Blood Lust

by Tricia Andersen

  Juliet smiled at her gently. “Could you give me a moment to check his vitals?”

  “No other nurse has asked me to do that.”

  “Please.”

  The woman looked perplexed as she stood.

  Once she was gone, Juliet wasted no time. She turned the man’s head to the side. She bared her teeth with a hiss then sunk her fangs into his jugular. She felt the morphine hit first before the need subsided. She would have to find someplace safe to sleep it off.

  The man snapped awake with a gasp. He smiled and whispered to her, “Thank you.” Then his eyes drifted closed as he died.

  Juliet did her best to disguise the wound before she covered it with a gauze pad and secured it with medical tape. She strode out of the room and nodded to the daughter as she passed.

  She was well out of the hospital before anyone discovered he was dead.

  * * * *

  The silk beneath Juliet’s naked skin caressed her as she shifted in her sleep. She reveled in the softness that wrapped around her like a cocoon. The confusion hit her in her slumber stupor. She’d found a dilapidated cardboard box in the basement of the abandoned warehouse near the London River. It must have once held a refrigerator or some other large appliance. When the morphine took hold, she was curled up inside and fully clothed.

  Juliet shook the fog from her senses. She gathered the sheet to her bare flesh and slowly sat up. Her flight or fight instinct fired up in her belly nearly making her sick. Over the past few centuries, she’d learned how to defend herself. She couldn’t remember doing it naked though.

  “I thought you’d never wake up. Good morning, sleepyhead.”

  Juliet dropped the sheet as her mouth gaped open. Then she snarled. “Ares. What the unholy hell?”

  Ares grinned at her as he leaned against the rough stone of the staircase of his little cave hideaway.

  The ceiling was once again the illusion of a clear blue sky. Puffy clouds that reminded her of white cotton candy breezed slowly across. She was baffled. How’d she end up here again? And why was she naked? She turned her gaze back to him.

  The god had a thing for nineties grunge bands. He wore the jeans that flaunted his most delectable features but this time a Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt covered his broad, muscular chest. “Are we done throwing our temper tantrum?”

  Juliet slid off the mattress and hopped to her feet onto the cold rock floor.

  Ares sucked in a sharp breath as he stared at her. His tongue ran across his lower lip.

  She was certain she saw his cock twitch and thicken. “Temper tantrum?” she questioned. “You fucking bartered me to that asshole. And then you forfeited. And how the hell did I end up here? And why am I naked?”

  Ares frowned. The sky above them darkened with heavy, charcoal gray clouds. There was the rumble of thunder. “I offered to box him. I said nothing about mixed martial arts.”

  “You’ve beaten guys in the cage.”

  “I wasn’t prepared.”

  “You’re a coward.”

  The cave echoed with shards of lightning striking the rocks. “Watch your mouth, Juliet. I found you in that shithole. I’ll put you back. Do you turn tricks for blood? Is that what you prefer over me?”

  “Go to hell, Ares.”

  “Can’t, baby. I’m a god.”

  Juliet clenched her hands to her hips as she gritted her teeth. “Again I ask, where are my clothes? How did I end up naked?”

  Ares shoved himself off the wall and stalked across the room to her. “I found you asleep in that box. I didn’t think what you were wearing was very comfortable for bed. I didn’t figure you’d mind. I’ve seen you naked before.”

  “And you slept where?”

  “I didn’t sleep. I had business to attend to.”

  She bit her lower lip. Her anger dissipated like the fog on a summer morning. “How did you know where to find me?”

  He reached out to pull her close. His hands caressed her hips then her bare ass. He gazed down into her eyes. “I sensed you. Once the chaos in the club died down, I focused my mind and was able to feel where you were.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath at his touch. Her heart stampeded in her chest. Butterflies let loose in her belly. “You could sense me?”

  “Yes. You’re spirit is like the most exquisite piece of dark chocolate. A little rough at first but once I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.”

  Juliet felt her cold cheeks burn fiery hot. It was the first time in a long time she had a true human emotion. “I didn’t feed per se. At least not like you think.”

