Connor flew back to the fire and found Evan, white-faced, sitting in the dirt, but with a powerful arm wrapped around Iris’s throat. He was trembling from the pain he was in, yet he still had control of her. The black cloud boiled above them.
“You come near me, and I’ll snap her neck.”
One of the remaining vampires suddenly attacked Connor, throwing him into the dirt on his back. Before Connor could move, the vampire landed on his chest and began punching him, in rapid blows. Hopped up on flame as the vampire was, each strike carried unbelievable weight.
Connor tried to move but couldn’t.
Iris, he called to her from his mind. He didn’t expect anything to return, but he made the effort anyway. The blows began to feel soft, which meant he was sliding into unconsciousness.
He had to do something. Iris would die otherwise. And Evan would probably torture her.
The vampire sitting on him was breathing hard and stopped punching. It took work to beat the shit out of someone and druggies by nature of their addiction usually weren’t in the best shape.
The silver streaks in Iris’s spell came to mind. He and Iris had connected in a way he suspected was very similar to Evan and his witch. He focused on Iris, on her witchness, on how much he could sense what she was feeling.
Her voice entered his mind. Try my killing power, Connor.
How? Was he really communicating with her telepathically?
He heard Evan’s voice. “Your boyfriend is dying. Look. The vampire is using his smarts. He’s picked up a rock.”
Connor knew the time had come or this would be his last breath. He thought back to how he’d felt when he’d fed from Iris and he let that sensation flow through him once more.
Power began to race down his right arm, vibrating with what had to be a witch’s killing energy.
The drunk vampire lifted the rock and at the same time, Connor rose up, surrounded his neck with his hand and pressed two fingers into the base of the vampire’s skull. The killing energy flowed.
The vampire froze, eyes wide. The rock fell to the ground beside Connor and the vampire slumped over, dead.
Connor jumped to his feet, ready to take on the last of the drugged out crew. But he was so wasted, he sat and stared at the fire, oblivious.
That left Evan. But when he turned in Iris’s direction, she lay on the ground. Alone. Had Evan killed her?
He looked around, waiting for Evan or his witch to strike, but both were gone. So was the spell. He thought he understood. The witch had been forced to use her energy to save Evan and couldn’t engage in battling either of them. She’d no doubt hauled Evan away to heal him.
In the distance, he saw another vampire heading toward him, but it was Vaughn. Connor could finally breathe.
He turned all his attention to Iris. He knelt beside her and checked to see if she was still breathing. She was, thank God.
He gently felt along each arm and leg to see if anything was broken, but she was okay.
He picked her up, cradling her with her head against his chest then turned to face his brother in arms. “Did Lily send you?”
Vaughn nodded. “But only after your witch called her.”
He was taller than Connor, at least six-six. He had steel gray eyes, straight black brows and wore his hair clipped close to the sides, tattoos on his scalp. Like Connor, he wore a black tank and leathers.
Vaughn scowled as he dipped his chin in Iris’s direction. “So what’s going on here?”
Connor saw Vaughn’s mistrust. He told him everything, start to finish, including the fact he’d slept with Iris and if he survived whatever this was, he planned to continue being with her.
Vaughn looked appalled then confused. “I sort of get it. I mean, it sounds like she’s saved your ass a couple of times.”
“She has, but it’s more than that.” He glanced down at her. She was still unconscious. “I’m in love with her. And we share some kind of bond I can’t explain. The weird thing is, I think Evan and his witch are connected in the same way.”
Vaughn shook his head and waved both his hands in front of Connor. “I’m sorry. This is too fucking much. Her kind has taken out how many of our friends with that killing power they have?”
“I know.” It was a lot to process and he didn’t expect Vaughn to come around based on Connor’s sudden professed love for a witch.
Vaughn pivoted to take in the scene. “So, where is Evan? You said you gutted him? The vampire should be dead.”
“I know, but I think his woman took him away.”
“Did you see her?”
“No. She’d be-spelled the entire area.” Connor told him about the wind that kept hitting him and knocking him out of stride.
Vaughn scrubbed his fingers through his thick black hair, which he kept short on top. “I’ve called in a couple of our men. They’ll be here in a few and we’ll take care of this mess.” He offered a half-smile. “You need some healing time, my friend, because you should see your face.”
Connor could only guess since it was swollen all to hell. “No doubt. But could you do one thing for me?”
“Sure.”
“My weapons are on the bridge.”
“I’ll be right back.” Vaughn launched into the air and returned half-a-minute later with the Glock and the short-sword in hand.
Because Connor had his arms full, Vaughn slid the Glock back into its holster, then carefully returned the sword to its sheath.
Connor thanked him and exchanged once last dip of his chin, then rose in the air and headed south toward Elegance.
***
When Iris woke up, she was in Connor’s arms and flying. Evan hadn’t killed her after all. She didn’t think he was physically able to at the end. He’d been losing blood and strength.
Her attention, however, hadn’t been focused on him, but rather on the series of blows Connor had taken to his face by the vampire sitting on his chest.
She couldn’t believe the moment when Connor had touched her mind. She’d told him the only thing she could think of, that he should try and engage her killing power.
