Cursed Heart_The Siren Coven

by Kim Loraine

  "Tamiel," she sighs.

  How right my name on her tongue sounds. I want to hear her scream it in pleasure. But she's tense, afraid of the pain my bite should cause. "Don't be afraid, love. I promise I'll make it good for you," I murmur against her.

  My tongue flicks along the pulse point before I sink my fangs into her. She flinches, but as soon as I begin sucking on her flesh, a ragged moan escapes her. The body that was once stiff and unyielding goes pliant.

  "Oh, God," she whispers, her hands digging into the coverlet as pleasure mounts. I can smell her arousal, taste it in her blood.

  Yes, Helena, come for me. She can't hear my thoughts, but that doesn't stop me from willing her orgasm to crest. Her moans and cries grow louder, and I can't help myself. I lay her back on the bed, fitting my hips between her thighs as I draw out the feeding as long as I possibly can. Thrusting my aching arousal against her, I give her the friction I know she needs even through our clothing. I remove my lips from her throat and whisper, "Come now, love. Give me your pleasure."

  Her nails dig into my back as she wraps her legs around my hips and chases her release. I watch her shudder in pleasure, eyes rolling back in her head, cheeks flushed as she comes. It's too much for me. I'll take her here and now if I don't stop. Backing away slightly, I put on an air of relaxed self-satisfaction and grin.

  "This is how we see to your needs?" she asks, her voice filled with wonder.

  "It's one way."

  She doesn't push me away and a thrill runs through me at the feel of her fingers running up and down my back. "Not bad."

  I laugh, unable to hide my reaction. "It sounded a lot better than that just a moment ago."

  "I thought it would hurt."

  Rising onto my elbows, I stare down at her. Dark hair fanned out across the light blue quilt, glittering copper irises, full red lips. She is the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on. I may have fallen from Heaven after following the lead of another, but I'd have given up my wings on my own with one look at Helena. "It's not meant to hurt. Besides, I'd never harm you."

  Her eyelids droop with fatigue from my feeding. "You wouldn't? But you're a man."

  I chuckle. "I am."

  "They always hurt me."

  My heart lurches at the words. Reaching down, I brush my fingers across her cheek. "Never again."

  She drifts to sleep with her brow furrowed. All I want is to wipe away the pain she's felt over lifetimes. But this is a start. She may think men only want to hurt her. It's my job to prove her heart is safe with me.

  2

  Helena

  Bloody hell, where am I? I glance around the room and see plain white walls, no decor, a simple dresser, and…Tamiel in nothing but a towel. He's beautiful. Oh, fuck. It all comes rushing back to me —the memory of him feeding, rolling his hips against me, the sound of him calling me love. My neck is deliciously sore, and I want him inside me. Right the hell now.

  He's asleep on his stomach next to me. His damp hair in his eyes, covering part of his face. He must've showered after I drifted off. Before I can think to stop myself and follow my own rules, I reach out and brush back the hair so I can see him better.

  A smirk spreads across his face, and I want to slap myself.

  "There it is," he murmurs.

  "What?"

  "The moment you realized you were going to fall in love with me."

  My heart lurches. No. I already warned him once. This isn't going to work if he thinks there's a chance at a future for us. A curl of unease unwinds in my stomach as the realization of what I need to do takes life. I heave a sigh and turn to my side to stare at him. At the real him. In a moment, he'll be completely mine whether he wants to or not. The difference is, this won't be true. I'll hold him bewitched until I choose to release him, and after that happens…he'll be so angry with me he won't want anything further to do with me.

  "I thought you were asleep."

  He chuckles and shakes his head. "I don't sleep. Not really."

  "Right. I keep forgetting. Vampire, fallen, immortal being. It's hard to keep track when you don't fit the stereotypes of any of those."

  "I'm pretty sure I just fed on your blood. That's about as stereotypical as possible."

  I can't help but laugh. "At least the stories of a vampire's orgasmic bite are true."

