Civil Twilight: Project Exorcism

by Mandy M. Roth

  “How is it you can see the good through all the evil?”

  “Because I was born to save you,” she said, unsure why she selected now to finally tell him the truth. She'd wanted to do so the very minute she'd first encountered him outside his balcony, but something had stopped her.

  “I am past the point of saving.”

  She shook her head and ran her fingers over his bottom lip. “If that were true, you wouldn’t be here holding me. I'd be dead.”

  He sighed, his gaze reserved. “Jacquelyn. May I call you that?”

  “It’s my name, so yes.”

  He kissed the pad of her thumb tenderly. “I have lived too long and seen too much to believe a fool’s notion that I can be saved. The acts I have committed are atrocious. Forgiveness is out of my reach and…”

  “The acts were committed by the demon, Stegian. Not you. Not the man.” She bowed her head, her emotions still overwhelming her. “When I ascended, a strange knowing came over me. I knew then who you are to me.”

  Stegian lifted a brow, his gaze careful, clearly not believing her. “You have stated as much. I am the man you were born to save.”

  “You're my mate.”

  Shocked didn’t begin to cover his reaction. He jerked away, shaking his head and speaking in a language she didn’t recognize. He raked his hands over his face, pulling at it, muttering nonsense. When he finally calmed, he reached tentatively for her. “How can that be?”

  “How is it that Lorelei’s mate was from Earth, as well as Nina’s and Bradi’s? What makes you believe mine would not be?”

  “You are not my mate, solnihshka mayo. I know because I was forced to leave her on Earth. I shared but one kiss with her, at a—”

  Jacquelyn smiled through her tears and nodded. “At a masquerade ball? The night you were sired?”

  Stegian tipped his head. Stunned didn't even begin to cover the look on his face. “How is it you know that?”

  She went towards him and he didn’t fight her need to touch him. “Three years ago, when I was still confined to the bed, a slave to the machines keeping my body alive, my mind would wander. I assumed I was dreaming. I dreamt of you, Stegian. I dreamt of wearing an all-white ball gown and a pink-feathered mask—seeing you from across the room. You came to me instantly, asked me to dance and spent the evening sweeping me off my feet.” She took a deep breath. “It was you, no demon had been introduced to you yet. Nothing was there to block me from sensing your intent, or you mine. The minute I touched you I knew who you were to me. Not just the man I was to save, but the man I had been born to love.”

  Stegian let the information Jacquelyn was giving him sink in. He still remembered the night as if it was yesterday. The woman he’d known instantly as his mate had long, silky black hair and eyes of royal blue. Her scent was intoxicating and fire burned through his body the moment they touched. He’d spent the evening dancing with her, asking her name, but having her dodge the answer. Finally, he was able to scan her thoughts with his powers and he came away with Janelle.

  They’d shared but a kiss and his body had reacted in ways he never knew possible. He’d been high on thoughts of meeting his supernatural mate as he left the party, only to walk head first into a trap. One set to sire him. Stegian had been so consumed with hate, and in direct opposition to the evil residing in him, that he’d pushed thoughts of his mate from his head.

  He gasped. “I understand the need to wipe the planet clean of Janelles.”

  Jacquelyn stared up at him with tear filled yes. “What?”

  “The demon,” he touched his chest, “the one you insist is separate from me, he knew you, Jacquelyn, or rather, he knew what I knew about you. That you had long black hair, blue eyes, bore the name Janelle and had a certain scent.”

  Her eyes widened. “It knows I could come between you and it?”

  He nodded, feeling the stirrings of the demon within. He pushed it away, focusing on Jacquelyn. Cupping her face, he bent and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was light at first. It had been so long since he’d actually kissed a woman without the intent to drink her dry. In fact, Jacquelyn had been the last woman he’d kissed for the sake of desire. He feathered his tongue over her lower lip lightly, savoring the feel of her in his arms once more.

  The moment her tongue greeted his, Stegian was lost. He captured her mouth with his, mindful of his fangs as he artfully kept her tongue from being nicked on them. His cock hardened. He stalled in his sensual assault, fighting for a calming breath. “Solnihshka mayo, I can taste your innocence. You’ve never lain with a man before, have you?”

