

### Taking on Tory:

Magic, New Mexico Book 2

### By S. E. Smith

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my husband Steve for believing in me and being proud enough of me to give me the courage to follow my dream. I would also like to give a special thank you to my sister and best friend Linda, who not only encouraged me to write but who also, read the manuscript. Also to my other friends who believe in me: Julie, Jackie, Lisa, Sally, Elizabeth (Beth) and Narelle. The girls that keep me going!

—S. E. Smith

Imprint: Paranormal Romance

Taking on Tory: MAGIC, NEW MEXICO BOOK 2 Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 by S. E. Smith

First E-Book Published November 2014

Cover Design by Melody Simmons

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission from the author.

All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations are strictly coincidental.

Smashwords License Statement   
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Synopsis

Twenty-four year old Tory Carson is dying to get out of Magic, New Mexico and explore the world. She has spent her whole life cocooned in the protection of the close-knit community. When she finally gets a chance to go somewhere for three weeks, she would be crazy to say no. Even if her father is screaming it!

Simon Drayton is a reclusive billionaire who has reinvented himself over and over again through the centuries. He has temporarily settled his headquarters in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina.

He is used to taking what he wants. He has learned that wealth and power are potent motivators for those who are greedy. Confusion reigns when he sets his sights on a beautiful, young female who is oblivious to his power. After centuries of getting what he wants, he is shocked, and just a little bit fascinated, when he discovers that not all things are for sale.

Things heat up when the irritating, young 'human' woman refuses to play the game by his rules. She isn't impressed with his wealth. She isn't impressed with his looks. In fact, she acts like she isn't impressed by anything he does, even when he flashes his teeth!

Find out what happens when a centuries old Werewolf discovers he isn't the only creature who loves to bite.

# Chapter 1

Simon stared out the large, arched windows of his beautifully furnished office. The unobstructed view of Charleston Harbor along the picturesque coast of South Carolina did little to soothe the beast inside him. He could feel the creature he had become centuries before moving under his skin, straining to break free.

He had been called many things over the years. Bastard was just one of the words used to describe him. While correct, it was not the only one that could be associated with him.

He had been born in 1709 to an unmarried servant of a Lord in Worcester, England. By the age of eight, he had learned well at his father's hand what it truly meant to be called the bastard son of a Lord. But, that was nothing compared to the other word that could describe what he would later become.... Werewolf.

His lips curved upward as he stared out at a passing yacht. Only a handful of trusted people knew what he truly looked like under the sleek, sophisticated exterior he showed the world. He often wondered what the men and women he had associated with over the centuries would have thought if they had known the truth about his identity.

Simon didn't bother turning when the door to his office opened after a soft knock sounded. He could see Youssef briefly bowed in the reflection of the tinted glass before he stepped into the room. While Youssef and he had many similar characteristics, they were also vastly different.

Both men were tall, muscular, and deadly, but in different ways. Youssef was still human where Simon was not. Simon bore the light coloring of his English ancestry. He was tall, elegant, wealthy and handsome with his shoulder-length blonde hair tied at the nape of his neck, dark blue eyes, and aristocratic features. Youssef, on the other hand, had the dark features of his native homeland of Morocco. His family had served Simon for the past three hundred years, passing down his secret from parent to child.

He turned as another knock echoed through the room. This time it was the new clerk his personal assistant had hired. She smiled seductively as she stepped into the room and handed him the papers he had requested an hour before. A brief glanced showed him that she would not last long, the calculating look proved she would be a liability

He would have to speak with Colin, his personal assistant, again. The last thing he needed was complications. It wasn't like he had difficulty finding female company if he wanted it. Unfortunately, Colin thought a little eye-candy, as he called it, made the office more interesting. He preferred his distractions in the bedroom, not the office.

Simon had grown used to women swooning when he cast his attention upon them, while men cringed and fought for obscurity. Both could sense what he wanted from them, the women to slake his lust and the men to quench his need to hunt. He made sure he kept both desires away from his business life.

"Do you need anything else, Mr. Drayton?" Amy Ashton asked as she stopped in front of him and looked up. "Anything at all?" She whispered, taking a step closer.

Simon took the folder from her hands. "No, you are dismissed." He replied bluntly with a glance at Youssef.

A slight pout formed her perfectly outlined red lips, but she didn't say anything else. Simon watched as she turned on her high heels and slowly walked toward the door. He knew she paused before she opened it to see if he was watching her. He waited until she quietly shut the door behind her before he looked up from the contract he was reading.

"Get rid of her," Simon ordered.

Youssef's lips quirked in amusement. "Colin is going to be disappointed. This one didn't even last a full day," he said, folding his arms across his chest.

"I'll have a talk with Colin," Simon replied, turning back around to stare out the window again.

It was growing late and the early evening shadows were beginning to dance along the sidewalk. The beast inside him moved restlessly, needing to run. Once again, Simon cursed the Werewolf that changed him.

At eighteen, he had finally escaped the cruel control of his father only to have it replace by his Master. For the first twenty years, Sir Winston Boatwright had been his alpha. Simon was barely a man the year he was changed and discovered while Werewolves aged, they did so at a much slower rate than a human.

What Boatwright had not expected, though, was for his pupil to learn as fast as he had, or to be so deadly. Simon had no regrets for killing his former master. Boatwright had enjoyed the years of torment and torture too much for him to have feelings for the old Werewolf.

Boatwright lived to create more monsters in the image of himself. He pitted his creations against each other in a hellhole where he invited unsuspecting human aristocrats to come place their bets. It made Boatwright a very wealthy and powerful man, while at the same time giving him more victims for his sadistic games.

Simon rubbed at the faint scars around his left wrist. He had been kept chained until the fateful night he escaped. Boatwright had made a lethal mistake that had given Simon the chance for freedom.

He had invited a few wealthy human females to partake of the savage beast's lust. Boatwright enjoyed watching as the women took advantage of the raging desire that drove him almost to insanity. A Werewolf's sexual craving was a powerful and dangerous thing.

Lady Mary Quincy didn't listen to the careful instructions given to her before entering his chamber. The stout pin holding up her thick hair was the tool he needed to pick the locks binding him. As she rode his body, he used his teeth to capture the loose pin. He slipped it into his mouth and held it tightly against his cheek until she and Boatwright were through with using his body for their pleasure.

Three nights later, he had escaped after killing his handlers. Boatwright had chased him through the streets of London, but the fighting had hardened his body until he was the ultimate killing machine. He had quickly defeated his former master and left his body in the burning remains of a hut on the outskirts of town.

After killing Boatwright, he had gone after the second man responsible for his captivity. It had taken him three weeks to work his way north to the country estate of the man who had sold him to his Master in exchange for wealth and power. He had taken his time killing his half-brother, Henry Manning. That was another death that he had no regrets over.

At almost three hundred years old, he had seen the best and worst of humanity. At first, it had been difficult for him to control the beast that moved inside him. It had taken him almost a quarter of a century to harness it. Youssef's great-great-great grandfather had been instrumental in helping him.

"You should let the past go, my friend," Youssef said in a quiet voice, watching the figure standing in silent readiness. "You need to hunt."

Simon pulled away from his reverie and nodded. "Tonight," he replied. "My quarters are ready?"

"Yes," Youssef responded.

"Good...," Simon's voice faded as a figure on the street below his office suddenly caught his attention.

A low rumble escaped him in surprise. The figure was of a female. She wasn't very tall and had curves that made him want to run his hands over them. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a high pony tail that swung as she twirled on the sidewalk to laugh up at the tall male next to her.

Even from this distance he could see the excitement on her face as she replied to the man. Her arms flung outward, pushing the heavy mounds of her breasts upward. He could feel the beast inside him respond to the unintended invitation.

The female was the exact opposite of what he was normally attracted to, yet he couldn't pull his eyes away from her. His hand tightened on the papers in his hand, crumpling them, when the male suddenly pulled the female into his arms and hugged her close before releasing her.

"What is it?" Youssef asked, walking over to stand next to Simon so he could look out of the window. "Do you sense a threat?"

"Yes," Simon muttered under his breath. "But, this one is from the beast inside me. He wants that female."

Youssef stared down at the two figures. The male was still talking to the female. Whatever he was saying, she was enthusiastically nodding her head up and down as she listened to him intently. She was a short, slightly plump, curvy woman who might have been mistaken as rather ordinary if not for the glow in her face.

"Do you want me to find out who she is?" Youssef asked, turning to look at Simon. A slight curse escaped his lips when he realized that his friend had disappeared. "Damn it, I hate it when you do that!" He muttered, turning and heading for the door that was still in motion.

# Chapter 2

Tory released a short scream of frustration and twisted away from the tall, stately man stubbornly standing in front of her. It was the same argument over and over again. This time he was giving her all the reasons she shouldn't be going to a Graphic Design and Computer Animation convention in Phoenix with some of her online friends. If he had his way, she would be kept in a gilded cage for the next century.

Knowing she needed to leave before she said something she would regret, Tory shifted. One second, the figure of a young woman with shiny shoulder-length dark brown hair and matching chocolate-colored eyes was standing in front of the pale green house, the next a small, plump bat flapped upward toward the second floor roof. It landed on the peak and angrily glared down at the exasperated male watching her.

"Charlie," a soft voice reproached.

"Sophie," Charles Alexandru Carson grimaced at the look of disapproval on his wife's face. "She is just a baby!"

"She is twenty-four years old," Sophie pointed out.

"That's just a baby," Charlie insisted before he released a loud sigh as Sophie raised her eyebrow at him. "Well, it is," he grumbled.

"She is a beautiful young woman," Sophie said, reaching up and cupping her husband's stubborn face between her hands before she tenderly smiled up at him. "If you remember, I was only twenty-three when we met."

Charlie's face relaxed as he stared down at his beautiful wife of over a hundred years. They had been gifted with three gorgeous children, two boys and a girl over the years. Tory was the youngest and had been a surprise to them both. She was also the most beautiful thing Charlie had ever seen next to her mother.

"Why do you think I want to protect her?" He asked in a husky voice as he slid his arms around Sophie's waist. "She is as beautiful as you at that age."

Sophie laughed and shook her head. "You sound just like my father," she said with a sad smile. "There must be something about Vampires and their daughters."

"Well, if you ask me, I think she is in as much danger here as she would be anywhere else," Nonny said from behind them. "It looks like she has a couple of admirers who are willing to console her."

Charlie glanced over his shoulder at his mother with a confused frown before he turned his gaze to the roof where Tory was sitting with her knees drawn up to her chin. Two males sat on either side of her, one had his arm around her shoulders while the other was tilting her chin toward him. It looked like he was about to....

"Charles!" Sophie called out in exasperation when her husband suddenly disappeared in a puff of dark gray smoke. "Nonny!"

"What?!" Nonny Carson said, grinning up at the roof. "I just said Tory looked like she had someone to help distract her."

"You are no help," Sophie told her mother-in-law.

She turned back to stare up at where her husband had re-materialized next to Maverick, the handsome young Werewolf, who had been leaning in to give Tory a kiss. She shook her head when the young pup yelped in surprise. Ever since Tory had been born, Charles had been overly protective of his only daughter.

"He'll let her go," Nonny said, looking up at her middle son.

"How do you know?" Sophie asked, biting her lip when Charles tossed the boy off the roof before turning on Tory's other admirer who was scrambling down the drainpipe. "He is so protective of her. I'm afraid he'll never let her spread her wings."

"Oh, he'll let her go," Nonny promised with a grin. "Topper asked the Fates."

Sophie turned in surprise to look at Nonny. "The Fates! I thought they were on vacation. When did they get back?"

"Oh, they're not back. Topper and I went to see them last night in Vegas. They were on a winning streak, imagine that," Nonny replied with a sigh. "I swear Vegas has the best shows in the world."

"What are you two up to? And what did the Fates have to say?" Sophie asked, watching as Charles sat down next to Tory. "Is she going to be alright?"

Nonny rolled her eyes. "Of course Tory is going to be alright! She has the Fates as her Godmothers and they love her to bits. They did happen to mention that Alexandru is coming by for a visit."

"Alexandru!" Sophie exclaimed in delight. "When?"

"Tonight," Nonny said, nodding up at where her son and granddaughter were quietly talking. "He is going to take Tory with him on the business trip he has to make to Charleston. You know as well as I do that he is just as protective of Tory as Charlie."

"What else are you not telling me?" Sophie asked quietly, turning to stare at Nonny with a suspicious look. "What are you and Topper up to?"

"Me? What makes you think any of this is my idea?" Nonny asked innocently.

"Okay, what is your older sister up to?" Sophie asked in resignation.

Nonny laughed. It was true. Topper, her older sister by only a few years was the wild one of the bunch. Topper's personality was as colorful as her hair, which had a habit of changing colors several times a day.

She and Topper were descendants of the famous Warehausen witch family. Topper had yet to marry, whereas, Nonny had fallen in love with a handsome vampire almost two hundred and fifty years before. They had three handsome sons, though only Charlie had married and had kids so far.

Alexandru, their middle son, was an established entrepreneur who dealt in custom made furnishings and restorations of historic buildings all over the world. The fact that he had lived through some of the different time periods was a bonus. Unfortunately, he was a very busy man and they only got to see him once every few months, usually when he was traveling from one side of the world to the other.

"Tory might have mentioned that she'd like to take a little vacation to someplace other than Magic," Nonny admitted. "Topper just happened to run into Alexandru on one of her trips and mentioned that Tory would like to see a bit of the world."

"Just happened?" Sophie asked with a shake of her head. "You know Charlie won't like it."

"I know my son very well," Nonny replied with an amused smile. "Why do you think I asked Topper and the Fates for help?"

Sophie chuckled as she looked up in time to see Tory rest her head on her father's shoulder. She shook her head. Poor Charlie. He didn't stand a chance against so many women.

"You are an evil woman, Nonny," Sophie laughed. "Does Charlie have any idea how manipulative you are?"

Nonny reached over and grasped Sophie's hand in her own. She threaded her fingers through her beautiful daughter-in-law's and squeezed them. She, Topper, and the Fates had picked the perfect mate for her son. They were still working on her other two sons. But for now, it was Tory's time.

"He thanks me every day," Nonny softly replied. "After all, I found you for him."

*.*.*

Tory angrily wiped her eyes. She glared down at her father in frustration. She wasn't a little girl any more! She was a mature Vampire!

"Hey, Tory," Maverick said, jumping over the edge of the roof to sit next to her. "What's wrong?"

"Yeah, Tory-nator, what's the matter?" Kevin asked as he crawled over the side behind Maverick.

