Blood and Guitars

By Heather Jensen

When Aurora meets Trey, a famous singer and musician, she’s only hoping to get her fill of human blood for the week. The last thing Aurora expects is for Trey to make her feel alive for the first time since she was, well, alive. It begins with a casual painting lesson at her art studio, The Waking Moon, and quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Aurora is forced to hide her true identity from Trey, while keeping her relationship with the human a secret from other vampires in her Brood.

Trey’s band is recording a new album and with Aurora as his muse, Trey is writing songs like never before. After being hired by their record label to paint the cover of the new album, Aurora has a legitimate reason for spending so much time with Trey and his band mates. Aurora can’t deny the unexpected connection she has with Trey, which is fueled by glimpses into his emotions every time they share a kiss. Caught between two worlds, Aurora must attend celebrity award shows and vampire rituals, find time to feed, and protect Trey from the dangers of the night, all while preserving her secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Jensen
• Release date: May 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458030092

Heather Jensen

I write clean fantasy for teens and adults. I'm an avid reader and I love stories about vampires, but I enjoy fantasy of all kinds. I'm addicted to Oreos and adding weird flavors to my soda. When I'm not writing I enjoy traveling, playing board and card games, killing zombies on the Xbox 360 with my hubby, listening to music, playing guitar, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family. My favorite color is green and the uglier the shade, the better. I get bored of my hairstyle easily which has resulted in me having many colors of hair in the last ten years. My hair is currently red, but who knows how long that might last. I live in Southern Utah with my husband and son. Now that my first series, Blood And Guitars, is complete, I'm working on my next writing project. Readers can expect more from me in the genres of Paranormal/Rock Fiction in the not-so-distant future.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I needed blood….

That was the only thing on my mind as I walked the streets in the dark. The hour was fast approaching. I could feel it in my bones. The moon hung high, her pale silver glow illuminating the city below, radiating as far as the eye could see.

It was almost midnight now, and my Brood would soon be meeting in the top of an abandoned warehouse six blocks down. This night would most likely be just as all the other full-moon meets were. If I were late, I would have to suffer through one of Antonio’s lectures. Admittedly, the thought didn’t exactly make me want to rush right out the door. It wasn’t that I didn’t respect Antonio. He was my maker after all, the man who had given me a new life when my old one was shattered, but as much as he tried he could never replace what I had lost.

I sighed, wondering just how late I could be without causing a full blown argument. The night air was crisp but comfortable as I moved down the street. This month’s meeting place just so happened to be within walking distance and I was going to take advantage of it, but first I needed a drink. I took a deep breath, letting the dark fill my senses, enveloping me as I walked.

One block.

Two.

I smelled the human male before I caught sight of him. I followed his scent, capturing the taste of it on my tongue. It led me around the back of a building and into a parking lot. The unsuspecting man turned when he saw me approaching. I could see the relief on his face when he found a harmless-looking young woman in heels behind him and not some maniac thug. I was counting on him to make that mistake.

Excuse me, I said, calling out to him.

His footsteps paused and he turned around to face me. Can I help you?

I hope so, I said innocently. I parked my car on this street a few hours ago and now that it’s dark I can’t tell where I’m at. I seem to have lost my car. I feigned embarrassment and reached into his mind, finding almost no resistance there.

You really should be more careful, he said kindly. It’s probably not the best idea for a young lady like you to be wandering about in the dark.

His guard down, I quickly made my move. I pulled him toward me so fast that he couldn’t react before I gently but deliberately sank my teeth into his neck. He tensed only for a second, and then his muscles relaxed as the venom in my bite numbed his senses and he enjoyed the relaxing images as I projected them into his mind. The rich life-giving liquid burned down my throat. My heart began to race as my already heightened senses shifted into overdrive, a welcomed effect of ingesting the blood. I sent soothing images to his mind as I drank my fill, which took less than a minute. Satiated, I ran my tongue across the two tiny puncture wounds my teeth had left on the skin of his throat, and they disappeared almost instantly. I stepped back, licking any trace of blood from my lips as I straightened my jacket and gazed at the man expectantly. He shook his head and then his eyes came back into focus and he gazed at me with questioning eyes.

I think you’re right, I said, continuing with my earlier act. The next parking lot down does look familiar. I’m sure that’s where my car is. Thanks a lot for your help.

