Curse of the Asuune

By Steven Sterup, Jr

Mark Albet is thrust into a world of vampires and angels as he struggles to understand the reason behind his wife’s murder. While Mark struggles in his new reality he gets help from his longtime friend, Sarah. Mark’s feelings for Sarah grow and become confusing as she attempts to prepare him for life as an Asuune, an immortal half-angel, in their fight against vampires. Mark’s love for Sarah can never be revealed to her because each Asuune only gets one true love and Sarah already knows who hers is. If Sarah already knows who her love is then why does she insist on making Mark’s life more difficult by teasing him with sexual advances and innuendo?
Kathrine Albet, Mark’s daughter, must find her place in the Asuune world to help her father find and rescue Sarah. After accidently stumbling across this strange world of vampires and angels, Kathrine comes to realize that this new reality is exactly where she truly belongs. While helping her father she meets her true love, Paul, only to find out that this alluring man is helping the vampires. With the help of her new Asuune friends, Kathrine strikes out to find out what kind of man Paul really is and if his feelings for her are the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Sterup, Jr
• Release date: Jun 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370305353

Steven Sterup, Jr

I enjoy reading and writing fantasy themed books, including romance novels. Most of my work is about fantastical worlds with magic and monsters.Since I was young I've had a strange desire to create 'something' and as soon as I started writing my first book I knew I had finally found what I was looking for.I hope you enjoy the worlds I have created and I appreciate your feedback. Feel free to contact me on my website at www.StevenSterupJr.com or email me at [e-mail].

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lyndsee Elisman knelt down in the damp, cold grass. The decorative row of bushes in front of her obscured her vision but provided her with cover. It was a little after midnight with no moon, so unless someone looked very closely, they would not see the five foot six inch brunette hiding across the street from the run-down church. This was exactly what Lyndsee wanted. She wore a black tee-shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket. The grey pantsuit she normally wore for her job at the FBI would have been too conspicuous for hiding in the bushes after midnight. Tonight she had tied her hair up in a ponytail to keep it out of her way. Normally, she liked having her long, wavy hair to the middle of her back, but in a situation like this, long hair would be a hindrance.

Although Lyndsee was only an analyst, and not a real field agent, this case was different. She had told no one she was tracking Mark Albet, the man who killed her mother almost eight years ago when she was only seventeen. When this man had escaped, all those years ago, Lyndsee was forced to change her name and go into hiding. As soon as she turned nineteen, she signed up for college, got a four-year degree in criminal justice, then immediately signed up for the FBI training program. After her acceptance as an analyst, she began tracking Albet in secret, it had nearly been a year now, and she was sure she had finally found him. She had taken a leave of absence and driven nearly two days to get here, she just hoped it was really him this time.

Lyndsee crouched down, someone was walking up to the church doors across the street. She thrust her hand nervously into her purse to check her revolver one more time. It was still there and still cold. She suddenly realized how cold she was. Her knees were going numb from the cold, damp grass. It wasn’t quite freezing, but Lyndsee guessed it had to be close. She should have worn warmer clothes, probably gloves, but realizing this now mattered little.

Lyndsee watched a man in a black trench coat with his hood up walk slowly across the parking lot. The man walked almost to the door of the church, then kept going. This was not Albet. She couldn’t tell if she was shaking from the cold or if it was nerves, but she was almost glad it wasn’t him. She wanted to find him and confront him, but she dreaded what would happen when she did.

A few minutes later, another man walked out of the shadows of the dimly lit parking lot in front of the church. He wore a fleece jacket and jeans. He acted very casually as he walked toward the door. This couldn’t be Albet. Wouldn’t a wanted fugitive be more careful?

The man rummaged through his pockets and soon found the keys to the door. As the man turned the lock, he pushed the hood of his jacket back, and Lyndsee could see his face. His hair was shaved, and he had a goatee now, but it looked like Albet. The nose, the shape of his face, it looked just like him.

