Strigoi Redemption

by Hall, K R

  Hatred welled in his heart so deep that it was ingrained in the tissue. Christian held a lifelong grudge over what he perceived as Victor's carelessness that caused his family’s death. He would bear this grudge until he died or took revenge, whichever came first.

  Chapter 16

  Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, filled with cheer and joy. This was the first Christmas after Alana came to Victor’s home. It was sure to be a great event.

  Victor’s parents and Alana’s parents and sister Millie came to help plan. They constantly chatted over decorating ideas. Nicolae began carrying the packed ornaments and other decorations from the storage room.

  “Each room will have a special themed Christmas tree,” Adelaide said. “The tallest, perfectly formed and decorated Christmas tree stands beside the staircase. I will do that one.”

  “Near the main entrance to the sitting room will be a Christmas tree that I will decorate,” Irini said.

  “I am going to have a Christmas tree in the parlor,” said Alana.

  Millie finished putting together a short list of Christmas songs before she joined Alana in the parlor.

  “Great, let's get started,” Edith said.

  Edith oversaw the decorating in the dining room. No tree, but the table was decorated with rare and beautiful plants and flowers. White, leaping deer table pieces with golden flowers and antlers were strategically placed throughout the plants and flowers. The dining room walls were decorated with canvases of winter scenes and Christmas trees and fireplaces.

  Adelaide used personal ornaments and decorations from their childhoods to adorn the tree and entryway. There were velvet drop ornaments, cute Russian dolls, vintage glass open balls, assorted vintage snowflakes, and a set of stunning finial ornaments. To top it off, Adelaide added a capiz-style star tree topper. It gave the entryway a vintage look.

  Alana sat down on the sitting room floor and sorted Christmas ornaments. This was the first live Christmas tree she had ever seen and she was puzzled and asked many questions on how to keep it from toppling over and how often to water it.

  Alana decided a more whimsical theme would suit the sitting room and its tree. Across the fireplace mantel, she laid a beautiful garland that had poinsettias, plastic candies, Christmas baubles, and was sporadically punctuated with ribbons shaped into lovely bows, equipped with LED that would lend an illuminated charm. A matching wreath was hung above.

  Irini’s tree was decorated with many glass starbursts and drop ornaments in red, gold, and silver. She added a lovely, snowy touch with glittery snowflakes. The final touch was a set of dazzling icicle finial ornaments ribbed and accented with reflective mirror pieces. The lights were clear, and it was topped with a traditional angel.

  When it was done, they had a tastefully decorated home.

  ~ ~ ~

  For the Marinescu and Treunmhor families, the whole interest of these preparations for Christmas lay in the fact that this was Victor and Alana’s first Christmas together. Victor would not hear of remaining in bed during the holidays. His determination to get stronger and healthier proved to be to their advantage.

  “I find it hard to realize that Christmas is almost here, even though Alana talks about nothing else,” Victor chuckled.

  “Christmas has always been her favorite holiday,” Walter said.

  “She takes special care with the placement of each decoration. They all hold special memories for her,” Edith said.

  “Now, she will make new memories with Victor and, soon, grandbabies for us to spoil,” Irini said, chuckling.

  “I’d like to go Christmas shopping; will you be alright?” Alana asked, coming into the room.

  “Yes, love. You will need to take along a guard for your safety. We still have not found Chloe nor have we found whoever poisoned me,” Victor said.

  “Agreed,” Alana said and left to find Nicolae to take her Christmas shopping.

  ~ ~ ~

  Alana joined crowds of people milling through downtown Carver to see the Christmas displays and shop. The shopping trip was exciting because it was so close to Christmas but otherwise uneventful.

  Alana was delightfully surprised to bump into Victor’s father as he did their shopping. She spotted a few wrapped packages in his bag.

  “For Christmas?” she asked hopefully, pointing to the bag.

  “Now, Alana, if I said anything it would spoil your surprise,” Atanase said with good humor.

  “You will be coming this weekend, won’t you?” Alana asked.

