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Aleah
I release a moan as I stretch my arms and legs, arching my back and enjoying the gentle popping sound of stubborn joints loosening up. The stiffness is an unfortunate downside of my human half and the inevitable physicality of working a country property alone. I open my eyes and encounter a pair of icy blues staring down at me.
“What the—”
Luc. I try to roll sideways but his arms are wrapped around me and our limbs are somehow all tangled up together. In my bed? Yep. This is definitely my bed. Skin against naked skin.
Naked? What the actual fuck?
I don’t remember how this happened. I would never choose to be almost naked in my bed with an equally almost-naked vampire. I search my memory for answers. Did he break his promise and use his manipulation skills to play tricks on my mind? Did I consent to something I didn’t want to do? Then the memories begin to return and I stifle an involuntary sob. Darrie. Gwen. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t reach you in time.
His arms tighten as if sensing my rush of anguish, and then he releases me and sits up. His skin is pale and smooth, the muscles of his torso and shoulders clearly defined and far sexier than I expect. His chest is hairless and I’m not sure why that surprises me. Perhaps the thickness of the tousled mess atop his head caused me to make assumptions about the rest of his body. The faintest line of dark decorates his abdomen, spearing downward to point south somewhere beneath the coverlet. Point south. My cheeks heat and I briefly look away to try and regain equilibrium.
He shifts the pillow to a more comfortable position and leans back with his arms folded behind his head, looking all the world as if he truly belongs in that spot.
I shuffle sideways to put some distance between us. “What time is it?”
“It’s late. You slept through the night and most of the day. I watched over you while you were out cold. Most of the time, anyway.”
Well, that’s not creepy at all. “Um, thanks?”
“Except when I slept, too, of course.”
“So, you slept here, with me? In my bed?”
“Comfortable mattress.” His grin is smug, and for an instant he looks young and carefree, like a man without a worry in the world. I almost forget he’s not human. The urge to lean over and mess up his tousled hair even more almost overtakes me, until all the memories from the previous night suddenly come rushing back in to overwhelm me. Rogues. Loups. Death.
I wrap my arms around my middle. “Do you know what happened to my friends?” I decide to sidestep the fact that he’s in my bed sans most of his clothing—at least from what I can see. “I need you to explain it to me. Exactly.”
His face changes from carefree to somber. “Yes, of course,” he says with a nod. I’m relieved that he seems to take the attack seriously. “I slipped back out near dawn to check on the situation. I had just called in the attack to the local authorities when you stumbled into their yard, so I had to choose between sticking around to secure the scene, following the scent of the loup, or ensuring your safety.”
He should have followed the loup. He knows it, too. His smug grin has disappeared and the scowl that replaces it transforms him straight back into predatory hunter. It’s clear he’s upset with himself and his decision. Still, there’s a little part of me that enjoys the fact he chose me ahead of duty.
I tamp down that feeling. I don’t care one way or the other. Let him choose whatever he wants; it doesn’t affect me either way.
At least, it shouldn’t.
“The emergency services are likely still on scene. It...will be a lengthy clean-up, I’m afraid.”
I try to hide my shudder but I can’t. Luc reaches out to touch me and for some reason I don’t shift away.
“It was definitely the same vamp I’ve been tracking. I recognized the scent.” He traces a finger around my jawline. His touch is light and strangely welcome. “I’m sorry, Aleah. He got the human female—”
“Gwen. Her name was Gwen.” I shouldn’t be offended by how he referred to her. He doesn’t even know her. But I can’t help the bitterness that taints my tone. “And her husband was Darrie. They were real people, with names...lives...”
“Yes.” Luc’s voice softens. “I know.”
He pauses, waiting for me to say something, maybe even to keep talking. I appreciate it, but I’m not sure I even know what to say at this point.
Eventually, he starts speaking again. “He got Gwen first, I think. She was farthest away from the house. Looks like she ventured outside, perhaps to check on a noise? The male—Darrie—was found nearer the back door. There was a loaded shotgun beside his body. Silver bullets, too. Unfortunately, he must have been felled pretty quickly as the shotgun hadn’t been fired.”
“He may have been felled quickly, but his death wasn’t fast, though, was it?” I clench my teeth, my fingers balling into tight fists.
“I think...” He hesitates, and then adds, “No. I don’t believe it was a quick or easy death for him. Unlike Gwen’s, which I think may have been close to instantaneous. Darrie may have been disabled relatively quickly, but the rest of what happened wasn’t either of those things.”
