by Kim Faulks
My feet brushed the floor, then air. His wings cradled my body, the bottom edge of his wing cupped me. Smaller thin bones between the webbing fell into the crease of my ass as he lifted me. Power rippled through him and into me, filling the dark well inside. His dragon, my wolf, prey, predator, all tangled into one, and out of the terror came fire.
“Have you ever had someone love you and protect you? Have you ever known softness? Have you ever known pleasure?”
I shook my head as a flame licked low in my belly. The top of his wing cradled my upper body, lifting me upright. My legs fell either side of that long, thin bone that branched to the bottom of his wing. The slow rock rubbed the bone between my thighs as he moved. I swallowed hard riding the friction as he rocked me back, then forth. He reached out, clasping my hands as tiny shocks ripped through my body.
His chest heaved with the effort as did the front of his jeans. I followed the ripple to his waistline and the thin trail of dark hair that fell short of his navel. His hard stomach was thicker, his chest flexed. I caught my breath at the height of the rise, caught on that wicked smile. His eyes glinted with something other than blood-lust as I leaned into the sway and shuddered.
One hand dropped to the button of his jeans as he lowered me back down. I tested my weight as my toes hit the floor, then took a step grasping the waistline of his jeans. “You’re stronger, bigger.”
His lips twitched as a smirk spread. “Yes.”
“This is because of our… connection?”
The grin grew wider as his hand captured mine, shoving my palm against his zipper. “Talking’s for later, little wolf. I have other things I plan to do with my mouth.”
The button worked free, the zipper opened. Yet in my mind he spread more than metal teeth. I burrowed my fingers and touched warm flesh. The florid skin jumped like an exposed nerve as I closed my grip around his cock and felt him pulse. His jeans made a thud as they hit the floor, and his boxers followed.
His wings closed around me like a crimson shroud, gripping me around my chest. My fingers slipped, sliding along the shaft to the silken skin at the head as he lowered his head to my neck, then lower.
My body tightened waiting for him to take me, but like any good predator—the thrill was in the hunt. His tongue circled my nipple finding the ridge of my sensitive flesh. Heat hit my skin from his nostrils, warming the silken trail he left with his tongue. I followed each brush of his lips as he dipped to my ribs, then to my stomach.
“I can feel your pulse racing.”
Whispered words licked something deep inside. I slid my hand along the line of his wing, to the hard spikes as he dropped to his knees. His fingers trailed along the outside of my thighs. I slid my hand around the thick talon as he coaxed one leg from the ground.
“Breathe, Abrial.”
Heat blasted against the most sensitive part of me with one slow lick along my crease. He drew my leg higher, spreading me as his grip tightened.
His lips brushed the edge of my clit, whispering the word against my body. “Breathe.”
I tightened my grip as his tongue circled, cresting the edge, then speared deeper. My other hand fluttered in the air as I arched my back, landing on the top of his head. I threaded my fingers through his hair as he opened his mouth wide, taking all of me.
A growl sent a shiver along my lips, growing under the graze of his teeth against tender flesh. I dug my fingers into the back of his head, pressing harder the moment he drew away. I licked my lips and croaked. “More.”
The night sky captured me as he lifted his head and seized my gaze. His lips glistened under the overhead lights as he murmured. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine now, little wolf. Mine to love. Mine to protect. This here’s forever if you haven’t figured that out yet.”
Forever. I saw the truth in his eyes. In this moment everything made sense. The connection, the desire, the need. Our bond was more than flesh and blood. The wolf and the dragon circled each other. But it wasn’t for blood—it was for love. My hands ached to mark his skin.
My lips eager to taste his sin.
I wanted all of him.
Others feared the Bloodletter. They feared the fire—and they should. I’d seen what he could do. But I welcomed the heat. I wanted the danger. I dropped my head back—instead of running from the flames, I became them.
Forever. I clenched my fist in his hair and pressed his face against my body. His tongue found the rhythm. I jerked as his fingers joined the foray. To belong to someone kind, powerful. Someone who sacrificed his life to save me. Someone who put aside his own flesh and blood—for me. His tongue probed, flames seemed to lick me from the inside. His wings held me, comforted me. I relaxed against his hold and rode his mouth until the flame ignited. Sparks shot high inside me. I jerked, gripping the talon on his wing as my knees buckled.
