Shifters, Beasts, and Monsters

by Aya Fukunishi, Linda Barlow, Elixa Everett, Virginia Wade, Savannah Reardon, Skye Eagleday, Giselle Renarde, Jessi Bond, Natalie Deschain, Audrey Grace, Francis Ashe, J. E.

  Just as she thought the air was beginning to taste stale, they angled up and broke free of the water. She felt his lungs exhale, and for an instant, there was nothing to breathe until he took another deep inhalation. Through the bud, the sweet sea air filled her own lungs. It felt as if they were flying, and she would have screamed with a wild combination of fear and delight if she could have. But his hands remained where they were, firmly pressed to her head and back, keeping track of her breathing.

  His lungs full, his huge body arched like a dolphin’s, and they were diving again.

  On and on they surged, with Kate relaxing as she felt more comfortable with the breathing. It was a peaceful world—devoid of light and sound, and requiring nothing from her but passive acceptance. She could not affect this dominion where sea dragons were in their element. There was nothing for her to do but submit and allow his power and strength to carry her onward. He swam, rose, breathed, and dived, in a steady, beautiful rhythm.

  She was no longer cold; she felt warm in his arms...er, tentacles. It occurred to her that the breathing bud in her mouth was a bit like a cock. It was shorter and stubbier than a human penis, and its diameter was bigger than anything she had tried to get her mouth around before; in fact, her jaw was aching. She couldn’t loosen her lips or she would drown. Not that he would have permitted this. One of his webbed paws kept pressing her face tightly against him.

  It was to protect her from losing the contact, she knew, but it felt rough, as if he was forcing her to grip him tightly with her mouth in a kind of oral rape. For some reason, this did not horrify her. It was all part of the same feeling of complete powerlessness. They were in water, his element, and her life was dependent upon him.

  She wondered if he felt pleasure, embracing her like this. The bud was probably more like a nipple than a cock, and many men enjoyed having their nipples manipulated. Without analyzing what she was doing, she darted her tongue forward, exploring the center of the bud. Unlike the rest of his rough hide, his underside, where she was held, was not as rough or gnarled, and the breathing bud was made of even softer stuff. It felt silky to her tongue, and it tasted of salt and the sea.

  He shuddered as she used her tongue on him, which encouraged her to try it again. At least it kept her mind off wherever they were going and what her fate was likely to be when they got there. She ran the tip of her tongue in a circle once, then again. It felt good on her tongue. She heard a deep sea dragon growl, then heard his voice in her mind again.

  Stop playing around or you’ll give rise to the Hunger. I won’t be responsible for what happens after that.

  “What’s the Hunger?” she thought back at him. This method of communication exhilarated her.

  Trust me, you don’t want to know.

  “I’m curious. I want to know everything.”

  Again that rumbling sea dragon chuckle. You like playing with fire, girl?

  “We’re underwater,” she sensibly pointed out.

  He shifted her slightly, and something huge and hard pressed between her legs. She inhaled more deeply than usual as she realized it must be his ginormous sea dragon cock. It felt as if she was sitting on the blunt end of a log.

  There was absolutely no way. None. “I think maybe you should go pick on someone your own size. Like a female sea dragon.”

  Unfortunately, there aren’t any in this world.

  “You’re claiming they exist in other worlds?” If sarcasm could be expressed telepathically, she was giving it her best shot.

  The human part of me is more interested in human females.

  “So there is a human part?”

  Like I said, it’s complicated.

  “Do you really rape those village women?”

  They volunteer, so I wouldn’t call it rape.

  “I don’t understand how you could penetrate a human woman with that and not kill her in the process.”

  As you may have noticed, I do have other parts. The tentacle that was holding the lower part of her body curled around her leg and stroked her inner thigh. Another drew its tip down her spine, making her shiver. Wow, it felt good. She moaned, almost losing her tight grip on his breathing bud. He pressed her face harder against him.

  Don’t get too excited. We’re not there yet.

  I don’t believe this, she said to herself, hoping she was blocking at least some of her thoughts from his hearing. Some kind of monster wants to have sex with me, and he’s going to make me like it!

