Secret Blood Ties

by Felicity Jordan

  Melanie’s eyes were narrowed in suspicion, and Mike continued.

  “I’m sure you’re thinking that I might just be trying to get you to agree to this in order to force you to confirm our conclusions, but that’s not it. You don’t even need to say anything. Just try to come into my body. If my consent isn’t true, you won’t be able to, and you’ll stay in Melanie’s body, unable to come into mine. If I’m telling the truth, you’ll have a host and you’ll be able to do whatever you planned to do here. Just spare Melanie. That’s all I ask.”

  There was no sign that the spirit accepted his offer. Mike found himself staring into Melanie’s eyes, wondering if he’d managed to convince whoever had her.

  Suddenly, pain lanced through him. He gasped, but then even that was beyond him as he lost control of his body. Mike tried to cry out, but his lips wouldn’t move. A soft chuckle echoed somewhere in the back of his mind. “Foolish donor. I didn’t think you were sincere; who would do something this stupid? I won’t pretend I’m not pleased, though.”

  “Who are you?” Mike’s mouth couldn’t form the words, but it seemed that the spirit could hear his attempt at speech internally.

  “I am Evan, and I am your doom. Not just yours, but all of vampire kind’s donors are just as bad. Without you, their race would swiftly wither and die, the humans wouldn’t have it any other way. I will enjoy killing you, donor… once I’ve brought down the curse of vampires.”

  “Melanie?” Mike couldn’t force his eyes to her, but at his question, Evan turned his gaze to the bed. Melanie was pale, but breathing, her eyes closed.

  “She sleeps. Pity, she will live. I’ll make sure to kill her soon enough. And if you’re thinking she’ll lead an attempt to get me out of you, you can think again. I erased her memories on the way out. The last thing she remembers is the day before I possessed her.”

  With that, the last of Mike’s hopes faded. Not that his hopes had been high to begin with. He’d figured Evan wouldn’t take his deal unless he had some way to ensure that his new host wasn’t quickly restrained just as Melanie was.

  “Now, I think that your brothers-to-be will not mind if you take some time alone. To grieve in peace and give them the chance to say their goodbyes.”

  The vile thing truly could read his thoughts. After Tiffany had died, he’d never really gotten close to anyone. There were people in the palace Mike knew and got on well with, but he didn’t have anyone who truly knew him, like Melanie had Jake. He’d only known Melanie for a few weeks, and he suspected that wasn’t enough. She’d have no idea that Evan was inside him, and neither would anyone else, at least until it was too late.

  “You see how foolish your trade was?” Evan sneered, speaking directly into Mike’s mind.

  “No,” Mike replied. Evan wasn’t looking at Melanie anymore, but he didn’t need to see her. She would be alright. That was all that mattered. “It was worth it.”

  Chapter 11

  Melanie

  When Melanie woke, not only was she no longer in the Eldan palace, but she seemed to be in restraints. “What?” she mumbled, tugging lightly on them. The small movement made her wince. Her wrists were raw, as though she’d been fighting violently, and even the padded restraints had started to injure her.

  What had happened? Had she been feverish and fighting those trying to help her? She recognized that she was in the healing wing of the Cherki palace.

  “Hello?” she called. It was strange that they’d left her alone and restrained. Gali hurried over, though stayed well back, as though fearing an attack.

  “What happened?” Melanie asked. “How did I get here?”

  “Don’t bother,” Gali said coldly, treating Melanie to a glare that made her flinch. She’d never seen such a fierce look on the usually caring healer. “We know it’s still you, and we’re not falling for it. If Mike is done, I will fetch Issa to say his goodbyes.”

  “Goodbyes?” Melanie’s confusion was mounting by the moment. “Gali, take these restraints off me. Whatever was wrong with me, I’m lucid now.”

  The healer ignored her completely, something that shocked Melanie almost as much as waking up in this position. Everyone at the Cherki palace always followed her orders.

  Several minutes later, Apeo came in, his shoulders slumped. He sat down next to her bed, though several feet away, well out of her reach.

  “I hope you can hear me, Essa,” he began quietly.

