Dark Harvest Page 16

  He flicked his fingers, igniting several candles, and stepped back, staring at me with a sour expression on his face. “I must find a solution to this problem.”

  “What problem?”

  He ignored me. “If my vampire powers are not sufficient to the task, then I will create a magical resolution.” He started to move away toward a door leading to an outer office. “I must consult my books for an appropriate spell.”

  I sprinted in front of him, cutting him off. “Wait a minute, love buns. I didn’t come down here to sit alone while you indulge your woo-woo research. I have my own agenda. A woman has needs, you know.” I batted my eyelashes and gave what I hoped was a naughty smile. “Let’s go sit on the bed and talk a while.”

  He shot me another dose of his laser vampiric orbs, making my knees buckle. I grabbed the sides of my head. “Ow, dammit, knock it off! You’re giving me a headache. If my skull explodes, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

  He lifted me into his arms. “You should not be able to resist such powerful mental probes. Hallow must be visiting your dreams in order to create such blockage. I cast a very strong protective spell on your home after I left yesterday, so I know that he could not accost you there. And, since I told you not to leave, you should have been safe.” He walked over to the bed and deposited me on the multi-colored duvet. He sat on the edge and removed his boots before crawling up beside me.

  I smiled even bigger and scooted over, giving him room to sit next to me. I smoothed my hand along his leather-clad leg, heading north. “That’s more like it. Less talking, more fun.”

  He stared at me, one eyebrow raised. “Victoria and Nigel are correct. You are, indeed, behaving like a hormonal adolescent. Somehow Hallow has managed to control you. I must find a way to counteract his influence. I fear for your safety. This new personality you are exhibiting is mindless and dangerous. Just like the one who contaminated you.”

  What new personality? Contaminated me? Hormonal adolescent?

  My fingers reached the zipper of his pants and I’d just started making him much more comfortable, when he grabbed my hand, lifting it away from his crotch. “No. We have important matters to discuss. Personal pleasure can wait. Tell me what you remember of the last twenty-four hours.”

  I stuck my lower lip out in an exaggerated pout, but got no response from my undead judge and jury. “I don’t remember anything.” And then, having said that, I realized the last couple of days were rather fuzzy. I had the sense that I should remember something important, but I just couldn’t bring whatever it was into consciousness. I could easily recall the clients I’d seen on Friday, but after that, everything was gone.

  Devereux shook my arm. “Kismet? Are you listening to me?”

  I started to tell him that I’d been trying to remember something that might be helpful, but different words came out of my mouth. “No. You’ve finally bored me into a coma.” I scrambled onto my knees and climbed on top of him, pushing him flat on the mattress. As I straddled his hips, my short skirt rode up even higher, collecting around my waist, giving clear evidence about my au natural situation. I peeled off my transparent shirt and threw it on the floor. “Personal pleasure can’t wait.”

  I untucked his T-shirt from his pants, and shoved the fabric out of the way as I bent to lick his nipples. He wound his fingers into my hair and yanked my head up. “Where is your protective necklace? I instructed Luna to tell you to wear it. Did she fail to convey my message? She will be punished if that was the case.”

  He released my hair and I sat up. “You have the most annoying one-track mind. Yes. The she-fiend told me, but I guess I forgot. Or maybe I decided I didn’t want to wear the damn thing. It is up to me, you know. Now, be a good little vampire and let me have my way with you.” I’d never heard him threaten Luna before. Maybe there was something going on that I didn’t know about. But if it meant Evil Vampira would be out of the picture, that definitely worked for me.

  Before he could start the next lecture, I opened the front of his pants, crawled to the foot of the bed, and tugged forcefully on the leather until he lifted his ass enough for the material to slide freely. He made a completely un-master-vampire squeaky sound, which I attributed to his surprise at my strength. Or maybe he often made those girly noises, and I hadn’t been paying attention.

  I held his leather pants in the air, grinning, appreciating the rigid hard-on stretching across his abdomen.

  He sat up, a wicked smile spreading his lips. “So, you wish to play rough, yes? I believe I can accommodate you.”

