Ember (The Seeker Series Book 1)

by Ditter Kellen

  “So I made Helen suffer as much,” he continued in a menacing tone. “But nothing will bring Angelo Dimitrov to his knees faster or harder than finding his mate violated and cut into tiny pieces.”

  One of his hands slid up the inside of her thigh to her ass. “I think I’ll start here.”

  Laura’s cries turned into screams as Ember tried with everything she had to dislodge him.

  “Yes. Fight. I love it when they fight.”

  * * * *

  Angel came to a stop near an orange grove on the outskirts of town. Vlad stood to his right with arms outstretched, his face lifted toward the sky.

  “What’s he doing?” Shon whispered from behind them.

  Angel didn’t speak. He couldn’t. The power radiating from the elder vampire swirled around him, taking his breath. The swift inhalation from Ember’s cousin assured Angel that Shon felt it also.

  The energy grew stronger until lights from local power poles blew in the distance, leaving Angel in awe. It always had since the first time he’d witnessed it as a young boy.

  “Ember is in trouble,” Vlad voiced while chanting in the old language. “She cries out for you.”

  Angel’s fangs shot down so fast he tasted blood. His eyes burned in their sockets and rage shook his entire body. He grabbed the elder vampire and spun him around. “Where is she?”

  No one had ever laid hands on Dracula and lived to tell about it, but someone was hurting Ember. Angel would deal with the consequences of his actions after he had her safely in his arms.

  Understanding appeared in Vlad’s eyes. “A mile due west.” He nodded in the right direction.

  Angel took off without waiting to see if they followed. He ran with enough speed that oranges dropped from the trees in his wake. He would kill whoever dared to hurt his Ember.

  What were they doing to her? He agonized. He had to get there before something more happened to her, something he couldn’t fix.

  Ember is in trouble. She cries out for you. Vlad’s words played over and over in his mind, plaguing his every step. He ran faster.

  Angel came to a stop in front of a small, blockhouse situated in the middle of an orange grove. It must be some sort of gatekeeper’s place, he guessed as he splintered the door and rushed inside. Blurring his way from room to room, he stopped at the last door on the left.

  What he saw there pushed him on over the edge of insanity. Ember lay facedown on a bed with her hands chained behind her back. Clay Harper was straddling her with his pants gone and her hair wrapped around his wrist…a sight that would haunt Angel for eternity.

  Agony unlike any he’d ever felt kicked him in the gut. What happened next took less than a second, but moved in slow motion in Angel’s tormented mind.

  A mighty roar ripped from his chest as he flew through the air, locked onto the sides of Clay’s head and removed it from his body before landing lithely on his feet.

  Tossing the disgusting head to the corner of the room, he broke the chain that bound Ember’s wrists and gently turned her over. Her eyes were closed as he lifted her into his arms. “Baby? I’m here. Talk to me.”

  “It’s about time,” she whispered against his neck.

  Weak with relief, he grabbed the wrinkled bed sheet, pulling it up to cover her nakedness. “Did- Did he- Are you—”

  “No,” Laura choked out. “Thank God in heaven you got here in time.”

  More blessed relief poured through him. He slid his gaze over to Ember’s closest friend. Her face was wet with tears, but her eyes held a courage he’d seen in very few people. He decided he truly liked her and couldn’t imagine a better friend for his Ember. “Can you stand?”

  Laura nodded and rolled off the side of the bed onto her knees. Shon and Vlad entered the room before she could get to her feet.

  “Son of a bitch,” Shon cursed, helping her up. He removed her bonds and wrapped her in his arms. “Are you okay? She nodded against his chest. “Is Ember—”

  “Daylight approaches,” Vlad interrupted. “We must make haste.”

  “Gina was here. I can smell her.” Angel would know her scent anywhere.

  “Tis the reason you could not sense Ember.”

  Angel ground his teeth. He hated like hell that he’d shared blood with Gina. No matter how long ago it had been, it would always remain between them.

