HerVampireLover by Anastasia Maltezos Page A

part of him wasn’t so sure. That small part surprised him into feeling a more human emotion. Hope. He had seen enough in his long life not to question anything. Werewolves, shape shifters, witches—they all existed, and he wasn’t about to discount reincarnation.
    He stared at her picture, ignoring the man gasping at his feet. The Granger couldn’t harm him. He was as useless and annoying as a gnat.
    The modern day Seraphina’s name was Cat Luster, and she was a writer of paranormal erotica. His lips curled with wry amusement. The modern day Seraphina was not unlike his Seraphina of the past. Vampire lovemaking was the ultimate in pleasure and passion, and three hundred years hadn’t made him forget the height of ecstasy their lovemaking had brought them to.
    He stared at Cat Luster’s sky blue eyes beneath delicately winged brows and her sensual lips, and felt a discomfort in his lower limbs—the past rushing forth. Her face was an exact replica of Seraphina’s, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away. Her hair, a pale blonde that fell past her shoulders, the teasing look in her eyes, and the hint of a smile on her mouth made Tobias wonder again at the Granger’s words.
    Had she returned? Was this Seraphina? He doubted it, but he couldn’t help feeling he needed to warn her of the Grangers’ plot to kill her. After all, this woman, this Cat Luster, was a mere mortal. She didn’t have the immense strength and powers of a vampire to protect herself. Tobias sighed heavily—he had to find her and save her. This woman was an innocent and he had to protect her. He ignored the annoying human feeling resurfacing in his chest. Hope. There had been no hope in his life for centuries. No light, only darkness, and the quicker he found her and helped her change her life into one of anonymity, the quicker he could return to his dark, morbid existence.
    He knelt by the man and grabbed his chin, jerking his now-frightened face up to his.
    “Where is she?” Tobias asked, focusing on the man’s eyes.
    “Go to Hell, Demon.” The Granger spat more blood on the floor. “She’s as good as dead now. It’s only a matter of time before my brothers find her and kill her.”
    Tobias grabbed the man by the collar and raised him off the ground. The Granger flailed his arms as Tobias continued to focus on his wide eyes. “I said where is she?” he growled.
    The man struggled, but the effect of Tobias’ strong will and mind caused the Granger’s body to go still.
    “You have a choice,” Tobias began quietly, staring deep into the man’s eyes. “Use your free will and tell me where she is. Or I will make you tell me what I need to know.” He hated looking into the minds of these killers. They were an evil, vicious lot and their hate for his kind was fire burning through his soul.
    “Never.”
    Dammit! Tobias grimaced, narrowed his eyes and concentrated.
    The vampire killer went limp as his mind grew foggy and his vision blurred.
    Tobias felt a stab of arrogance. He knew the Grangers were aware of his immense powers and he drew in a deep breath of superiority. He had the power to alter thoughts and control minds and he knew his victim was fighting it, and failing miserably. Tobias continued to plough and dig with his mind until he found what he needed.
    He tossed the Granger back onto the floor.
    “Be thankful I’m sparing your life. If I ever see you again, I won’t be so forgiving.”
    The man looked relieved and shocked all at once. “You’re going to let me live?” His words came out in a croak.
    Tobias laughed, but it lacked warmth and humor. Slowly, he lowered himself in front of the man and pressed a hand to his already throbbing temple. He hated doing this. He hated it because it always gave him a damn headache afterwards. “Hardly. A man living without his memories is hardly living, is he?”
    The Granger’s face contorted with fear. He opened his mouth to scream, but it was too late. Tobias had already locked