.

Note from the author:

I hope you loved this book as much as I do! <<Hugging it tight>> Here’s a sample of the next book in the series, A Vampire’s Seduction:

Detrand

I could feel Adelade’s emotions running through my body and it took everything I had in me to keep from going to her. I pushed down her conflicted feelings - longing, anger, hope and a ferocity to survive.

Samuri, a vicious and powerful strigoi, stood beside me and we waited patiently for the rowboat that emerged through the fog to come to shore. I turned my head slightly, just enough to study Samuri’s face. She was Rowan’s replacement; she’d been a present from the Master Strigoi of the neighboring city and one I regretted accepting. In the weeks after accepting her, she’d proved to be a vengeful and powerful strigoi and one that would kill me if I didn’t watch my back. But she was useful and so I kept her.

Her long hair was pulled back but it still blew about her face, catching in between her long eyelashes. Her dark eyes were intense and they followed the men as they drew closer. Unable to determine if she was hungry, I pushed my senses out gently to discover her mood and her face snapped to me.

She had to look up at me to meet my eyes because, even though she was tall for her gender, she was still shorter than me. I held her stare, daring her to say something but she just looked back at the boat.

“We don’t partake of the staff. If these men work for me, you’ll find your meal elsewhere.”

She nodded and I turned back to the small boat, satisfied. As soon as it hit the bank, I vaulted over the rocks and sand and landed gracefully beside it and then climbed inside. Samuri was just as nimble and soon we were gliding over the water.

When the rowboat hit the side of ship, I grasped the rope ladder and climbed aboard. Captain Williams was waiting for me and he held his hand out to help me climb into the ship. Although I could’ve easily jumped inside, I took his hand and stepped into the boat.

Still holding my hand, he shook it vigorously. “Detrand, Sir. Good to meet ya. I’ve heard lots of stories about you, most of them good.” His laughter rumbled from deep within his large chest and it rolled out over the water.

I didn’t attempt to smile in return, but only nodded. He moved forward, ignoring my seriousness and I followed him to the cargo hold with Samuri at my heels.

“As ya can see, we’ve moved your goods up here. Your assistant can count them and then make payment to my porter, John. In the morning, we’ll collect the ones you have waiting on the bay and everything will be settled.”

I moved as he talked, mentally counting the boxes and going over the list I’d memorized from the shipping log. I probed him softly and once I was assured that his intentions were honorable, I gave him a nod.

His grin spread out over his face. “Great, now let’s allow the hired help to work their magic and go have a spot of rum, shall we?” He laughed again and my glance at Samuri affirmed my feeling that she didn’t appreciate being called the ‘help.’

I grinned and his smile slipped off his face. My teeth were sharp and gave any living pause, and then I held out my hand to gesture that we move to his office. After swallowing hard, he smiled back at me, even though this time it was forced, and tentatively lead me to his office.

Soon we were in his office and he was pouring a liberal glass of the amber liquid on the low wooden table in front of me. “I arrived from the Africa by way of the Americas.” Even though I knew this already, I nodded and took a small sip. Holy hell it was sweet. Laughing at the expression on my face, he poured a glass for himself. “This particular supplier adds more molasses than what’s customary.” He flashed a grin. “And I like it that way.”

He took a large sip, his eyes twinkling in pleasure as it went down his throat. I waited for him to take another before I spoke.

“I would like to renegotiate the deal that Agosto had with you.”

Frowning, he lowered the glass back on the table a little too harshly then he raised his eyebrows. “And which part of the contract would you like to renegotiate?”

I pulled it out of my inner pocket and spread it out on the table. “I would like to add tobacco to our list of goods.”

He paused for a moment, speculating. “This would require me to add a stop to my journey. I would have to check and see if I would have the space, plus the men to load them…” He continued to mumble, mostly to himself, but I knew that he would find a way to fulfill my request because the temptation of the added income would overpower any complications. After arranging a price per barrel, we shook hands and left to check on the payment.

Samuri was waiting outside of the office and as soon as I saw her, my expression darkened. “What’s happened?”

“Everything is well with the shipment but there’s a problem at the docks.”

“What’s wrong?”

She hesitated, trying to articulate the problem. “Stefano’s sent word that a new group of shifters has arrived, and they’re dumping some of the goods into the water.”

I shrugged. “And? They can do whatever they like with their goods, as long as payment’s been made.”

