Dawn's First Light

Robbie winced against the pain and the tweety birds fluttering in her head. The man had an iron fist. And it had just connected with her jaw, sending her spiraling. She threw up a hand to protect her right rib area against the onslaught of punches and kicks that he delivered with expert precision. If she didn't get up soon she wouldn't be able to get up at all. Rolling to the side, she evaded the blows. Twisting, she leapt onto her feet she stood to face him.

The sight of blood rolling down her pale cheek set off the predator in him. He crouched low, growling and hissing. Waiting for her to come to him.

Strong hands held John Mark back. He had been watching his gentle wife suffer the abuse long enough. Keene was lethal and John Mark wasn't willing to risk Robbie's life for a damn contest. When she spat out the red trickle of blood onto the mat, he lunged only to be stopped inches from her by the brothers. "Let her finish," the Great Father commanded.

Robbie spit out a mouthful of blood, and dragged the back of her hand against her split bottom lip. Fuck Cancun, she wanted two weeks at the French Rivera in a goddamned palace for facing off against this blood crazed maniac. She danced around Keene, looking for a weakness. Shivering at the power rolling off him in lethal waves. Suddenly, she felt very small, like a humming bird fluttering around an eagle. But, even the mighty could fall. She focused in on his ribs and delivered a series of lightening fast punches.

Keene roared in agony as Robbie's tiny fists delivered blow after punishing blow, shattering his ribs. Burrowing down and defending the weak area, he flung out his massive leg, dropping her to the mat with a breathtaking thud. He landed on top of her pinning her body with every ounce of his weight. She struggled in vein beneath him. But, could not free her body from his bulk. She was simply too small to throw him. Finally, admitting defeat, her delicate hand complete with pink polished fingernails went up in the air. Keene exhaled in relief and sheathed his fangs. His predator fully sated by his victory. At last it was over. He'd conquered his doubt and earned the right to be called a Son.

He extended a hand to help Robbie up off the mat only to find himself toppled over landing onto his back with a bone splitting thud. She planted a foot against his throat, grinning down at him as she wiped away the last of her spilled blood from the healing wound on her lower lip. "Now we are even," she said.

"So we are Mighty Warrior, so we are." He nudged her tiny foot away from his throat and sat up, gingerly nursing his wounds.

John Mark raced to Robbie's side and surveyed her healing injuries. He owed her big time. And he had no idea of when he was going to get the chance to take her on the honeymoon he'd promised her. After he was satisfied that no permanent harm was done, he turned to Keene. "Well done, brother." Bursting with pride, he pulled the man to his feet and pounded him on the back. "You look like shit, by the way."

"Thanks," Keene replied, dabbing at the blood trickling down his face. The brothers crowded around him, congratulating him and welcoming him into the fold. The only person he wanted by his side. The only person he could think of now that the trials were over was Lori. Not because he needed her blood, but he needed... her.



Chapter 29

Mack read the alert over and over. Two bodies found dead in the city. Not unusual. But, something about the report made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He had that uncanny gut feeling all cops got when something just wasn't right. Sure, he had a cushy job as a county sheriff. But, he'd done his time on the beat. And he'd been in the business long enough to listen to his instincts. Damn, his pension looked better and better. He'd been looking forward to his retirement for years. Timing was everything, and while he wasn't getting any younger, now was not the time to trade in his revolver for the rod and reel in his garage and the bass boat parked in his driveway.

Rubbing his hand along his tanned, wrinkled skin, he hit speed dial on his encrypted cell phone. He'd been a member of the Sons longer than he'd been on the force. There was no fat pension waiting for him at the end of the road. And he'd never retire from his position. The brotherhood needed to know about the murders. He had nothing to tell Dane other than the fact that something in his gut didn't quite settle right.

Dane thanked Mack and snapped his phone closed. Mack was an important contact and member of the lodge. If he thought the two dead bodies were important enough to be investigated, then they were. Keene would have to be initiated as soon as possible. The man was perfect for the mission. Nobody knew the rogues better than Keene. If there were a rogue involved, Keene would spot their handiwork immediately. And most likely identify the offender so that the brothers could take care of the situation quickly and quietly. In and out, no muss no fuss.

