With the light receding fast Quinn quickly took control.
“Gallion we need food and water. Valmont, Larissa perhaps a quick sweep of the area, familiarise yourselves with any weaknesses.”
Each of the team set off to complete their assigned tasks.
Darla made her way to the beautiful tree at the centre of the clearing, finally allowing herself to collapse beneath its protective branches. Her body completely drained from the day’s journey ached in places she never believed possible. Resting against the twisted trunk she closed her eyes feeling so weary that she was prepared to fall asleep right at that moment. But as she began to drift her empty stomach protested loudly at its neglect. Almost a full day had passed since she had last eaten the mouth-watering takeaway and regardless of how tired she now felt her body had other designs and needs.
Valmont and Larissa quickly returned followed shortly by Gallion bringing with him two large bags of water hanging over his shoulder and an enormous ball shaped object in his arms. Drinking deeply from the water provided, Darla watched as Gallion broke the curious looking object against the tree trunk, offering a large chunk to all except Valmont. Accepting the strange looking food she sniffed inquisitively, intrigued by its sweet scent.
“Valmont aren’t you hungry?” She asked her own hunger emphasized by her rumbling stomach.
The silence that descended over the small group fuelled her embarrassment as she quickly realised her error.
“Oops, sorry. It’s the whole vampire blood thing. I get it. Really I do. You just seem so human that sometimes I forget.” Focusing on the food in her hands Darla felt quite foolish.
Larissa and Gallion resumed their quiet conversation as Valmont joined her beneath the tree.
“Do not worry yourself mon une belle. It is understandable that it will take time for you to get used to us. Besides, being in the presence of such beauty could almost make a vampire wish he were human.” Taking her free hand he pressed his cool lips against her skin, his eyes capturing her stare. Mesmerised, Darla quickly forgot the intoxicating aroma of the food resting in her other hand.
“Valmont! She needs to eat.” Quinn’s voice broke through the spell releasing her from the Vampire’s gaze.
Darla quickly withdrew her hand focussing all her attention on the food Gallion had provided. Warm golden brown in colour, she gingerly pulled at a small section of the gelatinous mass and popped it into her mouth. Instantly a burst of flavour assaulted her taste buds.
“Dear lord. What on earth is this? It’s too die for.” Taking a much larger piece Darla popped it into her mouth and chewed. Closing her eyes she swirled the food around her mouth savouring the sensation.
“It’s called an Amalow. We pixie’s are what you humans commonly refer to as foragers; we survive purely on what the great forest provides. Amalows are an excellent source of protein and fortunately for us they grow in abundance here.”
Enthusiastically Darla popped more into her mouth. “Mmm. I do so love your home Gallion.” She smiled merrily, relishing the moment. Slowly and pleasurably she sucked the sticky residue coating her fingers. Aware of the silence that descended over the group she opened her eyes, hesitantly sliding the last digit from between her lips, under the watchful stares of the men.
“Oh for heaven’s sake!” Larissa moaned, appalled by her friends obvious response in light of Darla’s inadvertently sensual act.
Embarrassed by his own response, Valmont stood. “I um… … … I will be on patrol tonight. Feel free to get some sleep mon ami,” he said addressing Quinn.
Realising his own thoughts had mirrored that of his friends, Quinn kept his head down. “That’s great. Thanks.”
“I shall go and fetch you some bedding.” The pixie offered equally uncomfortable taking off in the direction of the treeline.
Unable to disguise her amusement Larissa sniggered lightly. Looking at Darla who was already devouring the last of her food it suddenly occurred to her just how oblivious the human was of her considerable charms. She had to admit it made a refreshing change. Perhaps the human wasn’t all bad after all.
Gallion returned carrying huge bales of the hanging moss that Darla had seen earlier. Depositing them in the camp he immediately sprinted off before returning with more of the same material providing enough to form two sleeping nests at the base of the tree.
