Station X

by Aubrey Ross

  He took himself out of range with one long stride. His gaze dipped to her jostling breasts, and lust reignited in his eyes. “That’s entirely up to you. If you want the chain removed, you must earn the privilege. If you want your clothing returned, you must earn the privilege. And ultimately, if you want to be set free, you will earn that privilege as well.”

  “I won’t play your twisted games. This is a waste of time.”

  With a casual shrug, he turned toward the door. “Time is one thing I have plenty of.” He paused as he reached Jacob and said, “You will guard her, but you will not interfere. Do you understand?”

  Jacob glanced at Monique, regret obvious in his expression. “Yes, sir.”

  “I mean it. You will not feed her or offer her your clothing. She is to remain as she is.”

  “I understand.”

  “It’s been a long time since you gave me reason to punish you, but it’s only fair to warn you. I haven’t lost my taste for pain.”

  Jacob responded with a stiff nod. Why had Anthony been so insistent? No blood thrall would countermand their master. Most had no thoughts beyond their master’s desire.

  Anthony left through a low, arched door. As soon as the bolt slid shut behind Anthony, Jacob looked at her and said, “I’m sorry, lass.”

  “You don’t need to apologize. None of this is your fault.” He was looking anywhere but at her, and a deep flush spread across his cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen a man blush. How refreshing. “I’m not embarrassed by my body. You don’t need to fight quite so hard.”

  His gaze returned to her face then lowered and he groaned. “No, it’s better if I don’t tempt myself.”

  A wicked, rebellious thought teased her imagination. “I should let you do more than look,” she muttered. “It would serve him right.”

  Another strangled groan escaped his throat, and he pushed away from the wall. “Let’s change the subject. I’ve been hard since I walked into that nightclub and saw your legs.”

  She glanced down and smiled. Black lace stockings always made her legs look long and shapely. If she’d had any idea how the night would end, she would have worn jeans and tennis shoes.

  “Is this his usual MO, or did I catch him in a particularly nasty mood?” There wasn’t anywhere to sit except the pallet or floor, and her thong left her ass cheeks bare. Was it worse to lean against the cold stone wall or risk splinters?

  “What is an MO?”

  “Modus operandi or mode of operation.” Was he forbidden to watch television? She looked around the barren room as questions flooded her mind. Anthony said this was his childhood home. Stone walls, turrets, and slit windows. There weren’t many castles in Montana. She opened her mind. Echoes and impressions flowed through her then retreated back into the annals of time. No matter how hard she tried to grasp a specific memory, the sensations remained vague and faded.

  “Are you all right?” Jacob moved toward her, concern softening his expression.

  She shook away the echoes and reinforced her mental shields. Her abduction had been so sudden she’d only managed to launch a generic plea for help. Her father would know she was in trouble, but he’d have no idea where she’d been taken.

  “I’m fine.” Rather than explain what she’d been doing, she returned to her unanswered question. “Has he done this sort of thing before?”

  “Not for a very long time. He can be faultlessly civilized when it suits his mood.”

  “I bring out the barbarian in him?”

  “You bring out the predator.” His gaze lingered on her mouth for a moment then drifted away. “It’s an understandable reaction. You’re very beautiful.”

  Jacob hadn’t stopped moving since he looked at her breasts. Why would Anthony leave him in here with nothing to do but lust after her? If Anthony wanted her wild for him, this was a piss poor strategy. Unless…

  “Does he like to watch?” she blurted. “Is he hoping we’ll lose control and go at each other?”

  With his fists clenched at his sides, Jacob turned his face away and shook his head. “I am not to interfere.”

  “He said you couldn’t feed me or offer me your clothes. He didn’t say you couldn’t fuck me.”

  Chapter Three

  Lust pelted Jacob with punishing force. His balls ached and his gut clenched. His cock had been hard so long he feared it would never soften. Why was Anthony torturing him? Ever since they’d helped Darius initiate his thrall, Anthony’s mood had been odd, even more brooding than usual.

