Original Sin (The Order of Vampires 1)

Between Abilene’s health and Adam’s circumstances, he couldn’t bear the thought of further complications. “I have enough trouble at the moment, Father. No need to borrow any.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Let us address the situation with Adam. He must leave immediately. Do not allow him to delay another night. He’ll require an allowance. Does he believe she’s on this continent?”

“He says she’s very close, but he can’t determine a distance, only that he senses her nearby.”

“A needle in a haystack. Nearness does not equal simplicity I’m afraid.”

“How... How long did it take when Uncle Isaiah...?” His words cut off as his father notably flinched at the mention of his long-lost brother.

Isaiah never returned, but that did not necessarily mean Isaiah had died. He could have found his mate and relocated, living in hiding amongst the English—a very dangerous life for their kind and generally forbidden among the Order.

Or he might still be out there. Rogue. Running rabid and killing without conscience.

The only way to suppress the symptoms of a calling remained the blood bond. Without the blood of a mate, the thirst was said to be unbearable, leading to a frenzied, unapologetic hunt. If left unsatisfied, the immortal developed an intolerance to the sun and was run to ground, losing the much-needed daylight hours. Eventually, madness settled in. The gentle nature of their kind transcended to that of the monsters of myths.

Forced into a nocturnal existence, emotions wither to mere memories, echoes of mortal feelings long forgotten. The lost souls, the unanswered, they no longer identify as simply immortal. They become daemon, creatures with no salvation that must be destroyed. They were then what the world once knew as a vampire.

His father’s movement drew Jonas from his worry. Ezekiel withdrew a ledger from the desk in the corner. He made a note and removed a crisp packet.

“Ten thousand dollars should be more than enough to see to his needs. I’ll accompany you home. He must leave before dawn. I’ll petition the Elders on his behalf, for permission to leave the community and search for his mate.”

Jonas accepted the money with shaky hands. He was not prepared to see his son hunted.

“It will be all right, Jonas. Adam’s strong and sensible. He’ll find her and do what he must.”

“Thank you, Father. I’ll visit again tomorrow.”

On the walk back to the house he spotted a young lamb making a dizzy trek across the shadowed field. Jonas paused and listened, his eyes drifting to the barn.

“Gracie?”

His youngest emerged, brow creased with worry, hands folded at her front.

He sighed and held out a hand. “Are you hiding?”

She shrugged and came to his side, leaning into his open arm. “Feeding. My nerves make me hungry.”

Although she was fully grown, she still remained his baby girl. “You’re worried about Adam.”

“I don’t want him to leave—especially when he’s upset with me.”

“Your brother’s always been logical, Grace. Adam knows you love him and would never do anything to hurt him.”

“What if he doesn’t get to her in time?”

Jonas breathed through his own doubts, hiding them from the rest of his family. “Adam will find his mate and complete the bond. And when all of this is over, you’ll have a new sister to love.”

“You’re right, father. Shame on me for doubting Adam’s capabilities. Any female would be blessed to have him.” She smirked as they strolled toward the house. “Now, if it were Cain on the other hand...”

He laughed. “Then we’d be having a different conversation.”

Chapter Five

“What if she has the breath of a decomposing corpse?”

Adam folded a shirt, fitting it carefully into the empty satchel, and ignored Cain as he rummaged through his belongings.

“Humans die. It makes sense for them to rot. Sometimes I smell them on a strong wind as we pass through town.”

“Don’t be morbid.”

“Is it morbid if it’s true?” Cain asked as he picked up and examined one of Adam’s whittled figurines resting on the bureau. Adam removed the hand carved fox from his brother’s hand and returned it to its rightful place.

“I am sure she’ll be suitable to my tastes. And sense of smell.”

“You don’t have tastes to go by.”

“Just because I don’t sully every unattached female on the farm like you, doesn’t mean I haven’t sampled the fairer sex. All I need are eyes to have a preference.”

“And a nose. Not all women smell like flowers.” Cain paused in his examination of another figurine, cocking his head to the side. “And who have you sampled?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“You’re no fun, Adam. I could probably guess anyway. Was it Jacob, Ethan, or Jason?”

He slammed the figurine box shut, nearly catching his brother’s fingers. “Dummkup, I like females and my mate is a woman.” A beautiful one, he hoped.

“Whatever you say. Without experience, you’ll likely fumble things if you do end up finding her.”