“No.” I felt death coming, and I felt it take them and eventually leave. It took a while, particularly for one of them—Darrie as I know now—and it was agonizing. My only small comfort is that the couple are now together in death as they once were in life. “So, you went back there while I was asleep, and then returned here instead of continuing your... tracking? Hunting? Whatever you call it.”
“Hunting. And yes, it’s part of my job, to liaise with the local cops. Your town policeman—Bernie—seems to be pretty clued up about the situation already. Apparently, there have been a few cases of livestock being taken in the past weeks, and he’d already been liaising with my unit about the vicious nature of those attacks. Add to that the young boy who was taken a couple of nights ago...”
A young boy? I blink, and pull back to look at him carefully. That must have been the death I experienced the other night. A remembered pang sets my heart thumping painfully as Luc continues talking.
“It’s the reason the department sent me here in the first place.”
“And returning here...to my bed?” Now that I understand what happened to my friends, I need to understand what is happening with me...and him.
“Well, you know. I just wanted to...check on you again.”
If I didn’t know for sure that vamps can’t blush, I’d think he had a touch of pink in those angular cheeks. It’s actually endearing, a word I never thought I could associate with a vamp.
“And then it was morning,” he continues. “I couldn’t venture out in the daylight, of course.”
“Of course.” I don’t hide the dryness that taints my tone. “And how did undressing me—and yourself—right down to our underwear factor in to that?” My cheeks start to heat up even though I’m the one asking the questions. At least he left my knickers on. I don’t wear a bra so I can’t exactly blame him for that one.
“You were covered in dirt and mud, and you were freezing to the touch.” Though he speaks faster than usual, everything about him is casual, as though this is nothing to be upset about. “I wanted to put you beneath the comforter, and it seemed like the right thing to do, to get your clothing off first.”
I raise a brow. “Mm hmm.”
“And of course, I couldn’t leave you without helping you warm up, and the best way to do that was... with this.” His tone is conceited as he waves a hand, indicating himself, before swinging his legs to the side to perch on the edge of the bed. I almost snort, but manage to hold myself back.
“There’s no way a snuggle under the covers with a vamp would make any difference to my core body temp—yikes!”
He didn’t bother to leave his own knickers on. He conveniently ignores my comment—and my no doubt goggle-eyed stare—as he calmly moves around the room collecting his clothing. I try to look anywhere but at his manly package, though I can’t help but sneak a glance or two his way. He seems to display no hint of embarrassment whatsoever and honestly, if I had a body as perfectly proportioned as his, I might not be embarrassed to show it off, either.
Surreptitiously, I slide the comforter right up to just beneath my chin.
I’m not quite sure how to react. Part of me wishes I had access to my stake so I could pierce his heart for entering my bed without any clothes on. The other part of me, the part that should be way more ashamed of herself, allows me to stare a little too long.
Who knew a naked vampire body could be quite so alluring? Who knew a vampire’s rear end would be shapelier than any I’ve ever seen in my life? Who knew I would be tempted to touch him, to see if it is as firm as it looks? Not that I’ve seen many naked rear ends. Not that I’ve felt any. His arse is tight and firm and my mind fills with images of that tight ass squeezing and pumping hard as he thrusts into someone in a frenzied and sensual coupling.
He turns at that moment and my breath hitches in my throat. Holy moly! Who knew Luc was hiding that much tackle in his trousers?
Let’s not mention how enticing his rippling muscles and smooth skin looks as he reaches for his discarded shirt and pulls it back on over his head. Let’s definitely not mention the warmth that rushes through me, pooling between my legs and making a mockery of my previous comment. Clearly there’s more than one way for a vampire to impart warmth to another being.
I swallow, sitting up and adjusting the bed cover to ensure I continue to retain at least a small degree of modesty.
Luc’s grin widens. It’s like he can read my mind. The bastard does enjoy stirring the pot, that’s for sure.
“I like your choice of underwear, Aleah. Pink was not what I expected. You seem more like the black and brooding sort.”
“God damn it!” This whole situation is beyond uncomfortable. At least—as far as I can tell—he didn’t sneak any of my blood. I decide the best path is to pretend to ignore the no-clothes issue for the moment. I tighten my grip on my sheets, forcing myself to continue. “Tell me more about these rogues. Have you been tracking them for a while? Are you an official hunter? You’ve mentioned your department a few times. I assume...an investigative one?”
