Twisted Wings (A Shaded Rose Series Book 2) Read online

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  Twisted Wings

  Book Two

  Copyright © 2015 by Laura Williams & Judith Brimble

  [J & L Wells]

  Cover design by Jennifer Munswami of J.M rising horse creations

  Formatting and interior design by JT Formatting

  Proof reading and editing by Sarah Cheeseman

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

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  Thank you, Kristen Middleton for all of your support and convincing us to write a vampire book.

  Sarah Cheeseman, Julie Titus and Jennifer Munswami for helping to make our book perfect.

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  A Vampires Beauty

  A Message from the Authors

  Other Titles

  An Excerpt from Venom by Kristen Middleton

  “Get the hell off me!”

  My hands flail as I’m surrounded by Lucian’s family. Then the women turn and walk away from us, retreating deeper into the forest before disappearing between the trees. My eyes refocus and move over to the remaining family members. All of the men are dressed the same, in open-necked white shirts and plain black trousers. I look into their faces; their skin is so pale it is almost transparent.

  “Edmond! Caspar!” Lucian calls out, clicking his fingers in the air.

  I lash out with my arms towards a thickset man with auburn hair. He leans forwards and without a glance my way drags Tristan from my arms. Lucian’s family pay no heed to my feelings; all I can do is sit and watch as his body is picked up from the ground like an empty sack and thrown over the shoulders of the man with the auburn hair. I can see the mouthed exchange of words between him and Lucian as momentarily they stand shoulder to shoulder. Unfortunately, I can’t hear a word of what they say. Their discussion is only brief and then Tristan is taken away, lost from sight.

  Like a claustrophobic curtain, Lucian and his family close in around me. There must be at least twenty of them. Each face I look into is as pale as the whitest chalk, their amber eyes circled by rings as black as coal.

  I jump to my feet and run full pelt, throwing myself against Lucian’s chest.

  “I hate you! I hate you!” I spit.

  He looks down and I am met by the glare of his rich amber eyes. Anger wells in my stomach. I throw my fists with force against his chest, though his open palms catch and deter each blow I attempt. With lips slightly parted, he stands and laughs. It is not only his laughter I hear, but his family’s howls.

  “You’ve got a feisty one there, Lucian.”

  “Too right, Harrold.” He sniggers.

  Lucian’s right hand is a vice that has wrapped itself around the knuckles of both my clenched fists. His grip is not forced and I feel no pain or discomfort, just deep-seated anger. How could he? He almost killed Tristan, and I don’t know if he’s okay or where they’re taking him. I wonder if I will ever see him again. My heart sinks; it is a strange sensation, one I haven’t felt for a while.

  “You’ve seen enough, now do one; I’ve got things to do,” Lucian calls out, a serious undertone to his voice, and I know his words are meant.

  As if by magic the trees seem to eat up his family, leaving myself and Lucian alone.

  “Well, Rose, is it safe to let you go?” he asks with a raised brow.

  I see his eyes drop to my hands and the restraint he has on them. I wriggle my shoulders like an escaping eel.

  “Get off me, Lucian!”

  He smirks. “If that’s what you wish.”

  Freeing myself from his stare, I watch as his fingers straighten. On feeling their release, I whizz round and run blindly. I reach down and grab the back straps of the stiletto shoes I’m wearing; then, holding them by the heels, I throw them high into the air. I don’t wait around long enough to hear them land, but keep running. My chest burns; I don’t think I’ve ever run this fast. The soles of my feet are blistered and sore and the calves of my legs are cramping, but I cannot stop. I must get away from here, get help, get the police to find Tristan. My phone… It had completely slipped my mind, and without slowing down, I reach into my pocket.

  “Shit!”

  There’s no signal. But do I need a signal to make an emergency call? I ask myself. I can barely see as sweat pours down my face, making my eyes sting and my hair stick to my cheeks and lips. Zigzagging between the trees, my eyes make a detour to my phone’s screen, where my finger hovers over the number nine. But then I am knocked senseless as I collide with uncertainty.

  Someone grabs me, and dropping my phone, my arms are thrown above my head. I can feel myself being pushed back until I am pinned against rough bark.

  “Rose…” His voice is deep and trembles.

  “Lucian,” I gasp. Still panting, I try to catch my breath, yet it escapes me.

  His face is against mine, his stubble rubbing my cheek. Why does the moment, the air around us, everything feel so sensual? Why am I trembling the way that I do in his arms? My instinct is to look at his lips and, although against everything I know to be right, to kiss them. But my thoughts are answered. There is no waiting; his lips are already there. I shudder, feeling their cold presence. I am taken by surprise; his unyielding lips are compressed with passion. He releases my arms from above my head, which drop loosely at my side. His fingers take me within them as he caresses the nape of my neck, exploring my hairline with intricacy as he twists the strands of hair. I feel slow tugs to begin with, and then he bunches and takes it all, every long falling tress, forcing my head to the side. I feel his trembles. I hear his groans.

