Fighting Evil

by Mary Abshire

Jeremy shook his head and ambled near the edge of the cliff. His thoughts must have been running wild in his head.

  "It's a game or a test," I said. "Don't let her fool you."

  He stopped and stared out at the sea. I hoped he listened to my warning.

  Time passed and the color of the sky changed to a darker hue. I took a deep, cleansing breath, then headed for our lodging. Jeremy trailed behind me.

  "What would you do with eight million dollars?" he asked.

  I stopped and spun around. "It's not about money."

  "But just think—"

  "No, I won't consider it," I said, curt, glaring at him. The fact he weighed the idea in his thoughts troubled me.

  He said nothing more and extended his arm, beckoning me to continue. I did.

  Nearing our stone hideaway, I noticed the door was open. I slowed my pace and scanned the area. A trace of cool energy graced my skin.

  "Someone is near," I said.

  Jeremy walked around me. "I'll go in first."

  I followed him past the door. Sophia sat on the sofa with her long legs crossed. She wore a slinky red dress with a slit up the side, exposing them. A playful smile teased her lips as she watched Jeremy.

  "Where's Drake?" I asked, standing next to Jeremy.

  "Here," Drake said.

  I spun around and found him leaning against the bedroom doorframe, one hand wedged in a pocket. He wore a dark, long-sleeved, button-down shirt embroidered with a red design. Dark jeans complimented the outfit, giving him a casual and damned attractive appeal. My heart leaped with excitement. I wanted to grab hold of him and feel his hard body pressed to mine.

  "We need to talk." I walked toward him.

  He stepped away from the wall and approached me.

  "The gathering will start soon. We should get going," Sophia said.

  My eyes stayed focused on Drake. "I had visitors earlier."

  We stopped within inches from each other. His hair glided over his shoulders. He reached up and caressed his fingers along my jawbone. "I know what he offered you. I can't stop him or anyone from making such…proposals." His lip curled, showing his disgust.

  The emphasis on the word answered many questions. I was certain he knew about Sophia's offer to Jeremy.

  "Did you know he was going to come here?" I asked.

  "No, but from the way he acted last night, I had a feeling he would."

  "The man is evil. How can he be part of the VETOV?"

  Drake took my hand into his and guided me to the middle of the bedroom. "Dimitry is very old. He killed for many years before joining the VETOV." His tone was softer.

  "His energy is almost as strong as Alexander's."

  Shoes clacked on the floor as Sophia approached. "This energy you speak of, what does it feel like?"

  "No!" Drake snapped, eyes glaring at Sophia. "She is not to answer any questions until tomorrow."

  "Then we are wasting time here." Displeasure laced her tone. She turned to Jeremy, standing nearby. "We should go."

  "Go ahead," I told Jeremy. "I need to grab my shoes."

  "I will stay with Jessie," Drake said.

  "Come, Jeremy." Sophia reached out to him as if he were a pet.

  Jeremy took her hand into his. A massive wave of heat rose from the pit of my stomach. I hated to see him give into her wishes. I despised how she wanted to use him. But what more could I do to stop him? Hands clasped, they walked out together.

  I dug my suitcase from underneath the bed, then unzipped it. Inside, I found my bag of shoes. I pulled out a pair of black, three-inch heels and slid them on. I'd already changed my blouse earlier to one that was black with red roses and had half sleeves.

  "Sophia is a valuable ally," Drake said as I fastened the straps on my shoes.

  "An ally that wants to seduce Jeremy."

  "He can handle himself."

  "Oh, I have no doubt about that."

  I walked past him and headed toward the door. Drake grabbed my arm and stopped me. He shoved me against the wall, then plastered his mouth over mine. He delved deep inside, then sucked on my tongue with an urgent need. He pressed the length of his body against me while he clawed at my skirt. My heart battered my chest as desire consumed me. His passion was intense and I couldn't stop him. No, I refused to stop him.

  I slipped my hands between our bodies, then rubbed his swollen cock. He moaned and groped my ass. He was hard as concrete and hungry for sex. His other hand traveled and found its way inside my thin panties. Cool fingers slid into me in and I gasped for air.

