by Aubrey Ross
Relax, love. Victor stroked her back, his kiss deep and tender. Your uncertainty is natural. Only time will prove that your trust in us is justified.
The mattress rocked slightly as Seth rejoined them on the bed. He caressed her hips and squeezed her ass, dipping into the crease between her cheeks for slow, teasing strokes. His fingers focused in on her anus, slippery now with lube. He circled and pressed, loosening the muscles and spreading the gel.
Tess dragged her mouth away from Victor’s as Seth positioned himself to take her. An unwanted flash of fear sliced through her mind, tensing her muscles and overshadowing her emotions.
We’re here, love. Seth soothed. Take all the time you need.
Victor took her face between his hands and smiled. “You’ll know only pleasure in our arms. You’re safe, always safe.”
Staring deeply into Victor’s eyes, she pushed back onto Seth’s cock. Seth held her open, guiding her, but Tess did the taking. Her body spread, and spread some more, accepting him suddenly. He slid deep in one smooth lunge, and they groaned together.
Fullness overwhelmed her fear, driving pleasure right to the breathless edge of pain before it settled into blissful throbbing wonder. Together. They held her between them, buried deep, surrounded by them, completing them.
Seth was the first to move. He rocked back onto his knees, pulling nearly out. Then he grasped her hips and dragged her body up along the length of Victor’s shaft, pushing her back onto his in the process.
After two slow rotations, Tess learned the rhythm. She took Victor deep as she released Seth and impaled herself on Seth as she rose off Victor. She was never empty, never alone. Her head swam with sensations and emotions. The blood bond had faded, yet she could still sense how well the joining pleased her mates.
Victor propped himself on his elbows so he could reach her breasts without disrupting the steady rocking of their lower bodies. He pricked her nipple with the tip of one fang and lapped at the blood released by the tiny wound.
“Drink, my love,” she urged. “I want to meet all your needs.”
A savage growl warned of his intent an instant before his fangs sank into her throat.
Sensation exploded through her body, driving rational thought from her mind. Her cunt echoed each deep pull of his mouth, propelling the pleasure higher and higher.
The men shifted, supporting her between them as they drove up into her trembling body. Unified, synchronized, their cocks slid against each other within the tight heat of Tess. She surrendered to their strength and trusted in their caring. She was safe in their arms, always safe.
She came again and again, lost in the wonder, savoring the ecstasy. Her body floated between them, alive with sexual heat and mystic energy. They flowed through her mind and moved in her body, each rhythmic stroke binding them more firmly together.
Victor hooked her legs over his arms and thrust his entire length into her pussy. Grasping her hips, Seth answered with an equally deep stroke in her ass. She tightened her inner muscles, and both her men groaned. Pleasure swirled around them in a dizzying ebb and flow.
“The vampiric bond is as strong as I can make it,” Victor whispered. “Seth, can you weave Protinese strands through it as well?”
“Let me try.” They paused, clinging to each other while Seth concentrated on the metaphysical link.
Tess felt suspended beyond reality, insulated from the harsh realities of life. Euphoric. Seth’s presence became stronger in her mind, balancing Victor’s savage intensity.
“That’s better,” Victor agreed. He pressed her back into Seth and slipped his hand between her thighs, stroking his thumb over her clit. She gasped and shivered. “You look entirely too relaxed.”
They passed her back and forth, keeping her off balance and dependent on them. She resisted the strategy for a moment, not wanting to be helpless. Then she submitted, surrendered to their tenderness. She offered herself without reservation, opening completely, body and mind.
After all the blinding passion that had come before, the final climax came gently, slowly. They clung to each other as warm waves rolled over them, completing the ritual and leaving them sated and sleepy.
The men insisted Tess take a bubble bath to soothe her sore muscles and tender areas. When they ignored her claims that she wasn’t uncomfortable, she began to suspect that they had an ulterior motive for their caring. She slipped into the bathroom and turned on the water, then waited to see what her mates were really up to.
“She’s listening on the other side of the door,” Seth whispered.
Victor fought back a smile. “If she were spineless, neither of us would have been attracted to her.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“Let me see what Anthony managed to learn while we’ve been -- otherwise occupied.” Pausing long enough to pull on a pair of jeans, Victor found his mobile phone and dialed his brother.
“About fucking time,” Anthony snapped. “Don’t you ever answer your phone?”
“I’ve been busy.” He shot Seth a conspirator’s smile. “What’s wrong?”
“We found him.”
“Emit?”
“He checked into a seedy motel in Santa Rosa. The council cleaned up one of his messes in Santa Cruz, which made us recheck some of our leads. Even vampires eventually fall into patterns and stick to what they know.”
“The Duarte stronghold is in San Francisco,” Victor muttered. “He didn’t even bother to leave the state?”
“We figured he was long gone and he counted on our misconception.”
“When do we make our move?”
“We’re almost there,” Anthony told him. “Why do you think I’ve been trying to call you?”
“Send the address to my phone. I’ll meet you there.” Victor kept the phone open long enough to make sure he received the address then he looked at Seth. “Guard Tess. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Infuriated by Victor’s highhandedness, Seth watched him teleport out of sight.
