Vampire Princess of New York (Arnhem Knights of New York)

by Susan Hanniford Crowley

  “I believe we’re relatively safe in the car during the day,” Donovan said.

  “You never know what evil is lurking in the sunlight,” Hatcher said.

  Noble laughed, leaning into Donovan and hugging him. “You’re just going to have to get used to it.”

  Cassandra smiled, careful not to show her fangs.

  The limo pulled around the side of the building, and they entered through a heavily guarded side entrance. Additional armed guards escorted them to a private elevator.

  When the doors opened on the 20th floor, colleagues greeted them with applause and cheers. These were the supernatural employees of VMeer Industries. No matter how trusted, regular humans were not allowed above the 19th floor. Donovan wondered at this, as he was always allowed once he started keeping company with Noble.

  Emmaline, Noble’s assistant, stepped forward with a bouquet of white roses. “We were all so honored to be at your wedding.”

  “Thank you.” Noble blushed.

  “Thank you.” Donovan smiled and gave her hand a little squeeze. They made their way through the crowd accepting handshakes and good wishes, passing Max’s office.

  Once they reached Noble’s office, Emmaline shut the door behind them. “How may I assist you today?”

  Donovan asked, “Didn’t you help Lily with saving the translations of this book?” He pulled the volume from inside the valise he’d been carrying.

  “Yes, my Prince. The complete document saved electronically hours before the blast.”

  “And you have access to those files?”

  “Yes, Lily had me keep a copy as a backup.”

  Donovan smiled. “Great. Please, get together a team you can trust – vampires only – and make 200 copies bound in leather.”

  “We don’t have the equipment for binding but I know who does.”

  While Noble worked on her computer, Donovan conferred with Emmaline and her team on the printing of the book.”

  “What should be embossed on the leather cover?”

  “Nothing. This is a secret book for the vampire community only.”

  “Should we make an eBook version?”

  “No. If stolen, it can be released worldwide in a matter of minutes. There are things in this book that could pose a security risk to all of us,” Donovan said.

  “Then I shall examine this book, before others read it,” Max said. He and Evelyn appeared in the office.

  “Perhaps only royals should read the unabridged copy, and the sections that pose a risk to our kind should be edited out,” Noble added.

  Donovan handed the book to Max, who took it and said, “I’ll study it.”

  Max settled into a chair with Evie on his lap and began reading.

  “Are you feeling okay, Evie?”

  “Yes. Thank you, Papa.”

  “Emmaline, the leather should be dark red with gold binding. Again no words on the cover for the unabridged version. Brown leather for the abridged.”

  “I don’t agree that there should be nothing on the cover,” Evie said. “Maybe a man and woman kissing or naked with their bodies entwined.”

  Donovan saw Max’s pupils dilate. His heartbeat increased a notch, as he put Evie’s hand on his heart. This was a common lifemate reaction, though Donovan doubted Max had gotten to that part in the book.

  “A cover like that would make it look like a book on sex.” Noble peered at them over her computer monitor.

  “Doesn’t it include sex?” Evelyn asked.

  “Not really,” Donovan answered. “It’s more about how to spot and realize your lifemate and the relationship between the two. There’s very little on sex, but a couple of chapters on vampire pregnancies and children. Anyway, a cover like that would be very appealing to humans. The one with the couple entwined.”

  “Donovan’s right. Human males would be enticed by the cover. Aren’t they always thinking about sex?” Noble laughed and returned to work.

  “Not always. Well, sometimes,” Donovan sputtered.

  Everyone in the room laughed.

  “Emmaline, we’re going to take dinner in the other room. What would everyone like?” Max asked.

  “Pizza,” Noblesse said.

  “Emmaline, call Gustave and order four vampire specials, please. We will need Shuma Moot of course, and four magnums of Sanguine de Coeur Boeuf.”

  Cora came in and handed Donovan a print out of the book. He saved and closed the laptop in front of him and began reading and marking on the printed copy instead. She gave a print out to Max as well.

  “Thank you. I didn’t want to mark on the original.” Next Max lifted Evie in his arms, she held the book, and he stood up. “I think it’s time to move into your living quarters, Bless.”

  Noble left her computer and went to the bookcase moving a book called Tides of Spring. The wall opened revealing a large living room and indications of other rooms beyond that.

  Max settled with Evie onto one of three cushy sectional sofas. They faced a round mahogany coffee table with many built-in drawers. Donovan tucked his printout under his arm.

  He swooped Noble up in his arms. We can lock them in there, and we can stay out here.

  Max raised his eyebrows. “What about dinner?”

  Donovan laughed. “I forgot dinner.” He carried Noble into the living room and settled on one of the remaining two sofas.

  The view of Manhattan from the bank of windows facing him was daunting.

  “The glass is treated so no one can see in. It’s Sydney Lucente’s glass. The harmful rays can’t get in. Max had all the windows in the building done,” Evelyn said.

  “It’s wonderful.” Noble cuddled with Donovan while reading the printout.

