Vampires' Daughter

By Kristen S. Walker

Fae and vampires are mortal enemies.

From author Kristen S. Walker comes a young adult paranormal romance for fans of Crave by Tracy Wolff and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Heather is a human girl raised by vampire parents so they can turn her on her eighteenth birthday. But while she is mortal, they keep her under strict rules. She longs to learn more about the world, especially the magical community she will join someday. Her first taste of freedom comes with tragic consequences.

To keep her safe from the vicious Unseelie, Heather’s parents move her across the country to a little town deep in the woods of northern California. In Madrone, Heather feels more isolated than ever—until she attends Crowther Private Academy for Magical Students and meets the boy of her dreams.

Despite the warnings, Heather falls in love with a faerie prince named Glen. Their romance is doomed from the start: he’s already betrothed to a faerie princess, and she is scheduled to die in less than a year. But with Glen, she feels like a normal human girl for the first time in her life. Neither of them can deny the strong pull for the other.

How will she choose between her heart and the immortality that awaits her?

Vampires of Calaveras is a young adult paranormal romance trilogy in the Witches of California world, which also includes Small Town Witch and the Santa Cruz Witch Academy series. There are familiar characters and settings from other books, but it can be read on its own. If you love forbidden romance, vampires, small towns, and Fae, then try Vampires’ Daughter!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen S. Walker
• Release date: Feb 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781005892500

Kristen S. Walker

Fantasy author Kristen S. Walker dreams of being a pirate mermaid who can talk to sharks, but she settles for writing stories for teens and adults. She's proudly bisexual, Wiccan, a liberal feminist, and lives in northern California with her family and two rescued pets. To find out more about her stories, please visit kristenwalker.net.

Book preview

1

DON'T CALL IT A NEST

The moment I saw him, I knew my heart was lost.

Our eyes met across the crowded parking lot. He looked like he stepped out of another time on his gleaming white horse, a knight even without the shining armor. The private school uniform fit his broad shoulders. His lips curved up in a smile that seemed like it was just for me, and despite myself, I smiled back.

Then he turned around and said something to the girl on the horse behind him, holding onto his waist, and I knew it was hopeless.

They were both faeriekin. If he was beautiful, then she was gorgeous in that ethereal way that only those with Fae blood could be. They were made for each other.

And as soon as they knew what I was, they would both hate me. Fae and vampires are mortal enemies. I hadn't gone through the change yet, but my blood was still tainted.

But to tell you the full story, I have to start at the beginning…

The Vampires' nest was in Detroit.

I'm not supposed to call it a nest because that's a slur. Modern vampires call it a collective or a commune. My parents used the old name, coterie.

There were seven vampires: three married couples and one Elder. Over a dozen servants split between the day and night shifts. And three children, including me.

An enormous amount of power is used in the ritual that allows an undead vampire to carry a living child. The Elder vampire had successfully performed it three times. He was the reason our parents had come to America, chasing the dream of a family. Simon, Lalita, and I were all born within a few months of each other. I was the youngest. We grew up in the same mansion and went to the same private school together.

In August, I celebrated my seventeenth birthday. The coterie held the party at night when they were awake. Although it was dark outside, the heavy velvet curtains were still drawn tight, blocking out the world. Between the dark carved wooden furniture and the flickering candles, the inside felt even darker.

There were no party decorations or friends from school to celebrate. The seven vampires all dressed in their best formal clothes, which looked like they had stepped out of a painting from another time: velvet, lace, and silk. I looked out of place in my modern turquoise blue party dress, but Lalita and Simon had worn bright colors for my sake. She wore a bright red floral print sundress and he had green slacks with a tropical button-up shirt.

Everyone sang happy birthday as the household chef, a plump middle-aged woman we called Cookie, brought out my favorite marzipan princess cake.

Make a wish, Heather, Cookie said, smiling at me.

What did I have to wish for? Everything I could ever want was handed to me the moment I asked for it: toys, clothes, the latest cell phone. But I couldn’t tell anyone what I really wanted—freedom.

