Part 1: Mate's Lore Read online

  Large golden hoops hung from her ears. They were heavy. Tanya was beginning to suspect that they were real. She’d have to be extra careful with them. She wouldn’t have worn them if they hadn’t looked so darned good on her.

  The nostrils flared on the big…vampire at the door as they approached.

  He inclined his head, “Stephany.”

  “York.” They kissed cheeks.

  His gaze settled firmly on Tanya and he visibly sniffed. “I take it this is her. The chosen human.”

  “Yup,” Stephany answered.

  His nostrils flared again, “Sweet.” He winked at Tanya and unclipped the rope. Complaints erupted from behind them. The big guy growled a warning and they quietened down.

  They moved down a long dark corridor. “Please tell me that was slang and he thinks I’m a nice human.”

  Stephany laughed. “He was referring to the way you smell.”

  “Thought it was a bit strange, but I’m not wearing any perfume.”

  “No, silly. Your scent.”

  This whole scent thing was starting to get to her.

  Stephany whispered in her ear, “Mates choose each other in many ways, scent being one of them.”

  Oh happy days, something she actually knew about. “Brant told me.”

  “Yeah, well humans smell…good to us vampires. Like I said earlier, it is normally forbidden to mingle with your kind. You’ll be…attractive to our species.”

  “What?” Tanya stumbled and Stephany caught her by the elbow. The blonde led her into a quiet corner.

  “Relax. Scent is just one part of it. Granted it’s a major part.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like everyone will want to mate you, but they might want to sample you.”

  “Sample as in…”

  Stephany flashed her fangs.

  Tanya felt her blood drain from her face. It was probably trying to run away, sensing the impending danger. “Well they can’t.”

  Stephany laughed again, this time she threw her head back in an all-out sides heaving chuckle. The vampire finally managed to pull herself together. “They wouldn’t dare. You are the chosen. Brant would skin them alive. You are his.”

  “Hardly.”

  “He considers you his even if you don’t. Stay close, we still shouldn’t take any chances.”

  The place was packed. Tall, lithe women and big, hard looking men being common place. There was a large glass vat behind the bar. It looked like it had been filled with tomato juice but Tanya knew better. Bloody Marys in a place like this took on a whole new meaning.

  The tiles shone like polished crystal. Everything was stainless steel, glass. Big sparkling mirrors on all the walls. The whole club had been put together in clean, elegant lines. The music was a transient beat and not as loud as what would normally be expected in a club like this. Not that she’d ever been in a club quite like this one.

  Tanya tried not to notice how people…vampires had started to stare, most in fascination but some in hostility. It was mostly the females whose eyes narrowed, whose fangs flashed in annoyance. Ex bed mates of their king maybe?

  Tanya tried not to think about it. She scanned the crowd seeing Brant on the far side of the room. He dominated a balcony area that overlooked the dance floor.

  Hordes of giant sized bugs crawled over her skin as she spotted the woman with him.

  Alexandra whispered something in his ear. Her hand clasped the bicep closest to her. She wore an impossibly small white dress that show cased her athletic body to perfection. The light stretchy fabric contrasting perfectly with her dark hair and eyes. Brant laughed and the bugs crawled faster. Damn it, she didn’t want this to affect her. She didn’t want to care. In a couple of days he would take blood from the sexy brunette again and she was helpless to stop it. She didn’t know why she even cared, seeing how she was still toying with the idea of escaping and leaving him behind.

  “Let’s go get a drink.”

  “Brant will be looking for you,” Stephany motioned in his direction.

  “I don’t think so. If he is, he can wait.”

  “Don’t let her get to you. You also need to remember that Brant has several in his circle that he considers friends. Alexandra is one.”

  “Friends with benefits,” Tanya mumbled.

  Alexandra whispered something, she pushed her body firmly against the impressive king. As she did this, her eyes locked with Tanya’s. They gleamed in a self-satisfied fashion, it felt like shards of glass were trying to push their way through her veins.

  “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you. Men regardless of species do not like clingy, whiny women.”

