Claimed: Blood Ties

by Cathryn Fox

  Mikel noticed water pooling in her eyes. He stepped back and draped a placating hand on her shoulder as he gazed deep into her soul. “Does this make you unhappy?”

  She gave a quick shake of her head, sniffed and smiled up at him. “No, Mikel. I’ve never felt so cherished before.”

  Mikel’s heart soared. A surge of warmth flooded his veins. “You are cherished.”

  “By all of us.” Dari turned to face Janaa, who touched Dari’s cheek and offered her warmth and comfort. “Let us all join as one. To show you how much you truly mean to us.”

  Briefly closing her eyes, Dari breathed in a contented sigh. “Yes,” she whispered breathlessly. “Let us all make love.” Strong emotions caused her sharp incisors to push through her gums. She ran her tongue over them with obvious fascination.

  Ayden and Janaa quickly removed their clothes. With warmth in his eyes, Ayden moved in behind Janaa and sensuously pressed his chest to her back while Mikel took the same position with Dari, sandwiching the women in between. Heat poured from their bodies and warmed Dari all over.

  Mikel touched her mind and slid soft gentle hands over her curvy backside. Needing the intimate contact, Dari reached out to Janaa. Their lips found each other and Dari widened her stance in silent invitation, welcoming them all into her body and soul. Mikel exchanged a long thoughtful glance with Ayden as he caressed Dari’s thighs. The feel of his deft finger pressing into her heat, while Ayden dipped into Janaa’s pussy, made her quiver with longing. Soft mewling sounds curled around them, filling them all with primitive hunger. Mikel had never found Dari so wet before. It pleased him immensely that she was open and accepting to those that shared his heart.

  “I love you, Dari.”

  “I love you too, Mikel. I love all of you.”

  Shedding all her inhibitions, Dari closed her eyes and drew Janaa’s tongue into her mouth, savoring the other woman’s sweet essence. Her tongue played gently with Janaa’s at first, then grew bolder, drawing it in deeper and sucking harder. The feel of Mikel’s fingers spiraling between her legs, artfully manipulating her clit, brought on a shudder and she moaned with pleasure.

  “That’s my girl.” He stroked her softly and whispered encouraging words into her ear, and it pleased her immensely that her actions were pleasing him.

  Janaa inched away and kissed a path down Dari’s trembling body, her tongue dampening every inch of her heated flesh as she made sweet love to her with her mouth. Janaa lapped at her nipples until they tightened and swelled in painful pleasure. Dari inched her eyes open and glanced at Ayden, who was watching intently as Janaa, his partner, made love to Dari.

  With Mikel standing behind her, and Janaa settling herself between her legs, Dari reached for Ayden. His growl of longing filled the room. Their mouths met and she kissed him with all the passion inside her. She panted heavily as Ayden pillaged her mouth with greed, driving his tongue into her mouth, and lashing at the sides as though he couldn’t get enough of her. Her passion-drenched cunt dripped, her aroused scent filling the room. She gave a needy, not-quite-satisfied sigh.

  Mikel’s finger found her puckered back passage and gently teased her tight walls open. As though knowing exactly what she needed Janaa’s tongue found her cunt. The second Janaa’s hot tongue swiped across her clit, Dari nearly blacked out with pleasure. Ayden dropped his mouth to her breasts as all three of them made sweet love to her body, their actions filling her heart with warmth. She caught her lip between her teeth as air rushed from her lungs. She widened her wobbly legs and tipped her ass upward as fire, heat, need and lust exploded inside her. Her muscles clenched with the triple assault.

  She reached for Ayden and let her hands tangle through his hair as she held him to her. He rolled his warm tongue around her nipple, scalding her body from the inside out.

  Her hands slid to his cock, hungering and needing in some inexplicable way to feel his impressive thickness deep inside her, aching to join them as one. As though reading her thoughts, Janaa pushed two fingers inside her pussy and brushed the pad of her thumb over her clit. In no time at all, a powerful climax rushed through her. Her entire body tightened and it took two locked knees to keep herself upright as Janaa drew out her orgasm.

  “So good…” Dari cried out, her body spasming with each glorious ripple.

