by CJ England
"I put it on a timer,” Kira said. “I found out the earliest possible time dawn could hit this building then I had Danolas magick up a timer that would close the curtains fifteen minutes before then.” She glanced at Gallegar and all could see the love in her eyes. “The wardings cannot keep out the dawn ... but I can."
Gallegar's throat tightened. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “Then I thank you, A Ghra ... It means a great deal to me you have done this."
"I could do nothing else.” She hugged the vampire and then made her way around the room saying good night to all the Chosen. Kira met Gallegar's eyes one last time and then made her way up the stairs.
* * * *
It was a long time before Gallegar could rest. He had gotten used to Kira sleeping beside him and everything in him wanted to go upstairs and climb in bed with her. Only the knowledge Lucas was also sleeping at the loft, stopped him.
His vampire senses told him an hour had passed when a noise brought him to full wakefulness. Searching for what disturbed him, he saw Kira standing by the door, her hair flowing around her shoulders.
"A Ghra ... ” he questioned. His pulse immediately leaped at her presence.
Kira smiled a soft seductive smile and put her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. His heart began to pound as she walked over to him and gently pressed her mouth to his naked chest. He felt a small pain, like the sting of a bee, but even that thought fled as her body flowed over his and she pressed her lips to his.
His need rose so fast he could barely control himself. He felt her hands and mouth all over him. They were greedy and almost painful, pulling him higher and higher into the flames. Gallegar groaned as he traced his lips down the curve of her throat, to the swell of her breast.
He went even hotter when she turned slightly and arched herself into him, so his mouth could cover the hard nipple through the silk. He laved it with his tongue, his hands awkwardly holding her close to him. The more Kira's hands swept over his body, the more drugged with desire Gallegar felt.
Yet, when her small hand crept beneath his pajama bottoms and cupped him intimately, he reacted almost violently. He ripped the sheer gown from her body and dragged her underneath him.
Her fingernails bit into his shoulders and raked down his back, causing him to groan with pain. Clumsily, he kicked off the silk bottoms, growling at the delay when they tangled around his ankles.
He almost spilled his seed when Kira expertly grasped him and began moving her hand up and down. He grabbed her hand and buried his head in her shoulder, gritting his teeth as he fought for control. She brought him to such a high pitch of desire he was shaking with the need to bury himself in her willing flesh.
"A Ghra ... ” he managed clumsily, his tongue thick in his mouth. “We must stop for a moment. I don't want to hurt you.” He rose up on one elbow and looked down into Kira's face, holding her hand firm against his side.
Her face was still tight with desire, her saffron eyes gleaming with suppressed emotion.
Gallegar frowned down at her, wondering why he felt so uneasy. “A Ghra ... Something is wrong—” he began. He stopped cold when he took a good look at her eyes. They were not the glowing gold of the woman he loved, but a sickly yellow.
"Sweet Goddess,” Gallegar breathed. He tried to pull his hand away, but now it was Kira who held on to him. He struggled, but realized quickly he hadn't the strength that he should.
Then he remembered the kiss Kira had given him on the chest, when she had first touched him. Suddenly, all the pieces fit together and things began to make sense.
He was in bed with a succubus.
Gallegar gagged at the knowledge he had almost become intimate with one of the most despicable demons there was. This female demon preyed on men, using sex to get them into a position where they could be killed.
Now he understood why he was acting so oddly. Succubi injected their victims with a nerve toxin to disorient them and make them an easier target.
The shock cleared his mind and the first thought that leapt into it, was a succubus rarely worked alone. Where a succubus hunted so did an incubus—the male of the species. And the only person in the house who would be in danger from an incubus ... would be Kira!
The idea that Kira was in danger gave new strength to his drugged body. With a roar of anger, he freed himself from the grasping hands of the demon and rolled off the bed. The succubus hissed in rage and climbed to its feet.
"Love me...” it pleaded. It took a step toward him. “I need you so much."
