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Bloodmate II

Jaden Sinclair

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Bloodmate II

Jaden Sinclair

Mardi Gras Publishing, LLC 133 Lake Front Dr. #204 Daphne, AL 36526 This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. ISBN to be assigned Bloodmate II © November 2006 by Jaden Sinclair All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Cover art © 2006 by Dyana Lunaris For more variety in your www.mardigraspublishing.com

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Bloodmate II

Jaden Sinclair

Broken Soul Chapter 1

Julian Marino had done many things in his life. He was well known for his sense of humor and his quick thinking. He could take on any man and fix just about anything. The one thing that he couldn’t do was go on much longer without his bloodmate. Another thing he couldn’t do was live in a cage, which was the very thing he was in now! A small cage held Julian, and when the thought of small crossed his mind, any cage was small. The cage contained a small iron cot with a thin, holey mattress that had definitely smelled better at some long ago time. He had enough room beside the cot to pace back and forth, but only as far as the cot was long. As for height, he only had a good three inches above his head. Not much room for a vampire such as he was to do much. Yet the one thing that really made him nervous was the trap door above his head. With a flick of a switch, the trap door above his cage would open to reveal the outside world, which would almost certainly mean daylight and the end of his life. Julian ran his hands through his long hair and sighed. How the hell he could have gotten hit over the head and placed in a cage was beyond him. He should have heard him; heard the steps that lightly walked behind him. But he didn’t, and now he stood in 1

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a cage waiting. Julian swore as he banged on the bars. For the hundredth time, he tried his strength. Tried to see if he was strong enough to force his way out. Again, the bars stayed strong, not budging at all. “Shit!” “Swearing won’t help,” Denver Ferrari walked into the dark warehouse that his father set up for their hiding place. He stood about the same height as Julian and seemed to be built like him as well. His hair was a dark brown, which he kept short, and his eyes were a deep blue that showed a lot of caring. Denver was carrying things in his hands as he put things in order to make a comfortable bed for his sister, “It never does.” “And who might you be?” Julian asked with a hint of anger. “The only one that can help you now,” Denver walked out of the shadows, placing a large bag on a chair and looking within it. “Is that so?” the sarcasm was apparent in Julian’s voice as he spoke. “I hear you can eat food,” Denver handed Julian a small peace of bread wrapped in some cloth. Julian looked down at the food with a disgusted expression, “Sure you can afford to give that away?” “No,” he sighed, “My father keeps tight control on all the food.” “Don’t mind me being so bold, but who the fuck are you?” Julian snarled. Denver smiled, “Denver Ferrari.” “Ah! The son,” Julian mumbled as he leaned back on the cot and linked his fingers together over his stomach. One eyebrow shot up, “Heard of me?” “Been following you,” Julian stood and handed the bread back, “been following your breadcrumbs.” Denver smiled, “I was hoping someone was finding them.” Julian smiled his charming smile and sat back down on the cot. He put his long legs 2

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up against the bars, crossing them at the ankle. Julian then put his hands behind his head and waited for Denver to continue. “You’re not like the others,” Denver said, walking to a desk. “You mean I don’t beg for my life?” he smiled “You’re more laid back.” Julian held his hands up with a grin on his face, “All I’ve got is time.” “Time is on my side Renzo Ferrari snarled as he walked in with a hateful look on his face. He sneered at Julian in the cage, then walked past the cage looking Julian up and down with disgust. “Feed it yet?” Renzo asked Denver. Denver straightened up at his father’s harsh words, “Not yet.” Renzo walked to a fridge, opened it with a hard pull and took out a cold bag of blood. He walked over to the cage and pitched it at Julian. Julian let it hit the floor, never taking his eyes from Renzo. “Have you done your other task yet?” “I just got here,” Denver answered his father. “Get to it then. Your sister needs to be taken care of.” Renzo looked at Julian again with hate and disgust before he turned his back on both, “Get it done boy. I will be back tomorrow night.” Julian watched Renzo walk out with the confidence of a man who was used to getting things done his way. It surprised Julian how much he hated the man suddenly. It wasn’t how he was acting towards Julian. It was something else that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. “You had better drink that,” Denver said as he started to set up a bed, “If he sees that you’re not eating then he will really be pissed.” “I’d rather have a milkshake to cold blood,” Julian grunted out. Denver stopped what he was doing to look at Julian, “So you really do eat food?” “Don’t believe everything you read.” Denver made a sound, half laughing as he continued setting up the bed. Julian 3

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watched him closely, noticing that he stacked several layers of mattresses together, and then a soft fur cover topped the entire stack. Several pillows were stacked along with two more thick blankets on the bed. Denver then worked on setting up a tray and bucket beside the bed. When he brought out his tools, Julian sat up. “Your sister is someone’s bloodmate. Isn’t she?” It was more of a statement than a question. One that stopped Denver from his work. “Yes.” “And she is also very sick,” Julian went on. Denver looked at Julian with sadness in his eyes, “Yes. I think she is dying.” “She is,” he said softly, “You bleed her?” Denver went back to his work, “Too damn many times a day.” “Then you must search for the one that will take her pain away.” Once he had everything in place, Denver stood up. He avoided eye contact with Julian as he walked to the door and said, “I am.” Julian sat on the edge of his cot, waiting. He tried to show no emotion in his face or in his body when Denver came back. He worked hard at hiding the sudden interest from his eyes as Denver carried a pale blond burden in his arms. Yet his eyes didn’t miss a step that Denver took. Julian had to close his eyes and take several deep breaths to try to get control over himself. His cock suddenly started to get hard, his incisors lengthened, and his eyes began changing to a metallic silver color. “Are you alright?” Denver asked him. Julian kept his eyes closed and tried like hell to hide his fangs, “I smell blood,” he grumbled out, “Fresh, pure blood.” “I need to bleed her,” Denver responded. He looked hard at Julian. Even though the man was trying to hide the changes that were suddenly taking place, Denver saw them. “Denver, please!” his sister begged in a weak voice. Denver went back to his sister and laid both of her arms out to the sides, making sure that the buckets were under her wrists. Picking up his knife, Denver cut her deeply. 4

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“What’s her name?” Julian asked with a rough voice. Denver looked at the cage, noticing that the vampire’s back was turned to him, “What is your name?” “Julian Marino.” “I’ve heard of you.” “What is your sister’s name?” he asked with more demand in his voice. Denver walked back over to the cage. He noticed how Julian still stood with his back to him as well as how tense his body suddenly was. None of the others seemed to be as affected by his sister’s bleeding as this one. Denver was very intrigued with this mystery. “Serina.” Denver answered with a cautious voice. “Her pain is very deep.” Julian groaned. Each time Julian spoke, Denver felt it to his bones. Julian seemed to be suffering with his sister, seemed to be going through the same pain as she did. “Yes, it is.” Denver quickly went back to his sister. He took a small cup and scooped up an amount of blood. He went back to Julian, watching him. “I was going to wait and do this later, but I think now is a good enough time,” Denver said. “Do what?” Julian growled. Handing him the cup, he said, “Drink this.” Julian slowly turned around. His eyes were now bright metallic silver and his fangs were bare with hunger. “I test everyone of them that he brings here.” “Test them for what?” “I’m looking for the one that can help my sister. Drink this.” Julian took the cup from Denver. He brought it up to his nose and inhaled the sweet scent. Denver watched as Julian put the cup to his lips and drank. He didn’t drink like the others, but instead drank with pleasure. 5

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“Denver!” Serina called out in a weak voice. Denver pulled his eyes away from Julian and went back to his sister. He helped her bring the cuts to her mouth to close. After he had her cleaned up and tucked into the bed, he went back to Julian. The cup was clean. “You are the one,” Denver said in a surprised voice. Julian looked up at Denver, and Denver took a step back. Julian looked dangerous. He handed the cup back to Denver calmly, and then sat down on the cot. His body was rock hard, and in such need that Julian was in pain. Although slight, it was definite pain. “Feed her,” Julian said. Denver took more steps away from the cage. He placed the cup on the table, but his eyes never left Julian. “Feed her,” Julian said again, “Feed her my food as well.” “What about you?” Denver asked gently. “We,” he emphasized the we as he flashed a dangerous look towards Denver, “Won’t be staying here too much longer.”

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Chapter 2

Julian lay on his cot looking at the trap door above. His body told him that it was daytime and that he should be sleeping; yet his mind wouldn’t rest. He kept thinking about what was going to happen. Plus, his mouth still held a taste of her blood, savoring the sweetness. The aroma of her taste was all he could think of! The sweet liquid that had touched his tongue, hardening his body almost to the point of no return! He needed another drink from her. Needed to taste her again. Wanted to touch her. Julian took a deep breath. He could smell her scent, which only fueled the sudden need within. This was the one thing Julian had not expected to happen. “You’re not asleep,” her faint voice startled him. Ah! Her voice, he thought. So sweet, so innocent, and so toxic. Julian closed his eyes to let her words flow over him. His cock instantly hardened, making him hunger to feel her skin next to his. Julian took another deep breath and turned over on his bed to face her. “Why aren’t you sleeping?” “I don’t sleep much,” she said. “And what do you do?” Serina pushed herself to a sitting position. When she came into Julian’s view, he caught his breath. She was the most beautiful thing he had seen in a very long time. Her blond hair was cut short, only touching her shoulders, yet it was dull looking. There 7

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were dark circles were under her eyes from lack of sleep and her skin was pale from malnutrition. Even though she looked to be in very bad shape, Julian still had a raging hunger for her. He wanted her next to him. Wanted to care for her and treat her like a princess. Serina smiled weakly, “I barely live.” “You need to eat,” he said with a gentle smile. “You know, you are the first one I have ever seen.” “First one, what?” he asked in the softest voice he could muster. “Vampire.” Julian stood up, taking hold of the bars, “You have the birthmark. He knows it. You also need to be with your mate. He knows that as well. Only your true mate can take your pain away.” “Pain and hunger is all I know,” she looked at the clock next to her bed. “What’s your name?” “Julian.” Serina smiled, “I like that name.” “You should get some sleep,” he said softly to her. “I’m so hungry,” she sighed. Julian watched as Serina suddenly fell asleep. He was going to call out to her but stopped when he heard a heavy door squeal open. Quickly he lay back down on the cot, placing his hands behind his head. Denver walked into the room and headed toward Serina. He had a small bowl of soup in his hand. Quietly he put the bowl down and sat next to her on the bed. He touched her forehead, then felt for her pulse. “She needs more food,” Julian said, “A lot more than what you are giving her.” Denver’s head snapped in the direction of the cage. “Thought you guys sleep during the day.” Julian pushed up on his elbows, “Us guys are not usually in a cage.” “Good point.” 8

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“Why aren’t you feeding her more?” “My father rations it out. He doesn’t think she needs more than what we do.” “Well, he is wrong.” Denver walked over to Julian, “How do you know this? The others never said as much as you do.” “Maybe because I am not scared of your father.” “You should be. He will kill you once he finds out that you are useless.” Julian smiled, “I’m never useless. Bring her over here.” “Why?” Julian sighed, “Because I want to help her.” “How do I know I can trust you?” Julian flashed him with his silver eyes and showed him his long teeth in a wicked smile, “You don’t. But then again, you wouldn’t have given me some of her blood already if you don’t trust me to some extent big brother,” he said with a snarl. “What are you going to do?” Denver asked as he walked back over to Serina. “Want me to be blunt?” Julian asked. Denver picked her up and carried her limp form over to Julian, “Yeah.” Julian took her arm gently into his. He felt the silky, swollen flesh and his cock sprang to life. He rubbed her wrist over his lips, inhaling her scent. “I’m going to take down her swelling better than your bleedings will ever do.” “What will happen to her then?” Julian smiled, showing him his fangs. “It will allow her to sleep better,” he licked the pulse on her wrist, then looked back at Denver, “and start the healing that she is going to need.” Julian sank his fangs deep into her arm. His sexual hunger increased so much that he had to close his eyes as he drank, concentrating so he wouldn’t come in his jeans. All of his senses were open and on high alert. He heard, smelled, and picked up everything around them. He also picked up that Renzo was on his way back. Julian closed the wounds and kissed her wrist before he let go of her. 9

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“Your father is on his way back,” Julian said with an edge to his voice. Denver placed Serina back in her bed and looked at Julian with a stunned expression on his face. He couldn’t believe what he just saw and didn’t know what to say. “Better act normal,” Julian said as he lay back down on the cot, “Otherwise he is going to know something is going on.” Denver managed to get himself together as Renzo walked in. He looked over at Julian who was acting as if he was sleeping, and then walked over to Serina. “Well?” Renzo demanded. “She’s sleeping.” “And him?” “Quiet all day,” Denver said, looking down at Serina. “Get me my blood yet?’ “I just got here.” Renzo walked over to his desk and took some folders out of a locked cabinet, “Get it to me in two minutes.” Denver waited until Renzo was out of hearing distance before he let out the breath he was holding. “Two minutes isn’t enough time to get any of my blood to him.” Julian sat up with a big smile on his face, “Needles tend to break before they reach my veins.” “This isn’t a game,” Denver said harshly. “If he finds out what you just did, he will pull the switch and fry you.” “Deep fried Julian. Hmm, that doesn’t sound too good to me,” Julian said with a hint of humor. “I’m not joking here!” Julian stood up fast. His hand gripped the bars so tightly that his knuckles turned white, “Neither am I! Why did you send out those notes if you didn’t want fucking help?” Denver handed a specimen dish and knife to Julian. He watched as Julian cut his wrist and let blood pour into the dish. When it was full enough, Julian closed his 10

