The Vampire King's Cage

by T. S. Ryder

  When they got to the party a few blocks later, Logan went off to find drinks and Elise disappeared into the crowd. Thea stood off to the side, observing the room. Logan came to her a few minutes later and handed her a cup.

  “Beer,”he said, and smiled.

  “I’m surprised Sophia didn’t want to come.”Thea took a long sip of her beer.

  “She’s not big into parties.”His face fell.

  “What?”she asked.

  He shrugged.“Starting to think she’s not right for me.”

  She took another long sip to hide her smile.“Why do you say that?”

  He leaned closer to her so he didn’t have to shout as loud.“Maybe I just need to spend more time with someone I’ve known longer.”

  Thea looked up at him, heart racing. He was so close. But he wouldn’t kiss her here in public, would he? Not while he was still with Sophia. No, he wasn’t like that.

  “I need another beer,”he said.“Want a refill?”

  “Sure.”

  He vanished into the throng of people, but it took a very long time for him to come back. So long that Elise had come to find her to check in, and she’d gone off to find Logan and make sure he was okay.

  Thea found Logan laughing in the kitchen, with several empty shot glasses in front of him, holding two beer cups. She walked over and took one of the cups.

  “Oh, hey!”he exclaimed. A huge smile spread across his face.“We were just doing shots. Want to do some?”

  She smiled back. Red cheeks, huge goofy grin, shiny eyes. He was drunk. She’d been drunk around him enough to know what it looked like.

  “How many have you had?”she asked.

  “Just two.”He handed her one and she downed it.

  “Can we maybe go dance?”

  “Yes!”He grabbed her hand, took a huge swig of beer before setting down his cup, then headed to the living room.

  They danced together, fast at first, shaking to the music. But when a slow song came on and she looked at him, he held out a hand. She took it and he pulled her close. He wrapped his arms around her and she held him back. They swayed together and the feeling of his body pressing against hers filled her with joy and excitement. The potion was working.

  After a few more songs, she turned to him.“Hey,”she whispered.“Will you walk me back to my room?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m just going to find Elise and tell her we’re leaving,”she said.

  Thea found her making out with a guy in the next room. She tapped her shoulder and said,“Logan is walking me back. Text me when you leave.”

  “Will do.”Elise hugged her and went back to kissing the guy.

  Logan pulled Thea in close as they walked outside. The air had chilled, but it felt good on her skin. He walked with his arm around her and they were quiet for a long time.

  The anticipation was building in her chest. She wanted to kiss him, to ask him to come into her room. Drunk and on the love potion, he just might. But was he ready to make a move like that?

  By the time they reached her room, he was looking less drunk.

  “Thanks for walking me back. I had a good time tonight.”

  “Me too.”He grinned at her and leaned close to hug her.

  “Do you want to come inside for a little while?”

  Her pulse raced as she watched his face, waiting for his answer. He looked down at his hands.

  “I do,”he said.“But I can’t. I have a girlfriend, you know that.”

  “I know,”she said. Her heart dropped as she dropped her arms and stepped back from him. She kissed his forehead.“Go to her.”

  He looked into her eyes for a long time.“Thank you for understanding.”He turned from her but then turned right back.“Thea?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you ever think of me as…something more than just friends or your friend’s brother?”

  She took a moment to really look at him and let her gaze settle into his.“Yes.”

  His mouth pulled into half a smile and he turned to walk away.

  Chapter Four

  Thea had gone into her room and changed after Logan walked away. She put on her t-shirt and shorts and sat on the edge of her bed, thinking. Her roommate was already asleep and Thea sat in the dim light of her lamp.

  With a heavy heart, she turned out the lamp and slid under the covers. What should she do now? Had the potion not worked? It had seemed like it was working, though. Maybe that one sip hadn’t been enough. Maybe she’d done something wrong. It must not have been strong enough.

  Her phone buzzed from its place at her bedside table.“Leaving.”It was from Elise.

  “Be safe! You alone?”

  “Nope. Got Paul with me. Going to his place.”

  “Then be extra safe.”

  She set her phone back down and closed her eyes, but it buzzed again. This time, it was from Logan.

  “You still up?”he asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Let me in.”

  Her heart jumped in excitement, and she got up to open the door. He stood there, smiling at her. He was clearly sober now, which she figured, in the end, was a good thing. She wouldn’t want to think that if something had happened to them, it was only because of the alcohol.

  He stepped forward and pushed the door open farther. Then he stepped inside, reached out to put his hand at the back of her neck, and pulled her close. He pressed his mouth to hers. The shock hit her, but she quickly settled into his arms and kissed him back.

  She had to keep telling herself she was really kissing Logan. This wasn’t a dream. It was really happening.

  “Can I come in for a while?”he whispered.

  She nodded and turned her lamp back on. They sat on the bed, facing each other, legs crossed and tucked under them like they always did.

  “I’m glad you’re here,”she said.“But I’m a little confused.”

  “Why?”

  “Sophia?”

