by Gina Rosavin
She nodded. "How did you…?"
"Adrian funds a lot of my research. But I insist he also sometimes acts as my guinea pig."
Katerina's eyes widened. "He does it willingly?"
"I wouldn't say willingly, grudgingly might be a better choice of word."
Katerina smiled. She didn't expect Adrian would agree to participate in Vining's experiments, but that he would give in for his friend told her a lot.
"Thank you, Doctor. I'll get back to you."
Vining took her hand and bent low over it before vanishing. She checked on Victoria. Her daughter was finally sleeping, and pocketing the baby monitor, she decided to seek out Adrian. She needed to share this news with him. He would be pleased.
He wasn't in the great hall, so she made her way to his office. As she neared, she was able to sense him. His voice in her thoughts gave a feeling of comfort, and she stood in the doorway.
He stood with his back to her, as he looked through some files. She remained silent, simply watching him, and listening as he summoned a servant. But when the figure appeared in the room, Katerina's contentment quickly turned to anger. Damn him!
Joshua eased himself into a chair, as Adrian thrust a couple of files at him. "Here's the latest. How come you didn't tell me of this?"
"I didn't know. I was in London last night."
Adrian shook his head, but Katerina's anger had grown so she couldn't help herself. She strode into the room, narrowing her eyes on Adrian when he turned and smiled at her.
"You just can't help yourself, can you?" she shouted, before he could speak.
"Kat, what's the matter?"
She shook her head in disgust. "Don't play innocent. You turned him!" She waved a hand at Joshua. Adrian's eyes widened a little, then his brows furrowed.
"Yes. And how does this concern you?" he asked.
She flinched. She hated it when he took on that condescending tone. "How can you ask? After everything else you've done, you actually believe this wouldn't bother me?"
"Who I choose to recruit for my…."
She gaped at him. "Recruit? Is that what you call it? You knew he didn't want to be…"
"I can speak for myself, Katerina," said Joshua, coming to stand between them.
"Did you want this?" Katerina asked.
"Not exactly, but…"
She made a move to step around him and face Adrian once more, but Joshua's hand on her arm stopped her.
"I wasn't finished." He loosened his grip. "At first, I didn't want it. But there was no other choice. It's the only way I can help Sophie. I goaded him into it. I'm not angry, or resentful. I can be with her this way, and I'm glad he did it."
Katerina searched his eyes, not sure she believed him, but said nothing. Her gaze darted to Adrian, who watched her with apprehension. She jerked free of Joshua's grip, and pointed a finger her husband.
"Later, you and I need to have a talk."
Adrian nodded, but said nothing as she strode from the room. He turned away from Joshua's accusing stare and eased himself to his chair.
"She's pretty angry. I told you she would be."
Adrian sent his minion a glare which would have made most cower in fear. "Save your lectures, hunter. I will handle Katerina."
"You better be careful. She looked ready to stake you when she left."
"Never mind, Joshua. Take that information and see if you can locate Sophie. When was the last time you contacted her?"
"Two days ago. But she was careful; she blocked all her thoughts as to where she was. I couldn't even hear anything in the background, as if she'd silenced the area. It's like she doesn't want me to find her, she wants that creep."
"That creep will soon be dead. Then she's all yours. Just find her, so we can get this over with. Machiavelli needs her, so she's our only way to him."
Joshua nodded, but said nothing more as he teleported out of the room. Adrian turned his attention to Kat. He tried to reach out to her, but she had shielded her thoughts. Locked him out. Although he couldn't hear her clearly, her anger was unmistakable, coming to him in waves, warning him their confrontation later would be distressing. To say the very least.
* * *
Katerina fingered the amulet. She wasn't sure she should do this, but how else would she make him understand? Was this the only way to get through to him? Part of her dreaded what she was about to do, but she couldn't deny she was actually anticipating it with a hint of pleasure. She placed the amulet carefully into the lead pouch and tucked it into her robe pocket. She patted it and strode to the nursery.
Victoria slept peacefully, and Katerina placed a kiss on her tiny head. "Your father's days of game playing are over, my little angel," she whispered. "After tonight, he won't dare pull anything like this again. Sleep well, Tori."
She straightened, the weight of the amulet getting heavier with each passing second. She shut the nursery door and paused for several moments.
With a deep breath, she went back into her chamber, and opened her mind.
Adrian?
Yes, my love.
I want to see you. Now. At once.
He appeared before her in a cascade of golden light, a hopeful smile on his face. For a few seconds, she said nothing, as she waited for her heart to stop pounding. She resented how his very presence affected her, distracted her by making her want to throw herself into his embrace. Forcing herself to keep her focus, she folded her arms.
"You turned Joshua."
