The Search: Book 2 in The Descendant Vampire Series

By Kelley Grealis

Allison Carmichael is thirsty for blood and hungry for answers.

Lured away from her illicit extracurricular activities by news about her kidnapped husband, Allison rejoins her adopted family that’s promised to help her find him. Allison's search is detoured, however, by sinister vampire politics, the seeming good will of her fanged family, and the return of her nemesis. Circumstances unfold that shatter the foundation of her world.

In order to successfully play the game she has been thrust into, Allison must battle loss and betrayal and accept unexpected love.

THE SEARCH is on for answers, but when answers are found, will they be what Allison was looking for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelley Grealis
• Release date: Aug 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301520275

Kelley Grealis

Kelley Grealis has loved all things vampire since she was a kid. It was that fascination, combined with the need to know how the first vampire was created, that compelled her to write the type of vampire novel she had always wanted to read. Kelley was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and continues to live in the area with her husband and their two fur babies. She likes her cars fast and motorcycles loud and is a craft beer snob. When she’s not writing, she’s working at her day job, cruising in her convertible or enjoying a beer at her favorite local brewery. Connect with Kelley on her website www.KelleyGrealis.com.

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Copyright ©2013 KG Publishing, LLC

Smashwords Edition 2013

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Copyright ©2013 KG Publishing, LLC

Smashwords Edition 2013

All rights reserved.

Cover design by A BCD Creative

Edited by Jenny Bengen-Albert

Interior Design by Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without permission of the author.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Author’s Note

Acknowledgements

The Descendant is a unique paranormal tale that takes a well-known biblical theme and turns it sideways, resulting in a thoughtful, well written story of one woman’s discovery of a family legacy that changes both her perception of her past, and her expectations of her future.

- Gigi Siguenza, Indie Love Book Club

I look forward to other stories Grealis may pen in non-vampire setting because, in all honesty, she has a vision and way of telling a story few authors possess. After all, if she could get a die-hard anti-vampire reader like me interested in her characters enough to want to read the sequel, The Search - to be released later in 2013, I’d say she did a commendable job indeed.

- Budden Book Reviews

The story that Kelley Grealis weaved in The Descendant was so freaking creative that my mouth dropped a few times. I was happy, I was scared, I even cried before the first half of the book was over, and she delivered an emotional roller coaster that in my book deserves 5 Stars in high-def! I can’t wait for more from this author to see what is next. I loved it!

- AJ Lape, author of the Darcy Walker Series

Kelley Grealis successfully had me crying before I made it to chapter four, and pissed by chapter nine as I started to figure things out. This really was a rollercoaster of a book that struck a nerve on so many amazing levels. As for the ending - you know I am a stickler for an ending - Kelley Grealis did me proud! She successfully gave me an ending that left me feeling fulfilled with a clear conclusion, while leaving a crack of an opening for more. Bravo!

- Bex ‘N’ Books, Book Reviewer & Blogger

Ms. Grealis demonstrates the necessary prerequisite of a popular author: a knack for telling an engaging story. Nothing else really matters if that isn’t the underpinning.

- Smidhja, Amazon Reviewer

Outstanding! An alternate history fantasy version of a horror novel depicting Genesis in an all new way. I never would have thought of the serpent’s bite in quite that way.

- Mary, Goodreads Reviewer

This book is, for a lack of a better word, AMAZING! I love the spin on the biblical story. So original! It also brought out so many emotions! Sorrow, angst, anger, good, old-fashioned swooning, I experienced it all with Allison. I know I’ll be adding this to my To be read again pile.

- J.D. Nelson, Author of Night Aberrations and A Night of Wickedness

"The Descendant is an intricate story that delicately weaves it’s way through each page giving readers a fantastic story.

- Musings from an Addicted Reader blog

Grealis proves herself an accomplished storyteller in this vampire thriller. I am not the greatest fan of the genre as it is all too easy to fall into the clichéd traps. However Grealis gamely avoids garlic and conveniently sunny windows to put her own stamp on things. Her take on the origins of vampires is one I have never seen before and makes for an interesting read. The writing is fantastic and she manages to draw you in and trap you within her pages until she has had her fill of you.

- Gray, Amazon Reviewer

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For my Daddy-O. I love you.

***

***

You smell good, the man said as he nuzzled my neck. What perfume are you wearing?

I couldn’t smell my signature scent over his alcohol-laced breath. I’m not wearing perfume.

But you smell…heavenly.

Heavenly? I scoffed. I doubt that.

We continued to ascend the staircase away from the lounge, the sound of the live band fading away as we headed toward my luxury apartment. Well, it wasn’t technically my apartment, but one owned by the Drakes. I had found the address, along with that of several other properties, on the phone I’d stolen from Marlo the night I fled Castle Adena.

Where are you taking me? the man asked.

I’m taking you back to my place, I coyly replied.

Oh yeah? And what are you going to do with me when we get there? His hand slid over my silk dress, caressing my back with the finesse of a drunken schoolboy.

I’m going to show you something you’ve never seen before.

