Vampish: Blood Bonds, page 1
Vampish: Blood Bonds
G.K. DEROSA
Copyright © 2022 Mystic Rose Press
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All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, Mystic Rose Press.
Cover Designer: Sanja Gombar www.fantasybookcoverdesign.com
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Published in 2022 by Mystic Rose Press
Palm Beach, Florida
www.gkderosa.com
Created with Vellum
To all my amazing readers!
~ GK
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Sneak Peek of Vampish: Blood Mate
Also by G.K. DeRosa
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter
One
Phoenix
* * *
“No, it’s not possible.” My knees wobbled, darkness seeping into my vision and distorting the sprawling chamber of Sky Lair. I waited for the smack as my legs betrayed me, but instead strong arms pulled me into a firm chest.
“It’s okay, Red, you’re going to be okay,” Ransom whispered.
How could I ever be okay again? I tightened my hold around his neck, like he was my anchor, the only thing keeping me from capsizing in this tumultuous sea of uncertainty. Not only had my parents lied to me my whole life, but the man who’d banished my family from Moon Valley, was my father? How could he have been so cruel?
“I’m sorry,” said Hunter. My brother. The fanging supreme alpha of all shifters was my half-brother. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to process that. Then again, a few days ago, I never thought I could shoot fire or that scorching flames could float across my furry body without leaving a mark.
Mother fanger, what happened to my life?
“I’m sure this is a lot to take in,” he continued as he sank into a chair in front of the hearth. A very pregnant Sierra perched on the armrest beside him. “I know it has been for me. If I’d ever suspected it all these years for even a moment, I would’ve come looking for you.”
Ransom steered me to the sofa and guided me down next to him. I was numb, my body performing the actions on autopilot.
“How?” I blurted. “I want to know how this happened.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have many details. I had to threaten my father’s personal guard, Walt, to get the little I managed.” He blew out a breath and resettled in the massive chair. “My mother died rather suddenly when I was only seven. The healer said she died of a literal broken heart. There were certain things happening in my personal life at the time that could’ve accounted for that, but now that I consider the timeline, you would’ve been about one year old. Maybe the truth came out--”
“My mom loved my dad,” I blurted. “She wouldn’t have done that to him. She couldn’t have. They were fated mates…” My life was crumbling, everything I’d known, everything I’d held onto about my parents was a lie.
“Phoenix, I wish I had answers for you. I don’t know how my father became involved with your mother, but as alpha, there were few things he desired and didn’t eventually attain. I knew he’d sought solace in other women after my mom’s passing, but before?” He shook his head, a grimace twisting his lips. “I had no idea.” He cleared his throat and Sierra’s hand tightened around his, her knuckles whitening. “Walt admitted your father discovered the truth about your bloodline. He was furious and attacked Tyrien.”
“That’s why we were banished.”
He nodded slowly. “An attack on the alpha’s life is grounds for immediate death. The fact that he spared your father makes me believe he must have cared something for your mother, for you.”
I swallowed down the thick knot in my throat. Everything I’d ever heard about Tyrien Silverstalker had been awful. He was the monster who had banished us, who’d condemned us to a nomadic life on the borders. He was cruel and selfish. If we’d been living safely behind the borders of Moon Valley, my parents never would’ve been killed by Ronin and his men.
None of it would’ve happened.
“The past doesn’t matter anymore, Nix.” Hunter slid forward in his seat and offered me his hand. Unraveling my fingers from Ransom’s, I took it tentatively. His rough palm glided against mine, and a current of energy traveled between our flesh. That odd pull I’d felt earlier returned, a strange tightening between my belly button and sternum. “We’re family now, and there’s nothing I won’t do to protect you. Whatever you need, it’s yours.”
The depth of emotion in his emerald-green eyes sealed his words. How had I not noticed before how similar they were to mine? How had I not sensed our connection? I only hoped what Ransom had said was true and that this man, my brother, was nothing like his—our father.
“Thank you,” I finally managed. My eyes lifted to Sierra’s; her lips were spread into a broad smile. Then my gaze dipped to her belly. “I appreciate the offer to help, but this is my fight. I won’t let you or your family get caught in it.”
“You are our family,” said Sierra.
My chest tightened and despite the life-altering news, I didn’t think my heart could feel any fuller. “I promise to come to you if we can’t figure this out on our own.”
Ransom nodded. He’d been so silent if it weren’t for his unrelenting hold on me, I would’ve forgotten he was there. Very uncharacteristic for the typically chatty vampire.
