The Black Rose Chronicles: Deceit and Lies

by Michaels, A K

“I may have something you’d like.” Cassius got up and strode to his office, quickly retrieving a small book-sized device. He saw her eyeing it as he handed it over, complete with a charger. “Here, this is what people were mostly using to read before the war. It’s an electronic reading device and it’s working perfectly fine. Obviously, no new material can be added, but from what I saw on this, it was an avid reader who owned it, as there are hundreds, if not more books on it.”

  She took the device, studying it as her eyes lit up. The look on her face one of excitement and pleasure as she looked up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Cassius sat back down.

  “I’ve seen these before, but had no clue what they were. If I had, I would’ve been snapping them up whenever I came across them.”

  “Well, you know what they are now. There were dozens of different types, so if you see anything that’s similar and got a charger, then grab it. You never know what gems they’ll have already loaded.” Cassius shrugged. “Although, I prefer the classics and I have all of those if you ever want to borrow them.”

  “I’ve only come across an old paperback of a Shakespeare book, can’t even remember the name, but it was too boring for me.” She grinned over at him cheekily. “The language was too hard to follow. I gave up on it rather quickly.”

  “Yes, some of his stuff was a little hard to get through, but there’s so much more I have that I think you’d enjoy. When you have the time that is.”

  “I’ll remember that, thanks.” She fingered the e-reader in her hand, as if itching to open it and see what delights it held inside. However, they had far more serious issues to discuss.

  Cassius sat forward, staring intently at this young woman who was most definitely much more than she’d so far portrayed. “So, Marie, is there anything you’d care to share with me?”

  He saw her flinch and a shield come down over her face as she took a deep breath.

  “Cassius, I know this is a lot to ask, but can I ask you to trust me? For just a little while longer, and then I’ll tell you everything.”

  He got up, closing the distance between them and sitting down next to her.

  “I don’t like secrets.”

  “I understand that.” She cocked her head to the side, her dark hair falling over one shoulder as she seemed to study him.

  “You’re not what I expected. Not at all.”

  “What did you expect?” he asked as his eyes were pulled to the vein in her throat. He was certain it screamed at him to pierce it, taste her as he held her in his arms. Shaking his head, he looked back up into her eyes, and he knew she’d seen his momentary lapse by the guarded look she gazed upon him with. “My apologies.” He leaned away a little, giving her some space as she gazed at him.

  “It’s okay.” She looked away quickly before turning back. “I’ve never met a Vampire who I didn’t need to fight off, and I don’t mean in a good way. I’m a little nervous when I’m around you, and a little intrigued as to what it would feel like.”

  “Being fed from?” Cassius asked as his mouth watered at the thought of warm blood once more dripping down his throat.

  “Yes,” she said, then quickly shook her head. “I mean, no. I’ve never wanted that before. Any I’ve met have been out to drink me dry, and not in a pleasant way, Cassius.”

  “Sounds as if you’ve met a lot of Vampires.” He raised an eyebrow, hoping she would elaborate.

  “I have.” Her eyes flitted away as she admitted. “I’ve killed a lot.”

  “Have you?” He could almost see her swinging that large sword and taking down a hungry Vamp, and the sight was delicious, erotic, and downright sexy.

  “Only ones who attacked me first.” She stopped, backtracking slightly. “Okay, I’ll change that to only ones who deserved it.”

  “You must be very talented with that blade to take on an angry Vampire, Marie.”

  “I had a real good teacher.” She smiled, and that smile had him doing something he hadn’t done in a very long time, he kissed a woman.

  His lips caressed hers, his arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him. He heard the surprised gasp at the same time as feeling it in his mouth. His cock hardened as he held her close, deepening the kiss, and when her hand snaked up into his hair, he couldn’t stop the moan from escaping against her lips.

  Passion engulfed him like never before, and he had a fleeting thought of wondering why she affected him in such a manner before he was lost in the moment. One of her hands in his hair while the other slipped between the buttons of his shirt, touching his bare skin.

