Midnight Princess: The New Blood

By TJ Berry

Alana and Nathan have gone through so many trials and hardships in their brief courtship. Alana being a vampire and Nathan being a wolf only added another hurdle for their love to cross. Their pending nuptials are sure to be fraught with animosity-filled guests, plotting dissenters, and possibly even an assassin or two, hoping to restart the cen

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fox Fire Publications LLC
• Release date: Jul 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781950745098

TJ Berry

Author and co-founder of Fox Fire Publications, LLC

Book preview

Chapter 1: Assistant

My name is Angela Price. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I lived there with my mom my entire life. Even when I started going to Columbia and worked at a steakhouse bar to make money, I stayed with mom. I was nineteen when the guy, who I thought was my boyfriend, decided to turn me into a juice box for him and his buddy. Thankfully, someone intervened…and he’s dead. Oh, turns out, he was a vampire and now I am too. Richard and his coven, to teach me to be a good vampire, not a murdering psychopath like my deceased ex, took me in. That was three months ago.

The last three months went by in a blur. They relentlessly drilled me on several dozen different fighting styles and other combat related skills including how to use handguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, bows and arrows, crossbows, knives, and swords of all things. I learned everything that there is to know about vampire history…specifically, their…our war with the wolves. They taught me the rules of my new life; primarily what I can eat and what I can’t. As in, I can eat farm animals, and I cannot eat people. I learned to be a human with a vampire’s abilities…how to hide in plain sight…and how to keep our secret.

Richard acted a lot less like the cop he used to be and a lot more like a drill sergeant. He made sure to beat the living crap out of me every chance he got. You’ll thank me when you’re good enough to kick my can, kid, he’d always say after my bruises healed.

I look out the car window. I watch my reflection as a smile peeks through. He was right…I did thank him after I broke his nose, two ribs, and a couple of his fingers. He said it was because there was something special about me…whatever that means.

The best part of my training. I flash my teeth at my reflection before tilting my head down to peer into my eyes. No fangs and as long as I’m fangless my eyes look normal…not disturbingly deep blue. 

Now, they’re sending me back to normal life. Whatever it is that passes for normal for vampires, anyway. Angie, Richard says from the seat next to me. Are you okay? Are you still sad because Stephen left before you and Joey? I shrug. He was strong-willed. He learned everything we could teach him and how to…

I cut him off with a glare. Jackass…didn’t even say goodbye.

It’s your own fault. I frown. Richard crosses his arms. If anything, your little phone call and subsequent escape attempt set you b… My scowl deepens, and he cuts out. Well, if it’s any consolation, from what I hear, Joey got put on Isis Detail…he only lasted all of about a week.

I laugh then stop short. Is…the other thing that you told me about true? Richard’s eyes narrow. His jaw clenches. It’s true. I wonder how close they were. I mean, he couldn’t have been that tight with her. He met her a month before he left with me.

So…is there really going to be a wedding? You know, with us and them…there…all sitting around…playing nice. Richard closes his eyes and nods. Wow.

Richard sighs again. We’re here.

Back at the mansion, I haven’t seen this place since the day Raven sent me away. I laugh. As a part of my training, they taught me everything about her, so that I would be a more effective personal assistant. Especially now that her dad died, and she’s the new Chief Magistrate… I sigh. …for ALL vampires.

The car screeches to a halt in front of the mansion. I step out and walk up to the front door. I adjust my skirt before pushing the door open. A fist coming straight for my nose greets me. I dodge. Just like Richard taught me. Grab the wrist, step around the target, and move to strike… …Raven? I release her arm. I’m sorry, mistress. I step away from the door and bow.

Raven smiles. Good reflexes. She pulls the door open fully. And what’s with this ‘mistress’ stuff? She looks away. Aye, what exactly have ya been teachin’ her? she asks in her charming Irish accent. Richard shrugs. Listen… My back snaps to attention. …muh name is Raven…Ms. Gregory, if ya must, but I prefer Raven.

B-but, you’re my boss…a-and the Chief Magistrate on top of that.

