“Take Sophie from them! Please!” Remi yelled. “You don’t know what they did to her! I do!”
“You don’t know anything!” Gregor said. “She hasn’t said a word since Hans brought her in, has she?”
“She doesn’t have to speak to him aloud,” Magno rumbled. “True bloodsmates share a deep bond. Some can communicate telepathically when in danger.”
“That’s a lie!” Gregor yelled, grabbing Sophie by the arm, jerking her to him. “What did you tell him? How?”
“I... I—”
“Tell them, Sophie,” Remi said, his voice strained by the unbearable pain he was in. “All of it.”
“It’s obvious that she’s traumatized by something. Considering what Ethan found at your place, I can imagine that she was a witness to many horrors and subjected to them, as well,” Jana said, as she stepped forward, looking at Sophie while she trembled in fear. “You will release her to Remi.”
“I will not!”
He thrust Sophie at Hans, who placed the knife to her throat once more. Quick as lightning, Magno flashed to Gregor and took him by the neck.
“No one defies The Directive!”
Lifting him with one hand, Magno began squeezing, as Gregor’s legs kicked. Jana transformed into her wolf and began stalking towards Hans.
“Drop the weapon and release the girl,” Clarence ordered. “The jig is up, Hans! Everyone at the estate has been taken into custody by The Directive.”
“One more step, and I’ll open her up!”
Hans dug the blade into Sophie’s flesh, and she whimpered, as he jerked her in front of him. Scenting her blood, Remi leaped to his feet, his eyes wildly aflame at the threat to Sophie.
“Let! Her! Go! NOW!” His voice boomed through the area with such intensity that the bottles at the bar burst, showering glass all over the room.
Gregor’s head popped into the air, dissolving into dust before it hit the floor.
Aiming the fire flowing from his eyes with pinpoint accuracy, Remi shot white-hot flames into Hans’ face, singeing some of Sophie’s hair on top of her head that was below Hans’ chin.
As he screamed, he slid the blade across Sophie’s throat, slicing it open. Remi flashed to Sophie, yanking her away from him, as part of Hans’ head turned into ash, floating into the air.
“Remi!” Luc shouted.
A current of blood poured from Sophie’s neck, as Jana’s wolf tackled Hans, tore into his chest with her teeth, and ripped out his gray heart. Then she stood on the body, and it caved in under her weight, bursting into a cloud of dust. Clarence seized Vance, flipping him to face the wall, and secured him in handcuffs.
While all that was happening, Remi went to his knees and took Sophie into his arms.
“Non! Stay with me!” he cried, as red bubbles oozed from her mouth.
She coughed, spewing her life force onto Remi’s face, and raised her shaky hand to his cheek.
“Don’t let me leave you.”
“You’ve lost too much blood, Sophie! I can’t heal you anymore! I’ll have to make you vampire!”
When she nodded her consent, he didn’t hesitate. Pressing his mouth to her throat, he sank his fangs into her flesh and drank the sweetest elixir to ever touch his tongue. Her heartbeat, which had slowed due to blood loss, continued to decrease. Once its cadence was at its lowest level, Remi ripped into his wrist and placed it onto her lips.
“Come on! Drink, chér!”
After a moment, Sophie latched on. With each pull, she took him inside her, and Remi’s blood remade her and began the process of healing the wounds to her psyche as well as her body. As he had told her, the weight of her past was transferring to him so that he would also bear its burden. They would carry it together.
He closed his eyes, knowing with certainty his Thirst was finally over.
“Oui, chér. Keep going. Give me all your pain.”
Chapter 41
Sophie opened her eyes in the arms of the man of her dreams. She could see clearly, and he filled her vision. He was peering at her with a worried look, his dark eyebrows knitted close together.
Remi was the handsomest man she’d ever laid her eyes on, and she belonged to him. Something deep within her told her that, and their earlier communication only cemented it in her soul.
Heart blossoming with hope and joy, she whispered, “It’s really you.”
“Oui, chér. How do you feel?”
After pausing to think about what he’d asked, she said, “Everything looks more vibrant than before.”
“It’s an odd sensation at first.”
“You killed Hans and saved me.”
Tears filled her eyes at the realization that the nightmare she’d been living was finally over.
“Of course, I did. I told you I would, and I stand by my word. You’re mine, and no one is gonna keep us apart again.”
Another man walked over and squatted down beside Remi.
“My name is Clarence Collins, Sophie. I’d like to ask you some questions about your time with Gregor and Hans and what you saw and heard while you were there.”
“Am I in some kind of trouble because of them? I didn’t hurt anybody! I swear it!”
“No, you’re not. We’re investigating a rash of murders.”
“And the bodies that were taken to the swamp?”
“Yes.”
“It was Hans. He abducted people and brought them back to Gregor’s estate. And….”
“Does she have to do this now?” Remi asked. “She’s gone through a lot tonight... and before. She’s fragile. Can’t this wait?”
Sophie took comfort in that he was trying to shield her.
“She just gave witness, another confirmation that the orchestrators of those atrocities were Hans and Gregor. I’ll have to get a detailed statement from her later, but it can wait for the moment. I’ll call you next week and arrange a time for us to come back.”
