Chapter 1
Stark
I woke up disoriented, looking at Neferet. "Ah, the young archer is awake", she said with a hint of a smile. I tried to say something, but I was so thirsty that nothing would come out. Finally I managed a couple of words. "Thirsty", I said, over and over again like a mantra. A look of irritation crossed Neferet's face. "Alright, but you red fledglings are sucking me dry. I have to kill 2 humans a day to survive now. Of course, none of the staff or regular fledglings know that", she sneered. She cut herself, and I swear that I had never seen anything more beautiful than that line of blood on her arm. It hypnotized me, and the next thing I knew, she was practically straddling me.
She moaned in pleasure, putting her arms around me in a loving embrace. I only felt the relief of my thirst being quenched, I knew that sucking blood was supposed to be a sexual experience, but I had no sudden desire to have sex with Neferet. It was baffling. I felt as though she wanted to have intercourse with me. I mean, I hate to admit it, but I am a virgin. I've dated girls but have never really been serious with them before. If Zoey had been here and heard my thoughts, she probably would've laughed at me.
Zoey! That brought memories back. Me, dying in her arms; her promising that she would take care of Duchess; kissing her and feeling. Feeling love, compassion, and protectiveness for her. Neferet trying to take off her shirt brought me back to the present. I mean, slut much? "That's enough", I said politely as I detached myself from Neferet's embrace and scooted over towards the wall. Neferet blinked a few times like she was dizzy. "Oh, o…of course". She shook her head and then looked like herself again. She started sneering again and I wondered how I had ever thought she was pretty.
"James Stark, I know this might be a surprise for you, but you have died". She said. "Go figure", I muttered under my breath. Neferet acted like she hadn't heard me and continued her "speech". "Now that you are dead, you will have to go into hiding. There is a place I have made for the others like you that you can go to", she said graciously. I mentally shook my head, thinking Get a load of her. What is she, Saint of the red fledglings? "Ah, alas I am not a Saint", she said. She can hear my thoughts. I quickly tried to shield myself.
"Well, since I have brought you back to life, I need a favor". Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "I need you to help me kill a rogue red fledgling. She has been acting up and I need her, how do you say it, to be put down. She is a danger to the rest of the fledglings." Without knowing what I was saying, I answered "Of course Neferet. Your wish, my command". Whoa! Where did that come from? "Thank you", she responded, slyly.
She helped me walk out of the room I was in (how did I get here anyway?), and we walked quickly to what I guessed was Neferet's apartment. She gave me my quiver of arrows and my bow. "Now, I have set up an archery range for you outside. You will practice at all times and if you even think about getting help or trying to kill me with that stupid talent of yours, I will personally torture you. Well, that is, after I torture Zoey", she smiled wickedly. I'm sure that I visibly paled. "Alright", I agreed. "Good. Your favor might be sooner repaid than expected. I sense that Zoey and her friend, the one you have to kill, will do what ever it takes to restore peace to the vampyres. We need to stop her and bring The Great One back into control", she must have sensed my confusion and clarified herself. "Kalona, the Fallen immortal". "Oh", I said, still confused, but this time Neferet was oblivious to me. "He will rise again, more powerful than ever before", she practically crooned. "My King will be crowned once again".