by Edith Warner
“Hello.”
“I’ve found her,” a deep voice said, as if fate had heard his heart’s plea. Warren knew exactly what that meant. There was something he could do to express his love, and he would do it fervently until he became nothing but a shell to himself.
~
The smell of fresh flowers and blood gently woke Selene from her slumber. There was a small bouquet of roses, along with a crystal glass full of breakfast next to her bed. The kind gesture reminded her of her mother. She began wondering how she was doing without her. The thought started to make her sick, and she willed it away as she’d done so many times before.
This time, however, the feeling remained, and tears began streaming down her cheeks. Like the woman at the bank had said, her old life was over now. It was something she just had to accept. Christina had told her the dangers of having a public identity. It would be impossible while she had family members still living, as they might identify her.
The worst part was knowing that she would never see them again. They may notice she was different, and their suspicion would put the entire coven at risk.
And so they have to believe I’m dead. She’d never let herself fully accept that. Even now, her mind spun for a remedy. Maybe she could send them an anonymous letter? But either way, they’d have to grieve her absence.
It was excruciating to be hit with the loss of her loved ones all at once. Not to mention, all of the work she’d put in at school was a complete waste. Her mother would never be able to see her graduate with a degree in nursing like she’d always dreamed. The life she’d always known she would have was over.
Selene laid back in bed and let the tears flow until a different type of thought surfaced. But when I was with Warren, things were so much better.
She wasn’t sure what to make of that at first. It was true that she hadn’t felt anything so intense in all of her life, but was it just a product of her new senses?
Something deep inside told her it wasn’t. With each passing second, the feeling that she’d made a horrible mistake by leaving him grew.
My mom was an abusive drug addict. She remembered feeling so relieved when she turned 18, because it meant she could get out of her mother’s house. Of course she loved her, but did her mother even deserve the forgiveness she’d received for the years of anguish? Did she even really care about anyone but herself? It seemed that Selene was her crutch for so many years. She’d practically raised herself, along with trying to keep her mother from overdosing. She remembered being at her bedside at the hospital once, wondering if things would be better if she just went ahead and passed on.
This doesn’t erase any of that. Moving to Lexington for school was the best thing Selene had ever done. She deserved happiness, and she deserved to be able to live her own life. That’s what she was trying to do before Warren. She just didn’t have a choice about it now.
Thinking about it that way made things a little more bearable, but it didn’t erase the bond she shared with her mother. Nothing ever would. And she would always miss her best friend, but her old roommate was a tough girl with a full life ahead of her. With time, she would heal and move forward.
Just when Selene began to feel some closure, Christina knocked on the bedroom door.
“Are you alright?” Her voice was soft.
“Yeah I’m fine,” Selene said, trying to cover the weakness in her voice. It was a wasted effort since she was sure Christina had already heard her crying, but it made her feel less embarrassed.
“Okay. Well, when you’re ready, I could use your help with something.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Turns out, Christina was quite a successful businesswoman. She ran a large online store, which she had Selene ordering inventory for. It made Selene feel better about staying with her. She didn’t want to be a Charity case for anyone.
After getting dressed, Selene met Christina in the dining room. She was sitting at the head of a mahogany table, wearing a worried expression.
“What’s wrong,” Selene asked.
“It’s Warren.” Christina’s answer made Selene’s blood run cold.
“What do you mean?”
Christina let out a sigh. “I don’t know how much you know about Warren, but he used to be in love with a woman named Annabelle.”
“Yeah? He told me a little bit about her.” Selene sat down on the chair, feeling even more anxious.
“Well, she was killed by a coven of females with Colburn as their surname. Their leader’s name is Trisha. He’s been looking for them ever since her death, and he finally found one of the coven’s members. He’s been holding her captive for days now, torturing her for information.” Christina’s voice was hoarse with raw emotion.
Selene stared blankly at the table, not sure how she should feel.
A tear dripped down Christina’s cheek, making a small puddle on the wood. “His sire Clyde just called me with the news. He said Warren had mentioned you.”
A spark of hope flared inside of Selene, but she needed answers. The woman sitting in front of her knew more about Warren than she did. Christina had lived with him for several years, and he’d taught her how to be successful. It just didn’t make sense.
“Why did you leave?” Selene spoke her thoughts.
Christina glanced up at her, eyes full of tears. “Because I couldn’t stand to watch him kill people.” It was the worst answer she could’ve given. Selene’s stomach twisted into a knot.
“The truth is, I was quite a bitch to Warren. I regret that, but there’s not much I can do about it. The damage has already been done. At the time, I couldn’t stand the sire bond. Having to follow his orders was the worst kind of hell, so I tried to make his life miserable. Becoming a vampire showed me how wicked I was, and I hated having to face that. At one time, I thought it was his fault, and it made me lash out. Even after I left, I did things to hurt him. Now it’s my biggest regret. He showed me so many things that I’m grateful for now. I wouldn’t be everything that I value in myself if it weren’t for him.” Christina’s face lifted into a smile.
“So you felt dark when you became a vampire, too?” Selene asked.
