Blood Lust (Book 3 in Blood Series)

By T. Lynne Tolles

A surprise visit from Dominic Larsen insisting his nephews, Blake and Devon, come back to Connecticut with him to uncover what’s ailing his son Anton. Darby finds herself up to her eyeballs in family politics when Devon's animosity towards Anton has him in a dark angry place.
If things weren't bad enough being away from home in the middle of all this seething rage, Anton’s estranged wife, Libby unexpectedly shows up shrouding the men of the house in her seductive prowess that only Darby seems to see. But when Devon takes off with Libby, no body but Darby seems to think anything about the whole ordeal is suspicious. Without any support from friends or family, Darby sets off on a quest to find the truth of what’s really happened to Devon and learn more about this wicked power Libby seems to have over men.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T. Lynne Tolles
• Release date: Oct 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452458960

T. Lynne Tolles

T. Lynne Tolles can be found most days, juggling one of two cat muses and a laptop, tripping over an ancient Newfoundland dog and washing a never-ending pile of laundry. When life doesn’t get in the way, she writes paranormal romances for new adults. Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their happily ever after.

Book preview

Blood Lust

Blood Series Book 3

T. Lynne Tolles

Copyright

Blood Lust

Troll Publishing

First Edition

Copyright 2010 T. Lynne Tolles

Version 3.1 September 15, 2011

Second Edition

Copyright 2014 T. Lynne Tolles

June 18, 2014

Bundled Release – October 2018

ISBN 978-0-9829876-2-9

All Rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews, is illegal and punishable by law.

Publisher’s Note:

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, locales or events is coincidental.

T. Lynne Tolles

Cover art: Melchelle Designs

Digital formatting: Author E.M.S.

Edited by: Tina Winograd & Chelly Hoyle Peeler

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

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

Special Thanks

About the Author

Other Books by T. Lynne Tolles

Dedication

To Pete, my husband and best friend in the world. I love you!

Chapter 1

Before everyone began eating the festive dinner, Devon Bloomington stood with his glass of wine and said, I’d like to make a toast. Everyone reached for their glasses.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for family, friends and loved ones. I want to say I am thankful for each and every one of you. You’ve all become family to my brother Blake and me. May we always have each other to call family!

Those gathered at the table raised their drinks and clinked them together. To family, said Blake and they repeated, To family. They all sipped their drink then started to dig in.

Laughing and talking ensued and all seemed perfect, when the doorbell rang. Devon and his girlfriend, Darby, looked questioningly at each other. Devon wiped his mouth, kissed Darby, and said, I’ll get it. You stay and enjoy. He set his napkin next to his plate and headed for the door. He opened it to find a tall, elegantly dressed man with brown eyes and hair.

Uncle Dominic! What a pleasant surprise. Come in. Devon, although welcoming, was truly floored at seeing his uncle. In all Devon’s life, he had never known him to travel away from Connecticut.

Distinguished, Dominic was dressed in a black hat, overcoat, red scarf (perhaps for some festive color) and gloves. It was a little overkill for the fifty-eight degree Thanksgiving weather, Devon thought, but the man was meticulously groomed, nonetheless. Devon made his introduction as he helped Dominic with his coat, hat, scarf and gloves.

There was definitely some family resemblance to Devon and Blake, Darby thought, and now closer, she saw his eyes were a warm brown. His hair was slicked back and he sported a bushy mustache. He was at least as tall as Blake, so now Darby knew where Blake had gotten his height. Dominic didn’t smile, but Darby felt if he did, he might have the kind that lit up a room, like his nephews. Darby had a feeling, though, she wouldn’t be seeing his smile anytime soon.

This is Darby O’Rielly, Devon said as he pointed to her near the end of the table. Devon didn’t tell his uncle she and her sister, Rowan, were from a long line of ancestral witches. Devon had only met the beautiful blonde woman a few months previously, but he had fallen madly in love with her almost at first sight. He continued around the table.

Her sister, Rowan, Devon said. A tiny, strawberry blonde woman with Caribbean blue eyes smiled and nodded. A few months before, a horrible man named Terrence Paine had kidnapped and injected her with werewolf blood. He thought she’d been turned into a vampire by her boyfriend, Blake.

The werewolf blood would have battled the vampire blood, leaving Rowan dead. However, Blake had not turned her and the werewolf blood changed her into a werewolf. Devon continued around the table.

You know Blake, of course, he said, gesturing to his brother.

Blake looked up at his uncle in acknowledgement of the introductions to find him glaring at his hand holding Rowan’s. Blake knew why and immediately let go of her hand. As a young man, Dominic had seen a couple mutilated and killed by a werewolf. Blake knew his uncle sensed Rowan’s mind and her inner werewolf, as he and his uncle were adept at telepathy and mind control.

Ignoring the telepathic communication between Dominic and Blake, Devon continued, And this is Sally Keaton. Sally, like Rowan and Darby, was from a long line of witches. She and her sister, Rachel, were powerful.

