Blood at Dusk: A Dark Vampire Paranormal Romance Novel (The SoulBlood Series Book 1)

by Brenna Harlow

  Moments later, Aldeon returns, closing the door behind him.

  "Here." He holds out a metal revolver, offering it to me in the palm of his hand.

  "A gun?" I grab it, release the lock, and flip open the cylinder. Five bullets, one missing. "Is this how he did it?"

  Aldeon scratches his head, a gesture so human that it's easy to forget he's more than that. "Yes, he was a very lost soul."

  Hm, I wonder why. But I keep my mouth closed.

  "Welp, we've come and we've conquered. Should we return to the cave?" Already, the light that filters in from the windows is hued with bright orange colors. The sun is setting, and I don't know how far away we are from home.

  "Yes, we should. Shall I carry you again?" Aldeon's eyes glint, dark and mischievous.

  "Yeah, hard no. I'll walk, thank you very much." I stand and dust off the back of my bottom.

  Aldeon crosses the room, and I tense. But instead of tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, he just grabs my hand. "Come, let us go before darkness sets in."

  We leave the broken down cabin, hand in hand. Crickets chirp in the far off distance, and if we were in another time, this would feel like a leisure evening stroll. Instead, as soon as the trees close around me, my palms begin to sweat. The trees whistle in the wind as our feet crunch over twigs.

  "Are you sure this is the right way?" I pull a leaf out of my hair as we dunk under a low hanging branch. Aldeon pulls me along, making sharp turns. My knuckles turn white as I grip his hand. If I were to get separated from him out here...

  "Yes. We are close."

  Just ahead, I see a break in the trees. The sun is still low hanging, just about to dip behind the far distant mountains. Aldeon swipes a branch out of the way, and then we are exiting the forest beside my cave.

  "Okay, so the cabin isn't all that far away." I smile up at Aldeon, but his face is strained. "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing. Let us get you inside." He tugs on my arm. My cave door was left open, and Aldeon gestures with his arm. "Females first."

  I snort. "It's actually ‘ladies first’, but thanks." I step inside the tunnel, and behind me, the door scrapes closed.

  "Aldeon?"

  "Go and unpack. I'll gather more wood for the fire."

  "Oh, okay." His footsteps recede, and I'm left alone in the dark.

  "Shit." I throw my bag to the ground and reach inside for my flashlight. I switch it on and gather my things.

  I inhale the cool air, exhale the tension, and collapse onto my makeshift bed. It feels so good to be home.

  Aldeon

  I turn away from the cavern door, shutting Kora inside.

  I told you to leave me alone.

  Brone does not listen. He is a foul male with a dull brain, no doubt. I stomp into the forest in search of wood for the fire.

  I am only trying to help you. Do you wish to suffer? Brone's tone is poison to my mind.

  No. I am trying to be rid of you. I have a mate now. I do not need your company. I send Brone's spirit spiraling away as I grip sticks in my hand and lug them under my arm.

  A critter scurries underfoot. It’s fluffy white tail wiggles in my peripheral, and I twist and seize it into my hands. It's beady black eyes search for mercy as it trembles in my grasp.

  My fangs ache, desperate for a taste. Am I hungry? No. But I thirst for the crimson liquid anyway. Brone has enraged me, and this beast has a pumping heart filled with blood.

  I bite down on its neck, suckling deeply. As warmth siphons down my throat, the coils that have been bound within my body begin to loosen. Vivid colors bloom behind my closed eyelids.

  And then I drop the creature to the ground and cover it with a few loose leaves. Shame tugs at my heart, but I cannot feel bad about feeding. Not when doing so keeps my strength up so I can better protect my mate.

  I think killing is wrong. Kora's words echo around me as I continue to gather the sticks. She may feel like these creatures deserve life, but I can't change my nature.

  Brother, you must heed my warning. I grow low and deep, baring my fangs to the woodland around me.

  I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE. And then push with all my might. He pushes against my mental shield until finally I succeed, and Brone is gone. I roar into the forest, squeezing the kindling against my chest.

