by Claire Marta
They soon stopped by another door. Glancing nervously inside Jasmine found herself in a library. Simon looked up startled from where he sat reading. He looked tired and oddly pale. Confusion creased his face and he looked bewildered by their presence.
Jasmine’s unease went up a notch. Gaze darting around, she noted the sturdy metal candelabras on a table and a bureau. They would do as make-shift weapons if needed.
“Come.” Vilem gestured to a chaise lounge in a corner. The material was striped green and black.
Trying not to panic, she crossed the room. No one had ever bitten her apart from Eric. The pleasure from his bite was unbelievable. Would it be the same? Vilem sat down, his attention never leaving her once. When she drew closer, he patted the spot beside him. Reluctantly Jasmine plonked herself down.
Jakul stood hovering over them. He was so close she could feel the brush of his trousers against her bare knees. This she found intimidating. With him in the way it would make it harder to get away if she needed to flee. Jasmine licked her suddenly dry lips. She didn’t want to get horny with this freaky pair of twins. They just left her cold.
Vilem grasped her arm tightly and pulled it up. His skin was icy cold, which could only mean he hadn’t fed yet tonight. Jasmine’s sixth sense began tinkling in her head. It was a soft sound, but insistent. Heartbeat increasing her breathing quickened in anxiety.
The touch of the vampire’s chilly lips against her skin made her shiver. They felt so wrong. Lacked the warm sensual-ness Eric’s had. Vilem wasted no time sinking in his fangs into her upper forearm.
Pain exploded through Jasmine’s veins. Sharp tearing, it felt like her wrist was being torn in two. Crying out, she tried to yank her arm away, but he held her in a vice like grip. Jakul was suddenly there pushing her down. Struggling frantically, she couldn’t stop him as he pinned her flat. Heart going into overdrive it pummelled violently against her ribs.
“Where is Sonia?” Jakul hissed.
Twisting and turning, Jasmine tried in vain to wriggle free. Pain shot up her arm as Vilem continued to feed. The sensation increased with every pull of blood he drank greedily down.
“You were the last to see her, and you didn’t have those bruises before you left the house.” Jakul’s lips were curled in a sneer. “Tell me now, and my brother will spare you more suffering.”
Breathing hard, a shriek of fear left Jasmine’s throat. Most of it was smothered though, as Vilem’s free hand crashed down over her mouth.
“You’re hurting her.” Simon’s voice was high with shock across the room. “Vilem, stop leave her alone...she has done nothing wrong.”
Then Jakul was suddenly no longer holding her down. Jasmine blinked in pained confusion. Asier loomed menacingly behind Vilem, his hand resting on the back of the other vampire’s neck.
Vilem froze.
“I suggest you release her, before I am forced to insult your Mistress by ending you.” Asier warned in a deadly soft tone.
Power simmered around him. Jasmine felt it lick against her senses in a scorching heated caress. Vilem pulled his fangs from her flesh sending pain jabbed up her forearm. The wounds he left were ragged and bleeding. Distress flashed in the depths of her gaze, as a whimper left her lips. She was trembling, as she pressed her arm to her chest, the fang marks beginning to throb.
Asier’s finger tightened around his captive’s neck. His glance skimmed over her, assessing. Their eyes met and held for the briefest of moments. Then Jasmine looked away. With a flick of his wrist, the Italian sent Vilem flying. He crashed into the wall with a thud, destroying an antique chair in the process.
The twin did not try to get up. Instead he remained sprawled in the destruction of splinter wood, eyes locked warily on the London Master. Words in Czech were spat from Vilem’s lips. Jasmine guessed it was swearing by the way the vampires around her stiffened.
Curling back his lips, Asier growled at the fallen vampire. “Jasmine was with me the evening that companion disappeared and things got a little rough between us. I gave her those bruises.”
Vilem’s eyes shot wary and wide. Glancing towards her, he looked for confirmation. Jasmine jerked her head up and down. She wasn’t about to deny Asier’s lie. If it meant getting out of there, she would have agreed with anything.
