The Serpent's Kiss (The Hunter Chronicles Book 4)

by Claire Marta

  “I will enjoy taking pleasure from you.” Leaning forwards she licked her tongue roughly over his flesh. “It’s going to be so much fun using you as you have used so many others.”

  Asier gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening in disgust. He wanted nothing more than to snap her fragile neck. Being at the mercy of another was something he had rarely experienced. A tiny shudder of excitement rolled through the elf. He could smell her arousal. Shell wanted him.

  Watching him coyly through her eyelashes, she slid her hand into the front of his trousers. Her fingers touched him. Cupping his balls, she began to fondle. Her fingers than began to work his softened cock. Asier remained tense.

  Shell had skill. It was there in every stroke, every rub. She knew how to arouse a man, but he felt nothing. Being a Master at both pain and pleasure, Asier had long ago gained mastery over his body. He did not respond. There was no way he would let her take anything from him. When she realised his shaft remained flaccid, she cursed loudly.

  “Why aren’t you getting hard?” She complained. Angrily, she jerked her hand from his pants. When she licked her lips he knew immediately what she was thinking. Just the thought of them wrapped around his dick filled him with revulsion. She would never get what she wanted.

  “I would not recommend it puttana.” Asier finally spoke keeping his voice low and deadly. “You don’t have the skill to get me up, let alone make me come.”

  “Once I collect the potion I need, you’ll soon give me what I want. You won’t have any choice.” Shell sneered back. “I’m being paid well to tame you vampire, and I intend to earn every penny.”

  That snagged Asier’s attention. “Paid?”

  “Hmm.” The elf greedily ran her hands over his abs. She couldn’t stop touching him. “Doctor Dasyurus has been planning this for months. He predicted you would reject his offer, so my plan was already set in motion. He even had the enchantments for these chains created over a year ago just for you.”

  Asier’s eyes narrowed at her words. So Dasyurus had been playing another game all along. The Russian’s had just been pawns. A distraction. Asier knelt to no one. Not even to this Doctor with his tricks. This man would soon learn that.

  “But it didn’t work did it? I refused to have you in my bed.”

  Shell’s expression soured. “No, you resisted me, but Kane was more than willing to fill your place. I dosed him with my potions every time he took me to his bed. Before long, he was selling the drug for me and did not even realise it. His ability to make others see things that are not there was a good way to hide who was distributing it. So both you and the authorities never knew who was involved.” Her little claw like nails toyed with the waist band of his yoga pants. “Now I have both of you. The organized crime in the city will be under my control. With the production of the drug in full swing we’ll soon flood the market and crush any competition.”

  Asier shook his head. They were insane to think it would work. “Pazzo. No one will want it. Too many people are dying or becoming comatose by its unstable effects.” He pointed out, as he once more tried to work his wrists free from his restraints.

  “A few errors we need to work out.” Shell told him with a look of glee as he struggled. The smug tilting of her lips told him it was a waste of his time. “The creature’s DNA is unique. A blend of genetically altered reptiles which were thought long extinct. It started out as a failed experiment, but once we discovered the properties of the eggs, we soon found another use. It took time and effort to smuggle it into the subway system and set everything up. But things are finally paying off. The Doctor is very pleased with our progress, and my money will be tripled once he knows I finally have you.”

  The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them. Four men appeared. Asier recognized them immediately. They were the same ones who had caused trouble at his club. Jasmine was between two of them. Arms held securely, her struggles were doing little good.

  “Ahh it looks like we have company.” Shell pointed the knife she still clutched at the wall. “Chain her up.”

  “Get the fuck off me.” Jasmine snarled as they dragged her along. The girl was fighting with all her might. Straining against her captors, she tried to dig her heels into the concrete floor.

  One of the males cursed as she stomped on his foot. This earned her a back handed blow across her cheek. Bringing up her knee she caught him in the nuts. As he howled and released her, one of the other men took his place.

  Shell laughed at her fieriness. “Did you know Asier is only fucking you to piss off the other Master in town?” She told Jasmine with malicious delight. “I warned you when we first met not to trust him, but like so many others you fell so easily into his bed.”

