Red Knight Box Set (Books 1,2,3): Contemporary Vampire Romance

by L. C White

  She pulls out a tight red dress, scowls, then hooks it back on the rail.

  “I know exactly what you’re thinking… feeling,” she says without looking at my frowning face. “Why Daniel, Maeve?”

  Oh great. Is this like some big lecture on relationships, or to warn me off?

  I’m blushing to the point of madness. How do I explain that electric feeling I’ve had since meeting him. It sounds so frigging ludicrous.

  “Why not,” I stupidly say, because I’ve drawn a blank on wonderful intelligent answers to offer her.

  “You don’t seem freaked out by what you’ve been told about us.”

  I blow out a tight breath. Okay, I’m going to just have to be honest. Honest is the only answer I know.

  “I guess I’m in denial. I’m trying not to think that Scotland’s answer to the Adams Family, invited me into their home.”

  She goes all rigid and stares right at me. Shit, she’s not happy. I burn up, fiddling with one of the hangers on the rail.

  “That’s how you see us?” she asks, her harsh eyes making me want to cower.

  “No… no, of course I don’t.” I’m kind of crapping myself right now.

  She loosens up and giggles. “Maeve, I’m joking with you. Compare us to whoever you like.” She squeezes my arm. “So tell me, why Daniel?”

  Why-oh-why does she need to know this? I’ve only just won the argument with myself about giving all this a chance.

  “I really like him.” My cheeks flare in heat. “He… he was my first, and I have feelings for him.”

  I sigh out loud with a growing urge to go and sit in the corner, rocking my body in shame. This has to be the worst conversation I have had in my whole life.

  “I know he’s your first. I know all too well about that feeling.” She turns to look at me. “I’m not here to scare you and make you run away. You need to know just how deep this goes.” She pulls out a really pretty nude lace dress, which flares out at knee length. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, Maeve. I was where you are, and you really need to be certain of everything. Daniel has never been so happy since you came to stay. But that happiness in our world, has a tendency of becoming twisted and warped until there is no way back.” She holds the dress against my frame. “There is a way back for you, so think very hard about your next move.”

  “What happened to you?” I ask.

  She exhales and smiles. “I fell in love with a vampire.”

  “So Adrien bit you. Is that what you’re warning me about; becoming like you?”

  “Hell no, that won’t happen,” she says firm with a smile. “But Daniel is very different than any of us. He’s existed with danger hanging over him his entire life. He may have calmed because of you. But it could all change in a second, and the only ones who should be hurt protecting him, are me and Adrien. We have done it since his birth.”

  Shit, this is all getting rather dark. I know vampires are dark, but can she not just live for the moment while we look for a dress. I don’t want to be put off.

  “I’m sorry,” she leans and says to me. “I just want you to be sure.”

  “It’s fine, and I am sure. Look, I don’t know what to tell you, other than I have to do this.”

  With a beaming smile, ear to ear, she holds the dress to my body again.

  “Daniel will love this.”

  I take hold of the skirt and twist side to side. “You think?”

  “Oh yes, most definitely,” she winks. “Adrien loves lace.”

  What the fuck. I don’t need to know that information. I erase her comment, turning the price tag over, and now wish I hadn’t. Well, looks like I may have to buy that orange holey jumper in the shop. Jeez, this dress is ridiculously expensive.

  “Nah,” I nod, pretending I don’t like it as I quickly hang it back onto the rail.

  I can afford the dress, but it will be a big dip into my savings.

  Liz takes the hanger back off the rail. “I’m buying it for me.”

  “Oh.”

  She elbows my arm. “And you’re going to borrow it.”

  She chuckles, taking the dress through the black door. I guess she’s okay. She’s really thoughtful. This has all been about Daniel, and she’s only concerned. I don’t think she wants to drink my blood, which is one less thing to worry about.

  Chapter 11: Warning Signs

  Daniel

  The hot water beats down on the back of my neck and trickles off my shoulders. With one hand I lean against the green tiles, and the other I rub over my hair. I’ve been in the shower for too long, thinking about Maeve. I can’t wait to see her, but at the same time, I’m dreading it. The whole dating thing, making conversation, and trying to make light of what I am. I’m dragging her into my messed up world, and I don’t want her to see that dark part of me. Thing is, I can’t stop myself. Liz tried to talk me out of bringing her in, but I didn’t listen. She can’t stop this. No one can.

