Unforgivable Chapters 1-3

7/30/2019 Unforgivable Chapters 1-3

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UNFORGIVABLE

CHAPTER ONE

Marie Martin typed steadily on her PC keyboard, and glanced at the clock while shefinished editing her interview with New York City mayor, Donald Perez. She pulled a face

when she noticed the time, and scrolled the arrow on the monitor, clicking the save icon at the

top left corner of the screen.

This was her first exclusive since promoted to reporter, and she wanted it flawless

before it hit the press in the morning. She didnt feel as if she had to prove anything to herself,after all, she received a Masters Degree in Journalism from Brown University a year prior,

and had the potential to become an brilliant correspondent. She was the executive editor of the

Universitys campus newspaper, The Bear, and interned for three years at The Herald, beforeapplying at The New York Weekly.

Although she had the education and skill to back up her qualifications of being a

journalist, she chose to start out on the ground floor, and advance slowly. Her father,

Maryland Congressman Reginald Martin, became upset at the announcement she had gotten a

job as a copy editor, and kindly offered to pull a few strings for his only child to jump starther journalistic career. Marie declined the proposal. Not wanting the label spoiled brat, she

accomplished her goal without resorting to her fathers help. Marie attached the report to her

e-mail and forwarded it to the copy room, then rubbed her eyes tiredly and turned off themonitor.

She pulled out the top desk drawer, removed her tote and handbag and strode to the

door. It was late, but she wanted to get a run in before she made the long trip back to her

apartment in Midtown. A charity marathon shed signed up for was only a week away and she

hadnt had the time to devote herself due to her latest assignment. If she didnt prepare, shedmake a fool out of herself and that wouldnt be good for her fathers image. She could see the

headlines now: CONGRESSMANS DAUGHTER FALLS ON FACE AFTER THIRTY-SIX

MILE CHARITY RUN.

When she was halfway out into the hall, the phone on the desk rang. She scurried backin, throwing her tote and handbag aside before scooping up the receiver.

Hello? she asked, out of breath.

Hey, kiddo, her father said, concerned. Everything all right?

Marie sat on the edge of the desk and twirled the phone cord with her index finger.

Yeah, Dad, I was just running out the door. Whats up?


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Nothing, her father said. I havent heard from you in a while and wanted to see how

you were, you know, make sure youre happy and healthy and what not. Didnt mean to catch

you at a bad time. Are you in a rush?

Marie looked at the clock.

Well actually, Dad, Im heading to Central Park for a quick jog before it gets too late.

Maries father clucked his tongue on the other end of the line.

Marie, are you insane? he scolded. All kinds of crazies are out and about this late at

night. You can get mugged, or worse, raped.

Marie rolled her eyes. Since her mother died of a heart attack two years earlier, her

father treated her like glass.

Dad, Ill be fine. Its just for half an hour. Ill run the trail across from Arthur Ross

Pinetum, right next to the police precinct, so dont worry.

Her father sighed. I still dont think its safe. If you insist, at least let me callCongressman Allen. Hes in New York for a congressional meeting and I can arrange for one

of his bodyguards to escort you. I dont want you out there alone.

Marie gripped the phone tight and clenched her jaw. No, Dad. I dont want to hang

around here and wait for a bodyguard. Ill catch a cab, take a run and go home. I promise Illcall you the minute I get there, okay?

All right, Marie, he relented. I still dont like it, but I guess I cant talk you out of it.You be careful and call me the second you get home, understand?

Marie laughed. I promise, worry wart. Now let me go so I can get the hell out of here.

Okay, I love you sweetheart.

Marie smiled. I love you, too, Dad. Bye, she said, and hung up.

* * *

Marie puffed hard and sprinted across Rumsey Playfield, taking a short cut by The

Sheep Meadow Caf. She'd planned to run by the police precinct, originally, but decided to

jog the circle around Central Park South, cutting her time in half by not having to stop at theend of the street, turn and then go the opposite way every time.

Rounding the corner by Strawberry Fields, she locked her eyes on Tavern on the Green

coming up ahead, then noticed something stir in the bushes along the edge of the trail.

Squinting into the darkness, she slowed down to a trot. The hedge line directly beside hermoved and a dark form walked through to the other side. Quickly, she took off running again,

and cut over to the road beside Sheep Meadow to the Dairy Visitor Center a few meters away.


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When she reached the Center entrance, she stopped, then leaned over and placed her hands on

her knees to catch her breath.

Rustling movements sounded in the bushes beside a lamppost to the left of the entrance

and a shadowy figure stepped out and paused. A tight knot formed in the pit of Maries

stomach, and she abruptly stood up, frantically examining her surroundings for a way toescape. Loud footsteps pounding on pavement came closer; Marie pursed her lips and turned

in the opposite direction, planting the soles of her tennis shoes firmly on the asphalt for bettertraction.

The figure emerged from the shadows and stopped directly underneath the lamppost.Marie let out a relaxed sigh when a scruffy looking teenage boy stared innocently with large

dark eyes.

Poor thing, Marie thought as she ran her eyes over his pitiful appearance. Oversized,

ragged clothes hung loosely off a skeletal frame. Filthy army boots, jut from underneath mud-

caked jeans, with a hole in the toe, exposing a dingy sock. Casually, the boy reached out,

wrapped a hand around the lamppost base and tossed a mop of unkempt, long black hair overhis shoulder.

You scared the shit out of me, kid, she said, mildly scolding him. Its not a good idea

roaming out here all alone. Lots of drug addicts come here at night and Im sure theywouldnt think twice about roughing you up if they thought you had some money.

The teenager shrugged and pulled a cigarette pack out of his pants pocket. He poppedone in his mouth, and lit it, then let out a steady stream of smoke.

The aloof manner suddenly dinged Maries radar. Whats your name, kid? Are you

with someone? she asked, glancing behind him.

The boy grinned wickedly.

My name isnt important. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it with

his heel. Ive been waiting for you. He lifted off the light pole.

