No one spoke a word as they walked to the sacred ceremonial grounds. Kanati studied the area as they drew closer. A large ring of stones marked the center. Within that ring, brush and wood had been stacked high. Seven paces to the east and west were two smaller circles also filled with small branches.
His escorts positioned him in front of the west circle and handed him a kerosene soaked torch before leaving him to stand alone. From his vantage, he couldn’t see Selu, but he assumed she stood in front of the east circle in a similar fashion.
Dustu entered the clearing from the North and stopped seven paces from the edge of the center ring. With a nod, he signaled for two elders to ignite the smaller circles. The smell of burning wood quickly permeated the entire area. The smoke barely wavered as it rose to the heavens.
“Friends, family…kinsmen. We have gathered here today to witness the union of Kanati and Selu. May our ancestors join us on this joyous occasion and bring with them blessings from the afterlife to bestow on us all.
“The Gods have seen fit to bring these two together. Let no man or creature come between this man and woman. May they live a life that’s full of all the goodness the Gods have to offer. May their joys far exceed their pains. May their home be blessed with the sound of children’s laughter. May their hearts beat as one.”
Dustu leaned his head back and raised his arms until they were even with his shoulder. Kanati lit his torch as the old priest closed his eyes.
“Fire brings life and as such it is the symbol of life.”
He lowered his arms slowly and Kanati moved to stand by his side. He tried not to smile as he stared into Selu’s eyes.
“The fire burns bright in each of you as it should with those who possess so much life. Today, they will merge to form a light brighter than either could’ve accomplished alone.”
Kanati and Selu walked shoulder to shoulder as they approached the center ring of stones. They brought the flame of their torches together and plunged them into the brush at the base of the pyre. The ring blazed to life, causing them all to take a step back.
“May your love burn as bright for eternity as it does on this day,” Dustu intoned.
Acabo removed the blue blanket from his shoulders as Taima removed the one from Selu’s. They were replaced by a single white blanket that encompassed them both.
“The bond is sealed; let it never be torn asunder.”
The Talwa cheered and jockeyed for position to be the first to congratulate the newlyweds. The sea of faces and hands reaching to touch him made him reminiscent of his first night back with his people after escaping the boarding home. He was happy then, now…now he was elated. The woman who had stolen his heart at first glance was officially his wife. It had to be the greatest day he had ever lived.
* * * *
Selu shut the door to her bedroom, their bedroom and pressed her forehead against its cool surface. The entire day had been almost overwhelming. She briefly wondered if the wait had been as hard on him as it was on her. She turned to ask him and stopped short. Kanati lay in their bed on his side, propped up on one elbow. He wore nothing but a smile.
“Did you get Taima all tucked in?”
“Yes,” she replied with a nod as she moved to the foot of the bed. “She was spent. I was surprised she managed to stay awake as late as she did.”
“So, she should sleep soundly?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
“She always has, but tonight I’m sure she is dead to the world.”
Selu pulled the strap securing her halter-top and eased the garment over her head. Kanati’s sharp intake of breath made her smile as she covered her breasts with her hands, letting her nipples peak through between her fingers. He rolled to his hands and knees and walked to her on all fours. She felt him grip the hair at the base of her head before his mouth found lips. He pulled her close, his body warm against hers. Her fingers trailed up his arms, his shoulders and cupped his face as her tongue probed around his. His hand searched out the drawstrings on her skirt and untied them. It fell to a heap on the floor, the beads chiming as they bounced from the wooden slats.
He leaned back, urging her onto the bed as his hands gripped her buttocks. She let out a tiny gasp as cool air rushed in when he pulled her cheeks apart. She found she rather liked the sensation. Warmth surged through her body as her arousal grew. Maneuvering his hand between them, he palmed her mound, his fingers caressing her nether lips. She guided his other hand to the center of her bottom and pressed one of his fingers between its fleshy folds. He worked it in a circular motion, not quite penetrating, but putting alternating degrees of pressure against her anus. She shuddered with pleasure. As if feeding from her reaction, he repositioned himself beneath her without removing the hand she still held firmly in place, pressing his erection against her swollen lips while massaging her clitoris between his fingers. It was too much. The orgasm exploded over her. Her vision narrowed, her breath froze in her throat, by the time it released in a guttural moan, she wondered if she were going to pass out.
Kanati continued to touch her, each caress causing her entire body to twitch and jerk as her nerves were on the verge of sensory overload.
“Stop…wait,” she urged in a soft voice before rolling away from him, panting for air. “By Ocasta!” she exclaimed, when her senses began to return. “I had no idea.”
“I didn’t… I wasn’t.” he looked at her brow furrowed in deep thought. “If you enjoyed that, do you want me to—?”
“No!” she interrupted quickly. Even as good as the rubbing had felt, the thought of actual anal intercourse unnerved the hell out of her. “Somehow, I just don’t think that would be as pleasurable.”
He rose above her and kissed her tenderly. “I just want you to know that whatever brings you pleasure, I’m willing to do for you.”
“And I for you,” she murmured.
