Pigalle Palace

by Niyah Moore

  “You belong to me,” I said, thrusting into her most tender place.

  “Yes… I don’t want anyone else, but you.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes…. Oh, yes… Baby, I’m yours. This pussy is yours.”

  My ego needed to hear that. As we climaxed, we shared an orgasm. We got out of the shower and lay in the bed. For a few minutes, we were silent. For some reason, I sighed loudly, when my thoughts became too heavy. Would I really be the last man? I wasn’t sure if I could trust her ever again.

  “Look, he meant nothing,” she said, reading my mind.

  “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  She stared at me oddly with her head cocked to the side. “How can you say you forgive me if you think I will cheat on you again?”

  “I forgive you, but I won’t forget.”

  “So, what happens between us now?”

  “We have to go to my parents and they’ll tell us what to do next.”

  “Why do your parents have to be our guide? How come we can’t do whatever we want to do?”

  “Because we can’t. From now on, we have to follow all of the rules.”

  “I want us to start all over, Rain. I really do, but I want you to make our own decisions. I want us to make our own decisions. I’ll see you later.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Back to the dorm.”

  “What? Oh, hell no. I won’t let you use me for sex, Essence. I don’t play these types of games. Either you’re here with me or you’re not.”

  She kissed the side of my face. “I’ll come back to see you tomorrow.”

  “You better stay right here.”

  She chuckled. “Are you afraid I won’t return?” She straddled me. “I love your kisses. I love the way your hands make me quiver. I can wake up to them every day. Just not right now. I need more time.”

  She traced my lips with her tongue. Essence started to grind a little, rubbing back and forth against me. I moved my hands to her big breasts and then put my mouth on one of her nipples. She moaned as I took the other one as well. Then, I was back to kissing her.

  I felt myself growing hard again. She aligned her center and I inched my way inside. Something about Essence drove me wild. I squeezed her soft flesh and touched wherever my hands could touch.

  She moaned loudly and screamed to the heavens. Her sex expression was sultry and sexy. There was no stopping her as she bounced harder and faster. She exploded like a fountain when we were done.

  “You’re such an incredible lover,” she said.

  “Is that what you like most about me?”

  “Yes. I’m guilty.” She had an evil laugh.

  That’s when I first noticed it. Essence was crossing over to the dark side. I stared at her with disbelief. At that moment, I wasn’t so sure I could make Essence conform to doing anything my way. Once a newborn had evil inside of them, they became stronger and the worst type of vampire—fatal.

  My family was held in high regard in Pigalle Palace. If Essence tapped into her evil instincts, and if I were truly the one, then my venom would make her as powerful as me.

  Ultimately, I was going to have to kill her before she got too strong.

  “You want me to take you back to your dorm?”

  “You trying to get rid of me?” she asked as she lightly played with my hands.

  “Believe me. You’d know if I was trying to get rid of you.”

  She scooted as close to my body as she could.

  “Essence,” I heard myself say. “What is it that you’ve been truly feeling lately? Any bad thoughts?”

  “All types of things have been running in my mind.”

  She giggled with a devilish grin.

  I didn’t show her how alarmed I was feeling. I was definitely going to have to keep a very close eye on her.

  CHAPTER 23

  LEGEND

  I got up from my slumber about 5:06 p.m.. I eased out of bed to find Chantal cooking in the kitchen. Cooking wasn’t really my thing; I didn’t like to eat food. Some vampires could still eat, but I preferred to drink all my meals.

  “You feel like eating today, I see.” I kissed her on the cheek.

  She replied, “I really miss cooking. I may eat a little of it, so it won’t go to waste… I really miss cooking…”

  She was acting as if we had money to toss down the drain. Even though we had more than enough money, everything my family worked for, we preserved.

  I sat on a barstool at the counter as I watched her work around the kitchen. I could tell that when she was human, she was a great cook.

  “Jade hasn’t answered her phone all morning,” she said.

  “Maybe she’s been busy.”

  “I think she’s upset with me. I think she’s upset that I stayed here…with you.”

  “Did you ever have that talk with her?”

  “I did and I told her that I was starting a new life… Anyway, I need some retail therapy. I’m going shopping.”

  “Chantal... We need to talk about your spending habits.”

  She ignored me and kept making the dinner as if I wasn’t talking.

  CHAPTER 24

  ONYX

  “What do you mean I can’t work at the bar anymore?” Soleil asked.

  “My parents decided that they would like to keep this pregnancy under wraps. It’s nothing personal. They want to keep the Préfet out of this for as long as they can. If anyone at the bar spots your growing midsection, we’ll be called to court.”

  “You’re okay with their decision?”

  “It’s for the best. Plus, I don’t have a choice.”

  “Where the hell am I supposed to hide out for nine months?”

  “From what my mother researched, vampire births only last for half the time, so around five months, the baby will be ready for delivery.”

  “Where are we going to deliver?”

  “My parents’ mansion.”

