Shelf

after

shelf,

there

werebooks.SomeofthemnotinEnglish,butalotofthemwere.Shegrabbedabookat

randomandstartedturningpages.Aftershedturnedaboutadozenofthem,shefound

outthebookwasonmath,andsosheputitaway.Justwhenshelookedupshesawa

hugemalecominginthroughthebigdoubledoorsofthelibrariesentrance.Heworeall

black;anAfflictionTshirtwithabikerjacketandtorntoshredsjeanswithshitkickers.

Oneearwaspiercedfromtoptoearlobe,andhehadasilverhoopthroughhislowerlip.

Hesawherandastrangelookcrossedhisface.

So,youre

Dawn.

Yougotaproblemwiththat?Shewassonotgonnaplaythisgame,orwhateveritwas,

withthisguy.

IcanseeyoureZs.Theresjustnootherexplanation.Alittlesmugsmilelitupthe

cornersofhismouth.

Icantakecareofmyself,thankyouverymuch.Shewasnotinthemoodforteasingof

anykind.Shestoodupandrosetoherfullheight.Shewasbarelysmallerthantheguy.

ImQhuinn,hesaid,notsteppingback,notevenwhenshecouldlookhimintheeyes,

almostwithoutlookingup.Orlookingaway.Listen,hesaid.AboutyouandJohn,Im

goingtolookoutforhisass.Soyoubetternottryanythingfunny.

Thereisnothinggoingonbetweenus,andifIwantedtotrysomethingIddoitonmyownterms.Regardless,cantJohnlookoutforhimself?Hedoesntlooklikeheneeds

protection.Hesabigboy.Inmorewaysthanone,sheaddedtoherself.Qhuinnwasnowlookingatherinawaythatcouldvebeennothingotherthancalculation.Orwasthe

onceoveringmeantforherbody?

JustknowthatImnotgoingtoletanythinghappentohim.VishouswantsyouatthePit

atnightfall.DocJanewantstodoacheckuponyou.Hestartedwalkingawaybutthen

turnedback.Oh,andbytheway,yourenomatchforme,female.

Wellsee,soldier.

25


26/37

Eleven

WhennightcameovertheBrotherhoodmansion,DawnwentovertoVandButchs

place,acrosstheyard.Shedputonheroldclothes,andimmediatelyfeltmore

comfortableandmuchstronger.Herknifewasinhershoeagainandherhairina

ponytail.She

rang

the

bell

and

the

door

came

open

automatically

when

Vs

voice

had

welcomedher.Shewalkedinthelivingroom.Vishouswasthere,surroundedbyfour

giganticcomputerscreens.TherewasbaseballontheTV.

Hey,Soxvs.Yankees!Dawnsaidasshelookedatthegame.

Vishousfrowned.YouoneofthoseYankeemotherfuckers?

Doyouhaveadeathwish?RedSoxfever,baby!Dawngrinnedathim.Didyousleep

well?

Notreally,gotsomesleepingtroubles.Myshellanofferedtodosometests,butitllpass.

Dawnsighedandsatinachair.Well,jointheclub.Evenwithallthatsbeengoingon,

Ivebeenrestlessashell.

Vsniffedtheair,smellingher,shesupposed,andsaid:Well,itsnotreallynormal.When

yourtransitionapproachesyourenormallyverytired.Idontknowhowitworksforhalf

breeds.MaybeyoushouldtalktoBeth.

SoIdontsupposeyouregoingtoletmeoutanytimesoon,areyou?

Nope.Itsbestifyoustaywithus.Familiesofwarriorsneedtobeprotected.Its

dangerousforthemtobeoutandabout,andyoureapretrans.Sothatmakesyouextra

vulnerable.

Afteralongsilence,wheretheywerebothlookingatthegame,Dawnspoke.

Iwanttoseemyadoptiveparents,theonesthatIbroughtmetotheorphanagewhen

thingsbecametooviolentathome.

WhenshelookedatV,hedidntlookatallsurprised.

Doyouknowwheretheylive?Icanlookanythingupinhere.Maybeaname,abirth

date,anything.

TheirnamesareJocelynandHughWesterville.Justacoupleofolddrunkswhousedto

spendmostoftheirtimeonthestreet,fightingpeopleoreachother,allinall,itsa

miracleIcameoutoftherealive.IwanttoknowhowIcametobethere.

