Beneath the Changing Moon

By Marie Carlson

Amalia has always loved the way Darren challenged her with his friendship, but as he seduces her romantically and sexually, she knows eventually she will given in to what he truly wants and what is forbidden: the exchange of their blood.

In a world where vampires have almost died out, procreation is the responsibility of every fertile vampire. For Amalia Vallen, infertility is a curse. Not because she's failing her society but because Darren Lin, the man she's loved since they were children, is fertile.

Amalia fears their society - and, worse, Darren's family - will reject their bonding because she can bear no vampire children. To Darren, it doesn't matter; all he wants is Amalia's love. As Amalia struggles to overcome the biases she's internalised, Darren seduces her into romance, sex, and the most important vampire ritual, sharing blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Oct 26, 2009
• ISBN: 9781907280351

Book preview

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Beneath the Changing Moon

ISBN # 978-1-907280-35-1

©Copyright Marie Carlson 2009

Cover Art by Natalie Winters ©Copyright October 2009

Edited by Jess Bimberg

Total-E-Bound Publishing

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.

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing.  Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2009 by Total-E-Bound Publishing 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road, Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

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

Voracious Vamps

BENEATH THE CHANGING MOON

Marie Carlson

Dedication

To Elizabeth Reeve for all the encouragement, advice, and haunting tales.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

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

BMW/Bimmer: BMW AG, Munich, Germany

Volkswagen:  Volkswagen AG

Chapter One

August 2016—Blood Moon

Darren crosses the room towards me slowly, every movement measured and careful. He slips in and out of the crowd, twining through this group of vampires and around that one. If he wants, he can part it with a word and come straight to me, but instead he takes his time and makes sure everyone can see him.

The whole room watches and waits. The smell of their curiosity and anticipation washes through me when I scent the air, a twisting, swirling mix of the sharp pepper of well-fed vampires and the citrus bite of emotion. I hope all they get from me is desire, hope I’m burying my fear deep enough my scent won’t change.

Darren’s mother, Rachel, stares at him. She stands near the patio doors, and her skin and hair are particularly dark in the moonlight. Her hand convulses and a heavy crystal goblet disintegrates between her fingers, splashing blood down her arm. She’s too far away to stop him. Her eyes meet mine over his shoulder and her expression wavers; for the length of a heartbeat, I see her fear then she’s calm again, the gracious hostess. Chasing him through her party would be impolite and would make the guests doubt the cosy, loving family dynamics she is careful to portray.

If she had any idea what we were actually doing, she would fling propriety out the window and launch herself at him or tear open a vein to distract the others, anything to stop me from claiming him in front of the most powerful vampires in the world.

In less than a minute, Darren will stand in front of me and I will drink his blood.

February 2011—Hunger Moon

Amalia. Darren’s voice—rich and smooth—interrupted my work.

I turned to face him and strands of my hair fell into my face. I huffed a sigh, annoyed, and shoved them out of the way. I didn’t care much about my hair, provided it was long enough to tie back, but a few days ago my good friend Jessie—my