A Vampire’s Kiss: A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella Read online

  A Vampire’s Kiss

  A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  A Vampire’s Kiss

  A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  Copyright 2023 Rebecca Zanetti

  ISBN: 979-8-88542-004-4

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  A Vampire’s Kiss: A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella

  By Rebecca Zanetti

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti comes a new story in her Dark Protectors/Rebels series…

  Unlike several of his brothers, Athan Maxwell accepted the curse inherent in his DNA and solved the problem a century ago by mating his one true mate and saving her life at the same time. Now they only meet up four times a year to exchange blood and keep themselves healthy because that was the deal. Yet after a hundred years, his mate has only become more beguiling and intriguing, and when he discovers a new threat on her tail, his promise of sitting back and leaving her alone goes right out of the window.

  Ivy O’Dwyer has enjoyed the last century as an immortal being, evolving from being a farmer’s daughter to the successful CEO of a farm-friendly company. Sure, life gets lonely without the chance to date, and yes, she’s grateful to her vampire mate for saving her life so long ago, and yet the dreams she has of the sexy male won’t desert her. So when he storms in to save her life, in all vampire-possessive mode, it’s difficult to stand her ground. Unfortunately, when they finally discover that living forever but alone isn’t worth it, it might be too late.

  **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

  About Rebecca Zanetti

  New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than sixty novels, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus starred reviews and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Women’s Day magazines. Her novels have also been included in Amazon best books of the year and have been favorably reviewed in both the Washington Post and the New York Times book reviews. Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest. Find Rebecca at: www.RebeccaZanetti.com

  Also From Rebecca Zanetti

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  DARK PROTECTORS

  Fated

  Claimed

  Tempted novella

  Hunted

  Consumed

  Provoked

  Twisted novella

  Shadowed

  Tamed novella

  Marked

  Teased novella

  Tricked novella

  Tangled novella

  Talen novella

  Vampire’s Faith

  Demon’s Mercy

  Alpha’s Promise

  Hero’s Haven

  Guardian’s Grace

  Immortal’s Honor

  Garrett’s Destiny

  THE LAUREL SNOW THRILLERS

  You Can Run

  You Can Hide

  You Can Die

  THE ANNA ALBERTINI FILES

  Disorderly Conduct

  Bailed Out

  Adverse Possession

  Holiday Rescue Novella

  Santa’s Subpoena

  Holiday Rogue Novella

  Tessa’s Trust

  DEEP OPS

  Hidden

  Taken novella

  Fallen

  Shaken novella

  Broken

  Driven

  Unforgiven

  REALM ENFORCERS

  Wicked Ride

  Wicked Edge

  Wicked Burn

  Wicked Kiss

  Wicked Bite

  SCORPIUS SYNDROME SERIES

  Scorpius Rising novella

  Blaze Erupting novella

  Mercury Striking

  Shadow Falling

  Justice Ascending

  Storm Gathering

  Winter Igniting

  Knight Awakening

  SIN BROTHERS

  Forgotten Sins

  Sweet Revenge

  Blind Faith

  Total Surrender

  BLOOD BROTHERS (Continuation of Sin Brothers)

  Deadly Silence

  Lethal Lies

  Twisted Truths

  MAVERICK MONTANA SERIES

  Against the Wall

  Under the Covers

  Rising Assets

  Over the Top

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  A huge thank you to Liz Berry, MJ Rose, and Jillian Stein for banding together this amazing group of authors who have become such good friends.

  Thanks also to the entire 1001 Dark Nights team: Kimberly Guidroz, Chelle Olson, Asha Hossain, Kasi Alexander, Jessica Saunders, and Chris Graham.

  Also, thanks to Anissa Beatty and the entire FB Rebecca’s Rebels Street Team for the support!

  Finally, a huge thank you to my family, Big Tone, Gabe, and Karlina for the support and laughs. I love you three.

  Discover More 1001 Dark Nights authors and their amazing stories…

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  Lara Adrian

  Dylan Allen

  Jennifer L. Armentrout

  Kristen Ashley

  Tessa Bailey

  Sawyer Bennett

  Shayla Black

  Lexi Blake

  Lauren Blakely

  K. Bromberg

  Claire Contreras

  Tina Folsom

  Melissa Foster

  Heather Graham

  Donna Grant

  Liliana Hart

  Larissa Ione

  Alexandra Ivy

  Lorelei James

  Darynda Jones

  Lisa Renee Jones

  Laura Kaye

  J. Kenner

  Corinne Michaels

  Elisabeth Naughton

  Laurelin Paige

  Carly Phillips

  Jennifer Probst

  Kristen Proby

  C.D. Reiss

  Christopher Rice

  Carrie Ann Ryan

  Kendall Ryan

  Kennedy Ryan

  Kylie Scott

  Jill Shalvis

  Gena Showalter

  Cherise Sinclair

  Susan Stoker

  Tijan

  Rachel Van Dyken

  Skye Warren

  Laura Wright

  Joanna Wylde

  Rebecca Zanetti

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  Jennifer L. Armentrout

  Kristen Ashley

  Sawyer Bennett

  Steve Berry

  Lexi Blake

  Robin Covington

  Kaylea Cross

  Jay Crownover

  Avery Flynn

  C. W. Gortner

  KL Grayson

  Cristin Harber

  Lynn Raye Harris

  Liliana Hart

  Larissa Ione

  Suzanne M. Johnson

  Laura Kaye

  J. Kenner

  Kimberly Kincaid

  Gennita Low

  Randy Susan Meyers

  Corinne Michaels

  Monica Murphy

  Carly Phillips

  Kristen Proby

  Christopher Rice

  Lucinda Riley

  M.J. Rose

  Kennedy Ryan

  Cherise Sinclair

  Susan Stoker

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  Samantha Young

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Rebecca Zanetti

  Also from Rebecca Zanetti

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Discover More 1001 Dark Nights Authors

  Discover More Blue Box Press Authors

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Ten

  Discover More Rebecca Zanetti

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

/>   Special Thanks

  One Thousand and One Dark Nights

  Once upon a time, in the future…

  I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

  I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

  the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

  library at my father’s home and collected thousands

  of volumes of fantastic tales.

