The Serpent's Kiss (The Hunter Chronicles Book 4)

by Claire Marta

  “Thanks.” Jasmine replied in a croaky mumble. Tugging her arm free, she sat up. She couldn’t believe she had managed to get through the whole thing without running away. It was not like she’d had a chance anyway. The Master Vampire had somehow known how to deal with her fear.

  Jasmine suddenly felt grateful to him. She released a shaky sigh. At least that was over and done with until the next time she needed it. Glancing up she met Twitch’s strained expression. His cheeks were red with excitement. It looked like he had gotten a kick out of watching her come. Embarrassment engulfed her. Her friend was never going to let her forget this. Jasmine knew from experience Twitch would talk about this for months.

  Trying not to groan, she shakily rose to her feet. Only after she was standing did she realise her error. Every last drop of colour drain from her face. Blinking she couldn’t stop everything from spinning. Her vision became black and white.

  “Jasmine, are you well?” Asier’s voice sounded muffled to her ears. Opening her mouth, nothing came out. Then she was falling.

  Asier caught Jasmine as she crumpled like a leaf. She was as pale as a ghost.

  Blood was smeared on her lower lip. He could see the imprint of her teeth in the flesh.

  Twitch was already halfway across the room. “What happened?” He asked in shock as he reached them.

  “She fainted.” Asier responded grimly. “Has she eaten today?” Picking her up he placed her gently back on the sofa. She was so light. There was practically nothing to her. It was like carrying a small child. The girl had gone from slim to practically malnourished. This worried him.

  Twitch was hovering beside them brushing his crazy locks from his forehead. “She doesn’t eat much, and won’t when I try to feed her. Today all she’s had was a chocolate bar at lunch time.”

  Reaching down, Asier gently traced the curve of Jasmine’s cheek. “Cazzo. If she is going to come here regularly for a bite she has to take care of herself.”

  The techno mage grunted. “Good luck with that fucking one.”

  Jasmine woke disoriented. The last thing she remembered was Asier’s bite. After that, things were hazy. A comfortable mattress was beneath her, and smooth sheets greeted her fingertips as she scraped them over the material. Asier was close. The smell of his cinnamon scent wrapped itself comfortingly around her senses. It always made her think of Christmas. Eyelashes fluttering open, she found herself in a strange bedroom. It was spacious and modern. A long, wooden wardrobe was built into the cream walls, and in one corner there were several bookcases filled to capacity. Next to it was a comfy looking chair. These seemed to be the only personal items as the rest of the place was empty of any touches.

  She could see two doors at the end of the room, which were both closed.

  The bed Jasmine was laying on was massive. It was the dominant feature of the room. Someone had propped her up with pillows behind her head.

  Asier was sitting beside her. He was still half naked. His glorious olive skinned, tattooed chest on display. A white towel was clutched in one of his hands.

  “Where am I?” Jasmine asked, pushing herself slowly up onto her elbows. The dizziness she experienced had passed. Now she just felt a little weak.

  “This is my apartment above the club. You fainted.” Carefully, he dabbed the wet cloth gently against her lip.

  Jasmine flinched as it stung. “Did I?”

  “If you are to continue receiving my bite, then you need to eat properly. Three meals a day. You are far too thin...”

  Jasmine didn’t like the grim purpose she could see stamped across his beautiful features. It reminded her too much of Eric. She did not need another vampire trying to take charge.

  “I don’t really have much of an appetite...” She began to protest.

  “You will have something even if it’s small or I will not help you, cara.” Asier’s tone had turned stern. “If you continue down this path you will end up on a feeding tube in hospital. Is that what you want?”

  Jasmine swallowed back the sudden thickness in her throat. Without Asier she would have to find another vampire. It had taken all her courage just to come to the club tonight. That, and having Twitch accompany her. She wasn’t sure she could do something like that again. She had been walking around trying to hide how fucked up she really was inside. It just wasn’t working. Her eyes filled with moisture.

