Dark Melody: A Vampire Romance (Immortal Legacy Book 1) Read online

  I wasn’t sure going to his place was such a good idea. “Oh, do you live alone?” I asked.

  “Mostly, but sometimes the guys in Necro will stay with me.”

  His words hit my panic button. Being with Alec was risky enough. No way did I want to deal with an entire nest of vampires. “Are they, um … are they like you?”

  Alec nodded. “But you don’t have to worry. They’re not there right now.”

  Taking his eyes off the road, he turned and smiled at me. “They’re hunting. We’ll have the place to ourselves.”

  By hunting, I assumed he meant hunting people. Troubled by the thought, I unconsciously brought my hand up to my throat.

  Chuckling, Alec took his hand from the shifter and placed it over my arm. “Don’t worry. I would never do anything to upset Ethan.”

  He was toying with me again and it was irritating the hell out of me. I was tempted to come back with some kind of cutting remark, but just then he slowed the car and took the freeway exit.

  Peering out the window, I noticed that we seemed to be headed to the Garden District. I was right. Before long, the streets were lined with old mansions. I’d always loved the Garden District, though I didn’t get a chance to visit it often. It was one of those places that were way out of my price range. When I did get to this area of the city, I enjoyed walking the tree-lined streets. It was so peaceful, and the houses were beautiful.

  Alec turned on Jackson Avenue and pulled through the open gate of one of those houses.

  I let out an involuntary gasp. The circular driveway was at the side of an extra large house that had to be original to the neighborhood. The pale tan house wasn’t a mansion, but it was close. I knew a house like this would cost a fortune to build today. Actually, it would probably cost a fortune to buy.

  The lighted garden at the front of the house was crowded with palms and oaks, not to mention tropical flowers that added splashes of color.

  Alec stopped the car and got out. Before I had a chance to open the car door, he’d already done it for me. A cool breeze drifted into the car and it carried with it the scent of jasmine and roses.

  That same breeze was playing havoc with Alec’s locks of dark hair. With his blue eyes shimmering in the dark and the way his hair dancing on the wind, he looked too exotic to be real.

  “Are you coming?” he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

  I placed my hand in his and let him help me from the car. What few dates I’d been on had never included the guy opening doors and helping me from the car. The whole experience was kind of refreshing.

  There were stairs leading to a covered porch that was surrounded by an intricate railing, much the same as the balcony above the porch. Near the front of the house, I noticed a large cherub water fountain that poured sparkling water into a pond that was illuminated by blue light.

  “Your house is very nice,” I commented.

  “I like it.” He shrugged. “The place just says, New Orleans, doesn’t it? There’s really no other city quite so interesting or colorful.”

  As I followed him up the stairs to the door, my nervousness returned. There was an annoying little voice in my head that kept whispering warnings of doom.

  What if the others returned while I was still here?

  What if he lost control and actually did kill me?

  I couldn’t imagine the death of a human woman would be that much of a problem, even for Ethan.

  The thought was startling. Again, I realized that I really didn’t know my friend at all.

  In spite of that bothersome voice that kept urging me to turn and run, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Alec, let alone my thoughts.

  If nothing else, he was captivating. I couldn’t help but think he was weaving some kind of spell on me and there wasn’t a single thing I could do to stop it.

  When he switched on the light, a crystal chandelier glittered on the ceiling, casting prisms of light over the entire room.

  The inside of the house was even more stunning than the outside. It was furnished in 19th-century pieces that were absolutely dazzling. The couches were covered with red and black velvet.

  Alec made his way to a dark mahogany bar. “Would you like something to drink? Maybe some brandy?”

  “Sure,” I told him.

  A drink would probably help calm my nerves. Besides, he didn’t really have to get me drunk to render me defenseless. His eyes did a good job of that.

  “Please sit,” he said, handing me a small glass full of brandy.

  “Thanks.” I smiled but it was a guarded smile.

  Sitting on the edge of the plush couch, I was ready to flee at the first sign of aggression or fangs.

  “You should relax, he said as he sat beside me. “I already told you that you’re safe with me.”

  He was too close for comfort so I put a couple more inches between us. “I’m fine.”

  “Are you?” There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “You know, I was planning to scare you so that you wouldn’t come looking for me again, but I find you intriguing.”

  That was nice to know.

  “Well, I suppose I’m fortunate then,” I said, lacing my words with sarcasm. “Now can we talk about Ethan?”

  Alec’s dark eyes glittered with mischief. “We’ll get to that soon enough. But first, I’d like to get to know you. Tell me about yourself.”

  “What do you want to know?” I asked, setting my half empty drink on the dark wood coffee table.

  “Have you ever had sex with a vampire?” he asked, as casually as if he were asking if I’d ever walked in the rain.

  The thought brought on a delightful tingling sensation that sent heat rushing to my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I said, “Um, no. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do that.”

  “What a shame. I could show you such wicked delights,” he said, his voice low and sensuous.

  Slowly and seductively, his eyes moved from my face to the contour of my neck, before coming to rest on the cleavage visible above the neckline of my dress. The heat in his gaze sent ripples of desire over my entire body.

