Touched by His Vampire Charm

by Kira Nyte

  “Excuse me,” she murmured, unsteadily returning the mug to the tray with a clatter and standing. Without looking at anyone, Vivian rushed toward the back door.

  Fawn’s back patio was a serene sanctuary surrounded by her magnificent flowers and plants, but Vivian didn’t stop until she reached the forest’s edge. She fell back against a tree and stared up into the night sky, her eyes stinging with tears. The cool air bit mercilessly at the moisture as those tears crept down her cheeks. When she sought solace in the light of the moon, clouds cast it in shadows.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Vivian startled at the sound of Draven’s voice, swiping the backs of her hands over her face. She sniffled. It was no use hiding her weakened state, but the last thing she wanted from anyone was pity. She pushed off the tree and turned toward Draven. He had his hands jammed in the pockets of his jeans, his eyes lowered to the ground.

  “I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. And I’m sorry about your father.” Draven sighed. When Vivian finished another rub at her eyes, she looked up and met his sad gaze. “Kalen explained to me that you two only recently were made aware of the accounts Sal left to you. The Levoire family was never aware he had children. Some feared he had been kidnapped or killed because of his place in the coven.”

  Vivian sucked in a shaky breath. Draven Lourdes. The vampire who kissed her and held her and made her forget.

  “How are you related to my father?” she asked, her soul tearing even as the words slipped from her mouth. She may still be learning about the world, but she knew the taboo of relatives and romantic relationships.

  “He was a friend. A mentor.”

  “You said you live in the mansion—”

  “Your father convinced the current leader to take my family in. We were a lost group, the four of us. I’m not related to your father by blood, but I learned a tremendous amount from him. He was a wonderful man.”

  Vivian laughed sharply and shook her head. She raked a hand into her hair and fisted her fingers at her scalp.

  “The more I learn, the more lost I feel. Like everyone around me, strangers as they may be, knows me better than I know myself. Do you know how hard it is to learn who you are from other people? Hear stories about those you never knew, and know you would not be here had it not been for them? I remember little of my mother, nothing of my father. Kalen is the only family I know. I learned of my fae roots from Fawn. My vampire roots from Jackson. My entire life consists of puzzle pieces that everyone else has to use to build the picture of who I am.”

  She really didn’t want pity, but as Draven’s expression changed, she realized her small explosion earned her just that.

  “Please, Draven.” She turned her back to him, surprised by how deep the action ripped through her gut, and leaned once more against the tree. “I want to be alone.”

  “I understand. I’m around when you’re ready to talk.”

  Goddess, she didn’t want to send Draven away, but she couldn’t bear the look in his eyes. She needed time to process this new snapshot of her life, her lineage, and she wanted to do it alone.

  “Um, before I go, I should let you know that Garrett, the leader of the Levoire coven, will be coming down with two Elders in the next few nights. They sent me ahead of them to investigate before their arrival.”

  Vivian lowered her head. Why was she getting the sinking feeling that this was going to turn into another rendezvous like the one with Dr. Hamstead and the Lab Coats?

  “I’ll tell them what I know without revealing your identities. I’m pretty sure they’ll be happy to learn of heirs, but with this group, I can’t be one-hundred-percent about that.”

  The longer he hung around, the more Vivian wanted to take back her dismissal. Something about Draven Lourdes soothed her spirit and cast the blackness away.

  “Why are you helping us, then? If your loyalties are with this coven?”

  “My loyalties were with Sal. I admired him and looked up to him. These others are a joke with their ruffles and breeches and such.”

  Okay, that got her attention. She twisted enough to catch the humored half-grin on his mouth. It managed to lighten her mood, that grin.

  He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I am grateful that the coven took us in. They’ve been a tremendous help for my sister, but if I had a choice, I’d go out on my own.”

  She tilted her head, observing him closely. “Why don’t you leave if you’re not happy? You have a choice. For that, you should be grateful.”

  For a long moment, Draven watched her as she returned the favor. She thought she felt his mind trying to peel back the layers of mental protection she’d placed around her secrets.

