More confused than ever, Siona was helpless to do anything but accept Michael’s help as he lifted her off the pedestal and laid her on a very beautiful hand tufted rug in the middle of the room. On the floor he lay over her, his chest pressed against her own. The smooth fabric of Michael’s formal shirt rasped against her aroused nipples as he took her mouth in another kiss. Then his lips trailed back down her body and Siona knew she couldn’t take any more.
“No, Michael, no more kissing me down there. I can’t take it; I need you inside me. I need someone inside me.” Siona’s eyes sought out Valad. She found him just to the right of Michael, naked and in his glory. Michael moved to the side and Valad slipped into his place.
“I’m sorry my dear, usually we’re better about sharing but tonight is a special circumstance. In the future, it will be better.” Michael grunted in response from behind Valad and Siona only wondered how it could possibly be better? This session was about all her body could take.
Valad dipped his mouth to her ear and sucked on the lobe as his other hand reached beneath Siona and tilted her hips up. Then slowly, far slower than Michael’s intense thrust, Valad teased his way into Siona’s swollen flesh and they both gave low moans of approval. Valad kept his hand beneath her, moving in and out in a steady rhythm that Siona could wrap her head around.
As Valad’s mouth trailed around all of the free skin he could reach, his cock found just the right spot and Siona let out a cry. Valad’s head snapped up and he repeated the thrust and Siona felt her body tighten around his growing length. Siona’s entire world shrunk to the spot where Valad’s cock pushed her buttons. Once, twice, and finally on the third thrust both Siona and Valad found release and melted onto the rug. For the first time since she’d come to the castle, Siona felt at peace.
Michael dropped to the floor next to them and turned on his side, playing with a long strand of Siona’s hair. “Well, that was interesting.”
Siona couldn’t even let Michael bother her at this moment, “That it was. I’ve uh, I’ve never been with more than one guy at the same time.” Siona felt the blush creeping up her cheeks and wished that she wasn’t so easily embarrassed, or at least that she didn’t show her emotions so clearly.
Valad reached over and stroked her cheek. As if reading her mind he said, “I love to see the blood rise to your cheeks, it’s so utterly human. So very sexy, too.”
Siona’s blush intensified, “So does that mean I really am just here for sex?” She looked sideways at Michael, “Because that theory was rejected earlier today.”
Michael opened his mouth to respond but Valad beat him to it. “No my dear, you’re not simply here for sex. Though judging by tonight’s entertainment, it may be a large part of our experience.” Valad nipped at her ear to punctuate his statement.
Siona felt her body purr. “Is it weird that this isn’t weird?”
“What do you mean?” Michael wondered as he stroked her arm.
“Well, I’ve only known you for days and for years before that, you were the leading men of my nightmares. Yet, here I am, naked on the floor.”
Valad moved from her ear to her neck, “That you are and you look lovely. Delicious even. I wouldn’t think too hard about it; go with your instincts.” he said licking his way across her skin, pausing to suck on her pulse.
The sensation focused Siona on another burning question. “So...will you drink my blood then? Is that what vampires do? Drink blood?”
Valad lifted his mouth from her vein as Michael answered, “Yes, vampires drink blood. Just like in all the folk tales; they get that one right. And, in case you were wondering, we are allergic to sunlight. It’s not quite what people believe, we won’t die instantly or anything, but given enough time in the sun, we will become too injured to recover.”
Michael resumed playing with her hair, and Siona enjoyed the light tug on her long strands. “However, we don’t subsist only on blood. We enjoy food and drink, as you’ve seen. Vampires need a certain amount of blood to survive, but for the most part, the drinking is for pleasure.”
Siona’s brows furrowed, “Like the way I feel the need for chocolate?”
Valad laughed, “Not quite my dear, we do need it to live but the benefit is that it intensifies the sexual experience for both the vampire and the human they drink from. Thus, feeding is almost always tied to sex.”