26


27/37

JustwhenVishousopenedhismouthtoanswerDawn,aghostlywomanenteredthe

room;JaneWhitcombM.D.,onceahuman,nowsomewhereinbetweentheFadeandthe

worldoftheliving.Atleast,thatwaswhatErichadtoldher.Theboyappearedbehindthe

doctor,anditseemedlikeshehadntseenhiminages.Shehadtheirresistibleurgeto

walk

over

to

him

and

hug

him.

She

did.

He

hugged

her

back

after

a

moment,

as

if

surprisedbyhersuddengestureofaffection.

Well,hey,Dawn,hesaidaftershelethimgo.Howveyoubeen?

Justgreat,Dawnsaidwithabigsmileonherface.Foundoutaboutmynewdaddy?

Yeah,Idid.Congrats.Iwishmyfatherwerethatcool.Theydidmyregressiontoo,while

youwereout.Imdescendedfromalineofsemiwarriorswhoprotecttheroyalfamily

andusedtoprotectthebrothers.NowIprotectaSister,itseems.Atyouservicemaam.

Hemadeashowofsalutingandkneelingdowninfrontofher.

Dontbestupid,Eric,Dawnsaid,laughing,Icouldbeatyouwithonehandonmy

back.

Dontbesosureaboutthat,whenmytransitioncomes,IllbeasstrongasRhageandas

powerfulasVishousandsobeautifulithurtstolookuponme.Ishallruletheworldand

thesevenseas.Butthekingrulesme,ofcourse,headdedhastily.

DocJanewasreadyingherequipmentandtryingtopushbackVishouswhotryingtokiss

her.Whensheputherhandonhischestandpushed,hejustgrabbedherhand.Soweird,Dawn

thought.

He

was

eyeing

her

with

akind

of

sick

devotion,

like

he

was

more

than

her

mate,asifhewasnotunderherspell,butdrankhermagic,likeaheroinaddict.Dawndidntquiteknowwhattomakeofit.Dawnjustwishedsomethinglikethatwouldnever

happentoher.No,shejustwantedtofight.

WhenJanewasfinisheddoingherthingtoEric,shewenttoworkonDawn.Shetookher

toVishousandherbedroomsoshecouldseeDawnsbodyinprivate.Thedoctortoldher

totakeoffherclothesandlaydownonanexamtablethatwasplacedinthesuite.

Ivebeenstudyinghalfbreedtransitions.Youregoingtobejustfinewhenthechange

hits.However,Ithinkyouregonnaneedtofeedfromafairlypurebloodedmaleifyou

wanttosurvive.Myhellrentoldmethathalfbreedslikeyourselfneedsomegoodqualityblood,oryouwilldrainthemaleinquestion.SinceIdontknowwhatexactlywillhappen

toyou,becauseyoureadaughterofawarrior,andwithyourcurrentsituationDoc

JanewasramblingonwhileshewaspreparingasyringetodrawbloodfromDawn.

27


28/37

Holdonasecond,Dawnsaid.Shefeltasifshedsaidandthoughtthosewordsa

thousandtimesoverinthepastfewdays.WhatdoyoumeanMycurrentsituation?The

queenisahalfbreed,isntshe?Everythingwentokaywithher.

Thedoctorlookedupfromwhatshewasdoingandsmiledather.Youreright.ButBeth

didnthave

an

ahstrux

nohstrum

before

shed

even

gone

through

her

transition.

There

is

somethingelsegoingonwithyou.Zsadistwasntalwayslikeheisnow.Heusedtobelike

hisbrother.Theyrebothwarriors,true,butsowasDarius.AndBethwasntasaggressive

beforehertransition.Asitturnsout,Bethisntawarriornow.FromwhatIveheard,she

hasntchangedthatmuchduringhertransition.You,Dawn,aregivingoffmalepretrans

hormones.ItscaresmeandVishouslittlebit.

JanetookthecapoffthesyringeandpiercedDawnsarm.Thedoctorlookedupwhen

Dawndidntflinch.Dawnsmiledencouraginglyather.

Forinstance,

Jane

continued,

you

should

be

screaming

right

now,

like

Eric

did.

