Dancing Dragon Read online

  Dancing Dragon

  Book Five in the Kindred Series

  By Nicola Claire

  Copyright © 2012, Nicola Claire

  All Rights Reserved

  ISBN: 978-0-473-21776-1

  nicolaclairebooks.blogspot.com

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organisations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

  Cover Art by Nicola Claire & Minette Hanekom

  Image credit: 123RF Stock Photo

  Image # 9276881

  Font credit: Last Soundtrack "EpoXY histoRy"

  My special thanks to Minette of Red Cherry Graphic Design for her expertise, unfailing support and precious time, making the Kindred Series look as sexy as it deserves.

  More books by Nicola Claire:

  Kindred Series

  Kindred

  Blood Life Seeker

  Forbidden Drink

  Giver of Light

  Dancing Dragon

  Shadow's Light

  Entwined With The Dark

  Kiss Of The Dragon (Late 2013)

  Mixed Blessing Mystery Series

  Mixed Blessing

  Sweet Seduction Series

  Sweet Seduction Sacrifice

  Sweet Seduction Serenade

  Sweet Seduction Shadow (Late 2013)

  Elemental Awakening Series

  The Tempting Touch Of Fire (Late 2013)

  For: My Mum and Dad,

  who taught me the meaning of a loving relationship.

  Thanks for showing me what love can overcome.

  Acknowledgements

  There is no cutting corners when publishing a book. Even a self published author has a lot of help. The Kindred Series would not exist if I hadn't have had an enormous amount of support, guidance and aid throughout. Any author will tell you, there are many people to acknowledge and thank, their contributions essential in presenting a polished, professional and worthy story. It just so happens that my many people come in the form of one. My husband.

  As my beta reader he has kept me on track, making sure Lucinda and Michel, and the many creatures that traverse the Kindred world, remain within the parameters set. When the story doesn't make sense, he lets me know. When I could have done better, he encourages me to dig deep, offering a sounding board and brainstorming buddy, adding a little clever into the mix.

  As my editor he corrects the multitude of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors that grace the page when I'm too caught up in the action to stop and check. He makes sure the story flows, cutting out the superfluous and maintaining continuity.

  As my cheerleader he's the first to point out new favourable reviews, the first to tell me he is impressed, the first to congratulate, to encourage, to pick me up when I doubt. And even when I don't get it right, he still tells me I'm the best.

  So, thanks! To my husband: Tony. My beta reader, my editor, my cheerleader - my kindred.

  Definitions

  Accord – A blood binding agreement, often between two parties of equal power; cannot be broken.

  Álfheimr – (Fey) Faerie. Home to the Fey.

  Alliance – A word of honour agreement; has varying degrees of binding, some alliances cannot be broken.

  Bjóða – (Fey) A challenge.

  Blood Bond – A binding connection between master and servant, requiring the exchange of blood to seal. It can only be broken by someone more powerful than the master who created it. A blood bond establishes a close relationship between the blood bonded. The master provides safety and protection, the servant offers obedience and loyalty.

  Bond – The connection between joined kindred Nosferatu and Nosferatin; reflects the emotional and psychological relationship. Enables both parties to find each other over distance; to perform whatever is required to get to that person, overcoming any obstacle; to direct thoughts to each other; to feed off the life force of each other. It is always an equal exchange.

  Command – A directive given by a Master vampire to one of his line. It requires Sanguis Vitam in order to enforce obedience. It cannot be ignored.

  Dökkálfa – (Fey) The Dark Fey.

  Dream Walk – A Nosferatin power, enabling the Nosferatin to appear in a different location. The Dream Walker is invisible, cannot be sensed or smelled, and only heard if they talk when in this realm. They can, however, interact and be harmed. The only exception to a Dream Walker's invisibility is another Nosferatin. Two Dream Walks in a 24 hour period results in prolonged unconsciousness once the Dream Walker returns to their body. A very rare power.

