First Brood: Greenhouse: First Brood: Tales of the Lilim, #2

Cover art by thrillerauthor (SelfPubBookCovers.com/ thrillerauthor).

For more of Lenni’s writing: http://www.atthequillsmercy.com.

Chapter 1: Darjeeling

The current record for a human being going without sleep is eleven days. My record is six days: the exact length of my ‘I can’t sleep because my sleep kills’ phase. Like everything else in my life up to that point, I didn’t come through it on my own.

Instead of sleeping, I would wander around the grounds around the safe house I was stuck in, running on caffeine and only a bottle of water with me for company. Roqui slipped a plain old, run of the mill, over the counter sleeping pill into my water and I passed out under a tree. When I woke up two days later, most of my bug bites had healed.

The gravity of what had happened to me hit me harder when I woke up and saw Raquel fussing through some dirty sheets with her back to me. Her skin was etched with a tattoo I’d never seen in all the years we’ve known each other. A graceful, sweeping, tragic series of black lines curved over her shoulders and down her back. A tribal cross but the arms plunged into wings down her shoulder blades.

She didn’t have anything impressive to say about it. Each time I’ve been reborn I’ve had this mark. It’s a little updated for more modern times and all. I’d kept it buried under makeup. Pretty kick ass, huh?

"Who are you?" I asked, bleary and achy; my stomach growling for more than coffee or water.

"I am Raguel, descendent Angel of Justice in human form to correct what needs correcting. She said. And I’m B.F.F. Roqui: Bearer of pancakes and orange juice. A tray of food was dropped onto my lap. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it."

I couldn’t be mad at her anymore.

What also shocked me about my new life were the nightmares. There weren’t any. Not a single one. I didn’t do any astral gallivanting, that’s for sure, and I was glad my head worked through my issues. Until I got a visit from a certain violet-eyed vampire.

A week after the end of my sleeping strike, Auris showed up at the door. When Roqui let him in, I was overwhelmed with guilt, fear, and embarrassment to the point of nausea. So much for working through my issues. Rather than hurl my guts out, I barricaded myself in my bedroom listening to them talk through the wall.

"You needn’t look at me like that. I’m no threat to your friend any longer." I heard his voice and shoved my face in the comforter. Here would have been where my hair muffled their voices. It was the first time I missed my long hair and I haven’t since.

"And you’re here because?" Roqui snapped.

"I volunteered to watch the Dreamhunter to ensure she poses no additional threat to the Lilim. Kizu and I will make semi-regular visits and keep the Puhrum aware of her activities."

I was very embarrassed to know large numbers of dangerous creatures I was created to hunt will now know I won’t leave my bedroom. Talk about a hit to the ole reputation.

"She’s underground. The point is she has no activities for you to report. I heard her footsteps and my heart pounded for a moment, thinking she’d come in the room, but Roqui was headed for the kitchen. Drink?"

"No, thank you. I won’t be staying long. I hear him outside the kitchen, probably leaning against the doorway, deciding whether or not to sit somewhere. I am aware of her need to be anonymous, but my reports to the Lilim let her remain free. As long as they see her as benign, none of them will peruse her."

They were both silent for awhile. I imagined they were sizing each other up, waiting to see who’d make what move and when. I wondered what a fight would be like between them and I shivered in fear.

"It’s either I visit her or I haul her in front of the Puhrum myself and there is no assurance Darjeeling would make it off the Island alive."

Roqui sighed, her frustration in her voice clear even through the door. She’ll be moved to a new place soon. A whole new life. Your Puhrum doesn’t get to know any details on her location, get it? Dee’s getting a clean slate.

"I will tell the Puhrum what they need to know to stay out of both our lives. Not a single Lilim is after her for revenge. They are satisfied with the current state of affairs."

There was a pause and I heard footsteps heavier than Roqui’s but no less assured in their purpose headed right for my door. My heart stopped and I knew he was outside my door. Just standing there. Waiting? Contemplating? Could he hear me holding my breath?

After what felt like hours, the shadow beneath the door disappeared and his footsteps faded away. I heard Roqui lead him out the door. When I finally stepped out of my bedroom, I saw a small speck of silver sitting on the pristine floor. My cross. No note, no trace Auris was even there. Just my cross. I held it, cried, but didn’t put it on. I’ve kept it in a box in my bedroom since then.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Roqui’s guild - or whoever she works for - set me up with a new place to live, new identity, new everything. Somehow they even managed to confiscate all my pay from Legacy accounts and return it to me. Roqui said it was a small price to pay for what they did to me.

Before I had one, I’d never given much thought to a new life. I guess all I was doing until Secret visited was mourn the loss of what never was. And that’s fucking stupid. I focused on how much I enjoy being a brunette, living in a rooftop apartment in Manhattan, going to medical school to become an anesthesiologist, and being called Karen Sykes.

