by Jo Carlisle
“Yes, sir!” Jordan turned to Harley and scrunched his nose, making an adorable face. “Lucky girl. You’re going to love it here. I’m a Chosen, too, serving Lord Aldric. He’s an insatiable beast, but so are all three of them.”
“Jordy.” Soren’s firm voice cut through the young man’s chatter.
“Yes, sir?”
“I’m sure Harley is much too done in to listen to you rattle on all night.”
“Oh! I’m sorry.” He blushed becomingly. “Right this way.”
Harley noted how Jordan glanced to her hand and the floor near her feet. He must’ve noted that she had no possessions and, thankfully, didn’t mention the lack. What little she owned had been left behind with her truck, which had no doubt been stolen and stripped for parts by now.
As Jordan led them up the stairs, she was aware of the vampire and Leila on their heels, and found herself grateful that they encountered no one else on the way to her new room. She’d had about all of the introductions and excitement she could take for one night. The bed was going to feel great.
At the second-floor landing, the young man showed her to the suite and opened the door, waiting for her to enter first. It was all she could do not to exclaim out loud at how freaking unreal her quarters were. Thick rugs accented polished hardwood floors, and a fireplace graced the wall opposite her king-sized bed. A sitting area with two stuffed chairs graced a spacious spot by the window, for reading or simply for gazing. Through a set of double doors was no doubt the bathroom, and if the space was anything like her bedroom, an army of vampires could probably bathe or shower in there.
Knowing what sort of resort this was, that was likely the point.
“I think you’ll find everything you need here,” Jordan declared, waving a hand. “But if you don’t, give me a shout. I’m right down the hall, three doors on the right. Oh, and you’ll find some big T-shirts and pajama bottoms in the dresser drawer, if you need something to sleep in. Tomorrow I’ll make sure we get you some real clothes. In spite of what you might think, we don’t go naked all the time around here.”
“Jordy,” Soren warned, exasperated.
She touched the younger man’s arm. “Thank you, Jordan.”
“Jordy, please. That’s what all my friends call me.”
She gave him a grin that didn’t quite hide her exhaustion. She wondered how Soren’s older brother kept this bundle of energy contained, and decided Aldric must be a strong man to keep up with him. “Jordy it is. Now, if you all don’t mind, I’m going to shower and fall into bed.”
“No problem. Good night, then!”
“Good night, Harley,” Soren murmured.
Jordy bounced out, and Leila swept out after him, followed by Soren. Good riddance to the woman’s departure. Soren could’ve stayed, though. But tomorrow was soon enough to get a good start on satisfying her curiosity with her new boss. Right now, she was going to fall over. Any second. Doing a face-plant on the bathroom tile wasn’t the way to make a good impression.
Quickly, she ran the hot water, stepped in, and soaped her body. It felt heavenly and she groaned, rinsing away the night’s activities, including the last traces of the aphrodisiac cream. Did Soren have any of that stuff on hand? She wasn’t sure whether to hope so.
By the time she toweled off and slid between the crisp, clean sheets, she was more than ready to let go and drift pleasantly into dreamland. And she was almost there, too....
When the unmistakable moans of carnal pleasure began to drift from the other side of the wall. With a sigh, she tried to settle in and get some sleep, but loneliness closed in.
Sounded like it was going to be a long fucking night. In more ways than one.
“I can scent your arousal, darling,” Leila observed, smirking as they moved away from Harley’s door. “Don’t worry. I’ve got what you need.”
“I seriously doubt that.” Soren walked slightly ahead of the witch and made it to the door to his room in a few strides. Harley’s suite was situated right next door to his, as he’d wanted. In hindsight, that could be more of a problem than he’d anticipated. But maybe not. His new Chosen definitely wasn’t a prude, or taken aback by how he and his brothers lived.
But dammit, feeding from Harley had left him hard and aching. The witch wasn’t about to let an opportunity pass.
Slender fingers wrapped around his arm. “It’s not as though you have a choice, now, is it?” she pointed out with a sly chuckle. “You’re sworn to see that my every desire is satisfied. Correct?”
