by K A Young
I continue to sense her uneasiness as she shifts slightly in my lap, looking at me with wonder. I can feel her pulse racing through her veins as she waits for my reply.
How can I resist?
I quickly slice the blade across her inner wrist while she winces momentarily in pain. As I place the knife on the arm of the chair and take her right wrist in my hand, bring it to my lips. The aroma of blood smells so sweet, I had almost forgotten...
She sighs gently as my tongue runs across her open wound, tasting her intoxicating blood once again as I allow it to fill my senses. I can feel my eyes changing to their black rose as I look into her eyes. The moan that escapes Annika's lips sends a shiver down my spine, arousing me in the process.
I growl, sucking harder on her wrist, drinking down her exquisitely warm blood. This only elects another pleasurable moan from her as she exhales sharply, coming to understand that feeding for a vampire can be the most intimate action to another of our kind. I treat her as such, allowing the pleasure to wash over her as it consumes me along with it. I can already feel the cut healing, her blood magic protecting her body on its own as it warrants me off.
She is a fascinating creature.
"Locaine, we recei-" Michael's voice announces his presence from the main lobby. I reluctantly release my lips from Annika's wrist, her eyes fluttering open as she looks up at me, tensing at the sudden intrusion and wondering precisely what I will do.
"Thank you, slave," I return a sincere smile as I inform her, "you may leave."
Her expression is one of unwilling, but she immediately stands from my lap and turns to face Michael where she just merely walks right past him and turns the corner out of the main lobby.
Michael arches a brow while fumbling, "You...managed to...how the hell did...you manage to do that?"
"My little secret," I murmur, taking my thumb and wiping it across my bottom lip, the traces of Annika's blood still lingering.
Michael nods and replies, "It seems that we have received word that the six recognized leaders of the covens will be making an appearance in the next week."
"We'll be ready," I reply, rising from my chair as if the gathering is nothing to worry about. I know my actions are going to be put through scrutiny, though I dare say they will be more intrigued with Annika standing by my side.
As I walk toward him, he informs me "That's not all," Michael continues, "they are bringing their slaves with them."
"Why?" I question though I know the only possible reason will be to play one of our many games.
"Pissing contest, I suppose?" Michael shrugs his shoulders as he too figures they might be opting to play our game as we haven't in so long. I won't allow Annika to fill that role though she stands by my side, especially with how she is now I can't take a chance. I snort and proceed out of the main lobby, that's when I notice Emily waiting in the hallway.
"Why are you eavesdropping?" I bark at her, her level of comfort around here starting to overstep the boundaries set out and she immediately takes off from the spot she had been hiding behind. I rub my forehead and turn to Michael before noting, "We need to prepare."
**
-Annika
I lightly brush my fingertips against the inner part of my wrist, the cut wholly healed and there is no trace of a scar remaining. I've very much forgotten what it's like being able to accelerate my healing to this degree. I know Locaine was surprised by my actions, but I also know he was pleased with me.
It has been hours since I have offered him my blood, and I spent them darting and hiding away from Emily and Carly. After the way we closed our last conversation, it's becoming clear that I don't believe I'll be able to remain as friendly as possible with them. We have our differences, and quite possibly due to our genetic makeup...perhaps, that's the reason we may never see eye to eye.
Six leaders, huh?
I begin to think about what this will mean for their arrival. These six vampires control the covens in this world in a more spread out presence, especially across countries and continents. Locaine's own coven brings the total to seven.
"Annika?" Carly pops around the corner of the hallway I'm occupying suddenly, taking me off guard as I'd been so careful.
Shit...I didn't do a good enough job of hiding.
"Yes, Carly?" I ask, pushing myself away from the wall and dropping my arm down to my side while I attempt to remain indifferent.
Carly smiles lightly, as her dark hair is pulled back away from her face. She then proceeds to inform me, "I just spoke with Emily. She said that the leaders are bringing their slaves to the meeting."
"So?" I glance around, seeing if I might be able to escape from this conversation. This isn't any of my business...
"So," Carly repeats my question and waves her hand in the air as if I don't know anything...which is exactly that...I don't. She states, "They are showing off their most prized possessions."
Oh, right, we are possessions.
A heavy sigh leaves my lips at that notion, and I ask her, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Our masters will expect us to behave and go above and beyond for them," Carly points at me and then puts her hands on her hips, "and...you have not done the greatest job of that in the past."
I roll my eyes at her, crossing my arms in front of my chest. Looks like Emily's holier than thou attitude is rubbing off on her.
"You, are the king's slave, so you need to make sure you don't...embarrass him," Carly sighs while admitting the last thing I wanted to hear.
"Believe me," I place a hand on my chest, "I feel a change of heart coming on." I take my hand away from my chest, and sidestep around her, entirely done with this conversation on how everything is my fault around here.
"Stop being sarcastic!" Carly glowers with sudden anger.
I whip around and smirk at her, "Trust me, I'm not."
Her face is priceless. Apparently, she and Emily are entirely in the dark, as is the rest of the coven for that matter. Except...Rynn and Darius. They both appear to have an idea about what is going on, but they say nothing.
