Awaken (Vampire Nights Book 1)

by Sharon Stevenson

  Skye sighed as her new flat-mate’s boyfriend followed her into the kitchen. She’d tried so hard to get Anna to move in with her, but her friend claimed she preferred the trendy little box that had the audacity to call itself an apartment. It was in the cool part of town, apparently.

  “No, I don’t know where the crackers are,” she told him, hauling a can of lemonade out of the fridge and cracking it open. She let the door fall closed as he leaned in the doorway, looking all sleep deprived and smelling like he’d been rolling around inside a bong all day. She’d gotten used to calling him stoner-boy. She couldn’t even remember his real name anymore. “Ask Sian.”

  He was staring now and she so could not be bothered with this shit in her own house. Sian had seemed so nice and normal. She hadn’t mentioned a sleazy boy-toy at all.

  “Get out the way,” she snapped at him, just wanting to go to bed and forget the weird-ass day she’d gotten through. Being turned down by the vampire right at the end had been the final straw. She didn’t need anything else to go wrong.

  “You should have said yes to that trip,” he told her, not moving an inch.

  He wasn’t exactly imposing, but he was a foot taller than her and he knew how to take up an exit. She prodded him in the chest.

  “Get out of my fucking way, stoner-boy. I’m too tired for this shit.”

  He smiled slowly and something happened to his eyes. It was just for a second, but the glow froze her to the spot. She blinked, not believing it. Was he one of them? A vampire? Her skin broke out in goose bumps as her fingers tightened on the can in her hand.

  “I’ll make the orders around here, Skye.”

  She took a step back, dropping the can and running to grab a knife from the rack. His laughter followed her, but he stayed at the door. She turned, willing her hand to stop shaking as she thought about using the weapon. Don’t look in his eyes. That was the mistake she’d made with Theo. She wouldn’t make that same mistake again.

  “Get out of my way,” she said, wincing at the tremor in her tone. It was taking all she had not to shake as she glowered at him. Her gaze avoided his, but she could see the smirk on his face before he opened his mouth.

  “You have no idea how much easier you just—” He cut off, slumping to the ground, his smug face hitting the tiled floor hard. Something made a cracking noise. She hoped it was his nose.

  She looked up to see Theo standing there, the marble cat from her phone table in his hand.

  “You came back.”

  He nodded. “It sounded like you could use some help.”

  She straightened, waving the knife at him. “I think I had it covered, but thanks.”

  Putting the knife down, she moved towards him.

  “Who is he?” The deep frown on his face and the emotion in his voice made it obvious he wasn’t pleased. There was more than one possible reason for that, but considering he’d rushed back to save her, she was pretty sure she knew what was bothering him the most.

  Skye had to smile. “He’s my flat-mate’s disgusting boyfriend.”

  “Then you won’t mind if I get rid of him.” Theo grabbed his ankle and dragged him out of the room. She could see the front door was still open, and Theo hauled stoner-boy right out into the landing. He was taking longer than she thought possible, so much so that she was afraid for a second he’d gone again. She glanced out and saw he was closing the stoner into the utility cupboard at the end of the hall. She stepped back as he came inside and hesitated to close the door properly before he put the ornament he’d used to knock the creep out back down.

  He’d come back, and his awkwardness was impossible to hide. He ran a hand through his hair as she stared at him, waiting for him to speak. He didn’t. His eyes just travelled up her body until they locked with hers, then he took a step closer and pulled her into his arms.

  His mouth lowered slowly to hers, the anticipation making her stomach flutter. She pulled him closer, melting into his arms as he backed her into the wall.

  Chapter Twenty

  Theo didn’t know what the hell he thought he was doing. Adrenaline rushed through him the second he realized Skye was in danger. He’d acted quickly, fear motivating him. He hadn’t wanted to risk losing her. That realization had led him to admit there was something more than physical to what was happening between them. He wasn’t ready to put it into words, but he knew his decision to kiss her showed it.

  She wasn’t under his compulsion when she kissed him back.

