by Aubrey Ross
He bent to her neck and scraped her skin with his fangs, a sexual gesture every host understood. “I ached for hours after you left me that night. Did you find someone to scratch your itch or are you still restless?”
“It’s none of your damn business.” She shoved against his chest but he didn’t budge. She hadn’t really expected him to. “You’re the one who came on to me. I tried to be professional.”
He released her head and returned his hand to the counter, surrounding her with his brawny arms. In the depths of his dark eyes emerald light began to glow. “Let me tell you how this is going to work.” His gaze lingered on her face then gradually descended to the swell of her breasts, left bare by the dip of her bodice. “We’re going to spend the next few hours exploring this tension.” Suddenly he leaned in and nipped the sensitive spot below her ear. Sharp pleasure skittered along her neck and dropped down her arm. “Resist if you want, I don’t mind. I’ve never shied away from a challenge. But remember our time is limited.”
“And why is that?”
He raised his hand to her chest and traced the scalloped edge of her gown. His fingertip felt warm against her skin and tingles trailed in the wake of his teasing caress. Her nipples tightened and sensitized, making the inside of her bodice feel rough. “Prince Alexi has given me until tomorrow to convince you to cooperate.”
Bronik must think her an addled fool to stand here so passively. If she could just rouse her symbionts then she’d introduce him to the real Eloise. She might not be able to best a pureblood, but she’d put up one hell of a fight. “And what happens if I refuse to cooperate even after hours of persuasion?”
“If I can’t offer him a full report when he arrives tomorrow, he’ll strip the information from your mind.” He cupped her chin and raised her face until she looked into his eyes. “Prince Alexi is more skilled than most, but mining for information always results in brain damage.”
* * * * *
Garrett Mansfield crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe of Tara’s office. Being summoned like a servant tended to make him irritable. Tara might claim him as son, but he knew she could remove the distinction just as quickly as she’d bestowed it upon him. He was useful to her, nothing more. Expecting any affection or lasting loyalty would have been foolish and naïve. Garrett was neither.
“Are the evacuations complete?” Tara sat behind her ornate desk, looking composed and elegant, completely unruffled by the conflict raging around them. There had always been tension between the strains, especially Vladya and Strigo, but recent events had nearly escalated disagreement to all-out war. One tiny push from either side and Earth would see the destructive power of Strigoian hosts.
“The final group of Rom hosts is en route to the new site now but some of the equipment couldn’t be delivered until tomorrow.” Consolidating everything under one roof had been the only choice left to them because of Eloise’s capture. Anything she knew, her captors would likely have learned by now, so new precautions had been unavoidable. The consolidation should make the operation more efficient, but one central location also presented greater risks than the six small, isolated project sites they had utilized before.
“Are you ready to depart as well?”
The crisp dismissal in her tone made him unfold and straighten his arms. “I’m to oversee the new location?” He wanted to move to Colorado about as much as he wanted to become celibate.
“I would trust this to no one else.” Behind her calm façade her dark eyes smoldered. “You supervised the old project sites from afar. Now that all of the test subjects will be in one location, I see no reason for you not to be stationed nearby.”
Despite his best efforts at calm, his shoulders tensed and his hands clenched. She was banishing him like an errant child, sending him to the middle of nowhere so she could avoid his questions and frustrations. He should accept her decision and walk away, rejoice in a life free from her manipulation.
“What about Eloise?” They weren’t technically siblings. Still, Eloise was the only sister he’d ever known.
Eloise’s disappearance had sent Tara into a fit of rage. She’d vowed to make Strigo strain pay for their treachery and brutalized the guards who had failed to prevent the abduction. But her spies within Strigo strain reported that neither Prince Alexi nor his uncle, Edrick Yeager, had been responsible for the abduction, which left Tara no reason to follow through on her rash threats.
“What about her?” Tara muttered. “If she were truly the victim of abduction, there would have been a ransom demand by now.”