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wound and handed the dish back. “I don’t want my sister to die.” “Well let me give you something to think about, big brother. Your sister is dying. She isn’t eating enough for someone like her, and she isn’t being bled enough either. All you two assholes are doing is keeping her in constant pain.” **** “He is almost perfect!” Renzo said to Denver. “How so?” “I think if we transfuse some of his blood into Serina, it might just help her.” Denver looked at the computer. The test that Renzo ran showed something with promise. “So you're going to keep him then?” Denver asked. Renzo looked at his son. “He might serve my purpose for a few more days,” he said as he stood up. “Keep him fed. His blood is going to save her.” “Where are you going?” “Don’t you worry about that? You keep him in the cage and keep your sister comfortable. I’ve got some work to do and have to leave.” Denver watched his father leave as the afternoon sun started to set. He knew that Julian and Serina were sleeping. In fact, after Julian drank from Serina, she did sleep a whole lot better just as he said she would. When Denver walked back in a few hours later, he noticed his sister was sitting up in bed and drinking the soup he left for her. He also noticed that Julian was standing up watching her with a hunger of his own. “More!” Serina demanded. “We don’t have more right now,” Denver said. “Denver, please!” “She needs a lot more food, man,” Julian said. “I don’t have any more. I don’t even know how the hell I am going to feed us as it is.” 11

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Serina started to cry suddenly. She screamed as she dropped to the ground, holding her stomach. “Let me out, Denver!” Julian yelled. “I can’t!” Denver ran to Serina, taking her into his arms. “Then bring her here!” he yelled. Denver held Serina up, helping her to walk over to Julian. Quickly Julian took Serina by the wrist, sinking his fangs into her. He drank hard, but didn’t take much. He knew what would happen if he took too much from her now. Serina passed out in Denver’s arms. As soon as Julian closed the wounds, Denver put her back in her bed. “It’s started, Denver.” Julian said in a deadly voice. “What has?” “Something that you can’t stop and your father can’t control.” “What are you talking about?” Julian rattled his cage, letting Denver see his silver eyes and fangs. “Our bonding has begun. Your sister is my bloodmate, and only I can save her now. Her pain is going to get a lot worse, and her hunger a lot stronger. Get ready, big brother. Hell is about to be let loose.”

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Chapter 3

“So what next, oh mighty big brother?” Julian asked sarcastically. It was his third night in the cage, and Julian was getting very restless. Denver was putting some data into his father’s computer when Julian spoke. He acted like he didn’t hear him, but looked at Serina. She was still sleeping peacefully, but Denver knew that it wouldn’t last much longer. Already he noticed that her blood results had changed abruptly since Julian drank from her. This was something that Denver could not hide from his father. Even her skin seemed to change in color and swell as she slept. “Got any more ideas on how you are going to save the day?” Julian went on, lounging on the cot with his hands behind his head and feet on the bars. Denver stopped working and shut the computer off. He took the notes he was working on and placed them back into his bag. “Or better yet, got another brain fart on how to make your sister suffer even more?” “Fuck you!” Denver yelled at Julian. Julian smiled as he stood and leaned on the bars with his hands over his head, “Get pissed all you want. The longer you keep me in this cage, the longer she suffers.” “You don’t know shit!” “Oh, I know way more than you do,” Denver turned his back on Julian, checking the little food supplies that they had; “She has the mark. Your father, big bro, knows what 13

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will happen to her. Do you?” “He’s working on a cure.” Julian growled at him, “There is no cure you dumb mother fucker!” Julian hit the bars hard. “The only thing that can stop her pain is me or death. You know that or you wouldn’t have left notes for someone to find.” “You’re wrong.” “Why the tests then?” Julian started to pace his cage, keeping his eyes on Denver. “I wanted him to stop killing your kind.” “Bullshit!” “It’s true.” “You know the truth. You know what can and will happen,” Julian stopped his pacing and looked at Denver. “You asked for help.” Denver looked hard at Julian. He knew that this man was right, knew that standing in front of him was the one thing that would save Serina’s life. Denver just didn’t know if he could do the one thing that needed to be done. “Let me help you some. To understand that is,” the sarcasm was back in his voice as he spoke. “Serina is going to need many, and I mean many, deep bleedings. Something that I don’t think you or your dear daddy is ready for. When her system figures out that something other than what you have been doing is bleeding her, it’s going to test it. It’s going to seem to you as if she is deathly sick. She is also going to need to eat like there isn’t another tomorrow. Do you think you are up to that? Big brother.” “Do you know what he will do to me if I let you go?” “You let me worry about daddy.” “You don’t understand,” Denver groaned as he sat down hard in the chair. “Denver?” Serina said his name with more life in her voice than he had heard in a very long time. Denver looked at Serina. He stood up to help her when he saw her struggling to stand up from her bed. She smiled at him and a new feeling of relief washed over him. It had been months since Denver had seen her walk, let alone talk with a strong voice. 14

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“I can’t live like this anymore,” she said. “Please!” Denver walked over to her, and taking her face in his hands gently, he asked, “What do we do about him?” Serina smiled. “Blame it on me.” “Better yet,” Julian said, “come over here.” Denver looked at Julian. “I will make it look like I strong armed you for the keys.” Denver walked over to Julian and let him pull him hard against the bars. Julian found the keys to the cage and made sure he pushed Denver away hard. The more marks that showed up on his body the better. Julian stepped out of the cage with a determined look on his face. His eyes never left Serina as he took a few steps in her direction. “Come here,” Julian said in a compelling voice. Serina felt her heart pound hard with sudden anticipation. She knew in her soul that this man could take her pain away, could make her feel right again. She walked to him on shaky legs. Her eyes closed as his arms wrapped around her frail body. Protection and safety washed over her as she leaned into him. “Before you do what you need to do,” Denver said, “hit me.” Julian’s hand went to the back of Serina’s neck. He rubbed at the tight muscles as his incisors lengthened. His eyes were bright metallic silver as he looked at Denver. Quickly, Julian backhanded Denver. Denver went down hard, but managed to stay awake to watch what Julian did to his sister. Julian closed his own eyes as he sank his fangs into Serina’s neck. Serina moaned, as did Julian. He drank hard and deep. His body suddenly sprang to life as her sweet blood went down his throat. How he knew where her mark was, Julian had no clue. It was said that between some bloodmates, one would know where the other was, or in his case, where her mark was. Julian opened his eyes and pulled at the sweat pants. He pushed them down over her hips to see her mark. He watched as he drank, watched, as the bright red inside the mark became a lighter shade of red. When the blood in her mark reached a half point he stopped drinking, knowing that her blood count was 15

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down enough to give her peace. Julian closed the wounds and picked Serina up. She was weak from the sudden blood loss, but still awake. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Julian looked down at Denver, who was holding on to consciousness by a thread. “Now the responsibility is mine,” Julian turned his back on Denver and walked away. “You know how to get in touch with me.” He said over his shoulder as he left. Denver blacked out as Julian shut the door. Julian walked the two miles to where his truck was hidden. The whole time, he carried Serina like she weighed nothing. He wasn’t surprised that the truck was still there. He had hidden it well from anyone who might try looking for it; anyone like Renzo. Julian placed Serina in the passenger seat. He dug out a blanket from the back and wrapped her in it, then went looking for the keys hidden under the truck. Within ten minutes Julian was heading away from the warehouse. After driving for thirty minutes, Julian noticed that Serina was starting to show the first signs of her sickness. He found a motel, quickly noting that there was a vacancy. In no time, Julian had Serina in a clean room. “I’m hungry,” Serina moaned. “Don’t worry baby, I’m going to feed you real soon.” Serina was sitting on the edge of the bed as Julian rushed into the bathroom. He started a bath quickly and grabbed every towel that he could find. “What are you doing?” Julian walked back into the room, pulling his shirt over his head. Serina watched every one of his muscles bunch and twitch with his movements. She blushed when her thoughts wandered to what it would be like to feel his chest, to touch the hard abs, or to feel his skin against hers. Her thoughts went astray when her stomach started to turn. “Julian?” The frown on her face told Julian that it was time. He grabbed Serina and pulled her into the bathroom just as the first wave of sickness hit. Serina bent over the toilet and 16

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vomited blood, and Julian squatted behind her with a wet towel over her neck. When she stopped, he flushed for her and waited for the next bout. He didn’t have long to wait. Another pool full of blood filled the toilet, and this time, it shook Serina. “What’s… happening… to me?” she cried. Julian turned the water off in the tub and made a motion to undress her, but Serina quickly backed away from him. Her back hit the wall and she looked at him with a scared look in her eyes, sliding down to the floor. “What’s going on?” she asked. “Your body is going through a change. It’s bleeding itself. Getting ready for my demands.” “Your demands?” Serina suddenly doubled over in pain. “You need to get into the tub. The water settles your body after it starts to purge itself.” “I…can’t…get…in…there…with…you,” she breathed out. “It will only get worse if you don’t.” Julian made a move towards her and Serina dashed out of the bathroom on her hands and knees. She started to cry as cramps and pain raged through her body. The pain was like nothing she had ever felt or experienced before. Julian walked out of the bathroom calmly. He watched her writhing on the floor in excruciating pain. She looked like a wounded animal trying to crawl away to die. “Serina, the water takes this pain away after the sickness,” Julian said as he walked toward her. “I can’t. I can’t.” “Can’t what?” “I…can’t…bathe…with…you.” “You don’t have to bathe with me. Just get in the damn water!” When Serina shook her head no, Julian swore. He walked over to her and picked her up in his strong arms. Serina tried to fight as much as her weak body would let her, but in the end, it was a useless fight. Julian walked back into the bathroom and just dumped 17

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her into the water, clothes and all. “Stay in the water until your stomach calms down. I’m going to get you some fresh clothes and food. Stay put!” Julian turned and took one step when she called out to him, “Julian?” “Yeah.” “I’m sorry.” “For what?” “For being a pain.” Julian turned around and squatted down in front of the tub. He brushed her hair from her face and smiled at her. “You are not a pain. You are my salvation.” Julian kissed her on top of her head, and then closed the bathroom door behind him as he left. Walking toward the truck, he had to adjust the raging hard on that was stuffed in his tight jeans.

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Chapter 4

Julian rushed to a store around the corner. He bought a nice sweater and jeans for Serina, along with a satin robe. On his way back to the motel, he picked up two bags of Chinese food for her. His watch showed eleven by the time he got back, but he knew time was running out on him. He needed to get her to Lucian’s home where they both could be safe as he nursed her back to health. A job that wasn’t going to be easy at all. “Serina?” Julian called out as soon as he walked into the room. “I’m still here,” she said from the bathroom. Julian placed the bags on the table and pulled out the robe. “How do you feel?” Serina opened the door a crack. She smiled at him as she hid her body behind the door. “Better, but wet.” Julian laughed. “Here,” he handed her the robe. “Put that on. I also brought back something for you to eat.” Serina blushed as she closed the door. “I hope it is more than soup.” Julian smiled as he went to work setting up her huge dinner. He had just finished pouring her a large glass of grape juice when she opened the door and walked out. The site of her took his breath away. Her skin glowed a pale cream. Eyes shined blue and her wet blond hair looked silky and shiny. Julian wanted to pull her into his arms and bury his face in her hair. She still had dark circles under her eyes, but that was mostly because of the lack of sleep and 19

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good food. “Not much of a feast,” he said, pulling out the chair. “But for now it’s the best I can do,” Julian made a motion with his hand for her to sit down. “When Corbin gets his hands on you, then you will know what a feast is.” “Who’s Corbin?” “A very dear family member and one I need to call.” “Why?” Julian touched her wet hair. He couldn’t resist himself, but noticed how Serina stiffened up. “Sorry. It is so hard for me not to touch you some.” Serina looked up at him. Confusion was written all over her face, “I don’t understand what is going on.” “I know,” he walked away from her to the phone. “It is going to take Corbin at least three hours to get here and another three to get us home.” “Us? Home?” Julian put the phone up to his ear. “Yes. Us home. Eat. You are going to need it.” “For what?” “Corbin!” Julian started to talk on the phone and Serina looked down at the food. It wasn’t long before she started to eat. At first Serina ate slowly but after her stomach got its first full taste of real food in such a long time, it didn’t want her to stop. “Yes, I know the time problem,” Julian said on the phone. “Damn it Corbin! I don’t need a nanny right now.” Serina looked over at him with a full mouth. She watched him stand up with the phone and walk around. With each step, another muscle would bunch up. She was surprised at how she kept thinking of touching him. “Listen, you little shit! When I get my hands on you…” “Julian…” Serina stood up, looking out the window. Julian looked at Serina. He put the phone down on the bed and walked over to her. Julian saw Renzo in a van driving slowly. He was looking out his window at each car. 20