Lyndsee waited a minute or two after the man went inside, then got up from her hiding spot and attempted to calmly cross the street to the old church. Her stomach swayed, and she felt like she was going to vomit. This might be it; it might finally be over. She only had to go in the church and shoot the man, kill Albet in cold blood, like he had done to Lyndsee’s mother. No one would ever find out, she had bought the gun at a shady street vendor, the serial numbers were filed off and she brought a small bottle of bleach along with a few rags to clean up any DNA or fingerprints she left behind. She had prepared for this day long before she joined the FBI. She had been planning this since she was seventeen, living in a stranger’s house, and tonight it might finally all be over.

Lyndsee tried to calm herself as she reached for the door handle, but her hands wouldn’t quit shaking. She was sure it was the nerves now, she barely felt the cold anymore. The door didn’t make a sound, and she silently slipped inside, then shut the door just as silently.

The lights in the church were all off except for a small lamp at the entrance and a faint light coming from a door to the left of the pulpit. It must be the preacher’s office, and that meant it was definitely Albet.

Mark Albet had been hiding as a preacher in this small church under the name Sean Coates. He had apparently been pretending to be a preacher for the last four years with no one even suspecting him. Lyndsee had only found him because of a small piece in the local paper. Albet had been caught on camera behind a traffic accident that happened on the street in front of his church. Strange as it seemed, Albet was the first to arrive on the scene and gave the poor woman CPR until the ambulance arrived. She and the drunk man that hit her both died on the way to the hospital, but the cameraman who took pictures caught Albet standing next to one of the paramedics. Now that she recalled the picture, she wondered if the hooded man in the trench coat had been the same one in the background of the photo.

Lyndsee started tracking this man, like she had over twenty other men that looked like Albet, but this one had paid off. She was almost certain it was him. This Sean Coates had no pictures on file, had no birth certificate, no social security number, nothing. He was a ghost in the system, which meant one of two things. He was either an illegal immigrant or he was a fugitive. Looking at his face, she doubted he was an immigrant, and his likeness to Mark Albet was uncanny.

Lyndsee slowly walked down the row of pews. The old wooden floor creaked about half way down, and Lyndsee stopped dead in her tracks. She looked around, hoping Albet was too busy with whatever he was doing to notice. After a few seconds she heard papers rustling in the preacher’s office, and she started again.

No need to sneak around, Katie, the preacher said loudly from his office.

How did he know she was there and more importantly, how did he know it was her? Before she was sent to live in a foster home, her name had been Kathrine, Katie for short. How could Albet possibly know she was the one sneaking around in his church?

There was no use sneaking now, so she yelled back loudly. Come out of the office with your hands up! She had no intention of arresting him, but she also had no intention of walking into his office, where he had the advantage.

Although she was just an analyst, she had taken many classes on how to use a gun and many self-defense courses. She had also continued her studies after becoming an analyst, in the hopes of one day becoming a profiler for the FBI. Even though she had never been out in the field, she had studied every aspect of it.

Alright, sweetie, I’m coming, Albet said calmly.

I’m not your sweetie! Lyndsee snapped.

Mark walked out of the office with his hands up, shaking his head in disbelief.

I knew this day would come, but I didn’t think it would be this soon. I apparently haven’t done a very good job of hiding. You just became an FBI agent, Mark said, turning his gaze to Lyndsee. His eyes didn’t look evil, they looked kind and caring, and the look on his face was not angry, more disappointed.

I know what you are! Lyndsee shouted, trying to change the subject. It was disturbing that this man, the man who killed her mother, had been watching her.

Katie, I don’t think you do. Now please put down the gun. I don’t want you hurting yourself, Mark said, lowering his hands.

I have oak bullets with silver tips, and I know you are a vampire, Lyndsee’s voice got quieter, she almost didn’t believe what she was saying.

Mark didn’t react the way she had assumed. He didn’t seem alarmed, nor was he even upset.

