Vampire Nights (Vampire Wishes Book 3)

by RaShelle Workman

  Troy reacted differently. “What the hell is happening?”

  “It’s okay,” I said, trying to reassure him. “This is how the first piece ended up here.” I touched my head.

  “You sure?” His eyes were huge and he still looked pretty freaked out.

  “Yes.” When I felt it reach my eyes there was a flash of light, and it moved over next to the first piece. I could feel it, but only for a moment before it was gone.

  “That’s it?” He came close, pushing hair off my forehead and feeling for it. “Does it hurt?”

  “No, I feel fine. Great, actually.”

  “You sure?” He cupped my face in his hands, his mouth inches from mine. “My awesome, lovely assassin-slaying vampire.”

  I laughed at the ridiculous title. It was a mouthful, to say the least. “Positive.”

  He kissed me softly. “Then let’s get out of here.”

  “Hold me first,” I said.

  “With pleasure.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. I had no idea how to work the amulet, but I put a hand over the gem and thought about home. A bright light flashed around us and instantly we were back in my mom’s house.

  Gatsby sat on the counter, licking his mouth. “Where the hell have you been?”

  THE END of Vampire Nights.

  Continue Jasmine’s story by reading VAMPIRE PREY.

  ___________

  BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

  Turn the page to read an EXCLUSIVE short story told from Adam Henry’s point of view. Titled: THE PROFESSOR’S ORIGIN. It let’s you see what happened to Professor Pops and Joan of Arc!

  ___________

  The Professor’s Origin

  Professor Pops is a beloved character within the Blood and Snow world, but where did he come from? How did he become the incredibly lovable man that he is.

  One

  France

  1428

  Before I became a vampire I was just a man with simple needs and one desire. Her name was Joanna Reesa d’Arc. I called her Red because of her deep auburn hair. She always wore it down her back in a long braid.

  Red was beautiful in every way. Strong. Courageous. Devoted to her country and family. To a stranger she might appear weak and helpless, but she was none of that. She was five feet of fearlessness with deep convictions toward her visions of what God wanted France to become.

  The first time I saw her she was in her eighth year. In her tiny hands she carried a pail full of water. A serious expression, one I would learn meant she was thinking, hung on her lovely face. She wore a white bonnet along with a hunter green frock the same color as her eyes.

  Joanna was the daughter of the town constable. The d’Arc family was the closest thing to royalty the town had and they acted like it too.

  When I was young I wanted to know her, to be near her. By the time she was sixteen I knew I loved her and would follow her to the ends of the Earth if she asked. And she did.

  Much later in life I would recognize it had been her destiny to lead armies and it was mine to love her…

  “Adam, stop taking it easy on me. If I’m going to be any kind of swordswoman I mustn’t be coddled.”

  “Very well, Red.” I transferred my sword into my stronger hand.

  She stuck out her tongue sarcastically. “Bon. Let’s go again.”

  For the next thirty minutes she and I practiced. She was so good, better even than I, but she always wanted to learn more.

  “Are you going to Chinon tomorrow?” I asked her the question even though I knew the answer. She would go and I would accompany her.

  “Of course. The king needs me.”

  “Are you sure?” I stepped forward and swung my sword.

  She blocked and gave me a winning smile. “If I didn’t listen to my God, what sort of servant would I be? Without me, the king cannot win. Unless you think Saint Michael is a liar?” She lifted her eyes in question.

  “More than anything, I believe you aren’t a liar.”

  “I’m glad because it wouldn’t do if the man I loved didn’t trust in me.”

  “I do. With all my heart.”

  She came at me with her sword. I blocked and parried.

  “God is with us. Know that, Adam.”

  I beamed at her confidence. She wasn’t arrogant. Joanna just knew without a doubt what she needed to do and nothing could deter her. “You’re so full of yourself," I joked.

  She spun around, sending her dress ballooning out around her legs. “And you are a tease.” Her face glowed.