Uh … yeah. No problem. He rubbed his neck instinctively, although he had no memory of what had just happened.

I smiled sweetly before I walked past him. Wanting to make sure I hadn’t completely befuddled him, I glanced over my shoulder to see the man shaking his head again before he unlocked his vehicle and slipped inside, no worse for the wear.

I smiled as I walked, invigorated. The fresh blood would not only sustain me for the rest of the week, it had revitalized me, burning life into me from the inside out. My senses were sharper than they’d been in days, and my spirits lifted as a direct result. It made the idea of being around some of my Brood a little more bearable as I set off in the direction of the abandoned warehouse.

Even a human could have heard Antonio’s groan as I strolled into the room. He wore a black button-up shirt and expensive jeans with black boots and his dark hair was absent of the salt and pepper grey that you would normally find on someone of his age. He was almost seventy years old, but looked half that.

Aurora, you’re late. Again.

I rolled my eyes at him, half-smiling as I took a seat at the table. Antonio was infamous for stating the obvious. Nothing gets by you, I added. I looked out of the large window that was directly across the table from me, giving me an unobstructed view of the full moon in all her glory. I crossed my legs and glanced around absently at the others sitting around the table. Ours was a small Brood, but we were nothing if not diverse.

To my left sat Malena, the first Antonio had changed. She was blunt and cold with shoulder brown hair. Her black eyes reminded me of lightning: sharp and penetrating. Even the sound of her name had a certain malicious quality. I’d learned early on that Malena’s weapon of choice was intimidation. I met her gaze without hesitation, determined to remind her that it wouldn’t work on me.

Mark, the resident nice guy, sat on my right. He wore black rimmed glasses, though I had never figured out why, (his vampiric vision was far better than 20/20) and worked at the county hospital. He spent a lot of energy just trying to be accepted by other vampires. As strange as it probably seemed, I was closer to him than anyone. Mark and I had developed a friendship over the last year or so. We were proof that opposites sometimes attract, considering we’d bonded over his inability to fit in with the crowd and my refusal to do the same. We were outsiders, and as far as I was concerned it was better that way.

I looked up to find Malena eyeing me curiously.

How are things with you and that delicious blond I saw you with a few weeks ago? she asked.

Oh, how I hate small talk. Nonexistent, I said dryly. I’d met the vamp she was referring to at a club and found out he loved art. Before the night was over he’d talked me into taking him to The Waking Moon to show him my work. He’d purchased a painting and I hadn’t heard from him since. There had never been anything romantic about it.

That bad, huh? Malena shook her head in pity. So, what did you do with him? She raised an eyebrow, a hopeful smile tugging at the edges of her mouth.

I almost laughed. Do you really want my leftovers? Okay, so I hadn’t gone out with the guy, but Malena didn’t have to know that.

I think it’s pretty obvious that Aurora doesn’t want to discuss her personal life with you, Mark said to her.

I gave him a grateful smile, and saw that he looked almost as surprised by his comment to Malena as I was.

We have a lot to discuss, Antonio finally said. First of all, there have been reports of two new rogue vampires in the area.

Two more? Mark asked.

Antonio nodded gravely. The Emissary is working to investigate why new fledglings are being created so carelessly. Last full moon Antonio had informed us that a fledgling vampire had been found with no memory of who had created him and no knowledge of what he now was. Vampires are never careless, and so as crazy as it seemed, it was most likely that someone was trying to cause trouble and using newly created fledglings to do it. The Emissary wants me to pass this information on to you so you can be on the watch for others, Antonio continued. If you do encounter a rogue fledgling, they must be reported immediately so the Synod can assign them to a brood and they can be properly taught our ways. That said, the next full moon will be a lunar eclipse, so we’ll be celebrating with the Synod and holding a ritual at an undisclosed location.

Is it that time already? Mark leaned forward in his seat.

I raised an eyebrow at him and he sat back again.

Listen up, Antonio urged. His expression was even more stern than usual. I expect you all to be on your best behavior at the event. You’ve all attended a ritual like this before so there’s no excuse for screwing it up. The Elders of the Synod demand respect. Some of them have reigned as leaders for almost 400 years, long before Florida ever existed as a state.

