Immediately, something went around my waist and I was being lifted. I looked over and Lance was holding me up so that Amy could slide a heart monitor around me for the baby. Suddenly, a quick flutter beeped into the air. “Is he okay?” I asked, barely conscious. “Lance … the baby … is he okay?”
“Shush … he’s fine, honey. Hang in there,” Lance said, and then held his wrist up to my lips again. “Drink, Leila. God! I’m begging you, drink! You’ve lost too much blood. You need my blood to heal yourself! Drink!”
“Aaahhhhaaaa!” I moaned, trying to grip my stomach, but I was too weak to raise my arm. This was different than normal labor, I could tell. Everything was too quick and too painful. “Lance?” I asked, between contractions.
“I’m right here, baby! Stay with me,” Lance said, still holding his wrist to my lips as tears filled his eyes. &ld
I rocked slowly back and forth with my son in my arms, feeding him a bottle of formula. He was beautiful with dark blonde, soft curls and bright green eyes, a normal six-month-old baby, even though he was only a few weeks old. Amy said that Jase would be full grown within ten years and I planned to enjoy every moment of it. He would also live a long life. Amy was living proof of it. She was technically sixty-two years old, but didn’t look a day over twenty-five.“Are you ready?” she asked as she walked through the door. She crossed the room and held her arms out to take my son, my Jase. “It’s time.”I handed him to her with a sigh. “If I must.”“Unless you want to give your honeymoon tickets to me,” she teased. “I’ve always wanted to go to Aruba.”“Not on your life,” I said, smoothing my white dress as I rose from the rocker. It wasn’t your typical wedding dres
VOLUME 2: CROSSROADSMy name is Lance Steel. I’m the owner of Caprice Casino and Club Moroii, located on the Las Vegas strip. I’m a husband, a damned good father and I’m also a vampire. I’ve lived many lives over the years, having been turned in the twelfth century … the year 1113 AD, to be exact. I’ve had many loves, but none have touched my heart and very soul like my wife, Leila.Not long ago, I seduced her, a fact I’m not proud of, but not sorry for, either. Her association with me indirectly caused the death of her then husband and wrecked her life. After her life fell apart, I was there to help her pick up the pieces. I’ve had many regrets over the years, but Leila wasn’t one of them. In over nine hundred years of living on this earth, Leila has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me … well … she and our son, Jase.Yes, we have a son. Not long after we met, we
A broad smile spread across my face as I forced the memories from my head. This was the happiest day of my life, and I intended to enjoy it. “After you,” I said, gesturing to him, then I followed him out.Drake was my best man and was also escorting Leila down the aisle, since her own father had passed away from a broken heart after losing her mother to cancer years ago. It was tragic, but very romantic.Kellen smiled and walked through the side door leading into the church, and I followed, taking my place at the altar. Kellen sat beside Crissy, who snuggled into his side. I smiled, glad to see that Kellen had finally found someone. Looking out over the rest of the church, it was filled with our family and friends who had flown here to be with us.The Wedding March started and I adjusted the vest under my tuxedo one last time, more out of habit. I took a deep breath and waited for my bride as I clasped my hands in front of me. This was it; the moment
Then, I crushed my lips down onto hers as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her to my chest. My lips moved passionately with hers, and she took me inside, as my tongue danced with hers before our family and friends. At that moment, there was no one else in the world, just Leila and me.“Ahem,” the minister discreetly cleared his throat a few minutes later, gaining our attention as everyone laughed.I didn’t want this moment to end, but Leila pulled back, and her cheeks filled with a lovely rose as she looked up at me through her long eyelashes, laughing.I pulled back and gave my sweet Leila one last kiss. “This is just the beginning,” I promised.“I’m counting on it,” she said, nestling her head onto my chest just under my shoulder. “I love you.”“Always and forever,” I agreed, then turned her around and we faced our family and friends. The whole church erupted into a roun
