Staked by Desire

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2022 Rose Wulf

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0620-7

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Audrey Bobak

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

Thank you to the following several friends I’ve made through social media and Evernight Publishing, who took a few minutes out of their days to help me think through a should-be-simple dilemma.

Afton Thomas, Christine Potter, Hannah Morse, Justine Cerrigone-Szot, Lynn Burke, M.A. Jewell, Naomi Clark, & Pam Mangol.

Thanks so much for your advice!

STAKED BY DESIRE

Night Shadows, 6

Rose Wulf

Copyright © 2022

Chapter One

Nine Weeks Ago

Kendall Wheeler was high on adrenaline as she followed her smartphone’s directions through the unfamiliar beachside town. She’d lived in California all her life, but this was her first time journeying to the small community of Inverness. It was late morning, and she was simultaneously excited and nervous as hell as her gaze alighted on the sign for the diner she was looking for. He’d better be there.

Three days earlier, she’d thought she’d bid farewell, and good luck, to the Slayer named Adrian Colt. The Slayer who’d saved her life—and arguably also two or three others. She had felt guilty for involving him after the nightmare that fight had turned into, but during their brief conversation in the foyer of Trista’s mansion, he hadn’t seemed upset. Not that she could say she knew him well enough to read him. Two of the vampires from the fight had gotten away, and as per their agreement, he’d departed to pursue the surviving Wilson brother, Troy.

Jasen would be leading the hunt for the newly-discovered evil Original, Boris, now that he was back on his feet. Kendall was sure she’d be left out of that entirely.

Kendall dragged her focus back into the present and swung her Volvo SUV into the first available parking spot. Basically, everything in her life had changed that night, and in the couple of days since. The discovery of another Original, one who wanted to murder her adoptive family, was jarring to say the least. Yet somehow that seemed easier to process than the idea that even as she slid her purse over her shoulder and stepped from her car, her mother was locked away somewhere in the massive mansion, enduring what sounded like a brutal multi-day starvation session in the interest of forming a permanent supernatural bond with her new lover, Joseph Pearce. Making Joe pretty much Kendall’s new adoptive stepfather. So weird.

But not at all why she had high-tailed it to Inverness that morning, despite being told no. She was there to speak to the Slayer that was temporarily on the First Family’s payroll. He’d actually answered her call the day before, and—with obvious reluctance—agreed to meet. Only just that morning had she received a text message with the specifications on where and when, but that was fine. At least he hadn’t gone so far that she couldn’t make it there in a single day.

On the flip side, that probably meant neither had Troy Wilson.

Kendall drew a deep breath as the diner’s door swung shut behind her and looked around. Given that it was after eleven in the morning on a weekday, she wasn’t surprised it was less than busy. She spotted the now-familiar face at the same time as the hostess bustled up to greet her.

Good morning! Just one?

Kendall offered the older woman a smile. Actually, I’m meeting someone. Thanks. She made a vague motion with her hand to indicate she could see him as she spoke, then angled past the woman and continued into the seating area. It was a small diner, which she imagined sufficed for the smaller community.

Her body heated as Adrian watched her approach, and she told herself it was the nerves. Not his piercing, dark blue stare, or the way the subtle scowl on his clean-shaven face made him look fierce in an exciting, just-dangerous-enough kind of way. Really, it wasn’t fair that the man was basically human and still managed to be Hollywood gorgeous. He had a thick head of brown hair, which hung a little over his forehead but didn’t intrude over those intense and observant eyes, and a solid, sturdy build. She wasn’t sure about his muscles, having never seen him in less than two layers, but he had to have some good ones if he was strong enough to carry Jasen’s mostly-unconscious weight any kind of distance. All of which complimented his six-foot-one height, which she had deduced in true genius fashion by comparing him to Joe when they’d been standing near each other.

Wasn’t entirely sure you would be the one who actually showed, Adrian said as Kendall slid into the booth across from him.

She arched a brow. You thought I was setting you up?

He leaned back against the worn material and stretched an arm out. Since he was sitting with his back to a wall in a genuinely clichéd manner, the motion didn’t intrude on anyone. I remember how you got overruled at the airport.

