Heir: Book One: The Lineage Series, #1

By P.K. Reeves

High school graduate Audrey Sanders had plenty to look forward to. With her university acceptance secured, everything seemed to be in order — until a car accident that should have killed her.

Now, her plans are on hold and everything has changed. Her senses are overbearing, leaving her feeling hopeless. The warmth of humans, their alluring scent and the tantalizing taste of them in the air… it all clouds her ability to merge back into society.

And there are dangers waiting in the dark while she is vulnerable: an old hatred has its sights on her. As the threat of this new, dangerous world envelops her, her unique upbringing adds a twist that nobody expects.

Join Audrey Sanders in the build up of a world of new magic, and power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.K. Reeves
• Release date: Jan 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386311539

P.K. Reeves

P.K. is a Filipino American born and raised in the United States. She currently resides in the state of Virginia with her daughter and cat. With a degree in computer science, she is still learning other programming languages and looking forward to continuing her education in the future.  When P.K. isn’t working on her next book, she is working, reading manga or comics, and is always on the lookout for when she can go to the next convention. A big fan of horror and science fiction thrillers. P.K. is a new adult author that writes across genres, including fantasy, urban fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and urban fantasy romance.

Book preview

Heir: Book One

The Lineage Series, Volume 1

P.K. Reeves

Published by P.K. Reeves, 2019.

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.

Copyright © 2018 by P.K. Reeves

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [e-mail]

First paperback edition January 2019

First eBook edition January 2019

Latest Edition - October 2022

Book design by Twilight Solace Cover & Editing

https://www.facebook.com/TwilightSolace/

Editing by Mountains Wanted Indie Author Services & Publishing

https://mountainswanted.com/

Proofreading by Green Proofreads

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Content

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Epilogue

One

JUNE 19th

8:00 AM

I finished drying and curling my hair. After applying makeup, I put on the dress that my mom had picked out for my graduation ceremony. It was t-shirt style, but the back was laced, and it was formfitting and flowed out at my hips. I sighed as I glanced at my reflection, approving of it before heading downstairs.

Ready to graduate? my dad asked, popping his head out from the kitchen. I smiled at him as I slipped on my white flats that matched the dress. I had my cell phone and keys in hand as I pulled the door open.

I’ll see you guys there. I closed the door and locked it behind me as Alexis came over to me with a smile on her face.

She’d been my best friend since kindergarten, and, not long after that, her parents bought a house right next to me. I’m half-Filipina, but she’s full. Both of her parents left their home country for a better life. Her hair is the same glossy black as my mom’s, and just as straight. She was wearing a white dress like mine as we walked to my car without saying a word to one another.

Did you accept that offer for the university yet? she asked me as she buckled up.

Yeah, I answered, starting up my car. My dad said I should have waited for the other replies, but I was just way too excited. I laughed as I backed up and headed off to our school. What about you?

I’m going to wait a bit, she said with a sigh, and I could tell she wasn’t telling me something else.

Why not? I asked. It's a good school.

Yeah, I know. I could hear the frown in her voice. There’s just a lot going on lately. I’ll tell you later? she promised as I pulled up to the school. Luckily, we made it before it got too crowded, but my parents were going to have a hard time finding a parking space if they didn’t leave soon.

We both got out of the car and pulled on our caps and gowns. We looped arms as we walked into our high school for the last time as students.

11:00 AM

It was time for the ceremony to start, and it was different than the sports ceremony where I got my certificate after so many years of playing softball. That was how I was able to get into a good university, but my GPA helped as well. It wasn’t as high as Alexis’s—I could see her waving up ahead of me—but it was definitely above average, thankfully.

All of the students walked down the line, each of us received our diploma from the assistant principal, and Alexis gave her speech. Then we were officially high school graduates. After the madness of getting out of the theater, which I guess the school had substantial funding for, as big as it was, we found one another and then located our parents. I hugged her parents as my parents hugged her.

We’ll meet you at the restaurant at nine, okay? my dad asked, and I nodded. Alexis and I bailed out of the school as free women. Or at least we were free until our mandatory dinner celebration.

