Dark and Beautiful Nights (The Vampire Covenant Series Book 3)

by Betty Shreffler

  "I hoped I'd see you again. You're hard to forget."

  Kayci frowned. "You're being far too nice after what I did to you."

  "Stop feeling bad about it. It made me remember you."

  She smiled at his flirtatious gesture. "Are you here alone tonight?"

  "Nah, came with a few buddies." He pointed to a small group of guys sitting at a table drinking, a couple of them watching one of the dancers above them. "What do you think of this place? Pretty cool, right?"

  "Good drinks and music. That's for sure."

  "What're you drinking? I'll order you another one."

  Kayci laughed. "You don't need to try to get me drunk. I'm doing a fine job of that on my own."

  A pink hue colored Brad's cheeks.

  Kayci lifted the empty glass, getting the bartender's attention. He grabbed a fresh glass from the bar. "I'm drinking a shot called red fiend. It's a super sweet girly drink. You wouldn't like it."

  Brad nodded. "Yeah, I'm a beer drinker myself." He took another swig. "So, you missed me, huh?" He gave her a playful look.

  Kayci's own cheeks warmed from the blood of the shot. She'd forgotten she'd said that while they were dancing. "To be honest, I thought you were someone else."

  Brad frowned. "Oh. I was kinda hoping you'd thought about me." His disappointment smeared his face. "You got a boyfriend?"

  "Yeah, well, no…it's complicated. He's gone."

  Brad stared at her, confused. "Gone where?"

  Out of this world. "Out of the country. I don't know when he'll be back or if he'll ever be back."

  Brad studied her, apparently affected by her sudden dour mood. "Sounds like you're pretty tore up about it."

  She nodded as the second shot was set on the counter for her. "I put it on your tab," the bartender said, before scooting off to another customer.

  Brad flicked another one of her curls, drawing her attention to him. "Sorry I asked about a sore subject. You're probably here to have a good time and forget about him."

  She nodded before gulping down the shot. Its warming sensation coursed through her. She closed her eyes, once again letting it erase the ugly thoughts infiltrating her mind. She opened her eyes and stared at Brad's expectant gaze.

  "You're right. I did come here to forget about him." She set the shot glass down. "Let's dance."

  Brad grinned over his beer. "Your wish is my command."

  ***

  Cass strode into Logan's office, what used to be Markus'. Logan had his head buried in piles of paperwork. With a thump, Cass landed in the chair opposite Logan and rested his feet on the desk. Logan's eyes raised from the paperwork and met Cass' pensive gaze.

  "What was the Council's final decision about Markus' fate?" Cass asked.

  "They gave him clemency for discovering the serum. He won't be given it, but he'll be allowed to live out the rest of his life."

  "I'm sure, in his opinion, that's more punishment than a swift death."

  Logan leaned back in his office chair. "Any effects from the serum so far?"

  "None. My wounds continue to regenerate. I told the hematologist the Council hired to piss off. I've had enough of his tests. He's taken enough blood to turn a whole army of wolves."

  "What do you expect? You're the only immortal wolf. Your blood is valuable."

  Cass let out a growl. "You're beginning to sound like the Council."

  Logan frowned. "Sorry, brother. I'm neck-deep in problems. I'm trying to keep up with the business. The Council is hammering at me about your response to their request. Every wolf clan wants to know about the serum, the effects, if they can get their hands on it. It's a damn good thing you collected what serum the Southeast clan had. No doubt that senseless clan would be handing it out like candy." Logan waved his hand over the desk and its piles of paperwork. "All of this could've been yours, you know."

  Cass huffed. "You're more cut out for this kind of thing than I am." His expression grew serious. "Any word from Katerina or the Covenant?"

  "None from Katerina. Vladimir informed me the Covenant has decided not to pursue punishment for the Southeast clan. With the Covenant undergoing such significant changes, they'd rather keep peace. I imagine that was Katerina's doing."

  "Surely. Her compassion is limitless. The fact that she's willing to forgive those responsible for the state she's in is beyond belief."