  His only answer came in the form of Jacquelyn thrusting her tongue into his mouth and running her hands over the back of his neck. Knowing she wanted to see his hair unbound, Stegian reached back and set it free. It spilled in waves over her hands and Jacquelyn smiled as she kissed him. She pressed her body against his and her erect nipples poked through the thin material of her gown.

  Stegian’s cock twitched and he pulled back long enough to stand and lift Jacquelyn into his arms. He took a step with her and although she weighed nothing to his supernatural strength, he lost his footing, the demon within surging forward and demanding to be fed.

  He put Jacquelyn on the bed and backed away fast, fearful he might harm her. As she undid the clasp holding her torn gown together, Stegian thought for sure he would lose control and the vampire within would reign free.

  “No,” he panted. “I have not fed yet.”

  She waved her hand and pointed towards the decanter. “There. New, fresh blood for you.”

  Her thoughtfulness warmed him. “Thank you, but I fear it will not sate me, Jacquelyn. I will not risk harming you. I want our time together to be beautiful.”

  The demon picked then to fully attack his senses. It mocked him and his words as it made his mind fog. Stegian fought and failed to control it. He expected it to immediately attack Jacquelyn. When it didn’t, he grew more concerned. It had something planned and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

  Chapter Six

  Jacquelyn stared up at Stegian as she undid the rest of her gown, freeing her breasts. She started to pull it down and he approached slowly, lust in his grey gaze.

  “Allow me to unwrap you.”

  Trusting Stegian fully, Jacquelyn lay back, giving him total access to her. He unbuttoned the white dress shirt he wore and removed it slowly, teasing her with glimpses of his rock hard body. His torso rippled as he moved up and over her on the bed. He lifted a finger and let a nail lengthen. Jacquelyn gasped.

  “Shhh, I simply wish to see all of you.”

  She relaxed, allowing him to cut through her dress. His nail caught her stomach and sliced it open just enough to make it bleed. Jacquelyn hissed and Stegian stopped, bent his head and licked the welling blood. “So sweet. So pure.”

  He kept going, tearing her dress from her as he slid his hand down. When he finally had it ripped completely open, he cupped her mound, retracting his nail as he went. He spread her slit, and used his middle finger to tweak her clit.

  Jacquelyn moaned and arched her back to him. “Stegian.”

  “Come for me,” he whispered, rubbing her clit and making pleasure build deep within her.

  Her entire body quivered in delight as Stegian worked her clit. Liquid pooled at the apex of her thighs, and Jacquelyn bit her lower lip to keep from crying out in ecstasy as she reached culmination.

  A deep laugh came from him. “That’s it, come for me.”

  She shivered and pulled at his shoulders. “Stegian, please. I need to touch you.”

  He loosened the front of his pants and freed his ruddy cock. Jacquelyn stared, wide-eyed, down at the length of his shaft, nervous if her body could accept something that size. “Ah,” he stroked his cock, “take me in your mouth.”

  Jacquelyn stilled, uneasy about the tone of Stegian’s voice. As she stared into his eyes, she caught the slightest flicker and knew who was controlling his actions. Reaching
up, she cupped his face and drew him to her. The head of his cock nudged at the entrance of her heated core.

  “Do you wish to be punished, pet?” He bent to kiss her and she stopped him just shy of it. “It is a simple bedroom game. Nothing more.”

  Jacquelyn used her magik to hold Stegian in place. “You may be strong enough to force yourself upon me, but know that it’s the man I give my body and heart to, not you.”

  “Jacquelyn,” he said, enunciating her name in way he had never done before. “It is I. Do you think if the demon were here now, he would be so gentle with you?”

  Something deep within Jacquelyn urged her to allow the demon to continue its charade. She forced a smile to her face and steeled her nerves. “Make love to me, Stegian. Show me how it is a man loves a woman.”

  His upper body tensed and she wondered if the demon and Stegian were fighting an internal battle. Deciding to continue pressing him, she let her magik rise once more, circling him in her power. “Enter me and take me as your mate—your wife for all eternity, Stegian. Please. Bond with me.”

