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

by Claire Marta

  Clinging to Asier’s solid frame she couldn’t get close enough. She needed more. His blood was as addictive as the male himself. Licking deliriously at the wound above the vampire’s heart she continued to feed greedily.

  Everything inside her liquefied. It became a raging inferno of pleasure and fire. It both consumed her and built her upwards. Jasmine clawed at his back. Nails scoring his flesh with frantic scratch marks. She couldn’t stop. A groan vibrated though his big body. A moment later he wrenched her away.

  With a whimper, Jasmine fought him. She did not want to be denied. His hold almost cruel as he kept her at bay. Jasmine’s eyes fluttered open. Asier’s angelic face was filled with a hungry wanton lust. His skin was glistening and damp.

  The air shimmered with the rising heat. Asier’s form seemed to be the centre of it all. Jasmine felt answering flames in her belly. They didn’t burn. Instead, their energy sent pleasure blazing through her every nerve ending.

  Asier’s lips met hers, hungry and demanding. Jasmine’s mouth opened to the insistence of his. Groaning as she mirrored the plunge of his tongue. They glided together, sliding, sucking. The power she had tasted so potently in his blood tripped over her tongue and down her throat. It set her veins alight. Her blood was searing with his energy. It was like a volcano had erupted inside her. Elemental. That was the only way she could describe it.

  Finally Asier lifted his head. “Feeling better cara?”

  With a moan Jasmine wound her hands in his hair and yanked the vampire’s face back down to hers, kissing him ravenously. Her body ached for more. She needed him to fill her up again. Burn her. Incinerate her soul and fulfil what she had tasted a few moments ago. His fiery essence. His power.

  Asier laughed softly pulling back. “I enjoy your enthusiasm but I am not going to fuck you on the concrete floor, no matter how tempting it is.”

  Dazed, Jasmine glanced around. The haze of lust began to fade from her vision as her mind cleared. Shit. Shell and her followers would be back at any time. Being found in a compromising position was probably not the best way to be discovered.

  Asier gently set her down beside him. The loss of his heat made Jasmine shiver. Gracefully rising, he stalked to the doorway to check that they were safe. Jasmine watched the torch light playing over his physique. Muscles rippled and bunched as he moved. Shadows dancing over his torso made his inked snake look as if it was moving. The cut above his heart had already healed. Only a smear of blood bore witness that it has ever existed.

  She caught sight of the evil looking demon tattoo on his forearm. It looked as if it has faded. The colour was no longer as vibrant. Again the eerie eyes seemed to be staring right at her.

  Jasmine got to her feet a little slower. Limbs aching, she felt exhausted. A strange warmth was now encompassing her. She could feel the vampire watching. The inner glow she was experiencing was nothing to do with the kiss they had shared. No. Asier had given her his blood. Even now the potent power lingered on her taste buds. Jasmine could feel it energizing every cell.

  Eyebrows pinching together she wrapped her arms protectively around her waist. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Eric had given her his blood in Prague. Like this time she’d had no say in it. He had said it made her his. Now Asier had done the same what did that mean now? Did this now apply to the Italian too? It frightened her.

  Shell’s words kept echoing in her head. Had Asier really just fucked her to piss off Eric? That hurt. She did not want to be a pawn in a shadowy competition. If it was true, then how could she ever trust Asier again? The vampire’s gaze met hers when she finally looked his way. It was perceptive as ever.

  “My blood was the only way to work the drug from your system. I could not risk you falling into a coma. I kissed you as a way to trigger my ability inside you and guide it where it needed to go.” His accent had thickened sexily. Just the way Jasmine was starting to like.

  “And what Shell said…Do you just want me because of Eric? Is that all true? The reason you’ve been so persistent in getting me into bed all this time?”

  Distractedly Asier freed his long hair from its bun. Cascading smoothly, it settled down his shoulders. “I want you because I desire you. It has nothing to do with Eric. Shell lied about that. She wanted to throw you off balance.” He assured patiently. “I have been inside you, in more ways than one now bella. My fangs. My cock. And now my blood. No other female has ever experienced that. I have never had even a remote urge to let it happen until you.”

