Demon Moon by Meljean Brook

No one would call vampire Colin Ames-Beaumont kind, but they would call him unnaturally beautiful. For two centuries his tainted blood has kept him isolated from other vampires, sustained only by his beauty and vanity — bitter comforts, since a curse has erased his mirror reflection, replacing it with a terrifying glimpse of Chaos.

Savi Murray’s insatiable curiosity had gotten her into trouble before, but she’d always escaped unscathed. Then came Colin. In the midst of Heaven, he gave her a taste of ecstasy — and of Chaos. Deadly creatures from that realm herald the return of an imprisoned nosferatu horde, and Colin and Savi’s bond is their only protection — and their only passion…

I think I have mentioned once or twice how much I adore this book so instead allow me to point you to loonigrrl (wOoT! now with blog) and to Holly, who won the ARC during Meljean’s guest author day in January.

Completely off topic to the post here but Meljean but together a totally cool interview with Jennie. Go look see, well after the excerpt *g*

You can find more info and another excerpt at Meljean’s site.

Here is a look at Chapter 6…

The baseball arced over the tops of the trees, disappearing in the dark and fog. Two hundred yards, at least.

Sir Pup sprinted to fetch his ball, and Savi shook her head in disbelief. Though she wasn’t a complete wimp, she’d long ago accepted she was less than athletically gifted. This was incredible. Even Barry Bonds couldn’t have smashed a home run that far.

The hellhound barked in the distance, and she bit her lip in sudden alarm. Hopefully it hadn’t hit someone on the head or destroyed a car window. But no, there he was, breaking free of the tree line and trotting across the grass.

Oh, shit — Colin was with him. She’d recognize that elegant stride anywhere. Dammit. As if it hadn’t been difficult enough to pretend disinterest when she’d thanked him at his car. She’d spent most of the afternoon building her psychic shields to steel; assuming that she wouldn’t see him again that evening, she hadn’t maintained them.

Breathing slow and steady. Focus. And don’t look at his face. Not right away.

She pasted on a smile and gazed at a point over his shoulder. She probably looked like an idiot — but she felt like one, so it was as well. Smart women ran when they saw a vampire approaching.

And if their hearts raced, it should be from fear.

The point over his shoulder rose higher and higher as he neared her. She lowered her gaze to the pocket of his jacket. Why did he wear it? He wouldn’t become cold. Was it simply because it looked fantastic, as if it had been tailor-made to fit him?

It probably had been.

He stopped directly in front of her, less than an arms’ length away. Too close. “You shouldn’t be alone in the park after sunset, sweet Savitri.” Though his words admonished her, his tone did not. It was low and warm. Seductive.

Her throat was dry. She swallowed and said, “Sir Pup is with me. I’m not being foolish.”

“No, you are not. He’s a fine protector. But you should not be alone.” Colin trailed his forefinger from her ear to jawline, tipping her face up with gentle pressure.

A shiver ran over her skin. She stared at the cleft in his chin. Not too deep, just a lovely shadow.

“Do you know why I’m here, Savitri?”

“To hunt?”

“No.” She heard the smile in his voice. “I prefer not to chase after men and women on the jogging paths.”

“It does seem creepy,” she said. “Like a serial killer.”

His fangs glistened in the fog-muted moonlight; his laughter was soft. “Yes, I imagine it does. I was off to hunt. But I was overcome by the most delicious fragrance.” He slowly bent his head toward hers. A breath away from her mouth, he inhaled deeply. He didn’t touch her lips, but she could feel the warmth from his. “It disappeared when I saw you across the lawn. Why do you think that is?”

“The breeze shifted?”

“I am downwind of you.”

“Perhaps I’m not the source.”

“Perhaps.” He teased the corner of her mouth with a flick of his tongue. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing, on standing. What was he doing to her? “Perhaps it is Sir Pup,” he said.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, it must be.”

“How would you test such a thing, Savitri? Send him away? Remove a variable?”

“I’m a variable,” she said.

“But should you leave and Sir Pup stay, no one could protect you from the evil creatures stalking the night.”

She had to smile. Such melodrama. “If he leaves, no one will protect me from you.”

“Castleford believes you’ll be able to protect yourself after you’ve had enough lessons.” There was an edge of anger in his voice now, when it had only been soft.

“You doubt him? You doubt I will?” She finally looked up at him. “Or are you here to teach him a lesson?”

“No.” He watched her with shadowed eyes. “I’m here because he’s taught you well. Ask me why I can’t suggest you sleep, as I did Auntie.”

“I already know. My psychic shields.”

“Then why did you ask before?”

Except for his hand against her chin he didn’t touch her, yet his gaze held her immobile. Another vampire trick? Why had Hugh not warned her? Was it something only Colin could do?

“I didn’t know if you could overcome them.”

“I see.” Sardonic amusement flirted with his lips as he tucked his fingers beneath her chenille scarf, slowly loosening it. Cool air wafted against her neck, sent prickles down her spine. “Because I once drank your blood, you thought I might have bound you to me. Like Dracula and Mina.”

His lashes swept down as he dipped his head toward hers.

Her breath hitched. “Yes.”

“No, Savitri. Only when I drink does your mind open to me.” She began trembling as his mouth skimmed the side of her jaw. He spoke with his lips against her throat. “Invite me in.”

“No.” She gasped the word.

“I’ll make it good for you this time.” He dragged the inside of his bottom lip over her pulse. Hot. Wet. “Please invite me in.”

She didn’t trust the pleading note in his voice; she couldn’t imagine him begging for anything. “No.”

“Then lower your shields.” He raised his head when she stiffened. “That is not a threat. Only that I ask the lesser pleasure if you deny the greater.”

“I have no reason to give you either, or to trust you. Particularly as I don’t know what you’ve done to me now.”

“Do you deny me as punishment for Caelum? Is this a lesson?”

“No.” She wrapped her arms around her chest. Small defense, but she still couldn’t find the strength to move away from him. “I returned that favor in Polidori’s.”

His eyes widened and he let go a shout of laughter. “With an orgasm? With the most bloody brilliant kiss I’ve ever received?”

She forced the rush of pleasure away. It had been good, but so had Caelum until he’d decided to give her a lesson. “You taught me to be wary, and it was what I most needed to learn. I taught you that you’re no better than those you feed from, because that is what you most need to learn.” His amusement faded, his gaze hardened to iron, but she forged on, “I don’t deny you as punishment. I deny you because you taught me too well.”

He stared at her, then lowered his head, his shoulders shaking. But there was little mirth in his voice as he said, “I am fortune’s buggered fool.”

“That’s what Hugh told me, but he said you liked it.” Sir Pup nudged her knee, and she was grateful for an excuse to look away from Colin’s sudden grin.

The baseball dropped at her feet. She threw it with all the force she could muster. Perhaps she could take out all of this pent up frustration in some kind of exercise; at least Colin’s hold on her seemed to have faded. She could move now.

Sir Pup streaked away.

Colin had half-turned to allow her room to throw. His features were curiously blank when he glanced back at her. “What do you think I’ve done to you?”

“That thing with your eyes,” she said. “Keeping me here, though I know I should leave.”

“The thing with my…” He broke off. His gaze roamed over her face. Suddenly, his focus narrowed on her mouth, became sharp and predatory.

She took a step back.

“Oh, Savitri,” he murmured. “You should have left when you had the opportunity.”