"Tonight?" Keene repeated. He'd hoped to spend the night in Lori's arms celebrating his victory. But, it seemed duty was already calling him away from her side. Dane needed him on the streets as soon as possible. The team was scheduled to leave for the city immediately after his induction ceremony into the brotherhood. The man didn't waste any time getting down to business. Dane already had the team assembled and making the necessary preparations.

Keene reread the report Dane placed in his hand. Conveniently hacked from the state police database, the preliminary investigation was vague and inconclusive. It just didn't make any sense. And the corner's initial findings made even less sense. As insane as Roark was, he always cleaned up after himself. None of the rogues Keene knew of were stupid enough to strike a human dead on the streets and leave a rotting corpse behind as evidence. Let alone leave two bodies dead in an alley for the humans to find. This wasn't Roark's or any of his follower's doing. He was certain of that. It just wasn't their style. The strays typically didn't kill their prey, too messy and too much trouble to mess with.

A vampire was involved. There was no doubt about that. But, Keene knew of only one type of vampire this careless and stupid. An infant. Those brought into this world and left to their own devices didn't last long. Not even Roark would allow an infant to live. The threat of discovery was too great. And once an infant succumbed to bloodlust, they were lethal and damned near impossible to reform. There was usually only one option. The infant was hunted down and killed. Suffused with duty and regret, Keene nodded his head and folded the report, handing it Dane. "The sooner the better. If Roark finds the newborn first, he won't hesitate to torture it in hopes of discovering its creator. We need to find the infant first. Do what we need to do. Put it down quickly. And control what damage we can."

*****

Lori cleaned off the counters and tables for the hundredth time. The shop had been moderately busy following the afternoon softball game. But now, hedging toward evening business was at a dead standstill. And she had nothing to occupy her mind. She hadn't heard a word from Keene all day. She didn't know if the trials were over yet. She tried not to worry about him. Of course, he was fine. What other outcome could there be? She refused to acknowledge the possibility that he hadn't survived. Sighing she checked her cell phone and shoved it into her bra. Wanting to make sure she wouldn't miss his call. And he would call. She knew it.

Giddy with aftershocks from last night, Lori practically floated on air. Keene was ...wow, he just was all that and more. She had to be reasonable and logical about this. But, she didn't want to be. She wanted to bury her head in the sand and pretend. She wanted to introduce Keene to her parents and plan picnics in the sun. She despised her pragmatic tendencies now more than ever. Keene wasn't a picnic kind of guy. And as for her parents, the less they knew about his true nature the better. Unfortunately, there was no way to hide the truth of what he was from them. Her mom would pick up on it immediately. Her dad was blissfully ignorant of the creepy crawly things that coexisted in their world. But, he'd hated every guy she'd ever brought home to meet him. And Maggie, her kid sister was already too curious about the mysterious 'boy' she'd spent last night with.

Lori was bursting at the seams to talk to someone about what had happened last night between Keene and her. Sometimes, she missed not having a BFF to share her secrets with. Not that she was one to kiss and tell. But, it would be nice to have someone to confide in. Someone who knew the deepest, darkest secret of them all and that she didn't have to pretend with.

Oh, she was sure if she went to her mom and spilled her guts. Her mom would listen and yeah, probably produce a tri-folded pamphlet chuck full of advice on the subject. Maggie was too young and too impressionable to even think about trusting with the most intimate details of her sex life. Robbie was her boss and it didn't feel right to discuss what went on in the bedroom with her. There was only one person Lori would even consider talking to about something this important. Janine.

Maybe, it wasn't a girl to girl chat about sex she really needed. But, a nice long BFF heart to heart about love and all the wonders and terrors that came along with it as a package deal. Lori scrubbed the counter furiously in her angst. She'd gone and done the very thing she vowed she wouldn't do. She was only twenty. Well, in a couple of days she would be. And she'd violated her own cardinal rule and completely thrown a wrench in her plans for a future out of this town. She'd gone and fallen in love with a man who could never, ever leave.

