Chronicles of the Uprising (Trilogy 1): Trilogy 1 (23 page)

Chapter 9

Mira awoke to the sound distant thunder. Enhanced vision couldn’t help her see in the pitch-black cave. Years of being a vampire had given her an innate sense for when it was night, and she knew it would be safe to venture outside. If, that is, she could find the entrance. No light, no small sign of luminance gave her any clue which way to go. She crawled in the dirt, slowly feeling her way around for the wall, and finally located the rock blocking the entrance. With a grunt of strength, she pushed it aside.

Outside the night air thick and heavy with humidity. A long-forgotten cloying scent took hold in Mira’s nose, awakening old memories. Rain. Both pungent and fresh at the same time, the smell was a reminder of simpler times.

More than thirty years had passed since she’d last known the feel of a heavy rain shower. The rain fell weekly in Pomme Meadow. Fond memories of her childhood spent dancing to the beat of the pouring rain brought a smile to her face. It had been a night dark and brooding like this when she’d met Theo.

Some might have called her a simple girl. Dirt under her nails and her raven black hair tied up in braids, Mira grew up in the fields. Her days were spent tending the land and her evenings staring up at the stars, dreaming of more excitement in her life.

Theo was the answer to her prayers. Mira literally stumbled across him, hiding among the bales of hay stored in the barn, on a night filled with stormy skies and howling winds.

Nights like that had always been Mira’s favorite. She’d often take a book or three into the barn, bring a lantern, and read the night away.

Theo was like a character from her favorite adventure story. He the handsome and brave rogue hiding from persecution, and she the fair maid needing to be swept off her feet. Instead, she toppled head over heels tripping over his leg.

He caught her before her head hit the hard packed ground. “Careful now, sweetheart.” His voice was deep and had a rough raspy edge to it. She looked up to thank him and met the most gorgeous pair of eyes she’d ever seen.

His icy eyes held her captive. She stared too long without saying anything, and it was he who broke the awkward silence.

“You know, they have these new things called Imagers. You could just freeze mine, put it in a frame, and stare at that all day.”

“I’d much rather stare at the real thing.” Even in her youth she’d never been able to slap a filter on that mouth of hers. She’d always spoke freely… whatever came to mind, consequences be damned.

“I’d let you stare at me all day, but that’s when I get my beauty rest.” He lifted her off the ground and dusted some of the hay off of her pants and shirt. “How about you stare for the rest of the night instead?”

“Vampire? You’re a vampire, aren’t you?” Mira had heard about vampires, but they were scarcely seen outside of the Iron Gate’s main cities. “Are you a gladiator? Why are you here?”

“Easy there, sparky. One question at a time.”

His smile was infectious. And those teeth. Deadly and intriguing all at the same time. “Sorry. I’ve just never met a real vampire before.”

He laughed playfully, cocking his head to the side and winking at her. “Oh, so you’ve only met the fake kind then?”

Now it was her turn. She giggled at his joke, enjoying the laid-back way he talked. He didn’t seem at all like the vampires she’d read about – cold-blooded killers who fought for sport in the arena. His easygoing nature and quick wit were a refreshing change of pace compared to the good ol’ boys she was surrounded by on the farm.

“Tell me everything. I’m all ears.”

“Oh, ears wouldn’t be what you’re all of…” His eyes traveled the length of her body. “Legs, hips, breasts.”

Heat rushed up to Mira’s face, turning her cheeks cherry-red as his lusty gaze settled on her chest. “Naughty boy.”

“Can’t help it. I love to see the blood rushing in an attractive woman. But don’t let me be rude. You want to know about me. Please, come, sit. I could use the company.” He made her a space next to him on the hay.

They talked for hours. Theo told her everything about his kind. He’d come from a city called Eastgate near the ocean, and had been searching for a mythical place that he called Sanctuary.

“There, the land is entirely peopled with my kind,” he said. “There, I can be free to live out my days without fear of persecution. There, I can finally enjoy immortality.”

“Are you a gladiator?” Mira asked, not really seeing him as the fighting type. Not that he wasn’t strong enough, but his personality was certainly not that of a cold-blooded killer.

“All city captive vampires are gladiators. We’re forced to do other jobs too, but primarily, our purpose in life is to entertain the masses.”

“So, do I dare ask what else you had to do in the city?”

