Age of Vampyre Series Box Set

by Sophia North

  Dropping two cubes into a glass, he poured her a healthy measure, with a splash more. For courage. "Where were we, my sweet?" he said, deliberately provoking her over the silent fury she'd expressed at being called it. "Ah, yes. We were discussing my vampyric identity."

  Shimmering to her side, he presented her with her drink.

  "I am Praetor, the Ultimate vampyre."

  Chapter Twelve

  HANNAH'S HAND SHOOK slightly as she accepted the glass from him. The amplifying 'chink' of the ice he'd procured in a flash of speed sounded rather loud in the complete silence of the room.

  Disturbed by his close proximity, Hannah raised the glass to her lips and downed the contents in one, then smiled impishly. "I think I'll have another."

  Slipping around his intimidating frame, Hannah headed back towards the drinks trolley.

  Gabe let her go. He could see his actions had unnerved her and he didn't want to push his luck with the young beauty. He wanted her to willingly express her desire for him...no, it was more than that. He wanted her to take the lead.

  Hannah pretended to be absorbed in the task of refilling her glass, when in truth she needed to calm herself from the growing sexual tension between them.

  "Right...so you're not a humdrum, run-of-the-mill sort of vampyre," she said from across the room. "You're an Ultimate sort. Funny, I hadn't realised there were different kinds in existence."

  Gabe went to sit in a rich red leather chair beside the large fireplace dominating one wall of the room. "You mean the Ophanim Order is unaware of our return? How unlike them."

  Hannah coughed as her drink went down the wrong way. She thought she'd put an end to this line of questioning from him.

  "Don't act so shocked. It was easy to deduce you were no ordinary British Museum employee. I'd hazard a guess that the place is teeming with OO minions. Outside of Oxbridge that is."

  The vamp seemed well informed on the ins and outs of Ophanim business. Too informed for her liking.

  Confident her mind was off-limits, Hannah decided to take advantage of the situation. Maybe she could tap Gabriel for information to help her quest in breaking the Dragon Curse?

  Again with this curse business, Gabe mused, reading her thoughts. But he was far more intrigued about how Hannah might use him to her advantage. The prospect presented all sorts of delicious opportunities as to how she might accomplish the feat.

  Abandoning her OO ignorance ploy in the hope it might soften him up, Hannah confessed her connection. "Very well, 'tis true. I do assist the OO from time to time, but have not yet decided on whether or not to become a full member. Was this one of the reasons you visited me, my OO connection? You did say there were more than one," she reminded him.

  Gabe swirled the brandy in his glass. "Not at the time, no. I truly wanted your opinion on the piece I showed you. Like you, I too am very good at research and your CV was rather impressive. As it turned out, your observations were invaluable."

  Surprised by his compliment, Hannah looked away to hide her reaction. Her cheeks flushed with pride at the idea she'd impressed him and gave her a feeling of empowerment knowing she could.

  Gabe watched her reaction and felt his cock stir. Her sweet innocence drew him like a moth to a flame - and oh how he wanted to burn in her fire.

  "How did you deduce my being a vampyre?" he asked through clenched teeth, determined to cool his growing desire for the young beauty. "I was certain my daylight appearance would have thrown you off, obviously I was wrong."

  Ah, so they were back to their quid quo pro game again. Fair enough, Hannah was up for the challenge of making him talk.

  Carrying the decanter over to refill his glass, Hannah made her first move. Loose lips sink ships or so it was said. And although she highly doubted an ultimate vampyre would be unable to handle strong spirits, it was not the intoxication of drink she hoped to disarm him with.

  She'd have to be a complete idiot to miss the signs of his attraction to her, and whilst no great flirt, Hannah knew enough about the male mind to grasp the basics. Wandering over to one of the loveseats, she made sure her movements captured his attention.

  Which they did, in spades.

  Gabriel's nostrils flared at the scent of her. It's sweetness carried on the imperceptible waft of air she'd created as she walked away from him. The provocative sway of her hips hadn't been missed either.

