Out of The Shadows (Shadows Ascending Trilogy Book 2)

by Jenn D. Young

  “Stop manhandling me and get to the next song,” I whispered, but the mic caught and amplified the words. The crowd roared with laughter, but Vincent just gave me a knowing smile.

  “You must excuse them folks. They are a little wrapped up in each other right now,” Nicolae said into his microphone. I shot him a half hearted glare and took a step back from Vincent.

  I surprised myself by staying on stage and playing through the rest of the show. After the final song, we bowed and exited. I was riding on a wave of euphoria and excitement. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, making my hands shake as I put my violin back in its case.

  Nicolae shouted loudly and wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up to spin in a circle. I yelped and placed my hands on his shoulders for support as he carried me through the dressing room.

  “Our new band member!”

  “Nicolae, I’m starting to get dizzy. Put me down!” I could barely hear over the shouts of the other band members.

  He grunted and I was thrown in the air. I sailed through the air, panicking that I would fall before familiar arms caught me.

  “I think I will let that pass just the one time, Nicolae.” Vincent said as he placed me back on my feet, but his arm lingered around my waist.

  I laughed as Nicolae held up his hand and I slapped his palm. “You are one badass violin chick.”

  “Thanks. It was really fun to play like that in front of a crowd. Before—" I hesitated, searching for the words. I swallowed thickly and gathered myself. “Before I was turned I was part of a symphony, but this type of music has always been more my speed.”

  Damius looked from Vincent to me and back. “You are incredibly talented. I think you are even able to manipulate sound waves to influence emotions. I could feel the power coming off you as you played.” He sounded serious and a scowl appeared on his face. His red eyes were puzzled as he regarded Vincent, his gaze never turning back toward me.

  I tilted my head up to Vincent, the smile falling off my face at the seriousness of his expression.

  “Dude, we can worry about all that shit later. Can we just celebrate the first show we’ve played in years before we go all doom and gloom?” Nicolae reached out and grabbed Damius’ shoulder, giving it a slight shake.

  Vincent and Damius were staring at each other intently. I could tell they were conversing mentally, but I was unable to hear the words through my own mental connection to Vincent. He was blocking me out somehow.

  “For once let’s listen to Nicolae and just enjoy the evening.” Vincent’s stern voice followed by Damius’ nod had Nicolae cheering once again.

  “Damn right. You should listen to me more often,” Nicolae agreed, smirking as if he had just won the most important battle.

  Kaniul appeared in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. I don’t think I had ever seen a bigger smile on his face. Vincent took a step back and allowed Kaniul to take me in a tight hug. “You were brilliant.” He placed a light kiss on my temple, his amber eyes sparkling with moisture as he gazed down at me.

  Drya came dancing in next, holding two bottles of champagne. “To celebrate! Then your anxious fans await their first meet and greet with the newbie.” She passed around glasses and poured the bubbling liquid.

  She handed me a flute with a smile and I took a small sip. I could hear the crowd chanting, cheering for us. It was a heady feeling. Empowering. Addicting. Utterly intoxicating. Something that I could definitely get used to.

  Vincent wrapped his arms around me from behind and laid his chin on top of my head. “Now you know why I keep performing after all these years.”

  I sighed and leaned back into his solid body, fingers tangling with his across my stomach. The talk faded around me and I closed my eyes, relaxing. I started humming a new rhythm, mentally taking notes to write it down later. I traced the patterns of the tattoos along his forearms, enjoying the way that his skin felt under my fingertips. My body cried out for more of his touches. To be connected with him in a deeper, soul fulling way, but I couldn’t rationalize what exactly that meant or looked like.

  A deep shudder racked Vincent’s body behind me. He swept away the hair from my neck and placed a lingering kiss over my pulse point before muttering, “Let’s go greet the masses.”

  Damius, Nicolae, Drya, and Vincent, and as well as the other band members Ashton and Galen, walked out to roars of applause.

  I could get used to this.