Her cell phone buzzed against her left breast. Eagerly, she fished it out of her bra and skimmed the text. Keene needed her! The trials were over. And Dane was summoning her to the compound. He did it! Keene passed his final contest. Tonight, he'd be inducted into the brotherhood. Hurriedly, she counted down her drawer and closed up shop a couple of hours early. Sure, it was bad for business. And she should stay and finish her shift. But, she was impatient to see Keene for herself. Rushing like a madwoman to replenish the napkin holders, she finished just as the sun sank beneath the horizon.

Keene followed John Mark out of the compound and tracked his dinner through the woods. The fight left him starving as his body used the last of his reserves to heal the various cuts, bruises, and his shattered ribs. The ceremony would begin as soon as the moon rose in the sky. There wasn't time to waste with the customary pomp surrounding the brotherhood's traditions. Not with a killer on the loose. He hadn't even bothered to shower after the trials. He wore a loose pair of jogging pants over his loincloth and moved through the trees, spotting his prey at the edge of a field.

Tonight he would receive the marks that would erase his past and usher him into his future. And he was eager to get on with it. He remembered little about his birth into this life. Only the memory of the pain he'd suffered in the transition. He had to admit, he wasn't looking forward to experiencing it twice. Keene figured he had it coming. A little agony was a small price to pay for a second chance. They were so rare. And he did not intend to waste it.

Kayla looked up as Bryce entered the rec room. Although it was summer, she had a fire blazing in the fireplace to chase away the chill that had settled deep in her bones. She'd spent the afternoon staring into the flames, watching them dance. But, the fire did little to warm her. "Is it over?"

"Yes." Bryce sat down on the hearth beside Kayla and eased the throw she'd wrapped tightly around her body off her shoulders. "You want to come to the party?"

"A party?" She grabbed Bryce's hand, leaping to her feet. A party could mean only one thing. Keene was ok. "He did it, didn't he?" She hugged Bryce excitedly practically bawling in relief.

"He did great," Bryce said, easing a hand around her waist to rest at the small of her back to hold her still before she realized how much all her jumping and bobbing, all that friction in all the wrong places, affected him. "Tonight, he will join the brotherhood and I think he'd like for you to be there for him."

"Of course." Kayla slid away from the light press of Bryce's hand on the small of her back. Sometimes it was so easy to forget around him and let her guard down. She had to keep her distance. Otherwise, she might give in to the warmth of his hands on her skin and the heat of the desire for her flashing in his eyes. How nice it would be to be treated like a woman and have a normal relationship. It was more than she thought she could ever have or deserved. She was contaminated. Having sold her soul to the highest bidder. She couldn't take Bryce down into the darkness. He didn't belong there.

"I'll take you." Bryce reluctantly released Kayla. Every touch she allowed was a small victory. Measured in small baby steps. He must be completely delusional. For a moment, he thought she wanted to be in his arms, or at least was tempted by the thought of it. He led her through the compound and into the cool darkness of the woods.

He was a creature of the night at heart. All vampires were. The whole sunlight would fry you to a crisp thing was utter bullshit. Made for a convenient cover story though. The more control humans thought they had over their world, the least likely they were to delve too deep into the shadowy underworld of darkness that existed along side the light.

"Bryce, I can't see." Kayla admitted. She hated the dark. Had ever since she was a child. And locking her in a completely lightless room for days had been one of Roark's favorite ways to torture her. "It is so dark out here," she breathed, hiding the tremble in her voice. She stumbled through the woods, holding Bryce's fingertips in a death drip. Stumbling clumsily over every unseen dip in the trail. She tripped, careening over fallen log that stretched across the path. Strong arms caught her before she struck the hard packed earth. "Thanks." Scrambling to regain her footing, she held on to him for dear life, teetering awkwardly in her struggle to maintain her balance.

Bryce held on tightly to Kayla, struggling to reposition his feet to maintain his center of gravity. He managed to catch her before she fell. But now, their awkward posture threatened to topple them both to the ground. With a grunt he lost the battle and they tumbled over the log landing in a tangle of limbs. "Sorry," he huffed. Chagrined that she would know for a fact, under no uncertain terms, what a dork he truly was.

Kayla snickered and untangled her legs from Bryce's. "I've never seen a vampire that was more uncoordinated than me."