"What are you two guys doing here?" Tory asked grumpily. "You know my dad is going to bite you again if you don't stop popping up all the time, don't you?"

Maverick grinned. "It's worth it just to see him get riled," he said, glancing mischievously down at the ground where Charles Carson was talking to his wife. "Dad asked me to stop by anyway, so I have a reason. He wants to let him know that the Pre-season football game party is being moved to the Ampitheather due to the possibility of a fight breaking out. He doesn't want the bar trashed this year."

"Yeah, my mom sent me to warn your dad that if anyone tramples her flowers around it, she was going to be doing some bashing herself," Kevin said with a roll of his eyes. "Why I had to be born to Garden Trolls I'll never know. I don't even like dirt!"

Tory released a short, bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, you should try being a Vampire who is allergic to most blood types!" She mumbled.

"Is that why your dad is so protective of you?" Kevin asked, curiously.

"Yeah, I think so. You know, except for a peck on my cheek from my cousins and brothers, I haven't even been kissed yet!" Tory grumbled. "I swear he cast a spell on me through all of my Middle and High School years! The one time Edgar Tinberry tried to kiss me, he broke out with Blisterwarts and couldn't run in the State Track finals. Everyone was mad at me, like I was the one who did it! After that, you two were the only ones who would hang with me."

"Hey, what are best buds for? Besides, from what I hear from some of his former girlfriends, you didn't miss much. They said sandpaper wasn't any fun to kiss. Anyway, I think the only reason Edgar was popular was because he was so fast on the track. Duh, the guy is a Jaguar shifter! Of course, he'd be fast. None of the girls cared about that fact, though. The only thing they cared about was the way he strutted around the field in his tight, little shorts. I think he should have been disqualified from the team for that alone! That wasn't much fun to have to look at for four straight years. Besides, why would you want to be kissed by old sourpuss Edger when you can be kissed by me? Hey, do you think you might still be enchanted?" Maverick suddenly asked with a grin as he pulled her chin around to him. "I wouldn't mind bragging to everyone that I was the first one to kiss you."

"Maverick," Tory warned with a roll of her eyes at her best friend's teasing. "You know..." Her breath caught as Maverick was suddenly lifted by the back of his shirt.

"Hi, Mr. Carson," Maverick yelped as he suddenly found himself hanging in the air.

"Say goodbye, Maverick," Charles growled.

"Goodbye, Maverick," Maverick repeated, laughing as Charles suddenly tossed him off the roof of the house. "Bye, Tory!"

"Daddy!" Tory cried out in dismay as she watched Maverick disappear out of sight. "You could have hurt him."

"He's a Werewolf," Charles said, turning to Kevin, who gave Tory a crooked grin as he scrambled for the drain pipe. "He'll heal."

"Hey, Mr. Carson!" Maverick called up from the ground where he was brushing the grass from the back of his pants. "Dad said to tell you the Pre-game is at the Amphitheater this year instead of the bar."

Kevin's head popped up just enough to see his eyes and nose over the side of the roof. "Oh yeah. My mom said not to step on any of her flowers, or else," he added before he scampered down the drain pipe. "Bye, Tory!"

*.*.*

Charles glared at the back of the two boys running across the rocky field behind the house. Well, the huge gray wolf with a Garden Troll on his back. He shook his head before he turned to look down at his daughter. A deep sigh of regret escaped him as he sank down onto the roof next to her.

They sat in silence for several long moments before he reached over and picked up her slender hand. He sighed again. It was so hard to let her grow up.

"Do you remember when you turned six?" Charles suddenly asked in a gruff voice.

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Tory's mouth. "You mean when you told me I couldn't have any more birthdays and I would have to remain six the rest of my life?" She asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

Charles smiled and looked out over the long drive that led to the main road. The red dirt of the New Mexico soil called to him as much now as it did when he first came to Magic over a hundred years ago with his small family. The cool air of the evening and the twilight sky cast the desert flora into silhouettes.

"Yes, that's the one," Charles replied in a soft voice, glancing at Tory. "You were growing up so fast. I wanted you to remain little forever."

"I'll always be your little girl, daddy," Tory reminded him in a quiet voice. "But, I need to grow up. I want to see the world. I want to know what's out there. Alexandru and Benjamin are always talking about the places they've been. The only place I've ever seen is Magic."

Charles released her hand and folded his together. His eyes followed Sophie and his mother as they walked toward the house. He knew they were giving him and Tory some privacy. A deep sigh escaped him before he tried to explain why he was so protective.

"I met your mother in Romania," he began.

Tory sighed. "I know," she muttered. "Nonny and Gramps sent you there on a quest. You were traveling through the village mom lived in when she saw you. She invited you to her and Grandpa Vuia's home for the night when it started to rain."

"Yes," Charles said heavily. "I fell in love with your mom the moment I saw her. Her father was just as protective of her, if that helps. Lucky for me, your mom loved me as much as I loved her and her father accepted me even though I was half Vampire, half warlock."

Tory pushed a stray strand of dark brown hair back from her face and frowned in frustration. She knew the story by heart. Her parents had been married on a crystal clear night and eight months later her elder brother, Benjamin, had been born.

Her Grandma Vuia had died years before in a tragic fire and her grandfather had died a few nights after Benjamin's birth. She had always assumed he had died of natural causes since no one had ever mentioned anything different. It was very unusual, but not totally unheard of as far as she knew. After all, she had almost died when she was baby from drinking the wrong blood type.

"How did Grandpa Vuia die?" Tory suddenly asked. "I mean, was he like me? Did he have an allergic reaction to the blood he drank?"

"No," Charles responded in a distant voice. He pulled up his sleeve and showed the light scarring on his left forearm. "No, he and your grandmother were murdered by the villagers three days after Benjamin's birth."

"They were... I thought grandma Vuia died in a fire years before you met mom? What happened? Why didn't you, mom or Nonny ever tell me? Why would the villagers kill them?" Tory asked in confusion.

Charles' eyes softened as he looked at the shocked expression on Tory's face. He often forgot just how innocent she was in the way of the world outside of Magic. While he would love to keep her protected from the cruelty of the outside world, that could be deadly. No, if she was going to be happy and safe, he needed to find a happy medium where he could let her spread her wings while being protected as she did it.

"Times were different back then," Charles replied with a sad smile. "People were very superstitious. They still are, but today most people are more curious than threatened by those that are different from them. Well, for the most part, anyway."

"What happened?" Tory asked in a hesitant voice.

"It was a time of great unrest. Romania had just become a country a couple years before. Some still resisted the change. Your Grandfather Vuia had been very vocal in supporting the new government. A local wealthy merchant disagreed with the influence and power your grandfather had with many of the new leaders. Christoff had heard the villagers talk of some of the strange ways of your Grandma and Grandpa Vuia. He used their superstitions to enrage them."

"But, I thought that Grandma and Grandpa helped the villagers," Tory said in confusion. "Why would they listen to someone else?"

"Christoff brought in others to say your grandparents had done hideous crimes against their families," Charles replied quietly, staring off into the distance. "Those claims, along with the differences between us and the humans, inflamed the villagers and they attacked early one morning. They killed your Grandmother while she was inside the barn. Your Grandfather tried to save her while I took your mom and brother to safety. I returned, but not in time. They had already set fire to all the outbuildings."

"What did you do?" Tory asked in a soft voice as she placed a trembling hand on her father's arm.

"I returned to help him, but it was too late. He had already... disposed of those that had attacked us. He was gravely wounded, though, and died as the first light came over the horizon. I laid him to rest in the fires beside your Grandma so they could be together once again," Charles said in a quiet voice.

"That's so horrible. Is that why books and movies say we can't go out into the light? Why they think we'll burn up?" She asked curiously.

"It helped fuel the legend, I think," Charles said with a sad smile.

"What did you do afterwards?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"I brought your mother and Benjamin back to America. We stayed in Boston at first which is where your brother, Alexandru, was born. As it became more crowded and old superstitions rose up again, we traveled west. Eventually, we made our way to Magic where Nonny and Gramps had already settled."

Tory was silent for several minutes as she absorbed the new information about her ancestors that she hadn't known. A shiver went through her as she thought of what her grandparents must have gone through. It must have been devastating for them when the people they knew and trusted suddenly turned against them based on the words of strangers.

She couldn't imagine that ever happening in Magic. She thought of all the things she had learned during her High School years and even during the four years she did her studies online at New Mexico State College in Graphic Design. It was one thing to hear about such things on the news or read about it, it was another to know that it had touched her own family.

"I always thought you were overprotective because of my disorder," she whispered. "It isn't that at all. You're afraid that someone will try to hurt me like they did Grandma and Grandpa."

"Yes," he replied in a quiet voice. "When you almost died as a baby, I swore I would do whatever I could to protect you. You're my little girl, my princess, my little Vampiress and I love you very much."

Charles reached his arm around her and pulled her close. He sighed when she rested her head on his shoulder. She was right. She would always be his little girl, but it was time to let her grow up and spread her wings.

*.*.*

"Do you mean it? Really?" Tory asked in excitement. "Oh Daddy! You are the best!"

"Alexandru," Charles said, wrapping his arms around Tory as she threw hers around his neck. "I expect you to protect her."

Alexandru Vuia Carson grinned at his father's stern face. He had arrived a couple hours before just as everyone was sitting down to dinner. He didn't know why he thought he could surprise his parents and grandparents. Nonny had met him at the door just as he was about to knock.

"You're late," she said with a frown. "You should have been here fifteen minutes ago."

"I stopped in town to talk to Theo," Alexandru explained with a raised eyebrow. "Are the Fates here?"

"No, they're in Vegas," Nonny had grinned. "But, they said you'd be here by eight."

After a long, leisurely dinner of an assortment of dishes including Polish Czarnina, Blodplattar, and Black Pudding, Tory had been so stuffed by the time it was over she had almost missed the turn in conversation. Alexandru was discussing his latest commission in Charleston, South Carolina for a gentleman who had just moved to the States.

"I haven't met him yet, but he has excellent taste in furnishings. I have most of what he wants," Alexandru was saying. "I still need to acquire a few pieces. He wants everything set up as soon as possible."

"What is Charleston like?" Tory asked, leaning forward in excitement. "I heard it is filled with history. They have a market there where you can get the coolest sweet grass baskets. I heard you can even watch as they are being made. Can you get me one for my collection?"

"Why don't you come back with me and pick out your own?" Alexandru suggested. "I have no idea what to get you. You must have every basket known to mankind, plus witch, elf, dwarf, and fairy."

"Don't forget Genie!" Grandpa Carson added with a twinkle in his eye as he wiped his mouth. "She found one online last month."

"A Genie!" Alexandru exclaimed in surprise. "How on Earth did that happen?"

"It was an old wine basket. I got it off of ebay for twenty bucks. When it arrived, I was cleaning it up and the next thing I knew, Dev popped out," Tory grinned.

"What did you wish for?" Alexandru asked in curiosity. "Or was he not that kind of Genie?"

"What other kind of Genie is there?" Tory asked, puzzled by the choked laughter that followed her older brother's question. "Nevermind, I don't think I want to know. I gave him his bottle, kept the basket, and told him that he should go talk to Susanna down at the Krazy Kettles."

"Why?" Alexandru asked, confused. "What would she need a Genie for?"

"Well, he said he had to do something to repay me for rescuing him," Tory replied with a grin. "Susanna is short-handed right now down at the diner. I was helping out as much as I could, but I had a big project I was trying to finish. Now, she has help, and I was able to finish the project so I can go to Charleston without feeling guilty."

"Totally brilliant," Alexandru laughed. "Good move, sis."

"So, when do we leave?" Tory asked excitedly.

# Chapter 3

Simon stood on the sidewalk across from his office building and turned in a frustrated circle. The male and female were gone. He didn't understand how they had disappeared so quickly.

He drew in a deep breath, but all he could smell was the salt breeze and automotive exhaust. Frustrated, he rumbled a low growl of warning at Youssef when he jogged across the road. The beast inside him was pushing dangerously against his restraint.

There were many legends about Werewolves in the world, practically all of them were wrong. There was only one that was correct that he knew of and that was the effect of the full moon on him. His need to mate became insatiable. In previous years, he would find a willing female and fuck her to take the edge off. The beast inside had never reacted this strongly to a female, especially at just a glance.

He glanced up at the sky. The faint outline of the moon could be seen in the twilight. He had four days until the next full moon. He turned when Youssef stepped closer.

"They were gone?" He asked in concern, looking up and down the street.

"Yes," Simon replied in a deep voice. "See if they were on the surveillance cameras you set up. I want you to find her."

"What happens when I do?" Youssef replied in surprise. "You have never asked me to kidnap a female before. I usually have to beat them off you."

Simon turned and glared at Youssef. "Find her," he repeated. "You have two days."

Youssef paled as he glanced up at the sky before looking back and nodding. "I will find her," he replied gravely.

Simon turned and gripped the railing along the sidewalk. "Call the car. I will stay at the estate tonight," he ordered in a low voice. "I need to run."

"At once," Youssef said, pulling his cell phone out. "Meet us out front now."

*.*.*

"Today was the most wonderful day ever!" Tory said, laughing as she twirled around in a circle so she was walking backwards. "I found at least a dozen baskets and Maureen said she would let me sit and watch her tomorrow and I found some gifts for mom and dad and Nonny and Gramps and Sue and..."

"And you'll need a truck to get everything home," Alexandru chuckled at Tory's flushed face. Whoever said Vampires were supposed to be pale had never met his little sister. She glowed with happiness. "So, what did you get me?"

"I got you, my dear brother, a new website!" Tory grinned. "Yours was so outdated, it belonged with all the antiques you are always looking for. I've polished it until it shines and you've already had an increase of twenty-five percent thanks to the little spell I wove in it."

Alexandru shook his head. "You know I'll have to hire you to keep it up to date. Also, since when did you create a spell that actually works for any length of time?" He teased, jumping back when she tried to swat him with one of her shopping bags.

"I'm getting better! I just don't quite have it down yet. Nonny is working with me. I'm better when I weave it in my designs," Tory admitted with a tired sigh. "I'm hungry. What's for dinner?"

Alexandru chuckled as he took the bags from her and opened the door to the apartment he was renting while he was in Charleston. He carefully laid the bags by the entrance table. Walking into the kitchen, he flicked on the light and opened the refrigerator. He pulled several containers out, turned and held them up.

"Nonny and mom packed a going away basket," he grinned.

Tory's face dropped. "I thought we could try something different," she muttered, walking over and peeking into the top container. "Black pudding, yay."

