Blood That Binds

By Madeline Kelly

Diana isn't sure what she's getting into when she volunteers to be bitten by a vampire for charity. Meeting Anne O'Connor changes everything for Diana, and sweeps her into the center of a vampire-werewolf conflict. 

Will Anne survive? Is Diana's relationship with her anything more than a vampiric excercise in playing with your food? Will the conflict end the relationship before it even begins? And what does Anne's sire Carmilla have to do with it all? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Madeline Kelly
• Release date: Mar 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393136552

Book preview

Blood That Binds

Madeline Kelly

Published by Madeline Kelly, 2020.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

BLOOD THAT BINDS

First edition. March 15, 2020.

Copyright © 2020 Madeline Kelly.

ISBN: 978-1393136552

Written by Madeline Kelly.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Blood That Binds

To everyone who contributed to this book - and there are so many of you. To my betas, my editor (who fixed some big problems) and those who review. 

Everyone knows you're supposed to stay away from vampires. They may have a peace agreement with us humans, but that doesn't override their nature. Vampires are predators and humans are their prey. Willingly putting yourself in front of one is like a chicken parading in front of a fox.

Yet there I was, waiting to go onstage and offer myself up to be someone's lunch like a big juicy steak. The concept was both enthralling and repulsive. I shifted my weight from one foot to another, unable to keep still. And now, we have a treat for you. She's AB negative, and she's never been bitten before! Let's start the bidding at $2,500 for Diana Hayes! 

I took one step onstage and the lights hit me. Everyone in the audience was, annoyingly, breathtakingly beautiful. I took a deep breath in, and walked to center stage. I kept reminding myself that this was for a good cause.From a table in the audience, a male vampire raised his bidding paddle.

That's $2,500. Can I get $2,750?, asked the announcer. I tried to stay calm. I was not enthused about any vampire biting me on the neck, but I'd rather it be a woman. Another bidding paddle was raised from the left side of the tables. The glare from the lights were so bright I couldn’t see who was holding it. 2,750! Anyone for $3,000? The male vampire raised his paddle again. 3,000! Can I get 3,250? Anyone? I felt like a piece of meat, which I suppose, is exactly what I was to this crowd. I guess I was, at the very least, expensive meat. A woman with a shock of red hair bid $3,250.

Can we get $3,500? C'mon guys! Going once...going twice...sold! That's a $3,250 donation for the Red Cross, and let's have a round of applause for Diana!

I barely heard the applause. I'd just sold the rights to my neck for the night. It was a lot to take in. Somehow I made it backstage, although I didn’t actually remember walking away. My coworker, Dan, was waiting for me there in his ill fitting suit.

You lucked out. I caught a glimpse of your vampire and she's hot! he said, excited in that juvenile way of his.

Aren't all vampires attractive?, I asked.

This one is in a whole n’other league. Trust me. I'd let her bite me for free, he said, adjusting his polka dot tie.

It's not like I'm getting paid here, Dan. I am letting her bite me for free.

Get over yourself a little. I hear it doesn't hurt that bad, and you just raised a couple thousand for charity. You'll have an awesome story to tell and you might even enjoy it. Chill out dude!

I took a deep breath and nodded. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

He patted me on the back before giving a push Now get out there!

When I walked into the ballroom, I realized I had no idea what the vampire who purchased me looked like. I stood, dazed and staring at the collection of bidding vampires until one made eye contact with me and beckoned me toward her. I knew in that moment that I was lost. She was just as beautiful as Dan had said, her bright red hair hanging loosely around her face and her green eyes sparkling. She was tall and had a mischievous smile on her delicately featured face.When I got to her table, she motioned for me to sit down.

Hello, Diana. Her voice was like smooth velvet. I suppose we're going to be getting to know one another rather well tonight, aren't we? I had no idea what to say so  I just nodded, head down. Are you shy? I'm sorry, I know many humans find us intimidating.

It's kind of a big thing, having your blood sucked, isn't it? I asked.

She laughed, with a sound that reminded me of bells. Is it any worse than having your blood drawn at the doctors? It's certainly more fun, for both parties involved. She reached out and put her hand on mine. Her skin was cool, but not as cold as I had expected.Touching her was not at all unpleasant. I promise, you will not have a bad time. She straightened up in her seat. Goodness! I know your name but you don't know mine. What terrible manners. My name is Anne, Anne O’Conner. Well, at least it is this century. Around us the crowd went wild as the bidding for the rights to another girl's neck reached a fever pitch. I pulled my hand away.

Hello, Anne, I replied. She smiled.

Now that we're properly acquainted would you mind getting out of here? The auction goes on for hours, and it creates such a racket. I'd rather have you to myself.

I found myself staring at the fangs poking out over her lips. What would they feel like? I shook my head, trying to remove the image from my mind.. As alluring as she was, the whole situation made me anxious. But I had agreed to this, signed papers and everything. It was for a good cause.

I could go with you, if you wanted to, I agreed

Let's go to the car, shall we?

I followed her out of the ballroom and through several