“Where did he go?” Tess asked from the bathroom doorway. She was dressed in a bathrobe and looked almost as annoyed as he felt.
“Did you know he could teleport?”
“He’s organic, and he’s Zoltan clan.” She made it sound as if that explained it. “Chances were pretty good he could teleport. Did he tell you where he was going?”
Seth shook his head. “Apparently, Victor’s brother located Emit and they’re off to save the world.”
She smiled as she crossed to the main room of her hotel suite. “You don’t sound pleased.”
“I have no problem with my assigned task. Nothing is more important than protecting you. I just resent the hell out of his superior tone.”
“Vampires have never been known for their tact.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and slipped her hands into the back pockets of his jeans.
“Vampires are better known for their long tongues and big dicks.”
Quickly untangling her hands from his clothing, Seth pushed Tess behind him and turned to face the intruder. Of average height for a human female, the being shimmered around the edges as if she were not quite solid. Dark hair framed her narrow face then spilled about her shoulders and down her back.
Trepidation surged through his mind, and Seth automatically reached for the sword he wasn’t wearing. It’s a trap! He sent the thought to Victor, but sensed no response.
The intruder grinned. “Sorry, dear. I can’t let you ruin Emit’s fun. He’s waited a really long time to kick some Zoltan ass.”
“How the hell did you get in here?” Tess stepped out from behind Seth.
“Who are you?” Seth extended his arm trying to maneuver Tess back into a protected position. “What do you want?”
“Those questions are far more interesting when your lovely mate answers.” The intruder moved closer, her expression challenging. “Does he know about you?”
“If you’re here for me, let him go.” Tess sounded calm, but he
could sense her dread. Dread, not fear. How odd.
“If her grandfather sent you, you’re wasting your time.” Seth intentionally withheld Nogafel’s name in case the demon had nothing to do with the current situation. Recognition immediately registered in the intruder’s gaze, but Seth still chose his words carefully. “Tess would rather die than return to that dimension, and I happen to agree with her decision.”
His statement seemed to surprise the intruder. She stared back at him in silence for a moment. He shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, realizing her distraction might be his only opportunity. With otherworldly agility, he lunged, but his body passed through hers, and he slammed into the wall behind her.
“It was you, wasn’t it?” Tess finally sounded angry. “You’re the creature that attacked me in the observation lounge.”
Chapter Eight
Cadin clenched her hands into fists, wishing she could feel her fingernails digging into her palms. Pain would help clear her head right now, and she desperately needed to think. Emit had her trapped between a rock and a hard place, and she didn’t like the sensation at all.
Incorporeal beings couldn’t be trapped, just like they couldn’t be killed, and they couldn’t be fucked. If she’d been content within the rules of her existence none of this would have happened!
“I didn’t mean for the compulsion to be so strong,” she told Tess. “Victor sensed me as I left, and my power spiked.” It was more or less true.
“Why should I believe one word you say? Your damn compulsion lasted for hours.” She didn’t raise her voice, but her eyes spoke volumes.
Cadin heaved a frustrated sigh. They didn’t have time for this! “Warn the vampires, but make it quick. I’m running out of patience. Tell Victor the Elf had a premonition, or something clever. Do not say anything that will bring him back here. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” Without melodrama or elaboration, Tess postponed the attack on Emit.
“Very good.”
“Why are you here?” the Elf asked, his tone terse and demanding. Did anyone that beautiful ever hope to be intimidating?
“That’s a complicated question.”
“Do you intend to harm us?” Tess asked.
Cadin’s chances of survival were better with Tess than with the demon masquerading as Emit. It was as simple as that. “Probably not.”
“Then cut the bullshit,” Tess suggested. “Tell us your name and explain what you want.”
The direct approach. Cadin could respect that. She checked her mental shields, meticulously scanning for any crack or weakness that would warn Emit of their intentions. “You may call me Cadin. I’m sorry to inform you that your grandfather has been overthrown.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I never knew him.” Tess’s monotone delivery was almost convincing. She might not have been old enough to remember him, but she’d been branded by him, or one of his people.
“Whatever.” Cadin waved away the detail. “His successor’s son is here to kill your brother and bring you back to his dimension as a war prize. I presume you know what they do with female war prizes. Suffice it to say, it’s not pleasant.”
“What do you gain by warning us?” Seth asked.
“Hopefully my life.” Why wouldn’t the Elf shut up and let Tess speak for herself? Tess was far less suspicious. “Emit’s body has been taken over by the demon. I saw him shift into his natural shape, and he must have sensed my presence, because he confronted me with what I know.”
“Did he threaten you?” the Elf persisted. “How is he motivating you? I still don’t understand why you’re willing to help us.”
Refusing to give in to her annoyance, she patiently answered his bothersome questions. “In my natural state I am incorporeal. To remain in a dimension and move around freely, we require a dimensional anchor. I chose Emit.”
“Is Emit still alive?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake? Did he never shut up? “I’m not sure Emit will still be functional after this creature returns to his dimension, but technically Emit is still alive.”
“I didn’t mean to distract you. Go on.”