  “Of course I can hear you, Apeo! What’s going on?”

  His eyes squeezed shut in apparent pain. “Do not bother. We will not fall for this.”

  “Apeo. Apeo, please look at me.” Melanie waited for his eyes to meet hers. “I don’t know what’s going on here. The last thing I remember, I was falling asleep with you and Aris at the Eldan palace. Please could you tell me what has happened?”

  “If I do as you ask, will you let me speak my piece? I… I have to say goodbye to her. Before the time comes.”

  He looked so distraught that Melanie automatically reached out to comfort him, only to be thwarted by the restraints. Apeo flinched back, moving his chair a little further from the bed.

  “I will let you say your piece,” Melanie agreed. Anything, as long as someone would tell her what was going on.

  She listened with growing horror as Apeo explained the events of the past few days. When he was done, she just stared at him, unsure what to say. What could she say that would convince him she was no longer possessed by a spirit?

  Wait, was she no longer possessed by a spirit? For all Melanie knew, it could still be inside her, watching and waiting for a chance to pounce. Either way, the first step was to convince the people around her that she was at least speaking for herself, though she couldn’t guarantee that her words weren’t being influenced by some presence she was unaware of.

  Melanie stared off into space as Apeo gathered himself for whatever he wanted to say. She was thinking about what to do. Jake. It was Jake who had known she wasn’t herself. If anyone would believe that she was once more in control, it was him.

  She was on the point of asking Apeo to get him, but before she could, he started talking, giving her his goodbyes. It was truly beautiful, but heartbreaking as well. He told her that he loved her. It was on the tip of her tongue for Melanie to say the same, but she figured it would only make his pain worse to hear it now, when he believed it wasn’t truly her talking.

  The best she could do was wait, giving him the chance to say what he needed. She longed to put her arms around him and comfort him, but she was tied up, and he wouldn’t take well to an attempt to get to him, thinking she was trying for another attack.

  When Apeo stood, wiping away stray tears, Melanie spoke softly. “Thank you, Apeo. This won’t be the last time we speak. Please, get Jake for me?”

  “Aris first. We already agreed on an order.”

  Crap, she had to listen to this again from Aris? It had already been heart wrenching enough coming from Apeo. She really wanted to talk to Jake, to convince him that this wasn’t necessary, but the thought of how Aris would feel if she refused to see him locked the words in her throat.

  Half an hour later, Melanie was feeling wretched. She’d never wanted it to be like this. Aris left with his shoulders slumped and his feet dragging.

  When Jake finally came in, Melanie sighed in relief. “Jake. Please, listen to me. Please.”

  He frowned as he looked up at her. “Don’t bother. We know it’s not Melanie speaking.”

  “You’re wrong. You could tell it wasn’t me when no one else could. Look at me, Jake. Listen to me voice. Please, you have to see it. I’m back. I’m here. I don’t know what happened to the spirit, but it’s me. It’s Mel.”

  She saw uncertainty flicker across his face. “You’re lying.” Despite his words, there was hope in his eyes.

  “I’m not. Apeo told me what happened. The last thing I remember is being in the Eldan palace. I don’t know what happened or why, but I’m in control of myself a
gain. As far as I can tell, the spirit is gone, or at least dormant. Please, you have to believe me.”

  He stepped closer to the bed, closer than either Apeo or Aris had come. “Mel?” he whispered.

  “It’s me, Jake, I promise.”

  A hesitant smile tugged at his lips. “I think I believe you.”

  “Then untie me. Have half the guard watching me if you must, whatever makes you feel safe. I just want to get out of this bed.”

  To her great relief, Jake did exactly that. Several minutes later, five armed Cherki guards circled the bed. Rachel, Apeo, Aris and Mike all stood just behind them. Jake and Gali were on either side of her. Together, they undid the restraints.

  Everyone in the room flinched, as though expecting her to leap up and start attacking them. Melanie lay still, very slowly lifting her hand to brush hair out of her face.

  “It’s me,” she repeated.

