“Holy shit,” Nate choked out, breaking some of the spell.
“Well, so much for a quiet, submissive blood slave,” Anderson groaned. “But I can see why you’ve fought to keep her from Ferine. She’d be wasted on him.”
I took a deep breath. “Would you believe she thinks she’s not thin enough to wear that dress?”
She stopped next to Ace. Her gaze locked to mine and the outside world faded away. I could hear her heart speed up and when I subtly licked my lips, I could smell her sweet pussy juices. Her nipples strained against the stretchy fabric of her dress.
Adriana laughed. “Well, she may think she owns the floor but I can see she knows who her master is.”
Alexos’ deep laugh joined hers. “And the cocky bastard knows it. You going to make her stand there all night with a damp cunt?”
His blunt comment broke the spell. She burned red with embarrassment and dropped her eyes, her jaw clenched slightly.
Alexos could be such a prick.
“Alexos, mind your words.” Adriana’s smooth voice took on a sharp edge. “I’ll not have such crude language here.”
I didn’t trust my voice, so I simply waved her to join me. She slipped in beside me again. My hand strayed along her thigh to her knee and back, fingers trailing to the inside. I could hear her heartbeat racing and the soft little mews she choked back. Served her right for giving me a painfully hard cock again.
“There are private suites upstairs if you like, Dekker,” Adriana admonished.
“What were we discussing?” I asked lightly, taking my hands off her thigh with a slight squeeze. She glanced at me and I gave her a wink of approval.
From inside the house a disturbance interrupted further conversation. A moment later, a trio of black leather clad vampires strode out and stood scanning the crowd on the back terraces. A sudden hush spread out from them.
I couldn’t help admiring the rise in fear the three elicited. I had to admit they made an intimidating entrance.
Tall, fair-haired Eli stood on the left, unremarkable save for the scar that ran from his ear to his chin. Segrun topped his 5'11" by a couple inches. Golden hair framed piercing blue eyes and a face just a bit rugged for a woman. Her well proportioned body filled out her black T-shirt and leather pants in a way no one could mistake for masculine.
Several inches shorter and cover girl pretty, Eira stood on the right. Her hair, skin and eyes were so pale she looked silver to her partner’s gold. All three wore long black leather dusters and very visible weapons, from guns to knives. A sword hilt peeked over each one’s shoulder.
The crowd on the terrace grew still and silent with tension. Segrun’s gaze lighted on Ferine and a predatory grin spread across her face. Eira made a slight gesture toward our group in the corner. They sauntered down the three steps to the lower terrace, and the crowd parted, giving them ample room.
“Oh, shit, they’re headed this way,” Alexos groaned. “I wonder who they’re here to kill?”
“If they were just here to assassinate someone, they’d be dead already and we’d never have seen them,” Adriana observed. Her gaze swept to mine. I offered her nothing but a raised brow.
“Assassinate? Are those Svartdraken?” Anderson whispered.
Alexos and Adriana both nodded solemnly.
My companions relaxed back in their seats while the tension around us rose. The trio stopped across from me, and the elder sitting there scooted aside to make room.
“Someone order a protection detail?” Segrun’s lips curled slightly in amusement.
I sat forward and addressed Adriana. “I hope you can forgive the intrusion, but there was an incident at my apartment two days ago.”
“I take it you know these… people… well?” Alexos asked in a clipped, irritated tone. Men of power hated feeling fear, and the Svartdraken instilled fear wherever they went.
“We have some history,” I admitted while both my companions and the trio snickered. “Although I wouldn’t call it a protection detail.”
Alexos cocked a brow. “I see.”
The eerie quiet that had followed the trio suddenly erupted in noise as news spread. Several of those who had just joined us made polite excuses and left.
Adriana showed no overt emotion, but her face seemed even paler than normal for a vampire. “I understand.” She turned to the trio, her silky voice calm. “I do hope there won’t be any trouble here?”
Segrun smiled coolly. “I assure you we’re housebroken. As long as no one else starts anything.” Her eyes drifted toward Ferine and his crew.
