Crimson, Volume 1

by Sax Alexander

  “I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with you yet,” Mordecai replied. “I’m actually on the way to my ranch. I’ve hung up my weapons and plan on living out my days staring into the sea, and raising cattle who’ll fatten on the lush coastal grasses. I’ve dreamed of this for—” He cut off his sentence and turned from her.

  “Must be nice to be free—to own your own land,” Seri commented. Someday I’d like to own my own plot of land. Maybe own my own business. A dress shop would be divine. She’d always been good with a needle and thread. These were things she hoped to accomplish for herself in the future. If she could convince Mordecai to help her escape.

  Chapter Five

  Mordecai clamped his lips tight. He’d almost spilled his guts to this woman whom he’d known less than a day. He had some invisible draw toward her. Some need to be close to her. Not only could he not keep his gaze from her, he was having difficulty not drawing her back into his arms. This time not to play with her as a cat plays with a mouse, but to plunge his cock deep inside her wet, hot pussy and bury his head between those soft, delectable breasts. She was still unclothed in his room, and the temptation to take her now was draining him.

  His erection pushed through the opening of his pants, the head of his cock exposed. When Seri had come into his room, he’d been about ready to disrobe and climb into bed. With her interruption, then Bart’s, he’d not had time to refasten them and make himself decent.

  Mordecai looked over to see Seri staring at him. The deep, primal hunger he felt could be seen in her eyes. Maybe she’s the one I’ve been waiting all these centuries for. Could it be? Her blunt, forward attitude mixed with the hint of vulnerability both intrigued and satisfied him unlike any other woman he’d been with for some time. He liked a feisty woman who wasn’t afraid to take control. It was not something women of this century, or the last, were prone to exhibiting. There had been a few...but he’d been occupied with his job. Bounty-hunting rogue vampires in the cover of darkness had always been foremost on his mind.

  Seri took a step toward him. Her gaze held a flirtatious glint. With one swift movement, she flung the quilt over the footboard of the bed. Naked and shameless before him, he watched in fascination while she ran her fingers over the tips of her breasts. Her rosy nipples became erect with the pressure. Her lips formed a wide smile, and his gaze followed her fingers as they traveled lower to the thatch of cinnamon curls nestled between her legs.

  She inserted two fingers into the dark, wet hole he’d tasted earlier. His mouth watered as he remembered her sweetness. A soft moan erupted from her lips and her eyes closed, head tilted to the side while she pleasured herself with shameless abandon.

  How I’d enjoy sinking my teeth into the velvety softness of the gentle curve of her neck, he thought as he stepped forward and reached for her. His cock was hard and rigid. The tip glistened with pre-cum.

  “Seri, you’re a wildcat,” he whispered into her hair as he pulled her against his chest.

  He let out a groan into her shoulder as her warm, soft hand grasped the length of his shaft. With her other hand, she jerked on his pants until they fell to the floor around his ankles. He buried his face into the crook of her neck. Her scent, mild and earthy, was intoxicating. The urge to bury his fangs into her smooth, supple flesh was overwhelming to his senses. Stop, his mind screamed. Not yet!

  He then felt her lips and tongue—soft like the finest of silk—glide over his chest, his nipples, then across his abdomen, and lower still. She positioned herself on her knees before him. When her hot, wet tongue ran the length of his shaft, his whole body jerked in response. He cupped her face in his hands to guide her. She swirled her tongue around the ridge of his cock, then slid the tip into the slit at the head and began to suck him to sweet oblivion. She moaned when she took the whole length of him into her mouth, the vibration and heat of her mouth sending his mind into a frenzy.

  Seri gripped Mordecai’s hips in her nimble hands, nails digging into his flesh. The pain, though mild and insignificant, sent him over the edge, and he began to lose control. He tried to push her away, but she held tight, swallowing his ejaculate with relish.

  Depleted, he let out a satisfied sigh. “Woman—you are something else.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, standing. Her mouth still glistened with his cum, and her small pink tongue that had worked magic on him moments ago wiped away all traces of it when she ran it over her lips.