  “Mel… I hope you’ll understand that we will need to take precautions.” Rachel gave her an apologetic look. “For now, you’ll need to be guarded wherever you go, and you won’t be allowed to be exposed to any sensitive palace information.”

  “Fine, whatever you need.” Melanie would have liked to help try to catch the spirit, but if they suspected she was still possessed, it wouldn’t be allowed. Any argument would only make them more suspicious of her, so she resigned herself to being kept in the dark, at least for now. Hopefully she could regain their trust.

  “Just find that manic spirit and get rid of it. We can’t have it wandering around the palace. I’m guessing it was what killed all those people in the Eldan palace, and it’ll likely start doing the same thing here.”

  “We are already taking measures,” Rachel replied vaguely. She hesitantly came closer, wrapping her arms around Melanie in a gentle hug. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

  “I truly am. Now go, I know you have a lot to do. There’s an evil spirit to catch.”

  Melanie moved slowly as she walked back to her chambers, ever aware of Jake, Mike, Apeo and Aris surrounding her, their movements tense. She knew she’d need time to gain their trust again, and as annoying as it was, she understood. They’d told her how she had acted when possessed; it was no wonder they were hesitant.

  She gestured for them to follow her and sat them down at the table where the five of them often took breakfast. Melanie looked between the four men who had her heart. “I love you,” she told them. “All of you, and I want to marry you. I know you’re still worried I might be possessed, so we’ll give it some time. A few weeks, or more if necessary. Once you’re all satisfied that I’m acting as myself, we’ll be married. If you agree, of course.”

  There was a moment of uncertainty, but it quickly faded as Melanie found herself engulfed in four sets of arms, with lips kissing her everywhere.

  “Yes,” Jake whispered. “Always yes.”

  “It is my honor and joy, Essa.”

  “And mine,” Aris agreed.

  “I love you,” Mike said simply, holding her tightly. “Of course I want to marry you.”

  Melanie’s heart swelled with joy. She captured Aris’ lips in a kiss, but broke off a moment later, coughing.

  All four of the men around her tensed. “What is it?” Aris demanded. “Are you unwell?”

  “I’m not sure. I feel a little ill, but I have since I woke up. I suppose that’s just the aftereffects of being possessed. Gali told me that I was a lot worse while the spirit was still inside me.”

  “I will fetch her. She should look you over.” Mike hurried out, and Apeo insisted that she lie down while she waited.

  Gali returned alone, but fortunately her examination didn’t last long. “You are still recovering, Essa. You’ll be fine, as long as the spirit does not return.”

  Melanie didn’t know how she could prevent that, but she just nodded. Gali turned to Jake, Aris and Apeo. “Assa is working with the team dedicated to finding a way to expel the spirit. Even if it truly is gone from Essa, that means it’s here somewhere, and we still need to deal with it. She asks one of you to volunteer. You’ve observed Essa while possessed, and you know her best.”

  “I’ll go,” Jake sighed. “I was the one who figured out something was wrong. You sure you’re OK, Mel?”

  “I’m fine. Rachel is right, we need to deal with this spirit.” Her smile faded as Jake followed Gali out. Melanie wondered where Mike had gotten to, but she wasn’t left to wonder long. Aris reclaimed her mouth, the kiss quickly heating up.

  The fierce joy she had felt when they said yes resurfaced, and Melanie leaned into him, his kiss making her breathless.

  Apeo was behind her, and he pulled her dress over her head, causing her and Aris to break their kiss only briefly. Apeo nudged Aris, who moved slightly, allowing the other prince room to start kissing Melanie’s thighs. He teased her, lapping every inch of her skin agonizingly slowly, moving toward her pussy.

  Melanie gasped into Aris’ mouth and grabbed his hair with both hands, deepening the kiss. He made a noise of encouragement in his throat and started thumbing her nipples with one hand.

  Moments later, Apeo finally reached her pussy, giving her a long, slow lick. Melanie cried out under the double assault of pleasure, bucking into Apeo’s touch.

  “Get your clothes off,” she murmured, breaking the kiss for another few seconds. This time, her orders were obeyed without question, and soon, her eyes feasted on the two vampire princes before her.

