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eBook Category: Erotica/Paranormal Erotica/Dark Fantasy
eBook Description: Lonely centuries ago the one who made him named him Hawk and sought from him a soul bond. But soul bonds are a myth and no vampire knows that better than Hawk. Then a hunting party returns with unexpected prey, a blond who he names Dove and who arouses a desire other than his hunger for blood. Hawk can only delay his death for a few days. Unless he makes him a vampire, but only a fool would try to bond--again.

eBook Publisher: Cobblestone Press
Fictionwise Release Date: February 2008

42 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [90 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [122 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [57 KB] , Portable Document Format (PDF) [340 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [62 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [131 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [121 KB] , hiebook (KML) [198 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [145 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [51 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [64 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [128 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [89 KB]
Words: 21224
Reading time: 60-84 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Portable Document Format (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 9781600880575

"Although a graphic vampire story, The Taking of Dove is a gentle, heartwarming story in which the vampire proves himself to be an empathetic and readily understood, not to mention, hunky, character; a protector and not a ravisher of the innocent. This reviewer cheered for a happily ever after ending, which is not something always found in vampire tales. I look forward to further stories from Marie Kulhane."--4.5 kisses, Frost, Two Lips Reviews

"The Taking of Dove is fast paced and action filled as Hawk fights his growing need to bond with Dove. Ms. Kulhane has developed an entertaining tale that thoroughly keeps the reader's attention with her sexy characters and sizzling storyline."--Water Nymph, Literary Nymphs

"...a no holds barred look at the fiery sexuality of two men who crave not only each other, but the bond they are each wanting."--Joyfully Reviewed

Hawk stood within the circle of torches and watched as the hunters returned. They flew through an entrance high in the natural dome of the ceiling and circled, displaying their prey. The hunt had been successful.

Hawk smiled. Watching his vampire clan in flight was a haunting sight. One few had a chance to appreciate since he only allowed the clan to hunt as a group on nights of the dark moon. Usually he hunted with them, but tonight Crow had led the group.

They had taken five prey. A good number. Tonight they would feast, drinking deeply until their victims had nothing left to give.

He spotted Blade easily since his white-bleached hair glowed in the dim light of the cave. The prey he held was almost as fair--a blond lad who struggled against his grip. Blade flew low and dropped his prey to the floor. The blond rolled with the fall and pushed to his feet. Then his blue eyes found Hawk, and Hawk knew he wanted the blond as his own.

Before the blond could scramble away, Blade dropped on top of him, pulling his head back. Hawk expected that from Blade. The clan's youngest vampire was always impatient for the kill. Hawk reached out and pulled him from his prey. "I decide the feast."

"I took him."

Hawk answered with a low hiss. Blade let go of his prey and bared his fangs. The blond scurried to the edge of the circle just as two other vampires landed. Hawk signaled them to leave him untouched. They blocked his retreat and waited. Hawk returned his gaze to Blade. Then Crow, named for his dark locks, dipped low and dropped his prey into the circle.

The prey, a rough punk with angry eyes, wavered for a moment on his feet then lunged. A knife flashed in the torchlight. Hawk grabbed the punk's wrist, jerking him close. His free hand closed on the punk's throat. "You will find that we are more dangerous than you." He looked to Crow. "You brought one in armed? You grow careless."

Crow landed. "My apologies."

"I knew he had it," Blade said. "I want to feast. If you want the blond, give me that one. It's more fun when they try to get away, but he won't be any fun if you strangle him."

Hawk eased his grip on the punk's throat and felt air move under his fingers. The punk seemed a fair exchange for the blond. A way to satisfy Blade without a fight. Sharp and violent, Blade had grown into his chosen name. Time might temper him but now, bloodlust ruled him. Then Hawk noticed a bruise marking the fair skin of Blade's cheek. The blond had fought back and was lucky to have lived long enough to make it to the cave. Hawk let his gaze rest on Blade long enough for him to raise his hand to cover the mark. The others flew in and added their prey to the circle. The five would be enough to satisfy everyone's hunger. "I will let you lead the chase for this one."

Blade nodded his acceptance.

Hawk pulled the punk close and looked deeply into his angry eyes. "Show me how you came to be here."

Lights flickered and Hawk heard the noise of cars. The prey fought to free his mind, but Hawk pushed deeper. He heard pounding feet ahead of him. He ran, giving chase, and the others followed.

"Fag. We're gonna kill you." Laughter followed the punk's words. "Run. Go ahead, run. Fucking fag." He felt the weight of the knife in his hand then he slashed out at a fleeing figure.

Hawk pulled his thoughts back. Crow had chosen the night's victims well. Hawk turned the punk so he faced the tunnels where the cave narrowed and the torchlight faded. "Some of those lead out." His breath moved against the other's hair. "Choose well and run fast. You might live. I'll even let you keep the knife."

The ring of vampires parted to leave a space for the punk. Crow and a few others moved close to the rest of the prey, keeping them trapped. Hawk felt the punk's muscles tense and ran his thumb along the soft skin of the punk's neck. He felt his pulse and scented the sharpness of his sweat. Bending forward, Hawk bit him. Blade could have this one, but not before he tasted the first of his blood. Hawk let it trickle down the punk's throat then slowly licked it away. He felt the other shiver and saw Blade draw close. The smell of the blood would heighten Blade's hunger. The punk would not live long. He released his grip. "Run."

The punk ran. Hawk held up his hand and the hunters waited. He could hear Blade's sharp breath and feel the intensity of his hunger. Hawk lowered his hand. Blade took the first steps at a run and then lifted into the air. Three followed him. The hunt would not take long. They could fly faster than the punk could run. Hawk could still hear the slap of his sneakers against stone. Soon a scream echoed in the hollowness the cave. In the circle, one of the prey whimpered.

