The Overture of Fear & Passion (The Daemonica Symphony Series Book 1)

by Eloisa Clark

  “And it apparently explains why you were able to break a Vampire’s nose without so much as a bruise.”

  He’d been thinking about that one all night. It was the only explanation that made sense. Everyone knew that Vamps were physically stronger and less vulnerable than all the other factions. For generations, Niko’s family had used Vampires as personal bodyguards. They were physically unyielding, unable to be harmed by usual means. Yet, somehow, Juliet had landed a blow that had cracked bone and shed blood; something only another Vampire should be able to do. Briefly, he had entertained the idea that Juliet was a Vamp hybrid, but he’d never heard of such a thing.

  Juliet was looking at her hand, putting the pieces together herself. Suddenly she was laughing, a soft chuckle at first that quickly turned into hysterical peals of laughter. Her laugh was contagious, and it didn’t take long before Niko was laughing too.

  “What is so funny?” He got out in between gasps of air.

  She couldn’t answer him for a minute, eventually falling on the couch, clutching her side and gasping in air while she wiped away tears. When she was finally able to breath enough to speak, her answer set them both off again.

  “I forgot she was a Vampire” she said.

  Niko joined her on the couch, smiling as he watched Juliet laugh. He was beginning to fall hard for this crazy, smart, beautiful woman and he wasn’t sure if that was such a good idea. He’d accepted that the universe had brought them together for a reason, they’re bond was enough proof of that. But a small part of him still resisted the idea that someone could be so perfect for him.

  Slowly, she calmed down again, her heavy breathing slowing as she watched him. She angled her body towards him, resting her arm on the back of the couch and crossing one leg over the other. He noticed the hem of her dress hike up with the movement and he also noticed that she was following his eyes, fully aware of where his attention had drifted. She didn’t seem unhappy about it.

  Taking that as a green light he reached out slowly, sweeping the back of his index finger along the length of naked flesh between clothing and boot. He felt a shudder roll through her, but she didn’t pull away. Instead she leaned forward and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling herself into his lap. He clutched her thighs, squeezing the soft flesh beneath his fingers. Juliet waited for a minute, biting her bottom lip while she seemed to be trying to make her mind up about something. The decision was made in his favour and she leaned in for a kiss.

  A feeling of Déjà Vu distracted him momentarily. They’re current position on the couch was strikingly similar to their last dream together. Niko slid his hands higher along Juliet’s warm thighs, slowly inching his hands beneath her clothing.

  As their tongues and lips continued to dance, he found the edge of her underwear. The sheer fabric was edged in lace and Niko had to control the urge to rip it off. Instead, he focussed on massaging her inner thighs, ever so slowly moving closer to her sweet spot.

  Juliet moaned against his mouth, he wanted to keep things as slow as possible, to give her a chance to change her mind or stop whenever she felt like they were getting close to some line she’d drawn for herself. He also wanted to make sure she was able to remain in control of her Demon.

  His hands reached the juncture between her legs, the heat was radiating from her, seductive and intoxicating. With just a thumb, he began rubbing slow circles over her centre, leaving the other on her thigh. She began to rock back and forth in time with the circles, making little moaning sounds as she continued to kiss him.

  Suddenly, she broke away, freezing Niko’s hand in mid-stroke.

  “I can’t. It’s too much.” She said breathlessly.

  “O.K, we’ll stop.” Niko said, beginning to pull his hands away.

  “No, don’t stop!” She pleaded.

  “I just, I need a minute.”

  “O.K.” He said, he would happily give her all the time in the world.

  “I can’t...” She started to say, shaking her head and licking her lips.

  “I can’t control it when you’re doing that and kissing me. It’s too intense. I can’t stay in control.”

  He understood now, she was fighting to maintain control of her Demon side and the closer she got to coming, the harder it was to remain in charge. He had an idea.

  “Why don’t you try letting yourself lose control.”

  Her eyes squinted in confusion.

