+ Sacrificial Lambs +

The tiny hairs on the back of Luna's neck bristled.

Although the vampire bore the innocent and vulnerable visage of a twelve-year-old, Luna was not deceived.

His gray eyes, swirling with ancient wisdom, hinted that he had seen the ebb and flow of countless civilizations, albeit with detached interest.

How old could this vampire possibly be?

Abruptly, he tilted his head, blinked languidly, and crouched slightly.

"Hello, love," he murmured, his voice deep with a Scottish warrior's accent, betraying an age far beyond his youthful appearance. "It's good to see you still draw breath."

A fierce urge to press her lips against his tempting, bow-shaped mouth consumed Luna. Even as she fought the longing to gently trace his jaw or draw him closer by his nape, the desire to steal his breath with a kiss surged within her.

She wrestled with the impulse when realization dawned on her.

Oh, goddess.

She was facing a figure in the guise of a child.

Kissing children was out of the question. And males? Equally off-limits.

His voice must be the legendary hypnotic tone vampires used to sway humans, either commanding their will or drawing them into a blood-thirsty trance.

Luna struggled to shake off the daze.

She had to focus.

"As the Vampire King's general, I wonder if His Highness would allow me to taste such an exotic creature?"

The young vampire brushed strands of hair from her face, holding her chin to gently inspect her ears.

Noticing the blood seeping from her ear, his once dull gray eyes flickered to a deep crimson, and his fangs extended.

Suppressing an urge to scream, she pressed her lips firmly together.

Defiantly, Luna met his gaze.

"I want to lick that blood off your face," the boy whispered, sending a shiver down Luna's spine. "But I can't. Not yet."

Her gaze locked onto his as he moistened the sharp points of his fangs with his tongue.

His fists clenched, clearly fighting some inner compulsion.

Inhaling sharply, Luna felt a mix of terror and a darker yearning, even in her feeble state.

His captivating gray eyes portrayed both temptation and menace. "I offer my assistance, but it comes with a price."

Weakly, Luna nodded, the simple motion causing her pain.

"Please," her voice barely audible, "first, save me."

From his pocket, he produced an ornate vial filled with a red liquid. He downed its contents before forcing her lips apart.

Hovering over her, he sealed his mouth over hers, passing the liquid to her.

It was thick, warm, and intoxicatingly sweet.

Lost in its taste, she hardly realized she was still drinking even after the vial was emptied, their lips melded in a deepening kiss.

Abruptly, he thrust his tongue into her mouth.

Panic surged within her.

Feeling her strength return, she endeavored to push him off. When he resisted, she bit down hard on his lip, causing him to recoil.

"Ouch! Why?" He touched his bleeding lip, eyes narrowing in confusion.

She watched, captivated, as the wound slowly faded away.

"Sorry," she replied, her energy noticeably reviving.

What had she just consumed?

Ambrosia? Some elixir for the undead?

Suddenly, an excruciating pain radiated through her, as if her skull was shattering.

Her skin became clammy, and her insides felt as though she had swallowed fiery needles.

"Calm yourself. Your body is adjusting to the King's essence," he counseled.

The pain intensified, making every joint feel inflamed and each breath a labor.

It felt as though every bone had splintered, then hurriedly mended.

Aches plagued her.

"You're now bound to the Vampire Kingdom. Escape is futile. Cross our barriers, and the toxin now in you will unleash its havoc," he intoned gravely, sounding as though he anticipated her demise. "Heed my words, dear...if you wish to endure even a day more."