Chronicles of the Uprising (Trilogy 1): Trilogy 1 (5 page)

Harsh fluorescent lights glared down from high rafters. Mira hit the dirt-covered ground with a groan. Still weak from her time in the lightbox, her already screaming muscles threatened to give out, but she had to keep going. The six-foot-five vampire charging her was not about to stop. The only true difference between an arena battle and training was the size of the crowd. Tegan didn’t need a crowd to witness his victory. He’d had a chip on his shoulder since the last time she’d bested him, and given Mira’s weakened state, she was the prime target for his vengeance.

With a growl of fury, Mira summoned the energy to roll away from the foot Tegan swung at her. Dust blew up in the air, stinging her eyes as she maneuvered to avoid another kick.

“Not so tough now, are you?” the large male vampire taunted.

Mira struggled to find her footing and keep away from his wild attacks. He was big and he was skilled, but he was also cocky. Many a formidable vampire had found their end through hubris, and Tegan was well on his way down that road. If Mira let him wear himself out, he’d eventually make a mistake, and that was when she needed to retaliate. Until that time, she’d have to duck and dodge as best she could, preserving what little energy she had for the right time to strike.

“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Tegan,” Mira taunted, hoping to rile him further.

“Shut up.” Tegan swung wildly at her with one of his boulder-like fists.

Either her plan was working, or Tegan really was that bad a fighter. She smirked at the angry vampire. “Why don’t you try to make me? Or are you afraid I’ll muss up that pretty face of yours and your Patron won’t want you anymore?”

It had never mattered much to her before; but now, weak as she was, Mira felt as if she were the only vampire alive who had not garnered a Patron. Servicing anyone wasn’t something she particularly wanted to do, but in her current enfeebled state, she could certainly use the perks. Especially the additional rations. Slow healing and weakness could be avoided if Mira could just have a few sips of the fresh stuff. Nothing worked better than hot blood straight from a willing vein.

Tegan played right into her hands, taking the bait and charging her like a stampeding bull. Mira rolled away and hopped up to her feet just in time to avoid him. Tegan, however, overbalanced himself in an effort to stop when he missed his mark. He skidded to a halt, windmilling his arms to stop himself just before toppling over.

“It’s not a fight if you run away.” Tegan tried lamely to goad Mira. But her record spoke for itself. She was a killer. And if she hadn’t been so weak, Tegan would have been under her boot already, begging for his life.

“Just giving you a sporting chance. I’d hate for you to limp away a complete failure.” Mira kept her cocky tone, though the exertion was taking its toll. To the untrained eye she might have been doing well, but Mira was far from fighting form. Her muscles, weak and sore, responded more slowly than normal. Mira hoped to get the great big brute to wear himself out sooner rather than later, before he caught on to her weakness. Instead of overexerting himself, however, Tegan seemed to be enjoying this little to and fro. Feeding off it. He smiled as he attempted to strike again. She ducked away from his swing, but was barely quick enough. Mira felt the wind break across her face in the wake of Tegan’s fist. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take. Her body was nearly spent.

Tegan sneered and lunged again, putting all of his preternatural speed into the assault. Mira wasn’t quick enough this time, and the force of his body colliding with hers knocked the wind from her lungs. She hit the dirt again, with Tegan’s massive body crushing her under his bulk. Bones cracked. Pain shot through her chest. Mira was sure she’d just broken a rib or two, maybe more. That was going to take forever to heal without blood.

Tegan looked down at her and smiled. His eyes held that cocky glint that said he had other plans for her now that he had her pinned. And Mira would be damned if she’d allow him to follow through with them. She did the only thing she could. Baring her teeth, she threw her head forward and sank them into the bare skin of his chest.

It was only a moment. Only long enough to taste the coppery sweetness of his fresh blood, but that was more than she’d hoped for. By the time Tegan was able to throw her off, the revitalizing effects of his blood were already invigorating her, healing some of the damage he’d done to her body.

