Dark Craving: Shadow Sisters, #2

By Chloe Adler

Dangerous is an understatement. Partly because I don't date. Ever. And I never have...

Until I meet him. Tall, dark, vampire. And my world spins out of control. For him, I will break all my rules.

I know he's hiding something behind those gorgeous, secretive eyes; so how far will I go to ease my craving for him when I'm not sure who I can trust?

My strict restraint keeps everyone around me safe. Because I can't get angry. At all. That's when my powers become terrifying and uncontrollable.

Most people who look at me just see a prude b*tch who paints life instead of living it. But that's ok. It's my armor. It keeps people away.

But not Carter... he's the only person to ever see the real me.
So why does that scare the bejesus out of me?

---------
-this book was previously published as "A Witch's Dark Craving" and "Overruled"
Tropes: virgin heroine, unlikely couple, love redeems, romantic suspense, high steam.

Book 1: Mortal Desire
Book 2: Dark Craving
Book 3: Fevered Heart
Book 4: Wicked Hunger

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chloe Adler
• Release date: Feb 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781947156012

Book preview

Chapter One

I, Chrysothemis Holt, was the apple of my mother’s eye, even after my two gorgeous sisters came along. Maybe that should have been enough, but it was no consolation prize for being the ugly duckling, as my sister Sadie always labeled me. Sadie couldn’t enter a room--or even a shopping mall--full of people without turning heads. Her thick, wavy mane of bright red hair was like a siren’s beacon beckoning shipwrecks onto her shore. With her contrasting emerald-green eyes and pale-as-moonlight skin, the woman was truly a sight to behold. All of that sultry beauty was poured into a small frame with luscious curves. If our mother hadn’t despised her, I could have hated her.

Looking at Sadie, no one could imagine a greater beauty--until their eyes fell on my youngest sister, Iphigenia. Iphi’s classic blond ringlets, cerulean-blue eyes, flushed pink cheeks and waifish body, which made even Sadie look fat, were the ugliest things Iphi possessed. Her vibrantly optimistic personality and loving nature far outweighed even her most amazing superficial attributes. So kind was our youngest, no one ever resented her beauty, least of all me.

It wasn’t their fault. The die had been cast, and my sisters had come out on top. Reaching over, I dipped my paintbrush into the water bowl, tapping off the excess.

A mixture of yellow ochre, titanium white and a dab of dioxazine purple was the closest I could get to Iphi’s flaxen curls. Turning back to my easel, I daubed a corner of the canvas I was working on.

Are you almost finished? asked Iphi, moving a golden curl out of her eye.

Don’t move, please, I want to capture you perfectly. I offered her a smile to soften the command.

My little sister was as feisty as our middle sister but so much kinder. Maybe it was because she was the youngest that Sadie and I had always shared a soft spot for her. We were her protectors, growing up without a father.

The knock on my bedroom door was firm, and I didn’t even have time to question why our mother was bothering with the formality before my door flew open.

Our mother, Aurelia, hovered in the doorway. She was a complete contrast to Iphi in personality. Both of my sisters had inherited their gut-wrenching beauty from her, whose ominous presence belied the strawberry-blond waves cascading halfway down the front of her perfectly proportioned body.

The woman was the most powerful witch in all the worlds. Well, second-most, now that Sadie had gained her powers. For most of Sadie’s life, our mother had dampened her witchcraft. Then my sister had met her boyfriend, Ryder, the key that had opened her lock.

Our mother had always been a dour woman, but after our father disappeared for the second time six months ago, she’d become even worse. Ill-tempered was the kindest way to put it. I felt badly for her. She’d thought our father had run out on us, only to find out that he’d disappeared to save our lives. And then he’d done it again. As far as we knew, he was gone for good now.

Iphi’s cherubic face spun toward Mom, her Cupid’s-bow mouth in a pucker. The flaxen-blond curls I had so meticulously framed around her rosy cheeks ended up askew and stuck to her dewy complexion.

Mama, you know Chrysothemis needs complete silence to concentrate.

Iphi was the only one who could get away with admonishing our mother. Because Iphi was so sweet, it came across as a love bite.

I wanted to see.

Mom made no apologies. For anything. Ever.

She entered without being invited. It was her house, she always reminded us; she could do as she pleased. Her hand reached out to brush Iphi’s hair off her face as she rounded the easel and looked at my representation of our angel.

She sucked in an audible breath, hands reaching to her heart. Oh, Chrys, you’ve done an excellent job, as always.

