by Anna Santos
She also enjoys writing poetry, watching a good movie, and spending time with her husband and family in Portugal, where she lives.
Also from Anna Santos
The Witch and the Vampire King, Book 2, the IMMORTAL LOVE series
Revenge, Book 1, the CHRONICLES OF THE EYLONES series
Please enjoy the first chapters of BOOK 2
THE WITCH AND THE VAMPIRE
Prologue
Shane made me happy. Shane gave me the peace of mind I needed to be happy and to feel normal. Besides, I was not alone to face Alaric. I had my soul-mate, I had my family, and I had my friends. We were ready for him. His reign of terror was going to stop, but I was not going to let him ruin anything else in my life. And for now, all my energies were focused on living happily with Shane and the people I loved in a place that I called my home.
From my window, I could hear the people outside celebrating. Huge fires and laughing sounds announced the festivities. It was the happiest day of my life. I knew it was. I could feel the emotion in my throat and my impatience increased the beating of my heart. Although I was immortal and a vampire, my spirit had never been so alive as on that night. I missed him, and we had been celebrating the whole day. Our union would be important for the future of our kingdoms. I was lucky to find my soul-mate at such a young age.
I was a child by vampire’s standards. My soul-mate was older, wiser, and really important. I had been fifteen when we first met. I can still recall vividly the day our hands touched on the dance floor and his eyes fell on mine. It was like time ceased to exist and only the two of us remained in the room. He smiled and bowed to me. As he stood there, bending his knee, he stared at me like I was a goddess. Soon we were surrounded by all the other vampires who were whispering, amazed by the moment. I could hear the buzz around us, but I only had eyes for him.
Finding someone’s soul-mate among pureblood vampires is a significant event. It’s not a thing to take lightly. It can instigate wars or peace. I was glad our encounter originated in peace and forged an important new alliance between my parents’ kingdom and my soul-mate’s kingdom. He was a king. I was a princess. He wanted me and would do anything to achieve that goal.
My soul-mate was foreign, dreaded by many, revered by plenty, tall, and strong. He had stunning blue eyes, amazingly long and curly blond hair, plus a beard and moustache that were blond and stunning, as well. He was the king whom my parents feared; they had been doing their best to keep him happy, because he was powerful enough to have us all killed, ending our bloodline. But when he looked at me, he didn’t seem at all like the cruel, heartless vampire king they had described to me. He looked like an angel. Maybe I should have felt scared. After all, he was the cruel beast who wanted to end my clan. But I didn’t. I never did.
Also, my parents had something he wanted. He had been waiting for me for far too long. I would be his queen and the mother of his children. The moment he opened his mouth to call me his queen, bowing to me, I knew that he would never destroy the clan that gave him his other half, who made his life have meaning. I was also sure my family wouldn’t oppose to our marriage, and I would do everything in my power to make him happy.
My king waited until I was older to marry me and make me his wife and queen. I loved him instantly. We were meant to be. So, on my wedding night, it was only natural that I was feeling scared and excited all at the same time.
I drifted in and out of thoughts as the loud noises of singing and dancing continued outside. Everybody was celebrating my wedding. Night had fallen long before on that part of the world. I was far away from home, but my parents were there with me, for the time being. They would leave to their own kingdom the next day, and then all of the people I had once known would be living far away from me, including my siblings and my friends. He was going to be my family after that night. We were going to build a new family together and be happy.
Once the dark night fell and the moon shone in the sky, I heard lots and lots of wolves howling to their goddess. In my clan, we didn’t have packs of wolves as our servants; we had covens of witches. But wolves didn’t like the city. I would have to get used to that. I would have to get used to life in the country.
I sat on the bed, watching the torches lit my new room. I wore a white tunic with nothing underneath and had sent the maids away. I wanted privacy. I wanted to be alone with my soul-mate. I was tired of having a permanent maid who kept me away from him, making me behave and not tell him what was on my mind.
I was getting impatient. He was taking too long.
A gentle warm breeze entered the room, carrying the scents of pine trees and burned wood. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, feeling a tingling sensation on my stomach and tickles on my back and neck. It felt enthralling, increasing my excitement to be next to my mate all alone, just to touch him and taste him. He smelled divine: spicy and woody intertwined with salty, sea nuances. My whole body longed for his and my eyes often changed with lust when we were close. We were married now. There was no more need for surveillance or rigid protocols.
I rose to my feet when the door opened and he got in. A tight knot clenched in my belly as his scent hit my nostrils and our eyes met. He was still wearing his regal clothes and I should let him come to me to begin the mating ritual, but with my heart bursting on my chest, I ran to his arms when the door shut behind him. He grabbed me and folded me in a tight hug as our mouths met for the second time that day. I had been fantasizing about his kiss since the moment his lips stole one just before the ceremony. My gums ached to feed of him as our lips locked and desire exploded. Jolts of pleasure shoot through me and I wished that we would never be apart again.
My husband didn’t hold back. He kissed me deeply as his hands slid to my waist and held tighter. I felt small and safe inside his embrace because despite being strong, he had always been gentle and careful with me. I was nervous, though. It was my wedding night and I didn’t know what to expect. But I loved and wanted him—bad!