After I blew out the candles, I cut enormous slices for Simon, Lalita, and me. Then I cut a fourth for Cookie. You should have some, too, I said as I handed it to her. You worked so hard.

Cookie looked nervously at my parents and set the plate aside. Thank you, dear. I'll save it for later.

The vampires sat stiffly around the table as we ate. They had all been undead for over a century, long enough that they’d forgotten the taste of human food. I knew the servants purchased animal blood from a slaughterhouse outside the city to sustain them, since they were forbidden to drink from humans. But I had never seen them feed. Not that I wanted to watch my parents drink blood, but it was weird to have them sit and stare at the three of us while we ate.

You could have cut the tension with a knife.

Suddenly, Simon reached over and dabbed a clump of white cream on my nose.

I shrieked and covered my face with my napkin. What are you doing?

He grinned. Just trying to get you to lighten up. This is supposed to be a party!

I rolled my eyes at him, but I grinned back. His smile made my face flush with embarrassment. Lifting my hand, I threatened to throw raspberry jam at him in retaliation.

Then I caught a glimpse of Lalita’s face, and my amusement died. I cleared my throat and tried to eat the rest of my food with proper manners.

Lalita’s gaze was cold enough to match the vampires’. This happened every time Simon spoke to me.

Once, the three of us had all been close friends, practically family. But in the past few years, things changed between us. As Simon grew taller and his shoulders grew broader, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was becoming. He was no longer an awkward little boy. And he seemed to look at me differently as I matured.

But Lalita noticed that Simon was becoming a man, too, and she also wanted his attention. She began to wear heavy make-up that accentuated her deep brown skin, tracing kohl around her almond-shaped eyes. Her mother braided her thick black hair into elaborate designs. Although she used to play with us as children, now she was serious, mimicking the vampires’ old world etiquette. She scolded Simon until he calmed down.

Lalita was the oldest. She would be the first one to turn eighteen, less than six months ahead of me. She was prettier, with generous curves that any guy would want.

I was pale, short, and looked like a Victorian invalid, with stringy dark hair that wouldn’t curl. I couldn’t compete with any girl, but especially not Lalita. Simon only liked to tease me because I blushed so easily. She didn’t need to act so jealous.

We had barely finished the cake when Cookie cleared the plates and wheeled them away on the polished wood serving cart.

Mother stood up in her black silk evening gown and glided toward me without making a sound. My dear Heather, she said in her thick Russian accent. You are almost a woman. Happy birthday.

She brought out a small velvet box and handed it to me.

Thank you, Mother, I said automatically before I even opened it. Money didn’t matter to them, so another piece of expensive jewelry didn’t feel that special.

Mother raised her thin, dark eyebrows into two points. On her, the pale skin and dark hair looked elegant. Her pale blue eyes flashed at me. Aren’t you going to open it?

I bit back a reply. It wouldn’t make any difference to argue with her. No matter what I said to my parents, their years of experience and power meant that they knew better than me. I had to act like the perfect daughter and do exactly what they said—after all, they were the ones who would grant me the gift of eternal life.

When I opened the jewelry box, I gasped. The heart-shaped diamond inside was bigger than any I had. It glittered coldly in the candlelight.

Mother picked up the necklace and slipped behind my back. May I?

I lifted up my hair carefully, exposing my neck to her. Please.

With the lightest touch, Mother draped the necklace over my collar bone and secured the clasp at the back of my neck. Then she dropped a small kiss on top of my head.

Only one more year, my darling, she murmured.

Across the room, Father watched us both, his dark eyes glittering. One more year, he echoed.

One more year until they killed me.

According to the law, you had to be eighteen to consent to become a vampire. I knew what was waiting for me since I was old enough to talk. The plan was to change each of us when we were old enough. Then our coterie would become ten.

I caught Simon watching me, too, but he yanked his eyes away before Lalita could notice.

What would it be like to die? I felt like I’d barely had a chance to live. But once I was reborn as a vampire, I would have eternity to do whatever I wanted.

Everything we did was under strict control. A chauffeur drove us to and from our elite private school. In the afternoon, tutors helped us with our homework to make sure we got perfect grades, and other servants saw to our every needs. After sunset, we spent time with our vampire parents, sitting around the decadent mansion.

