Forever Black (Nightwalkers 2) Read online

  FOREVER BLACK

  Nightwalkers Book 2

  H.N. Sieverding

  Erotic Romance

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

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  A Secret Cravings Publishing Book

  Erotic Romance

  Forever Black

  Copyright © 2014 H.N. Sieverding

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-63105-066-4

  First E-book Publication: January 2014

  Cover design by H.N. Sieverding

  Edited by Tabitha Bower

  Proofread by Stephanie Kinne

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2014 by Secret Cravings Publishing

  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.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com

  Dedication

  I would like to thank all my readers. You are the people I write for, so thank you for reading my books! And a huge thanks to my beta readers and greatest fans, Leta Fisher and Jennifer Rhodes. I love you ladies! Lastly, I’d like to thank my family and friends. Thank you all for your love and support.

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  **Forget Me Not, paranormal erotic romance:

  A war is brewing, a war that could destroy an entire vampire race if left unchecked, and Julian Marino has been requested to participate in it. He stops his search for a long time friend to go home and discovers there is more at stake than just his wants.

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  FOREVER BLACK

  Nightwalkers Book 2

  H.N. Sieverding

  Copyright © 2014

  Chapter One

  The sky was filled with black clouds that blocked the perky sun from casting its warm rays. Such a beautiful day was fitting for a funeral. It was as if the sky was crying along with Ashleigh. Her grandfather, who had raised her, was now dead. She felt empty, lost, and full of regret.

  She was dressed in black and chose to hide her tears behind a trendy pair of sunglasses. She stood near the open grave site, staring at the coffin that lay inside the deep hole. Many people were gathered around, but she didn't look at them. All she could do was stare blankly at the fine wooden box that held her grandfather.

  A tall, blond man stood at her side like a sentinel. His suit repelled the rain that fell beyond the protective barrier of the umbrella in his hand. He wasn't her lover. He was her protector.

  Then, an arm slipped around her shoulders, the familiar embrace startling her. She quickly turned to Caleb's unsmiling face. His dark hair was covered by the hood of a sweater he wore under his suit jacket.

  He was here. The thought calmed her as her hidden eyes scanned his handsome features. They hadn't spoken for a month, but in this moment, all that anger disappeared. All she could feel were his warm arms, that familiar comfort she needed. So instead of pushing him away, she laid her head on his chest. She held him tight, but there was a shaky weakness masked by her tense muscles.

  They stood silent for a few seconds before Caleb spoke, his voice soft like a tickle of wind against her ear. "In death, God is supposed to resurrect you and take you to his castle of light."

  "Can…" She paused as she stared at the coffin. She didn't look toward the priest speaking, his giant, black umbrella shielding him from the sky's tears. "We go to heaven? After everything we've done?"

  "I don't know." A tired sigh escaped his lips as he pulled her closer. His chin rubbed against her hair. His suit coat was wet, the dampness making Ashleigh shiver. "I don't believe in God."

  "Thanks for coming." She sniffled as she peered up at him. From her angle, she could see the straight frown that filled out his lips, his ice blue stare falling on hers. "I needed you today."

  "I vowed to be here for you forever," He glanced over at the priest. There was a curious anger in his gaze. "Remember?"

  "It's something I can never forget."

  Closing her eyes, she took in a deep, quivering breath. The weight of her sin felt like a heavy chain around her neck, imbedded in her skin and tying her to Caleb.

  She loved him more than anything, and she wanted to be with him again. She wanted to feel the
close bond they shared. But her love for him scared her. It was too deep, too obsessive. She wasn't ready for this again.

  And she hadn't forgotten her vow to Caleb. She was reminded of it every time she felt the hunger. Every time she had to take a life to live. This is what loving Caleb had given her. A dark, overwhelming guilt, and an intense hunger for blood.

  A great rift had formed between them. Caleb was trying to patch it, but Ashleigh wouldn't allow him to. He had committed a crime she couldn't forgive him for yet, one that he didn't regret.

  The priest spoke, and the crowd grew silent except for a few sniffles. Most of the sounds of sadness were covered up by the rain. It splashed angrily on the umbrella in Ashleigh's hand, each drop making her shiver. She snuggled deeper into Caleb's chest, her tears soaking the fabric of his coat.