  “Hand it over to me, let me be in control and you can let your Demon loose.” He kissed her softly, letting his thumb return to its circular motion.

  “I promise, we’ll keep our clothes on. Only touching.” He kissed her again, “And kissing. He could tell he was winning. Her eyes were slowly closing as she gave herself up to the idea of not having to contain herself. She nodded and kissed him again.

  “You have to promise to stop me. Don’t let me do anything you know I wouldn’t normally want to do.” She said between kisses.

  “And, you have to stop me, if… if I start to hurt you.” She bit her lip and locked eyes with him. Niko nodded, only too eager to comply.

  “I swear.” He said.

  He took hold of her thighs and moved their bodies, angling them so that they were horizontal on the couch. In this position he would be better able to use his body weight to pin her down if she started to fight him for control.

  He took both of her hands in his and raised them above her head, crossing one wrist over the other before pinning them in place with his left hand.

  He waited for her reaction, hoping he hadn’t freaked her out. When she smiled and rolled her hips up to meet his, an involuntary moan escaped him. He dipped his head and kissed her more deeply than before, feeling more confident that she wasn’t going to bolt. He used his free hand to return to his earlier mission.

  He kept his promise and only stroked her on the outside of her underwear, despite desperately wanting to slip a finger underneath and inside of her. It didn’t take long; within minutes he could feel the familiar pull which he now recognised was her Demon feeding off him. It didn’t seem to happen all the time, but something about her coming made the Demon stronger, to the point where he was convinced that if he were human, it would kill him.

  A few strokes later and she was trembling beneath him, her breath turning to quick pants. He released her mouth but kept rubbing, determined to make her orgasm last as long as possible.

  Watching her come was rapturous. He could feel her euphoria in their connection; she was broadcasting her pleasure in a way that only he could hear. When the last of her shudders had rippled across her body, he stopped and kissed her softly. She smiled and laughed softly as an errant thought snuck its way through the connection before she regained control and silenced her thoughts.

  “First guy to make me come.”

  Niko schooled his facial expression and deposited the thought away for reflection at a later time. He released Juliet’s hands and she lowered one of them to his belt, but he stopped her. When her eyebrow raised in silent question, he shook his head.

  “Don’t worry about me.” He said.

  “But...” She said, frowning.

  “This was never about me, remember. It’s about looking after your needs and helping you learn to control your Demon.” He said, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it.

  “That hardly seems fair.”

  “Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment.” He said, smirking.

  She sat up, looking at him seriously for a minute.

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded, outwardly he was trying to look as comfortable and relaxed as possible. On the inside he was trying like mad to distract himself from the bulge in his jeans that was now more than a little bit painful.

  “I guess I’ll go then.” She said, lifting herself up from the couch.

  “Do you have to? I mean, didn’t you want me to show you how to make paper cranes?” He asked, grabbing hold of her hand to stop her.

  She looked back and s
miled.

  “I guess I can hang out for a bit.”

  He smiled crookedly, pulling her back down and next to him on the couch.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The conservatory was oddly quiet for the middle of the afternoon. The usual crowd of late lunchtime visitors had all seemed to migrate outdoors to enjoy the unseasonably warm October day.

  It had been an interesting week since her smack-down with Clarissa had made her an overnight celebrity. Everyone seemed to want to hang out with the Demon who’d punched a Vampire and lived to talk about it. Clarissa had been keeping her distance and the rumour had spread that Elijah had threatened to literally kill her if Juliet so much as obtained a bruise in her presence.

  She’d gone in search of Niko after coming up with the excuse of needing to talk to him about a Compulsion technique she wanted his help with, but really, she just wanted to talk to him.

  Instead, she found Fiona and Sean, sitting alone in one of the cosy banquets.

  Juliet made her way over to their table and she couldn’t help but notice that they were sitting so close to each other that their shoulders were touching and when she looked closer she realised that under the table their hands were joined and Fiona was looking coyly away from Sean as he whispered something in her ear that caused her cheeks to turn a bright shade of pink.

