Life Remains

By Niranjan

To choose what is right would bring him in conflict with the vampire he loves, but can he avert his eyes yet again when a child needs his help?

 

In a world where Vampires make the rules, the hunters are bound by the terms of an ancient agreement and the witches are hunted.

 

Ken is a vampire hunter having an affair with the vampire, Frederick. Navigating a relationship with a vampire while trying to help those he terrorises is not easy. If Frederick finds out what he's doing, their relationship isn't the only thing in jeopardy.

 

When a situation arises when Frederick's ward, Mabel, needs his help, Ken knows his actions will pit him against Frederick. With his very life at stake, will he choose to do the right thing or follow the path of least resistance yet again?

 

Life Remains is a queer, paranormal, dystopian fantasy novel with morally grey characters, found family and themes of redemption and making the right choice. If you love dystopian worlds with vampires, hunters, and witches, you will love this book.

 

Buy Life Remains today to step into a world of danger and heart-break.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geetha Krishnan
• Release date: Sep 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393839439

Niranjan

An author and editor, Niranjan’s biggest ambition is to have a character named Garth in every book they write. Niranjan writes books rooted in mythical worlds, and their stories are often a combination of magic and futuristic technology. When they are not writing or editing, Niranjan can be found cooking or just lying on their couch watching or rewatching C Dramas and writing fanfiction.

Book preview

NIRANJAN

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First published by Geetha Krishnan 2021

Copyright © 2021 by Niranjan K

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, digital, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Niranjan K (Geetha Krishnan) asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

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This text is the sole product of the author’s imagination and creativity and has not been knowingly influenced by the assistance of or generated by the use of generative text commonly referred to as artificial intelligence or large language model. The cover art is likewise the product of the creativity of the artist listed below and has not been knowingly influenced by or generated in part or in whole by any generative imagery algorithm.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

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

Twenty five

Twenty six

Twenty seven

Twenty eight

Twenty nine

Thirty

Thirty one

Thirty two

Thirty three

Thirty four

Thirty five

Thirty six

Thirty seven

Thirty eight

Thirty nine

Forty

Forty one

Forty two

Forty three

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MOM’S HANDS WERE TIGHT on her arm as she dragged Mabel towards the back door. Mabel, run! Mom shouted at her, pushing her out of the back door, her voice shrill and her eyes wide with fear as she looked behind her.

Mom! Mabel sobbed, not understanding. Her arm hurt where her mom had gripped her. What was going on?

Run! her mom said again, as her dad’s scream ripped through the air.

Mabel couldn’t move, even though she knew she should. She was rooted to the spot, trembling all over, whimpering, Mom!

A dark shadow suddenly pulled her mom inside, and another moved towards her, solidifying into a man’s shape, dark skin blending into the night so that all she could see was the white of the eyes and his gleaming teeth. He crouched down so he was level with her, still smiling. She was frozen where she stood, choking on her own breath, her heart beating hard enough to hurt her chest. She couldn’t even make a sound, petrified by the sudden appearance of the creature.

What have we here? His voice was husky, the teeth sharp and blood dripping down his chin.

Mabel’s mom screamed from inside the house, but the vampire in front of her was blocking her view.

Mom! she cried, her voice breaking free finally as she tried to run around him, but his arm shot out to catch her. Stay there, all right? Be a good girl, now.

What are you doing, Chike? A woman walked up to them. She was tall, and her clothes were spattered with blood. She was dark too, though not as much as the vampire in front of her. Playing with food?

Go back inside, Memphis, There was a spark of irritation in Chike’s voice.

Listen to the boss, a voice with strange accent spoke, the tone faintly mocking. Are you planning to eat her, Chike? The vampire that appeared had pale skin, golden hair and amber eyes, blood on his lips. If not, mind if I have her? Hadrian and Briony were a bit too greedy, I’m afraid. He licked his lips, removing the blood.

Chike looked at him, smiling faintly. Sure, Frederick. Never let it be said that I did nothing for you.

Chike disappeared and Mabel found herself looking into bright amber eyes, bleeding into gold and a smile as sharp as his teeth.

Mabel, is it not? He crouched down. You’re a bit too small to be a proper meal, but I suppose you’ll grow. He caught her hand. Let’s go, shall we? There’s not enough of you to go around, and I don’t feel like sharing.

Mabel wanted to cry, to shout for her mom and dad, but she could only whimper as the vampire rose and picked her up as if she was a sack of meat and threw her over his shoulder. She looked at her house and could see her mom lying on the kitchen floor, her hand outstretched, and her clothes all bloody, gashes on her arm and face.

Mabel screamed.

KEN SCREAMED.

You’ll wake the whole castle, Frederick murmured as he captured his lips, swallowing his scream.

Ken had no energy to protest, his body still shuddering, coming down from the high of his orgasm. Frederick lifted his lips and his body off him, and Ken rolled over onto his back.

