by Cecy Robson
My nipples hardened at the sound of his voice, and damn, he hadn’t even glanced my way. I tried to cover myself with my arms. My aroused scent filled the room, and everyone with a supernatural nose noticed. I just about begged God to kill me when they all gawked.
Bren burst out laughing. “Oh, shit. This is going to be good.”
“Ceel, cut it out!” Shayna admonished.
As if I had any control over it.
Aric’s growls struck the air like a raging wind. “What are you doing to her?”
Misha quirked a brow, his devilish grin widening despite his obvious surprise. “Nothing, I assure you.”
Danny cleared his throat, leaning close to speak softly. “Since he fed from you so deeply, your subconscious is associating him with, um, you know . . . climaxing.”
“But I was thinking about Aric the whole time,” I answered like a dumbass.
“It should fade soon.” Danny cleared his throat again. “I hope.”
“You hope?”
Liz continued to file her nails, unaffected. “It’s also because of your engagement.”
I righted myself, certain I misheard. “Aric and I aren’t engaged.”
Liz dropped her arms and shot me another one of her “boy, are you dumb” scowls. “I’m talking about you and the master. In allowing him to almost drain you, you and he triggered the engagement bond. You’ll be married by the next full moon.”
“What?”
I exploded in a stream of feathers. Everyone jumped and gasped. No one said anything until Bren finally spoke. “Your nipples are huge,” he said in awe.
“Screeech?”
I looked in the glass reflection of the fireplace and realized I’d changed into a bald eagle. I literally was bald. I had no feathers. Just a bird body . . . and large breasts with protruding nipples.
Emme gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh, my . . . goodness.”
My humiliation and anger surged. Around us, anything that wasn’t pinned down levitated and exploded with blue-and-white fire. Taran ducked and just missed getting hit with pieces from a ceramic pot. “Shit!” she screamed.
Danny’s head jerked from side to side. “Celia, Taran’s and Emme’s blood is affecting you. You have to calm down. You have to—” A flying breakfast quiche nailed him in the face.
It was chaotic. Aric lunged at Misha, swearing and threatening him as he pummeled the invisible force field. Shayna batted the flaming objects with a fire poker, sending them to explode inside the fireplace. Emme and Taran tried to help me. Emme found a blanket and threw it on me, blocking the objects flying around the room with her force. Taran did a lousy job. She ripped into me, demanding I calm the hell down. Bren—well, he just sat on the couch watching the commotion like it was the greatest movie ever made.
When things finally stopped exploding, Shayna, Emme, and Danny busied themselves with picking up my feathers and the broken objects off the floor.
I fired a stream of obscenities at Misha, but they all came out in bird. The egotistical son of a bitch had the nerve to chuckle. “Now, poopsie, don’t upset yourself so. None of this was intentional.”
I changed again, this time into the Cavalier King Charles spaniel—with breasts. Poopsie? Did you just call me poopsie? Do you think this is funny? You bastard! That’s the last time I save your pathetic bloodsucking ass. I can’t believe we’re engaged!
“Growl, bark, yip, yip, growl, woof, bark!”
You’d better wipe that damn smile off your face before I tear your throat out. You’re going to wish the Tribemaster finished you after I’m done with you.
“Bark, bark, growl, yap, growl, yip, woof!”
Liz rolled her eyes. “I’ll go get the friggin’ biscuits.” She left, but not before giving me one last annoyed look, as if everything was my fault.
Aric’s growls bordered two steps from murder. Danny approached him with his hands out. He whipped them back when Aric appeared ready to chew them off. “Aric, calm down. I’m sure there’s a way to fix this. I don’t think it’s official until they . . . ah . . .”
Aric paused from trying to kill Misha. His deep timbre fell several octaves. “Until they what!”
“Consummate their union,” Danny mumbled.
An icy menace chilled the air. Aric met Misha’s eyes. “Over my dead body.”
