“Uh, huh and that’s a good thing how?” I really wasn’t following her.
“Two guys, they know about each other, and they can’t really do a damn thing about it except work their tails off to please you, if they really want you. You got it good. You can play them off each other, use one to get to the other and in the meantime get you some. Maybe more than some, possibly a lot.” She laughed a sizzling, sexy laugh. A man in the corner spilled coffee in his lap as he stared at her. He didn’t even seem to notice.
I thought about what Mel said. My libido liked the sound of getting a little some-some from two men even though my head was shaking no. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s gonna work. Malone is so pissed he won’t even look at me, and other than wicked sexy notes and gifts I have not seen or actually talked to Galen.”
Mel’s eyes became dark and serious. “Uh, yeah I need to talk to you about this Galen issue.”
“Oh my Goddess, nothing happened to Galen did it, he’s alright isn’t he?” Fear and panic clenched at my heart.
“Calm down, he’s fine. Just on lock down. Satinka Tala has him all locked up in his plush little chamber again.”
I must have looked confused.
“What, you don’t know? After Satinka Tala took Galen in he needed some rehabilitation and she had a plush but inescapable chamber made for him. He spent over twenty years in there. Now, she sends him there whenever she’s worried about him. It’s all set up with top notch security, both human and magickal, so nothing gets in…or out without her knowing.”
“So this exchange with Malone made her worried?”
“Well, yes and one of his blood donors went missing.”
“His what did what?” I must have looked more confused than ever.
“Has he not told you anything?” She sighed. Mel was sighing a lot around me lately.
“I know a little about his past, his sire, but not much else. I’ve heard the term blood donor in regards to some of the women killed, but I’m not exactly sure what it all means. What happened?”
“Did you know there was a time Galen was considered pretty much insane and they thought he would have to be put down?”
“Uhm, no I didn’t know.” I swallowed and realized I didn’t really know anything about him. In fact, I got nothing from Galen, like a big wall had been put up and left blank on purpose. “How do you know all this?” I asked suspiciously.
Mel looked at me like I must be completely ignorant. “Wyn, have you lost all your powers and your memory? Are you a pod person or something ‘cause honey you are startin’ to scare me.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, she was right, usually I knew things, knew everything…well a lot anyway. I wasn’t a person who had to ask questions. This whole mess left me off my game.
I centered myself and reached out to the universe, reached out to Mel and instantly got images of her working with Satinka Tala and the Guardians. Mel was a Guardian—that explained a lot, so she worked both teams just like I did only she was in much deeper with the Others. She and Satinka were tight, and Mel knew a lot more about Galen than I did.
Figures, Gram had always kept me shielded as much as she could after my father was killed. She hated I followed in his footsteps, but Mel, she had always been in while I stood on the outside looking in on both the human world and the world of the Others.
Mel reveled in her power. Her mom wasn’t just a witch but a top level sorceress, and Mel was well on her way to meeting and surpassing her mom’s power.
How could I have forgotten so much? How could I not have seen the new developments? Just from seeking out the things right in front of me, I learned so much, like Mel was one of Satinka’s Guardian lieutenants. I hadn’t known. How could I not have known?
I suddenly felt lost. My best friend had this whole life I knew nothing about. She hadn’t told me because she thought I could “see” it. Either I hadn’t bothered to look into her lately, or I just hadn’t seen anything.
Something really was off with me, big time. While I knew Mel was involved with a lot of preternatural activity I hadn’t seen this. It wasn’t bad, not what she was doing, just weird I hadn’t seen it. Somehow I even forgot it was she who introduced me to Galen. I had never even thought about the two of them being close friends, I had assumed they were just acquaintances; a lot of Others came to her parties.
“Wyn, what’s wrong? You really didn’t see any of it before? How long Wyn, how long have you not seen me?” She looked really worried.
“I don’t know, Mel. Maybe I just learned how to shut it off so I didn’t intrude into your mind, into your life.”
She looked even more worried and totally not convinced.
