Vampire Issue: Deadly Destiny, #3

By Alycia Linwood

Still reeling from betrayal, Destiny finds out that her lips have been cursed with a powerful spell and that the next person she kisses will die. While the search is on for the one who cursed her, Destiny's maker, Enrique, becomes the target of an overzealous fan who is willing to kill to get Enrique's attention. Destiny and Enrique have to identify the person in question before things go too far, but they might be too late...

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The third book in the Deadly Destiny series.

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Reading order:
VAMPIRE TROUBLE (Book 1)
VAMPIRE PROBLEM (Book 2
VAMPIRE ISSUE (Book 3)
VAMPIRE CONFLICT (Book 4)
VAMPIRE TRIAL (Book 5)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alycia Linwood
• Release date: Mar 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386337850

Alycia Linwood

Alycia Linwood is the author of the Element Preservers series (Dangerous, Runaway, Divided, No One, Restless, Indestructible), the Tainted Elements series (Different, Invisible, Monster, Captive, Hunted, Resilient), the Deadly Destiny series (Vampire Trouble, Vampire Problem, Vampire Issue, Vampire Conflict, Vampire Trial), the Elemental Earths series (Water Princess, Fire Prince), and Human. She loves to read and write, especially urban fantasy, paranormal romance, dystopian and young adult novels. http://alycialinwood.weebly.com/ Sign up for Alycia's newsletter if you wish to receive a notification when a new book is published: https://alycialinwood.weebly.com/newsletter.html

Book preview

Chapter 1

I STUMBLED FORWARD as if in a daze. Everything around me was blurry, and the only thing that I could feel was a strong desire for blood. But it wasn’t just a thirst for anyone’s blood... No, I wanted to bury my fangs into Nataniel’s neck and drink until there was nothing left. A door was in my way, so I kicked out at it with my leg as hard as I could and it gave way.

A slow smile spread across my lips, and I strode into the house, blowing a strand of my blonde hair out of my eyes. Where was he? Where was my ex-boyfriend? Boyfriend? The word made me pause for a moment, but the force overtaking my whole body was stronger, and I rushed forward, straight into the room where my target was supposed to be. I could already taste his blood on my tongue. It would be like the most delicious nectar. I was sure of it. All I’d have to do was imagine its taste.

Destiny, what are you...? Nataniel appeared in front of me, his brow furrowed. For a second, I stopped. A memory of me running my hand through his soft black hair while his dark brown eyes stared back at me as we laughed about something flashed through my mind. Did I care about him? But he’d done something to me, hadn’t he?

I forced my eyes to close, trying to remember. When they snapped back open, I met his confused gaze. He’d killed me. That son of a bitch. His jugular was calling to me, and without any hesitation, I threw myself at him. He leapt out of the way with a shout, his eyes widening. Goddamn hunters!

Destiny, please. He lifted his hands up as he backed toward the other end of the room. I know you’re mad, but can’t we just talk about it? I’ll do whatever you want me to, just please calm down. This is only going to make things worse for you.

Worse for me? How dare he? Curling my fingers into fists, I rushed him again. He sidestepped just in time, and I flew past him, barely managing to avoid colliding with the wall. The furniture tilted around me. What the hell was that? I didn’t have time to think about it, because my hunger seemed to have increased tenfold.

Hell, saliva was almost dripping down my face. A hunter’s blood had to be special, right? Maybe that was it. Maybe... Except, hadn’t I fed already tonight? Nat made another step back, and I whizzed toward him, ready to grab him. This time, he wasn’t fast enough to react and our bodies collided. We fell to the floor, rolling over, and I got on top of him, but he pushed his hips up and threw me off him.

Destiny! he yelled as he scrambled to his feet. This isn’t you. Something happened to you out there. What is the last thing you remember?

Talk. Talk. Talk. Was that all he wanted to do? I was in no mood for that, because I wanted... No, I needed his blood, and I was going to have it. He wasn’t going to distract me with some nonsense and weak apologies. Actually, right now, I didn’t even care about what he or his adoptive mother Rosaura had or hadn’t done to me.

Jumping to my feet, I glanced around the room. What was this place, anyway? This definitely wasn’t Nataniel’s house, so I didn’t have to worry about any other hunters coming here, or did I? Licking my dry lips, I decided that I had to end this now, before anyone could stop me. Nat might be a well-trained hunter and I was just a young vamp, but I could take him down. I knew I could.

I dropped to the ground behind the couch, crawled around it as fast as I could, and hopped up while Nataniel was still looking around the room. Wrapping my arms tightly around him from behind, I bent my head toward his exposed neck.