  “I just broke up with her. I realized today, Thea, that my feelings for you have been growing for years. We know everything about each other and you’ve been such an important part of my life for so long. This just feels right.”

  “You broke up with her? Tonight?”

  “I did. I wanted to be here with you so badly, and I knew it wasn’t fair to her. So here I am.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her again. This wasn’t the first time Thea had wished she had a single room. Her roommate was nice and they got along, but she still didn’t want to wake her up with their kissing and talking.

  Logan crawled forward so that Thea had to lay back. She straightened her legs and he climbed on top of her.

  “I have wanted you for so long, Thea,”he whispered in her ear.

  “I want you, too, Logan.”

  He resumed kissing her, letting his weight press onto her. Heat rushed through her, making her sweat. His hands roamed over her body, pausing to squeeze her breasts.

  “We just have to be quiet,”she whispered in his ear.

  “I’ll try.”He kissed along her neck and breathed into her ear.

  Her mind raced. She was with Logan, making out with Logan. He was touching her. All the times she’d imagined this moment, it had never felt this good.

  He slipped his hand up under her shirt. She’d already taken her bra off for bed, so his fingers found their way quickly. She let out a soft moan as he pinched her nipples.

  “Do you like that?”he asked.

  “Yes.”She ran her hands up and down his back, under his shirt, letting her nails drag along his skin.

  His fingertips caressed her stomach and then inched their way down. He reached them just under the elastic waist of her shorts, almost tickling her lower stomach. When she didn’t stop him, he reached his hand farther down to touch her.

  She let out a gasp when he slid his fingers between her lower lips.

  “Is this okay?”he asked.

  “Yes. Yes,”she moaned.

  He pressed a fin
ger inside her, sending a wave of pleasure through her. Everything he did felt so good. And knowing it was him made it all so much better. He moved his finger in and out and kissed along her neck.

  “You are so wet,”he whispered.

  “That’s just what you do to me.”

  “Can you feel what you do to me?”He pressed his hips down and she could feel his hard dick pressing against her.

  “Yes.”She reached her hand down his pants and gripped his erection, stroking him gently up and down.

  “Do you think we’ll wake up your roommate if we keep going?”

  “I can be quiet,”she said.

  “Good, because I don’t want to stop.”

  “I don’t want you to, either.”

  He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead.“Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m glad we’re doing it now.”

  He tugged at her shorts and she lifted her hips to help him push them down. He snuck under her covers and pulled his own shorts off. Then, with his bare skin against hers, he pressed his cock against her, rubbing along her clit, spreading her wetness.

  She moaned again and had to bite her lip to keep quiet. He took his dick in his hand and positioned it against her opening.

  “You’re sure about this?”he asked.

  “Definitely.”

  He closed his eyes and pushed inside her. She moaned again and crushed her mouth to his. Maybe that would help her keep quiet.

  He felt so good inside her, moving in and out slowly, taking his time. She ran her fingers through his hair and gazed dreamily into his eyes. He gave her a sleepy smile and moved his hips in a circle as he thrust into her, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

  He sped up and moved harder into her. Her head swam with the sensation, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. She grabbed his ass and pulled him farther inside her.

  “Harder,”she whispered.

  It was difficult not to cry out loud, as with each thrust she came closer to coming. Finally, she dug her fingers into his hair and moaned into his ear as she came. He finished moments later.

  Logan put his elbows on either side of her so he could look down at her. He kissed all over her face, making her giggle.

  “Thea,”he said, his smile fading.“I think I’m in love with you.”

  Her laughing stopped.“Really?”

  She wanted to cry when he nodded his head. She was so happy that this was happening. Finally happening. At the same time, a part of her worried frantically that it might be only the effects of the love potion. But she wouldn’t worry about that now.

  He cuddled behind her, holding her close as they drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Five

  Logan sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. Thea was just stirring as he climbed over her to get out of bed and yanked his clothes on.

  “Morning,”she said.

  He didn’t answer.“Where are my keys?”

  She sat up and rubbed her face.“Did you check the floor?”

  “Oh, here they are.”He shoved them in his pocket and pulled his sneakers on hard.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He sat on the floor, his head in his hands.“I’m sorry, Thea. I think I’ve done a horrible thing.”

  “What do you mean?”She was awake now, her heart thumping in anxiety.

  “I drank too much, and I broke up with Sophia.”He shook his head, and she thought she saw tears in his eyes.“I feel awful. I shouldn’t have broken up with her, and I shouldn’t have come here.”He got to his feet but paused to kiss her on the cheek.

  “Logan, don’t go.”

  “I have to. I’m sorry. I’ll see you around.”

  He closed the door, a little too hard. She blinked at it in shock.

  Across the room, Marie murmured,“That sucks.”

  Thea slid back down in bed and pulled her covers up. She tried not to cry. She thought about the night before and how awesome it had been. He’d said he loved her.

  That stupid potion. Why had she done it? She knew it would cause complications. Now she didn’t know what was real. Was this just morning-after regret? Or had he really meant it when he said he shouldn’t have broken up with Sophia? Did he really have feelings for her at all? He had said,‘over the years’. It wasn’t a sudden thing. If it had been sudden, that would mean it was all the potion.

