by Franca Storm
“Cora?” he called out.
Ryan! she called back in his head.
He hurried out of bed in such haste that he tripped and crashed to the floor. He jumped to his feet quickly and called out frantically, “Cora, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for what I did! There was this connection to Jada that I couldn’t--”
Hush. We are beyond that now.
“But you died because of me!” he cried out, burying his face in his hands.
It wasn’t your fault. There’s a lot we didn’t know at the time.
“What does that mean?” he asked, urgently.
I’ll explain another time. I can’t maintain this communication for long, Ryan. I need your help.
“My help? Of course, my love.”
Free me, Ryan.
“How?” he pressed, desperately.
My blood. I tried earlier, but you didn’t understand.
“The vampire version of you bit me. That was you guiding her?”
Yes. Let her drink and then take her…with love, Ryan. Not just ‘fucking’ as you call it.
Ryan laughed. She knew him too well. And then he thought about what she was asking. She wanted him to take the disgusting demon version of her and love it as he did?
“I can do the blood thing, but I can’t love that…thing, Cora. It’s not you.”
Focus on her eyes. You’ll see me there. I know you did tonight.
“Cora….I miss you…so much!”
I know. I’ve seen you, baby.
“And I miss our son. Our son. I will teach you wolf—I will teach you everything. I’m so sorry.”
It’s okay. Listen, Ryan. Don’t let her drink too much or your blood won’t be able to regenerate. It is the key to many things. Guard it.
“I will. I promise.”
I have to go. I love you.
“I love you.”
He felt an emptiness all of a sudden and he knew that she had left. He took a moment to compose himself and then he rushed around searching for some clothes to pull on.
***
“Stop!” the two vampire guards commanded as Ryan strode towards the gates to Luca’s vampire mansion.
He didn’t even break his stride as he walked between them and thrust his hands out to the side, sending each one of them flying several feet back. He kicked the gates with the full force of his wolf strength and they ripped off their hinges and flew into the courtyard. He strode on through and sped up the steps towards the main doors of the mansion. It barely took him any effort to force them open. He thrust his fists into every one of the ten guards that tried to stop him as he barreled down the corridor towards Cora; he could smell her scent and it was strong this time.
He stopped outside the last door on the right and gritted his teeth because he knew it was Luca’s bedroom. He pushed open the door and it was all he could do to stifle a ferocious growl as he caught sight of her. She was sprawled out naked on her stomach, her face resting on Luca’s chest. Another woman lay on her thigh and another rested her head on her left breast. A fucking orgy had obviously taken place earlier. He stormed towards the bed and gathered her into his arms. On his way out he snatched a robe off the back of the door. He was halfway down the corridor when he heard Luca’s voice calling to him to bring her back.
“You try to stop me and I will rip your head clean from your body. I have the power now, Luca.”
There was no movement, but he was sure he heard him crying as he walked through the entrance doors. He ignored it. He didn’t have time; he was on a mission.
As soon as they were past the gates she started to struggle in his arms. He put her down and tossed her the robe.
“Put this on,” he ordered.
She did as he asked with a little growl and then she demanded, “What are you doing?”
“Do you want my blood or not?”
She nodded excitedly.
“Good, then do exactly as I say. And if you’re thinking of taking it against my will, know that you can’t take more than a sip like you did last time. I heal too fast. I need to be willing to give it to you.”
“Okay,” she said.
He hesitated, sick to his stomach by the sight of her as a vampire. Fuck, I can’t do this.
Ryan! Real Cora’s voice thundered in his head.
“Ow! All right. Take it down a notch.”
He grabbed Vampire Cora’s hand and pulled her along with him towards the forest that led back to his bar.
“Who were you talking to then?” she asked
“No one,” he snapped. “Just…don’t talk, okay?”
“Fine,” she sulked and turned her face to the side as he continued to pull her along roughly.
They were ten minutes into their thirty minute journey when Ryan suddenly asked, “What I walked in on—did you guys—did you fuck all of them? Luca and…the women?”
“Yep,” she said, simply. “Why?”
“I…I just wondered. Did he make you?”
“Luca?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
She laughed. “No, of course not, silly.”
God, she’s like a little kid. Well, I guess she is a baby vampire after all. “What’s funny about that?”
“He would never hurt me, wolf. He loves me.”
“Does he now?” Ryan seethed. “So it was your idea then? The women?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh.”
Ryan! Stop it! Get your mind out of the gutter! Real Cora’s voice ripped through his head again.
“Ow! Shit, woman! Stop doing that!”
Vampire Cora looked at him curiously.
“What?” he snapped at her.
“Nothing. Just that…”
She continued to talk after that, non-stop. He blocked her out, ignoring every word and focusing on the fact that his wife was alive; she’d come to him tonight. She’d finally been strong enough to contact him. And he knew it was because she’d tasted his blood tonight in that alley. He just had to do this one task and she’d come back to him. And this time he’d make damned sure that he wouldn’t mess it up.
