Blood's Voice Read online

  Blood’s Voice

  a House Millar book

  by Áine P Massie

  Copyright © 2011 Áine P Massie

  Editor: Nosha Orion

  ISBN-13: 978-1463559274

  ISBN-10: 1463559275

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, situations and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission.

  Summary: Anya Millar had no memory of her life or an instruction manual on how to navigate the insane world of humans, biting, and reality. Instead, Anya has had to learn to navigate the world of love, life, and sanity while avoiding those that would see her dead or enslaved.

  Anya must come to terms with who she is and her missing past, Nicholas must win back the object of his eternal love while dealing with new cravings in his silent heart, and Declán must learn to destroy the very creatures that he has unequivocally given his heart and blood.

  Published in the United States of America, Kindle edition.

  First publication: June 2011 by Geas Publications

  House Millar series: bk. 1

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  1. Vampire – Fiction. 2. Guardian – Fiction. 3. Blood Kissed – Fiction.

  4. Polyamory – Fiction. 5. Supernatural – Fiction.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2011931852

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty–One

  Chapter Twenty–Two

  Chapter Twenty–Three

  Chapter Twenty–Four

  Translations

  About The Author

  Chapter One

  For Muffin, Pooka, JM, Nosha:

  Tá mo chroí istigh ionat

  Life. All life has meaning. Meaning and purpose, even in the cruel life that is not a full life as our kind has. Knowledge, art, love, passion, and desire; to live . . . to experience all this simple world has to offer.

  Motion, feeling, thought, desire . . . Evolution, longing, passion, fear . . .

  In my realization of life and heart, I have come to a true crossroads, which is not to say that this reality has not called for, or that I am not still in the process of, involution. I have stayed so long within this moment. Even now, standing in this place with choices and passions, the fervour and longings are drowned out by the greatest of evils, fear.

  The sustenance that gives me motion and brings my views trembling to the forefront of my sensual centre is none other than that which also brings my greatest trepidation: life. The waters of life, increasingly difficult to manage, have become as alien to me as to nearly cause my being to seize.

  Chapter One

  Arriving home, I immediately sensed that someone had been in our home. Someone like me! Sitting in the middle of my bed was a note on expensive, ivory parchment and a deep, blood red rose.

  Dearest Anya,

  Please accept our deepest regards on your recent entry into our area. We’re pleased to have new blood move into the neighbourhood but are concerned you have not availed yourself of our company.

  To clear things up we would like, formally, to invite you to “Tea” tomorrow. We will send someone to pick you up at noon.

  Sincerely,

  Nicholas Young

  I read and reread the note, pacing anxiously in the front room, waiting for Star to come home. I had never met another of my kind. How many is ‘we’?

  Coming in the front door, Star caught me mid–pace. She looked worried as she took in my dishevelled appearance and stiffened.

  “Oh Star, I am . . . um, what do I do? Who is Nicholas?” I choked out, unable to hide my panic and fear.

  “Who’s been here and what do you mean ‘who is Nicholas?’” she demanded, not relaxing her defensive stance.

  I handed her the note I’d already read over a dozen times as I paced the floor in my panic.

  “I found this sitting on my bed when I came home from my outing today. I was having a lovely day till then!” I went back to pacing as I couldn’t seem to calm. I grew more and more worried about other blood drinkers coming here, looking for me; expecting me to go with them tomorrow.

  “Oh, that Nicholas. I didn’t expect him to contact you so soon, much less in such an invasive manner.” She sighed and reached out to take my shoulder, stopping my pacing. “Anya, try to relax. A couple of towns over, there’s a small family of vampires. They aren’t like most others, they’re more like you. They hunt animals, not humans. Why he’s being so cryptic in his efforts to get to know you, I’m not sure. He’s always been a bit theatrical though.” She had a slight smile now, and her eyes had lost all the panic.

  “If all he wants is to meet me, why the nerve wracking method to get my attention? He could have just stopped by or sent me a letter in a less threatening manner.” Relaxing wasn’t the easiest thing to do after everything today.

  “Dear, Nicholas isn’t a bad person; he’s just a little dramatic.”

  After taking a few deep breaths to steady myself, I turned to face Star. “I am not sure about going to an unknown vampires home, alone. I am no warrior, and I do not know their rules or guides.”

  “Anya, I’d be the first to worry, but I’ve met him and his father-creator before. They aren’t going to harm you, though they may try to adopt you if you’re not careful.” She half laughed at the ending.

  “Adopt!”

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure they just want to get to know you, and since they cherish human life, they may just want to know your diet. They’re like you on that point, so you shouldn’t have a problem. Just remember to control your voice, it will affect them if you command or persuade. If it’ll help you relax, remember, you should be able simply to talk your way out of trouble if a problem arises.” She was always so soothing to my nerves.