Our lips kept touching, the air was dragged from my lungs, and his hands rested at my lower back. I could sense his body tensing against mine as I felt devoured, and I moaned shamelessly, holding his clothes and trying to reply to his hungry kisses.
My king, my mate and husband would mark me that night. I would also mark him and be his mate forever, through all lives and deaths. I was made to please him, serve him, and love him unconditionally. He was made to love me, care for me, protect me, and make my life have a purpose.
My mate, my vampire king, was there in my arms…
And then I woke up like I always do. And I don't remember half of my dreams, not even the nice parts of them. All I remember is that I was locked in his embrace, kissing and tasting him, feeling all the joy in the world, and then I was suddenly taken away from there to the present time, when I don't know where he is. And where I am clearly someone else.
Where I miss him terribly and could almost scream in endless pain until my voice is gone.
Chapter One—Burn
The ride to Anna’s current house was short. I had woken up at the best part of my dream! It was so unfair! I hadn’t dreamed about him for a whole week! And then I fell asleep on the way to my best friend’s house and there it comes: my vivid dream, my most erotic and intense sexual fantasy. Only to I wake up right in the middle of it! Livid doesn’t begin to describe how I felt at that moment. But I was also strangely happy. I always enjoyed dreaming of my mate.
The taxi driver cleared his throat and informed me that we had arrived at my destination. Then he took my bags out of the car and left me in front of a cabin in the middle of nowhere. It would have been pretty creepy if the cabin hadn’t had a welcoming tendril of smoke rising out of the chimney. There were people I knew inside—Anna and Shane—at least that’s what I hoped.
I still felt annoyed as I carried my small bag up to the porch and knocked on the door. The driver was long gone; I had daydreamed for a while before climbing the stairs, and I didn’t know wha
t Anna’s reaction would be to my arrival. I had not warned her I was coming nor did I ask her if I could stay. But she was my best friend, and I needed her help. Surely she wouldn’t leave me outside in the cold.
I had a hard time concentrating on the present. I couldn’t stop thinking of that hot dream about me and my mate. I did seem like I could remember more this time than the last, but I could never remember his face. It was always a blur! I was able to remember inner thoughts, some smells, and some actions between us. Yes, I was able to remember the kisses and his hands on me. In fact, I usually woke up all aroused and needy, especially when waking before the actual end of the dream. However, a word echoed in my mind. A new word. A word that I had never thought about. The new word was king. My soul-mate from another life had been or still was a king! That would explain the feeling I always had of being inside a castle. He was a vampire king.
That would narrow down my search to a mere one thousand kingdoms… But it was useful information, though! And then there was the fact that I was sure the castle was not in American territory. My mate was a European king! And I had just arrived from Europe—damn! I had even been running away from a king. Coincidence? Probably.
I knocked again and held my breath. I was growing impatient and restless. I looked around and sighed in fear. It was creepy out there! And I felt watched. I tried to listen to my surroundings as I prayed for Anna to open the damn door.
I knocked impatiently, almost using my powers to open it, get inside, close it behind me, and glue my back against the door while catching my breath. I felt like the protagonist of a lame horror movie, waiting to be dinner to some wild animal or serial killer. I wanted and needed to get in, and I also needed to stop being so fearful. I was hardly being myself lately! I wasn’t a coward nor was I generally paranoid. However, I didn’t make it a habit to run away from vampire kings who wanted my head! Topping it all off, I was tired and my magical powers ran low.
Finally someone unlocked the door and opened it slightly to peek outside. It was Shane. God, Anna had won the lottery! Her gorgeous mate stared at me, shirtless in a nice pair of pants, trying to understand who I was.
“I’m Jessica. Anna’s friend,” I reminded him, a bit surprised at his blank expression. I had only been gone for three weeks! And I’m kind of gorgeous and unforgettable. I guessed I hadn’t made a very strong impression on him after all.
“I know who you are,” he answered with a drowsy voice.
Okay, I guess I did leave an impression after all. Well, in fact, I kind of saved his ass. I let out a sigh of relief and was going to ask him something when a crazy chick ran at me from inside and jumped on my neck.
“Jessica!” Anna screamed on my ear, giving me a headache. I guess she missed me! “Where were you? What the hell are you doing here? And why didn’t you say anything for weeks?”
The interrogation had started. She acted like my mother! Well, actually my mother didn’t care about me. My best friend cared more than she ever did when alive. By nature, witches are eccentric and tend to do whatever they please. I guess it is all the dancing naked in the woods that gives us a feeling of freedom and an unwillingness to be restricted by moral standards and normal lives. We are anything but normal. We are magic beings. We were adored like goddesses back in the beginning of time. It’s too bad that tradition was not becoming fashionable again. I would like to be adulated and pampered by humans.
I smiled at Anna and pretended to be playful. I didn’t want her to understand that I was scared; that would make her even more apprehensive. Besides, I had escaped, I was there safe and sound, so everything was all right. There was no need to share everything about the troubled days behind me.
“I’m here to visit you. Aren’t you going to ask me in? It’s freezing outside! I didn’t know nights could be so chilly here.”
