Equalilty of Service: A COLONY Paranormal Romance Vampire Series

Prologue

William reread the text message from his team members, who were out of town on assignment with the President. POTUS lockdown. All secure.

Security for the trip was fine with the President of the United States on lockdown. William remained thankful to have the time off from the team. Relieved actually. The small vacation gave him time to spend at home with his family, as well as some well–deserved rest.

During the President’s tenures as Commander–In–Chief, he promised to visit each state in the Union. The tour had them in Oregon tonight, with the team flying back tomorrow. Every few months the President crossed off a couple of the states. Since this was his second term in office, he worked his second round of visits.

William wandered down the hallway to his children’s bedrooms, trying to be as quiet as possible. His fifteen year old son, Sinclair, lay in his bed watching YouTube on his tablet. Why was Sinclair still up? His bedtime was hours ago. After William told him for the second time to go to bed, he continued down the hallway to his daughter’s room.

Nicole slept soundly in her bed, her arm around her doll. William entered the room and covered the child, which caused her to moan quietly and sink into the blanket for warmth. She was twelve but still on the small–side. He caressed the girl’s cheek, stroking her hair off her face, and left the room.

William’s next stop was in the nursery. There his newborn baby, Hannah, quietly slept. Of the three children, Hannah seemed the most clingy, and the one most likely not to fall asleep—or stay asleep—at night. William gave a slight sigh as he smiled at the sleeping babe.

He tiptoed carefully from the room, stepping over the creaking floorboard that always seemed to wake Hannah up. He made his way to the kitchen where his wife, Jackie, and another team member, Alex, sat at the table. Brown fabric was draped over Jackie’s lap, a pin cushion strapped to her wrist, and the hum of a sewing machine came to an abrupt stop as she looked at her husband.

They all asleep?

He shrugged and took a seat between her and Alex. Not all, but enough of them, he said half jokingly.

What does that mean? Alex asked as she sipped her wine.

William looked at the newest member of the COLONY. Alex had been nominated as the team’s new COLONY Director, but she had declined the position since she had fallen in love with their coven master, Raymond. Raymond later turned her so she could work alongside the team.

He means the most important one, baby Hannah, is asleep. Jackie stretched in her seat, her spine cracking as her muscles flexed. I nursed her twice and rocked her for thirty minutes before you came over.

She doesn’t go down easily, William agreed. When she is up, the whole house is up.

Gathering the material from her lap, Jackie piled it neatly on the table. Thanks for helping us make these costumes for the Thanksgiving play at Nicole’s school.

Not at all, Alex said as she grabbed some beads and followed William’s lead of threading them on a thin strip of fabric with a knot on one end. What types of costumes are you making?

William compared his recently made bead string with the others on the table. Realizing it was shorter than the rest, he grabbed another two beads. Nicole is a squaw in the production. Jackie got roped into making ten Native American costumes for the play.

"I volunteered, Jackie said, smiling, her fangs slightly showing. You were roped in by me."

Alex began a second strand of beads and watched as Jackie sewed some that William had made earlier onto one of the costumes. The Singer danced expertly under Jackie’s hand.

Did you have a pattern? Alex asked.

Jackie chuckled. White pillow cases dyed brown, with slits for the head and arms, and beads sewn on isn’t exactly a challenging project. She picked up a finished costume and pointed to the different features. I even added a couple of darts in the back to give it some shape as well as cut the bottom to make fringe.

William placed another completed bead strand on the table. I have no idea what a dart is, but it is very clever, babe.

Alex turned a costume over and pointed to the two sewn gatherings in back. Darts. She then placed it back down on the table and looked around. Are they going to wear feathered headdresses?

Jackie’s eyes lit up. I almost forgot. She walked to the countertop nearest the stove and plugged in a hot glue gun. Pointing to a bag of feathers, she added, We’ve got everything we need.

I’m on it. William stood and manned the glue gun.

Alex smiled as she looked from one to another, then she took another sip of wine. You two make a cute couple. I never heard the story of how you met.

Both William and Jackie snickered.

What? Alex asked.

Jackie gave her a wry smile. Within five minutes of meeting the man, I was yelling at him and calling him a mockery of the American dream of equality for all.

William let out a slight chuckle. She had no idea I was a Freedom Rider from the 1960s who died in the pursuit of equality, and who was turned into a vampire.

Alex’s jaw dropped. No way!

