Shadow Rising (37 page)
They’re all beautiful. You’re used to it
, she told herself, furious at the way her heartbeat quickened. And a treacherous little voice in the back of her mind responded,
They may all be beautiful… but not like this.
Those remarkable eyes, deep-set and almond shaped, watched her steadily from beneath a pair of dark, slashing brows. His nose was strong, his lips tantalizingly full, and his square jaw was covered in a light growth of stubble. The vampire’s hair, wavy and black as sin, was cut short enough not to fall into his eyes but long enough to tousle, and Bay had to tear her eyes away when her fingers curled reflexively into her palm, itching to run her fingers
through it, over every inch of this stranger’s tanned and gold-dusted skin.
It was Grimm’s soft growl that finally sliced through her haze. She blinked rapidly and shook her head, making sure not to meet the vampire’s eyes again. Lily had been very clear about how to protect herself from the less well-behaved members of the species, and Bay was glad for it. Poor Shelby was going to be in her own little world until this guy left, and then, Bay knew, the girl wouldn’t remember any of this. A heavy thrall could really do a number on a person.
She didn’t want her own brain messed with to boot.
Finally, he spoke. “You’re close friends with the ruler of the Lilim, aren’t you?” he asked. “Lily MacGillivray. And you’re Bailey Harper. This is the information I was given.”
“Given by who?” Bay asked, fighting back the fresh sliver of fear working its way down her spine. He’d said he had no intention of hurting them, but still… vampires didn’t come looking for her. Especially not daywalking vampires with wild eyes and problems staying conscious.
He moved to pick up a pair of sunglasses on the floor, and she was struck again by his natural grace. It shouldn’t have surprised her. The majority of the vampires now in Tipton had started as Cait Sith, cat-shifters, before joining Lily’s dynasty. The lot of them had grace and beauty in spades. But there was something different here, something more. And she hated herself a little as her eyes crawled over the lithe, muscular frame that even his light jacket and loose jeans couldn’t disguise.
Bay gritted her teeth and inhaled, trying to center herself.
The vampire slid his sunglasses on. It was a small
relief, but she’d take it, even though knowing he was watching her from behind them was still unnerving. He regarded her silently for a moment, studying her so intently that Bay felt a hot flush creeping into her cheeks. Finally, he spoke, and managed to surprise her.
“I… apologize,” he said, his brows drawing together slightly as he looked down at the mess he’d made by falling. “We’ll start over. My name is Tasmin Singh. I can walk in the light because it is a gift of my line. And I’m looking for your friend because…” He trailed off for a moment, then looked away. “It is a long story.”
“Something to do with you passing out in the middle of my store?” Bay asked.
His features tightened for an instant before his expression cleared again. “Perhaps. I slept far longer than is natural, and I still seem to be… adjusting. That should pass in time. I came here because I seek answers. The Queen of the Lilim will know those who can find them. Of this I am certain.”
Bay’s eyebrows rose at the cryptic response. There was something
off
about him, something she couldn’t put her finger on that went beyond the obvious weirdness. Sadly, it didn’t make him any less fascinating to her.
“Okay,” she said, drawing the word out. “Well, Tasmin, you, um, would have done better just waiting until nightfall and knocking on Lily’s door. Whoever told you where to find me could have told you where to find her.” She tilted her head at him. “Why
didn’t
you just go there? You can see I’m no vamp. I’m just a dog groomer.”
She thought she caught the faintest hint of a smile, if only for a moment. It turned his lips soft, sultry, and she felt a knot of pleasure coil deep in her belly.
No. No no no.
She liked things that were quirky, odd, and even weird. Things. Not guys. Because every time she was drawn to one of those qualities in a guy, it ended up biting her in the ass. And this particular guy looked about as safe as a wounded tiger.
“I see. You’ve attracted quite a noble beast as a guardian.”
She stroked her hand over Grimm’s back, unsure if Tasmin was giving her a compliment or just being sarcastic. Grimm leaned into her harder and growled at the vampire again. The sound was soft, but it was a clear warning.
“He is noble,” Bay said flatly. “More than most people manage to be. And he’s an excellent judge of character.”
Tasmin inclined his head slightly, any trace of a smile gone. “Of that I have no doubt. Beasts often are. That he has chosen you speaks well of you.”
She blinked. “Oh. I… thanks.” She tried to shrug off the pleasure she felt at the simple praise. It didn’t matter what this strange, gorgeous vampire thought of her.
“That still doesn’t explain why you came in here.”
“The sun is still high. I had some time. And I wondered what sort of mortal would be considered such a friend to a powerful queen. I’m still not sure whether your relationship means I should expect to find her wise or a reckless fool.” He considered her. “In any case, you’re not what I expected.”
Bay’s eyes narrowed. She knew she was considered a curiosity among the vampires here, a mortal with no apparent interest in anything Lily could offer her except friendship. But she didn’t appreciate being gawked at like a sideshow freak by some outsider.
“Well,” she said stiffly, “what you see is what you get. I’m not that interesting. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got some things to do before I close up for the day, and I need my help back.”
She turned her head to look at Shelby, who was thumbing idly through a magazine, a dreamy expression on her face. It unsettled her to see that the thrall was still so deep.
“Shouldn’t that have worn off by now?” Bay asked.
“It will wear off when I decide it does.”
Bay looked sharply at him. “That’s not how it works.”
“It is how
I
work.”
The matter-of-fact arrogance in his statement finally sparked her temper. She pushed aside any lingering fear and walked quickly around Grimm, striding right up to Tasmin. Despite the sunglasses, she saw his surprise and had to fight back a thin smile. No doubt he’d expected the puny mortal to cower and grovel. But that wasn’t how
she
worked.
