Blood Thief Box Set

by Mac Flynn

  "All right. It's safe."

  I opened my eyes and beheld the gate changed into stone from floor to ceiling. Some of the wall around it was also gray.

  Georgina pulled us aside and looked to her werewolves. She jerked her head towards the gate. "Break it."

  Two of the werewolves transformed into their hulking selves and rushed the gate with their shoulders. The stone shattered beneath their force and clattered to the floor. We stepped over the pile of stone and walked down the hallway to the last door. There was a simple number keypad with a keyhole beneath the buttons.

  Georgina turned to me and smiled. "Now it's your turn."

  I blinked at her and shook my head. "I don't know the code."

  She chuckled. "No, but I do. Unfortunately, if anyone of paranormal persuasion was to touch the pad they would be consumed by flames." She studied me from head to foot. "You, however, are not quite there yet."

  I nodded at the pad. "But we don't have the key."

  She pulled me forward so I stood in front of the pad. "Just follow my instructions and that won't be a problem." She leaned forward so her chin nearly rested on my shoulder. Her soft words brushed against my ear. "But if you don't, I can't guarantee your safety. You see, my werewolves are always very hungry and-well-" She chuckled. "You see what I mean." I swallowed hard and nodded. "Now follow my lead. One. Four."

  I tapped the numbers one at a time with a shaking finger. There were ten in all, and I was glad when Georgina stopped her deadly count. She gently pulled me out of the way and pulled out a small leather bag. "Now it's my turn again. And you might want to look away in a moment.

  Georgina pulled piece of putty from the bag and shoved it into the keyhole. She grabbed her hat and that was my cue to shut my eyes. I heard the rustle of cloth, the faint hiss, and then the cloth again. I risked a look and watched her grab the frozen putty that stuck out of the keyhole. She grabbed the flat end and turned it like a key. I heard a click and the door swung outward.

  Georgina smiled and grabbed the edge of the door. "Perfect. We make a wonderful team."

  "She is already taken."

  Georgina and I started back. The door flew out of her hands and knocked against the wall. The open doorway revealed the interior of a lock box vault, and there, standing in the center of the room, was Simon.

  My vampire lover stood as still as a statue. His hard, narrowed eyes glared at my companion.

  Georgina gathered herself and coyly smiled at him. "I see. Now I understand why the manager was 'called away' so conveniently. I'd forgotten how fast you traveled when you were angry." I winced when she set her hands on my shoulders. "As for your little vampire here, I merely took her for some fun." Simon continued to glare at her. She stepped back and dragged me with her. "What? No witty banter? No quick retort?"

  Simon's lips curled back in a snarl. "Release her."

  Georgina laughed. "Come, come, Simon. I may have underestimated you once, but I'm not so stupid as to let my trump card go."

  "You have nothing to gain from any further trouble," he told her.

  Georgina scooted against me and shrugged. "You mean this little breaking and entering? It's nothing. I am after my box, after all," she pointed out. I felt the vibrations through the floor as a few of her werewolf thugs moved to stand behind us. Her eyes swept over him. "You, however, are another matter. I could say I'm doing the bank a favor by dealing with their pest problem."

  One of the werewolves howled, but not as a war cry. It was a cry of pain. Georgina swung me around in time to watch a transformed Dolf bite into the second throat of one of her men. Certus, too, was in the fray swiping and punching at her minions. The cramped quarters gave the more agile pair the upper-hand, and they worked through the half dozen werewolves like they were humans.

  Georgina grabbed my arms and dragged me into the vault. The door, of its own accord, slammed shut behind us, engulfing us in total darkness. I felt her hands tremble as she spun me around to face where Simon had stood. I couldn't make out if he was still there or not.

  "Very funny, Simon!" Georgina called to the darkness. She shook me. "But you forget I still hold your little vampire, and she knows the truth you've been hiding from her."

  His voice came from nowhere and everywhere. "What truth is that?"

  Georgina shoved me in front of her like a shield and spun us in slow, jerky circles. "That you intended to allow her to die rather than risk her destroying you." There was no response. She leaned close to me. "He doesn't deny it, does he? Ask him to if he hasn't kept it from you."

