A Vampire's Dream

By Carla Susan Smith

For three hundred years Aleksei has lived within the laws that govern his life as a vampire. Rescuing Anasztaizia threatens to change all that. The beautiful runaway reminds him of home, the life he left behind, and the man he used to be. Being with her could mean risking everything ... even his life.

Anasztaizia has learned to do what is necessary to survive, but when offered the chance to change her life she gladly accepts. Unsure what Aleksei expects from her, the longer she is with him the more she is convinced of two things: she's in danger of losing her heart, and the whispered stories she heard as a child just might be true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carla Susan Smith
• Release date: Jan 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9780692954645

Carla Susan Smith

Born in the Dark Ages, when all reading material had to be chiseled into rock slabs, I am happy that I can now use a laptop for my writing (beats all those smashed thumbs!) I now call South Carolina home where I live with my wonderfully supportive family, who have come to learn that meeting deadlines translates to pizza for dinner! When not writing, I’m just like everyone else, trolling the internet looking for rhubarb recipes, checking out cute animal videos (who knew baby owls were so adorable?) and trying to get through my ever growing stack of to-be-read books! I am forever grateful to all the readers who have enjoyed my books, and who continue to allow me to enjoy this crazy, wonderful ride and I would love to hear from you (about anything!) so feel free to drop me a line through my website: carlasmithauthor.com   

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Budapest, Hungary, 1999

The rustle of feathers as roosting birds settled themselves did little to disturb the solitude of the vampire sharing the rooftop with them. His avian companions knew how to keep secrets, especially his. Turning his face into the cool night breeze, Aleksei felt the hint of winter on the air. It whispered across his face and curled around his ears before slipping inside the upturned collar of his army great coat and planting a cold kiss on the back of his neck. Forgiveness for having hair too closely cropped to ruffle.

The sound of the city scrambled up the side of the building, spilling over the roof in a muffled wave. A constant reminder he could never completely escape the human world around him. It had taken over a hundred years to master the skill of tamping down his preternatural auditory abilities. Of all the enhancements to his senses, reducing the cacophony of sound to a manageable hum had been the hardest for him to learn. The ability to discern the relevant and allow the superfluous to become nothing more than atmospheric debris had been vital to his survival as a vampire. Of course, absolute silence was a myth. There was always some noise, even in the grave. Insects and worms moving through the earth made their own sounds. But whether such resonance could be captured by his superior hearing was something he was in no hurry to find out. In the meantime, he made a conscientious effort to clear his head whenever the opportunity presented. Not doing so would pretty much guarantee a one way stroll down Crazy Street. 

A sudden burst of voices and clinking glass from directly below him heralded the opening of a door on the building's first floor. A bar occupied the space and, at almost closing time, it wasn't unusual for an inebriated customer to stagger out with a need to empty either their stomach or bladder in the dimly lit alley. Curious, Aleksei stepped to the edge of the roof and looked down. A man and a woman stood inside the dull, yellow glow of electric illumination provided by a single outside light. His arms about her waist, her hands on his shoulders. The vampire did not need to hear the exact words to capture the drift of their exchange. Observing their body language told him everything. The man wanted something the woman was reluctant to give. A kiss or was it something more, perhaps? The sudden change in the man's tone reached him. Unable to get what he wanted with honey, he was going to try a different approach. 

On the rooftop Aleksei narrowed his eyes, watching as the woman pulled out of the man's embrace. She quickly silenced his argument with one of her own, accompanied by some hand gestures that could not be interpreted as anything but unfavorable. The corners of the vampire's mouth lifted. In his experience, women who spoke with their hands were passionate, and he had a particular fondness for passionate women. Beneath the subdued arc of light the woman turned to go, but the man caught her arm, taking advantage of her hesitation to apologize. There was a brief exchange, curt on her side, suppliant on his. And then, much to Aleksei's surprise, the woman surrendered. Taking the man's arm, she led him beyond the circle of light, leading him deeper into the alley where darker shadows offered more privacy. 

Aleksei's mouth became a grim line. In light of this development, it was reasonable to assume the dispute between the couple concerned either price, or the nature of the service being requested. Possibly both. The vampire refused to condemn any man or woman who sold their body for sex, as long as it was their decision to do so. Unfortunately, he was seeing more and more instances that made him believe this was no longer the case. The city streets were practically crawling with teenagers, all of them running from something and needing a remedy to ease the ache of dashed hopes and lost dreams. But panaceas such as drugs and alcohol were not free, and most runaways had only one option when it came to earning money. By the time the reality dawned that whatever they had run from was nowhere near as abysmal as what they had run to, it was too late. The destructive cycle of self-abuse held them firmly in its grip. 

