Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance

by Travis Luedke

  The walls shook and the windows shattered as though waves of some sonic boom rolled through the room.

  As if she rode on an electric pulse of pure rapturous feeling, she let out an exhilarated scream as the room literally lit up and crackled with electricity, their floating, entwined bodies spiraling in the air.

  The room spun around her and she became utterly lost from herself. Incandescent colors streamed in front of her vision, as a roar boomed in her ears, while everything slowed with a surreal hush. She ceased to feel all of it as a human would, and instead, she became the feeling. Her logical mind floated away as Valentine lost her human consciousness and became all beast.

  ~* * * *~

  Payne reveled in her feminine dominance while he watched her move on him. No woman on Earth had ever taken the King of Beasts and no being had ever spoken to his inner beast. His woman. He watched in absolute wonder as her body rippled with a striking pink rose color, her marbled skin gleaming at him. With the sensual command her chimera beast wielded, a call he’d never known in all this time, touched deep inside his wrathful heart.

  At the same time, he fought an inner battle to keep his beast at bay, aware of the ruthless power which he’d encouraged all those years. Payne lost the battle and lost control as she took him to wild, sensual heights, sucking him into a sexual rapture he’d never experienced in a thousand years of existence.

  His whole body rippled to hard gleaming marble, his hips jerking back of their own violation. Gripping her hips while her body shuddered with ecstasy in his grasp, he thrust up deeper into her. His body was not his own—the feral being took over and he helplessly pierced her with a powerful thrust. He climaxed while spearing her with his marbling cock.

  Her body rose ramrod stiff as though hit by a mortal wound and her skin rippled to a coral red. She dropped forward, releasing a breathless gasp and fell from his body.

  He caught her as she hung upside down in midair.

  Her eyes remained closed while her long streaked hair touched the floor.

  Payne instantly fleshed as he grabbed her and gently lowered her to the bed. Fear stabbed at his chest. He’d never known dread before, while his heart pounded relentlessly in his ears. He placed his ear to her chest and heard nothing, as she lay motionless on the bed. He felt for a breath from her lifeless lips.

  Her skin became an ivory white and the white streaks disappeared from her raven hair.

  I killed her? He shook his head. “No,” he whispered low as he embraced her limp body and drew her to his chest.

  Grief was not a feeling known to the most feared being to ever tread the Earth. A torturous misery filled a heart which used to be stone and escalated into a dreadful wrath, while his body shook with tremendous rage. “No!” he howled.

  Victor Payne ceased to be, as he went to full raging spectered beast. An occurrence, which hadn’t happened in three hundred years while his eyes glowed to a blinding bright. A horrendous wave of devastating cosmic power spiraled out from him and bounced like a booming destructive roll, lashing over anything near.

  Everything in the room began to fly around, as clothing and her bags drew up into a wind-whipped, swirling vortex. The rugs ripped from the quaking floors and chairs splintered apart, the wooden pieces flying sideways while the door yanked away from its hinges. The nails of the wood from the walls glowed with heat and rattled from the wood to join the whirlwind like funnel of power. Glass shattered and smoke puffed out from the spiraling pieces of flaming wood.

  A creaking metallic echo sounded out while the entire bungalow hurled up and away from its foundation. The entire spinning, heaving mass plumed out and dropped back to the ground with an enormous booming sound of splintered wood and useless debris as dust and smoke billowed out through the entire camp.

  The King of the Lycians returned to power and his return had indeed shaken the Earth. They both shimmered while floating for a brief moment above the ruined pile of rubble as their surreal marbled images faded, and then disappeared.

  ~* * * *~

  Rayne Estate, San Francisco U.S.A.

  Penelope closed the door and gazed over at him.

  Payne stood rigid and still in the hall.

  “She’s all right, Malias,” Pen whispered.

  “Yes, Alexander said she would...” His voice fell away and his eyes grew cold.

  “She’s in stasis, but physically, she’s all right,” Penelope assured him.

  He remained silent and looked as if he stared right through her.

  “You can visit with her,” she urged.

  “No.” He stepped back.