I sighed, completely bored already. We all knew that the Elders of the Synod had come from Europe a long time ago. Did it really matter exactly how long ago? If Antonio went on like this we could be here all night and I definitely had better things to do. It wasn’t that the Synod didn’t interest me, but Antonio had an innate ability to make even the end of the world sound dull.

Consider this an opportunity to learn from those who have lived for so long, he continued mechanically. This is also another opportunity to impress the Elders of the Synod before you’ll face them at your ten-year mark. I will be in contact with each of you before the next full moon so there won’t be any questions."

So, the location is a secret? Malena asked.

That’s the idea, Antonio said. I think that’s all we need to discuss for now. We can move on to the Moon Rights.

Mark wasn’t the only one who sat up a little straighter in his seat now. Antonio rose from his chair and walked across the room where a small table was set up. A silver cloth made of silk was covering the table and its contents, which I had smelled before entering the room. This was the real reason we were meeting tonight: to ask the moon for the privilege of exercising control over specific vampire ability until it became full again and the process would begin anew.

Antonio lifted the silk from the center and pulled it directly up, revealing the wine glasses underneath. They were filled with the life-sustaining liquid that resembled red wine, the one thing all vampires depend on for survival. He called Malena’s name first. She gave me a haughty smile and rose from her seat to join Antonio next to the table. He handed her a wine glass full of blood and she took it in both hands. She gazed out at the moon through the large window and then closed her eyes. The room was silent as Malena spent a moment in meditation. Eyes still closed, she raised the cup to her lips and drank until it was empty. She looked up at Antonio who nodded his approval and then she returned to her seat in silence. Antonio called Mark’s name next and he did just as Malena had.

I came after Mark, walking slowly to the front of the room and taking the glass from Antonio as he offered it to me. I could feel the warmth of the liquid through the glass as I gazed out at the full moon and the silver light that surrounded her. I burned the image of her into my mind and closed my eyes, still seeing the circled orb as if it were imprinted on the insides of my eyelids. I took a deep breath to center myself and focus my energy before forming a phrase in my mind.

Grant me the ability to read the minds of those around me. Allow me to effectively block my own thoughts from others. Silently I repeated the phrase over and over for the space of one minute until a familiar bliss whisked the words away from the front of my mind. Without opening my eyes, I raised the glass to my lips and drank. The blood was not fresh, direct from the source, and as a result it didn’t burn as intensely as it ran down my throat, but I relished the taste of it nonetheless. I opened my eyes and nodded respectfully to Antonio as he took the empty glass from my hands. I returned to my seat as Antonio covered up the empty glasses with the silk once again before turning to face all of us.

I’ll be in touch with more details about our meeting with the Synod, he said in a fatherly tone. As always, you know where to find me if you need. I stood to leave with the others when Antonio sternly spoke my name. Malena rolled her eyes at me and left the room. Mark paused in the doorway, his eyes questioning me. I could only shrug.

I’ll wait for you outside, I heard him think.

I hesitated briefly and then nodded to him before slumping back down into my chair.

Do you believe you made a wise choice tonight? Antonio asked when we were alone. Focusing on the ability to block your thoughts?

I can block my own thoughts just fine. I hadn’t meant to speak so bluntly, but Antonio didn’t react. Besides, it was true. My moon given ability was a unique control over my own mind. I was quite capable of blocking my thoughts from others regardless of what ability I chose to focus on for the month. This was something Antonio was well aware of, and it certainly drove him crazy at times that he couldn’t tell what I was thinking. All vampires are given the ability to project images or thoughts into someone else’s mind. It’s a necessary skill that allows us to feed from humans without causing them distress or pain. Now reading the minds of others was a different story all together. I couldn’t do that without choosing the ability specifically. I didn’t want to admit it but Antonio was right. I hated not knowing what everyone around me was thinking, even if it was only on a basic level.

Antonio caught my gaze and held it before he spoke again. I know you don’t like feeling vulnerable but choosing to cycle through the abilities and strengthen your control over each would be a much wiser choice than merely concentrating on one or two of them. Only then will the Synod grant you simultaneous use of them all when you reach your ten year mark as a vampire. I had to make an effort not to sigh. I know that day seems a long time away, he added.

It’s not that. I just don’t see it changing anything. I stood up and walked to the door. This time he didn’t stop me.