  As if sensing her need, Caleb began to hum a sweet tune. His voice was smooth, it's soft tone only meant for her ears. It was a lullaby, something that sounded strange, yet perfect, coming from his lips.

  The magic in his voice was like an invisible liquid pouring into her ears. It coated her brain, making her feel numb and disconnected. Soon the priest's words became nothing but background noise, and all she could hear was the voice of her muse. She knew what he was doing, and for the first time, she welcomed the sweet, siren song of the vampire.

  One of her hands slipped into her pocket. Her fingers wrapped around a yellowed envelope. It was from her grandfather. On his deathbed, she had promised to give this letter to her mother.

  Her mother. The thought turned Ashleigh's stomach. She hadn't seen her mom since she was a child. And despite her mother's attempts to reconcile, Ashleigh was stubborn and wouldn't speak to her. All the pain of her mother's abandonment and her father's sudden death had turned to anger. A deep, seething resentment that helped build an impenetrable wall between them.

  The minutes passed and under Caleb's spell, Ashleigh waded through the sad ritual. When it was over, friends and family came up to give their condolences. But Ashleigh couldn't find the words to say anything back to them. Every time she tried, her tears stole her words, and all she could muster was a fragile smile.

  Caleb spoke for her, his friendly personality compensating for her shy one. He thanked each one for coming and shook their hands. Not only was Caleb handsome, but he was famous. He was the bad boy rocker from Armageddon, one of the hottest bands on the charts. This status immediately focused everyone's attention on him, the light conversation taking the edge off the somber mood.

  Natalie, Ashleigh's best friend, trekked up to them. She shot Caleb a very angry glare before turning her eyes to Ashleigh. "You ready to go, Ash?"

  "No." Ashleigh avoided her friend's accusing stare. She knew what Natalie was thinking, and she didn't blame her a bit for feeling that way. She felt Caleb squeeze her shoulders. His touch was warm and filled her brain with distracting thoughts. And a distraction was exactly what she needed. "I’m staying with Caleb."

  Ashleigh's voice was limp. Her hand slipped into Caleb's jacket. Inside, it was welcomed by the soft kiss of his sweater. She took a deep breath, soaking up his light scent.

  "Are you sure?" Natalie gazed at Caleb then back at Ashleigh. "I was gonna order pizza and watch a movie. We could—"

  "I'm fine, Natalie." Ashleigh tried to laugh, but it quickly deflated. "Caleb can take care of me."

  Caleb's expression brightened tenfold in response to Ashleigh's answer. There was a cockiness in his striking blue eyes, eyeliner framing them and making them sparkle. "Trust me for once Natalie. I can take care of her." He glanced at Ashleigh then rubbed his chin against her hair. He jokingly squeezed her in his arms a few times as a hearty chuckle escaped his lips. “Right, babe?”

  Natalie turned back to Ashleigh. "You sure?"

  "Positive." Ashleigh forced a smile as she held tighter to Caleb. Her heavy head rested in his chest, the zipper on his hoodie sharp against her delicate skin.

  "All right." Natalie glanced briefly at Caleb, and he returned her icy glare with a cocky grin. It was clear by her expression, Natalie wanted to start an argument, but she refrained. "I'll see you back at the house."

  They all began walking toward their cars. Ashleigh hung on Caleb, and Natalie followed behind with Caleb's bodyguards, Robert and Nathan, the blond man who had watched over Ashleigh.

  "Caleb?" Ashleigh didn't turn to him as she spoke.

  "Yeah?" He huddled close to her, sharing her umbrella as they walked. His eyes were focused on the car a few feet from them. Their shoes squished on the muddied grass, Caleb's long jeans soaking up the rain. Though he was wearing a black suit coat, the rest of his clothing was casual. It was as if he had thrown on the coat at the last minute.

  "I need to go to Kingston. Can I stay at your house while I'm there?" Ashleigh knew what his answer would be, but she asked anyway.

  "Of course." He sent her a giant smile, Caleb's expression always light and friendly. He was trying not to sound excited, although she could tell he was. "I'll have Robert make you a key."

