Eric The Guardian - Book 2 of the Raven Series

by Rhiannon Neeley

Barack chuckled. "No. They are female vampires. They require a male vampire to, shall we say, satisfy certain appetites."

  Lydia cocked her head. "Oh, a human couldn't get them off?"

  Barack brushed a hand across her shoulders. "Not in that way. Not after they have had a vampire." Barack snagged a strand of her hair and twisted it around his finger. "You've felt what I can do just in your mind. Would you like a personal demonstration now?"

  Lydia's knees went weak at the prospect. Already her body was awakening to the thought of Barack overpowering her. Her breath caught in her throat as Barack nodded to the two females at his feet.

  The females crawled closer, putting themselves between Barack and Lydia although Barack didn't move away. They were sandwiched together now, the females' hands moving over Lydia, unbuttoning, unzipping.

  Lydia's head swam with visions. Barack was showing her in her mind just how it could be between them if she would just give in. Her heart beat heavily in her breast as the females stripped her, their hands setting her skin on fire with their cool touch. She was unable to fend them off. Barack watched her through heavy-lidded eyes as her frustration grew.

  Lydia was torn. Her love for Eric was strong but her appetite for Barack was growing. He was tangling her thoughts. Why won't Eric wake up? Lydia wailed in her mind. She needed saving. No matter how much she wanted to study a vampire, she didn't want to betray Eric by allowing herself to be overtaken by an unbidden appetite for the vampire's touch.

  The females finished undressing her and ran their hands over her heated thighs. The sensation was extremely tantalizing. Lydia had never been touched like this by another woman, let alone two.

  Barack watched her intently. "Do you feel aroused?" he asked, his voice a low growl.

  Lydia licked her lips, her body chilled from the stone behind her and heated from the attention in front. One of the females slipped her long fingered hand between Lydia's thighs, making Lydia suck in her breath.

  Barack growled and shoved the female away. The female hissed, pulling the other with her. They both scuttled behind Barack and curled themselves around each other. Lydia watched, her skin growing warmer still, as the females hands began exploring each other. The two females locked gazes with Lydia. The dark-haired one stroked the redhead's breasts while the redhead slid her fingers between the dark-haired one's slender thighs.

  Barack caught Lydia's chin in his hand. "Let's watch for a while, shall we?" he said, pulling Lydia from her place against the wall and locking his arms around her. He held her in front on him, arms holding her tightly. Lydia felt his unusually cool skin against her back. She tried to ease herself forward a bit but he clutched her close, his hard member nestled in between her buttocks. Barack whispered against her ear. "Just watch Susanna and Alison for a while, my sweet. See if you don't become ... wanting." Barack hugged Lydia to him but his hands didn't wander. True, she felt his arousal pulsing at her back, but what he seemed to want at the moment was her frustration from watching the women. "Just so you know," Barack said. "The dark-haired one is Alison, the other Susanna. They've been with me for only a short time but look what I've taught them."

  Lydia took a shuddering breath. Lydia knew Barack was affecting her thoughts, trying to seduce her. She was having a difficult time focusing on fighting him. Her body was becoming pliant to his whims. Lydia didn't know if she would be able to fend him off. Meanwhile, the females were hypnotic in their movements. There was only a dim light, a glow from the embers of the small fire illuminating their pale bodies. Alison and Susanna moved to within three feet of Lydia, both of them smiling seductively. Their hands moved over each other but their eyes watched Lydia only.

  Lydia's skin crawled with need, a need she was ashamed to admit. She wanted to be touched, to be loved.

  Sensing her unease, Alison and Susanna began to put on a show for Lydia.

  Alison raised herself up onto her knees and took Susanna's head in her hands. She kissed the other woman, her tongue diving deep inside the dangerous mouth. Susanna moaned, her body rubbing against Alison's taller, more slender one.

  Lydia's breath began to grow heavier. As she watched, she felt herself become wet, hot, even more frustrated. "I can't do this," she breathed, leaning her head back against Barack's chest.

