Sarim sat in his office, allowing the silence to clear his thoughts. Khafil remained in the shadows, unseen and unheard. Lately his office was the only place he could find solitude from the chaotic world around him. He should have been thinking of his upcoming journey to the human world, where he was headed later tonight. Instead, his thoughts were on the monthly meeting he’d just dismissed. Tonight, several members of the lesser Taalib Duma tribes were vocalizing concerns about Sarim’s successor. “Who is he?” “Where is he?” and “When is he coming?” Those were just a few of the questions asked. Even though Khafil had warned him the questions were coming, he should have been prepared.
Instead, he was deeply unsettled. He had no answers. He’d managed to dissuade his brothers by explaining he still had a few years left and there was no need for the pressing concern. This was true, but Sarim knew it was customary for his successor to be introduced to the tribe by now. The new ruler had to be trained and tested. The process could last up to five years. The only exception to this was if a Taalib Duma was impregnated with the successor. Then the current leader was kept until the successor was born and came of age.
Sarim prayed to the Darvan God that the scent wasn’t a figment of his imagination caused by stress. The humvansi had to help him. It also had to carry the Dalili Nakisisa.
“If the humvansi does not have the triangle symbol, all will indeed be lost.”
Knowing his protector awaited permission to speak, he nodded in Khafil’s direction. Khafil materialized out of the shadows.
shadows.
“If the humanvansi is already in a family unit?” Khafil questioned.
“The possibility of their having a family or pursuing their dreams is inconsequential,” he snapped. “My legacy must be preserved, at all costs.”
“How are you going to make them come to a completely different world with you?” Khafil boldly interjected. “This person has lived as a human all their life and knows nothing of our ways.”
“For all I care, the person can be strung out on drugs or a prostitute.” He snickered before continuing. “If that is the case, there are ways to purify the body back to its original state.”
This trip was a matter of life or death to him. If he came back without the humvansi, and the council saw no heir or signs of one, he would be killed. There would be no need to wait until his rule came to an end.
Acknowledging the plot to kill him, his instincts told him the Imvura’s were masterminding it.
“Khafil, I am the last in my line of rulers. This a perfect time for my enemies to strike.”
Picking up a pen off his desk, he began rolling it around his fingers.
“I feel their hatred at the council meetings. I know their eyes watch my every move, patiently waiting to strike like a snake stalking a mouse.”
Sarim allowed his thoughts to land on his enemies. The Imvura, a rival tribe of African and Caucasian descent, were second in numbers and power. His tribe and the Imvuras had been bitter rivals for decades. Mainly because many felt the Imvuras were impure and didn’t belong in a sect of vampires descended from The Motherland, Africa. Sarim, as with most Taalib Duma’s, did not trust vampires not of African descent.
Generations ago, European vampires enslaved other African minority tribes and used the tribe’s women. This was how the Imvura tribe originated. Some of them even looked Caucasian, a fact unnerving many Taalib’s. The Imvura leader, Zanhoden, looked exactly like a Caucasian male. He had short blond hair and blue-green eyes. Strangely, his parents were both of African descent. Sarim chuckled. He had given Zanhoden the nickname “the devil’s prince.” Since most of his tribemen considered the Imvuras devils, the title seemed fitting.
Rubbing his chin, Sarim visualized Zanhoden’s face.
“I feel the Imvuras are behind the attempts on my life.”
Khafil raised an eyebrow. “Any of the tribes would want your position to land with them. Why do you suspect the Imvuras?”
“Their leader, Zanhoden is as ruthless as they come. I can’t prove it, but I know he wants the position of Abu more so than any other Taalib Duma. I can feel it in his stare.”
Khafil remained silent, waiting for Sarim to continue.
“As the leader of the Imvuras, he has the same powers as me. Over the years we’ve had conflicts many times, almost to the point of battle.”
“How will you prove it is the Imvura behind your plagues?” Khafil inquired.
“Until they reveal their true agenda, I can’t prove it was them. I will be patient. My family’s legacy rests firmly on my shoulders. I can make no mistakes in this matter.”
“I agree you must be very careful. To accuse another tribe of treason is a most serious charge.”
Sarim nodded.
