Drayce gently nodded. The sole reason sparing him from becoming soaking wet was that the rain poured rather slanted. “Normally, I wouldn’t have to ask…” he said in a dispassionate voice. His preternatural eyes swept the room with a quick glance. “But this house is rigged with magic.”
“Sounds like one of Prim’s spells, all right.” I got off the bed, pulling down my sweater’s sleeves until they covered my cold hands. And all the while, as I ambled to the window, Drayce’s dilated pupils fixed on me, a glimmer of hunger shining in the darkness of his eyes. His stare’s intensity rattled me to my core, arousing both dread and desire.
He was a blood drinker. I had to remind myself of that, especially when his appearance was so damn deceiving.
I stopped a few steps from reaching him. “Drayce,” I began. “Will you promise not to harm anyone in this household?” I was ashamed to ask, but I did so nonetheless.
Drayce remained impassible as he listened to my question. I could read no expression on his face as he slowly raised his chin.
“I’m sorry if this offends you,” I added, biting my lower lip afterwards.
“That can hardly be the case,” he said with a low sensual voice, and finally, a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. “Not since killing is my sole means of survival.” He paused. “You have my word. I will not harm anyone in this household once I have your permission to enter… You mustn’t fear me. I would never harm you or your loved ones.”
“In that case,” I said, moving closer, “permission granted.”
“Wonderful,” he said, leaping into the room with the grace of a wildcat. “I was getting tired of being perched up on the window.”
Having him so near, standing in my bedroom for the first time, thrilled me beyond measure. Useless, trying to refrain my racing heartbeat. My hands landed on his firm chest, eager to touch him.
My breathing hitched when his strong arms wrapped me in a warm embrace. I buried my face in his chest, and his cologne gently filled my lungs with the mesmerizing fragrance of sandalwood and moss. This nearness, this absolute glory of feeling his body next to mine had become my guiltless addiction… It almost made me overlook the question bouncing in my head ever since I’d seen him. Almost.
Slightly parting from him, I met his stare. I risked the danger of losing myself in his deep amber irises, his widened pupils, pools of unfathomable darkness.
“How did you find me, by the way?” I finally asked.
Drayce’s expression softened. “I asked around for the most beautiful witch in Kennington.” He shrugged. “Now…” His lips landed on mine in a tender kiss that shifted as his tongue gently pushed my lips apart, becoming then deeper, darker, and demanding.
My knees buckled. A thousand waves of desire crashed inside me, stirred by the magic of his lips. When he slowly parted, Drayce heaved a sigh that shot gooseflesh up my arms.
“Bloody hell,” I whispered, catching my breath. “You’re a great kisser.”
“Do you think so, Kiera?” he teased, a glimmer of mischief in his smile.
My eyes flew open. “You found out my name,” I mused, impressed. “How?”
“You left your Facebook profile open,” he said, pointing at the laptop on the desk behind me.
“Quite the spy, aren’t you?” I locked my hands behind his back, pulling him closer. “Is that all you came here to prove?” My voice came out sultrier than I’d wanted. But how could it not when I wanted him so badly?
Drayce cupped the sides of my face with his hands and kissed me once more. In a flash, he raised me from the floor, searing lips gliding down my neck as he carried me to the bed.
Our clothes were shed fast, scattered in the room as our bare bodies tangled in unparalleled abandon. Dark waves of desire crashed through my core, powerful echoes of the most glorious rapture ever known to me before.
In the height of ecstasy, Drayce sunk his face in my shoulder, turning slightly to meet my neck. His silken lips pressed against my skin, grazing teeth brushing it quickly. I prepared myself for the sudden pain of keen fangs penetrating flesh and muscle, ready for the vampire’s bite to take its plunge into me; but as his body tensed, he moaned and drew his face away.
When it was over, we lay in each other’s arms, silent, unwilling to bring to the surface such a dangerous conversation that could only lead to heartache.
