Summer's Deadly Kiss: The Vampire Inheritance Saga, #1

By Cate Farren

A paranormal romance/urban fantasy.

Life for Clover Kwon couldn’t be much worse. A year has passed since she witnessed the brutal death of her boyfriend, Frankie, and even with the help of a therapist she is unable to come to terms with what she saw that night. Not only did she lose Frankie, but Clover’s best friend, Saskia, hasn’t spoken to her since. It doesn’t help matters that her mother is a raging alcoholic, her father is a philanderer and everyone in her hometown, Chapel Green, Maine, thinks she’s crazy. And she’s apt to believe them.
Jared Van Clayborne seems to have it all. He is a gorgeous, newly-turned vampire, an heir to a fortune and his mentor, Sutton, is the daughter of Dracula. On the inside, he’s a mess. Atrocities he’s committed in the past year torture his thoughts, he is miserably failing high school and has no hope for the future. Jared is forced into counseling, but because he must keep his vampirism a secret, it hasn’t helped.
Jared makes a desperate decision one night, but fate brings him face to face with Clover, a girl he had a crush on when they were in elementary school.  A passionate magnetism draws them to one another. They both have secrets, but find solace in each other’s arms.
Things begin looking up when Clover is finally reunited with Saskia. The young women are determined to figure out what happened to Frankie, and launch an investigation to bring those responsible to justice. As Clover and Saskia start piecing together clues, it draws the attention of some powerful individuals and puts their lives, and everyone around them, in jeopardy.
When Clover uncovers the dark truth about Chapel Green’s inhabitants she is torn between vengeance and love for her greatest enemy. Now, not only is her sanity at stake, but also her life.

Summer’s Deadly Kiss is book one in the The Vampire Inheritance series. It features some steamy scenes, violence, bad language.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Dawson
• Release date: Jul 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501475955

Book preview

Summer’s Deadly Kiss

Death and love go hand in hand.

Ayear has passed since Clover Kwon witnessed the brutal death of her boyfriend, Frankie. Even with the help of a therapist she is unable to come to terms with what she saw that night. Not only did she lose Frankie, but Clover’s best friend, Saskia, hasn’t spoken to her since.

Jared Van Clayborne seems to have it all. He is a gorgeous, newly-turned vampire, an heir to a fortune. On the inside, he’s a mess. Atrocities he’s committed in the past year torture his thoughts. Jared is forced into counseling, but because he must keep his vampirism a secret, it hasn’t helped.

Jared makes a desperate decision one night, but fate brings him face to face with Clover, a girl he had a crush on when they were in elementary school. A passionate magnetism draws them to one another. They both have secrets, but find solace in each other’s arms.

Things begin looking up when Clover is finally reunited with Saskia. The young women are determined to figure out what happened to Frankie, and launch an investigation to bring those responsible to justice. As Clover and Saskia start piecing together clues, it draws the attention of some powerful individuals and puts their lives, and everyone around them, in jeopardy.

Chapter 1

M ake me a vampire.

He gently played with Daniel’s fingers as his words lingered in the air. Jared wanted this, ever since Daniel had revealed what he was. He needed it. Being a vampire was who he was meant to be. He didn’t want to be just another trust fund brat who existed just to party and work in his father’s business. He was going to be a vampire.

Jared, you don’t know what you’re asking, said Daniel. Just forget about it.

Daniel unbuttoned Jared’s shirt. He started to kiss his bare chest, sliding his tongue over one of his nipples, making Jared almost forget why he’d called his lover over.

I mean it, said Jared.

He peered into Daniel’s golden-brown eyes, soaking him in. He had to make Daniel see it had to happen tonight.

My life has no meaning, said Jared.

Daniel’s hand slid across his bellybutton and across his abs. Jared held his breath for a second as the pleasure overwhelmed him.

You saying this has no meaning? Daniel asked him with a sly grin.

You know what I mean, said Jared, pushing Daniel’s hand away with reluctance. I’m a jock who sleeps around with stupid cheerleaders and fails math and fails his father. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. I’m meant to be a vampire.

He tried to turn his face away, but Daniel pulled him in for a kiss. His lips tasted like the peach Chap Stick he used. How delectable would Daniel taste when Jared was a vampire, with the enhanced senses that came with it? How would the entire world taste and feel and smell when he perceived everything through a different lens?

Do you love me? Daniel asked.

