by Lucinda Dark
"She's ... it's a … succubus," I relented.
Torin didn't say anything, but his eyes did widen, and his nostrils flared. He knew. Fuck me. I groaned, pulling my legs up and burying my face in my knees.
"What?" Maverick's voice was confused. "Is that bad? Or worse?"
"It's a sex demon," Torin said. "Which means that in order to release the pent up power Barbie is collecting..." he trailed off and I lifted my head to peek at him. His jaw was tight and he refused to look at me. "She has to have sex."
"Or," I stated, "I could keep doing whatever it is that your friend did to relieve the pain."
I could have cut the tension in the room with a fucking butter knife. "Barbie," Torin started.
"No." I shook my head.
"You might have to," he warned. "The potion Esperanza gave you is a Band-Aid, not a permanent fix."
Then I'd just have to up my game, I decided. I'd have to hurry up and find the vampire responsible for killing my parents and I'd have to take my vengeance. "I'm not going to accept any fucking handouts from you two, and I'm certainly not going to force you to do something you don't want to."
"Barbie." The way Maverick said my name—deep and intense—had me throwing the covers back and getting out of the bed.
"I'm done talking about this now," I said aloud.
"We—"
I turned off my listening skills and headed for the door. I wasn't going to do this right now. I wanted to leave. "Take me home," I demanded as I got to the door. "Or back to school to get my car. I don’t care. Either will do. Just do it right now, or I'll fucking walk."
I didn't have to turn around to know that they were exchanging a look. I rested my hand on the doorknob, my heart pounding. They're not unwilling, Satrina whispered to me.
No, I knew they weren't. I'd only said as much as an excuse. The fact was—I couldn't fuck them. Because if I fucked them then I might come to care for them and if I came to care for them, they would die. I knew it.
Chapter 14
Barbie
Before I left the witch's house, Esperanza gave me two more vials of the strange brew that had relieved the symptoms of Satrina’s power. The shit stank to high heaven, but I didn't complain. Each would last me a few days, she told me, before the side effects started to come back. I resolved to only use them when I absolutely needed to. I could handle the minor side effects, the headaches, small pains, and nightmares, I decided. Only when I got back to where I couldn't fucking walk without wanting to gouge out my own eyes would I take another vial.
Four days. That was how long it took for them to start coming back. Vivid wet dreams, starring none other than Maverick fucking McKnight and Torin Priest kept me from getting any sleep. Cold sweats. Hot flashes. My head pounded against my skull like a deranged prisoner trying to escape its cell. I wondered if the short reprieve made these side effects feel even worse than they had before. It sure fucking felt like it.
I strode into the school entrance with Olivia at my side, chattering away. I'd asked her to pick me up because I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Maverick was the one responsible for my car suddenly not working, and since I knew abso-fucking-lutely nothing about mechanics to fix the damn thing, I hadn’t had much of a choice. It was either her or him or Torin and I wasn’t going to cave that easily. I'd been getting up earlier and earlier to escape riding to school with him and he'd obviously had enough.
I knew what he was doing. What he and Torin both were doing. They were trying to force the issue. Oh no, they wouldn’t try to fuck me without my consent—the very idea was preposterous—but they wanted to keep a close eye on me and I needed to get the hell away from them. No one would have to force me to do anything before long. I could feel my own thighs clenching. I wanted them just as badly, but I kept wondering, was it really me? Or was it Satrina’s power?
I already told you, she huffed in my head, I cannot create desire where there is none. It’s only amplified by my power.
I groaned silently, coming to a shaky stop as I reached out and pushed my palm against one of the lockers as a fresh wave of longing powered through me at the sound of her voice in my head. It was as if all of my nerves recognized hers as the voice of what they wanted most in the world. Her low, smoky tone made me think of silk sheets and smooth skin against mine. Shiiiiiiit. I panted.
