The Night Warriors: A Warrior's Choice

By Maggie O'Dempsey

All their lives immortal twins Brendt and Keon have share a bond, made only stronger by their commitment to end evil as part of the Night Warriors. Sharing has never been a problem for the vampire twins, until a sexy bad-ass witch and a message from Fate threatens to shatter the bond they once thought indestructible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie O'Dempsey
• Release date: Feb 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310732348

Maggie O'Dempsey

Hello everybody!I am a romance writer at heart. I have been making stories on composition notebooks since I was a young girl. I like paranormal,fantasy, historical and other sub genres of romance writing. I write in Spanish and English and would love for you to read and see if you like my stories. My romance ebooks are only $2.99! Go ahead and take a bite, don't be scared.

Book preview

Prologue

Belgium 18th century

The brothers walked down the cobblestone path, not even trying to shield themselves from the freezing rain anymore. The last hour had been spent in tired silence only because they were both exhausted from the fist fight that had taken an hour and a concussion to subside. The good thing about being immortal was, you could beat the living shit out of your brother and still have him live to get a brand spanking new beat down; something that was already brewing in Keon’s mind. Their life of luxury and comfort all gone thanks to his little brother’s stupid ass comments, and his inability to just lie or shut the fuck up.

Are you blaming me for being disinherited? he had asked as their father’s goons actually kicked them out of the mansion which used to be their home. Damn right he blamed Brendt. He plainly said too many wrong things and too often. For example calling their pureblood vampire father a murderer and their human mother a whore in the middle of their anniversary celebration had definitively been the last straw. Then add his own stupidity in trying to protect him once again, and now he was out on the streets as well. Did he blame him? Damn right he did, but he loved his younger brother Brendt, and he knew his brother had covered for him and his love of arson more than a couple of times, so he kind of owed him. Just thirty-eight minutes apart in age they had always been together, and it would not change now. The fact that he was going to beat the snot out of him every other day didn’t have anything to do with it.

Walking under the freezing rain was not fun, even for immortal vampires like them, and Brendt knew it was his fault their balls where currently residing somewhere inside their bellies. His damn tongue always got him in trouble, but this time he really screwed up big time; the worst part was that Keon was paying for his stupidity. Brendt loved his older brother, always playing tricks on people and laughing. Keon loved the luxuries they had as a pureblood household. Even though their mother was human, their father was a very powerful pureblood. He had never really cared about all the luxury. Guess I thought it would always be there, but now they were wet, cold and hungry. He had never fed from anyone other than the blood slaves his family owned. The beautiful women were more than willing to part with some blood for the ecstasy that awaited them in the bed of the fraternal twins. When a vampire took blood from the vein the feeling was extremely sensual. If the vampire drank from the same sex the feeling was decreased to something similar to drinking your favorite alcoholic drink; the donor would get a pleasurable buzz and the vampire would get their nourishment. The difference some thought was a way for nature to increase procreation. Still many vampires took their pleasures from both male and females. Vampires rarely shared their blood with another, especially purebloods, for a couple of reasons. First the act of mutual blood sharing or binding was something done by mates or married couples. The first binding of blood and body marked the vampires union for life. If you mated your one true mate or your fated then you would need their blood alone to survive. They could still be nourished by other blood but their powers would wane and no true mate had ever lived without the blood of their mate for more than four years, after which they became mist. A state of immortality where nobody could perceive them at all, it was a never ending purgatory of endless wondering and eternal loneliness. Some powerful vampires could turn into mist at will, but it was different from becoming mist by starvation. Only the blood of your true mate could bring you back, if it was poured into your mouth before the mist transformation was completed. Finding your one true mate was one of the most important goals in an immortal’s life. Ancient scripts explained that an immortal would never be fulfilled, happy or completed unless he found that one being that Fate had created just for them. Pleasure could never be fully experienced with anybody else. The second reason why a pureblood didn't share his blood freely was the fact that only a pureblood vampire could make another being into a vampire; turning them usually at the brink of death by feeding them their blood. The person didn't have to be dying, but the transition was much faster and stronger, as the vampire blood and enzymes had less of the viable human physiology to convert. Most of the changed vampires were infertile due to the brutal effects of the change to their human body. Even pureblood vampires had a hard time conceiving, but it was possible during the female’s fertile period, which only came once or twice a year. For this reason they were encountering more half -human, half- vampire children, something the Vampire High Council didn't like. The Vampire High Council was the regulatory entity for the whole race. They set up the laws that governed the vampire society in the world. The Council also had their Committee with twelve representatives from the biggest vampire enclaves in the world. The final word came from the seated elders Palomino, Kuran and Dorotax. Turned vamps and half breeds were not look upon as equals to the purebloods. Much like any monarchy there was a class system they adhered to. At the top was the vampire king, who only the elders knew the identity of. It had not been always so, but in recent times it was safer to keep the King’s anonymity. After the King there was the Vampire High Council, the Committee of Representatives, which always came from the aristocratic pureblood families, then the aristocrats, most of the pureblood vampires were considered aristocrats, but some tried to live a more regular life, still they were considered higher than a half breed. Under the half breeds there were the turned vamps, who many purebloods didn’t consider true vampires. Keon and Brendt’s father had been a very powerful and influential pureblood vampire so they had been respected, but now that they had been disinherited that respect was probably gone as well. Now they were merely two more half breed mongrels. The Vampire High Council prohibited the turning of any being without prior authorization and purebloods who impregnated humans were given a hefty fine, in hopes to lessen the practice.