  "Yes, you can. You're doing nothing wrong, my sweet," he said, bringing one hand up and cupping her chin again. "Watch. Learn."

  Lydia blinked and licked her lips again. She moved against Barack, wanting to feel his hardness, hating herself for wanting it. Oh Eric, her mind pleaded. Help me.

  Alison pulled Susanna away from the kiss and with a firm hand on Susanna's shoulders, forced the woman down toward her breasts. Susanna didn't fight. Hungrily she took Alison's ripened breast into her mouth and suckled, moaning her pleasure like a hungry kitten. Alison only looked at Lydia, thrusting her breast forward so Susanna could give it her full attention. Alison's tongue lashed out of her mouth, licking her red lips.

  Lydia gasped, a clenching in her belly betraying her. Barack chuckled and snaked his hand down from her chin to Lydia's breast, rubbing his palm against the nub of her nipple. Lydia bit her lip, but let him continue. She couldn't take her eyes off of the two women.

  With a sudden movement, Alison moved Susanna away from her nursing and forced the redhead to the ground. Susanna seemed to know exactly what Alison wanted. She scooted closer to Lydia then lay flat on her back, her legs spread-eagled on each side of Lydia's feet. With a swaying movement, Lydia moved closer, walking on her knees to position herself over the other woman's head.

  Lydia trembled. Her muscles strained against Barack, her wet sheath clenching in anticipation. Lydia knew what was going to happen. She could feel Alison's breath on her breasts, the woman was that close. Lydia clenched her fists at her sides, the urge to touch Alison raging inside herself. She had never ... never ... had the urge to fondle another woman, but this was almost too much. Barack's subtle intrusion into her mind was making her want to do things that she would never have otherwise considered. Barack wasn't totally controlling her thoughts but he was there, just the same.

  Alison placed her hands on Lydia's hips for balance then settled herself. "Lick me," she commanded Susanna.

  Susanna didn't hesitate. The redhead raised herself and began to work her tongue all over Alison's hot center. Alison moaned, catching her lip with her fangs, her eyes locked on Lydia's.

  Lydia began to pant, the heat in the cave overcoming her. Sweat trickled between her breasts. Barack held her shoulders now, pinning her to him. She felt him move against her, his erection delving into the cleft of her buttocks and sliding down to tantalize her slick slit. Lydia's fists opened and closed as Alison began to climb toward her own orgasm.

  Eric please, Lydia's mind pleaded. Why doesn't he wake? I can't fight them much longer. I can't...

  Then her thoughts were gone as Barack and Alison both entered her mind.

  Lydia's hands came up from her sides and grasped Alison's head. She pulled Alison forward roughly. When Alison's mouth found her breast, Lydia moaned in ecstasy. "Oh, God," she breathed, clutching the female vampire to her hot breast. Lydia shifted her hips backward and shuffled her feet so her legs opened wider.

  Barack laughed loudly and heartily at her invitation. "What is it you want, Lydia?"

  "Now," she said, bucking her hips back against him. "Fuck me." Lydia was on the edge of orgasm. Alison's tongue was rough against her breast and her teeth nipped, the pain nothing but pure pleasure. From below, Susanna reached up and wet her fingers inside Lydia's ready opening then began to stroke Lydia's hardened clit. "Yessss," Lydia hissed, throwing her head back as the orgasm crashed through her, sending ripples of heat down and down until her legs almost collapsed. Just as the wave was starting to crest, Barack speared her with his rock-hard member, sending her to a place from which she thought she would never return.

  A mouth on her breast, sucking, licking, moving from one breast to the other. Fingers stroking,
tugging, pulling at the blood-engorged bud of her clit. Solid column of cold flesh filling her pussy, pulsing, pumping. The sounds of wetness, sucking and licking, her come wetting her even more, trickling down her thighs. Lydia was lost on a wave of pure sexual craving, wanting more and more.

  Lydia! A voice screamed inside her mind. A male voice. Not Eric. Not Barack. Lydia shook her head. She began to come to her senses.