  He moved back slightly, giving her a chance to breathe. He didn’t let her go, and he didn’t think he was ever going to be able to again.

  “I should probably call Brody.”

  She blinked, confusion clouding her soft blue eyes before she nodded.

  “I forgot about that for a second.”

  He wanted to forget about it entirely, but he knew that wouldn’t be smart.

  “My phone’s right there.” She pointed to it, and dropped her other hand to her side when he moved to pick up the receiver.

  He dialed the number for the café and listened to it ring, and ring. There was every chance Liv would ignore it. He couldn’t think of anywhere else Brody would go. He hung up and wondered about calling the brothel. They weren’t able to make external calls, but would they be able to take them? Stacy would give him Brody’s mobile number if he could get through. But what Marina had said before they left made him worry. If they hadn’t stopped the escape and he messed that up for a phone call, he’d never forgive himself.

  “No answer?” She slipped out of his jacket, sitting it on the chair by the phone table.

  He shook his head.

  “Try later,” she suggested, smiling as she opened the door behind her. A bedroom lay beyond, one that contained her sweet, exotic scent. It didn’t take much convincing to lure him into the room. She pulled the front of his shirt and he closed the door behind them.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Skye shivered as the vampire’s cold body fell on hers. It only seemed to fuel her fire when his cool lips touched her skin. The tingling sensation made her crave his touch. She pulled at his shirt, undoing buttons until he stopped kissing her to take it off. Her hands wandered the hard contours of his body as he started to trail kisses down her neck. Heat burned through her as he pushed and pulled at her clothes to access to the covered up parts.

  She pushed him away and pulled her vest and skirt over her head.

  His heated gaze travelled the length of her body before she moved her hands to his trousers. He was straining the material, making it harder for her to undo the button and get hold of the damned zipper. She wanted him so badly, and she didn’t think it was just because it had been so long, and he was the best looking guy – okay, vampire – that she’d ever seen in real life.

  He’d tried to protect her, from the crazy guy who was coming to the brothel, from her flat mate’s sleazy boyfriend, even from himself. This was the kind of guy she’d spent the last five years looking for, the kind that didn’t exist in the world she lived in.

  He stood to haul the rest of his clothes off and she took the chance to get rid of her underwear. This time, he climbed back over her slowly, positioning himself over her without quite touching. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down until their lips were a breath away from meshing together.

  “You’re too far away,” she said, gasping as his body crushed hers into the mattress in response to her complaint. She felt him throb between her legs, so close to entering her that she could barely stand it. One little hip-thrust is all it would take… “Wait!” Her eyes widened as she realized she’d almost let her eagerness get the better of her. “I don’t know if I have any—”

  He blinked. “I can’t get you pregnant, or give you anything. I’m not human.”

  She had to stifle a giggle. It was only funny because she was used to dumb excuses from lazy idiot boyfriends who didn’t want to bother with the hassle. She didn’t give her standard response, because she
knew Theo wasn’t anything like those guys.

  “What?” His intent stare took away the nervous energy she’d gotten tangled up in.

  She bit her bottom lip and released it slowly. “I can’t believe I’m about to have sex with a vampire.”

  He kissed her and she started believing it. The slow grind of his body against hers drove her crazy as his kiss deepened. She was more than ready for him by the time he thrust his cold, hard length home. The tingle spread over her body as he pushed deeper and deeper, his cool skin moving over her heated body and creating sparks of pleasure that made her moan achingly. Having him inside her, filling her, made her tremble all over. He’d barely had to do a thing to stir her desire. The euphoria that burst through her when her climax hit was a million times stronger than how incredible she’d felt after he first bit her. He didn’t free her mouth from his even once as he continued to move, hitting hard and deep and making her stifled gasps and moans louder.

  She could sense his climax before it hit, the faster movements followed a hot surge within her before he freed her mouth. His eyes were glowing when he moved back, though he closed them quickly, wincing slightly as he withdrew from her.