You’re a bastard, he said.

Frederick chuckled. Stay the night, he said. It’s snowing outside, and you won’t get a taxi at this hour.

You’re going out to feed? Ken asked.

Frederick blew him a kiss before disappearing into the bathroom. Ken looked up at the ceiling, sighing. He needed to get cleaned, but Frederick always reduced him to this pleasantly boneless state that it took a real effort to get moving again. Frederick came out of the bathroom, fully dressed now, and hair damp. Vampire speed. Ken wished he had it.

Stay here, Ken, he repeated. You can go in the morning.

This wasn’t part of our arrangement, Ken heard himself say.

Our arrangement is whatever I say it is, Frederick said casually.

Not the way I remember it, Ken sat up, and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Really, Frederick, you need to stop this shit. You have no hold over me.

I know, Frederick said. I can still kill you, I suppose.

You could, Ken agreed as he walked to the bathroom. He needed a shower too. I’m sure you can find plenty of people to have sex with, he said pausing at the door.

Frederick sighed. You’re the most aggravating human I know, he complained. I don’t even know why I put up with you.

Because you’re a creature of habit, and you’re used to me, Ken grinned. Fortunately for you, so am I.

Stay here, please, Frederick said.

It’s hardly an hour’s walk, Ken said. And it’s not as if any of your friends are going to attack me. So, what is this really about?

Frederick just stared at him, not answering.

Mabel’s here, isn’t she? Ken muttered. Figures. That’s why all the you’ll wake up the castle dialogue. I should have realised. After all, you live alone.

She came earlier this evening, There was a scowl on Frederick’s face. She hasn’t told me why, and I can’t contact her school till the morning.

I’ll stay, Ken said, sighing. Why you even kept her is beyond me. He flushed as Frederick raised an eyebrow. You know what I mean. She would have been better off in a human family. You could have had her foisted upon anyone. You didn’t have to raise her.

Especially since she hated Frederick for which Ken couldn’t blame her either. After all, he had been part of the group that had killed her parents. Frederick was not actuated by altruistic motives in keeping Mabel, but Ken couldn’t figure out his true intentions. Mabel’s magic made her dangerous, but was that all? Keeping an eye on a witch? Just in case?

Just keep an eye on her, Frederick said. I would rather not feed on either of you, so, see you later.

I’m leaving on a hunt tomorrow, Ken shouted even as Frederick disappeared.

He huffed in annoyance as he turned on the shower. He was sorry for Mabel, but the girl did irritate him with her hostile attitude and rude behaviour. He was amazed that Frederick tolerated it, but then Mabel was rarely here, choosing to stay with friends during holidays than come to the castle, something which Frederick had no problem with. There were times he insisted she come to the castle, but it was more to show her his power over her than due to any genuine desire to have her there.

So, what was Mabel doing here when it was not holidays and when Frederick obviously had no desire to have her there? Ken sighed. His curiosity was going to be his undoing. It was what had landed him in this situation in the first place, that he got so curious about Frederick that he had saved the vampire’s life instead of letting him die. Not exactly what a hunter was supposed to do. Now when he thought back to it, Ken couldn’t quite put his finger on when he and Frederick had started shagging and when they had struck their deal.

He dried himself. He was hungry. Frederick always kept his kitchen well stocked, though he rarely cooked. This part of the castle was converted into a modern living area, so he wouldn’t need to wander around. The rest of the castle was well maintained while retaining its medieval ambiance. Ken had never visited those parts. He rummaged in Frederick’s wardrobe and found a nightshirt and pyjamas. Fortunately, he and Frederick were almost the same build.

He went to the kitchen and was surprised to see Mabel there, sitting at the kitchen table. She had a glass of milk and a plate of cookies in front of her. She looked up, fear in her eyes, but relaxed fractionally as she saw him, though her gaze was wary.

Hi, he said, as he opened the refrigerator and took a couple of eggs.

Hi, she said, still looking as if ready to jump out of her skin.

Frederick said you were home, he said as he took a skillet and placed it on the stove. He would make an omelette. He took some mushrooms and shallots and garlic and started to peel the garlic cloves.

This isn’t my home, Mabel said.

Ken said nothing, feeling intensely uncomfortable. It wasn’t as if she was wrong. Besides, what was he expecting? Frederick had killed her parents and just because he had kept her alive for eight years didn’t mean he had any claim on her loyalty. She had no cause even to be grateful.

He was surprised, he said after a moment. I don’t think he was expecting you.

Is he here? she asked, not answering his unspoken question.

Gone out, Ken said.

Why are you still here then?

He asked me to stay.

I don’t need a babysitter.

Ken breathed through his mouth, trying not to lose his temper. He started chopping his ingredients. It’s not because you are here, he said, trying to speak calmly. He didn’t want me to walk home when it’s snowing.

