Her Vampire Bond: Reverse Harem Serial (Vampire Bond Part One)

by S. L. Knight

  Her Vampire Bond

  Vampire Bond Episode One

  S.L. Knight

  Copyright © 2017 by S.L. Knight

  All rights reserved.

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  Cover Design by Melody Simmons

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Her Vampire Vow

  A Message from the Author

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  The sensation of multiple pairs of eyes prickled the back of my neck.

  I stiffened and turned. It was a cloyingly hot day in New Orleans; the sun’s rays were relentless. But the sensation of eyes on my skin was cold; a chill that crawled across my flesh. I was standing at the entrance of the Saint Louis Cemetery, trailing behind a group of tourists who followed our guide past the cemetery gates.

  I scanned my surroundings, trying to find whoever was staring at me, but the various passersby paid me no attention.

  “Liana?” my friend Sera asked, approaching me with a concerned frown.

  “Sorry,” I said, “just . . . thought I saw someone I recognized.”

  I didn’t know why I lied, but it hadn’t been the first time I’d felt eyes on me since arriving in New Orleans. I wasn’t sure if I was being paranoid or if someone really was following me.

  Sera raised her eyebrows.

  “Who would we know here?”

  I grinned. She was right. Most people in our small town in Pennsylvania had never ventured outside the town, much less the state.

  “Come on,” Sera continued, stepping forward to link her arm with mine, leading me into the cemetery. “Let’s get this over with.”

  I chuckled and gave her a playful shove. Sera had wanted to do none of the historical activities I’d wanted to on our vacation to New Orleans; her focus was on the city’s nightlife.

  Though we were total opposites, Sera was my best friend, and I was glad she was here with me.

  I’d wanted to take a vacation after my longtime boyfriend, Brian, had dumped me a few weeks before. The breakup had come as a total shock; we’d dated all throughout college and I'd assumed we’d get married. It turned out he’d been cheating on me with a classmate of his the final six months leading up to our graduation.

  To be honest, I’d been more surprised than hurt. The passion between Brian and I had been lagging for . . . well, for years. I'd assumed we’d just slipped into that comfortable space that most couples do after being together for so long. I’d tried to look on the bright side of our breakup—I’d been aching to get out of our small college town to take a vacation before returning to work at the local museum as an assistant curator. As a history buff, New Orleans had the right amount of history and culture to draw my attention. I’d always wanted to visit, but Brian was never interested.

  As soon as I left the coffee shop where Brian had dumped me, I’d called Sera, in tears, and it was at her urging that a week later we were on a plane for a two-week long vacation to New Orleans. We’d only been here for a few days, but I’d already fallen in love with the city. There was an energy that zinged through the streets; the historical sites were just a cherry on top. Part of me was already dreading the return home.

  Despite my enjoyment of the city, I had to admit that I’d noticed strange things ever since I arrived. There was that persistent sensation of being watched. A feeling of electricity that rippled beneath my skin. A heightened awareness of the sights and sounds around me. Not to mention the dreams, dreams filled with hazy images of several men whose faces I couldn’t make out. To be fair, I’d had those dreams before arriving in New Orleans, but recently they’d grown . . . steamier. A flush spread across my face at the memory of the one I’d had just last night. Four pairs of hands on my body, lips on my skin . . .

  I shook my head, forcing myself to focus as Sera and I joined our tour group. Maybe it was all the stimuli. I hadn’t taken an actual vacation since my sophomore year.

  I listened as our guide, a portly and jovial middle-aged man, told us about the French origins of the cemetery. At my side, Sera was a good sport, trying to look interested, but I could tell she was bored. History had fascinated me since I was a child; I’d majored in American history, with the goal of either teaching or working in a museum. Brian had called me the most adorable nerd he’d ever met.

  I suspected my love of history came from my parents. They'd died in a plane crash when I was young, and my grandmother had raised me. My grandmother, who insisted that I call her by her name, Alice, had died a year ago. She’d always acted odd every time I asked for information about my parents. But one thing she did tell me was that they were history buffs.

  Our guided tour of the cemetery soon drew to a close, and Sera looked relieved.

  “Thanks for enduring that with me,” I said teasingly, as we left to head back to our hotel on Bourbon Street. I’d wanted to stay in the quieter Garden District, but Sera insisted on staying in the center of the city’s nightlife.

  “Oh, you’re welcome,” she said, with a wink. “But you'll make it up to me.”

  “How?” I asked, suspicious.

  “We’re going to Flame tonight.”

  I groaned. We had already gone to several bars in New Orleans, though they had mostly been historical ones in the French Quarter. I knew Sera was hankering to go to a more modern day club or bar.

  “I’ve gone to museums, cemeteries, guided tours . . .” Sera pointed out.

  “You’re right, you’re right,” I said, smiling. “I’m guessing Flame is a hip new club.”

  “Absolutely,” she replied. “And it’s where we’re going to find you a new man.”

  “No,” I said, “this trip is not about me finding a rebound. I told you before we left.”

