Heart of a Vampire, Book Bundle (Books 1-3)

by Amber Kallyn

  Shane didn’t appear surprised. The sheriff scratched his chin, meeting Jordan’s gaze. “We know some of Thomas’ men escaped. There’s evidence they’re regrouping and continuing his plans, whatever twisted things those might be.”

  Niki shivered. “Vampires like that creepy little girl who was his second in command.”

  Jordan had always found children to be wrong after their turning. From what he’d heard about the girl, she was no different. “You think she’s in charge of those who are left?”

  Shane nodded. “Most likely.”

  “One of my vampires was attacked by wolves, here on my own land. They weren’t pack. Thomas had vampires and wolves working together.” He clenched his fists at the very thought. “I need ideas where I can begin looking. I want my people found.”

  And he was going to string up two wolves and show them exactly what happened when one crossed a vampire.

  Shane stiffened, watching Jordan warily. “My deputies and I, with Niki’s help, have found three more of their hideouts. But we’ve no idea how many Thomas had. Every time I bust down a door, the place has been empty.”

  “I will be looking. Will it be alone or with you?” Jordan stated. He’d scent these rogues out and make them pay once and for all.

  Shane stood and moved closer to the fire. “Who all do you want to send?”

  “The Wulfgar twins,” Jordan replied. “And myself.”

  “The King, getting his hands dirty?” Niki asked.

  “As I did for you.” He stared at her.

  She didn’t flinch, but a grin crossed her lips.

  Shane faced Jordan fully. “How’s Campton doing?”

  Jordan remembered the hungry screams from Shane’s deputy’s cell in the basement just that evening. “Better. You know it’s a slow process.”

  Niki scooted forward to the edge of her seat. “I heard the girl is awake and lucid.”

  Shane glanced from her, to the fire.

  “Aye.” Jordan kept his answer short.

  “How?” Shane asked.

  Standing, Jordan moved away from them, refusing to show his ignorance and confusion.

  Niki arched a dark eyebrow. “I’ve never heard of a fledgling like her before. Have you?”

  When Jordan still didn’t answer, Shane replied, “I haven’t.”

  Their gazes pinned him. He could have walked out, but he owed Shane more than that. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Once.”

  Shane straightened. “Do you know how it happened?”

  He didn’t want to give them cause to distrust Dalia until he had proof one way or the other, but he had to find out what they knew. “The fledgling was fed his master’s blood for months before the turning.”

  Niki jumped to her feet, her eyes wide, bleeding into red. “You mean she must’ve been drinking from Thomas...” She trailed off.

  Once more, Fionah’s words rang in his mind. “Niki, you saw her. Could she have been working with Thomas?”

  He didn’t want to hear her answer. He had to know.

  Her eyes narrowed as she considered his question, and its implications. “I don’t know.” She glanced from Shane, back to Jordan. “The girl was chained, abused and used as his personal buffet. But I only saw her for a short time.” She shrugged. “I just don’t know.”

  Shane hadn’t looked away from Jordan. “Why do you ask?”

  “Fionah.”

  Shane stiffened. “What did she see?”

  “Nothing but vague impressions.”

  Niki’s lips curled into a scowl. She’d only met Fionah once, and it hadn’t gone well. She drew closer. “She’s not fully human, you know.”

  “Dalia?”

  “I tasted her blood. She’s like Shane, but not quite the same.”

  He stared at Niki as his thoughts spun faster. “How can that be?”

  “I don’t know. But her blood was intoxicating. Powerful.”

  “It sounds like I need to speak with this woman,” Shane said. “Now would be best.”

  Anger rushed through his blood. He was about to deny Shane, when the man shot him a glare, stating he was asking as Keeper, not friend.

  Jordan sighed. He understood duty all too well. To Leo, he said, “Bring her down.”

  * * *

  A knock came at Dalia’s bedroom door a split-second before it swung open. The man who entered was about her height, nice looking for all that he glared at her with a watchfulness that made her rub her suddenly cold hands together.

