Rise of the Blood Queen (Marked by the Vampire Book #3)

By A.N. Meade

Aimee comes into her own in this new installment of the Marked by the Vampire series. She is no longer letting her demons control her, either figuratively or literally. Aimee has a lot to discover about her lineage, and a new threat makes it all the more urgent to get control of her new power quickly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.N. Meade
• Release date: Jul 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310164279

A.N. Meade

I'm an avid reader of anything Paranormal Romance (I especially love vampires). I'm the author of my own Paranormal Romance Series: Marked which is published on amazon and available in Barnes and Noble. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, and we have two sons and a daughter. I drink way too much sweet tea, mostly when I'm staying up all night writing down the scenes in my mind.Some of my favorite authors are: Anne Rice (of course), Laurell K. Hamilton, H.P. Mallory, Annie Nichols, Christine Feehan, and Christine Warren.

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Rise of the Blood Queen

Copyright 2015 A.N. Meade

Published by A.N. Meade at Smashwords

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 enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A New Day

Chapter 2: Strays

Chapter 3: Prodigal Angel

Chapter 4: Penthouse

Chapter 5: Royals

Chapter 6: Olee's Story

Chapter 7: Catalyst

Chapter 8: Take Me to Church

Chapter 9: Fight Club

Chapter 10: Werewolf Sandwich

Chapter 11: Scars

Chapter 12: Another Day, Another Problem

Chapter 13: The Bodyguard

Chapter 14: Dine and Bind

Chapter 15: Shades of Grey

Chapter 16: Donnchadh

Bonus Chapter

Other Books by A.N. Meade

About the Author

Connect with Me

A New Day

It was far too early to be rising, but Aimee had slept so restlessly the night before. So much had led up to the Ball and everything that happened afterward. The sun felt warm on her face, even filtered through the heavy curtains. Aimee took a moment to breathe and become aware of everything around her. It would be more than a little awkward having that first conversation with Damian after last night. Thankfully, he had already left. Somehow she knew that, even before she opened her eyes to look around. It was the same sensation that you feel when someone walks into the room, only her room was now much larger. She could sense him downstairs. He was probably in his study.

There was no way that she was going to put on an evening gown in order to go to the bathroom to shower, so she wrapped the sheet loosely around her and peeked out the bedroom door to see if anyone was watching. She needed some privacy so that she could clean up and think. She darted for her bathroom as quickly and quietly as she could. Everyone must have still been resting from yesterday’s events. Hex had basically turned every donor’s blood into vampire ecstasy. It would be a miracle if they were all risen by midnight. Some of the humans and wolves were bound to be moving around soon though.

Just the thought of the wolves was difficult. Aimee understood how important the relationship with Nero would be in the conflict that was coming. She needed his support just as much as he needed hers. He was going to be angry. She had to think of some way to offer him restitution, or else she would risk facing some kind of retaliation. Thankfully, she had some time to think. She hadn’t done anything exactly against their agreement, but she wasn’t so naïve to think that humiliating Marc and Naomi would go over well with the wolves. What a mess.

On the plus side, the events had definitely bought some loyalties with the Elders and she would have the support of the Vampires, as well as recognition as rightful Queen. The Elders would be leaving today. It was a relief to know that at least that much of this whole process was done. Still, the learning curve for a Vampire Queen was steep, and they would not be cutting her any slack.

Aimee sunk herself into a hot bath with her favorite bath salt. She closed her eyes and let her head drift back to rest on the side of the tub. If life was a chess game, she couldn’t help but feel incredibly outmatched. She would need to decide what to do next, and that was anything but easy. The best thing to do would be to sit down with Nero. She needed to just go in person, sit down with him, tell him that she doesn’t want to offend him, and see what she can do to make this right. Hopefully he wouldn’t try to tear her to pieces.

She found herself staring into her armoire trying to decide what might be appropriate to wear to the den of an angry werewolf Alpha that you’ve heinously and indirectly offended. She wondered if it would be like the running of the bulls in Spain. Red would probably be a bad idea. Maybe she should wear white, and be a walking white flag of surrender. That’s what wild dogs do so the Alpha doesn’t kill them. It seemed like a good start. She pulled a white chiffon button down and a pair of black slacks out. She didn’t want to seem too casual, that would also be a show of disrespect, and a lot rested on this meeting with Nero. She hoped he would agree to see her today.

