Blood Bonds
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Blood Bonds
Copyright © 2018 Lexi C. Foss
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book may not be redistributed to others for commercial or noncommercial purposes.
Editing by: Outthink Editing, LLC
Developmental Editing: Heart Full of Ink, Casey Harris-Parks
Cover Design: Mayflower Studio
Photographer: JW Photography & Covers
Models: Aiden & Hannah
Published by: Ninja Newt Publishing, LLC
Digital Edition
ISBN: 978-0-9993709-6-4
To Matt, for your constant understanding and support. You are my always. <3
Contents
Immortal Curse Series Order
A Note from the Author:
1. Glossary
I. Immortal Bonds
1. Blood Edict
2. Entertaining a Seraphim
3. Knives or Clothes
4. Wings with a View
5. Game of Persuasion
6. Shattering Blood Bonds
7. Bloodlines
8. What Now?
9. Protective Progeny
10. Forging New Bonds
11. Pleasurable Teamwork
II. Cursed Bonds
12. Fresh Alliances
13. Colorful Words
14. Fuck. Fate.
15. A New Partnership
16. Playing House
17. Let’s Create a Team
18. Picking the Right Path
19. A New Power Rises
20. Eternity Redefined
21. Blood Bonds
III. Shattered Bonds
22. The Beginning
Epilogue
Immortal Curse Series
Angel Bonds
Part One: Holiday Bonds
1. Stas
Acknowledgements
About Lexi C. Foss
Also by Lexi C. Foss
Immortal Curse Series Order
Book One: Blood Laws
Book Two: Forbidden Bonds
Book Three: Blood Heart
Book Four: Blood Bonds
Book Five: Angel Bonds
Book Six: Blood Seeker
Book Seven: Wicked Bonds
Book Eight: Blood King
Immortal Curse World - Short Stories & Bonus Fun
Elder Bonds
Blood Burden
Assassin Bonds
Join the Immortal Curse Discussion Group for more Immortal Curse fun!
Blood Bonds is a prequel of sorts to the Immortal Curse series. Sethios and Caro’s story answers several of the burning questions raised in the first four books, which is why Blood Bonds is listed as book five of the series.
For the best experience, I would recommend starting at the beginning, but it’s not required. If you are new to the Immortal Curse world, I’ve included a glossary with key terms and definitions. To the readers who have been with me from the beginning, you may notice a few new key terms as well. ;-)
All right, so, full disclosure: I wrote this story for myself because I craved a better understanding of key characters. However, I loved it so much that I decided to share it with my readers. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Cheers,
Lexi C. Foss
PRETERNATURAL BEINGS
Fledgling (noun): The child of a male Ichorian and a human female, who has not yet been reborn as a Hydraian; they do not typically possess supernatural or psychic gifts until their immortal rebirth.
Hydraian (noun): An immortal offspring of a male Ichorian and a human female, who possesses two supernatural or psychic gifts and does not require human blood to survive.
Ichorian (noun): An immortal being of unknown descent who possesses one supernatural or psychic gift and requires human blood to survive.
Immortal (noun): A general noun designating a being who does not age and is immune to natural human death.
Seraphim (noun): A being who belongs to the highest order of angelic hierarchy.
KEY TERMS
Arcadia: Notorious Ichorian club in New York City that also serves as the primary meeting location for the Ichorian government.
Blood Laws: A series of ordinances created by the Ichorian governing board in response to the Treaty of 1747.
Catastrophic Relief Foundation (CRF): A global humanitarian aid organization headquartered in New York City with a secret paramilitary unit designed to destroy rogue supernaturals.
Conclave: The Ichorian governing board.
Edict: A law or rule issued by the High Council of Seraph.
Elders: The original Hydraians who also serve as the Hydraian governing board.
Fated Line: Seraphim who can foresee the future.
High Council of Seraph: Seraphim governing board.
Nizari: Ancient Ichorian assassins who hunt and kill fledglings.
Nizari Poison: A green substance notorious for killing fledglings and preventing their rebirth.
Sentinel: A soldier in the CRF unit designed to slaughter rogue immortal beings.
Treaty of 1747: An armistice between Hydraians and Ichorians to cease fire and live in their designated areas. Those who opt to cross these boundaries do so at their own risk.
1
Blood Edict
Disease.
Death.
Deceit.
Devastation.
Filth, humanity, and greed littered the nightclub as obnoxious beats repeated overhead. The humans would call it music. Caro called it hell.
Why would anyone enjoy this?
