Vampire Thirst (Book 2 of the Dragon Heat series)

By Ella J. Phoenix

After successfully rescuing the daughter of a draconian senator from a vampire psychopath, Samantha and her friends have to trade sunny New York for gloomy London. But something is making Sam lose control of her powers - something or someone. Ever since her first encounter with Hikuro, the vampire king’s second in command, her energies had gone haywire. He affects her in a way no one had ever before. Her torment, however, is bound to get worse, with Hikuro’s unexpected arrival in London.

Ever since she set foot on vampire territory, Sam had turned Hikuro’s carefully controlled life upside down. He doesn’t trust her, but some strange force is pulling him toward her; an inexplicable attraction that defies centuries of training. But if Hikuro is to keep his king safe, he must keep a close eye on Sam, even if he loses his sanity and his heart in the process.

**Have you read "Dragon Heat (Book 1)" yet? The Dragon Heat Series is best enjoyed when read in order.**
***This novel contains hot, steamy, descriptive sexual scenes. Enjoy.***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ella J. Phoenix
• Release date: Apr 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310209277

Ella J. Phoenix

I was just nine years old when I discovered my passion for the paranormal world. That passion led me to a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts where I had my first taste in writing, conjuring children’s plays and re-writing Shakespearean masterpieces to suit the modern times (Yes, he’s still cringing in his grave). After years travelling around the world, translating other people’s novels and devouring paranormal romances, I realized the real world wasn’t fun without a touch of magic, and decided to purge my own crazy stories into paper, well, into word doc, to be more precise. My busy life with a demanding full time job and a very loving husband (I’m so not complaining!) doesn’t allow me much spare time, but somehow every night I find myself in front of the computer, exorcising the millions of stories stored in my sanity-challenged mind. My novels are tales of love and passion between strong female leads and hot heroes, bathed in paranormal magic, of course. I live in Sydney, Australia, the land of koalas (that are not bears), kangaroos (that are not boxing champions) and Vegemite (a black spread that should have never been invented. Seriously, don’t try it). If you want to know what I’m up to, just find me on www.facebook.com/ellaj.phoenix

Book preview

Book Two of the Dragon Heat Series

By Ella J Phoenix

Digital Edition

Copyright 2013 Ella J Phoenix

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.

What others are saying about Ella J Phoenix’s romances.

Dragon Heat (Book 1)

3rd Place Winner, Best Paranormal Romance Novel,

2013 PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards

Steamy romance, descriptive intimate scenes and a story that will grip readers on all levels. (96/100, Serious Reading)

This book was fantastic. The romance was steamy, the story was gripping, and the whole thing was bursting at the seams with creativity. (5 STARS, Unwrapping Romance)

This story reminded me of books I love like BDB, where a storyline ends and you look forward to the next book to learn about the next characters in the story. (5 STARS, Paranormal Romance Guild)

A great book. Ella delivers a dragon and vampire love story like no other out there today. (4 STARS, Bitten by Romance)

Vampire Thirst (Book 2 of the Dragon Heat series)

A story that is utterly griping, the 2nd book in the Dragon Heat series has surpassed every reader's expectations. The dynamics of the two leads and the fast-paced action are just a few reasons to pick up the book. (97/100, Serious Reading)

And the story continues with more Dragons, Vampires, Shifters, and now Werewolves - oh my! (4 STARS, Unwrapping Romance)

Phoenix does it again! (5 STARS, ML Rosado)

Awesome! Any fan of the genre will fully enjoy Vampires Thirst! (5 STARS, Paranormal Romance Guild)

An amazing addition to the Dragon Heat series! (5 STARS, Literary Melting Pot)

Wolf Hunger (Book 3 of the Dragon Heat series)

2nd Place Winner, Best Paranormal Romance Novel - Shifter Category, 2014 PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards

If we were to describe the story in three words, we would say its brilliant, imaginative and error-free writing. (98/100, Serious Reading)

This series is a must read for anyone who loves paranormal romances. Every book leaves you wanting more! (5 STARS, Paranormal Romance Guild)

Awesome book three in the series. It just keeps getting better! (5 STARS, ML Rosado)

