Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness)

by Amanda J. Greene

  Hadrian became deathly still. An odd pain tore through his chest as he slowly released her wrists. He pulled her tattered sweater back into place. Every fiber of his being protested as he came to his feet and stepped away from the heat of her body. Curling his fingers into fists, his claws cutting his palms, his blood trickled to the snow, marring its purity.

  His shaft twitched and pulsed painfully, straining against his pants. His sack was heavy with seed and the demon…it screamed to take her. Every instinct demanded him to claim this woman.

  Images of her in his bed, her hair spread across his crimson sheets, plagued his thoughts. Her thighs open, her lips curled with an inviting smile, her hands tied to the headboard—

  This moment was for her, only for her.

  Control. Protect her. Keep her safe.

  The words were a never-ending cycle. Though he could not ignore nor shake free the strange feelings that coursed through his body. Hunger, like nothing he had ever experienced made his throat clench, desire beyond imagining raged within him and his soul, a part of him he had thought dead, yearned for her soft caress.

  What was happening to him?

  “Hadrian.”

  Her voice was elegant and musical, bringing precious relief to his roughened soul and frayed nerves.

  “You didn’t…I mean you haven’t come.”

  He shuddered as the last word fell from her flawless lips.

  How could he have let this happen? Directly after telling her these types of encounters would not happen between them again, he had pressed her to the ground, thrusting against her until she came.

  “Hadrian,” she called, coming to her feet.

  Hadrian’s angered roar shook the night as he clutched his head. He could not have her. She was not his.

  He had to get away from her. He had to get her scent off him. Without looking back and without a word, he dematerialized. Leaving her in the night, he took form in his washroom. Kicking free of his jeans, he stepped under the waterfall of ice water in his shower. He had to clear his mind. He had to wash away her essence.

  As the chilled water cascaded over his head, he punched the tiled wall, cracking the porcelain. The water rinsed away the blood on his knuckles to reveal already healed flesh as he stared at the damage. He envisioned his soul looked just like the circular indent. Each fissure and fracture of the tile represented the damage his battered soul bore.

  He was evil.

  He was insane.

  He was…empty.

  He did not deserve her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Falcon watched as Hadrian dropped the thin file folder on the antique, mahogany table and began to pace the expanse of the council chamber. Falcon could not remember the last time this room was used, but tonight, a meeting was in session. Subject for discussion: Eva Maldonado, half-breed daughter of the Silveria alpha, and ward of the Validus Clan.

  “This is all the information our men were able to find?” Hadrian asked.

  Falcon nodded. “It is very little.”

  “It is next to nothing,” Hadrian corrected.

  “I apologize, my king. We can have more—”

  “No, it is not necessary.”

  There was no point in wasting more time on this task. From the report, it was clear that someone had not wanted this information to be found. Shadows surrounded Eva’s background. Why?

  It seemed as if Isabella, Eva’s mother, had not existed before she moved to Brazil at the age of nineteen. They only knew she had come from Estonia because Eva had shared that fact with Falcon. Isabella had worked as a waitress and lived with a few different female roommates in Rio de Janeiro. When interviewed, the women claimed Isabella was rarely home and they could not remember ever seeing her with any men.

  They knew she had been twenty-four when she met Arsenio. Their relationship consisted of one night and about a month later Isabella packed up and moved to Miami, Florida. She gave birth to Eva approximately eight months later. Had she known she was with child when she left Brazil?

  Mother and daughter lived with a ‘family friend’ named Jenna while Isabella worked nights and attended nursing school. When Eva was seven, her mother bought a small two-bedroom house where they lived alone until they returned to Brazil.

  Why had Isabella decided to return to Rio? Perhaps she returned because of her brother, Joseph Maldonado. He had moved to Brazil from Estonia a year before the mother, daughter pair. Hadrian stifled a shudder. It was possible that Isabella knew she was ill. The relocation could have been for Eva’s benefit. Surely, Isabella would have wanted to leave her daughter in the care of a family member. Approximately two years after moving back to Brazil, Isabella passed of leukemia.

  “He has no right to her.” Eva’s words sounded in his mind as he continued to analyze the mystery. Her uncle must have been speaking of Arsenio. Had Isabella reached out to the alpha when she returned? If so, why? There had been no evidence of their communicating before she and Eva relocated to Rio and Arsenio was not interested in sharing any details.

  The entire situation was…odd. And it was mystery that he needed to solve.

  “Have you tried talking with Eva?” Falcon asked.

  The knight’s question made Hadrian’s pacing pause for a brief moment. “We have spoken.”

  “She should be able to help. Surely, her mother told her something about her family.”

  Hadrian shook his head. No. Eva’s mother had gone to great lengths to conceal her past and most likely would have revealed little to her daughter.

  “What of Isabella’s brother?”

  “He moved to France about six months after Arsenio took her. After living there for two years, he dropped off the radar. We have been unable to track him down.”

  Yet another conundrum to add to the list, Hadrian thought.

  “Are you certain our ward isn’t exactly as she claims, half human, half shifter?”

  “Positive.”

  “My king,” Falcon sighed, “her eyes are yellow.”

