Blood Omen Book II: Drawn to Darkness

Blood Omen Book II: Drawn to Darkness

Copyright 2006/2013 Katie Ruth Davies

Smashwords Edition

Discover other titles by Katie Ruth Davies at Smashwords.com:

Blood Omen Book I: The Vampire Wars

Blood Omen Book III: Fulfilment

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Copyright 2006/2013 Katie Ruth Davies

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means – by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission.

For my mum and all those friends- particularly Alex, Carolina and Pamela -who lovingly supported me through the many ups and downs it took to get Blood Omen out there.

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Sneak Preview of Book III

Chapter 1

He hadn't changed much since I last saw him at Waterloo Station when I was seven. Still tall, pale, shockingly handsome and with an air of barely concealed danger; he took my breath away. His hair was styled differently but his eyes still held that strangely appealing dark power, his jaw strong and his lips beautifully sculpted with a cruel tilt to the corners.

He was wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, an unzipped black leather bike jacket and was holding a bike helmet in his right hand. I quickly looked away as his eyes scanned the tables looking for someone; passing over me. I focussed on the napkin box in front of me, wishing to be anywhere but here.

A deep trembling had started inside me at the sight of him. I had almost forgotten him completely- and my last horrific image of him killing my mother -until Ana had brought it up again.

And now here he was: this vampire who, for the past ten years, had been the one thing that I had feared and desired beyond anything I had ever known. I didn't know why I felt that way, only that the feelings came from an animal instinct deep in my soul; an instinct that right now was screaming 'danger!' at me and begging my heavy limbs to run for my life.

I was just getting up to obey them when I saw Ana turn from where she had paid for the cappuccinos, the tray in her hands. Ana! I had forgotten about her in my haste to leave. I had to get her out of here, too- she could call her boyfriend and arrange to meet him somewhere else.

But as she turned, her eyes lit on the vampire by the door and she smiled warmly.

'Oh, no...' I thought, a sickening weight dropping in my stomach.

I slowly sank back into my chair, already realising what was happening. Ana's invitation had finally been taken: her nightly 'prayers' answered.

As she moved quickly towards the vampire, put down the tray and took his free hand, kissing him passionately and unashamedly on the lips, I wondered if she had the vaguest idea of what he was.

Then I watched, horrified, my heart beating fast, as she spoke in his ear and then pointed me out to him.

I smiled weakly at them, feeling my stomach lurch again in fear as his eyes met mine.

I thought I saw them widen slightly in surprise and recognition, but the look was cloaked so quickly, I could have imagined it.

Reality seemed to slow down as they both weaved their way through the tables towards me.

I tried to calm down and control my breathing; tried to push down the panic shrieking in my brain: What if he has recognised you? He's dangerous! Get out! Get out! But there was no escaping now.

You can do this, Dea. You're stronger than this, I whispered to myself, fighting the panic, expecting at any moment to hear the slithering of snakes.

Dea, this is Stuart, Ana said, beaming at us both as they arrived at the table.

Stuart. So now, at last, I knew his name. I stood up and politely held out my hand to him, trying to stop my fingers from shaking and trying to fix a smile onto my face.

Hello...Stuart.

He took my hand and a shock of recognition at his touch froze my spine: his cool skin against mine as he lifted off my nightgown; his lips as he leant down to bite…But he was talking to me, seemingly oblivious to my reaction.

Nice to meet you at last, Dea. I've heard a lot about you, he said, his cultured accent suggesting a privileged upbringing.

I laughed nervously, looking helplessly at Ana and feeling like a cornered mouse. But she saw only him; her new lover.

Oh, really? What has she told you? I asked, forcing myself to look back at him, my voice coming out stronger than I felt.

I had to keep up the social pretence while I thought of a way to get me and Ana out of this bad dream.

Oh, all sorts... he said, smiling and putting his arm round Ana: so smooth and confident. But nothing bad, I promise.

We all laughed. Has she told him I can sense his kind? I wondered.

Shall we sit for a minute? Ana suggested, smiling at me again- so proud -as she put our coffees down on the table.

We sat; he and Ana opposite me.

She could barely keep her eyes off him, while he was watched me with such intensity, I couldn't help but shiver- his eyes as still and dark as night.

So what happened to you? he asked me. Ana said you disappeared. That the police were looking for you...