When the quiet party was over, my parents bid me goodnight. Although school wouldn’t start for a few more weeks, they kept us on a strict bedtime.

My bedroom was in the west wing of the mansion. As I opened the door, someone snuck up behind me.

Hold on, Simon whispered. Your birthday isn’t over yet. Do you want to go outside?

My heart leaped in my chest. Was he asking me to sneak out… on a date?

2

WE CAN GET OUT OF HERE

Lalita appeared out of the shadows, making my heart jump for a completely different reason. But she didn't seem to react to Simon standing so close to me. She pulled out something long and narrow from her pocket.

Time to teach you how to sneak out, she said with a smirk.

I stared at her, then nervously glanced down the hallway to make sure none of our parents were nearby. Vampires had very good hearing. What do you mean? I asked. You guys have snuck out before?

Just a few times, Simon said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. We wanted to make sure it was safe before we invited you, and then I decided it would make a great birthday surprise. He grinned at me.

My mind raced to keep up with all these revelations. Sneaking out sounded exciting, especially with Simon, but I was hurt that they'd already gone without me. Just because I was a few months younger than them, and a grade behind in school, didn't mean they had to treat me like a baby.

But even if they claimed it was safe, sneaking out still sounded dangerous. If my parents found out, the minimum punishment would be grounding for an entire school year. It would suck if I couldn't even go to chaperoned school events.

I pointed at the object Lalita was holding. How does that help us sneak out? And are you sure we won't get caught?

Lalita unrolled a cloth pouch and showed me the needle-like metal sticks inside. Lock picks, she said. Here, I'll show you how to use them on your door.

I went inside my bedroom with Lalita on my heels. The staff locked us inside our bedrooms every night at curfew, but if we could pick the locks, that was the first step to getting our freedom.

Simon gave me a thumbs-up, but he stayed in the hallway. I'll lock it from out here, he said, gesturing to the door. And I'll keep a lookout. Good luck!

The door swung shut and the lock clicked into place.

Lalita kneeled on the floor and gestured for me to join her. We're lucky that they haven't upgraded to an electronic locking system or modern security, she said. These old locks are easy to open once you know the trick.

She launched into an explanation of tumblers and pins. At first, nothing she said made sense to me. But once she started demonstrating how to insert the picks inside the lock and feel for the mechanism inside, I slowly began to get the hang of it.

By the time I successfully opened the lock for the first time, it was almost bedtime. Simon gave me a big smile that made me glow with pride.

Lalita got up from the floor with a grunt.

Wait at least thirty minutes after we're locked in before you start trying, Lalita told me as she handed me the lock pick set. And listen to make sure no one is around. If you can't get it, we'll let you out tonight. But you can keep practicing with these.

I clutched the set close to my chest. This was a better gift than even the most expensive piece of jewelry. Thanks, I said, smiling at her. But where are we going when we get out?

I'll tell you more when we're away from the house, Simon said. But keep your party dress on. You look great.

I blushed at the compliment, but Lalita cleared her throat.

We need to go to our rooms, she snapped at him. Quick, before someone comes to check on us.

I went inside my bedroom alone, closing the door as the others left, and looked around nervously for somewhere to hide the lock pick set. My dress didn’t have any pockets. I had bought a blue clutch purse to match, but I didn’t bother grabbing it when I changed because I thought I was just staying home. If I could only remember where I’d left it.

I was still standing there thinking when a minute later, I heard the lock click into place behind me again. I jumped at the sudden noise, but I should have expected it. When I was little, a nanny would come in to read me a bedtime story, but now no one bothered to say goodnight. Just locked in at curfew like a prisoner in my own home.

My bedroom was so large, it was practically a suite, with an attached bathroom and walk-in closet. An enormous four-poster bed sat in the middle of the room, along with anything else I could possibly need—a vanity with a chair for doing my makeup, a desk for homework with bookshelves on either side, a mini-fridge stocked with drinks in case I got thirsty in the middle of the night.