Jared hesitated. He didn’t know whether he did or not. He’d never loved anybody his entire life. He wasn’t even sure what love felt like. He’d had girlfriends and boyfriends but they’d all been diversions, experiments in how far he could take his bisexuality.

Do I love Daniel?

I love you, said Jared. The moment the words left his lips he knew they were an invention, but he didn’t dare back down. His future was at stake.

Daniel kissed him again and said, There’s no return. Once you become a vampire, you can’t be human again. It’s not a disease that can be cured. We’re a supernatural species.

I understand, said Jared.

You can’t ever eat human food again. Daniel gave one of his patented cute grins. And I know how much you love Twinkies.

Jared smirked. They’ve got too many calories anyway.

Daniel laughed. Jared did love his laugh, and the way the bristles on his chin tickled his bellybutton when they engaged in foreplay. Jared loved so many things about him. Daniel was a joy to be with, a bright light in his otherwise tedious existence. It was a pity he wasn’t in love with him.

I’m dumping him as soon as he makes me a vampire.

It would be callous, but it was the right thing to do. Jared wasn’t really sure that he cared all that much. His life was so bad at the moment, one more person hating him didn’t really matter.

I told my dad I’d rather die than work in his business, and then I trashed all his antique cars. I’m failing my senior year, and I haven’t spoken to my mother in years. What’s one more enemy when I’m a powerful immortal vampire?

I’ve thought about it, and I want this, Jared told him. This is what I want.

Then I’ll give you what you want, said Daniel seductively.

Jared braced himself as Daniel pushed him down onto the bed. He could hear the TV blaring downstairs and a neighborhood dog barking. He felt his stomach doing somersaults as Daniel’s hand softly caressed his neck, searching for the right vein. He’d never felt anything more charged and erotic in all his life.

Daniel’s fangs extended as he said, This will be agony.

DO YOU WANT SOME COFFEE? Frankie asked.

Clover didn’t hear him. She was too busy staring into space, at the stars and the heavens. Why had she never taken the time to learn their names and constellations? Her dad had tried to teach her but she hadn’t been interested, thinking astronomy was for geeks.

Do you want some coffee? Frankie asked again, irritated. The cute freckles around his nose made him look younger than he really was.

Clover forced a smile and said, I don’t drink coffee.

Why is it I didn’t know that about you? Frankie asked her. I thought we knew everything about each other.

Clover felt Frankie snuggle up next to her on the bench. She tried to move away but there was no bench left. How had it come to this? How had she ended up dating a person for two years she wasn’t attracted to?

It was the kiss. I kissed him because I wanted to know what it felt like, and we just sort of ended up dating. How very romantic.

There’s a reason I wanted to invite you back for coffee, said Frankie shyly. She found it adorable when he was introverted. That was one of the things that had initially drawn her to him. His terrible boredom was one of the things that gradually made him repellent to her.

I should summon the courage to dump him.

Hmm? Clover asked, still not really paying attention.

I know we’ve been taking it slow, and I know that’s what we agreed on, but... Clover sighed. He was the one that had said they should take it slow. She’d just agreed with him. Clover, I...I bought some condoms.

She turned to him with shock. Condoms?

He blushed and said, I didn’t mean to start off like that. What I meant to say was...never mind. Let me take you back home. Your parents will be worried.

Clover bit her lip to keep from exploding with frustration. She wanted to lose her virginity, even if it was with Frankie. What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he just say what he meant for a change?

They heard a yell echo around the small park, but Clover didn’t worry. Chapel Green didn’t have crime. It was a place where you could leave your doors unlocked and not worry about being burgled. It was a safe town.

I think we should break up, she blurted out.

Oh my God...I can’t believe I just said that.

The hurt on Frankie’s face was enough to make Clover feel like the worst person in the world. He had sad puppy dog eyes that even the hardest heart couldn’t help but adore.

Clover? he asked. You want to break up with me?

It’s not working out, she said, not looking at him, but at the stars. She would not look into those puppy dog eyes. I’m sorry.

But we’ve been going out for two years.

Two years too long if you ask me.

She supposed she owed him some kind of explanation. He was a good person. He deserved that much.

Frankie, I like you, but there’s no excitement. I’m bored. It’s like going out with an elderly uncle. At his pained look, she tried to be a little more tactful. I’m not doing this very well, am I? You’re a great guy, but it’s over. I’m sorry.

But I love you, he said, on the verge of tears.

She was about to reply when something leaped out of the shadows behind the bench. A hand swiped at her head, knocking her off her seat and onto the ground. She felt dazed and tried to get up, but was knocked down again.

