Ember (The Seeker Series Book 1)

by Ditter Kellen

  Testosterone became nauseatingly thick. Ember stood and squeezed between the two hotheads, leaving them no choice but to separate. She faced her cousin. “We need to get you to a hospital.”

  “I’m fine. I’ll heal shortly.” He kept his gaze locked on Angel as he spoke.

  Now that the adrenaline rush was slowing, reality began to trickle back in. Questions arose that needed answers, such as how did her cousin move with such speed and why was he still standing when in truth he should be unconscious or dead given the blows he’d taken from Angel. Those were subjects she would broach right after he explained his reason for being there to start with.

  She snapped her fingers under her cousin’s nose to get his attention. “What are you doing here?”

  “Protecting you, since your boyfriend can’t seem to do it.”

  A growl vibrated from behind her. She ignored it.

  “Protecting me how? And how did you know I would be here?” Anger and confusion were quickly replacing her shock.

  “I sent the note.”

  Ember’s mouth dropped open. “You what? But why?”

  “I was just about to explain before Johnny Cash arrived, tearing up the place.”

  The crack of bone connecting with bone vibrated through Ember’s skull, and Shon found himself horizontal once again.

  She would never get used to Angel’s speed. The wind from him throwing his fist over her shoulder was the only evidence he’d moved at all.

  “Oh my God, would you two please stop?” She turned to the side and glanced from one to the other.

  Shon wiped the back of his hand across his mouth while smirking up at Angel. “Hit a nerve, Lestat?”

  “Enough.” Ember’s bark brought their focus back to her. “Here’s what is going to happen. We are all three going back to my place to talk this out.” She shifted her gaze to Shon. “And you better have a damn good reason for what you’ve done, or I’ll kick your ass myself.”

  Chapter Two

  The drive home seemed like an eternity for Ember. She drove in a daze behind Angel, with Shon bringing up the rear on his motorcycle. Everything felt surreal. From the notes that had recently surfaced to her arrival at the Miller farm tonight. One thing she knew for sure, her cousin had far more vampire blood than she did. His strength and speed were evidence of that. But how and when had it happened? Nothing made sense anymore.

  Growing up in Florida had made it difficult for Ember to spend any time outdoors. She’d been the victim of sun poisoning more often than not, but she’d never known her cousin to suffer the same affliction. He rode his motorcycle, went to the beach, and always seemed to keep a tan—the polar opposite of her, yet he’d withstood life-threatening blows from such a powerful vampire as Angel.

  Ember’s and Shon’s fathers were brothers, which meant that she and her cousin swam in the same gene pool, and both carried the Wells name. So, the fact that Shon had such distinct vampire traits confused her. She was determined to get answers before the sun came up.

  * * * *

  Angel pulled into his parking spot and switched off the engine. To say he was livid would be an understatement. The fact that Ember wasn’t harmed didn’t calm him down any at all. Her reckless behavior could have gotten her killed tonight. What if he hadn’t known to follow her and someone other than her cousin had been at that farmhouse?

  He knew Shon was a fledgling by his scent. Human traces were still detectable in the man. Not to mention, a seasoned vampire would have sensed Angel’s approach the minute he came within twenty feet of that house.

  Rage sizzled beneath his skin as he scanned the shadows surrounding the condos. The Seeker was still out there somewhere, and his identity yet remained a mystery.

  Angel exited his car as Ember and Shon parked in the two empty spaces on either side of him. He stared at her arrogant cousin, hoping he would mouth off again. He’d love nothing better than to wrap that bike around the guy’s body like a pretzel.

  Ember was at his side within seconds, taking hold of his hand to give it a gentle squeeze. “Easy, big guy. You’ll like Shon once you get to know him. Just give him a chance.”

  Angel doubted that very seriously but didn’t voice it. Her pain-in-the-ass cousin was her family whether Angel liked it or not. He kissed the tip of her nose. “Let’s get you inside.”

  None of them spoke as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. Ember unlocked her door and waited on the deck as Angel did a quick check of the place before she followed him inside.