“I think I will turn in for the night.” Larissa said eyeing the treeline longingly. “I think it best I change, I will be able to sense any threat much quicker that way.”
Quinn nodded in agreement.
“And of course I need to stretch, so if you don’t mind giving a lady a little privacy please…” Larissa waited until all three men had turned their backs. Taking Darla by surprise she then swiftly began to undress, folding her clothes neatly on the ground beside her.
Standing naked and unembarrassed in the waning light she inhaled deeply, breathing in the night air, seemingly oblivious to the three men not more than five steps from her vulnerable position. Turning in the direction of the treeline Larissa paused. Casting a quick glance over her shoulder she smiled wickedly at a bemused Darla, bestowing a quick wink before taking off at a fast sprint across the clearing.
Rapidly approaching the line of trees she increased her speed before leaping into the air. In an instant her body transformed. No longer was she the toned woman whom had only seconds before stood nakedly basking in the beauty of the night; instead, landing soundlessly on the carpet of soft moss she was a mythical creature of the night. Larissa had unleashed the Lycan.
To most she should be something to be feared, but for Darla all she could feel was awe for the beautiful cinnamon brown wolf that now stood staring back towards the camp.
Slowly climbing to her bruised and tender feet, Darla strained to see the enormous Lycan, desperate to catch a final glimpse of the creature before the shadows of the forest engulfed her.
“Magnificent, is she not?” Valmont’s voice revealed a depth of admiration she had not heard before.
The silence of the night was suddenly broken by the solitary cry of the lone wolf.
“She is beautiful.” Darla whispered still straining to catch a last glimpse of the wolf as she vanished into the shadows of the forest.
I’m not sure that Larissa see’s it that way.”
“Why ever not?” Darla asked wondering what Quinn could possibly mean. “She is a magnificent creature.”
“To you maybe, but then you don’t have to live your life always hiding a part of yourself that others may not understand, always being quick to call you evil.” Quinn’s eyes remained locked on the spot into which Larissa had disappeared.
Valmont and Gallion exchanged knowing glances.
“I think I will go join our four legged friend. Sleep well mes amis.” The vampire moved away with lightning speed, crossing the clearing in the same direction that Larissa had taken.
“If you will excuse me, I too will bid you goodnight. I will take to the trees for my rest.” Gallion bowed his head slightly to his two remaining companions. Swiftly crossing to the treeline he effortlessly swung up high disappearing into the dense canopy.
Weary beyond belief Darla collected Larissa’s clothes and hung them over a branch grateful for the distraction, the sudden departure of the others highlighting the darkness and uncertainty of the surrounding forest.
She suddenly felt a little strange finding herself alone with a man who was inadvertently evoking a mixture of feelings that she was far from ready to explore. Feeling both uncomfortable and a little nervous she resigned herself to settling down in one of the moss nests.
Without saying a word Quinn removed his jacket and took the nest next to hers.
Lying in the darkness surrounded by the unfamiliar sounds of the forest sleep evaded Darla and for the first time since entering Redemption nervousness got the best of her. Maybe it was the tiredness of the journey but just knowing that Valmont and Larissa were out there wandering around, hid
den in the shadows, she couldn’t help but wonder what other creatures also stalked the forest at night.
Her tortured body begged for sleep but her alert mind was simply unable to comply. Having Quinn close beside her was not the same as being able to see him or feel him. The impenetrable darkness of the night was overwhelming, leaving her with no other choice but to face the lesser of the two evils.
“Quinn,” she whispered, hesitantly hoping he wasn’t already asleep.
“Yeah.”
She felt elated at his quick reply. “I’m cold.” She silently prayed he wouldn’t detect the lie in her voice.
A long pause followed until finally, “Would you like my coat?” Not the answer she had been hoping for or wanting, Darla’s hope faded. “Couldn’t I just join you?” she asked boldly.
A deep sigh sounded in the darkness. “Stay there I’ll come to you.”
