by Sophia North
"Humans are our rightful prey," Anton replied with authority. "I'm returning our world back to the natural order of things. Dante, I can release you from all your stupid obligations. You will be free again!"
"Not interested," Dante said determinedly. "What you propose is sheer lunacy."
Anton glowered at Dante. His unruly long, blonde hair surrounded his face like the mane of a lion. His large eyes were red-rimmed and had more than a glint of madness in them - they practically raged with it. Tales of his possession were no longer without merit.
Anton turned from Dante and moved behind the throne of the Grand Elder. Bending slightly, he seemed to converse with someone, nodding his head in agreement. Finished with his seemingly one-sided conversation, he sat back down on his throne.
"With whom do you consult?" Dante called out. "An apparition created by your fevered mind?"
"No apparition," Anton smiled. "I speak with gods."
"Devils more like," Dante muttered.
"Very well, Dante," he sighed. "You don't wish to play ball. Perhaps you might have a re-think once you see your father."
"My father?"
"Bring him!" Anton ordered, clicking his fingers.
Moments later Alessio Polidori appeared in shackles guarded by two powerful looking vampyres. At first glance Dante could scarcely believe his eyes. His father appeared so weak and emaciated, he was almost unrecognizable. His head hung loosely to one side, as if he no longer had the strength to support it.
"Father!" Dante shouted.
"It's no use. Alessio cannot respond much anymore," Anton informed him. "Daddy's developed a rather severe drug habit. I keep telling him to clean-up his act but it just falls on deaf ears. If he maintains this filthy habit, I swear he might only have a few days left. Maybe not even as long as that."
Simmons joined Anton in a chorus of sick laughter, as Dante felt a number of hands on his arms, holding him back. As if the chains weren't enough.
"Father!" Dante shouted again. "What have they done to you?"
This time his father managed to raise his head and squint in Dante's direction. "Battle, son," he gurgled. "Our first one…together..." he muttered, as his head drooped downwards again.
"Listen to the nonsense he speaks!" laughed Anton.
Unable to control himself, Dante broke free. His anger so great the chains were snapped from the hands of his guards. "Anton!" he roared. "Release my father at once! You're killing him!"
Dante fought viciously, head-butting two of the guards holding him back. But it was no use - more and more of Anton's followers came forward to clasp his arms, legs - anywhere they could grab hold of him, they did.
"Take him away!" Anton stood up and shouted at the guards, who in turn dragged Alessio from the Chambers.
Anton sat down again and draped himself over his throne, a menacing grin appearing on his face. "I'm still going to give you a chance, Dante. You know, to think things over."
"I will kill you," Dante panted in rage.
"You can try," Anton chuckled. "But here's the thing, I really do want to help you see the light. So, I propose this: for as long as your father lives, I will be prepared to share my power with you. And the two of us will rule the world together!"
Dante glared back. So angry, words simply failed him.
"However," Anton continued. "When poor old dad dies - and believe me, mate, he does not have long - should you still resist me, then sadly I will be forced to kill you too."
"Then kill me now because I will never join you."
"Oh, you're just angry. What a temper you have! But once you calm down and think things over, I'm sure you'll see it my way."
"Never."
"Also," Anton paused to press a theatrical finger to his lips. "About your precious Simone. I'm afraid she really must be eliminated, Dante. I sent Samsun to take care of this little problem for me but he failed. Rest assured, he'll not do so again."
"Keep her out of this!" Dante shouted.
"Oh please, she is but a poor replacement for Zara. And I know all about her helping you access your visionary powers. It served our purpose for awhile to allow this relationship to continue. But now her presence will only confuse matters. So, I will deal with her soon enough, my friend," Anton grinned. "Just as I dealt with Zara."
"You bastard! You evil fucker!" Dante bellowed, trying with all his might to break free from his chains. "You've given me so many reasons to kill you!"
"Ha! So many reasons. Comical!" Anton shrieked. "Guards! Take him away, beat him to within an inch of death and then...throw the sad fool out!"
