The Vampire's Temptation

by Cecelia Mecca

  Kenton—hard, proud, and inflexible Kenton—knelt before the Derrickson siblings. He knelt before the Derrickson siblings, his eyes closed, his head bowed, and his hands propped on one knee. Lawrence stood above him, a wooden stake in his hand. Aspen, she assumed, though admittedly Alessandra didn’t know her wood types very well.

  What in the ever-living hell?

  She had opened her mouth to tell them to stop when Laria looked her way. Shaking her head gently, the vampire smiled . . . reassuringly? There was nothing reassuring about Kenton in such a vulnerable position, bowing at the feet of his enemy who held the means to kill him.

  Heart hammering, she watched, mutely, unsure of what to do or how to act. But Kenton surely knew she was here, and couldn’t he stop this himself if he so wished? It was as if . . . as if this had been his idea.

  When Lawrence raised his hand, the one holding the wooden stake, she could no longer hold still. It didn’t matter if Kenton had green-lit this, she certainly hadn’t consented to this. If he planned to allow Lawrence to harm him in some way . . .

  “No!”

  Ignoring her, Lawrence continued to move his hand toward Kenton’s shoulder.

  And then laid it there, the stake still gripped in his hand.

  Kenton spoke, his words forceful despite his lowered head, “On my honor, I vow to observe my allegiance to your cause completely, and for all time.”

  This was getting stranger and stranger.

  “I accept your pledge of fealty to our clan and our cause without reserve.”

  Pulling his hand away, Lawrence handed the stake to his sister. Then, in an unbelievable display from two bitter enemies, Lawrence held out his hand, and Kenton took it. He helped him rise, and the two stood that way, hands and arms clasped, for what seemed like an eternity.

  And then Kenton turned to face her.

  If her mouth was wide open, it was with good cause.

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  “Hell yes, we do,” she murmured. “Hi, Lawrence. Laria.”

  After what she’d just witnessed, the gravity of the scene she’d walked in on still weighing her down, the greeting seemed shallow. Inadequate.

  “Hi,” they answered back simultaneously. A smile spread on Laria’s face as she looked back and forth between Alessandra and Kenton. “Oh!”

  Oh? What was that supposed to mean?

  Kenton reached her in four long strides. And then he pulled her to him and kissed her, hard.

  She kissed him right back.

  Not usually a fan of PDA, Alessandra forgot to care that the Derricksons were present, and worse, this was their house. Only when she’d had her fill did she pull away.

  “I suppose that explains it,” Laria said.

  “Does someone mind telling me what the hell is going on here?”

  Suddenly, the room felt too warm and stifling.

  “Never mind,” she said. “I think I need some fresh air.”

  Kenton grabbed her hand, and they made their way toward the door. But just before walking through it, Lawrence put a hand on her upper arm. Leaning in, he whispered, “You can tell him now.”

  She had no idea what he was talking about . . . until she did. They’d only taken one step outside when Alessandra stopped in her tracks, understanding.

  “Are you OK?”

  Lawrence and Laria had gone back inside. Though he wore the same black hoodie he’d donned the night before, this was the new Kenton that stood next to her. No, perhaps it was that he was no longer putting on a show for anyone, himself included. And this dangerous, seductive, loyal, and unbelievably sexy vampire had just done something for her that could never be put into words.

  She put one foot in front of the other until they were on the path she’d taken earlier, though this time they were heading back toward Kenton’s home.

  Their home.

  After that, there could be no doubt of his devotion, and she could do nothing but return it in kind.

  “You look like you need to sit,” he said softly.

  She could have laughed at that—Kenton had pledged fealty to Lawrence Derrickson, his longtime enemy . . . and she needed to sit.

  They’d reached the small courtyard at the back of the house.

  Yes, she did need to sit after all.

  Gripping the sides of the wrought iron chair, she watched him, waiting for some response.

  And what did the blasted man do? He licked his lip. His bottom lip, to be precise. Knowing full well that she’d not have the ability to look away.

  “Kenton?”

  “Aye, love?”

  She adored when he slipped into his English accent, something he only ever did when he was completely and utterly distracted.

  “Are you seriously attempting to seduce me after what just happened?”

  He didn’t have to answer.

  “We can’t spend the day having wild sex. There are . . . things to do. To discuss.”

  His stare promised her a day of passion.

  “Kenton, I’m serious.”

  He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, never breaking eye contact. “As am I.”

  She tried again.

  “You just pledged your fealty to Lawrence Derrickson,” she said, her tone accusing.

  Sitting back, admitting defeat, if only for the moment, he said, “Yes. I did. But not to Lawrence,” he clarified, “to his clan.”

  “There’s a difference?”

  “A slight difference, but an important one. My pledge ensures each of his siblings my loyalty in all matters related to the Cheld.”

  “Meaning?”

  But she already knew the answer.

  “Meaning my brothers will disown me, and I’ve forsaken my vow to honor my parents.”

  “Oh no, you don’t,” she said, nearly getting up. The need to touch him, to comfort him, nearly overwhelmed her. But if she did that, their conversation would be at an end, and this was too important to put off.

