A Night at Tears of Crimson

by Hughes, Michelle

  “Leave the rest on Cara,” Gabe spoke softly, feeling a hint of compassion. He argued in his own mind that he was just doing this as a favor to Rafe. He knew his child wouldn't like the idea of another man viewing his prize. The truth was he really didn't enjoy seeing the young human cry.

  “What now?” she asked him as her knees began shaking so badly it was hard to stand.

  “I think it would be wise to lie down on the couch,” forcing a smirk to his face, not liking where his thoughts were going he continued, “before you fall, that is.”

  She sat down on the couch ignoring his jibe. A million thoughts went through her mind, the main one concerning Rafe, of course. Why wasn't he here when she needed him the most? Filled with more than a little anger at that thought, she took a deep breath.

  “That’s not the way this works Cara,” Gabe said reading her thoughts and shaking his head. “The only reason Rafe didn’t attempt to beat my brains in when I tasted you was because I'm his maker and he couldn’t.”

  “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” Sure that her eyes were filled with as much confusion as she felt, she could only wait for him to continue. At this point she needed to talk about anything, other than think about what was going to happen in this room tonight.

  “Look Cara, it’s like watching the woman you love lay down with another man in bed, to us,” he explained patiently. “When we bond with someone, it’s not like even getting married as a human.” “We feel every emotion, every pain, and the thought of another drinking from your life source, "he paused to look into her eyes, "well, it would be like being staked through the heart for Rafe.”

  “Have you felt this bond before?” she asked the question before she could stop herself.

  “Only once, and when she was murdered, I wandered the earth for a hundred years trying to destroy everyone that had been involved with her death.”

  As the red sheer curtain parted, Cara felt her heart race. She wanted to stand and run, but couldn’t force her legs to move. The vampire bared his fangs and she closed her eyes hoping that she could escape the nightmare that she was living.

  The sting of those fangs sinking into her flesh was so unbearably painful that her eyes flew open as she forced the scream to still on her lips. Even in her pain she finally understood that this was what Rafe had saved her from feeling with Gabe the other night. This was the reason he allowed Gabe to take over her mind.

  There was no passion in this strangers bite, and the pain was excruciating. She was completely immobile as the torture continued and it was apparent that he controlled her mind only to the extent of paralyzing her. When he lifted his mouth from her neck the agony only continued from the burning pain of the wound. The next two vampires were just as ruthless and she felt herself floating between reality and a place where the pain could no longer touch her.

  She could barely lift her head as another vampire entered the room and Gabe held up his hand. “She has had enough,” his voice filled with steel and the stranger nodded and moved back the way he came.

  “Cara I am going to get Rafe and you will feed from him,” Gabe whispered softly in her ear. From the lack of color in the girls face he worried that he had allowed things to go too far. He made haste in finding his child.

  She couldn’t open her eyes and the thought entered her mind that she was almost completely devoid of blood. Darkness closed in around her and she longed for it. She thought she was dying and her only regret was that she wouldn’t get to see Rafe’s beautiful face one last time before leaving this world.

  “Drink my love,” Rafe’s voice implored her desperately. By the gods if she died he would destroy every supernatural that had a part in her death. Rage flooded his mind and he shook her, demanding a response.

  She inhaled the sweet scent of his blood and wished she had the strength to follow his request. She felt strong fingers opening her mouth and his blood falling in droplets on her tongue.

  “Try for me my love,” he pleaded in desperation. The fear that she was too far gone filled him with an emptiness that required his own undeath if he couldn't bring her back to him.

  The sound of his desolation nearly ripped her heart from her chest. She made the attempt to swallow and felt the smooth liquid drain down the back of her throat and a spark of energy returned to her almost lifeless body. She pressed her lips against his wrist and groaned softly in the back of her throat as a few more precious drops filled her mouth. She drank them down greedily.

  She was coming back to life through the taste of him and it made her want even more. Lifting her hands to his wrist her nails dug into his flesh. She drank deeply feeling an incredible urge to devour him. To go from near death to an overwhelming feeling of brimming with life was an indescribable sensation.

  “Her color has returned,” Gabe said with a small laugh, “I do believe she has had enough Rafe.” In truth he felt like celebrating himself, fearing he had allowed her feedings to go on too long.

  She pulled Rafe’s wrist to her lips more forcefully as he attempted to pull away. She heard Gabe’s hearty laughter fill the small room. Opening her eyes quickly, she noticed the face of her lover before her for the first time. She barely complained as he pulled his wrist away. As he pulled her into his arms, she decided to forgive him for taking away her feeding.

  Wrapping his arms around her tightly he was determined to never let go again. She was more precious than his own existence and he would keep her by his side for all eternity, he vowed. Never again would another take what was his alone.

  “I’ll give you both some privacy,” Gabe laughed heartily, sensing that his child needed some alone time with his human. He quickly left the room as he noticed neither of them were aware he was still with them.

  Rafe’s hands were everywhere all at once and her body was on fire for his touch. She needed him with an urgency that bordered on insanity. “Take me now.” She demanded boldly, needing to feel him deep inside of her more than she'd ever needed anything in her entire life.