He gripped my waist as his wings slid under the crook of my arm, catching my fall. My legs folded, molding to the outside of his powerful thighs. I whimpered as his lips nuzzled my breast, echoing his words. “Forever.”
“Yes, forever.” He mumbled into my neck.
His salty lips were warm and eager. I splayed my hips wide and dropped my hand from the talon on his wing to palm his chest. He slid open his thighs, forcing me to rise and spread wide.
I crested his chest and slid my fingers down his hard stomach to slide the tip of his cock against my palm. Eyes locked, I rose up, then slid my hand along his shaft. The muscle pulsed with need. The vein on the underside throbbed, as did I.
His upper lip curled, revealing his teeth. I lowered my head, capturing that savage sound in my mouth as I eased down until the tip found the edge of my pussy.
I swallowed the dangerous warning and splayed my legs wider. The tip crested, riding my flesh. One twitch and he’d be inside me. His hands gripped my waist, his fingers bruised my hips, still he waited—letting me take everything.
The growl slipped to a whimper. The mighty Bloodletter was mine. I’d never felt so powerful. My body was the only thing I had left, and in this moment I wielded it like a weapon.
His body jerked as I eased down. I pinned his lip inside my mouth as the dragon and the wolf joined as one. I hissed with the pain as he tightened his hold on my hips and drove upwards, burying himself to the hilt.
His lip slipped from between my teeth and I lost my power. Dominance turned into need as he withdrew, leaving me empty and aching. A sadistic glint sparkled in his gaze. I throbbed, clenching as he cleaved my body, slamming home once more. Long brutal thrusts replaced the ache, growing faster. A bead of sweat dripped down the middle of my shoulders, tickling as it fell.
I trembled with a fever and jerked with every brunt, still it wasn’t enough. He slid his hand around my belly up to my chest, splaying his fingers as he lifted. His wings curled flat against his body as he dragged one leg backwards, turning me to the floor.
One jerk and the comforter slid from the bed to the hard tiles. I climbed onto the soft pile as his palm crested my ass. Air buffeted my body as his wing unfurled. Thick talons the size of my arm scraped along the floor on either side as his lips brushed the small of my back.
I splayed my legs wide under the soft kisses along my spine. His thumb followed, dipping in, then curving upwards as his cock rubbed the crease of my ass. I rocked as his hand crested my shoulder. Talons squealed along the tiles as his fingers wound around my throat and gripped tight. Fear pierced the bubble. I inhaled hard and wrenched my hand from the floor to claw his hold as he drove his cock in deep.
My breath left me. Thought floated away. I swallowed hard, teetering on the edge of his hold on my neck and the brutal brunt between my thighs.
“Forever.” He growled above me.
I drove my nails into the back of his hand as the fire ignited. The flame blazed as a snarl slipped from my lips. Tiny sparks spread from somewhere deep inside. The air grew thorns to ravage my throat as his thrusts sped.
Nails gave way to my fingers as I mirro
red his grip, riding his body. My legs shuddered, if not for his hand around me I’d fall. The fire swallowed me and somewhere inside my wolf howled as I gripped his hand tight and shuddered.
A whimper echoed as he buried in deep and lingered. My body tightened, milking every drop of his seed. His grip around my throat eased. I dropped my hand, reaching behind me. “Don’t leave, not yet.”
The gentle pressure under my jaw eased my head backwards. My hair tickled my shoulders as the walls around me darkened. Marcus brushed my forehead before collapsing to the floor.
I fell with him, curling against his body and felt the loss as his cock slipped free. Tender kisses found my neck as he nuzzled. “Sleep now, little wolf. We’ve got the rest of eternity to do that again.”
I closed my eyes listening to his heart slow. My body ticked like a cooling engine, winding down one beat after another. With each breath the darkness inched closer, dragging me under until the world faded away in one long breath.