  Faster than my eyes could track, he grabbed my arms and dragged me up his body. Still holding on, he wrapped his legs tightly around my hips, effectively restraining me. It was my turn to make a noise, but mine was one of pleasure. Seemed I liked being trapped.

  I wiggled against his thick erection. “Lay it on me, Dracula.”

  He growled. “As you wish.”

  He rolled us over, landing on top of me, his platinum hair covering my face for a couple of seconds before he jerked his head from side to side, flipping the lustrous strands behind him. He’d obviously had a lot of practice with that move, because the hair cooperated. I wondered how many thousands of women he’d had sex with in his long life, and smiled as I considered the educational possibilities.

  It occurred to me that things might be more interesting if I put up a bit of a struggle, so I twisted my body and was able to free an arm. A shocked expression flashed across his features before he narrowed his eyes, reclaimed the escaped limb, and pulled both my arms tight over my head, securing them in one of his hands.

  “Feel free to fight and struggle, my little psychologist. It is the maniac’s influence causing this aggression in you, but I can assure you that I am not without experience in this arena. Be very careful what you ask for, my love, for you might receive it.”

  I stared up into twin pools of aqua quicksand and batted my eyelashes. “I’m counting on it.”

  So quick I barely registered the movement, he entwined his legs with mine, forcing them apart. I could feel his erection lying heavy against me, and I struggled to lift my hips high enough to put out the welcome mat. He ignored my invitation. Instead, he fisted his free hand in my hair, locking my head in place. Watching me with his mesmerizing eyes, he raised his upper lip, showing me his fully extended fangs.

  Little moans erupted from my mouth, as my body trembled. He smiled and lowered his lips to mine. But instead of the passionate kiss I’d expected, he caught my lip between his teeth and fangs and bit down gently. He groaned as the blood flowed. The coppery liquid slid across my tongue and down my throat, driving me wild with need. “Please,” I groaned. I wanted him to touch me—to fill me—but he didn’t.

  He lifted his head, his mouth smeared with my blood, and licked his way down to my breast. He began sucking roughly on my nipple, and the sensation was somehow directly connected to the hot, tingling area between my legs. “Oh, yeah. That’s what I want.“ He paused for a second, then sliced his fangs into the tender skin around my nipple and resumed sucking. I screamed. The feeling was horribly exquisite. I struggled to break free. Not because I wanted him to stop, but because I wanted to take matters into my own hands.

  Even with my newly enhanced strength, I couldn’t budge him. He drew the blood from the fang holes on either side of my nipple and waves of ecstasy slammed my body. I continued to scream until no more sound came out. My throat was raw and my mouth felt so dry, all I could do was whimper.

  Finally drinking his fill, he lifted his head, locking eyes with mine. A circle of red surrounded the blue-green of his irises and the colors appeared to swirl. He licked his lips slowly, his tongue darting out to catch the crimson drops lining his chin.

  Jesus. He looked astounding. All that shining blond hair and dazzling eyes. Just seeing him with my blood covering half his face made me crazy. My breath came in rapid pants and I continued to attempt to twist out of his grip, with no success. He smiled, raised h
is hips to alter his angle, and thrust his erection deep inside me in one smooth motion. If I hadn’t been so wet it might have hurt, but under the circumstances, it felt perfect. Still holding my wrists captive in one hand, he used his other to grab my hair again. Holding my head immobile, he kissed me as if he were feasting at my mouth, pulling the life force from my body. All swollen lips and probing tongue. It was amazing.

  He pounded himself into me with fierce determination, both of us making animal sounds as we pressed our lips together even tighter.

  I felt an orgasm building and matched his rhythm with my hips. The ferocity of his thrusts caused a mixture of pleasure and pain. I felt his penis contracting inside me as he raised his mouth and screamed words in the strange, lyrical language he sometimes spoke. The power of his release pushed me over the edge, and I made strangled croaking noises, which was all my throat was capable of.

  His pale skin appeared flushed, maybe from all the blood he’d taken from me, and his heart beat fast and loud. An almost-goofy grin slid across his perfect face. “Would you like more?”