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Julian grabbed Serina and pushed her down to the floor. Quickly, he turned all the lights off and went back to the phone, keeping low. “Corbin. Stop bitching and listen to me. Get Lucian and meet me forty miles south of this motel. Yeah, I think he might be smarter than what we assumed. I know, I know. Find Danny if you can. That little shit owes me.” Julian hung up the phone. He grabbed the bags from the table, looking out the window again. Renzo was out of his van, walking through the parking lot with a shotgun in his hand. Julian took out the new backpack and the rest of the food for Serina. “Guess modesty time is over, honey,” he handed her the clothes. “Dress fast. We need to sneak out the back.” Serina took the clothes with a worried look on her face, “Why can’t you stop him?” Julian zipped up the bag and looked out the window again. Renzo was getting very close to his truck and way too close to their room for comfort. “My first concern is you. I need to get you home where it is safe, where you can rest. You are way too weak for anything but traveling, and even that is going to be too much for you.” Serina tugged the jeans over her hips, still wearing the robe. Shyly she looked over her shoulder at Julian to see if he was watching her. His main focus was still out the window, yet Julian watched her from the corner of his eye as he kept an eye on Renzo. As the robe slipped down her back, his body stiffened. His hands itched to touch the silky skin, which made it hard for him to focus on what needed to be done. Julian went back into the bathroom. As quietly as he could, he popped the small window open. He motioned for Serina and boosted her up toward the window. Serina pushed herself through it and landed hard on the ground. Julian followed and took her hand in his. Both ran into the night. They had only walked for about ten minutes when Serina dropped to the ground. Julian looked up at the night sky. Time was running out on them. He needed to get her home where it was not only safe, but also where he could get her nourished properly. “I…can’t…go…on!” she breathed out. 21

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“Come on. I’ll carry you.” Julian took her arm, but Serina yanked it away. “I can’t do this!” she yelled at him. “Just let me go!” Julian watched her cry. He knelt in front of her, taking her chin in his hand. “It will be all right. As soon as I get you home, everything will be all right.” “No, it won’t,” tears fell down her cheek. “He wont let me go. I know it. He use to say that he would rather see me dead than in the hands of someone like you.” “Your father doesn’t know what is going on with you. I wish I could soothe your fears and answer your questions, but I can’t now. We both need to keep moving.” “I can’t!” she started to cry again. “It’s okay,” he brushed her hair from her face. “You just hold onto me. I can carry you.” Serina wrapped her arms around Julian’s neck as he picked her up like a baby. She was very impressed at how lightly he held her in his arms. After two miles, he noticed that she was asleep. Julian walked slower so as not to wake her in his arms. He kept his ears tuned to any sounds and his eyes on the sky. Sunrise was approaching and being out in the open wasn’t a good thing for him. He walked for another good hour before he stopped. Gently Julian placed Serina on the ground. She woke, looking up at him with tired and hungry eyes. “Here’s some food for you,” he said, sitting in front of her. “It isn’t much but as soon as we get home, Corbin will fix you up something grand.” “I’m hurting again.” Julian pushed the waistband of her jeans down to reveal the mark. Her blood count was high again, and in order to ease her, he must drink from her again. Even Tempest had been in better shape than Serina, Julian thought. “I need to take more from you.” “More what?” “Blood,” he looked her in the eye, brushing hair from her face. Serina took a bite of her food, swallowing it hard. “When?” 22

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Julian gently brought her into his arms, pulling her across his lap. “Now.” He moved her closer to him as his fangs lengthened, but her hand on his lips stopped him. “Julian. Before you do this, can I ask you something?” “What?” “Will you do something for me?” “Anything,” he breathed out. Serina looked at his lips and swallowed hard with a blush, “Will you kiss me?” Julian felt his stomach drop. The simplest of questions felt like it could be his downfall. Julian wanted more than anything to kiss her. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her. Kiss every inch of her body. Take all the pain that she had away and take it for himself. To love her as no one had ever loved her before. “I’ve never kissed anyone before. Sorry I asked.” Julian noticed that Serina took his silence as rejection, when instead he was fighting for control. Julian placed both hands on her face gently. He pulled her closer, letting her sweet fragrance and the hint of her blood wash over him. “I fight so hard to just kiss you, to restrain myself,” he said softly. “The need to be with you is so powerful, you can never know.” Julian kissed her hard and deep. His tongue dashed inside her mouth to taste her. He groaned when her fingers ran through his hair as she held on to him and kissed him back. He could tell immediately that she was an innocent. Knew that this was the very fist kiss for her. Knew that she was experiencing new things at his hand. Julian broke the kiss to graze his lips down her chin to the pulsing vein. He licked it as his hand slid up to cup one of her breasts. Serina sucked in her breath at the sudden feelings that swamped her. “Julian,” she moaned. Julian’s fangs sank into the vein deeply. His body was rock hard as he drank; yet what he felt was so different from other times he had fed with a hard on. This time, he wanted to be inside her so badly that it hurt. With great reluctance, Julian closed the wounds. He looked down at her but didn’t 23

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let her go. Serina looked up and smiled weakly. “Thank you.” Julian smiled as she passed out. He grabbed his bag and picked her back up. Only two more miles to go and they would both be on their way home. Two more miles of a raging hard on that just wouldn’t seem to go down.

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Chapter 5

Tempest sat in a chair watching Serina sleep. It had been two days since Julian came home with her. Two days and the girl still didn’t wake up. Julian came in to take blood from her as needed. He wanted to make sure that she rested as peacefully as she could, which meant he had to take blood. All in the house knew that she needed to rest. Needed the peace of mind and body. Something that judging by her complexion rarely happened. Corbin was pitching a huge fit over feeding her. He thought they needed to wake her and feed her. While she slept, Julian spent his time with Lucian. Both were trying to figure out what they should do about Renzo. Julian knew the man wasn’t going to give up and let his daughter go. He would hunt Julian down like an animal. Something Julian didn’t want to bring to Lucian’s front door yet was powerless to stop, especially since Lucian made a point to tell Julian that this was his home as well. Julian stood in front of the window in the front room, watching the nightlife. Corbin paced the kitchen waiting for Serina to wake up and for Danny to come back. Danny was a sixteen-year-old homeless kid that Julian had taken under his wing. He found him in an ally dumpster looking for food. Even though Julian took him in, Danny preferred to be out on the streets. It was his way of helping Julian and Lucian out. Danny gave them all kinds of information about what was going on. He was also the one who told Julian where to find Renzo. Now Danny was out there looking to see if he

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could discover what Renzo’s next move would be. “He needs to be in school, Julian,” Corbin said. “He’s fine,” Julian answered, still looking out the window. “And this one needs something to eat,” Tempest called, walking up the stairs with Serina leaning heavily on her. Julian turned and a bright smile crossed his face. He walked over to Serina, picking her up off of her feet. He carried her over to the sofa, gently placing her down. Julian couldn’t help himself as he smiled and looked at her. “Do I look that bad?” she asked quietly. Julian brushed some hair from her eyes. “You look breath taking.” Serina smiled shyly at him. “Okay you brute. Get out of the way,” Corbin said with a tray in his hand. “Time for me to do my job and get this lady healthy.” Corbin placed the tray of food across Serina’s lap. It contained his famous, rich stew with several different meats and veggies. Two large slices of fresh bread with melting butter sat on a plate, along with a large, cold glass of iced tea. “I also made a fresh peach pie, but if you don’t like it, I can get you something else,” Corbin said. “You expect me to eat all of this?” Serina asked. Tempest sat down next to her. “Oh you will! Trust me.” Corbin touched her chin gently, forcing her to look up at him. “You eat until you can eat no more. I intend for you to never go hungry again.” Serina smiled and started on her food. Corbin shoved Julian and Lucian into the kitchen as Tempest helped Serina. He poured both a glass of the tea and watched Julian as he watched Serina. “She is in worse shape than she knows,” Corbin said. “Right?” Julian hung his head down for a second before he turned in his chair to look at Corbin. “Yeah.” He answered. “Thought so.” 26

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“When the hell did you get a brain?” Lucian asked. “It doesn’t take much sense to know what is going on in this house,” Corbin snapped back. “Especially when I run it!” “You know, the only reason I don’t kick your ass…” he was cut short by Tempest calling Corbin for more stew. Corbin gave Lucian the shittiest smile he could manage as he walked back into the front room to retrieve the bowl. “Oh, he is good!” Julian said with a smile. “Too damn good.” Lucian watched Corbin as he made a fuss over Serina. “He needs someone.” “Good luck with that,” Julian sat back in his chair in a lazy manner. “You have been trying for years to get him to date.” “I don’t like seeing him waste his life on us.” “I don’t waste my life,” Corbin said from behind Lucian. “I happen to enjoy taking care of you slobs.” “He has a point,” Tempest said. “You two are slobs.” “Does she need something else?” Corbin asked. “Honey.” “Don’t let her over do it at first,” Julian said, “She can still get sick.” “Yes, daddy. I will remember.” Julian laughed as Tempest stuck her tongue out at him. It had been months since he laughed and Julian realized that he missed it. He missed his own humor, just like he was starting to miss out on life. Now with Serina sitting in the front room, he had a chance. A chance to be whole. “I don’t feel so good,” Serina said suddenly. Tempest was the one that moved the fastest. She quickly took Serina to the bathroom. By the time Julian rushed in there, Serina had filled up the toilet with blood. “Start the tub, Julian,” Tempest said. “Wh…why is…this happening?” Serina asked. 27

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Julian made a move to help but was stopped by Tempest. “GO! I can take care of her.” “But…” “Not now, Julian.” The bathroom door was slammed in his face as Serina’s body disposed of the extra blood in her system. As he stood outside the bathroom, Corbin worked at cleaning up the mess and making some broth to help with Serina’s stomach. It was almost an hour later before Tempest opened the bathroom door for Julian. Serina was in her robe with wet hair and a pale face. She couldn’t even look at him as Tempest left and Julian came in. “You don’t have to hide from me,” Julian said as he squatted down in front of her. He took her face in both of his hands, gently forcing her to look at him, “I want to help you as much as I can. And I don’t want you to be scared of me.” “What’s going on?” she asked so softly that it seemed a dream that she spoke at all. “Why am I getting sick?” Julian saw the sadness in her blue eyes, saw the deep need to understand what was going on within her small body. He also saw the sudden need to be close to him. “It’s going to take some time for you to build up your strength. Just rest and let Corbin spoil you like he does Tempest. In no time, you will be walking around here giving all of us hell.” Serina smiled at him but as fast as her smile began, it stopped. She pulled her face away and looked back down at the floor. Julian felt her sudden withdrawal and it tore at him. He wanted to get closer to her, not farther away. “He’ll find me, Julian,” Serina looked back at Julian. A single tear fell down her cheek, tearing at his soul even more. “I’m afraid of what he will do.” “You are safe here.” “I’m not afraid for me,” Serina touched Julian’s cheek. The softness of her touch sent fire racing in his blood. He closed his eyes to savor the feeling, to hold on to her reaching out to him. “I’m afraid for you.” 28

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Even though Julian desperately wanted her, so much so that he was not sure he could control himself around her, he was also compelled to be around her as she made him feel alive. He needed to be close, if for no other reason than to reassure her that she was safe with him. Julian kept his eyes closed as he spoke with a raw, needy voice. “I feel so alive when I am close to you. So much so, I don’t know how much longer I can control this need.” “I don’t understand,” she said softly. Julian opened his eyes but continued to look down at the floor. His whole body was tense. Fangs were lengthening as his cock got harder and harder. He wanted to drink deeply from her neck as he pumped into her body. He wanted to experience the pleasure again, the pleasure that only his bloodmate could give. “I need you, Serina. I need to be one with you. Need to feel complete.” “How do you do that?” Julian took a deep breath. He closed his eyes again as he fought to gain control over his body. He forced himself to retract his fangs. Forced his hard on to stop throbbing and forced his eyes to turn back to their normal color. It was a hard thing for him to do, but somehow Julian managed to get control back. Tenderly, Julian kissed her on her forehead and smiled. “Come on. Let me get you back in bed before Corbin has a heart attack.” Serina smiled and said, “But you didn’t answer my question.” Julian smiled again as he helped her to her feet, “I will answer your question later. Right now, my sole concern is to get you fed and bled properly.” Serina took one step as Julian opened the door, “Julian?” “Hmm?” “Will you carry me?” Julian looked at her, and Serina blushed. “I like it.” Julian opened the bathroom door. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her gently on the cheek. “I do too.” Julian scooped her up in his arms as if she didn’t weigh a thing. Serina wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Corbin was waiting for both of 29

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them with a bowl of broth. As she slept, Julian sat on the edge of the bed watching her. A few times, he touched her hair, a cheek, or even her arm. He felt the strong need just to touch her. At the first signs of daylight, he climbed into the bed next to her, pulling her into his arms. Both slept deeply and peacefully for the first time in years.

