Free The Vampire & the Reporter by Nia K. Foxx Page B

they would have an almost guaranteed chance of reproduction. More importantly t he y could conceive multiple times with a Worthy partner and produce a true line of vampiric child ren and not just one’s sired from the bite. Children born to vampires were stronger than a turned human and maintained an absolute loyalty to their families. But the Worthy rejected their lineage centuries ago, choosing to breed among humans only to dilute their beastly anc estry. Many believed they were extinct, their vampire heritage being completely cleansed away. It was said only a true vampiric life mate could detect the special pheromone present in the males or females of the Worthy destine d for them, and it had been countless centuries since a Worthy and vampire joining.
     
    If not for a chance encounter Dumitri would have never thought such a pairing even possible for him. But Kyra made it all possible. He carefully devised his plan after sensing her for the first time many months a go. He’d known immediately she was the one who would share the rest of his immortal existence. Her scent had wafted to him as he exited the limousine to inspect his new est acquisition; a United States based newspaper headquartered in Chicago with worldwide distribution and acclaim. Until that moment, he’d never thought any of the Worthy lived, let alone one actually exist ing for him . None had been seen since his grandparents’ time. Like most vamps, he’d been content with living a life of decadence, satisfying himself with multiple human conquest s to temporarily assu age his baser needs. Acquisitions had become his true passion; with the help of a few closest to him he’d grown his holdings to amass a veritable empire. Dumitri thought he would eventually choose a life mate from amongst the vampire nation, someone with whom he could tolerate an eternity and possibly produce an offspring . But the instance he’d scented Kyra his life changed.
     
    H is frantic gaze had searched the various humans milling about in the early evening. New York may be considered the city that never slept but Chicago’s hustle and bustle was in full effect at what most considered quitting time. The foot traffic in and out of the building seemed evenly matched. Most totted umbrellas in case the ominous clouds hanging over the city decided to release the rain swelling inside. The combination of the downtown skyscrapers and obsidian clouds allowed for him to travel in relative ease . He wouldn’t release his hold over nature until he’d concluded his business. He caught a glimpse of her dark frame as she entered the downtown building in front of her short er companion.
     
    “Kyra, can you slow down? Not everyone is gifted with long legs,” the woman chasing her had complained.
     
    Kyra . He’d repeated the name, knowing it would be one of many times he would say it. She would be his sotie , his life mate , of that he was certain.
     
    * * *
     
    They’d definitely gone all out; she’d give them that much, Kyra silently acknowledged as her things were transported from the sidewalk into the horse drawn carriage. It had been a short forty-five minute ride from the airport to the quaint town of Moraga. Once there, she’d barely had a chance to sightsee before the darkening sky rumbled with thunder. Ominous clouds drifted in swiftly. Perfect!
     
    She stepped under the awning of what appeared to be a general store. According to her itinerary, she was to wait there for her coach. She hadn’t expected it would literally be a horse drawn carriage coming for her. The driver wore a period black cloak, complete with wide brimmed hat, which he tipped before helping her into the private interior.
     
    The inside of the coach was done in a gaudy crushed velvet material that seemed to envelope her in warmth. Despite its garish interior, she was thankful for the dry enclosure. Outside the rain pelted the carriage in a steady stream. Periodic flashes of lightning and thunder