Raven peers out the door again. Oh, so ya taught her to sass me an’ back talk?

Sorry, mistress…I mean, Raven…Ms. Gregory. She closes the distance between us. It looked like a step.

Ugh, I changed muh mind. Call me Raven, or I’ll slit ya throat where ya stand.

Okay. I squeak. I’m sorry, Ra-Raven. She smiles and disappears. I look around, astounded that I still wasn’t able to track her movements. Richard brings our bags inside. He drops them just inside the doorway and pushes the door shut behind him, revealing Raven.

She puts one hand on Richard’s shoulder and puts a knife to his neck with the other. He freezes. She traces from his chin to the top of his jaw. What have ya been teachin’ this girl? Richard smiles. Raven removes the knife and lets him go.

Not enough to be any real threat to you, Magistrate, Richard says. Raven shoves his shoulder, and he stumbles forward. Richard turns around, and they hug. I heard about Alexander. I’m sorry that I wasn’t here…

…ta what? Get yelled at by him some more? She smiles, despite the fact that she’s talking about her brother’s death. I’m kiddin’, she continues. He liked ya, Richard. He really did. She wipes a tear away.

I know, Richard says. He clears his throat. Well, um, what about this one?

This one, Raven says. She relies on her eyes too much, but the rest of her senses… She appears in front of me. …not nearly enough. She taps my nose. She’s right. If I had followed her scent instead of how she moved, I would’ve known exactly where she went. I roll my eyes and groan.

Well, that’s true, but I was wondering where’s she going to bunk?

She can have my old room, the voice of an angel wrapped in a British accent says from the top of the stairs. We all turn to the diminutive beauty descending. Her long jet-black hair frames her perfect face…well, perfectly.  A gray off-the-shoulder sweater dress fits her the same way with black tights leading down to black knee-high boots doing the same. She reaches the bottom step and throws her arms open. Richard! She runs to him.

Richard catches her as she jumps into his arms. He lifts her by her hips and says, It’s good to see you, miss. How’ve you been?

I have been wonderful, she sings. She giggles like a schoolgirl as he hugs her. She stops laughing abruptly. Well… She frowns. …I do miss Alexander terribly… I look away. She must have known Alexander the Gr… Left out, little miss perfect says, staring at me. Richard lowers her. Confusion… She pauses. …frustration… Pause. …irritation, she continues with a slight smile.

What’s your problem? I say as a complaint, proving that all her guesses about my mood are right. She smiles, and it makes me feel better. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I open my eyes, and she’s standing in front of me.

Leave her alone, Lana, Raven says.

Lana? I ask, staring at Richard. He nods. I point one spastic finger at her. …as in…Alana…as in Alana Isis Gregory...? Magistrate Raven’s little sister, I finish, moving that finger along with the rest of my hand over my mouth…hoping to take out my foot.

Yes, yes… Alana pauses before rolling her beautiful brown eyes. …and yes, she says with a bop. Nowadays, I also go by ‘soon-to-be Mrs. Dumont’ and ‘the one who’s marrying one of them,’ she says, attempting to make her voice sound frightening at the end.

Richard picks up our bags and walks toward the stairs. A frown creases his forehead. Richard, Alana says. He stops at the bottom step and turns to face us. I have not seen you in three months. I am engaged. She extends her hand and dangles the biggest rock I’ve ever seen that wasn’t on a movie screen. Do you want to say anything to me?

No, Richard says and marches upstairs to what I can only suppose is Alana’s old room.

Alana sighs.

Raven hugs her from behind. He’ll come ‘round, Raven whispers. Alana smiles and pats Raven’s arm.

Thank you, Ray. He saved Richard’s life…you would think that would be enough to… She sighs again. So, you are my sister’s new assistant, correct? I nod. What is your name?

