Blood at Dusk: A Dark Vampire Paranormal Romance Novel (The SoulBlood Series Book 1)

by Brenna Harlow

  Kora breaks the kiss first, resting her forehead against mine as she breathes. “I’m gonna start the water,” she says, slipping out from beneath me. She opens one of the stall doors and disappears inside.

  I turn, surveying my surroundings. White walls are lit brighter by a reflective glass that hangs on the wall. I watch through the mirror as Kora twists a knob. Pipes groan as warm water shoots out of a metal hose, hitting the tile floors below.

  I slink toward her, like a predator approaching its prey. She steps forward, not frightened by my advancement, and I lift her into my arms. I lick her lips, and she parts them for me. My hands rub over her backside as she presses herself against me.

  “I missed you,” she murmurs against my lips.

  I groan and set her down onto the floor. “I missed you too, my mate.” I drop to my knees in front of her, pulling her pants down to her ankles. This time, no undergarments are in my way.

  “Oh, God,” Kora moans as I place my tongue against her soaked core. Her hands grip the hair against my scalp, and I groan against her cunt. My cock throbs against my pants, desperate to find its home within her.

  My tongue works against her clit as she moves her hips in circles, and I can feel the wetness coat my face as she comes, violently tugging on my hair. I don’t stop licking her until her hand loosens, and then I stand and rip the human clothes from my body.

  Kora’s eyes widen in shock, but she should know by now that I do not care about scraps of fabric when they only get in the way pumping into my sweet mate. My cock straightens, and I stroke it with my hand as I gaze into Kora’s wide eyes.

  “You wished to shower, correct?” I ask, motioning to the wetness that pours from the metal pipes.

  Images float to Kora's mind. Images of her under the droplets of water, hair drenched. Me pushing her against the tile wall, pummeling her with my hard cock until she cries out. A growl builds in my chest. I want that. Now.

  Kora blushes, knowing what I have seen.

  “Take your shirt off.” I tug at the hem.

  She pulls it over her shoulder, dropping it on the ground by our feet. I lift her into my arms, and her legs circle around my waist. I dip my head, nuzzling her chest as I kiss her breasts.

  Water gushes onto our bodies as I walk under the spray, and she becomes slippery in my grasp. I grip her tighter, unwilling to let her fall from my arms. I slip one hand under Kora’s rounded bottom as I tease her wet nipple with my other hand. She moans, her devilish instincts taking over as she grinds against my hard length. I moan against her chest as her folds slick against my cock.

  I growl and press her against the tile wall, letting her weight slowly push her down onto my length. One, two, three inches. When she pushes her hips forward, I sink the rest of the way inside.

  Kora gasps as I pump into her repeatedly. The water drips down her head and off of her chin as she hangs her head back. Her hips move against mine, and soon, I’m spilling my seed. I groan as my cock jumps, pulsating inside of her cunt.

  I slide out of my mate and place her against the slick floor, claiming her mouth in a kiss.

  “Oh, man,” Kora says, stretching her arms over her head. Her cheeks are flushed from our lovemaking.

  “Yes, oh man.” I wipe my finger over her cheek, losing myself in the blue orbs of her eyes.

  “I’m glad I didn’t die,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my waist.

  “I would have never let that happen, Kora. Never.” I rub my hand over her back, and she sniffles.

  “Are you crying?” I pull away, observing her puffy red eyes.

  “No.” She swipes at her cheeks.

  “You are. Why?” I pull her to my chest again, and her shoulders shake.

  “I can’t believe we’re here. And I’m pissed that Cece isn’t with me. She should have been saved, too.”

  I rock her in my arms as the warm water rains down over us. It will be okay. I promise. Kora sniffles again before pulling away.

  “I know. I guess I’m just a little emotional. That was great though. The sex.” She looks to the ground, blushing.

  “Do you always embarrass at the talk of sex? Kora, we will be mating often. There’s no need to get shy.”

