Page 10 of Stolen By the Vampire

Some animals didn’t understand the concept, but the mole answered confidently, “Dirt.”

“Okay, uh, Dirt. It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Esmae. Have you lived here long?”

“All my life,” Dirt squeaked proudly. “One and a half years.”

Well, it was something. “So you know the vampire who lives here, it seems. Is that right?” Maybe the mole could offer her some insights. Doubtful, but with her mother’s magic striking out, her only hope was her own might work in a roundabout way.

“I do. I know he hates other creatures entering his hoard.” Dirt’s gray body shook, as if he was afraid the vampire would come back at any moment.

She plucked the mole from the ground and cradled him to her chest. “You’re being very brave, Dirt. Have you seen him”—err, could he see?—“or heard him with any other creature? Maybe one he called his fated mate?”

The little rodent shook its snout. “No. He’s always alone.”

Always alone. Why did that make her chest ache? Alone, unless he magically compelled a witch to keep him company against her wishes.

But then—if the vampire was lonely, he could’ve done that at any time. He’d only done it after she’d invaded his territory (and, well, tried to kill him).

She sighed, pushing the self-flagellating thoughts aside. What else could she ask that a mole might know? “Do you know the way out?” Not that she could leave.

Dirt chirped in the affirmative. Well, if she ever found a way around his thrall, that could be useful.

“Do you know anything else about the vampire?” Maybe that was the way to do it. Open-ended questions.

Dirt’s voice faded to a whimper. “I do. I know he’s back!”

Chapter Six

What would a human eat? Not a question Silas had asked himself since… well, ever. But he would learn, because his female needed sustenance. It was the middle of the day, which meant he would have to brave the sun’s rays in order to get Esmae proper food. He suppressed a grimace. No matter; seeing to her needs mattered more than his discomfort.

He hadn’t always had a vampire’s weakness to sunlight. It was worse than he remembered. Quick strides, unnaturally fast, let him cross the mountain to the forests below. To his shame, Silas’s other form had been lost to him when he’d turned into a vampire.

The forest provided a number of options. Rabbits, deer, plump birds that were too slow in flying away. Among his treasures was an enchanted cold box he could store the food in, so it wouldn’t go to waste. He wasn’t sure what his mate favored, but he’d provide options and learn her favorites. He looked forward to learning everything about her.

Even in just a day, she’d captivated him. The moment when he’d sensed her on his mountain, he’d grown curious. When she slipped and hit her head, he felt something that he’d thought he’d long since evolved beyond: fear.

And after staying at her bedside for two days, waiting for her to awaken—when she finally had, she hadn’t hesitated to attack him. Such things could be forgiven, since she didn’t know she belonged to him. It heartened Silas at the time to see his female hale and hearty, hair wild with red strands as she tried to paint her knife the same color with his blood.

Being that she was his mate, his twin flame, that also meant she was the one creature that could harm him. Even if he’d lost his other form, the other traits of his species remained.

A need to provide for his female. To keep her safe. To win her affections.

Silas wasn’t practiced in seduction, but for her, he’d learn. Eagerly.

He returned to the Cliffs, using his fine velvet cape as a tarp to haul several hundred pounds of animal meat. The kills had been quick and painless. The journey back, slowed down by the weight as he trudged through the sun, was not.

It would be worth it. Seeing her cared for would be worth it.

He returned directly, following the path he knew well on quiet feet. Esmae’s voice echoed through the cavern, catching his attention. Who is she talking to?

“What else do you know about the vampire?” she asked.

Who dares talk to my mate?

His strides grew longer until he was nearly running there. But the only answer he heard in response was a series of whimpers. More food for my female to eat.

Esmae jerked back from the spot in the cavern she’d wandered to when Silas returned. She held an animal of some kind in her hands. A creature that should’ve known better than to intrude on his territory.

On reflex, he bared his teeth at the animal.

---