What do you want to do? she asked as she pulled off her gown and tossed the cap into my back seat.

Mall. I got a little bit of graduation money, I said, wiggling my brows. She laughed but agreed, so I drove off to the mall.

Together we spent hours window shopping and reminiscing about how time had flown by during high school and how excited we were to start university. Eventually, it was time to go home and get ready for the family dinner. She waved at me as she walked across the lawn to her place. Our parents didn’t seem to be home, which was fine with me, as it gave me time to unwind before I headed back out.

I lay on my bed for a moment, and I was ready to go to sleep right then and there. It didn’t feel like I had shut my eyes for that long, but, when my phone rang, I noticed the time. Crap! I jumped out of bed. Hello?

Hey, I’m going to head over there right now. Your mom and dad said that they are already there, Alexis told me.

Crap, I said as I slipped on another dress my mom wanted me to wear. She had picked out a green dress with sleeves, and it was loose, flowing to my mid-calves. I picked out floral flats and rushed downstairs and to the restaurant.

10:00 PM

I want you home by eleven o’clock, my dad told me. We were all standing out in the parking lot as the restaurant closed their doors.

Alright, Dad, I assured him. I’ll be home before then. I then turned on my heels and headed out the door with Alexis. She paused after looking over my shoulder to our parents.

Hey, she paused with a frown. I actually have to go home tonight.

Oh, it’s fine, I’m wiped after today. I’m just going to the park. I’ll text you when I get home, I promised as I waved goodbye to her and headed to my car. I drove to the park, and there was a guy out there too.

Out to contemplate life too, huh? I thought to myself with a small laugh as I went to the swing one over from him. He is really cute, I thought as I started to swing. He had to be in his early twenties. He was tall with a slender build, had messy blond hair, and, under the light, I could see his eyes were either blue or green.

You often dress up to go to the park? he asked me, and I laughed as I stopped swinging.

Yes, I replied. It's all the rage.

He smiled at me, and I felt my heart beat faster. I never really had the time to date with my mom pushing for better grades and my dad encouraging me to play softball. Luckily, I did well in both.

My name is Cedric, he introduced himself. I smiled at him as I dangled in the swing.

Audrey, I answered. Do you normally come to the playground at night?

I do when I have a lot of time on my hands.

We then sat in the quiet for a moment before he got up. I looked up at him, then stood up. His height made him tower over me, but that was nothing new for me. Well, I should be heading home. The warden will be after me soon, he joked.

I actually should be heading back as well. I frowned; I didn’t want to go home. We looked at each other, and I decided. Your eyes are definitely blue.

He laughed, then I realized I had said that aloud.

Is that what you were thinking about? he asked me, and I blushed.

That’s my bad, I replied. Uh, I’ll see you around?

He smiled back at me. You bet. He waved goodbye at me as he walked off. I watched him go for a second before walking over to my car and driving home.

I didn’t even see the deer run out in front of my car before I spun out of control and into the tree. I tried to open my door, but the tree was smashed into it. My arm hurt; my forehead felt wet. Suddenly, something was yanked from me. I screamed as the sudden movement irritated my injuries. I fell out of my car, but someone caught me. I landed in strong arms, then looked up to see who saved me, and the face was recognizable. Cedric...

I didn’t think I would be seeing you this soon, I slurred out, and Cedric shushed me.

It’s okay, Audrey, I have you now. He carried me off in his arms.

Two

I PASSED IN AND OUT of consciousness. Once, when I woke up, I heard him talking with another man. Her lungs are going to collapse.

You’re right, the man said. It's time.

I felt someone lift up my arm, and warmth seeped down to my shoulders. I felt sick, like I was going to black out.

Feed, Audrey, his voice said, and my body obeyed his command. I drank, and the coolness slipped past my lips and down my throat. After a while he seemed satisfied, and he pulled his hand away from me. I realized I was drinking from his wrist. Sleep, he lulled me. Sleep through the pain.

June 21st

How are you feeling? a familiar voice asked, though I didn’t have a face to match it with. I looked up to see a man—blond, tall, and well-dressed—come down the stairs. He came over to the bed, and I wanted to cringe away from him as I realized I was in a basement.

