Jacie’s sigh broke into a jaw-popping yawn before she jerked her arms out and slammed them on top of the blanket.
Lydia drew the covers up to her chin. “It’s time for you to go to sleep, baby.”
“I’m really not—” Another yawn stole the end of her sentence.
“Me either. But I’m supposed to rest and so are you.”
“Okay.” Jacie reached under the covers and pulled out her stuffed bat. “Say goodnight to Fangton.”
Lydia gave the stuffed animal’s fluffy black nose a loud kiss.
Jacie held her little arms up, and Lydia wrapped her in a hug before tucking her back in.
“I love you, Mama.”
“I love you too, kiddo. Get some shut-eye.” Experience told her Jacie wouldn’t sleep until she left the room. She’d always been that way.
“Oh, wait. My letter to Baltha is on the desk. You have to mail it tomorrow, okay?”
“Will do.” Lydia gave a two-fingered salute and grabbed the sealed envelope on her way out. Jacie’s eyes were closed by the time she turned back around.
“Good night, kiddo.” She quietly exited the room, easing the door shut behind her.
Her fingers traced the meticulously drawn address on the envelope. Baltha. North Star. She folded it up and stuck it in her pocket to look at later when she was alone.
Lydia trailed back into the living room in time to see Jeanie wrapping a scarf around her neck as Roman towered over her slight frame, holding out her jacket.
“You were right about the storm. I’m not going to make it if I don’t leave now.” Jeanie shrugged into the coat and gave a half nod to Roman. “Every hour.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Every hour what?” Lydia was relieved Jeanie wasn’t pushing to stay. Even if Lydia could afford it, the last thing she wanted was the constant feeling of being watched on top of everything else that had happened earlier.
Jeanie glanced at her. “You have to be woken up periodically when you sleep.”
Lydia gaped at Roman. She was about to argue before that blessed warmth once again invaded her mind, calming her thoughts.
The brunette continued. “He’s too far away from his home to make it before the storm hits. Look outside. The snow is dropping in massive clumps. And you won’t let me stay.” She headed toward the door, and Lydia reached it in time to open it for her.
Jeanie tugged on her gloves and pulled on her beanie cap. “See you soon.”
Wind and snow pelted them as Lydia opened the door. The frigid air stealing into the room stole her breath.
“I’ll call if I get snowed in.” Jeanie waved, maneuvering her way down the driveway to her little beat-up car sitting next to the street. Lydia waited until she saw Jeanie’s headlights come on before closing the door.
She engaged the lock and turned to her last-minute guest. Roman leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, still wearing his coat. Her gaze traveled down to his socked feet and back up. His face was smudged and his clothes were stained from the fight in the alley. She doubted she had anything in storage that would fit him. He looked so at ease in her home.
* * * * *
Simon held the scarf against his face, savoring the scent of her skin lingering in the cloth. Lydia
Snow and wind fought a war in the streets below as he perched on a nearby roof, nestled in a wind break. The weather was only a minor inconvenience.
People rushed home despite the icy roads, and metal crunched in the distance from a fender bender, leaving voices raised in fury. He didn’t care. He was focused intently on the little house with Christmas lights and the warm glow of a lamp coming from one of the rooms.
The silhouette of a man walked past a window, and Simon’s lip curled over a fang. Roman. Bitterness roiled through his mind, and the demon of bloodlust rose from the depths of his soul.
No other man’s scent had been on Lydia’s skin. His mouth curved into a smile. He wouldn’t stop until she belonged to him.
The door he’d been watching abruptly opened, and he melted into the shadows.
Lydia’s hair was dark with blonde streaks, and light shone behind her head in a halo. My destiny.
Another figure caught his attention. She was slight with long black hair partially tucked under a winter cap, her face half hidden behind a scarf. He watched as she made her way precariously down the icy driveway to a compact car.
The dark-haired woman opened the door and jumped inside. Pale yellow spilled out onto the snow from the ancient headlights as she fired up the engine.
He grinned and stood on the roof, letting the wind batter against him before dropping silently to the ground.
A dog whimpered in the night as he lightly jumped a nearby fence.
She had just put the car in gear when he reached her and knocked softly on the window. The door opened an inch, and scents of jasmine and peaches touched his nose.
“Yes?”
“Looks like you may need some help digging the car out.”
She blinked and shoved the door open with her foot. He stepped lightly out of the way. “Thank you, I can take care of it.”
He shrugged. “Okay, but the storm is picking up strength.”
“What are you doing out in it?” Her dark eyes were filled with suspicion. It was a challenge, and he liked it.
The barking grew louder from across the street, giving him an excuse. “I’d just finished taking my dog out to do his business and noticed you getting into your vehicle.”
She sighed, put the car back in park, and climbed out. “I have a shovel—”
Simon had her against the vehicle in a heartbeat with his hands cupping her head. She opened her mouth to scream, and he pressed into her mind, stifling her fear. Her eyes glazed over, and he tugged the scarf loose from her neck. “What’s your name?”
“Jeanie.”
“Jeanie. It’s cold out here, isn’t it?”
“Cold.” She repeated the word in a monotone voice. He noticed her pretty face and full lips, but nothing stirred to life as he gazed at her. It had been years since a woman had affected him sexually. He shook off the thoughts and concentrated on what she could do for him.
Her pulse slammed against his hand as some part of her rebelled against his control. Bloodlust surged, and his fangs ached to bury into her skin.
Simon nuzzled her throat. “I need something warm tonight, Jeanie.”
She murmured a weak response, but he was focused on the way her heart thrummed and the delicious scent of her body. Centuries had taught him how to savor his food.
Her mind fought back when he pulled her against him, her slight body struggling as he raked his incisors over her skin, tearing open just enough. Warm blood rushed into his mouth, and he groaned deep in his throat. She grew pliant in his arms, and he buried his fangs deep, allowing the demon within to feed.
“Come home with me,” her voice whispered against his temple.
He fisted her hair and tugged her head back, savoring her taste. “You’re not going home, Jeanie. Ever again.”
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Titles by Ditter Kellen
The Seeker Series
Ember-Book 1-A five-part serial combined into a boxed set.
Shon-Book Two
The Rise of Vlad-Book Three
Scruples Series
Finding Carly
Cassandra
Fully Engulfed-Coming Soon
Secret Series
Lydia’s Secret
Midnight Secrets-Coming Soon
Time Travel Series
Turn the Page
Worlds Apart-Coming Soon
Enigma Series
Enigma: What Lies Beneath-Book 1
Naura-Book 2
Vaulcron-Book 3
Zaureth-Book 4
Oz-Book 5
Gryke-Book 6 Coming Soon
Eyes Without a Face
Coming Soon in 2016 as a Stand Alone
&nb
sp; Ruby and the Beast
Coming soon in 2016 as a Stand Alone
Chronicles of Nevaeh
Trayus-Book One-Coming soon 2016
Ditter Kellen
Ditter Kellen has been in love with romance for over twenty years. To say she's addicted to reading is an understatement. Her eBook reader is an extension of her and holds many of her fantasies and secrets. It's filled with dragons, shifters, vampires, ghosts, and many more jaw-dropping characters who keep her entertained on a daily basis.
Ditter's love of paranormal and outrageous imagination have conspired together to bring her where she is today...sitting in front of her computer, allowing them free rein. Writing is her passion, what she was born to do. I hope you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she loves spinning them.
Ditter resides in Florida with her husband and many unique farm animals. She adores French fries, and her phone is permanently attached to her ear. You can contact Ditter by email: [email protected]
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Zaureth: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 4) Page 17