Crimson Savior: Hell's Guardian Chronicles, #1

By Bria Lexor

Zyra Falls had been in The Witness Protection her whole life until the Red System attacked. Struggling to survive, she has to learn to become a Hunter and control her latent powers. But will Queen Velika take her revenge out on Zyra and the innocent Lugat? Or will Zyra do what she must save them from her wrath?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bria Lexor
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393327882

Bria Lexor

Bria Lexor is the author of popular Paranormal Romance books. She lives in Colorado and works on her books full-time.

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Dedication

For my amazing fans, you guys ROCK!

Prologue

DO YOU BELIEVE IN VAMPIRES?

I DIDN’T. NOT REALLY. Not until I was awakened as one. I always knew that I was different. I never fit in around others my age. I’m what you would call a Stregoni Benefici, a non-living vampire, which originally came from Italy. We are said to be on the side of goodness and a mortal enemy of all evil vampires. The Lugat are non-living vampires as well. They are pretty much harmless. So harmless in fact, that the Varacolaci queen, Velika Talsania, had kept them enslaved for many years.

The Varacolaci are ranked amongst the most powerful of all the undead. And unlike the Strigoi, they take pleasure in killing instead of immortality. Unable to protect themselves, the Lugat rely solely on the protection of the Stregoni Benefici, who had finally freed them from slavery 25 years before, and we became their protectors because they needed to be guarded to ensure their survival for future kin. Now, we train to make certain that their future is secure. At the present, they coexist peacefully with the human race at Ivashka Vampire Academy. A new threat is coming for us all, and Hell’s Guardian is the only one who can save us from them...

One

I FINALLY DECIDED TO

CALL IT A NIGHT. I hadn’t quite finished my homework, but I was exhausted. My brain had already shut down as I turned off the light. I yawned as I climbed into my soft, comfortable bed. I had just settled in and closed my eyes when the lights suddenly flicked on. I shielded my eyes with my hand and found my mom standing in the doorway.

Mom, I said, annoyed that my sleep was being interrupted for God only knew what. I just laid down.

Sorry, Zyra. But we’ve got to go... now.

Something in my mother’s voice sets off warning bells in my head. I was completely awake now and quickly changed into some clean jeans and a purple shirt. I combed through my hair with a brush.

When I was a child, my mom told me that we were placed in Witness Protection. I was a kid then, but I knew when Mom said it was time to go, you left. No questions asked. But then I was eighteen. Mom and I were living in Anaheim, California. Whenever I would ask about my father, she would only say that he lived overseas and that I would meet him when I was older.

Maybe this was it. My heart started pounding in my chest at the thought of finally meeting my father. What did he look like? What would he think of me when he saw me? The questions went on and on, but I shook them away. I went to meet my mom downstairs, and I heard voices coming from the living room. My mother was talking to a man. I walked into the room, and everyone looked at me. There stood my uncles: Mark Berwind and Zero Lockheart. They were dressed in black and gray BDUs and were loading their 9mm Berettas.

Mark was in his mid-thirties. He was pretty handsome. I often wondered why he hadn’t settled down and had a family. Maybe he was busy with work. My uncle Zero was handsome as well, having green eyes and short, brown hair. But on the other hand, he was... well... pretty immature for his age to say the least. He’s my mother’s twin brother, but for some reason, she still looks pretty young. She must have good genes. My mother’s more reserved than Zero. Her name’s Samantha Falls. Most people say that I resemble her, and in most ways, I do. We have long, flowing, brown hair, gem green eyes, and of course, we’re very beautiful.

And me? My name’s Zyra Falls. How my mother came up with that name, I’ll never know. It’s different but cool. I’m very short: 5’0" to be exact. But what I lack in height, I make up for in attitude. I’m shy until I get comfortable around you, then here comes the attitude at full force.

I received a slight nod from both of them as they continued their work. There was another man standing by the window who I hadn’t noticed at first. He was dressed in a suit and tie and was holding a manila folder. He smiled as he took me in. He was older. Much older. At least in his fifties. His hair was graying. I stopped near the front door and looked at the guys then over to my mother.

Are we robbing a bank or what? I asked, cracking a joke that nobody thought was funny. Then I got frightened. Seriously, what’s going on?

Zyra, this is Mr. Cruz. My mother nodded toward the older gentleman, who walked toward me. I took a step back. There was something off about him. Something... strange.