  Shon strolled in last and locked the door behind him. “I need to get cleaned up, Em. Your girlfriend did a number on my nose. I’ll be spitting clots for hours.”

  The sound of Ember’s chuckle was a balm to Angel’s soul. He loved to hear her laugh and decided to let her cousin slide on the sarcastic comment. He doubted she would find any humor in him giving the guy’s nose a fresh break. Her eyes sparkled with a moment of joy, and Angel wanted to spend eternity basking in it.

  “You know where the shower is. There are towels and washcloths in the linen closet.” She nodded toward the bathroom. “And make it quick. You have some explaining to do, starting with that note you sent me.”

  Shon winked at Angel. “She’s so demanding.” He disappeared down the hall.

  Angel took a seat at the bar as Ember moved into the kitchen, flipping on the lights as she went. She opened the fridge and spoke without looking at him. “Would you like some wine?”

  His gaze landed on her ass, and his dick twitched in interest. She wore a pair of snug-fitting jeans that accented her luscious curves in all the right places. He shifted on the stool, attempting to make room for his growing erection. “Yes, please.”

  It angered him that he wanted her after everything she’d pulled tonight. He couldn’t prevent the growl that rose in his throat at the thought of her putting herself in danger.

  She took down three glasses and poured some of the burgundy liquid into two of them. He noticed how pale and fragile she appeared in the fluorescent lighting, and his stomach tightened. She was too vulnerable as a human. He would give her more of his blood to heighten her senses and make her stronger…just as soon as the fledgling from hell went home.

  With raised eyebrows, Ember handed him his drink. “Was that directed at me?”

  He’d been so lost in thought the growl vibrating his chest had escaped unnoticed. Her flippant question only fueled his ire. He relaxed his fingers to keep from shattering the glass he held and met her gaze with heat burning behind his eyes. “You could have been killed.”

  She had the audacity to flip her hair over her shoulder. “I was perfectly fine.”

  That did it.

  Angel shot from his seat and was at her side before she could blink. He gripped her shoulders and spun her to face him. “The Seeker is very real and very dangerous. Do not ever put yourself in that kind of situation again, or I will restrain your ass. Do you understand?”

  Her lips parted, and the scent of her arousal was like a kick to his gut, tempting, taunting, and seducing. His fangs lengthened, making it difficult to speak.

  She peered up at him with an apologetic look, and he let go of her shoulders to tug her forward. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.” And he meant it.

  Chapter Three

  Ember wrapped her arms around Angel’s waist and rested her face against his chest. She inhaled his unique scent, wanting to hold it inside as long as possible. He smelled masculine, spicy, musky, and all male. Her pussy clenched with the memory of his fangs sinking into its fleshy softness.

  His voice rumbled from beneath her ear. “Damn it, Ember. We’re not alone.”

  She listened for sounds of the shower running. Satisfied, she took hold of Angel’s hand and backed out of his embrace. “Then we better hurry.”

  His eyes were dark with desire and something else she couldn’t name. He wanted her. That was all she needed to know.

  He scooped her off her feet before she
could suck in a breath. “You’re not sore?”

  Heat spread across her face. She was a little tender between her thighs from their previous sexual encounter, but it didn’t matter as long as she could have him inside her. She shook her head.

  “I won’t be gentle. It’ll be hard and fast.”

  Wetness slicked her panties. “I know.”

  The walls were a blur of color as Angel shot down the hall to her bedroom and then locked the door behind them. He turned her to face the dresser and unzipped her jeans before dragging them down her thighs to bunch at her knees. His passionate frenzy was the sexiest thing she’d ever experienced.

  Angel jerked her back against him and cupped her pussy through her panties. His voice deepened. “Say it.”

  She knew what he wanted, what he needed to hear. “Fuck me,” she breathed.

  Bending her forward, he placed her hands on the dresser top. “You better hold on.”

  The sound of material ripping wrung a moan from Ember’s throat as he tore her underwear from her body. Her breath hitched, and her knees threatened to give out.