A tingling shot of adrenaline pumped through Marie, causing the hairs on her body to

stand on end. She told her herself to remain calm and smiled wide. Really? Well, Im afraid

Im in a bit of a hurry. My drivers waiting just around the corner at the zoo, she lied,pointing up the street. He gets real temperamental if he stays out late, she laughed tensely.

I guess its hard to find good help these days. Are you hungry? I can run ahead and have my

driver come back and bring you something to eat. Marie turned her body again.

The boy slowly walked over and stopped a few inches from her. Marie peered out of thecorner of her eye, then did a double take. Eerie, slanted crystal blue eyes with thin vertical

pupils glowed in the dim light. She repositioned her footing on the pavement and bent her

knees slightly, transferring her body weight, and then pushed off. The boy waved a hand,

freezing her legs. Hysterically, Marie pulled at them, and glanced over her shoulder again,


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whimpering when the boy eased up behind her. The boy snapped his fingers, releasing her and

spun her around.

Im sorry, he said, shaking his head, slowly. "You cant leave.

With a swift woosh a long clawed hand clamped over Marie's mouth and squeezed her

cheeks together.

Marie moaned and grabbed his fingers, trying to pry them from her face.

Shh, the boy said, placing a long finger over his lips. Be calm.

Marie nodded obediently, and put her hand down. The boy let go and draped an arm

around her waist. She took in a long gulp of air, then let it out slow and focused on his face.

Her eyes widened at large veins pulsing under translucent skin, pushing tiny bubbles of milkywhite flesh above the surface. Cat-like eyes glistened and narrowed evilly. The boy smiled

and ran a long tongue over sharp pointed teeth curving from underneath his top lip to just

above his chin. Marie bunched a hand over her quivering lips, then quickly removed it.

Look, she said, voice cracking. My fathers very important. Youll be in a world of

shit if you hurt me, so be smart and let me walk away. I wont say a word and well forget thishappened.

The boy laughed. I have no intention of letting you go, he said, and tweaked her nose,

playfully. You see, you have something I need. Something veryprecious.

Please, dont hurt me, she begged. My father will give you anything you want. Hes

rich. Ill call him right now. Pleasejust let me go.

The boy brought his hand back, and slapped Marie hard across the face, snapping her

head back. . Marie screamed and instinctively, placed a hand over her cheek, then whippedher head back around.

The boy pulled it away and moved in closer, leveling his eyes with Maries terrifiedones.

Now you listen, he said, pointing in her face. Theres no way I can let you go, so

dont ask again. Ill take what I need and if you dont resist, Ill make it as painless as

possible. However, you fight, I promise, youll suffer. Understand?

Marie began to cry.

The boy cupped her chin, and slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze.

What do you need? she asked, lips trembling.


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The boy curled a hand in Marie's hair and crushed his mouth onto hers, nipping her

bottom lip. Small trickles of blood oozed between Maries lips, spreading the faint taste of

rust inside her mouth. She groaned painfully, and pushed against his chest.

The boy pulled back, and put his mouth next to her ear.

Your blood, he whispered, coiling his fingers tighter in her hair. I need your blood.

Marie shrieked as sharp nails dug into her scalp, holding her still. The boys free hand

latched around her throat, pinching off her air. Maries face reddened; her eyes bulged andswelled when the grasp closed tighter around her windpipe.

With a hard push, he slammed her head to the side and thrust his fangs into her, then

pulled back, ripping a string of flesh from her neck. A spray of blood shot out, dousing his

face and hair. He closed his eyes against the stream, and let the sticky warm blood fill his

mouth.

Maries eyes rolled back and her body went limp while she drifted in and out ofconsciousness. When she collapsed in the boys arms, he released his grip slightly and

repositioned his fangs deeper. The blood flow dwindled and he pulled back, pressing her head

harder, detaching it with a loud pop.

The boy plunged his face into the bloody stump, bouncing Maries half decapitated

head morbidly against her shoulder. He hugged her close, drinking every drop till there wasnothing left. With a fierce sling, he threw Maries withered body to the ground. Quickening

fire spiked through his body when the blood entered his system. He staggered over to the light

post and leaned against it, while searing spasms contracted and roiled in his abdomen. A sharppain jabbed his gut, he doubled over and vomited, spewing a jet of blood onto the pavement.

The boy cupped his hand and heaved into it, then brought it up to his mouth and slurpedloudly.

Stinging needles pierced his veins with shards of electric jolts; he fell to the ground,

writhing in agony. Maries blood took over and engulfed his senses; he closed his eyes and letit envelope him.

Time stood still while he drifted on a pillow of air and plummeted into an immense

abyss, soaring through an ocean of space into the past. Flashes of images collided in his head,

going back hundreds of years, then slowly subsided when his body relaxed and settled. The

boy opened his eyes and glanced down.

He was dressed in a luxurious sequined green silk gown, sitting on an elaborate throneinside a woman, silently observing through her eyes. A crowd cheered below and he raised his

eyes to a high platform with great pyre in the middle of a medieval town square. Two men in

shackles and chains were shuffled through the crowd toward the platform. One dressed in arobe with holy emblems, the other, a commoner in rags, were led up and tied to wooden

stakes in the center of the pyre.


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Screams from the maddened crowd roared over the square while the men were secured

to the stakes. The men thrashed and cursed, then fell silent when an executioner lit a huge

torch. Pausing, with his body bent halfway over the wood pile, the executioner glanced up atthe boy, and waited for the command to light the fire.

The boy placed a hand on the rail in front of him and stood. Pointing a jeweled finger atthe men, he nodded to a magistrate at the edge of the platform. The magistrate bowed and

walked to the center. He held up a hand to hush the crowd, then unrolled a scroll and turned tothe prisoners.

The Holy Roman Catholic Tribunal has found you, John Rogers and you, ThomasCranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, guilty of heresy and treason against our queen, Mary I of

England. Punishment for your crimes is death by being burned at the stake, in accordance

with Roman Catholic law. The magistrate rolled up the scroll and placed it under his arm.Do you wish to confess and ask God to forgive your blasphemy? The men spat on the

ground, and the magistrate stepped back in repulsion. He turned and signaled the executioner

to proceed.

