Bonded Souls Read online

  BONDED SOULS

  BY

  AGNES H. HAGADUS

  ©2019 All Rights Reserved

  Dedicated to all my readers. Without you, I’m nothing. Special dedication to my sweet better half. I love you spitfire. And thank you to our daughter Miss Alex, gone but never forgotten, you are loved

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  The silvery moon was but a sliver hovering far above. It was shadowed by the dark clouds slowly migrating across the midnight sky. The dark clouds were not unlike what was encased in the tall woman’s soul.

  How many centuries had Elissa hunted these same lands? And before that her birth country? The vampire had long ago lost count. Just as she had lost count on when her immortal life had any meaning. She sighed as her senses alerted her to prey nearby.

  Unlike many of her kind, Elissa would choose only to feed on a human when she felt they were worthy of the gift, or curse, of immortality. She hadn’t even been the one to sire her last lover. Unfortunately, but fortunately for Sarah, her lover had met the wrong end of a wooden stake.

  Elissa had been a heartbeat too late to save the woman who had captured her heart, but not her soul. The expression upon Sarah’s face as she had nearly instantaneously turned to dust haunted the dark woman’s heart.

  Ironically, it didn’t haunt Elissa’s soul. Some would say that one had to have a soul to be haunted. One gave up their mortal soul once they were turned. It was one thing Elissa knew. She had maintained her mortal soul. Otherwise she would kill like the wild animals as those in her own clan did.

  Clan. It was not a word Elissa had tender feelings for. She was not truly a part of the family. She was tolerated because she was the fourth eldest of the elders. The others mocked her way of life. If only she could gain control…

  The snapping of the twig once again caused Elissa to focus on the reason she was in her old stomping grounds. The need to feed was overwhelming her. It wasn’t safe, even with all her control in the world, to be around mortals. It wasn’t safe for anything that contained the life force she so desperately needed to survive.

  A throaty growl escaped Elissa as she launched herself at the helpless deer. It wasn’t long before every drop of blood had been siphoned into her body. The youth of the deer only caused the blood to taste that much sweeter. It caused her adrenaline to soar to epic heights.

  The growl was primal that escaped Elissa. It took nearly fifteen minutes for her fangs to retract and for her breathing to return to some semblance of normal. She cautiously licked the blood that remained on her lips knowing that even leaving a trace could cause her hunger to soar once again.

  After half an hour, Elissa glanced down at the lifeless deer. It wouldn’t go to waste. There was a small orphanage just on the outskirts of the village that struggled to feed their charges. After the need to feed, the vampire left whatever she had fed from on the back porch. Tonight was no exception.

  With the strength of ten men, Elissa hefted the deer upon her broad shoulders. Her long dark locks were braided and brought to trail down the front of her before having swung the deer upon her shoulders.

  The dark clothing encasing Elissa’s nearly six-foot frame helped to hide her figure as she made her way through the darkness. Every so often, the sliver of a moon illuminated her dark features. None so dark were her eyes.

  The dew was beginning to form on the leaves beneath Elissa’s feet. She always was barefoot. It was, she thought, because she enjoyed her freedom so. Or maybe it was because her first breaths as a mortal had been taken when rarely anyone wore foot covering, except in the coldest of seasons.

  Elissa grunted as the deer was slung upon the back porch. She took a moment to collect herself. Even having taken her another forty-five minutes to trek through the forest that surrounded the small village, there were the traces of the animal she became when the need to feed had overtaken her.

  The vampire leaned against the stone wall. It had been there since the time of the Revolutionary War. It was young compared to her age. It was now nearly the middle of the eighteen hundreds.

  With a start, Elissa realized she would soon be a thousand years old. In that time, she had had a few lovers. But none that had remained with her, either by the hand of a mortal or having betrayed her with another.

  Why was Elissa so obsessed with the fact she was now without a lover? The vampire glanced around the orphanage she had chosen to gift her sacrifices to. It was in such need of repair from the building they remained in to the barn to the orchard that surrounded it that the vampire growled.

  The gasp caused Elissa to concentrate her gaze at the back door. Unlike mortals, vampires could see in the dark, nearly as well as in the daylight. She could see the cherubic face that had uttered the nearly inaudible sound.

  Eyes, appearing grey in the dim light, blinked at Elissa. The vampire wasn’t certain if it was from fear or from awe. She hadn’t had contact with a mortal in two decades. It had been nearly half a century since she’d had contact with a mortal child.

  They stared at one another for the longest of moments. There was a warmth inside of Elissa she hadn’t felt since she had been cursed with immortality. She waved shyly at the young child.

  The blonde head slowly poked its way out the door. The young girl was cautious in allowing any sound. Cassandra wasn’t supposed to be out of bed until one of the teachers came to awaken all the children.

  Cassandra stopped as she nearly tripped over the dead deer. The dead animal was not what had caused her to gasp. It was the growl that had nearly been wrenched out of the intriguing dark woman.

  “Hi.” Cassandra waited for the stranger to reply. When there was nothing, she decided to try once again. She didn’t know if she’d ever see the woman again. “My name is Cassandra. Thank you for the deer. I have only had one meal a day since the last gift you brought us.”

