Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series)

10



LIZ





Liz’s belly rumbled in response to the delicious scent of pizza. Opening the box, her eyes feasted on a pie covered with melted cheese, sausage and caramelized onions. Not having eaten since the plane, she was thankful Braden thought to order something for her.

“How did you know these were my favorite toppings?” she asked while nibbling on a round piece of meat.

“When I used to eat cooked food, it was my favorite,” he replied with an easy smile. “It was a guess.”

Liz glanced around the room. It didn’t appear Braden ordered anything for himself. She watched him closely, noticing the subtle tension behind his expression. She hoped he felt okay.

Maybe he’s hungry?

For a brief second Liz questioned if he was safe to be alone with, but dismissed the thought as soon as it entered her mind. Braden could be dangerous, but there was a part of her that inherently knew she was safe.

“So, you said you don’t eat foods that have been cooked. Is there something we can get you to eat tonight other than blood?” She tried sounding practical and unfazed by his dietary needs, but the words felt funny as they passed her lips.

Braden turned his sultry blue eyes on her and just smiled without saying anything. She couldn’t help but flush under his gaze. Warmth spread through her, sending little tingles down her spine.

“They might have some trail mix outside in the vending machine or something,” she mumbled.





“I’m not hungry,” he replied, still watching her.

She bit into her pizza. The oozing cheese had lost its appeal, but she needed to stop noticing how attractive Braden was in his distressed jeans and Abercrombie tee shirt. It was funny how the more time she spent with him, the more desirable she found him. He wasn’t even her type.

I can admire him just for tonight, but tomorrow, back to business.

“So, what do you do when you’re not chasing werewolves?” she asked, opening her can of Mt. Dew. “Does your family hang out with other damphyrs?”

“We try to stay under the radar. The only other damphyrs are our elders in Eire.” Braden sat as still as a statue in the chair, but his impassioned stare left her unnerved.

Liz shook her head, trying to understand. “So your ancestors are the only family of half-vampires, ever?”

“There was once a good sized family of them in Southeastern Europe who had settlements mostly in Greece and Turkey.” He stared at her mouth as she carefully chewed. “My relations made contact with them – but they were hunted down to extinction over two hundred years ago. Their origin was a bit different than our own, but essentially we were the same. They didn’t drink from humans either.”

Liz couldn’t help but detect the note of sadness in his voice. What was it like to be so different?

She thought of her own life, being abandoned by her mother and sent away by her father. She never felt like she was a part of the typical nuclear family with a mom, dad and 2.5 children. Instead, she struggled to play catch up with her friends who had parents and siblings, even a childhood home. She pretended to relate to those things, but never did. Perhaps as a damphyr, Braden had to do the same thing.

Make believe.

“What about you?” he asked, lifting himself from the chair. “Lexie said you live with your aunt. Is she nice?” Braden wandered around the room. He picked up a travel brochure displayed on the TV cabinet, glanced at it briefly, and then placed it back on the stand.

“Aunt Bev is okay.” Liz closed up the pizza box. “She puts up with me anyway. She never wanted to have children, especially a gangly adolescent, but the Captain decided she was better suited to handle me since she had ovaries and everything.”

“Why do you call your father Captain?” Braden asked.

“It started out as a joke. He’s a Navy man, so his men always called him Captain,” Liz explained, placing the greasy box on the small table by the window. “It was hard to get his attention, so one day when I was ten, I thought I would call him by his title and see what happened. But, he didn’t even notice. That’s when I stopped calling him Dad.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You deserve better than that.”

Liz wanted to shake it off and pretend it didn’t matter. She usually masked her hurt feelings regarding her only parental, but for the first time, decided not to. Instead she just smiled at Braden without saying more. His words were sweet and it was nice to know he meant them. Some people will say things because they pity you, but she could tell he cared.

Liz sat back down on the bed. Although it was midafternoon in Vancouver, because of the time difference and her early morning, it felt like late evening. Pulling the covers back, she slipped in between the cool sheets. Perhaps they could watch a movie or nap for a while before going out for some fun.

When will Braden make the call to get Ruby’s cure?

Maybe he already did and planned on stopping for it before they headed back to the airport?

Liz curled onto her side so she could face Braden’s chair. Her thoughts froze for a moment as she watched him slip his tee shirt off over his head. She couldn’t help but dip her eyes from his muscular chest, right down to his narrow waist where his jeans sat on his hips.

Checking him out, she admired his six pack abs, but even more surprising was the tattoo he had on his left shoulder. It was some kind of integrated tribal swirl. Raising her eyebrows in approval, it appeared the preppy damphyr had a badass side to him that she didn’t recognize at first.

