by Eve Newton
I smile back. “Giulia, you remember Devon, and this is Cole, my husband.”
She smiles at each in turn handing us our visitor’s badges.
“Husband? In the mortal sense? You kept that quiet, didn’t you,” she says.
“Didn’t she just,” Eloise’s tinkly, annoying voice says from over by the elevator. “You never mentioned it on your unsanctioned visit here last week.”
Oh, fuck off bitch, like I need to tell you anything. I sneer at her. “Well, after tomorrow I shall be free to come and go as I please. I won’t need the welcome wagon.” I wave dismissively at her, no longer concerned by her status as I am now better than her. She looks outraged that I have just dismissed her but makes no move on me. My point has been made. Clearly a chatty sire has been telling tales of my rage-fueled Power.
“Where is he?” I ask Nico.
The other elevator pings open and Constantine sweeps out in all his majestic beauty. The pang I felt after my reminiscing the other day returns.
“Aefre, you came,” he calls me by my first name. “I had half a mind you would tell Nico to shove it and go straight to the hotel.” He smiles, clearly pleased about something. He kisses me tenderly. “I’m glad the lady saw reason,” he murmurs against my lips as my mouth drops open.
“Pardon?” I whisper.
He winks at me. “Come, let me show you your office.” He pulls me into the elevator, and I tow Cole along behind me. Devon steps in under his own steam, as does Nico.
Fortunately, there is now no room for Eloise, who is staring at me with open hatred. I pull CK closer to me with a wicked smile aimed at her as the doors close.
CK’s mood is infectious as we travel up to the top floor. I wonder what on Earth is up with him. I think the other three occupants are as equally baffled by his joviality.
We step off and he pushes open the door of the office next to his, with a flourish.
“This is yours,” he says. It’s much like his own, and my one at home. I’m impressed and say so.
“I knew you would like it,” he says smugly.
“CK, what is going on with you? Is everything okay? Oh, gods, you haven’t…you know…” I dread to ask making a slitting motion at my neck.
He laughs at my expression. “No, my love. His head is still attached, unfortunately.” He grimaces briefly, but then the brilliant smile returns. “Can’t a sire be happy to have his charge return to the fold?”
I blink at him. “CK, I told you I’m not moving here,” I say stubbornly, and he shrugs offhand.
“You are still going to be closer to me, more of the time. And that, my sweet, is all a sire can ask for,” he says.
Cole and Devon are listening to this with bad grace and I don’t blame them. There is still something off about CK’s attitude. Especially in light of his words earlier.
“Can we go now?” Devon asks rudely.
“CK is there a reason you wanted us here right away?” I ask.
“No, there is a reason I wanted you here right away. The others are free to leave,” he says mildly.
‘The others’ both snort in unison and say “Yeah, right.” They glare at each other while I snicker and end up on the receiving end of two sets of annoyed gazes. It’s like one mind.
“What is it, CK? We are all grouchy and hungry.”
Nico disappears and returns shortly with three glasses of blood that we accept with thanks and gulp down.
“How are your cravings now?” CK asks me.
“Fine,” I respond and add after his grimace, “Better, thank you.”
“Good. I need to speak to you alone. Come to my office,” he says.
“Fine,” I say again. I kiss Cole first and then Devon, telling them I’ll only be a moment.
Following CK to his office, I sigh, “What is it, my love. I’m tired.”
He holds me to him and says, “I just wanted to see you and tell you that I know.”
“Know what?” I ask confused and in no mood for guessing games.
“That you’ve been thinking about me. About us,” he replies.
“Yes, well, it’s hard not to. I have seen you more these last few weeks than I have for a long time.” I reach up and touch his face softly.
“That is true, my love, but that is not what I mean,” he says mirroring my gesture. “I had a vision of my own, you could say.”
“What?”
“After we spoke, when we discovered about The Power’s dislike of…you know who…I saw you, in my head, in your office. I saw exactly what you were thinking about,” he says.
