Caressed by the Edge of Darkness

by Amanda J. Greene

  His lips curled into a sensually evil smile and he broke their kiss to rasp, “Not yet.”

  He moved his hands away. She whimpered then gasped with exited shock. He tugged the fabric of her dress down, revealing her breasts. Air hissed past his fangs. His tongue flicked out, teasing her hardened nipple. Then he was sucking her. Jordan’s head fell back, her hands tunneled through his hair, her nails scratching at his nape. Holding him to her.

  Cupping her breasts, he laved one nipple while pinching the other then switched. She trembled, nonsensical words falling as breathless gasps from her lips. Her pleasure climbing, Jordan shoved his suit jacket from his shoulders. Her fingers roamed over his shoulders, his chest. She pulled his shirt free of his trousers then attacked his fly.

  Gabriel captured her wrists with one hand. She struggled against his hold. She had to feel him, to see him.

  “No, no, love.” He nipped at the curve of her breast then licked the sting away. “Not yet.” He lifted his head to grip her nape with his other hand. “Look at me,” he commanded.

  Jordan’s desire clouded eyes met his and he bit back a curse. God, she had him on the verge. The pressure in his cock unbearable. He loved and hated the power she had over him. If he were to be enslaved by her, he had to show her who her master was. Him. She was his and he would be hers.

  “Do you want to know what I’m going to do to you?”

  She nodded. “Please.”

  He leaned forward, his breath brushing the sensitive flesh of her neck. “I’m going to bend you over the vanity and take you with my mouth. I’ll fuck you with my tongue, suck your little clit. I want to taste your orgasm.” He nipped at her ear. “And you will call out my name.” His tongue replaced his teeth. “You hear me, Jordan? You will call out my name as you come.”

  “Y-yes,” she gasped.

  He pulled her forward, slamming her core against his erection. Intensively she rocked her hips. “Hungry for me?” His deep laugh scraped along his throat.

  She was unable to speak, her breath gone. His grin made her toes curl. So many sensual promises.

  In a whirl of movement, he spun her around. Her high heels hit the floor, she was shoved forward. Jordan grabbed the edges of the vanity so tightly her knuckles whitened. Panting, she met her reflection. Her eyes glowed with hunger and stormed with lust. Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to breath. She didn’t recognize herself. She was…someone sensual. Sexual. Never had she felt this way and…she loved it.

  She heard her panties tear, felt the cold air kiss her heated flesh. He inhaled. His large body trembled. God, her scent, her arousal. Insane. She was driving him over the edge. Slow. Take it slow. He would savor.

  Gabriel pressed her farther forward, his heavy, leather hands slipped down her back to frame her hips. He went to his knees.

  “I fucking love these boots,” he growled, his teeth nuzzled their seams in turn. Next he drew a line of fiery kisses up the back of one thigh then other. He palmed her cheeks and spread her.

  Her sex was bare. Oh, god. “Lovely.” A predator’s impulses lashed him and he fought not to tear his pants open and drive his straining shaft into her. To the hilt. He’d make her take every inch.

  A roar tore from his throat as he set in. With the first thrust of his tongue she cried out. Her taste…His eyes rolled back. Creamy, sweet, she was the finest of honey. His cock throbbed, threatened to bust his zipper. The demon clawed at him, demanding more.

  He covered her clit and sucked. Hard. She moaned and fell further forward. He rolled the tiny bud with his tongue again and again. Her arms gave out, the vanity fully supporting her weight.

  “Oh…Oh, my god…”

  “Dreamed of this.” He lapped at her, driving her higher and higher. “Come for me. Now.”

  Her body strained and pulsed as ecstasy washed over her. “Gabriel!”

  He devoured her orgasm. Damn, everything about her, about this moment was better than any fantasy.

  Shoving to his feet, he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and arched her back. His other hand went for breasts. Kneading one, toying with one nipple then his skillful fingers moved to the next. Her breath panted, her eyes hooded, her lashes cast dark shadows over her cheeks. Her swollen, ruby lips parted, her cheeks flushed pink. She was beautiful and he wanted to see passion claim her once more before he completely surrendered to his dark needs.

