Half Blood Rising

I tried to move, but excruciating pain shot through my limbs. That bitch grabbed me by my hair and lifted me back to my feet. More pain lanced through my chest. I needed to gather myself, but someone struck me with an attack of magic. There was one streetlamp out here, but I could see everyone’s faces pretty clearly. The mage narrowed his eyes at me, he probably recognised me after all. The councillor appeared confused.

“What is she doing here, Councillor?” Leonidas asked. “I thought no one from the inside knew we were meeting here tonight?” I was far outnumbered and weakened by protective wards. Truly, all I cared about right then was how I wanted to stab that bitch right in the gut and then twist the blade a few times, too.

“Traitor,” I spat, trying to break free from her grasp, but she pushed me towards the ground, then kicked me, taking full advantage of the fact I wasn’t in my usual form. Someone’s magic was affecting my nervous system. Damn it! I wanted my knives.

“I have no idea why this girl is here, but we should make a deal, anyway. No one else needs to die,” the councillor said calmly. “This one is special, she’s a half-vampire breed with strong magic. Take her and let my daughter go. She’s important to the school.”

“He’s right; she survived my injection of power, and no one ever does,” the mage said, the same one who’d blasted me with energy before I’d joined Moonlight Academy, fuelling me with anger. I’d bet he was not expecting to see me here.

Leonidas smiled, and then smoothed his chin, and his energy kept tempting me once again. I needed to taste him, touch him.

Was he hypnotising me again? I had to close my mind, so he couldn’t get to my memories. He still obviously had no idea who I was.

“I don’t need to make a deal with you. The half-blood is already mine,” the ancient said, approaching him. “Ramona caught her, and I know all her secrets. Let’s talk about the real reason you showed up here.” The councillor flinched as Leonidas placed his hands behind him and then began circling around the official. “Richard needs to have a free hand. We have a few excellent candidates who should be admitted to the Elite. You only have to change the voting system, and your daughter will be free.”

My energy was growing very slowly as I tried to pick myself up off the ground, but each time, Ramona pushed me back down with her heel. My ribs were hurting, too.

Lachlan was probably in the area, but I had no way to reach out and pass him a message. We’d never bonded that way, but I’d heard it was possible between lovers. Ramona still had her damn foot on my back, and she was pressing the heel of her boot into my spine. I was taking long deep breaths, trying to think about my options. The deal was going ahead whether I liked it or not. There was no way I could stop it now.

The councillor appeared troubled but prepared to agree to anything. The ancient had his daughter, but this wasn’t why he was scared. I found it odd that such a powerful supernatural from the High Council was submitting himself to a vampire.

Leonidas had something on him, because his daughter didn’t seem important to him at all.

“Very well, then. I can convince others and charm the newest members, but this isn’t a long-term solution. Sooner or later, the High Council will figure out what is going on,” the councillor mumbled.

“There are five talented vampires who must pass the admission process,” Leonidas responded automatically. “Your daughter is going to die tonight if we do not agree. Her energy is diminishing.”

win just yet. Half of my genes were from my fae family,

jumped into your bed the moment

pain was fading as quickly as it appeared. Her long blond hair was hanging next to my left side. Suddenly

you’ll get what you want,” the councillor repeated. “Three of the elder board members are now dead. They have been making

hair, as a switch flipped inside me. That incredible power shocked even me, as I felt light rushing through my veins. It exploded through my palms. Ramona screamed, landing on her side and I shot to my feet, breathing hard. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw four other vampires making

I was glad I’d thought

dark, twisted magic embraced my body as two other vampires advanced on me. There was nothing stopping

neck as he tried to grab me, and I ripped his throat out, kicking the other one in the stomach. There was an animal inside me that was repulsive, but I was fighting for my survival. The vampire roared with pain, falling to the

was saying, approaching me. “Rodrick, sign the contract with the councillor. The board is ours, and it will be a new beginning. A new transition, the old times

to free myself. I could feel the

blue eyes pierced through me. I craved him, desired his blood, as my fae side fought with my maker’s

Despite his age, he was still attractive. I

never allow dark magic to pass through the Elite Academy walls,” I whispered, not recognising my own voice. This was what Oldman had once said to me, and I remembered it. There was no place for dark magic in the Elite. Every single student who wanted in needed to pass the trials. This deal wasn’t going

for you for a very long time. Ramona disappointed me.

me strength. He

I said, licking my lips. I didn’t want this, and I didn’t want him, but, suddenly

me, my fae side was still fighting, but the other voice was

and a jolt of electricity rushed through my core. He grabbed the back of my neck, yanking my head to the side, and bit me, drinking in, and I moaned. In a matter of seconds, I was lost in the essence of ecstasy and pleasure. It felt incredible as he began to drink my blood, my entire body started to

much, part of my soul—part of me that didn’t want to give

my veins, and he wasn’t

I was going to become another victim. The clock was ticking, the seconds were passing …

energy spreading warmth through my cells. It was shutting down the gloom, injecting

away, and, suddenly began coughing up my blood. I felt light-headed, and I could barely stand on my feet, but at least

I thought he would fall to the ground. I thought I was going to pass out, too, but this energy inside me was helping. I felt

no sound came out. I glanced at my hands, and my fingers were electrified, fire burned through my soul like an invisible flame. It was the fae voice, it found