You know he’s just worried about you, Mark said when I caught up with him on the sidewalk.

Don’t you start, too, I smacked him on the arm. It’s not like you don’t do the same thing. Taking advantage of the ability to heal makes you a much more effective doctor, even if it is your moon given talent to begin with.

Mark shrugged. Touché.

I couldn’t help but smile as we began walking up the street toward my place. Mark had been crushing on me since the first moment I met him. It wasn’t something he hid from me. He enjoyed harassing me about the men I dated, and telling me all of the ways he wouldn’t mess up if I would only go out with him instead. His little antics didn’t bother me (in fact there were times when it was even a little flattering despite the fact that he was not at all my type). I figured as long as we could be friends then I could handle his whole being in love with me thing. It was just something we’d agreed to disagree about.

I fished my keys from my purse and we climbed into my car. The drive to my art studio, The Waking Moon, on Cleveland didn’t take long because there were hardly any cars on the road. Just one advantage of nocturnal life. I parked in the back and unlocked the door. As I walked inside, the familiar scents of paint, varnish and mineral spirits reached my nose. I picked up the notes that Kacie (the girl I pay to run the place during the day) had left for me on the desk in the back and glanced over them while Mark walked into the showroom to look around. We’d sold several paintings so far this week.

My favorite one is gone, Mark called out to me from around the corner. It must have sold.

I smiled and put the notes back on the desk before joining him. He stared somberly at an empty spot in the northeast corner of the showroom.

I told you it would go fast. I smiled at the pathetic expression he wore. And I also told you I could do another for you if you procrastinated.

It was probably a human who bought it, he stated simply. I’ll never understand their fascination with night and the moon. It’s not as if they have any good reason to be interested like our kind.

He was referring to the theme that most of my art had in common: the night. Most of the paintings I did contained at least one element of the night in them such as the moon, the stars, the rich colors and deep shadows that the daylight concealed and only night could reveal.

As long as my paintings sell, I don’t have to understand it. I said simply in response to his observation. Besides, I do sell to vampires on occasion.

Mark raised an amused eyebrow at me and then shrugged in agreement. He followed me up the stairs to the open loft area that sits above the gallery where I do all of my painting. I walked over to the three paintings that I’d recently finished, realizing with a sigh that I was a few short of the number I liked to keep on hand in the showroom. I’d have to put in some extra time and get caught up. I had several others pieces here waiting to be varnished, but I couldn’t complain. Business was good.

I like this one. Mark gestured to one in particular that I’d only finished varnishing last night.

Me too, I admitted. And I did. It was a dark scene showing a close-up of a walkway made of large flat stones, green moss growing in the cracks. A puddle of crystal clear water from a recent rainfall had gathered in the middle of the largest stone. The moon’s pale reflection shone on the surface of the still water there.

What do you think about these abandoned fledglings? Mark asked. It was obvious that Antonio’s announcement that two more had been found was bothering Mark.

I don’t know, I said truthfully.

I can’t imagine the motivation, Mark stated. What could a vampire possibly get from creating others and just turning them loose?

I wished I had an answer for him, but my analytical mind couldn’t produce a single good reason for what was happening. Mark helped me carry the three that were ready downstairs again and I placed one in the empty spot. The other two weren’t as easy to place and Mark and I spent several minutes rearranging things until everything fit just right without seeming too cluttered. Of course, I could have let Kacie do this when she arrived in the morning. In the beginning she’d offered to take care of it several times, but it didn’t take long for her to realize that the perfectionist in me wouldn’t allow for anyone else to decide the way my paintings were displayed. We had an arrangement now that worked well for both of us. I supplied the art and had complete control over its placement in the showroom, and she handled pretty much everything else. I paid her extremely well, mostly because she didn’t mind abiding by our unspoken rules, one of which was not to ask too many questions.

So, what’s the plan now? Mark asked as I finished placing a price on the last of the new paintings.

To answer his question, I planted an image of a tall wine glass in his mind. Mark had worked the night shift at the hospital almost all week, including tonight, and I sensed he needed a chance to unwind. He perked up instantly at my suggestion.

You don’t have to read my mind to know I like that idea.

Good. I picked up my purse. You’re buying.

Okay, he said as we walked out back. But at least let me drive.

