Courted by the Vampire

by Sandra Sookoo

  White burning need slashed through her when he lifted her hips to his mouth. He plunged his tongue into the place where his fingers had been just moments before. The stubble on his cheeks grazed her thighs. Liquid heat built within her, climbing, building, and filling her body with unrelenting desire.

  She’d burst into flames and be happy about it as his tongue ruthlessly claimed possession of her to draw forth her moisture. Her body jerked when he teased that all-important bud. His laughter blended with the sounds of her pleasure until she could only feel him, hear him, think of him. “Edwin…” Ripples of pleasure flowed through her, harder and stronger than anything she had yet experienced, drawing her to the edge. She gasped when he laid her on the ground then loomed over her. He claimed her mouth once again.

  Hannah tasted herself on his lips but wasn’t repulsed. Instead, she craved him even more. Desire threatened to tear her body asunder while swirling color flooded her mind. She wanted to return the favor on him, except she couldn’t concentrate on anything but his hands on her body, his lips on her face and lips, the ache deep inside that only he could fill.

  “Say it,” he whispered. He pressed his sweaty forehead to hers. The tip of his arousal waited at her entrance, barely inside, teasing with its presence.

  “No.” She shook her head, her breathing shallow. Searing need built within her until she couldn’t remember where she was.

  Edwin’s own breath sounded ragged in her ear when he nibbled the sensitive spot below that appendage. “I can tease you all night, spatzi. My level of control is strong.”

  Her mind fractured as he grazed her neck with his teeth. “Arrogant.”

  He moved himself slowly inside her then withdrew. He teased with short, small thrusts, once, twice, three times, in a sensual repartee. Edwin rocked within her and stopped, laughing when she clutched at his arms that were taut with strain. “Say it, Hannah. Say it and I will end your torment.”

  Her body shook so hard she feared she would fall apart. She held back, not giving in to the release that was imminent. “Edwin…” She gasped as he gave her another teasing stroke. The fractures in her mind widened as she fought her body’s need to explode. She scrabbled at the sparse grass and fallen leaves. Sweat trickled down her back. The ripples intensified.

  “Hannah.” His voice was frayed and harsh. The humid night swallowed her name. “Quickly.”

  She contracted around him, and finally the need for fulfillment was too great to ignore. “You were right. You’re always right.” Hannah lifted her hips to encourage him to come all the way into her body and when he did, she gladly relinquished control of the situation. She licked her lips, stared up at him. The shadows of the night hid his face. Tears coursed down her cheeks at the sheer wonder of the millions of pleasure impulses he evoked within her. “Please.”

  His arms shook. “Say all of it.” He thrust again, grunting at her moan. “I want to hear you say it.”

  Colors flooded her mind. She whimpered as he withdrew fully from her. “Edwin!” She gripped his shoulders. Showers of golden sparks exploded within her brain as he slammed home once more. Swells of pleasure turned into tidal waves of longing, desire, and ecstasy as she gave into his request. “I can’t live without you. I can’t live even one hour without you.”

  He plunged into her again. Hannah dissolved into a rainbow of feeling and colors so intense she could no longer determine why she resisted. “Oh please, Edwin, finish me!”

  He didn’t waste any time. He thrust a few times more before the waves of bliss overtook her. She floated on a cloud of unconsciousness for many seconds as the aftershocks of the orgasm rocked her body. His cry of completion wasn’t far behind. He collapsed beside her, his breathing harsh, his head on her breast, his hand possessive on her thigh.

  *****

  Moments later, Edwin smiled into the darkness. Smug satisfaction enveloped him as she stirred.

  “Are you pleased with yourself?” Hannah retrieved her underwear and hitched them back into place.

  His heart swelled when she snuggled against his side. “Very.” He kissed her damp hair and trailed his fingers up and down her arm. “I did not mean to coerce you into saying those words. I will understand if you truly did not mean them. You were not quite lucid at the time.”

  “You’re losing your edge, bounty hunter.” She pulled back to look into his face. “And I thought vampires were the smartest of the paranormal species.”

