Blood Immortal Box Set Books 3-5: Blood Immortal Box Sets, #2

By Ava Benton

Blood Curse

Nightwarden and vampire Alexander is awakened from his century-long slumber by a mysterious witch. There's no fanfare, no custom, no traditions. Just the taste of her blood to awaken him. 

Now they're on the run, having broken vampire and witch laws. 

Enter a Tracker who's hell-bent on catching Alexander and bringing him in. Except there's a problem. The mysterious witch needs him. 

And for a vampire that's not had feelings in centuries, he seems to find something stirring deep within. 

 

Blood Secret

Vale's is awakened from his vampire slumber by four witches who have a very special assignment. The assignment breaks all the Nightwarden rules as he knows them, but seeing as how three of the witches are from the High Council, he's almost convinced he won't face consequences. 

Janna's perfectly happy in her starving artist way of life. Okay, not perfectly happy because, starving. Hello! Who would be happy starving?

But she loves her life, and thinks that her next series of sketches will give her the income she so badly needs. Her new series of creatures that roam the streets at night will make her rich. 

Then she can stop relying on her mother's generosity. Except, her mother isn't who she think she is. And Janna isn't who she things she is either. 

And now there's this hot, sexy, mysterious guy who keeps insisting he's there to protect her. 

Who's going to protect her from him? 

 

Blood Gift

Vanessa's plagued with dreams of a gorgeous man with haunting eyes that saves her from the grasp of an enemy sorcerer. Until she realizes the man's not a dream. 

Gentry's an outcast sorcerer strip of his powers, trying to figure out what he's supposed to do with his life, until he starts having these dreams, where he's saving a woman and he's got his magic back. 

And then one day, she walks into his life, and turns it upside down. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: ABP
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201363123

Book preview

Blood Immortal Box Set

Blood Immortal Box Set

Books 3-5

Ava Benton

Contents

Blood Curse

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Blood Secret

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Blood Gift

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Afterword

Blood Curse

Nightwarden and vampire Alexander is awakened from his century-long slumber by a mysterious witch. There’s no fanfare, no custom, no traditions. Just the taste of her blood to awaken him.

Now they’re on the run, having broken vampire and witch laws.

---

Enter a Tracker who’s hell-bent on catching Alexander and bringing him in. Except there’s a problem. The mysterious witch needs him.

---

And for a vampire that’s not had feelings in centuries, he seems to find something stirring deep within.

— More Ava Benton books are coming! —

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Prologue

Years ago, more like centuries and centuries ago, there a new strain of vampires was brought to creation. Nightwardens, they were called by those who knew of their existence. A Nightwarden’s mission was simple. Guard the High Sorceress he was assigned to until needed no longer, then return back to his place deep within the earth, a place called The Fold.

A new High Sorceress would come to power every so often among the covens. Some covens were fortunate enough to have Nightwardens to keep them safe. These Nightwardens were bodyguards in essence, except they were bodyguards without a choice. Bound by the blood of the one they were charged with protecting, the Nightwardens were faithful, monastic, and unemotional. Or so it was thought.

No one counted on the emotions that would arise in these creatures that walk the dark and protect the sorceresses that wield power.

1

Alexander

The first sensation I felt on waking up after my long sleep was the sweet tang of blood on my lips.

Instantly, my eyes snapped open as if I came back to life. In a way, I did. It was always the same.

A century of sleep, then waking up to find a new charge looking down at me, giving me her life-sustaining blood and beginning the connection which would weave our existences together for as long as she remained High Sorceress of her coven. A witch in need of a vampire’s protection.

Another running similarity was the immediate understanding of my new charge. Much of what I needed to know about a witch came to me through the first drops of blood she dripped onto my mouth.

The instant I swallowed, her history would reveal itself. Not in clear images, really, but impressions. How old she was, her lineage, how she lived. Her intelligence. Her special powers. How she felt about being granted a Nightwarden for her protection. Even her temperament, though that was the sketchiest of all the bits of information I absorbed. Whether she was kind or short-tempered, self-important as a result of her high status in her coven, or humble.

