Her mom sounded more like her old self by the time Rana hung up the phone. Feeling better, she walked over to pick up the book that had fallen from her lap when she jumped to answer the phone. Chuckling, she mumbled, “Story of my life lately; waking up from an amazing nap before the ripping-clothes-off-hot-n’-sweaty-naked-bodies-part happens.”
She closed the book with a sigh and sank into the comfy chair’s cushions, thinking about the one and only time she’d seen the stranger from her dream. Of all places, it had been at the cemetery.
Jack’s funeral had ended and she was the last one to leave. While she passed under the cemetery entry gate, she was so caught up in her grief, she didn’t notice she’d veered into someone’s path until she accidentally bumped shoulders with the person entering. In that one jarring moment, all her dulled senses came slamming back, stronger than they’d ever been. The late afternoon sun had disappeared behind the clouds, making the fall air crisper as it cut into her coat. The scent of chimney fires smelled stronger and the sound of hands patting backs sounded more distinct as family members waited by their cars for her. The sensory overload briefly jerked her out of her misery and she had glanced over her shoulder at the stranger.
The tall man had turned his head too. He stopped walking and faced her. Since he wore sunglasses, she couldn’t see his eyes, but his brows drew together behind the dark frames as if he were studying her. Sudden, unexpected awareness had rushed through her. He seemed…familiar.
Her mother put an arm around her, pulling her toward the car and away from her distracted thoughts. “Are you okay, honey? I have something Jack left for you.”
That had been a week ago. Rana sat straight up in the chair when she realized Mr. Tall, Dark, and Seductive from her dream had had silver-blue eyes. But the man in the cemetery had worn sunglasses. How could she have made up such an unusual eye color?
As a shiver passed through her, she glanced upward and snorted. If she ever did get to meet the man from her dream in person, she could hear Jack now, taking credit, even from the grave. Yep, got those two together, I sure did.
Chapter Two
“Lucian, evening has arrived.”
“Oh, Luuuucian.”
“Lucian, wake up!”
Lucian reluctantly came out of his self-induced deep sleep to find Sabryn and Uncle Vlad leaning over him. Annoyed didn’t begin to describe his mood. For the first time in a very long time he’d dreamed…and it wasn’t about Elizabeth, but the woman he’d seen at the cemetery. Why had he dreamed about her?
Sabryn frowned. “Get up. It is time for you to feed.”
Lucian noticed the elevated pitch in Sabryn’s voice and his Uncle’s stiff stance, but he stretched slowly and yawned just to agitate them more. “To what do I owe this honor, you two?”
She paced away from his bed, her steps brisk. “This isn’t normal, how you sleep the ‘deep sleep’ so often. Time is drawing close for you to take your place as Vité. You must keep your strength up.”
Lucian leaned on his elbow with a lazy smile. “You plan to usurp me, little sister?”
Sabryn turned, skimming him with confident eyes. “I could, you know.”
I’d like to see you try, he shot back to her mentally.
Huffing, she pointed at him. “Kendrian bylaws might require a period of mourning before the seat is filled, but Father wouldn’t have wanted you to wait the full two years. The chair has remained unclaimed too long.” Her cheeks had turned rosy in her agitation. “Kraid will challenge you for the position.”
Lucian sat up and scrubbed his hands down his face. “You’re making too much of this. Maybe it’s time for someone from one of the other clans to lead. The Kantrés have held the leadership position for a long time.”
“You would support Kraid?” Sabryn’s gaze jerked to Vlad’s. “He’s gone mad.”
Lucian laughed at Sabryn’s incredulous expression. “Kraid’s an idiot. There are three other clan leaders who’re capable of leading.”
When Sabryn made a choked sound, his uncle cleared his throat and spoke in a calming tone. “They’d all crumble under the pressure. What’s this all about, Lucian?”
Lucian rolled his head from one shoulder to the other. “I don’t know if I want to take it.”
Sabryn spread her arms wide. “You’re a born leader. Everybody knows it!”
Accepting the role meant he’d have to be constantly available for the council meetings or to make high-level decisions related to the five Kendrian clans. He wouldn’t be able to retreat into his own world as he’d done the last few years.