  “So, this is what was discussed at the family meeting?”

  “That…amongst other things.”

  She wrapped her arms around me and cradled her head into the crook of my neck.

  “I’m terrified.”

  “Soleil, baby, you don’t have to be afraid. We will be just fine.”

  “You’re such a great man. Whatever is happening in my womb feels so magical.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I feel like this baby has special powers.”

  “He might.”

  “He?”

  “Yes, you heard me. I said ‘he.’ It’s a boy. I felt this way the first time you told me you were pregnant. I dreamed of a son last night. That confirmed what I was feeling.”

  She smiled. “I think so, too.”

  We both smiled with joy.

  Suddenly, Rain walked into my house without knocking.

  “Rain?”

  “Onyx, what the hell is going on around here?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Soleil could tell by the growling tone in Rain’s voice that she didn’t want to be a part of the conversation. She left the room to leave us to talk.

  “Azura just called and told me that Chantal’s husband is looking for her.”

  “Yeah, Chantal’s husband came to the club looking for her and he asked me a bunch of questions. I told him I didn’t know her.”

  “Does Legend know about this?”

  “I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him and I’m not sure if Azura told him.”

  “We have to talk to him or at least warn him. Do you think Chantal knows?”

  “Her husband didn’t say anything about speaking with her, so… I doubt it.”

  Rain rubbed the top of his head. “Shit, this is getting crazy. I’m in trouble my damned self.”

  “Why you say that?”

  “Essence is changing… She’s not the sweet woman I met at Vaisseau.”

  “Of course she’s changing. She’s a vampire now.”

&
nbsp; “No, I mean she’s a little dark…a little evil…”

  I sat straight up. If he was suggesting that his precious little Essence was crossing over to the other side, then she was going to cause havoc. Having Rain’s venom in her could give her super strength.

  “What makes you think this?”

  “The way she looks at me. I can see it in her eyes. I’m going to have to kill her.”

  “You should’ve killed her a few days ago when she was weaker. As the days go by, her strength will build. How is she surviving? Does she talk about her hunts?”

  “I have no idea how she’s getting her blood.”

  “We have to take care of all of this. Even if she crosses over, Rain, you have the power to destroy her. Why won’t you tap into any of your powers? What are you afraid of, lil’ brother? We are royalty. The Divination says that.”

  “Fuck the Divination!”

  Lightning struck and a loud roaring thunder shook the house. I looked up at the ceiling as it cracked a little. I looked back at him.

  “You see the kind of power you have when you’re upset? We have to end this now and you’re the only one that can do it.”

  Rain shook his head. “I’m not the only one. I’m just the beginning. Your son will be the one to end it. Trust me when I say that.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “I know that. Meeting tonight, thirty past midnight.”

  “Where?”

  “Mother and Father’s.”

  “All right,” I replied.

  “Bring Soleil.”

  “Will do.”

  He vanished.

  I shook off the bad vibes Rain sprouted, but for some reason, I really couldn’t get rid of the bad feeling. Thoughts of a war entered my mind.

  Suddenly, Legend entered.

  “We were just talking about you, Legend.”

  “Who are we?”

  “Rain and me. He just left.”

  Legend looked as if he had been worried. “Oh really? What were you talking about?”

  “We were talking about Chantal amongst other things. Nothing that you don’t know about. Legend, you look like shit.”

  Legend’s facial hair had grown into a rugged-looking shrub and his dreads were frizzy at the roots. His clothes looked as if he had tossed them on. The way he usually took his time when choosing clothing clearly went out the window that evening.

  “I feel like shit. How are Soleil and the seed?”

  “They’re doing fine. How are things with you and Chantal?”

  “I want her to disappear. She’s spending up my money and she’s doing things like cooking and then dumping the food. She complains about all the things she used to do that she can’t do anymore like walk in the sun. Mother and Father want me to take her life, but if I couldn’t do it the first time, what makes them think that I can do it this time?”

  “Did you know that Chantal’s husband is in Paris looking for her?”

  “No,” he replied with a frown. “This is the first I heard of it.”

  “Has she admitted to being married?”

  “No and I haven’t asked her. I’m afraid my anger will snap her little neck.”

  “Well, you’ve been warned and she does have another husband.”

  “If he finds her, then he finds her. Anyway, I’ll handle it.”

  “Do what you got to do.”

  “We’re all supposed to meet up at the mansion for a family meeting tonight. Are you coming?” Legend asked.

  “Soleil and I will be there. Are you bringing Chantal?”

  “Depends on how she’s feeling about it. Is Rain bringing Essence?”

  “I think so, but I’m not certain.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  Legend left and I went into the bedroom to check on Soleil. She was lying in the bed with her eyes closed.

  “Are you sleeping?”

  “No, resting. I’m concentrating on the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.”

  I smiled and lay next to her.

  “You make me happy,” she said.

  “I’m glad because you make me happy, too.”

  “I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  “It’s no problem. My job now is to protect the both of you.”