  Another creature moves behind me, its footsteps crunching over the dried earth. I turn, only to meet the scarlet eyes of a small brown-headed dhampir. His fangs shine under the moonlight as he snaps his teeth, biting at the air. He stares through me, his eyes glazed as his face contorts into a grimace.

  "Are you well?"

  The dhampir doesn't acknowledge me as he passes, heading deeper into the forest. I watch him as he goes. Only then do I notice the fresh blood that covers the palms of his hands.

  Kora.

  Dread sends goosebumps down my arms, and the blood that rests in my stomach threatens to spill back out. Kora. I must find Kora. I take off in the direction of her cave, stumbling over my feet. The cave is supposed to be safe.

  When I get to her dwelling, I rip the door aside and enter.

  "Kora!" My voice trembles and my hands shake. The cave is basked in the light from a single warm candle. By her bed, Kora sits, propped with her book in her lap.

  "What, Aldeon? What's wrong?" She puts the book down and stands, but I am already by her side, pulling her into my arms. I bury my head in the crook of her neck and breathe in her scent.

  She's safe. Safe. I caress her hair, hugging her tightly to my chest.

  "Aldeon, what happened?"

  I cup her cheeks with both hands. "I thought I lost you."

  "Oh, Aldeon-" Kora's words are cut off as my lips fall to hers. She rests her arms on my shoulders and leans into the kiss.

  I'm done pushing her away. If she claims to be ready for our binding, then I don't want to wait. It's too dangerous. At least once we are bound, we will be able to communicate no matter of distance.

  Her lips part and her tongue snakes, tangling with mine. Already, this kiss is different. Wilder, less contained. I lift Kora, and legs wrap around my waist.

  "Aldeon, I want this," Kora breathes against my lips.

  I kiss down her neck, hearing the soft beat of her heart through the veins that pulse there. "I know." And I do. Her mind is open, broadcasting her thoughts like a loudspeaker.

  "Do you want more, Kora?"

  She nods her head, and I kiss lower, down to the edges of the shirt covering her breasts.

  "I want you to say it. Say that you want me." Kora's eyes open, and my cock throbs.

  "Aldeon, I want you. I want this. Take me."

  And so it is done. I carry her over to the makeshift bed and lie her onto the fabric. Her head hits the pillow, and she bites her lip.

  "Do you need me to take control? You said you've never done this before."

  A grin. She is mistaken. Just because I have never mated does not mean that I haven’t watched others do so. Sex in Azure is a way of life. Soul mates can be found on every corner of every street, too engrossed in the love they're sharing to care about witnesses.

  "I'll let you be the judge." And then I descend on my beautiful beloved as her eyes widen in shock.

  Kora

  Aldeon leans over my body, and his dark hair falls over his shoulders, curtaining my face on both sides. I swallow as he lowers, suddenly nervous. I pale in comparison to his perfection.

  "Shhh, you are beautiful." Aldeon bit es his lower lip as his finger trails over my cheek.

  "I thought I told you not to read my mind." I don't really care. All I can focus on is the thrum of my heart beating between us. I know Aldeon can hear it too.

  "Is that really what you wish? Because knowing exactly how to touch you," Aldeon's hand moves between my legs, rubbing my core through my pants, "is much more enjoyable."

  Aldeon slides his knee in between my thighs, exposing me to him. My anxiety rises. What if I’m not enough?

  "Kora, you are thinki
ng too much. Are you sure you want to do this? We can wait-"

  "No. I want this. It's just... I've never had sex with a vampire before."

  Aldeon dips his head, brushing his lips against mine. "I've never mated with a human either. We're discovering this together." And then his mouth is on mine again, dispelling all of my worries.

  My hands move up Aldeon's chest and over his clothing, and his move back to the warmth between my legs. I moan into his mouth, and he growls. It should frighten me, but instead I can feel myself getting wetter. I want him now.

  Aldeon pulls away from me. His chest rises and falls as he catches his breath. He yanks my leggings down to my ankles, and stares at my pink panties before ripping the fabric. He bundles the scrap of lace in his hand and tosses it across the room.

  "Aldeon!"

  He shakes his head, already lowering himself between my thighs. "I will hunt you more clothing."

  My neck bobs as I swallow. I can't speak, can't move, can't do anything but stare as he lowers his mouth to my cunt. He places a kiss over my clit before rubbing his mouth over my folds, and I bite on my lower lip, whimpering.

