The implication was clear—he wanted to do much more than just drink from me. Or maybe he was demonstrating his self-control, showing Roderick and Celeste that he could take me sexually without “breaking” me as Roderick had put it. But at that moment, the way he was kissing me and nuzzling my open pussy through the thin silk panties didn’t feel like a display for anyone watching. It felt intimate—deliberate. Hot.
“Corbin…” I whispered, forgetting that I needed to keep my eyes on the other two vamps in the room. “God…” I was so wet and hot I felt molten from the waist down and I was sure he knew it. The way he rubbed and kissed the panel of silk that barely hid my spread folds made it obvious. I could feel his hot breath against my sensitive clit and the thought that only the thin panties separated me from his tongue was almost more than I could bear.
“Darling,” he murmured, kissing me again. “Your scent is so sweet…so delicious. I’m going to drink from you now.”
I understood that he was warning me he was about to bite and some of the heat I’d been feeling dissipated at once. Okay, this was going to hurt. Every experience I’d had with Taylor told me so and she had never bitten me in such an intimate and sensitive area. I tensed my body and gripped his shoulders hard, trying to get ready.
It’s all right, I told myself. It will all be over soon. I hoped anyway.
Corbin seemed to understand my fear because he kissed my inner thigh gently and murmured, “No pain, my darling. No pain.”
What is he talking about? Of course there’s going to be pain! His fangs are much bigger than Taylor’s and he—
But the thought fell right out of my head the minute he sank his fangs into my thigh. I felt a sudden shock but it wasn’t pain I experienced—it was pleasure. A pleasure so great and intense I could barely stand it.
“Ah!” I gasped as a whipcrack orgasm rushed through me. My hands tightened into fists, wrinkling the immaculate fabric of his expensive suit and my legs nearly gave out. I would have fallen if Corbin hadn’t been holding me up. God, how did he do that? My nipples were suddenly painfully tight and my pussy was so wet I was sure my panties were soaked. And he had done nothing but bite me. Bite me and make me come in front of the enemy.
I felt a rush of shame when I looked up and saw Roderick and Celeste smirking at us. Corbin should have warned me that sinking his fangs into my flesh would make me come! I was definitely going to talk to him about it when this was all over.
“Very impressive, Corbin,” Roderick said. “Your self-control really is quite amazing, being able to bite your little human in such an area without feeling the need to fuck her to death.”
“Yes, Corbin always was a show-off.” Celeste sounded bored. “I say why bother? Sex and blood and death go together—it is the natural order.”
“Only if you’re a fucking psychopath,” I snapped, wishing I could wipe that self-satisfied look of superiority off her face with a gun.
Corbin withdrew from my thigh and then lapped at my flesh to heal the wounds.
“Now, Addison,” he said, frowning.
I glared back. He’d said I had to be nice to Roderick and so far I was at least being civil. But Celeste, who had gotten Taylor into this mess in the first place, was fair game as far as I was concerned.
“Your little pet needs to learn some manners,” Celeste said, giving me a nasty look.
“I’m better at teaching manners than learning them.” I could feel the comforting weight of my Glock swinging by my side in the little black purse and I wanted to use it on her so badly I could taste it. Honestly, I’m not usually a psycho murdering bitch. There’s just something about being in the same room with people who have raped and tortured my best friend that brings out homicidal tendencies in me.
“Why don’t we simply get on with the proceedings now that we’ve all quenched our thirst?” Corbin said, rising smoothly. “I believe we are here to put you on trial, Celeste, for taking and turning a human against her will.”
“Indeed, we are.” Roderick turned to Celeste. “Celeste, have you knowingly and willingly turned un unwilling human to darkness?”
She nodded, looking contrite. “I have. But in my defense, she seemed willing at the time.”
“Only because you glamoured her within an inch of her life!” I exclaimed.
“Corbin, control your consort.” Roderick glared at me. “She must learn not to speak in the presence of her betters.”