  Jasmine ceased struggling. A blend of anger and hurt darkened her glare. “Excuse me? And why should I believe you?” Green eyes dilating, she shot Asier an uncertain look.

  Asier repressed a growl. It was true in the beginning. He had wanted her purely to annoy Eric. Now though things were different. Her trust was important to him. Seeing the small amount he had built up slip away was not a pleasant thing to see.

  “It is not true Jasmine.” Asier assured her softly. “Shell spews lies from her lips as easily as others murmur endearments.”

  While Jasmine was distracted, the elf’s thugs took the opportunity to fasten the metal cuffs around her wrists. With a click they locked into place.

  “I got it from the mouth of his right hand man.” Shell continued as she fondled his nipple ring. “Kane is my slave now and tells me everything. And I have no reason to lie.”

  Asier curbed the urged to jerk away. Better to play her game and let her think she had won. When he was free again, she would feel the full sting of his wrath. He was going to enjoy inflicting pain on her. Making her bleed.

  “What are we going to do with her?” The male who had suffered the injuries was quick to ask as he nudged his chin towards Jasmine. It looked like he was still in pain.

  “She’ll do for the beast’s next meal in a few hours.” Shell pranced with a dismissive look towards the door. Her skirts rustling around her as she moved. “It will save you finding a homeless person this time. They are getting wary of strangers offering a warm meal and a bed for the night now anyway.”

  “And the vampire?”

  With a smile that chilled Asier’s blood she caressed the length of her long white braid. “Oh I have plans for him, but for now you can beat him. I’ll be back soon with the potion I need to enslave him.”

  Jasmine watched wide-eyed as Asier was beaten. Their fists pummelled against his chest, back and sides. He swung around on the hook he was hanging from helpless and vulnerable. The vampire did not make a sound. A dark expression remained on his features, but he showed no pain. At one stage he even looked bored.

  “Cazzo. You really think you pathetic mortals can hurt me?” He sneered after a while. “One of my waitresses could do better than this.”

  All four of the men were breathing hard. Sweat was dripping from their brows. Several were even nursing bruised and bloodied knuckles from the force they had shown.

  “Maybe we can’t, but he can.” The largest man spat as he glance in Kane’s direction. “Don’t just stand there you fucking fanged moron, hit him!”

  Kane ambled forwards. Expression void of emotion, his sky blue eyes were empty of thought. Asier’s gaze fixed on him. Intent and shrewd, he gauged his assailant. Jasmine gasped as the huge vampire wasted no time. Cracking his knuckles he quickly ploughed one into Asier’s face. Next came his ribs. His paw like fist slammed into his friend’s side. Something cracked.

  The Master Vampire did not react. He continued to dangle, unable to defend himself as Kane hit him again and again. Skin split open. Blood dripped down coating his olive skin. The punishment went on and on until Asier was a bloody mess. One eye was swollen shut. His features were puffy and bruised.

  “That’s enough.” Jasmine shouted as she battled against her chains. “Leav
e him alone.”

  Kane’s fist stopped in mid strike. Letting it fall to his side he stood passively.

  “I was just starting to enjoy myself.” The skinny guy complained. “I suppose this zombified piece of supernatural shit should get back to work making the reptile feel comfortable with his mind tricks. We don’t need it getting loose again.”

  “Maybe we can have some fun with her before we feed the lizard?” Another one suggested as he turned. His gaze was lit with interest. The kind that made Jasmine’s skin crawl.

  “Shell wants us to finish bagging up the pills for shipping.” Skinny responded, looking nervously at the door. “She’ll be pissed if we don’t.”

  “It won’t take long. We can come back after.” Another suggested as he grinned. With one hand he adjusted his semi-erection through his jeans.

  Jasmine felt sick at the thought that he was getting turned on. She was not about to let them touch her. Never was she ever going to go through that again. The mental scars from her past had only started healing.

  “I don’t like it when they fight. Too much fucking work.” The largest of the group complained.