Alexos ignored the three well-armed vamps, but his eyes narrowed in challenge at me. I met his angry gaze. “It is polite to introduce one’s friends, Dekker.” Alexos turned his arrogant glare on Segrun.
I grinned impishly. “Ah, well, then. The tall one is Goldie Locks. That one is Snow White.”
Segrun glared at me but Eira snickered.
“That would make me Prince Charming,” Eli added brightly.
Segrun snorted then both women dissolved into laughter. “I was thinking more likely one of the dwarves. Dopey perhaps?” Eira teased with a wicked grin.
Alexos looked ready to spit with anger. Segrun stopped his tirade before it got started. “We don’t use our names on the job. You should know better.” Her soft, calm voice only added to the rebuke. Her cocked brow promised something more violent if he didn’t let it go.
Anderson cleared his throat and glanced at Eira sitting next to him. “So, ah, you’re not here to kill anyone?”
She smiled sweetly. “Let’s just say it wouldn’t be a good thing to be on Dekker’s bad side right now.”
Alexos snorted. “I have to wonder how long a writer of silly novels can afford such protection.” He leaned forward in a clear threat. “The circle won’t tolerate you starting a war with another house, especially not with a bunch of mercenaries.” He looked to Adriana for support but she offered none.
I leaned forward to meet him and put steel in my voice. “I respect the circle and the need to keep order. I didn’t start this, but if he comes after me or mine again, I will finish it. Permanently.”
I stood. They’d all seen enough. Now I just wanted to take my pet home and get her naked, sweaty naked. “Adriana, thank you for your hospitality. I look forward to seeing you again.” I offered a polite bow to the others of the inner circle. “Elders, it’s been a pleasure.” A path cleared for us toward the door. Kierra followed closely behind but I could sense her unease. We stopped out front to wait for the valets to bring our cars.
I had to bite back a groan as the valet assisted Kierra into my Mercedes. All that leg showing had my cock weeping in anticipation. A soft chuckle came over my shoulder.
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in sharing?” Segrun winked mischievously at me. She leaned closer. “I think Ferine already left. I haven’t seen him since we first arrived. We’ll be on your tail the whole way to the loft.”
I gave her a brief nod. I doubted Ferine would be stupid enough to come after us directly now. Not with Svartdraken all around me.
The car filled with the scent of Kierra’s pussy creaming. I’d never smelled anything so heady. Soon all I could think about was getting her alone so I could slip that dress up enough to bury my cock in her sweet pussy and my fangs in her neck. I couldn’t keep my hands off her long, strong legs. She moaned softly every time my hand slid toward her hot core.
I gasped and nearly swerved off the road when she got a hold of my already hard cock. With a wicked grin on her face she started stroking me through my pants. I groaned and pulled her hand away. “Reminds me of the last time I took you home. Only we aren’t stopping in some alley this time, so keep your hands over there.”
“Just trying to please my master.” She bit her lip coyly and tried to look innocent.
I stepped on the gas. Why did we have to be so far from home?
* * *
We rushed into the elevator. The door barely
slid closed before I had her pinned against the wall. I covered her mouth in hot, urgent kisses. She wrapped her fingers in my hair and rolled her hips into mine, pressing her mons against my hard-on. I captured her soft moan with my mouth.
I stroked along her body before cupping a breast. My thumb brushed the already taut nipple. She moaned again, rubbing against me. I could smell her arousal so strong it drove me wild, and I slipped a hand up her thigh and under her too short skirt. She gasped and spread to give me access. I pulled her thong aside with a groan. She’d soaked it already.
My cock throbbed painfully against my pants. I leaned away just enough to hit the stop button on the elevator. Her hands tugged at the button at the top of my pants then swiftly unzipped me. I gasped, my cock jumping as her soft hands caressed it.
I raised one of her legs, urging her to wrap it around me. She clasped tight to me, face pressed against my shoulder, back to the wall as I thrust hard into her. Oh, shit, so wet. So tight. I wanted it hard and fast. Her hands clawed me closer telling me she wanted it as much.
I pounded into her, nearly lifting her off the ground with each thrust. Her cries of pleasure vibrated into my shoulder.