“Barbie?” Olivia’s voice broke through to me. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m. Fine.” I gritted the words out as if I could will them into being true. I would be fine. I just needed to get the potion out of my bag and take it. My hands shook as I reached for the strap on my bookbag.
Almost as if I were seeing a scene from a movie, a strong hand—a masculine hand—came out and grabbed it, gently lowering it before I could get a chance to get my trembling fingers on the zipper.
“She probably just hasn’t had breakfast yet and her blood sugar is low,” I heard Maverick say. My head rolled back on my shoulder as I looked up at him.
“Asshole,” I practically slurred the insult.
He quirked a brow but didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he took my bag and turned back to Olivia. “Sorry, but I can take her from here. Why don’t you head to class before you’re late?”
I shook my head, about to tell her not to leave me alone, and certainly not with him, but Maverick stepped in front of me and physically turned Olivia away from me so she wouldn’t see.
“If you’re sure…?”
No! I wanted to scream. I was not fucking sure! I was the exact opposite of sure. I wanted her to come back, but Maverick pushed her slightly to get her moving.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” he assured her. “She’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” Olivia began walking away. “Don’t forget my birthday party is tomorrow though!” she called back. “If you’re still feeling up to it.”
I growled, but a cramp stole through my stomach so fast that it nearly doubled me over. Maverick turned back to me and sighed. “Barbie—”
I shook my head before he could even start. “You broke my car,” I snapped, reaching for my bag.
He held it out of my reach. I tucked my hand into a fist and slammed it into his gut. Maverick’s breath left him in a rush and I snatched my bag from his hand before he could stop me and tore at the zipper. “Barbie,” he gasped. “No!”
The strap was yanked from my grasp and flung away. My entire body froze, shocked, as I watched my backpack sail down the hallway and slide against a wall of lockers several feet away. My head rotated back as if it were sitting on an axis until my eyes met Maverick’s.
“What—and I cannot stress this enough—the fuck!”
His hands reached for my arms but I jerked away, banging my back into the lockers at my back to keep from touching him. “Barbie,” he said my name again, a huff of exasperation in his tone.
“Fuck you,” I growled, sidling away.
“Just let me fucking help you, you stubborn little brat!” he snapped, his fingers closing around my upper arms.
Oh ... fucking ... shit. I shivered as his skin met mine. It lit an electric path throughout me. A warm rush flooded the space between my thighs. I nearly collapsed against him with how good it felt and it was just an innocent touch. I groaned, low and deep. Maverick’s gaze shot to my face and his hand left my arm as if he’d been shocked himself.
“Holy fuck…” His voice came out on a whisper as he looked from his hand to me.
Mustering up as much strength as I could, I stood up straight and walked past him, bending down to snatch up my backpack. I slid the straps back on, leaving the potion inside. Four fucking days wasn’t enough time. If I couldn’t handle this level of the power’s side effects, then I was going to be fucking useless in less than two weeks. I cracked my neck and turned around, crossing my arms protectively over my chest.
“What do you want, Maverick?” I demanded.
Maverick’s eyes were centered on me, his nostrils flar
ed, his eyes dilated. It’s affecting him too, Satrina giggled in the back of my mind. That made my spine stiffen.
What the fuck do you mean?
Darling… I could sense her eye roll. Your body is throwing off pheromones like there’s no tomorrow. He’s affected by them. He wants you.
When she sent me images of the two of us—Maverick and me—twined together, a mass of limbs and naked skin, I nearly went to my knees at the powerful effect it had. By some grace of strength, I stayed on my feet. Though I did close my eyes and suck in a harsh breath through my mouth before opening them again.
Stop it, I told her. The pheromones and those fucking images.
I can’t stop the pheromones, she said followed by the distinct sound of rustling as if she were shrugging. Her tone was even, nonchalant—undisturbed.
Why is he the only one affected? I demanded, mentally narrowing my attention on her as Maverick stood before me, stunned stupid.
She sighed. It affects those you desire. You desire him. Ergo, it affects him. Though, I’d definitely say it would also affect our halfling vampire friend.