Oh god, I was kidnapped and sold off.

He laughed. Absolutely not, he corrected. You were brought here after the accident.

The deer, I gasped. What’s today? Do my parents know where I am?

I was sure to call them after you began the healing process, he assured me as he sat at the edge of my bed. Your father came over yesterday. He wasn’t happy with the current situation, but he was happy you were safe.

You know my dad, or did you get my phone...? I patted the bed around me and realized my phone was missing.

We went back to the accident, and your phone was unfortunately broken, he told me. But your father said he would drop off a new one for you soon.

I sighed and rested my head on my knees, which were curled up into me. Why am I here and not a hospital? I asked.

He frowned before standing up, looking at the painting on the wall. It seemed out of place in such an expansive basement. It was clean; both the drywall and floor were complete. But there wasn’t anything else down here except for the bed I was on and the painting.  

Your condition was critical, and you were going to die, he explained steadily. Cedric made the right decision to bring you here—despite my previous agreement with your father that I would wait until you were older.

You know my dad? I asked. Though... he had to; he couldn’t have gotten my dad’s number from my phone if it was beyond repair.

I’ve known him your whole life, but I will explain that with time. His words were vague but reassuring. You have a lot to adjust to, and I’m only going to give you a little bit of this information right now.

I injured a lung? I thought aloud, and he broke into a laugh before shaking his head.

Oh no, he answered. You’ve healed completely. Though... you remember that?

The only thing I remember... that and Cedric, I said. So... if that’s not it... what is it?

You’re a vampire.

I erupted into a short burst of laughter. His expression was both patient and amused, leading me to believe he expected my reaction.

You will see with time, he replied, then a phone dinged. He checked it with a sigh. Your father has been insisting on seeing you for the past day and a half.

What’s today? I asked.

It’s Sunday, and it’s now 9:37 p.m., he told me.

Can I see my dad?

It would be too much for you to handle, being in the presence of a human, he answered with a frown. He didn’t seem to like keeping me from my dad.

Then I heard something very clearly: a car pulling up on some gravel. He sighed again. But it doesn’t seem like I can stop him. He stood up and started toward the chair. I noticed I wasn’t chained or anything, so I could follow after him, but he paused to look back at me. Please stay downstairs. It will be... too overwhelming for you.

Okay. I didn’t know why, but I trusted him, I stayed on the bed never having gotten up off it. He smiled at my answer and walked up the stairs.

I heard movement upstairs. Then I heard my dad yelling, and... I heard Alexis! She was here too?

I heard my dad stomp down the stairs, and when he saw me, he rushed over to me. He looked different to me now, but what struck me most was hearing the pulsing sound of blood pumping.

I was hearing my dad’s blood pumping through his veins. It didn’t occur to me at the time that I shouldn’t be able to hear it from my current position.

I didn’t realize I had gotten off the bed, that I was walking toward him. He was gesturing for me to follow after him, but I felt my mouth water in hunger. He smelled warm, lively, and filled with... power. I could sense power from my dad. I was hungry, so hungry.

He grabbed my hand and started to lead me upstairs. But before we even made it to the stairs, I heard Alexis shout out. I had my dad’s arm almost to my mouth, and the bend of his elbow was my target. I sensed a warm flash of light, and then I was pushed twenty feet back in the air. I landed nimbly on my feet. My body reacted, and I hissed, low and threatening, at the man who had prevented me from feeding. I lunged forward and right into his arms.

Audrey! This is your family! Bennett said to me in a harsh tone. Something inside me snapped, and I was able to come back to the surface. Even though I looked up to him, I’d tried to bite my dad.

What? I cried.

You see what I mean? She is acting on instincts right now. You didn’t even give me the chance to feed her, he chastised my dad.

THE COVEN CAN KEEP her safe, Dad cut in.

Coven? I asked, but I was ignored.

The coven cannot keep a vampire of her ability under control. If you could, you would have had us in collars before the Congregation, Bennett snapped.  