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Is it true?"

  There was a long pause. "Yes."

  Georgina laughed. "You see? He means to keep you for himself! He cares nothing about you!"

  Simon's chuckle echoed from the darkness. "If you believe that, then release her." Georgina stiffened. I felt something brush against my shoulder. Simon's voice whispered into my ear. "But is that what you want? Freedom from me?"

  "Shut up!" Georgina shrieked. She wrenched me backwards and I heard a heavy cloth drop to the floor. The hissing of snakes filled the room. I scrunched my eyes shut and cringed when she shoved my back against her chest. "Don't try to confuse her! She won't go with you!"

  "You're shaking," Simon called.

  Georgina clutched onto me like I was a raft and she a drowning woman. "Attack me and your little vampire will be stone in an instant!"

  "You forget, Mistress of Snakes-" Simon pulled me from Georgina's shaky grasp and pressed me against his side. I clutched onto him and instinctively breathed a sigh of relief. "Your 'pets' must be able to see their target to turn them to stone."

  Simon reached into his pocket and raised his arm. "Shut your eyes!"

  I shut my eyes and pressed my face against his chest. Light pierced my eyelids. There was a horrific scream, and then silence. The light disappeared.

  Simon's voice broke the stillness. "You may open them."

  I peeked one open. The room was still perfectly black. "What happened?" I whispered.

  "Georgina has met the same fate as her victims."

  I squinted at the blackness. "How can you tell?"

  The door to the vault swung open. Light streamed into the room and fell on a gray figure that stood in the middle of the room. It was Georgina, or what was left of her. Her body was now stone. Her face held a look of horror and her arms were half raised to cover her eyes. The snakes atop her head were frozen in mid-strike.

  Certus and Dolf stood in the doorway. Dolf whistled through his long fangs. "That's one ugly statue."

  Certus hurried forward, but Simon held up his hand with the palm facing outward. "I am unscathed."

  Certus stopped and his eyes fell on me. "And my lady?"

  I gave him a shaky smile. "I'm alive. Mostly."

  Dolf jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Now that we've defeated the bad guy and her thugs, think we could get the fleece and get out of here?"

  Simon swept his hand over the room. "You may search."

  Dolf leapt into the vault and sniffed the walls full of tin boxes. He stopped at one large one and drew it off the shelf. "Got it. Now let's scram before the manager gets back."

  CHAPTER 10

  Simon led our group outside. The three vehicles that belonged to Georgina sat on the curb, but all their occupants were dead inside the bank. Simon's limo was parked around the corner.

  Dolf stopped in front of the vehicle and held out the box. "Doc isn't going to like this, but I'd rather you hold this. I don't want to have to rescue this thing every month."

  Simon took the box and tucked the box under one arm. I was wrapped in the other. "It will be stored in a more secure vault."

  Dolf smiled and stepped back. "Good. I guess I owe you one for this."

  Simon smiled and bowed his head. "Yes."

  Dolf waved. "Well, call me when you need me. See ya." And with that he loped into the darkness.

  Certus opened the limo door and we slipped in. I i
gnored my usual seat opposite Simon and went for the one beside him. He didn't argue as he tossed the box where I usually sat. Simon wrapped his arm over my shoulders and held me close. I leaned my head against Simon's side and closed my eyes. The car pulled away from the curb and drove away from that nightmare.

  It was quiet until the curiosity inside me demanded a few answers. "Mind telling me how you managed to get into that vault?"

  Simon chuckled. "The manager is a close acquaintance. I convinced him to let me remain in the vault and had Certus call him away before you arrived."

  I glanced up at him and arched an eyebrow. "Isn't he going to be mad when he finds out what happened? We did steal somebody else's box."

  Simon shook his head. "I have made sure he will not remember we were ever present and Certus has already taken care of the security system cameras."

  I smiled and nestled myself back against his side. "Why did I even doubt you?"

  "Did you truly doubt me?" he whispered.

  My face fell. "You mean in the vault?"

  "Yes."