“Salina is missing; they don’t appear to be part of her pack.”

I moved towards the stairs and the Captain followed close behind me, calling to his men. “Boys, lower another boat, I’m off to the shore.”

His men scrambled at his direction but I strode towards the boat that brought me in. I jumped into it, not bothering to wait for the Captain, and as soon as Samuri landed beside me, I ordered the men towards the shore.

* * *

The docks were in a commotion. A brown-haired shifter with a large nose and eyes spaced too far apart was slicing open the bags of rice with a large knife. It spilled onto the street as his companion, a small but tightly wired woman flung bits of rice into the air, laughing shrilly.

Grant, one of the men who worked for Stefano, was chasing another shifter, who gripped a small box in his arms. The shifter grinned slyly at me as I approached the docks and I noted that his front tooth was missing and that someone had hacked at his hair with a dull knife. He slipped through Grant’s arms just as they clasped around him and then ducked into the group of living working for Stefano who wandered aimlessly in the commotion, unsure who to chase and what to protect. Grant roared and barreled through the group and they parted like falling trees.

As soon as we arrived, I jumped from the boat and searched for Stefano. Samuri pulled her knife that was tucked in her boots and went after the large-nosed shifter. He yelped when he caught wind of her and shot through the crowd to the streets.

I found Stefano struggling to contain a large shifter. Stefano held the shifter’s arms behind his back and worked to push him to the ground, but the shifter seemed to have a strength beyond what was normal.

Captain Williams and his men boarded the docks and his men spread out to quickly protect the goods while the Captain came to stand behind me. Standing in front of Stefano and the shifter, I crossed my arms and attempted to compose myself. “Stefano, what’s going on here?”

The shifter stopped struggling and Stefano yanked him up with his arms locked behind his back. “Looks like some riffraff drifted in from another town.”

I stepped closer and the shifter looked at my mouth. Smart, or I would’ve compelled him to leave the city and never return. “What’s your name?”

“King Henry,” he exclaimed loudly and the other shifters, who had stopped what they were doing to stare at me, called out in large cheers and stomped their feet. “Long live King Henry!” “Here, here!” they cried as their laughter roared through the bay.

My strigoi threatened to emerge, I was ready to kill this dog and get rid of all of them, but I pushed it down and lowered myself to his ear.

“Well, King Henry, if you don’t learn some manners, then I will slice your throat open and feed you to the fishes, do you understand?”

He looked up at me now, a sneer on his face. “I don’t take orders from vile creatures, and neither do my men.”

I lifted the corner of my lip, showing my teeth. “Then surely you aren’t their leader and they are lost, wondering the streets looking for a home.”

Stefano laughed, but the shifter growled and turned his head to spit on Stefano’s shoes. Stefano yanked the shifter’s arms up, causing him to howl in pain.

Samuri returned with the large-nosed shifter, who was holding his ear; blood dripping from it. She gripped the back of his raggedy shirt tight as she brought him to me. When they approached, she jerked her arm, causing him to fall to his knees and he looked up at me with fear in his eyes.

I sighed and turned my attention back to Stefano.

“I will ask you only one more time, what is your name?”

The shifter merely growled in response but Stefano answered me. "They call him Bane."

“Bane, have you checked in with the local pack?”

He looked into my eyes for a second, then he looked away again, growling. “I’ve no need. I’m the leader of this pack, and we’re only here to stay for a few nights.” Then, amazingly, he straightened, showing that he was stronger than he let on and met my eyes.

It was a challenge.

I stared him down, trying to determine what to do. Scum like him could create a lot of trouble, and they should be put down as soon as possible. However, our relationship with the shifters was strong, and I wanted to consult with Selina before I killed any more shifters.

The last one I killed had attacked my family, and therefore retribution was mine to take. But these shifters hadn’t done anything as severe. Considering the fact that the goods they were destroying belonged to the fae, I would pay the fae for the damaged goods and require that the shifters offer reparation and a promise that this wouldn’t happen again.

“Stefano, please escort these men to the local shifter pack, and make sure they are handed off to Salina personally.”

Stefano nodded, and Bane sneered at me, determining unwisely that I was too weak or afraid to kill him. I hoped that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to discover how wrong he was.

* * *

After I returned home, I resisted the urge to search for my Firewitch and instead settled on the couch to await her. I could sense her presence upstairs and held myself in anticipation as I waited for her to carry herself down the stairs and into the sitting room.