Your

skinissupposedtobeverysensitive,butapparently,itsnot.

ItdidntworryDawnasmuchasitdidDocJane,butshehadtoagreewiththedoctor.It

wasalittleweird.Ifeelfine,though,Dawnsaid.Anditsnotthatitdoesnthurt,butIjustdontfeelthe

needtoexpressit.WhyshouldI?Itwouldonlydistractyou.Itsjustpain,andIknow

yourenotdoinganythingtoharmme.

Janepursed

her

lips

and

looked

at

Dawn,

and

then

continued

with

what

she

was

doing.

Neitherofthemspokeforawhile.

Youknow,Janesaidafterawhile.Irespectyouforhowyouvehandledyourselfin

here.Afterallthatsbeengoingon.Youare,afterall,incaptivity.WhenIfirstcamehere,

Vishoushadkidnappedmefromthehospitalbecausehedhadavisionofus,here,

together.ItshardtounderstandthattheBothers,andeveryonehereforthatmatter,

havethebestintentions.Iadmireyouforthat.

Thankyou,Dawnsaid,abitsurprisedatthesuddencompliment.ButIguessitwas

differentfor

you,

because

you

were

human.

And

Im

not.

Ididnt

know

that

until

afew

daysago,ofcourse,buttherewasalwayssomethinginsidemethattoldmeIwas

somethingmore.Idalwaysassumedthateveryonehadthatfeeling,butwithmeitturned

outtobetrue.WhenImetRehvengeandXhexandTrezandiAm,somekindoffeelingof

belonging,orrather,beingwhereIbelongedjustcameup.Isuppressedit,naturally.Iwas

pissedoffatthem.Itwasthestrangestthing.

28


29/37

Dawnheardherownvoicetrailoffandwinced.

Sorry,Imtalkingbullshit.

No,yourenot.Janehadstoppedwithwhatshewasdoingandstaredather.Inmy

studies,Ihave

discovered

the

vampire

race

is

mostly

defined

by

feeling

and

emotion.

Theynavigatefromtheirinstinctsratherthantheirheads.ItsthestrangestthingIve

everencountered.MaybeyoushouldtalktoVishousaboutthis.

Dawnmadeaface.No,thanks,Illpass.

Janesghostlyformstraightened.

Okay,Ithinkweredone.IllexaminethebloodandcallwiththeresultswhenIget

them.

Youknow,

Doc,

Dawn

said

when

they

shook

hands.

Youre

tight.

Ilike

you.

Janesmiledandturnedtopackupherstuff.Dawnputherclothesbackonandturnedto

walkoutthedoor.

Oh,Dawn,Janesvoicesoundedfrombehindher.

Yes.Dawnturnedtofaceheragain.

BecarefulwithJohn.Hesbeenthroughalot.Dontexpecttoomuch.

Thatmade

Dawn

smile.

Dont

worry

about

me,

Ican

handle

myself.

Twelve

Whenshecameoutintothelivingroom,VishousandEricwerewaitingforher.Erichad

aglassofGooseagainandVwassmokingTurkishtobacco.

Smokingisbadforyou,Dawntoldhimsmiling.Ofcourse,shewasafilthysmoker

herself.HasntJanetoldyou?

Dontworry,Sehrena,vampiresdontgetcancer.

Dawnwhistledthroughherteeth.Wow,goodtoknow.Haveyougotanycigarslying

aroundbyanychance?AndFYI,mynameisDawn.

29


30/37

Vlaughed.Ormaybeitwasmorealowchuckle.Yeah,wedo.Therearesomeinthe

drawerofthecoffeetable.Usually,smokingissomethingmalesdo.

Well,luckyforme,Idontgiveafuckaboutgender.Dawnretrievedacigarillofromthe

packageandshutthedrawer.

Ericcoughedalittlewhenhearingthatlaststatement.Lethimfantasize,Dawnthought.

Shelithercigarwithaheavygoldlighterandtookalongpull.

So,aboutthatthingwediscussedearlier,Vishoussaid.Howaboutwegotomorrow

morning,aftersundown.You,meandButch.Youcanneverbetoosure,true?

Sure,fine.Icantgobymyself,canI?Iwishyoudjustletmegotomyapartment.My

nonexistentplantsandfishneedfeeding.

