Resurrected: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance

by Kim Faulks

  “That’s it, come on, Nova. Take my blood,” Kol murmured, taking one slow step away.

  I dragged my leg over the vampire underneath me. Hunger burned like hate, searing the insides of my throat…and there was only one relief. More blood.

  With a snarl I stumbled, grasping hold of the wrist and bringing it to my mouth. Power rippled through me. I lapped the slick fluid, smearing crimson along pale skin, and then turned to look over my shoulder.

  Rurik grasped his neck, and dark, viscous fluid trickled between his fingers. He flashed me a look of fear and anger.

  “Over here, Nova,” Kol suggested, a willing sacrifice. “Take all you want.”

  The metallic scent teased, drawing me away from the ancient blood behind me. I was an animal…single-minded and cruel. The thought reached deeper than hunger, deeper than need.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, unable to patch this cracked dam. “I’m so sorry.”

  Need spilled, and the more I tried to stem the flow, more cracks broke through. Kol’s arm blurred, hate and hunger welling in the back of my throat. I was helpless to stop it. The hate filled my belly. I grasped Kol’s arm and yanked, dragging him to the floor.

  He hit the ground with a thud and the bitter stench of fear filled the room. There was nowhere to go…not for him—and not for me as I straddled his thighs and inched forward. He leaned back, turning his head to the side as I advanced.

  Kol

  Nova released me. I grasped the bite at my neck as she straightened.

  “Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Rurik barked. My maker was no longer the most powerful vampire in my coven.

  My top lip curled. My hiss filled the air. “Of all the fucking nights—why come here tonight?”

  My fingers brushed Nova’s back. She stiffened and drew away from my touch. The sight wounded me more than any stake. “Nova, it’s okay, love. Talk to me.”

  The slow, constant tick of the old Grandfather clock boomed inside the silent house. I could feel Rurik’s and Angelique’s eyes on me…waiting for answers I couldn’t give, until the human woman screamed.

  The sound pierced my head. I wrenched my gaze to the four stunned expressions and growled, “Wipe their memories and get them the fuck out of my house!”

  Angelique was the first to move, dragging the banshee from the room. One yank to her arm and the mortal whipped around to face the vampire. Angelique’s words were low, controlling, leaving nothing to chance as she wiped the entire day clean from their minds, along with this bloody, violent intervention.

  “It’s cool man,” the male muttered as Angelique turned for him. “I won’t say anything. Not a damn word.”

  I shook my head, but it was Rurik who answered, “Sorry Chris, can’t take that chance.”

  If there were one thing groupies like them hated, it was the big black hole of nothing they woke with the next day. The absence of memories made them feel weak and lonely.

  I turned to the woman I loved. Nova’s spine bowed as she clutched her knees. She was thinner than before her death, emaciated almost. Her bones were knots under her shirt. Even her hair had lost its shine.

  My blood wasn’t enough for her. She needed more.

  A wounded moan escaped her. She was starving. Jesus, no wonder she attacked Rurik. She was doing what any starving animal would do—go for the most nutrients.

  Angelique came back into the house and closed the door. I’d never felt silence like this moment—this emptiness was worse than death—it was worse than loneliness.

  Rurik hissed. “Does someone want to explain to me what the fuck just happened?”

  “I thought it was pretty obvious,” I bit back. “She’s different—”

  Doubt filled me. If my maker couldn’t accept that she drank the blood of her own kind, then how could he handle the idea of her power of resurrection?

  The urge to protect reared deeper than any hurt, any longing. Even if he could understand, I wouldn’t take that risk, not with her—not for anyone. With a careful voice, I answered, “She can’t consume human blood.”

  “What do you mean she can’t consume it? She seemed to drink my damn blood just fine.” He climbed to his feet.

  I stared at the crimson line between his fingers as he released his neck. The gaping edges of his wound was already flattening, racing to knit together.

  “I never wanted this…this constant hunger. This constant ache,” Nova said. “I never asked for any of this, but it’s not like I haven’t tried. I can’t…can’t keep human blood down.”

