Vampire Coven Book 3: A Vampire's Embrace by C.L. Scholey

stunned. There were other covens. None as large as the brethren of Tavish, but there were those who would turn a blind eye to what Rhett did simply because he belonged to the first coven. The coven which snuffed out the renegade vampires who would not bow down to Tavish and his wishes.
    Before either vampire could say another word, Hope stirred. She fumbled to sit upright and was assisted by Caine. As her sheet slipped, Rhett caught another glimpse of her high creamy breasts. Clean and smelling fresh, he had found a prize after all. Her body was covered in the same bruising Ann’s was.
    She glanced at both Caine and Rhett fearfully, gripping the sheet tightly around her. Again Caine glared at Rhett. It was now Rhett was supposed to come to Hope’s rescue and tell her not to be afraid, no one would hurt her. He was to tell her all she had to do was call his name and he would come to her. The last human he had said this to was Tanya. The betraying little whore who worked through each breeder male and any vampire she could get between her legs.
    “What’s your name?” Caine asked.
    “Her name is Hope,” Rhett ground out. She better hope he could control his temper, she better hope she wasn’t a lying bitch. And she better hope she never pissed him off.
    Caine ignored him. “You will be safe here with me, Hope.”
    Rhett felt his face flame red. Damned prick.
    “Where’s my Ann?” Hope asked.
    “Your daughter is fine where she is. The leader of this coven, Tavish, has a wife named Mercy. Her son is five and Ann and Galf have seemed to hit it off. She is well protected. Don’t worry. Can you tell me how old Ann is?”
    “About seven. I kept track as best I could.”
    Caine gave her a big smile. “Well good for you, sweetheart. I’m a doctor and I’d like to examine you. Just a few tests. I will let you know what I’m doing every step of the way. If you get scared, tell me.”
    Hope accepted a small glass of water from Caine. Before she sipped it, he stopped her and explained there was a small amount of a drug in the water. Nothing that would hurt her, just make her relaxed.
    “You can always just make me drink it,” Hope said. Even to Rhett’s ears the accusation sounded pitiful.
    Caine pressed his lips together in a fine line for a moment. He was pissed again. No doubt Rhett would hear about it.
    “I don’t want to make you, Hope,” Caine said. “I need you to tell me how you really feel. What hurts and what doesn’t. I don’t want you battling me. That’s why I told you what the drink will do. Trust me. I would never hurt you.”
    “If I drink this, can I see my daughter?”
    “You may see your daughter whether you drink it or not,” Caine replied.
    Reluctantly, Hope turned the glass in her hand. Rhett could hear her heart pounding. She was scared and skeptical, obviously thinking she better do as she was told regardless of what Caine said. When Hope downed the contents, Caine smiled at her and laid her down. He covered her modestly, only exposing the areas he needed to see.
    “You can wait out there,” Caine said. He dismissed Rhett with the nod of his head towards the door.
    Rhett was about to protest, but something on the doctor’s face made him change his mind. He knew Caine would forcefully remove him. Caine was strong, and patient, and sweet, until he was protecting a patient. It would be easier dealing with twenty rabid females on the rag than pissing the good doctor off.
    Instead of leaving, Rhett went behind the curtain Caine pulled and waited. He waited and waited. When he peeked back in half an hour later, Caine was just sitting there with Hope’s hand in his, gazing at her face watching her sleep. Rhett grew concerned. If she was diseased she would be returned back to her iceberg. Tavish would never agree to allow Rhett to keep Ann. For the second time, Rhett damned himself for not just keeping the child and leaving the woman behind.
    Caine?” Rhett said.
    Caine sighed and rose to