Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  “I hope you will find your new home to your liking,” he said. “The construction and restoration projects have just been completed.”

  “So, there will be running water?”

  He laughed, “Yes, all kinds of modern amenities.”

  “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to take a shower and would have to bathe in some icy stream.”

  “We are not that rustic.”

  Eva shrugged. “I didn’t know what to expect. My standards of living are very low these days. For the last ten years, I’ve lived in a poorly designed and horribly built hut. Living in a rainforest with a leaking roof—”

  Her words caught in her throat as the castle came into view. Even from a distance it was impressively large and stood proudly atop another mountain. The road twisted and coiled, the incline steep, but the Land Rover had no trouble.

  “Oh, my god,” Eva whispered as the knight pulled the vehicle to a stop. There was…nothing. The road had ended.

  “I think if we back up and I stomp on the gas, we’ll make it.”

  Eva turned wide eyes to Falcon. He smiled as her face paled.

  “It’s not that big of a gap. Maybe, twenty yards give or take a few.” He laughed as Eva continued to stare at him. “The bridge we had was tattered. Like I said, we have just finished the construction and restorations.” He reached up and pushed a button on the sun visor. “This is one of the improvements. The bridge that was here was tattered, completely unsafe, though I had driven across it numerous times. But this,” he pointed to the thick metal plates that slid out from the beneath the earth to connect the sides, “the retractable bridge is much better and will help with security.”

  “Is this the only way to cross?”

  “One way in and one way out.”

  Eva grabbed hold of the seat, her fingers dug into the leather as they rolled over the bridge. Once they had safely reached the other side, Falcon pressed the button again and the bridge promptly retreated back to it’s hiding place. They charged the rest of the way up the mountain. There were no tower walls, no ramparts or portcullis, unlike most castles Eva had seen in history books and television. She pressed her face to the chilled glass as they pulled into a large circular driveway. Falcon parked the Land Rover at the foot of the steps that led to a set of daunting, ten feet tall, wood doors.

  “You better zip your jacket. I’ll grab your bags and we’ll make a mad dash up the stairs,” Falcon directed before pulling the keys from the ignition. He took in a breath and threw the car door open, the wind slammed it shut behind him.

  Eva released her seat belt with trembling fingers, never taking her gaze off the intimidating fortress. The keep’s walls were dark, mostly shades of gray, with hardly any windows except for one long wall made entirely of glass. While she studied the imposing fortress the back of her nape began to tingle and she could not shake the feeling of being watched. Her eyes flickered to the hall of windows. Was there someone up there?

  “Are you coming?” Falcon asked as he opened the back and drew out her new suitcases, packed full of new clothes.

  His voice snapped her from her trance and she quickly zipped up her jacket. She had lived in a warm humid climate all her life and had never experienced the harshness of winter. Taking in a deep breath, she threw the door open and stepped out.

  The icy wind lashed at her face. Her neatly braided hair was whipped about. Dark, silken strands were pried free by the angry storm. Her teeth chattered as she mumbled curse after curse. She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket and ran to catch up with the vampire, who was already halfway up the snow-covered steps. She slipped as she hurried towards the doors. Her entire body shivered uncontrollably as the wind drew tears from her eyes. Through the blur she saw the knight shove open the heavy doors, pushing them aside as if they weighed no more than dust.

  Eva skid to a halt and watched the vampire disappear into the darkness of the fortress. Shards of ice blew against her cheeks as she regarded the entrance. She could feel the warmth that radiated from within and, yet, it did nothing to chase the chill from her bones. The very atmosphere seemed to shimmer around her, time slowed and an oddly disorientating sensation and a sense of knowing took hold of her. The cold bite of the storm was quickly forgotten and replaced by a ruthless feeling of dread. She knew in that moment, if she entered Palatio Nocte she would never be able to turn back. Her life would never be the same.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Falcon called as he came stomping from the shadows. He reached for her arm, but Eva retreated.