Involuntarily, Mira let out a moan of pure unadulterated pleasure. She couldn’t help herself. Despite the source, hot blood fresh from the vein was a true delicacy. Her entire being awakened with new vigor. A wicked smile spread across Mira’s lips. She slowly opened her eyes and locked onto Tegan’s. While hers were full of wild energy, his showed pure rage, and that was the icing on the cake. She was ready for a real fight now.

“Now, let’s continue.”

Tegan knew before she had even risen to her feet that he’d lost. But being male and a warrior in his own right, he wouldn’t let a little thing like an undefeated warrior fed on fresh blood stop him. Tegan stood and squared himself, ready to fight again, but Mira caught the quiver in his lips.

She stood and slowly cracked her neck and popped her back, making a little more of a show of it than she needed to. The pain of her broken ribs faded. They would be healed in moments as if they had never been damaged. All thanks to fresh blood.

Tegan watched every move Mira made, but made no move of his own to initiate the next fight.

“Scared now?” Mira said wickedly.

“Of you? Never.” Tegan could lie all he wanted; the truth was in his eyes.

“Liar.” Following Tegan’s body posture and movement, Mira calculated the best time and angle to strike. Other than a slight twitch of his muscles, Tegan was not budging from his spot. Probably too scared. She’d just have to make the first move herself. Putting all of her renewed energy into action, she began with a roundhouse kick.  Tegan easily side-stepped, caught Mira’s foot, and spun her backwards. Small and lithe as she was, Mira was able to use the momentum to roll back up on to her feet and spin around to face her opponent as gracefully as if she were a dancer. As soon as she faced Tegan, she squared herself again, ready for the next attack.

“This ain’t the ballet, sweetheart,” Tegan spat at her, but there was more fear than anything else in his voice.

“Oh, but I do so love to dance.” Mira dropped and swiped Tegan’s legs. The larger vampire caught himself before he fell. Taking advantage of her opponent’s momentary weakness, Mira delivered a few bone-crunching blows to Tegan’s ribs.

Tegan dropped to the ground clutching his chest, but managed to roll away before Mira could deliver a nasty kick.

“This ain’t dirt crawlers either, Tegan. Is this what you do in the arena? No wonder your record stinks.”

That got Tegan fired up. He pushed himself back up to his feet and ran at Mira in a blind rage. She easily dodged his bullish attack and spun around to make sure he couldn’t catch her from behind.

Tegan came at her again. She recognized the tactic: He was trying to overwhelm her, but he’d exhaust his reserves well before she would. Dodging him again, she threw a wild punch aimed at his gut. It caught him in the side with little effect.

“At least I fight fair,” Tegan shouted. “No stolen blood.”

“All’s fair in love and war. Don’t be a brat about it because you didn’t think of it yourself.”

The two squared off again. Sneering at each other. Mira studied his body movements, watching for any clue as to his next move. She wanted to end this… quickly.

The muscles in his leg twitched. He was going to lunge at her again, soon. She prepared herself.

He was quick, but she was quicker. Tegan came hard and fast, but Mira stepped out of the way and caught him by the arm. They twirled together for a moment before she used the momentum to throw him down to the ground. Tegan landed with a thud, his head slamming heavily against the hard-packed dirt.

Before she came down on him, she cocked her leg back and delivered a crushing kick to his ribs. The satisfying sound of bones breaking told her she had more than hit the mark, but it was Tegan’s groan of pain that made her smile. That cocky bastard needed a good lesson in manners. She mounted him, setting herself hard on his chest, pressing down on those freshly broken ribs.

“We’re done here.” Mira placed a hand on either side of his head, ready to snap his neck if he tried anything stupid… hoping he would try something stupid, actually. Not that snapping his neck would kill the annoying vampire, but it would certainly bring her some instant gratification.

Overhead a voice spoke through speakers. “Training is over. Gladiators, resume your spots and wait for your handlers to retrieve you.”

“You got lucky…this time,” Mira snorted at him.

