Blood bound

By Aria Brighton

Everyone gets a second chance. Or do they? Star Meadow is your average, quaint American small town. At least that`s what it looks like. Victoria is a vampire, arriving here from a country far away, stripped of all hope and leaving everything behind. She has no other choice but to embrace her new life against her will since this is the only place where she can be safe. This is where she meets Logan, the leader of the vampires. The rough, savage and dangerously handsome man gives her the cold shoulder right from the start. Time, however, brings them closer and closer to each other but even they can`t escape their pasts full of secrets – not even if they find new friends and a new home. Will Victoria finally find peace or will the dark shadows of her past catch up with her and grab her with them? ARIA BRIGHTON promising first book is thrilling, adventurous and romantic all at the same time. The novel transports us into a world where anything is possible: love, new friendships, disillusion and betrayal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Sep 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667413266

Book preview

1.

Victoria was on the plane to America and loathed everything about it. She didn`t want to move there but she had no choice; her sentence was clear. She dreaded her future. Her beautiful face has turned dark and the sparkle had left her eyes, leaving only sadness reflected in them.

- Can I get you anything, miss? – a smiling flight attendant asked her.

- No, thank you – she replied apathetically and tried her best to organize her thoughts. She mustn`t show weakness, she mustn`t break. She must remain strong! She kept repeating this to herself over and over, ever since she got on the plane, but it wasn`t easy keeping her instincts and urges in check, with all the people buzzing around her. She had a long flight ahead, so she thought it wise to calm her raging nerves. 

I should`ve eaten before takeoff – she thought to herself dismayed. She could feel the thirst burning her throat but she had to suppress it. She swallowed, got her MP3 player out, put in the earplugs and blasted the music as loud as it would go...

The eighteen-hour flight was coming to an end. Victoria sighed with relief, proud of herself for having controlled herself during the flight; other than the incessant thirst, there were no issues at all.

Half an hour later, she was already in the John F. Kennedy airport in New York, standing in the long line of people waiting to go through security check. After she passed the strict-looking officers, she could pick up her luggage, which, of course, rolled out last on the carousel. Just one more checkpoint and she will be officially entering USA territory.

Despite the late hour, there were many people everywhere, as she was standing all alone, in a foreign country`s airport. On top of which, she felt so weak that she was afraid of collapsing any minute. 

Her eyes searched for the lady`s room, and, when she spotted it, started walking in that direction. She tried to get there as soon as possible but it was quite a struggle to fight her way through the sea of people. Nobody cared about her, some bumped into her, pushing and shoving, but she tried her best to remain calm and avoid doing anything stupid, right on the eve her arrival. As soon as she reached the toilet door, she disappeared behind it.

When she reappeared a few minutes later, there was no trace of the tiredness and weakness from before. It was a completely different person walking out of the lady`s room. She made her way through the crowd, with her head held high, full of confidence and pride and, this time, nobody dared bumping into her and there was no pushing or shoving. People stepped out of her way as soon as they saw her, just like subordinates would give way to their queen. She did, indeed, appear to be royalty, despite wearing nothing but an old pair of jeans and a sweater. Her long black hair and sparkling green eyes attracted everyone`s gaze but she had no interest in the people. She got her phone out of her jeans pocket, with a new message displayed on the screen: Meet me at the Mela Hotel! I`ll be waiting for you. L. After reading it, she hesitantly grabbed her luggage and walked towards the exit. It was a cloudy, windy night in New York. Victoria hailed a cab in the spitting rain, gave the driver the name of the hotel and snuggled up on the back seat. She looked out the window, submerged in her thoughts, while the cab rushed by buildings so tall like she`s never seen before.

She wasn`t interested in the novelty and beauty of the foreign city now. What she was trying to figure out was who this L. could be. She`s been receiving messages from this sender ever since the sentence of her exile was pronounced. She wasn`t given any information about who she was going to live with or where, just this L. kept sending her instructions, without any further introductions. That`s why, as the moment of the encounter with the mysterious stranger approached, the girl grew increasingly nervous. Of course, all this didn`t show on the outside but the tension was tearing her up on the inside; She could only hope, they didn`t send some brute for her.

The cab finally pulled up in front of a tall, tastefully lit building. The Hotel Mela inscription was standing on either side of the entrance. Victoria got out of the cab, the driver helped her with her luggage and drove off. The girl stood in the rain for a few minutes, looking at the huge revolving doors, then took a deep breath. Walking towards the door she suddenly realized that she didn`t know who to look for. They`d surely think she was insane if she told reception that a certain L. was waiting for her. She stood there confused, which was very unlike her. She was known for her confidence and determination and this new feeling frightened her. She reminded herself that she must be strong, she mustn`t show weakness if she wanted to make it through this trip. She finally decided to go in. Whatever will be, will be...

The hotel lobby was charming and welcoming: the marble floors were polished to a shine, the walls were an off-white shade and red sofas around the central pillar tempted the weary traveler. A young man was sitting behind a wooden counter across the entrance, talking to an old couple. The girl looked around but she couldn`t see anyone else. `It looks like I`m not going to get away without a lengthy explanation` - she thought to herself, then stood in line behind the couple and waited for her turn.