“You—” I started but Corbin laid a restraining hand on my arm.
“Addison,” he said warningly.
“Fine.” I clamped my jaw shut and contented myself with staring daggers at Roderick.
“Now,” the vampire Inquisitor went on. “If we can proceed without further interruption, Celeste, you are in violation of our new law and as such you must be punished.”
“Yes, Inquisitor.” Celeste bowed her head submissively.
Roderick puffed himself up, looking important. “I pronounced that you must pay a fine of one hundred dollars and swear to never do this again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Inquisitor.” A small smile curled the corners of Celeste’s red-lipsticked mouth, making her look like a little blonde cat that had gotten into the cream.
“Very good then. We’ll consider the matter closed.” Roderick nodded. Apparently the trial was over.
Despite Corbin’s restraining hand on my arm, I couldn’t be silent anymore.
“What?” I demanded. “You mean that’s it? She ruined my friend’s life and she gets a slap on the wrist? This trial is a joke!”
“Corbin!” Roderick turned to us, his eyes cold. “Did I not tell you to control your consort? I will not tolerate a mere human questioning my judgment.”
“Indeed, Inquisitor.” Corbin’s grip on my arm tightened and he frowned at me. “I apologize and my consort will also make a full and sincere apology both for the insult she offered you tonight and for her actions at our last meeting.”
“Like hell I will!” I knew I had promised to apologize to the vampire Inquisitor but I was fed up with all the undead bullshit going on.
“Addison…” Corbin turned me to face him and looked into my eyes. “Look at me,” he demanded, when I tried to drop my eyes. “No, look at me, my darling.”
“Fine.” Unwillingly, I raised my eyes to his. Corbin could try to glamour me if he wanted to but there was no way I was helping him—he was on his own.
“Addison,” he murmured again and I felt something prying at the surface of my thoughts. Unseen fingers were testing my mental defenses, tugging gently at the invisible shield I normally wasn’t even aware of around my mind.
I felt myself start to panic. Those fingers were strong—I could feel their immense strength even though he was trying to be gentle. Corbin’s attempt to get inside me was like a man who is trying to do a delicate task, like painting a vase or fixing the inside of a watch. But if he wanted to, he could smash the vase or destroy the fragile clockwork at any moment. I had never felt this way when looking into a vampire’s eyes before— God, who knew he had this much power?
“Addison,” he whispered for a third time. “Open to me, darling. Don’t make me force you.”
“I…” I bit my lip. I wanted to say I didn’t know how to open to him but if I did, Roderick would know we hadn’t done this before. Instead I said, “I’m trying.”
“Relax…” Corbin stroked my cheek. “I won’t hurt you. Just let me in a little.”
I didn’t want to do it—didn’t want to let him in. But this was part of the agreement and Roderick and Celeste were standing right there, watching. I had no choice—I had to do it.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to let the tension drain out of my body. Tried to imagine the shield around my mind going down, like some kind of force-field from an old sci-fi movie.
Corbin seemed to have a different image in mind.
“Your mind is like a flower, its petals closed tight,” he murmured, still stroking my cheek. “Close yo
ur eyes and open to me.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to do as he said. I felt those iron fingers prying gently around the edges of my mental shield again and this time I was able to let them in.
“Good,” Corbin breathed. “Now look at me, Addison. I hold your mind in my hand but I would never hurt it, any more than I would hurt your precious body.”
I opened my eyes and fell into the silvery-blue depths of his gaze.
Chapter Eleven
Suddenly it seemed like I was swimming in an ocean. A deep, cold current was carrying me away and there was nothing I could do about it but for some reason I didn’t care. The waves were taking me farther and farther from shore but up ahead in the distance, I could see something…no, someone. It was a girl about my age or maybe a little younger standing on a small, rocky island. She had red hair the same shade as mine but her eyes were blue, a deep, sapphire blue and they were filled with tears. In her arms was a baby—an infant so tiny it looked like it had just been born. She clutched it tightly to her chest and cried, the tears running down her cheeks.
