by Macy Farmer
“Seager, I don’t understand. Not too long ago, I had a nightmare of Bradley and me from years and years ago. He wasn’t immortal, he was a human. A man killed him, stabbing him in the back. Bradley was in my arms, I was hugging him.”
“That was the one lifetime the two of you met before Andrew turned Bradley into a vampire. Bradley was murdered in his twenties. Actually, that was his life before this one. Natalia, you were killed a few years later.”
“So now we know why Bradley’s father hates me, but why Bradley? Why does Andrew hate his son so much that murders him? And where does Anthony come in?”
“I think Brad’s father created Anthony to watch over Brad and to let him know when you entered his life again. I’m not sure, but if you had chosen Anthony over Brad, I think Andrew would have killed Anthony to get you. Or maybe it was a test to see if you were once again going to choose Brad. I’m not sure because this lifetime is different. This time Andrew is Brad’s father not his creator. And, Brad, we may be able to use that to our advantage.”
“How would that be an advantage? The man has never been a part of my life.”
“He has been a part of it, from a distance. Vampires that father a child with a human, especially a son, never go far. Your mother kept him from you so that you could have a semi- normal life. Brad, if we don’t find a way to defeat Andrew this time, we will all surely be killed. Right now we only have a few advantages and they are that he’s your father, he doesn’t know that Natty has magical powers, and he doesn’t know about me.”
“Wait a minute, I’m confused. I thought you said I was a witch in my previous life.”
“You were but Andrew never found out. If he took Brad’s life before yours, you never fought back. It was as if you were dead, too. Once, Andrew tricked you into believing Brad was dead. The sick bastard offered you immortality or death with Brad. You chose death. After killing you Andrew tracked down Brad, who by the way had no idea that you had been murdered, and killed him.”
Bradley winced every time Seager mentioned that Andrew killed me.
There was a hardening in my stomach but I needed to know. “Where do you come in?”
“My death always came before yours, while I was defending you. I, however, was merely a dog.”
Unable to bear the thought of them dying because of me, I stood up and bolted out the front door. I don’t know where I was running to or why. Footsteps were quickly approaching from behind. My stomach clenched into a knot, and I could hear the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Fear had me running faster than my feet could carry me.
It was inevitable, just a matter of time before I tripped over my own feet. In slow motion I saw myself falling, about to smash my face into the ground, when I felt someone’s arms pulling me backwards, saving me. As Bradley carried me back to our house, I cried uncontrollably. It was too much information. The thought of losing Bradley and Seager devastated me.
“Both of you are older and have the ability to take him down this time.” Without skipping a beat, Seager picked up where he left off. “Natty, your magic alone could kill him. Let’s not forget the fact that we have a lot of friends and family to help us this time. As long as we’re not separated we will defeat them. And if we are separated we can’t let them use that against us. This time we’ll be ready, unlike all the other times. We’ve never had this much of an advantage,” Seager repeated.
“Bradley, maybe if you turn me into a vampire we could get them this time.” Even though I knew he would be against it I had to ask.
“No, Natalia. This is not the life for you. Please don’t ever say that again.” He wrapped his arms around me tightly. “We’ll be the ones surviving this time. We just need a way to find each other should we get separated.”
That’s when I got a brilliant idea.
“I’ll be right back,” I said over my shoulder while racing up the steps, once again taking two at a time.
A few months ago, when I was searching the Book of Shadows for a spell, I found a unique protection spell. Flipping through the pages, “Got it,” I yelled down to them. All I needed was a tool that would always show me the way…
Calling from the top of the stairs, “Bradley? Could I borrow your compass?” Seager brought it up and I sent him right back downstairs.
Bradley’s mother gave him the sterling silver compass. Her love for him was pure.
Using my craft I changed the four directions to read; Bradley, Seager, Natalia and home. When I cast the protection spell onto the compass it disappeared, vanished. I double-checked the Book of Shadows and it read nothing about things disappearing. And, from what I read, I had performed it correctly. But what happened to the compass?