Mmm, I can’t wait. He pulled me closer and began sloppily kissing my jaw.

This guy had no idea what I was about to show him. Or, rather, I should say, what I was about to do to him. Not only was I going to show him something he’d never seen before, but it would also be the last thing his mortal eyes saw on this planet.

I want you – what did you say your name was? The man stopped kissing to look at me.

I didn’t tell you my name, Jay, because my name doesn’t matter.

My name is Joe. He looked somewhat hurt by my forgetfulness, even dejected. Jay, Joe, tomato, tomahto, the name didn’t much matter. There was a greater purpose he was about to serve.

I’m sorry, Joe, I said, looking him square in the eye. I forgot your name in the heat of the moment. Why don’t you just forget that ever happened?

Joe’s pupils dilated as his brain recorded my command. In the next second, his mouth was back on my neck and I knew he had forgotten all about my slip up.

I want you so bad, Joe said.

You have no idea how much I want you. And that was the truth. Venom churned in my belly, making me hunger for this man’s blood. As the poison spread through my veins, it deposited desire on every nerve ending in my body. It was the same feeling I experienced before every kill, but it was more powerful when a human was my prey. The need for blood intensified with each beat of my heart – a heart whose only purpose was to move the Devil’s venom through my body and to drive me toward the singular goal of another mortal kill, another soul eternally damned. But I had to control myself – at least until I got dear, sweet Joe to my room.

We reached the apartment and I punched the security code into the keypad as I steadied Joe with my left arm. The lock clicked and I pushed the door open. We entered the dark apartment, the only illumination coming from the cityscape visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Which city, I hadn’t a clue. I’d traveled to so many cities over the past several months that they all looked the same. This was just another metropolis with an overabundance of skyscrapers, congested freeways and plenty of places like the lounge to inconspicuously pick up an easy meal, like Joe.

Where’s the light? Joe groped the wall in search of a switch.

We don’t need light. I grabbed Joe by the shirt and pushed him against the wall. I pressed my body against his as I kicked the door closed with my other foot.

I like it. A woman who takes control and knows what she wants.

I know what I want, alright.

Joe panted with anticipation. I could feel his heart beating beneath his shirt, now damp with perspiration. I yanked at his collar, exposing his neck. Though the room was dark, my eyes could see the vein thumping under his skin with every beat of his heart. I licked his neck and the saltiness was enough to make the venom angrier. It swirled more powerfully in my stomach and steamrolled through my veins. Desire was flush throughout my body; I yearned for nourishment. My legs tingled with anticipation. I opened my mouth and felt my fangs emerge; a drop of venom numbed my tongue for a second. I threw my head back, ready to strike when the light flicked on.

What in the hell? I shouted at Joe, assuming he had found the light switch.

It took his mortal eyes a few seconds to adjust to the surroundings, which was enough time for my fangs to retract without him noticing. Joe rubbed his eyes with both hands and I realized he couldn’t have turned on the light; the switch was out of reach. I turned around.

Hello, Allison, a female voice greeted from across the room.

Marlo? I was shocked by the unexpected appearance of the woman I had once, not too long ago, considered like a sister. She looked much the same since the last time I saw her – a full head of red curls spiraled past her shoulders and lavender eyes, vibrant against her pale skin, with thirteen yellow flecks each – the mark of a vampire – that barely moved, a sign that she was well nourished.

Surprised to see me, are you?

What’s this? Joe asked. A threesome?

No! Marlo and I replied in unison.

You can go, Marlo instructed Joe. Joe’s eyes dilated as the command registered.

No, Joe, you are my guest and you are staying. Joe’s eyes confirmed that my instructions had registered.

Allison, Joe can go. He’s of no use to us.

He may be of no use to you, but he was about to serve a purpose for me. I was angry that my meal had been interrupted. How dare Marlo show up here and interfere with my plans. I had to feed; there was too much venom built up in my body and there was only one way to squelch it. You’re the one that needs to go.

Marlo didn’t move. She stood there like a stoic angel, but there was nothing angelic about her. She was, after all, a killer just like me.

Okay, I can see you’re not leaving. Fine. Stay and watch. I turned back to Joe who was still leaning against the wall. Remember when I said I was going to show you something you had never seen before? Joe nodded in affirmation. Check this out.

My lips parted and my fangs emerged. It took Joe a second to work through his alcohol infused daze but the sight of my fangs eventually registered.

How did you do that? he muttered as his body began to tremble with fear.

A giggle escaped through my mouth as I observed Joe’s face – wide eyes and mouth agape. I knew what was going through his mind that wasn’t coming out of his mouth: oh no, not me; please don’t kill me, I have a family that will miss me. Blah, blah, blah – I had heard it all before. There was nothing he could say or do to stop me now; I needed his blood.

I moved my mouth toward Joe’s neck, my eyes not leaving his. He squirmed as he tried to escape my grasp but his mortal strength was no match for my immortal capabilities. My fangs brushed across Joe’s skin, sending a shiver down his spine. I nipped his neck and a drop of blood popped through his skin. The slight taste of his blood – coppery yet sweet with a hint of Jack Daniels – made me want him even more.