  “Psh, I’m not shy. It’s just,” She blows out a breath, beating air against my face, “I don’t understand how the fuck you’re so good at it.”

  I throw my head back and laugh, and Kora pats me against the chest. “Alright, big boy, let's actually shower now. Can you grab the soap? It’s on the counter.”

  I grab it, smelling sweet nectar inside. I wrinkle my nose.

  “What?” She laughs as I pass it to her.

  “Is this a snack?” I point to the bottle now upturned in her hands. She squeezes a lump of oozing pink liquid from the container.

  “It’s shampoo.” She lifts the goo to her head and rubs it into her hair. The substance froths into a thick lather.

  “May I?” I ask.

  “Go for it,” she replies, turning her back to me. I bring my hands to her head and massage her scalp. Kora sighs and leans her back against me.

  This is all I ever need. My mate, safe in my arms as pleasurable purrs slip from her lips. Her striking pale hair blends in with my flesh, a visual reminder that our souls are now bound as one. Forever, with her delicate skin pressed against my chest.

  A male has never been so lucky.

  Brone

  After Jacel explains his motivations, I ignore the conversation. My mind is drawn to the girl with golden hair, her thoughts enticing me away from the boring talk of war strategy.

  I felt her call the moment I stepped inside of this dwelling. A tug, vicious and demanding, has tethered me to the green eyed human. Her plump lips make promises without words, and now, I crave her more than blood.

  When the dhampirs are distracted, I slip away. I have my own mission, now. Protect my female and serve her in whatever way she desires. Claim her as mine.

  I follow the wave of her silky thoughts, as they hum and dance through the air around me. I block out the other humans. They mean nothing to me now. But this strange female? She is special.

  As I grow closer, her mood sours. My feet quicken as I speed through the white corridor, until I’m close enough to taste her in the air. What has upset my mate? I push through a swinging door, and then I can hear the soft sniffles of my female.

  This room is large, with bright white lights glaring against the reflection mirror that hangs on the wall. I look up at the glowing orbs attached to the ceiling. If I had my manuscript, maybe I could document these anomalies…

  I lock my jaw, shoving the thoughts away. I am no longer a Scholar. The history of my people no longer matters in this world. I move on to more pressing matters, as my mate sniffles behind one of the stalls. Fucking bullshit. I can’t believe they’re gonna act like this shit is okay. Why am I crying? Fuck, I’ve got to pull myself together.

  “Are you well?” I press my palm against the door.

  “Um, excuse me, this is the ladies room.” Her voice leaks venom, but her heart thumps loudly in her chest.

  “Yes, but you are unwell. Let me inside.” I press against the door, and it groans.

  “Hey, stop! Get the fuck outta here.” Her hand slams against the other side of the stall, and I back away.

  “No.”

  “No?”

  I run my hand through my hair. “You are crying. It is my job to protect you,” I pause, remembering that Kora did not feel the Calling when Aldeon approached her. “To protect all humans.” I grit my teeth.

  “Okay, well, I’m officially releasing you from your duties. Leave me alone.” She sniffles again.

  “Give me visual evidence of your wellbeing.” I cross my arms over my chest.

  She huffs, and a lock scrapes open. She pulls the door wide, leaning against the side of the stall. “See, I’m fine.” She starts to shut the door again, and I step forward, placing my hand against the cool metal. She gasps, her eyes widen
ing.

  Her eyes are puffy and red, and her cheeks are blotchy. “You are not well.” I furrow my brows.

  “And there isn’t shit you can do about it, so get the hell away from me.” She shoves against the door, and I let her close it.

  “I’ll wait outside until you're ready,” I say, shuffling backwards. Her emotions are strong, spilling over onto her face. She’s saddened, depressed.

  And I think I know why. We are the cause of her despondence. We are the reason she weeps. I exit the room, pressing myself against the textured walls in the hallway.

  Dhampirs have wreaked havoc on this world, and those who are left are mere fragments of themselves. My mate is in her tiny cell, crying water from her eyes, and I am a part of the problem.