  Cassius pulled back to murmur against her lips, “If I don’t stop now, I’m going to pick you up and take you to my bed.”

  Her answer a soft groan as she tugged his hair to pull his lips back to hers. It was all the encouragement he needed. Picking her up easily and striding to his bed, the bed she’d been in for over a week. Her scent surrounded him as he placed her on the comforter before he quickly removed her clothes. His need rising with every inch of skin he uncovered.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he breathed as she lay before him, lust in her eyes as she gazed up at him.

  Cassius tore his own clothing off, desperate to feel his skin next to hers. Too many years had passed since he’d allowed himself this kind of pleasure, causing him to almost take her as fast as possible. However, he managed to stop himself, wanting to savor each moment.

  As he lay next to her, his fingers caressing her breasts, she arched her back before pushing him on his back so she could mount him. Cassius grabbed her firmly, flipping her back to the bed and holding her arms as he nibbled her bottom lip. “I’m in charge here, Marie, not you.”

  He felt her struggle for a brief moment as he stared into her face. Releasing one of her hands, he slowly stroked her side, moving lower to feel every part of her before finally dipping his fingers between her thighs. Her body stilled, stiff and strained as he gently prodded inside her warmth.

  “You appear to be as aroused as I am.” He smirked before taking a nipple between his lips, sucking it in and twirling his tongue around the hard little point.

  He lavished her body with caresses, kisses, and gentle strokes, bringing her to the brink, then pulling back. Her moans of pleasure pushed his ardor to heights he’d never thought possible. Cassius slid down the bed, moving between her thighs and allowing his head to fall between them. Her scent intoxicated his senses as he let his tongue dart out to finally taste her, groaning when her delicious arousal slipped over his tongue. Once again, he felt her tense for a moment before relaxing her thighs to allow him access to her most private parts.

  Cassius kept a hand on her stomach as his mouth expertly brought her nearer and nearer to the peak. Dipping first one, then two fingers inside her as his tongue worked magic upon her sensitive nub. He felt it when her orgasm started deep inside, her muscles tensed, convulsed, then clamped tightly as her back arched and she screamed his name. Her fingers now in his hair, tugging his head even closer between her spread thighs.

  Smiling as he crawled up her body before kissing her deeply, knowing she would taste herself caused him more pleasure. Her body still quivered from her release as he slowly thrust inside her, his cock so hard it was slightly painful.

  That’s a first, he thought as her legs wrapped around him, pulling him in deeper as he started to move faster, each lunge driving him all the way inside the warmest, hottest, and sexiest pussy he’d ever encountered.

  He couldn’t stop now even if he wanted to, and damn it all to hell, he didn’t. This woman beneath him made him feel things he hadn’t in centuries, and when she smiled at him, his heart sped up at an alarming rate. Who she was, still a mystery, but one he’d unravel because he wasn’t letting her go anytime soon. Not when she made him feel this way.

  His urgency rose as she nibbled on his bottom lip, urging him inside her with her thighs clamped tightly around him. He could sense her rising again, and he fought off his own release t
o give her another. Her little exclamations murmured into his mouth almost undoing him until she once again screamed his name, her back arching and her pelvis thrust up into his. As soon as his cock felt the contractions deep inside, his own release stampeded forth, his seed emptying deep inside her as he held her tightly against him.

  Neither of them spoke as he held her naked body to his. As he reveled in the feel of her in his arms, he decided he didn’t care about the secrets she so obviously hid. All he wanted was her here, with him, as he showed her how gentle and loving Vampires could be. He needed her beside him and couldn’t even figure out why.

  Her body started to shake as a soft sob escaped her. Cassius quickly pulled her tighter as he looked into her tear stained face.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly, hoping he hadn’t hurt her in some way.

  “I’m sorry,” she gasped, wiping at the tears. “You wouldn’t understand. Fuck, I don’t understand.”