I’m not a vampire, Mark replied with a laugh.

I don’t believe you! This is for my mother! Lyndsee shouted as she fired off all six rounds.

The shots were spread out all over the place, and only one of them hit his chest. This gun had way more kick than the ones she had practiced with, so even at about twenty feet she couldn’t hit the same spot twice. It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle a gun, her nerves mixed with the unexpected kick of this gun, just threw off her aim.

Mark stood in front of Lyndsee and looked down at his bloody white shirt. Mark laughed as the hole in his chest stained his shirt with blood, not an evil laugh, more in disbelief that Lyndsee had actually shot him. He didn’t take a step toward Lyndsee. Instead of getting angry, he calmly crossed his arms and spoke.

Now I’m going to need a new shirt. And those bullets wouldn’t work on a vampire either, Mark said jokingly.

But…but…how? was all that Lyndsee could say.

Katie, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. Vampires aren’t like the ones from movies and books. You need to be smarter, Mark spoke softly, not condescendingly.

Quit calling me Katie! Lyndsee screamed at him. The futility of her situation left her with little else to say. She couldn’t kill him and probably wouldn’t escape. This was wrong, her careful planning had gone horribly wrong.

You’re right; you’re a little old for Katie. How about Kate? Mark asked, kindly.

My name is Lyndsee, Lyndsee said through gritted teeth as she slowly walked backwards. Maybe if she could distract him, she could make it to the door, find someone else, maybe a crowd. He wouldn’t want too many witnesses.

You’re right; Kate doesn’t quite fit either. But, your name is not Lyndsee, its Kathrine, Mark rebutted, still quite calm.

Mark started walking toward Lyndsee, and she turned to run. The agile man caught up with her quickly and grabbed her shoulders. His grip was strong, far too strong for a human.

If you’re not a vampire, then what the hell are you? Lyndsee struggled to escape his grasp but it was no use.

What I am is complicated. I can tell you that I’m called Asuune, but that word means nothing to you. So you will need to listen to my story, Mark said calmly as he picked up Lyndsee and sat her in a pew.

Why did you kill my mom? Lyndsee was now crying. She had given up trying to escape, but maybe she could get some answers before he killed her.

That’s also complicated, again you will need to listen to my story, Mark said as he sat down next to her in the pew.

I don’t want to listen to a story; I want you dead! Lyndsee screamed as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Kathrine please, Mark said as he tried to wipe the tears from her face, but Lyndsee quickly pulled away.

Don’t touch me! Lyndsee yelled, but slightly quieter. The reality of the situation was beginning to sink in. She couldn’t do anything unless he allowed it, but she needed some sense of control.

Ok, I’m sorry, Mark said, sliding a few inches away to give Lyndsee some room. Let me tell you my story, and then you can decide.

Decide what? Lyndsee asked quietly.

Decide if you want to join me or…

Lyndsee interrupted. Or you kill me, right!? The volume in Lyndsee’s voice came back.

Now, why would I kill you? I’ve spent the last seven years doing everything I can to protect you. You can decide whether to join me or forget about me. Forget everything I tell you and quit looking for me. I will leave and never see you again. I hadn’t realized how living so close to you was actually putting you in more danger. But, once you know the truth, you will be able to protect yourself. If you choose to leave you will at least know what to look out for. I will even leave you with a name, someone who can find me, in case you are ever in a situation where you need me. Mark paused and gave Lyndsee time to think this over.

Fine, I will listen, but I will never forgive you, Lyndsee spat back. She hated this man with everything she had. He had taken her mother from her, and he needed to pay.

I don’t need your forgiveness; I didn’t kill your mother. I have come to terms with you hating me, and that’s fine, whatever it takes to keep you safe. But I didn’t let you find me because I want forgiveness. I let you find me because you were getting too close to the truth. A very dangerous truth. Mark looked at his hands, trying to figure out how to say what was on his mind.

You didn’t kill mom? Then why let me believe it was you? Lyndsee asked, confused.