So this is the beautiful Zyra. Cruz extended his hand to me, and I hesitantly shook it. You have a brilliant future ahead of you, my dear. Everything has been prepared, and you have been accepted into the most prestigious academy around.

Huh? I gave Cruz a strange look. What academy? I’m already in school—

Zyra. My mother gently sat me on the couch and knelt in front of me. Our cover has been blown. And we have to go to a safe house.

I don’t understand, I said, looking down at my shoes. What about my life?

You’re starting a new one, kid, Zero said, cocking another gun. He placed it in his holster.

But I don’t want a new one, I protested. I like the one I have here...

I know. And I’m sorry. But this is the way it has to be. You know this. My mother helped me to my feet.

You should start packing, Mark said. There’s not much time before they get here.

Someone’s coming?... Do they want to kill me?... What has Mom been hiding from me?...

I ran up the stairs and dumped the contents of my backpack onto my bed. It was a clutter of school books, writing utensils, papers, folders, and other irrelevant girly stuff. I ran to my dresser and pulled open drawers. I grabbed a handful of socks, panties, bras, and shirts. I dug in my closet for jeans and a backup pair of running shoes, then stuffed them into my backpack. Surprisingly, everything fit. I had a Ziploc bag for my hairbrush and toothbrush and a travel case of shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. I zipped all of it up then looked around and grabbed my guitar case and my violin case.

Hey, I was a songwriter. I needed my instruments if I was going to be a star one day. I met my mother in the hallway. She handed me a sword that had hung on her bedroom wall. She said it was a present from my father, so I wasn’t allowed to touch it.

What’s this for? I asked, holding the sheath awkwardly. My mother rolled her eyes at me. She took the violin from my fingers and headed downstairs.

Your father wanted you to have it. She opened the door, and the lights cut out.

Damn it, Mark said under his breath. They’re here. He instructed Zero to lead us out. I noticed that Cruz was missing.

Where’s Cruz? I whispered to Zero.

He never sticks around for the fun shit. Zero cleared us out and into a black van that had been waiting for us. Guess it’s just too much excitement for an old guy like him. He chuckled at his own joke. My mother and I just shook our heads as we climbed into the van. A few moments passed; then, Mark came tearing out of the house, followed by a trail of gunfire.

Stay down! Mark ordered as he flew into the open van. The tires squealed as we pulled away. Pure adrenaline was pumping through me. I was scared out of my mind. I covered my head with my hands. The popping sounds ricocheted off the windows, causing them to shatter around us. I had never been attacked before and this scared the hell out of me. I was terrified and hoped my uncles could get us out of here alive.

Is everybody okay? Mark asked. I picked my head up and nodded.

As I looked around, I noticed my mother had been shot in the shoulder. I added pressure to try to stop the bleeding, and she winced in pain. She insisted she was fine, but you are never fine if you have been shot.

My fear started to change. I didn’t know how to explain it. I just felt... different. Maybe it was because I was still in adrenaline mode, but my hearing and eyesight were enhanced. I looked at Mark; he was sweating but alive. He sat in the passenger’s seat, giving directions to the driver. I took one look at the driver and thought I was delusional. He looked like some sort of creature.

I shook my head and turned my attention back to my mother. Thankfully, she had allowed Zero to tend to her wound. I didn’t know how fast or how far we were going, but I knew a private airport loomed ahead. I sure hoped they let us on a plane because that was our only chance of survival right now.

The van came to a screeching halt. Zero opened the side door and helped my mom out of the van. She grabbed my hand, nearly making my face meet the pavement. I was able to catch my balance and took what I could from Zero’s hands. That was my sword, my backpack, and my mother’s white tote bag.

She used her left hand to push her way up the steps into the tiny cockpit of the airplane. I threw our stuff inside and climbed in. The pilot pulled the door shut and locked it. We put on our seat-belts and waited anxiously to leave the ground. I couldn’t wait to be far away from here now and be safe.

The plane started to move when I heard more gunfire. I looked out the tiny window and saw a large group of men shouting and shooting at us. I felt the plane pick up speed and take off. My mind was racing with too many questions and not enough answers.

We were nearly killed tonight!... Does my mother have something that belongs to the government?... Or does she know something...?...

Hey. My mother’s voice brought me back to reality. I looked at her. She looked as exhausted as I felt. She forced a smile as she lightly stroked my hair. We’re going to be okay.

I nodded, still feeling confused. I hope so, Mom. I hope so...