Well, fuck me sideways, I thought.
Yes, she replied. That’s kind of the point.
How do I get it to stop? I demanded.
It’s not going to completely stop, she said. You really should just give into it. You could stand to get laid.
I asked for a fucking solution, not your opinion.
She groaned. Avoiding being near or touching those that you desire might lessen the side effects, she finally relented. But I do warn you, Barbie, if you continue to be stubborn about this, you’ll not like the consequences.
Consequences be damned, I retorted as I refocused on Maverick.
“Barbie…” Maverick walked towards me, but I held up a hand, stopping him and startling myself when I saw how my fingers trembled. I lowered them back and tucked them into my folded arms.
“What do you want?” I repeated.
Maverick came closer, backing me up against the wall. Thankfully, however, he didn’t touch me again, merely hovered nearby—torturing me with his presence. My insides screamed at me to give in, to drag him into the nearest room—classroom or fucking closet—and take him. I ignored the cravings and glared at Maverick McKnight.
“You need to stop running from us,” he said quietly. “It’s not really doing you any good.”
“I beg to differ,” I replied. “I think avoiding you is definitely helping with my side effects.”
“You’re saying we’re causing your side effects?” He tilted his head to the side. “Why the fuck didn’t you say anything?”
“You’re not the cause of my side effects.” They just made it a hundred times worse, but I kept that little tidbit to myself. “The power is.”
“There’s no reason for you to avoid us then,” Maverick said. “We can help you.”
“By fucking me.” If he was shocked by my bluntness, he didn’t show it. At least, not obviously. Unfortunately, with my heightened senses, I could see exactly how the idea affected him. Satrina was right. He wanted me too. His eyes burned with a crazy dark intensity, his muscles tightened all over, his hands fisting at his sides as if he resisted the urge to make a grab for me. Smart move on his part.
Then again, at this point, I wasn’t even a hundred percent sure how I’d respond. Would I punch him in the throat? Or would I yank his head down and devour his mouth? Really, anything was possible.
“Barbie.” My name on his lips, spoken in that low tone that made me think of darkened bedrooms and wet kisses, shivered along my spine. “I just want to help you,” he continued. “I wouldn’t hurt you, you know that right?”
I forced a scoff to hide how affected I was. Inside, my emotions rioted. My thighs quivered. My pussy was soaked. I licked my lips, unable to help myself and I watched as his eyes darted to the movement. It took him a moment to pull his gaze away and return my stare.
“If sex will help release the power, you need to come to me,” he stated.
Satrina screamed in excitement in my mind and I shoved the dumb slut down deep and buried her voice as far down in my soul as I could, ignoring her cries and pleas for me to give in. “Not happening,” I said both for him and for her. “Why the fuck would I want you?” I snarled, shoving the words out as harshly as I could to get him to back away. He didn’t. Maverick stayed nearby, less than a foot away. Touching distance, but so close that I felt suffocated. The only thing choking me right now was the power and desire that rumbled within me. “You were a fucking asshole to me,” I reminded him, trying for a new tactic.
“I thought you were playing my family—”
“Not then,” I snapped. “The other night. In the … gym.” Saying it made me remember his cock in my hand, hot and strong. I bit down on my lip hard. His eyes flickered to my mouth again. “You can’t deny it.”
He nodded. “You’re right,” he agreed, shocking me. “I can’t deny it. I was an asshole. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t want to help you, Barbie.”
I still wasn’t satisfied. “Why?” I asked. “Why do you fucking act like that? You know I’m not trying to hurt your family. We’ve known each other for months. I mean, what the actual fuck, Mav?”
Maverick’s chest rose and fell with his careful breaths. The air stilled around us as he dropped his gaze to the ground. The nerve in his jaw jumped. “I thought you were fucking playing me, alright?” he growled lowly. “I’m not the only one who’s been an asshole and you know it. I can admit my own mistakes. I can take responsibility for my own actions, but what about you, Barbie?” His head lifted and he met my gaze.