  Nibbling on her thumbnail, Jasmine was not sure what to believe. Her trust had already been ripped to shreds by a vampire. Was Asier playing games? How could she separate the lies from the truth? She still felt so confused. Jasmine noted the vamp had taken his shoes off. He stood barefoot as he preferred.

  “I really suggest you two get you arses out of there. You can have a weird ‘what the fuck did you do that for’ moment later.” Twitch interrupted in his normal didn’t give a fuck way. “The team’s stuck in traffic but Mark’s alerted more agents from the department and they should be converging on your position soon. He says to get the hell out.”

  Asier’s familiar smirk appeared. It curved up the corners of his gorgeous mouth.

  “Don’t worry we aren’t hanging around here.” Jasmine assured the mage as they headed for the door. As she peeked around the corner she listened for any signs of life. Flaming torches lit the way.

  They were in a dead end tunnel just off the main chamber. It was not part of the subway system. From the way the walls were roughly created it looked like someone had spent a lot of time digging the place out. Jasmine knew there were several types of supernaturals who lived underground. If this was one of their burrows, where were the occupants? Had Shell fed them to her pet snake? That seemed like the most obvious answer.

  A commotion was going on further along. Voices were raised in fright and it sounded like equipment was being over turned. Had Jasmine’s people turned up already? Asier suddenly breezed past her. On silent feet the Italian moved like a ninja in the direction of the noise.

  “Wait, what are you doing?” Jasmine hissed.

  “Getting us out of here, cara.” The vampire called over his shoulder. “We don’t have all day.”

  He was right. Yet they still had to be careful. A little more cautiously Jasmine trailed after him.

  “How did it get loose again?” They heard Shell scream in rage.

  “We told you it keeps doing this but we don’t know how.” One of the men whined.

  “Get it chained back up.” Shell shouted furiously. “Kane confuse it with an illusion.”

  Asier had flattened himself against the rough surface of the wall and was peeping stealthy around the corner. Carefully, Jasmine peeked to. A primitive wave of fear scrambled her thoughts. The behemoth serpent was in the middle of the room. Head reared up, its pale under belly was exposed. Green scales flashed in the torch light as the rest of its elongated length twisted in a mass of curls.

  Each of the men were spread out around it wielding what look like spears. They were trying to force it back into the corner. Back to where the chains lay waiting. All of them were in a panic. Sweating profusely, their movements were jerky. The beast though had other ideas. It slunk closer. A devious glint in its stare. Enormous body of pure muscle, it was a perfect defence against the sharp ends of the metal poles.

  It was almost as if it was taking a perverse pleasure in their attempts to keep it at bay. Long black tongue flicking out, collecting their fear, scent and sweat. Mouth gaping, it looked hungry.

  Asier abruptly grasped Jasmine’s chin forcing her to look at him. “Show no fear Jasmine. The creature will react to it. It can taste it just like I can. It’s a predator just like me capisci?”

  He was right. But how did you stop yourself from being afraid? It was not like she could turn it on and off like a switch.

  “We can get to the other side of the room and out through the door while they’re distracted.” S
he suggested as she shook off his hold.

  The Italian nodded. Moving as quietly as they could, they began to sneak towards the exit. For Asier this was easy. Jasmine wished she was as silently graceful as the vamp. He always moved with an animal elegance.

  She could hear the men swearing and shouting off to her left. It was so distracting she glanced their way. Shell stood watching her minions, arms crossed over her chest. The action popped her breasts almost out of her bodice. Long strands of her snow white hair were coming undone from her perfect braid. She looked nervous. Her silver eyes wide as she watched their progress.

  Kane stood beside her. The blonde vampire was a silent mountain of muscle. His eyes were empty of will. Jasmine could sense his power. It was permeating throughout the room in an odd shimmer, she caught in the corner of her eye. Was he convincing the snake it was somewhere else? Whatever he was doing this time it did not seem to be working. The serpent was hell bent on getting to the elf. Maybe she looked tasty? A morsel a little less chewy than the men who were taunting it.