  Emmaline and Cora brought in the delivered food. Laura and David came in and set their packages on the table next to the pizza.

  Donovan inhaled the fragrance. “Who ordered Peking Duck?”

  “I did,” Noble said.

  “We were happy to pick it up for you,” David said. “Looks like a family pow-wow.” He and Laura settled onto the third sofa.

  “Thank you, Emmaline. Thank you, Cora,” Max said. As the two left, the wall closed. Donovan heard a click.

  “Did you lock it, Max?”

  “From this side. We can always get out. There are also other exits.”

  Noble nuzzled Donovan’s ear. “I’ll show them to you later.”

  “Well, let’s not stand on ceremony. Everyone help themselves.” Noble and Laura went into the kitchen area and brought back plates and silverware for those that would eat and goblets for everyone.

  Donovan chuckled watching Noble put a slice of pizza with a slice of Peking Duck on her plate.

  “I just had a yen.” Noble placed more duck on her plate.

  “What a good idea.” Evelyn filled her plate with the same combination.

  Max opened one of the magnum bottles and poured the dark blood into three goblets. “For those that cannot eat yet. I think you will enjoy this.”

  He gave a goblet to David, Laura, and Donovan. Laura tasted it first.

  “I know that it’s blood, but it tastes like steak.”

  Donovan sipped his. “That’s wonderful.” He drank deeply and leaned back against the sofa. “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I remember missing favorite foods,” Max said.

  “David, you can eat if you want to. It won’t hurt my feelings,” Laura said.

  “I mean to keep my promise. I will eat again when you are able.” He drank down his steak blood and sat back. She leaned against him, and he draped his arm around her. They sipped from their goblets. Whenever their eyes met, they chuckled as if sharing some private joke.

  Donovan had grow
n aware of all the secret mind-to-mind conversations couples shared.

  The family ate and drank and talked. But mostly the room was quiet.

  When the mothers-to-be had finished their Shuma Moot, and it appeared that dinner was complete, Max got up to clear the dishes and pack the leftovers in the kitchen. Donovan rose to help, and Noble pushed him down.

  “This is part of the ritual,” Noble whispered in his ear. “It is a demonstration of the king’s service to others, especially to his family.”

  With the table cleared and the dishes all washed by hand and put on drying racks, Max returned from the kitchen with a wooden goblet and a gold dagger.

  “We together are the royal family Vander Meer. Tonight we welcome our newest members Evelyn and Donovan. We are bound by blood and choose to live with love and respect, care for and protect each other. It is our choices that make us who we are and has brought us here tonight. Now we will make a bond in blood to protect and defend each other. Our strength comes from the love of our family.”

  Max bit into his arm and dripped into the goblet. Then he licked his wound closed.

  The dagger and cup was passed to Evelyn. She looked up at Max and Donovan realized they were mindtalking. Max smiled and said, “Okay, my Evie.” He lifted her delicate pale arm and licked a spot. Evie’s eyes dilated, as she gazed at him with adoration.

  What effect does licking the skin have? Donovan asked Noble.

  It’s a bit of an aphrodisiac, so she won’t feel the bite.

  So that’s where a vampire is supposed to get their seductive power?

  That and their eyes. The ability to mesmerize is very sexy and can stop a human mid thought.

  He bit down gently and she almost swooned. Max had to hold her against him. Noble was amused by their love play, because that’s what it was. Carefully he held her dripping arm over the cup, then licked the wound closed. After setting Evie back on the sofa, he passed the cup to David.

  David and Laura stood up grinning at each other, as if they had a secret. They linked bared arms. With fangs against the other’s arm, they licked and laughed and licked again, then facing each other bit down at the same time. Laura closed her eyes as if in ecstasy. David didn’t take his eyes off her. As if on cue, they both moved their faces and David moved the cup beneath their bleeding arms. After less than a minute, they linked arms again and closed the other’s wound. Donovan saw the punctures close.

  Laura sat down on the sofa. David taking the goblet and the dagger walked over to Noble. Donovan went to meet him.

  “Bless, must go first. Your blood must enter last,” David said.

  Noble set the goblet and dagger on the table in front of her and put her arms around Donovan and kissed him.

  Listen. I won’t be out done by my brother. He’s such a show off. Are you up for a challenge?

  Donovan’s low laugh rolled through her and back to him. Absolutely.

  After a few minutes of planning and laughs between the two. Noble walked away from him in a huff. Donovan came up behind her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he rubbed down her arms. Reaching her hands, he turned her to face him and then went down on one knee in front of her. She laughed and pushed him away with her foot. In a blur, he had her in his arms.

  “You are mine.” He kissed her and proceeded to kiss her face then her neck and down one arm. Licking it, instead of biting he stepped back.

  She pulled him to her. “You are mine.” Noble offered the arm to him. He licked it again but this time settled his mouth on her and pierced the flesh. Withdrawing from the arm, he held it over the cup.

  Enough, she whispered in his head.

  He gently took her arm and licked the wound close.

  Dance with me, she murmured to his mind.

