A Steady Pulse (Pulse, book 1)

By Brenda Franklin

Elizabeth just wanted to take a week off from life at her family’s cabin. Just one week to get herself back on her feet. Was that too much to ask for? Apparently, yes. The next thing she knows she’s neck deep in a Vampire--Yes, Vampire!--family feud where one side is trying to kill her and the other, led by Virgil--Mr. tall, dark, and irresistible-- wants to turn her! What’s a girl to do, other than have a panic attack and head for the hills?

The connection was instant. From the moment her thoughts entered his mind and his eyes locked onto hers, Virgil Hart knew he would never be able to be rid of her. And he didn’t want to. Elizabeth’s presence had awakened within him unfamiliar feelings. Was it love? Was it lust? Or could loneliness have finally driven him mad? Whatever the reason, Virgil won’t stand by and let Elizabeth be murdered by his brother. Now, if she would just calm down long enough to let him protect her then everything would go much smoother!

The Pulse Trilogy:

Book one: A Steady Pulse
Book two: Barely Beating
Book three: Flat Line

Excerpt:

“I must be crazy.” Virgil laughed. He had wanted to run into her ever since the car ride, but now that he was face to face with her he felt unable to do anything more than make her upset. How was he to save her if she wasn't even going to listen to him?

“You...you are...” She whispered weakly trying to gather the courage to say what she prayed wasn't true.

“Not going to harm you. Not going to drink your blood. I am not a monster. I am a vampire.” He assured her with the best smile he could muster under the circumstances.

“Yeah...” She let out a shaky breath. He understood why her eyes were still searching him. She was looking for anything to prove or disprove what he was saying. So Virgil leaned his head back and lowered his jaw. He extended his fangs out and pushed hard to darken his eyes. What more proof could he give her?

Elizabeth would have fallen to the floor if she hadn't already been sitting, but she stayed facing Virgil taking one deep breath after the other. He pulled back in his fangs and lowered his head. His eyes returned to normal and the space between them was tense.

“I saw a pair like that once.” She whispered releasing a shaky laugh. “It was at a gothic store in the mall...”

“These are--”

“Don’t say real!” She snapped. “They can’t be!”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Franklin
• Release date: Dec 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465761514

Brenda Franklin

Brenda Franklin was born and raised in Louisiana surrounded by fantasy, romance, and the paranormal. She's always had a love for writing, having written her first horror story before middle school about a monster that devoured people in the night-I believe they call him the Boogie Man.Brenda points the blame/thanks for her obsessive need to write and read about vampires to her father who had an old bookshelf in their living room when she was growing up. From top to bottom it was filled with combat related books, old westerns, books by Dean Koontz, Stephen King, and Brian Lumley, and many more fascinating reads. But the book Brenda remembers the most was ‘Interview with a Vampire’ by Anne Rice. After reading it, she's never been the same since.She's the author of paranormal romance books, The Pulse Trilogy:A Steady PulseBarely BeatingFlat Line

Book preview

A Steady Pulse

Published by Brenda Franklin at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Brenda Franklin

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 recipient. 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.

Cover image created by Jennifer Munswami

J.M Rising Horse Creations

Chapter One

Like clockwork Virgil Hart woke from his hibernated state as the fog began to drift through the canopy windows and into his room. He took in a deep breath bringing life back to his frozen lungs. Not often was he forced to be in such a trapped state to rest his body and mind, but due to his frequency outside under the sunlit sky he had no other choice. For a vampire, staying under the sun will surely burn them if not well rested and fed.

The edge of his protruding incisors a proof that he hadn’t quenched his thirst when he laid down and that his daylight travels were starting to take a toll on him. Most of his kind rested during the day and traveled at night, but Virgil had held onto his sun. He was young and naive at ninety-three and new for sure that it would be many more years before he tired of the light.

But this morning he awoke with an icy chill not brought on by the raising fog. Whispers filled his mind as old memories tore at invisible scars. Cries and blood filled his mind.

Pushing the palm of his hand into his silver eyes, he forced the images back into his mind, locked away where they belong. He couldn’t let the past continue to tear at him, nor let his family see his scars.

Virgil ran his long fingers through his dark-brown hair pulling out any knots that had woven together while he slept.

