Blurring past Tarnley and Jane, I grab Rainey and race through the door. The moment we’re in the bedroom, I throw all rational thought out the window.
I slam her into the wall, grinding my hard cock against her as she tilts her head to the side, her fingers digging into the muscle of my arms.
She threads her fingers in my hair, gripping and pulling, the pain so fucking close to pleasure a growl rips from my throat.
She shoves me away, and I stumble back. Pupils dilated, she grins at me as she saunters further into the room, walking through the space and toward the bed.
“You are fucking hot,” she says. “But I want more than fucking, Elijah.” She leans down and grips the blade holstered in her boot then runs it over her palm. Crimson beads on her skin, and the beast inside me rattles his chains.
“No.” The word a strained plea, I shake my head. “Don’t. I can’t.” I close my eyes and attempt to slow my heart rate. The delicious scent of her blood fills my lungs, and I inhale, pressing my back to the door.
“Come on, Elijah. Have a taste.”
“No.”
She walks toward me, and I feel the cool blade of her dagger run over my mouth. Copper slips between my lips, and I run my tongue over them, feeling the chains of my restraint snapping, one by one, as she slips into my system.
As I taste the power in her blood.
I snap and grip her by the throat, spinning and pinning her to the wall.
“Taste me,” she whispers. “Fuck me.”
There’s a part of me that is telling me to stop.
That Rainey is grieving and this is wrong.
But I don’t fucking care anymore.
She tilts her head to the side, and I bite down on her throat. Blood fills my mouth, the familiar tang even more alluring now. I suck, pulling her life force into my mouth as her hands fumble with my pants.
I drink, the blood intoxicating me, making my head swim. Her hands press against my chest, and she shoves me back. I stumble toward the bed, and she blurs toward me, I’m too far gone to realize how wrong that is.
That she shouldn’t move that way.
Because within an instant, she’s naked and shoving me back further onto the bed. Rainey climbs on top of me and grabs my cock, guiding it to her entrance. She slides down, and the wet heat surrounds me as she moves her hips.
Harder.
Faster.
I feel drunk, dizzy.
She grabs my hands and puts them on her breasts. I run my thumbs over her hardened nipples, and she throws her head back, crying out with release. I flip her over, pinning her to the mattress and pumping my hips as my own release builds. When I come, I stare down at her, expecting to see caramel eyes, but all I see is black.
I jump back, stumbling back into the wall as she sits up, smiling. “I have to say, Vampire,” she purrs as she reaches down and pulls on her jeans. “I’m glad I didn’t kill you back in Salem. What a waste that would have been.”
I grab my jeans and quickly pull them on. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I can see why she cares for you. You’re quite the fuck. Which is saying something because I’ve been around a long time. But you.” Rainey points at me. “You are something special.” She reaches down and pulls on her boots. “What a way to wake up.” She grins at me.
I shake my head, not bothering to button my jeans. Something’s wrong. Really fucking wrong. “Rainey—”
She blurs toward me, her movements nothing like Rainey’s. I reach for her, but she holds up a hand and flings me against the wall, pinning me in place. “You did me quite the favor by opening that box. That little bitch Jane sealed it against me.”
“Rainey, what are you talking about?”
She turns toward me, malice in her gaze. “Oh, how rude of me, I didn’t even bother to introduce myself.” She smiles, and although she’s staring at me from the face of Rainey, it looks nothing like the woman I love. “I’m Heather.”
My blood runs cold. “Rainey—”
“Rainey’s no longer around, Vampire. But I assure you; I’ll take great care of this body.” She runs her hands over Rainey’s chest, her abdomen. “She’s an attractive one, this hunter.” She laughs. “Of course, I don’t have to tell you that. You’re so wrapped around her finger you were mated within—what was it—two weeks of meeting her? And yet, you never noticed something was wrong.” She forces a pout. “Perhaps you didn’t really love her after all.” Walking past me, she winks. “See you later, Vampire. I’ll be leaving you alive as thanks for that welcome. Perhaps I’ll check back in with you, see if you’re interested in round two.”
