Fortunately for Vail, it seemed his guess about his injury had been right. When he woke up the next night, the burns on his shoulder had already healed over with fresh, pink skin, and they no longer pained him enough to be of any concern. He was glad he hadn’t gotten shot again. A graze of silver over his coat had been nothing compared to the ordeal of removing a bullet from his flesh. The recovery was much more bearable too. As long as he didn’t chafe the tender area, he would be able to function normally by tomorrow.

Climbing down from his bed, he cleaned himself up and got dressed. Now that he’d had some proper sleep, he had to consider what he was going to do about Victoria Crest. Everything was up in the air after what had happened last night, and he was no longer sure if she was worthy of his trust. Seeing her with that Saint had threaded strands of doubt in his perception of her. As much as he wanted to believe she had been innocent in the plot, he couldn’t be too careful. The fact of the matter was that she had been present when two separate members of the Order had attacked him.

But she had helped him escape both times too.

Vail groaned, collapsing on the chaise lounge in his room and throwing his arm over his face in frustration. Distantly, he heard a knock on the front door of the manor, but he didn’t bother getting up to answer it. Considering the late hour, it was probably just another refugee seeking sanctuary from the Order. His father would handle it.

Currently, his thoughts were plagued with unsated questions and decisions about Victoria. Despite what had happened, he couldn’t deny that there was a part of him that wanted to continue their contract. He lusted after the taste of her blood; he craved to hear her the pleasure in her voice; he longed to smell the sweetness of her pheromones. She made him as drunk as fine wine, and he soaked in every second of it. Even if it was risky, he knew he was going to be drawn to seek her out again. The only problem was that he no longer knew how to get ahold of her.

His judgement may have been clouded by addiction, but he wasn’t a fool. He knew the Saint who had attacked him wouldn’t give up after just one failed attempt. He probably had something else planned, another trap baited and set, just lying in wait for the vampire to stumble into its snares. If he wanted to feed on Victoria’s blood again, he was going to have to outfox the cursed man who was guarding her. He sighed. It looked like he was going to have to come up with yet another plan.

Suddenly, another knock interrupted his thoughts. This one was louder, on his own bedroom door. It sounded urgent too.

Vail sat up on the chaise, wondering who needed him this time. “Yes?” he called. Since he hadn’t bothered to light any lanterns tonight, he decided to let the person on the other side know he was already awake.

There wasn’t even a pause before the door opened, and Peter marched inside. His jaw was set in irritation, and he knitted his brows as his gaze fell on his son. He was upset about something, but Vail didn’t need to ponder over what before his father asked him point blank: “What have you been doing with Alexander’s daughter?”

The younger Hygrace bit down on his tongue to keep himself from blanching. “What are you talking about?” he asked, feigning confusion though his mind was reeling. How had Peter found out about them? He wasn’t even going out tonight. There shouldn’t have been anything to tip him off.

His father narrowed his eyes. “Don’t play dumb, Vail,” he growled. To his son’s further bewilderment, he held up an envelope. “A messenger just delivered this for a Lord Griffiths. You told me that was the name you gave Lady Crest when you met her.”

Vail flinched this time, telling Peter everything he needed to know.

“What are you thinking?” the head of the Hygraces raised his voice, struggling to contain his anger. “I warned you about this! You know we aren’t to touch any member or the Crest family. If anyone else in the Order finds out, they’ll kill you.” He stopped abruptly, his glare sharpening as he seemed to make a new connection. “Is this why you were shot before?”

Vail hesitated before he gave a reluctant nod.

“I don’t believe this,” Peter raked his hands through his hair. “You’re supposed to be the next head of this family, Vail, but I’m beginning to wonder if you’re mature enough to handle that responsibility. To do something so… so asinine! What on earth could have possibly possessed you to think this was a good idea?”

“Why are you still so hellbent on complying with the Order at all?” Vail snapped abruptly, standing up from the lounge. “You said it yourself: They haven’t been upholding their end of the deal anymore. Why should they expect us to turn a blind eye to them when they’ll just shoot us in the other?” He averted his gaze. “I know you want to follow in uncle’s footsteps, but I think you’re taking this treaty too far, father.”

Peter fell quiet, seeming to consider his words. However, his glare returned in the next moment. “And how will getting involved with the Crest heiress solve that?” he asked in a dangerously quiet tone.

Vail shifted his weight. “We’ve… formed our own treaty,” he said, picking his words carefully. “Just like you did with her father. She’s been getting more involved with the Order since Alexander’s death, and I believe she’ll be a valuable ally once she rises in their ranks.”

That was complete bullshit. Really, all he wanted was to keep feeding on her blood, but he needed to give a better excuse than that if he wanted to hang onto any sliver of a chance of seeing her again. Luckily, the reason he gave seemed to satisfy his father’s paranoia.

Peter pursed his lips, “Are you sure she’s trustworthy?”

“Absolutely,” Vail nodded again. Another bullshit lie. He was less certain about Victoria’s loyalties than ever before after she’d nearly gotten him killed in the Saint’s trap last night. However, the thought of never seeing her again was enough for the deceit to flow off his tongue like honey.

His father paused again, considering. “Alright,” he finally sighed. “I don’t like it, but you’re right. The Order isn’t what it used to be. If you’re certain the Crest girl can help us, then I won’t stop you.” He held out the letter. “Here. I believe she wants you to meet with her.”

Vail felt his shoulders fall with relief. Though he was a little guilt-ridden for lying to Peter’s face so easily, he was glad he would be able to keep meeting with Victoria. He reached out to take the envelope, but his father pulled it out of reach.

“Just one more word of advice,” the older Hygrace said slowly. “I’ve heard that Alexander’s daughter is quite an attractive woman… Don’t let yourself be charmed by her beauty.” He held out the letter again. “Falling for a human is a dangerous game, Vail. You would be wise to guard your heart.”

Vail bit his lip. “I know,” he murmured, taking the envelope from his father’s hand. It was the same warning he’d been repeating to himself since the day he made his pact with her. “Our relationship is strictly business.”

Another lie? He wasn’t sure this time.

“Good,” Peter stepped back over to the door. “Just make sure it stays that way.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving his son to prepare for the walk alone.

--

A couple hours after their conversation, Vail found himself heading through the dark streets of London once again. He adjusted his coat to better warm him against the chill wind, curious to find out what would happen when he faced Victoria tonight. His guard was raised higher than usual as he traveled to The Shire—the inn that had been outlined in the letter his father had given to him—and he frequently glanced over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t being followed.