Kendall fought to restrain her wince. She remembered, too, of course. It’d only been a few days. Okay, fair, she said, but Jasen’s gone after Boris.

Adrian inclined his head. And you’re here, why?

She scrunched up her face, but before she could admonish him on his rudeness, their server popped up to take their drink orders. Kendall hadn’t even glanced at the menu that had been so kindly waiting for her, but every diner offered coffee, so she ordered that and requested more cream. It didn’t surprise her in that least that Adrian also ordered coffee.

Kendall took a breath to get herself under control, not wanting to cause any kind of scene or upset her companion to the point where he stormed off—if he was that type, even. I assume you’re in this area because he is?

Obviously. Adrian hooked a finger around the dish with the sugar packets in it and spun the thing toward her in a casual movement, clearly presuming she would want to add sugar if she intended to add creamer. He’s done more than enough feeding in the last twenty-four hours to get his strength back. Now I imagine he’s trying to put as much distance between me and him as he can.

Kendall plucked a sugar packet from the dish and rolled it between her fingers. She wasn’t surprised by the information, but she hated hearing it. He’s awful, you know, she said thoughtlessly. He attacked Joe at a grocery store of all places, and then he turned one of Bri’s butlers against the Family while he was being held at the mansion and got the guy to help poison her.

Adrian flicked his gaze past her, and moments later two steaming mugs of black coffee were set on the table, along with a refilled bowl of creamer cups. He pulled his mug closer and obligingly ordered a simple, greasy breakfast.

Kendall ordered French toast with a side of bacon and busied herself with making the diner coffee palatable.

Most vamps are awful, Adrian said, slightly quieter, after their server walked away. Your experience is atypical in every sense, but the way you feel about Wilson? That’s healthy.

Kendall snorted, nearly spilling her coffee. Maybe the guy who stalks and kills for a living shouldn’t talk about healthy mindsets, she said, flashing him a grin in the hopes that he’d understand she was teasing him. Mostly.

Adrian rolled his eyes, but the edges of his lips twitched.

Kendall set down her cup after a single, tentative sip assured her she’d gotten the combination right. Anyway, it’s true that my situation is different. I know that. How could she not? Normal people were not raised by the Original vampires. Normal people didn’t even know vampires were real. Probably that’s why I’m here, in a way.

He arched a brow at her over the rim of his coffee mug.

Biting the proverbial bullet, Kendall said, I want to come with you.

Adrian straightened. You what?

On this hunt, she said, in case he might misunderstand. I want to help you hunt down Troy Wilson.

He set the mug down, eyes narrowed. No.

Kendall narrowed her eyes right back. Yes.

This isn’t a debate, he said, voice lowering again. "What I do is dangerous, and you know damn well this job could take a while."

I don’t care, she said. I emailed my resignation to my boss already. Same with my notice to my landlord. Bri will make sure my last month’s rent is paid. It’s fine.

Adrian leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. That’s gonna put you in a bad spot, he said, ‘cause I’m not changing my mind. Answer’s no.

Kendall leaned forward, practically knocking over her own drink, hands gripping the table. "Come on, she said, barely keeping her voice down. I’m invested here, I can’t do nothing! I’m sure I can be useful. Besides, I’m the only reason you’re involved, remember?"

You say that like it’s a blessing.

"The first Slayer to ever be welcomed into California is historical, Kendall said pointedly. That has got to be good for business, right? I mean, potentially, anyway."

Adrian didn’t flinch. That’s already established. I still see no reason I should bring an inexperienced, untrained, impulsive girl on one of the most critical jobs I’ve ever accepted.

Okay, ouch. I do know how to fight, thank you very much. Though what she knew probably didn’t compare to his skill. She recognized that.

You still went and threw a temper tantrum that landed you in the middle of a confrontation with literally all of your family’s enemies, at once, Adrian replied coolly. You didn’t even realize you were being stalked until I showed up.

Kendall sucked in a breath. I don’t have your superpowers, okay? How is that my fault?

Adrian shook his head briefly. It’s not about that. It’s the behavior.