This series is my form of crack! Ella J. Phoenix has repeatedly hijacked my attention, emotions, and imagination with her spellbinding creativity. (5 STARS, Literary Melting Pot")

Vampire Legacy (Book 4 of the Dragon Heat series)

3rd Place Winner, Best Vampire Paranormal Romance Novel, 2015 PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards

What an outstanding turn of events this series has taken! (5 STARS, Romance Bookworm)

Absolutely the best book ever! Such surprises at every turn. Gotta love it! (5 STARS, Literary Melting Pot)

Vampire Legacy is another successful-sexy-romantic-steamy read from award winning author Ella J Phoenix. (...) Be ready for a hot encounter with a sexy as sin vampire. (5 STARS, ML Rosado)

Sparks fly and hearts are wrenched in this beautifully brutal tale of true love, loyalty and power. (95/100, Serious Reading)

Blood Curse (Book 5 of the Dragon Heat series)"

It rocks! Fabulous ending to an amazing series! (5 STARS, Unwrapping Romance)

(Ms. Phoenix’s) world building is magical and pulls the reader into a paranormal world of wonder, danger, intrigue, folklore and steamy romances. Blood Curse was all that and then some. (5 STARS, The Reading Cafe)

Ella Phoenix has given us a fabulous final book to this brilliant series! (5 STARS, Chrissy Dwyer)

Dedication

Sometimes life takes you down a completely different path from the one you had originally planned. No matter how much you prepare, how much dedication you spare, it just doesn’t happen the way you want it to. But it’s in those times that your best works come to life.

This book is for all those people who have tried and have failed, but didn’t let that define them.

This is for you, for us all, ‘strivers’ of this world.

Ella

Glossary

Apa Dobrý – group of five Gods, creators of life on Earth and the Universe

Apa Sâmbetei – the Land of the Souls, the afterlife

Calathor – someone who can cross to the Land of the Souls and return unharmed

Draco or Draconian – a dragon in human form

Hiad – the Underworld

Inmã – the soul

Razbians – lizard people known for their lack of intelligence

Soartas – the three witches of Destiny

Sujha – a non-pure being, offspring of the union between two different races

Terhem Viahta – the Land of the Living, the Earth

Ucidhere – God of Death, lord of the Land of the Souls

Zmyzel – Goddess of Life

Previously in Dragon Heat – Book One

Samantha let out a long sigh. She couldn’t believe it had only been a month since she, Zoricah and Yara had rescued Deirdre, the daughter of a draconian senator, from the claws of a psycho-maniac.

Zoricah, or Z, was Sam’s inspiring leader and one of her closest friends. They first met when Z, a draconian demi-goddess, showed up one rainy night and broke Sam out of a mental asylum in England. That had happened almost forty years ago. Yara joined their small band of sisters not long after that — well, that is, Sam reckoned it hadn’t been long after that. Those years of her life were quite blurry in her mind. Long sessions of shock therapy can do that to a person’s memory.

After Zoricah broke her out, Sam spent several years basically vegetating on a bed. She couldn’t remember her name, where she was from, her parents, anything, so after her brain mill started working again she reinvented herself. While Yara helped Sam get into shape again and master combat fighting, Z helped her control the weird electrical charges that insisted on springing out of Sam’s body whenever she was stressed or angry. Sam had no idea how or why it happened and was far from being able to fully control her powers, but at least now she could use that freakish part of her to defend herself.

Sam shook her head. She was digressing. She should stop wondering about the past and focus on what mattered the mostthe reason why they were back in her home country.

A couple of months ago they found out that Deirdre, the daughter of a draconian senator, had fallen prisoner to a vampire psychopath who wanted to breed a new race of super beings. Yeah, go figure.

Zoricah had even travelled to Apa Sâmbetei, the Land of the Souls, in search of an inmã, a.k.a a soul, who had fallen victim to the same psycho, but to no avail. Oh, by the way, in addition to being an amazing friend, an inspiring leader, a dragon and a demigoddess, Zoricah was also a Calathormeaning, someone who could travel to the spiritual plane whenever they wanted. Pretty rare, quite cool and an awesome advantage for their missions.