Angela. I feel nervous. I don’t know why. I mean, she’s a vampire like any other, right? I’ve met plenty in the three months since I became one myself. So, what makes her so damn special? Okay, so there is the fact that she is half vampire and half angel. There’s also the fact that she’s marrying a wolf. Add to all of that, the fact that she’s Raven’s sister, and I’m surprised a brick hasn’t popped out of my…

As I was saying earlier…are you okay, Angela? Alana asks with a confused look on her face. I nod without thinking. Good, you are going to need all of your strength and then some if you are going to be my sister’s right hand. I nervous laugh. Also, there is the fact that my fiancé will be here soon and apparently, he frightens all the vampires here except Raven…and me, of course.

A w-wolf…is coming here? They both laugh. I’m…I’m not afraid. I try to convince them and myself. Raven laughs louder. He is going to be your husband after all, Mistress Alana.

They peer at each other with humor-filled frowns. Alright, Raven says. You really have to drop this ‘mistress’ stuff. It’s really annoying.

Sorry, mis- She raises one eyebrow. I stop myself. She tilts her head so that her ear is closer to me. Sorry, Raven.

Your new assistant is apologizing already, a man’s voice says. That’s not a good sign.

Alana’s smile widens. NATHAN! she shrieks and darts past me.

I get halfway around, and the scent hits me before the sight of him. Something in me turns, and I hiss. I crouch and prepare to protect myself or more likely, run. My muscles tense, and I bare my fangs; I even feel my eyes switch over to deep blue. I don’t know what this scent is…but everything in me tells me to fear it.

The wolf and Alana are oblivious to my reaction. She leapt into his arms, and they’re kissing. Raven puts her hand on my shoulder. Relax, she says. The more you’re around them, the easier it’ll be not to react instinctively. Trust me; the fact that you didn’t attack Nathan… She pauses. …or run away from him screaming, says a lot about how far along you are already.

Really? Raven smiles and winks.

So, this is the new girl, the wolf says. He offers his hand, while managing to hold Alana up with the other arm around her waist. Hey, my name is…

NATE? I shout finally getting a look at him. Six eyes stare at me in confusion. You might not remember me, Nate, but we met about four months ago, when I worked at Breaker’s Bar and Grill. He tilts his head even more confused than before. Alana stares at him with a frustrated expression.

I’m sorry, Nate says. I don’t remember you.

Well, I wasn’t a vampire then. I was working the second half of a double shift when you came in and ordered the biggest steak we had. His expression changes. I see a spark of recognition. Nice to know I’m not that forgettable.

Angela? he asks with arched eyebrows. Alana’s expression changes again. This time the look is painful. She looks hurt.

Yes. He smiles as Raven steps up. That was me. How’ve you been?

You’ve met her before now? Raven asks. Nate nods, staring at me. Alana shifts on his arm and lowers herself to the ground. Raven glances at Alana’s put off expression.

Nate smiles. I’ve been good. I was worried about you after that fire at the club.

Yeah, me too, I reply as if I’m talking to an old friend and not someone that I met once four months ago. Well, I mean, I was worried about you. I ran for the exit. I thought you were right behind me…and I when didn’t see you anymore after that. I scratch my forehead remembering his face when he told me to run that night. I was so worried about him and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why.

You were there? Alana says with her eyebrows raised. I hadn’t realized until she spoke that I had been walking over to the two of them. Shaking my head, I take a step back. I nod when I get a safe distance from them. I catch Raven glancing at me and then at Nate and back to me again.

Yes, Nate says letting Alana go. She was. In fact, I ran into her just before all hell broke loose.

Yeah, I kept hoping you would come back into the restaurant…but you never did. I-I thought you were dead. And now, here you are… Raven clears her throat, and I realize again that I’m standing way too close to Alana’s fiancé.  I take a step back again. …a wolf.

He knows that, Alana says with a bit of a huff to her voice. I begin to choke a little bit under her gaze. At first, it just feels like it’s in my head, but before I realize it, it really feels like I’m being choked. I try not to react…but if this feeling keeps up, I may pass out.

Yeah, Nate says shaking a finger in my direction. If not for you urging me to go to that club, I would’ve never met… He looks to his left and his forehead wrinkles. He looks behind him and sees Alana, glaring at me. He steps to her in an instant. I would’ve never met you, Love, he says as he takes her into his arms.

