Secrets of Night (Order of Night)

by Virginia Cavanaugh

  Chapter Eight

  Kierra paced the length of the study, passing a large cherry bookshelf. She turned and started back in the other direction toward Kale, who sat reclined on a leather sofa. How could he look so calm in the face of all that had happened? She turned and pinned him with a glare for acting so nonchalant. He smiled back at her, which only raised her level of frustration. “Stop that.”

  “You want me to stop smiling? Would you prefer me to growl and pace the floor with you?” he asked with one eyebrow raised.

  “Oh, never mind.” Kierra resumed her pacing across the black and white marble tile. They’d been summoned to King Vincent’s estate in Buffalo, New York. It was a massive home centered on a hundred acres with tall, brick walls and security towers that housed armed guards. Gray, blue, and black-hued brick covered the outside of the three-story home. Its pitched roof was shingled in blue-gray.

  She had walked on unsteady legs into a massive entry hall, where various pottery, art, and urns sat upon marble pedestals, surrounded by rich wine-colored walls. The dark color did nothing to diminish the size of the room. With Kierra’s transformation, the choice in telling the vampire king everything had been taken away. She could no longer go back to her own people. They would probably try to kill her if she tried. They would view her as an abomination. Hell, she no longer even had a people. She had become a unique species set apart from everyone and anything she knew.

  The power she’d wielded in the woods had been frightening in its intensity. She could feel it even now, humming through her veins, begging for release. This only reinforced her belief that no one should be allowed to hold power greater than this. She carried only two of three pieces inside her. She didn’t want to think what it would be like to try to harness any more. She now understood the reasons behind the no-interbreeding law.

  She felt saddened at the thought of never seeing her family again, but a glance in Kale’s direction had her heart constricting painfully. She didn’t want Kale to die. She didn’t want to die.

  At first Kale wanted to try and hide her himself, but after many hours arguing, she had managed to convince him that hiding wouldn’t be possible. They had no idea if the shifters they’d killed were merely following orders, or if they were in charge of the whole process. Only time would tell. Word could have also been spread after their break-in at the mansion, which could lead to someone hunting them down. Kale had finally decided that they would have to go to his father. He put great trust in his father and Lex, and she trusted Kale.

  The women who’d been held captive were all doing well. None of them had awakened in time to see Kierra and her new state of being. Lex had taken them to Kale’s house in Erie, where Kale arranged for their secured transport. Lex had then arranged for the vampire women to be taken back to their families in the small colony outside Erie, and the sorceresses were taken to the convocation inside Erie.

  None of the women had been impregnated, but they had all claimed to have had blood taken, as well as swabs from the inside of their mouths. If that information had been shared with others, things were far from over.

  “I really don’t understand how you can be so calm.”

  “I’m not so much calm as prepared.”

  “So you’re prepared to die?”

  He gave her a half grin. “No. Nobody is going to die. We may have to lay low and stay hidden, but I will not let anyone take you from me.”

  Her eyes narrowed to slits.

  “You’re being ridiculous. Come here.”

  Kierra walked the short distance, closing the gap between them, and he took her hands into his, pulling her down into his lap. She had never needed anyone in her life before. But, as she looked into Kale’s eyes and saw the love he held for her, she knew she needed him. In that moment, she realized her own death would not be the worst fate. It would be to live without him.

  “The shifters I killed signed their own death warrants when they took those women,” he said softly as he brushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “And the only people still alive who know anything about me turning you are Lex and my father, and neither of them would ever tell another soul.”

  Her gaze locked with his, and he lowered his head. His lips brushed against hers in a tender kiss. His tongue lightly touched her lower lip, and she opened up to him, welcoming him inside. The kiss turned serious, as though he tried to convey his fears and his relief to her. It spoke volumes without words, telling her how he’d felt when he had nearly lost her and reassuring her he would never let anything take her from him again.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, needing to feel his heart beating next to hers. She matched every parry and thrust of his tongue as delicious ripples spread through her body.

  “Uh hmm,” said a rough male voice behind them.

  Kierra broke away from Kale’s mouth as heat that had started to rise in her lower body rushed up to engulf her face, giving evidence to her embarrassment.

  “Kale, my son, I would ask that you refrain from mating on my sofa. You have your own quarters here for that.”

  Kierra wanted to climb in a hole as Kale slid her from his lap onto the cushion beside him, keeping his arm around her waist. She watched as King Vincent strode the rest of the way into the room, his blond hair flowing down the back of his black silk shirt. His black slacks were tailor fitted and ended at his black dress shoes. Power radiated off his large form.

  “As I am sure you two are aware, this situation has turned into a hornet’s nest,” Vincent stated as he claimed a seat in the black leather, high-backed chair across from them. “I have spent all day on the phone and in meetings. The shifter’s king, Kristoff, denies any knowledge of Eric’s actions, but he is really pissed off that lives were taken. He is demanding punishment.”

  “What about the fact that they were packing titanium? That alone says they were targeting vampires with malicious intent,” Kale stated in a calm, even voice.

