A Field Guide to Vampires Page 3

  Family Motto: “Nox Noctis, nostra domina”(Latin for “Night our Mistress”)

  I need my own motto. And maybe a theme song. But I’ll leave the superhero capes to Kieran and Hunter.

  Family Crest: Dragon with ivy in its mouth

  Origins:

  William Drake is thought to be the first Drake vampire, turned circa late eleventh century–early twelfth century. In 1148, he married Veronique Dubois, lady-in-waiting to Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine in France. She gave birth to twins (Arnaud and Christophe) in 1149 and would have died in childbirth if William had not turned her. They were chased out of Aquitaine when the twins sickened on their sixteenth birthday and would only be cured by the drinking of human blood, which turned them fully in 1165.

  Exiled from the royal courts by Lady Natasha due to prophecy.

  Habitat:

  The main Drake homestead is in the outskirts of Violet Hill, near the mountains. Several farms comprise the compound and are patrolled by both human and vampire guards. The Violet Hill area is also home to the caves used by the Hounds, until they were taken over by Lady Natasha.

  Current Generation

  Father:

  Liam Drake (born 1901, turned 1917)

  Blue eyes, dark hair; diplomatic strengths

  Mother:

  Helena Drake, née Cole (born 1966, turned 1994)

  Black hair, blue eyes; skilled in several martial arts (including Tae Kwon Do, Akido), as well as fencing, kickboxing, and hunting, even before she was turned. Do not antagonize.

  Sons:

  Nicholas (born 1992, turned 2008)

  Gray eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: Drake training, mechanics, newly turned, need to prove himself, over-protective of his little sister, Solange, and of Lucky Hamilton

  Logan (born 1991, turned 2007)

  Green eyes, brown hair

  Noteworthy: Drake training, wears frock coats and Goth attire, father’s ability to charm, fastidious, cocky

  Connor (born 1990, turned 2006)

  Blue eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: twin (Quinn), Drake training, computer tech

  Quinn (born 1990, turned 2006)

  Blue eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: twin (Connor), Drake training, charm, overconfidence, especially strong pheromones?

  Duncan (born 1988, turned 2004)

  Green eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: Drake training, mechanics, antisocial

  Marcus (born 1987, turned 2003)

  Blue eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: Drake training, shy, very intelligent, science/biology

  Sebastian (born 1986, turned 2002)

  Amber eyes, dark brown hair

  Noteworthy: Drake training, reclusive, very quiet, little else known

  Daughter:

  Solange (born 1993, bloodchange expected on August 23, 2009)

  Blue eyes, black hair

  Companion: Lucky “Lucy” Hamilton (person of interest, human)

  Noteworthy: Drake training, acupressure, fencing, solitary, pottery; quiet, seems calmer than her brothers

  Point of Interest: First and only daughter born to the Drake clan. Assumed to be the one mentioned in a vampire prophecy to become queen (written down during the reign of Henry VIII, but no other information is available).

  Drake Persons of Note:

  Hyacinth Drake (born 1857, turned 1877): married to Edward Drake (born 1789, turned 1805, died 1914); lives at the main Drake house, Violet Hill compound.

  Geoffrey Drake (born 1910, turned 1926): brother of Liam Drake; biology teacher at local college, Violet Hill. Lives on family compound.

  Ruby Drake

  Little is known about her. Loss of family is said to have driven her mad. Avoid.

  London Drake (of the British Drakes): oathed to royal house, currently Lady Natasha (acting vampire queen)

  She’s cranky.

  Victoria Drake

  Poet

  I’ve never met her, but sounds like she’d have a lot in common with my cousin Christabel.

  Associated Humans of Interest:

  The MacAlister/Hamilton family has strong ties to the Drakes.

  Posy MacAlister aided the effort to defeat Lady Natasha’s reapers in the 80s. She dispatched many vampires before and after that event, with her own gang of ex-bikers. Her daughter Janet (changed name to Cassiopeia) retired from vampire killing but has maintained strong ties with Helena Drake. Cass married Stuart Hamilton and their daughter Lucky is close to Solange Drake.

  Lucky Moon Hamilton (born 1993)

  Look, I’m famous!

  Brown eyes, brown hair

  Noteworthy: mostly immune to vampire pheromones, especially Drake pheromones. Brash, protective, reckless, good aim with crossbow, annoys Nicholas Drake.

  Hey!

  Bruno MacGregor (born 1964)

  Brown eyes, brown/shaved hair

  Noteworthy: Scottish, Drake bodyguard, ex-biker, tattoos; proficient in mixed martial arts, street fighting, gun use, daggers, motorcycles.

  14.