“Oh, yes! Everyone does. For me, the answer was drinking bank blood. For others, it might be different, but you’ll find yourself again with time.”
A weight lifted from Selene’s shoulders. The very air seemed easier to breathe as she had the biggest realization of her life. “I need to go to him.”
~
Blood and sweat feel the same when they trickle down your skin, as long as the blood isn’t your own.
Warren stood above Mila Colburn, who cowered on the floor. Her hair was caked in so much blood, it didn’t look blonde anymore. Even after enduring days of beatings, no food, and blood draining, she remained silent.
But silence wouldn’t do. Not until he killed Trisha and every other fucker in her coven. Then he would force them all into perpetual silence.
A grin spread across Warren’s face as the naked woman trembled before him. He gripped her hair so tight, he could feel strands ripping from her scalp. Then he slapped her, right on her bruised little cheek.
“Where is Trisha, bitch?”
Her lips trembled. She choked back a sob, but no tears came this time.
“Since beatings aren’t seeming to do much for you, maybe we should add a knife in on our fun.”
A piercing cry erupted from Mila’s throat as he sliced her arm open.
“I can cut you in all sorts of places.”
Just as Warren was getting ready to slice her nipple clean off, he heard a familiar voice cry out, “Stop!”
Was he having delusions? Or did he just hear Selene? He turned to see her standing directly behind him. Her whole face turned pale as she took in the sight of him.
For the first time in several days, he felt the effects of the bloodlust. He took note of his rapid breath; it sounded ragged in his chest. She didn’t need to see him like this, and he was i
n no state of mind to talk.
“You don’t need to be here.”
The way she flinched back made him realize how harsh his voice had sounded. He could see that her senses were overloaded, and she began to cry.
“Maybe you’re right. But please listen to me, for her sake.” Selene pointed toward Mila, who was halfway passed out on the floor.
A roar erupted from Wren’s chest, “For her sake?” This is how much I gave a damn about her sake.” His boot landed square on Mila’s ribcage, and she whimpered like a dog.
“Stop it! If you care about me at all, you will stop!” Selene was down on her knees now.
“Of course I care, but why would I stop? The bitch won’t talk, and Trisha needs to pay. Annabelle was my everything, and she is DEAD!”
“I wouldn’t talk if I was being asked about you.” Selene looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “My sire.”
Her words struck something deep and vulnerable in Warren’s heart. He stepped toward her, trying to will his anger away. “Then why did you leave?”
“Because of this…” Selene turned her gaze to Mila before giving him a look of disgust. “I don’t want to hurt people.”
Warren positioned himself over her, feeling that she wasn’t telling the whole truth. She shot him a confused look, before he explained, “You’re a vampire. Of course you want to hurt people. It’s a part of your nature.”
“Yes. But that doesn’t mean I like it.”
“And that’s okay, but something tells me that’s not why you left.” He watched as she searched for an answer and seemed to draw a blank.
“But it is. I was afraid that you were a bad influence. I didn’t want to be made to do bad things.”
“I would never force you to kill against your will.” Wren brushed his hand across her cheek, and she recoiled.
“But you put me in a trunk, and you murder people without remorse. You’re torturing this poor woman…”
“I did that to you before you became a vampire, because I don’t have the same respect for human life. But now that you’re a member of my coven, I would die before I caused you harm. That’s what I’m doing now, protecting you. You may not realize it, but sometimes you have to be cruel to others. It’s just a part of life. If I don’t avenge Annabelle’s murder, others will see me as weak, and it’ll put all of us in jeopardy. I have worked hard to uphold the Montgomery name so that my girls can be safe.”
Selene’s face melted into a confused expression. “See, this is what you to do me. You make me logic all of this. Before long, I’m afraid it’ll make too much sense, and I’ll lose myself completely.”
“So what if it does? That doesn’t mean you lose yourself. You’re not a human anymore. You shouldn’t be expected to uphold human morals.”
“See, you’re doing it again. Damn it, Warren! Do you want me to say that I like it? Because I do, okay? I like every damn bit of it. Hell, I can even appreciate suffering. And when I killed that man, it was the best feeling I’d ever had in my life, aside from the fucked up erotic things you did to me. And you know what? That only opened up my view to how enticing pain can be. I love it, and I hate it all at the same time. It’s confusing, but it’s the greatest fucking thing that ever happened to me.”
Wren crouched down and held her face in his hands. He needed to see her eyes. “I was afraid you left, because you didn’t really have feelings for me.”
“But I do. I do so much it’s hard for me to separate you from myself. That’s the only reason why I left…but I made a terrible mistake, Warren.” Her words were Wren’s undoing. He tugged her up onto her feet and pulled her mouth toward his. Her body melted in his arms as his lips pressed against hers. It was a sweet kiss of surrender, not just for her but for him, too. It meant she was his again, and he wanted nothing more. He’d do anything for her, even if it meant changing his ways.
“Would you feel better if I let her go?” Warren asked as a blazing new sensation replaced the heat of revenge in his heart.