  Lydia, don't fall for their ploy. the voice warned. Now she recognized it. It was Dirk, Eric's brother.

  Lydia blinked, trying to pull herself from her drugged state. Alison nipped at her breast, then laved it with her tongue. Lydia felt herself grow weak from the sensation. Barack slowed his thrusts, sliding his cock in and out in a rocking rhythm. Susanna massaged her clit, sending electric shocks up into her pelvis, making her want to thrust herself forward into Susanna's loving hand but also down, spearing herself on Barack's huge cock.

  She bit her lip.

  Light blazed in the entrance of the cave, blinding her.

  "Dirk," she croaked, shoving at Alison, pushing her away.

  Dirk entered the cave, gun drawn.

  Alison hissed and threw up her hand, Susanna still suckling between her legs while fingering Lydia.

  Dirk aimed and fired.

  Alison screamed, then dropped, falling away from Susanna. Susanna scrambled after her, mewling.

  Barack jerked away from Lydia, dodging to the left.

  Lydia's knees started to give way.

  Dirk fired again, hitting Susanna in the forehead. The female vampire's head exploded, the insides splattering against Lydia's legs.

  Lydia dropped to the ground in a crumpled mass.

  Barack roared. He began to shift into a wolf.

  Dirk took aim.

  Lydia screamed and scrambled for Barack. He was in full wolf form now. She threw her arms around his furred neck. "No Dirk. Don't shoot him."

  "Move away, Lydia," Dirk said, his face grim.

  Lydia raised a hand. "Don't kill him!"

  Dirk gaped at her. "Are you nuts? Get out of the way."

  Barack began to change back into human form. Lydia fell back onto her butt as he rose to his full height. She was in awe of the transformation.

  "Lydia--move!" Dirk darted to the side to try to get a clear shot.

  Lydia jumped to her feet. "Dirk--no. He's got Eric under some spell."

  Dirk hesitated.

  Barack reached out and grabbed Lydia, pulling her to him. "You're coming with me."

  Lydia struggled in his vise-like grip. "No. I won't. I love Eric." She looked him directly in the eye. "You may be able to seduce me, but you'll never really have me."

  Barack's face seemed to soften. "That's true, isn't it?"

  Lydia just glared at him, her stare not wavering.

  Barack sighed deeply. With a wave of his hand, Eric woke.

  Lydia jerked out of Barack's grasp and turned. "Eric!"

  Eric seemed disoriented. When he realized what was going on, he scrambled for his own gun.

  Dirk came up beside Lydia. "Now let me take care of this monster." He aimed.

  Lydia looked at Barack. His eyes locked with hers for a heartbeat. Then he disappeared through the cave entrance.

  Dirk darted after him, gun firing.

  Lydia turned back to Eric, who was lowering himself carefully from the rocky ledge. She raced to him and threw her arms around him. "Oh thank God," she said, hugging him.

  Eric drew her tightly into his arms. "Did he bite you? Are you okay?"

  Lydia felt her cheeks redden. "He didn't bite me. But there are other things..."

  "Shh," Eric said. "It's all right. I know you were under his spell."

  Lydia looked up into Eric's dark eyes. "I love you," she said.

  "I love you, too. Now, let's get out of here and see if Dirk needs any help."

  "You catch up to him," Lydia said. "I've got to get some clothes on."

  Eric eyed her. Lydia waved him off as she snatched her discarded clothes from the floor. "Go on. I'm right behind you."

  Eric nodded, then disappeared through the cave opening. Lydia dressed hurriedly. She didn't want to lose them.

  * * * *

  Dirk stumbled as he broke out of the cave into the waning light. "Damn," he said, pushing off the rocky ground and getting to his feet again. He could hear Barack crashing through the woods in front of him. Dirk followed the sound.

  He didn't have much time. The sun was already dipping below the horizon. Dirk ducked under tree branches, trying to keep his footing.

  A lonesome howl sliced through the woods.

  A tree root caught Dirk's boot, snagging him and sending him to the ground again. Dirk felt something snap in his ankle. Pain shot up his leg.

