Under the Blood Moon

Under the Blood Moon

Book 1 of the Under the Moon Series

by

Tracie Provost

Bell Bridge Books

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or locations is entirely coincidental.

Bell Bridge Books

PO BOX 300921

Memphis, TN 38130

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61194-854-7

Print ISBN: 978-1-61194-848-6

Bell Bridge Books is an Imprint of BelleBooks, Inc.

Copyright © 2017 by Tracie Provost

Published in the United States of America.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

We at BelleBooks enjoy hearing from readers.

Visit our websites

BelleBooks.com

BellBridgeBooks.com

ImaJinnBooks.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Cover design: Debra Dixon

Interior design: Hank Smith

Photo/Art credits:

Woman (manipulated) © Neonshot | Dreamstime.com

Background © Spanychev | Dreamstime.com

:Ebum:01:

Dedication

For my mom,

who believed in me even when I didn’t.

Chapter 1

IN MY DREAM I heard voices. One sounded masculine, familiar, while the other was higher, the voice of a boy not yet mature. It was pleasant to hear things that were not the howl of the wind, the lash of the storm.

Juliette, my beautiful Juliette . . .

And then I felt a pain like no other as the stake was pulled from my heart.

I gasped.

The hunger rose in me.

So weak, so terribly hungry.

Opening my eyes, I fought to focus them as someone lifted me into a sitting position. I hissed my need as I turned my head toward my savior. My fangs descended. My vision cleared. The metallic scent of fresh blood caressed my senses.

A very young, white man stood close to me in the dim light. He held his bleeding wrist out, saying, Mistress, I am a gift for you. I am here to serve you.

His words had barely left his lips when my mouth latched onto his proffered arm. The sweetness of untried youth filled my mouth. I heard a moan but was unsure whether it had come from me or the boy. I was stronger now, more in control—or so I thought. The boy wobbled. I put my arm around his waist and drew him closer.

Wanting his blood faster than his wrist could provide, I looked at his long neck. The slow, rhythmic thump of his heart beat in his throat like a siren’s song. I raised my lips from his wrist and used my tongue to close his wound. I drew his unresisting body onto my lap. His face was angelic; my mouth descended, and my fangs pierced soft, white flesh. The warmth of his blood delighted me. Like the sweetness of cherries at the height of summer.

I drank, and I drank, and I drank.

I knew I should stop. Killing is wrong. Killing leads to questions. Still, I drank.

The boy stopped moaning or even moving. His essence filled me and gave me strength. I felt his pulse slow and waver under my lips. As his heart gave its last beat, I ripped my lips from his throat in horror.

Mon Dieu! I have killed the boy.

I pushed the boy from my lap and stood abruptly. I wobbled a bit on unsteady legs. How long have I been in my enforced sleep? Where am I? This was not our bedroom in Andre’s house. I looked around: stone floors and walls, waist-high biers. How cliché. After staking me, the Hunters had placed me in a crypt. Not the Grammont Crypt; it was not this large. Perhaps this was a different crypt in the St. Louis Cemetery, although I could not recall any of this size. Have I been moved from New Orleans altogether?

My sweet, the masculine voice said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I am sure you have many questions, but we should leave.

The voice from my dream. Andre, my sire. I recognized it now and turned to him.

I nodded, still a bit disoriented. What about the boy? Will he be missed?

Andre’s lips curled into a smile. Always the worrier, concerned for the cattle. Don’t be. The boy was for you, as he said. A sacrifice, if you will.

I flinched. I had never heard Andre refer to humans so callously. Nor had he ever denigrated the retention of my humanity. I wondered where his had gone.

I bent to pick up the boy and place him on the bier I had vacated. With my strength, the boy weighed almost nothing.

Leave him, Juliette. He is unimportant.

I ignored my sire. I placed the body gently on the stone platform, crossing the boy’s arms over his chest.

Juliette . . . Andre’s voice was laced with impatience.

He deserves my respect, Andre. I will not just leave him in a heap. The boy’s death worried me. Even as a newly turned vampire, I had never killed while feeding. One of the cardinal rules of vampire culture was to leave no evidence of our existence. I suspected that I had long lain in this tomb, so the discovery of his drained body was unlikely. But someone might miss him. He was too well fed and clean to be an urchin. His clothing was odd. I had never seen britches like these, and the fabric was unfamiliar. A shirt with no buttons or laces?