  Rurik dropped his hand to pierce me with a panicked gaze. “So, she’s been feeding from you all this time?”

  “One…one time,” Nova answered. “And even that was bad enough. I almost drained him dry.”

  “I thought it was the sex,” My maker confessed. “When I heard about the scene at The Vein, I thought it was because, well, because you two were in love and in the midst of doing what young lovers do, you pushed yourself too hard.”

  A blush crept along Nova’s cheeks. She turned away.

  “I still don’t understand. Why come after me? You basically shoved Kol out of the way and strode past Angelique. Why?”

  “Because your blood is stronger,” I answered. “The older the vampire the more potent the blood. She wanted you more.”

  Nova’s gaze snapped toward me, filling me with a pained expression.

  “Oh, I’m going to have to…” He took a step toward her, and then another. Something softened in his features, and I saw the same man who strode into my room, saving me from those who called me family all those years ago. “Then come, child. Come and take my vein.”

  Nova trembled and shook. I waited for sense to come to her…waited for her to understand this wasn’t something she could ignore. “I can’t, not from your neck.”

  “Then my wrist.” Rurik eyed me, waiting for the slow nod of acknowledgement before he reached for his cuff. “You’re stronger than I expected.”

  “A hunter of hunters,” whispered Angelique. “And here we were coming to surprise you. Instead, you surprised the hell out of us.”

  Rurik reached for her head with one hand while he extended his wrist. He softly stroked her head, his way of telling her he trusted her.

  Nova reached for his hand, bringing it to her mouth. Her lips brushed his skin before the bite. Quiet sucking sounds reached me.

  “That’s actually…Oh....” My maker shuddered and dropped his head backwards. The white tips of his fangs drew out over his lips as Nova worked his wrist. “That’s actually quite nice.”

  The sight was brutal, like stepping into the path of a semi. This was what she wanted…no, this was what she needed.

  “I’m sorry, Kol.” Rurik’s husky voice was an acid bath as he said, “If I’d known.”

  I couldn’t speak, couldn’t force the fist in my throat down enough to make the sound.

  “The council has already passed the merger.” He turned his head. Brown eyes glistened with something far too close to lust. “You now own the Holland line.”

  “Son of a bitch,” I spat, crossing the room to grasp his collar, tearing his hand from the back of her head. He was my maker…he was my friend. But in this moment all those things blurred. “You put me up for this?”

  Nova nuzzled harder at his wrist and I was trapped between her needs and her survival. I couldn’t leave her to go to Seattle…

  And if I took her. What then?

  “Members of his line were breaking away from tradition. They wanted to branch out on their line, and name his second-in-command the new Sire.”

  “Fuck tradition,” I said, shoving him free from my hold. “And fuck you. Why would I walk into the lion’s den?”

  “Better to know where the lion sleeps, don’t you think? We can make this work. No harm will come to you or Nova. On my honor, we’ll help. Angelique and I are…” He cleared his throat. “Involved.”

  Nova broke away from his wrist. Blood smeared
the corners of her mouth. She shoved herself from the floor to stand. “There’s no getting away from this, is there?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. The Holland Holdings are quite substantial. This merger will make Kol one of the richest and most powerful vampires alive.”

  “And Nova, where does that leave her? I can’t very well walk in there knowing she can—”

  “Knowing she can what, Kol?” Angelique’s question hung in the air.

  But it was Nova’s gaze I held.

  Knowing she was born with the gift of the sun, the gift of resurrection…

  But for me, she would exchange it for the night…

  Afterword

  I hope you enjoyed this story. If you have the time a review would mean the world. I couldn’t write these stories without your support, so thank you for all the kind words and all the recommendations.

  About the Author

  I’m an Aussie girl who grew up in the bush and one day found a book in the library… a book that changed my world,

  Bram Stokers, Dracula.

  And I’ve been searching for that magic ever since.

