V Games - Dead Before Dawn

  ALSO BY CAROLINE PECKHAM

  THE VAMPIRE GAMES

  V GAMES

  V GAMES: FRESH FROM THE GRAVE

  THE RISE OF ISAAC SERIES

  CREEPING SHADOW

  BLEEDING SNOW

  TURNING TIDE

  WEEPING SKY

  FAILING LIGHT

  THE RISE OF ISAAC NOVELLAS

  FALLING FIRE (PART ONE)

  FALLING FIRE (PART TWO)

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  This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the author. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author's rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  Published by Caroline Peckham 2018

  Copyright 2018 Caroline Peckham

  All rights reserved

  Caroline Peckham has asserted her right under the copyright, designs and patents act, 1998, to be identified as the author of this work.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  To my parents for always believing in me and supporting me every step of the way on my journey to becoming a full-time indie author.

  To my sister for all her hard work, proofreading and picking holes in my stories to make them the best they can be. And for writing your own books so that we will always be the biggest fans of each others work even if no one else reads them!

  To my friend Victoria for mulling over ideas with me and always putting up with my writing ramblings.

  To Kathleen for your continued support of my dreams, believing that I'm not actually crazy and could one day make this a reality!

  And to all the fans who have loyally stood by my books as well as all the new ones who decided to take a chance on them. There are no authors without readers and I'll never stop being grateful for your support.

  For Tara, who was taken from this world far too young.

  True immortality is the impact you leave behind on people's hearts.

  And that's why, mi niña, I know you will live forever.

  V

  games:

  Dead Before Dawn

  CAROLINE PECKHAM

  “When he shall die,

  Take him and cut him out in little stars,

  And he will make the face of heaven so fine

  That all the world will be in love with night

  And pay no worship to the garish sun.”

  - W. Shakespeare

  Preface

  I never feared dying. My fear was of regretting a life half lived. And lying in the heat of my own blood, knowing my long life would soon draw to a close, I found I didn't regret anything I'd done, only what I hadn't. All of the opportunities that lay ahead of me faded into darkness; a lost life I'd never live. An intense love I'd never be able to fulfil.

  Tears poured over my cheeks, hot and full of loss. Not mine. They belonged to her. I'd broken the unbreakable. I'd fractured the parts of her that were only just healing.

  “I'm sorry,” I breathed, our time dwindling now. Not long enough to offer her my endless line of apologies. And not nearly long enough to grieve missing out on each precious moment that was owed to us. That was the most painful part of death. What life could have been.

  Selena

  I couldn't remember my father. He'd left when I was three; old enough to miss him though, or so my mother had told me. But this had caused angst with my stepfather. I hadn't accepted his place as my new father. Perhaps my three year old self had sensed what Elijah was. But now, as I walked one shaky step at a time out of Ulvic's cabin into the moon-bathed trees, with Varick's sturdy form at my side and Cass up ahead, I wished I knew something. Anything to grasp onto that linked me to my biological father.

  I wouldn't even recognise him. Elijah had removed any trace of him from the house. Photos...all the memories gone before they'd ever really been made.

  “He could be lying,” Varick growled, his grip on my hand tightening.

  “He helped us in the game,” I whispered, my breath a puff of vapour in the freezing air. Snow was beginning to fall, a thin sheet of it already coating the grass at the bottom of the wooden steps.

  “He looks like you,” Cass said, glancing over her shoulder with an encouraging smile.

  Somehow, that made me feel even sicker than I already was. What else of mine did he possess?

  “Where is he?” Tiredness gripped me in its fist. We hadn't rested since we'd escaped the games, having barely been on Ulvic's island for more than an hour. And I couldn't shake the haunting feeling that if my father had somehow found us, so could the Helsings.

  “At the pier. He said he didn't want to intrude...” Cass led us further into the trees, winding down the steep, muddy track in the direction of the sea.

  “Perhaps I should go ahead?” Varick suggested, but I quickly shook my head and he didn't press the issue further. This was one of those moments that needed to belong to me. And me alone. As soon as I found the courage to ask the others to hold back.

  Clouds weighed heavily from the night sky, making the way forward increasingly dark as we left the light of the cabin far behind.

  Pounding footsteps rushed through the trees to my right and Varick moved swiftly to intercept whoever it was.

  Jameson crashed into him, his feet bare and his shirt buttoned up wrong. “I heard you talking.” He grinned from ear to ear, looking to me. “Who's here?”

  “Selena's father apparently. Maybe you should go back inside,” Varick said calmly. “Check on Thames.”

  Jameson shook his head. “Ulvic's taking the rest of the pack back to the cabin. She'll be fine.” He bounced on the balls of his feet.

  I hurried to catch Cass, too anxious to stop moving but soon heard them fall in to step behind us.

  Jameson casually brushed past me, putting himself between Cass and I, sliding an arm around her waist. “How's it going, Firefly?”

