“I can see that.” He inhales deeply. “I just want my family to be safe.”
“I know and I’m so so very grateful.” I glide my hand over his cheek. “She’s safe. I wouldn’t have left her if I hadn’t thought she was safe.”
He nods. “Alright. I understand.”
He doesn’t but at least he’s trying. “I’m grateful, Declan.”
A grin crosses his face. “Not grateful enough to fuck every night.”
I chuckle. “So this is what it’s all about?” I put my hands on his head and kiss the tip of his nose. “When Ross is asleep, okay?”
Declan strokes my belly and plants a kiss on it. “Rest and I’m gonna finish cooking my stew.” He rises to his feet. “On all fours, woman. Tonight.”
I roll my eyes for fun. “Of course.”
He stops in the doorway and our glances connect for a moment. The love in his eyes causes my heart to leap.
He is rough sometimes, impossible, but so loving and caring. So mine.
He winks at me and walks off.
I sigh.
I feel like a bad storm is coming.
Chapter 11
Neve
The sense of freedom pulsing in my veins is wonderful. The voice calling me is stronger and stronger. I move into the heart of the woods as I switch the vampire vision on. My eyes absorb the mysterious beauty of my surroundings. The trees I’m passing have a brown shimmery aura as the ground shines like emeralds. A white mist sparkles around me. My sense of smell is intoxicated by the richness of aromas circling me. I realise I’ve missed being in the woods so badly. This is my world, my home, my joy.
The eerie energy surges through me once again, more and more violent each time. It’s dark, tinged with subtle menace, but strangely familiar to me.
“Of course you love being in the woods, you silly Mora,” a melodious female voice says.
I come to an abrupt stop as my eyes travel to a woman. She’s perching on a fallen pine tree. My heart stops beating as I notice a male body at her feet. Blood is still trickling out of two tiny holes in his neck, so deadly red and shimmery. My inner hunter starts blazing and I stifle the urge to twist the woman’s neck. I should kill her. She smells of evil. My hunter wants to eliminate her.
“You don’t kill your own kind, you silly Mora,” the woman says as she rolls her eyes.
She looks unconcerned, bored even. Her irises shine red then change the colour and shine brown. As brown as dark honey.
“You’re a dark Mora,” I say.
Every nerve of my body can recognize her as a cursed creature.
“Dark, light, what’s the difference?” she says.
“I… you… you are a killer.”
She bursts into laughter. It’s as cold and melodious as tiny bells that ring in winter. “What do you want from me, child?”
“You called me.”
She shakes her head. “No, you called me.”
“I—“
She tilts her head as her scrutinizing eyes slide over me. “You’re weaker than Lavra, much weaker than Alena, but you’ll do.”
She’s talking like she’s crazy, but I’m intrigued with her. Intrigued enough so as not to kill her. I will. In a minute or two.
“You won’t,” she says and flashes me an aristocratic smile. She rises to her feet and smoothes a hand over the hem of her blue gown. The outfit looks like it was made at least three hundred years ago. The beaded bodice accentuates the woman’s slender waist as a piece of white lace adorns her cleavage. Her brown hair is styled like she’s an aristocrat taken from a history book on the French Revolution. “My name is Yeva and here’s the deal. I’ll help you to get rid of the Order and you’ll help me to reunite with my family.” She winces in disgust and sweeps her hand as a spoiled aristocrat would. “I’m fed up of this place.” She seems to bathe in her own thoughts for an instant. Her glance meets mine. “The bitch had cut off my hand ten times when I was there. Can you imagine? And she opened the fucking door.” She starts pacing, stepping onto the corpse, which causes it to emit squelching sounds, as her mouth lets out aristocratic snorting sounds.
The corpse jerks in a grotesque way under her feet as the dead eyes almost pour out of the sockets.
I’m mesmerised. Yeva is dark and ancient, but looks thirty. There’s an aura of sensuality around her—her movements are graceful like she’s a ballerina. I realise she’s dancing, twirling towards me, innocent yet deadly. He tiny hands land on my arms as she kisses me on both my cheeks. Her full lips curl into a genuine smile and torment shadows her beautiful face for a split second. Then she’s a stone cold killer back again.