I have news about Matthew, Marlo announced.

I stopped the pursuit of my prey and froze in place. The sound of Matt’s name, my husband who had been kidnapped and hidden away by my would-be suitor Vincent, momentarily overrode all desire for human blood.

Impossible, I hissed, my mouth still inches from my victim’s neck.

It’s true. Let Joe go and I’ll tell you what we found.

We? I stepped back from Joe but still held him in place.

"Yes, we. You know, my brothers and me whom you once considered to be your own family? We have news about your husband."

Thoughts of Matt raced through my mind. I missed my husband terribly. Hurt filled my heart as it always did when I thought of Matt. He was innocent in all of this and I still couldn’t comprehend why Vincent had gone through the hassle of staging a car accident and kidnapping Matt instead of just killing him. Killing him would have been the easier option, especially for a vampire. Or why hadn’t Vincent simply faked my death and left Matt alone? That also seemed easier than kidnapping and hiding him somewhere. After all, I was the one Vincent was really after – the first mortal descendant to exhibit signs of vampirism, just another unique possession to add to his one-of-a-kind collection. Vincent went to such lengths to make me believe that Matt was dead, but in reality, he was only missing. Vincent removed him from my life and transplanted him somewhere, but to where I didn’t know. I had tried to find Matt after I initially fled the Drake’s castle. I had searched what felt like all of North America and Central America, but the search had been in vain. The world was too vast to find one person who had been hidden by someone who didn’t want him found. So I distracted myself from my search with other things. Things like Joe.

Husband? Joe whispered. You’re married?

Joe’s voice floated through my ears and brought me back to reality. Go, I commanded. Joe flinched but I pulled him back, his face an inch from mine. Forget everything that you’ve seen and heard here tonight. Got it?

Joe nodded and I knew he had received the message. I opened the door to let him out and closed it before he was barely over the threshold.

How dare you! I shouted at Marlo. How dare you show up here under some guise about knowing where my husband is. What – are you spying on me? Are you here to take me home? You can forget it, Marlo. I don’t ever want to go back to Ohio or Castle Adena.

Look at you, so full of rage you can barely control yourself. You know what the problem is Allison? You’re having withdrawals. There’s not enough human blood in your system so it’s driving you mad. You want to know why there’s not enough blood to satiate your appetite? Because you’ve been on a non-stop binge since you ran away last November.

That’s ridiculous!

Is it? I don’t think it is. Do you know how I found you, Allison? It wasn’t all that hard. I just had to follow the trail of dead bodies you’ve been leaving behind. I knew it was a mistake to let you watch the sun set alone that night after you killed Lucious. I should have taken you back to the castle. But I felt bad for you, knowing how much you had been through the past several months. I figured there was nothing wrong with giving you some space to contemplate things and process your thoughts. But that was naïve of me; I should have known your impulses might have told you to flee. I knew that you needed to be trained on how to hunt, on how to balance animal and mortal kills so that you wouldn’t reach this point. This is what happens when a newborn vampire isn’t properly trained.

You don’t know what you’re talking about. You act like I’m the only vampire out there! Anyone could have killed the people you found. Heck, you and your brothers could have killed them.

No Allison, no mature, trained vampire would be that careless. Self-preservation is our top priority and at the rate at which you’ve been killing — well, preservation is clearly the last thing on your mind.

You don’t know –

Then what’s this? Marlo threw something across the room. My hand snatched it in midair.

Where did you get this? I asked as I looked at the small book I held in my hand. I rubbed the leather cover with my thumb, knowing full well what it was.

I found it.

You went snooping through my things?

What is that Allison? A guilty conscience written on those pages? The names of your victims and where you killed them?

No, I lied as I flipped through the pages of my victims’ names, some even written in their own blood. This is private, my own business. And I’m going to ask you one more time – why are you here?

I want you to come back to the castle with me.

Why? So you can show me the error of my ways? So that you can fix me? No thanks, Marlo. I’m liking vampire life just fine on my own.

No, this really is about Matthew. We found him.

You found him? And how exactly did you find him? Because in the months that I’ve been…away, I haven’t been able to find a trace of him. Anywhere.

Felix found some clues.

Clues? My mind flashed back to the room in Castle Adena I had been in when I had transformed into a vampire, before I realized that I had to work on controlling my vampire senses. With my vision in hunting mode, I had glanced at the painting that spanned the wall of that room. It had been a picture of the ocean in the midst of a violent storm. I had seen every brush stroke that together created the overall scene and I had sworn that I had seen something in that painting. What kind of clues? Did he find something in that painting in my room?

The painting in your room? No. Why would you think that?

I swear that I saw something written among all of the brush strokes as I was trying to gain control of my senses.

No, Allison. There’s nothing special about that painting. The interior decorators found that piece and hung it. Felix used something called the Bible Code to discover where Matthew is being hidden.

Bible Code? I asked incredulously. That doesn’t even sound real.

Felix will have to explain it to you.

Okay, so why couldn’t Felix come here and explain it to me now?

"Because