  “Does it honor your parents to see innocent men and women killed? Ones who may never pose a threat to you, or to anyone?”

  Kenton sighed. “You don’t need to convince me. It’s done. I will never harm another of your kind. Alessandra, I’ve pledged myself to help protect your ancestors.”

  But he wasn’t happy about it.

  “For me. You did this for me.”

  He opened his mouth and then closed it.

  “I’d never have done such a thing if not for you,” he agreed. “But no, I did not do it solely for you.”

  She waited for him to explain.

  “It was time. When I saw Rowan standing there next to you . . . and then Toni explained that you value loyalty above all, and I thought back to the vows of loyalty and honor I took the day I was knighted. I swore to protect my kin, and for years I did just that, but I failed to protect the innocent, as you call them. Others like you who may never pose a threat. Some are not so innocent, mind you. Just as there are vampires, indeed humans, whose narrow-minded ways threaten all those who don’t believe as they do.

  “But you, loving you . . .”

  He shook his head.

  “Rowan and Drake will hate me.”

  “They are your brothers. They will come around.”

  The look he gave her said otherwise.

  “It matters not. It needed to be done.”

  Her heart ached for him.

  “I’ve always wanted more siblings . . . a big family.” She paused. “I won’t give up until they see things as you do. I refuse to gain two brothers just to lose them,” she vowed. They meant the world to Kenton, and for that reason, she had to help them understand. Even if one of them had tried to kill her.

  “This bracelet . . .” She lifted it up, remembering Lawrence’s words. “It contains the stems of dried wild roses.”

  She stood and walked toward him, holding out her hand. “Do you feel the ridges?”

  The tiny bumps melded into the gold were easier to feel than see.
/>   “I do,” he said, his thumb slipping from her bracelet to her wrist. He’d done it purposefully, but she’d not let his warm, clever thumb distract her.

  “When Lady Isobel buried her husband, she laid wild white roses on his coffin. Those very same roses protected her children from being detected. The roses, or their stems, have only to be carried to ensure the safety of the Cheld. Which raises all sorts of questions about my father, to be honest, since we found a satchel of what I assume are dried rose stems in his belongings.”

  His eyes went wide. “Alessandra, do you understand what that means?”

  That her father must have known about the Cheld? It hardly seemed possible.

  “Your father—”

  “I’ve barely had time to process it. Garrett is doing some digging, but yes, I understand what that means. At least I think I do.”

  Thomas Fiore had not abandoned his family. He left to protect them.

  “You mother—”

  “Cannot know,” she said, her voice firm. “Telling her about that particular discovery means I’d have to tell her everything.”

  “And your plan is currently. . . what exactly?”

  She frowned. Alessandra didn’t have a plan for her mother.

  “Ok, so your mother remains in the dark, for now. But we still don’t know how your father learned about the Cheld or what prompted him to leave.”

  “Oh, we will.”

  Kenton grinned. “I don’t doubt it.”

  “Anyway,” she returned to her story. “Lady Isobel sensed it was so right away, soon after the counter-curse took effect. It is the reason you did not know of the Balance for so long. Only when the bloodline spread did you begin to sense their threat. But Lawrence insists the Cheld are only dangerous when necessary. With a few minor exceptions, of course. The counter-curse’s very nature ensures it is so.”

  “Of course,” he teased. “Just the extremists who hate all vampires, threat or not.” Grabbing her wrist, Kenton pulled her atop his lap. “Lawrence has attempted to convince me as such for many, many years.”

  Readjusting her knees so they were tucked in beside him, Alessandra tried to get into a comfortable position.

  “But you never believed him.”

  There. Settled in nicely, Alessandra reached for him, weaving her hands into his thick mass of black hair.

  “If he’d told us the full truth, we may have.” Kenton pulled her closer with a hand on either side of her waist.

  “If he’d told you the full truth, you would have had the means to wreak even more havoc.”

  Kenton laughed. “Is that what he told you? That we ‘wreaked havoc’ across the centuries?”

  When his hands slipped under her shirt, Alessandra knew their discussion was nearly over.

  “Something like that.”

  When he pulled her down for another kiss meant to claim her, Alessandra willingly acquiesced, giving herself completely over to his firm but gentle ministrations.

  “Mmmm.” The sound, deep in his throat, made her wish they were back in his bedroom rather than out here in the garden.

  “Is it true?” she said, pulling up to look into his eyes. The merriment she’d seen there was so foreign to the man she’d met, she wanted to ensure it was still here.

  “My love,” he said, lifting her out of the seat in one swift movement, “the only thing I’m planning to wreak havoc on right now is you.”

  Desire pooled in her core as she contemplated his promise.

  “But I do have one question before I render you speechless.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, laughing at the promise she knew he would keep.

  “You mentioned gaining two brothers,” he said. “But I don’t remember asking you to marry me.”

  Alessandra lifted her chin in defiance. “You may come from the Middle Ages,” she said, “but your medieval way of thinking is a bit outdated here.”

  “Is it now?”

  “Yes. It is. In my time, women don’t always sit around and wait for men to tell them what they want.”

