by T. J. Quinn
Table of Contents
Prologue
Inheritance
Red is the Color of Love
Pale Moonlight
Pleasure Feeding
Overnight
Pressing the Cause
Making the Bond
The Institute
The Blood Rage
Putting Safety First
Moving Forward
Finding a Way
Vampire Heritage
Truth Telling
Things Popping Off
A Vampire Father
Realized Dream
A Prelude to Book 3 Bloodlines
Extended preview of Alien Conflict
Bloodlust
Vampire
Dark World Series
Book 2
A.J. Daniels
GTQ LLC
Orlando, Florida
Copyright © 2018 by A.J. Daniels
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.
GTQ LLC
PO Box 540375
Orlando, FL 32854
www.gtq.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Bloddlust Vampire/A.J. Daniels -- 1st Ed.
ISBN
CONTENTS
Prologue
Inheritance
Red is the Color of Love
Pale Moonlight
Pleasure Feeding
Overnight
Pressing the Cause
Making the Bond
The Institute
The Blood Rage
Putting Safety First
Moving Forward
Finding a Way
Vampire Heritage
Truth Telling
Things Popping Off
A Vampire Father
Realized Dream
A Prelude to Book 3 Bloodlines
Extended preview of Alien Conflict
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Prologue
It’s the year 2092, and the world is a very different place, especially since the end of the alien wars. The earth is now populated by several different species, all living side by side, working together, and things can get rough. Aliens sometimes have difficulty navigating the complexities of human civilization, and there is still much prejudice against the newcomers.
When your back’s against the wall, and your survival is on the line, don’t trust public law enforcement. They’re overworked, underpaid and spend most of their time combatting the never-ending war on designer drugs.
No matter who’s after you, alien or human, a good hunter can mean the difference between life and death. Get the best one you can find and then sit back and enjoy the no holds barred thrill ride, as they do their thing. Dakota Davenport is the best in the business. She protects newcomers with a vengeance. Trust me, she won’t let you down.
Chapter 1
Inheritance
~ Dakota ~
Turning from side to side in the mirror, Dakota eyed her presentation critically in the full-length mirror. The long red dress was a deeper shade, the one normally associated with blood among the Vampiere. The matching lip and nail color really popped her pale porcelain skin. She’d pulled her hair back into an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck and accented with a black diamond necklace and earrings. She was eager for the man who’d claimed her heart to see her as more than just the woman who solved his missing person’s case.
It was difficult to dress up formally when she was most comfortable in hunting leathers. In the year 2092 Earth has survived an alien invasion, and the USA turned into a new republic by unifying with Canada and Mexico. Hunting is more than a reputable occupation. Truth be told, hunters were the rock stars of the modern world, only instead of making music, they saved lives in a world where law enforcement was woefully ineffective.
Her mind drifted back to the weeks she spent hunting for the man she’d fallen in love with. She’d pounded the pavement day after day, scanning every square inch of the crime scene. Though she’d worked dozens of cases in her lifetime, none had ever meant as much as finding the man she barely knew. Though she’d taken the case to appease her teenage son who was involved with Alek’s daughter, Dakota had found the more she learned about her missing vampire, the more obsessed with him she became. After finding him in terrible condition, she’d sat with him at the hospital and then fed him all better. All the feeding had hardened their bond before either of them had a chance to consider of being together was the right choice. They’d forced a separation period just to get their heads straight. Now the separation was over, and this was their first real date.
“You look beautiful, mother.”
Turning to look over her shoulder at Jared, she smiled. “Thanks. I never feel quite comfortable in formal attire, but opening night at the opera is apparently all about being seen.”
“Leave it to Alek take you to the opera.”
“Don’t act like we’ve never been.”
Shrugging, Jared intoned. “Not on opening night.”
“Maybe the next time we can make it a double with you and little Selene.”
“She’d love that. Normal girls love to dress up.”
Looking up from strapping her laser pistol to her leg, she shot him an amused look. “Are you saying that I’m not a normal girl?”
Rolling his eyes, Jared leaned on the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. “You’re not a girl, more like an old lady.”
“I’m thirty-four. That’s not quite over the hill.”
“As far as the normal part goes, I’d say you’re better than normal in every way.”
Tearing up a bit, Dakota couldn’t believe the son who’d only recently let her into his life was saying something so nice to her. He must have seen how emotional she was getting because he walked into the room and gave her little hug before dropping down to sit on her bed. “You can’t go barefooted. You know that, right?”
Stunned, Dakota nodded. “Of course, I know that. Why would you say something like that?”
