“Restrain them!” Largos said.
More Vampires swarmed the clearing, picking Kadron and his supporter off the Hunters. They continued to struggle as Largos turned to face them.
“Kadron, Larius, this is your last chance. Your actions have been questioned before and not just by me. If anything like this ever happens again I will excommunicate both of you from the Lotu and will not hesitate to send the Hunters after you!”
“They killed Balzac, Largos. What don't you understand about that?” Kadron asked. “They deserve to be punished!”
“No, you do not decide what goes on here!” Largos said. “That is between Rowan and I. They give us protection from those that would hunt us and we live a better life by not drinking human blood! If you cannot understand this you will be banished. Take them back to the village.”
Abner took a deep breath as Largos turned to speak to them. “We apologize for the death of your friend.”
“I know. Who was the Hunter that sent you here today?” Largos asked.
“Barros Toldar,” Lois said.
Largos' black eyes switched to her, his gaze measuring the woman before him. After several seconds of silence he nodded. “You'd be his novice then? A Seeker, as well, by the looks of you.”
“I am,” Lois said attempting to match his unnerving gaze.
“Ah, you're Abner and Lois. I've been hoping to speak with you for some time now. Barros has made mention of you on numerous occasions,” Largos said.
“He comes here?” Abner asked.
“Of course. He has certain issues he believes the Hunters cannot assist him with. We keep him strong and provide him with what he needs. We, the Lotu, will stand with you as well if you would so desire it.”
“What do you mean you will stand with us?” Lois said. “And what the fuck are Lotu?”
“In the old tongue, Lotu means unbound. We are unbound from the need of blood, unbound from the need to seek-out human flesh and drink the blood that resides underneath. We are unbound from the pressures the rest of our race shares. We are free to fight for whoever we want, even if it includes the Hunters,” Largos said.
“That's a relief to hear. We thought you were going to kill us,” Abner said. “What happens now?”
“We will take you back to the Huntrey. It appears that your masters and I have a lot to discuss this evening. For now you will sleep.”
Largos turned to leave but as he did he dropped his hand in a fist. The Vampires holding the Hunters placed their hands on the foreheads of the Hunters before they fell unconscious.
When Abner awoke, he was inside the infirmary at the Huntrey. It was dark outside the window and night had fallen long ago. Abner was still weary, and his head throbbed as if someone had smashed him with a war hammer. He looked to the beds beside him to find only one occupied. Lois had not yet awoken.
Abner groaned and clutched his head as a sudden jolt of pain shot down his neck. The nurse heard him from the small office she kept and rushed out to help him.
“Are you alright, my dear?” she asked.
“Yes, I'm fine, Pamela,” Abner said. “I think the Vampires in the Blackmire did something more to me than just put me asleep.”
“That's quite alright dear, I know just the thing that will ease the pain,” Pamela said rushing away.
She left to fetch a satchel of herbs and medicines from her office. When she returned Pamela rummaged in the bag for several seconds before she pulled out a small wax sealed bottle. Inside was a dark orange liquid that churned around in the bottle by itself.
“Is that safe?” Abner asked.
“Perfectly dear,” Pamela said. Her bedside manner was blunt, but soothing. “Now come, sit and drink it up.”
Abner sat up and took the bottle in his hand eyeing it one last time. He threw back his head and poured the entire contents down his throat. The pounding pain in his head subsided and he could think clearly again.
“How long have I been out?”
“Almost a day,” Pamela said. “Lois still hasn’t shown any signs of waking up yet, the poor thing.”
“But the Blackmire, the Vampires, what happened?”
“You’d best go talk to your mentor, my young Hunter. Not Rowan, but Barros.”
“There’s no need,” Barros said as he burst through the doors. “I had a feeling you’d wake up soon. The Lotu are rather consistent when they cast their magic on people.”
“What happened in there? Why did they say you were their friend?” Abner asked.
“Pamela, it would be best if you left us,” Barros said.
“Of course.” Pamela bowed taking her leave.
