The Chosen: A Tale of the Blood Breed

by A Tale of the Blood Breed (lit)

  His fangs hadn’t descended fully, the idea of claiming his Chosen still fresh in his brain. He got out of the car and walked up the stone steps that led to the front door. He closed his eyes and closed his fingers around the doorknob. His body was already pulsing with need. He knew what waited just behind the door, and it wouldn’t be controlled much longer. His mind was screaming at him.

  Claim her.

  Take her.

  Make her yours.

  He opened the door and walked inside, knowing instantly where Lana was. Her blood ran in his veins now, and because of that, he could find her anywhere. He shut the door and walked toward her, his destiny.

  * * * *

  Lana floated in and out of unconsciousness, a pleasure-filled sleep with erotic dreams of touching and kissing. She wanted to open her eyes, but she didn’t have the strength. Her arms and legs were like weights, and movement seemed impossible. She could hear sounds close by, deep voices arguing with each other in a language she couldn’t understand. One of them sounded familiar and sent desire through her. She concentrated on that one voice, trying to place where she heard it before. She became a little more awake and tried to open her eyes, but she still didn’t have the strength. He was the one who made her feel such desire, such heated arousal. The noises drifted off, and she idly thought she dreamt them.

  As the sounds drifted away, the weight that held her body in place dissipated, and now she had the strength to open her eyes. She lay on her back, the room lightly lit and a crackling sound bouncing off the walls. She sat up, her head still a little foggy as she looked around. A fire was lit in front of her, the flames licking wildly through the wood. She sat atop a massive bed with silk sheets spread across her. She ran her hand over the smooth material, a spark of recognition about silk sheets stabbing through her mind. An image flashed through in front of her eyes—her lying on silk sheets and intense pleasure washing through her. She flushed at the vivid images, but no matter how hard she tried, she didn’t know where those images came from.

  “A fire is truly beautiful, is it not? The bright flames dancing along the wood as if it’s starving.”

  She looked toward the shadowed corner where the feminine, accented voice came from. The woman sat in a chair, the fire light dancing over her small body. Curls bounced around her face, framing large, bright blue eyes that struck some kind of remembrance to Lana. A face came to her mind—masculine and with the same blue eyes.

  “Do I know you? Where am I?”

  “I’m surprised Milo’s hold is no longer keeping you asleep.” She tapped her finger against her lip and smiled. “Don’t worry, your memory will come back shortly. Sooner than any others. Very interesting.”

  “What are you talking about? Where am I, and who are you?”

  “My name is Aniya. You are at our home, my brothers’ and mine, that is.” She stood and walked toward Lana.

  “Why am I here?” Images flashed through her mind, broken pictures and words that didn’t make any sense. A large, muscular body, black eyes…fangs. The image of those teeth stood out in her mind, her brain screaming that this one image was vital. She absently touched the side of her neck, the spot tender under her fingers. She looked down and saw herself dressed in clothes that weren’t her own.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but we’re about the same size, and I didn’t think he wanted you to stay naked.” She walked toward the door and grasped the handle as if she were about to leave.

  “Wait! Where are you going? Please don’t leave me here.” Panic swelled inside of her. Even though she didn’t know this woman, she somehow felt calmer being around her.

  “My brother will be in soon and explain everything to you.”

  “Please wait! You’re just going to leave me here? Tell me what’s going on.”

  She turned around, the smile on her face sad. “Please don’t be so frightened. No one will harm you here.” She turned and left, shutting the door softly behind her.

  Lana’s heart pounded hard in her chest, and her body became hot. She scrambled off the bed and ran toward the door. Deep voices sounded outside of the door, but she couldn’t understand what they were saying. She let go of the handle and looked around the room for another way out. There were no windows in the room and only one other door. She ran toward the other door and opened it. Her heart sank as she stared at a bathroom. She didn’t bother switching a light on, just blindly searched for a weapon of some kind. Besides bars of soap and shampoo, there wasn’t anything she could use as a weapon.

  She left the bathroom and searched the room, her heart racing as the door swung open. A man stood on the other side, his body massive and his gaze trained on her. She stared at his face, and all of the suppressed memories, all of the broken words and images she had been trying to sort out, became clear. Everything flashed through her mind like a movie on fast forward, and she gasped. Her fear came back ten-fold, and she twisted her fingers together as he watched her.

  “Please don’t hurt me.”

  Surprise flashed across his features as well as an emotion she thought was pain.

  Just shut up, Lana, you’re going to make the situation worse.

  She took a step back as he walked into the room and closed the door. He looked at her for a suspended second before his gaze went to the fire. As he stood there, the fire light danced over him and made him look fierce and dangerous.

  “What do you want from me?” She involuntarily touched the side of her neck that tingled and throbbed. Images of their naked bodies intertwined made her flush, arousal slowly burning within her.

  “Sweet, sweet, Lana. If only I could make you not fear me.” He turned toward her and looked at her with anguish in his eyes. “But this is my fault, is it not? I am the cause of your fear. The reason you think I am here to harm you.” He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I wish to tell you things, things you will not want to believe, but what I say is the truth.”