  “I’m not through with you yet.” She smiled and reached for his hand.

  “You’re a bad girl, Seri. The punishment may be severe,” he told her.

  “That’s what I’m hoping for,” she replied.

  Chapter Six

  “Follow me.” Mordecai pulled her toward the bed. “I want you to lay down with your arms above your head.”

  “As you wish,” she replied.

  She stretched out on the quilt, hands above her head as he’d requested. Her back was arched just enough to thrust her breasts into the air. The sight made him hard once more. His cock throbbed and balls ached for release while he looked for what he needed among his belongings.

  A mortal woman hasn’t worked me up this much in a long time. He could honestly say for centuries. He found the length of rope he searched for in his saddle bags. It came in handy on the trail for a variety of reasons. The most frequent being for tying criminals and keeping them contained.

  When he returned to the bed, Seri’s eyes popped open. Their brown depths full of wonder and desire. A seductive grin graced her lips.

  “What have we here?” She propped herself on an elbow to face him. A strand of her soft hair fell over her shoulder, and he reached for it and pulled the wayward tress back once more. He wanted to be able to see all of her.

  “Arms above your head,” he commanded again and guided her onto her back. He leaned over her, his chest grazing the tips of her nipples as he reached for her hands. The catch in her breath with the brief contact of skin on skin brought a smile to his face.

  “That’s a girl.” He straddled her while he tied her wrists together above her head. Task complete, he stared down into her eyes. Their color deepened with passion, and her lips slightly parted. He leaned in to taste her mouth.

  He teased and taunted her with his tongue, searching the deep recesses of her yielding mouth.

  “Bad girls must pay,” he told her. He shifted his body lower, so now he had access to her breasts. Slowly and leisurely, he swirled his tongue around her dusky pink areolas, then proceeded to suckle one pink nipple, then the next.

  “Oh,” she gasped beneath him with a wild buck of her hips.

  He increased the suction and gently nipped at her tips. She writhed and squirmed, head moving from side to side. His hand slid down her abdomen, her skin soft and supple under his work-worn palm. He stroked the soft curls between her legs, a few moments before letting his fingers slide between the slickened lips of her sex.

  Encouraged by her wetness, he entered two fingers into the hot depths of her center. With each thrust, her breaths became faster, shallower.

  “Take me, now,” she begged.

  “All in good time. Patience, Darlin’,” he whispered into her chest. “This will be a punishment you’ll never forget.”

  With those words, she let out a whimper, but no more words escaped her lips. Her eyes were now closed, and her small pink tongue circled her mouth before she bit down on her lower lip. To hold in a scream, he was sure.

  “I can’t wait to taste you once more. You’re sweet as honey, Seri.” He moved his body so he had direct access to her center. “Spread your legs wide, Darlin’.”

  She obeyed, and he rewarded her with a string of kisses down the tender flesh of her inner thigh. With each kiss, she quivered, but did not call out. The soft, musky scent that was hers alone invaded his senses as he lowered his head between her legs.

  Ah yes, she’s just as sweet as I remember. With that thought he began to suck on her nub,
her juices covering his lips and chin. She moaned and jutted her hips toward him. He grabbed her supple buttocks with his hands to steady her while his tongue darted into her hottest recesses.

  “Please—I can’t take any more.” Her words were fierce as she bucked and wiggled in his hands.

  “All right then, you’ve tolerated your punishment well.” He rose above her once more. Pre-cum leaked from his swollen tip, leaving a wet, warm trail along her stomach. Her body was damp with perspiration, her breaths a fast pant.

  He kissed her lips with gentleness while he quickly untied her hands. Once free, she raked her nails down his back, then pulled his body next to hers.

  “Take me now,” she demanded.

  “Yes, Darlin’...”