Girl, I was awful to him. And, I had no idea vampires existed. Jackie walked over to William, her arms wrapping around her man as she hugged him. I said he had forged a system of lies for the American people and was spoon–feeding it to them. She halfway laughed and looked her husband in the eyes. And you know what? You ate my nasty attitude up and knew I was the woman of your dreams!

Woman, you were so smitten with me that you couldn’t keep your hands off.

Alex sat back in her chair, no longer stringing beads. Tell me the whole story.

Jackie looked up at William, whose response was to shrug. Go ahead and tell it your way, babe. I’ll jump in when needed.

Jackie took a deep breath as she returned to the kitchen table. Well, our story began on a cold spring day…

Chapter 1

An entire relationship and three beautiful children earlier…

Jackie's body ached, and all she wanted was a hot bath. She opened the door to her apartment complex and left the bitter cold of the Maryland winter outside. She dusted off her jacket, removed her gloves, and loosened the scarf around her neck. Just a few steps into the lobby of the building and she already felt too hot to need her coat.

Her boots clicked as she crossed the tiled floor to the community mailboxes. After watching the mail tumble out once she opened the tiny door, she cursed herself for not having the post office hold it for her.

However, she was only gone a week.

An exhausting week.

She quickly scanned the mail. Why was she still getting letters address to her ex-boyfriend, Steve? She had told that man to have the post office change his address. What did she have to do? Fill out the forms for him? She grabbed a pen from her purse and crossed out her address, writing, Forward onto each envelope. Next time, she wasn’t going to be as kind.

But she had said that to herself the last time she had checked the mail. And the time before that.

No. Not anymore. She grabbed the letters and, pressing down firmly with the pen, wrote, Address Unknown across the top, scratching out her earlier marks. She then slipped the letters into the outgoing mail slot. She was done playing nice with that man, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It felt good to no longer be his doormat.

She removed her coat and draped the garment over her arm. Gathering up the remaining mail, mostly bills, she carried her small suitcase up the main staircase to her apartment. Eclectic styles of artwork hung in the hallways. Not her taste, but the paintings, the plush carpet, and the light fixtures on the walls always reminded her of a library—a nice, clean library. She fumbled for her keys as she approached her door. It wasn’t very late, but evidently she had made enough noise that her elderly neighbor had come out of her apartment to see who stood in the hallway.

Oh, Jackie dear. It’s you.

Jackie took a deep breath. Why couldn't she walk into her apartment without a news announcement or gossip call from Mrs. Cunningham? She was a sweet woman, although a bit eccentric and long winded. Tonight the woman wore a red housecoat, fluffy white house shoes, and her hair was curled in rollers. Hello, Mrs. C.

It’s good to see you, Jackie. You look so nice. She touched the brim of her glasses as though getting a good look at her.

Jackie gave a wry smile. Really? She looked nice? She wore torn jeans and a dirty T–shirt. Her hair lay tied back in a kerchief, and she wore no makeup. She wasn’t looking like the belle of the ball since she had spent the day moving heavy boxes. She still smiled and accepted the compliment.

How is your father, dear?

Leave it up to Mrs. C. to hit her with that loaded question this late at night. As best as can be expected. Jackie slid her key into the lock of her door and heard the tumbler unlock the chamber.

Is he all moved in?

How the little old bitty could keep track of everyone else’s whereabouts and comings and goings was beyond Jackie. She smiled at the woman as she opened the door. Yes. He’s just down the road at Silver Estates.

That’s a nice retirement home. Nancy down the hall mentioned to me that she needs to find a place for her elderly mother. Of course, Mrs. C now looked down the hallway and continued in a whisper, she needs to find a place that is not too close to where her father lives because…

Jackie's hand rose to stop her. It's rather late, Mrs. C.

Her eyebrow rose, perhaps in frustration. Regardless, she kept talking. I figured you’d be gone until at least this weekend.

It was only Thursday and Jackie had planned to take her father shopping over the next few days to buy whatever he may need for his new apartment. Things went smoother than planned, she said.

Mrs. C’s eyes lit up. Oh, I almost forgot. You got some flowers while you were away. Caroline down the hallway got some too, but they weren't nearly as nice as yours. Hold on… She entered her apartment and returned holding a vase of not so fresh roses. They arrived just after you left.

Jackie quickly grabbed the flowers since they looked heavy in the old woman’s arms. Thanks Mrs. C. I appreciate you signing for them.

She offered Jackie a wide grin. I know this is your year for getting a ring on that hand of yours. You know, you're the only single woman still on this floor.

Jackie shifted her stance to her other foot, partly because of the weight of the flowers and partly because she still carried her mail and coat. Jackie wanted