  Ember rasped against his neck. “What does he mean?”

  “It’s not a story for here,” he gently replied. “Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head. “Just weak. Where is Clay?”

  “He’s dead.” Angel cupped the back of her head to prevent her from witnessing the gory scene. “You don’t need to see it.”

  He glanced up at Vlad. “She needs to feed.”

  The elder vampire stared back at him. “She feeds when we return home. We can move much faster if I carry her.”

  A growl rose in Angel’s throat. “No one touches her but me.”

  Vlad appeared amused. “Then I suggest you run.” He left without another word.

  “We should hurry.” Shon scooped Laura off her feet and strode for the door. His boots echoed off the concrete walls reminding Angel of a prison he’d visited once.

  That house had been Ember’s prison, Angel thought as he followed Shon outside. A place of torture and terror…of grief and pain. He struck a match before exiting the front door and touched it to the bottom of a curtain, watching as it went up in flames. Harper’s body would be ash before the sun came up. Burn, you piece of shit.

  Chapter Ten

  The run back to the rental house felt like an eternity to Ember. Her limbs were numb and her eyes refused to stay open. Memories of the night’s events played through her mind like a mantra. Clay’s disgusting hands on her body, Gina’s threats, and Laura’s fear… All of it swam around in a whirlpool of horror that she would never forget.

  “We’re here, baby,” Angel announced rushing through the door behind Shon. Vlad had entered first, leaving Angel to lock up.

  Ember cracked her eyes open in time to see Shon head off toward the stairs carrying Laura in his arms.

  “How is she?” she slurred, hating the sound of weakness in her voice.

  There were so many things she wanted to say, to ask, to cry about, but the words wouldn’t come. Her hand unconsciously moved to her stomach.

  “I won’t let anything happen to our child. Do you understand? I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to take care of you both.”

  Ember heard the catch in Angel’s voice, could feel the anxiety radiating from him like the heat from a noonday sun. She opened her mouth to tell him that no matter what happened, she loved him and always would. “Angel…”

  “Don’t try to talk.” He laid her on the bed and removed her clothes. She knew he could smell Clay on her.

  Jerking his shirt over his head, he crawled up next to her, put his arm behind her neck, and pulled her head onto his shoulder. “Drink.”

  She turned her face against his throat and licked the skin covering the vein she sought. Her fangs tingled with awareness as she sank them deep into the well of life he offered. Nothing could ever top the taste of Angelo Dimitrov, she mentally acknowledged. He tasted as good as he smelled.

  A moan of pleasure bubbled up as she locked onto his neck with what little strength she had. Energy pulsed from his vein, flowing into her. Like lava from a volcano, it ran its course, burning her up inside.

  The feel of the sun cresting the horizon was an unwelcome guest in a world dependent on darkness. Ember mentally cursed as she fought the pull in favor of feeding. Losing the fight, she drifted off to sleep in the arms of her Angel.

  * * * *

  Enshrouded in darkness and fear, Ember withdrew into herself. Something bad had happened, something evil that rested on the outskirts of her mind. It hovered above her, just out of sight, taunting and mocking.

  Something touched her face, moving slowly toward her hair. She had no control, no power to stop it.
A scream formed deep in her chest, racing toward her throat like a freight train. It burst free in a release of tension that left her paralyzed.

  Hands locked onto her shoulders. “Ember, it’s me. Wake up, baby.” He gave her a gentle shake. “Wake up.”

  She opened her eyes to find moss-green ones staring back at her. “Angel…”

  “Yes. God, it rips my heart out to see you like that. No one is going to hurt you ever again. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

  She reached up and touched his cheek. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Yes, it is. None of this would have happened if not for me.”

  “He killed Helen.” She wasn’t sure why the words left her mouth, but they needed to be said.

  “I know. I just don’t understand why.”

  Ember took a deep breath. What she was about to say wouldn’t be easy, but Angel deserved answers, and she needed closure. “He said you raped and killed his wife.”

