She stayed on her stump the entire night and it wasn't until day break that Major made an appearance. Peter had gone in after Astrid had shredded the newborns, no doubt to inform Major that they were three less. Now the camp had twenty vampires.
"Round up, troops!" Peter bellowed. He had no reason to, the entirety of the camp was in the clearing and in a second created a line before Peter and Major.
Major stood with a white shirt and tan pants, his body clean of any blood. The rest looked like scavengers as they stood before their pristine leader. Peter stood to his left, hands in his pocket, and scanning their faces. He stayed on Astrid for a second too long before putting his attention back on Major.
"Tonight we take a coven three hundred miles from here. They belong to Benito and should only have fifteen in their ranks. Peter will take five and they will attack first," Major didn't look at Astrid. His eyes fell upon Henry, an older man who was only a vampire for less than a year. "Henry will take another ten and follow in after. Maria has reason to believe that Benito's mate will be among the coven, so the rest of us will stay out and make sure no one escapes, or enters. We leave in fifteen."
Astrid wasn't shocked she wasn't given a job but the others sent her malicious looks, obviously delighted that she had been knocked down a few pegs. She resisted the urge to stomp to her new favorite spot, instead standing still and waiting for Major to give the order to leave. She stared at her bare feet as the others scuffled with each other, joking with ones that they'd formed a close bond with.
Astrid had learned long ago to not grow attached to her coven members. This batch had been created by Major, they hadn't met Maria yet. She was an unknown dietety to them, reverend by Major and told to listen to without meeting. They blindly followed. Little did they know that once Major brought his group back to where Maria was stationed with the rest of the coven, anyone at one year old would be killed. Unless, they held a power that was lucrative to Maria.
None of them did. That made Astrid feel better. Major couldn't ignore her forever if his entire army was about to be beheaded.
"And how are you, Astrid?" Peter had strolled over to her, grinning. She wanted to rip his throat apart.
"Perfect, Peter." She kept her annoyance from her tone. Peter loved to get under her skin; they were the most competitive with each other. Fighting to be useful to keep their lives was tedious and they could never trust one another.
Peter had a knack of knowing things. Astrid had a talent for being invisible. Major could control emotions. They were the only three that had survived past a year, but they were well aware it was borrowed time.
Major began to stalk towards the woods and the troops followed. Once they were in the trees they picked up their pace and ran at inhuman speeds. Astrid loved to run, it was the best part about being a vampire. It was euphoric.
In no time they had came upon Benito's camp. It was high in the mountains, above a small town that Astrid didn't know the name of. She wasn't from this side of the country, she'd been traveling from New York to California. Her trip had been stopped by a wounded woman with bright red eyes.
There were no words spoken. Major glanced on either side of his shoulder and Peter and Henry took their groups towards the camp. Astrid could smell their fire, hear their murmurs, smell their venom. She wanted nothing more to be on the front line and tear apart another life, just to show Major how sorry she was.
Most likely feeling her, Major raised his lips in her direction yet didn't meet her eyes. She took the hint and headed West, making sure to spread out so that no vampire slipped through their line. That would make Major just a delight to be around.
"Attack!"
She didn't recognize the voice and assumed it was one of Benito's. She listened as a sound like thunder ricocheted off the mountains as vampires collided. Someone's head was torn, the smell of sweet pine was viciously taken over by venom. She dug her toes into the ground, feeling the vibrations of running feet and slamming bodies.
Like she expected, not a single vampire made it to where the rest of the group was stationed. Peter trotted happily back to Major, a head in his hand. He held it up to show the snarling face of a dark skinned woman. She was snapping her teeth and venom was dripping down her chin. Major stared at her with disgust before nodding his approval.
"Burned the village down, Major." Henry reported gleefully.
They returned to their camp and packed up. They had been stationed here for two months and had finally found the location of Benito's mate; their only goal for being in this area. The tent was torn and the fire was snuffed, no one taking the time to really hide their tracks. Astrid knew that Benito would hear of his mate's demise in a week or so and would later find their camp remains. Major left it so Benito could smell him, would know that Maria had finally gotten her revenge.
Astrid was slightly relieved to head back to Maria so that the rest of her group would be slaughtered. She was worried Major would tell her of Astrid's discretions but he had never done that before. But this wasn't like the times before; Major was really pissed at her.