Everything happens so damned fast I can barely wrap my mind around it. But as soon as the spell breaks and I fall to the floor, I scramble out into the hall.
Jane screams.
Tarnley roars.
I burst into the study as Heather heads for the box. I blur toward it and slam the lid down before she can reach it. She glares at me.
“You may be pretty, but that will only get you so far. Give me the box!”
“Give me Rainey, and you can have it.”
She rolls her eyes. “Are you a dimwit? I can’t give you Rainey now, can I? As I said, she’s gone. Give me my box or I’ll kill you all.”
Gone? “No, you won’t. Jane and Tarnley need to be able to open the box.”
“And you?” She squeezes her palm, and my throat constricts. I fall to my knees, gasping for air. “What do I need you for?”
Jane rushes toward her, and Heather holds out Rainey’s hand. She blurs toward Jane—still managing to hold me in place—and grips her by the throat. Tarnley rushes forward, and Heather nods her head, sending him flying back into the wall where he slides down, unconscious.
“Jane, Jane, Jane, that is what you’re calling yourself these days, isn’t it?”
“Let her go!” I order.
Black eyes land on my face. “You have no words in this production,” she snaps.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Panic, rage, and overwhelming grief surge through me.
How did I not see?
She turns to Jane, lifting her off the ground as Jane struggles against her grasp.
Use your magic! I silently urge her. She’s our only hope now.
“You have had this coming for a long time, you little bitch.”
Heather grins, and Jane’s throat opens just above where Rainey’s—Heather’s—hand is holding her. Blood spills from the new wound, dripping down onto Heather. “I’m going to watch you die. Then, I will bathe in your blood.”
I fight against her hold, trying desperately to break free, but the power—it’s stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.
Three black crows fly into the room, circling her. She growls as she drops Jane and spins, aiming at the midnight birds with balls of energy. My body released from whatever the fuck she was doing, I use her distraction to grab the box and lunge for Jane, yanking her back toward Tarnley.
Then, I press both hands to the wound in her throat, willing the fucking thing to close. She stares up at me, pale-faced, eyes slowly losing their life. I’ve never felt more helpless in my entire life.
“You three have made quite the mess,” an aging woman scolds as she steps into the room.
“Agatha,” Heather growls.
“Hello, Heather.”
Rainey—or Heather—turns to me, pinning me with her soulless gaze. “I’ll be back for my box.” Then, with a snap of her finger, Heather is gone.
Taking the body and soul of the woman I love right along with her.
The series continues in Blood Cure, available now! Click here to download!
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For more information, visit www.jessicawayne.com
About the Author
Photo Credit Mandi Rose Photography
Jessica Wayne is the author of over twenty fantasy and contemporary romance novels. The latter of which she writes as J.W. Ashley. During the day, she slays laundry and dishes as a homeschooling stay at home mom of three, and at night her worlds come to life on paper.
She runs on coffee and wine (as well as the occasional whiskey!) and if you ever catch her wearing matching socks, it’s probably because she grabbed them in the dark.
She is a believer of dragons, unicorns, and the power of love, so each of her stories contain one of those elements (and in some cases all three).
Jessica lives in Texas with her husband, kids, their two German Shepherds who think they’re both cats, and a fluffy orange cat named Leo who thinks he’s a dog.
You can usually find her in her Facebook group, The Wayne-O’s, or keep in touch by subscribing to her newsletter where she shares updates as well as shenanigans she finds herself in.
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Contemporary Romance by J.W. Ashley
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They’re being hunted and the only way to come out of it alive, is to put their badges aside.
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Long Road Home: Coming home was always part of the plan. He was not.
Home For Summer: He thinks she’s a spoiled brat. She thinks he’s a stick in the mud. Turns out, they’re both wrong.
The Lumberjack Effect: Facing your past is always the hardest part of moving forward. Especially when you’ve kept a secret for five years.
The Whiskey Effect: Rule #1: Never get tied down. Leo smashed through that like it was a pane of sugar glass and he’s an action star whose mission is to take me down…repeatedly.
Blood Captive: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (Vampire Huntress Chronicles Book 2) Page 27