  "You're more perfect than I imagined, love," he says, turning to face me as well. "And I couldn't resist the urge to hold you all night long."

  This is getting far too romantic for my taste. It's dangerous. I need to keep my eye on the goal. Cupping his cheek, I lock gazes with him. Then I begin to sing.

  My siren song winds around him, making him mine, willing or not. He must realize what I'm doing because his eyes widen and he fights my spell, but I'm powerful now that Izzy established our coven. None can resist my siren spell even when I'm not at full power. Well, that's not exactly true. None whose heart isn't owned by another. But true soul mates are rare, and I've only failed to enthrall two men in my entire existence.

  He's fucking strong. His gaze keeps fighting to leave mine, but I continue my song and lean closer until our foreheads touch and he stops resisting. His body relaxes and those platinum irises of his go vacant, and I know I've got him. He'll do everything I want from now until I release him. A thrill runs through me at the thought. I've got a fallen angel completely at my disposal. I'll keep feeding him and help build his power until I can use it to help me find and destroy Calista.

  "Tell me, Tamiel. Where is your place?"

  He blinks and frowns but answers all the same. "New York. Manhattan."

  I grin. Hidden in plain sight. I've always wanted to see Times Square all lit up. "Take me there."

  "When do you want to go?"

  Glancing around the room, I briefly wonder if I should grab a bag and pack. I get out of the bed and stretch, glancing over my shoulder to see Tamiel watching with hungry eyes. "Now will be fine."

  I close my eyes and conjure new clothes, enjoying the flow of power through me. In mere moments, I'm fully dressed in a pair of tight black jeans and a cropped sweater in a shade of dark charcoal.

  Tamiel slides to the edge of the bed and gets up too, dropping the towel. His naked body reflected in the mirror on the back of the bedroom door makes my mouth run dry. Jesus and all the saints, this man is perfection. I take my time tearing my gaze away as I watch him pull on his clothes, but when his gaze finds mine in the mirror, instead of looking away, I smile.

  Why am I smiling like he makes me happy? He's in my thrall. A boy-toy. I shouldn't be happy to see him smile. And the odd hitching of my breath when he wraps his arms around me from behind and pulls me close makes me vaguely panicked. Bugger. This is not how my feelings work for the victims of my song. I don't let myself have feelings for men. All they want to do is use me.

  "Ready, love?" he asks, his words a whispered breath over my neck before he plants a kiss on the sensitive skin behind my ear.

  I don't have time to answer him. The air shifts and everything around us swirls until all I see is a blur around us, but Tamiel's arms around me are strong, and I know without a doubt, he'll never let anything happen to me. At least until he finds out what I did to him.

  Almost as soon as it started, the swirling stops and we're in a spacious living room with a bank of windows offering a breathtaking view of New York City. I haven't been here in lifetimes, since before electric light bathed the streets in a never-ending glow. It's even more beautiful than I remember. Lights and colors fill the dark sky of a city teeming with people living their lives, completely unaware of the battles the creatures of my world have been fighting to keep them safe.

  "All right?" Tamiel asks. He doesn't let go of me, but I force myself to step away.

  "Yeah. I just haven't been here in an age. I forgot how striking it all is."

  He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at me. "That it is."

  Fuck me if my heart doesn't flip. The damn thing is determi
ned to suffer an irreparable break if it keeps reacting to him like this.

  "Where's my room?"

  Tamiel frowns. "The master bedroom. Same as me."

  "Nope. That's not happening. I'll help you feed when you need to, but I won't be sleeping in your room."

  He looks as though he might argue, which shouldn't be possible, but backs down and leads me to a bedroom. "Fine. I suppose I'll just come get you when I need you?"

  Oh, there's still plenty of pushback from this strong man. I'd better work fast with him because if he somehow manages to break my hold, my plan will be shot to shit.

  "Next time, don't let yourself go so long without feeding." I fight a shiver of longing when I think about the possibility of being in his arms again.

  He hovers in the doorway to my room, looking far more delectable than I want. I can't lie and tell myself waking up with him next to me hadn't left me feeling more whole than I have in centuries…maybe ever.

