Hunted (LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted #2)

By Tyffani Clark Kemp

LeKrista Scott survived three separate vampire attacks, almost drowned, and turned down her boyfriend's proposal. What else could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, if it's not one thing, it's another. Lizette, a brand new vampire with a grudge, blames LeKrista for being turned into a monster. In retaliation, she decides to go straight for the throat, so to speak, and attack LK's ailing mother at her rest home. LeKrista enlists the help of her "vampire liason" Roman, but it could never be that easy. Not for her.
A daywalker, a born vampire who can walk in the sun, has been hired by the head of the Vampire Council to collect LeKrista and the debt she owes him. As payment, her great great aunt is taken. Once again, the Mages refuse to help, so what is a girl to do, but rescue her family herself?
With her back against the wall, LeKrista will rise up stronger and teach the preternatural world to fear the Vampire Hunted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyffani Clark Kemp
• Release date: Sep 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310330070

Tyffani Clark Kemp

Tyffani Clark Kemp might be the quietest person in the room, but that just means she’s probably the biggest freak too. She is a multi-genre author with a gift for the written word and a desire to help all Indies reach their full potential. In 2012, she and her best friend Kimberly Fudge started SideStreet Cookie Publishing for authors who want to remain independent, but don’t have the time or the knowledge to do it all themselves. From the age of eleven she dedicated her life to writing and making sure she was good at her craft. Now, she passes that knowledge on to others. Her friends would describe her as determined and giving. She may be quite, but she always has a story to tell.

