The Oath Read online

  The Oath

  by Tara Fox Hall

  Published by

  Melange Books, LLC

  White Bear Lake, MN 55110

  www.melange-books.com

  The Oath, Copyright 2014 Tara Fox Hall

  ISBN: 978-1-68046-032-2

  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

  "The Oath"

  About the Author

  Previews

  The Oath

  Tara Fox Hall

  Within weeks, vampire Danial Racklan has captivated young widow Sarelle and drawn her deep into his dark, dangerous world. Confessing his love, Danial has asked for Sarelle’s Oath, a formal binding between vampire and human lovers. But while a promise of everlasting love sounds like Heaven to most young women, Sarelle has agonized over the decision for months, unsure of taking the final step of Oathing to Danial. Yet this Christmas Eve, Sar impulsively decides to speak the vow that will change her life for all time.

  To Danial, who started it all

  THE OATH

  “Do you think it went okay, Sar?” Danial asked on the drive home. “I think they liked me.”

  The first meeting between my new vampire paramour and my human parents had been stressful, to say the least. While they’d appreciated Danial’s charming manner, his candor had been received a bit less enthusiastically.

  “I think it went fine,” I replied. “They liked you a lot. But maybe you should’ve waited for the second meeting with them to break the news that we’d moved in together.”

  “We’re adults,” he said smoothly. “We’re old enough to know what we want. Why hide?”

  “I wasn’t hiding,” I said defensively. “But it sounds fast even to me, who’s happily living it. And no, before you ask, I’m not having second thoughts.”

  “Good. Let’s get home. Next week is going to be busy.” He kissed my hand. “I’m very pleased you’re coming with me.”

  It would be my first trip overseas, and our first trip as a couple. I was jittery with excitement, thinking how romantic Europe would be. However, I was also worried, because this was a business trip for Danial, which meant some kind of crime had been committed.

  Danial ran Solutions, Inc., a business dedicated to detective work involving corporate crime, specializing in computer programming. Would some new enemy be there to spoil our newfound happiness?

  * * * *

  The next two days were a whirlwind. Danial left for the airport with his bodyguards Ivan and Demetri after he woke up Sunday night. He called me from his hotel in Akron at one a.m. to say that he’d arrived safely. I worked Monday from ten to seven and then came back to Danial’s home to shower quickly. Theo, Daniel’s chief of security and best friend, grabbed my bags as I threw on a jacket.

  “Are you coming with us to Europe?” I asked as he drove us to the airport to meet Danial. “Or are Demetri and Ivan coming instead?”

  “Do you want me to?” he said with a smirk.

  “Yes.”

  He blushed and looked away.

  Stupid as it was, knowing I’d embarrassed him made me embarrassed. “I feel safer when you’re with us. The other guards are strong, but you...um...” You’re a werecougar.

  “Cia said she told you about me. I’m okay with it.” He stared at the road. “Did Lander apologize to you?”

  Cia and Lander were other bodyguards of Danial’s, the latter one that thought sexual conversation with me was an option. “Yes. Did you say something to him?”

  “I reminded him none too gently that he wasn’t at the local bar and you weren’t available.”

  “You didn’t have to—”

  “It would lead to problems if I’d let it slide,” he said, his eyes still locked on the road. “Even if he likes you, he should know better than to speak to you about his feelings. Danial would do worse if he found out.”

  “Thank you then,” I murmured.

  The silence stretched for a few miles, until Theo said, “Yes, I am coming. Overseas trips can be hairy, especially with you along.”

  I had a sinking feeling. “What’s the danger overseas to Danial and myself?”

  “Danial will be out of both his and his brother Devlin’s territory. He has enemies in the European Union, though none where we are going.”

  Great. “Should I stay home?”

  “We’ll be fine. I’ll let you know if there’s anything to be worried about.”

  * * * *

  The moment I entered the lobby, I was wowed by the opulence of the four-star hotel. The ceiling was forty feet high, with a mural of cherubs and angels. The crystal chandeliers were huge, their lights sparkling like diamonds. The lobby was larger than my house, with leather couches and silk upholstered furniture. There was even a baby grand piano, though no one was playing it. I turned round and round, taking it all in as Danial checked us in.

  “Come, Sar. It’s nearly dawn,” Danial called, offering me his hand.

  Danial led me to our room, Theo trailing us and the bellhop following with the bags. It was a suite, a living room with two bedrooms to either side. Theo dropped the bags and went into one, saying he had to make a call. I followed Danial into the other.

  “We’ll unpack in the morning. Come to me, darling.”

  We undressed and got into bed, kissing lovingly, though we were too exhausted to do more than hold one another. I lay in his arms after he’d fallen asleep. Some time later, I drifted off myself.

  I dreamed of being at the zoo. A lion roared at me from its cage. I wanted to set it free but didn’t dare. It was huge and ferocious, it’s eyes light golden and hungry, so hungry.