  Angel blinked down at her. “I what?”

  “According to him, you had an affair with her and later took her life.” The old familiar nausea reared its ugly head.

  “I have never taken someone’s life outside of self defense, and that was over a hundred years ago.”

  Sincerity shone from his eyes, and Ember believed him. “I trust you, Angel. It’s obvious he had the wrong person.”

  “And for that, Helen died and you were about to be his next victim. I would give anything to bring him back and kill him again. Slower this time.”

  “Did he give you her name?”

  She nodded. “Jenny.”

  “Jenny was Harper’s wife?” His voice sounded incredulous.

  “That’s what he said. So you knew her?”

  “Yes. She worked at my bank when I lived in Maine. She stalked me for months by phone and constantly showed up at my house until I moved my money from that bank and sold my house. That’s when I ended up in Washington. I never heard from her again.”

  “Then who would have killed her? Clay said she’d been raped and her throat was cut open.”

  He took hold of her hand. “I don’t know, but it wasn’t me. Maybe he should have checked with Gina. It definitely sounds like something she would do.”

  Ember’s heart went out to him. “I’m sorry about your sister.”

  He peered down at her for several seconds, his gaze softening. “You need to feed again.”

  “Angel? The baby.” She rested her hand on her abdomen. “How will I know if he will be okay or if…?” She couldn’t finish the words.

  “He?” Her gorgeous vampire smiled from his position above her. She knew he attempted to ease her mind, but his eyes spoke volumes. “You eat, and we’ll find out about the little one after we dress.”

  * * * *

  Ember felt stronger than ever before. She’d fed from Angel for so long she worried she took too much. He had assured her he was perfectly fine and that it would take a much bigger set of fangs than hers to bring him low. And then he’d kissed her silly.

  Laura was in the kitchen eating a sandwich, with Shon hovering near her shoulder when Ember and Angel rounded the corner.

  “I’m so happy you’re okay!” Laura cried, jumping from her stool, wrapping Ember in a hug that contradicted her small size.

  Ember squeezed her back. “How are you feeling?”

  “Hungry.” Releasing her hold, Laura climbed back onto the stool and picked up her food. “You need to eat too.” She glanced at Ember’s stomach. “You’re carrying an extra person in there.”

  “I already ate.” Winking at her best friend, she wandered over to the fridge. “But it wouldn’t hurt me to scarf down some ham.”

  “That’s my girl.” Shon eased up behind Ember and enclosed her in his arms. “You always could eat enough to feed a small country.”

  She tilted her head back, grinning up at him. “What can I say? It’s in the genes.”

  “It’s in whose jeans?” Vlad stepped into the kitchen looking refreshed and larger than life.

  Startled, Ember spun around and came face to face with one of the most intimidating men she’d ever seen. His stance alone reeked of authority. His face with its incredible beauty had to have been carved by Michelangelo. But it was his eyes that held her spellbound. They were the palest blue with tiny flecks of white sprinkled throughout.

  Ember bowed her head without being prompted to do so. She somehow knew the man came from royalty.

  “I am Vlad. Prince of Basrsellas.” He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles.

  She slowly lifted her head. His jet-black hair was tied back at the base of his neck, revealing perfect skin of the palest hue. Tiny veins rode just beneath the surface, giving him an ethereal appearance.

  Her gaze travelled his face to dark red lips that housed incredibly sharp, white fangs. How someone so flawless could be so masculine was beyond her, but there he was not a foot from her, looking almost as good as her Angel.

  “Prince,” she acknowledged with a small smile. “I’m Ember Wells. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s hard to believe you are actually related to him.” He tilted his head in Shon’s direction.

  Ember laughed. She couldn’t help it.

  Vlad released her and brought his hand down to hover over her abdomen. “May I?”

  Ember glanced at Angel to find a muscle ticking along his jaw. Realizing he was jealous of the prince, she almost smiled. Almost. If he had any idea how much she loved him, he’d never have doubts about her again.

