Denver:Undead: Exordium

By Shaine Phillips and Jean Nichols

Exordium, the first book in the series, introduces you to the main players in a deadly vampire war that is threatening to break through the surface of commonality and spill out onto the city streets.

Welcome to the world of Denver:Undead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaine Phillips and Jean Nichols
• Release date: Aug 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9780615398099

Shaine Phillips and Jean Nichols

Shaine Phillips is a freelance artist, writer and photographer. Her love of vampires started at an early age and has developed into an obsession over the years. She discovered a kindred vampire spirit in Jean Nichols and their love of writing and photography has merged to create Denver:Undead.Shaine is the owner of Red Swan Photography and co-owner of Wicked Twisted Publishing LLC and is currently working with Jean Nichols on the next Denver:Undead novel as well as the Hollow series. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Michael and their three furry children, Brodie, Izzy and Pickle.Jean Nichols, a freelance writer and poet, inherited her love of all things vampire from her very dearfather. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, her human life revolved around an obsession withvampire books and movies. A deep desire to become a writer lead her to obtain a Bachelors inEnglish and Creative Writing from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. She metShaine Phillips shortly after moving to Denver, Colorado, in 2006, and a collaborative effort waslaunched to create a new venue for vampire fiction. Thus, Denver:Undead was born. Jean is the co-owner of Wicked Twisted Publishing LLC and is currently working on the next book in the Denver:Undead saga and the Hollow series. Jean continues to live in Denver, Colorado with her beagle Sunny.

Book preview

Denver:Undead

Exordium

by

Shaine Phillips

Jean Nichols

Published by Wicked Twisted Publishing LLC at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Copyright 2010 Shaine Phillips, Jean Nichols, Wicked Twisted Publishing LLC

Special Color Print Edition available at Amazon.com

ISBN - 9780615398099

To our family and friends, without whom this book would

not be possible, and to vampire fans all over the world.

This book is for you…

The Professionals

I.

Adelaide could smell vampire blood from the moment she turned the corner as she raced through the darkness down 15th Street, her strong legs pumping with the fury of the hunt. She barreled past a traffic sign of some kind, twisting the metal pole in on itself, but she felt nothing. Fortunately there was no one downtown at this hour to witness her tearing through the city. Adelaide caught the sweet, pungent scent of very old blood, tinged with a hint of roses. She could tell that there were three vampires – the two children definitely - and perhaps the mother? But no, the third scent was more familiar.

As Adelaide sped towards the source of the smell, she wondered if Patrick had already trekked the length of 17th Street per their hunting arrangements. Surely he had picked up the scent as well. Where was he? With his speed, he could have caught up to her easily by now. Adelaide felt the wind whipping her face and hair; her fangs ran out from the thrill of it. It had been a long time since she had had sport this exciting, and she swore to herself that she would savor every moment.

The smell was intensifying, and Adelaide slowed down to a crawl. She was close. She heard voices, the rustling of garbage, and a low and very human moan. Suddenly the acrid stench of old blood ballooned in her nostrils to the point where she could nearly taste it. Adelaide rounded the side of a narrow back alley and froze in the shadow of the building, bracing herself with the brick corner as the full moon broke through the clouds. There, not thirty feet in front of her, were three vampires.

The children she recognized instantly from their photos. The boy was up in a large archway on one side of the alley and feeding voraciously, his dark curly hair bobbing as he drank. The girl crouched and looked up at her brother with words of encouragement. The third, the adult, had her back to Adelaide. She had long blond waves like the royal other, but the figure was not the same. Something about it was different than that of the stately woman in the photos Adelaide had perused earlier. She took a deep breath and tried to pick out the scent of the female adult, but it was masked by the scent of the others. No matter. Adelaide would have to take out all three. She was getting paid too much for this job to allow any witnesses; she was, after all, a professional.

With a growl, she lunged and sprinted towards the trio. She had closed half of the distance between them when she was detected by the adult female who spun and crouched, her arms spread wide behind her. The boy leapt from the archway and grabbed the girl’s hand. They both stood close behind the protective arms of the female.

Adelaide! the woman cried out in a snarling voice. Adelaide slid to a stop; her body stiffened and her fangs retracted with a snap.

