Shadow Touched: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (A Touch of Vampire Book 1) by Becky Moynihan (great reads TXT) 📕

“Don’t,” he barked. “You’ll be safe inside. It’s warded against vampires.”

Annoyed at his tactless order, especially after the night I’d just had, I snapped, “Isla needs me. She said a vampire is—”

“It’s a trap.”

Growling, I unlocked the front door and whipped it open. “Would you stop shouting? You’re hurting my ears.” I slammed the door shut behind me and turned. “Also—” At the sight of the tall figure standing on the porch, I flinched back, nearly dropping my phone.

“Hello, Miss Belmont,” the man said, his use of my name immediately putting me on edge. I didn’t recognize him, yet a strange sense of déjà vu shivered through me all the same. He appeared to be in his early twenties, handsome in a military sort of way, with sun-kissed skin, cropped black hair, and a powerful build that suggested he worked out a lot. But there was a cruel tilt to his full lips. A malicious glint in his pale green eyes.

“McKenna, don’t—”

“I’m Everett,” the guy said, cutting Lochlan off. “We crossed paths on your first day of school here. You might not remember though. It was, shall we say, a quick introduction. But I think it’s time we officially meet.”

“Everett,” Lochlan roared in my ear. “If you touch her—”

“August, fetch Miss Belmont for me,” Everett spoke over Lochlan’s shouting, and stepped aside to allow a familiar, blond-haired brute to saunter up the stairs.

“Miss me, vixen?” August sneered, the scars running down his face puckering grotesquely.

He suddenly lunged across the porch at me. I fell back against the door and wrenched it open, stumbling through the entrance. When I tried to close the door though, he shoved it back against the wall with a bang. He grabbed my arm and I shrieked, lashing out to kick his kneecap. Cursing, he dragged me over the threshold anyway.

The moment my feet touched the porch again, Everett’s arms were around me. He plucked the phone from my fingers and brought it to his ear. “I suggest you come quickly, brother. I’m quite displeased with your recent actions and might take out my anger on the girl. You know how creative my punishments can get.” His hold around my waist tightened painfully, wringing a whimper from me.

Lochlan’s roar abruptly cut off as Everett crushed my phone like a piece of paper.

“You really have my brother in a frenzy,” Everett said, loosening his hold, but not enough for me to wiggle free. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he has feelings for you, which is impossible. Still, I’m curious to find out why he’s kept you to himself all this time.”

He didn’t give me a chance to speak, already turning toward August.

“Come here, boy.”

August’s eyes glazed over and he shuffled forward obediently. Securing me with one arm, Everett grabbed August by the nape of his neck.

“You’ve served me well but are no longer needed. Don’t resist.” Faster than I could blink, he jerked August toward him and violently sank his teeth into August’s neck.

No, not teeth.

Fangs.

A scream lodged in my throat and I fought like a wildcat to break free, prying at the arm banded around my waist like a steel cable. With a jolt of surprise, I noticed he wore gloves. Of course he did. He was Lochlan’s brother and a vampire. Which meant that if I touched his skin . . .

I yanked up his sleeve and bared his wrist. Grabbing it, I squeezed, willing the red, fiery glow to appear. He stiffened and loosed a warning growl. When nothing happened though, he continued feeding.

Why? Why wasn’t my touch killing him? Had Lochlan lied to me about that? Had it just been another tale to control me?

Awful sucking noises filled the air, punctuated by high-pitched gurgling sounds from August. But he didn’t move. He didn’t freaking move.

I didn’t know how long it took to suck someone dry of their blood, but I could hear Everett’s long pulls and see August’s shoulders slump. I had to do something. Now!

In my panic, I hadn’t considered my one other advantage. A surprise Everett would never see coming. I slowly lifted my leg and reached for my boot, sliding out the silver dagger Lochlan had given me.

Without hesitation, I stabbed it into Everett’s thigh as hard as I could.

The blade sunk past skin and tissue, embedding deep into his muscle. Everett bellowed and stumbled back, releasing me. But he didn’t let go of August. Eyes blazing with fury, he grabbed both sides of August’s head and wrenched it sideways.

A sickening crack rent the air, a sound I would never forget. Just like that, Everett snapped August’s neck like he had my phone. The light in August’s green eyes dulled and his body tipped over to thud against the porch.

Every inch of me froze in terror. Everett pinned me with an angry glare, bright red blood smeared across his lips and chin. The horrific sight sent adrenaline rushing through me, unlocking my limbs. I almost dove back inside the house. I needed to call the police, even if it would expose supernaturals. Maybe with all the noise, Aunt Tess already had.

I was just about to make my move when a vaguely familiar car chose that moment to pull up the driveaway. A guy with a baseball cap emerged from the expensive vehicle, and a wave of relief swept through me. Changing tactics, I bolted down the porch steps. “Help! Call the police!”

Catching sight of Everett, the pizza delivery guy sprinted toward me, so fast that I thought we’d collide. My boots skidded in the gravel as I tried to avoid him, but he grabbed my shoulders and whirled me toward his car. “Stay,” he said with a piercing look, then shot toward the porch.

He reached Everett a second later. Instead of restraining him though, he laid a hand on his arm as if making sure he was