“I want to speak to your leader,” Yeva says. “You tore me out of my hibernation so now it’s your job to take me to your leader.”
“Hugh will kill you.” A strange thought crosses my mind—I care for her even though she’s a monster.
“I’m not afraid to die, you silly Mora.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m your family.”
“That’s not possible. There’re no Moras walking this earth except for my mom and me. Not to mention that I would sense it if you were my relative.”
“All the Moras are one family, child. Can you not feel it?” She runs the back of her hand down my cheek. “In this world or in the other… Never mind. Take me to your leader.”
“I can’t. Hugh will—“
“In a month or two he may. I’m not bothered.” She cups my face with her cold hands. “I want to spend some time with you. Learn about you.” She flashes me a smile. “You woke me, so now you have to entertain me.”
I nod. There’s a connection between us, almost as strong as the bond between my mom and me. She’s not related to me by blood, but she feels like my aunt.
“Why am I both, Yeva? A hunter and a Mora?” It just pours out of me.
“This world needs you.” She grabs my hand. “Come on. I’m bored. I want to dance and chat.” She pulls me behind her and we twirl farther and farther into the woods. I realise I love having her as my companion.
“He met her in the library?” Yeva says as we jump over a stream.
“Who?”
“Your father.”
“Yes, my mom—“
“What’s her name?”
“Zorica.”
Yeva stops by the bank and glances up into the navy sky that looks like a shimmery expanse of velvet adorned with diamonds. “Like my daughter’s middle name. The wolf… Ah, never mind. It was so long ago.”
Brad
The kid was scared.
I slip away from the bar stool and stagger towards the bathroom to piss. Slim female arms wrap around me and a soft curvy form clings to my back as a hand dives under my jeans.
The kid was scared.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I growl.
I turn around and see a chick. She looks twenty-five at most, and she’s really pretty to be honest. A pretty redhead with big blue eyes and full lips. The problem is I prefer brown hair and white vampire fangs.
Now, I want to empty my bladder. That’s my most important need at the moment.
“I can make you feel good, Viking,” she says in a low seductive voice.
“I bet you can.”
I should let her make me feel good. But I don’t. Only Neve could make me feel good. These two months have proved it. I can’t stand any woman touching me. Only Neve could touch me, give me relief, give me pleasure.
The redhead flashes me a flirty smile. “So?”
I stifle the urge to say something really nasty. “Maybe another time, darling.”
I go to the bathroom, piss, walk out and then exit the bar through the back door. I jump onto my bike. With the roar of the engine, I shoot into the dark. I speed along a motorway, showered by the cold rain, and have a nap in a motel. In the early morning, I get up, jump onto my bike, and start my journey back to the compound. It’s been two months since I left.
I need to see Neve, talk
to her, touch her. I need… I fucking need to marry her. No, I fucking need to fuck her fast and hard first.
Hell yeah. I’ll throw her over my shoulder, fuck her senseless, and then marry her.
I can’t breathe without her.
I will make her love me. We just need to talk.
Twelve hours later, I see our compound profile against the red flare of the dying sun on the horizon. The castle’s grey walls glitter like a dust of gems adorns them. Silent greyness falls upon the world and the chill of the night creeping into it bites my skin. I ride towards the main gate and slow down. A sense of wrongness surges through me. There’s nobody on guard. The gate is wide open. Growls and shouts drift to my ears from inside the castle.
The wheels of my bike rattle against the bridge and I advance into the compound. Something eerie wraps around my throat and my inner hunter rages inside of me. I stop, jump off the bike and move towards the courtyard. The boys have gathered there. I elbow my way through the circle they’ve formed and freeze. Hugh is pacing around three women—Zorica and Neve are sheltering the third woman with their bodies.
“She’s a fucking vampire,” Hugh rumbles.
“She’s my family,” Zorica yells. “I’m a vampire and you call me family, Hugh.”
