Scions: Resurrection

by Patrice Michelle

  Ariel nodded. “I think it would help if you spoke to Landon.”

  Jachin locked his gaze with her unwavering one for a couple seconds. Finally he nodded. “I have to meet with the council to discuss the fate of the Sanguinas who have deserted our clan. We’re forming our own Sweeper unit. After we figure out the details, we will leave to hunt down Braeden and the others. After things settle, I’ll get in touch with Landon.”

  Her heart jerked at his casual mention of a Sweeper unit. “Do I get one guess who’ll be heading up this unit?”

  His white teeth flashed in the night. “The unit has to be trained. Who better to lead them than a man who made a living hunting down and eliminating people for ten years?”

  Ariel sighed and wrapped her arms around his trim waist, hugging him tight. His masculine scent wrapped around her, both arousing her and making her feel safe all at once. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “Having you waiting for me to return home safe is a huge incentive to stay alert.” Jachin embraced her and kissed her forehead. “Are you happy here?”

  She met his concerned gaze and fell even more in love with him. He had an entire clan’s future to plan and yet he took the time to ask about her. “Your world is different than mine in many ways, but isn’t that why I’m here?”

  A stern look hardened his features. “That’s not what I asked, Ariel.”

  She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips close to his. “Wherever you are is where I want to be.”

  Jachin gripped her waist tight and his lips covered hers, his kiss hard and full of need. She kissed him back, enjoying the possessive thrust of his tongue against hers. It was the first time he’d touched her since their time in the dungeon, four days ago. She’d begun to wonder how long it would be before he kissed her again, and held her as if he never wanted to let her go.

  His lips never left hers as he gripped her rear and pressed her against a tall rampart wall, jamming his muscular thigh between her legs.

  Ariel’s breasts tingled and her sex ached at his primal response. She ground her body against his leg and clutched him close, moaning against his mouth.

  When her tongue encountered the point of his fangs, she ran her tongue along the sharp tips and relished in the shudder that passed across his shoulders at the taste of her blood.

  He groaned and twined his tongue with hers while he fit his erection against her body. His mouth slanted over hers and his hips moved against her.

  Her breath hitched as her body ignited with his aggressive thrusts, but it was the way he sucked on her tongue that made her wish no clothes separated their bodies. She slid her fingers in his hair and pulled him even closer, whispering his name.

  Jachin suddenly set her down and stepped away. She shivered in confusion as he took deep, ragged breaths, the look on his face full of lust.

  “What’s wrong?”

  His hand shook as he ran it through his hair. “I can’t—I have to go.”

  When he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm, her chest constricting and her stomach pitching. “You’re going to leave me like this?”

  He grabbed her shoulders and set her against the stone wall, his face a mask of anger. “If I don’t go now, I’ll take everything you have to offer…every sigh, every tremor and every damned last drop!”

  Her gaze searched his, begging him. “I trust you to stop.”

  “I don’t,” he growled in response before he walked away.

  After Jachin left her wanting and angry, Ariel needed someone to talk to. She entered Mira’s quiet chamber and flipped a switch on the wall to light up several of the sconces, giving the room a warm glow. She’d learned that the Sanguinas did use some power, ironically mostly from solar sources, but they utilized very little so they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves.

  Sitting down in the chair next to the petite vampire, she picked up Mira’s small-boned hand and held it between hers. “We’re so worried about you. You should see your brother. As stubborn and arrogant and pigheaded as he can be, he’s turning out to be exactly what your clan needs in a leader.”

  Silence greeted her comments as her gaze traveled over Mira’s face. Even in full repose, the female vampire was beautiful. Ariel’s heart ached with guilt. She pressed on Mira’s hand and leaned closer. “I know Jachin told you about Vlad’s punishment. He doesn’t like it, but he knows Vlad will break the rules and meet up with Braeden, Vivian and the few other vampires who deserted yesterday while Jachin was in chambers with the council. Jachin and the council are forming a Sweeper unit to hunt them down.”