  Ares kissed her forehead then her cheeks. His lips continued the journey to the curve of her neck. “Where did the streaks of blood come from then? Don’t bullshit me. I know it was human.”

  Juliet arched her neck back as he continued his feast. “The guy was in the hospital. He was dying from cancer. He was in so much pain. I ended it.”

  Ares pulled back and stared at her.

  She thought she sensed awe from him. Not that it was possible. The god of war was the most arrogant bastard she ever met.

  “The Angel of Death.”

  Juliet frowned. “How did you know that?”

  He chuckled. “I take what I said earlier back. Guess I am going to hell after all. My uncle knows all about you. He accused me of being the Angel of Death. It’s time I introduce you to him and clear my name.”

  “Clear your name? Is what I did that bad?” Juliet questioned.

  “No. You just fouled up my uncle’s operation.”

  “How so?”

  Ares kissed her hard and deep. His hands palmed her ass and kneaded the flesh. He tugged her hard against his erection. “Not now. Now, I need to be buried deep inside you. We’ll deal with my uncle later.” He spun her back to him then ground his cock against the cleft of her ass. He palmed each breast and kneaded the mounds in his hands.

  Juliet laid her head back on his shoulder in surrender.

  He nudged her towards the bed as he kissed her neck. He cupped his hand behind her neck as he gripped her hip. Then he gently guided her to bend over until her upper body was sprawled across the bed.

  The soft silk grazed her rock hard nipples as she felt the denim of his jeans scrape the back of her thighs. He kept his hand firmly planted on her neck. A finger flicked her nub then slipped inside her.

  “Oh, fuck,” she whimpered as he thrusted another finger into her and pumped in and out of her. Her body quivered when he rubbed her clit with the pad of his thumb.

  “I’d taste you but I want to watch you come.” He picked up the pace as he wrapped his fingers in her hair and knotted it in his fist.

  She tried to meet him but it was no use. His legs blocked hers from moving an inch.

  She wailed as the rush hit her like a tidal wave. Her body throbbed and clenched around his fingers. She never felt him pull free from her until his cock was buried deep inside her instead, his sack slapping against her sensitive, swollen flesh.

  He tugged at her hair to lift her head. She gazed hazily into a large, gilded mirror. She didn’t remember it being there before. Knowing Ares, he made it appear just a second ago.

  She watched, as he stood naked behind her, his hips plowing violently against her ass. He stood cold and dominating as he returned her stare in the mirror. His cock stretched her out and filled every aching crevice. Her legs quaked against the mattress.

  Ares leaned over her on the bed, his strokes never slowing. He hooked his arms around hers then slowly stood straight. He stayed buried as pulled her tight against him. His hand caressed her throat and squeezed. He trailed the fingers of his other hand across her groin to hold her tighter to him.

  He nipped at the curve of her ear then whispered. “Watch. Watch me fuck you. I am balls deep in your body. It’s amazing to feel you tight around me. You’re shaking. How close are you to coming?”

  Juliet could only whimper in response. He picked up the tempo, his cock ramming faster and harder into her.
Juliet clung to his hand as every nerve blazed molten hot. His hungry mouth attacked her naked shoulder as he grunted.

  She squirmed against him as she fought for her release. Ares skimmed his hand up her body to her breast, pinching and tugging at the pink nub.

  Juliet’s gaze never left the mirror. He was sex and war incarnate. His muscles rippled as he rocked in and out of her. His ass clenched each time he bucked. There wasn’t any part of her he didn’t possess and control. The image of him touching her, tasting her was too much. She screamed as her body burst in fiery pleasure. She was barely aware of Ares’s grip on her throat growing tighter until she was lightheaded. He cursed and groaned as he throbbed thick, hard and warm inside her. His strokes slowed as he bottomed out inside her. He held her tight to him as he stilled. Neither of them moved for several moments. Juliet watched their reflection in the mirror, their bodies wrapped tight around each other and joined together. The sight sent one last tremor tearing through her.