  His tongue snakes out, piercing me, and then I can no longer hold his gaze. My head hangs backward as I pant, giving into the overwhelming sensations.

  "You taste even better than I imagined." Aldeon's husky voice drifts to me in a daze, and my nipples harden.

  How the fuck is he a virgin?

  His thumb finds its way to my clit, and I cry out. It moves away, and I whimper. His thumb closes over my clit again and rubs in rhythmic circles, over and over until I'm crying out so loud, my voice echoes through the cavern.

  My legs tighten over his head, but he's unrelenting in his quest to throw me over the edge, kicking and screaming. I knot my hands into his hair as I explode. Bright lights flash behind my eyelids. My toes curl, my back arches, and wetness pools. Aldeon laps up every last drop.

  He raises his head and licks his lips. "Are you well, Kora?"

  I laugh, high on the endorphins that are still coursing through my veins. My hand trembles as I wipe sweat from my brow. "Better than well."

  "Shall we continue our mating?" Aldeon frowns and his brows furrow together. I grab his hand and squeeze.

  "Don't even think about stopping." I lick my dry lips, and his eyes follow my tongue.

  His pants fall to his knees in a blur. Hm, funny. He doesn't rip his own clothing.

  His cock unfurls, and unlike last time I saw it, I allow myself to gawk openly. It's just as pale as the rest of him, and at least twelve inches long. Oh my. He pumps himself once, and a bead of precum dots his head.

  "Shirt. Off."

  He does as I say, pulling and tugging it over his head. I watch in awe as his chest is revealed. How the hell did he manage to hide those glorious abs from me this whole time? His arms flex as he throws the shirt across the room.

  "This doesn't seem fair." Aldeon shifts his head to the side, and then he smiles. Pointed fangs drape over his lower lip, both dangerous and alluring at the same time. I squeeze my legs together.

  Aldeon descends once again, and he rips at my clothing. My shirt is nothing more than scraps by the time he pushes it away from my skin.

  "You owe me a new fucking wardrobe," I grumble.

  I don't even think he hears me. His hands move over my stomach, climbing until they reach the curves beneath my breasts, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Aldeon lowers his head over my chest and takes one nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around my sensitive skin.

  He trails up my chest, plants kisses over my neck, and then finally lands back onto my lips. My hips move to their own accord, rising and rubbing over his hard length. Aldeon moans into my mouth, and then pushes inside of me.

  I gasp as I adjust to his size.

  "Are you okay?" He drops his forehead to mine, panting, and slows his thrust.

  I nod my head and bring his lips back to mine. Aldeon pushes all of the way in, piercing me with his eyes and his cock at the same time. I moan, arching my hips, wanting more. Aldeon parts his lips and rears back, thrusting into me again, this time harder. My eyes close, and I see stars.

  "Oh fuck. Do that again."

  He does. Over and over and over. We kiss as if we're trying to consume every last drop of one another. Is this what it's like? Are we bonding? All of myself is bare to him now, body, mind, and soul. Aldeon pants as he thrusts against me, and I feel like every ounce of my being is on fire.

  His hand moves between us, and he rubs small circles over my clit. I can feel the build of my second climax as Aldeon continues to pump into me. Our chests are pressed together, and I can feel the beat of our hearts sync as one.

  "Aldeon. I'm close." My eyes flutter shut, and then it hits me, like a wave of pleasure slamming into my body. My back arches, and I feel a sting on my neck as Aldeon nuzzles me, but the sensation between my legs is so strong that everything else pales in comparison.

  Aldeon's finger slips in between my parted lips, and I taste something metallic and salty. He moans as he releases inside of me. My whole body trembles. He presses kisses all over my neck and face before rolling to the side, dislodging us. I struggle to catch my breath as he pulls me into his arms.

  Please, let this happen to me every day for the rest of my life. Aldeon kisses my brow before the world goes black, and I fall asleep in the arms of my protector.

  Aldeon

  It is done. I press my lips to the brow of my female as she rests.

  Soon, you will be able to hear me.

