Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn - Trilogy) Read online

  Dedication

  For Kari and Zareen, whose insights into the story and characters were invaluable

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Blood-Kissed Sky

  Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Credits

  Copyright

  Back Ads

  About the Publisher

  Prologue

  YEAR NINE OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER

  As the carriage rolled across the desolate plains, the assassin slid his gaze over to his traveling companions. Husband and wife. Joined by love and a dedication that would soon cost them everything.

  “It’s unusual for Lord Valentine to send an escort along for our journey back to Denver,” the wife said, studying him.

  “Attacks have increased lately,” he replied, his tone as dead and uncaring as he was.

  “We are appreciative of the consideration,” the husband added. “The Great Vampire Lord doesn’t often show such favor.”

  “You were always his favorites,” he said, already speaking of the couple in the past tense.

  The moon was high and clear, its blue light piercing through the windows. The horses were traveling at a full gallop, their hooves pounding against the ground in perfect rhythm.

  “Lord Valentine was pleased with the latest blood supply figures,” the wife said, a nervous tic in her voice, as she perhaps recognized that not all was right.

  “Of course,” he assured her, although quantities and numbers were irrelevant to him. He marveled at their innocence. “I would like to ask you a question,” he said, looking directly at the husband. “Does your daughter have any idea about her true heritage?”

  The man was taken aback. It was the last thing he expected to hear.

  “Dawn lives in ignorance,” he said. “And it is my dearest wish that she stay that way forever.”

  “A shame,” the assassin murmured.

  “What is he talking about?” the woman asked, concern etched across her face.

  She doesn’t know, the assassin realized. Her husband has kept the truth from her. I’ll never understand these humans.

  “It’s nothing, love,” the husband said, his attempt at a comforting tone so butchered it was comical.

  “Oh, it’s everything,” the assassin replied.

  “The past was buried long ago. There’s no reason to dig it up.”

  The assassin looked at them both and was satisfied. Those would be their last words on this earth.

  No pain was felt. It happened too fast. All was over before they could even scream.

  Chapter 1

  THREE MONTHS LATER…

  Standing on my balcony, I watch the sun paint its descent across the sky. Soon the monsters will come out to play. They like the night. They feed on it.

  Sometimes they feed on us.

  From here, I can see the twenty-foot-high concrete wall that surrounds Denver. It was built shortly after the thirty-year war that pitted humans against vampires came to an end. It keeps out most of the monsters. Most of them.

  Tomorrow night the Agency—which is responsible for protecting the city—will send me out beyond the wall. Alone for the first time as the official delegate to one of the most powerful vampires in the world: Lord Valentine.

  Just like my parents. For two long years they met with Lord Valentine twice a month to discuss vampire-human relations, negotiate the blood supply, appeal to his mercy—what little he has of it. Before them, other delegates served, but none lasted as long; none pleased Valentine the way that they did. While my father was the official delegate, my mother wouldn’t let him carry the burden alone. They loved each other so much. I try not to resent that she placed her love for my father above her love for me. She knew the dangers, knew I could be left an orphan. Still, she traveled at my father’s side. Then one night, three months ago, they didn’t come home. Their burned carriage was found abandoned by the road, the ground around it soaked in blood.

  Valentine sent condolences and an assurance that those responsible—rogue vampires traveling through the area—had been dealt with. Later I learned that he tied the accused to crucifixes outside the wall, forced them to greet the sun. Because vampires heal quickly, it must have been a long, excruciating death as they slowly turned to ash until all that remained was their fangs. For some reason, those never burn.

  My parents’ memorial service had barely ended when Valentine notified the Agency that he wanted me to take over as delegate. No one asked why he chose me. When someone has the power to destroy all you hold dear if he’s not happy, you do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied. Even if it kills you inside. Even if most of what you hold dear has already been taken. But sometimes I do wonder: Why me? I’m only seventeen, the youngest delegate ever appointed.

  The Agency assigned Rachel Goodwin to serve as my guardian. She moved into my family’s apartment to watch over and guide me. She’s also my mentor, teaching me all the ins and outs of being a delegate and dealing with vampires—etiquette, protocol, and the manners that Valentine expects those who meet with him to exhibit. For two months now I’ve been meeting Lord Valentine with Rachel by my side. She did most of the talking; I was just there to observe her interactions with Valentine. But following our last meeting, the Lord Vampire told her that she was no longer needed and that I was ready to go solo. The Agency didn’t argue, but then, they seldom do. That’s my job.

  “Okay, I’ve got the address.” With green eyes gleaming, my best friend, Tegan Romano, snaps her cell phone shut and jerks me back to the present as she joins me on the balcony. She gives me the location of the party. It’s in an area of the city that still reflects the devastation from the war.

  I think about texting it to Michael, even though I know he’s taking his advanced defense class tonight.

