by Bethany Shaw
"Not here." She sighed. "How long have you two been in New York?" she asked, glancing back to the stage.
"We've been here about a year now. Melanie and I like to settle down and make a life for ourselves when we can. The city is large enough we should be able to stay for some time. We tried drifting, but it's not for us. We can't go overseas. So we are stuck to the United States and Canada."
"Why can’t you go overseas?" she asked a moment before realization dawned on her. Zak. "Oh." They had been compelled not to. "I'm sorry, Harrison."
"You're not the one that stopped us, Cadence, and I've long since forgiven my brother. I will see him again, perhaps sooner than I thought." He filled her glass with ice and water. “Can I get you a bite to eat while you wait for Zak?”
Cadence sighed and looked down at her water. "Zak won’t be joining me tonight. He doesn’t know I’m here. We had a fight, and he left. I was out looking for him when I saw Melanie on stage."
"Zakariah can be quite hotheaded when he wants to be. I’m sure you’ll meet up with him at the hotel. Melanie will be thrilled to see you. She'll be done after this next song. Perhaps the two of you would like to...what's the phrase...have some girl talk?" Harrison said, smiling and giving her a friendly pat on the hand.
***
After a brief reunion with Melanie and Harrison, Cadence decided to go back to the hotel, hoping to find Zak there. It was nearly two in the morning, and she’d been gone for a few hours. Hopefully he wasn’t worried. She didn’t feel too bad, though. After all, he had walked away from her.
She took the elevator to her floor and hurried to the room with the key in her hand. Opening the door, the smell of liquor assaulted her senses.
Zak lay in the bed asleep, a nearly empty bottle of amber liquid sitting on the floor beside him. She shut the door, watching as he flinched and bolted upright.
His eyes narrowed as he hopped up, pausing when he saw her. “Where have you been?”
“Looking for you.” She took her coat off and draped it over the armchair. “You didn’t let me explain. We need to talk about this.” She slipped off her shoes and walked to the bed, sitting down next to him. “You can’t just leave without giving me a chance to talk. I was worried about you.”
“You let him put his hands on you,” Zak said with a growl. He stood up and ran a hand through his hair.
“I didn’t let him, he surprised me, and I did try to get away. What did you expect me to do, send him catapulting across the dream realm with my magic?”
“Yes!”
Cadence rolled her eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell him about us?” he asked, turning his gaze to the floor.
Cadence let out a long breath. “I didn’t think it was appropriate to do that in front of you and Jamie, and there wasn’t time for that. In case you’ve forgotten, we needed to coordinate with Jamie. Getting home safely is more important than me telling Trent about us, right?”
“Do you intend to tell him about us?” Zak asked, his voice dipping to a whisper.
"I love you," she blurted as she stood. Reaching out, she ran her fingers over his cheek until she tilted his face up. "I love you so much, Zak. Do you honestly think I’d let you bite me, take your blood, continue to build this bond between us if I didn’t? I know you’ve never had a relationship like this before, but neither have I. What Trent and I had is nothing compared to this. Trust me. Trust in us.”
His jaw clenched as his eyes flickered, meeting her own. "Trust you?”
She nodded her head. "Yes.” She grasped his hand with her free one. “This is crazy, and it’s never going to be easy. We are still technically enemies, but I’m willing to see it through if you are.” Even if they did get home and stop Liana, there were still obstacles they’d have to overcome together. Witches and vampires had been at war for decades. There would always be those who questioned their relationship. It didn’t matter to her. She wanted to see this through more than anything. Most of all, she just wanted them to be okay.
A tear slid down her cheek, and her bottom lip trembled. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
He reached up to swipe her tear away. "I want you to be mine."
Cadence swallowed and met his eyes. "Then make me yours." She turned her head, exposing her neck to him. “I want this bond to continue to grow.” The truth behind her words made her heart beat faster. “I want you to take me, Zak. Bite me, suck my blood, and I’ll drink some of yours. We belong to each other.”