  “Is it a Christmas party?” he asked.

  “Yes!” Alana said. “We’re also collecting gifts, coats, and food for the needy.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Atanase said.

  After hugs were shared, Atanase continued to his car. Alana and Nicolae headed into one of the local shops. Alana had to shop for her family as usual, but this year, she added Victor’s family, Nicolae, and the rest of the household staff.

  ~ ~ ~

  “I hope your Christmas Day will be a delightful one and that the New Year will be full of brightness and joy for you and everyone,” Victor said to everyone at the Christmas party. “Your donations to the needy families in Carver have far outdone last year’s donations. We thank you all for your generosity.”

  Merrily and heartily, the gathered guests started singing, dancing, and playing Christmas games.

  When a Christmas waltz began, a warm hand gripped her elbow. Victor swept her across the hardwood floor in a flurry of intricate steps that she somehow managed to match.

  The Christmas lights whirled around her as he moved her expertly around the floor. The colorful decorations melded together until it was just a sense of beauty and peace. Alana melted against Victor. His arms tightened around her, pulling her close. Chest to chest, hip to hip. She felt every incredible inch of him flush against her— every incredible, hard inch of him.

  The small stringed orchestra was playing a mixture of carols and modern-day Christmas songs. Victor’s strong arms were bands of steel around her back. One big hand cupped the curve of her ass and she didn’t mind the possessive gesture one bit. She gave into temptation and moved her hand to stroke the skin at the nape of his neck. As she felt bolder, she ran her fingers through his hair. Victor moaned. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

  “What you do to me,” Victor moaned as he whirled her into another complicated turn, leaving Alana breathless and clinging to his shoulders for support.

  Alana wanted to have his hands gripping the soft roundness of her thighs. To hear the low huskiness of his voice to demand her to spread her legs as his fingers slipped under her panties and through the wetness, she felt clinging to her pussy lips. To feel Victor’s tongue licking away her wetness.

  “Oh, damn,” she whispered when she realized Victor had stopped dancing and was looking at her with raw desire. Had she said that out loud?

  “Such a dirty word from that pretty mouth,” he said, smiling.

  In the next moment, his firm, purposeful mouth claimed hers. His tongue swept across her bottom lip, licking and nibbling before pushing inside. It danced with hers. He tasted so damn good. She arched against him with wicked abandon. Victor broke off the kiss when the clock struck midnight. It was time to close the Christmas ball.

  ~ ~ ~

  Alana’s face bore a Christmas morning smile. She was like a kid on Christmas morning. She found surprises, not only in the stockings but on the table, on all the chairs, at the door, on the windowsill; indeed, she could hardly walk without stumbling on a bit of Christmas wrapped in tissue paper.

  “I bought your present. I think that you will like it, or at least, that is my hope. I searched far and wide for this unique present. I do believe that the stones are prized among your tradition.”

  Victor handed Alana a box and she held it in her hands for a moment before she opened the lid. She was awed by the contents; inside was an exquisite necklace made of black pearls.


  “This gift is far too expensive and rare to grace my neck. I cannot accept this gift; it’s simply too much.” Alana said

  “I had it created for you, and it would please me greatly for you to accept it. I wanted to give you a small token of my commitment and loyalty to you, my love.”

  He moved behind her and laid the exquisite necklace around her neck. The pearls felt cool against her skin, but his hands on her shoulder sent waves of warmth everywhere.

  “You are far too generous and kind. Thank you!”

  “I seldom disagree with such a beautiful woman, but on this matter, I must. I believe tokens of affection are very much necessary to demonstrate how treasured a woman is to a man.”

  Alana decided to give Victor the best Christmas gift she could imagine. They had been living together for four months. She felt she knew him as well as she knew herself. There had been no sign of Chloe since she attacked. There also had not been any other attempts on her life or Victor’s.

  Alana was ready to take the next step with Victor in their relationship.