  Find out more at my website and join my mail list click on the link below to take you to Haunting Fiction and grab a copy of my dark werewolf romance story—Savage.

  Connect with me here

  @AuthorKimFaulks

  AuthorKimFaulks

  www.hauntingfiction.com/

  authorkimfaulks@netspace.net.au

  Also by Kim Faulks

  Readers can’t get enough of this action-packed, zodiac dragon series. Continue reading to see what the excitement’s all about.

  Taurus

  They thought they'd live forever, but living and existing are not the same.

  Marcus Kane is the first of twelve. Dragon-born in the sign of Taurus he carries all the traits of the bull—the good and the bad.

  He's strong-willed, unbreakable. Deadly on land and in the sky, but when Marcus falls in love, he falls hard.

  He wasn't meant to fall for the wolf, Abrial. He's only job was to protect those he loves—his family.

  Abrial is Alpha-born. The daughter of the Bloodstone's pack Alpha, she will stop at nothing to defend what's hers—every wolf—and every inch of her new found territory--and she'll break all the rules to do it.

  But when a rival pack moves in ready to spill blood, Abrial comes up against an enemy deadlier than she understands. So she turns to a stranger for help--a man who drove into a tree to save her. A man who smells like danger, but looks at her with fire in his eyes. Marcus Kane.

  Abrial

  A woman’s scream tore from the cabin. The haunting sound lingered before it was swallowed by the howls and hoots of male laughter. I strangled the bone-handled blade as vile images of her torture filled my head.

  Ten out of the seventy-strong wolf pack had entered, and so far, none had come out. The open barn door revealed no movement and no sounds, and the row of pig pens that sat between the cabin and the woods was empty. That left sixty of the sick bastards out here.

  The headwind had carried their scent for miles. I’d followed the stench west from where my pack had made camp. If I listened, I could almost hear them thrashing through the trees—hunting.

  But it wasn’t deer they were after—it was women.

  A scrape wrenched my head toward the lodge and harsh yellow light spilled from the doorway. The thunder of footsteps filled my ears. A frantic pulse followed. The sour stench of fear was suffocating. Run, fight… or die.

  The woman was a flash of white. I tracked her in the soft silver glow of the full moon. Her torn white shirt flapped like wings as her feet left the ground. For a second my heart took flight, until a shadow reared behind her, then slammed her to the ground.

  Tall silhouettes smothered the light. Something slipped from the doorway, moving without a sound. Something that made my skin crawl, and it wasn’t a wolf.

  The female shifter rolled over to drag her ass along the ground. I caught the heady scent of blood and the darkening collar of her shirt. She lifted her hand in self-defense as the shadows moved closer. “No, please no more. I’ll do anything. I’m a good cook. Please, I’m a good cook. I’ll clean. I’ll… mate with you.”

  “I paid for you.” The emotionless voice of an undead filled the air. “You belong to me.”

  Vampire. A growl escaped my lips. The cold bastard’s head jerked upwards. I felt its slimy gaze scan the trees. “Shackle her and put her with the others.”

  Sold. Just like that.

  “What about the child?” A voice ripped through the darkness, stilling my breath.

  “No!” The woman screamed. “Not my Bella. Please, not my Bella.”

  Her movements were frantic. She crawled on hands and knees toward the white-haired shadow, and the hackles between along shoulders of my wolf rose.

  I knew that voice. He was the reason I was here. Sol was second-in command of the Echo pack and a manipulative, disease-ridden sonofabitch. I dropped my head to gaze at the glint of steel in my hand. I’d sooner run the blade through him—but Sol had stolen something from me—something I’d do anything to get back, something I’d even kill for—my sister, Rowen.

  The stench of male saturated the air as the remaining eight wolves spilled out of the cabin to surround the vampires.

  “She stays with me. Please, Sol. You know me. You know my Bella.”

  “The child?” Sol growled.

  The bones in my neck cracked as I flinched. No. Goddess, please no. And for a second, I was five-years-old all over again.