“At the orphanage, they taught us to put on our clothing first, shoes second and jewelry last. You have your jewelry on already.”
Walking over to her closet, Dakota felt like she’d been doused with ice cold water. “If I’d been a year and a half older, you never would have seen the inside of an orphanage.”
“I know we hardly ever talk about it, but it matters to me that you never stopped looking for me. “I saw that drawer in your office, where you tracked down leads year after year.”
“I’m glad I never gave up hope.” Trying on one red shoe and one black shoe, she tried to decide which one to wear. Her mind wasn’t on the task at hand. It was on the horrible fight she had with her father the day he forced her to put her son up for adoption. “I never spoke to your grandfather, not once in all the years until he passed. I couldn’t believe he could get a court injunction and take my child away.”
“Selene told me you refused your inheritance.”
“I didn’t want anything the man had. It got passed on to you as his only living relative.”
Glanci
ng up, she saw the stunned expression on her seventeen-year-olds face. “I think you should pick the black shoes. The reds ones aren’t the same exact shade as your dress, so it kind of clashes.”
Kicking off the red one, she had to admit he was right.
“What are you saying about an inheritance?”
Pulling on the other black shoe, she walked over and sat beside him. “There is no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come right out with it. When you turn of age, you have seventeen million dollars and a couple of pieces of property waiting for you. I know that’s a lot to take in, and you don’t have to accept it. If you don’t, it’s designed to just accumulate interest and roll right over to your children. It’ll be split evenly among them.”
“It feels strange to go from being deprived to being wealthy. I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“I don’t want to seem condescending, but that kind of money can be a corrupting influence in your life if you aren’t careful. My advice is to take what you need to purchase a home, vehicles, and incidentals and draw on it when you need to. At least you have the satisfaction of knowing that you can provide for your family when the time comes for you to mate your lovely little Selene.”
“Do you think your father would be upset that his money got passed on to me?”
“God, I hope it makes the stupid bastard roll over in his grave.”
“We’ve really not talked much about him. I’m guessing he was a fairly shitty father.”
“I got kidnapped when I was your age. My father refused to pay my ransom until my mother made him because he thought it would encourage people to try and take advantage of him that way. That and taking you from me were just a couple of the really shitty things he did. Take the money and never give it a second thought. I think of it karmic justice.”
“No insult against your mother, but I’m a person who had fallen asleep hungry more nights than not in my life. If accepting what’s rightfully mine will ensure that never happens again, I’m not going to pass the opportunity by.”
Giving his shoulder a supportive squeeze, she spoke. “There is a card in that drawer you referenced. It’s from the attorney handling the inheritance. Give them a call so they can begin getting things ready. You turn eighteen in two months.”
Jared’s mouth fell open. “I thought you meant I had to be twenty-one. I still want to apprentice with you. That’s not off, is it?”
Grinning, Dakota shook her head. “Heck no, we’re a good team.”
Relief flooded Jared’s face. Nodding slightly, he seemed to settle into the idea. “Alright, I’ll look into it. When we get it all sorted, will you have a look at it to make sure things are done right?”
“I’ll go with you to your first appointment if you like. Though I tend to think it’s best if you and Selene handle this yourselves. The two of you are smart, capable people and you’ll have me to give it my eagle eye before you sign off on the final paperwork.”
The first hint of a smile slipped onto her son’s ordinarily serious face. “Selene is going to be about as shocked as I am.”
Standing she dropped a kiss on her son’s forehead. “It’s the good kind of shocked, so it’ll be fine.” Looking down into her son’s face, she realized two things. The first was that his bearing was that of a grown man, rather than a teen. He’d grown up fast, and the harsh realities of an orphan had left a profound impact on him. Secondly, his expression quickly creased with worry again after learning of his good fortune. Cupping his cheek in her hand, she searched his face for answers. “I think something else is going on with you Jared. Please share your troubles with me.”
Pulling his face back out of her palm, his lips pressed together in a firm line. Though his eyes held hers, his mind was a million miles away. When he spoke, his response was cryptic and edged with an emotion she couldn’t readily recognize. “I’m glad you found me and that we’ve had a couple of years to get to know one another.”
Tilting her head slightly, she encouraged him to speak. “I don’t think that’s what is bothering you, son.”
His eyes slid away. “If I turn up missing again, please know it wasn’t because of you. You’ve been a good mother since you found me.”
“Jared…”
“Go, have fun at the theatre with Alek. We’ll talk soon when I’ve had a chance to organize my thoughts.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, he gestured to the door. “Don’t keep your prince charming waiting. I’ll be hanging around for the next few days.”
Happiness filled her chest. “Thanks, Jared. I love it when you throw in some extra visitation.”
