Witch

Vampire/witch paranormal romance. Bree Willow, rescuer to vampire prince Robyn O'Bane, soon learns that her life is not as it seems, and that she is more powerful than she knew.

CHAPTER ONE

My stomach churned as the cab pulled up to Chicago’s hottest nightclub�" Helix.  “I don’t know, Casey.  I�"“

“Oh, no you don’t!”  My best friend shoved me out the door with a stilettoed foot, making me nearly face plant on the grimy sidewalk.  “It’s your birthday, d****t!  And we are going to celebrate like two normal witches!”  

Yeah, right.  Like there is anything normal about being a witch!

“Casey!” I hissed, whipping my head around to see if anyone heard.  “Someone might hear you!”  

“Oh, nonsense.”  Gracefully, she exited the vehicle and strutted her slim figure over to where I was dusting myself off.  “Everyone is wrapped up in their own little worlds, sweet pea.  No one cares.”  

Smoothing a manicured hand over her pink minidress, she jabbed a finger in my direction.  “The only thing you need to worry about tonight is having fun.  You know, that thing that most twenty-five year olds do.  Honestly, Bree, you lock yourself in Grandmother Fay’s apothecary shop like a hermit, mixing potions and performing spells all day long and I know you’re introverted by nature but�"“ She sucked in a lungful of air, her words tumbling out.  I watched as her ire slowly melted away and tears welled up in her large green eyes.  Her lip trembled as she whispered,  “But… but I miss you, Bree.  Just do this for me, okay?  Just this once?” 

Guilt buried itself into my gut as realization struck.  I was being a sucky friend.  Whereas Casey was an energetic extrovert, walking up to complete strangers and making friends instantly, I was shy and, well, like she said�" a hermit.  

It was the most unlikely of friendships, but somehow me and Casey made it work.  

We had been great friends since childhood, right after she punched Tommy Waltz in the nose for teasing me about my frizzy hair.  We had been through bad boyfriends, horrible teachers, and survived college together.  I loved hanging out with her, I just hated social situations.  Something about venturing out into the public made my survival instincts, no, my witch instincts go on high alert.  Not to mention Grandmother Fay handled me like spun glass.  Casey knew just as well as I did that my sheltered lifestyle was Fay’s fault just as much as my own.      

I sucked in a breath and let it spill out slowly.

But today was my birthday.  Twenty-five.  If there was ever a time to brave the public, it was now.  

“You’re right.  I’m sorry,” I murmured.  “I just�"”

“I know.”  Casey threw her slender arms around me and squeezed me tight.  “It’ll be alright.  We’ll have some drinks, maybe dance a little.  If you get too uncomfortable, we can leave.  Let’s just try to have some fun, okay?”  

Grasping my hand, she led me into the club, bypassing a line of angry people waiting impatiently to get into Helix.   She strode up to the bouncer like she owned the place and he stepped aside, no questions asked.  My mouth fell open in awe and I was just about to ask her what had just happened, but the sights and sounds of the club overpowered any previous thought.  

The bass was so loud and so powerful I could feel my clothes vibrating as Casey snaked through the crowd, pulling me behind her.  My palms grew sweaty and I hoped I wasn’t crushing her boney hand as I squeezed, not wanting to get lost in the mass of grinding bodies.  Strobe lights flashed making everything seem halting and wild and the smell of alcohol permeated the air so thickly, I wondered if I could get drunk by just inhaling.  I don’t know why Casey picked Helix but it was quite literally my worst nightmare.  

Idling up to a bar stool, Casey slid on, and patted the one next to her, giving me a sharp look when I hesitated.  A bartender appeared out of the strobing lights and asked my friend what she would like.  

I had no idea how they could hear each other in this chaos.  

He smiled appreciatively as his eyes drank in Casey’s plunging cleavage and never-ending legs.  I was used to people ogling my best friend.  She was almost the complete opposite of me in every way�" Short platinum pixie hair to my ebony ringlets that curled down my back.  Her eyes were bright blue while mine were so dark they were nearly black.  Casey’s exotic mulatto skin was tan almost all year round.  I couldn’t be out in the sun for five minutes without my pale complexion burning.  And while she was nearly six foot, furthering her modeling career, I barely inched over five feet.  

So, was I surprised that she got the attention and not I?  Not a bit. I actually preferred it that way.  I silently thanked the gods that the sleazy looking bartender was making eyes at my friend and not I.  I eventually ordered a strawberry daiquiri, to which Casey rolled her eyes, stating that it wasn’t a real drink and promptly asked for two shots of tequila.  I tried to refuse but when Casey turned her big puppy eyes on me, I conceded.  F**k.  It was going to be a long night.  

***

I was two daiquiris, three shots of tequila, and a rum and coke down, and damn happy that neither Casey nor I were driving home tonight.  Especially seeing as how Casey was about a stone’s throw away from falling off the cliff into being completely and utterly wasted.

“You�"you know, Bree.  You…you’re so gorgeous.”  I snorted a laugh as she poked me with an acrylic fingernail.  “Seriously!  You are!  You hide under all that hair and baggy clothes.  B-but You’re a beautiful girl!”  

“Yeah, okay, whatever,” I giggled, shaking my head, feeling pretty tanked myself at this point.  

“Let’s dance!” Casey suddenly exclaimed and latched her hand onto my little black dress, nearly tearing it in the process.

Dragging me to the packed dance floor, we squeezed between heaving, sweaty bodies until she and I stood in the middle.  Center of attention�" just like Casey loved.  

Normally, I detested any kind of attention, but the liquid courage pumping through my veins made me forget about all that.  She and I danced together and time seemed to melt away.  It wasn’t long before several guys took notice of my friend.  She shot me an apologetic look and I smirked in return, knowing that she was loving the attention.  Casey began grinding up against them and I laughed, turning away, not wanting to watch my friend’s lewd dance moves.    

The air seemed to be electric and it felt as though the music was pulsing in my blood.  I placed my hands on my hips and swayed to the beat pumping through the speakers, enjoying this newfound sense of freedom.  I never did this!  I was too shy and uncomfortable in my plump skin to move so freely.  But it was my birthday! What better time to let loose?  Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heartbeat… and smelled something delicious.  Not cookies or cake or anything baking.  But almost like the smell of the air after a heavy rainfall, which was odd inside a nightclub.  There was a sugary sweet tang to it that made me think I could almost taste it. 

The scent swirled around me and seemed to be the only thing I could smell.  I looked about trying to see if I could find the source of it, but to no avail.  People brushed and bumped against me as I maneuvered through the mass of bodies, following the scent.  It seemed to get stronger as I neared a side entrance, and like a woman possessed, I followed it blindly out into the blistering cold of the winter night.  