I walked back downstairs, my feet heavy with dread, to tell Bradley I lost his mother’s compass. Just as the words came out she appeared in front of our eyes, looking just like she did in the picture hanging in the room on the second floor of his mountain house. She held out the compass to me.
“Natalia, my dear, please be strong, as it will be your inner strength that will get you through until the end.” She backed away from me and looked at all three of us. “Use this compass to find one another when you get separated. No matter what Andrew says don’t believe it. Use his love for Bradley against him.”
She knelt down in front of Seager, “I miss you, my friend. You take care of them. This time your chance will come so be prepared. It will be you that helps her to survive.”
All the while Bradley couldn’t take his eyes off of her. When she finally turned to him he reached out to her.
Lovingly she cupped the left side of his face with her right hand.
“My sweet son… You must let yourself change completely. It will be okay and the only way to save her this time. Do not believe anything Andrew or Anthony says. They will try to discredit her in this lifetime, like in the past. She has never loved another, spiritually or physically. Never. It has always been you. Your souls are one.”
“Mom, I’ve missed you. I love you.” He stared adoringly, acting like he hadn’t heard a word she said.
Feeling how much he missed her, my eyes filled with tears.
“I love you, too. I’m very proud of you son. You must tell Natalia about the first time you met, tell her tonight. Tell her everything as soon as possible. The truth will help you defeat them all. Otherwise, they may use it against you. I’m happy you found her. Be happy and don’t forget what I said. You hear me?”
“Yes, mother. I heard every word you said. Are you okay?”
She rolled her eyes – so that’s where he got it from -- adding, “Silly boy, of course I’m okay. I’m one of God’s angels. I get to watch over you from the heavens.” She waved her hand, gesturing for me to stand next to Bradley. “Natalia, thank you for loving my son unconditionally. Bradley, please remember to do the same for her when her time comes. I love you all, especially you, my dear son. Be safe.” Then she vanished as quickly as she had appeared.
Stunned, we just stood there for a moment. Well several moments.
“Your mother is beautiful.”
“Thank you, Natalia, thank you!” He wrapped his arms tightly around me. “I’ve missed her so much. Yes, she is beautiful.”
Chapter 5
This afternoon Jesse, Colleen, Dave and Cheryl would be coming over so that we could let them know what we’ve learned about Andrew and Anthony. We’re not quite sure what we are or aren’t going to tell them. The only thing we were sure of is that last night was amazing.
The sun peeking through the bedroom window curtain woke me. Neither Seager nor Bradley was in the room but I could sense they were near. Just about to roll out of bed to get myself something to eat, Bradley came into the room with breakfast.
“What’s this all about?”
“We have a few hours before our friends get here so I thought maybe this would be a good time for us to start over. Since I plan on dragging this out a few hours I thought I should feed you first.”
/> “Okay.” I smiled, loving how Lady Luck was shining down on me. Humming while I ate, my excitement grew with the anticipation and intense desire to feel his touch.
Bradley left me alone to eat, but he didn’t stay away too long. The second I finished my last bite, he was taking the mini table away. When he returned he had a bottle of rubbing oil in his hand. The bottle didn’t look the same as the one he used at the mountain house.
“What’s that you got there, my love?”
“Lavender. You said you liked it last time.”
“Yes, I did, but that’s not the same bottle as before.”
“Oh, I see what you’re getting at. With everything that’s going on, I didn’t want to leave you alone so I asked Colleen to pick this up for us. She insisted that this is a better brand.”
“Where’re the oils I get to rub on you?”
“Don’t you worry about me; I don’t like that stuff on me.” He grinned.
Before I could argue my point he silenced me with a seductive kiss. Lips swollen and unable speak, I lay silent on my back, trying to catch my breath.
“Undress, Natalia.”
Waving my hand in the air, in the blink of an eye, I stripped us both of our clothing.