Bay came to a stop only a foot away from him and glared up into his impassive face. Being so close, and this time with him aware and looking down at her, left her momentarily off-balance. He was just the right height—maybe five-ten—to fit herself against, tall enough to wind herself around, short enough to reach if she rose up on her toes to press her mouth to his…
The scent of him was stronger now, intoxicating. And fending off another hot punch of desire only made her angrier. She never let men make her uncomfortable. It was a point of pride with her. So why couldn’t she find her footing with this one?
“Listen,” she snapped, “I don’t know what you are or what’s wrong with you, but if you want to find out what
the Lilim are like, I suggest you head in that direction. I’m sure you’ll get an answer to your questions one way or another… if you can make it through the wolves to ask. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got better things to do than satisfy your curiosity.”
She started to turn and felt his hand clamp on her wrist, not hard, but with a controlled strength that she knew could shatter bones if he wanted. Her fury was a dull roar in her ears as she whipped her head around.
“What—”
But the words died in her throat at his expression, the lips pulled back to reveal gleaming fangs. It was the snarl of a creature not remotely human, a killer. And the voice that came from his throat was nothing like the sensual purr of before.
“You dare chastise me, human?” The words sounded like they’d been dragged through gravel and oil, oozing up from deep in his chest.
Then he cried out, his head snapping back, his body arching as though an electric current had just passed through his body. The sunglasses clattered to the floor again, and Grimm barked just behind her, though it sounded oddly far off. Tasmin’s eyes met hers again, and the amount of pain and fear she saw in that instant left her reeling. His hand tightened on her wrist before going lax.
“Help me,” he breathed.
She just managed to get her arms around him to break his fall, sinking slowly to the floor with Tasmin in her arms. Whatever this man needed, she knew, it was more than just answers.
But right this second he needed help. He needed
her
.
Even though she cursed herself for it, even though
she’d declared vampire problems off-limits to herself, Bay knew she was in big trouble. Her compassion had always been as much her strength as it had been her Achilles heel.
And this time, whichever it turned out to be, she wasn’t going to be able to just walk away.
Dark Awakening
Midnight Reckoning
Praise for
KENDRA LEIGH CASTLE’S DARK DYNASTIES NOVELS
Midnight Reckoning
“Castle demonstrates considerable skill in crafting a tale that offers readers a conflict-ridden forbidden love interlaced with political intrigue and betrayal… The author’s world-building is intricate and cohesive… plenty of action… I like Castle’s voice and look forward to reading more of her work.”
“4½ stars! Power acquisition and consolidation are driving the action in this exciting series as the vampires of the Cait-Sith bloodline strive to break free of their former masters. Intriguing characters add a well-rounded feel to this tale that is also packed with treachery and drama. Pick it up today!”
—
RT Book Reviews
“Absolutely a must read!… I love this new and exciting world that Kendra Leigh Castle has created… [She] is an extremely talented storyteller, and it is easy to fall into the world she creates and the characters she brings to life in her books… smooth, fast, and exciting… I can’t wait to see what Castle has in store for us next!”
“Betrayal, forbidden desire, shattered dreams, and an unlikely romance come together to make this a not-to-be-missed read… I definitely want [to] visit Castle’s Dark Dynasties world again soon… Paranormal romance, vampire, and shifter fans, even urban fantasy fans, will enjoy this one. Put it on your wish list today.”
—
BittenByParanormalRomance.com
“The chemistry between Lyra and Jaden is absolutely sizzling, and when they finally give into their attraction, the sparks definitely fly… The blend of action, politics, and sensuality was completely breathtaking… Recommended for fans of forbidden romance, heartbreaking betrayal, and finding strength in the most unexpected places.”
“Twists and turns and plenty of action and drama… Ms. Castle once again wowed me with
Midnight Reckoning
, and I know I’ve found a new series to love.”
Dark Awakening
“Kendra Leigh Castle has set the stage for a phenomenal new vampire series which will take the paranormal genre by storm.
Dark Awakening
has one of the most interesting and well-thought-out vampire hierarchies that I have encountered in a vampire novel. Vampire novels just don’t get any better than this!”
“Rising star Castle is sure to please with an exciting new series… Castle does a good job of laying out the bloodlines that distinguish her differing clans. Passion and loyalty collide as the hero is forced to reevaluate the choices that have driven his life.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“5 stars! I’m so glad this is the beginning of a series… While the world-building is rich and layered, its complexities are seamlessly incorporated into the story and contribute to making it a satisfying read… Ty is everything I love in a hero… The secondary characters were fleshed-out and interesting. And frankly, I want more.”
—Red Hot Books
“A superb, fast-paced tale that grips the audience from the moment the lead couple meets in New England and never slows down until the final confrontation. Kendra Leigh Castle cleverly transports the Highlander historical clan disputes into modern age vampire clan disputes.”
—
GenreGoRoundReviews.blogspot.com
“I loved the new breed of shapeshifting vampire Ms. Castle introduced, and this is one of the few books that I finished with the thought of ‘Wow, I bet this would make an incredible movie!’… Jaden’s book is next and can I just say ‘swoon’?… Recommended for fans of vampires and shapeshifters, political machinations, betrayals, and forbidden relationships, all with a touch of magick.”
“[
Dark Awakening
] grabs you from the first page and the next thing you know, you’ve been reading for several hours immersed in Lily and Ty’s world. I adored this story, was sorry it ended so soon, and have put the next in the series on my wish list already. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and vampire genres should put this on their wish list.”
—
BittenByParanormalRomance.com
“I am always thrilled when I find a new spin on the vampire mystique, and
Dark Awakening
certainly fits the bill. An amazing story of ancient dynasties, class divisions, curses, and blood feuds, this book has opened new and exciting views into vampire worlds.”