Minutes passed. Drayce took a deep breath and turned to me, gliding his fingers through my hair, dark eyes filled with tenderness as they contemplated my face. “Kiera,” he whispered. “Why don’t you come home with me tomorrow? I’d like you to meet my friends.”
Lost in his stare, I would have agreed to anything he asked. In his arms, I was at home. I couldn’t understand why, but he was so familiar to me. It was as if we’d known each other for decades.
“Are these friends of yours vampires too?” At this point, I was simply rambling. My sole concern was extending this moment as long as possible. It was bound to end at some point, and that awareness made it all too bittersweet.
“They are,” he said, folding his hand over mine, tugging it gently to meet his lips. Drayce waited to read my reaction.
“Do you think that’s wise?” I asked, concerned. “Vampires rarely like witches.”
“Well, this one does,” he said with a serious tone, putting an end to that conversation.
A rush of warmth rose to my face. He likes me. The words echoed in my mind, and although they thrilled me to the point of wanting to shout how much I liked him, I pulled myself together and simply smiled.
The doorbell rang.
Had Prim forgotten the house keys, maybe? I checked my cellphone’s screen. 11:15 PM. I then dropped the phone on the night table.
“That can’t be Prim…” I mumbled with a frown. She’d told me she’d be back after midnight, something to do with a ritual.
But if Prim wasn’t at the door, then who was?
Chapter Eight
“Are you expecting company?” Drayce asked. No trace of apprehension tinged his voice, yet despite his detached demeanor, he made no effort to conceal the signs of his alertness. The muscles of his neck and jaw tensed, and his torso slightly leaned forward as he sat on the bed, ready to leap into attack mode upon the slightest hint of a threat.
“I’m not…” I said, slipping into my clothes, uncertainty brewing in my core as I considered the possibility of Ransom appearing at my doorstep once more.
My phone buzzed and vibrated on the night table. Twice. I grabbed it fast and read the flashing screen.
Mer: It’s me, Kiera. Open up, woman!
Mer: It’s over with John. Need you.
“Fucking bastard,” I muttered, shaking my head. Heaving a sigh, I put the phone away and grabbed my shoes.
“Well, that was quick,” Drayce said, leaning back against the headboard. He quirked his lips up while dipping his fingers through his jet-black hair. “Was it something I said?”
I flinched. “No! Not you…” You’re bloody perfect. “It’s John. That bastard broke up with my best friend.”
“Oh, I see,” he said, steering away from his playful attitude. A glint of concern touched his voice. Drayce stroked his chin, pondering my words in silence. “This best friend of yours... she’s at the door then?”
I nodded, hastily gathering his clothes into a rough pile that I later tossed at his lap.
His dark eyes widened with endearing amusement. “Are you kicking me out?” he said with a captivating smile. Genuine surprise flared up on his face. Poor darling, he was so gorgeous; I’d bet no one had ever ushered him out of their bedroom, especially considering his bed skills’ proficiency.
Glaring at him with hungry eyes, I bit my lower lip. “Never,” I said, my voice sounding more salacious than I’d intended. My face blushed in an instant. I turned away, embarrassed by my randy adolescent behavior. I then winced. “I mean, yes… I mean…” Stop talking, Kiera. “She’s my best friend. Please hurry.”
“All r
ight.” Drayce uttered a brief laugh, somehow charmed by my clumsiness. He put on his shirt, then glided to the edge of the bed to slip on the rest of his clothes.
I tapped on the window, hoping Mer would notice. She finally looked up. I waved at her and signaled I’d go down and meet her shortly.
“I’ll leave the way I came,” Drayce purred in my ear. His sole voice sent ripples of excitement through my body.
I turned to stare at him, so handsome in his glistening black leather jacket and grey shirt hugged tight around his muscular chest. Moonlight filtered through the window, revealing the radiance of immortality that gently beamed from his pale skin.
Drayce reached for the window’s latch.
Without saying a word, I held his hand.
“Meredith!” I dashed out to meet her, wrapping my arms around her fast. “Are you all right? What happened?”