I eased one leg out of bed and felt my muscles tremble. Marcus snored, then rolled. The sheets rippled with the sweep of his hand seeking my body. He made a grunt, then cracked one eye open. “Where are you going? Come back to bed.”
I smiled at this doe-eyed pup and wondered where my Bloodletter had gone. “My pack….”
His hand waved in the air. “Yeah, yeah. Always the pack. Go, find your people. Take care of your sister. Then, you’re mine. All day and night. You hear me?”
A chuckle slipped from my lips. “I hear you, dragon. Go back to sleep. If you want me all day and night, you’re gonna need your strength.”
His eye closed, a grin cracked wide. I eased a few steps before finding my balance and searched the corner of the room for what remained of my backpack. A pair of jeans, underwear and one torn shirt was all I had left. I clutched the shredded fabric in my fist, then dropped the mess to the floor.
I glanced to yesterday’s clothes and to the filth that stained fabric. Rowen’s cries and whimpers would stain my mind just the same. I snagged my jeans and underwear and climbed to my feet. A murmur from the bed turned my head.
I’d give anything to stride across the room and climb under the covers, to feel the warmth of this man’s body and just forget for a minute that the world existed outside these walls.
But how long does ignorance last? An hour, a day… sooner or later, though, the dream always ends. I shoved myself from the floor and tip-toed past the bed, toward the bathroom. The neat rows of tailored shirts drew my gaze. I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of his heavy breath and smiled.
I ran my fingers along razor sharp creases and plucked a pale green shirt from the hanger. I clutched the cloth to my face and breathed deep. The fabric smelled of sunshine and love, of old spells and even older terror.
Marble and stone filled the bathroom, black and red splashed the walls and the floor. I dropped the clothes on the bench then yanked open the shower door. My fingers skimmed along the glass, then over the tiled walls
I hit the handle and the stall filled with the hiss of water. I plunged my hand into the icy water, and felt the stream warm across my fingers, then my arm. I lifted my face towards the heat and sighed. I used the shampoo and the wash, scrubbing my body from head to toe until my skin turned ruddy and my hair squeaked clean.
The shirt felt like silk against my skin. I fingered the fabric and buttoned the sleeves. The green fabric skimmed my breasts and fell. I tucked the bottom into my jeans and yanked the zipper close.
My boots made no sound as I walked out of the bathroom, and past the bed. Marcus splayed his body wide, under the tented thin sheet I could see he was ready for me once more. A smile broke out as I strode to the door.
Muffled voices filtered from the far end of the house, but fun and laugher would have to come second—my sister came first. I turned right, leaving the laughter behind and followed the hall to a set of darkened stairs.
The thud of boots rang out at the base of the stairs. I slowed my steps and sniffed the air, scenting nothing but pine and dirt.
White teeth flashed as a snarl tore through the hallway. Hurron lunged from the shadows as I reached the corner slamming me against the wall. My head cracked against the gyprock, thoughts shattered. He slapped his hand over my breast, fingers pinched, kneading until I cried out. “Hurron, stop.”
His thunderous stare, held me, then drifted lower, lingering on the pale green shirt, two sizes too big for me. His eyes widened, a vein pulsed near his temple as he put two and two together. “I can smell him all over you. Deny it, I dare you.”
His chest crushed mine, forcing my spine to flatten against the drywall. I sucked in the air, turning my head as his mouth sought mine. Cruel hands gripped my jaw, dragging my face to his. “Get off me. Get the fuck off me.”
He dropped his head to the side, grazing the lobe of my ear with his teeth, before biting. “You’ve insulted me, and it’s not for the first time. But believe me when I say this, Abrial. It will be the last.”
I jerked my head away and bucked, slamming my head into his. The clash stunned my thoughts, stars scattered as he stepped away. His top lip curled in a sneer. “He can fucking have you. You’re nothing but a spoilt little whore. Watch your back, whore. I’ll be waiting.”
I grimaced at the word. The name couldn’t hurt me, but the cold look in his eyes told me Hurron wanted to do a lot more than call me vile names.
