“Thank you,” she whispered, pulling back from my neck. I captured her lips again and when our tongues collided, I tasted my blood on her lips.
Tires on her driveway caused me to growl in warning, protectively. Whoever was coming would face a wrath if they were here to do her harm.
“It’s okay,” she assured me, by placing her tiny hand on my cheek. “It’s just Raul and Harper, my Nacthmann.”
“I’ll be here as soon as the sun sets,” I promised. She didn’t argue and I took that as a good sign.
After a quick talk with her protectors, I hurried home, arriving only minutes before sunrise. The pull of death took me under and right before I died, I felt her. It was a strange feeling.
Like we were one.
Chapter 7
Lydia
As I opened my eyes, I laid in bed thinking about the events of the night before. Ashby knew Leo, and he’d spoken of me. How we’d come to actually meeting a hundred years later was either crazy coincidence or pure fate. The memories were hard to relive, but I wanted Ashby to know me…all of me. For some reason, I felt that I needed to show him everything.
I rubbed at the tightness in my chest and frowned. It just didn’t feel right. If I thought of Ashby, the pressure lifted and replaced with it was a sense of calm. I pictured myself caressing his hair and holding his hand. The feeling I conjured inside felt so real, as if I was really touching him. I could’ve sworn I felt him purr in response. The rumble was soft, but I felt it all the way to my core.
Laughing at myself and my stupid girly imagination, I climbed out of bed and decided to shower. I needed to get moving, because he’d be here soon. I secretly hoped that I wouldn’t be going to the Red Cross tonight for my feeding. After having his blood touch my tongue, anything else would taste like dirt.
As I undressed, my fangs ached with the need for his blood the more I remembered the flavor. When I turned the corner, I looked up toward the mirror and frowned at my reflection. My mind’s observation did a quick assessment as to why I looked different. My body was the same, but something was off. As I walked closer to the mirror, I checked my reflection and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It wasn’t until I raised my gaze did I realize what was different.
My eyes are no longer the beautiful shade of emeralds that I was born with. They were now golden. Staring back at me, out of the mirror, was the yellow eyes of a mated female!
“What the hell?” I gasped, talking to myself. My hands automatically shot to my face. I leaned closer to the mirror and opened my eyes wider as if it would make a difference in the color.
My phone rang somewhere behind me, shrill and demanding, but I was too stunned to move. The sound cut off, only to begin again a few seconds later. My mind finally snapped out of its haze, and I snatched up the phone.
“A…Ashby,” I answered.
“Did…Are...Did your eyes change?” he asked, awe in his voice. His normally deep baritone voice was now nothing more than a whisper.
“Are yours?” I replied, returning to the mirror to look at myself.
“Yes, doll,” he sighed. “I’m on my way to you. Unlock your door, I’ll be there in less than five minutes.”
“Okay,” I swallowed hard, then hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. I used my superhuman speed to shower and dress in a pair of jeans and a yellow, long-sleeved cotton shirt.
It was too soon. I shouldn’t have just woken up, out of the blue, and been mated to a man I hardly knew. What sick joke was this that was happening to me? How was Ashby going to handle this? Would he even want me? Did I even want him? Yes…yes I did. My body craved his touch and wanted him here with me at all times. Or was that just the newness of whatever we had going on?
Being a mate to a Krieger was a huge deal. I’m talking, like royalty! Major…freaking…shit! How the hell would I run the club? Charity had cut back at the club when she mated Dragus. She promised that when they returned from their honeymoon, she’d be working at least part time. We’d talked about giving Meadow a promotion to manager, so that she could help me out. Maybe we’d needed to have more than one manager now?
The weight on my chest lifted only seconds before I sensed Ashby was nearby. He was coming in fast, and I braced myself for an impact that never came. Instead, I looked up and there he was, standing in my doorway, looking sexy as hell in jeans that hugged his thick thighs and a blue t-shirt that rested tight across his muscular chest and arms.
He dropped to one knee, placed his fist over his heart and smiled. We were stunned in silence for a moment, just taking in that we were now mated, that our eyes matched in color.
“Come here,” he commanded with a sultry voice. My body floated toward him. The moment we touched, a thousand bolts of electricity seared my veins, and I melted into his arms. The weight I’d been feeling on my chest was completely gone, not even a hint of discomfort.
His mouth closed in on mine and as if on autopilot, I gave myself over to him. Ashby was my mate, and I wanted to please him…take care of him. My hands fisted in his shirt, and I pulled it over his head, my lips seeking out his muscular chest. His skin felt like velvet under my tongue. When I used the flat of my tongue to slowly taste his nipple, a purr rose out of his chest. When I looked up at him, his fangs had already descended, the points super-sharp and dripping with need for my blood. When I pulled my hair over to one side, in offering, Ashby shook his head and reached for me.
“Ladies of the Krieger always take first, we, as mates, take second. Always,” he purred, picking me up in his arms. Ashby’s yellow eyes took in every inch of my face, the softness in his gaze tonight was nothing compared to his usual harshness.