Who is she? I wondered, looking at the girl. Other than the hair she didn’t look much like me but the sadness on her face was heartbreaking. I wanted to put my arms around her and comfort her, to tell her everything was going to be all right.
She is gone…centuries dead, said a deep voice in my mind. With a start, I realized it was Corbin’s voice.
Corbin? I looked around for him but I couldn’t see anything, just the shifting, silver-blue sea around me.
I am here, you cannot see me but I am with you.
Who was that girl? She was gone now and there was nothing but waves as far as I could see.
I heard what sounded like a mental sigh. I should have known glamouring you would have consequences. As I look into you, you are also able to look into me.
But who—?
One who was once dear to me. It isn’t important now. What is important is that you must apologize to Roderick.
But I don’t want to! He’s a bastard!
Yes, but he is also my superior—my boss, as you would say. He wields more power than I do and as such, he must be placated.
He ought to be shot, I said, or sent, or whatever you wanted to call this weird mental conversation we were having.
You will apologize. There was iron in Corbin’s tone now and I sensed he was through reasoning with me. You must say to him that you ask forgiveness for your rude words and for your actions last night when you offered to commit adultery in front of him.
I offered to give Taylor some blood that she very much needed, I protested. I never meant to disrespect you, especially not with him watching.
Tell him that, then. Respectfully.
I’ll try, I sent back with irritation. But I don’t know how respectful I can be to a snake like that.
You’ll be able to manage. Corbin’s mental tone sounded certain. Simply open your mouth and the correct words will come out.
I’ll do my best, I promised, grinding my teeth. And you promise after this is over you’ll get the hell out of my mind.
Do you really dislike having me here? He sounded wistful. Communicating this way is so much more intimate than speaking aloud. And so much more revealing…I can feel your emotions from here, Addison. Your true emotions, the ones you prefer to keep hidden from everyone, even yourself.
That’s it! I snapped. I’m going to apologize to that evil asshole and then you’re releasing me immediately afterwards. All right?
There was a pause and then I felt his reluctant agreement. All right. I am bringing you back now. You will see the room and everyone in it.
And just like that, I was out of the ocean I’d been floating in and standing in front of him, looking into his eyes. I made myself tear my gaze away and saw that Celeste and Roderick were standing there, perfectly motionless and waiting with that inhuman patience all vampires seem to possess.
“Roderick,” Corbin said, taking my arm and leading me closer to the raised dais where the vampire Inquisitor still stood. “I believe my consort has something to say to you.”
Yeah, I’ve got things to say to you, all right. You sick, sadistic son of a bitch…
I opened my mouth and was shocked to hear something completely different than what I was thinking coming out.
“Inquisitor,” my mouth said, apparently completely independent of my mind. “I wish to offer my apologies for my words tonight as well as my actions the night before.”
“Hmph.” Roderick crossed his arms over his chest. “Go on.”
“I haven’t been Corbin’s consort for long,” I heard myself continue. “And I didn’t realize that offering my blood to another was wrong. I never had any intention of dishonoring my master, I simply wanted to heal my friend, Taylor. So I am on my knees, asking you…”
On my knees? Oh, no, I’m not! I thought fiercely.
Oh, yes you are, darling, Corbin sent back and suddenly I was getting stiffly down on my knees—not an easy task considering the ridiculously tall heels I was wearing.
“I am on my knees,” my mouth continued independently of my brain. “Asking, no begging, for your forgiveness.”
Begging? REALLY? Inside I was so mad I could have spit. If Corbin was anywhere near me I would have kicked him out of sheer rage, even knowing that I was much too weak to do any damage to his impenetrable vampire hide.
The Inquisitor must be placated. His pride must be soothed. This is the only way. Corbin’s mental voice was implacable.