  “That, along with their other offenses, is what spares your life.”

  Kierra released a breath she had not known she was holding as relief flowed through her.

  “But you have lost your position in the triad. I was, however, able to retain your position as a senator in the area court. It pains me, Kale that it had to come to that. I knew I could not offer you my throne, but at least I was able to give you a position of authority, and now I have to take that away.”

  “You have given me everything I need, Father.”

  “I truly hope so. For now, Alexander has been promoted to your spot in the triad, and may God help us all.”

  “And what about Kierra?”

  “She is very special indeed.” Vincent leaned back in his chair, his gaze locked on Kierra. “I’m astounded she survived.”

  “You say that as if you’ve seen this attempted before,” Kierra stated.

  “Before the treaty. It took place during the war between our races. I know of only a few attempts where one of ours had tried to turn a sorceress. Each time, the woman died because her body rejected the change. I’m not naïve enough to believe it hasn’t been done before, but no one I know has seen it. I wonder what makes you different.”

  Kierra rubbed at the place in her chest that seemed to constrict and cause her heart to flutter at Vincent’s question. She believed it was what she now called the blood bond. Could that really be it? It had been like her soul calling out to Kale’s that first time. It had been what guided her to not only demand that he take her vein but also had reassured her during her change, as if an inner voice had spoken to her through her emotions. She couldn’t be certain, but it definitely warranted further looking into.

  “She’ll have to be hidden. No one can know that she is still alive outside of myself and your brothers. I took the liberty of placing a female body of Kierra’s build at the scene of the fire.”

  Kierra sat forward about to protest another woman dying in her place, but Vincent halted her words with a raised h
and.

  “I assure you, Kierra, that the woman was already dead. We were lucky enough to find a Jane Doe in the city morgue. Now, as to what you have become…” Vincent stood and started his own round of pacing. “I will not lie. Knowing now that your race has kept these secrets from us angers me. But I understand some of the reason as to why they thought they needed to keep them. Just hearing about your performance in the woods is enough to know that that kind of power in the wrong hands could be disastrous.

  “I doubt that this is over by a long shot though. Your queen has agreed to state that this was a joint effort to gather intelligence after the shifters failed to attend the session of this area’s court. But she did so very grudgingly. None of us wants an open war again. So we have all agreed to try and move forward in a peaceful manner.

  “We’ll all be meeting in London to try and get to the bottom of things. Your brother Warrick will be accompanying me there. But the other races do not know about you, Kierra, nor can they. I fear that your own people would have you executed for fear that you would bring about the prophecy. And I don’t want to even imagine someone out there who knew what Eric was up to getting a hold of you.”

  Kale growled low in his throat.

  “I understand. I’ll have to go into hiding.” She knew this was a possibility. It would be the price she paid.

  “Then I’m going with her,” Kale stated firmly.

  “You will not be able to—” Vincent’s words were cut off.

  “Like hell. It is my fault that she is the way she is now. It was my selfishness that caused me to turn her because I could not bear to live without her. I’ll not let you send her somewhere to be alone.”

  “Are you finished, son?” Vincent stated with one raised eyebrow. At Kale’s silence, he continued. “As I was saying, you will not be able to join her immediately. If the two of you disappear off the face of the earth at the same time, it would raise suspicions we cannot afford.”

  “It’ll be okay, Kale. I can wait for as long as it takes.” She turned her head and met his gaze.

  His brow creased, but then the muscles in his face began to relax once again. “All right. I’ll do what needs to be done.”

  “Good because even when I allow you to join Kierra, you will have to make regular appearances, as well as handle family business as usual. Just because you’re no longer a part of the triad does not mean you get to go lazy on me. And, Kierra, I know it’ll be hard for you to let go of your family, but you have a new family here with us, and we’ll protect you as if you were one of our own.”

  Kierra could tell that they cared deeply for each other, and she knew she would be proud to call them her family.

  Standing up, Vincent let his gaze drift between the two of them. “I will leave the two of you now.” He moved to exit the room and paused in the doorway. Without turning around, he spoke. “Please remember my first statement,” he requested and then shut the door.

  Without warning, Kale was on top of her, pressing soft, kisses on her neck. She giggled with delight. “You heard your father. Now stop it.”

  “I will not stop it. In fact, I will never stop it. I plan on spending eternity not stopping it.”

  The End

  Coming Next in the Order of Night Series: Deceptions of Night

  A Thank you from Fated Desires

  Thank you so much for reading Secrets of Night! We’re so happy to be able to show you a hint of what is to come from our paranormal worlds and Virginia’s Order of Night series. We do hope if you liked this, that you would please leave a review from where you purchased this or on anther platform. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us know if you’d like to see more stories like this from us. Virginia loves to hear from readers and talks to them when she can. You can reach her on her website easily. You guys are the reason we get to do what we do and we thank you.

