by Kira Hillins
“Anna, stay with me.” He called her back to him. “Please.”
“I love you.” Tears poured from the outer corners of her eyes. They fell down the short space of skin and drenched the soft hair beneath her head.
“And I love you,” he cried. “You are everything to me.” He touched his lips to hers, but she didn’t have the strength to return his kiss. His heart couldn’t stand this. Just as he’d helped bring her into this world, he would now guide her away.
“Take my blood. …let me do this one last thing for you…before I die.”
Tristan squeezed the tears from his eyes. “I can’t.”
“Please.”
“Your blood will not save me.” He leaned his temple against her chest. “You will not save me.”
She whimpered. “End my pain.”
It wouldn’t be long before his love died before him. He longed to end her suffering, but he was afraid. He lifted his gaze to Jack and pleaded for the answer.
Jack held hatred in his eyes for him and everything he stood for. “Who am I to deny her what she wants? But I won’t stand here and watch you devour her.” He staggered out to the front porch. With his head in his hands, he sat on the steps.
Tristan swiped her hair from her face. Her breath was labored. He felt like crying out for her to live, but she was too far gone.
He slid his hand behind her neck then gently lifted her head off the floor. “I will ease your pain and guide you into death. And I shall think of you when I walk into the sunlight, for I cannot live without you.”
With a heart-wrenching groan, he bit into her neck. Tears sprung to his eyes as he drew in her warm blood. It tasted just as he imagined—sweeter than any other. It’d been so long since he’d felt someone’s pulse on his tongue, normally strong and throbbing with fear. But Anna’s was weak, and her blood diminished quickly. The silent drum of her heart stopped, but he could not bear to let her go.
A light touch on his shoulder brought him back to the world. He lowered Anna’s body to the floor and stared at her. The woman he loved more than all things now lay dead before him. “What have I done?”
“You did what was right for her.” Gerard knelt beside him with a grin. “Love is a strange thing, my friend. It has a power that shouldn’t be trifled with. It can also leave you wondering what could’ve been if left untouched.”
Tristan buried his head in his hands. Fear and regret, then love like nothing he’d ever experienced worked through him. Were these her emotions?
He peered at her lifeless body then cried out in despair. The last of her tears streamed her beautiful pale face. With a gentle stroke of his hand, he wiped away the blood staining her face. In a way, he wished Madeline’s story was true, but nothing had changed. He was still this diseased monster who deserved this misery—deserved to die.
He looked out at the lightening sky. He’d stay here beside his beloved until the sun rose over the mountains. His ashes would scatter over her body. Then maybe, if fate would allow it, he would find her in the afterlife.
“True love will not die, if you don’t let it.” Gerard took hold of Tristan’s hand. He dug his nail into his wrist until the blood flowed.
Tristan snapped his hand back and growled. “What are you doing?”
“Thousands of years and not one of us has been as lonely as you. It is time for me to pass on the gift.”
“Gift?” Tristan asked, confused.
“Yes.” Gerard gave him a sidelong look. “You’ve believed too long in Madeline’s lies. We are not cursed by illness, my friend, but are indeed ailed as vampires.”
“Stories.” Tristan didn’t want to hear any of this. “All I want is to be left alone. Let me die beside her.”
Gerard arched his brows. “Where do you think the stories came from, lad?”
“We have her, sir.” Tristan followed the strong, deep voice to the balcony. A small group of people gathered near the door with Madeline who had her wrists shackled behind her. They all had the same features, pale skin, black eyes burning of fire as they watched him struggle with the truth.
Gerard gave him a pat on the back. “So you see, my son? We are not alone.”
Tristan shook his head in disbelief. “All these years... Why did you not tell me?”
Gerard frowned as he looked past him to the front door. A brawny man and a petite woman stood together. The badges on their belts read FBI. They gave Gerard a quick nod, and then they left.
Gerard’s lips curved into a grin. “Our makers are the only ones we must learn from. I could not interfere, for Madeline made her choice to turn you. Now, the link between you and Madeline will be severed, and in place, Anna will belong to you.”
“No, you can’t!” Madeline shrieked, trying to break free from the grasp of two broad-shouldered men. “It is not yours to give.”
“You’re not sane enough for him, lass. You never were. And I’m sorry it has taken this long for this to happen.” With a nod that he wasn’t going to do anything to hurt him, Gerard took Tristan’s hand. He held it over Anna’s mouth and then a grin crept across his face. “This is our way. Let your death touch her lips, and she will awaken as yours.”
Blood flowed from Tristan’s wound. It dripped down the curve of her upper lip then fell into her mouth. A sudden memory of the night he’d transformed rushed through him. This was the way it had happened for him. How could he have forgotten?
Gerard rose and went to Madeline, who hung her head. He grabbed her chin and forced her to watch. “Do you see what you have done?” He growled angrily. “You have lost everything through your own foolishness.”
“You decrepit old fool!” She spat in his face. “The Elders will not like you breaking the rules. I am the only one who can give him this gift. This is wrong, and you know it”
“It’s exactly how it should be.” He wiped his face with the back of his hand. “I have watched over him like a son his entire life, but it is now time we let him discover his freedom on his own. He’ll be made an elder and stand beside me, for that is where he belongs.”
“What will you have us do with her?” one of the men asked.
Gerard shook his head. “Her disobedience is unforgivable. Take her to the cells and await my orders.”
“No!” Madeline screamed as they dragged her out onto the balcony. She gave one last ear-piercing shriek as they pulled her into the sky.
Anna’s eyes fluttered. Left open on her death, they’d turned black as the night. It was sad to see her bright blue eyes fade, but oh, how he loved seeing her new ones wake.