Rachel and Sally came to Oljone, California to cast an ancient spell written by one of their ancestors in an attempt to capture more power—very evil power. The spell included kidnapping thirteen girls to invoke the powers of the Blood Moon.

Sally played along with her sister’s ranting until the showdown with Darby. Back in October, Rowan, Blake, Devon, and Dean Wolfe turned Sally against her sister and almost killed Rachel. Darby bound both sisters’ powers until they showed they were sorry for what they had done.

Sally became the guardian angel to all thirteen women she and her sister kidnapped. In doing so, she recently earned back her powers.

And this is Dean Wolfe, Devon continued. Dean, a werewolf, was the brother of Benjamin Wolfe, whose blood had been injected into Rowan by Terrence Paine. In an attempt to learn all they could about werewolves, Darby and Blake had gone to Colorado seeking Dean.

Rowan spent her first full moon as a werewolf with Dean, learning her new abilities. Devon joined them one night and found werewolves and vampires were much alike.

They both had telepathic abilities, speed, and strength, and both species were often blamed for those of their breed who lost control and killed humans. The folklore was similar, too, making Devon wonder if maybe once the two species had been related.

Dean grew up hating vampires. Blake grew up with Dominic’s slanted opinions of werewolves. Blake left Rowan just before she experienced her first full moon with confusion and misguided expectations of her change. In an attempt to win her back, Blake went to Colorado to learn all he could from Dean about werewolves. In doing so, they became good friends.

Finishing his introductions, Devon said, Dean and Sally are two very dear friends; this is our uncle, Dominic Larson.

Darby, Rowan, Dominic said and paused for a brief moment. Blake, Sally and… He paused again as a disgusted look came over his face. Dean. Sorry to interrupt your festivities.

Making a wide berth around Rowan, Dominic offered a bottle of very expensive champagne to Darby. I would like to borrow my nephews, just for a moment, if you don’t mind. I’ve something I must speak to them about immediately.

Well, sit, Mr. Larson, and join us, Darby said as she jumped out of her chair. Let me get you a place setting and a chair.

Dominic smiled at her gesture and said, I’m sorry, miss, this is a private family matter and I just couldn’t possibly stay. You understand, don’t you? He said this dismissively as if speaking to a servant; polite, but not sincere.

Darby saw that Devon was irritated by his uncle’s rude behavior and was about to say something, when Blake jumped out of his chair and said, Sure, Dominic. They understand.

He glanced at the others at the table and gave Devon an imploring look, all the while helping his uncle with his coat. We’ll speak in the front yard, Dominic. Go back to your meal, enjoy! We’ll only be a minute, Blake said rather apologetically to Darby who was still standing, stunned, in front of her seat.

Darby looked at the rest of the people at the table and said, I’ll get some champagne flutes, to enjoy our lovely gift. She excused herself as Devon and Blake led Dominic to the front yard.

They were almost to the black limousine, when Dominic turned to the boys. I’m in need of your help, boys. Anton is terribly sick and I would like you both to come to Connecticut to help me determine what is ailing him.

I’m very sorry Anton is sick, but that does not excuse your… Devon started.

What Devon is trying to say, Dominic, Blake interrupted, is that we are not boys any longer. We have lives here, jobs, commitments, significant others. We can’t just up and leave.

Yes, I see you’ve hooked up with a lively bunch of hooligans. Eating at a table with witches and werewolf swine. How could you? So what, you with your Darby girl, and you with the werewolf crossbreed creature? Both witches, I presume?

Yes. I am with Rowan, but you don’t understand, Dominic, Blake said.

Dominic’s eyes grew large. How despicable, boy! Didn’t I teach you anything? Didn’t you listen to a word I told you? Your mother must be turning in her grave in shame. We are a family of noble vampire blood. What a disgrace to your heritage. Vile. Disgusting!

That’s enough, Dominic. You are wrong about werewolves, like many are wrong about vampires. You are mistaken… Devon defended.

How dare you! I am a professor of science. I most definitely am not mistaken. I saw, with my own two eyes, the horrific act of a werewolf. They are animals, not people.

You’re wrong, Dominic, very wrong. These are good and decent people. They’ve risked their lives for us on numerous occasions… Blake tried to explain.

Don’t bother explaining, Blake. He won’t change his mind. He has his view, and that is the only view he’ll ever see, Devon said.

I see your manners have been severely degraded by the company you keep. I demand you come to Connecticut immediately. Maybe you’ll find your manners there and remember your place in society.

I’m not leaving. Not for you and most definitely not for Anton, Devon said.

Oh, grow up, boy. That was ages ago. Let bygones be bygones already. I won’t take no for an answer. You will both march in there, pack your things, and come home.

Connecticut is not our home. This is our home, Oljone, California. Right here, with a bunch of great friends who are waiting for us to continue our Thanksgiving feast, Devon said as he turned and headed back to the house.

