Cain, The Quest

By Elizabeth Loraine

Cain, the Quest is book four in the vampire series Royal Blood Chronicles. royal blooded vampires are fighting evil in both this world and the underworld kingdoms of Althar in order to protect all the peaceful races, including humans.
Book four follows Cain on his journey to find himself and define his role in his hopes to become worthy enough to join those that are helping the Five Protectors in this fight. The sanctuaries protecting the peaceful races are in grave danger! Join us.
Cain, the Quest is as exciting and intriguing as the first three books. Elizabeth Loraine has you turning pages as fast as you can to find out what lies ahead. If you like strong female lead characters, this is your series. Many series of this genre tire as they get to books three and four, however this series has you begging for more. Elizabeth Loraine brings you into the world of each book with her beautifully descriptive writing style.
Hang on, hold your breath, it's another fabulous ride!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Loraine
• Release date: Apr 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310813313

Elizabeth Loraine

I grew up in Minnesota, married my husband of now over 30 years and had my two children (Matthew now 30 and Andrea 28). In the early 80's we moved from Minnesota to Florida and I've lived on the beaufiful Central East Coast ever since. I've always been creative, and my career life focused on interior design, painting and garden design. I didn't start writing until I turned 52. I loved the Vampire genre and after years of enjoyment found in the pages of other author's books, I decided that I wanted to know more about the characters than was there between the covers. What had these long lived vampires been doing, what had they seen and done throughout history? My two wonderful children were grown and my fantastic husband has always supported my career choices. So, my mind made up, I would take up the challenge of creating what I wanted to read for myself and offer the books to anyone else who loved this genre. Thus began the Royal Blood Chronicles. I am now working on ten book in the series, have written the first book in another series and Phantom Lives, my paranormal series has two books, Collier and Power. I'm writing book three of that series. Look for new books in 2014 Enjoy

Book preview

Cain -The Quest

A Royal Blood Chronicle

By

Elizabeth Loraine

This is a work of fiction. All the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Royal Blood Chronicles Book The Quest – Cain - copyright © 201 4 by Elizabeth Loraine all rights reserved.

SmashWords Edition 2014

We are named in every ancient culture.

You speak of us in every

written language.

We have walked beside your ancestors,

just as we walk beside you.

What you don’t know protects you.

Those you fear will save you.

Preface

In the beginning we were creatures of the night, killing humans and drinking their blood to sustain us. But in the passage of the centuries we have evolved and now walk amongst you in daylight or night as peaceful, moral beings satisfied to hunt and drink the blood of animals. We live with the support of our Watchers; those humans who have been chosen and in return have made sacred vows to protect our species from those that would do us harm. Our Watchers are privileged to be able to donate their blood to us. This donated blood is gathered and mixed with an elixir devised by the ancients that magically multiplies the volume and allows it to remain fresh indefinitely. We call this supplement Crimson and use it as a replacement for our normal diet.

My name is Katrina and I have been chosen as the leader of the Five. The Five or the protectors have been foretold in the prophecies of humans throughout time. I, along with my twin sister Katherine (Kate), and my friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta), have completed the protection ceremony and an oath to protect the races, all the races.

Cain entered our lives the same year that I thought that I had lost Damien. He had been raised in the hatred and evil of the underworld, surrounded by a family who desired nothing more that to end the reign of the peaceful races of the world of light and replace them with their corrupt order. He and Damien are half brothers; Their mother; the devious Daniela, Cain’s father, the traitorous Duke Marcelle LeTrace DeCountelay.

This is Cain’s story in his own words.

CHAPTER ONE

The underworld that I knew was in turmoil. The Dark Queen was dead and without her power and control there was anarchy in the streets of Cin.

I had betrayed the only one in my life that meant anything to me; so I ran. I ran to the far reaches of Althar; to the ends of the earth – Carpayntha.

Mother had often told me stories of it and before she died she had stressed that if anything were to happen to her that I needed to leave Cin and to go to Carpayntha. I always thought it cruel that our discussions never included plans for the safety of my sister Marcella, but then my mother had always treated Marcella as if she never existed. At least now I knew why. Marcella was truly good, with no tendencies toward evil; whereas I on the other hand… Marcella was better off now. While I continued to experience remorse and shame for injuring her when she’d tried to save our newly found half brother Damien from my sword strike, I somehow knew that she had healed and was now safe and well with Damien, in his world. Damien would no doubt be a much better brother to her than I had even been.

I always knew that Mother felt trapped by her life. Trapped by a sister she loved and that she could never betray. After all she had slept with and had a child by her own sister’s husband, which Antoinette never let her forget. I also knew that my mother was secretly very proud that Damien had turned away from the evil she thought he was destined to follow, and hoped that someday, I too would find a way to my own destiny. It was this destiny that I sought now.

