by M. L. Guida
Something shimmered beside her, illuminating the ground. For a minute, she thought it was Jayden, but it was light, not dark.
Desmond stopped moving and his eyes grew three sizes. “Jacob?”
A black whiz flashed in front of her. Jayden whipped the sword out of Desmond’s hand and threw it. It embedded into a nearby pine tree. “You’re done.”
“I failed,” Desmond whispered. His eyes fluttered shut and he passed out.
Eleanor wished he was dead, but she could hear his beating heart, along with Frank’s, who still had the arrow in his shoulder.
As if reading her mind, Derek walked over to him and unceremoniously ripped it out. Frank yelled and lay back, panting. “Move—” Derek held the arrow over Frank’s face—“and you’ll have an arrow through your eye.”
Brian lifted his head and pointed, his hand shaking. “Jacob. It’s a ghost.”
She glanced over her shoulder. It was indeed a ghost, a twin image of Jayden. She’d never seen a ghost before and the blood gelled in her veins.
“He’s dying,” Jacob said. “Soon, he’ll join me.”
Caesar whined.
Jayden rushed over to Michael and turned him over. He put his hand over his nose. “We’ve got to get him to the hospital, Derek.”
“You’ll never get him there in time,” Jacob said.
Derek raced over to Jayden. Frank didn’t move. Being a hero had never been his strength.
“Michael?” Derek asked. “Can you hear me?”
Michael gurgled.
“Stay with him,” Jayden ordered. “I’ve got to help Eleanor.”
Eleanor bit her lip. She’d liked the drummer. He’d risked his life for her. But she could feel his soul pulling away. Death wasn’t far off.
Jayden rushed over to Eleanor. “Oh, baby.”
“Get this off me.” She wiggled her fingers, brushing over his knees. “I’m not…not strong enough to break it. The manacles are locked.” She tilted her head to where Desmond lay unconscious. “He has the key.”
She leaned her back on the bark, trying to find some power within her to stay alive. Jayden hurried back with the key and unlocked her manacles. He pulled up his shirt, exposing his wrist. “Drink.”
She didn’t have time to argue. With both hands, she seized his wrist and sank her incisors into his flesh. His blood was warm and luscious. The dizziness and weakness faded. She released him and wiped the sweat from her brow. “I’m sorry. I think—”
“Drank too much. Stay here and rest. I’ve got to check on Michael.”
“He’s not dead yet, but he will be soon.”
“He needs a hospital.”
Like Jacob, she shook her head. “You’ll never make it in time.” She wished she could give him the answer he wanted. But it would be a lie. And she refused to lie to the man she loved.
“What can I do?”
Eleanor took his palm and kissed it. She stared into his eyes that were filled with sorrow and loss. “If you want him to live, you know what you have to do. There is no other way.”
“I can’t.”
“Then you need to tell him good-bye. He’s dying.”
Jayden lowered his head. “I’ll be back.”
***
Derek had Michael’s head in his lap and pushed his hair out of his face. “He’s lost a lot of blood.”
Jacob sat next to their mother. She stared at him in disbelief. When she went to touch him, her hand disappeared into his body. Jayden couldn’t worry about his mother’s pain. Michael needed him.
Jayden nodded. “I know.” Could he do this? He glanced at Eleanor. She nodded.
Caesar howled.
Jayden looked at Michael. His face was so pale and contorted with pain. “Michael? Can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I…can…hear.”
His voice was softer than the breeze blowing over the lake.
“You’re dying,” Jayden blurted.
Michael coughed. “Just figure that out genius?” Between his words, blood blurted out of his blue lips.
Derek swore.
Jayden didn’t look at Derek, afraid of what he’d do or say. “Michael, it’s your choice to die.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Derek demanded. “You can’t—” He stopped mid-sentence. “Holy hell.”
Jayden cringed at the words.
“Is…it…worth…?” Michael choked.