Knowing Aric felt threatened by Misha bothered the hell out of me. If I was engaged, it should have been to him. I whined to get his attention and wagged my tail when he lifted me wrapped in the blanket. My fuzzy head nuzzled his neck as I took in his scent and that wonderful heat that surged between us. I hadn’t recognized it for what it was, our connection as mates. Slowly my body changed into my human self once more. “Take me to the suite,” I whispered.
Aric carried me to the room, setting me down after he shut the door. I let the blanket drop to my feet. “Now take me to bed.”
• • •
Aric and I lay facing each other a long while later soaked with sweat. I continued to writhe from the effects of our lovemaking. “That was unbelievable.”
He smiled and played with my hair. “Yes, it was. I like that thing you do with your legs.”
“I could tell.” I huddled close to him and squirmed at the sound of his racing heart. “Aric, you were even louder than usual. Was that because you really enjoyed it or was that all for Misha’s sake?”
Aric answered with a sly smile.
“Aric!”
He climbed on top of me. “It was both, baby.” His grin faded. “I’m not sure whether I should leave you here.”
I pushed his dark hair away from his sweet baby browns. “Aric, I’m not marrying Misha.”
Aric shook his head. “It’s not only that. It’s about this whole shit with Virginia. I’m not buying she was the mastermind behind all of it. She sounds too unstable.”
A strange chill wiggled its way along my back despite how warm I felt with Aric against me. “Yeah. Neither am I. If she believed I was stealing Misha from her, I could see how she’d perceive that as the key to her destruction, especially because she lived and died for him. But the second part of that—the one that says I’ll also destroy all those it leads—doesn’t fit. Virginia didn’t lead anything. She was a one-woman psycho ward. The vampires had little to do with her.”
Aric growled. “So we’re back to square one. You not being safe.”
My fingers stretched down the strong muscles of his back. “Not necessarily. She’s no longer around to let the bad guys in or make me out to be the ultimate weapon.”
“Doesn’t matter, Celia. She fed the dark ones enough shit about you. Shit that became truth when you destroyed yet another Tribemaster.” He quieted while he thought things through. “This may still be the safest place for you. Regardless of that damn engagement the vampires think you’re a part of.”
“You know that’s not true, don’t you?”
Aric’s thumb passed over my bottom lip. “I do. But only because if you’re going to be engaged . . . it’s going to be to me. I want to marry you, Celia.”
Tears streamed down my face as I smiled. “I want to marry you, too, Aric.”
We kissed. A lot. The moment we stopped, he reached for the phone to call the house and asked to speak with Misha. “Hey there, Meesh. Your wife and I have worked up quite an appetite. How about you fix us some grub?”
CHAPTER 24
Aric was moon-called to meet with the Elders shortly after Misha hung up on him. It was actually a good thing since I didn’t want the whole situation to turn into another one of their pissing contests. We emerged from the bedroom holding hands to find several garment bags draped over the sage couch and shoe boxes stacked on the floor. Aric frowned.
I knelt to examine the shoes. They were all made of elegant satin varying in shades from stark white to deep ivory. Pea
rls embellished some while rhinestones sparkled the tips of others. All came in my size, but they weren’t mine. I shook my head. “I have no idea what this is about, wolf.”
He shrugged. “Crazy leeches.”
I stood and squeezed his hand. “Don’t be mean. Annoying as they may be, those crazy leeches helped save my life.”
He gathered me in his arms, growling something indiscernible. I stopped him by brushing my lips against his. I leaned against him the entire way to his Escalade. “I wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“I know, baby. But you have my word—one day we’ll never know a night without each other.”
I kissed him one last time and watched him drive through the gates. I hoped he was right, but the demands of his Elders made me worried he’d have to go lone to keep his promise. I wrapped my arms around myself and returned to the guesthouse, hoping to track down Emme. I found her sitting in the garden next to one of the carp ponds. Fresh snow covered the area around her. My beast, sweater, and jeans kept me warm, but the thin suede jacket Emme wore didn’t seem like enough to protect her petite frame. “Emme, what are you doing sitting out here by yourself?”
