Bound: A Lamian Wars Novel (The Lamian Wars Book 1)

by C. M. Steele

  “Perhaps one day you will give birth to a son or two. They will then search for their human mate when they come of age.” I was surprised. All of this was so overwhelming and I should be losing it, but strangely, I feel at home.

  My phone started ringing, and I knew it was my parents. I had that ringer for them. I let it go to voicemail because I wasn’t going to answer to them. What did I have to say that wouldn’t be evil? They lied and had no intention of helping me. Yet, I was grateful that I went because I wouldn’t have met Falcon.

  “Who is it?”

  “My parents, and I have nothing to say to them.”

  “Do you have anything you need to get from there?”

  “All my clothes are there.”

  “Anything special?”

  “No, but I don’t have any other clothes.”

  “An easy fix for that, but you still need to call them. I don’t want police out here looking for me.”

  “Okay, but they probably don’t even care that I’m gone. They’re more worried that I ruined a possible business opportunity.”

  He closed his eyes, trying to stave off the anger. I could feel it radiating off of him. He’d been pissed about the date and the fact that my parents had treated me like an item up for trade.

  “Call them. I would like to have a word with your father.”

  I picked up the phone and dialed back the number. “Where the hell are you, and why did you abandon poor Dave?” my mother screeched on the phone.

  “I’m out and it’s none of your damn business.” I hung up the phone, angrily refusing to speak to them at the moment. I would call back later and see if she had a bitchy attitude again.

  Chapter Fourteen—Charlotte

  I closed the door to my bedroom, like somehow, I was making this call a secret. There was no one to hide from. Except the voices that randomly popped into my head. With my degree in psychology, I would have labeled myself bipolar schizophrenic. It was all too much to take in in the real world. The idea of monsters, ghouls, and vampires haunting the night had only been make believe—or so I thought.

  The visions started when I was fourteen. At the time, I thought I just had an awesome sixth sense about things. It wasn’t until I was a bit older and men started flirting with me that the voices in my head told me to stay away from all of them. When I got to college, it was crazy how it was like I was directed into Nora’s path. How it happened was a surprise to me. We weren’t in the same anything when we met. As freshmen, we weren’t even that good of friends. Studying for different worlds made it hard to bond. I was always in the library while she was in the bio labs. One night when I was walking home, I had this strange sense to go the long way around, and then I saw two guys crowding around Nora. When I came with my phone in my hand, talking to the police, they scurried into the night, leaving me and Nora bonded. From that day on, we always made a deal never to leave anywhere unaccompanied for anything.

  We both had been so focused on our studies that we hardly even noticed boys existed, which wasn’t easy considering they were always trying to get our attention. Any time that wasn’t spent in class or buried in books was spent watching movies. Mostly older ones because we both had a thing for the paranormal. Strange considering our majors, but as the years went on, I no longer found it strange.

  This woman started appearing in my dreams around that time. She was beautiful, ethereal, and all that, but it wasn’t that. She was warning me, almost training me, grooming me to understand that these visions, premonitions weren’t my mind going AWOL, but rather a real thing. When Nora told me about her wish to work with Lombardi and Romano, I dreamt of it and of him. As much as I wished to make things move faster, I was steadied by my ghostly apparition. She warned me that messing with the gift could be costly. That my decisions would help lead us all on the path of light. I always thought going to the light meant I was going to kick the bucket, but apparently she said it was the opposite.

  There were many times that I wanted to say hell yes to going with her to Washington. Then I would meet him sooner, but it would not be the right time.

  I pressed send, calling my best friend and so much more. She answered on the first ring. “Charlotte, I’m so glad you called. There’s so much to say.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for spill it. Did you get the job?”

  “Not exactly. Well, I did meet Lombardi and Romano, but well, it’s hard to explain, but Lombardi is fine as hell and well, he practically swept me off my feet.”

  “What?” I asked, feigning shock. I knew they were bound together. And that was why I had to stay away. She was doing her best to hold back her happiness and trying to find a way to tell me without giving anything away.