“More importantly, I can’t enter the inner world after my death and face my ancestors if the Chair of Drumhani is no longer in the Soga tribe.”
The chair belonged only to the ruling family. Only the Abu sat in it. Legend said the chair enhances the Abu’s powers. By mankind’s standards, the Chair of Drumhani, made of gold, steel and platinum, was priceless. The chair was commissioned for the first Abu of Sarim’s tribe.
“I will be beheaded on the spot and tortured for eternity if the Sogas lost it because of my inability to rule effectively.”
Rubbing his temples, he thought back to the meeting he had just left, mentally reviewing the many conversations.
As if sensing his Abu was about to say something important, Khafil watched his face closely.
“What is it, Abu?”
“Today at the meeting, Zanhoden and his tribe didn’t utter a word during the barrage of questions. He just watched.”
Sarim had closed the meeting by saying he would be leaving for possibly a month or longer. When he returned, he would have news of his heir. After the bruising he got from the council, this would shut them up, at least temporarily. He knew he only had one chance to solidify his family’s heritage.
Looking at the clock on the wall, he stretched. There were two hours before he was to partake on his journey. Sarim needed to relieve some stress. He rubbed his teeth along his fangs. They were rather dull. He hadn’t been on a secret hunt in over a month. Taalib Dumas snuck out and went on their own hunts even though it was against the “hunting” rules. Sarim turned a blind eye to it. A good hunt was exactly what he needed. Lately, other things were overwhelming his mind and senses. Yes, it was exactly what he needed. He had to be refreshed and focused for his journey’s itinerary.
“I hear 22nd and Main is flowing rather heavily,” Khafil cited.
“Perfect,” Sarim stated as they both started to dematerialize. “I’m rather thirsty.”
Zanhoden frowned. For the last hour he was contemplating where his dear Abu was really going. He and his men didn’t buy the “looking for another resting place” nonsense Sarim had hissed out during the meeting. However, Zanhoden would not speak on it publicly. If he did, it would look like pettiness on his part and it wouldn’t be taken seriously. It was a well-known fact that he and Sarim despised one another. Zanhoden’s tribe, the Imvura, had enough to deal with. He didn’t need to add to it by questioning the truthfulness of the Abu’s upcoming whereabouts. Leaning his back against the balcony wall, he smiled. He would soon find out exactly where Sarim was heading. He had an inside source. *** Leaning his lithe, six-foot-two frame against the wall of the dark entrance chamber of their resting lair, Khafil allowed his guard to drop. The entire resting area lay underground, right beneath their headquarters. The underground area equaled the size of two football fields, side-by-side, la
Stepping on the sidewalk, Victoria took a deep breath of fresh, southern air. This was her first day outside since the ice storm had hit Tabor Ridge. Smiling, she lifted her arms upward, stretching them as far as they could go. She didn’t mind that the cold air burned her nose or that it stung her eyes. Happiness made her light on her feet. Feeling hope for the first time in weeks, she was glad to finally be out of her efficiency. Since arriving, she had spent the last few days watching TV, reading books, watching the ice storm from her window, and devising a plan to locate her father. According to her mother’s notes, this small town was his birthplace. Walking along the idyllic street outside her motel, she felt warm vibes from the picturesque town. She stopped in front of a building, which emanated wonderful smells. Looking up, she saw it was some sort of eatery named McGrady’s. An eatery usually had a lot of people. People who may have knew her father. Shading her eyes from the su
Smiling, Sarim hastened through the airport, glad the long, uneventful flight was over. Stopping mid stride, he sniffed the air, uncaring that he’d caused several people walking behind him to trip and drop their luggage. Yes, the scent was indeed strong in North Carolina. The blood connection he shared with the heir had led him there, and he could feel the heir’s presence. He, or she, was close at hand. Time was running out, and he could not afford to make any mistakes. His life and his position depended on it. Hands on his hips, he surveyed the airport, watching the humans walking about like cattle, distracted and completely unaware of what had just landed in their city. Feeling his fangs grow longer, he ran his tongue around them. A hand landed on his shoulder. “Abu, we must get you in a safe place. These humans are a distraction you do not need now.” Sarim stiffened at the reproach in Ivan’s tone. “I don’t need you telling me what I need to be doing,” he snapped. “Once again, yo
