by Sarra Cannon
Brandon pulled the ladder up as the first helicopter took them away. The young doctor rushed to Vicq's side, glanced down at Elaina, and placed his palm on her forehead. "Whatever they've given her will kill her. I can hear her pulse slowing. If you're going to turn her, you need to do it now. If you wait too long, your blood won't be able to reverse the damage, and it's already started."
"I know." This wasn't the way they'd wanted her transformation to be. She’d wanted to do it in peace, not when she was on the brink of dying as a last resort. He couldn't lose her now though...wouldn't let her die without living a life absent of fear.
He slit himself across the vein in his neck with his fingernail and brought her body up, pressing her mouth to the fissure. Still, she didn't move, but he hoped his blood could save her once again before it was too late.
Vicq rested his back against the wall of the helicopter and pulled her against his chest, as he let his blood drain down into her mouth. He estimated he'd have to drain himself almost completely. It didn't matter—he'd risk everything to save her. Not only would he kill for Elaina, but he would die for her as well. What he prayed for the most was that this would be over soon and that he and Elaina could be together without worry.
Chapter 17
Elaina opened her eyes to silken cloth hanging overhead. Her fingers dug into the softness beneath her. A motor hummed nearby and her gaze landed on the fan swirling on a dresser. The cool breeze fanned her face and neck as she lifted her head off the downy pillows. Unfamiliar smells surrounded her. Freshly cut grass. Spring water. Lavender. And someone...
A sound from the corner of the room caught her attention.
Long black hair cascading down past the shoulder blades captured her gaze. It seemed like a startling contrast to the thin white dress the woman wore. She was also the source of the lavender scent Elaina had detected earlier.
"Should I close the balcony door?" The woman’s voice was soft yet firm.
Elaina waited for her to turn around. Loud clanking noises beat against a glass. The woman's delicate hand grabbed the pitcher from the dresser. The ice made cracking noises as she poured the water over it. The sounds were too loud, yet clear.
"I thought you might need fresh air." The woman set the pitcher down. "I was right. It seemed to be the only thing to wake you up."
Elaina lay on a large, comfortable four-poster bed. The curtains were swept back and tied to the dark mahogany posts. Silk drapes on the balcony door swayed with the evening wind, sweeping against the marble floors. Dresser, nightstand, and chest were all made of either marble or mahogany. It was enough visual to confirm that she was in some bedroom. A rather large one. The walls were a neutral beige color, and abstract paintings hung throughout.
Why was she here? Where was Vicq? Had she been dreaming about Vicq coming to rescue her? No, it had to have been real. Her body still felt restless from the struggles. There were still welts around her wrists from where the ropes had bound them. Her lips were tender to the touch from where the cloth had been tied tight to them. Never had she felt so helpless within the clutches of District members.
Elaina squeezed her eyes shut and willed the memories away. She propped her elbows into the plush mattress and raised herself up. "Can you tell me where I am?"
The woman turned around, smiling, with a glass of ice-cold water in her hand. She slowly approached. Her perfect features stunned Elaina. Her blue-black hair was a strange trait indeed, but her bright silver eyes were even more atypical. "I'm Leila."
"Leila," Elaina whispered. She'd heard the name before.
"You're at our sanctuary. We're led by Vicq." She extended the glass out to Elaina. "Brandon was certain that all those nasty drugs were out of your body, but you still look dehydrated. This should help settle your upset stomach a bit."
"Brandon?" Elaina accepted the glass, and its chilly temperature brought relief to her heated palms.
"Our resident doctor. You were still unconscious when he came to take samples of your blood to find out what drugs remained." Leila sat on the edge of the bed, her voice consoling and eyes innocent. "Do you still crave food?"
Elaina wrinkled her nose. What an odd question. "I'm not hungry." She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten, but food wasn't on her mind right now.
"You haven't eaten in almost two days."
Leila reached out, but Elaina jumped back on instinct and some of the water spilled over the top of the glass onto the sheets covering her.