“What?” I say again stupidly. “I don’t get it.”
“Your memories of our trysts by the bell tower and our first encounter in the barn,” he murmurs. “Christ, Aefre. You were the sweetest, most beautiful, innocent creature I had ever met. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted you. I wish I had been able to tell you about me. I was waiting to see if you felt the same about me as I did about you.”
Staring at him in surprise, I clear my throat. “You saw what I was remembering?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes.”
“What does that mean? I have always thought you could read my mind,” I say with a slight smile.
“No, Aefre. I just know you. I don’t know what it means. I wish we could go back in time to then. Do things differently. The way I planned. The way it should have been.” He traces a finger down my face to my lips.
“Oh, my love. I wish things had worked out differently as well, but things are the way they were supposed to be.”
He closes his eyes at my words. “After tomorrow we should learn more about everything. I know how frustrated you are feeling. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.” He pulls me close and I sigh in contentment.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Back at the hotel, we all crash, fully clothed, as soon as we hit the bed. Yes, bed. All three of us on the same bed. Too bad I’m so fucking tired I can’t keep my eyes open. I can’t say for sure why we are all so tired. I didn’t think Vampires suffered from jet lag, but it seems to be the case.
After a couple of hours, I awake refreshed while Cole and Devon still sleep. I take a moment to take in their features in repose. Devon must sense me staring at him as his foggy blue eyes pop open.
“I’m sorry, my darling, go back to sleep,” I murmur to him.
He grunts and pulls me on top of him. “If you’re going to wake me up, I’d rather you at least do it properly.”
I giggle and point to Cole. Devon gives me a twisted smile. “You said you’d sorted it,” he grumbles.
I bite my lip. “I did,” I say decisively and grind down on Devon’s already hard cock.
“That’s it, baby,” he moans softly, letting me unzip his pants and pull his dick out.
I run my hand down it, enjoying the silky smoothness.
“Mm,” he murmurs, twitching against my palm.
His hands go under my dress and find the strap of my knickers, he tugs viciously, snapping the thin fabric. His fingers are inside me in the next second, making me moan loudly.
I hear Cole stir and glance over to see him watching us intently, his eyes full of heat.
“Join us?” I purr.
“Not this time,” he says.
“You’re going to watch?” Devon asks.
“Yes,” he croaks back.
“Fuck,” Devon grunts as I cream his fingers at Cole’s words. “You sure. She is soaking wet.” He brings his fingers up to my mouth and pushes them through my lips, making me taste myself. “Christ,” he rumbles.
I scoot further down and take his cock in my mouth. I graze my teeth down him gently before I suck him hard.
“Can’t wait,” he says, sitting up and slamming me onto my back in a flash of Vampire speed. He falls on top of me and rams his dick into me as I wrap my legs around him. I push my hips up needing him buried even further in my pussy.
“Fuck, Lizzie,” he pants as he pounds me into the bed while Cole watc
hes us, breathing heavily at the live porn going on in front of him.
“Touch yourself,” I rasp to Cole. “I want you to come all over me.”
He groans and I hear him unzip his fly. He moves over to kneel next to us as Devon fucks me hard and fast, using more than a bit of his Vampire side to bring me to World-shattering climax that makes me scream in pleasure and writhe underneath him, my eyes on Cole.
He is jerking himself off furiously. As soon as Devon bursts his load inside me, he comes too, spurting his hot cum all over my face.
“Fuck,” he groans. “Fuck.”
I tremble under Devon as my orgasm hasn’t quite finished yet, my pussy still clenching tightly around his cock.
“Jesus, you feel so good,” he murmurs with his eyes closed. “There’s no one else, Lizzie. No one but you.”
I narrow my eyes at his words. He cracks one of his open, a glint shining in the clear blue.
“Seriously?” I gasp, thrilled at his admission.
“Yep,” he says, pulling his still hard, dripping wet cock out of me and then he is gone with a flash of Vampire speed into the shower.
We all spend a leisurely day in the pool and spa and then we go for drinks and dinner.