  “You’re examining me,” she murmured. But his examination was anything but cold and loathsome. She welcomed it.

  “I’m trying to figure you out. But I should probably get going, since you want to be alone. I’ve stayed longer than I should have.”

  “Wait.” She grabbed his hand as he turned to leave. “I was being dramatic. Things this evening upset me.” He glanced down at their hands and slowly lifted that deep blue gaze to hers. “Stay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Vivian nodded. “Yes. Stay. I want to hear about your sister. I feel a sort of…kinship evolving. One that might mirror the relationship between Kalen and I.”

  Draven smirked. “I admire your brother’s protectiveness of you. It does rather remind me of how I am with Sophia.” He turned his hand over, catching her fingers in his as they entwined together. Her heart did a little dance. “Well, I guess now would be as good a time as any to get to know each other. What do you say?”

  Vivian nodded. “I’d like that.”

  He kissed her forehead without warning, his lips lingering on her skin like a cool breeze. She closed her eyes and sighed, resting her free hand flat against his chest.

  “Good. So would I.”

  Chapter Seven

  The tension in the air had turned to something altogether different. It seemed that whatever transpired between Kalen and Draven before Draven came into the garden after Vivian had eased the threat and turned them friends. Well, maybe not friends. Rather, not active enemies. Peace floated on the air.

  “Would anyone like more cookies?” Fawn asked, rising from the loveseat and lifting the empty plate from the tray. Draven wiped his fingertips on a napkin and shook his head.

  “I’m good. Those were wonderful, though. Thanks.”

  “No, love,” Kalen said when she looked inquiringly at him.

  “Vivi?”

  “Do you have any of those chocolate-dipped pretzels from Delaney’s?”

  Fawn laughed and nodded. “I keep a stash for you. I don’t think I took them out of my bag yet.”

  Vivian climbed to her feet and eased out between the table and Draven’s knees. His hands barely touched her knees to guide her, but he might as well have wrapped her up in his arms and set her on fire, for all that little touch did. Fawn’s eyes widened slightly and a secretive smile came to her mouth. Vivian’s cheeks warmed when she finally came free of the sitting area.

  She cleared her throat, letting her hair hide her cheeks. “Where are they? I’ll grab them.”

  “In the bedroom.” Fawn put the plate on the counter. “Follow me.”

  Vivian knew what that meant. Fawn didn’t have to show her where the bedroom was. The two men began talking, discussing what the Levoire coven’s mansion was like. Kalen skillfully dodged any questions about where they had been for decades and who their mother was.

  Fawn closed the door to the bedroom.

  Oh, that look.

  She was about to get interrogated.

  “So, you’re chumming up to him?” Fawn kept her voice hushed. She grabbed Vivian by the hands and pulled her down to sit on the bed. “I can’t believe I saw you two kissing. Kissing. He must’ve really swept you off your feet for you to fall that quickly.”

  Vivian giggled, rubbing her cheek self-consciously against her
shoulder. “I haven’t fallen for him.”

  Fawn dipped her head. “Yeah. Sure.”

  “I haven’t. How could I? He bumped into me last night and came to the shop tonight right before closing. I hardly know him.”

  “You were kissing him, Vivi. You don’t kiss guys at random. And you certainly have never kissed a guy the way you were kissing Draven. That was the kiss.”

  Vivian quirked a brow. “The kiss? I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Oh, girl, you know exactly what I mean. That was the kiss of instant attraction. The kiss that sucks you in until you lose all control of yourself and you can think of nothing other than him.” Fawn’s fingers tightened around Vivian’s hands. That mischievous smile widened over her mouth. “And I’ve been watching him. The way he looks at you. The way he is concerned about your reaction to what he says. He’s pretty in tune with you for a stranger. Definitely a charmer.”

  Vivian knew there was more to Fawn’s disclosure than she said out loud. There was an implication lying silent until Vivian realized exactly what Fawn was getting at.

  She sucked in a sharp breath. “You don’t think…?”