They finally reached his bar and he led Vampire Cora upstairs. Once they were inside his apartment, he shed his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head. As soon as it hit the floor, Vampire Cora rushed at him in a sudden burst of vampire speed. His back jarred against the wall. Before he could catch his breath her lips crashed against his, taking him in a ruthless, animal kiss. He was surprised that he wasn’t disgusted by it. Instead, the animal in her called to the animal within him and he deepened the kiss. And that was when he tasted Luca and the two women. Oh fuck. Gross. He fought to push past it.
It helped when she unbuckled his jeans, pushed her hand inside and gripped his cock.
“Oh fuck,” he gasped. “Good grip, baby.”
He watched her eyes widen in surprise as she ran her hand along the length of him. He smiled inwardly. I knew it. That fucker, Luca, can’t compare with me. He removed her hand and led her to his bed. “Lie down, sweetheart.”
He kicked off his jeans and boxers and snatched up a condom from his bedside table. Fuck if I’m gonna do this bareback after she’s had three vamps screwing around with her tonight.
He rolled it on quickly and straddled her.
He took a breath to centre himself and told her, “Keep your eyes open. Don’t look away.”
She nodded and he gazed deeply into those familiar blue eyes. He smiled. Real Cora had been right; he could see her there—he could also feel her. And as he thrust his cock into Vampire Cora and started to fuck her, he kept his gaze steady, determined to believe that he was really making love to his wife. And for the first time in a long time he felt a warmth envelope him—her love.
Now! Let her feed! Real Cora called.
He lowered his neck to Vampire Cora’s mouth and looked away before he saw her demon rise to the surface. It would ruin his focus on Real Cora. He felt the sting of the bite. He felt her come apart around him then. It pushed hi
m over the edge and he came with her, surprised that he’d managed it given his recent track record of being unable to finish.
She clung to him then, pulling him down to her as she sucked harder, drawing more and more of his blood into her mouth. He rested his elbows either side of her head. His claws dug into the sheets as he forced himself to push past his natural instincts to rip her from his neck. He had to allow her to continue. When he felt himself weakening slightly, Real Cora screamed in his head, Stop her! Now! That’s enough!
Ryan reacted instantly, weaving his fingers in Vampire Cora’s hair and ripping her fangs from his neck. She whimpered but didn’t try to rush him again. He looked down at her and was shocked to see that her body was completely still; her eyes closed.
“Shit! Is she…dead?”
“No,” a familiar voice came from behind him.
He craned his neck to see Nathanial standing at his apartment door.
He hurriedly disposed of the condom in the trash can beside the bed, rolled off it and pulled on his boxers.
“What the fuck? You can’t knock?” he demanded as he hurriedly pulled the duvet cover over her to shield her nakedness. It might be Vampire Cora, not his wife, but it was still her body.
“I felt a surge in white power, so I came right away,” Nathanial said. “I apologize.”
“Did you see the whole show?”
“Too much,” Nathanial responded, cringing.
“Great.”
“I can hear Cora’s thoughts too, Ryan,” Nathanial revealed as he joined him by the bed.
“You can?”
“Yes. I know what she’s trying to do here.”
“Well, is it working?”
“She’s fighting the vampire,” he reported. He stepped forward and laid his hand on her forehead. He smiled at Ryan and said, “I can help with that.”
“How?”
“By weakening the vampire she’s trying to fight.”
Nathanial’s hand shook and he pulled back in surprise.
“What? What’s wrong?” Ryan asked, worriedly.
Nathanial grinned. “She doesn’t need my help and she just made it clear that she doesn’t want it either. Her white light is strong. Very strong and she’s angry.”
“Angry?”
“At being trapped.”
Ryan chuckled. “Yeah, sounds like Cora. Real Cora.”
“That’s what you call her?” Nathanial asked with amusement. “What about the vampire?”
“Vampire Cora.”
“I see. Did anyone ever tell you that you’re incredibly speciest?”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. You’re not like that with me.”
“Like I told you a while ago, Nathanial; you are more than vampire.”
Nathanial smiled.
Ryan tapped his foot nervously as he and Nathanial watched Cora. “So, how long do you think this will take? How will we know it’s her?”
“I will know. I won’t be able to feel any dark energy emanating from her.”
“Well, how much are you feeling now? Like, percentage-wise.”
Nathanial chuckled. “Percentage-wise? Less than twenty. Like I said, her power is strong.”
“Last time I saw her she was fighting to die. Now she’s fighting to live.”
“She would have spent some time in the Home of the Dead, Ryan. She would have been able to see things that we cannot.”
“Like what?”
“Everything. Certain truths.”
“Nathanial, you know I hate it when you get all fucking cryptic.”
“I will explain when she returns.”
The dark energy that he’d been able to feel from her vampire form had now disappeared completely. He had never felt anything like it. Cora had accomplished the unthinkable—transcending her vampire transformation; in effect, curing herself of vampirism. Her power was incredible. And then it dawned on him, exactly why Orion was invincible; eternal. It wasn’t a special gift bestowed on him from the powers that be, Mother Nature or anything. It was purely Cora. Her blood, her power. Because it was clear now that Cora bore the same abilities. She’d risen above death itself. She’d shattered all the rules of vampirism. It was a heavy revelation to absorb. He wanted to stay, to speak with her about it, but his son’s pain was calling to him. He needed him now. He had to go to him.