  “I can’t fuck you, lass.” His entire body protested the decision. “Anthony would have my head.”

  “Anthony? Not master?” She crept toward him, chain scraping the wooden floor. “Are you blood bonded to him?”

  “Our bond is unique. I’m not an ordinary thrall.” Her fangs started to distend and the golden light within her eyes revealed her building hunger. He needed to change the subject, distract her from her body’s needs.

  “I doubt you’re an ordinary anything.” She stalked him, matching him step for step. “How long have you served him?”

  “Most of my life.” It was an evasion. If he admitted how long he’d been with Anthony, she’d wonder how his life had been prolonged. “If Vasco clan no longer keeps blood thralls, how do you feed?”

  “Packaged blood and willing donors. Animal blood was all the rage for a while, but we’re stronger and healthier when we give our bodies what they crave.” She licked her lips, her smoldering eyes making it obvious what she craved.

  “When was the last time you fed?”

  She reached the end of her chain and grabbed the collar with both hands. “Emotional upheaval always makes me hungry. Stress, fear, even too much pleasure can make me ravenous.”

  “He won’t starve you.” It was a ridiculous consolation, but he couldn’t think of a better assurance.

  “No, he won’t starve me to death. We both know he needs me alive.”

  She exhaled and Jacob averted his gaze. It was no use. Her image was burned into his memory. Delicate features, sleek black hair, and perfect breasts. Round, full, and crowned with lush pink nipples. He licked his lips, imagining her soft flesh beading against his tongue.

  “Don’t fight it. I won’t take your blood if you fuck me, I promise. Your cum will soothe me enough so I can regain control.”

  He closed his eyes and battled the temptation. Gods, he wanted her. But he couldn’t. He would not disobey Anthony, would not… With his focus turned inward, he noticed more than the usual connection linking him with Anthony. He sensed another presence within his mind.

  I know you’re watching. He couldn’t send his thoughts as vampires did, but the link would allow Anthony to hear him. What are you trying to accomplish with all this?

  Anthony chuckled, transmitting determination along with his response. I thought that was obvious. I’m not sure how I can make it any clearer.

  You’re frequently ruthless, but I’ve never known you to be cruel.

  Cruel? He laughed again. Are you actually buying in to this? She’s an organic female from a bloodline as old as mine. Do you honestly believe a few minutes of uncertainty will unleash an uncontrollable hunger?

  It was hard to reason past the pressure in his crotch! Why would she pretend?

  She wants to provoke me, and more importantly, she wants you to betray me.

  This is killing me, sir. Why did you leave me in here with her?

  Resist for a few more minutes, then I’ll return. It will be worth it. I promise.

  * * *

  Cadin studied Emit Duarte’s rugged features as he reacted to her unexpected shift. Lust heated Emit’s cold blue eyes for an instant before mistrust hardened his expression once again.

  “Does this form not please you?” She turned slowly, displaying the nubile body she’d just produced.

  “Too young.”

  His dismissive tone infuriated Cadin. She only pretended to be subservient because it amused her.
Emit would one day learn the true power of a chaos being.

  In her natural state Cadin was incorporeal, shapeless, sexless, an invisible cluster of malevolent energy. To exist in this dimension, chaos beings had to bind themselves to one of the indigenous inhabitants. Emit was simply the lucky native she’d chosen as her anchor in this realm. He meant nothing to her and she’d destroy him as soon as she was ready to move on to her next destination.

  Cadin dematerialized. Energy flowed through her and swirled around her as she shaped herself into another body. The face didn’t feel quite right, but she’d perfectly captured the graceful curves of Monique’s figure.

  “Better?” she challenged.

  Emit bristled, shifting position on the rumpled bed. “She’s beneath me and you know it.”

  “What I know is her image is frequently in your mind.” She tossed her head, mimicking one of Monique’s mannerisms. “Her bloodline might be a bit diluted, but you want this female.”