  A dark eyebrow rose in surprise. Elissa wasn’t certain if it was the boldness of the child, the thanks she received or that Cassandra knew she was the one who had been bringing her leftovers for the past two years.

  “My name is Elissa.” The beaming smile caused the warmth to grow within the vampire. “It would be best if you told no one you saw me or that I’m the one who has been leaving gifts. It could be…”

  “Dangerous?” Cassandra was nearly ten years old. She had always been told she was an old soul. Until this moment, she hadn’t been certain what that exactly meant. “It’s why I’ve never before attempted to be here when you brought your gifts. I heard something. But I thought it was someone in the barn. I will be punished for even thinking of being out of bed in the middle of the night.”

  “The barn?” Cassandra nodded. “I’ll tell you what. You keep quiet about me and the bringer of the gifts. And I’ll make certain you and the others are well protected. I’ll start by making certain the animals in the barn are all right.”

  There was a large yawn before Cassandra smiled shyly at the dark woman. There was something about Elissa. She was different. Not just because she only came out at night or gifted she and her friends with meat. The young girl couldn’t figure out what it was. Yet. “Thank you. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” Elissa waited until the young girl was out of sight before making her way to the barn. She was grateful Cassandra had obeyed her. The scent had the vampire’s cravings appearing in the form of her fangs, as well as a low growl.

  Even before opening the barn doors, Elissa knew what she would find. Two horses and two cows had been drained of their blood. All that remained were the chickens. The manner in which the blood had been drained inform
ed Elissa there was only one being who could be behind it. “Devlyn!”

  Chapter 2

  It had taken the remainder of the night for Elissa to remove the carcasses. She could have possibly left them for the orphanage to make use of, but didn’t want evidence of how they had perished. She had, until tonight, always covered the cause of death by impaling arrows into the teeth marks she’d left behind.

  A little bity thing of only a decade had caused Elissa’s ritual to be broken. It wasn’t the worst thing, but it also left the door open for her concentration to be broken once again. It was something she couldn’t afford around Devlyn.

  Elissa growled at the thought of dealing with the head of the clan. Seventeen years were what separated her and Devlyn. If only Elissa had been turned before Devlyn, she would be in the lead. Instead, she had to work around her nemesis.

  The sun was threatening to make its presence known. It wasn’t the lightening of the forest. It was the sixth sense Elissa had been granted once she had become immortal. Even before being turned, she had always had an amazing sense of time and direction. Both served her well as an immortal.

  Her thoughts were back on little Cassandra. Would the ten-year-old be able to maintain her secret? If she didn’t, Elissa and her clan would be forced to defend themselves. It was something the vampire was very good at. Better than Devlyn.

  The only reason Devlyn, besides being the eldest, maintained her leadership role was because she had turned warriors. They pledged their allegiance to her. In return, she allowed each of them to take their pleasure in anyway they wanted. It was something Elissa would never do.

  Elissa made it to the gates of the plantation. It had once been home to slaves, but they had been freed. As had the longtime landowners. After coming to the new world, Devlyn had taken everything she had wanted by force.

  It was one way Elissa had agreed. Force, but not with the out and out slaughter of mortals. It was time the vampire spoke with the head of the clan. If Devlyn didn’t listen, Elissa would be forced to form her own clan.

  It had been over four hundred years since Devlyn had united the four clans. They had been spread all over Europe. There were those that remained in Europe, but supposedly remained under the leadership of Devlyn.

  Elissa knew better. If it came to it, she was certain those in the home country would aid her if she requested it. But for now, she wanted to battle Devlyn with words. Perhaps even resort to the extreme of inviting others to a clan that she led.

  The guards eyed her with suspicion. Elissa had been absent during the feasting. She was absent every feasting. It took place every four days. Some in the clan were like her and settled for livestock or a wild animal of some kind.

  But most were like Devlyn. They would drain a mortal dry without even blinking an eye. The list of villagers missing had grown to an alarming rate. And at the pace Devlyn and the others fed, the village would be extinct in half a lustrum.

  The gates were opened without word. Elissa hastily made her way to the large home, not the long buildings that were former slave quarters. If she had not wished to speak with Devlyn, she might have made her way to the slave quarters. It’s where the lower level immortals were housed. It’s where she felt most comfortable.

  Her reputation preceded her as Elissa made her way through the hallways toward the master bedroom. Eyes were upon her, but no one dared say a word. Perhaps if they knew she meant to begin a revolution, perhaps they would have attempted to stop her. Or join in.

  Elissa didn’t bother with knocking. She flung the doors open. The sight that greeted her was one she was, unfortunately, accustomed to witnessing. An orgy was underway. Five males and three females. Devlyn being the head of it all.

  Devlyn barely even acknowledged the rude intrusion by someone who thought of herself as more powerful than she was. It wasn’t the first time Elissa had barged in while she took her delights after feeding. It wouldn’t, regrettably, be the last time. Unless she could finally convince her brother and sister they no longer needed the fourth eldest among them.