“Sorry! Come in.”
I hesitated. “Can Shane bring my bags in?” I pointed outside to the three suitcases.
Shane arched an eyebrow, and I smiled and batted my lashes at him.
“Trust me, she is traveling light,” Anna mumbled as Shane strolled to my luggage and brought it effortlessly inside their home. He was a werewolf and a strong one; three suitcases were no sweat for him.
Anna led me inside her home, asking, “Is everything okay?”
I nodded while looking around at the cozy house that Shane had built for himself. It was charming and rustic. It had an inviting fireplace next to which was a comfortable couch covered with a blanket and two mugs on the coffee table. I may have interrupted some romantic soiree and suddenly felt a bit nostalgic for not having someone to do those sorts of things with. However, I was over the moon that Anna had found her mate. A gorgeous and really attractive mate. Come on, it was hard for me to take my eyes from him! He should put on a shirt.
Anna must have thought the same, because she threw him his shirt as she gave me a look. I smiled, my cheeks turning red as they warmed up inside the house. Then I stared at the fire and became mesmerized by it until I heard Shane lock the door. I let out another sigh of relief. I was safe at last. I was among friends and next to Anna, whom I’d missed and prayed to have beside me when I was in danger. Above all, I was alive!
Anna cleared her voice. “So, are you staying with us for a while?”
“If you don’t mind,” I answered, glancing at Shane to see his reaction. He just shrugged his shoulders. It seemed like he didn’t mind, so I liked him even more.
“We don’t mind at all,” Anna said with a happy voice. “We have an extra bedroom. Shane will put your luggage there. You can rest, but first you have to tell me what the hell you have been doing these past few weeks!”
“Sightseeing,” I said. Anna rolled her eyes. She never liked it when I answered her flippantly and did not take her seriously. So I sat on the couch, rubbed my hands together, and sighed. “Can we talk tomorrow? I’m tired and sore from the journey. It has been a long day.”
“I’ve missed you,” she said, sitting next to me as she put her arm over my shoulders and pulled me near. “You are in some kind of trouble, aren’t you?”
I was the witch and yet she was the one who could always guess things about me. That was creepy enough! But she was also my best friend and knew me all too well. “Yes, you know me. I’m always getting myself into trouble.”
“Is it serious?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
I was lying. I needed help. That was why I was interrupting Anna’s time with her newfound mate. I was shamelessly moving into their home so I could have her protection. Being in her family’s territory and their being powerful vampires wouldn’t hurt, either. I knew I would be safe there.
“I’m going to put her bags in the guest room and make the bed,” Shane warned.
Anna nodded and pursed her lips before lecturing me. “You left without an explanation. Well, at least, without a coherent one. We tried to call you several times, but you were always evasive with your answers, or you didn’t answer at all. Kevin needs your help.”
Kevin was Anna’s younger brother. However, even if Anna looked worried, I knew that there was no need for all that drama. “He’s not going to die. His witch marked him, that’s it.”
“That’s what we are hoping, but what if it is something far worse? Some kind of curse?”
I got up and stood in front of the fireplace, my gaze lingering on the orange and blue flames. “I’m here now. And Kevin is doing great since he woke up from his coma. You are also happy with your mate.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw Shane, who was busy carrying sheets inside what I assumed would be my new bedroom. “Now that I’m here, I’ll do everything in my power to find out the meaning of the tattoo that appeared on Kevin’s forearm.”
I turned around to give her a reassuring smile. Things had turned out okay in the past month. After six months of looking for a pureblood vampire to cure her brother from a deep coma, Anna found her long-lost, pureblood vampire relatives, and her uncle and co
usin donated the blood necessary to cure Kevin. He recovered and woke up from the coma, but a strange mark later appeared in his forearm. Anna’s brother was in good health, and his blood had been crucial to create a vaccine against the serum that was killing hybrids. The world had become a less scary place, but I’d had to leave to take care of my own problems.
I woke from my thoughts with her voice. “You look tired.”
“I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep lately.”
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
I rubbed my sore neck. “I found a lot more than I was looking for. I know I have been a bad friend. I shouldn’t keep secrets from you. But I was on a mission, and now I need your help.”
“The perimeter has been breached,” Shane warned, appearing in the living room and scaring the crap out of me. He had shouldered Anna’s swords and was putting his gun belt around his waist. “The sentinels say that there are at least eight intruders coming at high speed in our direction.”
I bit my lip. They were coming for me. They had followed me there. I thought they had been fooled and that I had lost them from my tail, but I was wrong.
“It’s my fault,” I whispered, immobile as Anna grabbed her weapons. “They are coming for me.”
“What do they want?” she asked.
“How long for them to get here?” I asked Shane.
“Seconds. They are fast. Faster than my men. We’ll have to hold them until backup arrives.”
“Fine,” I said, breathing deep. I rolled my shoulders and walked to Shane. “I forgot to give you this the last time.” I put my hand on his naked neck and burned a protection rune on his flesh. It stung, and he complained of the pain. Anna didn’t move. She knew what it was. She had one. It was a rune to make him immune to spells. It would come in handy, especially if there were some witches among the new bunch of trackers who were coming for me.