May God have mercy on your souls, he said and made the sign of the cross in the air

with his index and middle fingers. The executioner lit the woodpile and flames instantlyspiraled and encircled the mens bodies, arching high in curling halos of orange and red.

Torrid heat rose and crackled, carrying the rancid odor of burning skin and hair up to

the tier. The boy shielded his face from the blast of foul-smelling cinders with his forearm,

and peered over it. Blood curling screams rang out amid the sweltering flames. The men

bodies, now orange fiery lumps, twisted inside the inferno, disintegrating their clothes,expanding scorched skin, sizzling body fluids seeping through cracks of splitting tissue.

Melting flesh bubbled and liquefied, blackening the bones underneath with intense heat. The

lower half of the mens burned remains crumbled into the fire, leaving only charred torsoschained to the wooden stakes.

The boy felt himself pull away, free falling back into darkness and transporting through

the vast tunnel. His mind slammed into his body lying on the pavement in the park. He

opened his eyes and tried to sit up, then winced and lay back down. Churning cramps roiled in

his stomach; he bunched into a ball to relieve the pain. Something came up beside him; hejerked his head up, and opened his eyes halfway to a blurred head shaped outline looming in

his face.

Its all right, a gravelly voice said, gently rolling him over onto his back. The pain is

temporary. It will pass soon. Your body needs to adapt to drinking human blood again.

The boy grabbed the head by the nape of the neck and pushed up on his elbow. A rough

skinned hand lightly wrapped around his wrist and pulled it down. You mustnt try to standup, master, the voice said, softly. Youre still very weak. Lucifer will be pleased when I tell

him youve successfully obtained the first of the transfusions. Youve done well. Ill take you

back to Lucifer to rest, and when you awaken, youll be refreshed, ready to find the others andreplenish your body with their powerful blood.


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The boys eyesight cleared and the face of an ugly demon came into view. He widened

his eyes in surprise and drew back, then leaned in closer, darting over its features with a

mixture of repugnance and curiosity. Green scaly skin reflected the dim light overhead, givingthe creature a metallic sheen. Its knobby skull, covered with small sharp spines was wide at

the base, and thinned out just above the cheekbones, narrowing to a fine point at the top.

Orange-red slanted eyes blinked rapidly, and holes in the center of its face, flexed, like gillswhen it breathed. Wafer thin lips, smiled devilishly, and stretched over serrated teeth.

Who are you? the boy asked, confused.

The creature laughed. My name is Abdon. Im your servant, he said and patted theboys shoulder with a clawed hand.

Abdon rose to his feet and fluttered bat-like wings before spreading them out. He stooped

over and carefully lifted the boy into his arms.

Ill take care of you, master, he said, clutching him close, then he lifted into the air

and disappeared into the night.


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CHAPTER TWO

Sydni Taylor bolted upright in bed when her cell phone rang on the nightstand.

Automatically, she grabbed it, then let out a groan and punched the pillow beside her.

Taylor here, she said, groggily when she answered. She rubbed her eyes with the backof her hand and glimpsed at the clock beside her, mentally logging the time, a habit when shereceived the familiar late night wake up calls.

Wakey, wakey, compadre of mine, the ever cheerful voice of her partner, DerrickEverett, sang into the phone.

Sydni pulled a face. Derrick was one of those fortunate individuals who didnt require

much sleep. Years of living the life as a homicide detective turned him into an insomniac and

the endless supply of caffeine he ingested was all the sustenance his body needed.

Sydni jerked the covers back, and threw her legs over the side of the bed.

Quit playing around, Derrick. Im on vacation. Just because you dont have a life,

doesnt mean the rest of human society doesnt.

Hey, Derrick said, mocking insult. Is that any way to talk to your partner? How do

you know I wasnt calling to tell you how much I love you? he teased, making kissingsounds into the phone.

Sydni snorted. Shut up!

Derrick snickered. Sorry. Thought Id change it up a bit, you know, make you think it

was a social call instead of the usual two oclock in the morning get your ass outta bed wevegot a stiff greeting. Did it work? he asked, hopeful.

Oh, like a charm, Sydni said, cynically. You know how I adore being awakened in

the middle of the night, and your different approaches of making sure I get no rest at all areabsolutely ingenious. Tell me, Derrick, do you enjoy torturing me? Sydni didnt know why

she got angry when called in. It wasnt as if people chose to be murdered, or checked her

schedule, making every attempt to commit crime between the hours of nine am and five pm.

Maybe it was because technically, she was always on the clock. The overflowing

population of creeps, scumbags and deranged assholes inhabiting The Big Apple didnt takeinto consideration even Godtook a day of rest, leaving Sydni to believe they all banded

together and formed a secret pact to commit crimes when it interrupted her slumber.

Look, I said I was sorry, Derrick said, ruefully. Anyway, youll get plenty of sleep

when youre dead. But until that day comes, my sweet little chickadee, youll just have to

suck it up, and deal with it. They dont call it The City That Never Sleeps for nothing,meaning if the bad guys dont sleep, we dont sleep. So, quit bellyaching and get your ass

up! Weve got a real beauty tonight, and I know you wont want to miss out on this one, he

said.


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Where? Sydni asked.

Central Park South, Derrick said, becoming serious. A civilian walking his dog

spotted a dead body by The Visitors Center. He ran all the way up to Summit Rock and

flagged down the nearest flatfoot. Poor bastard forgot about the emergency call boxes

scattered all over the park. It took the patrolman a while to calm the witness and to speakclearly, and when asked where the body was located, he passed out cold. Two officers drove

to the scene, when they arrived, they discovered somethingunusual.

What do you mean?

Derrick breathed a sigh into the phone. Look, you know I dont contribute to any

mumbo jumbo bullshit, but, he hesitated. This isnt your normal, run of the mill, homicide.Honestly, I wasnt going to call, Ni Ni, he said, calling her by the nickname he'd given her.

