Arthas sat back in his seat and Raven knew she might have annoyed him a little.
“I’m sorry to ask, but if I’m to understand what’s going on I have to start off with the usual questions.”
Kristian grabbed her hand, holding it in his. She looked at him for a brief moment before turning back to the couple.
“I’m over nineteen hundred years old. Nineteen hundred and seventy six, to be precise. I know you want to know, but those questions do tend to get old after a century or so.” Arthas sighed. “But to answer your questions. Yes, we can go into the sun with special made jewelry. Some of us have tattoos made from ancient Indians so that we do not fear losing or having the jewelry stolen from us. We never age unless we want to.”
“Want to?” Raven questioned.
“Yes. Let’s say that one of our demon brothers or sisters want to live a human life with a human partner. They can project to every one of them aging and even dying. Some actually die to follow their human loves, some go back to being young and start over. We can see ourselves in mirrors. We are not evil creations. Some of us, such as myself, Jana, and Kristian, are full blooded. Some are hybrids—half-human, half-demons, but still able to see themselves. I love garlic and if you really think about it, if you put a stake through a human heart, wouldn’t they die also?”
Raven thought about it for a moment and what he said about the stake and the sun was true. The other vampire myths such as garlic and mirrors were what they were, myths.
“Does that answer all your vampiric questions?”
Raven nodded her head.
“Good, then I can continue. As I said, I am Councilman Solomon, and we run this part of the state. I’m like a judge to be more precise. If anything happens, it is brought to me so I can pass judgment.”
Raven watched as Jana looked at Arthas and he nodded.
“Now, dear,” Jana began speaking. “I don’t want my husband to bore you with endless talk about vampires and what happens if they kill humans and all that other bull that will not mean anything to you until you learn what you are.”
Raven lifted an eyebrow at her.
“What am I?”
“Kristian called us because there is so much more to the council than you would ever know. We fight against evil all the time, but then there are times where we cannot protect all the humans, and our gods give us a helping hand. They invented what we call you. A slayer. A super human, if you want a better word.”
“Me? A slayer?” Raven asked with a smirk. “Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer type of slayer?”
Jana sighed and rolled her eyes. “Please. Get all of the movie mumbo jumbo out of your head, Raven. You will not be staking out graves at night. You will not go out patrolling to find evil. Trust me, evil will find you. What our job is now is to train you to defend yourself.”
“Defend myself,” Raven repeated.
“Yes. When evil comes to you, we want you to think smart and be able to protect yourself. There is a lot of evil in this world, Raven, and it’s going to come for you, which makes this a very dangerous job for you.”
“Job? You say that is if I will get paid.”
“You will,” Arthas spoke again. “Being a slayer will be a job of its own. You will make way over the salary of a regular worker.”
Raven was kinda interested in finding out about the pay, but was it worth her life? Would being this so called slayer they wanted her to become be worth her life?
“Raven,” Arthas interrupted her thoughts. “You cannot stop what you are to become. You cannot call in to your boss and say you quit and it is over. You are a slayer, and it is your blood that makes you what you are. The upside to being a slayer is, this is how you will look, now and forever. You will never age, never change, never grow old and die. Another thing, you will never have to work a day in your life. It is hard to understand but the gods provide us with enough money to pay everyone under the Council. Your pay will be around a million a year.”
Raven coughed. “What—wait—how much?”
“It’s only a starting amount. I know it’s low…”
“Low! Are you kidding me? Some people don’t make that in their life time.”
Arthas smiled at her.
“That’s what makes you different. As the years progress you can request more money a year. Sometimes we give a bonus here or there. I think a million a year is enough to take care of a lot of things. If there is a need for more, you only have to request it from the Council. If we have you going on trips and so forth, we pay for everything.”
Raven sat back on the couch, then something he said had her stopping short, as if running into a brick wall.
“What the hell? Did you say I will be this way forever?”
Arthas and Jana laughed.
“She doesn’t listen well does she, hun?” Jana said to Arthas.
Arthas reached over and touched his wife’s face, caressing her with his hand.
“It’s a lot to take in at once. I was prepared to tackle her if she made a run for the door.”
Jana’s head went back as she let out a loud laugh.
“You just wanted to touch her, Arthas.”
“Oh, like you didn’t think the same thing. You would love to have a new pet, but you can’t pet a slayer. You know that.”
Jana pouted. “I know, but she’s just so…so tasty. I don’t know how Kristian is able to restrain himself from just having a taste of her. My fangs ached the moment I saw her.”
“Okay, can we not have this conversation while I’m in the room? It’s kinda freaking me out. If anyone is going to have a taste it will be Kristian and him only.”
The couple looked at her.
“Raven is a dedicated mate. Even if she doesn’t know the full advantage of having a freelance relationship. Kristian has a lot to teach Raven and I’m sure once it gets to a point, they will have an open relationship and you will get to play with her, Jana.”
