“I haven’t been able to track down who is sending these messages to you. Are you still receiving them?”
“Yes, sixteen total this morning.” I picked up my phone and showed him the missed calls and texts. “The number changes every day, but it’s always the same message and phone calls, down to the number. Nothing changes. No demands. Nothing but the creepy repeated sentence over and over again.”
“This stalker is nothing if not persistent.” Disgusted, he handed the cell back.
“You don’t have any idea who would do this or why?”
“No, and that is worrisome.” He extended his hand, palm side up. “I think you should come with me. There’s something I’d like to show you.”
“Why?” I still didn’t trust the professor, even if he did save my life.
“Because its time you learn more about the world that you’re now part of. Aren’t you the least bit curious?”
“I guess,” I admitted, placing my hand in his grasp. A slight undercurrent of electric impulses jolted between us. It was odd but no more unusual than everything else lately.
In the back of my mind was a little tickle, a faint echo in my memory that I’d done this exact thing before. I placed my hand in his and felt the hard press of his chest against my own. Soft but firm lips had brushed across mine and deepened more than one kiss.
My cheeks burned as I blinked, swallowing hard as I dismissed the images. No way. I must be losing my mind more than I already thought.
“Let’s get you back to my house.”
The strange and confusing man in front of me seemed unaware of my blush.
With a quick step, he scooped under my knees and lifted me into his arms, my heart beating with excitement at his close proximity. Why I chose that moment to notice the rough curve of his jawline or the fullness of his lips I would never know. He leaned down until our eyes met and held. “We need to get something straight.”
“What’s that?” I asked breathlessly.
“No more of this irritating professor nonsense. I want you to call me by my given name.”
“Which is?” I was teasing him, deliberately trying to frustrate the cocky vampire.
“Salem,” he growled.
I imitated him, growl and all as I said his name. It was rather impressive.
“Perfect,” he muttered, his amber gaze lowering until his vision settled on my mouth and little butterflies began to flap their glorious wings in my stomach.
“I’m ready when you are.” My hushed whisper proved how much his nearness affected me.
“Then I won’t keep you waiting.” He gave no indication what he meant, but I had a feeling it was more than he let on.
A cool wind brushed across my skin as my eyes squeezed shut and I clutched his shoulders, suddenly terrified of the unknown. I knew we were moving quickly but I was afraid to open my eyes until my body stopped lurching and swaying. Almost as if he could read my mind, Salem’s grip tightened, and I was nearly crushed against the chiseled, hard planes of his chest as I buried my head in his neck. Thick corded muscle bunched with every movement of his body. Slightly cool to the touch, his skin was like perfectly carved marble beneath my fingertips.
We suddenly stopped as he climbed a steep set of stairs and entered another dwelling. He paused as I slowly opened my eyes, gazing around in wonder. Floor to ceiling bookshelves made from expensive polished woods lined every wall in the room. A large desk sat in the farthest end, parked in front of a wide window that let in an abundance of natural light. My legs lowered as he released me, one arm remaining around my waist until I was steady.
Salem moved toward the shelves with purpose and pulled several books down. He proceeded to drop a few onto his desk and returned for more, gathering nearly a dozen by the time he was finished. “You need to read. These books are a wealth of knowledge.”
Is that why he brought me here? To study?
“I’m sure they are.” The books were impressive, but I wasn’t an avid reader.
He pointed to a large volume with a gilded spine, his fingers brushing over the leather cover with reverence. “Supernaturals and immortals stay within their own kind.”
“That makes sense.”
“It’s crucial you understand this.” He lifted his head as our eyes met.
“Why?”
“Despite all of the sparkly vampire books that have been written, it is impossible to mate outside of one’s own kind. Supernaturals can’t mate with humans, only other supernaturals. Immortals bond to immortals only.” He enunciated the words like I was some kind of imbecile.
Opening my mouth to issue a snappy retort, I immediately closed my jaw with a snap when the truth of his words sank in.
Immortals only bond to other immortals.
Wide-eyed, I shook my head and vehemently denied his assumptions. “No way. You’re one hundred percent wrong. I am no immortal.”
“Before the last twenty-four hours I would agree.”
“What are you saying?”
“I was fortunate enough to stumble upon some information that explains a few mysteries surrounding your unique physiology and scent. It makes sense now that I think about it. I should have realized sooner what you are. Frankly, I was distracted.”
“You’re also completely full of shit.”
“Is that so?” he snarled, invading my space as he rushed forward. “Shall I prove your immortality then?”
“Don’t you dare invade my personal space, Black. You’ll regret it.”
My threat was apparently too much for him to handle because he snarled like a demon hell-bent on my destruction. One moment I was standing in the middle of the room and the next I was shoved up against the only wall without books and pinned in place, my head tilted to the side as Salem hissed. The tips of his fangs lowered over his lips and gleamed a deadly and perfect white. He blinked slowly and rolled his bottom lip against his teeth as if he was tasting something heavenly and sweet.
For a few agonizing seconds, our eyes met and the raw lust that dominated his features made my thighs clench together.
“Salem,” I whispered huskily, surprised by my own amorous reaction.
He growled low and then lowered his head as he broke our connection, his lips pressing to my throat as I sighed with appreciation, unaware of what he intended. A sharp, piercing pain erupted low in my neck. Crying out, I gripped his arms and dug my nails into his skin, shocked that he bit me so callously and without permission. Colors swirled in front of my eyes as I grew dizzy and my legs threatened to give out, seconds from falling to my knees.
“Stop,” I choked, barely able to say the word.
He was taking too much, sucking too rapidly. I could hear the large gulps as my blood gushed down his throat. Struggling against his hold, I began to fight him off without success.
Salem didn’t listen. He kept feeding, consuming my lifeblood and essence as my thoughts became panicked. No!
It seemed like the battle of wills lasted for hours, but in reality, it was only a couple of minutes before I fell limp in his arms. My mind rebelled as I tried to break through the hazy barrier. The panic began to recede as my eyes closed and I knew my death was imminent.
How could I have trusted a vampire?
My will to fight was strong, but I was far beyond helping myself. The only option available was to call out to someone for help. Focusing on the other souls I could feel in the house, I begged anyone close enough to rush to my side and intervene. All of my energy focused in on that singular, desperate thought. A foreign sense of peace invaded my body and my eyes opened as they fell on the silhouette of a half dozen monsters as they entered the study.