by Imogene Nix
“What she can’t tell you is that we believe they will help you bond your skills, share them. Enhance them.”
Daniel frowned. “Why?”
“Why can’t she tell you? Because she doesn’t know.” Danicka inclined her head slightly to the side.
“So why did she just react like that?” Cressida’s eyes narrowed and Danicka smiled.
“That’s simple. Each of you”—she pointed at Hope, Celina and Daniel—“has a skill. Those skills are mirrored in ours.” Her enigmatic smile left Daniel’s mind whirling. “Ours are a pale imitation where yours are developed by harnessing them. Only you can achieve mastery. Jemima’s true skill is foretelling, but she can heal things in the blood. Now? She can’t read their use because while she can foretell, she, as with all of us, is connected to you at a certain point in this journey. Her time has been and gone. Now my ability to control objects is strong, but with finite limits. I can boost others’ use of magic. My connection is the last and only assistance we can offer. The now, if you like. Our sister’s…” She grinned at Daniel.
“Hers is a reflection of yours. Her magic had to be encouraged to develop, yet once it did… Again, it’s with limits. But planning, well, she’s very good at that.” She shrugged.
“So what can we do with these?” He couldn’t help himself as the demand escaped.
“Well, that’s up to you and what you learn to share.”
Frustration welled but he tamped it down. “So how do we…?”
“We don’t know.” Jemima shrugged.
“Wait, Daniel.” Celina extended her hand, ceasing their questions. “I think I understand. The skills of communication would be the easiest, because it’s something we already do, I mean, amongst ourselves and our partners. Would that be correct?”
Jemima inclined her head.
“I believe so. However, the only way to know is to try.”
Cressida sighed and she stepped in front of the diminutive woman before him. “I think I can work this out. But for it to be effective…” The innuendo, that it was their intense sexual connections that empowered them surprised him.
Cressida whirled and grinned at the other couples. “Go home and we’ll be in touch.”
The rest of the group caught on and the men grinned at their women. “Fine. It’s drawing close to dawn, so we should be away.”
Cressida held up a hand. “Before you leave, there is one other thing. Something I haven’t yet shared. Tonight I received communication from the nest in New Orleans. The one that was attacked. It’s…” She sucked in an unsteady breath and Daniel moved closer, winding his arm around her waist to support her. “It’s not something I can share widely. I’m concerned someone in a position of knowledge is feeding information to Creedar.”
“You’ve intimated that before, Cressida.” Xavier frowned deeply.
“I have. But this… He knew of the panic room in the nest. It’s one of the oldest nests in America and most of the Masters and seconds who have centuries of knowledge would be aware of it. All the oldest nests do. It’s just a matter of knowing where they would be.”
“That means… Cressida, the Councilors and other nests can’t be trusted. Not until we can be sure.”
Her jaw firmed. “That’s exactly my point. I need you to delve into their backgrounds, Javed. No one would question that, as your nest is still in its infancy. You are still taking on nestlings and can ask such questions. Find them for me. Bring them to justice.”
He bowed without a word, accepting Cressida’s decree.
Caridad stood silent, during the whole discussion. “Excellent. I can see you will deal with this, Cressida, and I am no longer required. I have other Councils I must consult with.”
Cressida opened her mouth and closed it just as quickly. “Yes, Caridad.”
“Good. If I hear anything, I will inform you.” Caridad spun on her stiletto and left them there in the cool dungeon.
“We will bid you adieu, as well. We have things to prepare. The time is growing near and we must all be readied for the battle.” Danicka slid a gentle hand over Daniel’s cheek. “All will be well between you now. Just don’t let her backslide.” With that, they too melted away.
* * * *
The others had left and Cressida breathed deeply, taking a moment to settle herself. The scents of summer were gone, replaced now by the wintery chill in the air and the woodsy smell invading her senses.
Since Caridad had left she’d locked herself in her office, asking Samra to keep everyone away.
“Come to bed, Cressida.”
Daniel settled his hands on her shoulders, turning her gently in his direction. “I’m wondering how we can beat him. He’s out there, somewhere in the darkness.”
His lips were warm against her ear, his breath playing over the sensitive skin. “I know. But right now, there isn’t much we can do and you need rest.”
Each pass of his hand started tiny sparks of electricity coursing through her system.
A deep sigh escaped and she shuddered as it ended. “I know. I feel like my future—our future—is in abeyance until this is done. It’s wrong, but…” Lost for words, she scanned his face and his embrace loosened. She turned, seeking the comfort she could only find in his arms.
“God knows I’ve fought against this, Daniel. I didn’t want it. I thought…” She shook her head, clearing away the cloud of doubt. “I thought my role was that of a protector, and that my chance of love was gone. Murdered by my own hand. I’ve weighed and questioned this whole thing in my mind over the last few months. Ever since we met.” She searched his face and he smiled slightly. Just a tiny movement at the corner of his mouth.
“I know. But, Cressida?” This time she shushed him with a soft finger that played over his lips, caressing them with light strokes.
“I need you to understand why, so you’ll realize… I want you, Daniel. But I had to understand how this happened. How I came to be here, now.”
