Page 1 of Awakened Light

CHAPTER ONE

Catrain

THE WAVES LAPPED ON the shore as I buried my toes deeper into the sand. Even though the sun had already slipped beneath the horizon, the darkening sky still held remnants of the orange and red hues left over from the sunset.

A sharp gust of wind blew my hair across my face, and I exhaled a sigh, knowing exactly what had caused it.

Or should I say who?

Thorne.

A vampire.

And my tribe’s sworn enemy.

“So close,” he said with a laugh as he plopped into the sand beside me. “I thought just maybe I could see a little more of the colors in the sky if I timed running out of my cave just right. Maybe tomorrow.”

“No tomorrow!” I snapped and spun to stare at him. “You can’t stay on the island anymore. You need to go home. Tonight.”

His stormy-blue eyes lit up when they locked with mine, and I cursed the fluttering in my stomach they inspired. Every time he looked at me, I felt my small world tip upside down, and it only righted itself when I looked away.

But breaking out of the hypnotic trance his eyes lulled me into was harder than it should have been. Instead of looking away, I stared deeper into them.

Again.

And I shouldn’t. He was a vampire, and my tribe hated their kind for betraying us six centuries ago. Vampires were our greatest enemies, and we’d never allowed one to set foot on the island we’d hid on for centuries.

Then a couple days ago, vampires showed up begging for access to our island so we could heal Thorne’s dying friend, Aiden. My mother’s powerful magic saved his life. Though she’d normally have left a vile vampire to its fate, there was something different about Aiden. A kindness to him that I’d believed didn’t exist in his species.

My mother had recognized it, too, and with my pleading to have mercy on him, she’d granted him immortal life along with his beloved, Emilia. The rest of their clan had taken leave the following morning, but Thorne had refused to follow, and much to our dismay, he’d spent the last three nights milling around the island learning about our tribe... and pestering me.

A crooked smile lifted his lip. “Ah, come on, Cat. You can’t be sick of me already. We’re just getting to know each other.”

“Well, I am sick of you,” I lied, as I sat up and crossed my arms. I wished it wasn’t a lie, and I wished that I really did want him to leave, but as his smile grew, so did my desire to have him stay right here at my side.

If I was honest with myself, I’d admit that Thorne made me laugh harder than I had in my entire life. I’d admit that his stories of the outside world intrigued me, and I wanted him to tell me more and more. I’d admit that as much as it shamed me to have feelings for a vampire, I did.

But I refused to admit it and instead rolled my eyes and looked away. “I want you gone.”

“Liar.” He bumped me with his shoulder. “You like having me around.”

“I do not.” I pushed him back, but he didn’t budge an inch. Maybe it was because he was a vampire and impossibly strong, but even without his special powers, with the size of his muscles, he probably wouldn’t have moved even if he was a human.

“Liar, liar, pants on fire.” He booped me on my nose, and I swatted his hand away.

“You’re ridiculous. You’re worse than a child.” I smacked him on his shoulder as a little laughter escaped against my wishes.

“Ouch!” Dramatically rubbing the spot I’d just hit, he furrowed his dark brows. “That hurt.”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “It did not. You’re a vampire, which means nothing hurts you. My ancestors saw to that when they created you to protect them. But maybe this would.”

I arched an eyebrow and lifted my hand. My skin heated as I concentrated, and soon small flames appeared and flickered in my palm. Thorne’s eyes illuminated in the glow, and it only seemed to accentuate the mischievous glimmer that never seemed to leave them.

“That’s so awesome. That doesn’t hurt you?”

I shook my head. “It’s warm but not hot.”

“Does it hurt when I touch it?” With no fear, he waved his hand over mine, grimacing when the flames touched his skin. “Yep. That hurt.”