  "Damn, damn, damn," he growled, pounding the ground with his fist. His ankle was broken and Barack had too much of a lead.

  Something was coming up behind him. Dirk rolled, pointing the gun in the direction of the sound.

  Eric broke through the growing shadows and slid to a stop. "Hey," he said.

  Dirk lowered the gun.

  "Where is he?" Eric asked, looking past Dirk.

  "Gone." Dirk struggled to stand.

  Lydia came up to them, dressed again in jeans and shirt. "What happened?"

  Dirk glared at her. "He got away."

  "Well, don't get pissed off at me," she said, snaking her arm through Eric's.

  Dirk shook his head. "I'm not mad at you. It's just not everyday that a monster is allowed to live."

  Eric moved to Dirk's side and put his arm around his waist. "Let's get the hell out of these woods before dark falls completely. Our cover is totally blown and I don't think Barack will be so kind as to let me live the next time."

  Lydia took Dirk's other side and with a slow stride, they made it back to Lydia's camp. Not long after that, they were on the road to town.

  Lydia kept glancing at Eric as she drove. She had found the love of her life. And she wasn't going to let anyone take him from her. Not even a vampire. A vampire ... Anthony Barack. Barack, who had completely seduced her. More than once. Lydia bit her lip, shame heating her face. "Eric, back in the cave," she began, taking a deep breath. "Things happened that..."

  Eric leaned close to her. "Stop," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "There is nothing that you have done that will make me love you any less. I know Barack took over your mind and body. He seduced you. A human is too weak to resist the vampire's most powerful weapon. Seduction. You couldn't help yourself and I love you now more than ever." Eric straightened back up in the seat, then gave her a wink.

  Relief washed over Lydia. She smiled and gave the truck a little more gas, her confidence restored.

  Life was good.

  * * * *

  Eric glanced over at Lydia. That had been too close. He had let his guard down for only a moment and had almost gotten them all killed. How could he have been so stupid?

  Dirk elbowed him in the side. "Well I think it's about time for you to retire, don't you?"

  "Maybe," Eric said soberly. "I almost got us into big trouble."

  "Nah," Dirk said, shaking his head. "That's not why. You need to get married. You could still work on the sidelines."

  "Now wait a minute," Lydia said from behind the wheel of the truck. "We make too good a team for Eric to retire." She raised her chin. "We'll get married but we're not going to stop hunting and that's that."

  Eric grinned. "You've got an awful quick tongue," he said, sliding his arm around her shoulders.

  "You got a problem with that?" Lydia asked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

  Eric shook his head. "No ma'am. Not as long as you know how to use it."

  Lydia winked at him. "You know I do."

  Eric liked the thought of a strong woman beside him. Just like he had dreamed of long ago, when he thought it would be impossible to find such a woman. He tightened his arm around her shoulder. He had her now.

&
nbsp; * * * *

  Barack shifted in his hastily made dugout. He had watched from a distance, daring the sun, as Lydia and the two men drove away. Then he had gone to ground.

  The sight of Lydia leaving had brought an emptiness. Barack did not love her. That he was sure of. But she had made him "feel" for the first time in centuries. As he drifted into his lulling sleep, Barack wondered if he should begin the quest for a mate. Not like Alison or Susanna. He needed someone who could dare stand up to him.

  "Someday," he whispered.

  Then he slept.

  THE END

  About the Author:

  Rhiannon Neeley has thought about writing all of her life and has now finally made time for it, along with learning to play an Irish jig on her fiddle. Rhiannon is a very busy woman who has her fingers in almost every pie but she does make time to reply to email if you give her a day or two.

  You can email her at Rhiannon@rhiannonneeley.com . For those of you with Irish roots, Rhiannon's 'Neeley' line hails from County Tyrone, Ireland. She has done quite a bit of research into her family tree. And of course when it come to romance, Rhiannon likes them hot and steamy and preferably paranormal.

  We invite you to visit Liquid Silver Books http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com

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