“I’d rather you not. Some things I’d rather not have to relive.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m not. I don’t have to fight anymore. The arena is the worst place a person can be, but now I’m free.”

“I never knew. We don’t watch the games here. Too far away from the city to make the trip.” Mira had planned to travel to the big city one day. She had always wanted to know what city life was like.

“Arena games are not a place for a nice girl like yourself.”

“Sounds like they’re not a place for a nice vampire like you.”

“My looks might be nice, but I’m as ruthless as they come, sweetheart.”

“Oh, yeah. I believe it all right. You’re definitely hard and ruthless, like a kitten.”

“Now you’re just mocking me.” He was on her in a moment, pinning her arms to the ground, pressing his body down on hers. “Not smart to mock a vampire.” His eyes narrowed dangerously on her.

Unafraid, Mira lifted her head and kissed the tip of Theo’s nose.

He couldn’t hold his scowl and burst into laughter. “You’re unlike any human I’ve ever met.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Their connection had been instantaneous and intense. Soulmates, if that was a thing. Mira had never been one to believe in fate or love at first sight, but they were definitely connected on some level.

“Come with me.” Theo said, looking down intensely at her. “You said yourself that you’ve always wanted a way out. More adventure in your life. Come find Sanctuary with me.”

If she’d known then where life was about to take her, she’d still have said yes. Always impulsive, Mira was the jump first, ask questions later type of girl.

And go with him she did. He turned her that very night, and after a day spent sleeping in the barn, they took off on the road to Sanctuary.

Chapter 10

Mira relished those happy memories. How long had it been since she’d had a real reason to smile? Life had been quite cruel to her, the years long and hard fought. Grasping at those fading memories, Mira gazed out of the cave, looking to the thick blanket of clouds overhead. No stars could be seen, no moon, only dark angry swirls ready to dump their bounty on the rugged terrain below. A bolt of lightning arced across the sky, lighting a path as it traveled toward the ground. Seconds later the crack of thunder followed. The storm was right on top of her, and by all appearances, it was going to be one hell of a downpour.

Wolves howled in the distance. Then with another crack of lightning, she caught sight of furry beasts rushing toward her. Larger than what she’d expected, the pack moved swiftly through the trees. There had to be at least eight of them, each one different and unique in their coloration. A sooty black-footed one with a russet red coat ran next to one black as midnight, only the whites of its eyes showing in the dark. Another wolf, heather gray with black, ears ran next to a white wolf with a black mask around its eyes and over its ears. Still more wolves could be seen in the brief flashes of light. A solid brown wolf blended in with the trees, while one creamy and white camouflaged itself among the rocks. One that stood out in particular looked as if it had polka dots or a Dalmatian coat. Though their bodies were that of large wolves, there was no mistaking these were different. These had to be the other wolves in Stryker’s pack.

Fat drops of water began to fall around her. A few struck her hard on the head. She turned toward the cave and waited for the wolves’ arrival.

Shifting effortlessly, they changed into human forms as they entered the cave. Completely naked in front of her, Mira had a hard time finding a good place to look. With a veritable buffet of eye candy before her, she wasn’t sure she wanted to avert her eyes, but she didn’t want to give the wrong impression. A single female among a pack of wild dogs, vampire or not, she’d rather not create an opportunity for unnecessary drama.

Stryker brought up the rear, the large solid white wolf carrying a rucksack in his mouth. Wet from the storm, he shook dry his shaggy coat, dropped the pack, and effortlessly shifted back into his natural human form.

“Put some clothes on, you dogs, there’s a lady present.” Stryker gave her a knowing smirk that said he’d caught Mira looking. He kicked the pack and it fell open, dumping a pile of clothes on the ground.

Each of the men quickly took and donned their clothes, and Mira attempted to hide her disappointment. Nothing like a little eye candy to help pass the time.

“Sorry we’re late. We wanted to make sure your friends were okay to ride out this storm,” Stryker said, shaking more water from his hair. He pulled on a pair of shorts and found a seat by the cave wall to rest against. “Been a long, hard run tonight.”

“How are they?” Mira asked, distracted by the rest of the pack pulling on their clothes, each of them a fine specimen of athleticism. No doubt the years of running wild through the forests and badlands had done their bodies well. At the very least, it appeared so. “My… companions. Have they managed to stay safe?” She blinked herself back to reality and turned to search for Stryker.

