Adam Read online

  “It was,” she admitted.

  “You’re a true warrior.” She cried out when he began to kiss every one of her war wounds in turn. He spent extra attention on the most painful of her scars.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

  “Because I want to.”

  His lips moved to her nipple and she gazed down as his tongue wetted the aching bud. It was a simple flick that had her crying out and cupping his head. A pool of heat swirled in her middle.

  “So sensitive.”

  No man had ever touched her in such an intimate embrace. It was forbidden in her world to allow such contact. Only properly mated and married couples could partake in such activities. And even then they were only allowed in order to produce more offspring.

  “You’re so tasty,” he groaned before moving to her other breast.

  With his moans and growls Poppy forgot about the pain and the scars on her body. She truly believed he saw her as desirable.

  His hands bunched up her skirts and in the next second his hands were seeking her wet heat. Poppy tensed, pulling away.

  “No,” she cried out, turning away from him and fumbling to do her dress up.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked. He stood close behind her.

  “I don’t want that.” Yes, I do but I’m not allowed.

  “I’m sorry. I only wanted to give you pleasure.” He cupped her shoulders and brought her back against him. It would be so easy to accept him and forget about her calling. But she couldn’t do it. Not yet.

  “Why? Why would you do it?”

  “I don’t know. All I know is in my gut all I want to do is be with you,” he said.

  “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “How can a world with werewolves, vampires, witches and necromancers make any sense?”

  She found no counter-argument.

  “We should wait until tomorrow at nightfall before we approach Robert about leaving to complete our mission. I think it would be best if we rested and then moved out after a good night’s sleep.”

  Poppy agreed then waited until she heard the click of the door before she collapsed in a heap on the floor. She wanted more than anything to call him back, but she couldn’t do it. The curse of a necromancer—they must always remain pure and untouched. Her heart bled at the useless emotion filling her chest. To want him and to know she could never have him hurt her more than anything.

  She glanced at her reflection. The woman from her dream sat in the same position on the other side.

  “You know what you have to do,” her reflection said to her.

  Poppy let the tears fall. She knew the Valentines, and what was being asked of her was too much. She couldn’t do it, but to not do as she’d been told… What was the punishment in that?

  She was beginning to have feelings for Adam. Not just lust but the all-consuming kind of feelings. Closing her eyes, she knew how close she’d come to letting him take her. To letting Adam have her body.

  Would it be so bad to say screw it to a destiny she wanted no part of?

  For the second time that day, Adam shut the door behind him. He cursed his need to be near her. By seeing her without the cloak, he’d hoped to dispel the need to be with her. As each part of her flesh had been uncovered, the need to have her had only increased inside him. His cock, hard and erect, pulsed inside his jeans and all he wanted to do was charge back in there, throw her to the bed and fuck her until she wanted him with the same intensity he wanted her.

  “I see you’re still alive,” Jason joked, coming up from his seat at the step.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked. He stood guard outside her door, not wanting his younger brother to hurt her.

  “You’re so quick to defend her. All of you are. A necromancer comes here and you all trust her as if she’s a long lost sister.”

  “I don’t view her like that,” Adam said.

  “No. You want to get into her pants.”

  Adam closed his eyes. The instinct to draw his weapon—he kept a small hunting knife on him at all times—and strike his brother down was strong. “I suggest, little brother, that when this battle is done and the war is over you take yourself and leave this place.”

  “Are you threatening me? Choosing a woman, a mere necromancer, over your own flesh and blood?”

  “Our father taught us to be fair and to treat others with the same common courtesy we expect for ourselves. You slight him every time you think and say a bad word against Poppy. As of right now, I no longer consider you a brother and I suggest for the time being you stay away from me. I won’t be held responsible for my actions,” Adam warned him.

  Chapter Five

  Somewhere in limbo

  “No, no, no, no!” Tara screamed, throwing her hair brush over the other side of the room. The small object hit Limbo squarely in the chest and bounced off again.

  “Trouble in paradise?” her enemy asked.

  Tara composed herself as she glanced back at the mirror and changed the image.

  “None of your business is here, Limbo. I suggest you leave this place,” Tara said. She got up from her seat to retrieve her brush.

  “You’re so determined to save them,” he said in a mocking tone.

  “Some people have the right to be saved.” She leant down and grabbed her brush off the floor. Limbo reached out and took her by the arm, bringing her against his chest.

  “You know, I can think of other things to do with our time together.” He rubbed his crotch against her ass.

  “You’re supposed to be a man of your word. You should not be pawing at me,” she said.

  “Last time I checked we were in limbo. It suits my name and the fact that we only deal with allowing people into the heavens and down to Earth.”

  Tara struggled in his hold, but Limbo was still stronger than her.

  “And you, my little princess, are a fallen angel. You pissed the big man off one too many times.” He caressed her cheek and Tara had to contain the shudder and flinch she so wanted to let out.