  “What’s wrong?” She was breathless and her heart was pounding like crazy, she could barely think straight, but she knew from the look on his face that something was definitely wrong and it made her tense up instantly.

  “It’s nothing. It’ll pass.” He opened his eyes. They were still glowing.

  “You need blood.”

  He groaned. “I’ll get some when we can find Brody.”

  She thrust her wrist under his nose. “Just drink.”

  “I can’t.”

  He got up, hauling on his trousers. Her heart sank as he looked around for his shirt.

  “I’ll be back in a second,” he told her, calming the sudden vice that gripped her at being abandoned so soon after succumbing to his charms.

  He wouldn’t do that, and she knew it. She hadn’t realized how much what her ex had done had actually affected her. She’d never have been so worried if something like this had happened before then. Her instincts had shifted and she didn’t like that thought.

  He put his shirt on and she lay back down.

  “Fine. But I’m still keeping your jacket.”

  “I never asked for it back,” he told her, leaning in and kissing her shoulder before he left.

  She grumbled to herself as she rolled over in the bed. When her door opened again, she wondered what the hell he’d been doing that had taken less than a minute. Did vampires even pee? She didn’t bother to move, waiting for him to come back to her.

  The hand that moved along her naked back made her shiver. Her eyes snapped open and she jerked away as she realized it was warm, and that the smell of hash had followed the owner into the room.

  “It wasn’t nice of you to let your boyfriend knock me out, Skye.”

  She moved away as he grabbed at her, her gaze on the lamp on the nightstand. His hand fumbled towards her over the sheets and something fell on the bed in front of her. The knife! She grabbed at the handle before she wondered why the hell he’d give her a weapon.

  “Take your hands off of me,” she warned, feeling him back off and breathing a sigh of relief.

  She grabbed the cover to hide her nakedness from his wandering gaze as she pointed the knife at him.

  He was smirking at her, his arms folded. He’d left the door open. Where the hell was Theo?

  “You really think that’s going to save you?”

  “Fuck you, arsehole. You’re never getting into this flat again. Ever.”

  “Oh, yeah? Cut yourself.” He narrowed his eyes and she would have sworn they flashed before he whispered something under his breath that she didn’t catch.

  She stared at the gleaming blade as she held it to her other wrist. The slice was fast, and it fucking hurt. Blood pulsed from the wound as she gritted her teeth against the pain. It throbbed like hell. “What the Fuck!”

  Theo’s return only made the creep smile some more.

  “Ah, yes. The boy who screwed with the all mighty Blackburn brothers. How is it that you’re still walking around, exactly?”

  Theo’s eyes widened at the blood seeping from Skye’s arm onto the sheets. She wanted to hold the wound but she couldn’t let go of the knife. Her knuckles were white on the handle.

  “What the fuck have you done?” He moved towards her.

  The guy who’d forced her to cut herself said something she didn’t hear and flames engulfed Theo. She gasped. It was like some kind of trippy nightmare. Theo lunged at the creep and he laughed as the flames flickered over his own skin.

  Skye knew the exact moment when Theo snapped stoner-boy’s neck. It was when she was able to move again of her own accord. Her head was swimming as she moved, clamping her hand over her slit wrist and stalling when she realized she didn’t know what to do to help Theo. Something magical had happened. How the hell was she supposed to counter that?

  Theo stood, picked up the knife, pricked his finger and spoke quietly. She watched dumb founded as the flames shrank and dissipated. His clothes were dust, but he was okay. She ran to him and he took her wrist to his mouth.

  “I can heal this.” He shook as he ran his tongue over the wound. His eyes were glowing brighter than ever. He was starving. She was sure of it.

  She was also sure she was going to faint if she had to stand for much longer. “I don’t feel too good.”

  “We have to get you to a hospital.”

  “And say what? You fixed me, I’m fine.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what he did exactly, but you’re not fine.”

  He doubled over suddenly. “Shit!”

  “You need to drink.” She pointed to the dead guy on her bedroom floor.

