Blood Ties

  The Newport House: Book One

  Blood Ties

  Lauryn Evans

  Contents

  Title Page

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Copyright

  About the Author

  More by Lauryn Evans

  For Mom and Dad:

  Thank you for always being there for me. I couldn’t have done this without you.

  “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”

  -Plato.

  ONE

  Alexander was dead.

  Renata Courtenay had her suspicions regarding the cause of the immortal’s untimely death, but she couldn’t bring herself to think of the brutal attack. To think of such an end to the man she saw as her true father…

  Her amber eyes narrowed. It was simply too much for her melancholy heart to bear.

  Adela Johnson, Renata’s newly installed second-in-command, voiced her suspicions. “Was it a magna attack?”

  “I’m convinced. I don’t see how it could have been anything else. Look at the slash wounds…” Renata’s voice trailed off as she turned away from the body. She couldn’t bear to look any longer. “The attacks have been happening more frequently lately. It has me worried.”

  Her thoughts traveled to the magna feles, an unnaturally large, predatory cat-like creature. Their long fangs were perfect for devouring vampires, unleashing fatal venom into the bodies of their victims with each bite or scratch. Renata had heard the news of recent attacks at other vampire strongholds in the area and feared Alexander’s death marked the beginning of their end.

  “I don’t know how, but they’re getting smarter,” Adela said, her golden eyes narrowing.

  “And, the smarter they get, the more dangerous they become.” Renata stood. “I should get going. I have other business to attend to.”

  “Yes, Mistress.” Adela stood and left Renata to her newfound duties.

  Mistress.

  Renata wasn’t used to the title. Adela’s remark reminded her that since Alexander’s passing, she was now Mistress of the Newport Mansion. As Mistress, it was her duty to lead and bring order to her House, and most importantly, to protect the vampires who lived within the mansion’s walls. One of her many duties was to plan and host lavish parties at the mansion. These parties brought humans to them so her vampires, the members of the Newport House, could feed. It would soon be time to host another party, and Renata knew she had to bring herself to start planning her first event as Mistress. Now, in late January, the term “New Year, new me,” held a new meaning—a sad one.

  Renata stepped into her office. This was the office where each Master or Mistress of the mansion carried out his or her responsibilities.

  And it was hers now.

  Her heart ached to think of Alexander Courtenay, the man who had found her as an orphan, starving in the midst of the depression in 1934. It was he who should be sitting behind this dark mahogany desk. Not her.

  Renata gently ran her fingers along the smooth wood. She remembered being a child, seeing Alexander at this great desk. She remembered the scratching of his pencil when he planned parties, and how she sat by as he invented new ways to keep them all safe from the growing threat posed by the magnas. Well, at the time, Renata was but a mere human. The magnas didn’t threaten her the way they did now.

  Back then, she was simply a lamb living amongst hunted lions. Now, she too was a hunted lion, the result of an incident with a rogue vampire years ago.

  Renata shook her head, dismissing her unhappy thoughts as she directed her attention back to the task at hand. A party. It couldn’t be that difficult to plan, she chided herself. I just need to focus.

  Yet, focusing was the more difficult task. Renata couldn’t stop thinking about Alexander. Something didn’t seem right. “Why would he leave a will?” She muttered to herself. “And, of all things, why leave his duties to me as his heir?” Renata’s confusion bewildered her. She couldn’t help but think—

  No.

  Renata paused midstep. She refused to believe Alexander knew he was going to die. What else could it be? Vampires are immortal. No. Alexander was always prepared. Renata knew that about him. The will was just him being prepared to leave the mansion in good hands should he pass on. She was sure that was it.

  It had to be.

  Renata’s responsibilities loomed over her. She sat down at the desk and chided herself for getting distracted from her current task. We won’t last much longer on blood bags. We need to feed on fresh blood. She needed to get a move on.

  Finally, Renata pulled out her paperwork and devoted herself to her work. Hours passed, and eventually, she had come up with a theme for the party, a color scheme, and seating arrangements. She planned the menu and spoke to Alice, one of the older vampires in the mansion with the best design skills, about the layout for the tickets and promotional flyers. Of course, the pre-sold tickets to such an extravagant event were one of the very reasons the mansion was able to host such parties. Along with the party expenses, the ticket profits paid for her cell phone bill, the mansion’s amenities, and car payments.

  Renata stood from the desk, her desk, and called her the general assembly meeting as Mistress. This was her first time assigning tasks to the other members of the House. The idea still felt foreign to her.

  Once Renata was sure everyone had arrived, she began. “The theme for the upcoming event will be a masquerade ball.” A chorus of ooh’s and ah’s filled the common room. “Once you have your assignment, you are dismissed.”

  Renata gave everyone their assignment. Alice Brooker, the mansion’s resident designer, would design the tickets and promotional flyers. William Taylor would greet the guests and charm the ladies. Veronica Evans, the mansion’s events publicist, would promote the event, and Heather Thompson, would manage the event’s finances and ticket profits. Renata simply handed Edwin Dubois, the ever-talented French chef, the menu, knowing the meal he’d prepare would be amazing.