  She felt Ares teeth against her ear again. “Fucking amazing.”

  Juliet’s voice was shaky. “Yeah.”

  He pulled from her enough to nudge her on the bed. He impaled her again before she could turn over. He was still hard as a rock. He pinned her arms to the bed with his.

  Her head was swimming as he rocked deep. Sex with him was going to drive her insane. Juliet lifted her head to meet his lips. She never wanted it to end.

  Chapter Three

  The scenery flew by Juliet at a terrifying pace as she clung tight to Ares. The high powered bike she straddled was silent as it glided down the highway. Like the time before, after a long day of bone shattering orgasms, he led her out of the cave somewhere in the worn torn wasteland. A split second later, they were in another desert. There wasn’t the sound of artillery fire in the background here. Instead, interstate signs sprouted up with the weeds alongside the road. The dull glow of city lights lit up the night sky. By the language of the markers, she knew she was in an English speaking country. By the oases of beaten down gas stations and chain fast food restaurants at every interstate exit she could only guess she was in the United States.

  The miles of desert slowly grew into buildings of bright lights and loud noises. Hordes of people staggered the streets to look at the sights or find a new place to indulge in one of the many sins the city boasted of. Juliet bit her lower lip to keep her mouth from gaping open. Such opulence. Such decadence. She hadn’t seen such wanton behavior since her days in the French court.

  Ares pulled the motorcycle to a stop outside a large casino. He growled as a valet hurried to park the bike.

  Juliet could see the boy quake as he retreated. She pulled Ares close until she could look in his eyes. “What are we doing in this place?”

  He caressed her cheek. “I told you that I want you to meet my uncle Hades. He needs to know that you are the Angel of Death, not me. I get blamed for enough shit.”

  “But why here?”

  Ares motioned towards the building beside them. “He’s in there. He rules from inside.”

  “You’re telling me that the gates of hell are in a Las Vegas casino?”

  “Yep, that sums it up pretty well. Are you coming?”

  Juliet gaped for a few more moments. “Do I have a choice?”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Then why did you ask if I was coming? Seems pointless to me.”

  “You have this convoluted notion that you’re my servant.”

  “Concubine,” Juliet interrupted.

  “Whatever. I gave you an option. You actually do have a choice. Do you want to face Hades inside the casino in the privacy of his VIP room or do you want to face him on the city street in front of gods and everybody?”

  She waved her hand flippantly. “Just go.”

  Ares snorted then strode inside the casino.

  Juliet stayed on his heels as they weaved through the crowd. The place outdid the gaudiness on the outside. Everything was covered in flaked gold. The detailed images of Greek warriors and ladies were found around every turn. They seemed almost lifelike. Were they those painted actors who pretended to be statues? She reached out and gently stroked the bicep of a discus thrower in mid launch. She gasped as Ares growled and grabbed hold of her wrist.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” he demanded.

  “Let go of me, you ass.” Juliet yanked her arm free. “I thought it might be a living person pretending to be a statue.”

  “He used to be living. He pissed off my uncle. A little talk with Medusa and Midas and my uncle has himself a new statue. So do me a favor. Don’t feel the poor bastard up. You belong to me.”

  Juliet smirked at him. “See? Concubine.”

  “Juliet, I swear.”

  Juliet opened her mouth to lay into Ares. She had it with his bullshit. She clamped her lips shut as two men dressed in black suits stood behind Ares.

  Each wore sunglasses, cropped military haircuts and a badge that said “security.” They were at least a foot taller than a normal man. They couldn’t be human.

  “Your excellency,” one greeted sharply.

  Ares huffed a sigh and slowly turned to face the newcomers. “What the fuck do you want?”

  “We’ve been sent by your uncle to escort you to his VIP room. He doesn’t want you to start any trouble on the gaming floor.”

  “He can’t prove I had anything to do with that fist fight that broke out a week ago.”

  The larger of the two motioned past the brilliant colored slot machines and the bean shaped felt covered tables lined with gamblers. “Sir, please.”

  Ares looked at Juliet. This time it was his turn to smirk. “Ladies first.”