  "She's resilient. Like someone else I know." He gave Cass a pointed look.

  Speaking of her incited his instinct. Claim—it demanded. Cass' lip curled in frustration. Silence—he demanded back.

  Logan studied him, seemingly aware of his internal struggle, before changing the subject. "Have you thought any more about the Council's offer to become a member?"

  Cass ran his hand through his hair and let out an exasperated sigh. "I can't think about that right now. You know why."

  "Why haven't you gone to her?" Logan demanded.

  Damn it. He couldn't go a day without thinking or talking about her.

  Cass' fangs dipped below his lip as he grumbled. "She doesn't want to see me. She only wants that damn vampire brought back to life."

  Logan stared at him disapprovingly. "I've never known you to back down from a challenge. You're stalling. Why?"

  Cass glared back. "She's not ready for me."

  "What does your instinct say?"

  Cass pinched the bridge of his nose and let out an agitated breath of air. "It demands that I claim her—daily."

  "Then what are you waiting for?"

  He met Logan's expectant gaze with his own fixed stare. "The woman can't be tamed. She's independent, strong, defiant—everything I love about her. I can't force her to want me."

  Logan grinned. "Cassius McCabe, the lone wolf, the master of seduction and combat. Finally brought to his knees by a stubborn vampire sorceress." Logan let out a humored laugh. "You need to go to her, you fool. She's your mate. She belongs with you. Your instinct will drive you mad if you don't."

  Cass grumbled at the thought of her—her vanilla-honey scent, soft skin, captivating smokey blue eyes, full, pink lips. Lips he wanted to ravage. His arousal tightened against his jeans.

  "I know," he growled.

  ***

  The blue lights pulsed repeatedly, drifting Kayci further into oblivion. Around her, sweaty and eager dancers swayed their hips to the thumping music. The mist surrounded them, rolling off their damp skin. Their heartbeats rhythmically pounded along with the movements of their bodies. Kayci's eyes darted over them, her senses wild, enlivened by the adrenalizing atmosphere. Her eyes caught flashes of gold in the eyes of other vampires. She could see the temptation advertised on their hungry faces. She too longed to plunge her teeth into Brad's pulsing vein.

  She grabbed a hold of him, bringing him nearer and licked at the vein. A wicked grin spread over her face as his body responded to the rousing touch of her tongue. With her enchantment swarming around her, she bit into his flesh, indulging in the rush of pleasure that coursed through her body. She pulled hard, drawing as much of him into her as she could quickly do. His body convulsed at the fierce and forceful draw of blood. His pulsing heart sped up, trying to keep pace with the vigorous extraction.

  A firm hand took hold of her arm. The pinch of their grip caused her to release her hold on Brad. She licked her lips and turned to face the owner of the hand, agitated with the disruption. Alex stared at her disapprovingly.

  Shit, I forgot about him!

  Brad's hands wrapped around her waist as if they were an intimate couple. His arousal pressed against her backside. "Who's this?" he breathed in her ear.

  She tilted her head toward him. "My cousin, Alex."

  Brad nodded, giving her backside a squeeze before following as she and Alex moved off the dance floor.

  "We should go," Alex told her, his expression filled with concern.

  Her eyes did a slow burn. "Why? I'm having a good time."

  Alex frowned and tilted his head toward Brad. "Maybe a little too much
fun?"

  "If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't have to," Brad defended. "I'll give her a ride home." He gave her hip a rousing squeeze, indicating he wanted more time with her.

  "Look, bud. She's out of your league. Move on."

  Brad's shoulders straightened and his expression grew serious. He glared at Alex like an opponent on a football field, one he was ready to knock down.

  "Watch yourself," Brad warned.

  Alex snickered.

  Kayci rolled her eyes. Definitely don't need a fight here. She put her hand up to Brad's chest and turned to face him. "He's right. We gotta go. I had a great time with you tonight."

  Brad's shoulders slacked. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "What's your number?"

  Kayci read it off to him. He stuck it back in his pocket and leaned down, giving a quick kiss to her cheek. "Hope to see you again." He glared at Alex and nodded, taking his leave to join his buddies.

