Corruption of the Heart (The Corruption Series Book 1)

by Jessica Manson

  “Latham snap out of it. I know my eyes are creepy. Can you please just focus on the problem at hand?” I turned to face Odin, “I think I have a spell that can help.” He looked at me as if to say ‘Don’t you think you have used enough spells for one day?’ I ignored the look he was giving me. “I can put the other guy to sleep. That can buy us some time.”

  “I don’t like it, but I guess we have no choice.” I wish I would have kept my mind closed so I couldn’t hear his thoughts. Anything is better than nothing. I have to clean up your mess once again. Why can’t you control what’s inside of you? Why can’t you be like the rest of us?

  “I don’t know Odin,” I snapped. “Do you think I want to be like this? Do you think I enjoy having to have you clean up my messes? Do you know how badly I wish I was like the rest of you? I long to be normal. To have control over whatever this is inside of me. What do you expect me to do when no one can even tell me what it is or how to control it?” I walked out of the bathroom leaving Odin with his jaw dropped.

  The other mover was waiting in the living room for his partner. I walked up behind him and leaned in so I could whisper in his ear.

  Awake by day, At rest by night,

  I thank the Gods, Turn out the light,

  I pray to thee, O holy one,

  Let him sleep, and his day be done.

  The guy instantly slumped to the side and began snoring. I walked back into the bathroom to check on the other guy. I bent down and began to chant:

  Stem the blood that is flowing through,

  Seal the wound with skin anew.

  As I command it, so mote it be.

  The bite marks on his neck suddenly healed. “The wound is headed but only on the outside. No one will ever know I bit him,” I said staring daggers at Odin. “See? I’m capable of cleaning my own messes.” I turned to Latham, “You go get the guys and y’all need to load the truck as quickly as you can. I don’t know how long that sleep spell will last. We can say that they worked so hard they both ended up passing out from exhaustion. Odin help me get this one into the living room. We can sit him next to his partner.”

  Once Latham left the bathroom Odin and I lifted the guy to carry him into the living room. “So how long have you been able to read our minds?” he asked.

  “A few weeks.”

  “And you didn’t think we needed to know that?” he snapped.

  “Why? So, everyone can think I am even more of a freak?”

  “We wouldn’t have thought that.”

  “Why don’t you ask Gunner what he would think if he knew I could read his mind?” I know exactly what Gunner thinks of me. He thinks I am a monster and I agree with him.

  “Gunner likes you he is just scared.”

  “Odin you don’t have to tell me what Gunner thinks of me. I can read his mind remember. I know what everyone in this house thinks, including you. Do you think it is fun for me? Do you know how hard it is to listen to seven guy’s thoughts all day?” We sat the guy next to his friend. He groaned then adjusted himself. Hopefully he would wake up soon.

  “Baby.” Odin grabbed my hand and pulled me into him, “I don’t want to fight with you. I was just surprised. It seems like you are gaining a new power every day. I was honestly shocked. You know you could have told me. You can tell me anything Lamia Mea.”

  “I know but Odin I don’t need everyone afraid of me. They are the only family that I have. If they find out that I can read their minds they will end up avoiding me like the plague. Promise me you won’t tell them.”

  “I promise baby,” he said, as he drew a cross across his chest. “Now come here.” He pulled me into him and kissed me softly. His lips were soft and full. He nibbled at my bottom lip. I moaned at the pleasure it caused me. I placed my hands on both sides of his head and pulled him closer into me deepening the kiss. I ran my finger down his chest. When I reached the bottom of his shirt I slipped my hand underneath tracing the muscles on his stomach. He took in a deep breath stopping the kiss. He rested his forehead against mine. “Lamia Mea,” he said with batted breath.

  “Hmm?” I asked running my fingers through the back of his hair not wanting him to let me go.

  “You make my body crave you with just a look or a touch. It longs to connect with yours constantly and when you touch me like that it drives me crazy. I love you baby with every part of me.”