  Melanie couldn’t reach Apeo where he was between her thighs, but her hand found Aris’s cock. His teeth gnashed against hers as their kiss became wild, both driven by ever increasing need. She needed to catch her breath, and Melanie turned her head to the side.

  “Apeo,” she gasped. “My clit. Please.”

  He answered the plea at once, and that was the last straw for her. Melanie screamed as she came, her vision blanking out for a minute as Aris started licking her nipples, and Apeo never stopped his attention on her clit.

  When she came back to awareness, she first noticed that all three of them were panting. She next noticed that Aris and Apeo still sported massive erections. Though she herself felt sated, Melanie wanted her mates to feel the same.

  She grinned wickedly as she decided how to do it. “Both of you on your knees, next to each other.”

  They did as she asked, appearing confused but willing. Melanie took each of their cocks in one hand. The sounds the princes made had her grinning even more widely.

  “Let’s see who can last longer,” she whispered, giving them both a tantalizing squeeze. She quickly worked up a rhythm, trying to keep it even. Apeo’s head fell back as he panted, and Aris’ teeth were gritted through his moans of pleasure.

  Apeo came first, losing all control when Melanie slicked her thumb over the head of his cock. After several thrusts with the same treatment, Aris came too, panting her with hot, white seed. Melanie licked it up, enjoying the taste.

  They spent a few minutes cleaning up before Aris and Apeo engulfed her in their arms, one on either side. The three of them lay down, catching their breath. Melanie couldn’t seem to stop smiling, and she didn’t want to.

  She woke in the middle of the night when someone moved next to her.

  “The Issas were called away,” Mike explained, slipping into bed next to her. “Assa wanted to question them about what they saw at the Eldan palace.”

  “Mhmm,” Melanie mumbled sleepily. She threw an arm across Mike’s chest and had almost drifted off when he spoke again.

  “Melanie, how will you defend against the spirit? What measures does house Cherki have in place to defend against invaders?”

  “Against spirit invaders? None that I know of.”

  “And external invaders? How would you defend against them?”

  “You know I can’t tell you that,” she sighed. “Only after we’re married.”

  “I will know now.”

  Something about Mike’s tone had her sitting up.

  “Mike?”<
br />
  He suddenly gripped her shoulders, his eyes gleaming in the darkness. “Tell me, Melanie. Tell me what I want to know, or you’ll regret it.”

  “Mike, stop it, you’re hurting me!”

  She tried to pull away from him, and she should have been able to. As a vampire, she was stronger than any donor. Not tonight, apparently. Mike’s grip abruptly became bruising. “You will tell me sooner or later,” he hissed, and Melanie was suddenly afraid. Had she been wrong about Mike all this time? She couldn’t believe he would threaten her, but here he was, doing just that.

  “Get away from me, Mike!”

  He did so, giving her a sinister glare. “We’ll talk again. And don’t even think of telling anyone about this, not if you want Jake and the Issas to live.”

  Melanie froze. She had indeed been about to call the guards and have Mike hauled to the dungeon. She could still do that. After all, he couldn’t hurt anyone if he was locked up. Or could he? How long had he been planning this betrayal? For all she knew, he had systems in place that would initiate an attack if he was taken.

  Melanie wrapped her arms around herself and watched silently as Mike left the room. Tears ran down her face. She could barely believe what had just happened, but her arms were still throbbing, and when she turned on the light, she saw vivid red finger marks.

  Mike. How could Mike do this? Yet he had. She forcibly shoved aside her anguish. Now wasn’t the time to grieve for what she’d thought she’d had. Now was the time to protect Jake, Apeo and Aris. If she wanted to do that, she had to act like nothing was wrong.

  Melanie wiped her tears away and lay down, trying very hard not to think.

  Chapter 12

  Aris

  Something was wrong with Essa. Aris could see it plain as day, but she wouldn’t talk to him, wouldn’t tell him what was wrong. He casually questioned Jake about it, but Jake didn’t seem to pick anything up.

  That led him to believe that it wasn’t the spirit possessing her again, but something else. Aris watched her carefully, trying to figure it out.