Bradley began rubbing the lavender oil on my feet. Massaging the soles of each foot rubbed the stress and tension of the last couple days away. Unlike last time, he spent little time on my feet, quickly moving up my legs to my thighs.
Lifting my knees and spreading my legs wide, Bradley swirled and licked his tongue over my clit. The long tantalizing strokes aroused my sexual desires. My hips bucked upwardly, my legs quivering. Bradley wrapped his arms under and around the top of my thighs, holding my hips down. His name echoed from my lips.
Lacing my fingers through his thick soft hair, I clenched a fistful and pushed down on his head, pressing his mouth firmly against my engorged clit. It felt so good I was quickly losing control, thrusting my hips up while begging him not to stop.
Desperately needing to feel him deep inside, stretching and filling me completely, I pulled and tugged at his hair, pleading for him to love me. Following willingly, Bradley grabbed my hands, chuckling.
Lying above me, holding all his weight on his elbows and gazing adoringly into my eyes, he swooned, “Not yet, my love. It’s too soon.”
Needing to feel all of his body against mine, I wrap my legs around his waist, wrestling with him until his weight holds me captive against the bed, unable to move. “No, Bradley, it’s not.”
Without any effort, he unlocked my ankles, removing the restraints from around his hips and rolled off, resting on my left side. Holding the oil in his left hand, he rubbed and massaged the oil on my belly with his right hand, all the while gazing shamelessly into my eyes with that devilishly crooked grin. Reaching down to rub my hand up the length of his shaft, he blocked me, shaking his head no.
Smacking the bottle of oil out of his hand, I raised my right hand, spun it around clockwise, magically shoving Bradley off and pushing him down onto his back. Jumping onto him, I crushed my kiss to his lips and positioned his shaft to my needy wet center, then pushed downwardly, burying him deep inside, stretching my inner walls.
“Oh, yes,” I swooned, sitting up, leaning my head backward, with my breasts arched outwardly. Embracing the pleasure, I lost myself in the moment. When Bradley’s fingers dug into my hips, and he lifted me off of him, my eyes snapped open.
“No, please Bradley, don’t stop, please.”
“You know I can’t resist you when you plead that way.” With his hands on my backside, securing my body to his, he slid to the edge of the bed and pushed his shaft deep inside my center with one upward thrust of his hips. It felt so good I cried out his name again. It took me a few grinds to get into a rhythm we could both move to.
Bradley suckling my peaked achy nipples, first right, then left, drives my every move. The feeling so satiable had my hips rocking up and down on his shaft. Slowly pressing kisses up my chest to the base of my neck, his breaths grew hoarse, quickened. Matching the pace of his breathing I pleaded for more, for him not to stop. Bradley intertwined his fingers through my hair, gently tugging at it until our eyes met and our lips were but an inch apart before molding his lips to mine.
“Natalia…” he murmured before spinning us around, onto the bed, resting his body on mine.
He picked up the pace, thrusting in and out, our bellies slapping together with each push, causing my breasts to jiggle. A deep passionate kiss, our tongues dancing, him driving his shaft deeper, all had me moaning into his mouth. Teetering on the edge, I wrapped my legs around his hips, forcing his cock to go even deeper. Arching his back, exposing his neck, I reached up, my fingers locked in his hair, holding him, and I bit his neck. The combination sent me spiraling over, screaming out in ecstasy.
Seconds later his tongue licked my neck before pinching my skin with his teeth. It turned me on so much I wanted him to do it more. Growling, he turned his head away, thrusting deeply once more before moaning my name as he came. Returning his lips to my neck, his pressed soft kisses, whispering how much he loved me after every kiss.
Lost in the moment, I bit him again, breaking through his skin, sucking on his neck while my body quivered and shook below his.
Laughing softly he teased, “Are you having convulsions?”
Out of breath and unable to speak, “That was unbelievable, Bradley.”