“Mel, I need to know about Galen, what’s the deal with the donor?”
“One of his regular donors, uhm, you know, one of his intimate donors, has disappeared. So Satinka put him back in his plush prison with just a computer to send you flowers and gifts he orders for you online. She’s not even allowing him a phone right now.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me; she’s treating him like a child. A prisoner.”
“Yes, but it is for his own good. She does not want another body showing up and being linked to him.”
It suddenly hit me what intimate donor meant. “Oh my Goddess, you mean this woman who disappeared was one of his lovers!” My stomach twisted into jealous knots. No wonder I couldn’t get to second base with Galen. He had no need for me when a harem of donors stood ready and waiting to fulfill his every need.
“Wyn, for vampires like Galen sex and blood go together like French fries and ketchup. It’s not good to have one without the other. Now, I’ll give him credit for trying so hard to separate the two since he met you. But it wasn’t until the two of you really hooked up after the last murder… he stopped altogether. Drinking blood that is. Oh, I’m sure he stopped having sex too.” She quickly added when my eyebrows rose.
She continued, “Galen’s been surviving off synthetic blood, which isn’t going to sustain him for long. Honey, let me tell you he wants just you…and your blood, but he really needs to feed for real, not just bottled crap. I think you need to see him at Satinka’s.”
“Will she even let me in?” I wondered out loud.
“Satinka won’t turn you away.” She sighed into her mochaccino. “But Anwyn, after we go see Galen you need to come by my place, I need to do a scan on you. Something is not right with your powers. I need to see why you’re blocked. I’m sensing your blockage might be magickal.”
“Okay, sure thing, Mel.”
Chapter 22
I was zoned, thinking about Galen and everything, as Mel drove us to Satinka’s place. I hadn’t even noticed what direction we headed leaving downtown. I vaguely recalled seeing the Michigan School for the Deaf but when we turned off Miller Road into Satinka’s neighborhood I was suddenly at full attention.
Satinka Tala’s house, err…mansion, sat in the richest neighborhood in Flint, Woodcroft Estates. In any other area the homes would be worth half a million and up. Hell they used to be worth it here. Not anymore.
I heard a stripper recently bought one of these beauties for $190,000.
I wonder if she knew her neighbors were vampires.
Satinka answered the door. “Hello, Anwyn. I have been expecting you. I think Galen will be pleased to see you.”
I glanced at Mel, wondering how much of this had been planned.
“Did he know I was coming?”
“No, I did not want to get him worked up, then not have you show. I do have good news for you to tell him though. His blood donor was found. Alive. She got herself a new boyfriend and is with him, she was just afraid to tell us. Some vampires do not like their donors leaving. Of course, we are not like that at all.” She smiled nervously at me, like I would have thought the worst of her.
Everything I saw or heard of Satinka Tala had her as a strong, self-assured and powerful vampire, yet around me she acted nervous and…kinda weird.<
br />
“Anwyn, Troy will escort you to Galen’s chamber. Mel and I need to talk. Please pass on the good news to Galen and let him know he is free to leave.”
“Uh, okay, I’ll let him know.” This was so weird. I was just dismissed and given instructions to follow. I wondered if it could get any stranger as I followed a very large and hairy Guardian werewolf to Galen’s chamber.
****
As soon as the door opened Galen was in my face. “Anwyn, I am so glad to see you. I find it hard to believe Satinka let you visit.” He acted so giddy, almost childlike in his exuberance. He reached for me then stopped, his enthusiasm suddenly gone. “You probably should not be here. Another woman is missing.”
“No, she’s not. I was sent to give you a message. Your donor was found alive and well with her new boyfriend.”
“Oh thank God! I was so afraid another innocent would suffer…because of me. Charlotte has always been so kind to me. I would never want her to suffer.” His happiness filled the room.
My stomach clenched with jealousy when he said her name. I wondered how intimate they’d been, how long she’d been his donor. Shit, jealousy. Something I wasn’t used to feeling. I shoved it down, tried to ignore it.