Fuck. I’ve never heard her yell. Declan looks like he has no idea which side he should pick.
“Just listen to her,” Neve says. “Grandpa, please, just listen to her.”
Hugh looks like he’s torn. He loves Neve so much. He loves Zorica. He hates vampires. Yep, I can sense the woman’s darkness. The bitch is as calm as a glacier. She looks like a dark queen, unconcerned that the whole club is burning with the urge to murder.
“Hugh, please,” Zorica says.
Neve locks her eyes on mine and I see her shudder.
“Prez,” I say. “She’s just a tiny woman.”
The bitch is a deadly monster, but I want Neve to be grateful. If she’s grateful enough, she may be excited with the prospect of becoming my wife. Yes, now everything is about Neve and her good mood.
“She’s no match for us,” Declan says.
Yep, he definitely wants Zorica to warm his bed every night.
The woman rolls her eyes and I have the impression that she could slaughter three hunters in one go.
“I’ll fucking start training as a hunter, Grandpa,” Neve says with desperation. “I promise I’ll put in effort. Just don’t hurt her. She wants to help.”
Hugh grabs his head in both his hands. “Alright. Bring the bitch to the bar. We’ll talk like civilised people.”
“Don’t call me a bitch, son,” the bitch says to Hugh, her voice low, seductive. Devilish. “I’m much older than you.”
“Her name is Yeva,” Neve says as a cheeky smile curls her lips.
Hugh growls. Yeva smiles like she’s watching a good comedy. She saunters towards Hugh, loops her arm through his and pinches the hem of her gown with two fingers of her other hand.
Prez looks stunned for a split second. “Behave, sweetheart.” He pulls forward as the boys’ quiet growls and curses follow him.
Neve and Zorica walk behind him while I move closer to Declan.
“What’s going on, brother?” I ask.
“Man,” Declan says. “My wife threatened me that she’s gonna divorce me.”
“The bitch is evil.”
“Yep, she is a dark Mora, but my girls love her like she’s some fucking good granny.”
I lean towards him so nobody can hear me except him. “Prez looks like he’s interested in her.”
Declan chuckles. “The old git has been lonely for too long apparently.”
Neve
My body feels like a hot wobbly mess. We enter the bar and Yeva drops onto the sofa as Hugh sits down beside her, watching her like she’s a rabid animal.
I called my mom two days ago—Yeva’s been teaching me how to use my skills. We gathered in the woods and after the introductions, we decided to take our sister to the compound. So here we are, sitting or standing in the bar, surrounded by the furious men.
“Talk to me, sweetheart,” Hugh says.
“Offer me a drink first,” Yeva says.
“A shot of vodka?” Hugh asks.
Yeva shakes her head. “One of the humans your man locked up in the tower twenty minutes ago.”
Hugh sent Alastar to deal with the club whores as soon as Yeva and I entered the compound. They didn’t see a thing so no need to kill them or compel them. They’ll stay in the tower until things are back to normal.
“No fucking way, woman.” Hugh steels himself as his hand travels to the back of her neck, and he grips her.
“Very rude,” Yeva says. “You’re always so rude. You drink too much, swear too much. Rude rude hunters. I could tolerate Rudi but Neven was absolutely horrible.” She snorts as Hugh widens his eyes. She sighs. “I can take out three hunters every fifteen seconds.”
“Really?” Hugh looks like he has fun at her expense.
“I’ve been in a battle with our enemies, boy,” Yeva says. “I’ve killed powerful men. Hunters. Witchers. Soldiers.”
“Alright,” Hugh says.
Yeva shakes her head and curses under her breath. “Fine, let’s talk seriously.” She takes Hugh’s hand off her neck. “Neve is the one, Hugh, the one to bring order. You know this. It’s my duty to support her.” She takes Hugh’s hand, putting it on her thigh and leans towards him. “Can we speak in private?”
I see all the boys steel themselves.
A massive figure stands right behind me and I smell Brad.
“Can we speak in private?” he says into my ear, sending a tingle down my spine.
“Yeva, I need—“
“She wants to support us. You heard her.”