  Elska – (Fey) Literally love. An elska is a mœðr. A member of the Fey can only ever have one elska in their lives. They are in tune with the Light or ljós within their matched fairy and potentially will become their one true love.

  Final death – The true death of a Nosferatu. There can be no survival from the final death.

  Glaze – The ability to influence another. It requires direct eye contact and Sanguis Vitam to insert the influence. Usually a Nosferatu skill, allowing a vampire to influence a human.

  Herald – The Nosferatin who recognises the Prophesy. It is the Herald's responsibility to acknowledge the Sanguis Vitam Cupitor and thereby initiate the Prophesy.

  Hapū – (Maori) Tribe; sub-tribe – e.g. the Westside Hapū of Taniwha is the local Auckland sub-tribe of New Zealand Taniwha.

  Iunctio – (Latin). The Nosferatu connection and governing power. All vampires are connected to one another via this supernatural information exchange highway; enabling sharing of rules, locations of safe havens and hot spots to avoid. It is powered by both Nosferatu and Nosferatin Sanguis Vitam, but is operated by the Nosferatu in Paris. There are twelve members of the Iunctio council, headed by the Champion. The Iunctio is tasked with policing all supernaturals throughout the world.

  Joining – The marriage of a kindred Nosferatu with a kindred Nosferatin. Upon joining the Nosferatu will double their Sanguis Vitam and the Nosferatin will come into their powers, but for the Nosferatin, their powers will only manifest after reaching maturity; the age of 25. The joining will also make the Nosferatin immortal. A symbiotic relationship, should one member of the joining die, the other will too. Without a joining, the Nosferatin would die one month past their 25th birthday. The joining also increases the power of the Iunctio and Nosferatu as a whole.

  Kaitiaki – (Maori) New Zealand Shape Shifter (Taniwha) name for Nosferatin. Meaning protective guardian of people and places.

  Kindred – A Nosferatu or Nosferatin sacred match, a suitable partner for a joining. To be a kindred there must exist a connection between the Nosferatu and Nosferatin; only those suitably compatible will be kindred to the other.

  Line – The family of a master vampire, all members of which have been turned by the master, or accepted via blood bond into the fold.

  Ljós – (Fey) Light.

  Ljósálfar – (Fey) The Light Fey.

  Lux Lucis Tribuo – (Latin) The Giver of Light. The third part of the Prophesy. The Lux Lucis Tribuo is charged with balancing the Dark in Dark vampires out with their Light.

  Master – A Nosferatu with the highest level of Sanguis Vitam. There are five levels of Master, from level five – the lowest on the Sanguis Vitam scale, to level one – the highest on the Sanguis Vitam scale. Only level one Masters can head a line of their own. Some Nosferatu may never become Masters.

  Master of the City – A level one Master in control of a territory; a ci
ty.

  Mœðr – (Fey) Mother or mate. A human capable of parenting fey offspring.

  Norm – A human unaware of the supernaturals who walk the Earth. They also do not have any supernatural abilities themselves.

  Nosferatin – (Nosferat–een) - A vampire hunter by birth. Nosferatin were once of the same ilk as Nosferatu, descendants from the same ancestors, or God. The Nosferatin broke off and turned towards the Light. Their sole purpose is to bring the Nosferatu back from the Dark, this can include dispatching them, bringing them the final death, when they cannot be saved. They are now a mix of human and Nosferatin genetics.

  Nosferatu – A vampire. The Nosferatu turned towards the Dark, when their kin, the Nosferatin turned towards the Light. They require blood to survive and can be harmed by UV exposure and silver. They do not need to breathe or have a heartbeat. They are considered the undead.

  Prohibitum Bibere – (Latin) The Forbidden Drink. The second part of the Prophesy. The Prohibitum Bibere is a siren to the Dark vampires throughout the world, calling their Darkness towards the Light.

  Pull – The Nosferatin sense of evil. Guides a hunter to a Dark vampire; sometimes, but not always a rogue, who is about to feed off an innocent.

