Demon Royale

By Jill Cooper

In the tradition of young adult vampire fiction such as Twilight and Buffy the Vampire slayer, comes The Dream Slayer Series.

The only thing worse than dying, is running away...

Book 2 in The Dream Slayer Series

Since becoming employed by a supernatural protection agency, Natalie Johnson's life has been more interesting than ever. While most teens are working on their summer tans, Natalie works on slaughtering the undead lurking just outside her town's borders.

The workload takes more than just a toll on her love life, it dampens her spirit and her health, as the town is plagued by a mysterious murderer intent on stealing the residents' souls. Natalie's investigation is hampered by her declining health and the sicker she gets, the more inadequate she feels.

Guilt over her inability to act, weighs heavily on Natalie's shoulders during a time when her strength is needed more than ever. As some of those closest to her begin to lose faith, she must make the hardest stand yet to save the soul of the one person she can always count on:

The Slayer.

The Dream Slayer: Book 1
The Demon Royale: Book 2
The Uninvited Novella
Dawning Apocalypse: Book 3

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jill Cooper
• Release date: Apr 12, 2014

Jill Cooper

I could write this in the third person. I could tell you what I like, where I was born, and what my favorite things are. But instead, I'll say I don't want to write like everyone else. I don't want to craft stories you've read a thousand times before. I want my novels to be a cinematic experience, blending themes, genres, and situations unlike any you've ever read. I want to break the rules. I want you to break out in a cold sweat as you read my books out of fear, love, and excitement. I want my books to be an experience. When you finish, I want you to feel something. Good or bad. If you do, then I'll have succeeded. If not, I'll keep trying. She can be contacted at http://www.jillacooper.com and please like her to keep up to date: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Cooper/319251368110396

Book preview

Chapter One

Life changed. People moved on.

But Natalie would never be the same.

Natalie Johnson squatted down atop a cliff. Her eyes followed the crowds of people below as they filed into the pancake house. The wooden stake in her hand dripped with black blood, and judging by the rustling in the trees below, she wasn’t done using her stake that night.

A group of teenagers got out of their car and headed into the Maple Sweet restaurant, unaware they were being trailed by someone in the shadows—someone lurking in the comfort of the trees. His movements were controlled with delicate precision as he crept along, and even from this distance, Natalie could make out the yellow of his eyes.

Vampires. She hated the lot of them, but they were her job. Her mistake—her problem.

She started her descent off the mountain, her feet perched on the rocks, and her knees bent like she was going to surf the cliffs. Natalie’s plan was to sail through the air, putting her trajectory between the innocent teenagers and the vampire ghoul…

Until her foot slipped and pebbles slid out from underneath her sneaker. Arms flailing, Natalie fell onto her butt and slid down the rocks until she landed on her stomach right beside a parked car.

Her blue glasses sat askew on her face like she’d fallen asleep on them, but at least she hadn’t been knocked unconscious this time. Natalie hopped up to her feet and a rasping growl caught her attention.

The vampire was eyeing her like she was walking lunch. Most vampires couldn’t speak, and this one was no exception. Instead, it just growled at her, though his eyes flashed recognition of who she was.

Good. Maybe they were circulating an undead flyer with her picture on it; that would keep the undead ghouls up during the day when they should be sleeping to recharge for their evening feeding.

He advanced on her, but his movements were cautious, and he barely got within arm’s length. Natalie leaped forward and snatched him by the arm. She then spun him as if they were dancing a private waltz and sent his body crunching into a parked car. The vampire howled and lurched forward with his clawed fingers outstretched for her.

Natalie stomped on his foot, kneed the beast in the stomach, and delivered a knockout punch across his jaw. The vampire’s head snapped to the side and blood sprayed out of his mouth. His eyes rolled like shiny marbles in their sockets, and his eyebrows drew together in an angry scowl. He hissed, saliva dripping down his chin, and Natalie took the opportunity to drive her wooden stake into his chest.

With a solid thrust, Natalie grunted and heard his sternum snap in his chest. She stepped back, pulling her stake free with an angry flourish. This was the point where she was supposed to say something witty, but she found she couldn’t.

