Petra moaned, the wet heat of her body screaming for release. She couldn’t stop herself now, couldn’t slow her impending climax. And she didn’t want to. Madness took her, stole her thoughts, feelings, and emotions and allowed her to be one raw nerve surrounded by a blazing hot sun.
Synjon could no doubt feel her clenching around him and though he quickened his touch, he gentled it too. He was going to draw out her climax, keep her crying, moaning, begging for seconds upon seconds until she had nothing left.
“Synjon!!!”
Her scream was deafening, and as her insides shattered and her outsides writhed and arched and gave in, Synjon bit lightly into her flesh, thrust up into her cunt and followed her over the edge into delicious madness.
Ten
Lying back on the soft floor mat, Synjon refused to think of anything more than what was before him, what was beside him, and what had been beneath him.
If he did, he’d be utterly lost to madness.
He covered Petra with the towel, wanting to make sure she kept warm as she snuggled against his side, her head on his chest.
For several long moments, neither one of the spoke. Outside the bathroom, the day was in full progression. No doubt there would be a knock on the door at any moment, disrupting their little oasis, their scared space where nothing was challenged or explained, justified or forgiven.
“Maybe it’s best for both of us,” she said, breaking the silence, her lips moving against his chest. “But I don’t know if I can forget this, Synjon.”
Her words made Syn’s gut constrict with too many emotions he refused to look at. He tipped her face up to his, then leaned down and kissed her. Soft at first, his lips moving over hers, brushing. Then stronger, his fangs nipping at her lower lip. “I don’t want to forget this, Petra.”
Her eyes implored him. “What do we do?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Do you want to stay here?”
“My family is here.”
“That doesn’t mean you must.” What was he saying? What was he asking in his sacred space that had no rules of regrets?
Her gaze warmed and her mouth lifted into a gentle smile.
“Come with me when I leave,” he said impetuously. No regrets. No looking back. “I’ll take you to the credentis. You can see how your kind lives.”
Her smile broadened and reached her pale blue eyes. “I would love to see that.”
“There is so much to show you.” The fantasy continued inside his head. “But first, I have I take care of some business. You can stay with my friends, the Romans. They are good pavens and veanas. Their mates will befriend you, tell you all about Meta—”
“Business?” she repeated, her brow furrowing and her eyes losing a touch of their happy glow. “You’re talking about revenge, aren’t you?”
He inhaled deeply. He didn’t want to go there, not now. That part of his life had no place in this fantasy. But he implored her. “It’s justice, Petra. And I will have it. I must have it.”
She will have it.
His gut aching, he eased Petra’s head to his chest again and pulled her closer. “Please understand. I must end it, end that bloody bastard to move on. You wouldn’t want to know me, be near me, if I didn’t.”
She was quiet for a moment, her hand brushing back and forth over his chest. “What if he gets to you first? What if he hurts you?”
Synjon sniffed his derision, the bitterness creeping in whether he wanted it to or not. “Cruen has already hurt me in the worst way imaginable. It is his turn now. His and any kin he may have sired.”
Synjon felt her go still against him, and her hand cease its soft caresses against his chest. He brushed her hair away from her shoulder and wondered if he should say anything more or just let her digest what was already given. No doubt she was exhausted. No rest the night before, feeding him her blood, passing out, the ice cold bath—and then their very lively mating.
Poor veana.
“Nothing needs to be decided now, Love,” he whispered against the top of her head. “Just close your eyes, and sleep.”
It was a long while before he felt her body relax and her breathing slow.
* * *
He was truly the most beautiful male she had ever seen. And it was going to destroy her to never see him again.
Tears pricked Petra’s eyes as she stared down at Synjon Wise, asleep on her bathroom floor. They had been through so much in such a short time, and she knew that never again would she feel such a connection, such a need, such a desire for anyone.
But she had to leave him, and the only home she had ever known.
Before walking out of the room, she gave him one last look, the male who had stolen her unbeating heart, then broke it into a thousand sharp pieces with just one word.
One terrible revelation.
Her bags were gathered at the front door and she moved toward them with the speed of a snail. She didn’t want to go. Everything inside of her pleaded with her mind, her reason, to reconsider. But she kept walking until her hand curled around the door handle.
Even if he woke now, he wouldn’t be able to go after her. The sun was high in the sky, and he wouldn’t harm himself.
Not for her.
Quick and quiet, she stepped outside to the porch of her treehouse and closed the door on her home and her life. A few feet away, Dani waited solemnly in her hawk form. They didn’t speak, they didn’t need to. Her best friend understood her plight and would keep her secret.
There was only one thing Petra knew about her birth family, and it was the name of her father. It was an unusual name, and she knew it as well as she knew her own. In all her years on this earth, that name had only been used by her mother.
Until today.
When the male who slept on her bathroom floor, the male she wanted more than anything, spoke of justice and killing.
She positioned herself on Dani’s back and the hawk kicked off the porch and exploded into the sky.