  I tuck down the end of the white towel at my hip, making my way to the dark blue suit I have hung on the back of the bedroom door. The last time I wore a suit, was for Liz and Adrien’s eighth wedding anniversary, and I haven’t worn one since. I’m not really into the whole suave look. It’s uncomfortable, and doesn’t suit my mind set. For Adrien it comes naturally. He’s from a different era, where being classy and honourable, was just a part of life. The vampire in him only emphasises that.

  I rub my hair dry with a small hand towel, drop it on my unmade bed, and bend to pick up my brown leather shoes. Fuck, what the hell? I drop to my knees, my hands squeezing the flaming torturous pain behind my eyes. Growling and hissing, I breathe through it, trying not to make a sound, even though I feel like howling out. This has never happened to me before, and now my fuckin nose is bleeding all over me. I struggle up to my feet and stagger into the bathroom.

  I force open my cringing eyes, blinking out the tears of pain. Blood drips down the side of the frosted glass sink. I quickly pinch my nostrils as a boiling anger runs through my muscles. I make a fist and punch the mirror, over and over, noticing the red rage of my Dhampir come across my pupils.

  “Stop!” I growl, refusing to let this take me tonight of all nights, as shards of mirror clink in the sink.

  I bring my bloody hand down to press it against the wall. Arching over, I fill my lungs several times, closing my eyes to see Maeve. The thought of her begins to bring me down. Slowly, I cool and my head clears. I straighten up, wiping the blood from my face.

  My eyes land on my cut knuckles. I have to look closer. I’m fucking healing. Each thread of flesh links to another. Panting, I hold my hands under the running water, rubbing madly. Oh god, my skin is mark free. I hold my hand right up to my face and examine it. I’m no vampire, and even vampires need blood to heal. What the hell is happening to me?

  A knock on my bedroom door makes me dash out of the bathroom. If any of them see this, then I’m done for. Liz will have me out of here, in some other secluded shithole, before I know it.

  “Daniel, thirty minutes,” Adrien calls through the door.

  “Yep… be down in a sec.”

  Thankfully, he disappears. I sit down at the bottom of my bed. I’m not going to let this stop tonight happening. I slap my hands on my thighs then jump up to my feet. A few beers will calm me down. If I pull out of this now, I know I’ll regret it.

  ***

  My brown leather shoes jog down each stair. I tuck my white shirt under my belt, then tug on my jacket lapels. As I reach the bottom, I catch raised voices coming from the kitchen. Frowning, I make my way through to see some guy pointing at Adrien, leaning over the kitchen island. I watch as Adrien stands there in his black tuxedo, with a blank expression aimed on the guy who’s freaking out. I give him this, he’s brave coming here waving his finger around. I know Adrien, and as well-mannered as he is, he could whip that guy’s finger right off if he wanted.

  I tilt my head as I make my way by the guy’s back. There’s a beer in the fridge call
ing to me. But I’m made to stop when the irate guy turns to eyeball me. What the fuck have I done to upset him? I don’t know him.

  “This is Daniel?” he asks.

  “Yeah, I’m Daniel. Who are you?”

  “Daniel, this is Maeve’s Father, Angus,” Adrien says.

  Oh great. I need to be nice to this guy, even though he’s coming across as a dick. I grin and hold out my hand, but he knocks it away. If he wasn’t Maeve’s Dad, I’d have my hands around his damn neck. I have to remove myself from his airspace, so back up a step with my head down. After what just happened upstairs, I can’t take the risk of retaliating. I don’t know how far I’ll go.

  “He’s human?” Angus asks while staring at me.

  Every vampire I have met, presumes I’m human. One touch of my warm hand has them completely bewildered. I used to enjoy the confusion on their faces. But this guy, he’s not confused, he’s real pissed at me.

  “Yes Angus, he’s human,” Adrien says in a bored tone.

  “Your pet?” Angus says. “You’re letting your new toy take out my daughter?”

  I glare right into his anger. I’m very close to losing it. He switches his scowling face from me and onto Adrien.