  “Good.”

  “The club won’t be open tonight. We’re having a family meeting. They want you to come as well.”

  “Okay. Your family likes to have a lot of meetings.”

  “Yeah. With the new things going on, it’s good to get together.”

  “Now that your mother is aware that I was born to a mortal, she acts like she doesn’t like me.”

  “She likes you.”

  “She looks at me as if I’m a roach, scavenging after her son. She gives me the coldest looks, Onyx, and you know it.”

  “She looks at everyone that way.”

  Soleil rested up against me as I caressed the top of her head. I gently played with her wild golden hair. She kissed me with so much passion. I moaned and slipped my hands up her skirt. She unbuckled my pants. Her right hand immediately took me out and started working me.

  I closed my eyes, relaxed, took my mind off our troubles, and concentrated on how Soleil was making me feel. I moaned closing my eyes tight as ecstasy took over my whole body. From the tip of my toes to the top of my head, I felt the pleasure she wanted me to endure.

  When she opened her mouth to place me inside, it felt like heaven. I was already sensitive and ready to explode before Soleil even touched me. I let go thick and hot into her mouth in a matter of seconds. She swallowed me.

  CHAPTER 25

  RAIN

  Essence made up an excuse not to come to my parents’ house for the gathering. I showed up alone. My mother had invited one more guest I wasn’t expecting to see: Olivia, my ex-girlfriend. She’d had a family emergency in New Orleans and had to leave Paris abruptly, but that was years ago. She never contacted me once she left and I had no way of contacting her. How did they get her to come back to Paris and why was she here after all these years?

  Olivia was a few feet away, drinking and laughing with my mother. Her eyes sparkled as soon as she saw me. One of her best qualities was her blue eyes. For some reason when she turned into a vampire, her eyes turned blue instead of the amber or light-brown color that most vampires had.

  I turned to Onyx. “What is she doing here?”

  “They said she happened to stop by.”

  She happened to stop by? That was a lie. I felt this was my mother’s doing. She hated Essence that much that she would go out of her way to bring Olivia back to get me to leave Essence alone.

  Mother waved for me to come over and I walked to them.

  “Hey,” Olivia said, giving me a hug. “It’s so good to see you, Rain.”

  “It’s good to see you, too. This is a pleasant surprise,” I lied.

  Mother was grinning from ear to ear. She always liked Olivia for me and always hoped that we would get married one day. At one point, I was close to proposing, but she left abruptly. I hated her for doing that to me.

  “She’s so pretty,” Father said, joining the conversation. “I always thought so. Don’t you think so, Rain?”

  “She’s always been beautiful.” That was the truth, but she meant nothing to me anymore.

  “Thank you,” Olivia replied with a bright smile.

  “Why don’t you two sit and catch up?” Mother asked while linking arms with Father.

  Olivia and I sat on the couch next to Onyx and Soleil.

  A server came around with champagne on a tray. I handed her a glass. We drank in silence. Olivia kept staring at me and I kept staring at her. Suddenly, all hate went out of the window. I wanted to tear all her clothes off immediately. My animalistic desires felt rampant and I was ready for them to take over. It was amazing that she could still do that to me after being gone for 300 years.

  Olivia whispered in my ear, “I missed you.”

  “Is
that so? What do you miss about me?”

  “We used to have so much fun together. I want to kiss you right now.”

  I chuckled and shook my head while taking her hand in mine. “You’ve always been a quick mover.”

  “I want you in my mouth right now.”

  “You can do whatever you want to me…later.”

  I glanced across the room, and there was Essence. I removed my hand from Olivia’s immediately. Essence smiled as we made eye contact.

  Onyx cleared his throat and said, “Essence is here.”

  I then turned my attention to Olivia, whose undemanding angelic blue eyes were wide, curious, and almost afraid because Essence was within a few feet of us.

  “Is that her?” Olivia questioned.

  “Yeah. Excuse me.”

  I got up from the couch and before I could meet Essence, she was already standing in front of me with the confidence of a queen. She may have been the queen of her world, but it would be a cold day in hell when she would rule over me. I could feel her newfound power and though it was scary as hell, I stood there firmly.

  “Rain.” She fluttered her eyelashes as if she were expecting me to respond. She stood tall in her three-inch gold stilettos.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “I thought about it and changed my mind. I figured, why not come and mingle with my in-laws.”

  “If you were going to come, you should’ve come with me earlier. My parents don’t like for guests to show up unannounced.”

  I looked across the foyer and my parents were staring at us.

  “I hope they’re not mad. They extended the invite in the first place, so I’m only a little late. They should feel pleased that I showed up at all.” She flung her long hair over her shoulder in an awkward silence. The tension between the two of us was too profuse. Essence glared at Olivia and then smirked. “Who is she?”

  “I need to talk to you, Rain,” Mother demanded.

  Mother looked at Essence as if she were an old chewed-up piece of gum on the bottom of her shoe.