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Chapter 6

Serina woke before the sun set to a hunger unlike anything she had ever known or felt. Not only did she want to eat something, she wanted to touch Julian. Serina was curled up on her side facing him, as he was sleeping next to her on his back with both arms over his head. Carefully, Serina stretched out. She used her legs to pull the covers down their bodies and watched as his hard body slowly came into her view. She licked her lips, looking at his face to make sure that he was still sleeping. With a light touch, Serina took her finger and touched the washboard abs. Julian didn’t stir as she moved her finger down to the small patch of hair below his belly button. Serina looked at his face again before she went further with her exploring. Julian was still sleeping, yet his body was coming alive. She noticed that his cock started to get bigger and his stomach twitched when her fingers touched him. She flattened her hand down and moved up to his nipple. Never had she touched a man before. Serina found that she loved the feel of his muscles under her hand. Loved how he moved slightly when she touched certain spots. Serina looked down his body. This time when her eyes looked at his crotch, Julian was fully hard. Serina bit her lower lip as she thought of how he would feel in her hand. She slid her

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hand down his chest, over the hard contours of his abs to the waistband of his underwear. Using one finger, Serina traced the outline of his hardness. She watched with pure fascination, as it twitched when she touched certain spots. “It feels better when your whole hand is around it.” Serina jumped back and scooted away from Julian. She wasn’t expecting him to wake up, but then how could he not? She was touching his body at free will, something that would make anyone wake up. “I’m…I’m sorry,” she said softly. “For what?” Serina looked around the room, down at the bed, and at the pile of clothes on the floor. She looked at anything she could, except him. “I shouldn’t have done that,” she answered him. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” Julian sat up, bringing his knees up to rest his arms on. “I like it when you touch me.” “I don’t understand why I am feeling like this. Or why I would suddenly touch you as you were sleeping.” “What are you feeling?” Serina looked at him and Julian’s heart started to pound in his chest. Her need showed crystal clear in her eyes. This wasn’t the need to be bled. It was the need to be loved. “I want to touch you. I want you to kiss me again, and I want something else. But I don’t know what that something else is. I feel like something is missing.” Julian moved slowly to his knees. He touched her face gently, forcing himself and his body to go slowly. She needed him to be slow and gentle. “You are what completes me,” he softly. “Anything, and I mean anything, you ever want from me, I will give you.” “What if I don’t know what I want?” “Then go with what your gut tells you.” Serina looked at his lips as he spoke. Her breathing started to increase as the sudden 32

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need washed over her. “It’s telling me many things.” “I can tell you this, baby,” he licked his lips as he watched her, watching him with hunger in her eyes. “If you keep looking at me like that…” Julian didn’t get to finish his words. Serina pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard. Julian groaned as his arms wrapped around her tiny body. He pulled her closer as the kiss deepened and tongues started a mating game of their own. Julian slid his hands down her backside, cupping her rear and spreading her legs to wrap them around his waist. Her fingers ran deep into his hair, scraping his scalp and increasing his hunger further. While the hunger rose in him, so did the thought that she was not completely well, but how much could a man take? Especially when the woman that he desired let it be known that she wanted him as much, if not more than he did. He tried, oh how he tried, to break the kiss and the need within him. But the moment that she started to grind her hips against him, Julian was lost. There was no way he could stop now! Julian broke the kiss, showing her his silver eyes. This time Serina didn’t shy away from him. He took hold of her neck gently and pushed her head back. He kissed her from her jawbone down to the vein that was throbbing along her shoulder. Serina gasped when Julian took her nightgown by the collar and ripped it open down to her waist. She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, pressing her body against his. The feel of skin to skin was so new and so exciting to her that Serina didn’t want to stop. She wanted to feel! Julian laid Serina down on the bed and finished ripping her gown from her body. Desire, rich and potent, rushed through him as he looked at her creamy skin. She was so beautiful that he was almost scared to touch her. Slowly, in order to savor this moment for as long as he could, Julian bent over and kissed her lightly on her flat stomach. He braced both hands on her sides and grazed her body with his mouth. He worked his way up to her breasts, noticing for the first time how small they were. Everything on her was small and he was a very large man. 33

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He was suddenly hit with the thought of how he could hurt her. Really hurt her. “Don’t stop,” she said softly. Julian kissed the underside of one breast, licking his way around to the pert nipple. He watched her as he sucked the nipple in, biting it gently. Serina closed her eyes and arched her back up to him. Everything he was doing to her felt so good, felt so right. He moved to the other one, doing the same thing. Sucking both nipples to hard points, then rubbing his face over them. He loved how her skin felt, how soft and silky. He also loved the taste. “I need more,” he rumbled. “So much more.” As slowly as he could, Julian kissed his way back down. He stopped for a second at her belly button, licking around it. He enjoyed her soft moan when he pushed his tongue into the tiny button. “What’s happening to me?” she moaned. Julian smiled as her fists clenched and unclenched in the bed sheets. “Pleasure.” Julian continued his journey downward. Instead of diving in to the treasure that awaited him, Julian moved to her hip. He picked up her leg as he sat back on his knees, the whole time watching her. “This is your one time only. Tell me to stop and I will,” he said as he kissed the side of her knee and up her thigh. “I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to hurt. All I want is to be alive, and that is how you make me feel. I know deep down in my soul that this is right between us.” Julian let his fangs lengthen as he spread her legs wide. He looked down at the pale blond curls. His cock twitched with the smell of her arousal and from the sight of the dew present on the curls. He held her legs open as he leaned down. He took a deep, slow breath, inhaling her scent, and then he slowly exhaled it. Serina moved her hips as the heat of his breath touched the wetness. She wanted something, but didn’t know what that something was. Julian’s hunger was to a point he could barely control. He used his tongue to lick her from back to front. When the tip of this tongue touched her hard clit, Serina suddenly 34

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came. It happened so unexpectedly that the only thing she could do was grip the sheets as hard as she could, turning her knuckles white. “Almost ready,” Julian said against her pelvic bone as he rubbed the palm of his hand against her wet mound. “For what?” she asked breathlessly. Julian took two of his fingers and slowly pushed them into her tightness. He closed his eyes and groaned, knowing that putting his hardness in there was going to be a special treat for him. Gently he started an in and out motion, using his thumb to bump into her clit. As he worked to stretch her, Julian kissed his way back up her body. His body was so tense he knew it was going to be a quick ride for him. So long had he waited for the release that only his bloodmate could give him, so long for the pleasure of another. “For me,” he answered. Julian kissed her deeply as he removed his hand. He took hold of his hard cock and rubbed the head against her. He let her body coat his to make this experience as smooth as possible, but he knew that she was going to be very uncomfortable. She was so small and tight. He braced most of his weight on one arm and with the other, he spread her lips open as much as he could and gently pushed with his hips. Julian watched as the head of his dick pushed inside the tightest opening he had ever had in his life! On a groan, he closed his eyes and put all of his weight on his elbows and continued his slow movement inside her tight pussy. He didn’t want to go fast, didn’t want it to be over before it began yet his own orgasm was so close. Serina felt him enter her, felt her body stretch to the max for him. The pain was so excruciating that she started to push against his chest, feeling that she couldn’t take it. However, the new feelings that she had for Julian made her want to go through with it. She wanted to give him something for easing her pain. When Julian touched the small barrier that told him of her innocence, he was lost. He tried to go slowly and gently, but the barrier wouldn’t give. Twice, he tried to push 35

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softly. He wanted to go easy and bring her the least amount of pain as possible, but this wasn’t going to be easy. “This is going to hurt,” he moaned. “I can’t help it.” Julian pushed hard, breaking through. Serina cried out, but bit her lower lip to stop. Her nails dug deep into his arms as he continued to force his way in. Tears came to her eyes and the urge to push him off was strong, yet she endured it. “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t!” he moaned. Julian gripped the sheet under the pillow where her head rested. He tried like hell to fight with his body and go slow, but in the end his body won. His hips started to move in short and fast thrusts. His fangs were long and sharp waiting to sink into the soft flesh and drink and as his movements became quicker and quicker, Julian gave in and sank them into her neck. He drank hard and deeply. All sounds were lost to him as he completed the bond between bloodmates. The second he closed the wound his cock erupted. Julian reared up on his hands as his cock spurted over and over in her, moaning out in pure ecstasy. When he opened his eyes, Serina was pale and out cold. “Drink from my body. Take my life into yours as I have taken yours into mine,” he opened his wrist and dripped the blood into her mouth. “Complete our bond.”

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Chapter 7

Serina woke to an aching body and a deep hunger. She was lying on her back, still spread out, and Julian was sleeping deeply on top of her. One of his legs was still between hers and an arm was draped over her breasts. Carefully, she slipped out from under him and from the bed. On light feet, Serina walked into Julian’s bathroom. She locked the door behind her and started the tub. Julian rolled over in bed when he heard the water run in the bathroom. He smiled thinking of what happened a few hours ago and why she would want a bath. The feelings all came back to him in a rush, bringing his cock back to life. Julian rolled from the bed, noticed the stain on his sheets. He looked again at the closed door to the bathroom, then back down at the bed. Standing nude, he stripped the bed and put on fresh sheets. He also noticed some blood on his groin. Instead of trying to get her to let him in the bath with her, Julian grabbed some clothes of his own and went to the other bathroom to take his shower. When he came back to the bedroom, Serina was still locked in the bathroom. “Serina?” Julian knocked softly on the door. “You okay?” “Julian,” she called his name in such a weak voice that Julian became scared.

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He rushed to his dresser, digging for his pocketknife. He flicked his wrist to open it as he walked back to the door. Within two seconds Julian had the lock picked and was rushing in. Serina was lying on the floor. It looked as if she dropped when she stepped from the tub. Julian grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her as he helped her to sit up. Her face told him that she was crying. Julian didn’t wait for her to settle down. He took another towel from the rack, picked her up, and walked her to the bed, as Serina cried in his arms. She felt so useless and weak that it was starting to depress her. “It will pass,” he said, drying her hair with the extra towel. “You need someone who is stronger,” she cried. “I need you.” Both looked at the other. Julian was about to kiss her, but was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Tempest smiled as she opened the door. In her hands were some new clothes for Serina. “Lucian is waiting for you upstairs,” she said to Julian. “And Corbin is waiting for me to bring her up so he can start his magic.” Julian looked at Serina and smiled, “Eat everything he gives you. When I get back, I’ll have a big surprise for you,” he kissed her on the forehead before he stood up and left. Tempest smiled at Serina and closed the door. “Don’t stress yourself over this. At one time, I was just as weak and in just as bad shape as you.” Serina wiped her face on the towel and tried to smile. It didn’t work. A fresh set of tears fell, so Serina buried her face in the towel and cried. Tempest put the clothes on the bed and knelt down in front of her. “Nothing is this bad,” Tempest said. “Everything is this bad,” Serina said between sobs. “My father is going to find me. And I think I’m not enough for Julian.” “Why would you say that?’ Serina blushed and looked away from Tempest. “I don’t think I did it right.” 38

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It took Tempest a few moments before she realized what Serina was talking about. Tempest smiled at her and sat down on the bed. “I thought the same thing my first time. Let me tell you this. He is happy for the first time in a very long while. I haven’t seen him care this much about anything since I came to this house. Julian is like a brother to me. I care for him as he does for me, as well as Lucian. But remember, you have his heart. Let him and the rest of us do what we need to in order to get you well. You will find that the next time you’re together, it will be something completely different.” Serina smiled and Tempest hugged her. “Now let me help you get dressed so Corbin can do what he does best.” Serina felt very different in clean, fitting clothes. Her father never trusted her to be alone for too long, so being able to soak in a bath was very enjoyable. Another thing that she was looking forward to was eating. Renzo also kept a tight hand on the food, so it always seemed that Serina never had enough. Tempest sat Serina down at the kitchen table just as Corbin was filling up a plate for her. He placed a large steak, as well as three hard-boiled eggs, hash browns and toast in front of her. He poured her a large glass of chocolate milk and orange juice, smiled, and then went back to working on lunch for them all. Serina looked at Tempest who was eating some toast of her own. “I know it looks like a lot, but trust me, you will eat it all and want more,” Tempest said. “Why aren’t you eating this much?” “She already did,” Corbin answered for her as he filled a large pot full of water. “Now she is eating the rest of the toast.” “Eat slowly,” Tempest said. “And eat as much as you want,” Corbin put in, “we have plenty.” “What are you fixing now?” Tempest asked. “This is for tonight,” Corbin said, putting the large pot on the stove. He tuned the gas on and looked over to make sure Serina was eating. “The ham in the oven is lunch for you two.” 39