Sitting cross-legged on the hotel floor, Khafil closed his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. The second his body had completely relaxed, he became mist. He traveled through the hotel room, under the door, then down the hall to the basement room Sarim occupied. Once there, he floated under Sarim’s door and materialized. Walking silently through the cold, dark room, he stopped beside Sarim’s bed, then placed a hand over Sarim’s forehead. Thoughts of the heir dominated Sarim’s thoughts. He wondered if it was male or female and if they would follow his plans willingly. Astrong thought made Khafil pause. Seemed Sarim had plans to make the heir agreeable. He would kidnap the heir, if it was female, holding her hostage in his quarters while getting another Taalib Duma to impregnate her. Taking a deep breath, Khafil forced himself to focus through the waves of repulsion coursing through his body. The bastard already had several Taalib Dumas in mind for the task. He was going to
“Victoria?”“Yes?”“The next train doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning at 7:45.”“Okay.” What else could she say? It was her fault she’d missed the train.A few minutes later and she had new train ticket. “Hungry?” Ivan asked.“I’ve already eaten,” she answered, shaking her head. “If you can call processed meat with cheese from a can a Philly cheese steak?”“How about you join me while I eat? You might find something to nibble on.”Was it her imagination, or had he intended the sexual innuendo? Shrugging, she answered, “Sure!”“How about Luigi’s? It’s right across the street.”“Why not? I don’t have anywhere else I have to be, and I’d love to catch up with you.” Had she just said love? She glanced at his face, but he seemed intent on getting out of there.He grabbed her luggage and led her outside to his fancy car; his very new, obviously expensive car. He popped the trunk and placed her bags inside. He curled her arm inside his as they walked across to the street to Luigi’s. Once th
Sitting, Victoria took a few seconds to allow the last dredges of sleep to leave her brain. She still couldn’t believe she had changed her mind and had agreed to spend the night at Ivan’s. Once outside the parking garage, the cold air did the trick and she felt on high alert, although she remained quiet as she followed Ivan to his apartment. His place was nice, very nice, the ultimate bachelor pad. She followed him across a plush carpet to the living room where a fifty-inch flat screen televisiondominated the far wall. “Have a seat,” he said, nodding toward the sofa. “I’m going to put your luggage in the guest room.” He vanished down the hallway. She sat on the black sectional, then placed her purse on the glass table and surveyed the room. Paintings of all kinds decorated the other three walls. Some were modern with splashes of colors. Others landscapes, and the ones the wall closest to her were portraits. Her eyes rested on a rather formal picture drawing of a man who looked qui
Victoria felt warm all over. Not feverish warmth, but a warm, tingly sensation running up her arms, over her breasts, and down her legs. It felt like a hand skimming over her body, leaving delicious trails of heat wherever it went. Soft, firm lips pressed tender kisses alongside her neck. One kiss touched her tattoo. An explosive bolt of pleasure shot through her body, from her hair to the tips of her toes. She moaned. The kisses continued down her neck and along her throat. Hands massaged her breasts, and her nipples tightened. Then magical lips replaced the hands and suckled her breasts. She grasped and jumped as theunfamiliar sensations wreaked havoc on her body. She moaned again as teeth grazed her nipples and sucked gently. A warm, rough tongue traced her areola. She went mindless with pleasure. When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring into liquid brown intensity. “Ivan?” she whispered. She couldn’t believe her friend was responsible forthe pleasure coursing through
van opened his eyes as he receded from Victoria’s mind. He looked down at his hands, surprised to see they were shaking. Shock flowed through him. He could not believe what had just transpired between him and the woman in the next room. Their coupling had blown him apart. He had never in his life lost controlwith a female. He had always been in charge during issanvi, never breaking a sweat, demanding and totally in charge. He had lost himself in Victoria, unable to control his body. His manhood had acted like it had a mind of its own. It had to be the most mind-blowing experience in his life. That was only the issanvi. He dropped his head in his still-trembling hands. He couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact she was his mate, that fact revealed when he saw the unmistakable copper glow surrounding her body, then spotted the same copper glow surrounding his body as well. Why did Sarim’s daughter have to be his mate? But that was the least of his worries. He would be surprised if she