  Kora wiggles against my chest, groaning. Her head is uncomfortably warm, hotter than her normal temperature. I wipe moisture from her brow and frown.

  No dhampir has mated with a human before. The blood exchange might affect her differently. The steady beat of my heart picks up, and the sound seems to echo off the walls.

  I lower my head and listen to her breathe. Smooth and even, but her brows furrow and she groans again. I shake her shoulder.

  "Kora, wake up."

  Her eyes flutter open, leaving me speechless. She has... changed. Crimson encircles her sky blue irises. I place my finger into her mouth and feel her teeth. Blunted, no fangs. But her skin has paled, and her hair glistens.

  "Aldeon, what the hell are you doing?"

  "I... I have failed you." I hang my head.

  "What are you talking about?" Kora squints as she sits up, raising her hands high above her head in a stretch.

  Can you hear me yet?

  Kora's eyes widen, and her head snaps to mine. "Aldeon, what was that?"

  I lower my gaze. I should have explained this to her. I should have prepared her for our bond.

  "Explained what to me?" Her eyes bulge as she pulls her blanket to her chest, shielding her body from view.

  We are bound. You can hear me now. But dhampirs never changed the way you have. I do not know what is wrong. I lift my hand to her cheek, wiping away a fresh trail of dirt.

  "Okay. Okay." Kora exhales loudly, blowing air into my face. "So, I can hear minds. That's not so crazy, right?" A manic laugh bubbles from her throat.

  "No. That is normal. It isn't what I'm talking about... Your eyes, they've changed."

  Kora gazes at me dumbstruck before bounding from bed, leaping to her bag. She rips the zipper open wide and pulls a small, flat container from inside. It makes a clicking sound as she opens it, and then she gasps, dropping the tool to the ground.

  "Holy shit. Oh fuck. Oh no, no, no. You did not just turn me into a vampire. A vampire, Aldeon! What the fuck!" Kora stands, and a fierce red color creeps over her cheeks. Well, at least that hasn't changed.

  I shake my head. "No. You are not a dhampir. Your teeth are still blunted." I stroke my chin.

  In Azure, the binding is a sacred melding of two souls. Our minds are fused as one and... her appearance has undergone a slight shift. Nothing serious.

  "Nothing serious? Nothing serious?" Kora paces the room, shooting daggers in my direction. "A
ldeon, you better tell me what's going on before I decide to test my superhuman strength. I swear I’ll rip your head from your body."

  My eyes widen. "You would never."

  Kora’s smile is both dazzling and terrifying. "Try me."

  "I don’t know what to say. We have been bound. Do not forget you agreed to this, Kora. I did not know you would change." Well, I did forget to mention the mind reading expansion.

  "Aha! You lying fuck! You forgot to mention the mind reading! Isn't that something I should have been briefed on before I had sex with you, Aldeon?"

  I lower my gaze to the ground and rake my hand through my hair.

  Kora sighs, and her shoulders sag. She crosses the room and drops down beside me on the bed. I don't mention the face that she is still nude, and her appearance is doing maddening things to my body.

  Kora frowns and crosses her arms over her chest. "Look. I shouldn't have been so naive. You did want me to wait and think things through, and for that I thank you. I don't regret it." Her eyes rise to meet mine. "But, I'm kind of freaking out now. Do I have to drink blood?" I can hear the pound of her heart as it rises, and I grab her sweaty palm.

  "You do not need blood, at least I do not think. Your teeth are blunted, and your belly growls even now." She looks down at her bare midriff, and places one palm over her stomach. "And your eyes aren't like mine. They are just ringed. I think it is only an outward marking of our bond. We do not need to fear just yet."

  Kora swallows. "Right. Okay. No need to panic."

  "No need to panic. We have all the time in the world to figure this out. To figure us out." I pull her hand to my chest, my grip firm. "Maybe this will help. Maybe the dhampirs will not want your blood."

  Kora wrinkles her nose. "Do you really think that?"

  I breathe in deep, inhaling her scent. It is now freshly tainted with my spent seed, but does not smell any different. If anything, it smells even more appealing. But I am her mate, and these other dhampirs may think differently. "I don’t know. Regardless, we shouldn't test the theory. The dhampirs are much too unstable."