There was something different about Barros. The way he sat on the edge of the bed and held his hands close together was out of the ordinary. Abner looked up at the Hunter before taking a deep breath.
“Why did they say you were their friend?” he asked again.
“I have an illness. It began after I gathered the first amulet of Tal’davin, after Rhorn. When I got back here it really started to take a hold of me. It changed me in more ways than just my personality. The Lotu are how we’ve become what we are today. They made our weapons, test them on themselves and as you saw they eventually become immune to some effect.”
“But why? Why have us kill them if they help the Huntrey?” Abner asked.
“They’re the only Vampires we can be sure won’t kill you,” Barros said.
“Two of them tried when they saw what we did,” Abner said.
“Understandable. Since they don’t drink human blood they feel more than other Vampires. Their emotions often get in the way of common sense for some of the younger and more brash Lotu. I’ve spoken to Largos and we can’t run the risk of Kadron and Larius reoffending. In their law it is punishable for attacking the pair of you without permission. They will be executed tomorrow morning for all to see,” Barros said.
“That’s too far. If they’re your allies you need everyone you can get,” Abner said.
“Sometimes a tough example needs to be made. Can you imagine what would happen if we didn’t keep the Lotu in check? No new inventions to help us hunt, no knowledge of Vampire lore they are slowly drip feeding us over the years. We need to make an example occasionally to make sure their loyalty to our cause remains strong.”
“Well lucky for us Lois is asleep. She’d hate the fact that two valuable assets are going to waste because of us,” Abner said. “She’ll be more pissed about it than I am.”
“I’ll be pissed if you tell me what?” Lois asked. She lifted her head up in the bed beside Abner.
Barros sighed. “Well that was great timing. Guess we better fill her in.”
24
Two Lovers Cross
Lois glared at both Abner and Barros while the older Hunter took a moment to collect his thoughts. He looked at Abner before turning to face Lois.
“The Lotu are not our enemies,” Barros said.
“Yes, they told us as much in the Blackmire,” Lois said. “What else do you think you should tell us about?”
“That when I told you every Vampire is dangerous, and you shouldn’t trust one without a head, I lied. The Lotu are the only Vampires you can trust. Often, we hunt them down but as it turns out they offer to serve us for the rest of eternity. The one you saw, Largos has been there for over three hundred years creating items for us in the Blackmire,” Barros said.
“So what significance does that have?” Lois asked.
“What I’m trying to say is you didn’t need to kill Balzac even if I told you to. You two are the first to kill a Lotu. I spoke with Largos and as I was just saying to Abner that unfortunately we have to execute two of them because of their actions against you.”
“No! Absolutely not! If you’re going to waste assets like that, I think that’s something that needs looking into!”
“As I told Abner, we have to control them one way or another. The death of Balzac was a mistake as a Lotu has never been killed befo
re by a novice. Each aspiring Hunter to pass through those gates down there have to fight a Lotu and from that we assess your capabilities. Since you were able to kill Balzac, we believe you should be after a Count for your first solo hunt.”
“Not a Count, there’s no way we can take one down by ourselves,” Lois said. “You said they are only for the most seasoned of Hunters. We’ll stand no chance against one.”
“You killed a Lotu, nobody has ever done that before. You’re both ready for a Count. I said only the most experienced Hunters should face one, but you bear the red stripes,” Barros said. “Both of you will be going and the odds will be in your favor. A Lotu such as Balzac would have been considered a Count if he was still roaming the world today. I have faith in you.”
“Will you give us any guidance on the hunt?” Abner asked. “When we fought Balzac, it got messy and had other people been around it would have been out of hand.”
“That’s usually what would happen. As you know Vampires love trying to appeal to your sense of goodwill by taking humans hostage. You can’t allow them to do that. As for me guiding you in this hunt, no I will be there to assess you only or to take up the fight if you are killed. The hunting, tracking and whatever else happens will be solely left to you,” Barros said.
“Do you have a target, and do you know when we leave?” Lois asked.
