Shon (The Seeker Series Book 2) Read online

  Vlad took a seat on the stool that Laura had vacated. “You certainly have a way with women.”

  The corner of Shon’s mouth lifted. “So, I’ve been told.” He swiveled on his stool to face the elder vampire. “Mind if I ask how old you are?”

  “Older than I care to remember.”

  Shon wasn’t about to let it go at that. “Is it true that you’re the first vampire, and if so, were you created or born?”

  Vlad laughed without humor. “I am definitely not the first. But to my knowledge, I am the oldest living vampire. I was born in 1431 in Romania. My parents were both vampires.”

  “Any brothers or sisters?”

  A faraway look settled in Vlad’s blue eyes. “I had two brothers and a sister. They were destroyed as children.”

  Shon immediately felt contrite. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “It was a long time ago.”

  “Who was the first, if you don’t mind my asking?” Shon wasn’t sure why he continued to question the elder, but he’d often wondered about the history of vampires. Now he had the chance to get some answers.

  “Are you familiar with the Bible?”

  Shon shrugged a massive shoulder. “I went to Sunday school as a child. I know about Adam and Eve,” he finished with a wink.

  “Yes,” Vlad agreed in a smooth, soft voice. “Adam. The first human ever created. Only Eve was not the first female.”

  Intrigued by Vlad’s recounting of their history, Shon sat forward and studied the elder vampire’s face. “Then who was?”

  “Her name was Lilith. She’d originally been created as a mate for Adam.”

  “What happened to Lilith?” Shon prompted, both fascinated and more than a little curious.

  “She was cast from the garden, not long after giving birth to her first son, Ezreth.”

  Shon lifted an eyebrow. “I thought that Cain and Abel were Adam’s first sons.”

  “They were. Adam did not father Ezreth.”

  “Then who did?”

  “A demon named Vrykolakas.”

  Shon’s mind was officially blown. “If Ezreth was the first, how come his blood didn’t become diluted over the centuries? I mean, seems to me that vampires have fucked themselves human. Literally.”

  Vlad’s lips twitched. “The blood did become diluted when Ezreth began breeding with humans.

  “Vampire children eventually became targeted by Lilith’s enemies. They were picked off one by one. The few that survived decided to breed amongst themselves to keep the bloodlines pure.”

  “What happened to the descendants of the purebred line?”

  “There are only a few of us left. Some are scattered abroad, and the others reside in Alaska.”

  “The elders,” Shon guessed, taking Vlad’s nod as confirmation.

  “There are none stronger, and you would do well to remember that.”

  “Meaning Gina,” Shon remarked. It wasn’t a question.

  Vlad nodded. “Though Gina is not completely purebred, she carries a large amount of Ezreth’s blood in her veins. She is sadistic and deadly to anyone that crosses her.”

  “Are you a purebred?”

  “I am one of the last two left.”

  Shon studied Vlad’s profile. “You’re immortal?”

  Vlad slowly stood and rested his hand on Shon’s shoulder. “No one is truly immortal but God.”

  “Wait,” Shon beseeched him. “You say our entire race originated from the demon Vrykolakas. If that’s true, then we are all damned.”

  “We are damned to a life of darkness, always on the outside looking in. To smell the delicious wonders of the world, yet unable to taste. To watch as others grow old and die while we continue on…year after year, for centuries.”

  Shon marveled at the emotion shining in Vlad’s eyes. “And Vrykolakas? What ever happened to him?”

  Vlad replaced his hood, casting his face in shadow. “Lilith went on to have more children with Vrykolakas, attempting to populate the earth with bloodsuckers until her death in 30BC. Vrykolakas was sentenced to an eternity of darkness beneath the earth. A place the Bible refers to as Hell.”

  Shon watched in stunned silence as Vlad drifted around the bar and disappeared through the front door without another word.

  Ember poked her head out of her bedroom at the other end of the hall. “Where did Vlad go?”

  Shon slid from his stool and sauntered in her direction. “If I had to guess, I’d say he went in search of a meal.”