  A moment later, Janaa climbed out from between her legs and Mikel lowered her body onto the fur carpeting. Ayden climbed in between her thighs, while Mikel and Janaa tucked in on either side of her.

  Looking at her with pure desire, Mikel’s mouth found hers. He gently stroked her face and whispered, “I want you to feel Ayden inside you, to feel the love he has for you.”

  She nodded and widened her legs, wanting nothing more than just that. Ayden bent forward and swiped his tongue over her cunt. He growled when he tasted her cream.

  “Please, Ayden,” she whispered, and bucked against his mouth, her mind so hazy, so full of lust, she wasn’t even sure what she was begging for. Janaa stroked Dari’s breasts and played with her pert nipples, bringing her pleasure to new heights. Dari reached for Janaa and drew her mouth to hers and Mikel’s. All three tongues joined and tangled as Ayden drove his rock-hard cock inside her hot cunt. A throaty purr resonated through her body as he feverishly plunged inside her.

  A moment later Mikel pulled away, leaving Janaa to pleasure her mouth and breasts. She watched Mikel move in behind Ayden. Through the four-way mind connection, Ayden read Mikel’s intent, leaned forward and tangled tongues with the two women while Mikel slipped a finger inside his ass, preparing him.

  “Oh my…” Dari murmured, her voice rough with emotion, never having seen such a joining between two men before. It was the most arousing, erotic thing she’d witnessed. She started trembling from head to toe, loving the freedom between the two, loving the way Mikel was pushing into Ayden’s backside and joining them all as one. Her moan of pleasure filled the room. With Ayden inside her pussy, and Mikel inside Ayden’s ass, and all three of them moving to the same rhythm, it felt as if she was making love to the two men at once.

  Her heart hammered in her chest, and a powerful, all encompassing storm whipped through her body. It was as scary as it was exhilarating. Her eyes met her friends. “Janaa…” she whispered, both elated and confused.

  Janaa softly stroked her breasts. “I know, Dari, I know. Just give yourself over to it.”

  As Dari reveled in the sensation, her hand found Janaa’s pussy. She slipped two fingers inside and felt the way her friend’s muscles closed tightly around her digits and drew them in deeper. “I want you to come with me,” Dari murmured.

  Janaa smiled, her cunt clenching. “Yes, Dari, we’ll come together.”

  Janaa bucked against her hand while Ayden rammed his cock into her pussy and Mikel pumped into Ayden’s ass. She never wanted the moment to end, but knew another orgasm was upon her.

  “I’m coming…” she murmured, tossing her head to the side, as they all took her to the moon and beyond. In that instant, she felt Janaa let go, spilling her hot cream into Dari’s hand. She also felt Ayden’s cock pulse, his seed splashing up inside her. She glanced at Mikel. “Come with us,” she whispered.

  He groaned and clenched his jaw. “I am, sweetheart. I am.”

  Dari’s eyes met Mikel’s as her heart swelled with the love she felt for him, for all of them. A long moment later, spent from their lovemaking session and trying to catch their breaths, the two men collapsed beside her, Janaa and Ayden on one side, Mikel on the other. The heat from the hearth fell over their naked bodies and soothed their senses, bringing them all back down to Earth. Three sets of hands covered her body like a blanket as they all cuddled. Never having felt so loved, so complete, Dari wrapped her arms around their hands as she lay there and basked in the afterglow of the most glorious lovemaking of her life.

  Chapter Eight

  Dari watched Mikel sleep as she herself stirred and tossed restlessly on the silk sheets. Her muscles ached from the rigo
rous training she’d been through over the past few weeks in preparation for the inevitable invasion and the volatile blood connection. But it wasn’t her sore body that caused uneasiness to stir her soul on this stormy night. She glanced out the bedroom window and watched thick clouds roll over the mountain peaks. Distant thunder echoed off the rock walls. With her powers growing in strength and intensity, the sound hurt her sensitive ears.

  A faint, familiar scent assaulted her senses. As she inhaled, her stomach soured and lurched. The tiny hairs on the back of her neck tingled with foreboding and she knew it with every fiber of her being. Grayson had found her.

  Her breath came in a ragged burst as panic invaded her body. She gripped the bed sheets and noted how her fingers trembled with fear.