Which was why, after swallowing a few drops of blood, I squinted up at the witch standing by my side. I was still on my back in my cell, as comfortable as could be considering I was hundreds of feet under the mountains of Appalachia. It was cold in there, utilitarian. We weren’t in need of creature comforts since we’d only be in stasis while we were there, letting time erase the blood imprint of the last witch we’d guarded.

Who are you? I whispered.

My voice was cracked, my throat dry.

I swallowed more of the blood she offered me, dripping it from her finger into my open mouth. I needed more than that after a hundred years. I needed her to flood my mouth with thick, ruby red blood which would make me feel fully alive again.

Just drink, she whispered before looking over her shoulder.

What was she so nervous about? This wasn’t like any of the other rituals I had participated in. They might not have been grand affairs with trumpets and flower petals dropped at the witch’s feet, but witches had a sense of style when it came to ceremonies such as the waking of a Nightwarden. Our connection was the most intimate she would experience during her tenure as High Sorceress. It was an event.

Not like this one.

Who are you? I asked again, wondering how to make sense of the information loading into my brain.

She was all a mess inside, with conflicting thoughts and emotions crashing into each other.

I couldn’t pinpoint the exact time she was born or which coven she was about to lead. And she was frightened. That was unusual.

Don’t worry about that right now. We have more important problems.

We? I sat up, pushing her away.

There was no one else with her. The High Council normally attended the ritual to oversee things and generally remind everyone of how important they were.

How much has changed since I came here?

She frowned, looking straight at me for the first time since she woke me. Her dark eyes were troubled. Quite a lot, I would imagine, if you’ve been here for a century.

Haven’t I? Wouldn’t you know if I had?

She shrugged. I’ll explain later. Come on. We need to get out of here, and you can feed properly after that. She pulled me by the arm.

I don’t have clothing! What do you expect me to do? I only wore a pair of light, cotton shorts which had passed for underwear at the time of my return to The Fold.

I had nothing of my own, which was the typical arrangement. A Nightwarden relied on their witch for everything, except in rare cases where they carried something from their past. A weapon they favored, something to that effect. I had no such belongings.

She thrust a canvas bag at me while we hurried down the long, dark tunnel lined on both sides by cells. Here. But not now. Wait until we get outside, away from here.

Why?

I’ll explain it all. Come on! We came to an intersection of tunnels, and the way she hesitated and put her hand to her head told me she was lost.

This way, I growled, taking her arm instead and choosing the tunnel to my left. It was my turn to lead the way, and I didn’t even know the woman or why she was so secretive. If anything, I wanted to smell fresh air instead of the damp, cold, musty air of the tunnels.

Which reminded me of something important. Did you perform the Ra-Protection spell? The spell which would allow me to enter daylight without bursting into spontaneous combustion.

Yes, yes, while you were in stasis.

You’re sure? Something told me I couldn’t take her at her word.

Why would I lie?

We slid around a corner and took off at a dead run down a curved passage. Or, rather, up a curved passage. I felt the slope of the floor under my bare feet as we traveled the length of the long tunnel which moved up around the inside of the mountain in a spiral.

I don’t know. Why would you be so secretive? You’re hiding something, and I don’t like being part of your game—whatever it is.

I heard trickling all around me, inside the mountain, running through cracks and crevices.

Water ran in thin lines down the insides of the walls, which even more water had worn smooth over time. There was no visible source of light, and yet I could see the way. Probably because of some form of magic or another.

I didn’t know much about the specifics of witchcraft, even after spending so much of my existence alongside the wretches. Yes, wretches. I couldn’t be accused of being a fan of witches.

She was just another one of them, but right away I knew she was the worst. Whatever her story was, she held her tongue until there was light visible at the end of the tunnel.

It felt as though we had been running for hours. If I hadn’t just awoken from my long sleep and had more time to regain my strength through feeding, I would’ve been much faster.

My new charge had me at a disadvantage.

I stopped short of exiting the tunnel and flying out into the woods, and she stopped running when she noticed.

