Die Pretty: Vampires of Blood and Bones Read online

  Die

  Pretty

  Blood and Bones Book 3

  By: B.A. Stretke

  Copyright © 2019 by B.A. Stretke

  Published by Superiorland Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person (living or dead), place, or event is purely coincidence.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  THE END

  About the Author

  More Books from B.A. Stretke:

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Sheriff Korbin is here to see you, sir,” Robert stated over his radio to Coven DuCane’s second in command, Ismael Patronne. Robert Alden served as a soldier for the Coven and had been working with Palace security for the past nearly one hundred years. Since the installation of all the improvements to security and defense, the rotation of the security forces was expanded. It now included guard duty at the newly installed, state of the art, and frightening as hell looking, front gate.

  The front gate used to be covered by a single camera, but the technology of the Coven had been sharpened and brought up to date by Ismael’s beloved and tech genius, Easton Sans. Now they had a series of cameras along with a variety of sensing devices and two men on duty at the gate at all times. It was decided that technology was well and fine, but there was nothing like two large, armed men to deter most problems.

  “Bring him to the office in the guard’s room, and I’ll meet you there,” Ismael instructed and then closed the call. The guard’s room was connected yet separate from the Palace and could be accessed from outside without the guest having to be brought into the Palace itself. It was used for most meetings that didn’t involve the Master.

  Master DuCane allowed few inside the Palace that were not of his coven. The Sheriff was an agent of Coven DuCane and worked for them, but he was, in fact, a cougar shifter, as were two of his deputies. Shifters tended to excel in law enforcement, for it was near impossible to lie to one without detection, and their tracking skills were exemplary. There were also several vampires on the force in supportive positions who worked outside the public eye to keep coven matters private.

  Robert got into the Sheriff’s vehicle, and together, they proceeded forward. No one was allowed inside the property unescorted. The Palace property was situated several miles from the front gate. Sheriff Korbin didn’t come to the Palace often, only when matters became serious and outside his control. He was competent and discreet, the two most important qualities for a man in Sheriff Korbin’s position.

  Korbin treated every visit in a polished and professional manner. Robert didn’t doubt that Sheriff Korbin respected the Coven and its leaders, but he also understood that the Sheriff was just doing his job. The job he was hired for and the job he was paid handsomely to carry out, and that was to protect the interests of Coven DuCane within his jurisdiction.

  They pulled up near the entrance to the guard’s room and parked. Robert exited first, and Korbin followed. The office was located on the right side of a very large room that was used for a variety of purposes. Ismael was already there. Once the Sheriff was delivered, Robert turned to leave the room to wait outside, but Ismael motioned for him to remain. Robert stationed himself at the door while Sheriff Korbin took a seat in front of the desk that Ismael was seated behind.

  “We have a growing problem in town stemming from the attack on your beloved that took place at Giovanni’s Restaurant.” The Sheriff began. “The clean-up crew did their job, secured the area, wiped the minds of those who had witnessed, but someone seems to have retained part, if not all of their memory.” That statement caught their attention.

  “Who and how do you know this?” Ismael stated abruptly.

  “His name is Eddie Boone, and he worked as a busboy at the restaurant at the time of the attack. He came in yesterday and filed a complaint. He claims vampires are after him, and he referenced what took place at the restaurant, what he witnessed, as support for his complaint.” The Sheriff was clear and to the point.

  “The attack at the restaurant was months ago, yet this is the first time he speaks of it?” Ismael questioned, and the Sheriff nodded.

  “The first attack was two weeks ago, and there have been three more since then according to his report. It was these perceived attacks that prompted him to speak. As far as I know, He has never spoken of it publicly.” The Sheriff and his instincts were trusted, but Robert wondered as to the veracity of his statement that he believed Mr. Boone has not made his findings public.

  “Not even to family or a close friend?” Ismael pressed obviously not convinced either.

  “One friend, Joe Banks, had some information, but your people took care of it, and that was all they found. He apparently never spoke of it to anyone apart from Joe.” Korbin handed him the report.

  Ismael read through the report and then looked up. “He claims vampires are trying to kill him.”

  “Yes, it seemed unlikely to me based on the fact he keeps escaping. If you all wanted him dead, he would be dead already.” Korbin explained. “He did have injuries that he showed me in support of his claim of an attack, but they weren’t vampire injuries. His injuries were indicative of someone running and falling repeatedly.” Korbin handed him the photos of the man’s scrapped elbows, palms, and knees.

  “What have you discovered regarding his reported attacks?” Ismael continued

  “I’ve found nothing. He was alone when each attack allegedly occurred. No scent markers were found apart from a slight smell of sulfur at the most recent of his reported attacks. But it wasn’t strong enough to indicate a paranormal presence. I don’t know what to make of it, but the boy has enough accurate information regarding Coven DuCane to make this a serious situation.” The Sheriff remained focused and practical, but Robert heard the slight emotion attached to the word ‘boy’ when he used it in reference to Mr. Boone.