“It’s not your fault Galen and technically,” I wondered if I should even tell him this, would it make a difference, “they aren’t really suffering. I mean yes, the women get killed, but they aren’t tortured or even hurt before they die. It’s nothing like the horrors you described to me. Galen, I’ve read almost every one of the victims, seen their last moments. This killer gives them immense pleasure, pleasure like they’ve never known before, and then drains the life out of them.”
“So he is killing them with pleasure?” he asked incredulously.
“Not really killing them with pleasure, but draining the blood while giving them the most intense sexual experience ever.”
He looked thoughtful. “Interesting.” He mused. “I did not know you experienced such detailed visions. So you have seen their deaths? Then why is it you have not found this man?”
“The killer is completely blocked. He uses magick as a shield to hide his identity completely. Even the victims remember nothing.”
“The victims?” He looked spooked.
“Yeah, some have hung around. Their spirits. But even their memories are blocked. The spell is extremely powerful.”
“If you never see this man, how can you be sure it is not me?”
I moved closer to him. Goddess, I wanted him. I needed him. All those suggestive letters… It was time I got a little aggressive. “Galen, I just know it is not you.” I walked around him and dropped my jacket on a chair. “Now enough of this talk of death, let’s talk about something else. Like all the gifts, notes and letters you’ve been sending me. I’m wearing the little black thong you sent.”
His nostrils flared and his eyes shimmered with his green fire of desire. “We cannot, I must not, it is too dangerous...”
I pushed him into the chair and covered his mouth with mine. “Quit talking and just enjoy the ride.” I straddled him, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. A sigh escaped as I finally reached in and touched his chest, his smooth muscular chest. I traced designs and swirls over his pecs and abs causing him to shudder and shiver, and then leaned over, kissing his neck and finding the smooth hollow of his throat. I lingered there tracing designs with my tongue. He squirmed under me, trying to protest. While teasing his neck with my lips, I slid my fingers to his jeans and the bulge straining to be released. I caressed it, running my fingertips across it, pressing and stroking through the denim.
With a growl he gave up fighting and took control, standing up, lifting me in the air and pushing me onto the couch, pressing his lean body into mine. I moaned softly in his ear. My skin tingled wherever he touched me. His lips found mine, and I hesitantly slipped my tongue between them. He responded by darting his tongue inside my mouth. It tasted of cinnamon and dark chocolate. I wrapped my fingers in his long waves and pulled him deeper into an embrace. I wanted him, all of him.
He pulled away, looking at me intensely, his eyes full of desire and hunger. Seeing him above me sent heat throughout my body where it puddled in my groin. I was tempting the beast, but I wasn't afraid. I felt a rush and reached to undo his jeans. He responded by pushing my dress up around my waist and yanking my little black thong down. I yanked at his jeans and underwear until they were out of the way. His hand crept up my body until he touched my breast, cupping it in his palm as he thumbed the nipple sending intense waves of pleasure rolling through me. His knee pressed against my inner thigh. He spread me open as he eased himself between my legs.
He pulled away again and looked deep into my eyes, the wanting, the desire, the bloodlust, it was all there making me crave him. There was no turning back now. I arched my back and thrust against him, his shaft had been poised, ready to enter and I impaled myself on him. A guttural sound escaped from him, he lowered his body and met my demands by thrusting into me. I gasped as he fully entered me, filling my body and soul with his presence and his need. His lips found my throat gently kissing and teasing, a casual graze of his teeth caused fear and desire to flood my senses. God, what was I doing? This man, this...this...vampire could kill me in a heartbeat, but deep inside I knew he wouldn't, he would never let himself lose control and go too far...would he?
He must have been reading my mind, because he let out a soft wail of anguish and pulled away from me leaving me cold and alone on the couch.
“I cannot! I must not do this to you, I will not risk it.” He looked sad, broken, standing there naked in front of me.
“Galen, I trust you, I believe in you.”
“But I do not believe in myself.”
