CREAM (On the Hunt)
Page 13
Teaghan said into his phone, “You’ll find us in the same spot I killed the twins’ rogue. Be there.” He stabbed the call end button and reholstered his phone. “We’re on. You ready?”
Jeliyah looked around the room, wishing she could stay there and pretend to be her version of human again—a naïve necromancer only concerned with retirement. She nodded as she shouldered her duffel bag with ease. Her new strength continued to surprise her. “Let’s get it done.”
Grabbing his own bag, Teaghan led the way back to the car, where they stashed their things in the trunk. He made quick work of checking out and then drove them to the meeting spot.
After parking the car, Teaghan said, “Lose the shades and pull your hair over your ears.”
Jeliyah didn’t question it. She had to play human. Doing it while at the bank had nearly blinded her. Fluorescent lighting should be considered a hate crime against vampires. She’d excused her reaction to the people who noticed as a piercing migraine, which hadn’t been far off the truth since a splitting headache had followed. As with most things where vampires were concerned, the headache didn’t last long, once she left the bank. She still didn’t want to go through it again.
The grounds surrounding the Marceaux estate were vampire friendly and blessedly dark. Jeliyah’s vampire eyes saw every detail of the roots and trees around her as though they were bathed in light. What she thought would be a cacophony of noise from night creatures sounded no different to her vampire ears than to her former human ones. While louder than before, the ambient noise could be ignored so it didn’t bother her.
What she couldn’t tune out was the heat Teaghan radiated across the short distance that separated them. Vampires did give off heat. All part of the mind inhabiting the body. And Teaghan’s body inhabited every part of her mind.
His scent of musk was the only one she smelled. His heat turned the cool night into a hot summer day. She didn’t understand this reaction. She’d sat beside him in the car for almost twenty-four hours without a single errant thought. He’d slept for a few hours at a rest stop before continuing to the hotel without her thoughts turning to sex. A few minutes in the open forest and suddenly her libido revved to life.
She faced the tree she stood near and focused on memorizing the pattern of the bark. The jagged pattern reminded her of Teaghan’s scarred chest and how the rough skin felt when she licked it. The memory made her pussy tingle with need.
A surprised gasp ripped from her throat when Teaghan crowded her close to the tree.
“Quiet,” he snapped in a harsh whisper.
He must have heard something she missed while she’d occupied herself musing about sex. Her errant thoughts would get her killed. She needed to focus.
Or that was her plan until Teaghan undid her jeans and yanked them down her legs. She tried to pull away from him but he held her trapped with his arms on either side of her.
She asked, “What are you doing?”
“Getting you off so you stop distracting me.”
“You—” Her words ended on a sharp cry of pleasure as Teaghan surged his hard dick into the depths of her pussy.
She clawed at the tree, shredding the bark, and whimpered loudly. Her whole body tightened as an instant orgasm claimed her. No warning or buildup—the sensation of Teaghan buried inside her hurtled her over the edge of ecstasy. She squeezed her eyes shut and sucked at her bottom lip.
“We’re just getting started, sweetness.” He pulled back and then thrust home again.
The remnants of the last orgasm combined with the next and had Jeliyah panting and crying. It was too much. The sweet sensation far surpassed the night before last.
“You were new then, still changing.” He pressed his hips against her ass, shifting his dick inside her and prolonging her overexcited state. “What you’re feeling isn’t an orgasm, sweetness. You have to readjust your scale. This is just titillation.” He kissed her hair. “When you orgasm, the whole forest will know it.”
Grabbing her in a firm grip, Teaghan pumped in a fast tempo that left Jeliyah breathless and happy she didn’t need air, because she couldn’t pull it in fast enough. Despite the overwhelming assault to her new senses, she found herself pushing back against Teaghan and circling her hips so she pumped his dick.
Teaghan hugged her waist with one arm as he moved with her. His breath came out in huffs that feathered across her neck. He kissed her there, scraping his fangs over her skin.
Her keen of need filled the night. She wanted his fangs. It surprised her how much she wanted them. Some part of her knew his bite would feel as good as his dick.
Teaghan nibbled at her neck, teasing her. “Beg.” He punctuated his command by flicking her clit.
Jeliyah’s eyes rolled skyward and she arched back so her head rested on Teaghan’s shoulder and the rough bark of the tree excited her nipples through her shirt. As much as she wanted to heed Teaghan’s command, her mouth wouldn’t obey her. All she could manage were sounds to convey the unmatched pleasure he was giving her. She didn’t know if she could handle the vampire version of an orgasm if her current state was the preamble.
“Aren’t you two cozy? And vulnerable.” The newcomer’s words barely registered before Teaghan snatched Jeliyah’s gun from its holster and shoved it against the forehead of the man who’d spoken.
Teaghan snapped, “Fuck off.” At the same time, he pulled the trigger.
The man didn’t have time to dodge. His head snapped back as the bullet entered, killing him. The death and smell of blood sobered Jeliyah a little.
She stared at the corpse. “Who was that?”
“Who the fuck cares? Shut up and come.” He pinched her clit and increased the tempo of his thrusts.