She leaned toward me, and for a moment I thought she was going to kiss me or embrace me, which would be completely out of character. I found myself leaning back just in case. Neither of us was the touchy-feely kind.

Aurelia pecked the air next to my cheek and waved her hand at us. Resume.

Her long red robe, a staple since Father had left, swooshed as she turned back toward the door. For a moment she paused at the doorframe to twitch her strawberry-blond mane back over her shoulder, and then she was gone, closing the door behind her.

Iphi stifled her giggle with hands to her mouth. Could she be any more dramatic? my little sister asked.

Nope. I let out the smile I’d been holding in, lest Mother see me happy.

Aurelia was a miserable woman and seemed to begrudge the happiness of others. There was no doubt I was her favorite--she did little to hide that fact--but it was probably because I was almost as dour as she was.

The acrylic was beginning to dry and I meticulously added more paint.

Just a few more minutes, I told Iphi, and then it’ll be ready.

Can I just take a peek?

You know the rules. I didn’t have to remind her though. My angelic sister was my favorite subject and had sat for many portraits in the past.

Did you hear? Her voice dropped several decibels.

What? You know I hate guessing games. I rolled my eyes, a typical Sadie response, but I couldn’t stop it in time.

I saw that, Iphi said with a smile in her voice, and just as well because the news is about Sadie.

What news? My eyes widened at the possibilities. Sadie and Ryder had broken up? They were getting married? She was pregnant? If it was one of the latter two . . . My jaw clenched even entertaining those thoughts.

Sadie is moving out of Casa Mañana and moving in with Ryder.

What? Was my head actually spinning around on my neck? It was difficult to believe that Sadie would leave the comfort of the home she shared with her two best friends, all living in sexual depravity. My pulse quickened.

I know. Iphi’s little shoulders rose up, almost touching her elven ears.

Stop moving, I snapped.

Her shoulders drooped. Sorry, Sis.

That little smile could melt the heart of an ogre.

It’s okay, I didn’t mean to snap at you. So . . . Sadie is moving out? I wanted to hear the details but I didn’t want to sound too interested. Sadie and I may have buried the proverbial hatchet but that didn’t mean I had to like her. Not after she had treated me with complete disdain for the twenty-one years of her life. I was her older sister, after all. I was the one who was supposed to hold the power. But I never had.

Yeah, her and Ryder found their own place closer to downtown. They’re moving this weekend.

I nodded slowly, chewing the inside of my lip. Does Mom know?

Iphi’s curls bounced up and down on her shoulders along with her head.

Of course I was the last to know.

Are you mad that Sadie didn’t tell you? Iphi’s brows pulled together.

Poor Iphi. She’d spent most of her life trying to keep the peace between Sadie and me.

No, I’m not mad. I’m surprised. I pulled my lower lip into my mouth and chewed on it.

Well, Iphi’s voice dropped again, I think this is a really good thing because . . . She waited. And waited.

Fine, I’ll bite. Why?

Because now you can move in.

If I hadn’t thought that was the worst idea in history, her Cheshire Cat grin would have been contagious.

You’re kidding me, right? What was she thinking? Sadie lived with Burgundy Rosales, a vampire stripper, and Jared Weks, a gay shape-shifter. Their whole deal was about regularly bringing strangers into the house for sex. Copulation. Depravity.

Chrys, just think about it. Iphi blinked those long lashes at me, which is what she did when she was trying to get her way.

No. I don’t have to think about it, Iphi. Even if Burgundy and Jared wanted me as a roommate, which I’m sure they do not, I would never feel comfortable with their living situation.

Are you done with my portrait yet?

I took a step back and looked at it before looking at Iphi again.

Yes, come look.

She jumped off her stool and almost knocked the canvas off the easel in her haste.

Easy. I couldn’t help reprimanding her. I was the oldest, after all.

Sorry, sweetie pie. She darted forward to kiss my cheek. I pulled away just in time and her lips met the air. We’d played this game our entire lives. Sometimes she caught me off guard.

Those eyes of hers were filling with tears, looking at the portrait.

You make me look so beautiful. Enchanted. Like a fairy princess.

I only paint what I see. And you do look like a fairy princess, sweetheart. She liked it when I tried to be effusive with her.

I want to hug you! She reached her arms toward me.

I sidestepped.

Her arms dropped to her sides, and she shrugged. Your loss.

I couldn’t help a rubbery smile, my lips felt like they belonged to someone else.