I’m sorry, Natalie whispered. I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell, that I let the vampires into our town. I’m sorry for what they did to you. I’m sorry you had to die for my mistake.

Her mistake. She hadn’t known her daydreams were real and would bring nightmares into the real world, or that she would have to use a powerful magic to stop the Patricians, a group of supercharged magicians, in a tug of war game with her power as her prize.

The crystal was only thing that could defeat them, and when she did that, she had let more vampires and demons into Meadow’s Creek than there were geeks at a Star Trek convention.

The vampire’s face changed for a split second, and Natalie thought he might speak to her, but that was crazy. Even if he could, he’d never get the chance, as his body began to puddle into black blood. Natalie watched as his face melted away like a lit candle turning to wax. The gooey liquid dripped against the car and began to drip down the driver’s side door.

She felt like sighing and could have cried if allowed to think on it for too long. Luckily for her, a group of girls from school came by. They were in denim miniskirts and clingy tank tops. Even though it was August, they were spray-tan orange—it was hard to get an even tan in Vermont no matter what time of year it was.

Eww, one of the girls said. Did you puke on that car?

Another girl rolled her eyes. Puke isn’t black. Or maybe yours is.

Natalie turned away. I didn’t do anything, she defended, but the mocking laughter that followed rang in her ears. Her eyes stung with hot tears, but it wasn’t because of the teasing—that didn’t bother her anymore. When people turned into undead, bloodsucking beasts because of things you did, a little thing like laughter didn’t bother you so much.

Natalie heard clapping coming from the restaurant, and she headed toward it. She saw Kenneth with his thick black glasses. He was dressed in a navy suit and a matching tie. His jacket pocket was lined with a plastic protector, and in his hand was a brown clipboard. Underneath it all, Natalie saw a handsome older man. The guy had to be pushing twenty-one, and he was in Meadow’s Creek for her.

Kenneth checked off a few boxes on his clipboard. Ms. Johnson, your dismount was less than stellar, and while your staking was efficient, you forgot to issue the requisite one-liner.

I didn’t forget. Natalie’s lips set in a straight line. I didn’t think it was appropriate. A man died.

Kenneth’s face remained unchanged. His fate doesn’t change whether you issue the witty remark or not. And you were breaking protocol. He sighed and tucked the clipboard under his arm. As your probation officer, I am forced to remind you that the quicker you prove to me that you are ready, the faster I can approve you for field duty. Then we can both go back to our lives.

Natalie held her breath and her cheeks puffed up with air while she listened to his latest criticism. Now I feel forced to remind you that I am already in the field. I stopped the Patricians from destroying the town and stopped Morach from killing Mr. Buckle. I’m new, yes, but I think we were doing just fine before you got here.

But you failed to capture him, didn’t you? Kenneth’s chin stuck out in a smug display. The World Organization of Magical Protection has commanded his capture, and until you do, your mission is incomplete as far as WOMP is concerned. If I must, I will repeat section two, paragraph seven B—

Natalie held up her hand. No need. Her teeth smacked together. I remember. I’m going to go back inside and get something to eat. All this vampire hunting has made me hungry.

Kenneth brought his clipboard back out to jot something down, but he remained quiet. Natalie was glad. She hated going toe to toe with him and was grateful that most of the time her custodian, Charles Buckle, worked as a buffer. Even so, she wished Damien was around to put Kenneth in his place.

But no one knew if Damien was dead or alive. His body was never found inside the rubble of the high school cafeteria after the explosion last spring, and no one had seen him since that day. After everything they’d been through, she knew if he was okay, he’d come back. But he hadn’t, so maybe he was dead too. An agent against evil for years, and a few days with her had ended his life.

Part of Natalie felt like she’d see him again. She couldn’t believe he was really gone, and something in her soul said she’d see him again. Natalie knew she wasn’t in love with him, not really, but he was handsome… and way too old for her. Besides, she had a boyfriend.

They headed toward the old-style Victorian home refashioned into a bustling restaurant. With its yellow shutters and stained-glass windows, it was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever seen. It was dusk, and the bright lights from town shone against the backdrop of the green mountains. Vermont had never looked so beautiful.