Despite the confidence he’d portrayed to Peter, he had no idea if it was a good idea for him to follow these instructions or not. The fact that he’d been addressed as Griffiths meant the message had come from Lady Crest in some fashion, but he still didn’t know if she was on his side or the Order’s. There was a chance she was trying to lead him into another trap, and for that reason, he would not let her catch him unawares. He’d brought his pistol. If he arrived in another room with a Saint, he knew he had the faster draw.

After a while of walking, Vail arrived at the inn. From the outside, it looked harmless enough, and he couldn’t smell silver in the air. If there was any, it had to have been a small amount. He stepped inside, relieved to escape the cold.

Right away, the barmaid picked him out. “Lord Griffiths?” she queried, looking him over as he closed the door. It was a reasonable enough assumption that no one else would have stopped by this late aside from the man she’d been told to wait for.

“That’s right,” Vail confirmed, striding over to the bar. Even from the front of the building, he could detect a trace of Victoria’s pheromones. She was nearby. “I take it you were expecting me?”

“Yes,” the barmaid’s eyes swept down and up as she ogled him rather indiscreetly. He could tell his pheromones were affecting her in their close proximity. If he had been hunting, she would have been easy prey. She went on, “Your wife told me you were coming. She’s waiting just upstairs in room two.”

Wife? Vail blinked.

“Thank you,” he dipped his head to her politely, deciding it was safer not to question it. With a location now, he made his way up to the designated room and stopped outside the door. From what he could sense, it seemed Victoria was alone on the other side. However, she’d been alone when he’d found her in the basement of the Saint’s house too. He proceeded cautiously.

Not bothering to knock, he stepped into the room, his light eyes roving over the small space in a thorough check for anything that could be part of a trap. It appeared innocent enough. He closed the door, but continued to linger by the exit, just in case he needed to make a quick escape.

“Care to explain what happened last night?” he asked with a hint of dryness as his gaze landed on Victoria. At the very least, he wanted answers from her. How she responded would tell him quite a bit about her involvement in the Saint’s plan too. If she was dodgy, he would know for sure that she was on the Order’s side. He remained quiet as he awaited her reply.

Hearing footsteps near the door, she turned to it, fully expecting Vail to burst in and attack her in some sort of pre-emptive strike. Although he did not, he remained cautiously distant and near the door. She could not blame the man for being suspicious. It would look that way to her too if she were in his shoes. “Vail..” she stood from the chair, keeping her cloak covered around her by holding it together. Her eyes were weary, full of concern and innocent.

“Are you alright…?” She asked him as guilt plagued her expression. She felt like crying but she fought back her tears. She didn’t meant for any of this to happen. “I..I am so sorry about last night…I was careless…I slipped up somehow and Gerald…he found out.” She didn’t even know where to begin to explain. “Gerald is…my father’s former comrade in The Order. I was looking for him the day before as usual, to find out what he knew about him. He found me instead. Before I knew it, he’d knocked me unconscious and I woke in that basement!” She shook her head in disbelief, she didn’t even know what happened there. She wasn’t being careful enough.

Victoria sighed and gazed down with a heavy heart. “He is very protective of me…to the point he’s keeping me under lock and key. Another Saint, Ray, helped me escape the manor tonight. I think there is something going on between The Order and the Wynters. Gerald knows about Spencer, yet he hasn’t done anything about him. And Ray told me I wasn’t safe there, he knows something is very wrong within the organisation since my father’s death.” It was all too much of a coincidence.

“I realise that…I’ve nearly been the cause of your death twice now…and I wouldn’t trust me either. That’s why I gave you the chance to back out of our deal. I’m a huge risk for you.” He knew it wasn’t going to be that easy, surely? He did say she was worth it, god only knows why. “But I had nothing to do with that trap he set for you. I begged and begged him not to hurt you or your family. They aren’t safe either now…all because of me…” She turned her back to Vail and sniffled, she didn’t want anyone dying because of her. She was only a burden, a nightmare.

At least Vail could be certain now that Victoria had had nothing to do with the Saint who had attacked him yesterday. As soon as she responded with his wellbeing at the forefront of her mind, he relaxed. She must have arranged this meeting to clear the air between them. That meant he didn’t have to worry about being ambushed again—well, not as much. There was always still a chance of a hunter tracking them down without her knowledge. He continued to pay subtle attention to the scents in the room, just in case anything changed.

As she went on to explain that the man who’d tried to trap him was the same man she’d been searching for, he raised a brow. He found it strange that a man who was “protective” of her would hit her over the head and then proceed to use her as bait to catch a demon. Personally, he didn’t buy it. Gerald seemed like the type to put his own agenda ahead of everyone else, so there was probably a different reason as to why he’d treated her the way he had.

His suspicion was confirmed when Victoria said the Saint who had helped her escape believed there was something sinister going on between the Order and the Wynters. Now it was all starting to make sense. If Gerald was on their side, then of course he wouldn’t allow another vampire to have his way with the Lady before she married Spencer.

Although he’d figured that much out, he did have to wonder how the rival clan had weaseled their way into an organization that killed their kind for a living. Just the thought of it was bewildering to him. The Hygraces had been cooperating with the Saints for far longer, yet they still conflicted with the hunters often. How had a clan as bloodthirsty as the Wynters been accepted into their ranks? He couldn’t fathom a reason why.

Vail was drawn from his thoughts as Victoria spoke again in a more defeated voice. He studied her quietly when she brought up the fact that his involvement with her had become a risk to his safety. It was true. In the two centuries he’d lived thus far, he’d never found himself in more danger than when he’d begun to associate with the Crest heiress. It was to be expected though. He’d known what he was getting into from the start—maybe not to the full extent, but he’d still had an idea of it. After all, she was Alexander’s daughter and the fiancée of one of his long-time enemies. If they had gone about their business without a single problem, he would have been far more shocked.

Hearing Victoria sniffle, Vail averted his gaze. He knew it was a bad idea to empathize with his prey, but he couldn’t stop the pang of sadness that twisted his stomach upon knowing how upset she was. He didn’t want her to blame herself for everything that had happened. They had both agreed to the deal. It didn’t matter if she was the catalyst. He was just as much at fault for accepting her offer. He opened his mouth to say so, but then closed it again as his father’s words echoed inside his head: You would be wise to guard your heart.

He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly realizing that his attachment to her might have begun to run deeper than his addiction to her blood. Just the fact that he couldn’t bear to see her upset was proof enough of that. He pursed his lips, feeling tugged in two directions. While he knew in his head that it was dangerous for him to get close to her, his heart didn’t want to do anything but. It was too late. He’d already let her in too far.