  Abruptly, the peaceful rhythm slowed and stopped. He rolled over onto his side, bringing her out of the water. His clawed hands no longer pressed upon her, and she felt the tentacles that held her against his body loosen.

  Breathe the air, he ordered, pulling her away from the bud. For a moment, she felt dizzy. She was almost afraid to breathe on her own.

  A single tentacle wrapped around her waist, and whisked her out of the way as he rolled back onto his belly in the water. He released her into the sea beside him. Swim.

  Instead, she thrashed. Even though the water was calm, the wake his body produced sent waves over her head. She felt cold now that she was no longer enveloped by the warmth of his body. She felt clumsy in the water, compared to him.

  A tentacle shot out and encircled her body, supporting her and keeping her afloat. She clung to it and looked around.

  They were still in the dark sea, off shore, but she could see the island and Mallochbirn Castle, albeit from a different direction than she had seen it from the mainland.

  “We’re still near Mallochbirn Keep. Why did it take us so long to get here?”

  I had to swim around to blow off some energy. Be thankful. It was either that or this:

  An image filled her mind. Kate understood at once that he was sending it to her. She was lying on her back on the stony strand beside the rock where Effie had been bound. She was naked and slick with ocean spray. Her legs were stretched widely apart and her hips were writhing. Something long and slithery wound around her thighs, slowly approaching her curly mound. It was one of his tentacles. It caressed her bare skin, rubbing and sucking at her with the tiny suction cups on its underside. Then it poked between her legs and pushed into her while she twisted and moaned.

  Another tentacle was snaking over her bare breasts. Her body arched in rhythm to the increasingly fierce thrusts. A third tentacle plundered her mouth. Just as she was about to explode in ecstasy, all three appendages retracted and the monster crawled forward and crouched over her. Its huge thorny cock was lining up to penetrate her. Rip her open, rather, since there was absolutely no way....

  “Stop it!” she gasped, even though she felt excited by the strange scene.

  I did stop it, although I’m damned if I know why. You’ve really messed up my Midsummer’s Eve revels, lass.

  “Why do you sound so human?”

  I told you I have a human side.

  “Is the human side of you cold? This water is freezing. I am not built to withstand such low temperatures. I’ll get hypothermia.”

  You’re right. My apologies. His tentacle heaved her up into the air and deposited her atop his shoulders. There were more tentacles on his back, but they were much more slender and somewhat shorter than the big ones on his chest. His back was tougher, with harder scales and various knobs and dorsal fins. “Hang on,” he said as he began swimming toward the island.

  He was too broad to sit astride, so she shifted around, grasping the tentacles—which seemed to cling right back—until she was kneeling on his powerful shoulders. Feeling his tough dorsal scales undulating between her legs and thighs as they moved through the water made her flush and feel a lot warmer. But she was wet and still cold.

  “I’m still shivering, Zrak. I wish you hadn’t ripped off all my clothes.”

  Do you want me to cradle you against my chest again? That’s probably a lot warmer.

  “No, I want to see.”

  Several warm tentacles curled themselves around her. Better?

  “Yes.
” I could get used to this, she thought. It’s like tentacle bondage. She promptly blushed at the thought, which she hoped he hadn’t heard.

  It was too dark to see the island well, but it looked inhospitable from this side—all rocks, stones and crags. He swam toward a mammoth cliff; she could not see a beach or even a place for him to step up out of the sea. We’re going to dive again. How long can you hold your breath?

  “Uh, I don’t know. Twenty seconds?”

  It’ll only take ten. Stretch out more—lie down on me. I’ll hold you. Breathe in deeply a couple of times first, to saturate your lungs.

  She complied. “Where are we going?”

  To my lair.

  “Oh.” She slid her legs behind her and pressed her torso, carefully, along his back. It was not as comfortable as being pressed to his chest. Various hard protrusions from his armored hide jutted into her. His tentacles tightened on her, holding her in place.

  Deep breath, he said, and dived.