  “I love you too Odin. Even when you piss me off,” I said smiling at him. We stood wrapped in each other’s arms just holding each other. It was nice to feel his warmth surround me. It made me feel like that maybe everything would eventually be okay. Maybe we would survive all that life has thrown at us. Maybe, just maybe, our love can conquer all.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The movers finally woke up and it took a lot of convincing to make them believe that they passed out from moving all of our stuff. Odin stuck to my plan and told them they passed out from exhaustion. Once they left the house we all headed for the hotel. I was excited about staying alone in the hotel with Odin before we got to Italy. This would be our last time alone for a while since he took it upon himself to invite everyone to live with us.

  Odin got us a suit, so we had a living room that separated from the bedroom. It was a very nice room. Everything was white with gold trim. There was a decent sized TV, but I hoped we wouldn’t be watching much of it. I checked out the bedroom finding it matched the living room. The bed was king sized and cozy looking. It had four large post that almost reached the ceiling. And it was covered in pillows.

  The bathroom was off of the bedroom. It had a separate shower and a two-person Jacuzzi tub. I would definitely be soaking in that later. The housekeeper had left us thick plush robes hanging in the bathroom. I ran my fingers along it to feel its softness. I couldn’t imagine wearing one. I wasn’t a robe type of person.

  Odin called me back into the living room of the suit. “Would you like to go out for dinner?”

  “Do you think it is safe?” I asked concerned that I night attack someone else.

  “I think you will be fine. You just fed, and you shouldn’t need to for a while.”

  I contemplated before saying, “Then I would love to.”

  “Good because we have reservations at seven.”

  “That’s in thirty minutes. I’m not ready.”

  “You better hurry,” he said playfully. I rushed into the bathroom and brushed through my hair. I added some mascara and lip gloss to my face. I dug through my duffle bag and tried to find something appropriate to wear. I had nothing. Who packs a nice dress when moving across the country? Ambi. I ran out of the bathroom and headed for the door of the suit. “Where are you going?”

  “To see Ambi. I’ll be right back.” Thankfully all of our rooms were on the same floor and Ambi was only a few doors down from us. I knocked but there was no answer. I knocked again and this time I heard someone moving around inside. “Ambi it’s me. Open up.”

  She finally came to the door. “What?” she asked out of breath and wrapped in a sheet.

  “I don’t mean to interrupt but do you have a dress I can borrow?”

  “For what?”

  “Odin is taking me to dinner and I didn’t pack for that.” She shut the door in my face without a word. Just as I was about to walk away she opened the door threw a dress and some heels at me and shut me out not saying anything. I took it and ran back to my room. I ran past Odin to get to the bathroom.

  I had to squeeze into the dress. It was so tight I could barely breath. The dress was black lace. It barely covered my thighs. The sleeves were long and see through. It had a sheer v neck that reached to my midsection exposing half of my breast. I looked at myself in the mirror and was shocked at how sexy I looked. The dress hugged my curves in all the right places. I slipped into the heels to complete the outfit. They made me stand at least six inches taller and made my legs look longer. At this height I should be able to reach Odin with no problems.


  Walking out of the bedroom I heard Odin catch his breath. “Donec Lamia.”

  “You like?” I teased.

  “Yes, I like.” He walked over and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Why don’t we just stay in and I can show you just how much I like it?” he said, as he started kissing my neck.

  I pushed him away, “No. You promised me dinner and I’m hungry. Now let’s go.”

  “Fine. But plan on me showing you later.”

  Everything about the night was perfect. Odin took me back to the first restaurant that he ever took me too. This time I didn’t feel out of place. The alone time with him was well needed. I haven’t laughed this hard since my parents were alive. He did everything perfectly right tonight and by the time dinner was over I was ready to get Odin back to the hotel room. This laid-back side of him made him extra sexy and my insides begged for his touch.

