Vampire Girl 10: Crimson Cocktail (A Vampire Librarian Novella): Vampire Girl, #10

By Karpov Kinrade

Set in Karpov Kinrade's USA Today bestselling Vampire Girl universe, comes a standalone story that will leave you wanting more. Originally published in the USA Today Bestselling Cocktales Anthology.

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A thirst like I've never before experienced wakes me from a deep sleep full of vaguely haunting dreams. When I peel my eyes open enough to take stock of where I am, I realize three things at once: I'm in a bed not my own, there is a stranger's arm draped around me, and… we are both naked. Oh, and there's a brand new wedding ring on my left index finger.

This is how my day starts. In a Las Vegas hotel room, married to a stranger I don't remember meeting. So cliche, right? What's worse is that I'm a highly respected librarian in Las Vegas, not some drunken tourist.

That would all be bad enough... until I find out the worst part. I've been turned into a vampire, and some other really evil vampires want me dead.

I guess the honeymoon will have to wait. If we even stay married.

First, though, we have to stay alive.

***

Read all the books in the Vampire Girl Universe

Vampire Girl
Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star
Vampire Girl 3: Silver Flame
Vampire Girl 4: Moonlight Prince
Vampire Girl 5: First Hunter
Vampire Girl 6: Unseen Lord
Vampire Girl 7: Fallen Star
Vampire Girl 8: Of Dreams and Dragons
Vampire Girl 9: Copper Snare

Vampire Librarian
Vampire Girl 10: Crimson Cocktail
Vampire Girl 11: Christmas Cognac


 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daring Books
• Release date: Sep 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393593669

Book preview

Chapter 1

Athirst like I’ve never before experienced wakes me from a deep sleep full of vaguely haunting dreams. When I peel my eyes open enough to take stock of where I am, I realize three things at once: I’m in a bed not my own, there is a stranger’s arm draped around me, and… we are both naked.

I study the arm in a detached kind of way, like a scientist studying a strange animal. His muscles are well-defined, and his skin is a shade lighter than mine, which is saying something given my pale complexion. His hand is manicured with long tapering fingers that I imagine are perfect for playing piano. It’s an attractive arm, but one completely unfamiliar to me.

The fourth thing that hits me is that I can’t recall a single thing from the last night.

Nothing. Not a whiff of a memory floats inside my confused brain.

The last thing I can remember before this moment is my best friend dragging me to a club on the strip after work to blow off steam. As if working as librarians in Nevada is so stress-inducing. Something else niggles at my mind, something I can't quiet latch onto. I was meant to do something else last night. Something I planned on leaving early for.

I'm sincerely befuddled by this situation. I'm a careful person by nature and not prone to reckless acts. Sleeping with a stranger is as reckless as they come in my book.

An ache at the base of my throat distracts me from my thoughts as a deep thirst, or maybe hunger, claws at me. It's intense enough that I know I won’t be able to focus on anything else until I drink or eat something. I carefully extricate myself from the strange man’s hold and scoot to the edge of the bed to sit up.

It’s then that I realize a fifth thing.

I’m wearing a wedding ring.

And not just some cheap gold band, either.

I’m wearing a rock to rival all rocks. A glittering diamond the size of a small egg is tucked between sapphires. It looks antique. Art Deco maybe? I gawk at it, confused. Surely it isn’t real. But damn if it doesn’t look real.

I suck in my breath, and all thoughts are lost as the scent of something delicious overtakes me. My eyes land on the crimson cocktail sitting on the nightstand next to me, and my mouth literally waters. With drool. It isn’t a good look, and I have to wipe my chin with the back of my hand to keep from dribbling on the expensive sheets.

I reach for the cocktail, not even bothering to question why I’m craving liquor first thing in the morning, and I sniff. I can’t place the smell, but it’s tantalizing and sets all of my senses on fire. I take a tentative sip, expecting something with blood orange, or maybe a Bloody Mary, but it’s nothing like that. It’s viscous and coats my throat in a way that eases all worry and care. I drain the cocktail without pause and have to force myself not to lick the glass clean.

Who am I kidding? I totally licked the glass clean. You know us librarians… wild to the core.

Whatever was in that drink effects me instantly. My whole body pulses with energy and adrenaline surges through me. My senses are heightened. It was unnaturally silent in this room thanks to a private suite in a fancy Vegas hotel. But now, I can hear all the little things that keep the room functioning. The buzz from the lights. The currents of electricity surging through the wires in the walls. I can even hear guests on other floors—the sounds of chewing or early morning lovemaking. And that’s when I begin to worry about what was in the drink.

Am I hallucinating?

Maybe the stranger in bed drugged me last night, and that’s why I