“The day after tomorrow and yes the target has been carefully selected. However, we have something planned for both of you at dusk tomorrow. It’s one final initiation to make sure you have what it takes to be a Hunter.”
“How many more do we have to go through?”
“Just this, it’s very important. The final step in your transformation before you finally become Hunters. Now I’ll assume you two have been cleared to leave, so rest up. Things are going to escalate rather quickly around here for you in the next few days,” Barros said, dismissing them. “I expect to see you just after dawn.”
With the end of their time as novices in sight, Abner and Lois raced each other down the stairs of the Huntrey as the storm clouds gathered overhead. Thunder roared throughout the sky as they raced to the safety of their cabins, the Hunters on the wall stationary as the rain began to fall. Minutes later the two novices burst into Lois’ cabin, a welcome relief from the cold rain outside.
Abner dashed over to the fireplace, striking at the wood with the tinderbox until it caused a sparked, making the fire roar to life. Lois had already begun pulling off her cloak and hood, before working on removing the rest of the armor. Abner blinked, not believing what he was seeing as more of his longtime friend was revealed to him. Her soaked small clothes left little to the imagination.
“Come on Ab, get that off, we need to get dry before we freeze!”
“Lois, what are you doing?” Abner couldn’t help but ogle at her bare skin. The firelight dancing off it only made him feel like their intimacy would begin to deepen.
“Ab, what’s wrong?” Lois asked crouching down staring into his eyes.
“Nothing,” he said. He looked away as his cheeks turned bright red.
Lois laughed and smiled at him. “You’re scared that we won’t come back after this hunt and you won’t know what to do about us.”
Abner nodded and turned back to face her. She was close enough that he could count each eyelash. The fire flickered off her unmarked, wet skin. Giving into himself, Abner pulled her tight, their lips surging together in a moment of passion. Instantly he was filled with warmth. Lois moved over him, tugging on his tunic to get it off.
He helped her and threw it away from them as soon as it was clear of his head. She ran her hands over his bare chest for the first time, kissing his neck as she went. Abner lifted what remained of her soaked clothing over her head, his hands dropping to cup her ample breasts. Arousal coursed through his body, the feeling right, yet so wrong at the same time.
No longer could Lois be seen as the girl that was always late to practice, her time with the Blood Brotherhood had changed her. Abner’s thoughts flicked back to Marco and Abner felt jealously rising in his throat. Then he remembered the night he had shared with Elizabeth and guilt overcame jealously.
He forced his hands to remain still, but he couldn’t control himself, and shakily grazed his fingertips along the delicate flesh of her spine. Her intake of breath and closed eyes urged him on, reaching a part of him deep inside. As Abner’s hands began to explore Lois’s sides she pressed her chest into him, and he could feel two, little, erect nipples on his bare skin for the first time.
Lois ground her hips into him at a furious pace. Abner played with her nipples, standing erect, begging for attention as she pushed herself into him. She continued to grind firmly, which forced him to grip her hips harshly. Lois stalled for a moment as she took the time to lock her leg under his and let out a brief moan. The moan flicked Abner into another gear. He was running on instinct with nothing else driving him, filling him with frustration and nerves. Forcefully, he flipped Lois onto her back and he was now in control of her body. A whispered ‘fuck’ escaped Lois’s mouth as she was taken by surprise.
Lois didn’t know how to react to this sudden display of dominance. She tried bucking her hips to throw him off but he was stronger, keeping her pinned. As the light from the fire danced across Abner’s face, Lois saw a small predatory smirk flash across his face. This was a totally new Abner. He leaned down and captured her lips between his. In the same motion he forced his tongue into her mouth, and grasped her hair roughly, arching her neck forward; he was now beginning to dominate her in every sense.
Abner ripped his mouth away from hers and began to kiss down her jawline and neck. He was a man now drunk on passion. He settled his lips between the valley of her breasts, licking along the flesh until he reached a nipple. His tongue flicked over it and that was all it took to force a moan from Lois. Encouraged by the sound Abner wrapped his mouth around it and pulled it into the warmth, sucking gently, grazing her teeth along it, finally biting down.