Her eyes traveled back up until she found his strong jaw line and flawless mouth. She would enjoy kissing him, just once, to see what it was like.

When Braden touched her on the plane, he made her skin sizzle. Because of being choosy, she didn’t have much experience with boys, but there was something about the tall blonde that left her considering the possibility of being with him.

Catching her stare, Braden’s eyes flashed before melting into hers. She smiled coyly. There was no use in pretending she wasn’t staring, she was just thankful she didn’t drool.

Liz rolled over onto her other side, so the damphyr could no longer tempt her. Her insides heated when he looked at her like that, leaving her confused with a mixture of longing and recklessness.

Liz wasn’t sure why she responded to him the way she did, but she knew he definitely left her mystified. Braden was inciting, but she had to get a grip. The two of them had work to do and she just didn’t swoon over boys.

Guys are best at a distance. They can’t hurt you that way.

As she looked at the empty space in the bed beside her, she considered asking him if he wanted to at least stretch out. They were both mature and could share a bed without physical contact. Even if he didn’t sleep, his body must require some form of rest.

She placed her hand out across the bare space, searching for the courage to open herself up to him for one night. But, instead, closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.

If she fell for him, she would end up hurt. For one night, she could dream of asking for more, but that was all. She wouldn’t allow herself the comfort of Braden’s nearness or his touch. Liz had been down that road and knew where it led.

To pain and disappointment…

Listening to the sound of her own breathing, her eyes grew heavy. She wanted to doze for a short while, just long enough to rejuvenate and tackle a level of self-composure.

Unsure how long she slept when a quick rap sounded at the door, Liz opened her eyes. The room’s darkness surprised her.

How late is it?

Glancing where Braden was last propped in the corner; the vinyl chair sat empty. Her mind flashed through different possibilities until settling on him stepping out while she slept to get Ruby’s cure

…or a bite to eat.

After another knock, she dragged her fingers through her hair and padded across the greasy carpet to unlock the door.

“Don’t you have a key card?” Liz teased, swinging the heavy door open. But, it wasn’t Braden.

Standing before her, was the most attractive guy she had ever seen. With wavy, jaw length, chestnut hair and a dazzling smile – Liz was dazed by his presence. Never had she seen such an exquisite face.

Smiling down at her, his bewildered expression mirrored her own. “Hi... Is Braden here?”

Liz found it difficult not to stare. Searching for her ability to speak, she waved at the empty room behind her. “He stepped out for a bit, but should be right back.” Her words sounded airy and simple, like she was a young girl feeling star struck.

Mr. tall and dazzling was about 5’10 and lean – her eyes followed the movement of his, from his sweeping gaze to the casual way his body filled the doorway.

“I’m Riley and this is my friend, Strix,” he motioned to the small man standing just behind him. “Braden asked us to meet him here.”

Liz glanced at Strix. The older man had a plane round face, but a friendly smile. His dark brown eyes peaked out from wisps of greyish brown hair. In his tweed jacket, he looked like a university professor or a librarian. Perhaps he carried the knowledge of Ruby’s predicament and just how to fix her.

Braden made the call. They’re really here.

Relief pulsed through her. She would be able to bring the antidote back first thing in the morning.

Silently, Liz chastised herself for doubting him. Braden continued to prove that he was worthy of trust. After all, Ruby wasn’t his responsibility, yet he was willing to travel to Vancouver to help her. Although Liz didn’t like to let down her guard, she had to stop second guessing him.

“You are welcome to come in while you wait. I have some left over pizza if you’re hungry, it’s probably cold now but it was tasty.”

Riley stepped into the room, his eyes never leaving her. “We’ll be dining later, but thank you for the invitation.”

Liz stepped aside for them to pass. Strix sat in the chair at the table while Riley leaned against the dresser. His indigo eyes scanned the room before settling on the unmade bed. “Are you and Braden a couple?”

Liz could feel her cheeks flush, a characteristic she had always hated. “We’re friends,” she said simply.

That’s awful personal considering we just met.

Although Riley was stunning to look at, Liz felt suddenly protective of Braden. The insinuation left her feeling uncomfortable, like Riley might be quick to judge Braden. Perhaps letting two men she didn’t know into her motel room wasn’t the best way to start trusting people.

Hoping Braden would hurry along from wherever he went, Liz tried smiling casually. She wondered if they wanted something in exchange for the cure, perhaps he needed to get cash from the ATM.

Unsure how to make small talk, Liz studied the two strangers. There was a certain otherness about them, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. She would have guessed they were damphyrs like Braden, but he said that his coven were the only half-vampires left.