I didn’t even stop to question myself as I entered the alleyway.  The door closed behind me, swallowing the deafening music whole.  The sudden quiet was eerie compared to the pounding beats I had just come from.  My heels echoed off the brick walls as the scent grew stronger still, despite the wailing wind and the heaps of garbage piled everywhere.  Snowflakes gusted around me, landing on my hair and eyelashes.  Despite the chill, my hands grew sweaty as I rounded the corner, completely unprepared for the sight that met my eyes.  

Three men stood at the dead end of the alleyway, entangled in some kind of struggle.  A massive monster of a man plunged an obsidian blade into a slightly shorter man’s gut, while the third held the bleeding man.  The scene before me was so surreal, that my mouth instantly became bone dry, unable to utter even a gasp.

The man being attacked cried out, his scream engulfed in the oncoming snowstorm.  My body shook.  It was impossible to tear my eyes away from the man.  Not because he was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen, rivaling even Casey’s attraction, but because he looked so different from his attackers.  

A mane of snow-white hair braided down his side and his skin was even paler than mine, almost grey.  Rippling muscles stood out as he struggled to fight, his button-down navy blue shirt torn open.  Where he had been stabbed, black tendrils branched out and slithered across his muscled abs.  But it was his eyes�" those mercury silver irises that seemed to have no pupil�" that had my breath catching in my chest.   Even his blade of a nose, square jaw, and full lips could not hold a candle to the beauty of those eyes.  

And they were staring straight at me.  

The men holding him were at least seven feet tall, both nearly identical.  Their clothing was non-descript right down to their heavy boots, digging into the snow.  They stabbed him again and the silver-eyed man’s eyes were wrenched from mine as he convulsed, the poison of the blade seeping further into his veins.  

I desperately scrambled to think of some way to help this man.  I was a witch, goddammit!  

Quickly picking up a plastic knife from the heaps of garbage, I grasped it tightly in my hand.  

“Hallowed knife, blade of fury, bring me power in all your glory.  Become what you must, in you I trust.  Become what you will, so this deed be fulfilled.  So mote it be!”  I felt the plastic silverware become imbued with power as I held it, its heat radiating through my palm.  I breathed heavily, feeling slightly lightheaded from the liquor and the use of magic.    

But I didn’t give myself any time to think.  

Darting as fast as I could towards the two men, I caught the first by surprise.  I planted the blade into his back and he howled into the night air.  I pulled the blade from his flesh and saw that it had become a silver knife.  Oh, god.  The blade had become what it needed in order to help me.  It had become a silver dagger.  And that meant only one thing�" werewolf.

The hulking beast of a man fell to my feet, momentarily disabled.  The second one threw the silver-eyed man against the brick wall and took off into the snowstorm, leaving his companion behind.  I was relieved but also confused.  Why didn’t he try to kill me?  

But as I rushed over to the silver-eyed man who lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, I realized why.  The deed was done.  The man was bleeding out, twitching and convulsing as the poison from the obsidian blade coursed through his veins.  

I was a book worm as well as an introvert and read Grandmother Fay’s grimoires daily�" over and over again.  I had recognized the blade the werewolf wielded�" shadow glass.  The one and only way to kill a vampire.  That is, other than decapitation.  There were only half a dozen of the weapons known to be in existence, and most of them belonged to the Royals�" the most powerful vampires in the realm.  

The blades were an end all.  Once stabbed, there was no going back.  

Or at least that’s what the legends said.  

“Listen to me, Bree.  Listen to me carefully.  I’m only going to say this once.”  Grandmother Fay had once said to me.  “Under no circumstances are you to ever… EVER… give your blood to someone.  To Anyone, Bree. Ever.  Do you understand me?  No. One.  But especially, Bree… especially to a vampire.”  

Grandmother Fay’s words echoed through my mind as I gazed upon the dying vampire.  I had always wondered why she said that.  Was it because my blood had magical properties?  Was it powerful?  I knew that blood healed vampires.  And this vampire desperately needed blood.  

Or a miracle.  

His breath was coming in gasps now and his eyes were rolling into the back of his head.  The scent. It was coming from him.  It was the smell of his blood.  The wind and snow whipped around me and the scent was stronger, more potent than anything I’d ever smelled.  How could I let this beautiful, incredible creature die?  It felt wrong.  But not only that… There was something about him.  Something that drew me in.  I knew it was the vampire lure, the thing that ensnared pretty young virgins in their grasps.

My feet wouldn’t budge.  Something screamed for me to save this man.  No, not man�" monster.  

But as my eyes memorized his breathtaking features, I found the blade in my hand scraping across my wrist, and felt the first bits of blood bubble to the surface.  The need to save him consumed me.  

Droplets splattered across his gash caused by the shadow glass and soon the black tendrils began to fade, shrinking away, absorbing my blood.  The cut knit together seamlessly and soon all evidence of the stab wound was gone.  The vampire’s breathing had steadied and a look of contentment spread across his flawless features.  

I looked around me and found that the other werewolf had disappeared along with his friend.  Goosebumps spread across my arms and soon I was shivering, but not from the cold.  A sense of dread flooded my chest and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just done something terribly… wrong.   

I felt a rush of air and turned back to the vampire.  

He was gone.

Oh, god. 

What had I done?  

***

Silver eyes stared into my dark ones, commanding every ounce of my attention.  I knew this was a dream, but I wanted nothing more than for this to be reality.  It was incredibly foolish, really.  He was a vampire and I was a witch.  It was against realm law but it was not uncommon for vampires to drink witches down like a fine Merlot.  And now that this particular monster had gotten a taste of my powerful blood, there was no telling what he would do.  

Powerful blood.  Yeah, powerful, indeed.  

The image of Silver Eye’s wound healing still played in my mind on repeat.  Nothing should have been able to heal a shadow glass’s cut to a vampire’s flesh… but my blood did.  

My blood had healed him.

I was still trying to understand what that meant.  And what it meant for me, as a witch.  For my power.  

I still felt like the same old Bree.  Incredibly introverted and bookish.  But like a movie on repeat, the image of the vampire’s body healing assailed my mind again and again.  But I couldn’t think too much about it, or Grandmother Fay would know something was wrong.  

Having bailed on Casey, I texted her to let her know that I didn’t feel well and was catching a cab.  I wasn’t surprised when she wished me well but said she was going to stay behind and enjoy the evening.  Well, at least someone was having a good time on my birthday.  

Mostly staying to myself for the past three days, I mulled over my decision to help the vampire and how to keep the knowledge of my assistance a secret.  But I wasn’t fooling myself, or anyone really.  I knew it was only a matter of time before the vampire showed up looking for me.  And I knew it was only a matter of time before Grandmother Fay found out.  

I wasn’t sure which one I was more afraid of�" him or her.  

The dream went on for several minutes before ending as it always did�" Silver Eyes winking at me seductively.