Wait, Devon, Blake said. Devon stopped and slowly turned. Dominic, won’t you please join us for dinner? Get to know these people. They are family to us.

Devon said, Don’t bother wasting your breath, Blake. Like I said, he’s already made up his mind about them.

It’s Thanksgiving. You said yourself, Devon, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for family, friends and loved ones. Dominic and Anton are our only blood relatives.

Fine. You’re right, Blake, I did say that. Dominic, would you please join us for dinner?

Thank you for the offer but no. I can’t. No, I won’t sit at a table with two werewolves. I am staying at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. Here are your tickets. We are leaving at 10:50 AM tomorrow. I expect to see you on the plane. He handed each of them a first class ticket.

Whoa, wait a minute. I can’t go, Dominic. I have to work. I have a project due, deadlines, I just can’t up and leave, Blake insisted.

Fine, you will join us when you are done with your commitments.

I’m not going either, Dominic. This is my home, here with Darby. There is no love lost between Anton and me. I’m sure he doesn’t want to see me any more than I want to see him. I’m sorry he’s sick, but for God’s sake, he’s a vampire, he’ll heal. I’m sure he will be fine.

No, Devon. He won’t. He is rapidly declining. You must help me. I demand that you help me.

You demand that I help you? There’s nothing I can do for him. I’m not a doctor; you are. I’m a software engineer. So’s Blake. What could we possibly do for him?

You’re his family. You can be his family. Maybe he will confide in you.

What makes you think if he hasn’t confided in you, that he would do such a thing with me or Blake?

Because…you are his age. You speak his language. You’re more understanding, like your mother.

Not where he’s concerned, Devon muttered under his breath.

You must do this! Dominic yelled and turned red in the face, pounding a fist into his other hand, tears welling in his ferociously angry eyes.

Blake said, Hang on, now. You both need to cool off a bit. Dominic, you’re going to blow a gasket. Relax. Devon, if Darby went with you to Connecticut, would you be willing to go and at least talk to Anton? See if maybe he would confide in you? You never know. And if he’s really that sick, don’t you think one of us should be there? We’re family, after all.

If Darby were politely invited to come, and treated appropriately, yes, I may consider going to Connecticut.

Dominic, would you be willing to accept Darby as a guest in your home, treating her as such, for Devon?

He mulled this over, taking longer than Devon would have liked, but he reluctantly agreed.

As long as her mutant sister does not come. Yes, I would accept the witch as a guest in my home providing she behaves in a proper manner.

What the he… Devon started. Blake saw he was about to blow his top and interrupted.

See, I knew this could be worked out. Now, would you at least join us for a glass of champagne and invite Darby properly, Dominic?

Dominic grumbled and nodded. They walked up the porch stairs and opened the door to an absolutely quiet room of guests sitting at the table, not eating.

Darby had brought out seven glasses and all but one was filled. Blake picked up the glass, filled it, and handed it to his unhappy looking uncle. Blake grabbed his glass and raised it as he had done earlier. Everyone else followed along, grabbing their glasses and holding them in the air. Blake said, To family! They all repeated, To family, albeit a little less enthusiastically.

Dominic downed is glass and said, Miss Darby, I would like to invite you as a guest to accompany my nephew Devon to my home in Connecticut. I would be most honored if you would oblige me this request.

Shocked and surprised, Darby answered, I’d be delighted. Thank you, Mr. Larsen.

Feeling he had fulfilled his obligatory duty, he spun on his heels and was out the door before anyone said a word.

Chapter 2

The limousine sped away as they began eating again. Devon was silent through the rest of dinner. Blake tried to make up for it with conversation and joking, but the mood had drastically changed and did not recover from the brief introduction of Mr. Dominic Larsen.

Darby felt that somehow his visit had changed everything forever. The feeling made her shiver to her bones. Devon’s demeanor had altered and everyone noticed. It was as if the wind suddenly changed direction.

Eventually the evening was over and the dishes were washed and put away. Darby decided to pack. She went to the garage to get her suitcase, dusting it off as she brought it into the house and set it on the chair in the bedroom.

She started a load of laundry, hoping to give Devon options for what to pack. He didn’t speak a word to her the rest of the night and she felt she had done something wrong. Should she not have accepted Dominic’s request? Had she somehow overstepped her bounds with Devon? She didn’t know, and he didn’t say. Why wouldn’t he talk to her about this trip they were taking? Why was she invited, if he didn’t want her to go? Confusion surrounded her and her mind raced. She felt so very alone in a house full of people.

When it was time to go to sleep, he got into bed and turned away from Darby, turning off his light wordlessly. The silence was killing her. She finally whispered, Devon, have I done something to upset you? Should I have not accepted your uncle’s invitation? Did you want to make this trip without me?

No. You’re the only reason I’m going.

I don’t understand. Why are you so angry?

It’s nothing you’ve done. Everything is fine. Don’t worry about it. Get some sleep. We have a long day on the plane tomorrow.

"But don’t you think we should talk about this? I don’t even know why we are going.