Carmen?

The woman’s heavy-lidded gray-blue eyes sparked like icy fire as they met Adelaide’s, but her body relaxed, and she stood erect. Her long blond hair swirled around her face and the black sheer fabric of her shirt rippled around her tall, slender figure. She was, in a word, breathtaking.

Adelaide looked from Carmen to the children and back, trying to process what she was seeing. She stood up as well, but clenched her fists. Something was not right.

Adelaide, what are you doing here? I said to meet me tomorrow night. Carmen eyed Adelaide for a moment, and then turned her head slightly to the side, acknowledging the two vampires behind her. Are you hunting them?

Surely a prominent member of the Phratry such as you would know what I am.

I know you’ve allowed that Celtic bastard you call a mate to turn you into a bloodthirsty killer who feeds off her own kind. You’re a soulless bounty hunter, ignoring the higher call of your own bloodline in return for money and sex. Carmen’s full lips curved up into a half - smile. One of her favorite hobbies had always been pushing Adelaide’s buttons. Adelaide bit her lip and growled low.

I can ignore the slander against me, Carmen, but I will not tolerate an ill word against Patrick. At least he loves me. The jab didn’t appear to affect the blond vampire, who only snarled and crouched toward Adelaide, her mouth still twisted into a victorious grin. The two children behind her did the same, their mouths open wide and their fangs running out. They never once let go of each other’s hands, and it was obvious to Adelaide that these two had been through a lot together in their undead existence. Carmen licked her lips.

Very well, Adelaide. I was saving this for tomorrow night, once the royal family had been safely entombed, but you leave me no alternative. Carmen took a deep breath and her eyes flashed. She bared her fangs and hissed. Adelaide Dietrich, you have been found by the Phratry to be guilty of murder for hire in the Phratral region of Denver, Colorado. I have delivered the verdict and your sentence is death.

Wait, what? You can’t do that, we have a contract! Who gave…? Adelaide started to ask, but Carmen leapt on Adelaide and they tumbled down the stinking alleyway before she had a chance to finish. Adelaide felt Carmen’s fangs sink into the flesh of her arm, and Adelaide screamed. Where the hell was Patrick? What was going on?

Even as she found herself grappling with Carmen in the fetid muck of the alleyway, Adelaide’s confused mind reeled, attempting to make sense of everything. She thought back to not quite six hours ago, when the order had arrived.

II.

What a way to ruin a possibly perfect evening, Adelaide grimaced as she threw the pitch- black envelope on the coffee table. She crossed her arms and pouted, plopping herself down on the plush couch with as much drama as she could muster. Patrick chuckled from his corner of the living room - the biggest room in their large, fourteenth-floor downtown condo, smack in the heart of Denver. He was leaning nonchalantly on the wall and casting a lusty eye at his lover, who was already dressed in slim black pants and a stunning, nearly backless black shirt – what she considered her party attire. He pulled his hands from the pockets of his designer jeans and crossed his own arms, mimicking his mate.

Do I detect a bit of job discontentment? he smirked. Adelaide’s brown eyes flashed a warning at him. She snorted.

Of course not; I love my job. It’s just… the party tonight… I had all these plans! She slumped back on the couch and huffed. Suddenly, Patrick was perching on the arm of the couch next to her. He crouched, sinuously, and peered at her from under dark, drawn eyebrows.

Addy, He purred gently. She didn’t budge. Aw c’mon Addy, it’ll be fun. Maybe the target is an icky old politician, or maybe it’s a reckless youth, freshly turned. Oh! I know, Patrick’s face brightened. Maybe it’s an actor!

Adelaide giggled despite herself as Patrick pursed his lips and pretended to preen. She reached over and tousled his dark hair.

Ok ok, she rolled her eyes. Let’s open it.

Patrick sprung from the arm of the couch and curled up next to Adelaide, rubbing his hands together as she reached for the envelope. For once, she didn’t bother reprimanding him on his abusive treatment of the furniture.

Adelaide snatched up the envelope and stuck a finger under the corner of the flap, sliding it along the edge and breaking the red wax seal. She jerked her finger back and swore as a small bead of blood welled up on the surface of her pale skin. Adelaide and Patrick both stared silently at the paper cut, until Patrick burst into laughter and nuzzled Adelaide’s neck.