“So much.” Selene pressed herself against his chest.
He gathered her into his arms and held her close. “Then that’s what I’ll do.”
CHAPTER 7
~
SELENE AND WARREN SPENT THE next six months in a haze of rough sex, drinking, and bonding over day-to-day tasks. Selene had finally learned the balance between obeying Warren’s commands and having her independence. Accepting that she needed both was the first obstacle. The sire bond caused her to crave his dominance, but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t have control. Giving into him became a testament of her strength that gave both of them immense pleasure.
A crescent moon loomed overhead as she and Warren walked through a sea of yellow and white daffodils. They’d climbed over the gate into Gibbs Garden after closing hours. It was now their private oasis with acres of flowers, bridges, and waterfalls nestled in the North Georgia mountains.
“Have I ever told you that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me?” Warren grinned, causing tiny lines to form around his eyes.
“Only a thousand times.” Selene smirked, expecting him to come off with something playful. But his blue eyes blazed down at her, making her heart drum faster. The feeling that he was planning something out of the ordinary began to grow.
“You know I feel the same about you.” She turned and wrapped both arms around his waist.
“I do and guess what.” He bowed his head so he could maintain eye contact. There was an intense hunger in his eyes that caused Selene’s skin to heat.
“What?”
“I’ve been living on bank blood alone for the past six months.”
“You have?” Selene couldn’t help but smile. “But I thought you were hunting when you went out on your own.”
“I was hunting…for this.” Warren began reaching into his pocket, and Selene’s breath hitched. He opened a small black box, revealing a stunning princess-cut halo diamond ring. It sparkled even in the dim moonlight.
“Oh my God!” She squealed when he got down on one knee.
“After six months of drinking bank blood, my love for you has kept the numbness warded away. You’ve made me realize that my grief caused it before, and you’ve fully mended the hole in my heart. You’re all that I want and all that I need. You’ve already accepted my coven name, but will you do me the honor of being my mate for life, Selene?”
“Yes!”
If he hadn’t caught her up in his kiss, she might’ve floated away. Even with his mouth on hers, she needed him closer. He must’ve felt the same, because he lifted her up by her hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and the hardness of his body bulged against her chest. His tongue was demanding, yet gentle, as it circled hers in a motion that left her head spinning.
Before long, she realized he was taking her back toward the car. Suddenly his arms were holding her tighter, and his blue eyes emanated a force that penetrated right through her.
“I hope you’re ready for what I’m about to do to you.” His voice was low and tantalizing. That sound alone was enough to make her wet.
Oh, God. Yes.
~
The car stopped in front of a fancy hotel, right off the highway. Selene watched as Warren grabbed a bag out of the trunk, threw the keys to the valet parking attendant, and opened the door for her. Without hesitation, his hands were on her, unbuckling her seatbelt and picking her up effortlessly.
He gazed down at her with a look that was full of admiration, but a trace of ferocity danced behind his eyes, forecasting things that were to come. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. She knew he was about to cause her pain, but more than that, he was about to tear down all of her walls. She was vulnerable, but that only made her want to be closer to him. Those same arms that offered protection would most likely bring her to tears. But by tearing her down, he would build her back up again, and she loved everything about it.
Golden elevator doors slid open, and
Warren stepped inside with her. She could hear the sound of his breath accelerating as they ascended to the very top floor. When the doors opened, they were directly in front of a light in the hallway. Both of them let out a hiss as their senses were assaulted. Warren shielded Selene’s eyes with his hand and quickened his pace.
She could hear a beeping sound as he entered a door code. He threw the door open as quickly as possible and sat her down in a dark room. It reminded her of the first night when he’d kidnapped her. Many things had changed since then. However, one thing remained the same—she was afraid.
But fear had become a welcome emotion that fueled her desire.
“Stay right here,” Warren said.
Selene took note of her surroundings as he disappeared into the back room. They were in a luxury suite with grandiose furniture. She could see a fireplace with a marble carved mantle on the far wall. To the left, she saw a full-size dining room with a crystal chandelier, and to the right, she heard footsteps. Warren swept her off her feet and carried her to the bedroom where a large canopy bed greeted them. He’d scattering rose petals across the bedding.
“Kneel,” he said, stepping behind her and removing her pearl necklace. He replaced it with the black leather collar as had become custom. The feel of the soft leather tight against her neck reminded Selene of their past sexual experiences. She lowered her head, feeling bound to him.
Warren towered over her; she could hear the sound of his belt pulling through the loops on his dress pants. He doubled the belt over and pulled it tight, causing it to snap and make her stomach jump.
“These are just because I want to,” he said, almost breathless, before pulling her up and pushing her across the bed. His hands swept her panties down in one quick movement that left her exposed. She cried out as he lashed her with the belt until her ass was warm and her pussy throbbed.
She lay across the bed as he pulled a long nylon rope from his bag. Then he quickly stripped her down and began wrapping it around her outstretched wrists. In seconds, she was tightly bound. He tied the free end around an opening in the middle of the headboard. She lay there completely naked and outstretched as he took off his clothes.