by Rhys Rowlyn
We leave without acknowledging the man, who wisely stays against the wall, and get back in the truck.
“Are you okay?” Turning toward Bram, I wait for him to calm down.
Bram takes a couple of deep breaths, rubbing his hands over his face. “No, I hate slimy bastards like him. They are leeches, and I would love to exterminate them.”
“I know, but we can’t. Hell, if we started going all vigilante on their asses, we’d kill half the city.” I let out a short laugh, but my humor falls flat, and I crank the engine to get us the hell out of there.
After a few miles, Bram relaxes and sits back in the seat. “What do we do now?”
“This was a dead end. I didn’t pick up on her scent at all. I guess we can try to figure out where she hung out at and maybe someone knows something.” I’m beginning to worry about Tara and hope she hasn’t found more trouble than she can get out of.
Bram
Cassie and I spent most of the night searching the city for clues of Tara’s location. Cassie had remembered a tattoo shop she worked at, so we went by, but they hadn’t seen her, which led us to a friend of hers who hadn’t seen or heard from her in a week. I knew Cassie was worried, but she was trying to keep up a brave face.
I take her hand in mine, bring it to my lips, and kiss her knuckles. “We’ll find her. If she’s out there, we will find her.”
She sighs deeply and offers me a weak smile. “I know if anyone can, it’s us. I only wish we’d known earlier that she was missing. It’s been almost a week, and the trail is cold.”
“I know, but we’ve only just started. Can’t give up yet.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood, but I feel her frustration and worry for the girl. I believe she may be in more trouble than we know.
She parks the truck, and we walk into the kitchen to find Chi, the sister witches, Fleur, and André sitting around the table.
Cassie stops in the middle of the room, frowning at the group. “This looks like a plotting session.”
“Not plotting, per se, but definitely planning. We went to Fleur’s parents’ house tonight and cleansed it. The spell was strong enough to keep vampires out but wasn’t nearly enough to cause the dark remnants that still lingered.” Rubbing her temples, Cara leans back in her chair.
“We also checked the crates holding the vampires who are still asleep, and the magic used on them is different from the magic used on the expulsion spell.” Circe taps her chin with her finger, tilting her head to the side. “Also, as strange as it may sound, the curse placed on your family is strong but not very dark. It’s bound by blood, but otherwise it’s simple magic.”
Strange… I would have thought all curses were dark, especially one that put twelve vampires out of commission for three hundred years.
Cassie moves closer to the group, her brows together. “What do you think could have caused so much darkness to form?”
Cara pats Fleur’s arm, her lips drawn in a straight line. “I’m sorry, Fleur, but I believe it was your mother’s deep-seated hatred and anger that fueled the darkness to grow over time, and the longer the spell was there, fighting the curse, the darker it got.”
“So is Fleur’s father safe to stay there?” Cassie’s stare moves from one witch to the next.
Ciara waves off her concern. “Oh yes, we thoroughly cleansed the building and warded it so no other evil can enter. We also gave him a protection talisman to wear at all times.”
“At least he’s safe.” Shoulders drooping, Cassie leans against the wall.
“Yes, at least my father is safe. I honestly don’t know what to think about my mother.” Fleur covers her face with her hands, and André puts his arms around her.
Chi pulls Fleur’s hands down and forces her to meet his gaze. “Girl, you know your mama has been a mess for a while, and you also know she did it to herself. I know it’s hard, but at least Papa Troy isn’t hurt by it and we were able to save you.”
“Thanks, Chi. I’m glad you’re here with me.” Smiling slightly, Fleur kisses Chi on his cheek.
“Besides, I cannot believe I am diving into all this witch business headfirst. Cassie, you saw they made me do a spell tonight. A spell.” Chi sits back, pointing his finger at Cara accusingly.
Cara bursts out laughing, shaking her head at the man. “Chi, we have talked about this. You are denying your true self, and your power will eventually catch up with you. It’s best to know how to channel it.”