  “Not too bad for your first dinner menu,” Edwin smirked as he skimmed Renata’s selections.

  Renata rolled her eyes. “I’ll get better.”

  “I know,” he laughed.

  “Maybe I’ll leave it up to you next time,” Renata jokingly retorted.

  “Now there’s an idea,” Edwin chuckled as he wandered out of the common room.

  Lily Aldridge, Emma Smith, and Adelaide McKennon were the newest House members. Each of the girls had bright yellow eyes, meaning they were newly turned. As vampires get older, their eyes darken to red. The girls had been at the House for about six months, after escaping a rogue vampire attack. The six-month period gave them time to learn to control their impulses before being in a room full of humans.

  For their first party, Renata tasked the girls with decorating the ballroom. Their eyes lit up, clearly excited for their task and the upcoming event. They were so young, still full of life and steeped in the memory of what it was like to be human. Why wouldn’t they be excited for an excuse to get all dressed up?

  Renata’s eyes drifted to the grand piano near the window on the other side of the room. Alexander was the last one to touch those delicate keys, the last one whose touch made the inanimate object sing. She remembered how much he used to play when she was younger. Towards his end, he rarely played. If it weren’t for Alice’s routine cleaning, the piano keys would undoubtedly have acquired a layer of dust.

  Renata turned away from the instrument and distracted herself with other, superficial things. She’d gotten really good at doing t
hat lately.

  Renata found herself staring aimlessly at the crashing waves through the window. The mansion was situated in Newport, Rhode Island, on the water, with a lovely coastal view.

  “Renata?” Adela waved her hand in front of Renata’s face, clearly struggling to get her attention.

  “Yes?” Renata said, snapping out of her haze. It was becoming way too easy to lose herself.

  “You need a dress for the ball, right?” Adela asked, looking to Renata for an answer.

  “What’s wrong with the ones I have?” Renata rubbed her forehead, dreading where the conversation was headed. She had no desire to leave the mansion for a shopping trip, especially with the threat of a possible magna attack looming over her.

  “You are not going to keep wearing those ‘80s dresses to things. Do I have to remind you what year it is?” Adela put her hands on her hips, while her topaz eyes gave Renata the death stare.

  “I can’t leave the mansion at a time like this. Not while there’s a heightened threat of attacks.” Renata protested, “You saw what happened to Alexander.”

  “You’re the Mistress of the Newport House now. You have to dress to impress. Plus, you need to do something fun right now.”

  Renata hated that she was right. In the five years since Adela arrived at the mansion as a newly turned vampire, she’d gotten to know Renata almost as well as Alexander had. While Renata wouldn’t exactly call shopping her definition of fun, she appreciated the distraction.

  “Fine,” Renata surrendered. “We’ll go buy a new dress for me to wear to the ball.”

  Adela flashed a satisfied smile before turning away sharply on her heels.

  ~

  “You have to try this one, Renata. Burgundy is your color!” Lily exclaimed.

  Renata had to admit that she wasn’t wrong. The burgundy tones complimented her shoulder-length chocolate-brown waves, pale skin, and amber eyes.

  Renata smiled, agreeing. “It is indeed.”

  It was Adela’s idea to bring along the three newest House members and youngest vampires in the mansion. They needed a chance to bond with the other House members. Shopping wasn’t exactly her thing, nor did she particularly enjoy it, but Renata agreed to buy a new dress, so she might as well spend quality time with her youngest House members.

  To Renata’s dismay, all of who came on the shopping endeavor happened to enjoy the activity. The girls had no qualms about selecting dress after dress for her to try on. By now, Renata had seen a ton of dresses, most of which she rejected. They either had too much “bling” as Emma called it, or a lot going on.

  Renata took the dress Lily suggested and headed to the dressing room for the hundredth time. She slipped the dress on and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Renata was taken by surprise. She actually really liked this one. The dress was simple, with just a touch of beading along the neckline, and a ruched bodice. The simplistic, yet elegant, A-line design flattered her average-looking figure, showing off her subtle curves, with the dark red color pulling it all together.

  Renata left the dressing room to show her entourage. The moment she stepped out, she saw Adela and Adelaide’s nods of approval and heard Lily and Emma’s exclaims of excitement.

  Renata beamed. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

  Plus, she was rather glad to be done shopping.

  “Let’s go buy it then!” Adela shot up from her seat, ushering Renata back into the dressing room before she could protest. “It looks amazing on you.”

  ~

  Upon their return, dress, and matching mask in hand, Renata, Adela, and the girls, got out of Renata’s dark gray Toyota Prius. As she walked through the front door, Renata put her car keys in the dish on the table beside the door, next to the keys to Will’s well-kept, navy pickup truck. They returned to the mansion abuzz with activity as usual before hosting an event. The party was coming up soon, in two days, and Renata hoped that things would run smoothly.

  “Go change and meet me in the training room for your lesson,” Renata told Adelaide, Lily, and Emma. “Despite the excitement for the upcoming party, you all still need your training.” With the possibility of an attack higher than ever, what little training they had could be the difference between life and death.

