A Noble’s Love

A Nobel’s Love

BLOODMATES #3

by Jaden Sinclair

Published by

Melange Books, LLC

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

www.melange-books.com

A Nobel’s Love, Copyright 2016 Jaden Sinclair

ISBN: 978-1-68046-259-3

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States of America.

Cover Design by Caroline Andrus

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Nobel’s Love

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Preview First Chapter of Book 4, Carissa’s Redemption

About the Author

Previews

A NOBEL’S LOVE

by Jaden Sinclair

Sparks fly and trouble happens when an original Guardian meets up with a woman of special blood.

Shadow is one of three original Guardians left. While he’s got brains, he’s not much of a fighter. When he discovers an encrypted code while searching for clues about one of his own—another Guardian—he learns of Noble-bred females being taken and disappearing, never to be seen again. When he sees a video on his computer of two women taken from their homes, he decides it’s time to put a stop to it.

Janecka Ashford, Noble born, was born different than any other bloodmate. She can’t be matched up with just anyone because of her special blood, and that causes a big problem in a world where bonds between a man and woman are arranged. Because of her unique blood, she should’ve been put to death after birth, but her mother managed to save her life, a decision that Janecka regrets. Kidnapped and touched by a man has opened the door to her impending death. Asking for help from the one man who helped her before is the only thing that can save her life, but who can save her from the instant attraction to this man—Shadow—a Guardian?

Shadow never thought he’d bond with anyone, let alone with a Noble female. But as Shadow’s love for Janecka grows, he’s compelled to deal with changes in his own life, but also with one particular threat—a man bent on taking Janecka’s life. Bonded with a Noble comes with twists and turns, and when new blood sheds pure blood, it appears a whole new war might break out between the Guardians and Nobles.

Glossary

Birthmark—fang shaped to identify bloodmates and a gauge to indicate the level of their need for a bleeding.

Bleeding—necessary for bloodmates to removed excess buildup of blood and relieve pain, done by self-inflected wounds or allowing a vampire to take their blood. An unbonded vampire may do so while it is intended for regular feeding to their bonded vampire.

Bloodmate—a female born with a birthmark depicting a fang. Her system is designed to feed a vampire by producing excessive amounts of blood. She will experience intense pain and die without regular bleedings after reaching maturity.

Breeds—humans turned into mutated vampires by Renzo for the sole purpose of killing anything, human or vampire, they are told to kill.

Crossover—the change when a vampire becomes a Guardian, gaining extra strength and heightened senses by drinking blood of the ancients.

Elder—the oldest vampires.

Guardian—one who protects the vampire race. They are the unwanted and cast out children of Noble families or of the poor. They are trained to kill any enemy who threatens the race.

Nobles—high ranking vampires. They are old families with old money and old beliefs with a huge influence over the race and wanting full control.

The Prophet—the only male vampire child born with the bloodmate mark and the knowledge of all the elders. He will bring balance and peace to the race.

Chapter One

Daylight hours were supposed to be for sleeping not working, and the past few weeks all Shadow had been doing was working without much sleep. He searched online for any kind of clue as to where Carissa might be with no luck. He also worked hard at breaking the encrypted codes in messages that were showing up all over the place. By the time he broke one, there were two others in its place, making any kind of tracking difficult. The group calling themselves The Strays was good. He’d give them that. He just wished like hell he could figure out what they were doing and looking for.

Shadow wasn’t the kind of guy to give up. For hours on end, he sat in front of his multiply computers, waiting for one slip up about Carissa while he worked on codes. With this new program he’d just finished, all Renzo had to do was make one tiny mistake, and Shadow would have him. As for the others, he feared that job would take as much luck as skill to get to them.

You do know this is the time for sleep. Lucan Deluca yawned, walked into the room, and sat down with a heavy sigh.

Shadow, one of the three original Guardians left, turned his attention from the monitors to the young boy in a huge man’s body who creeped most everyone out. As the Prophet Lucan grew faster than the average vampire, as did his mind. One tended to forget the boy was only ten, yet he stood before them as a grown vampire. His size and general appearance, however, weren’t what had the newcomers, or the few Nobles who came around, shivering. It was the blue, piercing eyes. Lucan happened to be the only vampire out there possessing the color, and when his hunger hit, they didn’t turn to the sliver, either. Nope, Lucan’s eyes became all blue with just a small speck of back in the center. That was the creepy part to Shadow. Other than that, he found spending time with Lucan fun. He also enjoyed the work outs and training they did, and when Raze finally went through his transition as well as Crossover, they’d added him. When the three of them went to the gym for a work out all three came out limping, bleeding, and sore for days. Shadow loved it.