Alexandru tapped her nose and placed the items on the counter. "You know she and dad worry about you," he said as he pulled some plates out. "Besides, I don't get home cooking all that often."

"I know," Tory muttered just as Alexandru's cell phone rang. "I'll do this while you take your call."

"Thanks, sis. Alexandru," he said, turning and walking out into the living room.

Tory rolled her eyes at her brother's back. She could hear every word both he and his caller was saying. The good thing about being a Vampire was she had excellent hearing.

"The bad thing is being a freaking Vampire with a blood allergy!" She muttered as she heated the Blood pudding in the microwave. She hated cold Blood pudding. "Who ever heard of a blood-intolerant Vamp?"

"You're talking to yourself again," Alexandru said, leaning against the door jam. "I have a lead on a piece I've been looking everywhere for."

"I know. I heard," Tory muttered, pulling the second plate out of the microwave. "I guess you want me to go home."

"No, actually, I don't," Alexandru said, straightening up so he could take a plate from her. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind being on your own for a few days."

Tory's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in surprise. "Are you serious? What about daddy? He'll kill you if you leave me on my own?" She whispered.

"Tory, you're twenty-four, not fourteen," Alexandru said, brushing his knuckles along her cheek. "Charleston is a safe town as long as you are smart. Besides, I could use your help, if you don't mind."

"I... Sure, anything!" She grinned.

"Can you deliver some of the pieces I've already got to Mr. Drayton's estate outside of town? If you can do that, it will help me tremendously as he wanted it all taken care of before the end of the week," Alexandru explained.

"I... yeah, I can do that," she laughed, giving her brother a one armed hug. "I just need his address and where to get the items."

"I'll leave everything in a folder for you," he said with a relieved smile. "You'll be fine. Just be careful and make sure you don't draw any attention to yourself."

"No worries!" She replied. "Nonny put a 'human' spell on me. No one can tell that I'm not a normal human girl."

"Perfect," he said. "Let's eat. I'll go over everything with you before I leave."

"Thanks, Alexandru," Tory said, setting her plate on the small table in front of the window overlooking Market street.

Alexandru frowned as he looked at her suddenly serious expression. "What for?"

"For giving me a chance to spread my wings," she said in a quiet voice as she turned to stare down at the street bustling with tourist.

"Just be careful, Tory," he replied in a soft voice. "Dad isn't the only one who is overprotective of you. If anyone hurt you, they'd find out what hell was really like when every resident of Magic came after them."

Tory smiled and picked up her fork. Her eyes kept moving to the street down below her. For the first time in her life, she would be left alone to explore and discover at her own pace. Suddenly, the Blood pudding didn't taste so bad. Tomorrow, she would try something a little different, maybe a touch spicier.

# Chapter 4

"What have you found?" Simon asked as Youssef walked into the elegant office.

"Nothing," Youssef replied in frustration. "There was nothing on the cameras. It was as if they were never there!"

"You said the surveillance system was operational," Simon bit out in a deep voice, turning away from the window to the glare at his friend and chief of security.

Youssef ran his hand over the back of his neck as he frowned. "It is," he muttered. "Every movement along the street was recorded. The time-date stamp showed the exact moment they should have shown up on the camera. Everything is there. Hell, I watched a squirrel play in the damn tree they were standing under and nothing. They weren't there."

A dangerous growl escaped Simon. Two nights until the full moon and the only female the beast inside him wanted was the one he saw yesterday. He would have to be locked up in the special room he had built in the basement if he couldn't find and convince the woman to stay with him. He would lose control of the beast otherwise and that could prove to be deadly to everyone, including Youssef.

He turned back toward the huge set of windows looking out over the long driveway. A white van was pulling down it. As it turned the curved in the driveway, he made out the name of the company he had employed to find the exact furnishings for his new home.

Alexandru Carson of _Magic Furnishings_ had managed to find all of the pieces he had requested so far. Simon wondered if the mysterious entrepreneur could find the woman he had seen yesterday. It appeared to be a task beyond his security chief's ability.

A moment of regret washed through him as he admonished himself for being so hard on his friend. It was not Youssef's fault the camera was defective. His friend had spent years protecting him. In fact, he bore the scars from it across his chest when Simon had lost control one night and almost killed one of the gardeners who had returned after dark when he was running.

"Replace the..." Simon's voice died as he watched in disbelief as the door to the van opened and the woman that he had seen yesterday stepped out of the driver's seat.

"Simon!" Youssef called out in surprise as Simon turned and rushed by him. He glanced back and forth from the window to the open door before he cursed again as he turned to follow Simon. "I really do hate it when he does that."

*.*.*

Tory carefully folded the papers and slid them back into the envelope. The guards at the front had been about the strangest thing she had ever seen. They acted like she was trying to steal the furniture instead of delivering it!

She shut the door to the van and looked up at the house. It was beautiful in a huge, I-want-to-bury-a-dead-body-in-it, kind of way. She had seen pictures of houses like this. It reminded her of the houses from the Vampire movie she had watched on television a couple months ago.

She rolled her eyes as she walked up the steps to the front door. The actors had been really good, and really hot to look at, but they had gotten the whole Vampire thing wrong. Hell, when the little girl had turned to ash, Tory had laughed so hard she had almost wet her pants. Then, there was the other one where they were supposed to be all sparkly in the sun!

"Not unless I took a bath in glitter," she muttered as she raised her hand to knock on the massive door. "Damn, Hugo would love to have a set of these on his house," she muttered as she thought of the gentle giant that lived off of Dust Bowl and Redwood back home.

"Who is Hugo?" The male who opened the door demanded.

"What?" Tory squeaked in surprise. She hadn't heard him walking to the door, so when it opened it had surprised her.

"Who is Hugo?" The male demanded again. "Is he your boyfriend or husband?"

Tory tilted her head and frowned. Great! She came all the way to Charleston to meet... a Werewolf! Like she didn't have enough of those running around back home.

She wiggled her nose at the distinctive scent. She refused to admit he smelled a hell of a lot better than Maverick. Still, she didn't want to meet another Werewolf! She wanted to meet a cute human male! Preferably with Type A positive blood. It was the only one she could safely drink.

"No, Hugo isn't my boyfriend or husband. He's just a g... guy I know. I'm here to deliver some furniture for Mr. Drayton. Can you let him know? I'll need some help carrying it in, as well," she added, folding her arms as the tall male continued to stare down at her. "Please."

She thought she better add the last part for good customer service. She didn't really need any help with moving it. She could shrink the stuff and pop it back up when she got it inside, but she had promised her mom, dad, Nonny, Gramps, Alexandru and half of the town of Magic that she wouldn't do anything 'different' in front of ANYONE while she was gone.

Tory sighed. _That might mean biting on a Type A positive neck is a no-no, but I can enjoy a guy's company without biting him._

"What is your name?" The man demanded.

Tory bit her lip to prevent the word Elvira from popping out. She didn't think he would appreciate her reference to the 1980's Mistress of the Dark. Instead, she slowly looked over the man standing between her and a night out on the town, all on her little own. He was tall and handsome with his thick blond hair pulled back at his nape. The dark suit he was wearing emphasized the muscles under it. He had a wide chest, narrow waist, and... a blush rose over her cheeks at the bulge in the front.

_Okay, eyes to the face,_ she muttered silently. _Werewolves! I swear they are the horniest creatures in the world!_

She rolled her eyes again. That was why Maverick, Mitch, Hanson, and Jude were never allowed to do track, swimming or wrestling. Well, they weren't allowed to do track after they chased down Edgar and cornered him.

No, their constant state of arousal once they hit puberty made it difficult for them to play certain sports. They were great at football and basketball. Their pack mentality made them great out on the field or court.

"Tory Carson," she said, pursing her lips together. "Are you like the butler or something? Can you give me a hand with the furniture?"

"I'm...," Simon started to say when a low rumble escaped him when the woman in front of him tilted sideways and smiled at Youssef.

"Hi! Are you Mr. Drayton?" She said in a hopeful tone. "I have your furniture."

"I am Youssef," the dark male replied with an amused smile.

"I am Simon Drayton," the blond male said in a deep, gruff voice.

Tory's eyes swiveled back from the dark brown eyes glittering with amusement to the dark blue ones that were not – glittering with amusement, that is. The smile on her lips curved downward. She hoped she hadn't just blown Alexandru's business with this guy. From what her brother had told her last night, it was a hugely profitable one.

"Uh... Yes... Well... I've got your furniture," Tory said with a bright smile. "I guess since you're not the butler, you wouldn't want to help bring it in, huh?"

Simon's lips twitched at the hopeful look in the young woman's dark brown eyes. He literally wanted to bury his hands in her hair, drag her against him, and see if she tasted as good as she looked. His fingers clenched as he fought the urge.

He had three days! Three days to make her so mindless that all she wanted was to feel him buried inside her. The twitch turned into an easy smile. If she was anything like the other women, she would be eating out of his hand in less than twenty minutes.

He grabbed her hand as she lifted it to push a strand of hair back behind her ear and pulled it to his lips. Pressing a kiss to the back of it, he couldn't resist letting the tip of his tongue caress the soft skin. Pleasure washed through him as he pulled back to give her a look of invitation.

Doubt flashed through him when he saw her nose wiggle and she tugged her hand out of his. She gave him an uncertain, lopsided smile as she rubbed the back of her hand along the leg of her jeans. He straightened when he heard Youssef clear his throat behind him.

"Youssef will see to the furniture," Simon said in a dark voice filled with warning for his friend. "Follow me."

"Follow... I... Shouldn't I help him? I mean, isn't that what I'm supposed to do?" Tory asked in confusion when Simon Drayton turned and started to walk away. "Isn't that what a delivery person does here? That's what they do back home."

Youssef gave Tory a reassuring smile. "I will arrange for the furniture to be brought in, Miss Carson," he said with a bow.

Tory glanced at where Simon was standing stiffly, watching her with a frown. She bit her lip. If she had a choice between going with a sour-faced Werewolf, or staying with a... she sniffed. She almost groaned when her mouth watered.

"What blood type are you?" She asked suddenly, looking at Youssef with wide eyes.

Youssef looked at her with surprise. "I think that is the first time I've ever had a young lady ask me that question," he chuckled.

"Oh, I guess I shouldn't have asked," Tory muttered, looking down at the porch and rubbing her foot over a wood knot in the planking. "Sorry. That was kind-of rude."

"No, just... unusual," Youssef replied with a smile. "I am A positive."

Tory looked up at him and grinned. "Are you single?" She asked with a hopeful grin.

"Youssef! Take care of the furniture," Simon growled darkly. "Now, Miss Carson, please follow me."

Tory wrinkled up her nose at Simon's tone. "Yes, sir," she grumbled. "I hope I see you later, Youssef."

"I...," Youssef started to say when a louder rumble echoed in the entryway. "Have a good day, Miss Carson."

Tory sighed as she watched Youssef step aside so she could enter. He bowed his head again and stepped past her, shutting the front door behind him. This effectively sealed her inside with Simon Drayton.

"Miss Carson," Simon said stiffly, waving his hand toward the open corridor.

"I've got your bill of sale," she mumbled as she walked by him. "Alexandru left this morning to pick up another piece of furniture that you were wanting. He asked me to deliver what he had found so far."

"And Alexandru is your...," Simon asked as he stepped in front of her to open the door to the den.

"Brother," Tory said absently as she looked around the room. "My middle brother. Benjamin is the oldest."

It must be one of the rooms where he wanted some of the furniture. There was only a long couch, chair and single table in the room. The room wasn't overly large, but the tall ceiling and curved windows looking out over a magnificent garden out back made it seem huge.

There was a large fireplace against one wall and it looked like everything had been restored to its original style. Dark red and gold paintings that looked like wallpaper, a popular trend during the early 1800's, outlined the intricately painted ceiling. In the center of the room, a chandelier made of cut crystal hung from the ceiling.

"This is nice," she observed, walking over to a set of bookshelves embedded into the wall. "Nice collection."

"Do you enjoy the classics?" Simon asked, silently moving to stand next to her.

Tory fingered one of the leather-bound spines. She wondered what he would say if she told him the truth. Shrugging, she decided she didn't have much choice. Werewolves could smell a lie a mile away with the wind blowing in the opposite direction.

"Actually, not most of them. Some of them are either just too far out there or so depressing, I'm like 'Kill me already'," she admitted. "Some of them are pretty good. Still, give me a good mystery, thriller, romance, or fantasy any day."

She was surprised when he laughed. Turning, she stumbled back with a frown when she realized he was standing closer to her than she thought. This is why she always picked Maverick and his brothers to be on her team when they played Creature-hunt. Kevin might be one of her best friends, but Garden Trolls were really noisy when they ran. Still, she didn't like that he kept crowding her.

"What's so funny?" She asked, tilting her head when he took another step closer.

"Most women would have lied and made some inane remark to try to impress me," Simon said with a devilish smile, taking another step closer as she stumbled backwards.

"Why would I want to impress you?" Tory asked, coming to a stop when her knees hit the edge of the couch. "In case you don't realize it, you're crowding me," she added with a frown as she placed her hand against his chest to push him back.

# Chapter 5

Simon's eyes darkened and a low rumble escaped him as her fingers splayed across his chest. He reached up and wrapped his fingers around her fragile wrist. A smile twisted his lips when she inhaled sharply as he tugged her closer.

He started to lower his head to kiss her when her mumbled words reached him. He shook his head and frowned when she repeated what she had said again. It sounded suspiciously like...

"You've never been kissed?" He repeated blankly. "Never? Ever?"

"Nope, but I'm hoping I can convince Youssef to change that," she said with a grin. "What do you think? Do you think he might be interested? He's not your... you know... your...?"

"Bodyguard?" Simon asked, still trying to get it through his head that the curvy, sexy female in his arms had never been kissed. A low curse escaped him, before he frowned darkly. "What the hell do you mean you hope you can convince Youssef?"

"He's h... hunky," Tory replied lamely. She had almost said human. "And he has the right blood type."

"What does blood type have to do with kissing?" Simon asked, confused as he tightened his grip on Tory when she tried to move away from him. "What did you think he was?"

"Your boyfriend?" She squeaked when he pulled her so close her chest was touching his. "You're holding me kind of close."

Simon scowled down into the bright brown eyes. "I plan on holding you even closer," he muttered in determination as he lowered his head to capture her upturned lips.

The beast inside him pushed at him as he teased her lips apart. A soft growl of approval escaped him when she opened for him. He released her wrist so he could slide his hands around her waist as she slid her palms up his chest to his shoulders.