At his door, he paused, gritting his teeth so hard his jaw hurt. He longed to shake off her touch, but didn’t. She was right. He owed her for bringing Harley here, the woman whose scent and taste called to him like no other. He had to please Leila if he was to have any chance of getting to know Harley.
Opening the door, he stepped inside his suite without bothering to flip on a light. The moonlight streamed in through the bare windowpanes, plenty for a vampire to see. Walking over to the window, he stared through the glass into the night, understanding how a caged animal felt. This witch played a dangerous game, and he must play with even more skill in order to learn her secrets.
Probably at great cost to himself and his brothers. But he had no choice.
Leila’s arms slid around him from behind and she pressed against his back, breasts brushing him through his shirt. Not nearly as full and luscious as Harley’s, rather small, in fact, but his body began to warm. Insistent fingers found the button of his pants, then the zipper, making short work of both and parting the material. Pushing it down off his hips.
Harley. Her kiss had been potent, the sample of her blood such an insane rush of wicked joy. Nothing like Helena’s nice, if muted, flavor, though a part of him had longed for them to taste the same. To take comfort in the familiar. But so far, Harley was more of a temptation than Helena had ever been, and it left him confused.
Leila lifted free his cock and balls, cradling the heavy weight of him in one hand, and it was easy to imagine Harley undressing him like this, touching his naked skin. Back at the club, he’d wanted that badly, had been primed and ready to sink his cock into her heat, but he’d restrained himself and instead concentrated on showing her how good it could be.
As Leila manipulated him, his cock lengthened. Hardened. She stroked him, and the dreaded darkness returned. Holding back his desires earlier worked against him now. The beast inside him stretched, awakened, and listened with a purr to her every word.
“Ooh, you want me. I have the proof right in my hand, throbbing with desire. Isn’t that so?”
He wanted to deny the hated truth, but couldn’t. The witch and this thing had him under their control, and he tried to fight. But he had no leverage, nothing whatsoever to hold on to. No foothold on his sanity when they teamed up against him. Against his will, the beast unfurled to merge with him again.
Yesss, the beast hissed. Give yourself to her.
He struggled to stay in control even as he kicked off his shoes, stepped out of the pants, and turned around to face her. She slowly unfastened the buttons on his shirt, then slid it off his shoulders. It joined the pants, and he was naked, jutting toward her, so ready he hurt.
“This is good,” she crooned. “It’s taking you less time than before to submit to our bond and embrace your power. Each time we’re together, you’ll come around more quickly, and afterward your beast will take longer and longer to subside, until your transformation is complete. We’ll be unstoppable then, my love.”
He arched into her touch, letting his eyes drift closed as she squeezed and stroked. “Unstoppable how? What will we do then?”
Have to find out. Tell Aldric and Luc.
No! You will do only as your mistress bids. There is nothing that matters but our desires, and we know what your kind longs for. What you need.
I don’t know what you mean.
Oh, but he was very afraid he did.
“Come to bed, my love.”
He went wi
th her, allowed her to push him onto his back.
“Wait here and spread yourself for me. Just like that.”
She left his side and returned in a few moments, carrying a couple of items. It took him a few seconds to realize they were cuffs attached to chains with locks. When she crawled to kneel on the bed by his head and took an arm, he didn’t fight her. His arousal was too great, the slit on the head of his cock oozing with pre-cum.
That’s right, vampire. You want this, don’t you? We want this.
Leila cuffed one wrist, then wrapped the silver chain around the iron railing of the headboard several times before snapping the lock through the chain. Silver!
He was held fast, no hope of escaping until she let him go. He was totally at her mercy, and the knowledge only heightened the thrill.
“You look beautiful bound this way,” she said, smoothing a hand over his chest. “Tell me what you want.”
“Ride me,” he said hoarsely.
“Perhaps. When you beg for it.” With a predatory smile, she moved between his spread thighs and swallowed his cock. Or most of it.
