A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

it seriously. I’d been stupid not to put two and two
together, and admit that Aidan needed blood to survive. Maybe he dressed all
contemporary, but deep inside I doubted he had also traded his blood supply for
a Bloody Mary.
    “Should I thank you for giving me a choice
to join your legions of the undead? Hollywood would’ve a field day with this
one.” I shot him a suspicious look and pulled back just a bit, ready to dash
back to the house if he so much as lifted a finger. He could say what he
wanted, but I didn’t trust him one bit. “Sorry, your food’s not for me. Nothing
beats a steak and an old fashioned cup of tea.”
    Annoyance crossed his brows. “Can you take
this seriously for one moment?”
    “Sure, as long as you promise to introduce
me to all your friends. Are there any other mythological beings or legendary
creatures from the supernatural world I should know of? Any zombies or
werewolves I should meet? Is your childhood best friend a mummy? Was your first
kiss a ghoul?”
    “Quit acting like Kieran.” He regarded me
with raised eyebrows for a second, then said, “I’m giving you a shot at
immortality here, but I want you to keep a clear head.”
    I scoffed. Was he really thinking I’d just
jump at the opportunity of becoming a raging monster crazed by the smell of
blood? “You got me all wrong here. I’m—”
    He cut me off. “Don’t fight it.” With
lightning speed he grabbed hold of my wrist and sank his fangs into the soft
flesh. It wasn’t painful, just a tiny sting that seemed surreal. For a moment,
my body recoiled at the realization what he was doing. My mind raced, searching
for ways to ward off the unexpected attack. I pushed him to free myself as a
sense of peace washed over me. His grip tightened. I closed my eyes and let myself
drift off, lulled in by an unspoken promise of peace and joy.

Chapter 20

 
    “Amber? Wake up.”
    Moaning, I pried my eyes open and peered at
Aidan’s concerned face leaning over me.
    The woods were still gloomy, but the moon peered
through the heavy clouds, casting a soft glow on the trees to my right. My
senses seemed heightened; I could see as far as the house, hear the soft
rustling of leaves, and smell the sweet, faint scent of Aidan’s skin. Was it
the bite from the Prince of Darkness or the prize that made me perceive all
those things?
    I pulled my wrist away. Aidan retrieved a tissue
from his back pocket and applied pressure on the two punctures.
    “You freaking bit me,” I said, my voice
hoarse. “You’re lucky I don’t call animal control.”
    “It was the only way to let you see.”
    “Pull a stunt like this again, Aidan, and I’ll
kick you where it counts.”
    “I’m truly sorry.”
    I nudged him in the arm. “You could’ve
turned all Dracula on me.”
    Aidan smiled. “Not likely. I have excellent
self-control.”
    “Said the spider to the fly.” I pushed his
hand away. “Just get away from me. Why did you bite me?”
    “I wanted to show you that I’m not a
monster. I don’t inflict pain or rip out throats.”
    I smirked. “Right.” He failed to mention he
used mind control to sedate his victims so they couldn’t fight him. Pictures
flooded my mind. For a while, I just sat there, trying to make sense of what I
saw. Aidan staring wide-eyed at a
beautiful red-haired girl clad in a brocade gown covered in blood, sitting amidst
bodies and torn limbs scattered across the floor. The same girl leaning over
Aidan, licking the ghastly gash in his throat.
    Shaking my head to get rid of the
disturbing images, I peered at Aidan. “You hooked up with a serial killer?
Seriously, Aidan, were you drunk?”
    “Never underestimate a kiss from a vampire.”
His eyes twinkled as he ran a thumb over my lips. “You, out of all people,
should understand that.”
    My cheeks burned. Our knee-weakening, mind-blowing
kiss still consumed my thoughts every second of the day. “You were drawn to
Rebecca, I get it. She was beautiful.”
    Aidan shook his head. “Beauty’s only skin
deep. Beneath Rebecca’s splendor hid a raging, psychotic, bloodthirsty monster.
She enjoyed killing.”
    I clicked my tongue. “She was the girl your
mother warned you about.”
    “I guess.” Aidan nodded and lifted my chin
to kiss my forehead. “But she couldn’t hold a candle to you.”
    I knew he must be lying, but I couldn’t
help smiling. “Thank you. It’s nice to know I’m your type.”
    “Are you B positive?”
    I laughed. “You only