Morganna's Sacrifice (Vampyre Falls: Blended Species Book 1)

by Adrianna Dane

  She gasped at the sensation as his fingers pierced her, pressing inside her, and his thumb began to draw sensuous circles around her swollen clit.

  All strength seemed to leave her as she gave herself into their hands. Her head dropped back, her eyelids fluttered closed as she yielded her inner light to their combined, velvet darkness. Her skin burned with sensation, aroused by their closeness, but their hands elicited her passionate responses. The urgency for intercourse gripped her, demanding her submission, placing her power into their hands.

  She felt the climax surging, and thrust her hips against Keelan’s fingers buried so deep inside her. And then she was over the edge, pulsing, shattering. Caught in the pleasurable throes of the intense orgasm, she barely felt the pricks of penetration as Daffyd’s fangs impaled her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Keelan’s hands dropped away and Daffyd’s arms wrapped around her. She felt her blood being sucked from her body, her strength ebbing, consciousness receding.

  There should have been pain, she was certain of it. But there was none, only a euphoric feeling of floating above the ground and away from reality.

  “Keel—” She couldn’t manage more than a murmur of sound. Daffyd’s arms tightened, binding her to him. Her own arms lowered and like a rag doll she lay within his embrace as he drained her life’s blood away.

  Her eyelids grew heavy and it took all her energy to open them. It was a strange feeling as she stared up through the opening at the clear night and the moon high above which seemed to be drawing closer and closer. And then she realized it wasn’t the moon moving toward her, but she was rising up toward it.

  Finally, Daffyd lifted his head. He drew her more securely into his arms as he carried them higher and out into the night. She had no strength to resist. Suddenly, the world seemed far smaller than it had been before as he transported her away.

  They dropped to a ledge so high above the ground she could hardly make out the valley below. Mere dots of light wavering at a distance. He settled her at the edge of the precipice, steadying her so she wouldn’t tumble from the ledge. He stood behind her, one arm wrapped around her midriff, a hand cupping her naked breast.

  “I can see why Keelan never forgot you. Your blood is rich and almost as powerful as his. You are magnificent as well as courageous.”

  She stiffened and gasped as his teeth sank once more into her pliant flesh, feasting on her blood. She shuddered at the dual sensation of pain and desire. He kneaded her swollen breast, sending tingling ripples of electricity through her body. In that moment she felt the connection lever into place, linking her with Daffyd and with Keelan. Pain and pleasure threaded through her, spreading to every corner.

  As consciousness started to drift away, he helped her to lie back onto the ground. Through slitted lids she gazed at the moon. How was it she felt like she was flying, yet could feel the cool, unforgiving rock beneath her?

  Daffyd licked her neck, drawing his tongue slowly over the surface of the wounds, swirling his tongue in delicious circles. She could have told him not to bother, that her own faery nature would heal the wounds naturally, but she was far too tired to try to speak. And the touch of his mouth was hot and arousing.

  “Open your mouth, Morganna.” The deep, mesmerizing tone of his voice made her obey the command without question. Her lips parted and she felt the warmth of slightly metallic liquid drops heat her lips, trickling into her mouth, down her throat. She licked and tasted Daffyd’s vampiric essence in full measure for the first time. A jolt of hot electrical energy raced through her and she arched and tightened.

  He pressed his wrist to her lips. “Drink, Morganna. Drink deeply.”

  And again she did as he commanded with no thought of denial. Hot, spurting blood flowed down her throat. Her stomach churned at the intense, spicy heat, twisting with a flare of denial. And then she was gulping and sucking, swirling her tongue over the punctures, opening her mouth wider to receive his dark gift, reveling in the taste of him, feeling the magic of Keelan’s blood mixed with the vampire’s.

  After long moments he pulled his wrist free. She looked up at him as she licked the last of the blood from her lips. Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her, sealing the pact they had consummated.

  Allowing her lids to flutter closed, she drifted away. The sound of the night, the falls, of her own breaths seemed magnified.

  She didn’t know how much longer she lay like that in a state of semi-conscious euphoria, but sharp agony had her eyelids snapping open in fear. Her insides began to tighten like someone winding a piece of rope tighter and tighter around her intestines, a cruel fist crushing her heart leaving her gasping for breath.

  She bowed against Daffyd, and he wrapped his arms more tightly around her, supporting her, chaining her fast.

  “Give over to it, Morganna. The turning has begun.”

  She tried to relax into it, to allow it to happen. She had asked for this. But the panic grabbed her and she fought the effect of Daffyd’s blood within her body. She curled inward, grimaced, then finally with a strength that she’d never had before, ripped herself from Daffyd’s arms, crouching against the back of the small ledge.

