The Blood Covenant

by Emily Bex

  Shannon responded, “Hmm, sounds boring.”

  Kate pulled the sheet over her legs. “Well, it was pretty stiff. But I did meet a guy there.”

  “What? You met someone? Did you get his number?”

  Kate sighed. “No, I didn't get his number. I barely got his name. Shan, I was a hot mess. I couldn't even talk. I sounded like a complete idiot. I don't think I'll ever see him again. I practically broke my neck trying to get out of there. Besides, I took a pledge, remember? A sacred oath. Swore on the wine list, so that must be binding. No more men!”

  “Yeah, well that pledge was after Ethan cheated on you for the hundredth time, and you finally got a clue. And I think you were on your second bottle of wine, so I’m not sure it counts. Legally, you may not have been ‘of sound mind’, as they say. So, who is this handsome stranger? He must be handsome if he left you speechless.”

  Kate was sketching aimless circles on the sheet with her finger. “Okay, could we not talk about Ethan? Anyway, I'm not sure who he is. He’s friends with Alec. I mean, seriously, that's all I know about him. Well, I know he's Italian, because he has an accent. His name is Shade. Shade Medici. And that's it. That's all I know. Other than how he looks; tall, dark and dangerous. I mean, really Shannon, I couldn't even talk. He took an empty glass from my hand, his hand touched mine, and it was...electric. He helped me put my coat on and I could barely breathe. I made such a fool of myself. I don’t even know how to fix that. And to be honest, I'm not sure I can. If I saw him again, it would happen all over again, me coming undone.”

  Shannon’s laughter rang out in the room. "Oh girl...you’ve got it bad. Just call Rissa. Get his number. Fuck him and get it over with.”

  No matter how long they’d been friends, Shannon’s brashness always shocked her. “Shannon! Oh my god, I barely know his name. And seriously? Isn't this what gets me in trouble every time? I mean, I fall hard before I know anything about them. You said I extend my trust too easily.”

  “Hey, I wasn't talking about a relationship, just a hook-up. Get him out of your system and move on. Jeez, Kate, you’re so puritanical. Not every guy you meet has to be relationship material.”

  “I can't do that. If there's nothing there, nothing I think could be long-term, I just can't. And yes, I know it's old fashioned. I'm out of touch with the times. You've told me a million times. And this guy…he’s way out of my league, trust me. I mean, you could tell he was wearing an expensive hand-tailored suit. He looked older, sophisticated, not a lot older, late thirties, probably around Alec's age. I don't know. I can't imagine, after my bumbling act tonight, he’d have any interest in me.”

  Shannon gave her a lecture, “You think too much. Really, Kate, men are men, regardless of how expensive their suits are. Call Rissa tomorrow and get his number. You'll never get him out of your head if you don’t. Just meet him for a drink or something.”

  Kate stood up and walked to the dresser, letting her robe drop to the floor, she pulled a nightie out of the drawer, slipped it over her head, and walked back to the bed.

  “Yeah, maybe. I don't know. I'll see if I can get up the nerve. Hey, want to meet me for dinner tomorrow, if you don't have plans?”

  “Sure, I can do that. Since you have Italian on your mind, want to meet at that Italian place on H Street?”

  Kate laughed at her. “You’re relentless. But Italian sounds good. I'm tired, Shan. Going to turn in. See you around seven tomorrow evening then?”

  Shannon yawned through her goodbyes. “See ya, and pleasant dreams.”

  Kate shook her head as she plugged her phone into the charger by her bed, and turned out the light, sliding beneath the cool sheets. She closed her eyes, but all she saw was him.

  ***

  Shade followed her to the bedroom, watching her ass swish and sway in that tight skirt. Cazzo, it mesmerized him. He stood back along the wall of windows and crossed his arms over his chest, watching her as she undressed. As she slipped off her blouse, the silk was as white as her skin. He felt his breath catch in his throat at those delicious orbs of smooth, white flesh pouring generously over the edge of the lace bra she wore.

  As her garments dropped to the floor, his cock raised and the beast inside him growled.

