Bewitching the Vampire

by Carrie Pulkinen

  BEWITCHING

  the VAMPIRE

  Carrie Pulkinen

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and

  incidents are either the product of the author’s

  imagination or are used fictitiously, and any

  resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business

  establishments, events, or locales, is entirely

  coincidental.

  Bewitching the Vampire

  COPYRIGHT © 2017 by Carrie Pulkinen

  Published by Smashwords

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or

  reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written

  permission of the author

  except in the case of brief quotations embodied in

  critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: carrie.pulkinen@gmail.com

  PO Box 57623

  Webster, TX 77598

  www.CarriePulkinen.com

  Second Edition, 2017

  ISBN: 9781370057832

  Published in the United States of America

  Table of Contents

  Get a Free Copy of Sweet Release

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

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  CHAPTER ONE

  The stench of rotting garbage assaulted Cassie McClain’s senses as she stepped around an overflowing dumpster and followed Trinity into the alley. Her friend’s long blonde hair swished down her back as she hopped over a steamy puddle and turned to wait for her.

  “Are you sure this is the right place?” Cassie’s heel landed in the water. She shook her foot, splattering muddy droplets against a brick wall. The New Orleans summer heat hung over the French Quarter like a hot, wet towel draped across the city, making Cassie’s curls twist tighter on her head.

  “I’m positive.” Trinity’s straight locks seemed immune to the humidity, her longs bangs falling into her eyes as she nodded toward a door. “This is it.”

  Cassie scrunched up her nose. “They could’ve picked a better spot for the entrance. What’s with the garbage and potholes?”

  “It’s not the kind of place that wants to draw attention to itself.”

  “True.”

  “And we need to get out of this alley before we draw any attention to ourselves.” Trinity linked her arm through Cassie’s and stepped toward the plain wooden door. No sign hung above announcing the club’s existence. Only a single, bare lightbulb cast a dim glow over the entrance.

  Cassie hesitated, a slight sensation of nausea rolling through her stomach. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. My mom’s going to kill me.”

  Trinity put her hands on her shoulders. “You’re twenty-two years old. Where you hang out is not your mom’s decision to make.”

  “I know. It’s not that. It’s just…this is dangerous. We’re exposing ourselves.”

  “We’re exposing ourselves by standing in this alley. Once we go inside, we’re perfectly safe. Everyone in there is like us. We belong here, with these people. I’m tired of hiding.”

  Cassie straightened her spine. “You’re right. I’m tired of it too. Let’s go have some fun.”

  Trinity pulled open the door, and they stepped into a narrow, dimly lit hallway. A monster of a man stood in front of them, blocking the entry. Standing at least six foot six, he crossed his thick arms over his muscular chest, his pecs threatening to bust out of his tight black t-shirt. He looked them up and down and leaned forward to sniff the air.

  His deep orange aura screamed werewolf, and Cassie avoided looking him directly in the eyes.

  “Witches.” He let out a grunt and stepped aside, granting them access to the long, dark hallway.

  Cassie’s heart rate kicked up as they padded toward the club entrance. Thanks to her ability to see auras, she could spot any supernatural being within her field of vision. But she knew better than to call anyone out in public. Humans were less than friendly to those who possessed magic, so most of the supernatural community kept their abilities secret.

  But Club Hecate was an exclusive facility for the supernatural community only. Most humans didn’t know it existed. And if the rotting garbage and muddy potholes outside didn’t deter anyone who might be curious, the giant werewolf guarding the front door would certainly scare them away.

  She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, bracing herself for the onslaught of noise and thumping bass. But soft jazz music floated through the air as couples slow-danced near a small stage. A hundred or so people milled around, chatting and drinking, and acting so very…normal. Had she not been able to see the auras and feel the buzzing energy of so much magic concentrated in one room, she would have never guessed this was a supernatural club.

  “Well, this isn’t what I was expecting at all.”

  Trinity pulled her toward the bar. “What were you expecting?”

  “Ear-splitting bass. Writhing bodies. Sweat. Blood. There are a lot of vampires here, so…blood.”

  Her friend laughed and ordered two beers. “There’s a different theme every night. I purposely brought you to jazz night to avoid all that.” She took a swig. “And as for the blood. You know vampires only feed on humans, so…” She nodded toward the bartender filling a glass with thick, red liquid. “O positive on tap.”

  “Ew.”

  Trinity shrugged. “Most of the guys here are vampires. The good-looking ones anyway.”

  She swept her gaze across the crowd. Most of the male auras she spotted did glow a deep crimson. And most of the men they belonged to were attractive. “Why are vampires so hot? They should share some of that hotness with the other men. You know, level the playing field.”

  “I don’t know. Concentrating all that heat into one guy looks pretty good to me.”

  Cassie sipped her beer, savoring the effervescence as it slid down her throat. This was the first time she’d been anywhere in public where she didn’t have to hide her abilities. Seeing all these supernatural beings together in one place had her head spinning with excitement. Still… “My mom would kill me if I dated a vampire.”