I finally found the clutch purse in the walk-in closet, lying on the floor next to the rows of shoes. Then I remembered how I’d been in a hurry to get ready before the party and left it after I decided not to bring it, or else I would have put it away. Servants came in periodically to tidy things up, but I tried to stay organized so they didn’t have to clean up after me.

It felt weird to have so many people taking care of me instead of my parents. I knew from books and television that most families didn’t live like we did, even magical ones. But our coterie could afford luxuries like live-in servants and they had to pay well just to find anyone who was willing to work for vampires.

Servants like Cookie had been around my whole life, and since they showed me more affection than my real parents, they felt more like family to me. But I couldn’t have normal teenager arguments with the maid about keeping my room clean. If I was too lazy to put my things away, she would quietly clean up my mess, and then I just felt guilty.

With the purse in hand, I grabbed a few essential items for our night out. Since I didn’t know where I was going, it was hard to plan ahead, but I couldn’t fit much in the clutch purse anyway. The lock picks took up half the space, and my phone filled most of what remained. I could just squeeze in a lip gloss, a credit card, and a few bills.

While I waited for the I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror to make sure I still looked okay. Smoothing my dress out, I checked for food crumbs or stains. There was nothing to be done with my limp hair, but I could brighten up my makeup. Anything to make me look older and mature enough for our adventure.

After another look, I decided to take off the new diamond necklace. It was pretty, but it was bound to get attention of the wrong kind. We wouldn’t have our usual chaperones and bodyguards to protect us if we got into trouble.

Okay, my imagination was running away with me if I was worried about people stealing my jewelry. I had to calm down.

I forced myself to sit on the edge of the bed and stare at the clock until thirty minutes past lock-in. Then I rushed over to the door and pressed my ear against the heavy wood, straining to listen for anyone nearby.

The house was silent.

Trying to remember exactly what Lalita had told me, I laid out the lock picks on the floor. I closed my eyes as I worked so I could picture the tumblers inside the lock. It was a delicate operation, but after a few false starts, the lock came open.

I put away the lock picks quickly and listened a final time for the sounds of any servants in the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.

Simon popped into the doorway with a grin. I knew you could do it!

I jumped back, pressing my hand against my chest. Don’t scare me like that!

Sorry, he said, stepping aside. But good job. Are you ready?

Lalita appeared next to him. We have to go quietly. No more yelling.

I blushed, lowering my head and looking at the floor. Simon had startled me into making a noise, but I didn’t think I had actually yelled.

Simon pressed his finger against his lips, although his eyes sparkled with mischief. He turned and gestured for us to follow him down the hallway.

Instead of heading for the main entrance, Simon led us around to a servants’ passage on the side of the house. There were low lights along a staircase as we climbed down to the first floor.

I kept looking around nervously, afraid that the night shift would come this way on their rounds. But Simon seemed confident and Lalita followed him, so I trusted that they knew what they were doing.

Simon guided us out through a side door, through the darkened garden, and helped us climb over a wall. Within a few minutes, we were out on the street outside the mansion—free at last!

Now what? I whispered, looking around eagerly.

We’ll go around the corner and call a taxi cab, Lalita said, pulling out her cell phone as she started walking.

Simon whipped out a plastic card with a flourish. And you’ll need this fake ID. We’re going clubbing!

3

THE BEST CLUBS ARE THE SECRET ONES

Icouldn’t believe I was actually sitting in the back of a cab at night, squished between Simon and Lalita. My bare thigh was pressed against Simon’s leg, heating up my entire body. My heart was already pounding from the thrill of the night and we had only just escaped.

Are there seatbelts? I asked, looking around the inside of the cab. It felt so much smaller than the luxury cars our parents owned. There was a grate separating us from the cab driver in the front, and a bright TV screen glared in front of us, showing ads for local entertainment while a meter counted up our fare.

Lalita rolled her eyes. No seatbelts in a taxi, she said. Try not to squirm so much. I don’t have much room here.

I squeezed my arms in close to my body and tried to make myself as small as possible. Between Simon’s growing muscles and Lalita’s mature curves, I felt pretty cramped too, but I didn’t dare complain. I couldn’t do anything that would make Lalita regret bringing me or she might never take me out again.