Nate puts one hand under her chin and then lifts her face to meet his. Her eyes break away from mine. I take a short breath. He gets impossibly close to her lips. Her expression tells me that she’s trying to resist him.  She looks at me. I choke. She turns back to him. Her resolve crumbles. A stolen kiss quickly follows a brief smile. I inhale deeply and cough. I love you, Mrs. Dumont.

I love you, Mr. Dumont.

Are you alright? Raven asks. I put one hand on my chest and the other up to let her know that I’m fine. She nods as I try to catch my breath. What the hell just happened to me?

The lovebirds glance at me. I glare at Alana. I don’t know how I know, but I know it was her.

I am sorry, she confirms. Nate caresses her cheek and moves some of her hair away from her face. I think I lashed out at you unintentionally.

You think? I ask, aware of the amount of venom I was putting into my words. Alana sighs and looks down at the ground. Raven takes a step toward me. I shake my head, remembering to whom I’m talking and the fact that her sister could kill me without even trying hard. Sorry. I…just never felt anything like that before. I stand up straight. It was a little crazy.

She’s working on it, Nate says. She still has a little problem with control.

Alana gasps and turns to face him. That is because I practice on you, and you are largely immune to my eyes. Nate smiles.  God, I wonder if they’re always like this. If I was still human, I’m sure I’d have tossed my cookies by now.  Why are you here anyway? You told me that you were coming, but not why.

I just wanted to make sure you were staying here tonight, he responds. She frowns. My…pack brothers are throwing me a stag party.

Stag? I start before I can stop myself. Like a bachelor party?

Not exactly, he hums. At this one…there’ll actually be a stag…we release it…and the first to catch it…gets first choice of meat…

Wow, you wolves REALLY know how to party. Raven laughs. Nate does too. Even Alana gives in and gives a light chuckle.

Raven, Richard says in a stage whisper while hurrying downstairs. He taps his watch.

Yes, she says. WE have to go.

We? I ask. She pushes me toward the door. I guess that’s a ‘yes.’

It was nice meeting you, Alana lies.

You too, I lie back.

It was nice re-meeting you, Nate says in a lighthearted way, before wrapping Alana up again and kissing her.

We hurry outside with Richard behind us and there’s a silver Jaguar, parked at the bottom of the steps. Where are we going?

You’re my new assistant, Raven says with one foot in the door that Richard holds open. You’re going to assist me with a VERY important meeting tonight. She climbs into the car. Richard pushes the door closed behind her and then opens the front driver’s side door. He looks at me and tilts his head toward the other side of the car. I hurry down the steps and around the car. I look at Richard over the roof as I pull my door open. He shakes his head and climbs in. I sit and before I can close my door, he peels out.

#####

Chapter 2: Magistrates

Raven hurries down the hall. I feel like I’m running to keep up with her. Two guards rush past us. We’re late, she says in a grumble. Richard moves behind us. He keeps up better than I can, but he seems to be jogging.  This is as far as you go, Richard, Raven says after about thirty more steps for her and forty-six more for me.

Richard stops. I look back. He straightens his tie and pulls at the bottom of his jacket. He looks at me with wide eyes. I check my appearance. I adjust my shirt and pull on my jacket to get rid of a twisting thing it was doing around the bottom. Crap, I lost about twenty steps to Raven.

She looks back. Keep up. I run. Now, remember… We go around a corner at what feels like fifty. …this meeting is a tradition that is centuries old. The Magistrates hold tight to it, and it has remained relatively formal for all these years. Are you getting all of this? I nod, and she turns around, walking backward without losing stride.

You don’t speak unless you’re spoken to and even then, only if it’s a direct question. Your response to any and everything will end with Lord or Lady followed by the person’s name depending on the person you’re addressing. She stops in her tracks. Except for Xiao. For some reason, he prefers to be called ‘Prefect.’ She spins and continues.

Your role in coming with me is to act as my personal assistant. She holds one finger up and out to the side. You are here to observe and make note of any new rules raised and make sure the information is disseminated immediately. Is that clear?

