Unquenchable Desire

by Lynde Lakes

  ****

  In the master suite of the mansion, Damon paced the floor nude, his strong stride highlighted by a flash of lightning. Angela watched him, her heart pounding at the alpha beauty of him, while feeling her own frustration and fears. She loved him, but hated lightning. It always brought back the old misgivings. “What are we going to do to keep our family safe?’

  “I don’t know, yet,” Damon said with sadness in his deep voice. “How naïve I was all those years ago. I thought when we got rid of our curses life would smooth out and settle into a mostly hassle free, relatively normal existence.”

  “And it would have been if I hadn’t gotten pregnant before our love and sacrifices lifted the afflictions against us.”

  His jaw twitched and hardened. “And now I have to worry about the same thing happening to our girls. I wish I could lock chastity belts on both of them.”

  “They’re grown women. I’m sure my mother wished that for me, too.”

  “We’re so close to—”

  Angela’s stomach knotted. “Don’t! Do you realize you’ve been saying that for nearly a quarter of a century? I understand why the girls are starting to believe you’ll never release that serum to them or anyone else.” She gasped inwardly. The demeaning words had slipped from her lips without conscious thought.

  His eyes darkened. “But now I have a willing volunteer.”

  She closed her eyes against the pain that using Brian might cause her daughter. “Valerie loves him. We all love him. Are you sure it’s safe?”

  He blew out a gust of air. “Unfortunately, no. I don’t know his background, anything about his curse, or how he’ll react to the composite of substances.”

  “Could it kill him?”

  “I wouldn’t give it to him if I thought it would, but…”

  “God, Damon. Do you hear yourself?”

  “Come on, Angela. You fault me for the years it’s taken, and now that we believe we have a reasonably safe product that might work, you fault me for trying to test it and get it on the market.”

  “I just know that you’re not confident enough about it to give it to our daughters or Hugh. Think about that.”

  He frowned. “I will. No doubt all night.” He paced some more, then slid into bed. “Could we have a truce until morning? I think better after a little loving.”

  Without hesitation, she slipped out of her black lace gown and willingly went into his arms. They both deserved what little happiness they could eke out between the attacks against them and their sanity.

  Pressed against Damon’s hard, muscled body, she barely noticed the flashes of lightning or the trees whipping the concrete walls of the mansion. A hot passion soared through her. In Damon’s powerful arms, she felt safe. Even if it was only for the time being, for now that would have to be enough.

  She drew him close. His glinting gaze met hers and he looked deep into her eyes, searching a moment. Then he lowered his lips to hers, his mouth open, moist and faintly tasting of coffee and rum. He sought her tongue. His heat surrounded her, seeping into her bones, spreading waves of flames until every inch of flesh was on fire and begging for release.

  She wildly raked her long fingers through his hair and drew him on top of her.

  Suddenly, she was oblivious to everything but his powerful thrusts. Wildly, she lifted her pelvis, wanting more, wanting to forget their troubles…at least for tonight.

  ****

  Hugh tossed and turned and tried to count the seconds between the flashes of lightning. He heard a roll of thunder. The sky Gods were angry tonight. He laughed bitterly. He wasn’t deliriously happy himself. Sometimes he hated his king-sized bed. It made him too aware of how alone he was. But then, the angel hadn’t resurrected him and left him on Earth to indulge his own secret passions. He was here to help his brother save his family and defeat their half-brother, Reeves.

  He’d always wondered what made him see things so differently from Reeves. They’d both been denied the Lamont name and dwindling fortune. But the denial had apparently blackened Reeves heart, whereas he merely accepted it along with his once hunched back and servant-son existence in the mansion.

  Although their father denied them, with Damon’s mother’s permission, their dad let them live in the mansion, paid their medical, and gave each of their mother’s a generous subsistence. But he never held Reeves or him, never played with them. His mother said it was because their birth had not been a result of love, only shameful werewolf passion. A secret affliction his father carried to his grave. They wouldn’t have known as much about it was it not for their mothers’ diaries. His mother had written in one of her entries: In Master Lamont’s right mind he would never have touched his servants and disgraced his loving, long suffering, faithful wife. He adored her.