“You didn't kill those women. I know it in my heart you didn't do it, you're not a killer!”
His eyes grew cold. “I killed before, why not now?”
“Because, you were different back then, starved and forced to kill. Probably, even spelled into doing it. The one who made you was cruel, he enjoyed the killing. He tried to make you enjoy it too. But you didn’t then, and you don’t now.”
“Maybe I did enjoy it, maybe I never really changed; maybe you cannot change your nature. I am a predator, a killer. That is all I will ever be. The only reason you are here with me is because of the thrill of the unknown, I am the forbidden fruit. I am a monster. And you want to put yourself in the hands of a monster and risk your life.” His anger caught me off guard, and it made me angry.
“That's not why I'm with you! You have to accept you are a man and a vampire, the danger and desire are part of you. You can't do the what ifs and try to separate the two, it doesn't work that way. Accept who and what you are. I have and I love you for all of it, you are a dangerous creature but you are also a loving man.”
“That does not change the fact women have died, women I had sex with, women I drank from. I do not remember killing them, but what if I lost control like I used to, and I just do not remember. I never want you to be one of them. I can't risk it. I don't want to kill you, Anwyn.” A soft sob escaped him. He sank to his knees and dropped his head to my chest. His soft black hair spread over my breast and a tear dripped onto my nipple. He was everything; fragile, strong, dangerous, weak, man, beast, beautiful...Goddess help me, I loved a vampire.
I lifted his chin up and made him look at me. “Galen, we’re safe here, right? Satinka’s Guardians are everywhere. Satinka probably has this place wired with cameras. If things get out of hand, they’ll come in and stop it, right?” He just nodded. “Then make love to me, Galen. Can you do it without drinking; can you do it for me? Can you separate the two? I need to feel you; I want you so bad, please.” I couldn't believe I begged.
“I am not sure if I can, the sex and blood—it is all connected. I have drunk plenty of times before without sex, but have only had sex a few times without the blood…and it was not by choice.” His eyes grew pained. I knew he must be referring to some kind
of torture his maker had put him through or perhaps self-torture, a type of restricted diet.
“You're strong, you can do it. It will minimize the risk of you hurting me.” I pulled him up and kissed his lips lightly, then kissed the tear trail down his cheek. His penis swelled against me and I opened myself to him again. He entered me slowly, hesitantly, gently thrusting inside my wetness. My need grew with every stroke and I arched my back, grinding my hips against him. “Roll over, let me be on top.” In his eyes I could see him struggle with his need and his fear, but he rolled over and let me take control. I rode him smooth and slow at first, but I wanted the release, the rush. I thrust my hips harder, faster, staying upright and keeping my neck far away from his teeth.
The heat pulsated through me, I was going to explode. Galen stiffened under me, his cock going rigid as he pumped liquid fire into me. I grew dizzy, colors swirled around me, wild with passion. Digging my nails into his shoulders, I cried out as I climaxed. Wave after wave rocked my body, leaving me shuddering on top of him.
My body still pulsated around his semi hard erection as I sat up and looked at him. He stared at me with a look I couldn't read, but a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Damn, woman that was wild. You just could not take no for an answer, you took charge and rode me like a wanton little whore.”
I smiled even though I knew with the heat flaming over my face, it blushed furiously. I secretly loved taking charge, what I wanted for once.
He laughed and kissed me playfully. “That was amazing. I have always been the one in charge; it was nice having someone else do the controlling. You are a damn strong-willed witch.”
I ignored his comment and kissed him. “I knew you could stay in control. Not one fang mark anywhere.” My blood was rushing so fast through my veins I couldn’t really think straight. I know he felt it, but kept himself under control.
His smile disappeared. “This time. You have no idea how strong the bloodlust is, how connected the desire for sex and blood are. I am not sure how long I can deny the urge to taste you while we make love.” He could barely tear his eyes away from the pulse in my neck.
Hex and the Single Witch (Vehicle City Vampires) Page 12