Iphi turned toward the door, then stopped with her hand on the handle. Think about what I said, Chrys. You’re twenty-five and you’ve never been on your own before. I think it would be good for you.

Before I could respond she opened the door and walked out, closing it very softly behind her.

Chapter Two

There was absolutely nothing about the moment that made me feel comfortable. If I didn’t know better, I’d have suspected I was attending my own intervention.

Relax, Chrys, we just want to talk to you, my sister Sadie said, sitting across from me on a fold-out wooden chair.

How can I relax when I’m sitting here in your living room surrounded by, I waved my hand around in the air, all of you?

Burgundy, my sister’s vampire roommate, was pacing around their plush, vintage living room, wearing a hole in the Oriental rug.

Chrysothemis. Burgundy’s lips wrapped around the syllables melodically as she walked behind me.

I spun around. I didn’t trust her not to sink her teeth into me even though I knew most vampires didn’t bite unwilling victims. They didn’t need to, there were plenty of willing ones. Not that I knew much about vampires. Burgundy was the only one in the periphery of my life.

She leaned down and I jumped. Jared was in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders and pushing me gently back onto the couch.

What is wrong with you? I tried to shout but my voice came out shaky.

We’re trying to make you comfortable, Jared responded as he sat next to me.

Well you’re doing a really bad job. I wanted to laugh but my wet and nasal voice betrayed me.

Sweetie, my sister started, maybe this would be easier if I wasn’t here.

What would be easier? I was about to bolt. Burgundy must have sensed it because she placed her hands on my shoulders. I tried, unsuccessfully, to shake them off. Vampire strength, I hated that.

I think that’s a good idea, Sadie, said Jared. Let us talk to Chrys in private.

Sadie popped up so quickly her chair collapsed. She paused and brushed nonexistent lint off her stylish plaid dress.

Once upon a time, we had been so close, Sadie and I. But when Dad had disappeared, she had only been nine and had changed for the worse, as had we all. She’d started stealing the small things I coveted as a tween, like the silver-handled hairbrush that Mom had given me. The one that had belonged to our grandmother. She even got into my makeup, spilling it all over the bathroom counter and smearing my coveted midnight-blue eye shadow all over the mirror. Worse was when she’d paint herself up like a clown and parade around the house in a grotesque imitation of me. But she never touched Iphi’s things or, heaven forbid, Mom’s.

Thus, it was difficult for me to believe that my sister was trying to look out for me now. Her green eyes darted toward me, narrowing when Burgundy made some kind of hand signal behind my back. Sadie licked her lips, straightened her shoulders, turned and walked out the front door.

Where is she going? I asked the remaining two occupants.

Burgundy walked around the couch and took a seat on my other side. Great. Now I was sandwiched between two people that scared the bejesus out of me. My heart skipped and I wiped my damp hands down my jeans.

She doesn’t live here anymore, Jared said.

Iphi told me. It was still hard to wrap my head around my promiscuous sister settling down. My stomach tightened and for a brief instant I couldn’t catch my breath. And?

Burgundy leaned in a little closer. I tried to lean away but Jared was flanking me.

And, said Burgundy, we want you to move into her old room.

I couldn’t control my head shaking. They were obviously delusional. They didn’t even like me.

Why would you ask me?

We think it would be good for you, said Burgundy, reaching out to take my hand.

I pulled it out of her reach and she patted my knee instead, causing me to jump.

Good for me how?

Something like a cross between a laugh and a snort escaped from Jared.

I shot him a look.

You’re twenty-five, Chrys, and you’re still living with your mother, he said.

Whatever. I stood up. I’m not your charity case. I walked to the front door, chin up.

Neither of them made a move to come after me. I wanted to make a dramatic exit but when I flung open the door, I came face to face with a man.

He was leaning against the doorframe, dressed in form-fitting distressed black jeans and a black T-shirt. One hand held a leather jacket slung over his shoulder. The other hand was poised to ring the bell.

I walked into his chest.

It was solid.

I looked up, and my heart stopped beating. His brown hair was the color of raw umber shot through with burnt sienna. He wore it short but not too short, nothing like a military cut. More like a stylist had tousled it to perfection before shoving him in front of a wind machine. His eyes were mesmerizing, catching me completely off guard. If I hadn’t seen Jared’s topaz eyes before, I would have labeled these as such, but no. These were a golden brown, like raw sienna. Both his hair and his eyes accentuated his tanning-booth-perfect bronzed skin. Except this was no fake tan. And his height was the pinnacle of his perfection. Wow. Just wow. If he wasn’t a model, I’d be surprised.