  She could almost feel the demon recoiling in horror at the idea of being bound to her. At the same moment, she sensed another magik merging with her own—Stegian’s. His eyes flickered and his facial expression softened.

  “I know not what you did to make him go, solnihshka mayo, but I wish to be sure you truly want me to take what you have held dear all these years.”

  Tears of joy welled as she nodded, leaning up and kissing his full lips. Stegian took hold of his shaft and slid the head of his cock through her juices before entering her slowly. He spread her wide to the brink of pain and Jacquelyn stiffened beneath him. He kissed her tenderly, chasing away the pain while he pushed in further. Each movement caused a long, hot wave of pain to move through her. He stopped and held firm.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice strained. “I wish not to take your maidenhood from you if you…”

  “Love me, Stegian.” She bucked against him, impaling herself on his cock and in turn breaking through the thin barrier. White-hot pain shot through her and Jacquelyn squeezed her eyes shut.

  Stegian showered kisses down upon her in addition to letting his magik run over her, soothing away the hurt and replacing it with burning desire. She wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him deeper access.

  He gritted his teeth as he pumped in and out of her. His abdomen struck a steady rhythm with her swollen clit and she rocked against him, meeting him thrust for thrust. Jacquelyn’s body numbed with pleasure, and she forgot where she stopped and he began. They were one. Truly. Totally. For all eternity.

  Their magiks merged as Jacquelyn came with a start. She cried out and held tight to Stegian as he continued to slide in and out of her. His pace increased as her pussy milked him. He jerked and tossed his head back as his orgasm tore through him, causing warm seed to jet forth and fill her. He remained in her a moment, his gaze locked firmly on her.

  She smiled up at him and touched his lips. “I enjoyed that.”

  Stegian couldn’t hide his laughter. “You did?”

  Her eyes widened. “I did. Very much so.”

  He eased from her tight sheath but remained on her. “As did I.”

  He slid alongside her on the bed and began showering a row of kisses over her neck to her breast. He sucked lazily on her nipple, his steely gaze on her. He looked so happy, so sated and so content. She ran her hand over his brow, her fingers tracing down his face then.

  "Such a treasure," he whispered. "Thank you."

  "No. Really," she countered. "Thank you."

  He laughed again.

  She smiled. They lay together, him tucked against her breast for what felt like the longest time before he lifted his head, his hand skimming her stomach. "Solnihshka mayo, I require blood." His gaze darted away, shame evident on his handsome face.

  She touched his lower lip. "Feed from me."

  His gaze went to her neck and a look of hunger moved over him. It excited her, knowing he desired her so much. He kissed her nipple again before moving up slightly on her breast. He bit and the pain faded quickly. She knew it was his doing—that his power had risen to take the pain from her.

  Her pussy spasmed with each suck, and before she knew it, her hands were in his hair, holding his head to her bosom as he drank her blood. She rocked against him, her body on fire with pleasure. As he took one long last suck, her orgasm hit with a force that left her crying out in his arms.

  Stegian kissed the bite mark closed and watched her face as the aftermaths of passion made their way through her. "Sleep, Jacquelyn. I sense how tired you are."

  "Will you stay with me?" she asked, sounding needy.

  "Of course." He kissed her lips gently before the two of them nodded off into a deep sleep.

  *

  Jacquelyn came awake fast. Stegian’s back suddenly tensed and she could sense his pain. It was mind-numbing. Jacquelyn screamed out for him since he seemed unable to. He jerked away from her, his body contorting in a grotesque manner. Finally, he stumbled and fell to the floor. She lost sight of him for just a moment but heard two separate thumps. She scrambled from the bed and rushed to his side, only to find his skin hot to the touch and a light sheen of sweat covering his body.

  “Stegian?” she pushed his long brown hair back from his face and he turned slowly.

  He reached up and ran a finger over his teeth. His brow furrowed. “Jacquelyn?”

  As he pulled his hand away, she saw what had startled him. His fangs were gone. She squealed and tossed her arms around his neck, practically smothering him with her breasts. When he chuckled into them, Jacquelyn realized what she was doing and stopped.