  “Oh, come on,” she said, pretending to pout. “A great woman once said, ‘The best way to get over someone is under a new person.’

  “I’m over Brian,” I insisted. “I was mostly shocked that he dumped me. It’s for the best. Brian and I didn’t have this passionate love story.”

  It was true. I had gotten over the breakup surprisingly quick, and no longer felt any bitterness. I had wondered if I should be more broken up over the whole thing. It had been a four-year relationship. And I’d found out that he moved into his new girlfriend’s apartment shortly after moving out of ours. Yet I was fine with the whole thing.

  “I believe you,” Sera said, when we arrived back at our hotel. “I’m just saying it can’t hurt to meet someone.”

  “And I’m saying I’ll go with you to this club, but not to meet someone,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “You’re no fun.”

  We had dinner at the hotel, and I was tempted to tell Sera about the sensation of eyes on me at the cemetery, and my feeling of being watched since we’d arrived in New Orleans. But I decided against it. She seemed excited about the night’s plans, and I didn’t want to bum her out.

  “I got us onto the VIP list to get into Flame,” she said, twirling strands of pasta around her fork. “No lines for us.”

  I smi
led politely, trying to feign excitement. Nightclubs weren’t my thing. Brian and I would occasionally go to a bar, but we often just ate out at local restaurants or watched movies at home. But I decided to keep an open mind. Maybe I’d have fun tonight.

  Back in our room, Sera got dressed in a gorgeous jade minidress that highlighted her dirty blonde hair and vivid green eyes. Sera was beautiful; many of Brian’s friends had asked her out. Though she dated often, she was content to be single.

  I looked down at my simple black dress, feeling plain next to Sera. I had wavy brown hair that I often had to tame by tying it into a ponytail, deep brown eyes that Alice told me were the spitting image of my mother’s, a wide mouth, and pale skin that refused to tan.

  “Nope,” Sera said, looking critically at my dress.

  “What?”

  “You’re not going to a funeral! We are going out for a fun night on the town; you need to dress accordingly,” Sera said. She walked over to her suitcase, skimming the contents. She grinned, picking up a teal blue halter dress. “This.”

  “No way,” I protested. It was a showstopper dress; something I’d never wear in public.

  “Yes, way,” she said. “You are going to wear this dress and we're going to put photos all over your social media feed, showing how hot you look and how fabulous you feel.”

  “For the millionth time, I’m over Brian. And—wait? Social media? I don’t have any social media accounts,” I said, giving her a suspicious frown.

  Sera flushed, looking guilty.

  “Well, now you do.”

  “Sera!”

  “I just thought you’d want to put yourself out there. Online date or something. I thought having a few profiles up couldn’t help.”

  I glared at her, more nervous than I let on. When she was alive, Alice had forbidden me from using social media; she was suspicious of it, wondering why you'd let a bunch of strangers into your life. I wasn’t crazy about it either; I was too shy to put my life up on display, so I hadn’t put up a fight. Alice had been relieved when I agreed, giving me a long embrace. There seemed to be another reason for her reluctance at me creating online profiles, and it had been on the back of my mind to ask her about it one day. But I'd never had the chance.

  “I’ll take them down, OK?” Sera said. “Sorry. Really.”

  “It’s OK,” I said, forcing a smile. She looked genuinely guilty. “But yes, you will take them down.”

  “And I won’t push the dress on you. But… this might be more your style,” she said, holding up a deep purple dress with an off-the-shoulder top. It was flashier than what I usually wore, but way more understated than the blue dress. And why not? It couldn’t hurt to step out of my shell. I nodded my agreement, taking the dress.

  We took a rideshare service to Flame, a nightclub just on the outskirts of the city. I could tell that it was a new and hip club; there was a line that wrapped around the building.

  Taking my hand, Sera walked up to the bouncer. His eyes lit up at the sight of her and he leaned in to peck her on the cheek, stepping aside to let us in.

  “Do you know him?” I asked, as we entered.

  “I flirted with him while you were browsing at the art museum,” Sera said, with a casual shrug.

  I shook my head, impressed. Sera was good.

  Inside the club, the party was already in full swing. Gyrating bodies packed the dance floor, which was illuminated by red pulsating lights. The theme was ‘fire’; with red, yellow and orange lighting that somehow appeared classy instead of tacky.

  We made a beeline for the bar where Sera ordered us both the house special; a drink called the Flaming Danger. I eyed it nervously as the bartender set the drinks in front of us; flames danced inside the glass.

  “To new beginnings,” Sera said, holding up her glass. I picked up my glass, clinking it with hers.

  “To new beginnings.”

  The drink scalded the back of my throat, and it took a few seconds for me to get used to the taste. I grinned, already feeling a light buzz. Sera took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

  A booming hip hop song blared from the speakers, and I relaxed. Sera began swaying her hips to the music. I followed suit, moving along to the music, focused on being present in the moment, in the here and now.

  Soon, a handsome curly haired man approached Sera to dance. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, but she shook her head.

  “I’m dancing with my friend,” she shouted over the music.

