A Nightly Howl

by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

  Chapter 23

  The craving for blood.

  "How do you like it?"

  "Please, don’t stop!"

  "Yes, baby. I won’t, don’t you worry." He growled, then went back to licking me; this time quicker. I gripped the bed tighter as heat shocked through me. His eyes never left mine, watching as my body writhed with pleasure. I tensed my hips when he slipped two fingers inside of me. My magic rocked through me like a windstorm and I was lost, panting heavily, unable to control the orgasm that was approaching.

  "Nathaniel!" I cried out as the fierce heat consumed me; sparks of electricity danced beneath us. I came as he licked me harder, pushing my body to the limits. For a split second, I lost my breath, releasing all of my energy. The wind swept whatever was on the table, tossing our stuff around the room. My orgasm was so intense; the spasm of bliss shuttered through me. The pressure in my chest eased off, and I flopped down on the bed, breathing hard. He crawled on top of me, grinning.

  “I've won," he said, his eyes glazed with warmth and honey.

  "You weren't playing by the rules." I smiled, knowing that he was still ready to have me.

  “I've been waiting for this moment since the night I saw you in that hotel," he said, kissing my neck again. He was hard, pressed against my core. The warmth blazed over my skin. His lips were on my neck sucking on that sensitive spot. He was breathing fast, growling when I touched him, taking his hardness into my hands. Lust blasted when he arched his head and I massaged his hard cock. The overhead lights exploded, but he didn't let me take control. He pulled me down and parted my legs. His fangs were elongated again; anticipation rippled through me.

  “Don't worry, firecracker, no one will hear you," he said, then slipped inside me slowly. My heart pounded in my chest as he moved against me.

  "Nathaniel," I gasped and tipped my hips towards him.

  He was filling me, rocking through me in a slow and steady pace. The mind-blowing sensations were fresh, and I closed my eyes enjoying him. He placed his hands under my hips and kissed me. My chest rose and fell as he picked up the pace. Magic knotted inside me again and thrummed through the space, encircling us both. He was rocking in and out fast. Sweat covered my entire body. The light flickered, and the last bulb exploded as I moaned. I was going to come again.

  "Faster, harder," I pleaded.

  He lowered himself to me and whispered into my ear, "I want to bite you; please let me taste your blood."

  I opened my eyes as the pressure built up. His pupils were dilated, and the adrenaline shot through my veins as I stared at him.

  "Julia, you taste so fucking good; I want to make you mine by tasting your blood," he said, seeing that I hesitated. "I won’t hurt you."

  He rose above me, pushing himself inside me harder.

  "Yes, oh, yes." I growled as the climax shuttered through me, not caring about the world or the fact that I was about to be bitten by a vampire. He lifted me above him and turned so I was on all fours. His breath was shallow. The sharp pain down my arm came unexpectedly only for a second or two, but it soon transformed into glorifying pleasure. I came again while he was drinking from me; climaxed, screaming as the orgasm claimed me. He drank, and soon, I was dizzy and breathless, enjoying the numbness of my body. His hands kept moving around my hips, stomach, squeezing my breasts. My heartbeat slowed down, my body pulled away, but he held me tightly. My heart skipped a beat, then tripped up. The blackness blinded me, and I felt lightheaded. I drifted into the darkness, lost and strangled with weakness.

  Then everything ended, and I closed my eyes.

  Someone was touching my face, and I heard Nathaniel’s voice. "Julia, wake up. Please, open your eyes."

  I couldn't open my eyes; I couldn't feel my limbs—my head buzzed.

  "Oh God."

  The voice was far away. It was like an echo that floated back to the obscure darkness.

  * * *

  I blinked and opened my eyes in a dark warm room. I inhaled Nathaniel’s scent. I was shivering, and my body tightened. Coldness crawled under my skin; my heart was beating faster than it should. The smell of sweat and lemons coursed through the air. It took me a moment to gather my memories. I felt numb but at ease.

  "Julia, darling, you must drink this."

