The Vampire and the Scorpion (Blood and Venom Saga #1)

26. Twenty-Six

Twenty-Six

T he last funeral I’d attended was my grandma’s. Full of strangers, people from her past I could no longer ask her about. The longer I talked to them, the worse I felt, realising there were entire parts of her life that I’d never known. This funeral was no different.

For the first time since I’d arrived, the showmen’s yard gates opened, and throughout the night, people I’d never met flowed inside. A group of men and women approached, dressed in black, patterned with silver stars and symbols. They were so beautiful they had to be warlocks and witches.

“We’re here to say goodbye to Luna,” a warlock said, shaking me by the hand as I pointed him toward entrance to the woodland, the pyres hidden within.

“Aurora will be pleased to see you,” I said, pressing my lips together into a dim smile that slipped the instant the group moved on.

After the witches, Latisha introduced me to a group of vampires who appeared friendlier than the man they were saying farewell to—Jacob. Latisha seemed to know everyone. But then, after living nearly a thousand years, it was hardly surprising.

Latisha stiffened as another figure passed through the gates. At first, I thought he must be a warlock, his skin glowing with an ethereal beauty, but as he drew closer, I quickly realised that he was another being entirely. Witches and warlocks were alluring, but he was on another level. He was as tall as Madigan, but heavily muscled, his skin a flawless, golden colour that shimmered as I looked closer. His eyes were the deepest, darkest blue, almost purple, that twinkled when he smiled, causing my heart to flutter.

“Evening’s Greetings, Latisha,” he said, in a breathy voice that made the witch shiver.

“Lascivious,” she said with a bow of her head. My mouth fell open, remembering the name. A demon .

“I was most saddened to sense Luna’s passing,” Lascivious said, though his smooth lips spread into a pleasant smile as he traced his thumb over his square jawline to his dimpled chin. “And Hetti, too. I was hoping to make her one of my own. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be.”

Latisha nodded, avoiding eye contact with the demon, though I found it impossible to pry my sights away.

“And who is this delightful young lady?” he asked, turning his near-purple eyes to me. I found myself momentarily stunned, unable to speak, hypnotised.

“This is Ava.”

“It’s a pleasure.” He took my hand, brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles, sending a shiver through me I couldn’t identify as fear or arousal. “I smell the scorpion on you, Ava. Still fresh. Don’t worry, I’ll be in contact with you soon. Perhaps”—he leant in close, sniffing me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end—“in about a year, I’d wager. Mischievous might pay you a visit, too. And”—he smelt me again—“yes... with wrath like yours, Pernicious should also be interested.” He traced a finger across my cheek. “But please, save yourself for me.”

He winked, then turned his attention back to Latisha.

“I must speak with you before I leave,” he said. “I have news regarding the Hallows that you’ll be interested in.”

He flashed me one last, dazzling smile before leaving to join the other guests.

The warmth that had been creeping up my chest turned to ice. I shuddered as a clammy sweat coated my skin. “What the fuck just happened?”

Latisha winced. “He has that effect on everyone.”

But before I could question her further, the next couple of guests arrived.

She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties and was holding a baby girl who, I guessed, was perhaps a year old, with curly, ginger hair.

“Welcome, Anna.” Latisha wrapped an awkward arm around the young woman. My heart stopped.

“Thank you.” Anna’s eyes were bloodshot and her makeup smeared. “Is there somewhere I can clean myself up before... before...” A fresh wave of tears cut her sentence short.

“Of course.” Latisha nodded toward her camper. “You and the little one can use it as you please.”

“Anna?” I asked. The young lady looked at me. “Is this Rosie?” I gestured to the baby.

She nodded. My guts wrenched, the realisation of who she was crashing down on me.

I hesitated, wondering if it was the right time to relay Billy’s last message. Would there ever be a right time? “Billy said he is sorry. He loves you both, and if you need any help, just ask.” I looked at the baby, whose blank expression blinked back at me.

Anna’s face crumpled, lips miming, “Thank you”, before heading towards Latisha’s motorhome.

I pinched the tears from my eyes. “This is so fucking shit,” I hissed through my teeth. “Why didn’t anyone tell me he had a baby?”

Latisha’s hand was on my shoulder, squeezing. “For the same reason he kept Anna a secret: to keep her safe. But with Ivan gone, we can offer them both support.”