  I pursed my lips. "Were you. . .did you tell me the truth back there? If I killed you would I be human again?"

  There was a look in his eyes. There was. . .sadness. "You would."

  Horrible thoughts flashed through my mind. All I needed to do was whittle a stake out of a chair leg and-

  "Your thoughts are most disturbing."

  I leaned away from Simon and glared at his teasing expression. "I told you not to do that."

  He shrugged. "Old habits die hard." The humor fled from his face as he studied mine. "But now that you know there is a way to be free of undeath, what will you do?"

  I snorted. "Even if I did try to do something you'd kill me in a heartbeat."

  "And if I proposed to do nothing?" he suggested.

  I arched an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't you?"

  His bright eyes gazed upon me with a soft, pained expression. "Do you believe I would kill you?"

  I looked away and sank into the seat. "I don't know." A mirthless snort escaped me. "I've been thinking so long about what I'd do if I was human again, and now that I can do something about it I-" I looked up into his face and smiled, "-I don't think I want to do anything about it."

  Simon cupped one of my cheeks in his palm and looked into my eyes. "Then you will stay with me?"

  I gave him a sly smile. "That depends."

  He arched an eyebrow. "On what?"

  I leaned towards him and brushed my lips against his. "On whether or not you behave yourself."

  He chuckled. "Would you wish for me to behave myself?"

  I shook my head. "Nope."

  He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. His touch ignited a hot fire inside my cold body. I leaned into our kiss and groaned. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me onto his lap so I faced him. His hands massaged my rear. I ground my hips against him and felt his hot, pulsing need. He grunted and grabbed my hips.

  Simon raised his eyes and I saw the carnal lust in their depths. It excited me. "You are very persuasive."

  I grinned. "I learned from the best."

  He chuckled. "Then let me educate you further."

  He captured my lips in another passionate kiss. I leaned against his chest and groaned. Our clothes fell away beneath our eager hands. Soft caresses turned into steamy strokes as we let our lust take control.

  I lost myself in my burning desire for his touch and scent. I wanted him to take me again and again, to claim me as no other man could claim me. He was my lover, my creator, my master, and I ached for him. His fingers, his lips, all of him. It was all my hot, sweat-soaked body craved, and oh god, did I want it bad.

  He broke our kiss and pressed his lips against my neck. My body was afire with sweet, sinful lust as I clutched onto him. I shivered as one of his hands slipped between my legs. His fingers parted my wet folds and brushed against my nub. Tingles of pleasure raced up and down my skin, teasing me with hints of orgasm. His finger stroked me, eliciting from me a shudder and a soft cry. I rocked in time with his finger. My breaths came out in quick, shallow pants.

  "Oh god," I moaned. I tilted back my head and closed my eyes. "Oh god, yes. Please don't stop."

  His lips brushed against my ear and his chuckle tingled my skin. "Tell me how badly you want this."

  I shuddered. My tongue flicked out and licked my dry lips. "So bad."

  His finger stroked me faster. My carnal desire overrode my conscious thoughts. I groaned and rocked harder against him. It felt so good, so right to be touched by him, to be pleasured by him.

  He watched me, his bright eyes taking in the bliss that was shown on my face. "Louder. I want to hear every cry and moan."

  I gasped as he penetrated into my moist center with his finger. My hunger grew the more he pleasured me, but it still wasn't enough. I needed him, all of him. I needed him to take me and ravish me, to satiate this deep hunger that consumed me.

  "Please," I groaned. I brushed my lips against his. My hoarse voice was thick with my need. "Please take me. Make me yours."

  His restraint broke. He pulled out his finger and thrust his manhood deep into me. I cried out as he penetrated me again and again. Every stroke, every feel of him inside me stoked my lustful fire. This was what I craved, what I desired. Him claiming me, dominating me and filling me.

  "Oh god," I whispered. My hands slid along his hard chest, taking him in by touch. I pressed my swollen breasts against his hot, bare skin and groaned as he massaged my pert buds. "Yes. Oh god, don't stop. Don't ever stop."