  Donovan spun her around, twirling her out and then into his arms. She kissed him and didn’t stop at the mouth. As she reached the spot on his arm, her tongue brushed it, but she stepped back.

  Donovan offered the arm to her. She approached like a panther in the night, swiftly taking. Her fangs found their mark then withdrew as she held the goblet beneath his bleeding arm. When it was sufficient, she licked the wound closed. Placing the goblet back on the table with the dagger, Noble threw her arms around Donovan and kissed him.

  Releasing each other from their fierce passion, they looked around. David, Laura, and Evelyn wore shocked expressions. Max, however, was laughing.

  “Well, well, well. You two are definitely mischievous. David and Laura, I believed you’ve been one upped.”

  Evie applauded.

  Max put up his hands. “Now we will continue.” He picked up the goblet and dagger from the table. Stirring the blood, he continued, “We are not just a group of vampires. We are a family and that makes our combined blood that much more potent. You were last, Donovan, so now you are first. Fill your mouth and give the goblet back to me. Then Evelyn will drink. Each will drink a sip after that.”

  Donovan did as Max said. As soon as the thick almost syrupy liquid filled his mouth, a thousand stars exploded behind his eyes. He saw only white. Noble helped him sit then lay on the sofa.

  Minutes later, he heard rustling. A pillow was placed under his head and a blanket over him.

  “Why do I see blinding white light?”

  “You have just consumed the combined energy of five vampires. Your vision will clear in an hour or so, but you will be left with a strong permanent connection to us that you can use to call us at anytime from anywhere on the planet. Sleep now and dream. Follow Noble’s lead in this,” Max said.

  Donovan rolled onto his side. Noble was already there between him and the edge of the sofa. He heard the rustling of pillows and blankets, as the other couples bedded down on their respective sofas.

  “Why are we all sleeping in the same room?” he asked himself the question even though he had uttered it aloud.

  “To unify and protect the royal family Vander Meer,” Max replied.

  Those where the last words Donovan heard before he drifted off. With Noble in his arms and surrounded by family, everything felt right.

  Chapter 26

  Donovan opened his eyes. Night still lay on the city like a blanket.

  Has your vision cleared? Max’s words were definitely in his head.

  Yes, Max.

  I need to speak to you of something important, but I want it to be only between us.

  Yes.

  You and I have an unusual relationship because of the women we love, but I think for their sakes, we must work to get along.

  I agree, Max.

  If vampires exhaled relief, Donovan thought Max did.

  When you take Noble to Paris, take every precaution when in the city.

  May I ask why?

  It’s a feeling I have. I can’t explain it, but my feelings have kept me alive all these years. Try to go out during the day, wear sunblock and stay out only a few hours at a time. Too much touring will wear Noble out, or that’s what Mina has told me. The Knights of La Maison Rose are Arnhem Knights trained by me. Trust them. Their house is my home in France.

  Max, I have not been a vampire long, so how do I tell if someone is a vampire?

  The Knights of La Maison Rose tell me that the catacomb vampires are abnormally pale. Listen for the heartbeat. Because we drink animal blood, we can pass for human. That could be dangerous for Noble and you.

  I understand. Rest assured that we will have the Arnhem Knights with us every time we go out.

  Thank you, Max thought to him.

  Max, may I ask you one thing?

  Sure.

  Teach Evie to protect herself. She hasn’t been a vampire for very long either.

  I will.

  They didn’t say anything more. Noble squirmed in his ar
ms, and Donovan held her tighter and closed his eyes. It amused him that here was a room of vampires all sleeping during the night.

  When he opened his eyes again, the sun was rising on the city. Strange how I still have this human habit.

  Not really. I rise with the sun too for business, to go into the office usually.

  Donovan smiled. He loved hearing Noble’s voice in his mind.

  So what were you and Father talking about last night? You both had me blocked.

  Guy talk.

  Guy talk, huh?

  Yes, Sha. Between me and Max.

  Okay, I’ll let it go this time. She tickled him and he had to stifle a laugh, so as not to wake the others. Do you want to see the rest of my apartment? I have a bedroom upstairs.

  Sure.

  Quietly they rose and floated over the living room so not to make a sound. It was hard with all the laughing they were doing inwardly. He knew the living room and kitchen but was surprised to see a very formal dining room. Then Noble pressed on a panel. A wall opened revealing a staircase. They floated up into a hall with doors to several rooms. Noble went to the left and led him into the master bedroom. On one side was another door.

  Bathroom?

  Yes.

  He pulled her along with him and in seconds, their clothes were piled on a chair in the bedroom right before they appeared in the shower. A massage table stood in the middle with the showerhead directly above.

  What’s this?

  Noble laughed. I get tense. I had it installed so the hot water could pour directly on my back.

  Lay down on your stomach. Let me rub your back.

  She looked at him skeptically for a minute and then lay on the table.

  Donovan turned on the shower, with the water nicely warm pouring over them. Starting at her shoulders, he kneaded the muscles that were surprisingly loose.

  I must be good for you, Sha.