Fated Desire: A Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 1) (4 page)

CHAPTER 6

Cora walked beside Luca as Ryan hung back, talking on his cell phone with his pack. He was checking in on them to make sure they were okay.

“Sunrise is in less than an hour,” Cora reminded Luca.

He nodded. “I know. I can feel it.”

“Feel it?”

“It makes me tired. Daylight is when my kind is at its weakest.”

“Oh, I thought that was just a myth.”

He smiled at her and told her gently, “There is much you don’t know, my princess.”

“So I keep hearing,” she said with more of an edge to her voice than she’d intended.

“It won’t be long until you know everything,” he assured her.

Ryan caught up to them, coming up on her other side. “I see the clearing up ahead. We’re almost there. Did you contact them and tell them to drop the wards?”

“Of course.”

“Good, so neither of us will fry then.”

“Fry?” Cora asked, surprised.

“Magical wards protect the mansion. Anyone who is not vampire who tries to approach will be assaulted with powerful magic—or
fried
—as Ryan so bluntly puts it.”

“Wards? Is that why I can’t see anything?”

“Yes. Neither can Ryan. Only those within the Council can.”

She nodded her understanding and then she glanced at the bag that Ryan was carrying on his back and asked him, “Why are you carrying that knapsack?”

“Spare clothes, in case we’re attacked and I need to shift. Preferable to walking around stark naked afterwards.”

“Oh,” she said.
Well that makes perfect sense.
“How’s your pack?”

He seemed shocked that she was asking, for a moment or two. But then he smiled, looking overly pleased by her concern. “They’re fine. They’re enjoying themselves right now.”

Luca scoffed. “Wolves never change.”

“Excuse me?” Ryan demanded.

“All about instant gratification. Reacting purely on instinct and engaging in mindless acts of violence and sex.”

“Like vampires are any different. Oh, accept for the fact that my boys don’t
kill
those they fuck. Vampires get off on having a life in their hands, the power of draining their victim’s life force. Wolves revel in
life.
You are death and you breed only death.”

“You always did only see the dark side of vampiric nature, Ryan. You never cared to try to understand the other side of it.”

“Oh right, the money, you mean? Your so-called power?” he said, stepping around Cora and making a move towards him. His movement caused the three of them to come to a sudden stop. “Tell me, is that how you plan to seduce her once you get her inside your mansion? With your money and the lavish luxury you surround yourself with? It won’t work. She’s not that kind of woman.”

Cora listened to the argument between them, the exchange of fierce words that they each uttered. And it was then that she realized there was far more to the story than the recent complication of her. “Why do you hate one another so much?”

Ryan didn’t take his eyes off Luca as he told her, “Simple: betrayal.”

Luca released a heavy sigh. “It was more complicated than that.”

Ryan stepped back from him and softened his gaze before addressing her, “Vampires always betray those they claim to care about. At the end of the day, they will always side with their own. If I can teach you anything, darlin’, it’s not to give any of them your trust. They use and manipulate. It’s all they know.”

Incensed, Luca shot out his hand and gripped Ryan’s neck. “Watch your mouth.”

Ryan laughed and ripped Luca’s hand from his neck with ease. “Getting tired, brother? I barely felt that. I doubt it’ll even leave a mark. Praise the sunrise, huh?”

Cora stepped in between them then and held her hands out either side of her, pressing her palms to their chests. “Stop,” she willed them. “You’re giving me another migraine.”

She looked at each of them in turn and that was when she realized how foolish her impulsive action had been. Both their eyes were glowing with fire as they looked upon her.
Shit.
She dropped her arms to her sides quickly and stepped back. “No, no, no. I’m not
that
kind of girl,” she warned them.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she watched them both shake their heads, as if both willing away the overwhelming feeling. Their eyes cleared. But, before anything more could be said, a sudden wave of dark energy enveloped the area.

All three of them spun around, each sensing it at the same time.

“Where?” Cora asked aloud as she scanned the wide expanse of nothingness behind them. There was nothing but fields stretching for miles either side of the dirt path they were walking along. They were miles outside the city. They’d taken Ryan’s truck from her apartment after Luca had decided that it would be too dangerous to teleport Cora to the mansion with him and Ryan, because she wasn’t
used to it
, so it could’ve made her violently ill.

“I can’t see anything,” Luca said.

“But they’re here. Wolves
and
vamps. I can smell them,” Ryan said. He shook his knapsack off his shoulder, tossed it into a nearby field, and readied his fighting stance.

“They must be using some sort of cloaking device. How close are they?” Luca asked Ryan.

“Twenty feet, or so. Sunrise is coming, Luca. Go on ahead. I’ll hold them back.”

“No, we’re not leaving you,” Cora said.

Ryan smiled at her and brushed his hand against hers. “I love your concern for my safety, darlin’, but it’s unfounded. Trust me.”

