Markus had been calmer than he usually was, but now that he knew someone was nearby, wanting to kill his mate, there was no rest for him. He slid out from their embrace, gently laid her head on the pillow and walked out of the room. He was Markus Black, and if the witches wanted a fight, he sure as hell would give them one.
Floyd was at the counter, drinking from a O positive bag.
“I was waiting on you, Markus. What do you have in mind for this coven?”
He had no emotions at all about the coven, and if they had not been tied to his mate, he would have burned them all. Mercy was for the weak, and he was not weak, but his blood-mate didn’t want to hurt the coven, so he must think of another way.
“Well, I can’t kill them, so the only other option is to give them no option, meaning we need to make it so that Rachel is no longer suitable for their ritual.” He kept his voice low, but harsh.
He was not angry at his friend, but he was angry to find himself in the situation of having to compromise. It was not something he was used to, or cared to do.
“This place is not safe, Markus. If those witches sense this place, they’ll chant their little hearts out to expose it. Once it’s exposed it’s no longer any good, and Ida Grace will have your ass.”
“Floyd, as usual you’re the fucking bearer of bad news. Ida will have my balls if I lose this safe house. Shit, the only thing then is to take them back to the penthouse.”
He didn’t see any other way. If he left, that would alert The Directive, and he had not told them about his blood-mate. They could have one more day there, then as soon as night fell, they would be off back to his home downtown.
“I’ll help you arrange the transportation. Hey, do you and Rachel fuck every day?”
“What is wrong with you? I’m starting to think you can’t help yourself.”
“I can tell you’re not dealing with the thirst any longer, so I wondered, did the first time do the trick, or is it more sort of an everyday thing?”
He glared at his friend, and growled.
“Don’t ask me about what we do or how often. Were you fucking listening to us? Pervert.”
“Shit, it’s hard not to listen! Super hearing, remember? And you should be glad of that super hearing, because I also heard her aunts wishing she’d never met you, but they said they’ll have to put up with you because of her.”
“It wouldn’t be family unless some of them wanted me gone. Now, let’s discuss transporting everyone. It’s got to be safe and it’s got to be secret.”
TWO WEEKS LATER
Evading the witches had been difficult, but not impossible. The time spent in hiding gave him and Rachel more time to talk, and to learn about each other. He had been doing business from his home office, because leaving her was not an option until she was safe.
Her aunts had made themselves comfortable in his home as well. They were sharing a bedroom though he had more than enough rooms. They wanted to be near each other if their coven found out their location. Floyd had been getting all the household supplies for them at night. It was not safe for them to set foot out of his place, so he sent for whatever they needed.
He was finishing up with a conference call about some real-estate when Rachel walked in.
“Are you done working? I wanted to do our painting.”
Being locked away for so long, Rachel had started to get cabin fever, and he thought painting could be a good distraction. She thought so too, but only if he would pose for her.
“Yeah baby, anything for you. Did you eat dinner?” he asked.
“Yes, and my aunts are making some dessert cocktails, you want one?”
“I’m not drinking anything your aunts make! There’s no doubt they would attempt to kill me.”
“Yeah, but it wouldn’t work.” She smiled.
“Right, but it would hurt like hell.”
They laugh. He tugged softly on her hand until she came closer and sat in his lap.
“I know time is going slow, but they are still here. My building is pretty secure, but they are a coven of witches, who you don’t want hurt.” He arched a brow.
“We’re not hurting them! I grew up with some of them. Anyway, my aunts and I are coming up with a way to contact them without giving them time to locate us.”
He frowned, not wanting Rachel to do anything that might jeopardize her life. He could see her determination, though. He decided that being supportive would work best with her.
“So you would contact them using magic?”
“That’s the only way, we can’t use a phone. Once they see I’m not going to allow them to do this, I’m hoping they’ll abandon the ritual.”
He rubbed his hand down his face, trying to contain his violent objection to what she wanted to do. His love for her had grown even more since they had come together a few weeks ago. She had become his world, and he would feel more comfortable if her aunts made the magical call without her.
“They won’t abandon the idea, but once they see you’re with the legendary Markus Black, they may leave you be then.”
She laughed, and he pulled her closer, inhaling deeply. Her scent was still as intoxicating as it had been the first time he smelled her.
“You’re my legend, that’s for sure.”
He smiled up at her, enjoying the sound of her laughter as it filled his ears. He had been thinking about something for more than a week. They were mated, but they hadn’t had a ceremony, and she deserved a wedding.
“Rachel Lynn Jones, I love you. Will you marry me?”
Chapter Eleven
Love was a strange thing. She hadn’t expected any of this to happen, but now she had been having sex with a vampire and loving it. He was biting her and she loved it. Now it was time for her to admit her feelings for Markus. Even though he had told her they were blood-mated, it had never seemed quite official, but now he was asking her to marry him, something she was more accustomed to associating with commitment.