  She said nothing, unable to form words as fear choked her. During the entire trip she had not been frightened, despite the fact she knew she was to live with a crazed vampire. She had tried to block out the stories she had heard of Hadrian, but now, they came at her all at once. Robbing her of logic and confidence. Hadrian had been a merciless Roman general, changed by Imbrasus, the pureblood vampire and Father of the Validus Clan. He had been selected to become a beast for his skills in the art of war. It was said that Imbrasus had bestowed upon Hadrian his own dark needs of blood and death.

  Rumors began to play like a broken record in her head, the voices ran together until they became a steady stream of fear: He kills for sport and bathes in the blood of the slain. No one has ever met his rage and lived…He’ll suck the life right out you, down to the marrow in your bones. He’s a devil, that one, a beast straight from the fires of hell… You best behave and be cautious, vampires will eat you alive, little girl. Eva covered her ears, trying to block out the terrible voices. Her heart pounded in her chest as she gasped for air. Eva felt like screaming.

  “Eva, come inside.”

  “I–I can’t,” she answered, her teeth chattering viciously. She wrapped her arms tightly about herself as she hesitantly took a step back.

  Sacrifice. She was a sacrifice to the vampire king.

  Falcon’s liquid silver gaze began to harden to gray. Fear. He could scent her fear.

  “You will freeze out there. Please, come inside.”

  “N–No.”

  She stumbled down a few steps, briefly losing her footing on ice.

  “Eva,” Falcon called out as he darted for her. He caught her arm and pulled her against him before she went tumbling down the steps. She struggled against his hold, but he pinned her to his chest, his arms locked about her like steel bands as he carried her into the castle.

  The doors slammed behind them and Eva let out a wild scream, shoving relentlessly against him. Falcon set her on her feet placing himself between her and the door. Eva backed away from him, her eyes darting about the room as she tried to remain away from the shadows.

  Danger. It was a thick stench that clouded the air and Eva struggled for breath.

  “What has brought this on?” he asked. “What frightened you?”

  Eva shook her head. She had no answer. She did not know what had triggered her panic attack and she could feel her cheeks grow bright with a blush. Never had she acted this way. Her mother had taught her never to give in to fear, never to allow such a weak emotion to rule her and yet, it had just claimed her. She had never been so terrified in her life. When her mother had passed, leaving her alone in the world, she was not scared. When her father and his men arrived to drag her off to their secluded village in the jungle just days after her funeral, she had not betrayed her teaching. Never once while she lived amongst the shifters did she give in to any emotion, save anger. She could not begin to explain this.

  She took in deep breaths, desperately trying to regain her composure, ruthlessly shoving aside her terror. She needed to be calm, focused. If there was danger, she needed to be aware and not be overcome by panic. She smoothed her wind swept hair back from her face and unzipped her jacket, suddenly feeling extremely warm and completely embarrassed.

  “Eva, are you—”

  “I’m fine.”

  Falcon’s eyes narrowed as he studied her and Eva shifted beneath his scrutiny.

  “Nothing i
s going to happen to you here,” Falcon said, trying to soothe her. “You are a ward to my clan.”

  Eva wanted to believe his words, needed to believe them, but doubt remained as a dark shadow in her mind.

  “You are safe here.”

  That comment of his drew a sharp laugh from her and Falcon’s brow wrinkled with a frown. He stepped toward her and Eva resisted the urge to retreat.

  “I’ve no doubt you’ve heard…terrible stories of my king. I will not deny that his mind has been touched by darkness, but he is a good man.”

  Eva waited for him to continue, but he said no more. She wanted him to say Hadrian was nothing like the rumors claimed, that he would not harm her in any way. Instead, he offered her nothing. She swallowed hard and prayed that Falcon would be staying here with her. After spending the last few days with him, she felt she could trust him and that he would not let anyone hurt her. She hoped that included his king.

  “There are so many rumors…I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Understandable,” he conceded. “I know all too well what people say. His reputation is legendary.”

  “Lethal,” she added on a whisper.

