“Yes?”
“But you’re a…” vampire.
“Yeah.”
“And I’m a…” witch.
“I know.” His voice was guttural and sexy as hell.
“Are you gonna…” kill me?
“Fuck you?” he asked, gliding his soft lips down my collar bone. “Do you want me to?” Drayce stopped. His heaving chest pressed against me.
Worries be gone.
“Of course I do,” I said, unbuttoning his jeans. “Do you want me to beg or what?”
I felt him smile.
It was deliciously sinful to feel his hardness slip between my thighs, to feel him shudder as he entered me the first time, listening to his quiet moans as with each thrust he lost all awareness of the demon inside him that granted him eternal life. As our bodies furiously rocked under the pale neon lights, no curses burdened us; he was a man and I a woman, both surrendering to our darkest desires, walking on the edge of absolute frenzy.
I died several times in his embrace, the last one as he peaked into his ultimate release. In this rapture, Drayce moaned; his body convulsed and mine arched with him. And as he fought to catch his racing breath, he pressed me close, burying his face in my neck again, but this time turning away quickly.
He gasped and parted from me fast.
“Drayce?” I said, but he knew what would follow. “Are you all right?” Those were the words I chose, but what I really meant was: Are you able to control your thirst or should I start running?
“Forgive me. This… This has never happened to me before…” he murmured, still shaken. He looked back, pursing his lips. “You’re safe. I promise.”
Oddly enough, I believed him.
It was then that I noticed the tattoo that inked his chiseled chest. Above his left pectoral, a winged skull rising above flames with the word Lucky on top.
“You keep a charm of your own,” I mumbled, hoping to dissolve the tension.
Drayce’s expression softened. As his gaze landed on me once more, his eyes filled with warmth and a subtle smile tugged at his lips. My breathing hitched as I shamelessly relished watching his flawless body while he moved close to me.
“Yeah, and it works,” he teasingly said, wrapping me in his arms.
“How come?” I asked, leveling my stare with his.
“You’re here with me, aren’t you?” His eyes twinkled with excitement. Drayce leaned to kiss my lips, and this time, his kiss was slow and full of meaning.
His tenderness melted my heart.
“Stay with me a little longer?” Drayce suggested.
Dammit, he was impossible to refuse.
“I’m guessing you own the place,” I said. “Otherwise, that idea could go terribly wrong.”
He uttered a soft laugh and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, this is one of my investments.” Drayce bit his lower lip. “We could lie down for a while, watch a movie, maybe…”
“Oh, right. In your VIP rooms.”
“No, not those. I keep a small lair right here, in my office.” He offered his hand, and I took it.
We walked around the classic car and reached what Drayce had called his office. It was nothing short of a flat, with a comfortable living room equipped with a giant movie screen and a pair of leather couches.
I plummeted on the seat. “Well, what are we watching?”
“Whatever you want,” he said, sitting beside me.
Great answer.
“I don’t care much about the movie,” I candidly said to my surprise. “All I care about is spending a little more time with you.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” he said under his breath, one arm reaching to grab the remote control, the other wrapping me in a tender hold.
Chapter Six
The sun glared through glistening tree leaves as I strolled down St. George’s Street on my way home. Hours ago, Drayce and I had drifted into sleep in each other’s arms while old movies rolled on his living room’s screen.
I crossed the street in my high-heeled boots, tired as hell, yet confident that last night’s memories would warm my heart forever, even if it had been a one-nighter. We hadn’t exchanged phone numbers or anything like that… God, I could still feel his warmth wrapped around my body. The sole thought sent ripples of excitement through my limbs.
A smirk bloomed on my lips as I opened the gate. I wondered how Prim’s book club meeting had gone. Gathering a bunch of drunk witches wasn’t exactly a good idea, regardless of the unbridled fun such an endeavor entailed.
Keys in hand, I was about to unlock the door when it suddenly opened. Prim stood on the other side, a grimace of indescribable seriousness graying her face as I’d never witnessed before.
Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Was this because I’d spent the night out of home? No. Prim wasn’t like that. She’d been the one to encourage me to set loose and live life a little.
“Prim?” I asked, concerned.
“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said, clasping her hands nervously. Prim pursed her lips. She stepped back, allowing me to walk inside.
“Is something wrong?” I furrowed my brow as I dropped the keys on the maple-wood credenza. “What is it?”
Auntie Prim pressed her lips again, her gaze drifting with uncertainty. She wasn’t sure how to say whatever was on her mind.
Finally, she blurted it out. “Ransom was here.”
“What?” I scowled. “When?”
“He left about an hour ago,” Prim added, guiding me into the kitchen. Fragrant herbs fumed from the boiling kettle. A tray full of milk chocolate HobNobs lay on the table — my favorites. What the hell was happening? Was this an intervention? Would our friends start popping out of thin air? If it was, I was so not ready to deal with it.
Prim sat on a chair by the table and suggested I do the same. She poured me a cup of tea and gently pushed the biscuits towards me.
“He’s gone,” I mumbled, raising my brow. “I guess that’s good news, then.” I slipped on the chair and grabbed a biscuit.
“I thought you’d be happy to see him,” Prim said with a hint of caution, as if a flock of invisible spies surrounded us.
I rubbed my eyes, uncaring if that smudged my eye makeup and left me looking like a wild raccoon. “Yeah, well… not anymore,” I said, heaving a sigh. “Ransom Knightley can burn in hell for all I care.”
“Perish the thought!” Prim said, holding her clear quartz pendant. Something about her seemed different. I recognized a certain restlessness stirring inside which had never been there.
I frowned and took a bite of my biscuit.
“You mustn’t say such things, Kiera,” she added with a calmer tone. “Ransom’s mother is the most powerful witch in the City.”
“Not to mention, she’s a Head Witch.” I shrugged. “Auntie, why was Ransom here? What did he want?” I reached for my cup of tea. Its sole fragrance warned me of my aunt’s concerns. Lavender, ginger, and lemon… The mix was just the ticket to unwind and go to bed early. Made me wonder if she’d fixed the warm drink for herself, instead of me.
Prim took a swig of her tea. “Ransom, he… He’s worried.”
“Worried?” I flinched. “He didn’t seem worried last night when he was snogging with girlfriend number three.”
Prim took a deep breath. “He’s worried… about you.”
“About me?” I frowned. This was getting odder by the second.
“He said you’ve been acting strange lately,” Prim said, treading carefully with her words. She sighed, willing to spill the beans at last. “Sweetheart, I need to know.” She paused. “Were you at that party just to stalk him?”
My eyes flew open with shock. “What? No!” I scowled, leaning forward. “That cheeky bastard, is that what he told you?”
“So you deny it?”
“Absolutely!” I found it hard to believe that Ransom would even have the nerve to set a foot in my house, but Prim would never lie to me. She was like a sister to me, and older sister at that. “Do you k
now? I’ve come to hate his guts now more than ever! I had no idea he’d be at that nightclub. Please tell me you believe me.”
Auntie Prim folded her hand over mine and pressed it fondly. “I do, love. I believe you.”
“Can’t we salt the entrance, or cast some spell, so he never comes back?” I asked.
Prim was taken aback by my words. “Are you serious, child?”
“Yes!”
“Darling, you know I can’t do that!” she said, grabbing one of my HobNobs. “If word got out… We cannot risk cutting ties with the Knightleys, nor do we want to win their hatred.”
“Oh, I know…” I said under my breath. “Stupid coven rules.”
“So, how’s Meredith?” Prim said, steering the conversation with a one-eighty turn.
“She’s fine, I guess…” I took another sip of tea. It was a bit too strong to my liking, but catching some sleep wouldn’t hurt.
“Kiera…” Prim gave me a knowing look. “It’s all right. Meredith told me.”
“She told you?” What the hell had she told her?
“She texted me last night to let me know you’d had a tad too much to drink, and that you’d be spending the night at her flat.”