"I'm tired," I take off down the hallway.
"Well, it is almost six in the morning, we should be getting to bed," Carly smiles happily as she catches up to me. I continue to walk until we reach the main entrance, placing one foot on the marble staircase.
"Where are you going?!" Carly's sudden surprise in her voice reminds me that she has no idea.
I turn to glance down at her, now about five steps up, "My master has requested I stay with him."
Carly's eyes are full, but she nods without a second question and begins her journey down the hallway to the slaves' room. For once, I'm relieved that I don't have to join her, or Emily for that matter.
I gaze back up the staircase, taking each step carefully until I reach the top landing and make my way to Locaine's room. I raise my hand into a fist to knock on the door but suddenly halt my actions. I remember what he said, and it's time to see if he truly means it...
I place my hand on the door handle and open it inward to his room. I scan the room, but I can't see him anywhere, so I enter and close the door silently behind me. I lean against the door and place my head against it, closing my eyes as I release a sigh.
After a few minutes of silence, I walk over to my wardrobe and undress from the maid's uniform, kicking off my heels in the process. I put on a pair of black shorts and a red tank top, feeling the soothing cold marble beneath my bare feet.
I smile sincerely, enjoying the freedom to wear what I want for the first time since I've been here.
The sound of a door opens behind me, but it isn't the door to the hallway. I feel a sudden warm air escape into the coolness of the room, my heart skipping a beat at the warmth it provides.
"My little hunter?" Locaine's voice questions me, taking me off guard.
I pivot around and scream in shock, backing up a few feet and slip on the marble, landing hard on my ass. Locaine's god-like body is in the door fra
me of what I now know is a connecting bathroom. His snowy hair is wet, sticking out at all different angles, the few water droplets cascading down the front of his muscular pecs, down to his abs. He wears a single white towel tightly wrapped around his waist, his eyes staring down into mine.
"Uh...uhhh..I-Ummm..." I stutter as I glance away from him, burying my face into the covers that hang over the side of the bed.
"I see," Locaine replies as I can hear the amusement in his voice. I keep my face plastered to the covers, now hiding away the color that fills my cheeks.
"Is this better?" I feel Locaine's voice beside me.
I take a chance and turn my face in his direction. He stands, looming over me, in long sweat pants and a black tank top.
Phew.
Locaine crouches down in front of me until we are eye level. He gently takes hold of my chin and asks, "Why are you embarrassed?"
"I...I wasn't expecting...you, to-to be like that," I stammer, running over my words as my face turns a deeper shade of red.
Locaine chuckles while I can see the tips of those fangs gleaming in the lighting, "Well, I do need to shower from time to time if that is okay with you," he teases me.
"Now," he releases his hold on my chin and rises to his feet, "are you coming to bed?" Locaine had already walked away while asking me this question, feeling the bed move beside me.
Maaaaaaybe I should go sleep in the slaves' room.
"Little hunter?" His voice calls me.
Too late!
I pull myself off the floor, and my gaze falls on Locaine, already under the covers, with one of his arms under his head.
"Come here..." he looks at me in a way I have never seen before, something behind his eyes seeming very gentle and soft.
I rock on the back of my heels and turn my face away from him, still very much concerned with the idea of sharing a bed with a man, let alone him.
Locaine releases a sigh, "I'm not going to do anything," I shoot him a glance, his eyes are playful in response, "unless you ask me to."
I roll my eyes and huff, ignoring his comment as I pull back the sheets and covers, slipping into the bed. I turn my back away from him and shut my eyes tightly, my heart beating fast in my chest. Suddenly, I feel his arm wrap around my waist, and I freeze beneath his touch, my heart stopping altogether.
"Annika."
Did he just say my name?
"I promise, I won't let anything happen to you," his warm breath lingers on the back of my neck, a pleasurable shiver racing down my spine.
Peppermint.
I inhale his scent as I sink back against his chest, my back touching him. I feel his chin on my shoulder as he whispers, "Goodnight, my little hunter."
Chapter 18
-Annika
The letters Locaine had consigned out, were subsequently beginning to come back. The leaders will be meeting in the next few days. He had adhered to his promise and regarded me as an equal.
I had been dragged into an office on the main floor and was presently situated in a wooden chair across from Rynn. Her red locks are pulled back into a bun today, her emerald eyes never leaving my face. She displays tight leather pants, knee-high boots, and a corset with a white blouse underneath. The room is quiet, watching her as she appears to be overlooking files that have been left on the desk. The eerie silence only makes me nervous, wondering what it is she wants to speak to me about.
"Locaine will be required to show the leaders that he is more powerful than the rest. Besides the fact that he has undertaken the task, and guaranteed to hunt down the vampire hunters, setting in motion our world-wide existence reveal, he did so because no one dared overstep their boundaries. With the death of Theo and Jezabel, they will want answers and justification for his actions."
"Okay..." I presume that he will have to flash his power, but...what the hell does it have to do with me?
Rynn narrows her eyes and explains, "The leaders are bringing their slaves, obviously to show them off," she pauses a moment, looking me over before she states, "this isn't the first time they've done this, and it certainly won't be the last."