“The vampire is gone, Ryan. I will leave you to your reunion.” He gripped his shoulders and told him urgently, “You must restore the bond. It is imperative.”
Before Ryan could utter a response, Nathanial teleported away. He turned his attention back to Cora and his heart leapt. Her body stirred and her eyes fluttered open. As soon as her big blue eyes looked his way he knew it was her. He dove onto the bed and lunged at her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her up onto his lap. He kissed her all over and cried I love you over and over again.
“Ryan,” she said, clutching him tightly to her.
He pulled back and brushed her hair away from her face. Tears pricked his eyes. His gaze was unsteady as he looked back at her, emotion threatening to overwhelm him. “I thought I’d lost you. I…I can’t believe you’re here. You’re back, Cora. You’re back with me.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I left you,” she murmured in his ear.
He held the back of her head and she nestled against his chest as she started to sob. Her body shuddered with the force of her raw emotion. As he felt her warm tears on his skin that was when he lost it. He joined her, letting all the weeks of pent up pain, grief and absolute agony loose.
“I’m so sorry for everything,” he choked out between sobs.
“Me too,” she sobbed. “I love you so much.”
“Oh, darlin’. I love you.”
***
Ryan walked to the bed with a glass of water in hand. He smiled at his gorgeous wife sitting up in his bed, the sheets clutched tightly to her naked body. She’s so sweet with all her good girl modesty. I’ve missed this side of her, the real, stripped down Cora. It’s her as a woman without all the baggage that her powers bring to the mix. It’s my girl in all her glory.
“Here, my love,” he said, handing her the glass.
“Thanks,” she said, taking it and gulping it down. “I guess coming back from the dead really dehydrates a person.”
He smiled as he crossed to his chest of drawers. He pulled out a pile of clothes and placed them down on the duvet cover in front of her. She eyed him in surprise.
“You kept my clothes here? I saw you Ryan; you were adamant that I was dead. You told Luca to bury me. But you kept my clothes?” she said, her eyes flickering with amusement.
“Yeah, well. What we tell ourselves to believe and what we actually believe are sometimes two different things.”
She leaned into him and brushed her lips over his. He pulled away awkwardly.
“What?” she asked.
“You have no idea how badly I want to take you right now, but…can you take a shower and…brush your teeth…or possibly wash your mouth out with soap or something stronger.”
Cora brought her hand to her mouth with embarrassment. “Oh God, you can smell him on me?”
“Taste. Smell. Whatever. And them, you slut,” he jested. “Them.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I watched the whole thing. Quite the performance.”
Ryan held up his hand. “I don’t want to know. It was bad enough walking in at the end of the performance. It might have been Vampire Cora, but it was still your body lying on that bed.”
She looked away sheepishly and climbed off the bed, holding the duvet cover around her shyly.
Ryan shook his head. “Uh uh,” he said, before ripping the duvet cover from her with one rough tug.
She gasped as it pooled at her feet.
Ryan’s gaze raked over her slowly, appreciatively drinking in every inch of her gorgeous body. His cock stirred in response. “God, you’re gorgeous.”
She smiled shyly.
“Don’t hide this perfect body from me.” He swallowed hard and forced his eyes back to hers. He held out his hand. “Come.”
She weaved her fingers in his and he led her into the ensuite bathroom. He turned on the shower, pulled the shower curtain aside and then folded his arms across his chest as he leaned against the sink.
“You’re gonna watch me shower?” she asked nervously.
“You bet. I’m gonna enjoy the entire fucking show. Watching your wet, naked body moving under the shower as you soap yourself up.”
“You’re such a pervert,” she chastised him.
“Pervert?” he laughed. “I’m your husband. It’s my prerogative.”
He winked at her and watched as she stepped into the shower. He opened the cupboard above the sink and pulled out a tube of toothpaste and a purple toothbrush. “Here. This is a spare toothbrush that I kept in case we ever slept here together. You know, before we had to move to the compound and everything.”
“Really?” she asked as she took them from him.
“Yes,” he said. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
She laughed and pulled the curtain closed. Ryan rolled his eyes. So cute. I’ve seen her naked how many times and she hides from me as she takes a shower. Adorable.
“So, you and Luca?”
“Uh huh?” she responded warily. Where is he going with this?
“Before you…died…you slept with him.”
“You already know about it, Ryan. We were separated at the time. You had an entire relationship with another woman.”
“I know. We both fucked up. We let things get in the way; let everyone else affect us. I want to put it behind us, but I just need to know why. Why him, Cora? Was it some sort of residual thing from the betrothal bond? Or did you do it just to hurt me? If you did it’s okay. I get it; believe me. I was a fucking asshole. I pushed you away.”
“I…it was solace, Ryan,” she said sadly.
Wow. “Okay, my love.” He moved closer to the shower and said, “Listen, what I said about Jada and me that night at the wolf compound? I was upset. I didn’t mean it.”
“So she wasn’t the best sex of your life then?” Cora asked with amusement.