Shame washed over her as Leila's lips turned down in a frown. "I'm sorry." She didn't know who this Leila person was, and she was definitely on edge after what had just happened. "How long have I been here?"
"Two days."
Elaina's eyes swept over Leila again. Her sun-kissed skin appeared smooth and flawless, just like her well-manicured fingernails. Too perfect. "Are you Dresdan?"
Leila chuckled softly. "My mate asked the same thing when he met me, but does it really matter?"
"You're very pretty, that's all." Elaina dropped her gaze to the sweating glass in her grasp. She'd been rude. Perhaps, a show of gratitude for the water instead of demands for answers would have been more polite. She sighed. "Th—”
"So are you."
"Thank you." Elaina swallowed. She lifted the glass to her lips and let the water flow down her throat. It only acted to soothe her rising fever, but it wasn't enough. There was something else she needed. "Have you been...helping me all this time?"
This time Leila looked uncomfortable. She nodded. "I'm one of three women in the sanctuary. I offered."
"You're Leo's mate." The words came to Elaina's lips without warning, but her memories came back to her in flashes. "First mated pair at sanctuary, right?"
Leila smiled, showing small but sharp fangs. "So Vicq did share the story with you?"
Elaina sat up straighter. "Where is he?"
"He left your bedside a couple of hours ago. He didn't even trust me to be alone with you in this state. It took a while, but he finally left." Leila wrung her hands in her lap. "He won't feed either. You hadn't eaten or taken any blood...so he refused what we offered, as well. It's actually been that way since he escaped from Russo's prison. He barely feeds. He takes just enough to keep him going and then he leaves for days at a time to watch you. Brandon told us he was lovesick."
Guilt pinched at Elaina's heart. She'd never wanted Vicq to feel pain and hunger because of her. Everything was her fault.
"Thank you, Leila, for helping me." Elaina reached out to grab the other woman's hand. "Will you let him know that I'm better and that he can go feed now?"
Leila laughed, the soft tone echoing throughout the room. "You don't get it, do you?" She shook her head. "The two of you are so closely bonded now that he'd think twice about feeding from anyone else but you...even on his death bed."
"He's been doing it for months without me," she said.
The other woman shook her head. "We all take blood, but at different times for different purposes. Blood to recoup. Blood to gain powers. Blood to kill our enemies. And blood to form a deeper bond. Right now, Vicq needs you and your bond. Everything else is unimportant at the moment."
Elaina swallowed. "So, it's true. Dresdan mates rely on each other in that way."
Leila nodded. "The exchange between mates is very intimate, as most of the feeding between a Dresdan couple is done during sex. When you bite him...when you complete the bond, you will mostly crave him. But there will certainly be times when you must take from those other than him. But ultimately, after the bond, it is his blood that will keep you satisfied." She leaned in and placed a gentle hand against Elaina's forehead. "At least you're not running a high temperature anymore." Standing up, she ran her hands down the front of her dress. "I think I'm done here. The thing that you need, I can't give to you." She turned to leave. "I'll let Vicq know you're awake."
"Thanks, Leila."
The dark-haired beauty paused at the door and grinned. "We'll talk later about how
you can repay me?"
Elaina laughed under her breath as Leila disappeared back through the door.
In the far corner of the room, she spotted her gray duffle bag. It was the bag with the research papers and contracts she'd managed to swipe while still employed with District 5. The bag also contained what she had left of the District 5 drugs she'd taken during her employment with them. She sighed in relief. This wasn't over. Yet. She still needed to help all those people who were stuck at research facilities against their will.
How would Vicq take this decision? How would she tell him that she didn't plan to stand by and watch while others attempted to take down District 5, that she planned to be right there with them?
Elaina ran her tongue along her gums and then over her top row of teeth. They were sharper than usual. She reminisced the taste of blood. The way it pulsed against her tongue in rhythm with the heartbeat of her victim. The way it flowed down her throat like the sweetest wine.
