Last in Line

Last In Line

Sydney Addae

Copyright 2016 by Addae, Sydney

ISBN:  978-1-937334-73-4

First Edition Electronic September 2016

Published by Sydney Addae

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. The publisher does not have any control over or assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents.

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Sydney Addae.

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Last In Line

By:

Sydney Addae

Innovative Scientist Claudius Baron relished his ordinary appearance which helped him move freely around humans. He coveted his ability to test his inventions against his people’s enemies without censure. Everything changed when he was the last person in his line alive.

Real Estate Appraiser Simone Locklear took her responsibilities seriously. Raising her niece, keeping her business afloat and being a good friend topped her list. When her niece disappears she fears the worst and pledges to do anything to get the child back.

Baron and Simone can’t stop the train wreck of fate that has them on a collision course for a rocky future. He’d drop her in a heartbeat if he could and she can’t help but wonder if things are moving too fast. Baron can’t slow down, he has a mandate, a purpose to fulfill as Last in Line.

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LINESMEN

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Brevar – Weapons master

Ian – Master strategist

Icar – Master fighter

Hagreth – Artist and Musician

Cull – former council

Rhiannon – Witch - spell caster

Sven - architect

Marias the Just - judge

Bulgar – healer

Baron – Scientist, Inventor

Present day

Sven walked down the long dusty road. His intel claimed he’d find the hunter, Cryden, hiding in a cottage at the end of this lane. Vampire Hunters were genetically created to combat a vampire’s speed, hearing, vision, and strength. Sven and Cryden were evenly matched.

Earlier that day Cryden had killed a female vampire and the child she’d just birthed, Sven’s child. Enraged by the injustice, Sven swore his vengeance on the hunter regardless of the outcome of today’s confrontation. Inhaling, he picked up the hunter’s scent and teleported onto the roof of the house.

Cryden walked outside. Fat stubby fingers gripped a sword still coated with blood. His thinning, short blond hair showed more scalp than it covered. Faded blue eyes squinted as they looked up. He offered a wide, gap-tooth smile that would make an orthodontist cringe. Round as he was tall, the man matched Sven in height and weight. Good, today there’ll be three less vampires in the world. Killing the babe was a merciful bonus, you should thank me for preventing it from being hunted all its life. Cryden chuckled.

With blurring speed, Sven moved and kicked the hunter in the head before landing on the ground in front of the man. Cryden slid back several feet across the dirt and rocks. He jumped up and swung, the sing of the blade whistled as it passed Sven’s chest. Sven jumped to kick and missed. Cryden leapt forward to land a blow and missed. Back and forth the two fought, seeking an advantage.

Anger over the loss of his firstborn clouded Sven’s mind and he wrapped his arm around Cryden’s neck, determined to break it. The next moment, electrical currents raced through his body. Every organ simmered, the pain left him mute. Shaking, he fell to the ground, unable to move.

Rubbing his throat, Cryden smirked as he picked up his sword. Attacking a hunter, that’ll send your black heart straight to hell. He held a small device in his hand. This baby here will make sure you don’t remember how you got there. Lifting the sword high, he swung, separating Sven’s head from his body.

Chapter 1

Claudius Baron rarely interacted with the public, hadn’t for centuries. He disliked the noise and fast-paced population growth in Charlotte, North Carolina. Committed to his cause, he eyed the blazing sign of the local redneck bar. So far, the weather had cooperated, the night sky was clear, temperatures brisk, and the wind intermittent. Perfect for a night to experiment or die. He lived for these moments when his nerves stretched with the excitement of pitting his skills against his enemies.

Swallowing his rising fear, he straightened his shoulders while his fingers clenched around the small device in the palm of his hand. The faint vibration from the gadget warmed his stomach and eased his mind. Pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, he waited a second longer before commanding his legs to move. First one step, then another, moved him closer to his goal.

A strong wind whipped around the corner, sending his cap toward the street. Long strands of mousy brown hair whipped wildly around his head. Patrons eager to escape the change in weather flowed around him as if he were a stone in the midst of a stream.

Good.

Grabbing the flapping panels of his jean jacket closer, he searched the parking lot. Senses on alert, he wondered if his long hours in the lab would pay off. His newest device blocked the presence of Vemdorians or Vampires as the hunters called them. Could he walk into the lion’s den undetected? Could the Hunters ferret out his presence? A tremor shot through his slight frame that had nothing to do with the elements and everything to do with his capture at the hands of his enemies.