She reached for his member, still standing erect, and pulled on it with long strokes. He moaned his approval, closed his eyes and rolled the rest of the way onto his back. Wasting no time, she quickly engulfed him with her mouth while she continued to work the length of his shaft with her hands.
His hands moved to her hair, urging her to slow her pace. Raising her head, she smiled up at him, moved her mouth to the base of his erection and proceeded to lick the length of it before continuing to suck it.
“I want you…now,” he all but growled. “I need to be inside you.”
Pushing herself to all fours, she winked at him over her shoulder. “Then take me.”
He entered her from behind with one long thrust. Her breath caught in her throat. He felt enormous inside her, filling her completely. She began to pant in rhythm to his gyrations, moving her hips back against him with each revolution. The sound of their skin smacking together turned her on as much as the feel of him pushing deeper and deeper within her. His hands sought out her breasts, her nipples, and tugged at them firmly.
Steadying herself with one hand, she placed the other between her legs, gently massaging her clitoris. She screamed out as the pleasure became almost too much to bear. His momentum quickened and she knew he must be getting close, but so was she. Praying he could hold out long enough for her to climax again, she rubbed her swollen button frantically. When he exploded inside her, it was enough to push her over the edge as well. Her arm buckled and they tumbled to the bed in a sweaty heap, both gulping for air.
Kanati rolled them to their side and he held her firmly in his embrace. The feel of his body pressed against hers added to her bliss. She let out a sigh of contentment before they both drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Seventeen
Niccolo woke alone. The cave was empty. A quick probe with his mind confirmed that Pavlo wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity.
“What are you up to now?” he said, rising to his feet.
It was just as well, he was sure his plans for the evening wouldn’t appeal to his friend in the slightest. He wanted to attend a wedding and he would enjoy it m
ore if he didn’t have to listen to Pavlo whine about what a miserable time he was having.
He strode to the mouth of the cave and leapt into the air. Within heartbeats, he approached a group of people huddled around a large clearing amongst the trees that bordered the north side of the village. It appeared the entire populace had turned out for the event. Spotting a large branch near the circumference of the clearing, he touched down gently, testing his weight on the swaying limb.
His heart ached. So much love emanated from this couple, from this entire group, it dredged up nearly ancient feelings of love and love lost from his own past. He had once shared his heart with such intensity, but the world had changed since then, at least his world.
Studying the determination on Kanati’s face, he was suddenly struck with the thought that he was no longer looking at a boy struggling to find his place in the world, but at a man who knew what he wanted out of this life and strove to achieve it.
Watching the ceremony with great interest, he nearly fell from his perch when the center bonfire sprang to life. It illuminated the sea of smiles surrounding the happy couple.
“Yes, let no…creature tear this union asunder,” he whispered as the throng began to converge around Kanati and Selu.
He stayed until well after the last of the tribe left the clearing. Dropping silently from his perch he landed near the spot where the priest had stood. He replayed the ceremony in his mind, mimicking the gestures he’d seen performed. They were such an interesting people, such a proud people. He had made his decision. Kanati would never know his dark embrace. Niccolo couldn’t bear the thought of ripping him away from such a blissful place. As he took to the air, he knew in his heart he would never return, never bother the young man again.
Flying over the hills with all his might, he had the sudden urge to do something. Feed, fight or fuck, he didn’t care. He just wanted a sensation that what obliterate the emptiness he felt inside. He was angry, angry at himself for even contemplating the idea of turning Kanati. How could he have been so selfish? Yes, the boy had a remarkable aura about him, but that was all the more reason to let him live a mortal life.
Eyes narrowed, fangs bared, he soared through the air, looking for signs of life. He grunted in surprise when the lights of a city sprang up on the horizon. He recognized it quickly as Oklahoma City. He’d traveled a greater distance than he expected in a very short time. Perhaps it was fate. He was sure someone down there could take his mind off his self-flagellation.
Just as he touched down in an alley near the heart of the city, he felt a familiar tug at his consciousness. Someone sensed his presence and was calling to him. Of all the directions he could’ve flown, what were the odds that he would wind up in the same city as Pavlo? Apparently they were better than average.
“I’m coming, old friend,” he said with both his lips and his mind. “You are in luck. Tonight we live like the vampires you wanted us to be.”
* * * *
Niccolo strode up the stairs of the old hotel, barely resisting the urge to use his inhuman speed. Reaching for the door of the room, he paused. Pavlo was not alone. He swung open the door. Pavlo lay sprawled naked on a sofa, arms folded behind his head, one foot propped up on a cushion, the other resting on the floor. Nessa knelt before him, her head bobbed up and down as she worked at his member furiously with her mouth. Lana sat in an armchair across from them, looking bored. The two ladies started at Niccolo’s entrance.
“Careful with the teeth,” Pavlo laughed, gripping Nessa by the hair.
“About time you showed up,” Lana said, rising from the chair.
“Forgive me,” he said with a slight bow of his head. “I didn’t realize I was expected.”
“Mr. Sparta over there told us you were waiting for us here.”
