Blood Possession by Tessa Dawn

of the house of Jadon.
    He was meant to be alone.
    Forever.
    His blood heated as the stars nestled into their final resting place and the inevitability of what he was seeing settled upon him, although it still did not quite register: Andromeda.
    Napolean Mondragon’s own birth constellation was shining as bright as the noonday sun in a clear sky, illuminated by the most beautiful shade of red he had ever seen. It was his own Blood Moon that appeared in the sky above him.
    His head turned instinctively to the left and then the right. His vision became even more acute as he scanned the nearby environment. Who was she? Had they met before?
    Where was she?
    And then, like a gleaming spotlight piercing a dark stage, the moonlight filtered into a narrow cone and shone down on the backseat of the yellow cab slowly inching its way along the Dark Moon Lodge driveway. Slowly taking her away from Dark Moon Vale .
    Time stood still.
    Napolean had to act quickly, but there were people around. His hand went reflexively to his mouth in an effort to cover—to restrain—his elongating fangs: the primal instinct that was quickly rising within him. His inner voice screamed, Claim her, take her, stop her !
    Now.
    He shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, prepared to move in an instant, even as he sent an imperious telepathic command to his sentinels, Ramsey and Santos Olaru. Warriors, you are to come to the lodge courtyard at once. I need your assistance with the humans. Not only would he require their help in keeping order—considering what had to be done—but he would need them to erase the memories of everyone present, to take control of the scene.
    After all, he had only one objective, one dire edict, to claim his mate and get her to safety as quickly as possible. His very life depended upon it, as did the welfare of the house of Jadon. This was not like any other Blood Moon. There was no room for error, no time for niceties. He was the king of the Vampyr, and his queen would be the most coveted prize his enemy had ever sought.
    We see the sky, milord. Ramsey’s deep, raspy voice penetrated Napolean’s thoughts. It is true then—your destiny has finally come. Do as you must; we will contain the area.
    Even before the warrior finished speaking, Ramsey materialized in the courtyard, tall, strong, and proud. His brother Santos appeared quickly behind him. The warriors gave Napolean a silent nod, and he responded in kind.
    Taking a deep breath, he leapt the distance between himself and the cab, perching perilously in front of it just as it began to accelerate out of the drive. The driver hit the brakes, causing them to squeal as he wrenched the wheel to the side, trying to avoid striking the man who had just appeared in front of him. Napolean placed his hand on the hood of the vehicle, bringing it to an instant halt and, unfortunately, leaving a palm-size dent in the metal.
    It mattered not at all.
    His eyes focused like laser beams on the backseat of the cab, where he observed two women: a skinny, well-dressed blonde, and a tall brunette with haunting blue eyes. His gaze dropped to their left arms, furiously scanning their wrists…
    And there it was.
    Andromeda.
    Holy Celestial Beings, this just couldn’t be!
    Every intricate line of the ancient constellation was etched indelibly into the brunette’s wrist, and she was holding it up, staring at it with a look of wonder—as well as terror—in her eyes.
    Great gods, was this really happening?
    The brunette looked up then, and her eyes met Napolean’s through the front windshield—even as her mind began to process what had just happened to the cab. Reflexively, she reached over and locked the door, barking a harsh command to the other woman to do the same. As Napolean rounded the cab, her mouth fell open and she scooted away from the window toward her friend.
    Gods, this is awful , he thought. What a way to meet one’s destiny.
    Humans were beginning to gather around now,