The smile faded, and he lowered his head. For a moment, she almost tossed her plan away at his repentant stance, but she would not be manipulated. He needed this lesson. If he was ever going to stop hurting those around him, she had to continue.
"Do you have anything to say about that?" she asked.
He raised his head. "You're right, I did."
"He didn't want it. He told me it wasn't his choice."
Adrian held her gaze. "He also told you he practically forced me into it and was glad, once it was over."
"That's not the point. You didn't care about how he felt. You just took what you wanted. Total disregard to anyone but yourself."
"You don't understand. The hunger, the need to feed, combined with Taylor's mockery…"
"Will you do this to me one day? Lose control, let the hunger take over and attack me? Maybe you'll get angry, or have a bad day."
His eyes widened. He reached for her, but she backed away. Letting his hands fall to his side, he shook his head. "Never, Kat. I would never hurt you. I swore I wouldn't take you against your wishes."
"But you're hoping to convince me otherwise, to make me want it." She held her breath as she waited for his answer.
"I do hope the time will come when you want to join me, but it will be your choice. I would do nothing to…"
"I don't believe you. Every time I think I can trust you, you turn around and do something like this. How many people would you hurt to see your goals achieved?" She held up her hand when he would have spoken. "I don't want to hear it. But it's time you learned what it's like to be helpless and at someone's mercy, to be manipulated by someone, against your wishes."
He tilted his head to one side, one eyebrow raised in question. She slid the pouch from her pocket and opened it. His eyes widened before she'd pulled the amulet free, the powers from the Pentagram reaching him already.
"You wouldn't dare!" His voice was already low and weak, though his anger was unmistakable.
"Wouldn't I?" She pulled the amulet free, and he backed away, holding his arms out to shield himself. She neared him as he retreated, until he came against the bed and fell weakly upon it. She stood over him, letting the Pentagram dangle from her fingers.
"Kat, you would destroy me?"
"No, I'm not going to let you die, I'm just trying to make a point." She placed one knee on the bed, between his legs and leaned over him. His eyes were filled with fear, and he swallowed nervously. But his helplessness only renewed her determination, feeding her need to m
ake him understand. She carefully put the amulet on the nightstand, within her reach, and positioned herself between him and the Pentagram.
She leaned closer, and pressed her lips against his, licking him lightly. She leaned back and flicked her fingers, and the buttons of his shirt began to open by themselves, the fabric slipping away to expose his cool, hard flesh to her seeking fingers.
"How does it feel, knowing you're helpless beneath me? I could do anything I wanted and you couldn't stop me." The power over him gave her a heady sensation, fueling her determination. And her desire. "I could."
His arm came up, his hand tightening on her wrist, but his normal super-human strength was missing. He couldn't keep her at bay as she forced her hand back to his chest, holding him still as her other hand continued to stroke him. He shuddered, and turned his head, his eyes closing.
"You can't. And you are mine."
She pressed a kiss to his throat, and let her mouth work along his neck and jaw, her tongue darting out to tease his ear. He shivered then, as her fingers found his nipple and brushed against it. The power over him was arousing her, knowing he couldn't resist her touch. She longed to caress every inch of him, to feel him come to life under her hands.
She leaned back and looked at him. His head was turned away from her, his eyes still closed. She ran her finger down his breastbone, and his body rippled with the force of his reaction. Still, he kept his eyes closed. She turned him to face her.
"Look at me," she ordered. When he opened his eyes, she sucked in her breath. The pain reflected there was more than she could bear. What was she doing? With a gasp, she drew herself away, and reached for the amulet. She dared one more glance at him, her heart breaking to read the sorrow and betrayal in his eyes. She slowly slipped it into the pouch and pulled the strings tight.
He was behind her before she could pocket it, having recovered already. He reached around to pluck the pouch from her now limp fingers. She didn't protest. His hands on her shoulder slowly turned her. There was anger in his eyes, and something else. What was it?
"I'll take that and hold it for safekeeping. It's too dangerous to leave around, wouldn't you say?" He pulled her tightly against him. "I could kill you for what you've done."
"You could." She lifted her chin, certain he wouldn't act on the threat, though he was clearly angry with her. His jaw was set, so tight she thought it might shatter.
"You threatened my life." His low whisper was full of menace and warning.
She shook her head, trying to suppress the shiver that ran through her. "No, I didn't want you to die, I was just…"
"Trying to make a point." He mimicked her earlier words, laced heavily with sarcasm.
"Adrian, I'm sorry. I didn't realize…" She lowered her head.
"You did. And I am proud of you." He lifted her chin.
"You're what?" She gaped at him, certain he hadn't just said that.
"Proud. You've learned what it's like to let the darkness rule you, the pleasure to be had in its power."
She shook her head. "No. I'm not like you."
He smiled, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek. "You are, more than you realize. You enjoyed having me helpless at your hands, didn't you?"
