Wicked Soul

by Nora Ash

  It took me so long to find the damn thing, with plenty of wrong turns along the way, and it soon became quite clear that the kitchen wasn’t the only room vampires never needed to use. I made it in time, even if my quick drink of water hadn’t slowed my urgency any.

  I took a few moments in front of the mirror once I’d done my business to splash water in my face and reapply lipstick. I wasn’t exactly in any hurry to get back to being bored out of my skull by Warin’s feet, and since the bathroom was nice and quiet and void of brainwashed humans, I decided Warin wouldn’t miss me for a bit longer.

  * * *

  I was three levels deep in Candy Crush when I heard a murmur of voices on the other side of the door. I swear, I didn’t mean to spy, but the excitement of finally meeting other humans still capable of thinking an independent thought made me close down my game and listen more intently to the conversation.

  Only it wasn’t humans.

  “—what you’re playing at, but you have no business here, Zeth.” It was Aleric’s voice—clipped and agitated.

  “Since when do you presume to know my business, young one?” Zeth drawled. “Your brother invited the Ancients on the continent to come tonight. I’m an Ancient, and I just happened to be on the continent. So I came. You should be pleased—did I not offer you invaluable assistance during the Civil War? Maybe young Warin would appreciate my help with this matter as well.”

  “Stay away from him, Zeth,” Aleric growled. “Our deal was that you’d never get involved with him again, in any way.”

  “Watch your tone, child.” Zeth’s voice was still calm, but even through the door I could pick up the warning note in it.

  “I don’t care how old you are. I swear, if you—“ Aleric’s growl was interrupted when my phone slipped from my hands to the floor with a loud clatter, the battery separating from the case and sliding to the other side of the room.

  Oh… fuck.

  20

  Aleric pushed open the door. He heaved a sigh at the sight of me perched next to the sink. “And just what are you doing here, Snack?”

  “Playing Candy Crush,” I admitted.

  “Miss Green.” Zeth’s soft voice floated in through the now open door. He walked through, making Aleric step inside as well. When the door shut behind them, I had to fight to keep my heart at an even pace. I was trapped in the bathroom with two vampires I’d been eavesdropping on, and no way of getting a hold of Warin for a rescue. Not good. So not good.

  The black-haired vampire walked over to me, placing a cool hand under my chin to tip my head up so he could catch my gaze. “Did you hear any of our conversation?”

  Something in his golden eyes pulled unpleasantly at me, making me woozy. I shook my head to clear it. “N-no. I was just playing on my phone.”

  “Is that so?” he asked, holding my gaze as if he was searching for something.

  “Yup. Why, should I have?” I asked, hoping playing dumb would be the fastest way out of here.

  “Stop messing with the human, Zeth,” Aleric sighed. “She’s harmless, I promise.”

  “Is she now?” Zeth asked, still staring into my eyes. “It’s just a coincidence she’s the only un-Compelled human present, hmm?”

  “She’s Compelled—he just prefers her with enough brainpower left to keep her mouthy. No idea why, but he’s always had odd tastes. I personally like my toys silent and obedient.” Aleric strolled over to the sink and placed a single, cool finger on my cheek, forcing my gaze from Zeth’s. “You’re a very naughty pet, hiding from your master. Don’t think I won’t tattle on you, missy. You’ll be in ever so much trouble if you don’t get back to Warin. Now.”

  I wasn’t sure why Aleric, who’d made no bones about not being my biggest fan so far, was lying to Zeth about my free will, but I wasn’t about to ignore his obvious warning: I needed to get out of there and back to Warin’s protection before the other vampire realized I wasn’t Compelled.

  “Okay.” I made to jump down from the counter, but Zeth’s hand on my shoulder stopped me before I could.

  “Wait just a second, my lovely.” He turned to Aleric. “Have you considered the possibility he might keep her free because he can’t Compel her?”

  Aleric snorted. “You’re being paranoid. Believe me, it’s not the same girl.”

  “What makes you so certain? Have you looked at her eyes? They’re the exact same shade of green, if I recall correctly. And, if rumor is to be believed, she’s his first pet since her.” Zeth returned his focus to me. “Do you have your free will intact, my lovely?”