  Before she could blink, I had her in a hug.

  “Thank you for everything! If you are certain this is safe, then I will go. Though, I may have to have words with this Nicholas person on proper note sending etiquette.” I couldn’t help smiling even though worry still sat with me.

  “Easy now, remember, you’re stronger than I am.

  “So, if you’re not going to run away or panic any more tonight, you wanna tell me how your human outing went?” I could see the curiosity burning in her eyes. Yes, this part of the evening would take a while.

  Rushing around the house all morning, I had fretted about everything from what to wear to would I make it home again. After rummaging through my closet for the fifth time, I decided on a light, green silk dress with mat
ching heels. I liked how my strange emerald eyes reacted when I wore any shade of green; I just had to hope that my eyes didn’t unnerve my host too much.

  Star had explained before that those who drank human blood had devil eyes, while those few that love humans and hunt animals instead, retain their eye colour, just it is always strangely accented. This thought made me wonder what their eyes would look like. Hmm . . .

  I heard the car pull up outside and the door close, the soft brush of someone’s feet on the path up to our door and then a soft rap, rap on the door.

  Looking to Star, I swallowed, hard, mustering my courage, and headed to the door, opening it wide.

  “Hello.”

  In front of me stood a young man of maybe twenty; well, physically any ways. He wasn’t human so no telling how old he actually was. He was about six–two, icy pale skin – much lighter than mine – with rather fascinating auburn and blond hair down to his shoulders, and the most enchanting blue eyes – like the clear blue in snorkelling areas around ocean reefs.

  “Hello, my name is Nicholas.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I came personally instead of sending someone.” Smiling gently, he offered me his hand. I stood there for a moment looking at him, a little overwhelmed.

  He laughed softly, still with his hand out, “I won’t bite,” he said with a wink, “honest.”

  Nervously I extended my hand to him. He took it and bent to kiss the back. Looking over my shoulder to Star, he spoke. “Don’t worry Star, she won’t be out too late. We would just like to meet your . . . daughter, but you know how mother is about non–vamps being at the house. Please don’t be offended.”

  “Nicholas, don’t worry about me, I know you won’t allow her to come to harm. And yes, I do remember how nervous Amber gets. I don’t take it personal.” Star came over to give me a goodbye hug and then patted Nicholas’s shoulder before he led me to the passenger side of his car.

  “Wow, nice car! You don’t worry about standing out as much as Star insists we do,” I murmured. The car he had led me to was a gorgeous, midnight blue Shelby with white racing stripes.

  Nicholas laughed loudly as he closed the door and appeared in the seat beside me. Hmm, he wasn’t watching his actions here. Truthfully, our drive was secluded, but still.

  “My apologies, Anya. When we’re not being viewed, we revert to our natural actions. I figured since I was going to pick up one of our own . . . I didn’t need to pretend to be normal or common.

  “I can tell from how Star was that my note caused some tension for you; that wasn’t my intention. I promise to be more conventional from now on,” his voice was so intriguing, I felt draw in by it. I wondered what my voice sounded like to him. Do all vampires have such enchanting voices?

  Still keeping my voice soft, as always, “Why the cryptic note? You could have just stopped by or left the note on the door.”

  “Oh, well, the invitation was for you and I was a little curious about you. I’ve never heard of one such as Star taking in one of our kind. I promise I didn’t go through your things, I just wanted to see your area.” His smile never faltered though his eyes did touch with shame slightly as he explained.

  “Well, I would prefer if you didn’t go in without me. I do not like the idea of anyone in my room without me or at least permission. I hope you can understand.”

  He nodded.

  “So, where are we going?”

  “My home. My parents are awaiting us, so we can all get to know one another. My mother is Amber, and my father is Jonathan. Mostly they are curious and a little nervous.”

  “Nervous? About me?” What could make them nervous?

  “Yes. You see, we don’t allow the hunting of humans in our territory, and you’re close enough that you fall into our area. Also, we’ve never had one like us in the area but not be the least bit interested in meeting us; it’s more than a little disconcerting.”

  He was already pulling up to a large home in the woods. I went to open the door, but the look he gave me halted my hand. Seemed he insisted on playing the gentleman. I nearly giggled at the thought.

  “Now, please try not to be too nervous. We’re merely curious about you. Especially given that I knew you before, yet you know nothing about yourself, even now.” He looked puzzled as he led me to the door.

  “Wait,” I stopped, certain I looked just as taken aback as I felt. “What do you mean you knew me before? You know who I am . . . from before I woke up at Star’s?”