“Merci.”
“Do you need another pack, Remi?” Paulette asked.
“Non, but would you bring one for Sophie?”
“Oui!”
“Paulette is my sister-in-law, and over there...” He pointed across the room. “...is my brother Luc.”
“I should get up and introduce myself.”
“They already know who you are.”
“And what we are to each other?”
Remi nodded and said, “Luc helped me search for you when we realized that you were my bloodmate. We went to Marcel’s to see if you were still there.”
“He was shot by dirty cops working for Gregor. And that asshole...” She pointed to Vance. “...was one of them! They killed him and took me back to the estate.”
“I’m sorry,” Remi said. “He was a good man.”
“I wanna make sure they’re brought to justice. I’ll testify under oath as to what they did to him and to me... and how much Gregor paid them to do it.”
Leaning against the wall, Magno said, “They will be. We’ll make sure of it. Everyone involved will get what’s coming to them either by the human courts or The Directive. My preference is the latter.”
Paulette called out, “Henri! Bring the vacuum and some club soda! We’ve got a mess to clean up!”
Luc approached them and said to Remi, “What happened with your eyes? I’ve never seen you carry out anything with a force like that. You burned Hans’ head off.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it was the universe giving me the power to save her.”
“Could be. Vampires have different abilities granted to them upon their change. Perhaps the Thirst enhanced yours.” He gave a short bow to her. “‘Ello, Sophie. Welcome to the family.”
“Hi,” she said with a smile. “Thank you so much for helping rescue me.”
“We’re done here,” Remi said to Luc. Then to Sophie, “May I take you home?”
Her mind went to her backpack and the thousands of dollars that were long gone.
“I don’t have one. I don’t have an
y money to get a motel room, either. I’m gonna have to find a place to stay, I guess.”
“Non. Remember what I said? You’ll be with me at my place. It’s ours now. It’s a few blocks down the street.”
Suddenly, waves of exhaustion went through her body, and she closed her eyes, giving thanks for the unexpected gift she’d received.
“Then, let’s go, Remi. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Sleep, chér,” he said, as he lifted her up and stood. “You’re safe with me.”
Chapter 42
As she slept, Remi carried Sophie to his bed, laid her down, and crawled in beside her. The clock on the nightstand told him that dawn was approaching, as the black metal blinds, timed to lower a few hours prior to the rising of the sun, began to descend, sealing the apartment in darkness.
Propping himself up on his elbow, he ran his fingers through her hair, and her eyes fluttered open.
“You need more rest.”
“I’m not tired anymore. Tell me again that my nightmare is over, Remi. Tell me I’m free. Tell me I’m yours.”
“It is over, and you’re free. You’re mine, and I’m yours, chér.”
“You called me that in my dreams.”
He smiled at her, leaning down to place a kiss on her lips. She opened, allowing him to slide his tongue over hers, and she moaned into his mouth, as she urged him closer to her.
“It’s the mating. Do you feel the energy? We need to complete it.”
“Yes, I feel it. It’s like my body’s on fire for you, Remi.”
“We have to be quick. The day is coming. I wish we had more time, because I wanna lay you down, explore every curve of your body… each crest and hollow. I wanna learn what makes you shiver and groan from what I’m doing to you… discover all of your secrets with my fingers... tongue… and cock. And once I’ve found them, I’ll give you pleasure until the only word to come from your mouth is my name. It’s all you’ll know and the only thing you’ll need. I’m gonna make sure of it.”
She reached out, tracing his lips with her finger.
“Will you bathe me?”
“You wanna take a shower?”
“I want you to clean me, Remi. Wash away the filth of all the bodies that have touched mine before you.”
“Oui,” he whispered, taking her hand in his.
He led her into the bathroom and turned on the spray. She closed the door and slid the straps of her dress off her shoulders. She pushed it down over her hips, and it fell onto the tile floor.
“I wanna burn it,” she said, staring at the garment, as she shoved her panties to her ankles. “I wanna have a ceremony to honor Marcel and light that thing up. He’s with his daughter Deirdre now. Maybe he’ll see the fire we build from Heaven.”
“Oui, chér. He will.”
He let his gaze roam over the softness of her body, seeing her underlying strength. Despite what she’d gone through, she was standing in front of him, naked, unafraid and asking him to touch her.
“Come.”
He opened the door, and she walked inside the shower, which was flowing warm and full blast. He stepped in and went to her, gathering her in his arms. He held her to him, letting the water sluice over them both.
“If you wanna cry, you can, Sophie. It’s okay.”
“I don’t want to,” she said, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder. “I’m not sad. I’m finally happy.”
“Me, too.”
They held each other a long while, and then Remi eased away. He took the milk soap in his hand and mixed it with some water, working it into a lather that covered both of his hands, while Sophie moved out from under the spray. Water poured from her hair, running in jagged rivulets down her body.
He watched, as a drop hung on each of the tips of her nipples, before falling to the floor and sliding into the drain. Ignoring the demanding urges of his cock, hard since the moment he laid eyes on her, he wanted and needed to care for Sophie first.