  She raised her head to watch him in the mirror as he looked down between their bodies and stepped in close. The head of his dick breaching her pussy surprised her. She hadn’t heard him remove his jeans. Vampires.

  His gaze lifted to lock with hers, and his hand shot up to cover her mouth. “So goddamn wet.” He thrust deep.

  Ember cried out against his palm. The shock of his abrupt entry paled in comparison to the driving force of his cock as he began to piston into her hard enough her legs buckled. Her hold on the dresser, and his arm instantly wrapping around her waist were the only things keeping her from crumpling to the floor in a boneless, mindless heap. The raging orgasm spiraling through her system like a freight train seemed to climb higher with every plunge of his thick erection.

  He tilted his hips, changing the angle of his strokes. “Come for me, Ember. Come on, baby.”

  Ember’s muscles locked up with the powerful climax rocking her. Her pussy clamped down on his cock so tight it slowed his movements. Unimaginable bliss spread through her clit and throbbed inside her inner walls to contract around his swollen erection in a wet, incredible release.

  Angel buried himself balls-deep, and a shout burst from him loud enough to make her ears ring. Hot jets of his semen filled her with every pulse of his cock, marking her with his seed.

  He shuddered against her and removed his hand from her mouth. “Did I hurt you?”

  She almost smiled at his shift in emotions. He’d gone from dominant male to concerned lover in under five seconds, while she remained immobile from the subtle aftershocks of the orgasm still dancing within her pussy. “I’m fine. That was amazing. Maybe I should have gagged you instead.”

  She grinned at Angel’s reflection. If ever there was a “holy shit” expression on someone’s face, he wore it then.

  “Jesus. I lost control.” He gently withdrew from her body and helped her to straighten.

  “We both did. Don’t worry about it. We’re adults here. Besides, Shon’s showering and most likely didn’t hear anything.”

  It took everything she had not to laugh. There was no doubt in her mind her cousin heard Angel’s shout. Hell, the manager on the other side of the building is probably on the phone with 911 as we speak, Ember thought as her lips twitched.

  A knock startled her, and she pulled up her jeans. “Give us a minute.”

  Shon’s muffled voice came from the other side of the door. “Are you okay in there?”

  Angel righted his clothes and moved to step around her. “I’ll handle him.”

  “No fighting. He’s just worried about me.”

  He ran a hand down his face and narrowed his eyes. “I think you need to tell that to Cousin Smart-Ass.”

  Ember watched in trepidation as Angel marched to the door, flipped the lock and jerked it open. “What?”

  Shon stood there wearing a towel and a smirk. “Was that you setting off all the car alarms in the parking lot?”

  Angel’s lip curled over a fang, his body tensed in obvious fight mode.

  “Whoa.” Ember got it in gear, planting herself in front of Angel to glare at her cousin. “Would you stop antagonizing him? What is up with you? You’re being a pain in the ass.”

  Something flickered in Shon’s eyes but disappeared before she could get a bead on it.

  “Sorry for the state of undress, but my clothes were caked in dirt and blood. I threw them in the washing machine. As soon as they’re finished, I’ll get out of your hair.” He turned and disappeared down the hall.

  Chapter Four

  “I’m sorry, Angel. He isn’t usually this bad. I mean, he’s always had a certain amount of arrogance, but not to this degree.”

  Angel sighed and relaxed his stance before taking Ember’s hand and pulling her close. He brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t apologize; it’s fine.”

  “No it’s not. I don’t understand what’s gotten into him. He’s never disrespected a friend of mine before. “

  A muscle flexed along his jaw. “Friend?”

  Ember inwardly cringed. She hadn’t meant it the way it sounded. She reached up to touch his face, but he backed away.

  “Angel, I—“

  “Let’s find out what he knows and get this over with so he can be on his way.” He left the room, leaving her to gape at his retreating back.

  Men, no matter what species, were all the same, Ember thought as she followed the brooding vampire from the room. This is going to be a long night.

