Love, Blood, and Sanctuary

by Brenda Murphy

  Laurel laid her hand on the demon’s head. “No. I’ve no wish to harm you, Nadia. I won’t do as you ask. It’s not for me to decide your fate. You chose the minute you betrayed me and pretended fidelity Go. Now.” She raised her hand, wrapped Nadia in her energy, and propelled her down the stairs and out of the door.

  Catherine followed her and set wards around the door. “That should buy us some peace for a while.” Her brow knitted. “Marcus Callan is your uncle?”

  “Great-uncle, by marriage.” Laurel stretched in her power. “And that felt unbelievably delicious.” A weariness settled over her. “But I am exhausted. How can a spirit need rest?”

  Catherine took her hand. “Only stars come close to unlimited power, and even they eventually burn out. You are not only spirit. We both are not what we were. We are somewhat flesh, and even enchanted flesh needs rest and food. Sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

  “You’re not tired?”

  “No.” Catherine moaned. The rich sound echoed off the vaulted ceiling. “No. I’m too excited.” She stroked her hands over her skin. “I’ve missed my body. I couldn’t sleep now if I tried. I’m going to raid your refrigerator.”

  Laurel laughed. “You’re going to be disappointed. I always eat at the club. Where will we sleep? I doubt Nadia will have that bed delivered now. My sleeping bag is too small for two.”

  Catherine tilted her head. “Sleep anywhere you want to. It’s your home. And you can create any kind of space you want.”

  She led them up the stairs. At the top she gestured to the door leading to the master bedroom. “Imagine the perfect room to sleep in, hold that image, make it so.”

  Laurel concentrated a moment and then opened the door. A huge canopy tester bed occupied the room. Heavy curtains blocked the light. A tiny lamp glowed by the bed. Lush royal-blue carpet covered the floor. The heavy drapes muffled the sounds from the street below. Laurel moved toward the bed and flipped the covers back. “Seems a shame to waste this room just sleeping.” She raked her eyes over Catherine’s form.

  Catherine lifted Laurel’s hand, kissed her fingertips, and then nipped them. “Later. Sleep well, love. You’ll need your strength for what I have in mind for you.”

  A fission of energy passed through her hand and up her arm, trailing down her body, arrowing straight to Laurel’s clit. “Damn it, I’m never going to fall asleep now.”

  Catherine leaned close and kissed her. She clasped her shoulders and pressed her back onto the mattress. Laurel relaxed into her kiss. She swept Laurel’s legs up and then tucked her into bed. Catherine kissed her cheek, her forehead, and then kissed her eyes closed. “Sleep. We have eternity for the rest.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Stop moving.” Laurel’s voice edged into Catherine’s consciousness.

  “Sorry. I haven’t had a real body for so long it’s hard to control. Besides, you could draw me with your eyes closed, seriously.”

  Laurel grimaced. “I want to draw you as you are, now that I’ve seen you.”

  Catherine shifted on her chair and the drape Laurel had arranged over her body fell from her breasts. “Oh look, the drape fell. Again.”

  “Now you’re just trying to distract me.”

  “Maybe.” Catherine lifted a shoulder and let it fall. She crooked her finger at Laurel. “Come here. Now that I have a real clit again, I can’t wait for you to suck it.”

  Laurel shivered. Her body trembled with Catherine’s coarse words and soft command. “Yes. Ma’am.”

  She lay her drawing pencil aside and walked to the chair where Catherine reclined. Laurel sank to her knees and crawled to her. Shell-pink toenails peeked from beneath the maroon sheet folded over her legs. Catherine pulled the cloth to expose one long leg and the darkness between her thighs. Laurel drew her lips over her skin, soaking in the soft scent of her, and the subtle spicy scent of her desire. “Please, Ma’am, may I suck you? Suck your clit until you come in my mouth?”

  Catherine leaned back and lifted her foot and placed it in between Laurel’s breasts. “Perhaps. Show me how much you desire me.”

  Laurel stood, shed her clothes, stripping them off and tossing them into a pile. She reached between her legs and drew her fingers over the burgeoning wetness and gathered it on her fingertips. She held her glistening fingers up for Catherine to see.