You see, there are events in a person’s life. Things that change you so completely that you become another person. I’ve been lucky enough to have several good ones along with the bad. Something most people don’t get, or simply don’t appreciate. The first was when I met your mother. She changed my life so much that I wasn’t the same person anymore. I was happy for the first time in my life. But, little did I know that it was nothing compared to the event that came next. The day you were born. That single event changed my life so much more than any event before or since. I can barely describe the feeling of suddenly being more concerned for someone else’s life. And when your mother died, your safety became more important than you liking me. Mark stopped. He had held this in for far too long. Finally, his daughter would know the truth about him.

Dad? Tears ran down Lyndsee’s face. She had no idea what to say. Lyndsee believed him immediately, though she had no reason to. Every piece of evidence, every witness account, everything said that her dad had killed her mom. But hearing him say he didn’t do it? That all of this was to keep her safe? What else could she believe? He was her dad.

Now, I’m not a vampire, but I am something. Something you might find hard to believe. Mark paused. I’m half angel, Mark stated. He knew how it sounded, but he needed Katie to hear it. It would make his story easier to understand if she knew.

Half angel? You’re a Nephilim? Lyndsee asked in disbelief.

No, you’re a Nephilim, I’m something called Asuune, Mark said matter-of-factly.

Haven’t you ever wondered why you are physically stronger and faster than everyone else? Have you ever even gotten a cold? Mark asked then waited patiently for the answer.

No, I don’t think I’ve ever been sick, Lyndsee replied absentmindedly as she went over her life. Strangely this made sense. She had always known there was something different about her. In track, she could beat anyone without trying. She always put on the same weights as everyone else in the weight room because she didn’t want to be noticed. As a teenager, the worst thing you can be is different. Her foster parents were kind and gentle people, but she could never tell them either. She didn’t want them to change their mind about keeping her. It was hard enough to take in a teenager, she didn’t want to give them any reason to send her away.

So what is an Asuune? Lyndsee asked.

That, like most things in my life, is more complicated than I can explain in one sentence, Mark replied with a sigh.

So tell me your story, Lyndsee said. She was now ready to listen. Her urgency to run away or kill him had left. This was so much better than revenge, her dad was innocent.

Mark readied himself and then began. I suppose I should start with the day your mother died…

Chapter 2

Mark Albet sat quietly at his desk, staring at his monitor. Occasionally he would use the scroll wheel on his mouse to scroll down a page or two, carefully searching the source code. Mark was the project manager for Sandleton Technologies, a provider of database solutions for large companies. He was in charge of fifteen other programmers, and today they were all trying to find a serious flaw in one of their largest client’s code. They had spent nearly a full day trying to figure out why credit card information was being stored without encryption for certain customers of this client.

Mark was clean shaven with neatly trimmed sandy brown hair. He was in his mid-forties and fairly thin. Every day he wore a long sleeved, white shirt and black or brown pants to work. On days when he expected to meet with someone he wore a tie, but today he didn’t have one. He always kept a spare in his desk drawer for unexpected company, but he really hated wearing one, so the employees under him were never required to wear one either. He always told them to keep a spare on hand in case they were also required to meet with clients. This was for the male employees, the female employees were just instructed to dress tastefully. Since he had no idea what was considered tasteful for a woman, he left that up to the women to decide.

Sarah came rushing up to Mark’s desk with an excited look on her face. Mark! I found it! It’s not even our fault! Sarah exclaimed loudly.

Sarah was Mark’s assistant, technically second in command. Whenever Mark was away, meeting with clients or just taking a day off, Sarah was in charge. Everyone in the office knew that Sarah was probably the most intelligent and gifted programmer in the whole office. Mark was only in charge because he was a better leader, he had a way of not only getting people to do their job efficiently, but he could convince them to enjoy doing it.