Book preview

Hunted

A LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted Novel

Book Two

By

Tyffani Clark Kemp

~~~

Smashwords Edition

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

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.

Published by

Tyffani Clark Kemp

Copyright 2014 Tyffani Clark Kemp

SideStreet Cookie Publishing, LLC

www.sidestreetcookiepublishing.com

All rights reserved.

Cover design by J.A. Howell of Howlz Designs

DEDICATION

For my Pierce

You and I are inseparable and a force to be reckoned with. When I am weak, you are strong. When you need encouragement, I will always be there. You are my shield and I am your compliment.

And for Quest, the sweetest dog in the world.

I miss your funny face.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

J.A. Howell, you are the best cover artist in the world and an amazing writer, but an even better friend. I am so grateful to be able to call you my bestie.

Kimberly, thank you for pushing me to follow my dream when everyone else said it was silly.

Brenda Mcleod, I couldn't have asked for a better assistant or friend.

To All of my Sexxy Street Minions, for all of the work you do, THANK YOU!

Mel and KJ at Girls *Heart* Books, I love both of you ladies so much. Thank you for everything you do. And I do mean everything.

Autumn Wrought, you're crazy. I wouldn't have you any other way.

To all of my readers, thank you for your love and support.

To the love of my life, thank you for always being there for me. I couldn't have made it where I am without you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About The Author

Chapter One

Dante took a hit off his joint and blew out a puff of smoke. He was respectful enough to blow it away from me, but the thick, skunky scent permeated the air and made it hard to breathe anyway. I coughed, trying not to call attention to myself, but that's hard when your body is forcing air from your lungs and out your throat without your permission. Dante eyed me for a second, blew out another puff, and pinched the end of his joint to put it out.

It might help with your seizures, he offered, even though we both knew I wasn't going to smoke with him. I thought you were done with those anyway.

I'm not a fan of narcotics of any kind, but that certainly wasn't going to stop my brother from using them. So, instead of fighting with him about it, as long as he wasn't using anything that would put him in the hospital or be a detrament to my personal health, I usually hung out with him and his friends, just to make sure nothing stupid happened. As far as I knew, he was grateful. I'd kept a few of them from car accidents and once had to physically restrain someone from playing with power tools while he was rolling on ecstacy. He wanted to see if it would feel good to shoot a nail through his hand. Not one of his brightest moments. I never got a thank you, but it wasn't really necessary. As long as no one got hurt, that was all the thanks I needed.

Heavy fog hung over the yard, hiding anything that might be lurking there. Dante had no idea what could be waiting for him in the dark. I hoped the gloom would lift in an hour or so.

Yeah, so did I. Vampire magic set my epilepsy off like mad, and lately, I was dealing with too many vampires for my liking.

Don't you grow out of that stuff? Dante continued.

Today, it was just me, Dante, and Bermides, my fluffy mutt dog. His thick black fur tickled my feet as I swung back and forth on our porch swing.

It's not like asthma, D. I'll deal with my siezures my whole life. If that wasn't a foreshadowing comment, I didn't know what was.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him about the vampires. He deserved to know, just in case one came after him. I hated to think of the possibility that my family was in danger because of me, but the words wouldn't come. I swore mentally and pushed the thought out of my mind.

Party Up by DMX went off and I pulled my cell from my back pocket. LeKrista, I answered without looking. I already knew who it was.

Hello, Miss Scott. This is Denise from Rolling Meadows Mental Relaxation Facility.

Mental relaxation. It was the new politically correct way to refer to a mental health facility. In my opinion, the mentally troubled were anything but relaxed, but try and tell them that.

Hi, Denise. Is mom okay? My mother, Teracia Scott, hadn't been mentally stable since before I was born, as far as I knew. I didn't know the whole story, but it happened during her pregnancy. Whatever it was.

I drove my mom crazy before I was even born.

Well, Denis said slowly, and I knew something was wrong. The hesitation in her voice meant something had happened and she didn't want to tell me.

What's happened? I sat up a little straighter in the swing. I'd never known my mother, not really. Rolling Meadows was her third facility. Once her mind had gone six years ago, about the same time I met Pierce, my…boyfriend? I wasn't sure exactly what we were right now. Not since I turned down his marriage proposal.

I'm such an idiot. Such an idiot.

We can't find her.

What? I sat up all the way, jerking the swing to the side. You lost my mother? I asked, more out of shock than anger.

How do you lose a whole person who can't even walk on her own?

I'm sorry. We don't know what happened. We put her to bed last night like we always do, but there's no record of her leaving her room. We've checked the camera's, but she never left and no one helped her. By all accounts, it shouldn't be possible.