  “I was willing to accept her for the good of my clan.” His tone was downright brittle. “There is a big difference.”

  She moved closer and narrowed her gaze on his face. “I don’t understand the distinction. Explain it to me.”

  “It doesn’t matter now.” He waved away the issue. “We’ve moved in a different direction.”

  “That’s right.” She smiled, the expression anything but humorous. “We’re going to focus on Zoltan clan directly, make sure they see the futility of allying themselves with the modern clans.”

  Fury drove away the subtle emotions. His fists clenched, and his mouth pressed into a lipless line. She suppressed a delighted chuckle. He hated it when she used that condescending tone. His father had mocked and ridiculed him until the day he died. But as with his father, Emit was powerless against her. Outmatched and overpowered, he was destined to obey.

  “You came up with the new strategy,” he reminded her in a tight, angry tone. “Are you saying it’s flawed?”

  “The strategy made perfect sense when I came up with it.” She knelt on the end of the bed and folded her hands in her lap. The submissive pose felt particularly ironic given his volatile mood.

  “And now?”

  She shrugged and wiggled just enough to make her breasts sway. “Now Vasco has disregarded the danger and continued his dealings with Zoltan clan. He sent Monique to Station X for a private meeting with Anthony Zoltan.”

  “What?” Emit lunged forward, landing on his hands and knees. “Vasco is willing to indulge Zoltan even after the fiasco with his other daughter? That makes no sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense.” She raised her chin and sneered, knowing it would make Emit want to slap her. “Think about it. Why were you willing to accept Monique when your father proposed her as your potential mate?”

  “Because Vasco females are the most successful breeders.” He covered his face with his hand and shook his head. “Why the fuck didn’t I see this coming?” He rolled off the side of the bed, too aggravated for immobility. “This was never about the changes in human society. Darius came out of seclusion to revitalize his clan.”

  “Very good.” His agitation made her restless. All this anxious energy was like an aphrodisiac to a chaos being. She absorbed it greedily, savoring the intoxicating rush. She turned around and bent over, spreading her legs in brazen invitation. “You might as well fuck Monique’s likeness. I can almost guarantee Anthony is fucking the real thing.”

  After a long pause Emit asked, “Are they still at Station X?”

  “Nope.” She wiggled her ass, drawing his attention to her lurid display. “He teleported out with her shortly after I arrived.”

  “Where did he take her?” His gaze remained on her face.

  “Right here, I’d imagine.” She thrust two fingers into her wet pussy. “Taking her up the ass won’t get her pregnant.”

  With obvious disgust, he turned from the bed and strode to the window, staring out into the night. “Did you follow them? Do you know where they are now?”

  Her ploy hadn’t been as successful as she’d expected. Emit’s bitterness obviously ran deeper than his lust. She transformed into the shape he requested most often, a voluptuous blonde with big blue eyes.

  “Sorry, boss,” she simpered. “He took off so fast I wasn’t able to latch on to him.”

  He turned from the window, his gaze ice-blue again. “Can you find out where they went?”

  She grinned. He’d stepped right into her second trap. “If you lick my pussy, I’ll see what I can find out.”

  With a frustrated sigh, Emit pushed away from the window and headed for the bed.

  * * *

  Monique watched Jacob closely. Tension rolled across his shoulders and he clenched and unclenched his hands. He obviously wanted her, so why wouldn’t he give in? Jacob might not be a blood thrall, but Anthony obviously had some hold over his personal guard.

  “I’ll accept any punishment he chooses to give.” She tried again. “I need this. I need you.”

  “I canna.” His accent thickened as his agitation grew. “Please, lass. Leave me be.”

  She sighed. It really wasn’t fair to manipulate him like this. Fair? She shook her head. When had she ever cared about the welfare of a human? She didn’t abuse them, but she didn’t go out of her way to coddle them either. Humans provided pleasure and sustenance. Beyond that, she had little use for them. So, why was this human making her feel so damn guilty?