  Pulling up her legs, she wrapped her arms around them. The tears which had been threatening for the last few days finally decided to come. Unable to stop the sob rising, she buried her face in her knees. The feelings consumed her. Misery. It stormed through her. She was tired of being strong. Tired of feeling so confused and unable to understand why every part of her inner being seemed to be screaming out for Eric. A man who had deceived her. Someone who she was not likely to ever see again. Each sob flowed out with deep felt emotion.

  There was still a huge empty hole where her heart was. She was still racked with bitter heartache over him no matter how she tried to shake it off. Jasmine had finally reached rock bottom. A tangled mess of wretchedness. Why did it hurt so much? And why did it just feel like it was getting worse? Why did she have to love him?

  A hand gently stroked her hair.

  “Shh Jasmine, do not cry. I will help you. All I wish in return is you take care of yourself. I understand how badly you need this, cara.” Asier murmured with a sigh. “Più di quanto ne sai.”

  His words made her cry even harder. Had Asier really figured out she was addicted to a vampires bite? Could he see how screwed she was. The next thing she knew he dragged her into his lap and cradled her against his muscular chest. It was warm and firm. His nipple ring was cold and hard as it pressed into her cheek, but she ignored it.

  “I fucking hate this!” She sobbed out. “I-I don’t want to be addicted to a vampire bite. I have enough problems in my life already.” Jasmine found herself instinctively snuggling into his warmth. She had never met someone who radiated so much, especially a vampire. It was comforting.

  Asier’s rough hand rubbed soothingly up and down her back. His cheek was resting on the top of her head. “It is nothing you cannot cope with. You are strong and stubborn. I have seen this myself.” He assured her calmly. The silkiness of his hair brushed her skin as he rocked her.

  “I-I d-don’t want to be your slave o-or pet.” She managed to get out through hiccups.

  A laugh vibrated through him. “Oh, Jasmine. We can be…friends.”

  Bewildered she raised her head and stared at him through water logged eyelashes. “Friends?”

  “Si.” Gently, Asier stroked her tear stained cheek with a finger. “I will not ask anything of you that you are not willing to give.”

  Raising a hand, Jasmine clumsily wiped the wetness away. Did he really mean it? He wasn’t going to try and force her into anything like Eric had tried to do? Swallowing back her tears, Jasmine nodded. She couldn’t believe she had just broken down in the Italian Master Vampire’s arms. What the hell was she thinking? Asier continued to hold her close. Jasmine remained on his lap with no thought or energy to move. It was a secure haven. Her tired, miserable mind could not see any danger.

  “I can’t believe Eric would leave you like this, Cazzo.” Asier’s expression darkened with anger. His lavender irises deepening to amethyst with his mood. “Even without the craving for a bite, he gave you his blood and knew the consequences...”

  “He doesn’t know.” It was a small whispered confession. Jasmine knew she had to explain. She spread an open hand over the smooth surface of his ouroboros tattoo. Asier’s strong heart beat thudded beneath her palm. “And he can’t know Asier….please don’t tell him. We parted badly and I don’t want anything to do with him.”

  Asier searched her features for a moment with his shrewd gaze. “He’s not in England if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s off playing hero in Germany, and si, I will keep your secret. I am the ruler of London. Eric is more of a figure head at my side.” He assured
her, his accent thickening slightly.

  Jasmine slumped into him with relief. It was something she had been secretly freaking out about. She did not want to run into Eric again. If he learned of her addiction she was frightened of what he might do. That he might force her into something she may not want. With the tip of one finger she traced over the demonic face of the black tribal tattoo Asier had on his forearm. Sitting here so intimately, her mind muddled and dulled from her storm of tears, she found she could not help herself. The tattoo pulsed strangely in answer beneath her touch. Almost as if the thing had a heartbeat of its own. Jasmine glanced down at it dazedly.

  She was lost. Confused. And oh so tempting. Yet Jasmine’s distress did not sit well with Asier. She would be his, but only by choice. If he made it impossible to resist his charms she would never say no. This was something Asier was a master at. Everyone gave in to him in the end. Jasmine would be no different. With his power of lust she would soon be more than willing.

