by Various
Diego sat her at a table in the corner in deep shadows. “Do not worry, honey. I have all the woman I want.”
Titania watched in curious silence as he approached first one man and then another, shaking hands, smiling, laughing, talking to them quietly in the shadows. And when it appeared their heads were merely close to listen to each other, she knew otherwise. The deceptive picture was very believable to any who wouldn’t see the difference of the illusion.
Could she do that? She shuddered at her own question. She knew she couldn’t. There was no way she could do this. She could not drink blood from an absolute stranger. It was like blindly kissing someone. She couldn’t do that either.
“Could you from someone you love?” She heard him like a velvet caress in her mind.
She ducked her head, sure the heat on her cheeks wasn’t imagined. “We already know that. You weren’t even going to suggest it. I can’t seem to help myself around you.”
“And that is bad?” The vibration of his light, teasing laughter filled her mind and her body. She rolled her eyes at him. She was aware he knew it too.
“Titania Alcott! I don’t believe it.” Her head snapped up at the suddenness of the intrusion, finding two men looking at her, standing almost over her at the table. “We heard you had shut down for an illness. You look absolutely fantastic.” Both faced her with worshipful smiles.
“I have been sick,” she said, unable to escape. They were blocking the table. She felt the change in the air, something dangerous, predatory. Both men looked over their shoulders warily.
“Would you dance? If you are well enough?” one asked hopefully, his heart in his gaze when he faced her. She flipped her braid over a shoulder to move minutely away from them, and both men moved closer.
Without warning, Diego was there, his hand on her shoulder. “I am sorry. She cannot. She has been very ill.” A flash of white teeth broke the plains of his blank expression. “I am sure you understand.”
They both took a quick step back, stunned to find him there when he hadn’t been a heartbeat before. “Uh, yeah. Sorry.”
“Yeah. Didn’t mean to bother you.” They slunk away without even asking for an autograph. She sighed in relief, which turned to frustration.
“Diego, they were fans.”
“With rot in their brains.” He sat in front of her, his arm possessively wrapped around her waist, blocking her from view with his larger frame. “They both wanted to see you with your hair loose.”
She punched his arm. “So do you,” she accused.
“As is my right. You are my woman.”
“Diego, I can’t ignore everything I’ve done for the last six years.”
“Will it matter in six hours, honey?” His tone was even, but the slice was deep. “Sunrise is at six forty-two.”
She leaned back, the urge to strangle him growing. “You did that on purpose!”
“What?” He tilted his head, as though at a total loss to her meaning.
“Don’t play innocent with me. We both know I can’t do this. Just the thought of what you did gives me the shakes. Do not turn my choice back around on me.”
“All I did was remind you. You cannot feed, but then again, if you do not greet the sunrise, if you sleep with me for one more day, you can call your parents. Think of some way to alleviate their fears.”
A slow exhale hissed through her teeth. “I need to do that at least.” She had absolutely no idea what she would tell them, how she could explain what had happened over the last twenty-four hours.
His hand curved around her throat, his thumb caressing her pulse point with lingering sweeps. “Then allow me to care for you. You need to feed tonight.” He drifted closer, pulling her to meet his lips. “Let it happen, honey. Do not fight it. I need this as much as you do,” he whispered, a sorcerer’s seduction.
His lips tangled with hers, brushing and caressing gently. He pulled on her chair until she was nestled between his muscular thighs, his hands on her waist. He kissed the corner of her mouth, sipping at her jaw. When he found her lips, his kiss was thorough, a constant, blazing heat flowing between them. Goosebumps had erupted on her skin by the time he let her go.
Everything faded away. The crowd, the music, until it was just the two of them immersed in sensations. He shifted, canting his head until it was his jaw under her lips. A groaned vibration of need coursed through his body.
She flicked out her tongue and heard a hoarse moan in answer. She did it again, amazed that she could affect him so deeply. A wanton urge made her drive her hand into his hair, capturing him for a slow exploration. His fingers became claws at her waist. He didn’t pull away from her tentative curiosity. She smiled when he pushed into her touch, into her traveling lips, demanding more instead.
The scent of blood was strong, coursing with sexual desire. His entire body was solid rock, going up in flames, the same as hers. His taste was spice and hot sex, and she discovered she wanted more. A lot more.
A volatile sigh quaked from his chest, and she shivered in anticipation. She wove a damp trail across his pulse, and he growled, an animalistic sound that made her heart pound. She sucked gently at the tender spot, and he nearly jumped from his chair.
“Cara, please.” He clung to her as though his life depended upon not letting go.
Teeth sank through the barrier of skin before she realized she had made the decision. It was a natural transition, and came as easily as breathing had before the change. The rush of hot blood hit her, filled her, drowning her hungers with his taste. She knew she should be appalled, should be running in shocked horror.
Instead, she rubbed against him, her breasts aching and throbbing. She felt needy and craved his touch, to have his solid body claiming hers. Arms of steel held her pressed into his chest, low rumbles of pleasure escaping from him, until she licked the spot clean with her tongue.
His head fell to her shoulder, with his heart racing, his blood raging, all of it clear even in the cacophony of the dance club. “You are never, ever allowed to touch another male.”