  “She’s still hung up on that vague premonition dream? She didn’t even see the vampire, did she?”

  “No, but I was dying, and the scene was tinted red, which means there were vampires around. I’m not even allowed to befriend one, much less date one.” She shrugged and picked at the label on her bottle. “She says they’re bad news, and she’d freak if she knew I was surrounded by so many of them now.”

  Trinity downed her beer and set the bottle on the bar. “Good thing she doesn’t know then. Do you believe her?”

  “Not really. She only had the dream once, when she was pregnant with me. It was probably hormones.”

  Her friend grinned. “So you would consider dating a vampire?”

  “I don’t know. There’s also the fact that they live forever and witches don’t. If I dated one, as soon as I got old, he’d leave me for a newer model. Then there’s the blood.” She shivered. “I don’t think I could handle that.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “Why?”

  Trinity nodded her head at something over Cassie’s shoulder. “Because that particular vampire has got his eye on you.”

  “Who?” She
spun around, and her gaze landed on the bluest pair of eyes she’d ever seen. They sparkled like sapphires, their deep hue pulling her in, drowning her senses. She blinked and looked away, but something about him drew her attention back. He had dark, wavy hair and wore jeans and a blue shirt that drew her gaze back toward his eyes. “Wow.”

  “Go talk to him.”

  Her body instinctively drifted toward him, and her feet followed, involuntarily carrying her closer to the vampire. She shook herself to break the trance. “No. I can’t. He’s doing something to me with his eyes. He’s glamouring me.”

  Trinity laughed. “You know that doesn’t work on witches. Whatever you’re feeling for him is coming from you.” She clutched her arm. “Wait. I recognize him.”

  He rose from his chair and strode toward her. Oh, god. What should she do? Her mother would tell her to run, but she couldn’t deny the intensity of the feelings swirling inside her, the magnetism she felt toward this stranger. She took another step toward him.

  “Cassie, that’s Branan Sinclair.”

  Her friend’s words froze her to the spot. “Lord Sinclair?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That hunk of a man with the kind, blue eyes is the ruthless, supernatural leader of the city? Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. What are you going to do?”

  Her pulse quickened as he approached. He moved with the grace of a cat, his gaze never leaving hers. He flashed a small smile, though the perplexed look in his eyes confused her. Maybe he wasn’t interested in her. Maybe he just wanted to ask her a question. Whatever it was, she had no choice but to talk to him. Her attraction to him aside, he was the ruler of the city. She couldn’t just walk away.

  He stopped two feet in front of her. “Hello. I’m Branan Sinclair.” His deep, velvety voice wrapped around her, holding her captive.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lord Sinclair. My name is Cassandra.” Her stomach fluttered at the intensity of his gaze. “But you can call me Cassie.”

  “And you can call me Branan.” He held out his hand. “Dance with me, Cassie.”

  “Okay.” She cast a wide-eyed glance at Trinity and placed her hand in his.

  He sucked in a sharp breath and hesitated for a split second before regaining his composure. Had she not been watching him so intently, she wouldn’t have noticed the slight shift in his demeanor.

  His gaze swam down her body, and back up to meet hers, that same perplexed look returning to his eyes. “You’re a witch.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  “We will see.”

  * * *

  Branan pulled Cassie into his arms and swayed softly to the music. What on earth was he doing dancing with a witch? He’d made the mistake of loving one once, and he had no intention of letting it happen again.

  Still, he couldn’t deny the jolt that shot through his heart the moment she looked at him. She was destined to be his mate; he knew it without a doubt.

  But destiny got it wrong this time.

  He groaned inwardly as she slid her hand up his back and pressed her body to his. She felt the attraction too. There was no denying it. And he wanted nothing more than to take her home and make love to her. To give her all the pleasure such a beautiful creature deserved.

  And then watch her rip his heart out and shred it.

  He couldn’t pursue her. But he couldn’t seem to let her go.

  The slow, sultry song ended, and the band played an upbeat tune. A swarm of people flooded the dance floor, so he took Cassie by the hand and led her to a door in the back of the club. She hesitated, glancing behind her as if she didn’t trust him.

  If she knew anything about his reputation, she shouldn’t trust him.

  “Where are we going?” Her voice floated over the music, creating a sweeter melody than any song could produce.

  “It’s loud in here. I thought we’d go somewhere quieter so we can talk.”

  She pulled her hand from his. “Where?”

  “To the roof. Just to talk. I promise.” He smiled and placed his palm against her cheek. Her skin felt like silk against his fingers, warm and soft.

  “Okay.” She leaned her face into his touch and returned his smile. Her gaze held too much trust. If she knew what was good for her, she’d leave while she could.

  A melting sensation formed in his chest, and he had to look away before the innocence in her eyes made him reconsider. A nagging voice in the back of his mind screamed at him not to do this. He ignored it. He had no choice.

