Embrace the Fire

by Spring Stevens

  He turned as the snake at his feet coiled and prepared to strike. He felt the presence before he appeared. Narrowing his eyes, he waited for Charon to appear. In his usual fashion, Charon’s footsteps sounded first. The crunch of dead leaves bounced around the room and the ferryman appeared.

  “Damon. How do you fare?” Charon’s face switched from man to skeleton. “Are you enjoying your rule of the Underworld?”

  Damon smiled. “I’m enjoying it rather well. Tell me, what brings you back? We had our bargain long ago.”

  Charon’s scythe appeared in his right hand. “Indeed we did.” Charon looked across the room at the mirror that stood beside of Damon’s bed. “I see you have achieved most of what you desired.”

  Damon held out his hands. “I’m the king of the Underworld. I control everything and everyone in this place. I can sit on my throne and watch as Gyth’s precious Destroyers are tormented and tortured. I watch as members of the One Race die. What more could I possibly want?”

  “You’ll want more.” Charon’s eyes glowed red. “More power. More death. More revenge.”

  Damon had no regrets. His bargain with Charon had ensured him the throne of the Underworld. He was exactly where he needed to be to make sure Gyth never rested and was always reminded of Damon.

  “I need something from you.” Charon stepped forward, the snake at Damon’s feet striking at him. With a swing of his scythe, the snake’s head rolled past Damon’s feet. “I’m willing to bargain with you to get it. So, tell me, Damon. What is it you want most?”

  A fine layer of sweat broke out across Damon’s forehead. What did he want? He wanted Gyth’s head.

  “That I can’t give you.” Charon barked a laugh. “Even after two thousand years, you still hate Gyth with an undying passion.”

  “Tell me what you need from me and then I’ll figure out what payment I want in return.”

  Charon’s face twisted back to man. “You will spare the life of Angelica Dark.”

  Damon threw his head back and laughed. “Spare her? Why would I do that when I could kill her and make Varick Ta Farg more miserable than he already is? Or convert her?”

  “Because Damon. Either you’ll make this bargain with me or you’ll lose this war between you and Gyth tonight.” Charon grinned. “At no time will you attempt to kill her.”

  Damon cracked his neck. He knew Charon was powerful. He was one of the few remaining old gods. And it was better to have him on your side than against you.

  Pacing the floor, an odd thought occurred to him. He stopped and looked at Charon. “I’ll spare her for a little information.”

  “The deal is set.”

  A silver chain appeared in Charon’s hand. He lifted the hood and pulled out a single black hair. With his scythe, he sliced his palm. He wrapped the hair around the chain and let his blood fall onto the hair.

  “Body, flesh of mine. Blood, power of mine. Soul, power of the gods. I give you my word.” He held out the chain. “If you break your word and she dies, your soul will belong to me.”

  Damon nodded. “And if you tell me an untruth, your soul will belong to me.”

  Damon went to Charon and took the chain. It wrapped around his hand and melted into his flesh.

  “What information do you seek?”

  “What is Gyth’s weakness?” Damon grinned.

  In a burst of smoke, Charon disappeared as he spoke two words. “His son.”

  Chapter 15

  Angelica groaned as Varick pulled up in the parking lot next to Tortured Souls. They had just had a wonderful meal at Raven’s even though he seemed a little detached and stiff. She had wanted to get him in a more private setting; a little club not to crowded would have been nice. She definitely hadn’t expected him to bring her here. Of all the clubs on the coast, why had he chosen this place?

  Anywhere, please, anywhere but here. In her mind, the perfect night with Varick did not include coming to the place where she worked. What was he going to do, show her off to his friends?

  He grinned like a schoolboy as he got out of and came to her side. He opened the door and took her hand. She silently hoped no one would recognize her as she waited for Varick to lock the car. Suddenly, she didn’t think she could do this, was she ready to take things farther with him?

  “You’re absolutely stunning.” His voice was low, sexy.

  Angelica smiled, though she wanted to groan. “Thanks. Look, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

  He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “I have to check in with my friends to make sure I haven’t missed a job. This shouldn’t take long.”

  “Seriously?” She rubbed her temple, suddenly getting an ache behind her eyes. “We’re on a date and you’re worried about a job?”

  He looked at the door of the club, seemed to be trying to make a decision.

  Angelica looked down at the asphalt, “If you’re job is that important to you that you need to break away from our date, just take me home.”

  Varick with his big, gold, heavy-lashed eyes smiled and brought her into his arms for a sweet embrace. “You’re not getting away that easily. If I have to spend the entire night wooing and coaxing you, I will. I’ll walk on glass and eat fire just to steal a kiss from your lips.”

  Oh, man! He was so saying the right words.

  Stepping back, she managed to smile at him. “All that for just a kiss?”

  His large hands cupped her face. “Yeah, all that just for a taste of your lips. One taste.”

  He leaned in closer, his chest pressing against her breasts. She swallowed hard as her stomach tightened in anticipation.

  She shivered, surely from the brisk breeze.

  “Varick,” she managed as his fingers slid to her neck, caressing, rubbing at her pulse. “Stop taking your slow time and kiss me already.”

