KANE's POV
I feel the shift when the sun sets. It's the same every time for the last one hundred years. That's the way it is when you're a vampire. Your body is automatically honed to protect and hide in the light of day, but I would do that even if the light didn't turn me to ash.
Pushing out of bed, I walk to the window and draw back the thick blackout curtains. There's pink in the sky along the horizon, but the stars aren't far behind. I can't see a reflection of myself against the glass and turn away. I'm always careful to avoid mirrors, but sometimes it can't be helped.
Vampires are seen as the most beautiful creatures. It's how we lure our prey. But I never expected the scars from my previous life to follow me into this one. I was hiking in the Rockies and fell to what would have been my death, but a vampire came along and saved me. My body healed and became stronger than I ever dreamed possible. But the damage to my face was too much for even the venom to erase.
I peel off my boxer briefs and step into the shower. I run my hands along the ridges of my stomach and the dip between my hip bone and thigh. The weight of my cock fills my hand and I begin to wash myself. I haven't gotten hard in one hundred years and I've pretty much forgotten what it's like. It won't happen again unless I find my mate. But with the way my face is scarred, I don't have high hopes.
The staff is cleaning up the kitchen and leaving for the day. I can hear them even as the water sprays in my face. It's one of the many benefits to being a vampire. This place requires a lot of people to run it, and humans are the best for it. They all think I work nights because I manage businesses in Tokyo. They're not completely wrong. I have businesses all over the world, but that's definitely not why I don't go out during the day. If they suspect anything, they've never asked. But I like to think the pay is what keeps their lips tight and their questions few.
When I get out of the shower I dress in a suit. I'm planning on going into the city tonight. There's a play my sister wants to see, and I've got box seats. This is a benefit for the both of us. She gets to be up close to the stage and I get to sit in the back and hide my face. She tells me it's not as bad as I think it is, but she's just trying to get me to stop being such a recluse. Another reason she's making me go tonight.
I walk downstairs and check in with the head housekeeper, Mora. She's an older woman with gray curly hair she wears pinned up and a round rosy face. She's used to my scars by now, but still her eyes always move to my cheek and down my neck. They healed some after I was changed, but the red lines won't ever fade. She's been with me a long time and I like that she's never asked me about them.
"Your breakfast is on the counter in the kitchen. And I saw your note about not needing dinner tonight. Are you going out?" she asks as she smiles brightly.
"I'm going to the city with Ravana," I say and follow her to the front door.
"Tell your sister I said hello, and I hope you have a nice night. Looks like it might rain."
She's met Ravana on several occasions and seems to talk up a storm with her. But my sister is always careful with how much she reveals about her own past so that it doesn't give away inconsistencies with my own. She's my sister because we were made by the same vampire—the leader of our coven. But in actuality, Ravana is about seventy years younger than me.
We make small talk until we walk outside and she gets in the back of the car. I nod to the driver and tell her goodnight. It's Friday, she's the only staff allowed to come and go on the weekends. My other staff is off on the weekends. I prefer the solitude as much as possible.
I go to my office and meet with my security and groundskeeper. When they're finished updating me, they leave for home. I watch out the window as they all drive away and watch the sun fully set. When I'm sure I'm alone I go to the kitchen and put the food Mora made me down the disposal.
Vampires are nothing like in the movies. Even now when a vampire movie comes out, Ravana and I like going just so we can laugh at what people have come up with. Some of the rumors are true, like not going out in the daylight. But others are blatantly made up. We don't have fangs or sleep in coffins. Although I do have razor-sharp incisors and like a good nap just as much as the next guy. But the biggest misconception is that we need blood to survive.
When I was changed I was given all the venom I needed to live for two hundred years. That's the lifespan of an unmated vampire. The only thing we need to keep us immortal is the venom of our true mate. Once we have that, we can both live forever. But if we never find the one in two hundred years, then we die.
I walk out of the kitchen and into the formal living room. From there is a set of French doors that lead onto a balcony. It overlooks the pristine rose garden that I've heard is beautiful in the light of day. Maybe I'm making excuses, but I love the way they look at night. The dark reds and pinks glow in the moonlight. It's so fragrant and inviting that it's probably my favorite part of living here. But the thought of who will be here after I'm gone makes me sad. Will they love it as I do?