“Me too, now get going.”
Chapter 2
Red is the Color of Love
~ Alek ~
“Wear the red one, papa.” Selene’s gentle voice sounded off from his bed, where she was painting her nails, looking at a teen magazine on her e-reader and talking on her cell phone. How she managed to work in micromanaging his tie selection for the evening was beyond his ability to imagine.
Pulling off the red silk tie, he held I up. “Not that one, the dark red one.”
“Vampires wearing blood red is so last century, my dear. Are you trying to make me look dated?”
She giggled at the teasing quality of his voice. “Dakota’s wearing blood red and she’s human, so stop complaining. You want to match, right?”
Replacing the candy apple red tie with the dark red one, he began making his Winsor knot. “Thanks for the heads up, princess.”
Closing up her cell phone, Selene announced gleefully. Jared and I are going to be rich.”
Alek watched in the mirror as she sat up and turned off her e-reader. He found himself smiling as he replied. “If he’s half the hunter his mother is he’ll not only be rich but famous as well.”
“There’s that, but he also has a million-dollar inheritance or something like that from his gran. We have to see an attorney soon because he turns eighteen in seven weeks.”
“Well dear, a million dollars is a lot of money, but once you begin buying houses and cars, it won’t last long.”
“Don’t worry, dad. We’re going to put our heads together and make our million last.”
Unsure what in the world sixteen-year-old daughter was talking about, Alek decided to stay out of it. Dakota would certainly be guiding her son in such financial matters.
“I’m sure the two of you will be mature and responsible.” Of course, that was a blatant lie. Alek felt certain that left to her own devices; his teenaged daughter would blow it all on hats and balloon animals. Thank goodness Jared and Dakota were more grounded.
Alek had other things on his mind tonight. It was the first formal date with Dakota, and he’d chosen an extremely public setting, hoping to communicate that she was off the market. They would be all the buzz in the social columns tomorrow, and short of hiring a town crier or taking out a full page add in the local paper, that was about as public as he could make it.
Besides, they both liked the opera. Alek enjoyed making a good impression when he went to the opera, but tonight he was more intently focused on making a good impression for Dakota.
She’d remembered the last time he wore this tie. It was a holiday party some years ago. He could not believe she remembered exactly what he wore to a Christmas party two years ago right down to the color of his hair band. He thought about it and concluded that because she was a hunter, she was more likely to notice such details than regular people.
His suit was custom made and fit him impeccably. He decided to forgo the hair band tonight and let his hair hang down over his shoulders like she preferred. Their forced separation had left him reeling. Not only had he become accustomed to drinking from her, but he missed the companionship and the intimacy as well. In truth, he’d had been waiting all week to see her again, and it was getting difficult to quell his excitement.
Something about knowing that she’d dressed herself to lure a vampire, affected him. He i
magined her wearing a red dress like the black ones he’d seen her in when they’d rubbed elbows before his abduction.
Alek often had to remind himself that he did, in fact, have an honest to goodness life before being dropped by a large animal tranquilizer, abducted and chained to the concrete floor. Alek had been a high powered businessman, was on the board of directors for a local charity and attended many formal functions that made the social pages of local papers. After being hunted and rescued by the nation’s premier hunter, his face had been splashed all over the news feeds. He was described as the reclusive, wealthy newcomer who caught the eye of a hunter. There were images of them entering and leaving the hospital. Someone had even caught an aerial shot of them the day they took the kids to the beach. Trying to have a private moment under the circumstances was proving more difficult than one might imagine.
Yet sitting cuddled and contented with Dakota in his arms was worth all the aggravation. The memory of how her blood tasted and the little sounds she made when he pleasured her sharpened his need for this night to go as planned. Finding himself a greedy bastard, Alek wasn’t content to feed and sex. He wanted her love and affection, for her to be as needy for him as he was for her.
An image of her beautiful face rose in his mind. She lifted her weapon, and without hesitation, she killed the ignorant human responsible for the worst torment of his life. The deranged human had repaired one of the old truth-telling devices. It was a small machine designed to drain the blood from a vampire and then force it back into the body repeatedly as a means of torture. The pain was unlike anything he’d known in his lifetime.
One part of the situation stuck out in his mind all these weeks later. Dakota was human, and she killed a fellow human to save a newcomer, a vampire no less. There were times when he still couldn’t get his head around that simple fact. Then he’d see Dakota’s son walk by and he knew that’s why she chose the Vampiere over her own kind. It was because Jared’s father was of the Vampiere. He must have been a prime and Jared must have taken after him, because Jared was clearly more vampire than human.