She smiled. “I wanted to give you and Aric privacy. I realize your moments together are brief.”
“Thank you, but I don’t like that you’ve been out here alone.”
“I haven’t been by myself long. I walked back to the house with Misha and the others. Ha-Hank kept me company.”
I blinked at her a few times. “Hank was with you?”
“Yes. I left him so he could eat. He’s ravished considering he’s had to grow back his limbs.” Her cheeks turned pink. “Celia, why are you looking at me that way?”
I drummed my fingers against my arms, feeling my muscles tighten. “I’m just a little surprised Hank would make an effort to be nice.”
“I—I used to think he was elitist, but he was very kind to me just now.”
Hank, kind? No. Horny, yes. Annoying, ditto. But nice? Something was up. Hank and his buds had never been welcoming of me or my sisters. After saving Misha, I thought I’d finally earned his respect, and probably his trust. Emme’s interaction with him had been limited at best. “Did he try anything with you—make a move, cop a feel, try to bite?”
“No, no, of course not. He was a total gentleman.”
“Hank” and “gentleman” went together about as well as “venomous snake” and “cuddly.” Emme’s demeanor also freaked me out. She was typically timid around others, but not so much around her family. “Emme, why are you blushing?”
She shrugged. And her blush deepened. “It’s just been a while since I’ve had a guy look at me. Liam usually scares anyone senseless who tries.”
“Hank was checking you out?” I shuddered. Help me, Obi-Wan, Lassie’s fallen down a well.
“I don’t know . . . maybe.”
With her soft blond waves and her Natalie Portman face, Emme had the whole pretty-girl-next-door thing going for her. Hank was a vampire, and in this world vampire equaled hotness. I wasn’t blind. I knew Hank was attractive. But Hank was an asshole who frequently engaged in assholeish behavior. And can anyone find someone like that sexy?
My sister was smaller than me by a few inches and several pounds. She wasn’t physically strong—she couldn’t even open a damn jar of spaghetti sauce. And while her gift made her a formidable opponent, her naïveté could get her into trouble with someone like Hank. Part of my protectiveness related to her breakup with Liam. I loved Liam. He would’ve died protecting her. Hank . . . not so much. That moron would use her as a human shield without thinking twice. I groaned and rubbed my eyes. Could she really be interested in Hank? Like Liam, Hank had that bad boy image going for him. Liam was all image, though. Hank actually was a bad boy. I’d seen some of the girls he’d been with. The guy was downright naughty.
“Emme, I know you might be feeling lonely right now . . .”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Celia, don’t—just . . . don’t.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” I hugged her. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
My muscles twitched when I scented a vampire approach. “Maria is coming,” I whispered. Emme probably needed a good cry, but she wouldn’t want to do it in front of the good Catholics. She quickly wiped her face and turned away.
A beautiful champagne gown draped Maria’s statuesque figure, and her hair was piled in an elaborate twist. I wondered where the hell she was going.
She traced her free hand down her body as if admiring herself and swirled the wine she held in her opposite hand. The slit in her dress ran the length of her left thigh; one false move and it would tear past her hip. “Sorry to interrupt girl time and all. But de master would like you to join him for dinner in de solarium as soon as you are ready.”
I thought I misheard. “Why in the solarium? I thought he only used that space for special occasions?”
Maria huffed and pointed into the sky toward the full moon. “It is a special occasion. It is your goddamn wedding reception!” She stormed down the slate walkway muttering in Portuguese before I could formulate a response. Emme stumbled back into the stone bench. Her shocked expression no doubt mirrored mine.
“Did she just say my wedding reception?”
Emme nodded, unable to speak. I grabbed her hand and led her back to the guesthouse. After I found my suitcase, I filled it like I was helping Mrs. Mancuso pack for a one-way trip to hell.
“Celia, what are you doing?”
“We have to get out of here, Emme. I can’t deal with this.”
