Vows of a Vampire

By Ann Cory

A promise made. A promise broken. Can love prevail while shrouded in danger?

Varick vows to honour his mentor's last wish, to watch over Aubrey, a woman with a complicated past. Against his better judgment, Varick finds his level of emotions growing for Aubrey each day. But, when an accident nearly takes her from him, Varick has no other choice than to reveal his true identity.

Aubrey finds herself in the company of a dark and seductive stranger, who claims to not only know a lot about her, but also claims to be a vampire. She tries to ignore her instant attraction for him and the way his body makes her weak.

As leader of his clan, Varick must make a choice. Follow his heart, or follow the path set before him. With a growing unease among the clan, his brothers consider a new leader. When Varick's love for a mortal is exposed, he is thrust into a dangerous situation, one that also puts Aubrey's life at risk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Mar 10, 2008
• ISBN: 9781906328955

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Vows of a Vampire

ISBN # 978-1-906328-95-5

©Copyright Ann Cory 2008

Cover Art by Anne Cain ©Copyright January 2008

Edited by Michele Paulin

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This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

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Published in 2008 by Total-e-bound eBooks 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

Warning:

Warning:  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.  This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

VOWS OF A VAMPIRE

Ann Cory

Dedication

For the readers who love a vampire hero

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Buick Skylark:  General Motors Corporation

Prologue

Come closer, I can hardly see you.

Varick fought back the tears. It pained him to see the most important person in his life lay in front of him, weak and unable to stop the shadow of the beyond from taking him. This was his great mentor, the one who had helped raise him in the coven. Where his father had failed, Dante had risen above and prepared him for a future.

I am here. Varick’s lips trembled as he spoke. He wasn’t ready for this. No one was. It would be the ruination of all balance within the coven.

He sat in the chair beside the bed and did his best to smile.

Dante looked at him, his eyes filmy. Good. It is you I summoned beside me in my final hours. We have quite a history, you and I.

The thought of the time they’d spent together brought a faint smile to his lips. Yes, we do, and I am thankful for every moment of it.

As am I. Don’t lose sight of your destined path. One day you will be the leader and all eyes will fall on you. Until then, you must remember what I need you to do. It is imperative that you watch over Laura’s daughter for me. She’s all I have left of the woman I will forever love.

Varick took hold of his trusted friend’s hand and stroked the pasty, dry flesh. You can count on me. I won’t let you down. You’ve prepared me for years.

He watched Dante’s pupils lose the last of their light.

I promised to always look after her. Imagine me, an immortal, unable to keep my promise for an eternity. I deserve this torturous end.

Varick hated to hear the defeated sound in Dante’s voice. Please, don’t say such things. Don’t push the disease further. Let go of your anger.

Hardly able to breathe, Dante’s words came out uneven. The disease has already taken hold of me. There’s no escape. I can only hope that one day I will find Laura in the Netherworld. She was everything to me.

I know, Dante, I know. If there is a way for the two of you to reunite, then I pray it is so. Is there anything I can do for you, to make you more comfortable?

Dante’s eyelids fluttered and then closed. What I need, you cannot give me. I wish to touch Laura, one last time, and smell the apple blossom scent of her hair. I never wanted to let her down. She gave her life for me and this is how I repay her.

Varick couldn’t bear to listen any longer. Stop. You aren’t letting her down. I will make sure no harm comes to her daughter. I make this promise as strongly as the promise you made to Laura. Please, Dante, trust me to do the right thing. I don’t want you to pass on with the belief I won’t succeed. I’ve never failed in my life, and I have you to thank.

You mustn’t listen to my mutterings. I thought I had all the time in the world. I wanted to love her like a daughter.

You had no way of knowing the outcome.

Dante’s hand twitched and he let out a gasp. It is time for me to part. I trust you. I trust you to…

Varick turned his head and stared at the stone floor. I promise, my friend. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.

With a final breath, Dante shuddered and lay still. Shrouded in grief, Varick struggled to his feet, a heaviness in his heart. The rest of the coven would want to pay their last respects. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt. Laura’s daughter would become his ultimate focus. Night and day he would watch over her. The promises of two souls rested solely in his hands.

Chapter One

Varick sat in the study, the fire blazing, illuminating a wall of old books. It had been ages since he’d read anything, his mind always filled with too much inner dialogue. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken the time to relax.

A quiet knock at the door snared his attention.

Yes? Come in.

The door swung open, and a billow of floral perfume rushed through the room, nearly choking him. There was no mistaking who it belonged to.

Melenge stepped inside, her dark body scantily clad in a short, sheer dress. Her smooth skin reminded him of chocolate silk. Long as he could remember, she’d tried her best to seduce him. She claimed a taste from him would make her feel like a queen. While flattered, his loyalty lay with another, and he wouldn’t betray her.

Hips swaying, Melange approached stealthily, sliding what little clothing she wore off her flawless figure, and stood before him. Eyes averted, he took a deep breath in. At any sign of arousal, his cock would be between her lips, deep-throated.

Look at me, Varick. Her breathy voice drifted around him.

To appease her, he bypassed her nakedness and stared into her eyes. Hauntingly violet.

Evening, Melenge. Restless?

Only for you. Never one for subtleties, she looked him over and locked on his groin. Maybe you didn’t hear, but I’m your prize tonight.

He smirked. I’ve won nothing. You know very well I won’t fall for your charms, tempting as they are.

Melenge knelt in front of him, the glow from the fire highlighting her cheekbones. Don’t you think me beautiful?

What an understatement. You know you’re the most beautiful vampire I’ve ever seen.

Her bottom lip stuck out. Then why don’t you let me have my way with you?

A sigh escaped his throat. No matter how many times he’d explained, she refused to listen. Because my heart belongs to another. It is the way of things.

She dragged a long blood-red fingernail along the top of his pant leg and stopped half an inch from