I mean it, I was going to team up with Green and leave you out of it. But when I arrived and

saw the victim, he said, and cleared his throat. Lets just say this kinda thing is right up your

alley.

That bad, huh?

Yeah, Derrick confirmed. That bad.

Whos on scene?

Me, Green, Shelton, a few uniformed officers collecting evidence and the coroner,

Rachel Barnes. Weve been here for a few hours; not a lot of evidence but some, Derricksaid, filling her in. Rachels fixing to photo and tag the body. Better get down here while its

stillfresh.

Ill be right there, Sydni said, and snapped her cell phone shut. She threw it on the

bed and pulled off her night shirt, then reached for a bra hanging on the bedpost and slipped it

on, hooking it from the back. A pair of jeans and a crumpled sweatshirt lying at the foot of thebed was the closest outfit handy so she hastily put them on and walked to the bathroom.

Brushing through her chestnut colored hair roughly, she pulled it back into a ponytail

and secured it at the nape of her neck. After getting a good look at herself in the mirror, she

grimaced and stuck out her tongue. Small red blotches dotted her sepia skin, spreading across

her face and down her neck. She rubbed her wheat colored eyes with the back of her hand andopened them wide. Red-rimmed, blood shot and puffy, they made her look older than her

twenty-seven years.

Finishing up, she grabbed her gun, badge and car keys and headed for her 2002 Crown

Vic in the parking garage of her apartment building. She turned right out of Hells Kitchen

and onto 42nd street toward Times Square, heading to Central Park.

Viewing mutilated murder victims really didnt bother Sydni. In law enforcement, a

hard heart and strong stomach was essential, and she learned to adopt professional

disassociation to solve a case. But the way Derrick referred to the murder scene as mumbo


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jumbo made her uneasy. Derrick was an excellent detective by his own right, hed seen just

about every violent act inflicted upon a victim, and his keen skills and expertise was

unmatched.

Sydni partnered up with Derrick two years ago, after transferring from narcotics. With

both of them hailing from the South, the department figured the two were compatible.Especially since, they grew up in the same area. Derrick was from Meridian, Mississippi, a

quiet town located in the center of the state, between Louisiana and Tennessee. Sydni grew up185 miles away in New Orleans, the only child of a half-Creole half-Native American mother

and African-American father.

At first, she was apprehensive about Derrick. Sydnis dealings with white Southern men

in her childhood and adolescent years werent always pleasant, because of her bi-racial

background. But Derrick was different. He didnt share the political or cultural views of hisSouthern heritage and soon all doubts about him vanished. Derrick was like a brother to her

and the relationship they shared was a rare jewel Sydni cherished. In all honesty, Derrick was

heronly friend, and Sydni confided in him every detail of her life, professionally andpersonally. Because of this close bond, she divulged a secret she kept to herself for many

years--a secret no one else, besides her mother and father knew.

Sydni stemmed from a long line of what Native Americans refer to as readers. By

touching an object or a person, images projected through her, tracing its history and disclosing

events leading up to the present. Her maternal grandmother, a Caddo holy woman, possessedthe same unique gift, but instead of it passing on to Sydnis mother, the genetic anomaly

skipped a generation and transferred to Sydni. When Sydnis mother recognized the signs in

her early on, she helped her harness the power, and taught her how to control it.

At eighteen, Sydnis parents tragically died in a car crash. Having no living relatives or

other attachments to keep her in New Orleans, she left and moved to New York. Figuring shecould use the gift as a positive outlet, she joined the Police Academy. After three years as a

uniformed officer, she took the detectives exam and passed. She quickly excelled at the new

position and with her supernatural sense guiding her she became one of New York Citysfinest detectives.

The gift, however, didhave its disadvantages. On more than one occasion, Sydni madeit a habit to read just about everyone she met, and the prognostic knowledge made her react

strangely, especially around the opposite sex. Instead of being pleasantly surprised about a

prospective relationship, she got the goods on the first date, without waiting for the naturalcourse of time to determine the outcome.

Dumping would-be boyfriends quickly earned her the reputation un-datable, and in the

beginning, it didnt bother her so much. But now, she realized her suspicious nature might

have caused her never to find love. If she everdidmeet Mr. Right, Sydni vowed to approach

the relationship with less suspicion and more trust.

Bright, twinkling neon lights cast across the windshield of the car when Sydni reachedTimes Square. Even in the dead of night, the hustle and bustle of the city never dwindled. She


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turned left, then right on 6th Avenue, cutting over to 59th Street and entered Central Park

using the southwest entrance. Driving by Heckscher House, she circled Wollman Rink pastthe Carousel, and parked east of The Dairy Center. She got out and walked toward the trail

leading to the Visitors Center, flashing her badge at the officer posted at the entrance and

ducked under the yellow tape sanctioning off the crime scene.

Thick musty mold hung in the air from the morning dew. Sydni wrinkled her nose and

followed the path to the entrance. Standing by a light post, was Derrick in a prim and properthree-piece suit, talking to a terrified looking man with a dog. Six-uniformed patrol officers

from the Central Park Precinct scattered around the area, combing the perimeter for clues

under the watchful eye of Detective Leo Green. A few feet away, Detective Anthony Sheldonskimmed the ground on all fours, sifting through dirt with a pen around the hedge line.

Sydni cast her eyes away from them to Rachel Barnes, the coroner, squatting down and

holding up the corner of a white sheet while a forensic photographer snapped pictures of the

body lying beneath it. Sydni walked toward them and stopped a few feet away, clearing her

throat politely. Rachel looked up and grinned, then held up a latexed gloved finger in thewait one minute gesture while the photographer finished up.

When the photographer was through, Rachel covered the body and waved Sydni over.

Sydni carefully scanned the ground while she stepped, grimacing when she got closer.

Droplets of dew soaked the asphalt; no way to recover any footprints. She stopped short andglanced up at the officers stomping around in the bushes beside the light pole.