  Hadrian’s hurried pacing stopped, his gaze dropping to the file. “No, they are the purest shade of amber.”

  Falcon’s eyes narrowed as he studied the ancient vampire before him. Hadrian’s expression softened, his tone had thickened, and his eyes grew distant, even though he looked down upon the file folder.

  “Has something happened between you and Miss Maldonado?”

  The question seemed to snap Hadrian from his daydream.

  “Nothing worth sharing,” the king answered. He cleared his throat then fixed his cold eyes on Falcon. “You are leaving for the main house tomorrow, correct?”

  Falcon responded, but not before he noted how quickly Hadrian had changed the subject.

  “The final decisions for the coronation ceremony need to be made. While there I will do recon, just as you requested.”

  “Be sure to clear out the main hall. That is where I will face my challengers and, as customary, take my oath as king before the hearth.”

  “Everything will be arranged properly. Besides, the Hall of Mirrors would not provide enough space for a proper challenge.”

  Chills swept over Falcon as a blast of grief and rage filled room.

  “We don’t have to host the celebration party in that particular ballroom. There are numerous others within the castle we could use,” Falcon suggested. “The nobles will understand if you want to keep that room closed off.”

  Everyone knew Hadrian’s brother, Titus, had fallen to his death from the balcony of that glittering enchanting ballroom.

  “No. It has to be there,” Hadrian said, his voice hard and edged with ice.

  Needing to distract his king, Falcon said, “I conducted a little recon mission the last time I was at the main house and, assuming not much has changed, I don’t think you will have many challengers.”

  “Can you give me a number?”

  Falcon blinked, surprised by Hadrian’s smooth detached tone. “Most of the Clan is eager for your return.”<
br />
  “You did not answer my question.”

  “There are a few wary nobles, but they do not possess the strength or necessary skills to go against you. Except for one, but have already discussed him.”

  Hadrian nodded. Jefferson had been his rival when he first claimed the throne all those centuries ago. It was only fitting the vampire confront him now.

  “May I ask you something, Falcon?”

  “Anything,” the knight insisted.

  “Why are you not challenging me?”

  Falcons stood with a blank stare, speechless.

  “As my Second, you should have ascended to the throne the moment I renounced my claim,” Hadrian continued, “You have every right to the crown.”

  Falcon shook his head. “You are the rightful king.”

  “I did not become king the traditional way,” Hadrian countered.

  “You did what was right.”

  “Did I?” Hadrian mused. “I drove our Clan into civil war and killed the reigning king and his heir in battle.”

  “Have you forgotten, the nobles voted for you? They elected you to be our king.”

  Images of the war flashed through his mind until they faded, leaving behind the scene of that night. The night his brother met everlasting death.

  Titus’s words began as mere whispers, steadily growing louder and louder. I was to be king!

  Hadrian flinched as he tried to ignore screams in his head. Rubbing his brow he confessed, “And every day I questioned whether or not they made the right choice. Perhaps they should have selected Jefferson. I’m certain the nobles regret their decision.”

  “They elected the better man,” Falcons stated.

  Hadrian’s dark laughter echoed in the large, empty council room. If only you knew what I have done.

  “You do not owe me your loyalty nor am I worthy of it.”

  Falcon balked. “Everything I am, I owe to you. When you found me, centuries ago, I was on the verge of death. You gave me your blood while others told you I would not survive the transition because I was half Shaw. You took me in, treated me like a brother, taught me how to control my hunger and harness the power of my inner demon. You are a good, honest, and noble man, Hadrian.”

  “Somehow you never fail to see the good in people. I’ve always admired that about you.”

  Falcon shrugged. “Just a little something I learned from my Shaw mother.”

  Hadrian turned somber eyes to Falcon. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Never giving up on me.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Snow slowly fell outside and flakes began to pile along the windowsill. Eva sat on the bench in the alcove of the library, leaning towers made of various books were stacked high about the floor. She had been gazing, unseeing out across the white-blanketed landscape for what seemed like days but she knew had only been minutes. The scene was tranquil and serene. This little space tucked away in the massive, windowless library, was the only place where she could think.

  Last night, she had gone for a walk hoping to clear her mind. Instead she ended up with more questions and confusing emotions.

  She had not expected to find Hadrian, half-dressed, standing out on the frozen lake. Nor did she think she would admit her desire for him, but he shot her down, assuring her that their heated encounters would not happen again. He had revealed his inner vampire: bone-chilling red eyes, gruesome fangs, and lethal claws. She knew he intended to frighten her by describing how he craved to feel her pulse slow to a stop beneath his mouth. And yet, his words enticed her while his eyes…

  Eva sighed and leaned back against the wall. His eyes had revealed so much more than his words. She did not doubt the predator in him wanted the kill, natural instinct was hard to ignore, but his gaze had been filled with such longing. Heart breaking loneliness made his fathomless black eyes glitter as they swirled with despair, guilt and…self-loathing?