  Settling on the sofa across from him, Hannah reached down and slowly undid the straps of her silver high heels. Freed from their tortuous grip, she sighed as she slipped from their grasp, and in a quick fluid movement tucked them beneath her.

  Certain she had his undivided attention, she asked, "How are you able to walk in sunlight? I was under the impression it was impossible for vampyres to do so."

  Gabe shrugged. "The technicalities for it are unknown. We just can. But you've yet to answer my question, love. How did you know I was a vampyre? I suspect it's related to the OO's interest in you."

  Goodness, he was rather good at making unlinkable connections himself. If she wanted to gain his trust, she needed to start being honest.

  "I am able to link seemingly unrelated facts together to uncover truth otherwise left undiscovered," she explained, although neglecting to add her abilities to read objects and have visions. A woman always needed to keep a few secrets. Call it self-preservation.

  "The OO has always liked to collect interesting specimens and bring them into their ranks," Gabe snorted into his glass.

  "Are you calling me an OO lab rat? I don't know which is worse, being called that or one of their minions," Hannah remarked, offended by the derisive his comments.

  "Perish the thought of you being either, love. They were merely observations about the organisation you've joined."

  "I haven't joined them yet."

  "I stand corrected. Might I suggest you delve deeper before doing so."

  Hannah did not appreciate the suggestion. Her membership to the OO was not up for discussion. She wanted to know more about him.

  "The cylinder you asked me to have a look at, why is it so important to you?"

  Gabe raised an elegant brow. He'd not expected that to be her next question. "It's been in my family for a very long time and I've no idea why."

  "No one in your family explained its significance to you, how strange. Mine is forever telling me about the history behind this and that piece we've collected over the centuries." She paused, realising perhaps he was not referring to a human family.

  "My inheritance of the family's legacy occurred under rather unusual circumstances," Gabe explained, "and up until that point I hadn't given a damn about any of it. A fact I've come to regret. It's caused me no end of trouble."

  Fascinated by the tale, Hannah propped her head against her knuckles, causing her long raven black tresses to brush against the bare skin of her shoulder. "Family rebel, were you?" she teased. "I am the family bore."

  "There is nothing boring about you, Hannah," Gabriel corrected in a low husky voice.

  His sensual tone made her toes curl in delight. Lord, he was one sexy vampyre.

  "When did all this happen?"

  "My legacy came to me in the mid-1600s, my becoming a vampyre, the century before that."

  "You're over five hundred years old!" Hannah exclaimed.

  "Five hundred and sixty-six, if you want to get technical."

  Hannah gulped. Amazing. The knowledge he must have about the past excited her and she was eager to know more. "Where were you born? You sound English but sometimes have an accent...possibly Italian?"

  Gabe grimaced. This Italian label bothered him. There was no 'Italy' in his mind. He was Roman, like a Venetian was from Venice. Fuck this unification nonsense.

  "I was born in my father's Siena palazzo but raised a Roman."

  The vision of a bright blue Tuscany sky flashed through Hannah's mind, followed by a swirl of colour that eventually span its way into an image of a book on one of the shelves of her library.


  Seeing her stiffen on the settee, Gabriel tried to read her mind but failed again. Whatever was happening to her could not be accessed by his Praetor abilities.

  "Hannah, what is it?" he asked the old fashioned way.

  "I'm not sure..." she got up and went over to a nearby shelf. Spying the book from her vision, she plucked it from the shelf.

  Intrigued by her strange behaviour, Gabe joined her.

  Feeling his presence behind her, Hannah nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The teardrop diamond earring she wore caught in the light and sparkled.

  Gabe reached out to lightly trace the precious gem. Without her heels, he could easily see over her shoulder and the diamond was hard to miss. And hard to resist.

  Hannah Woodville required no less than diamonds to adorn her beauty.

  "Please don't," she whispered at the feel of his touch.

  "Don't what?" he whispered back. "Admire you?"

  Hannah drew in a ragged breath. "Don't toy with me. It's unseemly."

  Gabe drew in closer to her. "Unseemly?" His breath tickled her neck as he spoke.

  Spinning round to confront him, Hannah hadn't expected him to take the advantage for himself. He had her pressed back against the book shelves before she knew what was happening.