  His teeth sink into my ear as he whispers, “Tell me, Rose, tell me you want to be like me. One word from you is all I need.”

  I close my eyes as I feel his moist kisses and the way they linger on the soft skin of my neck.

  “We can be together forever. Imagine never having to face death. I can feel your enjoyment. Rose, I know you want me. Imagine the sex, how exquisite it will be.”

  I’m tempted, oh God I’m tempted.

  “Yes, Lucian, yes,” I murmur.

  I look into his rich amber eyes, the blackness of his pupils elongated into diamonds. It is as if I look into the eyes of a cat. I see his skin
as it toughens. Cracks open, running across his cheeks and forehead from where blood seeps and spills onto his face like the fine web of a spider. I pull back upon seeing his face contort. His teeth shine in the night like jewels, though they are anything but; a line of fangs glistening like the sharpest of knives. I hold my breath, feeling them tantalise the warmth of my skin. I tilt my head to the side and my neck lies in wait. My mind tells me I’m no longer afraid. I want him, and I hear my groans as they drift away.

  “Damn it, what’s wrong with me?!” he shouts.

  I am released from his hold and left standing against the tree, alone. I watch him as he punches his fist against his palm. He falls to the floor, curling up like a child.

  I’m unclear what just happened, and more unclear as to why. When I stood in Lucian’s arms, something came over me that I seemed unable to resist. It was like an invisible hold, a cloak I was wrapped within.

  “Lucian, what have you done to me?” I reach up to my neck, but there are no puncture wounds.

  He looks up from under his lifted arm.

  “I’ve done nothing, Rose … I can’t.”

  His voice is sombre, and his amber eyes have returned to how I remember them.

  “You can’t become a vampire unless you love me and I’m truly the one that you want … but I’m not.” He sits, straightening his back. “But love will come in time, of that I am sure. I’m just finding it hard to be patient.”

  Slowly I shake my head, bringing myself back to my senses.

  “I’ll never want to be like you!” I yell, wiping his taste from my lips. “Look how you treat people; you left Tristan for dead!”

  “What do you expect?”

  I watch him jump to his feet and walk back and forth between two trees like a caged bear.

  “When your so-called friend tells me he is the reason for me…” He corrects himself. “…for us all being vampires, well, Rose, you live our life for half the time we have. Never able to go out in daylight, to look at a cooked meal. We live on small animals, road kill; we have to drink cold congealed blood to quench our thirst. Does this life sound good to you?” He pauses. “Now tell me how would you feel?”

  He walks into my space, grabbing my cheeks with his fingers, and turns my head to face him.

  “When I finally fall upon the one thing, the one person in this hell of an existence of mine that gives me back a touch of humanity, a heart, he’s there, Tristan, your so-called friend, ready to take it away, ready to take you away from me. So now, Rose, maybe you’ll have a little understanding. I am not a bad person, just an unfortunate one. I didn’t ask to be this way; all I asked for was true love.”

  I struggle in my attempt to free my cheeks.

  “I’m not it Lucian, and never will be. You can keep your blood-money, I don’t want to know.” Freeing myself, I toss my head in the air and continue. “If Tristan isn’t back safely in the flat within the hour, I’m ringing the police.”

  “And you’ll tell them what exactly?”

  I hear by his change of tone that he mocks me. My eyes flash his way, where he stands with folded arms.

  “About Tristan…”

  “Why do you think I work at The Silken Kite?”

  I see how quick he is to change the subject; rather convenient, I think, rolling my eyes. Seeing a clearing in the trees and a narrow gravel path I begin to walk towards it, hoping the path will lead to a road and I can hitch a ride home.

  “I don’t really care, Lucian…” My words float over my shoulder as my steps quicken.

  I can hear his melodic footsteps as he trudges behind, and still he continues to talk. What’s his point? He’s really starting to piss me off.

  “Why do you think I work at The Silken Kite?” he repeats. “It’s the only club in Nottingham that pays cash in hand. I have no national insurance number, no driving licence, I don’t even own a bus pass. Don’t you see, Rose? I have no identity. While I’m on the subject, does Tristan happen to work? And if so, is he paid cash in hand also?”

  I spin round to face him.

  “What’s it to you?” I snap, standing up on tiptoes so that our noses are level.

  “He’s a fallen angel, and like me, he doesn’t exist, so you running to the police will achieve nothing. They will be looking for a missing person who has no record. Let’s say they humour you and turn their attention to me, the person whom you accuse of having no record either. Think hard before you act. The police don’t look kindly on time wasters. If you really want to see Tristan again, you must spend the ten nights with me as agreed. After which time if that’s still your wish, you can leave with the money as promised, and your friend.”