  Yes! But … maybe not right now.

  The area between my legs was tender and raw. I’d had sex with Devereux more times than I could count, but his equipment had never felt quite as large before. Was it possible for a vampire to transform aspects of his physical appearance?

  “I think I’d better rest a while.” I grinned up at him. “You made your point. You are the Boink Master.”

  He released my wrists and rolled next to me, lying on his back. I examined, then rubbed, the red skin on my arms where he’d held me, before shifting my gaze to the nipple he’d gnawed on. The skin around it was bruised and swollen, and the tiny fang holes still oozed. There’d be a rainbow of colors by morning. I turned my head. “Geez, blondie. You really did a number on my body. I think I like this side of you. I’ll bet you have lots of sexual tricks to show me.”

  He gave a lazy smile and rolled onto his side, facing me. He propped himself up with an elbow and rested his head against his palm. “I am always happy to find ever-more-creative ways to make love to you, but I wonder how wild you will wish our coupling to be after you are freed from the monster’s influence. I plan to do whatever I must to remove you from his power. Of course, I was happy with our sexual relationship before your personality changed, so you need not worry about my expectations.”

  I laughed. “Your expectations? Do you believe I’ll ever be one of your handmaidens?”

  He returned to lying on his back, his fingers laced behind his head. “No, of course not. But I am hoping you will respect the fact that I have been around much longer than you, and I usually know what is best for you.”

  “What? Like some undead daddy?” I sat up and glared at him. “You are one arrogant son of a bitch. You think you know what’s best for me?”

  He angled his head toward me. “Yes, I do. I am very old and you will have to admit that I was right to protect your home and to order you to remain there until our appointment here at midnight. My actions kept you safe from Hallow’s madness. I wish to compliment you for your willingness to trust my judgment.”

  “So, you’re saying that you just tell me what to do and then trust that I’ll follow your instructions?”

  “Yes. I am very powerful. I offer protection. How could it be otherwise?”

  “And you think I want to be protected?”

  He frowned. “Regardless of whether or not you wish to be protected, I intend to make it so.”

  I couldn’t remember a large chunk of my recent past, but something about Devereux’s assertion that he’d ordered me to remain at home and I’d followed his commands just didn’t feel quite right. He seemed so confident that he could take my actions for granted. I didn’t know why that struck me as amusing, but it did.

  He rolled back on top of me and smiled, flicking his long hair out of the way. “Let us not argue. All will be well soon enough. Hallow will be taken care of, your personality will return to its charming normality, and we will continue to forge our future.” He kissed me sweetly.

  I enjoyed the kiss, then after he pulled away, I gazed up at him and smiled. “So, let me just make sure I’m clear on the game plan, gorgeous. Because you’re the undead Methuselah, and one of the most powerful, Tony Soprano bloodsuckers on the planet, you get to decide what I will and won’t do with my life? You’ll make my choices for me?”

  “I do not know this singer Tony, but I will certainly give you the benefit of my expanded knowledge and experience. I will take very good care of you. You will never want for anything.”

  Except freedom.

  “Uh-huh. And what is the benefit to you for having me as your subjugated female? What’s the payoff for keeping your mate under your thumb?”

  He seemed genuinely surprised by the questions. “Subjugated? Under my thumb? How could you think such a thing? You would be revered and cherished. Your life would be enhanced. But, the benefit to me of having my mate by my side is too complex a topic to discuss in your unnatural state of mind.”

  “Hmmm. I see. Too complex. Well, what about when my physical body ages, rots, and dies? What’s the game plan then? Will you have me mummified and displayed in your penthouse?”

  “There is a ritual.” His expression became serious. “You will be able to share some of my gifts. We will speak of it another time.”

  “Does it involve me drinking your blood? Are you talking about turning me into a bloodsucker?”

  He frowned hard. “I have told you it is not easy to become a vampire. It must be freely chosen. Now, no more talk of this tonight.” He rubbed his boner against me. “Are you too tender from our previous lovemaking, or shall we have an encore?”