  Supernatural Miscellany

  (basic; see Paranormal Division guide for more in-depth analysis)

  It has come to our attention that other creatures may be using the Violet Hill mountains and forests as their base. Local unsubstantiated lore mentions the following: faery folk, werewolves, witches, zombies, demons. Use discretion.

  We need a Vampire Relations Department.

  Lucky Hamilton

  Class Schedule

  Grade 11

  10:30 a.m. Breakfast (optional)

  12:30 p.m. Lunch

  1:00 p.m. English Literature (2nd semester: History)

  2:00 p.m. Math (2nd semester: Art)

  3:00 p.m. Science (2nd semester: Independent Study)

  4:30 p.m. Major (Paranormal Division, Science and Technology Division, Hunting Division)

  5:30 p.m. Study Hall. Gym. Quiet curfew in effect.

  6:30 p.m. Dinner

  7:30 p.m. League History

  8:30 p.m. Archery/Gun Range

  9:30 p.m. Vampire History

  10:30 p.m. Kickboxing

  11:30 p.m. Supernatural Studies (2nd semester: Technology)

  1:00 a.m. Curfew, Snack provided in Common Room

  1:30 a.m. Lights Out

  The Drake Chronicles

  On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude an anti-vampire league.

  This sixteenth birthday isn’t looking so sweet …

  HEARTS AT STAKE

  Book 1

  Kieran Black, an agent of an anti-vampire league searching for his father’s killer, is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

  Luckily she has her own secret weapon–her human best friend Lucy, who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life–Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black–in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump-start any romance-lover’s heart.

  BLOOD FEUD

  Book 2

  Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution and now she’s made her way back to the living. She must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire–that’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

  In this second adventure–told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives, the clans are gathering for the royal coronation of the next vampire queen–and new alliances are beginning to form. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte–a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the
power of the throne for himself–the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

  OUT FOR BLOOD

  Book 3

  Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends–or even more.

  When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra … help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead -gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

  BLEEDING HEARTS

  Book 4

  Violet Hill is under attack by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, who are determined to take their rightful place alongside the other vampire clans at the Blood Moon gathering. The royal Drakes might be powerful, but their love for a mere human-Lucy-leaves them vulnerable. The Hel-Blar’s plan to exploit that weakness goes horribly wrong when they try to kidnap Lucy but take her cousin Christabel by mistake.

  Connor Drake immediately heads off in pursuit, willing to put his own life on the line for the girl he has grown to care so much about. Can he save Christabel, the Blood Moon, and his mother’s newly forged vampire alliance?

  AND COMING SOON …

  BLOOD MOON

  Book 5

  When the vampire tribes convene for the rare Blood Moon ceremonies, Solange’s fight with her feral nature, a mysterious stranger, family secrets, and forbidden magic put all of the Drakes in danger.

  And when Nicholas is caught between saving his little sister, Solange, or his girlfriend, Lucy, who will he choose?

  Read the Drake Chronicles

  from the beginning …

  Ruling Passion—includes Hearts at Stake,

  Blood Feud, and Out for Blood

  * * *

  Find out more about the Drakes at

  www.thedrakechronicles.com

  * * *

  And the passion continues, with three

  original e-novellas featuring your favorite

  characters from the Drake Chronicles …

  To know the Drakes is to love them…

  Don’t miss where all the spine-tingling

  romance began.

  PROLOGUE

  Lucy

  Friday, early evening

  Normally I wouldn’t have been caught dead at a field party.

  If you’ll pardon the pun.

  This was a supreme sacrifice on my part for my best friend, Solange, who was having a really bad day, which was about to turn into a really bad week. Her sixteenth birthday was coming up, and we weren’t talking a new car and a pink dress for her sweet sixteen. Not in her family.

  This wasn’t much better though.

  She was standing in the middle of a field, trying to drink cheap wine and pretend she didn’t want to be anywhere but here. The music was passable but that was about all it had to recommend it. The cars were parked in a wide circle, the sun setting behind the trees with all the colors of a blood orange pulled into pieces. Practically my entire high school was here; there wasn’t much else to do on one of the last weekends before school started. People danced and flirted in a sea of baseball caps and faded denim. Someone burped loudly.

  “This was such a bad idea,” I muttered.

  Solange smiled softly, abandoning her plastic cup on the hood of someone’s rusted truck.

  “It was a nice thought.”

  “It was stupid,” I admitted. She just looked so sad lately, I’d hoped a complete change of pace might distract her from all that worrying. Instead it made me want to bare my pitifully human teeth at the rowdies. Someone’s shoe nudged my heel, and when I looked back at it, I was greeted with way too much information about the mating habits of my fellow students. I kicked hard at the boot.