Waking with a start, I lay in bed for several minutes, trembling as an understanding overtook me.  I was going to have to leave.  The idea of venturing out into the world, all by myself, without Casey or Grandmother Fay made me want to scream.  But when, not if, the vampire came looking for me, I knew my friend and grandmother would both try to protect me.  And fail.  I couldn’t let them die for me.  Just… no.

I could have spelled the room to pack my stuff for me, but I needed as much energy as I could muster.  Lately, I had been feeling exhausted after doing enchantments and spells, which worried me.  I couldn’t help but wonder why that was.  

With a thud, I threw my suitcase on the bed, hoping I didn’t pack too much.  I tried to stick to the essentials, like hygiene products, clothing, and shoes.  I could make my own potions and spells, easily.  The only thing I was going to miss was Fay’s grimoires.  But I would have to make do.  

Just then, a knock came at my door just before Grandmother Fay barged into my room, announcing, “I have your tea, Bree!  I nearly forgot it this morning, silly me.”  She stopped suddenly at the sight of my suitcase, the teacup dropping to the floor with a smash.  “What’s all this?” 

“Fay�"”

“It’s grandma, my dear child.  I may not be your biological grandmother, but you have always been like a child to me, Bree.  Now,” She cleared her throat.  “Tell me what this is all about?”  

“Grandma, I…” I sighed and said in a small voice, “I’m in trouble.”  I contemplated lying to her, but she had taken me in when my parents died and loved me as her own.  It would be wrong to deceive her.  Plus, she was a very powerful witch, in her own right.  Maybe she could help me.  

We sat down on my bed and I hesitantly told her what had happened on my birthday.  She reacted just about as positively as I had expected.  

“Bree Anne Willow!  You did… what?”  

“He was hurt!  I… I didn’t want him to die!”  

“It’s nature’s way, darling!  We mustn’t interfere with the natural course of death!”

“But it wasn’t natural!  Those two werewolves were killing him!  Stabbing him with shadow glass!”  

Grandmother Fay sucked in a deep breath and held it until her face turned a bright shade of purple.  Letting it out slowly, she rubbed her temples and squeezed her eyes shut.  We sat in silence for a long time before she reopened them and pinned me with her intense green stare.  “What did he look like?”  

“What?”  

“This vampire.  What did he look like?  Did he have long hair?  Short?  Were his eyes dark?  Light?  His skin color?  Give me every detail you remember of this… man.”  

I bit my lip and ducked my head trying to hide my blush.  I had been thinking so much about Silver Eyes that I had memorized nearly all of his features.  

“Well, uh�"” I cleared my throat.  “He, um… He had this white hair that was braided.  It was really long, like, to his ankles.  And his skin was kind of a grayish color.”  I swallowed as saliva pooled in my mouth.  “His eyes were this really intense silver color�"”

“Silver?” Fay shrieked.  “Bree.”  She gripped my shoulders harshly, almost painfully.  “Did he have pupils?  Were they completely silver?”  

My heart began racing as her eyes bored into mine.  Oh, god.  I had really fucked up, hadn’t I?  

“Yes,” I whispered.  

Fay leapt up so quickly, she was almost a blur.  “We need to pack!”  She shouted.  Spinning around, Grandma grabbed my hand and yanked me and my suitcase out of my tiny bedroom and down the hall.  I had no idea where she was leading me until we ended up in her apothecary room.  Ripping open my suitcase she began filling any available space with glass bottles and flasks of spells. “These will help you, my dear one.  They are labeled, but be careful.  They are powerful.”  Yanking one of her grimoires from the shelf she handed it to me.  

“This will tell you everything you need to know about him.”  I knew she was talking about the vampire.  “There’s a cottage out in Washington that I use in emergencies, love.  Keep in mind, it’s been quite a long time since I’ve used it, so don’t judge too harshly.”  

I opened my mouth as tears spilled down my face, but she shushed me.  “We’ll see each other soon, dearie.”  She gathered me closely and I wept into her cashmere sweater.  I would miss her wild grey hair and snarky humor.  But mostly I would miss how much she loved me.  

“Enough of that, love.  Off you go!”  

“But�"”

“No, no.  I will contact you.  But, Bree… Please.  Do not try to contact me.  It’s not safe.”  She gathered up some transport dust and whispered into it.  “I love you, child.  Be well.  And for heaven’s sake�" No more sharing blood!”  She threw the powder at me and all went black.  

CHAPTER TWO

My head pounded as I looked around.  The sky was grey and all I could see for miles was trees.  Rain pelted my skin and I groaned as I sat up, trying to fight the urge to vomit.  Traveling by pixie powder was always rough.  Plus, Grandmother Fay had used so much of it�" nearly an entire handful.  She must have wanted to make sure I made it in one piece, otherwise she wouldn’t have wasted it.  That stuff was damn expensive in the market.  

My vision blurred as I stumbled to my feet, searching for my suitcase.  I eventually found it up in a tree and was half tempted to leave it there, my head pounding incessantly.  

After several attempts, I finally managed to climb the blasted tree and wrangle my suitcase out of the branches.  I cursed myself for packing so much and tried to be careful, remembering that Grandma’s grimoire and spell bottles were inside.  If those broke and mixed together, climbing trees would be the least of my worries.    

After what felt like hours, but was probably only minutes, I landed safely on my feet with suitcase in hand.  The rain began picking up and the wind howled, sending a shiver down my spine.  I picked up the pace, scuttling along the soggy grass, searching for this safe house my grandmother had sent me to.  

Finally, I spotted it�" up ahead, nestled between a flurry of pine trees.  

As I neared, I sensed magic and began to panic.  Was there some kind of protection spell around the house?  As I approached a dome around the building began to glow red but dropped away instantly as though it recognized me.  I breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the slightly cracked door open.  

As Grandmother Fay had insinuated, the place wasn’t in great shape.  Dust and cobwebs covered the majority of the furniture and the place smelled slightly rancid.  I definitely had my work cut out for me.  

Wheeling my suitcase in, I searched for a light switch.  My heart sank when I discovered there was no electricity. Of course not.  Why would there be in a place no one lived?  

Grumbling to myself I walked further into the room, the light spilling in from the window catching the dust motes in its rays.  Digging through some drawers, I found several large candles and lit them with a simple fire spell.  

“Ignis!”  

The room glowed with the light from the candles and I basked in it.  I sat down on the couch, suddenly exhausted.  Pulling my suitcase beside me, I unzipped it, the sound loud in the large room.  My grandmother’s grimoire sat on top, along with the potions and clothing, so I pulled it out first, heaving the large book onto my lap.  The spine cracked as I opened it, as though an old friend saying hello.  I frowned as I leafed through it.  This was perhaps the only grimoire of Fay’s that I hadn’t had the pleasure of reading.  Fascinated, I took several hours to sit back and absorb the information.  Grimoires by definition were books of spells and invocations, but Fay had always included notes and drawings of things pertaining to the magical paranormal realm.  