  Ariel watched Mira’s face for a reaction to her words.

  Nothing.

  She sighed.

  “Jachin refuses to touch me, Mira.” Tears filled her eyes as she poured out her heart. “Ever since he took my blood in the dungeon he doesn’t trust himself. He thinks he’ll drain me completely.” She gave a sobbing laugh as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Isn’t that the silliest thing you’ve ever heard? I know the man cares for me. What kind of relationship is that—to be with the person you’ve come to care for but never trust yourself to touch them?” In truth, she’d fallen in love with Jachin, but he’d held himself at such a distance the past several days…she didn’t trust herself to tell him for fear that it would never really be returned. Could he ever truly love a human?

  Laying her forehead on Mira’s lax hand, she continued, “I need your guidance. You promised me you’d never leave me!”

  Fingers stroked her hair at the same time she heard, “You just have to make him want it.”

  Ariel gasped and jerked her gaze to the vampire’s tired one. Squeezing Mira’s hand, she smiled through the tears streaking down her face. “I’m so glad to see those beautiful blue eyes staring back at me.”

  Mira returned her smile and rolled on her side, her gaze locking with Ariel’s as she squeezed her hand. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”

  Ariel gave a thankful laugh. “I take it you heard everything I said. Do you have any sisterly advice?”

  Even though her face appeared ashen and drawn, Mira’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “I have faith in your ability to show Jachin the idiocy of his ways.”

  Ariel chuckled, her heart soaring at Mira’s recovery. “For the record, you scared the crap out of me. Don’t ever do that again.”

  Mira rolled to stare at the ceiling. She let out a heavy sigh. “I didn’t want to come back, but I had you whispering in my ear and father scowling at me.”

  “Why didn’t you want to come—” Ariel started to ask when the answer dawned on her. Despite her bravado, Mira had never really gotten over what Vlad did to her. Her heart heavy, Ariel scooted over to sit on the bed. Lifting Mira’s hand, she hooked her pinky finger around Mira’s and said, “You made me a promise and now it’s my turn to make you one. We’ll call it a sisterly pact. I’ll never leave you. I’ll be by your side always.”

  Mira curled her finger tight around Ariel’s and tears filled her blue gaze. She sat up and hugged her tight. “Thank you for coming into our lives.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Jachin said from across the room as he closed the open door.

  Mira sniffed and waved for him to join them.

  Once her brother sat down on the other side of her, she cupped his cheek and smiled, glancing back and forth between them. “It’s good to be back and see my two favorite people by my side.”

  After they talked for a while, Ariel slipped out of Mira’s room so Mira could talk with Jachin alone. She headed back to her bedroom to brainstorm her next book.

  Be careful what you create, it might come back to bite you.

  Ariel sat at the banker-style desk in her bedroom, frowning at the lone sentence she’d written an hour ago on the otherwise blank sheet of paper in front of her. She had been flooded with ideas, but now that she had to actually get them down on paper, she was stuck. She tapped her pen on the smoot
h walnut surface, wondering where to take that one sentence.

  Glancing past her bed to the annoying pendulum clock on the fireplace mantel, she glared at it, then sighed and returned her gaze to the sentence, twirling the pen between her fingers absently. In her dream, Ezra told her she knew more than her mind allowed. Even though she knew she wouldn’t publish this next book for the general public, she still felt the need to tell the next story. Maybe it would help unravel the meaning behind the rest of the prophecy.

  Ezra’s last comment about the prophecy echoed in her head to the slow beat of the pendulum’s swing. Tell my son the prophecy was meant for more than the Sanguinas.

  She straightened her shoulders as a thought popped into her mind. What if the werewolves have other secrets?

  A knock at her door startled Ariel, making her jump as her pulse raced.

  It’s me, Jachin spoke in her mind. I’m heading out with the Sweeper team in a bit. Can I come in?