  Her eyes fluttered at him. “But, she’ll be fine; you—”

  “I want you to call him.”

  “Grigori?” she gasped.

  He nodded and his stature grew before her eyes. “We’ll send her home, where she belongs.”

  Penelope drew in a breath and raised her stunned gaze to peer at the most formidable being she’d ever known.

  “We shall all be responsible for ourselves,” he growled and it echoed like a hiss along the hallway.

  Pen sighed and shook her head. “But you loved—”

  “I do not LOVE.” The walls rattled with his words.

  She gulped and stepped back.

  The king of beasts turned and moved down the hallway.

  Tears fell along her pale cheeks. “It doesn’t work that way, my king.” She sighed and entered the bedroom where Serena lie peacefully. I need to talk with Alexander. Her thoughts were troubled as she went over the events of the last few days.

  Malias showed up in their living room with Serena in his arms. He kept repeating that he’d killed her.

  Later on, he’d told Alexander he would give her up, if only she would live.

  Alexander tried to console him, but he wouldn’t allow anyone near him.

  Penelope took Valentine’s pale hand in hers. If she were returned to the Mergers, it would solve the upcoming war. But, Malias also told them of Luke. How he intended to track him down before he did any more damage.

  Poor Malias, so cursed, with such burdens. And now? His human ways were gone. She sensed it when he stripped them away from his presence and a chill emanated from him. She had to admit, it would now be a merciful thing to have Serena’s memory of him completely wiped. Penelope fought her tears. Because it was all that was left of Victor Payne. She sighed heavily. Just a memory. She turned away to seek Alexander out.

  ~* * * *~

  The Villa Ballatori, New York

  “Serena!” A voice called out from the stairs. “We’ll be late!”

  Serena Ballatori gazed at her reflection the mirror. I do look good, I hope. Reaching to her dark hair to tuck in a stray curl, she paused. For a moment, she thought she saw a white streak in it. Something is different about my hair, but what? She titled her head at her reflection. It's long and dark just like always.

  Her brow furled as she wondered about her homecoming yet again. It's all so confusing. They said I was away for a long time, and they were all glad to have me back. She shook her head. But where did I go? I don't remember anything from before I arrived home. She turned from the mirror. And no one ever answers my questions.

  I guess I'm just nervous about this upcoming show. The Ballatori Line was debuting, and she'd worked on it for six months. It’s too bad Sabrina would miss it. Gio informed her about her twin living in the UK. Serena sighed. Why won't they let me go and see her? I wanted to fly there and Gio said it wasn’t a good idea. I hope she’s okay. She shrugged at her reflection. Sabrina would’ve loved this whole Fashion show gig and we could’ve dressed alike and played head games with everyone, just like the old days. Man, I really miss her. She went out to the hall and shut the door behind her.

  ~* * * *~

  Rasputin watched the king of the Mergers closely as he stood silent and troubled in front of the high window.

  Giovanni Ballatori shrugged his wide shoulders. “I think of Troy and Helena and the gift, y
ou know? The Trojan horse?” His eyes glowed as he looked down at the driveway to watch Serena climb into the limo. “Something’s amiss—I feel it in my gargoyle bones.”

  “Malias has been back with his Clan for the entire year and he promises to take care of the Lucas problem,” Grigori spoke from behind him.

  “I know of what all he’s done and it enforces the truce, but he’s known for his ruthlessness not his kindness. With him finding Serena and returning her to the fold? It just makes no sense!” The tall, Italian king drew his wide shoulders up while his green eyes sparked.

  Grigori folded his hands in front of him. “Times have changed, My Lord, and kings change with them.”

  Gio let out a scornful laugh. “And, I don't know why you think the twins should remain separated, Grigori.”

  The powerful Mesmer sighed. “They’re connected and it would not be wise, since Lucas has set his sights on one, he’ll know about the other if we allow it.”

  Giovanni nodded. “Yes, you’re right, as always.” He watched the limo pull away from the drive. “I just feel...” His deep voice fell away.

  Serena flashed that stunning smile of hers and waved at him through the open window of the limo.