Brendt was getting a headache from Keon’s constant bitching and bickering.

You and your fucking tongue boy, I should do us both a favor and cut that sucker right out of your big mouth.... On and on he bickered as they walked down the dark road. Brendt already felt like shit, that was why he let his brother beat him up; sure he had given him a couple of good punches to make sure he didn't notice he was holding back. That night under the pouring rain and insults Brendt made a decision never to let his tongue screw his life or anyone else's. From that day on Brendt had changed; he rarely spoke and gone was the carefree attitude he had lived with. Keon, well that was another story.

Chapter 1

Rivercast, Oregon

Present Day

Look at that shit burn brother, sweet! said Keon looking at his work of art. Oh yeah, to Keon anything that was engulfed in flames was a work of art. Brendt stood with Basil, the twin’s adjustor, back from the inferno currently burning in Keon’s massive garage. The structure had huge smoke extractors in the roof for this exact reason. Basil my man you did good, said Keon looking at the pile of burning Christmas trees.

I know you like the smell, and everyone is recycling them now.

Fucking beautiful, look at those blues.

Brendt pushed Basil to get his attention and showed him the time on his watch.

Excuse me Keon, but Brendt just realized that if you guys don’t hurry you’ll be late for your meeting with Calix.

There is no such thing as late when you can teleport my man, he said with a smile.

***

Calix waited for his Night Warriors in the strategy room of the Compound, the old Compound. It was weird to call it that, but it really did suit it. The plantation house had been built in the 1800’s so it was indeed quite old. He had seen many Night Warriors go by the same room he now stood in. The old but sturdy oak table had once seated twenty stalwart Night Warriors and as he looked around the empty seats he could still see the phantom faces of brothers in arms, gone too soon, thanks to the evil that was Malachi and his rogue army. They were only eight Night Warriors now, but he hoped soon his efforts to recruit forces would pay dividends, and perhaps they would get their own massive army. With their enemy’s numbers multiplying, he’d had to ally the Night Warriors with shifters and witches. So far he didn’t regret it, but with witches in the mix, he was willing to bet he would regret it in the long run. Thaddeus, the ninja warrior of the group, made his way into the room and clasped Calix’s shoulder before taking his usual seat next to the overwhelmed leader. Thaddeus’ aura was serene and centered, and it always helped Calix put his wayward emotions in check. It was a kind of infectious Zen if you will. Having the ninja as his patrol partner and second in command was a big asset. London, SOB and Jay came in next, followed by the ginger twins Keon and Brendt. Calix looked upon his warriors and he felt immense pride. They may not be twenty any longer but they had kicked major ass for a very long time, and they would prevail. He stood at the head of the table and opened his laptop. They had a lot to discuss, and he didn’t want to leave anything out.

Brothers, welcome one last time to our strategy room. It seems unreal that we won’t be meeting here every day anymore. There are a lot of things to discuss tonight and you will probably have a lot on your mind after this meeting, so I want you to take the night off, as much as we can take a night off that is. So as always if an emergency arises I need all of you ready to deal with anything. The first order of business is this place, the Compound. Our new Compound is now completed and ready, all security and most of the furniture is in place. Only the High Council and the Committee know the location, and that will be the way it will stay. The High Council Committee has provided us with a full staff.

Keon grumbled out loud and Calix knew he was getting ready to explode, so he lifted his hand to halt him before he had a chance to start the rant Calix could hear in his thoughts. Keon, everyone will have a chance to express their opinions, but first I want to finish.

Keon shut his mouth and motioned for him to continue.

Thanks brother. Change is not easy, even though for immortals change is a certainty. It is our immortality that gives us that resilience, that power of assimilation. Let’s not forget the immense changes we have been privileged to witness in history, and here we are better than we once were. We have overcome change time and time again. I know nonetheless, that it is those things that have been a constant throughout the changes that are the hardest to let go off. Heck, I can still remember when candles illuminated this same table. That said we are not getting rid of this facility; we will keep it up as a decoy of sorts. Our allies know the location of this place so all of our ally meetings will take place here. Most of the underground will be refitted with more cells, because hopefully we will soon be treating those infected by the zombie virus. As you all know London has secured a temporary alliance with the fairies, in order to get their help in the creation of a zombie antivenin; and the Seelie queen has sent a poison and venom expert to work with us. I want you all to meet this person, but the fairy is skittish and still getting used to our realm. Dr. Miles’ clinic and lab will be expanded so there will be more space for the Fae Apothecary to work. Linda tells me she thinks the fairy might be getting ready to start once she sees that this place will be almost deserted. London and Linda, our newly mated couple, will make this their home, and will keep the place up. The only other people staying will be Linda’s helper Liz, Dr. Miles and Orville the groundskeeper. London and Patch will keep up the security feed.