  I woke up as Danial was stirring. The clock on the nightstand said six, the time there. Europe was what, seven hours ahead? How long had we slept?

  He groaned. “What time is it?

  “Six. Are you okay?” I asked, gently touching his shoulder.

  “Crossing the ocean and adapting to the different time zones is always hard, but I’ll be fine.” He stretched. “I have a meeting at eight. It will probably last a couple hours. Then I’ll need to go out and get something to eat.” He went to the door and reemerged with our bags. “You should stay here and order room service. I’ll be back before dawn.”

  “And tomorrow night?” I pressed.

  “Tomorrow night, Theo and I have to go out for another meeting. It should be routine, but it’ll take at least a few hours. You can wait up for me tonight if you want, but I want you to have fun tomorrow afternoon, so don’t stay up too late.”

  “Where am I going?” I asked in confusion.

  “There’s a concierge downstairs. Call him in the morning and go wherever you like for the day. He’ll arrange it all. Bill it to the room.”

  “Are you sure? The Euro is worth almost two of our dollars.”

  “Sar, what I told your parents is true. I have resources. A good portion of what I make is spent on security, chartered planes, and secure hotel rooms, but there’s enough that you don’t need to worry about how much something costs. Just have fun.”

  He began to get dressed. I put on a robe and went out to the living room to look out the window. The lights were beautiful against the night sky.

  The d
oor to Theo’s room opened behind me. I turned, expecting it to be Danial. Instead, a woman stood there. She was about my size, with long light brown hair. She was more slender than I was, but there was strength to her that I didn’t have. She was also in a robe.

  I realized with a start that she’d come out of Theo’s room. She looked at me, I looked at her, and we both flushed. Then we both burst out laughing.

  “Hi, I’m Sarelle,” I said, extending my hand.

  “Good to meet you. My name is Tawny,” she said throatily.

  Theo, you dog, I thought with a smile. Good for you.

  Theo himself came out looking very relaxed. We both turned to him, and he flushed, which made Tawny and me laugh again. Danial came out and saw us, but he was the unruffled and just said hi to Tawny.

  “We’ve got to go,” Theo said to Danial. “We’ll be late.”

  Danial kissed me. “Stay here, sweetheart. I’ll be back before dawn.”

  He left the room. Theo went after him after saying something similar to Tawny. As the door shut behind them, I turned to see Tawny perusing the room service menu.

  “What shall we order?”

  “Breakfast for me,” I replied. “I need some carbs, preferably with syrup.”

  “Steak and eggs for me,” she said, picking up the phone. “I’ll order some pancakes for you.”

  As she hung up the phone, I said with curiosity, “I thought I heard a lion roaring last night.”

  She grinned. “Technically, you might have heard two, but most likely you heard me.” She touched my neck. “Do your scars hurt?”

  Danial had made the marks that adorned my throat with his fangs, the night I agreed to live with him. It had been a ritual, almost. “They did when they were fresh, but not since they’ve healed.”

  “I was bitten once, but the bastard who did it tore me. It hurt a lot.”

  At first, her candidness took me aback, but then I decided I liked that she was so forthright. “Why did the vampire do it?”

  “He thought I wouldn’t resist him. He had other thoughts after I clawed him up.”

  “Was he someone powerful here in Europe? I know there’s a vampire hierarchy for each country.”

  “Theo tells me you’ve had a few run-ins with him yourself. Chap by the name of Devlin?”

  Danial’s brother, the spawn of hell. “I know him,” I said with a sigh. “I’m glad you clawed him.”

  The food came and we ate. Then Tawny and I decided to go back to bed.

  I want to be awake and ready for Theo,” she said, grinning licentiously.

  I smiled in return, thinking how different the women in Europe were. Womankind might be better off if all women were so honest with themselves about their needs.

  I couldn’t sleep sat first, so I read for a while and finally drifted off. I awoke early the next morning to find Danial beside me, positively shining with the luster that meant he’d fed well. I kissed his cheek gently so as not to wake him, and went to take a shower. Tawny didn’t make an appearance, and I left her a note asking her to find me in the hotel restaurant when she was ready to go out exploring.

  To my surprise, I met Theo coming up in the elevator with a doughnut in his mouth, a large bag in his hand. He saw me and coughed, removing the doughnut. “Hi.”

  “Bringing her breakfast in bed?” I quipped.

  “Uh...yes,” he said, a flush creeping up his cheeks. “She likes the cream filled ones.”

  I’ll bet. I blushed myself at my thought. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Theo was all business. “Are you heading down to the restaurant?”

  “Yes.”

  He walked past me towards the room. “I’ll go with you, then. Danial didn’t want you leaving the hotel unescorted, and the hotel restaurant isn’t open for another half-hour. We can go the café down the street. The food’s better there anyway. Let me leave these inside the door.”

  “What about Tawny?”

  “She’s sleeping. She won’t miss me until she wakes up. And my job is guarding you and Danial. He’s less at risk in his room than you are wandering the streets alone. Let’s go.”