Jeliyah had no choice but to let the pleasure suck her under once more. If she’d been human, the gruesome scene would have killed her libido. Her vampire self had no such issues. The scent of blood excited her and made her fangs lengthen.
She shoved back, dislodging Teaghan, and turned. With a small kick, she freed one foot from her pants so she could wrap her legs around Teaghan’s waist. The force of her jumping on him backed him up against another tree.
He laughed as he cupped her ass, squeezing it and guiding her pussy onto his shaft. “That’s right, sweetness. Fuck that dick.”
An animalistic rumble of satisfaction left her throat as she bounced, driving Teaghan’s arousal deep so his tip teased her core. She let her head fall back, secure in the knowledge that Teaghan would protect her so she could let the passion of the moment sweep her away.
Teaghan ripped her shirt open and latched his mouth on to one of her nipples. He sucked it and thrilled it with his tongue, not letting up until she cried out loud enough that a few night birds took flight to escape the sound. When he switched nipples, he dragged his mouth over her skin between her breasts.
Her other nipple got a few licks before Teaghan bit her, sinking his fangs into the swell of her breast. Crackling white noise filled her mind and made her skin tingle. Her movements stopped as she convulsed. Teaghan had been right. Everything until that point had been preliminary. The marvelous gratification rendered her incapable of doing anything except reveling in it.
Vampires should have invented a new word for this sensation long ago because orgasm wasn’t potent enough. Climax, zenith, pinnacle—no word equaled the strength of something this glorious. A strength that built when Teaghan squeezed her ass and guided her to keep riding, to continue bringing them both to gratification.
Jeliyah didn’t think it possible to experience another soul-searing orgasm so soon after the first but her body proved her wrong. It craved everything Teaghan had to give and demanded more. She let the abyss have her and found herself enveloped in a warm glow that she craved more than the heat. The glow soothed her frenzied emotions, allowing a sense of peace and rightness to settle around her.
Some intuition told her Teaghan felt it too. He released his bite and hugged her waist. His head rest
ed between her breasts as he shook from his own release. He was breathing hard. That simple fact made Jeliyah smile.
Teaghan had had centuries to acclimate to his vampire body but Jeliyah still had the ability to leave him panting. He growled under his breath but didn’t correct her thoughts. She hugged his shoulders, basking in the glow they shared.
She didn’t know how long they stayed that way before Teaghan lifted his head and met her gaze. He searched her face with an expression of uncertainty marring his features. It didn’t look right on him.
He whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Jeliyah gave him a sad smile as she cupped his face and laid her lips against his. The kiss they shared was gentle and conveyed more than thoughts and words ever could. The bond Jeliyah had forged was permanent. They were part of each other. Once they finished this hunt, maybe they could finally find a quiet place to talk so they could find out what that truly meant.
Teaghan nodded. He kissed her lips once more before lifting her up so she released his dick—an action that had her libido readying for the next round. She tamped down the urge to hop back on and ride toward another explosive encounter. This wasn’t the time or the place.
“Later,” Teaghan whispered against her neck. He set her on her feet.
While she expected to be wobbly, Jeliyah found her vampire body recovered faster than her mind. Her stance was solid without Teaghan’s help, though he kept hold of her waist until she stepped away. Her pants dragged the ground.
The sight of her pants dangling from one leg—the jeans still hugged her left calf, though partially inside out—made her chuckle. Even more amusing was that she had to take off her right shoe to get the pant leg back on when she hadn’t needed it that way to get the pant leg off.
Teaghan made a sound of appreciation before grabbing her ass. Jeliyah squeaked and straightened quickly from her bent position. She smacked Teaghan’s hand to get him to let go.
He said, “No panties. It’s always the quiet ones into the freaky shit.”
Jeliyah yanked up her pants. “I am not. Niccolo didn’t supply any with the clothes he gave me.”
“You’s a freak.” Teaghan laughed when she swatted at him. “Don’t get mad at me because you like going commando and getting a piece in the woods.”
“It takes two to tango, vampire.”
“I never said I wasn’t a freak. Any time, any place is good for me. Say when.”
Jeliyah opened her mouth to give him a flippant reply when a second intruder said, “When.”
Jeliyah and Teaghan turned toward Fredrick, who stood a few feet away with four others flanking him. One of the four was Ephraim, the vampire who had chatted with Jeliyah in the club the other night.
Fredrick gestured at the corpse of the man Teaghan had killed earlier. “Considering what you did to my associate, I thought it best to let you two finish before making my presence known. I wouldn’t want to end up the same way.”
Teaghan asked, “Enjoy the show?”
“It was invigorating. I’m happy you brought her back, Teaghan. The others are now eager to partake of the sample you gave us.” Fredrick licked his lips as he admired Jeliyah’s bared breasts. “I admit to my own eagerness. I’ve heard necromancers can be quite stimulating.”
Jeliyah didn’t bother acting embarrassed or trying to pull her shirt closed—some buttons were gone and some of the button loops torn thanks to Teaghan. Let Fredrick and his friends look. If any of the men touched her, they would fry. Her necromes buzzed as they turned active without her voicing the command.
