Page 1 of Mesmerised

ChapterOne

Antoine

I’d been alone for centuries. My role as a Hybrid was to protect the humans and any supernatural race who were threatened by demons.Demons. That name alone made my anger spike. They were a scourge on this planet, always trying to suck the life out of any good person who crossed their path. Just when I thought I’d got rid of them from my territory, another one appeared. Gustav was the main demon who’d caused problems for me, and I couldn’t kill him on my own. It was his vocation in life to corrupt innocent humans living within my territory. Sometimes, I’d save them in time. But others, I was too late, and he turned them into mindless monsters.

If I didn’t connect with my mate soon, I’d die. And if I died, she’d follow soon after.

This was the curse of my race.

As an angel/vampire Hybrid, I was given longevity, but to remain immortal, I had to bond with my human mate. Only together would we be able to destroy a demon completely. Easier said than done when she could be anywhere in the world. My body was beginning to feel as though it was wasting away. Maybe my life would be over soon. Who knew what the Universe had in store for me? Perhaps my fate was to die. Alone. Unmated.

Other Hybrids helped when I was overrun with the monsters. We all had our territories to manage but would assist each other if the demon problem got out of hand. My two closest friends, Luca and Salvatore, were the ones I always turned to first.

But I was tired. So. Damn. Tired.

Many times I thought I’d found my mate, only to discover the connection we had was through great sex, nothing more. Don’t get me wrong, sex has its place, but I needed more. I wanted a woman to rid me of the ache in my lonely soul. Closing my eyes, I inhaled a deep breath, trying to conjure up an image of what she’d look like. Would she be sweet and quiet, or feisty and loud? What was her favourite food, favourite movie, favourite place to live? I shook my head. I’d run these questions through my mind more times than I cared to mention.

It was around two a.m., and I sat on my front balcony, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. I loved my home. A beautiful beachside property on a quiet stretch of wild coastline with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the water so I could sit and watch the sea. There were big comfy chairs on the balcony, one of my favourite places to sit any time of year.

I loved to watch the different seasons and go for long walks along the shore. Most of my race preferred the mountains, city, or countryside to live. Not me. I needed the salty tang of the sea air and to feel the sea breeze on my skin.

Hybrids didn’t experience any intense temperature changes; our bodies regulated themselves. So, even in winter, I could find solace in a long walk. My home and the surrounding area were protected by wards and other strong magic. No demon or their familiars could get to me there, or to my housekeeper and her husband. Yes, we had human guardians who looked out for us. Their property was an annex that backed onto my home so we could have privacy. It was connected by a covered walkway. They were given a very long life in return for their loyal service. The angels granted them almost immortality by giving them a few drops of their precious lifeblood. Jeanie and her husband, Mac, were more than mere servants. They were my family, and I loved and protected them as such.

I knew they were worried about me and my lack of a mate. Jeanie fussed over me all the time, and if I failed to check in after chasing demons, she had my ass in a sling. Gazing up at the star-filled sky, I wondered if my mate was seeing the same view.

Where are you?

“Universe, I don’t know what the fuck you’re playing at,” I called up to the sky. “I need my mate… and fast.”

I chuckled.Now I’m talking to the fucking stars. Mental illness may claim me before death ever does.I was about to turn in for the night when I caught it. A shiver of awareness passed through me. The scent was subtle, but it did things to my body and senses that I’d never come across before. It encompassed me, almost bringing me to my knees. It was heady. Intoxicating. And my erection grew inside my jeans. This could only mean one thing… my mate was close. Perhaps the Universe answered my call after all.

Standing up, I used my heightened vision to see if I could spot her. Her scent became stronger, driving me wild. I needed her with me. Now. There was no one on the stretch of beach; I’d have seen them with my enhanced abilities. Where the hell was she?

Suddenly, in the distance, I spotted a lone figure. She was walking straight into the sea, not even pausing when the freezing cold waves lapped around her.

What the fuck?

With preternatural speed, I raced for her. The closer I got, the more her emotions clogged my brain. Despair. Self-loathing. Loneliness.

Jesus, she wants to die.

Not thinking anymore, I headed into the wild sea.

She was no longer visible, her body claimed by the waves, and my panic rose. I couldn’t lose her, not now I was so close. If she died, then so would I.

I dived into the water and caught sight of her body. She still had a faint heartbeat which began to slow even more while she allowed the water to take her life. I grabbed for her and slowly brought her back to the shore. My body was strong, but her dead weight left me struggling for breath. Part of this was probably my escalating terror at the possibility of losing my mate after only just discovering her.

I laid her down on the sand, brushing her hair away from her face. She was so beautiful. This was not the time for leering at her, though. I needed to begin CPR.

When she didn’t respond, my concern rose to an all-time high. There was another way I could help her to recover, and that was to give her a few drops of my blood. Usually, the recipient needed to agree, but I couldn’t afford to think about that right then. My mate’s life hung in the balance.

Extending a fingernail, I sliced through my wrist. I cradled her head against me and placed my wrist over her lips, allowing my lifeblood to trickle inside her mouth. Her heartbeat strengthened, although she was yet to wake up. Using my powers, I sent her into a deep, healing sleep. After closing my wound, I stood, holding her in the safety of my arms. I extended my wings and took to the sky, keeping her close against my chest. Flying home with her was the easiest option.

I had to get her to the safety of my home quickly. Demons may have already picked up her scent and know she was my mate, placing her in great danger. The wet clothes had to come off, and then a rest in a comfortable bed would be the best thing for her. As much as I’d have loved to see her naked, it wasn’t appropriate for me to do so. When I reached my home, I laid her down on my sofa and called Jeanie.

“Sorry for the late call, but I have news, and I need your help.”

“What have you got yourself into now, son?”

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