I don’t even remember falling asleep. The pilot shook my shoulder, and I jumped. We’re here, ladies. I blinked, trying my best to wake up. My mother wasn’t a morning person. Quite frankly, neither was I, so this flight had thrown us off. I grabbed the bags and climbed out the tiny door. I tried to stand straight, but my back was protesting, stiff from the long sitting that I had put my body through.

Damn, I said, wrapping my arms around myself. It was freezing out here. If any part of me had been asleep, I was surely awake now. The pilot was just getting off the phone when a black limousine pulled up in front of me. The driver stepped out and took my bags. He was placing them in the trunk when my mother decided to join us. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.

My mother was jumping up and down, trying to keep warm. Shut up, Zyra. It’s freezing out here!

You think? I laughed. I know it’s not polite to laugh at others, but I was just as cold as she was. The driver cleared his throat. I stopped laughing and turned around. He was holding the door open for us. He looked pissed that we were taking up his time. I walked past him and hopped into the warm and toasty seat. My mother came in and sat next to me, and the driver closed the door.

I looked around. This was my first time in a limousine, and I was very impressed. The seats were leather and rounded into a half circle. Eight people could fit in here with us. Crystal glasses were placed above the ice chests. A small TV screen sat in between the ice bucket and another seat. The windows were tinted. A rope of plastic lights circled above us.

My mother sat back into the seat. I was growing tired of the silence.

Mom? I looked at her, and she was just... staring. I looked out the window to see what she was looking at, but there was nothing there. Only landscaping as we flew down the highway. I tried again. Mom? This time, I poked her leg, and she blinked.

Hmm? She looked at me like nothing had even happened. Did you say something, Zyra?

Ugh! I threw my hands up in the air in annoyance. Yeah, like, why the hell were those people shooting at us?

Watch your language, she warned, giving me a stern look.

Well, I was just asking a question, I said, crossing my arms in front of me. I’m not a kid anymore, so stop treating me like one.

I shouldn’t have said that. My mother looked down sadly. Why can’t I think before I speak?

I’m sorry, I said, feeling crappy. This must have been hard on her too. She knew about what was going on. I wasn’t privileged to that sort of information yet.

Zyra, What I’m about to tell you is real. Do you understand?

I nodded. I was finally going to find out why my mother hid so many secrets from me. I turned in my seat and faced her. We’ve been pretending to be humans living in a mundane world. But we’re not humans, Zyra. She paused and looked at me.

Well, what are we then?

We’re vampires, Zyra. We’re vampires...

Two

I STARTED LAUGHING.

THIS WAS THE FUNNIEST joke my mother had ever told. As I slowly regained my composure, she sat there staring at me.

You’re joking, right? I asked, popping my knuckles.

This isn’t a joke, Zyra, she replied, looking at her wound. Being shot at isn’t a joke, at least not to me.

I bit my lower lip. All of this just doesn’t seem...real. I used my hand to point out the lavishly decked out limo.

Believe me, Zyra, if any of this had ever been a joke, I would be the first one laughing. But I’m not.

I frowned. I knew that there were people out there who pretended to be vampires. But me? I was never one to be into vampires. Especially after how Twilight had butchered them? Eek. I only knew the basics about them, like killing them with a stake, wearing garlic around your neck...yada...yada...yada. Vampires never appealed to me. Ever. So having your mother flat out tell you that you’re a vampire... To put it bluntly, it’s insane. All of it.

My mother gave me an inane smile, showing her fangs. At first, I just thought they were her canine teeth, but upon closer inspection—and when I say inspection, I mean that I literally had to examine them up close and touch them—they were sharp. I sat back and opened my own mouth. My fangs were exposed as well. I pushed against one of them until blood trickled out. I pulled my finger back and looked at it. For a moment, nothing happened. I was about to say something when the small cut healed itself. I blinked.

There’s no way that any of this is...

Real? It’s like my mother knew what I was thinking.

Yeah. I took a deep breath, dreading what I had to say next. So those people that came after us...won’t stop until we're dead?

I’m sorry, Zyra, my mother said, holding my hand. Those people have been chasing me ever since I was your age.

I looked at her. Why? Because you’re a vampire?

She shook her head. No. Because we have something they want.

And that is? I arched an eyebrow and waited for an answer.

The anti-virus that can save humans from extinction.

Well, why don’t you just give it back to them? I asked, feeling hopeful about our situation.

Zyra, I wish I could. But it’s not that simple. As a baby, they injected me with the anti-virus. In order for them to get it back... She couldn’t finish. But I knew what it was she would’ve said.