  With a hiss it feigned to the left. Curling its long body, jaws gaping open, it lurched suddenly right towards the female. Kane rushed in front of it trying to protect Shell, but with a thrash of its head he was sent flying across the room. Smashing into the stone wall he flopped brokenly to the floor. Hands hurtling up to protect herself, Shell’s lips began to move as she began to cast a spell. But it was already too late. Striking like a lightning bolt the serpent’s fanged mouth closed around her head and shoulders.

  Jasmine heard a muffled scream. Abruptly it came to a strangled end as the creature’s jaws gnashed shut. Blood gushed from its smooth green lips as the elf’s body convulsed. The sickening crunch of bones being twisted and snapped merged with the screams of the men. Ignoring them, the beast began to eat its prey. Throat rippling smoothly it began to swallow Shell whole.

  Jasmine froze. It was a gruesome sight. Yet she could not look away. Crimson continued to flow staining its scales bathing everything around it in a red growing river. Black murderous eyes locked on Jasmine’s. They were void of anything but malevolence. Evil.

  Dropping their weapons, the men bolted for the door. Without Shell, their courage had quickly vanished. Their terrified footsteps clattered out and into the darkened passage. Suddenly Asier and Jasmine were alone.

  Lifting its head, the serpent chomped down the rest of the carcass. Shell’s feet vanished within its maw and slid easily down its throat to digest. Nothing of the elf was left. Not even her shoes.

  Not once had its attention waivered from Jasmine. Forked tongue flicking out to taste the air, it began to slither in her direction. Fuck. It had to still be hungry and now it was coming for part two of its main course. Strength restored to her limbs, Jasmine charged onwards. Adrenaline shooting through her veins spurred her on.

  Asier moved out of her path. Falling back he pivoted around to face the monster. Confused, Jasmine faltered not sure what the hell he was up to. Rearing back, the reptile was caught off guard. It’s interest now on the vampire. Towering over him it was a terrifying sight.

  Asier stared fearlessly into its gaze. The depths of his amethyst eyes becoming swirling pools of emotion and colour. Slowly he began to sway from side to side. After a hesitation the giant serpent followed. Its massive scaly length mimicked the Italian’s back and forth. Like a snake charmer Asier began to weave a calmness that lulled it to relax. His movements were faultless, a perfect dance. They moved together now in unison.

  Asier began to hum. Softly at first, and then with growing confidence. A haunting tune. One that stirred memories Jasmine had forgotten. She could hear someone humming the same lullaby to her as she sat curled in the dark. Her teddy bear clutched in her hands. It was so vivid. Yet anything else from back then was still a blank.

  “We need to leave now.” The vampire’s soft words snapped her back to reality. “This will only work for so long.” He told her in a singsong voice. “Cazzo its will is far stronger than I first suspected. No wonder they had so much trouble keeping it contained.”

  Jasmine spied the clutter of cardboard boxes still in the corner. Green eggs were wrapped up tight and nestled within. “If the eggs hatch...”

  They both knew that would be disastrous. Jumbo reptiles rampaging through London looking for their next easy meal was not something her department would be able to hide. Dashing to the wall, Jasmine carefully unhooked one of the torches. It was heavy in her hands. Without another thought she sprinted forward to heave it into the boxes. The cardboard caught fire immediately. Flames licking greedily they began to consume everything in their path including the eggs.

  A spine curling shriek shook the chamber around them. Rage. The emotion beat in every nuance of the sound. Jasmine felt her heart stopped for a millisecond before it began to thunder uncontrollably behind her ribs. Jerking around, she found black piercing eyes intense with hate. Hissing, the creature bared its massive fangs.

  Jasmine realised she had just pissed it off. This was not good. Not waiting for Asier she turned and ran. Feet pounding along the concrete floor she raced blindly into the dark tunnel. She knew she had to get out. If she could make it to the exit the monster might not be able to follow.

  Behind her another roar rocked the ground. Squealing with fright Jasmine pushed herself faster. Arms pumping she hoped to god she was not about to run into a wall. Something abruptly wound itself around her waist. Screaming at the top of her lungs she tried to fight it off.