His uncle and Sabryn quickly said in unison, “You must!”
“What’s going on?” Lucian slanted his gaze. “Tell me now!”
Vlad glided toward him, his regal bearing, salt and pepper hair and old-fashioned three-piece-suit were a painful reminder of Lucian’s deceased father. “While you have slept these past two months, some of Kraid’s Ruean clan members have killed humans, a couple of them violently. We believe he’s not doing enough to curb this behavior.”
“Ha!” Sabryn snorted, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. “He’s not doing anything. I think he condones it. It’s no secret he believes humans are an inferior race.”
Lucian stood, anger bubbling within him. Kraid’s stupidity could expose them all. There were many humans he called friends, but how would they feel about him if they knew he was a vampire? “Where is Kraid now?” he said, his voice full of steel.
Sabryn put her hand on his tense arm. “You must feed first, regain your strength. You’ve been too long without sustenance. You’d be no match for Kraid right now.”
Lucian gritted his teeth. Feeding would delay a confrontation with Kraid. While neither she nor his uncle knew about his visit to Elizabeth’s grave, it had been a week since he’d last fed. Kraid fed often, the gluttonous bastard. He nodded and started to shift into a raven.
“Wait,” Sabryn called. Mid-shift, Lucian turned to her, his eyebrow raised. She smiled. “I want to hunt with you tonight.” There’s something we need to discuss, she whispered in his mind.
His uncle raised a graying brow. They both knew Sabryn preferred to hunt alone, but he didn’t say a word, even though Lucian knew curiosity was killing him. Instead he walked over and opened the window for them.
Lucian smiled. “Like when we were teens?”
Sabryn laughed, then shifted into a raven right along with him.
*
Lucian leaned against his Jaguar outside his nightclub, Lion’s Lair, as he waited for Sabryn to finish feeding. He shook his head and gave a low chuckle. Sabryn didn’t need to use her ability to compel the man. One kiss from her sultry lips and the stocky stranger willingly offered her his neck. Lucian looked up when she approached with a smile.
“You should at least let him remember your name this time,” Lucian said, amusement reflected in his tone.
“And take a chance he’ll actually try to call me?” She showed her fangs before she let them retract back to their normal size. “Just because you choose not to erase your presence doesn’t mean I have to.”
Lucian shook his head. “Are you ever going to let yourself get close to anyone?”
His sister stiffened. “Not ever again.”
Lucian put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s been fifty years. You need to move on.”
“That’s rich coming from you.” Sabryn shrugged his hand off. “I’m not here to talk about me. Now that you’ve fed, we have much to discuss.”
He folded his arms, decidedly curious. “Go on.”
“You know how you’ve put Elizabeth’s ring in jewelers’ windows in hopes she’d return to you one day?”
Lucian’s entire body tensed. He didn’t dare hope. He dropped his arms, his breath escaping in a whisper. “Yes.”
“I’ll bet you didn’t know I stole it.”
Fisting his hands by his sides, Lucian thundered, “You what!” Seventy years ago, he lost his fiancée, E
lizabeth, in a riding accident before he could make her his bride and a vampire, too. Depression set in for months until his father reminded him of the circle of life and his belief in reincarnation.
Lucian clung to the concept. Over the years he’d sought out jewelers. Befriending them, he asked them to display Elizabeth’s ring—a ring he’d personally had created for his love—in his or her shop window. He always hoped Elizabeth would find him.
As decades passed, he realized his dreams were nothing more than wishful thinking, and the loneliness became too much to bear. The realization he’d never find his mate, coupled with his father’s death, was why he’d taken to hibernating in recent months. “It wasn’t yours to take, Sabryn.”
She shot him an indignant look. “It was a work of art and belonged in a place where it could be watched over. I thought to put it in my shop.” She raised her chin, defiance sparking in her eyes. “At least among antiquities, it would be appreciated for what it was.”
Lucian snorted. “Yeah, among little old, blue-haired ladies. I might be older than them, but my tastes run a bit younger.”