“No, we’re staying,” she insisted.

Luca and Ryan exchanged a look. “Fine by me. We’ll just have to make it quick,” Luca agreed.

“How sickenly sweet,” a deep male voice growled suddenly.

They all cocked their heads towards the sound. Moments later, the source of the voice became visible, as did the small army that flanked him.

“Michael,” Luca growled.

Cora had no idea who the guy named Michael was. She studied him. He was a tall man, but of a far less intimidating build than the two men standing either side of her. His spiky hair was a striking shade of ivory that was almost blinding to look upon. His eyes were menacing pools of black, completely devoid of sentiment. And he was dressed in what looked like an expensively tailored suit, with a long, dark wool coat that almost touched the floor.

“Escorting the princess, are you boys?”

“She is not your concern,” Luca shot back.

“Oh, but she is.” His eyes wandered over her lewdly. “She is the bridge between the light and dark. That makes her my chief concern.”

Ryan growled. He moved to take a step forward, but Luca threw out his arm and held him back.

Michael laughed. “Be a good boy and heel, wolf.”

Cora saw the fire in Ryan’s eyes at Michael’s derogatory comment. She took his hand in hers to try to calm him. He turned to her in surprise. She felt him relax at her touch almost instantly. He was calming down.
Phew.

“Stand down, Michael. The Council is close. I can summon them here in seconds,” Luca warned.

“You really take me for a fool, Luca? Sunrise is too close. Don’t forget how well I know you. You would never put your brethren at risk by summoning them this near to sunrise.”

“What do you want?” Cora demanded.

Michael’s gaze snapped to hers and he said, “My, my. The rumors are true. You really are a feisty thing, aren’t you?” He took a step closer to her as he said, “I’m going to enjoy taming you.”

And as soon as the words left his mouth, all bets were off.

Ryan
and
Luca lost control and lunged at him and his small army. Four vampires and two wolves.

As the boys jumped into the fight, Cora watched as Michael stepped back. His eyes met hers and she was able to read his thoughts briefly:
Soon, princess. I will destroy the bridge that you are.

A split second later, he disappeared in a whirlwind of black smoke.

She scanned the scene of battle. She saw the two brown wolves engaged in a furious battle, wrestling with a massive white wolf that was almost twice their size.
Ryan.
She watched in shock as the white wolf swiped one of them with his claws, ripping its head clean from its body. Blood spurted everywhere, dousing the white wolf’s beautiful coat. It seemed to fire him up even more as he lunged at the remaining wolf, howling furiously.
Well, he clearly has that under control.

She turned to Luca a few feet away. Only three vamps remained. She was impressed by the fluidity and speed of his movements in battle. He was clearly a seasoned warrior. She watched as he kicked back the vamp behind him and then turned his attention to the two in front of him.

But the vamp behind him recovered faster than she’d ever seen any vampire do before and lunged for him. Cora reacted on instinct, ripping a stake from one of the holsters at her left hip. She spun it around in her hand and then she lobbed it at the vampire. The speed with which it cut through the air told her that she hadn’t lost her edge at all. She watched as it drove through the vampire’s chest and hit its desired target. His heart. An explosion of dust erupted into the air.

As Luca disposed of one of the vamps in front of him, his eyes met hers and the surprise was evident on his face. He nodded his thanks and then quickly took care of the final vampire. Just as he did, a pained cry alerted both him and Cora to the fact that the final enemy wolf had also met his demise.

The white wolf approached them both. He cocked his head towards Cora, his eyes blazing gold.

“Be careful. His control might be limited. The full moon is so close,” Luca warned, suddenly at her side, his hand gripping her arm protectively.

The wolf growled at him, not liking Luca touching her. Luca pulled his hand away quickly. Cora didn’t blame him. It definitely wasn’t advisable to anger a wolf right after a bloodthirsty battle
and
so close to the full moon. Also, Cora knew it would be foolish of Luca to risk a battle right now. Sunrise was almost upon them. Luca was weakened, whilst Ryan was at full strength, especially in his current wolf form.

Cora watched in amazement then, as the wolf sat down at her feet and looked up at her.

She smiled and knelt down cautiously beside the huge white wolf that was Ryan.
Wow, this is the first time I’ve ever thought this about a wolf, but he’s so cute. Like a teddy bear.
She heard Luca stifle a laugh. He’d obviously read her thoughts. She reached out and touched his fur. It was so soft. She couldn’t believe it. She started to stroke him gently and she heard a strange sound coming from him that she couldn’t place.

“What is that?” she asked Luca.

Luca grinned. “It sounds like he’s purring.”

“What?” she cried excitedly. “I didn’t know werewolves could do that.”

“Trust me, it’s the first time I’ve ever heard a wolf purr as well.” He shook his head with disappointment at Ryan as he added, “Especially an Alpha.”