I hear a car pull up in the distance and check my watch. Ravana must be early.
I turn and walk towards the front of the house, but I hear more than one set of feet and stop. I close my eyes and listen carefully to the sounds of people coming towards the gate. I can make out what I think are four people, so I slowly move from the window and stare out into the darkness. It's too far for me to clearly see what they're doing, but I can hear their conversation.
I let out a frustrated sound when I hear them talk about a sorority and this being part of their initiation. There's a college nearby and every few years they get a wild hair up their ass and think this is the place to prove their worth. I'm exhausted with humans lately, and this is just icing on the proverbial shit cake. I'm not putting up with this anymore.
I can hear one of them begin to scale the gate as I walk into my office and check the security screens. It's a young woman, and her face is turned away from the camera so I can't see what she looks like. I pick up my phone to call the police when I see her friends back away from the gate. They're leaving her? I put down the phone as I watch the young woman clench her fists and turn towards the house. She walks up the hill as her friends scurry back to their car parked on the other side of the road and I hear an engine start.
"Cowards," I say to myself and decide against calling the cops.
I'll tell the girl to leave and that I'm going to press charges if she comes back. If she's like the rest of the people who try to come on my property, a little threat goes a long way.
When I hear her footsteps on the front porch, I walk out of my office and to the front door. The scent of roses overwhelms me and my legs become heavy. I must have left the balcony doors open and the wind has blown the scent in. But it's never affected me like this before. My head is dizzy and it's like someone just turned on the heat. I can feel my skin getting hotter and with every step I take towards the front door, all of my senses heighten.
I should probably sit down or call my sister. But the only thing going through my mind is that I have to open the front door. If I can only open the door, I'll be okay. It's an instinct like I've never felt and the only thing I can do is follow the scent of roses.
My hand reaches for the knob just as her fingers knock on the door. When I pull it open her hand is still raised and I'm utterly assaulted by the scent of her.
"Hi, um. Sorry to bother you." She slowly lowers her hand to reveal stunning green eyes surrounded by dark lashes.
The sound of her heartbeat is like a drum in my ears, and my teeth ache. I've never had the need to bite someone before, but my whole jaw is painful for it. With all of my strength I step back into the shadows to hide my face. I don't want to scare her away. My mind begins to work on how I can entice her inside and keep her here. Forever.
"So, here's the thing. I'm just going to be honest with you. I'm pledging a sorority and the dare was to knock on your door. But I think the other pledges have bailed on me and now I'm stuck here, and I think I might be injured."
She tucks a lock of glossy auburn hair behind one ear then bites her juicy, wet bottom lip. I've never wanted to taste something so sweet and delicate before in my life. The urge to lie on top of her is so strong I nearly pounce on her.
"Again, I'm sorry. I actually didn't think anyone would be home. Do you have maybe a paper towel or something?"
She holds out her arm for me to see, and I have to put my hand over my mouth at the sight of the blood. It's a small scratch, but it has dripped down her arm and made a trail of blood that's the exact color of the roses in my garden. I swallow the warm liquid that's in my mouth and realize I'm drooling for a taste of her.
"Or not, that's okay, too." She begins to take a step back, and I reach out and snatch her wrist so quickly it surprises both of us.
"Come in," I say softly, keeping my face in the shadows.
"It's okay. I can go. I'm really sorry." I can smell the fear in her blood, and I hate it. I want the sweet innocence back. That's what I ache for.
"Please," I try again. This time I use all my powers to calm her and to seduce her into a relaxed state. "You startled me. Come in and I'll take care of that cut. Then we can call someone to come get you."
She glances back to the gate for a second and sees that she's alone.
"I promise not to hurt you," I say, running my thumb along her wrist and feeling her rapid heartbeat—something I haven't felt in a hundred years. "I'll protect you just like my roses."
"Your roses?" She turns to look at me, and the smell of fear dissipates.
"Yes. I have a garden if you'd like to wait there. My sister is on her way, and she can help you if would prefer to have her." The words taste like dirt in my mouth.
I want to rip her clothes off and feed on her breast while I fuck her. At that thought I glance down and see my cock is hard and pushing against the slacks of my suit.
"Oh fuck," I whisper, so low she doesn't hear it.
I've found my mate.