  Hugh shook his head. His father’s plight only made him feel sorry for the man. He constantly fought the same lustful desires himself. And later when the dwindling, almost bankrupt heritage passed on to Damon, his hard-working and resourceful brother saved the family export business and built it into stable, wealth producing conglomerates. When their mothers died, Damon allowed him and Reeves to stay on. He gave them exceptionally well-paying jobs, as well as lavished cars and other gifts on them. How could you hate a brother who was so generous? But Reeves did. He wanted it all for himself—thought it was owed to him for what he considered the rape of his mother. But he never spoke of his vengeful hatred to Damon. He pretended to be the faithful, half-brother butler and friend.

  Ahhh…what horrors the sins of the fathers brought down like a plague on the family…and their families into perpetuity…unless this generation found a way to stop the evil.

  He was ashamed of his personal failure. So far, he hadn’t held up his end of the bargain as well as he would have liked. The only thing, so far, that made his existence worthwhile was he had managed to save Valerie a few times. But now she had Brian. Everyone had someone but him.

  He slammed his fist into the mattress. He shouldn’t lay here reliving the past and rolling in self-pity. He needed to come up with a permanent plan to defeat the evil that resided within the spirit of Reeves, the walking dead.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Valerie awoke to bright sunlight and swung her feet over the side of the bed with new determination. The storm had passed, but the problem of the evil werewolf remained. Maybe if the whole family put their heads together, they could jointly come up with a solution. She would call a meeting, just like she did at work and they could jointly kick around ideas. She would ask Kyle to feed Kindra in the kitchen and keep her amused for a while.

  An hour later over breakfast they began throwing out ideas. None of them got to the crux of the matter.

  “Look,” Brian said, “nothing can be accomplished until we identify the werewolf. I suggest making a list of possible contenders. And I put Rory on the top of the list.”

  Victoria frowned. “Like I said before you can’t hang a guy for being a jerk. What real hard evidence do you have against him?”

  “None yet. But if he’s at the top of the list, we can assign people to watch him. If watched constantly, he’s likely to do something that will either prove our suspicions wrong…or strengthen them.”

  Dad rubbed his chin. “I’ve got a detective on the payroll who is for all practical purposes invisible.”

  “Invisible? How do you know that?” Mom asked.

  Dad grinned slyly. “You haven’t seen him on your tail, have you?”

  “What?” Mom asked, looking stunned.

  “Never mind,” Dad said, heading for the den. I’ll call him now.”

  “We aren’t through with this subject,” Mom called to his retreating back.

  Valerie shook her head. Obviously, Dad had a bodyguard watching Mom when she was out alone. She wondered if that made an independent woman like Mom feel cherished or on a short leash. “A list of one doesn’t give us much to work with,” Valerie said. “Who else?”

  Brian met her gaze
and in his devastating low voice said, “We know the host body is a muscular male, about my age. Probably someone familiar with the family and who knows enough about you to be confident that you wouldn’t call the police, and that you’d put yourself in jeopardy to save a child.”

  Rick leaned forward. “Hugh, if it is your half-brother, then he has the ability to morph into a host body. What if he changes bodies?”

  “I don’t know if he has the ability to do that on his own,” Hugh said. “But it’s possible.”

  Brian frowned. “For now, we have to go with the description we have or we’ll get nowhere.”

  “I know someone with that description,” Mom said. “But with his strength of character I can’t imagine anyone taking over his mind and body.”

  “You’re thinking of Deeto aren’t you?” Victoria asked.

  Mom shrugged. “I don’t really think it’s him. He’s been a great friend to the family. Anyway, I think he’s working down in Mexico. It’s just that the description matches. And then there’s you, Brian. And you, Rick.”

  “Rick’s not in the lineup,” Victoria said. “For cripes sake, he’s been with me constantly.”

  “Same with Brian. He’s battled the killer wolf in front of me several times. I’d be dead was it not for him.”

