Vampire Touch: Vampire Game, #2

By Leigh Kelsey

One woman. Four sexy vampires. A wicked hunter hiding in the shadows.

With her vampire family at her side Elara is prepared to weather any storm, but nothing could prepare her for the violence that descends on Whitby. Lucky for Elara, she has three lovers sworn to protect her and a new man who will do anything to earn her love. But how can love triumph against a hunter more twisted and clever than even her most fearsome ally?

Vampire Touch is a fast burn paranormal romance, with vampires, fae, and witches. This book is RH, which means Elara doesn't have to pick a favourite of her protectors - why choose when you can have all four? Expect sexy scenes, supernatural dangers, and tender romance. Welcome to the Blood Bay.

Contains some mature content. 38,000 words. Complete series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leigh Kelsey
• Release date: Mar 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224036523

Leigh Kelsey

Leigh Kelsey writes about psychos with questionable morals and addictions to shiny, stabby objects, but she’s perfectly harmless, she swears. She can be found in Yorkshire, England listening to K-Pop, watching serial killer documentaries, and writing as much spicy paranormal romance as she possibly can in a day. (Where’s that Time Turner when we need it…?)

Book preview

SUFFERING

In the weeks since my death, I’d learned this half-moon of water was known locally as the Blood Bay. That didn’t make me feel any easier about being on a fragile rowing boat in the middle of it in the dead of night. With only the moon as my witness, I pumped the oars faster and led the bow of the boat through the rippling black water. Whitby was a couple miles back, or whatever the sea equivalent of miles was. Knots? Either way, no help was coming if this went bad. And it could very quickly. The last time I’d seen my killer, he’d been beaten into a pulp shortly after my mum found out he was the one who’d murdered me and made me into this: a soulless, starving vampire.

That happened a few days after a terrifying encounter with Fear Doirche, a powerfully old faerie once worshipped as a god. I hadn’t even fought the god, and I’d nearly died of shock and blood loss—as I found out later. I’m not sure which had scared me more, being in the presence of that endless power or, days later, watching my mum’s fists and boots lay into Oisìn, my heartless murderer, while he just cowered there and took it.

I wasn’t happy that part of me felt bad for him, had read an awful lot from the few words he’d spoken and even more from the words he hadn’t. He’d ripped my life from me; I had no room for sympathy. Even if I was pretty sure he’d been brainwashed and made into a weapon against his own kind, all under the threat of pain and violence from his master, Fear Doirche.

But that wasn’t why I was here now, my arms straining with the effort of rowing, out of breath and exhausted even with my new vampire grace and strength. I was here for Finn, my friend and Oisìn’s father, who’d been searching for his son for a thousand years ever since Fear Doirche had murdered his mate and stolen his baby. I was here because I hadn’t seen Finn smile once in the past few weeks, hadn’t seen his eyes twinkle even around Allen, another of my friends and the man who’d found me the night my throat was torn out, who’d taken care of me.

I hated seeing Finn suffer, and I’d do just about anything to make it stop. Including rowing a boat up to an island that didn’t exist on any map, that a month ago I wouldn’t have even been able to see because I was human. I was starting to get a bit unnerved by the signs of witchcraft all around me, even if the only reason I was here tonight was because of a spelled necklace that kept me from tearing out the throats of any unsuspecting humans. My heart clenched at the reminder, and I remembered a dark street and a mouth-watering scent. Never again, I vowed. I wouldn’t kill again.

Unless it was to protect my family.

I pulled the boat up on the sandy shore, a strip of grey in the dark, and with effort, climbed out. My arms were jelly but my legs were still working so I let them lead me, following a burning flicker in my chest that I’d rather liken to indigestion than a trembling, buzzing firefly even if the latter was more accurate. I didn’t want to think of that link between creator and progeny as anything beautiful.

Hello? I called into a cave as I got closer. It looked exactly like the place someone guilt-wracked and dripping with self-hatred would go to punish themselves. Nice Elba.

A laugh sounded from inside, cracked and weak. I followed the sound into the darkened hollow, my stomach flipping even as I assured myself I wasn’t scared. My crimes are worse even than Napoleon’s.

I’m not disagreeing. I took another few steps inside and stopped, within view of the exit. I’d never been afraid of enclosed spaces but something about this cave was prickling my new instincts in warning. But either way, I’m taking you back with me.

Another ragged laugh. My only answer.

Anger curled up in my chest like a cat and I used it to shore up my courage enough to lay into him, this thousand-year-old vampire who still had access to faerie magic. Your father has been searching for you for the past thousand years. He hasn’t stopped one second since you were stolen from him, and I get that you’ve been programmed to hate him, but give him a chance. Don’t you want to know which parts of the story Fear Doirche fed you were true and which were lies?

I tensed at a scuffle in the dark, and went utterly still as he emerged. Well. He took self-flagellation to a new level. He wore nothing—not even underwear—and his skin was burnt to a crisp, craters of raw red flesh and dead skin covering his whole body and there, right there, my fury paused. I see you’ve been out in the sun.

His mouth tightened.

I don’t think we can tan if that’s what you were trying to do.

