by Izzy Shows
But it couldn't scream anymore, couldn't move more than the involuntary twitches that now consumed its muscles. Along with its blood flow, I had taken the precious oxygen it needed to be able to think, to move, to cry out.
With a final word, I exploded the precious organ in its chest, and it slumped to the ground, dead.
I tilted my head back, sucking in a deep breath, and allowed the euphoria to rush through me. It had been so long since I'd made a kill, and the euphoria that came with it this time was greater than anything I'd felt before. This was life. This was what made life worth living.
My body felt like it was on fire. The world was somehow sharper and brighter around me and yet difficult to focus on at the same time, and my breath was coming in short pants. I felt a tingling sensation in my fingers and toes, the need to move, to take action, to do something.
Strong hands at my shoulders whirled me around, and I came face to face with Grayson. The look on his face was indescribable, but there was one emotion I didn't need any help making out.
Lust.
"Gods be damned, that was the most fucking beautiful thing I've ever seen," he growled, pulling me closer to him.
I went willingly, head tilted back and lips slightly parted.
Yes, yes, this is what I need.
The adrenaline of the hunt was coursing through me as my blood pumped hard through my body. I had never felt this good before.
Is it because it's been so long since you took a life, or because you did this with Grayson?
It was difficult to think, but that one thought came through loud and clear. I wasn't certain I wanted to figure it out, but before I could get another thought to process in my brain, Grayson spun me to one side, pressed me against a wall, and his mouth was on mine.
I moaned at the taste of his lips, and he took the open invitation, his teeth capturing my lower lip and pulling it into his mouth to suck on it.
With every pull of his lips, it felt like sparks were shooting straight to that hot spot between my legs, and I couldn't hold back the mewling sound that escaped me as I pressed myself wantonly against him.
He growled, thrusting his tongue between my lips, and I eagerly met him thrust for thrust, feeling like a starving woman who had finally been offered sustenance. He was the drug I craved, and I couldn't get enough of him, not when he was offering himself up on a platter.
So good. He feels so good. Need more. Need him.
The thoughts were fleeting, and I was in full agreement. Yes, I needed him, needed more of him. Needed something I couldn't quite place, but I knew he could give me what I needed.
I pressed myself harder against him, my hands roving over his arms and back, tangling in his hair and pulling on it, earning a ferocious growl and a sharp bite to my lower lip.
The pain of his bite, the metallic taste of blood in my mouth, and the delicious pleasure of his tongue soothing the hurt were intoxicating. I'd never known I was the type to enjoy pain with my pleasure, but with Grayson it felt so right.
He abandoned my lips to pay homage to my neck, and I whimpered at the loss of his lips, then moaned the second his tongue began to dance lightly against the skin of my throat.
"Yes, please," I whispered as he traced the curve of my jugular with his tongue, moaning and shivering at the same time.
"What do you need, baby?" he murmured, nipping lightly at my skin.
"Bite me. God, please bite me," I begged shamelessly. "I need to feel you in me."
24
Grayson
Bite me.
Those words were the best damned aphrodisiac on the planet. I felt my length, already painfully hard, somehow harden even more as soon as I heard the words come from her lips.
I need to feel you in me.
Without hesitation, I sank my fangs into her skin and heard the small cry of pain followed by the throaty moan.
"Yes, God, yes," she moaned, her nails digging into my back.
She had no idea what she did to me, but that was for the best. She could never know the control she had over me, because damn it if she didn't own me body and soul. I'd do anything for her, give my life for her, I knew in that moment. Anything she asked of me would be hers.
And, gods, she tasted so good. Her blood filled my mouth, hot and heavy as I worked the skin of her throat, needing more of her. I wanted to taste every inch of her, trace the outline of her lips and kiss my way down her sweet body until I reached the apex of her thighs, then spread her wide and taste her there, run my tongue over her slit, taste her honey right from the source. I wanted to hear her moan as she came apart for me, breaking into a thousand pieces, every one of them belonging to me.
Mine. She’s mine. I'll never let her go.
At last I left her neck, swiping my tongue over the open wound to collect the last drops of blood and allow my saliva to heal her, then returned to her lips. I thrust my tongue deep inside her and explored her with renewed vigor.
The little gasp and moan she gave me in response urged me on, and the way she arched her back to thrust her breasts against my chest made me go wild. I reached down with one hand, grasped her leg, and pulled it up to wrap around my waist. She thrust her hips up eagerly, grinding herself against me, and a low, tortured groan passed my lips.
She was going to be the end of me, but what a way to go. I would die a thousand times just to taste her once.
"Gray, I need...I need..." she whimpered against my lips, a tortured sound that pierced my heart.
"I know what you need, baby," I growled, pulling her tighter against me. She gasped at the movement, at the way it brought our hips harder together, and her eyes fluttered closed for a second.
"Yes."
Yes! Take her, claim her, make her ours. Take what she freely offers, bind her to us forever. CLAIM HER!