What did she do? Climb out the window? That was ludicris, of course. There was no way my mentally unstable mother who'd been confined to a wheel chair for more than ten years, could climb out a barred, fourth floor window without falling to her death.

Don't laugh. It's not funny.

I forced myself not to giggle. This was serious. I made the mistake of looking over at Dante. His wide, dark eyes conveyed concern. I snorted.

Don't laugh. It's not funny.

We have no record of that either, though, there was an incident the other day. The bars just…fell off. So, it's possible, but it's not possible.

I could tell Denise was flustered, and I couldn't really blame her.

Right. I'll be there in half an hour, I told her. We'll figure this out and find her. Has anyone searched the grounds?

Uhm, not yet, but we're calling the police as we speak.

Alright. Don't let them do anything until I get there. If they find her, she may get upset and lash out and I don't want an incident like last time.

Neither do I. I'll put my foot down. I have a taser. Denise laughed, but I knew she was serious.

Last time, mom had hidden away in a closet claiming vampires were feeding from her. We'd all written it off as her usual crazy banter, but now, after everything that had happened in the last few months, I wasn't so sure she was hallucinating. It was more than possible that one of the vampires that had been looking for me had gotten to her first. I shuddered. Another unpleasant thought to shove to the back burner for another time.

I hung up and turned to Dante.

What happened? he asked, tucking his blunt behind his ear. It was no wonder he smelled like stale butts all the time.

Mom's lost. Just saying the words left a niggling fear at the back of my mind and I shuddered.

You want me to come with you?

Yeah. In case she's out of her mind, I may need you to help restrain her.

Let me get some shoes.

Dante went into the house. I hoped he'd grab a new shirt while he was in there so he wouldn't stink up my fancy schmancy car. The Honda had been a gift from Roman, my resident, mind-invading vampire. To call him a friend was overreaching, but he wasn't quite an enemy either. Yet.

I sent a quick text message to Pierce to let him know what was going on. I knew he'd want to know, even if he didn't reply. It had been three weeks since I told him I wouldn't marry him and I couldn't blame him for not wanting to speak to me. Still, I hoped he'd at least reply. I had a feeling I was going to need him by the end of the day.

I sent a text to Roman as well. It was just after nine in the morning, so he wouldn't get it until this evening, but I was perfectly fine with that. My hope was that we'd find mom and he could do a little vampire investigation when he woke up. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with him too much.

I giggled as Dante came out of the house. He eyed me with suspicion and locked the front door. He'd changed his shirt, bless him.

What's so funny? Are you high?

I was just thinking. What do you call it when a vampire does investigating? Dante shook his head. Vamp-stigating.

He chuckled. Yeah, you're high.

I don't think so. Of course, I wouldn't really know. I hit the key fob to unlock my car and we slid inside. It still smelled of new leather and plastic.

I cranked the engine and messed with the air while I pulled out of the driveway. It always took a few moments to get everything just right. I turned the radio on, and jumped when someone's screeching ripped through the serene quiet of the morning. I adjusted the volume as I turned onto Highway 290, headed toward town.

I haven't seen Pierce much lately, Dante said. He'd laid his seat all the way back. His eyes were watery slits in his face. Everything cool?

Yeah. We're just taking a step back right now. I took a deep breath before I told him the next part. He asked me to marry him when we were in Colorado.

And you don't want to? Dante sounded like he thought he understood, but he didn't. He didn't really know anything at that was partially my fault, wasn't it?

No, I do. Very much. It's just…some stuff has happened. Again, the words were on the tip of my tongue. The overwhelming urge to warn my brother about what was coming made my heart speed up. I lifted my chin to open up my airways and took another deep breath. Vampires were intent on taking over the world and there was really no one to stop them. The Mages either couldn't or wouldn't - I hadn't decided which it was - and I didn't know of any other supernatural groups big enough to do the job. I felt the inevitability of our plight like the plunge of teeth in my neck. A dull ache echoed where I'd once been bitten. I rubbed my neck, without thinking.

Did he hurt you? Dante growled. His furious voice snapped me back to the present. Once again, I shoved my depressing thoughts into the recesses of my mind. Glancing over, the frown in my brother's face made me chuckle.

Put your testosterone away, D. For heaven's sake. Pierce would never hurt me.

What's the problem then? I know how you feel about him. You spend all your time with him.

How did I tell my brother that vampires were taking over the world without sounding like a complete crazy? I mean, hell! We were headed to the 'mental relaxation facility'. He could just commit me and get it overwith.

Might be safer for me that way.