These two were really getting on Raven’s nerves—talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room. She’d only had sex that once, and if she planned on doing it again, Kristian would be the one. She doubted that she wanted to share him with other females. The thought of it pissed her off a little. She didn’t want Kristian touching any females but her.
Kristian squeezed her hand to make her look at him. He shook his head at her then motioned for her to look back at Jana and Arthas.
“Raven,” Arthas continued and reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a business size envelope. Raven let go of Kristian’s hand then went over to take the packet. She returned to her seat before opening it. “There is a credit card inside with your first year in advance, plus a nice starting raise. I hope starting off with two million is a good enough pay for you. All your banking account information is here. You also have a new cell phone. Make sure that no one gets hold if it. It has the Council’s direct number, address, and all the other good stuff. The cell phone is a little different. It has a pass code on it. To get into the Demon Hunter’s information, the pass code is set to three-zero-one-one and the pass code to add your personal numbers is zero-zero-zero-zero. That should get you on your way with everything.”
Raven watched as they stood. Not that their visit wasn’t informational, but she still didn’t feel that she knew enough about everything.
“That’s because it takes time to learn everything. My lovely wife begged me not to overwhelm you tonight with my long ceremonial speech about the Night Hunters. In time everything will fall into place and you will be like family. You will know right off the back who is dangerous and who is not. You will learn more about your race, our race, and your life with Kristian. That is one of the things I cannot teach you. Again, if you have any questions, call the Council and we will be happy to talk to you about anything. Kristian is a very lucky guy to have you, the very first slayer as a mate. This may be the beginning to a new revolution. Now, I will leave you two to talk. Nice to meet you, Raven, and welcome aboard.”
“I hope to hear from you soon, dear. I would love to have a girl’s day with you.”
Arthas and Jana left the room and moments later she heard the door close. Finally, her body relaxed. That was a lot to try to learn in a short period of time.
“Are they gone?” Shane’s voice made her look up.
Kristian laughed. “What? You don’t wanna play with Jana anymore, Shane?”
Shane walked into the room and sat on the couch Jana and Arthas occupied earlier.
“Hell no. Last time I was with Jana, that crazy bitch tried to cut off my dick because I said I wasn’t satisfied.”
Raven coughed to hold in a laugh.
“Well, you don’t need to be honest about everything. You don’t tell a woman you just spent the last hour fucking that you were not satisfied. You deserve to get it cut off.”
Shane sucked his teeth. “Yeah, right. I don’t think Arthas has gotten over that his wife is not that good in bed thing from me. I think the first chance he gets, he’s going to have me killed.”
“It’s been fifty years. I think they are over it by now.”
“So, Raven, learn anything new tonight?” Raven knew that Shane was trying to shift the conversation. “Jana could teach you a lot of tricks you can show me.”
Raven looked at Shane and rolled her eyes. The bastard was just as cocky as Kristian. They were the perfect match for friends. Instead of answering, she gave him the middle finger.
“I would love to, but I don’t think your man Kristian would enjoy me getting to the goodies before he has.”
“Screw you! You are nothing more than a sexist pig.” Raven tried to sound serious but the laughter was bubbling inside her.
Maybe she needed to laugh so she didn’t think she had lost her mind.
“I have been telling him that for years,” Kristian added.
“Bite me, Kristian!”
“What have I told you about inviting me to a good time, Shane? One of these times I’m going to accept it.”
Raven was now laughing. She couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“See, now she’s all giggly thinking of your manly fangs in my neck, Kristian.”
“Ewwwwww, that’s not a picture I needed to imagine,” Raven said between giggles.
“Well, I’m out of here. I suppose you two have much to talk about. I doubt that Mr. Sensitivity will try to get into your panties tonight so I’m guessing it’s okay to return in an hour?”
Raven only saw the book that Kristian had taken off the shelf land in the now empty seat that Shane had sat in. Shane had moved so quickly that her eyes did not even see him.
“Why did I have to befriend such a pest?”
Raven set the package down on the coffee table.
“I don’t know. He’s funny, though.”
“That’s what I needed, someone to make me laugh for all eternity.”
Raven had so many questions to ask, but she didn’t know where to start. She just been told that she was a slayer with everlasting life. She’d just received a banking account with over two million dollars in it. It was like hitting the lotto, but the slayer part was like giving back all of it in taxes.
Kristian touched her shoulder to get her attention. She gave him a nervous smile.
“So, is there anything you want to ask me?”
Raven looked away from him for a moment then back to him. A smile crossed her face as she sat back on the couch.
“I have a lot to ask you, but I’m sure that if I ask I will still be left without a clue into what’s going on in my life right now.” Raven slid further in the chair. “I was just told I was a slayer. I will live forever unless I’m killed, I’m assuming. I have more money than I will ever need in my lifetime and now I’m supposed to ask you…what does being your mate mean? That question will only open up more questions and more confusion in my life.”