Bryce huffed, "Well, now you have." He scrambled off the ground and extended a hand to help her up. He was so embarrassed. The Hollywood version of a suave vampire he was not. In so many ways, more than he cared to count. He was just an ordinary guy. He gave a hard tug, just a smidge too hard on her hand, and she landed hard against his chest.

Kayla, living in the moment, laughed joyfully. It was the first time she'd enjoyed a good laugh in years. She rested her forehead on Bryce's shoulder, still huffing and snorting. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to laugh at you. But, it's kind of funny." She looked up at Bryce's so not amused expression. He must think she was loosing her mind.

"I'm so glad I can keep you entertained," Bryce grumbled indignantly. He trapped Kayla's hand in his and trapped her with his arms wrapped around her body, holding her close. He bent his head down to hers, hovering over her lips and imagining the taste of them on the tip of his tongue. He shouldn't. But, how could he not? She was right here. Close enough to touch and taste, but still so far out of his reach.

"Oh, don't be mad," Kayla teased. Thinking his down turned head was a pout she ducked her chin in line with his eyes and ran a finger along his jaw. "I think you're a very good vampire." She smiled and took a step back out of his embrace. Touch usually terrified her. And it had in the past with Bryce. Oddly, somehow along the way, she'd gotten used to the casual brush of his fingertips and the warmth of his arms. Shyly, she motioned to the dark path. "Lead the way."

Bryce held out his palm and waited for Kayla to place her fingers in his grip. He could easily carry her to the bluffs. But, somehow he doubted she'd welcome the physical closeness of being carried in his arms. His vision was perfect in the darkness. And he could see the hesitation and uncertainty in her expression as her fingers hovered over his hand. Slowly, she lowered her fingers and wrapped them around his hand.

As they walked, Bryce became her eyes. He cautioned, adjusting her steps to avoid pitfalls that she couldn't see on the dark path. He laced his fingers through hers, enjoying the warmth of the casual contact of their co-joined hands. "I am a good vampire," he said smugly.

Kayla rolled her eyes and chuckled. That was Bryce, always seeking affirmation. The man had the self-esteem of a dusty plastic fern. She smiled and hazarded a few steps closer to him. Easing the awkward bend in his elbow from her insistence for distance. "The best," she said. And she meant it.

*****

Roark spent hours combing the city and barking out orders over his cell phone. How difficult could it be to retrieve two dead bodies from the morgue? How difficult could it be to find one newborn vampire in a city teeming with life? He couldn't catch a scent. The toxic stench of the city covered the light, sweet smell he searched for. He seethed with rage at the amount of his precious time he'd wasted tracking her down. She was out here somewhere. Hiding from him. And he wanted to find her before the Sons did. "Angel, where are you?" he muttered, stomping through the darkness.

*****

Hunger drove Angel out of her hiding place. The humans smelled so good. It made her fangs ache. She slid into the night, searching out her next meal. She was a resourceful girl. Always had been. She ignored her hunger, pushing it to the back of her mind as she searched the better areas of downtown, looking for the right sort of victim. She'd never had much of anything growing up. Her parents were dirt poor. And she'd spent her life wanting things out of her reach. Angel resented the rich bitches that lived in the towering downtown high rises, drove fancy cars, and lived the lives she'd only read about in glossy magazine articles.

The high rent district was dangerously close to Roark's domain. And Angel had no desire for a reunion anytime soon. She stayed in the shadows. Hidden. And chose a woman close to her size, following her from the gym that catered to ridiculously rich bitches like her, back home to her exclusive apartment complex. Borrowing someone's life piqued her curiosity. Stealing it, however, made even a run in with Roark worth the risk.

Chapter 30

Keene followed John Mark to the bluffs where a large bonfire blazed high into the night sky, driving back the darkness with its orange glow. His brothers gathered in a loose semi circle, surrounding the fire and the men who stood in the center, waiting for him to come. All formalities aside, the sight of the men and of his brothers, had his insides quivering with nervousness. He was about to be reborn. Again. And the brotherhood was there to witness his birth. He took a deep breath, eager to leave his old life behind, as he stepped forward to meet Dane on the outer edge of the circle of bodies.