Cora continued to stroke him for a few moments until Luca suddenly gripped her arm and told her, “Step back and turn away.”

“What?”

“He’s going to shift back. His eyes are no longer glowing.”

Cora hesitated.

In a burst of vampire speed, Luca sped to the knapsack that Ryan had flung out into field when Michael had first set upon them. He retrieved it quickly and threw it down next to Ryan. And then he warned her, “He’ll be naked. Are you ready for that?”

She blushed and followed his instructions.

Moments later, she heard Ryan telling Luca, “It wasn’t a purr. Wolves aren’t cats.”

“What was it then?” Luca challenged.

“A growl of contentment.”

“Sure.”

“Cora, you can turn around now. Your virgin eyes won’t be offended any longer,” Ryan called to her.

“Could you be less of a gentleman?” Luca chastised him as he watched Cora blush at his comment as she turned back around.

“I’m just saying.” He turned his gaze on Cora as he asked, “You lived with a man and you never saw his junk?”

“No. It wasn’t…mind your own business.”

He shook his head with disbelief. “My God, woman. We’ll have to fix this and soon.”

“You won’t be
fixing
anything,” Luca warned him.

“Don’t start this again. Let’s just get to the mansion before you burn,” Cora said, gesturing at the sun already peeking through the sky.

CHAPTER 7

“Your majesty,” two guards greeted Luca as he approached the huge, double entrance doors to his mansion. They were dressed in tactical gear and armed with machine guns.

Ryan rolled his eyes at the airs and graces that Luca was being treated to. It was his right as Vampire Prince and Luca reveled in it. He watched him nod politely and then stride on into the mansion. Ryan glanced at Cora beside him and he knew immediately that she was nervous about going into the vampire stronghold. It wasn’t just the look in her eyes; he could feel the tension emanating from her. He took her hand and smiled reassuringly at her. She turned to him, surprised by his sudden contact.

“It’ll be okay, darlin’.”

“Don’t leave me,” she whispered.

Ryan was struck by her vulnerability, by the naked fear in her eyes. So far he had only ever seen her abrasive, tough side. Her no-nonsense attitude. Just like his. The way she’d strutted into his bar and stared him down—an Alpha—right in front of his pack. He hadn’t sensed the slightest fear from her. But now, as they were about to walk into Luca’s mansion, her fear was intense. That was when he realized that she had to have had a bad history with vampires. Their very species made her nervous.
What’s happened to her? What have they done to her?
He wanted to ask her, but they were already making their way up the steps into the mansion. It would have to wait.

“I’m here,” he whispered back to her, giving her hand a squeeze.

As soon as they crossed the threshold and walked into the lobby, Ryan heard low snarls all around him. The vamps were sensing the presence of an Alpha wolf. Instinct took over and he found himself growling low in his throat, too, a deep hum that resonated through the lobby.

“Relax!” Luca bellowed. “It is Ryan!”

At the sound of his voice, the snarls ceased immediately.

Luca spun around to Ryan and glared hard at him, because
he
hadn’t stopped. He was still emitting a threatening wolf growl. “Ryan!”

He drew in a calming breath and stopped growling. Luca nodded his appreciation and then turned back around, leading them through the lobby and further into the mansion.

Ryan glanced at Cora. She was staring, wide-eyed, through an open door to one of the mansion’s many salons. He followed her line of sight and saw what had her so shocked.
Whoa.

More than a dozen vampires were sprawled out across the couches, the chaise lounges, the floor, in the middle of a fuck-and-feed with several willing humans. Judging by the moans of pleasure coming from them, they were
more
than willing. It was like one big orgy with blood thrown into the mix. He watched as two vampire vixens wearing nothing but black, silk robes, which were open and exposing everything they had to offer, fucked and fed from a human woman. One had her fangs buried in the blonde’s neck. The other was between her legs, her fangs buried there while her fingers flicked her clit, bringing her to orgasm.

His vision was blocked by Luca suddenly appearing in front of him and Cora and slamming the doors to the salon shut. “Sorry,” he said, looking at Cora. “Let’s continue on to the library, shall we?”

Ryan rolled his eyes. He gently pulled Cora with him, as they followed after Luca.
Sorry? That was just the tip of the iceberg and you know it, brother.
He was surprised that none of the vampire vixens, as he liked to refer to them, had accosted Luca the moment he’d walked in the door. That was the usual greeting Luca received from them upon returning to his mansion—his nest. He chose to call it the Council, but it was a damned nest. Ryan figured that when Luca had called ahead to ask them to drop the wards to allow him and Cora passage, he had also warned them that he was bringing his bride and cautioned them to be on their best behavior around her.
We’ll see how long that lasts. When she sees your true lifestyle, she won’t like it. She won’t want to share. It’s not in her nature. I can feel it.