  She rose from the couch where she’d been wallowing in self pity and faced him. “Who are you?”

  “That is none of your concern until we get to the bottom of things.”

  “The bottom of what?”

  “The King has ordered your presence.”

  A tinge of anger swept through her at the command. “And why should I believe you? Or do what either of you say?”

  The man’s eyes widened, flaring with a red she was beginning to associate to all vampires. “You will do as commanded by your King.”

  She stood straighter, lifting her chin. He wasn’t her king and they could all go to hell. Leaving her cooped up in this room for hours. She was slowly going nuts.

  His eyes flashed with menace. “You can do as ordered, or I can carry you.”

  She didn’t quite believe he’d do it, but considering he was probably telling the truth about Jordan wanting to see her, she decided to follow. If this man was lying, it wasn’t like he’d be able to get her out of the castle without a fight.

  “Fine.”

  He headed out of her room. Slowly, she followed, keeping a good distance between them.

  The guy led her to two massive double doors that groaned when he pushed them open. Dalia entered the room, facing yet more opulence. It looked like a formal living room, big enough for at least fifty people to comfortably relax.

  Jordan stood in front of a fire, arms crossed over his chest, face locked in a hard, unemotional expression. “Come,” he ordered.

  Damn man. He couldn’t even ask?

  As tempting as it was to balk, she strode into the room. Part of her wanted to blush, with the memory of his body pressing against her, his hands roaming her skin.

  She glanced at him beneath her lashes, confused at his coolness.

  In the front of the fire sat two other people. One immediately drew her gaze. The woman’s intense eyes tracked Dalia’s every move as if she was hunting and Dalia was her prey. Her long black hair framed a delicate face, but Dalia wasn’t gullible enough to miss the woman’s strength. The guy next to her wore a sheriff’s uniform. His hair was long, brown, and on his left temple he wore a braid with different colored feathers. Between the braids, his sharp, angular face and dark skin, Dalia figured he must be Native American.

  “Sit,” Jordan stated, pointing to a chair beside the fire. His gaze settled on Dalia and she fought not to fidget under the cold weight of his impartial stare.

  She bit her tongue, trying hard not to argue, but she’d about had it. She headed for the chair and stood next to it, crossing her arms over her chest. She shot him a glare, daring him to make an issue of it.

  Amusement flashed briefly in his eyes. “First, introductions are in order.” He waved at her. “Dalia Jensen, formerly a vampire captive. So we believe.”

  She didn’t understand. He’d told her she’d been a prisoner of some vampire. Her stomach quivered as the oozing tension in the air finally registered. Everyone was staring at her as if she were some strange alien species.

  Jordan motioned to the woman on the bench. “Niki DeVeraux, the vampire who rescued you.”

  Dalia met the woman’s hot glare.

  “Sheriff Shane Spencer,” Jordan continued. “Your other rescuer.”

  His face wasn’t as hard or accusing as the others. He watched her, but as if considering rather than passing judgment.

  Jordan straightened, drawing her attention back. “Niki, tell her what happened when you found her with Thomas.�
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  Niki glanced over. “What do you mean, tell her? She was there.”

  “She claims to have no memory,” Jordan replied.

  Dalia didn’t have a clue what was going on.

  Niki said, “Amnesia?” Her gaze assessed Dalia. “You were a captive of a monster. I faced him to kill him, and you helped me by allowing me to drink from you.”

  Dalia jumped.

  “Shane and I,” Niki gestured to the sheriff, “killed Thomas and rescued you. Unfortunately, between Thomas and me, you lay on the brink of death from blood loss.”

  None of it was familiar. It was like she was hearing a story about someone else.

  * * *

  The door opened and Leo entered hesitantly. He bowed to Jordan, his eyes pure red, fangs long and curving over his lower lip. “Wolves are at the front door.”

  Shane pierced Jordan with a look. “I’ll handle this.”

  His fists clenched at being ordered about, and in his home no less.

  But Shane was the Keeper appointed by the Magic Council. Jordan could allow him to deal with this. For now.