“Meaning?” He tensed. Tara was always ruthless, but abandoning Eloise seemed extreme. Tara had found Eloise when Eloise was still an infant. Tara had reared the human child herself, providing for her every need. When the time came for Eloise’s initiation, Tara had used her own blood to imbue Eloise with Vladya symbionts. For all intents and purposes, Eloise was Tara’s daughter.
“I don’t like the possibility any more than you do, but we must be practical. There is a very real possibility that Eloise was directly involved in the incident.”
He took two steps toward her before he realized what he was doing. Did the old bitch really think Eloise was so deceitful? “What would she gain by staging her own disappearance?”
Planting her hands flat on the desktop, Tara locked her elbows and came up out of the chair. “Don’t question my conclusions. I have explored every option and the only avenue that remains is her defection.”
“I don’t believe she’d betray you and neither should you. We’re her family.”
Tara’s arms relaxed and she eased back into her seat. “I don’t want to believe it, but what other explanation is there? Rom strain doesn’t have the resources to pull off something so bold and I know for a fact Strigo strain didn’t do it.”
“Isn’t it possible Alexi acted alone? He’s the crown prince of Strigoia Prime. Surely he has resources that reach beyond his strain, resources unknown to your contacts.”
“Alexi was busy rescuing his crew when Eloise was abducted. Everyone I’ve questioned confirms that fact. Not even the crown prince of Strigoia Prime can be in two places at once. Furthermore, my contacts assure me that Edrick and Alexi were genuinely shocked when they learned that Eloise was missing.”
“So we just give up?” His voice rose as his throat tightened and his pulse throbbed in his temples. This was Eloise they were talking about! Didn’t Tara give a damn about anyone but herself?
“I have not given up.” Her emotionless mask was firmly in place again. “I will locate Eloise. One way or the other she will return to my side.”
“And in the meantime we proceed as if she never existed?”
“Enough!” She shoved back her chair and came out from behind her desk. Her fangs peeked out from between her lips and crimson sparks flickered within her dark eyes. “You will do as you’re told and that ends it. Property has been purchased a short distance from the prison. Dr. Cordell has been informed that you are to have full access to the Rom females as well as the medical staff. You will focus entirely on completing this project and leave Eloise to me.”
He inclined his head, acknowledging her dictates. “May I choose personnel to accompany me? I don’t want to be at the mercy of people I don’t know.”
“Of course. Take whomever you like.” He turned toward the door and she placed her hand on his upper arm, momentarily halting his departure. “This is not a punishment, Garrett. I trust you above all others and the Rom project is vitally important.”
With a deep breath and the utmost control he managed to compose his expression. “I understand and I know you care about Eloise as much as I do. Forgive my stubbornness.”
Her lips parted in a calculated smile that never managed to reach her eyes. “You come by your stubbornness naturally. I can’t fault you for a trait I share.”
“I’ll check in once I’m settled.” He shifted his arm away from her hand before he added, �
�Please update me if there are any new developments.”
“Of course.”
Rushing from the room before his false humility shattered, he strode down the château’s main hall. The compound was located near Vancouver, which kept Tara just outside Strigo territory as she continually expanded her sphere of influence. Ultra-modern technology contrasted with old-world décor, reflecting the complexities of the compound’s owner.
Though the château was luxurious and comfortable, Garrett tried to convince himself he wouldn’t miss it as he strode toward the main staircase at the front of the house. A husky female laugh drew his attention to the game room as he reached the open archway. His steps faltered and he peered into the large, open room. One of the human feeders sat on the edge of the pool table, skirt bunched around her hips, long legs loosely wrapped around Jackson’s waist. They were more or less dressed and the exchange appeared playful, but things seldom remained playful when Jackson was involved. Females found him irresistible, a trait that could be quite useful.
“Jackson,” Garrett called. “A word.”
Jackson’s dark head whipped around but he remained between the feeder’s legs. “I’m a little busy right now.”
