by Layna Snow
Connor roared, pressing his trapped legs into the other man’s chest.
NEED!
The body fell, too off balance to catch itself.
Then Connor was on top of it, holding it to the ground with his whole being as he eyed the red, sticky fluid that called out to him.
He didn’t stop to think, just struck, licking the tangy treat from the skin.
When that was done, when no more came out, he struck his victim’s throat, finding the vein quickly, unerringly. The body fought under him, but he didn’t care. The movement only made the blood pump faster into his mouth. Each pump of the heart forcing the liquid into him. He felt it coating his tongue, the taste so exquisite that he didn’t know how he ever lived without it.
He certainly wouldn’t again.
Then he swallowed, again and again, taking the blood from the person, as was his right. It was his now, it was surrendered from the body. He would use it to give him energy, to give him life.
The person who once housed it didn’t matter. He’d be dead soon, and then would have no use for it.
Just as he swallowed again, feeling the heartbeat slowing under his hungry mouth, he was pushed roughly to the side.
He flew off the victim, away from his food.
Then he flung himself back up, hissing his anger.
No one would take his meal! No one would take his food!
It didn’t matter about the voices yelling, or the familiar scents. He didn’t care about anything but getting them away from his victim.
But they surrounded the body, and faced off against him, shielding his food.
The stinging of darts hitting his chest, arms and legs didn’t mean anything to him. Even the weakness that invaded his body was too far outside his mind.
Connor took a few steps forward, his destination clear. His determination ironclad. But his body didn’t want to cooperate.
His limbs were heavy, too heavy for him to move. And his brain was getting fuzzy. Every sluggish heartbeat demanded one thing.
Blood
Blood
Blood.
Even as he fell to his knees on the mats.
Blood
Blood
Blood.
Even as a feminine voice called his name. And as a high-pitched voice said the man on the ground would be fine. He still craved, still needed, hungered, and desired.
And when he fell forward, the darts pressing tighter into his skin, his mind floating. He still wanted blood.
But, there was a part of him that screamed, that cried, and that shuddered at what he had done, at what he had become.
Because in the end. He really was a monster.
22
Sin sort of felt like an ass.
Okay, he totally did feel like an ass. The way he treated Phie wasn’t exactly fair. Instead of feeding her fruit and cheese like he had planned, he took her roughly from behind and then let her sleep on the floor.
Just the memory made him hard, and brought a little pain to his chest.
And yes, he liked feeling anything: guilt, sorrow, satisfaction, but it still made him think.
He wasn’t used to this! He wasn’t used to thinking about other people. And he wasn’t used to wanting to make them feel good. Okay, he was used to making people feel sexually good, but not emotionally.
He didn’t know how to do that!
Sighing, Adrian picked up the plate of food, now spoiled and brought it back into the kitchen. It had been a few hours since he laid her on the carpets in the playroom and fell asleep wrapped around her.
He just couldn’t sleep anymore. Something ate at him. Fuck, could be his damn conscience. He kept telling Thane he didn’t have one, but maybe he had been wrong.
He dumped the crap in the garbage and turned around to see Thanatos leaving their bedroom.
“She’s in the play room. Might want to put her in bed.” He suggested. They’d have to have a talk sooner or later. He needed to figure out why his insides were so damn tight. Why he wanted to make sure that Phie was alright. He hadn’t hurt her. He knew that. But, she could still be upset. He had said some things to her, things that just came out.
It wasn’t like he was used to thinking before he spoke. Fuck, he wasn’t used to thinking before he did anything.
It was just another reason that he shouldn’t be in a relationship.
Woah, buddy. Slow down there! What they hell was he thinking? Relationship?
That was a load of crap! Sure, he loved her large tits, and her fuckable ass. Yeah, he wanted to sink himself inside her every time he saw her. Shit, it’d be nice to have her chained to the bed 24/7 so he could just fuck her any time he wanted to. Lick her up maybe while she sucked Thane off.
Sin shook his head. What was he thinking about again? Oh yea! The fact that he never ever wanted to be in a relationship. That curbed his behaviours and forced him to act a specific way. He didn’t want that. Too much responsibility.
But, watching Death carry her brown sugar body off to bed, her head resting so securely against his chest as if she trusted him with her life, caused his insides to do something funny. And watching Thane look down into her beautiful kissable face, as if his happiness hinged on that girl’s every look… shit! Was Thane that attached to her?
It sure looked like he wanted to keep her.
And why not? She likes you guys. You guys like her. Wouldn’t be a hardship. Besides, you don’t see getting tired of her any time soon.
That thought stuck, like some thorn into a part of his mind that still hoped. That part that he labeled Adrian. It was insistent, and raw, but he pushed it away.
It wouldn’t happen. They would get tired of her, and then she’d leave and they’d find another hot piece of ass to fuck.
And he ignored how wrong that thought felt.
When Thane came back, they started picking up the pieces of the cave. They cleaned and put away the weapons that they had considered and discarded. They picked up the holsters and packs. They put the cushions back on the couch—because really it had been a stupid place to look for the sheath in the first place.
It was amazing what panic could do to rational people.