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“Then what have you got planned for dinner?” asked Tempest. “Always thinking of food.” Tempest took her plate to the sink and kissed Corbin on the cheek as she went by him. “With the food you cook, hell yes, that’s all I do!” Serina ate another steak, drank two more glasses of milk, and ate one more hardboiled egg before she was full. It had been so long since she felt like this that all she could do was sit back and smile. Corbin poured her a glass of lemon flavored hot tea as he started to give Tempest another cooking lesson. Both explained to Serina that Tempest couldn’t cook a thing, but she was learning. So far, she finally managed to bake a cake that was edible, something that Lucian loved to tease her about. “Those two should be getting back about now,” Corbin said. “No shit. I’m getting hungry,” Tempest responded. “You are always hungry.” “I’m getting hungry again myself,” Serina said with a blush. “You, I expect to be hungry,” Corbin said with a smile. “She can fend for herself.” Tempest walked to the window in the front room. “Better get that ham out and cut. They are back.” Serina turned in her chair and Corbin noticed how anxious she seemed. He could also tell that she was going to need another ‘bleeding’ before lunch. When Julian walked into the front door, Serina smiled. Julian smiled back, “Ready for my surprise?” Serina stood up, not sure what to expect. Lucian walked in next and seeing the last person who walked through the door almost caused Serina to fall to the floor. Denver, her brother stepped into the house. Immediately, his eyes found her and both brother and sister went to each other. Denver embraced Serina. All the worry that he felt the past few days eased away. He closed his eyes, holding her and feeling like he never wanted to let her go. “I’ve missed you,” Denver said into her hair as he continued to hold his sister. Serina was the first to pull back. She took his face in her hands and looked at him. He 40

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had a large bruise on his face from where Julian had hit him, but other than that, he looked good. “You look good,” she said. “You look much better,” Denver said back to her. “Give me a little more time and she will look perfect,” Julian put in. “Well, I hate to be the one to bring this party down,” Corbin said, “but Julian you need to take care of her and Denver needs to wash up. Lunch is ready.” “Lunch? Don’t you mean dinner?” Denver asked. “For you maybe, but to them, its lunch.” Julian took Serina’s hand and walked her down the hallway to one of the upstairs guest rooms, saying, “Don’t worry so much Bro, I’ll have her back soon.” Julian closed the door to the bedroom, still holding her hand. He noticed right off how she suddenly tensed up. He didn’t give her a chance to withdraw from him. Julian pulled her to him hard and kissed her deeply, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “Now I know why Lucian never wanted to be too far away from Tempest for too long,” he said against her lips. “The need to touch you is so strong.” “I like it when you kiss me,” she said as she watched his mouth. “Oh, I want more than kissing,” but when she opened her mouth to speak again, Julian kissed her deeply. He walked her back to the door pressing her body against it with his. “Don’t think about that right now. Right now, I need to drink from you so you can enjoy your brother’s company and eat a good meal.” “Open your shirt for me,” she asked. “I want to feel your chest.” She rubbed his chest with her hands, watching her hands move. “Please,” her voice was so soft that she touched every nerve in his body. Julian stood back and pulled his shirt over his head. His muscles bunched and moved with him as he put his arms down to his sides. Serina reached out and ran both hands down his chest to his stomach. “If we don’t get this done soon, then we might be doing other things.” Julian stated. Serina blushed and dropped her hands. 41

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“Don’t stop, though. I love it when you touch me,” he closed his eyes as her nails scraped his nipples. Julian picked her up like a little girl, pressing his body into hers. He kissed her hard, forcing his tongue deep into her mouth. Serina was lost; she wrapped her legs around his hips and she kissed him back. “Julian,” Lucian knocked on the door. “We have company.” Julian broke the kiss before things went any farther. He grazed his lips down her jaw to her neck and the vein that was throbbing, sinking his teeth into it. The pumping of her blood into his mouth matched the throbbing need in his cock. He drank strong, hard, and fast. He wanted her to spend as much time with her brother as possible before Lucian took him back. Julian closed the wounds, but found it was somewhat harder to release her from his arms. “God! I could hold you like this forever.” “But my brother can’t wait forever,” she giggled. Julian let her go back out to her brother, but he needed a few minutes. His cock was hard and his need strong. By the time he came out of the bedroom, they all were eating and Lucian, along with Denver, were giving him a knowing smile.

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Chapter 8

Serina stood at the front room window watching as Lucian pulled out of the drive with her brother. She knew that Denver had to make their father believe that he was out looking for her, that he was still on Renzo’s side. Something that Denver had been doing for the last few years. “You okay?” Julian asked wrapping his arms around her. “I wish he didn’t have to go.” “I know,” he put his chin on the top of her head. “He wants to do this though.” “He could get hurt. Dad has lost it.” “Denver knows what he is doing.” Serina turned in his arms to look up at him. “He won’t stop looking for me.” Julian kissed the tip of her nose. “He won’t get you back.” “He’ll kill you. You know that don’t you?” “He has to find us first.” “Do you always have an answer for everything?” she asked, smiling up at him. “All right you two, I’m going to bed,” Tempest said. “Tomorrow, you,” she pointed to Julian, “are going to take us shopping.” “Oh, how fun!” Julian said sarcastically. “She needs new clothes. We will go as soon as we are done with breakfast.”

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Julian rolled his eyes, which made Serina laugh. “Come on. Let me take some of that pressure off of you.” Serina let Julian lead her by the hand downstairs. As they walked towards his room, her heart started to pound. She knew what being alone with him meant and it not only excited her, but also terrified her. “Julian?” “Hmm?” “Can you just hold me tonight?” she asked, looking at the ground with a small blush on her face. “Please.” Julian kissed the top of her head. “I’ll do anything you want.” Both dressed for bed and both climbed in at the same time. Julian pulled her into his arms. He kissed the underside of her wrist before he bit into her. Serina couldn’t hold back a moan as he drank from her. She closed her eyes and rubbed her body against his, feeling a need deep within her. Julian closed the wound on a moan of his own. “Thought you wanted me to only hold you?” “Why do I feel this way when you drink from me?” “It’s arousal,” he answered her softly. “We both feel it.” “You feel like this every time?” “Yessssss.” Julian was having a very hard time controlling the sudden rage within him. He wanted to rip her clothes from her body and plunge into her tight heat, to sink his fangs into the soft flesh on top of her breasts as he fucked her hard and raw. “Are you okay?” Julian groaned and rolled out of the bed quickly. He walked to the bathroom, closing the door hard. He had heard Lucian talk about the sudden sexual rage that he felt after he and Tempest bonded. Knew that it was going to be a hard adjustment, but he wanted to give her time. Something his body just didn’t want to do! “I’m sorry Julian,” she said through the door, “I’m so sorry.” 44

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Julian looked at himself in the mirror and thought, fuck it. He opened the door and there stood Serina in the tee shirt he had given her to sleep in. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him. Julian’s body was tense and his cock hard as stone. He stormed to her as she backed up against the door. Again he picked her up like a little girl, pressing his body to her. Serina wrapped her arms and legs around him. She accepted his kisses, fighting him for the power to dominate in their tongue war. Julian groaned as he pulled her shirt up, feeling her heated flesh against his. Not breaking the kiss, Julian freed his hard cock. He placed the head against the tight entrance, and then he moved her legs so they were hanging on his arms. The door at her back and her arms around his neck were the only two things holding her up. With no strain whatsoever, Julian lowered her. He impaled her slowly, filling and stretching her to the max, forcing her to take all of him. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he moved his hips in a circular motion, grinding them into her. Julian planted his hands against the door with her legs still draped over his arms. His upper body pressed hers harder into the door, and like a jackhammer, he moved. As fast as he could, Julian fucked. His eyes were closed tight, his mouth open and touching hers in a silent cry, as his hips pounded hard. Julian held nothing back. Serina moaned loudly as he invaded her body. Any pain she still had and felt with him stretching her as he was or with his hard thrusts, was drowned out. Tightness started in her belly along with a chill down her spine. She felt her cervix start to tighten, felt such a strong need to explode that she didn’t know what to do. Julian kept up the strong, fast pumping motion so that when the first wave hit her, all she could do was scream. As Serina screamed, she pressed herself as close and as tight as she could to him. Her first powerful orgasm washed over her hard. Tears formed along with stars at the back of her eyes, but it wasn’t over yet. Julian sank his teeth deep into her neck, which brought on another orgasm. This one seemed to be even stronger than the last. Serina not only screamed but she cried as her whole body started to shake. She felt her womb contract as Julian’s cock pulsated, 45

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releasing his seed deep within her. Julian closed the wounds and leaned in heavily against her and the door. His heart was beating hard and his breathing was fast. His cock was still buried deeply within her and still seemed to be convulsing. In all his years, nothing had felt like this. Never had he climaxed so hard. When he found the strength to look up, Serina was fast asleep with her head on his shoulder. Tears were still on her cheeks, along with a smile. Julian smiled, and still inside her, he walked to the bed. Within ten minutes, he had cleaned both of them and tucked her under his arm to sleep. As he closed his eyes, he thought about his past. He smiled as Serina snuggled closer to him, and soon he was deep asleep. **** Julian woke alone. He reached out his arm for Serina but she wasn’t there. He sat straight up, thinking the worst until he caught the smells of bacon and fried eggs. He dressed quickly and headed out to meet up with her, but met with Lucian instead. “A note from Denver,” Lucian handed the note to Julian who started to read it. Soon his smile became a frown. Watch your back. He has now decided to kill you. “Renzo isn’t going to give up,” Lucian said. “He needs to be taken care of. Permanently!” “Well I don’t see us finding him before he finds us.” Julian ran his hands through his hair as he crumbled up the note. “I don’t need this shit right now!” “Don’t worry about it, and what ever you do, don’t let Serina know. You need to get her back into good health,” Lucian smiled and slapped Julian on the back just before he started the walk back upstairs. “Especially before she turns up pregnant. Which might not be too long if you two keep having nights like the last one.” Julian felt his face blush. He knew that they were somewhat loud but didn’t think that Lucian heard them. He was still smiling when he walked into the kitchen. Corbin

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was fanning a pan that Tempest had burnt something in as Serina laughed. “Oh man! I’m so sorry!” Tempest cried. Serina wiped at the tears forming in her eyes, “Man!” she laughed, “I don’t think I have ever seen anyone try to scramble eggs like that before!” “Damn!” Corbin mumbled. “I need another set of hands.” Serina stood up and walked to the large stove. She started flipping the eggs over along with the bacon as Corbin worked on cleaning up Tempest’s mess. “Ah! So my beauty can cook also,” Julian said. “Yes. I can.” Serina placed several of the eggs on a plate before Corbin walked over and finished the task for her. She grabbed a glass of grape juice and in one long swallow, downed the whole thing. “Before dad got on his trip, I used to do most of the cooking. Seems that the less food I had, the weaker I became. He didn’t want to see that.” “I bet he didn’t,” Julian grumbled. “He said something had to be wrong with me to need that much food. So he started to keep track of what Denver and I ate.” “The food replaces what you lose in the bleedings,” Lucian said. “After a time, you will find that you don’t need to eat as much or as often.” “Can’t wait for that to happen,” Serina sat down in her chair and started to eat. “Well if you two want to get some shopping done, we had better get it over with before the stores close. I really don’t want to be hanging out with her,” Julian pointed at Tempest who stood up and smacked him on the back of the head. “See the smart ass has returned,” Tempest said. Julian laughed as he stood up, sticking his hand out to Lucian. “Fork over the cash. You know she is going to spend big time tonight.” Lucian chuckled and handed Julian a credit card. “Try to keep some kind of leash on her.” Both Tempest and Serina hit all of the stores in the mall that they could. Julian 47

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walked behind them carrying most of the bags and shaking his head. Lucian was going to kill him when he got the bill from Tempest this time.

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Chapter 9

“She’s sleeping?” Lucian asked, walking into the dark kitchen where Julian sat nursing a cold cup of coffee. “Yeah.” Lucian noticed how Julian seemed to be far away in his own thoughts. He sat down next to him and could immediately feel the worry rolling off his friend’s body. “She’ll be fine, in time.” “Time’s against us,” Julian stood up, taking his cup to the sink. He kept his back toward his friend as he looked out at the night sky. The sun was starting to show far away, a pale red sky of sadness. “He was at the mall, watching us.” “Does she know?” “No. She was happy, and I couldn’t tell her that her father was following us. I learned so much by watching her tonight,” Julian turned around, leaning against the sink. “She felt so guilty when I bought her a new shirt. She even begged me not to buy this necklace she was looking at,” Julian smiled as he thought about the night at the mall. “She told me that her mother used to wear a necklace with both her and her brother’s name on it. Told her it was her special way to always be close. To always keep a part of them with her. When her mother died, her father threw everything personal away. Not even a photo survived his cleansing, not even the necklace.”