And he had!
A miracle was going on between them and it was beyond her comprehension. She released a heavy sigh.
And suddenly, his thoughts were there, inside her mind again. How are you feeling?
It seemed like such a simple thing to respond with telepathy. Better thanks. Are you okay?
I will be once the swelling goes down and I get rid of this headache.
Evan didn’t cut you, then? When he had you on the bridge?
No. He had other plans. He wanted me to watch those vampires molest you.
He’s insane.
I’d have to agree.
But you hurt him. Do you think it’s possible he died?
Connor didn’t respond right away. I don’t know. That witch has a lot of power.
She sighed once more.
We’re almost home.
She couldn’t help but smile that he said ‘we’. She loved it. However, she was worn out from the stress of battling the vampires and not knowing when and where either Evan or the witch would strike. She was intensely relieved, however, that they’d made it out alive.
She rubbed his chest and his shoulder. Aloud, she said, “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He began to slow and the next thing she knew he was descending into her garden. He sat against the tree as he’d done before. Only this time, she could feel him embracing the healing of her Sissoo, her shrubs and her plants almost as fully as she was.
Glancing up at him, she saw that he leaned his head against the trunk and his eyes were closed. She watched as the swelling began to dissipate quickly.
Her own wounds were very minor, just the bruising from being handled roughly.
When she felt restored, she looked up at the spell and saw that the silver streaks belonging to Connor were even more prominent and that made her smile. “You’re having an effect on this house, you know.”<
br />
“What do you mean?”
“Look at the spell.”
After lifting his gaze, he chuckled. “Making my mark.”
She thought back to seeing Evan again for the first time in nine or so years. And all this time, he’d been living as a vampire in Five Bridges.
Connor had been right; he wasn’t really interested in justice. He’d become a killer. Maybe his grief had begun the process, but the alter had taken his unbalanced mind the rest of the way. Being with a dark witch hadn’t helped.
“Thinking about Evan?” Connor’s voice rumbled against her ear.
“Yes.”
“Me, too. He could have killed me on the bridge. He had his sword at my throat.” He related what had happened while she’d been attempting to hide out.
“So, why didn’t he?”
“The fun’s not in the killing, but in the torture. He wanted me to see you hurt by those vampires. That was where his pleasure lay.”
“You’re right. He was bleeding badly from his abdomen, but he sat up and forced me to watch you being hit.” She thought for a moment. “And I agree with you. I don’t think he’s dead either.”
“Probably not. His witch is no doubt healing him as we speak. Although it seems like an oxymoron, a dark witch healing anything.”
Iris smiled. “I don’t think the worst of the witches are about defining anything as good or bad, only what serves their self-interest. Death can be of use to them, so can life. It’s a twisted moral system.”
“You’re right.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’m almost healed up myself, but I’m sitting in wet leathers and I’d like to get out of them.”
“Of course.” She rose to her feet, though she already missed cuddling with him.
She had it bad.
He took her hand. “How about we get cleaned up together?”
There was a look in his eye as he led her through the open French doors of the bedroom, into the hall, and across the threshold of the way-too-small bathroom.
She smiled as she stripped off her hot-pink t-shirt and savored the way his gaze settled heavily on the mounds of her breasts. She put her hands beneath them and pushed them up and together, creating a deep line of cleavage.
He groaned. He’d been unbuttoning his leathers, but apparently couldn’t refuse her invitation. He slid his hands behind her back, dipped his head then spent a serious minute kissing her breasts and tonguing the cleavage between.
She cooed her appreciation, but finally released her girls to attack his pants herself. The leather wasn’t cooperative so he suggested she get rid of the rest of her clothes while he pulled off his boots, peeled down his leathers, and lost his tank.
She’d already set the shower to running so that by the time she was undressed and the water was warm, he was in a beautiful naked state, his clothes in a pile. She set her hair loose from her ponytail then hopped in, sliding beneath the spray and moaning.
“I love the sounds you make.” He eased himself into the small tub as well.
“The warm water feels wonderful.”
There was barely room for him alone, so she had to squeeze by him so he could reach the water. He had to do a serious knee bend to get his hair wet. He’d been in the muddy stream so she handed him her favorite sage shampoo.
As he worked the dirt from his hair, her gaze fell to his cock. He was busy getting clean, so she allowed herself a good long look. He was in a half-aroused state which she thought one of the best looks on a man. This led to other ideas. Grabbing the bar of soap, she lathered up then began to fondle.
He’d been washing his hair with brisk hands but the moment she began a slow glide from the tip of his stalk to the base, he froze and met her gaze.
“Feel good?”
He merely smiled and began lathering again. She didn’t stop, though. Instead, she played with him, teasing the rim with her soapy thumb then all the way to the tender tip. She kept doing this until he was making a chuffing grunt at the back of his throat. He was fully erect and her body started getting yet another brilliant set of ideas.
She’d just decided to plant her feet on the edge of the tub and climb on board, when he began rinsing off. “Your turn. Get under the water because I want you clean.”
