This Curse: (The Grace Allen Series Book 2 Paranormal Romance)

by Alisha Basso

  Defeated, I dropped my head back and began to cry. Before a single tear could fall, Seth was off of my body. He pulled me to my feet and stood next to me, a sad look of pity marring the usual smugness that I found there.

  “Now do you understand?”

  I looked at him; my shoulders slumped, “Point taken.” I sniffed and wiped my eyes with my sleeve. “Promise me something, Seth.” I sniffed again and grasped both of his hands in mine. His expression was wary his eyes moving from our clasped hands to my face. I sucked in a huge breath of air and let it out in a sigh. “Don’t let them get me, okay?” I whispered.

  His breath hissed in and he looked at me for a long time. His expression ranged from confusion to shock and finally a sort of anger. He cleared his throat and gave me look that took my breath away. “No harm will come to you, Sweet.” His eyes flashed and I had a feeling that something big had just happened between us.

  Resolved and yet immensely relieved, I rose up on my toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. Now, I think we need to drop in on Lucian. He’s the only one that seems to know how to deal with Voltaire.” I kept one of his hands in mine and with a thought; I flashed us both to the doorstep of Lucian’s house.

  EIGHT

  My stomach felt as if I had swallowed a vat of squirming eels. I was almost ill just thinking of Lydia and Lucian together as a couple. I frowned and dropped Seth’s hand. My world was turned onto its head. In what messed up universe, was Seth my protector and Lucian the reason for physical unease? I straightened my spine and strode to the front door.

  “This should be fun,” Seth mumbled as he stood beside me on the threshold. “Any chance you mentioned to your little golden boy that you and I are on speaking terms?” He folded his arms as I knocked on the door.

  “Um, well…” I stammered. “No. I never really considered us on speaking terms until tonight. Sorry, but I’ll explain everything to Lucian first thing. That is,” I pounded on the door with the side of my closed first, “if he ever opens the damn door.” I pounded again, putting a bit more force into my efforts.

  “Well, let us just hope that he does not shoot first and ask questions later. I would hate to tear his head off before we get any answers.”

  I elbowed him in the side. “You keep your hands off of him, Seth. I mean it. Let me talk to him. Nothing will happen, believe me.” I gave up and twisted the doorknob. It turned and I pushed the door open.

  “Lucian?” I called as I stepped inside. “You home?” I had a strange feeling as I entered the large living room. It no longer felt welcoming. The friendly atmosphere was gone and the air was almost suffocating. I stepped over a pile of clothing and onto a small stack of newspapers. “What the hell?” I looked around his spacious living room in total shock. Papers were strewn all over the beautiful furniture. Letters and unopened bills were stacked around the fireplace hearth. The fire was out of the ordinary. It roared in the brick enclosure, heating the house to stifling.

  Normally Lucian’s home was immaculate and the fire was always kept at a gentle glow. Something was so wrong. “Stay here, okay.” I ordered Seth as I walked down the hall toward Lucian’s room.

  Strangled sounds traveled through the door and I froze, thinking back to a time when opening another friends bedroom door was like opening the door to a slaughter house. At that time, Lucian was by my side and we were afraid that my best friend Ann had been hurt. Her bedroom had been a scene from a horror movie. Her furniture had been a wash in blood and thick chunks of mutilated meat. It was as if something had exploded! It all turned out to be a ruse in the end, but the horror of that day will never leave my mind for as long as I live.

  The sounds continued and I strained to hear. It was as if someone was in horrible trouble. My stomach clenched in fear and I burst into the room. My breath caught and I slammed my hand over my mouth to stifle my scream.

  Lucian’s room was nothing like it had been the last time I had been in it. Gone were the fluffy white bed coverings and masculine touches. The golden skinned god I called my friend was no longer home.

  I didn’t know who this was.

  He was drenched in sweat. His long blonde hair had been slicked back from his face, the ends hanging in tangled blood tinged chunks to his shoulders. His once flawless chest was covered in welts and angry looking scratches. The scratches ran along the side of his abs and down to his thigh. The look on his face as he drove himself into Lydia was terrifying. His lips were pulled back, exposing his teeth in a silent snarl. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it looked almost painful.