  “Good, you did listen. Did what I said.” He ran his leather fingers over her breasts, down her stomach, over her hip.

  She pressed her hips back, rubbing her ass against his hard length. “Now?”

  Sex. She was asking for sex. He’d give her all she could take and more, but not yet. He was a beast, he was a demon, but he wasn’t a complete monster. She was a virgin. She’d need extra care the first time.

  The knowledge sober him a fraction. He wouldn’t claim her here in the dressing room. For their first time, he’d take her in a bed. His bed. Slow, if he could. Leisurely, if he could. He prayed, gently. For her, he could do it. He could deny his instinct, he could banish his old habits. For Jordan, he could do anything.

  “Soon,” Gabriel promised.

  He rubbed his hand over her ass then dipped his fingers low and thrust one inside. Jordan’s cry of pleasure drowned his curse for control. God, she was so tight. So wet. He withdrew his finger to gaze down at the slick leather. He stared down at his hand, on the edge of coming in his pants. His fangs sliced his tongue, the pain shocking him.

  “A-again. Please, Gabriel.”

  “You never have to beg, love.” He shoved his finger back inside her hot sheath. “I’ll give you anything. Everything.” He’d happily be her slave.

  She adulated her hips and he withdrew then inserted two fingers. Stretching her, he spread her.

  Jordan’s head fell back against his chest. His mouth immediately found her throat. He sucked on her pulse as he curled his fingers up and stroked that sensitive place inside her.

  “That, oh god, don’t stop that!”

  Her shocked scream told him she’d never been touched there. He smiled against her neck, he’d show her so many wicked, wicked things.

  He released her shoulders, supporting her torso with his forearm, his hand splayed between her hips, he played with her clitoris as he pumped his other fingers into her from behind, every time hitting that spot.

  He felt the beginning tremors of her pleasure. His fangs grazed over her throat. Her pulse pounded in his ears. Her blood courses through her veins. She’d taste like hot ambrosia. The tips of his fangs ached to sink into her. Yes, yes. Bite her! Mark her!

  Gabriel watched Jordan in the mirror. Her eyes closed, she bit her lip, her breath hitched…Stunning. Ecstasy. Her sex gripped his fingers again and again just as she gasped his name again and again.

  He caught his own reflection behind her. His eyes pure black, his fangs a mere inches from her rapidly beating pulse, his hair wild. Shadows streaked his face. A crazed beast.

  Disturbed by what he saw, Gabriel withdrew from her and stumbled back.

  He’d been about to bite her. To take her life into his body.

  He would surrender to his sexual desire, he would embrace his need for her body and slake his lust, but…he wouldn’t allow himself to drink her. One taste and he’d be lost. He wouldn’t be able to stop.

  The Madame had always cut into his vein, her mouth would latch on and no matter how hard he fought he could never break free of her hold. He’d made it clear to all he took to his bed, their lips were to go nowhere near his pulse if they wanted to live.

  He’d never bitten a lover, never allowed them to take from him. So why did he crave Jordan’s blood? Why did he fantasize about her sinking razor like fangs into his neck, his wrist, his inner thigh? Alternating sucking on his cock and his vein.

  His gaze fell to his shaking hands. The leather glistened with her honey. He licked his fingers clean. Savoring her taste, he snarled.

  Keep the beast caged and you can h
ave her, he reminded himself. He’d deny his vampire instincts to bite her, drain her, to change her.

  Jordan twisted around to face him. Her chest rose high and fell with every deep breath she took. If it weren’t for the vanity, she’d collapse in a pool of sated female on the floor.

  Gabriel peeled his gloves off and tossed them in a nearby waste basket. He’d have to shower and change before he met with the other vampire faction leaders. They couldn’t know he’d been rutting with a human. If word got out he’d claimed this one for his own before he was ready, the consequences could be dyer. Mortals were weak, easy targets and his enemies would target her.