Virgil? Garrison’s voice echoed within Virgil’s mind. Any normal person would think they were imagining it, but Virgil wasn’t. Being a vampire, he held a special telepathic bond to the vampire who turned him, his master. In time, if Virgil wanted to, he could sever the telepathic bond between them, but most vampires kept the bond as a means of fast communication. The closer a vampire was to one another the stronger and faster the other could respond, but if a vampire wasn’t strong enough they could only reach out a few dozen miles or so. This was another good reason to stay at their strongest.

Yes? Virgil responded without moving. Everything slowed down around him. He focused on the voice and nothing else. He was drawn into a motionless world that had no exact time. The only thing that increased was the strength of the voice.

Virgil, you need to feed. Please do so shortly. Garrison whispered, sounding warm as always. Garrison was more than a master to Virgil. He was like a father to both Virgil and his elder sister Helena—who had been turned almost a century before.

Garrison always thought of what was best for them. Where they would live, their studies to partake in, and when it was time to move.

You feed as well, Garrison. Virgil felt his smile.

Of course. Garrison broke the connection bringing life back to the room around Virgil.

Virgil looked toward the dim rays of light peeking over the horizon. And like most days he inched closer to watch as it started its accession into the sky. He hoped he would ever let it go.

Such human things for such inhuman creatures. He spoke as he felt the light’s warmth for several long and pleasurable minutes.

Perhaps I will spend the day basking in its light? But first to do something about that smell.

He remembered he had been about all day the day before trekking through the woods searching for a man having gone missing in the northern side of the Piney Woods. The smell of the woods covering him, but more than that it was the man’s smell. He had found a blooded shirt and one of the man’s shoes next to a little stream of water that spilled out into Piney Woods Lake, but nothing else. The blood smell still clung to him. He reported in the upsetting findings to Garrison and then Garrison instructed him to head home. When Garrison took over there as no stopping, but Virgil really wanted to find the man alive. Now it didn’t look good for the man, nor his family who waited at their vacation home on the lake for news of their loved one.

He looked disgustedly down at his clothes and began to peel them off. A shower was definitely top priority.

Virgil? Helena’s singsong voice emerged out in the hall. She walked straight into his room without knocking. Virgil! she screamed out, put some clothes on!

Virgil just grinned at his sister’s disgusted face. He had no reason to feel embarrassed; it wasn’t like his family hadn’t seen his naked body before. He had no shame in his physical appearance. Why be ashamed? The vampire blood sustained his body in peak form and condition.

She threw some of his freshly folded clothes on his bed. Her petite figure and perfect curves would arouse any normal man, but Virgil, according to Helena, wasn’t normal. Which was an understatement, being that they were vampires, Virgil would state time and time again.

You walked into my room. Why should I dress for the intruder? He smirked, walking towards Helena. Her golden hair draped down her back in lushes waves. No matter how she tossed her hair about, it always seemed to remain in perfect form. Her silvery gray eyes rolled in disgust with Virgil’s impolite nature.

Intruder or not, you should dress yourself at all times!

I was dressed; I was just about to take a shower.

You’re room smells… she paused looking from the open window to the messes bed and back to Virgil. Her eyes widened in a moment’s terror at the human blood she could smell.

I’m fine. It was the missing man’s blood. Virgil answered instantly following it with comforting words since Helena looked worried that Virgil killed the man. She could have given him more credit than that, he hadn’t killed a human in…

Virgil couldn’t think about it. He shifted a little to hide his discomforting thoughts. I couldn’t find more than a bloodied shirt. Garrison switched with me so I could rest a bit.

Helena nodded understanding and her body relaxed. Her lips angled down and her nose crinkled up in an unpleasant manner. God, Virgil. It’s strong. How’d you sleep soundly with the air so thick?

I’m used to rolling in dead things. He remarked off handedly baiting her.

Honestly, you are not an animal! Helena raised her voice, tossed up her hands, and made an exaggerated noise of disgust.

But we are, Helena, Virgil said, growling slightly with a large grin. She rolled her eyes again.

Don’t get me started. I know full well what we are, but that doesn’t mean for us to act like barbarians.

Whatever. I’m going to take a shower, he sighed, stretching purposely to force her faster out of the room. It worked like charm. Helena was part way to the door with her back to him when she spoke again.

Will you go into town with me?

Why? Virgil asked.

I want the company and I think you need some time out side.