  “Very nice. But I think you need to show me more.”

  Laurel fixed her gaze on Catherine’s full breasts, dark-brown nipples peaked and stood out, and Laurel’s mouth watered. “May I suck your nipples? Please, Ma’am. I could show you. Show you how much I want to please you.”

  Catherine lifted her heavy breasts, the flesh spilling from her hands. “Come here.” Laurel crawled forward and leaned in. Catherine cupped the back of her head. “Suck me. Get me off and I’ll let you clean up.”

  Laurel bent her hand and took a thick nipple into her mouth. The velvet hardness under her tongue made her moan. Catherine’s fingers on the back of her head held her in place.

  Laurel swept her hands up and gathered Catherine’s breasts in her hands and suckled them. Intoxicated with the scent of desire rising between them, Laurel circled the tip with flat of her tongue, licking and then drawing her fat nipple deep. Catherine’s delicate groan set her on fire. Laurel applied herself to her task.

  Nipping the soft skin under her breasts and then working her way back with small kisses, trying hard to pay equal attention to both nipples. Catherine’s hips rocked and she pressed against Laurel, the sheet falling away. Her center was molten against Laurel’s stomach.

  Laurel leaned in and wrapped her arms about her waist to pull her closer. The scrape of tight curls and then the slick slide of Catherine’s clit over her skin drove her. Saliva pooled in her mouth as she worked hard to earn the right to drown in the sweetness between Catherine’s legs.

  *

  Laurel’s mouth on her nipples was heaven and Catherine shifted to press more of herself between her greedy lips. The sheet had long been discarded and now the rub and pressure of Laurel’s hard stomach against her clit threatened her control. Another nip and then tug of Laurel’s teeth and Catherine came, her pleasure spiraling out from her center, and she crushed Laurel to her as she rocked into the sensations.

  Laurel broke free, panting. “Please, Ma’am. Let me taste you.”

  Unable to speak, Catherine palmed the top of Laurel’s head and shoved her between her widespread legs. Warm wet heat closed over her clit. She shifted and thrust her hips up, eager for Laurel’s mouth. Her clit throbbed. Laurel circled it with her tongue before pursing her lips to close over it and suck. The rhythmic push and pull of her mouth swept Catherine up until the waves of pleasure took her under, swallowed her whole. She keened her release as she came again. “Fuck me, Laurel. Now. Now.”

  Laurel thrust two fingers in and curled them up, hit a spot that made Catherine gasp and scream as she rocked on Laurel’s hand. Insatiable desire to be lost in the bliss of Laurel’s mouth and touch consumed her.

  “Again. Goddess, you are divine. Make me come again.” Catherine panted.

  Laurel growled, the vibrations rocketing through Catherine as she settled into a slow rhythm and fucked her in time to licking her clit, just enough but not enough to send Catherine over.

  Her deliberate movements were exquisite torture. Laurel covered Catherine’s clit with her mouth and sucked gently as she worked the hood back with her lips. When she touched her tongue to the tip, Catherine’s orgasm detonated sharp and clear, her body shaking.

  Laurel thrust deep and hard. Catherine curled up and over Laurel’s back as she shook and trembled through her pleasure. She closed her eyes, wanting the sensation to go on forever, knowing it could not.

  Laurel eased her down, slowing her strokes with soothing licks and touches of her tongue. Catherine slumped in the chair. Laurel sat back on her heels, her face wet and glistening.

  “Come here.” Catherine patted her lap.

  Laurel curled
into her arms. Catherine kissed her, savoring the taste of herself on Laurel’s lips. She rubbed her hand over her breasts and down over her belly. She patted the tops of Laurel’s thighs. “Open.”

  Laurel spread her legs. Catherine dipped into her wet heat. She slicked her fingers and spread it up and over Laurel’s clit. “Where did you learn to please a woman like that? Who taught you how to suck clit like that?”

  Laurel gasped and groaned as Catherine thrust her fingers deep.

  “Answer me.”

  “My first lover, Ma’am.”

