Not An Angel (A Poryria Vampire Novel (Book 1))

by Dawn Chartier

  And what happened to the Trace she knew? He had to be hiding in there somewhere. There was no mistaking what this predator wanted. The bigger problem was she wanted him, too. She craved his touch, his hands on her body, but she wanted this with him, not with the uncontrollable thing he’d become. There was only one way to get him back. She leaned her head to the side.

  Trace’s gaze followed her movement and licked his lips. He leaned forward then stopped. He shut his eyes. “No!” His words startled her.

  “She-took-too-much-blood from me. To-weak-to-fight-it.” He stepped back, shaken, groaning in pain. His voice sounded hoarse.

  Kira lifted her hand. “Trace, I want to help.” Concern filled her, but not for her, for him.

  “Leave, before I hurt you.” He lifted his hands and she saw the sincerity in his face. “I can’t control…I don’t want to—harm—you.” Each word clipped through his fangs. “Leave me,” he begged.

  She touched his arm and he jerked back. His bite would hurt, but it didn’t matter. She wanted to help him.

  He held his hands out, pushing her back. Despite everything, she saw his pain. She couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

  He shook his head. “I won’t do it.” He knelt on the ground, moaning.

  “Why not? You’re hurting. You need blood.” His refusal hurt deeply. She wanted to cry. “What will happen if you don’t? Will you die?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You must leave now.” He crawled to the door and opened it.

  Kira imagined if he didn’t feed soon, his primal instincts could overwhelm him even more. Maybe he’d hurt someone else because of it. She wouldn’t allow that to happen.

  He pulled himself off the ground, still hunched over.

  She rushed toward him, brushed her hair to the side and angled her head. “You have to. Take mine. You have no other choice.”

  Trace closed his eyes. “I can’t risk it. I can’t risk you.”

  Kira leaned into him, and he stood stiff. Her hands wrapped around his neck and pulled him forward. He didn’t fight her. Maybe he was too weak or maybe he knew she was right. “Do it. Please.”

  She bit at her lip, nervous about what might happen to him if he didn’t do this “Trace, don’t deny yourself. I’m not leaving until you feed.”

  His fingers pulled her arms from around his neck. In the next breath she was beneath him on the rug. Her heart raced as he braced himself over her, pinning her hands above her head—the predator clear in his penetrating eyes.

  His voice dropped into a mesmerizing drawl. “He was trying to protect you. You should have let him.”

  “Him?” Kira could barely breathe. The oxygen in the room thickened like fog. What did he mean by him? He lowered his mouth inches above hers, his glowing eyes scanning her. He claimed her lips aggressively. Almost, painfully.

  He moaned, then released her mouth, inhaling and exhaling as though he concentrated on calming his panting. He blinked as if clearing his vision.

  “I want to help you,” she whispered.

  His brows arched and he slanted his head like a confused puppy. No, more like a dangerous wolf. He blinked again and a flicker of blue appeared in his gaze.

  “Trace?” She watched his lips quirk as he lowered his mouth to hers once more, dominating the kiss, but with more passion this time. Whatever it took to make him feed, she’d give him. His kiss ignited her right on the spot, ripped her control like shredded paper. Sudden flames raged through her body. She moaned as she lost herself in this moment, his powerful need. His hand skimmed down the side of her breast, toying roughly with her nipple. Her body melted at his touch; her nipple peaked.

  Everything blurred with heat. She ached to wrap her arms around his back and pull him closer, but she couldn’t move, her hands still trapped in his strong grip, above her head. Sweat dripped onto on her neck. He kissed her, tasting it with his tongue. Her body shook. His weight held her captive, but she was exactly where she wanted to be.

  He pushed her hair from near her collarbone with a nudge of his nose. She jerked as he reached a tender spot, one she hadn’t known existed until his tongue found it.

  “Do it. Drink from me.”

  He froze. Then he lifted his head, his red eyes searching hers. He frowned, concern written on his face, then he shook his head, but didn’t speak.