As I approached the end of the massive book, I came upon a section entitled, “Succo” which I knew meant vampire, bloodsucker, or spider in Latin.  My fingers trembled as I turned the page and read about the secret world of the most infamous creatures of the night.  I had long known vampires existed, but to the rest of the world, they were nothing but a myth.  An urban legend.  Little did society know that the things of fairy tales were very much alive and well�" governed by the Royals.  They ruled everything, the humans just didn’t know it.  Anyone that crossed them, well… they didn’t do much else, ever again.  They were like the paranormal mafia.   

The grimoire had detailed descriptions of the vampires.  Hair, height, skin… eyes.

Apparently silver was the marker of the most powerful vampires and that only one kind had them�" Royals.  Which led me to ask myself�" Why were two werewolves trying to kill a Royal in an alleyway?

Page after page spoke of the power and authority of these creatures.  Speed.  Strength.  Keen eyesight.  They were only matched in ability with werewolves, but only just.  

There were spells listed as to how to protect oneself against vampire attacks.  How to make one’s blood taste foul.  How to weaken a vampire.  My heart beat crazily in my chest as I read over the dozen or so spells listed.  Grandmother Fay would be charged with treason if the Royals found this list.  I tore it out and memorized the ingredients.  I had a feeling I was going to have to use these spells, and soon.  

After rifling through the spell bottles, I came across one that was labeled, “Clean House.”  Uncorking it, I was thrown back on my a*s as a tornado of light erupted from the flask. Swirling around the dirty room, it was made clean within seconds.  The mini-twister dissipated and soon I was left with a beautiful space.  Which was good, being that the cottage was basically just one room.  It was sparse with little to no furniture.  Just the couch, an empty fridge, and a really old looking rocking chair I didn’t have the courage to sit in, lest it break.   

Sinking down into the scratchy couch cushions, I tried to make myself comfortable, adjusting my body this way and that, but a comfortable sleeping arrangement wasn’t in store for my future.  At least not tonight.  I didn't even have a blanket.

Tears glided down my cheeks as I hugged my knees to my chest.  I wondered what Casey was doing right now or what Grandmother Fay was thinking.  Did they miss me?  Were they worried about me?  I bit my cheek until I tasted copper and forced the tears to stop.  I wouldn’t cry myself to sleep.  I would be strong.  I would survive this.  

I would be okay.  

***

“Dearie… Dear Bree… Wake up, child…”

Grandmother Fay’s soft voice echoed through my mind.  

I cracked a lid open and saw her kneeling right in front of me.  I nearly jumped out of my skin as a little scream erupted from my mouth.  “Grandma!  What are you doing here?”  

“Oh, just a little communication spell.  I’m not really there.  Pixie powder really is the most wonderful thing of all.  I’m going to have to save up to get some more…”  She rambled on for a little bit and I could tell that she was nervous.  Her image flickered and I could see that she was just a tad blurry, indicative of the spell.  If not for those things, it would be hard to tell she wasn’t really there.  

“Oh dear, I am so glad to see that you are alright.  I was so worried!”  I smiled despite still feeling completely exhausted.  The couch had kicked my a*s during the night, providing little comfort.  

“Now, love bug, I know these arrangements are not the most… convenient… but you’re just going to have to make do, I’m afraid.  I promise we’ll have you out of there in no time, I just need to find a new home for us, is all.  When I do, you’ll be the first to know!”  

“But, Grandmother!”  

“No buts, Bree!  I need you safe.”  Her chin wobbled as she looked me over.  “I’ll transport food and drinks.  Just sit tight.”  Taking a deep breath she leveled me with a hard stare.  “You’re more important to this realm than you know.” 

Important?  What the hell did that mean?  Was it a general statement, or something more?

We said our goodbyes and food appeared moments later, as promised.  I hungrily dug in, feeling like I hadn’t eaten in ages.  Mind you, it was only simple things like fruits and vegetables, but I was entirely okay with that.  She had sent enough for me to survive on for days, and I had a feeling there was more to come.  I stored some in the refrigerator, which, thank heavens, was not nearly as dirty as the rest of the cottage had been.  

   

After munching on a few delicious Granny Smith’s, I went back over to the grimoire and read more about the Royals.  Apparently some of them had mated with witches over the years, despite it being illegal, and were able to wield magic.  The thought of a magical vampire set my teeth on edge.  Weren’t they powerful enough without the use of spells and charms?  Especially if they harnessed dark magic, which I’m sure most of them would have no problem with at all. 

The pages of the grimoire were tanned and thick, feeling almost like animal skin�" at least I hoped it was animal skin.  I grimaced and pushed the book aside, deciding to look through the spells and potions Grandmother Fay had picked out for me.  They were mostly protection spells, for which I was grateful for, but what I wanted most was a hot shower.  And a comfortable bed.  

I contemplated how long I would be stuck in the cabin, all by myself, with no shower, hardly any food, and no bed… and I nearly wept.  No more crying, I scolded myself.  I was twenty-five years old, for Christ’s sake.  Not a twelve year old girl.  

Going over to the window, I peered out, and sighed longingly. 

Gods help me.  It was going to be a long couple days.  

***

By day four, I had had enough of apples, no showers, and scratchy couches for a lifetime.  I was going to take things into my own hands, consequences be damned.  

Packing up my belongings, I took a heaping handful of the pixie powder and whispered into it, “Hominem me Olympia, Washington.”  I threw the powder at myself and everything went black.   

I knew from my time in school that Olympia was the capital of Washington and was bound to have a hotel I could stay at until Grandmother figured out a new living situation for us.  Sure, it would be expensive as hell, but damn, it would be better than living in that dump for another day.  Gathering some leafs from outside, I had spelled them so that I had a couple grand in cash.  Curiously, I had noted that I was no longer losing energy when I casted or getting exhausted from spells.  For a moment, I wondered why that was, but I wrote it off as nothing.  I had other, more important matters to attend to.  

I appeared in the woods outside of Comfort Inn.  Scrambling towards the entrance, I knew it wasn’t safe to be outside for too long.  I hoped I wasn’t making a huge mistake.  

The pimply teenager at the desk cast me a bored look as I forked over the seven hundred dollars to stay for a week.  Handing me my room key, the clerk bid me a good night and I skedaddled to the third floor, where my first good night’s sleep would hopefully be.  

First things first, though�" I tore off my clothing and jumped into the shower, nearly falling over with happiness as the hot water assailed my grimy skin.  

After an hour long shower, I relented and made myself get out.  I dried off the best I could, and flopped down on the hotel mattress, groaning at how sweet it felt to not sleep on the scratchy couch.  I would burn that piece of s**t furniture before another one of its springs dug into me.  

Rolling over, I checked my phone for messages, and saw that I had fifteen�" all from Casey.

