Crimson River by Wulfshard (bts books to read txt) 📕

"Thanks..."
"Are you okay Vince? You've been distracted all weekend."
"I wasn't feeling well."
His father reached over and snagged his wrist. The bite marks had become irritated, so Vince had reopened them to clean them out.
"Did you reopen this?"
"Yes. I thought it was infected."
"The wounds don't get infected. Was it swollen and red?"
"Yes."
His father knelt down. "Have you had any dreams about her?"
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. "No. She's not bonded me to her."
"Good. But I'm guessing that won't last?"
"Who says?" Vince tried his hardest to make his tone believably angry.
But his father pointed at the list. "That says so. There isn't anything to hunt a werewolf or vampire in that list. Not even a damn cross. You either didn't think about it because the truce right now or that isn't for school."
"How-"
John closed the door and came to stand in front of his son. "Your mother and Aria have bad history, Vince. I know the signs. She's still blood letting to get that same sensation. She still wakes up at night screaming in agony, or crying over what could have been or was. Aria didn't willing leave her Coven; because of your mother's blood line, her master told her to stop feeding from her or he'd kill Sam - and possibly Aria. They both tried really hard, but the bond was there. Your mother refused to break it - still does, even when Aria tries through her dreams."
Vince's mouth dropped open, "They're bonded?!"
"Yes. Vampires can have several at a time, but for some reason Aria never took another one. She lost her home, her true love and sometimes I think her sanity. She's always alone in her home. She never bothers other vampires, or changes humans. That's the Born way of doing things - the modern way. It isn't her way. You have to be very careful with her."
Hope fluttered in his chest. "You mean -"
He sighed, looking uncomfortable. "Who offered?"
"I did."
"What did she say?"
He shrugged. "She wasn't happy about it at first. Then today she came back and said alright, but only if...only if I live with her."
The look of pain in his father's eyes was clear. "What about hunting? Did she say you had to stop hunting?"
He scoffed. "No. Aria isn't like that. She even offered to help me hunt."
"Did she mention another person?"
"Yes. Her master. She said that she couldn't get away from him even out of the coven."
"I don't think she's willingly -"
"I know, dad, but...I can't stop thinking about her. There aren't any dreams. I just like her - not her fangs, but Aria."
Maybe he'll let me, and talk to mom about it!

For a time there was silence. It was clear his father didn't really agree to this. But slowly, the man let out a deep breath and said quietly. "I'll make sure your mother doesn't suspect what you're doing. The Association won't care even if they find out, so long as you're hunting other beasts. They can't do anything like fire you because of your blood line and the fact that the government will nail them for it."
"What will you say to mother?"
"That you've decided your ready to move on. Hunter children rarely stay with their families as long as you have. Andy left at twelve."
"But he's -"
"It wasn't like he wasn't ready. That was just a really bad time to leave. I left at fourteen and look at me. Your sister left last year."
"I'll visit often, and stay in school. I promise that."
"So long as you keep your grades up I won't come after Aria. But the first time I get a call about slipping grades -"
"Alright. I'll keep them up."
"Pack well, son. Make sure you know where everything

is. And be careful not to trust her too much."
"She's still a vampire, right?"
"Well, yes."
Vince began to pack carefully as his father opened the door to head out. The young hunter looked up, making his father pause. "I...uh...won't be coming home from school tomorrow."
"That soon, huh?"
"Yes."
John gave a single nod, stepped through the door and shut it quietly. A few minutes later he heard his mother begin to cry, and his father telling her she couldn't say goodbye.