After what happened last time? I asked. I promised all of the telephone poles in Clearwater that I would never trust you with the keys again. He rolled his eyes in response, but walked to the passenger side of my car without another word.

I started the engine and pulled out onto the road again. With the top down I reveled in the feel of the warm Florida night air in my hair as we made our way to Club Sanguin. It was the only club in the Tampa Bay area serving drinks that could quench our particular thirst.

Chapter 2

As usual, Club Sanguin was swarming with energetic vamps looking to blow off some steam and quench their thirst. Antonio actually owned the club, but Malena ran the place for him. I led the way to the front of the line and winked at Daryl, a bouncer I’d come to know, and he let me pass without hesitation. He let Mark in as well, but only after Mark had handed over the ten dollar cover charge. I heard some random complaints from vamps in line as we walked inside but one look from Daryl and the protests died off. I could feel the bass thumping in my chest before the flood of overhead lights bathed me in their red glow. I paused briefly to scan the vamps closest to us on the dance floor. I recognized more than a handful of them.

Mark cleared his throat next to me and I heard the sound even above the music. He nodded toward the upper balcony level and said, I’ll get drinks and meet you up there. I smiled and turned to my left, walking up a flight of solid mahogany stairs to the balcony loft that surrounded the dance floor. I found a seat at a small table next to the rail so I had a clear view of the entire club below. I didn’t recognize the DJ, which meant that he must have been new. I didn’t recognize the song he was playing either, but it seemed that everyone was enjoying it as the dance floor was packed with vamps. I glanced at the bar, hoping to see Mark on his way back with our drinks when I smelled someone approaching me from behind. I rolled my eyes, wishing I’d taken the time to reach out with my mind before choosing a seat in the club.

I was wondering if you might show up tonight, said a familiar deep voice, almost like a growl. I turned slowly and looked up at Tytus as he leaned down, resting a hand on the table and staring at me hungrily. I groaned, more out of habit than anything. Is this seat taken? he asked and then sat down without waiting for my answer.

Actually it is, I said. He’s only gone for drinks.

No matter, he said without hesitation, clasping his huge hands on the table between us. I’m sure he won’t mind.

I’m the one who minds. I met his gaze. Just get out of here already, Ty. I’m not in the mood.

He narrowed his eyes at me, his big forehead wrinkling with mild agitation. Aurora, please call me Tytus. It was a name he’d given himself after he’d made the change. I really didn’t want to associate with someone who would name himself after Titus the roman emperor or anyone else who planned on conquering things or people for that matter. Awe … come on. He smiled at me. When are you going to let me take you out?

I let out a humorless laugh. Tytus was quite a bit older than me and outweighed me by a hundred and fifty pounds. Still I wasn’t afraid of him, although I probably should have been. The vampire was built like a professional football player, which was saying something even before you considered all the extra benefits that come with being a vampire. He was stupid, though. I’d come to that conclusion after he’d hit on me several dozen times despite my blunt rejections. Tytus, like several other vamps I know, spends most moon cycles using the ability to track others with his mind, or reading their minds. It hadn’t taken me long to decipher the motivation behind that pattern. He was with a different woman every time I saw him. He was a pathetic excuse for a vampire by most standards. He was close to reaching his ten year mark as a vamp, and he was nowhere near where he needed to be in order for the Synod to grant him full use of all the abilities. He was a perfect example of what Antonio wanted those of us in his Brood to avoid. It was almost enough to make me regret my selection of abilities tonight. Almost.

At least let me buy you a drink, he urged.

What’s the point? It wouldn’t make you better looking. I had already told him that my drink was on the way. Besides, I knew why he was so persistent in his attempts. It drove him crazy that he couldn’t break through to my mind. I was rare in my moon given ability to block my thoughts so effectively. Because reading minds was something he took great pride in, it bothered him to no end that I was the one woman with a mind he hadn’t been able to break.

I sensed Mark approaching, and although part of me was grateful for the interruption, a bigger part of me worried about what Tytus might do or say to Mark. Don’t get me wrong, Mark is no weakling, but compared to Tytus he wouldn’t stand much of a chance. I took only small comfort in knowing that if a fight did break out, Mark would be able to heal fairly quickly this moon cycle.