  I exhale and rub my hand across my face. I have to fix this.

  The sniffling in the other room subsides, and I hear the stall door clank open. Her footsteps clack, clack against the floor as she opens the door beside me and enters into the hallway. Her eyes flash with annoyance as they find mine.

  “Are you brain damaged, bloodsucker?”

  I rub my hand across the back of my neck. “No, I am not.”

  “Then get this through your thick skull.” She takes a step forward, pressing one finger against my chest. “I will not submit like those other girls. Don’t even think about doing the puppy dog eyes shit with me, it won’t work. I’m not looking for a stalker either, so you can get lost.” And then she turns, swinging her hips as she leaves down the corridor. She turns a corner, out of sight.

  I exhale deeply. Well, that was almost as bad as I imagined.

  But she’s fierce. My mate has fire in her eyes, and she isn’t afraid to touch me. I rub my chest over the spot where her nails nearly staked my flesh.

  I need to consult Aldeon. He’ll know how I can fix this.

  Kora

  “Whaddya think?” Lyra holds a framed painting against the wall with both hands.

  “A little to the left.” I stick a nail into my mouth, freeing my hands so I can help her center the frame.

  The door opens behind us, and Alora’s singsong voice heightens. “Guess whaaat? The boys are back.”

  I turn, dropping the nail from my mouth. Alora holds a large cardboard box in her hands, overfilling with items. I bounce on my heels. “What did they bring this time?”

  “Don’t know. Haven’t checked it yet. Aldeon directed me to bring it to you first.” She rolls her eyes.

  Thanks, babe. I grin to myself, waiting for his sappy remark, but it never comes. I tap my foot, leaning against my wooden dresser as Lyra hammers a nail into the wall.

  Alora drops the box onto the bed. “You better have a look. I’m taking it over to Maggie and Evelyn next.”

  Aldeon? Still no response.

  I exhale and push off of the dresser, crossing the room in two strides. Aldeon has been outside, bringing back things from the world above. On top of the pile are a few new romance books, and I toss them onto my bed.

  Lyra snickers. “You and that boy sure love to read these sexy smut books, huh?”

  I toss a pack of hair ties and a hairbrush onto my bed. “Actually, we read fantasy too, Lyra.” I look away, concealing my red cheeks.

  “Mhm, sure.” Lyra hammers the other nail into the wall, momentarily filling the room with loud bangs.

  I grab one more thing, a bottle of lotion, and lift the box back up. “Those are my five things, here ya go.”

  Alora smiles wide as she takes the box from my hands. Her cheeks turn pink. “Thank you. I’ll go run this to Maggie.”

  I look over my shoulder at Lyra, watching as she finishes hanging the painting up. “Hey, Lyra. I’m gonna go walk with Alora to Maggie’s room. I’ll be right back.”

  Lyra nods her head, as she kneels atop my dresser, still trying to get the frame centered. “I’ll be here.”

  “Thank you, really.” I rub my hand over my heart. These women have welcomed me with open arms, and today, they’ve taken the initiative to help me decorate the bland walls of my new bedroom. I couldn’t ask for a better gift.

  Lyra waves her hand, dismissing my thanks. “Go on, girl. Go see your man. I’ll be here when you get back.”

  I tug my hair behind my ear, looking at the ground. “Oh, that’s not what I was-”

  Lyra laughs, shooing me with her hands. “Just go, it's fine.”

  I nod my head, smiling with relief. After the last couple of weeks, the women have come to accept my relationship with Aldeon. They no longer gawk or shy away from him, especially since I’ve been working on his manners. He no longer calls all of them ‘female’.

  I follow Alora into the hallway. “Did he say anything when he got back?” I rub my hands together.

  “Actually, Brone brought this to me. He ran down the other hallway after. It was pretty weird.”

  My heart thumps inside of my chest, and I swallow down the lump in my throat.

  Aldeon? No reply.

  Alora stops in front of Maggie’s door, and Evelyn opens it on the second knock. “Hey! Come in.”