With a start, he realized that she had taken the preeminent place in his mind, even above himself. He looked at her again, surprised and glad at the thought.
“Are you hungry?”
“Should I be?”
“Oui.” He slid his hands from hers, up her arms, and to her shoulders. “Very. I was when I was first turned.”
“I’m not. That bag must’ve filled me up.”
“Good. I’m about to fill you up, too.”
She lifted her arms, leaning forward against him, pressing her breasts to his chest, and his hands glided down over her ribs, to the flare of her hips. After making more suds, he rubbed her back, from her nape to her round cheeks, giving them a slight squeeze when his palms covered them.
Leaning back, Sophie let the spray douse her body and shed her of the grime.
Their eyes met, and then his gaze dropped to her chest and back up to her face. She nodded, and he placed the soap back in the holder. He lifted her breasts in his palms, weighing them. He felt her eyes on him and flicked his to hers with an arched brow.
“Do you like them?”
“I’m holding myself back, chér. You’re exquisite. I don’t know how I’m gonna handle washing you below your navel.”
Smiling, she whispered, “Make sure you’re thorough.”
“I want to use my tongue.” Sophie shivered, and her scent grew stronger and headier in the moisture of the shower. “You like my idea?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Guiding her to the wall, he dropped to his knees, hooked her leg over his shoulder, and dove to take what he wanted—to taste her and drink her nectar. Her clit was plump, ripe, and ready for him. Slipping his tongue between her lips, he groaned at the sweetness pouring into his mouth. Using his thumb and index finger, he spread her open wide to gorge on all of her pussy.
“Aahh!” She plunged her fingers into his hair, holding him to her. She cried, “Don’t stop!” as if he had any plans to end his feasting before he was done.
Her thighs trembled. He sucked harder and was rewarded with more of her juices, flowing to cover his tongue and then slide down his throat.
“Mmmm,” he moaned. “More, Sophie.”
Two of the fingers of his other hand drifted up the inside of her leg, and when he touched her core, she grabbed his wrist and urged it upwards, thrusting them into her.
“Oh, God! It’s so good!”
Remi teased her with gentle touches inward and out.
“Harder! Please!”
At her cry, he pummeled her at vampire speed, as her wails grew in volume.
“Yes! God! Yes!”
A moment later, she shouted her orgasm, an unintelligible mix of words, groans, and cries. Standing up, Remi took her by the sides of her head, slanting his mouth over hers, taking her in a caress of passion of their tongues dancing and searching for the other. He jerked when she grasped his cock in her hands, working him up and down with both of them.
Concentrating on not coming as she looked at him, he ended the kiss and stared into her eyes, pools of simmering heat mirroring his desire.
“Sophie… I need….”
“Me, too. Please….”
With an upturn of her head, she reached for him to go back to her, and he dipped down, joining their lips. Desire flooded his veins, and his control was at an end. He had to be inside her, his cock and his fangs.
Taking her into his arms, he lifted her up, as she circled hers around his neck and her legs loosely about his waist. When he slipped his tip through her lips, her wetness coating his dick, he shivered.
Then, with a groan, he pressed inside of her.
“Merde!” he shouted, as a burst of electricity shot throughout his body.
Sophie tightened her legs, pulling him closer to sink deeper inside her. Her walls clamped down around him, hugging him in her heat, holding him.
“It’s lifting from me. The pain. Everything.”
“Bien!”
He eased his cock in and out at a measured pace, lengt
hening the sensations of their intimate union.
“Remi,” she sighed.
It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard—his mate, calling his name.
He popped his hips firmer and faster, gripping her to him, as his fangs lowered. Sophie swept her hair to the side and leaned forward to his neck, as hers grazed over his skin.
A rushing went through him, as he sank his fangs through her flesh, and Sophie bit into him a moment later. When her blood flowed into his mouth, her life flashed before him like a celluloid film, each event a stretched square of a frozen moment in time, before it fell away. One after the other, they came, and he vowed to himself to keep her safe, protect her, and love her for the rest of their lives.
Then the vision dropped to the recollections, stacked haphazardly, resembling a messy deck of cards. An ember lit in the center, slowly growing, turning them black and making them curl in on themselves.
Unable to hold back any longer, Remi lifted his head and shouted as he came.
They looked at each other, lost in the miracle that had brought them together... forever.
Epilogue
The band started playing again, and Remi and Sophie walked hand in hand to the dancefloor.
“It was a lovely ceremony.”
“Oui, chér,” he said, as he dipped her and then brought her back up. “And you look beautiful.” Red bloomed over her face, as she smiled. “What is it?”
“I’m still not used to anyone giving me compliments.”
“Ah. Should I praise your perfect breasts? Or perhaps your luscious pussy that gives me so much pleasure?” He twirled out onto the parquet, then brought her back to his chest, and she laid her hand on his shoulder. “Non, I know what I love best, Sophie.”
“What?”
“You. All of you.”
“I love you, too.”
Remi leaned down, and Sophie tilted up, as they closed the distance to caress each other.
“Can I cut in?”
“Not the best timing, Ethan.”
“Michelle said she wants to talk to you, Remi. She’s taking a break...” He pointed to a spot. “...over there.”
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