Crystal, Raven, I say with a nervousness that even surprised me. We reach a pair of huge, dark gray wooden doors. The guards who rushed past us stand on either side of the door. They wear Men in Black-style outfits complete with shades.  They each take a step back and pull on the bronze door handles. Raven holds up one hand and stops them.

She steps toward me. Examining my clothes, she shakes her head. Your clothes aren’t completely atrocious, so I suppose they’ll do. I nod as she adjusts the collar of my jacket and then tugs at the bottom of my shirt. One last thing, since this meeting is very formal, this is the one and only place where you absolutely must refer to me as ‘Chief Magistrate.’ Do you understand? I nod. Repeat everything that I just told you back to me.

My mind scrambles to retrieve everything that she said in the last two minutes. This meeting’s centuries old and very formal. No talking unless asked a question by one of the magistrates. When I talk, end with Lord or Lady and their name. I am here to observe and take notes as your personal assistant. Refer to you as Chief Magistrate. And my clothes will have to do, and I promise I’ll dress better next time. She looks at me with a bewildered expression. You didn’t say that last part. I added it. I flash a nervous smile.

Good. She turns to face the doors again. But don’t forget about Xiao. She motions for the guards to open the doors.

You mean, Prefect Xiao, don’t you, Chief Magistrate? She peers over her shoulder with a wink, and I smile. She turns and steps into the darkened room. I follow, keeping my eyes low. I don’t know what to expect except that I’ll be meeting some of the richest beings on the planet, and they just happen to be some of the most powerful vampires on the planet also.

The room is dark except for a light shining down on the center of a large round table. There are eight large wooden chairs surrounding the table and each one has a different crest carved into them. The crest seems etched just above the top of the average person’s head…if they’re sitting in the chair that is. There’s also a symbol on the back of the chair nearest the door. It looks like a circle surrounding an octagon with a square inside of it with a crescent moon as the center. I almost laugh at its familiarity…until I notice three people sitting at the table.

Raven touches the closest chair…the moon chair. The other three acknowledge her with a nod, and she releases the chair. The man sitting to Raven’s immediate left rises from his chair and smiles. His symbol is an octagon with two squares inside of it overlapping one another, creating tiny triangles along the sides of each and another octagon at the center. Half of the inner octagon stands out and the other half seems recessed. He removes his circular sunglasses and gives her a hug. Chief Magistrate, he says as he releases her. He bows to her and Raven laughs a bit.

Prefect Xiao, Raven replies with a perfect English accent. They both laugh again. Xiao, I’d like you to meet my new assistant. She motions to me. This is Angela.

Xiao laughs.  Charmed, I’m sure. Judging by his face and his clothing, I would have to suppose that he’s a fifteen-year-old Chinese boy, although he’s wearing clothes that look like something from an old movie. He looks me over. She’s very nice, Raven. He leans in closer. Can I have her? Disgusting.

Raven catches me out the corner of her eye. She frowns. I wipe the look off my face and take a step back. Of course not, Xiao, Raven says. I’ve heard how hard you are on your assistants. Speaking of which, where is Tam?

Xiao rolls his eyes and scoffs. That was two assistants ago. He waves his hand dismissively. I don’t have one now, but my people are training a pretty little thing named Su Xi to be my new assistant. Raven smiles and pats him on the shoulder. I can’t believe this is the guy that she calls her oldest friend.

The woman seated two chairs over to the right of Raven’s chair makes her way around the table. Her emblem is a square with a V and what looks like a sun rising from the center. Her long black hair is braided down the length of her back. Her business suit fits her curvaceous body so well that I almost feel ashamed in my loose-fitting blouse and jacket. Not that my body could be compared to the marble statue that hers is. Her blood red lips part slightly as she takes in my appearance and then she looks to Raven.

Lady Florencia, Raven says as she takes her hand. The woman simply smiles and does a semi-bow in response. And Javier, so good to see you again. Have you gotten taller?