  He raised his eyebrows theatrically. “They don’t?”

  “Nope.” She shook her head. “They don’t.”

  “I’ll bite,” he said, giving her a flash of fang. “So what is it that you want, love?”

  Alessandra kissed him first. A soft touch of her lips to his, full of promise.

  “I want you, Kenton Morley. And I will have you. So I’m not even asking if you’ll marry me. I’m telling you that you will.”

  Which is when he tilted his head back and laughed, loud enough to wake the neighbors, if Lawrence and Laria had been asleep. And when he was finished, he scooped her up, effectively ending their discussion.

  Smiling against his chest, Alessandra gave a silent thank you to her ancestor Lady Isobel. For her curse, for the Balance, and for everything that had brought them together.

  Their story would last an eternity. Alessandra would ensure it.

  Epilogue

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Before he even spoke, she knew Lawrence Derrickson approached her.

  Alessandra had learned to feel the different nuances between the local vampires. The feeling of calm she experienced whenever Kenton was near could be bottled and sold as a natural anxiety reducer. With Lawrence, it was as if someone had tossed a warm blanket over her on a cold day, and Laria, the promise of a smile.

  “Of course not,” she said as Lawrence emerged at the foot of the running trail. The very same one where they’d first met.

  Though she was faster than ever, Alessandra had unfortunately not gained a magical ability to shed the pounds Kenton had helped her put on these last months, with his tendency to love large breakfasts. Kenton found it amusing that she tended to pick up and drop her running habit at random intervals, but she didn’t really like to run, even now that she was good at it. It was beyond her why some people claimed to love it.

  “How long is your current running streak?” he asked as they began to move. Alessandra was learning to control her abilities. Running inhumanly came in handy at times, but resisting the urge was necessary unless she wanted to attract undue attention.

  She grimaced. “Two weeks, every other day.”

  Alessandra tried to swat Lawrence when he chuckled, but he darted away too quickly.

  “Any word from Laria?”

  His sister had left town last month, restless, and she knew Lawrence worried. Alessandra had chastised him for doing so. After all, he didn’t seem to worry about Torr, whom he’d not seen in nearly a year. He and Laria were closer, he’d argued, but Alessandra knew he worried more about his sister because she was female. Of course, Laria was safe from most external threats. Unless she deliberately made herself vulnerable, she could not be killed. No vampire was stronger or faster, and even the small sect of Cheld who hated all vampires tended to leave the Derricksons alone since they dedicated their lives to keeping them safe.

  “Not yet, which makes me think she’s found something.”

  Or someone. If any of the Derricksons sensed a Cheld coming into his or her abilities, they would drop everything and go to them. They would fight to keep them safe.

  “But you said it’s rare for someone like me to go undetected for so long.”

  Alessandra looked up. Did it appear darker than when they’d started their run?

  “It is. Most know of their ancestry, which helps the process along as they seek out vampires. You . . . you were a tricky one.”

  She knew all this already, but Lawrence relished his role as the resident expert on all things Cheld, so Alessandra let him go on. She’d learned long ago that the Derricksons enjoyed speaking of her line—something that made them feel closer to their fallen brother. Protecting his descendants, even centuries after his children were gone, comforted a family that had never quite gotten over the sudden death of their eldest brother. The man, Lawrence had reminded her often enough, who should have been chief.

  “I’m su
re she’s fine,” she said, though it was undeniably odd that she wasn’t responding to Lawrence’s efforts to get in touch. Of course, she’d never voice that thought aloud. He worried enough on his own.

  “Speaking of wayward siblings, has Kenton heard anything from his brothers?”

  If there was a black cloud over the sheer bliss that had been her life with Kenton this summer, it was the constant threat of his brothers appearing at any moment. They all assumed Alessandra’s identity was safe—that she’d begun wearing those rose branches soon enough to protect it, and the same was true of Garrett, but doubt plagued her. She’d recounted the feeling she’d had that night, the danger she’d felt outside her home, and the possibility that his brother had detected her worried Kenton. But, as much as it clearly pained him, he agreed with the Derricksons that if Rowan had known it was Alessandra whom he sensed, he’d likely have killed her on the spot.

  “No sign of either of them,” she said, “and they won’t respond to his texts or calls, not that either of us is surprised.” She slowed her pace and turned to look at him. “So how about we discuss the big ol’ elephant in the room?”

  Lawrence looked around them, the river to their right and train tracks to the left.

  “Don’t see one.”

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  And kind. And thoughtful. And powerful. She still shuddered at the thought of how quickly he’d restrained a customer at Amendment 18 after the jerk raised a hand against his girlfriend. People still talked about that night.

  Lawrence was absolutely and utterly perfect for Toni. The two of them danced around each other like mad, their chemistry undeniable. Tyler made it easier for them to pretend they didn’t like each other, which was fine with her. They could take their time—after witnessing the fireworks between them, she didn’t doubt they’d eventually dance their way into each other’s arms.

  Kenton loved it. Although both men denied it, their tentative truce had budded into an actual friendship. They were simply too medieval to admit it.

  “So far, nothing,” he said, “but I have been looking.”