  “And where was she for five years, Grigori? Who was she?” He raised a light brow while he gazed down at his lovely sister.

  Rasputin sighed. “I told you all I know; I found her mind was mostly blank when the Raynes’ called me and we should be grateful there wasn’t more damage.”

  “Yeah, again, you’re right.” He laughed bitterly. “You don't...,” Gio faltered. “How do the Americans say it? You don't look a gift horse in the mouth?”

  Grigori laughed and the room grew cold with it. “Yes, my lord, I think it goes something like that.” He stared at the Merger king's back. “You know all the Mesmers only wish for peace. And, so far? That has been the way of it. “He pursed his lips and kept his thoughts blank.

  The Merger leader stilled at his words. “Yes, but that’s never been the Lycian way of it.”

  Remaining silent, the Mesmer monk drew his cold, dark eyes over to the painting on the wall. The twin Giovanni girls smiled down at him from the old painting, their sapphire star earrings twinkling from the wall. Keeping them apart will only last so long.

  Giovanni turned to him. “Yes, it helps, but won’t for much longer. Hopefully, Malias will catch up with his bastard brother soon, and we can have Sabrina back with her sister.”

  Rasputin sighed at his clumsy mistake of thought and turned his mind to blank again. He’d known better than to do that; he smiled and gave the king a knowing nod.

  ~* * * *~

  Lycian Keep, Lithuania

  “Get out!” The voice echoed throughout the dark castle as the stone walls shook.

  The frightened maid scurried down the hallway.

  Damon watched her terrified rush as she ran by him. He sighed and opened the double doors, his startled gaze swinging around the huge library. A cold and forlorn sense chilled the room. He could feel it immediately and it wasn't just the broken walls and bare, glass-like floors. A coldness penetrated even through his beastly skin as he drew a breath in and hesitated. I promised Jack and Constance I would try, but... He shook his dark head. Malias has changed so much that I don’t feel encouraged.

  “Encouraged?” Malias asked from the desk. “Is that an ideal or a feeling, baby brother?”

  “Yes, my kingly brother—we’re worried and have no hope now.”

  “Hope?” The king laughed and the frost from it permeated the entire bare room.

  Damon stepped closer and smiled as if Malias were a misbehaving child. “And why are we scaring the servants?” He tilted his head at him. “Poor human things, they do have feelings, you know?”

  Malias sighed and his beast like hand drew up to his chest. “Oh? I am so sorry to tread on feelings!” He grunted with disgust.

  Damon looked around. “And I do love what you’ve done as far as decorating,” he teased. “Is it modern Beirut with a touch of the Gaza Strip for flair or something similar?” His amused gaze took in the many cracks in the glass walls and the broken fireplace. “Looks like the demo crew had a fucking wrecking ball in here!”

  “What do you need, baby brother?” Malias scowled at him.

  “And no sense of humor, either!” He shook his head. “I do miss the swaggering wise-cracking cop more and more, everyday.”

  His big brother remained silent and impassive.

  “We,” he faltered, “Your family?”

  Malias showed no reaction.

  “We wish to know what we can do.”

  The king raised a dark brow at him.

  “To help,” Damon croaked out the uncomfortable word.

  “With Luke?”

  Damon shook his head. He’d been troubled about his twin brother, Lucas, and his recent actions, but he believed everyone had their own destiny to deal with. “No, Malias, not with Luke.” He looked him in the eye. “You.”

  The king stood from the chair. “Can you change a fixed fate, Mesmer boy?”

  Damon drew his head back in puzzlement.

  “Can you take away all of my sins, baby brother?” His snake like voice echoed out.

  Startled, Damon stared, as he hadn’t seen this beast part of his brother in several centuries. He lowered his head. “I think you’ve paid enough.” He thought of Valentine and remembered the way his brother looked at her in Monte Carlo.

  “Stop that!” Malias’ beast-like voice grew in the room.

  “What?”

  Those dark, cold eyes narrowed at him. “You had an image in your mind.”

  Damon stepped closer. “Of what, big brother?”

  “Just don’t.” Malias looked enraged.