  He walked closer to the fire and turned his back to her. Through the white shirt, his tattoo was evident. It looked like a cross or something similar, but with the lighting being so poor it was hard to tell. The only thing she could tell for sure was that it covered his entire back.

  “Are you Aniya’s brother?” She didn’t know why she even cared. From what she could remember, he was a monster. Again, the image of sharp fangs and black eyes flashed through her mind. She remembered his deep, distorted voice and flinched inwardly. As frightened as she was, she had to wonder why he hadn’t hurt her back at the apartment. Why hadn’t he hurt her when she was unconscious? She touched the side of her neck once more, her vagina becoming instantly wet at them memory of his bite.

  “Yes, that is my sister.” He turned around, his face now void of any emotion. “I live here with my three siblings. Luca and the twins, Milo and Aniya.” He held up his hands, palms outward in surrender. “I am the eldest of the four. I am Ale…”

  “Aleksei.” The name spilled out of her before she could stop herself. Flashes of them naked together, their limbs moving together, filled her head. She called out his name at the pleasure he brought her. She flushed from the memories and turned her head away from him.

  “Please look at me.”

  She looked back at him, his blue eyes so intense as he watched her. “Why am I here? I didn’t do anything wrong. I just want to go home. I won’t tell anyone about anything I swear it! I have nothing to give you. Please!” The words were spoken on one breath, but her fear started a slow creep through her again.

  What if he’s the one who’s been killing those women?

  “I have never harmed a female in my entire existence!” His voice boomed throughout the room.

  She stepped back until she felt the wall behind her. “Please, please don’t hurt me.” She held her hands out, palms forward. How the hell had he heard her? Had she spoken out loud? No, she didn’t think so, but she must have because people couldn’t read others’ minds. Then again, people didn’t turn into fanged monste
rs. He relaxed immediately, and a look of anguish covered his strong features. He held his hand out as if she should just take it and walk toward him. He took a step forward and then stopped.

  “I’m telling you not to fear me, and what do I do? I frighten you.” He ran a hand through his short hair and breathed out roughly. “I was not upset with you, please know. I could never be upset with you. I’m just on edge with other things, and that is a touchy subject right now.” He walked toward the edge of the bed and sat down, motioning for her to do the same. “Please, would you sit down and relax? I swear on my honor I won’t harm you. I just want to explain everything to you.”

  He sounded sincere, but why should she believe him? She couldn’t escape with his body between the door and her. She eyed the bed and sat at the very corner, holding her body at an odd angle. A small smile lit up his face, and he took a deep breath.

  “Do you need anything? Water, food, different clothes?”

  She shook her head, her fingers twisting together.

  “How much do you remember…from earlier?”

  “Everything.” She barely said the word before she gasped. He was right in front of her the next second, his body blocking the light from the fire. In her haste to put distance between them, she ended up slipping off the bed. Before she made contact with the floor, he scooped her up and set her gently back on the bed.

  She sat there, mouth hanging open as their eyes locked. He was inches from her face—his blue eyes boring into hers. Memories of earlier assaulted her again, and she blushed. She licked her lips, his eyes dropping and watching the act. Her body tingled, every cell in her body alive with desire. She shouldn’t be aroused by a man who kidnapped her, but she was…really aroused.

  She swallowed as she remembered their intimate time together. His large hairless body pressed against her own, his gentle fingers running over her heated flesh. Warm liquid slid out of her swollen pussy, and she hated herself for her lack of control. What was wrong with her?

  She moved farther up on the bed to put distance between them. He inhaled and closed his eyes, a deep rumble coming from him.

  “It’s hard to control myself when you smell so good.”

  What the hell was he talking about? Smelled good?

  “Before you tell me what’s going on, I need to make a phone call.” She stared at him, his half-lidded eyes making her hotter. He sat down on the bed, his stare intense and knowing.

  “Your cell phone is back at my apartment.”

  “Don’t you have a phone here? I have to let someone know I’m okay.”

  “This is the safest place for you to be.”

  “I still want to make a call. Am I a prisoner here?”

  He ran a hand over his face and looked at the ground. “Will you let me explain everything to you before you make your call? If after I’m done you still wish to leave, I’ll take you home myself.”

  “I have to let my friends know I’m okay. I came with two of them, and they’ll be worried.”

  “I’ve already informed Adrik, and he will tell your friends.”

  “Who the hell is Adrik? No, I want to call them myself!”

  “Please, just hear me out first.”

  She looked up at him and breathed out deeply. This was probably going to be the best he offered, and she didn’t want to push him. He could be a psycho for all she knew, probably was since he kidnapped her. She would play along, though, for now. She stared at him, anguish and longing filling his face. Why couldn’t she hate this man? She wanted to hate him so badly her chest hurt, but when he stared at her with those emotions flashing across his features, it made it difficult.

  “Okay, start talking.”

