Kayden: The Zuleikas book 1

By EJ Marrick

As one of the oldest vampires it is rare that Kayden Nal Zurek is thrown of his comfort zone. However when he meets Elly, the woman with the alluring scent, he is forced to confront his own weaknesses.
After the long and bloody vampire wars Kayden finds life meaningless and chafes at the lack of freedom which comes with being head of his house. He travels to Cardiff to investigate feral vampires with no expectation that this will be anything other than another boring job. Far from it, the entire vampire world is thrown in to turmoil when instead of a rogue vampire, he finds a creature out of legend - the adorable red-head called Elly.
Kayden beleives he has finally found someone who can bring light into his dark existence, but instead she threatens to throw him out of control. Indeed, finding her leads him to question whether the vampire wars are over, as The Council had beleived, but, whetever the cost, if he can love her then this might be worth it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: EJ Marrick
• Release date: Aug 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463211083

EJ Marrick

I’m currently based in the Malverns, though I come form South West Wales originally and you’ll find a lot of references to those places in what I write. Its true what they say, its always best and easiest to write about what you know. That’s why you’ll probably find a fair few references to IT as well as that’s where I used to work. I’m new to publishing, though I have been telling stories on-line for a long time, mostly in chat-rooms and in emails but it helped me to develop my creative writing. Then I slipped a disc and was forced to have some serious downtime, there isn’t much to do except read and cuddle the cats when you can barely move. Whilst I found a lot of good authors in that time I realised there were some stories that I wanted to read that I couldn’t find out there. So, having nothing better to do, I thought I’d better write them down and before I knew it I was wrapped up in my own worlds. That’s when my friends staged an intervention and convinced me that I really ought to publish them. Since then its been a mad whorl of editors, cover artists and website designers. But now my books are going out into the big wide world and I just hope you like them.

Book preview

Kayden

The Zuleikas book 1

EJ Marrick

Published by The Business Shepherd Ltd at Smashwords

Copyright 2019 EJ Marrick

Cover image licensed from  Viktor Pravdica at | Dreamstime.com

License Agreement

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 your favourite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – Cardiff – The old and the new

Chapter2 – The Zuleika

Chapter 3 – Explanations

Chapter 4 – More questions than answers

Chapter 5 – Scotland – Memories

Chapter 6 – Searching for answers

Chapter 7 – Some answers at last

Thank you

Other Work

About me

Nick – Chapter 1 – Excerpt form Nick – The Zuleikas book 2

Translations

Prologue

Kayden Nal Zurek was walking through Leicester Square when he smelled it for the first time, a heady mix of sweet roses and seductive spices. He forgot that he had more important things to think about. He forgot about the two young vampires he was tracking. He even forgot who and what he was.

By the time he had realised what he was doing he was on the Piccadilly Line platform and he had no recollection of how he’d got there, it was only because the scent was dissipating that he came back to himself.

His fangs had dropped and he shook himself willing them to retract before anyone saw them. He frowned, he’d not been this out of control since he was a fledgeling. If his sire was around to see him now he’d definitely be facing one of his punishments. The cold terror of the thought brought him back to himself as effectively as if someone had thrown cold water over him.

He turned, heading back to the job he was supposed to have been doing before he’d been unaccountably distracted. The two young vamps were in the square above, if he didn’t get to them soon someone else might die. They’d killed two humans already and as The Enforcer it was his job to make sure they never did it again. To be honest he rarely got called in for something this minor, but he was in London and Nicolas had asked.

Now that he could concentrate, it didn’t take him long to run them down in an alley behind a Chinese restaurant. He took their heads off with one sweep of his long sword and they were dust drifting in the night air.

He was sheathing his sword still thinking about the scent and for a moment he thought about hunting for her, the source of that smell. But she could be anywhere in London by now and he would never find her so he put it out of his mind and went on with his life.

It must have been five years later when he smelled it again.

Chapter 1

~ Cardiff – The old and the new~

Kayden was travelling to Cardiff. He’d decided to go by train, it was a whimsy on his part, he had a hankering for the old days when rail travel was new. He remembered it well, the war hadn’t started yet and the humans were making progress in leaps and bounds. He vividly remembered rushing to see the first train because it was one of the first things he’d done as a full day-walker.

He missed the steam but somehow even a modern train still made a journey more exciting. He had lived long enough that very little affected him now, he sometimes wondered why he bothered, but there were still some pleasures to be found and he had duties to undertake.

He had been the Nal Zurek since his sire had met his death in the war. House Zurek was small but powerful, patiently holding to the old ways, but it was this patience which kept the house members strong.