She fretted the entire trip back to Maria's camp. She knew where they were this time, New Mexico. It had been Maria's home before Benito had raised his vampire army and sought for feeding territories, something that Astrid had been informed hadn't been a problem before him.
The camp was in an empty farm house. Major was the only one who had a room at the farm, and it was in Maria's bed. The rest were in the barn or in the woods. No one slept so there was no need for luxuries like a room. Peter and Astrid were allowed a shower and new clothes, the rest were left to find their own ways. Maria encouraged them to pillage town homes.
Major led them in a straight line to the farm. Maria, petite and beautiful, stood on the patio with her hands clasped and a delighted smile on her face. Peter was quick to dash into the house for a shower and Astrid glanced at Major for conformation. He gave her a stiff nod and she thanked whatever God there was. He wasn't going to tell Maria. She was quick to take her leave, not wanting him to change his mind.
As she passed Maria she made sure to bow her head in respect. The older vampire didn't spare her a look, eyes planted on Major as he walked up the steps to give her the head. Astrid stayed long enough to see Maria caress the head before crumbling it in her fingers.
Peter had taken the shower first but he never took long. Astrid sorted through a trunk of clothes in one of the downstairs rooms, finding a dark purple dress with a corset. She rubbed her fingers over the beautiful satin, for a fleeting second wishing she was human again and allowed to indulge in clothes. She used to have a closet full of gowns that made other maidens swoon in jealously. Now she was reduced to stealing them.
She was at the door when the water turned off. Peter, dressed in black pants and an open white shirt, frowned when he saw her waiting.
"Major told me to shower." Astrid said before he could say something that Maria would hear. No doubt he had a snide remark on the tip of his tongue.
He kept his mouth shut and glided down the stairs. Astrid, unlike Peter, liked to enjoy her showers. There was bar of soap and she happily ran it over her body three times, watching as dirt and blood filled the bottom of the tub. Her nails were black as well as her feet, her hair so knotted that it actually took a while to tug her fingers through it.
Once she felt that the last months were washed away, she stepped out of the tub and dressed in the gown, loving the way it caressed her fresh skin. She wiped the steam off the mirror and finally took in her looks, not surprised to see she looked exactly the same as when she last looked. It sometimes left her mind that she couldn't age.
Her dark red hair was beginning to dry and forming into ringlets. She used to hate her curly hair, the other children would mock her and tug at them. As she grew older she realized that it attracted men because of it's uniqueness. Her pale skin had gained new scars, however, and she frowned as she ran her fingers over a bite mark on her collar bone. She could recall the pain and who exactly gave it to her and cringed. She couldn't bare to look at the other ones she acquired - she hated that venom scarred.
Astrid turned her head towards the door when she heard boots come up the stairs. Major's smell wafted into the bathroom. He was waiting for her. She gathered her shredded clothes and tossed them in the bin before opening the door and quickly making her leave.
"Astrid," Major called her back when she was halfway down the steps. She returned to his side. He was leaned against the bannister, arms crossed. "Gather them for the Purge. I'll be down after my shower."
"Yes, Major." She bowed her head and dared to look up through her lashes.
He was already gazing at her, his lips slightly down. He seemed to appear tired, something she had never seen the Major express. Major didn't break her gaze, seeming to take in her expression before nodding and walking into the bathroom. When the door clicked shut she turned on her heel and walked for the front door.
The farm house was beautiful. It had a square opening with a small circular table in the middle with wild flowers that Lucy changed daily. The stairs began in front of the door and led up to the second landing, giving a clear view of the bathroom door only. Two master bedrooms were on the second floor, while the bottom only contained the kitchen and dining room. They were rarely used and Astrid had only seen the dining room once, when she'd been brought here as a human. The negative feeling she contributed to that room kept her away from it, even five years later.
Peter was sitting on the patio's footsteps, whistling a happy tune. She never knew the songs he whistled and she thought that he made them up half the time. Feeling a bit vindictive for all the things he'd said the past two days, she made sure her power covered her footsteps and smell.
When Astrid touched Peter's shoulder, he snarled so viciously and spun on the spot. His arm swung to knock her down but she easily jumped over it and landed silently on her feet. He didn't find it funny and continued to snarl at her.
"Major told us to gather them." She reported happily, giving him a wide smile.