"Foul creature!” Gallegar growled. He backed away from the demon and prepared to fight.
The succubus saw illusions had failed. With a feral snarl, it leaped at Gallegar, its fingers shifting into talons. It slashed at the vampire, raking long claws down his chest.
Furious, Gallegar sent his vampiric power at the creature. The demon screamed and fought against the bands of power that held it captive. Unrelenting, Gallegar pushed his power at it, tightening the fetters until the succubus was screeching in pain.
With one last burst of strength the demon spat at Gallegar, hitting the vampire square in the face.
Gallegar's eyes began to water and burn and he could feel the spittle begin to sear into his cheeks. He knew he had to clean it off or run the risk of being blinded, but he couldn't release the succubus. Another glob of mucus hit him, this time on his torso. With a hoarse cry of pain, Gallegar sent the full strength of his power against the creature. There was a horrid, snapping sound and the demon gave a choked cry of pain.
Then there was silence.
Gallegar stumbled back to the bed and used his sheet to wipe the burning saliva from his face and body. When he could again see, he turned and made his way cautiously to where the dead body of the succubus lay. It rested on its back and had morphed back into its demonic form. The humanlike body was covered in leathery scales and was distinctly feminine. The face, though also female, was inhuman and touched with evil.
Quickly, he rooted around for his pajama bottoms and, pulling them on, opened his doors and ran upstairs, shouting Kira's name.
* * * *
Kira fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. She dreamed ... seeing herself lying in bed in the loft bedroom. A dark shape stood next to her bed and she saw Gallegar's face in the flickering candlelight.
"Gallegar—” she began, but he stopped her by leaning in and kissing her hard on the mouth. It was almost an assault and she squirmed uncomfortably. He immediately gentled the kiss as he ran his hands down her body.
She shivered as those knowledgeable hands stroked her intimately. She felt him unbutton the black silk pajama top she was sleeping in and his mouth left her lips and nibbled their way down her throat to circle her breast.
She moved restlessly, her body wanting more of him. She reached up to pull him closer, but he slapped her hands away, his lips never leaving her body.
Kira was shocked he would strike her, but the sensations he was creating in her body drove part of the surprise away. She arched toward him with a gasp as he took the crown of her breast into his mouth and sucked. Liquid fire flickered to life within her as he treated the other side to the same arousing feelings. She moaned when he removed his mouth from her body.
The sound of a zipper being released brought her out of the slight daze she had been put in by his ministrations. Was he going to make love to her? Had he forgotten the Power's edict?
Before she could open her eyes fully, Gallegar came heavily down on top of her, his naked body pressing hers into the mattress. He began to kiss her again, his lips chasing all coherent thought away. His hands were almost rough as he swept them over her, pulling off the black lace panties she wore. He arranged himself between her legs, and she went still when she felt how big and hard he was. His penis throbbed against her naked thigh.
As he pushed himself against her, he grabbed her hands and held them over her head. The confusion she had been feeling switched to worry.<
br />
"Gallegar,” she whispered as she struggled slightly. “I do not like that. Please stop."
For the first time since he came into the room, Gallegar looked straight at Kira and smiled. Her worry coalesced to fear. His eyes were not the beautiful emerald green she knew, but a sickly yellow color.
"You are not Gallegar,” Kira gasped, fighting harder against the hands that imprisoned her. “Who are you?"
"Thiss iss jusst a dream,” the Gallegar said. “I can be whoever you mossst desire...” He smoothed his free hand over his face and as she watched, it took on the appearance of Danolas.
It was a perfect imitation except for the eyes. They stayed the horrible yellow.
"What about this form? Is this better?” He lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue forcing itself into her mouth. Kira went still in surprise then began struggling, trying to get away from his ravishing tongue.
"Still not to your ssatissfaction?” Danolas grinned evilly down at Kira. “Let'sss try a few otherssss."
She could only struggle as Danolas’ face disappeared and her Chosen all took form in her bed. One by one, they all kissed and caressed her, touching her in places not even Gallegar had done. Their hands were bruising and callous. This dream had turned to a nightmare.