EricapparentlydecidedtoignoretheexchangebetweenherandV.

Yeah,goodone,Dawn,whendowegettogohome?heputdownhisglassandlookat

Vishous.

Idontknowyet.Dawn,Imsorry,butyouregoingtohavetostayhere.Yourtransition

issogoddamnedclose,whencantletyougooutnow.Ifithitsandthereisntoneofusto

helpyou,youllbesentbacktousinapinebox.Ornoboxatall,forthatmatter.So,no,

yourestayinghere.IcanhaveFritzputyourstuffoverhereoratSafePlace,theshelter

forfamilieswhohavebeenhitbylessers.Iwouldliketohaveyouhereuntilyouvegone

through

the

change.

Dawnhadasuddenepiphany,andshewasnthappywithwhatdcometoher.

TheKinghasahandinthis,doesnthe?EricwaslookingfromDawntoVishousand

back.Nowheloweredhisglass,withouthavingdrunkfromit.ThecornersofVsmouth

turnedupinawrysmile.Dawncursed.

Hewantstoknowhowyouwillturnoutafteryourchange,becauseofyourperformance

inthefoyer.Somethingisupwithyou,Dawn,andyoucantdenyitatthispoint.

Dawnput

out

her

cigar

in

the

ashtray

that

was

on

the

table

as

Jane

came

out

of

the

bedroom.

Imgoingtogotomyroom,Dawnsaid.IllseeyouatFirstMeal.AreyoucomingEric?

Yeah,yeah,holdup.DawnheardascramblebehindherandthenEricwaswalking

besideher.

30


31/37

ThetunnelthatleadfromthePittothemainhousewaslitbyanunfriendlywhitelight,

andDawnspedtotheothersideoflit.ShewaswalkingsofastthatErichadtorunto

keepupwithher.Shewasrattledtothecore.

Areyouokay?Ericasked,alittlebreathless.

Yeah,sure,fine.Shewalkedevenfaster.WhentheypassedEricsroomshesaidaquick

goodbyeandtoldherselftomakeituptohimlater.Shewasinabadmood.Shed

admittedtoherselfthatshewasalittleweirdamongthosewhowerealreadyweird,but

tohavesomeonelikeVsayitoutloudhadbeenahugeshock.Whenshecameintoher

ownroomsheletherselffallonthebedanddidntcomeoffforalongwhile.

Thirteen

Shedbeenasleepalittlewhilewhenshecameslowlyawake.Shehadallherclothesstill

onexceptforhershoes.Shehadnttakenthemoff.Sheshotupandlookedaroundinthe

room.Itwasdarkaspitch.Shescrambledtothelamponthebedsidetableandclickedon

thelight.WhenshelookedaroundagainshesawJohnMatthewsittingonthechairinthe

cornerofherroom.Hewasperfectlycalm,andhisblueeyeswerewatchingherlikea

predatorwatchingitsprey.

Vishousaskedmetocomeandseehowyouweredoing,Johnsigned. HesaidyouwereupsetwhenyouleftthePit,sohesentme.Gobacktosleepifyouwant.Ohandbytheway,Itookoffyourboots.Dawntookadeepbreathtocalmherself.No,itsokay.Ididntexpectyouhere,thats

all.

Heretheyweretogetheragain.Inaroom.Together.Alone.Notknowingwhatelsetodo

Dawntookoffhertshirtandpantsandwenttotheclosettograbarope.Whenshecame

aroundhercornershebumpedintoJohnshardbody.Shetriedtotakeastepback,but

hegrabbedherarmsandbeforeshecouldmovehisnosewasgoingupthevein.Dawns

feebleattemptstogetawayfromhimwereignored,andwhenshefeltthewallofher

roombehind

her

it

was

all

too

familiar.

Her

body

responded

to

him

and

alittle

moan

left

herlipswhenhishandwentroughoverstomachdownto

John,stop,Dawnbreathed.Shepushedhimawayandhelistenedthistime,givingher

space,butstayingclosejustthesame.Hewaswatchingherwiththosepredatoryeyes.