She did taste as good as she looked. His cock thickened as he thought about where else he planned to taste her. The knowledge that he would be her only master, her only alpha, flared inside him, searing him with pain.

It took a minute to realize that the pain he was feeling was not coming just from his loins, but from his head as well. In fact, it was increasing as she continued to pull doggedly on his hair. He winced as he reluctantly released her.

They studied each other for a moment; him with a possessive intensity; her with a look of... expectation. After several long seconds, she released his hair and patted his chest as if he was the family dog who had done a good deed. The grin on her face was a combination of relief and expectation.

"Thank you, Nonny!" She breathed as a knock sounded on the door.

"Enter," Simon barked in frustration.

"Would you like for the pieces you requested for the room brought in?" Youssef asked in a light tone, his eyes taking in Simon's strained expression and the woman's satisfied one. "Or it can wait."

"Are all the pieces out of the van?" Tory asked, peeking around Simon.

"Yes, Miss Carson," Youssef replied with an amused grin when she looked at him in curiosity. "The packing material has been stored in the back."

"Great," Tory breathed, sliding to the side and away from Simon. She reached into her back pocket and removed the packet of papers Alexandru had given her with a description of Simon's purchases. "There you go. Youssef, how would you like to explore Charleston tonight?"

Simon's eyes swiveled with deadly accuracy at his friend. He noted with satisfaction when Youssef paled and swallowed hard. The message in his eyes was clear, touch her and he would kill him.

"I'm afraid I have... other plans for the evening," Youssef replied in a strained voice. "Perhaps, Mr. Drayton could escort you."

Both men watched in disbelief as Tory shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm looking for someone a little more... manly."

Simon's mouth dropped open as Tory gave them both a grin before she murmured a hurried goodbye. He blinked several times before he turned to look at Youssef's stunned face. No, he had not misunderstood her.

"Did she just imply that I am not man enough for her?" Simon asked in disbelief.

"I refuse to answer that question, my friend," Youssef said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm close enough to being your next meal as it is."

Simon sank down on the couch and ran his hands over his face. He had never, even when he was just a young man, ever had his masculinity questioned before. First, she wanted Youssef. Then, she thought he and Youssef were... his mind shied away from that. Finally, she wanted someone a little more manly? Manly! Hell, what was he?

"I do not like the look in your eyes, Simon," Youssef muttered. "The few times you have had that look in my lifetime, it has been trouble."

Simon looked up at his friend. "I think it is time to show Miss Carson just what I really am," Simon said. "When she wakes in my arms after I save her from a creature she has only imagined, let's see if she does not think I am 'man' enough."

"Simon..." Youssef's voice faded.

It was no use. Miss Carson had unknowingly woken the beast. A beast who had not had the thrill of the hunt for far too long.

"She is mine, Youssef," Simon replied, pulling off his jacket. "Tonight, I hunt."

*.*.*

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Tory muttered as she pulled away from the main gate of Simon Drayton's estate and onto the main road. "You almost blew it. You have got to remember to think human when around the humans. Nonny and mom didn't tell me it would be so hard. 'I'm looking for someone a little more manly!' That has to be the stupidest thing anyone ever said to Simon Drayton! The guy wrote the book on manliness! I wonder what Youssef would have thought if I had said human! That would have really put Drayton in a spot if he had to tell his head of security that _HE_ was in more danger than Simon would ever be. Stupid, stupid, stupid, Tory-girl. Think before you insert your foot in your mouth next time."

Still, one good thing... okay, maybe two, came out of Simon kissing her. She wasn't cursed anymore. She had waited to see if he broke out in Blisterwarts like Edgar had, but Simon had remained completely, blissfully Blisterwart free!

Nonny had worked on a reversing spelling for hours before she left. Her grandmother had only figured out which spell her dad used after her mom stole his Spellbook for Nonny.

"If it wasn't for the fact I love daddy so much, I'd put a hex on him," Tory grumbled.

Her dad had hidden the Blisterwart spell in her hairbrush. Every time she used the thing, it re-enforced the spell. No wonder she couldn't get rid of it!

"Well, I've got enough business now I can move into the apartment above the Krazy Kettles back home," she growled, turning onto Meeting Street. "As soon as I get back, I'm moving into my own place."

The second thing that had been good about the kiss was... everything. Damn the Werewolf if he couldn't kiss. Now it made her wonder if maybe she shouldn't have taken a chance on Maverick. If all Werewolves kissed like that, she would have asked her mom and Nonny for help a long time ago.

Tory pressed the button on the rearview mirror and watched as the door to the warehouse opened. It was a short walk back to Alexandru's apartment. She carefully pulled inside and pressed the button again to close the garage door behind her. Turning off the van, she opened the door and stepped out just as her cell phone rang.

Glancing at the number, she grinned. "Hi Alexandru," she said, closing the door and locking the van.

"Did you deliver the items to Drayton?"Alexandru asked.

"Of course," Tory said, pulling open the outer door and stepping out onto the sidewalk. "It isn't brain surgery. I delivered all the items, told him you were picking up some of the other things he wanted, and gave him the packet of documents like you asked."

"Listen, about the items," Alexandru said heavily. "I received another call about another important piece. The problem is, I have to fly overseas to get it. I'm not going to be back as soon as I thought I would."

"Oh, that is too bad," Tory said, doing a jig and fisting pumping in the middle of the sidewalk. She grinned when several pedestrians laughed at her. "How much longer do you think it will take?"

"Shit, I'm sorry, Tory," Alexandru said heavily on the other end. "It looks like I won't be back until the end of next week."

"The end... a whole week and a half?" Tory whispered, grinning as she looked around.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Tory. I know you wanted to explore Charleston and everything. I really wanted to show it to you, too. You didn't come all this way to just hang out in the apartment," Alexandru said.

"No, don't feel bad, Alexandru. I mean, I'm a big girl. I can do the tours, go to the aquarium, things like that. I'm not a child," Tory replied hastily, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice. "I'll really miss you. I was hoping we could spend some time together, but I can manage until you get back."

"Are you sure?" Alexandru asked in a voice filled with doubt.

Tory rolled her eyes and tilted her head back to look up at the white clouds drifting across the sky. Alexandru was as bad as their dad! Was she sure? Hell, she was going to have to call her Godmothers and thank them for whatever strings they decided to weave for this one.

"I'm sure," she replied firmly. "You take care of your business. Mr. Drayton really wants all of the furniture and is depending on you."

"If you are sure," Alexandru said in a gruff voice. "I'll call you later in the week. Be careful with what you eat. Dad will kill me if something happens to you."

"Alexandru, I'm twenty-four. I think I can control my urges to bite some unsuspecting soul and drain them dry. Besides, I know what I can and can't eat. Don't worry about me," Tory retorted dryly as the imagine of huge, golden haired Werewolf rose in her mind. "I'm a big girl now."

"I know," Alexandru said gruffly. "I saw your bra hanging in the laundry room. That's why I'm worried."

"Sheesh! TMI, big brother. I'm off to explore. Go look for your treasures," Tory muttered. "Love you."

"Love you too, Tory," Alexandru said. "Be safe."

Tory didn't bother answering. She had the three Fates as her Godmothers, for crying out loud. She was probably the safest person in the entire universe. Destiny, Fortune, and Aura were always keeping an eye on her.

# Chapter 6

Simon stood in the shadows watching Tory Carson as she stepped out of the restaurant. She had changed from jeans and the blue blouse she had been wearing earlier to a sexy black long sleeve sweater dress with matching knee high, low heeled black boots. He liked her in a dress. It brought up all kinds of things he'd like to do to her. Namely, bend her over, lift it up, and bury himself all the way to his balls in her.

His eyes followed her as she wandered along the storefronts, pausing occasionally to look at a display before moving on to the next one. His eyes narrowed on a pair of young men who turned and watched as she walked by them. A low growl escaped him when the taller of the two nudged the other. Soon, they were following a short distance behind her.

A shiver of unease coursed through him when the two males turned down the narrow street behind her. A low curse escaped Simon when he realized that Tory appeared oblivious to the fact that she was being followed. Hell, she wasn't even taking the basic precautions a woman out alone should follow. She was alone late at night, walking down a deserted narrow lane, and not paying attention to what was going on around her. She just kept sniffing at the bag of food she had picked up.

He pulled the black leather jacket he was wearing off. Holding it loosely in one hand, he flicked the button at the top of his jeans free. It looked like he was going to be scaring more than Tory tonight. He flicked open his cell phone and punched the number for Youssef.

"Be prepared for a cleanup mission," he growled. "Lock on my location."

"You are not going to kill her, are you?" Youssef hissed in dismay.

"Not her, the two men following her," Simon replied in a low voice as he rounded the next corner. He watched in disbelief as Tory stepped up to the iron gates of one of the local cemeteries, opened it, and slipped inside. "I swear I have never met a more clueless female in my life."

"Then why do you chance discovery?" Youssef demanded. "Let fate do what it will with her."

"Because she is mine," Simon replied. "Magnolia Cemetery on Cunnington Aveune."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," Youssef promised. He stopped on the street across from the entrance to the cemetery. The two men had paused at the entrance to the cemetery and where they argued in quiet voices. He could hear every word of their conversation and it only heated the fire of rage building inside him.

"This is crazy," the shorter man who smelled like stale cigarettes muttered. "Let's find some other chic."

"No," the tall, lanky one hissed. "Did you see the curves on her? Did you see the size of her tits? This one is perfect?"

"She might be perfect, but she walked into a fucking cemetery," the first man argued. "Normal chics don't go into cemeteries at night. Besides, what if someone sees us?"

"Who's going to see us? The ghosts? Everybody is dead, man," the lanky male chuckled. "Dead people don't talk, dude. Come on."

"I don't like this," the first man grumbled. "I'd rather find some bitch down near the harbor."

"I get her ass," the lanky male replied. "Since you're such a pussy, you can have that."

Simon started across the street as the words faded. By the time he got done with the two men, there wouldn't be anything left for Youssef to clean up. He was going to rip them to shreds and burying their remains among the dead.

Slipping through the gate, he stripped off his clothing before calling forth the beast inside him. It was time to hunt. First, he would kill the two men. Then, he would take his prize, the clueless woman that would discover he was all male.

*.*.*

Tory waved to another ghost who smiled and floated away from her. She loved walking through cemeteries. There were so many interesting people who had lived during all different time periods. Cemeteries were the best place to learn about the past.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick, a widow from the 1800's who still hung out at the Magic cemetery, was one of her best friends even if she was an old ghost. Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Sheriff Buchanan, the first sheriff of Magic, had helped her with her history during high school. She would have failed if it hadn't been for them.

"How're you doing? Nice to meet you. Is there a nice place to sit and have dinner?" Tory asked one group of soldiers gathered around a ghostly fire.

"Down by the pond is nice," one of the soldiers in gray replied. "Nice night. If you come back again in a couple days, the moon will be full and it is real pretty, then."

"Thank you. I'll have to make sure I come back.," Tory replied with a grin. "See you."

"Have a good evening, ma'am," another soldier replied, looking with envy at Tory's ass as she walked away. "I wish they had women like that when I was alive."

Ghostly laughter filled the air as the soldier turned back to his comrades. Tory heard the comment and chuckled. Yep, there was always a 'lively' bunch in the cemetery.

She wove her way through the beautiful, peaceful tombstones enjoying the cool evening and the serenity of the grounds. Some of the tombstones were works of art, while others shared their tragic stories. She remembered being fascinated and saddened by the tales the ghosts told her.

She had been around seven the first time she went down to the cemetery in Magic. A sigh escaped her as she remembered crying when one little girl, the same age as her at the time, told her how she had died on a dark winter morning after being ill. The young girl's mother sat beside her, brushing her hair as they talked about what they liked to do. The girl's father sat nearby chatting with Sheriff Buchanan.

Tory thought of her Aunt Topper. Topper had found her sitting on a bench in the lone shade of a mature Juniper tree with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her aunt had sat with her and helped her to understand that there were many different levels to life than just living.

*.*.*

Tory shook her head and turned when she heard a whispered warning from a nearby ghost. Pulling her thoughts away from her memories, she froze. Her eyes skimmed the darkened landscape. Two men moved silently through the graveyard. It was clear that they were looking for someone.

The faint outline of the soldier who had told her about the pond floated toward her. She waited until he was close before she spoke in a low tone. Something told her that the two men were not just out for an evening stroll.

"They look for you, ma'am," the young soldier warned her. "Do you want us to scare them away."

"No," Tory said, feeling her teeth lengthen. "No, I'll take care of this."

"Be careful," the soldier replied. "Me and the boys will be close if you need us."

"Thank you," Tory replied, setting her dinner down on the top of a headstone.

She started to turn away when another shape moved in the darkness. It took a moment for her to realize that it was either a very large dog, or more than likely....

"Simon," Tory muttered. "Humans, first. Werewolf, second."

Swirling, Tory transformed. This time, she was a sleek raven. Soaring upward, she flew toward where one of the men had circled around the large pyramid tomb. She transformed just a few feet behind the short, stocky man.

"Can I help you find someone?" Tory asked, smothering a grin when he turned with a startled cry.

The man stood frozen in surprise as she took a step closer to him. He swallowed several times as he tried to force the words out. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the chill of the air.

"Where in the hell did you come from?" He croaked out at last.

"Why are you following me?" Tory asked instead, tilting her head to look at him. She sniffed the air. "Just out of curiosity, what blood type are you?"

"O... I have Type O," he whispered before clearing his throat. "Why?"

"Damn, oh well," Tory muttered in disappointment. "You know, smoking isn't good for you, right?"

"I know. I've been trying to quit. Why... why do you... Why do you want to know what blood type I am?" He suddenly asked in confusion.

"Maybe she wants to drink it," another voice commented behind her.

Tory turned and gazed at the other man. She had heard him coming up. She ran her gaze up and down him as well. Sniffing the air, she was disappointed that this guy smoked as well. They both probably had the same blood type too. It really didn't matter. She might be hungry, but neither one of the men whetted her appetite like Simon Drayton did.

Now, that man had whetted her appetite so fast, so hard, she knew she was in trouble. That was why she had turned attention to Youssef. Thank goodness he had come in. She had been pulling Simon's hair back to expose more of his neck. Another few seconds and her teeth would have been buried in his succulent vein and she would have been feasting on his 'A' positive blood.

Tory studied the man and wiggled her nose. "Not likely," she replied. "He smells. So do you. Besides, you are both the wrong sort for me. I have to be careful who I bite."

"Now, ain't that a shame," the tall man replied. "I'm sure Ray will appreciate it, though."