  He watched her every movement, his eyes glued to her. Her motions were so liquid, unaffected and nonchalant. She had no idea what she did to a man—especially this man. She wasn’t trying to be sexy or alluring, she was just being herself. He saw a flash of fear across her face, and knew she’d sensed something. She couldn’t possibly see him, but it intrigued him that a mortal could occasionally feel his presence. Something about her touched him. She spoke to the beast living in the very core of him, calling out to him on a primal level. He wanted to hold her in his arms, clutch her to his chest and protect her, reassure her nothing would ever touch her again, not if he had anything to do with it.

  He told himself to be patient. She’d run like a wild deer, if she knew what he was. She walked right past him and drew the drapes closed. Her nearness made him almost lose control, as the beast struggled for release. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers in that crimson silk. My bel rosso. He moved to the opposite side of the room. She climbed onto the bed and he sat down in a delicate French chair to observe her, his big frame barely fitting. He felt uncharacteristically jealous when he saw her pick up her phone. He wondered if there was a male she called to check in with. The very thought of it put his beast on edge, ready to claim her, his fangs aching to punch through.

  He heard a female voice on the other end of the call and calmed down. What the fuck, Shade? She doesn’t belong to you. She doesn’t even know you. But he was determined she would. He wasn’t letting go of this one, he wanted her and not just sexually, the beast inside him had come alive. He was feeling an emotion he thought was long dead and had his blood rushing through his veins, his beast sitting on his haunches, anxiously waiting. The black bastard hadn’t done that for about 100 years. She laughed and it made him smile, his heart lurched at the trilling sound of her happiness. All he could think about was how he could pleasure her, how he could make her laugh like that for him.

  She gestured with her hands when she talked. Shade was intrigued, as there was no one there to see the gestures. Well, no one other than him.

  He listened to the conversation of the two females and watched her face, her expressions as she talked, and talk she did. It amused him, her facial expressions, the tone of her voice, the way she wrinkled her nose…and those eyes, like deep dark pools, fuck, he could get lost in them. No, she didn’t get his number, but he definitely got hers.

  He smiled when she said no more men, no problem there, bel rosso. He was no ordinary man. He growled softly when he heard that mortal bastard cheated on her. What the hell? Was the crazed idiot blind?

  He listened as she described him to her friend. Oh yes, I am most handsome, but I won’t be a stranger for long.

  He loved she remembered his name. He slid his hand through his hair and smiled. Somehow that pleased him, more than he thought it would. The sound of his name rolling off those ruby red lips had, him undone and he adjusted himself in the fucking little chair. Oh, bel rosso, electric is just the beginning, the next time I touch you, you will light up everywhere. You will see me again, not a problem. I have no intention of leaving here until the sun is up.

  Everything about her intrigued him. He watched the pain roll across her face and how her body stiffened when she mentioned Ethan. He heard her friend suggest a ‘hook-up.’ His bel rosso would not be a hook-up. He’d had enough women in his life to kill dozens of mortal men in sexual bliss. He quickly blocked the images of his darkest days from his mind. They were worse than hook-ups, they were animalistic, barbaric, and he pushed the memories from his head. He listened to her words, her heart spoke deeply, and she described herself as old-fashioned. He wanted her. He loved everything about her. He felt she’d been placed in his path, the perfect woman dropped in front of him from out
of nowhere. He knew something special sat right before his eyes.

  This would be no walk in the park. She thought he was out of her league, she knew nothing about his world, or who he was, what he was, and he’d have a hard road ahead of him. He knew winning a mortal female heart wouldn’t be easy. It wasn’t looked upon in his world as acceptable, and because of who he was, it could be a disaster. He didn’t care, she’d captured him, and he needed more. Besides, his beast was clawing at his insides, demanding her. She called to him like an addiction, his cocaine, and all he could feel and see, was her.

  He watched as she sliped into a soft peaceful sleep. He stood beside the bed and looked at her, with those long beautiful lashes against her cheeks. Her crimson locks lay across the white cotton of the pillowcase and spread like a silken sea of red, wave after wave. He couldn’t control the need to touch her. His hand slowly slid up her bare arm, soft and white and warm. He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. She wouldn’t awaken just yet. He breathed in her rose scent and his cock responded instantly. She smelled so innocent, fresh and sun kissed.

