by Emily Dawn
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Emily Dawn
“I don’t think you need any of this while you’re with Alek, although you should show him all this. He collects weapons, and he’s the best swordsman I’ve ever seen.” I can feel him looking over everything; his eyes stop on the collection of various knives and daggers. “Are you trained with all these?”
“Yep. I’m best with my katana, the knives and daggers have all been spelled to return to me when thrown, and I’m an excellent shot with the bow.” I grab two stakes and my silver dagger off the shelf and an ankle sheath. I put the dagger on the outside and the stakes on the side. “How about you? Actually, what kills demons? I haven’t ever had to fight one before.”
“It varies for different types of us. I can be healed from almost anything with sexual energy, except beheading. Nothing poisons me, so silver, iron, and iridium just hurt but don’t drain me.” He grabs my jian and tests the weight. “This is nice. Tell me about your training with Hunter?”
“He’s my personal trainer, so we do a mix of cardio, strength, and interval training. He’s also started working with me on basic self-defense techniques that work well against humans but don’t work against most Supes. I’ve been trained with all the weapons I own since I was a little girl because I can’t 79
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use my fa-” I stop just before I reveal too much. “Since I can’t shift into my wolf.”
Gods, that was too close. I’ve gotten too comfortable with these guys too fast. Time to throw the walls back up and remember who I am. I can’t allow my secret to come out. It’s not only my life but also my family’s lives. We’ve hidden my secret for 28 years; I can’t slip up now. Luckily I don’t have to redirect the conversation because my phone buzzes with a notification from the door that Alek is here to get me. I swipe to buzz him in and go to the door, surprised when he’s already there and about to knock.
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Lenna
“Hi. That was fast.” I say my eyes widened in surprise. “I was about to go downstairs to meet you.”
“I just took the stairs.” He smiles. “Vampire speed. How was your night?” He looks from me to Vance and back again.
“It was good. Nothing from Liam.” I say, trying to steer the conversation to business only.
“I hope Vance behaved himself.” Aleksandr gives him a pointed look, but his lips are tilted up in a slight smile. It seems like they have a silent conversation between themselves.
“You know me, perfectly behaved as always.” He claps Alek on the back before turning to me. “Have a good day. I put my number in your phone. Call me if this one,” he points over his shoulder, “gets out of hand.” He wraps me in a hug and presses a kiss to my lips before disappearing off into the shadows.
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I study Aleksandr’s face for any hint of a reaction to that goodbye but get nothing. “I guess we should head out. I don’t know what to expect from this.” I grab my purse off the entry table and make sure I have everything I need.
“You’ll just have to give a statement, and then I’ll take care of everything else with Judge Snyder.” He smiles down at me reassuringly. His height throws me. Obviously, I had realized he’s tall, but being in flats today next to him makes me feel like a child. I’m not short at just shy of 5’6, but he has a least a foot on me. He’s dressed in a perfectly tailored gray suit with a pastel yellow tie and white shirt. He gestures for me to lead the way out of the apartment. I lock the door and set the wards. He’s parked in the basement-parking garage and directs me to a black Tesla with special UV ray blocking windows. “What type of music do you like? I’ll cede radio control to you for the day.”
“Backstreet Boys.” I say with a completely straight face until I notice his look of abject horror. “Justin Bieber too,” I say again with a straight face. “Occasionally I mix it up with Brittany Spears.” He’s looking at me incredulously, and I burst into laughter. “The look on your face is priceless.” I wipe a tear of laughter from my face and look into his amused eyes. “I like everything, but alternative rock is my go-to.” I navigate the 82
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touchscreen display to find something I think will work for both us. I settle into the seat and relax. We have about a half-hour drive to the new government facilities. The old government buildings in downtown were destroyed during the war, and both the SA and human government rebuilt on a joint complex south of the city.
“I take it you are a daywalker?” I ask. “I guess that’s a stupid question since you’re out in the daylight.”
“Not a stupid question. I,” he pauses as if he’s unsure if he should continue, “I am technically a daywalker, but there’s more.” He pauses again and looks at me, trying to decide how much to divulge. “What I will tell you is sensitive information and not common knowledge. I’ve stayed under the radar for centuries with this.” He looks me right in the eyes, his vampire flashing to the surface with intensity. I give him a nod of understanding, and he continues. “My sire is one of the four originals. I was her third offspring. As her direct descendant, I have a significant amount of power and abilities many of vampires do not have. I can compel not just humans or younger vampires but other supernaturals too. I’m faster and stronger than most vampires. Daylight doesn’t drain my energy, and I heal quicker. The cream that Ross used on your wounds last 83
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night?” He pulls my blouse over and runs his thumb over the spot the wound had been, “he formulated it using my blood and some other natural compounds. Although we’ve never seen it work so quickly.” He’s left his hand on my shoulder and curling the end of my ponytail around his fingertips.