  Kayci pouted as the pleasant stimulations of the potion waned. The usual feelings of guilt, grief, and sorrow battled for supremacy. She grumbled as her misery inevitably returned.

  "You know why I pulled you away, right?" Alex asked gently, handing her the jacket she'd left with the bartender.

  "Yes." She swiped the jacket from his hand and swung it on. "It was best that you did."

  They turned in step with one another, heading toward the exit.

  "At least you had a good time."

  She knitted her brows at him and his attempt to improve her mood.

  She didn't want to leave, but knew she had to, before her bloodlust completely took over.

  Chapter 3

  "Wanna join me?" Alex asked, over his bowl of ice cream and a loud-sounding reality show on TV. Kayci slumped onto the couch next to him, her hair wound into a messy bun, soft sweatpants and a T-shirt comforting her body. The entire ride home had been a miserable guilt-infested trip. She'd been given a few hours of peace at the club and she already missed it.

  "No. I think I'm going to get some work done."

  Alex's expression contorted with disappointment. "Why don't you give it a rest for a night? You could use it."

  She leaned her head back on the couch and turned it toward him. "Are you trying to say I look run-down?"

  Alex closed an eye and scrunched his face. "Not sure I want to go as far as to say that to a temperamental female vampire, but yeah, something along those lines.”

  She laughed. "All right. I'll lay off the research tonight in honor of your request that I have a night of fun."

  Alex patted her leg. "That's a good girl. Now, watch some brainless reality TV with me and forget your problems for a night."

  After fifteen minutes of relentless drama and unable to take anymore, Kayci trudged up the steps to her room for some peace and quiet. She sauntered in, sunk onto the edge of the bed, and stared at the mess on her comforter—notes she'd written, dark spells, ideas, a couple grimoires she'd pulled from Rosemary's collection, a few photos she'd taken of her and Adrian. Her head hit the comforter and she stared at the ceiling as the loneliness and helplessness began their intimate intrusion into her heart and mind.

  These last few weeks, she'd felt like a walking corpse. She'd attended Covenant meetings, answered questions, but her participation had staggered. Interest in anything but finding a way to break Drima's spell had faded. Now, even that goal seemed distant and impossible.

  She wanted a life back, a life with something to look forward to, something that made her happy. At least this evening had given her a short time of bliss. She hadn't thought about the Covenant's stability and responsibilities, or her work toward freeing Adrian—just freedom—carefree, unobligated freedom and entertainment. Perhaps she'd go to the club tomorrow night. The memory of the phone invitations flashed back in her memory, driving her curiosity, leaving her to wonder how they were disbursed, and how the humans were chosen. It was even more of a reason to return. Meeting the owner wasn't a bad idea either.

  She sat up and collected her materials into an organized pile. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand and she stopped to retrieve it. A text from Brad.

  We're going back to Safire tomorrow night. You should come.

  See you there, she replied.

  She finished organizing the pile and set it on the nightstand. She roamed the room, settled on her bookshelf and pulled a book she hadn't yet read. She sprawled on the bed, tucked her toes beneath the comforter and flipped open to the first page.

  Sixty-two pages later, a steamy sex scene had her gnawing her lip as intimate thoughts of Cass paraded through her mind. She flopped the book face down on her lap and leaned her head against the headboard as arousal swept over her. She ached from the thought of his piercing gaze, sultry voice, and full lips. Lips she admitted she yearned to taste again. She squeezed her eyes as her breath escaped her parted lips. She could almost feel his masculine energy beside her, his whisper on her ear, the touch of his firm, calloused hands caressing her body. She reached beneath the blanket—thoughts of him swam through her mind as she gave relief to her voracious need.

  ***

  Cass stepped into the steam-filled shower. The heat of the water soothed his sore muscles after the long run and weightlifting he'd done. Water droplets dripped over his rounded muscles like raindrops over curved leaves. He turned his face to the running water, letting it soak his hair and face. Alone with his thoughts, his instinct awakened. There would be no mercy for him. Claim—it demanded. He growled in anger. She's yours. Your mate. You need her.

