Page 1 of Hunt Me

1

The Vampire King

“My life hasn’t been the same without you, my love,” Luka whispered, running his pale fingers over the ornate gold portrait frame. His other hand drifted to the ruby resting beneath his tunic. Anastasia had gifted him the necklace centuries ago, and in all the years since her death, he had never removed it. His thumb passed over the smooth stone, warmed by the constant touch of his fingers.

It had been nearly a century since he lost his beloved, but a century meant little to a heart that had never learned to live without her.

Every morning, he rolled over to find his beloved’s side of the bed, cold and untouched, devoid of the scent of sweet perfumes she spritzed on her delicate body. The mornings were dreadful, but Luka’s nights were abysmal without his queen by his side. His duties claimed the daylight, but the nights belonged only to them.

Luka would spend hours worshipping his queen’s body from head to toe, not leaving a single part of her porcelain skin untouched. His queen’s lips were as intoxicating as the most powerful witch’s spell. Her tender moans were akin to a siren luring him out of the safety of his ship into the crashing waves of the sea. He would run his fingers through her silky hair while his fangs sought refuge in the tender flesh of her neck. Queen Anastasia’s blood was as sweet as honey dripping from a honeycomb, and she provided him with his sustenance and strength. Without her, he was nothing but a shell of an immortal man.

Some days, he couldn’t find a reason to keep living. What was the point when the one person he was supposed to love for eternity was merely dust? There were times he had considered taking his own life. He daydreamed about visiting the witches and demanding a toxic elixir, or perhaps he would hand himself over to the very monsters who took his queen’s life—the vampire hunters.

Luka went on a rampage after the killing of his beloved. He cleansed the world of as many vampire hunters as possible. He was unsuccessful in ridding them all; however, his bloodlust was satisfied, and he could no longer be bothered by those barbarians.

Luka wasn’t an unreasonable man. He understood why the hunters and citizens of Night Falls loathed them. Several centuries ago, a human monarchy ruled Night Falls. Their king, King Baldas, was greatly beloved and revered by the people of Night Falls, but Night Falls had something his father, Reynard Alesi, desired.

There was a reason vampires had coveted Night Falls. The sun ruled its skies for approximately six hours before darkness reclaimed the land for the remaining eighteen. It was freedom. Here, vampires could work, wander, and live without spending half their existence hiding from the sun.

Once King Baldas was defeated, King Reynard created an open-door policy for all vampires. The humans were defenseless against them, and several of them lost their lives. Once they realized the state of their homeland, most humans fled in a mass exodus, seeking a new home and a decent chance of survival.

“Your Grace, your advisors are waiting for you in the grand meeting room,” one of Luka’s servants announced, drawing him out of his painful reminiscing. He heaved a sigh at the thought of being torn away from his love. Her largest portrait hung in the ballroom because she loved the dance. Queen Anastasia would dance the night away if he let her. “Queen Anastasia was lovely, and to this day, we feel her loss,” the servant said before bowing and taking his leave.

“Duty calls, my love. Until we see each other again,” Luka whispered, lingering for one final glance before sweeping from the grand ballroom.

He immediately tensed when he entered the meeting room. His most trusted advisor and friend, Lord Ezra Gustafson, was present. He was supposed to be on a diplomatic trip in Moonshire, and wasn’t slated to return for a fortnight. The solemn look on Ezra’s face told him everything he needed to know—this was clearly an ambush.

The advisors stood and bowed when he entered the room, showing him proper respect and reverence, primarily out of fear of being thrown into the dungeon and subjected to horrific torture. “Please be seated,” Luka ordered gruffly, taking his seat.

He shifted uncomfortably in his throne-like chair, waiting for the meeting to commence. Yet from the furtive glances each of his advisors threw at each other, it was clear no one wanted to be “that” person.

“You all called this meeting. It must’ve been crucial, seeing how Lord Gustafson cut his trip short. Get on with it.”

“Very well. To update you, the diplomatic summit in Moonshire is going as well as expected. We should be reaching a resolution with the werewolves upon my return.”

“Quit stalling,” Luka barked.

“Right. It is with a heavy heart that I must say, in a week, it will be a full century since Queen Anastasia was cruelly ripped from us.” Luka cleared his throat and forced his attention on the scrolls before him. He could’ve gone without the reminder. “Unfortunately, her untimely death has left the kingdom without an heir and possibly a leadership change.”

“What is this madness you speak of?” Luka growled, slamming his fists on the table so violently that the other vampires around the table jumped in their seats.

“King Alesi, it is but a fact that you have no kin or heirs who would take the throne if you are struck down, leaving the land susceptible to an invasion and an establishment of a new hierarchy. Yes, the summit is faring well with Prince Lykaon, but if the opportunity presented itself, I’m sure he would make a move.”

Luka took a moment to absorb the information. “What is your point?”

“It is time to move on and find a new queen.”

Luka’s hand instinctively closed around the ruby and his eyes ticked to every guilt-stricken face in the room. Those who were wise chose not to make eye contact with him.

Luka threw his head back and laughed heartily while slapping the sturdy oak table with a hand. The advisors exchanged puzzled looks as tears slipped from his eyes.

“My word!” he exclaimed after finally composing himself. You are a hilarious bunch, indeed! While I appreciate our brief moment of madness to distract me from my present sorrows, we must get down to business. Lord Gustafson, please state the purpose of this meeting.”

Lord Gustafson briefly hesitated, wishing someone else had to deliver the news, but as Luka’s highest-ranking and most trusted advisor, it was up to him to step up to the plate. “As previously stated, you need an heir, and I wish there were another way, but you must take a queen.”

The room grew colder when the amused expression on Luka’s face fell. In a heartbeat, the advisors felt chills run down their spines, and a few considered taking their chances with the sun rather than endure the king’s punishment.

“Is everyone in agreement with Lord Gustafson’s assessment?” Luka asked, his tone dripping with contempt. His eyes narrowed at the men surrounding the table. In that moment, they were no longer his trusted confidants.