  “You killed livestock. Even though I’m certain there are several mortals just lying around in this place.” Elissa remained with her arms crossed over her chest. She attempted to block out the images before her and only hear Devlyn’s voice. The other sounds were as unappealing as anything the vampire had ever witnessed.

  “They belonged to those weaklings.” Devlyn groaned as one of the males began to thrust against her womanhood. She preferred her female counterparts, but after a good feasting anything was pleasurable because of the animalistic appetites the ritual brought to the surface.

  “It’s the last time you attack them.” Elissa’s eyes caught the dark ones belonging to her elder. “They are under my protection. If you continue to push me in this matter, and others, I won’t return to the clan.”

  Devlyn roughly shoved the male from her body. She stood as one of the females nearly bit her tit from her breast. The sensation caused her to growl and backhand the young vampire who had only been turned the month before. “Everyone but Elissa out. Now!”

  Elissa watched in amusement as the room emptied. It was best described as a stampede. They were terrified of Devlyn. Elissa was not. She was weary of her, but not even the slightest bit afraid. Even if Devlyn was her sire.

  “Who are you to be giving me orders?” Devlyln moved with such speed she would have appeared to be a blur to a mortal. To Elissa, she seemed to move as a turtle would. “I’m the one that united the clans. I’m the one who sired you. I’m the one who brought us to the new country. I’m the one who taught you all that you know.”

  Elissa snorted. “I’ll give you all those but one.” The vampire stood to her full height. She didn’t tower over Devlyn, but the height difference was quite noticeable. “Your teachings were nothing. I’ve been the one to teach the clan to fight, to survive and to forge alliances with mortals. Something you always seem to undermine. Like now.”

  Devlyn’s hand was easily caught in a strong hand. If Elissa wanted to, she could easily break every bone in her sire’s hand. It wasn’t her way. As of yet. “When will you learn? Mortals serve only one purpose. It’s to give us life. Those that are worthy enough are turned. Those that are not deserve whatever is taken from them.”

  Silence hung between them as Elissa threatened to crush the hand she still held. Taking a deep breath, the vampire finally released her sire’s hand. “As always, there is no speaking with you. You are living in the time of the rabid vampires. When only to drink of humans was considered a necessity. Our forebearers never even thought of other ways to replace the lifeforce we so desperately need.”

  “What are you saying?” Devlyn knew this day would come. She hadn’t thought it would be so soon. She had hoped Elissa would remain long enough to finish the youthful immortals’ training.

  “It’s time we went our separate ways.” Elissa stared into the disbelieving eyes of her sire. There was a momentary flicker of sadness in those dark eyes. It was burned away by pure rage. “I’ll be on my own. I’m not asking anyone to come with me.”

  Elissa slowly made her way toward the doors she had flung open not that long ago. She felt Devlyn move again. Had Elissa had a stake in her hand, her sire would have been dust as her hand slammed into Devlyn’s chest above her heart.

  “Don’t ever do that again.” Elissa glared into her sire’s eyes. “I mean what I say. I’m on my own with only the orphanage as my family. If I even think any of the clan feed or turn anyone there, I won’t be able to contain myself. And leave their livestock alone in the future.”

  Devlyn watched as her first child walked out the door. The slamming caused the vampire to jump. “You’ve always been different. I’ve never understood you. Before I turned you, we were so good together. But after, something happened. I’m not sure if it was you or me, but changes were made.”

  After a moment of staring at the closed doors, Devlyn made her way to the bed. She pulled on the rope attached to
the bell in her number one’s quarters. Within moments, she was no longer alone.

  “Elissa is no longer part of the clan. She no longer has our protection.” With just a look, the female vampire understood what it was Devlyn wanted. The youthful vampire was on her knees biting and licking at Devlyn’s clit. “In fact, she is now our enemy. Spread the word. After you make me come all night long.”

  Chapter 3

  Cassandra sat in her normal chair. It was time for lessons. While she loved to learn, she would rather be outside. She would rather be searching for her friend.

  It had been four days since Elissa had gifted them with the deer. It wasn’t the only gift. The next morning their animals had been missing. The day after that, they had been replaced with younger livestock in far better condition.

  The young girl knew what the others could only speculate about. An unknown benefactor was providing for them. It was no longer only the game from the forest. It was little things, like repairing the barn door so it actually locked.

  “Pay attention!” The sharpness of Cassandra’s teacher caused emerald eyes to focus on her teachings. She was a storyteller so learning to read and write were treasured. Especially in a place where they had so little.

  The time from schooling to their only meal of the day had been nearly unbearable. Chores were a welcomed break. The only thing, besides attempting to remember her reading lessons, was the fact tonight should be the night her friend should gift them with something wonderful.

  Cassandra heard the call. She had been weeding in the garden. She loved to work outside. One day she hoped to travel away from this place. Away from those who only pretended to care.

  It was time to wash up and pretend to sleep until one of her caregivers came to wake them. It would be a long night unless she could somehow escape.

  Something had awakened Cassandra. It wasn’t what had awakened her four nights prior. It was as if her name was being called. So softly and sweetly she could barely hear it, yet it sent chills up and down her young spine.