He bucked, groaning at the glorious feeling of her tongue and throat massaging his rigid length. She was driving him crazy, bobbing down and up, getting him wet. Sucking him like he was her favorite dessert.
The torture lasted a couple of minutes before she raised her head. Her expression was hungry, and he needed to feed her. “Oh, gods, fuck me,” he rasped. “I need it. Please.”
Sitting up, she moved into place and straddled his hips, positioning the weeping mushroom head at her opening. Slowly, she slid down, impaling herself on him. Inch by lovely inch. Her pussy clasped him, hot and wet. Dripping for him.
“Shit, yes. Let me have that pretty cunt.”
His dirty talk spurred her on, and she rode him faster. “You like me taking this big cock, don’t you?”
“Yes. Take what you want.”
“You’ll give me anything,” she commanded.
He gritted his teeth, trying to fight her hold over his mind. This was wrong. She was going to gain control of his mind and use him to further her agenda. Hurt others.
“No,” he whispered. “Not anything.”
“You will, because I can give you what you desire most.” Her pussy continued to work him. She rode him, hands splayed on his chest, black hair falling around her. Such a slut, a bad girl. “Even now, I’m giving you the will to overcome your stupid morals and take it.”
She knows. Your mate knows that your greatest hunger is to sink your teeth and cock into your prey and drink, fuck, and drink until the fragile human heart stills. This is the need that every vampire hides. Do not deny it!
“It’s not true,” he moaned. But it was. Cum boiled in his balls at the thought of the one indulgence a vampire must avoid at all costs.
“Being a predator is your nature. The lion doesn’t apologize to the antelope because he must eat, and neither should you.” It was like she could see inside him. She understood. “Imagine how it will be. Have a sip of my blood and embrace who you are.”
“It’s wrong to kill. I won’t harm anyone.” The darkness of her blood beckoned. He wanted it so much it hurt. But he managed to resist.
“No, it isn’t.” She fucked him, grinding, her pussy juices slathering his balls. So good.
“I would never hurt him. Never,” he insisted. He wouldn’t hurt an innocent young man like Jordy.
“You lie, my love. I’m going to prove it to you.”
“How?” His breathing quickened, along with his groin. Any second, he was going to blow.
“I’ll arrange for him to meet you soon. He lives to please, and so he’ll never suspect. Such an innocent, trusting soul. And when you have him underneath you, helpless, you’ll experience your true power and fill him with the gift of your cum as you drain him.”
With a shout, Soren’s orgasm exploded, filling Leila’s clenching pussy. They rode out the shocks together until she slumped over his chest, spent.
True to her word, the beast didn’t subside right away. Its claws were sinking deeper into him, their consciousness, their insatiable hunger, becoming one. How much longer did he have?
“Very good, my mate,” she praised, kissing his cheek. “You’re coming along so well. Very soon I’m going to show you the glories of taking what you want. And eventually, you’ll give me one of the tools I require to achieve my goals.”
“What’s that?” The gleam in her dark eyes gave him a chill even before she answered.
“Your child.”
6
Soren was losing his mind.
The beast had finally gone quiet—after Leila had spent half the night fucking them both into a coma. Sitting up, he rubbed his sore wrists. “What is she? Tell me, you bastard!”
For once, the gods-damned beast ignored him when Soren wanted to talk. “She’s not human, is she?” he demanded. Still no answer. Sliding out of bed, he tossed the sheets and blankets aside. “Fine. I’m going to see Aldric, then. If he doesn’t know what the hell this woman is, if she even is a woman, he won’t rest until he helps me find out.”
You cannot do that. Her destruction is your own.
His footsteps faltered halfway to the bathroom. “Stop speaking in riddles and explain for once,” he muttered in frustration.
That was not a riddle, stupid vampire. What part of you can’t destroy her without destroying yourself isn’t clear to you?
His gut churned. “Destroy myself in the literal sense. As in dead.”