  “I don’t want to even be here, but based on what you’ve told me I don’t really have any choice. I’m supposed to mate and make babies soon, yet I’m also supposed to just accept that another woman is all over him like a bad rash. He can drink from her and I mustn’t show my jealousy or react in any way?”

  “Are you done?”

  Tanya felt her cheeks heat.

  “You need to fight fire with fire as the saying goes. You are a smart human. Use your brain.” Stephany smiled deviously and linked her arm with Tanya’s. “About that drink.”

  Tanya squeezed the other woman’s arm. She was grateful for the advice even though she didn’t really know what to do with it. As much as she knew she was being silly, she just couldn’t help it.

  Tanya gasped. As she got closer, she noticed that the bar looked like it had been sculpted out of ice. She touched its smooth surface realizing it was glass.

  Stephany ordered. The bartender went to work and within minutes he placed a pink cocktail in front of her.

  “Right. Drink that and make sure you keep your cool. I expect that Brant—”

  A really good looking man stepped into their personal space and interrupted, “Who’s the human?”

  He spoke to Stephany but kept his crystalline, blue eyes on her. Dark hair, six o’clock shadow. Enough to have the most iron willed virgins clutching at their panties.

  “Brant’s chosen so I suggest you back off.”

  “Interesting,” he turned his eyes on her, nostrils flaring.

  “Hi,” she croaked. Her hand going to the fluttering pulse at her neck. A normal reaction since his gaze had dropped there.

  “What’s your name?” he purred.

  “Get lost.” Stephany took a step towards them using her body to partially shield Tanya from him.

  “It’s a reasonable question. The human will soon mate with the king of this little coven.”

  “I would suggest—”

  “I’m Tanya.” She put her hand out and he took it. Stephany took a step to the side. His eyes flashed for a second as their hands touched. So quick she almost thought she’d imagined it. Her arm extended as he brought her palm to his lips, lingering longer than what was necessary.

  A familiar, feminine laugh snared her attention. It was Alexandra. Somewhere between them arriving at the bar and ordering their drinks, Brant had approached with the annoying vampire in tow. They had stopped ten or so feet away, huddled together in animated conversation.

  Alexandra’s dress was even shorter up close. If she so much as sneezed then her girly bits would pop out. Although, with a tight body like that, they would more than likely gracefully slide into view.

  The bitch.

  Brant noticed her looking and threw her a half smile. He leaned back against the railing behind him and crossed his arms across his massive chest. Dressed in all black, he looked all the more dangerous, and so damned attractive.

  Bastard. It irked her that he didn’t come over to greet her.

  “I’m Reece.” The vampire in front of her had a deep voice, it made Tanya realize that her hand was still in his, so she snatched it away. He smiled in a way that should’ve had her legs turning to jello. Probably would’ve, if she’d never met Brant.

  “Good to meet you, Tanya. I’m surprised you’re still unmated.” Reece cocked his head. “I happen to really
enjoy strawberries.”

  “Healthy choice.” Tanya risked a glance in Brant’s direction. Alexandra had plastered herself to his side, but his eyes were still fixed on her. The brunette whispered something in his ear but he didn’t react.

  “…and cream.”

  She looked back at Reece. Tanya wasn’t sure whether Brant minded her talking to another man or not. He didn’t seem to, which irritated her even more. Either way though, she needed to take Stephany’s advice and not react to Alexandra. The best way to do that would be to attempt to maintain at least the semblance of a normal conversation. “Cream is less healthy but quite delicious.”

  “Sumptuous. Oh so very tempting.” He took another step towards her. So close that his body was mere inches from hers.

  Tanya tried to step back but with the chunk of glass behind her there was nowhere to go.

  “You are after all unmated.”

  “So you keep saying.”

  Stephany tried to step closer but Reece beat her to it by taking another half step which placed him almost against her. Her neck hurt as she craned to keep eye contact. This time there was no denying it, his eyes were glowing. Bright, glazier blue. They were electric, mesmerizing.