Come on! We’re almost out! Her tone was hectic, her face flushed. Her eyes were too bright, too wide. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she gasped for breath.

Long, reddish light brown hair stuck to her face in sweaty clumps. She looked like a madwoman, and the fact that she wore clothing which looked as though she had stolen it from a man and spent weeks rolling in the dirt while wearing it didn’t help matters.

I need to dress. I’m nearly naked, remember? I don’t relish the thought of walking through the forest in my bare feet.

There was no telling what was inside the bag until I opened it. Trousers, an undershirt, socks, shoes with heavy, rubber soles. The trousers were loose, but a leather belt cinched the waist neatly.

I didn’t know how big you would be, so I tried to guess, she said, so excited she shifted from one foot to the other and bounced from heel to ball and back again. Her eyes never left the tunnel we had come through.

I don’t understand any of this. If you’re doing something I’ll end up suffering for… I pulled on a thin jacket, then looked at the tinted glasses left in the bag.

To conceal your eyes if we meet any humans, she explained. The red rim around the iris unsettles them.

I would imagine. I slid the glasses into the inside jacket pocket.

Great. Let’s go. She tugged my sleeve, and I obliged, but I was careful to extend my hand out into the sunshine to be sure the spell worked, and I wouldn’t burn to death.

All I felt was the gentle warmth of the sun’s rays. It was a pleasant sensation. I was glad to feel it instead of having to hunt only at night, hiding for my safety during the day. Though it came at a price: my freedom.

She was already well ahead of me, practically running down the path leading from the entrance to The Fold.

I hurried to keep up. It was getting easier, the longer I was on my feet. My body was waking up.

I can’t very well protect you if you run out of sight! I called out.

That’s not what I’m concerned with, Nightwarden! she called back over her shoulder. We have to get as far away from The Fold as possible!

Why? I asked as I plunged through waist-high bushes, following her retreating figure as she left the path and ran deeper into the woods. Her already heavy breathing was starting to become labored, but she didn’t slow down.

Because I wasn’t supposed to be in there! You haven’t figured that out by now?

I wanted to stop and let the information sink in, try to make sense of it—even go back, if possible. I didn’t want this half-crazed wild woman to drag me into her world.

But she had already started the imprint, and while our connection wasn’t as strong as it would be after multiple feedings, it was there, and it wouldn’t allow me to desert her.

And she knew it.

Stop, damn you! I caught up with her and clapped one hand on her thin shoulder, nearly bare thanks to the sleeveless shirt. Like a man’s undershirt. Had things changed so much in a century?

She was ready to stop, too. Exhausted. She swayed on her feet, breathing in deep, desperate gulps.

I… I need to get far away. We need… far away… She leaned against a thick tree, its branches providing a canopy against the sun.

Sweat ran down her face in rivulets, and a perspiration odor had begun to waft from her skin and clothing.

I could see much more of her in the daylight than I had inside, where all was dark even to my vampire eyes. Dirt streaked her face, caked in the fine lines around her eyes.

Who are you? Why are you here? I held both of her shoulders and shook her until she looked at me. Why did you wake me? What do you want?

I want your help, she murmured, still breathing heavy. Her chest heaved up and down.

Do you have water? You need water. I looked through the second bag she’d been carrying, which had fallen to the ground when she stopped running.

The canteen was empty.

I’ve been… I’ve been looking for days… she whispered, eyes closed, head back against the tree.

Looking for what? I touched the back of my hand to her forehead to check for temperature.

She had to be sick. Insane and sick.

The Fold. I… didn’t know how to find it without the rest of them. The Council. I couldn’t see the way anymore. I couldn’t see the way. She sank to the ground, legs folding under her.

I looked around, trying to discern the location of the running water I could barely hear.

There had to be a stream somewhere, a brook. I’ll get water. You stay here. Do not move. Understood?

She nodded, eyes still closed.

I was starting to get my wits about me. Waking up after being in stasis for so long was never easy, but being forced out of it and wrenched into the present time was a nightmare. And barely having been given enough blood to function and regain my energy simply didn’t cut it.