  ~ ~ ~

  Victor picked up Alana and carried her up the stairs. Realizing he was passing her bedroom and heading to his, she suppressed a moment of need. He really was taking her to his bedroom. He opened the door. Stepping through it, he lowered her to the floor and slammed the door shut behind them. He leaned back against it, his gaze raking up and down her body. She returned the favor, taking in the tousled locks and his broad shoulders. His eyes glittered with hunger. Her gaze traveled lower. He was hard. And big. Her eyes widened and her body hummed. He was perfect. He was hers.

  “I want our union to be so much more than just making love. I want us to have a family and a life together. This is what I have always desired, nothing more and nothing less,” Victor said.

  Another full-body shiver went through her. Was she about to have the sex that she always craved? Would he be demanding? Dominant? Heavens, she hoped so.

  “Alana,” Victor choked out. “Are you sure you want this?”

  “Yes,” Alana said as she looked into his eyes and fell even more deeply in love. “Claim me. Make love to me and make me yours for eternity,” she said, stepping in and leaning close. “I’ve never done this before, Victor; you’re going to have to help me,” Alana said against his lips. Her breath was raspy with want and need.

  “We don’t have to do this if you aren’t ready, Alana,” Victor said as his hands slid down her body.

  “Victor… I am ready,” Alana stepped back, unsure what to do next.

  She yelped in surprise when Victor lunged forward, capturing her hands and anchoring them behind her back. One of his big hands grasped her jaw, forcing her mouth open for the rough penetration of his tongue. His kiss was pure sexual delight, designed to wet a woman’s panties and turn her channel into a throbbing knot of need. He pressed his massive erection into the hot vee of her thighs. His teeth, his tongue, his lips seduced her. His hand held her still as he ravaged every inch of her mouth. When he broke away, they were both gasping heavily.

  “You taste so fucking good,” Victor said.

  He angled one of his legs between hers with a suddenness that caught her off guard. It knocked her off balance so that she toppled forward into his arms. He let go of her hands so he could grab her under her ass. The pressure of his hands on her sent a primitive request of submission straight to her core. He moved and Alana knew she was lost. Lost to the sensations created by Victor.

  His eyes became devilishly wicked. He dipped his head, his eyes open and burning into hers as he kissed her again. She moaned against the delicious assault and returned it. Her moans turned to whimpers as he moved his leg, causing delicious friction growing against her pussy.

  Victor ground himself against Alana, blatantly rubbing his arousal against the softness of her belly. His strigoi growled and snarled, trying to break through. Trying to get closer. The air was perfumed with her desire.

  He had an overwhelming need to rip off her panties and thrust himself inside her, claiming her. He felt the warm, pulsing energy resonating from her straight to him and his strigoi. He wanted her. He needed to please her and to love her.

  He closed his eyes, blocking out the picture of her face flush with need, her lips parted to take his cock. The urge to push her to her knees and demand she suck his cock overwhelmed him.

  His fingers dug into her arms and he knew he’d leave a mark, but he couldn’t stop himself. He leaned back his head, striving for the control that was splintering faster than glass in a windstorm. With the low growl of need, he sank an open mouth kiss to her lips. He flicked the tip of his tongue against her mouth, moaning in pleasure when she arched upwards as if to capture the impatience of his kiss and savor the sweet violence.

  Alana eagerly accepted his dominance, wondering if a woman could come from just a kiss. Hunger arched between her thighs, dampening her pussy further with pleasure.

  “Undress,” Victor commanded.

  Alana felt the loss when he moved his leg, but she was eager to strip. As she removed her clothes— revealing a naughty Mrs. Claus lingerie set— he removed his jacket. He tugged the tie free from the collar of his shirt. Next, he tried to unbutton his shirt, but his fingers wouldn’t work the golden studs holding it in place. She could see his frustration as he ripped his shirt open.

  “You look like a sexy Santa. You’re intoxicating,” Victor breathed. He leaned in to kiss the mounds of her breasts, grazing his teeth along her delicate skin.