In the bright sunlight of late afternoon the mansion Aria called home was amazing. The pictures of the Victorian style home were far off; the vampire had remodeled in the three years they'd been away. It was more modern in style, though it still said 'I have old tastes, deal with it'. The building was several stories, with almost no windows but made of brick and stone. There was no gate, no cameras - what did a vampire need of them? But the front yard alone was about as big as his house, and decorated with sand, rocks and pounds - a rock garden, in the front yard!
On the largest stone a black wolf with humanistic eyes watched him like stone; cold and full of hate, the amber eyes followed the nervous boy as he walked up the cobbled path. Vince paused to examine him. It was too large to be a normal wolf, and Aria, like most vampires, didn't seem to like animals much.
"Is she home?" Vince asked quietly. The wolf leaped from the rock to stand beside the hunter. It nodded. "Is she awake, or are you my guide today?"
The huge animal stood and began to walk up the path with careful paws. Vince followed warily. Even under Aria's control, the beast was dangerous at best. The inside was just as astounding. It was clear that the vampire was just as wealthy as most of her kind. Plush carpets with expensive black leather furniture lined the many rooms, while the halls and stairs were smoothed limestone.
There were no windows. The few sources of light there were had been turned off. The only sound was the echo of his lone stops upon the stone and carpet. The paws of his escort made no sound at all. It wasn't easy to relax in a dark, empty house being guided by a black wolf the size of a lion.
His guide stopped in the kitchen. It was granite counters, basalt floors and stainless steel utensils. A single plate of food so expensive Vince didn't know what it was. The wolf nudged Vince toward the food. When the boy set down his stuff by his chair it was snatched by his beastly butler and taken away.
How does she live in such a large home all alone? Where are the maids and help that almost every vampire who ever lived in her times always has?

His unease prevented the boy from enjoying the meal much. It felt strange to eat alone in a large house. His entire life he'd been surrounded by friends, family and other hunters in small areas. He couldn't remember a meal filled with people and some emotion; celebration, anger, disappointment, sorrow - something, anything. The house felt as cold and lifeless as the materials it was made from.
A slight growl made him jump. The wolf had returned. He finished the food hastily and continued with the wolf up more stairs, into a large bathing room. Sitting on a smooth, well-made tile was a three-person hot tub, a toilet that heated itself and a shower that could fit at least four people in without cramping. Above the hot tub was an L.D big screen TV; it looked like it somehow rotated. It wasn't on right now, and before Vince could explore he was urged into the shower.
It feels like I'm a peasant being prepared to meet royalty.

But at least in here the water was hot. There was expensive soap, conditioner and shampoo. Even though the shower had the feel of a hotel shower used for the first time he was still able to melt in the amazing, steaming shower. When he was done, high-dollar towels and clothing were set out for him. His little wolf escort was nowhere in sight, making it easier to put on the brand new clothing. At least it was closer to his style than what his folks could afford.
Seriously, though. The more I think about it the more I feel like I'm being prettied up to meet somebody better than me!

Then he was brought into a huge room. The floor was the best carpet he'd ever felt. There was a wall of weapons meant to kill everything but vampires and werewolves - all the most expensive, best stuff. The adjacent wall was a glass door leading to a balcony with a wonderful view of the forest behind Aria's manor. The wall next to it was literally a wall of books. They were on history of several cultures, the many races in mythology and nightmares and weapons. Each were categories, but none were fictional. The room's bed was elm-framed. It was a canopy bed, too, with red blankets and black sheets. Across from it was a huge TV with a PlayStation three, an Xbox 360 Kinetic and cable. The ceiling dangled real animal bones - which put him in awe as much as it gave him the creeps.
Who's room is this? I mean, damn...

"Do you like it?" Aria's voice made him whirl around so fast it almost gave him whiplash. Her crimson eyes showed the amusement that always flashed when they met like this...which was apparently going to happen a lot. "I made sure it was all moved in this morning."
They knew I was coming...that's not creepy at all!

"I-it's awesome."
Her smile showed him fangs. "Excellent. Did you enjoy your shower? And the meal? I wasn't sure what to do to help a human boy relax. It's been a long time since I tried to entertain anybody at all..."
There was a hint of sorrow and regret in those words.
"It's a little hard for me to relax in a new house. I'm sorry."There was a pause. Aria was watching him carefully. "Wait...is this my room?"
She laughed. "Oh, yes, Vince. This will be the only room you'll have to invite me into. Just remember that, and stay in here when I'm hungry and you're unable or unwilling to give blood."
It was the second reminder that he was here for her. The prospect of willingly letting that pain rake his body over and over again suddenly seemed daunting.
"Vince...I'll give you one more chance to back away from this." She sounded almost hesitant to say this. "But I cannot guarantee that I will keep away. I know it's