When Asier then moved to scoop her up, she shrank back. She couldn’t help the automatic reaction. Fear made her wary. Her arm was painfully sore and light-headedness was making her dizzy.
“I’m not going to hurt you Jasmine.” He assured her calmly. “Trust me – fidati di me per favore.”
Movements slow and unthreatening he lifted her gently. One arm went under her knees, the other around her shoulders. A strange sense of safeness rolled over Jasmine’s mind. The heat of his chest through his shirt began to chase the chill from her flesh. Resting her cheek against it, she could hear the reassuring thud of his heart.
Asier pulled her closer. The smell of cinnamon wove itself around her, relaxing her a little more. Turning towards the door, he began to carry her out. This was when she saw what had happened to the other twin. Asier had not been alone.
Kane had Jakul shoved up against a wall. The muscle bound giant was watching them, a hint of sympathy in his stare. His hand around the other vampire’s neck began to clench causing Jakul’s eyes to widen in fear. The moment they passed though Kane let him go.
With a smirk the giant vamp fell into step. No one stood in their way. In fact several vampires scurried aside with fearful looks. Asier didn’t even spare them a glance. With confident steps, he carried her up the staircase.
“Where are we going?” Jasmine asked numbly. A burning had started in her arm and she knew that shock had set in.
Asier looked down at her with concern. “My room, where I can look at the damage Vilem has done.”
The room was similar to the one she and Eric were staying in. This one however was in shades of purple. Lavender silk sheets graced the bed with darker shades for the blankets and cushions. The Italian vampire wasted no time in lowering her onto the bed.
Jasmine lay docile and shivering. Blood stained her arm where the ragged bite marks still oozed. She knew that she had been lucky. If Vilem’s saliva hadn’t kicked in to start healing the damage, then she could have easily bled out. Asier stood watching her. The worry on his beautiful face had deepened.
“Kane, go and find Conall.” He murmured without turning. “Explain to him what has happened and that Jasmine is now here. I do not want any misunderstandings between us and Eric.”
The soft click of the door closing followed his words.
Moving fluidly towards a tan leather suit case resting on a chair, he slipped open the lid. A moment later he was back beside the bed.
“Here cara drink this, it will help.” Asier told her. With a hand on her shoulder, he helped her sit up.
A small metal hip flask was clutched in his hand. Without wasting time he held it gently to her lips. Jasmine took a gulp. Heat burned down her throat. The alcohol was potent and strong, flowing down it warmed her stomach. Coughing, she pushed the flask away.
“What the fuck is that?” She questioned between coughs.
“Brandy. It will help with shock.” Screwing the lid back on, he discarded it on the bedside table.
The taste still lingered in her mouth. Using the heel of her hand she whipped her lips clean. Asier folded himself down gracefully to sit on the edge of the bed. Suddenly feeling nervous, she looked anywhere but him.
Her eyes landed on the selection of daggers, knifes and blades, which were laid out neatly on a table. The dagger he had taken from her in the alley was in the pile. She had been wondering what had become of it. Now she knew.
“A passion of mine,” Asier answered her unspoken question as he followed her gaze. “I collect them.”
“The bladed snake, now it makes sense. I thought it was just your snake tattoo.”
The vampire laughed. “That is my nickname – si – but it is
not just a snake. It is an Ouroboros.”
Jasmine frowned in confusion. “A what?”
“A symbol for the cycle of life, death, rebirth and immortality.” He explained with patient amusement.
“And the tattoo on your forearm?” She asked now curious. “What does that one mean?”
The vampire flashed a small tight smile. “Something I wish not to talk about this evening. Perhaps another time.”
Pain still throbbed through her arm. Blood was flowing slowly from the puncture marks. With a hiss of discomfort, she held it tighter against her chest.
“I didn’t know a vamp’s bite could hurt so fucking much.”
Her change in conversation didn’t seem to faze him. “The pleasure from our bite is to subdue our prey. It is something that has to be learned or feeding will cause pain. Let me see.”
Hesitantly she offered her arm. Cradling it gently with one big hand, Asier examined it carefully. With careful fingers he probed the area. “The pain will fade, but I need to heal this to be sure.”