  “Oh, gosh. We are together. Like a couple. It’s really hard to explain.”

  “Maybe I’ll get lucky and Mr. Romano will want me,” I said playfully, knowing the truth. That he was going to want me more than I could have ever thought a man would and that was because he was more than a man, ten times more.

  “Um…you never know,” she said a bit leery. I knew what she was thinking and I was trying to hold back. I get that her life will be forever shrouded in secrecy, but she had no idea how involved I was in that secrecy. “When are you coming? Please don’t tell me you’re going to not come.”

  “Slow down. Yes, I am coming. My flight leaves tomorrow morning and I will be at the airport for pick up at 12:22. Are you coming to get me?”

  “Oh shit. I don’t live with my parents anymore.”

  “There, there. Calm down, I can always stay with you and your boy toy.” I was enjoying myself. It was rather amusing to hear her disquiet. For the first time in our relationship, I was certain she didn’t want me around. It was hard not to just mess with her some more.

  Truthfully, I didn’t think I was mature enough for the job. I didn’t know how I would be able to make the spirit lady proud or how I was going to save a race of vampires. “So, chickadee, are you going to pick me up?”

  “Um. Sure.” I heard Falcon saying something about having Romano pick me up from the airport. I smiled to myself. I loved the idea very much. I’d spent the morning in the salon getting primped and ready to be seen. It was silly and very unnecessary, but I knew that everything from here on out was going to change.

  “Charlie, Falcon is having Draco pick you up. I’m sorry, but Falcon wants some alone time, so you’re going to be staying with Draco, if that’s okay?”

  “Draco?” I knew who she was talking about of course, but I was having too much fun being simpleminded.

  “Um. Mr. Romano,” she said laughingly.

  “Oh duh. Well, tell him not to be late. I get all grumpy when I’m kept waiting. Can’t wait to see you, Nora. Love you.” I hung up because I was trying to mask my excitement. I danced around my boxed-up apartment. The movers were coming after I left on my flight to take everything up to Washington and stuff it into storage.

  Chapter Fifteen—Draco

  I wasn’t looking forward to a trip to the airport. There were too many people congregated in one place, smells and thoughts running rampant. Falcon and I decided to let Leonora's human friend stay with me. Since we spent enough time together over the centuries and at work, we thought it was best to live alone. It wasn't the greatest thing but, after all this time, we were lucky we didn't want to kill each other in our sleep.

  I found myself at the airport waiting for her. Her name was Charlotte Reiss. That’s pretty much all I had. Falcon and Leonora were too busy getting busy to give me anything more than her flight information. I had a sign with her name on it as I stood at the terminal waiting for her flight to land.

  I was already nervous about letting this stranger into my world, but she meant the world to Leonora, so I had to. What if she started snooping through my things?

  The passengers made their way out of the plane. There were plenty of young women getting off the plane. A young lady approached me. "I'll be Charlotte Reiss if I get to go home
with you," she purred.

  "Yeah, not going to happen," I heard a voice that sent vibrations down my body. The other girl moved out of the way with the help of the real Charlotte, who gave her a not so subtle shove. A thin, petite woman with dark blonde hair looked at me with a fever in her blood. She took in my appearance, looking me up and down. I was glad I decided to wear my suit today. She looked like she really approved. I was feeling the same way.

  She looked up into my eyes. "I've waited for this day," she said provocatively. Fucking hell yes. Pulling her into my arms, I kissed my other half uncontrollably. Our lips gnashed and slammed against each other. With a growl, I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist naturally. The feelings running though me were so strong I wanted to take her on the floor of the terminal.

  "Take me home, Draco," she muttered against my lips. My name coming from her mouth was intensely erotic.

  "Yes, my soul,” I agreed happily, wanting nothing more than to take her home to stay.

  She pulled back a bit further letting me looking into her eyes and with a stern expression she demanded, "Put me down, Draco."