There was a deity! “So, I’m anchored to Emit. When the imposter realized I knew what he was doing, he anchored himself to me. If he dies, I die.”
Seth laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Let me make sure I understand this. You want us to incapacitate a trans-dimensional demon without killing it.”
“Yes,” Cadin admitted after a long pause. “If you don’t, he will attempt to force me into his dimension, and I will not go quietly.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Not at all,” Cadin assured. “It’s a statement of fact. The more power I’m obliged to use, the less control I have over my abilities. A life or death struggle between two -- how did you put it, trans-dimensional beings -- might well create an explosion that will obliterate this dimension.”
“How convenient.”
The consensus was much the same when they joined the Zoltan brothers in Santa Rosa later that night. The vampires had commandeered an apartment with several windows facing the motel where Emit was holed up. Cadin’s mutual link with the Emit imposter allowed her to track him with relative ease. Unfortunately, it also made her relatively easy for him to track, so the vamps were reluctant to have her around.
Cadin understood their suspicion and volunteered to return to her nemesis so he wouldn’t become suspicious. Her only hope of survival rested with Tess and she knew it. She also agreed to plant transmitters in the room so her new allies could more closely monitor Emit.
“I still don’t trust her,” Victor grumbled as they watched her saunter across the parking lot.
“I don’t give a damn about her motivations as long as she sticks to the plan.” Anthony sat in front of a wobbly desk, staring at a blank monitor with obvious expectation.
None of the equipment looked new. Tess couldn’t help wondering what sort of missions these men had undertaken in the past. Who had they observed? What information had they extracted? How much of Zoltan clan’s seclusion was explained by situations like this?
“A chaos being?” Seth muttered, shaking his head. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Well, everyone else in this room has experienced her power,” Anthony told him. “She is not nearly as harmless as she looks.”
“So why does she need our help?” Tess whispered the pessimistic question under her breath, but Victor heard her and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Let’s take this one step at a time,” he suggested.
“As always,” Anthony agreed.
Tess wasn’t generally so negative, but this entire situation was so far outside the norm she could barely process what was happening. The norm. The phrase made her smile. Her life had abandoned that path entirely about a week ago.
The audio feed came online first. An angry male voice. “Why didn’t you follow them? Slipping between dimensions is nothing new to you.”
“Seth must have sensed the danger.” Cadin sounded as if she were speaking to an enraged child, not quite condescending, yet every word precise. “Why do you think he took her to Protina? He will have palace security on high alert.”
One section of Anthony’s screen flickered to life, revealing a shadowy image of the hotel room. Cadin’s back was to the camera, while Emit was only partially in the shot. It wouldn’t win any awards for cinematography, but it was better than nothing.
With apparent nonchalance, Cadin crossed to the bed and sat on the side. She stealthily planted another tiny transmitter on the edge of the nightstand before she spoke again.
“I don’t see any dead vampires, so I’m guessing your half of the mission wasn’t any more successful than mine.”
“She’s a cheeky bitch.” Victor said as a second section on Anthony’s monitor went live.
“Trust her yet?” Anthony asked, his gaze fixed on the monitor.
“Not a chance.”
Cadin and Emit’s heated conversation quickly rambled off into a redundant litany of insults and accusations, so Tess asked, “I’ve heard rumors about a collar that neutralizes paranormal abilities. I’m pretty sure the Sentinels use them, and the gossip mongers report Zoltan clan has one as well.” Victor and Anthony exchanged a meaningful glance. “It’s true?”
Victor closed the distance between them as he explained. “If Emit is really inhabited by a demon, we’re not sure the collar will help. They seldom possess the sorts of abilities the collar suppresses.”
“They’re naturally large and strong and fast,” Anthony clarified. “The collar wouldn’t change that.”
“What about shape shifting?” she asked. “Cadin said she saw it change shapes.”
“It’s unlikely what she witnessed was a mystical ability at work,” Victor said. “The demon probably surfaced temporarily. I seriously doubt it can become anyone or anything other than Emit.”
“But Cadin said it’s not much of a danger as long as it’s in Emit’s form.”
Seth shook his head, apparently seeing where her train of thought was leading. “Even if the collar worked, it would be an extremely temporary solution.”
“All we need is enough of a window so Cadin can break the link.”
“If that were true, why wouldn’t she have done it already?” Anthony asked. “He’s been in Emit’s shape for days.”
“Because the imposter isn’t really restrained in any way.” She tried not to sound as exasperated as she felt. They had to try something, anything! They’d about worn tracks in this faded carpeting. “He’s just hiding inside Emit’s appearance. I think this will work.”
Anthony shrugged and rolled back from the desk. “Let’s ask Ms. Chaos. I sure as hell don’t have any other ideas.”
Victor sent a carefully shielded message asking Cadin to meet them in the alley behind the apartment building. When she arrived a few minutes later, Tess explained what the collar did and asked Cadin if she thought the device would allow her to break the link between her and Emit.
Cadin considered the option for a moment. “If it works the way you say, it sounds like my best chance. If it even weakens his hold enough for me to go incorporeal, I should be able to escape.”