  She slinked out of his hold, throwing him a scowl. “This is serious. Can you handle not flirting for five seconds?”

  “Two?” he offered.

  She rolled her eyes and headed on, quickening her pace.

  Varick snatched the back of Jameson's shirt before he jogged after her, giving him a glare of warning. His intention was obvious. This isn't the time.

  As we met the edge of the trees, a dark figure came into view on the pier.

  I turned sharply, pressing one hand to Jameson's chest and the other to Varick's. “I think I'll speak to him alone.”

  “But-” Varick started, but I kissed him to halt his complaints.

  “You'll be right here to step in if anything goes wrong,” I assured him with the briefest of smiles, trying to ignore the brush of tiny wings in my belly.

  “Fine,” he grumbled as I stepped away.

  Jameson folded his arms, giving me an easy nod.

  I headed past Cass and the pebbles of the beach shifted beneath my boots. Beyond Ulvic's vessel was another large catamaran, its cabin light illuminating the walkway behind my father. He was wearing a large coat with his hood pulled up. The light slid over me
and I felt exposed, quickly hugging my arms to my chest and holding my chin high to try and gain a little composure.

  The rickety pier creaked beneath my feet as I reached him. He lifted his face to the light, pushing his hood back and my heart stuttered in my chest.

  He looked just like me, there was no denying it. Everything about him from his ebony hair to his steel-grey eyes. Eyes that were roaming over me, taking in every inch, his face a picture of pride. He was clean-shaven and his hair neat, sweeping back over the crown of his head. His height was where we differed; he was nearly as tall as Varick.

  “I'm human,” he said softly, his voice gravelly. He raised his palms to me, showing his innocence and I noticed a wedding band shining on his left hand.

  I inhaled an icy breath, unable to stop myself as I reached out and touched the ring.

  “Did you remarry?” I asked, my throat constricting. Had he really abandoned us? Mum had said little of their separation, only that he'd left without notice. That she'd had to petition for a divorce on the grounds that her husband was missing. And that answer was suddenly the one I needed above all others.

  “No.” His hand closed around mine and I instinctively pulled away.

  I gazed at him, sensing a connection between us that longed to be explored. “You're Typhon?”

  He nodded once.

  “Mum said your name was-”

  “Brendan,” he supplied with a crooked smile. “It is. Typhon was the name I went under to remain anonymous at the games.” He stepped closer and I forced myself to remain still. “I watched every second, Selena. And it nearly killed me not to walk out there and take on every Vampire I could for you. But you didn't need saving, did you?” He lifted a hand as if to touch me, then dropped it to his side.

  My lips seemed stuck together as I took in every centimetre of him. What was someone supposed to say to a father they'd never met? But he wasn't just that, he was the spectator who had helped me escape from the Helsings...

  “Were you there, on Raskdød? The first game?” I found my voice at last, shivering as the cold tried to drill its way into my bones.

  “No...I heard about you though. That's why I went to the Isle of Lidelse. I have spies amongst the Helsings, they told me-”

  “Wait- what?” Shock juddered through me. “Spies? Who are you?”

  “I'll tell you everything in time. Tonight, I just wanted to meet you. And to promise that I'll help you. All of you.” He glanced over my shoulder and I followed his gaze to where Varick, Jameson and Cass were standing in a regimental line at the edge of the trees. Varick looked as statuesque as the boughs surrounding him. And my neck burned as I realised all of them could no doubt hear our conversation.

  I turned back to my father. “Help us how?”

  Brendan fixed me in his gaze. “I have friends, many friends who all have an investment in ending the games.”

  I nodded slowly, then finally remembered my manners. I wasn't too sure how Ulvic would feel about what I was going to offer, but I voiced it anyway. “Do you want to stay? We can talk...” He was already shaking his head.

  “Not tonight. Look at you, Selena. You haven't slept and dawn will be upon us in a few hours. Varick will have to find somewhere to wait out the day. And I'd very much like to acquaint myself with him properly.”

  My heart stumbled over itself. How much had he seen of Varick and I together? What did he think of his daughter falling for a Vampire? And did I care what he thought? I didn't even know him.

  “I'll return tomorrow night. Once we are both better rested.”

  He stepped back and I suddenly felt a bond between us dragging me back toward him. “Wait-” I choked out.

  He turned back just as I collided with him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Thank you,” I said into his shoulder, the faint musk of cologne flowing over me.

  He hesitated before hugging me back, but when he did his hold was bone-crushing. The type of hug I'd craved from a father my whole life.

  “I'd never let anything happen to you.” His mouth moved to my ear. “I know you don't know me, that I haven't been present in your life, but I promise I'm not going anywhere now.”

  I tugged back, the sharp sting of my childhood coming back to me. Did Brendan know what had happened after he'd left? Did he have any idea what me and Mum had been through?

  His gaze was searching as I pulled away. “Your mother?”