  Rākaunui – (Maori) Full Moon.

  Rogue – A vampire no longer controlled by a master, full of evil and Darkness, feeding indiscriminately and uncontrolled.

  Sanguis Vitam – (Latin) The Blood Life or life force of a Nosferatu. It represents the power they possess. There are varying degrees of Sanguis Vitam.

  Sanguis Vitam Cupitor – (Latin) The Blood Life Seeker. The first part of the Prophesy. The Sanguis Vitam Cupitor can sense and find all Dark vampires throughout the world.

  Sigillum – (Latin) A permanent mark of possession.

  Taniwha – (Maori) New Zealand Shape Shifter. Dangerous, predatory beings. The Taniwha have an alliance with the Nosferatins.

  Taufr – (Fey) Talisman. A charmed amulet or object.

  Tego Texi Tectum – (Latin) To cover, protect and shield. Referring to a vampire power of guarding and sheltering themselves and others from certain magical powers.

  Turned – The action of changing a human into a vampire.

  Umskipti – (Fey) Changeling. A member of the Fey used to replace human children who were identified as mœðr. The changeling takes on the form of the stolen child and fools the human parents until adulthood, when they simply disappear. Fey stole human children to improve fertility in Álfheimr. The stolen human child is raised in Faerie as one of their own to breed fey.

  Vampyre – Old term for vampire; used rarely in modern language.

  Vinr – (Fey) Vanguard. The first of the Fey to cross a portal. Their job is to ensure it is safe for other fey to follow.

  Where there is Light,

  There is always Dark.

  And where there is Dark,

  There is always Light

  Nosferatin Mantra

  Chapter 1

  Life is Fun... Not!

  No one ever said my job was fun. Until a few weeks ago, I was your friendly neighbourhood business banker at the Queen Street branch of the Bank of New Zealand. My dream job, one I was so proud to have successfully earned. And one that I really couldn't have easily described as fun. Predicable. Mundane even. But, because of that lack of surprise, I did find it a breath of fresh air. But not fun. Never really fun. Counting coins, though, was my sanity saviour in a world gone batshit crazy. The methodical and consistent task of counting coins and conversing with my local business owners was cathartic and grounding.

  Until my night time gig got in the way.

  So, now my employment consists of hunting the evil undead creatures of the night. And little else. It is unpredictable, a constant challenge and takes me to any manner of locations at any time of the day. But it is also not what I would call fun. It also doesn't pay well. Hell, it doesn't pay at all. It's not like the Iunctio, the vampire governing body, offers up a retainer for Nosferatins like me. They may have accepted our role in the supernatural world, begrudgingly, but they certainly aren't going to encourage us with money, that's for sure. No, we're on our own and Nosferatins, or born vampire hunters, like me, make do with odd jobs that fit around our night time hours and responsibilities.

  It isn't so bad though. Being joined to the Master of the City means I have it pretty cushy actually. Swanky house, flash car, everything provided for me that I could possibly want.

  Except independence and my own means of paying the bills.

  Something I have had issue with for some time, but my conscience, that pesky little voice inside my head that keeps me connected to the Light, has meant continuing to take a salary from the BNZ whilst not actually working there, goes against the grain. I mean, I'm supposed to be one of the good guys. Having the Norms I work with constantly glazed to believe I was working that week, when I wasn't, due to injuries, or all-nighters that left little time for sleep before daylight working hours came knocking on the door, or other sundry Nosferatu claims on my time, does not sit well at all.

  So, I have been forced to take a break from my normal human working arrangements. No job, no income, no independence. Not a happy camper, but what can I do?