If you have yourself committed to the psychiatric hospital, I will personally bite the stupid out of you. Roman's angry voice rolled through my mind, touching places on my body he had no business knowing about. I shuddered against the onslaught of arousal, fighting back a moan of pleasure. His accent was thick and beautiful today, just like every day. That's what happens when I do not get any sleep, my sweet, he said in answer to my unasked question.

You're supposed to be asleep now. Go back to bed, I told him. I would have waited to text you if I'd known you were awake.

Yes, I know. I can't come out right now. That should please you. His tone was bitter. I had a long night and I am very weak. If you still need me tonight, I will come take a look.

Thanks. I wasn't sure what he knew and what he didn't, but I should have known he knew everything he needed and more.

Your brother is talking to you.

What? I asked Roman out loud on accident.

I asked what happened between you and Pierce, Dante said.

I glanced at him. His dark eyes were wide as he stared at me. He was worried.

It's just…relationship stuff. I don't really want to get into it. We're dealing with it. We'll get married one day. Just, not today.

I merged onto I-85, then switched to I-385 toward Columbia, going out of town.

I've got the damn munchies, Dante groaned. He rubbed his stomach like that would help make the hunger go away.

Shoulda grabbed something before we left. I'm not stopping. They should have something to eat there.

Hospital food, he said with distaste.

You never know. In your condition, it may taste amazing. I laughed.

I tried that once, Dante said, serious as death. No lie. It didn't work. The food is that bad.

Does it taste like crazy?

Dude, don't even joke.

I grinned.

What kind of condition is your brother in? Roman wanted to know. His curiosity knew no bounds.

He's high. Just got done smoking a blunt.

Are you high?

I may have a slight contact high, I admitted. I don't like him to do drugs by himself.

You're a good sister, and I respect that, but you must be more careful.

I didn't answer him, hoping he'd get the hint and leave me alone, but Roman never got the hint.

Stubborn, hard-headed, pain in the ass…

All of that, LeKrista? Really?

Yes. And so much more. None of it good.

Roman chuckled in my mind. The sound wrapped around me, stroking as if it was a tangible thing. I felt it against my skin, teasing and caressing. He was turning up the charm something fierce today. I assumed it had to do with the fact that I hadn't spoken to him since we got back from Colorado.

A tingle started at the base of my skull and my head ticked to the side. I didn't have time to pull over or hand the wheel to Dante.

My mother woke in her bed surrounded by the clinical white walls of her empty room. She swung her frail legs over the edge of the bed and teetered to the door. It opened without a problem. She walked out into the hall, past the cameras that wouldn't pick up her escape.

It's enough. It's enough. I don't want it. It's enough. Mom shook her head as if to dispell bad thoughts and hobbled down the hall. Fear blossomed in my chest.

At the next door, I was sure she'd be stopped, but the door swung open before she even touched it, letting her into the main part of the building. There was only the security gate to stop her now, and if she got past that she could get outside.

My mother stopped at the gate and peered through, her fingers lacing through the small holes in the mesh.

"Don't take her. It's enough. I don't want it. Don't take her. I'm coming. I'm coming."

The panic in mom's voice scared me and I started to cry. Fear exploded through my chest. It pushed all the air from my lungs and squeezed my heart.

Mama, don't, I screamed. Go back to bed!

Mom didn't make any indication that she'd heard me. I cried the words over and over anyway. Mama, please! Go back to bed! Please! You don't have to go anywhere.

My arms jerked to the left and my body slammed against something hard. My mother spun around and glared at me. Her face twisted into a feral a snarl.

"LeKrista, let go!"

I slammed back into my body as my car bounced over a shallow ditch. Dante jerked the wheel from my hands and I slammed my foot down on the brake. We came to a bumpy, sudden stop just before my car would have hit a barbed wire fence and ruined my shiny silver paint job.

Dammit, Kris! Are you okay? What the hell? Dante scrubbed a shaking hand over his face.

I blinked at him, trying to figure out what to say. In that split second, he took my silence for disorientation.

Was that a siezure? Dante leapt out of the car and ran over to my side, pulling me out like we'd just totalled it. I was just worried that my chassis might be bent.

D, stop. Stop! I shouted and shoved him away. Sorry.

Sorry? What the hell was that?

I don't know! I lied.

Flashing blue and red lights sped toward us. That was too damn fast. Had someone seen and called 911? How long had I been out?

The cops pulled up along side us so they were still half on the road. Two large men jumped out, their broad shoulders and bulging biceps straining against the fabric of their navy blue uniforms.

Now, he is good looking.

Both of the officers were attractive. They both hid behind their hats and dark sunglasses, but one was white with an angular jaw, and the other was black and sporting a goatee. Even with half of his face hidden, he reminded me of Wesley Snipes in Blade.

Are you alright, LeKrista? Roman's frantic voice was so loud it was like he was right next to me. I jumped and discreetly looked around, hoping I was wrong.