  He was curious now to know what had happened between her and Eric. A lover’s quarrel? This though seemed like something much more. The bond between the couple had been solid in Prague, right up until Eric had discovered Asier trying to seduce her. He had been unnaturally possessive. Jasmine had looked at the other vampire which such trust. Even then Asier had recognized love shining in her gaze whenever she looked Eric’s way. He was surprised that Eric had let her go so easily.

  Asier had never seen the other Vampiria show so many emotions in such a short period of time. Usually he was like an iceberg. Eric’s razor sharp intelligence was always firmly in control. This girl had changed that. It was fascinating. A weakness Asier had never known his friend to have. A weakness which he could easily exploit to his advantage if he ever needed to.

  Asier looked down at the woman nestled in his arms. She looked so defeated and vulnerable. Strangely, it was something he did not enjoy seeing. There had been a strength to her in Prague, one he did not want to see crushed. She was hollow-eyed and pale-faced. Pretty green eyes dulled from her crying. Gently, he ran a forefinger along the curve of her cheekbone. The wetness of her sorrow clung to his skin, and she leaned slightly into the caress.

  He wasn’t sure she was even aware of it. She was seeking comfort. Like a flower seeking the warmth of the sun. It was something he was willing to provide. He would make her feel desired, protected. Wasn’t that what every female wanted? Yet she wouldn’t know his price until it was too late. Nothing in the world was for free.

  “Do you want to tell me about the bruises and scratches on your arm now?” He enquired softly.

  Jasmine tensed in his lap. “No.”

  Asier decided to leave the questioning for now. He suspected that Jasmine had done them herself. Did she feel the need to punish herself for something? Or was it a way to cut through the misery she was caught in? The effects of Eric’s blood would run deep. Probably more than she realised. More than even Eric would suspect. Jasmine would yearn for him uncontrollably. It was a natural consequence.

  As their kind rarely shared their blood they were not entirely aware of the changes. Vampiria blood was pure and undiluted, unlike human vampires. It made the bonding more potent. The more a human or vampire fed from them the stronger the impact. Asier doubted she had even noticed yet. Was she already a little faster, a little stronger, and healing quicker?

  “I have some food for you.” He told her, letting her relax. “Eating something will help the feeling of weakness pass.”

  She had colour back in her cheeks even after her torrent of weeping. Food would help any lingering moments of faintness. Sleep would also do her good. The girl looked exhausted. Gently he helped her from the bed. When he went to offer her his hand to lead her from the room, she waved it away. Determination had settled on her lovely features now. Her strength was still there. It just needed to be nurtured.

  “I don’t want your pity.” She grumbled, her embarrassment at crying in his arms plain. “I can manage fine on my own.”

  There was distrust in her gaze again. Wariness. Was she regretting letting her guard down? Letting him through the barrier she had erected? Asier smiled. His perfect white teeth flashing as he watched in amusement.

  “Pity, bella, is something I do not have.” That was something she would learn soon enough.

  “Shit Jazzy, you ok?” Twitch was just entering through the front door as they made their way through the big airy apartment. He was holding a white paper bag in one hand. Messy hair falling into his eyes, he looked distracted.

  “Yeah.” Jasmine replied, feeling a little annoyed he had left her alone with Asier. The plan had been to stick together.

  “I told you she would recover.” Asier’s smooth voice behind her made her shiver. She had liked his accent in Prague. Hearing it again just confirmed just how much.

  She could feel the heat of his body just behind her. Jasmine knew if she stopped walking that his chest would come in contact with her clothed back. Why was he happy to walk around half naked? It was overloading her already fried senses. Now that she was no longer blinded with tears, Jasmine was experiencing a rush of sexual awareness towards the Italian vampire.

  Sex. Asier seemed to exude it. Jasmine knew it not only affected her. Every male and female in the club had been practically panting for him. Such an impact was hard to fight. Trying to ignore how close he was, she veered into the first open door she came to. Jasmine found herself in a stylish, but minimalistic kitchen. Polished cabinets were fitted to the white tiled walls. A few shiny stainless steel appliances stood on the clean surfaces. It was picture perfect. Everything looked as if it was rarely used. Not surprising since Asier fed on blood. Yet Jasmine knew he could also eat human food being a Vampiria. Eric himself had revealed that fact to her in Paris.

