The Vampire Lover's Diary (Work In Progress)

Hi Everyone,

I have been arranging book blog reviews for Knight Of Swords & The Organ Grinder and have received a lot of interest.  More than anticipated and as a result I am now doing a blog tour.  If anyone is interested in doing a review of either book, please let me know at sara@saracurranross.com.  Thanks.

In the meantime here is the next instalment of The Vampire Lover's Diary.  Hope you like it. :)


Take care.

Sara



Roman carried me into his house and through into his kitchen. I caught a glimpse of the lounge as we passed through the large porch and down the hallway. WOW! I wish I had his taste. All white with a maple wood floor, expensive rugs, select pieces of art. I couldn't see anymore than that but I was impressed. Then the kitchen . . . white marble floor, shiny stainless steel appliances and curious round orange coloured stools at the immaculate grey/white breakfast bar. Very a la mode.


He . . . I was going to say dumped but that would be wrong . . .Roman is too refined and too precise in his movements to dump anything anywhere. He lowered me into one of the black kitchen chairs after he moved it outwards from the glass table with his mind. I will never get used to that!

I sat there wondering what was next as he straightened but found my eye drawn to a large square piece of artwork on the wall facing the table. I started prattling on about the house, the picture saying what a wonderful house he had . . .everything was so uncluttered, neat and tidy, unlike mine. I watched him frown and look at me with severe concern. It was too late before I realised I was acting like a nervous motor mouth, wringing my hands together. I was nearly raped and killed by a bloke with a large antique sword and then forced to watch my rescuer chop the guy's head off . . . must I go on!!! And all I can talk about is how lovely his house is . . .uh oh burn out!!

'I think you are in shock, Amanda. You need a brandy,' was all Roman said.

That was when I started shivering like crazy. Roman disappeared from the kitchen before I could blink he was back at my side placing a heavy wool blanket around my quivering body. He bent down in front of me and rubbed my arms to warm me.

'The minute Julian is back I want him to take a look at you. You don't look so good.'

'Are your surprised?' I ventured with sudden irritation. 'I feel like I am stuck in an episode of Vampire Diaries!'

He gave a small smile obviously amused. I'm glad someone was .

He gave me a curious studious look as he continued to rub my arms, 'You are definitely in shock but I wonder if it has brought on the beginnings of the change.'

I didn't want this change he kept talking about and he sounded a little too eager for it to happen for my liking. In a matter of moments my emotions went from fear to anger.

'I don't want this. I was quite happy with my new life,' I blurted out.

Roman cupped the side of my face and drew my attention.

'I know,' he whispered. 'I wish I could make it better but I can't. You have to accept what is happening to you or it is only going to cause you problems and might even get you killed. What you saw tonight was only the beginning. You must trust me.'

I stared at him and all I could see was him cleanly severing that man's head from his shoulders. I gave a violent shudder prompting him to quickly pull me up to standing and into his arms. He held me tightly. I let my head fall on his shoulder and inhaled the intoxicating scent of his expensive pine infused cologne. Oooh it felt good to be held that way after so many months of feeling cold and alone. But I had so many questions I wanted answers to. Roman was right, I couldn't just hide from everything that was to happen.

I lifted my head to speak but found myself silenced by the gentle brush of his lips against mine. I made no protest. Well hell, who would??? Have you seen him??? He smiled triumphantly against my lips as I gave a gentle moan.

'I heard your thoughts the first day we met outside your home at your car. . . What was it you said?' he teased. I froze. He smiled again. I closed my eyes and groaned with the embarrassment to come. 'Oh yes that's it. You wanted me to put an end to two years of frustration.'

He gave a small laugh as I cringed and made to move away. He brought me back to heel with another laugh and caught my face in his hands.

'How about I start now,' he whispered seductively.

He didn't wait for a reply. His lips were on mine and he was holding my mouth prisoner. I can't lie and say it wasn't divinely pleasurable and it wasn't what I had dreamt of but it just didn't seem right tonight. I felt there was more behind his kiss than merely seducing me and I was about to find out.

I tried to push Roman away still unable to forget what had happened with the other vampire in my room and the attempted rape he'd made upon me. But Roman's lips suddenly moved away from my lips and to my throat. I felt the graze of his teeth and then the points of his incisors rub tantalising against the tender skin of my throat. The tip of his tongue licked across my throat with a faint burning sensation and I became perfectly still.

I suddenly didn't want to move. A warm glowing feeling enveloped my body and a curious sensation began to build inside me as Roman continued to sweep his incisors over the skin of my throat. Every now and then he would press the sharp points of his incisors against my skin as though ready to puncture my throat but he never did.

I thought I was going to die. That's with pleasure! Ahem, I'm no stranger to arousal but boy I have never felt anything like that before. My blood seemed to be boiling, bubbling and pulsing all around my veins and pooling in an aching throb in my throat and between my thighs. Then the pain started.

I remember hearing someone scream with pain and realising after a moment that it was me. It wasn't a vampire bite I felt. Roman was viciously sucking and nipping at my skin and it was burning like hell.

I tried to move but I couldn't feel my arms or my legs, just this damn warm glow lulling me into obedience. I don't know how I found it in me but all I kept thinking about was pushing him away from me in my mind. Something inside made me continue to visualise it and mentally will it. After the third attempt I managed the feat and Roman fell away from me as though my mind had shot him with a strong burst of energy.