  Juliet huffed indignantly then spun on her toe to follow the guard down the long corridor. Despite her irritation with Ares, she could feel his raw, sexual energy on her heels. She had since that first night after the fight. Was he like this around all women? She didn’t know the god of war could do that. What she did know was that it was turning her inside out in all the right ways.

  The chaos of the casino faded away. The opulence shifted from gaudy to elegant. She glanced out the floor to second story windows to see a hotel across the courtyard. A series of white lit fountains dotted the etched stone set in a pattern in the center of the courtyard. It was majestic. It was beautiful. It was…

  “Miss?”

  Juliet was pulled from her thoughts to find the guard standing there holding the door for her. A plate next to it spelled three simple letters. VIP. By the sheer amount of ginormous security personal standing in the hall it was obvious, someone certainly had to be important to be here. She heard Ares chuckle behind her. She threw a particularly wicked elbow into his ribs before she stepped inside.

  The place, like so many she had been to since Ares graced her cursed existence, knocked her off guard. She expected leather covered booths, strobe lights, fog machines and go-go dancers. The leather booths were there, each of them tinted in blood red. The walls were draped in black and crimson velvet. Lit candelabras were set on pedestals to give the room just enough light. Even for a vampire the place was terrifying.

  But they were dealing with the god of death.

  “Ares, my boy. Finally, you stop by to say hello,” a voice greeted from nowhere.

  Juliet spun around to search for the sound.

  Ares growled as he crossed his broad arms over his chest. “Typically, you ask me to stay away, dearest uncle.”

  Juliet bit back a gasp. The man seemed to appear out of thin air. Or he stepped out of the shadows. She wasn’t sure in this dark room. He was at least forty years older than her and Ares appeared to be. She guessed he was in his mid sixties. He was completely bald. The only hair on his head was his neatly trimmed mustache and goatee. Dressed it a tailored designer tux while each finger was adorned with a gold ring as if he were teetering somewhere between pimp and billionaire. And he gave Juliet the chills.

  He grinned at her as he addressed Ares, “That’
s because you seem to cause a ruckus every time you visit. But I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you about the Angel of Death.”

  “Why, Hades? So you can lecture me about fucking up your work?”

  Hades chuckled. “You misunderstand, Ares. It doesn’t surprise me that you did. I am grateful to anyone who helps me end the mortals miserable suffering here on earth and bring them to the River Styx. That’s less work for my minions to do. And the Angel of Death struck in London a few days ago. You were in London at the same time. Coincidence? I think not.”

  “Well, I hate to crush the only hope you had that I might be a halfway decent deity. It wasn’t me.” Ares wrapped his arm around Juliet’s waist. “But let me introduce you to Juliet. The Angel of Death.”

  Hades frowned.

  Juliet felt his gaze study her.

  “The Angel of Death has struck over and over for centuries. This girl hasn’t been alive for that long.”

  “Beg to differ.”

  “There’s only a handful of creatures that cannot die unless murdered. The only ones I can think of that could do this…” Hades’ smile returned, bigger and brighter than before. “You’re a vampire.”

  Juliet struggled to find her voice. “Yes, I am.”

  “Well, Juliet, I am certainly pleased that such a beautiful woman is doing my work. Maybe you can stay here with me and we can discuss the ways you can assist me further.” Hades took her hand and placed a rather long, lingering kiss on the back of it.

  The sensation of this action made her shiver.

  They both turned at the inhuman snarl. Juliet swallowed hard. Ares was pissed. Like on the verge of starting a battle pissed. She pulled her hand free and stepped away. She wanted no part of whatever world war was about to take place.

  Hades looked at her then to Ares and back again. His grin faded. “So, tell me nephew. Does your father know you’re fornicating with a vampire? Because you know he won’t condone it.”

  Ares huffed. “When have I ever given a shit about what my father thinks? And when has he ever cared what I’ve done?”

  Hades chuckled. “Dear boy, he cares a lot about what you’ve done. He normally doesn’t approve.”