  She brought her gaze back to Vlad. “Go ahead.”

  The second his palm touched her belly, everything changed. A sound unlike anything she’d ever heard echoed in her ears. Colors swirled inside her head to form a shape. A baby’s shape, she realized in wonder.

  “He will possess powers unlike any we’ve ever known,” Vlad murmured, moving his hand in a half circle. He is...”

  “What?” Ember prompted. “He is what?”

  A strange look passed through the prince’s eyes. “He is strong.”

  Tears of joy sprang to Ember’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks. She looked at Angel. “I can feel him, hear him, and see him. He’s alive, Angel.” Her voice caught. “Our son is alive.”

  Angel stepped in and scooped her off her feet. “I love you, Ember, so much. I love you both.” He spun toward the exit.

  “The danger is not yet over.” Vlad’s announcement burst Ember’s bubble of elation, bringing her back to earth.

  Angel set her on her feet and faced the elder vampire. “We have to kill her.”

  It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he meant Gina, Ember thought with no small amount of fear. As long as that sadistic blonde bitch lives, my baby will never be safe. “I agree with Angel.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “We need to get the women someplace safe.” Angel stood in front of Vlad, feet spread apart and arms crossed over his chest.

  “I’m not leaving you, so you can forget it,” Ember chimed in, taking hold of his elbow

  Angel turned, giving her his attention. “You’re pregnant and Laura is human. You will only be a distraction if either of you stay.”

  He’s right, Em,” Laura intervened. You can’t risk the baby.”

  Once again, Angel saw strength in Laura coupled with common sense. He made a mental note to send her a thank-you gift later.

  Taking Ember by the hand, he softened his tone. “This will be over with before you know it, and I’ll come for you.”

  He could see the uncertainty in her eyes. “Please? If not for you, then for our son.”

  “You have him.” She nodded toward the elder vampire. “Can’t he kill her?”

  “She’s an intelligent one, Angelo. Tread lightly.” Vlad touched him on the shoulder before leaving the room.

  “What was that about?” Ember questioned with a raised eyebrow.

  Angel blew out an impatient breath. Ember was
wasting time and they both knew it.

  “It means that Angel and I can’t kill her, and Dracula refuses to,” Shon piped in from his position behind Laura.

  “What do you mean you can’t? And why won’t he?” Ember’s voice was definitely gaining volume.

  “Because we are both sort of bonded to her, and it’s against vampire law to kill one of our own, so Drac won’t do it.”

  Ember’s face paled. “You bonded with that thing? That bitch?

  “It was a long time ago, and no, I did not bond with her.” Angel felt sick to his stomach rehashing it all.

  “Then what did you do?”

  His heart ached, seeing the insecurity in Ember’s eyes. “We had a brief relationship, and when I say brief, I mean very brief.”

  “You’re telling me you two shared sex and blood.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yes.” There was nothing more he could say. His Ember now knew of his long-ago affair with Gina Calimari, and there was nothing he could do to remove the hurt he felt coming from her.

  “I should have told you before now, but—”

  “You’re damn right you should have.” She glanced at Laura before spinning on her heel. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Angel grabbed hold of her wrist. “Where are you going?”

  “Anywhere would be better than Melrose Place.” Yanking free of his hold, she left the room without a backward glance.

  “Let her go, man. She’ll cool down after she has time to think about it. She always does.” Shon’s attempt at playing peacemaker would have been humorous at any other time. Not tonight.

  Angel’s heart, his very soul had just walked out the door, leaving an ache to settle in his chest. “Make sure they get safely away from here.”

  “You bet.” Shon clapped him on the back before rushing from the room.

  “Surely you appreciate her spirit?”

  Angel hadn’t heard Vlad’s approach. But then again, not many would have. The elder vampire hadn’t lived this long by not staying on his toes. “I’ve hurt her.”

  “And yet she loves you still. The disrespectful one is right; she will cool down, as he put it. Now push it from your mind. You need to focus.”