  She looked around and everything appeared different. Sounds assaulted her, the look of the world around her had a slight halo cast to it. Even Daffyd. She reached down to pick up a rock, curled her fingers closed and crushed it.

  And she could smell the blood, could feel it pulsing in Daffyd, and beyond. A voracious hunger pulled at her and she couldn’t believe it when she growled and bared her teeth.

  “It will ease,” Daffyd said as he moved toward her. “Every feeling will be more intense and you will learn to control it. You will have abilities you could never imagine. I wouldn’t be surprised if your healing arts will become magnified as well.”

  “Where’s Keelan? Why isn’t he here?” She sniffed the air. She could smell an eagle, hear it perch on a rock high above her head. Smell its blood. “How do you stand it? How did Keelan manage to not take my blood with scent and sound so overpowering?”

  “He has learned to control it. I taught him to control it. This is all new to you. It will get better. You will learn to harness the power.”

  “But the thirst for blood. This appetite, the gnawing hunger, is painful.” She licked her lips. She felt so parched, so needy.

  “You will master the desire. And you will have help. You won’t be required to hunt for blood, it will be provided.”

  “How?”

  “That’s where Keelan has gone. He went to Silver Creek. We have agreements with the human citizens there. Those of us who require blood regularly are assigned human donors from the town. We care for them and they provide for us. A lottery was held earlier tonight and your donor has been chosen. Keelan is bringing him to the mountain tonight, so you may become acquainted.”

  “They do this willingly? Why?”

  “For them it is an honor to be chosen as donor to one of us. We’ve been here for centuries. It is our method of retaining civilized behavior. We are not savages and humans are not our prey. It is part of our belief system here in Vampyre Falls. We respect each other, our numerous societies, and the humans who help us. The same will be expected from you.”

  “This is going to take some getting used to. Everything looks so different. Feels so different. Even my own skin.”

  “The power must be harnessed. If you had been less than you are, I wouldn’t have taken the chance. Keelan wouldn’t have been as dedicated to you, if you were less.”

  She turned to look at Daffyd and tilted her head as she saw him differently, surrounded by a pale yellow aura. “I love him, Daffyd. I know what it’s like to be without him and I don’t want that to ever happen again.”

  Daffyd nodded. “I understand that. But we are all connected now, or will be soon. You must accept what is. That Keelan has darker needs than you alone can fill. Your own needs may eventually change as well. Now come, we must return.”

&nb
sp; He held out a hand and after a brief hesitation, she accepted it. They flew downward back to the lighted chamber. Keelan and another man with blond hair were waiting for them. Keelan strode forward, and wrapped a warm, gold silk robe around her and then enfolded her into his arms.

  “You’re all right?”

  She touched his face. He looked different, even more beautiful than before in some ways. “I think so.” She could smell his powerful elf blood and it took restraint as her incisors started to throb. She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “I want to taste you, Keelan.”

  He stroked her hair. “Soon, love.” He turned her to face the other man in the room and Keelan walked her over to him. “This is Jared Cain. His family has been in Silver Creek for generations and several members have served as donors in the past.” He turned to Jared. “This is Morganna Starlight. She is my woman and newly turned. She will have need of your assistance if you are willing.”

  Jared dipped his head and offered Morganna a shy smile. “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Starlight.”

  He was an attractive young man, probably in his mid-twenties. Extremely well-muscled with the golden tan of an outdoorsman to emphasize his rugged good looks.

  “You’re willing to be my donor? You’re certain?” She found it difficult to believe a human would agree to such a thing.

  “Yes, ma’am. More than willing. Silver Creek isn’t like other towns. I guess you’ll find that out soon enough. If you need blood, I’m your man. Whenever, wherever, you just send word and I’ll make myself available.”

  She could smell his human blood and her eyes riveted to the pulsing vein in his neck. He was a strong man, how much did she dare take? She’d never done this before and she was afraid of hurting him. Suddenly, she turned to Keelan, reaching out for him.

  He grasped her hands and she felt his energy surge into her, helping to steady her. “I don’t know what to do. Help me.”

  Keelan turned to her donor. “Jared, why don’t you have a seat on the sofa over there. It will be a bit more comfortable.” Jared sat down and Keelan escorted her over to him. He looked at her, his gaze locking with hers. “Your instincts will guide you. Listen to them, love.”

  Long moments passed and then she turned to Jared. Kneeling next to him, she slowly unbuttoned his shirt and folded it back. She ran a tongue across her newly formed teeth, felt the pull of Jared’s rich, human blood. She stroked her hand over the column of his thickly muscled neck, easing and probing. His skin felt so hot to her touch. She could hear his heart beating.

  Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to listen to her newly-acquired instincts. Her fangs throbbed, drawing her closer to Jared and the source of nourishment. She could smell his strong, human scent. Drawing her head back, she then lunged forward, burying her fangs in his neck. The sweet, hot blood poured into her mouth and she gulped it down greedily.

  This then was her new life, what she had agreed to. She felt Keelan’s strong hand reach inside her robe and cup her breast, letting her know he was there. She sighed at the bliss that enveloped her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They walked hand in hand toward the edge of the crystal clear lake. The night was silent, enfolding them into its shadows.

  “It’s not so bad,” she finally broke the stillness. “Once you get used to it.” Keelan’s hand tightened around hers.

  “I wouldn’t have wanted this type of life for you, but there seemed no other choice.”

  “I know. You didn’t force it on me, it was by my own choice.” She turned to face him and reached up to cup his jaw. “After you left, I wasn’t truly alive any longer.”

  “I’m sorry. What I turned into after Daffyd rescued me—” He stopped speaking and turned away. “I thought you were better off without me. He kept me alive and showed me I could live, even with the pain. He showed me how to use it, how to embrace it.”

  “I know. And one day you’ll let me share those secrets that you only share with Daffyd. One day you’ll trust me enough.”

  “I do trust you, love. But that side of me… You’ve sacrificed enough. Too much, I think.”

  “You saved my life, Keelan. Syril bartered me away without a thought. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be dead now. And it feels good to be helping people again. And here, no one judges. No one seems to covet what another has or is. Daffyd and his followers have created something unique here.”

  Keelan nodded. “I know. It’s worth fighting for. And to actually realize that there are humans who accept us as we are… They don’t fear us.”

  She pulled something out of her pocket. “Sit down and take off your shirt. I’ve made a new lotion that I want to try on your scars.”

  “Morganna, you shouldn’t be wasting your time on me—”

  She pushed him onto the bench. “I want to do this for you.” She helped him pull off his shirt. He really did have such a beautiful body. That was something that hadn’t changed. Even with the scars. But they represented badges of courage that he had survived such a terrible ordeal.

  She poured some of the lotion into her hand and began to knead his tense muscles. She moved her hands across his shoulders and down his back. Back up again and over his arms. Then she circled around and knelt in front of him. She placed her hands flat against his chest, rubbing in circles, moving lower over his tight, flat abdomen.

  “Do you remember the first time we met, Keelan? When I found you trying to steal one of my mother’s pies?”

  He chuckled. “What I remember is that viperous tongue of yours.” He touched her hair. “And your hair. You looked like a wild northland faery with your long, fiery hair snapping with sparks.”

  She leaned up. “Yet you came back.”

  He cupped her cheek and smoothed a finger over her jaw. “I think I will always come back to you, Morganna. From that first moment, I knew I had to have you.”

  “My mother was furious. All she kept saying was that those dark elves are all a bunch of thieves. Little did she know exactly how great a thief you were. How much I allowed you to steal. No sacrifice would ever be too great, Keelan. My love for you is endless.”

  He lifted her and wrapped his arms around her. “You are my starlight and my sunrise, Morganna.”

  She leaned against him and inhaled his scent. Turning her head, she scraped her incisors against his neck just enough to draw droplets of blood. She licked the velvety elven drops, merging his blood with her own. They would both heal after the long separation. And she would never regret becoming a part of his world. The sacrifices seemed small compared to regaining the richness of her lover’s passionate embrace.

  ~ 0 ~

  Author Bio

  Adrianna Dane has been putting pen to paper since the age of ten. She currently

  resides in the state of Washington. She has a great fondness for using a fountain pen when writing her first drafts. Hobby interests are varied, including photography and traveling.

  The first defining love story Adrianna read back in junior high school was “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, and that set her on the road to her long-standing love affair with books of all genres. Her inspiration in writing often can be found by listening to song lyrics, from hard rock to classical, and reading poetry by such poets as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edgar Allen Poe, and Ranier Maria Rilke. But finding inspiration for her stories truly has no boundaries for Adrianna.

  In 2006, her dark fantasy GLBT story, Body Parts, won its category in the Dream Realm Awards. Adrianna has written more than 100 stories, short, novella, and novel length, delving into many facets of the human condition - contemporary, futuristic, and fantasy, and all the flavors therein and in between. In other words, wherever the story and the characters, as well as their intricate stories, take her imagination, then her pen and/or computer keyboard, are sure to follow.

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