  Damn! I knew I shouldn’t have worn this dress. I was just asking for trouble.

  Ethan had asked me to choose something that would catch Alec’s eye. Maybe that hadn’t been such a good idea.

  A lump formed in my throat. What the hell was wrong with me?

  It wasn’t like I was a virgin. I was acting like a teenage girl on my first date. He must really think I’m naive.

  “What about this Omar?” I asked, changing the subject.

  It worked, at least for the time being. Alec’s entire demeanor changed.

  “Even if what Ethan says is true, Omar is not someone to go up against.” Alec scowled.

  “But wouldn’t it be worth it if you could find this secret?” I asked before retrieving my glass and downing the rest of my drink.

  Alec grew silent and again his eyes raked over me like I was a piece of meat. His scrutiny made me feel even more uncomfortable.

  “Let’s dance.” Picking up a remote from the coffee table, he switched on the stereo and a slow melody drifted into the room.

  “Oh I don’t think so,” I said, shaking my head.

  It was time to admit to myself that I was very attracted to him, and if I let him get too close, I’d lose control. Knowing my weakness would help to keep that from happening.

  Getting closer wasn’t a good idea. By now, I could barely keep my eyes off his broad chest and sensuous lips.

  I already knew his hands could make magic come out of a guitar, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like if they were caressing my skin. Most of all, I was drawn to his eyes - his vampire eyes.

  No matter how hot he was I had to remember Ethan’s warning. There was no way I was going to become Alec’s feeder.

  “Please, I insist,” he said, holding out his hand.

  Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his. His touch was cool, but the sensation of his skin touc
hing mine was wildly erotic.

  Alec pulled me into his arms and we began to sway to the slow melody drifting through the room. I felt his hands glide down my back to my behind and even lower until he could have easily slipped them beneath my dress.

  “Alec,” I gasped.

  “What can I say,” he shrugged. “My appetites are insatiable, including my appetite for pleasures of the flesh.”

  I thought I should do some more protesting but he didn’t give me a chance. His mouth found my neck. I could feel my pulse pounding against his lips as he left a trail of kisses up to my jaw.

  Almost as if they had a mind of their own, my hands found their way to his hair. From the first time I saw him, I’d wanted to run my fingers through that silky mane of his.

  Suddenly, his hands were cradling my face and his lips came down on mine. I let go and my lips parted to receive his tongue. I was drowning in the feeling of him exploring my mouth.

  Abruptly, everything changed and I appeared to be somewhere else.

  I was in a bed with black satin sheets that tangled around us as he slowly entered me, but he hesitated just as he was going to plunge into my body. The anticipation was agonizing.

  In a blink of an eye, someone else was in the bed with us. It was another man. He was dark like Alec, and just as breathtaking. When I felt his lips on my face and his hand kneading my breast, a gasp exploded from my throat. It was impossible to wrap my mind around the pure ecstasy flooding through my body. In that instant, all I could think about was sweet release.

  My eyes flew open and I was back in Alec’s living room. I blinked, confused about what had just happened. Alec’s arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, which was a good thing. Without him holding me up, I would have collapsed.

  “Did you like that?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I breathed.

  “I could do that for you, and so much more.” His words came out as hot breaths against my ear.

  “I would have to be your feeder. Ethan told me.”

  Suddenly he blinked as if he were coming out of a daze. “That isn’t always true. Sometimes I just make love to a woman because I want to.”

  “How did you do that?” I asked.

  “I can send images to your mind,” he told me.

  I could feel the power of his desire and it was overwhelming. His lust surrounded me like a blanket of heat.

  Breaking free of it would be a battle and one that I was no longer sure I wanted to win.

  “Why was there someone else with us?” I asked, suddenly remembering the other guy.

  Alec’s eyes turned cold and he stepped away from me. His nostrils flared as he scanned the room. It almost seemed like he could detect something that I couldn’t.

  All of a sudden the front window exploded in a spray of glass. I was lucky. As soon as I heard the shatter, I covered my face to protect it from the flying shards.

  At the same time the glass exploded, a dark form came through the window. It was the same guy who’d been in my head only moments before. He stood in Alec’s living room, his eyes glowing with some inner light. With his lips pulled back in a snarl, his fangs were clearly visible.

  Alec was in a defensive stance, ready to spring on the intruder. “How dare you come in here?” he roared.

  “I just wanted some of what you were having. She looks delicious.” Letting out a low growl, the vampire lunged at me.

  Before he could touch me, Alec was pulling me out of his reach. He then leaped at the intruder and knocked him to the ground.

  My mouth fell open as both vampires lifted into the air. Alec slammed into the other guy and they both hit the floor with a loud thud.

  The vampire began laughing hysterically. “Really, Alec, you are out of shape. I could have taken you.”

  Scowling, Alec got to his feet. “Victor, you should be hung out in the sun to dry.”

  As Victor stood up, I was able to get a good look at him. He was striking, just like Alec. I was beginning to think looks and charisma were just vampire traits. He had eyes as black as the night and dark hair that curled softly around his neck. It was easy enough to surmise that Victor was definitely into Goth. He was dressed in black leather that was adorned with silver spikes.