Relaxing, Sabryn tilted her head. “You never did tell me…how would you know the woman who bought your ring was Elizabeth reincarnated?”
He eyed her, wondering her intent. He probably should’ve told her how the ring was intended to work. Then she would’ve stayed out of his business. “Old magic, Sabryn. I found a spell in some family scrolls. Elizabeth would be drawn to the scent the ring emanated, a scent only she and I could detect. No one else would be attracted to the ring.”
She gave a smile of satisfaction. “A human woman bought your ring today.”
Lucian frowned, feeling as if he were being ripped apart. He’d woken with a sense of relief that he’d dreamed about another woman. No one had drawn his attention in so long, he’d begun to wonder if he would always be alone. For a human woman to buy the ring now seemed like someone was playing a sick joke at his expense.
Clasping his sister’s shoulders tight, he gritted out, “Don’t toy with me, Sabryn. I’m not in the mood.”
She laid her palm on his cheek, a sincere expression on her face. “I’m not. The woman commented on my perfume—that she liked it.” She grinned. “I wasn’t wearing any.” Her eyes shined as she swept her arm wide. “I would suggest you use the internet, but I know the hunt will make your reconnection all the sweeter. Let the wind help you find her, brother. She said that she has lived in Chicago all her life. Her name is Rana Sterling.”
Lucian shifted into a raven’s form as she finished the last word, leaving his clothes behind in a heap on the ground. His sister’s melodious laughter floated behind him as he soared to the sky. The sound made his heart sing. Yes, dear sister, now I too have a reason to laugh.
*
Lucian flew for hours, concentrating all his efforts on his keen sense of smell. If Elizabeth’s scent was out there, he’d find it. Unfortunately it had rained earlier in the evening and he couldn’t catch a trail. He returned to the deserted parking lot, frustrated, but not discouraged. It would take time for the ring to absorb Rana Sterling’s scent. He’d find her. And when he did, would thoughts of the woman from his dreams fade?
Once he’d slid on his discarded clothes, he walked inside the nearly empty nightclub. It was almost time to close up. Ian flagged him down at the bar.
As Lucian approached the bar, he had to chuckle. Contrary to Hollywood’s popular portrayal, vampires might not eat, but they certainly drank. After all, living for centuries would be pretty boring if they couldn’t relax every once in a while.
Lucian ordered a drink, then grunted that he had to resort to scrolling through the white pages on his cell. As he settled beside his longtime friend and typed in Rana Sterling, he cast a wry smile Ian’s way. He and Ian had gone through a lot together over the years.
“It’s been too long since we’ve had a drink together.” Clapping Lucian on the shoulder, Ian’s calm, golden eyes searched his intently. “Something seems different about you. You seem…intense.” He rubbed his jaw, then dropped his hand, eyebrows lifting in anticipation. “You’re finally going to take your father’s place.”
Lucian took a sip of his whiskey. “I have something I need to do first.”
“Sabryn told me she’s informed you of the murders.” Ian jerked a hand through his short, tawny hair with a heavy sigh. “For what it’s worth, it wasn’t just the two vamps in his clan who were responsible, Kraid killed a human as well.”
Lucian set his jaw. He trusted his friend to know the facts. Ian was a member of Kraid’s Ruean clan. In all his years, he had never seen a more divided group. The Rueans were made up of two types of men: the loud, arrogant, angry ones and the idealists. There was no room for those who fell right in the middle.
Ian was one of those men—wild and a bit rough around the edges, but strong, self-assured, true to his word, and loyal to the Kendrians first and foremost. Well, loyal until a vamp crossed the line. After that, Ian was the first one to rein the transgressor in. He didn’t give a damn that he didn’t fit an expected Ruean mold. And that’s exactly what the Ruean clan needed in a leader—someone who didn’t take sides and would keep the vamps on the straight and narrow.
Lucian’s lips curved into a smile. “If I take the position of Vité, I want you to lead the Rueans.”
“What?” Ian choked on his beer. He turned wide eyes his way and shook his head. “I’m too blunt to be a smooth-talking leader.”
“There’s no one I trust more.”
