KIngdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) Read online

  “Sounds good. Thanks!” I jogged to the locker room to change.

  The sun blinded me as I walked outside, and I shielded my eyes with my hands. Hearing a quick honk, I turned to see Orm approaching.

  “How was your session?” he asked as I tossed my bag in the back and climbed in beside him.

  “Did you hear anything about the murder?”

  “It was a female waitress, and the condition of the body is suspicious. Your mother has people at the house now.”

  “Again? This is the third case since we’ve been here.”

  “Definitely seems like we have a rogue vamp on our hands.”

  “Is Mother issuing martial law? Do I even get to go to school?”

  “I thought you wanted to be home-schooled.”

  “Today wasn’t too bad.” I let my head rest on the window and closed my eyes. Orm weaved through the streets to our building, and sensing the darkness of the garage, I lifted my lids.

  “Thank you for driving me, Orm,” I told him as we entered the elevator.

  “Of course, m—Miss Alena.”

  Upstairs there were two body guards outside our door, and I caught the scents of at least four extra bodies inside.

  As soon as I stepped inside, Mother appeared beside me. Wrapping her arms around me she squeezed me to her. “I am so sorry you had to see the scene darling.”

  “I’m okay, Mother.” I wiggled away from her.

  “I know this is hard.” With one arm around my shoulders, she led me to the sitting room. “But we have some evidence from the alley behind the restaurant. It was so close to your school, and I want you to know the scent.”

  Four policemen sat in the receiving room, and they stood as we entered. Mother kept vampires on every major law enforcement agency in the country so she could monitor criminal behavior.

  “This is a bandana they found at the scene.” One of the officers handed a plastic bag to Mother. She opened it and held it up to my nose. The fabric smelled of musk and sweat, and my nose crinkled up instinctively.

  “That’s not a smell I’ll forget anytime soon.”

  “Good.” She closed the bag and handed it back to the officer.

  “So who was it? Who’s the victim?”

  “Let’s not worry about that.” Mother wrapped her arms around my back, spinning me around.

  “I ate there yesterday and today. The person may have served me.”

  Mother stopped and motioned to the officer holding a file. Taking the file as he approached, she opened it and held up a photo. “This is the girl.”

  I cupped my hand to my mouth. “That’s the hostess.”

  The officer in front of us cleared his throat. “Did she smell nice?”

  “They all do.”

  “Okay, this is enough. Alena, go clean up for dinner,” Mother ordered.

  “But maybe I could help.”

  “Are you crazy? That is the opposite of what you should be thinking. We don’t know how old or powerful this rogue vampire is. You promise me you’ll stay away from that area.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  “Good, now go shower. Dinner is still at seven thirty.”

  Thinking the last thing I wanted was to eat, I retrieved my pack and made my way to my room. Letting the bag fall to the floor once the double doors clicked shut, I reclined against the soft wood. With violet walls, dark hardwood floors, and accents of lilac and white, this was my sanctuary. Lifting a finger and pushing magic towards the windows, I closed the shades to produce complete darkness. I shed my shoes and wiggled my toes, letting the long strands of long pile rug slip through them.

  In the bathroom, I started the shower. While it got hot, I browsed through my dresses, searching for the softest one. Dinner was an event at our house, and I was expected to be in formal attire. Finding a sleeveless white satin cocktail dress, I hung it on the door. I pinned up my hair and washed and dressed quickly. Grateful shoes were optional, I padded to the dining room.

  Mother’s brow, usually smooth and clear, creased with anxiety. Still her eyes sparkled as they landed on me. Crossing the room, I set a kiss on each of her cheeks, and she returned the greeting. “Sit, you must be exhausted.”

  “It’s been a long day.”

  “You can tell us all about it.”

  I took a seat at the far end of the table while Elizabeth and Orm took the two across from each other.

  “To Alena and her last year of high school.” Mother forced a smile and lifted her glass of Champagne.