God, his pulse was like a beautiful melody to me... so fast and so... My fangs slipped out with ease, and I was only an inch away from his tender skin when he jerked his arm, a cloud of something purple filling the air and getting into my face and nose.

Closing my eyes, I coughed, my grip on him loosening. He squirmed out of my embrace as I squinted my teary eyes, my body still convulsing from a cough that was so strong I ended up on the floor on my knees. My throat constricted as panic overcame me. What had he done to me? What had the damn hunter done this time? Killed me for good?

I kept coughing until a whitish liquid spurted from my throat and nose, and it tasted almost as if I’d swallowed dough. A few drops of blood came out along with it, and then it all suddenly stopped. It was almost as if a heavy weight had been lifted off me, and the air around me cleared.

Nataniel was standing not far away from me, carefully observing me, his shoulders tense. I blinked, sitting back on my heels, and looked down at the weird liquid that had come out of me. What the hell had happened? Wait, had I just...? Oh God. I’d tried to kill Nataniel.

Are you okay? he asked. I wasn’t sure what kind of a spell you were under, so I just tossed the first thing I had on me.

Yeah, I think so. I got to my feet and ran my hand through my hair. What did I...? Did I attack you? I kind of remember wanting your blood really badly, and...

I think someone cursed you. He made a step forward, lifting a half-empty vial I hadn’t even noticed he’d been holding. Since we were dealing with a witch, I had this powder with me. A small smile crossed his lips as he lifted the vial. It’s a good thing the curse was a simple one. It wouldn’t have worked on Zinovia’s magic.

I... Considering that Zinovia had been a powerful witch who’d gifted me a pendant so I could identify my killer, I was really glad she hadn’t been the one who’d put a curse on me. Although... Maybe it was an accident. I mean, she was dead when she gave me that pendant, so maybe she didn’t know what she was doing and...

Nat shook his head. You would’ve been affected immediately. No, this was a simple but powerful curse.

What does it do? Make you want to kill someone? I stepped away as he approached me, because I so didn’t want to be anywhere near him or even look at him.

The pain that the reveal about his involvement in my death had caused me was still strong, and I preferred to leave this city and go back home. The festivities were over, and so was Velasco and Armando Aimara’s reign in this area, so there was nothing for us to do here. Well, unless my maker got any ideas.

I think whoever did this to you wanted you to go after the people you... He bit down on his lip. ...care about.

I pressed my lips into a tight line. Great. So somewhere deep down, I still loved Nataniel, which wasn’t all that strange, since I’d found out his secret only minutes ago. I’m glad I didn’t hurt you, but I think I should go now. I don’t really want...

No, wait. He reached out for me but dropped his hand before he could touch me. You can’t. I mean, you shouldn’t. Someone cursed you, and we don’t know who that is. They clearly wanted you to suffer. Do you remember what happened after you left?

I thought about it for a moment. Maybe he was right. Even though I didn’t want to be anywhere near him, there was still someone out there who wanted to harm me. It was safer for me not to go anywhere alone. I don’t know. The last thing I remember is getting out of the house, and then... I was on my way back here. I shrugged. My memory is a bit hazy. I don’t think I saw anyone out there.

Nat’s forehead creased, and I tilted my head at him.

What? I eyed him carefully when he didn’t say anything. Tell me.

I broke the curse, but you still don’t remember. You should be able to do that.

I stared at him, a pit forming in my stomach. Wait, are you saying that I still might be cursed? But I’m no longer craving your blood and I don’t feel like...

Let’s check something first to be sure. He spilled what was left of the purple powder onto his palm and blew on it in my direction. The powder seemed to have a strong scent I couldn’t quite place, but this time it didn’t make me cough or throw up. My eyes didn’t sting either, although there was a tingly sensation on my lips that was probably nothing.

Well? I spread my arms, waiting for him to say something. Something sizzled on the floor, and I realized some of the powder had fallen onto the liquid I’d coughed out. Weird.

Nat’s face paled, and I didn’t like the way he was looking at me.

Don’t keep me in suspense! Just tell me, I snapped. Did it not work? Does this mean I’m not going to attack you again but I might attack someone else? My insides clenched at the thought of that. I didn’t want to hurt my family or anyone else.

It’s... He scratched his head, and I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. His every breath seemed like an eternity. The curse wasn’t as simple as I thought.

And?

It’s not possible to remove the second part of it.

What? I frowned. I don’t understand anything. Are you saying the curse isn’t just about me attacking those I love but also about something else?