She was sobbing in fear and pain by the time the Gallegar form returned. He pushed his jutting member hard against her belly, making her recoil from him in disgust. He let go of her hands as he reached down to touch her soft, woman's flesh.
The vampire's form nipped cruelly at her neck and then whispered in her ear. “And, Peacekeeper ... thiss isss not a dream."
The truth hit the sleeping Kira like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes flew open and she found herself looking into the leering face of Gallegar. He was naked and laying on top of her. She could feel his erection pressing against her. But she knew this wasn't the man she loved. Kira didn't know what this creature was.
"Ssso, you are awake.” The creature in Gallegar's form stared at her in surprise. “You are ssstrong to break through the poissson I gave you. But you cannot defeat me. I am ssstronger than you.” It reached down between their bodies and fondled itself.
She could feel wetness on her stomach and wriggled in disgust.
"Your pain will give me much pleasssure,” it said, pressing against her. “I will be glad to take what you have given to no one elsse."
It caught her look of surprise. “Oh yess ... I am an expert in thisss. I enjoy the pain of the innoccccent."
It grinned at her again. “Imagine what your man will think when he findss you thiss night, naked and bleeding, filled with my seed. I think it will dessstroy him, assss well assss the othersss."
The thought of the real Gallegar or any of the others finding her as the creature described outraged Kira. Searching inside herself, she pushed away the lethargy that had taken her. She took hold of her power to give her more strength. When she began to struggle again, it narrowed its eyes in surprise.
"Oh no,” it hissed. “Not yet.” It jerked her thighs apart, painfully.
Kira reacted by sending a wave of power straight up and into the infernal creature. It lifted the Gallegar form several feet in the air and hurled him to the floor next to the bed.
She scrambled from the bed, groaning a little at the soreness of her body. The thing with Gallegar's face had bruised her considerably during its possession of her. She heard her name being shouted, and wavered, not knowing who was calling her.
Seeing her distraction, it rushed her, the yellow eyes gleaming with lust and rage. A bolt of green lightning stopped the creature in its tracks and pushed it back.
Another Gallegar raced into the room. His face was pale, but the emerald eyes were focused on her.
"A Ghra ... ” Frantically the vampire stepped toward her. He stopped when she took a step back.
Gallegar could see the confusion and fear in Kira's face. He didn't understand why it was directed at him until he saw the other man climb unsteadily to his feet. The incubus had taken his form, just as the succubus had taken Kira's. No wonder his beloved was frightened of him.
The incubus snarled at Gallegar, recognizing him as a new threat. When the vampire looked at Kira, it lunged toward him, slashing him across his already bleeding chest. He stumbled backwards under the attack, but rallied quickly, grasping the demon in his strong arms.
Kira screamed as the two Gallegars locked in battle. As they struggled together, the fake Gallegar morphed so it was wearing the same pajama bottoms Gallegar wore. Now, she couldn't tell who was who. Even when they split apart, she was helpless.
One of the Gallegars reached out his hand to her. “Come to me, A Ghra ... We will leave together. He will not touch you again."
The other Gallegar took a step toward her. “Don't believe him, A Ghra ... He is the false one. I am real. Come to me. Let me keep you safe."
Kira looked back and forth between the two men. They were identical in every way. Her heart beat so fast it hurt, as she tried to figure out what to do. Then she remembered the eyes.
"Look at me,” she called out urgently. “Let me see your eyes."
"I can't look at you,” one of the Gallegars replied. “If I do, he will attack me."
"He speaks the truth, A Ghra ... ” the other one stated. “I know why you wish to look at our eyes, but I cannot take the chance."
"Why can I not tell you apart?” she cried out, her voice breaking in anguish
The Gallegar on the right took a step toward her, but then stopped as the other Gallegar parroted his action. “It is because you have been injected with venom. It slows down your thinking."