  “It’s okay. Please,” she pleaded.

  Trace raised his head, squeezed his eyes closed and groaned. “Why didn’t you leave?” His voice sounded broken.

  “I can’t. I—” She caught herself touching his arm. “I know you would never hurt me.” God, she hoped he wouldn’t.

  *******

  It had been days since he’d fed. So occupied with protecting her from all harm—both mortal and immortal—he had buried his hunger. Now there was nothing he could do. And never had he gone this long without substance. The lust mixed with the lack of blood was likely to kill him. The darkness within ached to burst free.

  Even though he shouldn’t drink from her, he couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t ignore his feelings, whatever they were. The only sure thing he knew was the way she made him feel. She helped him cage his beast instincts. Made him want to be a better—immortal. He knew she couldn’t see it now. Understood that she saw him as more of predator than anything. Yet here she was, offering herself.

  He inhaled her scent and the tease of her blood hidden beneath called to him. Angling his head on the side of her throat, his cock pulsed. His. All his. “Last chance.” His voice sounded hoarse to him, but at least it was his own voice. He could never allow the evil inside him to show itself to her again. He hadn’t known how easy it would be to give in to darkness, like so many of his kind had already done. Dev had warned him time and time again that there were two sides to the Poryria mind. The good side, and the side of pure evil. Only when temptation was the strongest, could he become the very thing they fought. A slight imbalance to his sanity and it would be over. He would become a Vrykolakas in an instant, but today—he would fight it. He wanted Kira more than anything.

  He held his breath, hoping she’d stay. Even if she left he’d follow her and keep her safe. She might not know it, but he’d always be there in the shadows, protecting her. Or he would die trying.

  “Stop talking. I trust you. You saved my life, and I want to give life back to you.” She leaned her head further to the side and bit her bottom lip.

  A jolt shot through him. Someone was actually giving themselves freely. He never had someone care like this. He didn’t deserve her. “I’m sorry.” He tilted her chin in a sideways angle. His top lip quivered as he exposed the razor points of his teeth. He hadn’t meant to snarl, but he did.

  She flinched and it pained him.

  Without thought, he licked her neck to sooth her, or maybe himself. “Shh…” His breath caused her hair to lift. His fingers sought her breast. She moaned as his palm traced circles down her belly.

  Lower, he eased her legs apart with one hand and found her sweet center, wet and yearning to devour him as he would her. His strength was failing.

  She whimpered as his fingers feathered across her full lips. He stroked farther inside. Tight. Ready. Oh hell. She would be his, there was no stopping now. She moaned as his tongue slid across her damp skin one last time before he sank his teeth into the hollow of her neck.

  Her body jerked, restless beneath him.

  His body shook violently as her blood slowly eased his pain.

  She tried moving. He growled in warning. If she moved an inch in the wrong direction, he could kill her. Gently, he imagined pictures of them having passionate sex. He pushed the scene into her mind, clouding her pain.

  After a few seconds she settled. Her body relaxed under his weight. Her fingers wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. He growled again, she had to be careful.

  The taste of her blood enticed him beyond anything he’d ever experienced. Sexually. Mentally. He had to have her. Trace had taken barely enough liquid to tame hi
s hunger. But it was enough for his sanity to return, at least for a while. He licked her wound closed, then trailed a kiss down her shoulder. “Don’t move.”

  He hungered for more, but he wanted this moment to be pleasurable for her. Not just him feeding from her or placing images into her mind. He stroked her nipple with his tongue, teasing, biting gently. He thought about biting once more, when her back arched up and a sweet moan eased from her lips.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

  “You like that?” He teased feeling more calm.

  She smiled lazily and shook her head. “No. Not me.”

  “Your body betrays you.” He lowered his lips gliding them across her stomach. She twitched beneath him. He lifted his head and took in her pixie face. Never in his life had anyone done this for him. Never had he allowed it. He knew he was in trouble. He had become her possession as much as she had become his. He would do anything for her.