The sudden shock of being bitten caused Lois to arch off the floor, forcing more of her breast into his mouth. From the way she squirmed underneath him, Abner could tell that Lois wanted more and he moved to please her, not leaving an inch of untouched skin on her breasts. The light of the fire brought Abner great pleasure as he admired his handy work. Small bruises and bite marks dominated Lois’s creamy skin and Abner was more than possessive of her. He had marked her as his.
“Ah,” he said.
“What’s wrong? “Lois asked. She sat up almost knocking him back.
“Nothing, my teeth are itching,” he said.
“What’s really wrong?”
“Nothing, now lie back down.”
Abner’s intense glare made Lois blush. He brushed his knuckles along her cheekbones, feeling the heat of her skin against the back of his hand, never taking his eyes off her once, many unspoken words passing between them. The time for words had passed long ago. Grazing his lips across hers Abner moved his hands downward, gripping the hardened leather of her pants and, with a single tug, pulled them clean off. She was lying underneath him completely naked, the firelight reflecting off her long, smooth legs.
“Give me your finger,” Lois said.
Abner held out his hand and Lois took it, gently guiding it towards her body. He could not turn back now and she slowly eased his index finger deep inside the wetness of her thighs. She groaned and dropped his hand. The strange new wetness on his finger had Abner intrigued and he pushed further in. Their intense stare did not leave each other’s eyes not even when Abner added a second digit, increasing Lois’s pleasure.
She couldn’t resist any longer with two fingers inside her and she turned her head, allowing Abner to lean forward and kiss her exposed neck. Lois grabbed his head with one hand and ran her fingers through his hair. Abner quickly worked it out twisting deep inside Lois and causing the most intense response and with each time he did it, she let out a soft moan, barely escaping through her teet
h. He kept plunging deep within her, watching as her breathing intensified with every thrust he gave her. Her thighs were clenching and her inner muscles holding his fingers captive within a very tight grip.
Abner caused Lois to arch off the floor, digging deeper. In return her fingers went from his head to his shoulders, holding onto him for dear life. Lois felt a climax nearing and as it rocked through her nerves she pulled at his skin with her nails. Abner was sure she’d torn skin off his shoulders. Ignoring the pain, he continued on until Lois was nothing more than a shivering mess in his arms.
Lois recovered quickly, pushing aside any sign of the pain. She tightened her grip around his neck, pulling her face into the crook of his neck, kissing it carefully.
She took advantage of Abner closing his eyes, using the distraction to flip them both, allowing her to straddle his hips. His hands automatically locked around her back, holding her in place. Lois twisted her fingers around the top of his pants, loosening them somewhat before yanking them off in a single motion.
She let out a small gasp, not seeing what she was expecting. Abner was thick in both width and length, allowing Lois plenty of room to tease her hand up and down his shaft. Occasionally Abner twitched, still getting used to the sensation. Before he knew what was happening Lois had lowered her head, her warm breath on him, her tongue circling over his tip, bringing him more pleasure than he thought imaginable. With one hand working on him, and her lips doing the rest, Lois fell into a steady, easy rhythm. Abner could feel more pleasure mounting with each stroke she took. He wanted more of her and forced her head off him by gripping her hair tightly and pushing her onto her back.
Lois scowled at him, which quickly turned into a grin as he spread her lips wide open with his fingers and aligned himself with her. She helped, grabbing him and easing him in much like she had done with his finger. The depths of her were warmer and wetter than he could have ever imagined, and his tip alone felt as though it was being consumed by white, hot fire. He moved in, inch by inch until he had her wrapped around him to the hilt. Abner drew back slowly and then slammed into her which tore a scream from her lips. He leaned down quickly to kiss her, muffling her cry. Lois dug her nails into his shoulders again and Abner could feel more marks being made.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 36