Chapter Twenty-Five
"YOU'RE SAFE!" SIMONE exclaimed, when Dante walked into the library. "Thank god! I've been so worried."
Rushing to his side, she flung her arms around his broad shoulders and pressed herself against the length of his body.
The feel of her almost broke him. He wanted to bury himself in her sweetness to stamp out the horrors of his night.
"I'm fine, love," he murmured into her hair. "A few lingering bumps and bruises, nothing too serious."
"Do you need to feed? Here," she raised her arm. "I don't care anymore about what it means - drink. Heal."
Dante kissed her offered forearm and gently lowered it. "Simone, there is no need. I'm okay. Where's Vlad?"
"Out searching for you. Did you believe I'd let him stay here with me after everything that happened?"
His brows drew together in a frown. "No, I expected him to do what he was told and protect you."
"Do I look harmed?" Simone quipped sarcastically. "No! I am safely tucked away in this supernaturally impenetrable mausoleum. Vlad's presence was not needed, nor wanted. And I told him as much - many, many times. Who knew the threat to slit my wrists if he didn't go would finally do the trick?"
Dante shook his head in amazement at her audacity. "You are a one fierce lioness. Damn, again Vlad sees the truth before me. It's an alarming development. But I suppose I can take solace in his inability to stand up to you."
"Come, let me see if your wounds are really healing. One cannot be too careful these days."
"Dr. Radcliffe, there are more inventive ways to get me naked," Dante suggestively replied.
Paying no heed to his sexual innuendo, she took a more commanding tone. "Strip, then go and sit down on the couch. I'll be back shortly."
Still dressed in her alluring black leather outfit, Dante enjoyed watching the rather provocative view she presented as she turned and marched out of the room.
Minutes later, she returned with a bowl of steaming hot water and towels. "You're still dressed," she said, setting the tray down with an annoyed thump.
"But I am sitting on the couch - I've got to get points for that."
She ignored him and wrung out a towel she'd submerged in the hot water. "Stand up and strip," she ordered, in no mood to humour him.
"Yes, Ma'am."
He stood up and had the gall to salute her.
Simone shifted her weight to one side and held out the damp towel in her fingertips, thus providing Dante with an excellent reason to comply. She looked hot as hell and the thought of her wiping down his 'tortured' body with that towel was too tempting to resist.
"Hold that thought," he whispered huskily. "I'll be right with you, Doctor."
Zipping over to the telephone, he raised the chunky black receiver to his ear. "Roxy, sweetheart, it's me...no, everything's good. I am pleased to hear you are well too. Listen, I need a favour...no, not that kind of favour, my sweet. Find Vlad for me, will you? Tell him I'll see him tomorrow - he'll know the time and place. Gotta run, bye."
When he zipped back he no longer found his seductive lioness waiting. The once lovingly held towel had been thrown back into the bowl, rather unceremoniously one might add, and Simone now stood, arms crossed ready for round two.
"Roxy, your sweetheart, can tend to your wounds," she declared angrily. "You and she seem to be rather cosy with one another."
Damn
that green-eyed devil, his work could either be a vamp's best friend or total enemy. "You didn't seem to mind having Vlad's tongue stuck down your throat."
Two could play at this game. Dante ignored her gasp of outrage and removed his long leather coat and started to unbutton his shirt.
"I was acting as his supplicant. What did you expect me to do? Knee him in the balls for taking liberties?"
"It was no different for me with Roxy's advances - to shy away would have been unnatural under the circumstances."
Damn, he had her there. Not that she was going to admit it. But nor did she need to - when Dante stood up and slowly peeled away his shirt, all thoughts of Roxy and Vlad vanished.
"Your torso is covered in blood! You said you weren't hurt."
Dante took the towel, dipped it in water and slowly wiped it across his chest. With the blood removed, his perfectly intact skin was revealed to her anxious gaze. "See, all healed."