  I rolled my eyes at his brusqueness, but followed him.

  A few minutes later, we were at a sidewalk café, eating several types of delectable pastries. “These are good,” I said as I finished my second one. “Do you and Danial come to this area often?”

  “We go all over, depending on the clients we need to see. When we come to Switzerland, we stay here.”

  “Is that because Tawny lives nearby?” I jested.

  “She lives in France,” he said uncomfortably. “But she knew I was coming here, so she arranged to be in town.”

  “Are you serious?” I asked, before I thought.

  He gave me a confused look, then nodded, his face smoothing. “Sorry, I didn’t understand what you were asking. You want to know if she and I are an item, and the answer is it isn’t any of your business.”

  “Sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  His only reply was to sip his coffee. The longer I sat there, the more uncomfortable I felt with his silence and what I had said. I finally got to my feet. “I’m heading back. You’ll probably need your rest.”

  “Where do you get off making comments about my sex life?” he said angrily. “We aren’t friends. You’re my best friend’s girl. Show some respect.”

  I couldn’t get out the words fast enough, I was so angry. “When I have to hear you and she so much that I’m dreaming of lions, I’m allowed to comment on it. Besides, I wasn’t making a crack, I was trying to be thoughtful. You’re going to be up all night guarding Danial and I don’t want something to happen to him because you’re too slow on the draw, jerk.”

  I stalked back to the hotel. Theo tried to catch me in the elevator, but I closed the doors before he got there. When the door opened on my floor, he was in front of it, waiting for me. I tried to walk past him, but he stepped into me, pushing me back into the elevator, and jabbed the STOP button.

  “Listen,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “Whatever,” I said sarcastically. “Tell Tawny I’ll be waiting for her in the lobby near the concierge.”

  “Don’t worry about Danial. I’ve been protecting him for the last ten years. I know how to do my job.”

  “Then go do it and get out of my way.”

  He moved back, and I abruptly hit the button, closing the doors.

  * * * *

  Tawny appeared an hour later. She looked like the cat that had eaten the canary, a goose, and about seven swans.

  “Good night?” I asked with a smile.

  “The best ever,” she said, shivering a little.

  I reevaluated my opinion of Theo and then told myself it wasn’t appropriate to be thinking of him like that. “Let’s go.”

  We went to see the concierge, who arranged a tour of the closest chocolate factory. We were picked up by a limo and taken to the Lindt factory within minutes. The hour-long tour was interesting, but the chocolate tasting was the best part.

  After we returned, we had lunch at a small coffeehouse around the corner. As we waited for the bill, she excused herself to visit the bathroom.

  Sitting there, I noticed a man on the sidewalk looking in the window at the baked goods on display. He noticed me watching him and smiled. I looked away, not wanting him to get the idea that I was interested. A moment later, Tawny’s chair was pushed back as the stranger sat down across from me. “You were watching me,” he said, his hazel eyes penetrating.

  “Sorry,” I said, giving him an apologetic smile, “I was just looking out the window. I didn’t mean to make you think anything of it.”

  “I think maybe you’re interested but you don’t want to admit it,” he teased.

  “You’re mistaken,” I said flatly. “I’m engaged.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re engaging and I’m engaged by you. Why don’t we go back to my hotel?
”

  “Excuse me, but what do you think you’re doing?” Tawny stood there glaring at him, hands folded across her chest.

  “I’m seeing if your friend is interested. She claims not to be, but—”

  “She’s not,” she said. “Leave.”

  “Now, wait just a minute,” the man said with slight irritation.

  Tawny grabbed hold of the man and propelled him toward the door. He broke free, gave her a glare, then stalked out of the shop, not looking back.

  She came back to the table. “What a jerk.” She shook her head. “We should go back to the hotel. We both need sleep. Come on.”

  We walked back to the hotel, admiring the lovely sunny day. I decided to turn in early, caught up in Tawny’s lust for lovemaking. Danial and I were in a foreign city; we were in love and we hadn’t been together like that for days. Fantasizing, I undressed and got into bed naked. Just as I was falling asleep, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” I said sexily, baring one shoulder.

  Theo opened the door.

  I pulled the covers around me quickly, self-conscious. “Hi.”

  “Danial is checking out one more lead and then he’ll get something to eat. He said he’d be here about ten or eleven.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the heads up,” I managed, flushing.

  He nodded and closed the door.

  A few minutes later, throaty growls began in the other room. Thirty minutes later, it had become loud, ear-splitting roaring.

  I had to go somewhere else. While I was happy for them—especially Theo—it was only nine. I couldn’t listen to that for another two hours. The concierge had mentioned they had a Jacuzzi. It’s past time to go enjoy that perk of this fine hotel.

  I went to the closet, pulled out my swimsuit, and put it on. I had wanted to try the Jacuzzi before we left. Here was the perfect chance. I just hoped it wouldn’t be too busy down there.