  He kissed my chin and moved to my neck. My body was on fire and thirsty for his touch. I moved in rhythm as he slid his fingers in and out of me. Yearning for more of him, I unbuttoned and carefully unzipped his jeans. The minute I freed his elongated cock, he took full control. He tugged my thin panties aside, then thrust inside me.

  "Drake." I breathed out heavy.

  Again, his mouth covered mine. He withdrew his erection, then plunged it back into me. My body was starved for him and I moaned in bliss. I needed more. He pumped deeper inside, filling me with his hard cock and forcing every nerve in me to quiver with need. His movements hastened and brought me to the brink of exploding in ecstasy. My lips broke away as I struggled to breathe. I was so wet and hot while he was so big and cool. God, I loved the feel of him inside me.

  "Yes, yes." I gasped as my release drew nearer.

  He glided his tongue down my neck while he drove into me. My body was electrified with need and ready to burst. When he gently bit into my neck, my orgasm came fast and spread ripple after ripple of euphoria through me. His climax came soon after mine and throbbed fiercely. Overwhelmed with pleasure, I didn't feel him nourishing himself.

  I relaxed and rode the wave of ecstasy while the heavenly vibration became a small heartbeat. Drake withdrew from my neck, then pressed his forehead to mine. Eyes full of love and devotion stared deep into mine. "You are mine."

  My lips twitched. "Eight million, twenty million, or fifty million wouldn't sway me from you. Money means nothing to me."

  "Don't let them trick you."

  "Never."

  He kissed my lips as he slid out of me. The loss of him brought instant disappointment. I wanted to spend the rest of the night in his arms and with his cock buried inside me.

  "Do we have to go to this gathering?" I asked as I fixed my underwear and skirt.

  He stepped back, tucking himself back into his pants. "Yes, it would appear disrespectful if we didn't. And since we are already late, we should hurry to get there."

  "I need to clean up real quick. Give me a minute."

  I took off down the hall before he could stop me. After a few short minutes in the bathroom, I was cleaner. Drake walked in as I tossed the damp towel next to the others on the floor.

  "Do you need to wash off?" I asked.

  "No, I want your scent to stay on me."

  I arched a brow. The sex scent?

  Laughter touched his lips. "It proves you are mine and I have claimed you."

  He sounded like he was a caveman and I was a dumb cavewoman. After thousands of years, I would've thought those claiming notions would've passed.

  "I'm ready." I flipped the light off.

  Drake led the way from the lodging to a large stone building in the center of the fort. The night breeze along with Drake's energy soothed my warm skin. But when we entered the structure, my temperature dropped so fast I wished I'd worn a jacket. Holding my hand tightly, he took me down a corridor to the back where a stairwell spiraled down.

  "It's underground?" I asked.

  Drake's feet tapped on the metal step. "This building has an underground bunker. All the gatherings and meetings are held below."

  I followed him down the stairway. Voices and laugher grew louder with each step. At the bottom, a young robust man without any clothes greeted us. I couldn't help my wandering eyes. He had a nice package.

  "Last door on your left," he said with his arm outstretched. />
  Drake took hold of my hand again and guided me down the long hall. The air was cool, damp, and filled with scents of food.

  "I thought vampires didn't eat human food," I said.

  "The food is for the servants to enjoy." He squeezed my hand. "And you and Jeremy."

  Considering I hadn't eaten much since we left Indy, I was looking forward to that part of the evening. The food Jeremy had ordered during the day had gone to waste with the arrival of our unexpected visitors.

  Drake stepped through the doorway into a dark room half full with naked men and women. Candles and food covered three tables set up in a U fashion in the center. I found Jeremy sitting next to Sophia, stuffing his face with food. A fireplace was centered in the back wall with comfortable chairs positioned on both sides and two tables in the middle. Men and women gathered in groups. Renaud sat in one chair with a naked woman on each leg. Pig.

  I leaned in close to Drake. "Are all the servants naked?"

  He nodded. If all the naked people were servants, then all the dressed men and women, mostly men, were vampires.

  Dimitry strode into the room in the same suit I'd seen him wearing earlier. His eyes found mine and I tightened my grip on Drake's hand.