I furrowed my brow. “She sent you a text?”
Meredith, you are brilliant and I adore you.
Prim’s rosebud’s lips stretched in a bountiful smile. “Well, she did try calling a few times, but you know I'll never take a phone call…”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Those things are dangerous!” she added with renewed energy. “Spirits travel through the lines, you know they do. Remember what happened to my friend, Judy?”
“I remember you telling me the story, yes.”
“Well, there you go.” Prim nodded, satisfied to have made her point. “Are you feeling better now?” dipping a spoonful of honey into her tea.
“Better than I’ve felt in ages,” I said, reminiscing on Drayce’s dark eyes, the hint of mischief as he curled his lips. I sighed. “I’m a bit drowsy, now that you mention it… How about you? Any hangover from last night?”
Prim giggled. “Honey, I’m a seasoned witch. Alcohol is the least of my troubles.” She picked up her mug and dropped it in the sink. “I gotta run, love.”
“Where are you going?” I said, hurting a little. I’d just gotten home. I was hoping we’d get to talk some more.
“I’m meeting Judy at her flat,” she said, grabbing her purse from the counter. “We’re hexing her husband…”
“Prim!” My eyes widened. We were good witches. We were supposed to heal broken hearts and offer spiritual comfort. We weren’t supposed to go around hexing people!
“Oh, it’s all right, dear…” Prim dismissed. “William will be all right. Trust me, we’ll be doing him a favor.” She grinned. “Don’t wait up, love. I’ll be back after midnight.”
“Be safe,” I said, too weary to even rise from the chair. A yawn escaped from my lips.
“I will.” Prim leaned to kiss my forehead on her way out of the kitchen. “That tea will kick in any minute now, love. I’d go lie in bed if I were you…”
Her words puzzled me. “But, what about you?” I said. “You drank that tea as well.”
Prim stopped by the doorway, her blonde waves bouncing off her shoulders as she turned wearing a gentle smirk. “Oh no, my dear… Mine was chamomile.”
Fuck.
“You have a few minutes,” she added, pressing the keys inside her fist. “Take a bath. Go to bed. Rest well.”
I had no other choice, now did I? So, I gave her a quick nod and pulled myself away from that table.
Chapter Seven
In my dreams, there was darkness, an absolute detachment from the world. I was drifting in a black pool, devoid of any worries. There was silence and nothingness. It was the first time in months since I’d experimented such a pleasant state of mind while sleeping.
Suddenly, the dark dome hovering above me cracked. Light filtered through. Crumbling into glistening dust, my blessed nothingness then fell like a house of cards.
Dense foliage surrounded me, vines growing at a rapid pace, clinging to every surface, climbing on glass walls. The cascading sound of rushing waters echoed ahead.
My bare feet stepped on white marble tiles that appeared out of thin air as I moved. The room's humid warmth was stifling. I wandered inside a Victorian solarium. Dreams such as these I welcomed with all my heart. I made it my mission to explore my surroundings, ambling further amidst the overgrown greenery, following the rippling sound of water.
At length, I arrived at a pond where vibrant waterlilies floated. I fell enamored with this precious sanctuary, a secret hideout from reality. It would have been perfect had that man not been there, standing silently, his hard gaze descending on me all this time.
I recognized the blond hair and the man's pretentious style. High-end attire, an expensive watch glimmering on his wrist... How dare he appear in my dreams?
“Go away, Ransom,” I told him.
A cynical smirk curled his lips. “You only wish getting rid of me were that easy,” he replied, slipping his hands into his bespoke trousers.
Fucking hell. This is too real.
“This is my dream,” I said with vexation. “Leave now!”
Ransom lowered his chin. As he took one step forward, a slate of light landed on his face. His eyes were spheres of impenetrable darkness. This was no ordinary dream. This was magic, the evil kind, meant to torture people by slipping into their minds.
Ransom's resolve to torment me had surpassed the boundaries that ruled our kin. Why the hell would he not leave me alone?