  With my face feeling flushed from the attention, I raised my glass and tapped it to each of theirs.

  Elizabeth passed the dishes of food, and after we’d filled our plates, Mother bowed her head for the blessing.

  “Heavenly beings, full of grace, we are grateful for this harvest. Bless each soul that partakes, we beseech you.”

  Mother set her napkin in her lap and lifted her fork, signaling the beginning of the meal. Raising my knife, I sliced a bit of salmon and slid it in my mouth.

  “This is excellent Elizabeth.” I commended her when I’d finished the bite.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “So, about your day, Alena? Elizabeth said you gave her a hard time before breakfast.” Mother’s eyes landed on me.

  I looked at my lap. “It’s early, and I’m tired.”

  “Early mornings and daytime schedules are hard for all of us.” She took a bite of fish and made a circle with her fork. “Well, Orm fairs fine, but still. Speaking of which, Orm says you made a friend? Anyone interesting?”

  I ignored the term interesting in her question, knowing she meant supernatural beings, and proceeded to tell them about Nick. “I guess he’s a friend. We studied together in my free period.”

  Her eyes got wide. “And where was this?”

  “In a study session monitored by his football coach.”

  “I see.” She dabbed her lips and replaced the napkin in her lap.

  “And what of the boy you wanted”—she cleared her throat—“excuse me, had an issue with.”

  “Cheerleaders aren’t supposed to be smart according to him.”

  “My goodness. You think humans would’ve evolved past separation of beauty and brains.”

  “This girl in my class said he pretty much picked on everyone.”

  “Teenagers.” She rolled her eyes. “Anything else?”

  “I put Hannah in her place.”

  Mother stopped mid-bite. “With tact, I assume.” Her left eyebrow shot up.

  I looked between Elizabeth and Orm, trying to create drama.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Good for you. Did you talk to anybody else? Anyone interesting?” She set her elbows on the table and made an arch with her fingers.

  “The girl, Annabelle. She was nice.”

  “What do you mean, nice? Interesting nice or just nice?”

  Usually I made it a game. I knew she hated it, so I strung her along to see how many times she would ask if I ran across anyone interesting. Right then, my nerves were frayed, I was exhausted, and I didn’t have the patience.

  “What do you mean? Someone like a covert agent who may kidnap me and hold me for ransom? Maybe my old imaginary friends, Chase or Ivy.” Speaking her name made my throat close up, but I pushed on. “Or maybe my father? When do I get to know who he is by the way? Or meet him? Maybe I could protect myself if you let me learn to—”

  “Alena.” Elizabeth’s sharp voice cut my oration short.

  Instantly ashamed for lashing out at Mother, my eyes cut to my plate. She tried, and she was a good mother for the most part. Not doting like a lot of mothers, but I had Elizabeth for that. Me, Orm, and Elizabeth were all Mother had. She loved me, but she was more of a lioness than a mother hen.

  Mother squeezed Elizabeth’s arm. “It’s okay. She’s had a hard day. She needs rest. How about half an hour tonight, Orm?”

  A tear formed in my eye. “I’m sorry. No, I didn’t sense anyone of interest.”


  “I know, sweetie. I shouldn’t push you. I need to be sure we don’t overlook anything.”

  “I’m almost eighteen. We’ve been doing this since I was in kindergarten.”

  “Well, I will agree that you are nearing eighteen, but there are still ten months until your birthday. There is much to learn before then.”

  “There is much to learn?” I asked Orm as we made our way to his study.

  “I’ve taught you how to use your magic for many things. There is always more to master. Your coven training will commence six months prior to your birth date. But what of your outbreak? You could protect yourself if she let you learn to what?” Orm closed the door behind us.

  “You know what I want to learn.”

  “And you know why we are not allowing it.”

  “I know, but...” I plopped into an arm chair.

  “Why did you mention your father?” The seven-hundred-year-old witch lowered himself into the seat beside me.

  “I don’t know. I’m tired.”