  ******

  After talking and smiling at people for what seemed like forever, music began to pump through the speakers from a pre-recorded playlist. I felt my body moving along with the dark gothic industrial tones.

  “Dance with me,” Vincent whispered in my ear, and roughly grabbed my hips to bring my back to his front. His hands settled on my waist and guided my movements. His lips pressed against my neck and my head fell back to lean against his shoulder as we moved to the heady beat. Our hips moved together, his erection pressing firmly against my backside.

  I spun around and wrapped my arms around his neck. A strong thigh slipped between my legs as we never lost our rhythm. His eyes, still white from the contacts, blazed with intensity as he stared down at me. Pure need shone in those stunning depths. My breath left my body in rapid gasps as his leg rubbed me in all the right ways.

  My fingers tangled in his hair and I brought my lips up to meet his. Our tongues danced as our bodies molded together. The crowd faded and the only thing that existed and mattered was his hands on my body. I needed him desperately. Now.

  “Can we leave?” I asked, my voice barely more than a husky whisper against his lips.

  His mouth curled into a wicked smile as he uttered a simple, “Yes.”

  Chapter 4

  Vincent

  She was undoubtedly perfect as her hands curled in my hair and our mouths clashed together in a fierce kiss. When she whispered those words against my lips, asking if we could leave, I fought the growl that bubbled in my throat. My hands tightened against her hips as her blue eyes sparkled at me, darkened with passion.

  We untangled our limbs, and with a hand on the small of her back, I guided her to the back room where we could teleport out unnoticed.

  I sent a knowing glance over to Nicolae and Damius to let them know we were leaving. Nicolae was sandwiched between two blonde vampires who were running their hands over his body. He looked to be enjoying himself very much. Damius was standing in a corner, observing. He never participated in the after concert activities, always just watched and surveyed.

  “Friday at sundown in the main meeting room. It will be Adreon, Kaniul, Nicolae and I. We will get to the bottom of this.” He lifted the corner of his mouth, showing off the tip of his fangs. “Have fun until then. I know I don’t need to warn you again about claiming her, but please do try and restrain yourself.”

  “You don’t need to, yet you warn me all the same. I know we need to defeat The Syndicate before I secure our bond,” I scoffed.

  “We also need to learn of her origins. Do not say the words, Vincent. I know your soul is crying for the bond, but keep those damn words off your tongue.” His eyebrows rose as he pinned me with a knowing glare.

  I flipped him off as I closed the door and sent us back to my home.

  I watched Lorelei as she shuddered slightly as our feet planted on the lush carpet of my room. My arms tightened around her before drawing back to look at her face.

  “Getting easier every time, isn’t it?” I couldn’t help the smile as I teased her.

  She just nodded as her icy blue eyes sparkled. I placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. “I’m going to take a quick shower to wash off all this makeup.” My hands swept down her face to settle on her waist. “I’ll be right back,” I said against her lips.

  Her whimper made my cock even harder and it was torture to walk away from her, but I needed to take out these damned contacts and wash my face. I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her, but I didn’t want to dirty her with makeup.
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  Those blazing eyes trailed after me as I shed my clothing as I stalked toward the bathroom. First my shirt fell to the floor. Then my belt. And finally, my pants joined the pile on the floor. Clad only in my boxer briefs, I entered the bathroom and turned on the tap to allow hot water to filter in the shower stall. I made quick work of removing the contacts and placing them in their protective case and shoving them away in the drawer.

  Lorelei’s hesitant steps echoed on the tile floor as I entered the shower. Damn, her watching me shower was going to be one of the hottest things I had ever experienced. Slicking my hair back, I glanced over to see her seated up on the countertop. Her stare was intense as she nibbled on her bottom lip.

  I scrubbed at my face quickly before a wicked idea sprang into my head, causing a grin to appear over my face. All traces of makeup, sweat and grime gone from my body after my swift scrub, I moved my hands over my torso and down to my groin. A swift intake of breath from Lorelei was all I heard as I wrapped my palm around my shaft and pumped with several firm strokes.