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Lucian waited, knowing that there was more to come. He felt his friend’s pain, but knew that he couldn’t help with it. Tempest had been on her own when Lucian brought her home. At least Serina had someone to talk with, someone to help her through the process. But Julian had a madman after him bent on killing their kind and making his daughter suffer. Lucian noticed some photos on the table. Tempest and Serina visited one of those glamour shot studios along with one of those booths where you pay a dollar for five photos. Julian was right, Serina looked very happy. Even Denver commented on how much she changed in just a short amount of time. “I worry about her,” Julian went on. “She is so weak.” “She will get better in time. Tempest did.” “I can’t control myself when I’m around her,” Julian crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at the floor. “I always feel this need to touch her. To be close to her.” “That’s the way it should be,” Lucian stood up and walked over to Julian. He leaned against the sink, arms folded over his chest as well. “Trust me when I say this. If she weren’t meant to be, then she wouldn’t be walking around with a smile on her face and laughing. You are doing everything right. She is eating healthy. You are keeping her completely out of pain. She rests when needed. The only thing you do need to worry about and keep an eye on is if she gets pregnant too quickly. Serina isn’t strong enough for that right now.” “I worry more over her old man getting his hands on her than I do her getting pregnant.” Lucian smiled. “We will take care of him. With Denver and Danny keeping an eye on him, we should know what he is up to before he makes that move.” “I’m starting to worry about Danny. I haven’t heard anything from him in a few days.” “We can worry about that later. I think now we should get in bed before we fry up like Corbin’s bacon.” “Speaking of the shit, I thought you were going to get him a woman.” 50

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Lucian laughed as he headed out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. “I did. He went on a date while you were caged.” “Well, hell. He didn’t say anything to me about it,” Julian followed Lucian down with a smile on his face. “Just wait until I see him. Oh man! He is going to get it.” “I think that is why he didn’t tell you.” “Boy, if we get him a woman, we are going to need to get a bigger house!” “No shit!” Julian walked into his room quietly. Serina was sleeping deeply holding her new diary in her hand. She told Julian at the mall that she used to have one. Julian was starting to notice that she used to have many nice things that Renzo seemed to destroy. With some of the information that Danny was giving him, Julian was putting together a nasty picture of Renzo. It seemed that Renzo accepted the way Serina was until his wife died. Alina Ferrari was a small woman, and supposedly Serina took after her. Julian had Danny out hunting for things that might still be around for Serina. So far nothing had shown up. Julian did discover that Alina was very proud to have a daughter with the mark. That seemed to be enough for Renzo. Why she taught Denver how to take care of her and not Renzo, Julian didn’t know. He thought when he heard this that Alina knew she was sick, knew that if Serina didn’t find the one who was right for her, she would be lost. Serina told him that the day her mother died was the day the human in her father died as well. Nothing was left for him then, only the sudden notion that there was a cure out there for her. Julian gently took the diary from her hand and placed it on the nightstand. Serina didn’t wake up, just rolled over. He smiled as he tucked her in, watching her sleep until he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. Julian closed his eyes with a smile on his face, thinking he was finally at peace. Yet something nagged at the back of his mind. **** Julian thought he was dreaming. He felt a silky hot body rubbing on top of him. Hands moving over his stomach as lips kissed at his nipples. He kept his eyes closed, 51

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trying to hold on to the dream as long as he could. The second he felt hands wrapped around his hard cock, Julian knew it wasn’t a dream. His eyes snapped open as Serina started a slow stroking of his hardness. Julian sat up in bed, wrapping strong arms around her. She kissed him as she positioned the head at her entrance. Wrapping her legs around his hips, Serina used the heels of her feet to scoot closer. This movement let her push him inside of her body. “I want to feel like I did last time,” she said against his mouth as she moved her hips in short thrusts over him. “I want you to make me scream.” Julian groaned and came up to his knees. His hands gripped her ass firmly, used that grip for his leverage. With her legs around him and her arms holding on, Julian moved her. Serina helped him with the use of her legs and soon, Julian was slapping into her fast and hard. “Yes! So close!” she moaned. Julian licked her neck. His fangs lengthened and his eyes changed color. He was so close to coming that he wasn’t sure he could hold back and let her go first. “Please!” she begged. Julian knew what she was begging for, yet he couldn’t do it just yet. He wanted her to have as much pleasure as she could before he sank his teeth in. “Harder!” she cried. Julian growled as he slammed her down on his cock. Just two thrusts and Serina was screaming. Her climax rolled over her hard, letting Julian feel her womb contract again. That was what pushed him over. His cock erupted before he could sink his teeth into her. Julian moaned as painful pleasure washed over him. The head of his cock was so sensitive that is caused him to see spots behind his eyes, and yet Serina didn’t stop. She kept moving her hips, draining him of every last drop he had. Julian stopped her movements and sank his teeth in deep. Serina wrapped herself around him as tightly as she could while he drank, and then suddenly cried out as another smaller orgasm hit her. 52

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After Julian closed the wound on her neck, he flopped back down on the bed with her still in his arms and his cock still inside her body. Both were breathing hard and fast. “You can wake me up like that any time,” he said. Serina laughed as she rested her head on his chest, “Okay.” Julian laughed with her and it caused her to move. The slight movement forced a groan from him. He was still very sensitive and yet still hard. Serina picked up on it and sat up on him slightly. “Something wrong?” she asked innocently. “I’m very, very sensitive at this moment. So every move you make is a slight torture.” “Oh really?” Julian saw the devilish look in her eyes. “Don’t you dare,” he warned. “Or what?” Julian never got a chance to answer her. Serina placed her hands on his chest and started a slow up and down motion. Julian moaned and pushed his head back. The face he made looked like he was in pain, but the sounds told Serina differently. “Oh, I think I could like this position,” she said with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. “OH, shit!” he cried. Julian let her take charge for only a few seconds longer. He took her hips firmly and flipped her over onto her back. Julian then sat back up on his knees, taking her legs in his hands. “My turn.” Julian closed her legs and put them on his right shoulder. He gave her the same teasing thrusts as she had given him, watching her close her eyes and try to meet him stroke for stroke. “Julian!” Serina screamed his name as her orgasm hit. “Fuck!” Julian came with her, holding her legs tightly as his seed shot out again. 53

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Chapter 10

For two weeks everything in the house was good. Serina was slowly getting healthy. Corbin started to date the girl that he still refused to bring around Julian. Denver sent short notes to Lucian on what his father was up to, and Danny still hadn’t check in. Danny was a kid, sort of like Corbin. No home or family, but when shown a little kindness from Julian, he became loyal. He also liked it better on the streets than under Corbin’s thumb. Corbin thought he needed to be in school or at least come to learn how to run the house. Corbin wasn’t going to be around forever. So far Julian let the boy do as he pleased. Another thing that made Julian very happy was seeing how well Serina was fitting in. She liked to help out in the kitchen and even started to show Tempest some tricks to cooking. Lucian liked to tease that Serina could show Tempest so much better than Corbin was doing. For the whole two weeks, Serina also woke Julian up with some kind of foreplay. She was still very innocent when it came to sex, but she was becoming very bold at waking him. She loved to kiss his chest and stroke him awake so he would take her hard and fast. Julian had to admit, he loved waking up with her. “Hey!” Serina yelled from the bathroom. Julian jumped, as he was standing in the shower daydreaming. “Get your ass in gear before all the pancakes are gone!” By the time Julian got upstairs, the food was indeed gone. He laughed as Corbin

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handed him his normal juice. Since Serina started cooking with him, food never stayed put. “You do know that I taught him how to cook?” Julian asked. “Yes. And you have reminded me of that ever since I started cooking with him.” Julian smiled. “Nice. You must be spending all your free time with Tempest. You are starting to sound like her,” Julian kissed Serina on the cheek and ducked before Tempest could hit him. “Danny called,” Lucian said. “Said he has been following some of Renzo’s men. They are setting up shop around the old cemetery outside of the city.” “Not too much up there. Wonder what he has up his sleeve?” Julian said. “You okay?” Tempest stopped eating and looked at Serina. Serina had her fork halfway up to her mouth. She was looking at nothing in particular, but her face started to go pale. “Oh no!” she cried. Serina bolted down the hall to the bathroom. Julian rushed after her, but she managed to slam the door in his face before he could get in. He stood out in the hall listening to her vomit. “I thought she was over the sickness?” Tempest asked. “So did I,” Julian answered. “I’m okay,” Serina said from the bathroom. “Just give me a few moments.” Julian leaned against the wall and waited for her to finish. It was a good ten minutes before the door opened. He noticed right off that she didn’t look like a person who just threw up. “You okay?” he asked. “Yeah. It comes and goes.” “How long has this been going on?” “A few days.” Julian signed, rubbing his face. “This is the one thing I didn’t want to happen just yet.” 55

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“What are you talking about?” “You’re pregnant,” he said. Serina looked at him as if he had lost his mind. “I’m pregnant? No way! I can’t be pregnant.” Julian looked at her with a worried, yet serious look. “I’m afraid so, baby.” Serina paled again. “I’m going to be sick again!” Julian stood in the hallway again, waiting for her to finish. He leaned on the door, resting his head as he tried to cope with his worst fear. “You look scared,” Lucian said, walking up to Julian. “What’s up?” “My worst fear has come true,” Julian looked at Lucian. He tried to smile, but failed. “She’s pregnant.” “Man! I don’t know what to say,” Lucian responded, placing his hand on Julian’s shoulder. “I hate to break this up, but Danny is on the phone again,” Corbin said. “I’ll stay here until she comes out. You go talk to Danny,” Lucian said. Julian nodded his head, then rushed to the phone. “Danny! Where the hell have you been? Don’t give me that bullshit!” “What’s going on?” Tempest asked. “More trouble, I’m afraid. Serina is pregnant.” “What?” Tempest cried. “She isn’t strong enough to have a baby!” “And with her father still on the lookout for her, and on the hunt to kill Julian, things just keep getting better and better.” “No I don’t want you fucking camping out there!” Julian yelled from the front room. “Well, there is Danny for you,” Corbin said. “He is the only one that I know of that can piss Julian off.” “Oh, I wouldn’t say the only one,” Lucian said. Corbin smiled. “Oh, I remember someone else. Little Carissa could put a tick in his cheek pretty good.” “You two never told me about any Carissa,” Tempest said. 56

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“Carissa Morrisroe and her mother used to come over here a lot,” Lucian said. “That girl’s eyes always gave me the chills,” Corbin put in. “Anyhow,” Lucian said. “She would follow Julian all around. Sneak out of the house and go where he went. He kept catching her hiding in the alleys watching, as he fed. And yes, she did have strange eyes. That girl could almost look through your soul.” “So where is she now?” Tempest asked. “You know, when I get my hands on you I swear I am going to choke you until you face turns blue!” Julian yelled into the phone. “Not too sure,” Lucian answered, smiling as he watched Julian get red in the face. “Last thing I heard was that her mother died. Don’t know really what happened to her. No one ever knew a thing about her father. When her mother died, that was the last we ever saw of her.” “Ambrose would be the one who would know,” Corbin answered. “You know, we haven’t heard anything from him for a while either,” Lucian said. “Do you still have the cell?” Julian asked. “Is the damn battery still good?” “I have heard that Ambrose took in a few of the children left alone under his wing,” Lucian chuckled. “Heard he started his own league of fighting kids.” “Fuck!” Julian said, walking back to the hallway. “That boy doesn’t listen for shit! Is she still in there?” “You just now found that out?” Corbin responded with an edge to his voice. “And yes she is. It has been very quiet in there. Why don’t you bring her to the kitchen and I will fix her something to settle that stomach of hers.” Julian glared at him, then looked at Lucian. “And now we have another problem. Danny has found a place that Renzo has been putting together. Seems he has some followers, as well as a few test subjects.” “Just what we need,” Lucian said. “No shit. With her pregnant, and him trying to track us down, I don’t know what the fuck to do.” “What you can do right now is take care of Serina. Explain to her all that is going to 57

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happen, and what she is going to need to do in order to get the strength for the birth. This is going to be very hard on her,” Lucian said. “And you are not in this alone, buddy.” Julian agreed with Lucian. “She isn’t strong enough to do this alone. You are right. I need to focus on her right now.” “And if Renzo gets wind of all this, he will stop at nothing to get her back. So from now on, we are all on our guard.” “I wasn’t planning on this happening so fast.” Lucian slapped Julian on the back. “I know, so cheer up. You are going to be a dad before me.” Julian smiled, but soon his smile was gone. “She isn’t going to like what she’s going to have to drink.” “Once you explain it all to her, I bet she will understand.” “I hope so,” Julian said, looking at the closed door. “She’s not ready for any of this and once she sees what she will crave, she will not like me one bit.” “Well my friend, you don’t have much say in the matter now. You better call Ambrose and have him send over a doctor real soon. Bloodmates tend to be real sick when they are pregnant.” Julian ran his hands through his long hair with a sigh. “Guess I better get to talking to her. The faster I get this over with, the better.” **** Serina gave him a disgusted look. “Are you crazy?” she yelled at him, looking like she was going to be sick again. “I know this sounds strange.” “How this sounds? You are telling me I have to drink your blood?” “You are going to be losing a lot of your blood for the baby. You won’t need me to feed from you but once a day, so yes. You are going to need some of mine. You don’t have enough in your system to support the baby. You’re not healthy enough.” “Julian, I don’t understand.” 58

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“I know. Just trust me. Corbin will make sure that you don’t taste anything but the milk. You just have to promise me that you will drink every glass he brings you. Please!” Serina sighed. “I trust you Julian, but the thought of drinking your blood…that is a bit much.” “I know. But baby it’s the only thing we can do. The baby is going to take a lot of blood from you in order to live. It is going to be working on stabilizing its own system within you. Call it zapping of your strength, because you are going to be so tired, so hungry, and so in need of blood. That is where I will come in and take further care of you,” he finished with a smile, which in turn caused her to smile. Serina raised her hands up in defeat. “Fine! We do this your way. Just make sure I can’t taste one drop of it.” He kissed her, then hugged her tightly. “Thank you. And don’t worry. You won’t even know about it.”