  Fawn shrugged. “Full moon is only a couple of nights away. Why not see? It’s obvious there is something strong between you two. I can sense it. Your brother senses it, even though he won’t admit it because he’s gotta be all protective big brother. Kalen would’ve torn Draven apart if he didn’t think there was something deeper going on, and you know it.”

  Yes, Draven would be missing some pieces and parts, she was certain.

  Vivian leaned close to Fawn and said barely louder than a whisper, “What if he can’t accept me? For what I am? For everything I’ve been through?” She lowered her eyes. “What if something goes wrong and I turn back into the monster?”

  “Vivian, you’ve been cured. You’ve got nothing to worry about. But if something happens again, we’ll stand by you like we did the last time.”

  Vivian mustered a smile. Kalen and Fawn would never abandon her. She would be a fool to discount their loyalty. But Draven. What about him? She barely knew the man, but Fawn was right. There was something between them. Something strong and powerful, promising.

  He infused a potent hope inside her when she needed it most. He also made her aware she couldn’t delay paying Hugh Ellingham a visit any longer.

  If she had any hope of finding the happiness she saw in her brother’s eyes and heard in Fawn’s voice, she needed to permanently banish the monster slowly growing strength inside her head.

  * * *

  It didn’t take a genius to see the path the conversation went anytime Draven attempted to learn more about the Hawkins siblings. He had to give Kalen credit for his smooth side-glances into answers that gave him no more insight than he had before he came to Nocturne Falls. The man may not have much information about Sal, but he certainly had secrets he wasn’t willing to give up.

  Guess he’d do the same, if his secrets were that dark.

  Which made Draven wonder about Vivian and her secrets. Was the woman as innocent as he believed? As he felt in his bones? He’d never been led astray, having always trusted his keen instincts. Those same instincts that wouldn’t let his mind free of the grip the woman had over his thoughts, or the conflict she left in his heart.

  He dared not listen in on the whispers between the two women in the bedroom. He tried not to. Honest. And he didn’t, really, until he heard them mention the full moon and finding out something.

  “What line of fae did you say your mother was from?” Draven asked, taking a sip of a fresh cup of coffee. Kalen flicked him a glance as he finished stirring honey into his tea.

  “I didn’t.” He took his mug and settled back in the sofa. His body language spoke of his comfort with Draven, although the faint lines of tension along his neck warned him otherwise. “Is your sister older than you?”

  Another smooth bunt.

  Draven shook his head. “Younger. By twenty-three years. But in terms of vampire lifespans, that’s probably equal to the age difference between you and Vivian.”

  “What is your age?”

  “One-hundred and eighteen. Came about at the turn of the century.” He hitched his thumb to motion back. “Last century.”

  The corner of Kalen’s mouth curled. “I’m pretty good when it comes to math.”

  Draven straightened. “I didn’t mean it to be taken—”

  “I know,” Kalen interrupted, lifting a hand to silence Draven. “What are your intentions toward my sister?”

  Well, he should have expected the question at some point, but he had been so caught up trying to figure out more about Kalen and Vivian, he had forgotten.

  “Because I don’t agree with a man she barely knows taking advantage of her.”

  Draven nearly choked. Kalen kept his gaze steady as he sipped his tea, watching Draven like a hawk. It had been a very, very long time since anyone could make him feel as small and vulnerable as a mouse.

  “I would never take advantage of any woman. Especially Vivian. I can’t give you an answer as to what came over me earlier, but that was very unlike me. I swear. I didn’t mean any harm by it.” Babbling fool. Draven wiped a hand over his chin and groaned. “I like her. I want to get to know her. There’s something in her eyes that draws me in. Something in her smile that…”

  Draven cleared his throat when he remembered who he was rambling to. Kalen’s slowly arching brow succeeded in making his cheeks warm. Something that never happened to him. Until last night.

  Damn.

  “A date,” Draven said, his voice scratchy. “I was taking her on a date tonight.”

  “Don’t hurt her, you hear? She’s been hurt enough.”