  “I see you have a new feeder. You should be careful with this one and keep her around awhile.” Victor laughed at the sullen look on Alec’s face.

  “She’s not a feeder.” Alec forced his words through clenched teeth.

  “Okay, dude, I just thought ….” Victor’s voice trailed off when he saw the fury on Alec’s face.

  “I know what you thought.” Alec’s anger was still evident.

  Victor took a step back. “Didn’t mean anything.”

  Alec drew in a deep breath. “What are you doing here, Victor?”

  The amusement faded from Victor’s face. “You’ll probably want to know that Omar has your friend. That Light Seeker freak, Ethan.”

  I drew in a sharp breath.

  Ethan was in trouble.

  “How do you know this?” Alec asked, his composure returning.

  “I saw some of Omar’s nest take him. He was in the parking lot at the Dark Wind,” Victor explained as he was brushing some imaginary dust from his jacket.

  “He broke the code of silence.” Victor turned to me. It was hard to miss the gleam of malice in his eyes. “If he were going to tell her, Ethan should have taken her life or made her his feeder.”

  Alec turned his attention to me. “Daylight is coming. You will have to get back to the Dark Wind and your car without me. You can take my car and leave it in the lot. Don’t let anyone approach you until the sun is up.”

  “But what about Ethan?” I wasn’t about to get the brush off, especially if it involved a friend.

  “I will deal with that later. It will be dawn long before I could find him,” he explained. “So, unless you want to stay here and sleep with me, the keys are in my car.”

  Since I had no intention of staying, I started for the door. It was probably a good idea to get out of there while I had the chance.

  “Nicole,” Alec called.

  I turned to look over my shoulder.

  “It’s been sweet,” he said, blowing me a kiss.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nicole

  It was a lot easier to think about getting out of bed than to actually do it. I practically had to pry my eyes open, but even then I only managed to get them open to slits and then I closed them again. The sun was way too bright. In fact, it seemed to be brighter than normal.

  Forcing myself to roll out of bed, I got to my feet. That didn’t last long before I was overcome with the urge to collapse.

  I wasn’t used to coming in at dawn. Sure, since I started working for Ethan, I’d grown accustomed to working late, but this was ridiculous.

  The sky had just been turning purple when I walked in my door. I’d been so exhausted. I’d only had enough strength to fall into bed. After I closed my eyes, everything was a blank until I tried to open them again.

  This kind of exhaustion wasn’t normal for someone my age.

  Wait a minute!

  Sensitivity to the sun and feeling suddenly exhausted could mean I’d been bitten last night, without realizing it. Forcing my legs to move, I stumbled to my small windowless bathroom that was really more like a closet than a bathroom.

  Flipping on the light, I winced from the pain that was making its way from my eyes to the middle of my brain.

  The harsh fluorescent light was worse than the sunlight.

  When I could finally open my eyes enough to see, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Right away I wanted to close my eyes again. I looked like crap. My hair was a mess and the black dress I’d slept in was a mass of wrinkles.

  I hated sleeping in my clothes, but that’s how tired I’d been when I got home. I hadn’t cared.

  Doing my best to ignore the fact that I could have easily passed for a zombie, I examined my neck in search of fang mark
s.

  There wasn’t a single mark on my neck. Since necks weren’t the only place a vampire could bite, I thought I should probably check my arms and shoulders too.

  There wasn’t a vampire bite anywhere.

  Relieved, I eyed the shower. I knew I should be out looking for Ethan, but I wasn’t going to get far if I was half asleep.

  Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the stream of cool water and let it wash away the grogginess. Once I was awake, my thoughts went haywire.

  Either I was dazed because that drink I’d had was one stiff drink, or I was in shock from everything that had happened over the last couple days.

  I’d actually danced with a vampire!

  That was just really weird.

  If someone had told me a week ago that I’d be dancing with a vampire I’d have laughed myself into a delirium, and then I’d have told them they were crazy.

  But vampires were real, and I had danced with one.

  Still, I couldn’t quite look at Ethan or Alec and think vampire. To accept they were vampires, I would also have to accept the fact that they were predators, as sure as the gators in the swamps.

  Turning off the shower, I grabbed a towel and dried off. Although I still looked a mess, I at least felt a little better.

  Now it was time to do something about Ethan.

  Rushing from the bathroom, I rummaged through my clothes until I found something simple and easy to throw on, which happened to be an old t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I dialed Ethan’s number. I wanted to see for myself if he was missing, but then I remember that he’d never once answered the phone before dusk.

  I can’t believe I’d missed so many clues that pointed to something being way off with Ethan. It had been easy to believe that most of his habits were due to him being a night person.

  I guess I hadn’t been wrong about that part, but he was a night person for entirely different reasons than I’d assumed.

  When Ethan didn’t answer his phone, I ended the call and wondered what I should do next.

  Even if Ethan hadn’t been abducted, he wasn’t going to answer his phone until after the sun went down.

  For the time being, there wasn’t much I could do, other than go to work. Grabbing my keys from the kitchen counter, I left my apartment, making double sure the door was locked behind me.