  He didn’t crack a smile, not even a laugh. He simply stared into her eyes for a long minute, his lips pressed into a thin line. Angelica reached up, slid her hands around his neck and gently pulled his head toward hers.

  If he needed a little help, she would give it to him.

  For a split second, she didn’t think he was going to kiss her. Then his lips were on hers, his tongue in her mouth. Heat enveloped her, his scent driving her hormones into overdrive. He broke the kiss and she groaned.

  His voice was in her ear, whispering, wanting more. “I want you, Angelica. Gods above, I want you like a dehydrated man wants water.”

  Her body jerked as he pressed against her. He was rock hard from head to toe, especially the bulge rubbing against her stomach. Pushing hard at his chest, she stepped back.

  “Then what are you waiting for?” Her voice was a hoarse whisper. “My place is just a few minutes away.”

  Her heart skipped a beat when he opened the car door and nodded. She slid into the seat and waited as he fumbled in his pocket for the keys, getting in awkwardly as if he had forgotten how to control his limbs. Glancing his way, she noticed his hands were shaking as he started the car.

  “There’s no reason to be nervous.” She smiled as she took his hand, entwining their fingers. “I won’t bite.”

  “I might.” Releasing her hand, he put the car in gear and pulled out of the car lot. “But I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Well, that just gave me a whole new set of fantasies.

  “I might like it.” She tried to lighten his mood. “Leaves, vines, and lots of biting. A girl could work with that. A kinky nature scene amid flowers and running water.”

  He barked a laugh. “All we’d be missing is the trees and the pale moon light.”

  “There’s always the park.” Her body relaxed as he turned his head and gave her a blinding smile.

  “Are you sure about this?” Varick stopped, glanced up at the red light at the
corner of the street she lived on.

  She had never been so sure of anything in her life. “Yes.”

  He nodded, went down her street, and parked the car in front of her house. And just sat there, his lips were thinned into that straight line again. Angelica opened her door, frustration bouncing around her brain as she went to his side of the car and pecked on his window.

  Slowly, he opened the door and uncurled his large frame from the car. His scent, that intoxicating aroma of honeysuckle invaded her, brought back the heat she had felt earlier.

  No sooner than she had the door unlocked and they were inside, he had her in his arms. She vaguely heard the soft clap of the door closing and the lock sliding into place.

  Tilting her head back with one large hand on the nape of her neck, he took her lips in a soft kiss. His lips curved over hers, his tongue sliding over her lips. She parted her lips, gasping as his tongue darted between her teeth and caressed the roof of her mouth.

  Yeah, he could kiss. And yeah, she was going to let him keep doing that just because she was more than curious, she was needful, aching. She slid her tongue next to his and suppressed a laugh as he groaned into her mouth. His hand fisted in her hair, pulled her closer as his other hand slid from her shoulder to her waist. She leaned into him, purely because she wanted to know if that bulge was back. Oh, yeah, it was, and glory day, it was hard as a rock.

  His hand slid down her thigh and cupped her butt. She pushed at his chest, breaking the kiss. His hand stayed in place as he ran his fingers down her jaw, and his thumb rubbed her bottom lip.

  “I liked that.” His breath whispered over her forehead. “Makes me want more.”

  She pulled out of his arms, a whimper lodging in her throat from the loss of contact. “I’m offering more.”

  Looking up, she caught her breath. Heat flooded her, her pulse banging like snare drums in her ears. The way he was looking at her reminded her of a starved, caged animal that had been taunted with sticks.

  It should have had her running, but she wanted to get closer to that animal. Breathing hard, she knew even skin-to-skin wasn’t going to be close enough.

  Varick put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the living room. Angelica knew he was whispering something, but she failed to hear him as thoughts of him running his hands up her legs forced their way into her mind. If he didn’t hurry this along, she was going to implode.

  His voice was strained, almost too controlled. “Perhaps we should slow things down a bit.”

  Slow? Was he serious? “If we go any slower, I’m going to burn up from the inside out. Do you want to do this or not? You act like you want me but you’re holding back.”

  He stood there in silence, not a muscle moving, his eyes unblinking. Man, she was tired of this game.

  “I’m pretty sure I’ve given you every indication I want this. Take off your clothes and come get me already.” She pointed to the door. “That’s your way out of this. Off with your clothes or out the door.”

  • • •

  Varick was utterly speechless.

  He watched in astonishment as she pulled her shirt over her head. The black lace of her bra strained against her tight nipples as she reached up and let her hair down. Her hands went to her waist, pushing the skirt down to her thighs. Her matching underwear sent a shiver of appreciation down his spine.

  He knew he needed to leave, to get away from her before he succumbed to the lust. She deserved to know what she was getting into, she deserved better than what she would get. He had no idea how bad things would be, didn’t know if he could control the beast, didn’t know if he would hurt her.

  His mouth watered, his fangs threatening to elongate. Gods above, he wanted to get inside her. Taste her. Lick her. If it wasn’t for the Mating Rite, he would’ve already been at her throat, between her delicious legs.

  “Varick.” His name was almost a whimper as she came to him, reaching for his chest.