There was a small mirror on the dresser beside her. She picked it up and glanced at it, knowing the transformation had begun. Sure enough, she saw the red flecks in her eyes and the sharp ends of her fangs against her lips.
Placing the mirror back in its place, she glanced about the room, focused on several objects, and noted that her vision was enhanced. She could see every hue and texture. From the fine grain leather of the sofa sitting next to the hearth, to the smooth tan suede of the pillows propped up onto the window seat.
She held her hands up to the light...
— —
Vicq stood just outside the balcony doors on the patio where he watched Elaina. She lifted her hands to the light and squinted as she examined them. There was no doubt that she recognized and felt the changes in her body. Yet, she was still on the brink of transformation and she would remain that way until she accepted his bond by willingly taking his blood—through the bite. Not just to survive, but to become something different entirely. They'd have to cope with the series of changes in her body over time. It would be his job to teach her how to live as a Dresdan, as she'd requested.
Breeze picked up behind him, drying the droplets of water on his skin. The swim in the river had done nothing to rid him of the need to be with Elaina. She was awake now, and it was time to claim his mate. No more waiting behind shadows.
She lifted her nose to the air then jerked in his direction. "How long have you been standing there?"
He grinned. "Not that long."
"I've been waiting for you."
As he crossed the room in long strides, her lips turned up in a smile. Elaina threw the covers away from her, revealing the see-through gown she wore. She met him at the foot of the bed. He snaked his arms around her waist as she edged closer on her knees. Her palm slid against his neck, caressing him. She lifted her eyes to meet his.
Red flickered around her irises, love and desire blazing in them. "I've missed you so much, Vicq. I wanted to tell you..."
"I wanted to come to you sooner after I escaped, but I was certain you would reject me. It was easier to just protect you from the enemies...and also myself."
He lowered his head, enticing her lips into a kiss. His fingers flirted with the edges of her silk nightgown and brushed against the soft skin of her thighs. He stepped forward, bringing his body closer to hers, pressing his cock into her belly. His erection stirred the moment he sensed her heat and smelled her desire.
A soft moan escaped from her mouth and whispered against his lips. "I want to complete the bond." As the words flowed from her mouth, his heart filled with exhilaration at her acceptance. Elaina was whom he wanted to spend eternity with. With him was where she belonged. Fate had brought them together. Enemies could not keep them apart.
"There is nothing I want more than to complete our union."
Their lips parted then delved deeper into the kiss, taking and giving equally. It started off slowly, igniting a passion within him. Her body grew pliant, and the uneasiness he’d sensed before dissipated. She pulled him to her chest, her palms pressing into his back. He grabbed her by the hips in response, bringing them even closer together. It didn't surprise him when small fangs nipped his tongue. It would take some time for her to get used to them. Their tongues flirted and danced, fighting to keep rhythm.
Vicq only pulled back for her sake. He lifted his hand to take her chin between his fingers and examined the small fangs peeking out from the corners of her lips. "You're cute with these. They suit your feisty side."
She ran her tongue along the bottom of her top row of teeth, as if assessing the sharpness of her newly acquired fangs. "How do I keep them from dropping? Like yours?"
"That will take time. They won't retreat involuntarily until after the complete transformation." He kissed her lightly on the chin and breathed in her flowery scent. "You're only halfway, but your body wants to accept this change, just as my heart wants to bond with you now."
Elaina covered his hands with hers and placed them onto her thighs. "I think I'll enjoy biting you for a change." She pulled the edges of her gown up and over her head.
Vicq sucked in his breath as his gaze roamed over her lovely body. Her creamy skin resembled brown sugar and honey. The delicate curvature of her neck lured him, the vein pulsing thick with brand new life. Her breasts heaved up and down with each breath and her nipples were already taut, ready to be licked and suckled. He wanted—no, needed—to drape her across the bed so he could have a snack. A six-course meal, even.