  I regretted clueing them into the fact that I wished I could meet my father. Since I’d given him up as Mother’s mystery mission target, I hadn’t given too much away though. But she asked if I’d sensed any people like us, interesting people was her code phrase, every day, and I grew tired of the routine. Couldn’t she trust that I’d tell her if I thought I was in danger? I longed to have friends, friends who were like me. Why would I hide them from her?

  Other vampire younglings were home-schooled for fear their unbridled impulses would lead to unwanted outcomes, like the bully literally getting killed on the playground. In the evenings, they attended vampire school, learning vampire history, government, and acquiescence to human activity. But Mother believed in mainstreaming and rarely allowed me to mingle with vampires. Maybe she thought if I made a real friend, I’d share my secret and we’d all be doomed. But why had she created me in the first place if I was going to be saddled with so many restrictions? What was the purpose? Orm reminded me almost daily that eighteen years was but a drop in the bucket to beings like ourselves. When you were seventeen with the brain and hormones of an adolescent half-vampire, it felt like torture.

  Acting as tutor, mentor, and stand-in father, Orm taught me all the vampire and witch histories and helped me hone my powers. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Mother was a vampire so by default my father would be a witch like Orm. But who was he? What did he look like? Where did he live?

  I flicked my finger, and the lights of the room dimmed. I focused on the logs in the fireplace, and flames gushed from the planks of wood.

  “Being a bit dramatic, aren’t we?” Orm asked.

  “I am a teenager.”

  “I don’t think you really want to be home-schooled.”

  “No, I don’t”

  “Well, you need to keep your emotions in check.” Orm shifted in his chair.

  “I’ve been cloaked all day. If there’s some place to be able to break down, it should be with your family.”

  “You are right. But your mother will pull you from school if she doesn’t think you can hold it together.”

  “Well, now I’m listening.”

  “And you know why you can’t learn to fly yet.”

  “But it would be so fun.” I jumped to the edge of my chair. “We could go out into the desert and practice there. No one would see us.”

  “When you’re eighteen.”

  “You promise?” I stared into his eyes.

  “Yes.”

  Swirling my finger in the air, I started the stereo, and Bach trickled from the speakers. I lay my head on the back of the seat. I had to figure this magical eighteen thing out. Eighteen-year-old witches gained their full powers when they became members of a coven. I would join Orm’s coven, making us a family of two. But there was something more they were keeping from me. My mind wandered back to all I knew.

  “What do you mean?” My almost three-year-old self asked Orm.

  “You are a special creature. Your mother and father loved each other so much, and they wanted someone to share their love with.”

  “Why is Father gone then?”

  “He is out in the world making sure you are safe.”

  I folded my arms over my chest. “Why can’t he be here to keep me safe?”

  “Adult things are confusing sometimes.”

  “But I’m smart and can remember everything, so you can tell me.”

  “This is the way it has to be, child.” Orm patted my head as we walked towards his study.

  I stomped my black patent leather shoes to the wood floor, and the lights flashed with each foot fall. “But I am big, and I should be able to know.”

  Orm’s eyes traced to the ceiling.

  “I can do magic inside. That’s the rule because of the special walls.”

  “Yes, you are right. You are cursed with strong will child.”

  “Cursed, I am cursed?” Tears welled up in my eyes.

  “Not like a witch’s curse dear. It is your personality to demand what you want. It will be an asset later in life. Now it only serves to annoy your elders.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, dear. We should move on to your history lesson.” He opened the door and ushered me into the dark room.

  “I can get the lights for you.” I sent my magic to the switch and the bulbs in the lamps came on. “You said I would learn about the Bible and evolution today.”

  Orm’s smile spread across his face. “So, you do remember everything now.”

  “I told you.”

  “Well, a long, long time ago—”

  “How long?” I grabbed the book from Orm’s hands.

  “About five thousand years ago.”

  “Okay.” I leafed through the pages, stopping when there was an illustration.

