Whispers of Night: 1 (Immortal Embrace) (24 page)

“I have to tell you something.” Jenny recoiled as an image of Lucia appeared in her mind. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked quickly to hold them at bay. There were so many emotions churning inside her.

“What is it?” His expression darkened as if he sensed her pain.

“There was another vampire in the apartment before you got there. She disappeared right before you and Ta’breyian showed up.”

“Who?”

“She told me her name was Lucia. Do you know her?”

Dane froze. His expression grew fierce and the muscle in his jaw twitched. “Lucia’s dead.”

“The woman I saw had long red hair and—she told me you two were lovers once.”

“Lovers—never, I’d rather burn in hell first. Tell me more.” He clenched his fists.

“When I traced to the apartment, she was there. She prevented me from leaving, I was so weak.” She didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“I can’t believe Lucia lives.” Anger glinted in his eyes.

“She’s the one who made you a vampire. You were supposed to be her mate, is what she said.” The words tasted like vinegar, leaving a bad taste in her mouth.

“I will never be anything but the instrument of death to that woman.” He ground his teeth together.

“She told me I was in the way and that you’d never commit to me.” Jenny closed her eyes. Pain filled her heart. Lucia had brought to the surface all the insecurities she’d managed to bury.

“Look at me.”

“What?” Why hadn’t he told her about this?

“There’s only one female for me and that’s you.”

“She said you would grow weary of me like all the rest. I thought you said you haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”

“I haven’t been with anyone since before I became a vampire. She’s a vindictive bitch who said those things to hurt you and cause you to doubt me.”

“It wasn’t a surprise to hear her say it. I’ve heard it before.” She shrugged.

He lifted her chin. “I love you. No one will ever replace you in my heart.”

“I’m sorry. I was scared and then I ran into her. I-I didn’t know what to think.”

“Come here.” He drew her against him as he crawled onto the bed next to her. “You are everything to me. Don’t ever doubt what we have.” He caressed her back.

“Please don’t make me go to sleep right now. Make love to me.”

“Shh…” He cupped her face and tenderly covered her mouth with his.

At first his kiss was tender, hesitant. She didn’t want restraint. Not now. Jenny’s mouth opened and she grabbed his face in a fierce grip. Her tongue played with his, stroking him. Lust swept through her like a wild fire that started between her legs. She broke away from the kiss and started to pull his shirt over his head.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“I need you.” She wiggled out of her clothes as he finished removing his.

“I’m here.” Dane rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath his large frame.

Her nipples scored his chest as he settled against her. He trailed hot kisses along her jawline and down her throat, licking and biting along the same path. Pleasure shot through Jenny, making her arch off the bed. Dane parted her legs and pressed his thick erection at her moist entrance.

“Bite me!” She closed her eyes, trying to forget the doubt this other female had planted in her mind, but it still ate at her.

“Soon.” He rubbed back and forth, teasing her clit.

She grabbed his buttocks and tried to push his thick head inside. Her sex was slick, hot and ready for him.

Visions of this woman making love to Dane swept through her mind and she tensed. She pushed it away. Everyone had a past so why did his upset her so much?

“Please.” He grabbed her thighs to open them wide for him. “Let me touch you first.” His thumb slid over the tender flesh, causing her to jerk. He pushed himself up and slid down the bed.

“Where are you—” She fell back and moaned when his lips brushed against the seam of her pussy.

Jenny forgot to breathe when he cupped her bottom and lifted her to his mouth. He spread her folds to expose her clit and licked the entire length. She let out a cry of pleasure as he locked onto her clit in a merciless rhythm. A deep, penetrating pressure seized her sex just as Dane’s fangs sank in. She widened her thighs, jerking against his hungry mouth.

He sucked deeply, groaning, and she exploded around his tongue. Her heart squeezed as she tried to analyze her emotions, hating herself for doubting as pleasure sliced through her and she arched against him, shuddering from the force of his feeding and the erotic way he took blood from her. She trembled in a haze of arousal so strong it held her in a mindless grip.

“I want to forget.”

“She holds no claim on me. Only you have that power over me.” He swiftly climbed up her frame and buried his cock deep inside her channel.

She let out a scream as her pussy squeezed him deliciously. Her body vibrated from each powerful thrust. She tightened her hold around him, letting the force of his possession consume her. Helpless, she surrendered to him. Her gums ached, fangs extending. The hunger inside wasn’t nearly quenched. Almost as if he sensed her need, he gave her his neck to let the sharp points sink into his throat. His dick became hard like steel as he moved inside her.

“Ah Jenny!” He jerked and trembled as hot jets of his release filled her core, causing her to climax again.

Dane’s pace increased, the force of his possession a raw rhythm of pleasure crashing down on her. She couldn’t help digging her nails into his muscled arms as she drew his precious blood down her throat, his taste a maddening cocktail of undiluted pleasure that she couldn’t get enough of, their bond growing with each frantic beat of her heart.

“Jenny!” he cried out, her walls stroking him until he finally stilled.

How could she ever doubt that this man wanted her when it was so perfect between them? Lucia was a liar and it made her angry what this cruel woman had done to her mind. She loved Dane. Granted, there was so much they didn’t know about each other. But she was willing to let her guard down for him.

“You okay?” He rested his cheek against the swell of her breasts, gently kissing one and then the other.

She ran her fingers through his hair as he stared at her intently. She didn’t want to have reservations about him. But her insecurities were still a part of her and something she needed to deal with. “I feel better.”

