Nexus

Nexus

By

Raven Anxo

~*~

Book Two

In The Resurrection City

Series

Nexus

~*~

This story is entirely a work of fiction.

The names, places, characters, and incidents portrayed herein are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or localities is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © Raven Anxo 2017.

First Edition August 25th 2017.

Published by Raven Anxo at Smashwords.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold 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. It you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Edited By: R.A

Cover Design: Raven Anxo.

Find out more about the author and news of upcoming books and events by visiting her website.

www.ravenanxo.com

Acknowledgements

~*~

To my friends and readers. Your continued support and encouragement are a blessing I treasure. May my stories continue to find a place in your hearts.

To my parents. Thank you for telling me to follow my dreams.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER BOOKS BY RAVEN ANXO

REVIEWS

Chapter One

Dante looked over the latest batch of invoices before shifting his focus to Stavone. Are these latest expenses, he asked, tapping his pen against the sheets of paper, all a result of Belladonna’s destruction run?

They are. And you will probably be getting more requisition requests as today alone she’s gone through three more targets and one attack dummy.

Pen tossed onto the desk he let out a sigh of frustration. If her rampage carried on, his training room equipment budget for the year would be exhausted within a month. I’d rather bear the expense and purchase new equipment than have more of my security spending time in the infirmary. For the moment, I will let her continue expending her anger on inanimate objects.

 Talking of employees…

A low groan left Dante’s lips. Don’t tell me I have to bring in new guards.

It looks like you might have to, given what happened a short while ago.

What did she do?

One of those you assigned to her made the mistake of saying something she didn’t like. He’s now in the infirmary with a large ice pack placed on his cock and balls. The remaining guards are demanding cups to protect themselves from similar assaults.

Where is she?

Last I checked she was still in the training room.

Chair pushed back, he got up and left the office to have a few words with Belladonna.

~

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he heard wood breaking. The racket growing louder with each step he took closer to the source. On reaching a set of double doors, he pushed them open and stepped into a large room, coming to a halt in the center. Immediately the extent of her latest rampage became clear. Benches rested on their sides, two attack dummies lay in pieces on the floor, and a wooden target looked as if it was ready to snap in two. A quick look around the room found her not far from one of the upturned benches. Do you feel better after taking out your frustration on the equipment? he asked.

Not really. We both know my mood won’t shift until you let Jimmy and myself go.

That isn’t going to be happening anytime soon. So, I strongly suggest you accept that fact.

You wish I would, Belladonna snarled.

He didn’t fail to catch the look in her eyes. There was no attempt to hide her feelings towards him. He knew if the opportunity presented itself she’d happily skewer him with the dagger she held. You do realize your continued tantrums and anger outbursts are going to achieve nothing. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to do what I say. As he finished, the dagger flew past his ear embedding itself in the wall behind him with a thud.

I don’t like it, and my ‘tantrums’ as you call them are going to continue while I’m forced to stay here. So you’d better get used to them.

He reached out his hand as she headed to retrieve her dagger, grabbing her arm. I don’t have to get used to them and I assure you I have no intention of doing so.

Suit yourself, she replied, shrugging free of his hold.

He didn’t have time to deal with her, he still had to uncover the location of Debrae and Philipe, and calm a twitchy council. Get changed. I want you in my office in one hour. I have to speak with the council and I think it’s time they got to know you and share in your delightful mood.

~*~

Before she had time to reply he’d walked out, leaving her standing in the middle of the wreckage which had once been a state of the art training room. Turning fast, she launched the dagger she held at the abused target, hitting it dead center and splitting it in two, sending the pieces clattering to the floor. Who the hell does he think he is? she growled as she walked over to recover her weapon and set it back in its holder. Someone holding your family. A perfect incentive to continue making his life as miserable as hers. Recalling his request she grimaced, her already crappy mood now sourer than a pitcher full of lemon juice. With nothing to hit, she kicked one half of the broken target with the toe of her boot, sending it sliding across the floor before storming out towards the locker room, where she paused briefly to grab a towel from her duffle bag before continuing to the showers.

Jets switched on, she stripped out of her work gear and stepped under the fast-flowing water, not caring it was only lukewarm. It hit her back like thousands of tiny needles before running over the scars she carried. Their presence a constant reminder of the other vampire on her shit list – Debrae. Hands braced against the tiled wall, Bella stared at the blue and white patterns covering their surface as the water cascaded over her, fighting against the urge to give Dante a two-fingered salute and leave. While Jimmy remained hidden away she dared not give into it, which meant she had no choice but to remain. A choice she’d make him rue every second of every day.

Soon the water turned cold, the shiver it sparked enough to get her out of the shower. Grabbing the towel she’d tossed onto the rail, she started drying herself off as she made her way back to the locker.

