The Art of Seduction

by Annie Harland Creek

  Meaghan felt his pain. She had witnessed the connection between the brothers first hand. She imagined how difficult a choice it had been.

  “Your relationship seems all right now.”

  “I believe Anna deserves the credit for that. When Derrick converted her, it was under similar circumstances, so he was in a better position to understand my dilemma. Fortunately for him, she forgave him soon after.”

  “So, Anna didn’t want to convert? Not even for Derrick?”

  David made his way back to the bed with two whiskey glasses. He handed one to Meaghan. “No. She had her reasons. You’d have to discuss that with her.”

  Meaghan gulped her two fingers worth of scotch and took a deep breath. You bet I will.

  “I haven’t mentioned it before as I didn’t want to worry you but, this demon. I think it saw me and I have been hearing howling outside my window since the first victim was found.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before? Did Palmer know?”

  “Terry would have thought that I was losing my mind or else, he would have worried about me. Either way, I’d be pulled from the case.” She held out the glass and smiled, indicating that she’d like a refill. “I didn’t tell you because, well, as you know … until recently, I thought that you were the killer.”

  “That’s fair enough,” he told her as he handed her the fresh drink, “I suspected you too. On that subject, just a word of warning…you may want to avoid getting undressed in any room besides your bedroom and bathroom.”

  “You have me under surveillance?”

  He shrugged and smiled awkwardly but his expression turned solemn when he told her. “I wish you’d told me about the howling. You need to take precautions.”

  “I am. I mean, I plan to. That’s why I think it is necessary for us to have a psychic connection.”

  She held out her hand to stop him from objecting before she could finish. Her confidence was fading and she was afraid that she would change her mind. Her speech was as much for herself as it was for him.

  “I can’t function as well at night and there will be times when it is necessary to question suspects during daylight hours. I would feel safer knowing that I can contact you whenever I need you and it would be easier for me to think if I know you’re safe.”

  “That suits me but, are you sure? I’ll try and make this as pleasurable as possible but if you change your mind—”

  “Do it now … before I change my mind.”

  She pulled her t-shirt over her head, exposing her throat but he seemed more interested in her bare breasts. His fangs sprung from his gums and he lowered his head to her chest to lick her nipple, lapping and sucking until it hardened in his mouth. She gasped when his lips moved over her breast, kissing and sucking while his hands fondled her, first her other breast then lower, until his hand was at her navel, unzipping her jeans, slipping inside her lace panties, his fingers working their magic between her legs. She wiggled under him, assisting him as he freed her of her jeans. Her own hands aided him as he tugged at his own pants and when his erection sprung into her palm, she stroked him.

  Her damp entrance welcomed him and with a thrust of his hips, he simultaneously drove into her body while his teeth sunk into her breast. She threw back her head and groaned as he drove into her, her body thrusting against him as the pressure inside her intensified. The loss of blood left her light-headed, as though she would float away on a cloud of ecstasy. Her own heart-beat pounded in her ears. She closed her eyes, barely noticing when he ran his fingernail across his own chest, cupped her head in his hand and directed her mouth to the wound. An explosion of color skyrocketed behind her closed eyes. Her skin prickled with electricity. A voice called his name, begging him to do things that she would never have said aloud. Words that she would been embarrassed to use.

  She screamed his name again as her body shattered into a million fragments and he groaned his own orgasm into her mouth. When he recovered, he rolled onto his back taking her with him. She lay across his chest, kissing his face, his neck. She raised her head, running her tongue over her lips as she prepared to thank him for another earth shattering orgasm, but, as her senses return, she recognized the thick, coppery taste as it assaulted her senses. Her stomach somersaulted. Her eyes sprung open. She tried to swallow down the last of the blood as it mixed with her own saliva but as she tore her gaze away from his face, she stared directly at the gash that was beginning to close on his chest. She turned her head away. Looked down. Her gaze found a new source of panic … the puncture wounds on her chest. Ringed with blood, the blue veins startlingly prominent on her fair skin. It was more than she could stand. She tried to push away from his body. Escape to the bathroom but the room began to spin. Her mouth filled with saliva. Her skin beaded with sweat and a violent tremor shook her body before darkness swallowed her whole.

  ****

  “Meaghan. Meaghan, wake up.” He shook her, lightly at first but firmer when she didn’t respond. “Please, baby. Open your eyes.”

  Her eyelids fluttered open, shut, and then opened again. This time they remained open.

  “What happened?”

  “I made a mistake and you paid for it.”

  “Oh, my lord. I’m so embarrassed.” She crossed her arms over her face. “I can’t believe that I fainted during … you know.”

  “I should have warned you that the effect of the blood exchange was heightened during sex. I’d hoped that it would take your mind off the—”

  She placed her hand over his mouth. “Please don’t say the word. I think I’ll heave.” She closed her eyes. “I’m afraid to look. My breast”

  “Healed. And it’s safe to look at my chest too.”

  She smiled as she opened her eyes. “It’s never safe to look at your chest, David.” She traced his pectorals with a feather-light touch sending ripples of desire soaring through his already electrified blood stream. He’d dreamed of her taste and the real experience was nothing short of spectacular. Had it not been for her dramatic reaction, he would be in heaven.

