Haven 7
In a Stranger’s Eyes
Tragedy took his mate nearly four centuries ago, leaving October Tuesday in ruins. Unwilling to be a victim of his past, he reinvented himself and clawed his way to the top. Now he’s the leader of a large, prestigious coven, but none of that will help him when fate elects to give him a second chance.
Poisoned by a darkness of his own making, Raith Braddock knows it won’t be long before the borrowed magic takes over and consumes him. For this reason, he can’t allow himself to get close to anyone—not his family, and certainly not his Infinity.
October sees something familiar when he looks into Raith’s eyes, and he’s not going to give up so easily. But fighting for his mate will prove more difficult than he ever imagined, especially when the one thing he wants is the very thing he’s fighting against— control.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 48,097 words
IN A STRANGER’S EYES
Haven 7
Gabrielle Evans
EVERLASTING CLASSIC MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove IN A STRANGER’S EYES
Copyright © 2012 by Gabrielle Evans E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-646-2
First E-book Publication: October 2012
Cover design by Sloan Winters
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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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IN A STRANGER’S EYES
Haven 7
GABRIELLE EVANS
Copyright © 2012 Chapter One
“I think we need to talk.” He didn’t turn away from the window, but he kept his expression neutral, knowing the vampire could see his face reflected in the moonlit glass. For weeks, he’d been going out of his way to avoid everyone, especially this man. His bedroom had become his sanctuary, the place where he hid away from the rest of the world to wallow in his self-hatred and misery.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Raith returned, refusing to look at his visitor.
“You can’t shut me out forever, Raith. You can’t just ignore the situation and hope it will go away.”
Perhaps not, but he could try. It should have been a time of great joy and celebration. His brothers, his family, were finally coming together. Some of them he hadn’t seen in far too long to remember. They’d saved Thane from a cruel and horrible fate, and he was recovering, though the progress was slow.
Every day, he watched his brother struggle, anguishing that he was still thin, pale, and broken. Each time Raith stepped into Thane’s room, the sight pierced his heart like a dagger. How the man had survived as long as he had down inside that well was beyond him.
Starved, beaten, wet, cold, and forced to donate the very blood that flowed through his veins would be enough to break anyone. Not Thane, though. His brother, though physically weak, had more internal strength than anyone he’d ever met.
Then there was Zasha. Thane’s Infinity, his Twin Flame, his missing half, and the one person on earth who could finally bring peace to Thane’s lonely existence. Raith had harbored doubts in the beginning, but watching the light that came into his brother’s face each time he looked at Zasha had quelled any ill feelings he held toward the vampire.
Then there was Raith’s own Infinity. Strong, powerful, enigmatic, and almost otherworldly, the man held more integrity in a single strand of golden hair than Raith had in his entire body. He’d lost the vampire before they’d even met near that well on the back of the Snake River Coven property, though. Rash actions and unwise choices had sealed him into an eternity of loneliness.
“So that’s it? You’re just going to pretend like I’m not even here?”
“Pretty much.” It was too hard, and Raith didn’t have it in him anymore.He’d been resistant at first, but he’d finally accepted the consequences of his actions. Of all the things he’d had to give up irrevocably, his mate was certainly the most painful.
It was his choice to allow the poison into his heart, body, and soul, however. His choice and his alone, and he wouldn’t allow anyone else to suffer because of his mistakes.
“You’re a damn fool, Raith Braddock.”
He gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, but he mentally agreed. Yes, he was a fool, but it was too late to take it back. “Are we done here?”
Stomping across the room, his mate grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around, and pushed his back roughly against the wall. Their chests molded together, and one strong thigh was insinuated between Raith’s legs, locking him in place and kicking his lust into overdrive.
Then the lips he’d fantasized about were on him, hard, rough, and demanding. The vampire didn’t ask permission, didn’t try to slowly coax or persuade him. He took what he wanted, thrusting his tongue into Raith’s mouth and dominating him with quiet authority until his head started to spin.
Just when all the reasons this was a bad idea began to slip away, the man released him, shoved away, and marched to the other side of the room. Pausing in the doorway, he turned and pinned Raith with his narrow gaze. His emerald green eyes flashed with something wild and untamed, but when he spoke, his voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Now we’re done.”
With that parting statement, October Tuesday, leader of the Snake River Coven, exited the room, slamming the door behind him.