  “I admit...we, your brothers, didn’t exactly show support for you and her, but—”

  The room began to rumble.

  Damon did not blink. “We were wrong!” he shouted over the clattering noise, his body moving from side to side, as the floor rippled under his feet.

  Malias laughed with a cold, cruel scorn and the glass in the room shimmied. “No, you were dead right.”

  At the vengeful power his brother wielded, Damon swallowed heavily and took another step toward the desk. “You’ve watched over us and the kingdom for...” He scoffed and looked around. “Fucking ever!”

  His brooding brother remained quiet.

  “And, after a thousand years of this shit?” He sighed with revulsion. “You should be able to have...” He smiled. “Love and life. We do have that right, you know, to the pursuit of happiness?”

  The King did chuckle. “You fucking crack me up, Damon.” He shook his head and appeared to be the old Payne for a second. “We don’t live by human rights crap!” His laughter halted abruptly. “But, it's not you who gets to decide though, is it?”

  Damon, who did have Mesmer abilities, experienced what his brother held in check, as an overwhelming rage and cold bitterness hit him like a palatable wave of nauseous misery.

  “I’m fated to be what I am!” Malias shouted.

  He stepped back as the fireplace lit up behind Malias. “Yes, you believe you’re cursed for all the sins you committed while king. I know this; but you’ve paid enough already!”

  “No, I have new sins, baby brother, and they‘ll never be wiped away.” He swiveled his chair back to the fireplace.

  Damon waited for a long, tense moment.

  “Now go and tell your brother, Lycian, I’ve found your twin,” Malias spoke low from the chair.

  “What?”

  “Yes, and I will be there to take care of it.”

  “No more clan bloodshed, Malias!”

  The king swiveled his chair back around. “He’s the one killing and raging war in our name, brother!”

  “Yes, I know.” Damon thought of Luke. “Just abdicate again and leave it to the monsters!”

  “We’re not human, Damon.” His eyes glowed brightly. “We are the monsters.
”

  “Yes, I know very well we’re not human. But, I also know our lives aren’t worth fucking spit without our mates!” This time he shook the walls with his angry voice. He flipped around, leaving the cold king to his lonely reign of wrath.

  ~* * * *~

  The Metropolitan Triplex, Manhattan, New York

  “The show was fabulous, Serena, so edgy and cool!” the assistant gushed.

  An unenthusiastic Serena shrugged. “Yeah, it was all right, I guess.”

  “You guess?” the woman exclaimed. “I’ve been your assistant for almost a year now and I’ve never seen such awesomely cool work!”

  Serena sighed and sat down at the dressing table. “Yeah, cool.”

  “Well, maybe it's because you wanted your sister here?” The girl placed her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry, we’re not supposed to—”

  “What? Not supposed to mention her?” Serena grew angry. “Yeah and why the fuck not?”

  Her assistant backed away. “You know what? I’m going to get you some of the bubbly they’re pouring like water out there, okay?” She shut the dressing room door behind her.

  Serena sighed and glared into the mirror. Something just wasn’t right about all of this. “I fucking hate mysteries!”

  Sabrina’s mirrored reflection stepped close from behind her. “So, would you like to solve it?” Her identical blue eyes twinkled as she held her hand out to her twin. “Grigori paid me a visit.”

  “What?”

  Sabrina tilted her head at her confused sister. “You were good at solving mysteries once, Detective Valentine.” Her smile grew wider. “And, you don't even know what you can do!” Her bubbly laughter rang out as she touched her sister's shoulder.

  ~* * * *~

  Ballatori Villa

  “What!” Giovanni shook with rage while he stared at them.

  Sabrina stepped forward. “You heard.”

  Serena stepped in next to her. “No more.”

  “So, the women Ballatori end the cold Chimera war all by themselves?” Giovanni laughed with skepticism.

  “I’m in love with Malias of Lycian.” Serena's body shook.

  His eyes rounded. “You’re—what?” He marbled to black.

  “Yes, and I’m going to start dating Lucas,” Sabrina announced with a weaker conviction. She shrugged her shoulders at her sister. “You know, I mean, I can't just...?”