  “Did anyone try to clear his mind again since the clean-up?” Ismael was looking concerned. Robert paid very close attention. It sounded absurd to him that some human, a busboy no less, would have the ability to resist having his mind cleared by a vampire.

  “Yes, several times, but it hasn’t been effective. He remembers everything from that day and the people who came to clean the area.” Korbin continued.

  “According to the report, he witnessed Easton, after having been attacked by a vampire in the bathroom, being spirited away and out to a car in the parking lot. He also heard two of the cleaners discussing the incident and vampire was mentioned along with the word coven. Then it was the act of attempting to clear his mind that caused his suspicions to escalate. He filled in the blanks from there with other minor insignificant things from happenings around town over the years, and now he has a surprisingly accurate understanding.” Ismael summed up the situation with a tone of exasperation.

  Ismael suddenly stood up and motioned for Robert to approach and then turned his attention to Korbin. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention; we will handle it from here. Robert will see you out.”

  “Yes, of course.” Korbin stood and foll
owed Robert back to his car.

  As a rule, there was very little if any talking between guards and outsiders unless the situation warranted it. So Robert was surprised when Sheriff Korbin began to explain to him his fears in regard to Eddie Boone.

  “Eddie’s a good kid, not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he has a good heart, and he’s never been in any sort of trouble. I wouldn’t have brought this to the Coven’s attention if it weren’t for the fact Eddie appears resistant to vampire influence, which is confounding me. Humans are the weakest of us all, so for him to have the power to resist having his mind cleared is just impossible” He turned to look at Robert with a tight expression that conveyed his concern for the young man.

  “I’d hate to see him hurt. He’s a hard worker and doesn’t have the most ideal home life, yet I’ve never heard the kid complain about anything. For him to have come to the office with this off the wall report, he must be well and truly scared. I just don’t know how to help him and also protect the secrets of this area.” Korbin turned back to the road in front of him having said his piece. Robert felt compelled for some odd reason to assure the Sheriff that hurting Eddie was not their intent.

  “The Coven leaders do not hurt those who do not hurt us, and if Eddie Boone is indeed an innocent, he will be treated as such,” Robert told him pointedly. Korbin gave a brief nod, and the remainder of the drive was completed in silence.

  …

  Eddie and his friend Joe Banks sat together in Eddie’s small apartment behind the barn. He’d lived there since he was old enough to take care of himself, which was twelve years ago when he was twelve. He was given the apartment in exchange for work in the beginning, but since the age of eighteen, he has also been charged rent.

  They claimed he didn’t do enough around the place to cover the cost of housing him. He’d move, but he loved this farm even though it just had a few cows and sheep. They saw most of their revenue from selling hay but also sold livestock, and some produce in the summer. Apart from his Aunt and Uncle, Eddie saw this as home and his responsibility to maintain.

  His aunt and uncle live alone in the large main house, but for some reason, even though they’d accepted custody of Eddie when he was four, they never really treated him like family. His grandmother had been alive in the beginning, and she had been the light of his existence. But unfortunately, she died when Eddie was eleven and shortly after that he was sent to the apartment out back. It was okay though, Eddie had friends, and he loved this farm.

  Over the years, he’d made this space, which had originally been a tool shed, into his very own, and although small, it had everything he needed. He kept it clean and organized and furnished with hand-me-downs from friends and special finds at the thrift shop. He made it into a warm and comforting environment.

  “I wish I hadn’t gone to Sheriff Korbin,” Eddie said and raked his fingers through his dark blonde hair pushing it back from his face in frustration.

  “Why, you’re being targeted, and you need help,” Joe told him. “I saw you when those brutes tried to confront you outside of the theater; if you hadn’t been fast, they would have hurt you, I’m sure.” Eddie looked up at his friend with slight confusion.

  “That was just the last incident, Joe. They’ve come after me on five separate occasions, not to mention the incident at the restaurant.” Eddie reminded him, but Joe was looking at him strangely.

  “I don’t recall you saying anything about other attacks and what happened at the restaurant?” Joe became agitated.

  “Did you get a visit by two guys, dark hair, tall, muscular looked like they were straight out of GQ?” Eddie had a hunch what had happened.

  “Yeah, I had two guys that looked like that stop at the gas station yesterday and ask for directions. They drove a black Tesla; that’s why I remember them. Why would anyone driving a Tesla stop at a gas station?”

  “Because all they were looking for was you, Joe. They knew you worked there.” Eddie tried to make him understand. He explained again what had happened at the restaurant and the guys who somehow hypnotically cleared memories. “They put the whammy on you, Joe. They tried it with me, but it didn’t work. Obviously, it worked well on you.” Eddie cocked an eyebrow at his friend. “I told you all of this before, and we talked about it in length, and now you don’t remember a thing except the attack that happened late last night.”