Blade dragged the struggling punk back alive. He forced him to his knees and pulled his head back. Then he drove his fangs into the neck, drinking until the struggles ceased. He passed the body to another. The second hunter took her time, licking the blood that dribbled from the wound Blade had made and finally piercing the skin again. The punk's body jerked convulsively when she finished and passed him to another. Hawk heard sobs behind him. The hunters looked up, their hungry eyes seeking the remaining captives.

Hawk chose the next victim--a thin lad with spiked hair--and looked into his eyes. "Show me what happened before you were brought here."

Hawk had promised himself long ago that he would never take a life that did not deserve to be taken. He'd found human nature such that he'd never lacked victims. He dealt with what life and unlife had brought him by letting each see what brought him to his end. With this one, the vision was much the same as the first. Hawk shrugged it off like a filthy garment.

"That is why you will die." He pulled his victim close and wrapped an arm around his waist. Then he rose upward into the darkness of the cave. Spiky hair struggled to pull away, though only death waited below.

With his free hand, Hawk stroked the other's throat, feeling the beat of the blood as it moved through the veins. Spiky hair kicked and flailed, and Hawk's bloodlust rose.

He licked the skin of the throat first, tasting its mortal sweetness. He felt the pulse pound beneath his lips. The other bucked desperately as Hawk's fangs pushed into him. Hawk let the blood run free, feeling the hunger inside him grow. Then he fed. Around them, hunters rose. Hawk drew his head back and bared his bloody fangs. Then he rose, whirling into the heights of the cave. His victim still struggled. Hawk released him. He fell, flailing, and Crow caught him.

Hawk dropped to the floor. Above him the hunters danced, passing the victim from one to another. It took skill and strength to feast whirling above the ground. Hawk's blood pounded with the need to join the dance again. He reached for his next victim. The silent blond with fear-widened eyes.

"Show me how you came here."

The vision came quickly. The darkness of the alley. Running. "Fag." The yell came from behind. Hawk paused. That was wrong.

Hawk pulled his thoughts back and stared into the blue eyes. He heard the hunters land and could feel Crow standing behind him. He addressed him without turning. "The next two are for any hunter. This one is mine alone."

He traced the blond's soft lips with his thumb. The blue eyes didn't leave his as he ran his thumb down and along the jaw line. A hint of roughness. The blond hadn't shaved recently but his fairness hid any sign of it. The jaw had lost the softness of boyhood and the body was leanly muscled. That uncertain age, Hawk thought, when a young man enters his twenties. This one did not seem to be having an easy time of it. Behind them someone screamed. The blond's gaze tore from Hawk to the bloody chase.

Hawk cupped the jaw with his hand and turned the blond back to him. "Do you fear me?"

He nodded.

"That is wise, little Dove. Dove, yes, it is a name meant for one as fair as you. It is a shame that you must fall prey to the Hawk." He shrugged. "But such is life. And death. Come, my Dove."

He wrapped his arms around the blond's waist and rose to the dance. The blond clung to him. Hawk could feel the quick beat of his heart as he held them both above the ground. He ran his fingers through tousled hair that still picked up a golden glow from the torches below. The hair just teased the nape of the blond's neck. Hawk ran the back of his fingers over the tender skin of that neck and heard a soft sob.

"Hush, little Dove."

He should take him now. It would be a kindness. Even the blond seemed to know that. He didn't struggle but simply clung, shivering, in Hawk's grasp. All that stood between this one and death was the promise Hawk had made to himself long ago. Again, he pushed into the blond's mind, seeking guilt. Never take an innocent life. But there were very few innocent lives found wandering the streets of the city.

Dove walked the street aware that another pursued him.

"Okay, thirty dollars then," the other whispered.

"I said I don't do that."

A hand gripped his shoulder. "Fifty."

Dove shook off the hand and rushed forward, but the other followed.

"Come on, I know you need the money."

"Yo, fag, you still looking for some fun?" someone yelled.

"Fag's got money."

Dove fled, running down an alley. They were after the other guy. The one with the money. Maybe they'd leave him alone. But behind him, he heard pounding footsteps. He ran further into the darkness. Then suddenly he was lifted into the air.

Hawk paused in the vision to wrap his arms more securely around the blond. "Who took you? Show me."

He saw Crow flying near and another holding prey, but not the one who held the blond. Then he struggled, lashing out, and hit something. Yes, Blade had chosen this prey, and been marked by him. He expected as much. The others would have taken the pursuers but left their victim behind. Blade had not learned such discretion.

Dove's thoughts were still lost in a whirl of fear. He was soaring high above a cave floor. Below him someone waited in a circle of torches. A tall man with dark hair that fell unbound past his shoulders. Strong, confident. He fell and rolled to his feet. For a moment he saw the dark eyes and stern lips. He dared imagine those lips touching his. Then someone landed on him.

Hawk pulled from the other's thoughts with a chuckle. It had been a long time since a victim had revealed anything so unexpected. He no longer needed to satisfy certain desires as often as he had when he was young, but the centuries had not completely quenched his fire.

He tangled his hand in the blond's hair and nuzzled his neck, drawing circles over the pulsing vein with his tongue. His mouth closed on flesh, but only in the softest of kisses. He moved upward, feeling the softness give way to a hint of roughness as he reached the jaw line. Then he tasted salt. Not the tangy warmth of blood, but the soft taste of tears.

"Do you know what I am, little Dove?"

"Vampire." The word was a whisper.