  He had to leave, but before he turned his focus to business, Gabriel moved back to her. She swayed toward him, but he didn’t reach for her. If he touched her now, he wouldn’t be able to stop, but he did rasp, “You and I are far from finished.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Five independent Outcast factions remained in the North West division. Gabriel had invited their representatives to this peace meeting. Their options: join his Clan, remain neutral, or side with Boras. If they selected the latter, he’d destroy them along with all the others that supported his enemy.

  Two males present tonight had attended the auction he’d crashed just a week ago. Offering them the same deal he did everyone else rankled him, but he’d let them believe he trusted their word, if they gave it.

  “Are we to understand that if we partner with your Clan, swear loyalty to you, follow vampire law as set forth by the collective Clan Chieftains, we may keep our territory and businesses?” Laura snorted. “How benevolent of you. Allowing us to maintain what belongs to us.”

  “I seek to unite, to bring peace and to protect all Outcasts, just as I always have.”

  Wallin countered, “Some of us don’t require your protection.” His faction was the largest in size, but his numbers were made up of weak blood bastards, the majority hardly stronger than a human. Most were vampires who began as willing bleeders than offered themselves to their masters and begged to be changed.

  Gabriel would never understand why anyone would seek out this cursed existence.

  “There are also those of us who abandoned our Clans and aren’t interested in joining another,” Laura added, speaking of her own experience. Tired of the civil wars the plagued the Validus Clan century after century, she’d relinquished her title as a Black Knight and became an Outcast. Gabriel’s best soldiers had similar backstories while others had been military banished after Clan rebellions.

  “I understand and there are factions in the South who stand by your argument. I offer this: support Tapof rule, remain neutral during any and all military conflict involving the Clan and you may maintain your independence. But first you must swear a blood oath.”

  The attendees hissed in a sharp breath. Outcasts had existed on the fringes of proper vampire society since the beginning of their existence, however many thousands of years ago that was, and they’d devised their own codes. A blood oath, once given, could never been taken back, amended, or broken. If it were, a bounty would be placed on the offender’s head and a race would begin. Who would collect the betrayer’s head first won the purse and inherited the dead vampire’s territory.

  Gabriel knew those who secretly supported Boras wouldn’t take a blood oath. The tactic helped weed out his enemies and secure his own allies. Those who truly wanted to live outside the shadow of a Clan could do so freely, as long as they never went back on their word.

  The two males from the auction sang out. “Ridiculous!” Bradford seethed. “Such an outdated practice,” Wallin mumbled.

  Laura shrugged. “Seems fair enough.” Others muttered in agreement.

  “I’ve a concern, Erhard. Most of us have been labeled Outcast for one unlawful transgression or another. What happens if we should break another ancient law?” Dak asked.

  “The Tapof Clan was created by and for Outcasts. We fully intend to continue to live by our code, with a few exceptions.”

  “Such as?”

  Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “I will rule this Clan as I have ruled my faction. Commit a capital crime and death will immediately follow, in accordance to ancient law.”

  All knew he was an understanding, just, and benevolent leader with an iron fist. Before he’d decided to unite the Outcasts, he’d had the largest following, which only continued to grow. He provided for anyone who needed his help. He protected them from the Red Order Hunters, defended them against other vampires that would prey on those weaker. He gave them shelter, a safe place to feed, a way to make a decent living. He gave broken vampires, exiled vampires pride and purpose.

  “I’m curious,” Teller interjected. “What makes you so confident that you will be the victor in your squabble with Boras?”

  “Yes, you’ve experienced much success in these last few months. Claiming much of his territory and strong arming his allies into surrender, but now your forces are stretched thin. How do you plan to maintain control?” Bradford asked.

  He’d been waiting for such questions. With a nod to Gannon, his Second presented the white postcard that had led to Jordan’s rescue.

  Gannon approached Wallin, who sat closest to Gabriel. He held up a sewing needle and the vampire’s eyes went wide. Recognition and horror flickered across his face.

  “If you don’t mind,” Gannon said.

  Gabriel hoped Wallin would refuse, but he allowed Gannon to prick his finger and drip his blood on the card. “Older vampires may know what this is. For those of you who don’t, allow us to show you.”