He nods. “I have been tracking both the vamp, and his rogue partner, for several months. They were in Melbourne, causing havoc out in some of the more affluent suburbs. We lost track several weeks ago until we got the call about unusual livestock butchery near Hatton Grove. I suppose I am an official hunter, though we call ourselves vampire police these days.” While he talks, he pulls on a pair of jeans and bends to lace his boots. When he straightens, he raises a hand and runs long fingers through already messy hair. It gives him a rakish look that adds to the sexiness. I decide to ignore that too, though the squiggle of desire that feels a little bit like butterflies in the belly once again makes a liar of my intentions.
“Vampire police.” I arch a brow. “That’s a real thing?”
“Oh, yes, we’re real. I work for SUDAP—otherwise known as the Supernatural Division of the Australian Federal Police.”
I try to stay away from the mainstream, out here on the farm, and don’t really keep up with the news or general politics. But even I’ve heard of SUDAP. It stands to reason they would be just as likely to employ supernaturals as humans—probably more so, I guess—but I hadn’t really thought about that before now. And if he’s employed by SUDAP, Luc really must be one of the good ones. Their vetting process is supposedly more rigorous than that required for the standard police. Which means it’s a good idea that I trusted him.
“So, you’re a vampire detective.”
“Sergeant,” he corrects. It’s clear his title is significant but he takes no offense.
“Sergeant Durand,” I say. His lips quirk briefly as I try out the name. It suits him. “How did you come to be in a job like that, Luc? And for that matter, how old are you?”
I want to get dressed but I know he won’t give me privacy. Plus, I’m interested in the conversation we’re having. I don’t want it to stop. He’s being forthcoming with me, which I appreciate.
“How old are you?” he shoots back.
“Twenty-nine.” It’s an easy number for me to admit. I have no shame in my age. I’ve learned that being haunted by death makes me appreciate all the ways in which I’m reminded I’m alive.
“Ah.” He smiles gently, and I sense rather than see the implicit weariness behind the smile. “You’ve never known anything other than the Accord years.”
I shrug. He’s right. I was born a year after the Accord came into being, though fat lot of good it did for my poor father. I don’t tell him this, though. It’s not something he needs to know. At least not right now.
“I’ve been on the Force since they opened it up to my kind twenty-seven years ago. You would have been two.”
“Well, I’m all grown up now.” I have no idea why that pops out. I duck my head to avoid the humor in his stare and wish away the heat prickling my cheeks.
“So you are.” His voice hums with awareness, forcing my gaze back to his. I can’t tell if he’s agreeing with my statement or if there’s more behind his words. A dirty insinuation, perhaps? It doesn’t come across sleazy, however. “But I’m still a damn sight older than you.”
At my raised brow and silence, he capitulates.
“Two hundred and eighty-six. I was turned the night of my thirty-sixth birthday.”
My brows raise. “Whoa. That must have sucked.”
He snorts gently. “Yes, it did. Literally and figuratively.” Then he shrugs. “It gets easier the longer it goes on. I can hardly remember my human life anymore.”
He says it nonchalantly, but I pick up an undertone of sadness. I imagine it is easier as the remembrance of being human fades, but it must be sad to lose a part of you, even if it’s just memories. Does that mean he’s a different person now than he was as a human?
I know vamps can live hundreds, even thousands of years, and their power grows with time. Technically, like hybrid fae, they’re close to immortal, but their violent nature often means they don’t live out their potential. At more than two hundred and eighty years of age, that most likely makes Luc one of the more powerful of his kind.
A shiver runs through me, even though I’m certain by now that Luc has no intention of hurting me. It’s not a shiver born of fear.
His sharp gaze catches my tremble even though the comforter still surrounds me. His mouth twists. “You’re safe, little banshee. I fed again last night, before I returned here.”
He busies himself rummaging through my chest of drawers and I’m so distracted by what he has just admitted that I don’t bother trying to stop him, even though he has probably just seen my extra stash of wooden stakes and the silver knife I keep buried in my top drawer.
He fed last night? “So, you went off and...had sex with someone? And then...” Returned to my bed? “Where?”
He stills for a moment, looking down into my drawer rather than back at me. The stillness exudes annoyance even though I can’t see his face. “Sex and feeding often go hand-in-hand, Aleah, though not always. And last night was pure sustenance. I fed only. No sexual pleasure involved, sadly.”
Not that it’s any of my business. At least, it shouldn’t be.
“Oh.” I wish I could sink right down under this coverlet to hide the acuteness of my embarrassment. I don’t care. I’m not supposed to care. Really.
And yet, I do.
“As to where I feed?” He picks out a random top and a pair of sweatpants. “Back in Melbourne, it’s mostly at bars and clubs, where the prey is willing and able. Very willing and able, believe me.”
He tosses the clothing my way. I quickly shuck on the top, grateful for the protection it affords.