Nervously Jasmine nibbled on her lower lip. “Have you ever given a pain bite?”
“Yes, but only when deserved.” He told her solemnly. “Pain is something I enjoy, especially when it enhances pleasure, but it is something I would never use on a lover or a blood donor.”
His fangs descended smoothly in his mouth as he talked. Jasmine could not repress the shudder of fear. Jerking back her arm, anxiety began to grip her.
“Don’t be frightened piccola.” Asier murmured quietly. “You are safe.” Reaching out he gently reclaimed his hold on her.
Raising his own wrist, Asier pierced the tip of one fang into his flawless olive skin. Leaning forwards, he allowed drops of blood to drip onto the deep bite marks on her flesh. The wounds burnt. Whimpering Jasmine tried to tug her arm away. Asier though held it firm. After a second, the damage was healed.
The vampire licked the trail of blood that had escaped down his forearm in one long swipe. His eyes were unwavering from hers. Crimson red glinted in the soft light off the gem in the ring he wore.
“The twin’s seem to think I have something to do with the killer, but I don’t.” Jasmine muttered as she watched him.
Asier gently released her arm. “This nest is thick with secrets. It looks like they all suspected each other of being the Ripper.”
His attention dropped down to her breasts as he spoke and lingered for a moment. She knew the little triangles of yellow material barely covered her nipples. Jasmine flushed with embarrassment. Raising her arms, she crossed them over her chest to hide herself.
Amusement fluttered across Asier’s beautiful features. “Although you have lovely little tits cara, I was looking at the blood you smeared all over your top.”
“Oh.” Lowering her arms, Jasmine looked down. The vampire was right. A dark stain covered the material, which covered her left breast. It wasn’t much, but to vampires it was probably just as powerful as catnip. She couldn’t take the chance.
“You can’t wander around like that.” He told with a wink. Going to the chest of drawers, he pulled out a white shirt. Once more sitting beside her on the bed, he presented it to her. The material was silky and smooth, it looked expensive. Holding it in her hands, her fingertips stroked the garment.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to stain it.” Jasmine asked with uncertainty.
A half smile curved his lips. “Keep it. It’s yours.”
Carefully she tugged it on. Her fingers were shaking as she did up the buttons. The smell of cinnamon thickened around her. Asier’s scent was all over it.
“Eric needs to be more careful. Leaving you unprotected is not wise. Your innocent responses make you very tempting for us.”
“He got called away by Lida.” She told him rolling up the arms of the shirt. Remaining blood was already soiling the pristine white.
Asier frowned darkly. “Then he should have left you with Conall, Kane or me.”
Jasmine sighed. “That’s kind of irrelevant now isn’t it?”
“You know what I am, don’t you.”
His soft words startled her. The vamp obviously hadn’t forgotten earlier. Fuck. Maybe he really was a Vampiria.
Jasmine’s gaze slid from his. “You’re a vampire.”
One fine eyebrow rose slightly in response. “Jasmine, I am old enough to recognize when something is different. You bella are not just a human…you seem attuned to things, sensitive.”
She began to shift uncomfortably on the bed. “I really don’t know what you mean Asier.”
“Very well, we will play your game of denial.” He began to lean a little closer, the sensual smile on his mouth growing. “But you are not the usual type of female Eric has hanging from his arm.”
That snagged her full attention. “Oh really?”
“No, you lack the sophistication, the worldliness.”
Jasmine suddenly felt like slapping him. “Well thank you fucking very much.”
The smile dropped from the Italian’s face. His expression became serious. “I do not mean it as an insult, far from it. In fact I can see why he likes you.”
Asier was suddenly way too close, his breath whispered against her lips. The vampire’s eyes had turned into limpid pools of violet. So clear, so translucent, that Jasmine found herself drowning in their depths. They seemed endless. She felt the pull of an unknown force and then that’s when she saw it.
A raw, hungry lust.
Jasmine found she couldn’t look away. She was trapped. Magic she had sensed before ensnaring and magnetic, fluttered across her senses, drawing her a few inches closer. The brush of Asier’s mouth began to tease her own. He kissed her lightly, sweetly.