Dawnwasstuckbetweenwhathermindtoldherandwhatherbodywanted.Wasshe

flirtingwithdisaster,likeJanehadtoldher,orcouldshehandlethis?ShelookedJohnin

31


32/37

theeyes,thosedeepblue,gorgeouseyes.Andthenathisbody.Shewantedhim.Wanted

himbad.Hewastheonethatcouldgiveherthatsweetreleasethatwasbuildingupin

herbody,fromjustlookingathim.

Fuckit,Dawngrunted.Shegrabbedhisheadandpulledhislipstohers.Shewasonfire,

andwhen

she

felt

his

enormous

arousal,

she

figured

he

was,

too.

Her

robe

was

off

in

a

heartbeat.Herpantiesandbrafollowedsoonafter.Hepickedherupandcarriedher

towardthebedanddidntevengivehertimetobreatheashepushedhimselfinherand

shecriedout.Withoutpause,hestartedmovinginasteadyrhythmthatsentherflying.

Beyondshame,oranythingearthly,shemovedwithhim.Shecameinadevastatingrush

ofpleasurewhenhisfangsrakedhershoulder.Hedidntstop,butjustkeptgoingonand

on,whichcausedhertonotsomuchtocomebackdown,butbetrappedontherazor

sharpedgeoforgasm,slicingherinhalf.Onepartofherbodywasutterlyexhausted,the

otherwantedmore.Shecouldfeelhimeverywhere,andeverytouchseemedmagnifiedby

whathe

did

to

her.

The

sex

was

like

shed

never

experienced

before.

It

just

seemed

to

neverend.Johnwasalsoinsomekindoftrance.Hiseyeswereintentonherbodyashe

begantomovefaster,andfaster.Shefeltanotherorgasmbuildingupinsideher,and

whenshecame,hecamewithher.Whenthewavespassedherolledoffher.Hedidnt

tuckherintohisbody,butshedexpectedthat.Theyjustlaythereforwhatseemedlike

days,sayingnothing.Whentheirbreathing slowedeventuallyJohnstartedtomovehis

handsinasloppyway.

Imsorry.Itsbeenfun,butdontexpecttoomuch.Dawn

sighed.

Shed

expected

him

to

say

nothing,

so

his

apology

was

asurprise.

Excuse

me?Whatareyousayingsorryfor?Imnotsorry.WhyshouldIbe?OhandBTW,you

stolemyline.Theylayinsilenceagainforawhile.

Youreokay,female.Youreallyare.YoureZsalright.Iwisheveryonewouldstopsayingthat.

Someonewaswalkingthoughthehall.Bigfootstepswalkeduptothedoorandhalted

there.John!Areyouinthere?Blayandme,weregonnaliftsomeweightsinthegym.

Youcoming?

Dawnletoutherbreathinawheeze.Shestoodupoffthebedandputonherrobeagain

Hesinhere,shesaidinhernormaltone.Theydhear.Thedooropened.Twomen,or

males,whatever,cameintotheroom.OnewasQhuinn,theotherwasasbigashim,but

hehadflamingredhairthatreachedhisshoulders.Hesmiledatherandextendedhis

hand.

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33/37

Hi,ImBlaylock.Qhuinnyouvemet,Itakeit?Dontmindhim,hesaid.Hewasnicer

thanQhuinnandJohncombined.Andinthewayheshookherhandsheknewhewasa

gentleperson.Andhehadapreferenceformen.Dawnhadalwaysfeltsuchthings.His

eyesbetrayedhim,though.Hehadthestareofafighter,sameasQhuinnandJohn.Dawn

looked

from

Blaylock

to

Qhuinn,

who

gave

her

a

stiff

nod.

Didyoutwohavefun?QhuinnaskedJohnashehandedhimhisshirt.

Willyoueverlearnwhentoshutyourpiehole?Johnsignedbacktohisfriend.BlaylocksmiledtoDawnandthethreeofthemmovedtowardthedoor.AsQhuinnandJohn

walkedout,Blaysaid:

Vishousexpectsyouinthefoyerinten.Hesaidbesuretoputoncomfortableclothes.

Heinclinedhisheadandfollowedafterhisfriends.