  “Easy, Jasmine.” Asier’s voice made her sag in relief. “It’s me.”

  “What the fuck are you doing?” She asked breathing hard. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

  “I can see in the dark and you don’t need a concussion right now.” Asier swept her up in his arms. “Which is what you will get if you keep running blindly.” A moment later they were moving.

  Jasmine pressed herself into his chest. She could feel air whip past her face as he ran at an incredible speed. It was still completely pitch black. Where they were going she did not have a clue. Hopefully far away from the serpent who now wanted to make a meal of her for killing its babies.

  Light. Suddenly she could see. They were standing in a tunnel. Small emergency lighting was fixed in places along the walls. Jasmine blinked as it sank in exactly where they were. A subway tunnel. Asier was being careful not to stand on the tracks. The electricity would be live. A change in the air made goosebumps leap up over Jasmine’s arms. A tell-tale displacement announcing the arrival of an incoming train.

  “Asier are you crazy? We’re going to get hit by a fucking tube train.” Jasmine panicked struggling in his hold. “Get us out of here!”

  “Calm down cara we will be out of the way before it reaches us. There is another passage up here which branches off.”

  How he knew that she did not know. But Jasmine hoped he moved his hot perfect vampire arse to get them there soon. Being hit by a train was the last thing she needed.

  A hiss sent a shudder down Jasmine’s spine. Asier froze at the sound. Before them large black eyes glittered in the inky darkness. With predatory calculation the snake slithered to block their path. Its shadowy form dominated the tunnel, not leaving much space to get by. Head rising, it swayed hypnotically from side to side. Gliding forward it slid across the tracks with no repercussion. The electrical current having no affect.

  Jasmine felt the vampire’s body tense. She knew as well as he did this was not good news. Was the creature indestructible?

  Bright and dazzling the tube train suddenly came whistling up behind it. In horror she watched knowing it had no time to stop. They were destined for a head on collision. Tucking Jasmine as close as he could into his body, Asier twisted baring his naked back to take any impact. Digging her nails into his biceps Jasmine waited for the world as she knew it to end. They had only milliseconds.

  Jasmine’s ears were filled with so many sounds her brain barely had time to interpret them all at once. Screeching b
reaks. The sound merged with a chorus of screams. Then the tearing of metal and shattering of glass. A hideous shriek almost deafened them. An explosion of dust and shrapnel went flying. Pelting them, Asier did his best to keep her protected.

  Then there was sudden deafening silence. Peeking over his shoulder Jasmine took in the scene. The front of the tube train was wrapped around the side of the great serpent like a crushed cardboard box. Jasmine was kind of surprised it had not gone up in a ball of flames. In fact it did not look like it was going to happen any time soon. They had been lucky. She was more than sure that would have taken them all out. Including Asier.

  The monster itself looked as if it had been barely touched. Shit, its armour had to be thick. It did not even have a dent. Jasmine felt a moment of anxiety. If it was impervious to harm how the fuck were they ever going to stop it?

  Tongue whipping out, it examined what had hit it. Licking across the crumpled metal it explored the object. Asier began to quickly move. A second later Jasmine found herself lowered onto the ledge. It seemed to be a little walkway which ran along the rim of the tunnel. Some kind of an emergency path. Holding onto his biceps for support Jasmine steadied herself. Her legs felt wobbly after that near brush with death.

  “Jasmine do you see that crevice?” The vampire’s words were hurried. “Go wedge yourself in as far as you can before it notices us again.”

  Jasmine spied the hole he was talking about. It looked like a slim dip cut into the wall. Without questioning she darted the few paces and wiggled herself inside. She had no room to move, just enough to push herself in as far as she could go.

  The rough wall was cold and hard beneath her palms. Curling her fingers she turned her head awkwardly back to face the opening. A roar resonated through the dust filled air. Heart in her mouth Jasmine held a breath. Would it be able to reach her? Its tongue could be long enough to touch her if it figured out where she was hiding. What the bloody hell did Asier have planned? Was he going to try and lead it away? What about the train? The passengers?