  “Talk to me,” he prodded, keeping his voice soft as his hand stroked circles on her lower back.

  “I don’t do that.” She hiccupped, shaking her head quickly when he looked shocked. “No, I don’t mean I’ve not had sex. I mean, I never let a man do that, do those things. Well, only ever one man before, but even with him it was different. I’m not explaining this very well. Am I?”

  Cassius shook his head. “No, but go on, we’ll get there if we talk. What was different?”

  “Control,” she gasped. “I don’t give up control. I can’t give up control.”

  He saw the turmoil in her eyes as she tried to sort things through. “You did with me. What does that tell you?”

  “I don’t know.” She hiccupped again before scowling. “I have no fucking idea, but it felt good, like a release of something. I just don’t know what.”

  “We’ve got plenty of time to work through it.” He leaned forward, kissing her softly. “I’ve got a confession of my own.”

  “What?” she asked as she rubbed her body against his like a cat, and he was sure she almost purred.

  “I’ve not taken a woman to my bed in a very long time.”

  “No?” Her eyes widened before she asked, “How long?”

  “For so long I can’t remember,” he admitted. “I grew tired of sex just for the sake of it. After hundreds of years, no, thousands, sex loses its appeal. I craved a connection, but not once did I feel it.”

  “So what does that mean?”

  “It means I feel something with you. Something I’ve never felt before, and with the way you’ve been ogling my ass, I thought you were attracted to me, too.”

  “What?” She pinched him hard as he laughed. “I have not been ogling your ass.”

  “Yes,” he grinned wickedly, “you have, but I’ve been doing the same, so we’re even.”

  “Cassius, I need to talk to you.”

  He held a finger to her lips. “Wait, hold that thought. We’ll get dressed and talk in the living room, because I’m not certain I’ll be able to concentrate otherwise.”

  “I’d rather stay here,” she quipped as he released her to get up.

  “A quick shower, then we’ll talk.”

  The shower was anything but quick. His need for her growing as they washed each other’s bodies. The time slipping by as they enjoyed discovering every inch of the other. He found she had a very ticklish spot on the inside of her thighs, and teased her mercilessly as he pounded into her. Her groans of passion echoing in the confines of the stall as steaming hot water fell around them.

  Cassius heard her stomach growling as they dressed. “I’ll get Sue to get some food sent up.”

  “No.” She shook her head, her face white with what he thought was worry.

  “Why not?” he asked, taking her hand and leading her through to the living room.

  “To be honest, I’m scared of what you’ll say when I tell you who I am. I think I’ll throw up if she brings me anything, and you’ve seen me do that far too many times already.”

  “Why don’t we get it over with then?” Cassius took his seat in the armchair opposite the sofa, where she sat down.

  “My name’s…” was all she got out as a shimmer in the air around them had him on his feet in a second.

  She jumped up, grabbing her katana and wielding it in front of her as a man appeared. Tall, broad, dressed in black from head to toe, with a long leather coat. His eyes were the darkest color he’d ever seen as he smirked at the woman Cassius had taken to his bed.

  “Naughty, naughty,” the man said as he shook a finger at her.

  “Who the fuck are you?” she snarled as Cassius stood at her side.

  “I’d like an answer to that question, too,” he growled, trying to decide just what this fucker was.

  “My name’s Razor. I usually get asked to clear up things when others cannot.”

  Cassius roared for his guards as the man, Razor, smirked and flicked a wrist. He could hear the guards on the other side of the thick wooden doors trying to get in.

  “None of that. We don’t want to be interrupted. Not when I’m here to deal with you, Little Rose.” Razor’s eyes glinted as he took her in from her bare feet all the way up to her eyes. “You had an assignment and you’ve not exactly carried it out, so I’ve been told I can do what I want with you if I do what you obviously cannot.”

  “What?” she gasped as she looked at Cassius, stepping in front of him as she swirled her blade in her hands. “Don’t fucking try it or your big head will be on the floor in no time.”