As Leila and I played with our son, the bandleader whispered something in Drake’s ear and Drake got up and walked over to me. “It’s time,” he said, touching my arm.Drake stood and raised his hands to silence the crowd as he raised his wine glass. “I’d like to make a toast to my best friends, Leila and Lance Steel. Congratulations on your marriage. May your days be filled with love and happiness. Cheers.” He, along with the crowd, raised their wine glasses and drank, and then he added, “And Lance, don’t keep Leila away from the hospital too long.”The crowd laughed, and I said, “Who says I’m bringing her back?”Everyone laughed again, and Drake laughed as he raised his glass.I nodded and handed our son to Amy, giving him one last sweet kiss. I stood and addressed the crowd. “On behalf of my wife, Leila, and me, I’d like to thank you all for coming and sharing this v
True to my prediction, Leila was asleep within minutes after takeoff from Heathrow International Airport in the United Kingdom. As the sun began to set outside the jet window, I thanked my lucky stars for all of the blessings in my life. I didn’t know what I would do without Leila, Jase, or my friends, Drake and Kellen, just to name a few.I dozed off myself until I felt Jase squirm in my arms. I woke with a jolt and he was rubbing his hands lightly on the sides of my cheeks as he looked into my eyes. His eyes were wise beyond his young age. I wondered what he was thinking at that moment, but knew that at this rate, he would be talking soon.As quietly as I could, I took a bottle from the diaper bag and fed him while Leila slept beside me. After Jase had his fill, he drifted off to sleep again. Eight hours later, the rumble of the plane rang loudly in the cabin as it descended and jolted as it touched down lightly on the runway at Miami International Airport. Joh
We arrived in Aruba early the next morning. I managed to sleep a bit on the flight, along with Leila and Jase, but felt wide awake and refreshed in the early morning sunshine. Before the Werewolf-Vampire War, Leila and Amy had developed a sunlight serum for vampires. I just had to take three injections over three days and, so far, it was enough to block the radiation in sunlight and prevent the radiation poisoning that severely affects vampires.“Leila,” I said, gently shaking her shoulder. “Leila, we’re here.”She smiled and stretched, and then her eyes immediately looked for Jase. “Here. I’ll take him,” she said, reaching for him. “You’ve been holding him all night. Your arms are probably ready to fall off.”I laughed. “I’m a vampire, Leila. He’s as light as a feather to me.” She stood, and I followed, carrying Jase. “Let’s go. I have a surprise for you.&rdquo
“You don’t have to carry me,” Leila whispered, careful not to wake Jase.“As your husband, it’s my job to carry you over the threshold,” I said, nuzzling into her neck. “Besides, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”“As you wish, kind sir,” she teased, pulling my head down to her lips.I laid her down in the middle of the king-sized bed and slid in next to her, leaning over her, careful not to crush her, while never breaking the kiss. She opened her lips and took my tongue inside, swirling her tongue with mine as my hand brushed her long blonde hair away from her beautiful face. She raised her trusting blue eyes to mine, filled with a wonderful combination of lust and love. “You’re so beautiful.”“Make love to me,” she said, arching her back, pushing her breasts to my chest as she slid under my body. “I want you inside of me … now.”&l