With his revelation of being able to compel other Supes I feel a kinship to him. Part of me wants to revel in finding someone with a similar circumstance, but I also have to acknowledge that he doesn’t have a family to protect. I can’t let my parents be found, or my aunts held responsible. I put my hand over his and squeeze, “your secret is safe with me. An original, huh? Which one?” I ask, dropping my hand. I shouldn’t be flirting with Aleksandr when I just slept with his oldest friend. What is wrong with me?
“I don’t like to talk about her, if that’s all right?” He breathes.
“Of course.” I nod. I honestly have spent so much time avoiding vampires because of their proclivity toward hunting fae that I know little about the original four or their bloodlines.
He must be able to detect my fae blood if he’s sired by one of the original four. His reaction to my blood last night takes on a new 84
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light in my mind. I saw the flash of bloodlust but missed the look of longing, almost craving.
He relaxes back in the seat and changes the subject, “read any good books lately?”
I return his smile, “always.” We spend the rest of the car ride discussing our favorite genres and who was the best of the Russian authors. He’s impressed with my knowledge of Russian literature and mentions his collection of first editions from Golog, Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Dostoyevsky. By the time we pull into the parking garage, I’m practically salivating at the thought of seeing his library.
I notice the attention he garners from all the women we pass. I think every single female in the lobby stops and stares at him. I can’t blame them. He’s classically handsome, sophisticated, and moves in the preternatural way only vampires can. If he notices he doesn’t let it show and subtly places his hand on my back to guide me to the KCPD lobby to give my report. He asks the man at the desk for a detective in the SA liaison unit. It’s a group that’s made of humans and different types of Supes.
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We aren’t even waiting two minutes before I’m called back.
I’m with the detective for about twenty-five minutes going over my history with Liam and what occurred last night. The detective leaves the office to file the paperwork and Aleksandr walks in and sits in the chair next to me. I�
�ve cried several times giving my statement so my eyes are red and watery and my face is splotchy. Part of it is the frustration of knowing I’m stronger than Liam and that if I could use my magic openly, I’d easily overpower him.
“How’d it go?” He asks with concern etched into his face.
“It was okay. It’s just no fun to describe all the ways I’ve let someone treat me like shit. Strong, independent women raised me, and here I am, dealing with the repercussions of a shitty relationship that I should have seen all the warning signs for. I’m stronger than this.” I shake my head and look down. “I’m smarter than this.”
He slips out of the chair and kneels in front of me to be at eye level. “The things he’s done to you, the way he’s treated you is on him. He is responsible for his actions. Placing your trust in someone is a beautiful and brave thing to do. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
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He cups my cheek, and his show of tenderness and support is all it takes for the tears to flow again. He catches the tears with his thumb, and I give in to the comfort he’s offering. I link my fingers with his other hand and squeeze. “Thank you,” I squeak out. He flips my hand over and kisses my palm, never breaking eye contact.
“Anytime, amica mea.” He whispers. After another moment of looking into my eyes, he stands and clears his throat. “Shall we go see the judge?” He holds his hand out for mine, and I take it. He handles everything with the judge, and I have my protective order granted within fifteen minutes.
“I just got confirmation that your car is back at your apartment. Good as new.” He tells me as we get back in his car.
“Thank you so much for getting it towed last night. How much do I owe you for everything? The tow, the tires, the legal assistance?” I ask. “You’ve gone above, and beyond anything, I would have expected.”
“You owe me nothing.” He says firmly and with a tone that brokers no argument. “I would like to have dinner with you tonight, though.” His blue eyes lock on me with a piercing gaze.
I want to say yes. I don’t want to question my feelings or 87
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instincts, which tell me to run to his arms, just like they did with Vance this morning. Everything about both men feels right. I’m not sure how to proceed with this, though. As if he senses my confusion and apprehension, he says, “I know something happened between you and Vance and I respect that. I want you to know that there is no jealousy or competition between us. We love each other as brothers. He’s more of a brother to me than my blood brother was centuries ago. That said, we are both drawn to you. Actually, all four of us are. I’m not sure how Hayes and Ross want to proceed, but Vance and I want the same thing.”
“And that is?”
“You.” He latches onto me with that vampiric intensity again, and I swear the car’s temperature rises. Heat rushes to my core, my chest flushes, and I bite my lip while I return his gaze just as profoundly.
He inhales sharply and looks back on the road. “The next time you bite your lip like that I won’t be able to control myself.”
He shifts in his seat and grips the wheel.
Riding a rush of desire and sense of power from visibly affecting this powerful, sexy as sin vampire I reach over and 88
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brush his arm. “You mean like this?” When his eyes meet mine, I gently bite my lower lip before I thoroughly think about what I’m doing.