How much time had passed?

I said a quick prayer over the body. When I finished, I turned back toward Andre. He glowered at me. You are too soft-hearted, Juliette. It will not serve you well in this era. Come. I dislike the dankness of this place.

I followed without comment as he led me out of the crypt. Andre pushed the heavy, bronze doors open, and I stepped into the humid night air.

Where are we? I asked as Andre took my arm and led me through the maze of mausoleums and graves. None of this looked familiar to me.

We are in Metairie Cemetery.

Metairie? We are no longer in New Orleans?

"Actually we are still in New Orleans, but the city is much bigger than what you remember."

Andre, how long have I been gone? I heard the panic in my voice.

He stopped and turned to face me. Because I was barefoot, I had to look up at him. Gently he caressed my cheek. You have been gone a long time, my sweet. He hesitated, and then said, You have been in torpor for nearly two hundred and twelve years.

I staggered, but he caught my arm, steadying me.

Two hundred and twelve years? Torpor was the vampire body’s mechanism for dealing with great strain. I had a vague memory of grappling with a Hunter before he had managed to drive a stake into my heart. I shuddered.

I am sorry, my love, Andre said. I am a cad. Gathering me in his arms, he pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. He tasted of brandy and blood. I was soon light headed again . . . but for a completely different reason. As he set me back on my feet, Andre’s voice was laced with regret. We should leave. It is unsafe here. You are weak and there is evidence that Hunters are in the city again.

I allowed him to lead me from the cemetery. I was stunned. How had I lost over two hundred years? I took no notice of my surroundings until Andre helped me into the low-slung, horseless carriage; an automobile, he called it. He fastened a harness across my chest and carefully folded my full skirts into the small passenger compartment before closing the door.

When he slid into what I assumed was the driver’s seat, I said, I do not understand any of this.

I will explain it all in good time, my dear. Right now I need to inform our Grandmaster that, after these long years, I have finally found you.

There is a Grandmaster now? Before my staking, the vampire population had been too small in New Orleans to warrant a Grandmaster. After all, we were but a colony, and only three of the five covens were represented because the entire Salamand coven had been killed by Hunters.

Is Claude the Grandmaster? I asked. Claude Lefevre was master of the Gnome coven or at least had been. He and Frederique Deroche, Mistress of our coven, the Aether, jointly ran the city in the 1790s. Relations between the covens were amiable because there was plenty of prey. Our concerns came from the outside. Human Hunters had followed us from the Old World, determined to kill us all.

Claude is dead. He was killed soon after the city became American. The current Grandmaster is Marc Gautier. He is, of course, Gnome, Andre sneered.

I was silent for a long time, looking out the window and trying to make sense of all that I saw. It amazed me. A raised roadway took us into the brightly lit city filled with buildings taller than I had ever seen. Once we arrived in the Vieux Carre, buildings began to look slightly more familiar, but so much had changed. The speed at which we traveled prohibited close examination, but it was obvious that little from my time remained. I felt the same trepidation I had when I first set foot in New Orleans after fleeing St. Domingue.

Who from our coven is still here? I asked.

We’ll discuss that later. After I present you to Grandmaster Gautier, we will go and see Frederique. She will be greatly relieved to see you. Andre exited the automobile and then came to let me out. Unable to unfasten the harness myself, Andre had to help me before extending a hand so I could exit the vehicle.

Andre led me to the front door and pushed a lighted button. Within a few moments, the door opened and a formidable man nodded to Andre. Mr. de la Croix. I did not realize you had an appointment with Mr. Gautier tonight, the man said in English.

I don’t, but it’s a matter of some urgency. Might he have time for us? Andre asked.

Please, come in. I will see what Sophie can do with his schedule.

We entered into a grand marble foyer. Directly in front of us, a sweeping staircase led to the second floor and reminded me of the one at L’Esperance, my childhood home. The butler gestured to an elegantly appointed sitting room to the right. I entered the room, but Andre did not follow. While pretending to examine the room, I listened in on the conversation between my lover and the servant. I understood English, and could speak it with some proficiency, but French was my mother tongue and Andre and I had been conversing in a Creole patois.