Paper beats vampire, he snickered. Adelaide shoved Patrick to the end of the couch. He rebounded swiftly and pounced on her, pinning her legs down with his knees and securing her shoulder with one hand. With the other, he grabbed her wounded finger, wrapping his mouth tenderly around the cut. Patrick began pulling on the small wound, and Adelaide felt several things at once; first, she felt the slight movement of her undead blood sliding through the veins in her arms toward the tiny exit point, and second, she felt a thrill of ecstasy creep up her arm, slide down her spine, and ignite a fire in her groin. Adelaide’s eyes widened and she squirmed under Patrick’s weight. His eyes flicked up to meet hers. With a wicked grin, he pulled his mouth away, showing off his fully-extended fangs. Gently, he slid his knees so they were on either side of her legs, and released her shoulder so he could stroke her pale cheek.

You are so beautiful, he whispered, tucking a strand of light brown hair behind her ear. She gazed back at him, almost losing herself in his dark eyes, until she remembered that he was still holding her down. She slowly snaked her arms around his waist, smirked at him, and with a grunt, she flipped him over onto his back on the floor. It was her turn.

You may be the faster vampire, Patrick, she giggled, but I am still stronger. She nuzzled his neck in return as he coiled his body around hers, breathing in the sweet scent of his skin and wanting so badly to bite. She moaned and licked his neck instead, feeling her own dainty canines extend. Patrick chuckled, his chest rumbling.

There will be plenty of time for that, love, he whispered. She sighed heavily.

After the job, right? Adelaide replied, allowing disappointment to color her voice.

The job comes first.

Adelaide grumbled and crawled off of Patrick. She resumed her seat on the couch. Patrick was grinning as he sat next to her.

We have a reputation to keep, darling. Fastest professional killers in the business, remember? Um, shall I? he said, gesturing to the envelope, which had fallen on the floor during their little romp. Adelaide made a face at the thing, which Patrick took as a yes. He scooped up the black cardstock and began to remove the contents, spreading them out on the coffee table.

Before the attractive, eager couple were three piles of photographs, a staple - bound dossier, and three one-dram bottles, half - filled with a dark powdery substance. Adelaide picked up the first pile of photos and flipped through them. A very beautiful, very young girl gazed back at her from the photos, but Adelaide could see a hint of madness in the girl’s eyes. She shook herself as a shiver ran down her spine. Adelaide dropped this stack of photos and moved to the next, comprised of photos of a slightly older boy with wild, dark, curly hair. Patrick flipped through the dossier.

Hmm, a royal family, Patrick mumbled as he turned page after page. His eyes were just as fast as the rest of his body. They go by the surname von Eltz.

Von Eltz, sounds familiar, Adelaide mumbled. She had moved on to the final stack. These photos were of a woman with wavy blond hair, shocking blue - green eyes and a round, pale face. Adelaide was taken somewhat aback by the strength in the woman’s facial expressions. Though surprisingly young - looking, this was an old vampire, someone who had seen hardship and wealth, war and peace. Her ample figure indicated she was from a time when roundness was beautiful and to be well - fed meant a full purse. This woman would have been a great beauty in her human life, and her strength made her even more beautiful in her immortal one.

Get this, Adelaide, they’re from Trier. You’re familiar with that city, right? Patrick pointed to a small printed map on one of the pages.

In the Rhineland? Adelaide dropped the photos and peered at the map. Makes sense, it’s one of the oldest cities in that region. My human family supposedly hails from there, but that was before I was turned. I don’t remember much of that life. She waved her hand, trying to dismiss the subject.

Well at least you remember something of your origins. Patrick made such a sour face that Adelaide gave him a small smile and patted him on the shoulder. Patrick shook himself and returned to the dossier.

So why are we killing a family of very beautiful German vampires? She said, arching an eyebrow and tapping the photos in the center of the table, the ones of the handsome boy with curly hair.

Says here they’ve been deposed, and they refused to leave their estate in Trier. At least, they refused to leave it alive anyway. He laughed. You should read this recorded exchange between the queen and her deposers. She really is something. I almost feel bad for hunting her. Adelaide looked down at the photo of the blond woman again.