  “I’m certain because I’ve Compelled her,” Aleric interrupted. “Warin invited me to share her the night of my arrival.” He gave me a lecherous wink. “She rather enjoyed the double cunt-fuck after a quick mindbend, didn’t you, Snack?”

  “Y-yeah. It was… yeah.” It took all I had not to glare at him for making me agree to something that dirty. Aleric might have looked like a Greek god, but I’d much rather have staked the fucker than get naked with him.

  Zeth arched an eyebrow at Aleric. “Or maybe she just wanted to fuck you both. Are you—“

  “Odin’s beard! You don’t think I’ve checked the bloodbag? I didn’t think I’d need to remind you who of us would me more screwed if Thea popped back up again! You’ve held it over my head enough for eight hundred fucking years.” Aleric grabbed my free shoulder and yanked, making me stumble to the floor despite Zeth’s grab. I only narrowly avoided face-planting on the tiles. “Now, unless you want to explain to Warin why we kept his pet away from him, I suggest we send her back so the evening meal can begin.”

  Zeth sighed, gesturing toward the door. “I suppose. But you can’t deny, those eyes…”

  “Yeah, it’s creepy, but it’s not like he’d realize, is it? Maybe it’s just his fucking type. You, Snack, look at me,” Aleric snapped. I didn’t dare resist, so I let him capture my gaze.

  “Do not tell anyone of what you’ve heard here tonight. Not Warin—not anyone. I would hate for something unfortunate to become of you. Now, run along and find your master. It’s dinnertime.” He stared at me for a few seconds, letting me digest the absolute seriousness in his face, before he spun me around and smacked my ass. “Scoot!”

  * * *

  My mind was still in wild disarray when I reentered the living room, my heart hammering. None of what had happened made any sense to me, except the ironclad knowledge that for whatever reason, Aleric had saved me from Zeth. I didn’t know why the other Ancient cared so much about whether or not I was Compelled, but it seemed to be about more than just whether or not I’d divulge vampire secrets to the world at large. More… personal, somehow.

  Warin was still sat on his throne, the blank look of regal boredom on his face. I was more than happy to kneel down next to his legs this time, his calm aura enveloping me like a blanket the moment I was by his side.

  I was more than ready for a few hours of boredom, but as soon as I’d settled down, the atmosphere in the room changed notably. The gathered vampires all looked toward Warin and me, and this time, I noticed several more humans in the room than I had before. There seemed to be a sort of anticipation building among the vampires, like wolves before feeding time.

  No sooner did that comparison strike me than I remembered Aleric’s words—“It’s dinnertime.”

  Oh… goddess, no. Surely, they wouldn’t… Surely Warin didn’t expect me to… The short note that’d accompanied my dress flashed before my mind’s eye, and the blood drained from my face.

  Yeah. Yeah, those could most definitely have been the words of a man who knew he’d have to put his teeth in my neck, but didn’t want me freaking out about it before it was too late to back out.

  “Come to me, little one,” he said, breaking off my spiraling thoughts. I twisted to grab his offered hand, because I couldn’t exactly throw a fit in front of the watching vampires, and got to my feet. I did manage to throw him a pretty convincing death glare as I straightened up.


  Warin ignored it and motioned for me to straddle him. I arched an eyebrow at him, but he simply looked at me with calm expectancy.

  Alrighty then, if he really wanted this to get as awkward as it could…

  I lifted my skirts enough that I could climb onto the armchair, a knee on each side of his thighs. His strong hands went to my hips, steadying me as I lowered myself onto his lap.

  His muscles were strong, his clothes shielding me from his cool flesh. When I looked up, doing my best to force down the blush trying to take over my entire body at the intimate positioning, I captured his gaze—and the knowledge that a few hundred people were watching us faded to the background.

  Warin’s blue eyes were wholly focused on me, and his expression was no longer cold and distant. There was so much gratitude, so much regret… so much of everything in their blazing depths that it nearly stole my breath away. He was still silent, but in that moment, we didn’t need words. His gaze was begging me for my consent. To remember my trust in him.