Almost every member of the house enjoyed politics and could be found in positions of power thought Europe. There was only one exception, Kayden himself. It was ironic really but being head of the house and The Enforcer actually meant he could avoid politics most of the time.

Gone were the days when vamps thought they could do as they pleased, after the rebellion all vamps had to follow the code or they would meet Kayden personally. As The Enforcer it was his job to remove any vamp who didn’t obey the rules and he could call on anyone for aid if he needed it. Not that it happened very often, it was more usual that they called him.

That’s why he was going to Cardiff.

He was frowning as he walked down the platform reading the emails on his phone. There was a nest in Cardiff, vampires were spawning uncontrollably and the new fledglings were rampaging. This kind of thing was commonplace before the war but the code was supposed to stop things like this happening again. Emrys had managed to keep the humans from noticing, but the new, feral vamps were appearing as fast as his people could kill them.

That’s where he came in, there must be an older vamp behind this. It would be his job to find that vamp and remove him permanently. Kayden was pondering which of Emrys’ people could be the traitor when he smelled it again.

It was old this time, several days at least, his fangs still threatened to drop but he had control and contented himself with a small smile. Maybe she was in Cardiff too? Maybe there would be a bright spot on this trip after all.

The railway journey was uneventful and Kayden was soon in Cardiff. He knew Emrys didn’t have anyone on his staff who was old enough to be a day walker so, with no one clamouring to drive him, he walked from the station. It was nice to enjoy the city before he became The Enforcer again.

Emrys had a tendency to be formal and Kayden found all that oppressive, so he wanted to turn up with no fanfare. He strode through the streets lost in his thoughts and shoppers naturally made way for him. Maybe it was because of the air of suppressed power he radiated? Maybe it was because he looked even more imposing with his long leather coat catching the breeze? Or maybe it was because his long black hair trailing out behind him made him look like a rock star? It was difficult to say, but Kayden seemed unaware of the admiring glances, he just headed for the private entrance in the dingy alley avoiding the flashy clubs that made up the rest of the building.

It's a cliche for a reason, clubs are a good place for vampires to get blood from a random constantly changing population. Although the Cardiff house was a three storey brick building occupying an entire block off Grey Friars Road, almost all the ground and upper floors were occupied by a selection of clubs and bars; both profitable and convenient. The real business went on below.

The private door was unmarked, but he’d been here before, so he approached with confidence. However he had a shock when Nicolas opened the door.

What took you so long?

At least Nick was a welcome breath of fresh air and Kayden brightened. This trip might not be so bad after all. Nick looked like a blonde Californian surfer who never seemed to take anything seriously but his quick smile and youthful looks were deceptive, he hadn’t become The Council’s Delegate in London for no reason. It spoke volumes about the seriousness of the situation that Emrys had invited him too.

I was just enjoying the journey, no need to rush there aren’t any day walkers here.

That’s true but it’s all hands on deck at the moment, you ready for a briefing or do you need a drink first? He said gesturing to one of the clubs.

No I’m good, is Emrys awake then?

Yea he may be a baby but this has got him well riled, we’re all here, even Donald.

Kayden raised an eyebrow in surprise Maybe I am late after all!

If Donald had come down from Scotland things must be more serious than he’d first thought. Kayden thought about the possibilities as Nick lead the way to the main boardroom, a huge oak panelled room which now had display screens fitted on one wall. This modern technology was too useful to ignore so even the most hidebound vamp embraced it now.

The screens were showing maps of Cardiff highlighting the clusters of vamp attacks and nest houses. He glanced at them memorising the important information. There were a lot of nests, but most of them had been cleaned out already, so he wondered why he was needed. No doubt that would become clear in time.

He threw his rucksack into the corner and dropped his coat on top of it letting his sword swing free. It was impolite to remain armed in another vamps house but as The Enforcer, Kayden could get away with it and he had a feeling he’d be needing it later.

Emrys and Donald were already seated at one end of the big table, balding and suited they looked like they’d just stepped out of an office. That was what they’d looked like when they were turned and there was nothing they could do about it now but Kayden could feel the power within their deceptive frames. He was the strongest here but it was second nature to assess other vamps just in case. In a society where no one died, rising through the ranks was sometimes accomplished by more direct means. Old habits died hard and he didn’t want to be replaced just yet.

He trusted these three though, Donald’s expertise was in business and he had little interest in rising further. As a Council Delegate in Scotland, the brother of the current Nal Saktir and the best vampire accountant in Europe his influence was considerable. Not that he couldn’t fight mind you. Kayden had often fought by his side in the war, he had been an able commander, neat and precise like his accountancy. Kay remembered his broadsword in too many battles dispatching his enemies cleanly and methodically.