Yara also had a place in the hall of coolness. Very few people knew it, but she was actually a witch from Brazil who was cursed to share her body with a black panther. Sam’s heart ached for her friend’s pain—it couldn’t be easy to live with a beast inside you. Yet Sam couldn’t help but be in complete awe every time Yara’s big black panther came out to fight.

Despite all the hard times Sam had endured, she wouldn’t trade her life for anything. Z and Yara had given Sam not only a reason to overcome the darkness she had been in for decades but also a reason to strive as part of their warriors-for-rent group. The missions, the travelling around the world, the adrenaline rush after closing a case… pretty awesome.

She knew there was a long way to go stillshe was far from reaching her full potentialbut she also knew that, whatever happened, she could count on those two. And they could count on herthat is, when she wasn’t too busy trying to control her damn energies.

So back to the mission. Their initial investigations led them to believe that Deirdre was being held captive somewhere in New Yorkvampire territory. To avoid an international political incident they had to brief Tardieh, the vampire king, about their mission.

And then things got hairy.

Suddenly, New York City was too small for the three of them plus the king’s warriors. One in particular made Sam’s blood boil—Hikuro, the vampire king’s Doilea Ministru, a mix between second-in-command and Prime Minister.

Despite the bumpy start, they managed to find Yerik, the vampire psycho, save the female victims, including Deirdre, and fall in love—Zoricah and Tardieh, that is. Their affair took everyone by surprise considering dragons and vampires had been sworn enemies for millennia.

When everything was fine and dandy, they found out that Yerik hadn’t been working alone. Some of the prisoners were kidnapped in Europe and then taken to America, so Sam, Yara, and Zoricah packed their bags and left the Big Apple’s sunny summer for a grey and wet London.

At least it meant Sam would be far away from Hikuro.

Part 1

Do you trust me?

Chapter One

London

Are you going to help me or what?

Samantha was not in a good mood. Despite having been born in this part of the world, she hated London with a vengeance. Every time she came here, it was raining, gloomy and grey.

When she woke up late that afternoon, she’d thought of cooking a nice dinner for her friends, but this was London, so the quick trip to the supermarket turned into a two-hour journey to Hiad. The constant drizzle grew into a downpour, the supermarket was packed to the rafters and the checkout chick wouldn’t accept her credit card for some stupid reason, so Sam had to leave the groceries behind, seek out an ATM and get cash out—in the rain. By the time she got back to Zoricah’s townhouse she was soaking wet, her blonde waves plastered to her face and her sodden top clinging to her skin like she had just come back from a wet t-shirt competition.

Yara, get off the couch and come help me, Sam practically growled as she placed the shopping bags on the granite bench in the open-plan kitchen.

Her friend lifted an eyebrow at her but complied, pushing up off the couch and dragging her feet to the kitchen. She hadn’t been her usual self lately, Sam silently noted.

Yara was the epitome of the Latin beauty. Absolutely gorgeous with olive skin and dark hair, she usually pestered Sam and Zoricah to go out and do something. But ever since they’d arrived in London, Yara had spent her days sleeping or on the couch browsing on her tablet. Fair enough, she was researching stuff for their case, but morose Yara was getting on Sam’s nerves and it had been only a few weeks; there was no telling how much longer they’d have to stay in London.

Great.

Why did you buy so much crap? Yara asked, poking inside the plastic bags on the counter. Dijon mustard, fresh mushrooms, puff pastry...who’s gonna eat that?

Look inside the last bag, Sam replied.

Yara’s eyes went wide as she took out a large piece of premium beef fillet. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

I’m making Beef Wellington for us tonight.

At last, some proper food. Zoricah’s voice came from the front door.

She came in and locked the bolt behind her. The rain must have stopped because her long midnight hair was as luscious as always.

"Why didn’t you go to the shop yourself, if you wanted proper food?" Sam asked in a teasing, yet sharp tone.

And keep you from such a pleasurable experience? Never, Zoricah replied with a wink.

Well, someone is in a good mood, Yara teased Z, as she hovered over the bags without actually putting anything away.