Aurora, Mark said as he neared the table. I saw the control he exhibited as he nodded to Tytus. Unlike me, Mark was horrible at blocking his thoughts. He had to control them immediately or Tytus would read him like a book, which could be disastrous since Mark really hated the giant vampire.

Tytus gave me an amused smile and then got to his feet rather quickly. I forced myself to play it cool and not react by jumping up just as quickly. Tytus clapped Mark on the back so hard that only Mark’s incredible reflexes kept our drinks from spilling to the floor. Mark took a deep breath in an attempt to hold his tongue and before I could think of something to say Malena approached from behind. What happened next shocked me speechless.

Malena sauntered up to Tytus and put an arm around him. Come on baby. Buy me a drink already.

Tytus gave me a longing glance and then turned to look at Malena. Coming right up.

Malena smiled like a four year old who had just snatched a beloved toy from another child as Tytus walked away.

I didn’t smile back and neither did Mark as he stepped in front of her to take his seat across from me at the table.

Behave, you two, Malena said. Or I’ll have you thrown out. To my relief she stalked off without another word.

I didn’t see that one coming. Mark slid my drink toward me.

Tsh. Bit of an understatement, wouldn’t you say? I wrapped my fingers around the glass.

It’s not like she can really kick us out, Mark added. Antonio wouldn’t like that.

That wasn’t at all what I was talking about, but I shrugged in response. What’s she playing at getting involved with Tytus?

It was Mark’s turn to shrug. Who cares? They deserve each other. Maybe it will keep them busy enough to give the rest of us some peace.

Maybe Mark was right, or maybe something else was going on like my gut told me. In any case, there wasn’t much I could do about it, at least not immediately. I took a sip of my Purple Haze and it burned pleasantly, gliding smoothly down my throat. Mark was sipping his drink too, or rather gulping it.

How long since you fed? I asked him, smiling incredulously as I watched him drink.

Not as long as you’d think. He licked his lips. Three nights ago. Let’s just say it’s been a long week.

I’ll drink to that. I took another sip. Unlike most bars, this one didn’t serve alcohol. It might have if any of the club’s frequenters wanted to drink the stuff, but our drinks were laced with something more powerful and intoxicating. The blood in my Purple Haze wasn’t enough to sustain me for long, but since I had fed tonight I didn’t need anything too powerful. It would be plenty enough to get me through the rest of the evening. The truth is, alcohol doesn’t affect vampires, at least not in the way that humans enjoy. It isn’t that we can’t drink it, but most of us can’t get past the overpowering smell, and our extra receptive taste buds prefer things more palatable. I

Reviews for Blood and Guitars

[chrystalm_7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found the idea of a vampire artist falling in love with a human rock star kind of new and engaging. Even though it is another story about humans and vampires falling in love, it's nothing like you've ever read before. The story of Aurora and Trey's romance is achingly sweet. Aurora has never felt more alive than when she is with Trey and his bandmates, letting their easy going attitude rub off on her and letting herself get caught up in what the feeling of new love brings. And Trey has taken a long time to get to a point where he can even entertain the idea of a girlfriend, heartbreak had been his only mistress for so long, until he meets Aurora. They have this magnetic attraction that keeps bringing them together.The one aspect I loved about this book was that it wasn't just a book about vampires, but it also incorporated music and art. Trey and his band have a huge role in this story and I actually learned a lot about music and the industry. AND painting is another main feature in this story. Aurora is an artist who produces mostly paintings that have the moon and the night as their main theme. There are a lot of scenes involving either the music aspect or the painting aspect and thoroughly enjoyed them. I think that is one of the things that makes this vampire book stand out. I am looking forward to reading more in this series as I need to find out what happens to Trey and Aurora. The story leaves you hanging in a good way, but I really need to pick up Immortals and Melodies soon.

[talksupe3blogspot · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like the love story, it's like spring/summer and Trey is such a wonderful hero. He's not a jerk, he knows how to treat women right, down to earth and even his band, Catalyst is like that. You'd want them around as your friends and they are far from the usual sex-drugs-and-rock 'n roll kind of thing. Aurora's character too has some interesting layers, being a predator it is expected that she'll be an Alpha and would protect what's hers but at the same time she's soft and feminine with Trey. She has a lot of restraint especially on using her super telepathic powers on him.