If they were to marry, this would seal their union in her eyes. In her family, marriage was looked upon as a lifetime commitment. She was sure being mated to a vampire was a lifetime deal as well; he was not dying any time soon. She looked wordlessly at him, knowing that he deserved an answer.
“That would mean a public ceremony, with friends and family.”
“Yeah, that’s the reason for a wedding - to include family and friends, right? They’re certainly not coming to our bedroom while I do nasty things to you.” His words were like a sprinkle of joy pouring over her.
“Having a wedding would attract the attention of my coven sisters, who want me dead.” She raised a brow at him.
“Of course; this can be planned after your special family get over trying to murder my beautiful blood-mate.”
She leaned in and allowed her lips to linger around his, teasing him. It didn’t last long, as he sucked her bottom lip hard and slow. He lifted her up, placing her on his desk. She looked up at him with desire in her eyes. She wanted him as much as he wanted her; she hadn’t told him yet that she loved him, but she knew she did.
“Before we continue, are you going to answer the question? Or are you just going to leave me wondering?”
She was panting, horny and wished he would get on with it, but she could tell he was not going to without an answer.
“Yes, Markus, I would be happy to be your wife, but for now can you attend to my body, Sir?”
He licked his lips and responded with action.
It was time to contact the coven. She and her aunts all agreed that it was the only way to speak to them without anyone being under pressure. Rachel noticed Floyd watching them closely from the corner. Over the last few weeks they hadn’t spoken to each other much, but that could have been because of Markus’ possessiveness.
They moved all the furniture out of the way to perform the ritual. She didn’t tell Markus that it could be dangerous because they had to leave their bodies to go to speak with the coven. They would send a signal for
the coven to meet them at a neutral location on the astral plane. Everyone would be in spirit form.
Her aunts created the perfect circle and laid out candles all around it. She ground the herbs in the cup, and then poured hot water over them. Her aunt Maxine was going to stay behind, as she didn’t trust Markus alone with their bodies. She hoped Max would behave, and that Markus would ignore her smartass mouth.
“You can’t step into the circle under any circumstances,” she told her mate. “It will interrupt the spell, and we could be lost in the spirit realm.”
“I’m here to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid, don’t worry, Rachel,” Max jumped in.
Markus pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. “I’m against this. I think it’s way too dangerous, but I’ll trust you, though if anything happens to you, anything at all, the deal is off concerning the coven.” He made eye contact with Max and then continued. “Hurry back. You know she wants to fuck me up, right?”
“Yeah, I know, but she knows how I feel about you, so don’t worry, right, Aunt Max?”
“Listen to the soulless man, and hurry back unharmed,” Max replied, and walked over to where Paula was waiting.
She gazed into his eyes, and the worry he was feeling washed over her. They had taken every precaution to ensure nothing went wrong. That didn’t guarantee that nothing would happen; it only reduced the probability.
“You worry too much, big guy; everything is going to be fine, I promise.”
She gave him a kiss and walked over to her waiting aunts. In silence, she and Paula drank from the cup.
They stepped into the circle and lay on the floor, heads together in the center, their hands joined. Paula began the chant and Rachel joined in. A gust of wind swept through the room, and the lights flickered. She took a last look at Markus before her spirit left her body.
Max looked over at Markus, glanced at his friend and huffed, rolling her eyes. It was the perfect time to tell him how she truly felt about him, but instead she decided not to say anything, concentrating on her sister and beloved niece.
Out of the corner of her eye Max saw the vampire walk close to the edge of the circle, standing stiff as a statue. She was not fooled though; she knew that in less than a second, he could move faster than humans. Gripping her mother’s necklace – the one that was spelled to protect her from supers - she hoped it was good for more than one use. She had never needed to use it, and now she was in a room with a couple of vampires. She was not really afraid of them, and had some spells that could immobilize one, but she wasn’t sure she would have time to deal with two. She looked down at her family, thinking she would do anything to protect them. She looked back at Markus. He was still standing there in silence, his gaze fixed, unwavering, on Rachel.
“You know I love her.” Markus said.
His words shocked her. She hadn’t expected him to speak at all. “It doesn’t matter.”
He turned to face her.
“It matters because I want you to know I love her, and I would die for her.”
“I don’t give two pennies what your kind calls love. I’ll go along with what she wants, but let’s be clear - you hurt her in any way, you better know you will die. Don’t doubt I can make that happen.”
“Well since we’re speaking the truth, let me make this clear as well. I can’t live without her, and anyone who tries to take her away from me will become my enemy, and believe me, that is the wrong side to be on.”
Her eyes narrowed at him, and then she smiled sweetly.
“Now that the air is clear, you can turn your head away from me.”
He sighed loudly. “I’m sorry, Maxine. I don’t want us to be like this. Can we try to be cordial, especially as we both love Rachel?”
Her attention went back to her sister and niece as both their hands twitched.
“What’s happening, Max? I saw her hand shake. Is she alright?”
“Shut up, they will be fine. Stop talking. I need to focus on my family.”
She didn’t say anything else, hoping her suspicions were wrong, but then she saw Rachel’s leg start to twitch.