  "Are you just going to stand there staring?" I snap.

  "There's no harm in appreciating a gorgeous sight. God created a masterpiece when he made you. I should know."

  I roll my eyes, needing to hide the flutter in my belly at his cheesy line. "Get out. I need my beauty sleep."

  A smirk from him has me losing the battle with my forced scowl, but he shoves off the doorframe and leaves without another word. He's too charming. He always has been. I strip down to my knickers and fall into bed with the memory of his fangs in my neck, his body pressed against mine, and my fingers playing between my legs.

  A shrill ringing wakes me, causing me to sit up and assess my surroundings. Right, I'm at Tamiel's house.

  "Bugger," I mumble, knowing exactly who is calling. I dash across the room and fumble through the pockets of my jeans before pulling out the device and staring at the screen—Izzy. Shitting hell.

  "Hi, Izzy." I try for light and easy, but I can practically feel the rage permeating the other end of the line.

  "Hi, yourself. Helena, what are you playing at? Gwen is in a panic. She said you're gone and so's Tamiel. He didn't steal you away, did he?"

  The idea of Tamiel tossing me over his shoulder like her mate did makes me laugh. He could do it, but I'd make him pay afterward. "No. I sort of stole him." As I speak, I tug on my jeans, not wanting to be so exposed if Tamiel shows up.

  "But why? I don't understand what would make you leave us like this. We're supposed to find Calista, and we can't do that if you're not here."

  My gut clenches. I don't want them near her. Not if my dreams have any truth to them. Reaching into my pocket, I touch the moonstone and feel its power radiate into my palm. If they knew I had this… "I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

  She sighs over the line and gives a little groan of frustration. "Fine. But when this is all over, you owe us a girl's weekend. We need you."

  Her words make my throat tight. "You've got your shifter."

  "He won't watch The Bachelor with me."

  A laugh escapes me and I swipe a traitorous tear from my eye. "Well, what good is he?"

  Her mate's deep Scottish timbre catches my ears. "Tell that witch exactly how good I am, Beauty."

  "Ugh, that's all right, then. I'll call when I've more information." My sister witch takes a sharp breath and I know she's about to start arguing with me. "Izzy, please?"

  She lets out a heavy sigh. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."

  "You married a shifter. I think that's the worst thing anyone could possibly do. Which means, I'm safe."

  "We're not married yet."

  My heart lurches. "When are you going to do it? Your curse is broken."

  "We're going to wait until all three of us have broken the curse."

  "What? That's the most pointless waste of your time. You've gone centuries…millennia without him. Why would you wait?"

  Her bell-like laugh rings through the line. "This argument in favor of love from you. The face that launched a thousand ships?"

  My throat tightens at that dig. "I—"

  "Oh, Hel, I'm sorry. Bugger. I didn't mean it."

  "It's fine. You're right. Who am I to advise you on anything in matters of the heart? I've never loved anyone and never will. Thank you for the reminder." I'm being a miserable cow, I know it, but her mention of my past breaks my ghost of a heart.

  I hang up before she can respond and clutch my phone as I take deep breaths to calm the emotion threatening to overtake me. Her happiness is more important than my guilty conscience. If I'm honest, I haven't been that woman in a long time, and I don't plan to again. It'll take everything in me to bring down Calista and more than likely I'll lose my life to do it. But my sisters are worth any sacrifice.

  A fingertip trails across my bare shoulder, making me nearly jump out of my skin. "Jesus, God!"

  Tamiel's laughter coats me like a warm blanket. "No, it's just me. Forget I was here, did you?"

  I sniff and hold my head up high, not caring one bit that I'm in my bra. "You're not overly memorable."

  "Oh, I'm not? I suppose I'll have to change that."

  I have to work to force a frown on my lips. He's so damn cocky. "Were you standing there the entire time I was on the phone?"

  "I was. Sounds to me like you've been busted already."