  Ember shook her head, backing up to allow Shon entrance into her bedroom. “Doubtful. The older a vampire is, the less he has to feed. He’s probably looking for Angel.”

  Taking a seat on the foot of Ember’s bed, Shon glanced toward the bathroom. “Laura’s taking a shower?”

  “Yes. She’s exhausted.”

  “She could have showered next door.”

  Ember looked away. “I guess she prefers to use the feminine shampoo.”

  “Or she doesn’t trust me.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic, cousin. I’m sure it was nothing of the sort.”

  The bathroom door opened, and Laura walked out, wearing a floral robe. Her damp hair hung over her shoulders, and her cheeks were the lightest shade of pink. Even without makeup, Shon thought her enchanting. “Feel better?”

  Laura didn’t meet his gaze. “A little, yes. I’m going to head next door and try to get some sleep.”

  “What excuse are you going to give Kalli about needing some time off from work?” Ember questioned, moving to sit next to Shon.

  “No matter what I tell her, she isn’t going to like it. We have two new employees. Alan’s replacement started today, and I’m supposed to be working with him until he gets his feet wet.”

  “So, who is this new guy?” Shon told himself he’d only asked out of duty. With Gina on the loose, and another Seeker trolling the streets, everyone became suspicious in Shon’s eyes.

  Laura rested her hip against the dresser. “His name is Jonas Edwards. He transferred here from The Sentinel, in Tampa.”

  Ember stretched her legs out in front of her. “And what does this Jonas Edwards look like?”

  Shon noticed a blush creep up Laura’s neck. A telltale sign that she found the guy attractive.

  Jealousy burned in Shon’s gut, and that pissed him off more than a slow driver on the left-hand lane of the interstate ever had.

  Shaking off his suspicious thoughts, Shon got to his feet. “Come on. I’ll take you next door.”

  Chapter Nine

  Laura followed Shon to the front door. She gave Ember a quick hug before stepping out onto the deck.

  There was no sign of Vlad or Angel in the well-lit parking lot. “I hope Angel and Lucius will be all right,” she whispered aloud.

  Shon strode off to open Angel’s condo. “You’d have to get up pretty early in the morning to get the drop on ole Angela. He’ll be all right. Trust me.”

  “Thank you,” Laura murmured as Shon held the door open for her. She trailed into kitchen to refill her earlier glass of wine.

  Shon shut and locked the door. “Would you mind pouring me one of those also?”

  “It doesn’t mess with your system to drink wine?”

  Shon grinned. “Not really. But if you’re feeling charitable, you could always offer up a vein or three.”

  Her stomach fluttered at the thought of his mouth on her skin. She shook off the unwanted feeling. “Wine, it is.”

  Tracking Shon’s movements from the corner of her eye, Laura poured them both a glass of wine and set his on the bar. “I see you put on a shirt.”

  Why the hell did she bring up the shirt? She inwardly cringed, taking a healthy sip of her own merlot.

  The last thing she wanted was to remind him of what nearly happened in that very kitchen only an hour before. And if the look on his face was any indication, that was exactly what floated through his mind.

  He reached up and pulled his hair free of its restraint, all
owing the silky tresses to spill over his shoulders in dark disarray. “I can take the shirt off if you’d like?”

  The teasing sound of his deep voice did little to cool her desire. And she did desire him, much to her dismay. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  Shon shrugged a massive shoulder and took a seat at the bar. “Suit yourself.”

  Searching for something to say, Laura grabbed on to the first thing that came to mind. “When are we going to start looking for Gina?”

  “We aren’t going to do anything. I, on the other hand, will make plans with Vlad tonight while you sleep.”

  A feeling of foreboding came over her. “What if she finds you first?”

  “Even better. It would save me a hell of a lot in Tylenol.”

  “I’m being serious, Shon. Gina Calimari is not a joking matter.”

  Shon narrowed his brown eyes. “You think I don’t know that? That bitch not only made it her life’s mission to kill my cousin, but she also has my brother. She’s probably had him since the day he supposedly drowned, twenty-five years ago.”