He’s pulled the car over and unbuckled my seat belt before I can blink. Then he’s dragging me over the center console of the car and setting me his lap where his lips crash against mine. His kiss isn’t gentle; it’s full of passion. He doesn’t wait to coax my lips apart; he opens me up like he owns me. He pulls my ponytail out and grips my hair in both hands while he devours my mouth. My hands are pulling his tie off and unbuttoning his shirt. Then I feel the slightest pressure of two sharp teeth on my lip, not enough to break the skin. I moan and grind my hips against the bulge in his pants. His fingers are quickly unbuttoning my blouse and then gliding across my nipples straining against the thin layer of lace holding them in. A truck flies past, pulling us back to reality.
“If we weren’t pulled over on a busy stretch of highway, I would already be inside you.” He says, resting his forehead against mine. He sighs and asks, “what do you want for dinner?”
You, with a side of incubus. I know I’m probably not ready for that yet, I’m probably playing with fire by letting Aleksandr get 89
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so close at all, but I can’t resist this craving for him. “A steak would be great,” I answer.
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Aleksandr
Lenna’s so quiet for the rest of the drive back to the city that I think she may have fallen asleep. I will have to discuss the amulet at dinner. We need to plan when to leave for the Shadow Realm and create a training schedule for her. If she would use her Fae powers, she’d be fine but I’m not sure she’s ready to trust us. Hopefully, I’ve opened the door by sharing my origins with her. I know I must divulge even more of my history as one of the Nocturnis clan that used the amulet to pillage the Fae realms.
I pull into a small parking lot behind a nondescript building in a part of the city that is just starting to revitalize. Vance is the contractor for three of the buildings on this block. It’s only when I pat Lenna’s knee to wake her that I realize she’s been awake and just lost in her thoughts the whole time. I wonder where her mind has been. I hope I didn’t push her too far earlier, and I can’t hold myself back with her. I don’t want to.
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“Where are we?” She asks, looking around inquisitively.
“I’m not very familiar with this area.”
“It’s a new restaurant. Vance did construction and design.
He said the food is amazing, and it’s friendly to many Supes.” I offer my arm, and she slips her hand around my elbow. Warmth burns through my chest. It almost feels like I have a functioning heart in there.
We walk into the lobby of the building and turn to the right.
Two bronze bulls flank the entrance of the restaurant, a nod to Kansas City’s history as a cow town. They decorated the interior of the restaurant in deep reds with gold accents and flickering LED sconces to give the feel of candles. We are seated at a table in a small private alcove. The table is covered by a black tablecloth and holds one red rose in a gold vase. The host hands Lenna a menu and wine list. His gaze stays on her for a little longer than necessary before he turns and hands me one.
In the dim light Lenna looks even more beautiful than usual.
Her eyes dart from the wine list to menu and the back again. She so focused she doesn’t realize she’s started biting her sensuous lip again. It takes all my control to sit and watch her as she innocently stokes the flames of my desire. The server arrives, and she peppers him with questions. She ultimately settles on a 92
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glass of bourbon to start, filet mignon rare, and grilled summer squash. I order a bottle of wine, and when I order my dinner, her eyes widen in surprise.
“You eat regular human food?” She asks after the server leaves us. “I had no idea, I thought you guys were all about the blood.”
“Blood sustains us, but many of us still enjoy indulging in the foods we were accustomed to as humans. I’ll never pass on an excellently prepared meal.”
“Where do you get your blood? If you don’t mind me asking,” she hastily adds. “That is probably an invasive question. I’m sorry.” Her cheeks flush with a tinge of embarrassment.
“I feed on blood bags and have for…. I can’t remember how long.” What I don’t add is that I haven’t fed from anyone since the incident in the fae realms. When the blood lust cleared and saw what me had been a part of me it horrified. I haven’t had blood from the vein since.
“Not even from someone willing?” Her heart rate spikes.
“Or for sexual pleasure? I
’ve heard a bite from a vampire can heighten orgasms for humans.”
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“I haven’t bitten anyone for any reason in a very long time.”
I tell her. “When done correctly bites heighten orgasms for anyone involved, human or supernatural. This is an interesting line of questioning, why so curious?” I ask tensely. I can’t bite her if she takes things to an intimate level with me at all. It will take every ounce of self-control I possess, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her, my prophesied mate.
“Honestly, I haven’t ever really known any other vampires before. The only Supes I’ve been around are shifters and witches.” She tilts her and looks over my shoulder. “I guess I’ve always just been inquisitive about things and people I don’t know or have experience with. Let me know if I’m too much or too forward.”
The server arrives with our food and after he leaves I decide to bring up the search for the amulet. “Can we talk business for a while? I have some information on a possible location of the amulet.” I pull up my notes on my phone and slide it across the table to her. “I think it’s been hidden in the Shadow Realm, specifically at primis tenebris.”
She scrolls, through my notes, nodding to herself. “Right, so we’re not just dealing with a specific geographic location but also a temporal disturbance.” She slides the phone back to me 94