  He closed his eyes as his hand slid into her hair, fisting it gently, feeling the silky strands fall between his fingers. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and he watched her move and moan in her sleep. Such a soft, sweet moan, and he wanted desperately to hear it as she writhed beneath him.

  He felt her awaken. He covered himself in shadow and watched her sit up straight. She was thinking about her dream of him. As she flopped back down, he waited once more until she was asleep and touched his hand to her head to enter her dreams. Dream-walking was his gift, every vampire had a special talent, and he had his down to a science. He could see what she dreamt, or make her dream whatever he chose, for good or evil. Inside her dream, he stared at her with his icy blue eyes and watched as she looked back at him. No need to run, mi amore. He let her see him, without being intimidated, or scared. He showed no emotion and kept his distance. He let her walk closer to him and slid his hand in her hair, kissed her delicate lily-white hand and let her feel no fear from him. He loved how she looked at him with innocent eyes, but there was something more in them, something alluring and sexy. He sensed her vulnerability, and her need to feel protected and he let her feel that in her dream.

  ***

  Kate was carried away in her dream…He lifted her hand to his lips, a soft kiss on the back of her hand, his eyes peering up through his dark hair. His voice was deep as he repeated her name. His hand was in her hair. Her eyes were closed, and she felt his hand as he ran it through her hair. Goose bumps covered her body with his touch. She moaned softly as his hand slid down her back...

  What the fuck! She sat up abruptly in her bed. Shaking her head, she looked at the clock. 4:00 a.m. This was insane. She touched her hair, calmed her breathing. It had felt so real...his hand in her hair. She flopped back down on the pillow. Get out of my head tall, dark and dangerous. Now!

  She rolled over on her side, grabbed the other pillow, held it to her chest, and imagined holding him, imagined being held by him. Stop it!

  Tossing the pillow aside, she sat upright again, sliding her feet to the floor. She stood and walked to the kitchen, flipping on the light. Opening the fridge, she stared. She closed the door and leaned against the counter. Picking up a banana from the bowl of fruit on the counter, she peeled it back and took a bite. Oh well... that's not too Freudian, is it?

  Shade had stepped back abruptly when she woke and got out of bed. He followed her to the kitchen, standing in the doorway. Watching her was torture. He was captivated by her. He needed to get the hell out of here before he did something he’d regret. She walked so close to him on her way to the window, she almost brushed against him. He could tell she still thought of him, her mind consumed with the dreams he’d given her, and he smiled. Teleporting out without her detection, he sat on the rooftop of a nearby Arlington condo and watched her. "Soon, mi amore, you will see me again."

  Kate walked into the living room, over to the window and looked out at the view of downtown D.C. She leaned her forehead against the cool glass. Where are you, Shade Medici? Where did you lay your head tonight? Who am I kidding? A man like that never goes home alone. You will never see this man again, so just get over it.

  She walked back to her bedroom and slipped back between the sheets. The last thought in her head, before she fell back asleep was...You missed your chance.

  4

  Kate woke up late, feeling restless, with vague memories of him. Did she dream of him? Her mind felt fuzzy. Climbing out of bed, she headed to the shower, then dressed for a casual Sunday, binge watching Scandal on Netflix. She stopped around five o’clock, to get ready to meet Shannon. After finishing her make-up, she slid on a short skirt and a comfy sweater, then dug through her closet to find a pair of killer Jimmy Choo leopard print heels. She grabbed a black fedora and pulled it down over her red hair, and put on a pair of dark glasses, as she headed to the garage for her car.

  Fall was her favorite season, still warm and no humidity. She drove to D.C., fighting the flood of tourists who were all leaving the city after the weekend, and made her way to H Street. Tossing her keys to the valet, she went inside. She stood at the door, and saw Shannon already seated. She waved to her friend, as she moved to join her.

  “Hey, Shan! Hope you haven't been waiting long.” Kate gave her a quick hug before she sat down.