After the couple thanked the receptionist for his help and left, she stepped up to the counter, disconcerted, not knowing how to start her explanation.

-  Good evening, miss! My name is George; how may I assist you? – asked the young man encouragingly.

-  Mm mm...my name is Victoria. I....I mean...I have an appointment with someone but I don`t think they`re here yet.

-  The gentleman is here, waiting for you, miss. Go down this corridor on the right, all the way to the elevators, it`s not far at all. He`s waiting for you there.

-  Alright. Thank you – she nodded and started walking in the direction the receptionist pointed her.

The spot was not far indeed but there was nobody there. She walked slowly down the marbled corridor and, as she reached the end of it, she could see that there was a little nook in the wall, opposite the elevator. It had the same type of red sofa that surrounded the pillar in the lobby and there was a man sitting on it. The newspaper he was reading was covering his face so all she could see was that he was wearing jeans, a red and white checkered shirt and brown boots. When she got close enough to him, she stopped and cleared her throat discretely, to alert him to her presence. The man didn`t move so Victoria cleared her throat again, this time, slightly louder. He still didn`t react or give any sign of acknowledging her presence and she was just about to lose her patience and call him out when he slowly lowered the paper and she could finally see his face.

Victoria was speechless. Never in her life has she seen a man more handsome. He looked somewhat older than her, wearing his long, dark blond hair in a ponytail, slightly unshaved, which only added to his manly appearance. He turned his gorgeous, honey-colored eyes at the girl and they locked eyes for a moment. He seemed confident and determined, unlike Victoria, who`s jaw literally dropped. She quickly recovered and tried to regain her composure.

-  Hello – she started saying. – My name is...

-  I know what your name is – he interrupted in an exceptionally pleasant, deep voice. – I see, you made it in one piece. We can just as soon get going.

-  Get going? Where to?

-  Home – he answered as he stood up and started walking towards the exit, leaving the shocked girl behind.

-  Wait! Victoria ran after him. – That`s all? I don`t even get a little resting time? Couldn`t we wait a few hours before going?

-  Have you eaten today?

-  Yes.

-  Good. Then, you`ll be fine. You can rest in the car – he said in a tone that didn`t allow arguing and grabbed the girl`s luggage before walking out of the hotel.

Victoria couldn`t believe her ears. She`s been in the city for only an hour and now she has to get on the road again. She was so counting on taking a nice, hot bath and relaxing a bit. Instead, she was expected to travel some more with this numb skull; destination unknown. She let out a disappointed sigh and walked out into the rainy New York night.

2.

She followed the stranger, walking a few feet behind him. It occurred to her that she still didn't know his name but, it didn't really bother her at this point; it's not like she was planning to chat him up. Now, more than ever, she hated everything and everyone, especially the person walking in front of her. "I bet those strong shoulders and slim waist have swept many women off their feet but they don`t impress me. He repulses me! - she thought to herself while her eyes lingered on his shoulders and waist.

After a few blocks, they stopped next to a large black Chevrolet Silverado.

- Get in! - ordered the man.

Victoria opened the large door and plonked herself into the seat. She stared out the window, pouting, with her arms crossed. A few moments later, the man got in and they drove away.

- You can relax now!

- I would, if this seat wasn't so damn uncomfortable. Where are we going anyway?

- Far enough to give you plenty of time to rest in this uncomfortable seat.

- Great! - she mumbled. She tried to sit with her back to the stranger so he wouldn't see the tears rolling down her cheeks. That was the most she indulged herself. She felt lonelier than ever watching the sparkling city lights go by.

It wasn`t long before they turned onto the freeway and left the city behind them. The radio was softly playing in the background and the man appeared to be focusing on the road. The girl started fidgeting in her seat. The deafening silence was getting to be uncomfortable. She stretched and took a sneaky peek at her travel companion, only to confirm that she has never before seen a hotter guy in her life. Or a ruder one. She wasn`t used to being treated this way by a man. She was used to nothing but admiration and infatuation from the opposite sex, not this indifference that he was treating her with and, the worse part was, she couldn`t understand why he was being so hostile towards her. 

-  You could let me in on where we are going – she said eventually.

-  Star Meadow, West Virginia.

-  Aha...and is this Star Meadow far?

-  We`re more than eight hours away so I suggest, you find something to entertain

yourself with.

Silence fell again and the girl had no choice but to put her earplugs in and play her favorite music. She closed her eyes and tried not to think of anything. This pleasant state however was cut short by a loud noise, followed by the unequivocal sound of a flat tire. The car veered to the side and stopped.

- What is it? What`s going on? – Victoria asked.

- We have a flat tire.

- That`s just great! Do you know how to change it?

The man didn`t answer, instead gave the girl a woeful look and climbed out of the car. A few minutes later she could hear muffled cursing coming from the back of the car, which made her smile. She rolled down the window:

-  What`s the matter? – she asked innocently, trying hard to contain her laughter. 