“I don’t think you girls are a good influence. Y’all done had some evil spirit talk through me, and now you got me doing spells and chasing away evil. My life was much simpler before I walked into an attic and saw my first vampire.” Pressing his hand against his chest, Chi shakes his head dramatically.
“Hey, now that was totally on you. You’re the one who followed Giselle and me home.”
Ciara takes his arm and helps him stand. “Come along, Chi. I think a nice hot bath may make you feel better.”
“Girl, now ya talking my language.” Chi bumps Ciara’s shoulder with his, and they leave.
Sitting across from Fleur, Cassie takes Fleur’s hands in hers. “Fleur, are you all right?”
“Not really, but I’m getting there. I knew my mother was changing, had been for some time. When I was younger, she was so loving and laughed all the time. As I grew into a teenager and young woman, she became obsessed with my safety and knowing where I was. Every time I mentioned moving out, she would lose it, and we’d fight over her domineering ways. I believe she allowed this darkness to grow inside of her for a long time. I do hate that my last memory of her is an argument, but I don’t know what else to say.” Fleur clasps André’s hand over her shoulder, leaning her head back against his chest.
“I’m so sorry. Know I’m here for you if you ever need to talk.” Cassie smiles tentatively.
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
André pulls Fleur’s chair out, and they leave the kitchen.
Cassie scrubs her hands over her face, and I massage her tense shoulders. “Poor girl. I hate she’s having to go through this. All her ancestors had to do was accept the fate they had dealt themselves. Rosaline was a particularly nasty sort. She hated André and acted as if we were diseased or something. I don’t know what she was so worried about. None of us would have turned her. I can’t imagine that any of those women, save Giselle, would have made good vampires.”
Cassie stands and faces me with her hands on my chest. “Bram, thanks so much for helping me look for Tara tonight and also for bringing the witches here. I don’t know what’s about to come, but I have a feeling we’re going to need their help.”
“Darling, I don’t believe I had anything to do with them coming. They were going to whether I called or not. As far as looking for Tara, I’m your mate and will help you with anything you deem important.”
“Yes, you are my mate.” She curls her hand around my neck and pulls my lips to hers.
She runs her tongue along their seam. I open for her as she tentatively touches my tongue with hers, and I wrap my arms around her to pull her close.
She leaps up, wraps her legs around my hips, and lifts her head. “I think it’s time to make those dreams a reality.”
I pause for a second, staring down at her. “Are you sure?”
She nods, and my vampire speed has us in my room within seconds.
Closing the door, I turn, then slam her back against it and kiss her deeply. She tightens her legs around me, pressing her center against my hardness. Grasping her hips, I move her against me as I throw my head back and moan.
She pulls at my shirt, rips it down the middle, and runs her hands up and down my chest. “Bram, please take me to bed.”
“Yes, love. Odin yes!” I hold her in my arms and walk across the room, feeling her rub against me with every step. It’s driving me out of my mind.
Gently, I lie her back and watch as she pulls her shirt over her head. She has on a wisp of lace covering her breast. I pull her bra dow
n until it is under them, pushing the nipples out for my pleasure. I take the first one in my mouth and swirl my tongue around it, while strumming the other with my thumb.
Cassie arches her back, groaning deeply from within her throat. She buries her hands in my hair and pulls it tightly. I move to her other breast and give it the same treatment. Her legs tighten around my hips, her heels in my back.
I lean back and undo her jeans, then yank them, along with her underwear, down. With my grip on her thighs, I spread her wide before me and kiss my way down from her knee to her center.
“Oh God, Bram. I don’t know if I can handle this. Oh God…” Cassie clenches the sheets at her sides, thrashing her head from side to side.
“You can. I know you can.” I run my tongue from her entrance up to her most sensitive spot, and the taste is divine.
She bucks her hips, slamming her thighs around my head as I suck on her nub. I grab her thighs and push them apart as I go inside her with the tip of my tongue. Her legs relax, and she moves her hips forward trying to bring me closer.
