Sisters of Annis

   Vampire's Key Chapter Twenty   Amy sped through the park, intoxicated by the potency of the night ahead. The number of humans decreased in conjunction with the fading sun that cast a fiery glow of deep reds and warm pinks across mounds of grey cloud. Joggers remained at a constant, varying pace and stride, their headphones isolating them from surrounding sounds. In contrast, the occasional loner staggered by, red-faced from a concoction of alcohol and winter chill. Amy rushed past one of them. He stank of a forlorn life lived on cheap booze and fuelled by broken dreams. He lurched onwards in search of a bench for the night. Barely able to maintain focus, he leaned to the right, before resetting himself and wobbling along the path.  Leaving the human debris behind, Amy probed the park mentally, searching for the vampire.  She’s there, she thought, changing her direction towards a line of black trees set beside the waters of an artificial lake. Their trunks appeared like misshapen

   Vampire's Key Chapter Nineteen   Lilly had never felt so alive. Even when her relationship with Carl had been so good that every step felt like a dance and every breath a soul-embracing kiss. That had been amazing, yet was nothing compared to this all encompassing empowerment that she was feeling. She felt exhilarated, as though she had run a marathon and was ready for another. She had seduced and fed on a beautiful girl. She had new powers that she was still discovering, and she was finally free of Carl. She had to find Amy and thank her for her new life. Turning the corner, Lilly’s euphoric charge faltered, then slowed, before halting. Ahead of her, two figures stood in the shadows at the end of the passageway. Their mouths were locked on the wrists of a naked man who knelt between them. Lilly’s gaze penetrated the deep shadows, clarifying the image of the three individuals. The man was handsome, slim, almost skinny, yet firm with strong muscles that were tense and rigid. He w

   Vampire's Key Chapter Eighteen   “Gabriela Alexandra Torres Medina,” Lady Mortimer said, placing a photograph in front of the shackled prisoner.  Adrian’s gaze fell on the photo of the curly-haired Latina. She was pouting in the picture, her dark eyes staring down at the camera in seductive defiance. Adrian’s face remained expressionless. Lady Mortimer continued, “Born 1st March, 1995. Gabriela has an elaborate and versatile history: kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, burglary, damage to property, shoplifting. Impressive, considering her age. Mother deceased. Father serving a life sentence in the Penitentiary of New Mexico for felony murder. Older brother killed during a shootout with police after a failed armed robbery. Current whereabouts unknown. Younger sister missing, presumed dead.” She turned the photograph to face herself. “Pretty girl, isn’t she? I can see how you would fall for her. Beautiful features, long dark locks cascading over her shoulder

 Vampire's Key Chapter Seventeen   Amy’s words reverberated through Lilly’s mind. They hadn’t been a suggestion. They had been her final command. She had taken Lilly from the empowering eroticism of The Countess to the quiet predawn streets of London, where she had simply said, “Go feed.” “Why can’t I go with you?” Lilly asked, a feeling of uncertainty gnawing into her. Amy shook her head. “Find your own way,” she replied. She kissed Lilly on the forehead, as a mother blesses her daughter, and departed, leaving Lilly alone.  Lilly didn’t know how long she had walked the streets. Her newfound abilities didn’t seem so empowering now she was alone at night in the big city. There were many possible candidates: drunks, the homeless, couples. And yet every time she approached a potential victim, she felt a tightness in her belly and weakness in her legs. Not much of a vampire, am I?  she thought as she withdrew into the shadows once more. She felt safer there — perhaps it was a residue o