"Why?" Tory asked, standing tensely as the man stepped closer.

"'Cause, you little darling, are about to get fucked," the man chuckled. "Every which way."

"Howie, I don't like this," Ray muttered as a chill wash over him. "Somethings not right."

"The only thing that ain't right is you turning coward," Howie snapped, not taking his eyes off of Tory. "Let's see if your tits are as pretty without your dress on."

Tory shook her head. "I don't think so," she said, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm giving you one chance, and one chance only, to promise to never harm another living soul."

The sound of Howie's laughter echoed in the cool evening. Neither man seemed aware that a light fog was beginning to rise up from the ground. Tory noticed it. It was the spirits living in the cemetery. They protected their own and she was not human.

"Ray, grab her," Howie ordered.

"Howie," Ray started to argue.

"Now! She knows our names thanks to you. You think she'll keep her mouth shut? She'll have the police on us if we let her live," Howie snapped.

"Shit!" Ray choked out, reaching for Tory.

Tory didn't wait. The moment Ray reached for her, she moved. One second she was in between the two men, the next she was behind him. She gripped his neck and tilted it.

She couldn't kill him, but she couldn't let him go either. The chemicals released in her bite would paralyze the man without harming him and she would be able to erase his memories of her.

Distaste and distress washed through her as she sank her teeth into his neck. The foul taste of Ray's blood washed through her mouth, gagging her. Unfortunately, along with the blood came the man's sad, tortured memories of his life.

Tory tried not to swallow any of the blood, but her starving body demanded it. The raw steak she had purchased was forgotten. A loud snarl filled the air, followed by heavy curses.

Her eyes flickered up in time to see Howie turn to look between two large tombstones. His eyes widened in terror before he turned and bolted, leaving his friend behind. Simon's dark shape flashed out from where Howie had been looking.

Tory knew that she would have to stop Simon or he would kill the other man. Sending a swift command through the link she now had with Ray, she sent him into a deep slumber. Withdrawing her fangs, she let him drop to the ground.

"Watch him," Tory choked out. "I have to stop Simon."

"Yes, ma'am," the soldier said with a nod.

Tory didn't wait. She took off running after Simon and Howie. She ignored the fierce burning that was boiling in her stomach and threatened to choke her. She needed fresh blood. Fresh blood that she could drink to dilute the tainted blood she had in her system. She needed Simon's blood.

She weaved in and out between the headstones. She tried to shift, but her strength and the churning pain building inside her prevented it. She gasped as she heard Howie's loud scream and the vicious snarl of Simon.

Breaking around the side of a curving oak, she gripped the rough bark to steady her shaking limbs. Drawing in a deep breath, she gazed at where Howie was crouched against the front of a headstone. His left pant leg was torn and the scent of his blood filled the air, adding to Tory's misery.

"Simon," she called out weakly. "Simon, please. I need your help. Please, it hurts."

# Chapter 7

It had taken Simon several minutes to pick up the men's trail. They had parted ways several times and it had made it more difficult. He had finally decided to focus on the tall, lanky male. Out of the two males, Simon was confident that he was the ringleader of the pair.

A red haze had covered his eyes when he saw Tory trapped between the two men. The beast only recognized that the female he had claimed was in danger. When the man he was focused on turned and ran, the instinct to hunt overwhelmed him.

Simon dodged another headstone as he closed the distance between him and his prey. He stretched out with his paw and dragged his razor sharp claws down the male's left leg. A strangled scream escaped the man as he twisted away.

Harsh sobs filled the air as the human tried to make himself smaller. Simon's lip curled, revealing his sharp teeth. A loud, menacing snarl escaped him as he stepped closer. His only thought was to rip the male apart for threatening Tory.

He took another step closer. In the distance, he could hear the sound of running feet. Youssef and the select few that knew about him had arrived. He would save Youssef the trouble of hiding this body.

A low growl escaped him when the man tried to reach into his jacket pocket. Simon could smell the faint scent of gunpowder. He turned when he heard Youssef call out a warning.

"I wouldn't if you want to live," Youssef warned, aiming his own pistol at the man. "Hands behind your head, roll onto your stomach! Now!"

"Are you fucking crazy! Shoot it! Shoot it!" Howie screamed.

"If I shoot anything, it will be you," Youssef replied coldly. "You have to the count of two to roll onto your stomach. Otherwise, I will look the other way while he rips you to pieces."

Simon howled loudly when Howie rolled over onto his stomach on the ground and covered his head with his hands. Huge white paws raked the ground. Dirt, leaves, grass, and moss flew up behind him as he fought the urge to attack.

"We have the other male as well," Youssef said after a voice spoke in his earpiece. "The girl is missing, though."

"Simon," a soft voice called out weakly from the dark shadows of a tree to their right. "Simon, please. I need your help. Please, it hurts."

Simon's massive head turned. His glittering blue eyes locked on the bent figure holding onto the tree. A low whine escaped him when he saw Tory slide down to the ground. Her body heaved as if she was about to vomit.

Twisting away from where Youssef and another of his security detail were handcuffing the human male, he padded swiftly over to where Tory half sat, half lay on the moist ground. He pressed his face up against her outstretched hand. A low rumble of approval escaped him when her fingers tightened on the hair at his nape.

"Please," she whispered in a voice filled with pain. "I need your help."

"What is wrong?" Simon demanded after he shifted and desperately wrapped his hands in her thick brown hair. "What did they do to you? I smell his blood on you."

"Come closer," she begged. "Please, it hurts so badly."

Simon leaned closer, pulling her sideways onto his thick thighs. His arm wrapped around her as he felt a spasm of pain rip through her. A low cry escaped her as she bowed backwards in agony.

"Tory, what is it? Tell me what I can do," Simon demanded in a frantic voice. "Tory, tell me where they hurt you."

"Close... Closer," she begged.

"Tory," Simon said as he pulled her face to his neck and held her tightly as another wave of agonizing pain swept through her. "Tory!"

Simon's body stiffened in surprise when he felt the sharp flare of pain, followed by ecstasy as her sharp teeth sank into the throbbing vein in his neck.

*.*.*

Relief flooded through Tory as Simon's sweet elixir mixed with Ray's toxic blood and quickly diluted it. The pain that had been ripping her apart turned to heat as she drank deeply.

She knew she should release him, but he tasted so good, so sweet. She moaned and pressed closer to his warm body. Her hand slid over his bare shoulder to clench him tightly against her as she rubbed her ass back and forth where she was sitting across his upper thighs.

Something hard and thick, pushed against the back of her dress. She wiggled her ass again and was rewarded with a deep, rich groan that matched her own. Her lips caressed the flesh and her tongue teased him as she began stroking him.

Never in her life had she ever tasted blood so rich, so sweet, and so addictive that she could feel her body flood with heat. It pooled low between her legs making her ache with an intensity that shook her. She kneaded the flesh under the palms of her hands and rocked back and forth as the pleasure built.

The hands wrapped around her tightened, trying to hold her still, but it was impossible. She was lost in the height of pleasure as his blood heated her until she felt like she was a volcano about to explode. The pressure exploded through her when he suddenly shuddered in her arms and released a low cry.

Her own body clenched in response and the pooling lava burst forth in an unexpected orgasm that shook her. Mind-blowing pleasure ricocheted through her, stunning her with the ferocity of its release.

Tory ripped her teeth from his neck with a loud cry. The pleasure was so unexpected and powerful that she stared up at him in stunned silence before her eyelashes fluttered and she collapsed limply in his arms. If she had remained conscious long enough, she would have discovered she was not the only one stunned by what had happened.

*.*.*

Simon was silent as he carried Tory's limp body through the cemetery. He refused to look anywhere else, but straight ahead. For the first time, he was seeing things that he had never seen before. Ghostly figures moved among the tombstones, following the small group as they made their way to the main gates.

"Simon," Youssef murmured in an uneasy voice.

"Not here, Youssef," Simon interrupted. "When we get to the car."

"Yes," Youssef replied. He glanced at the two men stumbling behind them. "Take them to the police station and file a report."

"Yes, sir," one of the men replied.

Simon stepped through the gate and swiftly climbed into the waiting SUV as the driver hurriedly opened the door. He winced when the rough material of his jeans brushed against his semi-engorged cock. Fortunately, Youssef had followed the GPS in Simon's cell phone and retrieved his clothing by the gate as he came through it. After Tory fainted, Simon had reluctantly handed her limp body to Youssef while he slipped his jeans and black cotton, pull-over shirt on. At the moment, even that short separation was difficult for him and he had quickly retrieved her back into his arms.

He settled Tory's limp body more comfortably against him. Her head was cradled against his left shoulder while her body draped over the rest of him. Dirt stained her knees where she had sunk down by the tree and bits of damp grass clung to her low-heeled black boots.

"Simon, what is she?" Youssef asked, staring with dark, worried eyes at Tory's pale face. "She... she acted like she was a Vam... She acted like she was a Vampire. But, how is that possible? She was out in the sunlight. Could there even be such a creature in addition to Werewolves?"

Simon's eyes locked on his friend's pale face. His mind swirled with questions. Was it possible? Maybe. Most likely, after what they had just witnessed. But, how? He hadn't smelled anything unusual. Surely, the beast inside him would have been able to pick up another immortal creature. He had easily picked up the scent of the Werewolves his master had created.

He had heard legends of Vampires, but he had never met any during his long life. Boatwright had never mentioned any other creatures. If anything, Boatwright had boasted that Werewolves were the only creatures of the night that were real.

"We are the only ones that truly live." Simon remembered Boatwright bragging to him shortly after the alpha changed him. "And I am the alpha, the leader, the only one who can make more. I alone control who can become immortal and who will die. The Werewolves I create are the only ones in the world."

Simon had believed his former alpha. The only Werewolves he had ever met were the ones Boatwright created. They were the ones Simon would later kill. He had spent centuries believing he was the only creature of his kind on Earth.

His eyes shifted down to Tory's relaxed face. He traced her flushed cheek with the trembling fingers of his right hand. She was not pale or cold like the stories said a Vampire would be. She had delivered the furniture to his house this afternoon in broad daylight. He had watched as the sun highlighted the colors in her rich, brown hair.

"No, it has to be something else," Simon murmured as he tenderly stroked her cheek. "She is warm. She was outside in the sun. No, there is another explanation."

"Why would she go to a cemetery at night?" Youssef asked. "No normal human would venture there alone after dark. Not only that, I thought I saw... things moving there. Simon, something is not right. Let me take her to her apartment. I can leave her there. I think it would be best if you disappeared for a while until I find out what is going on."

"No!" Simon replied sharply, glancing up at Youssef with a piercing glacial glare. "She stays with me until I know what she is and what happened."

"Very well," Youssef forced out in a heavy voice. "I just ask that you use caution. She has some type of hold over you. I've never seen..." Youssef's voice died at the silent warning in Simon's eyes at the mention of what happened a short time ago in the cemetery. "At least let me see what information I can find on her and Alexandru Carson. Promise me you will use caution until I can see what I can find."

"Do your research," Simon agreed. "I can look after myself."

Youssef gave a sharp nod, but remained quiet. Simon knew his friend wanted to argue. He also knew that it would be useless. No, he would keep an eye on Miss Tory Carson, a very close eye. She would be under his control, in his bed, and if he had anything to do with it, what happened in the cemetery would only be the beginning.

_Two days,_ Simon thought, leaning his head back against the headrest. _Two days until the sexual urges of the beast take control of me. Nothing can save Tory, then._

# Chapter 8

Tory stretched, yawned, and wiggled her toes back and forth. She didn't remember the bed in the apartment being this comfortable. She yawned again and slowly opened her eyes. Her head tilted sideways as she stared up at the high ceiling. A frown creased her brow as she studied it. This wasn't her bedroom.

A low scream escaped her when a man's face suddenly appeared in front of her. Not thinking, she pushed her hands up against his chest with more force than she was intending. Horror darkened her eyes as Simon's body flew up almost to the ceiling above the bed from her thrust.

Tory shifted into a bat as gravity kicked in and he started to fall. Flapping frantically, she flew up and landed on the top of an armoire set against the far wall of the bedroom. Peeking over the top, she winced when Simon landed in the middle of the bed with a loud thump. Her eyes widened and a delighted grin curved her lips as she admired his bare ass. Her admiration turned into a startled squeak when he suddenly moved.

Her eyes locked with his for a moment when he turned and glared up at her. Scrambling awkwardly backwards until she was up against the wall, she waited with a pounding heart. It didn't take long before a pair of piercing blue eyes was staring at her from over the lip of the beautiful, dark wood cabinet.

Tory stared back at him for several long seconds, wondering what she should do. Deciding she couldn't stay on top of the cabinet forever, she scooted toward the edge while keeping her eyes on him. He seemed to understand what she was about to do as his eyes followed her, but he didn't try to grab her.

With a little sneeze, she pushed off the armoire. She fluttered to the other side of the room before she transformed back. With a quick reach, she grabbed a dressing robe off an elegant eighteenth century style chair and pulled it on before she turned around to face Simon. A rosy blush rose up her cheeks, but she forced her eyes to remain on his face, instead of his magnificent body that was clearly exposed.

"What am I doing here?" Tory asked in a husky voice. "What happened?"

"You are back on my estate," Simon replied as he stepped around the bed. "You fainted last night after..."

"Oh!" Tory's eyes widened as the memory of what happened last night washed through her. "Oh my!"

*.*.*

Simon picked up his trousers that were lying on a small bench at the end of the bed. He quickly slid them on, never taking his eyes off of Tory's face. The flaming blush on her cheeks and her beautiful brown eyes that suddenly seemed too large for her face confused him.

The strength behind her thrust was enough to seal the fact that she was anything but human. But, it was her transformation into a small, plump bat and back again that shook him. Everything about her was now screaming immortal creature, yet her scent was still that of a human.

"Yes, oh," he said, watching her with a wary expression. "What are you, Miss Carson?"

Her eyes skirted from him to the bedroom door behind him and back again. She chewed on her bottom lip in indecision for several long seconds. Panic swept across her face when he took another step closer to her.

Simon saw her eyes flicker to the door again and knew she was going to try to get by him. What he hadn't expected was that she would be as fast as she was when she made up her mind to try to escape. He almost missed her as she swept past him. The minute his hands wrapped around her, she shifted again. One moment he had a beautiful, curvy woman in his grasp, the next he had a trembling, plump bat looking up at him with soulful, dark brown eyes.

He gently cupped the shivering creature in his hands. Pulling his hands closer to his chest, he stepped over to the large set of windows. Early morning sunlight filtered through the glass. Indecision flickered through him again as he wondered if it would hurt Tory. He held Tory up so he could see her peeking out between his fingers at him.