  “Remind me to send her a thank-you note.” Catherine teased her fingers over Laurel’s clit, delighting in her loud shout as she came undone under Catherine’s touch. Liquid silk spilled over Catherine’s fingers as she palmed and cupped Laurel. “I hope you didn’t have any other plans for the day.” She stood with Laurel in her arms. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.” She cloaked them in energy and transported them to their room.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Catherine woke with the heavy weight of Laurel’s leg draped over her thighs and stickiness between her legs. Alive, and yet not. She smoothed her hand over her belly, careful not to wake Laurel. Air moved in her lungs, her heart beat beneath her skin, and the ache in her clit signaled her desire for Laurel.

  She turned her head to look at her bedmate. Her hair was scattered across her cheek, covering her sharp cheekbones. Catherine studied her as she slept, her gaze caressing her face. Laurel had chosen to be bonded, to free Catherine from her lingering half-life/half-death, even choosing to transform herself. Who were her enemies? What vengeance fueled her desire to surrender the peace of oblivion to walk the earth seeking to destroy her enemies and because of their bond, Catherine’s enemies as well?

  Laurel stirred in her sleep. Catherine stilled, unwilling to wake her, even as she desired to kneel over her full lips and ride her mouth until she screamed Laurel’s name. After years of no physical joy Catherine wanted to drown in the sensations of sex.

  Catherine pursed her lips. Marcus Callan. Laurel’s great-uncle. Not a blood relative. Laurel’s enemy if her words to Nadia were any indication. How much more would she hate him if she met the basement children?

  She reached out to Manny, calling him to her softly.

  “Yes?” Manny appeared at the bedside his forehead wrinkled. “You saying goodbye?” He turned his newsboy cap in his hands. “Are you going with her?”

  “No.” Catherine pulled the covers up over Laurel’s shoulders. “If I do leave the house, I’ll come back.”

  “Can you release us now?”

  “Not alone.” Catherine rested her hand on Laurel’s shoulder.

  “Will she help?”

  “Why don’t you ask me?” Laurel rasped. She cleared the sleep from her throat. “Who is this?” She tuned to face Manny.

  “I’m Manny. I live in the basement with the others.”

  Laurel sat up in the bed, clutching the sheets to her chest. “Others?”

  She turned to Catherine. “I’m going to need coffee for this.”

  Catherine pursed her lips. “Yes. I believe you will.”

  *

  The door to Manny’s world was bricked over. The faint outline of the magic sealing the tomb glowed with red light.

  Laurel drew close to Catherine. “I didn’t see this when I moved in.”

  “You weren’t meant to.” Catherine wrapped her arm around her waist, her presence warm in the chill of the cellar. “Are you ready for this?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She placed both hands on the bricks and gathered her energy. The red light glowed and then faded to white as the bricks melted and vanished. A cistern stood before them, a gaping maw in the floor.

  Manny stood on the other side of the pit.

  Laurel looked into the blackness. She shrank back as the upturned faces of other children, their eyes glowing red, their thin bodies draped in frayed clothes, filled the pit. A wall of fear and anger washed over Laurel. Her skin tingled with the sharp cries of their gathered energy.

  “Peace. Be still. All of you.” Catherine’s command brought stillness to the space.

  “What is this place? Who are you?” Laurel’s voice rose as the stench of fear and hatred flared from the pit.

  Manny held his arms out wide. “They are the failed. The results of Marcus Callan’s breeding program between humans and supernaturals. They were terminated when they didn’t measure up to his expectations, or when he needed blood for more experiments.”

  “What?” A chill skittered up Laurel’s spine.

  Catherine held her hands up and light spilled forth and illuminated the pit and the upturned faces of the children.

  “Why don’t they speak?” Laurel moved further into the room, closer to the specters crowding the space.

  The children opened their mouths and revealed the stumps of their tongues before their mouths opened in silent screams that rose from the mass of bodies and assailed Laurel’s ears.

  Manny pursed his lips. “Marcus left nothing to chance.”

  A burning rage built in Laurel. “How do you figure into this?”

  Manny turned his cap in his hand. “I found out. Planned to expose him. Humans began investigations. Marcus made sure nothing would ever be found, sealed me in with them.”