So very true. It was the first time in days that Sam saw any hint of humor from her leader. Zoricah had been quite sour lately. She hadn’t articulated much, but the day after they accomplished their mission in New York she and Tardieh had a fight. About what, Z wouldn’t say, but Sam would bet her right pinkie that it was big because the vampires had gone to Spain instead of meeting them in London. And Sam was certain they weren’t just trying to dodge the bad weather.

Have you heard from our vamp friends yet? Yara asked Zoricah.

Nothing. But I did manage to send a message across to Phillip.

Phillip? Sam almost dropped a brand-new bottle of milk on the floor. What are we contacting him for?

Phillip may be a scumbag—

And a turncoat, Sam added.

Who’s Phillip? Yara asked.

—but he is one of the most connected dracos in Europe. Zoricah finished her sentence ‘with a full stop’, then grabbed her laptop and went to sit on the couch. It’s been two weeks and we’ve got zilch. We’re running out of time.

Who’s Phillip? Yara asked again, with the patience of a two-year-old.

Phillip is the tosser who double-crossed us in Geneva a few years ago, Sam answered.

"Oh, that tosser."

He did double-cross us then, Z added as she flipped her laptop open, because he had a higher bidder for the same information. This time, I’ll make sure we’re the only ones in the race.

How? Sam asked, still dumbfounded by her leader’s decision. Phillip is a snake. The word loyalty was rubbed out of the dictionary when he was born.

You’re right, but he cares about two things in this worldmoney and his looks, Zoricah responded. All we have to do is offer more money or…

Threaten to give him a nice face-lift, Yara added with a crooked smile.

Exactly, Zoricah grinned, but then fell silent. Her eyes were locked on the computer screen.

All of a sudden the lightness in the air vanished and a proverbial dark cloud hovered over Z’s head.

Sam exchanged knowing glances with Yara then turned her focus back to her leader. What’s wrong? Still no word from Tardieh?

An email has just come through, Z replied quite dryly.

Are they still in Malaga? Sam asked, trying to hide her interest in the vampires. Well, one vampire to be exactHikuro, Tardieh’s rude and obnoxious Doilea Ministru, as they called their second-in-command.

Zoricah let out a sharp breath. I suppose. Tardieh didn’t write the email, Hikuro did.

Ouch.

Yara crossed the room and sat down next to Zoricah. What does it say?

"They haven’t found anything yet. Tardieh…that is, Hikuro says the lead may be a dead end but they’re still pursuing it," Z replied through clenched teeth.

Are they coming to London? Sam asked. Please say no, please say no.

No.

Yes! Sam turned her focus to the onion on the chopping board, trying to hide the thank you, Apa Dobrý! plastered on her face.

If it were up to Sam, they would never work with the vampires again. Despite the fact that Sam had helped them close the case in New York and saved their king a lot of trouble, Hikuro had called her a two-faced liar and had stalked her like a hawk, watching her every move. Sam had gotten so fed up that she had almost fried his pompous ninja ass at one stage. He had gotten the shits because Yara and Sam had to trick him in order to get a message to Tardieh.

Well, Yara was supposed to seduce one of the vampires and then give him a special sedative, but things didn’t go exactly according to plan. Before Yara could make her move, Hikuro had found Sam and stunned her with an amazing kiss, so Sam was the one who carried out the mission which meant untangling herself from his toe-curling kiss and electrocuting him into oblivion.

Okay, so maybe Hikuro’s loathing for her wasn’t completely unfounded, but it wasn’t her fault that he had come on to her. Or that his king was such a hermit and made it so hard for anyone to have an audience with him.

Since then, their mutual antipathy had become as palpable as a hooker’s ass. She hated Hikuro’s pompous ass and he detested her guts. Period.

Sam sighed. It was better this waythe vampires in Malaga, and them in London. Countries apart; it was safer for everyone.

Zoricah slammed the laptop shut, bringing Sam back from her brooding. She watched her friend cross the room and stop by the tall bay-window. Z clearly didn’t like the way Tardieh was giving her the cold shoulder. But why? What had happened between them? One day Tardieh was risking his life to save Z, the next he left without a word.

Sam put the chopping knife down and went to meet Z by the window. The evening skies reflected the mood in the housedark with low clouds hanging over Camden Town. Despite the constant drizzle, the street was filled with weird-looking people on their way to the clubs.

