Eternity of Vengeance : Book 7 of the Heku Series Read online

  Eternity of Vengeance

  Book 7 of the Heku Series

  Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords

  Find us at

  http://www.hekuseries.com/

  Copyright © 2011 by T.M. Nielsen

  This book is available in print at http://www.amazon.com

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 - Frederick

  Chapter 2 - House Arrest

  Chapter 3 - Robert

  Chapter 4 - Woods

  Chapter 5 - Teenager

  Chapter 6 - Missing

  Chapter 7 - Lord Dexter

  Chapter 8 - Doppelgangers

  Chapter 9 - Invasion

  Chapter 10 - Back To Normal

  Chapter 11 - Search

  Chapter 12 - Dain

  Chapter 13 - Visit

  Chapter 14 - Memory

  Chapter 15 - Illness

  Chapter 16 - Gabe

  Chapter 17 - Health

  Chapter 18 - Encala

  Chapter 19 - Confusion

  Chapter 20 - Mortem Obire

  Chapter 21 - Inheritance

  Chapter 22 - Balance

  Chapter 1 - Frederick

  “What now?” Alexis asked as she stood before the Council. She was years older than her current age of 12, and she watched them with haunting black eyes, her black hair flowing down against her back.

  “We’re wondering where you were last night,” Zohn asked. He watched her carefully, knowing at any moment she could turn the Council to ash. She was beautiful, like her mother, but a few inches taller. This woman knew she was attractive, and her tight outfit proved she wanted to show it.

  Chevalier could feel the Council’s fear coming through Emily’s dream, so he tightened his arms around her.

  Alexis smiled, “I wasn’t aware that I had to report my actions to the Council.”

  “Don’t be difficult, Alex,” Chevalier said. “Just answer the question.”

  “Fine, then. I was out riding my motorcycle through the city.”

  “That’s all?” Zohn asked.

  “Yup”

  “Then the reported attack on a young man in the city wasn’t you, I take it?”

  “Nope”

  Chevalier sighed and sat back in his chair. His 18-year-old daughter was out of control, and the Council knew it. Her Winchester powers weren’t as strong as her mother’s, neither was the call of her blood, but she constantly put herself in danger and seemed to thrive on the negative attention.

  “If we find that the attack was you, there will be dire consequences,” Quinn told her.

  Alexis smiled, “I figured as much, but it wasn’t me. Can I go now?”

  “Were you heading out?” Chevalier asked.

  “Yes”

  “In that?” he asked. She was wearing skin tight black leather pants and a short white halter top, exposing more skin than her father felt comfortable with. The thigh-high leather boots added 4 inches to her height and doubled as a place that Alexis stored small weapons on her thigh.

  “Yes, in this.”

  “You do realize it’s dangerous for you in the city. If you dress like that, you’re asking to be attacked,” Zohn said.

  Alexis smiled, “I can take care of myself.”

  “Were you heading out to feed then?”

  “Maybe”

  “Maybe?”

  “Yes, maybe,” she said, irritated, “I don’t pre-plan feedings… if I meet a guy I like, I take it from there.”

  Chevalier cringed, “Alexis…”

  She rolled her eyes, “I’m an adult. I can do whatever I want.”

  “You’re still the responsibility of this Council,” Kyle said, glaring at her.

  Alexis crossed her arms at her chest and set her jaw. It was amazing to the Council how much this small gesture reminded them of her mother, “I’m responsible for myself. If you want a Winchester to order around, talk to Allen, he’s more than willing to play the obedient servant.”

  “We aren’t trying to order you around,” Chevalier growled. “We’re trying to protect you.”

  “If you feel the sudden need to protect someone, ask Mom or Dain. They are always getting kidnapped and need rescued, but leave me alone.”

  “Just because you’ve not been kidnapped, doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”

  Alexis grinned, “I’d like to see them try.”

  “If you’re headed out, then we’ll have to insist on a guard,” Quinn told her.

  “No”

  “You cannot tell us no, Alexis. You aren’t Emily,” Kyle growled.

  “No, I’m not my Mom… but I still won’t take a guard.”

  “Why not?”

  “They slow me down,” she said, and headed for the door. She shut it behind her and the Council sat back, deep in thought.

  “Can Emily control her?” Zohn asked Chevalier.

  “She comes closer than any of us, but Alexis still does whatever she wants.”

  “She left Chris,” Kyle said, leaning forward.

  “Damnit, she needs to stop dating the guard staff… they fall in love and she dumps them. It’s getting harder and harder to find one to watch her, one that hasn’t dated her,” Zohn sighed.

  Chevalier grinned and tightened his grip around Emily. He was finding this particular dream to be highly amusing.

  Alexis ran out to the garage and slipped onto the black Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle. She sped out of the city at dangerous speeds, smiling at the gate guards as she passed and disappeared into the night. There was no freedom quite like the feel of the motorcycle and the aloneness of the night. She watched the city fly past her, ignoring traffic signals and the angry horns from cars as they avoided crashing into her.