Hey, where the hell are you?  Grandmother Fay won’t tell me anything!!!

I am going to slap you silly if you don’t tell me where the hell you are!!

Bree, please, please, please answer me.  I’m seriously worried and Grandmother Fay’s lips are sealed tight!  

They went on and on until I eventually shot her a message that I was alright and that I would call her later.  For now, I was about ready to fall over from exhaustion.  Turning off my phone, I nestled into the soft sheets and prayed for this whole thing to blow over.  I was literally two thousand miles away from Chicago.  

There was no way the vampire could track me this far, right?

***

When I awoke the next morning, my heart nearly beat out of my chest.  

Why?

Because I wasn’t alone.  

I knew this simply because I could smell him.  He was in the room with me.  Him. The vampire.

Silver Eyes.  

The clicking of his tongue made my eyes pop open.  In his hand was the list of spells against vampires that Grandmother Fay had written.  Bile rose in my throat and I desperately tried to swallow it down. 

Oh, god.  Oh. God.  I was so screwed.  Why had I left the cottage before Grandmother had secured a safe place for me to be?  Now, I was going to be this vampire’s next meal.  

Or worse.  

But even as I gazed upon him, I couldn’t feel entirely afraid.  It was the lure�" I knew it.  But it couldn’t be helped.  His tangy sweet scent combined with his breathtaking looks threw me off kilter.  

“If Father saw this, sweet one, oh, you would be a lot of trouble.”  A sigh bubbled up inside my chest at the sound of his deep, seductive voice.  I could imagine him bewitching many a woman with that baritone.  Before I could protest, he tore the grimoire page in two, and then in half again, until all that was left of my most vital form of protection lay in a pile on the floor.  

My heart raced in my chest and Silver Eyes tilted his head as though he could hear it.  I had no doubt he could.  His pupil-less eyes lazily scanned me and I remembered that I was naked under the sheets.  My whole body flushed before I could stop it and I knew seeing the pink of my blood pooling beneath my flesh would be as tempting as anything this vampire had ever seen.  

Oh, yeah. 

I was so f*****g screwed.

CHAPTER THREE

“I’m going to ask you a question, sweet one… and I suggest you answer honestly.”  His mercury eyes gleamed in the morning light filtering through the blinds.  “What are you?”  

What was I?  Didn’t he see the list of spells he just ripped up?  He had to know that I was a witch.  

“I only ask,” His deep voice rumbled as he sat next to me, the bed dipping with his weight, “because I have never experienced… such decadent blood.  Everything was enhanced.  I have always been powerful, but this?”  He shook his head and peered down at me in awe.  His full pale lips parted and I saw his canines begin to lengthen.  Intense fear flooded me… and something else.  A slow burn in my belly at the thought of this ridiculously attractive man biting me, sinking his fangs into me, drinking my blood…

No.  I reminded myself.  Not man�" monster.  

His nostrils flared, scenting my fear… and lust.  Leaning down, he crowded my space, caging me in with his massive arms.  His snow-white hair was loose falling all around his face like a curtain.  “What… are…  you?” He growled.  

I shivered and answered him honestly.  “A witch.”

His thick white eyebrows furrowed as his bright eyes scanned my face.  His breath was cool as it beat against my skin and I squirmed beneath the sheets, wishing I could put some distance between us.  Or relieve the fire between my legs.    

“Of what Order?  Who is your coven priestess?”  

“I don’t have one,” I whispered.  “I live by myself.”  I wasn’t going to drag Grandmother Fay into this, if I could help it. 

He cocked an eyebrow and smiled crookedly.  “It isn’t wise to lie to a vampire, sweet one.  Especially a Royal.  I can smell at least one other female on you.”  

Damn.  Note to self�" shower longer next time.  

“I, uh�"”

“In my five hundred years, I have only ever smelled one other witch like you�" and you had better hope that she wasn’t your mother.”  

“W-why?”

“Because she was a traitor and her entire bloodline was wiped out.”  

Except for me, a little voice whispered in my head.

No.  No way!  I wasn’t this woman’s daughter, surely!  

“But your blood… I can only promise you one thing, sweet one.”  His eyes gazed longingly at the pulse beating wildly in my neck.  “When I take you back to Rosedale, you must stay with me, if you want to live.”  

What was this?  Terminator?  

“What’s your name?” I suddenly asked.  If I was going to be taken, I at least wanted to know my captor’s name.  

“Robyn O’Bane.”  

“My name’s�"”

“Bree.”  He breathed.  It was so unfair how each time he smiled he became more and more beautiful.  “The sweetest name I know.”  

My heart skipped a beat at his words.  I had to keep reminding myself that this man, this vampire, was a monster, who most likely had a hand in slaughtering countless lives over the last millennia.  But each time I took a breath and smelled his mouthwatering scent, looked into those silver eyes… I nearly forgot the reasons I should stay away from him.  And for that, I knew I was in a s**t ton of trouble. 

A loud knock at the door startled me, and Robyn rose to answer it.  A short, burly man was on the other side but I knew he was a vampire by the grace with which he held himself.  His eyes immediately jumped to me and I pulled the sheet higher, trying to cover my large breasts.  

“Jordan.  What is it?”  Robyn towered over the other vampire, making me feel intimidated for him.  His voice lowered menacingly.  “I specifically told you not to disturb us.”

“I understand, your highness.  I just, well, was wondering if you, uh…”  

“Spit it out, Jordan.”  

“I was wondering if you were going to share.”  His blood red eyes gazed hungrily in my direction and I felt my stomach plummet.  Were they going to eat me?  

So fast, my eyes didn’t even pick up on the movement, Robyn snatched Jordan by the lapel of his polo and shoved him against the wall with an effective crack. “Listen to me carefully, you little imp.”  Robyn’s voice chilled me to the bone.  It wasn’t the voice of a man�" it was the voice of a predator.  “If you ever lay a hand on what’s mine, I’ll hang you by your entrails and make example of you for ages to come.  Bree belongs to me.  She is mine.”  He snarled, bringing his face inches away from Jordan’s.  “You would do well to remember that.”  

My mouth fell open in shock as my mind tried to digest what I’d just heard.  

I was his?  

Oh, hell no.  

Jordan fell to the ground with a loud thump and scurried out the door, leaving me alone with Robyn once more.  My eyes roamed his body, appreciating the casual black slacks and grey button down shirt.  His strong forearms were wonderfully displayed as he adjusted his tie.  Clearing his throat, he said,  “We should be off.”  

Off?  After that s**t he just said?  Oh, we were off alright.  

“What the hell was all that about me being yours?”  I had no idea where I was getting this newfound courage, but I liked it.  Something about Robyn made me feel comfortable around him.  Talking to him felt natural.    

He narrowed his silver eyes until they were slits and stalked towards me like a lion prowling towards his last meal.  “I have tasted your blood, Bree.  And I want you.  I will have you.  In every way.”  