  I punched my fist into the ground as the undead spoke. “Let the demons have her.”

  “No! Please, Goddess no! I won’t let you take her. I’ll kill her. I’ll kill her myself. I’d rather she die than be touched by a demon!”

  “Margaret, that’s enough! Your daughter won’t be harmed… not physically at least. Demons do love an innocent mind.” The snigger that followed made my skin crawl.

  “Is that the last one?” A bass-filled voice echoed from the cabin.

  I lifted my head as the Alpha of the Echo pack filled the doorway. I licked my lips and inhaled the sour scent of his disgust.

  “Yes,” Sol answered. “For tonight.”

  The Alpha took a step onto the porch. “So, we’re done. Nyx County belongs to the wolves.”

  The vampire nodded. “As long as you keep your end of the bargain. Twenty of these blood-bags a month and the land is yours.”

  The alpha made a sound of disgust. “And the Guardians, what about those?”

  “Are you telling me you believe a myth?” The undead’s voice rose an octave. He’s lying.

  “Yes, I believe the myth.” The Alpha snapped.

  “Fine. They’re weak and docile. They don’t care about this world anymore. It’s ours for the taking.”

  “But they still live?” The Alpha growled. “The dragons could voice their displeasure. This is their land.”

  “Displeasure? No one’s seen them. No one’s heard from them. They aren’t like us. Even if they are alive they no longer care—if they did, we wouldn’t be here, would we? Forget about them. They’re as good as dead.”

  “Someone’s been killing your contacts though, haven’t they? I saw you yesterday come back without money. I know you went to make a deal, and I know no deal was struck. Tell the truth, Sol.”

  The second in command stilled, for a second I thought he wouldn’t answer. “Yes, the contact missed the deadline.”

  “And you’re sure this has nothing to do with the ancient race of Guardians?”

  White fangs glinted in the darkness. There was a scrape, and a shuffle as Sol stepped closer to the Alpha. “It has nothing to do with them.”

  The Alpha barely made a sound as he strode toward the undead and held out his hand. “Then we’re good. Twenty a month, wolves and humans.”

  Palms smacked as the vampire muttered. “Yes.”

  The click of chains rang out in the night. The
shackle snapped, feet scraped as the undead moved.

  The woman bucked and fought as one of the vampire brood lifted and swing her over his shoulder. “Let me go! Bella. Bella!”

  “Shut up.” Sol spat. “Be a good bitch and I might just keep little Bella for myself.”

  A breeze buffeted my face. Trees rustled to my right. I tracked the female shifter’s heart-beat through the brush and the trees as the undead left.

  “Leave us.” The Alpha ordered. Half of the wolves slunk into the trees. The others back tracked through the cabin. I caught a door open and close from the other side.

  Silence lingered before the Alpha spoke. “They’ll come with guns. They won’t like us taking their women and children.”

  “Mortals treat us like fucking animals and you care about what they like?”

  The sharp sting of anger filled the air like an electric hum.

  “I care about surviving, and so do the other alphas. If that means we live like fucking nomads and take care of our own, then that’s what we’ll do. We don’t need their houses. We don’t need their medicine. We don’t need anyone but our own species. I don’t like this arrangement you have with the vampires, or the one with the fucking demons. You’d better be careful when you lay with your enemies, Sol. They might just kill you in your sleep.”

  The hairs on my arms rose with the threat as the Alpha turned and strode back to the cabin. The slam of the door rocked the night.

  “And so should you, Roth… so should you.” Sol’s whispered threat filled my ears. His pale hair shone as he turned toward me. “Make it quick, Abrial. Make it brutal. Your sister’s waiting for you.”

  I followed the crunch of footsteps as the second-in command left. My stomach twisted, sickened by the lingering scent of blood and what I’d heard. The Echo pack was no different from the other super packs. They’d taken our mothers and our sisters for centuries. Selective breeding was how the lie was spun… but how many were handed to vampires? And how many to demons?