  "Very well, but you will not be telling me what to do when we get home...unless it's demanding more," I growled against her ear after setting her down.

  We walked to the baggage pick up and she pointed to the one that was hers. I grabbed her luggage, then scooped her back up in my arms and carried her out to my car. Her hands were wrapped securely around my neck until we were forced to separate. My house was still an hour away. I didn't know if I was going to make it before we got home. At this moment, all I needed was a deserted road.

  "Just so you know. There's no formalities. We can save it for later. After I've come inside you ten times."

  "Ten sounds a bit ambitious to me. But I’m up for it, my mate,” she challenged. Did I hear her correctly? How did she know about us? I wondered if there were some humans that automatically knew their mates and gave into it. Perhaps Leonora let something slip. I shook my head at the thought, she told me she hadn’t told Charlotte more than who was coming to get her.

  Seeing what her reaction would be, I added, "I'm a four-hundred-year-old virgin. It's been a long time coming."

  She let out an exaggerated gasp, looking at me with her eyes wide and her mouth parted. I was afraid I freaked her out. “Four hundred? Wow. That’s old as dirt. I wonder if you’re going to be able to use it,” she teased with a wink, tormenting my old soul even more than necessary and more than I could take. Damn little minx was going to be a handful.

  I sped through the streets wishing I could just appear at my home. I felt a quick shift, then the whole car transported back to my home. That was new; I’d been able to teleport myself since I was a young man, but I’d never been able to take more than what was strapped to my person. There were many times I’d wished I was home while driving, but it never happened.

  She gasped, looking at me with wide eyes. “OMG, I had no idea you all could do that.” I was going to have to tell Falcon about it, but that was going to definitely have to be put on the back burner for the next few hours at least.

  “I didn’t either. I guess I just wanted you that bad.” I jumped out of the car, racing around and snatching her from the passenger side. I dipped my head and crashed my lips to hers in a frenzy. Zooming into the house, I kicked the door closed behind me and tossed her onto the large sofa. There was no time for the bed. I wanted her here and now. The warrior in me felt like I’d won my prize.

  I tore at her clothing, ripping the dress she had on off her body, leaving her in a lacy pink bra and panties. She looked edible, but the animal in me could not take it slow. I ran my hand down her chest to her waist. She was so slender I was afraid I could break her. Knowing that she was my mate was the only thing that kept me from stepping back. I couldn’t hurt her intimately, she was made for me.

  I growled, thinking about owning every inch of her. I ducked my head and kissed her again while I ground my hips into hers. Needing to be in her, I stood up and stripped off my suit. I didn’t care if it was ruined, I just needed it off that instant. I stood in front of my beauty with my large cock pointing straight at her. Those lovely amber eyes widened when she saw that my frame wasn’t the only thing big on me. I didn’t know it was going to be this big, but fuck, it was meant for her. I gave it a stroke as I looked at her beautiful body. Thoughts of tearing apart her sweet pussy and binding her to me were all that existed. She reached around and undid her bra while I stared on, lost in a daze of sexual desire. Her pert breasts were tipped with pink engorged nipples that summoned me. I leaned back down over her and took one of them in my mouth, sucking the hardened peak. She arched her back, pushing her breasts in my face, and I felt the stirrings of my first orgasm building to the surface. Slightly pulling on her nipple, I moved my way down lower. I wanted to take in her scent that would belong to me forever. A low rumble built up in my throat as I started to take in my reality. My mate was finally here. Her pussy was glistening with her need wetting it all up for me. I pressed my nose to her thatch of curls and I was roaring. Her scent was unbelievable, in-fucking-describable. I ran my fingers over her lower lips, parting them, then pressed my tongue against the little bud of nerves at the top of her slit. She bucked again and began to grind her pussy against my face, I felt my own come shoot out onto the sofa. I nipped at her beautiful warm heat before pushing my finger into her wetness. It was so tight that I had no fucking clue how I was going to fuck her without killing her. She moaned my name over and over again as her first orgasm of the day washed over her. I drank up her release, loving the sweet yet tangy taste on my tongue. I wanted more and I was going to have it. I lifted her thighs over my shoulders and continued to finger fuck her cunt, working her juices all over my fingers and stretching her out. Pressing my tongue back inside of her, I wanted one more for her. I wanted one that was going to get her ready for my cock.