This part of Althar was ruled by Ceron, whose brother Cathos had been the ruler of all the underworlds vast kingdoms. That was before he chose the dark beauty Santera for his wife. The beautiful Santera ascended to the throne and became known as the Dark Queen after she betrayed the king, by draining and absorbing his power using the evil half of the Keltan Durik, whom she had befriended. She then killed Cathos’ body and kept his essence in a crystal bottle with her to torment him all the rest of her days. Now Santera was gone, herself betrayed and killed by the very same Keltan’s better half. Before fleeing Cin, I retrieved Cathos’ essence and I planned to use it to gain his brother Ceron’s favor. I needed safe passage through all the cities of Althar and knew that only he could give me the protection that I needed.

I walked down the street without hesitation or fear; Ceron had no enemies here now that the Dark Queen was gone and certainly I could not be perceived as any kind of threat.

It had been two weeks since the events that had changed my life’s path forever. As I traveled, I could see signs that Ceron was gathering forces against those who would oppose him as the rightful leader of the underworld. If I wanted out of this place, I would need help. I had a plan and it started here at the gates of the King’s palace.

I need to see Ceron and he needs to see me, I forcefully told the pair of very large guards at the front gate. Like the Queen’s palace in Cin, this palace was very imposing, but much larger. It boasted four stories at each end and a full six stories in the center, if you counted the towers. The red, rough granite in this part of Althar made a perfect backdrop for a demon King and with the illumination of artificial light and the glow in the distance from the molten rivers in the vast canyons beyond, it was indeed an intimidating sight.

Wait here! If the King wishes to see you, we will be informed.

After a few moments the double gate began to swing open, the metal squealing as if it had been quite some time since anyone had passed through. And then I was motioned forward to begin the next chapter in my life. Where it would all lead me I didn’t know; I only knew that it was the path that I was destined to take.

The rough cobbles of the winding road led me steadily up, ending at the entrance courtyard of the palace which was lined with large torches ablaze with magical fire. Guards armed with spears stood on each side of the imposing front door, each of them outfitted in heavy black armor and massive horned helmets. I took a deep breath and though my heart was pounding, I lifted my chin and steeled my will. I had something that Ceron wanted and I vowed then and there to get something in return.

Between the guards, the huge twelve foot tall doors, slowly swung open to reveal a woman standing just inside; a beautiful woman. She didn’t move, instead waited patiently for me to approach.

I am Idalia. I am the Kings charge and your escort; and you are . . . ?

My name is Cain Daminov. It was the only name I knew to give and one the King would surely recognize.

If you would follow me, she said as she turned and started to walk down the large central hallway. She was lovely and although I perceived her to be young, I had no way of knowing her real age. I did think, from the way she seemed to glide gracefully across the floor rather than walk, that she had to be at least half elf. She didn’t have the slightly pointed ears of an elf, but her regal carriage and the way she projected an air of calm aloofness were definite elfin attributes.

Again seemingly on their own, the large, matching doors at the end of this long main corridor slowly began to open, revealing a huge room. On the opposite wall, was an imposing throne sitting alone on a raised dais. Carved from what appeared to be solid ebony, it was adorned with dragons’ heads along the top and at the edge of the armrests; their intricate bodies continuing down each side; their long tails curling around the back. There, his black wavy hair and beard perfectly matching the ebony wood of his throne, dressed in a white, long-sleeved shirt, a black exotic leather vest snuggly belted at his waist, leather pants, and knee-high black boots, was the demon King Ceron. He was splendid. In contrast my traveling robes, picked for the purpose of blending in with the others traveling the road of the kingdom, made my own appearance somewhat less than impressive.

He stared angrily down at me. It’s been a long time since I heard the name Daminov. What business do you have with me?

I have with me information that will benefit you and offer you a prize taken from the now dead Dark Queen’s very chambers, I said in a voice intentionally matched to the King’s challenging tone. In exchange, I wish permission and all the protections needed to travel freely throughout Althar.

To what end? he said seemly uninterested.

To learn, finish my studies so that I may someday be of service to you.

Tell me this information you have and then I’ll make my decision.

Slowly, from the traveling pouch on my shoulder, I carefully pulled out the blue crystal bottle that had been hidden inside. I then held it up so that the King could see it clearly. Free of its holding place and now in Ceron’s presence, the bottle began to glow. The King’s eyes widened in surprise, he knew exactly what the glowing bottle held. He rose sharply from his throne and in an instant with vampire-like speed, was in front of me. He raised his hands to the bottle as if he was feeling the warmth of a fire and in response, seeming to acknowledge his presence, the essence inside glowed brighter and then began to pulse. Cathos knew he was safe now at last.