Clover! Frankie shouted.

She looked up into Frankie’s terrified eyes as the shadow ripped his head clean off. Clover screamed as she was showered in blood. The last thing she saw before passing out was the creature lurching towards her.

DANIEL WOKE UP ALONE. Both he and the bed were drenched in blood.

Jared...

He knew he’d made a terrible mistake the minute Jared started to turn. Jared had always been a rebel, but Daniel had tried to see past that to the man he was underneath. Now Jared was a vampire, released upon the night and aching to quench his thirst for human blood.

He ran to the open window, cursing himself for being so unprepared. He’d been told newly turned vampires could be savage and animalistic, but he hadn’t really known how savage. It had been like being confronted with a wild animal. Daniel hadn’t known what to do.

He attacked me!

He climbed on the window ledge and leaped the two stories to the garden below. He inhaled Jared’s musk and ran to try and stop his lover before he started a massacre.

JARED GORGED AND GORGED on the blood of the human. He couldn’t get enough. It was like he was tasting food for the very first time. How had he lived this long and not known how delectable human blood really was? Being a vampire was truly a mind-opening experience.

I am reborn!

After he’d drained the human dry, he looked for something else to feast on. He didn’t feel satiated. He had to have more. He deserved more.

That’s when he saw the girl on the ground by the bench. Some of the human’s blood lay pooled around her, but he ignored that. The girl, however, was ripe. He could hear her heart beating in her chest, pumping delicious blood through her warm body.

I’m so hungry, he whispered.

He kneeled in the blood of the human male and stared at the girl. He recognized her from somewhere, but couldn’t quite place the face. Maybe they’d gone to school together? Not that he cared. He’d murder his own parents for a taste.

Jared, stop, Daniel commanded.

He turned to look at his maker. He smiled, showing off a mouth stained with blood.

How many have you killed? Daniel asked.

None, said Jared. He wasn’t entirely sure about that. All he could feel was hunger. Does it matter?

When the initial bloodlust leaves you, the guilt will be unbearable. Daniel sighed miserably. This is my fault. I never should have turned you.

Jared despised the self-pity in Daniel’s voice. What had he ever seen in him that was so attractive? Daniel may give the best blowjobs he’d ever had, but he sure was a whiny bastard.

I’ll be forever grateful to you for making me this way, said Jared. He smirked. But I think we should see other people.

Jared savored the shattered look that crossed Daniel’s face.

You used me to become a vampire, Daniel stated.

You’re smarter than you look, said Jared. He turned back to the girl and lunged for her neck. The moment his fangs pierced her carotid artery, he was pulled back and smashed against the bench with so much force he thought every bone in his body might shatter.

Jared, you are a complete bastard, Daniel screamed.

Jared jumped to his feet. He’d been athletic before, on the swim team, but now he felt like ten Olympian gods rolled into one. His body was an unstoppable machine. He could do anything. He could kill anything.

You tried to kill me, said Jared. No wonder I was going to dump your ass. You really are pathetic.

Daniel screamed in rage and charged. Jared tried to prepare, but hadn’t realized how fast the other vampire was. Before he knew what was happening, he was pinned to the ground.

Are you going to kill me? Jared asked, feeling Daniel’s strong legs pressing against him. He was feeling extraordinarily horny. He wanted to have sex so bad it hurt almost as much as his thirst for blood. Maybe he and Daniel could have some break-up sex?

He’s going to kill me...

He refused to admit that he was terrified. To only have a brief glimpse of this new existence and then be denied, was wrong. He was a great vampire. He wanted more time.

I’m not going to kill you, said Daniel. I’m going to let you live.

Thank you, said Jared.

Daniel smiled bitterly. You won’t be thanking me later.

THE MOMENT CLOVER OPENED her eyes she felt the wetness soaking her clothes. Had it rained while she’d been unconscious?

Frankie! she shouted.

She climbed to her feet, her hands finding the wet patch on the ground sticky. She screamed her throat raw when she saw what was left of Frankie.

JARED YAWNED AND OPENED his eyes. He was in his room back home, in his bed. He sat up and looked around, sure he was missing something. Hadn’t Daniel been here?

Oh God, no...

The memories flooded back like a torrent of blood. He remembered the night like a series of scenes and senses in his mind.

All that blood...

He screamed.

Chapter 2

Ayear later...

How are you today, Clover? Doctor Reese asked.