Abandoning his station by the door, Vail stepped up behind Victoria and wrapped his arms around her middle in an attempt to comfort her. “I know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” he murmured, looking away from her as he spoke. He wasn’t used to getting so close to a Lady without the motive of feeding on her. “And I’m not going to end our deal… especially now that I know the Order wants you to marry a Wynter. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it. We need to get rid of him before whatever they’re planning comes to pass.”

Victoria suddenly felt his arm wrap around her waist. Why would he want to comfort his prey? He was only here to feed and she honour their deal so that he would honour his end of the bargain. It was strictly business. Or so she had thought. She shivered slightly within his embrace. Even just this closeness, sent her pheromones raging like wildfire. Her heart sped up and her lungs increased their intake of air. He may have said he knew that she didn’t mean for any of it to happen but she felt guilty nonetheless. If it weren’t for her, Vail would be safe, his family would remain unharmed.

She took his hand lightly with hers and grasped it, he would notice she was shaking, not from fear but from her state of mental distress and the fact he made her knees go weak whenever he touched her. She was glad he wanted to keep their pact and even had further resolve to kill Lord Spencer now. She didn’t know what was going on either and she liked it even less since she was the one everyone seemed to want to get at. Did they conspire against Alex? Did they get rid of him to get to her? All they ever wanted was her, her blood, her wealth. She had never felt more alone despite Vail was here now pledging that he would help her plan.

“I appreciate that you still wish to get rid of him…but he’s going to find out about this and he will kill you, Vail…” And then who would she have? She fought back her tears. “And let’s not pretend that the only reason you want him dead is so that you can have my blood. That’s all anyone wants from me...my blood and my money.” She pulled out of his arm’s grasp and walked a couple of paces toward the fireplace. Since Spencer already wanted both, The Order probably the latter. All she ever felt now was used. And abused.

She stared at the flickering flames for a moment. She didn’t see how they could kill Spencer between them, even with Ray’s help. There were too many Wynters and too many Saints. There was nowhere left to run, nowhere left to hide. Her days were limited, for sure. She’d be lucky to see her next birthday. “So just…do what you came here to do and get it over with. I have to be back by dawn…” She revealed gloomily, then she unclasped her cloak and let it drop to the floor, revealing her naked form in all her glory. Her natural curvature of the hourglass figure, her silky-smooth skin that glistened in the firelight, her soft eyes that twinkled in the fire’s wake. He could have any pick of a spot to feed upon, there was nothing restricting him. As she had teasingly suggested the last time she could wear less, this was her promise. “This may be the last time you can feed on me so easily…I don’t know if I’ll be able to sneak away again, or when I’ll be able to.” She kept her gaze away from his eyes because if she looked upon them, she may just shatter into a thousand pieces. For he was a man she could never have. He was a vampire. He could never love her, a human…

Vail could feel Victoria tremble as he held her in his arms. He was unsure if his effort to comfort her was helping or not, but he remained where he was regardless. Even if she didn’t feel better because of it, he also enjoyed the warmth of her body and the smell of her perfume up close. He leaned a little closer to her involuntarily, drawn by the pleasure she brought to his senses. Though what he wanted most was her blood, these other aspects of their meeting were appealing to him too. Just being around her was satisfying, and her presence was becoming relaxing instead of unpleasant as it had been before.

As Victoria tried to warn him away again, Vail exhaled. She seemed determined to convince him that he was making a mistake by helping her, but in his opinion, it was far too late to change course. He’d already broken the truce between the Crests and the Hygraces by feeding on her the first time. If he was to be killed for anything, that event was already the nail in his coffin. Besides that, he was truly concerned about what the Wynters were doing with the Order. The rival clan had tried to massacre his family once before, and he wouldn’t put it past them to try again. Now that they were collaborating with Saints, he was rather sure that the Hygraces were in danger whether he had ruined the pact or not.

At her following comment that he was only interested in her blood, Vail felt a bit stung. Their deal had started out that way, certainly, but it was becoming more than that to him. The more they met together, the more attracted he was to the thought of being around her—not just as prey, but as someone whose company he genuinely enjoyed. Somehow, knowing that she thought he just saw her as a piece of meat made him upset.

When Victoria pulled away from him, Vail watched her approach the fireplace without moving from where he stood. He could sense her dejection in the way she moved and spoke. She was obviously struggling with the position she had been put in by everyone else around her. It was only natural. From the conversations they’d had, it sounded like she’d had a good life before her father died. Now, she was being pushed and pulled between three warring groups that all wanted her for themselves. It wasn’t an easy position for anyone to be forced into.

He was just considering what to say to her when his thoughts suddenly derailed as she removed her cloak to reveal that she hadn’t been wearing anything underneath. His eyes swept over her bare figure, entranced by the sight. She really was a beautiful woman. He ran his tongue hungrily across his fangs. He was tempted to do as she said and feed on her while he had the chance. Just thinking about being able to have her however he wanted made his mouth water.

With his gaze still fixed on her body, Vail stepped over to the fireplace and circled around to stop in front of her. The faint aroma of her blood from the most recent bite made his heartbeat increase. However, instead of searching her for a fleshy place to feed, he rested his hands softly on her hips, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. “You’re so tormented by them,” he said quietly, observing the anguish in her features. “Why go back at all? What good will come from letting them keep you caged up in your room?”

The intoxicating smell of her close-up pheromones muddled his thoughts, but he still wanted to get his point across. The Order was bullying too many people. Their reign of terror needed to be brought to an end. “I don’t think you should stop fighting just because there are more of them,” he insisted, bringing one hand up to the back of her neck to keep her fixed on him as he spoke. “If they’ll just lock you up until you’re forced to marry Spencer, don’t go.”

When Vail neared, she tried to keep her gaze on the fireplace. The closer he got, the more nervous she felt, she knew he could sense everything about her. How fast her heart raced when she neared him, when he touched her. She could not hide anything from the vampire. What surprised her next was that he stopped in front of her and instead of searching for an ideal location from which to feed upon, he merely held her hips gently and his eyes met with hers. It was if he were studying her every feature.

She listened to his words, they werent out of dryness or sarcasm or even condescending. They were of genuine curiosity borne out of concern of her situation. Did that mean Vail really did care about her welfare more than just having access to her blood? He noticed her torment and instead of ignoring it, he challenged it, asked her why continue to let them torment her? He asked her why she should even return to that predicament, it wasn’t that simple, she was in too deep now already without even realising. Maybe even before her father died.