She lifted him, supporting him by just the tip of her finger. “I think we have no fear of that happening,” she replied, a twist of humor in her words.
He pressed his lips to her ear. “I want to spend the rest of the night making love to you under the stars.” She moaned, a low, crying sound, when he tortured the delicate skin of her neck with his tongue.
When he finally leaned away, she was unable to think of anything. What he craved, she hungered for. His touch and his kiss. Diego curved his arm around her, protecting her from the crowd to lead her from the club.
* * * *
Awareness came to her abruptly. A heartbeat, a sucked breath. She was better prepared, but it was still unnerving. Her human actions were still too ingrained for her body to not react as though she were alive, in need of air. Titania didn’t let it scare her though, realizing now what was happening. Having the thud of her heart in her chest, the rasp of air in her lungs allowed her to make the smallest steps. There was nothing she could do to change it.
Diego’s solid shoulder pillowed her head, and languid fingers trailed a path up and down her body. His lips brushed a warm kiss to her temple.
“How are you feeling?”
She nuzzled his shoulder. “Fine. Thank you for warning me about this morning. I would have freaked out.”
“For a week, I was certain I was dying each morning. I never wanted you to experience that.” He kissed her again. “Have I ever told you I think you are incredibly brave?”
She shifted her position, resting her chin on top of her hand to rest flat on his chest. “No. Why?”
He started playing with her hair. She suspected he liked it more than he had originally alluded to.
“Of course I do.” His fingers continued on their merry way. “I witnessed your efforts at several of your concerts. You dared stop Brakka when I knew he was there and why. You are still here, with me, after everything.”
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�I’m not sure for how long.” She couldn’t meet his gaze when she said that either. She couldn’t bring herself to make a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep.
“You do realize, to end this, you will have to die. It cannot be undone. Believe me, I have tried.”
“What’s the alternative? I don’t have a life anymore. I can’t sing like I want to.”
“Stay with me. Make my life happy. I will do my best to fulfill your every desire.” He pulled up her loose fingers and began to nibble at them. “Have you ever traveled?”
“All over the country.”
“We could travel the world. Easily.”
The corner of her mouth lifted. “There you go again, pitching the sale.”
He froze beneath her weight, his attention instantly focused. Then she felt it. A disturbance.
“Houston has arrived,” he explained a second later. “We need to dress.”
“I can feel his worry. Laney’s too.” Their concern echoed like a discordant note throughout the house.
“Houston saw you before I brought you here. They do not know you survived.”
“I had no idea,” she cried, jumping from the bed, twisting her hair up into a knot. Her movements were hurried, nearing frantic. “I would have called them. I can’t believe I didn’t think of them at all yesterday.”
“Cara.” He reached out and found a hand. “Do not. Yesterday was hard on you. How do you like to say it? One thing at a time?” He curved a palm around her neck and tugged her to his mouth. “Relax. I left a note in case they should arrive tonight. They are actually a day early. But I knew Houston would be worried and Laney worse.”
She stopped struggling, taking a firm hold on her emotions. “You are good to me.”
He arched a brow expectantly. “Even when I am being bad?”
She curled sweetly into his chest. “Yes. Most definitely.”
It only took a few minutes to dress and for Diego to open the sleeping chamber. She raced up the stairs where she could hear their voices, low and worried, followed by the rumple of paper.
“They’re here somewhere,” Houston said from the kitchen.
“We are here,” Diego said, getting their attention. Titania didn’t hesitate, but launched herself right at Houston.
“Oh, God! Tani!”
She swam in his adoring affection, tears falling rapidly from both of them. “I am so sorry I didn’t call.”
“Hush.” Houston’s voice was ragged. “God, Tani. I thought we lost you.” He set her down, unsteady hands holding her. “Let me look at you.” Houston leaned over after a slow top-to-bottom appraisal and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. “Perfect as always.” Titania blushed.
Laney was next, hugging her for several minutes. Laney was crying so hard, she couldn’t even speak. Both of them had to take a few minutes to find their voices, dry a flood of tears.
Diego walked up to stand behind her, his palm possessive on her hip. Staking his claim. She didn’t even care anymore.
“You have to tell me what is going on. The tour? Have Mom and Dad been worried? Do they even know?”
“Everything is settling down,” Houston said, claiming a barstool, pulling Laney into his body. He wrapped his arms around her waist to rest his chin on a shoulder. “Yes, we had to break the tour contract. I’ll get into that in a minute. Your parents have been worried since the news leaked that you were sick, hiding out in your hotel room since the San Fran concert. I told them you have had something of the romantic type happen, and they were thrilled. Your mom was, anyway. The rest is up to you.” He gave her a serious look. “Can I listen in when you tell them?”
She lifted the note paper with a studious flatness, wadded it into a ball, and then threw it at him.
“I take it that’s a no?” She crossed her arms. “All right.” He made a suffering sound. Houston’s gaze became piercing, looking up over her head at Diego. “I guess you had to do the exchange?”
“It was completed, and she survived.” Diego’s hold strengthened and snuggled them closer.
