Seduction by Blood

By Melissa Schroeder

The next exciting installment where vampires rule the Victorian ton.

All of the London is convinced Jack the Ripper has returned to London, but Malik knows better. He knows the familiar scent of a Made, one that has survived longer than he should have. But, while he is pursuing the killer, he cannot keep his mind on it completely. Mrs. Diana Simpson has become too much to ignore. From her haughtiness, to the simmering passion he sees lurking behind the pain in her eyes, he recognizes his mate.

Diana has accepted this new part of her life, but she is not ready to bind herself to any man, human or vampire. Her first marriage left much to be desired and she is not ready for that disappointment again. Still, each time they are together, the passion they feel explodes and neither of them are ready for the repercussions of their actions. Especially when the new killer sets his eyes on Diana.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094443966

Melissa Schroeder

From an early age, USA Today Bestselling author Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book. Since her first published book, Grace Under Pressure, Mel has had over 60 short stories, novellas, and novels published. She has written in genres ranging from historical to contemporary to futuristic and has worked with 8 publishers although she handles most of her publishing herself. She is best known for her Harmless and Santini series. After years of following her military husband around the country and world, Mel happily lives with her family in horse and wine country in Northern Virginia.

Book preview

Prologue

The Scientist lifted his shaking hand to wipe his face. His laboratory was cold; telling him the fire had died down. He shivered even as a bead of perspiration rolled down his back. His stomach heaved as bile rose to his throat. He swallowed it down. Fear coiled deep in his gut. His eyes finally focused on his hands. They were stained with something…blood. His terror increased.

What the bloody hell had he done?

He used all of his strength to push himself up off the sofa and stumbled over to the mirror. His clothes were covered with dirt, leaves, and grass. His face had more than a day’s growth. The once perfectly tailored suit had been shredded, as if something with claws had attacked him.

What the bloody hell had happened to him? Foggy remnants of a terrifying dream danced through his brain, but he couldn’t grasp what they represented. Shadowy recollections shifted, danced out of his reach. He closed his eyes and drew in a shaky breath. Since he’d begun the experiments, his life had grown confusing. Memories seemed to fade away, and he could not account for the time lost.

He looked around the room and found a pitcher of water. He poured it into a bowl. It was not that fresh, but he did not care. Compared to where he had been the last few hours, He washed off his face. He scrubbed his skin raw; knowing no matter how clean he got it, nothing would wash the stain from his soul.

One

Exhausted and irritated, Malik followed Nico down the alleyway. The dark London night made it difficult for humans to see, but for the two of them, they had no problems. Vampires had above average eyesight and nocturnal abilities. Of course, they spent most days sleeping and nights out and about, so it had always made sense to Malik. Still, it was times like these that he wished they did not have these abilities. The stench of rotting garbage and human waste filled the heavy air that seemed to cling to them as they walked silently. Usually, humans—the type that society had used, abused, and now had no use for—would lay scattered throughout the area. The lack of drunks passed out from the night before told him that everyone was avoiding the area. Unfortunately, it was for the same reason Nico had dragged him back to London.

This is getting a bit old, he muttered.

Nico glanced at him over his shoulder with a look of apology. Indeed. But I agreed with Cordelia. We need to fix this issue before the press takes off with it. Humans love this sort of thing. Not to mention what our own kind will do if Mades are considered suspects. It will be a veritable feeding frenzy within society if that happens.

Malik nodded, knowing his friend was correct. Within society, Malik was accepted, but every scare such as the one a few years ago, and now this one…would send the most powerful Vampire houses into a panic. The whispers would start and if they did not stop them in time, there would be problems. He just hated that it had dragged him to London. He would much prefer to be back in the country, being left alone. Since Nico had taken his seat on the council for the Vampire Alliance, Malik had found himself in London more times than he liked.

He continued to follow his friend down the alley. They came upon the woman they’d been called in to assess. The odor of tainted blood filled his senses. He stepped up beside Nico. Blood was everywhere. On her clothes, her face, and the wall behind her. The woman’s blue eyes were open, expressionless and cold.

Lord, the smell. Nico made a rude sound. It is turning my stomach.

He nodded in agreement and looked closely at the woman, who had been lying dead for hours. No one had noticed her. Not one person had stopped until a night watchman, who also happened to be a vampire, had found her. His alert was not to his supervisor, but to the Alliance. Malik had to hand it to the young vampire. Light was coming soon.

It’s not her though.

Nico glanced at him again, then back down at the woman. Indeed. It’s the perpetrator. He has tainted blood. Do you think he’s Made?

Malik walked around, careful not to step too close. They needed to preserve as much evidence as they could. Most of the time, being a Made himself, he could often detect one of his kind from scent. He did not get anything off the blood vapors that hung in the air.

I’m not sure. If it was a Made, it wasn’t one in the throes of the bloodlust. She has not been raped. Unlike those attacks a few years ago, these are planned in a way. This person was definitely in control.

This is in control? Nico asked, his tone filled with disbelief.

Look at her.

Nico frowned. I am.

Malik did not roll his eyes but it was close. He knew he often saw things others did not. He had always been this way. It was the main reason Nico called on him for things like these. Unfortunately, Malik didn’t have the patience for the work of investigation. Dealing with people, the crowded streets, and the constant social obligations irritated him.