I have been outside. He pointed towards the window.

Not in the woods, I mean in a city environment. It’ll be fun.

You like cities, I’m not big on cities. I like the woods just fine. Virgil was already in the bathroom and planning a day without his sister, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer and followed him in. Get out Helena! he ordered.

Virgil, please go with me. You’ve been locked away in this house and these trees for weeks at a time. I’m worried you’re going to go primal on me and run away for good or turn into Bigfoot.

I’m not running away and I’m not even sure Bigfoot is real. I would think that our kind would know if such a creature was real or not.

Well, you never know. There are things they don’t tell us. Helena crossed her arms. That was so true. Some new so much more about the inner workings of the vampire world, such as the politics running the show to keep all generations of vampires following strict rules.

Why do you really want me there? He asked with a hint of irritation. His body angled away from her for modesty sake. His body was larger than Helena’s. They were both well-toned and flawless, but Virgil’s body showed more muscle. Even as he moved his shoulders flexed and his hands were always graceful. Helena never found herself drawn to Virgil, but she loved him. She wasn’t too small. She did have to lean her head back to look up at him, but that was normal for a six foot man. She was a petite frame with a heck of a right hook and a killer pair of legs. Too many times people had tried to cop a feel and she wouldn’t bat an eyelash to send them packing with a nasty kick that made Virgil cringe.

Though she looked like a Goddess to some, she was honestly a devil in disguise to anyone who got in her way of angered her, and that isn’t excluding vampires such as Virgil. He’d been at the wrong end of Helena a time or two and paid in full and then some. But he would never stop loving her.

With a defeated sigh he looked back to Helena. She wasn’t budging and her playfully narrowed eyes were making him smile more than panic. It was best to keep that to himself.

Okay.

She squealed at his response.

But I’m taking a shower first.

Of course! she rushed from the room.

And thank you for the clothes! He called after her remembering his manners.

She laughed lightly and turned to walk out. You’re welcome.

He smiled as he crawled into the shower finally. He loved spending time with her. She was a wonderful sister. Playful, full of life, beautiful—not to mention she would really hurt him if he didn’t go.

She wasn’t always begging for attention. She actually did very good giving him his space, but the past year she worked hard in trying to stay as connected as he would let her. It wasn’t like the old days where they were running the streets of Paris all the time or traveling across Europe. Things had changed and now they found themselves beginning to settle. More like Helena was starting to move on and she was worried about Virgil. He felt it sometimes when she would get off the phone or come home after a trip. He could see her need to finally step away but her resistance. They hadn’t talked about it, but one of these days he would. He would sit her down and tell her she didn’t have to stay for him.

He was a man now, it wasn’t when he was lost and in his fledging years, but he could handle things now.

The shower was short, but thorough washing any hint of him being out in the woods away and being rid of the blood and negative thoughts that accompanied it.

He quickly dressed, pausing at the window to enjoy the large array of the mixed pine forest that encompassed The Piney Woods Lake.

They had moved to The Piney Woods Lake back and forth since the late seventies, traveling wherever Garrison’s job took him. He was a hunter with homes all over the place, the Piney Woods Lake being among his favorites. It had become more inhabited over the years, but there was a lingering charm that Garrison continued to treasure about the woods.

For Helena her love was the cities and all the chaotic disorder involved. She loved to explore old streets she had been too the century before and discover little treasures. One year she found one of her paintings in an auction being sold at a reasonably high price under her younger name Helen Forest. Needless to say, she bought it and now has the masterpiece hanging in her room.

While Helena took to the cities Virgil was far less social and caring of spending money he had earned and saved throughout the years. He involved himself with people watching, a hobby he had picked up when they first moved to the lake after discovering an old man on a small handmade wooden porch.

The old man sat there day after day, only moving to do the basic things in life. Never did he speak nor did many people seem to take interest in him, but Virgil could read his story. Virgil pushed into the man’s mind, softly at first only scratching at the more recent memories but after a while he began to reach deeper into the old man’s past. He watched day after day parts of this man that no one else knew. The good, the bad, and the truth. He was dying, and Virgil was the only person who was with him in his final moments. Though they had never spoken, Virgil felt as though he took a piece of the man with him before he left and he cherished it.