Fourteen

Dawnputherclothesbackon,wenttothebathroomtocombherhairandusethetoilet

andlefttheroom.Thetripdownstairswasuneventful,exceptforthefactthatacatcame

uptoherandstartedrubbinghisheadagainstherlegs.Dawnpickedthecatup,and

whileshewalkeddownstairsstrokeditsfur.Itpurredloudly,andwasreluctanttogo

whenshetriedtoputitdownagaininthefoyer.VishousandButchwerealreadywaiting

forher.

Followme,Dawn,Vishoussaidtoher.Hestartedofftowhatsheassumedwasthe

garage.Shecouldntquiteremember.Butchstayedbehindher,wearinghisRedSoxcap

again.Theywerebothdressedinblackleather,andnodoubtfullyarmed.Whenthey

wereinthegarage,DawnwalkedimmediatelyovertotheEscalade.ButButchcalledher

back.

WeretakingThorsRover.Moreinconspicuousthatway.

DawnfiguredButchandVlikedtheirCaddyalittlebittoomuchtodriveitovertowhere

theywere

going.

Good

thinking.

The

area

of

Caldie

they

were

going

to

now

wasnt

pretty,

andtheyknewit.Shewasbroughtuppartlybythenunsintheorphanage,andpartlyby

herdrunkfosterparents.Shehadntknowncozyfamilyhomeswherethefamilysatdown

togetherfordinnereverynight.Sinceshewasfiveyearsoldshedfetchedherownmeals,

becauseifshedidnt,theresimplewouldnthavebeenfoodforhertoeat.Ithadntalways

beenlikethat,though.JocelynWestervillehadcaredwellforDawnforquiteawhile.

Unfortunatelythewomanhadabadtasteinmen.ShemarriedHughafteronlytwo

33


34/37

monthsofdating,andwhenhiscarbusinesswentbankrupt,bothhimandJocelynturned

todrinking.Sheddoneanexceptionallypoorjobafterthat.Dawnhadmovedoutand

gottenajobwhenshewassixteen.Sheddroppedoutofschoolandstudiedathome

duringtheday,whileshewaswaitingtablesintheevenings.Shehadnevergottenfarther

than

high

school,

but

it

was

enough

for

her.

When

eternity

seemed

to

stretch

out

in

front

ofhertherewasenoughtimetostudy.MaybeshecouldaskVishoustoteachher

somethingusefulsometime.Attheageofseventeen,Dawnhadstartedtakingboxing

classes,andfoundherselfbeingprettygoodatit.Shealmostneverlostherfocus,andshe

wasntafraidtogetpunched.Whatmadehersogoodwereheraboveaveragereflexes.

Shehadntknownatthetimethatwasbecauseshewaspartvampire,butstill.Fighting

washeroutlet.Shepunchedawayherfrustrationinacontrolledfashion.Shewantedto

getbetteratthat,iftheylether.TheBrothersthemselvesseemedtoknowquiteabit

aboutfighting.Theyweresoldiersoftheir,her,race.Sheadmiredthemforit.

Idid

some

research,

and

it

seems

like

Hugh

Westerville

passed

away

about

three

years

agofromdrinkingjustalittlebittoomuch.Nopointinvisitinghisgrave,Iguess.Your

fostermother,however,isalive.Shesnotexactlyingoodhealththough.ShesinSt.

Francishospital.Iwantedtovisitthatorphanagefirst,ifthatsokaywithyou.

Yeah,sure.

Theorphanagedidnthaveanymoreinformationforher,sotheywentovertothe

hospital.Vishous

had

it

obviously

done

his

homework,

because

he

walked

straight

to

the

roomwheretheremnantsofherformercaretakerlay.Herfostermotherlookedlikeshed

agedahundredyearssinceDawnhadlastseenher.Shewasleaningagainstapileof

pillowsandshewassimplystaringoffintothedistance.Dawnhopedshecouldtalkto

her,notbecausesheparticularlylikedit,butitwasnecessarytogetinformation.Shewas

almostshockedattheclinicaldetachmentshefelttowardsthewomanwhodnursedher.

Shewascompletelyjustifiedhowever.Shedneveractuallybeenbeatenhardbyherfoster

parents,butshedbeentrampledquiteacoupleoftimes,whenoneHughorJocelyn

neededtoruntotheirliquorcabinets.Sheapproachedthebedandsatdownononeof

thestools

that

stood

beside

it.