I turn to see whom she’s talking to, and a giant steps out of the shadows. Javier looks like he stands every bit of seven and a half feet tall. Even stranger than his height is the fact that even at that stature, he doesn’t look skinny at all, the way most tall guys do. He laughs in response to Raven’s comment and bows to her in earnest.

Florencia turns her attention to me. So, you are the new assistant? she asks, offering her hand palm down. My eyes dart over to Raven. She cups her hand as if she’s taking Florencia’s tiny fingers into them herself.

I mimic the action and bow to Florencia. Yes, Lady Florencia.

Florencia smiles and looks to Raven. You’ve got a good one, this time. Florencia snaps her fingers. With that, she turns on her heels, and the giant Javier guides her back to her seat. I breathe a sigh of relief. Raven puts her hand on my shoulder.

The slender, dark haired gentleman, sitting opposite Xiao and to Florencia’s right, simply raises his goblet. A busty blond-haired woman steps out of the shadows and pours more of…what looks like wine into his glass. I sniff, trying to catch the scent. It’s blood. Raven sneers at me.  Sorry, Chief Magistrate. Raven’s eyes narrow.

That’s Denisoff, she says without looking at me. Two squares like the ones inside of Prefect Xiao’s circle are his crest. In the center of the octagon created by the intersecting squares is a sledgehammer with a crescent moon on the side. The woman with the bottle of blood is his daughter, Anya.

Raven remains standing next to her chair as the others take their seats. I look around at each magistrate already here. Xiao represents China. Florencia represents South America, though I can’t be sure which country. I peer over at Denisoff. They’re from Russia, Raven says. The fact that they pulled their backing out of the People’s Party is why the Soviet Union crumbled. I squint. Under the order of my father, of course.

The doors swing open behind us, and a pair of tall slender men enter. The one in front wears round wire-framed glasses. His blond hair covers his forehead in one swoop of gold. His jaw is strong, and his black tie on black suit hugs his tiny frame perfectly. The short blond behind him dons a navy sport coat with a white turtleneck underneath. His locks aren’t quite as perfectly trimmed as his predecessor’s.

I smile. This is getting easier. The one in the front must be… Gi, Raven says, taking the hand of the taller man in front. Gi smiles and kisses the back of her hand. The shorter man walks past Raven without even acknowledging her. He walks to the chair opposite hers and touches the back of it. He looks to Xiao, who nods. He repeats the process with Florencia and Denisoff. When his eyes come around to meet Raven’s, her hand rests on the back of her chair too. Raven nods.

The short blonde smiles and strides back around the table. His emblem is the simplest…it is a circle in the center of a square with a line about a quarter from the bottom of the square creating two rectangles. Chief Magistrate, he says as he passes Florencia with his arms open.

Lord Yon, Raven says again, tossing the manufactured English accent out there. They hug, and he brushes some of his slightly disheveled hair away from his forehead. He’s all smiles…until he notices me. He turns his nose up at me. I fight hard against the impulse to hit him.

Who’s the new blood? he asks Raven, while turning his back to me. I notice Gi giggling silently out the corner of my eye. I find myself fighting another urge now, kicking the crap out of Gi. I glare at him. He stops laughing, but smiles still. I nod, but I’m sure my eyes still say, ‘I hate you.’

This is my new assistant, Yon, Raven says, touching my shoulder. Her name is Angela. She tosses a few strands of my hair off my shoulder.

Yon peers at me. I smile and nod. He turns to me outright, places one finger on his chin and looks me up and down. I don’t hate her. Her outfit needs work, but everything else about her is breathtaking. He looks at Gi, who is staring at me. Do you not agree? Gi’s smile widens, and he holds out one hand to me. I extend mine…he swipes my hand up and kisses the back of it. I snatch my hand back. Yon and Raven laugh. So, does Xiao.

I suppose there won’t be any marrying between our two covens, Yon says.

Raven laughs louder. No, I suppose not.

Then again, there is probably enough marrying into your coven of late, no? Yon asks. The laugher dies out instantly. Every pair of eyes focuses on the four of us. Gi clears