  Dari reached for Mikel, to wake him but he was already stirring.

  “He’s here!” she blurted out.

  Without haste, Mikel climbed from the bed. “I know. Come. We must prepare.”

  He held his hand out to her and pulled her from the bed. Her body collided with his. He paused and touched her cheek. His dark hair hung forward, shadowing his emotions. “No matter what happens, Dari, know that I love you. I always have and always will.”

  “And I love you, Mikel.” She placed her hand over his heart. His strength and love comforted her, helped dispel many of her fears. “I will be with you here and always.”

  The bedroom door flew open, drawing their attention, interrupting what might be their last intimate moment. “We must hurry,” Ayden said as his fingers tightened over his dagger. “They will be here soon.”

  Dari tied back her long thick hair, pulled on a pair of loose pants and top, and followed the two men down the stairs into the grand entranceway. Janaa stood there waiting, apprehension apparent in her expression.

  “Dari, come here.” She reached out her arms. Dari rushed forward into the woman’s comforting embrace. Janaa furrowed her brow and stared into Dari’s eyes with concern. “You know what you must do?” Dari could tell Janaa worked to sound calm but her voice betrayed her emotions.

  Dari nodded and ran the plan through her mind one more time. They would wait until Grayson and his men were within range, and then she would exchange blood with Mikel. She prayed the volatile energy would destroy Grayson and his band of vampires once and for all. And that Ayden and Janaa were strong enough to draw away and dispel the energy from Mikel and her before it killed them.

  “Yes,” Dari replied, her eyes flitting around the room, seeking her soul mate. “I know what I must do.”

  “Whatever happens make sure you do not lose your connection with me. It is most important. Keep physical contact at all times,” Janaa said. “If you don’t I won’t be able to draw away the energy.”

  Mikel came up beside her. Her heart twisted as he gathered her into his arms and captured her shoulders in a tight grip. He lowered his head and spoke softly. “If we are to survive, we must be strong, Dari.”

  She gathered all her courage and calmed her emotions. “I am strong,” she said with conviction. “And I am prepared to drink from you.”

  Braced for battle, the four of them stood in the great hall and waited as the storm grew louder outside. Deafening claps of thunder heralded their enemies approach. Soon it was no longer the wind and rain battering the sides of the castle, it was Grayson and his men.

  Mikel turned to her and with one long talonlike fingernail sliced his shirt. Her eyes traced his every movement. “Are you ready?” His tone was deceptively mild.

  Dari took a fortifying breath, centering herself, and tried to quiet her pounding heart. “I am ready.”

  Mikel ran his nail over his flesh, separating his skin. Crimson blood spilled from the opening. “Drink from me, Dari.” There was so much emotion in his voice it was all she could do to keep her own in check.

  She pressed her lips to his chest and ingested his offering. As his warm metallic essence entered her bloodstream, her body started to burn from the inside out. She physically convulsed but worked to ignore the discomfort. She swallowed every drop he provided her, then licked the wound to close it. With the back of her hand, she wiped her mouth then cut open her own skin. Mikel closed his mouth over the swell of her breast and drank from her.

  Within seconds, the air around them charged with electrical energy. A storm brewed in her body, heat surged onward and upward through her until blue sparks swarmed around them, setting fire to everything they touched. A tremor wracked her body forcing her to lock her knees to remain standing. Janaa caught hold of her hand and squeezed. As though they were in the eye of the storm, the room began to spin before them. The furniture shifted in the strong winds created by their exchange.

  Twisting her head, she glanced at Mikel. His dark, haunted eyes were watching her. She could feel heat and strength radiate from him as they mind melded. Emotions swept through her.

  “I love you, Mikel.”

  “And I love you.”

  The front door burst open, gaining her full attention. She turned her attention forward and watched as Grayson’s large body darkened the doorway.

  His black eyes burned with rage. Turbulent wind whipped around him, making it difficult for him to come closer. She could hear his cries of anger before they were swallowed by the crashing thunder. She forced herself to look away from him.

  “Concentrate, Dari. Concentrate on directing the energy,” she heard Ayden’s voice in her head.