Pulling the hood over his mop of long straight hair, indecision warred with his need to know if the device worked. He kicked a stone and watched it skip a few feet ahead. It stopped at the bottom step to the club, next to a pair of scuffed dark brown cowboy boots. An unfamiliar tingling raced through his system. Just like a deer caught in headlights, he froze.

Hunter. His stomach clenched. His mouth went bone dry as the barrel-chested Hunter’s gaze swept the parking lot. He’d swear an eerie light flashed from the giant’s eyes, searing through everything in its path.

A metallic taste hit the back of Baron’s throat as wintery cold gray eyes passed over him. The warm plastic in his palm pulsed. He released a swoosh of air as his natural enemy turned and walked through the heavy door into the club.

To say he fully understood the risks of this experiment and its possible outcome was just proved untrue. What was he thinking coming to a hangout for vampire hunters? It’d been years since he’d been in the presence of one of those killers. He had no idea they grew as tall and large as tree trunks. No wonder Lukian, Leader of the Sentinels, was on edge. Hunters mirrored the speed, strength, and agility of Lukian’s league of warriors. A simple vampire scientist like him, with no fighting skills, wouldn’t rate as an appetizer to the mammoth who had just entered the bar.

On shaky legs, Baron inched backward a few steps. Mindful of the loud intermittent thumps from his chest, his gaze remained on the door until he reached the shadows of the parking area. Exhaling a breath, he’d been unaware he held, he turned and headed for his car. It was a quirk of his, to blend into the human world as thoroughly as possible to further his scientific research. Driving, rather than teleporting everywhere, helped him achieve that goal. Besides, he enjoyed the feel of the supple leather seats and the ability to shape the atmosphere within the confines of the vehicle. For a small man like himself, small comforts rated high on his list.

Romance novels and Hollywood had done his people a tremendous favor. Everyone thought vampires were these tall and handsomely compelling creatures. If that were the case, they’d stick out as cannon fodder for the Hunters. It was times like these Baron appreciated his nondescript appearance. Average height, average weight, brown eyes and hair, and glasses he didn’t need, helped him blend in. People rarely gave him a second glance, which suited him fine.

Eager to share the success of his newest invention, he sought out Rauff, his business partner. Night sounds, music, and human conversation flew across his ears and mind as he neared his car. Minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of a popular strip mall and headed toward the cafe to meet Rauff, who hung around looking for pretty humans to spend the night with.

Fiddling with the device in his pocket, Baron wasn’t watching where he was going until her body slammed into his and papers flew everywhere, drawing attention to them. He pushed up his glasses and stooped to help pick up the pages, to blend in better with human behavior.

Is everything all right? he asked, his tone curious when she stopped picking up her pages. She looked at him for several moments and then inhaled, moving closer.

Miss, I asked if everything was all right. His voice turned impatient, cold.

Startled out of her reverie, she rushed to assure him. What? Oh yeah, thanks. I, uh, was thinking about all the work of putting these files back together. That’s all.

Inching forward, she breathed deeply.

Frowning, he stepped back, mouth agape, and then he glared at her. What the hell are you doing? he asked in a clipped tone.

Sorry about that. You sound familiar and I was trying to place your voice.

His right eyebrow arched. By smelling me? Unable to resist, he peeked into her mind to discover her true motives. She liked his voice, thought it was familiar. He frowned at that. Then he ran into a blank wall, she shut him out. Like a television in the midst of a lightning storm, her thoughts dropped. Before he could reel in his shock at her ability to shut him out, she smelled him. The idea of a human seeing and scenting him sent a wave of horror over him.

Her cheeks reddened. Yeah, by smelling you, she said in an unrepentant tone. Sorry if I offended you. Tossing her head back, she stood, turned on her heel, and strutted off.

What the hell... Baron caught himself as a young teenaged boy walked by with a smirk, which irritated him for some reason. Intrigued by her actions, he watched her until she disappeared. Shock, and another emotion he refused to acknowledge, reverberated through him when he had caught her staring at him. No one stared at him. He prided himself on being invisible.  The moment she’d touched him, her intoxicating scent ricocheted like a tornado through his slight frame, leaving no place untouched.