  He moved fast. They were surfacing again before she started to feel the need for air. The tentacles loosened and she pushed herself upright. They had surfaced in the pool of a small underground cavern. Looking around, she gasped in delight. The walls of the cavern were alight with a multitude of colors—many shades of blue, green, red, yellow and purple. There were huge chunks of crystal everywhere. The crystal light was magnified by small oil lamps hanging at frequent intervals. The light from these shimmered and shivered as it was reflected from one bright crystal surface to the next.

  “Oh, my goodness, it’s beautiful! Where are we?”

  Under Mallochbirn Castle. He lifted and deposited her into shallow, warm water. She found her footing and walked out of the water to a beach of fine white sand. She started to squeeze out her hair, which was loose and heavy with seawater.

  The sea dragon swam around in the pool, watching her. She felt the heat of his gaze and sensed that he was holding himself back with remarkable restraint. He wanted to do the things he had shown her. He could barely stop himself from moving ahead with the entire program. You’re sexy with your hair down.

  “Wouldn’t you find me more attractive with big teeth, a tail, and tentacles?”

  No. Feel me. Down the golden tunnel rolled an onslaught of his emotions—sweeping through her like the wind. Most of all, the Hunger. It was more than a man’s lust—it was a primal storm of need and desire. Like the light, it seemed to radiate around the cavern, from crystal to crystal, infinitely magnified. You are mine, Catriona Beaton. I want you, and I will have you. You are in my world now, and you cannot escape your fate.

  Kate gasped, more shocked by this than by anything that had happened on this strange, wondrous night. “How do you know my name? He told you, didn’t he? Ross Malloch. Or am I dreaming this whole crazy thing? I must be dreaming, but what a dream. I don’t think I want to wake up.

  Yes, it is a dream. For now, that’s all it is. You will not remember this until I give you permission.

  Also, you will remain at Mallochbirn. You are mine. You cannot leave. Now lie down in the sand. Lie down and go to sleep.

  His voice echoing through the crystal cavern made her feel lightheaded, as if she had consumed too many glasses of champagne. The sand felt warm and soft against her skin. The crystals danced with color. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she knew no more.

  Chapter Six

  Kate dreamed she was lying naked on a sandy beach. The sun sparkled on the waves. Palm fronds and other lush vegetation gave her shelter from the tropical heat. A soft breeze scented with the aromas of bright colored flowers, fruits and spices drifted over her skin. This, surely, was Paradise.

  The noise from the sea did not startle or scare her. Even as it grew, she remained calm and content. Lifting her head, she shaded her eyes with her hand. Yes. He was coming. Her lover. A thrill ran through her body and the tropical heat settled in between her thighs. She could feel the petals of her sex swelling and moistening. He was coming for her at last.

  The sea was encroaching on her, too. Where before she had been lying beyond the water line, now the waves tickled her toes as they broke. They rose and broke higher, quickly reaching her knees and her thighs. The water was cool but not too cold. It felt refreshing.

  Soon the waves were lapping at her between her thighs, cresting on the mound of her sex in a way that made her breathe more quickly and churn her hips to meet the teasing lash of the salty water. Beneath her butt, the wet sand collapsed a little, sucking at her as the waves slid back out. It was as if the sea itself were caressing her.

  She lay quite still as she heard him splashing in the shallows toward her. Huge and magnificent, he shouldered up from the clear green sea. Water sluiced down over his tough, gnarly hide, making him shine in the sun. She wanted to run her hands over that rough hide, pressing firmly so he could feel her caresses.

  The water heaved as he stepped toward her on his giant haunches. He was graceful, even when partially out of his element. He glided forward smoothly. The closer he came, the more upright he stood, and his features shifted until he was more man than monster.

  He grinned at the sight of her lying naked, awaiting him. He released a thunderous roar of approval.

  She sighed and spread her thighs. They would have to stretch very far apart for him, she knew, but this did not alarm her. She felt lazy and hazy as he came upon her, his enormous shadow blotting out the sun.

  Somewhere in the distance, she heard a pounding like a drum beat. She wasn’t sure whether there were indeed drummers present, or if it was just the beating of her blood. She moved her pelvis to the rhythm. The motion added to her building lust.