Tegan spat at Mira. “At least I didn’t cheat.”

As much as Mira wanted to rise to the occasion, his taunting wasn’t worth it. The handlers were coming, and any additional aggression while they were around was bound to earn her more time in the lightbox. She needed her energy, what little of it she could spare, to formulate and execute her next escape attempt.

Two handlers came to retrieve Tegan, but only one had shown to escort Mira. Luck must have been on her side. She smirked at Tegan as he was cuffed silently and nudged toward the exit. Clearly the loser, his shoulders slumped as he lumbered slowly behind one handler while the other followed, holding his UV torch at the ready. As much as she hated him, the sight of Tegan being taken away in such a manner tugged at her heartstrings. No matter what, arrogant prick that he was, he was still a vampire, one of
her
kind. Still a prisoner. And being treated this way was wrong.

When Tegan had finally disappeared, Mira looked around cautiously, secretly praying that her other handler would not show. Not that she was ever that lucky, but it would be nice.

“Where’s your dance partner?” Mira knew she shouldn’t have said it, but couldn’t help herself. The fresh infusion of blood and a win in the training arena had her feeling quite cocky. And those handlers were big bullies as it was. Anything to get under their skin was a bonus for her.

“No funny business. Hold out your hands for cuffs,” the handler snapped at her. She assumed it was her regular female handler, but the voice sounded strange. Mira had a sneaking suspicion that she had really shaken her previous handler up. That brought a new smile to her face.

This new handler was hiding her face behind a dark polycarbonate shield.

Humans really went to the extremes to prevent vampires from having any advantage. No eye contact – not that it would really matter if they did, the myth about vampires having mental capabilities and taking control of others thoughts was just that, a myth – but still, this human wasn’t taking anything for granted. The oversized helmet with neck protection was, in Mira’s opinion, a little overkill as well. Sure, she could go for the jugular, but unless she really intended to kill, there was no point. Blood loss was too quick at that artery. Of course, if she was intending to kill, flimsy plastic was not going to stop her. There were hundreds of ways to incapacitate a human without using her teeth. Problem was, as heavily guarded as the place was, it was generally not a smart idea to make trouble. Vampire strength or no, she was outnumbered. The only way out was through stealth, not bloodshed… no matter how tempting bloodshed was.

“Here!” Mira huffed and held out her arms, awaiting the cuffs.

A second handler appeared behind her and tossed the cuffs to the woman, who immediately clamped them around Mira’s wrists. The initial sting of the silver made Mira groan. She hoped it hadn’t been too loud. Showing weakness in front of the handlers was just inviting trouble, and she was already in enough trouble with them as it was.

“You’re late,” Mira said, hoping instead to cover the pain in her voice with taunting. “We were going to go to the party without you.”

“Silence, slave.” The pure hatred in the male handler’s voice was unmistakable. His command was stern. She wished she could see his eyes. He could sound as mean as he wanted, but the truth, the fear, would show clearly in his eyes. Unfortunately, he too wore the dark shield hiding his features. “Let’s get her back quickly,” he said to his partner.

“Yeah. She’s in a mood alright. And I don’t feel like dealing with it,” the female handler responded.

Mira felt the butt of a rifle jab into her back. “Move,” the male handler ordered.

“Would it kill you to ask nicely?” Fresh blood and a win in the training arena had done wonders for her mood, but dealing with the handlers was quickly souring it.

“No talking,” the male handler shouted.

“All right. All right. Sheesh. You people. So uptight.”

“Shut up!” the male commanded again. He flashed his UV torch at the back of her neck.

Heat singed her skin. Ten times brighter than outdoor light, the UV torch’s instant blast of pain took her breath away. Mira hadn’t intended to, but as she flinched, shrinking back from the sting, she snapped her cuffs in two. She swung her free arm wide and hit the female handler so hard Mira knocked her to the ground.

The male had his torch at the ready, aimed right at Mira. “Don’t move.”