As he brought a hand to the back of her neck, she almost lost balance. Being so close to his charismatic vampiric charms held their power over her still. She was not immune to his aura. It served its purpose in that it forced her to look at him, she couldn’t escape his gaze. In that moment, she was rendered speechless and time itself seemed to slow down. Her eyes glinted in the firelight as she looked at his hazel pearls. After slowly hearing his second reiteration about not going back at all.

“I have to…they could…kill my mother. They could go after your family…they have leverage.” She had no idea the extent of Vail’s feelings toward her. She thought to him she was only prey, something to feed on and enjoy like a fine wine. It wasn’t if she could just walk away from him but she did avert her eyes to elsewhere. “Besides, I have nowhere to run. They will find me.” They had Saints everywhere, even in the farthest reaches of the Scottish Highlands. She had read of that in her father’s journals.

It was nice he showed some care for her awkward situation. He even told her that he didn’t think she should stop fighting if she were outnumbered. Did he think she were that skilled to fight the Wynters and The Order? She was alone in this fight. The Hygraces wanted nothing to do with either party and keep in hiding, as it was in their best interest to do so. Even if Vail did not, that only made two against a good many Saints and Wynters. Even if they had Ray’s assistance, it still wouldn’t be enough to beat them. But she could rally the honourable saints against The Order…it would be a challenge, but doable.

She sighed softly at Vail contemplating his words further. She then dared to ask, fearful of the answer he might give would hurt her feelings she had inadvertently developed for him. “..Are you actually concerned about my safety or…worried you won’t get to drink my blood anymore?” She had to know his true intentions, she could not just keep assuming the worst. She wanted his honesty.

At first, Vail was surprised when Victoria told him that the Order might go after her mother if she ran away. He had thought the Saints had at least something of a moral compass when it came to handling their own kind, since they boasted about being a group comprised of chivalrous gentlemen. It seemed he had been wrong. But, then again, he supposed it made sense that they would stoop to such despicable levels if they were willing to negotiate with the Wynters. The rival clan had never been above using blackmail and threats to get what they wanted. Perhaps their dark ways had rubbed off on the hunters.

As she mentioned the peril of his family again, he shook his head. “If the Order is working with Spencer and the rest of them, they’re going to come after us anyway,” he explained. “The Wynters have always hated us. At this point, I don’t think there’s any way for us to stay out of this mess.” Truthfully, he was glad he’d found out about the collaboration between the other vampires and the hunters before the Hygraces were attacked. After all, he was certain it was only a matter of time now. He would have to warn his father to be on alert for any Saints around the manor, so they wouldn’t be caught off guard if or when the strike happened.

When Victoria said she didn’t have anywhere to run, Vail frowned contemplatively. Unsure how the Order tracked anyone down—since his technique of hunting by scent worked so well, he’d never bothered to investigate how humans accomplished the same thing—he couldn’t tell if she was right that they would find her. She seemed to know what she was talking about though.

He might have offered to help her hide from them, but he knew that would only bring its own problems. If he tried to bring her back to his family’s manor the rest of the Hygraces would know she was there immediately. Even if by some miracle his father allowed her to stay, the Order might send the Wynters to look for the Lady if they were unable to locate her. There was no concealing her scent from Spencer. It was too dangerous to even try, so he didn’t bother bringing up the suggestion.

Suddenly, he was distracted when Victoria asked him about his motives. The bluntness of her question took him by surprise, and he stared at her for a moment before he chuckled, showing the points of his fangs in a grin. “You really want to know?” he asked, studying her amusedly. He’d never met a woman who was unafraid to press him to admit his thoughts to her before. Her directness was refreshing, a pleasant change from the boundaries most people set. Although… His eyes swept over her supple, naked body as she stood in front of him. He supposed any expectation of boundaries between them had gone out the window long ago.

“A little of both but more of the first,” Vail confessed, looking up again to meet her blue eyes. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t care about losing access to your blood. However, I hate seeing you look like this even more.” He traced the curve of her hips with his fingers as he spoke, absentmindedly following her body’s shapely contours. “The Victoria I met was confident and full of life, beautiful in every sense of the word. It would sadden me to see her be turned into a shell of her former self by a group of men who have no right to dictate her fate.”

He simpered at her, “A woman as capable and intelligent as you deserves much more than that, My Lady.”

On some level Vail was right, it was only a matter of time before the Wynters attacked the Hygrace clan as well. The way he mentioned the word ‘us’ made her feel not so alone in this endeavour. She surmised they were both in this together after forming this dangerous pact. She knew it was dangerous, yet she did it anyway. However, it seemed it formed a sort of alliance between the two. Perhaps even a bond.

Her question seemed to take him aback with some surprise. This amused her seeing his toothy grin. Whenever he flashed his rare smile at her, she liked it. It suited him rather nicely. It softened his features. And the way his eyes swept up and down her visage, caused her to tremble with excitement. As he reclaimed her gaze to explain his standing, she smiled up at him, water welling up in her tears. The way he spoke to her like he actually valued her as a person. It touched her deeply.

“You..think that highly of me?” She never knew a vampire could think that way about a human. Weren’t they looked down upon as inferior to them? As his finger traced the curve of her hip, she bit her lower lip and clenched her fists to stop herself from feeling faint from the sensation. He made her feel such things nobody ever had. She did exhale rather deeply as he complimented her further and said she was smart and capable who deserved more than what life had dealt her. She really didn’t feel she deserved much better than fate’s hand, this was the life she was born into.

“Then…what do I deserve, Lord Griffiths?” She couldn’t stop her hand from reaching up to his chest to rest on it. It felt firm and toned. She began to feel the chill against her skin. If he wasn’t going to feed, she would have to grab her cloak or get into the fireplace. “A lifetime of servitude to you instead of a Wynter?” It didn’t matter who fed on her blood, her fate was the same. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was actually coming to care about her predator.

It seemed to Vail that his words had gone over well with Victoria. He was pleased that she was joyful about his thoughts toward her, since he’d spoken the truth. From the encounters they’d had thus far, he really did believe she was something special. She showed more courage and wit than most of the women he’d met, and even though he could tell she was feeling cornered, she hadn’t rolled over to her abusers yet. Just the fact that she’d snuck out to meet with him here tonight was proof enough of that. There was a fire in the Crest heiress that was different than most humans. It was part of the reason why he was so entranced by her.

When she brought her hand up to rest against his chest, he felt compelled to draw her closer. Her breath warmed the air around them as she asked what he thought she deserved, and he considered her question. The query she tacked on the end of it nearly made him wrinkle his nose. He considered their relationship more quid pro quo than what Lord Spencer had been after. It was true that he was using her for her blood and had no intention of stopping, but he was also pledging his aid to her in return. He didn’t know of any masters who would be so generous with their servants.