“They’re holding up well. But very eager to see you return.”

“You didn’t tell them about what the Council said, did you?” Some part of her hoped he had. It would save her from having to break the news, and give them time to consider their options.

Resting against the wall, Stryker stretched his legs out. “No. I felt that was your news to deliver. I just let them know you were on your way back to them.”

“Thanks,” Mira’s chest tightened. She knew stress. Fighting for her life gave her a daily dose of it, but this was different. She did not want to have to deliver the judgment to her friends. So much was riding on the decisions they would make. Not just for them, but for her as well. She couldn’t leave them if they didn’t agree to turn.

“We’ll be holed up here for a while, boss,” said one of the wolfmen, tall and skinny with a buzz cut. “Looks like this is going to be a big storm.”

Another crack of thunder shattered the relative silence. Through the mouth of the cave, Mira caught sight of trees bending under the force of the wind and sheets of rain falling horizontally. Sure signs of a dangerous storm.

“Might as well make the best of it, boys,” Stryker said. “Come meet our new vampire friend, Mira.”

After years of being referred to by slave or by her number, hearing her name spoken by another had a wonderful ring to it. Even better, the men coming to greet her were neither armed with UV torches nor afraid to extend their hand to her. One by one, each of the men came to greet her with a friendly smile. Terrance, Billy, Samuel, Josh, Riley, Taylor, and Rob. Each one took her hand and introduced himself. 

“You guys are all from the Long Tooth Pack? That was the name, right?” Mira asked.

“Long Fang. Best shifter pack in Caldera Grove,” Samuel the skinny man with the buzz cut said proudly.

“So that means there are more of you guys, right? Wolves, I mean,” Mira said, sizing them up. They seemed like nice enough guys, and she loved this new feeling of camaraderie, but if her suspicions were correct, and they’d been sent to ensure her cooperation in turning the humans, she might just have to take them on. The odds were always in her favor where fights were concerned, but that was one on one. There were eight total wolves she’d have to face, if it came down to it. She needed to know more about them: their strengths and weaknesses, who else might come after her if she defeated them. Nice as this trip had been, nothing was settled yet. She couldn’t let her guard down.

None of the wolves opened their mouths to answer the question. One by one, they all cast furtive glances toward their leader, silently asking what they were allowed to say – a fact Mira paid close attention to.

“We’re the only pack wolves. There are plenty of other shifters, though,” Stryker finally replied, after the silence had gone on long enough to become awkward.

“But I bet the wolves are the strongest, right?” Mira asked, still trying to sound friendly and conversational, although she had the feeling the pack knew better.

“You got that right!” Samuel eagerly replied.

Mira smiled. He was their weakest link. Young; no doubt his eager-to-please attitude said that loud and clear as well as his overly proud boasting. She directed her next question to him. “So, how does the whole pack thing work? You have ranks or what?”

“Stryker’s the Alpha here. Rob’s the second,” Samuel answered without even a moment’s pause.

Yep, he was the one to press for answers.

Stryker scooted next to Mira. “You’re awfully curious tonight, aren’t you? Trying to find our weaknesses?” His tone clearly said he was on to her, yet he did not make any effort to stop her line of questions.

“I’m stuck her for what might be the whole night with a group of shifters. And I’ve never met shifters before in all my years. You can’t blame me for curiosity. Aren’t you curious at all about me?”

“Fair enough,” Stryker agreed, “but we’ve been raised with vampires, so the novelty is not there.”

“You’re not curious about what happens to vampires in the cities?” Mira asked. Certainly they had to wonder what their brethren went through.

“You’re thrown into an arena to kill each other, right?” Stryker’s tone lacked any interest.

“Pretty much.”

Samuel at least had the decency to show a little sympathy. “I’m sorry. That has got to be a hard life.”

Mira doubted he truly understood the horrors of what she’d been through, but she appreciated his attempt at concern. “So, since you’re bored with vampires, let’s hear more about you wolves.” Mira was glad to be able to turn the conversation back to her information collecting purposes. “You have leaders and seconds. What about the rest?”

“We do what we’re told to do.” Samuel was quick with the answer.

Mira leaned toward the eager wolf-pup. “And that is?”

“Our pack patrols the borders, watches the cave entrance, and guards the prisons.”

“Really? You must be awfully busy. And is this your whole pack?”