His scorching breath makes me shiver. I feel like I’m drunk.
I swallow thickly. “Yes, but—“
“Hugh knows we need numbers. She’ll be fine.” His voice is like a rough, dangerous temptation, like a promise of wildness and pleasure.
I watch Hugh take Yeva’s wrist and lead her towards the stairs. Right. He’s going to talk to Yeva one to one.
A big calloused hand grabs my wrist. My eyes meet Brad’s and I manage only a startled sigh as he drags me out of the clubhouse.
“Brad,” I growl as he keeps pulling me towards the garden. “You think you can disappear for two months—“
“Be quiet.”
The tone of his voice causes me to obey him.
We cross the garden and Brad shoves me into the shed where our spades and shovels are kept. He slams the door shut behind us and darkness scented with soil envelops us.
“Brad, you’re scaring me.”
“Like hell. You’ve never been scared of me.” Fever seeps through his words.
“Hey, there’s a dark Mora in the compound and you just—“
“You brought the bitch to the compound?”
“She’s family. And she wants to help us.”
“If you say the bitch is an ally then I believe you.”
There is something wrong with him. His whole body oozes something dark and untamed. Something irresistible to me. I hear his heavy breath and feel his fingers dig into my waist.
“Brad,” I hiss.
“Neve, we need to talk.”
“I’m not gonna talk to you. You left me for two months. I hate you.”
Right. I’m not his girlfriend so I shouldn’t behave like one.
“You left me, Neve.”
“You told me to go back to my house. I hate you. I hate you so much I want to punch you in the face, you know.”
“I love you, Neve.”
My legs wobble as I sway and my mind goes blank for a second.
“Brad, you just said—“
“I. Love. You.” He rests his forehead against mine. “Say something, kiddo.”
Chapter 12
Brad
The kid pants like a wounded animal and dread fills my veins. I fuck
ed up again. She’s my brother’s daughter. She’s eighteen. The attention of such a grandpa as me must be scaring her to death.
“Don’t tell my parents,” Neve says.
“Neve—“
“I have to go.” She wiggles out of my grip and storms out of the shed.
My heart crumbles into a thousand pieces.
I wanted to propose to her.
I wanted… I hoped…
There’s something between us. She craves my blood. She…
I don’t fucking know anything.
All I feel is pain.
My hands collapse and I keep standing like some fucking mop until a thought stirs in my head. It’s Thursday. Church is held on Thursdays. I exit the shed and shuffle towards the clubhouse. I walk into the office as the last attendant. The boys grin and it feels like something’s hanging in the air. My eyes sweep over Hugh. Fucking hell. Prez looks like he’s won a million, his neck bruised and covered in the marks left by Yeva’s fangs.
“Our guest is resting,” Prez says as he strikes the gavel against the table and then clears his throat.
Alastar drops his head and guards his stomach as his body shakes. I see the others barely manage to stifle their laughter as well.
“Is the dark bitch staying with us forever, Prez?” Jax asks.
“For as long as she wants to,” Prez says. “Right. Since I’m gonna retire we need to choose the new president.”
Silence layers the office. The boys’ faces radiate confusion. We are happy with our president. He’s the oldest of us, the wisest.
“Prez,” Colin starts.
“I’m not able to perform my duties due to severe and permanent blood loss,” Prez says and grins.
“Aye,” we say in one voice.
Prez has the right to lose as much blood as he wants to.
“Declan is gonna take over from me,” Prez says and raises his hand as a firm yes.
I raise my hand and the others follow. The gavel slams on the table.
“Prez,” Hugh starts. “Any orders?”
Declan clears his throat. “Grandpa, I mean Hugh, keep the dark bitch in check.”
“Aye,” we say in one voice.
“Brad, you’re gonna train Neve,” Declan continues.
“Alastar can train her,” I snap then clear my throat. You don’t disrespect your president in front of the club. “I mean aye, Prez. I’m gonna make a warrior out of our little girl.”
Zorica and Declan: Restless Spades MC (A Bad Boy Paranormal Vampire Romance) Page 10