At least from her perch at the back of the room, it didn’t rattle her teeth, unlike her experience on the dance floor. How those beings tolerated it, she had no idea. She preferred peace and quiet. Tranquility.
Not even ten minutes and she missed home already.
She would find Osiris, deliver the edict, and leave.
The poisoned one, as her kind called him, had lived among the humans too long and adopted his own level of greed. First, he created a bloodline of life-sucking abominations who referred to themselves as Ichorians, and then they went on to procreate with humans to create Hydraians.
Blasphemy.
She would slaughter them all if given the chance, but her superiors felt it was Osiris’s responsibility to clean up his own mess.
Fine.
Caro crossed her jean-clad legs and tapped her foot impatiently.
Her notes stated Osiris owned this pitiful establishment, and the abundance of Ichorians slithering about confirmed it. They couldn’t see or sense her as she sat in a cloud of invisibility—a trait that suited this mission. Except her quarry remained hidden, which defeated the entire purpose of being here.
The cushion beneath her shifted as someone sat far too close for her liking. She considered appearing just to tell him to fuzz off, but then he looked directly at her with bright green eyes.
“Not every day a Seraphim graces us with her regal presence,” he murmured, his gaze assessing.
Something akin to shock swept over her. Or she suspected that was it. Emotions belonged to humans.
He stretched an arm along the back of the couch, grazing her shoulder in the process. “To what do we owe the honor, Your Highness?”
“How are you doing that?” she demanded after his fingers brushed her again.
“What are you doing here?” he countered.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”
“Oh, on that we disagree.” He leaned into her personal space. “This is my territory, and you certainly don’t belong here.”
Well, that last bit was a reasonably intelligent deduction. As for the former… “How does one own a territory? Or are you referring to this dreadful place?”
His laugh vibrated their shared seat, and she found the sound oddly pleasant. Her kind did not revel in amusement often, if ever, but humans did. Except this being beside her did not possess a mortal soul, yet he didn’t appear to be Ichorian or Hydraian either. Because he saw her and touched her.
She stopped misting since it only wasted energy in his presence. “What are you?” she asked while cataloging his features. Thick brown hair, olive skin, and over six feet tall with a muscular stature that indicated he led a healthy lifestyle. His symmetrical face and square jaw would be considered handsome by those who appreciated appearance. And he had dimples when he smiled, which he was not doing now.
“Tell me why you’re here,” he said, his voice underlined with power.
The rune on her lower back flared as she responded. “I have a message for Osiris.” Her eyes widened. “How—”
“Tell me the message,” he interjected with that same underlying authority.
Her mouth slammed shut, only to reopen as the words were dragged from her throat of their own accord.
“The High Council of Seraph hereby issues the following blood edict to Osiris: Your immoral activities of late are in direct violation with your purpose on this plane. Using your gift for the afterlife to poison the blood of humanity has earned you an additional five millennia of solitude. Leniency may be granted when, and only when, you rid Earth of your abominations. Failure to do so may yield further actions from the council.”
Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, not that it mattered now. That was the entirety of the message, and she’d just delivered it to the wrong being.
“Interesting,” he mused. “Well, you can’t tell him that unless you court death.” He looked her over. “And I certainly hope that’s not the case, gorgeous.” He extended his hand. “I’m Sethios.”
She stared at the masculine fingers as they wiggled tauntingly before her. The act of shaking hands was very human. She ignored his request.
“What are you?” Her demand sounded more like a mumble behind her palm, and probably looked ridiculous.
He grinned. “Tell me your name, and I’ll answer.”
A bizarre agreement, but one she wasn’t averse to. She lowered her hand from her mouth to her lap as he dropped his own to his side. His opposite limb remained along the back of the couch where he continued to brush his fingertips against her shoulder. An odd gesture, to be sure, but not unpleasant.
“Caro,” she said. “Now tell me what you are.”
“Caro,” he repeated. She rather liked the way it sounded from his lips. “I don’t have a type classification, or at least not one that I’ve been told. What do you call the child of a Seraphim and a human?”
“An impossibility,” she replied immediately. “Seraphim only breed with other Seraphim, and only when a progeny is required. Why would one breed with a lowly species?”
“For pleasure?” he suggested.
“Of what kind?”
He seemed to be gaping at her now. “The sexual kind.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why?’ ” His tone held a note of incredulity that confused her. The answer should be obvious.