  Her pussy swelled with need and I drank from her until she was crying out my name. Moving forward, I lined up my cock and in one smooth thrust, made us one.

  I roared as my body shook in pleasure. I looked down at my mate, who smiled through the tears. I’d forgotten that she wouldn’t be as strong as a vampire until I bit her. “I’m so sorry, my love. Please don’t cry, it’ll pass soon.”

  “It’s already gone. It’s just I feel so full. I didn’t know it would feel like this. My body just needs to get used to your size.” She started to wiggle under me, so I flipped us over and let her ride my cock.

  “You take control, woman. I’m all yours.”

  “Mine,” she moaned, her breasts bouncing as she twirled her hips around, learning my body like I was learning hers. Seeing her large breasts, I had to have them in my mouth again. I sat up, turning us so that my feet were on the ground with her straddling me. My hands wrapped around her waist and moved down to her ass. I said she could control it, but there was no way I could handle it. Using my thighs, I lifted her ass up and down, loving the feel of her ass bouncing.

  “Are you mine, Charlotte?”

  “Yes, I am. Forever.”

  “Damn right, you’re mine,” I growled. “It’s time to make you permanently bound to me.” I grasped her hair, moving it to the side and exposing her neck. My fangs came out as I bit down on her pulse. As soon as the first drop of blood hit my tongue, I came hard, thrusting up into her as she moaned and gripped my cock. Her orgasm came at the same time. Charlotte clawed at my back as I drank from her sweet body. I pulled back, closing the wound with a lick along her flesh.

  Lifting her chin to look at me, I saw a calmness I wasn’t expecting. She had no fear of what happened or even that her blood was still on my lips.

  “I didn’t mean to get carried away.”

  “It’s okay. It felt so good.” She bent her head and rested it on my chest.

  “I’ll make you feel good later, but you need your rest.” I picked her up and carried her to bed. Covering her with the blanket, I kissed her so
ft lips before putting on some shorts and running down to call Falcon. There was much to discuss.

  “Draco, what’s up? Is she giving you any problems?”

  “Nope. She’s absolutely perfect.”

  “Whoa. What’s going on? Is she?”

  “She’s the one. There’s more to talk about because some crazy shit happened, but I want you to know and for Leonora to know that she’s safe and not going to be out of my sight for a week at the very least.”

  “I was going to call you about that, too. We’re going to need to take them to work tomorrow. Or rather they can meet us there for their employment interviews. We can’t let on that they are ours. You know how The Lamia came after all the newly mated couples or anyone who was believed to be with child.”

  “Yes, you’re very right. If it gets in the papers somehow then The Lamia will try to get at them.”

  Chapter Sixteen—Falcon

  I watched her as she laid there sleeping, the effects of too much loving having knocked us both out, but I woke up after a shitty dream. I marked her, bound her to me without her understanding what we were and everything that we might have to face in the near future. It was wrong of me, but I couldn’t stop myself. She didn’t seem upset by it, but there was no telling that she wouldn’t feel regret later. I hated even the possibility of her regretting the haste.

  “Falcon, what’s on your mind?” I felt her hand press on my back as she sat up in bed.

  Turning to her, I read her concern. “Do you regret this? I was supposed to wait until you were ready,” I asked, running my thumb across her bottom lip.

  “I thought we went over that already,” she said with a smile.

  “No, I kind of glossed over the whole thing,” I admitted. There was much I hadn’t told her. I let our unabated lust take over and sneakily mated her to me.

  “Falcon, I believe you when you said we were destined to be together, so if that’s true, which in my soul I feel it is, then I have no worries,” she said with a large smile that turned into a nervous blush and a bite of her lower lip.