  Falcon did not protest and silence stretched between them. A piercing ring was a welcome interruption.

  “That should be the main house,” Falcon said as the phone’s ring echoed through the keep. “I was to report when we arrived. I will not be long. Stay here.”

  Eva nodded and Falcon entered the shadows. She removed her jacket and hung it on a tall iron coat rack. Heaving a heavy sigh, she stepped from the safety of the foyer. It was a small room, clearly used for the removal of snow-lined coats and other travel wear. It was a transition room, or, as Eva noted the holes within the ceiling with tiny spikes protruding from them, a last line of defense.

  She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. While she waited for Falcon to return, Eva silently chastised herself for acting like a fool.

  Something had been here, in the shadows, she thought. Something…evil. And she had an odd feeling that it wanted her.

  She would not be scared and she refused to be intimidated. If she could endure and survive the pack’s treatment of her, then she could survive this. Thus far, Falcon had not been rough or violent with her. He had given her no reason to distrust him or to be frightened. Then again, she had yet to meet the king.

  Eva closed her eyes as she recalled her last night with the pack. She had stood outside her father’s office, waiting for Falcon. Teresa and a few of her other half-siblings circled about the hall, their eyes filled with twisted satisfaction.

  An elderly servant, who had been a servant for the alpha’s grandfather had rushed to her, eyes filled with horror.

  “Oh, you sweet child,” she said. She had reached out to take Eva’s hands then quickly drew back. The woman may feel sorrow for her, but she was not about to touch a half-breed. “I’ve only just heard you have been given to the vampires.” Fear filled her eyes. “Take care.”

  She shuddered and opened her eyes. Was the king as brutal as rumors claimed?

  “Or could he be worse?” she whispered.

  Dear lord, what had her father done?

  He sacrificed me. She snorted. He couldn’t send one of his precious purebred daughters off to what was surely her death.

  Eva pushed away from the wall and began to pace. Falcon had been gone for nearly fifteen minutes and her nerves were making her restless. Glancing about, she decided to take a little tour. She would not go far and, with luck, she may find the knight. Besides, if she remained immobile, consumed by her thoughts, she would soon have herself worked up into another fit of hysteria.

  Deciding to head in the direction Falcon had, she did not enter the main hall though the large arched entrance was directly in front of her. She turned left and headed down a long, dimly lit corridor. She paused outside each door she passed, she knocked and tried their knobs, but no one called from the other side and every door was locked.

  After the fifth door, she gave up her search and allowed her curiosity to take over. The hall was lined with wood paneling decorated by sharply detailed paintings. Each featured a portrait of a man and was accompanied by a gold placard with his name. These were the kings of the Validus Clan.

  The name of the last painting read Hadrian Lucretius, but the image had been savagely shredded. Stepping closer, Eva reached up, trying to place the pieces back together, wanting to get a look at the vampire.

  A cool hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream as she was hauled back. Eva fought for freedom, twisting around, she jabbed her elbow in her attacker’s side then kicked back, connecting with his shin. He growled in response and spun her about, trapping her with his body. His hands slammed into the wall, cracking the wood, on either side of her head.

  “Little girls should not wander alone in the dark.”

  She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. His voice, it was dark, threatening—pure sex. He leaned his head down, his lips brushed her ear and, God help her, she shivered. Whether it was from fear or something entirely sexual, she did not know. Confusion, terror, and desire fought for control of her brain, as she remained pinned between the large, solid male and the wall.

  “Bad things prowl in the dark,” he whispered against her ear and Eva’s knees went weak. His words were heavily accented, his voice deep. It echoed with evil and laced with lust. “Bad things, like me.”

  Eva tried to speak, knowing she should demand he release her, or scream, but nothing came.

  One of his hands dropped from the wall to encircle her wrist, the pad of his thumb gently brushed over her erratically beating pulse.

  “Your scent,” he said, his voice rough, the sound sending waves of need crashing over her.

  His fingers lightly traced up her arm to cup her nape, tickling her sensitive flesh.