This is not a person out of control. Yes, her throat was torn to bits, but this was not a violent act with a sexual taint. It was just brutal violence and it was too calculated. More like the Ripper.

Nico sighed.

Malik squatted back down to get a closer look. But, I am not too sure it wasn’t a Made or even a Born. Unlike Jack, this one is definitely a vampire.

He sensed Nico’s gaze. Truth?

Smell the blood. T’isn’t hers, Nic. It’s the attacker’s. There is something very wrong with the man. The scent is on the blood, but I have a feeling it came about because of the attack. He fed first, he said as he squatted to get a better look.

He did?

He gently moved the head of the woman, who had seen too much horror in her lifetime. Two puncture marks marred her skin.

He must have been at least trying to feed, then went into a frenzy. As if he didn’t know what to do. Or maybe she resisted. She is definitely a Carrier.

Damn, Nico said. You know my father is going to want the Quad to step in.

Malik rose and gave his friend a hard look. No.

I do not like it either, but you know he will try.

It needs to be done beneath the surface. You call attention to this, everyone will start talking—including humans.

I agree. That is why I want you to head up the investigation.

He sighed and shook his head, but of course, Nico would not let it go. He was going to be stuck in London for weeks now. There was no way he would get this wrapped up in under three weeks.

Damn.

Nico must have sensed the direction of Malik’s thoughts. You know I would not ask you, but you are the only one I trust.

His best friend was not above using emotional blackmail to keep him there.

I need you to do this. I can’t be running around London looking for the bastard. I’ve other things on my plate.

The Council took up all of Nico’s time, but now that his wife Cordelia was expecting their second child, Malik knew Nico did have other priorities.

Malik did not.

I will investigate, but my time in London is limited.

Nico gave him a knowing smile. Indeed.

He knew his best friend understood his need to avoid London. The cloying royalty was enough to keep him away. The other big factor was the need he felt for Lady Diana. Since meeting Cordelia’s sister several years ago, Malik had avoided the woman. Never in his life had he felt this overwhelming need to conquer a woman. And one that was definitely not for him. She had exacting standards. Even as a widow, if she took a lover, he had not heard of it. And he would. He might try to avoid her, but it was impossible to avoid gossip. There was not a bit of it attached to Diana.

Just know that I will do this and leave.

Nico nodded. We do not want to be here any longer than needed. Cordelia is nearing term, and I loathe having her here in this filthy air. It cannot be good for the baby or her.

Malik nodded. You should have left her at home in the country.

Nico chuckled. We are talking about my wife. You have met her, have you not?

Of course, how silly for me to think you have some kind of control over your wife.

Nico motioned to some workers he had brought with them. The woman is at the end of the alley. Be careful with her. Send her to Dr. Whittaker’s home. He is to do the exam.

After they left the alley and the disturbing discovery behind them, Nico smiled at him.

What? Malik asked.

I find it amusing that you think that every woman can be controlled.

They all can be controlled by the right man.

Indeed.

You do not believe me because you are controlled by your woman.

Nico’s eyebrows rose and his eyes danced with humor. Is that a fact?

Yes.

Always truthful, Malik. It is one of the things that I admire most about you.

Many people hate it.

Nico chuckled. Many people are stupid.

They stepped into the carriage, and he waited until they took off before he spoke again.

So, you are not mad that I think you are a slave for your mate?

Every mated vampire is a slave to their Carrier mate. You know that. I assumed that is why you avoided it for so long.

He felt his smile fade. You know why I avoided it.

Nico made a face. I think it is a stupid reason.

You have said so before.

It is and my father agrees. Made vampires are not to be feared, not the ones like you who survived. Instead, they should be admired.

Malik snorted and looked out the window of the carriage. We know what Borns think of men like me. They are not about to marry their respectable daughters off to me.

You are looking for an arranged marriage?

No, just stating it is hard to get to know a woman if her family is shunning you like you bring the plague with you.

Nico acknowledged that fact with a nod. True, but nothing says you have to listen to them. I avoided society for so long and the one time I did show up, I met Cordelia.

True. And that is why I avoid it.

Nico chuckled. One of these days, you will learn Fate ignores all of our protests and finds the one for us.

Malik knew his friend was correct, but unfortunately, the woman who was his mate, the one who should carry his children, was a woman who was completely repulsed by the idea of even being a Carrier.

Truthfully, they did not know if Mades actually had their own mates or not. The theory had not been tested, not during modern times at least. Either way, he was not ready to test any theory involving women. They were notoriously undependable in every instance.

Diana stepped down from the hired cab and hurried up the steps to her sister’s door. Her nerves were raw from a sleepless night. After all of these years, she should not have to worry about this. It was just not fair.

She had worked her entire adult life to retain the level of respectability. It hadn’t been easy with her family’s history. Her mother had been no better than a common whore, having children with a multitude of different men. Her father—the one who was not her birth father—had been no better. In fact, he probably drove her mother to the life she led. Drinking, whoring…selling his oldest daughter to the highest bidder. That had been her marriage, and the one her mother had endured. At one time, she had condemned her mother for what she had done in life, but at the ripe age of thirty-two, Diana now understood it.

She had often cursed her mother’s reputation when she had been growing up. Her mother had tried to find happiness outside of her marriage. While she could not condemn her mother, she understood when men approached her; they expected