You may have what you seek and access to the Hall of Knowledge, Ceron said without taking his eyes from the essence.

I bowed my head in acknowledgement and offered the bottle to him. He then looked into my eyes and to my surprise I found actual joy there, not at all what I expected from a demon King. He gently took the bottle from my hands, turned and walked out the simple door to the rear of the great hall. Now what? I thought.

You may stay in the Palace if you wish, Idalia said breaking the silence.

Thank you, that would be very useful since I wish to study here.

She seemed puzzled by me, but said nothing more as she led me out of the throne room and down the hall to the right. At the far end of the hall she finally stopped and the door in front of us opened.

This is it, if you need anything you may just ask for it aloud and it will be provided.

Anything?

Within reason of course, she replied not elaborating or even changing her expression.

I entered the simple but rather large room that was furnished with a double bed, armoire and desk. Each piece was made from a dark exotic wood that I’d never seen before. Completing the décor were very opulent linens and rugs of a quality much finer than I was used to. I turned to thank Idalia, but she was already gone, so I closed the door and went over to the bed to test its firmness.

I lay down on the bed and found it comfortable enough. Now as I looked up to the high wood ceiling, I couldn’t help think of my sister Marcella. What was she doing I wondered? Did she miss me as much as I missed her?

I felt deep regret for the way I had acted these last few months. Thinking back, I understood now that I had been consumed by anger at the loss of my mother and that anger has made me vulnerable. So vulnerable that I’d let Luena’s influence rule me. Now that I was away from her, I realized how all-consuming my rage had been. That fury was gone, extinguished by a sword strike and replaced by the guilt I felt at my past behavior. As I thought of Marcella, I was glad that at least I had listened to her and Mother when they had pleaded with me never to reveal my true gift to anyone. I had a very rare vampire gift – I was a thread climber, but this was a gift that I had not mastered, which made it dangerous to use. If I was to follow a memory thread now, untrained, I might very well be stuck in another time permanently, with no chance of returning. No, I had to learn how to control it, and that’s why I was here in Ceron’s dominion. I had used my gift only a few times, once on my sister (Marcella said that the taking of the memory had been painful) and although I had been successful in following the memory, I found I was unable to return to the present. Fortunately, it had only been a memory from just days earlier and it hadn’t mattered that I had to relive the time in between. I only had to be careful to avoid seeing myself as that would have been deadly. I was suddenly very hungry and thought to myself let’s see how this ‘ask for something’ works.

Some crimson if you please.

Sure enough, a pitcher and a glass appeared on the desk opposite me. I got up, walked over to it, and knew it was just what I’d asked for; it smelled so good. I poured myself a glass, savoring the essence of the liquid. I could tell that it was made from very fresh human blood, but refused to think about how that could be. I drank it down and as its energy filled my veins, I thought about something else.

How about some maps, both of Althar and of the Palace? I asked looking around.

Nothing appeared immediately, so I thought my request was one that was deemed to be not within reason. Just as I was about to turn and go back to the bed, three rolled up parchments appeared on the desk in front of me.

This was exciting! I quickly unrolled the map closest to me and found it to be the one of the palace. Show me where I am. There, in the north wing, level one, a red dot appeared on the map showing me and the location of my room. I studied the entire map of the palace, and noted the locations of the Hall of Knowledge and also the King’s quarters. Good, I wanted to be able to avoid the King and everyone else really, until I learned more.

I sighed, I might as well get started, and the Hall of Knowledge wasn’t far - up one level in the west wing. I took off my traveling robe and hung it, along with my simple pack, in the armoire and headed out the door.

What a huge place, I thought as I walked along, my footsteps echoing eerily off of the empty, cold stone hallway. I was glad that I had an unerring sense of direction and an instant memory. I had always been able to retain and immediately bring to mind anything that I had either seen or read. My ability would now keep me from getting lost in the confusing maze of hallways and rooms of this huge palace. Remembering that the stairways were in the front towers which flanked the entrance hall, I chose the one to the right. I went up two flights and paused to recall the rest of the map in my head. First door on the left, I remembered.

The door creaked open and I cautiously walked in. It was dark; which was no problem for my vampire sight of course, but instead of the ‘library’ smell of leather bound books that I expected, the room exuded odors that were musty and stale.

Light! I called. Instantly the room brightened with the same artificial, warm, orange glow as everywhere else in the underworld.

What was revealed was overwhelming. Although there were row upon row of floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books, I was shocked by the deplorable condition of the room. There was grime, dust and cobwebs on every surface. Why such an extensive library if no one ever used it?

Where to start? I pondered.

Show me the catalog of titles. A large volume on a podium to my right suddenly opened and was illuminated by a much brighter light.