  Nathaniel appeared in front of me; I had a T-shirt on, but I felt cold. My chest burned but I drank thick liquid that tasted like flavoured metallic blood. Whatever it was, I refused to swallow it.

  "Come on, firecracker; you’ll feel much better."

  I shook my head, but his eyes burned so I swallowed, feeling like I was going to be sick straight away. Somehow, my body accepted the odd liquid and I relaxed. My heartbeat slowed down and I felt alive. Nathaniel was looking at me intensely, and then I remembered that he had bitten me and drunk my blood.

  "What happened?" I choked, then wiped the sweat off of my head. Someone entered the room bringing candles. It was the housekeeper that I had seen yesterday. She had shown me to my room when Philip vanished. She nodded to Nathaniel and left, placing the candles by our bed. In the dim light my boyfriend looked pale, watching me like I had died and risen from the dead.

  "Fuck, Julia, I lost control," he said, squeezing my hand.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "I drank your blood and I couldn't stop," he said, looking angry with himself.

  “It's hardly your fault. I said yes." I watched him. My mind was buzzing as my energy spread through the room. My fingertips crackled with static. Just a moment ago, I was ready to throw up, but right then, I felt incredible.

  "We should have never done it. I’ve never tasted anything like that in my entire life," he said, then paced around the room. "You tasted better than I imagined."

  "What did you give me? I feel great."

  "I gave you a little bit of my blood with a potion to give you strength." He still looked annoyed with himself.

  “It's strange, but your bite didn't hurt."

  "I couldn't stop. I forgot that I had you in my arms, you tasted like summer, honey and rain. I have never tasted blood so pure and so incredibly rich."

  "But you did stop eventually. I think I must have passed out?"

  "I drank way too much. When I pulled away you were out—half alive. Your pulse was barely there. I panicked."

  "I'm alive, and it’s not like I said no."

  “That's not the point," he said. "I shouldn't have bitten you. I thought that I was going to lose you."

  I kissed him, feeling like I could run at least twenty miles. I didn't care that he nearly drained me. We’d had the most intense sexual experience of my life. He brought me to his chest, holding me still for several moments.

  "I'm fine."

  "Your grandmother was right. When I tasted your blood, I couldn't stop. I was hungry for more. I lost my mind."

  “Don't worry about it. I feel great."

  “I'll make love to you again, but I won’t bite. I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have done that," he said, looking directly into my eyes. "My sister told me off. She was worried about you."

  "I didn’t see her when I arrived with your father," I said, remembering the terrible night at the hotel.

  "She was out. They didn't expect us until today," he continued. "Last night, I went to take care of the bill, then the alarm went off."

  "I couldn't find you in the restaurant, and then I had to leave. They were pushing everyone outside," I explained, listening to his heartbeat.

  "The waitress mentioned that she saw you going upstairs," he said. "I punched a security guy because he didn't want to let me upstairs. I went ballistic, so they threw me outside."

  "They evacuated people pretty quickly. I couldn't find you, so I stood on the street."

  "Yes, it was a terrible night. I was going out of my mind thinking that you went back upstairs. The hotel has no idea what happened; the fire came out of nowhere. When the firefighters arrived, it was already too late. At least two floors were burned completely and by four
in the morning, they took full control of the fire."

  “That's terrible." I sighed. "Our luggage is gone."

  "Fuck the luggage, I thought I lost you." He growled, bringing me closer. "You can’t even imagine what I was going through that night. I was so relieved when my father called me."

  My head was spinning but I felt safe cuddling into his chest. Looking outside the window, I asked, "How long did I sleep?"

  "You passed out shortly after I drank your blood. You slept a whole day while I was going crazy."

  "All day? Wow," I muttered. "Then you really must have knocked me out."

  "I shouldn’t have asked at all."

  I couldn't quite believe that I’d lost a whole Saturday and didn't even see Paris yet.

  Nathaniel insisted on helping me into the shower, cursing under his breath. He didn't want to hear that I was fine. His blood was like a sweet nectar: it gave me strength and new power. Energy rocked through my system. He drank from me, feeding on my fear, savouring our love making, bringing the most intense orgasm that I’d ever experienced.