  “I’m sorry,” Laura rushed out, reaching across the bar to touch his hand. “I didn’t mean to insinuate—”

  “No,” Shon interrupted. “It’s me that should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I’m just worried. If anything happened to you…”

  Laura stilled, her palm still resting on the back of his hand. “What were you about to say?”

  “Nothing.” Shon pulled free of her grasp and stood, disappearing down the hall before she had time to blink.

  “Damn vampires,” Laura muttered aloud.

  Finishing off her wine, Laura strode off to her sleeping quarters with a yawn. She peeled off her robe, hung it on the back of her door, and piled up in the queen-size bed.

  Thoughts of Shon’s naked chest plagued her as she sat, propped against the headboard. She’d always admired his physique, and he only seemed to grow sexier with time.

  With a groan of frustration, Laura slid beneath the sheets and rolled to her side. It had to be close to three a.m. With the lack of sleep she’d gotten the night before, Laura was beyond exhausted.

  * * * *

  Laura woke to a feeling of being watched. She lifted her head and squinted into the darkness. “Who’s there?”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” Shon rumbled from the corner of the room.

  “What are you doing in here?” She quickly sat up and pulled the sheet up to her neck.

  “Watching you sleep.” He drifted closer to the bed. “You have a little feminine snore.”

  “I do not snore. And I do not appreciate you coming into my room without permission.”

  He took a seat on the side of the mattress. “Well, technically it isn’t your room.”

  Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, leaving no doubt he silently laughed, if the glow of his teeth was any indication.

  She snatched up a pillow and hit him with it. “Get out, you pervert.”

  Throwing his legs up onto the bed, Shon slid to the center and leaned against the headboard until their shoulders touched. “Normally, I’d take offense, but alas, I fear there may be some truth to your words.”

  “Fine,” Laura snapped. “If you won’t leave, then I will.” She moved to get up, but he was on her with her pinned beneath him before she could draw a breath.

  “Why do you always do that?” The warmth of his breath tickled her face.

  “Do what?” she ground out, pushing against his chest to no avail.

  “Insult me. Run from me. Push me away…hurt me.” The last two words were barely a whisper.

  Laura stilled. All evidence of teasing had left his voice. “How…how have I hurt you?”

  He leaned in closer and nuzzled her cheek with his nose. “God, you smell good.”

  Laura’s heart pounded hard enough for Ember to hear next door. “Tell me…” Her voice faded on a sigh as his lips moved ever closer to hers.

  Shon settled over her, nudging her legs apart with his knee before lowering his face to her ear. “Do you remember the first time we met?”

  Laura’s voice eluded her. She could only nod.

  “We were sophomores in high school,” he continued, adjusting his body more securely in the cradle of her thighs. He pressed the hard ridge of his jean-clad cock against her soft mound, nearly wringing a moan from her.

  “I had flowers sent to you with a note asking if you’d go to prom with me. You didn’t even give me the courtesy of a phone call or bother to make an excuse. Do you know how long I waited on a response that never came?”

  Laura’s chest ached at his words. She stared up into the darkness, stunned by what he’d said. “That never happened.”

  He rolled his hips, grinding his erection against her. “Oh, it happened all right. More than once. Three strikes, and you’re out though. Right?”

  Another slow grind against her sent an explosion of nerves running through her body. She found herself lifting to meet his next downward slide.

  A gasp escaped her with the drag of his cock over her now-swollen clit. She could barely get the words out through her suddenly dry throat. “I never got flowers from you, Sh-Shon.”

  A deep rumble vibrated from his chest. He obviously didn’t believe her.

  “I swear, Shon. I—”

  His mouth closed over hers, silencing her protests. And just like that, Laura forgot about the past, the flowers that never arrived, the indignation she’d felt over his accusations. She forgot everything but the way his lips felt moving over hers.

  She moaned into his mouth, breathed in his masculine scent, and arched against his ever-moving hips. Nothing in her wildest dreams had ever felt as good as the reality of lying beneath Shon Wells.

