Léopold's Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans)

by Grosso, Kym

  “Is that when you realized your abilities?”

  “You know, it just seemed like a dream. All of it. Dying. Seeing that woman. The darkness. Waking up and then in the hospital, I was just me. I didn’t feel any different. But within a week of being home, I started to notice this energy…my energy. I can’t explain it but I became obsessed with the lake. I’d sneak out of my parents’ house. At first, I’d just submerge my hands. And then one day, a few months later, I became angry about something. I was in my room and instead of picking up a pillow to throw it, I just thought it, like I was going to grab it but I hadn’t. It flew across the room.”

  “That must have been scary, no? I remember how it felt after I was turned. No one had mentored me either,” he mused.

  “I was scared to death. I thought I was going crazy but I remembered that one word. Naiad. I went to the library and researched everything I could find about naiads, which wasn’t exactly helpful because as you pointed out, most of what people know is just mythology. Not exactly reality.”

  “And your parents?”

  “They weren’t having any of it. They are very, very conservative. Of course, I hid it at first. But when my mom caught me moving things in my room, the next thing I knew they had the priest at the house. They thought I was possessed or something. When they caught me a second time, my mother slapped me across the face, grounded me. And the third time…well, they sent me off to live with my aunt in Chicago.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Fifteen. Aunt Mary wasn’t too bad but she wasn’t exactly the best role model…drank way too much and brought home lots of strange men. The one thing she did teach me was waitressing. She got me a job at her diner. The day after I graduated high school, I left for Vegas using the money I saved.”

  “Not much water in the Mojave desert.”

  “Yeah. I never realized how much of a problem that would be. What can I say? I was young and naïve. I just wanted to get away, to disappear. I knew how to waitress and I thought, ‘why not Vegas?’”

  “Ah, the lessons of youth.”

  “In hindsight, I should have known it wasn’t a good idea. When I was first changed, putting my hands in a pond or a river was enough to satisfy my need for water. Of course, I tried a pool but that didn’t work. It’s not part of nature. Anyhow, by the time I moved in with my aunt, I’d begun swimming in fresh water at least once a week. I think she knew that I was sneaking out to Lake Michigan, but she never said anything. It wasn’t until my sixteenth birthday that I started to realize that I needed the water in order to thrive. If I didn’t go, I’d be exhausted, barely waking up or able to go to school. The longer I went without it, the weaker I’d get. When I got to Las Vegas, though, that’s when I learned the hard lesson that if I don’t have it, I’ll die.”

  “I imagine a water nymph wouldn’t do so well there.”

  “Yeah, I’m not sure what I thought at the time. Have you ever been to Vegas in July? It’s hotter than hell. I’d just turned eighteen and was working in this little all-night diner, staying in a fleabag motel.” Laryssa swiped her hand across her eyes. “It was awful. But it was the first time that there was no one to answer to about my ‘abilities’, no one to make me feel bad about what I was doing. In the end, I only lasted a few months. I had to go all the way out to Lake Mead for my water. I was only going maybe once every two weeks. I knew it wasn’t enough, but I couldn’t find the time with my work schedule. Also, I think I really just wanted to be normal, so I’d convince myself that I didn’t need the water. Denial is a wonderful thing…well, until I crashed. One night I went out to the desert with a friend, I almost died. I should’ve known. I’d been feeling sick all week.”

  “A boyfriend?” Léopold shouldn’t care, he knew, yet an unfamiliar pain of irritation jabbed at his chest. Jealousy? He dismissed it as soon as he thought the word. Possessiveness perhaps? Yes, that was more his style. Léopold collected, possessed…things that belonged to him.

  “No. Yes. Well, it was a guy that I’d seen a few times. You know, we’d fooled around.”

  “Fooled around?”

  “Yeah, you know. We dated. Kissed. I think he may have gotten a little further, but we didn’t have sex.”

  “I see.” Léopold remained calm and indifferent. But a fire grew behind his eyes as he thought of Laryssa kissing someone else. No, this can’t happen to me. I don’t care who she dated. As she continued her story, he fought to concentrate, disturbed by his own revelation that he didn’t think he’d be able to tolerate her seeing other men, not ever again.