“You’ve got some serious trust issues,” I said with a shake of my head.
His autumn rich brown eyes practically caught flame. Maverick moved forward, and I shrank down to keep from touching him. His arms landed on either side of me, caging me in. Wetness leaked down my inner thigh. I swallowed roughly. “You want me. I know it. You know it. I’m telling you to come to me if it becomes too much. Yeah, I’ve got fucking trust issues. But my trust issues don’t have shit on yours. When you’re ready to face the facts, come find me. For now, just know that Tor and I are keeping an eye on you. You can’t escape us. Don’t even try.”
His arms fell away and I was speechless as he turned and paused. His arm tightened and with a jerk, he punched a locker, his fist resting against the dented metal for a moment before he pulled back and stomped down the hall.
He was right. I did have trust issues. Pot meet fucking kettle.
Chapter 15
Barbie
I seriously don’t understand what you’re hung up about, Satrina snapped, voicing her opinions and complaints in my ear as I got ready for Olivia’s birthday party. I ignored her, brushing my hair back from my face. I could feel her spirit lingering on my shoulders—like a devil on one side, but no angel on the other. Come on, she whined. They’re both hot. Men in their prime. One is bound to taste—I mean, one is bound to catch your attention above the other. You almost had him the other night!
I rolled my eyes and went to my closet. I snatched a pair of cut off shorts and a low cut tank top.
Ugh. Why must you be such a killjoy? You never have any fun and when you do, you’re consumed by this annoying guilt. It was like having a child in my head at all times. “I want to do this. I want to have that. Gimme. Gimme. Gimme.” I shook my head. There was no fucking break from her. How about this, she finally said. You just have a few drinks tonight and I’ll back off. Maybe a little groping. Some making out? Dear Satan, I never thought I’d have to beg just to get someone else laid.
I paused as I was passing the mirror and turned towards it. I narrowed my eyes at my own reflection as if I were looking deep within myself, past what made me me and further towards the demon that was currently driving me out of my fucking skull with annoyance.
“I swear to fuck if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to yank you out of my soul by your fucking
tail and stake you through your skull,” I growled.
That’s physically impossible. I don’t have a tail, she huffed. I’m just trying to help. I could picture her crossing her arms.
“Try me,” I challenged.
I don’t know how I got stuck with the most boring vampire hunter in the known universe, she said. There was no fucking stopping her tirade. I groaned low as I reached for my keys and left my bedroom.
Neither Beth nor Jon was anywhere to be seen as I let myself out of the house and strode to my car parked on the curb. Despite Maverick’s threats that he and Torin would be watching me, I hadn’t seen either of them since the day before. And surprise, my car was fixed the next morning as well.
Every other vampire hunter I’ve known has been all ‘savor life’ or ‘live in the moment because I could die tomorrow,’ Satrina went on as I got in and cranked the engine. You could die tomorrow, you know? Why don’t you want to live while you still have a chance?
The desire to stab myself in the brain or drive off a cliff rose within me.
I just don’t understand, Satrina proceeded to complain as I drove the ten minutes it took to get to Olivia’s house. You’re young. How can you not want to sleep with anyone? I mean, have you seen the dhampire? If I had my own fucking body, the things I would do to that boy would be considered illegal in ninety percent of the world.
I growled and slammed my hands against the steering wheel. “Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” I enunciated each individual syllable with as much vehemence as I could pull from my chest. It gave her pause. But not for long.
Hmmmmm. What’s this I feel? Fuck. I jerked the steering wheel into Olivia’s driveway. Are you, you can’t be—oh, but you are! You don’t like that, do you? she asked with a laugh. You’re jealous. You don’t want anyone messing with the dhampire. I kept my mouth fucking shut. What about the human? she pressed. Is he off limits or would it be alright if I had a bite out of him? Not physically, of course. I mean, I’d love to get my lips on all of those muscles of his and maybe make my way south to his—