  Orm continued. “Humans, vampires, and witches lived together in peace for a thousand years.”

  “The humans are the ones that smell like meat, witches like honey, and vampires like Mother and Elizabeth.”

  “Yes.” Orm rolled his eyes and began again. “Humans became jealous, angry at God, and hunted vampires and witches.”

  “I don’t like those humans. Who is God?”

  “In the Bible story, God made everything.”

  “Wow, so he is good?”

  “He is meant to be portrayed that way, yes. Not all humans were bad. God flooded the earth to rid it of the unjust. Humans believed witches and vampires were all killed. But witches and vampires lived in secret.”

  “I’m glad they didn’t die.”

  Orm chuckled. “Me too. It is written in the vampire bible—”

  “That’s this one.” I set the text on his lap.

  “Yes, Eve lay with a snake and bore the first vampire child.”

  “Eve and the snake were like Mother and Father.”

  “Yes, but Eve gave the child to Lilith who lived in a different place. In the Jewish Bible, God formed Lilith from the same dirt as Adam, but she was thrown out of the Garden when she failed to serve him. Lilith also lay with the snake and his brothers bearing more halfling offspring. The halfling children of the serpents, being part human, part serpent, were the first vampires.”

  “There are a lot of bibles. What happened to the snake? Did he go off like Father to protect the children?”

  “The human Bible says the snake is evil.”

  “Is that why the humans hunted vampires?”

  “People fear what they do not understand.”

  “So, what of evolution?” I stumbled over the multi-syllable word.

  “Darwin created a theory that one being transformed into another over time. Vampires evolved to possess strength, speed, and heightened senses as a means of survival.”

  “Vampires are stronger than humans, but we don’t hurt them or eat them even if they smell good.”

  “Right, you remember the rules.”

  “What of you and witches?”

 
“No one knows how witches evolved.”

  Turning the pages in the human Bible, I found a picture of the archangel Gabriel. “I think this is where you come from.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “Elizabeth said I was a child of light.”

  Orm’s brow furrowed. “She said that, did she?”

  “I think she thought I was asleep. She came to my room and kissed my forehead and said, ‘Good night, child of light.’ It was when she thought I slept like a human.”

  “And remembered like a human too, I am guessing.” Orm winked at me. “But also, Alena means light.”

  “My name means light?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me about Mother’s family again. It’s sad, but I like how Elizabeth saved her.”

  “Your mother’s farm was surrounded and lit ablaze. With no way to escape, the fire consumed the house with them in it. Being in service to the family, Elizabeth had taken your mother, the youngest, to the family cabin to be nursed for the night. Seeing the flames across the field, Elizabeth tried to escape with her children and husband. Her mate was human and their children only halflings. All of them ran, and your mother, being fast even as a youngling, climbed a tree and hid. Pretending to be dead, Elizabeth escaped her family’s fate. She fled to England with your mother, raising Anne as her own. Should I stop?”

  “No.” I climbed into Orm’s lap.

  “Growing to maturity, your mother mixed with humans through the centuries but gathered her own kind and formed the Vampire Council.”

  “And she’s the king now.”

  “Well, she is the leader, yes. There aren’t really kings anymore.”

  “Tell me of my birth.”

  “It was the summer solstice of 1999. She named you Alena, meaning light, because you brought our family so much happiness.”

  When younger, it’d been easier to ignore my heritage. As Chancellor of the Vampire Council, Mother managed vampire politics and issues with witches and other non-human beings. I knew little of the details as she kept her professional challenges separate from our family discussions. In addition to interspecies disagreements, the vampire race experienced tension between two factions, those living among humans pretending to be equals, and those who kept themselves separate, embracing their natural state. The Vampire Council brought these groups together. Representatives from clans all over the world created the Vampire Edicts to help preserve the line and keep peace with other supernatural beings. The more I learned the more I began to question Mother’s motives. I thought back to discussions with Orm.