Oh, nothing happened. I just had to go and stay with...er…some distant cousins...in the country. I stammered, making the story up on the spot.

With some cousins in the country...? he said with a laugh. All of a sudden, in the middle of the night? he asked.

It felt like he was teasing me.

I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent: It was a family emergency.

A family emergency...? he repeated incredulously.

It's ok, Dea, Ana said quietly. You can trust him.

I frowned at her, trying to communicate all that I was feeling in a look; to communicate to her how much like a rabbit I felt; a rabbit sitting helpless in the middle of a road staring into the headlights of an on-coming car; aware of the danger but unable to move out of its way.

She must have finally seen something because, after a gentle questioning frown, she turned to Stuart and changed the subject: What time do we have to go?

The vampire gave me a small, seemingly knowing smile, and then turned his depthless eyes away from me.

I studied him carefully as he replied to her.

I wasn't sure if he had recognised me, seeing as I was a child the last time we met, but still my heart was beating much too hard, and my body wound up in reaction to his physical presence- hardly surprising when I thought of all those dream scenarios we had shared…though, of course, that was all in my head, not his. Perhaps I’m over-reacting, I thought. Maybe there’s no reason to be scared.

Doubting myself, now, I tuned back in to what he was saying.

...Adam and Sofia are just parking their bike. They'll be here any minute.

Seeing me watching them, Ana smiled apologetically and explained: Stuart and his friends are taking me to a club in London that I've never been to before.

Anywhere I know? I asked her.

I doubt you'll have heard of it. It's a member's only club, Stuart cut in smoothly.

I had the sinking feeling I had been at this particular club only recently. But whereas I had been there with friends and protectors, I thought Ana might not be so safe.

And I had seen what happened to humans in this club: Il tadhia.

Sounds good, I told them, my lips stretched in what must have looked like a very false smile.

Then you must come with us, Dea, Stuart said eagerly.

I shivered at the familiar sound of my name on his lips.

But the bikes only hold two apiece, Ana reminded him. How can we manage?

Oh, that's ok. Maybe another time, I told them quickly, before he could reply, glancing across at the door, thinking: I have to persuade Ana not to go. It's too dangerous for her.

Shame. Next time for sure, Ana said, pouting briefly, before smiling again and jumping eagerly to her feet in anticipation of the evening ahead. I just need to use the bathroom before we go. You two chat and then, Dea, you can at least come and meet the others with us. You'll love them, she said. "I think they're just your type," she emphasised this last part with a wink, looking at Stuart pointedly.

I glanced sharply at him for a reaction, but he was looking at me again, not her.

I frowned at Ana but she just winked again and, smiling, headed away across the coffee shop to the toilets, leaving me alone with the vampire.

I watched her go.

As she walked, she self-consciously adjusted the blue silk scarf around her neck. It slipped slightly and, just before she moved it back up, I caught a glimpse of two small red marks.

Suddenly, I saw it all so clearly.

I glanced at Stuart and saw him watching me with a smug, knowing smile playing at his cruel lips.

So Ana does realise what he is. That's why she seemed so…knowing…about being with a vampire. And he's already had his taste of her. Is she his Abdun'i then? I wonder how much she's told him about me.

I quickly looked away.

I found it difficult to look at Stuart directly; feeling exposed and naked under his dark gaze.

My body and mind were going through an emotional rollercoaster of blended childhood fear and adult wariness, confusion and uncertainty.

I wished more than anything that Santi was there.

I even started to wish that I had left when I had the chance; Ana or no Ana.

I picked up my mug and sipped at the hot cappuccino, though my appetite for it had disappeared the moment Stuart had walked in the door.

He remained silent; watching me. I squirmed uncomfortably.

So… I said, needing to fill the silence. Where'd you two meet?

At one of her brother's university parties, he replied, nonchalantly.

Then he slowly leant forward, drawing my eyes up to his magnetically, and then holding that contact, a slight frown on his brow.

This time, try as I might, I could not make myself look away from his fathomless black eyes.

You know me, don't you Dea? he asked quietly.

I shook my head. I don't think so, I lied, barely daring to breathe.

He raised his eyebrows, clearly unbelieving. Your hands are shaking. You're going to spill your coffee, he commented casually.