  He grunted. His pace quickened. I could barely follow. Tingles of orgasm rippled through my body. I clutched onto him as a thick wave of sweet pleasure overwhelmed me. My cries filled the limo as he filled me with himself.

  I fell exhausted against him. My chin rested on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me and leaned back against the seat. We lay still for a while before I leaned my cheek against his hot skin and smiled up at him. "You're a real animal, you know that?"

  Simon chuckled. The soft vibration tingled my body. "I have been told that."

  A soft sigh escaped my lips. I closed my eyes as I felt myself drift off into sleep. "Those people. . .better not. . .have been women."

  "None so important as you."

  A smile curled onto my lips before I drifted off into sleep.

  Spell Snatching

  CHAPTER 1

  I'd hoped my disappearance and inevitable undeath would get me out of jury duty. Turns out it made me Exhibit A in a trial for my life, and the life of my lover.

  But first, the night started as any other two weeks after our last adventure. Well, it was almost night. The sun had a half hour before setting when a tremendous shattering of glass woke me. I started up and looked around the room. The door was shut. I glanced at the other half of the bed. Simon was gone.

  I heard another crash. It came from the living room. I flung the sheets around me and raced to the door. Something slammed against the door and tore it off its hinges. I threw myself to the side onto the floor. The door flew past me and clattered against the foot of the bed.

  I lifted my head. My eyes widened as I beheld a shadow in the door. The shadow had bright red eyes, but they didn't belong to Simon. The figure was shorter and wore a full tactical-gear setup complete with ski-mask and gloves.

  Behind the shadow in the living room was a small war. Simon and Certus duked it out with a half dozen other people with terrible fashion sense. The shadow strode toward me and stretched out their hand. I backed up on my hands and knees, and became entangled in the sheets. The intruder grabbed the end and tried to pull both me and the blanket toward them.

  I yanked, they pulled, and the sheet slowly slid off me. I rolled onto my stomach and my hand grasped one corner of the door. My fingers wrapped around the wood just as the intruder dragged me to them. I pulled the door into both my hands and swung around, swinging the door with me. The wood connected with the side of the intruder's f
ace. They stumbled to one side and released my sheet.

  I jumped to my feet and ran out of the room. Simon tossed an enemy through the far window and turned in time to catch me in his arms. The last rays of the setting sun caused smoke to rise from his body, but he grimaced and bared it.

  I grabbed his nightshirt and looked over the destruction of the living room. "What the hell is going on?"

  He clutched me against his chest and looked past me. "A great deal of trouble."

  I followed his gaze and my eyes widened. Another half dozen dark figures rushed into the penthouse. Some of them tackled Certus, and the rest surrounded us.

  One of them stepped forward. "Simon Cruor, you and your companions are commanded to come with us."

  He arched an eyebrow. "And if I refuse?"

  The intruder's red eyes fell on me. "We can't be held responsible for the consequences." In the background the half dozen other intruders yanked Certus to his feet and pulled his arms behind his back. His face was bloodied and his clothes were torn.

  Simon's eyes flickered from Certus to the lead intruder, and he tightened his grip on me. "You may tell Basileus we will go with you. Merely allow us a few minutes to dress ourselves appropriately for him."

  The intruder narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "Ten minutes. No more."

  Simon nodded at Certus. "And free my servant."

  The intruder half-turned to his companions. They released Certus and gathered at the front of the penthouse. The leader stepped back and swept his arm over the penthouse. "You have ten minutes."

  Simon glanced at Certus and led me to the bedroom. Certus followed and shoved the door into place.

  I readjusted my impromptu robes and frowned. "What the hell is going on?" I hissed.

  Simon's eyes remained on the door. "It appears I unwisely ignored Sarpa's warning, and Basileus has come for us." He pursed his lips. "No doubt to be judged under his 'justice.'"

  "But who's Basileus?" I asked him.

  Simon strode over to the closet and pulled out a pair of my pants and a blouse. "An old vampire who has set it upon himself to be the arbiter of paranormal creatures within this city." He strode over to the bed and tossed the clothes on the mattress. "And he does not accept refusals with his invitations."

  I jerked my thumb over my shoulder at the door. "And those guys are what?"