But this was my dream, my arena. I was in control. I walked up to him, willing to vanquish him from my secret haven. “Get out of my head!” I said.
Ransom glared at me with his black vacant eyes. “Look at you, valiant little witch that you are... when you're sleeping,” he chanted eerily. A grimace of fury contorted his bizarre countenance. “I'll do as I please! Now tell me... Where is the key?”
“The key?” I asked.
“I will drill this out of your mind if I have to!” He growled with frustration.
“He cannot hurt you. It’s only a dream…” a voice called in the distance.
Ransom startled. He'd heard the voice too. A glimmer of fear loomed behind his monstrous eyes.
“Wake up.”
A loud crack echoed in the room. The glass house shook and began to crumble. In an instant, myriad shards of crystal rained inside the room. The grounds faded into smoke that swept away all traces of the place my mind had devised. This dark whirlwind lifted Ransom, enveloping him quickly, and carried him away.
“Wake up,” the voice repeated, this time closer, warmer. A hint of concern tinged the velvety sound.
I slowly opened my eyes. Darkness spread across the bedroom. Thunder suddenly roared. Only then, I became aware of the pitter-patter of rain tapping on the roof.
Rolling to the side, I groaned and hugged my pillow. I was still groggy from Prim’s nap-time tea. Powerful stuff. She had promised I would catch some sleep, but her spell had no hand in the character my dreams would have.
“Who’s Ransom?” a man asked, the same voice from the dream… Right. The dream had ended. This was reality.
Snap out of it, Kiera. Someone’s in your room!
My eyes opened wide. “What the hell?” I said, sitting up so fast it made me dizzy.
“That’s some welcome…” The stranger sniggered.
A cool draft filtered in my room, sending chills through my body. I hugged my arms and turned to the window. It was open. The curtains danced with the moist breeze. A flash of lightning crossed the darkened skies and outlined the figure of the man sitting on the windowsill.
My pulse quickened at the sight of his dazzling eyes, so serene as they stared at me.
“Drayce,” I said, trying to contain the excitement his presence aroused in me. Reality came crashing hard a min
ute later. “What are you doing here? Why are you sitting on my bedroom’s window?”
He raised his brow. “So many questions,” he mumbled. “But I asked mine first.” He paused for effect. “Who’s Ransom?”
“Ransom?” I repeated, baffled.
Drayce pursed his lips. “You kept saying his name in your sleep,” he said. “It sounded anything but pleasant, by the way.”
I couldn’t help wincing at the sound of that dreadful man’s name. “Ransom, he’s…” Ugh. Say it. “He’s my stupid ex-boyfriend,” shaking my head slightly.
“The one you met at the club last night?” he asked with a monotonous voice, careful not to impress any emotion to his words.
Goodness. He saw that.
I nodded. “You’re very perceptive,” I said, distracted by his magnetic appeal. He was gorgeous in an Oxford gray T-shirt, black leather jacket, and dark blue jeans.
Drayce gave me a shy smile. “So I’ve been told.” He shrugged.
“Yeah, well…” I said, fixing my hair with a quick pass of my fingers. “He can go to hell for all I care.”
His lips curled a bit more. “Would you like me to speed up the journey?” His voice offered no inclination. Drayce leaned forward, waiting for my answer.
“What? No!” A nervous laugh escaped through my lips. Prim’s warning came back to me that instant. Ransom Knightley was not to be touched. The consequences of crossing his family could be devastating, fatal even. “Don’t even joke about that.”
Drayce’s expression darkened. His eyes glinted like fiery garnets for a swift second. “Who says I’m joking?” he asked. “Why do you suddenly care for Ransom, anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t,” I said with a frown. “But his family… It’s too complicated.”
Drayce knitted his brow and pursed his lips for a moment. He took a deep breath, surely considering my puzzling behavior.
“May I?” he suddenly asked.
“May you… what?”
He gave me half a smile. “Come inside?” he added.
His words made me flinch. “You want my permission…” I mumbled, perplexed. “Isn’t that a myth about vampires, though?”
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 98