  "Jessie, Drake," Dimitry said as his gaze jumped from each of us. "Glad to see you made it in a timely manner."

  I squeezed Drake's hand tighter. "Drake and I haven't been able to spend much time together. When we can, every minute counts." I smiled and fluttered my lashes at him. I hated the fucker. Hated him so bad I wanted to spit in his face. But I needed his vote of support, so I played nice.

  He gave me an icy glare and disapproving frown. "I will make sure we make better use of your time while you are here."

  A fire within me ignited. My temperature skyrocketed so fast that within a matter of seconds, sweat reached the surface of my forehead.

  "Sir," a naked male servant said to Dimitry. "Shall we begin the festivities?"

  "Yes," he answered, keeping his eyes on me.

  As the servant left, I tugged on Drake's arm. "Can we get a seat at the table?"

  "Please." Dimitry stepped to the side and extended his arm. "Enjoy the show and eat to your heart's content."

  Drake and I strolled to the tables with food. I let go of his hand and took the seat next to Jeremy. Drake sat on my other side.

  "What took you so long?" Jeremy asked, his mouth bulging with food. He had a fork in one hand and a steak knife in the other.

  "I had to freshen up," I said.

  "The food is excellent. You should try everything." He shoved the knife into the thick steak on his plate. Just looking at the meat made my stomach growl.

  Drake got up, then snatched a plate from the end of the table. He returned to his seat and set the empty dish in front of me. "What would you like?"

  "Are you feeding me?" I arched a brow.

  "I would love to. Tell me what you want."

  I licked my lips, thinking I wanted him more than the food. God, the man could drive my sexual craving sky high. Returning to the present, I scanned the table. "I'd like some fruit, please, cheese, and crackers."

  Drake picked out various pieces from the trays and set them on my dish. I leaned back in my seat and crossed my legs, watching and admiring him. When food covered the plate, he sat back, holding it in one hand. He plucked a purple grape and brought it near my lips. Smiling, I opened my mouth and he delicately slid the piece of fruit onto my tongue.

  Still grinning, I chewed on the grape. Because it came from Drake, it had never tasted better.

  Drake lifted a strawberry.

  "You're spoiling me," I said before I parted my lips.

  He placed the strawberry in my mouth. "I would love to indulge your every fantasy." He dropped the leafy part back on the plate, then selected another piece of fruit, which I gladly took from him.

  Indulge my every fantasy? My heartbeat jumped with vigor. Oh, I'd love him to pamper me.

  "May we have your attention please," Dimitry said loudly.

  Drake and I turned our attention to the front of the room. Dimitry and another vampire with long black hair were clapping their hands in unison. Voices quieted and everyone's attention shifted. Dimitry waited until the room hushed.

  "Ladies and gentleman, and special guests"—Dimitry's gaze shifted to Jeremy and me—"we would like to begin tonight's show. Please welcome Serena, our newest exotic dancer. Nassar, the music please."

  An exotic dancer? No thanks. I didn't need to watch. I turned away and scanned over the food options on the table.

  Arabian music, stringy and whiny, played over the sound system. A quick scan of the room revealed all eyes pointed to the front.

  "Oh. My. God," Jeremy said in a low voice. He dropped his silverware and it clanked on his plate.

  "What?" I asked.

  "She looks…like you."

  Chapter Fifteen

  A half-naked woman with dark hair and tanned skin entered the room, dancing to the Arabian music. A sheer veil covered her face and a thin scarf coiled around each arm. She wore nothing over her breasts. Her naval had a silver ring and she wore a thong for underwear. Jeremy was right about the resemblance. Her features were close to mine, except my eyes were more round. The big difference between her and me was she had a more voluptuous figure.

  The string music whined. She swayed her hips and arms in a provocative manner as she moved closer to our table.

  "I think your breasts are bigger," Jeremy whispered in my ear.

  Drake set the plate down and scooted his chair back past me. He glared at Jeremy and crossed his arms. He might not have liked the comment, but hey, it was accurate. Her tits were smaller.

