Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 17 - The shining new toy.

 This is the official book cover.

Darina's POV

“Come with me it’s inside the garage.”

I said after we crossed the courtyard and entered one of the castle gardens. The rain slid into a soggy pre midnight that curled a smoky fog over the ground. But if his eye sight was as good as mine he could see all the bloom at night flowers I had servants grow in the garden, especially beautiful egg yellow Primrose blossoms that surround the main fountain.No need to plant daylight flowers around a vampire castle, and it could attract more stray tourists who followed their noses more often than their maps.

It’s not like my guards didn't enjoy the rare occasions where they had to spook away the curious teenagers and off the road tourists. And the local legend about a cruel viscount who owned this place and ruled the area good eight hundred ago that still haunts and steals the souls of the intruders kept the locals away.

My lips were still heated by the passionate kiss we shared few minutes ago and I notice him staring at mine once or twice, making me want to feel his lips once more on mine . But somethings, especially the first time they’re tasted, the better savored than gulped.

We waded through the river of fog over the courtyard towards a side entrance of the garage. And inside it was Kieran’s flashy new gift with a massive blue ribbon covering its hood.

“You got to be kidding me. A veyron, oh baby” I heard him mutter behind me. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself from running his hands over it. The coal black veyron shimmered in the distant torch light promising its speed and strength of the powerful engine. It took Kieran sometime to slid back  in to his indifferent old self.

“Are you trying to buy me vampire.” He said in a smug voice.”If it is so, I can promise you, a zillion dollar car won’t be enough to  make me fall for my sworn enemy, And especially not when that same vampire is the prime suspect for my mother and sister’s murder.”  He said the last part like he remembered it out of a sudden.

“I’m a woman who keeps her promises with my life, Kieran. I stayed away from your family and everyone you ever knew just as I promised. In fact, I saved your father’s sorry ass few times, though he never thanked me for it. How did you think he survived this long as the most successful vampire hunter when his name was on very  top of The mystic circle’s hit list?”

He stared at me with a curiosity that suits a scientist when he heard the word mystic circle slip through my mouth. It’s not every day that a vampire hunter gets to hear that word. Not from a vampire that is. Mystic circle was the core, the very center the foundation of the mystical society that runs by the aristocracy of all supernatural beings. Not just vampires.

“But if it wasn’t you, then who?”He said raking a hand through his dark wine colored hair that ought to make auburn highlights under the flaming sun, pity I would never get to observe it myself. . He looked genuinely worried. But something about his expression told me that he never quite believed it was me that killed his family. The mere idea of hurting him that way revolted my belly. 

“The noblest vengeance is to forgive. If you are looking for blood price that’s NOT something I can help you with. But I'll help you find who did it."

“I never thought I’d say this to a vamp. Thank you! But don’t let that get in to your head. I’m yet only, halfway towards your camp.”

“I never celebrated my birthday since that day, you know. This is the best birthday gift I have ever had. And I’m going to keep this car even if you are trying to bribe me to stay here with it.” A small grin escaped from his firm lips making me feel light-headed again. He opened the driver’s side door of the car and took a good look at the interior of the luxurious car.