One of the best things about my new life is the apartment. It has two floors and three sides are all windows; enchanted courtesy of Secret, so people can’t see in but I can see out. I have walkways leading from the second tier of my place that function almost like an indoor terrace, cutting the windows into two sections horizontally. My money from the Legacy pays for the rent and school. There’s more than enough and I certainly earned the right to spend it however I want.

Visits from Secret and his sister start to be a comfort; though Kizu is dying to put a tattoo on me. She says it’s because Lilith’s vampires heal too well to make tattoos worthwhile and wants to live this vicariously through me. The ink is pushed out and their skin heals over. Kizu and Roqui did manage to get my ears pierced and I think that’s as far as I’m willing to go. I don’t want to go out of control with my new freedom.

I’m so busy with school work; they end up hanging out and watching me study. I fluffed my way through college and now I’m paying for it with killer interest. The work is relentless. I spend my days and afternoons in class and my nights with my head either in a book or on a pillow. I bet the reports Secret is giving his group are boring as hell.

Chapter 2: Sprout

He wondered how the humans could stand it; packed in like cattle, drunk and/or stoned out of their minds while bombarded with repetitive music. The pounding and beeping mimicked some of the more irate traffic conditions outside. Auris believed raves to be a vile disorder, most unlike the clubs he owned where creativity ruled, people could sit, and at times the music stopped.

Auris looked very out of place among the crowd of fake leather, fishnets, and sweaty t-shirts in his jeans and button down shirt; as he moved through them on his business. Without breaking his stride, he scooped up the arm of a lanky dancer and hauled the boy off the dance floor. The crowd parted in the face of Auris’ impatience and the skinny boy’s indignant sputtering.

Auris dragged his captive into the dank alley behind the warehouse and slammed the boy hard enough against the wall to daze him. The stench of the alley was hard on Auris’ temper; urine and vomit teasing at nerves frayed by the frustration of the hunt and the drug-addled haze of the creature in his grip.

Yo, yo, yo, man! I didn’t’ do nothin’! He warbled, as his eyes fought to focus on the over six feet of infuriated Lilim vampire lording over him.

Filthy bottom feeder. Auris wrapped his hands around the boy’s throat, squeezing until the wide mouth opened. Slim, long canines glistened in the night air. I want information. Tell me the truth, or I will rip out your eyeteeth. And yours will not grow back. Auris released his grip on the pale neck just enough to allow sound to escape. The Legacy stragglers. What do you know?

What the hell would I know you people wouldn’t? There was mockery there. A mistake.

Auris growled and used his forearm to crush the Fallen breed’s larynx. It is a testament to how low they’ve fallen if the only radar on which they register is yours and I should deign to sully myself in seeking you out. He said, reveling in the sound the crushed bones made as they healed. You, Rat, have a way of knowing things. Tell them to me now.

Rat trembled and Auris was sickened by the complete lack of normal biological fear. Rat’s body was dead, no sweat, no rapid breathing, or heartbeat. It still amazed him that these parasitic zombies humanity dared to call vampires had any souls for No-One to smother. They completely lacked the grace and blessing of Lilith’s blood. Unlike turned vampires of Lilith’s bloodline, Fallen Ones were not pulled from the brink of death, they were completely dead before their corpse is force-fed new blood. A Lilim’s turned vampire’s heart will beat when fed properly. It had to be the Fallen’s purpose to breed a creature to be a mockery of both life and death.

Fuck it, man, I don’t know them! Don’t wanna know them! Their shit is dirty, man. Creapin’ all over, messin’ around with freaky shit. If they got Lilim spooked, I don’t wanna know nuthin’!

But you do know something. Tell me now and I won’t be any more trouble to you.

Ain’t nothin’ to tell! Some chick escaped and she’s out there somewhere. Got some weird hippy name, wonderin’ around lookin for somethin’!

Auris was losing both his patience and the hope this creature knew anything. He hated these tactics, hated the fact he had failed, yet again, to destroy the Legacy and now was forced to spend his nights chasing their ghosts.

"I know a girl escaped, I was there. Do not give me old news, parasite."

Ahhh. A female voice called from further down the alley. Doesn’t it all make you miss the good old days where you could do this all in bed?

Go away, Raguel. Auris squeezed Rat’s throat harder, the skinny creature wiggling in his grip. The stench of gun oil, gun powder, and leather had followed him for hours; fueling his annoyance. He’d ignored Raquel’s tracking as long as she didn’t interfere. Being hunted by her also sent his instincts into overdrive, fueling the flames of his ire.

You can call me Raquel. I’m no big secret anymore. Nobody really gets the name since I don’t work on the scale I did in the past. She leaned against the wall of the opposite building, her coat grinding on the aging brick. This kid hasn’t said anything different from what my informants tell me. You can let the little fish go.

Perhaps I’m tired of being jerked around and I will apply pressure until I learn what I want.

Raquel rolled her eyes. He’s not worth it.

Auris hissed and threw Rat aside. The boy yelped as he crashed into a dumpster and scrambled away as fast as his skinny legs could carry him. Auris yanked Raquel to him and lifted her by the collar of her Kevlar lined shirt in his grip; the rage in his eyes fueling a feral growl in his throat.