  He was all she could see now—his silvery eyes, his crushing jaws, his seven-fingered hands, his muscular chest and belly, against which she had been cradled. He had tentacles crisscrossing his torso. As she watched, her soul on fire, they uncrossed and slithered over her body.

  All six of them slid to different spots, where they stroked her burning flesh. Two took her breasts. They probed, encircled and swirled. There were suction cups on the inner sides of them, which clamped down and pulled away rhythmically, sucking at her. She cried out at the sweet intensity of the stimulation. Her thighs thrashed, causing splashes in the shallow water where she lay. When one of the tentacles applied its suction to the lips of her pussy, she screamed. The tendrils darted around, moving, exploring, driving her mad with the strangest and wildest pleasure she had ever known.

  One tentacle, bigger than its fellows, slipped to the threshold of her vagina. The tip probed her. It slid easily into her hot wetness. It moved sinuously inside her, penetrating more deeply, its thickness increasing. She was not sure if she was arching to the stimulation or if the increasingly thick appendage was lifting her hips from the inside as it writhed deliciously within her.

  As her bottom came off the sand, she felt another probe being inserted into her ass, pushing past the muscle there and twisting snake-like in time with its mate in her pussy. Then there was intense suction from the one on her clit. She screamed again in wild abandon, probed and massaged all over with her lover’s mighty tentacles.

  She was coming violently when the probes withdrew and a spiked cock pressed against her pussy. The tentacles had opened her, and she was ready. She felt a sharp, startling pain beginning in her core as something unbelievably huge tried to force itself inside her. But it seemed to be making headway. It was even starting to feel good...

  Kate came awake with her heart pounding, her body sweating, and... Whoa. There were pulses of pleasure reverberating between her thighs. She realized with some amusement that she had just had a vivid erotic dream. She pressed her hand to her mound, which was still throbbing with aftershocks. She groaned. A man-monster with tentacles?

  She didn’t think she’d ever had that dream before. It had been pretty damn good though, she admitted, squeezing her thighs together and laughing. Too bad there were no warm waters and shady palm trees on the northwest coast of Scotland!
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  Wait. She jerked upright to a sitting position. She looked around the unfamiliar room. The sensual aftermath of pleasure fled as she struggled to recall how she had gotten here. And where the hell here was.

  She was in a warm bed in an old-fashioned bedchamber, tucked up among silky sheets and wool blankets with clan colors. The soft light filtering in the windows from outside told her it was morning. There had been an inn in Mallochbirn village, she remembered. But they’d told her they had no rooms available.

  She sat up and pushed the covers down. She was clad in a cotton nightgown that was not her own. Underneath it, she was naked.

  As she moved one leg from under the covers, fragments of the dream came back to her. The entirety of it was already fading. She shook her head, confused. She’d been pleasured by a sea monster. She blinked, trying to clear her mind. It ought to feel like a nightmare, but it had been delicious. Jeez. She must have drunk too much last night.

  She rose and crossed the cold floor of the room on bare feet. Brrr! She reached back for a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her. It might officially be summer, but this chamber was hardly what she would call warm.

  She opened the first door she saw, which led to a small bathroom. Shutting it again, she surveyed the rest of the room. There was a window in slightly the rounded wall. Was she in some kind of tower? She looked out and saw nothing but sea and rocks. She must be on Mallochbirn Isle, in the castle itself. The castle that had supposedly been off limits yesterday.

  How had she gotten here? She focused, trying to remember. Never having been a big drinker, Kate had never before woken up in the morning with no memory of how she’d spent the previous night. She hoped she hadn’t been drugged. Did they even have date rape drugs in this remote area of Scotland? At least she hadn’t awakened naked in bed with some stranger.

  She had a brief image of waking naked in bed with the hot Scot. That wouldn’t be such an awful fate.

  Now what? Was she some kind of prisoner? She crossed to the other door in the room and tugged at it. It opened into a short corridor with a winding stone stairway leading down. She could leave her room, at least. She remembered Effie, the excited girl who had been waiting for her demon lover to rise from the sea. Such nonsense. Had she missed the entire ceremony? Damn that whiskey! She hoped the girl was okay.