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Chapter 11

Julian hired a private doctor for Serina. One of their own kind who knew how to take care of her. He knew by the look on the doctor’s face that Serina was in bad shape, even more so than what they all thought, knew that he had to take special care of her and to keep an eye on her at all times. If Renzo got wind that his daughter was going to have a baby, things would get even worse than what they were now. Over the next two months, Corbin did his best to nourish Serina. He fed her in bed every ‘morning’ and he fixed her special treats during the rest of the night that she was up. Tempest laughed at him, but she was just as bad. She would sneak out and go shopping, buying all kinds of baby things and new clothes for Serina. After all, she was starting to show real fast! After one of the doctor’s visits, Julian noticed an even more worried expression on his face. He was told that they needed to give her even more of Julian’s blood. Serina was now borderline anemic; another thing for Julian to worry about all day long. “Hey you!” Serina cried, when Julian walked into the bedroom. Her hair was wet from the bath from which she had just stepped out of, and the fresh smell of her skin called to him. Serina walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled him down for a sweet kiss, pressing her body close to him. Julian couldn’t help himself and wrapped his arms around her. He deepened the kiss, as his cock got hard with need. 60

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Seemed that it didn’t matter to his body that Serina needed to rest instead of taking care of his needs. “Ah, you don’t play fair,” he said against her lips. “I don’t want to play fair. I want to play like we used to,” Serina took a step back and smiled at him. She unknotted her robe and let it slip to the floor at her feet. “I want you to touch me.” “Serina, baby. I want you in a way I can’t put into words, but I also don’t want to hurt you. I can’t be feeding from you, and you know that both of us are going to want that.” “You can’t push me away this time, Julian. I want this.” Serina stepped closer to him and dropped to her knees. Julian watched helplessly as she worked on his jeans, worked at freeing his hard cock. He hissed as the cool air touched his hot cock and he fisted his hands as he fought for control. “I have never in my life thought about doing this, so if I do it wrong, don’t get mad at me,” she said. “I don’t think anything you could do would be wrong,” he moaned. Serina wrapped her small hand around the base of his cock, stroking it gently. She watched in fascination as it swelled even further in her hand and how the head turned a dark color. “You like this?” she asked, in barely a whisper. “You have no idea,” he groaned back at her. “And what about this?” Serina leaned in and sucked the head into her mouth. “Oh fuck!” Julian moaned. Serina bobbed her head up and down, sucking as much of his cock as she could. She learned right off to relax her throat muscles, and loved how he would moan when the head touched the back of her throat. It wasn’t long before Julian was bucking his hips, matching her sucking. When she looked up at him, his head was back, mouth open, and fangs lengthened. It was a site that turned her on like nothing else. Serina popped his cock out, making the popping sound and licked the underside 61

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from his balls to the head. “Julian,” she purred at him, “I want you to take me the way you always do. I want you to fuck me hard until I scream.” “I can’t,” Julian breathed out harshly. Serina continued to stroke him as she stood up. From his stomach, she licked up all the way to a hard nipple. “I’m asking you nicely. Don’t make me take what you can give.” Julian didn’t even notice that his jeans were off his legs, or that she took his shirt off for him. His eyes were closed as she continued to stroke him and lick at his chest. He didn’t even bother to protest as she pulled him to the bed by his hard cock. “Lay down,” she ordered him. Julian looked behind him to the bed, and when he was about to say something to her, Serina pushed him down. He watched with hooded, lust filled eyes as she took his cock into her hot mouth again, sucking him hard. “God, you are killing me!” he groaned. Again she popped his cock out, making the popping sound. “Good.” Serina skimmed up his body, moving his hands up to his head. She straddled her legs over his hips, rubbing her wet mound over his hardness. She rubbed herself back and forth over him, kissing his neck. “Are you trying to tease me?” “Hnm, is it working?” “You damn well know it is!” Julian took hold of her hips and impaled her on his cock. Serina cried out and sat back on him. She took his hands and placed them on her heavy breasts. Slowly she moved her hips upon him and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the feel of him. Up and down, up and down. In slow, torturous movements she moved on him. So slow that Julian thought he might die from the pleasure. “I can’t take much more of this,” he cried. Julian moved his hands down to her stomach. He was surprised just as much as everyone else at how large it was. She looked like she was carrying a large basketball 62

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under her clothes. He sat up, pulling her from his cock. When she whimpered, Julian silenced her with a deep kiss. He changed positions fast, placing her on her hands and knees. Swiftly he entered her from behind, giving her the ride that she wanted from him. Julian fucked her hard and fast, slapping her flesh hard on his own. “Come for me,” he demanded. “Come for me hard!” Julian cupped her breasts in both hands, pinching her hard nipples between his fingers. He forced her back against him hard, making sure that he hit every sensitive spot she had. Her cry was sweet music to his ears, and the sudden tightness of her pussy on his cock was heavenly. The only thing that would make this completely perfect would be for him to sink his teeth into her flesh, to drink her sweet nectar. Yet, he could not. Julian couldn’t give in to that one hunger, that one thing that would push him over the edge. “Julian…please!” she begged. “I can’t,” he moaned. “Just a little. One small one.” Julian closed his eyes and sank his teeth into her shoulder. This seemed to give her the satisfaction that they both needed. Serina screamed, clamping down hard on his cock. It was just the right pressure that he needed, forcing him to come suddenly. He closed the wounds quickly, pumping into her as he came hard. As he recuperated, he rested his head on her back, cussing himself at the slip of control. He shouldn’t have drank from her, shouldn’t have taken the little amount that he did. “God, I love it when you do that to me,” Serina breathed out. **** Serina laid in the middle of the bed, her robe on but open on her stomach. Julian was lying between her legs with one of Corbin’s special milk shakes in hand. Julian rubbed lotion on her belly, singing a song softly to the baby:

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Stai zitto mio figlio, che adesso ti piglio: il latte t'ho dato, il pane non c'è.

La neve sui monti cadeva dal cielo, Maria col suo velo copriva Gesù.

“That’s beautiful,” Serina said. “Is there an English translation to it?” “Yes,” he rubbed her belly in large circular motion, smiling when he got kicked. “Can I hear it?” she laughingly questioned. “Maybe.” Serina laughed harder. “What do I have to do to hear it?” He kissed the lower part of her belly. “Hmm, drink another shake and I’ll sing it for you.” “How many of these things do I have to drink tonight?” she giggled. “At least one more tonight. You need to replace what I took.” “Fine!” she sighed heavily. “Give me another one and start singing.” Mary busy with the washing, Joseph hung it out for drying, All alone the baby lying From the bitter cold was crying. 64

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Hush my son, my little one, In a moment I'll have done, All my milk I've given to you And the bread is finished, too.

As snow from the heavens Fell over the mountains, With her mantle of blue Mary covered Jesus.

“I like that,” Serina said, drifting off to sleep. Julian took the glass from her hand before it slipped. He covered her belly and tucked the blankets around her. “Sweet dreams, baby.”

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Chapter 12

“That’s who he is?” Renzo sat at his desk, talking on the phone to someone who was watching the house his daughter was living at. “You sure? No, this information is good.” Denver sat at his own desk, looking like he was working on the new samples his father handed him. He listened to everything that went on, knew what his father was up to, and what he wanted most. Renzo hung the phone up and sat back in his chair. He didn’t hide the smile from his face. The news he got was so good he wanted to shout it. Finally, it was just a matter of time before he would have Serina home where she belonged. She and the baby she carried. “I want you to go out to the cemetery,” Renzo said to Denver, “get it all ready with the medical equipment.” Denver stood up. “Okay.” “I’ll have a few of the boys go with you. They can take some of the heavy stuff.” Renzo watched his son with narrow eyes. He knew the boy was up to something. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. When the door closed behind Denver, Renzo picked up his phone again. “It’s me. The time is almost near. Get things ready at the new place. No! I want to stake the fucker to the ground and let him fry.”

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When another month went by, Julian started to really worry. Serina was only in her seventh month and looked like she was going to pop. Her blood count was better, but not where the doctor wanted it to be. He ordered Corbin to start making the shakes with a double amount of blood and told Julian to make sure she rested more. “Any news from Danny?” Julian asked, helping Serina up the stairs to the overstuffed chair. “Nothing new. He called a few hours ago. Said he found the place and that he was keeping an eye on it. Wanted me to tell you that he wasn’t doing anything other than watching.” “Well, at least that part he heard well enough,” Julian helped her put her feet up as Tempest handed her a large bowl of homemade ice cream. “You know, Julian,” Serina said. “I really want to go out for a fatty hamburger and some deep fried tater tots.” Julian smiled. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to take you out for something different. I think this is the first real craving you have had all through this.” “Yes, and I love Corbin’s cooking, but I want something different. Something that is so not good for me.” “I aim to please!” Julian took her to a drive in and watched her carefully as she ate. His worry for her health and that of the baby kept his attention. He didn’t notice how other customers seemed to pull away or how the place suddenly closed down. By the time Julian did notice the things going on around him, it was too late. Six men stood in front of his car with shotguns loaded and pointing at him. Julian looked around slowly, noticing that a large truck was parked behind them. It seemed that his worst fear was finally coming true. “What’s going on?” Serina asked with a mouth full of food. Julian heard the fear in her voice. He took her hand in is, but didn’t have the heart to tell her that her father had finally found them. 67

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Renzo stepped between two of the men who were pointing guns at Julian. He had a cruel smile on his face and death in his eyes for Julian. For what seemed the longest time, Julian and Renzo stared each other down. It was Renzo who finally broke the quiet, smiling cruelly at them. “Get her out of the car.” Serina’s door was opened and rough hands pulled her from the car. She started to scream for Julian, but was quickly shoved into another car. “Take her to the new lab,” Renzo said. “And bring him along.” Julian felt his fangs lengthen in anger as he was ripped from his car. When he tried to put up some kind of fight, he was shocked on his side. The volts brought him down to his knees, but didn’t knock him out. It was the sudden kick from Renzo in the face that knocked him out. **** Danny Bush hid in an old crypt watching the new lab that Renzo set up. Being a dirty kid, most people always took him for a homeless kid. That was how he got away with spying on Renzo and passing the information on. Danny looked at his watch, noticing that it was fifteen past two. He was thinking of calling it a night when one of Renzo’s cars suddenly pulled up. A car that so far had never showed up here before. Danny crept out of his hiding place and snuck closer to see what was going on. He watched as a girl, who was very pregnant, was pulled from the car and roughly taken to the front entrance. Denver suddenly rushed out, hugging the girl. Danny could see that he was yelling at the guys for the way they were treating the girl. Danny was about to get closer to see what was going on when another two cars drove up. Instead of going to the lab, these cars kept driving and went almost to the other side of the cemetery. Danny followed. He hid behind a tombstone, watching as Julian was dragged from the car. Two of the men started beating him, as another pulled out stakes and rope. The first thing that went through Danny’s mind was the thought that they were going to shove the stakes into Julian’s heart. Instead, two men started to pound them into the ground. By the time all four stakes were in the ground, Julian was almost out cold. Danny 68

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watched as they dragged Julian’s limp body over. He was kicked a few times as the rope was tied to his ankles and wrists. Like a crucifix, Julian was tied to the stakes. Renzo then came out of his car. As he walked over to Julian, Danny got closer. He wanted to hear what was said. “Since the day you took her, I thought of nothing but killing you,” Renzo said. “Now you have given me the perfect chance to do that.” “Yes. Killing your daughter isn’t enough for you,” Julian said weakly, obviously in a lot of pain. “Now you want to kill both of us.” “I was never going to kill her!” Renzo yelled and then kicked Julian. “I was saving her from scum like you!” “If she goes into labor, she could die! She will die without me!” Renzo got down on the ground. He leaned in very close to Julian’s face. “You have taken what was precious to me. Now I will take what is precious to you,” he stood back up, smiling. “That baby will be mine, and you will be fried! The perfect ending.” Renzo walked away. All but two of the men left with him. One walked up to Julian. He smiled down at him and said, “Just a few more hours, then you will be no more than dust.” Danny turned around, pressing his back against the headstone. He was breathing hard, trying to think of anything that might help Julian. He looked around, finding nothing. When he thought everything was lost, Danny remembered the cell phone in his pocket. Danny looked one more time at Julian and then he pulled out the phone. He closed his eyes, praying that Lucian would answer. Just when he was about to hang up, Lucian answered. “We got big trouble,” Danny said. “Julian is out here at the cemetery,” Danny looked up at the sky. Far away, the sky was starting to lighten up. Daybreak was close. “We don’t have much time. The sun is going to be coming up real soon. Yeah, I’ve got them,” Danny pulled out two of the knives that Julian had given him. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard as Lucian told him what he was going to do with the knives. 69

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Both Lucian and Julian taught Danny how to fight. They taught him how to throw them to kill or to knock someone out. They had also taught him how to fight without them if need be. Lucian was telling Danny he needed to throw the knife at the men to kill. “I know,” Danny said on a sigh. “Yes I can do this. We are at the far side of the cemetery. East side. You don’t have much time, so hurry. I will find you both a place to hide.” Danny pushed the button to hang his phone up and looked again around the headstone. Both men were smoking with their backs turned on Julian. Julian was straining as much as he could against the ropes, but nothing gave. Danny crawled out quickly. He took another deep breath, coming to his knees. He had both large knives in his hands. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath again, and when he opened them, he threw the knives. Both landed in the guys’ backs. Danny smiled as he hit his targets. He rushed over to Julian who was trying to look to see what was going on. “Now why didn’t you do that shit when we were practicing?” Julian asked, on a groan. “Guess your life never depended on it,” Danny smiled at Julian, then grabbed his knives and cleaned them before putting them away. “Good point. Now get me the hell off of this so I can get Serina.” “Was she the pregnant one by chance?” Danny asked, cutting through one rope. “You saw her?” “Yeah. She was taken to the lab. Denver is there as well.” “If Denver is there, we have a chance.” Danny yanked hard, freeing one arm. “Chance at what?” “Stopping Renzo before he takes the baby.”