  Once we were back in the hotel room Odin covered my eyes and led the way for me. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in the bathroom. The room was lit by dozens of candles. There was a bath drawn and the water was still steaming. Rose petals lay on top of the bubbles in the bath. There was a chilled bottle of champagne with two flutes. I turned to look at Odin to show my appreciation, but he stopped me.

  He kept me facing forward and started unzipping my borrowed dress. He traced his finger down my spine sending heat pumping through my veins. He kissed me across the back of my shoulders. He pulled the dress down just enough to expose my breast. He caressed them from behind and started kissing me on the neck. I laid my head on his shoulder enjoying the feel of his hands on my body.

  He pulled the dress the rest of the way down and I stepped out of it. He took the heels off and grabbed my hand. He led me over to the tub and helped me step in. The heat from the water instantly relaxed me. Odin pulled his shirt off, the sight of his toned body made my insides scream for him. He pulled his pants and boxers off exposing himself to me. He was standing at attention ready for us to connect.

  He stepped into the bath and I scooted forward letting him sit behind me. When I leaned into him I could feel his hardness resting against my back. He lathered the loofah with soap and began washing my chest. When he washed my breast, he made sure to rub his thumb across my nipples causing me to moan in response. He pushed me forward, so he could wash my back. When he was done I turned and faced him. I straddled his lap and took the loofah from him. I washed his chest slowly while I looked into his eyes. They were filled with passion and want.

  I moved my hand lower washing his stomach, then I moved even lower. I took him in my hands never breaking eye contact. I rubbed him up and down causing him to growl in response to my touch. I leaned in and kissed him on the neck. He wrapped his hands in my hair cupping the back of my head. He pulled slightly on my hair sending my body into overload. I stroked him faster and kissed his body harder. “Lilith stop,” he whispered. I didn’t. “Lilith,” he moaned my name making me grip tighter to him.

  He grabbed my hand and pushed me off of him. He stood and got out of the tub. He grabbed me up and lifted me in his arms. He walked us into the bedroom and with soap still covering our bodied he threw me on the bed. He climbed on top of me and pushed my legs apart with his hips. He entered me forcefully causing me to cry out. He thrust in and out of me at a fast pace sending my body into a wild state of euphoria. The pleasure was intense. The electricity felt more intensified than ever before. I cried out his name and he growled. I was ready to explode so I ran my hands down his chest then around his back pulling him deeper into me. I dug my fingernails into his butt cheeks. He cried out my name as we came together. He lay down on his side beside me and pulled me into him to cuddle. We lay like that until we both fell asleep.

  ****

  I woke up to my phone ringing. When I answered it, I didn’t recognize the person on the other end. “Hello, Ms. Carson. I am Henry Tassel. I am a friend of your parents. I understand that you are now eighteen?”

  “Yes,” I said confused.

  “Good. Good. Is there somewhere we can meet. I have some very important business to discuss.” I let him know where I was staying and told him to meet me in the hotel restaurant for brunch. I didn’t know him and didn’t trust him. I wanted to be close to everyone if he tried anything.

  Odin was still asleep when I left so I left him a note telling him where I would be. I also stopped by Tristan’s room. I knocked and when he answered I told him what was going on. I asked if he would come down there and sit at a table next to me incognito just for safety precautions. He agreed and headed down before me, so it wouldn’t look like we were together. When I got there, I sat at the table next to Tristan and waited nervously. “Can you hear me Tristan?” I asked making sure he would be able to hear the conversation.

  “Yes. I can hear you just fine. I’m vampire remember.”

  “Oh yeah. I forget sometimes.” Tristan was becoming a really good friend to me. He was someone I trusted completely. I knew he was someone that I could confide in and trust he wouldn’t tell anyone.

  A short chubby bald guy walked in holding a briefcase and started talking to the hostess. I assumed it was Mr. Tassel. He looked around the restaurant and when he spotted me a big smile spread across his face. He ignored whatever the hostess was saying and walked over to me. “Ms. Carson, how lovely it is to see you again.”