  Rafe laughed softly, knowing the sear of his blood through her veins made her speak so candidly. He stood to strip quickly, then removed what little remained of her clothing before joining her back on the couch.

  “No one will ever touch what is mine again,” He said harshly as his lips found hers and their tongues danced together. It had taken dozens of his brothers to restrain him as her pain had echoed in his mind painfully. He had threatened to destroy them all and fought with all the supernatural strength he possessed to free himself. Eduardo had moved in and restrained him with a single thought and silenced his damning actions.

  Her hands found his back, nails scoring, pulling him closer. “Give me all of you Rafe,” She demanded in desperation. She didn’t care how forward the words were, she craved his body joined with hers now.

  His large hand went under the waistband of her lacy panties and cupped her mound. He reveled in the sound of her moan and his finger slid inside the moist heat. He wanted to brand her with his touch, his lips, his body so that any that dared touch her again would know of their imminent death.

  “Now Rafe,” She pleaded as liquid fire moved through her veins, his blood having overcome all of her inhibitions leaving her willing to command of him the things she wanted.

  With little haste he parted her thighs driving into her core deeply. “Mine,” he growled, the possessiveness flowing over him, overshadowing every need, except to possess.

  As her body stretched to fit his incredible length, she cried out at the absolute ecstasy of feeling both his pleasure and hers simultaneously. “More,” she demanded of him, her feet dug into his perfectly formed rear urging him on. It was like unleashing a storm in the middle of the calm as he drove into her body, taking at will. She wanted it all, every last drop of passion he possessed, every sensation of pleasure his body was driving her toward.

  She came undone almost immediately and still she wanted more. It was madness, this insatiable need to feel h
is flesh brand her until there was nothing left. He rode her like there was never going to be another night and she demanded he more still, until her body was completely unable to move at all. Her muscles ached and she groaned, still wanting the ecstasy to continue while her body was a quivering mass of flesh that could no longer participate.

  He fell upon her sated, showering her beautiful face with tender kisses. “Forgive me lover,” in the mindless passion he somehow forgot that she was still human and unable to sustain herself the way his kind could.

  He pulled his body from hers and she groaned slightly at the stinging sensation of pain at being used so well. She couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped her lips, knowing he hadn’t done anything she hadn’t demanded him for.

  Reading her mind his laughter joined with hers, and he pulled her tightly to him. “Remind me next time to think lover,” he laughed softly into her ear.

  She shook her head, “I think I like it better when neither of us thinks Rafe,” She buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment.

  Shaking his head at how she could go from sexy siren to blushing innocent so quickly, he stood up and then bent over to lift her into his arms. Walking back through a small door that led into a bathroom, he allowed her feet to find the floor. He turned on the shower and pulled her inside with him. He washed her body with tender ministrations, careful to leave her hair and makeup intact. They still had to make an appearance at the party and he knew she would want to appear unscathed.

  She could barely walk as she got out of the shower allowed him to dry her body. She returned the favor and smiled at the groan that escaped his lips as his shaft twitched when she finally reached it. He pulled the towel from her hands and finished drying, a devilish glint in his eyes, promising retaliation later.

  “Rafe I look a hot mess”, smiling at him, she tried to work her fingers through her tangled hair.

  He walked up behind her and nuzzled her neck with his lips, “I disagree love, I think you are absolute perfection.”

  His words made her blush and she turned in his arms to find his lips with her own. They kissed again for several long moments before he pulled away. "I will have you on your back again Miss Donovan, if you don't cease." Kissing her briefly, and backed away a few steps, smiling warmly.

  Her eyes lit up at his words and he could only shake his head again. "What will I do with you, minx", he winked before turning serious. “We need to go make our appearances so we can leave,” he whispered and walked out to the other room to gather their clothes. He helped her dress, stopping her with a laugh when she attempted again to stir his desire. "Later, my love, you have my word." He chuckled softly at the disappointment on her face.

  He dressed himself quickly, knowing that if her lips gave into that pout again he was going to bend her over the couch, the party be damned. “Keep your head up as we make our rounds, my love,” he reached down kissing her on the cheek, “this will all be over soon I promise.”

  Rafe opened the door and she told him she needed another quick minute in the ladies room. He nodded and she moved with haste into the bathroom to finish up her toiletries. She gave herself a mental pep talk and reminded herself that the only opinion that mattered tonight was Rafe's, she could do this.

  As she walked back in the room and out the door, Rafe and Gabe were waiting to escort her downstairs. She took a deep breath and took the longest walk she would ever take, back into the mansions ballroom. Most of the people didn't stare at her, and she was glad to see that at least they had manners.

  The few stares she did get were from vampires with lust outlined on their faces. These frightened her, but she had two strong vampires by her side, so she knew her fear was unfounded.

  Eduardo nodded his head in honor and then ignored her completely. Gabe moved away when he had surmised that no one was going to bother them. Rafe smiled down at her, and she smiled back, forgetting everyone else in the room. He pulled her onto the dance floor and they danced to an incredible musical arrangement she'd never heard before played.