“For a start,” he shrugged in admittance, deciding not to debate over it. In the next moment, a sly smile crossed his lip, and he trailed his hands sensuously up the sides of her torso and around to her shoulder blades. “Although I think you prefer being mine,” he whispered in her ear.

Close enough to her now that he could feel the heat from her body against his skin, Vail found himself tempted yet again to sink his fangs into her warm flesh. She had gone out of her way to give him easy access, and neither one of them knew when they would be able to meet again… He could feel the saliva build up in his mouth. Now that she wasn’t so glum, he saw no reason to put it off any longer.

“In fact, I think I’d like to have you right now, Lady Griffiths,” he teased, recalling what the barmaid had said to him earlier. Reaching for the dainty hand she had placed on his chest, he lifted it to his lips to plant a fleeting kiss before giving her a gentle tug toward the bed.

Victoria shuddered as Vail trailed his hands slowly and sensuously up her waist and to her shoulder blades, his hands were not overly warm but not cold to the touch as she presumed a vampire would be. Perhaps there was some sense of them being alive as his own heart did beat to the drum of life. If he was hurt, does he not bleed the same as a human? He certainly didn’t seem the monster The Order painted him to be. Just as she had imagined, he had thoughts and feelings just the same as anyone else. Thoughts that provoked her sense of intelligence, feelings of desire for her blood that drew her ever closer to his embrace.

His sly smile pierced her soul and his whisper of assuming she preferred to be his rather than Spencer’s, sent a shiver down her spine. “All yours…” She thought of the notion and she whispered in return. Knowing that he wanted her all to himself was stimulating in itself and made her very knees weaken all the more. The moment he said he would like to have her right now, made her heart leap into her throat. It wasn’t the bite she craved, it was his tongue upon her soft flesh. When he called her Lady Griffiths though, it surprised her but it made her giggle that he caught onto that she pretended to be his wife and he didn’t even protest it. But when he reached for her hand on his chest and gave it his tender kiss, that was the nail in the coffin for her. She gasped at his sudden affection and sweet nature toward her.

Unable to resist his vampiric charm, her pupils dilated, and she found herself following Vail’s every movement, which led her directly to the bed where she did as instructed by the guidance of his hand. She laid down across the simply bedding. It was comfy enough to lay on. The covers were thick with down feathers as were the pillows. The wooden frame creaked slightly from her weight as it was aging quite well and the inn couldn’t afford a newer bed just yet, but with her generous tip they could overhaul the entire tavern.

As he joined her, she then mused and cast a smirk his way. “You have all your clothes on….whereas I have none. I hardly call that fair…” Her eyes looked up into his with a hint of mischief as her heart raced so fast within her chest. It was then she grasped at his coat tail and tugged it toward her.

As always, Vail could sense Victoria’s pheromones rise as he led her over to the bed by her hand. The same reaction happened in all his female prey when he lingered close to them long enough, but he took special pleasure in knowing that she was so drawn to him. Maybe it was because he was attracted to her as well. He followed the sway of her voluptuous hips with his eyes as she climbed onto the covered mattress. Even though he was trying to guard himself from falling for her outright, he did enjoy being able to experience her physical beauty during their meetings—and have her all to himself.

He reclined nearby her on the bed, his wandering eyes now searching for somewhere to bite her. Honoring his agreement to let her heal from the punctures he inflicted, he couldn’t use her waist this time. He would have to find someplace new to sink his fangs. However, he didn’t have long to think about it before her mischievous voice caught his attention. He looked up to meet her gaze, finding his own heart beginning to race when he saw her lively expression. It was hard to tell if she meant to be seductive when she looked at him this way, but he found himself captivated every time.

Then came another challenge. He was a bit surprised by her words as she declared it was unfair that he was still dressed. An amused expression painted his features. What did she think this was, some sultry dealing between a gentleman and a call girl? She had removed her clothes so he could have easier access to her fair skin. There was no reason for him to undress as well—at least, no practical reason. He looked over her alluring figure once again, imagining getting close to her without even a thin layer of clothing between them.

He supposed he could humor her request.

Before he had a chance to verbally accept, Vail felt Victoria suddenly take hold of his coat. It seemed she had made up her mind for both of them. Finding her brazenness enticing, he shrugged the thick fabric from his shoulders so he was left in just a solid grey vest and a white, high collar shirt. “If I recall, this was your idea,” he pointed out with a gesture at her naked body. “I never said I would wear less with you.” Despite his words, he was already working the buttons loose on the rest of his top.

He slid off his vest and pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his pale but toned upper body. There wasn’t a single blemish on his skin aside from the pink, still-tender burn on his shoulder, and he was more athletic than one might expect a recluse of two hundred years to be.

“This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” Vail teased the Lady as he piled his discarded clothing somewhat haphazardly on the floor. “Luring me in with your blood, offering to undress to make it easier for me to feed… I must say, it was quite clever.”

Victoria knew very well that her proposal was indeed risqué. But like she had said to him, she wasn’t sure when she would be able to see him again, even though it was mostly for his benefit, she did actually enjoy seeing him. He challenged her mind in ways no other man had. Not to mention he was full of mystery for what he was. Getting to know him had been a pleasure, even their banter. Whenever she was alone, she always thought back to him, wondering what he was doing, what he was thinking.

He seemed taken aback by her declaration of inequality between the two. Yet he didn’t decline, he immediately removed his coat after she had tugged it. Was he a little too into this himself, more than he cared to admit? She had to but wonder…did he like the thought of them both being so close without any clothing between them? She knew she did. So as he began to unbutton his shirt, her heart began to race even more. She liked even more that he was obliging her request and considering her feelings. To think they had once exchanged heated debate and regarded one another with ambivalence. Here the two were, under the pretense of false names as a fake married couple. It made it all the more daring and exciting. Perhaps on some level she did feel like his call girl, he could have her when he so desired.

She could not help but admire his form as he removed his shirt and at the same time protested he never agreed to this. Then why was he humoring her request? Why did his gaze keep sweeping over her body? She liked that he continued to do so. Upon revealing his torso to her, she could see how well toned he was, but then she laid her eyes upon his wounded shoulder from the burns he sustained from his escape, she looked at it with empathy. She wanted to reach out to it and kiss it better but touching it would only be tender for him. However she did note that his bullet wound was completely gone. Any human would still have that scar and stitches. He was something else entirely, superhuman.

