by Hart, Shauna
She shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “About what happened last night…”
He looked away. “I never should have let it get that far,” he conceded. “I’m sorry.”
Anger burned in her stomach at his words. Obviously sleeping with her last night had been nothing more than a mistake to him. If his words weren’t clear enough, the guilty look painted on his face made everything come into focus. She tried to tell herself that it didn’t matter, that she barely knew him, but the fact that he viewed what happened as a mistake hurt more than she wanted to admit.
Last night was the first night in a long time that she felt truly connected to someone. After her mother died, she tried so hard to be aloof, to not develop any attachments to anyone, but somehow with Alec she had broken that rule. He had touched a part of her that remained hidden from everyone else. The fact that he regretted those moments cut deep.
“Right,” she said with more grit than she intended.
When his gaze met hers, she averted her eyes. “Maybe I should go back to my place,” she suggested.
His eyebrows drew together in concern. “I thought you understood that going home is not a possibility.”
She raised her hand absently. “There’s no blood bond with Damien anymore.”
He took a tentative step toward her. “No, not with Damien. But there is a blood bond.”
Her tongue came out to wet her lips. “I won’t leave until daylight then. And I’ll come back before sunset,” she conceded.
“No,” he replied firmly.
Everything in her body made her want to agree with him. The sheer force of his nearness was making her weak.
“I don’t have to ask your permission, Alec.” She wanted to say the words with force, but they came out a breathless plea.
He slid his hands into the pockets of his pants making her wonder if he was trying to abstain from grabbing her. “I can’t let you leave. I can’t protect you in the daylight.”
“I’m not asking you to. Whatever risk I take is on me. You don’t have to feel responsible for me.”
Even as she said the words, she took a step closer to him.
He sighed heavily. “It’s not just the danger, Kat. You’ll need blood soon. My blood. If you’re out and you get sick…” he trailed off obviously not wanting to elaborate on the dire consequences.
“So, how do we break it?” she challenged.
“We can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t? I mean, obviously you think what happened last night was nothing more than a huge mistake. I would think you would be glad to get rid of me. So, let’s fix the problem. There has to be a way to break this thing,” she asserted.
His eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re angry with me?”
Her hand came up to rest on her chest even as she wanted to hit him for not needing her like she needed him.
“I’m not angry. I’m just trying to stop a bad situation from getting worse.”
His hand captured hers, his fingers teasing her skin. “Kat, I wanted to be with you. Too much, maybe,” he confessed softly.
“Then, why?”
“I was assigned to be your member of the Vigilate. Nothing more. When your father learns of what has happened between us…”
The implication hung between them as impenetrable as any barrier.
“So, we won’t tell him. He doesn’t deserve the truth about my life. He hasn’t been a part of it for years.”
One side of his mouth quirked up in a sexy grin as his thumb ran circles along the back of her hand. “A blood bond isn’t exactly something we can hide. They will know. They will sense it,” he explained.
Her eyebrows drew together. “They?”
The muscle in his jaw twitched. “The Senex. They are the oldest of our kind. ”
****
When she gave him a curious look, he continued. “They keep order in my world. Your father is one of them.”
“You say my father is one of them? Exactly how old is he?”
He sighed heavily. “Your father is almost a thousand years old.”
A shiver went through her.
Almost a thousand years old?
The words hit her like a brick. The things he must have seen in his life were staggering.
“And you work for him?” she prodded. At his nod, she continued. “Did you know he was a vampire when you started working for him?”
A slight smile touched his lips. “No,” he confessed. “I had no idea.”
She shifted her weight. “So, how did you…” she trailed off not sure how to phrase the question.
“Your father was the Lord of the village I lived in. I was one of his warriors. I pledged my allegiance to him,” he remembered aloud.
Her eyes widened. “My father was a Lord?”
He nodded. “But he was more than that even then. He brought the lands together. Made things right for the people. It’s the reason I swore to protect him,” he explained thoughtfully. “And when he asked me to fight for him for eternity, I willingly agreed.”
He was quiet for a minute, and she couldn’t help but stare at him. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was like before he turned. Was he young and idealistic? Did he have any idea what he signed up for when he pledged his allegiance to a vampire?
As if he could sense the direction of her thoughts, he answered her unspoken question.
“No,” he said with a low chuckle. “I didn’t know what he meant. But I was naïve to certain things in this world.”
“And he took advantage of that,” she stated plainly.
His eyes met hers. “He gave me a new life. We can’t always choose the way our lives change. At least, I had a choice.”
“How can you say that? You didn’t even know what you were agreeing to.”
One eyebrow arched. “If he hadn’t offered eternity to me, I wouldn’t be standing here with you. I would be dead like all of the rest of the men I knew. He chose me to stand by his side,” he offered softly. “And now, to stand by yours.”
Her gaze moved around the room for a minute as she tried to process what he was telling her.
