Book 2: Going Back Part 1

Honor, the world's greatest female demon hunter, and her vampiric compainion Alexander head to Vamun Castle, Alexander's childhood home, to learn what really happened the day the vampiric royal family was killed.

Honor bent over the map on the table. Her robe was hanging in a peg next to the door. Alexander’s cloak hung next to it and Alexander himself was stretched out on one of the small room’s two twin beds.

“Is the castle really that close to Capsin?” Honor asked as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Are you sure you marked this right?”

“Yes, love, I’m sure,” Alexander said with a chuckle. “Why does that surprise you? It is in the mountains and out of the way.”

“Well, you’d think the human royalty would be nervous about that,” Honor explained. “Having very powerful beings at their backs and all. You have the perfect position for an attacking the capital.”

“They trust the treaty. My ancestors gave them no chose in the matter. My kind gets what they want. ” Alexander laughed. “I bet the humans are nervous now, though.”

“Why do you think that?” Honor asked, curious.

“There is no royal family so there is no treaty,” Alexander said patiently.

“But there’s you.” Honor turned in her chair to look at him directly. “If you are the last member of the royal family then you are the Vampire King, right?”

Alexander stayed silent and stared at the ceiling. Honor sighed as she got up. She sat next to Alexander's laying form and leaned over him so that her face was right above his. Her gray eyes met his gold-tinted green gaze and her thick red hair fell like a curtain, blocking the rest of the room from view.

“I know you're sad about losing your family, Alexander,” she said softly, “but you can't dwell on it and you can't be quiet about it. That's all in the past and nothing can ever change that. You have responsibilities to your people and your future. You can't ignore it or wish it away.”

The sad look on his pale face softened and melted as it was replaced by another emotion Honor couldn't really name. She remembered it from the handful of times she had spotted on his face. She had also seen it somewhere else, but she couldn't quite remember where.

“My dear Honor,” he said, his voice as soft as her own, “I know, but things are not so simple as that. Rinzer stole the throne through the murder of my family. I must kill him before I can take my father's place and become king.”

Honor's smile was bright and enthusiastic. “Well, then, we're on the right track, huh? I wondered why you were hunting Rinzer.”

“What? Revenge wasn't a good enough reason for you, love?”

Honor shook her head. “Nope. You are a moper, not an avenger. I'm the avenger in this outfit.”

Alexander pulled Honor down so that she laid on his chest. Honor didn't fight him,it wasn't worth the energy.

“Take a nap with me, love?” he asked as he lightly stroked her hair. One arm was lazily draped across her waist, meaning that she could leave if she wished. “Pretty please? I'll behave.”

Honor shifted and stretched until she was comfortably laying on him. “Alright, Alex, as long as you don't try any funny business.”

The vampire chuckled, content, the demon in him soaking up the glory of his small triumph. He listened to her steady heartbeat and slow breathing. That gentle song lulled him to sleep.

prev chapter