  “I am quite intelligent.” He nuzzled her neck, reveling in her mirth. “I meant every word. I would never have said them if I didn’t, even with all of your strong persuasion.” He tightened his arm around her and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. This woman wiggled her way into his life, teased him mercilessly but became the one and only occupant of his heart in a short time. “Ohne dich kann ich nicht leben, spatzi.”

  She kissed his palm. “What does that mean?”

  “It is German for I cannot live without you, little sparrow.”

  “Ah, even in a harsh language like German you still don’t use contractions.”

  Edwin gave into the laughter bubbling in his chest. “You are good for my soul.”

  “I thought you told me you didn’t have a soul.”

  “I was wrong. It is what keeps me living for you. It thirsts after your goodness, it follows you as if drawn to a bright beckon, and I would not want it any other way.”

  Hannah leaned back against him. She stroked his arm, and he felt her contentment. For the first time since knowing her, Edwin wished the mission did not bind him. He wanted to be free to pursue the woman in his arms. He wanted the freedom to love her as she deserved to be loved.

  In the short distance, tiny golden lights danced and flickered. She stirred in his arms. Cold coils of dread pooled in his stomach. He pressed a kiss to her neck in an effort to distract her. The lights continued to dance, and caught her attention anyway.

  “Edwin, look.”

  His rapid intake of breath made her all the more curious. “Leave it alone. It is not for you.” He cursed the paranormal phenomenon. He could not let her follow it.

  Her form grew rigid as the lights again bobbed up and down as if buoyed by the gentle breezes. “They’re so pretty. Let’s go see what they are.” She scrambled her feet, apparently dazzled and mesmerized by the glittering golden phenomenon.

  “No. Nothing good comes from lights of that nature.” He got to his feet, zipping his pants in the process. “Listen to me.” He grabbed her hand and stopped her when she would have crashed through the underbrush. “They are called Huckpoten in German, or fairy lights. Sometimes people call them Will-o’-the-Wisps.”

  “But they’re so pretty. Let’s go get them. They’re calling to me.” Hannah’s voice had taken on a singsong quality. She tried to tug away but his grip on her wrist tightened until he thought he might hurt her.

  “These lights, they play with a person’s mind, enticing them out into the wilderness. Just when an unsuspecting person thinks they are almost upon the lights, they flicker out, only to reappear just far enough away to draw the person onward. The old stories tell of many people losing their way, never to return, drowning in the marshes, eaten by wild animals, falling down hillsides. You must be strong, Hannah. Leave them alone.” He grasped her head in his hands, forced her to look into his eyes. “They bring bad luck. It is but a fairy game. They will constantly tease you, never let you catch them.”

  She nodded and swallowed hard. “I’m fine.”

  Edwin relaxed a fraction. The fairy lights twinkled in the distance. She shuddered but didn’t say more. “Remain with me and be safe.”

  Hannah glanced at the lights. Before he could stop her, she grabbed a handful of leaves and threw them in his face. As he sputtered, she ran into the darkness. He rubbed the grit from his eyes and crashed through the underbrush after her. Thickets and twigs snagged his clothing, scratched his face, but he followed her. He had to. The fairy lights were dangerous. The golden lights shimmer
ed ahead. “You must stop!”

  “You can’t keep me from them. I need them. They need me.”

  “Hannah, please.”

  The darkness in this part of the forest was so complete he couldn’t see his own foot in front of him. His pulse pounded loudly in his ears as he stumbled, tried to keep her in sight. The lights twinkled again. Edwin cursed. If he did not get to her soon, he refused to think of what could happen.

  His heart jumped into his throat. As if in slow motion, she took one more step forward then fell into open air, vanishing from his view.

  *****

  Hannah’s scream echoed in the quiet forest as she fell downward into nothingness. The next thing she knew, her body slammed into the earthy side of a ravine, suspended in darkness, her wrist clutched painfully in Edwin’s strong, sure grip.