  Chapter Nine

  Kayla stepped out of the club, the chilly night breeze stirring the hair around her face. She stood next to Kaleb as they waited for the valet to bring the truck back. Kayla stayed at the club for several more hours searching for Lana. She never found Lana, and that put her in a panicked state. After she asked several people if they saw her, Adrik showed up. His eyes were downcast, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her, and that pissed her off even more. He told her Lana was with the owner of the club and she was fine. Kaleb demanded to know what was going on, and she didn’t miss how Adrik’s face had gone red with rage. She still didn’t know where his anger stemmed from, and it tore her in two.

  As the valet pulled Kaleb’s truck to the front of the club, she looked back at the club. She didn’t feel right about leaving Lana, but Kaleb and Adrik both said she was fine, and she trusted both of them deeply, even if Adrik abandoned her. She hadn’t been able to get a hold of her on her phone. What was the point of having a cell if she didn’t answer it? Kayla still fumed as she got into the truck and they left the club.

  * * * *

  “Pl-please don’t hurt me.”

  The human female stared up at him with big gray eyes as tears ran down her cheeks.

  “Shh, it’s okay. No one’s going to hurt you.” Lord D looked down at her as she cowered on the floor by his feet. Several of his minions had been searching for the prophesied female and brought back this woman. He knew the prophesied female was in Stone Brooke, could feel the underlying power coming off of her. They needed to find her fast, though, before others caught on to what they were doing. He knew the Blood Breed had to have figured out by now what they were doing. Their damn king wasn’t an idiot and would catch on sooner or later, especially if they read the local paper.

  He stared down at her, crouching down and running his hand over her dark hair. She whimpered and flinched away. “Love, stand up.”

  “Wh-what?”

  “Stand. Up.” He emphasized the words, already feeling his nerves running thin. She stood and took a few steps back. He didn’t think she would be stupid enough to try and run again, not when his minions stopped her the last time and she saw their fangs and black eyes. “Take everything off.”

  She whimpered again, looking around as if someone would actually help her.

  “You have nothing to fear. No one will harm you. Haven’t I already told you that?” His anger started to rise steadily at having to continuously repeat himself. “If you don’t remove your clothing, I’ll do it myself.”

  Her eyes grew wide, and fear poured off of her. She was afraid he would rape her. He might be ruthless, a prick and an asshole, but he wasn’t a rapist. “Now, please, remove your clothing.”

  When he found out those females had been killed, he was furious. He killed the minions who committed the crimes, not one to condone unjustified killing, especially when they were defenseless humans. He just wanted to find the prized female and be done with it.

  The female tentatively removed her clothing, looking around at the males who were leaning against the walls. She cried the whole time, finally getting down to her bra and panties. Her breathing was fast, and her heart pumped erratically. He walked toward her, and she curled into herself. He didn’t bother reminding her she wouldn’t be harmed, but then again, she had been ripped from her home and thrown in the snake pit, so to speak. He knew they looked like monsters to her. Hell, they were monsters.

  He walked around, looking at every piece of her exposed flesh and searching for the key to all of this. He stopped in front of her, grabbed her arms, and pulled them out to the sides. She looked like she was on the verge of passing out but managed to stay upright.

  “You don’t have what I’m looking for.” He dropped her hands and called for his minions to come near. She started crying again and wrapped her arms around her stomach. His minions eyed her like she was the prized hen. “You will not touch her! She will be returned to her home the same way she came here. Am I clear?”

  His minions stared at him, confusion and a ting of anger resonating off them. Their minds were working, wondering why their horde leader wasn’t letting them feast on the small, weak human. He never condoned the killing of humans, let alone human females who were so much weaker and smaller. As always, they cursed a
nd grumbled but did as he ordered. They knew if they crossed him, the consequences would not be pleasant.

  He ushered them out of them room, wanting to be alone with the female. She continued to cry and sank to the floor, her knees pulled to her chest and her head low. He crouched in front of her, and she cried harder. “All will be well, little one.” He stroked her dark hair as she cringed away from him. “What’s your name, beauty?”

  She didn’t answer, and he lifted her chin with his finger. “Your name?”

  Her eyes were closed, the wetness of her tears making streaks down her skin. She slowly opened her eyes, the blue of them so striking and bright. He continued to stroke her hair as he stared at her. Soon she wouldn’t remember any of this.

  She took a deep breath. “Sighla. My name is Sighla.”

  “Ahh, Sighla, such a beautiful name.” He placed his hand on her forehead, her skin warm and smooth. He projected pleasing and calming emotions into her mind, and her body visibly relaxed. Her eyes started to close, and she swayed to the side slightly. He closed his and searched her memories for her time spent here and anyone relating to his kind. He plucked them out of her memory, one by one, until nothing of this encounter would remain.

  He gently laid her on the floor and brushed her hair away from her eyes. She was a striking female, beautiful and innocent. It really was too bad he couldn’t have enjoyed her a little bit, but he never mixed with the humans in that sense. He liked females that could handle his rougher…appetites.

  He stood, walked over to one of the couches, and grabbed a blanket off of it. He wrapped her small body in the throw and called for his minions to return. He reminded them once again she was not to be touched or harmed and ordered them to take her back to where she lived. They were smart enough not to speak or complain about his command because if they had, he would have taken his anger and frustration out on each and every one of them.