* * * *
Anna brought his arm to her mouth. She drew in the essence giving her life. His blood swarmed inside her, and filled her aching void as she rose to her feet, forcing him to his without effort. She wouldn’t let go. She wanted more. More.
“Anna, you must stop.”
She pulled her teeth from his wound then gasped in horror. What was she doing? Why was she drinking Tristan’s blood? She fell on her knees trying to catch the breath she’d lost when she died. Yes. I died. I fell from the balcony to the rocks. Now she was alive. How? How was this possible?
Jack looked absolutely horrified. Intrigue sent her stumbling toward him.
“Jack.” She reached for him, but he backed away. What was this? The fear she sensed from him wasn’t from what had happened to her, but was a fear of her.
“I’m sorry, Anna.” He shook his head. “You don’t belong with me anymore.”
She wanted to take him in her arms and let him know it was okay. She could feel the pulse of his body, veins coursing with warm blood. Her stomach growled. She wanted it, needed and desired it. She lunged for him, but stopped before she could touch his skin.
“What am I doing?” She stared at her hands as if the answer was there. Her skin was white as a ghost. Like a lost soul searching for a home, she looked up into Jack’s eyes. “Why do I feel so strange?”
Jack cleared his throat. “This is where you belong n
ow.” His voice wavered as he palmed her cheek. “You’ve always known. So I’m leaving you now, with him.” He kissed her temple. “I’ll never forget you, Anna, and I’ll always love you.”
She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of his lips on her skin. “Goodbye, Jack.”
He backed away. “Goodbye, Anna.” Her heart sank as he strode out the door. But, there was also a sense of relief. Jack was a strong man who could make it through anything, even a broken heart.
“He’ll be fine.” Gerard’s raspy voice caught her attention. “I, too, must leave before the sun comes up.”
“Where will you go?” Tristan asked.
Gerard ambled to the balcony and heaved a sigh. “Oh, I think I’ll go home and relax for a little while. It’s been a long year.” He laughed his hefty laugh. “I’ll see you soon. You and I have much to catch up on.”
With his last word, he leapt off the stone banister laughing in delight.
* * * *
Tristan watched him soar across the lightening sky. He relished the thought that he’d see his friend again. It didn’t matter when, or how often. Just knowing he was near was enough for now.
Anna came to his side. He didn’t know what to say or how to feel, other than overwhelming joy. She was now his and he hoped she would accept him.
Her body shuddered. “Why am I so cold?”
Tristan pulled her into his arms and held her against him. “You will get used to it.”
“I am yours forever now.” She pressed her cheek to his chest. “We don’t have to worry about running anymore, do we?”
He curled his finger under her chin then lifted. “We will never have to run again.”
“I love you,” she whispered as she gazed into his eyes.
He kissed her lips, thankful to hear her speak in her normal voice. To feel her arms around him, caressing him with her gentle touch, put his mind at ease. “And I love you.”
As he shut them inside the dark basement, the sun rose over the mountains. He imagined light sparking the ocean with glittering waves that rolled onto the shore beneath them. The sounds of water dripped from the crevices of the rocks as seagulls flew over.
Tristan closed his eyes and listened. He once wanted to hold the visions, loathing it and wanting to die by it at the same time. His life had been pathetic, driven by loneliness he held in his heart, loneliness that was not his fault. Now, the belief that love was as powerful as life, or death, embraced his dark aura.
In the depths of the castle walls, in the bed he’d dreamt in for years wishing he wasn’t alone, he held the woman he loved in his arms. For she not only brought him light in his darkness, but gave him the desire to live forever.
…to be continued
Available Now:
Betrayal: The Unforgiven – Book Two in the Betrayal series
Words from the author:
I’ve always been fascinated with vampires, but I’ve never really found them appealing in a sense, just powerful—dark. I suppose if one has lost their way, their heart, and possibly their soul, they’d need to find direction. Whether the heart beats or not, or if it’s cold and lonely, warmth is out there somewhere. The being needs to keep searching for faith, or in Tristan’s case, dwindling hope.
Tristan, the hero of Betrayal, is dark and miserable which makes him unique. I find him appealing because he yearns to be human, and yet he also enjoys the night.
-Kira Hillins
About the author:
Kira Hillins was born in Seattle, Washington. She found inspiration to write when she moved to a small town located just off the coast of Oregon. She now resides in the eastern U.S. with her husband, two daughters, and a spoiled Siberian Husky. She continues to write to entertain her readers and find a sense of success within herself.
Available Now!
Two hot men. Twice the danger.
Melanie Cranberry joined the dating service to meet a nice man, fall in love, and spend her nights cuddling in bed. Who knew that one five-dollar ticket for a raffle would win her two men instead of one? Now, per signed contract with Match Making For Happiness’s Sake, she’s required to go out on a date with each man to discover which will win her heart.
Prize number one, attorney Cage Niching, joined the dating service to find a woman to settle down with, or at least, to settle him down—after he finds out who murdered his friend. All he has to do is get admitted to the secret, invitation-only level of a certain sex club, and all he must do to get the invite is bring his Match Making date, Melanie Cranberry, prove they’re in love, and have sex with her in front of as many witnesses as possible. Which doesn’t look promising as long as her second date keeps hovering around her…
Prize number two, narcotics detective Victor Wine, wasn’t looking for a date. Desperate to get the drug that killed his girlfriend off the streets, he’s joined the dating service to get close to the woman who lives near the hangout of a major distributor. Only thing is, he actually likes the Cranberry woman, more than he wanted to. And now his investigation has put her right in the drug cartel’s sights. Keeping her out of harm’s way and playing the perfect date won’t be easy. And there’s something about her other date that raises his hackles…
Reader note: contains M/F/M ménage and erotic romance elements
FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.KIRAHILLINS.COM
Thanks for reading!
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