Her Vampire Bond: Reverse Harem Serial (Vampire Bond Part One)
Page 4
The vampires gave me space during the few days I spent in the mansion before our departure, for which I was grateful. I spent most of my time in the large guest room they had settled me in, pacing and second-guessing myself.
What if this was all a crazy dream? I wondered. What if I woke up back in my apartment in Pennsylvania and none of this had happened at all?
Some part of me still rebelled. Maybe I could go back home and pretend none of this had happened; that they had all mistaken me for some other woman.
But my gut instincts told me this was all very real. And Edelnar didn't seem to be the type of man—the type of creature—who would give up.
And I was drawn to Xavier, Noel, Adrian and Gabriel. I couldn’t deny the magnetic pull I felt toward them. I was still determined to get to know them better before making my decision about this bond, but I suspected that the powerful attraction would always be there.
When I wasn’t pacing in my room, I plied them with questions I still had about their time in the human world. I asked Noel why on earth he had a French accent. He explained they had taken on certain attributes to make themselves seem more human when they were in the human world. Noel had visited France many times and loved the language; he decided that would be his trademark here, and it stuck.
They had come up with the tech company story together; it seemed the most feasible reason as to how young men such as themselves had so much wealth. Even their names were picked to make them seem more… human.
"These aren’t your real names?" I gasped.
"They are," Xavier insisted. "But in Velar, vampires—and fae—especially highborn ones, have many names."
"What are they?” I pressed. “Your full names?”
“Acanthine Dardanos Xavier Reva,” Xavier replied.
“Lanre Durante Eanos Adrian,” Adrian said.
“Batraz Laches Noelanar Abena,” Noel said.
“Gabriel Elouan Clidnol Doirend,” Gabriel added.
“And these are shortened versions,” Noel said, with a wink.
I stared at them, eyes wide.
"And . . . me? Do you know my full name?" I asked.
"We've known it since we discovered you’re ours, cherie,” Noel said, his voice turning husky, and warmth spread through me. He stepped forward, touching the side of my face, and the warmth turned into a fiery heat.
“Liana Adrastea Dineaora Oisinar,” he murmured. “Our mate.”
He dropped his hand, and my breathing returned to normal. I repeated the name to myself and blinked back tears. Liana Adrastea Dineaora Oisinar. It was who I was. Who I truly was.
"Have we upset you?" Adrian asked, frowning with concern.
"No. It's just—I’ve gone my whole life not knowing any of this," I whispered, sinking down onto the couch.
"It will take time," Xavier said gently.
After a lengthy silence, I asked them more about Velar; what it looked like, the people there, the languages, the culture. But they told me to be patient; it would take months to explain everything about Velar. I’d just have to see it for myself. Gabriel insisted it didn't look too different from this world—it was just more compact.
"I think you'll like it there," Adrian added. "We hope you do."
They told me there were people in their home who could teach me about my kind and how to use my magic. I had tried unsuccessfully to recreate whatever I'd done with Edelnar, but it was no use. Apparently my life had to be in danger to use magic until I was trained how to use it.
Before I knew it, it was time to leave.
We left New Orleans to head to one of the many swamps that surrounded the city. They had a small boat tied to a dock, waiting for us.
Xavier steered the boat out to the middle of the swamp. I looked around, stunned.
“This is the gateway?” I asked, looking around at the desolate swamp. It hardly seemed like the gateway to a supernatural world.
“Yes,” Noel said, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I was surprised when I first arrived as well. But it’s the perfect location. We can’t have nosy humans getting accidentally sucked into Velar.”
Xavier stopped the boat in the center of the swamp.
I stood. I couldn’t see the gateway, but I could feel it. A swirling vortex of wind that hovered above the muddy waters of the swamp. The force of the wind whipped my hair around my face and chilled my skin.
“We just step into it?” I asked nervously.
“Yes. But don’t worry, we’ll hold onto you,” Adrian murmured. “Have you ridden a rollercoaster?” At my nod, he continued, “It’ll feel just like that. But it’ll only last a second—and then you’ll be in Velar.” Where you belong. He didn’t say the words, but I could read them in his eyes.
Adrian took my right hand, Xavier my left, while Noel and Gabriel stood closely behind me.
I looked up at my vampires. Their eyes were warm with assurance. I didn’t know what lie ahead for me, but I was grateful they were at my side. My companions. My protectors. My . . . mates.
"Are you ready?" Xavier murmured.
My heart thundering, I nodded.
Together, we stepped off the boat. The air around us increased, and the vortex of wind sucked our bodies forward, out of my world . . . and into Velar.
TO BE CONTINUED
Liana’s journey continues in HER VAMPIRE VOW, available for preorder HERE.
Her Vampire Vow
Liana’s journey continues in Episode Two, HER VAMPIRE VOW.
Available for preorder HERE
A Message from the Author
I hope you enjoyed HER VAMPIRE BOND, the first episode of Her Vampire Bond serial. Liana’s journey with her vampire mates is just beginning, so stay tuned!
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About the Author
S.L. Knight enjoys writing romantic paranormal fantasy novels with fierce, intelligent heroines and strong, handsome heroes. When not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, watching old movies. . . and perhaps fantasizing about her very own harem. Perhaps.
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