His eyes dropped to the ground, his shoulders curled inward, and I guess he’d been hoping to shock me into leaving with his burned state.

Finn is your father. Don’t you owe it to yourself to hear him out at least once?

No.

I sighed. I’d expected him to fight me. Not this apathy. Fine. Wait here until Fear Doirche comes and takes you back.

He jerked forward a step and that was fear in his eyes. Good, a part of me said. The rest of me saw him for exactly what he was: an abuse victim. I unbuttoned my coat and held it out to him, and my heart twisted into an ache as he just let it dangle in his fingers and whispered, I don’t deserve this.

It’s just a coat, I muttered but of course it wasn’t. Oisìn had killed me, but on his master’s orders, and I was starting to see he hadn’t been in a position to question, let alone refuse. Almost against my will, my vision of my death shifted. Had Fear Doirche been there that night, watching?

I started walking for the boat and heard him follow. Before I stepped onto the boat, I paused and looked back. Oisìn.

He nodded but didn’t meet my eyes.

I’ll ask one thing, before I bring you into my family’s house, before I trust you with them.

He looked up, solemn.

Don’t betray us.

He glanced away, at the water hushing around us, the beach, the sea rock, but he eventually met my eyes. I’ll do my best.

And after what he’d been through for the past millennium, that was all I could ask.

VICTIM

Bringing Oisìn to the house did not go down well. Scarlett reared back, hissing, and Allen raced down the stairs to crowd him back and out the door. Oisìn had saved Finn’s life, but that was before I recounted the full memory of the night I was killed, the vision unlocked by the sight of him.

Finn reacted the most severely, though. He came slowly onto the drive in front of the house and just stood there, staring at his son. I could see the similarity in them, in their face structures, their slim builds, the rare red-gold strand of Finn’s hair amplified in Oisìn’s dark red. Oisìn hunched his shoulders, his hands stuffed into the pockets of my coat, and Finn seemed to realise hugging him was not an option.

My heart broke as I watched Finn smile that same kind, welcoming smile he’d given me when I first turned. Allen’s aggression vanished at the sight of it. I’m glad you came, Finn said. You’re welcome to stay in the house, we have plenty of spare rooms. His expression slipped a fraction. But I have to warn you, if you contact Fear Doirche or bring danger to any of my family, we will not react lightly.

Oisìn’s expression did not change. I wondered if he’d frozen and quickly stepped in. He’s not going to betray us. He gave me his word.

Finn’s shaggy blonde head turned so quickly. His word?

No, Oisìn disagreed.

He’s not going to endanger us. I looked to Oisìn, some of my anger returning. Are you?

I’ve already given you my answer.

I nodded. Finn looked satisfied. Would you consider telling us how you came to be in Whitby? he asked.

Oisìn’s expression changed then. His jaw set. I won’t betray my master.

Alright, Finn said gently, seeing the same thing I had. A vulnerable man. It’s not a requirement of you staying. Come in. He started for the two stone steps leading to the front door. And don’t mind Scarlett, she’s inhospitable to everyone.

She was the same to me, I added a little awkwardly.

Oisìn trailed us up the stairs. He looked like we were leading him to the slaughter, not into his father’s house. My sympathy reared its head again at the sight of his obvious distrust of kindness. What the hell had Fear Doirche done to him? Other than cut, burn, and infect him badly enough to be fatal not once but a hundred times. None of us had had the heart to tell Finn that yet. Maybe we never would.

Allen, Finn warned as soon as we stepped inside. Looking at Allen, it was easy to be intimidated. Broad shoulders, arms straining his long-sleeved T-shirt, his long black waves of hair doing nothing to soften the mean look on his bronze face. Only we, his family, knew he was a huge softie and only ever looked that mean when the people he loved were threatened. Without a backwards glance I walked right to him and slung my arms around his waist. He relaxed a fraction but kept glaring at Oisìn. It wouldn’t last long, his animosity, once he saw Oisìn for what he was. Allen was a caretaker and his protective instincts would claim Oisìn too.

Where’s Scarlett? I asked him as Finn led Oisìn upstairs to a room, sensing he wanted to be alone as quickly as possible. Because that was what he’d become used to these thousand years? How long had it been since Oisìn had been touched without the intention to harm him? I burned with anger—on behalf of my killer. It was bizarre, unfathomable to me yesterday, but I’d always seethed at injustice.

She left on principle, Allen replied, sighing. That sounded like Scarlett. I tightened my arms around him, my last bit of tension seeping from me as his hand settled on the middle of my back, fingers stretching to touch as much of me as possible. Finn needs you, he said, dipping his head to speak into my ear. He needs someone to take care of him. I’d sensed as much. And I’m better at being taken care of than giving.

I shook my head. That’s a blatant lie. You take care of all of us.

Allen shrugged. In a different way. He needs you, Elara.

Alright. I leaned up to brush a soft kiss over his cheek. Don’t forget about yourself, though. If you need anything, tell me.

He smiled, a slow smile I’d rarely seen. You know what I need without me telling you. His hand flexed on my back, indicating the two of us pressed together.

I smiled back but I could still tell he was worried about having