For the first time, Samuel paused, as if he had misgivings about responding to this question. He looked to Stryker, who nodded before answering. “Yeah, we’re small, but we can handle anything.”

“I’ll bet you can.” Mira smiled at Samuel, but cast a quick glance to Stryker. “So, tell me about pack dynamics. How does one become an Alpha?” Mira asked.

“The strongest of us is the Alpha.” This time it was Stryker who answered.

Mira gave him a coy smile. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. I appreciate a good strong opponent.”

“We’re opponents now?” Stryker’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

“No. I mean, you must be a good fighter to be Alpha. As a gladiator, I can respect that. Maybe we can be sparring partners sometime.”

Disbelief flashed in Stryker’s amber eyes. “Haven’t you had enough fighting?”

Sure, she’d had more than her fair share, but it was in her blood now. “I’ve been training and fighting for more than thirty years now. It’s part of my life. Even living inside the peaceful walls of Caldera Grove, I’m sure I would be best suited for some kind of protection job, just to keep me sharp.”

Stryker laughed. “When you become a permanent resident, then we can be sparring partners. I could use a tougher opponent than old Rob.”

“Hey!” Rob, an older-looking man with streaks of silver in his dark hair, looked up. Until that time, he’d been ignoring the conversation while building a small fire. “I’ll make a challenge for Alpha again if you keep that kind of talk up.”

Stryker laughed heartily at his packmate’s empty threat. “You want the job back, old timer, you just take it.”

Mira let the information soak in. Stryker was not afraid to spar with her. He must know how strong a vampire was; that meant his strength was close enough to her own to handle taking a few punches. If her assumption were correct, Rob was the only other wolf worth fighting, and he was not strong enough anymore to hold the position of Alpha. If it came down to it, she could take them both out, and the other six might just back off. Of course, she hoped it would not come to that at all, but best to be prepared.

“Sounds like fighting words,” Mira half joked, playing along with the conversation. “Back in New Haven, two opponents were sent into the arena to determine who was best. Both proud, both strong; but in the arena, only one would come back.”

“That’s no way to live,” Rob said.

“Which is why I spent nearly thirty years trying to break out,” Mira retorted. “If not for the humans I arrived with, I’d have been staked out in the city square awaiting the sun. Actually, that’s where I was when we made our escape. Had spikes driven through my chest.” She pointed between her small breasts, which had all of the wolves watching.”

“Crispy fried vampire. What a horrible way to go!” Terrance finally piped up. He’d stayed quiet, but Mira had seen him watching the conversation unfold the whole time. A wolf who evidently had seen a few fights in his days, Terrance had a crooked nose that might have been broken one too many times and never properly set. His face too held scars, subtly covered behind a small growth of blond beard.

“Yeah, not exactly the way I had planned,” Mira replied. “I’d have preferred a warrior’s death, if any at all.”

“Out of curiosity… aside from your award-winning personality, why were you sentenced to die?” The smirk that accompanied Stryker’s words helped to dampen the insult a little.

“I outed the Magistrate in front of the whole country for trying to create new vampires.”

“Outed? How?” Samuel asked.

“Arena events are televised. I spoke out in the middle of a battle about the medical experiments he’d ordered. That was after I’d spent two days having all of my blood drained from my body.”

“Humans!” His voice filled with outrage, Stryker practically growled the words. “Always meddling in things they shouldn’t.”

“And getting away with it too. The Magistrate, no doubt, made everyone think I was just a rambling lunatic and the Regent, Lucian, my companion a traitor to the Iron Gate. It was all for naught,” Mira said. “The Magistrate needs to be stopped… by more than just words.”

“Hear, hear!” The rest of the wolves cheered.

Samuel slammed his fist into his free hand. “Put them on the extinct list instead of us! The whole human population!”

“Well, maybe not extinction. That’s a bit rash. But at least take them down a few levels on the food chain,” Mira said. “Some of those humans are decent people. If it weren’t for my companions, I wouldn’t be here.”

Samuel shrank back against the wall like a chastised child and gazed at the fire. The whole cave took on a sad silence as the rain beat down outside. 

For hours the rain poured. Lightning created a spectacular show in the sky above, and thunder cracked and rumbled so loud it felt as if the storm were trying to break open the very cave in which they were trying to take shelter. Her innate instincts told her that although the sky above was dark as night, it was now daytime and she should be taking her rest. But she’d already gotten enough of that.