The poison! She remembered the false Gallegar speaking of it. Kira felt better knowing her difficulty was caused by something else.
The other Gallegar jumped in. “It will wear off soon, beloved. Then you will know I am the true Gallegar."
"Use what is within you, A Ghra ... You can tell us apart.” The Gallegar who had spoken first again moved a step farther toward her.
Kira chewed her lip in indecision. Without taking his eyes off the other man, the Gallegar who had just spoken shook his head at her. “Stop that, love, you know your lips belong to me."
She stared at him. Only the true Gallegar would know to say that to her. The creature that had taken his form wouldn't know what had happened during their joining.
"Mo Chridhe ... ” She mind-spoke him, not wanting the other Gallegar to hear her.
He heard her and instinctively looked her way. Kira caught her breath at the deep green of his eyes. Then she screamed, as the other Gallegar, knowing it was discovered, let out a howl of rage and leaped on the true Gallegar.
The two men struggled together, their muscles clenching as they wrestled. The false Gallegar got a hand free and grabbed Gallegar around the throat. Kira screamed again and the effort finally broke through the rest of the poison. Remembering her other men, she sent out a mind-call to them.
"Help us! We are betrayed!"
Gallegar sent a quick mind-burst to Kira. "Get out of here. Go get the others." He was furious when she shook her head at him.
"I will not leave you!” she cried. Her power was useless since the men were so closely intertwined, so Kira decided to do what women for eons had done, when their men were in trouble. She leapt on the false Gallegar's back, yanking on his hair.
The incubus shouted in rage. It let go of the vampire's throat and reaching up, grabbed at Kira, shredding her pajama top and slicing into her tender skin.
Kira screamed in pain, but held on, jerking backward with all her might. The incubus stumbled away from Gallegar. Knowing he might not get a better chance, Gallegar fired another bolt of power at the creature, praying Kira wouldn't be harmed.
"Let go, A Ghra...!"
The stroke of lightning hit the incubus in its chest, picking him up and throwing him against the wall with such force, the audible sound of a skull being crushed was heard.
"A Ghra ... ” Gallega
r shouted. She was lying on the floor next to the creature and he raced to her just as the other Chosen rushed into the room. He picked her up in his arms, terrified he had destroyed the only thing in the world he truly loved.
"Sweet Goddess,” he murmured brokenly. “What have I done?"
Chapter 9
Gallegar pulled Kira to him and began to rock, his anguish overwhelming him.
The other Chosen gathered around him, aghast at the scene that met their eyes. The incubus had morphed back into its true self when it died, its scaly hide covering a strong masculine body. Copper colored slime leaked from its shattered skull, its lips curled back in a death grimace, as it stared sightlessly at the ceiling of the loft room. What was worse was its male member was still hard and extended, dripping with foulness.
Danolas dropped to his knees next to Gallegar. Quickly, he searched the psychic plain for Kira, relieved when he saw her essence was alive and well.
"Brother!” Danolas said strongly, taking Gallegar by the shoulder and shaking him hard. “She is unconscious, but very much alive."
At first, Gallegar didn't get his meaning. He stared at the witch, trying to understand what he said. He had been so sure he had killed Kira the news she was all right didn't seem to penetrate.
It was in the midst of this turmoil Kira opened her eyes. She blinked her eyes a few times, trying to focus on the face above her. She stiffened. “Gallegar, is it really you?” she murmured, reaching up to touch his face.
Gallegar's heart leapt within him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, uncaring of the tears streaming down his face. “A Ghra ... I thought ... I was sure..."
"He thought he'd killed ya, sugar,” Patrick put in, his own voice shaking. He eyed the ugly monster that lay nearby. “Along with that thing ... whatever it is."
"It is an incubus.” Disgust colored Koran's voice as he stared down at the still twitching form. “A male demon that preys on women by putting them to sleep and then raping them."
"What!” Now it was Lucas who snarled in outrage.
"Sweetheart, are you okay? Did it...” Benjamin couldn't finish.