  The crimson spread over the card, revealing its secrets.

  Questions immediately erupted. The two who attended the auction blankly stared as the words appeared.

  “Are those instructions?” Dak asked.

  “It’s an ad for a slave auction to be held…” Laura’s words faded.

  A quiet pall filled the room. Gabriel waited, allowing the implications of what he’d discovered to settle.

  “Impossible,” Teller exhaled, obliterating the silence.

  “You may have heard, my soldiers raided a slave house in Seattle last week. There they discovered this invitation describing an auction to be held on shifter territory,” Gabriel explained.

  The room filled with shocked mumbles and curses.

  “Let’s not hastily jump to conclusions,” Bradford announced.

  “Agreed,” Wallin seconded. “How do we know the card is real, that what you say is true?”

  Gabriel held back a dark laugh. The vampires were impressive actors. Their features cool, their voices trim.

  “You needn’t believe me,” he replied. “I strongly encourage everyone present to do their research since I’ve witnesses that Clan members from at least two of the North West factions attended this auction.”

  Laura slammed a hand on the table. “Tell me now if they were my people.”

  “I want names,” Dak demanded and Teller frightfully asked, “Will this start a war with the shifters?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “Tonight is about peace and unity. I will not share the identities at this time. Just know that Sire Arsov and the Volkov Clan are currently conducting an investigation as a neutral third party. Thus far, the alpha of the Mukwa Pack claims he and his people knew nothing of the auction and are outraged by what has transpired on their territory.”

  “Can this alpha be trusted?”

  “Thus far, the Volkov Clan has found no evidence to the contrary. The bear shifters appear to be innocent and have sworn vengeance on Boras’s faction.” Which was a relief. If the bears had supported Boras, war would be inevitable. Combat with a shape-shifter pack was not something any Clan wanted and as much as Gabriel disliked Bradford’s earlier words, his soldiers were spread thing. He couldn’t fight a war on two fronts alone and hated the thought of dragging his friend’s into his battel.

  “I’m interested to know who claimed to have seen members of our organizations at such a disgusting event.
I would like to conduct my own research,” Bradford insisted.

  “When the Volkov inquiry is complete I will reveal the source. Until then, I will not share anything that may hinder the process.” Gabriel’s lips curled with a vindictive smile. “Your question was how I could possibly expect to emerge the victor when you should have asked, how can Boras do anything besides fail? He has sown the seeds of his own destruction and I’m going to reap them all.”

  “You are resourceful, but taking down Boras’s allied factions?” Wallin whistled. “That’s a tall order for a blood bastard. Even one as strong and as favored as you.” He no doubt referred to Gabriel’s tries to Dimitri and his friendship with Dorian, the two most ancient, most powerful vampires.

  “I’ve yet had to request or rely upon the strength of my associates,” Gabriel responded, ignoring Wallin’s insult.

  “Impressive, for an upstart,” he conceded, “But Boras was a titled Validus Clan member. He possesses the prestige, the understanding of what it takes to successfully rule a Clan and he’s been gathering supporters for the last two centuries. You’ve only just set out on your endeavor.”

  “Are you siting Boras’s experience as a reason to following him?” Dak asked.

  “He may have held a title once, but that was hundreds of years ago,” Laura proclaimed.

  Teller added, “As Outcasts our positions are equal. It does not matter what he used to be, we were stripped of everything the moment we were banished or emancipated.”

  Bradford growled, “We were all once members of a Clan, but he was a slave. A bleeder. A blood bastard that should’ve met the sun along with his maker centuries ago.”

  Gabriel’s jaw clenched. “My past is no secret.”

  “No. I suppose you wear that slave brand with pride,” Wallin sneered.

  Gannon stepped forward. Gabriel held up his hand, stopping his Second mid stride. As much as he wanted to knock the vampire’s fangs out, he couldn’t. Gabriel had invited Wallin in peace. Unless the vampire committed a crime, both law and Outcast code forbade him from using violence.