  Did he ever. He hadn't had a woman in his bed since he set eyes on Katerina. His stiffening erection reminded him so. He couldn't control the thoughts of her lips, her scent, her firm body filling his mind. He reached down, taking his swollen erection in his hand. He stroked it hard as he imagined himself taking her.

  Satisfied and unwound, Cass stepped out of the shower, dried his hair the best he could, and hung the towel. He walked into his bedroom, the cool air refreshing against his naked body. He strolled to the dresser, threw on a pair of loose cotton pants, and landed, outstretched, on the bed. He stared at his phone, debated calling her, and dialed Alex instead.

  "How is she?"

  "Still practicing dark magic, having nightmares, letting her guilt guide her. I got her to go out to a new supernatural club tonight. She had fun for a change."

  "Did she dance with anyone?" Jealousy erupted from his gut.

  Alex paused.

  His teeth clenched. "Don't answer that. What's important is she thought of something other than that vampire for once."

  "It's not enough. She's slipping away. I can sense her losing control. If she continues the direction she's going, we'll lose her to the magic. You should come here."

  Cass sat up, folding his hand through his hair. "She doesn't want to see me." The reminder brought an uncomfortable sting straight to his heart.

  "That's what she says, but I don't think that's true. She needs you."

  Pressure filled his chest at the words—she needs you. His wolf instinct heard the call— protect your mate, it demanded.

  "I'll be there as soon as I can."

  Kayci could hear Alex speaking with someone on the phone. She listened intently. He was talking with someone, about her. Her curiosity pulled at her, leading her to slip off the bed and ease across her room. She quietly opened the door. The words drifted to her ears. They twitched. It sounded like Cass, probably calling to check on her again. She'd been on his mind, just as he'd been on hers. She closed the door and leaned against it, her thighs still warm from her intimate thoughts about him. She missed him, truly missed him, yet she couldn't bring herself to call him. Why? Guilt, shame, loyalty to Adrian. Would she live her life alone for an eternity waiting for him? Probably. She slid to the floor, her head falling into her hands—her heart heavy with emotion.

  ***

  Cass stood over his bed, stuffing a pile of shirts into his canvas duffel bag. He heard Logan approaching his room. He nodded at
him as he entered then grabbed another stack of necessities and shoved them into the bag.

  Logan approached the bed, stopping before it and resting his hands in his pockets. "You're up early. When are you leaving?"

  Cass glanced at his watch. "In an hour."

  "Finally decided to go after your mate?"

  "Alex says she's losing control, spent too much time practicing dark magic in an effort to get that damn vampire out of his coffin."

  Logan's expression became serious. "You need to fix her. You know that, right?"

  Cass eyed Logan. "I know this. My instinct has been badgering my ass for two months to claim her."

  Logan let out a humored laugh. "Poor Katerina."

  Cass zipped the duffel closed. "Poor?" He stared at Logan, confused.

  "The woman doesn't know what's coming for her."

  ***

  Kayci paced in her living room, waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon. As the last of the sunlight disappeared, she grabbed her phone and wallet and dashed out of her house.

  Kayci mouthed, thank you, to the bouncer as he nodded at her to enter the club. The second bouncer seemed to remember her as well and waved her in without any request for a demonstration. Once inside, her muscles immediately loosened from the lively scents. She glanced around at the patrons starting their descent into a night of drunken stupor. She wanted to do the same. Making herself comfortable atop the stool, she nodded to the bartender who served her the night before. He must have remembered her. He was quick to make her drink without asking what she wanted.

  Two shot glasses were slid across the bar. "Are you Katerina Salvitto?"

  Kayci smirked. "Is my photo posted somewhere?"

  The attractive, tatted bartender smiled, clearly amused. "I heard whispers from the staff. Said you had eyes of a vampire yet, you performed magic. I've seen the eyes. Is the rest true?"

  She shrugged. "Yeah, but don't spread the word. I'd rather keep a low profile."