“We’re not finished yet, Mrs. Jenkins.” He picked me up off the bed and held me up against the wall. “I’ve always wanted to try it this way.”
Again, but with fervor, he buried his cock to the hilt. His shaft, feeling thicker than the last time, stretched me even more. With each thrust, he slammed my body unintentionally into the wall. Wanting him to push harder, to go deeper, I telepathically begged for him to fulfill my desires. The more I begged, the louder his growls got. With his breath hot against my neck, I threw my head back against the wall while screaming that I’m going to come. Smiling, he watched as an orgasm roared through me and I lost all control.
With wild black eyes, he whispered, “Bite me, Natalia.” Ready and willing to quench his desires I grabbed his hair and pulled his head back then bit him, hard. Snarling he thrust deep one last time and came, sending another orgasm rushing through me. Pressing his body against mine, he held me up against the wall as I sucked his blood. He stood there for a few minutes, his body pressing mine, both of us breathless.
When Bradley finally released my legs, letting my feet drop to the floor, they were too wobbly to stand on my own. Holding onto him tightly, we stared deeply into each other’s eyes, Bradley tracing my lips with the tip of his finger. “Natalia…”
“Here it comes,” I thought to myself, “The moment I’ve been dreading,”
“I love you,” came out of his (something) lips, followed by a soft, intimate kiss.
Once I could stand on my own, Bradley handed me my housecoat that was hanging on the back of the bedroom door. Taking my hand in his, we walked into the living room. My body was still trembling when I sat down on the couch. While I recovered and enjoyed the aftermath of our lovemaking, Bradley went into the kitchen to get me a drink. Returning, he handed me a glass of iced tea and sat beside me.
Resting his hand on my knee, he squeezed it saying, “We need to talk, my love.” After setting my drink on the table I looked at him. His eyes were still darker than normal, and wild. “Why do you like biting me, Natalia?”
The question stunned me. I was expecting him to tell me that I couldn’t do it anymore. Actually, I was pretty sure that’s where the conversation was headed.
“I don’t know. I do it instinctively, because I like it and I think you do.”
“Natalia, I do like it.” He smiled wickedly. “But we need to be careful because I want to do the same thing to you. The results would not be the same if I bit you, well not for you anyway. I would enjoy it.” He laughed softly. “Unfortunately, I probably wouldn’t stop. It
takes all the self control I have not to bite you back.”
“You stopped yourself after you sucked on my lip.”
“Yes, I did, but I didn’t bite you. May I add that your blood is just as scrumptious as your body?” His smoldering blue green eyes dazzled me. “Vampires bite each other during sex. When you bite me you must be careful and not swallow my blood.”
“Why?” I almost added ‘too late’ but decided to wait to tell him later.
“I’m not sure what it will do to you, if it will slowly change you. Let’s not forget I only have so much blood and I’m not sure what would happen to me if I ran out.” He laughed. “But you biting me is always welcomed.” He studied my eyes for a few moments before guessing, “You already did, was this the first time?” I shook my head no. “How many times?”
“Since the first time I bit you.” His eyes got wide and it looked as though he was actually trying to count the number of times I had bit him. That would be difficult to tally up. I lost count before we were even married. It’s just gotten more addictive since our wedding night.
“Hmm. If you don’t mind I’ll need to talk to Dave about this.”
His comment confused me because I thought he already had.
“You didn’t talk to him on our honeymoon? I thought that’s what you were discussing with him in the kitchen that morning I had trouble sleeping.”
“No, I don’t kiss and tell, Natalia. I thought you would know that by now.” By the sting in his voice my words insulted him.
“I didn’t mean it to come out that way. I just thought… Well, you looked upset, rubbing your neck when I walked into the kitchen. Please forgive me, my love.” Upsetting him made me feel horrible.
“I remember it and can see the confusion. I was hiding the bite mark from him so that he wouldn’t ask any questions. Plus, I seem to heal faster if I rub my wound -- in this case your love bite.” He laughed, kissing me gently on my neck.