Maybe they’re werewolves?

They seemed friendly enough, but looking down at her bare legs and tee shirt, she suddenly felt vulnerable. It was strange how life seemed more manageable with appropriate footwear.

“You can watch TV if you want. I just need to get changed.” Heading to the back of the room where Braden left her suitcase sitting on the stand, she ruffled through her things. The men weren’t even talking amongst themselves, making the situation even more weird. Grabbing jeans, a tank top and her worn hoodie, Liz ducked into the bathroom. The jerk at the airport had left her confidence shaken. She wanted to be ready for anything, even if it was just running to Taco Bell for Braden’s acquaintances.

Or running, period…

After dressing, she glanced at her reflection in the small oval mirror hanging above the sink. Her hair was wavy but tamable without the use of the flatiron she left at home. Hazel eyes stared back at her; the circles underneath were a bit puffy from a lack of sleep. Fishing through her cosmetic bag, she thought to apply a little mascara and her custom eyeliner in hopes of bolstering enough confidence to go back out and sit with them. Having yet to decide whether or not she liked them, she still wanted to look like she had her crap together.

Riley was striking and Strix seemed like a quiet older man, but something nudged at her consciousness and she wanted Braden to return. After double checking her appearance, she opened the door and hoped she wouldn’t have to practice her self-defense moves again.

As she stepped around the corner, she was about to offer them a can of soda when the two men sprang to their feet. A crash followed as Braden burst through the motel room door, leaving the frame in ruins.

With a blur of movement, Braden barreled forward, placing his large body between her and the visitors. The little hairs on the back of Liz’s neck stood up as she stared from Braden’s white eyes and extended fangs to Riley’s contorted features. Strix flanked his side; the man no longer appearing scholarly, but poised to attack.

Instead of the silvery white of Braden’s eyes – the two men’s irises were a fathomless black. Their jaws contained rows of sharp teeth and the shade of their skin had paled.

Liz’s stomach tensed in fear as she finally recognized the strangeness of the two men.

They’re vampires.

“Hello brother,” Riley crowed, a twisted satisfaction formed across his face. Darkness replaced his beauty.

Brother?

Fear darted through her. Liz placed her hand on the damphyr’s shoulder, his muscles rippled with tension beneath her fingers. She didn’t know what would happen, but could fight beside him.

Grasping at her stored knowledge, she tried to anticipate her first move. Disarming an assailant was one thing, fighting off fangs was another. What did she know about vampires? She didn’t have any wooden stakes or holy water on hand.

“Don’t call me that,” Braden hissed. “You shouldn’t have come here; it wasn’t a part of the deal.” His strong arm encircled Liz. As he drew her closer to his body, she realized he was protecting her from attack.

Riley dragged his hand through his rich brown hair, a mannerism in which Liz had seen Braden do a countless number of times. The familiar eyes were another thing, where Braden’s were a beautiful deep blue, Riley’s were dark like a stormy ocean. The shape was the same. Was it possible he actually was Braden’s brother?

Does the coven know this?

“Now, is that the kind of first impression you want to give your lover of me?” Riley chuckled, but his laughter wasn’t playful. His black eyes bore down on Braden, sending panic through Liz.

“We don’t want trouble,” Liz interjected, trying to change the mood of the room.

Cocking her head, she leveled her gaze at Riley. She expected they could hear her heart beating erratically, but hoped to calm them with her false bravado. “We’re here because we’re trying to save a loved one from a werewolf infection.”

Offering Braden the same placated smile, Liz turned to him, urging him to release his grip. “I didn’t realize you were going to have your acquaintances stop over, I would have been up and dressed.”

He peered down; his damphyr face was strangely appealing. “I didn’t tell them we were here.” Concern left a small V between his brows, more scared for her than himself. “I was supposed to meet them tomorrow night, after you returned home.”

Confused, Liz tried to understand what he was saying.

He was going to send me home by myself?

Liz’s face reddened. Hurt, she wanted an explanation – but now wasn’t the time.

We can’t leave without Ruby’s cure.

She glanced back to Riley and Strix; the two vampires studied her and Braden minutely. Becoming visibly calmer, at least their mouths weren’t primed to tear open any throats.

As she watched, the inky blackness of Riley’s eyes took on the navy blue of earlier. Pleasure radiated from his smug expression. He liked the terror and unease he was weaving in the room.

Liz narrowed her eyes at him. If Riley wanted to scare her off, he would have to try harder than that. She grew up with the Captain. If she could survive that bastard, she could survive anyone.