In order for them to get it back, they would need to take us by force and keep us locked away in one of their facilities so we couldn’t escape again. Which is exactly what they tried to do last night, only my uncles had intervened. I hope they were able to get away. If they died because of me, well, I didn’t know what I would do.

We faked a disaster while you were a baby and made it look like you had died in a fire. Your father thought it was best for me to raise you, so he went back to Japan and has been there ever since.

I was very surprised by that news. Wait. My father’s Japanese? I didn’t see that coming.

My mother nodded. Yes. He entrusted you with his sword so that you would always be reminded of him. One day, you’ll use it to kill—

Kill? I looked at the sword, pushing it away in disgust. He killed people with this thing, and now he expects me to follow in his footsteps? I think I’ll pass on that one.

My mother sighed. Zyra, you are a future Hunter. Do you know what that means?

I frowned. No. But I have a feeling that you’re going to tell me, I said matter-of-factly.

I’m sure you’ve heard of vampire hunters, but instead of humans hunting us down, though I know they’re out there, we hunt the most vicious ones ourselves. The most evil ones that bring chaos and destruction upon this world. The Varacolaci, the Strigoi, and the Varghulf, just to name a few.

Okay. But how am I going to know which is which?

Oh, you’ll know. By their eyes, their looks, their smell. Something will just be off about them. Besides, you’ll have a heads up about them before anyone else will. She flipped her hair and smiled at me.

How? She seemed so sure that I would be able to sense them or something.

Because like me, you have the gift of being a psychic.

Once she said that, it kind of made sense. I did have strange dreams from time to time. And sometimes, they even came true. But I wasn’t about to tell her that. So instead, I decided to put her theory to the test. If she was lying, I was going to call her on her bluff. What’s the worst that could happen?

"Alright, if you really are a psychic, where are we right now?" I felt confident. So confident, in fact, that there was no way she could know our exact location. I didn’t even know where we were, so she probably didn’t either.

Oh, that’s easy. She smiled again. We are presently in Berlin, Connecticut.

Huh? I rolled my eyes at her. Yeah, right. There’s no way we could fly—

I stopped mid-sentence. What if she was right? I started to reach for my cell when I realized I had left it on top of my dresser. In California. I looked up in time to read a sign that said: BERLIN. NEXT 3 EXITS. TOWN LINE. My jaw dropped, and I looked at my mother. Man, she was right. Again. That explains why she knew things that seemed out there.

Do you believe me now? She laughed. I just made a face. The limo came to a stop, and I exchanged glances with my mother. Just that we were in some courtyard that seemed to stretch out beyond my vision. The driver opened the door, and I climbed out. I smiled as I looked around and took in the beautiful structure.

An old Victorian building stretched out in front of me. In some ways, it looked like a castle. The bell tower sat in the center. Matching buildings were attached to both ends. The windows glistened in the sunlight, the shrubs were neatly cut, and the scent of different flowers filled the air. This place really was beautiful. I looked back down the road, and my smile faded.

A tall, metal gate barricaded us from the outside world. I looked at my mother, but she didn’t seem to mind the atmosphere. In fact, I think she liked it as much as I did. A tall woman dressed in business attire walked down the steps toward us. Her hair was pinned up, and she was really pale. I looked at my own skin. It was tanned.

I was told that your arrival has been under dire circumstances. She paused and looked at me. And this is your daughter?

Yes, Headmistress Parisi, my mother replied, straightening up. Her name’s Zyra Falls.

Yes, I looked over her transcript earlier, Headmistress Parisi said thoughtfully. She is a Pyro Lancer. Is that correct?

I looked at my mother. She seemed to be as clueless as I was about what the headmistress had just labeled me.

I’m sorry. What did you call her? my mother said politely.

A Pyro Lancer, Headmistress Parisi repeated. She instructed us to follow her inside. I started to grab my backpack when the driver stopped me. He rudely shoved my hand away, and I backed off. I ran up the steps to catch up to my mother and Headmistress Parisi. I caught the end of their conversation. Pyro Lancers are rare among us.

Why? I asked. Headmistress Parisi ushered us into her office and closed the door.

It was a fairly large room. A long, wooden desk sat in the center. A tall, comfortable-looking, black desk chair was behind it. A computer, photos, and other knick knacks sat on top, and four maroon chairs were arranged in front. I took the furthest one, and my mother sat next to me.

Now to answer your question, Zyra. Headmistress Parisi paused to take a sip of coffee. At least I