Ah, you’re catching on. The bond between you and Leila can be broken by killing her—if you could learn how it’s done. To do that you’d have to discover her secret, and that I will not tell you. For severing the bond and ridding the world of her means you die, too. And if you die, so do I, something we cannot allow to happen. Do you want to die?
“Of course not,” he snapped, shoving his fingers through his hair. “Who does?”
But he would do it, he realized. If he managed to retain one shred of his own mind, in the end he’d sacrifice himself to keep his loved ones safe. Carefully, he concentrated on forming a mental shield between the beast and his thoughts. One small piece of himself was all he needed to do what he must when the time came.
He tested the shield, prayed it held. Hoped that neither the beast nor the witch learned they weren’t the only ones with secrets. Soren had a big one, too, and if she learned that her efforts to have him sire her child were totally in vain, she might turn her attentions to one of his brothers instead. She could not find out.
He had to play her game, and play it better.
Gripping the counter by the sink, he stared into his own eyes in the bathroom mirror and searched, despite the shield, for any hint of the hated voice in his head. Any sign of the beast that was slowly taking over his consciousness. If he’d been expecting something out of a horror movie, perhaps a hideous, demonic face masking his or a maniacal light in his eyes, he was relieved to find that wasn’t the case. He just looked like Soren, if frazzled around the edges.
Suddenly, talking with Aldric right away wasn’t quite as pressing as the need to see Harley. The lure of her was a physical pull, a draw he hadn’t felt since he’d first laid eyes on Helena so long ago. As lonely as he’d been, as much as he’d hoped for a way to bring back his mate, he’d never really thought to experience that connection with another woman. Was it Harley’s beauty that drew him in? Her taste that left him wanting more? Or her feistiness, so unlike demure Helena?
He didn’t know. But he wasn’t going to unlock the mystery of Harley by standing here ruminating when he should be taking action. Decision made, he turned from the counter and grabbed the silk robe hanging on the hook behind the bathroom door and walked out. In the hallway, he stood outside her door, knocked, and waited. Shuffling sounds came from the other side and then it opened a crack, revealing a sleepy Harley. She was naked, from what he could see of her arm and a tantalizing curve of hip and leg.
Her hair was mussed, shadows under her eyes as though she hadn’t slept well. But she brightened on seeing him and gave him a smile. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Harley. How did you sleep?”
She shrugged. “Not too bad, I guess. You?”
The woman was lying, but he chose not to make an issue of it. “All right, when I finally managed to close my eyes.” That was no lie—Leila had kept him awake into the wee hours. “There should be a robe in your closet. Why don’t you put it on and join me for breakfast? Then I’ve got something in mind for us after.”
“Is that an order?” The curve of her luscious mouth and twinkle in her eyes hinted that she wasn’t opposed to the idea of being told what to do.
“Yes. Your first official one in your new home,” he said, pleased. “Hurry. I don’t have all day.”
He did have plenty of time, actually. Thankfully, Leila had been gone when he woke up, and he found himself free to enjoy his day. But as he pushed the door open wider, it filled him with satisfaction to see Harley’s firm, delectable rear as she hustled to do his bidding. He liked that she had fire yet seemed to need a dominant hand.
Digging in the closet, she found the green silk robe and pulled it on, wrapping it around her and tying it at her waist. He approved. It matched her eyes and hugged her figure nicely, and it showed off the taut tips of her clearly outlined nipples. Sometimes a bit of covering that hinted at the beauty beneath was just as sensual as wearing nothing at all.
When she headed toward the bathroom, he held up a hand. “Where are you going?”
She blinked at him. “Just to brush my hair. It’s messy.”
“Did I tell you to go brush your hair, or complain that it’s disheveled?” he asked sharply. It wasn’t a big deal—except he wanted to know how far her need for dominance really went.
Her pupils dilated, and the unmistakable scent of arousal reached his nose. “No, master, you didn’t.”
Master. There was that word he loved to hear from his Chosen. It made him hard as fucking nails every time. “Then get your pretty ass over here and let’s go eat.”