  “Let’s give her one of these. It might loosen her up. By the time we’re done she might be more than willing.” Skinny jiggled the packet of pills he’d slipped from his pocket.

  Jasmine’s attention zipped to Asier. He seemed to be out cold. Panic swarmed through her as the men eagerly advanced.

  “Don’t you dare fucking touch me!” She shrieked at the top of her lungs. They laughed, hands rough and cruel as they each took hold of her. Desperate, Jasmine tried to kick her legs. All she managed was to catch one in the thigh and earn herself another slap.

  As a hand grasped her jaw painfully she kept her mouth shut. Teeth grinding together hard she refused to let them drug her.

  “Open up you little bitch.” Skinny hissed as he tried to pry her mouth open. Lunging forward, Jasmine sank her teeth into his fingers. His yelp made the others laugh.

  Jasmine’s cheeks here violently pinched together. A whimpered escaped her while her eyes watered from the pain. Two of them now worked their thick sweaty fingers between her teeth to lever her jaws wide. Trying to thrash against them, she had no way to fight. Her back was pinned against the wall. Too many hands had hold of her. Pushing the small green pill onto her tongue they forced her mouth shut again. She refused to swallow. No way in hell. The moment they let her go she would ditch it.

  Something began to fizzle. Jasmine tried not to freak out as the pill began to dissolve. She could feel it absorbing into the lining of her throat. The four men were leering down at her. Gingerly, they stepped away as they released her. They were smugly pleased with their achievement.

  “See you in a bit baby.” The beef guy murmured huskily as he squeezed her thigh. “We promise to show you a good time right before you become lizard chowder.”

  Watching in silence as they left, Jasmine frantically tugged on the cuffs that bound her. No way was she staying here. When they came back they were going to rape her before feeding her to a gargantuan snake.

  “Jasmine, are you alright?” One of Asier’s eyes had popped open.

  “I thought you were unconscious.” She whispered back still trying to get her wrists loose. “Why didn’t you say something before?”

  A smile fluttered across his bloodied lips. “Bella it takes more than their clumsy attempt at a beating to hurt me. I am more concerned about you. There was nothing I could do to stop them and letting them think I was unconscious could be an advantage to us.”

  Panic was still looming, but Jasmine was trying hard to ignore it. Taking a deep calming breath, she focused on getting herself free. There had to be a way. “I’m ok. Not feeling anything, but I don’t know how long until the pill takes effect.”

  Already the bruises had begun to heal, and the swelling around the vampire’s face vanished without a trace. Asier licked the blood from his cut lip. The wound was already gone. It only took a few moments for his olive skin to become smooth and flawless once more. He had obviously fed recently. And fed well.

  “The pill absorbs quickly into the bloodstream. You will experience it soon.” He flexed his straining shoulders. It looked like he was testing the strength of the metal that held him. “The handcuffs are enchanted. I can’t break them.”

  Jasmine eyed the chains. “I don’t think Kane is going to be of any help.”

  “Kane would never betray me of his own free will.” Asier confided as he wiggled in the air like a worm on a hook. He would probably look really appetising right now to the creature.

  “I think Shell has him under her power somehow. Hypnotized maybe?” Jasmine murmured distractedly as she watched his naked bronzed muscles bunch and strain as he moved.

  “Si. I think she’s using him to keep the creature docile.”

  “How?”

  The vampire tipped his head to the side so he could see her. “Kane has the ability to make you see things that aren’t there. Hallucinations. He is using it to make it think it’s somewhere safe. Shell plans to use the same potion on me. My powers will be under her control if this happens.”

  That was something that could not happen. Asier was far too powerful to fall under the elf’s control.

  “Then we should get our arses out of here.” A renewed sense of determination buzzed through Jasmine. “Twitch can you hear me?”

  “Loud and clear, Jazzy. I can hear Asier now too.” The techno mage purred back.

  “Do you still have the spell for reversing stuff programmed on my watch?” She asked him feeling a pang of relief that they had not lost communication. Magic tingled tightening the skin of her wrist beneath the watch strap. No one had bothered to remove it. Jasmine was lucky that no one ever suspected something so harmless.