  “Ditto.” He said, returning the favor. His fingers brushed the point on her breast where he had fed. He longed to taste her again. She touched her fingers to her lips and even without the newly acquired mental connection, he knew what she was thinking.

  “Not a trace left, kitten.”

  She gasped. Her lips formed a perfect O and she smiled. “You licked me?”

  “Ah, you’re a fast learner grasshopper.” He said with a bow. “I needed a few attempts before I was able to create a connection with my sire. We aren’t even sire bonded.”

  “About that…” she hesitated. He knew she’d made a decision but he couldn’t stand to hear the words out loud. It was his turn to hold a finger to her lips, silence her words although he couldn’t block her thoughts.

  “A conversation for another time, love. Let’s just enjoy the moment.” He lay down beside her and slipped his arm under her shoulders, hugging her tight. A smile spread across his face as he sent her a mental push. A memory of their lovemaking. She covered her face with her hands but he could tell by the sound of her voice that she was blushing.

  “I can’t believe that I said those things.”

  “The euphoria lasts for several hours after, kitten,” he informed her as his free hand began to explore her curves. “Let’s see if I can entice you to say those things again.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Did you find anything?”

  “No, kitten. Whatever it was, it’s gone, but I did notice the distinct odor of sulfur.”

  “Demon?”

  David stepped into the lounge room and locked the sliding door behind him. He pulled the drapes closed before informing her. “I think it was the hell-hound.”

  “Oh, that makes me feel a lot better.” She groaned as she slumped onto the couch. “I’m sorry if I woke you. It sounded closer this time.”

  “I was rising anyway,” he assured her. “And you were understandably upset.
This is the third time this week isn’t it.”

  “Fourth.” She said as she held up four fingers. “It feels like whoever is controlling the hell hound is getting anxious to finish—” she raised her arms in the air—“whatever he has planned.”

  “He?”

  “He, she, whatever.” She leaned forward in the seat and rested her forehead in her hands. “I don’t know any more David. I’m exhausted, I’m confused and to be totally honest … more than a little scared. I still have nightmares about that evening outside the station. If you hadn’t shown up—”

  “But I did.”

  “But if you hadn’t…”

  “I will always be there for you, Meaghan. That’s a promise.” He sat down beside her and she curled up with her head in his lap. He stroked her hair. “It’s been a long week.”

  “Aha.” She mumbled. “I can’t seem to adjust to sleeping through the day. My mind is on auto pilot and I can’t relax without you but lying next to you is torture. I just want to wake you and have my wicked way with you.”

  “Do you hear me objecting?”

  “No, but we still have a murderer on the loose and the case won’t be solved in your bedroom.”

  “Have you heard from Palmer?”

  “No.” Reluctantly, she lifted her head and forced herself to sit up. “He still isn’t returning my calls or answering my texts. I know I promised to give him space, but, I keep hoping that he’ll come around.”

  “He will. I’m sure that he just has a lot on his mind.”

  “I should be out there … helping him with the case.”

  “He ordered you to stand down.”

  “I’m not good at following orders.”

  David laughed. “I noticed that.” She felt the buzzing in his jeans moments before his phone rang so she lifted her head off his lap. He reached into his pocket as the sound of a coffin opening startled her.

  “Dracula? Really David?”

  David shrugged. “It seemed funny when I downloaded it.” He pressed the answer icon. “Yes, Anna. What? Okay, what station?” He grabbed the remote and turned on the T.V.

  The screen sprung to life with the scene of an angry riot before flashing back to the male newsreader who announced…

  “Breaking news. What started as a peaceful protest rally has escalated to a riot outside the police station in the small town of Azure Waters. Protestors have clashed with police who tried to move them on. We will now cross live to our reporter Pamela Brookes. Pamela, what can you tell us?”

  The scene changed back to the riot and a young woman who was standing beside the police station. Her eyes flittered nervously between the camera and the crowd. “Hello, Grant. Senior Detective Inspector Terry Palmer is about to hold a press conference…” She touched her hand to her earpiece. “Okay, let’s hear what he has to say.” She turned to face the group of officers standing meters away. The camera panned in on a familiar face and Meaghan gasped when she saw Terry appear on screen. He looked tired. Tired and anxious.

  “Although we understand the concern of the students, we promise that we, the police, are doing all we can to guarantee their safety. We have a few suspects but until we find the perpetrator of these crimes, we urge everyone to stay in their homes after dark. If you must venture out for work, it is safer to travel in pairs. Until further notice, the campus will remain closed, including the library—”

  “How are we supposed to study?” screamed a protestor from off screen.

  “What don’t you do your fucking jobs and catch the fucking creep, you cu—” the last expletive was bleeped from the broadcast as Terry continued.

  “The police are doing all we can to catch the killer or killers. Please, stay in your homes and let the police do their jobs. Thank you.”