  “Don’t even think about texting him,” Tegan says, as though she’s reading my mind. “Tonight is girls’ night.”

  But I’d feel better having Michael there. Michael Colt has already been accepted into the Night Watchmen’s elite bodyguard training division. Right now, he’s just marking time until graduation next spring.

  “You’re not cheating on him if all you do is dance,” she adds.

  “It’s not that. I just … miss him.” With my delegate preparations and his bodyguard training, we’ve had so little time for each other lately.

  “You can see him tomorrow. Besides, he’s busy tonight anyway, right? Otherwise he’d be here and you wouldn’t be stuck with me.”

  “I’m not stuck with you.”

  “So come on. Since you two got so ridiculously serious, you hardly ever hang out with me anymore.”

  “We hang out.”

&
nbsp; “And I’m the third wheel.”

  Not usually. She almost always has a guy with her. Just no one she’s head-over-heels crazy about like I am with Michael. It’s kinda funny. Michael and I grew up together, were always friends, and then about four months ago, on a dare at a party, we kissed. I think the sparks we ignited surprised both of us. We’ve been an item ever since.

  As Tegan and I step back into the apartment, the radio gives the evening announcement: “Sunset will be at seven fifteen p.m. and twenty-three seconds. At the sound of the third beep, the official time will be six thirty-five p.m.” Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Out of habit, we check our watches and cell phones to make sure the hour and minutes are correct. Accuracy can determine life and death most nights, as we race the dark home, huddle in our rooms to await dawn. But not tonight.

  Tegan’s mother knows she’s spending the night, but she expects us to stay here under Rachel’s watchful gaze.

  Turning off the radio, I’m glad that Rachel’s working late at the Agency right now. She’d never approve of what Tegan and I are doing. The party is being held at a house near the wall.

  “This party is going to rock,” Tegan says.

  “How did you even hear about it?” I ask as I snatch my leather jacket from where I’d draped it over the couch earlier and slip it on. My favorite part is the fur-lined collar; it keeps my neck warm, makes it feel protected. My black hair is curling riotously past my shoulders. I decided not to tame it. Tonight I want to be as wild as my hair.

  “Oh, you know,” she says evasively. “A friend of a friend who knows a guy…”

  She knows lots of guys. They all want to know her. She’s petite, with short blond hair that frames her pixie face and makes her startling green eyes stand out.

  I stop at the door. “Do they go to our school?”

  “No. The one on the other side of the city. What does it matter?”

  Warning bells go off in my head. “What do you know about these people?”

  “They’re vampires,” she says sarcastically, not happy that I’m questioning things.

  “That’s not funny.”

  “Well, what do you think? You’ve gotten so paranoid since—”

  She stops, looks embarrassed. I know what she was going to say. Since my parents were killed. “I’m not paranoid. I’m just being cautious.”

  “These people are okay.” She shrugs. “I’m going. Be a chicken if you want and stay here.”

  She opens the door. I can’t let her go alone. No. That’s just an excuse, a weak justification. The truth is: I want to go.

  “Hold up.” I grab one of several metal stakes that sit in a ceramic vase like a hideous flower arrangement and wedge it inside my leather boot. I never leave home without one after the sun sets.

  I close and lock the door behind me. She wraps her arm around mine, and we walk in sync to the elevator. “We’re going to have so much fun,” Tegan assures me.

  I try to believe it. I want to believe. A final night of fun before I face my destiny.

  The few precious cities left in the world are each controlled by an Old Family patriarch or a trusted member of his family. Lord Valentine is one of the oldest. He was the first to make the presence of vampires known. Although it’s been nearly fifty years since they stepped from myth into reality, the history books explain how it played out. They became overnight celebrities. From nighttime talk shows to the lowliest paparazzi, everyone wanted a piece. The number one question wasn’t how many people they’d killed or even how many vampires existed in the world. It was about fashion and traveling and how they saw humans. We had vampires in our midst and all we wanted to know was their opinions about us. We were so egocentric and oblivious, eager for entertainment. We’re not so entertained now.

  I can almost understand why we were so naïve. After all, they must not have seemed that different from us: They have heartbeats, they breathe, their skin is warm. But the similarities only served to distract us from seeing the monsters hiding within—until it was too late.

  Outside, Tegan and I head to the nearest trolley stop. Since the war ended, the only decent transportation in this city is the trolleys. Connected to the tracks and electrical lines above them that shoot out sparks, they carry people toward their destination. Always on time. Always efficient. Tonight it’s crowded and we have to stand. Tegan’s so close to the door that her leg sticks out and she playfully touches the ground every few minutes until the conductor yells at her to stop.