The meaning of his words was not lost to her and she clenched deep inside. He picked up the bar of soap himself and spent a good amount of time rubbing her sex, and gliding his fingers inside.
She clung to his heavily muscled arms. The warm water on her back, the sight of his tattoos and his damp hair all worked on her. She hadn’t had a man in her life for such a long time.
His fingers went faster, working her like a piston. “Can you come like this, Iris? I’d like to watch you come and feel your body pulling on me.”
She nodded, her lips parting. But she couldn’t quite speak. She let one word slip from her mind to his. Faster.
His brows rose, letting her know he’d heard her. And his fingers confirmed it.
He went vampire fast so that after three breaths, she was digging her nails into his arms and crying out.
“That’s it, baby. I like to watch you come. That’s it, keep it going.” He sustained the rhythm, dragging out the orgasm until it passed.
She was left feeling wonderfully lethargic. He withdrew his fingers and slid his arm around her waist to support her. He pulled her close, angling them both into the water. He splashed the spray in her direction and used his hands to get the soap off her, then shut the water off.
What she loved was he never lost contact as he helped her from the shower, making sure she didn’t slip. Even when he reached for the towel, he kept a hand on her hip. Afterward, he took his time drying her from head to toe.
Once again, she saw the kind of husband he must have been to his wife, even though it was such a long time ago. “I feel almost human when I’m with you, Connor. Does that sound weird?”
“I get it. This feels normal doesn’t it?”
She nodded. “Like being with my husband.” She wondered if it was the wrong thing to say.
He held her gaze, and stopped moving the towel. “It makes me wish for things.”
She took the towel from him and covered his hair first, tamping it dry, then worked her way down his shoulders and both arms. She drew a ragged breath. She didn’t want to think about the future. Five Bridges was a wreck and then there was this dark spot on Connor’s soul.
Her own heart was still so full of pain she wondered just how successful a relationship with him could be when so much grief held her captive. “I don’t trust love in this world.”
“I know. It feels like we’re asking too much.”
As she wiped his chest, he leaned down and caught her lips with his. She gave a small cry and wrapped her arms around his neck. They’d survived another encounter with a madman and were both alive.
He drew back and finished toweling off. When he was done, he took her once more by the hand. He led her straight across the hall, flipped the covers of her bed back so that mostly they ended up on the floor.
“I want you on your back, but first put your ass right here.” He patted the edge of the bed.
She moaned as she all but rolled onto the bed. He dropped to his knees and slid his arms under her thighs. Iris couldn’t believe this was happening. And what she especially loved was how comfortable he was with her.
For two warring species, they shared a phenomenal amount of trust.
He kissed and tongued her navel, which set her hips rocking. She loved his touch, everything he did to her.
He kissed his way down her abdomen until he reached her bare sex. More kisses, then his tongue.
She drew in a soft stream of air as he pushed between her folds and began to lick.
Her whole body rolled and she cried out. The sensation was so perfect, so full of pleasure.
She swore she’d forgotten the real delights of sex. The few men she’d dated had gone through the motions and left her cold. Bu
t maybe that had been her fault because of the way her heart hurt and still felt shut down.
Yet with Connor, she was lit up from within and felt his energy riding her entire body. Connor. His name slipped from her mind.
He stopped to look up at her. It feels so strange to hear you inside my head.
She lifted up on her elbows and caressed his face. Same here. I love what you’re doing, by the way. It feels amazing. Maybe I can return the favor.
A wicked glint entered his eye as he began to kiss and lick her once more. Maybe. In a minute. I’m busy.
She chuckled and eased her shoulders back down on the bed. She closed her eyes and savored. He knew his way around a woman’s body. When he pierced her well and began to tongue-fuck her in earnest, she couldn’t help that her whole body undulated. Part of her wanted his cock, but the other part loved that he was using his tongue, a much more sensual invasion.
Her body grew tense once more. “Faster. Please.”
When he began to move at a speed a mere human couldn’t manage, she found herself grateful for the vampire he was. Her pelvis tilted and pleasure began to flow, an intense grip in her well, then rushing in a powerful wave up through her abdomen. She cried out and kept crying out. He never let up, sustaining the drive of his tongue until the orgasm passed and her hips melted into the bed.
“Amazing.”
He leaned back on his heels looking up at her, his hands now on her thighs. He looked so gorgeous, his eyes glittering. She sat up and caught his face with her hands, then kissed him, an expression of gratitude for taking care of her. “Thank you. That was beautiful.”
He nodded, searching her face. “I loved doing that for you.”
When he kept stroking her thighs, she kissed him again. He held her gaze, searching her eyes, then pushed her long damp hair away from her face. “You’re beautiful, Iris.”
She sighed. “And your eyes are incredibly blue. I hardly have words to describe them.”
He rose up and grabbed her underneath her arms then moved her farther up the bed. She bounced when he dropped her. She loved it.
***
Connor had wanted Iris in this position, on her back and ready for him, since the moment he’d pulled out of her on the lawn. He was sure once he entered her again, he’d want to stay there for a week, hell, a year.
Dark and Damaged: Eight Tortured Heroes of Paranormal Romance: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 26