  If you are looking for more stories like these, you don’t have to wait much longer! There are more books coming in Virginia’s series, plus a few more treats from her coming up in something new. Also, we have a few new authors coming that will be sure to whet your appetite.

  If you’d like to know more about Fated Desires, check out our website or email us at admin@FatedDesires.com.

  About the Author

  Virginia Cavanaugh is a multi-published author of erotic romance. Her work covers many sub-genres as new characters present themselves to her every day. After working for years as a nurse in pediatrics, her love of the alpha hero sparked her desire to bring her own stories to life. When not playing house wife, mother, maid, laundress, taxi driver, or just general all around slave, she enjoys finding a quiet corner to read or work on her next story.

  Virginia loves to hear from fans. You can email her at authorvirginiacavanaugh@gmail.com

  Also from this Author

  Now Available:

  Order of Night

  Secrets of Night

  Other Titles

  Winter’s Shadow

  Coming Soon:

  Order of Night

  Deceptions of Night

  Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another romance from Fated Desires?

  From Virginia Cavanaugh comes a romantic suspense tale sure to heat you up

  Winter’s Shadow

  Chapter One

  Julia Farris pulled the keys from the ignition and opened the door of the rented Honda Civic. A cold blast of air blew across the lawn, sending the recent fallen snow dancing through the air. Her gaze roamed over the full parking lot. Apparently the holidays still brought in a lot of business for the bed and breakfast. She had missed this place. After so many years of being held prisoner in the dry and weary land of Arizona, she had arrived back in her hometown of Edinboro, Pennsylvania. And for the first time in many years, she could say she felt safe.

  Her gaze became fixed on Webbs’ Bed and Breakfast where she’d spent so much of her junior high and high school days. The three-story Victorian home remained in great repair. She needed something familiar, and the autopilot portion of her brain had brought her here. She could handle this. This would be easier than facing the ghosts inside her deceased parents’ house.

  She wondered how well Mr. and Mrs. Webb had fared over the years. It was a shame that she’d been unable to keep in contact with them. But he wouldn’t allow it. She pushed away thoughts of him. It was over.

  Julia retrieved her suitcase from the trunk and began the slip-and-slide walk across the parking area before finally coming to the shoveled walkway. About halfway to the door, she stopped dead in her tracks at the familiar voice that called out a greeting from the front door.

  “Julia Floyd.”

  No one had called her by her maiden name in years, and the sound was oddly comforting and foreign at the same time. The man who’d said it brought on a mix of emotions she had no hope of sorting through anytime soon. Mark Webb, her high school sweetheart, filled the doorway with his large frame. The boy she remembered had filled out into this rippling-muscled man.

  She plastered a smile on her face as she closed the rest of the distance between them. He met her on the covered porch, and she only had a fraction of a second to put her suitcase down before his arms encircled her. When he gave a light squeeze, she flinched and moaned before she could stop herself.

  He released her quickly and took a step back from her. “Did I hurt you?”

  She blinked past the pain and took in a steadying breath. “No. I slipped at the airport and hit my side on one of the handrails. No big deal.” She hoped he bought the quick lie, for she had no desire to go into any explanations right now. “I’m fine really,” she said in response to the nicely arched brow he raised at her. “You look like you’re doing well.”

  “Well” was a mild term for the way he looked. His light brown hair was cut short and styled in that on purpose disarray that had become popular with men. His bright green eyes were still as captivating as they used to be. Faint laugh lines had start
ed to appear around his lips. The gray thermal shirt he wore had two of its three buttons undone. The fabric stretched tight across his broad chest and over his large biceps. It hung loosely over the top of designer jeans that fit just right over his lean hips.

  “I’m doing pretty good.”

  “I didn’t expect to see you here. But then again, I wasn’t thinking about this being Thanksgiving weekend either. Of course you would be here to see your parents.”

  His smile faded slightly as he looked down at her suitcase. “My parents are both dead now.”

  “Oh my. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have said anything.” Her heart constricted. She’d missed so much. The Webbs had been like a second set of parents to her. It pained her to know that anything resembling a parent in her life was now gone. She bit into her lower lip, hoping to hold back tears that now threatened to make an appearance.

  “No, don’t be sorry. You haven’t been here since you left after your wedding, so you wouldn’t have known. I run the bed and breakfast now.”

  Silence stretched between them. She had already opened her mouth and inserted her foot so she was scared to say anything else.

  “And look at what a bad job I’m doing at being a host by keeping you out in the cold.” He leaned down and picked up her suitcase. “I’ll put this in a room for you. If you’d like to go into the kitchen, the wood-burning stove is lit and you can get warm. And I was just about to have some coffee if you’d like to join me.”

  She smiled at him again. “That sounds like a plan.”

  She stomped her feet on the wooden porch to dislodge any snow before entering the house behind him. He went straight for the stairs, and she couldn’t help watching his powerful legs and well-muscled backside move as he ascended. She pulled off one boot and then the other, never looking away from him. He paused at the top to look back at her. A smile formed on his lips. Busted. She blushed as she turned and headed in the direction of the kitchen.