“Oh,” Siona’s blush roared to life again. “I, uh, I think I need a little more time before we go there.”
“Take all the time you need, my darling. I have nothing but time,” Valad said getting up to gather their wine glasses and pour another for Michael.
Siona stared up at the coffered ceiling trying to phrase another question, trying to circle her way back to the reason she was needed when there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Kettle’s head poked through the crack in the door as she quietly called for the vampires. Valad and Michael exchanged a look and Valad strode to the door in all his naked glory.
Siona moved to get up to grab the drinks from Valad as he slipped out the door, but Michael motioned for her to stay seated as he walked over clad in just his button down. Michael had just returned when Valad suddenly appeared in the room with them, faster than Siona’s eyes could track. She almost spilled her wine in response from the sudden surprise of his appearance.
Noticing that he’d thrown her for a loop again, Valad started with an apology. “I apologize again, Siona, but Mrs. Kettle has alerted me to a…,” Valad’s eyes sought Michael’s before returning to her own, “a situation. If you two would excuse me, I just need to negate the issue.”
“Valad, if you need me to, I can -”
Valad brushed Michael off, “No, it’s my turn and what I need you to do now is wine and dine Siona. I believe we’ve done things a little out of order, she deserves a bit of romance, don’t you think?” Turning to Siona, Valad bowed slightly, “My dear, I shall see you tomorrow evening.”
Siona forced a smile. “Sure. Have fun.”
Michael’s eyebrows rose but Valad gave a genuine smile, “I always do, my dear, I always do.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Valad wasn’t back the next night, or the night after. Michael, for his part, had all but disappeared as well, locking himself in his lab both day and night. Without a schedule to keep, or vampires to demand her presence, Siona had spent most of the first day of Valad’s absence staring at the ceiling. By day two, she had demanded, through Mrs. Kettle, to be given free reign of the castle. Michael had granted her access to the library and to a sitting room where she could sketch. The boundaries irked her, but Siona took what she could get and spent an enjoyable afternoon with some blank paper and charcoal.
On day three, however, Siona was going stir crazy. There was only so much alone time she could take. Frankly, Siona was starting to get a little worried about Michael. As far as she could see, the man hadn’t come up for air since Valad left. Between her worry for Michael, her questions surrounding Valad’s mission, and her mounting ADD, Siona needed to locate Michael. She needed to have a conversation with another living creature. Taking a detour from the sitting room, Mrs. Kettle gave her some side-eye, but seemed to understand Siona’s need to barge in on Michael. Siona wondered if Mrs. Kettle was as worried as she was.
Walking down the long hallway to Michael’s lab, Siona took the time to really look at her surroundings. The first time she had followed Mrs. Kettle to the space, Siona had been too preoccupied with worry to enjoy the beauty of the original part of the castle.
Around her, thick stone walls were covered in a smooth plaster. Siona could still make out the bumps and valleys of individual stones, but as a whole, they looked as if they had been frosted over with pure white icing. The floor was a long, narrow expanse of polished stone. The rocks had been left to their natural states and Siona could see that the path down the center was worn dark with years of Michael’s march to his workspace.
Unlike the rest of the home, which Siona guessed had been decorate
d by Valad, this hallway was sleek and simple. It wasn’t cold exactly, but it lacked the art and personality of the rest of the castle.
When Siona came face to face with the massive wooden door that divided Michael from the rest of the castle life, she didn’t even bother knocking. Taking the door handle, she tugged and was faintly surprised to find the thing unlocked and swinging open.
Siona stepped into the lab and scanned the rows of medical equipment and nooks of the bays for Michael. She found him in a corner, stooped over a centrifuge; watching spinning tubes of red come to a stop. Loud, classical music was spilling from the speakers set around the perimeter of the room but even so, Michael should have already smelled or heard Siona. Yet when she tapped him on the shoulder, Michael jumped. Turning toward Siona, his fangs were fiercely displayed and she stepped back a foot or two on instinct.