  “Are you ready for this Theera?” I growled, turning my glowing eyes on her.

  The sight of her flushed cheeks and bottom lip swollen from her ministrations caused me to throw my head back and groan. “Vincent,” she breathed out my name, her voice strained with desire.

  Urgently, I flipped off the water to the shower and jerked open the door. Not bothering to grab a towel, I ate up the distance between us in three short strides and slammed my mouth down on hers. My tongue dueled with hers as her nails bit into the skin of my back. Water dripped from my hair and down our bodies as I frantically tore at her clothing. She was gloriously naked within seconds, the clothing scattered on the bathroom floor in fractured rags.

  “I’ve been waiting for this for so long, Theera. You are finally mine.” I trailed my lips up to her ear and whispered “I will claim you.” My fangs nibbled on the soft skin of her earlobe. “I will taste you and own you. Make you mine in every way.”

  Her entire body shuddered against me, her legs parting and wrapping around my hips and aligning her core with my hard erection. I groaned at the feeling of her slick folds. “Fuck, baby. You are so wet for me.”

  “Vincent, please. I’ve been waiting for this for so long.” Her small hands clutched at the strands of my damp hair. Her hips moved against mine, spreading her wetness all along my cock. “I need you,” she keened.

  “You will have me. Just be patient,” I chuckled against her soft lips. My arms wrapped tightly around her bottom as I lifted her from the counter and carried her to my bed. I would be damned if I made our first time be on the bathroom counter. I wanted my mate to have everything. She deserved the absolute best for our first time together. It was to be special.

  Gods, I sounded like such a sap.

  She bounced as I tossed her down on the mattress. Her giggles were quickly cut off as I sauntered toward the bed and climbed over top of her. Blue eyes clouded with lust as her pupils expanded and her lips parted on a deep exhale. I placed open mouth kisses down her body, alternating between nips of my teeth and soothing them with a swipe of my tongue.

  When I reached her nipple, Lorelei was tugging at my hair so hard I was sure that she would rip away handfuls from my scalp. I took the taunt bud into my mouth, lapping and swirling with my tongue as my fingertips traced up the outside of her thighs. My hands parted her legs and sought her wet folds, teasing them with the lightest of touches.

  “More,” she breathed. “I need more. Please.”

  “Patience, little one.” I bit down on her nipple. My fangs pierced the tender flesh and I drew her essence into my body and moaned in delight at the taste. Her blood set my senses on fire. Igniting every spark inside of me, making me feel whole and alive again. Until I could bind us together with the bonding words, this would have to be enough.

  A swipe of my tongue sealed the small pin pricks and my mouth moved further down her body. Over her belly to hover over her weeping core. My hands wrapped around her thighs and parted them further, urging her to settle her legs over my shoulders. “I am going to savor your taste,” I growled.

  My tongue darted out and gave her one long lick from her entrance up to her clit. Her harsh moans and pants were my reward as I lapped at the tender bud, circling it then teasing it with my teeth. The muscles in her legs quivered against me as I petted her entrance with a finger before gliding it gently inside of her waiting channel.

  Fuck. She was so tight. And I had only put one finger in her. Her hips canted against my face as I alternated a rhythm of my tongue and fingers, drawing out her pleasure. I pushed a second finger inside of her hot pussy and flattened my tongue against her engorged clit. She wailed and pushed even harder against my face as I felt her start to shatter from my ministrations.

  “That’s it. Come for me,” I muttered against her damp flesh and doubled my efforts. My fingers hooked and rubbed against the spot that made her explode around me, screaming my name.

  “Fuck. You come so beautifully on my tongue. You taste like perfection.” My growl was low, vibrating against her clit as she shuddered from aftershocks.

  “Vincent,” she cried out again. “Please fuck me. I need you now.”