So he wasn’t always rational. He lost things all the time. He acted quickly, reacted instinctually, but he always thought clearly as he did it. It was how he fought with that the fluidity of motion that he did.
He was an amazing fighter. Kicked tons of ass! But this was totally different! He had been out of his mind! He had dropped his knife twice when trying to put it on before charging to Phie’s aid. And Mr. Calm hadn’t been any better.
He hated that feeling. It expanded inside, but still left him feeling empty somehow. Like the emotion itself was hollow. And it made him make mistakes. Fuck, he still wasn’t sure what happened.
After they were done, Adrian sat back on the couch while Thane leaned up against the wall. Watching, waiting. He was one patient motherfucker! And Sin never really lied to him. Never held back. But, he knew that St. Thanatos would be pissed at how he treated their sub.
He hadn’t even given her aftercare.
“She couldn’t sleep. We used the St. Andrews.” He murmured, stretching his body out. Fuck, he wanted to train, wanted to fight. He needed to do something!
And if he got his ass whipped, then maybe he’d stop feeling so bad. “I used a plug. One of the new ones. It was superhot! She loved it actually. I’m sure she won’t mind a little anal in the future. She’ll freak for the DP stuff though.”
And wasn’t he happy about that!
Not that he had any doubt. He could make anyone love anything he did to their body!
Thanatos just grunted, but when Sin looked up, he could see the heat in his friend’s eyes. Oh yeah! It wouldn’t be long now!
As long as she still wants you.
As if she wouldn’t!
“Fuck, Thane. I was pissed. On edge, at first, and then shit-eating pissed! She didn’t just want me. And, I kind of flipped out. I was rough. I mean
.. I’m normally rough so that’s no biggy. She wanted me still. She got off a few times. It was great. But… I just feel sort of horrible.” Sin’s eyes had drifted as they spoke.
He didn’t talk about his feelings. He knew that Thane couldn’t understand.
Finally when he looked back, he could see the exasperated expression on the big man’s face. He obviously wasn’t too impressed by Sin’s reassurance.
“I know what you’re thinking. But I swear she’s all good. No bruises or anything. I didn’t even spank her when she forgot to do the slave position.”
For a moment, Thane looked discomforted. Fuck, he was so easy to read.
“I know you would have spanked her. I would have too. But really, she had just been taken and I thought to go easy on her. I made her go into the other room and do it while I got the food.” At Thane’s raised eyebrow, Sin shook his head. “No, I didn’t end up feeding her. She... looked to the door and then I sort of flipped out. Forgot all about the food. I would have left her there, but she seduced me.”
He had been… fuck. He had been jealous.
Sin was man enough to admit it. Even if he hated every second of the admission!
He didn’t get jealous. He didn’t care if someone wanted Thane more.
But with Sophia is was different.
He stood, hating to have this convo sitting. He needed something to do. Anything.
“I made her wait, and used her. But... fuck I didn’t give aftercare. She fell asleep so I put her where you found her and let her sleep. I don’t fucking know! I was mad… and I’m still mad. Maybe we should cut back on this. She’s getting too close. I don’t like it.”
A growl sounded behind him, and he turned to see Thane standing straight, his muscles tense. “I’m not a fucking coward!” he tossed back, seeing the sensor in the black eyes.
No, he wasn’t a coward. He just liked things how he liked them. And this wasn’t it! He had a right to be happy, too. This was too fucking complicated.
“Never mind. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. It doesn’t matter. We’ll deal. And no, I don’t want to know how you feel. I can tell. And yes! Don’t deny it. You are actually feeling something. And remember, you don’t like emotions!”
If he could get Thanatos to remember that. If he could use it against him. Maybe then Death would be on his side. He didn’t like to be opposed on this.
“Now, let’s make something for her to eat. We should give her some aftercare. Maybe a bath. Then she’ll be hungry. We’ll talk to her when she’s all good and learn what the fuck happened while she was gone!”
No one got away from the big man downstairs unless the Devil wanted them to.
***
Phie woke up not long after that and Sin was glad that she didn’t seem to be holding anything against him. She seemed a little reserved, but that might be because she was tired. It was fucking difficult to keep time down here and she couldn’t know if it was night or day. And time moved differently. Besides, he had worn her out the night before.
Oh, had he ever! He was still feeling it! It was the best orgasm he’d ever had. He’d come so fucking hard!
But, he understood the need for aftercare. At least now that he’d bathed her, he did. And, it was actually kind of great.
Sure, he didn’t get sex out of it. Not yet. However, he got to touch her creamy skin all over. He got to run his hand through her tresses. And this time he got to shave her. Yeah, that didn’t sound too sexy but to know that she gave him the trust with a razor on her body. The fact that he could do whatever he wanted to take care of her. It was a good high.
And he got to shave her privates too, fix her up so that everything was super awesome. And extra sensitive to his touch.
And then after that, they all got dressed before he watched Thane feed her again. It was such a domestic sight, and he was struck with how right it felt. He liked knowing that they were seeing to her needs. Liked that they were fueling her body for the day.