LeKrista, answer me! I couldn't get through to wake you up. Are. You. Alright? He enunciated each word as if I couldn't understand around his thick, purring accent.

Yeah, I'm fine. I think I saw my mother leave her room. Did you see?

Are you guys alright? the Blade impersonator asked. All he needed was a set of fangs and a killer sword.

That memory is hidden from me. I can't see it. It was meant only for you. I knew from experience that Roman didn't like anything about me to be hidden from him.

Yeah, we're fine, Dante answered for me, sending me a wary look. I think my sister had a weird siezure thing. She has them sometimes.

So it was a memory? I thought to Roman. It really happened? That means someone had to let her out of the hospital. More vampires are after me, aren't they?

Quite possibly.

The skin of my arms and between my shoulder blades tingled and started to itch like it was trying to detach from my body. I shivered and ticked, my body's reaction to vampires. With the sun out, there was only one way there were vampires close by.

I'm Officer Craven, the dark-skinned cop said in a growling baritone that rubbed me all the wrong ways.

And the right ones.

This is Officer Sonny, Craven continued. Are you feeling alright?

LeKrista. Roman's warning was unnecessary and I let him know it with a mental shove. His irritation made my lips twitch.

Yeah, I'm fine. I usually have more warning when I have a siezure. I guess this is just an off day. I didn't hurt anyone did I? Or anything? I hinted.

Everyone's just fine. Officer Craven eyed me with suspicion, trying to figure out what I really meant by 'anything'. There was no one around when you started to swerve. Officer Craven cocked his head to the side. It took everything in me not to copy the movement.

What do I do? I asked Roman. These two weren't human, they were daywalkers and this wasn't the first time they'd come after me.

There's not much he can do in the middle of the day, except for arrest you.

We were just headed to Rolling Meadows to see my mom, I told him, letting some panic drip into my tone. Well, not really see her. She's missing. She sneaked out somehow last night and I'm really worried that we might not find her… I feigned tears. I was worried, but I was also confident that we'd find her. I'm just really worried. The stress may be what's bringing on the freak siezures.

Officer Craven nodded, genuine concern in his eyes.

I have to hand it to him, he's a fantastic actor.

Tell you what, he said, somewhat impatiently. We'll follow you to Rolling Meadows to make sure you make it alright. Maybe we can help locate your mother. He reached out and touched my shoulder. I'm sure she's fine.

I nodded. The weight of his hand was heavy on my shoulder and I had to wonder just exactly what he was capable of.

Really, LeKrista? You'll fantasize about the half-breed on top of you, but I disgust you? Roman sniffed.

He doesn't have to be on top.

Yeah, okay. Thank you so much. That makes me feel so much better. I'll let my brother drive. I ignored Roman's seething as best I could and rounded the front of the Honda.

Good idea.

With Dante behind the wheel, I lay back, hoping he'd get the hint and leave me alone.

What do I do? I asked Roman. The daywalkers are following us. They aren't going to leave me alone.

Stall as best you can if you need to, my sweet. I will be there at dark.

Dark is a long way away, Roman. That's a long time to stall. The alternative is that we don't find my mother, and I'm not okay with that.

I understand. Let me get some rest and feed. I need a few hours.

I let him go, hating my dependence on him, but there was no other option. I needed to learn to fend for myself, but I needed people to teach me how to use my magic and no one seemed willing.

The daywalker police followed us all the way to Rolling Meadows, just like they said they would. When we arrived, I pretended to be too distraught to pay them any attention and hurried inside where Denise was waiting impatiently.

Oh, thank god. We have the police waiting. Oh, you brought some police of your own.

We had a little accident on the way, I explained, but we're fine. No one was injured. My car didn't even get hurt. They just wanted to make sure we made it safe and help find mom. I don't think they believed me.

I looked back to find Officer Craven's eyes intent on me. Even behind his dark shades, I felt him staring me down like a hawk eyeing its prey.

Can you take me to mom's room? I asked.

Absolutely. This way.

We followed Denise down the hall, through the gate and the door at the end.

Do you have any idea how she got out? I wondered aloud as I stepped into mom's sterile living space. There were a few pictures of me on the wall and some of Dante. There was one of Mammy as well, mom's mom and the woman from whom I got my middle name.

No. The cameras showed nothing, but all of the doors were unlocked. She had to have picked them somehow.

Her wheelchair is still here, though. How did she leave without it?

I don't know, Miss Scott. We're as confused as you are. Denise's pager went off and she stopped talking to look at it. I need to take care of this. Look around. See if you can find anything. I'll take your brother with me and he can talk to the police.

Okay. I rummaged through my mom's papers, but they were just her nonsensical ramblings. There were a few drawings, but nothing that really stood out.