  Of course he heard the whole conversation. Vampire hearing is more sensitive than any other supernatural creature's. "Eavesdropping won't get you very far, Fallen."

  "So, the face that launched a thousand ships?" He turns the topic to the very thing I want to forget, and my back stiffens in response. "I wondered. Helena isn't far off from Helen. Tell me, did the movies do your story justice? The last one I saw painted you as a sympathetic beauty lost in the love of a prince." He leans in and whispers, "Still an adulteress, though. But we're all sinners, aren't we?"

  Anger races through me. He knows nothing of my true story. Of what I did to cause the deaths of thousands. All because I wanted freedom from a husband who mistreated me. "That's enough," I manage through a throat tight with emotion.

  "No, I don't think it is. You're locked up tighter than a bank vault, and yet you expect me to just give in and let you have control over this situation. I'm not going to sit by and watch you lead us into an impossible battle." His hands are balled into tight fists and those platinum irises burn with a fierce determination. "I'm willing to help you, Helena. But only if you're honest with me. I'm trying to earn my redemption and Gabriel sent me to aid you in your task. I'll not have you leading me to my damnation."

  A stone sits in my stomach. He's already breaking my hold. "Tamiel, look at me." The angel locks gazes with me and I know I've got him. "You'll aid me because I say I want you to. You don't need to know anything else for now."

  He takes a long breath, and for a moment, I fear he's going to argue. Instead, he cups my cheek and nods. "Right, let's get you something to eat before you waste away."

  That'll do. I jut my chin out and raise an eyebrow. "I'll just…get dressed." Then I close the door, separating us before I give in and kiss the idiot.

  Tamiel

  Letting her think she's got me wrapped up in her spell is going to be the most frustrating thing I've ever done. Helena shuts her door in my face, and every possessive instinct in me screams to break it down and remind her who is truly in charge. I don't trust that she's not going to magic herself out of my house, away from my protection. She's strong-willed and hard-headed, and damn I love that about her, except for when her safety is on the line. But I remember Gabriel's words to me. Do whatever it takes to gain her trust. She'll need you more than she knows. Why the archangel can't just give her the power she needs, I'll never understand. They say God works in mysterious ways, and I know more than anyone, my Father is the master of teaching us by leading us to untried paths. He has a plan. We won't know it until we're on the other side.

  "Helena," I say, knocking on her door. "Don't go anywhere without me, love. I mean it. New York is filled with things much more dangerous t
han shifter packs."

  She doesn't answer me, but I know she heard. I can hear her breathing and the slight rise in the speed of her pulse.

  I turn and walk down the hall, needing to make a plan I can dangle in front of her while somehow making it seem like her idea. My little warrior needs to feel in control. Lucky for her, I'm willing to give in when she needs me to. My vampire's body comes with a lot of perks and enhanced hearing is one of my favorites. Even from the top of the stairs, I can hear her humming softly to herself.

  Dragging my hand through my hair, I sigh and roll my shoulders. I just fed, but taking us here cost more energy than I thought. I need her again, but it's too soon. Hunger of a very different kind races through my body at the thought of her, how soft her curves felt under my hands. My cock lengthens and presses against my jeans. Fuck. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold out without being inside her. Maybe I should go take care of my problem before she comes downstairs. But it's obvious a lonely wank in my room wouldn't leave me satisfied in the least.

  My ears pop, the shifting of the air behind me making my spine stiffen.

  Company.

  With a glance over my shoulder, I see him. Gabriel. He's draped himself across my loveseat, his long frame too large for the short piece of furniture.

  He smirks at me, his head hanging upside down. "Oh, little brother, what have you been up to?"

  "Why are you here? You promised no interference."

  In one graceful motion, he stands and crosses his arms over his chest. "Fine, I've only come with news that concerns the fate of your witch." He waves one hand in a dismissive gesture. "If that's not important to you…"

  "Oh for pity’s sake, Gabriel."

  "Your witch and her coven are doomed to purgatory."

  My blood runs cold. "No. We'll break the curse. Izzy already broke hers."