This isn’t worth it either, Raquel said evenly, meeting his gaze with the firm press of a firearm to his gut. She watched his eyes, locked upon hers with no care for the gun against his stomach. Auris was a tightly wound trap aching to spring. The caramel arm she dangled from trembled with extra energy. He needed an outlet or he was going to explode. Raquel sighed and holstered her weapon. She knew how to channel that energy without killing someone.

Let’s go. My place is closer. When?

Now. He snapped through clenched fangs.

Fine. Raquel dropped out of her coat and rolled away from him. Auris tossed the leather trench coat over his shoulder, an enraged roar catching in his throat with an audible click. Raquel vaulted up and over him, snatching up her coat and landing gracefully with it flopped over her shoulder. Follow me.

KIZU CHECKED AT THE small clock in Darjeeling’s bathroom as she dried her hands on a towel. She didn’t mind staying but her turn to sit with the former dreamhunter ended an hour ago and she’d love to go home to her bed and its warm, soft occupants.

Since Auris is running late, wanna go over ionic bonding? Kizu called out as she walked into the living room. Darjeeling was draped over her couch with her textbook open and on top of her face. Her t-shirt bunched up in the back revealing a strip of pale skin and her arms and legs hung limply in exhaustion. What are you doing?

Testing osmosis, Darjeeling grumbled through the heavy inorganic chemistry text. It appears to have limits.

Darjeeling, books do not work that way. Kizu plucked the book from Darjeeling’s face and peered at the page. You could try waiting until the teacher covers this. I’m not exactly Bill Nye, ya know.

Who’s that?

Kizu’s jaw dropped, her labret gleamed as if sharing her shock. You can’t be serious,

We’re back! Raquel trumpeted, booming into the apartment with Auris behind her. And I come bearing take-out!

I can’t eat. I need to be ready for my group tomorrow. Darjeeling rubbed her eyes, brushing her bangs back from her forehead only to have them immediately fall back into place. I don’t wanna fall behind.

You’ve got five minutes to finish whatever you’re doing, then you’re taking a break to eat. Raquel left the paper bag on Darjeeling’s coffee table to retrieve dishes.

She’s been drilling herself all day. Kizu stretched big and wide, popping her neck and back. And not even the fun way. If you’re gonna do it-

Sister, please. Auris groaned, rubbing his face to remove the image from his mind.

Kizu rolled her eye, dropping her hands to her thin hips in exasperation. Even now, she kept the scarred eye closed. The connections to her brain were new and out of practice, producing fuzzy, distorted vision. It was more effective to leave it closed until she was used to it again. You’re huffy today. She grumbled, examining her brother’s tight stance and strained expression.

Books to the side, woman! Raquel leaned in front of Darjeeling to snatch away the notebooks scattered over Darjeeling’s lap and leave a plate in its place.

Shit! Darjeeling let her books fall and scrambled away from Raquel. Holy fuck, you stink! What the hell have you been doing? Rolling on the floor of a locker room?!

Raquel punched Darjeeling in her shoulder lightly. Just ‘cause you’re free of all your stuffy childhood crap, you think you can cuss all day? You kiss your textbooks with that mouth?

Shower! Now! Darjeeling shoved Raquel towards the bathroom, pinching her nose as she stood. I’ll hose down the Kevlar after dinner. Borrow some of my sweats, whatever it takes, just bathe!

When they both were out of the room, Kizu dropped the textbook on the couch and waved away the air in front of her nose. You both stink. What happened?

Nothing. Auris snapped, but an apology filled his eyes immediately afterward.

Kizu shrugged it off. They’re fine so my shift is over. Let’s go.

Auris nodded and went for the door as if freed from a cage.

Kizu blinked owlishly at him, watching his back. You’re also kinda walking funny.

If you drop this right now, I’ll let you smoke as we walk without complaint. Auris muttered, holding the door open for his sister.

Kizu threw up her arms in surrender. Alright, fine. But since you’re not gonna talk, you get to hear all about today’s tutoring session. She warned, heading into the hallway. She remained silent until the door was securely closed. You two aren’t gonna clue her in? Dee can handle knowing what’s out there, you know. She’s not the mousy little church marm in training anymore. It’s been what, two years now? Kizu mused, walking behind her brother. Besides, if more Legacy kids like her are out there, she’s probably more powerful than they are.

She can handle it because she doesn’t know and Raquel and I can do our business without her underfoot.

Kizu took a sniff at the air so lightly, her annoyed brother didn’t hear it. ‘Business my ass.’ She thought, shaking her head. You’re off the hook for the cigs. Let’s just say you owe me now.

Auris sighed in relief.

I was gonna give them up anyway. Makes my leather stink.

Good. They’re vile. I wish Terrence would quit. Auris grumbled, trailing off into true petulance at his childe’s bad habit.

Kizu gaped at him. Her brother