Realizing that I was grinning like a fool, I turned my face into a scowl just in time. Adelade turned the corner and entered the room. As soon as she saw me, her eyes grew wide and I knew that I’d startled her.

“Detrand.” She put her hand to her chest.

I grunted in response but noting that she was going to pass by without stopping, I reached out and took her hand. Now she nearly jumped because I’d moved too fast for her. I ignored it; she would get used to my movements.

“Adelade, sit down.” I pat the seat next to me. Astonished, she sat and I struggled with what to tell her. I’d realized that in my attempts to keep her protected I’d managed every detail of her life, something she resented. I spoke the first words that spilled off my lips. “You can wear whatever you desire.”

She was wearing a dark green velvet dress that brought out the blue in her eyes. It also allowed me just the slightest peek into her bosom and whispered promises of more to come. I took pleasure in watching her move when she wore it but if it was something she wouldn’t choose to wear, she could be the master of her own life. Her clothing, at least.

Her eyebrow went up, but she said nothing. After saving my life, Adelade’s blood ran through me and I could feel her desire pressed against my vein walls. And her anger; she misunderstood my intention.

I looked down, feeling ridiculous for attempting to give her permission to live her life as she pleased.

She shifted on the sofa and it brought her closer to me, and I could smell the delicious aroma of her hair. I held myself so that I didn’t lean towards her in response.

“Did you kill them?”

Surprised, I stared at her in response.

“I felt you earlier. Your rage was so passionate that I had to hold myself deathly still as to not attack anyone near me.”

I frowned and bit my lip. “I’m sorry for your troubles.”

She waved her hand. “It passed quickly. You have learned to control your rage and I will also.”

I couldn’t answer her for a moment. I was amazed at the way she considered her situation, for her emotions were not her own, they were mine. Yet she held it as of no consequence.

Now that my blood ran through her body, she was constantly inundated with my emotions. We were like twins, in tune to the other’s emotions but because I was a strigoi it was much easier for me to pay ignore her feelings. Yet I endeavored to contain my own, to make it easier for her and thus far she was maintaining some sort of normalcy.

She held a tissue in her hand; it was rumpled and bloody. She must have retired from Sophie’s room, who was still recovering from the house fire.

“Is she doing better?”

Adelade’s eyes drifted towards the stairs. “She is improving.”

Sophie petitioned to bar me from her room and, so far, I’d honored her request and so was unaware of her condition.

“And will she arise this evening?”

Adelade looked away and a sadness tugged at my chest: Adelade’s emotion. “I don’t think that she will.” She looked at back at me. “She’s still recovering.”

I nodded, understanding that Sophie had no desire to see me or anyone else. Ever since the fire, only the staff and Stefano’s men to repair the home had entered.

We fell silent, the tension between us grew like a thickness in the air. Adelade’s hand was next to mine and I touched it softly with the tip of my finger. A warmth spread up my arm, and Adelade’s lust leaked into my senses both from inside and out. She wanted me as much as I wanted her, and it was exquisite torture to be near her.

“Will you meet with me this evening for training?” I couldn’t stop the hope that filled my chest in anticipation for her answer.

Her eyebrows lifted. “Of course. And Lula has agreed to attend.”

“She is over the final death of Rowan then?”

Adelade shook her head. “I don’t know.”

I looked towards the window, running my finger up the inside of her arm. Her breathing was shallow and she closed her eyes to contain the feelings rushing through her body. My desire to take her into my arms was so overcoming, that I struggled to sit still.

And yet, I questioned my own intentions. Could I stain her with my blackness, just because I longed for the light that she held? If she saw the monster inside, would she really want me?

I stood up abruptly and bowed slightly. “I’ll meet you at the docks then.” She stared at me as I moved and it burned into my back. I gripped my hands tight making them dig into my palms as I walked away from my Firewitch.

* * *

As soon as Adelade entered the warehouse door, I turned away from her to hide the way her presence lit up my face. I chided myself and forced myself to look serious then turned back to her. Lula was by her side; their arms were intwined cheerfully. Adelade laughed and the sound washed over me, causing a tingle to move through my chest.

As I moved towards them, Lula curtsied and I noted the paleness of her skin. “Detrand. How is your evening?”

Grunting, I held out my hand towards Adelade. “Landon?”