  I was shocked, he was so focused that he never registered my presence.

  I stared in horror. From what I could see, the sides of his tight buttocks were savagely scratched and seeped blood as he gripped Lydia’s hips pounding himself ruthlessly into her. She was face down on all fours. The mattress muffled her screams and moans of pleasure.

  She was making all that noise. I felt a tear glide down my cheek.

  His flesh continued to seep blood as I stood in shock. I always figured Lucian would be a gentle and sensual lover. Not this.

  This was twisted!

  Lydia lifted her head and turned to look back at Lucian. I jumped as a loud slap registered in my ears. I felt my eyes flood as I watched him punish her for moving. He pulled her hair hard and slapped her again. I almost screamed.

  “Now this is more like it.” Seth announced loudly as he came into the room. “Bravo, old fellow.” He leered at the couple.

  Lucian’s eyes flew in our direction, his gaze sharpened on me and I flinched, taking a step back. The look on his face was utterly savage. His lips curved into a slow smile and he let his eyes move slowly down my body in a blatantly sexual way. It was a look that I’d never seen on his face before and it filled me with shock and confusion.

  “Hello, Grace.” His voice was mocking, “I don’t suppose you’d like to give this one a break?” He laughed and shoved Lydia hard, face first into the bedding and then with his hand on her rump, he withdrew from her slowly, all the time watching my face. I was frozen and couldn’t seem to look away. My feet were rooted to the floor unable to move.

  Lucian stood from the bed, his manhood thick and jutting up. He took several steps towards me, the tip of his erection tapping the skin above his belly button.

  I turned my head and noticed that Lydia watched him with wary eyes. She looked at me and glared with total hate.

  “Excuse me?” She snapped, standing she began twisting a sheet around her body. “Why don’t you get the fuck out of here?” Her lip curled, “Can’t you see we’re busy?”

  “Oh, God!” Was all that I could say as Lucian took another step closer to me; his cold eyes devoured me in a way that made my skin crawl.

  “Oh, God!” I whimpered and scrambled back, away from Lucian’s naked body; I pushed a gawking and far too pleased looking Seth out of the room and slammed the door shut behind us.

  ***

  “Well that was new.” Seth laughed as he leaned back on Lucian‘s suede couch. We weren’t able to leave like I wanted. We hadn’t gotten the information we needed. “I never figured Saint Lucian for the violent sex sort. Was he that adventurous with you, Sweet?”

  I was sitting on the floor in front of the fire, my head in my hands. The strangeness of Seth’s question did little to snap me from my horrible thoughts and the looping reel of violent porn we had just witnessed. Christ, I’ve had sex with a vampire and have never been covered in that much blood.

  “Well, Sweet? Cat got your tongue?” Seth sounded amused.

  I looked up. “Alright, Seth was he like what with me? What are you asking? Have I ever slept with Lucian?” I shook my head. “Nice.” I stood and moved over to the small office chair by Lucian’s desk.

  “I’m just trying to snap you out of your shock, Sweet. I know full well that you have never given yourself to him. If you had, he would have been dead long ago.” He folded his hands behind his head. Papers slid off the coffe
e table as he propped his large booted feet onto the cluttered surface. “I do not share what is mine.” He looked a challenge at me.

  I chuckled mirthlessly. “I’m not yours, Seth. Sorry to remind you for the millionth time. And anyway, if I ever wanted to have sex with Lucian, that desire has been pretty much squashed for all time.”

  I was suddenly plastered to the floor. If you have any doubts as to how truly fast a vampire can be all you would have to do is piss one off. He was growling low in his throat. His eyes had gone solid silver in less than a second. His jealousy would be flattering if it weren’t so psychotic.

  “How long have you wanted to fuck him, Grace?” His breath felt moist on my cheek as he spoke. His face was pressed close to mine. Oh, he was pissing me off!

  Seth panted and glared daggers at me as I pushed my face back into his, “Stop playing jealous lover, Seth! It’s getting old!” I spat.

  Seth pushed off of me and stood, straightening his clothing he sat on the couch.