  The shower was refreshing, and after that I went back to the room realising that I didn't have any clothes. My luggage was gone; it was probably burned. I came back with my towel wrapped around my body, but there was another vampire in our room.

  "Julia, this is my sister, Charlotte," Nathaniel said, pointing at the petite vampire who was sitting on the bed.

  "Hello, Julia, it’s nice to finally meet you," she said. "I will let you dress. We can do introductions later on. I brought you some clothes."

  She was blond with smooth pale skin and wide brown eyes. She looked young, maybe eighteen.

  "Thank you," I said. “I'll be ready in a moment."

  She stood in the door for a moment with closed eyes. "You were right; she does smell unbelievable," she added, then shut the door behind her.

  I laughed and looked at the pile of clothes. There were jeans and T-shirts all in my size. I scratched my head looking at Nathaniel—only now noticing that he looked different.

  "Oh, my God, you look so—"

  "Amazing?"

  I couldn't find the words, but I had to agree. Nathaniel was glowing; his skin shimmered and his eyes were like two deep orange flames. His hair seemed glossier. He was always handsome, but right now he looked like Adonis.

  "Is it because of my blood?" I asked as he approached me.

  "No other blood has ever made me feel so alive. I'm losing my mind with you standing here with no clothes on," he said, kissing my arm. A cold shiver danced over my spine. In a matter of seconds, the towel was on the floor and we were kissing again.

  Chapter 24

  Loving him.

  Charlotte’s house reminded me of my grandparents’ mansion; it was old and filled with antique furniture, dust and French art. I didn't understand why two vampires occupied such a huge space, but it wasn't my business to ask. I thought that it was such a cliché: vampires living in an old haunted mansion away from humans.

  "There you are. We were beginning to worry," Philip said as we walked back downstairs. He looked much more alive than when I last saw him yesterday, smiling widely.

  "The house is beautiful."

  "Yes, it was a present from me to my daughter when she got married," he explained while we walked to the large light living room that was more modern than the rest of the house. Large windows were shaded by curtains. Two other vampires approached me. I was glad that I remembered to use a cover charm. As it was, my scent intoxicated them—I could see their eyes widen as they inhaled my scent.

  "Julia, I'm glad that you’re here. My brother has told me so much about you," Charlotte said, hugging me.

  "Yes, thank you for my clothes; they fit perfectly."

  "Great, you’re welcome. This is my husband, Jacque."

  "Pleasure," Jacque said with a thick French accent and squeezed my hand. He held on to it for longer than acceptable, but eventually let go of me. He must have been in his late thirties when he was turned, and I couldn't imagine him with Charlotte. His hair was black but there were patches of grey at the temples. He had bushy eyebrows and dark brown eyes, dressed in a suit. He reminded me of an aristocrat from those 1920s films.

  "So, what do you think of Paris, Julia?" Charlotte asked, taking me away from the other vampires.

  "Hmm, I haven’t had a chance to see anything yet. The fire started in the hotel and we had to be evacuated."

  "Mon dieu. Of course, silly me. Nathaniel, you have to take her around this incredible city. I don’t understand why you only came for a few days."

  "It’s a short break. I couldn't get any time off."

  "Nonsense, darling, you won’t have time to see the galleries and truly discover Paris. You need at least a month," Philip interrupted, holding a glass with red liquid.

  "Julia is focused on her career, Father," Nathaniel said. "Her boss is missing so she’s looking after the office."

  "Yes, I heard the rumours," Philip muttered.

  The vampire housekeeper announced that dinner was served, so we all moved to the dining room. I felt an odd vibration in the corridor; the floors were creaking as we sat down to the table. The air was thick, filled with paralleled energy.

  The La Caz family was wealthy; they had servants, expensive art and an endless supply of blood. I decided not to ask about the source while I was eating. Jacque wasn't saying much, but he kept looking at me throughout dinner. Later on, I found out that he and Charlotte had recently gotten married. They’d met in Marseille.