  “Yes,” he said matter–of–factly. “We were once friends, but something happened to you after you left for a while. From what I was been able to gather about you before I left you the note, you don’t remember anything.”

  He waited patiently as I gathered my thoughts, trying to unscramble them from the jumbled chaos they had suddenly become.

  “But come, meet the family. We’ve plenty of time to discuss the past,” he added with a coy smile as he reached for my hand, pulling me to the door.

  Waiting inside were his parents. They seemed a nicely matched couple. He was maybe six-feet tall with straight black hair and remarkable blue–white eyes. The woman was much shorter than him, with soft curves, cream-coloured blonde hair, and light, almost tan eyes.

  “Anya, these are my parents, Jonathan and Amber. Mom, Dad, this is Anya.”

  Jonathan extended his hand to shake mine, as did Amber.

  Amber spoke first, “I know this is probably a bit worrisome for you, but we wanted to introduce ourselves. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable.”

  “I’m a little concerned that you moved in with one of the bloodless ones instead of seeking out one of your own, but Nicholas says you seem to have no memory. Is that right?” Jonathan looked as if he could see right through me as he waited for my response.

  “Yes.”

  “Fascinating!” He gave the lightest of nods to Amber and Nicholas.

  “My first memory is waking up in my bed at Star’s. She said she found me, and knew immediately what I was, but not why I was alone or why I had no memory.

  “You said you knew me before and that we were friends? Please, do you know more?”

  Nicholas laughed gaily and began to talk faster than I was used to hearing, “Well, I don’t know where you originally come from, who your creator was that is. You never wanted to talk about him or her. But, I’ve known you for about,” looking at Jonathan now, “what sixty years?”

  “Yes, I believe three score is about right. I remember the last time you brought her home for the first time.” Jonathan smiled with deep humour glinting in his eyes. “I swear, you two . . .”

  Amber reached over to put her hand on mine. “I know this must be confusing for you dear but, please try to be patient. We have missed you and had wondered what happened that you never returned; then Nicholas stumbled on your scent last week.

  “That and we were concerned if Star had taught you to be again a human lover or if you had reverted to how most of our kind feed.” It seemed as if she was concerned she might have offended. “Happily, we can easily see that you must be as you were before,” she added quickly. “You see, not only were you his friend, but we do not allow the killing of humans here.”

  “Ah, Star was right. She thought you would worry. Why didn’t you just talk to Star? She is exceptionally good to me and has helped me, though she, I believe, thinks I am insane for choosing to attend high school.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “She thinks I am incapable of dealing with teens due to temptation.”

  “Ah, that sounds like something you would do.” Nicholas was smiling so hard it looked as if his cheeks should be in pain.

  “Yes, well, I have no memories and I figure that if I am going to live in the human world, I need to learn not just how to coexist but how to interact as well.”

  “That’s an unusual goal. Only Amber works within the human world on a regular basis. We interact but not living and working with them all the time. Don’t they r
eact to your inhumanness?” Jonathan was so wrapped up in his curiosity that I thought the house could have exploded, and he wouldn’t have noticed.

  Laughing softly, always working to keep my voice under control, I answered. “No. Some of the children at school do look at me a little oddly, not quite comfortable, but I have already made a few human friends and yesterday I even attended an informal outing at the indoor water park.” Looking at Nicholas now, “That’s where I was when you dropped off the note.

  “It is not as hard as you might think, but that may be because I have no preconceived ideas about how things should be.”

  “Fascinating,” Jonathan and Amber said in unison, shaking their heads slowly.

  “Do you mind if I ask something of you?” Waiting, I hoped that they would not mind my asking a few questions.

  “Not at all, my dear. What would you like to know?” Amber spoke first.

  “Well, you seem to know Star, and she said she knew you, but why is she not welcome here? She has been wonderful and has worked hard to teach me how to control my cravings and an immense respect for life. I do not understand.”

  Amber again spoke, which made me happy as she was whom they said had the problem over ones like Star. “We don’t dislike Star. I’m simply not comfortable around the bloodless ones, and we wanted to learn about you without the risk of you deferring to her.

  “I do find it intriguing that she’s who you ended up with as a mentor though. The idea that one not of our kind would take you in and teach you is truly exceptional.”

  Nicholas interrupted, “I’m just glad to see that she picked up on your voice abilities and that you’ve so fully learned control. It’s a drastic improvement from before.” He winked, and then smirked. “That’s why I came personally to pick you up. While I can’t resist when you use it, I have enough practice from before that I can at least call you on it,” he added, laughing again. “Course, you always got what you wanted while I was telling you that you weren’t being fair, but still.”