“A woman can but try, no?” she chuckled at Vail as he regarded her with his passing comment on her ‘plan’. “Although I am quite flattered you think me so clever. Alas no…it wasn’t my plan all along….I’m just making this up as I go…” She confessed, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. “You…make me feel desired…in no other way any man has ever made me feel…and not just because you want my blood. You make me feel things I never even thought were possible! To actually care about a vampire…” There she said it. She admitted she cared about Vail Hygrace. Humans did not and could not care for their predators. Except she cared about what happened to him. Especially when he was hurt because of her. “I hate seeing you get hurt…” She revealed sadly as she gestured to his pink burn wound on his shoulder. She didn’t care what they did to her, they could tie her up, lock her away and drain her of every drop of blood if it meant Vail wasn’t harmed.

Vail took pleasure in Victoria’s lingering stare when he removed his shirt. He had always been comfortable in his own skin, so exposing his upper body had been more exciting to him than embarrassing even though he wasn’t used to showing so much of himself to a woman. He watched her subtly, noticing that her gaze rested longer on his burnt shoulder. There was a hint of empathy in her eyes that he found endearingly human. To his kind, as long as a wound wasn’t life-threatening, it was viewed as unimportant. If his family had known about his injury, they would have been far more concerned about knowing when and where it had taken place rather than asking if he was recovering well. There was no reason for them to bother. They knew he would be fine, because he always was.

When Victoria denied that she had planned to convince him to undress, Vail just shrugged. He hadn’t really believed she would go so far out of her way for something like that, but he enjoyed the banter that came out of it. Before he could move past it, however, she drew his attention with one more surprise. He turned to look at her as she confessed that he made her feel desired and that she actually cared about him. It was certainly more than he’d been expecting, but it warmed him to know she saw him this way. Their predator-prey relationship was turning out to be quite different than he had imagined. He liked the direction it was going though.

“Better me than you,” he objected when she said she didn’t like seeing him get hurt. He gestured to the spot on his shoulder where the bullet wound had been before. “Injuries aren’t the same to me as they are to a human. They’re a nuisance, but they’re temporary. I’m sure this one will be gone by tomorrow night or the next.” Shifting to sit on the edge of the bed, he bent over to take off his boots. “It’s nothing you need to be concerned about.”

With his shoes removed, he stood up to more easily slide down his trousers, so that he was just as naked as she was. (For the sake of “equality”). It felt strange to him to be so intimate with a human of all women, but his unease about it was slight. Species aside, she had become someone he felt comfortable being around. He wanted to be closer to her whether good sense agreed or not.

“There. I believe we’re even now,” Vail said as he laid down again beside her on the mattress. He propped himself up on one arm and pulled her in with the other. Skin brushed against skin, and he had to fight the urge to shiver at her touch. Even though he’d imagined it earlier, there was something electrifying about actually being with her in such a vulnerable state. He trailed his hand from her back down to her rear and thigh. Her flesh was smooth and hot. He focused on that.

Though he’d come to the inn tonight to drink her blood, they had until dawn before she needed to return to her family’s manor. There was no reason to rush. He leaned over Victoria as he caressed the soft parts of her body with his fingers, enjoying the responses he was able to elicit from her when he did. A soft sigh escaped his lips, one he didn’t bother to hide. Since he was completely exposed to her, there was no concealing his arousal around her anyway. He had always found her physically enticing, and being this close to her just exacerbated that. He intended to take advantage of it while he could.

It was endearing to here him say that he would rather get hurt than her. There was a protectiveness there that she could sense. It made her feel even warmer toward the vampire. The fact he may have wanted to shield her from injury with his own body had definitely swayed her opinion of him more highly. She did suppose he could take it rather than she could. A fatality for her was but a scratch for him. Although he could take injuries better than humans, didn’t meant it did not warrant concern. She still cared if he were to even be grazed. Especially because of her. She blamed herself for his scars. “It still doesn’t stop me from caring that you get hurt, especially because of me.” She sighed as he removed his boots.

This relationship was now crossing the borders of being purely predator-prey. They now conversed as friends would do so. They talked on a deeper level. Yet there were things she could discuss with him that she couldn’t with any other human. Because he was special. She almost gasped when he removed his trousers. She didn’t know quite where to look but couldn’t stop glanced at him and his well-endowed features. As he informed her that they were now equal, a small mischievous grin formed on her lips and a light chuckle escaped her lips. “It appears so, Lord Griffiths.” She couldn’t believe how comfortable she was laying naked right in front of him.

Lady Crest trembled in his mere presence as he joined her on the bed. Suddenly she felt nervous around him. This was the first time she had even seen a man naked for that matter. She knew he looked at her like a piece of meat sometimes, hungry for her blood but tonight it seemed different. He pulled her in close to him, shin on skin, it was quite the rush. She let out a long drawn out exhale of hot breath as her eyes gazed into his. His fingers caused her body to flinch, unused to being touched in such a sensual way. She even flexed the muscles that his finger trailed over. As he leaned over her, she felt herself drawn to him more as her arousal reached new heights, he’d be able to smell the bitter sweetness of her natural scent.

Then he did something that made her wonder if he was truly happy in this moment, with his soft sigh. Something he’d never done before in her presence. It gauged confidence within her to teach out with her arm and it gently rested on his waist before slowly trailing up the side of his torso. She, too, intended to make the most of this evening before having to go back The Order’s clutches. Who knows what they will subject her to next, if they ever caught her sneaking out tonight then it would spell the end of her being able to meet Vail ever again. Never to feel his tender caress or his gentle tongue against her skin. It seemed he was enjoying her a little more than he cared to maybe admit. If he were only here to feed on her, then he needn’t take the time to sweep his hands over her. She wondered which part of her body he would choose to bite on next.

In her nervousness, she had a fully flushed face and blood had rushed to the more intimate areas of her body in her arousal of him. “Do you…like having this power over me?” She dared to poke at his inner thoughts again. She hadn’t even had a glass of wine to make her say something so bold. But she eagerly anticipated his next move. This man was intoxicating, even when he wasn’t physically around her, he filled her thoughts with racy images. It had to be more than just his vampiric pheromones that had captivated her but himself as a whole, his personality, his mind. She couldn’t help but wonder if she were falling for Vail Hygrace. She was sure vampires had their own rules against falling for a human. It was rarely heard of according to her father, she had asked all these questions before. If Vail were truly to overstep the mark, it would be because he wanted to and he would have already been warned off her by his family. She would find out if he was a rule breaker soon enough.

Vail could feel Victoria’s muscles tense as he traced his hand across her soft skin. He enjoyed the subtle motion though. The unfamiliarity in her reaction just reminded him that she wasn’t used to being touched in such a way and that he was the only one who’d had her in an intimate setting such as this. He liked having her all to himself, to hold and caress as he pleased and to bite when he so chose. Right now, every part of her was his, and the progress of the night was at his leisure. He would take his time, desiring to make the most of their meeting since it was unclear when he would be able to see her again.