Coven?! I yelled this time, and my dad looked at me, surprised.

Audrey, I was going to tell you after you graduated, he said. But unfortunately, you were turned into a vampire before we could give you any training.

Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I asked. Does it have to be activated?

No, Alexis replied, and I looked at her in shock.

When your ability manifested, it was so weak, we didn’t need to train you, he explained. So your mother and I decided not to tell you.

If I was so weak, and now I’m a vampire, I started as rage bubbled up in my guts, why does it matter if I go back to the coven? Apparently I didn’t matter much to the coven since I had no fucking magic to speak of, I hissed.

Audrey, watch your mouth, my dad scolded me.  My rage started to overflow, and then his expression changed. My emotions spiraled out of my control.

Leave me here! I yelled, and it all unleashed from me in a flash. Everyone reacted, and I felt weak as I held on to the man with both of my hands.

I think you should leave, Derek. She’s upset, the man told my dad.

I didn’t look up at my dad... or my best friend. I felt betrayed and confused. I woke up with a man I’d never met trying to tell me I’m a vampire. Then I basically tried to eat my dad. I didn’t even want to hear the end of it. I was a witch too?

We have to, now, Alexis said, and her tone is what snapped me out of the weird mood I was in. We have to report it to those above us. They have to know she kept her powers... and they’re much more potent now.

I looked up at her, feeling hurt and betrayed. She knew this whole time, and she never told me. I told her everything.

I wanted to tell you, Audrey. Every day...

Bennett, I need you to keep my daughter safe, my dad said to the man, who still held me in his arms. I looked up at him as he looked at my dad.

She’s my own now, he said. Her wellbeing is in my best interest, plus I have watched her grow up from afar. He looked down at me, and I saw pride in his eyes. I’ve stayed in touch with you so far. Can’t imagine why I would stop now.

They left us alone in the basement, and I could see in the expression on my dad’s face that it was hard for him to do. But I was still mad at him, and at Alexis, for keeping this from me. Bennett held me as I felt myself calm down, and he rubbed my back to help comfort me.  

Would you like to wash up? he asked. I’m sure you’ll feel better.

I thought about what he said, and he was right. I felt incredibly dirty, and, as I gingerly wiped a hand down my bare arm, I discovered it was just a layer of dirt.

Ugh, I groaned to myself, and he chuckled in reply. He stood up and offered me a hand to get to my feet. With my hand in his, he led me to a room off to the side.

Here we are, he said, turning on the lights. I squinted in the harshness of the light and looked around once more to see that it was just him and me. There are clothes right next to the showers and everything you need to feel like a person again.

I opened my mouth to speak but quickly shut it. Was I really even a person anymore? I walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I could hear him just beyond the door as he picked up a chair to place near the door to wait for me to finish.

Avoiding the mirror that hung next to the sink instead of over it, I headed straight to the shower, turning it on. I undressed and kicked all of my clothes to the side. They were bloodied and basically destroyed. While waiting for the water to heat up, I heard several people just outside of the bathroom.

It sounded like they were moving furniture around out there, and I wondered what else would be brought down. I shook my head and climbed in the shower to wash the dirt off my body. It took some time to get all the dirt off, but I did start to feel better. Once I felt truly clean, I climbed out and dried myself before putting on the clothes that Bennett had laid out for me.

It was a loose, black tank top and leggings. My hair was too long to let it drip-dry loose. I faced the mirror from where I was standing. I wondered if I would have a reflection, so I sighed before braving it.

Still, I closed my eyes before standing in front of the mirror. Holding my breath, I opened my eyes, shock overtaking me for a second.

I really didn’t recognize the young woman in the mirror. She was absolutely breathtaking. I stepped closer to the mirror to take a better look, and it was unnerving to watch her.

Her eyes were an amber brown, instead of my regular brown eyes, and lined by long lashes. I patted my cheeks, and the woman copied my movements. It was completely unreal. To redirect where my mind was headed, I started to braid my hair instead.  

When I finally walked out, Bennett was sitting in a chair, looking at his phone. I cleared my throat.

He looked up and smiled. Do you feel better?

I sighed.