Impossible. His brow rose as his cock strained against his zipper. That never happened. Baron took great pride in controlling his body and surroundings.

To stop her intrusion, he’d given one of his famous cutting remarks. She’d appeared unperturbed and had the audacity to dismiss him. Had he been too busy in his lab? Had things changed that much that his kind could no longer read the minds of humans? A chilling thought flashed across his mind. What if there was a new device that prevented his kind from accessing the minds of humans? If so, how were they to know who would be best for blood donations in emergency situations? How would his kind feed in remote areas?

The scientist in him demanded to know more. To study the woman who appeared to be an anomaly. The vampire male in him demanded caution. A warning blared in the back of his mind, even as he acknowledged she aroused him in ways he hadn’t experienced in decades.

The scientist won as he proceeded to find Rauff and follow his test specimen.

Baron and Rauff, his business partner, stood outside a coffee shop a block from the cafe.

You’ve got to be shitting me, mate. Rauff snickered. You want me to attempt to read that gorgeous brown creature sitting in the back of the shop. Why would I do that?

Moving slightly to the side, Rauff glanced up the street watching as people weaved in and out on the sidewalk. Baron recognized the signs. Rauff wasn’t interested in much that did not directly benefit him. If he wanted to discover the truth about the strange human, Baron would have to give Rauff something to entice him to go inside.

They stood in front of the coffee shop a few minutes longer. Never one to allow a problem to simmer long, Baron’s curiosity drove him to discover if her ability to block thoughts was unique to him. Could Rauff penetrate her shields? Although the male in him hated the idea of Rauff trying, the scientist needed to know. Sighing deeply, he looked at Rauff and explained what happened earlier in the bookstore, omitting his body’s reaction to her.

So she can block all of us? Disbelief was obvious in Rauff’s tone, only his wry grin showed he was teasing him.

I don’t know.

You don’t? Rauff’s eyes widened. "You do not know?"

Baron glared at Rauff. He knew that look, one of interest, and not just for the problem at hand. The idea of Baron not knowing something appealed to Rauff more than discovering the Human’s capabilities. As much as it grated his pride, he’d admit ignorance to get the answers he needed. No.

Rauff’s eyes lit with greedy excitement.

Why in the name of the One are we partners? Situations like these made him rethink their agreement. Rauff was a self-centered master con artist, who had no problems interacting with humans, or any other beings, and enjoyed poking fun at Baron for his lack of social skills. Admitting he didn’t know something brought him to Rauff’s level since the man had the IQ of a gnat.

After a quick mental shake, Baron continued. With all the problems that Lukian and the Council have been having, this situation has me concerned. Moving to the side to allow a few human patrons to pass, Baron glanced at Rauff, who focused on the couple who’d just walked by.

You are one of the strongest telepaths we have. Rauff raised his hand. But I know you are not going to let ‘this’ rest. So, for the sake of science, I’ll give it a whirl.

Rauff opened the door and proceeded to the ordering line. Baron watched to see if the human female noticed his partner. Most women of all breeds noticed him immediately when he entered a room. He fit the Hollywood stereotype of the romantic vampire: tall, dark, and studly. She didn’t glance in Rauff’s direction the entire time. Receiving his drink, Rauff walked toward the door. Still no reaction. Baron flushed with excitement. After all, she had noticed him and ignored Rauff. What did that mean? Was she smart or blind? He didn’t know and it didn’t matter. He opened the door before Rauff touched the handle.

Well, were you able to read her? he asked Rauff when they moved a short distance away.

Rauff appeared deep in thought, spared a glance at his friend. No, not really. I didn’t get the impression of intentional blocking like with shifters either. The deadpan quality of his voice irritated Baron, just like his staring across the street at the foot traffic. Trust Rauff not to see the importance of this discovery.

She didn’t pay you any attention. Rauff’s vanity would never let that statement go unchallenged. Baron didn’t have time to bargain, he needed information quickly. He sensed this information was significant, for him anyway.

Hmmm, what? What did you say? Rauff asked, confused.

Baron, still going over the information in his mind, waved him off. Nothing, what do you mean not really? Either you can read her or you can’t. Aggravation girded his tone as he tried to dissect Rauff’s vague remarks.

