by J. L. McCoy
“What’s the alternative?” I asked curiously. I was so new to the vampire life and felt I was just now beginning to scratch the surface of what I was and what was out there.
“Underground and back alley blood banks,” he answered, leaning back against the couch. “They are unsafe for all involved. It’s an unpredictable and dangerous world out there. I only do what I can to help my fellow vampires and the humans who choose to live the donor life.”
I still didn’t fully agree with it, but Archer did have a point. People were going to do what they wanted to do and he was providing both parties a safe environment to do it in. I was happy that he at least provided the humans with the option of rehab if they ever chose to stop using.
Archer saw that I had come to terms with the issue, so he continued our previous conversation. “Now that that’s settled, back to Lucian. They must have somehow known you were coming to Boston. What did Lucian look like?” I started describing him and Archer nodded his head. “I’ve seen him around the club a few times, but not often. I don’t think he lives in here.”
“No, he lives in Atticus’ colony somewhere under New York City.”
“They took you to the colony?” Ruarc asked, exploding up from the couch in shock. He turned to Archer with wide eyes. “They allowed a Day Walker to enter their most guarded nest.” Ruarc’s eyes moved back to me and I shrugged at the wonder in his eyes. “They must have thought you would accept their offer, otherwise they would have never let you down there.”
“Well,” I drew out on a grimace, preparing for their anger, “I kind of told Atticus and Lucian that I’d consider the offer.” I clenched my eyes closed as the room exploded around me.
“What!”
“I forbid it!”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
“Over my dead body!” Archer fiercely growled again, his eyes completely faded. “You are mine!”
“Calm down!” I huffed as I stood and folded my arms under my chest. “I said I’d think about it. Thinking about it and agreeing to it are two totally different things.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jameson asked angrily, motioning with his hands. “You can’t just up and decide to be a bualadh craicinn Dark One! You were born Day. Jesus! Ruarc, tell her!”
“It’s unheard of, Morrison,” he shook his head, his eyes faded too. Damn, why is he angry? “This whole situation is unprecedented.”
“You’re NOT leaving and that is FINAL!” Archer yelled, motioning with his finger to the floor.
“Chill out!” I yelled, my fists clenched tightly at my sides. “I love you, you possessive pain in my ass! I’m not going anywhere. Why would I leave you?” I took a deep breath and rubbed my forehead. “I considered it, okay? I gave it five whole seconds of actual consideration before I realized that I could never be without you, Archer. The thought of knowing and being close to my father was tempting, but ultimately not important enough to me. You and our family are the most important things in this world. I could never give that up…I could never give YOU up, so stop yelling at me, okay?”
Archer closed the small distance between us and slid his hands up my neck to hold my head. “I love you so much, cion,” he said softly as he tilted my head back so our eyes met. “You have no idea how much you mean to me. I can’t lose you, Skye.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whispered. “I never want to be anywhere other than in your arms, Archer. YOU are my home. You always will be.”
His mouth descended on mine and I fisted his shirt as I pulled him closer to me. Archer’s kiss had an edge of hungry desperation to it and I quickly lost myself to him.
“I’m glad you two are happy,” Jameson groaned uncomfortably, “but this is just a little too soon for me.” I pulled away from Archer and looked over my shoulder apologetically at Jameson. His face looked pained as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked down at the floor.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled and went to sit back down on the love seat. “I didn’t mean to-”
“It’s fine, little sister,” Jameson cut me off with a sigh, finally looking up at me. There was a barely masked sadness there and it made my chest ache. I didn’t want Jameson to hurt. I guess I just figured he had moved on, what with all the groupies he’d been banging on a nightly basis. I wasn’t judging him, though. We all handle breakups differently.
“I sincerely apologize, Youngblood,” Archer said, bowing his head and putting his right fist to his heart.
“So let us get back to the issue at hand,” Ruarc sighed as he sat down again. “Did they harm you in any way? Mistreat you? Make you feel uncomfortable?”
