The Vampire Lover's Diary (Work In Progress)

Hi Everyone,

Here is the latest instalment of The Vampire Lover's Diary.  Hope you like it.

BTW, Ace of Swords will be released on 15th November 2011 by Hellfire Publishing after Knight Of Swords. 

Happy reading!

Sara.


21st December, 3.30am.


I can't sleep and I'm writing this on paper I've found in Roman's guest bedroom. Yes, I know. How did I get here? Let me explain, diary. After Roman's revelation my brain went on a meltdown and I am afraid that I threw my toys out of the pram.

'I can't possibly believe all of this,' I told him pushing him away so I could stand up. 'It's ridiculous.'

He sighed.

'I know. But I can assure you I am not lying to you. You are going to have to accept your fate. I'm sorry, Amanda but you can't hide from this . . .' he sounded frustrated.

'No. I've just walked away from a husband who controlled me I won't let another man rule my life,' I shouted suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Not a feeling I normally entertain. I decided to cover it quickly with anger.

Roman caught my hand in his as I tried to move away. Like a petulant child I attempted to tug it away but he held it fast, brushing his thumb over my knuckles in a light caress to soothe my agitated nerves or so he thought. But it was only to cause more affront in my present state of mind.

'Let me go and leave my house,' I demanded persistently trying to pull my hand away.

His grip tightened making me squeal but it did the trick in forcing me to be still.

'There is no way I am leaving you here alone,' he told me fiercely. 'So get used to me being around and to your new identity. Now how about some desert and coffee? I like to finish a meal off properly.' He smiled.

'What? How am I supposed to think of food when you've just told me my whole world is changing?'

I didn't wait for his answer.

'It's quite obvious I can't make you leave but let me go so I can be alone and have some time to think about all that you have told me. Please let me go,' I pulled harder spurred on by my fear and anger to the point I thought I might explode if he did not let go of me.

The fiery determination in his eyes softened for a moment as he appeared to consider my request and then it reignited with a passion. I felt the colour drain from my face in fear.

'There is someone in the back garden watching the house. Please go to your bedroom and lock the door.'

'No. I want to see what is going on. This is my house,' I protested.

But it was quite clearly not a request. Roman's grip on my hand suddenly moved to my arm and I found myself being lifted up on my tiptoes and pulled towards him. His handsome face was mere inches from mine. It was the first time I saw his eyes change to a deep shade of crimson and the first time I saw him bare his incisors and hiss.

I could have died on the spot. You know those cartoons where the cartoon cat or whatever freezes and breaks into small pieces and lands on a heap on the floor – well that was how I felt. Have to say though, to my shame, it made him look and sound all the sexier, especially when he followed it up by saying,

'Don't make the mistake of disobeying me, Amanda. Go to your room now or so help me I will drag you there.'

I remember thinking, what am I ten years old? But when the red in his eyes intensified and he gave another hiss, I nodded my head furiously. His red eyes narrowed and he let go of me. He was a blur of speed just like his brother had been and he was gone. I stood still, too shocked to move until I distinctly heard his voice thundering with command inside my mind, 'Now, Amanda.'

I did as I was told without further delay, scooping up a barking Puzzle who had decided to show her bravery and follow him into the garden. I shut the bedroom door and locked it dumping Puzzle on the bed.

I stood staring at the door for a moment and then began to pace back and forth nibbling at my nails. Something I always do when I'm nervous. My mind was racing with fearful thoughts, fear for Roman and who or whatever he was facing in the back garden. But all of that was to end abruptly when I heard a loud scraping noise at the ensuite bathroom window.

I took one step towards opening the door and venturing a look when there was a terrific noise of brick caving in and toppling. The ensuite door shook and instinct took over. I was running for the bedroom door and fumbling to unlock it with shaking hands. Too late.

I heard the bathroom door being knocked down and felt an arm around my waist pulling me up and back into the air. With a scream I landed backwards on my bed. There was a hand at my throat before I could take another breath. Puzzle was barking like crazy as I squirmed and kicked on the bed. A man loomed over me with eyes as black as the night. He hissed at me as he studied me closely. My hands tried to pull and claw at his hand as I found I could hardly breathe with the pressure he exerted upon my throat.

I felt a sharp pain in my temple and a sensation as though somebody was trying to force his way into my mind. I resisted as much as I could. I'd never felt pain like it before. Had my voice been free I would have screamed in agony. Puzzle barked for all her life was worth and must have bitten the intruder because he raised the back of his hand and hit her, knocking her from the bed. That was when I saw the heavy medieval sword in his hand with a bright dazzling emerald, glinting in the dim lamp light. Puzzle gave a yelp and was silent. Tears sprang from my eyes.

The man laid his sword on the bed and turned my head sideways with his tight hold on my neck. He leaned forward. Terrified I closed my eyes tight as he groaned with vile pleasure and rubbed his incisors across the skin of my throat. I thought of everything Roman had told me that night. There was no way it was going to happen to me without a fight.