Once dressed in her favorite black ensemble, she tied her damp hair back in a loose ponytail, then grabbed her daggers from her bag and set them in place on her belt. A quick check taken to make sure she had left nothing behind, she zipped the duffle closed, picked it up, then slammed the locker door shut with her free hand and left.

~

She dropped her bag down in front of the desk and smiled at the worried looking woman sitting behind it. Take care of this for me, she said, kicking her duffle to the side before walking to the doors and pulling them open.

You are late, Dante said as she sauntered into the room.

No, I’m not. You told me to be here in an hour. The training room clock was at six p.m. when you said that. I entered at seven p.m. therefore I am not late.

You should have been here sooner.

Nope, she replied, shaking her head. You said an hour and that’s exactly how long it’s been. She didn’t fail to notice a brief look of frustration cross his face. Score one for her.

Follow me. And if it is possible, hold your snark in check.

When they walked into the council room, she glared at Dante as he pointed to the rear of a chair.

Stand there and don’t move.

Do this. Don’t do that. His ordering her around was starting to get on her few remaining nerves. Taking her position with less than good grace, she looked at the males seated around the table. Each one returned her gaze; some with worry, one or two with fear, and the rest with hate. This was the first time she had set eyes on the Council since her run in with them ten years earlier. She hadn’t been impressed with them then, and she still wasn’t.

Who is she, sneered one.

Obviously you are new and stupid, Bella replied.

"How dare you speak to me in such a way."

If you don’t shut up, words will be the least of your worries as I will have no problem neutering you…and I’ll do it with a smile on my face.

Belladonna…

What? If Dante expected her to play nice with the idiots, he was a bigger one than all of them combined.

Temper your animosity.

Why? You wanted to share so that’s what I’m doing.

I am starting to regret that.

I’m not, she grinned.

Before we start I not only want to object to that female being here, but I also demand an apology for her lack of respect and her threat towards me.

Councilor Peters, I’m sure -.

Firstly you fossil, I don’t want to be here but I have no choice. Secondly, if you think you are getting an apology from me because your sensitive nature has been offended, you are going to have a bloody long wait.

She heard Dante mutter a low warning but she didn’t care. The councilor was a pompous ass. He should be grateful she was being forced to play nice.

We have better things to do with our time, Dante said, like dealing with matters affecting the residents of our city. Therefore, this ceases now and we will get down to work.

Arms crossed over her chest, she gave the male a cold look before shifting her attention to the far wall as the meeting finally got underway.

Chapter Two

When things finally calmed down, the meeting had been completed without further threats being tossed around. His decision to have Belladonna as his personal guard hadn’t been warmly received. There had been one lone and vocal dissenter, and given what Belladonna had threatened to do to the councilor it didn’t come as much of a surprise to hear him object. But as Master of the City the decision was Dante’s alone. It was his hope now it had been made they could all focus on the peace and continued stability of the city. Things which were both in jeopardy due to the continued freedom of Debrae and Philipe. Two vampires who needed to be found and locked away. His patrols, the R.C.V.P.D, and the dhampir he’d hired failed to uncover any trace of them, which meant they had gone to ground. Given the dhampir failed at his assignment, Dante had decided to terminate his contract and instead rely on his patrols and the cities security forces. While either of them remained at large he knew he dare not let his guard drop, even for a second. Just once I’d like problems to decrease, not multiply.

Sorry to bother you, sir, his secretary said over the intercom, but Councilor Peters insists on speaking with you.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he held back a groan. He was sure he knew what was coming. Send him in.

The doors to his office opened, and the vampire stormed towards his desk, coming to a halt a few inches from the edge. His tight-lipped smile and firmly crossed arms a clear indicator he was pissed off.

I want that female punished for disrespecting me.

Didn’t you do the same thing by the tone of your remark?

I’m a councilor and can speak as I please.

Then you stand under a misapprehension, because you can’t. You speak civilly and present arguments or grievances the same way. If you choose not to, then you receive what you give.

Are you defending her?

No, and I will be speaking to her about it. Be warned though that if you speak in such a way again either to her or others, you alone deal with any fallout, understood?

I don’t. My position gives me -.

Careful travelling down that road. It gives you only what you deserve. Continue to think yourself better than those like you who are here to serve, and you will be removed. Now, I have more important matters to attend to. When the blustering male left still complaining, he hit the button on the intercom. Have Belladonna Noir come into my office immediately.

Yes, sir.

His large pile of paperwork for the moment forgotten, he walked to the front of his desk and rested back against it. His focus on the outer office as he waited for the hurricane to make her appearance.

~ ~ ~*~ ~ ~

Just as she reached the