  “Yes, Limbo. You should remember I may be doing my sentence here for eternity, but my gateway is the one to heaven. I allow those deserving through the doors, but you… You deal with hell and all the brutes it deserves.” She kicked out at him and he released her. “Remember to keep your filthy hands off his subjects. You don’t deserve us.”

  His rage rolled off him in waves and Tara wondered if she’d gone too far.

  “One of these days you’re going to fail and fall and I’m going to be the only one there to protect you. You’ll beg me for my attentions then.”

  “Until that day comes, I think it would best for you to stay away and out of my business.”

  He growled but left her chambers seconds later. When she was sure he’d gone, Tara went back to her mirror and brought up the Valentines again.

  They were really fucking it up. She couldn’t help them again. It would be certain death for her to do that. Limbo only stayed back because he feared her status with the main man. The Devil and God had an understanding—limbo would be a place of neutral territory. Limbo would fuck it up if he could.

  Jason was the Valentines’ weakest link. He allowed the anger and rage of his beast to take control.

  She zoomed in on Poppy. The young necromancer didn’t have the first clue about what she would be giving up if she accepted her birthright. Sometimes people didn’t know or understand the true power they had over their lives.

  Tara blanked out the image, not wanting to interfere too much. She’d told Katie she’d help out when she was able. Bringing Katie back from the dead, after the balancing forces of nature had been restored, had put her out of favour with so many high-ranking orders. Her gift of helping had been put on hold. The orders had been to watch and place the people who’d served their time on the path to heaven. She was not supposed to mess with the living.

  She didn’t know what was kicking off on her side. The heavens were in turmoil—she felt it growing wo
rse every day she stayed in limbo. She only knew it was becoming a catalyst for the unlikely souls down below.

  Shaking her head against the uselessness of her situation, she went back to brushing her hair.

  * * * *

  The following night Poppy met Adam on the stairwell for breakfast. His hair was wet from the shower. He gave her his arm like a true gentleman. Smiling, Poppy accepted him and hoped he wouldn’t bring up their time together from the previous night.

  “We’ll be having breakfast this morning. I’ll bring it up then,” he said.

  Poppy rubbed her scar and nodded. The sooner they got to the alpha, the easier her life would be.

  The rest of the Valentines were already seated and the human servants were dishing out some pancakes.

  Witnessing the Valentines together as a family hurt her as well. She would never have anything like this. Before she’d met Adam, she’d adapted to her role and a life where she would be forever on her own. Watching how to be part of a family was making her see what she was giving up. Would leaving behind her necromancer role be truly terrible?

  A sharp pain speared her chest and she paused.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Poppy nodded, but she had her answer. All she wanted to do was sob at her predicament.

  Adam helped her into her seat and moved to sit in his own chair. She missed his presence even though he only sat a few chairs away. The cloak she wore helped to provide comfort for her against the two beauties she sat between. She always felt inferior when surrounded by beautiful people.

  Two pancakes were placed in front of her and she declined the offer of syrup. She didn’t like sweet foods at the best of times. Rather than send the pancakes back, she took a small bite and chewed. It tasted floury, sweet and buttery, and her stomach twisted. Would they hate her if she ran to the bathroom and puked?

  “I think it’s time Poppy and I went on our little quest.” Adam broached the subject as soon as everyone had started eating. Poppy quietly listened to their ensuing conversation.

  “We discussed this,” Robert said as if it answered all questions.

  “No. Staying here and hiding out is essentially what we’re doing. Are you afraid?” Adam asked.

  A growl emitted from the head of the table. Sophie, who sat next to her mate, placed a hand on top of his. “Study. Now,” Robert ordered.

  Adam, Jason, Don and Robert left the table. William stayed sitting, playing with Katie’s hair. “Now, William.”

  Poppy watched the crazy brother sigh, kiss his beloved and leave the table. The women were the only ones left.

  “I’ll be pleased when this war has finished,” Mary whispered, watching the men disappear.

  “This has been a long time coming, Mother,” Dawn said.

  “It doesn’t make it any less unpleasant.”

  Poppy neither agreed nor disagreed. Any type of war and battle made her feel sick to her stomach. For so long she’d had to deal with the ramifications of others and she was growing tired of it.

  “What time is it?” Rose asked. There was a cheerful note to her voice.

  “A little after seven, dear.”

  “Oh. I’ve got to go.” The youngest sister jumped up from her seat, departing the room in a hurry.

  “I say, that girl has been acting strangely.”

  Poppy excused herself. Being in the same room as the vampire women never felt natural to her. For far too long she’d been on her own with no family of her own. When she was with the Valentines, it brought home how pathetic her existence was.

  She stood outside the study waiting. Her excellent hearing helped her follow their conversation.

  “I told you. No one is leaving this house. We’re too easy to catch one by one,” Robert said.

  She understood his fear. Losing a parent was horrible, but knowing a sibling younger than you could be answering death’s knock was even more so.

  “We’ve got to stop James and the pack. They’ve gone too far. Killing Dad and attacking us whenever they can—this is too much. Poppy survived the wolf attack but would Sophie?”

  A growl released out of the room. Poppy knew she would be in for a long wait. She pulled up a chair and sat.