  “Alive,” I replied, as if that were the most positive thing I could say in relation to her. I didn't know if she was well, but I assumed not after everything that had happened. Tears welled and guilt rolled through my body.

  “I see,” he said quietly. “I know have a lot of explaining to do. And I will, I swear it. But tonight you must rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll answer everything you have to ask in full honesty.”

  “Okay.” I backed up, swallowing the lump in my throat as I watched him board his boat.

  Before he'd even pulled away from the pier, Varick was at my side, his arm locked around my shoulders. “He's right. You need to rest.” He whipped me into his arms and I let out a yelp as he sprinted back through the forest.

  “Varick!” I clung to his shirt, though I knew he'd never drop me. I couldn't see anything from the speed he was moving and my head spun as he planted me on my feet back in the cabin. Ulvic was behind the breakfast bar, downing a glass of whiskey. He jerked his chin toward Reason and Mekiah's bedroom. “You can use that one. Guess they won't be needing it any time s-soon.” He started drinking from the bottle, but before I could ask if he was alright, Varick carried me into the room and slammed the door.

  “Sleep.” He placed me on the bed, impossibly gentle as he skimmed his thumb under my chin.

  “How can I? After everything...” I rested my head back on the pillow, sighing. My mind was doing cartwheels, but I was physically exhausted. It wouldn't be long before I passed out.

  Varick watched me until I beckoned him to join me. “Do you want to talk about your father?”

  I shook my head. Varick had heard all there was to be said between us anyway. And I needed to unravel my own feelings about it before I'd be able to discuss it. I was bone tired and couldn't keep my eyes fully open as I tried to keep looking at Varick.

  His mouth hooked up at the side as he dropped onto the bed and I rolled into his arms. His skin was cooler than it had been earlier. He'd start to crave blood more intensely soon.

  “I'll Charm you to sleep?” he offered.

  I knotted my hands into his shirt, pulling him closer. “No,” I breathed, tracing his mouth with mine.

  “Selena,” he growled and I felt the vibration of his voice thrum through my body. “You must rest.”

  He was rigid, every line of his muscles tense. I knew I wasn't going to win this fight so settled on curling into the strong shell his body made. My breathing grew shallow as I let my hands run down his chest, exploring the firm arcs of him. I knew I was getting carried away, shifting a leg between his to move as close to him as possible. The raging, pulsing feelings inside me were new and electrifying, making every hair on my body stand to attention. Did he feel it too?

  “I should go.” His voice was hoarse.

  I stiffened, longing to ask him the question circling in my mind, hovering on my tongue. But I didn't have the nerve.

  “Stay,” I insisted, knotting my fingers in his shirt, though I was certain I couldn't hold onto him if he chose to leave.

  How could I have been through the V Games twice and still have been too cowardly to ask Varick a simple question? His answer held too much power over me. And I couldn't bear to learn that he truly wasn't capable of being attracted to me in an entirely human capacity.

  I tried to settle on soaking in the peace of the moment.

  Perhaps that was why sleep was eluding me. This moment was everything. We were safe at long last. And it seemed impossible to believe I wouldn't wake tomorrow in a coffin, hanging above a precipice or careering down a river. So mayb
e that was why I wanted him as close to me as he could possibly be tonight. In case we never got the chance again.

  “I'll have to leave before dawn,” Varick murmured softly.

  “Promise you'll wake me,” I breathed, letting my eyes fall closed.

  “Alright,” his voice hummed in my ear. “Now go to sleep.”

  Varick

  Peace came in the form of a steady pulse. Not mine, but hers. Selena's. Sleeping soundly in the large bed, her body curved against mine, her fingers curled into the patchwork quilt.

  I watched unashamedly, until the stars began to fade and the dark sky grew pale. I'd have to spend the day in an outhouse a mile from Ulvic's cabin. I had no intention of waking her before dawn. She needed rest. Especially now her father would be returning to speak with her. She deserved a clear head and I was determined to give it to her.

  The other Vampires would no doubt join me; Cass and our newfound ally, Kodiak. Though I'd not seen him since earlier that night.

  Before then, however, I had some rather grim dealings to take care of. Another reason I preferred Selena to stay asleep. She'd seen enough blood to last a lifetime.

  I strained my ears, listening to the rest of the house. I located Jameson in the lounge, snoozing quietly. Soft, sleeping breaths sounded all around the cabin, but his stood out to me. The cabin was big; a whole floor upstairs accommodated the rest of the wolves. But I knew we couldn't encroach on them for too much longer. For more reasons than one...

  I moved swiftly and silently into the lounge, finding Jameson sprawled out on the sofa under a thin blanket, one leg hanging out of it, his mouth agape.

  I prodded him, but he didn't wake. “Jameson,” I hissed, nudging him with my knee.

  He snored loudly and I shook my head in dismay. Leaning down, I pinched his nose until he choked on a snore and jolted upright.