  Draven never imagined those words crashing down on his shoulders with the weight of the universe. He never imaged he’d see Kalen as anything but a fiercely loyal and protective brother.

  No. Something in the man’s face cracked. Something in his eyes shattered. The air in the room turned painfully sad. He wondered who had hurt Vivian. Had it been this Dr. Hamstead they mentioned earlier? Well, one thing was for sure. He wouldn’t hurt her if his immortality depended on it.

  As if on cue, Fawn emerged from the bedroom, Vivian following behind her. Draven smiled up at her as she approached with a clear bag of chocolate-dipped pretzel rods. She held one out for him.

  “They’re delicious,” she said. “And I usually don’t share these.”

  “She’s right. You’re lucky she’s being kind,” Fawn said from the kitchen.

  Draven accepted the treat with a smile. “I guess I can’t pass up the offer. Not from you.”

  The blush that touched her cheeks made his stomach flutter. All these strange sensations and emotions that knocked around inside him were as startling as they were comforting.

  Her eyes dropped to his knees, which almost touched the coffee table. It jerked him out of his stricken state of mind. He shifted his legs to allow her to pass. She took the seat closest to him and innocently nibbled the chocolate-covered end of her pretzel. His gaze focused on her lips, remembering vividly how they felt when he claimed them. Warm and pliant and full. Oh, he’d love to nibble on them the way she nibbled that pretzel. Maybe he could lick that tiny smear of chocolate from—

  The pronounced clearing of a throat snapped his attention away from her. Again. He grappled with his own pretzel as it slipped from his fingers, snatching it a split second after it left his grip.

  Fawn, who he hadn’t even noticed had rejoined them, snickered. Kalen glowered until she nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. He coughed and forced a grin. Vivian appeared clueless as to the reason for her brother’s interruption. Either that, or she hid any reaction behind an innocent expression.

  Innocent.

  A strange wave of curiosity spread through his mind. Vivian held more wisdom in her eyes than some of the old broods at the Levoire mansion, yet there certainly was an innocence about her.

  “It se
ems the ice has been broken between you two men. My house is still standing and the furniture hasn’t been broken,” Fawn said. Draven was silently thankful for her smooth attempt to pull his attention from the goddess sitting beside him. He managed a smile and bit into his pretzel. Fawn nodded with an appraising purse of her lips. “No bloodstains. No burn marks from magic. I’m impressed you boys survived some alone time. I was really beginning to worry.”

  Kalen rolled his eyes and chuckled. Draven was glad to see the man relax enough to relinquish his straight-backed sitting position. He draped his arm around Fawn’s shoulders and sank into the sofa, the woman leaning into his side. A sense of yearning hit Draven in the chest when he caught the pure, untainted love they shared when they looked at each other. He took the momentary opportunity to glance at Vivian, who wore a small smile as she watched her brother and his fiancée.

  “As long as Draven understands my expectations, I think we’ll be well off,” Kalen said.

  Draven nodded once. He wasn’t one to follow directions. He had enough dignity to treat a woman right without guidelines set down by an overprotective brother. Vivian would be no exception to the rule. The only reason he agreed was because he knew he would behave the same way toward a man interested in Sophia.

  He understood.

  “You’ll have nothing to worry about,” Draven assured the other man.

  “I don’t suppose I will.”

  “Vivian, I would still like to take you out,” Draven said. “Maybe tomorrow night?”

  Vivian smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “Great—”

  A cell phone buzzed. Vivian dug into her pocket and put the phone to her ear. The room was silent as she answered with a soft, “Hi.”

  A chill slipped through the air. Kalen straightened up, his eyes narrowing. A mist dulled Vivian’s gaze and her smile fell.

  Draven fought the urge to tune into the call until he detected Vivian’s heart rate sputter.

  “…do everything to fix it. I promise, Vivi. I won’t let it hurt you again.”

  A man. A man who spoke with more conviction than required of someone who was a friend. Draven didn’t like it, not a bit, but the sudden heaviness that fell over the room kept him focused on Vivian.