He snarled and grumpily stood up, "I'll get you back for that one."
"Of course." She snorted, knowing that he wouldn't. If she had her power up, no one could find her.
Except Major.
Peter angrily stormed over to the eighteen newborns that they had camped with the past months. They had huddled together, taking in the large farm and whispering among one another. Their senses were no doubt warning them that it wasn't a safe place. No one had told them that they would be safe here.
Astrid strolled before Peter, hungry to show that she was in charge again, even if just for a second.
"Tanner, Atticus, Matilda, and Bethany follow me," Astrid demanded, ignoring Peter's indignant huff from behind her. "I'll show you where the hunting grounds are."
"The rest of you will come with me to the barn. The Major has some information he would like to inform you of." Peter walked towards the barn and with trust, the others followed him.
Astrid led the other four to the woods and ran with no worry that they would follow. There was a growing town that Maria had given them permission to hunt at, as long as they spaced their attacks and allowed the population to grow. The last thing they needed was for the humans to think they had a serial killer - that would keep others from moving here. Astrid informed the newborns as much before wishing them good luck and orders to return by day break.
She reached the farm just as Peter began the fire. The newborns he'd taken into the barn had reached their year limit and had been disposed of. Major stood at the barn doors, watching as Peter and Julia, a new born that had been allowed past a year for her devotion to the cause, carried the body parts to be set aflame.
There were other vampires that had survived a year but they were with Nettie. She was given the directive to push another coven ran by Santiago further back away from Texas. It had been months since their return as well and Astrid knew they should be back a day or two after their arrival.
"Astrid! My beautiful Astrid!"
She felt stiff as Maria bounded out of the barn, her green dress flowing as she met Astrid across the yard. The dangerous woman gave a brilliant smile and tucked a red curl behind Astrid's ear. Although she had a nice tone, Astrid knew to never believe what she was seeing. The loss of her mate had made Maria practically insane. Her emotions flipped constantly.
"Maria." Astrid bowed again. She could never be too careful.
"How was your trip? I heard that there were plentiful hunts and raids."
"It was fantastic."
"Good, good! Now then," Over Maria's shoulder she could see Peter eyeing them, slowing so that he could hear every word between taking an arm out of the barn. "Let's walk, shall we?"
Her stomach dropped. Major had told her. She kept herself from looking over her shoulder as Maria led her back into the woods. She knew that if it was only Maria she could easily disappear, but if Maria truly wanted her gone, she would send the Major after her. He would hunt her down and finish her, bring her head back just like he had done to Benito's mate. She cringed at the idea of Maria crushing her into a million pieces.
The walk was silent and her anxiety was through the roof. They walked for miles on end until they were safe of being over heard by prying ears, like Peter. Maria abruptly turned and stopped Astrid, her red eyes alight with excitement. Astrid feared what she had planned for her.
"I've heard such positive things about you from my Jasper."
It took a second for Astrid to process what she said. First, this was not the death sentence she thought it was. Second, Major's name was actually Jasper. She had never learned that information and greedily took it in.
"That is a great compliment, Maria." Astrid said humbly. This could still be a trick but she felt more comfortable with the direction they were going.
"Why of course it is! Peter has shown such great promise under my Jasper's leadership and I see that the same can be said for you, darling Astrid. Now I know that I can trust you."
"You see, Astrid, I know my sisters Lucy and Nettie are planning to destroy me. I hear their whispers, see their looks. They don't believe in the cause anymore. Do you, darling Astrid?"
"Of course, Maria. I want what you want, I seek to help you become the most powerful vampire." The words left a sting on her tongue, as if punishing her for the lie.
Maria was delighted, "Perfect! My Jasper already knows what do when my sisters return, and so does Peter, and now it is your turn to be informed. We will take them down the moment they return. But first, I need for the Purge to happen. This time we will kill them all, even the ones not at one yet. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Maria. I will do everything I can to complete your desire." Astrid replied on autopilot. She'd heard Major and Peter say this to her and it was obviously the right thing to say.
Maria squealed like a little child, clapping her hands and jumping up an down. She embraced Astrid, making her tense. This was her first hug since becoming a vampire and it was not welcomed.
"My Jasper said you would agree, how very smart of him," Maria crooned, pulling away to caress Astrid's face. "My favorite children becoming my most trusted. How proud I am."