He reached out and took the mug from my hands and set it back down on the table.

I'm just cold from the rain... I started.

Then all words and thoughts flew out of my head and a sharp poker of ice slammed into my brain.

His left hand!

On the hand that had taken the mug from me was the bold tattoo of a familiar serpentine figure: the Apophi snake: as red as blood; the same as David's had been.

Stuart was an Apophi.

God, please don't let this be happening to me, I begged.

Then a second realisation hit me: That's why he was playing with me about the night I ran away: he was there. He was one of the ones coming to take me.

In my mind, I again saw that figure standing at the bedroom window watching me, and I heard David in the car: Stuart is with them…He's telling me to give her up, and heard the Coven that first night mentioning again and again the words 'Apophi' and 'Stuart'.

"It was you," I whispered.

And finally I understood what a truly terrible situation I was sitting in, and my mind and body cried out in shock and fear; my hand flying to my cover mouth.

Stuart, reading me, glanced down at his tattoo and back up at me in amusement.

He smiled and I saw the tips of his sharp incisors.

Then he slowly raised his hand so that the snake was facing me.

I flinched instinctively away from it.

Yes, Dea. You're right to be afraid, he said quietly, as the coffee shop continued to hum warmly around my now-cold world. I guess your vampire friends have told you about us; that we've been waiting for you for a long, long time.

I swallowed hard, sure now that he had known from the first who I was.

He put his hand palm down on the table and continued. But I admit I'm surprised that after going to such lengths to snatch you away from us...twice...and keep you so well hidden, that they so easily let you walk into my hands now.

I shook my head, not daring to open my mouth for fear of releasing the scream that was building, like steam under pressure, in my lungs. Gotta get out, gotta escape...

'It's too late, Dea. There is no escape now.' Oh, god no: his voice, speaking to me in my head, just like he had all those years ago in London; just as he had in my dreams.

I could feel my whole body trembling and knew that he could see it.

He laughed, clearly enjoying my fear.

I do feel for Elias though, when I know how hard he fought for you. And now, at last, you are ours.

No.

Yes. The time of the Awakening draws closer. We…

…need you, I finished for him without thinking, hardly able to breathe now for the panic.

He looked at me with a tilted head. How did you…?

He moved his left hand towards me to take hold of my wrist and I instinctively leapt backwards to my feet, accidentally flinging the chair to the floor with the force of my adrenaline.

Are you ok? Ana asked, having just arrived back on the scene. What happened?

She looked from me to Stuart, but his still-triumphant eyes never left my face.

The terror had made it nearly impossible now for me to catch my breath and I knew that people were staring at me as I hyperventilated in the middle of the shop floor.

I'm... I panted, I just need to...go to the bathroom.

I pushed past Ana and stumbled my way across the room to the toilets.

No, it's ok. I'll go, I heard Ana say to Stuart as I went in through the toilet door.

'It's ok, Dea. Take all the time you want,' I heard his silky, mocking voice in my mind again. 'I'll be right here waiting for you.'

Feeling sick, I went over to the washbasin and hung my head over it, trying to breathe; to push away the fear long enough to be able to think clearly; to think of a way to get out of this.

All the while my brain whispered: He has you. The Apophi have you. He's going to take you away. One stupid mistake and you tear down everything that the Coven has done to protect you.

It wasn't my fault... I cried helplessly, staring at my pale face and wide, frightened eyes in the mirror.

But you wanted to come to town. You chose to come out without the Coven's protection. You should have stayed away, my mind whispered back to me.

Then Ana came bursting through the door and a worrying realisation came to me: They've been together for two months... Is he with Ana because of me?

What's going on? she demanded of me.

Ana, do you realise what he is? I asked her plainly, talking to her reflection.

Of course I do, she replied, pouting slightly. But I thought you'd be happy for me.

I laughed harshly. "Happy for you? God, Ana are you mad? Don't you know about him?"

What are you talking about? she asked, He's a vampire. So what? We're in love. Like you and Santi.

"Don't you ever compare him to Santi!" I spat, spinning to face her.

I had never spoken to her in anger before and she reeled back in shock.

I rubbed my hands helplessly over my face.

I'm sorry, Ana.

I let out a ragged breath, deciding she had to know everything. Listen...do you remember me telling you about the first vampire I ever saw, the one that gave me the nightmares?