“I mean it, Phoenix, when this is over, I’d like you to return to Moon Valley. I want to get to know my sister.”
My chin dropped, emotion tightening my throat too much to speak. Kenna could finally return home and live a normal life, safe among the wolves. I’d have to speak to Deacon as soon as possible to get her transferred.
“My sister, Kenna, if you could keep an eye on her, that would be all I could ask for.”
“Of course,” Sierra answered.
“I’ll have Deacon contact you to set it up.”
“Done,” said Hunter. “Whatever we can do.”
“There’s one more thing.” Ransom lifted a finger, finally releasing his hold on me. “Could you put us in contact with Azara, the dark lord of the Underworld? I’d like to pay her a visit.”
“Sure, I’ll have Vander arrange it.” Hunter turned to me, brows knitted. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to be gallivanting around the Underworld when the god of death is after you?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Ransom interrupted. “She’s not going. She’ll stay safe and sound within the walls of Sky Lair.”
“The hell I will.”
Sierra laughed and whispered something to Hunter, but I was too busy glaring at the infuriating vampire beside me to listen in.
“I’m going if you’re going,” I cried.
“We’ll have to discuss this later,” he growled.
“I could go for you, if you want.” Hunter directed his question at me, which I appreciated.
“No, I want to meet this female warlock,” Ransom interrupted. “If Red’s well-being depends on hers, we all need to be on the same page.”
“If you think you’ll convince Azara to hide out, you’ll find you’re gravely mistaken. You’d have a better time convincing Nix.” Hunter smirked. “She didn’t become the only female dark lord for nothing.”
“Which is exactly why I’m going.” I shot Ransom a sidelong glance. “Who knows what he’d do if he was left to his own devices.”
“Ouch, Red, that hurt.”
“She’s not wrong.” Sierra shrugged, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Ransom’s known for doing reckless things when it comes to protecting the ones he loves.”
Heat rushed up my neck, and I’d suddenly had about enough of this new family bonding. I jumped up and made a beeline to the door. The truth was I needed a minute alone to process all of this. “Sorry, just remembered I needed to do something. See you later.” I sprinted through the doorway, praying my vampire shadow wouldn’t follow me. I sent a splash of threatening vibes through our connection and hoped he’d get the hint.
I needed to be alone.
This thing between Ransom and me was all-consuming. I couldn’t think straight when I was around him. And I needed to right now. As monumental as the discovery of my real lineage was, right now, I had a bigger problem to contend with. Both Ronin and the queen wanted me, and I had to stop the rebel king from summoning Thanatos and breaking the shadow curse.
That was what I needed to focus on. Not on wheth
I released a breath and slowed my pace when the sound of trailing footsteps never came. Now I had to figure out how to make it through this labyrinth and back to my room. I couldn’t accomplish anything hiding out here in Draeko. But my vampire guard wouldn’t let me out of his sight. He wouldn’t even let me go to the Underworld.
Let me, ha, that was a joke. This bond was messing with everything. A tiny part of me was relieved we hadn’t been able to complete the mate bond. If I felt this tied to Ransom already, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like once the mating link was solidified.
Maybe it was my parents’ fault I was so screwed up and falling for a fangin’ vampire.
I was rambling now, my brain spinning with all the events of the past week that I hadn’t had time to process. I turned the corner and finally the hallway looked semi-familiar. This was definitely Spark’s wing. My ears perked up searching for sounds from my team, but the halls were quiet. I hoped they hadn’t left yet. We needed to firm up the plan before they returned to Nocturnis.
Ronin had to be stopped.
Maybe if I could prove to the queen I could take him, she’d repeal the bounty on my head. If I could work with my team and the other sicari, I knew I’d be able to take out Ronin.
I turned down another corridor and a familiar figure leaned against the door, her long, violet hair tumbling over her shoulders. Violet. I snorted. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Ransom’s nickname for me was a cheap knock-off.
“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind the company,” said Sierra as she straightened.
I did. I did mind it, but how could I tell that to my high alpha and new sister-in-law? I’d fully expected Ransom to track me down, but not her.
She must have sensed my mood through the pack link or maybe it was the scowl on my face because she backed away from the door. “I don’t have to come in if you don’t want… I just wanted to check on you. I know what it’s like when family secrets come out, and I only wanted to offer a sympathetic ear if you needed it.”
I shrugged and closed my hand around the knob.
“It was either me or Ransom, and I figured you guys could fight about the Underworld later.”