  I moved to sit next to him, my anger boiling over. “You want to know if I ever wanted to fuck Lucian as you so elegantly phrased it? Well, guess what? I have. Lots of times. I’ve wanted to strip his clothing off with my teeth!” I stood and turned to face him. “I’ve fantasized about having sex with him on this very couch. I’ve wanted to fuck him so hard we’d need a contractor to fix the damage!” My face was inches from his as I screamed. “I’ve wanted to have Lucian sliding between my thighs since the first time I saw him, so how do you like that?”

  “Good to know,” a voice rumbled from directly behind me.

  I swallowed my tongue. Closing my eyes in mortification, I slowly stood and turned around. I wanted to die as my heart fluttered in my throat.

  Lucian was sitting on the couch across from Seth. His hair was washed and dried. He looked fresh and clean; nothing like the sex crazed horror from moments before. Lydia was snuggled against his side and for a moment, a look of pure venom marred her normally pretty face, making her appear ugly and distorted. I stared at her but the look vanished as quickly as it had appeared. I shook my head and did a double take, not entirely sure that I had really seen anything strange at all.

  They were so serene and perfectly matched; it was as if they were posing for a yuppie magazine. If I didn’t have the vision of their sadistic sex session branded into my retinas, I’d think they were the picture of class and refinement.

  Thoughts and images ran across my mind as I looked at them. Could I ever think about being romantic with Lucian again? What I had said to Seth was pretty accurate. I had fantasized about being with Lucian. My mind had imagined his gentle caresses and soft whispered words as we slowly made love. I always held out the small hope that one day we would break through the awkward friend stage and move towards a more loving and physical relationship. But now, that vision has been shattered and covered in blood. Was this the type of lover he really was, in his heart? And if he cared for Lydia at all, why the hell was he smacking her? Was that what she enjoyed? Ugh, and now he thinks I’m hot for him, and after that scene in the bedroom, I think not!

  “Um… Lucian, about what I just said, I uh…” I wanted to flash myself home so badly. I was completely mortified! “I was just trying to make a point, okay? It isn’t really as if I’ve been lusting for you all this time. You’re my friend, Lucian, I wouldn’t want to jeopardize that.”

  Seth let out an inelegant snort and I glared at him. He seemed pleased again and I wondered if he had known the whole time that Lucian had entered the room while I was all ‘rub it in your face’.

  What was I thinking, of course he did, Asshole.

  “Grace, please don’t make yourself uneasy. I’ve always known that you desired me. It’s just a pity that you refused to admit it. But it’s never too late.” He winked at me and kissed Lydia on the top of her head. “We could still have some fun.” He smiled at me and I felt my anger rise. What the fuck was he doing? I could feel my hands ball into fists at my sides and my jaw began to ache from clenching my teeth over and over.

  “Lucian,” I began as calmly as I could, “I know that your sex life is your own business, but it just has to be asked. What the fuck was that?” I was getting angrier. Why was he so crass? Sex with blood and violence? Hitting on me in front of his girlfriend. No wonder she was pissy. God, the sound of him slapping Lydia still rang in my ears.

  “Grace,” Lucian stood. He was dressed flawlessly in a pair of dark grey wool trousers and a soft looking, black sweater. His skin appeared free of damage and flushed with health. “You are absolutely correct,” he continued, “My sex life is my business. It could have been your business as well, but you refused to let yourself go.” He took a step forward and I moved back. “You never once took what was always in front of you. But you considered it, didn’t you? That thought fills me with… Well…” Lucian ran his soft thumb across my jaw. Instantly, Seth was at my side. His cool, vampire presence felt more comforting than Lucian’s body heat at that moment, which set off a dozen alarm bells.

  Lucian straightened. The look in his eyes was so foreign. “Why are you here?” he asked. “What made you interrupt me tonight, Grace?” He eyed Seth. His lip curled in a sneer, then, folding his arms, he took a step back.

  “Do you know anything about Voltaire’s plans?” I looked from Seth to Lucian. “You defeated him at my house, I saw you. You did it once, you can do it again.” My voice rose, “I want to know if you can help us.” I was sure I sounded desperate but I didn’t care. I had to know. Seth moved closer and taking it as some sort of challenge, Lucian stepped closer as well. I shook my head and moved away from both men. Their dominating presence was smothering me. I stood closer to where Lydia sat. Her presence couldn’t feel much worse.