You men be careful, Sydni ordered. There could be evidence inside the hedges. Useyour flashlights and scan the ground before you step. The police officers nodded and

removed their flashlights. Sydni smiled and greeted Rachel when she moved closer.

Hey Rach, how are you?

Rachel sighed and removed a glove off her hand. Better than this young woman, she

said, motioning to the white sheet with her head. In all my years as coroner Ive never seen

anything this odd. Rachel paused when laughter came from the officers by the brush andspun her head around. Hey! she yelled at them. This is a crime scene not social time. Leo,

she said, glaring at the detective harshly with her brown eyes. If the officers cant take this

seriously then they can get the hell out of here. This isnt the time or place for jokes.

Sydni smiled amusingly.

Rachel worked as forensic pathologist at Mercy Hospital for ten years before becomingchief coroner and was regarded as one of the most prestigious experts in the field. Sydni likedthe feisty high-spirited Latin American woman, theyd worked many cases together, and

Sydni admired her professionalism and attention to detail.

Rachel kept her eyes on the men for a few seconds before turning back to Sydni and

resuming their conversation.

As I was saying, she said. This one is a real doosie.


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May I have a look? Sydni inquired.

Rachel nodded. Yeah, knock yourself out, She stepped back out of the way.

Sydni crouched, grabbed the sheet by the outer fold, and threw it back. She gasped and

jerked her hands behind her, then looked up at Rachel, baffled.

What the hell?

Rachel nodded, again. I told youweird. I dont know what the hell to make of it.

Sydni collected herself and turned back to the body, staring wide while she ran her eyesover the remains. Crisp, mummified skin molded the skeleton, merging a half-decapitated

head on the victims shoulder. A twisted cry formed on an open mouth, protruding a

blackened tongue between shriveled lips. Two eyes, hanging by tangled knots of nerves,bulged out of deep-pitted sockets surrounded by rubbery hide.

Sydni turned her head when Derrick walked up. What did I tell you, Ni Ni, he said,narrowing his bright green eyes and running a hand through the bristles of his close-cropped

red hair. Unusual.

Sydni draped the sheet back over the body and stood up. Do you have an ID?

Derrick nodded, and whistled to a police officer still interviewing the witness. The

officer excused himself and walked over. He handed a small fanny pack to Derrick.

This was on the body, he said, holding it out to Sydni. See for yourself.

Sydni grabbed the bag and pulled out a billfold, removing a New York Weekly press

pass and drivers license. She brought them up to her face, and a picture of a beautiful blondwoman smiled on the card. Sydni glanced down, reading the name on the bottom then froze

and looked back at Derrick, surprised.

Mm, hmm, Derrick said. Congressman Reggie Martin of Marylands daughter.

Shit, she muttered, and put the cards back in the bag. As soon as word got out a

politicians daughter was murdered, all hell would break loose. And since it happened on herbeat, Sydni and Derrick would work a lot of overtime to catch the assailant. Mayor Perez

would make damn sure of that.

She handed the bag to Rachel and turned to Derrick. Did the witness see anything?

Derrick shook his head. No, unfortunately not. Hes really shaken up. I gave him my

card and told him to contact me if he remembered anything. The officer is finishing getting

his statement and then were letting him go home. We did however, find a pool of bloodunderneath the lamppost and bagged a cigarette butt located in the vicinity. Hopefully the


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perp left it. You know the drill; itll take a while to get a DNA sample, if we can. The butts

trampled, so we may not get any readable information.

Sydni turned back to Rachel. What about cause of death? Any ideas?

Rachel sighed. Not sure, she said, shrugging her shoulders. With the body drained of

fluid itll be difficult to determine. Probably cant extract anything for a tox screen to see if

drugs are a factor. The medical examiner will have to rely on skin and organ samples, whichtakes longer, maybe a couple weeks--a month? Perhaps trace evidence under the fingernails or

possible fragments from the perp's clothing or DNA are present. Despite that, the head is

partially severed. A complete autopsy will determine if the detachment was post mortem, orthe actual cause. As for the time of death? The condition of the body is unusual, almost

mummified, so thats a big negative there, but possibly can be narrowed down by the state of

the pool of blood. Blood congeals at certain stages and the photographs will help as far asthats concerned. Detective Everett was kind enough to get a few samples, so maybe the

perp's blood is mixed in with the victims. Let me talk to the medical examiner and Ill see

what I can do, she said, reaching out and touching Sydnis arm, lightly. Well, she said,sighing again. If youll excuse me, Id better get her bagged and sent to the lab.

Of course, Sydni said and smiled. When Rachel was out of earshot, Sydni turned backto Derrick. What do you think? she asked, keeping her voice low.

Derrick looked at her quizzically. Honestly, I dont know, he confessed, rubbing the

back of his neck. The pool of blood under the lamppost doesnt suggest significant loss to

cause death, but I dont think she was killed at another location. Shes wearing athletic

clothing, jogging stuff, you know. It wouldnt make any sense to seize her, kill her and thenbring her back. Why run the risk of dragging a body back to a high traffic jogging trail, even

in the dead of night?

Sydni nodded in agreement. Yeah, youre probably right. Could be some crazy occult

related thing, you knowdraining the body of blood. Someone could have siphoned it outand put it in a container of sorts. She shrugged.

Well, hopefully you can figure that one out, Derrick said, breaking out into a widegrin. See what you can read from the body and then work on the pool of blood under the

light pole.

Sydni nodded and walked back over to Rachel standing beside Maries body, now

loaded on a stretcher.

Hey, Rach, Sydni said, touching her arm.

Rachel turned around.

Do you mind if I take another look?

Not at all, Rachel said, and signaled for the paramedics to walk away. Let me know

when youre done. She turned on her heel and walked away. Sydni glanced behind her,


14/22

carefully unzipped the bag and peeled back the flap. Maries blood matted blond hair

crunched like dry straw between her fingers when she placed a hand on her head and closed

her eyes.

