Page 27 of Fated In Blood (Nocturne Vampire Clan #1)

27

EVANGELINE

“ W ell, at least now I know why he kept staring.”

Even though the last thing I remembered was grinding myself into Riordan like an alley cat, I’d woken up alone the next morning, covered with a moldy blanket. Even with eight hours of sleep and a buttload of power humming through my bones, I was a walking disaster.

My hair was a giant snarl on top of my head, still full of twigs and leaves from the battle at the quarry, which sounded like some kind of heavy metal band name from the eighties. There was a smear of Riordan’s blood—dear God, I hoped that was Riordan’s blood—across one cheek, and in the light of day, my shirt was full of moth holes.

I groaned. I might as well have been wearing a see-through nighty last night.

But the spigot worked just fine, and I sank beneath the water in the claw foot tub, wondering how my life had gone so far off the rails. Honestly, I didn’t know what pissed me off more. That I was a vampire or that I was a prisoner.

I’d never been a vampire before.

But I’d been a prisoner for the first sixteen years of my life, and I’d sworn to never be one again. We’d narrowly escaped with our lives, Angel, me, and Mom. And these last twelve years, Angel and I never had much in the way of personal comforts, but freedom tasted better than money any day of the week.

My father hadn’t been able to keep me caged.

Riordan wouldn’t, either.

I popped out of the water and sucked in a breath of warm, humid air, then leaned my head against the cool rim of the tub. My body was a strung wire, my head stuffed with cotton from the constant hum of power rushing through my veins. Not unpleasant at all, just…inconvenient when I was trying to formulate my plans.

One week , Riordan had said, before my transition was complete, whatever that meant.

Before he’d stormed off, Blake had told me the same. So…one more week of this feeding shit, then I supposed we’d kill Laurent Tyrell. All I wanted was to get my sister out of that castle and far away from Thorndale, New York.

But there were logistics I hadn’t considered before.

We’d both need to feed. We’d need a steady supply of fresh blood, and I had no idea how to go about that, since stalking humans was off the table. And as far as feeding from Riordan…I had to get a handle on my libido before he made his appearance today.

My body became a raging inferno the second his blood hit my tongue and that had to stop.

Hell, just the thought of his body pressed against mine sent a shockwave of desire through me.

I drifted in the weightless heat of the water, my hand settling between my legs. The second I stroked my thumb over my clit, my unrequited climax roared back to life, legs going loose and weak, pressure coiling in my belly. There was a definite correlation between vampires feeding and sex, but I’d be damned if I’d fuck His Majesty.

Blake was off the table, but I still had to feed.

Which meant I had to take care of myself, because fuck them both.

Not literally, of course.

But damn, just thinking about Blake’s tongue sliding up through me…My fingers followed that exact same route, but it wasn’t the same. I missed his heated breath, those fingers dimpling my thighs, holding me still.

And Riordan…fuck, there was something about his blood that was addicting. I brushed my thumb across my clit and pressure built, coiling heat burning through my core.

They were more than I’d bargained for, but just thinking about having them beneath me…I plunged in two fingers, and again, this was nothing like the real thing, nothing like Blake’s…

I shoved that thought away, and this time kept both those annoying males out of my fantasy, my fingers moving faster until water lapped over the rim of the tub. I’d been edged all yesterday and last night, and I was as taut as a plucked wire.

My orgasm built and built, my thumb stroking faster and faster, my head braced against the edge of the tub, my body arching, thighs straining against the coiling tightness until the crushing strain finally broke, a wave of pleasure rippling through me like an exploding star.

I rode out every bone-melting spasm until my body was lax, until every cell felt like melted butter. Steam rolled off the surface of the water, and I was so boneless, I slid down beneath that misty haze.

Masturbation was like some cheap knockoff of the real thing.

But it would have to do.

A shiver of cold swept through the room, a shadow of darkness lifting away the curls of steam, raising goosebumps over my wet shoulders. My gaze darted around the bathroom, searching every corner, every crevice before my body relaxed. I sank back into the water.

Just my overactive senses going haywire.

And my senses were certainly overactive these days.