Heat flooded my core at his dark promise.  “But�"but witches and vampires can’t be together.  It’s against the realm law.”

“That’s the beauty of being a Royal, sweet one.  You get to break the rules.”  

***

Robyn’s words revolved around my mind the entire flight from Olympia, Washington to Rosedale, California.  Rosedale was apparently the headquarters for the Royal vampires.  I had to keep reminding myself that when vampires reached a certain age, like, say two hundred or so, the sun effected them less and less, to the point where they could go out in the light with little to no trouble at all.  And being that Robyn was well over five hundred years old, he had reached that point long ago.  

People stared at Robyn and his entourage as they led me through the airport to sunny southern California.  I couldn’t blame them�" they were stunning, but none so much as Robyn.  His long white hair flowed as we walked, making him look as powerful as he seemed.   

I had to wonder, though, why the Royals would choose California of all places to nest.  It was common knowledge that vampires were sensitive to heat, and California was infamous for its wildfires.  When I brought this up on the car ride out to his home, he chuckled and said, “Think about it.”

I did, for several minutes.  “I guess other vampires and werewolves would be deterred from the fires and earthquakes.” 

“Precisely.  It’s like having our own personal mote, without the water.”  

I nodded, having thought that it was pretty ingenious, as well.

I looked out the window and saw palm trees lining the streets.  The homes here were incredible and spoke of wealth.  Several minutes passed and then we were pulling up to a house, no, a mansion that was bigger than anything I’d ever seen.  Everything was fenced in and I could tell that the security here was through the roof.  

Jordan carried my luggage inside while Robyn, wove his fingers with mine leading me towards the house.  I considered trying to pull my hand away but I thought better of it.  

We passed a gigantic pool and elaborate garden on our way in.  I had always loved nature and couldn’t wait to explore the flowers.  

Wait.  I’m not actually thinking of staying here, am I?

I had to escape!  I had to find a way to contact Grandma and Casey.  I had to run for my life before the lure of these deadly creatures completely manipulated me.  

“Father!  Father!”  Tinkling laughter like that of a wind chime echoed off the walls as we entered the air conditioned home.  “You’re back!  And you’ve brought a new toy!  How fun!”  A woman with braided white hair and silver eyes ran up to us and threw her arms around Robyn.  He held her close and although it was a tender moment, I couldn’t help but notice that he hadn't corrected her on the toy comment.  

“Lucy.  How good to see you!  How have you been, my girl?”  

They jabbered on for several moments and I looked around taking in the scene around me.  The mansion was pristine, and surprisingly decorated in bright colors, like gold and red and silver.  Portraits of similar looking white-haired, silver-eyed vampires lined the walls as we made our way further into the house.  Plush carpet and hardwood lined the floors beneath our feet and winding staircases popped up every now and then.  But what surprised me most of all was that sunlight streamed in through the windows bathing rooms in its golden light.  It was so unlike any stereotypical vampire related thing that I couldn’t help but laugh.  

“Father,” Lucy suddenly stopped and glanced at me briefly.  “Grandfather wanted to see you in his office.  He wants to…” She paused nibbling on her lower lip.  “He wants to hold a party in honor of your new pet.  For saving you.”  

“He… what?”   Robyn’s handsome features twisted in rage.  “B*****d!”  Despite his anger, Robyn hands were gentle as he guided me to a room off the side of a brightly lit hallway.  “Please, show Bree her accommodations, love.  I must have a word with your grandfather.”  

Stalking down the hallway, I watched as his muscular backside flexed beneath his snug pants.  But then I remembered his daughter was standing right next to me and abruptly put a stop to my ogling.  

I looked over at Lucy whose silver eyes studied me intently.  “He really likes you,” She murmured, almost to herself.  “I can tell.  He’s different with you than with the others.” 

I was too afraid to ask how her father had treated his other pets.  

Opening the door to my room, I saw that my suitcase was already in there.  I had to wonder if my spell bottles and grimoire were left untouched or if they had already been taken. 

Lucy glided over to the fourposter bed and gracefully took a seat.  She looked to be about my age, maybe a little older, but I knew she was probably hundreds of years old, like her father.  Looks were very deceiving in the vampire realm.  

 

“You smell different from the others.”  My head snapped up as Lucy’s voice reached me.  “Somehow… sweeter.”  She licked her plush lips, her voice husky. “Like forbidden fruit.” 

I swallowed and fisted my trembling hands.  “Oh,” I squeaked.  I had no idea what to say.

Looking away, I glimpsed the garden outside the window.  It was a grand view and I couldn’t wait to do some exploring, despite being a prisoner.  There was nothing wrong with enjoying myself while I was here, right?  

When I turned back around, Lucy was right beside me.  I yelped in surprise, not having heard her move.  Her pupil-less eyes gleamed hungrily and I trembled as I shrank back against the wall.  Suddenly, her nose was at the junction of my throat and she inhaled sharply.  I felt her tongue dart out, tasting me and I wanted to scream but was frozen with fear.  I couldn’t think of any spells or hexes or charms to defend myself, and I hated myself for it.    

“Just one little… bite,” Lucy whispered.    

Just then, the door flew open and Robyn charged in.  Did he sense that I was in danger?  Or was he simply returning from talking to his father?  Either way, I was relieved to see him, even though he was just as dangerous as his daughter, if not more so.  

Grabbing her by the hem of her silken gown, Robyn wrenched his daughter back, saving me from becoming a snack.  

“No one drinks from Bree, Lucille.  No. One.  Do you understand me?” His daughter whimpered at her father’s deafening roar.  He placed her back on her feet and she rushed from the room, but not before she cast a deathly glare in my direction.  S**t.  If looks could kill…

“Are you alright?”  

Robyn’s breath was coming out in heavy gusts, a grimace marring his face.  

“Yes.” And I was.  Somehow I felt safe with this hulking vampire.  It was incredibly foolish, I knew, but it was how I felt, nonetheless.  

His back straightened and he sucked in a breath, seeming to calm down.  

“King Isaac has extended an invitation to the annual grand ball�"”

“What if I don’t want to go?” I interrupted, my fear of the public rushing to the forefront. 

“It’s not a request.”  He barked.  He stopped for a moment and sighed, continuing.  “Believe me, sweet one, I wish it were.”  Exiting the room, I swore I heard him mutter, “For your sake.”

CHAPTER FOUR 

I growled in frustration as I dug through my suitcase unable to find my phone.  Of course they would take it.  Why would they let me have it, lest I call for help?  Casey must be losing her s**t right now.  I felt bad, but before I could completely drown in guilt, a soft knock sounded at my door.   

It swung open and a tiny man with a pointed red cap scuttled in.  It was a gnome.  He grinned widely, displaying extremely large, sharp teeth as he announced, “Dinner is ready, madam!”  