  “Where was I?” From her position in his arms, Laryssa was unable to see the look of consternation Léopold wore. Taking a deep breath, she continued. “The desert. By the time we got out there, I was so lethargic that I couldn’t get out of his car. I felt myself dying. I begged him to drive me to the lake, to put me in the water. God, I can’t imagine what he thought. I was like a crazy woman going on and on about needing water. He had to carry and literally dump me in the lake.”

  Léopold laughed.

  “Hey, be nice.” She gave him a small nudge with her elbow. “It wasn’t funny. So you can imagine what happened next?”

  “I’m afraid to ask.” He’d seen the way she’d peacefully lay at the bottom of Lake Ponchartrain, but to a human, she may have appeared dead.

  “You saw it, didn’t you?” Laryssa turned in his arms so that she could look into his eyes.

  “I saw you all right. I thought you were drowning…but you were beautiful. You lit up the water.”

  “The water. It feeds me energy. I don’t know the exact science behind it.”

  “There’s science to being a vampire, witch or wolf?” He laughed.

  “Point taken. But you have to remember, and you’ve got to know what this feels like because you were turned, not born a vampire, there is this human part of me that seeks answers. Not nebulous magic fairy answers. Hard facts.”

  “I do remember, but I’ve lived a long time. There are some things in our lives that are better left a mystery.”

  “Yes, but my glowing?”

  Léopold smiled as he recalled the sight of her naked form illuminating the entire lake bed. It had startled him, but also had been a spectacular display.

  “From a scientific standpoint, it’s bioluminescence. It’s found in plants, animals, even insects.”

  “But not humans,” he replied.

  “Exactly. The guy, I was with in the desert… I think his name was Scott, well, he completely freaked out. Not only did I go into the water, sinking clear to the bottom, I lit up like a Christmas tree. Twenty minutes later when I re-emerged, he was gone. I knew he’d tell everyone at work, so I hitched a ride back to the motel, packed my stuff and drove cross country to New Orleans. It was embarrassing, but it was also a wake-up call. It sure as hell snapped me out of my denial. Once I got here, I worked for a few months before getting a scholarship to the University. I studied art history. After undergrad, I took on a graduate assistantship, got my masters.”

  “Lots of water, here, that’s for sure.”

  “Yeah, it’s a good place for me. I pretty much stick to the river. It’s close. Easy access. I don’t get out here too often, but the basin works. Bayou, too. The humidity in the air helps.”

  “When did you first start seeing the dark ones?”

  “Pretty much as soon as I got here. My friend, Avery, the witch I told you about, she was my roommate. I needed to confide in someone. Not only was she supportive, but she began right away creating spells and wards to hide me, my energy. I’d go a few years not seeing any of them and then, ‘bam’, one would show up in an alleyway. Avery would work her magic and then I’d disappear again…like they couldn’t see me. When you saw me at Mordez, I was there to talk to Avery.”

  “I’ve never seen you there before,” he commented, brushing a hair from her face.

  “And you would know this how?” she teased. Laryssa inwardly cringed, thinking of what Lé
opold did at that place. Sex, blood, dancing and pretty much whatever a supernatural craved could be found there.

  “I think you know the answer to that,” he replied without apology. Not only did he frequent the establishment when he was in town, he’d engaged in about every activity they had to offer. If he told her what he’d done, she’d really know the beast she’d just made love to. The knowledge of his true behavior would sever whatever attraction they had. For the rest of tonight, at least, he’d save her that anguish.

  “Avery said she couldn’t help me, that she needed to talk with Ilsbeth. I’m not crazy about her telling the leader of her coven, but I’m desperate. That same dreadful feeling that came over me tonight when I talked to the demon… it’s been plaguing me for weeks.”

  “We should’ve talked with Ilsbeth today. Unfortunately, she’s been out of town.”

  “Couldn’t we FaceTime or Skype?”

  Léopold laughed. “High tech solutions to low tech problems. Ilsbeth prefers her meetings in person. She wants to read auras, get a feel for the people she decides to help.”

  “But she’s a witch. What does she know about naiads or demons for that matter?”