Aleksei had been a silent witness to many an encounter between prostitute and client, but something in his gut told him this time more than his silence might be needed, and he had learned long ago never to ignore his gut. Both Gabriel and Tomas had told him to trust the feeling, and doing so had saved his life on more than one occasion. Therefore, he did not hesitate when the sudden clawing in his belly told him something about the couple in the dark alley felt wrong. Stepping off the roof, he plummeted to the ground, landing silently only a few feet behind the pair, concealed by even darker shadows. 

The woman was already on her haunches, pale blonde hair spilling over her shoulders and down her back. Aleksei's fondness for passionate women was amplified by his partiality for fair hair. He listened to the soft clinking sound of a belt being unbuckled, followed by the metallic slide of a zipper. She didn't make any noise as she went about her business, but then she didn't have to. The man was making more than enough for both of them. Leaning back against the rough brick wall, his hands clasped on either side of her head at his hips; he encouraged her to match the rhythm of his thrusts. His breathing quickened, the in and out exchange of air becoming more rapid, and he began to moan.   The tightening of fingers on the woman's head made Aleksei tense. The sound of her muffled protest barely heard over the guttural groan of the man's explosive orgasm. She tried to pull her head back but his hands held her fast, keeping her head firmly in place as the man emptied himself into her mouth. Something she apparently neither wanted nor was prepared for if her reaction was any indication.

What kind of idiot are you? Aleksei thought, noting the ecstatic expression on the man's face. You've got your prick in her mouth - you want her to bite it off? 

The same notion must have occurred to the man because he suddenly removed one hand and, grasping her chin, applied enough pressure to make sure she didn't lock her teeth as he withdrew from her mouth. Stepping away, he blotted the last of his dribbling semen with the shirt he pulled from out of his pants.

The woman lurched forward, almost losing her balance as she did so, and spat the fluid in her mouth over the uneven paving. In the ambient light it looked like a small jellyfish or some other gelatinous creature from the depths of the ocean. 

You fucking bastard! she snarled, barely able to suppress her fury. 

Aleksei was immediately mesmerized. Woven inside her anger he could hear the lilt of the countryside. Almost taste the crisp tang of rough apple cider flowing over his tongue as she spoke. Whoever she was, and despite her profanity, she hadn't been in the city long enough to adopt the hard articulation other working girls used. And she was younger than he had supposed. Not a woman but a girl who had no business being on her knees in dirty alleys giving blowjobs. She turned her head and spat again before pulling a tissue from her jacket pocket and scrubbing furiously at her mouth. It wasn't until he noticed its absence that Aleksei realized she'd been wearing lip-gloss. He glanced at the man's softening cock, noticing the slick sheen of color smeared on the shaft.

Good luck explaining that to your wife if she sees it. I'll bet that's not her shade of pink.

After tucking away his penis, the man zipped up his pants. His breath was still coming in harsh, ragged gasps as his climax continued to ebb through him. Getting to her feet, the girl - Aleksei could no longer think of her as a woman - wiped a trembling hand across her mouth and glared at her customer.

I told you I didn’t do that, she said. You said I wouldn’t have to.

Yeah well, I changed my mind.

Then it's gonna cost you extra.

I don't think so. The man’s laugh was that of a mean schoolyard bully, and his actions even more so. Grabbing the girl's wrist, he pried open her fingers and took the bills still clutched in her hand. In fact, I don't think it's going to cost me anything, he sneered. 

She let loose a string of invective, the words carried on a wave of frustration at her inability to prevent the man from robbing her. The prickle in Aleksei's belly grew teeth and grabbed his spine.

You can't do that! the girl shrieked, jabbing a finger at the man's chest. That's my money!

Then you should do a better job of earning it.

You came, didn't you? Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. It's not my fault you can't last longer. Infuriated at having his prowess insulted the man lashed out, the back of his hand catching the girl across the cheek hard enough to make her fall down.  Stifling a gasp of pain, she put a hand to her face and gave him a murderous look. You better give me back my money, or you'll be sorry.

Why, what are you going to do? The man mocked in a scornful, singsong tone sliding the bills into his trouser pocket. Beat the shit out of me?

If she doesn't, then I will.

They both turned and stared as Aleksei stepped from the shadows. A good head taller than the man, and with shoulders twice as wide, he made an intimidating figure. Holding out a hand, he helped the girl to her feet. Her much smaller hand rested in his palm, creating a curious tingle that wrapped around his fingers before fanning its way up his forearm. Warm and soothing, it was the promise of something Aleksei didn't quite understand, but a sensation he instinctively knew was unique to her. Blindfold him, and ask him to hold hands with a thousand girls, and he would know her touch at once. 