Although feeling a slight pang of guilt at the reluctance in his voice, Darla eagerly moved over making room in her makeshift cocoon. Slipping in beside her he draped his moss bedding across the top encasing them both inside the soft downy nest.
Darla sat up and removed her restricting jacket.
“I thought you were cold?” Quinn groaned.
“I was. But with two lots of body heat and additional bedding I’m sure I will warm up in no time.” Edging closer to his ridged form Darla fidgeted and wiggled until he begrudgingly conceded and lifted his arm allowing her to nestle in closer. With her head finally resting upon his shoulder and warmth emanating from his body to hers she slowly began to feel safe and protected. Closing her eyes her body relaxed and her mind emptied allowing her to drift into the deep and peaceful sleep she so desired.
For Quinn- lying still buried in the moss cocoon with the sleeping figure of Darla nestled tight to his body- it was nothing short of torture. Desire coursed through his body. His rock hard cock pushed against his impeding clothes, throbbing with a desperate need to escape its confines and find solace within the moist warmth of the softly breathing beauty beside him.
A brutally vivid vision formed in his mind of her naked form writhing beneath him, begging for release as he rained down kisses upon her firm golden thighs before greedily lapping at the sweetness of her core.
Quinn groaned aloud at the intensity of the vision. Disturbed by the sound, Darla’s sleeping form edged closer, her arm stretching gently across the expanse of his chest and her leg nestling intimately between his.
The innocence act drained the passion from his body leaving in its stead a fierce desire to protect her from any and all harm, no matter the cost. Pulling her closer still he moved so that both his arms could wrap around her. With her firmly encased in his tight embrace he gently kissed the top of her head.
A small sigh escaped her lips.
Quinn knew right then that he would lay down his life to keep her safe if that’s what it took. Far from ready to analyse why he felt the way he did he smoothed his chin against her silken hair wondering how she would react if she were to ever find out what he really was…or more to the point who he really was.
Once armed with that knowledge would she then be so eager to lie sleeping so vulnerably in his arms? More likely she would turn from him in disgust.
There was no denying that her acceptance of what Valmont, Larissa and Gallion truly were had been astonishing and more than a little surprizing especially for one of her kind. He had watched as she had embraced their differences showing nothing but kindness amid a mild curiosity, offering nothing but friendship and respect in return. But the likes of Vampires, Lycan’s and Pixies had been romanticized in her world for many centuries. Demons however had not.
Several hours later with a troubled mind and a heavy heart Quinn finally gave himself up to the sleep his body demanded.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Unwilling to face the steadily increasing light of the rapidly approaching dawn, Darla, still feeling tired nestled closer to the unknown source of enveloping warmth. With consciousness slowly returning she registered the hard muscular chest that lay beneath her hand and in an instant the foggy residue of sleep withdrew. Opening her sleep laden eyes she blinked in rapid succession and found herself staring into Quinn’s golden brown depths, his face mere inches from her own.
The intimate closeness of their entwined bodies sent her pulse racing, surging her blood through her veins kick-starting her heart into a rapid tempo of desire. Her eye’s dropped to his inviting lips and she subconsciously licked at her own.
The innocent action was all the encouragement Quinn needed. As if invited he moved in kissing her softly, almost tentatively with a gentleness she had not believed possible.
Restraining the inferno the raged inside him, Quinn knew with every ounce of his being that what he desired most right at that moment was not just stupid but reckless also.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered drawing his lips no more than a fraction from hers. Hoping she would, but praying she wouldn’t, he waited.
Unable and unwilling to do what he asked, Darla had no doubts of what she wanted. She wanted…no she needed to feel the passion of his kiss… needed to feel him.
Her reply was an easy one to make. “No.”
The absolution in her breathless response was the last thing he had expected. A growl of hunger resonated from his throat destroying the last remaining barrier of sanity that had held him in check. His lips plunged against hers, his tongue slipping inside caressing every inch of her warm and inviting mouth. The weight of his body pressed her back against the solid ground as his hand travelled the length of her ribcage possessively claiming the generous mound of her breast in a firm and demanding grasp.