  Something strange caught her eye, and she skidded to a stop. She left the motorcycle and walked slowly back toward the dark alley, barely making a sound, then stopped and watched, fascinated by what she saw.

  “Please… it was an accident,” the cowering heku said.

  “It’s not something we as Encala tolerate, feeding and assaulting a young man. You have to be punished,” the hulking heku said, watching him. Alexis didn’t leave, even when she saw him pull a tiny dagger from his pocket and turn the frightened heku to ash.

  “What’s an Encala doing so close to Equites turf?” Alexis asked, smiling at Frederick.

  He spun towards her and his eyes narrowed, “You’re a Winchester.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  He took a few steps closer to her, shocked when she didn’t move back, but squared her shoulders and watched him, “Out alone so late at night?”

  “I can take care of myself,” she told him, and crossed her arms.

  He smiled as he ran his eyes down her body, “You aren’t afraid of me?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Do you know who I am?”

  “Yes, I do. You’re Frederick, the Chief Enforcer for the Encala.”

  Frederick leaned back against the brick building, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kidnap you?”

  Alexis smiled, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn you to ash?”

  “No, I guess I’m not.”

  �
�I’m not afraid of being kidnapped either.”

  “Rumors are wrong. You’re not like your mother at all,” Frederick said, watching her closely.

  Alexis walked up to him and put her hands behind him on the brick wall. She leaned her body against his and whispered, “I’m nothing like my Mom.”

  He grinned down at her, “Asking for trouble, are you?”

  “Are you trouble, then?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Good, so am I,” she said, and put her hands on his face to bring him down closer to her. She pressed her lips against his and ran her fingers through the back of his dark hair.

  Frederick responded by picking her up so she was closer to his level, and then kissed her forcefully. She finally pulled away from him and he smiled as she wrapped her legs around him.

  “I do believe you may be more trouble that I am,” he chuckled.

  “Oh, no doubt.”

  Frederick set her down and she took a few steps back.

  “You better run on home to Council City before you find yourself out of your league,” he said, shaking his head.

  Alexis slowly began to unbutton her shirt, “Wanna taste?”

  Frederick’s eyes grew wide, “You’re… you’re offering?”

  She nodded and smiled.

  As Frederick brought his teeth to Alexis’ neck, she leaned her head back and Emily sat up quickly, looking around.

  “You do realize, he’s an Elder now,” Chevalier chuckled, and pulled her back into his arms.

  “Yes,” she said, and pulled closer to him.

  He kissed the top of her head, “I’m worried.”

  “About what?” she asked, kissing his neck lightly.

  “About you going after the Encala and the Valle.”

  She pulled back some and propped up on her elbow, “I’ve considered it.”

  “I know you have. You’ve been dreaming about Frederick all month. Let us deal with it.”

  “I can do it faster and with no loss.”

  “Yes, you can,” he said, and wiped a strand of hair away from her face. “However, I’m asking you to please let us do it.”

  “I can’t promise that right now.”

  He kissed her forehead, “Let us handle it. For now, I need to get down to the council chambers. The Encala are here.”

  Emily sighed, “Do you want me there?”

  “Yes, come and make sure they remain civil.”

  She nodded and got out of bed, and before she could turn to him, he was already gone from the room. After throwing on a simple green summer dress, she grabbed her coffee and headed down to the council chambers. She could hear yelling before she even got there.

  Emily opened the door quickly and yelled, “Behave!”

  The Encala turned to her and William’s eyes narrowed before turning back to the Equites. He’d brought along his Chief Investigator and four of the Encala Palace Guards. Emily quickly ran up into the Council’s section and sat down next to Chevalier.

  “Yell at the Equites and I’ll turn you to ash before you can finish your sentence,” she said, glaring at him.

  William sighed, “We’re simply trying to ascertain if the Equites have Frederick.”

  “Then do it calmly, no warnings.”

  He nodded slightly and turned to Zohn, “We want our Investigator to spend time here, if you still deny having Frederick.”

  “We do not have your Elder, but if we did, we would follow tradition and tell you. It’s insulting that you assume we’re keeping him in secret,” Quinn told him, noticeably irritated. “However, we do not want your Chief Investigator hanging around our palace.”

  “If we find out that you’ve broken tradition…”

  “We haven’t, so you may go,” Chevalier growled.

  William nodded, glanced at Emily, and then turned and left with his faction.

  “That was fun. I’m going for breakfast,” Emily said, and left through the back doors.

  Kyle watched her go and then looked at Chevalier, “Is she still having them?”

  “Yes, odd ones, too,” Chevalier told them. “Last night he was Chief Enforcer again.”

  “Is she worried because he was leading the standoff?” Quinn asked.

  “I suspect she’s more worried that he’s disappeared without a trace.”

  “Has she said anything about revenge for Jaron?” Zohn asked.

  “Yes, she’s still considering it,” Chevalier said, and sighed.

  “With Emily though, we won’t know she’s made her decision until it’s either over or in progress,” Kyle said. “For now, I suggest we leave the Cavalry as her guards. She slips city guards a lot easier.”