  “Would you fuck me if he said you could?” She didn’t really need to ask. His desire had been obvious from the beginning. Still, a stubborn fragment of her psyche refused to be defeated.

  He straightened his shoulders and ran his hand through his hair. “Unless he does, it doesn’t matter.”

  With convenient timing, the door opened and Anthony returned. “What doesn’t matter?”

  “Whether you live or die,” she snapped with a bit too much venom. Her pulse leapt and her gaze shifted from Anthony to Jacob and back. Separately they were appealing, but together they were a living, breathing fantasy. Would Anthony order Jacob away and deal with her himself? Somehow she suspected he wouldn’t. Jacob had a part to play in this little drama. She just wasn’t sure what role Anthony had chosen for his… companion.

  Anthony stood with one hand behind his back. His gaze moved over her body with insolent appreciation. He took his time assessing her charms, but his gaze returned to her face before he spoke again. “You’re about to make an important decision. Restrain your temper and choose wisely.”

  “I already told you, I’m not playing your games.”

  “Whether to play or not is not an option.” He bent to one knee and pulled his hand out from behind his back. He placed wrist restraints on the floor in front of her. “I’ll return in three minutes. If you’re wearing the restraints, I’ll take you to a more comfortable room. If they remain on the floor, you’ll spend the night alone in this room. Think carefully before you act. Dawn is at least six hours away. That’s a long time to sit alone in the darkness.” Anthony stood and left as abruptly as he’d entered.

  “There is no fucking way I’m going to willingly cuff myself.”

  Jacob finally faced her, his gaze filled with compassion. “Would you rather spend the night alone in the dark?”

  “Why is he doing this? He obviously wants a pet not a lover.” Without comment, Jacob picked up the restraints and brought them to her. The cuffs were fur lined and the length of chain connecting them would allow her to move her hands separately.

  She’d flirted with bondage play, tied up lovers, and been tied up by lovers. This felt different, less like a game and more like a permanent concession. Anthony wanted her to submit, to surrender, and it ran contrary to her nature. Didn’t it?

  “Do you trust me, Monique?” Jacob’s tone was riddled with urgency.

  She looked into his warm green eyes and sighed. “Yes.”

  “Then believe me when I tell you, you can trust him. He will not hurt you.�
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  She wasn’t worried about physical pain. In less than a day, Anthony had affected her more deeply than any person she’d ever met, and he’d done little more than kiss her. How much more consuming would her desire become once he’d touched her, tasted her, fucked her?

  Grumbling under her breath, she held out her hands and let Jacob close the cuffs around her wrists. Then he reached behind her and unfastened the chain from her collar. Her gaze flew to his. “You could have unchained me this whole time?”

  He shook his head. “Anthony triggered the lock before he left.”

  “How did you know?”

  “He told me.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles then returned to his position by the door.

  “You can speak mind to mind?” she persisted. It was an unusual ability in a human.

  “He can send his thoughts, and he can hear mine if we’re linked at the time. I can’t send my thoughts to him.”

  The door opened, and Anthony stood framed by the threshold. His hair was mussed, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the throat. He’d never looked more attractive or more dangerous.

  “You chose wisely.” He held out his hand as he stared into her eyes. “Come here.”

  Everything within her rebelled. She might find him desirable and intriguing, but she would not be paraded around like a sex slave! She suspected they were alone in the castle. It didn’t matter! She was heir to Vasco clan. She deserved better than this.

  “That wasn’t part of the bargain,” she said in a calm, cold tone. “If you want a war prize, come and get me.”

  “You’re right.” He smiled, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Jacob, bring her to me.”

  Jacob stiffened visibly, but obeyed. He shot her an apologetic look as he grasped the chain connecting the cuffs and guided her across the floor.

  “Thank you.” Anthony took the chain from Jacob and nodded toward the stairwell behind him. “Be careful. The stairs are steep.”