  No, but the potion had worked and he’d said years, so there was definitely something there. Maybe it wasn’t quite strong enough yet, was all. She’d have to keep at him and keep being awesome until his feelings grew. Maybe just a few more times with the love potion would do it.

  She got up, determined now instead of sad. She had a plan. At least once a week, she would spike his drink. If he drank enough, it would last the whole week anyway. And then she could taper off when she was sure he was really, truly in love with her.

  She dressed and went to her closet where she kept her supply. It was hidden in a shoebox for a disguise. There were plenty of vials. The batch she had made was enough for almost twenty doses. That would be plenty, she hoped. That bought several months at least. That had to be enough.

  ***

  Over the next few weeks, things were strange between her and Logan, like they’d never been before. The change felt obvious to her, but Elise hadn’t seemed to notice. At least, if she had, she hadn’t said anything. Maybe she was so preoccupied with Paul that she wouldn’t.

  Thea had thought a lot about it, but in the end had decided not to tell Elise what happened. Not yet. When she could go to her and say they were in love, then she would tell her they had slept together. But if she confessed now, it would just seem weird. And the fact that they weren’t really talking might anger Elise. They would have messed up their perfect little trio.

  Logan was scarce. He was back with Sophia, which Thea reminded herself was only temporary. She had tried to spike his drink a few times, but it never seemed to work out. Either he wasn’t there long enough, or she wasn’t alone with his drink. One time, she’d gone into his room when he was out and poured some into a half-drunk bottle of soda on his bedside table, but there was no guarantee he’d drink it. And she hadn’t noticed any change in him over the days after.

  She had been feeling sad over the whole thing. He didn’t outright avoid her, but he was slow to answer her texts, didn’t stay long when she was in the house, and any time Elise tried to get them to all hang out, he had plans with Sophia. When they were in the same room, he was nice and acted like his old self, though he was slightly less comfortable. And she swore that Sophia had glared at her more than once. He hadn’t told her, had he? Maybe she just sensed the tension and assumed.

  By the fourth week since they had slept together, Thea thought her sadness was becoming a depression. She felt tired all the time and wanted to do nothing but eat. Elise was less available now that she had a new boyfriend, so Thea had a lot of time alone with her thoughts.

  It wasn’t until seven weeks later that her thoughts drifted in a particular direction. She hadn’t thought much of the tiredness and increased appetite. But when her period grew later and later, she started to rethink everything. Then, she was scared.

  What if she was pregnant? What would that do to her plan and to Logan? How would she finish school or care for a baby? She paced her room one morning, these thoughts running through her head. She had planned to walk to a convenience store near campus after her last class of the day, but that wasn’t until at least three in the afternoon. It was only eight in the morning now. She couldn’t wait all day.

  She decided to skip her first class and go now.

  The walk to the convenience store seemed to take ages. When she got there, the selection of pregnancy tests overwhelmed her. She picked one that was in the middle price range and paid for it. But she didn’t want to wait until she walked back to her dorm, and she didn’t want her roommate or anyone to find the test in the trash.

  She went into the bathr
oom of the convenience store, took the test and waited. Her stomach turned as the seconds clicked by. This was taking too long. She checked her watch again. Two more minutes. She closed her eyes and counted. When she hit 120, she checked again and it was time to look.

  She swallowed hard, then picked up the test. Two blue lines looked up at her from the little window. She looked again at the box and tears filled her eyes. She sat down on the toilet, let the test fall to the ground and cried.

  So what if someone else came into the bathroom? She didn’t care. They might even see the positive test lying on the ground and understand that this was not a planned pregnancy. This was not ideal in any way.

  She cried for a while, then when she moved to get up, her stomach clenched. She turned quickly and threw up into the toilet. Great. So this was the start of morning sickness then.

  She rinsed out her mouth the best she could and splashed water on her face. Mercifully, no one came in the bathroom. She looked dreadful but didn’t care. She tossed the test in the trash can, crumpled some paper towels up and threw them on top, then left and trudged back to her room.

  She skipped classes for the rest of that day. She lay in bed, curled into a ball, crying and sleeping. Hopefully the emotions were just from the pregnancy. She wasn’t usually so easily upset.

  There were so many questions. Should she keep it? Should she tell him? What would he do? How would he react? How would Elise react? Was this baby going to be a witch or a shifter? Or neither? Could it be pure human with a shifter and a witch for parents?

  And what about her family? What would they do? Would her parents be happy to have a grandchild, even if it came from their twenty-one-year-old college student daughter? Who was, let’s not forget, unmarried. They would certainly care about that.

  She had to tell someone, though. These questions wouldn’t get answered on her own. And Elise was the best choice, despite the fact that Thea was now carrying her niece or nephew.

  She planned to text Elise later, but Elise beat her to it.

  “Where were you in English?”

  Thea texted back.“Not feeling well. Can we meet up?”