A Vow of Deception: The Second Vow

A Vow of Deception

The Second Vow

Jo Rentschler

The Vows

A Vow of Tears

The First Vow

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is used fictitiously.

A Vow of Deception

The Second Vow

COPYRIGHT © 2020 2nd edition by Jo Rentschler

Previously published by Jill H. O’Bones

COPYRIGHT © 2012 1st edition by Jill H. O’Bones

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 9781301495467

Cover design by Jill H. O’Bones

Images provided by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Twobee, Podpad, Grant Cochrane, and Voraorn

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my friends for taking time out of their busy lives to read my stories. A special thanks to Susan S., Susan P., and Laura for being the first to read.

To my family: Thank you for your support when I disappeared with the computer and for ignoring me when I started to talk to myself.

To my son

I love you

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Title page

About Jill

Chapter 1

Wake up!

Sara’s eyes snapped open, her body tensed. In the dim light, she saw Vincent standing at the edge of the bed, his bright silver eyes glaring down at her.

You have ten minutes to get ready, he said lifting his arm, dropping a large blue duffle bag on the bed. Margret picked up the things you’ll need, And he turned and walked out of the room.

When the door closed, Sara was finally able to breathe. Calming her heart as she slowly sat up, her brain recalled the night before. She had come back here to die, to honor the deal she made with Vincent to save her son.

Tears came to her eyes as the memory swam through her mind, the stake and sword on the fireplace mantel. All of the feelings she had as Vincent’s arms held her in a tight embrace while waiting for him to kill her came back, but instead he spared her life.

She listened for any noise that could be Vincent, but only the faint sounds of bird songs came from outside. Reaching for the duffle bag, she discovered she had to use both hands to pull it towards her; it was stuffed with jeans, shirts, undergarments, and bathroom supplies.

As she started to pull out a change of clothes, she stopped in mid-motion. ‘How long had he been standing there?’ she asked herself, shivering as the image of Vincent standing over her while she slept, with a stake in his hand inches above her chest, flashed through her mind.

The sound of a door downstairs slamming brought her back. Fearing Vincent was coming for her, she hurriedly got ready.

Sara slowly made her way down the steps carrying the bag. The entire house was silent, no crackling of a fire or sounds of footsteps, and no Margret.

Fear crept into Sara, she knew Margret was pissed at Vincent, and now Sara feared he had done something to her. She went to the front door, opening it. Vincent stood by the black Nova his eyes trained on her. Slowly she walked towards it, keeping her eyes on his. As she got closer, through the rear window, she saw Margret’s head of white hair. Sara quickened her pace, wanting to make sure Margret was all right.

Get in, Vincent ordered.

Sara opened the car door, glancing in the back at Margret. Their eyes met for just a second before Margret looked at Vincent as he got in. That glance was long enough to let Sara know something was wrong.

The black Nova roared to life. Only a few days ago, Sara had walked this same path to save her son, but now Vincent was taking her to see the Sirelords. They were the ones who were going to decide if she lives or dies, not Vincent.

Vincent hit the gas, and the car’s tires sprayed gravel as it fishtailed, making Sara’s body sway with the motion. As he regained control, she leaned against the door, trying to put as much space as possible between her and Vincent. With her head against the window, she hugged the bag tightly to her chest and closed her eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, she felt the car slow. Looking out the window, she watched small houses pass by as Vincent drove into a small town. Only a few blocks in he pulled into the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant.

What do you want? he asked in an angry tone.

Sara glanced over at him. Just a burrito.

He gave her a dirty look as a young girl’s voice came from the menu’s speaker. Turning, he leaned out the window. Three burritos, a sausage biscuit, and coffee.

With a squeak of car tires, Vincent pulled up to the window and did not hide his disgust as he handed the bag of food and coffee to Sara.

He pulled out of the parking lot with another yelp from the tires. Roll down your window, he said angrily, and hurry up and eat that shit before it smells up my car.

Sara opened the bag and took out one of the burritos.

Rules! Vincent bellowed as he drove out of town. First, no eating in front of anyone, human or vampire! So you’d better eat all of that ‘cause you’re not going to get any more until we’re at the castle. Second, no telling anyone what you are, I will do all of the talking. And I still have the option to kill you if you do anything stupid, so don’t even think about leaving my side! Got it?

I got it, Sara barked back. But you still haven’t told me where we are going.

Yes, I did. I’m taking you to the Sirelords.

Why won’t you tell me who and where they are? And why does Margret look worried?

Quit asking questions and eat, Vincent yelled.

Sara flinched and glanced back at Margret, who refused to meet her eyes.

A few miles outside of town, Vincent turned onto a gravel road. In the distance, Sara could see two large buildings and a smaller one. As they got closer, she could see the orange socks, used to show wind direction at airports, sticking straight out.

Vincent turned into the small dirt parking lot and stopped in front of the smallest building. Sara could see the tail end of a small airplane sticking out from behind it.

I’ve never flown before, she blurted out.

Well, you better get used to it. We have a long flight, Vincent snapped.

A long flight? Sara’s voice jumped a pitch. Where are we going? I don’t have a passport.

You won’t need one, Vincent said, getting out of the car.

Sara got out, putting the gym bag’s strap over her shoulder, looking at her surroundings.

I’m sorry I can’t come with you, Margret said behind her.

Sara turned and, from the look on her face, Margret should be bawling her eyes out, but vampires can’t cry. Sara felt her own tears creep up.