I slipped a hand in to find her clit, massaging and chasing it in circles, wetting my fingers on her juices running down my cock and her thigh. Her cries grew louder, harsher, signaling her rise toward climax.
I nuzzled into her hair. Gods, she felt so good! Tight, but wet, and so hot. I threw my head back and cried out as I convulsed into orgasm. Her pulsing sheath kept me pumping hot seed into her as she found her release.
She let out a long groan, body trembling and legs shaking. I held her as she slid her leg down and found her balance.
“Shit. I’m going to get wet every time I use this elevator now.” She tugged her dress back into place.
I laughed and hit the button setting the elevator back in motion. I wrapped my arms around her, placing hot little kisses against her neck.
The elevator opened with my back to the door. What the fuck was I thinking? I could smell them, vampires. I whirled around. Four vamps dressed in bad-ass black waited, grinning in the hallway. I recognized Ferine’s number two guy.
“Head back to the garage, Segrun should be there. If not, stay in the elevator, jam the door shut.” I shoved her into the elevator as the four advanced. Damn. How had I missed sensing them before the door opened? Getting slow, old man. I moved into a defensive pose, fangs bared, claws ready.
“Ooh, so tough looking, book boy. Careful you don’t hurt yourself,” the lead one sneered.
I quickly assessed them as they approached. Cocky and sure of themselves, they hadn’t pulled the knives I could see. I feinted toward the leader, aiming instead for the one on his right. Blood flew from the man’s nearly severed neck and the ends of my sharp claws.
They didn’t look so cocky now, but I had little time to gloat. I threw a kick at one, connecting with his knee and sending him down with a shattered kneecap. A flat palm strike against another sent him into the wall hard enough to break the drywall. The lead guy had hung back waiting for an opening.
I provided one, only instead of planting his knife in my gut, I trapped it and broke his wrist to make him drop it. I spun and his man’s knife sunk into his heart. He’d ashed before even hitting the ground.
The last one left standing ran.
I shot down the stairs after him. The stairwell didn’t have a large enough opening to leap down several flights at a time. It slowed us both down, but I still managed to gain ground. A lunge sent us both crashing into the door at the bottom of the stairs. I moved with the precision and experience of the trained killer I used to be. The other vamp’s neck snapped in my hands.
* * *
I huddled against the back of the elevator praying Dekker could handle four at once. I had no idea how good a fighter he was. The elevator reached the garage and the door opened. I jumped back and hit the button to close the door but Ferine’s hand slapped it open. His predatory grin sent shivers down my back. He made a show of inhaling deeply.
“Now I know why it took so long for you to reach the top.” He raked me over with a sneer on his face. “But he missed the best part.” He leaned in and yanked me out. “Your blood. Only good thing on a whoring female.”
If I could delay him long enough, Dekker or his sister would reach me. I fought as if my life depended on it. I knew it did.
Ferine yanked me against him, spinning me like a doll so my back rested against his chest. “Don’t worry, they won’t kill Dekker, just delay him -- enough. I want to see his face when he finds you in my arms, drained and dying. Then I will kill that arrogant bastard myself.”
I snorted. “You have no idea who you’re up against.”
“You mean his protection detail? They’re having car trouble. It will be all over by the time they arrive. My friends on the circle will protect me and send those disgusting dogs back to their kennel.”
I laughed. “Your only hope of living is to let me go now.” I screamed as his fangs pierced my neck.
“Police, hands in the air.” A gravelly man’s voice echoed across the underground garage.
Ferine jerked up and spun around. He held me tight while with a nod he sent his gang after the two cops. Faster than they could fire, the vampires were on him and his partner.
Ferine growled, “Keep them penned. I’ll decide what to do with them later.” He nuzzled the side of my head as if gentling a lover. “I’m not done here yet.”
I hated feeling bite lust at the hands of this vile man. My sex burned with need, but I only wanted Dekker.
He thrust his hard cock against my ass. “I hate fucking a used cunt, whoring bitch. I think I’ll make you suck me instead. Then I’ll finish draining you.” He spun me around and shoved me to my knees. He held me by my hair and thrust his covered cock in my face, grinding against me. He smelled foul, dirty. “Suck me, bitch. Maybe I’ll let you live if you do it good.”