  Cassius looked from her to Razor, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Razor sneered over at them, his face a mask of pure evil.

  “Rose, Rose, Rose, I think I’m going to enjoy you for a while before you’ll be too damaged for even me to use.”

  As Cassius was about to push her out of the way to get his hands on this man, she did it to him. Her hand reaching back and pushing him with a strength he had no idea she was capable of. Staggering backwards, he could only watch as she leapt forward, her blade moving with incredible speed to slash and cut at the trespasser.

  He watched as she moved with lightning speed and precision, causing several injuries within a few seconds. Razor roared wildly as he tried to stop her assault. On and on she went, jumping high into the air and only just missing the blow that would have removed Razor’s head from his body. The scent of the black blood that seeped from his injuries caused Cassius to gag on the putrefaction of the scent.

  Razor reached forward, barely missing her throat as she slashed again and again, inflicting minor injuries as the much larger man danced out of harm’s way. Cassius moved forward, using his Vampire speed, only to have Marie snarl at him and push him back again.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” he howled as she attacked Razor once more.

  The doors burst open, shattering at the force of his guards and Valentine, who rushed inside. Taking only a moment to assess the situation, they dashed forward to enter the fight.

  At that second, Razor screamed loudly, “I’ll be back for you.” Before disappearing as quickly as he’d arrived.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Valentine roared. “Who was that and why the fuck is she doing the fighting?”

  Cassius held up his hand and Valentine shut up. He wasn’t happy going by the snarl on his face, though. “Leave us,” Cassius snapped out, his eyes on Marie’s as she caught her breath.

  “Boss.” Valentine stepped forward. “I’m not going anywhere until I know what’s going on. Who or what the fuck was that?”

  “A Demon,” Marie spoke quietly as she stared back at Cassius.

  “Demon? A fucking Demon? What’s going on?” Valentine barked out, his body tense as he looked around, expecting it to reappear.

  “We need to talk,” she said, her face flushed from exertion and possibly shame.

  “Yes,” Cassius agreed. “We do. Val, please leave us.”

  Valentine took note of the shortened name and knew Cassius was b
eyond upset. He rarely called him Val.

  “Okay, but I’m not going far, so if you need me, just shout.”

  “Thank you.” Cassius inclined his head and waited until they were alone.

  “Who are you?”

  Cassius saw her grimace and realized she’d injured her newly healed arm. He fought the urge to rush to her as he closed down his emotions. His eyes cold as she sank down onto the sofa.

  “My name’s Rose,” she said softly, then looked up into his eyes. “Better known as The Black Rose.”

  Cassius thought his heart had stopped as she tried to smile. The Black Rose? No, that was impossible. He’d heard of this person. An assassin who dealt out death as easily as a card shark dealt cards in Vegas, the once renowned gambling capital of the entire world.

  “What did you say?” He breathed deeply, sure he must’ve misheard.

  “Cassius, can you sit down. Please?” Her eyes implored him as things started to fall into place.

  “You’re an assassin? The assassin the Council uses?” He knew he sounded shocked. Hell, he was shocked.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Please sit down.”

  He didn’t sit next to her, going to his armchair and stiffly lowering himself down. “Talk.” His jaw clenched so tight he had to speak through his teeth.

  “I was told you were plotting to enslave the other species and have Vampires rule. That you had a plan to overthrow the Council and take control of it, humans, Wolves, fuck, everyone. That you were going to have everyone enslaved so your species could feed off them.”

  Cassius cursed as he glared at her. “You fucking believe that?”

  “No!” Her voice rose as she held her hands up, waving them around in front of her. “I took the mission, but I always check my targets out myself. I don’t ever do anything unless I’m certain the person is doing wrong. Bad things, very bad things. Only then do I take them out.”

  “Take them out?” Cassius snorted. “You sound as if you’re taking them on a date, but what you really mean is kill them. Don’t you?”

  She looked away, down at the floor as she nodded. “Yes.”