“Honestly, it’s so fucked up,” she mumbled, still locked in my embrace. “I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”
“That’s okay, Mer. I understand.” I pushed the door open wider with my elbow, and locked arms with my best friend as we stepped inside the house.
“Just please…” Meredith sniffed. “Give me something else to think about?” She pulled out a wrinkled tissue from her jacket’s pocket and slipped into the bench by the entrance.
I scratched the back of my neck. “Um… Like what?”
Footsteps stumped on the staircase.
Meredith’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets the second she saw Drayce standing at the foot of the stairs. “Like that, for example…” she said, gobsmacked. Mer crossed her legs and leaned back in the seat. “I bet there’s an interesting story right there.” She snickered, discretely pointing at Drayce.
I blushed and blushed again.
“Evening, miss.” Drayce nodded on his way to the entrance.
“Well, hello there.” Meredith raised her brow, amused as she swept him head to toe with a quick glance.
“It’ll be just… one second,” I said, following him to the doorway. Meredith ushered me off with a wave of her hand. She was enjoying every minute of this torture.
When I reached him at the doorstep, Drayce turned towards me. He glided his hands on my jawline and pulled me close. With an earnest stare, he leaned closer to meet my lips in one slow kiss. Gently parting, he smiled, and bit his lower lip as he stepped back, all the while holding my stare.
In that moment, the world standing around us suddenly dissolved.
The magic came to a stop as his lips parted to speak. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered with a velvety voice that made my knees buckle.
I nodded, watching him step up to the gate, close it behind him, and then stroll into the night, hands inside his jacket’s pockets. My heart broke a little when he disappeared in the glistening street’s shadows.
Drayce was a beam of light in the darkness, a jolt of electricity that had shaken me back to life. His presence had changed absolutely everything for the better. But something told me I hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of this happiness.
I sensed a subtle shift in the environment while standing at the doorway. The sudden realization made me frown. “Hey...” I murmured, cocking my head. “When did it stop raining?”
“Kiera…”
Meredith’s voice snapped me from the trance. I blinked twice and turned to my dearest friend. “Huh?”
“So it’s serious,” she teased, peering through the doorway from her seat.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said.
She gave me a knowing look, her hazel eyes sharp as blades. “Kiera,” she began, “I know you and Mr. Sexy hooked up that night at the Cellar…” Poor Meredith. She attempted to smile, but her bloodshot eyes and smeared mascara told a different story.
“You saw us?” I said, lightly unsettled. “What did you see?” I closed the door.
“Well, for starters, I saw Mr. Sexy stare at you for a long while,” she continued as we moved to the kitchen. “Then I saw him enter a VIP room and you walk in moments later… Neither of you came out.”
“Really, Mer!” I gasped. “Were you watching us all evening?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “How else could I cover for you with Prim?”
“Mm… you make a fair point,” raising my brow. “I should thank you for that, actually.”
“Yeah, you should…” Mer choked a laugh despite her present frame of mind. “So, how was it?” she teasingly asked.
“Gods, Mer!” My eyes widened. This was absolute torture.
“I’m your best friend, so tell me, dammit!” A wry smile curved her lips.
“Oh, all right!” I said, throwing my hands in the air. “He’s bloody outstanding, Mer. Drayce is a fucking sex god, okay?”
“Thank you,” she sourly said. “It’s nice knowing at least one of us is happy.”
I held her in a long warm embrace that told her without words I knew she was going through a rough time and that she’d always have my love and support. Our friendship surpassed any conventional formalities. She picked up the message and swallowed her oncoming tears.
I wished she’d wept.
“Come,” I said, ushering her to a chair by the table. “Sit down and relax. I have the perfect remedy.”
Meredith followed my lead and slipped into the seat. Meanwhile, I ransacked the kitchen’s cabinets, searching for Prim’s special chamomile and roses blend. Nothing healed the heart as fast as a warm magical beverage.
“I don’t know, Kiera…” Mer said under her breath. “This feels more like a tequila moment, maybe one of Prim’s infamous margaritas will do the trick?”