"The sun did not harm you yesterday," he murmured in a low voice. "Can you go out in it at any time?"

The tiny bat peeked out between his fingers. A soft chuckle escaped him when it looked like it tried to roll its eyes at him. This bat wasn't like any bat he had ever seen before. Her dark brown fur was soft, her eyes large and filled with emotion, and her mouth, while filled with sharp, tiny teeth, was puckered into an adorable, little pout.

"I assume that means 'no'," Simon chuckled. "If I release you, will you not try to escape again?"

It took a moment before he saw the little head move up and down. Drawing in a deep breath, he slowly opened his hands. A reassuring smile curved his lips when he felt the slight tremble of the creature in his hand before it turned and jumped off his outstretched palms.

He watched in fascination as Tory's soft, curvy figure formed a few feet away from him. He frowned when he noticed that when she transformed, his dressing gown was on her. When he transformed to the beast, he had to remove his clothing and redress otherwise it was destroyed.

"I... The sun doesn't bother me," Tory nervously replied, pushing a strand of wayward hair behind her ear as she glanced toward the window. "I like the sun."

"What are you?" Simon asked in a quiet voice.

Tory laughed nervously. "Duh! I'm a Vampire," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Haven't you ever met one before?"

"No," Simon whispered as he stared at her in fascination. "Are there others? How can you go out into the sun? Why aren't you cold? How... What the hell happened last night and does it happen every time you...?"

Simon sighed when Tory blushed again and bowed her head. She shook her head frantically back and forth before she replied. Simon stepped forward and tilted her chin up so that she was forced to look at him.

"No, there are not others? No, what happened last night doesn't happen with anyone else?" He asked in frustration.

"Yes, there are others. There are lots of us, well, not lots and lots, but a whole town full of everybody," she whispered, staring up at him. "No, I've never had that happen before. I don't normally suck on people's necks, it's rude. But the few times I have, I've never experienced that before." Her voice faded and her eyes dilated when he leaned down to brush a kiss over her upturned lips.

"Good," he replied against her lips before kissing her again.

A low groan escaped him when she shyly returned his kiss. The feel of her soft, plump lips against his sent a shaft of need through him. The beast, having had a taste of what could happen, wanted it just as much as the man did. His hands slid down her body and gripped her hips.

It took a considerable amount of self-discipline to pull back. He watched as her eyelids fluttered open. Her gaze was dazed and the sight of her slightly parted lips pulled another groan from him. He needed answers, but if she continued to look at him like she was doing right now, the answers would come later, much, much later.

"Tell me about... everything," he finally demanded after he drew in several, long, deep breaths. "You said there is a whole town of Vampires?"

Tory giggled and shook her head. "Not just Vampires," she replied, tilting her head to the side. "There's trolls and shifters and witches and, oh, we have a Genie, now! I bought him a couple weeks ago on ebay! There's also my best friend, Maverick. He's a Werewolf, too. Then, there's Kevin. He's a Garden Troll, but he hates dirt. He's almost as bad as I am being a Vampire with a blood disorder! Who would've thought that could happen? Then, there's..."

Simon's hands tightened on Tory's hips as she continued to talk. Werewolves, there were more of them! The beast inside him rose up in fury. There were others of his kind and they were close to Tory.

"Ouch," Tory muttered, sliding her hands down to cover his.

"I'm sorry," Simon said, releasing her and stepping back. "How can all of these creatures live together?"

"Why shouldn't we? I mean, Magic is our home," Tory replied, puzzled by his sudden closed expression. "Haven't you ever met others like us?"

"No."

"Oh," Tory whispered, gazing up at him in uncertainty. "We are just like everybody else. We have families that we love, go to school, and watch television."

"What about all the rumors about Vampires?" Simon asked, looking over Tory's flushed face. "You are warm, you go out into the sun, and you eat. I saw you coming out of a restaurant last night."

A soft sigh escaped Tory. "My rare steak that I paid thirty-two dollars for is ruined," she moaned in regret. "Why shouldn't I be warm? I mean, I can control my body temperature for the most part, but I hate being cold. That's just... yucky."

"Yucky?" Simon repeated with a shake of his head. "What happened last night? You were in pain. I could feel it, and yet when you bit me.... Damn it." He broke off when he felt his body react to the memory of her biting him.

"You saved my life," she admitted in a quiet voice. "I bit the other man to stop him. I have a slight blood disorder," she blushed again and looked down at her hands that were folded together in front of her. "If I drink the wrong blood type, it can kill me."

"Is that why you asked Youssef what his blood type was?" Simon asked in a deadly calm voice. "Is that why you wanted him to go out with you?"

Tory peeked up at him. "I love 'A' positive blood. It is a human's equalivant to chocolate to me. He smelled good, but you smelled... delicious," she admitted, looking away. "I couldn't let you know I was a Vampire. I promised everyone back home. Youssef would have been safe. I wouldn't have hurt him and I could make him forget if I did have a tiny sip."

Simon's eyes darkened with desire. If she was going to bite someone, it was damn well going to be him. He'd kill any other man.

"How often do you need to feed?" He asked in a husky voice.

"What? Feed?" She whispered as he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. "I... What are you doing?"

"Offering you a meal," Simon replied, lowering his head and tilting it just enough to tease her. "Are you hungry?"

"This is so not playing fair," she protested in a soft, tortured voice as the scent of his blood made her mouth water. "Simon, please."

"Say yes, Tory," Simon encouraged, leaning closer. "Bite me, Tory."

A low moan escaped her, but Simon knew he had won when he felt the scrape of her teeth along his flesh. Goosebumps rose along his skin as she brushed her teeth across his thundering vein. His hands tightened on her waist, encouraging her.

Pleasure and excitement burst through him when he felt the brief, sharp pain followed by ecstasy as she sank her fangs deep into his vein. His hands ripped the material of the dressing gown in half.

He cupped the back of her head when she started. He refused to let her stop. He wanted her. He needed her. This time, he was determined to have her on his terms.

He kept her mouth pressed against his neck with one hand, while he used the other to push off the trousers he had pulled on, but not fastened. Once he was able to kick them aside, he gathered her in his arms and strode back to the bed. His body was throbbing in time with the movement of her lips.

"Yes, Tory," he groaned as he laid her back down on the silky, royal blue sheets of his bed. "Yes, drink."

Her whimpers were all he needed to know that she was locked in the same haze of desire as he. He ran his hands up and down along her sides. On the third pass, he reached between them and threaded his fingers through the soft, dark curls covering her mound.

"Simon!" Tory gasped as her legs fell apart as he skimmed his fingers between them.

Simon quickly smothered her cry with his lips, tasting his blood on her lips as he did. His body had already healed the puncture marks from her teeth. Need rushed through him in a torrential flood of burning fire. Satisfaction coursed through him when he felt the slickness of her body as his fingers slipped into her vaginal canal. The muscles along her vagina squeezed him as he pushed deeper and deeper until he came to the barrier he was searching for.

The beast inside him howled in triumph. She was theirs to conquer, to tame, and to totally possess. He would keep her away from the other Werewolves and strange creatures. He would be her alpha.

"Say my name again, Tory," Simon demanded hoarsely as he pulled back. His hands moved back up and threaded through her thick, curly brown waves. "Say it. Say you want me."

"I do want you, Simon," she whispered in confusion. "I do..."

Simon didn't let her finish her sentence. His lips captured hers again as he slid his body firmly over hers. Aligning his throbbing cock with her slick entrance. He pressed forward. A shudder shook him as the bulbous head of his cock slipped inside her. Fire and her desire wrapped around him as he claimed her. He rocked his hips back and forth. Each move pressed him deeper and deeper. When he felt her stiffen in surprise, he pressed forward. He caught her startled gasp as he drove as far as he could into her.

"Yes, Tory," Simon groaned as he felt her body squeezing him. "Take me."

"Simon," Tory whimpered as her fingers curled into the skin of his shoulders as she stared up at him. "I... this isn't... Oh, that feels so good."

Simon had begun moving back and forth while he pressed hot kisses against her neck. He nipped at the tender skin of her neck and shoulder. He liked when she jerked in response. The beast inside him pushed against him. It wanted him to bite her and to mark her as his.

"Yes," he growled in a rough voice. "Take me. Take all of me, Tory."

Simon strained to keep a handle on his control. When Tory's legs rose and wrapped around his waist, he came close to losing it. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he buried his face in the pillow next to her to keep from mating with her.

This was the first time he had ever wanted to claim a woman like this. Biting the pillow, he pumped into her faster and harder with each stroke as the desire to bite built inside him until he thought he would go mad. He felt her harsh breath against his neck again right before she sank her teeth into him again.

This time, his control snapped. He sank his own teeth into the pillow as he came deep inside her. The pulsing jets triggered her own orgasm. Her legs tightened around his waist, holding him to her as he spilled his seed deep into her womb.

Releasing the pillow, Simon let out a hoarse cry when her hand slid down along his side to grip his left ass cheek as she pressed against him. The feel of the tug on his neck, combined with the slight raking of her nails over his ass, pulled another orgasm from him.

"Tory," Simon shouted out. "Yes!"

A shuddered ran through his body when she finally released his neck and ran her tongue over the two puncture wounds. He leaned down when she turned her face away from him and pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

He would never get enough of her. By the time the full moon was over in a few days, there would be no question that she belonged exclusively to him.

"Simon," Tory's whispered voice echoed in the room. "I think now is a bad time to tell you I'm not on birth control."

Simon's eyes widened at her softly spoken words. He leaned up so he could look down into her worried eyes. His mouth opened and he drew in a low, hissing breath.

"Vampires can get pregnant?" He asked faintly.

Simon watched as Tory's eyes filled and she burst into tears. For a moment, he didn't know what to think. He hadn't realized that Vampires could cry either. Wrapping his arms back around her, he rolled so that she was lying across his chest.

_This is turning out to be a little more complicated than I expected,_ he thought silently as he ran his hands up and down her back.

# Chapter 9

Tory glanced at Simon's relaxed face as he slept. It was a good thing Vampire's heal quickly, otherwise it would have been impossible for her to move without waking him. Hell, it would have been impossible to move at all after the number of times he had made love to her last night.

Sliding out of the bed, she picked up her discarded dress off the back of the chair. Dressing, she ran her fingers through her tousled hair. The good thing about curly hair was it always looked a bit wild and messy.

Walking silently over to the French doors leading out onto the balcony that wound around the corner Master bedroom, she glanced one last time toward the huge bed. A shiver of need coursed through her. She didn't understand what it was about Simon, but she couldn't seem to get enough of him. It was more than just his blood. There seemed to be some kind of connection between them that she had never felt before with any of the guys back home. Sure, her dad had put a spell on her. But really, if it had been that big a problem, she could have always gone to her Nonny or Aunt Topper for a cure.

She turned back and opened the door leading out onto the balcony. Transforming into a sleek Raven, she took off heading back to Alexandru's apartment. She needed time to think about what happened.

_As if I could forget!_ She thought in resignation as she soared through the cool morning air.

Simon had held her tightly while she cried. Of course, all that cuddling and stroking had turned to something else. The fact that he had remained locked to her also hadn't hurt.

Just the thought of his rough palms sliding over her skin sent a shiver through her. He had started out caressing her breasts, then licking her nipples, before he pulled each one into his mouth as he slowly moved in and out of her.

A loud squawk escaped her as she almost face-planted into a tree branch. Swerving, she flew higher. If she wasn't careful, she'd lose focus, transform, and fall to the ground!

Half an hour later, she released a sigh as she glided down to the alley behind her building. Making sure the coast was clear, she transformed just a few feet off the ground. She stepped quickly around the corner, smoothing her dress and tucking a wild strand of hair behind her ear as she opened the wrought iron gate to the entrance of the building.

Jogging up the narrow steps, she punched in the security code and opened the heavy wooden door. A breath of relief escaped her as it closed behind her. She glanced at the elevator before deciding to take the stairs.

Her hand ran along the banister of the old wooden staircase. The smooth, worn wood made her think of all those that had climbed the steps before her. She wondered how many were now living in the cemetery where she had been only two nights before. Two nights! Her life had changed so much in such a short time.

Twenty-four years of being protected and two days on her own and she had royally screwed up her life! She wiped angrily at a tear that escaped. Maybe her dad had been right. Maybe she was too young to be out on her own. After all, Vampires didn't age at the same rate as a human.

Her hand slid to her stomach. Even after she had warned Simon that she wasn't on birth control, he had made love to her over and over as if he couldn't get enough of her either. Maybe it wasn't as easy for a Vampire to get pregnant.

She bit her bottom lip as she stepped onto the third floor landing. Walking down the narrow hallway, she stopped in front of the door to the apartment. Pressing in the code, she opened the door and stepped inside. Locking the door behind her, she crossed the living room, heading for her bedroom.

The first thing she would do is take a long, hot bath. The second thing she would do is contact her mom. She needed to know if...

"No, not mom," she whispered, touching her stomach again. "I'll contact the Fates. If anyone would know, they would."

*.*.*

An hour later, Tory fingered her hair nervously while she sat in front of the mirrored vanity waiting for one of her Godmothers to pick up her call. She tried to school her features when Destiny's smiling face shimmered for a moment before it cleared. Behind her, Tory could see a line of toilet stalls with different names on them.

"Hi love," Destiny answered. "How are things going?"

Tory rolled her eyes. "Like you don't already know," Tory muttered. "Destiny, I need to know if I'm... if I'm..." Tears filled Tory's eyes as Destiny's expression softened with concern. "I'm so confused."

"Things will work out, Tory. You just have to believe that," Destiny responded.

"I met someone. He's a Werewolf," Tory blurted out. "We... He... Am I pregnant?"

Destiny chuckled. She turned as the door opened. Fortune and Aura came inside. Both were dressed up. Fortune had a long, sparkling red dress while Aura wore a 1920's gold Flapper dress.

"No, love," Fortune answered. "You are not pregnant."

"Thank you!" Tory breathed out in relief. "What's going to happen? Why do I feel so confused when I'm around Simon? What should I do?"

"Only you can answer that, sweetheart," Aura said. "The future is never set in stone. Well, most of it."

"I know," Tory whispered miserably. "I just wanted to have some fun. All I wanted was to see a little bit of the world that Benjamin and Alexandru talked about. Now, now I think I would have been better just staying in Magic."

"Where it was safe?" Aura asked.

"Where it was boring?" Fortune asked.

"Where you would never have met Simon Drayton?" Destiny added.