“When Billy said I didn’t know what I was getting into, I assumed he was talking about shifting. But it’s all of this, isn’t it?” I swept my hand. “Demons, and death, and loss, and probably worse.”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Latisha wrapped her arm around my shoulder, pinning me to her side. “But hey, it will be better with Len as leader, won’t it? And I’ll look after you, too.”

I forced a weak smile as she pulled me into a hug. For a second, I was almost at peace, but it was short-lived with the next set of strangers passing through the gates.

I sat near the back during the service, unable to meet the eyes of the guests, feeling— knowing— that if it hadn’t been for me, their loved ones would still be alive. As the new leader of the coven, Madigan gave a quick speech, welcoming the guests and thanking them for coming. Speeches from Latisha, Trevor, and Alfred followed, speaking on behalf of the supernaturals they represented. And finally, the pyres were lit.

I watched the smoke billow into the sky, hoping to make out a shadowy form of Billy ascending into the heavens, but I saw nothing.

Once it was over, the guests departed, and the coven cleared the remains. I tried to slink away, longing for isolation, and was about to climb the steps to Madigan’s caravan when a warm hand on my shoulder stopped me.

“I’m afraid not, Miss Monroe.”

“Busted.” I turned my head to smile feebly at Madigan.

“I am holding a meeting with the representatives of the coven. I’d like you to attend.”

“But I’m not a rep.”

“I am well aware. But I’d like you to attend all the same. Would you be so kind as to light the campfire?”

With a mock salute, I said, “No problem.”

I sat farther from the campfire than I usually would have; I’d had enough contact with fire to last a lifetime. Madigan, Latisha, Trevor, and Alfred encircled the campfire, and though Madigan requested my attendance, I felt like an intruder.

“I’d like to start proceedings with a thank you for your help,” Madigan said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Everyone present broke the rules of our coven, but in doing so saved my life, and my familiar’s, for which we are grateful.”

Latisha smiled at me, and even Trevor looked a little abashed, though Alfred remained composed, arms folded, a serious expression upon his face.

“The way I see it,” Madigan continued, “there are three items of business. Decide if we should remain a coven or disband? What to do with Dominic Chase? And what to do with Miss Monroe?”

“What?!” Latisha and I said in unison.

“What do you mean, ‘ what to do with’ me?” I asked, growing hot as I felt all eyes on me.

“I mean,” Madigan said, raising a hand for calm, looking directly at me, “you’re now a shifter. It would be inappropriate to remain my familiar. I couldn’t guide you through your transition from shifter to witch if that became your desire. I’ve met demons, but I’m not as well acquainted as others. For this reason, I believe you’d be better in the service of Trevor or Latisha.”

“I’ll take her,” Latisha cut in. “It would be my pleasure to take her as my familiar.”

“Would that be agreeable to you, Miss Monroe?” Madigan asked.

I blinked at him. It was all happening so fast. I didn’t know how to respond. What he said made sense, and really, I should have seen it coming. But a foolishly optimistic part of me that bubbled with childish romance had fantasised about us leaving the coven... together...

I looked down with a bitter smile and nodded, accepting reality.

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s agreeable. After all, Latisha is now without Hetti. And it was too cramped in that tiny caravan anyway.”

“Then that’s settled. You are now Latisha’s familiar. Be sure to listen to her instructions.”

“What are we doing with Dominic?” Trevor asked, cracking his knuckles as a vein bulged in his neck. “That sack of shite killed my people. I want his head, and will rip it off myself if you’ll let me.”

“He was doing what was right by his master,” Alfred said with a shrug. “Strictly speaking, we should have done the same.”

Latisha let out a humourless laugh. “Dominic is near enough rabid. By our own rules, he shouldn’t have progressed this far. If we free him, he’ll become a Brain Eater. You mark my words.”

“Miss Monroe?”

“Oh, I, uh...” I hadn’t expected to have my opinion asked. The image of Dominic draining blood from Greg flashed before my eyes. My muscles tensed, pulse rising, balling my hands into fists. I wanted to insist upon his execution. But then, I recalled my last conversation with Ivan, and the tightness in my muscles relaxed. I sighed.

“I hate him and I want him dead,” I said, examining my hands as I uncurled my fingers. “But that’s how this all started. Hatred drove Ivan to become a killer. If we become killers, too, we are no better than him.”

The corner of Madigan’s mouth twitched. “There is another option. I can escort him to the Vampires’ Nest to be tried and judged by our people.”