And apparently, he was right. Roderick was actually looking at me with what probably amounted to benevolence in someone as monstrous as him.
“Again, I am impressed.” He nodded at Corbin as though acknowledging a man who had trained his pet to do a particularly clever trick. “I would not have thought it possible to glamour one with such a strong mental shield. Truly, you have a gift.”
“Thank you, Inquisitor.” Corbin inclined his head modestly. “She is rather…fractious at times but as you see, Addison is most certainly worthy to claim as my consort, human though she is.”
“Indeed.” Roderick nodded and raised an eyebrow at Corbin. “And you are able to handle her body as gently as you do her mind when you fuck her? Your precision with such a fragile creature truly is amazing.”
Corbin smiled slightly. “Addison is worth the trouble.”
“So I see.” Roderick looked at me, a strange light in his eyes. “I will accept your apology, little human.”
“Thank you, you’re very kind,” my mouth said. Inside, however, I was shouting at Corbin. Let me go now! You said you would!
I don’t know… He was frowning. We are in a perfect position right now. Perhaps you should stay as you are until after Roderick and Celeste are gone.
No! If I could have glared at him I would have but I seemed to be incapable of anything but a sweet, penitent smile. Feeling the fake look on my face while the rage seethed inside me only made me angrier. You let me go now! I mentally yelled at Corbin. You swore you would. If you don’t release me from this fucking mind control this instant I swear I will never trust you again. And I’ll put a bullet in your worthless hide the minute I get a chance! Do you hear me?
He sighed. Very well. Losing your trust troubles me more than your threats of harm. I will release you but you must remain calm. Keep your cool, as they say in this century. At least until Roderick is gone.
Just let me go, I sent tensely.
In answer, Corbin came around and raised me to my feet. Then he took my face in both his hands and looked into my eyes.
“Addison,” he murmured. “I release you.”
Immediately I felt my mental shield, which he had so carefully peeled away, fall back into place. It was an almost physical sensation, like a rubber band that had been pulled tight, snapping back to its normal position. Abruptly the feeling of having Corbin in my mind was gone. I could no longer feel his presence or hear his warm, intimate inner voice.
I felt
an overwhelming sense of relief coupled with a stranger emotion…emptiness. I was alone inside my skull and I knew I should be happy about it. Instead, I felt so…so…isolated.
The weird feelings made me even angrier, but this time at myself. Stop it! What’s wrong with you? Like you want him in there, controlling your every move? Well, no, I didn’t like that part. But the intimacy of having him inside my head…it was weird. Deeper than anything I had ever felt, deeper even than sex. Was this the sensation glam-addicts went chasing at the clubs, giving every last drop of their blood to feel this closeness, this intimacy just once more? I had always assumed it was just about sex but this…this was strange.
“Addison?” Corbin looked at me with concern. “Are you all right?”
I took a deep breath. “You’re…gone. I mean, I don’t feel you anymore.”
“I know,” he said quietly and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I miss you, too, darling.”
“Don’t call me that.” I pulled away from his hands and he let me, though he was certainly strong enough to have held me in place.
“Inquisitor,” he said, turning to Roderick who was watching us with a calculating expression I didn’t like at all. “I trust these proceedings are at an end?”
“They are,” Roderick acknowledged. “But I have yet to examine your establishment, Corbin. Be ready for me tomorrow night.”
“Understood.” Corbin nodded. “Will you need accommodations during your inspection?”
“I will.” Roderick nodded. “And I will require the use of one of your females for my comfort during my stay with you as well.”
My whole body tensed and I looked at Corbin. Surely he wouldn’t…
“I will ask if any of the females under my care wishes to curry favor by submitting to you, Roderick,” he said, frowning. “But I will not force anyone into sexual servitude. And if one of the girls does wish to come to you, I must forbid you to abuse her. I treat my underlings…differently than Celeste does hers.”
Born to Darkness Box Set Page 13