The creak of a door filled the hall. The old woman shuffled out into the hall, taking one look at me, and then Hurron. She lifted her hand and swept it through the air. “Shoo!”
He turned his head from the witch to me, then strode away. I waited for the sound of his steps to fade before gulping the air. My fingers trembled as I reached for my ear, swiping the flesh before checking my hand. No blood.
My knees locked as I took a step, finding a jerky rhythm to the open door. The old woman moved away, leaving me to follow in her wake.
“Thank you.” I whispered and closed the door behind me.
“I don’t have to tell you to be careful, especially with your sister here.”
I glanced over to the bed. Waves of anger rippled from my sister as she turned toward me.
“She’s been waiting for you.”
I exhaled. Tension coiled in my belly like a wounded snake. “I don’t doubt that.”
I swept my gaze over the markings on the wall. The glistening markings dripped along the wall. Sweeping in an arc of symbols and stick figure drawings a child would be proud of. The sun. The moon—they were everywhere. “Are you sure these markings will hold?”
“They’ll hold.” The witch snarled, then glanced to my sister. “For a while at least.”
Thick bandages covered the shaman’s arms from her wrists to her elbows. “Your blood?”
The shuffle stopped. The old woman lifted her head to glance around the room. “I told you they’d hold.”
I turned to the bed and caught my sister’s defiant glare, praying the old woman was right. “Okay, let me have it.”
Silence reared up to slap me. I waited, shifting from one foot to the other. Sea green captured me. The crusted corner of her lip twitched. She swiped the edge with her tongue, and waited. I clenched my fist, stilling the shake and took a step. All my life I’d waited for this moment, to see her, to touch her—to know she was safe. But in all my dreams I never imagined this.
Gone was the strong woman who stood before me hours ago. Here she was tiny, feeble like a newly hatched bird, just waiting to take flight. I sank to the edge of the large bed and opened my fingers. The spark of fear in her eyes was a dagger to my chest. I swallowed my pain and whispered. “I’m not going to hurt you, Rowen.”
She pulled away and closed her eyes. A harsh wheeze slipped from her moving lips.
I squinted, then leaned in close. “Did you say something?”
“I escape one hell, only to be locked in another.”
She opened her eyes. Hate stared back at me. I held her ga
ze, then looked away. “It’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it? Then enlighten me, sister. Tell me how it is.”
“It’s for your protection.”
She barked a laugh, then followed my gaze to the markings on the wall. “My protection? Seems a lot like for yours.”
“You’re wrong. No one will find you here. We’re safe.”
A knock boomed from the door behind me. I turned, watching the old woman shuffle toward the door as Rowen spoke. “You think the witch’s blood will keep him away? You’re so bloody naive, Abrial. Can you keep the night away? Can you keep the darkness from entering your mind?”
“Abrial.” The shaman croaked.
I shifted on the bed, turning to stare over my shoulder. The stooped old woman filled my gaze. I stared at her tangled hair, the bones, the stick and the feathers as something snuck into my mind. “What is it?”
She shuffled one long step to the side, revealing the tiny wolf in the doorway. My chest lightened, I inhaled long and hard. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Odessa’s amber eyes glinted like fresh sap from a wounded tree. But the lone wolf wasn’t interested in me—she was staring at my sister. She took a step inside, barely giving me a glance.
The bed trembled under my hand. The tremble turned to a shudder. I wrenched my gaze to Rowen. One brow climbed under her midnight hair as she widened her swollen eye, straining to see. Her black pupil swallowed the green, leaving her eyes colorless. The sheet pulled taut. The slack wound up inside her clenched fists.
“You.” My sister hissed shaking her head. “It can’t be. No. No.”
The lone wolf tilted her head and closed the distance in one smooth stride. “You should’ve told me Abrial was your sister, Rowen. You should’ve told me a lot of things.”
Rage flashed in Rowen’s eyes. “It seems you can’t see everything then?”
A sound from the hallway lifted my gaze from Odessa. Buck’s hulking body overshadowed the tiny wolf.
Anger stung like a slap. “What, Buck? What’s so damn important that it couldn’t wait?”