“No, no, and no,” I said, answering him. “They were…nice? I don’t know how else to describe it. Atticus even brought me a feeder and let me sleep in the guest wing.”
“Where’s your dress? Where did you get the one you’re wearing now?” Archer wondered aloud.
“My dress is ruined and I definitely wasn’t happy about that,” I frowned. “Some lady brought this dress when she came to wake me up. She put my other one in that duffle bag by the door.”
Ruarc flashed to the duffle bag and began digging around inside of it. A few seconds later we heard him call out, “Tracking device.” He re-entered the room holding a small blinking chip in his hand and I frowned.
“Where I live is common knowledge, so I don’t understand why they put a tracker on her,” Archer raised his eyebrows.
“Beats me,” he shrugged his shoulders as he closed his hand and crushed the little electronic device. “But they aren’t tracking her anymore.”
“Okay,” I said as I crossed my legs and got comfortable. “Now it’s your turn to start explaining some things. What’s with the blood? You guys are covered in it.”
Archer and Ruarc stared at each other for a long few seconds and I grew impatient. Thankfully, Jameson finally filled me in.
“Ruarc and our fearless leader went all Vlad the Impaler on some Dark Ones when they couldn’t find you,” he said with a shake of his head.
“You…tortured people?” I gasped, thoroughly shocked as I took in their bloody clothes again.
“Tortured is such a strong word,” Ruarc sighed as he tugged on his shirt cuff. “I prefer duly motivated.”
“We figured Dark Ones were behind your disappearance and it turns out we were right,” Archer explained. “I wanted to know where they took you and no one would talk, so we gave them the motivation we thought they needed.”
“And did they tell you where I was?” I asked in a huff. “Did they say specifically say that Atticus had coordinated my kidnapping and was hiding me away in some secret underground lair?”
“Well…no,” Archer finally conceded. “We never did find out who took you but we made sure the message would get back to Atticus in any event.”
“You unnecessarily ‘motivated’ innocent people,” I frowned. “You say that taking your mate is an act of war, but what about torturing innocent Dark Ones? Atticus might see that as an act of war.”
“I don’t give a damn what Atticus thinks!” Archer suddenly roared. “He kidnapped you; MY WOMAN! Let him come at me. We had a hunch and it turned out to be correct. I had EVERY RIGHT to do what I did! And you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You DON’T take what is mine! And you especially do not fuck with the love of my life.”
I sat, stunned, as I stared at Archer. His eyes were completely white and his body was trembling with fury. I’d never, ever seen him so angry before. Archer in protective mode was a little scary, but I understood how he felt. If someone had kidnapped him, I would have done anything I could to find him. Maybe even use a little ‘motivation’ of my own, who knew, so I guess I shouldn’t have judged him.
“I…I don’t want you to retaliate for my kidnapping,” I whispered, suddenly worried that he would. He was beyond livid right now and unpredictable at best. “It’s over now. I’m home and I’m not going anywhere.”
“You don’t
get to dictate our course of action,” Ruarc shook his head. “You are a newborn and Archer is your leader. You obey him, not the other way around, and you need to get used to it. The Dark Ones knew full well what would happen when they decided to take you. This was planned and not some rash action by one of Atticus’ people. This was Atticus Frost himself who gave the order. We can’t overlook that. We do not appear weak in the face of our enemy, as it is forbidden.”
“Don’t be archaic, Ru,” I scowled, crossing my arms under my chest. “Vampire or no vampire I will not allow you to attack my father!”
“No one said anything about your father, Skye,” Jameson said gently from his couch.
“You attack Atticus and you attack my father,” I growled angrily, my eyes flickering completely black. “I don’t agree with what they did but I’ll be damned if you’re going to hurt him. I may have just met him, but he’s my family, Ruarc. Family means something to me, you know this. You go against him and you go against me.”