Who is she? the man asked.

My childe, Juliette de Grammont. She has been missing, staked since 1797. I have been searching for her since my own return.

Ah. I will explain this to Sophie and she can apprise the Grandmaster.

Andre entered the parlor a moment later and crossed to an elegant mahogany bar. He poured himself a glass of red wine and walked to one of the room’s many windows.

The parlor was opulent. Countless oil paintings hung below intricate crown molding. I did not recognize any of the works, but they were quality. No expense had been spared. A cream settee was flanked by two rich, wine-colored, wingback chairs. Light from the crystal chandelier glinted off the highly polished mahogany coffee table.

As my toes sank into the deep pile of the priceless Persian rug, I realized how shabby I must have looked. The dark brown of my gown hid much of the dust and dirt, but I could clearly see the mud caked along the hem, as well as the water stain reaching halfway up the skirt. I shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

I noticed a sizable hole in the bodice of my dress, and the formerly white corset, now yellow with age, was clearly visible, but even that was dirt streaked and bloodied from the young man I drank from earlier. I hoped there was no blood on my chin. When did I become such a messy eater? Probably about the same time I killed my first human.

I ran a hand through my hair and encountered a veritable rat’s nest. For as long as I had lain in that crypt, rats may well have nested in my hair. I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to cover my torn dress as I stared daggers at Andre. He was cool and comfortable. The wine glass dangled carelessly from his elegant hand. He wore black leather pants and a crisp white shirt. He looked like the lord of the manor, while I appeared as the lowest of field slaves. The once fine velvet of my gown was crushed and matted; the delicate lace of my petticoat was in ribbons. I was not even wearing shoes. I shifted my weight again.

Andre turned to me, holding out the glass of red wine. Here my sweet, have some wine.

He stared at me for a moment as if seeing me for the first time. His gaze traveled the length of me, twice, and then I saw him draw a breath. His patrician nose wrinkled in distaste. You’re a mess, and you smell like a wet dog. I did not think to take you somewhere to freshen up first. I am sorry. Perhaps the Grandmaster’s steward can help.

Andre’s musing was cut short by the entrance of a beautiful blond woman in a scandalously short dress hurrying into the room. Monsieur de la Croix, how good it is to see you again, she said as she held out her hand.

Andre shook it and said, It is always good to see you, Sophie. May I present my long lost progeny, Juliette de Grammont. Juliette, this is Sophie La Tellier. She is the Grandmaster’s steward.

My curtsy demanded that I drop my arms, but there was no help for it. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madame La Tellier, I said in halting English.

Sophie smiled, crossed the distance between us, and took my hands in hers. Raising me from my curtsy, she kissed both of my cheeks and said, Please, call me Sophie.

Thank you, I said, slightly bemused by the effusive greeting.

My hands still in hers, Sophie half turned to Andre and said, I am afraid that it may be quite a while before Mr. Gautier can see you. Then, turning to me, she asked, Madame Grammont, would you care to come upstairs to freshen up?

I dropped my eyes in embarrassment but nodded my head. Perhaps I could do something with myself before the audience. It was bad enough that the Grandmaster’s steward had seen me so disheveled, but to present myself to the city’s ruler in such a state was unthinkable.

I’m an unthinking fool, bringing her here without any regard to her appearance. My only excuse is my excitement over finally having found her.

I’ll take good care of her, Monsieur de la Croix. There is nothing to worry about. She whisked me from the room.

Sophie led me up the grand staircase to the family quarters. Once we were upstairs, she turned to me and said, Forgive me if I overstepped back there, but I thought you might want a few minutes alone to compose your thoughts.

I smiled. If that is the polite way to say I look a sight and would I like to repair myself before seeing the Grandmaster, you are correct.

Sophie laughed. I know any lady of your stature would be uncomfortable appearing in public in anything less than your best. Monsieur de la Croix might not think of such things, but it is my job to. Come, we will go to my suite and make you feel like yourself again.