  Niki leaned back into the sofa, staring at Dalia, while she glanced around the room, refusing to look at either of them.

  Jordan watched her, not knowing what to make of his confused thoughts. It was possible she was a traitor, working with Thomas while he’d been alive. Why, he couldn’t fathom.

  Yet, she didn’t seem like the type of person who could do the things Thomas had done. And she’d been seen as a prisoner, by Niki and Robby.

  None of it made sense.

  He shouldn’t even care. But somehow, the soft feelings she’d awoken in him had changed something, made him realize—at least subconsciously—that he must protect her.

  He could still feel the connection between them, not as sire and fledgling, but as woman and man. And even if he refused to accept her, refused to consider she might truly be his mate, it was his duty to keep her protected from any and all harm.

  It was ingrained in him, down to his very soul. This woman was his to keep safe and well.

  Whether he wanted the responsibility or not.

  Shane strode back in, glancing around the chamber. “We should move this into the Judgment Hall.”

  “Why?” Jordan demanded.

  “What do the wolves want?” Niki asked at the same time.

  Shane’s jaw clenched. “Judgment Hall. Jordan, bring the girl.”

  “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

  “Please. I will explain in there.”

  With a short nod, Jordan agreed.

  Shane left, presumably to let a mutt inside.

  Jordan led Niki and Dalia into the Judgment hall, taking a seat in the regal throne. The chair, like the castle itself, had been transported from Scotland hundreds of years ago.

  He stood in front of the throne as Shane entered. A shifter in human form followed, with two wolves prancing along behind.

  Jordan glared at the man, baring his fangs. The man growled, the sound rumbling from his thin chest. The wolves at his heels echoed the sound.

  “Silence,” Shane commanded. “Or your complaint will not be heard.”

  They quieted down, taking their place on the front left bench, opposite of where Niki sat.

  Jordan remained standing, waiting for the wolves to recognize his power.

  A tense silence fell over the room as they waited. Jordan stayed ready for attack. Wolves couldn’t be trusted. Ever.

  * * *

  Spine tingling howls rose, echoing through the hall as the wolves’ gazes fell on Dalia.

  She pressed against the back of the bench as the fierce beasts inched closer. A shiver of fear slithered up her spine as she remembered the attack from the night before.

  “Seth,” Shane stated, his voice carrying through the room. “Reign in those wolves or I will do it for you.”

  The man whistled, and the wolves fell silent as they moved back to his feet.

  “How dare you allow your beasts to show such disrespect?” Jordan’s eyes were hard, and bright red.

  “We were granted permission into your sacred home,” Seth replied, dripping thick sarcasm. “I bring protection as I’m surrounded by your kind.”

  Jordan scowled and stepped forward.

  The sheriff strode between the two men. “I will mediate this meeting.” He glanced at Jordan, who shrugged. “Seth is here to speak for the pack.”

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “Jordan, you speak for the clan?”

  “Aye.”

  “Then let us begin. Seth, address your complaint.”

  Seth sent Dalia a quick glare. “We want this woman judged for what she’s done.”

  “And what do you claim she’s done?” Niki jumped up.

  Shane didn’t look at her, just said, “Sit.”

  Niki glared at his back.

  “Please,” Shane added.

  She finally sat down.

  “Now, what do you claim she’s done?” Shane repeated.

  Seth took out a long sheet of paper and cleared his throat. Without looking directly at Jordan, he began to read. “It is the position of the Wolf House of Beider that this woman, Dalia Jensen, is charged with working along-side Thomas, not a prisoner as she claims, but a partner.”

  Dalia gasped at his words.

  “She, with Thomas, did torture, maim and kill our pack members and we demand she is given to the pack to answer these charges.”

  Dalia stared at the man. When she glanced at Jordan, his eyes were colder. “I didn’t hurt anyone. I couldn’t have.”

  “You deny these charges?” Seth asked harshly.

  “Yes.” She nodded her emphasis.

