by Ostle, J. L.
“Back off,” I say angrily.
Courtney stands up, coming eye-level with me. “Do you know who you are talking to?”
“No, and I don’t give a flying fuck. If you do that shit again, I will make sure you’re never allowed near the band again. If I have to, I will stake your black heart myself.” I don’t know if I have that kind of power when it comes to the band, but her going near an innocent child like she is nothing, but a meal crosses a line.
She smiles at me. “I am going to drink you fucking dry. Show me your neck.” I just look at her. “Show me your neck,” she shouts like a lunatic.
“Leave now, or I will get security and that will be even more embarrassing than it already is right now. Everyone is watching you make an idiot of yourself.” She looks around the room, and everyone is watching.
“Show me your neck,” she screams again, her eyes completely black, her teeth on show.
“Emz, get security,” I say sternly, and she heads off to find them.
“Fuck this shit.” Courtney charges at me. I raise my hand and she bangs into an invisible wall. She tries hitting it, but she can’t go near me or the kids. “What magic is this?”
“Magic you can’t even start to comprehend. If you don’t leave, I will turn you to dust.” My gift doesn’t do that, but she doesn’t know that.
“Rush?” She looks at him.
“Just go, you went too far.” He shakes his head at her.
“Me go too far? I remember where we loved going after innocent children,” she spits at him before leaving. Security arrives as she gets to the doors; seeing she is leaving, they follow her out.
“Hey, are you guys okay?” I bend down, and the little girl wraps her little arms around my neck, her body shaking in tears. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay.”
“That lady was so scary; I thought she was to kill us. Are you a witch?” she asks me, her arms still hugging me to her.
“I wouldn’t have let that horrible woman hurt you. But no, I’m not a witch; I’m something else,” I sigh. “Let’s go take you to your parents.”
“It’s only my dad; my mom died giving birth to me.” She sniffs, her voice going quiet, my heart starts to break for her.
“Let’s go to your dad; I am sure he is missing you.” I take hold of her hand after I stand.
“I know we could have died, but that was awesome,” the boy says, and I laugh.
We are almost at the door when I hear my name called out. “I still need to sign the book,” Rush says, taking the autograph book, writing a message, and then signing his name. “Give Ivory here your address, and we will give you and your family a VIP experience. Limo at your house, backstage passes, front row seats, the works.” He gives her a guilty look.
“Zeke said we could get tickets, but oh my god, that would be amazing! Thank you.” The little girl smiles up at him. “Oh, and don’t hang around ladies like that; they are bad news,” she tells him, causing him to laugh.
“I will try my best,” he laughs.
“Vampire or not, it doesn’t hurt to be good,” is all she says before we start walking again.
I am smiling when heading for the door, but the smile soon falls when I look back to see the band members standing next to one another, looking at me. I look at them, my body once again heating up before I look away.
I have been in their presence for an hour, and already, it seems this job is going to be a lot of hard work.
* * *
Rush
“What the fuck was Courtney thinking?” I shout to the room. Courtney is over two hundred years old and she still acts like a spoiled teenager. I haven’t drunk human blood from a person out of cruelty in over eighty years, and I don’t want to. Don’t get me wrong; if a girl offers me her neck, I will have a little taste.
But fuck me, when Ivory was teasing me with her neck, telling me I could have a taste, I almost came undone.
Seeing her with those children, standing up for them? I just wish someone had done that for me all those years ago.
I remember drinking from a child, the blood warm on my lips, the warmth seeping through my entire body. But when I saw a blind little boy, obviously calling out for his little brother, tears falling down his cheeks—I don’t know how, but that little boy changed something in me.
The guilt from what I’ve done and who I’ve hurt plagues my dreams.
The only problem with not drinking from a human is the withdrawals; drinking blood from a bag isn’t the same. It’s like a diet. You know if you have one taste, you will want more.
Seeing Courtney trying to compel the little girl who looked so scared, made me angry. Ivory, telling where Courtney where to go, was so hot. I was so turned on watching her.
I hate the stupid rules we have to follow. Rules the council created must be obeyed.
One of the rules in the vampire world is that we can’t stop a vampire from feeding on someone unless we have claimed that person. There are consequences if we do; it’s a fucked-up rule, but it’s a rule we must follow; that’s why Ivory is here.
Not to look after us.
But to look after the people who look up to us.
Our fans.
The people who work with us.
To keep them safe from those who find harming them a joyment.
I do have an appearance to put on. I show indifference, I show I don’t care, but deep down, I’m the complete opposite, but I block it away.
I can’t care; when you care, you get hurt.
My heart might not beat, but I still feel.