  “No one needs to see that,” I said, turning away quickly before more clothing came off. The couple giggled and went deeper into the corn. I stared at Solange. “What the hell was I thinking?”

  She half grinned.

  “It is rather unlike you.”

  Darren, from my math class last year, tripped over his own feet and sprawled in the dirt in front of us before I could answer. His grin was sloppy. He was nice enough usually; in fact, he was the reason I hadn’t entirely flunked out of math. But he was drunk and desperate to fit in.

  “Hi, Lucy.” Apparently beer made him lisp. My name came out as “Loothee”—which was marginally better than my real name, which was Lucky. I had those kind of parents, but I’d made everyone at school call me Lucy since the first day of first grade.

  “Hi, Darren.”

  He blinked at Solange. Even in jeans and a tank top she looked dramatic. It was all that pale skin and those pale eyes. Her black bangs were choppy because she trimmed them herself. The rest was long and hung past her shoulders. Mine was plain old brown and cut in a wedged bob to my chin. My glasses were retro—dark rimmed and vaguely cat’s-eye shaped. I didn’t need them to see the way Darren was drooling over Solange. All guys drooled over her. She was beautiful, end of discussion.

  “Who’s your friend? She’s hot.”

  “You’ve met her before.” Solange was homeschooled, but I dragged her around when I could. “Sober up, Darren. This isn’t a good look for you.”

  “’Kay.” He spat grass out of his mouth.

  I slung my arm through hers. “Let’s get out of here. The sun’s starting to set anyway, and maybe we can salvage the rest of the night.”

  The wind was soft through the corn, rustling the stalks as we wandered away. The stars were starting to peek out, like animal eyes in the dark. We could still hear the music and the occasional shout of laughter. Twilight was starting to settle like a soft blue veil. We’d walked from my house, which was a half hour away. We’d probably waited too long. We picked up our pace.

  And then Solange paused.

  “What?” I froze beside her, my shoulders tensing until I was practically wearing them as earmuffs. I was all too aware of what could be out there. I should never have suggested this. I’d just put her into even more danger. I was an idiot.

  She held up her hand, her eyes so pale suddenly that they were nearly colorless, a ring of ice around a black lake. And because I was scared, I scowled into the gathering shadows around us. Mom always said bravado was a karmic debt I had to work through. She was basically saying I’d been mouthy and obnoxious for several lifetimes now. But somehow I didn’t think this particular situation called for a round of oms, which was my mother’s favorite way of cleansing karmic baggage. Most babies were sung lullabies; I got “Om Namah Shivaya” when I was really fussy.

  “Cops?” I suggested, mostly because they seemed like the better alternative. “They always break up these parties.”

  She shook her head. She looked delicate and ethereal, as if she were made of lily petals. Few people knew the marble all that softness concealed.

  “They’re close,” she murmured. “Watching.”

  “Run?” I suggested. “Like, right now?”

  She shook her head again, but we did at least start walking.

  “If we act like prey, they’ll act like predators.”

  I tried not to hyperventilate, tried to walk quickly but confidently, as if we weren’t being stalked. Sometimes I really hated Solange’s life. It was totally unfair.

  “You’re getting angry,” she said softly.

  “Damn right I am. Those undead bastards think they can do this to you just because—”

  “When you’re angry, your heart beats faster. It’s like the cherry on a hot fudge sundae.”

  “Oh. Right.” I always forgot that little detail. Maybe my mom was right. I nee
ded to take up meditating.

  “Lucy, I want you to run.”

  “Shut up,” I said, disbelief making my voice squeaky.

  “They’ll follow me if I run in the opposite direction.”

  “That’s the worst plan I’ve ever heard,” I grumbled, fighting the urge to look over my shoulder. Stupid creepy cornfields. Stupid creepy stalkers. A cricket sang suddenly from the tall corn and my heart nearly shot straight out of my chest. I actually pressed my hand against my rib cage, half-worried. The cricket went quiet and was replaced by the rumble of car tires on the ground. Cornstalks snapped. A familiar jeep skidded to a dusty halt in front of us.

  “Nicholas,” Solange breathed, relieved.

  “Get in,” he snapped.

  I was slightly less enamored with her older brother, but I had to admit he had good timing. In his black shirt and dark hair, he blended into the night. Only his eyes gave him away, silver and fierce. He was gorgeous, there was no use in denying it, but he always knew just how to make me want to poke him in the eye with a fork.

  Like right now.

  “Drive,” he said to their brother Logan, who was behind the steering wheel. He didn’t even wait for me to get in. Logan lifted his foot off the brake. The car rolled forward.