  “You gave me your word Maeve wouldn’t be implicated with the Sangs in anyway. I trusted you Adrien.”

  Okay, he needs to hear what I have to say.

  “You have no room to talk of trust. You’ve been lying to your daughter for god knows how long,” I say, taking a step closer. “Maeve knows about what we are.”

  “You told her!”

  “Yeah, and do you know what, she’s okay with the truth. Maybe you should be a little more open with her, she’s not stupid,” I say.

  He turns to me and boldly moves forward. “I’ve been protecting her innocence, and if I wanted my daughter to start dating a rent-a-boy, wanna-be-vampire, then I wouldn’t be here!”

  His vampire eyes have the nerve to appear, and his jaw chomps down on his fangs. I grab and grip his shirt, thrusting him up against the kitchen island. I push him right back as Adrien tries to pull me off him. I can smell his fear. Vampire fear is real rare, and I’m the one who can draw it out.

  “Daniel… Daniel!” Liz’s yelling knocks my concentration.

  I readjust my hold, thrusting Angus further back. I feel the tips of my teeth pulsing. I can taste his blood in my mouth, visualising ripping his throat out. Adrien yanks the back of my arms, but I’m unmovable.

  Liz appears in my eye-line. Her pleading eyes are distracting. She’s getting in my damn way. I look down at Angus. He has his hands held up. He’s begging me.

  “Daniel, think of Maeve,” Liz says. “What would she think if she saw you like this?”

  The sound of her name has my constricting fingers loosen. Fuck…fuck. This is wrong. God, what the hell am I doing? I release Angus and stagger backward. He holds his hand against his chest, panting.

  “You’re awakening?” Angus asks in a puzzled rasp.

  I can’t answer. I can’t even look at him. Jeez, I’m going mad. I turn and walk to the wall of tinted glass, covering my face.

  I watch Adrien helping Angus up in the reflection of the doors.

  “You’re letting a new blood take out my daughter!”

  “No Angus… he’s human,” Adrien says, awkwardly. “He’s just riding through some issues.”

  “What kind of issues? He’s way too strong to be human,” Angus yells.

  “Angus.” Adrien places his hand on Angus’s shoulder. “You’ve felt grief, it can make you something you’re not.”

  I watch as Adrien guides Angus out of the kitchen.

  Adrien will kiss ass on my behalf now. He’ll lie. And he’ll offer the world to Angus to protect my real identity. This shouldn’t be happening. I hate that since my birth they’ve had to risk everything for me. I don’t fuckin deserve it. I rub my hands down my face, listening to Liz’s heels at my back. I swallow away the tears welling up inside.

  “Daniel, it’s okay,” she says, quietly.

  “Nah, I’m done with this.” I turn to face her.

  She looks real classy in her black dress. She always does. Whether she’s in old sweats or dolled up, she always looks great.

  “Angus is none the wiser.” She squeezes my arm. “Your dad will fix this.”

  “That’s it, how much longer can this go on; you two covering for me?”

  “We’ll always do it. We have to do it,” she says. “I’ve watched you grow into the most handsome man. I’m proud of you, and know that this is just a phase, nothing more.”

  I smirk down at my feet. “I’ve been so stupid, getting Maeve involved.”

  She crouches a little and pushes my face up. “She said the same thing in not so many words. She’s just as confused as you, but she’s stubborn. She likes you Daniel, and sometimes the shortest love is the sweetest. I should be agreeing with you, but I know I can’t stop it. If I try to separate you both, it will only bring you closer together. It happened to me.” She smiles emotionally, kissing my cheek. “Tell her Daniel. Tell her this could only be a fling, and for now enjoy her.”

  “This is no fling,” I utter.

  “Yes it is. Now please, relax.”

  Adrien stomps to the fridge. His whole walk is frustrated. I clench my teeth, feeling guilty. He doesn’t say a word, just widens his eyes at me.

  “Sorry,” I say. “I fucked-up.”

  “No,” he sighs. “You nearly fucked-up. After tonight, you’re seeing Gwen, understood?”

  “But first we enjoy the night,” Liz chirps, grabbing her clutch bag from the work surface.

  I remain quiet. I’ll see Gwen and go through the whole mumbo-jumbo crap. I now know I have to.