  “They screwed with my brain?” Joe looked livid.

  “Yeah, I think they screw with a lot of brains around here,” Eddie added.

  “Why can’t they influence you?” Joe had asked that question before, and Eddie had already explained, but Eddie realized Joe didn’t remember before making the sarcastic remark that was primed.

  “I don’t know, but I think it’s the reason they’re sending these thugs after me. I’ve been lucky so far, but one of these times I’m not going to get away. I need to find a way to get them off my scent.” They sat silently for a moment before Joe spoke.

  “I got nothing. The Sheriff seemed like the best bet, but that didn’t turn out like you thought it would.” Joe walked over to Eddie’s little fridge and got himself a soda. They were going to hang out and watch some television. Eddie had set up an early warning system of tripwires and such around his apartment in case any of those vampires came looking for him again. It was really starting to work on his nerves.

  “What’s this?” Joe held up an empty mailer that had been lying on Eddie’s counter. “Doing some shopping.” He joked and tossed the mailer back down and went back to his seat.

  “A little online shopping, nothing special.” Eddie defended. “Let’s watch a movie, drink some soda, eat some popcorn, and just chill for a while. I really need to relax.”

  “Sounds good.” They were having a relaxing evening until just after eleven when Eddie’s Aunt Joan called telling him the cows had escaped the north pasture and berated him. She told him he needed to go and round them up, or else she would call the sheriff and have him thrown off the property. She called him an assortment of names and then slammed the phone down. Aunt Joan was a bitter old bitch if ever there was one.

  “Shit!” He exclaimed as he slammed the phone down. “The cows have broken through the fence in the North pasture, and apparently they’re out on the road. I have to go get them back inside and fix the fence. Shit.” He grabbed his plaid flannel and his cap and headed for the door.

  “Wait, I’ll help you.”

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” They both headed out into the dark of the night, not considering the dangers that could lay ahead.

  …

  Robert finished his shift just after ten and planned to have a late dinner with a few friends. On his way to the dining hall, he was caught up by Silas Patronne, his direct supervisor and the son of the Coven Second, Ismael. “Come with me, Robert.” He said, and Robert immediately fell into step beside him.

  “You’ll be going with Quincy to check out the Boone kid. Just surveillance no contact yet unless he needs protection. I was told you have a cursory understanding of the situation and the subject, Eddie Boone.” Robert nodded. “Good, meet Quincy at the East entrance.”

  “Yes, sir.” Robert headed towards the East entrance that was off the kitchen and sent his friends a short text letting them know he wouldn’t be joining them for dinner. He had been looking forward to unwinding with his friends, Amon and Lance. They were soldiers like him, and they’d served together for over a hundred years. You get to know people when you work together that long. They were fun and interesting companions, but this was an important assignment, and he’d been curious about Eddie Boone since the Sheriff had been there earlier.

  He was interested in assessing for himself the innocence of this man. Sheriff Korbin was, as a rule, a good judge of people, but he also had a soft heart at times. Robert met Quincy in the parking area getting into the black Tesla Model X, which wasn’t a surprise, Quincy chose that car whenever it was available. Robert joined him, and they were quickly on
their way.

  “You do love this car,” Robert commented, and Quincy shot him a tight smile.

  “What’s not to love.” He did a rundown of the car’s enhancements and why it was perfectly suited for surveillance with its quiet and its speed. He continued to sing the praises of the car as they made their way out to the rural area of the county. They were about twenty miles outside of Mt. Pleasant, and it was all farmland for as far as the eye could see.

  “Eddie Boone lives and works on his Aunt and Uncle’s farm. He lives in a small outbuilding behind the barn. He also still works as a busboy at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant.” Quincy shared what he knew of the kid. Robert had no information other than what Korbin had shared, so he listened with interest.

  “Have you met him?” Robert asked.

  “Yes, I was present when the cleaners wiped his mind or rather thought they wiped his mind.” He corrected. “They were clearing everyone that had worked that day or had been on the premises just as a matter of course.” Quincy paused as he pulled to a concealed area off the side of the road and parked. It gave them a view of a farmhouse and its outbuildings. Robert assumed it was where Eddie lived.

  “He lives in that little shed there.” Quincy indicated a small clapboard building a few feet behind the large barn. It looked like a utility shed and not somewhere anyone should be living in Robert’s opinion.

  “Anyway, back to what I was saying,” Quincy continued once they were settled. “They were wiping everyone’s mind of the vampire attack on Easton. So, when Eddie showed up for work, they pulled him aside and started some small talk and attempted to touch his mind. He looked appropriately confused, so it was believed his memories had been erased, and they moved onto the next. But based on the police report, his memories are intact. It would seem that he has a resistance to mind control.” Quincy finished as they both kept their attention on the small shed.

  “What does he look like?” Robert had not asked for a photo and could probably find one easily enough, but he just needed a base description.