The taxi cab followed Lalita’s directions to a downtown street that didn’t seem to have much on it besides a closed psychic shop and an all-night laundromat. Are you sure this is the right address, miss? the driver asked, turning around to stare at us.

This is it, Lalita snapped. She reached forward and slipped a few bills between the grates. Thanks for the ride, she said, already pulling open the door.

As Lalita and Simon climbed out on either side, I felt the pressure finally releasing. I scrambled to follow after them. When I was halfway out, Simon gave me his hand and helped me the rest of the way.

I looked around the empty street as the cab drove away. My nerves were tingling again at the thought of being out here in the middle of nowhere, completely on our own. Where are we? I said, echoing the cab driver’s question. I don’t see any clubs around here.

The best clubs are the secret ones, Lalita said knowingly. She pointed to the dark alley behind the psychic shop. C’mon, the entrance is hidden back here.

I looked at Simon for reassurance. Going into a dark alley sounded like the worst idea. Did he really think it was safe?

He grinned at me. You’re going to love it.

I followed behind the others as they walked down the alley. These high heels looked cute at home, but now I regretted the way they made me take such small, careful steps. Not the right shoes to be wearing if a mugger jumped out of the shadows and I suddenly had to run for my life.

Lalita strolled up to the back door behind the psychic shop and knocked in a simple pattern: three times, pause, then three more.

The door swung open to reveal a hulking ogre, dressed all in black with combat boots. What’s the password? he grunted between huge, sharp teeth.

I gasped and took a step back. Ogres didn’t usually live this close to humans—or rather, humans didn’t let ogres live in their cities, because ogres loved the taste of human flesh. They had to follow the same laws against murder that vampires did, but still, they made people nervous. In my case, this one made me terrified. I could feel the instinct to flee curling up the back of my spine.

Simon put his hand on my arm, his warmth flowing into me. Relax, bouncers are supposed to look scary, he whispered.

Lalita tossed back her hair. Curiouser and curiouser, she said. With a flourish, she whipped out her ID and held it up for him to see.

The ogre frowned. Sorry, kid, but I can spot a fake from a mile away. He pulled a stamp out of his pocket and pressed it to the back of her hand. You can come in, but non-alcoholic drinks only.

Simon sighed. You’re no fun.

Just following the rules, the ogre growled, holding out the stamp to him. If you don’t like it, you can go somewhere else.

Simon let the ogre stamp his hand, then gestured for me to do the same.

The ink tingled as the stamp pressed into my skin, and when it lifted again, I could see a shimmer fading away. My eyes widened at the sight of magic.

That’s just to make sure it doesn’t wash off, the ogre explained. He stepped aside so we could enter. Have fun, kids, but don’t get into any trouble.

Behind him were a set of stairs going down under the street. They were lit only by a black light that made the graffiti on the walls glow, showing images from the book, Alice in Wonderland. Over the stairs was a neon sign blinking with the club’s name: Down the Rabbit Hole.

I laughed in sudden joy. A secret Wonderland-themed club? Awesome! Simon must have remembered this was one of my favorite books when we were kids. Lalita would never have thought of doing something so nice for me.

As we walked down the stairs, the lights swirled around us, making it look like a portal. And when we stepped into the club itself, it was like walking into another world.

The music pounded so loud I could feel the bass thumping in the floor. The club was mostly dark, with flashing lights dotted around the room, pulsing in time with the music. A DJ was set up with his equipment in the corner, bouncing his head to the beat. On the dance floor, a crowd of people were swaying and twirling along.

I squinted at the dancers in the flashing lights, then glanced around at more people sitting at tables along the walls or standing at the bar.

None of them were human.

I turned to my friends, leaning closer so they could hear me over the loud music. Is this a magikin club?

Simon grinned at me, his teeth gleaming in the black light. Got it on the first guess! He pointed to an empty spot nearby. Let’s get a table and chill.

I let him lead us to a table and sat down, but I felt panic rising in my throat, threatening to cut