LeilaJase started toward me, but Selestra held up her hand, stopping him. โWait!โโSelestra,โ Lance growled, his eyes flaring a brilliant green. โIf you do not release the children now, I will personally tear you to pieces.โโAs a show of good faith, Iโm giving you back the children,โ she replied. โBut Raif is crazed with vengeance. I couldnโt take his abuse anymore, and I left him and took your children with me.โโItโs a lie!โโLance, wait!โ I held my hand up, stopping her. โWhat if sheโs telling the truth?โ Then I turned to Selestra. โSo, give us the children. Once theyโre safe, then weโll talk.โSelestra nodded. โAgreed.โ She motioned for Jase and Addie to go to us, and they both rushed toward me and hugged me.โSheโs alone,โ Addie whispered, keeping her voice so low only I could hear.I nodded once. โJase, Sirena, go home with Raven. weโll talk when we get there.โJase looked between us and said, โBe safe.โLance pulled them both in for a quick hug, making it look good. But he ki
LeilaโI spoke with Kellen,โ Lance said, quickly crossing the room. โHeโs called an emergency and is locking down the castle as we speak. Heโs also agreed to stay with Sirena and Emma, too.โ He let out a deep breath, placing his hands on his hips. โIt may be overkill, but I donโt care. Sirena needs all the protection we can give her.โA moment later, there was a knock on the door.Lance held up his hand to me and quickly crossed the room. He looked through the peephole, opened the door, and extended his hand to Emma. โThanks for this. Iโm so sorry we had to phone you on such short notice.โโNot a problem. Iโm glad to help.โ She walked in dressed in a pair of jeans, a floral shirt, and boots, similar to what I was wearing. I was sure she had come prepared to fight, too.โThank you so much for this.โ I pulled her in for a quick hug. โAfter Kellen locks down the castle, heโll come stay with you.โEmma nodded. โThatโs fine.โ She pointed down the hallway. โIs Sirena in the family room?โI
LeilaโWhat do you mean โtheyโre missing?โโ Lance demanded, taking a step closer.Raven took a deep breath, the most flustered Iโd ever seen her. โAfter dinner, they were dismissed and were in their common rooms. One of the other students said that Jase got a call... from you.โ Her head snapped up toward me. โSo, he stepped out into the hallway with Addie and never came back in.โโFrom me?โ I asked in disbelief, shaking my head. โIt wasnโt me.โโWell, the student said your number popped up on his phone.โ Raven shook her head. โIโm so sorryโโโWho was the student?โ I asked.Raven let out a deep breath. โKian Medine. The Medine family is important in the witch community and very trustworthy.โI nodded. โCan you do a locator spell on him like you did last time?โโThatโs what I planned to do.โ She looked into Lanceโs eyes. โI knew you would want to be present.โLance nodded. โThank you.โ He gritted his teeth. โIf Raif and Selestra have them, there will be no place they can hide. Iโll tear
LeilaI nodded. โI know you will.โ I rose to my feet and pulled her in for a hug. โMy husband and I will discuss this and will get back to you. Thank you for coming.โโWould you like to meet our daughter before you go?โ Lance asked.Emma nodded. โYes, please.โ Her eyes brightened. It was clear that she loved children.I nodded. Whether or not we hired her, what harm could it do to introduce Emma to Sirena? โRight this way.โI walked down the hallway, and Emma walked beside me as Lance followed behind. When we entered the family room, Sirena was playing Chess alone, switching seats at each turn. It was the funniest thing Iโd ever seen. Then guilt filled my chest for not having anyone her age to occupy her. โSirena, honey, Iโd like you to meet someone.โSirena looked up and smiled, her game forgotten as she crossed the room purposefully toward Emma and thrust out her hand. โHello. My name is Sirena. Whatโs your name?โโMy name is Emma.โ She tilted her head to the side, smiling. So, you
LeilaEmma sat on the edge of her seat and smiled, folding her arms on her lap. โMy name is Emma Fitzroy.โ She had the type of British accent that I could listen to all day.Lanceโs head snapped up, a crease between his eyes. โFitzroy? As in โthe bastard son of a king?โโโLance!โ I scoffed, unable to believe what he had just said.โPlease, pardon me, both of you.โ Lance looked over at me and smiled. โThe word was more commonly used in our time. Please, forgive me.โI nodded cautiously. โItโs okay.โBut Emma smiled, unaffected. โItโs okay. I used to hear it all the time years ago. But not many people know the meaning or connotation today.โLance nodded. โSo, who was your father?โShe let out a deep breath. โMy father was King Henry I, and I am one of his illegitimate children.โMy eyes nearly bugged out of my head, but miraculously, I maintained my composure. โCould you explain that to us? I mean, how did you come to be in our coven?โShe nodded. โI was born the twenty-sixth of June, i