  I learned all about ancient races and bygone

  times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

  people through the millennium. And the more I read

  the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

  that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

  become part of them.

  I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

  and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

  would not be telling you this tale now.

  But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

  with bravery.

  One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

  Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

  see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

  (Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

  sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

  and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,

  the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

  women.

  Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

  in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

  places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

  never occurred before and that still to this day, I

  cannot explain.

  Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

  taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

  protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

  protect herself and stay alive.

  Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

  And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

  point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

  And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

  he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

  As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

  one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

  you now.

  Prologue

  1849

  Dying was just as painful as Ivy had imagined. Her head felt three sizes too small, with a pain that pounded through her ears. She lay on the cot in the old shed, waiting for her time when she could see her mama again. She’d lived nearly twenty-two summers, which was quite a long time for a woman not to get married, but the farm was too far from any village for her to have made any friends. Her father had little use for her other than to upkeep the house and tend the few remaining animals.

  She had a gift with them. Even her father could see that, and once he’d even allowed her to visit two farms a distance away that were having problems with their livestock. She’d somehow sensed their illnesses as well as which herbs to include in their feed. The farmers had been so grateful they’d sent her home with enough material to make two dresses.

  It was too bad she couldn’t save the crops, as well.

  The famine was killing all of the small farms.

  Somehow, it was her fault he hadn’t been granted sons before her mother passed on. There was only Ivy, and when she’d caught the fever, he had brought her to a place housing the sick and left her. At least he’d bothered to cart her into the makeshift hospital where so many were dying. In fact, many of them were put out in wooden sheds, awaiting their turn to go beyond.

  She tried to stretch her legs beneath the heavy blanket and winced as the wool rubbed the horrendous rash on her legs. The healer had called the illness typhus, and she supposed something about to kill her should have such a terrifying name.

  The hole-riddled door opened, but she didn’t bother opening her eyes. She felt the life draining from her, and she was ready. It was time.

  A heavy hand descended on her shoulder, and she blinked, looking up, her vision blurry. As such, she could only make out the shapes of two men. She blinked again, trying to focus. “Father?” No, he wouldn’t have come to visit her. He had dropped her off and moved on.

  “Ivy,” he said.

  She tried to swallow. That was her father. Had he come to witness her death, or did he have a message for her mother? She would be more than happy to take it with her into the beyond.

  “You’re going to be saved, girl,” he said, his voice scratchy.

  She must be dreaming. This was one of those visions she kept falling into. Now, she understood. The other form came closer, dropping near her.

  “Ivy?”

  She tried to make out his features but only saw dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Was he an angel? Perhaps he was ready to take her.

  “Yes,” she whispered, her voice cracking, and her throat so dry it hurt to even push out that much sound.

  “I’m Athan. I’m here to help you.” His voice was different, the low tenor difficult to make out. He had an accent that tilted at the ends of the words, and yet the tone was deep. She couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. He came closer, and his breath was minty. When was the last time she had smelled something good?

  She tried to lean closer to him, but her body had given up the fight and wouldn’t move.

  “Do you want to live forever?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said. Did forever mean dying and going beyond? She would love to see her mother again.

  “Say you’re sure.”

  She could barely keep her eyes open. “I’m sure.”

  “There you go,” her father said, his voice booming. “She agreed. You promised you’d save the farm.”

  “I did,” the mysterious Athan said. “But I don’t think she’s well enough to decide.”

  Her father sucked in air like he did when about to go into a tantrum. “She’s well enough. She’s yours now.”

  Athan leaned closer, his mouth near her ear. “You have to be sure, lass. Is this something you want?”

  The question tumbled around in her head. Had her father just given her away in marriage as she was dying? He’d been threatening to do so for years, but she knew he needed help on the farm and would never do so. She’d long ago given up her dreams of having a husband and a family.

  “It’s too late,” she whispered.

  “No, it’s not. I can save you, but it means you’ll be with me forever. Understand?”

  None of this made sense, and frankly, she didn’t care. This was probably her last dream before dying, so why not entertain the idea? “I would like to live.”

  “Fair enough,” he said. Cool liquid then poured down her throat. There had been water near? She hadn’t known. Then something chalky caked at the back of her tongue. Some sort of medicine? She tried to spit it out, and he gently placed his hand over her mouth.

  “Swallow the dampening pills. You’re not strong enough for anything else.”

  She obeyed because there was no choice, and this wasn’t happening anyway.

  Sleep welcomed her with heated arms.

  * * * *

  One month after escaping death, Ivy fluttered around the opulent sitting room of a brick manor near the center of Belfast. It was fancier than she could’ve ever imagined, and it was difficult to believe she was still alive. There was nothing to do and nothing to clean. Her strength had returned, her rash had disappeared, and she had plenty of sustenance—unlike many of the people in Ireland.

  She wore an elegant gown, soft slippers, and silk undergarments, the likes of which she’d only seen once in a store window. Matching green ribbons tied back her mass of thick hair. While she was clean and pampered, she was rapidly becoming bored.

  A knock sounded at her door, and she steeled herself to be examined by her personal nurse again. The woman was brisk but efficient, and she lacked any of the answers Ivy so badly needed. “Enter,” she said warily, sitting gracefully on a lovely pink chair.