Nessa crawled onto Pavlo’s lap, her dark pink nipples standing erect. She absently stroked his penis as she smiled at Niccolo. “And now the party can really get started,” she said in a husky voice.
Niccolo closed the door behind him and leaned against it. “Do you your masters know where you are?”
Lana dropped fang and hissed, but Nessa answered. “They may be controlling bastards, but they are a far cry from our masters.”
“I’ll take that as a no,” Niccolo laughed. “Masters or no, they are still your makers, yes?”
Both ladies lowered their gazes.
“It’s good to see loyalty is alive and well in these decadent times.”
“Don’t judge us so harshly,” Nessa said in a whisper. “Pavlo said we were subjected to…” she paused, clearly searching for the words.
“Indigent circumstances,” Pavlo supplied.
“Right,” she nodded vigorously. “And as such, they weren’t upholding their responsibilities as our makers.”
“I see.” Niccolo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “So, they just let you run off with my friend here?”
Lana closed the gap between then in a blur of speed. “Shh,” she said, placing a finger on his lips. “Less talky-talky…more touchy-touchy.”
He couldn’t help but laugh and the others joined in the mirth. “That, my dear, sounds quite inviting.”
He watched with fascination as Lana slowly disrobed, exposing small but pert breasts and a lithe body so pale as to be nearly translucent. When he’d set out from the Talwa, he wanted to do one of three things. He had a nagging suspicion that before the evening was done, he’d have an opportunity to do them all.
Movement over Lana’s shoulder caught his attention. Nessa had straddled Pavlo while still facing away from him. She placed her hands on his knees and began gyrating slowly, keeping eye contact with Niccolo as she did. Lana, noticing his gaze, looked back at the frolicking couple before strolling over to stand in front of her.
She thrust her breasts toward Nessa who quickly clasped one of her nipples into her mouth without breaking her stride. Lana dropped her hand between her legs and began to massage herself.
Niccolo quickly undressed and moved in behind Lana. He wound his hand through her hair as he slid his erection into her gently.
“Do it good. Do it hard,” Lana all but groaned as he pushed deep within her.
With his free hand, he reached for her nether lips and was surprised to find not only her hand there, but Nessa’s as well. She pulled her own hand free, letting the other two pleasure her with different rhythms.
Niccolo pulled her hair up and away from her neck. “May I?” he sighed into her ear.
“Yes,” she whimpered, fear and anticipation evident in her strained voice.
“Do you want it?” he asked, his voice gruff with need.
“Yes,” she said again, her voice growing stronger.
“What do you want?” he growled.
“Take me…bite me…feed from me,” she panted.
As he sunk his teeth into the back of her neck, he was bombarded by images, smells, sensations. Her life seemed to be filled with happiness, if not a bit mundane. She knew little of hardship and even less of sorrow. He felt the transition into adolescence, the surge of hormones, the questions, the fear, the shame, the excitement. Still her life was a barrage of diurnal drudgeries that left no clue of why she was selected. At last, the answer came to him.
She sat at a desk, composing a letter. The flame of the lamp beside her flickered from the breeze blowing through the open window of her bedroom. A door opened from further into the house. Footsteps were quickly followed by the echo of muffled voices. Leaping to her feet, she rushed to her door, recognizing the sound of the lady’s voice. She was about to bid good evening to her parents when she realized the man with her mother wasn’t her father.
Niccolo instantly recognized the man he saw through Lana’s eyes. It was Adam Chaffey.
Their voices were clearer now and Lana listened to them, hanging on every word.
“My dear, I assure you,” her mother was saying. “This is highly unlike me. I’ve never strayed before in my life.”
“I can
see that in your eyes…and your heart,” Adam said. “Your purity is what drew you to me.”
“And yet, you’d entice me to sully that trait,” she said, as they stood in the middle of the living room.
“Entice, you say?” He let out a small laugh. “I’ve all but demanded it.”
She closed her eyes and sighed heavily. “There is just something about you, I find… irresistible. I can’t and won’t deny you any request. I’m yours for the taking.”
Adam kissed her passionately as he tugged at the laces of her bodice.
Lana had the sudden urge to turn away, but she couldn’t. She was mesmerized by the scene unfolding before her. Her mother and the other undressed each other slowly. Each bit of flesh exposed urged her to scream them to stop such insanity. Her voice remained caught in her throat.
“What the hell are you doing?” a voice boomed from beyond of her line of sight.
She yelped in surprise. Her mother faced the direction of the voice. The stranger looked at her.
“Eunice!” Her father continued. “How could you? And in our own home…”
She started to rush to her husband, but Adam held her by the arm. “There’s no need to go to him now. The damage is already done.”
“Damage? I’ll show you damage!” her father bellowed.
Her mother’s voice sounded frantic as she pleaded, “Henry, put that thing away before…”
A shot rang out and blood blossomed from the front of Adam’s shirt. He staggered back a step and stared down at the oozing wound.
“You really shouldn’t have done that,” he growled and seemed to disappear before Lana’s eyes.
When he returned he had her father by the throat and dragged him and her mother to the couch. He forced Eunice to sit in front of him without taking his eyes from Henry’s.
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