Shadow Kissed: The Vampire’s Chosen One

NOTE: This book is rated 18+ and is intended for a mature audience. Shadow Kissed contains mature language, action violence, crude humor, and sexual content. -ERIC- I let out a sigh of relief as I step out into the private parking garage of Luxe, the entertainment gem I own in Los Angeles. It is good to be home! I roll my neck, hearing it crack and pop, a reminder of the long flight I just endured on my way back from Europe. A necessary trip, however, one I didn’t expect to take nearly two weeks to accomplish my business. A minor setback, especially with the mess I left my domain in. Thankfully, Gabriel has been holding down the fort in my absence. I shut the door to the car and head towards the private elevator that led to the club, thinking about the shit list that awaited me now that I was back in California. First order of business...a dead Slayer. My charge, according to the agreement between the Vampires Council and the Watchers Council. It has been a month since her body was found and I nor those under me have found even one clue as to who done the deed. Someone in my domain kidnapped, tortured, and murdered the poor girl. Now, the Watchers Council is breathing down my neck expecting answers...answers that I cannot give them as to why one of their own has perished in such a brutal manner. I haven’t had a Slayer or Hunter die as my charge in gods, over two hundred years? So frustrating, not to mention an insult to me as the Sheriff of California. Next on the list is the recent increase of supernatural attacks on humans in California...something that is only allowed in self-defense. In the last couple months, there have been over fifty cases...a large number, especially when most humans do not know the supernatural exist. Thankfully, The Veil has taken care of the majority of the cases, only a handful manage to filter through and need to be taken care of manually. The Veil is a magical, invisible cloak over California that prevents humans from noticing supernatural creatures and events for most part. The changing color of the eyes of a vampire for example, with their changing emotions. Other supernaturals will see it but humans will not, not unless they have been given access by a supernatural...which can be punishable with the final death if done for the wrong purpose. The Veil is a godsend, especially when you are in charge of the largest Hellmouth in the world. Sometimes I wonder what the human citizens of L.A. would think if they knew they were living on top of a darkness powerhouse of hell...one that emits dark energies to supernatural beings and feeds off all the evil deeds in the city. Mass hysteria and chaos would be my guess. Not everyone can handle the idea that all the dangerous creatures you watch in movies and read about in books are real to some extent. Next on my growing shit list...Prince LaCroix, the only being in California with the supernatural political status over myself. Of course, his demands are that of my two previous problems. No doubt wanting results so that he may claim my successes for himself, again, in front of the Vampires Council...the prick. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to put my fist through the French vampire’s smug face. I can only hope that one day I will get my opportunity. As I make it to the elevator, I put my finger on the fingerprint access panel. The elevator door opens, approving my access. I hit the button for the second floor, knowing that I need to bypass my club and head directly to my office where Gabriel is waiting for me. The elevator digs and the doors open to the familiar long dark grey painted hallway. I can hear the music from the club as well as the commotion from its occupants, no doubt enjoying the simple pleasures my club offers. I make it down the hallway and make a sharp right into the smaller hallway that houses the heavy wooden double doors of my office. I open a door and stroll on in. The noise from the club is cut off as I shut the door, thanks to the soundproof room. The first thing I notice is a delightful scent, something sweet smelling...something that stirs the beast inside me...something that does not belong to the cocky vampire sitting across the room. Hmmm...curious. I shake off the feeling that seems to be calling to my being. Gabriel is sitting in the executive chair behind my wooden, custom made executive desk, with his feet propped up on the corner like he owns the place. “Well, well, well...look what the cat dragged in.” “Is there a reason your expensive Englishman shoes are on my desk?” I say, heading towards the liquor shelf illuminated by the light blue glow in the wall. I grab a crystal glass and pour my favorite whiskey in it before taking a seat across from the other vampire in one of the two black leather chairs. “Well, I’m the boss whilst you are absent. I thought I would demonstrate as much when you returned.” The vampire held his arms out to his sides. “Do I not look like the man in charge?” I chuckle behind the glass as I take a drink. “You look like a British asshole with his fancy Englishman shoes on my desk.” Gabriel chuckles in return. “Well, this British asshole will gladly step aside so that the king of the assholes can take care of the bloody state of things.” “No luck on Samantha’s murder or the supernatural attack cases, I take it?” Gabriel sighs. He feels the same way I do about our deceased charge...like we failed a friend by not being there when she needed help. Samantha was stationed in LA. for four years and yes, the both of us became friends with her. She wasn’t like all the other Watchers we’ve had. “Unfortunately not. However...” I cock an eyebrow. “However?” A grin broke out on the Brit’s face. “We have a replacement from the Watchers Council.