Thank you, she murmured, looking at him from beneath thick, dark lashes.

The warning hold that had been clenching him moments before suddenly let go, and now began to skip drunkenly over the vertebrae in his spine. And he wasn't the only one being affected. A sudden spark in the girl's eyes told him she felt something too, but whatever it was she quickly concealed behind a detached expression. This was neither the time nor place to explore such things, and movement at the edge of Aleksei's peripheral vision took his attention away from the girl. Her client, hoping not to be noticed, was doing his best to glide along the wall. Letting go of the girl's hand, Aleksei moved in front of her and caught the man by the throat, jerking him off his feet and pinning him against the same bricks that had provided support during his orgasm.

I think an apology is in order, Aleksei growled.

I'm s-s-sorry, the man stammered his hands pawing ineffectively at the massive forearm holding him up.

Not me, you asshole, The vampire said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. Apologize to her. The man repeated his apology, his stammer noticeably worse. You don't sound very sincere, Aleksei told him, arching a brow that stretched his scar into a wickedly vivid line. Behind him the girl touched her cheek, and winced. A bruise was already starting to discolor her cheek. I'm sure you can do better, Aleksei said, returning his attention to the man dangling off the ground. The apology he gave this time would have made the angels weep.

Using his free hand, the vampire reached inside the man's coat pocket and pulled out a wallet. He tossed it to the girl who caught it deftly with one hand. 

What do you want me to do with this? she asked, perplexed. 

He took your money didn't he? She nodded. Then take his.

The man's wallet was thick, a sure indication he'd been paid earlier. Carefully she slid out three bills, folding them over and tucking them away in her small purse. Something she ought to have done the first time. Two pairs of eyes watched her.

Take it all, Aleksei growled.

The girl shook her head. No, I only want what he agreed to pay me. She came out from behind Aleksei's broad back, and stared up at the man. But I did take a little extra because you came in my mouth. 

He also hit you, Aleksei pointed out. That's worth the rest, and he won't miss it.

She flipped open the wallet and took out a photograph which she held up for Aleksei to see. A dark-haired woman was seated with a baby in her arms, and a boy, no more than seven or eight, stood next to her grinning at the camera with a gap-toothed smile promising mischief.

He might not miss it, the girl said, a trace of sadness in her voice, but they will. She put the picture back into the wallet as respect uncoiled and spread through Aleksei. The girl had integrity. Something not often found on the street. Besides, she added with a sniff, my grandmother can hit harder than that.

The man on the wall continued to flail pathetically, his Adam's apple moving against the huge palm pressed against his throat. Give me his I.D. Aleksei flexed his fingers around the man's scrawny neck.

Perhaps you shouldn't hold him quite so tightly. He’s turning blue.

Do I look like I care?

No, but I will if the police come looking for me. She gestured to the door they had used to exit the bar. Enough people saw him follow me out.

Aleksei muttered under his breath, but did as the girl asked. Her soft sigh of relief reminded him of spring rain. Taking the wallet back from her, he scanned the man's ID card. So Jozsef, now I know your name, what your wife and children look like, and where you live.

The face that had borne a strong resemblance to a bruised berry a few moments ago blanched, and the hands that had been striking Aleksei’s arm now clasped together in prayer.

I'm s-s-sorry, I'm so s-s-sorry, Jozsef stammered, begging for forgiveness from the girl with the long blonde hair. Though he had no doubt the big man could snap his neck, Jozsef was astute enough to recognize who truly held the power in this particular scenario. Even if she didn't know it. I p-p-promise if you let me go, you'll never s-s-see me again. I s-s-swear on my child -

Don't you dare, the girl snapped as a quick squeeze of Aleksei's fingers abruptly silenced whatever insincere vow Jozsef had been about to utter. Never on your children, do you hear me? Never. Bobbing his head up and down, he reminded her of a demented marionette. Oh for God's sake, let him go, she muttered disgustedly before turning away and stepping into the same darkness that had concealed the vampire.

If she was looking for the same protection, Aleksei could have told her not to waste her time. The shadows would not hide her, at least not from him, but perhaps she didn't need to know that. He watched as she moved deeper into the alley, seeing the tears glistening on her cheeks. It was a small thing to grant her the privacy she needed to get her emotions back under control.

A pathetic gurgling sound came from above his head.

Listen to me Jozsef, and listen well. The only reason you're going to walk out of this alley tonight is because of her. Aleksei gestured with his head to the pool of inky blackness that seemed to have swallowed the