"I'm not the prettiest slave, you know...maybe Emily has a better chance of making a lasting and satisfying impression," I release a sigh and cross my arms in front of my chest. This whole thing is appearing to be a complete waste of time, and if Locaine knew any better, he'd just lock me away in the room the entire time that the leaders are here. At least if he does this, he'll avoid me making a fool out of him by accidentally messing up at the absolute worst possible time!
Rynn slams her fist on the desk, causing me to jolt in my seat unexpectedly. She then proceeds to agree, "No, you may not be-."
"Hey! That hurt!" I glare at her. It's not reassuring when the vampire who's becoming cordial with you agrees that you're not something to stare at with admiration...
Rynn smirks at me, "But, you are by far the most powerful. You give Locaine power. You display that you are entirely under his control. When they discern that he ordered you to execute them, how many of them do you think will be watching their back, knowing their king has a blood magic wielding hunter at his beck and call?"
"Uhhhh, won't they just want to kill me?" I shrug my shoulders, not really picturing how those events will play out in my head too lightly. If they are anything like Jezabel, I'm as good as dead, and the last thing I want to do is be left alone with any of them. Two bloodthirsty purebloods were enough for me, I don't need any more after the last encounter.
"Would they really test that theory? No, I don't think so...you just have to provide them...some evidence, that you are under Locaine's complete authority," Rynn lifts her fist from the desk and sighs.
"Wow...how am I ever going to do that?" I throw my hands in the air, already finding it extremely hard to follow the simplest of orders. It seems almost impossible that I can make a difference here...the only good thing I've done is an excellent job of a screw up at each turn...
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Rynn waves her hand, dismissing me.
I stand from my seat and turn on my heel, walking toward the door.
"One more thing, Annika," Rynn's voice is intrigued, "hasn't he waited long enough?"
I retort, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure," is the only thing Rynn says to me as she stands from the desk, walking past me and opening the door. I scoot past her and hastily make my way down the hallway, avoiding others as best as I can.
I know the answer to that question...I've just been worried...
Yes, I want to be with Locaine. Our relationship has only grown deeper the more days pass by, the more we come to understand each other. He doesn't want to take anything from me, he wants me safe and happy.
Maybe I am ready to give.
It isn't long before I'm entering Locaine's room, the silence greeting me. I know he is discussing the final preparations for the arrival of the leaders tomorrow. Walking into the bathroom, I strip and take a long, hot shower. The water releases the tension from my shoulders, finally becoming accustomed to my new 'slave' status.
I turn off the water and blow dry my hair until the moisture is completely gone. I smile as I select a dark red, lacy thong and a comparable baby doll that has slate hearts on the ribbon resting under my breasts while there is a small gap that runs down the center of my stomach. I wander back into the bathroom and admire myself in the mirror.
Damn, I look hot.
"Little hunter, we need to talk about tomorrow," The resonance of Locaine's voice comes from the bedroom, the door closing slowly behind him.
Here goes...
I swallow the lump that has risen in the back of my throat. I slowly open the bathroom door and meet the stunned gaze of Locaine. I close the door silently behind me, as I slowly step toward him.
"What about tomorrow?" I ask him, flashing him a flirtatious smile.
Locaine appears unsure, arching a brow at me. I close the gap between us and freely place my hands on his
chest. He envelopes me a second later with his arms, pulling me entirely against him.
"You know," Locaine's lustful eyes roam my body, "It's not nice to taunt me."
"I'm not," I leered at him.
Locaine brings his hand to my neck, ghosting over it with his fingertips. My heart skips a beat as he grasps my chin and tilts it up to meet his icy blue orbs. He scans me, watching to see if I had any doubt lingering in them as he can always tell whether I'm truthful.
I'm not hiding anything...
"Locai-" he silences me as his lips lightly brush mine, his hand sliding up and taking hold of the back of my head. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, his fangs faintly scraping me in the process.
I moan softly, and he takes the opportunity to dart his tongue into my mouth, rolling his tongue over mine. Shuddering as his hands roam up and down my back, I inhale sharply. My knees buckle, and I feel myself collapsing a second later.
Locaine lifts me up as I snake my arms around his neck, my eyes fluttering shut. He wraps my legs around his waist, hungrily kissing me harder as though he's needy. He steadily moves us toward his bed, breaking our kiss as he lays me gently on my back.
My breath hitches as his hand sensually passes over my bare stomach, past my breasts, and to cup the sides of my face. He growls, "You're so fucking sexy."
I cry out as Locaine tugs on the ribbon of the front of my baby doll, allowing him a full view of my breasts. I moan loudly, arching toward him as his mouth encircles one of my nipples, his expert tongue swirling around it. His right-hand skates down the side of my body, pulling my leg up close against his side.
I feel warmth seeping into my body, rippling down to my very core, feeling how wet I already am at his touches. His mouth releases me as his black red rose eyes sinfully hold my gaze. I reach up and pull on his tank top. Locaine smirks at me and rests back on his heels as he grabs the hem of his tank top and slowly lifted it over his head, tossing it to the ground.