  He pushed her knees wider, exposing her. Staring as his hands made their way down her stomach, savoring the feel of her lush skin. The sweet taste of her sweat demanded he experiment more. He slid his finger to the center of her core. Little strokes. He wanted to please her, but his ache to drive deep into her was maddening. He fought to cage the thought.

  He lowered his mouth to her clit, his tongue twirling circles inside her folds. Her hips arched to meet his tantalizing play as she gripped his hair. She tasted of honey, and he couldn’t get enough.

  She writhed beneath him. He groaned and tilted her hips closer to his mouth as she cried out in pleasure. So sweet. She tugged his shoulders.

  “Come here.”

  He regretted easing away as he crawled over her. Her gaze held his.“I want you. Will you give yourself to me?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  He exhaled and shook his head. She had no clue that sex was a part of how Poryria claimed their lifelong mates. Not that he was claiming her. He just had to have her. “I need you.”

  She had been the only person to calm him. Ever. Her fingers twined behind his neck.

  “I need you, too.” She kissed him. “I’ve never been more sure,” she panted.

  His heart thundered in his chest. He pushed her legs open with his. “Then let us give each other what we both want.”

  Her eyes glistened when she smiled. Her legs wrapped around his lower back as he surged forward into her wet and ready body. She moaned as he entered her, lifting her higher to meet his thrust. Tight, accommodating him more than he could ever hope. A perfect fit in so many ways–mind and body.

  He struggled to control his hunger, his driving speed, but gave up, unable to restrain the powerful craving any longer. “Kira.” He moaned–the lusty growl in his voice returning. “You must tell me if I hurt you.”

  When she gripped his ass, he thrust deeper and deeper.

  Sweat beaded on her forehead as she met his surges with her own. Her hands gripped his biceps. She tightened her hold around his back as he thrust again and again. His hunger for her grew stronger, wilder. She didn’t hold back. He smiled inwardly at the wild cat she’d been hiding inside. The wild passion she held deep within her toyed with his arousal. His teeth extended. Once more—just one. He licked her, then sank his teeth into her left breast, drinking her in as he roared in his throat, ready to spill his seed. His mind raced. His body, his thirst demanding more.

  If he were claiming her for a mate, he was almost there, but he wasn’t. He couldn’t. He fought the beast. Think. Think. She’s human. The mating process must be between two Poryria. Why did that bother him so much?

  Kira panted, struggling to catch her breath. “Trace,” she moaned.

  His mind reached out to her, caressing her, easing all aches. A connection unlike he’d ever had before. His entire body shook while he closed her wound with his tongue.

  She bucked beneath him, crying out his name as she shattered with her own release.

  He swore and thrust. Her body squeezed tightly around his full cock as he released his seed. Sex had never been like this before.

  When his tremors settled, his body fell limp next to her.

  “Thank you. I don’t know what would have…” He swallowed the thought. She’d restored his life and saved him from an insanity that could have potentially destroyed them both. He knew he had to tell her soon that she truly didn’t know him. She didn’t know his kind were constantly fighting the battle within them, as though they held split personalities and could easily fall into the dark side with the slightest nudge. But he wanted to tell Kira, with her help he would promise to do his best to stay in the light.

  He leaned over her when she didn’t respond. Her eyes were closed, and a soft moan escaped her lips.

  Chapter 14

  Trace cursed softly and knelt next to her on the bed. “Kira?” He shook her lightly. Shit.

  He dressed them both instantly. Mikal, I need you. He mentally called out to his brother.

  Mike appeared in the room, leaning against a wall, arms folded as though he’d been there all along. “What?” His brows rose as he noticed Kira on the bed.

  “I took too much,” Trace said while holding her hand.

  Mike strolled toward the bed and then placed his palm in front of her nose. “She’s still breathing. What’s the problem?”