Sarah was a short woman, five foot four, with long, somewhat curly, red hair which she always kept in a ponytail at work. Her green eyes were a sharp contrast to her hair and light complexion. Sarah was an athletic looking woman who looked like she could probably hold her own in a fight. She also happened to be quite beautiful. She liked to flirt with everyone, male and female alike; it was just the way she was. This, coupled with her stunning good looks, was very distracting to Mark but as he always told everyone ‘He was very married’, meaning he was still in love with his wife of twenty years, Jennifer.

Today Sarah wore a particularly bright, red dress that went to her knees. It was very tasteful in Marks opinion, except for the fact that Sarah had left the top two buttons undone. This meant that every time she bent over to speak to someone or if someone was standing above her, they would be unable to miss her ample cleavage. However, Sarah was allowed more latitude than anyone else in Mark’s office. Partly because she was Mark’s friend, but mostly because everyone knew they would be lost without her.

Despite his attraction to Sarah, she was Mark’s best friend, both at work and outside of it. Sarah had been to Mark’s house several times for family get-togethers with whomever she was with at the time. Jennifer and Sarah actually got along very well, though Jennifer didn’t quite have the same friendship as Mark had with her, Jennifer considered Sarah one of her closest friends. Both of the women knew that Mark would never cheat on Jennifer, especially not with Sarah. They would often joke about it, leaving Sarah’s current date feeling left out and uncomfortable.

What did you find? Mark asked calmly. It was never a good idea to act as excited as Sarah, it would only cause her to get louder.

It wasn’t us! Sarah exclaimed again with far more enthusiasm than most people had for source code, but Mark was used to it. His friend was very excitable. This was one of the many things that made them such good friends. Mark had a hard time being in a bad mood whenever she was around.

Hurry up, cutie! They need this by the end of the day! Sarah looked at Mark with a silly smile, raised one eyebrow, and then rushed back to her office. Reluctantly Mark followed Sarah to her office. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her, nor did he object to going to her office. He just knew that Sarah was going to make a big deal out of it and he would come out feeling like a fool for not seeing it as easily as she did.

Sarah’s office was right next to Mark’s, though you would not be able to tell whose office you were walking into without the name tags. All the offices on this floor were positioned along a long hallway with each office laid out identically. Once inside, it became clear that this was Sarah’s office. Unlike Mark’s bare, businesslike office, Sarah had many tiny figures on shelves as well as a TV with a gaming system hooked up to it. Everyone in the office knew that Sarah was what most people would consider a geek. She loved her sci-fi books, movies, and games almost as much as she loved her job. This was endearing to most of the other programmers in the office, they felt comfortable with her, more so than with Mark. Mark didn’t need them to feel comfortable with him, he was the boss. He needed them to respect him and trust him, and for the most part, everyone did. If their office was a family, he would be like the father and Sarah the cool, older sister.

Sarah plopped down in her chair and spun it quickly toward the monitor. She slapped her hands down on the desk on either side of the keyboard to stop herself and then pointed to a window on the screen. Look at this!

Wait, this isn’t ours, Mark said curiously as he leaned toward the monitor.

Sarah had a session opened to the client’s computer and on the screen was what would look like garbage to most people. The window contained scrolling text that flew by quickly. Mostly, it was a bunch of names and numbers, but Mark saw the pattern right away.

Someone is intercepting the customer’s credit card information and saving it unencrypted, after our software closes the customer’s order, Mark said slightly more excited.

Exactly! They have a credit card logger on their system. But the people who wrote it messed up. They shouldn’t have saved it in our database; they should have created their own. Maybe it would have taken me another day or so to find it if they had, but nope, not these jokers. They just didn’t take the time. Honestly, they might have gotten away with some numbers. Sarah sat back in her chair after clicking another window. Then with way too much flourish, she raised her right hand, and with her index finger hit the enter key, and the scrolling stopped. Aaaaaaand…They’re GONE!

Oh Sarah, sometimes I think you have more fun stopping hackers than creating the programs. Mark shook his head with a smile, then put his