  I grinned. “I’m ready if you are, maestro, but this time I’m on top.” I rolled onto him, straddled his hips, then impaled myself on his erection. I clenched my vaginal muscles, gripped him as tightly as I could, and got a rhythm going. He planted his hands on my waist, holding me in place while he pumped his hips. He stared at me with those hypnotic aqua eyes, as his tongue played with the tips of his fangs.

  I gave him my best innocent smile. “Do you want my blood, my dark prince?”

  He growled and pulled my upper body down to his. His soft, warm lips plundered mine, our tongues dancing. After a few seconds, he kissed his way to my neck and bit. We both moaned as what felt like a shared orgasm built between us and exploded.

  When the aftershocks quieted, I sat up and gazed down at him.

  “Drinking blood must be good. Why is it that you won’t let me drink yours?”

  He shifted his eyes away. “There is no benefit to you in drinking my blood. You are not a vampire.”

  “He is lying,” floated through my mind in a familiar, deep voice. “Break the glass on the nearby table and cut him. Drink. See for yourself.”

  Really? Well, why not?

  I slanted a glance at the table and saw a small vase sitting there. I grabbed it, tossed the lone flower and its water onto the floor, and smashed the glass against the table edge. A large piece broke away, leaving a sharp corner. Without hesitation or thought, I drew the jagged edge of the vase along Devereux’s stomach and watched the blood blossom from the cut. I caught a fleeting glance of his shocked face before I bent, licked the blood with my tongue, then sucked hard on the wound.

  Devereux grabbed a handful of hair and jerked my head up. Anger and fear fought for dominance in his face. “What have you done? The demon has captured your mind. Even I do not know for certain how my ancient blood will affect you.

  “It could kill you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Devereux bolted into a sitting position, and I watched the broken vase sail through the air after he knocked the splintered glass from my grip. He released my hair, snarling, and recoiled as if he’d been clutching Medusa’s snakes.

  I swiped the back of my hand across my mouth, smearing his blood along my cheek.

  “I don’t know about it killing m
e, but it sure tastes like shit.” I stuck my tongue out. “How can you drink that crap all the time? Do me a favor and stake me right away if I start to turn into a vampire. I’d rather drink puréed dog turds.”

  Devereux’s scowl clued me in to the fact that he was no longer in a playful mood. That was okay, because I’d started feeling weird. Suddenly, everything seemed too bright, my lips tingled, and my throat contracted, making it difficult to swallow. I could see Devereux’s mouth moving, but the sound dissolved into the abyss stretching between us before it could reach my ears. Even without the volume, it was easy to read his anger.

  I pushed up onto my elbows and mumbled. My numb lips weren’t cooperating. “I think I’ve had enough fun for one night,” I muttered. “I’m going to go home … uh-oh.” My head flopped down on Devereux’s thigh. The room spun and my stomach turned cartwheels.

  I must have nodded off for a few minutes, because the next thing I knew, I was loosely wrapped in the bedspread, lying in the center of the colorful pentagram etched into the marble-tile floor of Devereux’s room. Chanting bodies encircled me, their voices rumbling in a soft, monotone hum. Lit candles cast soft light and deep shadows. A strong aroma wafted from incense burners scattered around the space, reminding me of a Christmas Mass I visited as a child.

  I recognized Luna, who stood next to a Johnny Depp look-alike, but the rest of the participants were strangers. Scanning the expressions on their faces alerted me that whatever the purpose for their gathering, it wasn’t good.

  Devereux knelt next to me and looped something around my neck. I shifted my gaze down to see what it was. My protective necklace. He must have teleported to my house to get it.

  “What’s going on?” I tried to sit up. “Why are you all standing around me?”

  Devereux pressed me down to the floor with his hand on my shoulder. “No, my love. Do not move yet. My blood had a seriously debilitating effect. You have been unconscious. We have discovered the situation is much worse than I feared. Drinking from me has somehow deepened Hallow’s influence over you. We have been attempting to remove some of the psychic tendrils he thrust into your aura. The madman is more powerful than I ever imagined. I have called every master vampire, healer, and wizard available to assist. They are still arriving. We will work through the night. I will not let him have you.”