  “Rory is looking more and more like a top contender,” Mom said. “Unless there’s someone at the foundation with that description?”

  “There are a couple of accountants,” Valerie said, “but they were in the office when the call came in.” She blew out a gust of air. “Darn, we’re spinning our wheels and getting nowhere.”

  Victoria buttered a piece of toast slowly. “At least we’re eliminating suspects. Did you actually talk to the werewolf on the phone?” she asked.

  “No. But I could hear him whispering to Kindra, and telling her what to say.”

  “So,” Hugh said. “He’s someone who has knowledge of the area.”

  “Or maybe he’s just a guy who read about the barrio condemnation project in the newspaper.” Valerie blew out a gust of air. “We’re back to square one.”

  Rick shifted in his chair. “I know only one person who fills the bill in all categories— size, access to the family, and someone no one would ever suspect. But, as a new member to the family and someone who admires this man greatly, I hate to even suggest such a ludicrous thing.”

  Valerie frowned. “Don’t even say it, Rick.”

  Uncle Hugh’s jaw muscle tightened and he shook his head. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been under suspicion, but I love this family and wonder how many times I have to prove it.”

  Victoria stood and went to Uncle Hugh and hugged him. “Never again,” she said.

  “When that wolf attacked me the first time, you helped run him off. But don’t get mad at Rick. He wasn’t there and didn’t know that. He’s just trying to help.”

  After a few minutes, Dad came back into the room. “All set. Any other contenders who need watching?”

  Valerie shook her head along with the rest of the family. “If that’s all for now, Brian and I have to get to the foundation office. Unfortunately, I need to make an appropriate arrangement with Child Welfare for Kindra’s care. Of course, if they’d let me, I’d keep her with me.”

  “We’d love that,” Dad said. “But you don’t need Brian to handle that. “I want you to give him the morning off and part of the afternoon. I’ve set up his appointment in our LA lab to be tested by one of my scientists, Dr. Frankston, a licensed doctor.”

  Valerie gasped. “Couldn’t you get a doctor with a name that doesn’t sound so much like Frankenstein?”

  Without answering, Dad dug his keys out of his trousers pocket and turned to Brian. “Ready?”

  “I’m going with him,” Valerie said in her firmest tone. “Mom, can you take care of Kindra until we get back?”

  Mom smiled. “My pleasure.”

  Dad frowned. “We don’t know what’s going to happen, so it’d be better if you go on to work and we’ll call you when it’s over. Hugh can stay at the office with you until Brian gets there.”

  Valerie stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Because you don’t know precisely what’s going to happen is exactly why I insist on being there. No argument, Dad.”

  Mom stood too and folded her arms. “She has a right to be there. Let her go!”

  Victoria stood as well. “If it were Rick, I’d want to be there. Let her go, Dad.”

  Dad was silent a moment, his face a dark cloud. He met Mom’s determined stare.

  “All right, but I don’t like it when you ladies gang up on me. Rick, do you see what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  Rick’s mouth worked as if he were trying to conceal a smile. “Yes, Sir. Female power is an amazing thing. And the Lamont women display an overwhelming abundance of it.”

  ****

  Dr. Frankston, the middle-aged bag of bones, hooked Brian up to several machines while Valerie watched, her heart thundering, her mouth dry. His stethoscope hung loosely around his neck and lay against his white coat like a sleeping snake.

  She, the doctor, and her tense-faced Dad hovered around Brian like ghouls waiting to see what Dr. Frankenstein’s serum would do to him. Four attendants in white coats worked nearby on computers. Two were burley males. Tension sizzled in the air, like loose, arcing electrical wires.

  The doctor glanced at her tightly clasped hands. “I understand why you might be nervous about the procedure, Miss Lamont, but these gadgets will record every change in Mr. Jones’ body. He’s healthy, we’ve charted his essential body data, and we don’t expect any problems.”