  Even though she was still pissed at Jachin for the way he’d left her earlier, aching and needy, Ariel’s chest tightened at the idea of her mate leaving to hunt vampires—and she had come to think of him that way. She didn’t want to think about Jachin getting hurt or, God forbid, killed. When he got back, she intended to take Mira’s advice and make the man want her so bad he wouldn’t be able to resist her.

  For now, she wanted them to part on good terms. She blew out a steadying breath to calm her suddenly tense nerves and stood, calling out, “Come in.”

  She’d just rounded the desk and was starting toward the door when Jachin walked in. Ariel halted her steps and her heart skipped several beats at the devastating sight before her. Dear God, is the man trying to torture me?

  Chapter 16

  A riel’s heart leapt as she took in his dark hair and stubbled jaw, black T-shirt stretched across his shoulders and defined biceps, tight black jeans and matching combat boots. But what yanked at her throat, drawing a straight line to the yearning within her, was the automatic gun strapped to his thigh and the thick leather vest loaded with knives and other sharp weapons buckled over his broad chest.

  The entire dangerous package conjured a fantasy, tapping into her deepest desires—for a dark warrior dressed in battle gear to pull her into his arms and seduce her with his body.

  And his fangs.

  As her arousal grew, her jeans rubbed annoyingly against her throbbing sex while her thin sweater chafed her tight, sensitive nipples. Despite her reaction, she straightened her spine and tried to sound casual as he strode across the room toward her. “I see you’re ready for battle.”

  Jachin walked right into her personal space, his dominant presence towering and seductively appealing. “I wanted to say goodbye.” He ran his thumb along her jaw in a gentle caress, his blue-black gaze following his finger’s wake.

  Jachin’s nostrils flared and his gaze searched hers as if he were trying to see into her soul. Curling his hand into a fist, he lowered it to his side. “As part of this trip, I’m going to head into town and test my theory.” He gave her a wry smile. “Wish me luck.”

  Ariel frowned in confusion. “What theory?”

  Jachin’s eyebrows rose. “I’m convinced there are more humans like you whose blood isn’t poisoned. Whenever I was around you, I detected the scent of almonds. I’d noticed an almondlike smell other times, too, when I was in the city, but it was random enough and mixed with so many other scents that I didn’t make the connection until I took your blood.”

  He nodded, warming to the subject. “When I thought back to the times I’d noticed the sweet, nutty scent, the humans who were in the vicinity were all younger. My theory…my belief is that whatever caused humans’ blood to become tainted in the past is being bred out of them with each new generation while leaving a way for us to detect viable humans in the process.”

  Ariel’s chest felt as if someone were squeezing it tighter and tighter. Jachin touched her shoulders. “Don’t you see? If I’m right, I plan to establish rules and guidelines for the Sanguinas. There won’t be any more violence against humans.”

  Ariel nodded mutely at the significance of what Jachin was saying. She knew it was a big deal for the Sanguinas if his theory was right, but her heart was aching. Instead of feeling closer to him, she felt as if they were drifting apart.

  Jachin trailed his fingers down her cheek. He stared at her with both sadness and desire in his gaze. “Once I take care of the rogue vampires and the city is safe, I’ll take you home.”

  Her eyes widened and her heart plummeted at his last comment. “What?”

  He ran his hands down her shoulders, regret in his gaze. “I never gave you a choice. You’ve done so much to help me and my clan. I don’t know how to repay that other than to let you go, to give you your freedom.”

  But I’m your mate, she wanted to rail at him. He’d made her care about him, cherish his sister, believe in helping his race…yet he didn’t want her. She put trembling fingers to her lips as all the pent-up fury and feelings of rejection she’d been trying to suppress rose to the surface, twisting her stomach into tight knots.

  Jachin gripped her arms and pulled her close, his expression intense. “Why are you shaking?”

  With her hands trapped between them, she shoved at Jachin’s face and neck, pushing him away. “You won’t touch me or take my blood, but now that you think there are others out there to supply you with what you need, you’re sending me away?”