Just then, she heard a soft knock at the door. She opened it just enough to see Fredrick’s face staring back at her. Usually just seeing him would make her smile, but the glint of hope that he used to have faded in his eyes. Aimee felt a sharp pang, like a knife to her stomach. She knew why Fredrick had changed, and it was because of her. He believed in her. He hoped that she would be different than the leaders that had come before her and he had hope that she would meet those expectations. Letting him down hurt more than she had expected. In a way, she had also let herself down. She knew that there would be no coming back from what she did, but until she saw the fear and hurt in her friend’s eyes she hadn’t realized how far she had fallen.

Yes? She managed, quietly. Tears had welled in her eyes, there was nothing she could do about that now.

Damian heard you moving around and sent me to check on you. Do you need anything? He didn’t even hold her gaze. He was asking out of duty, and the way he shifted his weight on his feet was a clear tell that he was just waiting until he could leave.

Aimee opened the door up more and leaned against the side of the frame. She didn’t need help to stand, and she certainly couldn’t have drawn strength from the wood. When she was overwhelmed she tended still to fall into her old human patterns. This was a mirror of now unnecessary human behavior. She realized it, but it helped to give her some sense of comfort anyway. Actually Fredrick, I need to get in touch with Nero. I need to talk to him, do you think he will see me today?

Fredrick scoffed. How could I know the mind of a King? Or a Queen for that matter?

Aimee put her right hand out toward him, and stepping forward a step said Fredrick, I...

He didn’t give her the chance to finish explaining. I’ll speak to him and let you know. Then, he turned and walked as quickly as he could down the hall and descended the stairs.

Normally Damian would be the one that she could talk to without fear of being judged these days, but she was scared of speaking even to him after last night. It had to change things between them. Sex always did. So, with the greatest of reservation Aimee made her way to Damian’s study. She listened closely at the door to make sure that he wasn’t speaking to anyone. Interrupting him would have been completely the wrong start to the conversation that they needed to have. Aimee breathed in and out deeply before knocking at the door as if it would give her some sense of calm and confidence.

When the door opened, Damian did not look as she had expected. He didn’t invade her space for a kiss. His brows weren’t furrowed in some broody contemplation. He smiled. He was smiling, and he stood back for her to enter the room without having to press close to him. What can I do for you?

She was certain that he was trying to be reassuring, but Aimee found this behavior to be more unnerving than his normal habits. I want to talk to you about something.

He was being so careful. She could feel it. He hadn’t opened a connection with her, nor her with him. Still, she could feel him. Something had remained that she hadn’t expected to of their magic. Every mannerism told her how careful he was being. His muscles pulsed with careful calculation. It was like his body was an object that he was manipulating painstakingly.  What’s on your mind? Damian walked into the room and sat down at his desk.

She felt like she was watching one of those discovery shows where the lion is about to pounce on the gazelle. There was too much energy in his stillness and it was terrifying. I sent Fredrick with a message to Nero that I need to see him today to discuss restitution.

Something in Damian relaxed a little. This must not have been the conversation he was expecting. He leaned back a little and looked up at Aimee while he motioned for her to sit down across from him. What do you have in mind?

She realized now how very ill prepared she was. I’m not sure, I thought you could help me figure that part out.

Damian laughed low to himself. It felt real, and it was the first genuine mannerism of his that she had seen all morning. Well, I damn well can’t let you go to see him without a plan, can I?

Don’t make fun of me Damian. It’s not like I’m used to diplomatic negotiations. I know I have no idea what I’m doing, you don’t have to keep pointing it out. Anger was a familiar emotion lately. A fight with Damian felt normal. He was a smug bastard.

I apologize, my beauty, I wasn’t trying to offend you. That fast, there it was, Damian’s ever present smirk. I’ve been working on a couple of things this morning that may help you with the Wolf King.

Like what? Normally Aimee hated Damian’s calculated manipulations. For all his faults though, he always had a plan.

The wolf that you took possession of yesterday is recovering well. He hasn’t spoken yet, but I think when he does that we will find he has a lot to offer us. I did some digging and he seems to have been a high ranking royalty of sorts among the wolves. That is, before he became a homicidal maniac. Damian grinned widely now, not even trying to mask his amusement.