  The sheriff tilted his head. “You do not remember your time with Thomas. Is that correct?”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “Then how do you know you didn’t kill these wolves as charged?” Seth snidely asked.

  She jumped to her feet. The wolves growled.

  “Control your beasts or they will leave,” Jordan said quietly.

  “I may not remember what happened, but I’d never torture anyone.” Her heart raced, each pulsing beat pounding in her head. “I wouldn’t.”

  The sheriff continued to watch her dispassionately, while the guard behind Jordan—the man who’d brought her down from her room so rudely—glared at her. Jordan kept an unemotional mask on.

  “I wouldn’t,” she repeated in a whisper.

  Seth addressed the sheriff. “My clan has proof of these deeds.”

  The hall erupted in cries and shouts. It took a minute for Shane to get everyone quieted.

  “What proof?” Jordan asked, his voice brittle.

  “None of your concern, vampire.”

  “It is my concern, for she is one of my clan.”

  “Not officially,” Seth stated. “So your protection has no place here.”

  Jordan’s eyes widened and he glanced at Dalia.

  A wolf behind Seth howled. The man stepped forward, staring at Shane. “If you do not give her to us, then we demand a Council Judge.”

  Jordan leapt to his feet. “We will not allow a werewolf to judge a vampire.”

  Shane glanced at Jordan wearily. “That is your right. I will allow two Judges, though you both know they will be impartial regardless of race. Call them. We begin the trial in three days. If your chosen judge is not here, too bad.”

  Seth bared his teeth at her, then strode out, the wolves following. Jordan sat on his throne, hands clenching the armrests.

  The sheriff faced Dalia, his gaze hard. “You will not leave.”

  She wanted to laugh hysterically. “Where would I go?” Sympathy moved in his eyes. He turned, took Niki’s hand and led her from the room.

  Dalia felt lost. And afraid. They accused her of hurting someone? Why would she do such a thing? No. She wouldn’t. There was no way.

  She glanced at Jordan and his guard. The two of them stared at her with such intensity
she shook. Hands in fists, she strode toward them, stopping right in front of the throne. “I didn’t do this. I’d never do anything like that.”

  Jordan stood, his gaze still so cold she wanted to weep. “Leo. Escort her to her room and stand guard.”

  The man stepped forward.

  She backed up. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on.”

  Jordan’s words were a growl. “You will be judged, and if found guilty, you will be given to the wolves.”

  Her heart stuttered and her lungs tightened. Breathing became difficult. Her voice was shaky as she repeated, “Given to the wolves?”

  “Aye.” His face was still a mask, like he was some stranger. Not an ounce of softness or sympathy... or belief.

  Swallowing through the dryness of her throat, she asked, “What exactly does that mean?” She flashed to the night before, of teeth and claws trying to rip her apart.

  “Leo, take her to her room.”

  The guard stepped closer, baring his fangs.

  Dalia crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them both. “I couldn’t have done what they say.”

  She found only anger in Jordan’s eyes, but at least it was better than the nothingness. “You can’t lock me up again.”

  Jordan nodded.

  The guard grinned, but it was predatory rather than humorous. His eyes flashed a second before he was suddenly by her side. He grabbed her arms and locked her wrists together as he swung her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

  Dalia screamed, kicking and fighting against his unmovable hold.

  “You can’t do this. Jordan!”

  The man swept her from the room, unfazed by her blows. He hauled her upstairs and dumped her on the bed, then strode out, closing her door.

  Dalia jumped to her feet and raced for the door. She swung it opened, then barreled into the guard.

  “Luci is my family. If you know where Thomas’ people are keeping her, torturing her, say something now. The more she is hurt, the more I will make sure you are paid in kind—whether it’s by us or the wolves.” His voice was gravelly, so full of hatred, Dalia flinched back.

  “If I knew, I’d tell you.”

  His gaze never wavered as he stepped forward and closed the door once more.

  She stared at the wood, confused at everything that just happened.

  In only minutes, her world, already upside down, had spiraled even further out of control. And now, she didn’t even have the strange comfort Jordan brought her to lean on.