Immediately flashes of Maries last moments alive formed in her mind. Maries

muddled form ran through the park and stopped a few feet away from the Visitors Centerwhen a dark silhouetted shape moved toward her. Sydni flashed forward and felt someone

press on Maries lips with theirs, then grasped her by the back of the head.

The next image was delusional confusion. Marie became weaker and Sydni felt her skin

shrivel, tightening around her bones while the blood drained from her body. Darkness cameover her and the vision was lost. Sydni shook her head to clear her thoughts. Gingerly, she

zipped the bag closed and turned away, then waved to Rachel, signaling she was through.

Derrick said nothing when she walked back over to him and both waited while the

officers and forensic personnel finished up. When the last officer climb into a patrol unit and

sped off, he turned to Sydni.

Well? he asked, raising an eyebrow, curiously.

You were right, she was killed here. I want to read the blood before I say anythingelse. I saw an image of someone but Im still fuzzy on a few things. Maybe the blood will

give me a better inkling on whether more than one individual attacked her.

Derrick pointed to the light post. Over here, he said and led her over. Sydni stopped

above the pool of blood. A fine line scattered across the pavement, not as if it flowed out of

the victim and landed there. She bent to her knees and pulled a face, then laid a palm in thesticky goo.

Sydni twitched and her mind floated away. Looking through the eyes of someone else,she walked toward a terrified Marie and grabbed a hold of her. Thrusting teeth entered

Maries flesh, piercing the jugular in her neck and ripping it open. Warm iron-laced blood,

sticky and thick, pumped inside her mouth, filling her cheeks and running down her throat inlong drawn gulps. When there was no more blood left, Maries dried carcass was slung to the

side and a terrible burning, like venom, ran through her body. Painful spasms, wrenched

inside her stomach, twisting and coiling; she convulsed and lurched forward, vomiting on thepavement below. Maries ingested blood sprayed onto the concrete and saturated the ground.

Sydni fell in a heap to the pavement. A strange peaceful feeling washed over her andshe drifted to another place, and another body. A woman, dressed in a beautiful jeweled gown

stood on a high platform and pointed over a screaming mob. Images of a medieval square ran

through her, flashing sequences of two individuals burning on a great pile of wood.Smoldering wood mixed with burning flesh hung thick in the air and tiny embers floated

inside heavy clouds of smoke.

Sydni drew back inside the body. An indistinct shape of an inhuman face came into

focus. The sandpaper feel of granite scraped against her wrist, and then she was lifted gently


15/22

into the monsters arms. Soft flapping rustled and Sydni flew over the park, gliding into the

night sky.

She awoke from the spell and quickly removed her hand from the pool of blood.

Derrick rushed over and helped her to her feet.

Ni Ni, you okay? he asked, alarmed.

Sydni coughed and waved him away. Im all right.

Derrick released her and stepped back. What did you see, Sydni? he asked, pulling ahandkerchief out of his jacket pocket and handing it to her. Sydni grabbed the cloth and wiped

her hand. I dont know, she admitted. But whatever killed Marie Martin, she said, looking

fearfully into his eyes. It wasnt human.


16/22

CHAPTER THREE

Sitting at his home office desk in Coalmont, VA., Kellan Donnolly doodled on a

notepad while he talked to his father, Simon, on the phone. He, Nicole and their three-year old

daughter, Mary, left the bustling activity of New York City, and went to their country homefor a much-needed vacation. Kellan took over the role of President of The National Blood

Associations U.S. division when John Westfield died. Now his responsibility was to ensure

Johns legacy lived on, and guarantee the livelihood of their kind.

But it wasnt an easy task. Although Kellan and Nicole were together now, the road to

their seemingly happy ending had been riddled with terrifying obstacles. And it almost killedKellan. Shortly after Nicole was turned, she took Mary and vanished. Kellan was in a panic.

His first thought was that Lucifer had kidnapped them and he and the Apostles dispatched

every vampire on earth to hunt for them. The instructions were simple. Find Nicole and Maryat all costs.

For days Kellan and the Apostles searched and turned up nothing. Not a clue as towhere they had gone. It was like they had simply disappeared off the face of the earth. The

emptiness consuming Kellan was far worse than any torture he could have endured in Hell.

Every passing day without finding Nicole and Mary brought Kellan closer to the breakingpoint. He and Simon packed up, left the chateau in Colorado and moved to New York. Kellan

knew Nicole had contacts there, her best friend, Mia for one, and thought moving there wouldhelp him find her. But his duties to the Blood Association were placed on the back burner inhis quest to search for Nicole and Mary and when business began to suffer Simon granted

Kellan a temporary leave. Scoping Mia turned up nothing. As the days dragged into months,

Kellans behavior became more and more erratic. He barely fed or slept. Kellans appearancechanged as well. His once meticulous manner of personal appearance declined.

Months turned into a year with no sign of Nicole or Mary. Simon and the othersdecided it was time to move on and return to business as usual. But not Kellan. He never gave

up hope that his daughter and Nicole would return. In a desperate attempt, Kellan went to

Nicoles fathers farm in Coalmont. It had been on the market for over a year and after

questioning several residents in the area, he learned no one had even offered a bid on theplace. Kellan marched down to Cate & Sons, bought it sight unseen and moved in. He thought

maybe, just maybe the gesture would rouse Nicole from her hiding place. It worked. Twomonths later, out of the blue, Nicole re-emerged. No explanation as to why she left or where

she had been. Kellan naturally was at first relieved, then furious. He demanded answers. But

his actions proved futile. Nicole simply would not talk about it and told Kellan he should be

grateful she came back at all. But Kellan had his theories. As a new vampire one must betaught key rules of survival by an experienced oneit is the only way. And Kellan figured


17/22

Nicole having to endure taking care of her newly acquired vampire needs, and also the needs

of their mortal daughter, proved too much for her and she decided to come home.

That was good enough for Kellan. And crazy as it seems, he never brought up the

subject again. Simon and the others were wise and did the same.

Kellan and Nicole waited until things settled down before mapping out a new life

together. The first thing on the agenda was to create a new Protector for themselves and Mary.It wasnt an easy task and finding the right person to trust was difficult. The other Apostles

offered up their own Protectors, alternating them every month, until Kellan and Nicole found

their own.