Zak leaned in, his stubble brushing against her cheek as he made his way to her neck. She gasped, inhaling deeply at the prick on her pulse point. Her heart picked up and heat pooled in her core. She panted as she clung to him, enjoying the way he sipped and licked her skin.
His hands went to the buttons on the back of her dress, ripping it apart as he withdrew his fangs. She shivered as he slid the garment off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
Zak’s hands went to her bra, cupping her breasts through the material. She moaned as his tongue grazed over her neck. He felt amazing, and she never wanted this moment to end.
All hell was going to break loose when they got home, but right now it was peaceful with just the two of them. She planned to enjoy their time together to strengthen their bond all the more. Regardless of the consequences, she was in too deep. Zak was the love of her life.
His hands went to the cups of her bra, shredding the fabric. She pouted as she pulled back. “I liked that one. Do you know how hard it is to find a comfortable bra in this era?”
Zak chuckled as he pushed her back, until she landed on her butt on the mattress. She lay back and he wrapped his fingers around the edges of her panties. “When we get home I’ll take you to Victoria’s Secret and you can shop all you want.”
She lifted her hips, watching as he rolled her underwear down before sitting on the edge of the bed.
“You’re slightly overdressed,” she said, lifting a brow as she stared at his slacks and wrinkled cotton shirt.
Zak smirked as he cupped each breast in his hand before running his hands down her body. She gasped as one palm cupped her apex and he slipped two fingers inside her. He set a steady but fast rhythm, causing her hips to buck up against his movements.
His eyes flickered and his fangs extended as he leaned down, sinking them into the tender flesh of her breast.
Cadence fisted the sheets in her hands as an orgasm began to bloom. She panted, moving her hips in time to his thrusts.
He usually only bit her once, but she could tell this time was going to be different. It would be rough and consuming. He was going to claim her, and truly ruin her for any other man. Not that she’d ever want to be touched by another anyway.
His tongue swirled over her breast as he pumped his fingers faster.
“I want you to come for me, Cadence,” he told her as he kissed his way down her body.
She grasped the sheets harder as his fangs sank into her inner thigh. Her orgasm raced over her, making her scream. Zak held her hips down, continuing his maddening thrusts as she came. She shut her eyes, riding out the waves of pleasure until she lay trembling and spent.
“Open your eyes, Cadence.”
She blinked them open. He removed his fingers from her apex and placed them in his mouth, sucking her juices off them. His golden eyes stared down at her. She sucked in a breath. Any sane person would be terrified of the vampire looming over her, but instead of fear, she felt exhilarated.
He bit his lip, pressing his fangs into the lower part. “Take some, Cadence. I don’t want to hurt you.”
He leaned forward, crushing his lips to hers. She opened her mouth, swirling her tongue over his lower lip. His blood was sweet. She sucked harder, enjoying the taste.
Zak’s cock pressed against her entrance, the tip dipping in and out as she sucked his blood. He bit his lip again, allowing more of his blood to flood her mouth.
She gasped at the sudden surge of warmth that enveloped her. No sooner had the bloo
d hit her tongue than Zak filled her to the hilt.
He caught her cries with his mouth as his thick length stretched her wonderfully. She wrapped her legs around his hips, locking them at her ankles, holding him exactly where she wanted him.
Zak continued to kiss her as he pulled out and pushed back in, setting a steady pace.
She could spend forever like this, right here in this moment.
His fangs grazed against her lip, sending a pleasure-pain reaction coursing through her. Zak lapped up her blood before pulling away to kiss down her neck.
She flicked her tongue over the spot he’d bit, only to find it already completely healed.
Zak’s hands went to her breast as he blinked down at her. “Mine,” he said with a growl as he pushed into her harder and faster.
She cried out as he drove deeper. Her fingers clutched his biceps as she hung on. He dipped lower and whispered in her ear, “You’re mine, Cadence. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I love you,” she said between pants.