Do you want to go to him? Sam murmured.

Zoricah’s gaze met Sam’s for a split second. Her eyes were glazed in an effort to hide her tears.

Damn you, Tardieh, Sam cursed silently. Zoricah was the toughest woman on earth. She hadn’t survived trips to Hiad and backliterallyjust to be crushed by a heartless S.O.B.

No, Zoricah finally replied. Her voice was huskier than usual. My fallout with Tardieh will have to wait. We need to stay here and find the psycho’s partners who could still be a threat to us or worse.

Sam nodded and refrained from saying anything else. There wasn’t much to be said.

A clicking sound just outside the apartment made them all stop.

Sam looked at Z, then at Yara on the couch, then at the door.

Someone was by the front steps, but the trouble was that they weren’t expecting any visitors.

Just like a well-rehearsed ballet, the three of them moved as one. Sam ran behind the kitchen counter and called her energies forth. Zoricah turned the lights off, pulled her combat knife out and positioned herself by the front door. Yara ducked behind the sofa, with her Beretta M9 firmly in her hands.

Time seemed to slow down as they waited for their mystery trespasser.

The second hand on the kitchen clock ticked once, twice.

Tick. Tick.

The doorknob turned.

Tick.

Dim light seeped through as the door opened slowly.

Oh, to Hiad with the suspense. Time to fry the sucker before he or she attacked them first.

Sam called her energies forth at full throttle. An energy ball grew between her hands, reflecting the thrill in her eyes. Ready for battle, Sam jumped out of hiding and directed her magic straight at the unwelcomed visitor.

Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, she had gathered way too much power, resulting in a bomb-like assault rather than the Taser-like effect she had initially intended.

The bright-white thunder travelled through the air and hit…a car across the road.

What?

The intruder had been faster than her and had managed to duck out of the way, missing her strike by inches, but missing it nonetheless. Her blast of pure energy made a hole in the small, red Hyundai which toppled over with the impact.

What in Hiad? A male voice protested from the smoking entryway.

Zoricah hit the lights back on.

Hikuro pushed up off the ground, glaring at themimperial, imposing... mesmerizing.

Oh, crap.

Hikuro? Zoricah cried out. What are you doing in London?

Tardieh sent me, Hikuro replied through clenched teeth. We found the lab in Malaga.

"Oh, so he sent you to give us the news." Zoricah’s disappointment was as clear as spring water.

Yes.

Awkward silence descended in the room. Hikuro had been more than transparent about his disapproval of Tardieh’s love affair with Z. Of course, he was a gazillion-year-old vampire from a Japanese noble family. He probably believed women were supposed to cook, clean and breed, that’s it. Pompous ass.

So, it wasn’t a dead end, then, Yara said, breaking the ice.

Zoricah released a long breath then motioned for Hikuro to come in. Please tell us what happened.

His strides were confident and somber, as if he were the king himself. He wore a light blue t-shirt, black pants and combat boots. The black leather suit jacket fit perfectly over his broad shoulders. His pitch-black hair was a bit damp, but not plastered onto his face like Sam’s was. It made his strong features even more striking. He wasn’t a bulky warrior, but well defined and taut, and his abs…oh, merciful Soartas. It should be illegal to have such amazing abs. Sam’s eyes drifted upward to his square chin, his thick lips, his long nose, his dark eyeswhich were locked on hers.

Oh, crap, crap, crap.

The room suddenly became too small. She needed air, space…anything to stop the burning in her cheeks. She walked back to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Cool air hit her face. Yeeees. She exhaled a long breath, trying hard to ignore her stupid heart hammering against her ribs. No problem, she pondered, she’d just stay inside the refrigerator until he left.

No biggy.

Apologies for the sudden visit, she heard Hikuro say. Tardieh gave me his keys.

Damn it, she couldn’t resist it. She peeked from the top of the fridge door. Yara had sat down on the couch. Hikuro stood in the middle of the living room, head bowed slightly, both hands raised, offering the keys to Zoricaha gesture of respect toward the owner of the house. At least he had manners.