  There aren’t many cars these days. People are left to walk the streets or take the trolleys, which are the lifeblood of this city. And if they’re the blood, the Works is the heart. No matter how many times I pass by it, I’m still captivated by its sprawling mass of steel pipes reaching out to the sky; only a handful of other buildings match its height. Out of the top plumes the constant blue smoke created from the processing and burning of coal, which fuels the massive generator that provides electricity. Rub your finger across any wall in the city and it comes back black. The closer you are to the Works, the more power you get and the more regular it is. The area near the wall where we’re heading puts up with daily rolling blackouts.

  We head away from the center of the city. Plastering the walls along our route are the propaganda posters set up by the Agency to encourage citizens to donate blood.

  A tube going from an arm into a glass mug: HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR PINT TODAY?

  An unrealistic image of a woman giving blood while tucking her daughter into bed: KEEP THEM FED SO YOUR CHILDREN CAN REST THEIR HEADS.

  A veteran from the war in a wheelchair: THEY GAVE THEIR BLOOD; NOW GIVE YOURS.

  As part of the VampHu Treaty that ended the war, humans in the cities supply blood to the vampires on the outside. In return the vampires don’t attack the cities. Donating blood is voluntary; no one is forced to do it. At first, people were so scared of the vampires, the tragedies of war still recent memories, that they fled to the nearest donation site in the hope of keeping their new vampire masters fat and jolly. But after only a few years people are now full of excuses: I’m too busy; I have to make dinner; I have schoolwork. They assume others will do it for them. Our once-steady supply is beginning to slip. Every month we receive less. Which makes my new position as delegate much more challenging.

  The sun dips below the horizon, turning the city from deep orange to light blue to dark purple, and finally to black. Everyone around us begins to fidget, checking watches as if in disbelief. They begin calling home, their signals bouncing off the one and only cell tower in the middle of the city. I’m okay, they say. I got off late. I know. I know. I’ll be home soon. The trolley is too slow for some, and they simply get off and make a dash for it.

  That’s a dangerous game to play, but some protection is out tonight: I spy a Night Watchman slipping out of an alley. They’re easy to spot. Dressed all in black, they wear a balaclava or hood to hide their identity, and a distinctive medallion to distinguish them as an official elite guard of the city, a piece of metal so intricately designed that it’s impossible to copy. While most people scurry indoors once the sun sets, the Watchmen come out to hunt for the rogue vampires that sneak past the wall into the city.

  And Michael will be a Watchman soon....

  I try not to think about the dangers he’ll face. I’ve lost my parents and my brother. My brother, Brady, was only twenty when he died. I don’t know if I can survive losing someone else I care about so much. I shake off the thoughts. Tonight is about having fun.

  As we travel farther out, the streets stop having names; the buildings stop having signs. After twenty more minutes of rumbling along, taking in the row houses and the homeless people staggering just outside of them, Tegan says, “This is our stop.”

  We hop off while the trolley is still moving slowly, and I follow her. Bad things can happen to those who wander out here. The rebuilding efforts haven’t extended this far yet. It’s a part of town that most parents forbid their kids to visit. T
hey think we’re too young, can’t take care of ourselves. Because it’s not a heavily populated part of the city, no guards are out here patrolling the streets. I know that makes it dangerous. But sometimes we just want to prove that we’re not afraid of the dark.

  Even when we are.

  Chapter 2

  We wander through the neighborhood, searching for the right street. The cool thing about being this far from the center of the city is that in place of massive apartment towers are actual houses. Sure, they’re on shaky foundations and they’re just one storm away from being knocked over, but they’re houses nonetheless.

  “Here it is,” Tegan says.

  The house we’re in front of has more lights on inside than any other on the block, which isn’t saying much. Music is spilling into the street. Through the windows, I see the shadowy silhouettes of guys and girls having a great time. At the door, a large bouncer, six and a half feet tall and built like a train, holds out his hand to stop our progress. He has several crucifixes dangling from chains around his neck, despite the fact that they were proven to be ineffective against vampires long ago. I’ve even seen vampires wearing them.

  “Fang check,” he says, and Tegan shoots him a wide grin. He lifts up her lip, examines her teeth, then waves her in.

  “Fang check,” he says to me, and I endure the same process, his burly fingers rough against my mouth. “Have fun, ladies.”

  It’s a silly ritual. Vampires can keep their fangs retracted, and when they do, they look just like us. But I guess whatever makes people feel safe…

  Inside the music is deafening. Five guys and a girl are on a makeshift stage set up in the huge living room. Drums. Bass. Guitar. Synthesizer. Mic. They’ve got everything. The boys are attacking the instruments like their lives depend on it, but it’s the girl who catches my eye. She’s my age, but she has utterly mesmerizing tattoos covering one arm. She’s singing with one of the guys, but it’s her voice that comes through. It’s grungy, like she’s been smoking since she was born. Her hair is butchered, cut just above her chin.