  He stepped away from the podium and the camera panned across the crowd where protestors were setting fire to garbage cans and hurling empty beer bottles at the riot police. Meaghan noticed that most of the crowd was wearing black clothing and the familiar piercings and tattoos of Lilith’s crew. As if on cue, she spotted Lilith in the crowd, screaming abuse and obviously enjoying the notoriety. When the camera panned back, Meaghan froze. Menacing eyes stared back at her from the screen. It was a though the woman was staring into her soul. “That’s her!” she told David. “That’s the woman from the cafeteria, the one who followed me to the carpark. Lilith’s friend.”

  “I remember her from your art class. Strange young woman. While the other students were painting images of the model, she seemed more focused on your side of the room. Her canvas was completely blank and I assumed that she wasn’t sure how to start so, I offered my assistance.”

  “What did she say?”

  David cleared his throat. “I was raised never to use such vulgar language in the presence of a lady.”

  Meaghan pointed to the screen. “Look, she’s following Terry to the carpark.”

  “Perhaps she wants to share some information about the case?”

  Meaghan narrowed her eyes.

  “All right, I agree. It does look suspicious.”

  She grabbed her bag from the hall table and headed towards the door.

  “Where are you going young lady?”

  “Terry may be in trouble.”

  “You stay here. I’ll check it out.”

  “I’m not afraid of her David. I’ll take my gun this time.” She grimaced when she remembered that her gun was still under the pillow.

  He held her by the shoulders. “Are you afraid of the hell-hound? Don’t forget, it was less than an hour ago that you heard it outside your window.”

  She thought for a minute. “Could I take your car? I promise to stick to the speed limit … unless of course that thing attacks again, then, all bets are off.”

  “I’ll drive. If anything happens, I can—”

  “Blow your cover by exposing yourself in public?”

  “Exposing myself? What did you have in mind Officer Lamb?”

  “You have a very naughty mind Mr. Corel. You know very well what I mean. If Terry or any of the students see you—”

  “I know. The reports of my death would appear highly exaggerated but, I have a better idea. Try ringing him before you go charging off to save him. He is probably more than capable of looking after himself.”

  She shrugged. “He hasn’t answered my call so far, but…” She flipped open her phone and pressed his number. “I guess it’s worth a try.” The phone rang three times before it was answered.

  “Yes, Meaghan?”

  “Terry. Thank goodness you answered. I wanted to—”

  “Hold on a minute, Megs.”

  She heard him move the phone away from his mouth. “Yes, can I help you?”

  She held her breath as she listened to the sound of scuffling, the crack of something hitting the ground and then, a sharp intake of breath. She screamed his name into the phone and heard the faint reply. “Meaghan...”

  The line went dead.

  ****

  For the third time in half an hour, Meaghan checked the time on her wrist watch. David should have been there by now. I should have insisted that he take me along. Where the hell are they?

  As if on cue, a voice in her head answered. “I’m here, kitten, but there’s no sign of Terry. Look, I don’t mean to worry you but, there is a fair quantity of blood beside his car. I’m about to do a sweep of the area. Stay there. Derrick and Anna are home and I have explained the situation to them. If you need any help, call them first.”

  Meaghan felt the tears swell and burn behind her eyes. Despite the calm in his voice, she could tell that David suspected the worst. The prospect of finding Terry alive didn’t look good. Find him, David. Please find him and bring him back.

  She felt him break the connection. It left her even more empty inside despite knowing that he did it for her protection. Thoughts of Terry flashed in her head and it broke her heart to think that their last moments together had ended with so much pain. She couldn’t i
magine a life without him. He was her brother, her confident and her protector for more years than she cared to remember. Without him, she would not have survived the lonely years in the orphanage or the difficult transition into the real world. They had to find him alive.

  Briiiiing. The landline’s ring shocked her out of her thoughts and it took a moment to realize where the noise was coming from. She lifted the receiver, wondering why David had chosen the outdated form of communication when it was easier to project his thoughts.

  “David?”

  “No, Meaghan … it’s Anna.”

  “You sound flustered. Did David ask you to call me? Has he found Terry?”

  “Sorry, Meaghan, but I haven’t heard a thing. I know we promised David that we would stay home and look after you, but, there’s been another attack. My friend Sofie was attacked in her store tonight and she’s in intensive care. I hate to leave you, but her daughter lives in another state and I didn’t want to leave Sofie alone in the hospital in case the attacker isn’t finished with her. Derrick is still at her store checking for clues and rounding up some of the coven members to help. You should be okay there. Just stay put. A couple of days ago, Sofie and I placed a protection spell around the cottage. Nothing supernatural, besides David of course, can get in.”

  “Of course I’ll be fine. You stay with your friend. I hope that she’ll recover soon.”

  “I can’t believe anyone would want to hurt her. She’s blind. What sort of animal would attack a blind woman? It looks like the doctor is coming back … I gotta go.”

  As she hung up the phone, Meaghan tried to clear her mind. Think, Meaghan, what would be the point of these attacks? She searched through her bag for her notebook and found her previous notes on the killer’s modus operandi, preferring the written word to using technology. She read her list out loud.

  · Killer has only attacked University students, as far as we know so far

  · Victims strangled

  · Killer has changed his MO. Now using a knife

  · New suspect. David Corel. Artist/Model and billionaire playboy. Seems rather unlikely considering he is a chick magnet but Terry is convinced