I found another damn code. When did the damn Nobles learn how to encrypt messages? Shadow ran his hand into his sandy brown hair, pushing it out of his eyes, reminding him again of how long it was getting. I need a haircut.

Oh, the Nobles have many secrets, Lucan sighed, rubbing his face. Clearly the boy was tired as hell. So what’s this one say?

Lucky for me, this one was easy to decode. The Ashford family is trying to negotiate with The Strays. Apparently, they think these boys have their daughters.

Lucan whistled. That isn’t good if they do. He stood up, moved closer to look over Shadow’s shoulder. The Nobles hold their daughters with tight control. It’s forbidden for them to be with a man without a male of the family present until they are bonded. No touching, either.

Yeah, well it also seems this isn’t the first time a daughter has been taken. Shadow turned in his seat and punched a code into the keyboard. He brought up a video for Lucan to watch. Look at this shit with a different girl.

The video showed a young male vampire ripping the upper part of a dress of a Noble girl down to her shoulder. He didn’t strip her, only showed her bare back to the camera. She was crying, begging him to stop. He didn’t. He pulled her head to the side and sank his fangs into her neck, feeding from her. None of the others vamps standing by did a damn thing to stop him. What was just done in the Nobles’ perception would put shame upon her head for life. A Noble daughter was not allowed to be touched by any male other than her bonded vampire. Period!

Not good, Lucan said. If he didn’t bond with her then that, he pointed at the scene, is her death sentence.

Well then, mate, that would explain why, when I did more digging, I discovered the girl has simply disappeared. Shadow slumped back in his chair, glancing up at Lucan. Like she never existed at all. I mean all traces of her gone. Not even the record of her birth.

Lucan sighed and moved back to his chair. Because she doesn’t—anymore.

What you mean?

If the family and any other of the Nobles saw the video, she’s dead by now. It’s a taint to their name, Shadow. A stain, an insult, which had to be removed.

Are you saying her family killed her because of this shit? Shadow narrowed his eyes, staring at the boy still feeding on the girl.

The Nobles hold close to the old ways. Even though they are going with the new age, some of the old shit stays.

Shadow turned around in his chair, facing Lucan. Then I want to find these other girls before they end up dead.

Do you really think going after them will help ease what you’re feeling with Carissa’s loss?

This isn’t about her.

Everything around here has been about her, Lucan leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, head in hands. We’re all moping around and going nuts wondering where she is.

Lucan, I need to get out. Shadow stood up, putting his hands on his hips, pacing his office. I look at this crap every night, every day, and now I’m seeing girls being taken, ransomed, and given back. From what you say, the family only kills them once they get them back. Let me go out there, find them, and stop this bullshit. It’s an easy thing to do, and maybe I’ll get lucky and find these strays also. I mean, they’re the ones starting this shit anyway. I go out, find the girls, find the strays, one problem taken care of. Besides, Raze needs to be broken in.

Raze? Lucan’s eyes seemed to light up, as his brows rose.

Why not? Shadow shrugged. He needs to get out of his dungeon once in a while. Right after I finished my Crossover, a few boys and myself went out every so often to hunt.

Hunt? Lucan raised one eyebrow up at Shadow. Don’t you mean you went out for sex?

That’s the dirty version, but okay we can go with that. Shadow nodded. My point is. If we don’t get out once in a while and stretch the legs, we go nuts.

Legs? Now Lucan frowned. Sex again?

Shadow rolled his eyes and sat back down. Man, I think you are the one needing to get out for some action.

Shadow, I’m ten.

Yeah, but you look twenty, mate. Shadow frowned back. And besides, once you Crossover, childhood ends.

My mother hears you talking like that your ass is grass.

Don’t tell her. He smiled, but then got all serious. Hey, you swear.

Not in front of her!

Double-standard, dude, Shadow pointed his finger at Lucan. Not cool.

What can I say? You’re a bad influence on me.

Me! Shadow widened his eyes. The hell I am.

Lucan shrugged, arms spreading out. Hey, who do I spend all my time with?