  Swallowing hard, I nodded once. My anger was gone, and in its place was only a low-set fizzle of nerves.

  Warin’s sigh of relief was almost imperceivable. He slid his hands up along my waist, letting one brush my curls off my left shoulder. Exposing my neck.

  I drew in a deep breath and closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the inevitable.

  “Look at me, Liv,” he said.

  I obeyed, unable to resist the gentleness of his voice, and was once again captured in his blazing gaze.

  Warin leaned his head back a little and opened his mouth. A sharp snick made me gasp, and I bit my lip hard at the sight of his sharp fangs. There was no denying what he was now. A creature of the night, made to kill.

  And yet… he was still Warin.

  His hand by my neck rubbed soothing circles over the tendons there, making my skin sing with an odd sort of anticipation. Not so much fear for the pain, but… something else.

  When Warin wrapped his free arm tighter around me and pulled me close to his chest, I realized what that something else was.

  There was no holding back the blush that set in when the crisp scent of night air and musk that was so uniquely Warin hit my nostrils. Yeah, there was no mystery to why I was suddenly feeling all kinds of excited about what was going on.

  Dammit, Liv, control your ovaries! This is not a sexy moment!

  Warin moved his hand from my neck for a moment, undoing the top two buttons of his shirt.

  Not. A. Sexy. Moment. Nope, nope, nope.

  “Bite me,” he rumbled in my ear.

  “What?” I croaked, sure I’d heard him wrong. I mean, wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around, or had there been some sort of a misunderstanding along the way here?

  “My shoulder,” he said, and I could have sworn I heard just the huskiest of notes to his voice this time. “Bite it. Hard.”

  Okay, then.

  Hesitating, I leaned in as close as I could get, desperately trying not to think about how I was smushing my breasts against his chest, and put my mouth on his shoulder. Here goes nothing.

  Warin groaned when I bit down, and I immediately pulled back. He closed his hand around my neck, forcing me down again. “Harder,” he commanded.

  I obeyed, biting down hard with my blunt human teeth. Warin groaned again, but this time there was no mistaking it for pain. Apparently I wasn’t the only one getting some pretty inappropriate enjoyment out of this.

  That knowledge should have made me feel awkward as fuck again, but… it didn’t.

  “Harder, Liv,” Warin whispered hoarsely, keeping his hand locked around the back of my neck. “Make me bleed.”

  I didn’t hesitate this time. I bit his shoulder as hard as I could, spurred on by Warin’s hitching breath and his tight grip on my body. And then my mouth filled with hot, sweet, liquid, and suddenly Warin wasn’t the only one moaning. A flash of recognition sparked at the back of my brain as I latched onto the wound and sucked hard, knowing with every fiber of my being that I needed his blood. Needed it to mix with mine, to erase every worry, every painful memory until there was nothing left of me except the purest bliss.

  There was a sting at the side of my neck, but I barely registered it while I drank deeply of Warin’s blood. I whimpered in protest when, much too soon, Warin detached me from his shoulder. It took me several deep breaths before I came back from orbit, but when I did, my senses were flooded with an entirely different sort of pleasure.

  Warin was sucking at my neck, his soft lips raising goosebumps down my arm. Occasionally he would lap his tongue over my throat, and the sensation went straight to my clit. We were both rocking, slow and in rhythm, as if moving together to music no one else could hear. There was an unmistakable hardness nestled right at my crotch, pressing firmly against my panties, and I had the wild thought that if I reached between us and undid his pants now, he wouldn’t stop me.

  “Warin,” I groaned, clutching at his bloodstained shirt.

  He pulled back at the sound of his name, separating the delicious contact of his mouth against my throat, and I instantly regretted the loss.

  “Warin,” I whispered again as we stared at each other. His pupils were blown, coloring his irises pure black, and blood dripped from his still-extended fangs. My blood.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, and I frowned. No, that was all wrong—why was he apologizing? I didn’t want that. I wanted—

  Deep grunts sounded from close behind us, pulling me out of the sensation of drowning in Warin’s magnetic gaze. Shattering the illusion that we were the only ones left in all the world.