Raith remained slumped against the wa
ll, closing his eyes and mentally berating himself for his brief weakness. The emptiness of the room surrounded him, oppressive somehow in its vacancy. The walls felt as though they were closing in around him, intent on crushing him.
His throat constricted and his chest tightened, making it nearly impossible to draw air into his lungs. The one place that had been his refuge now felt suffocating and unwelcoming. Damn October and his stubbornness. Why couldn’t he just leave Raith in peace?
Since the night they’d rescued Thane from the well near the windmills, October had been a constant thorn in his side. The man continuously popped up, just when Raith least expected him, giving no warning or time to throw up his defenses. So, Raith turned to the only defense he could—acting like an utter ass and hoping it would send October running.
So far, he was having very little luck with the act.
He remembered each of his previous lives in vivid detail, but unlike Torren and Lynk, he’d never found his Infinity until recently. Mostly, he felt it was for the best. There was already too much temptation where October was concerned. If they’d had a history together, loved each other at different times over the centuries, the self-imposed separation would only be more painful.
It wasn’t the vampire’s fault. He hadn’t done anything wrong, nor did he possess any undesirable qualities. In fact, he was a little too perfect.
Each strand of honey-blond hair curved expertly into place to look casually windswept. His trim body appeared carefully sculpted, and the flawless, ivory skin encasing each chiseled muscle gave the illusion of carved stone rather than living, breathing flesh.
Then there was his unwavering confidence. If the man ever felt insecure about anything, Raith had yet to see it. October always knew the answers, and he delegated tasks with the ease and efficiency of a man born to lead. Was it any wonder that Raith found him so captivating?
Sevenlives he’d lived since the 1500s, and each one had been more reckless than the last, always ending in the most horrific and tragic ways.Perhaps if he’d learned the prudence of blending in with the shadows, he would have survived long enough in one of those previous lives to have met his Infinity. Just maybe, that chance encounter would have knocked some sense into him.
Every lifetime had been led hard and fast. To Raith, it was the only way to live—all out, balls to the wall, and experiencing each day as though it could be his last. The world was a crazy place. The people in it were crazier. For most, there was only one shot at making the most of what they were given.
Then again, if he wasn’t sure of his reincarnation, maybe he wouldn’t have acted quite so rashly. He doubted it, though. It just wasn’t in him to tiptoe through life or play things by the rules. His brothers and a few close friends were all he needed, the only things that really mattered. As long as his actions brought no harm to anyone else, he didn’t see the need for caution.
Well, he’d screwed that up in spectacular fashion. If there was an award for the world’s biggest jackass, he’d definitely be in the running for the title.
While sucking the life and magic from the witch, Natalie Halstead, hadn’t really harmed anyone, taking the poisonous dark magic into himself could prove dangerous for those he loved. He could be a threat to them, and that was unacceptable. Maybe he should have thought of that before he’d let his temper and frustration get the better of him.
It was too late to take it back now. It wasn’t as though he could go back in time and change the idiotic things he’d done. So, he’d just have to be extra vigilant, take notice of every sudden change in his attitude, and keep everyone at arm’s length. “It’s for the best.” Why should October have to pay for his mistakes? “It’s for the best.”
So why did it hurt so fucking much?
* * * * “Stubborn, ridiculous, masochistic fool,” October grumbled under his breath as he stomped out of the Council house and down the stone steps.
Raith Braddock was in for a very rude awakening if he thought that October was even remotely finished with him. He was nearly a thousand years old, leader of one of the biggest covens in the country, and he would be damned if some snotty pup with a bit of magic was going to get away from him.
He wasn’t sure what irritated him more— the fact that Raith thought he didn’t know about the unfortunate incident with the cursed magic, or that he thought October was incapable of handling the situation. One thing was for certain, though. Raith was his mate, and the man couldn’t hide forever.
From the moment October had caught his alluring scent in the field by the windmills, he’d known he would do anything to have Raith by his side, in his bed, and possibly even in his heart. Stubbornness and pride had caused him to lose one mate many years ago, and he wasn’t about to let it happen again.
“Problems?” his friend and second in command, Gideon, asked when October slid into the passenger seat of the SUV.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” he assured the vampire.
“Maybe you’re going about this the wrong way. I mean, guys like romance, too, right? Maybe you should woo him or court him or whatever they call it.”