  Juliet froze in her tracks, not wanting to intrude on their intimate moment. She turned to leave but at the same time someone else walked into the room and called out Fiona’s name.

  She watched as a small woman with long black hair and a stern frown made her way over to the couple.

  “Fiona, how are you coming along with your Transference work?” She asked.

  Juliet watched from relative privacy behind a potted palm and saw that Fiona and Sean had moved apart.

  “It’s going well, Kijo. Thank you.” Fiona’s eyes widened as she responded.

  “Good, good. And do you think you will be able to help tonight with harvesting the rosemary?”

  Fiona nodded quickly.

  “Yes. I can come straight after my Astrology lesson.”

  Kijo nodded and looked from Fiona to Sean and back again.

  “Very good. Well, I better get to my next lesson. Enjoy your lunch.” She walked away; her frown deeper than when she arrived.

  Juliet managed to sneak away unseen, she would let her friend have lunch in peace. Her interrogation could wait until later.

  “WHAT’S GOTTEN INTO you Juliet, ‘ave ye lost yer marbles?” Fiona exclaimed.

  Juliet ignored her and continued gently poking her arm. She’d been pacing the common room all afternoon, knowing that Fiona had to show up before dinner, as soon as she arrived, Juliet had followed at her heels.

  “You dirty little sneak, all this time you’ve been pestering me for details about what’s going on with me and Niko and you’ve had your own scandalous affair going on right under my nose.” Juliet accused.

  “Dere’s no scandal and no affair. We ‘aven’t even kissed yet.”

  Fiona rolled her eyes as she pushed Juliet away and put her bag down on her desk, turning her back on her.

  “Yet? Ah-ha! So, it’s true. You and Sean have a thing for each other. Spill.”

  “Dere’s nothin’ to spill, ‘onest Juliet.”

  But she could see the blush appearing on Fiona’s face and she wasn’t letting her off that easy.

  She crossed her arms in front of her chest and tapped her foot. Fiona sighed and faced her, sitting on the edge of her bed.

  “It’s just that I like ‘im, an’ well, I dink ‘e likes me. I mean. I’ve only ‘ad a couple of boyfriends back ‘ome. And I’ve only ever dated boys from my coven. I’ve never gone out wit a Shifter before. My clan’ll be so pissed if they find out.”

  “What’s the big deal about dating a Shifter?” Juliet asked.

  “The elders don’t approve. De old one’s especially don’t dink we should taint our blood wid non-humans.” Her shoulders slumped.

  “But you’re non-human, that’s ridiculous.”

  Fiona shook her head.

  “Not in ‘de minds o’ ‘de min’s o’ ‘de elders. Dey ‘tink we’re just ‘umans wit’ a special connection to ‘de earth or the Goddess Mother. It’s complicated.” She sighed.

  “Anyway, wha’ am I supposed to do? It’s not like a Witch can just do wha’ she wants. We are only as powerful as our coven. I’ve heard of Witches losing access to their power when ‘dey’ve been exiled.” She looked at the floor and Juliet sat down next to her, wishing she had the words to fix Fiona’s dilemma.

  JULIET WAS STILL thinking about Fiona and Sean’s predicament the next day as she got ready to go and see Niko. She’d never understood why relationships between consenting adults concerned anybody else and it made her so angry to think that Fiona had to hide her feelings for Sean just because some old hags in her coven hadn’t realised that they were living in the twenty-first century.

  Niko was waiting for her when she arrived in the studio. He was reclining on the couch as usual, drawing in his sketch book which he tucked behind him as he watched her enter the room, his eyebrow arching higher with each click of her boots. She walked past him and leaned against the wall, trying to imitate his relaxed attitude.

  “Hey.” She said.

  “Hey yourself.” He said.

  “Have a good week?”

  “Not bad. You?”

  “Can’t complain. Do you have anything in particular in mind today?” He asked, his dimple playing peek-a-boo on his cheek as he tried to hide a smile.