  He straddled her legs and held himself steady with his arms at her shoulders. He slid the tip of his shaft into her sopping pussy, then retreated. He teased the outside of her wet lips before plunging himself deeper into her core. He repeated the motions, unable to hold back a groan, his breath catching in his lungs. Her heat was all-consuming. She thrust her hips toward him with each consecutive thrust. He no longer knew where he ended or she began. They were one, climbing the edge of ecstasy.

  Seri began to paw and dig her nails into his flesh before she let out a scream of release. Her body shuddered below him. His own release followed, and he pulled out before he filled her with his seed. His fangs dropped as he fought to control himself. I need her. The blood rushed through her veins, a low hum in his ears that called out to him. He lowered his head and nipped at the tender flesh near her jugular.

  “What are you doing?” Panic crept into her voice. She gave his chest a hard push with her hands.

  He pulled back, and his fangs retracted. He couldn’t do this to her, he liked her too much.

  “I apologize, I got carried away.” He rolled to the side of her and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Who are you?” she asked calmly, propping herself up on an elbow again. Her eyes narrowed on him, brows raised in question.

  He cleared his throat. Should I tell her?

  She appeared at ease in his presence. She’d never shown any fear toward him since the moment he’d met her. Their bodies fitted together to complete the missing link in his life. She’s the one I’ve waited for. He’d never been surer of anything in his life.

  “I shouldn’t tell you—I don’t even know where to begin...”

  “You’re different,” her voice came out a whisper. His ears strained to hear what she’d say next.

  She continued to stare at him with no signs of anger, or even fear, for that matter. Her face appeared thoughtful, if he gauged her correctly.

  “I saw you earlier with your lover in the saloon. I was hidden beside a dresser in the room, listened while you made her cry out with intense pleasure. I watched in silence and wished it were me in your arms. But then, when you were through, you took her in your lap and nuzzled her neck. I saw what you did. You have fangs, and you drank from her neck until you were sated. I was mesmerized when you brushed away the last drops of blood that threatened to spill down her chest... What are you? The devil?”

  Mordecai wasn’t surprised she’d been in that room. He’d sensed a presence at the time, but had been otherwise preoccupied in the throes of passion with Celia.”I’m not the devil.” He proceeded with caution. Will she be turned away, scared by what I’m about to reveal?

  “I travel most of the time under the cover of darkness to avoid suspicion and people’s questions. My sweet Seri, I am what is called a vampire. I survive by drinking the blood of others. I don’t hurt or maim as other vamps do in this world. As a bounty hunter, I’ve traveled the world in search of rogue vamps that hunt the night and have brought thousands to justice.” He paused a moment and searched the depths of her stunning brown eyes. “I’ve retired my position and plan to head northwest toward the sea. I plan to become a simple rancher and lead a peaceful life from here on out.”

  Seri remained quiet beside him, her features drawn tight with strain as if she were deep in thought. I don’t want to lose you, ran through his mind as he waited for her response.

  “Is there really a bounty on my head?” she asked.

  “None that I know of. I just said that to satisfy your brother-in-law so he’d leave.”

  “They’ve branded me a witch since my husband’s death. I no longer have any home or family that I care to speak of. I’ll be hanged if I return to my husband’s property,” she stated matter-of-factly, her expression stilled and serious.

  He expected the worst by her change of mood.

  “Will you take me with you?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

  Mordecai looked into her face. Did I hear right?

  He answered her question by pulling her into his arms and branding her lips with a kiss.

  “I’ll take you with me, Sweetheart. I don’t think I could leave you behind after what we’ve just shared. There’s a connection between us, one I’d like to find out more about.”

  “Will you turn me into a vampire, so I’m like you?” she asked, eyes full of wonder. On her lips was a smile, her face now determined.

  “All in good time, Seri, all in good time,” he replied. With those words, he pulled her body next to his. “We should rest.”

  ***

  Seri awoke to an empty room. Moonlight still streamed through the window, casting eerie shadows across the wooden floor. Momentary panic gripped her. Did he leave me? The thought made her heart ache. No, he said he couldn’t leave me behind. Anticipation began to build at her core with the knowledge she’d be traveling west with Mordecai. There was a strange, but satisfying connection they’d shared, and it had linked them together last night.