I could smell a hint of limestone and iron in the water, recognized the laundry detergent they used on those towels stacked over in the corner—probably a decade ago—and even in here, heard the leaves brushing against one another outside my window.

I got out and toweled off, wincing with every stroke of the rough fabric over my poor skin.

This was like a second-day sunburn and wearing a scratchy shirt with a big tag in the back. Everything bothered me. The smells, the sounds, anything that dared touch me hurt. I was no use to anyone like this, and if I was ever going to get Angel away from Tyrell, I’d better learn to master my own goddamned weaknesses.

Since I was a glass half full kind of gal, I resigned myself to wasting a week in this hideous place. I’d get strong and fast and learn everything I could about my new reality. Improved strength and speed would give me an edge and, combined with my training, make me even deadlier.

And I needed to be deadly.

To survive Tyrell, then to survive what came after.

Angel was a vampire, too, so we’d have to find somewhere to settle down, maybe in the Pacific Northwest, maybe somewhere even more remote. Because even if I got through this whole let’s kill the most powerful Ancient , our family would hunt us to the ends of the earth, just for the privilege of driving a stake in our hearts.

There was a special place on the trophy wall for traitors, and I needed to make goddamned sure neither my sister nor I ended up there.

And the only way to do that was to make sure they never found us.

Watching the sun rise above the trees and gilding the branches gold and pink, my improved vision picked out colors I’d never noticed before. I sat cross-legged on the bed, dressed in the holier-than-thou shirt, running through my breathing exercises. Life was about control.

About mind over matter.

About willpower.

My hunger existed, but it was a kernel in my center, detached from the rest of me. Something to acknowledge and manage, but not turn me into a rabid beast. Another breath, another reminder of how much I had to gain right now.

Speed. Strength. Knowledge.

Riordan had the decency to knock, but only a second before he stepped into the room, so not actually enough time to get dressed or throw on a robe. C for effort . I stayed right where I was, counting my breaths while he watched, head tilting slightly to the side.

“Are you hungry?”

“I am, in fact.”

He headed my way, and I held up a hand before he took another step. “Over there, by the fireplace.” I unfolded my legs and hopped off the bed, managing to stay upright, which was a definite improvement over last time.

I eyed his freshly pressed shirt and the silk tie he was loosening. “This won’t take long.” In fact, this would be the fastest, most touchless feeding I could manage. Kind of like one of those new car washes.

“Right down to business. I like that about you, Silver.”

“Shut up and let’s get this over with.”

“Go ahead. Think of me as an all you can eat buffet.” He winked. “Except you’re limited to three plates of food. Any more and you’ll get sick.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that, would we?” I stopped in front of him, suddenly aware of the stark height difference and the fact that his neck was fucking over my head . I could pull a chair over, but that would just look stupid now that I’d made such a big deal out of this.

“I hate to point out the obvious, Silver, but I think you miscalculated.” His smirk deepened the dimple in his chin. “But you’re the one in charge.” He tapped his throat, a good foot above me. I’d have to jump to reach it. “Have at it.”

“I hate you.”

“Hmmm, so you’ve said.” The bastard was totally enjoying this. “But you’re still feeding from me. I assume by your newly frigid attitude, you’ve decided sex is completely off the table?”

“Oh, it’s not off the table for me.” I dragged a chair over, ridiculous as I looked. “Just for you. This is probably a news flash, but I don’t need a man to satisfy me.”

“A male.” He stared down at me, head tilted to the side as his nostrils flared delicately and his eyes dropped to my hand.

“A what?” I climbed up onto the chair and now I was too fucking high.

I mean, why could I never win?

“You don’t need a male to satisfy you. We are not men, we are males.”

I rolled my eyes. “Males, men, whatever. I don’t need any of you.”

“Just an observation on my part, but you need something shorter than that chair.” I swore the corners of his mouth twitched. “But who am I to tell you what to do?”

“You need to keep your mouth shut,” I hissed, spotting a small bench at the foot of the bed. “Go stand over there. And don’t even think about talking.”

This time the height was perfect, but the angle was awkward. “I’m going to have to put my hands on your shoulders.” It was either that or I faceplant right into him, and God knew where that would end up. Probably with both of us on the bed and his cock inside me, and no good would come of that.