  Without breaking their kiss, he rose up slightly and slipped a hand between their bodies.

  A simultaneous moan echoed throughout the room the instant his fingers came in contact with her wet heat.

  He suddenly lifted his head, removing his hand from her aching core.

  Laura could only stare up at his shadowed silhouette as he rolled to his feet and headed toward the door. “Where are you going?”

  He stopped but didn’t turn around. “To bed. Daylight approaches.”

  Humiliation was swift. “You son of a bitch.”

  “Now, that’s the first truth you’ve told all night.” With that, he disappeared down the hall.

  Tears of rage filled Laura’s eyes. He’d purposely come into her room to degrade her. To make her want him, only to leave her humiliated.

  How dare he, Laura thought, jumping from the bed and snatching her robe off the back of the door. She wouldn’t stay another second in this condo with the asshole, if her life depended on it.

  Technically, her life did depend on it. But she’d take her chances with Gina or the Seeker over spending the rest of the night under the same roof with Ember’s asshole cousin.

  Chapter Ten

  Shon stripped out of his now too-tight jeans and turned on the shower. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, haunted by what he’d just done to Laura.

  He’d wanted her from the first time he’d laid eyes on her. Hell, he wanted her still.

  He glanced at his throbbing erection in disgust. Why couldn’t he let her go? She had never shown the least bit of interest in him. Not that he blamed her.

  In his youth, Shon had had nothing to offer Laura but a greasy motorcycle he’d built from scratch and a rundown house his father nearly let fall to pieces around them due to depression. Not to mention his mother’s insanity and numerous run-ins with the law.

  Why then, did Shon feel such anger at Laura’s rejection? She had every right to her feelings, or lack thereof.

  “Shit,” he growled, angry with himself for humiliating her. The past was the past, and he needed to learn to move on.

  Turning off the shower, Shon retrieved his discarded jeans and dragged them back on. Laura deserved an apology for
his behavior. He would make it up to her, he silently swore, leaving the bathroom and striding down the hall to her room.

  He tapped on her door before pushing it open. “Laura? I’m…” His voice trailed off.

  He blurred down the hall to the kitchen in hopes of finding her drinking wine in a fit of anger, but she wasn’t there.

  With vampiric speed, Shon pulled on his boots and donned a shirt. He rapped on Ember’s door seconds later.

  “She left,” Vlad rasped, standing on the stairs, smoking a cigar.

  “Did she say where she was going?”

  “It wasn’t my place to ask. But from the tears in her eyes, I think it safe to surmise—anywhere that you aren’t.”

  Shon blasted down the stairs, stopping in front of the elder vampire. “You could have stopped her.”

  “As I’m sure you could also.”

  Ember appeared on the decking at the top of the stairs. “What’s going on? Is it Gina?”

  Gina, Shon thought, fishing the key to his bike out of his pocket, would kill Laura in a heartbeat once she found her. And Gina would find her. Of that, he had no doubt. “Laura left.”

  “What?” Ember blurred down the stairs, stopping next to Shon and Vlad. “Where did she go?”

  “Perhaps you should be more concerned with why she left as opposed to where she went,” Vlad offered in a soft voice.

  Ember jerked her gaze in Shon’s direction. “What did you do?”

  Shon stared back at her without blinking. “We had a slight misunderstanding. Don’t worry. I’ll find her.”

  “See that you do,” Ember bit out, apparently not as amused as Vlad seemed to be, if the look on her face was any indication. “And I suggest you hurry. It’ll be daylight in a couple of hours.”

  Vlad suddenly stiffened and held up a hand for silence.

  “What it is?” Ember whispered, looking from Vlad to her cousin. “Is it Gina?”

  The elder vampire shook his head, the moon’s glow reflecting off the sharp points of his fangs. “A shifter approaches.”

  “That will be Nita,” Angel announced, descending the stairs at a leisurely pace. “I’ve been expecting her.”

  “You invited a mutt into our midst?” The otherwise soft tone of Vlad’s voice came out in a hiss of anger.