Feeling thoroughly pampered and prepped for tomorrow’s ceremony, I’m in good spirits now, which in turn makes my boys happy too.
“Hey, I have a question which has been bothering me,” Devon says suddenly. “As you are not an Initial Vampire, how will you have an equal standing on The Council?”
This is something that I have always wondered should a fourth member ever be chosen, however, now considering my Power boost I understand it. I don’t get the chance to answer though, as CK turns up and answers for me, “By the Power of One, of course.”
We three turn to look at him. “Yes, but still. It doesn’t make her one of you,” Devon persists, taking my hand and linking our fingers together. Now that the three-way cherry has been broken, sort of, he is taking full advantage. I’m ecstatic at this development. Now all I need is CK to do the same.
He doesn’t.
“No, it makes her better,” CK says with pride.
“How so?”
“All will be revealed after tomorrow’s ceremony,” he says cryptically.
Devon scowls at his evasiveness.
“Are you looking forward to La Scala tomorrow?” CK asks me, changing the subject and sitting down.
“I am. It will be strange though,” I say hesitantly.
“Is it common for professional athletes to be…you know…our kind?” he inquires.
Amused by the question, we three older ‘you knows’ glance at each other.
CK answers, “Not really in traditional sports. It’s too difficult to keep the speed and reflexes in check. Classical ballet and dance are different though. Controlled, precise. Every step requires thought.”
“I have known both male and female Vampires who have taken up dance professionally,” I add.
“You said before, it’s almost like cheating though.”
CK scoffs, “Hardly. Technical brilliance, poise, and grace don’t come naturally to us. Maybe we have an edge on strength, but all that Svetlana accomplished was by her own talent and hard work.”
I beam at the praise and blush, just a teeny tiny bit.
Cole looks at me proudly. “Svetlana? Sexy! I wish I could have seen you,” he says wistfully.
“Well, if she’d get off her stubborn ass and dance again, you’d be able to,” Devon pipes up and CK nods in agreement.
“You totally should,” Cole exclaims, and I know when I am being ganged up on.
“Maybe,” I concede.
C K takes his leave soon after. I hate seeing him go. It’s affecting me on a level that is starting to physically hurt me.
It’s getting late, so we head to our room. Cole and Devon watche me as I steam out my dress for tomorrow.
“You will look so beautiful,” Cole murmurs.
I grin at him over my shoulder.
“I wonder what this ceremony is going to entail?” Devon asks.
“CK said it would be simple. Words and a blood oath. Should only take about ten minutes tops. The rest of the afternoon will be drinks, etc.”
“Are you nervous?” Cole asks.
I laugh. “For the ceremony? No. For what comes after? Yes, a little. You know, fear of the unknown…” I finish with my dress. Cole puts his arms around me.
“Well, as long as you don’t burst into flames, we will handle whatever comes,” he says quietly. “All of us,” he adds, looking at Devon.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
T he next morning is really busy with another round in the spa and then getting ready. Nico brings us Feeders, which are greatly appreciated, and we all calm down a bit after that. One Vampire with nerves sets off the rest in enclosed spaces and I am nervous. As I said before, not for the ceremony, but for whatever this Power wants me to see or do next.
Deciding to wear my hair up to show off the marking on my back, which is now so big it has the tip at the base of my neck and the bottom point at the small of my back. My halter dress shows off the entire thing. If I have to have it, I might as well flaunt it.
Bunching my hair up and twirling it into a severe bun, I push the pins in as the boys watch me again. I like them watching me, I decide with a small smile. My deft fingers complete the hairdo in a matter of minutes. I smooth it back and smile in the mirror.
Cole smiles back, slow and sexy. “I’ve never seen you with your hair so…” I raise an eyebrow at him, “… away from your face,” he finishes.
I chuckle at him. “You like?”
“Always,” he breathes.
“Help me with my dress?” I ask Devon.