Zak pumped harder at her words. His fangs trailed over her collarbone, causing her to shudder.
“Do it. Bite me,” she said breathlessly.
He didn’t need to be told twice. She screamed as his fangs pierced her skin, sinking in and sucking.
Her body tensed as another orgasm built deep inside her belly. “Harder, I’m going to...” Her words got lost as her climax swept over her.
Zak grunted, his throbbing cock pulsing as his own release came. He continued to lave her neck and she sighed contently, letting him take his fill.
She closed her eyes as he licked her puncture wound and rolled them over so her head rested on his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed and sleep came instantly.
Chapter Ten
Zak watched Cadence as she slept. It had been over twelve hours since she’d drifted off, and he was beginning to worry. Maybe he’d been too rough, taken too much of her blood.
His gaze drifted to her chest, which rose and fell in even intervals. She was okay, but how long would she be out? He reached out and trailed his thumb over her cheek. She groaned, stirring slightly. Her eyes blinked open and she sighed.
“Morning,” she said with a yawn.
He lifted his brow. “Good afternoon.”
She frowned and turned to the window, where bright sunlight filtered into the room. “What time is it?”
“It will be three soon.”
“Three?” She sat up, letting the sheets pool around her legs. “We have to get up and showered.”
He chuckled. “Why? Do you have plans?”
“Yeah. We do.” She shoved the tangled sheets off her and hurried to her suitcase, rifling through it before pulling out a dress.
“What plans might those be?” What plans could she have possibly made?
She laughed as she grabbed a bra and panties. “I never got to tell you last night. You’ll never guess who I ran into.”
He narrowed his eyes, watching as she beamed. There were two people whose whereabouts he didn’t know of during this time that she would be excited about. “Impossible.” He shook his head. It couldn’t be, could it? What were the odds?
She clasped her clothes to her body as she backtracked to the bathroom. “I went to the bar a block over to look for you and guess who’s a singer there? She’s pretty good, too. Harrison’s a bartender. We’re having dinner with them at five.”
"You ran into Harrison and Melanie?” he asked, still not able to believe it.
“Yes. They’re excited to see you, too.”
Harrison and Melanie were here. Were they still angry with him? It would be nice to see them again regardless. First, he wanted to make sure Cadence was okay. “How are you feeling?” He eyed her. She appeared well, but he wanted to be sure.
She yawned, covering her mouth. “Good. But perhaps a little too rested.”
“I shouldn’t have taken so much from you last night. I’m sorry.” The apology slipped from his lips so effortlessly. Cadence was the one person he never wanted to hurt.
“I’m fine, Zak.” She grinned. “I like it when you’re rough like that every now and again.”
“You do?” Her admission made his cock stir, and he flicked his eyes to the bed.
Clutching the dress to her naked body, she nodded.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
She cleared her throat as her cheeks grew rosy. “I should get showered and dressed or we’ll never make it in time.”
“How was he?” Zak asked. The change of subject made her stop before she reached the bathroom. “Harrison? Was he angry?”
Cadence turned back around, still covering her naked skin with her clothes. “I don’t think so. Neither of them seemed to be. They were both eager to see you again.”
“Good.”
“He’s had a few centuries to let it go,” she said.
“True.”
“I suggest you not do it again though.”
“I won’t.” There was no reason why he wouldn’t be able to keep that promise. He hoped.
***
Cadence scooped the last bite of roast into her mouth, savoring the meat as it fell apart on her tongue. The tiny apartment was quaint and fit Melanie and Harrison’s personalities perfectly. Dinner had been nice and light. They had reminisced about old times, and Harrison and Melanie shared the details of their lives to fill in the large gap. They had gotten married nearly a hundred years ago.
"How long will the two of you be in New York?" Harrison asked.
"Around two weeks. We want to get the lay of the land back home and make sure the witch we have in mind is up for the task," Zak said.