From that moment on, Virgil studied everyone. He wanted to know the details of people and cherished the things they loved, such as a lover, a child, a certain place. Virgil’s patience to read the lives of others outdid most vampires his age. It wasn’t something done overnight, but over several weeks of concentration, close range and visual contact. And he took pride knowing that he could make such a connection to people. It was a vampire gift but it made him feel the most human.

Virgil? You ready? Helena asked through the door this time.

Yes, he responded, hearing the jingle of her keys. She was ready to go. He shut the window and left the room locating Helena in the kitchen with fresh blood poured for the drinking.

Human? Virgil could smell it. He had been cutting back on the intake of human blood for a while now being sustained by the blood of animals he had hunted. He had a container of deer’s blood still in the fridge that he wished he could reach for, but his body wouldn’t turn down what Helena was offering.

You look like you could use some. She slid the glass in front of him. Of course Virgil took it and enjoyed every drop that entered his mouth but drinking it from a glass wasn’t his favorite way of ingesting the thick, sweet nectar that sustained humans. He preferred from the blood bag directly. It was as close to biting into a human as he could get and unfortunately that was something he couldn’t fight the pleasurable thought of as the blood slid down his throat.

I don’t know how you could have such a taste for animal blood, Helena spoke between sips of her glass. There is an earthy and bitter flavor when ingesting it. It’s like drinking a diet soda and not the real thing. It just doesn’t do the trick.

I’ve come to enjoy it. He finished and proceeded to wash out the glass.

Yeah, but with animal blood you have to feed more often to fight the cravings. I don’t know how you can so easily do it?

It hadn’t been easy when he started. Garrison supported Virgil and kept close watch over him as he started to wean himself off of human blood. He didn’t completely remove human blood from his diet, but now he could coherently make the choice between the two if poured in a glass side by side, but having a glass here or there of regular blood was a nice pick me up. There’s just something about the strength you are given from human blood that you cannot get anywhere else.

Virgil followed Helena into the Garage and to her flashy yellow Porsche. He really didn’t like the vehicle; it was too much of an attention grabber.

You really should get rid of this car- he remarked pointing back over his shoulder to the truck behind him. -this works so much better for the roads out here.

But I love my little baby and I’m not getting rid of her, Helena pouted.

Okay, but when she gets car jacked or blows something on these roads I’ll be the one to say I told you so.

Whatever. Just get in.

Virgil picked up a heavy black binder form the passenger seat. What’s this? he flipped through the pages. There were hand drawings, notes, red marks along pages of text he couldn’t catch a word off of before Helena snatched it away from him.

That is Laurence’s. Helena said possessively. I’m so glad you pointed it out. We can drop that off before we go into town.

Really? That’s so far away. Virgil sighed sliding down into the low seat and securing his seatbelt. Vampire or not, if Helena was driving it was a requirement. And didn’t you just see him yesterday? You should have given it to him then.

Yeah, but I didn’t get it back until this morning before Garrison left.

What is it?

Research material. Garrison volunteered some of his notes and knowledge about London when he was traveling through. Back in my early years, she sighed probably focusing on her human life. I also contributed a little and mostly went through and played butcher to the grammar or any inconsistencies I found that didn’t match up with the time period. Like usage in terms or the little details of the shops. Helena licked her lips. I can still smell the bakery that managed to beat out the wretched order of the street on some mornings.

Laurence Jones, the vampire that his sister had fallen head over heels for, was once a professor of European history, now worked at home as a writer of several text books and an array of nonfiction, informative books—recalling his travels across Europe and their cultures. He always used pen names, never revealing his true identity.

As a human, Laurence was born without sight. He grew up in a time when the plague spread wild across Europe, claiming the lives of many including his own family, leaving him an orphan. It wasn’t long before starvation took him. He laid waiting for death in a dark alley one night when a vampire couple came upon him and took him in.

Once he was old enough they turned him, giving him the gift of sight, but not in the sense that the average person would consider normal. He could see the echoes of the world around him and as they vibrated he could make out, with great detail, what that object was. It was because of this lack of true sight that he learned to read Braille. He gained his writing companion, Lyon Wallace the Third, to assist him in transferring what was in his mind onto the pages of the computer.