The French doors were decorated with multicolored glass, and around the side were sweeping bay windows that allowed patrons to gaze out at the city. Through the glass, she could see the life of the busy restaurant as they went inside and found their tables.

Food was already at the table, and sitting side by side in a booth was the rest of her team. Michelle Tracker, a friend Natalie had recently reconnected with, and Charles Buckle. But her eyes settled on Tristan, and her heart thumped an intense beat at the sight of him. He was relaxed in a t-shirt and jeans, but something about the way he breathed and chewed his bacon was enough to cause a stirring in her soul.

They’d been friends their entire lives, and Natalie had been more than surprised when he’d professed his love for her, but she’d been downright astonished when her own feelings for him intensified. When he looked at her and their eyes connected, a small smile played on his lips, and Natalie was overcome with a warm glow, like standing in the sun after a rainy day.

She settled with sliding beside him into the booth. His arm tucked around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. For a moment, Natalie nuzzled her nose against his neck and took a deep breath. His cologne was spicy but sweet and made her heart gallop faster.

Someone cleared their throat, and it wasn’t Charles Buckle, but rather Kenneth in the booth beside theirs. He was seated alone with his plate of pancakes, but he was surrounded by a towering display of books and study materials.

Sorry about that, he said. Bacon gone down the wrong way. Just go about your business and pretend I’m not here.

Charles gave him a sharp look. He pursed his lips and his brow furrowed before wiping the corner of his mouth with his napkin. Any luck?

Michelle rolled her eyes. You talk about it like she was out searching for some car keys.

Charles and Tristan shushed the redheaded beauty before she gave anything away.

Natalie glanced at Kenneth and saw that he was again writing something down. It left her distracted. Yup. Vampire’s dead, she said simply.

Two people in the booth the other side of them to Kenneth’s turned to stare, pieces of bacon hanging from their mouths.

Way to go with just blurting stuff out, Natalie, Michelle said sarcastically.

I didn’t say it that loud, did I? she scowled.

Loud enough, Charles said with a sigh and sipped his tea. He nodded his head toward Natalie so she would know to pick up the thread.

She took a deep breath, not used to talking in front of groups of people greater than two, but she was getting better at it since her custodian had forced her to do it almost daily. Miss Farbaker is being buried tomorrow. She might rise from the grave being all… you know… fangy. Natalie watched the booth in front of her to make sure no one turned around this time. We need to stake her out, and if she rises from the grave all undead, then we need to… umm… stake her. Natalie scowled at her poor sentence structure, but it was too late for a do over.

All night? Michelle asked with a roll of her eyes.

Natalie’s eyes were on Kenneth. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to, Michelle. We can handle it without you.

Or, Michelle said with a grin, we could bring Marcus to keep me company.

Everyone at the table groaned. It wasn’t the first time Michelle had tried to get Marcus to join their paladin party.

C’mon. He really wants to help. I told him about all the cool stuff we do. Michelle folded up half a pancake and stuffed it in her mouth.

Kenneth cleared his throat and took a sip of water. Sorry… you people do realize that slaying vampires is a life or death situation, don’t you?

Natalie’s heart leaped with nerves, but Michelle was oblivious to her discomfort. So? Michelle bounced in her seat and batted her eyelashes at Charles. Please, Chuck.

Charles shook his head as he wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. Absolutely not. Having two non-paladins going out on missions is enough to have WOMP on my case as it is. I can’t explain one more. Not without the boss becoming even more furious with me than she already is.

Michelle narrowed her eyes and stuffed a fork full of hash brown in her mouth. I can’t believe you guys won’t even let him try. He’d be a really good sidekick. Michelle tossed down her napkin and made her escape, pulling down her dress a little as she stood.

Natalie wanted to rush after her, but Tristan’s hand on her thigh steadied her.

Charles cleared his throat, and his eyes were on Kenneth when he spoke. By standard rules, there should only be the paladin and the custodian. We are already an unconventional team, I think its best we not draw attention to ourselves any further.