  “I can’t help myself. I enjoy seeing you riled up.” As I spoke I pulled her against my chest. “It makes your green eyes sparkle like early morning dew kissing newly grown grass.” I took in her subtle lips, hungry to taste her.

  We were practicing behind my father’s shop with the swords I’d recently made for the two of us. The sun had been down for hours and the moonflowers scented the air in my mother’s garden.

  “What would my father say if he knew?” she asked, but leaned into me and lifted her face so I could see her mischief. Every night for the last fourteen months we’d been sneaking out and meeting to train.

  “I hope he’ll agree to let you become Mrs. Joanna Reesa Henry.” She glanced away and I knew why. Her father wanted her to marry another man.

  “Don’t worry. No matter what, I won’t let Ansel lay a finger on you.”

  She pulled me close. “I believe you.”

  “My sweet Red. I am very glad.”

  She chewed on her lip, her face serious.

  I ran my free hand along her cheek. “God knows how much I love you. We will find a way to be together. That other man means nothing to us.”

  Ansel Grafton was an awful man. Sure he’d saved a little girl from being eaten by a bear one year, but he’d been the reason the bear was there in the first place. The jackass killed the baby and mama bear wanted to exact her revenge.

  Joanna’s father also didn’t seem to care that Ansel spent way too much time drinking and hanging out with the town whore.

  I kissed her lightly. “I promise, it’s you and me forever.”

  “Good.” She wrapped her hands around my neck. “Because you are the only man for me, mon chèr.”

  Two

  I was up before dawn the next morning. Our small group would travel to Chinon so Joanna could speak to the king. She no longer wore her lovely green dress, but sturdy armor over brown pants, a brown shirt, and a burgundy cape. Even dressed like a man, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

  “Let’s get this over with,” her uncle Durrand shouted. He kicked the sides of his horse and it moved forward.

  He’d made it apparent he wanted no part of her crusade, but was doing what she asked out of respect for her father. That went for the rest of the convoy as well.

  We rode for several hours. The land was covered in mist and fog, making our travelling wet and uncomfortable. Despite that, the men’s spirits were light. They joked and laughed until we stopped to stretch our legs and eat some bread and cheese. It was during that break I noticed something off about the land around us. Usually there were birds singing and the sounds of animals rustling in the underbrush.

  But the road and the surrounding forest were eerily quiet. Not even a bird twittered its warning song. Something hunted us. I had no idea what, but I needed to find out and destroy it.

  “Durrand, I’m going to stay behind. Make sure all is well.”

  “Fine,” he replied, waving me away. “Whatever.”

  I knew I wasn’t anything to him, but I didn’t care. Red meant everything to me and I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

  “Adam,” Joanna whispered. She didn’t want the others to see her feelings for me. To her those feelings were weakness. I was a disadvantage they could use against her.

  “It’ll be all right. I want to check out the surrounding area, make sure you’re safe.” She gave me a look that said she’d rather I remain with her. “I’ll return before n
ightfall.”

  “D’accord.” She took a deep breath and climbed on her horse. “Until tonight.”

  “Move out,” Durrand yelled.

  I watched them ride away. Had I known all that I know now, I might have made different choices. As soon as she was out of sight I knew my life would never be the same.

  I mounted my horse and doubled back, listening for anything that might explain what pursued us. My first thought was that it was Ansel, that perhaps he believed himself being loyal by following after us. But there were neither hoof prints nor footprints. There were no tracks at all.

  “What is going on?” I whispered into the wind.

  Nightfall came as I returned to camp. Joanna and the men had pitched their tents. They sat around a fire, the men laughing and talking loudly. Joanna sat away from the others. She seemed miles away, lost in thoughts I couldn’t even imagine.

  “Bonjour.” I hailed them. “It is I, Adam Henry.

  As soon as Joanna saw me, she stood and my favorite smile lit her face. “Adam,” she said.