Dawn

looked

behind

her

to

see

that

Vishous

and

Butch

stoodoneithersideofthedoor,andwerewatchingher.Theyweretryingtogiveher

privacy.Itwasntnecessary,butsheappreciatedthegesture.

Jocelyn,Dawnsaidinhernormaltoneofvoice.Jocelynturnedherheadtothesideand

lookedatherwitheyesthatlookedevenmorelifelessthanherbody.

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35/37

Jocelyn,Dawnsaidagain.Itsme,Dawn.Ineedtoknowwhereyougotme,whenIfirst

cametoCaldwell.Doyouknowwhomymotherwas?

JocelynseemedtoneedsometimetoprocessbecauseshecontinuedtostareatDawn.

IrritationflaredupinDawn,anditwashardtosuppressit.Vishousseemedtofeelittoo,

becauseshe

heard

him

shifting

his

weight

behind

her.

Dearchild,Jocelynmanagedtowhisper.Oh,mydearchild,Imsosorry.

Dawnshouldhavefeltcompassion,orevenempathy.Shefeltnoneofthosethings.She

waslookingatthedyingwomanwhohaddestroyedherchildhood.Shepermittedthe

lackofemotionforthiswoman.Thiswasjustice.JocelynandHughhadbeenhorribletoher.Andnowtheygotwhattheydeserved.

Well,Imgladyouacknowledgewhatyouvedone,Dawnsaidforhersake.Ididnt

comehere

to

chat.

Iwant

to

know

where

you

got

me.

Who

is

my

mother?

Jocelynreachedouttoher,butDawnstayedwhereshewas.Shedhadsixteenyearsof

Jocelyntryingtomakethingsuptoher.Enoughwasenough.Cutthecrap,woman,Dawnthought.

Whoismymother,Jocelyn?Dawnseyesdidntwaverfromtheoldwomans.

Jocelynopenedhermouth,shewasobviouslyfeelingrejected.Dear,yourmother,Im

afraidIdontknowwheresheisrightnow,buttwentyfouryearsagoshewasaprostitute

working

on

the

streets

in

Manhattan.

She

died

in

childbirth.

But

she

is

none

of

you

concern,sheadded,almostinaudible.Itwasclearshewashallucinating.Sohermother

wasinheaven.Well,wonderful.Justgreat.

Onthecontrary,Dawnsaidtoher,hervoiceicy.Sheisveryimportanttome.And

thankyoufortellingme.

Dawnrosefromthestoolandwithonelastglanceatthebed,itswhite,smoothsheets

andtheoldcarcassthatlayunderthem.Shefelt,assheturnedaround,thatshewas

turningawayfromherrottenpast.Sheneededanewstart.Dawnfeltexhaustedasthey

exitedthe

hospital.

They

didnt

speak

until

they

drove

down

Trade

Street.

Howaboutwegetsomethingtodrink?ImsureyoucouldusesomeGoose,rightabout

now,Dawn,Butch,whowasridingshotgun,said.

Butch,Iloveyou,Dawnsaid.Shecouldreallyusesomeofthatstuffrightnow.

35


36/37

Fifteen

ShesaggedwithreliefinoneoftheboothsatZeroSum.Shewasntexactlyhappywiththe

placetheydchosentohang,butitmadesense.Vampiresstaywiththeirlot.Shewasntat

allscaredofXhex,ofcourse.Afightwouldbegreatrightaboutnow.Awaitresssettheir

glassesin

front

of

them

and

Dawn

opened

her

throat

as

wide

as

it

would

go,

gulping

the

shitrightdown.ButchandVwerestaringatheragain.

Well,Vishoussaid,thisiscertainlydifferent.Weusedtocomeheretogetfemales.Nowwejustbringthem.

Fuckoff,Dawntoldtheguy.

Okay,maybenotreallyafemale.Shejustlookslikeone,thatsmugsmileonVsfacejust

madeDawnwanttodothenose/brainshovealloveragain.Sheletitgo.Instead,she

poureddown

another

shot.

Backsosoon?adarkfemalevoicesaid.Ugh.Shedidntlikethatwomanonebit.Dawn

lookedup.

Yeah,omigod,Ijustlovedthatassofyours,Ijusthadtocomebackandcheckitout.

Wheredidyougetitdone?Shesaidinhergirliestvoiceshecouldmanage.