I insert a finger inside her and almost lose my mind at how tight she is. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to handle how good she’s going to feel. Cassie throws back her head and moans, arching her back. I move inside and out as I suck on her clit and then add another finger. She tightens and I know she’s close, so I curl my fingers inside her, throwing her over the edge.
Cassie screams as she throbs against me. I continue to pleasure her until she calms and then I lift my head and see the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. She takes my face in her hands and pulls my lips to hers. I kiss her deeply for a few minutes and then her hands are on my jeans, undoing the buttons.
Cassie takes me into her hand and looks up at me. “I’ve never…”
I kiss the side of her neck and whisper in her ear, “I know, love. I’ll be careful.”
After taking her hand in mine, I place it on my shoulder and then run my tip along her wetness. I enter her slowly, and it’s almost my undoing. Very slowly, I advance with small thrusts until I reach her barrier and I still, waiting for her to let me know she’s ready.
Burying her nails in my shoulders, Cassie lifts her hip, bringing me deeply inside her. She gasps, stopping, and I hold myself as still as possible, but it’s becoming impossible to not move. She’s so tight, I wonder how long this is going to last. Finally she lowers and I move slowly, deep within her.
“Are you good?” I kiss my way up her neck and suck on her earlobe.
“I’m good. It was not so great for a second or two, but now it’s better, and I need you to go faster.” Lifting her knees, she moves with me and brings me deeper with every thrust.
I grasp her knee and bring it to her chest, then angle my hips slightly to make contact with her sweet spot.
“Oh, Bram… Oh…” Cassie tightens around me and falls over the edge in sweet surrender.
I move faster and find my own pleasure as I stiffen, emptying myself inside her. The dreams were wonderful, but the reality is mind-blowing. I’ve never felt such pleasure in my life.
I fall forward and pull her to my side, unable to slow my breathing. She is panting just as hard as she lies against me, not moving.
“I don’t know what to say.” She glances up at me with a smile.
“You don’t have to say anything. I know what you’re feeling.” I kiss the top of her head.
Cassie
Bram and I are lying in bed, and I’m unable to go to sleep. We were finally together, and my mind is racing. I roll over on my stomach and gaze over at him. I reach up and run my fingers through his beard. It’s rough against my fingertips. He told me he’s had a beard from the time he could grow one, which makes me wonder if it’s part of being a Viking.
“Bram, what was being a Viking like?”
He has his eyes closed but smiles at my question. “Why do you want to know, astín?”
I move until I’m lying across his chest and cross my arms, resting my chin on top of them. “Curious and I can’t sleep.”
He sits up in the bed and turns me until my head is lying on his lap. “Well, let’s see… It was exciting but also terrifying. My mother died when I was young, and my father took me with him. I was brought up on a knarr, or a merchant ship. We explored mostly but every now and again had to fight. Some of the men didn’t appreciate my father’s position of trying to be peaceful and develop trade relations. He was too progressive for his time. They wanted to conquer and destroy, but most of the villages had little to nothing, so it was attacking for no reason other than to harm others.”
“You hear stories of Vikings being rapists and murders and doing just that.” I wrap my finger in the sheets, not meeting his gaze.
“I’ll admit many were. It never sat well with me. Matter of fact, that’s how I died or, should I say, got changed.” He leans his head back against the headboard and looks at the ceiling.
I sit up and turn to face him. “Really? What happened?”
“I’m guessing you want to hear all about it.” He takes my face between his hands and gently kisses my lips.
“Yes, I do. I told you about my change. I think it’s only fair you tell me your story.” I cock a brow, tilting my head to the side.