I wanted to refuse and be stubborn, but I had a feeling that cooperating was my best option of getting out of here. 

Following the little man down the hall, we entered into an enormous dining area with a long table packed with food.  My stomach instantly grumbled, remembering that I hadn’t eaten a good meal in over a week.  I was seated and several other gnomes waddled around, placing silver trays and dishes on the table. 

Lucy came in next along with a man who looked very much like her and Robyn’s father.  I instantly knew it was King Issac. 

He was an imposing man, with hardened features, a crooked nose, and short white hair.  His leather pants and black shirt clung to his muscles and it made my head spin thinking of how old he must be.  

They both took a seat across from me, Lucy scowling and Issac focusing his keen eyes on me.  It was unnerving.  Thankfully, their attention was diverted when Robyn entered the room, looking as mouthwatering as ever.  

Dressed similarly to his father, Robyn’s heavy boots barely made a sound as he prowled toward the table with cat-like movements�" graceful and elegant.  Even if I didn’t know he was royalty by his eye color, I would have simply by the way he walked.  He commanded the attention of the room, the gnomes stopping their busy work to catch a glimpse of Prince Robyn.  But he paid them no heed.  No… Robyn only had eyes for me as he gazed at me hungrily.  

And it wasn't for food. 

Gliding into the seat next to me, he sat incredibly close, our chairs touching.  Reaching over, he placed his large hand on my thigh, inching up until he was nearly at the junction of my legs.  My breathing quickened and I grasped my fork so hard in my hand, I knew I’d probably have a bruise later on.  Goddamn this vampire was going to be the end of me. 

“Thank you for joining us, son.  I see you found a new… plaything.  Hopefully this one won’t break so easily as the last one, hm?” 

My breath caught in my throat and I saw Robyn freeze out of the corner of my eye.  I was slowly beginning to lose my appetite�" especially since Robyn hadn’t corrected his father. 

“She does smell quite good, though, doesn’t she, Lucy?  Makes you want to just… drink her up, no?”  He chuckled quietly at his own joke, sawing into his raw steak, red juice flowing over the plate.  

“Absolutely,” Lucy whispered, pinning me with a feral glare.  She glowered at me and I looked away, taking a large gulp of wine.  

The room became swathed in animosity quickly.  It was clear that King Issac had little to no respect for me or his son, and that Lucy was just as hostile.  I wondered where her mother was and where Issac’s wife was.  Things were not looking so promising in the O’Bane family household. 

“Eat up, little one,” Issac purred.  “You’ll want to have enough strength for when Robyn f***s and feeds.”  

“Enough!” Robyn stood, his silverware falling to his plate with a clatter.  “You and I both know what happened to Marissa, father.  Her blood stains your hands, not mine.  Your paranoia and self-loathing drove Mother away and killed my wife.  Lucy is without a mother because of you.  I will not have you disrespect Bree.  In front of me or otherwise.”  Grasping my hand, Robyn led me out of the dining room and into the garden.  Scents assailed my nose as we breezed past gorgeous flowers and looming plants.  Sitting on the edge of a gigantic teared fountain, Robyn pulled me into his lap.  Burying his face in my hair, he breathed me in and held me close.  It felt so natural to be held by him that I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my face against his silky locks.  He smelled incredible.  

“He manipulated her,” He finally said, his voice muffled by my hair.

“Who?”  I whispered.   

“Marissa, my wife.  She was human.”  He traced my spine with his long fingers, making me nestle deeper into his touch.  “She… fell for his tricks.  Cheated on me with him.  He framed her, humiliating me and her in front of the entire realm.  She killed herself not two days later.”

“But… why?  I mean…” I paused trying to think of a way to articulate what I meant.  “You’re his son.  Wouldn’t that be embarrassing him as well?”  

“No.”  When I frowned, he went on.  “You see, he never wants to give up the throne.  He can’t stand the thought of someone else having the power.”  He sighed and wrapped one of my curls around his finger, pulling on the tendril.  “The throne is passed to the eldest child every millennium, and this year the time will come to do that.  He thinks if the realm doesn’t respect me, they won’t accept me as their King.”  

“Do you think that he sent the werewolves to try and kill you?”  The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. 

“Yes,” he replied immediately.  “Which means something is going to have to be done… I just don’t know what, yet.”  

But I did.  

I knew that King Isaac was going to have to be taken down in order for Robyn to ascend to the throne.  And for peace to finally take root in this land.

***

Robyn and I stayed in the garden for several hours, enjoying the sunset and the wild bouquet all around us.  Eventually, he returned me to my room, where I rooted through my suitcase, pissed once again at the absence of items.  Grandmother Fay’s grimoire and potions were gone.  

I tried to do a communication spell but it fizzled out even before it began.  I realized that there must be enchantments keeping me from using my magic surrounding the area.  It looked like I was going to have to be more resourceful.  

When I went to bed that night, my dreams were wild consisting of Lucy drinking my blood, Issac laughing as he watched, and Robyn nowhere in sight.  It was a horrifying nightmare and just before I awoke my grandmother’s face appeared in my dream.  

“Bree!  Can you hear me?”  

“Yes!” I tried to say, but it felt as though I were underwater or moving through quicksand.  

“Don’t worry, dear.  Don’t try to talk.  Just listen.  This is a very powerful dream spell I’m conducting.  Wherever you are is surrounded by anti-magic spells.  I’ve tried dozens of times to reach you, but nothing’s worked.  I’m so glad this did!”  She narrowed her eyes dangerously at me as she continued, “But you are in so much trouble, missy!  I can’t believe you snuck off like you did.  I understand why you did, but just this once… will you please… please… listen to me!  I need you to play along with whatever the Royals want you to do.  It’s the only way to survive, dear one.  You are exactly where you need to be.  I can’t explain it all right now, but something big is on the way.  Just stay where you are and we’ll come to you!”  

I tried to beg her not to leave but the dream was quickly fading and soon I was staring at the high ceilings, wondering what Grandmother Fay had meant.  Everything she said seemed cryptic, like there was an underlying meaning.  

Something big is on the way?  

I’m exactly where I need to be?

I had no idea what any of that meant, but I decided right in that moment that I would listen to Grandmother Fay for once and do as she said.  I wouldn’t try to escape, at least not yet.  

Looks like I had a ton of awkward O’Bane family moments to look forward to. 

Oh, joy.  

***

As I predicted, the next several days were entertaining, to say the least.  Isaac was obnoxious and an a*****e, making snide remarks and saying nasty things.   Lucy growled, hissed, and even spat at me on one occasion.  It was a never-ending circus of petulance and insanity and I was in the middle of it.  Who knew that these were the people, the Royals, ruling the realm?  