  She understood misery all too well. She had been alone since her mother’s passing. No one cared for the half-breed, she could drop dead tomorrow and no one would remember her. It had been years since she had been held, since she had even been touched with a gentle hand. And she knew it had been much longer for Hadrian. He had lived for centuries alone, battling his madness and harboring his secrets. Had he been looking for comfort and reassurance in her touch?

  He pulled away, she reminded herself.

  He had vowed to bring her pleasure and he certainly had, but after she came, he grew dangerously distant and vanished. Why had he not taken his own pleasure? And, again he had not kissed her.

  She blushed. Well, he kissed me just about everywhere else.

  Rubbing her temples she cursed. He was giving her a headache. Damn confusing sexy vampire.

  Eva knew she could not place all the blame on the king, even though she wanted to. If he could be believed, and thus far he had given her no reason to distrust him, then all her thoughts, emotions, and reactions towards him were all her own. Which meant, she was truly attracted to him. But was it Hadrian or was it that he was a good-looking available male?

  Falcon is a handsome man, tall, muscled, with brown hair and unique silver eyes, but one look from him doesn’t make me hot and his voice doesn’t make me shiver.

  Shaking her head, Eva knew the answer and she knew she had to speak with Hadrian.

  He was attracted to her. Perhaps they could work something out. By no means was she looking for a relationship and even if she was, she had no chance with Hadrian on that level. She was his ward, he was a king, and, hell, they weren’t even the same species. Nothing emotional could happen between them, but that did not mean they could not enjoy each other’s company. And, to be brutally honest, she was so over being a virgin.

  In her father’s village, she couldn’t have given herself to anyone. She was just a filthy half-breed to them. But Hadrian had been more than ready to give her exactly what she wanted, what she craved. Sex.

  A strange tingling sensation began at the base of her spine before branching throughout her nervous system. A whisper to her senses drew her eyes to the entrance of the library. Dark spice misted the air with a hint of menace. A shadowy figure stepped into the hall.

  Hadrian?

  Her heart quickened and instinct took over. Jumping to her feet, she followed. Eva slipped from the library and slinked down the hall to the lobby of the second floor. She saw the heel of Hadrian’s shoe as he rounded the corner to the stairs. Eva silently made her way to the third level to spy Hadrian mounting another set of stairs, the ones that led to the west wing.

  “I don’t recall this section of the castle being on the map,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

  Eva slowly turned to face Falcon.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  “Exploring,” she squeaked, her eyes downcast. She felt like a child who had just been caught being naughty.

  “Please, stick to the areas on the map I gave you. I wouldn’t want you getting lost.” He glanced up the stairwell before settling his eyes back on her to continue, “Why are you up here?”

  Eva shrugged. “Curiosity got the better of me.”

  Falcon’s silver gaze turned sharp and Eva shifted uneasily. Did he know she had been following Hadrian?

  “I must warn you against your mission.”

  Eva tried to stay calm. She knew Falcon would be able to sense her nervousness. “What do you mean?”

  “You are looking for the king. I left the council room with His Highness and saw you follow him from the library.”

  Busted, Eva thought.

  “If you would like an audience with the king, I can arrange one. Seeking him out in his private quarters is not wise.”

  She could not argue. He was most likely right. Eva studied Falcon, taking note of his stern set jaw. His silver eyes were now stone. Why was he warning her away from Hadrian? The king’s intense sexuality threatened her peace of mind, his touch made her burn, and his lips did wonder
ful things to her, but he had never been violent. Though, she was certain he was more than capable of rending a man’s head from his body.

  “Tell me, Falcon,” she said as she paced back towards the vampire. “Do you honestly think your king will harm me?”

  Falcon’s eyes narrowed. “Are you willing to test him?”

  Eva wished she knew. She did not believe Hadrian would use his force against her, but how well did she know him?

  Not well at all.

  “Or, do you have a death wish?” Falcon said, his tone hardened with challenge.

  Eva blinked in surprise. “Do you think he would kill me?”

  “He can.”

  “And so can you,” she countered.

  Falcon’s sigh was filled with irritation. “Hadrian is not stable. He could snap at any moment. And he is…capable of horrific deeds.”

  “I hate to be the one to point this out to you, but everyone, especially vampires, are capable of horrific deeds. Everyone is capable of anything under the right circumstances.”

  It may have been a trick of the light, but Eva could have sworn Falcon’s lips had twitched with a smile for a second.

  “You have courage, I’ll give you that,” he said, stepping closer to her, towering over her. “What do you want with him?” he demanded, his tone firm.

  What did she want with the mad vampire king? She knew she wanted to continue whatever it was they were about to do last night.

  She wanted to feel his hands on her body once more and his cool breath on her neck. It had been so long since she had been touched or kissed, too long since anyone had shown her desire or sparked her lust. Hadrian had ignited an inferno within her. His demon had triggered her inner animal spirit and she wanted him.

  “It’s a private matter,” she answered.

  Falcon raised a brow, when it was clear she would say nothing more, he warned, “The king is…better left alone. Whether you want to believe it or not, he is a real danger.”

  Eva nodded. Of that, she had no doubt and in a twisted way, that was part of Hadrian’s appeal: the mysterious, dark, tortured, sinfully sexy, dangerous vampire.