  “Sorry.”

  He laughed. “No. If I am destined to die today, let it be with my face buried in your…”

  Giggling, Jacquelyn slapped his arm playfully and stared down at him. “Your eyes are more blue than grey now.”

  “As they were before I was sired, I’m sure.”

  “W-what happened?” she asked. “Are you human?”

  Stegian snorted. “Solnihshka mayo, never have I been human. But,” he ran his tongue over his top teeth, “the markings of the demon seem to be gone. Though, I still feel remnants of him deep inside me.”

  “Do you still hurt?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I wish greatly to sample more of you, beautiful one.”

  She smiled. “My pleasure.”

  Lying back fully, Stegian pulled Jacquelyn over him. As she straddled his waist, his cock hardened. Her pussy was already soaked from their combined juices so he knew she would be wet enough to accept him again. “Are you sore?” He took hold of the back of her neck gently, admiring just how beautiful she truly was. “Did I hurt you?”

  “It was wonderful, Stegian. I never dreamt it could be so.”

  “I want to be in you again, Jacquelyn.” He nudged her heated entrance with the head of his cock. “Join with me.”

  She bent and gave him a long, drugging kiss. As she positioned herself to accept him, the faint sound of something beating caught her attention. She froze and stared down at Stegian. “Your heart is beating.”

  He nodded. “For you, solnihshka mayo.”

  Stegian bit his inner cheek as Jacquelyn slid down over his turgid shaft. She fit like a glove, molding to him perfectly, so tight. The slight intake of breath she took as she settled on him left a smile tugging at his lips. “If I am too large to take this way, we can stop. To cause you pain would make my heart cease to beat again, Jacquelyn.”

  “Mmm, no. I can, ouch, maybe not.” She touched just below her naval. “I swear to the gods that I feel you up to here.”

  Stegian ran his fingers over her flat abdomen and caressed the area she touched, pushing his magik through her. His intent was to ease her discomfort, what he found left him truly believing things could work between them—that she was his mate and that they could live a life free of his demon.

  “Your womb
accepts my seed,” he said, his voice low.

  Jacquelyn rolled her eyes a bit and blushed. “I know. I’m still wet from all you had to offer me.” She moved a bit and the feeling was bliss. “Am I doing this right?”

  “You are doing a wonderful job, but…”

  She tensed. “But what?” A sorrowful look passed over her face. “I know I’m not as experienced as the women you’re used to but…”

  “Jacquelyn, please, hear me out.” He reached between their bodies and rubbed her clit, needing to see the fruits of his labor upon her satisfied face. “I believe your womb accepted my seed. You now carry my…”

  She picked then to increase her pace, riding him faster, harder and driving him mad with need. Stegian held her hips, guiding her movements and hit his head against the floor as his balls drew up and cum shot forth from him, filling her once more. Jacquelyn leaned forward, covering him like a warm, loving blanket. “I don’t ever want this moment to end, Stegian.”

  “Neither do…”

  In a split second, Jacquelyn’s weight was ripped free of him and something silver came at his throat. He heard Jacquelyn’s screams for him and then silence before blinding pain made way for an unnatural calm. A peace settled over him as he felt his strength leaving him.

  If you give in to death, Raiden, an old nemesis and Jacquelyn’s father said, sounding so close Stegian could have sworn the man was next to him. My daughter will die. They have her, Stegian. They have Jacquelyn and your demon now leads them. He lacks your restraint.

  Darkness tried to overtake Stegian.

  Raiden?

  Yes, now pull yourself together and go for help, Stegian. You know what that demon will do to her. She beat it at its own game. It will torture her like it has tortured no other.

  Jacquelyn!

  Chapter Seven

  Christian caressed the hand of the young woman on the bed gently. Jacquelyn had not moved in all the years since she came to lay there and a tiny piece of him believed she never would. He'd been the one to tie her mind to a computer interface and to gift her the chance to appear as a hologram for years, but even that had ended a while back. No one had seen her or been able to get her to appear to them since Lorelei's attack.