  “Ilsbeth knows lots of things. I find her a bit of an ice queen, but the woman may be able to help us. She’s been around longer than you can imagine and keeps her spoon in many pots.”

  “Why do you think this demon wants Ava?” Laryssa asked.

  “Not sure, but I do know it tried to kill her.”

  “I’ve only met one other naiad before. She was here for a convention and came into my store. Her energy was so compelling. I couldn’t ignore it. So I confronted her, got her to have lunch with me.”

  “You’re tough, aren’t you, pet?”

  “She described the same type of experience I had. She’d gone swimming in a lake as a child and drowned. She died.” Laryssa paused, trying to figure out how the baby was turned. “This might sound crazy but what if Ava died too?”

  “But she was alive when I took her from the snow. Trust me, I know dead, and she was very much alive.”

  “She could have died before you heard her. Maybe she died and then began to cry when she was touched by the woman who touched me,” Laryssa speculated.

  “Okay, but she wasn’t in water,” Léopold replied.

  “No, but she was in snow. Snow is just another state of water.”

  “It’s not possible. Even if she had died, we have no connection as to why the demon would target her. The Alpha did tell us that she’d glowed before she’d been stolen, and also said something about an evil presence…like you’ve described. But we still don’t know where the father is, if he’s alive or not. We only know that her mother died.”

  “It’s not Ava. She’s not evil. I can feel her. She’s pure and sweet. Her aura was shining brightly when you held her. A lovely yellow color. I guess I forgot the part about reading auras…I think I was around sixteen when I started noticing the colors,” she commented.

  “And what does my aura tell you?” Léopold asked.

  “Hmm…let’s see.” Laryssa slowly climbed atop of Léopold, straddling him with her legs. Spearing her fingers into the back of his hair, she tilted her head and licked her lips. “Ah yes, I see it now. Your aura shows that you enjoy telling people what to do. You’re dominant in all aspects of your life, expecting everyone to submit to the mighty vampire you know you are. You keep people at a distance, pushing them away so you don’t have to feel. You’ve been hurt, maybe? So you run hot and cold with your emotions…well, mostly cold. But beneath the surface of what we all see, you have unbridled passion in your mind and heart. And you’re a highly sexual being. One who craves a certain brunette naiad but won’t admit he wants to kiss her, to make her yours.”

  “You’re making this up, aren’t you?” In a flash, Léopold had her in his arms and tossed her onto his bed. She landed on her back, giggling.

  “I think I could make some extra money in Jackson Square telling fortunes. What do you think?” she laughed.

  “You lie, temptress,” he growled with a devious smile. Léopold leapt upon her. Placing each of his knees to the side of her waist, he tore off his towel. Effectively immobilizing her hips with his own, he adjusted his semi-erect cock so that it lay heavy on her belly.

  “I told you. You don’t scare me,” she taunted.

  Laryssa took in the sight of him, hovering above her like a Greek God. Léopold’s ordinarily neatly combed hair was messy and damp. His taut muscles strained as he poised to attack. She knew he’d been careful not to hurt her when he threw her onto the sheets, but he left no doubt that he sought to assert his dominance. Even in play, he was forceful, demanding. Like a feral wolf, he flashed his fangs, stalking his prey. Unable to resist the allure of her sexy predator, she reached her hand upward and traced the tip of her forefinger along his bottom lip.

  “You like to play with fire, no?” Clutching the lapels of her robe, Léopold jerked it open, exposing her creamy breasts.

  Laryssa gasped as the cool air hit her skin. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As her hooded eyes opened slowly, a wide smile broke across her face.

  “I want to touch them.”

  “What?”

  “I said I. Want. To. Touch. Them.” She extenuated every word before reaching up to his mouth.

  Léopold could not believe this woman showed no fear. Hundreds of women had flirted with him, attempted seduction but underneath all their acts, they all bled fear as well as blood. As she trailed the pad of her thumb down his fang, he sucked a breath. Fuck, what is she doing? Does she have a death wish? The sound of her sweet laughter filled the room as she plunged her finger into his mouth. His lips captured her thumb like a frog catching a fly. Swirling his tongue over her skin, he smiled until he heard her moan. Only seconds passed before he once again took control.