  “Help me!” Fear constricted her chest. Her heart raced as she swung gently in the air. She scrabbled for purchase on the cliff with her feet, but the crumbling dirt and grainy sand gave way beneath her shoes. As she panicked, sweat beaded on her forehead to drip down her face.

  At least I won’t see what waits for me on the trip down to my death because of the darkness. A sob caught in her throat. “I don’t want to die.”

  “You must stop squirming. I cannot pull you up when you move around.” His arm was taut and shaking with the strain of holding her. “Try to relax, and give me your other hand.”

  After two attempts, she managed to slip her trembling hand into his. “Please hurry.”

  “I am doing my best, but even I have limitations.”

  She tried to push the waves of terror away. “Edwin…” Fear painted her mind a nasty pea-green color.

  “I am going to swing you from side to side. When you are high enough, throw your weight and grasp the ledge with your leg. I will be able to pull you to safety.”

  Panic gripped her heart as Edwin swung her. The muscles in his arms bulged and strained. He wouldn’t be able to keep his grip for long. She was painfully aware of what would happen to him if she died—again. Hannah stifled her sobs. He swung her higher. A wave of nausea washed over her, but she fought down the bitter bile that rose in her throat.

  “Now!”

  She concentrated then hoisted her leg over the lip of the ledge. The attempt left a painful scrape on her shin, but on her second try, she managed to grip the ledge, just barely. In that same instant, Edwin’s grasp on her hands disappeared.

  A moment of profound and utter terror enveloped her as she hovered in the nothingness. He grasped the front of her dress, yanking. She flew from the edge of the ravine into the trembling arms of the bounty hunter.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You are aging me beyond what is acceptable in both the mortal and paranormal worlds,” Edwin complained as the first rays of the sun broke over the horizon. He cracked an eye open to stare at Hannah, who lay next to him. He had not decided if he forgave her for flippantly putting her life in danger.

  Perhaps he would let her wonder a bit longer. She had been most accommodating with her apology.

  “At least I make life exciting for you.” She sighed. “Thank you for finding us a real bed to sleep in.”

  “You are welcome.” He chuckled now at the anger he had felt after her stint with the fairy lights. He had refused to talk to her, fearing he would say something regretful. Of course, she’d acted properly remorseful and had remained quiet during their hike, which had restored his good humor.

  “Just think of how much better your life is with me in it.” When she grinned, his groin stirred as desire heated his skin.

  They had gone for two hours of enforced power-walking before finally coming upon an abandoned ranger watchtower. A cursory check on the ramshackle dwelling had revealed it had not succumbed to total disrepair. The cabinets still contained clean bed linens and a package of square, white crackers. The roof was sound albeit missing more than a few shingles but it would do it a pinch, and he was grateful for the meager shelter.

  “Are you even listening to me?” She peered at him, her green eyes clouded.

  Edwin laughed softly. “I am always attentive to you.” He drifted a lazy finger down her naked arm. “Promise me you will not escape into the wilderness to chase after various and sundry things in the next twelve hours. I require rest. I cannot do that and watch over you at the same time.” Even if she agreed, he doubted her ability to stay out of trouble.

  Hannah smiled and gave him an open-mouthed kiss. The sheet, which covered his near-erection, twitched in response. “I promise. Believe it or not, I’m exhausted.” She walked her fingers down his bare chest, grinning when the muscles of his abdomen contracted.

  “For the love of all that is holy, woman, leave off with your sweet torture!” He stilled her hand with his and drew her into his arms. “I am only one man. You will surely kill me if you do not allow me sleep.”

  Her smile faltered. “I hope that won’t be for a long time. I’m afraid I wouldn’t take that news well.” She buried her head against his chest.

  His sigh ruffled her hair. “Sleep now, and talk later. There will be time enough for everything.” He dropped a kiss on her ear, locking his arms around her. “Ohne dich kann ich nicht leben.” He held her close to his heart. “Do you want me to translate it for you?”

  “Yes, please.” Her words were muffled and small.

  “My love, without you, I cannot live.” Surprising enough, he meant each one.