  “Again?” I asked with no memory of ever meeting him.

  “Yes. You wouldn’t remember me though. You were just a baby the last time I saw you,” he said, as he sat still smiling at me. The waitress walked over to take our order. I wasn’t in the mood to eat so I just ordered orange juice.

  “Can you tell me how you knew my parents?’ I asked not wasting time getting down to business.

  “I was your father's best friend. I am also their legal representative. As I am also for you Ms. Carson.”

  “Please call me Lilith.” The waitress came back with my orange juice and his coffee. When she walked away I asked, “So what business did you need to discuss with me.”

  “Well, when your parents died they left you their inheritance. And you are eligible to receive it since you are eighteen now. I assume you knew that though.”

  “Yes. But I’m not sure what it is though.”

  “Well, Ms. Carson, I’m sorry Lilith, I am happy to tell you that you are now a very very rich woman.”

  “How so?” I asked.

  “Your parents left you a very large sum of money, including their house.”

  “You mean we still have our house?” I asked excited.

  “Your house mam’. But yes. The house was paid for by your parents and it has been sitting waiting for your return.”

  “And how much money did they leave me?”

  He flashed me another big smile and I nervously got a drink of my orange juice. “Well over ten million dollars.” I spit my juice on him.

  “I am so sorry,” I said, as I tried to hand him some napkins. “Ten million dollars?” I asked shocked.

  “Lilith your father was centuries old and had acquired a lot of money in that time. And all I need from you is a few signatures and you can have access to your money as soon as tomorrow.” He started pulling papers from the briefcase. Once he had the papers organized he instructed me where to sign. When I was done signing he handed me a bank card with my name on it. “This will be activated first thing in the morning. Here is my card, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call me. Do you have any questions for me now?”

  “Yes. I am moving to Italy tomorrow. Will this card work there?”

  “I will make sure that the bank knows you will be using it there.”

  “Thank you,” I said, still in shock.

  He clasped my hand in his before saying, “You are very welcome Lilith.”

  When he walked away I turned to Tristan. “Oh my gosh did you here all that?”

  “Holy shit Lilith. I think that is more money than Odin’s family has.
”

  “Hey can you keep this just between us for now?”

  “You’re not going to tell Odin?”

  “Yes. Eventually. I just need time to process all of this.”

  He smiled at me, “Okay your secret is safe with me.”

  “Thank you. Oh I forgot he said I have a house. What am I going to do with a house in Mississippi when I’m moving to Italy?”

  “Why don’t you get settled in Italy then in a few weeks we can come down and see what you can do about it?”

  “I wonder if my parent’s things are still there? And all of the things I had to leave behind that my aunt wouldn’t let me bring.”

  “Well it looks like we have an adventure in our near future.”

  “You would want to come with me? Have you ever been to Mississippi? You do know it is scorching hot down there?”

  “No I have never been there and of course I want to go with you. I don’t know if you know this or not but you are starting to become my best friend Lilith.”

  “That’s funny you would say that. I was thinking the same thing about you this morning. Now that the meeting is over with Mr. Tassel I’m hungry. Want to eat since we are already here?”

  “Sure,” he said, as he joined me at my table.

  “Mind if we join you?” Odin asked from behind me.

  I turned and looked at him, “Of course not,” I said, as he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. Dex, Brant and Latham followed behind him. “Maybe we should move to a bigger table.”

  While Odin went over to the waitress to get us a bigger table Ambi, Cal, and Gunner joined us. While we waited I walked over to Tristan. I needed to tell him not to say anything but I knew everyone would hear me even if I whispered so I decided to try something. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I looked at Tristan and started speaking to him in my mind. “Remember, don’t say anything about the money. If Odin ask about the meeting I am just going to tell him about the house.” Tristan looked at me with wide eyes. I shook my head for him to keep quiet. He nodded his understanding.