The second thing Nicole and Kellan had to decide was whether Nicole should reconnectwith her best friend, Mia Roundtree. After all, having a friend who was a vampire wasnt

exactly normal, and because Mia was mortal, Nicole wasnt sure shed understand. Nicole

weighed the pros and cons, but it wasnt long before she realized her friendship with Mia

wasnt something she could sacrifice.

Out of respect and protocol, Nicole talked about her feelings with Simon, although shedidnt needpermission. Simon agreed, but reminded Nicole of the risk of exposing not only

herself, but the entire Clan as well. The plan worked relatively well and after Mias initial

shock at discovering Nicole was a vampire, she took the news better than expected. Whenquestioned about Nicole, she simply informed the inquirer shed moved, reasoning that

raising Mary in a small town was far better than exposing her to the dangers of a big city.

As fate would have it, a tragic event occurred, putting any fears the others had to rest.

Almost two years after Nicoles transformation, Mias father, Edward, suffered another heart

attack and died. Three months later, Mias mother, Sarah, followed him to the grave.

To Mias surprise, her parents named her executor of their estate. Mia's siblings, nothappy their share was in the hands of the youngest sister, procured a lawyer and contested the

matter. The claim: Sarah, too grief stricken in her final days, grew mentally incompetent and

unintentionally proclaimed Mia sole heir.

Disgusted at her siblings greed, Mia signed over all rights and privileges of her parents

assets to her oldest brother, Craig, and told him neither he, nor any of the other siblings toever contact her again. Nicole seized the opportunity, and after a very intense discussion with

Kellan, they asked Mia to be their Protector.

Nicole was hesitant at first about asking Mia. Once transformed, her former life would

be over. But to her delight, Mia willingly agreed and allowed Nicole to create her. When the

sacred ritual was complete and Mias mortal body died, she slipped the iconic ruby ring onher right middle finger, signifying her new role as Protector, and vowed allegiance as

guardian of her new family.

Kellan and Nicole also kept the farm in Virginia as a retreat and busied themselves with

a complete renovation, toiling for almost two years. Timothy Williams ran the farm in their


18/22

absence and as a token of appreciation they built another house on the property for him to live

in and gave him twenty acres of land.

Kellan scribbled with his eyes down and looked up when he heard a squeak in the

doorway. Nicole stood in the threshold, holding their raven-haired toddler, Mary, with her

favorite doll clutched to her chest. He winked at Nicole, and made a funny face at Mary,moving his hand in a yapping gesture, making her giggle.

Im glad youre taking a vacation, son, Simon said on the phone. Fresh country air is

good for Mary. Just keep your eyes on her. Shes not used to playing outdoors. Dont let her

overindulge and wear herself out, after all, shes my only granddaughter, Simon said,proudly.

Kellan rolled his eyes. I know, Dad. Heaven forbid if she runs and plays like a normal

child. Oh, and we cant have her cavorting about and experience the wonders of nature. She

might like it too much. How about this? Well put a padded suit on her and wrap her in bubble

wrap, just to be on the safe side. Wouldnt want her to fall and get a cut or anything, why that

would be a disaster, he taunted, covering his mouth with his hand when Nicole burst outlaughing.

Simon sighed. Its nice to see youve maintained a sense of humor, despite your new

position in the clan, Simon said, clearly not amused.

Kellan laughed, softly. Yeah, and its nice to see youre still the same old worrisome

coot. Chill out, Dad, for Christs sake. Mias with us and shell take good care of Mary.Timothys here to make sure we dont burn the place down, so cool your jets and let us have a

nice, relaxing family vacation, withoutcalling every fifteen seconds to check on your

grandchild.

Simon laughed. All right, son. Ill leave you to it. Give Mary a kiss from hergrandfather and tell Nicole her favorite father-in-law loves her very much. And son, Simon

paused.

What?

I love you, too.

Kellan grinned. Right back at ya, Dad, he said and hung up.

Nicole pushed off the doorjamb and walked over to Kellan. I swear you two are the

most childish adults Ive ever known. She plopped Mary down on his lap and shook herhead.

Kellan tickled Mary playfully on the ribs before looking up at Nicole. You know we

cant help it, honey. Dad and I have that kind of relationship. Having a father my own age is

too weirdit wouldnt feel right if we didnt cut up with each other, and besides, he said,raising one corner of his mouth in a sly grin. I love busting his chops.


19/22

Nicole giggled and placed her hands on her hips. Kellan resumed his play with Mary,

goosing her while she laughed and squirmed joyfully. He picked her up and spun her around,

placing the doll in his lap and holding her hands, bouncing her on his knees.

Kellan youll make her sick, Nicole chided.

Mary squealed happily, jostling wildly back and forth on her fathers lap.

Kellan stopped bouncing Mary and spun her back around, placing his face next to hers.

He put a finger on Marys bottom lip, then moved it up and down, speaking in a high-pitchedchildlike voice. But mommy, Kellan said out of the corner of his mouth. I love it when

Daddy plays with me. Quit being a square britches and let Daddy have fun.

Nicole threw her head back and laughed, then bent over and kissed Kellan's cheek.

Kellan winked at her and smiled at Mary when she turned her head and grazed his chin with

her forehead. He pressed his lips together and winced when she nuzzled against his labretstud, pushing it into his skin.

Daddy, can I have a realhorse? Marys smoky gray eyes glimmered.

I dont know, pumpkin, he said, faking seriousness. A horse can be dangerous and Iwouldnt want you to get hurt.

Mary gave an impish look and set her jaw. She raised the doll and moved it in front of

Kellans face, placing a small finger delicately on the dolls lower lip and moving it up and

down, mimicking his earlier gesture. But Daddy, she said, raising her voice higher. Marysa very good girl. Aunty Mia will help her and she promises shell be careful, please, Daddy,

let Mary have a horsy.