That makes it easy. I’m really starting to like this ‘ask and receive’ thing.

I went to the catalog and paged through. The library held not only information on the underworld and its history, but on the world of light as well. The accounts of the vast involvement of the underworld in the events of the world of light, made me think that they took great joy in raising havoc in the world above and then gloating about it.

Before attempting to work on my gifts as a vampire, I needed to better understand this world and how I could use that knowledge to help my situation.

Let’s start with my host, I said to myself, Underworld rulers and their lineage, as good a place to start as any.

I found Cathos first, under Demons not of the Demonic Sense. Huh, that was kind of contradictory wasn’t it?

The book said that leaders of the underworld were not necessarily evil; that they, and as in the case of Cathos and Ceron, were offspring of a mating of an angel, vampire, elf, human or other race who had defied the Gods by their union.

And just as in the world of light, these beings were only evil if it was their nature. They could however, travel to and from the world of light and were immortal in most cases. Good to know. That’s why Ceron seemed, well, so un-demon like. So according to my reading, a demon was only evil based on interpretation and because the gods wanted to discourage anyone going against their will.

I had seen firsthand the evil in the underworld, but what I had just learned had surprised me. These were beings of great powers, that had been made outcast because of what their fathers and mothers had done - rebelled and mated with someone not deemed to be worthy of them and I found that I wanted to get to know them. I closed the book; that was enough information for right now. I would continue with my studies later.

I took a book about Althar and the many kingdoms with me and wondered as I walked through the halls, who would be vying with Ceron for rule? Now that I knew more about Ceron, I hoped he would prevail.

I walked down the stairs, fully intending to go back to my room, when I heard loud voices coming from the throne room.

I don’t care what else is going on, I need a wizard and I need him right now!

I wanted so badly, no, for some reason I needed to help Ceron; but how? I now wished that…I stopped. I knew instantly what I needed to do. And with that purpose in mind, I raced back to the library.

I need a book on magic and a book to help me perfect my vampire gift, I demanded.

Two books flew towards me from the back of the aisle to my left and landed with a thud on the table beside me. I blew the thick layers of dust from the cover of the one closest. Vampire Gifts and How Best to Use Them, by anonymous. Well it was a start. I went right to the chapter titles and found my gift, there weren’t many pages listed, and I hoped I’d find something useful.

How to Return Safely, that’s a good one. I read: Put your hand upon your subject’s forehead and ask them to remember what memory or time it is that you wish to visit, you should be able to see what they see. To travel to the spot of the memory you will have to extract the memory and put it inside your own consciousness. This will be painful for the subject and the memory will be permanently gone from them.

Returning is much more difficult and requires extreme concentration and practice. Perfecting this skill can be dangerous. The text suggested that I might want to start with more basic practices which entail just examining the memories.

I franticly turned the page. There had to be more, good there was. It is possible to bring someone in the memory back to the present, the book stated. Their memory would only be of the past of course. Doing this would mean that there could be two beings alive in parallel time, if ever they would intersect it would destroy them both.

How? How could I do this? I followed the writing frantically down the page with my finger. Alas it will not work if the being is dead in the future, once an essence has been released, there is only a memory.

My hopes that I could bring my Mother back were dashed, but Cathos’ essence was here, it would work for him. I read further until I found out what I needed to do. It was complicated, but I was convinced that I could do it. Now all I had to do was to convince the King that he could trust me. I took the book with me and ran back to the throne room. The door opened for me and I crept in. Ceron was pacing back and forth his fists clenched at his sides. Excuse me, Sir. I have cause to speak with you again.

The King stopped and looked over to me. I thank you for bringing the gift of my brother’s essence, but what could you possibly want now?

I have a rare vampire gift and with the help of this book from your Hall of Knowledge, I think that I can find a way to help your brother.

What do you mean? Tell me quickly!

Well, I’ve never told anyone this before except for my sister, but my vampire gift is that I’m a thread climber. I can use a memory to manipulate things in time; not that I have, mind you.

Make sense, what is it that you think you can do?

I think, at least the book tells me that I can look at a memory of yours, travel back to that time and bring your brother back with me. When we return, your brother’s essence can be put back into his own body. He would have no memories from that time to this, but…

No I think I understand, show me in the book exactly what you’re talking about.

He was as excited as I was now and we read the pages in the book together over and over until we both understood what we needed to do.

In order to go back, I have to take the memory from you; it will be painful for a moment. The hard part it seems is that when I get back to that time, I must convince Cathos that I’m not some kind of crazy idiot. Hmmm. I’ve got it; did you ever see your brother asleep? It would have to be close to the last time you ever saw him otherwise he would have lost too much time.

Ceron thought for a