Her fingers danced along the edge of her panties and she dipped her hand down into them. His fangs burst through his gums, all control lost. This was what Elaina did to him. How in the hell would he teach her self-control if he gave in to these desires every moment he was with her?
He unbuckled and unzipped his trousers, letting them fall in a bundle around his ankles. Her pink tongue glided across her berry-red lips and her eyes danced from his bare chest to the rod pulsing with his seed. Stepping out of his shoes and pants, he grabbed her hips, dipped his head, and took a pebbled nipple between his lips.
Elaina quivered from his touch. She arched her back, pushing her breasts toward him, allowing him access to sate his appetite. He couldn't get enough of her, and he switched from one breast to the other, nipping with his teeth and flicking with his tongue. Moving up her chest, he kissed along her collarbone and then reached her jugular. Her blood rushed through her vein like the waves of an ocean during the storm. His tongue and mouth grew parched and he swallowed. He licked her neck, soothing her skin, readying it for the feeding as he always did. She purred beneath his touch and wriggled her hips against his palm. He would have his fill of her, but first, he wanted an appetizer.
"Vicq," she protested when he pulled away.
He lifted his own knee to the bed, sending her backward. The flimsy panties she wore tied at the hips, allowing him to easily pull them away to reveal her pussy to his greedy eyes. Easing her back on the bed, he pressed kisses to her belly. She urged him on and tangled her fingers into his hair as he moved lower, past her stomach and abdomen. He glanced up just in time to see her thick eyelashes sweep down across her cheeks. Pressing his shoulders against her thighs, he readied her for his exploration. The folds of her sex glistened with her arousal and her clit peeked out from under its hood. He pressed a finger into her and she moaned and lifted her hips for more.
"Please, Vicq. No teasing. Not tonight."
"Believe me, mi amor, I intend to give pleasure tonight." He blew against her wet, pink opening and grinned as she dug her nails into the mattress. Thwarting her attempts to close her legs together, he sunk his tongue into her folds, licking at her soft lips and sweetened juice. Her moans encouraged his libido and he took in her caramel apple taste before he sucked softly at her clitoris. Her pearl throbbed lightly against his tongue just as the blood throbbed against his veins. He tasted and teased until she was pulsing beneath him.
Elaina screamed out her climax and he reveled in her release. Feeding on her essence
was the next best thing to feeding on her blood.
She lifted herself and brought him down over her, kissing him and tasting her own juices. His hardened cock brushed against her belly and she thrust her pelvis forward to meet his. Her legs wrapped around him and he guided his dick to her moist opening. She pressed kisses into his neck, mocking his routine prior to feeding. He sensed her hunger for his blood.
"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.
Out of breath, he could not muster a laugh, so he grinned. "Does it hurt when I feed from you?"
She shook her head, lifting her hips, begging for his entry.
"Then there is your answer."
He dove deep into her and nearly peaked into climax as a look of ecstasy etched across her face. Her fangs distended, sharp and white against her succulent red lips. It was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. As he pumped into her with firm, long strokes, he lowered himself, offering his jugular. He'd never offered himself this way to anyone. He'd always given from the wrist, never from the throat. But with Elaina, giving this way came naturally to him.
Her sharp fangs pierced him, slicing through the virgin skin on his neck like a knife. He groaned against her shoulder, trying to hold back the pending release, but as she drew the blood from his vein, the seed inside his dick surged to the head. Biting into his lip, he pounded her while she fed on his blood.
As he’d expected, she took from him greedily. Draining him as he'd never allowed anyone to drain him before.
Their heartbeats joined together in rhythm as she drank. Time had somehow stopped for them, and visions of Elaina, his mate, beautiful, carefree, no worries, swarmed his head. It dawned on him that this was Elaina's wish. She'd always wanted to live a life without fear.
"You have nothing to fear, Elaina. Te protegeré por siempre…I'll protect you forever."