Ian chuckled. “I think Kraid might have something to say about me taking over.”
Lucian cut him a challenging stare. “You’re not afraid of Kraid, are you?”
“Hell, no!”
Lucian held back his grin. He knew Ian too well. “I’ll probably kill Kraid myself before this is all over.” Which would be a welcomed transition after years of biding his time. Kraid was as ruthless as a pickpocket working a Vatican mass. “But if he bolts, I trust you’ll hunt him down.”
Ian lifted his beer in salute, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “It’ll be my pleasure.”
Lucian knew he meant it. Ian and Kraid had never seen eye-to-eye. The only person he despised more was Kraid’s brother, Drace.
Because of Ian’s mother’s human blood running through his veins, the sun didn’t affect him like it did a Pureblood vampire. That aspect of Ian’s Hybrid nature made him a considerable adversary, which inspired either confidence or respectful tolerance in all who knew him. Ian’s reputation as a relentless hunter of rogue vampires had earned him the deserved nickname, Ian the Enforcer.
Satisfied that he’d set his plans in motion, Lucian began to scroll through the listings that popped up under Sterling. When he didn’t immediately see Rana’s name, he wondered if she was married. He shook off the tension that gripped him. No. He knew in his heart she wouldn’t be.
“Whatcha’ doing?” Ian pointed at his cell with his beer bottle.
“Trying to locate a woman.” Lucian looked up. “Rana Sterling.”
Ian chuckled. “’Bout damn time. I’d begun to worry about you.”
Lucian flashed a predatory smile before returning his gaze to the lit screen. “She bought my ring today.”
“No shit?” Ian sat up straighter on his stool.
Sliding his finger across the screen to scroll further down the row of Sterlings, Lucian memorized the list, but there wasn’t a Rana among them. Maybe Rana was a nickname, or her number was unlisted.
He started to type Rana Sterling into Google when Sabryn breezed past, throwing a newspaper on the bar in front of him, then called behind her, “Just wanted you to catch up on old news.”
Lucian tracked his sister’s retreating back. He knew she was trying to knock the guilt factor up a notch. He picked up the week old paper and read the front page news. The investigator’s interpretation of what had happened to the victims concluded that wild dogs had mauled the bodies, but because one corpse had al
so been drained of considerable blood, the police suspected it was some kind of ritualistic killing.
Lucian’s anger rose. His normally slow heartbeat began to thump faster while he catalogued the names of the victims. An unsuspecting human didn’t stand a chance against a vampire, especially a vampire who’d let his thirst turn to bloodlust. Flipping to the obituary pages, the least he could do was to anonymously send flowers to the grieving families.
While he scanned the long list of names looking for the victims, his gaze landed and locked on an obituary.
Jack Rodgers was laid to rest today in Haven’s Cemetery.
He lived a long, full life and had no regrets. He is survived by his brothers Joseph
and John Rodgers, and his daughter and granddaughter, Sophia and Rana Sterling.
His heart rate shot into overdrive when he read her name. He instinctively knew, Rana was the woman from the cemetery, the same woman he’d had such an intense, unsettling reaction to. The woman he’d dreamed about. Now, he had no doubts. No reservations.
His mind whirled. Her name wasn’t listed among the Sterlings he’d memorized from the local listings in the white pages, but the curator of the funeral home should have her address or at least her phone number. He smiled and started to dial the funeral home’s number listed in the paper when he realized it was four in the morning. He’d have to wait until at least eight to call.
“Hey, Luc. You okay?” Ian’s voice came from far away. He waved his hand in front of him.
Lucian turned to his blood brother. “This is the important thing I need to do, Ian. I can’t take the position without her.”
“You have it bad.” Ian shook his head. “Even after seventy years. Man, am I glad I never let a woman get under my skin the way you did with Elizabeth.”
Lucian’s neck grew hot and he pinned Ian with a deadly stare. Any other vamp would be dead for uttering such words in his presence, but Ian just looked at him with amusement.
Love's First Bite: Bad Boys and Alpha Vampires Boxed Set (6 book bundle) Page 46