Slayer dudes, there can only ever be two! The master and the apprentice! It was Marcus with his crazy shaggy haircut and Austin Powers glasses. That night he was wearing a yellow t-shirt and a black jacket with a black striped tie swinging around his neck. He flopped down in Michelle’s seat and pulled Charles’ plate of pancakes over. Are you done with this?

She’ll be okay, Nat. Tristan pulled her hair from her neck and gave her a kiss.

Natalie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She loved it when he did stuff like that, even if they were in public. Under the table, her hand crept over to his knee and gave him a squeeze. His hot breath was against her lips in an open-mouth kiss, and desire built inside her. They may have been alone at the table for all she knew, and Natalie couldn’t have been happier.

Their moment was interrupted like a needle grating against a record.

How’s everything? a woman asked as she stopped by their table. Natalie recognized her as the owner of the restaurant, Evelyn Drake. She was in her customary brown uniform with a long white apron, which was decorated with a bottle of maple syrup, tied around her waist. She was a simple woman, and the only accessory she wore was a blue pendant around her neck.

Great. Natalie smiled meekly as Marcus gave her two thumbs up while eating the last of the hash browns. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her probation officer making more notes. She felt so closed in when he was around and wanted to scream, but that wouldn’t help her cause at all.

Oh, Mr. Buckle, hello. Evelyn blushed as she said his name. Natalie watched with growing concern; ‘Mr. Buckle’ was her name for him.

Charles immediately stood to address her and bumped his knee on the table. He grimaced while Evelyn gave a short chuckle, covering her mouth delicately with her hand. Ms. Drake, it’s good to see you again, of course. A silly grin came over his face as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

You too. I hope your pancakes were good.

Oh yes, he’s just a food-stealing menace. Charles gestured to Marcus, who was shoveling food into his mouth by the truckload.

Well good, glad to hear it. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. Two?

Charles nodded. I’ll be there.

Be where? Natalie wanted to scream but didn’t. Did they have a freestanding appointment? And if so, how come she was just hearing about it? Her custodian couldn’t date, could he?

Good. Evelyn gave him a grin before moving on to the next table.

Natalie and Tristan’s mouths were open in shock. Chuck, you have a… date? With a woman?

It’s not unheard of. I do occasionally socialize with adults. Charles took his seat in the booth but glowered at Kenneth. "Mr. Parsons, does that really need to be noted? I am afforded a social life."

Kenneth sipped his water and didn’t look up. A thorough report is a good report, Agent Buckle.

Charles sighed in resignation.

At least we know why he always wants us to discuss our missions over pancakes. Natalie smirked, but the idea of her custodian dating made her feel possessive enough to blush. I’m going to go check on Michelle. Natalie gave Tristan a parting smile and headed down the rows of tables.

She took a deep breath, allowing her jealous feelings to flow off of her, but it still nagged at the back of her mind. Charles was an adult, and if he wanted to date, he was allowed to. She dated, and it was nice. Everyone should have a chance at happiness, and there was more to life than just slaying vampires.

Natalie was happy for him—really.

She dodged several high-speed waitresses as she came to the bathroom door by the entry into the kitchen. The waitresses raced by like they had wheel on their feet, balancing trays full of plates with towering pancake stacks. And on the wall, Natalie saw dainty bottles of syrup in a row. Some were full and some nearly empty, but all were amber in color.

She pushed through the swinging door to the restroom, and the fragrant aroma of flowers hit her immediately. There was a giant green vase against the wall filled with gorgeous lilies, sprays, and leafy garland. The walls were painted brown, like chocolate, and each of the vanity sinks were separated by a small bowl of potpourri. The smell was so strong, it was like stepping into a florist shop.

Crouched down on the floor, Michelle was vomiting, and there were tears streaming down her face. Natalie raced to her side, but her friend shook her head and pointed to the open bathroom stall, the one where blood pooled on the floor.