He nods and stands. I do too. I take it from the hanger and hand it to him. Taking off my robe, I’m naked underneath. His eyes heat up, but he holds the dress up for me to step into. He pulls the thin ice blue satin up over my hips and over my breasts, clasping the thin halter strap behind my neck. I smooth out the fabric and turn. The soft, slinky material fits tight across my breasts, showing a fair bit of cleavage, tight to the hips and falls elegantly to the floor. The back is wide open with the material starting again just above my hips. With my blonde hair swept up, I look like an ice princess and that was the desired effect. Cole is just standing there gaping at me.
“Well?” I say stepping into a pair of silver peep toe Louboutins.
“I knew you would look amazing, but fuck, Liv. I have never seen anything more beautiful than you are right now,” Cole says.
I smile smugly. No false modesty here. “Thank you,” I say, taking the compliment.
“I don’t feel worthy,” he whispers to me.
“Oh, you are more than worthy, my love. You are my destiny,” I say simply.
He kisses me gently, not wanting to ruin a painstaking couple of hours on messing up my hair and make-up.
“Necklace, please,” I say.
Devon grabs the box off the dresser and opens it.
He takes out a single six-carat diamond pendant on a platinum chain and holds it up to the light. “That is just gorgeous,” he says moving behind me and placing it around my neck. It fits in perfectly with the dress. I have already poked my earrings into place so all that is left is the diamond bracelet that Cole places on my right wrist as my charms are forever on my left. This team work is wonderful and it sends a thrill shooting through me.
“I cannot wait to see the look on that bitch’s face when she sees you,” Devon says. I giggle, and Cole, in spite of himself, lets out a loud guffaw. Trust Dev to know exactly what to say to make us laugh.
“Nico’s downstairs waiting,” Devon says after looking at his phone.
Handing my phone and a credit card to Cole to hang on to, I pick up my dress, so I don’t trip, and we make our way downstairs. The reception is full, and all eyes turn to me as we walk past. I take great delight in the admiration.
Nico is waiting
outside with CK’s limo. He stares at me for a moment with that same look he had in Monte Carlo. He sees me watching him and the shutters come back down.
“Liv, you look wonderful,” he says briskly.
I incline my head in thanks as Cole grabs my elbow while I lift my skirt to scoot in.
Once settled, we set off. My nerves return so we sit in silence on the short ride. Using the same process in reverse for exiting the car, I swish both my feet around to the floor to step out with the help of Cole taking my hand.
We make our way into the building, to find Giulia waiting for us.
She grins when she sees me. “Liv, you look fabulous,” she gushes. I smile my thanks as she hands visitor’s badges to Cole and Devon. “You don’t need one now!” she exclaims to me with glee. I smile as she pushes the button to the elevator. “Mr. D’Arcangelo said to bring you right up so we can start,” she says, stepping in as it arrives, and we follow.
The function room is on the third floor, so the trip is short, mercifully. Giulia steps out. Devon takes my hand and follows her out, bringing me with him in an assertive move that makes me go slightly damp. I’m gripping Cole’s arm for support of the moral kind. He smiles at me and I relax my death grip slightly.
Giulia opens the function room door with a flourish to announce our arrival. There is a collective gasp as everyone’s eyes land on me. By everyone, I mean about five Master Vampires who belong to Eloise and Gregor, and roughly twenty of the older Greater Immortals, who obviously belong to the Masters. Along with a handful of high-ranking Council Employees, who vary in kind, from Witches to humans. It’s not unexpected that absolutely none of my own siblings are here.
Last but not least, my eyes find the three Initial Vampires at the back of the room. I shift my gaze from Gregor ,who gazes at me with an even creepier look than usual, to Eloise, who looks murderously envious, especially as I have two of the most gorgeous men to ever exist accompanying me on either side. And then I look at my beloved Constantine, who looks at me with pride, awe, and love. Real love, not the sire kind, which takes my breath away. It’s been a while since I saw that look in his eyes. He quickly adjusts his features when he sees that I’ve noticed.