“These Senex? They can read minds?”
“No.”
She shook her head. “How will they know about the bond?”
“They will be able to sense that you are mine.”
She wished that she didn’t like the sound of those words leaving his mouth. But she did. Instead of dwelling on the sensation, she tried to distract herself.
She drew in a deep breath in an attempt to steady herself before she asked the next question. “You said you’ve been watching me?”
At his nod, she continued. “For how long?”
A muscle in his jaw twitched as he looked away. “I was duty bound to protect you,” he explained.
She pursed her lips. “How long?”
When his eyes met hers, she knew the answer without hearing it. Her stomach rolled. He had witnessed everything, been there for each and every moment she thought was private.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said as she crossed the room to the sink. Turning on the faucet, she bent over to splash some water on her face.
“Kat,” he began.
She straightened, holding up a hand to stop him. “Don’t,” she replied. “There’s nothing you can say that will fix any of this.”
He was silent until she turned around to face him. “I did what I had to do to protect you. I won’t apologize for that.”
She threw her hands up. “Protect me from what? What do they want from me?” she demanded.
“You’re special, Kat. Deep down, you have to know that, to feel it.”
When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “Your father is a part of the group that makes up the rules for our kind.”
“Your kind has rules?”
He sighed impatiently. “Yes, we have rules. Without them, there would be chaos. Unfortunately, not everyone abides by them.”
“W
hat happens to the people who don’t abide by the rules?”
“Let’s just say that our punishments are not as humane as yours,” he quipped.
“What does all this have to do with me?” she demanded.
“There are certain things that are forbidden to us.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Like?”
The look in his eyes was solemn. “Like becoming too…intimate with humans.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You mean…you can’t…”
He cut in. “I mean that we are not supposed to reveal our true selves. It’s too dangerous.”
“But the club?”
He smiled. “Mind tricks…people believe they are dealing with humans who pretend to be vampires, nothing more. Any bloodletting is supposed to be washed from their minds.”
She pulled her lower lip beneath her teeth. “What is the punishment for telling the truth?” she inquired, her voice low.
“Death.”
The one word was spoken in a deep tone, the sound as final as the word implied. And it made her stomach roll with the implications.
“Your father fell in love with your mother. He told her things about himself, things about our world, things that could get her killed.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you said they would kill him?”
His eyes met hers. “They would have…if they had known the truth. The Senex will do anything to keep our kind secret from the world…even if it means taking a few human lives as collateral damage.”
She looked down. “So, he left us.”
“He left her,” he clarified. “You were something no one expected. Our kind cannot procreate with humans…or so we thought. Your father knew how important you would be. He also knew how dangerous it would be if anyone learned of your true origin.”
Chapter 20
“So, why does this, Damien, want me?” Kat asked.
“His reasons for wanting you are obvious,” he quipped making her blush. His lips formed a grim line. “But if he finds out who you really are, there is no doubt in my mind he will not stop until you are his.”
“Why?” she challenged. “To get back at my father?”
“No,” he replied. “To start a new race.”
The lines on her forehead deepened as she frowned. “A new race?”
“Vampires who can walk in the sun.”
She put her hands over her stomach, doubling over slightly. “This is insane!”
His brow furrowed. “You’re sick,” he stated.
He reached out for her, but she brushed his hand away.
“I’m okay.”
He frowned. “You’re not okay. You need blood.”
She held up a hand to stop his ministrations. “No,” she said, her face turning pale. “I’m fine.”
His jaw clenched. “Stop lying to me, Kat. When are you going to realize that I’m trying to help you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want…”
His head jerked up suddenly and he sniffed the air. “Dawn is approaching,” he said.
Reaching for her hand, he linked his fingers with hers. She could barely catch her breath before he was pulling her toward a door at the edge of the kitchen.
With a final click of the lock, everything went black. Her fingers instinctively tightened on his, the chill from his skin slowly creeping into her own.
Fear began to gnaw at the muscles of her stomach.
She heard another sound and the room was bathed in the warm glow of artificial light. Her mouth fell open as her gaze bounced around the room. The walls were covered in a dark material, the wooden floors gleaming. A king sized bed sat in the middle of the room with a burgundy bedspread stretched across it.
But that wasn’t the only thing that caught her eye.
There were no windows and only one exit. It was little more than a tomb.
Her eyes met his.
It was his tomb, his space.
And she was standing in the middle of it.
Before she could ask any of the questions swirling around in her mind, her stomach churned and she winced. Without a word, he reached up to slide his fingernail across the skin of his neck.
Her gasp startled the silence. “Why did you do that?”
“You have to drink, Kat,” he instructed.
She shook her head. “I don’t want this.”
His lips formed a somber line. “I know.”
Her eyes blazed. “I didn’t ask for this…any of it.”
“I know,” he repeated, his voice gentling.