  Laurel swallowed the bile rising in her throat. “What do you want?”

  Manny closed his eyes. “To be free, to seek God, if there is one.”

  “What do they want?” Laurel gestured to the children of the pit.

  Manny tilted his head. “The same, as far as I can tell. To be free of this house, to not live in fear of being entombed in this place for eternity.”

  Catherine settled her hand in the small of Laurel’s back. “You can release them.”

  “How?”

  “The book. And your power.”

  “I can do that?”

  “You unsealed a wall that had been sealed and warded by your great-uncle like you were slicing butter with a hot knife and you doubt your power?” Catherine quirked her mouth.

  “Get the book.”

  Catherine tilted her head and lifted her chin. “As you wish.”

  Laurel forced herself to stay in the living tomb, forced herself to memorize each child’s face, and forced herself to acknowledge the evil her great-uncle had perpetrated.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Laurel lay on the bed, her eyes fixed on the dark fabric of the canopy. Lethargy, deep and wide, filled her. Her work to free the basement children and Manny from their tomb left her drained. Only her anger kept her awake, and under it all a sick feeling of being set up. Her great-uncle wanted her blood, wanted to breed her like an animal.

  Before she had freed Manny, she had made him tell her all the details of her great-uncle’s operation, needing to pause only once to vomit as he told her of his methods for attempting to create what Laurel’s parents had accomplished on their own. Fueled by love, her mother had defied the clan, had married her father, and had Laurel.

  Laurel worried her lip with her teeth.

  “You’ll hurt yourself if you don’t rest.” Catherine stretched out beside Laurel and placed her hand over her heart. “Let it go for now.”

  “I can’t. I can’t let it go. He’s despicable, but he has never been anything but kind to me.”

  “That’s the rub of it, isn’t it?” Catherine moved her hand up to cup Laurel’s cheek and tapped her thumb on her cheekbone.

  “Yes.” Laurel turned to face her. “You knew him?”

  “I did.” Her gaze slid sideways from Laurel’s face.

  “How well?”

  “Not very. He traveled in circles below my place.”

  “How did you end up trapped in this house?”

  “Misplaced trust. A charmed blade.”

  Laurel snuggled close to Catherine. “The kris in the attic?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who?”

  “My lover’s brother. H
e considered our bond unnatural.” Catherine snorted. “He was so ignorant and frightened after he stabbed me, he forgot to pull the blade free and left unspoken the words that would have truly ended me.”

  Laurel shivered. Her heart ached as visions of the scene flooded her mind and their shared bond flared with pain. She clutched her stomach, a dull pain in her gut mirroring Catherine’s wound. She groaned softly. “Sorry I asked.”

  Catherine smoothed her hand over Laurel’s brow. “Don’t. Don’t think of it.” Her energy flowed over and through Laurel, sweeping the images from her mind.

  Laurel fingered a thick wiry curl of Catherine’s hair. The heated dark scent of pine and cedar rose from her umber skin. The signature scent of Catherine’s magic surrounded her, and she settled under her touch. “Have you always been with women?”

  “Are you always this curious?” Catherine’s dark eyes held Laurel’s gaze.

  “Always. And I like the sound of your voice. So, always with women?”

  “Yes. It’s who I am. I’ve dallied with, but never been committed to a man.” Catherine captured Laurel’s arm and kissed the scar over her wrist. The heat from her lips spread over Laurel’s body and her nipples tightened. Catherine kissed her way along her arm and then scattered kisses over her shoulder.

  Laurel melted under her touch. “Stop. Please. Tell me, how does it work? How many times have you been bound to another?”

  Catherine scooted away from Laurel and raised both hands palm out. “How am I supposed to seduce you when you won’t stop talking? I’ll give you three more questions and then that’s it for tonight. We have eternity for you to ask questions.”

  Laurel stilled. “That’s not true, though, is it? Eternity?”

  “Too long?”

  “No. But there have been others before me.”

  The weight of the unasked question hung between them. The unsaid hovered over them as the air in the room stilled.

  “I’ve bonded twice before you.” Catherine shifted her gaze from Laurel’s face. “My first love struggled with her transformation. She chose to end her existence.”