Heavenly Blood (Roseville Vampires, #2)

by Brighton Hill

  He cupped her fullness and fondled it, brushing his finger back and forth over her nipple. Embarrassment rose to her cheeks. The soft skin hardened and he started to flick it. How did he know just what to do? He had a natural way about him. The sensations caused a sudden tightness between her legs and heat rose up inside to her belly followed by a gush of wetness. Her rear pushed up to his groin. She couldn’t help but move it against him. His breathing also accelerated now which only caused her to bite down harder on his finger and then caress it in her mouth with her tongue. He tasted so smooth and clean, and delicious like he had just showered in rose water.

  He turned her around suddenly. His eyes met hers. A wicked gleam seemed to flicker in the green iris as his pupils dilated. He just stared at her, holding her like that. Her throat tightened a little as her lip quivered. Their faces were close enough that she could feel the coolness of his breath. He smelled like the woods and soap with a hint of mint on his breath. She watched his chest rise and fall like he was containing all the emotions of her heart.

  His face came closer to hers. Their noses were nearly touching, his lips just barely an eighth of an inch from hers. How she longed for that connection, but he didn’t move. He only lingered close to her giving her the feeling that he wanted her so much that it was just too overwhelming to take her.

  Her head tilted to the side and she moved in, their lips touching lightly for a moment before the kiss ensued. God, he was good. The way he moved his lips oh so subtle caught her heart on fire. His tongue entered her mouth and twined with hers. She ached to devour him, all of him.

  She felt his hand slide over the silk of her dress. What was he doing to her? He brushed her hair to the side over one shoulder and ran his tongue down her neck while his body pressed up against her, almost cupping her. Little kisses down her neck and her chest. There was something about the way he moved that took her breath away.

  She eased him down to the ground between the rose bushes. Hopefully he didn’t think she was to forward. He was on top of her now. His fingers lifted the fabric away from both her breasts exposing them before he pushed them together in their plump fullness in the softness of his hands. For a moment, he just looked at them. That surprised her, causing her face to flush even more than before. She wondered what he was thinking. But before she could figure it out, his lips took one of her nipples in and his tongue started doing something that caused her hips to lift up and rock against his.

  But just as things started getting really out of control, he covered her breasts back up and rolled over on his back beside her and just breathed. His chest rose and fell heavily and a little faster than usual. “God, Violet,” he murmured, his head shaking side to side slightly as he pressed his eyes closed.

  Her heart was hammering against her chest like a jack hammer. “What is it?” she asked looking at his beautiful face and the tiny bit of stubble at his jawline. He was perfect, absolutely perfect.

  His eyes remained closed for another second before he lifted his arms and tucked his hands behind his head looking up at the moon as Violet watched him. “This is dangerous,” he said in that husky voice that sent butterflies to her stomach.

  “I know that,” she whispered, sitting up part way, one hand on the ground holding her up at an angle. She felt dazed.

  “No, I don’t think you know how dangerous it actually is for us,” he said sitting up and facing her.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice lifting as she examined the swoon worthy muscles definition of his chest beneath his white t-shirt that fit him just right.

  He took her hands. “Lord Dyson killed Angie for hooking up with Spider.”

  Violets eyes widened as her hand flew up to her mouth. “Angie’s dead?” she gasped, a lump forming hard in her throat.

  When she looked at him, his eyes appeared glassy. He nodded, his nostrils flaring. “Is Spider dead?” he asked, searching her blue eyes.

  “Of course not.” She shook her head in bewilderment and looked off toward the woods trying to make sense of it all. “Do you think he knows about Angie?”

  “The dickhead probably doesn’t even care. Fucking sociopath.” He dropped her hands and brushed his fingers through his hair roughly.

  “I think he liked Angie.”

  “He liked her ass,” he scoffed and leaned back, putting his hands behind him on the ground to support his weight.

  “Do you think Lord Dyson is going to come after Spider?” Heat rose up her neck causing her discomfort.

  “It’s a shocker that he didn’t already. He can’t stand the idea of one of his kids with Viparado’s. It’s that hatred against the dude that stole his girl that drives Dyson. Angie betrayed him.”

  Violet’s eyebrows drew together. “Poor Angie.” Her head shook side to side again. “Ariel must be torn up over it. I never liked Angie, but she and Ariel were close.”

  “I’m not worried about your sister. She can take care of herself. I’m worried about someone else.” He almost grinned, but then his eyes just looked cold as he stared straight ahead.

  Violet rubbed her chin, her line of vision casting down to the ground. “Radley…” She looked up at him suddenly. “If Lord Dyson killed Angie for dating someone from Lord Viparado’s coven that means he will kill you for seeing me.”

  He didn’t respond, but just looked off remotely. His torso continued to lean casually against his hands that were supporting him on the ground, but the set of his jaw, and the new fire in his emerald eyes, contradicted his aloof equanimity.

  Violet’s heart started to pound painfully as she watched him. Was he planning to leave her again? He must be worried about putting her life at risk by seeing her. As much as she feared his safety too, she feared she wouldn’t be able to handle not seeing him again. But if he died, that would be worse—she couldn’t live with that.