He stared at me in surprise as the feeling in my limbs returned and I covered my throbbing aching neck with my hand.

'What did you do to me?' I screamed.

'I see you are learning to use some of your gifts,' he said ignoring my question.

That very idea seemed to perturb him.

'You didn't answer my question,' I demanded.

He gave a heavy sigh and walked back towards me.

'I was just trying to protect you. You will come to understand,' he said gruffly.

He was upon me once more. He caught my wrist as I tried to retreat.

'I'm sorry, Amanda, I know it hurts but it will keep some of them away. You have to let me finish . . . I just want to keep you safe.'

I gave a squeal as he brought me swiftly towards him blocking my move to knee him one and caught my hair tilting my head backwards in an uncomfortable lock to finish what he started. I was terrified but relieved to hear steps behind me and the words,

'What the fuck?'

Julian.

The next thing I knew, Roman was flying backwards away from me and landing with a heavy thud against the far wall next to patio doors that led outside into the garden. Plaster crumpled to the floor along with Roman as Julian stood back to survey his brother with undisguised contempt. They were hissing at each other like snakes spoiling for a fight and their eyes were glowing red.

'What the hell do you think you are doing branding her?' Julian demanded.

'He was branding me?'

Julian was standing in front of me his arm outstretched to shelter me from Roman but I was having none of it. When I'm angry I tend to lose all my inhibitions. I manoeuvred my way around Julian before he could stop me and strode straight up to Roman feeling rage. I had been controlled fo 12 years by my ex husband until I'd quaked with fear. There was no way I was going back to that, not even if my life depended on it.

Roman opened his mouth to speak but was caught short when I swung him a sharp right hook across his jaw. Unfortunately my triumphant blow failed to do any damage but merely forced his face to turn slightly. Instead my hand now throbbed in pain in unison with my throat damnit. His face remained blank and undeterred. For the first time that night he felt distant.

Silence fell upon the room. I walked quickly for the door shouting my resolve not to be controlled and that I was going home. But before I reached the door it slammed shut and try as I might I couldn't open it.

Julian came towards me.

'Sorry, Amanda, it's too dangerous to let you go home.'

'I will not be held against my will.'

More silence. Neither of them wanted to admit that's what they were doing to me.

'Roman I suggest you go and calm down. You look like you need to feed. I am not letting you near her, so give it up. We all have a right to attempt to establish a bond with her. You have not been chosen as her true mate,' I watched him tell Roman, once again standing in front of me as a human shield.

Julian's tone changed to one of menace. 'And may I remind you of the fact that you have already had the luxury of a mate. I didn't think I was to feel any bond or need to challenge you but when Amanda was in danger tonight, all of that changed. I've never felt a need or pull towards a woman like that before. So don't push me. If I catch you trying to brand her again, I'll kill you.'

OMG I've been in this street for what? A week? And in that time I've managed to be attacked by vampires, found out I'm going to turn into one, run into a dead body, have my house totalled by supernatural creatures, seen a man be decapitated by a sword, almost get the biggest love bite I've ever had and caused a World War III between two brothers. Well done, Amanda. You go girl.

Roman got up close and personal in Julian's face and they started hissing at each other, their eyes a red glow again. I started to shake.

'Look no more fighting. I won't try to leave again if you two stop fighting. Deal? Come on, I need one of you to get me a drink.'

At first they ignored me but when I shouted and demanded they stop behaving like kids and do as I told them or none of them would get any so called Taleian bond with me, I would make damn sure. They stopped instantly.'

Hmmm. Note to self on handling Taleian/Lycan hybrid men – treat them mean keep them keen!

Roman glared at me and then back at Julian.

'She's mine and you are going to learn that the hard way,' he sneered and then marched past me to leave. I jumped when I heard the front door bang shut.

Julian's eyes melted back to their usual dark colour and slowly he approached me. With gentle cool hands he lifted my chin to study the brand.

'Roman had no right to brand you like that,' he told me. 'He thinks that if he puts his mark on your skin it will deter some of the lycan/Taleian hybrids and the lycans from challenging him. But our kind don't pay it any attention. It's a barbaric practice carried out by the full bred lycans. They superficially mark prospective mates while deciding which female to take as their own. Human/Taleian & Lycan/Taleian hybrids frown upon it. It causes lot of pain. You are lucky he didn't finish. Besides it's only temporary. He can't brand you properly until he bites you the true Taleian way and draws your blood. . .'

'Ok, stop now. I don't want to hear anymore tonight,' I groaned.

Julian smiled.

'Don't worry you'll get used to all the rituals and ways of our people and when you change and discover your powers, you'll learn how to handle us males,' he grinned.

'I'm looking forward to it.'

Julian let go of my chin.

'Come on let me get that drink for you and something for the pain. You look fit to drop. I want you to sit down.'

He gently took my arm to lead me to one of the orange kitchen stools and then stopped looking down at my trousers. One of his eyebrows arched. He was clearly perplexed about something.

'Amanda, are you aware that your trousers are open?'

I hadn't had time to do up my trousers after that man with the sword had tried to rape me. Part of me wanted to laugh with hysteria, the other cry. It was all too much and unfortunately my stressed out mind chose the latter.