“I love your hands on me, Silver.” The bastard took his time loosening his tie, flicking his top buttons open until I had to tear my eyes away from the tattoos peeking up over his collar, the triangle of skin giving off waves of his musky scent. “I’ll admit, I’m afraid to close my eyes. You might hurt me.”

I slid my forefinger under his chin and tipped his head back until our gazes met. “Don’t worry, the day I hurt you, I’ll be staring you dead in the eye, just like I am right now.”

This time, his grin was vicious. “Of that I have no doubt.”

“Don’t move.” I laid my hands on his shoulders, careful to avoid skin, and struck hard. I timed every pull for maximum volume and minimum contact, then licked the punctures closed and rocked back on my heels, running my tongue over my teeth, seeking out every last drop. It wasn’t nearly enough but would have to last me until next time.

“You’re still hungry,” he scolded. “Again. You need more.” The bastard leaned closer until his chest brushed mine. “Come on, Silver, don’t be a coward. Take what’s being freely offered.”

God help me, but I did, relishing the sensation of my fangs piercing his skin with surgical precision. The moment his blood hit my tongue, washing down my throat in a rich, warm wave. The thrill of anticipation in the seconds before his power hit my system, stealing away every promise I’d made to myself.

I was up on my tiptoes on the bench, my lips moving languidly against Riordan’s throat, fingers dug deep into his shoulders when Blake strolled in.

Walked right in like he owned the place.

My peaked nipples brushed across Riordan’s chest when I jerked away, foggy ecstasy turning to outrage as my head cleared. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Maybe I had no right to be pissed at Blake, given my family had murdered his, but he hadn’t even given me a chance to explain myself. Just dumped me half naked in some strange place and left me lying there.

After he’d given me the best orgasm of my life. Zero points for effort.

He could go fuck himself.

“Rohr… the king was supposed to tell you I was coming. Seems he got distracted and forgot.” Frigid didn’t begin to describe how cold Blake’s voice was, his eyes raking over me with disgust. “He ordered me here so the three of us could have a civil conversation.”

My head whipped to His Majesty, whose eyes danced with wicked glee. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about this?”

The bastard made a motion like he was zipping his mouth closed and I groaned. “Fine. You can talk now.”

He shot his friend a look. “For the record, I didn’t order you, I asked.” Then he winked at me. “Blake is going to meet us here so we can clear the air. You’re the one who commanded me not to speak.”

“Asshole.” I jerked my hands off his shoulders. “Like you’d ever follow my command.”

Blake crossed to the furthest corner and threw himself into a chair, dust puffing out all around him. “Get on with this, Rohr. I can hardly stand to breathe the same air as this murderous bitch.”

Every bit of sympathy I felt over his family evaporated into thin air. I hadn’t touched his family . Yet a little niggle of guilt turned over in my belly. But I’d killed other vampires. Maybe some of his friends.

“Likewise.” I clamped my lips together, newfound energy overrunning my body like an electrical current. “We should make this fast.” I had a sudden urge to kick Blake’s ass, right here and now, counterproductive though it may have been.

“That attitude won’t get you far since the two of you will be working closely together for the next few days. I trust Blake explicitly, and I’m putting him in charge of your training. Try not to piss him off. Listen carefully. Learn everything you can. The second you’re ready, we go after Tyrell. I don’t want to give him too much time before we hit him hard.”

“What’s your plan?” I asked. “I mean, surely hitting him hard isn’t your entire strategy?”

“Like we’d tell you what the plan is,” Blake snapped in a clipped tone. “You’re already planning to fuck us over, so everything will be on a need-to-know basis, and in my opinion, you don’t need to know shit.”

“Well,” Riordan said with a brightness that was plain annoying. “I’ll leave you both to it, then.” He buttoned up his expensive tailored shirt flecked with fresh blood. Even that small glimpse made me want to lick my lips.

“I’d say good luck, but I have a feeling I’d be wasting my breath. Do try to not kill one another. Save that for Tyrell; he’s the real enemy.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Blake muttered, and I flipped him the bird, though picturing him with a broken nose made me feel incrementally better.