“Which just means I don’t get to hurt you this trip. I still reserve the right.”
“What is he talking about?”
“If you had not survived, I would have welcomed Houston’s punishment.”
She would discuss that with him later. “What happened with the tour?”
“The tour has been cancelled, and your return has been listed as very unlikely. No one on the tour knows exactly why we cancelled except that you were injured in an attempted kidnapping, which explains why you and Diego disappeared at the same time. Which gets me to the next point. Albert Tenorio issued a press release about the fire at his house. He claimed it was a terrorist organization attacking his scientific work. He has announced everything will be done to capture and destroy the parties involved.”
“And I was the last party there,” she said, fear sliding down her spine with vivid chills. “And since I didn’t die in the fire…”
“I took it the same way. And he means it. He’s already enlisting backers to find those involved.”
“Meaning he’s going to be hunting for me.” She gripped on to the arms embracing her, refusing to panic. Barely.
“Nothing can harm you here, cara. I would not allow it anywhere.”
“This is a good place to hide, that’s for sure,” Houston said. “If Laney had missed that last turn, I would’ve been kissing a pine good night.”
Diego shrugged. “I very rarely use the car. I do not have a problem with the bike.”
“You drive?” Laney asked, surprised.
“He’s got a mean-looking Harley,” Titania said, a restrained bubble of laughter building from being with her friends, for being alive. “I think I actually like it.”
“So, are you two going to get married now? Might as well make the family weird all the way around.” Laney waited expectantly.
“Married?” Titania squeaked. “I don’t know.” She still wasn’t sure she could hack it as a vampire, and Laney wanted her to marry him!
“I have not had the opportunity to pose the question,” Diego slid in smoothly.
Laney frowned in dejection. “Oh, but I guess you can’t get married in a church. She would have looked beautiful decked out.”
“Why not?” Diego said.
“Holy ground. Vampires can’t walk on sacred soil,” Titania explained automatically, still circling around the marriage thing.
“We cannot?”
She peered above her shoulder, hearing the note of humor in his voice. “Let me guess. You’re different.”
“I would have to say it is so. When I was given this life, I wandered for years until I heard of a particularly strong religious following. I attended a midnight mass nightly for months, praying. I did not dare touch the holy water—even I had heard stories by that time, but I can attend a church.”
“Why are you so different?” Titania mused.
“How is he different?” Laney asked, her gaze sharp. “I never felt anything evil in him. Not like with the other one.” She shuddered delicately. “He can walk in churches, and he found you when technically vampires don’t experience love. It doesn’t make sense.”
“And he has a reflection. We both do.”
Laney gaped. Even Houston looked at them closer. “You are both definitely different.”
“I have always wondered if anyone, anywhere could be like me. I had no way to know. The only Brethren I ever met were true vampires of today’s world. Not much talking was ever done.”
“I can see that,” Houston said with a sober nod. “You do have that effect on people.” He oomphed when Laney jabbed him in the ribs with a sharp elbow.
“Forgive me, but I must step out for a few minutes,” Diego said a moment later, much more relaxed where they held onto one another. Titania was never more relieved than to hear them bantering like that.
“I wondered how you were going to do this. I can feel your hunger.”
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��I believe Houston capable enough to protect you. He has had many years of practice trying to keep you under some semblance of control.”
“Control? We need to work on your vocabulary.”
“Is I love you a better choice of words?”
She melted on the spot at the caressing sound, knowing he was only teasing. “Go. Be quick, and please come back in one piece. I will personally see you staked if you leave me alone like this now.”
“Such harsh language, cara.” His voice whispered through her mind, a gentle laugh, a possessive edge. “I can only do as you ask.”
Diego lifted one of her hands to his lips as Houston spoke. “No, go ahead. We bought groceries on the way, and I’m starving. I doubted you would be prepared.”
“Unfortunately, you are correct,” Diego replied, his thumb caressing her hip with strokes that were turning her insides to liquid heat. “Make use of anything you need. I will not be long.”
She walked out to the porch with him, tucked under his arm. Once beyond the door, he brought her into a wild embrace of heat and hunger that had nothing to do with feeding. She blinked, dazed when he finally released her lips.
“Stay inside. I will take care of your needs when I return.” He brushed a quick kiss across her temple. “And try to limit how many hugs you share with Houston. That was very difficult to watch.”
“Jealous?”
“Incredibly. I am discovering I really cannot share, when I had feared Houston would have a greater problem with this. What a predicament you have put me in. You have friends and parents. Though I believe I can work around that.”
She thumped him on the chest. “You better learn how to.”
“Yes, cara,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with his ribbing. She realized he had said that just to get a rise out of her. The words “I love you” floated on the breeze, and he was gone.
Chapter Seventeen
“Okay. He’s gone. Are you really all right?” Laney’s gaze searched hers, worried. “Just because he doesn’t feel bad,” she said, shaking her head, concern clear in her motions.
Titania claimed a stool next to them. “No. I’m fine.” She raked a hand through her hair, pulling the knot loose. “Yesterday was rough. I’m doing better today. I just don’t know how long I can do this.” She lowered her gaze. “I don’t know if I can be a vampire.”