Zoricah waved him off, then sat on the couch beside Yara. Please take a seat. Did you say the lab is in Malaga?

Hikuro nodded then sat on the sofa by the fireplace. It’s on the outskirts of the city.

I don’t get it, Yara said. Why Malaga? It’s not a massive cityit has what? Just over half a million people?

It’s a very popular tourist destination in Spain and it has a very busy international airport, Sam answered from her hiding spot.

Hikuro’s almond-shaped eyes locked onto hers. Her heart skipped a beat and butterflies took up permanent residence in her stomach. Sam’s cheeks blazed like cast iron. Every time! But she’d die before she let him notice how much his presence had disturbed her cool.

She lifted her chin up then very calmly crouched down again and pretended to be busy...finding her composure at the bottom of the fridge.

Yes, a lot of vampires enjoy going to resort towns, Zoricah said.

For what? The summer sun? Yara asked and giggled at her own joke.

It’s easy to feed off tourists, Hikuro answered flatly. They are harder to account for when they go missing.

Oh. Yara’s humor melted into thin air.

Yerik probably used the lab in Malaga as the first pit stop after he abducted his victims, before flying them to New York, Zoricah pondered, then frowned slightly at Sam as if to say what in Hiad are you doing back there?

Did you find any prisoners in Malaga? Yara asked Hikuro.

Sam took a deep breath, closed the fridge and forced her feet to walk to the living room, but once she got there she realized that there was only one spot left – next to Hikuro.

No freakin’ way!

Would anyone like a drink? Sam asked, making a beeline back to the kitchen.

Yes, please, Yara replied. The usual.

"Right, one caipirinha. Zoricah? G+T for you?"

Zoricah nodded.

Hikuro, what would you...err…I don’t think we have...err. Blood, you goose! He’s a freaking vampire; he drinks blood.

Nothing for me, thank you. Hikuro replied. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips.

Pompous ass.

There weren’t any prisoners, just a few signs of foul play, similar to the farm house in New York, he carried on. But we found the lab just last night, close to dawn, so we didn’t have time to check it out properly. Tardieh, Dyam and Joel are going back there tonight.

Should we join them? Yara’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

It may be a good idea… Zoricah turned to Hikuro.

My king has asked me to pass on the message that we can manage it ourselves.

Hikuro’s dismissal was somewhat polite, but nonetheless Z’s fury was so palpable she could cut it with a knife. Her shoulders went rigid and her chin lowered as she glared at the vampire through her long, demigoddess lashes.

Okay. Sam quickly brought the drinks over. Here’s the G+T, Z.

Zoricah took a long sip then placed the glass on the coffee table and stood up. Thank you for delivering your report in person, Hikuro. Please tell your king to. . .

Watch out! Hikuro yelled out of nowhere.

Before she knew it, Sam was flat on her back with him on top of her. What the

A stream of bullets flew past and hit the wall inches above their heads.

Holly crap! They were being attacked!

Stay down! Zoricah shouted, and dived behind the couch.

Another wave of bullets tore the schist-rock fireplace to pieces.

Are you okay? Hikuro murmured from atop her, his eyebrows creased in the middle. He was propped up on his elbows; his thick biceps shielded her head.

Sam nodded, too shocked to find her voice.

Who the fuck is firing at us? Yara yelled out her share of astonishment from across the room.

Don’t know, but stay low and follow me. Sam could barely hear Zoricah’s command through all the blasting and shattering.

She slid out from underneath Hikuro and crawled after her leader toward the kitchen.

Z’s eyes went pure gold, then she pushed the dishwasher aside as if it were a box of chocolates and lifted a hidden latch on the floor. A horrible stench invaded the room, but Z seemed not to care as she jumped in head first, then yelled for them to do the same.

You go, Yara, Sam shouted over the roaring noises around them.

Okay, but come right behind me. This place will fall apart at any time!

After a moment, Sam heard Yara crash onto the ground with a grunt.

Sam quickly scooted over to the edge of the hatch and looked down.

Nothing, just pitch-black darkness.

A soft thump made both her and Hikuro turn around just in time to see a grenade roll along the carpeted floor.

Oh, shit.

She quickly swung her legs down the hole and jumped. Her