“Normally, I would agree with you.” This wasn’t a normal circumstance, however. “I’m not sure that Raith Braddock is the wine-androses type, however.” He could see his attempts to seduce the witch going horribly wrong with that approach. “No, I believe Raith needs a firm hand.”
“It could be that he just doesn’t know that he likes being romanced,” Gideon suggested. “Maybe no one ever tried.”
October hadn’t thought of that. In fact, he’d just come to the conclusionthat niceties wouldn’t work based on Raith’s appearance and temperament.“So, you think I should try something gentler?”
Gideon shrugged as he pulled out onto the main road. “It couldn’t hurt. Besides, if that doesn’t work, you always have plan B. That firm hand you were talking about,” he clarified with a chuckle.
“Hmm, maybe I was too hard on him.” Very rarely did October get less than what he wanted, and never did he let his emotions rule him, not until Raith had come along anyway. That scene back in his mate’s bedroom had been nothing if not emotionally charged.
It had been a long time since he’d had a mate or even a lover. As a leader, he was sensitive to the needs of his coven, but when it came right down toit, he’d always do what he thought was best for them. It was possible that he’d just assumed the same attitude toward Raith.
Yes, he cared about Raith’s feelings and thoughts, but had he actually shown that? No.He’d barged right into the man’s room, lost his temper, and then stormed out like a petulant child. Granted, it was rather rude for Raith to stand there with his back turned and ignore him, but he probably could have handled the situation with a bit more tact.
“Turn around.” October was seriously beginning to question whether a mate was truly worth it. His problems with Raith were turning him into an indecisive fool, and they’d only been dancing around each other for a few days. Patience obviously wasn’t one of his stronger traits.
“Are you sure? We could try again tomorrow.”
“I’m sure.” Thinking back on his behavior sickened him. He couldn’t let things stand as he’d left them. He’d seen the fear, the desperation, and the longing in Raith’s eyes before he’d walked out of that door.Yet, he’d kept going, unwilling to bend even the slightest.
What kind of man does that make me?He didn’t have an exact answer, but he knew itwasn’t the kind of man he wanted to be. And it definitely wasn’t the kind of man who deserved someone like Raith.
No matter the image he portrayed to others or the way he viewed himself, Raith was pure and selfless. He’d taken the dark and cursed magic into his own being to protect the people he loved without thought of consequences. Of course it had been rash and foolhardy, but it had also been incredibly brave and sacrificing.
Raith was young, impetuous, and rebellious. He lived by no one’s rules but his own. He was a rogue, a maverick, without direction and unc
aring that he had no destination in life. He was also loyal. October doubted there was anything the man wouldn’t do for his brothers. There was kindness, compassion, and a desire for acceptance in those beautiful onyx eyes that he imagined few took the time to notice.
Yes, he’d gotten all of that from just a few short meetings and clipped conversations. Call him highly observant. A man did not live as long as he had without learning a few things along the way, though.
When Gideon pulled to a stop in front of the Council house once again, October slid down from the vehicle andthanked his friend. “Go home, Gideon. I’m not leaving until my dear mate pulls his head out of his ass.”
Gideon laughed and bobbed his head. “Good luck with that, Tober. I hope you have better luck than you did before.”
“Oh, by the way…”
“Yes?” The vampire arched an eyebrow at him, stilling grinning from ear to ear.
“Thank you for talking some sense into me.”
Gideon shrugged. “I didn’t do much. You’re a great leader. I don’t think that’s going to help you much in this case, though. You’ll have to learn tobend a little.”
Funny, he’d just been thinking the same thing. “Go home, Gid. I’ll see you soon.”
“Go easy on him. He looks tough on the outside, but I’ve got a feeling there’s a whole world ofhurt on the inside.”
October dipped his head and closed the door, waving Gideon off before climbing the stairs to ring the doorbell. Compromise was the name of the game, but it was going to take something drastic to get Raith to pull his head out of his ass.
“Wow, twice in one night,” Lynk Braddock said when he opened the door. “I hope you’re here to kick my brother’s ass, because he is seriously depressing right now.”
“I don’t know about kicking his ass, but I would like to speak to him again.”
“Well, come in.” Lynk stepped back and waved him inside. “He’s still pouting in his room.”
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