  “It’s OK,” I shouted, “I’ll be fine.”

  Sera hesitated a moment before taking the guy’s hand and turning to dance with him.

  I stopped dancing and froze. Because I felt it again. That sensation of multiple eyes on my skin.

  I whirled. Across the dance floor, a man was staring at me. Not one man, but four. Four tall and stunningly gorgeous men. And they were all focused on me.

  Chapter 2

  I froze, my heart hammering wildly. The men all stood against the far wall, their eyes trained on mine. They were all ridiculously tall, ranging from six-five to six-eight. Adonis Number One had dark wavy hair, cobalt blue eyes and a full, sensual mouth. Adonis Number Two had caramel skin, silver eyes, and a muscular build. Adonis Number Three, the tallest of the group, had ash blonde hair, sparkling green eyes, and aristocratic features. Adonis Number Four had curly chestnut hair and amber eyes.

  It seemed like time had stopped as we gazed at each other. They were staring at me as if they knew me. Did we know each other? No. I would have definitely remembered them.

  A fiery heat spread through my body, and my mouth went dry. I couldn't look away from them. I didn’t want to look away. Even though I was certain I’d never seen or met them before, there was something about them that was . . . familiar. Like I’d known them all my life.

  I forced myself to look away, taking a breath. I turned to Sera, who was focused on her dance partner.

  “I'm going to get some water!” I shouted over the music. Not only was my mouth dry, but I felt lightheaded.

  Sera nodded, and I left the dance floor, forcing myself to not turn and look at the four mysterious men.

  At the bar, I ordered a water and sat down, taking a deep swig. I was about to sneak a glance across the dance floor when a deep rumbling voice sounded at my ear.

  “Excuse me.”

  I turned. One of the Greek gods stood at my side. It was the blonde one, and my breath caught in my throat. He was even more beautiful up close, with finely carved ivory features, and his green eyes burned like embers against his skin. His gaze was pinned to my face as if I were the most intriguing thing he’d ever seen. A hot flush spread across my cheeks.

  “My name is Xavier,” he said, extending his hand.

  I took his hand and stifled a gasp; an electric current shot through me at his touch. My heart rate increased, and desire scorched my insides.

  “L—Liana,” I whispered, when I could speak.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Liana,” Xavier said. “May I introduce you to my friends? We have our own private booth over there,” he added, gesturing to the opposite side of the club.

  The other three Greek gods sat at a booth in a roped- off area, all focused on me. An aching need filled me, and I had to physically stop myself from getting up from my chair and rushing over to them.

  What had come over me? No man—including Brian—had ever caused me to have such a visceral reaction.

  I turned to glance at Sera who was engrossed with her dance partner. A quick introduction to the Greek gods couldn’t hurt.

  “Sure,” I said, trying to sound casual.

  Xavier grinned, a heart-stopping smile that only enhanced his beauty, and I stood to follow him over to the booth. Once we arrived, each man stood, not taking their eyes off of me.

  He introduced me. Noel was the one with silver eyes and caramel skin; Gabriel the dark-haired, cobalt-blue-eyed one; and Adrian was the one with chestnut hair and amber eyes.

  “Nice to m
eet you, cherie,” Noel said, his words shaped by a French accent, as he stepped forward to take my hand. That same electric shock went through me, and I swallowed.

  “Liana,” Gabriel said, his blue eyes burning into mine as he took my hand, pressing his lips to it. Heat buzzed through me at his touch.

  Adrian was the shyest of the group; a faint blush stained his cheeks as he met my eyes, reaching out to squeeze my hand with his own, and I had the same physical reaction I’d had to the others.

  “Please,” Adrian said. “Will you join us?”

  I sat down without thinking; it was almost as if I had no choice. Xavier sat down next to me while the other three sat across from us, pinning me with intense stares. I tried not to blush; I wasn’t used to being the center of such intense focus.

  “Where are you from?” Noel asked, giving me a pleasant smile.

  “Pennsylvania,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m here on vacation for a couple of weeks.”

  “And how are you liking it so far?” Xavier asked.

  “I love it,” I replied. “I almost don’t want to leave.”

  There was a flash of pleasure in his green eyes at my words; he exchanged brief a glance with the others.

  “Are you all from here?” I asked, even though it seemed impossible that they were from anywhere, if that made any sense. They seemed . . . the best word I could think of was otherworldly.

  “We’ve been here all our lives,” Adrian said. “We love this city.”

  “How do you know each other?”

  “Friends,” Gabriel said, after a brief pause. “We’re all in the same profession.”

  Noel laughed, but he fell silent after a sharp look from Gabriel.

  “We would like to get to know you more while you are in town, if that’s OK with you, cherie,” Noel said.

  I looked at him, blinking. Did he want to date me? Did all of them want to date me? An hour ago I would have thought dating more than one man was scandalous. But now . . . it somehow felt right. My pulse fluttered, and I tried to control my breathing. It wasn't every day that I was asked out by an Adonis. Multiple Adonises.