  It seemed like her feelings were constantly growing for Radley. This past summer, she thought they were already as strong as they could possibly be, but to her surprise her emotions only seemed to intensify the longer she knew him. “If you are thinking Lord Dyson will kill me if he finds us together, you are wrong. He won’t risk a rivalry like that with Lord Viparado. That would put the covens in a war against each other.”

  His expression turned to a sneer that caused his upper lip to curl. “He hates you, Violet.” His darkened eyes were intense as he jumped to a crouched position effortlessly with such grace and speed, reminding Violet ever so painfully that they were both monsters now. But the way he moved seemed a little faster and stronger than the vampires at her school. She wondered what was going on with him.

  As Violet watched him, trying to figure out why the way he moved his body seemed a little fiercer than in the past, he continued, “I’m surprised he killed one of his own. Who knows what crimes that sadist is capable of committing.” He took Violet’s hands and they stood up together.

  At his touch, shivers ran up and down her spine. Her mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. She wanted to say she would leave him. That would keep him safe, but she couldn’t do it. “I’m selfish,” she whispered looking him powerfully in the eyes. “I would rather die than be without you.”

  His dark eyebrows drew together fiercely. “Don’t say that Violet.” He cupped her cheeks in his hands. The stars and moon overhead cast sparkles of light in his eyes as he looked at her. She got the feeling his mind was reeling with thoughts and feelings. Was he making some sort of plan? But before she could implore, he brushed her long waves of black shiny hair off her shoulders and ran his hand down her cheek to her neck causing her body to tremble hungrily. “How are you doing at the Viparado’s house?” he asked, concern on his handsome face.

  Goose bumps rose on her arms. “I’m okay.” Even though she was miserable and afraid, she didn’t want him to worry about her.

  A frown creased on his forehead. “Has Viparado hurt you?”

  “Oh, no.” She kept a bank expression on her face. “As long as I foll
ow the rules, I’m fine.”

  “Are you following them?” he asked lifting her chin lightly with his finger as he seemed to study her face.

  She shrugged and stepped back. “Yeah, sure.” It was difficult for her to lie to his face. Soon she would have to return for morning roll call. Her paper wasn’t written and she had no killing to write about. Lord Viparado would see that they were short one dead body and who knew what he would do to her because of it. And once she got to school, considering she lived to make it there, who knew what Mr. Wright, her Art of Killing teacher, would do to her?

  Radley pulled her up to him against his chest and whispered into her ear, “You should know something about how I feel.”

  She touched his neck and looked up at him as he gazed down at her through his thick lashes with a mischievous grin on his face. For a moment she studied him, waiting for him to finish. She couldn’t figure him out. Was he embarrassed? “Tell me,” she whispered.

  His pale cheeks flushed lightly. “I can’t…” He shook his head side to side before finishing. “I can’t stay away from you either, Violet.”

  Her body tingled all over at his admittance. He kissed a small trail around her ear and to her cheek. For a moment, he stopped and looked at her. His eyes seemed so sad, she thought. But then his face moved in closer and they kissed. His lips were unbearably soft. He was so incredibly sensual.

  The only other boy she had ever kissed before Radley was some guy during a game of spin the bottle and she didn’t even know his name. That kiss was sweet and awkward. But with Radley, he just knew how to move and touch so gracefully. Kissing him was like a beautiful fluid dance. He wasn’t self-conscious and forced like that other guy. His feelings seemed hidden inside like a big volcano ready to explode and the little that he released was real and natural to him. Oh, how she longed to discover all that was boiling inside of him.

  Her passions were rising, causing her to feel like she was losing control. His kisses became suggestive, more urgent. Her hands pressed into his back and grabbed onto his t-shirt. Their hips rocked up against each other’s as she joined his motions fervently.

  He pulled away. “You make me wild.” His eyes looked crazed. “What are you doing to me, Violet?” His voice was soft like cashmere, but there was so much underneath.

  She looked into his crazed green eyes as they burned into hers, making her want to tear his clothes off. “I can’t do this Radley.” Her eyes welled up as she pushed away.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, his face paling under the starlight.

  “There’s another guy,” she whispered. “I met a guy at a club and it was love at first sight. It’s him I want.”

  He backed away.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

  Chapter Eleven

  When Violet arrived back at the Viparado’s house, her heart was thumping fast in her chest. She was afraid to walk inside for fear of what might happen to her. It was terribly late. Soon the sun would rise and they would have to line up for roll call.

  With that in mind she tried the front door of the old house. It was locked! How would she get in now? She felt so stupid for not considering the fact that she did not possess her own key. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end at the idea of what lay ahead.

  She started to sneak around the back of the house to try to climb through the Fatals’ bedroom window. But as she looked up at the big house from the back end, the second floor appeared so high up. She didn’t know how to work her wings yet, it that would even help. Her thoughts reeled as she tried to recall the location of the girl’s bedroom. If her memory served her right, it was the third room over. She counted the windows. From that, she deduced the location. Hopefully she was correct. From what she could tell, it didn’t seem like she could scale the side of the house though. The surface was made of wood and painted grey with a slippery finish. Now with that in mind, she had to come up with a plan fast. A hard lump grew in her throat.