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “Already? That was fast.” Too fast. Sometimes it would take months to find a replacement for locations on a Hellmouth. They aren’t exactly desired because they are such a pain in the ass. I always imagined the Watchers Council would draw names out of a hat to decide who the unlucky soul would be to take over a Hellmouth. “Yes. She requested the transfer.” His grin widened. “Requested?” I say incredulously. “No one requests a transfer to a Hellmouth, let alone the largest one in the world.” Unless she is a glutton for punishment. Gabriel shrugs indifference, not concerned at all by this. “Whatever the case, she’s ours, mate.” I polish off the whiskey in the glass, before tapping a finger on it. “Right. When will she arrive?” The Brit smirks. “She arrived shortly after you left for Germany.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “Come again?” She’s been here two weeks already? Her arrival was fast indeed. “Where was she stationed previously?” “I believe she told me the Hellmouth in Italy.” Gabriel states, finally dropping his feet from the corner of the desk. I look at the empty glass in my hand. The Hellmouth in Rome is one of the larger ones located in Europe. The Vampires Council has never mentioned any incidents regarding Rome, perhaps she is capable of handling L.A. “What is your impression?” At this question, Gabriel smiled showing his perfect white teeth. “Well, if she wouldn’t try to bloody kill me, I would definitely sink my fangs into that tempting little neck of hers.” I tilt my head to the side, studying him. Out of all the Watchers that have been stationed here, Gabriel has never made such a comment. Sure he’s flirted with the Slayers, but to go as far as saying he would bite one? No. “Really?” Gabriel chuckles. “Oh, yes. She’s quite the little vixen, mate. It’s a shame you weren’t here thirty minutes ago, you just missed her.” He sighs, leaning his head against the back of the executive chair. “I think I’m in love!” I chuckle and shake my head. Out of all our years together as friends, the Brit has never mentioned anything about love. He’s always been a playboy, never holding down a solid relationship longer than a month or two at the most. “She gave you that good of an impression, huh?” “Physically, she’s bloody gorgeous, mate. Add in her delightful personality and wit, she’s quite the package...a bloody package I’m not ashamed to say I’d like to pursue.” I roll my eyes. Vampire and Slayer relationships are not unheard of, especially since the Watchers Council and Vampire Council signed the peace treaty three hundred years ago, creating an agreement that those vampires in political authority would ally themselves with the Watchers in order to keep the balance in the world. In my opinion, I couldn’t agree more with the treaty. Hunters and Slayers are born with the traits to physically handle vampires, demons, and the like in order to provide balance. Before the treaty, vampires and the Hunters and Slayers would kill each other off as soon as they caught wind of each other. I’ve had my fair share of Watcher blood over the last thousand years of my existence as has Gabriel. However, we are not ignorant in the fact, especially as old as we are now, that Watchers are necessary. Since the peace treaty, the population of each side is up to a comfortable level, providing balance in the supernatural world as well as the human world. “Personality? You mean Watchers are capable of having those?” I reply jokingly. Most Hunters and Slayers are all business when it comes to our alliance, however, on rare occasions we get to meet an oddball out of the Watchers norm, definitely making the professional relationship more exciting. Samantha was an oddball...that’s what made it so easy to befriend her. Gabriel chuckles. “She definitely is not your average Slayer. She has a mouth and is...quite entertaining.” “How about your view from a professional standpoint?” I ask, since all the Brit has done is prove to me that he’s smitten with my new charge. “She’s efficient and effective. I’ve been working close with her since her arrival...” “Oh, I’m sure you have.” I can’t help but smirk. Gabriel scoffs. “I honestly have no idea what you bloody mean. She’s smart...quick. Her skills are...impressive.” I arch an eyebrow. “Impressive?” It takes quite a bit to impress Gabriel, needless to say, I am intrigued. Gabriel nods towards the computer. “Her file has been added to the Crypt. I’m sure once you shake off the jet lag, you will take an opportunity to glance over it.” I nod in return. “I’ll admit, you have me curious. What is her name?” “Elena Grimm.” “Grimm? As in the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Grimm?” I ask. If so, I knew her parents and quite a few of her ancestors. I wouldn’t go as far as saying we were friends, however, I enjoyed their company and respected them as they held a high value on life...whether human, vampire, or any supernatural being. Their lineage is a prime example of how Watchers of the balance should be. I knew that they had a son and a daughter but never had the opportunity to meet them. “Yes, that would be her.” I chuckle. No wonder Gabriel is impressed with her skills. The Grimm family begins training their children as soon as they are able to comprehend reading the supernatural library and strong enough to wield a bladed weapon. I would definitely consider them to be one of the elite families of Watchers. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to meet the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth. “So, when do I get to formally meet her then?” Gabriel shrugs as he rises from the executive chair, straightening the jacket of the black suit he wore. “Not my problem, mate. As for myself, I have a date with said Slayer tomorrow evening.” He walks around the desk and stops beside me. “I’m taking her to 714 Locust Street.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise when I recognize the address. “You’re taking her to an abandoned building suspected of housing a Sabbat nest?” Gabriel shrugs again. “What’s more romantic than taking a Slayer to kill a bunch of Sabbat? Besides, we all know how fighting can lead to an increased state of arousal.” He wags his dark brows. “Perhaps she will allow me a taste.” Yeah...and he doesn’t just mean of her blood either. We both have large sexual appetites and if she’s as good looking as he says she is, well, she may have more than just one vampire vying for her attention. There are plenty of vampires in L.A. that would just love to bang a Watcher. I scrub my hand down my face before bending my arm on the armrest of the chair, and leaning my head against my hand. “Who’s to say she even likes you?” I say, wanting to give my long time friend a hard time. Gabriel scoffs and holds his arms out to his sides as he gestures himself. “What’s not to bloody like? I’m one of the oldest and most powerful vampires in the world. I’m the most handsome man in the United States.” At this, I roll my eyes. It’s a real shame that his massive ego hasn’t mellowed out over the years. “I’m funny, charming, a beast in between the sheets...” Gabriel raises his chin and says proudly, “And of course, I’m British.” I can’t help it, I start laughing...laughing so hard that I cover my eyes with my hand to avoid the glare the other vampire is throwing my way. Once I manage to calm myself down, I look at him. “You say being British like it’s a good thing.” “You’re just a jealous wanker because you don’t have the sexy, melt the knickers off a woman British accent that I have.” “Why bother melting them off when I have more fun tearing them off with my teeth?” I throw at him. Gabriel thinks about it, then grins. “You right, bastard.” He makes his way towards the double doors, pausing briefly as he opens it. “By the way, Katherine called several times while you were away. You would think the silly bird would take a hint.” I groan at the mention of my ex-fiancé’s name. Ex, as in we haven’t been in a formal relationship in nearly four hundred years...quite frankly, she annoys the shit out of me. I can’t stand her. Every once in a while she gets idea to try and contact me again to see if we can rebuild the relationship we once had...a relationship built on violence, death, and blood. Something I have grown out of and changed with the times as like many vampires have...Katherine, however, still lives in the past believing that humans are mere cattle that should be used as such whenever a vampire wants. She doesn’t agree with the laws set in place by the Vampires Council...most of all, she doesn’t agree with the peace treaty with the Watchers Council. Most who have tasted the blood of a Slayer and Hunter have difficulty giving it up. The blood is powerful and addictive. The only thing that can compare to it is the blood of an Elder vampire and not many want to hand out their precious blood, myself included. I nod towards Gabriel. “Block her calls. I want nothing to do with her.” Last thing I need was a psycho ex on my plate. Gabriel smirks. “I thought as much. It’s already taken care of.” I smirk at his response. Gabriel can’t stand Katherine either. Even when Katherine and I were in a relationship together, she and Gabriel always butted heads. I imagine he took great satisfaction in blocking her calls from my numbers. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I hear there are some young morsels on the dance floor in need of a handsome, British vampire.” Gabriel says before making his exit, closing the door behind him. I let out a sigh as I look at the empty glass in my hand, tapping my finger on the side of it once again. After a few minutes, I stand and walk over to the two-way mirror, peering down into the club. The mirror is magically enhanced that even supernaturals are incapable of seeing into my office from inside the club. I shake my head as I see Gabriel charm his way in between two girls on the dance floor. Suave British bastard. I turn and make my way to sit behind my desk, sitting the empty glass down as I take a seat in the executive chair. I frown as I look at the computer screen, now sporting a British flag waving in the wind as its screen saver. Another jab from Gabriel flaunting around his heritage because he believes the British are superior. “Really?” I roll my eyes. It appears even after eight hundred years, he still hasn’t tired of these games. What a fucking comedian. I hesitate logging in for a moment, not really wanting to begin any work when all I want to do is go back to the penthouse, take a shower, and relax. “Fuck me, it can wait til tomorrow.” I decide before standing and making my way towards the exit of the office. Sometimes you just have to take time out for yourself, even when you’re the Sheriff of a Hellmouth.