Michael blinked, “Siona?” his voice was confused, “What are you doing here?”
Siona watched as his eyes flicked around the room, seeming to search for an answer as to how she had suddenly appeared in the lab. Siona quirked one eyebrow up, “I think I may be the first human ever to sneak up on a vampire. What I wouldn’t give for a wooden stake.”
At this, Michael sighed and looked back to the little red tubes. “So I should live in fear of you staking me? I do not need to add that to my list.”
Siona looked closer at Michael. He looked tired and worn; tonight he looked every inch of his hundreds of years and Siona found herself concerned for him. She extended a hand to his cool shoulder, “Michael is everything ok? Valad still hasn’t come home and you’ve locked yourself in a lab. That doesn’t bode well. Plus, it doesn’t look like you’ve slept for the last three days.” Siona paused. “Well, I mean if you sleep, that is. I don’t know; it just looks like it’s been awhile since you spent time in the coffin.”
Michael lifted a hand to cover Siona’s on his shoulder, always answering the logical question first. “Yes Siona, vampires need sleep. However, usually I take my respite on a very large king sized bed; you can keep the coffins in your fairytales.”
Siona shifted until she was in front of Michael, her hand still secure under his own. Leaning against the table in front of Michael their bodies were mere inches apart. Catching his eye, she forced him to look at her, “And have you made use of said bed?”
Michael broke eye contact first, “No, but I am fine. I’ll rest when Valad is home.”
“Do you think that will be soon?” Siona moved her other hand to his free shoulder, “Does the man have a cell phone we can call? Has he checked in?”
Michael shook his head, “Where he went, cellphones are not of much use. But he always returns...sooner or later.”
“Where is he, Michael?”
Michael shook his head, “Nowhere you need to worry about.”
Now it was Siona’s turn to sigh. Dropping her hands, she decided to move on to her original goal. “Well, would you at least wine and dine me? It’s been a little lonely these last few days. Or if you’re busy you could just give me a cell phone. I could really use access to the internet.”
Michael rolled his eyes and stepped away to another humming piece of equipment, “No, no internet or cell phones. Not yet anyway. Let’s let you get acclimated to us vampires before we release you back into the big wide world. Though I do apologize,” the man managed to look sheepish, “I’ve never been as inclined to put on the romance as Valad. I’ll admit, years of pursuing conquests as a team has degraded my love skill set.” Michael ran a hand through his thick chocolate brown hair, made all the darker when contrasted with his pale skin. “If you ask Mrs. Kettle to find a good bottle of wine and make some dinner, I can join you later.”
Siona inwardly winced. She knew Michael was trying, but really all Siona wanted was to spend some time with someone, to have an actual conversation. “Actually Michael, I don’t really need the wining and dining. I’m, uh, stuck here anyway, so there’s no need to fake a romance with me.” Michael raised his eyebrows and Siona worked to convince him. “Really, I’m here because after three days of solitude, I needed a little stimulation. Maybe a conversation, even?”
Feeling hopeful, Siona watched as Michael opened his mouth to speak and then shut it again. After repeating the action a few more times, Siona realized he wasn’t starting a conversation, he was at a loss for words.
Exhaling hard, she continued, “Listen, there’s no need for small talk, even a tour around the lab would be enough. Something, Michael, I just need something.”
Michael took a deep breath and inclined his head, “That is not too much to ask Siona, I’m sorry I didn’t see the need.”
“Hey, was that a breath around me?” Siona teased. “Michael, I’m going to start thinking that you can actually stand to be in the same room as me if you keep that up.”
Siona bumped his shoulder; she wanted to let him off the hook about ignoring her. It was obvious that Michael was far more worried about Valad than he let on. “So, this is a centrifuge right? What’s spinning in it?”
Michael had been impressed Siona knew the terms for some of the medical equipment. She confessed to being a closet Medical Drama fan and that all of her knowledge came from TV. As they worked their way across the massive space, Michael became more talkative, slipping into stories about where he had been when a certain tool was invented or how he had first discovered a new use for something else.