  Bracing his hands on either side of her, his green eyes glittered in the light. "Why is it 'unseemly' for me to want you?"

  Captivated by his full lips, Hannah struggled to find a reason...for either of them to not want the other. Leaning forward, she brushed his lips tentatively. So soft, so cold.

  So forbidden.

  She wanted more and took it.

  Deepening their kiss, Hannah dug her hands into the rich raven hair at his nape. Gabe responded by pressing her firmly against the wall of books, slightly raising her up so he could better devour her sweetness.

  About to slip his hand beneath her skirt, Gabriel paused and drew back. He'd heard something in the distance.

  Disappointed by his abrupt end to their kissing, Hannah asked, "Is something wrong...?"

  Gabe silenced her with a final firm kiss. "I think we may have company."

  "Hannah!" Pierce's shout followed immediately. He sounded drunk. Not a good sign.

  "Sweetheart, where are you?...I...I...need to speak wiff you."

  How had he got in? She must have not closed the front door properly in her rush to protect Beka from Gabriel.

  Staring at the library doors, Hannah knew he would soon come looking for her in the library. It was where she spent most of her time at home.

  Moving from of their embrace, she smoothed her dress back into place and hoped her lips were not too bruised from their passionate kissing. They felt like they were but she couldn't worry about it. What was done, was done.

  Her only hope of salvaging the situation was to put as much distance between her and the vampyre she'd just been snogging. If only her legs would oblige, but they were still rather wobbly. Returning back to the settee, she tried to compose herself for the inevitable.

  Gabe's Praetor senses were on immediate high alert. The coming confrontation was not going to be pretty. He and the Yank were not on a particularly good path. Seeing how Gabe wanted to rip his throat out and Pierce, no doubt, felt the same urge to inflict bodily harm upon him.

  The doors to the library swung opened. "Hannah! Here you are, my love. I'm sorry about what happened at Claridge's. Don't know what I was thinking by letting you go off with that...what the fuck are you doing here?" Pierce spat, finally noticing Gabe's presence after his pleas for forgiveness.

  "Pierce," Hannah said sharply. "You will mind your behaviour. Mr. Rosetti is a guest in my home."

  Unaccustomed to having Hannah voice an opinion so strongly, Pierce's eyes flashed briefly with anger. Gabe stepped forward, ready to intervene should the need arise. And he really hoped it would.

  The man's initial burst of anger towards Hannah had echoes of what Gabe had read from him at the restaurant, but this time his darker thoughts were quickly replaced by those of love and devotion. It would seem the prick really did care for her. The knowledge did little to shift Gabe's opinion, he still didn't like what he picked up off the piece of shite.

  "Of course, love," he gushed drunkenly. "Mr. Rosetti, please accept my apologies. Hannah is right to chastise me. You are her guest."

  "For the love of God, what is going on? Miss Hannah, are you well? The front door is wide open and I found this in the middle of the hall." Maltby stood in the doorway waving her discarded shawl. The Woodville butler may not be a young man anymore, but he would be damned if he let these young bucks run roughshod over his orderly household.

  Hannah was up out of her seat in a trice. "No need to worry, Maltby. Beka and I had a bit of a time of it tonight but thanks to Mr. Rosetti, all is now well...I say, have you been out? 'Tis nigh on midnight. Where on earth have you been?"

  Maltby’s piercing golden stare told Hannah all she needed to know. He was not interested in explaining his business, she was the one needing to provide answers.

  "Mr. Pierce, you are intoxicated! Good god, man, you smell like a distillery. You need your bed. Allow me to summon a taxi. Chop, chop."

  The older man took control, as he could be relied upon to do under such circumstances, and within minutes had Pierce docile and in a cab on his way home. That sorted, he turned his attention to the other male occupant in the house.

  "Mr. Rosetti, is it? It would seem this House owes you a debt of gratitude for your gallantry towards Ladies Hannah and Rebeka. Please accept my thanks on behalf of the Marquess and Marchioness. Will you be requiring transportation as well?" Maltby's tone brooked no quarter. Any attempt to nay-say him would not be tolerated.