  "Thanks."

  Ashleigh glanced toward Robert as he who opened the door for her. He was a giant man and rarely smiled. Caleb would mess with him all the time, but still, the sentinel never broke his serious, well-mannered expression. It was strange to see such a calm man around a jokester like Caleb, but Robert had been with Caleb since he was a child and was closer to him than Caleb's own father. Wherever Caleb was, Robert wasn't far behind.

  Caleb got into the car after Ashleigh, the chains on his jeans scrapping against the smooth leather seats. For the first few minutes of the ride, Ashleigh lay in Caleb's arms and didn't speak. In a slow, loving gesture, Caleb's calloused fingers caressed Ashleigh's bare knee. His gaze got lost in the surface of her skin, his thoughts wandering.

  Though he was trying to comfort her, all he could think about was making love to her. He wanted her, badly, his love for her only deepening with her absence. Unfortunately for him, she had been doing a lot of thinking these last few months. She was still angry at him for killing her friend, Spencer, and making her into a vampire.

  Because she wouldn't speak to him, Caleb had hired Nathan to protect and feed her. This hurt Caleb tremendously. As her mate, it was his role to provide for her, but she wouldn't let him.

  Until today, she hadn't seen him in four months. He'd call and text her, send her flowers and letters, but still she wouldn't forgive him. Now that she had broken down a little, he hoped they could mend their relationship.

  She clung to him as they drove down the wet streets of her hometown. The smell of sweet vanilla sugar filled Caleb's nostrils. It brought back memories of long nights spent exploring her naked body and tasting every inch of her salty skin. His mind wandered as he thought about taking in that scent lingering on her breasts as he captured one in his hands. Those heavy, amazing breasts.

  The thought made Caleb uncomfortable, and he tried to quell it. Thinking like this was inappropriate right now, but still, he couldn't shake it.

  He wanted to coo to her and kiss the tender skin of her neck. Hit that spot that lay behind her ear and make her shiver. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to do, but he didn't. Instead, he spoke of something else. "What's in Kingston?"

  Her voice came out soft and lined with a thick wetness from her tears, "My mother."

  He spoke softly, with a tenderness that matched the way he held her, "She lives in Kingston?"

  "I promised Gramps I'd talk to her." She studied Robert's eyes in the rearview mirror as he glanced back at them. "I haven't seen her since I was a kid."

  "Do you want me to come with you?" His fingers danced along her knee and crept up her skirt. He was pushing his limits little by little, but she didn't push him away. "I've got a break from tour in two—"

  "I can go alone."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes."

  He watched her gaze out the window as if she was in a daze. "I’ve never stopped loving you. Just like th
e last line of Blood Kisses. 'All I want is to be with you'.”

  Her eyes widened as her stare intensified. The words slipped off her lips softly as she recited from her book. "’She fell to the floor, cold blood welcoming the warm skin of her knees. He was standing there, his shadow snaking along the ground and casting her body in darkness.’"

  Her eyes settled on the car that stopped next to them. Inside was a man and his daughter. "’He looked at her, at her downward gaze, at the tears that dripped from her eyes into the pool of thick blood, the water not able to break the thickness that held her in place. Then, he said—‘"

  "’I am cursed to love you for a million forevers, but I will never own you.’" Caleb sighed as he glared angrily out the window.

  "Why did you do it, Caleb?"

  “It isn't what you think." He changed his position and sat up straighter. "I didn't do it ’cause I was jealous. I did it to save you."

  "I don't believe you."

  "Okay." He laid his head against hers. "I admit it. I did want to kill him, but that’s not why I did it.” Letting out a deep exhale, Caleb paused for a few seconds. “When you were gone that morning, he came to me and picked a fight. He accused me of a bunch of shit and said I was going to humiliate you by revealing the identity of Victoria Allure to make myself look better—"

  He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing. "Which I have no idea where that came from. I would never do that.” She could hear the angry tone creep into Caleb’s voice as his hand tightened around her knee. “Why would I do something like that to you? I wasn’t even going to tell Aiden or my parents who you were because I knew you wanted to keep your secret. And besides, I don’t need publicity, my band’s already famous.”