I could smell her arousal, the sweet aroma that was entirely hers, spreading out into the air, an intoxicating scent that drove me onward, called to me, demanded I meet its needs. I could hear her heart beating faster and faster, could feel the way she responded to everything I did, but nothing was as good as the little sounds she made, the way she begged for me.
The need to take her, to claim her, was riding me hard, almost more than I could bear.
Her hips rocked against me again, and for a moment I couldn't think, couldn't breathe. I needed her so badly.
Something's wrong...
I frowned at the thought. What could be wrong right now?
But once it had entered my mind, I couldn't chase it away. I could smell and hear the evidence of her desire--but I couldn't feel it. I couldn't feel the pleasure she was feeling, couldn't feel her lust and desire, couldn't feel anything from her.
With a snarl, I yanked myself away from her, leaving her stumbling to catch herself before she fell to the ground.
Liar.
"Why the fuck can't I feel you?" I snarled, glaring down at her.
"What?" She looked up at me, her eyes disoriented, and I knew she couldn't make sense of what was happening.
"Why can’t I feel you?" I demanded.
"I don't know what you mean!"
"I should be able to feel everything you’re feeling," I snapped. "Why the fuck can't I?"
Her eyes dropped to the ground, and her cheeks flushed with heat at the same time that her heart began to race. I could hear the way it pounded.
Not with desire. With fear.
"Why, Nina? Tell me. Tell me why I can't feel you."
A small, tortured sound came from her, and she twisted her fingers together as her shoulders slumped.
"The thralling...it didn't work..." she whispered, shaking her head. "It's blood magic. I'm immune."
Traitor. Betrayer. Liar.
I clenched my fists, and for a second I saw red as the rage took hold of me. I couldn't stand to look at her, knowing that she'd lied to me yet again, that she’d been taking me for a fool this whole time.
Deceit. Treachery.
Each word was a dag
ger in my heart, twisting around and around to ensure the worst possible pain. How could she have done this again?
Unable to look at her another second, I spun and ran away from her. Away from her lies and deceit, away from what she had made me think and feel. I couldn't believe she would do this to me again.
Traitor.
25
Nina
I lay in my bed, curled up into a ball under the covers, and stared listlessly at the wall in front of me. I'd been like this for days now, not sleeping or eating, unable to get out of the bed to do anything.
I knew that sooner or later, the Council was going to call me before them for another report on the wolves, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I couldn't make myself care about anything other than the guilt and pain in my heart.
He hates me. He hates me and doesn't want anything to do with me.
The look in his eyes when he found out about the thrall bond... I closed my eyes tightly, willing it away, but it still haunted me. There had been so much pain and outrage in his eyes, and it was all deserved.
No matter what I wanted to do, I kept hurting him. It was the last thing I'd wanted, even though Conall had insisted that I get close to Gray, to manipulate him and get more information out of him.
Maybe even kill him, when the time comes.
I flinched at the thought. Yes, Conall wanted a lot, but he hadn't asked for that. Not yet. And I knew I wouldn't be able to do it if he asked.
Killing Gray would be akin to killing myself, for some reason. I couldn't make myself...
Hurt him? Liar. You've done that a thousand times. The Council was right: you shouldn't be anywhere near him. All you do is cause him pain.
It was true, I thought hopelessly. All I did was hurt him, while he went out of his way to make me happy. But he'd seemed so happy on the hunt. I'd seen the joy in his eyes while we were running together, and the way he’d looked at me when we were fighting the hybrid.
And then the way he'd taken me into his arms after the kill...
But, no, I couldn't think about that. I didn't deserve to think about that. Stolen kisses, that's what they were, because I'd taken them from him under the guise of a lie. He hadn't known I was lying to him the whole time; otherwise, he never would have touched me.
Why did I have to hurt him at every turn? It was the last thing I wanted, though, God help me, I couldn't figure out why. It shouldn't have mattered to me; I should have been happy to hurt a vampire. But all I wanted lately was to make him smile, to be near him and know he took pleasure in my company.
Well, good job there. He doesn't want you around him ever again.
There'd been no mistaking the hatred I'd seen in his eyes. I wouldn't ever forget it, not as long as I lived.
A knock sounded at my outer door, though I could barely hear it inside my bedroom. Terror seized my heart for a moment. Was it Gray? Had he come to deliver me back to the dungeon, now that he knew I'd lied to him yet again?
I deserved it. I wouldn't even fight him this time, I promised myself.
Face the music, Nina. This is the reward you deserve.
Though it was a struggle, I somehow got myself out of bed, moved mechanically through the bedroom into the antechamber, and then opened the door. I didn't care that I was wearing my nightgown. It didn't matter.
But it was Alex who was standing outside my door, looking as upbeat and chipper as ever.
I frowned.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Why, I'm here to be your fairy godmother, of course! I hope I got that reference right." He frowned for a second. "Never mind. Just let me in, and I'll explain everything."
I shrugged and stepped to the side, let him into the room and then closed the door beside him.
"I'm not up for conversation right now, Alex."
"Oh, I know all about that," he said, taking a seat on the couch. "Gray told me. I tried to defend you, but he's not hearing it, not right now. Give him some time. He’ll cool down. Or don't, actually. That’s what I'm here for."