  “Agreed, and make sure one of them is high-ranking,” Quinn said, and started going through a notebook.

  ***

  “It’s snowing again,” Kralen told Emily when she went to the window. She sighed and dropped the curtain.

  “Is it ever going to stop?”

  “Yes, then it’ll be too hot. What do you want to do today?”

  She shrugged, “I don’t know. What is the Cavalry doing today?”

  “We’re all going out for some training, want to come?”

  “Doing what?” Emily asked, turning toward him.

  “We’re going over finding heku in the trees,” the Captain explained.

  “So I get city guards?”

  “Yes, please don’t slip them.”

  She smiled, “I haven’t had city guards in a while.”

  “That’s because you slip them… We really need the entire Cavalry today and I’m begging you to stay with the guards.”

  Emily sat down and grabbed a pot of coffee, “What’s the Council doing today?”

  “Not sure really,” he said, and sat down with her at the table. Over the winter, Emily had begun to want company when she ate breakfast, and Kralen took it upon himself to fill that part. Things were quiet in Council City in the three months since the attack, but tensions were still high, and Kralen assumed Emily felt it. She was a lot clingier and spent more time in the council chambers.

  Kralen turned to the door and then back to Emily, “Your guards are here, please… behave.”

  She smiled, “I will, have fun.”

  Kralen bowed slightly and disappeared from the room. Emily sat back and looked around the dark room and listened to the sound of the wind blowing through the ancient palace’s roof. Suddenly, she had an idea and grinned. Jumping from the table, she went into her closet and came out with a set of green camouflage fatigues.

  She remembered the day they brought them to her. Each of the Cavalry was issued a set, and since that day, hers sat at the back of her closet. She quickly put them on and tied her hair up, then slipped on the camouflage hat. She dug around in her drawer and found the green and black paint the Cavalry used to paint their faces, and quickly applied it.

  She went over and began to spray a strong smelling scent onto her clothes, something Sotomar gave her during their friendship to mask her scent when needed. After grabbing a thick camouflage coat and black gloves, she headed out to the council chambers.

  The city guards fell in behind her, confused as to why she was in all camouflage.

  “Good… morning,” Derrick said, frowning slightly. “Do I want to know what you’re doing?”

  Emily smiled, “I need to talk to Chev.”

  “Go on in,” Derrick said, and opened the door for her.

  The Council all became quiet when they saw her, and watched as she walked up to the trial area. She went over and stood closer to Chevalier, not wanting to make this a Council decision.

  “Do I want to know what you’re up to?” Chevalier asked.

  She frowned, “That’s what Derrick just asked.”

  Chevalier chuckled, “I’m sure he did.”

  “I want you to back off my guards.”

  “You can’t go without guards.”

  “Your smell is off,” Kyle said, wrinkling his nose.

&nb
sp; “I’m not going without guards. I’m about to be surrounded by over fifty of them,” she told him, and winked at Kyle.

  Quinn grinned, “What are you going to do to our Cavalry?”

  “I’m going to ambush them… actually…” Emily said, and grinned slightly.

  “You’re going to ambush a heku army?” Dustin asked, raising an eyebrow.

  She glared at him and turned back to Chevalier, “Please back them off. I’ll be alone for all of 3 minutes, and then I’m going to be trying to shoot as many of the Cavalry as I can with a paintball gun.”

  “Does Mark know this?” Zohn asked.

  “It wouldn’t be an ambush if he knew,” Emily told him.

  Chevalier shook his head and then told her guards to wait by the bedroom door.

  She smiled, “Thank you.”

  “You do realize there’s a blizzard out there?”

  “Yes, that’s how I’m going to get away with it. I’ll be harder to find.”

  “Don’t get hurt,” Chevalier told her, and she grinned and walked out of the council chambers.

  “There’s no way she’s going to get off a single shot,” Dustin said indignantly.

  “Yes, she is,” Zohn told him. “The Cavalry has no idea she’s out there, her scent is masked, and they have no reason to suspect they’re going to be shot at.”

  “She’ll be disrupting their training though. We shouldn’t allow it.”

  Quinn smiled, “If the Cavalry gets shot, it’s their fault and I, for one, think it’s a good training idea. Get them while they’re least expecting it.”

  Emily quickly hooked up her horse trailer to the truck and led her horse out. She didn’t want to attack from the city, so she planned on coming in from the other direction. It was slow driving with the trailer in the snow, but within 10 minutes, she was on the other side of the trees.

  She mounted quickly, glad for the warmth of the horse, then led him slowly into the trees, hoping she could remember the training clearing so she didn’t run right into them. As she got closer, she got off of the horse and went towards the north, away from where they normally did exercises.

  Finding the tree she was looking for, she slung the paintball gun over her shoulder and climbed it as quietly as she could. When she was in the top branches, she could see Mark talking to the Cavalry while Kralen and Silas stood at his sides. She was off to their side, high up in the concealment of the thick branches.