Venice Vampyr (Venice Vampyr #1)

he’d had his teeth locked into. When his piercing eyes pinned her, she saw the blood drip from his lips and run down his chin. His mouth was open, and she could clearly see the white of his fangs. Paralyzed, she stared at him.
    She’d heard stories about creatures like him but never believed any. She’d always thought they were mere fairy tales to frighten children. But what she saw in front of her now was not a fairy tale, not something she could dismiss.
    She was married to a vampire. A creature that drank blood and sucked the life out of humans.
    The moment Raphael let the man sag against the wall and came toward her, she found her strength again and ran.
    “Isabella,” he called behind her, “Stop!” The voice came closer, and she knew he was chasing her. She was glad she wore breeches, making it easier to run. She’d hidden them under the bed, knowing it would take her less time to get dressed in the dark than if she had to step into a dress. The moment Raphael had left her chamber, she’d jumped out of bed and gotten ready to follow him.
    But now, she almost wished she’d caught him with a mistress instead. It would be easier to deal with—and safer.
    Her thighs burned as she continued to flee even though she knew she could never outrun him. The sound of his boots on the cobblestone street closed in on her. Her lungs stinging, she pushed herself harder and ran faster than she ever had.
    “Isabella, please!” Then his hand gripped the collar of her coat and pulled her back.
    “No!” She slipped on the wet stone and would have fallen had Raphael not pulled her against his chest and imprisoned her within his arms. Like chains, they closed around her, cutting off any movement of her upper body. But she still had her legs. She kicked them back, trying to make him loosen his grip on her, but to no avail.
    “Stop struggling, Isabella. I would never hurt you. Please trust me.”
    “No, let me go, you monster!”
    His mouth was at her ear, his breath caressing her neck, when he answered her. His voice was low and soothing. “I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but I’m not a monster. I’m still the man who loves you.”
    Tears threatened to burst to the surface, but she forced them back. “No. Let me go. Please let me go.”
    She felt him shake his head behind her. “Never, my angel.”
    Then Raphael started moving, carrying her in front of him. Renewed panic gripped her. He’d take her to a dark place and then drain her of her blood. She kicked her legs back again, hitting his shins. “No! Where are you taking me?”
    “Stop struggling, it’s no use. We’re going home.”
    But the direction he took wasn’t where her house lay. “You’re lying. Home is the other way.”
    “My home,” he corrected and slid his lips against her cheek. A shiver ran down her body, and she didn’t know whether it was caused by fear or was merely her body’s usual reaction to his touch.
    Isabella gave up her struggle against him, knowing it was useless. He was bigger and infinitely stronger than she. It was better to preserve her strength so she could attempt an escape later.
    Now some things made sense. Dante had been concerned that she would find out that Raphael was a vampire. And his nightly absences? Clearly he’d been out to attack people and feed on their blood. And she would be next, now that she’d uncovered his secret and he wouldn’t have to hide it from her anymore. Would it hurt? How long would it take until he’d drained her? Would he toss her lifeless body into one of the canals?
    Isabella shuddered at the ugly thoughts. She’d married a stranger to save her reputation, and now she would lose her life because of it. Was this the punishment she would receive for the days and nights of unbridled pleasures she’d indulged in with Raphael? Would she have to pay for her sins in this world, and not the next?
    Just remembering the things she’d allowed him to do to her made her shiver. All the forbidden pleasures he’d unleashed, the way he’d ravished her—and she’d loved every debauched second of it, had even asked for more, dared him to go further. She’d allowed him to use her body as only a whore would, yet it had given her more pleasure than she’d ever known existed.
    “We’re here.” Raphael pushed a door open and carried her inside. The light was dim, only a few wall sconces illuminating the hallway, but she recognized it nevertheless. They were back at his home, his