Siona wondered if Michael even realized that he was giving her an annotated history of his long life. She was willing to bet that if Michael had realized he was being so forthcoming, the conversation would’ve come to a screeching halt. It was hard for Siona to try and wrap her head around all that Michael had experienced in life. The different places he’d lived and the people he’d met. Sonia was jealous of his ability to seemingly live outside of time.
As they walked back around to the center of the lab space, Siona leaned on an examination table and finally popped the history bubble. “You know, I’m a little jealous of your life. You’ve seen and experienced so much and it boggles my mind to think about how much more you’ll live to see. You live a life of infinite possibilities.”
“I live my life hunting the impossible, actually. Speaking of which, do you mind if I take you through some quick baselines? I was going to ask you to do so in a day or two, but since you’re here…” Michael trailed off, waiting for Siona to answer.
She didn’t really feel like being poked and prodded, but Michael had been so comfortable with her, Siona didn’t want to break that bond right now. Smiling she acquiesced, “Sure, that would be ok. But no needles, I’m not in the mood to give blood at the moment.”
Michael lifted both hands in a sign of surrender, “I wasn’t going to ask for blood anyway. I’m just getting around to finishing the testing on the first batch.”
Siona nodded and hopped up on the examination table. Michael buttoned his lab coat and pulled at his stethoscope. Then, his hand reached for the edge of her tank top and pulled the purple fabric away from her skin. Finding her braless, Michael raised an eyebrow and placed the cold metal disk on Siona’s skin. When her nipples peaked at the cold contact, Siona looked up to find his eyes turning a swirling shade of grey. A change, Siona was starting to realize, that indicated arousal.
Before Siona could even think to tease him by shifting her position, Michael removed the stethoscope from her front and was lifting the back of her shirt to listen from behind. “Sounds good,” Michael commented after clearing his throat. “It’s awful nice to see you skipped the bra as well. Your doctor approves.”
Siona felt her face turn pink, “Well, I really didn’t expect to have an examination today. I would have been more prepared if I’d known.”
“I think you’re dressed just fine,” Michael said approvingly, “Now sit still while I look into your eyes.”
Michael moved through the rest of the exam, but with each test he always gave an extra touch, a brush against her collarbone when he loo
ked in her ears, a gentle swipe down her spine with his finger as he checked her flexibility. By the end of the examination, Siona was starting to prep herself for another sexual encounter. Why not go a little slutty when you’re surrounded by hot vampires whose job seemed to only be taking care of your body? Well, it appeared to be their only job outside of whatever Valad was busy taking care of...and Siona sincerely hoped she wasn’t the reason he had been away for the last three days…
Pushing her worry for Valad aside, Siona pulled on the pockets of Michael’s lab coat as he doffed his stethoscope to complete the exam. Staring him in the eyes, Siona started to unbutton the long white row of clasps.
“If you want to examine me as an excuse to cop a feel, you should know that in the future I’m ok with a more forthright maneuver.” Popping the final button Siona opened the coat and tugged on the sides to bring Michael between her legs. “I’ve decided that if I’m going to be a vampire mistress I should take advantage of my situation.”
Siona paused, waiting to see if she had guessed right this time, but Michael only shook his head. “Nope, not a mistress, though if you would like to perform the duties of one, I’m all for that.”
Siona smiled smugly and pulled Michael in for a kiss just as the door to the lab banged open.
“Michael, come quick. It’s Valad!” Mrs. Kettle didn’t even bother to fully come into the lab to parlay her demand. Instead, she flashed back down the hallway faster than Siona could track. Siona gripped one of Michael’s hands as he seemed to shake himself out of the haze of passion.
He looked at her, his green eyes deadly serious. “Siona, I need you to go to your rooms. Don’t come out until someone comes for you. This is important, do you understand?”
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