  I turned my head to see where the noises were coming from—and froze as I took in the scene that’d unfolded in the room while I’d been preoccupied.

  “Vampire orgy” was the only description that came to mind as I stared until I thought my eyes would roll straight out of my skull. Everywhere, vampires were sucking on moaning humans, fangs buried in throats, thighs, wrists… the floor was pooling with crimson, and in the middle of the blood, several dozen clusters of bodies writhed together in unmistakable rhythm. Hard slaps of flesh against flesh filled the room, mixing in the cacophony of broken human moans.

  “Oh, dear goddess,” I whispered as the horror of the scene penetrated through the shock.

  “Come, Liv.” Warin lifted me off his lap and got to his feet. When I didn’t move, he closed his hand around mine and more or less dragged me with him.

  “No, Warin, they’re—“

  “Come,” he said, tone sharp enough to pull me out of it.

  I slapped my free hand across my mouth to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape my painfully tight throat and let him lead me out of the room to the foyer, up the stairs and down a long, winding corridor.

  Only then did he release my hand, wrapping his fingers gently around my cheek instead. “Breathe, Liv.”

  “How can you be so calm?” I hurled at him, even as his cool touch to my cheek eased the tight sobs making me shudder violently. “Those humans have no way to consent to this! They can’t—they’re living dolls, and your fucking guests are raping them! In the middle of the room, as if they have every right! How can you allow this! Goddess, what’s wrong with you?!”

  “Listen to me, Liv.” Warin’s voice was low and urgent, but it kept me from falling over the edge of hysteria. “I know it’s wrong. I know. But there is nothing I can do.”

  “I thought you were the fucking Night Lord! Why can’t you stop them? This is your house!”

  “It’s not that simple. It never is. This… these feeding frenzies. They happen when we are gathered. If this was not a gathering of Lords, I could have… my power might have been enough to stop them. But not now. If I tried to intervene, it would come to a fight. And I would lose.”

  “So… you just want me to, what? Accept it? Pretend it isn’t happening?” I sniffed.

  “It’s the only thing you can do, little one,” he said, and in his eyes I saw his regret. “The only
solace I can offer is that no one will die tonight. That was in my power to stipulate, and I did so.”

  I stared up at him through the tears and knew he was right. It wasn’t even like I could call the police. Without waiting for permission, I pressed my face against Warin’s chest and closed my eyes, letting his calming presence slow down my breathing.

  Haltingly, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me so wonderfully close.

  It was so easy to relax in his embrace—as if everything was just a little bit less terrible as long as he held me. For every slow breath laced with the scent of Warin’s crisp scent I sucked in through my nose, I regained some of my composure until I could finally think clearly again.

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured into his shirt. “I’ve gotten so used to you. I’d forgotten… Isn’t that crazy? I’d forgotten why we fear vampires. I just… it was a shock.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you,” he said. “I didn’t want to scare you away—it was too important that they saw you take my blood.”

  I shook my head, effectively rubbing my runny nose and undoubtedly smeared mascara on his shirt. “I totally would have chickened out if you’d described it. If it’s really so important for them to see us… then it’s all right.”

  “It is,” he said softly. “You’re protected from other vampires now. The skinwalkers might not respect the bond, but whoever their master is will be forced to. Our laws are few, but unbreakable without attracting severe punishment.”

  “I don’t like your world very much,” I murmured.

  “I don’t, either,” he sighed.

  “I don’t understand… why the rape? I thought it was dinner, but everyone… It clearly wasn’t just about the blood.” I frowned into Warin’s shirt at the memory of the many rocking bodies and moans.

  Warin cleared his throat, and I felt his arms stiffen ever so slightly around me. “It’s part of the bloodlust, for many of us. The need to copulate is tied to the need to feed.”

  And that’s when I remembered the hardness that’d pressed against my panties while I’d been straddling him. Goddess, how close had we been to joining the bloody orgy in that room? I sure hadn’t been thinking about stopping, until I saw the carnage behind us.