LeilaLance let out a deep breath. โAfter hearing everything, the Council agreed with my reasoning. They couldnโt believe all the threats Raif had leveled against you and the children, and they agreed that if he defeated me, he would also take over the Council, the vampire world, and the rest of the supernatural creatures. When I told them he wanted to be king, they agreed that we canโt let that happen.โโWell, letโs eat, and then you can take a shower before Emma gets here.โ I made a sandwich out of a biscuit, an egg, and a slice of bacon.Lance laughed. โWhat are you doing?โโI used to do this all the time when I was human.โ I picked it up and took a bite. โYou should try it! Itโs good!โโCan I have some?โ Sirena asked, looking at my biscuit sandwich with curiosity.โSure!โ I slid her onto my lap and made her a sandwich with the other biscuit, egg, and bacon. Lance got up and made another one for me and warmed up a bag of blood for her.โHere you go!โ I handed her the biscuit sandw
LeilaLance raised up and kissed my shoulder, smiling as he laced his fingers through my hair. โWhy donโt you shower, and Iโll fix the coffee?โ He traced lazy circles over my body, raising my nipples to peaks and sending chills over my body. โI would take a shower with you, but Sirena will be up in a few minutes, and her seeing her mommy and daddy naked may cause unnecessary trauma.โ He chuckled. โItโll cost me a fortune in therapy for the rest of her life.โI laughed, running my fingers through his dark brown wavy hair. โWe really need to find her a nanny.โHe laughed. โYes, we do.โ Then his lips descended upon mine in a passionate kiss as my tongue swiped over his, all heat and desire. He pulled back a moment later and gave me one last sweet kiss. Then he slid out of bed and slipped into his sleeping shorts and a white T-shirt.โAhh,โ I moaned, reaching for him. โCome back to bed.โHe chuckled, one corner of his lips curling into a sexy smile. โYou donโt know how tempting that is.โ
LanceI nodded. โSo, what say you? I will poll each of you. An answer of Yay will be in favor of banning together to fight. An answer of Nay will be against.โ I looked around the room. โXander.โโYay.โI nodded. โDrake.โโYay.โโAnnette.โโIf he would go so far as to threaten you and your family and then take over the Council, then my answer is Yay,โ she replied.I nodded. โFelicia.โShe let out a deep breath, a crease forming between her eyes. It was clear that she was not making her decision lightly. โYay.โโSo, itโs unanimous. We will stand and fight. I appreciate your support.โ I placed my hands on the table as I leaned forward. โIโll coordinate with you and will let you know when we plan to attack. But as of this moment, we are at war with Raif Cavanaugh, Leader of the East Coven.โ I let out a deep breath. โI asked Chef Faustino to prepare a special buffet for you. So, please. Enjoy.โ I motioned toward the buffet lined up against the wall, filled with all sorts of delicacies incl
LanceLeila and I went through several applicants for Sirenaโs nanny but didnโt find anyone suitable. The successful applicant needed to be a vampire with fighting skills, capable of protecting Sirena during a crisis. He or she would also have to have good nanny and child nurturing skills. Not an easy combination to find in one person.โSo, did you have any luck finding a nanny for Sirena?โ A smile spread across Kellenโs face as we headed toward the main conference room for the meeting with the Supernatural Council, consisting of the heads of all the covens and packs in Las Vegas.I scoffed. โNo. Not yet. Itโs proving to be as difficult as it was to find a nanny and protector for Jase.โKellen nodded, stopping just outside the door. โI think I may have a solution for you.โโOh?โ My eyebrows shot up.โI know a young woman that reminds me a lot of Addie, but she was a little older when she was turned.โโHow old was she?โโEighteen,โ he replied. โI think Addie was sixteen when she was tu