Nick was just flamboyant, like everything he did he even fought with a flourish, but Kayden liked him and often went to London just to spend time with him. Since the war Nick seemed to be one of the few who still thought of him as a person and not a job.

That only left Emrys, Kayden didn’t know him well, he was much younger than the rest he’d only been in charge for a hundred years or so, elevated when Cardiff grew from a hamlet to a major city and Nick decided that it would be easier if he had some help. But he was a bit unsure of himself and often retreated into formality. When they’d all been fighting in the rebellion he’d only just became independent of his sire so he tended to let the others lead but he had a keen mind and good instincts which is why Nick had chosen him.

Kayden dragged his attention back to the meeting, it was unlikely any of these vamps were involved so what was going on?

He leant back in his chair letting the cold hard mantle of The Enforcer settle on his shoulders obliterating all expression and he raised an expectant eyebrow at Emrys who swallowed nervously and run his hand through his short dark hair. Nal Zurek, welcome to Cardiff your eminence.

Kayden glanced over at Nick, he was exasperated but wasn’t letting anything show, but Nick knew him too well and spoke for him, Cut the crap Emrys, we all know who Kay is!

Emrys looked sheepish but he leaned forward speaking earnestly, Look it’s like this see, someone’s turning vamps as fast as I can kill ’em, he looked at Kayden, You saw the screens, we’ve cleared every nest we can find but there always seem to be more. I have called in every vamp I can from all over Britain and they have to patrol the city centre every night just to stop people being killed. There was even a feral one outside my bloody front door! He was furious, clearly that had only added insult to injury.

For the first time Emrys looked directly at Kayden, I need help with this, someone must be turning ’em. I tried capturing the one outside to see if it would tell me who turned it. I fed it and fed it but I couldn’t sate its blood-lust for long enough to talk to it. He pressed a remote control and one of the screens burst into life showing a cell with a crazed vamp in it. It was literally throwing itself into the walls and the door in an effort to escape. Emrys sighed and pushed the pause button unable to look at the distressing footage any more. There’s more, but it’s all like that, we couldn’t get anything out of him. Look, they say you’ve seen things like that in the war and you can tell if anyone is depleted. That may be the only way we can find out who’s doing it – I’ll have every vamp in the damn city parade in front of you if it’ll help.

Kayden leaned forward and steepled his fingers tapping them against his chin, absorbed in the situation. His eyes were icy cold, he couldn’t say why, but he felt the situation was more serious than it appeared, possibly it was because even Nick looked sober.

After thinking for a while Kayden looked up and spoke carefully, I haven’t heard of anything like this since before the war. He paused before continuing, he didn’t want to say this as it was tantamount to saying they couldn’t do their jobs, but he didn’t feel as though he had a choice If we can’t get it under control I’m going to have to contact Switzerland to check the archives.

I would like to point out I had suggested that.

Nick jumped in defensively, Yea we know Donald, but I was hoping Kay could save the day before we had to look incompetent in front of The Council.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Nick, but I’m The Enforcer not The Librarian.

Well then Kay, Nick replied with one of his trademark grins, you’d better get on with the enforcing, we’ve saved one nest for you in case you can pick up any clues we’ve missed.

Thanks Nick, you give the best gifts!

Although he was being sarcastic Kayden knew Nick was right, it was best he did this himself. He glanced at the clock, there were still a couple of hours of daylight, he may as well get this over and done with. He took a deep breath and stood up.

Right I’ll suit up, anyone else want to come? Kayden looked over at Nick who nodded, but Kayden detected the reluctance behind his friend’s compliance and it made him wonder what he was getting into. It was still best to get it over with so he reached for his backpack and took his light armour out.

He didn’t think twice, privacy was a modern invention after all, so he stripped where he was. He had a strong muscular body, wide shoulders and a narrow waist and at six foot four he dwarfed everyone but Nick. He’d been a warrior before being turned and it showed in the strong muscles rippling down his back while he dressed.

He was soon decent again, his hair neatly tied and his official insignia prominent on the front of his armour – to any passing human it would look like he had a t-shirt with a band logo, to any vamp it signified official business. Nick already had his armour on but he picked up a Japanese sword from the umbrella stand and ambled over. They’d worked together often enough that they didn’t need to say anything. They simply fell back into old patterns, Nick raised an eyebrow and Kayden nodded.

They picked up their coats to hide their weapons and ambled out of the room. The last nest was the closest, an easy walk from the Council House.

They didn’t say anything as they walked together through the streets. Kayden was anxious to see what had them so worried and Nick was being unnaturally taciturn.

Kayden wanted to get this over with and to find out why Nick was so skittish, but he didn’t hurry, he wanted to get a feel for what was going on before rushing into anything.

They walked up past the museum and through the university buildings to the traffic lights where there