As Lady Crest rested her arm against his waist, Vail leaned into her even more, hovering close to her neck to take in her aroused pheromones like a drug. It was strange, but he was beginning to feel unsure whether he liked the feeding or the prelude better. Her blood satisfied his thirst, but her touch toyed with a different kind of lust he’d never felt for a human before. Everything about her was intoxicating. As he caressed her lithe body, he offhandedly wondered what Peter would say if he discovered the real content of his meetings with the Crest Heiress. He knew his father would just think him reckless for getting so close to a human. The head of the family could never find out how deep his attraction to her truly ran.

Hearing Victoria challenge him to speak his mind once again, a smile played on Lord Hygrace’s lips. He should have learned to expect her boldness by now, but she still managed to surprise him whenever she asked such questions to see into his thoughts. “I do,” he admitted honestly, turning his head slightly to see her face. As he spoke, he trailed his fingers up to her supple chest, where he could feel the heat of her blood beneath her snow white skin. The warmth was enticing to him.

Shifting on the bed, he leaned down to run his tongue over the left side of her bust. Though he was priming her skin to feed, he took his time even with this. Everything he did with her was thrilling, so he intended to enjoy every second of it without rushing.

Victoria hadn’t flinched much the last two times he had bitten her, so this time Vail didn’t bother restraining her arms when he finally sank his fangs into her flesh, drawing a flow from the inner edge of her bosom. A shiver ran through his body as he drank her sweet blood with the fervor of an addict, and he held her tightly by the hips. There was something exhilarating about preying on her in this intimate setting. He preferred it to the usual way he satisfied his thirst: forceful and quick.

He swept his tongue across the fresh punctures in her skin until the trickle slowed, and he’d had his fill. When the feed was over, he pulled away from her to sit upright on the bed, exhaling contentedly. Despite the risks they were facing by continuing to meet, he was always reminded of why he believed it was worth the danger every time he tasted her blood again. He was even beginning to find the idea of returning to other victims after her death displeasing. It was a pity that her mortal life was destined to end someday.

Lady Victoria definitely preferred the sensual prelude to the vampiric feed, herself. As he leaned over her more, she took in a deep exhale, she felt her chest rise and fall more rapidly. She was closer than he’d ever been before. Though she knew it were inevitable that he would soon sink those fangs into her flesh for the taste of her sweet blood he found himself already addicted to, she was still nervous in the build up to it. She knew what was coming, she just anticipated how.

As Vail expressed that he liked the power over her, her beating heart skipped a beat. She had her suspicions but hearing him confirm it with his own voice, sent shivers down her spine. She liked that he liked it. She liked it a little too much. Especially when he trailed his fingers up her chest, which caused a small moan to escape her lips. She almost covered her mouth in embarrassment, but she had a feeling he would like her reaction to his touch. He seemed to enjoy watching her every twitch and facial expression in response to his puppetry over her body.

When his tongue lapped over her modest bosom, she almost trembled but she exhaled another moan of excitement. Each lap caused her to grasp at his waist and dig her long nails into his flesh. Her other hand gripped the bed cover beneath her. She let him lick her wherever he wanted to. He took his time with her though this evening. Perhaps he wanted to indulge in her while he still could. Like savouring a fine rare wine before it ran in. His teeth finally sank in without much warning, which made her flinch slightly, hiss upon feeling the pain and contort her body. As she didn’t have anything restraining her, she clung onto him, causing her entire lower body to firmly press against his as he fed on her blood. How he held her by her hips helped her to feel secure and stop her from flighting at the pain. The pain soon subsided though as that first break of skin occurred. The pain only returned when he pulled his fangs out of her bust.

But what they never had was an aftermath sensual session. After his feed, he had no reason to stay. However tonight, she’d give him a reason to stay longer. What she did next even surprised her. She didn’t plan on it, she only felt the urge to do it. As Vail sat up exhaling with satisfaction, she let her hand reach over to her the puncture wound and felt where the holes were. Instead of holding her hand over it, she pushed down to make it bleed onto her hand. She then brought that hand to her lips and she smeared her blood over her mouth and licked it off her hand. Now her tongue would smell and taste of her sweet nectar for Vail’s further enjoyment. It was like she was daring him, provoking him further to gauge more sensual behaviour from him.

Vail glanced down at the floor, where his clothes still laid in a pile. Now that he’d gotten what he had come for, he knew he should get dressed again. He and Victoria had already talked before he’d fed on her, so there wasn’t anything else for him to say to her. As much as he enjoyed being around her, it would have been a better use of his time to simply return to his family’s manor and wait for her to signal him another day. He had no more reason to linger at the inn.

However, before he could move to get up from the bed, his attention was drawn back to Lady Crest as she suddenly smeared her own blood across her lips like paint. The sight captivated him. He’d never seen a human taste their own blood before. The way she licked her scarlet-stained fingers was both intriguing and seductive to him, and he had a feeling he knew what she was trying to do. He swallowed, tempted by her enticement.

Even though he was attracted to her, he was still leery about getting closer to her than he already had. They were naked together, but he had avoided pushing any boundaries that might lead to anything romantic between them. It was dangerous for a vampire to fall for a human, and he had avoided doing so for most of his life. He knew he was toeing the line with Victoria though. She was already attractive enough to him. Her personality was captivating and her figure was beautiful. If he took things farther, he doubted he would have the willpower not to get emotionally attached to this enchanting vixen. She stimulated him in ways that no other woman had before.

Still… His eyes were fixated on her ruby lips, and he absently swept his tongue across his teeth. He couldn’t deny that even though it was risky, he did want to let her in—to push past their predator-prey relationship into something more. What was the difference, really? He was already addicted to her blood, and he was already tempting fate by sneaking out to meet with her when he would surely be killed if he was caught. It was no different than the actions of a smitten lover pursuing a forbidden romance in the night.

Unable to hold back any longer, Vail took the Lady suddenly by the waist and pressed his lips to hers. His heart pounded wildly, and the metallic tang of blood wetted his tongue, which only made the kiss all the more exhilarating to him. He leaned into her passionately with ardor that was almost desperate in its intenseness. He hadn’t realized just how fierce his desire to close the gap between them had been until after he’d finally done it.

“You’re trouble,” he breathed when he pulled back again. His eyes only met hers for a moment before lowering to her lips as he kissed her again. He only paused once more as he added, “I’m beginning to wonder if you like having control over me...”