Bram laughs, lifting me up until I’m straddling his lap, facing him. “Fine, it was long ago, and I said there was much unrest with the men. One in particular was trying to steal my father’s command. He was filling the men with anger and trying to convince them they needed to be doing more than exploring and trading. They weren’t acting as true Vikings, as he liked to say. Father calmed the men, and I thought the unrest had passed until we came upon this fishing village off the shore of what is now England. Oleg demanded we attack, but the people had nothing and even met us with what little they had to keep the peace. Father commanded we go in peacefully and replenish our supplies. Oleg waited until we landed and attacked my father. Only a few men stood with us.”
My eyes widen, and I gasp. “That’s horrible. So you were injured with your father?”
“No, right before he died, my father told me to never use my strength against the weak and to help those people. I rushed up to the village and realized they must have seen us coming. The battle between Oleg and my father had also given them the time they needed to hide. The village was deserted. I ran around and made sure I couldn’t find anyone. They were well hidden. There were some caves in the hills, and I stumbled upon a group of women hiding and knew Oleg’s men would eventually find them, so I stayed with them. Sure enough, we were found. I fought and held them off until I was mortally injured, then out of nowhere, a man swooped in and killed Oleg and the remaining men. I later learned it was Alastair, my creator.” Bram puts his arms around my waist and massages my back with his fingers.
“Was it just Alastair, or were there more vampires with him?” I link our hands together, trying to concentrate on what he’s saying, but his fingers are far too distracting.
Wrinkling his forehead, he frowns. “That’s an odd question, but no, he was alone. I was his first protégé, I guess you would say.”
“Not too weird a question. Remember the feral we dealt with a couple months ago? I only wondered if he had others back then.” I shiver, remembering how close I came to dying.
“Yes, Nigel, and I find it strange Alastair didn’t deal with him. He usually has a handle on his vampires and takes care of them if they go feral. It surprises me no one has heard from my creator.” Bram raises his brows and dips his chin.
Placing my hands on his chest, I sit up straighter. “Do you think he’s still alive?”
“Yes, I would know if he were dead. As a creator, Alastair and Gabriel both told me you know when one of your vampires dies and that I would know if anything ever happened to Alastair.” He shrugs, continuing to massage my lower back.
“Well I’m glad we took out Nigel. He was a real dick. He almost beheaded me. He also blamed Giselle and me for him going feral, e
ven though we had no clue who he was or that he was in town.” I was shocked when he actually accused us of being part of his downfall, and I was happy when Phillipe took his head.
“What do you mean he almost beheaded you?” He sits up straighter in the bed and grips my shoulders.
“He had Rebecca, so I tried to pull her to me and save her. I was distracted, and he slashed me with his sword. Phillipe saved me and then Giles helped me get home and drink blood to heal. I don’t normally get scared, but that was too close.” I cup his face between my hands and kiss him lightly on the mouth, but it doesn’t have the desired effect.
Bram pulls away from me and tries to rise, but I won’t move off his lap. He huffs and clenches his fist. “That blowhard bastard. If he wasn’t dead, I would kill him myself.”
“Sorry, but Phillipe took care of that problem.” I push him back, grinning down at him.
Bram takes a deep breath, relaxing his muscles, and hugs me to him, then kisses the top of my head. “Did he mention where Alastair was?”
Shaking my head, I sit back up but meet his gaze. “He was pretty gone by the time we caught him. He said he had been underground for some time and most of his family was gone. He couldn’t face all the changes. He had lost hope.”
“Toward the end of my time with Alastair, he and Gabriel had a huge rife about a vampire Alastair had created, and I agreed with Gabriel. The man wasn’t right. But Alastair argued he had been compelled. Once the man was changed, he was nothing but trouble and soon became feral. It was one of the reasons we left. We had lost trust in some of Alastair’s judgments.” Bram looks sad over the separation, although I know they still saw Alastair and he was involved with them. I guess it’s different when you’re doing your own thing.
“Maybe that was his purpose, so you two would leave and go out on your own. Gabriel needed to create his own famille. Why didn’t you create your own?” I smooth the hair from his face, running my fingers through his beard. I still want to know what he looks like under there, but I’m kind of becoming fond of the facial hair, especially the way it tickles my thighs.