Shit, he shouldn’t be thinking this! But he couldn’t help it! It was just super nice to see her being taken care of, knowing that his partner was there to make sure everything would be good if he couldn’t.
Now that she was sated, at least with food, he had to bring up the topic that she seemed to be avoiding. “Phie. We need to talk now. I know, you don’t want to, but we need to know what happened. From the beginning.”
When she looked around, Sin rolled his eyes. She had to get over this! She could talk! Well… whisper. He heard it every time they had sex. She would whisper cute little things that made him harder, and yet, she wouldn’t talk now.
“Fine, you can use the tablet.” He figured that way they’d get some answers. And quickly.
Sin stood and got the tablet. He handed it to her before taking his seat back. Thane was not going to release his bundle of sexy flesh. Sin wouldn’t either if he didn’t have to! But he got to touch her when she was all wet and soapy, so who was he to complain?
“Now… what went on, chica? Don’t leave us hanging.”
Phie sighed, and he wanted to kiss that pouting mouth. She could be as put-out as she wanted, but she’d still tell them. He’d make sure of that.
I was taken by those… alien things. I forget what they are called. And I. She stopped, and then started to write again, I guess I hallucinated. It was like being taken by aliens. It was horrible. Well, I’m sure you don’t really care, but it was really bad. Then I met the Devil. He was nice.
She just bet he was. The guy did anything to get his way. He lied and cajoled people into getting what he wanted. And it seemed like he got what he wanted from her. Whatever that was.
“Sure. What did he say? What did he ask? I don’t care about his hair colour. I just want to know what you both agreed to.” And damn, if he didn’t want to know absolutely everything. There was no way that the Devil didn’t take advantage of her somehow.
He said that he knew why I was there. He asked me what I wanted.
Why the heck did she pause? And why did she look so uncertain. Sin was ready to spank her if she didn’t get on with it.
Thane tightened his hold, and he could see the big man running his thumb across her skin. So close to her breast. If only she wasn’t wearing a shirt! Why didn’t he insist that they eat naked?
“Out with it! Every minute you aren’t writing, you get one spank. I let you off easy last night. I won’t let it go again.” And so what if his voice was a little breathy as he commanded her. As if he should pretend that the idea of reddening her shapely ass wasn’t turning him on!
I’m not holding back. I just don’t know what you want to know! I told him, in specific words that I want my sister to be alive, to live another 80 years and that she can walk and talk normally. He agreed. That was it.
But it wasn’t it. He could tell by the way she bit her plump bottom lip. The same red lip that he wanted to kiss, wanted to nip. The question was, why was she lying?
“For that lie, you get 5. Do you want to go up from there? We won’t stop at 10. We know that you like them, and we won’t pacify you. Tell us what you traded for. He never does anything for free.”
Have you met him, then? She asked, and Sin didn’t even have to think about it.
“No. He doesn’t walk around. He doesn’t interact much. He has powers to get what he wants done, and it happens. He keeps populations low and has Demons to serve him. No reason for either of us to want to have a heart to heart with the table-fucker. I don’t want to ever come close to him. Fucking ass-strainer! Now, we are up to 10. Stop putting it off.”
Then again, it didn’t look like his threat was working too well. She didn’t seem to mind the spanking. Maybe he’d have to switch it up a little. He could always decorate her lovely tits with the clover clamps. That’d be nice.
It sucked that Phie started to write again. But… he could always do it anyways. Didn’t have to be a punishment.
He asked me to find his young daughter.
And, he wants me to keep her until she is 20, then bring her to him.
Yeah, piece of fucking cake! It wasn’t like he was saying ‘hey, do my sister’ or ‘rock my world’.
No! He wanted something difficult and ambiguous!
She’d never get it done on her own! But did he want to help her? To stay with her longer? Maybe, maybe not. Okay… so he definitely did!
Now that I answered your questions, can we get to the spanking now?
As if he’d say no!
23
“You haven’t been able to contact Adrian or Thanatos yet, have you?” Gage asked, watching the people in front of him. They were clumsy, useless and they had no idea what they were doing. How Axel ever let this go on, he didn’t understand.
This was Sasha’s team’s third week of training, and they were no better than they had been before. At first, Connor’s men had taken them down no problem, and now they still surrendered to the Humans. It was weak and pathetic.
The only person who could hold their own was the Vampire Marco, however Steel did his best to take the man down. They obviously blamed him for the change in their leader.
Eden trembled beside Gage, her eyes on the ground as if the fight was too much for her. The Berserker knew that it wasn’t the fight that the Succubus was afraid of, but him. “No. They, umm. They haven’t answered any of the messages that we left. That’s fairly normal for them… Sir. They don’t get reception in Hell. And…well, time is different there.” The short woman explained, as if trying to stop some verbal assault that might be coming.
“I know. We should get them into a contract. We need them in the Hunters. They do not have enough responsibilities as freelance mercenaries. Our association would be improved if we could get them working for us.” Since they started this operation, Thane and Sin had worked for them—with them—a lot. They helped where they were needed. It might have made the difference between Connor being Human or Vampire if they had agreed to be backup for Connor’s team.
