Chapter 1
Aarrgghh!!! The abominable creature cried out as my bullet laced with vervain pierced his lower abdomen.
I walked towards him as he crawled slowly, desperate to survive.
I placed my boot on the site of the bullet injury applying a little pressure and smiling as the screams of my enemy filled my ears
“The master was wrong about you, you’re just like the rest of them”, He said as he spat blood onto my boot
“Be quiet”, I screamed, kicking him . He groaned out in pains and let out a throaty laugh
“I’m not like them, I'm worse. Your kind will pay for what they did to my family”. I brought out my gun to finish the job
“You’re being deceived daenary”, he said, moaning in pains.
I staggered, hearing my real name from the mouth of a monster. My mentor was the only person who knew my name. Before I could ask any questions, shots from behind me ended the vampires' life
🧛
“Agent V, why did you hesitate to finish the task assigned to you, it wasn’t even a strong vampire”, My mentor asked sternly. I opened my mouth to say what had just happened but decided to let it go
“I’m sorry ma’am, it won't happen again.
“Good, now let’s get out of here, so the cleaning team can clean up this mess before humans discover it and freak out”.
My name is Valerie and I live in a world constantly in war with the vampires. It wasn't always like that. We lived in peace side by side with each other until the vampires started hunting us for food and pleasure, trying to take over the government. I was only eight when I lost my parents to them.
My mentor, the leader of the supernatural crimes team, took me in and trained me and raised me as hers. I was faster and stronger than my teammates, and I was made assistant team leader at just 27. I vowed to never die until the vampire king head hangs in my room.
*
“Nice work today, Val”, Ethan said as he threw his hands around my shoulder. I struggled to hide my blush. Ethan was orphaned, like me. He was my first friend and first crush, he still is, although he’s too slow to realize it.
“You too”.
“So are you coming to the team’s dinner”? He asked
“I’d love too, but you know I can’t. Today is my parent's memorial, remember”.
His face softened, and he said, “I didn't forget, I just wished you wouldn't be alone drinking your sorrows away like you always do”.
“Why are you so serious”, I said, chuckling. “I know you’re worried about me but I’ll be fine, I promise. I just like mourning alone”.
“Okay, call me when you get home”, he said with a peck to my forehead.
"I will” I said, smiling like a lovesick puppy.
*
Happy by Pharrell Williams blasted into my ears as I stepped into club beaux, along with the smell of sex and drugs. This was the only place in New Orleans I frequently visited. It became a tradition to visit here when I turned 20. Something about the way humans had fun, oblivious to the dangers that lurked around them, seemed to calmed me. It always reminded me of what I was fighting for and what I wanted the world to be like.
“Hey”, I said to the bartender as I sat on the bar stool
“Hey pretty”, he said with a sultry smile.
My beauty was one of the things I took pride in. My ebony black hair stretched down to my waistline. I was slim but curvy
“I’ll have a shot of Negroni”.
🖤
Three shots later and a glass of martini, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was being watched. My hunting senses were alert, and I couldn't help but feel something was wrong somewhere.
My eyes glanced at the bartender, and he was watching with a careful expression.
I grabbed my purse to leave, but as soon as my feet touched the ground, I wobbled. Something was definitely wrong. Panic was written over my face and I kept glancing at my sides. The music was getting dimmer, and so were the already dimmed lights. I struggled for the exit when the first wave of dry cough hit me. I stared at the blood on my palm as realization quickly set it. I had been poisoned. Not just by any poison, but the poison gotten from the blood of the royal vampire.
What a funny way to die. The vampires really upped me this time. I closed my eyes and fell, accepting the cold arms of death only to be caught by a rather warm one. I slipped into the ethers.
🖤
Death wasn’t how I expected it to be like. It felt like I was falling down an endless cliff, the pains were unbearable and so were the voices. Then the calm set in. After a while, the pain continued and the circle seemed unbreakable, Until the white light appeared. I tried to step away from the light like I have been taught all my life, but the promises of the afterlife kept calling to me. I’d finally be able to see my parents again and everything will be okay. So, I entered the light and allowed it to envelop me completely.
Only that I didn’t get to enter paradise
I gasped for air as my eyes shot open. I took deep breaths, trying to ground myself. I looked around, and I was in some kind of room.
Wait, I wasn’t meant to be alive, I stepped into the light, not away from it. I hurriedly left the bed, but fell back into it as a wave of vertigo passed through me. Taking more deep breaths, I got down from the bed once again, gently this time.
I stared around the room. It had plenty of medieval settings, as though I were in some kind of castle. My survival instinct kicked in, and I patted myself, only to find out my weapons were gone. Memories of what had happened filtered into my head.
“I remember passing out at the club after being poisoned” I said aloud to myself. How was I still alive?
That question can wait, but first, I had to figure out how to get out of wherever I was.
I reached for the door, only for some invincible force to push me back roughly. I stumbled to the ground as I was still weak.
I forced myself up and reached for the only window in the room.
“I wouldn't try that if I were you”, A voice behind me said
I turned around abruptly to find a devilishly handsome man. Where did he come from? He gave off a superior vibe and I knew this was who abducted me.
“Who are you and what do you want from me” I asked with a glare
“I'm sad you don’t recognize me, darling” He replied sarcastically. “I heard you spent your whole life dreaming about the day you’d have my head. I'm rather disappointed you failed to recognize me”.
“Oh shit” I muttered to myself. This was the vampire king, and he has me at his mercy. But how was he so young.
He laughed and said. “You weren't expecting me to be this handsome, were you. I bet you were expecting a hunched old man”. He smiled smugly.
“That smile won't be on your face when I rip your heart out of your chest”, I said with a sneer
“Is that so” he said and started walking towards me, adjusting his cuff links
“Go and sit on the bed and do not utter a word”, he commanded
I was about to scoff when I felt a burning sensation on my left hand. I rolled up my shirt only to see a weird tattoo.
To my horror, My feet’s started carrying out his orders. I tried withstanding it, but it was impossible.
I sat on the bed without uttering a word
This cannot be happening