That’s rich, you calling someone a homicidal maniac. Aimee rolled her eyes. She could see where he was going with this and it could be really risky. Even if she could exercise control over how the wolf behaved with her, he may or may not take the chance in her absence to indulge in his own agenda. It would be impossible to command him in such a way to protect herself and the wolves perpetually.

I was actually quite impressed when I realized what he had done, but it is irrelevant to our needs today. You can use him as a bargaining chip, otherwise, he is an excellent show of power. Although, you must be careful because too much could tip the scale to the point of rebellion. You need to find out what it is that Nero wants most. Solidifying our relationship with the wolves must be done quickly and surely. If not, we risk giving our enemies a chance that we don’t want to give them. Damian was twirling a pen as he spoke. It was a habit not too unlike Aimee’s tendencies and she wondered if he used to do that when he was human.

What a strange thought it was to imagine Damian being anything other than what he was now. Aimee quickly broke that train of thought. I’ll take him with me. You’re right, he could prove to be useful in some way.

I was also thinking that it would be a good idea to send them one of our vampires as a kind of envoy. What do you think about sending Heath?

She almost missed that he had asked her opinion. It seemed so strange that it almost didn’t register. Well, he is very level headed. He’s strong and capable. I think he would be a great choice.

Excellent. They will accompany you along with a couple of guards. Take your cell, and let me know if you run into any problems.

Why the cell? Couldn’t I just yell for you telepathically? Aimee knew that this would be a playful prod, but she was also curious to see if he had noticed the change in their connection since yesterday.

It’s actually very startling to yell into my subconscious, so use the phone if you can, please. He had noticed it too.

Aimee wondered if he had expected it, but judging by his reaction to her teasing, this was as new to him as it was to her. She liked that he was uncomfortable with it. This would make him less likely to exploit his ability to poke around in her head. She was also glad that he wasn’t going to force her into a conversation about their relationship and what it meant that they had slept together last night. Maybe sometimes sex can just be sex, even mind blowing crazy intense magical sex. Aimee was all too happy to put that potential conversation off as long as possible. Just the idea of any kind of relationship with Damian was a strange and unwanted distraction today.

It didn’t take long to gather up the few things that she was taking with her to the meeting with Nero. He had agreed to see her somewhere neutral, and had chosen a local coffee shop in the business district of Palladino City. Thinking about the contrast between reality and werewolf lore brought a smile to Aimee’s face. They were businessmen. Their meetings were in boardrooms and not in dark caves or deep forests. They took monthly outings, which they referred to as team building exercises into more remote areas to connect with their inner wolf. Their ferocity and boldness helped them to broker multimillion dollar contracts. They were handsome and intelligent. Aimee never understood why the wolves were always portrayed as poor who were hiding out in remote shacks. In many ways their wolf was an asset in this world. In a way, Aimee envied that they had a place in normal society. She hadn’t quite found her place yet.

Heath insisted on driving. It was one of his many old fashioned beliefs that had carried over. He must have been turned at a time when women were seen as needing to be looked after very closely. He insisted on driving and he always opened her door. It was something that could be a little agitating if you were in a hurry, but mostly it was endearing. Aimee listened to him as he tried to make superficial conversation, and wondered where he had originated from. His accent was difficult to place. It was something that was really common with the vampires. They often learned to speak in a different accent in order to conceal their country of origin. Everything was always secrets with the vampires. She made a mental note to ask him one day if she had the chance. Learning about other people, and hearing their stories was always a welcome distraction.

Aimee barely noticed the presence of the man in the backseat. She hadn’t seen him since the ball, and he had been so disheveled in his human form that she could hardly recognize him now. He was looking down, not looking at anything in particular, but just staring down blankly. She could feel him in her mind, it was similar to the way that she could sense Tierney, only much stronger. She could hear his thoughts, which were few and related to his senses. He noted the warmth of the sun and the smell of air freshener. Aimee agreed that it was kind of unnatural for a car to be so clean. They were riding in one of the black Expedition’s that was part of Damian’s fleet of cars. He kept them all immaculately clean. This one was no exception. Aimee couldn’t help but wonder why not one of the man’s