Jayden glanced at Eleanor who was standing. She was beautiful and stumbled over to his mother who was struggling to lose her binds. His woman had courage. He had eternity to indulge her sweet love. “If Eleanor hadn’t given me the gift, my mother would be alone. I’m not ready to die. Eleanor’s giving me more than just the dark gift.” He swallowed hard, not able to say the words burning in his heart. “She’s giving me a reason to survive. To protect the people I love.”
“Then do it.” Michael closed his eyes.
Jayden asked. “Do what?”
Michael said something, but Jayden couldn’t make out the words.
He leaned closer and put his ear next to his mouth.
“I…choose…life,” Michael whispered.
“Slice your wrist,” Eleanor said. “I’m still too weak. My blood’s contaminated with hallowed blood, which could kill him.”
Jayden jerked his head. She was right behind him.
He glanced at Jacob who nodded. Hoping Michael wouldn’t regret this; Jayden pulled a hunting knife out of his belt sheath and sliced his wrist. It didn’t hurt. But then again, he was the undead.
He held his wrist over Michael’s gray lips and worried he’d hesitated too long. But Michael flicked his tongue over his lips, catching the droplets of blood.
“God, this is unreal,” Derek said.
Jayden ignored him and gently pressed his wrist to Michael’s lips. Michael started to suck on his blood. It was like having a vacuum suction all his blood. What if it didn’t work?
Eleanor grabbed his wrist and yanked.
Jayden jerked back. “Why did you pull me back?”
“It’s done. He’d drain you.”
Michael arched his back and went into convulsions.
“I thought you turned him,” Derek said.
“He did,” Eleanor said. “His humanity is dying.”
“Mother of Mercy,” Jayden’s mother cried. She turned her head. “I can’t watch this.”
“He has a purpose, Mom,” Jacob said. “This is his destiny.”
Jayden opened his mouth to ask what Jacob meant, but Michael stopped convulsing and started to gag.
“Help him before he chokes on his own vomit,” Eleanor urged.
Derek and Jayden gripped Michael’s shoulders, and they lifted him up to turn him onto his side. He emptied his stomach contents. He finally stopped being sick and passed out.
“What now?” Derek asked.
“We need to take him to Eleanor’s. But first I need to talk to my brother.”
Derek nodded.
Jayden swallowed and headed over to Jacob. He felt like he was a little a boy again, about to be shamed by his father. What if Jacob wouldn’t forgive him? He didn’t know if he could live forever, knowing his brother hated him. “Jacob?”
“Jayden.”
Not able to look at him, Jayden sank to his knees. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” His voice croaked. “I know you can’t forgive me—”
“If I hadn’t forgiven you, do you really think I’d come here?”
Jayden raised his head. “I don’t understand.”
“I’d lied to you so many times. I can’t blame you for not trusting me. For the first time, I’m happy. By the way, Dad sent a message for me to give you.”
Jayden’s stomach tightened. Ah, crap, another bashing.
“He said he’s proud of you. He said he always was, but you and he never spoke the same language. He hopes someday you can forgive him.”
Had Jayden heard right? A lone tear slid down Jayden’s cheek. He’d always wa
nted to hear those words. That his dad had been proud of him. He fought to not cry like a baby, like the way his dad had taught him. “Tell him—” His voice was barely a whisper. “His training saved me. I’ll see him again.”
“Your father’s well?” His mother asked.
“Yes,” Jacob said. “He still loves you. You’re his most precious gem.”
Tears shone in his mother’s eyes. “Tell him—”
“He knows,” Jacob said. “It’s time for me to go.”
“We will see you again?” His mother asked.
“Yes. Come here if you want to talk. I’m happy. You two need to move on.” He held up two fingers. “Peace.”
He walked toward Rainbow Lake and disappeared.
“Jacob!” His mother yelled.
Jayden hugged her. “Let him go, Mom.”
She returned his embrace. “I will. I’m just a little shaky.”
“I’ll take care of her,” Eleanor said. “You’ve got some more business to take care of.”
Derek motioned toward Frank and Desmond. “What about the rest of the assholes?”