She nodded, uncertain now.

"It was Stuart. And he's not just an average vampire…"

"What?"

I paced across the three metres of floor between the toilet cubicles and the sink, and back, trying to think how best to phrase my warning.

I quickly decided blunt was best.

He's part of a cult called the Apophi, I said. "It's dangerous. They're trying to raise some ancient god of destruction, to start a war and take over the human world. They want to make humans their slaves and farm them.... It's all written in a prophecy and they need my blood to fulfil it. You asked earlier and I wouldn't tell you but that's why I've been hiding out with the other vampires. They're the good vampires. And now Stuart's going to take me, Ana...Ana..?"

But she was shaking her head in negation, backing slowly towards the door. You've gone. Completely. Insane, she said slowly, amazement in her eyes. "I don't know what's happened to you since you left, but you've seriously changed..."

"No, Ana, please listen..," I begged, walking towards her.

"Sorry, Dea, but I can't believe you. I mean; maybe Stuart was the one you saw at Waterloo, but you've blown the whole thing way out of proportion. You don't even know him. There's no way Stuart's part of a vampire cult against humans. How could he be? He loves me, and I'm a human..."

"You think he loves you, I interrupted. What if he's just using you... to get to me?"

I regretted the words as soon as they had left my lips.

She held up her hands. Stop, Dea! Enough. I don't want to hear any more. She was at the door now, shaking her head.

Haven't you seen his tattoo? I cried out, desperate to keep her here with me, to keep her safe; to make her see. "And I bet his 'friends' have the same design on their hands too, don't they?"

She just looked at me.

"It's the mark of the Apophi, Ana. They're a cult. A dangerous cult."

"You're crazy, Dea, she whispered in disbelief. Just because they all got the same tattoos done doesn't mean their part of a cult! Least of all one that wants to take over the world!"

She turned to go.

I quickly went towards her and touched her arm.

I'm not joking about this, Ana. I know it all sounds mad, but Stuart is out to get me and I…I need your help.

She looked up and saw the hot tears that had gathered in my eyes.

Her shoulders slumped.

I'm sorry, Dea. You know I would do anything for you, but I…not this…I just can't believe the insane story you've just told me.

She held up a hand to stop me from interrupting before going on.

"This is the happiest I've been for a long time. You know I've always been searching for something...for someone...different. And Stuart feels... She paused, looking around the bathroom for the right word. ...like he's my destiny. And we're so good together."

A beautiful smile lit her up, and then it faded. "So you see I can't believe you. I'm sorry."

My tears overflowed. I didn't know what else to do.

"He isn't the person you think he is, I said I'm not trying to spoil your happi..."

How could you know that? she asked, anger creeping into her voice again. "How could you know anything about him? Or about us?"

It was my turn to step back from her uncustomary vehemence.

I know it’s not safe to be with him, I whispered.

Don't worry, Dea, she said. I can look after myself.

She started to pull the door open and I took hold of her arm.

"You're going to choose him over me? Ana, please," I begged in disbelief.

"Stuart is just a normal vampire. There is no cult. I would know about it if there was."

She shook her head sadly.

You need professional help, Dea. I mean, maybe it's because your mum died or something- you're imagining things…I don't know, she said.

You're wrong, I told her, Wrong about me. And wrong about Stuart.

No, she replied, "you are."

She walked out. I immediately started after her. But the sound of Stuart's voice stopped me as, nearby; he asked Ana what was wrong.

I stepped back, closing the door but keeping my ear pressed to the wood.

She needs help, I heard her telling him quietly. She thinks she's been dreaming about you for the last ten years and that she's part of some great prophecy to bring back some vampire god. Crazy, huh? She laughed nervously, before sadly going on: I think she's traumatized somehow, you know- what with her mum dying and everything...

I caught my breath. How could she do this to me? And on the tail of that thought came another: what if I had put Ana in danger by telling her? Humans weren't supposed to know about the Apophi.

I heard Stuart reply to her in a low voice, but at the same time as he spoke to her, I heard his voice in my head: 'Dreaming about me?'

I felt his amusement tickling the inside of my skull: 'I'm intrigued. Why don't you come out and tell me about it, Dea?'

I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the panic begin to return anew.

Adam and Sofia are here, Ana told him then, her voice getting fainter as