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Chapter 13

Serina stood in her brother’s arms, looking around. Her father had set this crypt up into a small birthing unit. She started to shake as the realization hit her. Her father had been planning on her being there when she gave birth. Renzo busted in. He looked at Serina for a split second as he walked to a tray. He picked up a syringe, filling it. Walking to Serina he grabbed her arm brutally. He stuck her with the syringe, pushing whatever it was into her arm. “Get her in that gown,” Renzo said. Serina watched him walk back out of the room. She looked at Denver, who also had a strange look on his face. “What’s he going to do?” she asked. “Whatever it is, it’s not good.” **** By the time Lucian found Danny and Julian, Danny was still working on one leg. The sun was also rising. Time was running out. “What the fuck did they use?” Danny yelled. “This shit is so damn thick!” “And it hurts like hell too,” Julian put in. “Well if you two don’t get your asses in gear, two of us are going to be goners,” Lucian said.

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With Lucian’s help, Julian was finally freed. Danny looked around, trying to decide in a hurry which way would be the best to get them out of the sun. “Follow me!” Danny said. All three ran. What shocked Lucian was that it seemed they were running toward the sun, instead of away from it. Lucian noticed right off that something wasn’t right with Julian. They only ran a few feet when he started to sag to the ground. By the time they reached the place that Danny thought was safe, Julian was leaning heavily on Lucian. “You two stay here,” Danny said. “I know that as soon as the sun starts to set, you two can leave. I’m going back to the lab. It’s up the hill, the largest crypt is the lab.” “You be careful Danny,” Lucian said. “They might kill you.” **** “What did he give me, Denver?” Serina asked, pacing. “I’m not sure. What are you feeling?” Denver helped Serina change her clothes. What she wore was one of their mother’s old gowns, the one that she wore when she died. “My blood is pumping fast,” she said. “And…” Serina never got to finish her statement. Pain unlike anything she ever felt before hit her hard in the stomach. She screamed and doubled over. Denver knew then what their father had done. He gave Serina a shot to start her in labor. “That bastard!” “I need Julian here!” she cried. “This doesn’t feel right.” Serina screamed again. This time when she doubled over in pain, a gush of blood and water came out of her. The drug that Renzo gave her was racing through her body fast. Forcing her into labor faster than normal. **** Julian paced the small confines of the tomb that Lucian and Danny pulled him into. He knew that Serina was close. He could feel her pain as the contractions hit her hard and long. Yet he couldn’t be at her side. The sun was in the sky, and he was stuck in a tomb waiting. 72

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He thrust his hands in his hair. He knew where she was. Could easily pinpoint her location, but he couldn’t get to her. Another contraction hit her, knocking Julian down to his knees. Lucian rushed over to him. Perspiration was beading on Julian’s forehead and he was breathing very hard. Lucian also noticed that there was blood coming out of Julian’s nose. Something that was not good. “She’s hurting,” Julian, moaned. “I need to help her.” “If you walk out of this room, you will die,” Lucian said. “Something isn’t right.” “We just need another hour. Then we can go out without too much damage. Danny is going to find her for you.” Julian looked at Lucian. Pain was in his eyes. “She doesn’t have that much time.” **** Serina screamed, gripping her brother’s hand tightly as another contraction racked her body hard. She was tired, so tired that when the time came, she didn’t know if she would be able to push or not. “You’ve got to hold on a bit longer,” Denver said. “Give him time to find us.” “I can’t do this!” she said as she tried to catch her breath. “I’m so tired.” Renzo walked in. He looked at his daughter lying on the rusty, old cot with disgust on his face. “Time is running out. I want that baby. Now!” Serina screamed again. Denver’s eyes looked like they might pop out when another gush of blood came out of his sister. He grabbed a towel and went to see if she was hurt but stopped stunned. Instead of a cut or gash, Denver saw the top of a baby’s head. Renzo pushed him out of the way, pulling a chair up. “Good. It’s time.” Pillows were stacked under Serina's knees. Denver positioned himself behind her, helping her to sit up as she pushed. “Now you push girl. Push like your life depends on it!” Renzo yelled at her. Serina screamed when the pain hit her. She held onto her brother’s hands hard, pushing. Four times she pushed, feeling like nothing was changing. Denver watched 73

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things closely. He noticed that Serina’s body was dripping large amounts of blood to the bed and floor. Something his father didn’t seem to care about. “That’s it. Give me more. Push harder!” “Something’s wrong,” she moaned. “Everything is fine. You just keep pushing. It’s almost out.” Another strong contraction hit, and with it, another good amount of blood poured out of her body. Denver also noticed how pale she was starting to look. “Julian,” she whispered. Serina screamed again, pushing with the pain. Denver watched as a baby slid from his sister into his father’s hands. Renzo cut the cord quickly, and then wrapped the baby tightly in a blanket. Quickly he suctioned out the nose and mouth. Denver watched as the baby was cleaned and slightly shaken. It was covered in blood, yet wasn’t crying. “What is it?” Serina asked in a weak voice. “You gave me a girl,” Renzo said. He was smiling as he continued to whip the face and shake the baby gently. “Alina. Call her Alina,” she said. Denver noticed that his sister was getting weaker and weaker. He also noticed that she was still bleeding. “Dad?” Denver watched his father closely. Renzo looked up at his son. He smiled, yet Denver noticed that his eyes didn’t look the same. Serina screamed out suddenly. The sound seemed to do the trick, because the baby in Renzo hands started to scream then. She cried hard, pushing her hands out from the blanket, and squirming. Denver thought the baby was trying to get away from Renzo. Renzo looked down at the tiny girl, and then he noticed the sun was starting to set. “I have to go.” Denver stood up. He took two steps toward his father but was stopped by Serina's hand. More blood came out of her in a slow stream. 74

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“Another,” she said. Denver sat in the chair his father had just gotten out of. He jumped back when another gush of blood came out fast. When he looked again, he saw what his sister was talking about. Another baby’s head was pushing its way out. “Oh shit!” he cried. Serina sat herself up and pushed. With this baby, it only took her a few pushes before it came sliding out. Quickly Denver cut the cord and suctioned out the nose and mouth. “Another girl!” “Paris,” she said in an even weaker voice. This time, the baby started to cry and scream suddenly. Denver looked at her, but his attention was diverted by the amount of blood that was still coming from his sister. “(Serina)?” “Too late. It’s… too late,” her voice was so weak that Denver could barely hear her. “Hold on! He will be here anytime.” “Don’t let him… keep Alina.” The baby in his arms started to cry harder. It seemed that she knew her mother was dying. “Denver…. Find… Julian.” The setting of the sun started to shine through the crack in the shack they were in. A dark, red sunset touched his sister’s pale cheek, a blood red sunset. “Tell, him,” she stared, “I…love…him.” Tears started to run down Denver’s cheeks. “Don’t go,” he whispered. “Don’t leave me too.” “It…doesn’t…hurt…any…more.” Denver walked to the door and opened it to look at the sun. A red sky with a deep red sun setting shined into the room. It touched the pale form of Serina , touched her but didn’t burn her. “Julian!” Denver screamed, “Where the hell are you!” “Denver.” 75

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Denver rushed back to Serina’s side and went down on the floor next to Serina. “Let…me…see…her.” Denver showed his sister the baby. Both mother and daughter looked at each other. Serina smiled weakly. “She’s… perfect.” Denver watched helplessly as his sister closed her eyes and her arm dropped to the bed. The baby started to scream again, and all Denver could do was sit on the floor and cry with her. Serina was gone.

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Chapter 14

Julian walked slowly towards the open lab that Danny was standing in front of. Tears fell freely with each step. A red sunset was at his back, along with his best friend of many years. Julian knew what he was going to see once he walked into that dark place. Knew just from the sunset on his back, a sun that didn’t seem to burn. Serina was lying on a dirty cot, motionless. Blood pooled at the foot of the bed and on her legs. Her eyes were closed, and no life was left in her body. Julian walked slowly over to her. He dropped down to the ground heavily, touching her forehead gently. In all his years, Lucian never saw Julian this broken before. Never saw pain like this. Lucian also saw Denver sitting on the floor in the corner with some kind of bundle in his arms. He also looked like he was crying and now he just looked lost. Julian placed his head on Serina’s chest, holding her as much as he could as Lucian walked over to Denver. He knelt down slowly in front of him, looking Denver in the eyes. “Denver?” Lucian asked. Denver tore his eyes from his sister’s body and looked at Lucian. His eyes were still shiny , looking as if he was going to cry again. “He let her die,” Denver said. “He just let her die.” Denver looked back at his sister, as tears fell again from his eyes. “He took her baby and let her die.” Julian sat up. He wiped the tears that fell silently from his face, finally noticing 77

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Denver sitting in the corner. Both men looked at each other. Neither said a word to the other, yet both spoke so much. Their pain ran deeply at the loss of Serina. It was that moment that the baby decided to scream. Denver looked down at her, and still looking at her, stood back up. Lucian watched as he walked over to Julian. “She had twins,” Denver moved the cover from the baby’s face. He handed it over to Julian as another set of tears ran down his face. “She had two girls and only saw one. He took her and let Serina bleed to death,” he wiped the tears from his face. Denver looked down at the crying baby. “She named her Paris. Paris and Alina.” Julian removed more of the towel that the baby was wrapped in. Both daughter and father looked at each other with a curious expression. “You don’t worry anymore, my angel,” Julian said, “I will get your sister back for you.” Little Paris watched her daddy and stopped crying. She gave him a large yawn before closing her eyes to sleep. Julian smiled, and with fresh tears in his eyes, kissed the top of her little red head. He walked over to Lucian and handed the sleeping baby to him. He then walked over to Denver who was leaning against the wall. Denver looked at Julian. Pain was deep and raw in his eyes. “I didn’t save her.” “And you didn’t kill her,” Julian placed both hands on Denver’s shoulders tightly. “Renzo did that.” “He didn’t even care that she was bleeding. He didn’t care about her pain. All he wanted was the baby.” “We will get her back. That is my promise to you. My brother.” **** A few hours later, Danny and Lucian pulled the car up to the crypt. They watched as Denver walked out with Paris, now cleaned up and wrapped in a warm blanket. Julian followed with Serina in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder like she used to. Julian climbed into the back next to Denver. He held Serina the whole way to the house. Paris slept soundly in her uncle’s arms as another fresh set of tears fell down Julian’s face. 78

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Ten minutes before dawn, Julian walked out back. For the last time ever, he carried Serina in his arms. He laid her down gently in one of her new gowns. With Danny’s help, Lucian made a shrine for her to lie down upon; a shrine that they would burn with the sunrise. Julian was the first to notice the red sky with the red sun as he walked out to Serina’s body. He looked up as he held the torch in hand. Looked up for the pain of the sun, but knew that it would never come. The red sun meant death. Death of a bloodmate. With his eyes blurry from fresh tears, Julian set Serina’s body to flames. Lucian, Tempest and Denver stood in the house with the baby, but Julian stood outside watching. Steam rose from his body as the heat of the day and the heat from her body hit him. Yet Julian didn’t move except to put the necklace that he had made with the girls name around his neck. The same kind of necklace that Serina told him her mother used to wear. He stood still, withstanding the heat as he watched his bloodmate turn to ashes. Silent tears fell as he watched the love of his life blow away with the wind. “His soul is broken,” Tempest said gently. “And his heart is blowing away with her.” “He’ll mourn for a few days,” Lucian said. “Then our pursuit begins for Alina and Renzo.”

The End…

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