I found myself liking Sophie. There was no trace of condescension in her voice about my appearance. She led me through a maze-like series of corridors. Expensive paintings periodically dotted the walls. Finally Sophie paused and pulled a keychain from her pocket. She unlocked the door and ushered me inside. I stepped into an elegantly appointed sitting room decorated in cream and navy blue. An overstuffed settee sat in front of an unlit fireplace. It was flanked by two comfortable looking chairs. The floor was covered by a light Persian rug. I skirted the carpet as I entered the room, careful not to place my dirty feet on it.

Don’t worry about the rug. It has had much worse than a little mud tracked over it, Sophie said when she noticed my hesitation. Come through to the bathroom.

She led me through a bedroom and into another good-sized room. One wall was dominated by a long counter with dozens of small bottles of various shapes and sizes. Above the counter was a large mirror. A grand tub with a glass door next to it was along another wall. At least I assumed it was a tub; I had never seen one so large. Doors dotted the remaining wall.

Sophie walked to one of these doors and opened it. Drawing out several thick blue towels, she placed them on the counter. Here are some fresh towels. Please make use of any combs, brushes, lotions, or other toiletries you can find in here. I will have some refreshments brought up and see if I have something to repair your bodice with.

So marveled at the brilliance of a built-in closet, I nearly forgot my manners. Thank you. I do not wish to be any trouble.

You aren’t, she promised. Sophie turned to leave but thought better of it. I nearly forgot that you have never used a modern bathroom.

She walked to the counter and I noticed an inset basin with a spout and two handles above it. Sophie turned one of the knobs and water poured from the faucet. She turned it the other way and the flow stopped. Right knob is cold water and left is hot. If you find straight hot too unpleasant, just turn the right knob a bit. The hot and cold will mix automatically.

This is wonderful, I said, more than slightly in awe.

Sophie laughed. Modern conveniences make life much easier now. Everything from electric lights to indoor plumbing. There will be many things for you to explore and learn. I will leave you for a few minutes, but just call if you need anything. I will just be in the next room. With that, she left, pulling the door shut behind her.

I walked to the mirror and saw that I looked as bad as I had expected. The creature staring back at me was gaunt and gray with matted hair and tattered clothes. Grimacing, I set about making myself more presentable. I had washed the grime from all visible skin and was trying to drag a comb through my hair when Sophie returned bearing a tray holding a wine glass and a decanter.

I thought you might be hungry, she said as she poured thick, red liquid from the decanter into the glass.

You are very kind, but I could not possibly . . . My refusal was abruptly cut off when my fangs descended at the smell of blood. I had not fed enough. I knew that even draining the boy dry, I was only half full. The incessant gnawing in my stomach that I tried to explain away as fear was really hunger. I clasped my hand over my mouth in embarrassment. I usually had more control, and it took more than the mere scent of blood for my canines to elongate. The automatic reaction was proof that I had not fed near enough tonight.

Do not be embarrassed. You have been through a great trauma, Madame Grammont. It is not surprising that you are still hungry.

My gauntness and gray pallor had given me away. I said, Thank you, as I took the goblet from her. I sipped the blood slowly, using every ounce of willpower not to gulp it down. In the meantime, Sophie had pulled a large towel from the stack and laid it on the floor. Please, have more. The decanter is for you. After you refill your glass, come and stand on this towel and we’ll try to get most of this dirt off of your skirt.

I was unsure what to make of this woman. She was friendly and open, not usual vampire traits. Generally we were only genial when we wanted something or could use someone. I was of little importance and had nothing to give. There was one way for me to know her motivations for sure. Concentrating, I allowed my second sight to bleed into my consciousness. As I looked at Sophie, the colors of her aura became clear, and it was like reading a book. I saw compassion, sadness, and the thinnest trace of pity. I was amazed. This was not an act on her part. Sophie truly was kind.

I did as she bid and soon Sophie was kneeling in front of me, wire brush in one hand and the hem of my skirt in the other. With sure strokes, Sophie brushed the worst of the dirt and dried mud from my dress.

I was uncomfortable with Sophie performing such a menial job. Madame La Tellier, it is unnecessary for you to do servant’s work.

She laughed and smiled up at me. Sophie, please. None of the female servants are old enough to know how to do this properly, and it would be far too difficult for you to do yourself. Besides, I don’t mind. There are far more unpleasant tasks that I must do as Marc’s steward.