“Max, what the fuck is going on?” Markus bellowed. “I don’t think she’s okay.” He began to pace back and forth around the edge of the circle.
“I’m not sure what’s going on. Stop talking, I need to think.” She couldn’t hide the worry in her voice. Rachel shouldn’t be moving at all, and this twitching was making her very uneasy.
“Send me after them,” he pleaded. “I need to help her.” Her eyes darted to Floyd, who was now standing and making tentative movements to approach, although still keeping his distance.
“You stay over there, or you’ll be on the floor in the worst type of pain.” Floyd stopped and raised his hands in surrender.
“You’re one feisty witch,” he grinned. “You should know I like your kind. Wanna go out some time?”
She was about to let him have an earful when Paula’s entire body jerked, and Rachel convulsed, a racking cough raising her body off the floor.
“SEND ME IN RIGHT FUCKING NOW!” Markus screamed.
“Don’t you yell at me! If I send you in you will die, and so will they, you fool.”
“Lady, don’t you understand I’m dead anyway if she dies, I’m dead, send me in, I can save them.”
“How can you save them, tell me?”
“We don’t have time.” He walked over with the cup in his hand, ready to drink.
“You put that cup down or so help me, you will regret it.” She raised her hand, ready to have Markus on the ground if he made a wrong move.
“I can’t wait for you to give the fucking okay. Just because you don’t like me…”
“I think you’re full of shit, not to mention you’re drinking from my niece!” Her voice was loud and harsh.
“You think I care about what you think of me? Lady, if you weren’t Rachel’s aunt…”
“You think I’m scared of you? I’m not, just so you know. Now, you want to keep going? Because I’m trying to restrain myself.”
“From me? Look, I love her, and you’re going to let something happen to her because of your hate for me. I’m going to save my mate, either you help or get the fuck out of my way.”
She watched him with narrow eyes, wishing she could kill him and his friend, then she could go help her family herself. Yet, she didn’t underestimate the risk of being ripped to shreds by the other, if she attacked. He was still holding the cup, and with horror she realized he was about to step over the line, into the circle with Rachel and Paula.
“STOP! You can’t go in the same circle, you fool.”
“DON’T CALL ME A FOOL… We don’t have time, I know she will die, I can feel it.”
It went against everything Max believed, yet she must do something. If she went herself, she would leave them all vulnerable to vampires. With a sinking feeling, she decided the only choice was to send Markus in after them.
She beckoned him to stand beside the circle, and gestured to the cup of mixture. He drank it all down and lay on the floor.
“I’m coming to save you, baby,” Markus said. “Hold on.”
She drew a circle around him, and then beckoned Floyd over. Although she would have preferred to leave the other vampire out of it, a person in the spirit realm must be anchored by one of his own kind, or he would be unable to return.
She began the chant, hoping desperately that it was not already too late. Markus was her only chance, and for the first time her sister’s and niece’s lives were in the hands of a vampire.
The Meeting
They were no longer in the penthouse, but in the woods, just outside the field of the mutual ground in Mississippi, or rather, its analog in the spiritual realm. It was surrounded by sycamore trees, shrouded now by thick fog which rolled between the trees, leading them to the field where their opponents were waiting. The spirit realm looked different than its equivalent in the mortal world; Rachel knew she was in Mississip
pi, but it had an ominous atmosphere. The sky was dark grey, and there was no sound, and no sign of life except for the trees and a few flowers on the ground.,
In the center of the field, stones were spread to form a perfect circle. There was also a small platform built from flat river rocks from the Mississippi River. It was about five feet off the ground with a smooth surface, stained with red and black spots. Many sacrifices had taken place here. The rocks under the solid wooden surface were uneven in size, but all seemed to go together to make this unique place, and the stairs were beautiful, with stones of many colors and shapes forming a lovely mosaic.
Gretchen, one of the elders of the Sunart coven, had transported with five other witches. Rachel paused in the shelter of the trees, just outside the field, and took the time to look at them. They were waiting in the field, standing stern and immobile, their faces impassive. She recognized Gretchen and one other, but the rest were unknown to her. They all looked alike - hair up and tucked into buns, faces devoid of makeup, long white gowns. As she and Paula approached, they looked at her with concern.
She saw Gretchen’s eyes roam the area, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths, as if she were bracing herself for something that was about to happen. If there was a chance the coven could bring back their ancestors Gretchen would take it, Rachel knew that, even at the cost of killing her. It was not that Gretchen didn’t like her, or had anything against her, Rachel knew. Gretchen thought of this ritual as a great honor, and would have done it herself if she could. She had said so to Rachel, many times.
“Rachel, you look happy, but a dark cloud follows you,” said Gretchen.
The others nodded in agreement, and turning, she saw it, just as Gretchen had said: a cloud of darkness around her.
“I’m not here to talk about clouds,” she said, keeping her voice steady with an effort. “You’re trying to kill me. I’m not going to die for this ritual, or any other.”
A Vampire's Thirst : Markus Page 9