With the female handler down, and the hallway empty, it was now or never. She would have to be quick. Once an alarm was raised, it would be all over for her. But if she was fast enough, she might just make it to an exit. A full face blast from the UV torch was worth the risk. She lunged straight at the male handler, overtaking him. Itchy as his trigger finger was, he couldn’t get a flash on her in time. She slammed him to the ground and then smashed his helmet a few times for good measure. He wouldn’t be seriously hurt — those brain buckets were good for something — but when he did finally wake up, he’d have one hell of a headache. That was karma enough for her.

Secure in the knowledge that he was incapacitated and wouldn’t be chasing her down anytime soon, Mira took off down the long dark corridor. Down one dark hallway and up another, Mira ran without knowing exactly where she was heading. Everything looked the same – no signs, no arrows to point in any specific direction. Every corridor had the identical stark walls, unmarked doors, and annoyingly bright fluorescent lights. Another way to deter escape. The entire place was set up like a giant maze. Was she heading toward the exit, or back around to where she had just come from?  Still, hoping against all hope that she was heading in the right direction and not in circles, Mira continued on amid the blaring sirens and flashing red lights.

Round one turn and then another, Mira was beginning to feel hopelessly lost. She’d been escorted to the arena, training hall, and prison areas so many times she knew the routes by heart, but she was well out of bounds now.

Knowing she was short on time, Mira quickly rounded another corner and came face to face with a double set of guards.

Surprised and not as prepared as the handlers, they did not have their UV torches to hand. Mira had no problem incapacitating them and left them quietly on the ground, unconscious but still alive.

Before she had a chance to stand, the hair on the back of Mira's neck prickled. An uncomfortable weight of unseen eyes settled on her. Dread sank to the pit of her stomach. Busted...and so close to escaping. Someone else was there, watching her. She felt it, but what was more unsettling was the fact they had yet to announce themselves. Guards would shoot first and ask questions later. Someone lurking in the shadows… there was no telling what game they’d be playing.

Mira turned around and stood next to the guard she had just felled. It didn’t take much for her to find the source of her unease. A pair of mossy green eyes scrutinized her from the opposite end of the hall.

Heart pounding, she stared back at the man attached to those quizzical eyes. Human, no doubt. But he didn’t carry a weapon. Nor was there any fear in those green eyes of his. On the contrary, alone in a dark corridor, he stood his ground, lifting his head, and stared Mira down like an alpha from some long lost wolf pack.

The strangeness of his manner caught Mira by surprise. For a few moments too long, she stood dumbfounded, trying to process who he was and what her next move should be. His face seemed oddly familiar, though at the moment she couldn’t place where she’d seen him before.

The strange man was tall and well built, but that really didn’t matter much. Mira could take down vampires larger than she with no problem. But that wasn’t the thing stopping her from making a move. Judging by the deep plum of his suit, he was a man of some power. Only the Elite – those in the ruling class – were ever permitted to wear such an audacious color. As desperate as Mira was at that moment, she needed to tread carefully. Being caught escaping — again — would earn her more time in the lightbox, but injuring an Elite could have her staked out in the middle of town square awaiting the dawn.

“Aren't you going to finish him?” the man asked, his tone calm, soothing, as if he genuinely wanted to know the answer.

“Why don’t I finish you instead?” She hoped the warning in her voice would be enough to deter him, but still the man remained unfazed, like some stoic statue across the hallway. What was he playing at? And why was he just standing there, calmly, giving her every opportunity to strike? Did he really place so little value on his life?

“You could kill me, sure, but ask yourself how that is going to help your situation.” Spoken like a true Elite. He had to be up to something.

She didn’t like the smugness in tone, but felt at a loss as to how to continue. She could be on him in a fraction of a second. Crush his windpipe, and maybe buy herself a few more minutes to find the exit, but she was lost and had already wasted too much time. However, her inaction was almost certain to earn her some additional reprisal as well.