Your lips were cursed too. The next person you kiss will die. His face was grave as he said it.

I gaped at him, unsure if I’d heard right. My kiss is going to kill someone?

He nodded. Yes. When I sprayed you with that powder again, your lips kept glowing, and the powder didn’t change it. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can...

I stumbled back, covering my mouth with my hand as a nervous laugh escaped me. There has to be someone who can fix this, right? Another witch? I gave him an expectant look.

I’m afraid not.

No. That’s just... So if I just brush my lips against someone or I...

It has to be a mouth to mouth contact. It won’t work if you kiss someone’s cheek or hand, but yeah, if they accidentally move their head or if...

I gasped. That was just... Who could’ve done this to me? It has to be Zinovia, right? She had to have done something wrong. Or are there more powerful witches around?

I don’t know. The curse is usually in a bottle in the form of a powder. It requires dark magic and it’s very, very rare. Someone could’ve brought it with them or they’d stolen it somewhere. I promise I’ll find out who it was. His gaze met mine, and I knew he wasn’t lying.

I ran my finger over my lips, still not believing this was really happening. Did that mean Nataniel would be the last person I ever kissed? The person who was one of those responsible for my death? That was just fucking brilliant. Someone had to hate me very much, although I wasn’t sure who it was.

Maybe Armando was trying to get back at Enrique and me, or perhaps it was someone who was angry I’d killed Julen. Julen might’ve killed a lot of people, including Zinovia, but his friends might not have cared about any of that and they could be mad at me.

Is there really nothing I can do? I finally asked.

No. The curse will be gone once you kiss someone.

Great. So it’ll break after I kill someone. I waved my hand, feeling more tired than ever. This was just too much. Everything that had happened tonight... I need to go... somewhere.

I’ll come with you. I’ll finish the rest of my report later. Nat glanced down as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. My brothers and I will find out who’s behind all this.

I wanted to tell him that I didn’t want him with me, but there was no one else, and I didn’t want any more curses thrown on me along the way. Okay, I simply said, and then we headed for the door.

It was going to be really fun explaining to my family that I didn’t want to risk giving them a kiss when I got back home because they might turn their head at the wrong moment. My glare settled on Nataniel, because if it hadn’t been for him and his family, I would’ve never known about vampires or witches, and I would’ve been happy.

I hoped he could find my attacker, but even if he did, I didn’t think I could ever forgive him. Not now and not ever.

Chapter 2

AFTER WE CAME BACK home, it had taken me a few days to accept the inevitable, but just because I couldn’t kiss anyone, it didn’t mean that my undead life had stopped, or at least that was what my sister and my best friend Bea had been trying to convince me. Maybe they were right.

My phone vibrated in my pocket just as I was trailing after my maker, Selena, and Marcos to the studio where Enrique had a shoot for some magazine. I hadn’t seen them since our return, because Enrique had sort of given me some time off because of what had happened, although I hadn’t told him yet about my big revelation. Actually, I wasn’t going to tell anyone about that until I decided what I’d do about it.

Confronting Rosaura probably wouldn’t do me any good, and I had no idea if Nat had told her what had happened. I assumed he had, or maybe he hadn’t, because what I knew could be a threat to everything she had achieved as a hunter.

If anyone ever found out she’d had me killed and turned into a vampire, she’d probably lose more than just her new seat at the council. Or, maybe, someone would congratulate her on innovativeness and courage. Besides, I didn’t have any proof so far. My word alone wasn’t going to mean anything.

I glanced at my phone. Nat had texted me to tell me he was working hard on finding out who had cursed me and that I shouldn’t worry, because he’d sent some of the hunters to protect my family too, in case that person had followed me here. Since the hunters logged the movements of every supernatural creature, they’d be aware of any vampire or a witch crossing into our territory.

But if a human was after me, then we’d all have to be on alert at all times. I only texted a quick thanks to Nat because I didn’t know what else to say or do. Maybe I shouldn’t let him or his hunters anywhere near my family, considering what they’d done to me, but I couldn’t watch over my family all the time on my own and I didn’t have anyone else to do it for me.

Whoever was after me had thought it was a great idea to make sure I killed everyone I loved, and if I’d ever recovered from such a loss, the next person I’d have fallen for would have died after one kiss. That was a whole lot of misery to wish on someone, so it had to be personal. I wished I’d know who it was. If Nat was still hoping for my forgiveness, then it was better for him not to make a wrong move ever again.

Guys, there’s something I need to... I started to say, but Selena