I licked my lips as if preparing to suck him. I zipped his pants open, slowly and seductively. His breath heaved in anticipation. But instead of a nice mouth job, I grabbed his cock and balls, squeezing and yanking with all my strength.
Howling, he struck me hard across the face, sending me skittering across the floor. I scrambled to stand and run but he jumped on me like a rabid dog. He yanked my hair aside and bit hard.
I screamed in pain, lust and fear. All thought fled, and dizziness crept up to darken the corners of my mind. I fought to hold on even as I felt my life’s blood being sucked out. Dekker would come. I just had to hold on.
* * *
I surged into the garage, nostrils flared, scanning for scents. My gaze widened to take in the scene without losing my focus on Ferine. The man stood slowly over Kierra’s still body. Hot red rage flooded my mind for a heartbeat before warrior cold took over.
“You’re too late, book boy. I will have to have a talk with my men. They weren’t supposed to let you go so soon.”
I curled my lips in a feral snarl. “Hard to talk to the dead, Ferine.” A whistle and slight movement heralded the arrival of Segrun. “Segrun, see to my pet.” I continued to advance on Ferine. I’d chew her out for being late after I finished this.
“If she’s not dead, she soon will be,” Ferine sneered, clearly trying to throw me off. I smiled as his gaze darted about only to find his men busy with my company. All but one, who circled to come behind me.
I smiled wider at Ferine. “Two on one, hardly fair of you, Ferine.”
Ferine pulled his knife, as did the man behind him.
My grin deepened. “Now, that’s better.”
“Think you’re so tough, book boy? Looks like your hired hands are too busy to save your pansy ass.”
“Here’s a hint. They aren’t my hired hands. Segrun is my sister. They came out of loyalty to their thane.” I whirled, snatching the knife from Ferine’s man and cutting his throat with it, all in one flowing move. Ferine’s frightened g
asp made me smile as I turned on the smaller vamp.
Ferine’s face paled. “Not possible. Torgeir Svartdraken died centuries ago!”
“It’s hard for a man with that many enemies to live the quiet life of a writer.” I shrugged casually, although I felt anything but.
Ferine darted, trying to escape, but I closed in on him until his back met the wall. “You have dishonored the gift I gave you. So now I am going to take it back.” I stalked closer, dropping the blade I’d taken from his man. Ferine crouched, ready for the attack. He lunged, striking for my heart. I blocked Ferine’s blade, breaking his wrist in the process. I spun the slighter man into the wall, breaking his nose. With a snarl I sunk my fangs into his carotid artery. Ferine screamed once as his lifeblood sprayed into my mouth too fast for me to swallow it all. Bite lust softened his body against mine. It would be the last pleasure the bastard ever felt.
I heard Segrun with Kierra. “Easy. I’m going to lick your wounds, seal them.”
I bit harder into Ferine, drawing deep. I wanted this over.
“That’s it, pet, stay with me. You’ll live. Just stay awake.” Segrun’s voice held nothing but confidence. I hoped that wasn’t just for show.
“Nate, you and Eira take care of those mortals when you’re done playing with Ferine’s dogs. I’m taking her up to the penthouse. She’s lost too much blood. I’ll call for some O neg and start an IV.”
Shit. I dropped Ferine’s limp body. He couldn’t die from being drained, but he wouldn’t be getting up any time soon, either. I surveyed the carnage in the garage. Ferine’s dogs lay dead or close to it, like their master. The mortal cops were getting new memories thanks to Nate and Eira.
“Chop off heads or burn the mongrels?” Eli cocked a brow as he took in my blood soaked clothing.
I smiled slightly. “Arteries are so messy.” Eli snickered. “If you’ve got a sword, let’s severe heads. Get the bodies ashed before anyone else shows up.”
Eli pulled a long knife from his boot. “Not a sword but will do the trick. You go see to your woman. I can handle this.” I clasped my friend’s shoulder in thanks.
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