  Twitch hummed. “Yes. It’s still there. It won’t affect my magic just anyone else’s it detects...It depends on the strength of the spells used…how strong the wielder is who forged them...”

  “Do you think it’s strong enough to free Asier?” She cut him off impatiently. They did not have time for a lesson in magic. Shell or her goons could be back at any minute. They needed to be free before that happened.

  “Well we don’t know until you try it out do we.” Her friend replied in exasperation.

  Shackles clinking together Jasmine reached across to her right wrist. With the pad of her thumb she found the tiny knob on the curve of her watch. Praying it would work she pressed it in. Click. Twitch’s magic swelled abruptly through the room. Like a static barrier it bounced off her sixth sense. As it clashed with Shell’s spells the handcuffs that held Asier began to spark.

  The Italian lowered his head trying to keep his tied up hair away from the little light show. Something pinged. A moment later Asier twisted the metal like it was a piece of thin plastic.

  Agilely he landed on his feet. “Bravo Twitch.” Rubbing his wrists he quickly strode towards Jasmine. “I knew you were useful for something.”

  The techno mage growled. “It wasn’t done for you, cockbite. I just want Jazzy out of there before you become lizard bait.”

  Wooziness hit Jasmine hard. One minute she was fine, the next her head started to spin. Groaning, she tried to clutch her churning stomach but she couldn’t lower her hands because of the restraints.

  “Jasmine?” Brows furrowing Asier crouched elegantly down to set her free. “Are you ok?” With an unnatural ease he ripped the cuffs carefully apart.

  Slumping onto the cold hard concrete ground she curled into a ball. Nausea rose in her throat as a loud thumping threatened to shatter the inside of her skull.

  “I think Jasmine is having an abnormal reaction to the drug they forced her to take.” Asier whispered grimly.

  “What the fuck do we do?” Twitch replied. Panic was rising in his tone.

  Tentatively Asier caressed the curve of Jasmine’s cheek. She was burning up. Whatever effect the pill was having on her was not good.

 
“There has to be a way to get it out of her system.” Desperately, he scanned the room for anything he could use to cool her down. It was sparse. More of a holding cell, nothing helpful met his gaze.

  “Why don’t you burn it out? One of your powers is fire, right?” Twitch suggested in a frantic mutter.

  “That would kill her.” Asier bit back. “Raising her temperature would just end Jasmine quicker. Her body would not be able to stand it. Human physiology is far too fragile for such extremes.”

  “No Asier, listen. Jasmine somehow tapped into Eric’s wintry power when we were in Avalon a few weeks ago. I think it was because he had given her his blood back in Prague. She used his ice...”

  Asier became deathly still. “Vero? You think the same thing might happen if I share my blood with her? That she could use it to flush the drug out?”

  It was an interesting concept. He had never shared his blood with anyone in his entire existence. Would she be able to wield his flames? Bare their rage and not be consumed? Seeing someone else mastering his power was a deep yearning he hid. He had been alone so long...

  “I think it will.” The mage sounded convinced in his belief. “She’s from the house of Le Fey like me. There’s magic in her veins.”

  “She’s a witch?” Asier glanced down at Jasmine, studying her with new eyes. Slender frame shaking, perspiration sprung up across her forehead and face. Shakes had started to tremble through her limbs.

  “We don’t know what she is, but like me she’s more than just human. You know that.”

  Making up his mind Asier quickly stripped of his shirt with determination. “You better be right Twitch.”

  Jasmine was burning up. Sweat was dripping from her skin beneath her clothes. She could feel it trickling down between her breasts. She felt like she was in some kind of sauna. It was difficult to breath in the sweltering heat.

  A firm naked chest was pressed against her cheek. She could hear the steady beat of a powerful heart. Fingers beneath her chin gently urged her closer. Then something metallic and spicy met Jasmine’s tongue. With mewl of surprise she welcomed it. The liquid coursed down her parched throat. Memories stirred. Something she’d had before but had chilled her, rather than burned.