But even as a vampire, she didn’t measure up. She was still weak. The myths about these creatures indicated they were strong. But apparently that wasn’t the case with her. She needed to learn how to fight so she could protect herself against their enemies. This world and the creatures in it were intimidating. Leveling the playing field seemed like the best solution in this situation.

“What can I do to make this right between us?” He grazed his knuckles over her cheekbone.

“Teach me how to fight.” She watched him warily, waiting for a no that didn’t come.

“I’ll teach you everything I know so if we’re ever separated again, you can defend yourself against our enemies.” He kissed her nose.

Thank god he sees the reason behind it.
“I’m glad because those bastards who attacked me smelled like rotted flesh. Why is that?” She shuddered, snuggling against him. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to being raped by those putrid beasts.

“I know what you mean. I got a whiff. Rogues have no preference on where they obtain their next meal. Their masters keep the choice humans for themselves and give them what’s leftover.”

“The guy that attacked me in the garage didn’t smell like that.” She shuddered at the memory.

“Lucia probably wanted you to suffer and picked them because they were vile bottom feeders. She is going to pay for what she tried to do to you.” He tensed his hold around her slightly but then relaxed.

“I thought when I became a vampire, I’d be strong. Aren’t we supposed to have immense strength?”

“Most vampires are very strong, especially newborns.” Sadness tinged his voice.

“I couldn’t even shoo a fly earlier.” She wondered why he was melancholy all of a sudden.

“You were vulnerable because you traced while you were in a weakened state. Plus, you hadn’t fed enough to complete your transformation. I didn’t want to take your humanity away. It was ripped away from me. I had plans. It was all taken from me one night when that witch crossed my path.”

“I’m sorry you had the misfortune of running into her.” It made her sad to think of all that had been taken from him.

“It led me to you so in the end it was worth it.” He hugged her tightly. She smiled against his chest, comforted that he’d come to terms with what he was.

“There are some advantages to this life. Tracing is pretty cool. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get away from your blond friend but I did.”

“You got lucky. Ta’breyian’s fast. Most vampires don’t usually escape. I hear you caught him off guard long enough to get the jump on him.”

“Your world is a scary place.”

“Our kind is at war and has been for many centuries. You’ve entered my world at a very dangerous time.”

“How did you guys find me?”

“I got your voicemail so I traced to the apartment. When I got there, I ran into Ta’breyian and he told me what happened. I was really upset because I wasn’t sure where to check next. Then Ta’breyian suggested I check your employment records. You listed two prior addresses. We decided to check Boston first and got lucky.”

“I’m worried, Dane. Lucia knew exactly where to find me. She was there waiting for me when I traced to my old apartment. She said something about a gift that was useful to her. It helped her find me through you.”

“I need to speak with the others about this.” He lifted off her.

“Wait, there’s more.” She reached for his hand, fear trickling down her spine.

“What is it?”

“She told me you killed her brother’s mate and he has a vendetta against you.”

“I’ve killed many Rogues over the centuries. Who’s her brother?”

“She said his name is Caiaphas. She also mentioned that she was supposed to bring me to him. But she decided against it at the last minute and opted to have those thugs kill me instead.”

“Son of a bitch, Caiaphas is her brother?” Shock flitted across his face.

“Do you know him?”

“He leads the Rogue rebellion. Get up, we need to get dressed.” Dane jumped off the bed and threw on some clothes.

Jenny climbed out of bed. Great, now more monsters were after them. The situation kept getting worse and worse. She wanted all this madness to end so they could have some semblance of a normal life.
Yeah, like that’s going to happen. Probably not.

“Where are you taking me?” Were they tracing to a different location? She hated not knowing but could tell he was stressed and didn’t want to push.

“I need to speak with Marcus. He’s the leader of my coven, which is your coven now too.”

“I’m scared. I-I don’t want you hurt because of me. I’m always going to be a target that you have to protect because someone wants to get even with you.”

“If anyone tries to harm you, they’ll have to come through me first.”

“That’s what I am afraid of.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“But what if something happens to you because of me?”

“I have been at this game a long time, Jenny. Nothing is going to happen to me. You are my only weakness and I will protect you with my life if necessary.” He gently kissed her lips.

“If you teach me how to fight, we can watch out for each other.”

“Soon. Let’s go.”

They both went downstairs to speak with the others. Ta’breyian rested his shoulder against one of the walls on the farthest end of the cabin and Dmitri and Ivanna were sitting on the couch when they entered the room.

“Jenny!” Ivanna came over to give her a hug.

“Hey.” She was glad to see her friend and appreciated her genuine concern. It was nice to have someone else she could trust.

“You’re better, yes?”

“I am thanks to Dane.”

“Listen, we may have company soon,” Dane said to the two men.

“What’s going on?” Dmitri asked.

“I recently learned the vampire who created me is still alive and she’s working with Caiaphas.” Dane glanced over at Ta’breyian.

“How do you know this?” Ta’breyian asked.

“She was there at Jenny’s old apartment before we arrived. She was the one who ordered the three Rogues to kill Jenny. She told Jenny she found her through me. Maybe we’re linked somehow, I don’t know.” Dane frowned.

“If she has the ability to enter or hear others’ thoughts, she could be very dangerous.” Ta’breyian’s eyes went wide with surprise.

“What does that mean?” Jenny asked.

“It means she can find Dane or those close to him by tuning in and listening,” Ta’breyian replied.

“Is that how she found me?”
My god, what next?

“You and Dane share a blood bond that connects you to his creator.”