Garrett caught the human’s gaze and motioned her toward the sofa. “Get undressed and lie down. We’ll be with you in a moment.”
“We?” Jackson’s brow arched as he ambled across the room. “Maybe I’m not in the mood to share.”
“Your moods hold far less importance than they did a few weeks ago. When’s the last time you shared Tara’s bed?” He lowered his voice so the feeder couldn’t hear the exchange.
“Why? Would you prefer to have me in yours?”
Jackson was arrogant and used to his physical attributes providing him with whatever he wanted. Garrett had no interest in the man personally, but he understood the value of Jackson’s appeal. “I’m setting up a headquarters closer to the new project site. If Tara is finished with you, as I suspect, I thought you might be interested in a change of scenery and fresh hunting grounds.”
A slow smile bowed Jackson’s lips and made his dark eyes gleam. “I’m more than interested.” He suddenly appeared more serious than Garrett had ever seen him. “It’s only a matter of time before Tara finds a new favorite. I’d rather not wait around.”
“Then let’s enjoy one last taste of Canada.” He nodded toward the naked feeder now sprawled on the sofa, watching them. “Once our needs are met, my friend, we’re heading to Colorado.”
Chapter Three
Trembling with fury and fear, Caresse watched Farren Doyle cross the grassy clearing in front of the Levari safe house. The guards had dragged her to the rough-hewn bench situated beneath a massive oak. One guard watched her, weapon drawn, while the other returned to his position beside the door. She had no idea why the Levari Brethren had chosen Farren as their primary spokesman, but she was rapidly learning to hate him above all the others.
Farren and Desmond had been alone in the cabin for at least an hour and the silence had been more torturous than shouts and crashes would have been. At least if they’d been screaming at each other she’d have had some idea of what was transpiring inside.
She poured energy into her mental shields as Farren neared. He spent so much time with the Brethren in complete control. Did anything of the host remain?
Even on Strigoia Prime Levari strain had been separatists, secretive and antisocial. But she’d never heard of symbionts that could control their hosts. Perhaps there was something in human blood that incited these bizarre behaviors. Earthbound Levari not only controlled their hosts, they networked their minds into a communal consciousness. Worse, they could instantaneously transfer energy from one host to another, making those they used for confrontations incredibly strong and hard to kill. It was fascinating and yet rather repulsive. Symbionts were meant to live in harmony with their hosts, not take them over completely.
“Your mate has failed to see reason,” he stated in his characteristic monotone. “It is now necessary to motivate him.”
Dread wrapped around her like a pissed-off constrictor, making it hard to breathe. Farren had used her as motivation before. He’d humiliated and threatened her as Desmond was forced to watch, but he’d stopped before actually harming her. It was unlikely he’d show restraint a second time.
She should turn to mist and—leave Desmond at the mercy of the Brethren? Never. There had to be a way to escape their control permanently.
Hadn’t she wanted a way to jolt Desmond’s Strigo symbionts out of hibernation? Nothing would elicit a more violent response than harming his mate. He was obsessively protective.
What other choice did she have?
The only thing she was sure of was that anything was better than becoming a mind-slave to the Levari Brethren.
“Come.” Farren held out his hand.
She ignored the gesture but followed him toward the cabin. Her guard fell in behind. Leaves crunched beneath her boots and her long, full skirt billowed in the wind. She felt a ripple of energy as Farren directed the guards but she couldn’t hear the exchange. Farren paused in front of the door and disabled the energy barrier.
Farren pushed the door inward and Desmond turned sharply toward them, anxiety etched into his pale features. “This has nothing to do with Caresse.”
His tone was so filled with dread and frustration it took all her strength not to run to him and wrap her arms around him. They had faced so many challenges together, vanquished enemy after enemy side by side. They could do this too. But she had to be brave and selfless.