Margret’s eyes shifted, following Vincent as he walked towards the back of the car. When the trunk’s lid hid him, she looked back at Sara. I’m not happy with what he has done. Her eyes shifted again when he slammed the lid down. As he walked towards the front of the car, his eyes on them.

Just do what he says, Margret continued, meeting Sara’s eyes. And don’t piss him off.

Why can’t you come with us?

I have to wait until the Sirelords call for me.

Sara looked down at the grey dirt. I don’t want to get you into trouble, but could you check on Eric for me?

I was already planning on it, Margret said. I just need to know where he is.

Sara glanced at her, then over to Vincent.

As if Margret knew Sara didn’t want Vincent to know where her son was, she took Sara’s hand and placed a pen in it, leaving her own out for Sara to write on.

Thank you, Sara whispered, losing more tears from her eyes as she hugged Margret.

Let’s go, Vincent said.

Bye Margret, Sara said, releasing her hold.

Vincent grabbed her elbow, pulling her away.

Chapter 2

Sara tried to keep her eyes on Margret as Vincent dragged her towards the building. Margret’s expression strained as she stood next to the car. With a hard yank, Vincent pulled Sara closer to him as he opened the building’s door. The faint hope she had of Margret saving her ended when the door closed behind her.

The room was white: The floor, ceiling, counter, even the two tables painted some shade of white. Sitting at one of them was a skinny man dressed in blue jeans and a grey t-shirt, his blond hair cut short. Vincent led her right to him. The man stood as they approached, his eyes scanning Sara from head to toe.

He quickly looked away to Vincent. You sure there’s not going to be a problem?

Vincent only stared back.

Without another word the man turned, leading them across the room to a door that opened into a hallway. As Sara was pulled along, she could feel Vincent’s fingertips starting to dig into her skin. Another door stood at the end, and when the man opened it, Sara could see outside and a small airplane. She felt her steps slow, but Vincent’s strong grip pulled her to the machine.

As he forced her into the plane, the other man was already sitting at the controls, flicking switches. Sara started to feel claustrophobic, there was no space between her, the machine’s metal, or Vincent’s body. When she looked over at him, his eyes were on her.

Seatbelt, he growled as the plane’s engine gained speed. The plane started to move, and she hurriedly buckled in.

She felt the plane speeding down the grassy path then felt her stomach drop into her pelvis as it left the ground with her. Clenching her bag as it sat on her lap, she closed her eyes.

When she felt level, she opened her eyes only to see Vincent watching her. She quickly turned her head and looked out the window at the mini world below. Thirty minutes later she felt herself dip. Swallowing hard, trying to keep her stomach where it belonged, she closed her eyes and dug her fingernails into the bag’s fabric. The tires hit the ground and the plane bounced a few times before it started to slow to a stop.

The bag under her hands started to jerk, when she opened her eyes, she was looking into Vincent’s as he glared at her, tugging at the bag until she undid her seatbelt. The door to the plane opened, and Sara’s ears were bombarded with a deafening noise. Vincent slid out, pulling her with him towards a jet.

Two men with short hair, both dressed in dark blue uniforms, stood next to the stairs leading up into the machine. As she got closer, Sara could see their silver eyes studying her. Vincent’s fingers squeezed Sara’s elbow as he pulled her behind him, blocking her from the vampires’ view. The others quickly averted their eyes and led the way into the craft.

Vincent followed, pulling Sara behind as they walked by one of the men who waited next to the door. The light inside the jet was dim, but Sara could see the interior was dark red with a large couch set up under two windows. Going towards the back were four rows of office type chairs, three seats on either side of an aisle.

Gears hummed as the door slowly slid closed, there was a soft gasp as it sealed them in. The bathroom is through that door in the back, said a voice behind her. She turned, and one of the vampires was smiling at her. There are some books and magazines in the closet, and the seats are more comfortable than they look, but if you want to lie down, the couch has a seatbelt.

Thank you, Sara said.

If you need anything, feel free to let me know. I’ll…

I’ll make sure she gets whatever she needs, Vincent said, cutting him off. He grabbed Sara’s bag from her, handing it and his over to the man.

We’ll be taking off within the hour, the man said shortly as he put the bags into a closet. He gave Sara a quick smile before disappearing behind the red curtain at the front of the plane.

She turned and met Vincent’s eyes as they glared at her. I told you not to talk, he growled. Sit, he said, pointing to a chair next to a window.

Fuck you, she snapped back and sat on the couch, locking the seatbelt around her waist.

Vincent glared at her for a few seconds before he sat in the seat closest to her. Sara leaned back and closed her eyes, enjoying the few minutes of silence.

She felt the cushions under her vibrate as the engines started up. Feeling the machine move, she squeezed her eyes tighter. As the jet lifted, she felt her stomach being left behind.

The craft leveled out and stayed that way for a half an hour, but Sara’s stomach still rolled around inside her. She undid her seatbelt, stood, and stretched.

And where do you think you’re going? Vincent snarled from his chair.

I’m going outside to get some fresh air, where do you think I’m going? she snapped and started to walk towards the back of the plane.

Sit, Vincent ordered.

Go to hell.

He jumped out of his seat, blocking her path, his sliver eyes blazing, I told you to sit.

I’m just going to the damn bathroom.

His lips flinched, but his body didn’t move.

What is wrong with you? You’ve been more of an asshole than usual, Sara said, trying to push her way around him. She stopped her attempt, her stomach protesting. I’m starting to get really sick of you, she said meeting his stare, telling me what to do and not telling me anything about these Sirelords.

All you need to know is that I’m taking you to them.

"Who are they, where are they, and what are they going