  “I know that much, idiot.”

  Mike shrugged. “She’s just sleeping. She’ll be fine.”

  Trace rubbed his face. “How do you know? What if I harmed her?”

  “She’s fine. It happened to me once, although I was the one who passed out.”

  Stunned, because he hadn’t known anything about it he asked, “By who?”

  “Our Queen,” he answered and then felt Kira’s pulse. “She’ll need plenty of red meat when she wakes up. Raw meat.” Mike smoothed his hands down his black slacks, tugged the front of his maroon t-shirt, and puffed his chest out. “Now, if you don’t need me. I have things to do.”

  “Wait. Queen Mary? She almost drained you?”

  “You forget, while your blood satisfies her, the rest of ours doesn’t meet her high standards.”

  Trace cringed. He hadn’t really given it much thought. A light snore escaped Kira’s lips. He brushed her hair back. “You never mentioned that before.”

  A disgusted sigh came from Mike. Trace glared at him. “What’s your problem?”

  Mike shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”

  He lingered in thought for a second, then observed the creased brows on Mike’s face. “Say whatever is on your mind.”

  “Fine. I think you fucked up. You should be with someone of our kind.” Mike glared at Kira and then left the way he’d come in.

  His kind, no way. They were just as cold as he was. He wanted someone with warmth and passion, like Kira. Even though mating with a human was not illegal, it didn’t matter anymore. Yeah, Mike was pissed, but Trace trusted him enough to know Mike would keep this information blocked from the others. Dev on the other hand might be a problem. To hell with it, he didn’t need anyone’s approval.

  Throwing the complication behind him, he ran his hand across her forehead. Her skin was cooler than usual. He grabbed the comforter at the foot of the bed and covered her. Next time, if there was a next time, he had to make sure he fed before he touched her. She needed to eat as well. He sighed feeling better knowing she just rested.

  He leaned next to her for a few moments, listening to her soft snores, making sure she slept peacefully. Moments later, he left the room, called a nearby restaurant and ordered dinner.

  He stood barefoot in the kitchen, letting the cold tile chill his body temperature back to normal. He twisted around when he felt a presence near. The kitchen door opened and his housekeeper walked in. He’d forgotten it was Thursday. Karen worked three days a week for him. She knew Trace’s secret and he trusted her fully. She was the only human he’d ever left alone with access to his house. She’d worked for his mother before she�
�d died, and after her death he knew Karen still needed employment, so he hired her.

  “Odd to see you home, Mr. Stuart.” She placed the laundry basket on the bronze granite countertop and greeted him with a tired smile.

  “Isn’t it. How are you?” She didn’t look well.

  “Oh, a little tired from taking care of my granddaughter. She was up all night.”

  He sensed she wasn’t fine, but he admired her for the way she was always helping her family. In fact, he was a little envious. Still, he worried about Karen. She had dark circles around her blood shot eyes.

  “How is Emma?”

  “Fine. Still not talking though.” Karen strolled to the pantry, and pulled out a bucket, broom and mop, clearly not wanting to talk about it.

  He felt bad that her granddaughter still hadn’t said a word yet. At three, she should be talking. The baby’s mother had been addicted to drugs, and hadn’t taken good care of the baby. Not until Karen stepped in the picture. “With you there to help, she will.”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I just wish my daughter would try to help. I think she is still using.” She sighed. “Lord only knows.”

  “Is there something I can do?”

  “No. I do my best.” Karen went to the sink and filled the bucket. “I’ll try and stay out of your way.”

  That was his cue to butt out. The doorbell rang. “Not a problem. Oh, and skip my room. I have a guest staying with me.” Trace caught the concern in Karen’s eyes before he went to answer the door. She was one of a kind.

  He paid for the meal and rushed upstairs to find Kira sitting in bed. He relaxed. “You look better,” he said. “How do you feel?”

  She yawned. “Tired and I have a little headache. Did I fall asleep on you?”