The guards flanked the door, silently waiting for further instructions. Farren stepped past her, shoulders squared, expression calm yet stern. “You insisted on the opportunity to interrogate our Vladya captive. We had more direct methods in mind for retrieving the information we need.”
“I don’t know how she escaped.” To his credit, Desmond held his ground. “I told you everything I know. Her disappearance is not a reflection on me. I did everything I said I would—”
“You failed.” Farren didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to. The simple statement returned the tormented look to Desmond’s eyes. “The debate is over. Success is well rewarded within the Brethren, but harsh consequences follow failure.”
Clasping his hands behind his back, Desmond raised his chin and stared straight ahead. “I am prepared to answer for my failure.”
“Of course you are. Your military training and basic breeding have enabled you to process pain as easily as breath.” Farren motioned Caresse toward him. “We have something else in mind.”
“Leave her out of it!” One of the guards rushed across the room and shoved Desmond against the wall. Desmond twisted and lunged, avoiding the other man’s restraining hands as he yelled, “Don’t touch her! She has nothing to do with any of this.”
“We disagree.” Farren’s voice remained even, yet the calmness of it was almost mocking.
The guard drew his sidearm and shoved the muzzle under Desmond’s chin. “We will shoot.” Amber light ignited in the soldier’s eyes, announcing the Levari Brethren’s direct control of the man. “And what do you think will happen to your lovely mate once you’re out of the picture?”
Desmond clenched and unclenched his fists, trembling, eyes wild. “Don’t hurt her.”
“You were warned of the form our punishment would take,” Farren reminded him. “Didn’t you believe we’d do it?”
With a feral growl, Desmond shoved and twisted, lost in blind determination. The guard with the gun moved to Desmond’s side as the other hurried to assist him. The second guard grabbed Desmond by the throat, gradually tightening his fingers until Desmond slumped against the wall. Only then did the guard ease the pressure and allow Desmond to draw breath again.
“Don’t let him pass out,” Farren advised. “We want him to see everything that’s about to happen to his lovely mate.”
“I’ll find the Vladya bitch,” Desmond rasped. �
�Give me the chance to make this right. There’s no reason to harm Caresse.”
Ignoring Desmond’s pleas, Farren turned to Caresse. “Undress. Show us what he values above all things.”
She fought to keep her expression blank as she raised her hands to the buttons on the front of her blouse. She wasn’t ashamed of her body, far from it, but already the scene was taking on a life of its own. She’d expected Farren to station the guards outside, not allow them to watch.
It didn’t matter. She couldn’t let it matter. Only something with massive emotional impact would push Desmond beyond caution, beyond rational thought, and allow his instincts to take over completely. She had to become that catalyst.
Her hands trembled as she freed one button and moved on to the next. She risked a glance into Desmond’s eyes and felt her heartbeat falter. The pain and utter devastation reflected in his gaze nearly changed her mind. This was cruel and twisted and…necessary. The only other choice was surrender to the Brethren. And she would rather die than endure slavery again.
She tugged off her boots and socks then slipped off her blouse with casual indifference. If she remained completely robotic, Desmond would believe she was under the control of the Brethren, oblivious to what was happening to her body. But would that be enough to ignite the reaction she needed? If Desmond’s Strigo side wasn’t unleashed, she was doing this for nothing.
There was only one way to find out.
Reaching beneath her skirt, she pulled down her panties and kicked them aside. The guards watched each move she made with wolfish anticipation. She couldn’t think about them. They were irrelevant to her goal. She unhooked her bra and let it slide down her arms before she wiggled out of her skirt.
Suddenly Farren was at her back. One of his arms spanned her narrow waist and pressed her against him. “We can take our time, pet. Give us a moment to appreciate our good fortune.” He cupped one of her breasts and then the other, teasing each nipple with the pad of his thumb. “Have you ever seen such perfect breasts, boys? Soft and round, with just enough bounce to make things interesting.” He lightly swatted her breasts, making them jiggle.