When he pulled her against him, her entire body tingled. Her mouth began to water as he pressed her lips against his neck. She wanted to resist, wanted to pull away, but it was as if her own body rebelled against her mind’s commands.
Her tongue stroked the roof of her mouth, the sharp edges of her teeth, almost as if searching for something. She angled her head, brushing her lips against his skin. The wetness teased her lips open. Her tongue snaked out instinctively.
As soon as his flavor entered her mouth, she was lost. She fused her lips tight sealing them against the puncture wound. Her hands slid up the strong muscles of his back to curl in the hair at his nape. His arms folded around her and she clung to him as if her life depended on it. Within a few seconds, the aching need began to recede. Even as the hunger faded, another desire began.
She needed more of him.
Her hips moved against his legs. The bulge that was pressed tightly against her stomach proved that he was not immune to her. A low moan escaped her throat as her tongue traced the line on his neck that was slowly closing. Her breasts felt full, her nipples tight, as they rubbed sinuously against his chest. The sensation was so intense that she couldn’t help but repeat the motion. His low groan vibrated through her chest.
“I need…” she trailed off unable to express how deep the desire for him ran.
She felt him back her up against the door, felt the cool wood against the heat of her skin. Releasing a relieved sigh, she let the robe fall away as she opened her legs to him.
He leaned back, his eyes meeting hers. “Kat…”
Whatever he was going to say was lost as she pressed her lips against his. She licked playfully at his lips before gently nibbling on them. He groaned as she reached around to cup his buttocks and pull him more fully against her.
“I need.”
The sentence was complete.
The request clear.
All she needed now was a response.
She got it when his fingers delved into her hair and his own tongue ventured into her mouth to taste. For a moment, only the sounds of their moans filled the barren room. Reaching for the buttons on his pants, she released them with frantic movements. She could feel his fangs lengthen when her hand reached in to cradle him.
Her tongue stroked the length of the points wanting to feel everything—all of him. She caressed the head of his cock running her thumb along the slit. A small drop of moisture escaped to reward her for her efforts as she began to stroke him.
A low growl sounded in his chest as his hand covered her mound, his finger sliding inside of her. The feel of the cool digit pressed deep inside her body made a small moan escape her lips. Her knees weakened as he drove a second finger inside of her and began to pump in earnest.
When he felt her knees give, he bent over to slide his hands under her bare buttocks to lift her. Her back braced against the door as she felt the tip of his cock at her entrance. He wrapped her legs around his waist and entered her in one swift move. He pressed deep, every inch of him encased in her hot, slick center.
Easing back slowly, she sighed at the feel of his velvet length buried inside of her. Then, he drove into her again. His fingers bit into the sensitive skin of her ass. He opened her wide not letting her pull back from the intensity of his thrusts. Waves of pleasure spread through her body. Reaching up with one hand, he cupped her breast before teasing her nipple with his thumb.
Her head fell back against the d
oor as she drew in a breath. When she raised her head to look at him, she found his hungry gaze centered on her throat. Her breath caught. His gaze jerked to meet hers. Reaching up, she caressed his cheek. Slowly, she angled her head to the side to expose the delicate skin of her neck.
He stiffened.
But she wouldn’t let him pull back now.
She wanted him, all of him, and she wanted him to have all of her.
Gently, she pulled his head to her throat even as he attempted to turn away.
“Do it,” she pleaded.
Her fingers tightened on his hair in encouragement. Slowly she felt his mouth open, the weight of his breath before his fangs grazed her neck. She closed her eyes when she felt the first sting of pain as his fangs pierced her. Wetness teased her neck for a moment before she felt his tongue move over her skin as he drank from her. He moved inside of her as her blood filled his mouth. The waves of sensation became more intense and soon she was digging her fingernails into his skin.
Something inside of her broke as the waves began to crash down all around her. Through it all, he held her, and when the storm passed she felt him carry her to bed. She clung to him—afraid he might release her.
But he didn’t.
He cradled her against him, the cool feeling of his flesh against hers relieving the remaining traces of heated passion. She could feel the thud of her heart beating wildly. Her fingers splayed wide on his chest, the stillness beneath reminding her that this was not a man. It was a vampire.
But lying next to him, she had never felt safer.
It was that feeling that eventually lulled her into sleep.
*****
Alec’s gaze focused on the ceiling overhead. Tarquin would be here soon and when he arrived he would demand answers. It wouldn’t take him long to realize that his daughter had been compromised.
His arm tightened instinctively around her. He had never meant to betray the wishes of his maker. In fact, he’d had nothing but the best of intentions when he was assigned the task of being her Member of the Vigilate.
After all, it was what he had been trained to do. He was a Member of the Vigilate assigned by the Senex to do their bidding. But when Tarquin asked him to do the personal favor of protecting his daughter, there had been no way he could refuse.