“He’ll be here shortly.”

Adelade took my hand and I steered her towards the back. As usual, she was wearing those wretched pants but I paid them no notice, trying to show her through my actions that I wouldn’t interfere with the way she chose to live, even if I couldn’t explain it through my words.

I looked into her face and noticed that she held a smirk on it which disappeared quickly. Then her face turned serious and I saw the glint in her eyes. She pulled something from the folds of her pants.

“I’ve brought some knives from the kitchen. I know they won’t kill a strigoi but I’d like to learn other weapons.” She raised her eyebrow, waiting for my reaction.

I took them and turned them in my hands. One of them was quite dull but the other was very sharp. Casually noting Landon’s entrance, I threw the dull one to the side and handed her back the sharp one. She grinned, happy that I would comply and took it carefully.

“The knife can be used in many ways because any part of it can be deadly, even the handle.” I took her hand, ignoring how soft it felt in mine and showed her how she could use the end to hit something.

She nodded and I pulled away from her. “However, a knife is your last resort because that means that your enemy is very close to you. If they are more skilled, then they could kill you easily.” My chest tightened at this thought, and I imagined following her everywhere to keep her safe. “It’s better for you to run away.”

The look on her face told me that she wouldn’t be running away from a fight anytime soon, so I continued. “If they are bigger than you,” I eyed her speculatively, “which most of them will be, then you must be quicker than them. So we will practice moves that will make you faster.”

Lula and Landon began practicing with a knife that Landon brought and she was coming at him while he dodged her thrusts.

Ignoring them, I pulled Adelade’s hand to me and showed her the different ways she could hold the knife. It was very similar to the stake but she would have to keep her hold on it differently so that it didn’t slip and slice her palm. Then I moved her arm, showing her the different ways she could move. “Now practice.”

I pressed down the feelings that threatened to emerge as I watched her move. Her arms were graceful and the tendrils of hair that escaped her bun stuck to her face, which was growing wet and sticky with sweat. I stepped back, determined to allow her to practice without my interference. She would need to have the moves down before she could practice with me. She only gave me a quick glance as I moved away from her and towards Lula.

Lula moved towards Landon and he barely escaped her in time. She nicked his forearm and she tried to hide her grin. Her face was pale against the moonlight and her moves had become much more graceful and nimble over the weeks. In fact, she was almost too quick. I watched her speculatively, my thoughts churning. How much blood had she given and received from Rowan?

She noticed my careful gaze and lost her concentration, which Landon took advantage of and managed to stab her with a rubber tipped blade. His eyes never left her, even though I moved closer to them which should’ve made him uneasy. I’d tasted his blood and he regularly attended to Stefano, who was deeply in love with him, but it appeared that Landon’s affections were divided. His cheeks reddened when she touched his arm to inspect the nick she gave him but he moved away, chiding her for the her loss of concentration.

Thoroughly chastened, Lula began again and after watching her for a while I was certain that Lula had received an incredible amount of vampire blood. I considered what to do with this information and then decided that for now I would do nothing. It would eventually wane and she would return to normal.

I returned to Adelade and moved in, simulating an attack. She reacted swiftly, but not fast enough, and then she was on the floor and I was over her. She was breathing heavily and as she looked up at me, my eyes locked onto hers.

I allowed her emotions to flood over me and I basked in her humiliation. I grinned and she frowned. I stood up and held my hand to her, but she twisted on the ground and pushed herself up.

I took the discarded knife off the ground and held it up as if I were preparing to attack. “Always hold the knife in front of you, never behind you. You may prefer that to give yourself some momentum, but in those seconds, an attacker could kill you. You understand?”

She nodded and wiped her hair out of her eyes, and the crystal blueness of them looked into the darkness of my soul. My heart beat faster. Could she see the real me? I shook my head.

“Again.”

I approached her again and after a while we changed tactics so that she attacked me, but time and time again, I disarmed her. We worked tirelessly through the night, even after Lula and Landon were gone. Her body slowed and her thoughts drifted as she tired, but I didn’t let up. She didn’t complain and her strikes became more sure and her movements hit their mark over and over.

I knew the sun would rise shortly and I needed to return to my home, but the desire to stay with my Firewitch was so strong that I delayed leaving.

She stopped to wipe her forehead and suddenly the desire to kiss her overcame all sense that I gripped her waist, pulled her close and lay my lips on hers.

.