  “Léopold,” Laryssa cried as he snatched her wrists and pinned her to the bed. She attempted to move but he’d effectively restrained her. The sensation of being trapped beneath him caused her to grow wet with arousal. But as she tried to move her hips, he applied more pressure, further stilling her movement.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Let me go,” she demanded. Her back arched as he blew warm air over her nipples. The low rumble of his laughter wrapped around her, promising her pleasure. The bare flesh between her legs moistened, and she was left quivering with need.

  “Would you like to read my aura now?” He asked as he settled his chin into the hollow between her breasts. With his eyes on hers, he brushed his lips against her hot skin.

  “I don’t need to read your aura to know that you’ll lose.”

  “I never lose.”

  “You’ll lose your fight to keep your heart closed.” Laryssa tugged again at her arms, relishing the tightness of his grip.

  “Perhaps I should gag my little naiad. There are many things you don’t know about me.”

  “There’re many things you don’t know about me either,” she countered. Using her feet, she pressed her hips upward, slowly grinding her body into his. “It’s true that I tremble, but that’s not fear you detect. It’s desire.”

  “Don’t test me, pet. Make no mistake, this isn’t play.” As he said the words, he prayed it to be true. Her arousal was as fragrant to him as an expensive Parisian perfume. The enticing scent permeated the room, driving him mad. She mocked him. She thirsted for him. He should walk away, leave her alone. But as his tongue probed one of her throbbing peaks, he knew in that moment that he had to finish the game. Like every being in the city, she was his to take.

  “Ah, but it is you who errs, Leo. I know full well what I’m doing.” Oh God I hope so. This vampire could break my heart. His lips on her sensitive nipples. His smooth voice in her ears. His colossal strength wrapped around her like a steel band. It was all too much to resist. Hell, she didn’t want to even try. She just wanted to feel and have him feel every shiver he caused.

  “You�
��re a brave one. Bewitching.” Léopold smiled and captured her breast in his mouth, rolling its tip with his tongue. She moaned in response, and he sucked it hard, careful not to nick her with his teeth.

  “Oh my God!” she screamed at the pain. Her core pulsed in response. A hot ache grew in her belly, one that only he could satisfy.

  “You continue to surprise me, Laryssa. You sass me yet wish to submit?”

  “No,” she lied. “It’s not true.”

  “Oui. Your body doesn’t lie.” Léopold pressed her left wrist into her other, shackling both of her arms, freeing his right hand.

  “No, no, no.” She continued to deny it, shaking her head. “You don’t know me. You don’t want to know me.”

  “You challenge me?” If she only knew how wrong she was. Every second he spent with her would make it more difficult for him to let her go. He wanted to know everything about her from what she liked to eat for breakfast to how many strokes it took to push her over the edge of orgasm.

  “It’s not a challenge. It’s just that…well, you’ve been clear.”

  “I thought we already established that I want you very much. Do not change the subject. Look at the way your skin flushes, unable to move. You like this, no?”

  “I don’t…I can’t,” she whispered. Why is he pushing me? What difference does it make if I like it or not? In the morning, he’d leave her. He didn’t want her in his life.

  “Shall we see?” Léopold reached between her legs, spreading her slick folds apart. He flickered the tips of his fingers at her entrance, not yet penetrating her heat. As he did so, she cried out his name. “So very wet. Ah, you lie about what you desire…you fancy this, don’t you? You do. I think you’ll enjoy your submission quite nicely.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she gritted out, panting. She squeezed her legs together trying to assuage the growing pressure but he removed his hand and gave a light tap to her mound.

  “No cheating. No coming yet, pet. And oui, it very much matters.” Slowly, he glided his fingers back through her slippery lips, avoiding her clitoris. He caught her gaze and gave her a sensual smile. “It was you who read my aura. You started this and now I intend to finish it. My fortune teller thinks I’m dominant, no? I may not be able to read an aura, but your pussy tells me all I need to know. Your body doesn’t lie, but I want to hear it from your lips. Tell me, ma chérie, do you want me to dominate you?”