Maria clapped her hands gleefully and led the way back to the barn. Astrid knew that if she was human she would faint from shock. She had thought that Major had told Maria of her not wanting to kill humans. That was a sign of weakness to Maria, a sign that vampires were not meant for her army. If Maria heard that it had happened not once, but three times, she would have no problem killing her darling Astrid.
Peter was disappointed when Maria returned with Astrid behind her. Major was leaning against the farm door, in his usual arms crossed position with a sour look on his face. Maria skipped blissfully up the steps and caressed Major's cheek, just as she had done to Astrid. He must've sent her an emotion that the others were not privy too because she giggled like a school girl before pulling him into the house. In no time Astrid heard Maria moaning and clothes being torn.
Peter sauntered up to her, "Down for a hunt, partner?" He was not a fan of listening to the Major and Maria fuck.
Peter brought them to a town that Astrid had never seen before. It was almost midnight so they chose to enter a slumbering home. She could hear two heartbeats on the bottom floor and two on the top. A family. Peter's eyes were locked on her back as she entered the first room and saw a young couple sleeping together. Wanting to prove herself, once again, she didn't hesitate to hold the man's mouth shut while she dug her teeth into the woman's throat. She couldn't scream as Astrid drank her dry, moaning with the pleasure that feeding gave.
The man kicked and struggled but could do nothing against her inhuman strength. When the woman was empty, Astrid greedily pulled him into her lap and bit on his shoulder, tearing the flesh just to be a bit cruel and give Peter a show. He stood in the doorway as she finished him off, moaning as she released him and sitting back to enjoy the fullness she felt in her belly. It was like eating a delicious steak and having dessert.
She licked her lips and sucked on her fingers, not wasting a drop. Astrid looked over her shoulder, her eyes heavy as she stared at Peter. He was clutching the door frame, his eyes dark. She wondered if it was hunger or something else, something that neither one of them had experimented with.
He disappeared and she heard a man shout in shock. She cocked her head, sitting in the blood covered bed, and listened as Peter viciously tore apart his meal. While Astrid loved to feed, Peter preferred to rip an arm off as he did and leave a pile of limbs for the humans to discover.
Astrid met Peter at the bottom of the stairs, tugging on her new gown. She'd found it in the woman's closet, it was a baby blue and complimented her hair. Peter's eyes scanned her over and stopped on the last step before shaking his head.
"Nope, I'm still not attracted to you." He stated.
Astrid couldn't help her laugh, "I knew it! We could never."
"Never. You're like my annoying sister." He walked out the door and Astrid followed, falling in step with him.
"Peter," She licked her lips before continuing. "Maria told me of the plan."
He stopped in the middle of the street and spun to stare at her, "The plan? You?"
She was eager to share more information as well, "And, I learned Major's real name."
Whatever Peter was going to stay died on his lips at that interesting tidbit. No one knew Major's name, Maria had made sure to keep that well under lock and Major didn't speak enough to tell it himself.
"Well? Are you going to tell me or what?" He snapped, obviously wanting it to hear it.
"It's Jasper."
Peter was the over the moon with this new information. He practically skipped down the street and Astrid let his mood affect her. It had been so long since she felt able to relax. Spending months in the woods with newborns and training them had hardened Astrid's attitude. Peter's especially.
"Jasper. Who would've thought. I couldn't imagine him with an actual name." Peter muttered, as if scared the Major would leap out from behind a tree at the mention of his name.
"It makes him less . . ."
"Scary? Intimidating? No, I think he's still all that." Peter shook his head.
Astrid agreed, "But, back to the plan," Peter looked forlorn. "What do you think of it?"
"You mean, Peter please use your special senses to tell me if we're all going to die in this horrendous back stabbing plan?" He asked in a high pitched voice, which Astrid was positive resembled nothing what her voice actually sounded like. "I don't know yet. I haven't felt anything . . . But, there's something else."
"Well, are you going to tell me?" She nagged when he didn't willingly continue.
They were the only ones on at the street at this time. Peter's face was covered in blood yet she could see the look of concern on his face clear as day.
"You're going to be tested to see where your loyalties lie," At her dumbfounded expression, Peter shrugged and continued his brisk pace. She kept in step with him. "That's all I know. Good luck, I guess."
Astrid quickly returned to her downtrodden mood. Who knew what that was supposed to mean.