Having to think on my feet when half of my consciousness was still stuck in a century-long sleep was like moving through molasses.

No matter how hard I’d struggled, I had only gotten myself stuck worse and worse in overlapping thoughts and memories.

But things were clearing up.

I focused on the sound of running water and following it until I caught sight of a babbling brook whose water was crystal clear and inviting.

I almost wished my new witch had come with me so she could take a dip, maybe clean herself off a bit. Her stench was like a cloud which hung around me even when I wasn’t in her presence anymore. I could still smell her, and the scent made my nose wrinkle in distaste.

Bending to fill the canteen, I splashed the icy cold water on my face and enjoyed the way my skin tingled. I was alive again, even if that meant only being half-alive. More monster than man.

I splashed water on the back of my neck and enjoyed the brisk sensation which helped cool my overheated thoughts.

She was waiting for me when I got back to her, just as I had asked, resting with her eyes closed. She would’ve been a beautiful woman if she took care of herself. I had obviously made her acquaintance when she wasn’t feeling her best. When I guided the mouth of the canteen to her lips, she drank with a happy groan until water ran over her chin and down her throat.

Sloppy, like everything else about her.

Better, she sighed with a weak smile. Forgive me. I’ve been looking such a long time. I haven’t been able to truly rest in so long. I still can’t, not until my mission is complete, but having you with me will make things so much easier.

I sat nearby, facing her, always aware of the sounds around me. The birds, the animals, the rustling of the leaves above our heads.

She was my charge now, and I had to protect her. Even if it meant protecting her from herself.

What were you looking for? What’s your mission? And how am I supposed to help you? I spoke slowly, calmly, no matter how much I wanted to yell in her face and ask why she had to make me part of whatever it was she dealt with.

Just like a witch, so self-centered, acting without thinking. Didn’t she know what would happen to me if anybody found out I left ahead of schedule? Without an assignment?

I need to find him. Ralf.

Ralf? I leaned away from her. That name hadn’t come up for me in hundreds of years, though his presence hung over everything I did. What do you want with my Sire?

Her smile was sweet but tired. I want to live the life we were always supposed to have together. I love him. I need to be with him. And you’re going to help me find him, because I’ve imprinted on you and you must.

2

Alexander

Ireeled slightly as her words sank in, and her smile never wavered—though it looked slightly sympathetic.

I apologize for involving you in this, she said, as though she were reading my mind, but there was no other way I could come up with to find him. I need the help of one of the vampires he turned, so many centuries ago. And, of course, I’ll need protection as I travel. I’ve had so many close calls in the time since I set out to find The Fold.

When I found my voice, I croaked, How do you know about The Fold? How did you know to look here for vampires at all?

Oh, Alexander. It’s me. Claudia. You don’t remember me at all? Do I look so different? She pushed her hair back with both hands and twisted it into a bun on the back of her head. When we last met, I wore it this way. That was back in the early Victorian days, the last time you awoke and imprinted.

I blinked hard and tried to think back.

An entire century and more had passed.

When would I have met her? She was obviously a witch, but why would we have known each other? I had served as Nightwarden to another then, but this wasn’t her.

I don’t know you, I finally admitted.

Understood. I suppose you were too involved with your new charge at the time to notice the presence of the High Council during the ritual.

You were part of the High Council?

Yet she looked as though she lived in the woods and bathed in dirt. From what I remembered of the Council’s witches, they were serene and lovely and lived in what amounted to a castle somewhere in New York State. Perhaps things had changed.

Was. Past tense. She took more water, then splashed some of it on her face and rubbed her hand over her skin. All that did was smear the dirt around. They… released me from service many years ago.

Why? I didn’t know such a thing was possible. It seemed to me to be a…

Life sentence? she suggested ruefully. Sort of like yours.

Not my entire life. Only a thousand years. The thousand years all the vampires Ralf would get credit for that we, his creations, had to serve as nothing more than indentured servants, conscripted guardians.

Right. Of course.