"There are a lot of fun things to do in New York." Melanie smiled. "It would be nice to visit some of the places again. We’d be happy to show you if the two of you would like."
“Don’t you work?” Cadence asked. She’d hate for them to get into trouble.
Melanie shrugged. “We can always take some time off.”
“That would be lovely.” Cadence set her fork down on her plate.
“We need to spend some time practicing too,” Zak said. “Cadence needs to be prepared for the final spell. We both do.”
“That reminds me,” Harrison said. “I’ve been researching blood bonds.”
“You have?” Zak asked. “How do you know about blood bonds?”
“I may have said something to Melanie about it the last time we were together,” Cadence said. Heat crept over her cheeks as she recalled the conversation.
Zak opened his mouth and closed it like he wanted to say something but didn’t.
Harrison took a swig of his drink. “They are quite rare and only occur when two people have deep feelings for each other.”
“We already knew that,” Zak said with a sigh.
“Right.” Harrison nodded. “The connection grows stronger over time. The pair can develop abilities that help them to read the other’s mind. There is a psychic link too. It’s all really fascinating. Melanie and I have only begun to scratch the surface.”
“The two of you are...” Cadence trailed off as she looked between the couple.
Melanie blushed and shifted in her seat.
I’ll take that as a yes.
“How would it work between a witch and a vampire?” Cadence asked. Since Eli had mentioned that she was faster, she’d noticed it now too. Zak, on the other hand, hadn’t exhibited any indication that he had her powers.
“I don’t see why it would be any different,” Harrison said. “In order for it to work, though, you both have to be open and receptive to it. If one of you isn’t comfortable reading the other’s mind, then it won’t happen.”
That probably explained why it hadn’t happened as of yet. Cadence sighed, wondering if or when Zak would ever truly be comfortable with her. Could he ever open up to her completely?
“What about us taking on each other’s traits? For instance, Cadence is healing faster and moves faster than humanly possible,�
� Zak said.
“Really? That’s fascinating.” Harrison leaned forward, placing his chin on his palm. “I suppose it would be possible. I’d wager you’ve picked up some witch abilities too, Zak. Since you used to be one, it’s hard telling what capabilities you might have now. You should proceed with caution. Cadence is quite strong, and her more active powers are very dangerous.”
“I was hoping you could teach me control. I’ve gotten better, but I don’t think I’m quite ready to face Liana and the strongest witches in my coven yet,” Cadence said. “I’ve been doing okay, but I overdid it a few months ago.” She shuddered as she remembered the illness that had stricken her right before they met Oliver. I never want to feel like that again.
“I’m happy to help in any way I can.” Harrison picked up his dish and stacked Melanie’s on top of his.
“We’ll have to find a quiet spot to practice,” Zak said.
“I think I know a good spot,” Melanie said with a smile. “Meet us here tomorrow morning.”
***
"You're holding back." Cadence wriggled on the icy ground, trying to get out of Zak’s grasp. She thrashed in his grip, using a low-lying branch to help her slither away. Zak grasped her harder, making her squeak with surprise. His weight pinned her down, and his hands captured her wrists.
"Am I?" Zak asked. He pressed his hips against her further, trapping her against the hard ground. He had her hands pinned over her head, and his long, hard body held her firmly in place.
“Can you get free?” he asked.
She grunted, trying to move. “I think we are making Melanie and Harrison uncomfortable,” she said, turning her head to stare at the couple.
Zak chuckled. “Then escape.”
Cadence closed her eyes and inhaled. She searched for the spark of energy that coursed through her, finding it and harnessing it. Focusing on Zak, she heaved the magic at him. His body repelled off hers, landing several feet away in a pile of snow.
She hopped to her feet and balled her fists at her sides, quickly snuffing out the ball of fire that had manifested in one hand.
“Good. I have a question for you, Cadence,” Harrison said as he stepped toward them.