  He sighed as he got to his knees and pulled the guy’s hand towards his mouth. He turned away from her and she sat on the edge of the bed. Her head was spinning. She didn’t feel like she could have lost a lot of blood but the bed-sheets seemed to debate that issue with her. It looked like something out of a horror movie.

  She shivered and got up, throwing on a t-shirt and jeans. Chances were they were going to have to leave the flat and she was choosing comfort over style after the day she’d already had. Bra be damned. It wasn’t like her A-cups really needed the support.

  “Are you done yet?” She found trainer socks and pulled her gym trainers from under the bed.

  She was almost ready to go. Then she looked at Theo as he rose and realized he was going to need something to wear. Unfortunately, the only thing her ex had left behind she’d ripped to shreds and posted to him at his mum’s house. She didn’t even have an oversized t-shirt that she slept in. Most of her clothes were skin-tight.

  “I think you’re going to have to smell like a stoner,” she said with a sigh.

  He looked down at the dead guy as he wiped his mouth. “I think I can handle that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The plan was to go to the café and speak to Liv, and hopefully Brody too. Theo wasn’t overly familiar with Liv. He knew she was close to his friend, but not as close as Brody would like.

  He really hoped she knew where to find him. The jeans he was wearing were on the tight side, and he’d gotten Skye to fork over a pair of underwear so his junk would need to touch anything the guy had worn. He’d seemed like the type to not change his clothes for weeks.

  She’d refused to go to the hospital and he wondered if sealing her wound had been a mistake. He put the thought out of his mind as he walked with her to the café.

  The lights in the flat seemed to be on so he breathed a sigh of relief as they approached the café’s back door. It was wired to make Liv’s doorbell ring inside. He pressed the buzzer and stood back. It would be harder to ignore the doorbell if he kept ringing it, than the phone.

  He glanced around the dark alley and gripped Skye’s waist tighter as she stumbled a little and mumbled about be
ing fine again. She looked half-drunk and like she was about to fall asleep at any second. The first thing he was asking for was a spell to heal what had been done to her.

  “Come on, come on,” he muttered, pressing the buzzer again and holding it in this time.

  The door was yanked open and he smiled the second he saw Brody.

  “You might want to let go of the buzzer before Liv decides to send an electrical current through it.” He smiled wryly. “I wondered when you’d show up here.”

  He took his hand from the buzzer. “Your father just paid us a visit. In spirit.”

  “Shit. She doesn’t look so good. What did he do?” He stepped back to let them in.

  Skye stumbled and fell against Theo. She’d passed out. He lifted her up. “He made her cut her wrist. I sealed the wound but I think she lost too much blood. She wouldn’t let me take her to the hospital.”

  “Shit,” Brody said. “Not to be a dick, but how the hell are you even still alive?”

  “I used blood magic, reversed his spell.” Theo had only heard of it in theory, but he’d listened very carefully when Brody’s father cast his fatal fire spell. “Turns out using the same word as the caster works to reverse it.”

  “And he didn’t just throw another spell at you?”

  “He didn’t get the chance to.”

  Brody gaped at him. “Are you saying what I…”

  “He was possessing someone else. He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Oh. Okay.” It wasn’t just his imagination, Brody definitely sounded disappointed. “Bring the girl up to Liv’s place, we’ll try out some spells.” He looked back. “I take it you didn’t catch the word he used on her?”

  Theo shook his head. If only. He’d gone to get the guy in the hall utility cupboard he’d left him in, and the door was open, a bloody handprint on the wall by the stairs. He’d stupidly assumed exactly what the creep had wanted him to. He’d started bolting down the stairs, before he realized there was a chance the guy had re-entered the flat while he was otherwise occupied. He should have checked the flat first, instead of rushing down the stairs to see if he could find him lurking, but his anger had gotten the better of him. He didn’t want the arsehole to get away with what he’d tried to do. Those few minutes spent trying to find the guy had almost meant Skye’s death. He’d missed the spell that had hurt her. But he’d be damned if he was going to just let her die.