His Captive Mortal (A Vampire Romance)

I won’t let my guard down again. Not even with Aurelia. Not that she’ll let me.

So adorable, the way she came at me with the sharpened stake. Quick thinking on her part, assuming she’d never met a vampire before or contemplated killing one. Impressive. And, dare I say, sexy. I’m drawn to her.

And not because of her lithe body or beautiful face. Perhaps it’s her innate power or the way she stood up to me even when terrified. It makes me want to grab a handful of her thick, shimmery hair in my fist and bang her hard from behind. Show her who’s master.

But no. Satisfying myself with her body is the last thing I need. It’d be of no use. The curse has seen to that.

I hoist a box of supplies and trace back to Aurelia’s. Her living room is empty, but the door to her bedroom is open a crack. She’s curled in a ball under her covers, her brows drawn together as if in concentration. Her face looks so young and innocent in sleep. It stirs my lifeless heart. Watching her dream, I almost feel...what? Compassion? Affection? Caring of any kind?

No. Impossible.

I return to my apartment and transport another batch of supplies, then repeat until I’m done.

Now, to make this apartment mine. I grab a roll of duct tape, and cover every window in the place. Next I’ll nail sheets of plywood in front of them in every room but Aurelia’s--I’ll save her bedroom for last. I close the door to keep from waking her. She will need her rest to begin her studies tomorrow.

My preparations for dawn are crude but effective. When all the moonlight is gone from the place, I finally relax.

Operation Break My Curse has begun.

Aurelia

I run down Congress Street. A monster is chasing me--a giant black shadow with white fangs. Ahead, in the middle of the road, Gwen dances on top of her yellow car to K-pop music. The faster I run, the slower I go, my feet aching. There’s a rhythmic banging--like someone’s hammering something just out of sight. The monster is catching up, and flyers for Club Toxic rain down on my head--

“Shhhh, wake up little fairy. You’re having a bad dream.”

I flail and someone catches my wrists. I squint in the dark at a narrow face. As soon as my gaze meets his dark eyes, my body softens. “Vampire,” I breathe. “You came back.”

“I did. I’m going to be staying for a while.”

“Here? With me?”

“Yes, sweetheart.” He bends his head and whispers a series of commands. The words sink into my bones--don’t touch the windows, don’t touch the doors, don’t leave without permission.

“What?” a small part of me rouses enough to struggle. “What are you doing?”

“Shhh,” the vampire easily presses me back into bed. He whispers more commands I don’t quite catch and traces my lips with a finger when he’s done. “Sorry, love. I hate to compel you. I wish it could be different, but there’s no time.”

“What are you talking about?” My thoughts are heavy, my voice sleepy. He’s so pretty, this vampire in my bed. I don’t know why I was panicking at all.

“You’re not quite as compliant as my usual prey,” he murmurs. “A natural defense side effect of your fae blood?” He strokes back my hair. “No matter. I enjoy a challenge.” His tone turns wistful. “It’s been so long since I’ve had one.”

“Happy to oblige,” I say with a sigh, burrowing deeper into the covers and pressing closer to the solid body next to me.

The vampire goes unnaturally still. “What are you doing?”

“Snuggling.” It’s weird snuggling with someone who’s dead. I listen for a heartbeat or breath, but hear nothing. But I’m too tired to really care. “It’s nice.”

“I’m not nice, love.” But his fingers in my hair feel so good. I murmur in pleasure as he pets me like a kitten. I get the sense that I’ve been here before, done this before, but I don’t need to think about that right now. Right now, I want to enjoy the snuggle.

Moments pass before the vampire murmurs. “I haven’t done this in a long time.”

“You’re good at it. Like riding a bike.”

“I suppose.” A long pause. “I didn’t used to be this way. Believe it or not, I had a lady love. ”

“Yeah?”

“I don't know why I’m telling you this.” His hand rests on the back of my neck. “I’ve never felt this before. A compulsion to confess.”

“What?” My eyes flutter, but I can’t open them. They’re heavy, like they’ve been cemented over.

Cool lips brush my forehead.

“Sleep. You won’t remember this tomorrow.” But his final comment follows me into my dreams. “I better be careful with you. Seems little fairies are my weakness.”

Chapter 5

Aurelia

I wake with the whisper of a dream still surrounding me. I remember nothing of it, but the magical feeling—I felt safe and loved. Not my usual state of being by any means.