  Valerie’s gaze met her dad’s. He quickly looked away. Darn him, he was as wary as Brian. Why? Didn’t he trust the serum? She focused her gaze on Brian. His face looked if it were etched in stone. He was doing this for her. He wanted the cure, yet his tight expression suggested he still resented being the guinea pig.

  The doctor cleaned the vein at the bend of Brian’s arm with alcohol. From a vial with deep green liquid, he slowly filled a syringe and laid it on a stark white towel.

  “You know you don’t have to do this, Brian,” Valerie said through the constriction in her throat.

  “I know.” He looked at the liquid warily. “I’ve always liked green.”

  His deep, brave tone brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them away. Why was she letting him do this? What if that green stuff killed him? Without conscious forethought, she grabbed the syringe and shot the serum into her own vein.

  “Valerie, No!” Dad shouted.

  “My, God,” the doctor said. “Do realize, young lady, that you’ve just shot an overdose into your bloodstream? That dose was based on Mr. Jones’ height and weight. You’re much shorter, lighter.”

  “Valerie, what were you thinking?” Brian said. “Didn’t you think I could handle this?”

  Valerie wanted desperately to answer, but couldn’t. She couldn’t focus. The world spun crazily. Her body jerked as though slammed with shock paddles. She rode lightning through the epic center of an earthquake while her body switched repeatedly and painfully between wolf and human. Her heart thundered in her chest. A whirlwind of activity and commotion bustled around her. She hit and clawed at clutching arms. Strong hands strapped her down. No! Don’t do this to me! She screamed but heard no sound come out.

  ****

  The doctor continued to shout directives to his staff. Damon hated that they’d had to strap his baby girl down to treat her, but she was a wild animal, strong and ferocious.

  She twisted and jerked in the throes of body-racking spasms. Then, suddenly, she went deadly still and a ghostly she-wolf escaped out of her mouth.

  Dear God in Heaven, the serum worked, but will it kill my beautiful, impetuous daughter? Damon prayed harder. Lord, please let her live.

  Brian’s eyes widened, his expression incredulous. No doubt he’d never seen a ghost-wolf exit a body before.

  “Stand over by the
windows out of the way,” Doctor Frankston ordered, his voice tight, angry. “We need room to work.”

  Quickly, he and Brian moved to the outer limits of the room. A tight-faced redhead tech in her forties shot something into Valerie.

  “What’s that?” Brian asked with alarm in his tone.

  “Probably something to dilute the deadly dose.”

  “Probably!” Brian said in a choked voice. “Good God. Why don’t you call the paramedics and get her to a real hospital?”

  “These are all qualified medical people.” He hoped. He didn’t know the two recently-hired lady techs. But he’d hired the males, Butch and Hutch himself. Right now he glared at them for being so rough when they held Valerie down. The mousy looking tech hooked her up to two monitors and then Hutch and Butch tucked plastic bags of ice chips around her. The doctor took her pulse and watched the monitor screen with worried eyes.

  “Can you guarantee they’ll save her?” Brian asked, his voice tight. “Why don’t you get her to a hospital?”

  “You should know the answer to that. It’s one of the disadvantages of the curse.” Damon began to pace in a tiny rectangular space. “No one outside our circle of secrecy can know about her, or what has gone on here today.”

  “I’ll kill you if she dies.”

  “You won’t have to. I’ll kill myself. But she won’t die. Now shut up and pray.”

  Damon knew Brian was only striking out at the nearest target. The poor kid dropped down on a wooden straight backed chair and put his head in his hands.

  Damon wanted to blame him for making Valerie love him so much that she’d willingly risked her life. But he couldn’t. Then, he tried to blame Angela and Victoria for standing up against him. But that wasn’t fair. This was Valerie’s own decision and he prayed it wasn’t her last. She’d risked her life and for what?

  Her interference ruined the test. He didn’t know if it was her sacrifice for Brian that rid her body of the curse or if the serum was responsible. He still needed someone else to test the serum. But since Valerie had risked her life to stop Brian from participating, he couldn’t go against her. Besides, without the wolf inside her, perhaps no one could better protect her from a werewolf than another wolf.