Jayden wanted to leave Desmond, Brian, and Frank to die, but he wasn’t a cutthroat. “My women are safe. We’ll take them to the hospital. It’s more than they deserve. If they say anything about vampires, I doubt anyone will believe him.”
“It is better than they deserve. And Robbie?”
“When I fed from him, I could read his thoughts. He wanted us dead. All of us dead.”
Disbelief flashed in Derek’s eyes. “Michael and me, too?”
“You both helped vampires. These people consider it a betrayal.” He gripped Derek’s shoulder. “You need to stay alert. They’ll hunt you like Eleanor and I. And now, Michael.”
“We’re like brothers,” Derek said. “Desmond and Robbie should have known this.”
“As long as we followed their beliefs, we were,” Jayden said.
Derek shook his head. “Let’s do this.”
For the next hour, they loaded Desmond, Brian, and Frank into Desmond’s double cab truck that was parked nearby, but they left Robbie’s body. Eleanor, his mother, and Michael were in the back. On the way to the hospital, none of them spoke. Jayden couldn’t stop thinking of his dad and brother. He hoped they were both happy. But had Jacob been telling the truth, that his father was proud of him? So hard to believe.
The hospital was only a short ride, and the emergency crew quickly took Desmond and his comrade inside. Eleanor was able to convince them of a hunting accident gone terribly wrong.
They dropped off Caesar and Jayden’s mother at Derrick’s house. Eleanor didn’t think even Caesar would be safe until Michael got past his hunger. His mother pleaded with Jayden to stay, but he wanted to be there for Michael. He needed to convince himself that Eleanor was well.
At her home, he carried Michael into a nearby bedroom.
“Are you ready for bed?” Eleanor asked.
Jayden finished draping a blanket over Michael’s still body. He hoped he’d made the right decision in turning Michael. What if he was changed for the worse?
Eleanor leaned her head on his arm. “You did the right thing.”
He arched his eyebrow. “You can read minds?”
She laughed. It was good to hear her laugh. “Only yours. Come on. I’m hungry.”
“You need more blood?”
“No.” She sighed. “Remember when you said, I had to ask for what I wanted?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
Her cheeks reddened. “I want to have another orgasm.”
“Are you sure?”
“This time, don’t stop.”
Chapter Fourteen
Eleanor clasped Jayden’s large hand, and he gently wrapped his fingers around hers. Her heart beat strong with love. She hadn’t had sex in so long. But she wasn’t going to have any man touch her. It would be the man who’d risked his life to save her. Janus had turned her, but he’d never been in danger. He was a master vampire. Not Jayden. She was ten times stronger than him.
When he came to the little clearing by Rainbow Lake, she could only stare. He’d come to rescue her. She’d never believe in Disney’s knights in shining armor. They’d only been fairy tales. Until now.
Jayden shut the bedroom door, and then drew her in for a kiss. She was keenly aware of the provocative scent of his skin, the broad span of his chest only inches away. She put her hands on his chest. The thumping of his heart beneath her palms matched hers. He lowered his dark head and kissed her. Tender at first, but demanding, needy. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
“Take off your shirt,” she said. “I want to run my hands over your skin.”
“Are we going to take turns?”
“Aye.” Bravery echoed in her voice, but fear was still buried inside her. Emmet Carver had left his mark.
Jayden slowly lifted his shirt.
“I want candles,” she said.
“Candles?”
She was putting distance again, but having a romantic atmosphere might heighten her desire and dampen her fear. She pulled out lavender candles from her dresser and lit them.
“Do you want the lights on or off?” Jayden asked.
“Off.”
When the lights turned off, the flames flickered and cast a soft glow.
Jayden put his hands on her shoulders. “We don’t have to do anything.”
She turned around. “Aye, we do. I want to forget my nightmares, and I want you to love me tonight.”
He traced the back of his hand down her face. “I do love you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever truly loved.”
“Really? But you…”
He laughed. “I never said I didn’t have relationships. And I did care for the women.” He brushed her lips with his. “But not like I do with you.”