You are too kind.

Oh, I’m a steel magnolia, no doubt about it.

I did not understand the reference, but I did understand her meaning and smiled. Completing her task, Sophie stood and ushered me toward the long counter. Opening a drawer, she drew out several odd-looking objects that I assumed to be pins and tried to fix my bodice. Stepping back, Sophie shook her head. It will hold together, but it isn’t very pretty. I will get you a shawl. It will hide a multitude of sins, but first, let’s see about your hair.

I grimaced. It is horrible.

Sophie worked on my hair for quite a while, all the time filling me in on world events that had occurred while I was staked. She declared my hair to be presentable before I had the nerve to question her about New Orleans or vampire politics. Sophie found a beautiful cream-colored lace shawl for me to wear before leading me through the rabbit warren of halls to the grand staircase. Two men stood at the bottom engaged in an animated conversation.

They were a study in contrasts. The man with his back to me had short, black hair and was attired formally in finely tailored gray trousers and a matching jacket. The other’s sandy-blond hair was longer and shaggy. Casually dressed in the same sort of pants that the boy in the crypt had been wearing with scuffed boots and a long-sleeved, green shirt, he had a battered, brown hat in his left hand. Even their postures could not have been more different. Marc Gautier held himself regally, while his companion leaned nonchalantly against the banister.

Ah, good. I see that Marc is wrapping up his meeting with Josh, Sophie said. Even before she spoke, both men had turned and looked up the stairs. I saw that the blond man’s eyes matched the green of his shirt, and he broke into a wide, easy smile at the sight of us. The Grandmaster was slightly shorter than his companion, with entrancing pale-blue eyes. He nodded gravely to both Sophie and me.

Both men exuded a great deal of power. All vampires radiate power auras, but only the most powerful, those of Elders, Masters, Grandmasters, and strong mages, are noticed by most. The specially gifted or magically inclined could feel weaker auras and sometimes even tell them apart. I had such ability, and even had the men not been attired so differently, I would have known who the Grandmaster was instantly, so powerful was his aura. The other man was either an Elder or a Master, but I was too out of practice to discern which. He definitely did not carry a mage’s pungency.

I realized that my own shields had dropped, and my magic and power were leaking out. That was probably what caused the two men to look up when they did. Sophie emitted almost no power aura, and I had been too preoccupied to notice what she did project. Shielding was second nature to me, but lack of vitae had caused those shields to slip. I drew up the barriers now. My power aura was a fraction of what it had been a moment before. The Grandmaster regarded me for a moment and then turned his attention back to his companion. The other man continued to watch me.

I followed Sophie down the stairs, acutely aware of my tattered appearance and bare feet. When we reached the landing, I saw and felt Andre emerge from the parlor. His power was a potent combination of mage and Elder, not unpleasant but strong and bold. The man, Josh, took a look at my maker’s glowering form, flicked his glance quickly up the stairs to me, and said, Well, I can see you’ve got other business to attend, Marc, so I’ll take my leave. I’ll tell my sister what you said. Don’t think it’ll be a problem.

The Grandmaster nodded, and the man quickly half-bowed to Monsieur Gautier and Andre. Looking up the stairs, he acknowledged us with a simple, Ladies.

Sophie called out, Josh, could you stay for a moment? I need to speak with you.

Sure, Soph. I’ll be in the parlor when you’re ready. He quickly disappeared into the other room, clearly not wishing to be in Andre’s presence.

Monsieur Gautier now focused his attention on my sire. It is good to see you, Andre. I assume your visit has something to do with the beautiful woman accompanying Sophie.

Yes. I had reached the bottom of the stairs now. May I present to you my progeny, Juliette de Grammont.

I sank into a low curtsy, murmuring, Monsieur.

Marc Gautier lifted my hand to his lips. Enchanted, Madame. I have heard much about you. Please, come into my office, and we shall speak.

Andre and I followed him through immense double doors. The Grandmaster indicated two leather chairs in front of his desk. Andre sat in one, I in the other. Marc Gautier took his seat behind the large mahogany desk. This room, like the others I had seen, was sumptuously but tastefully appointed.

Sophie appeared at my side and handed me another goblet of blood. She then withdrew, closing the double doors behind her. I thought it