  "This is Nathaniel’s mother. Philip insists that we keep her portrait in the dining room," Charlotte said, pointing at the large painting of a woman hanging above the fireplace. I remembered that Philip mentioned Beatrice during the night that I was out with Nathaniel. She was beautiful; dark-haired, and Nathaniel had her eyes.

  "How old were you when she died?" I asked him.

  "Twenty, it was just before I went to Oxford."

  "What happened?"

  "Cancer. Beatrice’s health had never been strong. It spread too quickly. We tried to give her blood, but it was already too late. She never cared about her health," Philip said. Nathaniel kept looking at the portrait, maybe I shouldn’t have asked about her. He probably still missed her, but I couldn't read anything from his expression.

  "My mother was an incredible woman; she was brave and intelligent, but she’s gone, and I have to accept that," Nathaniel said sounding tense. Philip gave him a sharp look, but he didn't say a word. Jacque kept looking at the portrait tapping his fingers on the table.

  Charlotte forced a smile. Nathaniel was angry about something and I was curious why. Philip watched him for several more seconds.

  "Julia, tell us about your regional manager?" Philip asked, breaking the silence. "He has been missing for some time now?"

  Nathaniel relaxed, drinking Scotch, so I talked about Rufus and the most recent events. It turned out that La Caz Senior was well acquainted with McGregor. He was the one who had introduced him to Nathaniel. He told me later that he knew McGregor’s maker. Then I had a chance to talk a little to Jacque. It turned out that he was teaching at Sorbonne University. He didn't want to give up on his career. He was difficult to read, and I didn’t quite understand what Charlotte saw in him.

  I warmed towards Nathaniel’s sister straight away. She was fun, cheerful, and nosy. She asked me a million questions about my family and London. She was hoping to set up her own finance company, so she didn't have much time for travelling.

  The dinner stretched over a few hours. The hosts were drinking blood. My meal was delicious, but even with Nathaniel’s blood in my system, I needed to go to bed when the clock struck three o’clock in the morning.

  Once we were alone again, Nathaniel warned me not to wander the house. I was still an elf and the house was filled with vampires. He just didn't want to take chances. This whole evening felt so surreal. In bed, Nathaniel looked more relaxed; I didn't know what was bothering him, but I wa
s too tired to ask. We fell asleep quickly after another slow session of lovemaking. During that night it was just us.

  * * *

  We woke up late but not too late to take a trip to the city. Charlotte was right; it was a sunny day and Nathaniel wanted to show me the most beautiful places around Paris. We were going back to London on Monday morning, so we still had all day to ourselves. I felt relaxed and happy waking up in his arms.

  "You need to prioritise what to see. It’s already after twelve and yesterday our plans were slightly ruined," he said, kissing my hand.

  "I’ll leave this to you," I said, feeling light-headed. It was official: I was in love with him. I had been telling myself that I couldn't love him, that he wasn't the man for me. Now I’d fallen in love with him—and I was truly fucked.

  Even though he proved that he was serious, I was sure that after his last fiancé he wouldn’t want to discuss love.

  When he parked his car, I had to use his phone to call my mother. She sounded worried, so I had to tell her that I lost my phone and I wasn't engaged yet. Nathaniel smiled, taking my hand. Mum seemed disappointed. The worst part was that he could hear everything my mother was saying. I was ready to kill her the moment I got back to London.

  Our first stop was the Eiffel Tower, then we visited the Louvre, admiring the famous art. I couldn't quite believe that I was really here with Nathaniel in the most beautiful and talked about place in the entire world.

  We were going to be back to London tomorrow, back to all the problems. After lunch and more kissing, Nathaniel took me to Notre Dame de Paris, The Arc de Triomphe and a few more galleries. Then he spoiled me with clothes, sweets and jewellery. We held hands most of the time, enjoying the beautiful day in this romantic city. We understood each other and maybe I was making the biggest mistake of my life, but I was in love with him despite what everyone else was saying.

  In the early evening while getting into a taxi, a man ran toward us and took our picture.