“Courtney needs to be reined in. She is out of control and getting worse. I wish we could stop her from coming to our shows,” Zeke says angrily.
“You know we can’t do that; she buys the tickets, she visits. You know she has friends in high places that can do more harm than what she can. Just think, once the tour is over, we get to write more music. And that means no more Courtney for a while.” Slate claps my shoulder. “Let’s follow our new girl; I think it’s her we need to be worried about.”
Yeah, tell me about it.
I am looking forward to being around Ivory, from the way the others were looking at her, so are they.
“I like her. There’s something about her that’s different, I know she has a gift, but she also has that quality where you can’t stop looking at her,” Caspian says, following Ivory’s direction. Caspian has always been the sensitive one, if he is liking a girl, she must be special.
“She smells so good too,” Zeke says before he walks back in the meet and greet room.
“Think this is the first.” Slate says, following Zeke, I catch up with him.
“What is?”
“We all are fascinated by the same girl, and she’s human,” Slate chuckles, shaking his head.
I guess this tour is going to be interesting.
I hate this part as I never know what to say. I have been writing for over three years and this makes book number sixteenth and it still feels unreal. Knowing that you give my book a chance. Each passing day I am so thankful to everyone that helps support me, to keep my dream going.
To my precious, amazing little boy Jake, my number one fan. He is my world and I want to show him that dreams can come true if you are willing to work hard for what you want.
Daniel Martin, even though we have parted ways, you still mean the world to me. You were my first real fan, giving me that big push to write my first ever book and I thank you for doing so.
Elmarie Pieterse, my brain twin, my book whore, my other side of the same coin, my sister from another mister. We have become so close in the last couple of years. I really don’t know what I would do without you. I need someone to yell at my leading men lol
Hannah Clarke, you are my mini-me, my younger double. Thank you for staying by my side throughout this journey.
Bernie Ivison, thank you for supporting me and help me celebrate my releases in our own special way.
Emma Bradley, thank you for
being there for me. Hearing me go on and on about my books. I’m afraid it will never stop.
To my betas, you guys rock. I annoy you, I pester you, wondering if you like my book or not and I will admit … that’s not going to change any time soon. You are stuck with me and my annoyance.
Amanda Perrie, thank you for having such a good eye. When I go through your notes I’m shocked by the stuff I missed and what you spot out. Thank you for everything you do for me, for beta reading and giving your honest opinion.
Paula Tarpley Genereau, thank you for reading so fast and being my American dictionary. I love how I can rely on you to make sure I’m doing it right.
Jen Wildner, my blogger of Just One More Page. You have been there since day one, helping me promote all my books and working hard to get my stories out there. You do so much for me and I appreciate everything you do. You are amazing, thank you. I would fall on my knees and cry to the Gods if you ever stopped being in my life. Dramatical I know.
Kyra Lennon, thank you so much for working with me and making my book readable.
Leigh Stone, you have been making my interior of my books look so pretty for almost two years. Helping me out when I give you short notices. You are a star, thank you.
Kathryn Jacoby, I love your covers so, so much. I know I can be picky and annoying, but you put with me and stay by my side, in which I’m totally grateful.
My loyal girls, my book lovers thank you so much for reading and enjoying my stories. Fran, Kate, Mindy, Juliana, Fiona, Amanda, Naomi, Alisha, Jenn, Fay, Rhiannon, Ammy, Autumn, Michelle, Lauren, Rita, love you x x
My readers. There are never any words to describe how I feel. By giving my books a chance, you give me a chance. Thank you for reading my story, I am forever grateful, more than you will ever know.
The Change Series:
A Simple Change
The Hardest of Changes
Stepbrother Romance Series:
Tempted part 1
Craved part 2
Owning Me Series:
He Owns Me
She Owns Me
Beating Hart Series:
Her Beating Hart
My Beating Hart
Four Can Play That Game:
Part One
Others:
My Screwed Up Life
In The Spotlight
(A Rockstar Romance)
Seduced by a Rockstar
Living With Him
Drawn to You
(Lover to Stepbrother)
Behind The Mask
(A Rockstar Romance)
Wanting Winter
(A Semi-Dark Romance)
J.L. Ostle was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland and was raised as an army brat. She is now living in Carlisle England. J.L. Ostle is a full-time mother looking after her cute, active four-year-old boy.
When she hasn’t got her head stuck in a book and isn’t writing, she’s watching movies and hanging out with friends. J.L. has a little obsession with Supernatural. She enjoys catching up on her TV shows Vampire Diaries, Big Bang Theory, Geordie Shore, and Grimm.
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