Natalie pushed into the bathroom stall to find a woman still sitting on the toilet. Her head was leaned back, and her panties were around her calves as if it was just a regular bathroom visit, but her body was covered in blood. It was matted in her hair and streaked down her limbs like she’d bathed in it. Her hands gripped at her abdomen, but she wasn’t alive. Natalie could tell from the way her head was rocked back with her eyes staring up at the ceiling. But whatever had happened to her, her mouth was drawn in a single line as if she was asleep or peacefully resting.

The stench of blood hit her all at once. Natalie swallowed back the racing vomit, and her paladin instincts kicked in, pushing the rest of her emotional responses to the side.

She studied the victim from a distance at first. The woman couldn’t have been older than eighteen, and had beautiful hair once. She wore sneakers paired with a short clingy miniskirt and a pink button blouse. Everything was stained red, and as Natalie studied her, she could still see the slow dripping of blood. It was everywhere.

Natalie stepped farther in, trying not to step in the growing puddle, but she found it near impossible. She grabbed some toilet paper and used it to tilt back the woman’s head. It looked free of injury, but as the paladin tried to move the woman’s arm away from her abdomen, the sweet smell of flesh blood hit her.

The woman’s blouse was half-unbuttoned, and her hands weren’t merely resting against her abdomen, they were inside it. The skin was nonexistent, torn away as if a bomb had gone off inside her. Shreds of muscles hung from her abdomen cavity like drapes made of beads, and shards of broken bone fragments clung to her flesh. Her hands were bright red, as if dipped in red paint, and underneath each fingernail were long strands of flesh.

It wasn’t a vampire.

It wasn’t suicide.

This was something much worse.

Natalie, Michelle’s voice sobbed. Your hair…

Turning to the mirror, Natalie saw what Michelle was talking about. Her hair was tinged blond at the roots, just like the slayer’s. Eyes widening with shock, Natalie witnessed her irises turn from brown to blue.

Something inside her was changing. Natalie groaned like she’d been punched in the stomach. She gripped the door stall and found Michelle was at her side. I think I’m going to pass out.

Again? Michelle’s nose wrinkled. Should I get you a pillow or something?

Natalie let out an exasperated breath, and her vision flashed with swirls of grass. She could smell salty water and hear happy squeals from children. Putting a hand to her forehead, she saw a lake filled with boats, and her feet were damp.

Her body thudded to the ground as her world faded into darkness.

Chapter Two

While Natalie Johnson was a paladin in the real world, in the alternate dimension her dreams created, she was the slayer. A beautiful blond with killer legs and rock-hard abs, the slayer can defeat an enemy without breaking a sweat and still make time for dinner with friends and family.

The slayer’s name was also Natalie, but she had no idea she wasn’t the original. To the slayer, she was real and had no idea that she was nothing more than a fictional character.

The slayer blinked her blue eyes as thunder clapped and her brain surged with an electric jolt. The world snapped into place and her vision blurred with color. She became aware that her feet were wet. Glancing down, she saw she was sitting on a pier with her feet soaking in the water. What was she doing? Where was she?

Camp. But she wasn’t just there for summer vacation. She was on assignment.

You okay, Nat? Michelle asked, and Natalie saw she was sitting between her and Tristan Miller. They both wore matching blue polo shirts, and on the right corner were the words ‘Meadow’s Creek Camp.’ That’s right, Natalie thought. I’m a camp counselor. She did it every summer for three weeks. She knew that, but she had no actual memories of doing it.

Did that even make sense? It was like someone had told her she’d done it, but she couldn’t place a single memory of doing it before.

You look kinda spacey.

Yeah, Natalie said, but her voice sounded hollow and flat. She tucked her blond hair behind her ears. Sorry, just feel out of it suddenly.

Maybe it’s heatstroke.

Michelle threw Tristan a dirty glower. It’s not heatstroke. I can barely feel the sun’s rays.

Natalie glanced up at the sky and realized Michelle was right. Even though the sun was shining brightly and there wasn’t a cloud to be found, she didn’t feel hot. Her skin wasn’t on fire from the constant stream of sunlight. Wasn’t that weird?

The water’s warm. Michelle said and kicked her feet back and forth, causing the water to slosh in a cascade around their toes.

"Always a