She shook her head again, more violently this time. "No." But her denial rang false to her own ears.
"Yes. Now you see the intensity of the pleasure when you possess someone. The power is…arousing."
She leaned her face against his chest, his embrace soothing and troubling at the same time. "Adrian, I don't want that, I didn't mean to…"
"You did, and don't deny it. And while I am proud of you, that you dared risk my life in such a foolhardy manner will not go unpunished."
Her head snapped up, but before she could speak, he'd pulled the sash from her robe and wrapped it against her wrists. Eyes wide, she jerked back, but he held her close.
"No, my love, we are far from finished. For while you took the first step in taking control, you gave it up much too easily. Before your victim could plead for mercy."
"M-mercy?" Her voice wavered, and she swallowed. Her heart pounded in fear.
"Yes, Kat. It's time to teach you how to make your prey beg." In a flash, she was stretched out on the bed, and Adrian had tied the end of the sash to the headboard. An icy shiver passed through her as she realized how helpless she was. He leaned back and grinned, his eyes flecked with gold. The sight both frightened and aroused her, The sensations deep in her belly were more arousal, and she sighed, knowing he wouldn't truly hurt her. Would he?
He shook his head. "Never. But I will make you scream. And beg." His grin grew. What did he intend?
As his hands pushed aside her robe, she began to understand. And while she was looking forward to what he might do, part of her was still afraid. She tried to focus, could she repel him with her energy? But his hands were now on her bared shoulders, and rational thought was quickly fading.
The first gentle stroke of his finger along her collarbone set her to quivering. He stretched out beside her, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Adrian?" Her arousal ebbed, replaced by wariness. How far was he going to take this?
"Do not fear. While having you like this," he ran his palm along her rib cage and up to her now bared breast. He cupped it lightly, his thumb gently passing over her nipple. "Is more than I could hope for, I want you to understand one thing."
She swallowed, unable to ask him what he meant. She sighed, letting her head fall back, her gaze still locked on his.
He leaned lower, his mouth beside her ear. He brushed his lips against her lobe and she shuddered. "Nothing is important except that you are pleased."
Her eyes widened as he drew back. "Wh-what?" Her mind reeled, his fingers still lightly stroking her breast, keeping her just distracted enough not to focus. She shook her head trying to clear it. He was baring his soul, but keeping her too dazed to recognize it.
"Nothing else matters but your happiness. Your pleasure. I would sacrifice everything I have to see you happy. But I promise you will like this."
He knelt up, and straddled her, resting on his knees. He leaned over, his hands beside her head. She arched against her bonds, wanting to touch him. He grinned playfully and shook his head.
"I will not be distracted from my goals." He lowered his mouth to hers in a languid kiss and her bones melted. His fingers gently tangled in her hair, lightly holding her for his teasing lips and tongue. He dragged his mouth along her cheek to her ear, and she shuddered as his tongue traced the outer shell. Already she was on fire. It had been so long, all through her pregnancy, and the weeks afterward, and Adrian had not tried to seduce her at all. Now his teasing torment left her a puddle of quivering nerves. His fingers drew along her outstretched arms, and the zing that passed along her spine left her breathless. When his hands stroked along her shoulders, she tossed her head and arched toward him, urging him on.
His chuckle broke through her dazed senses. "I said you would enjoy it."
She sighed. He was playing with her, but oh, how she loved it. She smiled. "Well, then, what are you waiting for?"
He arched one eyebrow, but the devilish gleam in his eyes alarmed her. She was playing with fire, and she was about to get burned. He moved back to kneel between her legs. His hands were on her thighs, and for several moments, he didn't move, he simply sat there, staring at her.
She opened her mind, and let him feel the riotous emotions flying through her. His eyes widened, and his smile broadened.
Only I can give you this.
She nodded. Only you.
His hands moved then, and she gasped as he found her core, slowly stoking the flames higher. He was as affected as she, the link between them flowing freely. Each time she gasped in delight, she felt an answering jolt in her mind, telling her how she affected him. Even bound as she was, she had power over him. The heady sensation only heightened her ardor, and brought the realization of how much she meant to him. If he cared nothing for he
r, he wouldn't derive such pleasure from hers.
Each stroke of his fingers was a maddening delight, and he continued to toy with her, sending her to the breathless precipice of completion, only to draw her back down. When he knelt and placed his mouth on her, she cried out, twisting against him in the frantic need he inspired. Then his lips were on hers once more, and she responded with a passion she hadn't known she was capable of. He drew away, a growl of pleasure escaping him. She brought her gaze to his. His eyes had gone to gold, and her heart leapt in response. Still, his fingers worked their magic, on her, driving her higher and higher once more and she couldn't fight the buffeting sensations.