“This is exactly what they wanted,” Ruarc growled to Archer as he motioned to me exasperatedly. “Do you see? They’ve insured we cannot start a war with them without going up against one of our own.” He turned back to me and stared, his eyes losing focus as thoughts ran through his head. “She is the perfect killing machine, Fearchar. If she turns on us, we’re all dead.”
His assessment shocked me, so much so that my eyes flickered back to normal. “Ruarc,” I whispered as I got up from the loveseat and took a few steps toward him, “I would never, ever hurt my people. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Please Sir, I’m begging you…just let it go. It’s over. I didn’t get hurt and they treated me respectfully the entire time I was there. Atticus said that he’s not at war with you; that he’s worked hard his entire reign to change how Dark Ones think and act. He even said he was glad Amun was entombed because he started a war with the Day without thought to how it would negatively impact the rest of the Dark race. Atticus said that he’d lived past his time and gone crazy. He was as angry as we were! He may be your enemy, but he’s not really your enemy right now. Please. I know you don’t like me very much and I know that as a newborn I have no right to ask anything of you, but please consider what I’ve said. As God is my witness, it’s the truth.”
Ruarc leaned his head back, pursed his lips, and sighed. His eyes considered me for a silent moment before flashing over to Archer’s. Archer was staring intently at him and I could tell that Ruarc was silently talking to Archer. Archer would occasionally shake or nod his head, but I had no clue what Ruarc was saying to him. This was one of those moments where mind reading would have come in handy. Note to self: Seriously consider taking a sip from Archer in the near future.
“Fine,” Archer sighed, breaking the silence. He took my hand and pulled me to him. “Ruarc wants to be sure that what you say is true. He’s asked me to read you.”
I frowned and looked back at Ruarc. “I’m telling you the truth.”
“You could just be saying that to protect your father,” he said plainly, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why does no one ever believe me?” I scoffed, throwing my hands up. “I’m not your enemy, Ruarc. I never have been. Keep treating me like one, though. It never gets old.”
“Such sarcasm,” he smirked at Archer.
“Will you allow me to read you, baby?” Archer asked, lightly stroking my cheek with the back of one finger. I knew what he was doing; he was trying to soothe me and it was working.
I nodded my head and his eyes immediately bored into mine. My vision swam for a second as Archer gained access. The events of my Sacred Vow Ceremony flashed through my mind and before long, he’d searched my entire memory from then until now.
“Thanks, baby.” He kissed me soundly on the lips when he was done then turned to Ruarc. “She is telling the truth.”
Ruarc sighed and ran his hands through his dirty blond hair again. “If Archer agrees that retaliation is not needed, I will forgo my right to challenge.”
My eyes found Archer’s and he met my gaze with a fierce scowl. “I love you, Skye, and I will always fight for what is mine. If they ever, and I mean ever, take you from me again, I’ll kill them all,” he growled. “And if I happen to find out that your father was a part of it, I’ll kill him too…slowly. No one lays a finger on my mate.”
I swallowed hard at the harsh sound of his voice and nodded my head. “Thank you…and I’m sorry you were put in this position. My dad is the only Dark One I care about. I just don’t want him getting hurt.”
“What about Corvus?” Jameson asked with a smirk. “You don’t mind if he dies?”
“Corvus?” Archer growled, his head turning to Jameson. “What about Corvus? What do I not know?” His eyes then found mine again and I just shrugged. Okay, so maybe I was too chicken to tell him that Corvus and I had danced together at Les Oubliette. But, in my defense, it wasn’t like I knew he was Atticus Frost’s favorite son and future successor to the Dark Throne.
“Corvus and Skye met at your club the other night, too,” Jameson raised his eyebrows. “They danced to a few songs together.”
“Two songs,” I clarified, holding my fingers up as I shot daggers at Jameson; my eyes screaming ‘You are NOT helping matters here!’.
“Corvus Frost had his hands on you?” Archer growled, his eyes fading white again in anger.
“Honey, now calm down,” I said soothingly, putting a gentle hand to his chest. “I swear to you I didn’t know who he was. You know I wouldn’t have given him the time of day if I did.”