  Victor’s gaze swept over her— from her generous breasts to the rounded mound of her belly. His survey of her glided up again and ended on her face.

  “Alana, you are every bit as beautiful as I’d ever imagined,” Victor whispered.

  “You thought about what I’d look like naked?” Alana asked.

  “Absolutely,” Victor said looking directly into her eyes.

  “Then why,” she swallowed. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  A frown fell over his face. “I was trying to protect you.”

  Alana didn’t know what to say to that. Protect her from what? The curse or him? And did it matter? He was with her now and she didn’t want to make him second-guess what was happening between them. After all, she had been skirting him just as much. But she didn’t want to do that anymore.

  “I dream about you every night. I have since the first day you arrived here,” Victor said

  “You probably didn’t expect there to be,” she glanced down at her body, “so much of me.” She pursed her lips.

  “You are the sexiest woman I have ever met,” Victor said. “Your body is luscious.”

  “I’m not much good at this,” Alana said. He smiled and reassured her that she was doing well.

  He caught her hands and placed them on his chest. “Touch me as you did before.”

  Biting her lower lip, she trailed her hands along his massive chest, naturally dark, hard, and bulging with muscles. She stroked her fingers over the tempting flesh. He had the perfect amount of hair. The silky pelt hugged the patterns of solid muscle and bones. Alana quivered as she swirled her hands over him, smiling as the tan nipples hardened beneath her touch. She flicked one with a nail before tracing the line of his collarbone. Next, she ran the palms of her hands over his shoulders and down his bare arms.

  He gripped her waist, his hands rough against her soft skin as she explored him. He watched her with his eyes half-shut, his expression was so damn sexy. It made a woman think he was waiting to pounce.

  “Oh, pereche. Touch me some more.”

  “Pereche?”

  “Mate.”

  She continued, stroking him lightly from his shoulders to his chest and down his abdomen. His stomach was rock hard with ridges of muscles that Alana wanted to drop to her knees to taste. With every slide of her hand, she got closer to the waist of his pants until she was barely sinking her fingers inside, teasing him with feminine foreplay.

  “More.”

  He grun
ted just the one word, but she knew what he wanted. What she wanted to give him. With the next pass, she wedged her hand between their stomachs and worked it into his pants. The soft fabric of his underwear prevented skin to skin contact. She was strangely disappointed that he didn’t go commando, but she didn’t let that stop her. Closing her fingers around his length through the fabric, she gasped at the size of his cock. He jumped against the palm of her hand. She stroked him over the underwear, up and down. The shaft was oh, so, very hard. He was so hot and full it made her mouth water.

  “Take it out,” he ordered.

  Grabbing the button of his slacks, she worked them loose. She reached inside and pushed down the front of his underwear. His hard cock sprung free, jetting through the opening made by his zipper. She encircled him with her hand just below the purple head.

  “Stroke it.”

  With a movement that made them both shiver, she stroked him from the base to the tip. Her hand continued to move up and down in a slow, pumping motion. Drops of pre-cum escaped and she rubbed it around the head of his cock and down the shaft. She continued to pump him, varying the speed of her touch.

  “Fuuuuck.” He rocked into her hand, his hold on her waist a stinging pain as she destroyed his control.

  As Alana stroked, she rose on tiptoes until she could take the lobe of his ear between her teeth. She bit down; a hard, sharp nip that sent a shiver of want down his spine. He clenched his teeth, trying to control the urge to shoot his load right then and there. Her touch was addictive and he wanted nothing more than to have her soft little hand stroke him to satisfaction.

  Later. Maybe later. She gave a sharp twist of her wrist that had his strigoi panting with need. Definitely later.

  He drew her hand away. “Now it’s my turn.”

  He let go of her waist and slowly raised his hands until he could cup her breasts, drawing out the anticipation. He groaned with appreciation when the sinful weight filled his palms. His thumb scraped over the tips, making them hard under her bra. She thrust forward, arching into his touch. Her obvious delight brought a gleam of pure male fire into his eyes, turning them more gold than brown.