  At the thought of the other male, her mood darkened. She needed to get him out of her head. Thinking about him nonstop was making her ill. Hopefully, he would eventually fade from her heart. Jasmine needed to start thinking in the moment. Not stuck in the past. Sighing tiredly, she sank down onto a stool at the breakfast bar.

  “No offence but your place feels like a show room.” Twitch purred as he perched on the stool beside her. “Where’s all your junk? Knickknacks? Embarrassing family photos?”

  Asier was busy pulling a glass and plate down from one of the immaculate cupboards. “This is where I stay while I am dealing with my clubs. I have a house further outside of London, and I rarely take guests there.”

  Quickly and efficiently he filled the glass with milk and retrieved a packet of chocolate chip cookies from a cabinet. He took a moment to arrange a pile of biscuits. The moment the plate was pushed in front of her, Jasmine scoffed them down ravenously. She hadn’t felt this hungry in quite a while. It surprised her. Twitch pulled a handful of something from his paper bag and stuffed it into his mouth as he watched.

  “What’s that?” Jasmine asked between bites.

  “Chocolate covered peanuts.” He replied, pausing between mouthfuls. “I swear this stuff is like crack.”

  “You’ve tried crack?” Disbelief lit her expression as she took a gulp of milk from her cup.

  Twitch scrunched up his nose. “Well no…but they seemed to be just as addictive.”

  Jasmine wiped the back of her hand over her mouth as she lowered her drink. “Do you really need all of that?” The bag was huge. Was he really going to eat the whole thing in one go? Surely it was going to make him sick.

  The mage hugged it protectively against his shirt front. “Do you really need to ask?”

  Jasmine rolled her eyes. It looked like Twitch was heading for another sugar binge. This meant she would have to deal with his high and unpredictability. Not what she really needed right now.

  “Come to me every two weeks and I will provide you with my bite.” Asier’s commanding tone cut across her thoughts. “You will eat as I have said, three meals a day. That is not negotiable.”

  “Sure.” Jasmine would not meet his gaze
.

  Asier did not miss the almost childish way she pouted in irritation.

  He pursed his lips. If she thought she could get away with skipping food she would be sorely mistaken. A deal was a deal. His attention jumped to the mage. It was subtle but he saw the nod. Twitch would keep an eye on her eating habits. Although they did not know each other well, it looked like they would be working together to get Jasmine healthy and strong.

  “You will not take drugs of any kind.” Asier continued laying down the verbal terms of their agreement. “They dilute the blood and change the taste, and I do not pollute my body with tainted blood.”

  Jasmine’s brow furrowed in confusion. “All drugs?”

  Asier’s eyes narrowed. Suspicion glittered in their violet depths. He had not suspected such an innocent little package might be dabbling in illegal substances. “Si Jasmine.”

  “Does caffeine count? I can’t live without tea.” She asked chewing on her bottom lip for a moment.

  “Does strawberry ice cream count?” Twitch piped in beside her. “Because that’s about all she’s been eating for the last few weeks, and her veins are probably full of it. Did she taste like a milkshake?”

  Jasmine scowled at him where he sat beside her. “I really don’t think my blood is yogurt flavoured doofus!”

  In response he poked out his tongue. It was more than cute how they bickered like children. Asier’s lips twitched in amusement. This was something he was not used to.

  “I am talking about hard drugs and prescribed drugs. If you’re taking anything given to you by your doctor, I will need to know.” He explained, as he took the band from his wrist and swept his hair up into a secure messy bun on top of his head.

  Asier noted the way Jasmine followed the action. She couldn’t quite stop herself from watching him. Her gaze lingered on his tattooed chest with a naïve interest he was not completely sure she was aware of. He was used to such attention. Many were drawn to his beautiful looks, and Jasmine was just as affected.