  She rushed over to the side of the house where the stables and barn were situated. It felt great to move at such speed. Without humans around, she could transport her body freely across the grassy pasture without drawing attention to her superhuman abilities. The air was so crisp and fresh in the darkness like that, but the sky seemed a shade lighter. Dawn was coming.

  Once she stepped inside the barn, she could hear some of the horses moving around just the slightest bit from in their stalls. As quiet as a black panther on the hunt, she crept by not stirring them much. She heard a few snorts and scuffs of a hoof against the ground, but other than that the silence was imminent.

  Her hand drifted lightly across the wall paneling of a short hallway that led to a small room. It seemed to serve as a sort of supply and tack room. To one side were a bunch of saddles with bridles, horse halters, lead ropes, brushes, etc. hanging from the wall and in buckets. But on the other side were paint cans, stacks of tiles, shovels, gardening tools, etc. She lifted up a tarp to check under it. Hell, yes! There was a ladder!

  Violet lifted the dusty tarp off and folded the ladder closed before carrying it outside. With that in hand, she rushed back across the field easily supporting the weight. It was amazing being so strong, she thought. But even at that, her heart was still pounding way too fast because she didn’t think Lord Viparado would take kindly to her climbing in through windows.

  Just calm down, she whispered to herself as she set up the ladder at the side of the house. She extended the setting making it higher. But as she started to climb up the slats, her worries increased. This was a ridiculous idea. How could I be so idiotic? Once I get inside, the ladder will still be here for Viparado to see. It would be obvious that someone snuck in through the window. But she didn’t see any other options. After roll call, she would have to find a time to put the ladder away without getting caught.

  Once she stepped onto the top step of the ladder, she lifted the window. It was unlocked but the room was hidden by dark velvet curtains. She tried to keep as quiet as possible but the wood paneling creaked as the window lifted. Vampires didn’t usually sleep at night and they have exceptional hearing. Her body tensed as she expected some of the girls to rush over to check to see who was at the ledge, but nobody approached.

  She made her way up and through the opening. For a moment, she stood as motionless as a statue behind the long curtains that draped against the floor. Still there was no sound from within the room. Where were the Fatals? Hadn’t they arrived home from the nightclub yet?

  Taking in a gentle breath in hopes of steading her nerves, she lifted the curtain to the side and stepped carefully into the quarters. She was in the Dirts’ bedroom! They were hanging upside down from the ceiling beams looking very much like sleeping bats with under developed wings wrapped around their bodies like cocoons with their perfectly sculpted faces sticking out.

  She remembered how Radley told her that they kept their disjointed bat legs when they slept because they refused to hibernate in coffins underground as the other gangs had. Their wings also did not develop fully. They looked so frightening in that form. Violet gulped as she hurried across the bedroom making her way to the door.

  But just as she started to turn the handle, Bulldog swooped down and pulled her to the floor. “Where do you think you’re going?” he moaned in her ear, his dark whiskers scratchy against her face. His legs bent backward.

  She jumped up to her feet. He grabbed her by the wrist and spun her around to face him. Her eyes shot up to the other members of his gang, but they were all still asleep, hanging from the ceiling beams. “I’m just trying to get back to my bedroom.” Her soft voice was barely a whisper for fear of stirring Lord Viparado or his wife.

  As his thin membrane wings closed into his back, he ran his finger down the skin of her bare chest where her plunge dress lay open. “Sexy.” He bit the side of his lip and tilted his head to the side as he looked her in the eyes too intensely.

  She slapped his hand away as her stomach rolled,
sending a little bile up her throat. “Get some manners,” she scoffed as she turned her back to him and rotated the door handle.

  To her shock, he swept her up into his arms and all at once, ran with her to the window. She struggled to get away, keeping as silent as possible. Her heart pounded fast. Whatever was happening, it would probably be worse to alert the Viparados or even to wake the other Dirts who were just as frightening as bulldog, but more numerous.

  With Violet in his steel arms, he rushed down the ladder at super speed. Where the hell was he taking her? Horrible thoughts flooded her mind as she tried to fight him off to no avail. His male strength was too powerful. He ran behind the house out into the woods. Light beeping sounds emitted from his body. Instinctually, his mind must have been emitting calls out into the environment to analyze the sounds of the echoes bouncing off objects.

  Even though he was crushed the breakup, Radley had followed Violet home without her knowing it. He wanted to make sure she arrived safely. But once, she climbed through the window, he ran on his way back to the Dyson castle. “This is the last time,” he told himself. “I’ll never talk to her again. Let her give herself to another man. She’s better off.” Now, as he made his way along the main road, he felt a terrible stab to his chest. Something was horribly wrong with Violet. His heart started slamming against his ribcage. Somebody was hurting her. Leaves—he saw leaves in his mind. Branches, dirt. There was a struggle. How he knew this, he didn’t understand.