“The journey to the Vampires’ Nest is long,” said Trevor, shaking his head. “You’ll be gone weeks. Maybe months. Coven leaders can’t leave for that long.”

“And that brings us to our last order of business,” said Madigan. “Should we disband? If we remain a coven, you’ll need to elect a new leader, as I will stand down as soon as we conclude this meeting.”

“You can’t do that!” Trevor said with a frown.

“Actually, I can. All coven leaders can resign. Many don’t, as they enjoy the power trip, but I never wanted that. I simply wanted to dethrone Ivan.”

“But then, who would we elect as our leader?” Latisha asked.

“I was going to nominate you, Latisha, if you would accept the position.”

“Me?” She looked around at us, mouth agape, dumbfounded. “Len, you know I can’t.”

“You can’t? For what reason?”

Latisha wrinkled her nose, her eyes flicking in my direction for the briefest of seconds, before glaring at Madigan and saying through a clenched jaw, “ You know why .”

“Because of your history as a coven leader?” Madigan raised an eyebrow. “It is because of your experience that I think you would be ideal.”

“ All of my experience?”

The two stared at each other.

I had no idea what they were talking about. But as I recalled how she’d commanded the survivors after the fight and nursed us back to health, I knew she would make an excellent leader.

“Yes, all of it. All those in favour?”

Both Madigan and I raised our hands, and upon seeing us do so, Trevor raised his own. Alfred hesitated, but then sighed.

“I suppose I have no objections,” he said, and he, too, raised his hand.

“Do you accept?” Madigan asked.

Latisha blinked at him, then dropped her gaze to the floor. I overheard her mutter to herself, “I suppose the timing can’t be a coincidence...” She raised her head, now frowning with determination. “Very well, I accept. And you should know I spoke with Lascivious today. He’s confirmed the rumours: the Hallows have returned to Kinwich. Their numbers are small, but they are recruiting, and right now we are vulnerable.”

“Then what do we do?” Trevor asked, leaning forward, fixing Latisha with an intense stare.

“We must do the same; start recruiting. While Len is at the Vampires’ Nest, he will inform them of the Hallows return. Right, Len?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect. This year they hold the election of Liege Lord or Lady of the Nest. Vampires from all over the country will flock there to cast their vote. I’m sure I can persuade several of them to return with me for aid.”

“Excellent.” Latisha clasped her hands together. “Alfred, is there someone you can trust to go to the Wolf’s Den?”

“I can go myself—”

“No. Unlike Ivan, I’ve not forgotten that ‘some of us’ are hiding from our own kind,” she said with a smile, and I recalled the first time I’d met Alfred, and his hushed conversation with Latisha. “Besides, I need you to run the funfair. It’s fallen into disrepair, and only you and your pack tried to restore it. We need a source of income and blend into the human world.”

Though difficult to see behind his thick beard, I was sure Alfred was giving Latisha a rare smile. “It would be an honour. I can send my mate. She is the most loyal within the pack.”

“And what about me?” asked Trevor.

“You and I can recruit from within Kinwich. Shifters are easier to recruit within the human world, and we should avoid Havoc while our numbers are so dangerously low. It might be an option once the others return. But not yet.”

“Sound,” Trevor said with a nod, and despite his usual stern appearance, I was sure I’d picked up a trace of relief in his voice. Whatever Havoc was, it sounded dangerous.

“Does anyone have any questions?” Latisha looked at us. “No? Then I think that’s meeting adjourned.”

After giving their new leader a small nod, Trevor and Alfred made their way back to their campers, but Latisha pulled Madigan aside. “Len, how long do you need to prepare for your trip?”

“If I begin now, I would hope to be ready within a week, Mistress Latisha.”

“Then go ahead. And don’t bother with the formalities. Just Latisha will do. And one last thing. I know the Vampires’ Nest holds a lot of memories for you. While I want you to take your mission of recruitment seriously, I’ll understand if you do not wish to return.”

For a moment, Madigan’s eyes hovered over me, then returned to Latisha.

“I shall give it some thought.” Madigan brushed himself down, bowed his head, and took his leave. I watched him glide to his caravan and my stomach dropped.

“The same goes for you, Ava,” said Latisha. We were alone now. “With care, shifters can blend into the human world. It would be challenging, and I would recommend remaining with me until you have grown accustomed to your developing abilities. But should you wish to leave, I will not stop you.”