  Eva’s breathing grew shallow as her body began to burn.

  Desire?

  Yes. Oh, god, yes.

  The menacing male drew closer, his second hand dropping to her shoulder, pressing her firmly against the wall. Danger, it radiated from him, yet desire flickered in his cold, black eyes. Instinct took hold of her. Eva wrapped her arms about his waist. Her hands pressed flat against his lower back, urging him closer. She arched her back trying in vain to close the space between them.

  “Sweet…warm vanilla.” His cool breath caressed the tender flesh of her throat, sending chills all the way down to her toes.

  Was he going to bite her?

  God, what was she doing? She had no idea who this man was let alone what he was doing to her. She should shove him away. She should bring her knee up and hit him where it counts. But she could not move. Her heart beat frantically, her blood rushed like lava through her veins as her body responded to this aggressive male.

  “My king!”

  Eva’s sigh was a mix of relief and disappointment when she heard Falcon’s voice.

  “Release her.”

  The vampire’s mystifying obsidian gaze held her captive as he asked, “Do you want to be rescued?”

  No, but her self-preservation cried yes.

  The vampire gently brushed her bottom lip with his thumb and Eva shuttered.

  “My king,” Falcon bellowed.

  The stranger lifted his head and glared at Falcon for a long breathless moment. She could sense the tension that coiled in his body. Pure lethal power flowed from him like tidal waves.

  Finally, he turned his attention back to her. Framing her jaw with his large hands, he bent his head down. Was he going to kiss her? Another rush of heat coursed through her and pooled at her core. She wished she could see his face. The shadows hid his features. All she could see were his dark as midnight eyes, which burned in the darkness, violence and lust.

  He leaned into her, his solid chest brushing her breasts, causing them to ache as he sank his lower body against her. Surrounded. Hot, aggressive male surrounded her and—wild, she was wild with need. />
  His cool lips brushed against hers as he whispered, “Until we meet again, little one.” He disappeared.

  Eva sagged against the wall, her body feeling bereft without him. Shock pulsed through her body and she struggled to make sense of what just happened. Her initial reaction had been fear, but was quickly replaced by desire. She focused on her breathing, trying to calm herself as she gathered her scattered, confused thoughts.

  He didn’t kiss her. Why did he not—

  “Did I not ask you to remain in the foyer, because I distinctly remember doing so,” Falcon said.

  “What?” she sputtered.

  When she looked up at him, his expression was not what she had expected. His tone implied annoyance but his gaze was quizzical as he studied her, his brow furrowed in thought.

  “Nothing,” he said with a shake of his head.

  Falcon cursed a string of obscenities, some in English but most in an old form of…French?

  “Come on, I’ll show you to your room so you can get settled.”

  He turned and began back down the hall.

  Eva shoved away from the wall and jogged to catch up to him. Her legs were still weak and she feared they might give out. She caught his arm and Falcon stopped.

  “Was that…I mean, he was—”

  “Hadrian Lucretius, King of the Validus Clan of vampires,” he answered.

  “I thought so,” she said, her voice a faint whisper.

  He sighed heavily and rubbed his brow. “Eva, he is not completely…stable,” he paused as if searching for the right words, “He has his moments, like you just witnessed. It would be best if you tried to stay clear of him for a while, just until he gets used to having you around. He has lived alone for so long and it will take him some time to acclimate.”

  She nodded. “I understand.”

  Falcon said nothing more as they walked back to the foyer. He gathered her bags and mumbled for her to follow him. They entered the great hall, which was brightly lit by numerous, iron chandeliers. Eva was awed by the splendor of the room. It was wide open with lines of intricately carved columns that rose to high, vaulted ceilings. Tapers burned everywhere, dispelling the darkness, as a fire cracked and hissed in the wide-mouthed hearth. Thick, crimson drapes covered the windows, allowing in no light from the setting sun. The room was nearly vacant of furniture, save a long table with rows of bench seats on either side, a throne like chair positioned at the head, and two smaller chairs flanking its sides.