She had to find Cruen. She had to find her father before Synjon Wise did.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Wright is passionate about romantic fiction. Though she has spent most of her life immersed in acting, singing, and competitive ballroom dancing, when she found the world of writing and books and endless cups of coffee she knew she was home. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children, and three lovable dogs.
CONNECT ONLINE
www.laurawright.com
www.facebook.com/laurawrightauthor
www.twitter.com/laurawrightrom
Praise for Laura Wright
and the Mark of the Vampire Series
Eternal Beast
“Absorbing and edgy, darkly seductive—everything vampire romance should be! Eternal Beast is an enthralling read. . . . Laura Wright turns up the heat and takes you on a wild ride. I can’t wait to see what’s next!”
—Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of Darker After Midnight
“Grabs you by the heart strings from the first page and pulls you along until the cliffhanger of an ending. . . . [The] complexity of emotion is what makes Laura Wright’s books so engrossing. . . . One of the best new series and authors around, [and] I highly recommend Eternal Beast to all lovers of paranormal romance.”
—Sizzling Hot Book Reviews
“This has been a series I love to read and seem to fall more and more in love with.”
—Paranormal Reads
“Laura Wright did my two favorite characters justice and gave them an awesome story. . . . Eternal Beast is the best in the series!”
—Under the Covers
“An incredible installment to the series . . . If you haven’t experienced this series yet, you are totally missing out.”
—Literal Addiction
“Laura Wright has
done it again and totally [blown] me away. . . . Laura Wright has created an original and extraordinary world, and I am her fan girl for life.”
—Book Monster Reviews
“I’d put Laura Wright’s level of world building and character development in with Black Dagger Brotherhood and Immortals After Dark.”
—Scandalicious Book Reviews
Eternal Captive
“Riveting. . . . There are plenty more stories to be told in this fascinating universe.”
—Romantic Times
“An action-packed read . . . Enough twists that leave one anxious for the next in the series.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“Very sexy . . . The emotional strength of the story elevated this above other paranormals I’ve read of late.”
—Dear Author . . .
Eternal Kiss
“The perfect book for anyone who likes sexy, dangerous vampires with dark secrets.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Complex and riveting.”
—Romantic Times (4 stars)
“A super urban romantic.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
“I fell in love with book one in this series, but this second edition moved me from innocent love to full-blown love addiction. . . .[I] could not put it down.”
—Shameless Romance Reviews (5 stars)
“A great ride where a sweep-off-your-feet romance ignites within a high-risk plot. Laura Wright has found her niche in the paranormal romance genre with her larger-than-life Roman brothers!”
—Leontine’s Book Realm
Eternal Hunger
“Just when it seems every possible vampire twist has been turned, Wright launches a powerful series with a rich mythology, page-turning tension, and blistering sensuality.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Dark, delicious, and sinfully good, Eternal Hunger is a stunning start to what promises to be an addictive new series. I can’t wait for more from Laura Wright.”
—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author of Tangle of Need
“Action, passion, and dark suspense launch a riveting new series. Laura Wright knows how to lure you in and hold you captive until the last page.”
—Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author of Lethal Rider
“Dark, sexy vampires with an urban bite make Eternal Hunger a must read.”
—Jessica Andersen, author of Spellfire
“Paranormal fans with a penchant for vamps will find Eternal Hunger a must read, but be warned, you will quickly become hooked!”
—The Romance Readers Connection (4½ stars)
“Deliciously dark while making you believe in the concept of soulmates.”
—Fresh Fiction
“In a field brimming with rehashes of the same theme, Wright has managed to create a sound, believable vampire culture with plenty of tension and interesting plot points. The pacing is smooth with well-developed characters, and the satisfying conclusion leaves ample room for more from this strong new series.”
—Monsters and Critics
“A bold new voice in vampire romance.”
—Romantic Times (4 stars)
“Wright does an incredible job in wrapping everything up in a deeply satisfying conclusion while enticing readers to continue on. I know I’m looking forward to the next in the Mark of the Vampire series.”
—Sacramento Book Review
“Wright has taken a common theme and transformed it into her own creation, a unique and intriguing world that stands out from the pack. A captivating take, Eternal Hunger is certain to make it onto your list of favorite books and will leave you thirsty for more.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“If you like testosterone-heavy man candy and sex scenes hot enough to curl your toes, you are going to kick yourself for not reading Eternal Hunger!”
—Bitten by Books
“In Eternal Hunger classic paranormal romance elements mesh with a fresh and exciting plot and characters. . . .[Wright] sure made an unforgettable impression with her storytelling.”
—Leontine’s Book Realm
Discover Other Laura Wright Titles
Mark of the Vampire Series
Eternal Hunger
Eternal Kiss
Eternal Blood
(A Penguin Special)
Eternal Captive
Eternal Beast
Eternal Demon
Read on for a preview of Laura Wright’s next novel
in the exciting Mark of the Vampire series
ETERNAL DEMON
Available from Signet Eclipse on May 7, 2013.