Simone let out the breath she'd been holding in relief. Moving towards him, she took the towel and continued where he'd left off. "You scared me tonight," she said, her tone low and husky.
As she circled him, repeatedly dipping and rinsing away all traces of his ordeal, Dante whispered back: "How?"
"I thought I was never going to see you again."
"You think so little of my warrior skills, sweet Simone? Surely you know nothing can stop me from keeping you safe - I would slay thousands to protect you."
"And get yourself killed in the slaying. What good are you to me dead?"
At his back, she ran the towel down the length of his spine and moved round to his side, the towel drawn about at his waist until she let it drop to the floor. Pressing her cheek to his glistening bicep, she traced the length of his arm.
"What good are you without arms to hold me." She moved to stand in front of him once more. "Without lips to kiss."
Simone took Dante's face in her hands and very lightly, kissed him on his lips. "I want you more than anything in the world," Simone confessed.
"My soul starves for you as well," Dante replied, looking deeply in her eyes.
"Make me yours...completely, as you once promised," she whispered in return. Stepping back, she slowly unzipped her tight leather jacket to reveal the lacy black bra she wore underneath. Her full breasts were beautifully pressed together beckoning him to partake in there lusciousness.
Drawing a finger along the tops of them, Dante slipped it inside a lacy cup to tease her pert nipple. Back and forth, he rubbed, until it had hardened into the tightest of nubs that begged to be kissed.
Slipping the bra from her, he licked first one, then the other in reverence. Simone's head fell back as she moaned in appreciation.
"You are so beautiful..." Dante whispered, as he undid her trousers and slid them down. "I will worship each and every inch of you, my angel...my love."
Simone had never felt so turned on in her life.
"I need you inside me...please," she half-begged.
Dante pressed a finger to her lips. "Patience, my sweet."
Massaging her through the black lace of her panties, his cock hardened when he felt how wet she was for him.
Whimpering in need, she matched his strokes with her hips.
Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her over to the plush leather couch and lowered her onto it. Peeling the lace panties down her long shapely legs, he returned to stroking her, until finally sliding a finger deep inside her tight, wet pussy.
"Oh, yes," she sighed at the feel of his invasion. "God, yes. You make me so wet. Do you know the power you have over me?" she panted, as his thumb circled her clit.
"Not power. Devotion. I love you, Simone. Let me show you how much."
Dante stood and stripped down. His powerful cock, fully erect, made her ache with desire.
On his knees, he spread her open so he could use his tongue in place of his fingers. She tasted so sweet, he didn't know how much longer he could resist taking her.
Digging her fingers into his thick chestnut hair, Simone urged on his exploration. "Oh my god, yes - right there. Jesus, your tongue feels incredible. Don't stop...licking me there...harder!"
Dante did as she demanded until she cried out in ecstasy, her body quivering as she climaxed against his tongue.
Unable to deny himself any longer, Dante slowly pushed his large cock inside her, trying his best to be gentle. But it required immense self-control.
"Put it all in!" Simone groaned. "I want it all."
With such encouragement Dante gladly obliged. Thrusting deeper inside of her with each powerful stroke, Simone turned her face, biting into a cushion to try and hold back screams of ecstasy.
Lost in the thrill of his deep thrusts, Simone felt layers of inner tension and frustration crumble and dissolve. The recent hardships and pressures of her life were finally being cleansed by the fulfillment of her carnal needs. She responded to his pumping rhythm with a deep groan, which quickly turned into another cry of bliss.
The sex was frenzied, almost animalistic, and it didn't last long. Simone knew it was mostly about release. After her final orgasm sent waves of euphoria through her body, she heard Dante cry out, feeling his hot liquid inside her.
For a while he laid sprawled out on top of her. Neither desired separation. Words were no longer necessary, their bodies communicated as one.
It could have been several minutes later or several hours but Simone felt the need for him again. Without any prompting, Dante responded. Taking her in his arms he carried her to his bedchamber. To Simone it felt like their connection had become telepathic.
