Page 2 of The Vampire's Bride

She is wise to be cautious. Only a fool would readily invite a Vampire into their home.

It is a myth that my kind need an invitation, but I wait all the same. I could enter anytime I want, but the humans do not know this. It is a closely guarded secret among my people. We encourage the lie to give the mortals the illusion of control and safety. It is essential in keeping the peace between us, discouraging the masses from hunting us down while we sleep during the day.

She clutches the silver cross that hangs from the delicate chain around her neck, and then steps aside as fragile hope overrides her fear.

“I invite you in, Lord Greyvale.” Her voice trembles. “I am Lady Anne Casterly. Thank you for coming on such short notice. The blood witch promised you would come, but I dared nothope. If you will follow me, I will take you to my daughter, Juliet. We must hurry. The healer says she does not have long.”

Although we’ve only just met, I already pity this woman. I wonder what she promised the witch in return for my services. Talindra never makes a bargain that is not heavily weighted in her favor.

She leads me down a narrow hallway, lined with portraits of her family. One in particular draws my attention. It is of Lady Anne and a young woman that must be her daughter.

She has long, blonde hair, rosy cheeks, full-pink lips, and green eyes like her mother. Her smile is as warm as the sun that I have missed for over fifty years.

Lady Anne stops in front of a door and quickly pushes it open. Three men and the healer turn to me with anxious looks.

Two, I recognize from the portraits as Lady Anne’s husband and her son. The other is young, probably no more than twenty-five, with short, messy light-brown locks and bloodshot, pale blue eyes.

“Why ishehere?” The young man jumps up from his seat. I’m surprised by his bravery as he stalks toward me. It is rare for mortals to approach one of my kind so aggressively. “You shouldn’t be here,” he grinds out. “We don’t need you.”

“Easy, lad.” The healer puts a hand on his chest, holding him back. “I know you mean well, but Juliet is dying. Your betrothed is beyond the help of any medicine a healer can provide.”

Betrothed?My eyes snap to the younger man again. No wonder he is so upset. If her family accepts my bargain, I will take her from him this night.

“Can you save her?” The healer’s voice draws my attention back to him.

He gestures to the bed, and I step closer. My lips part unconsciously, but I quickly snap them shut. I have seen many terrible things in my time, butthisI was not prepared for.

Juliet—the beautiful, smiling woman from the portrait in the hallway—is almost unrecognizable, lying unconscious in her bed. She has been beaten. Badly. Only the slight rise and fall of her chest tells me that she still lives. Although I suspect for not much longer—unless I give her the dark gift of my blood.

I curl my hands into fists at my sides. “Who did this to her?” If they are not already dead, I will make sure they do not live to see another sunrise.

I dart a glance at Juliet’s betrothed, noting the cuts and bruises on his knuckles.

As if reading my thoughts, the healer steps between us. “We don’t know who did this to the girl,” he answers quickly. “Her fiancé, Jonathan, is a good lad. I’ve known him all his life.” He gestures to the boy’s hands. “He got into a fight with the authorities when they told us they have no suspects or leads. Juliet was found outside Brimley Manor three nights ago, at their daughter Lucy’s wedding reception.”

“Lucy Brimley is her best friend.” Lady Anne sniffles. “She was so happy for her and James. No one remembers seeing her leave the ballroom.” Gently, she takes her daughter’s hand and lifts her gaze to me. “Perhaps, when Juliet is… better, she may be able to tell us who did this.”

“Perhaps,” I offer. “If she remembers anything, I will send word.”

“You’re really going to do this?” Jonathan glares accusingly at Juliet’s family and the healer. “You’re going to give her over to this”—he gestures angrily at me—“this monster!”

“It’s the only way to save her,” the healer snaps. “Can you not see that, lad?”

“You’re not saving her, you’re damning her! She—”

“Enough!” Juliet’s brother bellows. “The healer is right. We’ve tried everything. We have no choice.”

Tears stream down her brother’s face as he looks at me. “Do you swear to be good to her? To treat her well and make her happy?”

“She will live, and she will be well-provided for.” It is the best I can offer him for I am not sure happiness can be found with my curse.

If I cannot convince her to love me before the last petal falls, she will be doomed like the others before her.

“If you hurt her,” Jonathan grits through his teeth. “I’ll—”

“She is to be mywife,” I state firmly. “I will not harm her.”

“What happens now?” her mother interrupts. “How does this work?”

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