She’d piqued my curiosity. Why did they release you?

It must have been for a very serious infraction. Or perhaps because she went crazy. Did people go crazy anymore? Evidently so, since she believed she was in love with my Sire, a vampire no one but a chosen few had seen in hundreds of years.

Because I fell in love. A long, long time ago. I kept it hidden from them, my sisters, and they allowed me to remain Ralf’s guardian because they weren’t aware of how deep my connection with him ran.

I raised a brow. The story was dubious, but there was a chance it was true. Perhaps. And Ralf? How did he feel about this?

How could I believe her? She sounded like a raving lunatic. Falling in love with the vampire she was to guard while he was imprisoned.

He loved me, too. She said it so simply, so plainly, that I knew she believed herself.

I felt it, too—even the small bit of blood she had dripped into my mouth gave me insight into her emotions. She did love him, and she did believe her feelings were returned.

Whether they were was not for me to say.

I remembered Ralf well enough to remember how his self-interest came above all. He had created us, his family, and it was his selfish hunger which had damned us to a millennium of service to the witches descended from the coven of that original High Sorceress. The one whose daughter Ralf fed on and killed, even though he knew who she was.

How long did you know him? I asked. How many years did you spend with him?

One-hundred and seventeen, she announced with pride. As though it were a badge of honor. You were in stasis when the others found us out. They banished me from the High Council and forbade me from ever seeing him again. I’ve looked for him all this time, many years. In vain.

All that time and you weren’t able to get back to him?

You look skeptical, she murmured. I cannot blame you for that. You see, they moved him elsewhere—and when the Council banished me, they wiped from my memory the exact location of this place, The Fold. Looking for Ralf on my own is an utter waste of time, though I have wasted more time than I would like to admit on the endeavor. One day, I had an idea. If I could find The Fold and wake one of you, you might be able to help me. Your Sire-bond must be strong enough to enable you to track him.

The idea was too ludicrous for words.

I stammered, searching for a way to explain how deluded she had allowed herself to become. I wouldn’t know where to start—besides, the bond doesn’t work that way. I’ve never been able to feel his presence except in the very early days, when our bond was at its strongest. I have spent so many years as a Nightwarden, feeding from witches like yourself, that his presence has faded in my consciousness.

Her dark, troubled eyes searched my face, hoping to find something that wasn’t there. I was not lying. I hadn’t felt Ralf’s presence in my mind for longer than I could remember.

I have not come all this way for you to turn me down, she whispered. I have not made the sacrifices I have made for you to put an end to my dreams. I must be with him. I must have my love.

A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I averted my eyes. Physical displays of emotion had never meant much to me, and watching them made me uncomfortable. I couldn’t remember being human, feeling things at such a deep level.

Even so, I knew for certain that she wasn’t insane. Obsession and thwarted love had twisted her.

What do you expect me to do, even when I’ve explained how things are?

I’m going to keep looking for him. I will. If I have to throw myself on the mercy of one of the covens, I’ll do that. If I have to reach out to a sorcerer to ask for information, I’ll do that. It doesn’t matter.

A sorcerer? I winced at the thought. I think what you’ve done here is dangerous enough without bringing a sorcerer into it.

She sighed, standing, and brushed dirt off the seat of her trousers. That was a waste of time, since they were already filthy. How long had it been since she last took care of herself?

Whether you believe this is a wise idea or not, you are part of this now. You’ve imprinted on me, and you’ll have to continue feeding from me if you expect to survive. Or make your presence known by feeding on humans, so that witches can find you and finish you off. Or you can indulge in the blood of forest creatures. I’m sure that will ease your thirst.

The thought turned my stomach, and I looked up at her with growing disgust—bordering on hatred, even. I’ve been a slave to those of your kind for long enough.

And you won’t have to be a slave anymore, not once you help me find my love, she replied almost instantly, as though she had anticipated my argument. Once I find him and can be with him again, you can go away. Anywhere you want. There is no record of what happened to you. No one need know you’re with me. Once our work is finished, you’ll be free to go.

