Davy Harwood (The Immortal Prophecy 1)

I didn’t even spare him a glance. It wasn’t worth it. “You are. You’re a vampire. You’re evil.”

“He’s clueless and he’s in danger.” Roane turned to look at me and this time I met his gaze, but my eyes quickly filtered over his shoulder to where Shelly and Adam waited beside the front entrance—talk about an imposter nightclub. It was one of those clubs that had the nicest décor, but the food wasn’t cooked properly, never tasted good, and hardly ever filled a person. Yet, they arranged it nicely, complete with a garnish on the very tip of the plate so it seemed like it was worth the lavish price. It was Shelly’s wet dream. It had all the trimmings, but none of the quality.

“Watch it. You’re broadcasting again,” Roane warned with a hint of amusement.

“Shut up!” I lashed out, harshly. “You’re evil and get out of my head.” I reached for the door handle, but Roane slapped a hand over mine.

I froze. I didn’t dare move because his hand had a cemented hold over mine. His body brushed against mine and if he’d been human, I would’ve felt his breathing against my cheek. I kept my eyes down, anywhere but his. Then he remarked, “I’m not in your head and that goes both ways, Empath. You stay out of mine and I’ll return the favor.”

“If you call me that again, I will…” I threatened, but I caught my words.

‘Don’t let them know you. Don’t explain anything to them!’ That had been Kates’ first lesson to me when I confessed I was worried a vampire was stalking me. The other lessons… I hadn’t been the one to think of setting Craig on fire, but I’d been the one to throw the match. And this one—this vampire…

“Vampire,” I snarled in return and turned to let him meet my stormy eyes. “I didn’t want to call you, but your name popped up in my magic eight ball. There’s a reason, and I’m thinking you know what it is, so let’s figure out a few ground rules.”

He let go of my hand and a rush of blood swept through it. I could’ve sobbed from the release of pressure, but my eyes hardened. “I will not ‘feel’ you. You will not listen to my thoughts and after we’ve ditched Adam and Shelly you will help me with Kates. After that, you and I go our very separate ways.”

“Gladly.” It was the second time he used that word with me and the same acid dripped from his tone.

“Fine.”

“Fine.” Then he reached for his door and was outside before I could blink.

I took a deep breath and muttered to myself, “Okay. Calm down. Be cheerful. And just fake your way till the end.” That’d been another lesson from Kates, but it hadn’t pertained to vampires. I liked to be adaptable and as I strode out into the cold air, I found I could breathe a little easier. Adam gave me a tentative smile. He moved away from Shelly and stepped close. “Are you okay? You don’t look like you’re up for this tonight. We could always…”

“Double date some other night?”

“It’s not a date or a double date, not for me anyway.” Adam frowned and stepped even closer. The air was cold enough to block his body heat, but I shivered as I imagined myself pressing against him. I felt a flush in my cheeks and ducked my h

ead. I didn’t want him to see how red I was, but I caught a movement from the corner of my eye. Roane shook his head with a flash of scoffing amusement. He made a point of turning his back to me.

My cheeks were aflame now, but not from eager anticipation. I could just… I held my breath and focused hard. I wanted to piss him off, I wanted to… I only knew one way to do it, but I’d just made a

promise. I couldn’t sneak my way inside again or I’d have to suffer the consequences.

“Davina?” Adam distracted me when he reached out to touch my arm.

I jumped from the cool touch, but exclaimed immediately, “Oh, I’m so sorry, Adam. I wasn’t… I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” he started to say, reassuringly, but he looked furtively at Shelly and Roane. He stopped as his eyes caught and held with Roane’s.

Oh god. Roane was doing the same thing with Adam that he’d done with Shelly. He had the eye radar thing going and I could feel Adam’s body freeze, immobile, as the vampire took his leisure time searching through Adam’s thoughts.

I only had a few options, but I reacted without thinking. I covered the space between myself and Roane before my brain had time to scream ‘Be rational!’ As if I had no control over my actions, I watched my own hands grasp the front of his shirt roughly. Roane didn’t have time to react before I pushed against him and slammed my lips over his. After that I felt like something unlocked inside of me. Adam was released from Roane’s distraction. My eyes snapped shut and I pressed harder against Roane. As kisses went, it was forced and impersonal.

Then I felt Roane’s hand slide around to the back of my neck and he took a breath before he took over the kiss. After that, all force and impersonal formality was gone within an instant. Roane’s lips opened over mine and he parted mine expertly. I felt his tongue sweep inside and I gasped from the molten intrusion. He switched our places. I was lifted up and pushed against the wall as his head tilted us so our backs were partially hidden. His hand cupped the side of my face and his thumb ran over my lips as he pulled away to nip at them gently. My eyes were still closed, but I couldn’t control my body. Every time he leaned close to nip at my lips, I arched into his touch, begging for more. When I heard a soft chuckle resound from him, I opened my eyes bleakly and saw a smug vampire staring at me.

All the heat, the passion that I didn’t want to admit to myself, was instantly replaced with coldness. I snapped and shoved him back.

Roane went, but he went slower than I’d wanted.

I swung horrified eyes to Adam, but I saw that he was gone. Shelly must’ve gone with him. “They’re gone.”

“After that display, I doubt your boyfriend is going to show his face again.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I had really wanted him to be though.

Roane said smugly, “You kissed me in front of him. You can’t explain that away, Empath.”