  As they swayed to the music, total contentment filled her. She laid her head against his chest and inhaled the scent of him deeply into her nostrils. His hands lightly caressed her back as the music played on.

  She wanted him again, and she had the slight worry that she was completely obsessed with his touch. She didn't even hear the music stop. If it weren't for him lifting her chin and making her look up at him, she would have continued swaying.

  Rafe growled softly under his breath feeling her need again. He knew without doubt it would take an eternity for him to finally get his fill of his beautiful lover, and he doubted even then it wouldn't be enough. Making his way toward Gabe, he knew if he didn't get his lovely human out of here, he was going to burst.

  Gabe handed them both a glass of red wine, “Finish this off and you both can leave,” he was very aware of the thoughts going through his child's mind and shook his head good naturedly.

  Cara thought about downing the wine, but decided that would be cheating. Gabe laughed softly and her face flamed knowing he'd read her thoughts. When Rafe's laughter joined in she knew it was useless, her face would be red for the rest of the night. Sipping her wine, she fought to contain the smile that found her own face, and failed miserably.

  The ball went on as if the events she had suffered never happened. As they finished their wine, Gabe informed them it was safe to leave. Finally out in the night air, she could breathe a deep sigh of relief. As they got into the car, she thought that as horrible as the early part of the night had been, things definitely could have ended worse.

  “There were worse things that could have happened,” he answered her thoughts. “He could have forced me or Gabe to turn you,” he looked out the window as the thought of anyone else turning his lovely Cara enraged him.

  “Has he done that to others before?” she questioned him. They had just pulled up to his home and Calvin opened the door.

  “We'll speak more when we get upstairs,” he whispered knowing this conversation needed to happen. He escorted her out of the limousine and they walked inside.

  After they made it upstairs, she quickly pulled off her dress and hung it up carefully in the closet. Rafe, apparently in a hurry to get comfortable, undressed down to his silken boxers as well. She pulled one of Rafe's shirts on, which was a short-sleeved oxford that almost fell to her knees. When she walked back out, Rafe smiled appreciatively.

  “You look good in my clothes,” his smile was inviting, “maybe I should never return yours.”

  She could tell he was joking and laughed softly. In truth, it wouldn't bother her very much to lay around without any clothing as long as he was with her. He chuckled at her thoughts and shook his head.

  “Back to your question,” his eyes had turned to her and the humor was gone, “yes he has turned others that way.”

  She was shocked. Cara saw nothing wrong with a person choosing to be a vampire, but being turned against your will, that was horrible to her. She didn't ask him to elaborate, because she felt that after tonight she'd really had enough to deal with.

  He bent over to kiss her and the fire that had been quenched earlier was back in full swing. They loved desperately, giving and taking pleasure as if they would never be able to feel such desire again. She felt like no one could ever be a better lover than her vampire man, and after finding heaven for another time that evening, she slept.

  14 Tears of Change

  Several hours later they snuggled cozily in bed, the passion finally satisfied. He was such a generous lover and she was so sure that the rest of her life could be spent never moving from this spot. Rubbing her face against his chest, she sighed in utter contentment.

  A loud knock on the door propelled Rafe out of her arms and onto the floor in a defensive stance. His only thought was to protect the precious gem that nestled in his bed. The knocks continued briskly and he forced himself to stand, knowing that if someone had come to attack they certainly w
ouldn't have continued pounding on the wood.

  Gabe stormed through the door as Rafe finally opened it, his face full of exasperation. "Get dressed we need to leave now!"

  Adjusting the sheets and giving both Gabe a look that said she was ready to thrash him, she cleared her throat. "You know Gabe, a phone call might have been nice," she had no idea what was going on, but as Rafe threw on his clothes with a pace that left her breathless and Gabe ignored her sarcasm, she felt a stab of dread move through her.

  Rafe grabbed an extra pair of sweats and a t-shirt, tossing them at Cara, having no time to explain. "Get dressed Cara, now!" He normally wouldn't bark a command out at her but from the images Gabe was sending into his thoughts they had little time before all hell broke loose.

  She wanted to smack him upside the head for the rudeness as she caught the clothes, but something in his posture warned her that she'd better heed his demands. Sliding the clothes under the cover, she put them on awkwardly, trying not to give Gabe a glimpse of anything he shouldn't be seeing.

  She had barely got out of the bed before she was lifted into Rafe's arms and they took off into the night sky by way of the veranda. She didn't even have time to catch her breath as the stars flew by, their speed was that rapid. She had tons of questions, but decided wisely, that now was not the time to ask them. They flew on for hours and she guessed both of them should be exhausted, well if they had been human they would have been, she conceded mentally.

  They came to land in a place that was so completely foreign to her that she could only gasp at her surroundings. It almost seemed that they were in another world, she thought, as everything came into focus.

  “Do you mind telling me what in the world is going on?” She looked at Rafe and then Gabe ready to scream. Both of them seemed to be locked into some private mental conversation that she was not allowed to be a part of, she felt her anger rise. Rafe looked over at her with such dejection in his eyes that she stepped back involuntarily.