She scoffed. You honestly think he cares?

I know he doesn’t, Ken said mildly as he broke the eggs and started beating them.

How do you... you’re a hunter! her glare was intense. How can you let him touch you?

Ken stared at her, surprised at her vehemence. I don’t see how it’s any of your business, he said coldly. The last thing he wanted was a fourteen-year-old questioning his life choices, however dubious.

She snorted, turning her back on him. He gazed at her, frowning as something caught his eye. Forgetting the egg, he strode towards her, pushing the mass of her auburn hair aside, ignoring her start and flinch.

What is this, Mabel? he asked, staring at her exposed neck.

Finger marks, as if someone had been choking her. Her scarf hid it in front, and he wouldn’t even have noticed if she hadn’t turned around. He removed his hand allowing her mass of hair to hide it from view again. What was going on? What little shit did this? Was this why she was home? Of every scenario that had gone through his mind, this was not one. When he had first seen the edge of the mark, he had thought something else, and now he wasn’t sure if he felt better or worse.

At least Frederick’s not feeding from her.

Not that he believed for an instant that Frederick would. Yet, for one moment, fear had overcome reason.

She glared at him, looking furious. That’s none of your business!

Fine, he said. I better let Frederick know then.

No! She looked scared again. Please don’t tell him!

Why don’t you tell me what happened then? he asked, sitting down, facing her. The child looked terrified, her eyes so wide, and her lips trembling, the blood completely drained from her face.

You have to promise you won’t tell him! Her eyes were pleading. You can’t tell him!

Mabel, he sighed. Look, I know you don’t like me, and you’ve no reason to like Frederick either, but he would want to know. He is your guardian, and he has the right to know. He is planning to get in touch with your school tomorrow. Would you rather they tell him?

They don’t know, she muttered.

That won’t stop him. You know Frederick.

He’s going to blame me, and he will probably take me away if he finds out, she whispered. I... I like it there.... I have friends.... he’s going to be so angry with me...

Ken wished he had some way of reassuring her, but the thing was he had no idea how Frederick would react.

Who assaulted you? he asked. If he could get the information from her, perhaps he could convince her to tell Frederick.

A new boy at school, she whispered. I escaped and...

And you came here without telling anyone, He guessed.

I told my friends, she said defensively. They said I should go home, and they’ll make sure he is punished. They helped me with the fare and everything.

Ken wanted to sigh again. He wished he hadn’t asked. Are you going to tell Frederick?

She looked even more terrified, and he rubbed his face. What was he supposed to do when the child was so scared?

Please don’t tell him, she whispered, her eyes full of fear, her voice shaking.

I won’t, Ken said, making up his mind. But I want you to tell me everything. His name and the names of your friends.

What are you going to do? She still looked scared.

Do what I can to salvage the situation without Frederick finding out, he bit out. That’s what you want, isn’t it?

She nodded, giving him a tentative smile, her body relaxing slightly.

He had a hunt in Belkier for which he was supposed to leave tomorrow evening, but he could leave early and swing by Silosk on his way. A delay of one day was not going to make a difference. But he could not stop the unease that sat heavily on him. What had he got himself into? And why? This was none of his problem, and if Frederick came to know, he would be well within his rights to kill him. This was not something he could talk his way out of.

Even as he cursed himself for being an absolute idiot, he felt a warmth inside at the sight of Mabel’s hesitant smile.

LUKE STOOD BY HIS MOTHER’S GRAVE, sniffling. Behind him, he heard Uncle Gordon speaking to someone. Clint hovered on Luke’s right, his hand gripping his shoulder. Luke’s vision blurred and he blinked to clear his eyes. Why did it hurt so much this time? She had been gone for two years and Clint and he had been visiting her frequently. But knowing he was leaving her behind, leaving Dristen, perhaps for good, bothered him more than it should.

I hate this, Clint whispered, sounding even more unhappy than Luke about this. Why do we have to leave the country?

Because Uncle Gordon is our guardian, Luke muttered. And he wants us to go with him.

He was happy letting us stay here for the last two years, Clint’s voice was angry now. Why the hell does he decide he should uproot us now?

Luke shrugged. He had no answers. He didn’t want answers. Uncle Gordon hadn’t explained anything, just told them he was taking them to Hasvia at the end of the week.

Where in Hasvia does he live? he asked Clint. Do you know?

Thevilan, Clint muttered. Which is near the border with Fulshiar, apparently. There’re a couple of private airfields, and a railway station, but no airport.

Are we going to fly? Luke’s voice was squeaky. His skin was suddenly clammy. He hadn’t known they would be flying!

We have to fly if we’re to get to Hasvia, Clint said, reasonably. Brigathis is an ocean away, you know. I daresay taking a boat will take too long.

Luke swallowed, trying to tamp down his fear. "Will you ask him? If