  My heart raced at seeing her. I could almost smell the honeysuckle scent of her hair. Red. My beautiful Red. How I longed to sweep her up in my arms and kiss away her troubles. Instead I just nodded. She’d had a momentary lapse in decorum. If I responded in kind to her words she’d be upset with herself and me later. I wouldn’t let that happen. I loved her too much.

  I climbed off my horse, but kept my distance.

  Until they appeared. Like wraiths they stepped out of the darkness. At least a dozen of them dressed in black hooded robes.

  “Run,” I shouted.

  Joanna started, alarm replacing the faraway look in her eyes. Before she could move, a woman in a blood red cape appeared in front of her. One moment she hadn’t been there and the next she was. Electricity filled with air, like just before a thunderstorm. It crackled and snapped.

  “Are you an angel?” Joanna asked. She showed no fear and I cried out in frustration.

  “I’m your angel,” the woman answered. “My name is Sharra.” She removed her hood, revealing long black hair and skin the color of unchurned milk.

  Joanna’s hand found her sword, but the woman shook her head. “Your blade is of no use to you, Joanna Reesa d’Arc.” She stepped closer. “I’m in need of your body. You are strong, beautiful, and powerful. If you allow me to merge with you we can become the ruler of this country if that is your wish.”

  “Blasphemy,” Joanna hissed.

  “Be gone, devil woman,” I shouted.

  She turned to me. “I am not the devil, my dear. At least I don’t have to be. Leave Joanna to me and I’ll let you live.” Her lips turned up in a sly smile.

  “I cannot do that. Step away from her now.” A ferocious anger filled every part of my body. I would stop the she-devil or die trying.

  “That is too bad.” She touched Joanna’s forehead.

  Joanna’s eyes closed and she fell to the ground. “Do not touch him or the girl. I want both,” she said to the others.

  The men of our convoy sprang into action, drawing their swords. It didn’t escape my notice that those under the hoods were all women. Except one. His heritage was unknown to me, but his skin and eyes were dark as the night around us.

  Without giving him another thought, I went after the woman who called herself Sharra.

  The skirmish wasn’t much of a fight. It lasted mere seconds. The women in the black robes fell on the men as though to embrace them, but the men screamed in pain.

  “As for you.” She looked me up and down. Lifted her hand and my sword flew out of my grasp. “You cannot kill me.” She flicked her wrist and I sank unwillingly to my knees. “I know you love the girl,” she said, coming to stand directly in front of me.

  I glanced around her, checking to make sure Joanna was still on the ground.

  Sharra went on, “I saw you in her mind, you know. Joanna loves you, though she knows the two of you can never be. She believes her life is destined for so much more than becoming your wife and bearing you children. The girl intends to lead France’s army against the English. To her death if needs be. She believes that is her divine calling.” Sharra brushed a piece of my hair off my face. I shuddered at the chill in her fingers. “But I have greater plans for her.”

  “You. Will. Not. Touch. Her,” I bit out, clenching my teeth.

  “My dear, I’ll do whatever I please.” She opened her mouth and to my utter astonishment fangs, like the canines on a bear, grew in her mouth.

  “You are the devil,” I said dumbfounded.

  “Oh no. The devil fears me.” She tilted my head and sank her teeth into my neck.

  In that moment, as the edges of my vision faded into darkness, I believed my life was over. My only regret was that I hadn’t saved my love, my Joanna.

  Three

  I came to, and heard Sharra talking.

  “I know you believe in your visions, but where is your God now, when you need Him most. Don’t you think if you were meant to lead your country to victory, He would rescue you?”

  “You speak blasphemy against my Lord. It may not be today, but you will suffer for your irreverence.” Joanna spoke with quiet certainty.

  Sharra grabbed Joanna’s face. “Highly unlikely, little one.”

  I opened my eyes and saw that Joanna was chained to a wall. It appeared we were in a dungeon of some sort. It stank of rotting flesh and wet dirt.

  “Release her. You can contend with me, but leave Joanna alone.”