“What about the attempts on your life?”
Compared to what possibly awaited me inside the house, death threats and scary monsters didn’t sound so bad. “Emme, I can’t see Misha right now.”
“Why? You need to straighten him out and tell him you’re not married.”
I glimpsed down at my already stiff nipples. “Look, whatever happened when he sucked me dry has affected my body. It’s not being reasonable. What happens if my mind goes next? I don’t want to be shipped off to Transylvania on a honeymoon.”
Emme smiled at me gently. “Celia, you’ll be fine. You’re in love with Aric.”
It must have been a beautiful, magical place inside Emme’s head. I almost told her to give Tinker Bell a shout-out for me. “Emme, vampire magic remains foreign to me. I don’t know what it can do or even if it can compel me to do something against my will. Look at me—my body is already reacting. I don’t want to risk hurting either Aric or Misha.”
Emme clasped my hands. “Celia, you have to face him. He needs to know that no amount of blood draining or vampire magic will allow you to betray Aric.” She squeezed my hands. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you.”
Emme was right. I needed to kick this marriage thing in the virtual ass. “Okay, but whatever you do, don’t leave us alone.” I stalked toward the main house with Emme at my heels. I couldn’t run from Misha. I always faced my fears. Why should this be any different? I tried to picture Misha in my head just to mentally prepare myself. All it did was tighten my twins further. I worried they’d snap off from the stress by the time I saw him.
Aric’s aroma remained embedded on my clothing. I took a strong whiff from my sleeve before entering the brightly lit kitchen. His scent helped me relax. We walked through the house and into the solarium. I stopped beneath the grand archway and swore under my breath. An orchestra, complete with a maestro, performed classical music for the elegantly dressed mob of vampires. I recognized some of the out-of-towners from the gala.
I couldn’t believe how quickly the entire shindig had been thrown together. White roses and garlands hung from the ceiling. Long-stem candles in crystal candelabras illuminated the gold table linens and place settings with a subtle glow. Dazed and overly smiley waiters snaked their way between the guests carrying champagne flutes filled to the br
im.
Edith Anne, Agnes Concepción, and Liz dressed in a similar gown as Maria and expensive tiaras topped off their glamorous French twists. They were red carpet ready, aside from the scowls on their faces. They pounded toward us, ready to kick some nuts.
“Celia, for the love of all that is sacred, what the hell are you wearing?” Liz demanded.
My nerves were already on edge. I was in no mood for her rants. “Jeans, a sweater, and UGGs,” I answered stiffly.
Edith stomped her feet like they were on fire. “It’s your damn wedding celebration! Why didn’t you put on one of the dresses we left you?”
My fangs protruded without my consent. “It’s not my reception because I’m not married!”
“Yes. You. Are!” Liz hissed. “I told you back at the guesthouse that you’d be married by the next full moon.” Like Maria, she pointed to the moon. It gleamed back at me through the glass ceiling as if mocking me.
Liz whirled and turned her anger on Maria. “Didn’t you tell her we were celebrating her marriage to the master?”
“Of course I did.” Maria swept her hand dismissively in the air. “But you know how she is.”
Agnes scowled at me and adjusted her librarian glasses. “It appears we should have sent in reinforcements.”
I clenched and unclenched my fists. The time had come. I was going to kill them. “You know, I’m really sick of your bitchy attitudes. I helped save Misha and this is how you repay me?”
Liz waved her arms dramatically around the room. “No—this is how we repay you.”
I glanced at the ceiling. Dear God in heaven, please stop me from staking the schoolgirls.
Emme’s eyes danced to each one of them. “Why are you all dressed the same?”
Agnes bent forward to get in her face. “Why wouldn’t we be? We’re her best friends.”
Edith hissed. “Who the hell else would be her bridesmaids?”
Emme’s lip pouted down to her toes.
I slapped my hands over my head. “Emme, don’t look at me that way! None of this is real. If it was, you, Taran, and Shayna would be my bridesmaids.”