She placed her hands over his skin. He was all muscle, hard, and sculpted, and when she skimmed her fingertips, he shivered beneath her light touch.
“That’s the answer I wanted to hear.” She hoped it was the truth, and he wasn’t playing with her.
“Let me show you,” he said. “Now, it’s your turn.”
She flashed him a teasing smile as she lifted the sweater. She went to pull down her bra straps, but he placed his calloused hands over hers.
“No, allow me.”
She held her breath as he slid a strap down one arm. He leaned down and kissed her shoulder. His lips were soft, tender. He skated the other strap down, and this time, licked her shoulder.
“Beautiful, creamy.”
Sincerity mirrored in his eyes. He reached behind her, and with one hand, unclasped her bra. It fell onto the floor. Her breasts were free and budded under his hungry stare.
“You’re so lovely,” he said. “May I?”
“May you what?”
“Kiss you.”
She licked her lips and nodded, unable to say anything. Jayden bent over and kissed one nipple. She tilted her head back to arch her back. His smooth tongue turned her legs into wobbly reeds. She was done playing games and wanted him. “Take your pants off,” she panted.
He slowly stood, licking his way up, the hollow between her breasts, her neck, and then her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, exploring his maleness. He was spicy and hot. Hers, all hers.
She jumped when she heard the zipper. “I want to.”
“You do?”
Not wanting to ponder her new boldness, she clasped his jeans and tugged. The jeans moved past his hips down to his buttocks. He was already hard. His arousal pushed through his underwear. She quickly pushed his jeans down until he could step out. Without warning, she seized his underwear and yanked, freeing his cock.
Jayden’s body turned to steel, and he sucked in his breath. Eleanor glanced up and smiled. There was a tremor in his throat, and he watched her with hooded eyes. She kissed the tip of his cock and tasted salty come.
“Shit, Eleanor.” His voice was raspy.
“You don’t like this?” She slid her hand over his full sac and received another hiss.
“Did I say that?” Dark passion flared in his eyes.
She took him into her mouth and sucked, while her fingers played with his sack.
“Damn, Eleanor.” He rocked his hips as he ran his fingers through her hair.
She savored the taste of his maleness and bringing him to his knees.
“I want you, Eleanor. I want to be inside you. You’re killing me.” He cried out and spilled his hot seed.
She licked her lips, enjoying the pleasure she’d brought him.
“My turn,” he gasped. He lifted her and carried her to the bed where he splayed her on the mattress.
After he dragged her jeans and panties off her quivering legs, she trembled underneath his hot gaze.
He climbed onto the bed, and the mattress sank from his weight. As he slowly moved up her body, he licked and kissed her skin. This was lust, inflamed, and mind-blowing. Sheer anticipation ignited between her thighs, and she held her breath, wanting him to touch her, to kiss her.
Wanting more, she arched her back. Without needing words, he took her nipple into his hot mouth and suckled her. She threaded her fingers through his hair, pressing him to her, and writhed underneath his magical laving. His hand kneaded her other breast, then he slid past her tummy until he reached her soft curls. He stroked her slow and deliberately, but when he inserted a finger into her heated core, moving it back and forth, then another, stretching her, she cried out his name.
But he wasn’t done with his sweet torture. He left her breast, kissing and licking her skin, and edged down to her belly button until she thought she’d dissolve into the quilt.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to make you sing with pleasure,” he murmured.
He circled her belly button with his tongue, a slow deliberate torture, his soft strands of hair setting her already hot skin to scorching. He widened her thighs, and she nearly jumped off the bed. “Jayden!”
“Relax, sweet heart. I’m going to make you wet with need.”
“I’m there,” she whimpered.
“Not yet. I want our first time together to be special.”
“Jayden, I’m not a virgin.”
“Indulge me,” he said. “I promise, you won’t be disappointed.” He scooted down onto the floor and spread her thighs apart. She nearly shot straight to the ceiling when he licked her folds, teasing her with a swirling sensation, as if she was melting ice cream, and he was lapping every drop.