The bronze statute I had used to defend myself the night before was on my chest of drawers right next to the bed. Determined I stretched out my arm and began to fumble around for it as the monster starting undoing the buckle of the belt on my jeans. It felt like a life time and the vampire was sweeping his fingers inside my trousers when I finally made contact with it's cold surface. I wasted no time in hitting my would be rapist across the head with it.

Unfortunately it didn't do me any good. It dazed him for a moment but his grip remained tight upon my throat and I began to despair. With another hiss the vampire slapped his hand across my face hard and began ripping at my trousers. I fought for all my life was worth but if Roman hadn't burst through the bedroom door and dragged him off me, I would have been a goner for sure.

They struggled like mad men. I glanced over at the sword. Something made me reach for it. I called to Roman and threw it to him. He caught it easily swiftly puncturing his assailant's stomach with its tip. But to my horror there was worse to come. As the man fell to his knees, Roman swung the sword in a neat well practised art and severed the man's head. I stared open mouthed. That's when I felt the sick in my stomach rise.

Roman came towards me but in fright I rolled to one side and scooped up a whimpering injured and bleeding Puzzle. I pulled my jumper down to hide my gaping trousers and somehow managed to make it out of the door before he could stop me. He chased me calling my name but all I could do was think about getting out of the house and away from him and what had just happened. He reached the front door just as I snatched the keys off the hallway table and made it though. I was in the car and he was pulling at the door handle but I wasn't having it.

I drove out of my drive at speed and headed towards the gates. It skidded in the snow and I struggled to control it. All the time in the back of my mind I kept wondering why Roman hadn't tried very hard to stop me leaving. Then I got my answer. He didn't need to. I wasn't going anywhere.

Something large, like a very tall human, only dark grey with red on its spine and the face of a scary looking wolf stood right in front of me. He was stark naked with all of his family jewels hanging out! I screamed and slammed on the brakes. I know I hit him but it didn't seem to do any damage. Then I felt the front of the car being lifted from the ground. I squealed and considered getting out of the car and making a run for it when I noticed we were not alone anymore.

Julian and two other men approached, all three of them carrying swords. Two women stood at a distance watching like nosey neighbours and a normal looking wolf, suddenly jumped on top of the bonnet and stared at me.

I jumped as Roman appeared at the driver's window. With one hand he ripped away the car door.

'Out,' he demanded. 'I know you are frightened but we aren't letting you go anywhere. It's not safe,' he told me gently. 'Maybe now you can understand that after what has just happened.'

I shook my head like a stubborn child not wanting any of it to be true. I was so frightened. I felt angry tears prickle down the side of my face. I hardened my features and removed one hand from the steering wheel to wipe at my face. The . . . for want of better words, normal looking wolf on the bonnet of my car, tilted it's head to one side and seemed to give me a sympathetic look. As I stared it changed shape and I found myself looking at a woman. She gave me a gentle smile.

Roman leaned into the car and slipped his arm under my legs and his free arm around my back to lift me out. I clung to the steering wheel but he was too strong for me and I was forced to let go. He held me against him tightly and refused when I asked him to put me down.

One of the three men I recognised as one of the men living across the road asked if I was all right. Roman nodded, 'She will be when I get her back to mine and safe.' He started to walk away with me and then stopped and turned to the group that now stood together.

'Amanda, meet your neighbours.'

They all nodded and smiled. This was too surreal. Like a crazy woman I murmured a bewildered hello. Then Roman turned and walked briskly towards his house.

'Puzzle . . .' I asked tearfully.

'Don't worry Julian has her. He will take her to the vets. In the meantime you are coming home with me. You can tell your family heritage rests in the royal Taleian blood line with your female stubbornness and your bravery.' I wasn't going to ask. I'd heard enough for one night.

I felt the warmth of his smile rest on my face and the comfort of his arms around me. For a moment I pressed my cheek against his chest suddenly glad he'd stopped me leaving. Maybe I should start trusting him. He nearly had me smitten until he said,

'You get one more chance at doing as your told so I can keep you in one piece. If you mess up this time and try to leave in the middle of the night again I'm tying you to your bed.'

Bastard.

'Yes I am where your safety is concerned and you need me to be.' Shit so he could read my thoughts! Oh no. No more naughty thoughts. Not that I wanted to think that way about any man after tonight. Wonder if you can put a lock on your mind to keep out intruders?

'I thought I'd lost you,' he continued softly as we approached his front door. 'Please don't make it difficult to help you, Amanda. It's what I am born to do and my life purpose. It is part of the Taleian and lycan culture. If you try and stop me I will come down hard on you. And no Taleian male or lycan hybrid or otherwise for that matter will blame me.'

My feminist pride was heavily wounded. There was nothing I could say at that moment but if he thinks I am going to allow him to simply walk into my life and take it over then he has well and truly underestimated me!