“Raven, if you don’t want to ask about it tonight you don’t have to. I would never pressure you into anything you are not ready for. I care for you right now more than you will ever know and I would give my life for yours.”
Kristian’s eyes became a lighter shade of blue.
“Does your eye color change like that all the time?” She had to ask.
Kristian blinked a couple of times and the brightness faded away.
“Yes. I know they turn red when I’m upset. Lighter blue when I feel certain emotions and yellow sometimes when I’m confused.”
“That’s so neat,” Raven said with a smile on her face. “You know, tonight I have learned more than I thought any human could possibly learn. I just want to soak it all in. I don’t want you to feel bad, but I want to think about this at home. I want to go to school tomorrow and just have a normal day and think.”
“Raven,” his voice cracked. “You will never have a normal life, as you shall see. I will never deny you anything. If you want to go, take my car. When you are ready to return you will.”
“Take your car? I can’t do that.”
“Your car was wrecked last night, and I will have it sent to the shop tomorrow. With the amount of money you have, you can buy yourself a brand new one if you want to.” Kristian winked at her, reached into his pocket and handed her the keys.
“But, what about you? How will you get around?”
“I don’t flash my money by buying million dollar cars and other crap each year, and that’s what I like about Shane. He has money and he’s still too cheap to buy a car. I can always get around, and as I said, when you are ready to return to me, you will. The car will get you to me faster.”
Raven watched him for a few moments before standing. “Your purse is in my car, I took it out of yours last night.”
“Thanks. I will return your car as soon as mine is fixed.”
“No hurry.”
Raven walked towards the door. Each step she took, her heart told her to stop and go back. Her brain told her to run and try to get all this together.
As she touched the door knob Kristian called her name. She turned to see him standing close to her. The man made her mouth dry.
“Ye-yes?”
“You forgot your package.”
Raven took the package from him, their fingers grazing each other in the transition. That one touch was like a light being lit inside her and it spread throughout her body.
She looked up into Kristian’s eyes and melted from the need she witnessed there. She knew that he didn’t want her to leave, but h’de said he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to. Her gaze moved down to his mouth. His lips were so full. She would do anything to be able to kiss him without ending up naked under him. Not yet, at least.
“Thanks again.”
Raven turned to leave the room before she did something she wouldn’t be able to stop. Kristian’s hand closed the door, jerking the door knob from her hand. He turned her to face him and before any words escaped her lips his lips crashed down on hers. Raven didn’t know what had hit her. She released the package and it went crashing to the floor. Her hands went up to his shoulders in an attempt to push him away but she didn’t—she couldn’t. Their bodies touched and she moaned, giving him the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth.
The world under them seemed to shake and open up, swallowing them into this world of ecstasy. Raven held on to Kristian like a lifeline as his tongue caressed hers. Each touch ignited something inside her that she’d never known was there. Kristian’s hands went to her waist, pulling her closer to his hard body. There was no missing the evidence of his desire pressed against her.
The kiss went on for what felt like hours until her head felt light and she was sure she would pass out. That was when Kristian released her lips. Raven thought that since the kiss had ended he would let go of her, but he didn’t. Kristian’s mouth went to her neck and moments later a hot sensation burned where his lips touched. There was only a moment of pain followed by
a sensation that every woman should experience at least once in her life.
Raven’s body filled with lust. Every fiber of her body screamed to be touched, screamed to be pleasured. Her hands went to his hair and she let out a loud moan. Her back pressed up against the door as Kristian stayed latched on her neck. When the world seemed to spin and she knew that she would catch fire if he continued, Kristian stopped. Raven took in deep breaths, her body convulsing with each one she let out.
If she had not believed that Kristian was a true vampire, she did now. Blood coated his lips and teeth. His eyes were so bright they glowed a silver white color, brighter than earlier. Before she could say anything, Kristian turned away from her.
“Kristian, don’t,” Raven grabbed his hand when he backed away from her.
“I’m so sorry,” Kristian’s voice was low and lined with pain. “I only wanted to give you the kiss that you and I wanted and then let you go. I had no intentions of taking your blood.”
Raven could feel his need to be with her and the need to get away. She could tell at this moment Kristian felt like he was an animal—an animal that he never wanted to be. Raven pulled him back to her and grabbed his face with both her hands. She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. He had cleaned the blood, but she could still taste just a hint of it and she didn’t feel sick thinking about it. Raven pulled back, not letting the kiss go as far as it had before.
“You are not an animal,” she said slowly. “You reacted to something natural between us. I know I’m not making this easy. I can feel things I never have before, and I know how much you want me and it’s the same for me. I only need time to try to process all this data. You. Me. Us. The whole slayer thing takes time.”
Kristian closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them. “I will give you only a little time. You are my mate, and there is so much that you need to know about that, about my past life and about our future. It will not be easy at first, but I assure you that no harm will come to you from me.”
Kristian kneeled to pick up her package and handed it to her.
“You must go now before I am not able to let you go.”
Raven's Desires (Night Hunters) Page 8