  The girls groaned, but reluctantly headed to their rooms to change into workout clothes. Renata, too, headed to her room to prepare herself for the lesson, as she was one of the instructors. Instructing the new House members to defend themselves against magnas was a responsibility she’d taken up years ago—a position Alexander had appointed her during simpler times.

  Once in her bedroom, Renata put the dress and mask in her closet, and changed into her workout clothes, then headed down to the training room.

  Renata strolled into the training room, gathering her chocolate-brown hair into a ponytail as she spied William Taylor, the other instructor. He was already doing stretches with the girls, who stole glances at Will’s chest when he wasn’t looking.

  “Finally. It’s so nice of you to join us, Ren!” Will teased, throwing her a carefree look.

  Renata lightly punched his arm, pretending to scowl. The pair had been good friends for years, ever since Alexander brought her here as a child.

  “Jeez, Ren, I thought we were friends,” Will shot back, feigning offense.

  Renata pressed her fist to her palm, acting tough. “Don’t test me, Taylor.”

  Will laughed before opening the lesson. The brightness faded from his bronze eyes, his expression hardening as an air of seriousness invaded his demeanor. “Training to fight isn’t for physical fitness. You need to know how to defend yourself against a magna just in case we’re attacked, and the mansion’s defenses are breached. Lesson number one, a magna’s weak spots are its underbelly and its neck. Stab it in the neck or belly, and you will either kill it or have enough time to get the hell out. Understood?”

  The girls nodded their heads vigorously, before going back to ogling over Will’s physique. Renata couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “The easiest weapon to carry is a knife, should you need it.” He pulled out his own to demonstrate. “But for now, you three need to focus on escaping if we’re attacked anytime soon. Getting to the safe house is your number one priority during an attack. Magnas are smart and fighting one before you’ve ever seen how it moves is a death wish.”

  “One bite or slash from a magna and you’re dead,” Renata chimed in. “The venom in their claws and fangs are deadly to a vampire. Not only will the venom blur your vision and slow you down within seconds, but if the magna itself doesn’t kill you, the venom will in a couple of days.”

  “The first couple of exercises we’re going to do are to build up your speed and test your reaction time.” Without warning, Will slid his foot under Lily’s feet, sending her thin frame to the floor with a thud. “Never let a magna get you on your back. Once it does, it will pin you down and kill you. I’ve seen it happen before.” He said solemnly, recalling a grim memory.

  Shaking off the thought, Will and Renata got to work.

  Renata lowered herself into a defensive stance, with her bent knees shoulder-width apart. “You need to be quick and decisive with your movements.”

  She demonstrated a jab technique, exaggerating her form. “Don’t plant your feet. You need to be able to move quickly in between strikes.” She relaxed, turning to face the girls. “Don’t worry too much about your form yet, but see if you can mimic that.”

  Lily, Emma, and Adelaide exchanged nervous glances with each other before trying out the move. Renata and Will paced about the room, making minor adjustments to the girls’ body positions.

  “When you’re up against a manga, your best bet is to disorient them.” Will explained, “Aim for the neck. Any time you get can give you a chance to escape.”

  Then, Renata and Will sparred with the girls until the five of them had worked up a sweat.

  “That’s enough for today.” Renata wiped the sweat from her forehead. “You
girls are dismissed.”

  The girls exited the room, leaving Will and Renata by themselves. Will placed a towel over his neck and dabbed the sweat on his face.

  “What was that all about? What’s with magnas pinning people down?” Renata asked softly as she turned to him, analyzing his pained expression. She wasn’t used to seeing him so worked up in all of their years of training new House members together.

  “Before I came here, I lived at the New York mansion. Once the Confederates surrendered, I came home after the war. A friend of mine from the Union army, James, was a vampire. He turned me to save my life while I was dying on the battlefield at Gettysburg. As a new vampire, I didn’t know where to go, so he took me to New York with him.”

  Will paused, reliving the memory he was about to share, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. “There was an attack one night. The magnas killed five of us, and those still alive made it to the safe house. James wasn’t there, so I went back for him.” Taking a deep breath, Will continued, “When I got there, the magna had him pinned down, and ripped out his throat with its fangs. That was the first time I ever killed one.”

  “Why haven’t you told me this before?” Renata asked softly, her brows stitched together.

  Will’s throat bobbed, and his voice was barely above a whisper. “I never told you because I left him behind.”

  Breaking the silence, Renata placed her hand on his arm in a comforting manner. “I’m so sorry.” She couldn’t imagine what that must have felt like.

  “I am too,” Will replied, just before he got up and left.

  TWO

  Today is the day.

  Renata’s heart thumped in her chest, practically breaking free of her ribcage. Already dressed in the new burgundy gown with her hair done up in an elegant and simple low bun style, Renata donned a silver chain necklace and her matching mask before heading down to the ballroom.

  Everyone was still working hard, adding the final touches before the guests arrived. Renata could smell the mouth-watering aromas that emanated from Edwin’s masterpieces as she walked down the grand staircase to the ballroom.