-  Nothing! – came the adversarial reply.

-  Then why are you mumbling back there?

The man stepped up to the window and looked her deep in the eyes, sending chills up Victoria`s spine. The sparks of rage from those honey eyes were frightening and irresistible at the same time.

-  What`s wrong is – he calmly said – that I don`t have the wheel wrench or the jack and, without them, it`s pretty difficult to change the tire.

-  What do you mean, you don`t have them? Shouldn`t they be next to the spare tire?

-  They should, but a while ago I helped a friend change his tires and, somehow, he still has my tools.

-  What now?

-  There`s a gas station not far from here. I`m sure they`ll have a jack and a wheel wrench. I`ll be back in a few minutes. Try not to do anything stupid until then!

-  Victoria sneered at him and rolled up her window.

The man put the red warning triangle up and disappeared into the darkness. It was unpleasant sitting alone in the car, especially on a dark, desolated freeway. Not that she was afraid but, somehow, she had a bad feeling. She turned on the radio, trying to find something good, when, suddenly, a blinding light inundated the car. She looked behind and saw the headlights of an approaching vehicle. The bad feeling from earlier intensified. `Drive on, drive on` - she kept saying to herself but the car slowed down and stopped next to her. It was a dark gray Jeep Cherokee with four, clearly inebriated youngsters inside.

Victoria turned her interior light on and looked at them. There were two giggling girls in the back, whiskey bottles in hand and two boys in the front, staring at her with a smirk. They rolled their window down:

-  Is there anything we can do for you baby? – asked the one in the passenger seat. – We`d be happy to give you a ride.

-  No, thanks. My friend went to get help – Victoria said smiling, rolling the

window on the driver side down only to quickly roll it back up a moment later.

She turned the light off, too, but she could feel the tension rising.

-  Would you like me to keep you company until your friend gets back? – the boy asked again.

-  Come on, Charlie! Leave her! – one of the girls complained. Victoria assumed she was the girlfriend.

But Charlie didn`t pay any attention to her. He managed to get out of the car and motioned his friend to do the same. They stumbled over to Victoria`s side and started knocking on her window.

-  Knock, knock! Open up kitty!

The girl rolled her window down just enough to speak to the boy.

-  Charlie, get back in the car and go home! I don`t want any trouble.

-  Did you hear that? – the boy asked Charlie amused. – She doesn`t want any trouble! – and they both exploded with laughter.

-  I`m serious. Get back in the car! – Victoria didn`t raise her voice but her tone was menacing.

She could smell the alcohol oozing from the boy but something else, too, that made her head pound and left her throat dry. Her eyes turned a shade darker and the thirst kept growing.

-  And I`m serious when I tell you that you should come out here. Let`s have a little fun!

In a flash, Victoria opened her door and stepped up to Charlie. She pushed him against the car, pressed her nose against his neck and inhaled deeply, as if taking in his cologne, all the while, caressing the boy`s chest. The boy was surprised at first but soon gave in. His friend was watching the whole thing mesmerized, with a dumb grin on his face. The girl kissed the throbbing artery on Charlie`s neck and she could feel his pulse racing under her lips. She smiled on the inside, knowing that the real game was about to start. Her thirst was becoming unbearable, scratching her throat and leaving her lips dry. Then came the familiar piercing sensation as her canines elongated. There was no way back now. She lifted her head, ready to bite when she heard a familiar voice, forcing her to stop:

-  What the hell is going on here? Victoria!

A moment later she could feel a strong hand on her arm, tearing her away from the dumbfounded boy. She tried to escape but the man`s grip tightened. She looked up into the angry pair of eyes.

-  What the hell are you doing? – the blond man asked between his teeth. – I told you not to do anything stupid!

-  Let go of me! – she whimpered.

-  Some pair you two are! – laughed Charlie.

The man suddenly turned and locked eyes with the boy and quietly murmured something. The next moment, the boy`s cheerful face to turned into a horrified one, as if he had seen something unspeakable.

-  No! No! I beg you! – he suddenly started pleading, fell to his knees, sobbing.

The other boy looked at him puzzled, unable to understand what was happening. The blond man then looked into his eyes and murmured something again, which had the same effect on him as it did on Charlie.

-  Now get in the car and get out of here! – he ordered them.

The boys stopped crying, looked around confused, then walked back to the car and got in as if nothing had happened. All this time, the girls in the back were busy gossiping and emptying the whisky bottle so they didn`t notice anything at all. Soon, the engine started and they drove off.

When they were at a reasonable distance, the man let go of Victoria`s arm and started pacing angrily. He didn`t say a word, didn`t even look at the girl. He then walked to the trunk and started fiddling with something.

Meanwhile, Victoria was tormented by thirst. She kept swallowing, hoping it would sooth the dryness in her throat but it didn`t do much. She clutched her fist and tried to calm herself but she could only think of one thing: blood. Every ounce of her body was craving it and it was maddening. The man