  Sharra sauntered over. The material on her dress rustled against her legs. “I wondered when you’d wake up. You’ve been asleep a long time. Days in fact. I didn’t take that much blood. Only tasted.”

  “Mi amour,” Joanna said, reaching out to me. The cuffs around her wrists rattled.

  Fury raged through my heart and soul, that anyone would dare to treat Joanna so disrespectfully stormed through my body.

  A quick look and I realized I’d been chained to a stone slab. “Either kill me or free me, but know if you do not kill me, I will find a way out of these chains and end you painfully.” I strained against the bonds, but to no avail. My clothes had been removed, except my trousers. Sweat streaked my hairline. It was hot like the workshop when firing metal for a sword. The smell of sulfur stifled the air, making it painful to breathe.

  “You are a rare treat, Adam Henry.” With one of her nails, she cut a shallow straight line down my chest, leaving a streak of blood in its wake. “If Joanna didn’t need to drink your blood I would drain all you myself.”

  “Drink my…” It was then that I remembered her fangs. “What are you?”

  “I’ve been known by name names: Blood drinker, night crawler, draugr, vrykolakas, strigoi, and my personal favorite, vampire.” She licked her finger.

  “Vampire.” I repeated the word slowly.

  The man I’d seen earlier stepped toward Joanna.

  “Stay away from her. Don’t lay a finger on her.”

  He ignored me and tilted Joanna’s head. Fangs pierced Joanna’s soft skin and a drop of blood ran down her neck.

  Never in my life had I felt such helpless, hopeless agony. “Please,” I begged. “Don’t do this. Please.” I knew I sounded pitiful, but I didn’t care. If anyone was to die, it should be me, not my beautiful Joanna.

  Joanna’s head rolled back. She moaned, and she seemed to press her neck further into the man’s mouth.

  “Joanna?” I couldn’t believe what my eyes beheld.

  “You see, Adam Henry, the bite of a vampire, especially that of a Hunter is sensual and irresistible.” She bent and licked my chest. When she straightened I saw my blood on her tongue. “If it makes you feel any better, Joanna cannot help herself. She longs for him the way a moth needs the flame.”

  “Stop. Please. Do not do this. Take me instead.”

  Sharra pushed my head to the side. “Your blood is all I need. All Joanna needs.” Sharra glanced at her. “You’ll live as long as it takes for Joan
na to become a vampire and then she’ll be mine. She’ll do my bidding, fight for my causes, not the pitiful needs of a whiny king and his dreary country.”

  Four

  Joanna and I were chained in Sharra’s dungeon for what could’ve been days, but may have only been hours. It was hard to tell. There were no windows, no light other than that of the candles around the room. We were brought food at random times. After a while Joanna stopped eating and her eyes turned from their lovely green to a blood red.

  “It won’t be long now,” Sharra said to Joanna when she rounded the corner and appeared. “If you don’t feed soon, you’ll die.”

  “I would rather die than drink the blood of my love.”

  Sharra growled. “Why must you be so stubborn? I will force you if I have to.”

  “You can try, vampire.” Her voice shook with emotion.

  I lifted my head. “Red?”

  She sagged against the chains that bound her. But at the sound of her name, she lifted her head toward me. “Do not worry, mi amour. The worst she can do is kill me and if I should leave this world, fear not, for I will see my Maker and there is nothing but joy in that.” She took a deep breath and I realized how close to death she really was.

  Sharra snapped her fingers and a golden cup appeared. She grabbed my hand with a strength I couldn’t believe she possessed and cut my wrist with one of her nails. I watched my blood drain into the cup like water from a fall. “Perhaps you should tell her that death isn’t the worst I can do.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked the question but I really didn’t want to know.

  “Kenmei,” she hollered.

  “Yes, my queen.” He emerged wearing all black and dragging a woman beside him. There was a burlap bag over her head.

  “No,” I whispered.

  Sharra smiled. “Oh, yes.” To Kenmei she said, “Remove the bag and let our dear Joanna see whom I’ve brought for her.”