Breathing quickening, she ached for more. He was trying to gentle her again. As if afraid she would spook and run. Fleeing was suddenly the furthest thing from her mind. She wanted to taste all of him, the breath from his lungs and the full sweetness of his mouth. Excitement became a liquid heat inside her.
Asier’s chest was rising and falling just as quickly. Jasmine sensed his excitement. It matched her own. He didn’t touch her in any other way, just his mouth on hers. The gentle lap of his tongue, teased the seam of her lips and this only deepened her yearning.
Just as abruptly a knock at the door snapped them apart.
The spell shattered.
Blinking, she dragged her gaze away. Jasmine felt as if she had been trapped in the vampire’s gaze for a lifetime. Yet only a few minutes had passed. The door opened as Kane and Conall strolled in. The Irish vampire’s clothes were damp and droplets of water glistened in his hair. Had he been outside in the rain?
“Jaz, you ok there lass?” He asked, eyeing the shirt that covered her.
Jasmine gave Conall a shaky smile. “Thanks to Asier and Kane, yes.”
She couldn’t meet the Italian vampire’s eyes. Part of her was frightened to get caught up in them once more, the other seeing the hungry desire. It was clear he wanted her. Dazedly, she realised she wanted him too.
“Vilem inflicted a pain bite, but she recovered quickly.” Asier rose to his feet and moved gracefully away from the bed. He sounded composed and indifferent.
“Let me have a look.” Conall’s eyebrows drew together in concern. “Is it hurting?”
“It’s all healed up now thanks to Asier.” She raised her arm and showed Conall the smooth skin.
“Tell Eric he needs to be more careful with his companion, especially here. Something is not right.” Asier was watching them passively.
“Aye I’ve felt it too. It’s like something is off.” Conall agreed worriedly.
“If we are vigilant, we can figure this out together.” Kane’s voice as he spoke for the first time sounded startlingly musical. This didn’t seem to fit with his hulking tattooed Viking persona.
“Si – This is not just about the serial killer.” Asier was leaning against the table, which held the collection of knives.
Conall nodded. “I’ll le
t Eric know. Come on Jaz. I’ll see you back to your room.”
Slowly she slid off the bed. The Irish vampire took her arm to steady her as she wobbled.
“Thanks for saving my butt again Asier.” Jasmine met the Italian’s watchful gaze.
He gave a little bow, his eyes locked to hers, the lavender depths darkening slightly. “Any time bella.”
JASMINE BE CAREFUL OF ASIER. He isn’t as soft as he seems.” Conall told her the moment they were free of the room, worry thickening his Irish lilt.
“You mean he isn’t a white knight in shining armour.” She teased back tying to lighten the mood.
“No lass, he’s more like the dragon that would eat you whole. Just keep that in mind when you’re dealing with him.”
Jasmine nodded. At this point she trusted only a few in the house and she wasn’t sure that Asier was one of them. The sweet sickly smell of a familiar scent suddenly teased Jasmine’s nose. This was one of her co-workers favourite flavours of gum. Strawberry.
“Have you been with Gemma?” She asked, glancing up at the red headed vamp.
Colour flushed his cheeks. “Aye, we’ve been patrolling together.”
Jasmine grinned. “Just patrolling? Is that all?”
Conall’s attention slid to hers warily. “Aye of course. Gemma is a fine young woman and we’ve been getting on very well.”
Jasmine stared back with amusement. Gemma was going to get her arse teased off when she saw her next. This was just too good to pass up. From Conall’s expression more had happened then just patrolling.
The vampire also looked tired. Exhaustion was clear on his face. This made her wonder if he had been over doing it with the teleporting. He escorted her quickly down the corridor to her room. Jasmine pushed open her bedroom door and froze.
The half-naked form of Lida was sprawled across the bed. Her golden hair was mussed. Red lipstick was smeared across her lips, as if she had recently been passionately kissed. Plenty of her pale flesh was on display as a blanket covered her generous breasts and between her thighs.
“Eric darling is that you?” She called before lifting her head from the pillow. “Oh it’s you.” Her dainty nose wrinkled with distaste.