Victoria’s gut instinct was right, her idea worked, it made Vail want more of her instead of dressing and taking his leave, he stayed. She saw how his eyes were captivated the moment she licked the blood off her fingers. It wasn’t long after he literally pounced her without even so much of a word. She practically squealed with delighted surprise as his lips latched onto hers so feverously. She had no idea the inner turmoil he was having regarding falling for her despite knowing the risks. She just wanted his attention, it was the only thing she had to look forward to. Otherwise she would be completely alone. She enjoyed feeling his lips upon hers.

She was almost sad that he pulled back the first time, but she had to come up for air too. She grinned when he commented that she was trouble. “I know…” She gazed at him mere moments before he dived in again and she ran her hands up his bare spine. She gasped again as he pulled back for a second time. She blushed when he suspected she liked having power over him. She couldn’t deny that she liked knowing she could drive him crazy. “I do..” She repeated his own answer. Her hand then gently caressed his cheek as her eyes twinkled in the dimly lit room where only flickering flames crackled in the quiet rural countryside inn.

So they both admitted they liked the power game over each other. She was excited by it purely because she was a human having power over a vampire. Not many humans could wield such a power. This alliance with him would serve her well. She told herself she was only using him in the beginning for protection. However, the dynamics had changed. She wanted to see him for the sake of spending time with the man she’d grown fond of over the weeks. She just wanted him to want her for her mind and body. Whether he wanted her blood or not was no longer her worry. She just hoped he liked her more than just as his prey. Otherwise, what was the point of even fooling herself?

The charming, captivating and graceful vampire had caught her eye from the get-go. Those hazel eyes behind the mask. Eyes that told her there was something more to this man that met he eye. A deep wise and thoughtful individual. She wanted to dance with him as much as she could, it gave her true enjoyment at the ball. She hadn’t danced with his equal yet and believed she would never. He still owed her another dance.

Vail hadn’t known he could feel this way about a human. His attraction to Victoria nearly frightened him in its intensity. He was used to being the one in control, the one with power over his prey’s thoughts and emotions. It was the way things had always been. However, as unnerving as it was, he was discovering that he liked being at Lady Crest’s beck and call. At first, it had just been her unique blood that had drawn him to her side again and again, but now, she had trapped him physically as well. He would come back to her because he wanted to feed on her blood but also because he wanted more of her. The mind and body attached to the food source was even more enticing than the food itself. He wanted as much as he could get.

When Victoria admitted she liked having control over him, his lip curved upward in an amused smile. He knew quite well just how exhilarating it could be to have power over someone else. He was also aware that no other human could boast of taming a member of his kind. Their situation was unheard of—at least, he didn’t personally know any other vampires who would let themselves get so close to someone outside their own species. He had heard rumors of it happening before, but the tales had always been cautionary, and he was unsure if they were true. Either way, he had always been told that no good could come of such a relationship. It was only a matter of time now before he would find out if he should have heeded the warnings.

Knowing it was too late to turn back, he pressed into her lips again, gentler now that his initial desperation had faded. This was the route he had chosen to take, and he would just accept whatever consequences came with it. They had to be worth the exciting feelings he had when he was with this woman. He just hoped the repercussions wouldn’t come too quickly.

Pushing what remained of his unease aside, Vail shifted to lay on top of Victoria instead of at her side as he kissed her. He had already crossed the line when he’d met her lips in the first place, so there was no point in holding back any longer. He wanted to have her, the alluring Lady who had continued to tempt him to push his boundaries since the day they’d met. By her reactions until now, he was sure she wanted him too.

He trailed his fingers up her arms and pressed her hands into the mattress, still toying with the power dynamics between them. His heart raced, and he moved away from her mouth to kiss her neck. Though he didn’t bite her, he dragged a thin, shallow cut through her fair skin with one fang. The scent and taste of her blood only stimulated the vampire more, encouraging him to finally break the rule he’d lived by for so long and sleep with the human who’d ensnared his heart.

Never had Lady Victoria laid with a man entirely naked before. The mere thought of it was unthinkable and sinful to any who would stumble across their antics. And the first time she did lie with a naked male, it wasn’t even with a human male. Perhaps now she found human men to be less than interesting, the mystery and intrigue had completely taken her in. In her eyes, any other male else would pale in comparison to Lord Hygrace. Even if he did sink those fangs into her flesh and cause her pain, he was at least as gentle as he could be with her. She grinned as Vail gave her an amused smile at her admittance, she liked having some control over him, even if it was only mental. She’d never heard of a human having any mental power over a vampire from her father’s journals, but vampire-human couples must exist somewhere across the globe, surely?

As he resumed kissing her sweet lips, her saliva built up between their mouths and she couldn’t help but lick at his lips sensually as if she needed more. She fell into his kiss and before she realised, he was on top of her. She felt her core throb for him, her hormones primed her for male entry, Vail would surely smell that bittersweet nectar of hers. She didn’t know she could be so alluring to the vampire who had tried his best to keep this purely business between them, but it seemed even he succumbed to that lustful sin of temptation. She wrapped her arms around his waist and latched onto his body.

Even though she loved the power game they played, she was wiling to let him take the lead role in their intimate encounter. She bit her lower lip as his fingers trailed up her arms and even let out an excited whimper as his hands pressed hers down into the mattress. She had never been in this situation before and she wasn’t sure what to expect or what to do but she was willing to let him have his way with her, he seemed to know exactly what he wanted now. Her. And she loved that feeling. She had never felt desired like this, wanted or maybe even needed? Either way, she didn’t want this moment to ever end.

As he traced his lips down her neck, she positively tingled with delight. Feeling skin on skin, his heart thumping in his chest. A heart she didn’t think vampires had. “Vail…” A whispered moan escaped her lips as his fang cut her skin slightly. She knew it would send him over the edge of temptation just as much as his every touch threatened to send her to madness. She couldn’t take the want anymore. It was if she needed him now rather than wanted him. That was when she lost control over herself and her tongue found his neck, she lapped at his skin and then took his flesh between her teeth and nipped at him, leaving a reddened mark where she had sucked his flesh.

She knew she was playing with fire. It was too late for she had already been lit alight with a fire burning deep inside for the Hygrace heir. Her hands slowly and firmly slid up his back and felt the muscles tense and shift under her touch. He was well toned for a solitary man. She really had to wonder why no female vampire had already captured his heart yet and what she had done to entice him apart from offer her blood to him. She was flattered her admired her form so up close and personal. Her breathing quickened, causing her modest bosom to rise and fall rapidly in anticipation of his joining his body with hers in the sweet agony of entangled love making.