  Chapter 12: Why Bother

  Maeve

  Oh wow, he looks amazingly handsome standing by the open door of Adrien’s Range Rover. He’s wearing a dark blue slim fitted suit, which gives emphasis to his brilliant white shirt. And his brown leather shoes, set the whole outfit off.

  I feel judgmental eyes on me as my nude heels move closer. I hope I look okay. The advantages of having chin length choppy hair is all I needed to add is volume, and a few curls here and there.

  The dress Liz loaned me is perfect. The fit, the flare, the lace, and not a trace of cheap looking bling. It’s basic, and the only hint of sparkle I’m wearing is my mother’s white gold necklace, with a small sapphire pendant. When I was young, pretending to be a princess, waiting to be rescued by some prince on a white horse, she used to let me wear it. It’s the one thing in this world that is priceless to me. The memories I have of her drinking invisible tea with me, in my makeshift castle, are the memories even death cannot take away.

  I clutch what I have left of my mum for courage, as a shiver soars up my spine. I’m nervous, too nervous as I make my way closer to him. The heels of my shoes feel unstable as an unwanted dread makes my legs go all rubbery. It’s like I’m walking against the tide to cover the ten foot distance between us.

  His lips beam as he opens the back door of the Range Rover wider, to reveal the snug cream leather interior.

  “You look beautiful, Maeve,” he says as I subtly bend my knees.

  Shit, I don’t feel beautiful here. The only stunning specimen I see, is Daniel. His sweet words have heated my heart, my blood, and curdled my mind.

  I smile back at him. God, I wish I was a little tougher in situations like this. Having Liz’s air of confidence, would do right now. I curl my shoulders forward, gripping my small black clutch bag before my waist.

  Daniel’s hand unexpectedly lands on my bicep, and proceeds to rub my cold skin up and down. Oh, his touch, his presence, it’s enough to push my rational mind off the cliff of sanity.

  “You cold?” He goes to take his jacket off as I notice Liz watching with a smile on her face.

  I hold out my hand to stop him. “I’m fine,” I say.

  His head lowers a little, as his view on me tilts. “Can I kiss you?�
��

  Oh yes, my head screams and body tenses. I remain composed about the thought of his lips on mine, and nod shyly.

  His hand slowly slides around me, and he manipulates my waist to press up against his. I’m instantly taken back to that bed he took me for the first time.

  He steps right before my body and leans to my ear. “We can drop the crazies any time you want.”

  I hum out in agreement, because breathing in his clean sexy scent, is much more alluring than any form of talk.

  “Well.” He kisses my cheek and moves back. “Our date awaits.”

  Without a word, I climb into the backseat, trying not to be put off by Adrien’s eyes in the rear-view mirror.

  ***

  We left the city over an hour ago, and now we’re travelling along the dark narrow country roads. There’s not been much in the way of conversation. Adrien and Liz have been offering each other the occasional lusting glance. He’s been messing with the car stereo, mumbling because the reception is so shit out here. And Liz has mentioned that Nathan has been messaging, wondering where we are. I’m not sure, but I think the Knight’s are being careful what they say because I’m here, and they’re avoiding all vampire topics.

  My view has been stuck on the window, not that I’m actually absorbing the scenery outside. I’m in a car with the most unusual family, and I think that fact is now coming to the surface of my mind. It’s not that I’m scared, or have the urge to run, it’s the thought of the unexpected that’s giving me doubts.

  I’ve always been kind of open to the world of the supernatural. I think it came after the death of my mum. I felt things. I felt her. I was plagued with dreams; dreams that were so real I believed. Even my dad went along with it, encouraging me to tell him all about Mum. It was our way of recovering. My dreams were like new memories for us, whether they were real or not. Meeting the Knight’s has given me a reassuring feeling, that there is no end.

  Daniel’s hand brushes over mine as Fonab castle comes into view, taking a breath from my body. I grin anxiously at his tender eyes, then look by the huge fountain lit up with cascading diamond like water droplets. Lights twinkle in thick box shaped ferns that line the great entrance. The castle has been illuminated with up-lights, each limestone brick uniquely shadowed. It’s so elegant, and the history kind of leaps out at you.