  “I don’t think…” Tanya wanted to ask him to move away.

  “Nonsense,” Reece said.

  Was it her imagination or were his fangs way longer than they had been seconds ago? He clasped her hand.

  “Please give me some space.” She had a bad feeling about this, but she didn’t want to cause a scene.

  Reece pulled her hand up, his eyes landing on the blue veins on the inside of her wrist. He inhaled deeply. Tanya tried to remove her hand from his firm grasp but to no avail.

  “Never had a human before. Just one little, itsy, bitsy…” his fangs flashed.

  “No.” She should be screaming. Fighting. Something. Yet all she could manage to do was to whisper that one little word.

  “It would be best if you crawled back to your side of the fence,” Stephany whispered. “Stop now before this gets ugly.”

  Reece ignored Stephany, he pulled her hand closer turning her arm so that the underside of her wrist was more exposed.

  “Let her go,” soft spoken, yet with deadly intent. “Now,” a growl.

  Tanya could recognize his voice anywhere.

  “She is not mated,” Reece kept his eyes on her as he spoke.

  Brant laughed. The sound sent shivers of icy fear up her spine. “Are you saying you wish to fight me for her?”

  Reece turned to face Brant. Tanya let out a pent up sigh.

  “I…” he paused to consider his answer. In a flash, Brant was at her side, there was a god awful scream together with a cracking sound. Reece flew back several feet landing on his back.

  “You touch her again and you die. Am I clear?”

  Tanya gasped. Reece’s hand was at a right angle to his arm, broken below the wrist. He cradled the mangled extremity and nodded.

  “I’m sure you’re feeling proud of yourself,” Alexandra hissed. “Feeling full of it.” She spoke directly into her ear. Tanya felt too shell shocked to respond. “Two big vampires fighting over a little human.”

  Tanya did her best to ignore her. Even though a feeling of uneasiness weighed like a rock in the pit of her stomach.

  “Well…let me bring you down a wrung or two. You interrupted us earlier.” A pause. “Brant had only just started to feed. He’ll need me again before the night is out.”

  “Get out of my face.” Using one hand, Tanya shoved the brunette away.

  Alexandra laughed, the sound twisted Tanya’s gut.

  Brant spoke with York. He gestured at the downed vampire and then at the door when he turned to her, his eyes were blazing. Two quick strides and he was at her side. “What were you thinking?”

  “It happened so quickly.”

  “Until we are mated, anyone can challenge me to drink from you. To fuck you.”

  The air lodged in her throat. Maybe because an icy fist had surrounded her air pipe. “What?” She managed to choke out.

  “You heard me.”

  “No one would, right? I mean surely…you’re the king.” She was shaking.

  “You’re such a temptation.” As he spoke, his nostrils flared. Her heart rate picked up and his eyes dropped to the fluttering at the base of her neck. She so needed to buy herself a turtle neck or a scarf maybe.

  “Stop that,” Brant growled.

  “What?”

  “Calm down. You smell fantastic and this is heightened when your heart beat speeds up. Incase you didn’t notice, we’re in a room full of vampires.” His voice a low vibration.

  Shit. Shit. Surprisingly, Tanya still held a mostly full cocktail. She downed the liquid in one quick motion, placing the glass on the bar. “How do we fix this?”

  “The only way to fix this would be for me to mate with you.”

  “Oh,” Tanya fought to keep her breathing even. “No way.”

  “Look, even if you were, by some miracle, to agree I still wouldn’t mate you.” His eyes had narrowed. His dark lashes touched.

  “Why not?” The words were out before she could stop them and she mentally kicked herself. Had the whole Reece thing put him off her? Surely not. It wasn’t like it was her fault or anything.

  “Do you know how vampires…mate?” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Sex.”

  Brant ground his teeth. Every muscle hardened. “Not just sex,” he paused. “I would need to drink from you at the same time.”

  “I thought that was a myth.”

  Brant shook his head. “You saw how that vampire reacted to you?”

  Tanya nodded.