"I don't understand. He told you? And he hasn't reported it to the Council?"
"No, not at all. He doesn't want to repeat his last mistake. Last time, he acted in haste, and he wants to have a clear mind before he decides what to do. Don't worry, he'll come around. I'm sure of it. We're going to make him come around."
His eyes were practically glowing, he was so excited, though I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.
"I don't understand. How can we make him... He shouldn't get over it, Alex. I lied. Again."
"Yes, but is it really your fault? He said you were immune to the thrall bond. Is that right?"
I sank into a chair opposite him, a heavy sigh escaping me. "It’s more complicated than that. It could have worked, if I let it, and I would have, but I didn't... I wasn't paying attention, because we were..."
He grinned. "Enjoying each other."
My cheeks flamed. "Yes, well, that, and I wasn't paying attention. I didn't even realize it until after he’d left. And then I knew it was too late to call him back. He would have thought I was lying about it being an accident, and I couldn't guarantee that I'd be able to make it work a second time, not if the first time was any indication."
He nodded. "That makes sense. Gray doesn't react well to news like that, so I can understand why you didn't tell him right away, although you could have avoided a lot of this by going straight to him. There’s no need to harp on that, though. What’s done is done. He'll realize that it was outside your control sooner or later. I'm betting on sooner."
"Why?"
"Because we're going to force the issue, of course."
"I don't think that's a good idea, and I don't see how we would, anyway."
His eyes twinkled. "That's what I'm here for. Did you know that tonight is one of Gray's mating balls?"
"What's a mating ball?"
"It's a big to-do. Basically, a bunch of eligible women line up for Gray to talk to and hope that he's their mate," he said, waving a hand as if it didn't matter at all.
My heart clenched in my chest, a physical ache I couldn't ignore.
Gray is looking for a mate? He really does hate me. He doesn't want anything to do with me so much that he wants to get married.
"I didn't know he was...looking for a mate," I said, trying to keep my face free of the conflicted emotions inside me. "I mean, shouldn't that be simple, though? He just has to find someone nice."
Alex shook his head. "No, that's not how it works. A vampire's mate is literally the other half of their soul. We're incomplete without them, and finding them can sometimes be incredibly easy or incredibly difficult. Some people never find their mate. Gray has written the entire thing off since he was a little kid. He’s never really believed he would find one, for some reason, and he's only doing it now because the Council is forcing him to."
Hope flared in my chest, and I quickly squashed it.
I don't care. It doesn't matter. He's just a vampire. It doesn't mean anything. He doesn't mean anything to me.
"I still don't see what this has to do with me," I said, striving for an impassive look.
He arched an eyebrow. "Right. Sure, you don't. OK, I'll play ball. I want you to go."
I reared back. "Are you crazy? Gray hates me. And I'm a thrall. If I show up at this mating ball, I'm going to get hauled out immediately."
"But it's a masquerade ball, and you're a blood mage, so I'm pretty sure you can hide yourself, right? We can all smell blood mages a mile away, but no one can smell you."
I bit my lip. "Yeah, I mask it."
"Which means no one will know what you are when you go in, if you're dressed for the part."
"That doesn't solve the matter of Gray hating me. He won't want me there, or anywhere near him."
He rolled his eyes. "He does not hate you, Nina. Don’t be ridiculous. It's only because he's so tied up in you that he's so upset. He just needs to be reminded of that. Besides, it'll be fun. A
ren't you bored, cooped up in here?"
I shook my head. "I deserve to be locked away for what I did."
"Well, I hate to be a stickler for facts, but you aren't locked away. This imposed jail you've got going on is entirely fake, and you can walk out of this room whenever you want. But all right--don't do it for the fun of it, then. Do it for Gray. Fight for him, win him back. He wants you, and you want him. Why is that so difficult?"
"I do not!" I stood up abruptly. "Have you forgotten what I am? I do not have feelings for a vampire. It’s completely out of the question. I hate vampires."
He snorted. "That was very impressive, but you're fooling yourself if that's what you think. I don't think you hate me, and I know you don't hate Gray, so that's two vampires right there."
I glared at him. "You're wrong. Gray doesn't mean anything to me."
I'm not falling for him, and even if I was, the consequences would be dire. We don't belong together. We’d never work. But it doesn't matter, because I don't care about him. He's a vampire, and I hate them, I thought, repeating it over and over as if that would make it stick.
"If that's true, then why do you care if Gray hates you or not? If you really don't like vampires, if you really hate all of us, you should be more than happy getting up to a little mischief with a bunch of snooty vampires. Pull one over on them. Prove it."
"Fine," I snapped. "I'll do it, just to shut you up."
His eyes gleamed. "Perfect."
26
Nina
I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't have let him talk me into this.
That was all I could think as I moved through the crowded ballroom, my gown swishing with every step. Alex had given me a beautiful crimson gown with a low, scooped neckline and black lace curling up from the hemline. I had never worn anything so decadent, and I was terrified of ruining it.