She’d needed to understand before she could commit to Daniel, and it had been a journey of discovery. It had been Hope, the young child, who’d opened the chink in her icy wall, who’d brought her peace. The ability to love and heal was a magic that controlled her very existence. The need to connect herself to one person had been buried deeply and it had taken a child to unlock the truth. She’d needed to open herself to others because she could embrace the love Daniel had to offer her.
“Hope gave me the chance to love again. I didn’t understand why I felt this connection to her, but now I believe it’s because the magic knew and understood that the imbalance had to be corrected. And I wasn’t ready for that. She needed to grow and so did I.” She laughed harshly.
“You’re a strong woman, Cressida, but you can’t stand alone forever. No one can.”
“I know. On one level that scares me too. To love deeply means to surrender myself again. I loved Etienne.”
He clasped her now, sliding his arms around her waist.
“But it was a flawed love. One where I wanted to be what I thought he wanted and needed. It was shallow and selfish. This isn’t. This is more. And it’s a leap of faith. One I believe I’m finally ready for.”
The smile on his face was breathtaking. “So…”
“I want you as my life partner, Daniel. I want to share everything. Your joys and your sorrows. They will be mine as much as mine will be yours.”
“About bloody time.” He shuddered and she laughed, letting go of her fears. “So, now I think it’s also a good time to tell you I love you and lust over you too.” The mirth leached away, replaced with a deeper and more compelling emotion.
Desire welled and her body warmed in response.
The sound of the shutters falling heralded dawn but she knew he paid little attention to the break of day as he kissed her.
“Come to bed with me and love me.”
Daniel moved swiftly, lifting her into his arms, and she laughed. “Put me down!”
“Why? We�
�ll get there faster this way.”
At the top of the steps he pushed the door to her suite wide and carried her in, slamming the door shut with a swift kick, then he strode in the direction of her chamber.
She slid her way down his body, clothes catching between them, but she felt his heat, the need that they shared. His body, so hard against her softness, seduced her as surely as any words.
Her body was already burning for his touch. She raised shaking fingers, looking for the buttons and zips that kept everything in place. He caught her moves, stilling her.
“Tonight, let me.”
His eyes were heavy-lidded and she could feel the power that whispered between the two of them. The eroticism drugged her mind.
His every move was unhurried, as if he’d studied her needs and was primally directed to fulfill them. “You’re such a beautiful woman, Cressida. Every inch of your skin is soft and silken. I want to wrap myself up in you.” The hoarse words left her shaking.
He placed tiny kisses against her throat as he pushed the blouse, now gaping open, from her shoulders. He found and worshiped the sensitive skin at her collarbone, giving the tiniest of flicks with his tongue.
“So. Beautiful.”
She clutched his shoulders, needing the support only he could give her. “Dan-iel…” The cry was soft, torn from her throat as she felt the pressure of her arousal, her sex melting while he ravaged her senses.
Her jacket and blouse slid to the floor, forgotten, and he smoothed his fingers over her skin, following the band of her bra. “You really don’t need one.” His finger skimmed below the lacy cup and she hissed.
“I…”
“Let go, my love, and just feel.” He kissed the hollow beneath her ear, a sensitive spot that left nerves jumping.
“I… Oh, do that again.”
“Anything my lady desires.” And he touched her again, the glance of his lips over her flesh drugging her senses.
His kisses were magic, tracing back across her jaw before he settled his mouth on hers.
The pop of her bra strap impinged and her breasts, the size of ripe grapefruit, swung free.
“Oooh…”
“Every inch of you is perfect. Made just for my touch.”
Touch he did, sliding his hands down her lean sides to bury them in the waistband of her long pants and push them away.
“Your…” Her breath caught as the whisper of air caressed her naked skin. “I want you naked too.”
His chest rumbled against her as he laughed, a deeply erotic sound. “As you wish.”
He tugged away, and she wanted to complain, but the planes of his face, tight with their shared emotion, stopped the words before she could speak.
Daniel tore at his clothing, dragging the shirt, buttons popping free. Even in her state of arousal she could appreciate the hasty striptease.
Soon he was naked in front of her, his cock erect and ready.
The corresponding part of her body was molten fire and her nipples stood proud, ready for him.
Eager for his touches, whatever they might be.
They came together, hard to soft, skin to skin. A moan rose in the air as they kissed deeply. He caressed every inch of her skin, hard and knowing touches soothing the ferocity of his grip on her flesh.
Finally, he lifted her and carried her to the bed, but she pushed him back.
“No. I had things made ready,” Daniel said. He quirked his eyebrow and she giggled. “Romance hasn’t died just because we’re vampires, you know.”
He gave a choked cry that she was sure was a laugh.
“In front of the fireplace.”
A deep pile of blankets had been laid in readiness, and on the low table stood two goblets of blood wine. He smiled.
“Indeed. Then we can’t let such a scene go to waste.”
She gulped as he settled her on the soft pallet before lowering himself. “There is another nectar I plan to sip tonight.”