The corner of his lip quirked up. “I take it by your lack of response, that you’ve decided against harming me?”

Damn him!
He knew she couldn’t take the risk. “For the moment, I guess.” Mira did not let her own uncertainty leach out into her voice. She attempted to sound self-assured, as if she were the one in charge at that moment.

“Well.” He let out a little sigh. “I’m pleased to hear that.” The strange man smiled congenially. “But, we will have to sort out what to do with you. It appears you’re out of bounds here.”

“You gonna help me back to my cell?” She threw her contempt at him.
Bastard Elite!
What did he know about boundaries?

“The thought had crossed my mind, yes.”

“Of course it had. Too bad I was heading in the other direction.” Mira casually flicked her hand toward the hallway to her left.

“Wonderful, seeing as that is the way back to the cell block.”

He was toying with her, like a cat with a mouse, Mira was sure of it. Whatever he had planned was sure to end with her enduring more punishment time in the lightbox. Mira pursed her lips. She wanted more than anything to be rid of him, but at this point she’d dug herself in too deeply to back out. Punishment or no, she had to play his little game. The alternative — certain death — was not worth the risk.

“Relax. I was only joking with you.” He held out his hands in mock surrender. “Please. I mean you no harm. But, in all seriousness, you know you can’t leave. Not like this.”

The way he delivered those last words piqued her interest. “Are you saying there is a better way to leave?”

Mira picked up the heavy footfall of a few more guards headed in her direction. The human must have heard them too, because for a brief moment he turned his attention to the hallway.

“Perhaps. But that all starts with how you manage the next few moments.” The Elite closed the distance between them, stepping confidently toward her as if she were as harmless as a kitten.

Part of her wanted to kill him and move on, even if there was no chance of escape, but the truth was plain: Her hesitation had ruined all chances she might have had of getting away.

Mira’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. What help can you be?”

His moss-green eyes met hers and for a moment Mira felt they were on even footing. “Let me take you back, myself. No weapons.” There was a genuine kindness in the way he spoke that did not fit his species or station. He held up his hands as proof that he had nothing to harm her with. “Just walk calmly with me, and I will ensure no reprisal comes to you.”

Utterly confused, Mira could no longer hold the anger in her voice. “Why would you do this for me?”

‘Politician’ was her first thought. How much publicity would he receive for single-handedly bringing in a vampire?

“Why didn’t you kill those guards?” he responded with equal measure of curiosity.

She glanced down at the unconscious men and felt a twinge of sorrow. Their breathing was shallow but steady. They’d be out for at least a little longer, but when they woke, with heads pounding, they’d wish they were dead. “They got what was coming to them, but just because they’re pricks doesn’t mean they deserve death. They’re just trained idiots doing their job.”

One of the Elite’s eyebrows quirked up. “Interesting,” he chuckled. “They aren’t always the smartest of the litter. But don’t you need their blood? Don’t you crave every last drop?”

“Of course I crave blood, like you do a hamburger or potato chips, but, like you, I do not need to gorge myself on them all day long. Only a little at a time is needed to satiate my hunger. Any more than that is gluttony.” Mira hoped he caught her little jab at him. Those of the Elite were no strangers to indulging in whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. They were the definition of gluttons. “The pint or two I need daily will not kill anyone.”

Embarrassment flashed across the Elite’s face for the briefest of moments before it vanished. “I guess I always assumed…. Never mind. Come. I hear the guards approaching. Allow me to escort you back, and we’ll chat about all of this later.”

He stepped forward cautiously and lifted his hand to grasp her by the arm. 

Reflexively, Mira’s lip curled into a sneer. She didn’t want to trust this man — humans could never be trusted — but she had no other choice.

Allowing him to take hold of her arm, she gave the Elite a look of warning and a quick flash of her fangs.

Looking as if he was trying to remain unfazed by her feral growl, he held his head high and pierced her with his mossy green gaze. “Follow my lead.”

 “Fine,” she managed to say, though she had many other choice words in mind.