Shadow looked up, thinking quickly. D. Blame everything on D. He can take it.

Pussy, Lucan mumbled.

What did you say? Shadow snapped, with a grin. Did you just call me what I think you did? Lucan only smiled at him. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

Ha! Lucan laughed. Looks who’s talking.

You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?

No, I don’t.

Shadow groaned and rolled his eyes, Okay, I’m going to head out tomorrow night, and I’m taking Raze with me. He needs the experience, and this is a good chance to get some.

Fine, Lucan sighed with a groan. Just keep in mind it hasn’t been that long since his Crossover. We don’t want him shooting a Noble for smarting off.

You should be worried about me doing that, Shadow mumbled.

What? Lucan snapped.

Nothing.

At least do me on big favor when you come back. Lucan stood and stretched.

Depends?

Get out of this damn slump you’re in. You’re starting to look like shit, and that makes the sparring not so fun anymore.

I’m fun, Shadow whined.

Not when you’re like this, Lucan replied, and waved his hands toward Shadow. He leaned closer. You’re becoming easy to take down lately. It’s starting to bore me.

Shadow pushed him away with his hand on his face. Get out of here.

Lucan laughed again and started for the door. Seriously, if you don’t rest right now, I’ll talk Ambrose into benching you for a month, just so you do.

You wouldn’t?

Try me.

They had a short stare off before Shadow gave in. Yep, I see it now.

What?

The prick in you. I wondered when it might come out.

Lucan flipped him off, and Shadow just laughed.

Go to bed. You look like shit.

Sleep wasn’t a luxury Shadow could indulge in. His mind went in too many different directions and refused to shut down. He kept wondering what might be happening to Carissa and when they might find her. What kind of hell was she going through? Add these damn encryptions—well how was anyone supposed to sit back and relax?

Closing his eyes, groaning, Shadow rubbed the crook of his nose and forced himself to shut the computers down. He did need to get some sleep, shut down his brain, his body, but most importantly he needed to feed. Maybe if he fed, he would be able to relax some and try to get some sleep.

He headed for the clinic instead of his room. Unless there was a patient needing constant care, there would only be one light on. Just what he found when he pushed through the doors, one light, no patients, and only one lovely nurse working.

Claudia, how you doing, love?

Claudia, Dimitri de Fiammetta’s bloodmate, sat behind the doctor’s desk, working on the computer. She stopped what she was doing, looked up, and smiled. What are you doing in here in the morning? Shouldn’t you be in bed?

That’s sort of what Lucan said, but I find sleeping in a cold, lonely bed depresses me. Care to join me? He winked, taking a seat across from her.

Only if you want Dimitri to hurt you.

Oh, love, you hurt me with your rejection.

She laughed. What is it you need?

A feeding.

Ah. She nodded, standing up. Doc said you were due.

He had to smile as he looked her over. Claudia was expecting and showing. It was nice that D found someone like her. She balanced out the big guy, which he needed, and with the coming of a child, D was even more grounded. A complete turnaround that none of them saw coming. D didn’t want to go out and fight anymore, and that was before he knew he was going to be a father.

She walked over to a large cabinet where blood for the unbonded males was stored.

So how is the grumpy bastard doing?

Worried like you, but trying to act like he isn’t. She unlocked the door, took a large bag out, and went to the heater. He doesn’t want me to get worried or upset but also doesn’t think I can see what he’s going through. He met with Denver at night after lunch, both trying to think of where she could be. They’ve already sent searchers out to every place Denver has thought of. She sighed with a small shrug. Denver can’t get ahold of Rage, either, and that has them all even more worried. I’m sure you know all of this anyway.

He did know. He also knew Renzo hadn’t told his son everything. Why Rage wasn’t answering any of Denver’s messages only could mean one thing. That bastard was up to no good. That he wanted Carissa wasn’t a secret.

While he withdrew into silence, Claudia warmed the blood, poured it into a large cup, and handed it off. Can I ask you something without you getting upset with me?

Pulling himself back to the present, he told her, You can ask me anything you want.

Do you think she’s still alive? Shadow had the cup to his lips, but didn’t drink. He lowered it and took a deep breath. I’m sorry, Claudia rushed out. I shouldn’t have asked. I get this feeling everyone is afraid to ask it or face the possibility. I’m sorry.

Don’t be sorry for asking,