  “Ah, so you want me to fight the demon, Grace? How strong do you think I am?” Lucian asked as if I were a fool.

  “What spell did you use?” I persisted. “What did you do to defeat him? I’m filled with magic and haven’t even put a chink in his armor.” I cried. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you tonight.” I looked away at the memory. I suddenly couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’m sorry. Believe me I am so very sorry I saw anything. But I need your help,” I finally looked at him.

  I felt tingles, like little pins sticking into my spine and I turned, Lydia was looking at me like I was Lucifer himself. I almost threw off my glamour and beat the shit out of her. I had to take several deep breaths and cool my mind. I was rolling in a sea of emotions and I had a pretty good feeling she was the source. Or maybe it was just petty to think that. I didn’t much care for Lydia.

  “Please,” Lucian brought my attention back to him, “my dearest Grace, Seth, sit. I’ll tell you what I know. Who knows, it may help, though I greatly doubt it.” Lucian sat down next to Lydia again and I took the small desk chair, opting for some distance.

  Seth frowned at me when our eyes met as if he were trying to tell me something. I focused on his mind and then mentally slapped myself. I forgot that I couldn’t read his thoughts.

  “That is only because I did not wish you to.”

  “Shit!” Startled, I jumped off my chair. All eyes turned to me expectantly. I laughed a little too loudly and rushed to cover up my total stupidity. “Oh, this chair is a little loose.” I moved to the couch and sat next to Seth with a sheepish smile.

  “That was pathetic, Sweet.” Seth’s deep baritone whispered in my mind. “Next time, try harder to control yourself. And you were always able to read my thoughts; it was only when I realized that you could, that I held them from you. I have been a mind reader for centuries, so the little fists you pound on my door are easy to ignore. You are a tiny infant to your powers. You can do more than you think. Now, listen to this new Lucian. I fear we are not among friends.”

  A cool chill raced down my spine at his words and I concentrated on Lucian. He certainly acted like a different man, of that I was sure. It was as if he was some sort of pod person. The entire time we’ve known each other, Lucia
n had never had a relationship. As far as I knew, he was as celibate as I had become. Could it be that simple? Lucian was getting some, so now he was a cocky prick? Getting me into the sack wasn’t important anymore so, he was free to act like a shit-head?

  “When I froze Voltaire with our spell,” Lucian’s voice broke through my thoughts; “he was free after only a few moments it seems. Once free, he went into a rage. We heard him destroying your property, Grace, so Lydia and I fled into the desert until all the violence was gone. I couldn’t risk her safety.” He looked at her lovingly. She smiled at him and snuggled into his side. “When we returned to your house, everyone was gone. I wanted to make sure you got back safely, so Lydia and I spent the night in your home.” He shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ‘see, no help’. “Anything that went on while we were hiding out is a mystery to me. I’m sorry.” He rested his ankle on his knee and swiped at some nonexistent crumb on his pristine pant leg.

  I was getting pissed and when I got pissed like this, my glamour tended to slip. It was either an involuntary reaction, or a completely voluntary one meant to scare the piss out of the offending dip-shit stupid enough to piss me off. At this point, I didn’t care. Lucian didn’t want to help, and what was worse, he was also lying.

  My vision began to blur, a clear sign that my real eyes would be shining through soon. I didn’t want the new severely fucked up Lucian to see any part of my true form. He had already seen a version of the Madea, but that was nothing compared to what I had ultimately become and at the time he was the kind Lucian. This one was a horny asshole, the last thing I needed was my Madea pheromones locking on to him as a potential mate. I stood and turned away from the offending couple.

  “We need to go,” I whispered into Seth’s mind. He casually turned his head and looked at me. His eyes grew large and I stumbled as Seth’s thoughts thundered into my mind. He saw a completely different Grace and it thrilled him. My mercury and emerald colored eyes were a shock to him, seeing as he was never allowed to see even the smallest shard of my true form. I tried to send another thought his way, but he stood and had me at the door before I could form the notion. In another short moment, we were in my bedroom.