ButchandVishousdidalotofcoughingthen.Xhexcalmlywaiteduntiltheywere

finishedchokingontheirdrinks.

Itsstill

my

club,

and

in

my

house

Ican

do

whatever

the

hell

Iwant.

It

doesnt

matter

if

yourewiththeBrothersornot.Rehvsayshi,sheadded.Xhexturnedandmeltedinto

thecrowdagain,elbowingherwaythrough.

Whenthethreeofthemhadaboutthreedrinkseach,Vtoldthemtheyneededtogoback

foraBrotherhoodmeeting.Sotheygotupandtookthebackdoortothealleynexttothe

club.Therewasafightgoingon.Threewhitehairedmenwerebeatingthecrapoutof

anotherman,whowasscreaminginpainwhenapunchfromoneofhisattackers

snappedoneofhisbones.

Fuck,lessers.

Butch

cursed

some

more

under

his

breath.

Dawn,Iwantyoutostayhere.ButchandIwillhandlethis,Vishousshoutedtoheras

heandButchrantothemen.

Yeah,right,Imnotstayingbehind,Dawnthought.Shefollowedthemandpulledherswitchbladefromherthigh.ButchandVishousunsheathedtheirdaggersandpulledtheir

36


37/37

guns.Thewhitemenlookedupasone,andtwoofthemgotintoafightingcrouch.The

thirdonekeptonbeatingthepoormanontheground.FuryignitedinDawnassheran

leaptforward.ButchandVtookonthefirsttwo.Whiletheywereoccupied,thethirdone

paidattentiononlytothemanontheground.Thisisjusttooeasy.Dawnwalkedcalmlyup

to

the

slayer,

and

slashed

him

across

his

shoulder.

He

howled

in

pain,

and

black

blood

starteddrippingfromhiswound.Itwastheweirdestthing.Whatwasinsidehimwas

pureevil.Dawnfeltit,itmadehercoldtothebone.Sheseemedtohavegottenthe

slayersattention,becausehestartedtoreachinsidehisjacket.Dawnwas toofastfor

him,becauseshekickedhisGlockoutofhishandassoonasitwasout.Itscatteredacross

thealley.Thepalehairedsuckerscreamedagainandgrabbedhishand.Dawnpunched

himintheface,andheseemedtocollecthimselfagain,releasinghishandandmakinga

fist.Hetriedtohitherinthestomach,butshedodgedhim.Whatshehadntbeen

preparedfor,however,washisotherfist,thatlandedfullinherface.ThatgotDawn

going,hittingthemotherfuckeroverandoveragaininthisface,andkneeinghiminthe

crotch,allinafractionofasecond.WhileDawnandthebastardwerefighting,Vishous

andButchhadwrappeduptheirpartyandcomingfortheslayerfrombehind.Justwhen

theslayerlashedouttoDawn,Vishousgrabbedhisneckfrombehind.

Butch,now!heshouted.Butchwalkedaroundtheslayer,lockedeyeswithhim,and

startedtoinhale.Theguyscreamedonelasttime,andthenhewassimplygone.Vishous

loweredhisarms,thatwerentchokinganythinganymoreandButchshandsshottohis

stomach,andhiskneesbuckled.

Goddamn

it,

he

breathed,

a

breath

wheezing

out

of

him.

Shit,man,Vishoussaidtohim.HelookedupatDawn.WhatdidIsaytoyouabout

stayingoutofit?Hisdiamondeyespiercedhers.

Ifnotforme,thispoorfellawouldvebeendeadasadoornail.Youshouldthankme,

warrior.

Vishousdidntseemhappy,buthedidntarguefurther.Gocheckonthatmale,seeif

hesalright.ButchandIwillbeinthecar.Hedraggedhisfriendsbodyovertothe

Rover,andloadedhisbuddyinthebackseat.Dawnturnedtothemanthatlaybleeding

againstthedumpster.Hedidntseemtobeanyolderthanthirtyfive.Shekneeledin

frontofhim.Oneofhiseyeswasswollen,andblooddrippedfromthecornerofhis

mouthtohischin.Bythelooksofit,hisjawgotcrackedgood.

Hello?Canyouhearme?shetriedin

Documents

Black Dagger Brotherhood - Dawn