Her personal shield snapped into place, lighting up the night with its blue glow. She said, “I’m more than stimulating, vampire. I’m electric. I’ll be happy to give you a taste if you want it that badly.” She held out her hand to him.
Fredrick tsked at her and wagged his finger. “Give me more credit than that, necromancer. When I claim you, it will be after an open invitation. I understand the higher-ups have a way to compel you to give the invitation whether you want to or not.”
“They’ll never get the chance.” Not to mention she was a vampire, so the invitation caveat no longer applied to her. But she didn’t say that last part since it didn’t seem as if Fredrick had realized she was no longer one of the living. Niccolo had been right. So long as she didn’t exhibit any vampire traits and kept her hair over her earplugs, Fredrick and his friends would keep underestimating her as a simple necromancer.
Teaghan said, “Enough. I’ve got a message for you from Niccolo, Fredrick.”
“The message is clear. He’s sent you back to face your doom, as I knew he would. You were a fool to run straight into the arms of the man who ordered your execution.”
“And you’re an idiot if you think Niccolo is the type of man who would let me drive twenty-some odd hours to be killed when he has two necromancers at his beck and call who could have done the deed right then and there.”
Fredrick’s smile faltered.
Teaghan nodded. “That’s right, Fredrick. I didn’t escape. He sent me back on assignment. I’ve got a sizeable bounty waiting for me when I bring him your head.” He pulled his sword. “Time’s a wasting.”
“Kill them both,” Fredrick yelled, pointing in Jeliyah and Teaghan’s direction.
The rush of ten extra men from the trees surprised Jeliyah. She’d been too focused on the few in front of her to realize Fredrick had her and Teaghan surrounded. Had Teaghan known?
Yup. Beat yourself up later. Kick ass now. Teaghan rushed forward with a battle cry. Three of the men, Ephraim amongst them, raced to intercept him.
Jeliyah stared on in confusion, unsure of what to do. The crackling of her personal shield intensified as the vampires closed in on her.
Fredrick said, “That shield won’t last forever, necromancer. You’re wasting energy needlessly. Just give in.”
She started to retort as a way of bluffing him into thinking she would last longer than he predicted but stopped herself. Taking a mental tally of herself revealed the shield wasn’t depleting her. She felt fine. More than that, she felt strong.
The high-class nerome nestled between her breasts hummed loudly, as though happy to be in use once more. It channeled her power with little effort. No wonder high-class necromes cost so much.
Whether she had high-class necromes or not, she didn’t know her limits. The change from human to vampire had been too sudden for her to test herself. She hadn’t tasted blood yet either. She didn’t want to do too much and end up passing out, leaving Teaghan to protect them both. Did vampires pass out?
No, necromancer! Now kill some of these fuckers before I turn you over my knee and beat your ass.
Her pussy twitched, sending a shiver up her spine. That sounds fun.
Oh, you little slut. I’ve got something for you later. Just wait.
Jeliyah laughed and sent Teaghan a mental air kiss.
Fredrick said, “I’m glad to amuse you.”
“You do, Fredrick. You really do.” She pointed to the man closest to her. “Break.”
The man exploded, raining chunks and blood over the group. The shield kept any from touching her.
She laughed more. “That was even more amusing. Let’s do it again.” She pointed at another man but he blurred out of view, charging her, before she could speak. He thought his vampiric speed could save him. He had another think coming. Jeliyah could see him.
The man darted behind a tree before rushing her, probably to ram her shield and force her to slam against the tree behind her, knocking her out. It wouldn’t work. She let him get close before she said, “Halt.”
The man froze mid-step with a look of surprise. He tried to say something as she pulled in a loud breath before saying, “Break.”
Like the man before him, he exploded in chunks and blood. Fredrick stumbled back to avoid being splattered. His expression was one of disbelief. “What… How… You’re a middle class. Casting one Break should have taken most of your strength.”
To Teaghan, she said, It’s time to stop playing, lover.
Mmmm…I like the sound of that. Tell me what to do.
She opened her mind to Teaghan, letting him have access to years of necromancer training. It was time for Fredrick to find out just how bad his situation was. She and Teaghan would give him a few minutes to regret his life choices before taking his head.
Teaghan rifled through the information Jeliyah showed him, looking for something he could use. Break was too messy and not his style. He wanted to do some personal damage to the men clashing swords with him. Something that would hurt…a lot.
He grinned as he found just the right spell. “Activate,” he growled.
The necro-metal earrings sang a familiar melody in his ear. He hummed along with them, confusing his opponents. The men faltered in their attack, looking between Teaghan and Jeliyah to discern the trick. They would never figure it out.
Teaghan closed a mental hand around the power Jeliyah had given him and said, “Cleanse.”
He pointed the attack at Ephraim first as payback for that stunt in the club. The man burst into blue flames. The others jumped back in surprise but weren’t fast enough before Teaghan directed the flames to engulf them as well. All three screamed as the fire melted flesh from bone. It wouldn’t kill them or end their agony until every bit of flesh had been burned away. The magic that animated vampires was cruel like that.
Teaghan wasn’t that patient though. He severed the men’s heads from their necks and left their corpses to burn to ash.