“Thanks,” I finally managed. I knew I was being rude, but there was only so much I could take in one day. I motioned for her to come in, then scanned the quiet room. No Vera or Seline. Where were they?
“Hunter is going to be the best brother to you, Nix. He’s had a tough few years, and finding out he had family out there, you should’ve seen how happy it made him.”
A stab of guilt jabbed at my insides. I was being selfish, only thinking about how all of this affected me, and I’d never even stopped to consider what it was doing to him. “It’s not about that Sierra. I’m glad Hunter’s my brother. He seems great, and Ransom’s only had good things to say about him, about both of you. I hope we’ll have a chance to get to know each other soon. It’s just all of it together is too much.”
Sierra nodded and laced her arm through mine. Guiding me to the bed, she plopped down beside me. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I understand what you’re going through. I never knew my father. He died when I was young, and everything I’d thought was true growing up turned out to be a lie. It’s a long and boring story I’ll tell you about one day, but the point is that everything happened the way it was supposed to. Everything I suffered, all the loss, it made me the person I am today. It led me to Hunter.” She hugged her belly, and a smile tilted her lips. “And our new family.”
“I’m really happy things worked out so well for you guys, but our situations aren’t quite the same.”
She nodded. “I know they’re not, and I won’t pretend to understand what’s going on with you and Ransom. But I do know that mated pairs are stronger together. To me, it seems that you could use all the strength you can get for what’s to come.”
“We tried—” the words exploded from my mouth before I could stop them. With everything going on, I hadn’t had time to consider the ramifications. Sure, I was slightly relieved but a larger part of me, of my wolf, was devastated. She wanted to be bound to him.
“It didn’t work?”
I shook my head. “Well, we didn’t—” Good goddess this was embarrassing. “I couldn’t bite him because of my wolf.”
“Ohhh.” Sierra’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, not something we’d thought about. I could kill him during the blood exchange.”
“Because you’d have to bite him?” Her brows furrowed. “That’s what Ransom told you?”
“Yes. Isn’t that how it works?”
She nodded slowly, but something unreadable flashed across her eyes. “Yes, traditionally.”
“Anyway, even if I were able to bite him, there’s no guarantee it would work. Ransom died, Sierra.”
“I know, believe me, I don’t think I’ll ever get the image out of my head.”
“I’m sorry.” I snagged my lower lip between my teeth and bit down. Not the most sensitive thing I’d ever said.
She suddenly stood and patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t give up, Nix. Miracles do happen.”
I chewed on my lip as I considered telling her about the appearance of the goddess Luna when I was a kid. Ransom had told me she’d had a visitation as well, and I willed my mouth to form the words, but before I got the nerve, she’d turned heel toward the door.
Weird.
“I’ll let you have that alone time you wanted now, Nix. I just remembered I needed to yell at Ransom about something important. But if you need anything, we’ll be here until this evening. I know Hunter would love some time to get to know his little sister.”
I opened my mouth to ask about Ransom, but she waved a nonchalant hand as if she’d read my thoughts and again, maybe she had. I smiled, the words little sister sounding odd to my ears. I’d always been the big sister, the strong one who had to look out for Kenna. A swell of warmth bubbled up at the idea of being looked after, of being protected. It was a feeling I’d never felt before.
Chapter
Two
Ransom
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“You lied to her!” Sierra’s finger stabbed me in the chest. She’d stomped into the sitting room like a whirlwind.
“Lied to whom? About what?”
“Don’t you dare play this game with me, Ransom De La Sangue.”
Hunter stared up at his mate, the look of surprise mirroring my own. “What’s going on?”
“You lied to Nix about the mate bond.”
I could practically feel my face pale, all the blood rushing out. Curses. “I didn’t lie exactly.”
“But you didn’t tell her that it was possible to complete without her biting you back. She feels terrible. She thinks it’s her fault.” She paused, glaring at me. “I felt her pain through the pack link. That girl really cares about you, you idiot.”
I shifted in my seat and reached for the tumbler on the table. Taking a long pull, I finally faced my old friend. “I panicked, okay? I never thought she’d agree to forever with me, a vampire! So when the biting thing came up, I gave her the out.”
“What if she didn’t want the out? I doubt it was a decision she made lightly.”
I tsked. “Sierra, don’t you remember what the first few weeks of the burgeoning mate bond are like? The pull toward each other, it’s irrational, relentless and completely overpowering. Logical thinking hardly comes into play. I know Red, and after the initial lust dissipates, she’ll be stuck with me. Mated to her greatest enemy.”