"Yes," Tory muttered, leaning forward on her elbows and resting her chin on her palms.

"Why?" All three of her godmothers asked at the same time.

"Before he fell asleep..." Tory blushed a bright red, but didn't look away. "Before he fell asleep, he said he would never let me go. That I was his."

"And that scared you," Destiny replied in a gentle voice.

"Yes," Tory nodded.

Aura turned with a grumble. "We have to go. One of the patron's is about to have a baby in here. Trust in the future, Tory."

"But, don't let him run over you, dear," Fortune added. "Werewolves can be very possessive."

"We love you, dear. If you need us, just let us know," Destiny said as she began to disappear.

"Love you, too," Tory whispered just as the door opened and a very pregnant woman stepped inside. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for several long seconds. "Well, at least I know there were no consequences to last night besides me being an emotional basket case and a horny Vampire. Perhaps this is the Fates' way of telling me to quit while I'm ahead."

*.*.*

Simon reached out an arm for Tory. He was horny again. The pull of the full moon was on him now and the beast would not rest again until after it was over. Until then, he would be insatiable.

His head jerked up when his hand came up empty this time. A low, menacing growl escaped him as his eyes darted to the open bathroom door. He rolled out of the bed and strode over to it. Empty.

His eyes darted to where her dress and boots had been tossed. They were gone. He turned, feeling the change come over him.

Lowering his head, he sniffed out the path she had taken. He nosed open the balcony door and stepped outside. Rising up on his back legs, he curled his front paws onto the railing where her scent suddenly disappeared. A long, loud howl escaped him as rage washed through him.

Simon lowered himself back down. Returning to the bedroom, he shifted again. He swiftly dressed. A knock on the door told him that Youssef had recognized his fury. Opening the door, he ran a hand through his hair as he glared at Youssef.

"She's gone," he snarled.

"I'll have a team dispatched to Carson's apartment at once," Youssef replied. "Should you..."

"No," Simon snapped. He knew that Youssef wanted to know if he should be incarcerated in the lower chambers he had built in the basement of the house. "No, I will get her back."

Youssef gave a sharp nod. "Did you find out what she was?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes," Simon replied in a short voice, descending the stairs to the lower level where his office was located. "She is a Vampire."

"How? She was in the sun," Youssef forced out in a strained voice.

"It would appear that many of the myths are incorrect," Simon answered as he stepped into his office. "And, Youssef. She is not the only one."

"There are more?" Youssef replied in dismay. "Where?"

"We can assume that Alexandru Carson is one," Simon replied with a glance at his friend while turning on his computer. "She also said there are other Werewolves."

"Other Werewolves!" Youssef's face paled. "Should I gather a team together?"

"Not yet," Simon ordered. "I want to know more about the place she came from. In the meantime, find her, and Youssef, make sure she doesn't disappear."

"I will oversee this myself," Youssef replied in a quiet voice. "You are sure that she is a Vampire?" He asked in a hesitant voice from where he stood by the door.

Simon looked up and grinned. It was not a smile of amusement. He saw the shudder that went through Youssef's tall frame. The beast must be closer to the surface than he realized.

"Yes," he said before turning his attention to the computer in front of him.

# Chapter 10

Simon's mind was swirling with confusion. Youssef had called him twenty minutes before to say he had a visual on Tory. She was in Alexandru Carson's apartment.

He glanced out the back window of the SUV as the driver made the turn onto the narrow street and pulled up next to where Youssef was standing in the shadows of a building. His thoughts were churning with all the information he had learned about the small town of Magic, New Mexico.

Hell, everything about the town screamed tourist trap. The odd names of the businesses there were enough to attract anyone with a love of fantasy. There were a dozen restaurants with names like The Witches Brew, The Krazy Kettles, The Giant's Beanstalk, and more.

If that wasn't enough, even the two grocery store advertisements were a marketer's delight. He had never seen ads for Blisterwart cream, fresh made Blood Pudding made with different blood types, Fresh Saltwater Eel, delightfully seasoned for sure to meet any Griffin's delight. There was even a Dwarf Construction Company, guaranteeing all construction projects for the first five hundred years.

Information on the town stated there was a population of a little over two thousand full time residents. It was founded in the late seventeen hundreds before the actual acquisition of the New Mexico territory. What was very strange was the fact the founding family still resided in Magic. The address led him to the local cemetery.

He opened the door to the Black SUV as it came to a complete stop across the street from the apartment. Stepping out into the waning light of the early evening, he glanced up at the dark third floor window of Carson's temporary residence. His mouth tightened as the beast inside him reacted to being so close to Tory.

"She is still there?" Simon asked Youssef.

"As far as I can tell," Youssef replied, leaning against the side of the building. "I saw her sitting at the table five minutes ago. Do you wish for a security detail to remain?"

"Yes," Simon replied in a distracted voice as he stared up at the third floor window. "I will return with her shortly."

"Be careful, my friend," Youssef replied. "You don't have much time before the moon rises. You know once the full moon is upon you, the beast will take control."

"Do you think I'm not aware of that," Simon snapped impatiently. "The beast inside me wants to mate with her as it is. Once the moon rises, I won't be able to stop it from doing so. She will be mine... forever, Youssef."

Youssef's swiftly inhaled breath told Simon that had not been the response his friend was expecting. Hell, from the way the beast was acting, he would have thought the full moon was already here.

His eyes rose to the third window again when a light came on. It was time to show Tory what happened when she upset her alpha. His lips tightened in determination.

_Upset, hell,_ he thought as he crossed the street. _I'll chain her ass up if she ever tries to run from me again._

*.*.*

Tory picked at the rare steak on her plate before she finally just picked the whole thing up and dumped it in the trash can in the kitchen. She washed her hands before walking back into the living room. Bending, she turned on the lamp next to the sofa before she twisted and fell onto it and leaned her head back.

Tears of frustration filled her eyes as she thought of Simon Drayton. How did things get out of hand so quickly? She brushed an impatient hand over her cheek.

"I should have known better than to get close to a Werewolf. If I had stuck with a nice, ordinary human this wouldn't be such a disaster. But Werewolves..." Tory blew out a deep breath.

Werewolves could get very possessive. That was one reason she had always made sure that she and Maverick remained friends. They were very loyal to their friends, but if they thought there was anything else it could turn nasty. She had seen what happened when one of Maverick's older brothers fell for a human girl while at college a couple years ago. He had gone nuts for a little while.

"What am I going to do?" She whispered out loud.

A loud knock on the door startled her. She knew immediately who it was... Simon. She had hoped he would take the hint that she needed distance, space to think, when she left before he woke this morning.

She jumped when the knock sounded again followed by a deep voice demanding she open the door. Tory rose off the couch. A wry smile curved her lips as she smoothed her trembling palms down her thighs. It was a good thing she was a Vampire or she would have been scared stupid by the threat in his demand.

Taking a deep breath, she remembered what Fortune told her about not allowing him to run over her. No way that was going to happen. She had been lucky last night, especially when she thought of how many times they had made love.

She was not about to let that happen again. She wasn't about to tempt the Fates. They loved a challenge and they always won! She had learned that the hard way growing up. Never challenge a Fate to Truth or Dare!

Pausing to run a hand through her hair, she unlocked the door when it vibrated violently this time. Jerking it toward her, she opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind about banging so loudly and rudely.

The words never left her mouth. They couldn't because the moment the door opened, he pushed inside, grabbed her around the waist, pressed her against the wall, and covered her mouth with his. She vaguely heard the door slam followed by the sound of ripping cloth.

Her lips opened in shock as he roughly nipped at her bottom lip. The cooler air of the room caressed her suddenly heated flesh as he swept his tongue into her mouth. He used his body to hold her up against the wall while his hands worked at shredding her clothing.

A gasp escaped her when he broke the kiss and pressed his lips down along her jaw. His hands cupped her bare breasts, pinching her nipples hard enough to draw a cry from her. She shivered at the suppressed violence in his body as his left hand came up to tangle in her hair.

"Simon," she whispered. "Simon, you have to... to stop."

"No," he growled in a rough voice. "You left me."

"I... Yes, I did, but it was for a good reason," she moaned as he ran his tongue along her neck.

Simon pulled back to gaze into her eyes. A primitive fire burned in them. She could see the Werewolf close to the surface. It took a moment for her to realize that tonight was the first night of the full moon. A shiver escaped her as his teeth lengthened.

"You are mine now," he snarled in a guttural voice. "Mine, Tory."

"Simon, no!" Tory cried out realizing that the beast had taken control. "Fight it. You don't realize what this will mean."

Her voice died as his hand tightened in her hair, exposing her slender neck to him. She released a smothered scream as his teeth sank into her. She felt her feet being slowly lowered to the floor. Her hands clung to his shoulders as he held her captive between the wall and his large body.

Her traitorous body responded to his bite. She had never been bitten before and found it very arousing. She couldn't turn her head, but she could feel him fumbling with his fastening of his jeans.

_Just once more can't hurt,_ she thought desperately as her hands moved between their bodies to help him.

A low moan escaped her as his pants slid down his legs. He released her neck, tenderly licking at the wound even as his hands moved to grip her around her ass. Her legs opened to wrap around his waist as he guided her high enough to align his throbbing cock with her.

"I want you," he muttered, gazing at her with dark, blazing eyes. "You want me."

"Yes, I want you, too," Tory whispered, staring back at him.

"Yes," Simon howled, rocking his hips forward and impaling Tory.

*.*.*

Simon was almost mindless with need by the time he reached the door to the apartment. What little control he had disappeared when Tory opened the door. The sight of her tousled hair, beautiful curves, and delectable scent snapped the last of it.

The beast howled with triumph as he marked his female. The taste of her blood was embedded in him now. She would forever be his. Now, it was time to mark her with his scent.

Sexual desire burned like a lava flow through him. He was in a haze of the sexual madness that held him in its grip. For the next two days, he would fuck her over and over. By the third day, the edge would lessen slightly as the moon slipped into its next phase, but he knew deep down he would never get enough of Tory.

Relief swept through him when he felt her hands frantically helping him undo the fastenings on his pants. He retained just enough control to tell her how much he wanted her. When she whispered her own desperate need, his mind clouded and he knew all rational thought was gone. He was locked in the haze of desire that drove his creation.

"Yes," he groaned, rocking into her. "Yes!"

His seed exploded deep into her, washing her womb with his scent. The tingling along his spine grew as he pressed against her. He turned his face into her shoulder as a shudder escaped him.

"Simon," Tory murmured, caressing his hair. "Simon."

"Mine, Tory," he muttered against her skin before he pulled back. "You have two minutes to get yourself covered ."

"What?!" Tory squeaked.

"I can't take you the way I need to here. It isn't secure enough," he muttered. "One minute, now. In less than five minutes, I will be buried inside you again."

*.*.*

Tory's eyes widened as he pulled away from her in jerky moves. She remembered Maverick telling her and Kevin about what it was like during the full moon. She had blushed while Kevin had sighed and complained again about being born a Garden Troll.

"I'd love to have almost a week of mindless sex," Kevin had grumbled, throwing his fork down. "What do I get? Garden parties! God, I hate being a Troll!"

Maverick had winked at Tory. "If you are ever interested, let me know, Tory," he had teased. "I'd love a week exploring your curves!"

She had thrown the remains of her lunch at Maverick who had just laughed. Now, she half suspected he really meant it. She stumbled when she felt the decorative throw from the couch being wrapped around her before she was swept off her feet.

"Simon," she protested.

"Time's up," he growled.

Simon opened the door with the hand holding her under her knees. Tory blushed when she saw Youssef standing outside the door with a dark scowl on his face. Simon jerked his head at the man.

"The neighbors have called the police to say there is a wild animal in the building," Youssef said in a low voice. "I told them all to stay in their apartments until it was captured. The SUV is out back."

"Move," Simon demanded in a voice that sounded anything, but human. "The moon is rising."

# Chapter 11

Three days later, Simon sat on the edge of the bed looking down at Tory's relaxed features. He picked up her limp hand, raising her pale, slender fingers to his lips. A sense of remorse swept through him at the dark circles under her eyes.

He had been ruthless, insatiable, the last three days. The only time he gave her to feed was during their lovemaking. His fingers tightened convulsively around hers as shock swept through him.

_Lovemaking,_ he thought as he stared down at her pale features. _I love her._

Panic swept through him as he realized that he loved Tory. A shaky smile curved his lips as his gaze eagerly caressed her face. He loved her sense of humor. During the short bouts of sanity, she had told him of her life back in Magic. If he ever met her father, he would have to remember to thank the man for casting the Blisterwart spell and hiding it in Tory's hairbrush.

She had told him about her weekly visits to talk to the ghost down at the cemetery, her dreams of building her Graphic Design business, and about how she had almost died from a blood disorder when she was just a baby. He remembered her rolling her eyes when she told him about it.

*.*.*

"Whoever heard of a Vampire with a blood disorder?" She had asked him as she gazed down from where she was sprawled across his chest. "That would be like a Werewolf being allergic to... to... meat!"

"I'm just glad you are not allergic to mine," he had replied as he drew her back down to him. "I love it when you bite me."

"So do I," she whispered.

*.*.*

A knock on the door pulled him out of his memories. He rose from the edge of the bed and walked across the room. Opening the door, he frowned when he saw Youssef standing outside the door with a worried expression on his face.

"I have not killed her," Simon assured his friend as he leaned against the door jam and folded his arms.

Youssef's eyes flickered briefly toward the bed, but he couldn't see anything between Simon's tall figure and the half shut door. Instead, he turned his gaze back to Simon. He shifted as the cell phone in his pocket buzzed.

"We have a problem," Youssef said in a short voice. "The alarms are going off all over the estate. Four of my men have not responded to calls to check in. I sent two men out. At least two of the men were unconscious."

A low snarl escaped Simon. It wasn't often that someone suspected what he was, but it did happen. Over the centuries, he'd had to fight Slayers who came for him. The beast inside him immediately reacted to the threat against his mate.

Simon stepped out into the hallway. The change was already coming over him. His eyes flickered back to the closed bedroom door.

"Protect her," Simon ordered in a guttural voice.

"With my life, my friend," Youssef promised.

Simon closed his eyes and let the beast take over. If there were intruders on the estate, it would find them. The large white and gray wolf glanced back at the door before it raised its head and howled. The hunt was on.

*.*.*

Alexandru landed on the balcony outside of Simon Drayton's bedroom. Through the glass doors, he could see Tory's still, pale features. Rage burned in his eyes as he noticed the dark circles under his baby sister's eyes and the mark on her throat.