A smile played across his lips and there was a tiny twinkle in his eye as he looked me up and down not once, but twice.

No man had ever looked me up and down before. I liked it. No.

Lovely, he said. His tongue darted out to caress his top lip.

I may have swooned.

I hope you’re not leaving. He smiled again, offering a flash of fang.

Oh no, there was no way I found a vampire attractive.

I-I-I . . . What was wrong with me?

At a loss for words? His free hand reached toward me. I pulled back, but not quickly enough for vampire reflexes.

The touch was gentle, featherlight, as he brushed a strand of my mouse-brown hair out of my eyes.

His head tilted down, like he was staring through me.

So lovely, he stated again and offered me yet another smile.

He must be playing me. Didn’t matter. Vampires were almost as bad as humans.

What’s your name? he asked.

Carter, come inside and leave Chrys alone, Burgundy called through the open door. She was just leaving.

But I don’t want to leave her alone, Carter said, twitching his nose at me. Do you want me to leave you alone, Chrys? Those eyes bored through me.

I-I-I . . . I shook my head, trying to clear it, and shrugged past him, hurrying down the steps to my car.

Just as I reached the driver’s side door, he was there, opening it for me. What the--? I jumped back but he motioned for me to get inside. I did, not sure what else to do. Carter leaned in and pulled the seatbelt around me, leaning his obscenely gorgeous body over mine and clicking the buckle into place. His effortless vampiric grace made the awkward gesture seamless. My nose crinkled. He must have practiced the move before.

As he pulled himself back, he stopped inches from my face, our noses almost touching. Instinctively I pulled back, but there was nowhere for me to go as the back of my skull thumped the seat behind me. Carter paused, closed his eyes and then took a long, slow inhale. My eyes widened. I sat as still as I could, not breathing.

He leaned forward into my neck, bringing his lips a hairsbreadth from my ear, breathing me in long and deep.

You smell like butterscotch and springtime, he whispered and before I could react, he straightened up and closed the car door. Aside from the errant hair he’d swept from my face, Carter hadn’t touched me once.

We looked at each other through the window. He didn’t make a move to leave. I don’t think I blinked or breathed. Finally, Carter leaned forward and placed a kiss on the glass. I watched his lips pucker. A tickle of something responded in between my thighs, an unfamiliar pulsing. I was mesmerized. I couldn’t look away. He pulled back, smiled once more and offered a slight bow. And then, he was gone.

I locked my car doors, anger rising. Usually I kept my anger in check. It wasn’t like I regularly flew off the broomstick. Who was that vampire? How dare he tease me and make me feel this way? A fine sweat broke out on my upper lip and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. My shirt rode up my back and the nylon fabric scratched my sensitive skin. A deep rumbling reverberated, and then a large branch broke off the raywood ash tree above me and crashed down directly in front of my car. I was startled, yes, but not surprised. Whenever I got angry, my powers tended to manifest without my control.

Carter reappeared quite suddenly next to my car. He tried the door but I refused to open it.

Roll down your window, he mouthed through the pane.

I shook my head no. My nostrils flared. My nose twitched. A look of confusion crowded his near-perfect features.

Cracking my window, I said, You’d better vacate quickly. When I’m angry I can’t control my magic.

His mouth pushed up to the crack. Why are you angry? He wore a half smirk. To signal his playful tone?

He didn’t ask about my magic. Did he already know I was a witch, or was he feigning ignorance? I filed his non-reaction away.

Never you mind. Make yourself useful and move the branch, will you?

His dark eyes were full of mischief as he bent in front of my car and, with one hand, lifted the large and heavy branch above his head. Like a strong man at the circus. Show off. His muscles bulged beneath his T-shirt.

See you soon, beautiful, he said and offered me another one of his dazzling smiles.

This vampire was either completely dense or confused.

Doubt it, I don’t mingle with suck-mouths. My voice held just the right amount of contempt.

Better tell that to Burgundy, he called out as I drove away.

Chapter Three

Ilay in my bed that night with the covers pulled up to my chin. What had happened back there at Sadie’s house?

Why couldn’t I stop thinking about that man? No, not a man, a vampire. A filthy creature of the night. Why was I wound up so tightly tonight? As if all my muscles were spasming, putting my body on edge.

The sheets were too stiff and too bleached, much like my life here. My mother, born at the end of the Georgian Era, still starched our sheets.

At least my