  Reluctantly I have been relying on Michel, my kindred Nosferatu, to pay my way. Something he was more than pleased to do, hell he was ecstatic about it. But, I've warned him not to get too comfortable with our arrangement. I am job hunting, looking for something that will allow me a little leeway, but provide for a little financial independence too. Also, something that won't condemn me for the tattoo-like Sigillum on my neck. One of three marks that Michel has placed on me, claiming me as his own, but this one on my neck is hard to miss. Laced with a little of my Nosferatin Light, it looks more like a colourful tattoo, swirls of iridescent colours and a geometric design surrounding the tiny fang marks of his bite. So far, no luck with a prospective job that doesn't mind the decoration, but I am a positive sort of girl, I won't give up on the dream just yet.

  Considering that my night time job has also started being an all day, any time of the day kind of job, means finding an employment opportunity outside of those rather demanding hours, is likely to be an impossibility. And turning my back on the task at hand, or the pull as we call it, just isn't an option either.

  Especially, when faced with proof of what an evil Dark vampire can do when not policed, such as tonight.

  I am usually pretty good at what I do. I can fight a level one Sanguis Vitam vampire and more often than not walk away from the encounter relatively unscathed. I can even take on more than one at a time, what with the plethora of Nosferatin skills I have accumulated over the past two and a half years. And, on top of that, I am the Giver of Light, the one Nosferatin tasked with the job of calling all Dark vampires towards the Light and balancing out the universe.

  Sounds good in theory, but in order to do that, I have to get close to the most evil, most vile, most Dark of all vampires. And that is never a nice thing. The one facing me now was evidence enough of that. Just because they are evil though, did not mean they didn't know how to dress.

  This one was tall and swarthy looking, with long black hair and exceptionally good dress sense. His muscular frame was clothed in designer jeans, tight fitting black T-Shirt and a well cut leather jacket, that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He had a thick black leather belt on and solid looking, expensive shoes, poking out of the bottom of his perfectly placed jeans cuffs. It was all made-to-measure and he knew he looked damn good in it too.

  His cocky and sure, deep topaz gaze, travelled the length of me, but God knows what he actually saw, because I wasn't really here. In fact, he shouldn't have been able to sense me or smell me, let alone see me. Tell that to him though. He cocked his head to the side and smiled, a wicked smile that vampires seemed to be able to master so well.

  I swallowed under his heavy scrutiny and felt the beginnings of unease trickle down my spine. The human he had been feasting
on lay discarded at his feet. Dead. Drained dry. Done and dusted. He had obviously been hungry, this well groomed harbinger of death, because he hadn't bothered to hide his efforts from prying eyes. We had an audience, not something I was familiar with, but clearly something he found rather amusing. Maybe he planned on dealing with me and then tucking into dessert with one of the three pub crawlers held by his glaze, standing watching in horror, at the end of the narrow lane we were in.

  What to do? He reeked evil from every pore, it was like treacle, thick and viscous, sweet smelling, but slightly burnt. Coupled with the amount of Sanguis Vitam rolling off him, he was no two-bit player. A master in every aspect. In fact, I had a sneaky suspicion, he was more than just your average level one master. I'm not quite sure what tipped me off about that fact, but my inner monologue was whispering, tread carefully, very carefully inside my head. I usually listen to that voice, it's pretty damn perceptive.

  “Another Nosferatin. How droll.” His accent was upper-crust British. Not surprising, considering I was in London. Knightsbridge to be precise. Not all vampires have well bred accents, but when you've been dead a few centuries you learn to pick up the accent of your choice. This chap had been around close to a thousand years, not a usual age for a vampire - usually they don't make it that far, a stake in the chest will do it - and he had established himself in the upper echelons of society, I should think. “Have your brethren not passed on the memo?” he purred.

  What memo? I chose to ignore his urbane question and just glanced down at the dead human at his feet and then slowly up the length of his tall body to finally rest my very hard stare on his face. He noticed the move, creepy but true. Until now, there were only two other vampires who could see me in this realm - this Dream Walking realm - and to them I appeared as nothing more than a hazy outline, a representation of my aura. This vampire, somehow, could see all of me. I don't know how, but I sure as hell would like to find out.