Each day that passed, I felt closer and closer to Robyn and I began to doubt whether or not it was the vampire lure drawing me to him.  We walked in the garden, read books together, and talked for hours at a time.  I wasn’t sure if this was what Stockholm syndrome was, but I didn’t care.  I was beginning to care deeply for Robyn O’Bane.  

Part of me chastised myself, thinking how stupid I was being, falling in love with a vampire.  A soulless, cold hearted killer incapable of love… But the other part saw the beauty of him.  The way Robyn gazed at me with longing and affection when he thought I wasn’t looking.  The way he handled me with care, a gentle giant.  The way he laughed at my jokes and his silver eyes lit up like liquid mercury.  It was no wonder my heart sped up and skipped a beat when he was around.  He liked to pretend he was a badass, which he was�" but he was also a sweetheart.

All this and I hadn’t even kissed him. 

I was out on the town with Robyn dress shopping for the annual ball coming up in a week’s time.  I was incredibly nervous and each time I thought of being presented as Robyn’s pet to the vampire crowd, I nearly threw up.  I was beginning to think I was borderline agoraphobic.  

“What about this one?” I asked Robyn.  His eyes moved over me like a caress and I shivered.  

“That’s the one,” he growled and I couldn’t help but noticed how he moved his hand over his slacks, adjusting his pants.  

I looked down at myself noting how the black little number hugged my curves in all the right places and cupped my breasts snuggly.  It was surprisingly comfortable and yet made me feel sexy, something I rarely did. 

Paying for the four digit dress, Robyn rushed back to the mansion and pecked me on the cheek, leaving me in my room.  I frowned, wondering why he was being so hasty.  Picking up the Charles Dickens book he and I were reading together I tried to get absorbed in Moby Dick’s latest adventures, but after reading the same sentence five times, threw the book down.  I lied back on the downy bed and tried to take a nap, but all I could think about was Robyn.  And how I wanted to know him more, learn about his fears, hopes, and dreams.  It was insanely cheesy, yes, but I wanted it nonetheless.  

Roaming the halls, I knew I could get lost easily so I ventured out into the garden.  The sun shone high in the sky and the warm breeze danced through my hair.  It was a gorgeous day.  

Coming to a stone bench, I sat down, looking out into a beautiful Koi pond not far off.  The water reflected the sun’s rays casting shimmering light across the garden.  

I thought about what Grandmother Fay had said about staying here and that I was where I was supposed to be.  Her words still boggled my mind and I again replayed the night that I saved Robyn’s life.  Only a couple drops of my blood had dripped into his wound but it had miraculously healed him.  What would happen if he drank straight from the source?  

A loud moan made my head snap up.  It came from the bushes off to the side.  Slowly rising, I tiptoed over and parted the foliage to find Robyn… and one of the maids.  His sharp canines pierced her skin and he drank from her, greedily gulping down her blood.  

“Yes, oh, god!  Don’t stop, Robyn!  Please, don’t stop!”

Her moans became louder and louder until it was clear she was on the verge of climaxing.  I gasped as tears welled up in my eyes, my heart feeling as though it were being torn from my chest.  I knew that vampires had to feed on blood to survive but seeing Robyn drink from another woman devastated me.  He must have heard me because he froze, his eyes locking onto mine.  

His intense silver gaze bored into mine, tinged with obvious regret.  I choked on a sob and turned from the sight before me.  

And ran.

Slamming my door shut, I threw myself on my bed, cursing myself for setting myself up for failure. I was such a damned fool for falling for a vampire, of all creatures.  Of course they had to feed.  And on beautiful women, too.   

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew I was being startled awake by a knock on my door.  

Shuffling to the door, I opened it a crack to see Robyn.  “Bree�"“

I tried to slam the door in his face but he was faster than me, catching it with his hand.  Forcing it open, Robyn barged in as I stumbled back.  “Go away, Robyn!”  

He prowled towards me until my back was against the wall.  He brought his face inches from my and caught my chin in his large hand.  “Look at me, Bree.”  

Clenching my teeth I forced my eyes to his, my breath catching despite myself.  I had never been kissed and with Robyn’s full lips so close to mine, I couldn’t help but imagine what they would taste like. 

“You know what I am, Bree,” Robyn rumbled.  “I have to feed.  I can eat food and water but without fresh blood, I am weakened.  And with my father always on my back, I have to be the strongest I can be�"”

“Then drink from me,” I blurted out.  I trembled before him, potent fear and excitement rushing through my veins.  I wanted him to feed from me.  I think I always had.  

“What?”  He breathed.  His face was a mixture of shock and arousal.  “You can’t be serious.  We both know your blood is too powerful.  Hell, it was only a few drops that cured me of the shadow glass.”  

“I know,” I whispered. “But I want this.  I…” I swallowed hard.  I want you, I almost said.  

Despite the words not leaving my mouth, he seemed to understand what I meant.

“I’m yours, remember?”  Bravely, I brushed my lips against his feeling an electric charge as I did so.  “Take what’s yours, Robyn.  I belong to you.”  I couldn’t believe the words tumbling from my mouth, but as I said them, they felt so right.  Before I could overthink them, Robyn threaded his fingers through my hair and slammed his lips down onto mine.  

When I was growing up I sometimes imagined what my first kiss would be like.  Perhaps it would be with a cute boy, a little peck on the lips or a brush of his tongue.  

Whatever it was, it was nothing like this.

This, this kiss, was fiery and intense and I felt it all the way to my bones. I was about to be consumed by Robyn.  God, I wanted to be consumed.  

Our lips smashed together and Robyn thrust his tongue into my mouth stroking my own with his.  I had no idea what I was doing, so I happily let him take the lead.  He picked me up with ease and I wrapped my legs around him feeling his arousal flush with my own.  I tangled my fingers in his snow-white hair and ground my body against his.  I felt wanton.  I felt more alive than I’d ever felt in my life.  And I never wanted it to end.

Robyn tore his lips from my own, breathing heavily and I watched as his eyes zeroed in on my neck.  I tilted my head, offering myself to him, feeling the heat between my legs flare to life.  He groaned as his broad tongue swiped along my skin and I dug my nails into his skin in anticipation.

His fangs slid into my neck like a warm knife into melted butter.  I moaned as he drank my life-force and I was happy to give it.  He partook of my blood, licking, suckling, making love to my neck.  It was the most erotic experience of my life.  

As he pulled away, I noticed that the light in his eyes was brighter.  His muscles seemed larger somehow, harder.  Was it from drinking my blood?  

“Bree,” he breathed, pulling me into his arms. We held each other for a long time.  His intoxicating scent surrounded me and somehow I knew that this was the beginning of something great.

“I want you to drink from me from now on,” I mumbled against his chest.  “Only me.”  I knew what I was proposing was dangerous and that Grandmother Fay would have my head when she found out, but I couldn’t stand the thought of Robyn feeding from anyone else.  

“It would be my pleasure, sweet one."     

Author's Note

This is a work in progress.