  We enter. Maggie’s room is decorated with fairy lights that Jacel found on his last trip out, and her dresser drawers are all half opened, with clothes spewing out of the edges. She sits on her bed, painting her nails with red polish.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  Alora drops the box onto her bed, sloshing her nail supplies. “Hey! Careful.”

  “Sorry.” Alora straightens, flipping her hair back over her shoulders. “You can take this to Jez when you get done.”

  Maggie rolls her eyes.

  “Hey, did Jacel happen to come by here? Or Aldeon?” I bite my lower lip, watching the other girls. Evelyn moves to the other side of the room, stretching out on a yoga mat.

  “Nope. Jacel’s been in his office for the last hour. I think Aldeon may be in there with him.” Maggie blows on her right hand, watching me through her lashes.

  I take a step backwards. “Oh, well, I’ll be right back.” And then I turn, slinging myself back into the corridor. My feet shuffle against the floor as I speed walk to Jacel’s office.

  It’s near the front of the compound, right below the sloping hallway that leads to the surface. I pass the cafeteria and speed up, practically running the rest of the way to the mahogany colored door.

  My hand hovers over the wood before it opens, and Aldeon pulls me into his arms. I’m crushed against his chest, and I inhale the fresh scent of pine.

  “Where have you been?” I shudder against him as the fear fades away. I hadn’t realized how dependent I was on his presence, how easy it was for me to sink back into my anxiety.

  Jacel clears his throat, but Aldeon doesn’t release me. He turns, and I move my head to the side. Jacel watches us with something akin to envy on his face, and I’ve begun to realize why.

  “Something has happened,” he says.

  I look up into Aldeon’s dark eyes, and he nods.

  “What? What happened?”

  “The dark one has returned.” Aldeon brushes his hand over the back of my head, holding me to his body.

  “But… But they left-”

  “They’re returned.” Jacel crosses his arms over his shoulders.

  And then I hear it. Banging against the door, echoing down the sloping hallway. Shrieks cloud the corridor like a dense mist, and I blink. Once, two times. My legs wobble, and Aldeon presses me to him tighter.

  “We’re trapped inside until the horde leaves.” Aldeon drops his chin on my forehead, rocking me from side to side.

  “If they leave.” Jacel’s cheeks twitch as his jaw hardens.

  “They left last time-”

  “And this time they have more numbers. The dark one has come with vengeance on his mind.”

  Another bang sounds down the hallway as a maddened vampire rams against the reinforced steel door.

  “They can’t get in,” Aldeon says, rubbing my head again.

  I nod against his chest, and my throa
t bobs as I swallow again.

  No matter the outcome, I know that these men will protect us; the women who’ve stolen their hearts.

  We will. Aldeon lifts me into his arms, and begins to walk away from Jacel, and the loud booms reverberating from the entrance. I will destroy anyone who threatens your safety. I promise.

  I rub my palm against his smooth face, and his eyes fall to meet mine. “Let’s go tell the others.”

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  Pre-Order Book Two

  You can pre-order book two, Blood After Dawn, here!

  (FYI, the pre-order date will say July, but I plan to move that date up to May 2021 as the book is already being edited.)

  Author’s Note

  I’m sure you have questions, and maybe I have a few answers.

  Yes, another book is coming (respective date is TBA, but I’ve got my calendar marked for the end of next month. That’s May, 2021) and Brone is going to have his stuff to figure out. Any guesses on who his mate is? I tried to make it easy! (Cough, cough, blonde hair.)

  Yes, I realize that I didn’t go into detail about Aldeon’s home planet. That will be revealed throughout each story, like little cookie crumbs leading to a big WOWZER story that I have planned for later on. What needed to be included about his planet was, and more will be added in the next installment.

  There are seven books planned for this series, with at least two novellas in the works as well. Kora and Aldeon will be returning to the spotlight in one of those novellas. Anyone wanna guess what it’s about? No spoilers, but it’s sweet, romantic, and expands their ‘happily ever after’ a little more.