I forced a smile as I put the kettle on the burner. It pained me to see Mer hurting, too proud to break before me even though we’d been best friends for a decade. But the news was fairly recent, and I had to respect her timing. This was her, trying to cope with the breakup as best as she could.
“Mm...” I pursed my lips. “I have a better idea.” Mer needed more than tea to recover. This called for a wicked touch. I closed the cabinet doors and moved to the drawers where Prim kept her exclusive magic arsenal. Kitchens truly were the most convenient laboratories at home for us witches.
“Kiera?” Meredith gave me a quizzical stare. “What are you up to?”
“You’ll see.” I gathered in my arms a few black and white candles, a bunch of herbs, black salt and sugar. “Do you want him in or out of your life?” I asked, too busy to even look back as I spoke.
“Honey, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Mer said under a heavy sigh.
I immediately stopped everything and turned around, balancing Prim’s magical items as I held them together. “What on earth do you mean?” knitting my brow. I dropped the magic stash on the table and pulled the back of a chair. Looks like I must sit for this.
“Meredith, what happened between you and John?” I asked, folding my hands over hers. “You can tell me.”
Mer swallowed hard, shifting her watery eyes before staring back at me. “I did it, Kiera.” She paused. “I ended it.”
“You?” I leaned forward, incredulous. “Why?”
“I caught him snogging with some hag,” she finally said. “I popped in to his workplace, the Lion Pub. Thought I’d surprise him…”
“And he surprised you.” Unbelievable.
Meredith nodded. “That’s not all, Kiera…” She sniffed, pressing my hands. “The hag’s friends with Ransom and girlfriend number three.”
“Audrey.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s her name.” She shrugged with indolence. “Anyway, they were all there, hanging out like the best friends.”
“That fucking pig…” I muttered. Ransom had not only slipped into my dreams to torment me, but now he was fumbling with my best friend's happiness. Ransom's obsession with ruining everything good in my life had become glaringly obvious, even more so now that his agenda included hurting the people I loved
.
Fire burned through my veins. I would not stand for any of it. “That's it,” I said through clenched teeth. The kitchen's lights flickered, then the lamp's lightning bulb buzzed with a power surge and finally blew up, leaving us in absolute pitch darkness.
“Kiera...?” Meredith asked with a shaky voice. “Are you all right?”
“I've had it with Ransom,” I said, determined. “Someone has to stop him.”
In a flash, I lit the black candle and set it in the middle of the table. With a pinch of black salt, I drew a circle around it. I crushed between my hands a fistful of herbs and sprinkled them inside, then grabbed a red pen and scribbled Ransom's name on a piece of parchment, which I carefully rolled.
Meredith’s gaze shifted from one step to the next of my ritual, wonder and fear glistening in her widened almond-shaped eyes. “Honey, I don’t think you should do this… whatever this is,” she said. “You’ve often said it’s against coven rules to strike down your own.”
“Yeah, well…” I opened the drawer and took out my pocketbook of spells. “There’s no other choice… Ransom is out of control.”
“Out of control? What do you mean?” Mer clasped her hands tight.
“He slithered into my dreams tonight,” I mumbled, turning the pages of my tiny grimoire. An image of Ransom's black eyes appeared in my mind. It shot gooseflesh up my arms. “I didn’t like what I saw, Mer. Darkness hovers about him like a flock of ravens.”
“Shit, you’re scaring me!” The whites of Meredith's eyes glistened in the twilight.
I watched my dear friend with fondness. “You should be scared.” My tone was grave. “Ransom’s a powerful warlock. His intent to harm us may go further than what he’s done so far.”
“But I thought he loved you,” she whispered, startled.
“That’s one sick kind of love… I should have seen it sooner.” I stopped at a page and opened the book wider. “Here it is.”
“What kind of spell is it?” Meredith spoke in a low voice, dread and curiosity tangling on her countenance.
“It’s a protection spell,” I assured her. “This will drive Ransom away if he ever means to hurt us again. Don't worry, it will not harm him.”
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 99