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There are two classes of slayer. One lives in a territory, learns the major players, and keeps track of who comes and goes. The idea is that they can spot a problem before humans die. It wasn’t necessary for the vampires and wolves who were managed by responsible Masters and Alphas to be monitored, but for the loner species like tigers and snakes, this approach probably saved human lives. Also, in the territories with irresponsible Masters and Alphas, the slayers absolutely saved lives by heavily monitoring activities and taking out any vampire or shapeshifter who went after humans.
These slayers were frightening to be around, but not even close to the ones known as executioners. The top assassin-slayers, those brought in only to kill and not to monitor, were rumored to be able to go anywhere, at any time. I’d been with my old Master once, in his outer chamber, for a meeting, and turned to see a slayer in there with us. He’d killed my Master’s fourth strongest, and the slayer had managed to send an unsaid message while he did so — if I needed to kill any of you, I could easily do so. He’d beheaded the vampire, broken a window, and left in under two seconds. We still had no idea how he got in, though we clearly knew how he exited. We also didn’t know his name.
Ryan, on the other hand, was well known amongst vampirekind. In fact, we’d named him Death. His face was shared telepathically when vampires spoke of him, so others would recognize him on sight. The lore around him said if he was sent to kill someone, they nearly always died. It was why Griffin, Rinaldo, and Nero had maintained residences in other realms and only come to this one when they needed to be seen, and why there was never a schedule. Even Death can’t kill you if you aren’t on the planet.
“Ryan isn’t officially the slayer for the territory,” Josef told me. “Our understanding is that he took it upon himself to police the area a few years after Abbott moved his people in, around the time Drake Security, headed by Aaron Drake and Nathan Pierce, became a military powerhouse — and Ryan’s overseers didn’t argue. It’s believed he moved to Chattanooga because it became a hotbed of leaders, but no one knows for sure where he lives. He keeps close tabs on the city, and the official slayer over the portion of Tennessee east of the Cumberland Plateau does not seem to. It’s as if he’s been relieved of his duties for our city, though I’ve seen the paperwork saying he’s still the responsible Slayer. Unofficially, Ryan seems to be the de facto sub-territory slayer, and yet, he still takes on jobs around the planet.”
“Josef is correct,” Marco said, “that if you aren’t certain you can pass Ryan’s scrutiny, it’s probably best you don’t make the move to Chattanooga. Please speak with me in private in the coming days if you have concerns. I can either send you to another of the cities in my territory, or I can help you find another Master to oath to.”
Chapter 3
Etta
When the meeting was over, Marco asked me to follow him to his office. “You’ll need a new identity when we move. Is there a name you’d prefer?”
“Nothing cute.”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t let them give you a cutesie name.”
“I doubt there are many people out there named Maleficent, so that one’s probably out.”
His eyebrows pulled together. I’d concerned him. Again. “You don’t have to be the dreaded one this time, Etta.”
“You just gave me one of your vampires.” I turned to Leesa, who’d crawled on all fours behind me, as ordered, and was kneeling just inside the door. She was terrified, and for good reason — she’d probably rise once, but it was doubtful she’d manage to rise two evenings unless I took steps to keep her alive. “We’ve talked about the necessity of properly introducing me to the coterie.” I told Marco, and met his gaze again. “I knew I’d find someone in need of punishing; their fear always calls to me. We both know that every vampire in every state of your territory will hear about Leesa in the coming days. I can’t be just another vampire in your coterie.”
I can see most vampire’s darkest fears just by looking them in the eye. The weakest, I don’t even need eye contact. The strongest, I need to touch — skin-on-skin.
When Marco blood-bound me, I lost the ability to see his deepest fears, but I knew him before he became powerful. I already knew every one of his fears. It didn’t matter though, because he had enough control to keep from being afraid. He knew the trick — I only have power over those who fear me.
He stepped closer to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “We’ll figure it out. You are going to be just another vampire in my coterie. Kendra made friends. You will as well.” He looked at Leesa, started to say something else, but seemed to change his mind. “The slayer will have heard your reputation. Be prepared for contact. Don't try to attack him if he shows up in a supposedly secure area. He enjoys doing so.”
“Just shows up?”
He nodded. “Abbott believed he did it as a passive threat, as if making sure supernaturals know the big-bad slayer can get to us when we think we’re safe and secure. I’m told he hasn’t made it into the lower levels of the coterie house, but he’ll be able to come into your office at TBC.”
“Can I see his image?”
He closed his eyes, opened a larger telepathic conduit, and I saw his memories of the man. As with all slayers, Ryan looked ordinary. Neither tall nor short, with dirty blond hair one might just as easily call light brown. I couldn’t pick his eye color up in Marco’s memory, which wasn’t surprising. I expected they would be brown. Nothing about the slayer would make anyone remember him.
Vampires with my particular gift either go crazy or turn dark. Marco and I were approaching a thousand years old. To my knowledge, I’m the oldest known vampire with my talent who isn’t either locked away, enslaved, or in charge of her own territory. I could be a Master if I wished, but I don’t want that kind of power or responsibility.
And I’ve held the madness off for so long, it’s a habit.
I met Marco’s gaze. “You made me a promise three centuries ago. I’ve held on only because of your vow. I know you’ll do everything you can to uphold it, but if we fail, I release you.”
“We won’t fail, Etta. You are not going to be my Maleficent. Kendra doesn’t have your talents, but she helped Abbott rule his territory with a combination of compassion and fear. We can make this work.”
“Compassion?” I let the word roll around in my brain. I still had compassion for Marco, and for a few others who’d helped me that first century, but it was hard for me to have it with anyone I’d met later.
“An assignment,” he said. “The guard just outside this room is one of the good guys. It’s safe for you to allow him not to fear you. Go talk to him, find his greatest fear, and then try to find a way to make him not as afraid of it. Don’t use it against him, help him with it.”
I turned to look at Leesa, and then looked back to Marco. He wanted me to make friends while I walked with the vampire slave he’d just gifted me crawling behind me? I’d likely drink her down and kill her the following day, but if I wanted to turn her into my personal valet, or a sex slave, or a well-behaved pet, or anything else, I could.
“I’ll walk her to your room,” Marco told me. “This is an assignment, Etta. Not a request.”
“I understand. Is he coming to Chattanooga with us?”
Marco nodded. “Yes. Go.”