Lyon was younger and had never experienced London in the nineteenth century as much as Laurence or Helena. So giving Laurence details of certain streets and about the people with a first person account wasn’t easy for Lyon. He tracked down vampires until one day he came across Helena and Garrison. It was a match made in heaven after the two of them meant and a heck of a head ache for Virgil since, but as long as his sister was happy he would grin and bear it. It wasn’t hard to bear, but it was hard to see any man worthy enough for his sister. A natural response for any brother he was assured by Garrison early one morning when she didn’t come home. Grown woman or not, she should have called. He was still a little testy about that.

They acted as though they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. Helena almost forgot to put the car in park before flying out of the car, across the yard, and into the man’s arms. Thankfully Virgil was there to reach over and take the keys from the ignition and pick up the binder she had left behind. Cleary nothing was more important when Laurence was in front of her.

Helena, how are you? Laurence spoke lovingly. His words dripping in his English accent, which made Helena, or any other woman in the vicinity, dissolve.

Virgil rolled his eyes at Helena’s overly dramatic reaction to Laurence. I wonder if I can get a girl to react like that, Virgil thought getting out of the car. Laurence tucked Helena under his left arm and met Virgil part way from his house.

Good to see you Virgil, Laurence reached out to shake his hand.

Virgil took it with a smile, Same here Laurence.

So what’s Garrison up to today? Laurence asked.

Busy as always. He hasn’t spoken much to us about it, but there has been an increase of vampire activity. We can tell. He keeps looking through a stack of papers in his room. When he does come out, it is usually to feed or to meet up with someone for another hunt. Virgil sighed. His concern for Garrison was growing. As much as he wanted to push for answers, he knew Garrison would speak about what was happening when the time was right. But until then they could only wait.

Laurence nodded. I’m surprised and very grateful that he made time to review my manuscript, and thank you for being so patient with me. Laurence leaned down and kissed Helena’s forehead after taking the binder from Virgil.

Of course! she responded. He rubbed their noses together. Helena let out a playful giggle. I love to relive my younger years. There were so many people and I had so many friends. Helena had given up being sad about her old life and for all the people that were now passed away, but she stilled loved to walk to streets of London in the footsteps of old flames and buried memories.

Watching Laurence nuzzle his face against her Virgil new the man was right for her and a blessing.

So what are you up to today? Virgil asked. Laurence kissed Helena’s cheek and turned his attention back to Virgil.

I’m meeting a couple of gentlemen in town later today—about a section in one of my books they state to be inaccurate information. I highly doubt that since not only have I lived the experience, I also have had Lyon double check all of my work using different resources. But it gets me out of the house, he stated.

I bet you’ll show up and find out they are complete idiots, and all they really wanted was an autograph, Helena laughed.

Laurence nodded with laugh. That would be something better than arguing about the fact. Lyon and I have a bet about this.

Oh yeah? Virgil asked curiously.

Yeah, he bets their sources are incorrect, and about ten minutes in I’ll be hearing an apology. I think it could take longer than that to convince people who truly believe I am wrong.

Doesn’t it bother you that they will know who you are? Helena asked.

I am going as my pen name, Alexander Winchester, not Laurence Jones, he pointed out.

Which is still not your correct last name, Helena chimed in, squeezing his arm with a smile. I don’t like the name Jones for you. It doesn’t really fit.

Virgil was intrigued by the comment. He hadn’t been aware that Laurence’s last name was something other than Jones.

Another man in another life. My adoptive family was Jones and thus I am such, he stated, rubbing her cheek longingly.

Laurence! A voice cut across the lawn behind them. Oh sorry, I didn’t realize we had guests. Lyon stepped out farther to wave towards Virgil and Helena.

Hi, Lyon! Helena called back with a wave.

The vampire seemed more than happy to take a break and join in the conversation. He was a muscular man with small eyes and a buzz cut. Quite an odd looking vampire to Virgil, but he had seen weirder.

How ya been, Helena? He asked, tucking the papers he was holding under one arm and extending his hand out to Virgil. Been a while since I saw you, Virgil. Everything doing well?

We’re good. Came to drop off a binder of work for you, and on that note Laurence passed the binder into his hands. and we were listening to him telling us about a couple of people he has to see today.

Ah! Yes. We’ve got bets placed on what will happen. Lyon’s face lit up.

We’ve heard, Helena laughed.

You in? He asked with a grin.

What’s on the table? Virgil asked.

"If I win, Laurence has to be the lead performer to the play The Man behind