Free A Vampire To Watch Over Me [Vampire Coven Book II] by C.L. Scholey Page A

leader—Laken wanted him to pay for not protecting Honor. Since he already had a new female he didn’t need another.
    “I want the female by the leather cooking caldron.”
    Tavish cast his glance to the vampire beside Laken who had spoken. “Are you sure? She can’t be bred. You haven’t been interested in a female of your own since Tanya betrayed us. That was a while ago, Rhett.”
    Laken knew Tavish was worried over his, what seemed to be, most volatile vampire. Since being betrayed by the human Tanya, Rhett, who was prone to be rough on occasion, had gotten rougher. Because of Tanya, Mercy and Tavish’s son were almost lost to Tavish. Tanya had aided rogue vampires because of her jealousy towards Mercy over Tavish. Rhett still felt guilt at not seeing the deception. Thankfully, Mercy was turned and the baby was born half-vampire but Rhett had yet to forgive himself. He also bore anger towards women. He never hurt a woman in the coven—though he had frightened a few. When they went hunting, Rhett always chose older females who couldn’t breed. These women he did frighten and killed. For the most part, Tavish looked the other way. They were vampires after all—deadly predators. A little sport outside the coven was entertaining.
    Once each human had been chosen Tavish gave the signal. Ursus was the first to her prey. A male hunter had been chosen for her as her reward. The attack was fast. The male was standing close to a woman of perhaps mid- to late-thirties. Tavish wanted the three breeder females safe. There were times ice-dweller males killed the females to keep them from the vampires.
    Laken could move quicker than lightning, he grabbed Talek by the scruff of his furs around his upper arms and took him into the air before the man knew what was happening. The image of Honor’s bruised body flashed into Laken’s thoughts. Because of this coward, she had been surrounded by four men wanting to kill her. He gave Talek a good shake and heard his bones rattle from the force.
    “This is for Honor because you have none.”
    Talek’s eyes grew round with terror, he groaned as Laken tightened his crushing grip. Laken growled as fiercely as he could, he yanked Talek’s head to the side by using his hair and sank his teeth viciously into the man’s throat. Talek kicked and beat at him for the first few seconds, then gurgled and shuddered. Laken had gotten the artery. Blood squirted down his throat like an eruption. He thrust horrifying images into the man’s mind as he died. Laken wanted Talek to know what it would be like to be exposed and alone and frightened, left to fend for himself on the ice. Punishment Talek wanted for Honor was now his cross to bear. Seconds could feel like hours in a vampire’s embrace.
    Laken felt full with his power. He dropped the limp body of the man to the ground and with satisfaction heard a few bones snap when the body hit the ice. Laken landed lightly on his feet and watched the others around him. The ones who were dead would be left where they had fallen. The three new breeder females were well wrapped against the cold.
    Laken walked over to Tavish who was wrapping the boy in a fur. It appeared he was sparing his life. When Tavish was done he stood up and grinned at Laken.
    “Man, do you ever have your hands full.”
    Laken was confused at Tavish’s amused expression. “What? Why?”
    “Your little spitfire kissed this boy. He had a woody so bad he thought he’d die,” Tavish said and roared with laughter. “I’ll give him a year or two and bet he’ll make one of the best breeder males we have. He’s desperate to get laid.”
    Laken chuckled, but he was feeling concern. He wondered just what feelings Honor had for the boy. Was it possible she had been cast out because she and the young man were in love? From the looks of the small clan, Honor and the boy were closest in age, they must have been companions. The idea stirred a feeling Laken hadn’t had in a long