Clover shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t feel happy or sad, just some numb state in-between. She felt like that every day.

Have the nightmares come back? the doctor asked. The pen in her hand was still, waiting for something interesting to write in her book. Clover couldn’t keep her eyes off the doctor’s crimson fingernails.

I haven’t had one for a month, said Clover. You’d know if I did.

Each time Clover had a nightmare about that night, she did the only thing she could do to stop the pain. She cut herself. After the incident, she’d tried to kill herself by slashing her wrists. It hadn’t worked, and afterwards she’d realized she wanted to live. Yet the only way she could live with the memories was to create something more painful, thus the self-harm. Did that make her mad? Maybe, but she didn’t really care. She didn’t want to end up in the nut house again.

The night screams at the asylum...

A month, the doctor mused. That’s the longest you’ve gone without one.

I still think about it, said Clover. She crossed and uncrossed her legs, trying to get comfortable. "I can’t not think about it."

You must try. Have you started back on your journal?

I don’t know what to write in it. What do I write about when I’m doing nothing?"

You’re not writing the next great American novel, Clover. You’re writing down your thoughts and feelings.

Doctor Reese had prescribed drugs, yoga, journal writing and breathing exercises. The only method that truly worked was the cutting, and the doctor was dead set against it.

I’ll never get past this, said Clover despondently. She kept her eyes on the cuckoo clock on the doctor’s desk. Some animal ate my boyfriend. I woke up covered in his blood.

Yet that wasn’t really what made her feel so despicable. It was the fact that she’d broken Frankie’s heart before he was killed. He’d died miserable, and that was her fault. He hadn’t deserved any of it.

It was a traumatic experience, but you can get past it, the doctor assured her confidently. You have the bravery and strength within you to do this.

I’m not brave, Clover stated. I’m just a victim.

She scratched at her left arm. Sometimes the newly healing cuts itched interminably, like worms squiggling under her skin.

How is life at home? Doctor Reese asked.

The same as usual. My parents tip-toe around me like I’m made of glass, and Mum still thinks nobody knows she’s drinking a bottle of vodka every day.

The doctor sighed. And your father?

Clover shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t like to talk about her father. She had loved him so much. He’d been such a rock for her during the past year, but she despised him now. She suspected he was having an affair. Her mother was drinking and her father was whoring around. Her parents were an unmitigated mess and it was all her fault.

He’s still seeing her, Clover admitted, twisting uncomfortably in her seat. The thought of the two of them together, as her mother drank vodka and puked in the toilet, made her angry.

You were going to confront him, said the doctor carefully. She was writing things down now, making Clover curious. How did that go?

I couldn’t do it, Clover admitted. If I tell him I suspect he’s seeing another woman...if I tell Mum I know about her drinking...then I’ll destroy them. I’d destroy the family. I can’t do that. I’ve done enough damage as it is.

Hiding your head in the sand will do you no good, Clover. It will just make your condition worse.

I know that.

Are you uncertain about talking to Duck Young because he’s my step-brother? Doctor Reese asked.

I know you think his actions are despicable, too, said Clover. You’re his sister. You could talk to him.

Samantha Reese was her aunt and a respected therapist whose biological parents, an Irish American and a Native American, died in a fire when she was just a few months old. Clover’s grandparents had adopted Samantha after a complication made them unable to have more children after Duck Young was born.

Clover liked her family. They were a hodge-podge of many different races and cultures. They’d been good in teaching her all about her various heritages. She often spent holidays in Busan, South Korea, where her father had been born. Their apartment in Haeundae Beach was like a second home to her.

I wish I was there now.

The continued, if erratic, presence of her parents were the only things keeping her sane and out of the asylum, despite their shortcomings. If she confronted them with the harsh truths of how low their lives had become, it would all crumble to dust and she’d have nothing.

I fucking hate feeling like this, said Clover. I hate it!

CLOVER SAT ON THE TOILET seat, waiting. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting for. All she knew was she didn’t want to go home, not yet, not while she felt like this. She pulled a razor blade out of her bag. It invited her to draw blood.

It will make me feel sane.

Are you okay in there? someone asked. Hello?

She almost dropped the razor in shock.

Hello? they called again.

The voice sounded male. What was a man doing in the girl’s bathroom? Then she remembered – all the toilets at the clinic were unisex. A lot of Aunt Samantha’s patients were trans, and it stopped all the annoying bathroom politics to have an all-inclusive