  She felt herself blush and silently cursed her inability to maintain a poker face. She shook her head, looking down with embarrassment. Niko stood and came closer; he lifted her chin with a finger and held eye contact for a moment.

  “You have no reason to be embarrassed.” He said earnestly.

  “You have no idea how sexy you are.” He leaned in and kissed her. She responded willingly, now that she knew what he was capable of, she was impatient for more.

  Her heart began to beat faster as the kiss intensified. She felt the same combined sense of calm and excitement when she was kissing him as when she performed on stage. All of her anxieties and insecurities simply drifted away as she became aware of the power that she commanded. She’d never realised it as keenly as she did now. Her skill as a musician and her power as a Demon were so similar in that way. She didn’t question if Niko enjoyed the kiss any more than she would question if her audience enjoyed her performance.

  Juliet wrapped her hand around Niko’s waist and pulled his hips against hers. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him quickly. His hands moving to her hair and stroking her neck, keeping their kiss deep. She clung to the back of his shirt, wanting him closer.

  His insistent mouth tangled with her own, lips and tongues rhythmically swirling together in a dance that was beginning to make her head swim. The friction of him grinding against her through both their jeans made her moan in pleasure. She felt the power swelling inside her and began to lose control. He stopped just in time, pulling his swollen lips away before her Demon could rise to the surface.

  “I have an idea.” He said, the intensity of his gaze caused Juliet to shudder.

  “Do you trust me?” He asked, his eyes sleepy as he moved away, placing his hands on the wall behind her.

  She nodded, her breathlessness preventing her from forming words.

  “I thought we could try something different this time. See if you can maintain control if we don’t kiss.”

  Her confusion must have been evident on her tell-tale face.

  “Turn around.” He said, offering no further explanation, he waited for her to obey.

  Juliet lowered her legs and released his shirt, wobbling slightly before she turned on the spot.

  “Place your hands on either side of mine.” He instructed and she again complied.

  “Spread your legs.” He said, she could hear him swallow and felt
his breath on her neck and he commanded her from behind.

  She again did what she was told, but she bit her lip as insecurities began to rise to the surface.

  He came closer to her again, the warmth of his body relieving some of the tension that had crept in.

  He placed his hands around her front and began to unfasten the button of her jeans, causing her to jerk involuntarily. His hands froze instantly.

  “Just say the word and we’ll go back to just kissing.” He said.

  Her head was spinning, she wanted to keep going but without his mouth distracting her, she was more self-conscious.

  “No, keep going. But…” She wasn’t sure how to finish her sentence.

  “You can change your mind. Just say stop and I’ll stop.” He reassured her.

  She nodded, feeling more confident.

  She stretched her fingers, forcing them to relax. Niko returned to unbuttoning her jeans. He moved slowly as he lowered the zip, she was sure he knew the kind of torture this was. She sucked in a breath as his hand slipped underneath her underwear, sliding leisurely down until it finally reached her core. She heard his breath begin to shake and smelled the familiar scent of peppermint toothpaste as he leaned closer.

  While his fingers began their familiar circular motions, his other hand found its way underneath her sweater. He stroked her ribs before moving higher, his leisurely pace allowed her the opportunity to protest, which she had no longer had any intention of doing.

  When his hand finally reached her breast, he shifted the fabric of her bra aside and caressed the soft flesh gently. An instant jolt of electricity ran from her nipple to her core and a moan escaped her.

  Niko began to match his circular motions, stimulating her nipple and slit at the same time. The sensation was overwhelming but somehow, she managed to remain in control. She felt her Demon side beginning to absorb energy from Niko as her pleasure increased and she neared the edge of orgasm.

  The awareness of the power exchange was something that now felt tangible, like a tap that she could turn on and off. She tested her theory; focusing her mind on a particularly complicated of musical composition and it worked, the exchange was interrupted. She felt Niko tense, he’d clearly felt it too.