  Jachin dabbed at the blood welling on his chin where her nails must’ve caught him by accident. His eyes narrowed a split second before he had her flat on her back across the double bed, her arms stretched over her head. “I want you so much I ache,” he growled, his face mere inches from hers. His grip tightened on her wrists as his full weight and heavy weapons pressed her body into the mattress. “Yours is the only blood I crave, with a need that gnaws in my gut until I feel I’m going insane. As much as it tears me up inside to think of life without you, I was trying to give you your freedom, Ariel…freedom from me.”

  His confession combined with the hungry desire in his gaze swiftly dissipated her anger. Sheer determination took its place. She wanted his body pressed against hers, flesh to flesh, his fangs digging deep. “I don’t want my freedom. I only want you. I love you, Jachin. Take what you want.”

  His eyes searched hers, hunger, regret, guilt and lust mingling in their deep blue depths. “I don’t trust myself around you, Ariel. I love you too much.”

  His fingers loosened around her wrists and she realized he was going to pull away. Ariel’s heart jerked. He’d just professed his love, making her heart sing. She couldn’t lose this chance to share with him. “I have enough faith for both of us,” she said right before she ran her tongue along his chin and upward toward his mouth, swiping away the streak of blood.

  Jachin’s entire body tensed at her action. When she reached the corner of his lips, cleansing the last drop away, his fingers cinched around her wrists and he turned his mouth with a primal groan, capturing her lips in a possessive kiss.

  Ariel’s heart raced at the hard pressure of his mouth, the deep thrust of his tongue alongside hers. Her breasts swelled and her nipples tingled, while her body throbbed, ready to feel him plunging inside her, taking her in every way. She craved his dominant, erotic possession. She’d never get enough of this primal side of Jachin.

  Ever.

  She began to tug at the buckles on his vest as he unbuttoned her jeans. Feverish hands moved with a speed she didn’t think possible, dumping weapons, boots and clothes until they both were completely naked.

  Jachin leaned on his elbow over her, his muscular arm and warm, hard chest pressing against her side as he trailed his fingers along her bare skin, across her breasts and down her abdomen. “Nothing terrifies me but the thought of losing you.”

  “As you’ve found, I’m stronger than you first thought.” Ariel gave him a sexy smile as she captured his hand and brought it to her lips. She sucked on the tip
of his index finger, then slid her lips down the length until Jachin groaned and pressed his hard erection against her thigh.

  Tugging his finger from her mouth, he thrust his fingers in her hair and rolled on top of her, his mouth claiming hers once more.

  Ariel moaned at the feel of his hot skin covering hers, the fine hairs on his chest rasping her sensitive nipples and his heavy cock pressing against the inside of her thigh. She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched into him, welcoming his weight.

  He kissed her jaw and her neck, his hands running over her breasts and down her sides to grip her hips. His mouth moved across her jaw and she felt his teeth sliding along her skin. While her belly tightened and her channel flooded with moisture in her need for sexual release, her emotions whirled within her.

  Her love for Jachin swirled and built in her mind, her complete dedication to this man taking hold of her psyche until all she sensed was his heavy heartbeat, the coiled sexual tension spiking within him and the need to take her blood clawing in his gut.

  His cock touched her entrance and she surged against him as understanding of his hunger took hold of her. She gasped at the sheer intensity and almost insatiable need to feed that made his gums tingle right before his fangs descended.

  The sensation burned in her chest…his chest…no, it was her own body that burned, her hunger that cried out for fulfillment.

  Something was happening, something beautiful as she finally understood.

  Fire raged within her, starting in her sex and splintering to every pulse point in her body.

  She had to make him take her blood, to get him past his fear he would kill her. Breathing heavily, her body aching to be filled, she rocked against him as she moved her lips up the veined column of his throat. Laving his skin with her tongue, she teased him with her warm breath, sliding her hands down his muscular back, until he tensed and gripped the back of her head.