Kira stood in the middle of the cabin with a look of sadness. Aware of her every move and mood, Edwin was quick to ask her what was wrong.
“I am reminded of home,” she practically choked out. “When I crept from the house before all were awake, it was with the intention of retrieving the cloth my aunt shipped from my homeland. It was my plan to surprise mother with a new dress. Little did I know I would never set eyes on her again.”
“That’s horrible,” Edwin said in a hushed, emotional tone. “I’m so sorry.”
“Ye are not bothered that I am a vampire?” she asked in a soft, gentle voice as she stepped nearer to him. “I am a danger to thee.”
He’d been so engrossed in her natural beauty and the way she made him feel complete whenever they were in close proximity that he’d forgotten the fact that she was also a vampire; a reputed predator and danger to manki
Edwin stopped short when he entered the kitchen, which was the one surviving room in the house that wasn’t a bedroom, and saw Kira standing next to the chair that Claus was seated in. Behind her stood Agatha. He gave them a curious look as he willed his legs to move forward. Could it be that she’d decided to be with Claus instead of him? Was he facing the vampire leader for no reason?A wooden chair was set not far from Claus. He motioned for Edwin to sit in it.“It has been a long night of surprises,” Claus said as he watched Edwin settle into the chair with the poise of a proud tribal chief he once knew. “It isn’t often that we leave a man for dead only to have him reappear a vampire. There is the need for blood upon awakening which is normally provided by the maker. How did you manage?”Edwin shrugged, “I awoke to two wolves fighting over me.”“You killed th
The skies were clear, yet it sounded like thunder up ahead as Edwin carefully made his way through the forest. Ebenezer had already warned him of the battle that ensued at Claus’ estate between his good, and Malcolm’s evil, vampires. He’d also explained that it was because Claus assumed the role as Kira’s mate and protector that his home was under attack. Malcolm was determined to get Kira back. He’d been searching for far too long to let her bonding with another vampire stop him from finally having her. He was her maker. It was his right. Vampire law be damned.Mixed emotions flooded him as he listened to his ghostly grandfather explain how Kira agreed to bond and mate with Claus if he promised to rescue him from Malcolm’s evil clutches. The old ghost was careful to be clear on the fact that Claus coveted Kira and would expect her to honor her promise to him even if Edwin showed up a vampire instead of a
Kira paced the large kitchen as she watched Agatha pour boiling water over the herbs she’d just combined and crushed in her mortar.“This will put a shield around the babe, should anything go wrong and they capture ye,” Agatha said as she covered the pot to let the brew steep.“Malcolm frightens I,” Kira said.“His evilness knows no boundaries,” Agatha said with a slow shake of her head, “and ‘tis me, not I. Malcolm frightens me.”“Does it really matter at this point?” Kira complained. “I was trying to correct my speech for Edwin. Now…”“You still have to mingle with the world,” Agatha scolded. “’Twould be good to correct it as best as you can. ‘Twouldn’t do to attract undue attention to thyself.”“I suppose you are right,” Kira said with a heavy sigh. “I must go on.&nb
His body ached from head to toe and he was cold; so very, very cold. Edwin tried to sit up, but the effort was overwhelming. Something heavy was on his chest, holding him down.It was dark, so very dark. Too dark to see even though his eyes were opened wide. He could hear breathing close by. He felt a tickling sensation as a moist nose rapidly sniffed up and down his body. A sudden jolt took him by surprise. His arms frantically flailed around him as he tried to find an inanimate object to secure him in place as whatever had sniffed him tried to drag him by the pant leg through the snow.With every waking moment, he grew more and more aware of his body and surroundings. It was as if he’d left it and was now making a slow reconnection.A low snarl alerted him to the fact that the animal that was dragging him had met up with another animal that coveted him. As fascinating as it would have been to watch the batt
Claus entered the estate house and immediately headed for the bedroom. He smiled with satisfaction when he saw Kira sleeping in the same position he’d left her in. Her cooperation would serve to better the chances of an impregnation. He gently tugged the pillow out from beneath her hips and adjusted the bedding to make her more comfortable.Kira was actually awake, but was unable to face Claus at the moment. Even though she’d suspected it, Agatha’s confirmation that she carried Edwin’s child rocked her world upside down. She knew little about Claus, but she guessed that he would be one angry vampire to discover the child in her womb wasn’t his. That’s why she stayed for him to find her perched on the pillow like that. She hoped it would remove any doubts or speculation as to the father of her child once it was born.He lightly kissed her forehead and his deep, husky voice whispered, “Sleep my beaut
Agatha waited until the rescue party left before she slipped into the bedroom to check on Kira. She found her lying on her back with a pillow beneath her hips while silently weeping.“I know, now, that my body does not need to be in love to enjoy coupling,” she said with a voice filled with shame.“I understand,” Agatha said knowingly. “Do not let it upset you like I let it upset me after I coupled with Marc. Just be thankful Edwin was not here to witness it.”“How you must have felt,” Kira said sympathetically.“You? Ye said you?” Agatha giggled.“I am trying,” Kira said with a wan smile.“He has you on the pillow to assure his seed takes,” Agatha observed. “He is surprisingly knowledgeable of these things.”“He said that once a male impregnates a female during the bonding ritual, the bond cannot be brok