  Gabe wanted to applaud the old fellow's gumption. He was able to clear a room in record time, all the while being extremely polite about it. Some of his Praetors could learn a thing or two from him about the art of war.

  "No I will not, Maltby. But thank you for the offer. I am inclined to walk. Take in what London has to offer the senses." Gabriel lifted Hannah's hand to his lips. "My lady, as always, a pleasure."

  He pressed his full lips to her knuckle.

  The touch of his lips on her skin brought back the memory of their passionate kissing.

  "Until we meet again, cara mia."

  Chapter Thirteen

  "ALRIGHT HANNAH - SPILL. What the hell happened the other night at Claridge's? Vlad would only tell me so much and I've been dying for more details."

  Penny's interrogation took all of ten seconds to kick in from the moment Hannah walked through the door of Simone's library. Patience was clearly not a virtue for the highly strung red head.

  "Hello, Hannah," Simone said, in a much more reserved tone, walking over, she kissed each of Hannah's cheeks in greeting. "Allow me to apologise in advance for Penny, being trapped in here is taking a toll on her usual sweet nature." She looked over her shoulder at Penny and winked.

  "Fine," Penny seethed before affixing a fake smile to her face. "Hi Hannah, you are looking well. Come sit, tell us how you've been getting on. Anything interesting happen lately?"

  "As in, other than being nearly proposed to by Pierce and saved by my baby sister...whilst at the same time having to deal with the vampyre who walks in sunlight, Gabriel Rosetti...Not much. You? How have you and Simone been, held up in this fortress with no bloody forms of communication for us mere civilians!" Hannah hadn't meant to be so shrill with her newly reunited friends but her nerves were shot. She'd barely slept a wink in forty-eight hours and her lack of rest was starting to show.

  "You cannot be serious? Pierce was about to propose? Vlad didn't tell me that!" Penny exclaimed in excitement. This was exactly the sort of gossip she craved - highly charged love triangles poised on a keg of dynamite.

  Hannah slumped down on the couch beside her. "Deadly serious. And Vlad had no idea what he'd stumbled into at Claridge's," she replied. "He was merely Beka's prop in an attempt to run interferen
ce from said proposal."

  Simone's interest strayed onto more relevant territory than Penny's over what Hannah had shared. "Gabriel Rosetti walks in the sun? Where the hell are these Praetors from?"

  "Siena, according to him. Oh wait, maybe it's Rome. Imagine where we'd be in this fascinating conversation, if I could have rung you with the news," Hannah snapped back, displeased to learn Simone may not be capable of filling in the many, many blanks her evening with Gabriel Rosetti had thrown up.

  Penny carried on with her side of the conversation, seemingly oblivious to Hannah and Simone's growing spat over their failure in communication. "Well, if my husband's version of events are to be believed, I reckon the new Consul would have taken care of your American fiancé without your sister's intervention."

  "New Consul?" Hannah asked, unsure to whom Penny was referring.

  "Gabriel Rosetti. My father-in-law's right-hand vamp," Simone clarified. "Were you unaware of his importance in the vampyre pecking order? Honestly, I must speak to my father about the OO's recruitment policy. I think it ridiculous of them to keep prospective members ignorant of the true reason for their existence."

  Hannah chewed her lip. She whole-heartedly agreed. But as one of the woefully ignorant, she felt silly for falling for their secretive ways without question and didn't feel like drawing attention to that fact at the moment. Gabriel's opinion about her involvement with the Ophanim Order without knowing who they were still bothered her. That, along with their impromptu kiss-fest before Pierce's arrival.

  Yes, the kiss-fest was particularly bothersome.

  Not only had it made her feel horribly guilty about betraying Pierce, it also left her wondering where it may have ended if they hadn't been interrupted. And honestly, that was what really kept her from sleeping.

  Her relationship with Pierce may be on the rocks, but it was no excuse for her behaviour. She never should have kissed Gabriel. No matter how much she'd wanted to at the time.

  "Does Horatio knows about Praetors?" Hannah asked, curious to know how much the OO were hiding.