  He let her hands slide under his shirt, a groan of pleasure slipping from his lips. Varick dropped his head to the hollow of her neck. His fangs slowly elongated as she ran her fingers over his nipples. He knew he was getting caught up in the desire, but he was helpless to stop himself.

  Kissing her neck, his hands went to the clasp on her bra. With no control of his own, he turned her around, pressed his body to her back and cupped her breasts with both hands. She leaned back, her hands covering his urging him on. Her head tilted to the side, her pulse tempting him even further.

  He needed to taste her, just one taste. He dropped his head back to her neck, ran his tongue from her collar to her jaw. Angelica moved his hand down, urged him to follow the trail she was leading. He didn’t resist.

  Varick slid his hand between her legs, felt the wet heat of her arousal. She was ready for him, hot, wet, and beautiful. His erection pounded, demanded he take her right where they stood. One finger, then two he invaded her. She was wet satin, hot and sweet.

  Something in his head snapped, made him come to his senses. His fangs were poised, ready to strike. He didn’t know if he could stop once he tasted her. She was a drug, potent and intoxicating.

  Varick heard her labored breathing. She turned around, her face was flushed. There was determination in her eyes as she stepped right up to him pressing her hand on his erection. He was incapable of stopping her as her other hand went to the button on his jeans. He stood there and let her push his jeans down, watched in fascination as she curled her delicate fingers around his cock.

  He groaned as she looked up, stared straight into his eyes. “I need you inside of me now.”

  Before he realized what he was doing, he had her on the couch, spreading her legs. He went to his knees and kissed the inside of her thighs. Running his tongue along her skin, he made a direct path to her center.

  His mouth was on her, sucking and licking at her arousal. Her hands were in his hair, holding him closer as she arched, needing his tongue to go deeper. Varick growled his approval as she arched again and whispered his name.

  He was coming undone at the seams, his fangs scraping her delicate flesh but he couldn’t stop, didn’t want to stop. When she came, he roared. Not giving her time to come down from the sexual high, he slipped his finger inside her.

  She screamed his name as she came again. His fangs ached with need as he struck. He buried them into the skin on the upper inside of her thigh and sucked hard.

  Varick felt her jerk, but he kept pushing her over the edge of pleasure with his hand. Closing his eyes, he put a mental damper on the Mating Rite. Careful not to take too much blood, he retracted his fangs and licked the wound.

  Tonight, he was going to satisfy her, give her what she deserved. He kept working at her, controlling his lust and his hunger. He concentrated hard, focused solely on her pleasure, not his.

  “I need you now.” She whimpered as she arched again. “Varick, please.”

  He leaned over her, kissed her deep and long until she was breathless. Her heartbeat thundered in his ears, her face aglow with the pleasure she was feeling. She came again, her body relaxing, her eyelids closing.

  A satisfied smile formed on her lips and slowly disappeared. “You’re here, but yet you aren’t.”

  “I’m right here.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, settled his body beside of hers as she turned onto her side.

  She sighed. “You know what I mean. You didn’t even get undressed.”

  “I … ” He choked. Didn’t know what to say.

  “Don’t worry about it.” She yawned. “We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

  “I can’t stay,” Varick muttered. Morning meant sun, sun meant fried Varick.

  “Why?”

  “I have to meet Alexander.” He cursed under his breath. He didn’t want to lie nor did he want to tell her the truth. �
��For work.”

  “Yeah, okay.” He felt her stiffen as he wrapped his arm around her. “Lock the door on your way out.”

  “I can stay a little longer if you’d like me to.”

  She sat up, shielding her breasts with her hands as she stood. “I have to work in the morning too. You might as well go now so we both can get a few hours of sleep.”

  “Angelica?” Varick eased himself up from the couch. “You’re angry.”

  She grabbed her shirt and skirt from the floor, shielding her breasts once again. “No, I’m not angry.” With jerky movements, she clothed herself. “Did you even want to have sex with me?”

  “Yes.” He grabbed her hands, bringing them to his lips. “I just didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then why did you bite me? And why did it feel a little one-sided?” She pulled her hands away and walked towards the door. He followed her, the silence deafening in the few steps it took to get there. “I may have enjoyed it, but you didn’t.”

  Varick suddenly didn’t want to use her to relieve the Mating Rite. It wasn’t fair, wasn’t right. If he hurt her, he would never forgive himself. And he knew he would. The beast inside of him was pure menace, a vicious killer.

  He knew the destruction the beast was capable of, had unleashed him upon hordes of vampires. There was no controlling him once he was out. The thought of unleashing that menace on Angelica sent a cold wave of pain through his gut. No way in hell was he going to let the beast get to her.

  Running the tips of his fingers down her cheek, he inhaled her scent. It was better that she be angry at him then harmed.

  “Sleep well, Angelica.”

  “Yeah, you too.” She opened the door, stepped back and wouldn’t meet his eyes as he stepped outside. “Goodnight, Varick.”

  Chapter 16

  The music pounded, and the lights flashed like mad. Varick forced a smile as he watched Angelica walk towards the bar with her tray in her hand. He shrugged nonchalantly as the bartender grinned and raised his hand to her.