To Mend a Heart (Born in Darkness, Book 1)

Chapter Two

Connor made it home with Evelyn at sunrise.  His estate in Baltimore covered several acres of rural space—more than enough to boast his family's wealth, yet just enough to stay under the humans' radar.  His property enclosed several miles of woodland so that he'd never have to go far to hunt.  The mile of driveway that led to the Victorian mansion was cobbled and lined with antique lamps, giving the estate an archaic style and ambiance.  The granite fountain in front of the mansion's entrance trickled peacefully.  The garden and lawn were neatly manicured, though the flowers had died from the cold.

The baby sleeping soundly in his arms, he crossed the threshold of his vast estate as quietly as possible.  Waiting for him the front door was Uriel Proteja, Connor's oldest friend and the head of his Royal Guard.  Uriel had the same height and physique as the Vampire Prince, though his skin was healthily tan and covered in pagan tattoos.  His dark hair was evenly cut, his jaw square with a serious mouth.  He was the Grand Warlock of the coven that made up the Royal Guard, and father to three boys whom the hybrid loved as nephews.  The warlock was leaning back against the door, his arms folded over his black-clad chest.  When Connor approached, Uriel's grey eyes fell on the sleeping infant.

"I thought you didn't want to be a father," he stated.

"I don't," said Connor, "but I gave my word to the Spirit she carries that I would be her brother."

The hybrid sensed that his friend understood exactly what he meant.

"She's The Raven's new Vessel?"

"Yes."

Uriel stepped closer so as to speak more quietly.  "What shall I tell the others?"

"Announce that the vampires have a new Princess."

"Understood, sir."  Uriel descended the front steps, then turned to give Connor a wry smile.  "You know, Ava won't be happy."

Connor sighed.  "Let me worry about that."

Uriel nodded and went inside to alert the members of his coven.  Connor entered after him, closing the door quietly so as not to wake Evelyn.

The interior of his home was spacious, the décor dark and void of eccentricity, perfectly suited for Vampire Royalty and all who lived there with him.  The sub-basements were deep enough underground for his vampire servants to shelter in during the day, and there were plenty of rooms aboveground for guests, should he ever have any.  There were no portraits on the walls, no vases on display, no gilded chandeliers or paintings of cupids on the vast ceilings.  Everything carried a much more Gothic atmosphere, out of deference to the nocturnal lifestyle of the mansion's dwellers.  Only one person found it unsettling, and she was in the kitchen when Connor followed her scent.

Ava LaVeau was a lovely woman of twenty years with chocolate eyes, mocha skin and hair that flowed in murky rivers down her shoulders.  She was slender, five-foot-four, and stood erect with pride.  She was currently dressed in a lacy nightgown and a robe of lavender silk, making herself coffee.  She was a witch and Connor's current lover.  When Connor had chosen to make his residence in Baltimore, the local coven had refused to let the Son of Dracula into their territory.  Only by offering up one of their own to keep tabs on him did the coven reach an agreement with him.  At first, he and Ava had resented each other and slept in different rooms.  But after a few months they couldn't stay away from each other and had given in to lust.  Her coven did not approve of them sleeping together and had been trying to break them up for weeks, but Uriel had set up enchantments to prevent the uninvited from entering the grounds.

Enchantments that Connor hoped would protect Evelyn, as well.

"You're home late," Ava said as he approached her.