  “Not at all. I just got here myself. I already ordered white wine for you.”

  Kate sipped at the wine, as she picked up the menu. "Yum. Conundrum, you remembered my favorite. You look good. What were you up to today, and more importantly, why were you home when I called last night?"

  Shannon picked at the calamari appetizer. “I know, right? Working on a Saturday night? This is what my life has come to? Crap, I had so much work to catch up on. We have that new account, and I'm on a tight deadline for the first presentation. You look rested... Well, to be honest, you don't. Didn’t you sleep well?”

  “I...uh...I think I woke up a few times. You know, Shan, I'm really not sure. I kept dreaming stuff, but I can't really remember.”

  “Really? Can't remember? You're telling me you didn’t dream of, what did you call him, tall, dark and dangerous?”

  “Yeah...no…I mean, I think he was in my dreams. It was just weird, you know? Like I felt him.”

  “Oh girl, you have got to get his number and get this man out of your system.”

  “I don't know. I told you...out of my league. Besides, even if I called Rissa for his number, I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to call him. Seriously, if you could have heard me last night, I couldn't finish a sentence I was so tongue tied. I'm sure he found it all very amusing, but I doubt he’d waste five minutes on me.”

  “Listen to you! Stop putting yourself down, he came up to you, didn't he?”

  “True, but I'm pretty sure it didn't take him long to realize his mistake. I wish I had your confidence around men, but sorry, I just don't, and around him especially.” Kate picked at what was left of the calamari. Shannon had done a great job of gobbling down the appetizer. “So, what are you ordering? I think I'm having the eggplant parmesan.”

  ***

  Shade teleported directly into downtown D.C., dressed casually in jeans and a sports coat. Stepping inside the restaurant he quietly took a seat at the bar. He immediately picked up on the scent of roses. He turned his head, saw her and was instantly mesmerized. She took his breath away. Those crimson locks flowing out from beneath her hat. He let his eyes glide down her long legs, as she sat talking with her female friend and noticed the Jimmy Choo’s.

  The bartender asked him what he’d like. He knew they carried Medici wine here. It was one of the few places on this side of D.C. that carried his wine for both mortals and immortals.

  “Medici Midnight, my man.”

  The bartender nodded and went for the wine. It took some time before he returned. It must be stored in the rear of the bar, telling S
hade not many vampires frequented this establishment.

  He sat back and casually looked over at Kate every once in a while, but kept his presence unknown to her for the moment. He listened to their conversation and smiled. Oh, she had my number all right, straight to my fucking heart and then some.

  As the bartender apologized for the delay, Shade swirled the deep burgundy Midnight around in the glass then took a long sip, keeping his eyes locked on her over the rim of his glass. He was restless to talk to her, touch her. He signaled with two fingers for the bartender to come closer.

  “Do you see those two beautiful females sitting at the corner table? Please send them over a bottle of Medici Moonlight, white, 1982 is a good year, with my compliments, of course.”

  Moonlight, unlike Midnight was his wine made for mortal consumption. The bartender rushed off to grab the bottle, and passed it off to their waiter, he prepared the tray with two fresh wine glasses before delivering it to their table.

  Kate looked up as the waiter approached with a tray he sat on their table. “Excuse me, ladies, but the gentleman at the bar asked this be delivered to your table.”

  He took the corkscrew and removed the cork, pouring the wine into the glasses. Shannon picked up the bottle and looked at the label. "Nice! This is very expensive wine, Kate."

  Kate looked at the waiter. “Excuse me, who sent this?”

  The waiter pointed in the direction of the bar. "The gentleman seated near the end of the bar, the man with the really dark hair.”

  Kate looked over her shoulder to see who sent the gift, and gasped out loud. "Oh my god, Shannon, it's him!”

  “Who?” She was already sipping the newly poured wine.

  “Him! From last night. Tall, dark and dangerous.”

  Shannon craned her neck to look at him, as Shade leaned against the bar. "Fuck me! Are you kidding?” She held her glass up to him, in acknowledgement of the wine, as Shade returned the gesture.