Archer closed his eyes and rubbed his temple as the muscles in his jaw visibly worked. Crap…he’s pissed. He had a right to be angry, but not at me. Thankfully, I didn’t think I was the target of that anger. I think he was just livid about my kidnapping and Dark Ones in general.
“Have you had a shower? Have you fed?” he asked, his eyes still closed.
“No.”
“Why don’t you take a hot shower and get changed,” he suggested calmly. “I’ll secure a feeder for you while you do.”
“Okay,” I sighed. A hot shower did sound good. I glanced over at Ruarc and tilted my head at him. “I never got to thank you for allowing Hagan to stay on with us. We all love having him around, so…thanks.”
“Hagan is quite fond of you, Skye,” he said, studying my face for a long moment.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I simply shrugged a shoulder. “Until the next crisis, Ru?”
“Until then, Morrison,” he smirked, finding some humor. “No more unsupervised dates with daddy, yeah?”
“You got it,” I winked and threw him a two finger salute before turning and heading down the hall and into the master bedroom.
I turned the water on to the Jacuzzi, added some essential oils, and started filling the tub as I got undressed. I’d had a busy twenty-four hours and couldn’t wait to relax and unwind. Throwing the black sweater dress away in the bathroom bin, I undid my hair then climbed in the water.
I didn’t remember falling asleep, but Archer’s gentle touch woke me up. “Are you okay, baby?” he asked softly as he ran the back of his finger down my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I said, taking a deep breath in through my nose. The bath water was noticeably cooler and Archer let some of the cold water out before starting the hot water again.
I held out my arms to him, wiggled my fingers, and silently beckoned him to join me. He smiled tiredly and started taking off his bloody tux. Some of the blood had soaked through his clothing and now stained his skin.
I soaped up the loofa and prepared to wash him as he stepped in and sat down in front of me. “You’re scary, you know that?” I commented as I moved to straddle his waist.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “Sorry. I get a little crazy when it comes to you.”
I silently took my time washing his neck, chest, and arms as he contentedly watched me. We were quiet for a long time and when I was finished washing him, he took the loofa from me and
soaped it up again so he could return the favor.
“We thought we’d lost you,” he whispered after a while, his eyes tortured.
“Oh, honey,” I tsked, reaching up to grab his face in both hands, “Like I told Jameson, not even the devil himself could keep me from you guys. You need to know that no matter what happens to me, I will always find my way back to you. It may take a while, but I always will.” I leaned down and gently kissed his lips before whispering, “You’re my home, Archer Rhys,” against them.
Archer briefly lifted my hips from his so he could slide into me. The full feel of him made me moan. “And you’re mine, Skye Morrison,” he whispered seriously as his ice blue eyes bored into mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my forehead against his as I began slowly rocking my hips. We stared into each other’s eyes and made slow love, savoring the feel of our bodies united as one again.
I didn’t know how much time had passed before a knock sounded at the door. “The donors are here,” Jameson called out.
Archer lifted his head from my neck and smiled up at me. “My turn,” he grinned wickedly and I bit the corner of my bottom lip and nodded my head. I was more than ready for him to take control of my body. I loved the way he fucked me and could never get enough of him.
Archer positioned me on my knees and had me face the side of the tub. He pushed my legs farther apart and slid into me from behind. “Get ready, baby,” he whispered in my ear as he reached behind him and I heard a click.
The jets in the tub came whirling to life and I gasped as one hit me at the apex of my thighs. “Oh, wow,” I moaned and he chuckled.
“Thought you’d like that,” he purred, trailing light kisses down the side of my neck. “Hold on baby, ‘cause it’s about to get better.”
He slowly withdrew his cock and slammed it back into me again; the simultaneous pressure of the jet and his fullness making me gasp and writhe. Archer quickly built up a steady, pounding pace that had me moaning uncontrollably as I got undeniable pleasure from both the front and the back. An orgasm was swiftly building inside of me and I knew it was going to be an absolute rager.