  “He had to have known I was watching.”

  “You never know, you were over there”—she gestured to where he had been standing—“and it’s busy, maybe…”

  “He’s a vampire, he knew yet he came after you anyway.”

  “Which means what exactly?”

  He sighed. “Two things and neither are particularly pretty. Firstly, you’re too appealing to go anywhere without me. At least until we’re mated.”

  “Wait just a—”

  “Look, it’s up to you. Would you like to become an all you can eat buffet? If so, then be my guest.” His eyes had turned an impenetrable black.

  Not trusting her voice, she shook her head.

  “Good choice.”

  Not really much of a choice. What Tanya really wanted was to go home, but since she knew there was no chance of that happening she kept the thought to herself.

  “I also can’t mate you right now because I don’t trust myself. I’m…”

  Stephany arrived with another little pink cocktail. “I thought you could use this.” She handed the drink to Tanya and a glass of the red stuff to Brant. Keeping a glass of the stuff for herself.

  “Is that…?” Tanya gestured to Stephany’s glass.

  Stephany nodded, “With vodka, my favorite.” She winked and took a long drink.

  Tanya’s stomach lurched and she must’ve made a face.

  “Just wait until you’re a mated woman. Then you’ll sing a different tune.”

  “Excuse me?” She shook her head.

  Stephany swayed to the beat. “Some humans develop a taste for blood after they’re mated and I’m willing to bet big money that you’re one of them.”

  “Not happening.” No way in hell.

  “Want to take a little bet?” She raised her eyebrows.

  Tanya shrugged. She had nothing to lose since there was no way in heaven or hell she would ever drink someone’s blood. Just the thought had her feeling feint.

  “Sure thing.”

  Stephany held her gaze for a few moments. “I don’t know you well enough yet to discuss terms. You agree that terms are to be decided and agreed at a later stage?”

  “Don’t do it,” Brant looked amused. “She always wins.”

  “She won’t win this.”

 
He shrugged as if to say do this at your own peril.

  “Fine, but we both have to agree to the terms.”

  “Not so sure of yourself then? Sip?” Stephany raised her brows and held out the frosted glass to Tanya. The ice chinked.

  Tanya looked down at the beverage for a few moments. “Fine. You get to decide the terms. I’m never drinking that stuff.”

  Brant chuckled. “Pregnancy doesn’t count.”

  “You love spoiling my fun.” Stephany mock punched Brant on the arm. “Fine,” she sighed. “Pregnancy doesn’t count. I’ll let you know the terms.”

  “I feel sorry for you.” Brant looked Tanya’s way. His eyes lingered on her lips. He put his hand on the side of her arm and stroked her. “Stephany is never kind when it comes to bets.”

  Her flesh heated at the contact. Shivers raced up her spine. She had to work not to lean into the touch. Her mind fogged over, yet something nagged at her. “What’s that about drinking blood during pregnancy?”

  Stephany’s eyes sparkled. “All humans drink blood while they are with child. The thirst will begin even before we will be able to scent the changes to your body.”

  “About that,” Tanya whispered.

  Brant slid his arm around her waist and onto the small of her back. He stepped towards her, his heat and scent engulfed her. Almost making her forget what it was that she wanted to say. Almost.

  “This whole mating thing, as well as the whole making babies thing. It’s not going to work for me. I need to get home.”

  “Do you need to see your family?” Brant kept his arm firmly around her, his voice was filled with concern. “I would never keep you from your loved ones.”

  That familiar feeling of emptiness returned like a slap across the face. “No,” she said sounding a little too sharp so she added, “Well, I would need to visit my aunt at some point but there’s no rush. There’s also my best friend, but also no rush on that one either.”

  “Are you mated to another?” he asked in a low growl that had her panties turning wet and her heart pounding with fear all at once.

  “No.”

  “What is it then?”

  “Tell Brant, I’m sure he can help you.” She’d totally forgotten that the female vampire was still with them. In some ways it felt weird that she was listening to their private conversation, yet it also felt somehow natural.