My legs wrapped around his waist, and I felt his erection pressing hot and hard into my sex. He smelled amazing and I just wanted to crawl under his skin and never look back. Ashby rubbed his face along my cheek, kissing my jaw as he marked me with his scent.
“Feed, baby,” he demanded. My fangs ached, as I spotted the vein in his throat. The need for his blood was just too strong, too insistent. My body molded around his, burrowing deeper into his embrace.
My mouth opened as I lined up with the vein in his neck. I heard the blood flowing through his veins, a steady hum that called to me. Ashby pressed his hand to my back and pulled me closer to his body, as if I wasn’t molded to him enough already.
As my fangs scratched against his skin, I felt him sit on the bed, but I didn’t acknowledge anything that he was doing. I trusted him to protect me when I fed.
When a vampire fed, it’s one of the most vulnerable times for us. The animalistic side to our kind made feeding a necessary evil that we had no control over.
When thirst strikes, it had been said that the need was worse than a drug craving any human has ever been through. Our only thoughts are on the act of feeding, to drink as much blood as we need to survive. It was a survival instinct that we protect what we eat. Only if I was pulled away from Ashby, at this moment, would I fight for my prey. Interrupting a feeding vampire would be like pulling two rabid dogs apart during a fight to the death.
He moaned as my fangs broke through his skin, the vein opened and blood flooded across my tongue. The warm, rich taste coated the back of my throat as I swallowed my first taste. More blood entered my mouth, and I felt Ashby shift on the bed, his erection pressed into my sex. I growled in warning, telling him to sit still. I felt his body shake with a soft laugh.
Once I was full, I released my hold on his vein, using my tongue to wipe away the mess I had made there. When our newly changed eyes met, his were full of hunger. Not only for my blood, but for my body, and I couldn’t deny him either.
Chapter 8
Ashby
With Dragus gone, I was technically in charge, but all I wanted to do was to stay here with Lydia. Her tiny tongue stroked across the two tiny puncture wounds on my neck, sealing the spot where I gave her nutrients for the night. The idea that I was providing for her caused my ancient heart to s
well with pride. I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy having a tiny woman to call my own, until I woke up that morning already mated to the fiery redhead.
“Ashby,” she whispered and pulled her auburn hair over her shoulder. I kissed her, tasting my blood on her tongue. “You need to feed, my mate.”
The vein in her neck pulsed in time with her heart. Our hearts beat slower than a humans, but the sound of a vampire heart was like a lullaby to our senses, like one was to a babe. The gentle hum as it beat slowly soothed me, just as her unique scent enticed me. In fact, now that we were mates, I would be able to find her just from her scent alone. Her natural smell was like a winter’s night, cool and crisp. Her blood inside me was a natural tracking device. My mouth watered as I inhaled her uniqueness. My fangs had already started to ache from the feel of her finding nourishment at my vein, but now, they demanded I take my meal at her throat.
I struck her pale, slender neck with that of a beast. I couldn’t help my desire for Lydia. As true mates, my body and soul connected to her on a level different than I’d ever known. It was almost like we were one.
Her phone rang, and I released her vein to hiss at the intrusion. My mate pulled me back to her neck as I felt her fumble for the sound. The room quieted, and I purred my approval. My protective instincts flared as I pushed out with my ability to sense the things around me, thankful that I found nothing.
“Thank you,” I said, as I released her vein, closing it with a quick swipe of my tongue.
“Have you told anyone?” she asked softly, pulling her auburn hair back over her delicate shoulder. I pushed it away again, causing a soft smile to light up her face.
“I find that I quite enjoy looking upon your throat,” I admitted, stroking the silky flesh where I’d just taken my meal. Lydia was still in my lap, and I refused to let her go.
“You didn’t answer me,” she laughed.
“I’d rather not do that until I must,” I sighed. “Can we just have tonight?”
“Sure,” she whispered.
I captured her lips again, sipping and drinking her tiny mouth. When I pushed my tongue against her bottom lip, she opened for me willingly.
“Tell me about yourself?” she asked after I eventually released her lips. Her beautiful mated eyes were glossed over from our few moments of tender kissing.
“I was born in Umea, Sweden. My mother said that I was born on the hottest day in 1689. My father was a fisherman and barely made it home in time for my birth.” It was hard to remember my family. It’d been so long since I thought of them that my memories took me back for a moment. Lydia waited patiently for me to resume my story with her head resting on my chest. Her ear was against my heart.
“I was twenty-seven and had lost my wife to the plague,” I admitted. If she wanted to know about me, then she was going to know everything.
“I’m so sorry, Ashby,” she gasped and sat up so that we were looking eye to eye. “Did you have children?”
“No,” I shook my head. “I spent most of my time on a boat. We had been married for a few years, but she never became pregnant. Our marriage was arranged and thankfully we were close friends.”
“How did you become a Krieger?” she asked, placing her cheek against my chest again, finding a comfortable spot to listen to my story. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her tight against my body so that we are almost molded together. Lydia fit me perfectly.
“I was always large for my age, even as a boy. It seemed like I was needing new clothes or shoes every few months. My strength was ten times that of men my age. Most people gave me a wide berth when I walked through the streets. I always felt like I didn’t belong in my own skin.