“Out here in the sticks it’s usually the local hotel. Do you know The Royal?”
I pull the pants underneath the comforter and wiggle them on as best as I can while ensuring the comforter stays securely over me.
“Yes,” I say, once I’m dressed. I still keep the comforter around me only because there’s a chill in my room and I don’t need him looking at my nipples the whole conversation. Not that he would. But I don’t want to give him an excuse. “I have dinner there sometimes, after I’ve been into town to drop off my wares at the local craft shop.”
Who from Hatton Grove would voluntarily go with a vamp? Someone I know? Has an altogether different kind of feeding been taking place, while I’ve been obliviously eating in the downstairs restaurant in the Royal Hotel?
“I have a room there for the duration of this investigation.”
These are people I might know.
His grin has no humor in it whatsoever. In this moment he looks exactly like what he is—a predator. “Perfect for someone like me.”
“Do you ever...?” I can’t bring myself to finish the question.
He guesses my intent, his eyes flaring with irritation beneath furrowed brows.
“Despite what you might think, I don’t kill innocents, Aleah.” He closes my dresser drawer, his back to me. I try not to drop my eyes and check out his ass again. “I feed on willing participants, and I only take what I need to survive. I never take more than they’re able to give, and they always walk away satisfied afterward.”
Satisfied? In what way? I might not be able to admit to him that the reason for the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach stems from jealousy, but the least I can do is admit that truth to myself.
Until yesterday, I would never in a million years have considered taking a vampire lover, but since Luc stumbled into my life, I can’t seem able to stop thinking about it. What would it be like to receive pleasure from someone fully capable of killing me? Does that make me twisted?
After a moment of awkward silence, I nod. “I believe you.”
“Hmm. How generous.” His accompanying snort speaks volumes, and the urge to grin rises up. It shocks me. I never feel anything close to enjoyment for days following a death call, and for just a few seconds, Luc’s snippiness almost tips me over into laughter.
My burgeoning smile dies as the horror of what happened seeps back in to my thoughts. The shift in mood must show in my features, because Luc is around the bed in a flash. He wraps one arm across my shoulders and squeezes tight.
“I’ll find him, banshee,” he says. It’s strange that he’s offering me comfort when he doesn’t seem to be the type. It’s stiff, but the effort is there. And I appreciate that. “I promise you. And when I do...”
My heart thumps painfully.
“When you do, I hope you kill him. Slowly.”
I can’t believe I just uttered those words. Death is the worst thing I can think of and the one thing I would normally not wish even on my worst enemy. In this case, though, I can’t think of anything I want more than the slow and painful demise of the one who put my friends through such agony.
His grip tightens and his voice is fierce when he answers. “Oh, I will, believe me. I will.”
I’m slightly surprised to find his determination as strong as mine. I wonder why. I’d always imagined there was some kind of loyalty among supernaturals. Then again, technically, I’m a preternatural creature too, and I feel no loyalty toward those who would harm the innocent.
I rest my head against his shoulder.
“Be careful,” I say. I’m not sure why I tell him this. Surely, he knows how to take care of himself? “Your injuries the other night were pretty severe.”
“Thank you.” He pauses and shifts uncomfortably, as though he, too, wasn’t expecting my care. “I appreciate your concern. I know now how fast and strong these rogues are. Even though only one remains—as far as we know—they both displayed more strength than any supe I’ve ever seen, loup or not. It was as if they were being...”
“As if...what?” I scrunch my nose and tilt my head so I can look at him more easily.
“Never mind.” He shakes his head, staring straight ahead at my wall. He seems to be deep in thought. “Put some pants on, Aleah. Your scent is far too enticing.”
Now that sounds like a diversion to me. I keep my head upright so I can glare at him with narrowed eyes, but he just stares back unblinking, with the fake light of innocence giving a hint of green to the usual blue. For the briefest of moments, I forget why I’m staring at him. He’s beautiful.
“My pants are on,” I remind him, after an awkward pause.
He gives me a grin and shrugs. “Then your scent is far too alluring no matter what,” he says. “You continue to be a distraction.”
I decide it’s best not to say anything in return. He’s still prevaricating. Darrie and Gwen were my friends, and if Luc won’t tell me all he knows, I’ll just have to find out for myself another way.
Something evil is going on in the Hatton Grove region, and I’m not four years old anymore. This time, I won’t sit back and watch while wicked things continue to happen to the few people in this world I care about. This time, I’m going to sound a warning in time, and even though my voice is defective as fuck, I’m going to make damn sure everyone who needs to hear my warning, does so in time to save a life.
The only question is, how?