Right. The aforementioned temper tantrum she couldn’t exactly deny. But she’d expected he would be resistant to her idea, and she was determined to get her way. Yeah, well, they may not have crawled out of the proverbial sewers at all if I hadn’t disobeyed and given them someone to stalk. Except that they were actually probably stalking Joe, but regardless, it counted. Maybe the behavior was suspect, I’ll concede that, but the instinct got results.

Results? Adrian tipped his head back, studying her, and lowered his arms until she couldn’t see his hands anymore. "By ‘results’, are you referring to how you had to be dragged away from a fight you could only have died in? The same fight that nearly killed your famed Enforcer?"

Kendall winced and sat back. I was thinking more like how they all exposed themselves, that one Wilson is dead now, and we learned about Boris.

Who was probably always planning on showing up that night.

You don’t know that!

No, Adrian said, I don’t. But why else come all the way to the Queen’s doorstep if not to make sure she knew he was alive and strong enough to threaten her? He reached for his coffee again, as if he were done making his point.

Here you go! Pipin’ hot off the griddle, their server announced seconds before two plates were slid onto the table, bearing delicious-smelling breakfast offerings. Eggs, potatoes, sausage links, and wheat toast for Adrian. Four triangles of sweet indulgence with miniature ice cream scoops of butter, a little cup of maple syrup, and two slices of thick, crispy bacon on a separate plate for Kendall. Anything else you need?

A refill, Adrian said, setting down his coffee mug, please.

Kendall reached for her own as the server scurried off to grab the refill pot, gulping down nearly half her cup in a single go. This wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped. At this rate, he was likely to disappear as soon as that plate was empty—or he’d eaten his fill, whichever came first—and she doubted very much he’d answer her next call.

Look, Adrian said, stabbing a sausage with his fork and lifting it as he spoke, I’ll keep you updated, all right? But you’re not coming with me.

Kendall pouted as she watched him bite off half the link at once. I’m absolutely coming with you. I’m paying for you, aren’t I? She wasn’t, actually. Technically Trista had taken over providing his funds for this hunt, specifically. She was hoping he didn’t know that.

Again, his brow went up. He was very eyebrow expressive, apparently. Funny. I thought you’d been removed as my benefactor. He shoved the remaining half of the sausage into his mouth.

Kendall huffed and started working on buttering her French toast. Fine, but it was my idea.

Again with that, he said, almost to himself. If that’s your best argument, you might as well give up.

I won’t! She unintentionally slammed the fist that was holding the butterknife with her exclamation, shaking the table.

This time both of his eyebrows lifted high on his forehead.

Here’s that … coffee, the server said, speaking hesitantly, surely in light of Kendall’s outburst.

Kendall bowed her head and nudged her cup forward as well, shame creeping in. She hadn’t wanted to cause a scene. It wouldn’t get her anywhere. Sorry, she said, hoping the woman would hear her.

Their server refilled their cups and hurried away.

Kendall made a mental note to leave an extra-large tip.

A minute passed, maybe three, before Adrian asked, Why’s it so important to you to come with me?

Kendall looked up from her satisfactorily syrupy toast, a forked-off bite in hand, finding him digging into his potatoes. She licked her lips. I guess I … need to see it completed, she said, speaking carefully. She dropped her gaze back to her own food and focused on the feelings that had compelled her to quit her job, basically abandon her apartment, disobey her adoptive grandmother, and drive in a rush out toward San Francisco. All in a span of twenty-four hours, really. Troy Wilson isn’t the only threat to my family, or even the biggest one, I understand that. But he’s the one I feel like I can help deal with. In some ways, maybe I even hate him more. That was dumb, but it felt honest.

More than dear old Uncle Boris?

Kendall shot Adrian a glare. That old jerk is basically a stranger to me, she said, but Wilson … he made it personal. He nearly took the only person who’s been there for me since my birth family died. She swallowed and swirled the bit of French toast on her fork in a puddle of syrup. "So I guess, because of that, I want to be part of what brings an end to that threat. In my mind, Wilson nearly made me an orphan again, not Boris. And