“One night, while I sat in the pub with some friends, a stranger entered the place. He had this air of authority about him that made everyone sit up and take notice. Whispers floated through the room that he was a vagabond and some assumed a killer. Something about the man made me want to go to him, to find out what his true nature was. It was the strangest feeling, like he was…family. I guess that’s the best way to describe it.”
“What happened next?” she asked in awe, like she was truly interested in my story. From our connection, I could tell that she was in total suspense. I laughed and kissed the top of her head, silently telling her that I was going to get to that part soon.
“I stayed at the pub until everyone cleared out for the night,” I continued. “The man also stayed, drinking his ale slowly and acting like he couldn’t hear what the humans were saying. It wasn’t until closing time that the man approached me. He introduced himself and asked if he could have a moment of my time. We talked for a while, but it wasn’t until we left the pub that he told me why he was there. He said that he was a protector, and he was in search of others like himself.”
“Who was the man?” she asked.
“Dragus,” I admitted. “He told me about the Krieger. He told me everything about what he did, except the fact that he was a vampire and then he left.”
“He left?” she gasped.
“Yes,” I nodded. “He left. I went home and crawled into my empty bed, wondering about this strange man and what he could offer me. He said that I could make a difference in the lives of others, but I didn’t know until the next night that I’d be protecting vampires.”
“What happened the next night?” she asked. I nuzzled her palm when she placed it on my cheek. The action was automatic…like it was something we’d done for years, instead of days.
“I don’t think Dragus intended it to happen the way it did,” I laughed, remembering how frustrated Dragus was that it didn’t go as planned.
“We were walking out of the pub just as they were closing down and heard a woman’s muffled scream. Dragus growled and ran toward the sound. I followed. We found a male vampire feeding off of a human female. He’d ripped her throat out, and she died before we even found them. Her cry was probably her last attempt to get someone to help her, but we were too late. Dragus dispatched the vampire right in front of me. I was in such a state of shock that it took me a few minutes to put together what I’d seen.”
I’d been frozen with fear when Dragus pulled a wooden stake from under his coat and stabbed the vampire in the chest. The vampire hissed loudly, his skin turning pale. The skin shriveled quickly. Eventually, the corpse sizzled and turned to ash before my eyes. Seeing that, when I didn’t know what was really going on, scared the hell out of me.
“When I started to back away, Dragus turned, and I saw his fangs. In his anger, he’d revealed himself to me. At that time, I would’ve been outcast by the townsfolk if I’d gone running around screaming ‘vampire’. Dragus’ only words to me were, “I could really use the help.” Something about what he was doing called to me, and somehow I knew that was what I should be doing.”
“How long before you were changed?” Lydia was sitting up again, watching me with interested eyes. Her tiny head was cocked to the side, her hair hung free. I ran my hands through the auburn strands, smiling at its silky feel.
“It was only a few nights,” I admitted. “I had nothing left in Umea. Dragus gave me a day to say goodbye to my family. I told them that I’d found a job elsewhere and would send them letters if I could.”
“What happened to them?” she asked, her hand still on my cheek. I found comfort in the gesture. It felt like home when she touched me.
“They lived for another ten years. Mother passed away first, and my father followed a few months after.”
“I’m sorry,” Lydia sighed and sat up where we could look at each other again. “It must’ve been hard on you.”
“Thank you,” I replied, pulling her back to my chest, where I desired her to be. “I like you here.”
“I like being here,” she smiled against my shirt.
Chapter 9
Lydia
My whole life, I’d always been small, but when I was in Ashby’s arms, I felt even smaller. Ashby was just huge. We talked most of the night, an
d the entire time I remained on his lap. We were on my couch, just like two teenagers finding love for the first time.
Love? Where the hell did that word come from? We’d mated, yes, but love? There was a connection there that I’d never had before. This was different from the connection I had with Charity. Well, obviously, you dumbass, I thought to myself. You’re mated!
“Where’s your safe room?” Ashby suddenly growled, his body stiffened with whatever he was sensing. He turned so that he was over me protectively, shielding my body from whatever danger was lurking outside. I was slumped down in my couch cushions, while he had both hands on either side of my hips. I was looking straight into his massive chest, as he closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses.
“What are you doing?” I gasped, as he continued to shield me, his head pivoted in the direction of every window.
“Where is your damn room, Alydian?” he demanded, using my given name.
“Back of the house, in the basement,” I blurted, quickly. He used my real name and his fangs elongated. Blood seeped into his eyes as he scented the air. Something was wrong…very wrong.
“They’re coming,” he said, as he scooped me up into his arms.
“Who’s coming?” I demanded. My body started to shake from the fear of what was about to happen.
“The humans who shot you,” he swallowed hard, his body vibrated as he carried me toward my safe room. I had a room that was different from my bedroom. This safe room was in the basement and had all of the things I would need to live on, like blood…and television. The room was set up like a bank vault and had its own air supply piped in from a secure location. If these humans wanted to flush me out by putting something into the air ducts of my house, this room would not be affected. Leo had taught me to be safe, to be one step ahead of my enemies.
Blood at Stake (Warriors of the Krieger Book 2) Page 5