  My smile was full of a dark promise as I crawled up her body and pressed my lips against hers and aligned our bodies together. She moaned as she tasted herself on my tongue. Her legs wrapped tightly around my hips. I reached down between our bodies and fit the head of my rock-hard cock against her swollen entrance. She was so wet and hot, I groaned at the sensation as I pushed slowly inside her welcoming body.

  “Yes, please. More,” she cried out. Her small nails dug into my back and the coppery tang of blood filled my nostrils as she pierced my flesh. Even though I wanted to ram my shaft inside of her, fill her fast and hard until both of us were panting and gasping out our release, I couldn’t take her that way this time.

  So, I took my time. Allowing her body to adjust to my length until I groaned in relief as I was finally fully inside of her. My forehead pressed into hers as I drew my hips back and thrust firmly back inside of her hot body. Lorelei screamed, her ankles locking around me at the small of my back and meeting me thrust for thrust.

  Frantic, my pace grew erratic as sweat dripped between us. My breathing increased and her cries grew louder and louder. I slipped my hand down and rubbed the pad of my thumb against her swollen clit and she shattered around me. Her tight channel milked my dick until I buried my head in the curve of her neck and bit down into her flesh as I came in a burst inside of her.

  I took a few swallows of her rich blood before pulling back and sealing the wounds. My mouth found hers and we kissed frantically as the aftershocks racked us until our pulses finally slowed.

  “My Theera,” I said as I pushed away the damp strands of hair from her forehead. Her smile was warm and dreamy as she gazed up at me.

  “My demon,” she answered, her eyes fluttering shut and a sigh of contentment leaving her lips.

  I gently rolled to my side and pulled her into my arms. Her hand settled over my chest and traced over the edges of my tattoos. A smile tugged at my lips as her breathing evened out and she fell into a restful sleep.

  *******

  The small whimper that escaped her throat brought me back to consciousness. I tightened my arms around her and brushed the hair from her face. She was curled into my body, cheek resting on my chest with an arm tucked under her chin. One of her legs was entwined in mine and her foot rested on one of my calves.

  “Stop moving. I don’t want to get up yet. I’m comfy.” Her voice was foggy with sleep as she groaned. That sound sent blood running south. She shifted slightly, her thigh brushing along my groin causing a hiss to leave my lips.

  “You need to be the one to stop moving then or I will pin you underneath me,” I growled, wrapping her hair around my fingers to pull her head back. She nipped on her bottom lip as her eyes heated and she leaned over my chest.

  “What abou
t if I pin you?” She threw a leg over my hips and sat up straddling me.

  I laughed as I grabbed her hips and rolled her beneath me. I deftly secured her wrists beneath my hands and her legs wrapped themselves around my waist. “You can try,” I whispered in her ear as I dragged my fangs along the soft shell. I inhaled her scent as I trailed kisses down to the creamy skin of her throat.

  “Vincent, please.”

  The sound and feel of her begging made me groan. “We have to meet Damius and Adreon in an hour.” I drew back to bring my lips to hers.

  She whimpered, but then a wicked grin flashed across her flushed face. “So I suggest we be productive and shower.”

  I smiled, rolling off the bed before gathering her in my arms and carrying her into the bathroom.

  Chapter 5

  Lorelei

  I held tight to Vincent as he teleported us to the meeting room outside the council chambers. I tried not to show it, but I was nervous. Really nervous. My life was slowly being rewritten and pieces of my past were revealing themselves. How would my bloodlines change the picture that emerged?

  If I found out who my father was, would I ever get to meet him?

  So many questions were rolling through my mind that I didn’t even notice the arctic chill as we appeared in the formal receiving room.

  Vincent looked at me. Concern was etched in the harsh set of his lips and the narrowing of his eyes. “You ready? We don’t have to do this today if you don’t want to.”

  I shook my head. “No, I need to know.”

  He nodded and took my hand as Damius and Adreon came through the door.

  Adreon nodded to Vincent and smiled at me. “Thank you for coming, Lorelei. I know that what you are going through is confusing. Hopefully we will be able to find some answers soon.”