  He guided her through the door and up the fire escape. Her round backside in his face as he climbed the ladder did nothing to squelch the burning desire in his core.

  But Cassie was an angel. A goddess who deserved so much more than to be doomed to the darkness with a vampire. He hadn’t seen the sun in five hundred years, but he could imagine it glinting off her raven hair, shining in her eyes.

  As they reached the roof, she turned to him, pinning him with her dark gaze. “Why did you bring me up here?”

  “I told you. So we can talk.”

  She rubbed her arms and swallowed hard. “Are you going to…drink from me?”

  Amusement curved his lips. Surely, she knew vampires only fed on humans. “Do you want me to?”

  “No.” Her answer came too quickly.

  He had no intention of feeding from her, but her instant rejection stung. He blinked and recomposed himself before speaking. “Good. Magic blood has a rather bitter taste. I would’ve hated to disappoint you if you did.”

  Her posture relaxed, a ghost of a smile returning to her lips. “Well, if you don’t want to drink my blood, what do you want from me?”

  His stomach tightened at the playful look in her eyes. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? “I want to get to know you. I’m drawn to you, Cassie. The moment our eyes met, something stirred in my soul.”

  A pink blush spread across her cheeks as she cast her gaze to the floor. “I didn’t know who you were at first. I’ve never seen you before.”

  “And I, unfortunately, have never seen you. With most of our kind in hiding, it’s hard to know who possesses a supernatural gift.”

  “Oh, I knew you were a vampire. I can see magic in people’s auras.”

  “That would be a convenient ability. I can sense magic, but I don’t know for sure unless I touch someone.” He took her hand between both of his and fought the urge to pull her into his arms. Good god, but he wanted to kiss her. His mouth watered at the thought of her warm lips pressed to his.

  “What did you think I was before you touched me?”

  He lifted a shoulder and stroked his thumb across the back of her hand. “A fairy, perhaps. Werewolf. Honestly, I didn’t think about what you were. I only knew I had to meet you.”

  “You’re nothing like I expected.”

  “What did you expect?”

  She bit her bottom lip and stepped toward him. “I thought you’d be old.”

  “I am very old.”

  “You don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

  “I was twenty-seven when I was turned.”

  She inched closer and rested a hand on his chest, sending a jolt straight to his heart. “And you have such a…scary reputation. I didn’t expect the kindness in your eyes.”

  “You see kindness in my eyes?” He slid his hands to her hips, his heart sprinting in his chest. Maybe the fates did get it right. Maybe he needed to place his heart in the hands of a witch to finally let go of his past.

  “Kindness, among other things.”

  “Like?”

  “Passion. Longing.” She snaked her hands around the back of his neck, and his core tightened. His entire body ached to be with this woman. She saw past his ruthless leader façade and found the man beneath. The man he’d buried five hundred years ago. Was it possible to resurrect him? If the burning desire pulsing through his veins was any indication, he would enjoy finding out.

  “I would like to kiss you now, Cassie.”
<
br />   “I’d like that too.”

  He only hesitated for a fraction of a second. She felt too good in his arms to waste the moment. He lightly brushed his lips against hers, lingering near her mouth, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her skin. When she didn’t pull away, he kissed her again. Harder this time. With purpose.

  Her lips parted on a gasp, and he couldn’t help but slip his tongue out to taste her. She was sweet, her lips soft like velvet, and when she pressed her curves against him, a shudder ran through his body. She melded to him, conforming to his shape so not even a wisp of air existed between them. Her kiss silenced the nagging voice in his mind reminding him to stay away from witches. He needed this witch like he’d never needed anything in his existence.

  As the passion slowed, she pulled away and gazed into his eyes. “I’ve never kissed a vampire before.”

  If only he could say she was his first witch. Then again, had he never kissed the first one, he wouldn’t be alive today. “And did I live up to your expectations?”

  She bit her bottom lip in such a seductive way, his knees nearly buckled. “I didn’t even notice your fangs.”

  “They generally don’t get in the way.”

  She opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, but she snapped it shut and narrowed her eyes.

  “What is it?” He leaned down for another kiss, lightly brushing his lips to hers. Warmth flushed through his body, pooling in his groin. He could’ve taken her right there on the roof, but he refrained. When he made love to Cassie—and he would make love to her—he wanted to be sure she knew he wanted more than her body. He wanted her heart and soul.

  She closed her eyes and murmured a soft mmm, a satisfied smile curving her pink lips. “I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I know you. Like I’ve known you all my life.”

  He ran his fingers through her curls and marveled at the delicate way they bounced back as he released her hair. Everything about her marveled him. “That’s not crazy. I think we’re soul mates, Cassie. Destined to be together.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Resting her head against his chest, she slid her arms around his waist and held him tight. “If I didn’t have to work in the morning, I’d stay here with you all night.”