  Dari closed her eyes, quieted her mind and focused her thoughts. Hot blood flowed through her veins as she pictured the wind and electrical energy widening, expanding, gathering strength and speed. She blinked open her eyes in time to see Grayson and his men getting swooped up in the powerful vortex. Bodies swirled around them and were spit out of the wind like rancid meat.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she watched one of the men shakily climb to his feet. He lifted a gun and aimed for Mikel.

  “No!” she cried out, pulling her hand free, breaking her connection with Janaa. Using every ounce of strength she possessed, she pushed Mikel sideways but she lost her footing and toppled. A burst of cold penetrated her body as the bullet sank into her flesh.

  As she dropped to the floor, the furniture fell with a clunk and the room went deadly silent. She put her hand over her heart and felt wet sticky blood seeping from her. Because they were still part human, a bullet had the power to kill them.

  She glanced around at the bodies strewn everywhere. Mikel crawled in beside her and cradled her body in his as Ayden and Janaa rushed forward to plunge their daggers into each fallen vampire’s heart.

  “Dari, no!” He hugged her to his chest.

  She gave a feeble smile. “We did it, Mikel, we killed them.” It took all her effort to speak.

  Mikel felt an odd surge of energy curl around him as he held her in his arms. He worked to focus his thoughts and concentrate on Dari as her body grew cold.

  “You have survived the exchange, Mikel. You are now gifted with the power to transcend time. That is the energy you feel. Use it to save Dari.”

  Understanding dawned as Mikel glanced up to see Ayden looking at him. His heart leapt with hope. “Dari, hang on,” he whispered into her mouth. “I won’t allow you to leave me.” He temporarily pushed back his emotions so he could concentrate on the task ahead.

  Mikel brushed her hair from her forehead, closed his eyes and settled his mind. Sifting through time and space, he willed himself to go back five minutes previous. Soon his mind started spinning, as though he was watching a movie in reverse as the wind picked back up and the strewn bodies were once again lifted from the floor and caught in the vortex.

  He blinked his lashes open and found himself in the eye of the storm. He glanced at Dari just as she placed her hands on him to push him away. This time he dragged her with him, wrapping his body around her in a protective manner while Ayden rushed forward to kill the vampire who wielded the deadly bullet.

  He held her to him for a long moment, not daring t
o let her go, as the room fell silent. Emotions ripped through him as her heart beat against his body. She was alive! His body shook almost uncontrollably, and the fact that she had risked her own life to save his turned his insides to mush. Ayden’s voice finally caused him to stir.

  “They are all dead, Mikel.”

  Mikel glanced at the woman in his arms. “Are you okay?” Her smile touched him so deeply it was everything he could do not to crush her weakened body in his embrace.

  She grinned. “You might want to loosen that grip a bit,” she teased.

  A rich rumble of laugher sounded low in his throat. “Forget it. I’m keeping you chained to my side from now on.”

  She rolled her eyes then dropped a soft kiss on his mouth. “If you insist.” She inched back. “We did it, Mikel. We killed them.”

  The love shining in her eyes brought tears to his eyes. “Yes, we did it,” he whispered into her mouth.

  Mikel climbed to his feet and lifted Dari into his arms. “Let me take you and Janaa to our chamber while Ayden and I take care of things here. You’ve both been through enough already.”

  “We’ve all been through a lot,” she said. “I can help—”

  Janaa exchanged a look with Ayden then cut her off. “Dari, the men need a moment.”

  After Mikel settled the two women in his room, he made his way back downstairs and glanced at the destruction of his castle.

  “Leave it,” Ayden said.

  “I’m not about to leave my home in such a state.” Glass crunched beneath his feet as he picked up a lampshade.

  “It is no longer your home.”

  Mikel righted a side table and set the shade on it. He turned to Ayden. “I don’t understand.”

  “It is time for us to talk.” Ayden closed the distance between them and touched Mikel’s shoulder. “I am Nallie, Mikel. I was sent here to watch over you.”

  Mikel’s head jerked back. “Nallie?” He frowned as his mind raced. “I knew you weren’t human, that you’ve come from far away, Ayden, but how can you be Nallie? Literature spoke of only two children being saved.”