  When Ember rounded the corner and entered the kitchen, Shon was leaning against the stove, eating some leftover pizza that had been in the fridge for a week. He spoke between chews. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m starved.”

  Ember grinned. “That’s older than your last date.”

  He swallowed the bite he’d just taken, seeming oblivious to the food-poisoning reference. “Speaking of, how is Laura?”

  Angel growled from his seat at the bar. “Can we forgo the details of your sex life and get down to business?”

  “Absolutely. That’s exactly what I came to ask you when you woke the neighbors a few minutes ago,” Shon muttered, licking tomato sauce from his thumb.

  Ember threw up her hands. “I’ve had it with you two. Can’t you get along for one hour without fighting? You’re like a couple of roosters with your spurs out. Knock it off already.”

  Shon continued to eat but dipped his head in acknowledgment, while Angel sat stone faced and unmoving. Ember didn’t blame Angel really. Her cousin was intentionally pushing his buttons on a level that went beyond sarcastic and straight to insulting.

  A new respect for her big Bulgarian surfaced as she considered the enormous amount of restraint he exhibited for her benefit. He would have no doubt killed Shon by now if not for the fact that the guy was her cousin.

  Angel must have sensed her thoughts. His gaze softened as it met hers. She stared into his moss-green eyes, and her heart squeezed. She loved him. He’d become everything to her in the short amount of time she’d known him—friend, lover, and protector.

  Shon cleared his throat, bringing her focus back to him. He studied her briefly before addressing Angel. “She needs you. Don’t let her down.”

  Ember’s eyes widened. The change in Shon floored her. Gone were the insults and snark that usually preceded him into a room. The mischievous look in his eyes had been replaced with concern and sincerity. She blinked several times to clear her watery vision and moved to fill their wineglasses before anyone noticed.

  “I won’t.” Angel’s quiet declaration only fueled her emotions. She swallowed around the lump in her throat and took several deep breaths.

  After a mental pep talk on it being the twenty-first century and whimpering females having gone out in the sixties, she shook it off and passed out the drinks.

  With the testosterone fortunately being reined in, a new kind of tension settled over the ki
tchen. They all looked from one to the other as the metaphoric elephant in the room grew bigger.

  Angel broke the silence by directing a question at Shon. “How long have you been going through the change?”

  “About three weeks.”

  Surprise registered on Angel’s face. “Your skills are impressive for one so young.”

  “I had motivation,” Shon admitted quietly before taking a sip of wine.

  It didn’t take a rocket scientist for Ember to know what that meant. Her voice came out thick with unshed tears. “You did this for me.” It wasn’t a question.

  “You’re my family. Besides, it’s not so bad once you get past the aversion to O-negative cocktails.” He winked and finished off his wine.

  She understood his need to be flippant. He’d always used humor as a way of avoiding his feelings. Ember blamed his mother for that. Ruth Wells had never gotten over the death of her five-year-old son, John. She’d blamed Shon for his twin brother’s drowning, and her cruelty to him knew no bounds.

  After four failed marriages, a suicide attempt, and time spent in a mental hospital, Ruth had disappeared, leaving a young Shon to be raised by his father. He’d spent a lot of time at Ember’s house growing up, and would always be more of a brother to her than a cousin.

  Staring into his handsome face reminded her of all the times he’d protected her from life’s many challenges in her youth, and he stood before her now as a man protecting her still.

  The tears she’d fought so hard to hold back spilled down her cheeks.

  “Ah, hell. Don’t do that.” Shon set his glass on the counter and opened his arms.

  Ember stepped into his all too familiar embrace. “I’m sorry.”

  He gave her a squeeze. “Shhhh. There’s no need for apologies. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” He gently swayed back and forth as he spoke. “It’s what we are, Em. What we were meant to be. If John had been born stronger…”

  The unfinished sentence held a wealth of meaning. Shon never talked about his brother or what happened on the day of his drowning. She’d been informed from an early age never to mention it.