Darla moaned with aching pleasure moving in an effort to allow him greater access to her body. The small adjustment brought his sex against hers leaving no doubt to the extent at which he was aroused. Wrapping her arms around his neck she buried her fingers into the thick strands of his hair, pulling him ever closer. The passion in her kiss and the fire in her body matched that of his with equal intensity. Arching her back her breast pressed deeper into his large hand.
Frustrated by the limited access to her body, Quinn dragged on the zip of her top, consumed with urgency to touch the silken skin beneath. Once unveiled, he took her breast in his hand, this time skimming his thumbs across the tight bud of her nipple teasingly camouflaged beneath the lace of her bra. Her gasped response inflamed him further.
His tongue continued plundering the depths of her mouth, her taste an intoxicating thirst that he found impossible to quench. Forcing his lips from hers desperate to taste more of her, he worked a trail of decadent seduction down the column of her throat, licking, nipping and kissing wherever he touched.
Consumed by the fires raging inside Darla didn’t hear as the silence of the dawn was broken by the haunting cry of a lone wolf somewhere deep within the forest, but in an instant Quinn’s lips disappeared along with the pressing weight of his body.
Shaken by the intensity of emotion that had overwhelmed her with his touch, Darla now lay startled and confused by his sudden withdrawal. Starring up at his rigid back as he stood no more than a couple of feet from where she lay she could almost feel the coldness radiating off him.
Her body ached for the return of his touch as the cool chill of the morning air swept across her exposed flesh. Reining in her emotions she fought her desires not knowing what she had done wrong. Quickly sweeping the edges of her top together she zipped it firmly in place.
Straightening his clothes and dragging his fingers through his hair Quinn couldn’t bring himself to look at her. One glance at her lying there with her hair dishevelled and her skin glowing from the heat of the moment they had just shared and he knew he would be lost forever regardless of who saw them. “Larissa’s coming in. She needs to dress.” Speaking to her over his shoulder he turned to leave. “I’ll fetch the others, and then we move out. Make sure you’re ready.”
His detached tone was not what she
had expected. Hurt and more than a little confused she rose from the makeshift bed straightening her clothes as he took off. Picking out clumps of moss from her hair she turned to retrieve her jacket and froze. Directly before her stood the immense cinnamon brown wolf that was Larissa.
She had approached without making the slightest of sounds stopping less than a foot from where Darla now stood. Her presence was frightening and exhilarating all at once and Darla could now see she was more beautiful than she could ever have imagined.
Standing twice the size of an average wolf her thick luxurious coat was a blended array of multiple shades of browns and rich warm reds that seemed to glisten in the oncoming light. In her desire to touch the mesmerising fur Darla hesitantly reach a hand towards the majestic creature.
As if silently consenting, the wolf lowered her head granting permission by her own volition. Slowly Darla’s fingers sank in to the deep thickness of the lush fur coat. Becoming bolder she reached her other hand out revelling in the silken feel.
“You are truly beautiful,” Darla whispered knowing the wolf understood every word.
Breaking their contact the large wolf backed away. Its body began to shake and quiver uncontrollably, limbs contorting and fur receding as the beast slowly transformed revealing a huddled human form lying in the grass.
Without speaking a word Larissa unfurled her body and stretched slowly realigning herself to her human form before silently retrieving her clothes from the tree where Darla had hung them the night before.
Once dressed, the Lycan turned smiling hesitantly at Darla. “Thank you.”
Judging Darla’s silence as a lack of understanding she added, “For the compliment you gave me – the other me – just now.”
“So you can understand me in your wolf form?’ Darla asked.
“I can understand everything. I’m not an animal Darla, I’m Lycan. It’s still me inside there; I’m just a little different. Faster, stronger, less inhibited and of course I can see much clearer in the dark. In fact all my senses are amplified, but underneath all that I am still me.”
Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel Page 14