Her mouth dried as he kissed her between her breasts, his hands covering them as if they were the most precious things in the world, then that thought splintered as he kissed his way down the center of her body. He rested at her navel, dipping his tongue into the depression while her thighs quivered in time with the hot pulses of her sex.
“Daniel? Please.” She arched, not sure what she wanted. When his hot breath whispered against labia, she shuddered. He touched her so agonizingly slowly she was sure the earth stopped spinning. He opened her and finally he kissed her tiny bud.
Sensations rippled through her, ones she’d never known before, and Cressida cried out, a thin sound.
“Let it go. Feel the pleasure I want to give you.”
Her thoughts splintered while her body convulsed, lost in her orgasm.
“More!”
His demand rang through her mind as he ruthlessly started arousing her again. She gripped his shoulders as she rode the wave of desire. With his teeth, he nipped at her sensitized flesh, enough to make her gasp and writhe, and she scraped the tips of her fingernails over his biceps.
He hissed, stilling for a moment before gazing into her eyes. “I want all of you. In every way.”
When he kissed her, she tasted the muskiness of herself on his lips.
“More!”
His demand spurred her on. Mindless now, she writhed against him.
Cressida’s teeth descended and she couldn’t contain herself, manipulating her body into position before sinking them deep into his shoulder.
His essence, so male and full-bodied, spun in her brain, and she dimly noted he’d reciprocated, the slight sting leaching away as pleasure, deep and heady, bloomed again.
Still drinking deeply, he positioned himself between her legs. Cressida’s body stretched to admit his cock. He thrust hard within her.
Together they moved, undulating wildly while they drank deeply of each other. When the precipice loomed she welcomed it, her body little more than a tight coil of need, every inch straining for the release she’d experienced before.
Then it came. Crashing down on her.
One body.
One mind.
Bathing in pleasure.
The milking of her body and the jetting of his release overwhelmed her, then even that tiny thread of consciousness fled.
* * * *
His body ached. All over.
The early evening had been filled with training in swordplay, honing the skills he’d been steadily improving. From there he’d taken a pummeling on the wrestling floor, and he felt the location of every grip and throw right down to his bones.
Now he stood in the dungeon. Celina had closed the circle, it’s shining light bright to his enhanced sight.
“She’s come a long way.”
He grinned at Cressida’s thoughts. In the past few days, he could have sworn she’d mellowed. The frequent touches, and even the soft look in her eyes, betrayed the fact that she was already more relaxed, which filled him with a sense of accomplishment. Yet even with those edges dulled by love, she remained the ultimate commander, firm in her demands that he train and practice. She expected no less from the others.
“So what do you think we do now?” Hope screwed up her nose, clearly unsure, as they all were, with how to proceed.
“Maybe if we begin with communicating… I know I can mind-talk to Daniel, Javed and Xavier. So perhaps, Hope, you could begin with contacting Celina?”
They all watched as Hope gripped the round amulet in her hands, her eyes closed showing the intensity of her efforts. Celina grinned and it became a loud guffaw.
“You want to buy what?”
Hope blushed deeply. “Well…”
Xavier whispered into her ear, and Cressida released a snicker—no doubt of amusement and it warmed him.
Hope squeaked with embarrassment. “I can’t tell them that!”
Cressida cleared her throat, realizing that this wasn’t helping them to achieve their goal. “Okay, so I’m guessing that worked. I’m g
oing to propose that the three women form a group and the three men another. We need to see if we can merge enough of our consciousnesses to communicate with more than one other person at a time.”
They moved into groups, one at each side of the room. The women looked at one another, gripping their amulets. “Hope, you’ve managed to talk to Celina so you go first.”
She nodded with a jerk and concentrated. “All right, nod if you can hear me.”
Cressida nodded and Celina gave a toss of her head.
“Celina, can you hear me?”
“Yes I can, and Hope too. But I’m also—”
“Celina? What’s wrong?”
“I’m—I’m feeling this pressure. It’s just at the back of my mind… It’s… Ahhh!”
Celina pulled out of Cressida’s mind, and the impression of a rubber band breaking flicked through Cressida’s brain. Celina lifted a shaking hand while her face took on the shade of winter snow. “Sorry about that.” Cressida wanted to bark at her that it was nothing, but even as she opened her mouth, Celina’s eyes rolled backward.
Before the two women could reach for her, Javed was there, sliding his arm around his mate, physically supporting her as she slumped to the ground.
“What went wrong?”
“I don’t know. Hope was able to open the communication links but when Celina went to do so, it just…it went wrong.”
Daniel laid his hand on Cressida’s shoulder and she covered it. Fear settled itself like fat dollops in her stomach, and the queasy sensation that came with it wasn’t welcome.
Celina moaned and Javed exhaled heavily. “I’m taking her home. I suggest we finish up for the night.”
They all nodded silently, understanding that nothing more could be achieved tonight.
“Javed? Let me know how she is later.”
“I will.” With that, he lifted his mate into his arms and headed up the steps. The four of them watched him leave.
“I wish I understood what happened. Then we could avoid it.” Cressida worried her lip, feeling the pinprick of her feeding teeth breaking the surface.