Only an immortal creature could leave its mark upon another. Fury welled inside him leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He flicked his wrist and the door opened. Striding over to the bed, he sat on the edge.

"Tory?" Alexandru murmured in a low voice. "Tory, wake up."

He watched as her eyelashes fluttered as she fought against the obvious exhaustion dragging at her. He could smell Drayton's scent on her. There were several marks on her neck and shoulder. Some fresh, while others were probably a few days old.

"Alexandru?" Tory whispered. She blinked several times. "What are you doing here? Did you find the pieces that you were looking for?"

"I found more than I expected," Alexandru replied in a voice filled with strain. "How long has he kept you here?"

"Who? Simon? He... it was the full moon," she whispered. "I'm so tired. Can we talk about this later?"

"Tory," Alexandru said in a sharper voice. "What happened?"

"Ms. Carson?" A low voice called as the door opened. "Are you alright?"

Alexandru stood up and turned as the bedroom door swung inward. His eyes locked on the dark haired human male who stopped in surprise when he saw Alexandru standing next to the bed.

Alexandru hissed and flew across the room. Gripping Youssef by the throat, he held him up against the wall. His teeth lengthened and his fingers squeezed when the other man tried to call out for help.

"Tell Drayton I will be back for him," Alexandru snarled. "I am going to rip him apart for what he has done to my sister. Tell him!"

Alexandru held Youssef's throat until the human lost consciousness. Only then did he drop him. Turning on his heel, he returned to the bed where he scooped Tory's limp body up into his arms.

"Open a door to Magic," Alexandru commanded.

The spell wove out from him as if recognizing the urgency behind it. The moment the portal opened, he stepped through it. His first priority was to Tory. He needed to get her as far away from Drayton as possible. Once he knew that she was safe, he would return and when he did, Drayton would die.

A long, forlorn howl echoed behind him as the portal closed. A smile curved Alexandru's lips. If he was lucky, the wolf would come to him.

# Chapter 12

Simon glanced out the window of the helicopter at the house below him. Red dust swirled, casting a cloud as it began to lower. His fingers curled into his palms as he fought the fear threatening to choke him.

He hadn't been afraid since he was a young, half-starved, beaten boy. Not even when he had been changed into a Werewolf had he felt the fear that was now threatening to consume him. What if she refused to see him? What if she denied his claim? What if she... didn't love him in return?

"Are you sure about this?" Youssef asked through the headset. "I will do what I can to protect you, Simon, but I doubt it will be enough to slow them down."

Simon turned his gaze to his friend's face. A calm mask of acceptance was reflected on Youssef's face. Youssef believed that they would both die today. He had fought against Simon coming to Magic, New Mexico. When he realized that Simon wouldn't stop until he had Tory back at his side, Youssef had insisted on going with him.

The only thing giving Simon hope was the strange visitor he had found in his office this morning. The woman had sported the brightest pink hair he had ever seen and wore an outfit that looked suspiciously like she was going on safari... in the 1930s. She had been sitting at his desk, reading through the research he had gathered on Magic, New Mexico when he walked in.

*.*.*

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"

He remembered demanding as he paused in shock in the doorway to his downstairs office. He had been finalizing his trip to get Tory when Youssef had called him away. His eyes had swung from her to the bundle of information that should have been neatly stored in the large envelope where he had placed it.

"Oh, I had forgotten all about Alicia's joke that one Halloween," the strange woman giggled. "She turned the entire population of rabbits into Jack-o-lopes for the evening. It became quite the legend."

"Who are you?" Simon demanded again as he stepped into the room and shut the door.

"I'm Tory's Great Aunt Topper, dear. Come in and have a seat," she said with a wave of her hand.

Simon froze. The large chair that he preferred to sit in when he wasn't at his desk rose suddenly and scurried across the floor. It didn't slide across. It had risen up and walked across it as if the chair legs had suddenly become... legs.

"Well, sit down," Topper said, resting her chin on her palm. "I don't have all day. I'm supposed to be on a scouting mission in Africa with the Fates."

"The Fates?" Simon asked faintly, growling when his favorite chair knocked the other chair out of the way. The move caught him off guard and he sat down heavily in the overstuffed seat. "Where is Tory?"

Topper fingered her bright pink hair for several long seconds while she stared at him. She must have been satisfied with what she saw because she gave a nod and sat back. She grinned and snapped her fingers.

Simon stared in disbelief as all the papers rose and tucked themselves into the large envelope. His eyes moved back to Topper's amused ones. He knew he was scowling at her, but he couldn't stop. She knew something she wasn't telling him.

"Tory is safely tucked away back home," Topper replied cheerfully. "She isn't very happy about it either."

"She is unhappy?" Simon repeated with a dark frown. "I need to go to her."

"Do you love her?" Topper asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That is none of your business," he retorted, glaring back at Topper with a stubborn expression. "This is between Tory and me."

Topper shook her head. "Not in the town of Magic," Topper replied softly. "You have been on your own, Simon Drayton. It is time for you to go home."

"What are you talking about? I am home," Simon growled. "I am going to get Tory and bring her back with me."

Topper shook her head. "Magic is her home," she said, standing and smoothing her khaki-colored top. "It is yours as well."

"How do you know that?" Simon demanded, standing.

"Because the Fates told me," Topper laughed. "I've included directions to Tory's house. Land on the east side of the house."

"Who are the Fates and why should I land on the east side?" Simon asked in aggravation.

"The Fates guided Tory to you," Topper said as she adjusted her hat. "They are also Tory's Godmothers and absolutely adore her."

"Oh," Simon replied as he watched in fascination as Topper snapped her fingers and a large pair of binoculars appeared around her neck. "Are you a witch?"

Topper chuckled and wiggled her nose. "Of course and so is Tory, sort of,"she grinned. "I'm late. Don't forget to land on the east side of the house. I'm so excited. Ta-ta for now, darling."

Simon stood in disbelief when a swirl of pink smoke suddenly engulfed the woman named Topper. One second she was there, the next she was gone. He turned as Youssef opened the door.

"The helicopter is ready," Youssef informed him quietly.

*.*.*

"Remember to land on the east side of the house," Simon ordered the pilot as he gazed out the window. "As soon as we get out, return to Phoenix."

"Yes, sir," the pilot replied.

Simon waited impatiently. The moment the skids touched the ground, he jerked the door open and jumped out. Youssef followed him as he ran toward the house.

He was almost to the stairs when something hit him hard on the left side. He flipped through the air, shifting as the beast inside him recognized he was under attack. His paws clawed the dark red soil as he rolled to his feet.

Alexandru Carson stood glaring at him. Cold hatred burned in his eyes as he stared back at Simon. He circled slowly as he made sure that he placed his body between Simon and the house.

"I knew you would come," Alexandru snarled. "I hope your friend told you that I plan to kill you."

Simon growled menacingly back at Tory's brother. He could sense that she was close by. His eyes kept shifting from Alexandru to the house.

"She doesn't want to see you," Alexandru stated. "I'll just make sure she never has to worry about that again."

Simon charged Alexandru. The two figures collided in a loud clash of rage. Simon knocked Alexandru back several feet, but the Vampire had his hands wrapped part way around Simon's neck. Simon yelped when Alexandru slashed his teeth across his left ear.

Both men backed away and began circling each other again. This time it was Alexandru who charged. He jumped at the last moment and twirled over Simon's back so he could grip him from behind. Simon struggled to throw off the Vampire, but it was almost impossible. He twisted and rolled in a desperate attempt to prevent Alexandru from getting a firm enough grip to break his ribs.

Simon rolled back to his feet with Alexandru still wrapped around him. He heard the Vampire's furious curse before another sound sent him into uncontrollable rage. The sound of bone cracking and Youssef's cry of pain, spun him around at the same time as Alexandru released him.

"Stop!" Tory's horrified cry rent the air. "Nonny! Help! Alexandru, Simon stop!"

# Chapter 13

Tory woke from the late afternoon nap that she had fallen into feeling more refreshed, and determined, than she had in days. The past few sleepless nights, combined with the days she had been with Simon had finally caught up with her. She had settled into the dreamless, peaceful sleep of the Vampire when they needed time to heal.

She blinked several times as she tried to figure out what had woken her. A loud, but familiar, growl pulled her upright in bed. She scrambled over the side, half sliding, half falling as she tried to get to the window to see if she was imagining things.

A low cry escaped her when she saw her brother and Simon locked in battle. She was unable to move until she saw Simon throw Alexandru off of him. Turning away from the window, she rushed for the door.

Practically flying down the stairs, she waved her hand at the front door to open it. She growled in frustration when the front door opened, but the screen door didn't. She royally sucked at magic.

Pushing the screen door impatiently to the side, she watched in horror as Alexandru turned on Youssef who was trying to help Simon. The sound of breaking bones and Youssef's pain-filled cry echoed through the air.

"Stop!" Tory screamed in horror. "Nonny! Help! Alexandru, Simon stop!"

Alexandru ignored Tory's cry. Unsure of what to do, Tory's hands rose in the air. A long forgotten spell she had made up slipped from her lips. Her eyes widened as Alexandru, already in motion, disappeared into the dark hole she had created. The moment he passed through it, it closed around him.

"Simon," Tory whispered, staring at the huge white and gray wolf. "Oh, Simon."

Tory turned as the door opened behind her. Nonny stepped out onto the porch along with Aura. Both women hurried down the steps to where Youssef lay motionless.

"Tory," Simon's choked voice whispered.

Her head turned back to where Simon now stood instead of the white and gray wolf. Blood ran down along his neck and coursed over his bare shoulder. She could see a dark discoloration spread around his ribs on the left side.

Tears glittered in her eyes as he took a stumbling step toward her. She rushed down the steps as he sank to his knees in the red dust. Her hands reached out to touch him.

"Oh Simon," Tory whispered as she frantically brushed her fingers over his cheeks. "Where are you hurt?"

"My ribs," he breathed heavily. "I think a few of them are cracked. Give me a minute... to heal."

Tory caught him in her arms as he fell forward. She carefully rolled him over onto his back. She mumbled a healing chant under her breath. She wasn't very good with magic, but she was pretty damn good at healing.

She glanced up at Simon's face to see how much pain he was in. Her breath caught as she saw the tears glistening in them. She caressed his cheek with trembling fingers.

"It will be alright," she whispered as she brushed the dirt from his face. "Everything will be alright."

Simon's hand raised and he captured her hand in his own. He pulled her fingers to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to them before pulling it down to his chest. His eyes remained locked on her face as he started to talk.

"I love you, Tory," he whispered. "I love you so very much. I knew before he took you that I loved you. I can't let you go."

Tory smiled down at him. "You silly Werewolf, whoever said I'd let you? I love you, too, Simon. You just knocked the stuffing out of me. I was coming to get you back as soon as I could."

"Tory!"

Tory looked up as her mom and dad suddenly appeared. A reassuring smile lit her face as she stared up at her dad's look of apprehension. She turned back to Simon when he suddenly sat up, wincing slightly as his still healing body protested the sudden movement.

He stared back at her father who was hurrying toward them. Her dad, seeing Simon's unclothed state, muttered a quick spell. A pair of loose fitting trousers and dark blue T-shirt suddenly clothed Simon.

"Daddy, this is Simon Drayton. He's a Werewolf and he is all mine," Tory said as she and Simon rose to their feet. "I love him, daddy."

Charlie stared at the huge Werewolf standing protectively over his little girl. For a moment, he remembered a time not so long ago when he had stood over Sophie and stared down her father much the same way.

Sophie had been right. It had been time to let his little girl spread her wings. His lip twitched as he noticed the possessive arm around Tory's waist. He also wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't a grandfather in less than nine months.

"Tory, where's Alexandru?" Sophie asked as she walked back from where Nonny and Aura were talking with a dazed, but healed Youssef.

"Uh-oh," Tory whispered with wide eyes.

"Oh dear," Sophie sighed. "You cast your far, far away spell, didn't you?"

"He was hurting Simon," Tory replied, defensively. "I'm sorry, mom."

Charles laughed and wrapped his arm around his beautiful wife. "Well, it's a good thing he knows magic, isn't it? Let's go inside. Simon, tell me a little about yourself, son."

Tory grinned up at Simon as he wrapped his arm around her waist. His face softened as he gazed back down at her. Unable to resist, she rose up on her toes and brushed a kiss across his lips.

"Only twenty-four days until the next full moon," she whispered.

His soft laughter filled the air as they followed her parents into the house. He hadn't realized that when he decided to take on Tory, that he would be inheriting a whole town of magical creatures. The once lonely world he thought he lived in was suddenly filled with Vampires, witches, trolls and more. He was looking forward to discovering what else was in store for him.

*.*.*

"So, what do you think?" Fortune asked Destiny as she held up two identical pairs of blue baby booties. "Twice the fun?"

Destiny laughed. "Tory should have known better than to tempt the Fates!"

If you loved this story by me (S. E. Smith) please leave a review. You can also take a look at additional books and sign up for my newsletter at http://sesmithfl.com to hear about my latest releases or keep in touch using the following links:

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Additional Books by S. E. Smith

Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas

For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)

A Dragonlings' Easter (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1)

A Warrior's Heart (Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)

Rescuing Mattie (Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)

Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels

Cosmos' Gateway Series

Tink's Neverland (Cosmo's Gateway: Book 1)

Hannah's Warrior (Cosmos' Gateway: Book 2)

Tansy's Titan (Cosmos' Gateway: Book 3)

Cosmos' Promise (Cosmos' Gateway: Book 4)

Curizan Warrior

Ha'ven's Song (Curizan Warrior: Book 1)

Dragon Lords of Valdier

Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)

Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)

Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)

Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)

Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)

Paul's Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)

Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)

Lords of Kassis Series

River's Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)

Star's Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)

Jo's Journey (Lords of Kassis: Book 3)

Magic, New Mexico Series

_Touch of Frost_ (Magic, New Mexico Book 1)

Sarafin Warriors

Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)

The Alliance Series

Hunter's Claim (The Alliance: Book 1)

Razor's Traitorous Heart (The Alliance: Book 2)

Zion Warriors Series

Gracie's Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)

Krac's Firebrand (Zion Warriors: Book 2)

Paranormal and Time Travel Novels

Spirit Pass Series

Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)

Heaven Sent Series

Lily's Cowboys (Heaven Sent: Book 1)

Touching Rune (Heaven Sent: Book 2)

Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books

If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends  Abducting Abby, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series

Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out  Lily's Cowboys or  Indiana Wild...

# About S. E. Smith

S. E. Smith is a New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 International Amazon Bestselling author who has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her days and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed "geek," she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy.