Their second act of love went much longer. They were both more artful and imaginative this time. Simone attentively caressed and licked Dante's erect penis until he became harder and harder. Groaning and lifting his head, he pulled at her hair and demanded her to ride him.
Instead she placed a hand on his solid chest and pushed him back down. She teased him by running her fingers across the muscles of his six-pack before kissing and nibbling his pecs.
Dante could barely stand the torture. He ended her playfulness by flipping her over and entering her more forcefully. His powerful cock pulsated inside her, the feel of it seemed to set her mind on fire.
Several times she felt Dante pull himself back from the brink, as she commanded him to pound her harder. Eventually, taking control, Simone guided him onto his back. She rode him faster and faster until they both exploded in a fiery fervor.
They remained locked together until their hot, sweaty bodies cooled and the cycle began again.
It was hours later before they both felt satiated in their need for each other.
Blissfully exhausted, Simone tried to tell Dante how much she loved him but it was no use. Her need for sleep was too great, and before she knew it, she drifted off into a deep, relaxing sleep in his arms.
Chapter Twenty-Six
SOFT PETALS ON one's lips is a very pleasant way to wake. Simone opened one eye to spy Dante sitting on the bed beside her, a long stemmed red rose in his hand.
"Hmm, remind me to tell you how much I love your appreciation of flowers," she purred, inching her hand in his direction. "After showing you first." Her fingers encountered a fully clad thigh rather than the naked one she was expecting. "Why are you dressed?" she moaned, turning onto her back, casting him a come hither glance. "Come back to bed."
Dante would have liked nothing more. He'd not wanted to drag himself from her side in the first place, but Alfred's persistent soft knocking had eventually forced his hand.
To say his manservant had been uncomfortable with having to disturb him would be an understatement. The raven preferred to look anywhere but Dante's eyes. Simone's presence in his Master's bed may have had something to do with it. That, and the fact, no female had ever been present in their sanctuary.
Poor Alfred was still struggling to adapt to the change in circumstances.
After informing Dante that Vlad had rung to say he would be arriving
shortly, Alfred turned into his bird form and winged his way the hell outta there.
With the news of Vlad's imminent arrival, Dante had opted to shower and make himself presentable, as well as cut a rose for Simone from the special conservatory where he grew all sorts of tropical and domestic vegetation. But he could afford to tarry for a moment.
Leaning over, he kissed Simone deeply, and things immediately started to get steamy. Pressing her back into the pillows, Dante allowed himself the luxury of taking his fill of her sweet lips for a short spell.
As their passion grew more amorous, he struggled to recall what prevented him from stripping off his clothes and joining her in bed. When her hand cupped him through his trousers, to gently coax his already hardening dick into standing tall like the good soldier it was, he tore his lips free and rested his forehead against hers.
"We mustn't...Vl-"
Simone laughed dismissively, as she unbuckled his belt, refusing to be denied.
Her hand snaked inside his fly and past his boxers to grip him. All thought of his friend's arrival disappeared from his mind.
"We mustn't...what?" she whispered invitingly, nipping his ear.
Dante growled low in his throat when she trailed her tongue down his neck and pushed him onto his back.
Unfastening his shirt, Simone ran her hands over his chest, licking his nipples with the same reverence he'd paid to hers last night.
Divesting him of his last bits of clothing, she advanced up the length of him, kissing her way as she went. Grasping him firmly, Simone slowly lowered herself onto him.
"Fuck," he half-yelped, pushing his cock further into her sweetness.
"Yes..." she gasped, unable to say more. She only wanted to feel him inside of her.
Lost in the power of their lovemaking, their cries of orgasm soon filled the bedroom.
Collapsing onto Dante's hard chest, it took Simone a few minutes to catch her breath. She couldn't get enough of him.
Eventually stirring, she peered up at him through lowered lashes. His face was a picture of bliss, a satisfied smile fixed on his lips, as he stared back at her with heavy lidded eyes.