What did you mean she didn’t pay me any attention? Interest renewed. It never failed. Rauff was about Rauff.

Baron smiled. Usually, when you walk in a room, a park, or a baseball field, women, and some men, stop to check you out. It’s been that way for centuries. I watched. He nodded his head in the direction of the human. She didn’t look up or in your direction. I found that odd.

He and Rauff stared at each other and then back at the human in the shop. Her head was bent over a few books as she highlighted and made notes on a pad. Predictably, Rauff’s arrogance peaked. Baron knew he wasn’t interested in the female personally. It was the chase, the challenge, which drew his partner’s interest.

Hmmm, you may have a point. I didn’t think about how dangerous this could become. Without looking at Baron, he made a suggestion. I think I’ll walk back in for a biscuit or something, and this time I’ll monitor her scent and heart rate. That way we’ll know if she’s playing a game, or if she’s unique.

The indifferent tone he’d used to say unique, made it clear he didn’t believe it possible. Baron understood, and nodded his head in agreement. Although he found himself a little uncomfortable with Rauff testing the human, his curiosity won the debate. Having lived as long as they both had, things that were different could upset the status quo and were always worth pursuing and studying.

He watched both Rauff and the human. She stretched, rubbed her eyes, and drank more from her cup. Never once did she glance at anyone else in the shop, including Rauff. His partner walked out the shop with a perplexed look on his face.

Her heartbeat and breathing remained steady and strong the entire time. But you were right; she did not pay me the least attention, he admitted with a slight shrug. Although the blond and brunette sitting near the door passed me their business cards as I left.

No surprise there, Baron muttered. After a last look at the human, he turned and caught up with Rauff. They walked around the corner in companionable silence. They’d been associates for decades, had traveled across the globe and watched out for one another. If he had any of what humans claimed as friends, then Rauff would fall under that category.

Do you think I should talk to Brieloff about this? Baron asked, referring to the head Elder of the vampires. Things were tense in his world. Hunters used electronic devices, killing their people indiscriminately, there was talk of an uprising. Three years past, a council member had been beheaded, and Brieloff was in the midst of it.

Rauff shrugged. His leather coat barely moved. I don’t know. We’ve been here so long there’s bound to be anomalies. Rules have been broken and copulation is happening between species today that were taboo centuries ago. Does it make a difference you can’t read a human? I don’t know, mate.

Surprisingly, what he’d said actually made sense and Baron nodded as they continued to their cars. The night air felt good and smelled fresh. Horns honked at pedestrians, neon lights flashed welcome, and establishments beckoned the night patrons. He spoke quietly, after a group of teens brushed by. The big question, ‘what if’ comes to mind.

Rauff hissed at him as he rolled his eyes. Whatever Baron, you’ve held me up long enough. I have to get back to the club. You are always making more of—

I know, I know, Baron agreed in an attempt to stall a lecture. I’m always looking for more when there may not be more. Exhaling, he continued. Well, this could have some repercussions on our kind, you never know. It may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Rauff snorted, pulled up his collar, and stepped into his car. You’ve traveled across the world, discovered more and done more to help our kind than you’ll ever receive credit for. Yet you rarely take time for just fun and relaxation. We’ve discussed this many times in the past, so I don’t expect tonight to be much different. You really need to relax. Smiling wickedly in the face of Baron’s frown, he said, Maybe you should find out more about your human, talk to her, and ask her for a date. Then you can ask all the questions you’d like. Rauff started his car, missing the dark scowl Baron sent his way.

Chapter 2

The day after his experiment with Rauff and the human, Baron set out to work in his lab. Some of his newest creations needed tweaking. He’d been at it most of the day when a surge of lethargy rolled over him, pressing hard against his shoulders. Unable to keep his eyes open, he left his lab and headed to his sleeping quarters on the same floor. The moment he reached his room, he fell across the bed into a deep sleep.

Arrghh, Baron yelled awakening from his rest, doubling over. His spasming body threw itself off the bed. His lips tightened into a straight line across his face as if nails were driven into his skull, stretching them. The sounds of grinding teeth echoed in the room. Fast shallow breaths pumped through his quivering nostrils. His body shook like a leaf on a new twig in a gale. Muscles tightened in his jaw, snapping his mouth shut when he tried to scream. Writhing on the