  *****

  Fear clogged her throat as she walked the halls. Individual glass-enclosed exhibits lined the walls; golden information plates hung on each glass case. Nausea washed over her as she read some of the offerings—vampire, field fairy in natural habitat, wood sprite in hollow tree. The man—the demon lord—had put his stolen cache of kidnapped paranormals on display. He exploited them, forced them to perform as if in some bizarre circus. Hannah’s footsteps echoed on the marble floor as she came to the last of the exhibit cases.

  Suddenly, the interior lamps switched on. She gazed in horror.

  Edwin lay draped over a marble slab. His dusky skin appeared a blotchy ashy color, his silky hair fell over his face, hiding it from view. He didn’t stir. Blood dripped from a deep wound on his chest, slipped slowly down his outstretched arm to pool on the floor. What had happened to him? Frantically, she read the placard—half-vampire bounty hunter at the end of life. Pressing a fist to her mouth, she stumbled to the last case. It was empty, contained only an ordinary living room mock-up.

  Light glanced off the tag, drawing her eye. Human with power enhancing abilities. He waited for her. The scream Hannah held burst from her lips, and she screamed forever…

  She awoke gasping for breath. Sweat trickled down her back to dampen the sheets. As she sat up, her eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness of the room.

  Hannah willed her breathing back to normal. Relief flooded through her as Edwin’s chest rose and fell beneath her hand. Warm and alive. It had only been a dream. A smile passed fleetingly over her mouth when he pressed her fingers to his lips in sleep.

  Watching him, she fingered the pendants around her neck, and then pulled the Mirror of Truth into view. The size of a silver teaspoon, its surface appeared cloudy. She made sure he was still asleep, and then whispered, “Show me Edwin, the bounty hunter.”

  Instantly, the silver surface swirled. It revealed an image. Inside the Mirror, Edwin laughed and talked in an animated fashion to someone she couldn’t see. His eyes blazed an icy blue, while his entire being shimmered with golden light. An occasional black spark glistened through the golden haze to mar the sparkling glamour around him.

  The Mirror showed the world as it was.

  I knew it! Edwin is essentially capable of being good. He won’t succumb to the darkness within him!

  She pressed a kiss to Edwin’s forehead and slid out of the bed, careful not to disturb him. Straightening the sheet, she wondered how much time she had with him before some sort of doom overtook them. In each of her
dreams, captivity or killing revolved around him, each in creatively different ways. She was almost more afraid of dreaming than of sleeping.

  After a glance around the small ranger station, Hannah sat at the simple pine desk. She rooted through her bag for the handful of almonds she’d stowed away earlier. Munching, she also withdrew the sexy heels. With a crow of triumph, she rejoiced to find they were a size seven. If Fate was a fickle mistress, then she definitely had a weakness for fine footwear. As she slipped on the sandals, a flicker of excitement raced through her as she admired the high-heeled elegance that sparkled on her feet.

  Is there anything as satisfying in life as an expensive pair of shoes?

  “I could think of at least one thing that would be infinitely more satisfying than mere shoes and it would benefit us both.”

  Hannah grinned and threw him a saucy glance. Propped up on the pillow, he regarded her with eyes the color of indigo. “I thought you were asleep.” Her throat went dry as the sheet slid down his naked chest. “You’re looking enigmatic.”

  “When I realized you were no longer beside me, I had no choice but to awaken.” He flicked his gaze over her footwear, and his eyes darkened to a deep sapphire. “It seems I must revise my opinion of foolish womanly accoutrements. You are looking quite like a sex kitten.”

  “Sex kitten?” She laughed but made no move to join him.

  He frowned. “Did I not use it correctly in the sentence? I was only repeating what you called me at the start of the week.”

  “You used the term correctly, but I’m surprised to hear such a thing come out of your mouth.” She drifted over to perch on the edge of the bed. The heat from his body curled its way around her. The familiar ache begin to build deep inside her core.

  Edwin’s shrug caused the muscles of his chest to ripple under taut skin. “I need to make myself more accessible to you.” He caressed her arm with a fingertip. Eddies of desire churned in her stomach.