Mark of the Balas
Erion landed on the familiar cobblestone street, not giving a shit who saw him flash, who saw him feral. The rage within him was raw, painfully uninhibited—strangely uncontrollable. Only minutes had passed since Cruen had taken the balas from them—from him—and yet every breath he drew felt heavy and prolonged.
He moved down the street, letting his nose, not his memory, guide him. He needed information, and the male he sought had better be there to give it to him. Evening was dropping down in blankets of shade over the tops of the antiquated buildings and stores in the small French village, but Erion knew the mutore male stayed in his shop well past the typical closing time. In fact, it was possible he lived in the rooms above.
Erion pursued the weak scent at a quicker, irrepressible pace, almost as if an invisible wire was pulling him. Every human he passed was an inconsequential blur, every storefront the wrong one. The dire need to know if the boy his adopted father—the mad vampire, Cruen—had stolen was breathing and well consumed his mind and his focus. It was insane to think that Ladd had been snatched right out from under him, the child’s large, liquid eyes wide with fear as he was sucked back into Cruen’s flash. Erion growled at the thought, at the vibrant memory. It was more than diabolical anger he felt. It was as though a limb had been ripped from his own body. And, gods help anyone who got in his way, he would not rest until it was returned.
He came to halt outside the mutore Shifter’s shop, his keen sense of smell alerting him to what he had already suspected—the male inside. Just as he’d hoped, Raine was still at work. He entered the dusty space in a rush of manic testosterone, his gaze taking in every inch. He’d been inside the antique-furnishings shop only once before with his twin, Nicholas. His Roman brother had purchased a home about thirty miles away, not far from where they had both been born—born and thrown away, in Erion’s case. Nicholas had wanted to “put down some roots”—a concept Erion had never considered before, not until the boy he’d never known he had was introduced to him.
Ladd.
His guts ached like an infected fang. He had to find him, get him out of the clutches of that insanely cruel vampire before any permanent damage was done. Dammit, he should’ve had an inside track since Cruen had raised him, but that cagey bastard moved from one secret location to the next as often as a pair of rabbits fucked.
He shouldered his way through masses of antique furniture, rolled rugs, and ornately framed landscapes, and up to the front of the shop. But before he reached the massive desk and the small brass bell atop it, a humorless voice stopped him.
“That’s far enough, Beast.” In the far right corner of the store, Raine appeared behind a thick wood table that lay on its side. The reptilian mutore walked toward Erion, his brown eyes wary, his mouth a thin, grim line. “I hope you’re here to purchase something.”
“I am,” Erion said. He was a good foot taller than the mutore Shifter and had no problem using it to his advantage.
As he approached, Raine’s gaze moved around the store nervously. “What is it you seek then? Loveseat? Chaise? Whatever it is, make it quick.”
“The lo
cation of your uncle is all I want.”
Raine froze halfway to his desk, his eyes blinking rapidly as he stared at Erion. “Get out,” he uttered tersely.
Erion forced a cool smile. “Your customer service leaves much to be desired, Mutore.”
“You are no customer here,” Raine said fiercely, “only a pest that wishes to infect and destroy.” Eyes down, he made a beeline for his desk, but Erion shot past him and blocked his way.
“Why do you protect a monster?” Erion growled.
Raine’s gaze lifted and his eyes narrowed. “I see only one monster, and he stands before me.”
“Then you are a fool.”
“Perhaps. But I remain alive, and that is all I can hope for now.” He pushed past Erion, and this time the mutore allowed him to pass. “I’m surprised you came alone,” Raine continued, rounding his desk. “Without the added muscle. Where is the other one, like you but Pureblood?”
The sting of his words found their mark—always did. Erion was as Pureblooded as his twin, but unlike Nicholas, he had been born a mutore—a mutant vampire with strains of another creature’s DNA. Granted, the Romans and the mutore were all children of the Breeding Male, the genetically altered vampire monster, but the mistakes like him weren’t used, weren’t even deemed worthy of breath. Erion and his Beast brothers and sister—Phane, Lycos, Helo, and Dillon—had been luckier than most, though, if you call being rescued from the trash bin by a mad vampire and raised in a laboratory lucky. Erion wasn’t sure what he called it. Or if the life he’d led thus far had been worth saving.
Jury was still out, as Alexander said.
“My brother is searching for Cruen as well,” Erion told the nervous-eyed male. In fact, now that the moon and stars were the only light to brighten the sky, all of the brothers, mutore and Roman, were spread out searching for the vampire and for Ladd.
Raine clucked his tongue. “A fool’s errand. Whatever you want him for, you would be best to forget it. My uncle wouldn’t hesitate to kill even the ones he calls family if they get in the way of what he wants.”
Eternal Beauty: Mark of the Vampire (A Penguin Special from Signet Eclipse) Page 7
