Her Vampire

By Amarinda Jones

Amargein Carrick watched as Sorcha, the housekeeper of Cathaoir Keep slammed the door shut behind her and swore furiously.
“You lousy bastard of a house,” she spat out, her eyes searching the room. “You knew I wanted my freedom. I've been here two long years.”
Yes, Amargein Carrick certainly knew she wanted to be free—as did he—but release wasn't something he could give her or have himself. She knew that. They were both trapped by genetics and heritage. He walked towards her. She couldn’t see him. He was invisible to her. In some ways it made it exciting to see, yet not be seen. In others? It was pure frustration to not be able to stand before the woman he desired and declare himself to her. Has it really only been two years? I feel like I have been with Sorcha forever.
“I know you're there, Vampire. Why hide from me?’ She turned around in a slow, watchful circle. "Why are you so scared to break from the chains the house has on you?"
He chuckled at her words. No one, Sorcha Tierney included, scared him. That she was as aware of him as he was her gave his lonely existence meaning. As for breaking away? "If only I could." He was as trapped as she was.
He watched as she dumped her suitcase on the floor and kicked it several times. He smiled, enjoying the passion of this woman, his gaze roaming over the lush curves of her body as he walked around her.
“What do you want?" She asked the room.
“You.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scarlet Harlot Publishing
• Release date: Dec 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311145024

Amarinda Jones

Amarinda Jones believes anything is possible and sometimes just asking for the impossible will surprise someone enough that they will give it to you. Writing is like that. Put it out there and wait for a response. There is always the possibility you may fall on your arse, but after all, that's what cellulite is for. Amarinda believes in taking chances, speaking her mind and aging disgracefully. Twenty years from now she plans on being the neighborhood witch that all the kids are scared of. But then, everyone has to have a hobby.

Book preview

Her Vampire

By Amarinda Jones

Published by Amarinda Jones at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Amarinda Jones

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One

Amargein Carrick watched as Sorcha, the housekeeper of Cathaoir Keep slammed the door shut behind her and swore furiously.

You lousy bastard of a house, she spat out, her eyes searching the room. You knew I wanted my freedom. I've been here two long years.

Yes, Amargein Carrick certainly knew she wanted to be free—as did he—but release wasn't something he could give her or have himself. She knew that. They were both trapped by genetics and heritage. He walked towards her. She couldn’t see him. He was invisible to her. In some ways it made it exciting to see, yet not be seen. In others? It was pure frustration to not be able to stand before the woman he desired and declare himself to her. Has it really only been two years? I feel like I have been with Sorcha forever.

I know you're there, Vampire. Why hide from me?’ She turned around in a slow, watchful circle. Why are you so scared to break from the chains the house has on you?"

He chuckled at her words. No one, Sorcha Tierney included, scared him. That she was as aware of him as he was her gave his lonely existence meaning. As for breaking away? If only I could. He was as trapped as she was.

He watched as she dumped her suitcase on the floor and kicked it several times. He smiled, enjoying the passion of this woman, his gaze roaming over the lush curves of her body as he walked around her.

What do you want? She asked the room.

You. He knew she couldn’t hear him. He liked that Sorcha had reverted her hair color back to her natural dark brown. She had been cute as a blonde and ravishing as a red head but her real hair color showed her true beauty. Amargein was aware why she changed color so often. Sometimes it was about being anyone else but who you were.

Why do I bother asking? Sorcha sighed in frustration. You never respond anyway.

That wasn’t true. He was controlled by what the bricks and mortar of Cathaoir Keep wanted. He had been like that for longer than he cared to remember. Amargein stood behind Sorcha, wanting to touch but knowing he couldn’t just yet. He was being held back by the curse that ruled over him. If only I could talk to you unabated I would talk to you for hours, my lovely.

Sorcha sighed again. I’m trapped and I hate it. I want to be free.

Amargein hated the sound of despair in her voice. He understood it only too well. As I do I.

I hate this Keep.

He knew she didn’t. He could tell that in the way she cared for every stick of furniture and the way Sorcha smoothed her hand gently over the silken furnishings and linens. If she really hated it she would have destroyed it.

And I hate you, Amargein Carrick.

He smiled, fangs drawn. He knew that wasn’t true. Her words were born of sheer frustration.

I know you can hear me, vampire. Show yourself.

Soon, Amargein breathed against her neck.

Fucking bastard, Sorcha closed her eyes when she felt the warm breath against her skin. Even though she couldn’t see the vampire, Sorcha knew it was him. I belong to no one. She liked the sound of defiance in her voice. It made her feel strong. Go away. The lightest touch of what felt like a finger brushed her cheek. I mean it. I have done what I can for you. You have no further need for me. She had come to Cathaoir Keep to look after the place. She had done that. Now that the last of the Carricks had left the house, unlikely to return, she was alone in this empty void. Except for him. When there were others around, it had been easy. Knowing it would be just her and those who lurked in the house—and she felt there was more supernatural beings than just the vampire—scared her. I just want to lead a normal life.

Three days ago, when the last two Carricks, Ivy and Connor, departed with their respective partners on a trip to places unknown, Sorcha had snatched up the suitcase and left Cathaoir Keep. A wild surge of joy rushed through her at the sudden, faux freedom presented to her. She decided her duty was done and she was free to leave. Of course, that wasn't the case. In her heart, Sorcha knew she hadn't been called to the Keep to look after the living. There was more to this home than that and her taste of rebellion only lasted two hours until a strong, male voice called out to her. The soft Irish lilt sent a shiver up her spine. Although, Sorcha had never spoken to him, she knew this voice was that of the man trapped within the walls of Cathaoir Keep.

"It’s not over."

"Go away."

"Sorcha."

"No."

"You can’t leave me."

"I can. I have."

"Sorcha."

"Shut up."

"Come back to me, my lovely."

"My lovely, my ass."

"You do have a lovely one at that."

"Go away! Leave me in peace."

"It is what it is, Sorcha Tierney."

Damn you, vampire. Sorcha knew there was no point talking out loud. That Amargein Carrick, vampire esquire, could hear her was undoubted. Up until now, he hadn't responded. It was only the lightest touch or a warm zephyr of breath that made her know he was there and it was hard arguing with someone like that. She kicked her suitcase one more time. And damn you, Cathaoir Keep. She was tied to this place through heritage. It was a heavy burden that she could blame on no one else. She had willingly agreed to take on this job. I must have been out of my mind.

Sorcha was fully aware she had the free will to choose her own destiny. She was a strong woman. She didn’t need anyone and certainly not some disembodied man who drove her crazy. I'm going to leave. Or try to. She'd said that a million times and only ever managed to get