  I catch his smirk.

  “If you still want him, that is.”

  “So what now?” I ask bluntly.

  I watch his lips as they arch into a smile.

  “For ten days and nights you’ll be staying at the castle.”

  “You what!” I scowl. “That’s not what we agreed.”

  “Well, like me,” Lucian is quick to add, “agreements are apt to change.”

  My head’s spinning; he’s really caught me off guard and I’m at a loss for words. I feel as if he’s taking away all of my choices, and slowly, very slowly, taking over my mind. Thinking straight, there is absolutely no way I would have kissed him. He can stick his deal, I’m out of here! But then I remember Tristan and know I can’t just walk away. My brows drop.

  “Looks as though you’ve left me no choice,” I huff. “Lucian, I’ll do whatever, just let Tristan go.”

  He laughs aloud. “Do you think I was born yesterday?”

  I cringe on hearing his throaty snigger.

  “The minute he walks free from the castle, what is to keep you there? Nothing, so like you, Tristan will stay; he is now part of the agreement.”

  My eyes narrow. “Ten days, ten nights, and, Lucian, I want no more of your mind games. On the morning after the tenth night, Tristan and I will walk away unharmed, understood?”

  He holds out his hands towards me; I don’t lift mine in response, but watch as he looks down at me from under his dark lashes.

  “I can see by your face, by your eyes what you think of me, but please give me a chance, and try to look upon me free from both misconception and prejudice.”

  I take his hand, his kind gesture, but shake it with force.

  “Deal,” I add.

  Though with my abrupt shake of his hand there’s an added sparkle to his eyes. Is there no way of getting at Lucian, no way to deter his affections? Whatever tack I use, his face always seems to wear an annoyance and that underlying smile. Cocky bastard, I can’t help but think.

  “Wait,” he calls.

  “For what?”

  But by the time these two words have slipped from my lips and I’ve blinked twice, he has darted into the forest, and comes back holding my stilettos in one hand and my mobile phone in the other.

  “Being a vampire isn’t without its perks.”

  Impressive, I think, but won’t let him see. He drops my shoes and I slip them on. He hands me my phone, which I slide into my pocket.

  “Now I’ve got you for the next couple of weeks, I won’t be working at The Silken Kite, so I’d best go and give Gaz the heads-up.”

  Although a summer’s night, there is a chill in the air. I shudder almost unknowingly, but Lucian must have sensed it, as his jacket and arm are already placed around my shoulders. It feels so different to having Tristan’s arms to snuggle into; Lucian’s leave no weight bearing down on me, and are far lighter. I don’t have to strain my neck to look up into Lucian’s eyes, for there are only a couple of inches in height between us. He hums a song I have never heard as we continue along the narrow pathway. My heels crunch against the small grey stones. We must have walked for around ten minutes, but I can’t be sure, as I never looked down at my watch to check. The thick trees either side of us have thinned out, opening up onto the tarmacked car park, where the taxi parked and drop
ped Tristan and me off earlier this afternoon.

  It’s so nice to walk on solid ground again; when I look down at my shoes I can see that my heels are worn away. I scan the car park, counting five cars scattered about. I’m not too good with makes of cars, but one I know for sure is a Ford Focus because my dad owned one for years. I squint at the car farthest away; it’s no more than a burnt-out shell without tyres. Joy-riders, I guess.

  I can feel Lucian’s pull on my shoulder as he turns me towards the left side of the car park, where a black car with tinted windows is parked. Releasing his arm, Lucian pulls a key-fob from his trouser pocket and points it. There is a beep, and I hear the car doors click as they unlock.

  He guides me round to the passenger door, which he opens. He reaches out his arm.

  “My lady,” he says, and gestures for me to get inside.

  I hear the door as it closes behind me, and watch as he hurries past the windscreen. I gag on taking a breath in; it’s as if I’m inhaling the awful stench of death. My whole being is surrounded by an invisible decay; it’s the only way I can think of describing the awful smell. Lucian opens his door and the interior light comes on. I look down at the grey upholstery, which has unsightly stains of flecked blood. My face contorts and, feeling uncomfortable, I squirm in my seat.

  “Get off,” I shout as his arm shoots across my chest.

  “Safety, Rose.”

  He pulls across the seat belt and clicks it into place. He opens up the glove compartment and pulls out a pine-tree air freshener, which he hangs around the rear-view mirror. I can’t help an involuntary titter. I turn to meet his gaze; he smiles, and my lips crease. Then just as quickly I flick my head so my eyes stare out of the window. I hear the turn of the key in its ignition, the car shudders, the wheels spin. The rev of the engine roars as we shoot forward. Exiting the car park I watch the speedometer pick up from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of seconds.

  “Now, this is what us vampires call fun!” he yells.

  I catch the smell of rubber and hear the tyres squeal beneath me.