“I could go back?” I instantly thought of Hayley, of having a phone, and even going to lectures. But then Greg’s unmoving body flashed before my eyes. Then, the homeless man crumpled at the bottom of the steps. I couldn’t go back. It hadn’t been Ivan’s rules that had trapped me within the supernatural world. It hadn’t even been my transformation into a shifter. I had sealed my own fate.

“I’ll let you know,” I said.

“Of course. Take all the time you need. Until then, I have laundry for you.”

I let myself into Madigan’s camper. He jumped as he heard the door open, clutching something to his chest. The shoebox he’d had up on the shelf was now on the table, the dust-lined lid to one side. I saw now it contained photographs, letters, and trinkets.

“Miss Monroe!” Madigan’s shoulders relaxed as he lowered his hand from his chest, returning a pendant on a silver chain to the box. “You startled me.”

“Sorry. I only came here to move my stuff over to Latisha’s.” We both looked at my bag of belongings sat next to my bed, then back to each other. “I’ll need help. Might take a couple of days.”

Madigan laughed, a sound I’d miss. He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks tinged pink as he said, “I’ll miss your company. I hope you realise I wasn’t trying to kick you out.”

“Nah, I understand. It’s the right thing to do.”

An awkward silence followed as we both looked about the camper, unsure of what to say to the other.

“Will you be staying at the Vampires’ Nest?” I asked, fishing for information, but tried to fool myself into believing it was just small talk.

Madigan tugged at his cuff. “I’m... I’m not sure.” He seemed to be internally wrestling with himself. “There is an old friend there who believes I’m dead,” he blurted out, just as I was about to give up on receiving an answer. “I’ve been dreaming of seeing him again for over twenty years, but now that the time has come, I find myself somewhat... nervous.”

“I’m not surprised! Twenty years is a long time for someone to think you’re dead. That’s going to be one hell of a reunion!”

He laughed again, filling me with warmth that I’d eased his nerves, if only for a second, before he resumed tugging at his cuff, so hard now I was sure he’d rip it off.

“Miss Monroe, if I were to return to the coven... would you still be here?” His cheeks reddened.

“Yes, I’ll be here.”

He took a step towards me, closing the gap between us, and said in a breathy voice, “Then I will come back for you... if that is what you would like?”

“Yes!” I said too quickly, before forcing a cough as I tried to say with a casual tone, “Yes, that would be nice.”

The warmth that had been ignited by his laughter now spread throughout my body. My eyes locked onto his lips, desperate to kiss them. He seemed to want it, too, as he leant in close, then whispered against my mouth, “Miss Monroe... would you... would you...” Nerves taking hold of him again, he drew back slightly, but I put a hand to his cheek.

“Go on, ask me.”

“Would you like to begin a courtship?”

“Yes.” I kissed him softly. “Yes.”

He returned the kiss, driving fingers through my hair, pulling my body into his.

“Wait,” I said, pulling back, already slightly breathless. “You’re not bothered by the age gap anymore?”

He blushed. “Well, you’re a supernatural now, and since you won’t age anymore, I just wondered—”

“Wait. I don’t age anymore?”

He made eye contact with me, though his blush remained. “My understanding is that each time you shift, your body heals itself. Including the effects of aging.”

His eyes burned into me as I processed everything he’d said.

“I don’t age,” I said, repeating the words out loud to make sense of them.

“No.”

A smile crept across my lips. “And you just asked me out?”

He laughed again. A low chuckle deep in his throat. Music to my ears. “Yes.”

“So, you would be... my boyfriend?”

He traced the back of his fingers over my cheek, down to my chin, and tilted my face up to his. “I am yours.”

He pressed his lips to mine once more. My insides dissolved. I closed my eyes as I returned his kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck as one of his hands slid down my back and over the curve of my ass, pulling my hips into his. A ripple of arousal pulsed through me.

“Perhaps my preparations can wait,” he said. “Just for a while... my...”—he looked away, nose wrinkled as he forced the words—“my darling?”

“Oof, that was painful,” I said with a dry laugh. “You don’t have to do that.”

“No? What would you like me to call you?”

“Ava is fine,” I said, smirking as I looked up at him through my eyelashes. “Although, in the bedroom, you could call me Miss Monroe.”

End of Book One

The story continues in:

Book Two of the Blood and Venom Saga: The Vampire's Crown