I won’t be able to feed from you once you disappear with Ralf, so why prolong the inevitable? Why risk myself now when I can go back to The Fold and ask forgiveness when the Council discovers what happened? I stood, facing her. What’s stopping me from going now?

I am.

A flutter of movement flashed in the corner of my eye, and I assumed it was a bird or animal—until I caught sight of the rifle’s muzzle pressed against Claudia’s temple.

Claudia’s eyes flew open wide, mirroring my own.

We had been so deep in our argument that we hadn’t noticed that we had company.

Lower that rifle, I warned the stranger.

Definitely female from the sound of the voice. Small, compact, wearing men’s clothing the way Claudia did.

So it wasn’t a mistake, her dressing herself that way.

Or what? she hissed. She wore a cap with a long, wide brim which cast her face in shadow.

Or I’ll be forced to disarm you. If not worse.

She snickered. You could try, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. You’ll have to be pretty fast.

I think you’d be surprised how fast I can be. Only I wasn’t as fast as I could be, not without feeding more.

She managed to move quicker than I did, flinging her hand in my direction so fast and with so much force that she slammed me into a tree.

The air left my lungs, and I hit the ground with a gasp.

Well, well, well, I heard over the sound of my gasps for air. You’re a vampire.

I lifted my head and glared up at her. And you’re a witch.

3

Daniela

Ilooked at the witch I had been tracking for days. She could’ve thrown magic at me, but she didn’t. My instincts about her were right. I couldn’t wait to tell Gwyneth I was right. There was a reason I was leader of the group, and that my sister was only the second-in-command.

And you. What are you doing so far from home? I asked, shaking my head. Don’t you know what can happen to a witch when she wanders this far off?

I didn’t wander, the witch announced through clenched teeth.

No. You’re on a very specific mission. I’ve been wondering ever since I first spotted you, what that mission could be. I saw you with this one over here— I jerked my head in the vampire’s direction —and I figured you’ve been stealing from The Fold. They won’t like that.

He blindsided me before I even heard him get to his feet, and it was my turn to hit a tree trunk with a sickening thud.

My head spun, and my ribs ached as he hauled me to my feet and held me up against the rough bark with one hand around my neck.

Long, sharp claws dug into my throat, and I bit back a yelp of pain before I could give him the satisfaction of knowing he was hurting me.

Blood-red eyes stared into mine, only inches away, while razor-sharp fangs glinted with promise.

What kind of scum hunts other witches? he snarled.

I could’ve sworn his hot breath singed my skin.

What kind of pathetic vampire guards a species which hates them? I spat back. You’re stronger than they are. Why not free yourself instead of playing patsy all this time?

His hand tightened until I felt pressure building in my head. He was going to kill me.

Kill me, and you kill your family, I managed to choke with the little bit of breath I had left.

His expression shifted a little, and he loosened his grip enough to give me air.

What does that mean? he snarled, his breath almost painfully hot on my skin.

His entire being fairly vibrated with the desire to end my life; I could feel it.

It means if I die, you all die. I glared at him, daring him to push his luck. I wouldn’t back down. I wouldn’t let him see how terrified I was.

The way my pulse raced under his fingers probably told him everything he needed to know, anyway.

Why would that happen?

Because she’s a descendant of the original coven, back in the old country, the witch said, standing beside him. Isn’t that right?

My eyes left his and met hers.

I nodded as much as I could—his hand didn’t give me a lot of room to move my head. Yes. Kill me, and the Sire and his family die. All of them.

How do I know this is true? the vampire spat. How do I know you’re not just another lying witch who’ll say anything to keep from getting what she deserves?

Try me, I whispered. See what happens.

We stared each other down.

He didn’t want to believe me, but he couldn’t take the chance, either. His eyes cleared up a little, turned light blue instead of red. His claws and fangs retracted.

Good thing you’re such a fast talker, he snarled just before letting me go.

I didn’t realize until my feet touched the ground that they hadn’t been touching it all along. He had lifted me into the air and pinned me.

Thanks. I rubbed my