  The woman slithered her way behind the table, coming toward Drake. Her fixed attention on him bothered me. I slid my chair back, staying close to him. She untangled one of the sheer scarves from her arms as she approached. When she finally reached Drake, she tossed it around his neck. My temper shot through the roof and I felt like I might explode from the rush of blood.

  Her hips rocked in a seductive motion while she played with the scarf around his neck. She leaned close to him, practically shoving her breasts into his face, but he kept his eyes on hers. The woman lowered her body and straddled his leg. He clenched his jaw and the muscle on his temple twitched. Amazingly, his gaze never veered.

  Violence consumed my thoughts, urging me to act out against the dancer. I wanted to throw a punch at her. Arms crossed, I hid my clenched fists with my nails digging into the palms of my hands. The pain helped distract me from causing a scene. I was certain the vampires wanted me to do just that. They were testing us, pushing my limits. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck and coated my forehead. I would rather be soaking wet from perspiration and have bloody palms from my nail gashes than give in to the bloodsuckers.

  Jeremy rested his warm hand on my shoulder. A current of energy penetrated through my clothing and seeped into me. The gentle touch helped calm my fury.

  I surveyed the faces in the crowd. Everyone had their eyes pointed at us. The wealth of onlookers made me feel as if I were some lab rat being tested.

  I glanced at Jeremy. He held a slight grin while his curious eyes stared past me. When his gaze lifted, I suspected the dancer was on the move. I turned my head and, from the corner of my eye, I saw her moving closer.

  Serena stopped inches from me, but continued dancing. One little push and I could've sent her over the table. The temptation jabbed at me, taunting me. Her body swayed and jiggled as she stepped past me. She needed to take her naked flesh to the vamps lusting for her instead of playing near me.

  She focused her eyes on Jeremy. A wide smile spread across her face. He scooted his chair back, giving her more room to walk by. Only she didn't simply pass. She sat on his knees and thrust her chest into his face. Jeremy grabbed her arms and gently nudged her back. She grazed her fingers down his chest in a snakelike motion. I'd had enough and looked away.

  The sheer s
carf the dancer had wrapped around Drake lay on the floor. His arms were crossed and the tension had lessened in his face. But he had a disapproving glare directed at the vamps across from us.

  Out of the blue, my stomach cramped hard and fast. The intense pain nearly brought tears to my eyes. I clenched my arms over my belly and gritted my teeth. Bent only slightly, I tried not to show the agony I was in.

  The woman danced closer to me. She moved her arms in wavelike patterns while she backed up to the table. The music accelerated and so did her movements. Body and head swaying, she spun around in a full circle. When she faced me, she lifted her arms in the air. I looked up and saw the steak knife in her hands. I gasped right before she slammed the blade into my chest.

  Several reactions happened at once. Pain shot through me, voices screamed and shouted, and the men on each side of me leaped to their feet. Within a second, the dancer's body flew across the room as if she were a toy. I sat with wide eyes, watching it all happen like a movie.

  I inhaled and hot pain filled me. The handle of the knife stuck out from my chest. Yeah, that was a problem.

  "Jessie." Drake took my face into his hands.

  I stared into his panic-stricken eyes. "It hurts."

  "Uh, Drake," Jeremy said. "I'm seeing a lot of pointy teeth."

  A loud crash hit the table and I flinched. "Get her out of here," a deep, throaty voice said.

  "You have to move her now," another voice said near Drake. The man next to him was the same one with dark hair that stood next to Dimitry earlier. Nassar. Dimitry called him Nassar.

  Drake slid his arm under my legs and picked me up. He hurried as he carried me out of the dark room. "Hold onto me."

  I attempted to wrap an arm around his neck, but the movement intensified the pain. I clasped his shirt instead. He ascended the spiral staircase with his feet thumping heavily on the metal steps. The stupid knife in my chest bumped into him. I cried out in agony. My body burned but also felt numb. My grasp of his shirt slackened.

  "I'm not letting you go," he said.

  His voice sounded distant, almost a whisper. Breathing hurt. Moving hurt. My mind wanted to drift off into a peaceful sleep. A fog closed in around me and I drifted into it.