What about Callie? asked Thad, referring to the harpy who lived in a cottage out back.

Callie is in protective custody which means she will move to the new Compound with us. I foresee some harsh response, so we must be ready. If she goes full harpy it will be hard to subdue her without killing her.

SOB spoke up from his laid back position. I have some tranq rounds, perhaps it will be better to just knock her out, at least to transport her.

It’s an idea, but she will wake up eventually, said Jay with a cringe.

I made sure her new accommodations were spacious, and she will have all new equipment for her inventions and all her forgery magic.

Can you just chat with the lass? asked London feeling sorry for the harpy.

Oh we will, said Calix, but we need to be prepared for anything. Our next order of business is Katerina. I have been going out looking, as well as London, and I know all of you as well, so far it is as if the earth had swallowed her. Olanthe, her adjustor, is depressed as all hell and I can share her sentiment. Thankfully her bond to Kat remains unbroken, which means that she is indeed alive. We all know that a broken blood bond is like a dozen broken bones, and the pain would be excruciating, especially for a human. I know London that you and Patch are 100 % behind finding Kat and I support you, which is why I want Thad to take over the zombie antivenin angle along with Linda. The shifters are well trained already and they know they are free to contact us if they want more training for a pack member.

We’re also talking with the witches about an antidote, affirmed Brendt.

Yeah they think that perhaps they can make a potion to help, added Keon.

All the help we can get is good right now. SOB and Jay are looking for leads to Malachi’s commanders and they may have a solid lead, which involves the Fae, which brings us to our next issue. As you all know our alliance with the Fae is contingent with us finding the whereabouts of their missing fairies, so this new lead may help us with that as well.

What lead is this? asked Keon.

SOB stood and threw a pamphlet in the middle of the table. Rivercast Pharmaceuticals, big business, big money. If you guys hear anything let us know. Our leads all point to the giant corporation, but security is top notch.

We will do that. Now Keon, Brendt, I need you guys to empty the armory of whatever is left and bring it over to the new Compounds as soon as possible. Last but not least, I will be conducting interviews next week with potential recruits. Once I okay them they will have to get an okay from the High Council. I will also meet with those that have petition the Council already.

So these guys you interview can go to the Council and they could just be assholes and tell them no? spat SOB.

They could, but let’s just hope they see how much we need them.

That vamp we met in England coming? asked London remembering the guard who had helped them so much during their little foray into Fae territory. The man had been Night Warrior material if he ever saw one.

Yes, I believe three men from the British enclave will be coming to meet with me.

Let’s hope for the best, whispered Brendt, looking around to the empty chairs.

Now as promised, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free.

Keon stood up first, no big surprise since he had been ranting in his head as soon as he had heard the news about the new Compound’s staff. What sort of crap is this staff hired by the Council? You know they just want to spy on us to go tell the elders all we do; the fuckers. I don’t like it at all Calix. I trust you guys, you are my family, but that is it. I don’t trust the High Council, shit I wouldn’t want to close one eye knowing those bastards have who knows who around while we sleep, or stealing our info. What if any of them is still in cahoots with Malachi? Keon huffed.

Brendt put a comforting hand on his brother’s arm, but added enough pressure to send him the message to chill. Keon could be pretty hot headed, and hard headed; crossing Calix would be a very bad idea. Keon shouted, This is bullshit! and sat down.

Keon I understand your concerns, but at the same time there is not much we can do about it. You all know I keep most of my abilities under lock and key but I can see into anybody’s head; if there is a spy amongst our new staff we will deal with them accordingly. I am going to meet them all individually when I have the chance. We also rely on our adjustors and each other at all times. Let’s keep our secrets close to our chest and our eyes and ears peeled. The High Council knows I play no games, and if I need to fire anyone I will.

And lads, you will always be welcome here, said London. In fact Linda would expect you to visit often.

If we get a crappy cook we will visit every day, said Jay lightening the mood.

They all laughed in accord.

Night Warriors, if that is all, you are dismissed. Enjoy your night off.

I know I am, smirked SOB ready to go tell his mate they had all night to spend in each other’s arms. London, newly mated and crazy in love with his fairy mate was thinking along the very same lines, so he just acknowledge with, Amen brother.

The very tall, muscular warriors made their way