“Why would one engage in an act for sexual pleasure? It holds no intrinsic value, nor does it bear credence. Reproduction serves a solitary purpose, and a Seraphim would not choose to breed with a human. The progeny would be most unfruitful.”
He laughed again, sending a tingle down her spine.
Oh, that really is a lovely sound.
“Well, then I suppose that’s my breed. Unfruitful. Thanks for clearing that up, angel.”
“Seraphim,” she corrected. “And you’re welcome, though I’m unclear as to what I’ve improved.”
“Wow.” He shook his head, still laughing. “You’re proving all the rumors true.”
She blinked. “Rumors?”
“About Seraphim,” he explained. At her blank look, he added, “That you’re all coldhearted, stoic beings with no thought or care for humanity.”
Her brow creased. She didn’t much like that definition of her kind. “I prefer intellectual, otherworldly beings with a practical view of the world.”
“Sure, sweetheart. Whatever makes you feel better.”
An odd phrase. “It is not about feelings.”
“Because you’re all unfeeling beings.” He nodded. “Then the rumors are true.”
Her frown deepened. He clearly required more information. “Your generalization is inaccurate. There are those of my kind who do, in fact, embrace emotion out of necessity.” Only because their powers required it, of course. Most Seraphim with powers linked to humanity preferred life among the mortals as well. Caro, however, did not.
“And are you one of them?”
“No.”
“Hmm. I see.” He lifted his opposite hand and snapped his fingers.
A short Ichorian with spiky blonde hair sauntered over with a hopeful expression. “Yes, Sire?”
“Two bourbons, no ice.”
She bowed. “Of course, Sire.”
He refocused on Caro. “What am I going to do with you?” His green eyes danced over her fitted blouse and jeans, causing an uncomfortable sensation to stir over her skin. It reminded her of bathing in the sunlight for too long.
“I’m not sure I follow. What would you like to do?” Because she didn’t intend to stay long, even though his mannerisms fascinated her. Like that thumb tracing her upper arm. Why did he do that? And more importantly, why didn’t she stop him?
“Isn’t that the question of the night,” he murmured, his gaze darkening to a forest green. “Several ideas come to mind.”
“Yes?” she prompted, waiting.
But as his mouth opened, the mood in the club shifted.
She didn’t sense him so much as know Osiris was here. From the reverent gazes shifting throughout the room, she found his entrance point. A set of spiral stairs that led to a platform above. Of course. She hadn’t thought to look there.
“Stay seated,” Sethios demanded beside her. “Do not speak unless I tell you to, and do not mist.”
She bristled at his tone and his commands. Her mouth opened to give him a piece of her mind, but no sound escaped.
What is this sorcery?
No matter. She would deliver her message and be done with all of this. Except she couldn’t stand.
His words trickled through her thoughts as understanding dawned.
He’d compelled her again, just as he had when he forced her responses earlier.
How incredibly rude.
The blonde Ichorian started over with the drinks, but Sethios waved her off. Also rude. Not that she had wanted a drink, but his behavior required modification.
You will regret silencing me.
She displayed that thought with a glower that elicited a chuckle from him. “That look I’ll allow.”
Oh, when this spell wore off, she would kick his ass. Caro might not be the strongest Seraphim in existence, but her strength should outmatch his. Her bloodline of two immortals marked herself as superior to his tainted birthright.
“Sethios,” a cultured voice murmured, drawing her companion’s gaze upward to Osiris. “I thought you were leaving.”
“I thought so too,” Sethios replied.
Caro sighed in relief, happy to finally be in the presence of the one who could help her complete this distasteful mission. Except her mouth refused to cooperate again.
“What has you so distracted?” Osiris mused, his gaze trailing over Caro.
No sign of recognition.
Of course, that was the point. The council sent her because he wouldn’t know her, thus making it easier to deliver her message. Osiris had a tendency of avoiding the Seraphim who visited Earth, but he couldn’t avoid someone with an unknown identity.
Only one problem. She still wasn’t able speak.
Well, hell. This wasn’t going as expected at all.
Sethios drew his fingers up and down her arms, creating a flurry of gooseflesh in their wake. She shouldn’t enjoy that nearly as much as she did, but something about the touch felt right. And she wanted him to do it again.
More sorcery?
“Pretty, isn’t she?” Sethios murmured.
“Indeed,” Osiris replied. “Where did you find her?”
“Wandering in places she doesn’t belong.” Sethios continued that stroking while he spoke, dividing her focus between his words and the bizarre heat he was stirring inside her. She thought it might be anger at his high-handed behavior. Or something else.