Kellan roared with laughter. I tell you what. Mommy and Ill talk about it and if she

says okay, Daddy will see about getting you a horsy, he promised, feeling Nicole's harsh

glare penetrate him. Now, he said, lifting Mary off his lap and placing her beside him.Daddys going to call Aunty Mia and shell take you outside to play for a while. Daddy has a

few things to do and when Im through, he said, looking briefly up at Nicole. Ill see what I

can do about the horse, okay?

Thank you, Daddy! Mary shouted and wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing

hard.

Kellan returned the squeeze and kissed the soft crescent of Mary's cheek. Youre

welcome, pumpkin. He sat back up and pushed the phone speaker button, summoning Mia.

Yes, Kellan? Mias voice chimed over the speaker.

Mia, will you take Mary outside for a while? And, please bring me the New YorkWeekly. I want to check our stock.

Of course.


20/22

Nicole clucked disapprovingly and held her tongue until Mia brought what Kellan

requested and took Mary out of the room.

Kellan, its almost noon. We need our rest and were supposed to be on vacation,

remember? Cant you wait and enjoy our time with our daughter? Let Bartholomew worry

about the stock market for a couple of weeks.

Kellan turned in the chair and pulled Nicole down on his lap. Im sorry, love, hesoothed, stroking her auburn hair lightly. I just want to check a few things. Although, I love

Bartholomew dearly, you and I both know he has a tendency to cad about and lose focus.

After all, he managed to lose you. Remember? he asked, grinning.

Nicole laughed. Oh, how could I forget? Having our child delivered by a demon is notsomething I care to go through again. But all in all, she said, rubbing his cheek lightly. I

think it was worth it.

Kellan smiled and brought his lips to Nicole's, kissing her deeply. Nicole returned the

kiss and hugged him close. The phone intercom buzzed and Kellan jumped with a start.Reluctantly, he broke away from Nicole, and pressed the button. Yes, Mia, Kellan said, nothiding the irritation in his voice.

Sorry, Kellan. Simons on line one. He says its imperative he speak with you.

Kellan grumbled and gently scooted Nicole off his lap.

Would you please inform my father Im in the middle of making out with my wife andIll call him later? Good Lord, Mia. What do I pay you for? he asked, flinching when Nicole

slapped his back, lightly.

Mia huffed into the speaker. Hey, you dont pay me at all you bloodsucking ass. And I

told him you were busy. But you know Simon. He wont take go to hell for an answer, and if

you want peace, youd better take this call; otherwise, youll have to deal with my grouchy assright along with his. Want me to put him through or spend the rest of the day listening to the

gripes of your beloved employee? she inquired, smugly.

Kellan shook his head. Yes, Mia, put him through. Oh, and Mia?

Yes, spawn of hell?

You know I love you. Right? he teased.

Geez! Whatever! Mia fumed and hung up.

Kellan was still laughing when he answered the phone.

Gee, Dad, youve set a new record, he said, without saying hello. You actuallywaited a whole twenty minutes before calling and checking on Mary. Brava, Dad! Youre

improving.


21/22

Yes, Im sorry Kellan, Simon apologized. Mia said you were busy, but Im afraid I

have some news that cant wait, he said, sounding a little shaken.

Kellan became serious. What is it, Dad?

Put me on speaker, Kellan. Nicole needs to hear this, too.

Kellan pressed the speaker button and laid the receiver back on its cradle.

All right, Dad, go ahead.

Simon cleared his throat. Have you seen the latest edition of The New York Weekly?

Kellan furrowed his brow. No, not yet, but its right in front of me. I brought a copywith me to take a quick look at our stock, but, he said, smiling devilishly. I got a little

distracted.

Simon remained silent for a second, then continued. Kellan, look at the front page.

Hold on, Dad. Kellan grabbed the paper by the corner and slid it toward him. Nicole

leaned over his shoulder, placing her face next to his and read to herself, when he brought the

paper up and scanned the headline.

MUMMIFIED CORPSE OF CONGRESSMANS DAUGHTER FOUND IN CENTRAL

PARK. POSSIBLE BIZARRE OCCULT RITUAL COULD BE MOTIVE

Kellan scoffed and threw the paper back on the desk. Dad, so what? Why is areporters murder important?

Simon sighed. Kellan, the reporter's murder isnt the issue. Its how she was killed.Read the article, Kellan. Read it and then tell me its not important.

Kellan grabbed the paper again, and angrily shuffled it when he brought it back up. He

perused a few paragraphs, irritated again, not reading anything at all of importance. When he

read the details of the reporters death, he gripped the edges of the paper, tightly. A suddenrecollection of a story Simon told him not long after his rebirth came to him. He dropped the

paper to his lap and leaned back in the chair.

Dad, do you think? he asked, reaching up and pulling at his labret stud nervously.

Im not sure, son. We must contact the Apostles and assemble at the Gathering Place,Simon said, firmly. You, too Nicole. Ill do some checking and then join you when I know

for sure.

What do you want us to do before you get there? Kellan asked.

Make sure Mary is taken care of. Until we find out she's in danger, the safest place for

her is the farm. Ill contact the Apostles. In the meantime, you fill Nicole in. Ill call you oncethe Apostles are ready to leave, Simon said.


22/22

Dad, Kellan protested. I don't feel comfortable leaving Mary here. What if this is a

trick to get us all away? She'll be vulnerable.

Simon sighed loudly. Kellan, I'm afraid as long as Mary lives she'll never be safe.

Kellan held a hand over his eyes and shook his head. You're right, Dad, he removed

his hand from his face and laid it on the desk. Please, Dad, Kellan said softly. Hurry.

I will, son, he said and hung up.

Kellan turned off the speakerphone, then took in a long breath and rubbed his temples.

Nicole patted Kellans shoulder lightly. Kellan? she asked, apprehensive. What the

hell is going on? Kellan turned around in the chair, pulled Nicole close, and laid his head on

her abdomen.

Baby, he said, closing his eyes. If it is what I think it is, weve got a big problem."

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Unforgivable Chapters 1-3

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