They finally reached the library. As soon as they stepped inside, Cora came to a sudden halt.

“What is it?” Ryan asked her, concerned.

She blinked hard and her eyes narrowed at Luca as she said, “The energy in here is darker than anything I have ever felt.”

“This library contains secrets and magical charms from the Dark Realm, handed down to me from my father, King Nathanial. That is what you are sensing,” Luca told her in an effort to reassure her.

“It’s evil,” she accused.

Luca smirked at her. “That is open to interpretation, princess.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Ryan said, wrapping his arm protectively around Cora.

“Just like a wolf to get its back up and react without knowing the whole story. Ignorance at its best.”

In a burst of vampire speed, he lunged at him.

But he never made contact. In a move that surprised both of them, Cora reacted faster than Luca and threw out her palm in front of Ryan, blocking Luca’s assault.

“Stop!” she ordered, her right palm emanating a silver glow.

“Impossible,” Luca breathed. “Your reaction was faster than vampire.”

“It was instinct,” Ryan realized.
She may be more like a wolf than I even realized.

“Step back,” Cora pressed, her eyes flashing in warning.

Luca stood there, clearly weighing his options, for several moments. And then he held up his hands and took a few steps back. “It was just a threat. I wasn’t going to harm him.”

“Really?” Cora asked, skeptically.

“Yes. I cannot kill him anyway—even if I
often
find myself with the overwhelming urge to do so.”

Cora looked to Ryan for his confirmation.

Ryan nodded. “It’s true. It works both ways.”

“Because you’re brothers,” she realized aloud.

Luca nodded. “Now, please come inside and I can give you the rest of your answers,” he said, holding out his hand.

Cora released a heavy sigh and dropped her magic. She batted Luca’s hand away and brushed past him into the library, breaking from Ryan’s grip.

Luca chuckled. “You
will
learn to trust me, princess.”

Ryan scoffed as he also brushed past Luca and walked into the library. “Like hell she will.”

“She has been receptive to me before. And not just in her dreams. Isn’t that right, princess?”

Ryan saw Cora blush uncomfortably and look away, avoiding both their gazes. She focused her attention on the library instead and he heard her draw in a sharp breath at what she saw. As much as Ryan held a certain level of distaste for Luca
and
his lifestyle, he couldn’t deny that the room was impressive.

It was at least ten times bigger than his bar back in the city. Stacks upon stacks of books surrounded them. A few feet away, directly in front of him, were a set of steps that led up to a second level, as well.

He watched her walk over to a large, mahogany table in the center of the room and ease herself onto the table top, as she continued to scan the room. It took him a moment to realize that her attention was focused on a particular area. A wall at the back of the room. Various potions and charms filled the shelves above a wooden cupboard, decorated with golden serpent effigies.
Hmm…she is definitely Vazra’s daughter. She’s drawn to the magic.

Luca pulled a massive book from one of the stacks and dropped it in front of her on the table. She jumped in surprise. Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he watched his asshole brother very smoothly brush his body against hers as he stood beside her, flipping through several pages in the book, before coming to a stop and pointing to a specific passage.

“Read, my princess,” he said gently, his mouth way too fucking close to hers.

This isn’t happening.

While the two of them were engaged with that, Ryan strode to the stacks and searched for another book—one Cora really did need to see, more than any other. It didn’t take him long to find it, as it was located in a prominent place, on display at the forefront of one of the stacks.

He walked to the table and placed it down beside the book she and Luca were still looking at. She looked up at him in question and he told her, “The truth about the Vampire Prince.”

“Ryan,” Luca snarled. “I will
tell
her what she wishes to know about
me
.”

“I very much doubt that,” Ryan shot back as he took a seat and propped his feet up on the table. He leaned back in the chair, his hands clasped behind his head comfortably.

Cora snatched up both the books and walked away to the steps at the far end of the room.

After a few moments of watching her sit quietly and reading in the corner, Ryan asked Luca, “This may take a while. You got anything to eat? Anything that’s not blood?”

“What do you want?”

“Meat.”

Luca nodded. He fell silent for a few moments, his eyes afire with a red glow and then he told Ryan, “It’s on its way.”

“You can’t even be bothered to actually go to the kitchen and ask? You have to use telepathy?”

“Do you want to eat or not?”

Ryan released a sigh. “Yes. Fine, I’ll let it go. Did you get her something, too?”

“Of course. What do you think of me?”

“I
think
that you’re a vampire and you may forget that others need to eat to survive.”

“Well, I didn’t. She will eat.”

“What?”

“I ordered…everything.”

Ryan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Well…good. That’s more like it.”

Cora looked up from her books and snapped at them, “Can you guys keep it down? I’m trying to read here.”

Ryan chuckled and said, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Sorry, princess,” Luca said.