  “Don’t bring her into this,” Robert said with a warning.

  “If we stay here, we die. It’s as simple as that. Poppy can help us find the alpha. You don’t know who he is. No one does—”

  “Son, I understand your need to get this job done, but if we don’t plan for it, we’ll be sorry.” Don—the eldest vampire in the room—interrupted the conversation.

  “Look where planning has got us before. This is not about jeopardising all of you. This is about finding the answer to an important question. James has proven how deadly he intends to be. What are we going to do? Sit around until he takes our women or butchers us in our sleep?”

  “And you’re putting all your faith in a necromancer?”

  Poppy had wondered how long it would be before little brother said his two pence worth.

  “Don’t get me started with you…”

  Something flashed by Poppy’s side, causing her to jump out of her seat. The air around became still and silent.

  Tara stood, her hands locked together, and the fear etched on her face.

  “What are you—?”

  “Shut up. I don’t have much time. They probably know I’m already gone and I’ve fucked the deal or what-not up. Anyway, I need to see you. You know you can make a choice, right?”

  Poppy glanced around. Was she hallucinating?

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Okay. Why is an angel from limbo trying to help me?”

  “Because I’ve put my trust and faith in this world and I feel it in my gut that something bad is about to happen. You’re the only living necromancer left and someone is constantly trying to stop me from helping you or the Valentines.”

  Poppy tried to absorb everything the angel was saying. “I don’t understand.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” she shouted. Tara raised her head, crossed herself and stared back at her. “You’re older than anyone. I watched your sacrifice and the way you fought your destiny. You never wanted to be what you are. You’re the only living necromancer and for the first time you’re experiencing love and life and you don’t want to part with it. Everyone says you have to make a choice, whether to accept your fate and live how others wanted or to say fuck it. Do what you want and live the way you want. It’s your choice, Poppy.”

  “But my family? My species?”

  “You’re starting to sound like some government documentary. You’re in control of your own fate. No one else has the right to tell you what to do.” Tara looked up to the sky and cursed. “I’ve got to go now, but please, when the time comes, think about what I’ve said. Imagine a life where you could be with Adam Valentine forever.”

  “He doesn’t want—”

  “I think we both know Adam wants you. He just isn’t sure if he wants you because he’s in love with you or because you’re the first person he’s ever feared. He’s a weird little vampire.” Tara smiled at her then vanished from sight.

  The noise started up again in the study. Poppy didn’t bother to listen but tried instead to digest all that the angel had said.

  Choices. That was what it all came down to. Making one decision that would change the rest of her life.

  She’d had a long life, but what would it be like to forever travel the world alone?

  Standing up, she placed the chair back and paced. Poppy began to think about a world where she wouldn’t have to answer the call of the dead. What would it be like to pass a cemetery and not see the evidence of the lives lost?

  Her thought processes were cut short when the door opened and out came the men except for Adam.

  Robert and William stood before her.

  “We know how powerful you are. We’ve seen what you can do and I guess there is more where it came from. Find the alpha and everythin
g else you can and keep our brother safe,” Robert said, placing a palm on her shoulder. “You have our faith to bring him back in one piece.”

  Poppy nodded and moved round him to where Adam stood in the centre of the study.

  “I take it you weren’t eating pancakes?”

  “I don’t like them and I thought it best to listen in case they decided against it.”

  Adam nodded and she wondered what he truly thought or even felt for her.

  “They’re against it. They think it’s a waste of time—the business with the angels and everything else.”

  “Angels?”

  “Yeah, they don’t think it’s as important as the angel says it is.”

  “What do you think?” she asked.

  “I think it’s important enough to mean something to the pack. So I’m ready when you are.”

  Poppy approached him. “You do know we’re not going on a conventional ride here?”

  “Just take me where you need us to be.”

  “Close your eyes and give me your hand.”

  He didn’t hesitate. Adam offered his hand. He trusted her.

  Poppy took his hand then opened the portal to her own world where her other half lived. She sucked them both into the vortex. Adam fought for the first few seconds. Poppy held him as he accustomed himself to the place in between—a place washed in grey with nothing but the dead to keep you company. This was her world. No emotion and no love.

  Welcome home.

  Chapter Six

  Rose rushed out of the house, keeping in mind to grab a coat before she did. Winter was fast upon them and the bitterly cold nights were drawing near.

  With a speed she hadn’t thought she possessed, she ran all the way to the local cinema. She had no choice but to use her speed to get places.

  Robert Valentine Senior had been a hard father at times. She loved him—after all, she’d been expected to. Out of all of their children, she’d been the only one forced to remain at home. The others went to school and did normal activities that other vampires their age had done before full maturity.

  Robert had matured around the age of thirty, as had William and her other two brothers. Her sister had matured at twenty-eight, while she’d matured on her twenty-first birthday. The youngest known matured vampire. Father had been strict with her. No friends—she’d had to stay and learn at home. Nothing was fun and when he was there, she found herself spending more time in her bedroom or in the kitchen with Cook.