  Seri sat on the edge of the bed. Gooseflesh covered her forearms with the loss of heat from the blankets. She reached for her discarded clothes next to the bed and quickly pulled them on, yanking her hat down over her forehead. Curious where he might have gone, she stood and walked to the window.

  Below in the empty street, he stood with two horses behind him. Their gazes met, and Mordecai gave her a nod. He’s waiting for me. Her heart swelled with happiness at the knowledge. With one last look around the darkened room, memories of the previous night flashed in her mind. I wouldn’t mind more nights like this!

  In the street, Mordecai gave her a devilish grin when she reached his side. “Ready?” he asked.

  Seri looked him over. He stood tall, confident before her. “I’m ready,” she replied. He handed her the reins to a dark bay mare, then mounted his own gelding. Seri swung her leg over the saddle with ease and met his thoughtful gaze.

  “Let’s ride.” Mordecai smiled at her before spurring his horse’s sides.

  “Let’s ride.” She nodded and nudged her mount to follow suit.

  Hunting Grounds

  by

  Brantwijn Serrah

  Hunting.

  It is different for each of my kind. For some, it is simply the instinctual act of predation over others, for some it is a sadistic pleasure, and some, a seductive indulgence. I know a vampire for whom it is merely the process by which one finds sustenance—there is no emotion involved, no excitement, no anticipation. She might as well be perusing the pantry shelves and taking down the least unappetizing fare she finds there. Different for each of us.

  To me, there has always been more to hunting than the mere act of feeding on a mortal’s throat. It is a delicate art. Each victim I choose becomes my beloved—I watch him. I study his movement, his lines, and the turn of his step. I memorize the gentle shape of his jaw, the heft of his shoulders, the graceful curve of his spine, his hips, his thighs. I engage him in a subtle dance, slowly at first, testing his anticipations, his expectations of me, my hunger and desire.

  I do not kill quickly. I do not feed like a savage beast upon his throat. It is always a journey, a map slowly unfolding between us, an understanding building in silent glances, forbidden possibilities, inquisitive explo
ration, intimate discovery.

  Tonight I have found a new victim.

  He is beautiful.

  ***

  I chanced upon the young Spanish boy by accident. My duties to the vampire courts brought me to Spain occasionally, and during such visits I find I can trust the crowds at the Malaga Plaza de Toros to supply me with suitable candidates on which to feed. This night, however, I was not near the bullfighting arena, and this boy caught my eye in a curiously different venue. I found him in the market street perusing ripened fruit and shapely gourds with his two younger sisters. I could easily presume the three were related. They shared the same fair, subtly caramel skin, the same sharply Romanesque noses, the same rich, dark, softly ruffled hair.

  He caught my eye, standing beside the two girls as they tested the produce before them. He was blithely unconcerned. He stood apart from them, watching the crowd around him with some boredom, some youthful impatience, as though he wished he could be elsewhere. I was fairly certain from his age and disposition that I could guess where that elsewhere might be. From my vantage point—I watched them from across the way, standing at the entrance to an alleyway between two rapidly livening establishments—I could see the street lamps catching the amber-brown depths of his eyes and turning them into smoldering coals in the night. His lips were full and beautiful, his face clean-shaven and young. I was very well used to the feeling he stirred up in me; without a word exchanged between us, I knew he was for me. I desired him—every part of him—with a sweet, and even a little painful, hunger.

  Soon his sisters were finished with their errands, and the three of them hurried off into the crowd. I did not follow. I am a patient predator, after all. I was willing to leave this dance with my beloved up to the hands of fate. I somehow knew—I often did—that my handsome boy would return to me a little later. Perhaps when the night had stretched its beautiful wings a little more, when its seductive murmur had deepened to a purr, when the market was slower and the pubs more alive.